The borrowed precepts, silly observations, and trite stupidity of elementary books may form a noisy and impudent, but never a great and illustrious man. Such will never be the effect of flippancy without wit, dulness without sobriety, and strangeness without originality. An intense, fervent and unremitting investigation of the depths of literature and science, must put to flight those indolent habits of mental dissipation, which are a most serious and insurmountable obstacle to the substantial and systematical acquisition of all knowledge. Shallow and superficial productions, like an ignis-fatuus, first by their false glimmering lead us into error, and afterwards plunge us into the profoundest abyss of intellectual night. From a laborious application alone and its attendant effects, can learning and science derive the brightness of their lustre, the fulness of their dignity, and the consummation of their glory. T. THE MINIATURE. NUMB. XX. MONDAY, November 5, 1804. Quid Romæ faciam? mentiri nescio; librum, What's Rome to me, what business have I there, As it has often been a subject of my deepest reflection, and as it must be a matter of no small importance to the larger portion of my fellowcitizens, to consider what path they will hereafter pursue, when time shall have conveyed them from the peaceful bosom of Eton, into the tumultuous scenes of public life; it is my intention to dedicate this paper to an enquiry into so useful and necessary a consideration. Not that I shall presume to obtrude my admonition upon a point, which the opinion of a parent, or accidental circumstances must in a great measure regulate and decide: but merely to throw together a few ideas, which the subject may present to my observation. I have been frequently astonished at the inconsistency of many well-meaning parents, who at the same time that they desire and expect their children to attain the highest eminence in their several professions, inconsiderately bring them up in the antiquated principles of virtue and morality. Such an education might have done very well for the Spartans under Lycurgus; or the Romans in the time of Fabricius. Morality is very proper for a country curate, or a con ́verted methodist, and gives an appearance of religion to a Sunday sermon. Voltaire has long since exploded such vulgar words from the law and political vocabulary of every nation. The steps of "young ambition's ladder," are composed of more solid materials, by which he may reach the heavens, tyrannize over his fellow-subjects with impunity, and defy the power of man. It must therefore be the principle study of every parent to adorn his son with those brilliant qualifications, which may enable him to pursue the path of glory and opulence. There are many acquisitions which may be equally serviceable to him in any department of public life; but there are others again which are the peculiar attributes of each individual profession, and without which no one can persist in a steady course of successful iniquity. I shall now venture to lay down a few precepts, for the benefit of any who may be unhacknied in the artifices of the world; or who imagine virtue to be the giver of public dignity, wealth, or power; and if they are still so infatuated as to conceive honours and grandeur to be consistent with moral excellence, let them hear the words of the greatest satirist of his age, and be convinced. Aude aliquod brevibus Gyaris, et carcere dignum, Wouldst thou to honours and preferments climb ? W 1 Does a parent wish to qualify his son to become an eminent politician? let him be taught early to disguise the most treacherous designs, under the specious covering of fair words and a smiling countenance. Let not his counsels and actions in the smallest degree be actuated by the feelings of his heart; he must learn to stifle conscience in the very beginning of his career, for if once he yields to its suggestions, he is irrevocably undone; and then farewell for ever to all the hopes of his ambition! Let it be his chief care to insinuate himself into the favour of great men, to discover their weaknesses, and mould them to his own purposes, by flattery and obsequious attention. But in addition to this, he must particularly attach himself to the interests of some powerful patron, who may be able to reward him handsomely for his services; he must talk frequently of honour and peace of mind and conscience, all which are to be disinterestedly sacrificed to the emolument of his patron. Let him still beware of falling into security; but wait for a favourable opportunity, and when that occurs, tumble his benefactor down the precipice, and raise himself upon the ruins of fallen grandeur. But his most difficult undertaking will be to procure a seat in parliament; an acquisition |