The difcourfe of a clown, does not found like the fame language, with that which flows from the lips of an orator; neither does his ungraceful ftep appear to be produced from the use of the fame organs, which charm us in the graceful motion of a well-bred man or woman: to clofe the comparifon, how effentially the uncouth and hafty meal of the farmer, differs from the luxurious and elegant repast of the fine gentleman; the one is regulated in his actions by nature, which produces civility; the other by refinement, which conflitutes politeness. To purfue my ufual plan of preferring mediocrity in all things, I with those with whom I affociate to have a portion of these different qualities blended în their characters; that from nature they may derive fincerity, and from refinement, those graces which are its best ornaments!

Lady Mary.

I hope, my dear madam, by my care and affiduity, to reward you for the pains you take with nie. Is not Gratitude an amiable quality?

Mentoria.

Certainly, my dear, it is a virtue which ought to be cherished, as it is but seldom pracThe generality of the world content themselves

tifed.

themselves with the bare acknowledgment of an obligation, and, fcarcely ever feek an opportunity to return it, which is the more extraordinary, as it is a debt every one has power to pay, which Milton thus expreffes: "A grateful

mind, by owing owes not, but still pays, " at once indebted and discharged!" which implies, gratitude is the only tribute required, when it is not in your power to make a more fubftantial return for any benefit received.

Lady Louifa.

If acts of gratitude are fo eafily performed, I am furprized they are not more frequently practifed.

Mentoria.

pur

Perfons in general are fo eager in the fuit of benefits, they no fooner gain one, than they seek to obtain another, which scarcely leaves them leifure for the exercife of this virtue; and alfo when they are poffeffed of the advantage, are too apt to forget the means by which it was acquired. As I know you are fond of poetry, I will repeat an invocation to gratitude, which I wrote fome days ago.

Hail, gratitude divine, of heav'nly birth! Whence art thou found, a fugitive on earth? Where is thy dwelling, art thou doom'd to roam From pole to pole? yet find no friendly dome

To fhelter thee from infult, and from pride?

Will no kind breaft thy grief and cares divide? Ill-fated maid, thy votaries withdraw,

Deny allegiance to thy facred law.

Thy fpotlefs altars, no oblations grace;
Thy favours wrote on fand the winds efface.
What tho' but few attend thy exil'd fate,
Thou'rt freed from pomp, and vain parade of

(state. Deign but to hear thy modeft fuppliant's pray'r, Let her thy filken bands for ever wear!

Lady Mary.

My dear Mentoria, I thank you for reciting thofe lines; but fhall be more obliged, you will explain them.

if

Mentoria.

It will give me pleasure, my dear Lady Mary, to point out the different allufions which they contain; as it will enable you to comprehend the fenfe of the invocation. The fuppofition that gratitude is of celestial birth, denotes the divinity of her nature; and the idea of her being a fugitive, fully expreffes fhe is a wanderer from her native country. The paffage :

Ill fated maid, thy votaries withdraw, Deny allegiance to thy facred law!

Thy

Thy spotlefs altars, no oblations grace;
Thy favours wrote on fand, the winds efface!

Imply, that thofe who are bound by the ftrongest obligations, frequently neglect to make their proper acknowledgments, and refufe to pay the tribute which is due; alfo that the favours we receive, make but a flight im preffion on our hearts, and are often erased by scenes of folly and diffipation, which are in their nature as light as air. The concluding lines

Deign but to hear thy modeft fuppliant's pray', Let her thy filken bands for ever wear:

Clearly indicate my ardent defire to be guided by this divine virtue, whofe yoke is eafy, and burthen light, and of whom with propriety it may be faid, her fervice is perfect freedom. Lady Louifà.

From your defcription, my dear Mentoria, gratitude feems to be but in an uncomfortable fituation, as he has no habitation; and is obliged to wander far from her native-country to feek an abode.

Mentoria.

Let her then find an afylum in your brea; make frequent oblations at her fhrine, which

mul confift of univerfal charity and benevolence, as no other facrifice is acceptable to her. Yield implicit obedience to her laws, bind yourself with her filken cords, and prefer them to the fetters of guilt, or the fhackles of folly. Lady Mary.

My dear Lady Louifa, we will, both of us, be votaries of gratitude, which fhall be teftified by duty to our parents, and respect to good Mentoria, for the pains fhe takes to improve us.

Mentoria.

Exclufive of the advantage I fhall derive from the practice of this refolution, I rejoice in it, because it will influence your whole conduct, and regulate the actions of your future life. The duration of a building depends entirely on the ftructure of the foundation: if the bafis be not firm, the edifice foon falls to decay, which evinces the neceffity in the fornation of a human character, to erect the fabric on the folid, and immutable principles of virtue and religion. Those who prefer fuperficial accomplishments to thefe divine attributes, may be compared to the foolish man defcribed in the gospel, who built his house on the fand, which when the wind arose, and the rains defcended, beat upon the house and it fell,

and