convey an estate from one honourable family to another; of how little moment it is, when compared with a rational amusement of a serious game of whist, whether a wife be made unhappy, or a family ruined.

Some, who are not fond of parting with their money without any gratification, have been prudent enough to stipulate for sport in exchange; well satisfied they repair to that repository of the arts and sciences, Newmarket, and are handsomely recompensed by a good gallop for the loss of their whole fortune.

It is knowledge of the world which directs the cheesemonger's wife in her choice of a gown, and the putting up of her pickles; it determines whether her cap shall be like Mrs. Cheshire's or Mrs. Tape's; whether her Sunday's ride shall convey her to the Angel at Highgate, or to the Pack-horse at Turnham-green. Knowledge of the world persuades the spendthrift, that in expense alone consists the scavoir vivre; and teaches the usurer to withhold his loan till the premium is doubled. The increase of this knowledge begets that comfortable contempt which each class entertains for the other; it supports the man of substance in his condemnation of poverty, and instructs the man of pleasure to despise the sons of mechanism and tallow.

It is knowledge of the world by which the man of fashion acquires a readiness in the different forms of salutation; the proper reserve with which he treats an inferior; and the skilful adulation with which he approaches the fool greater than himself.

To his knowledge of the world the clerical solicitor is obliged, while he evades the penalties incurred by simoniacal contracts, flies from the vigilance of episcopal inquiry, and is mean enough to shear the flock which he is too proud to feed.

The sceptic in religion discovers his knowledge of the world by asserting a natural right to think for himself; by searching, with eager inquiry, after what must be for ever before his eyes; and doubting the truth of that which nature insists upon "through all her works."

It is, forsooth, an accurate knowledge of the world which prompts the atheist to inform his hearers that the duties of religion are impositions upon the weak and credulous, the contrivances of ambition, the clogs and impediments to the progress of real merit.

It is this salutary knowledge of the world which assists the libertine in his career, and gives vigour to the arm of the suicide.

This boasted wisdom then, by which the tradesman acquires wealth, the minion of fashion the notice of his peers, the sceptic reputation, and the libertine encouragement, is too high for the attainment only of men of abilities, science, and literature! This is surely a position to which no logical fallacy can give the appearance of truth. Is it probable, that the same man, who can successfully combat the insidious arguments of schismatic theologists, should become the dupe of a low-minded and designing mechanic? Or shall he, who can with accuracy examine the claims of the impostor Mahomet, bow down before the superior wisdom of a tricking pedler ?

It is from an honest benevolence of heart, the peculiar concomitant of an enlightened mind, which neglects to fortify itself against attacks it has never provoked, and disdains to suspect the injury it has never felt, that men of superior talents frequently fall into the snares of these sagacious sons of prudence.

It is not to be wondered at, that they whose attention has been diverted from the concerns of the world to objects of a higher nature, should perform those offices which are necessary to society with less skill than others, whose lives have been consumed in the constant intercourse with mankind, and the noise and bustle of business. In the performance of these offices, the frequent superiority of ignorance over learning is evident and confessed. The former oftentimes effects with ease, what the latter in vain attempts with awkwardness and timidity; awkwardness, arising from a bashful mind, and timidity from the consciousness of its own defects.

Yet let those who excel in worldly wisdom bear their triumph with moderation, when they are reminded, that wealth, which only gratifies the avarice of its possessor, without being the instrument of his benevolence, is neither honourable nor ornamental; and that power, for which ambition pants, only shows itself illustrious, when it is exerted to suppress injustice, and to protect innocence.

MONRO.

No. VI.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1787.

Credula turba sumus.

THE character of the late king of Prussia, together with the residence of Dr. Katterfelto, and other heroes of that country in England, have contributed to raise in the minds of many of our countrymen a very high and splendid idea of that nation of philosophers, warriors, and physicians.

I was passing, not long ago, through Holborn with a friend, whom I had all my life mistaken for a man of sense, when a printed bill of Dr. Katterfelto's was put into our hands, and soon after the doctor himself, in a shabby kind of chariot, whisked by us. "Is that," exclaimed my friend, " an equipage suitable to the character and condition of a brother to a colonel in the king of Prussia's lifeguards? Ought he to be reduced to the necessity every day of reminding the public of his situation, his dignity, and his quality?

Is it not scandalous, that he who has done such signal services to all the princes and potentates of Europe, should be suffered in this humiliating manner to supplicate the attendance of gentlemen and ladies upon his exhibition at only one shilling each ? Oh, Mr. * * I am sorry to say it, we are an envious nation, and willing only to favour those whom we despise. The French send over their Vestris, their dancing-dogs, and wheedle us out of our mo

ney, and then skip off with it; the Italians,-but we will not talk of them, for I shall be in a passion-while this honest Dr. Katterfelto can with difficulty obtain a livelihood. There is Dr. Leo

again, who has performed such and so many extraordinary cures in most of the king of Prussia's camps, to say nothing of his table in Coventgarden, where I myself have felt the salutary effects of his advice. I am really ashamed, sir, suppose these gentlemen should ever go back, as they have often threatened, to their own country, what must become of our national reputation? The wonderful doctor would take away his cats with him, and the tall regiment would laugh at us."

My friend was so serious in his harangue, that I would not hazard offending him by ridicule; but I could not help hinting my doubts as to the truth of the assertions, which these gentry are very apt to make.

Upon my return home, I immediately dispatched a messenger to the shop of my ingenious and valuable friend and correspondent Mr. Polumathes, requesting that he would send me by the bearer a short essay on that benevolent credulity, by which our friend John Bull is so distinguished, and so deceived; with which I purposed to conclude this paper. My messenger brought back the following answer, replete with that candour and good sense for which Mr. P. is so justly celebrated.

DEAR SIR,

Friday morning.

THE Commission you have been so vour me with, highly flatters me.

kind as to faIt raises my