ity nor even obligations can win; and those are the covetous and the proud: both of which are ungrateful soils, that yield no returns; one thinking all but his due, and the other either laughing in his sleeve at your foolish generosity, or fancying it is only meant as a snare to render him your bubble.

TEMPERS OF MEN TO BE STUDIED.

To study the tempers and dispositions of men, will therefore be of signal use in your commerce with the world, both to carry your own points, and secure you from the designs of others. In the first of which cases, be sure never to solicit a man against his ruling passion: for, to induce a miser to act liberally, a coward bravely, or a selfish man disinterestedly, exceeds all power of persuasion; and you may as well hope to reduce all faces to the same similitude, as work them to such ends as contradict their own. But, nevertheless, all may be made serviceable, if managed with dexterity and address; and the miser, in particular, to secure his purse from importunities, will give you as much of his time or industry as you please. He is willing to be on good terms with his fellowcreatures, and will purchase their friendship on any terms, but that of parting with his money. However sordid, therefore, his principles or prac tice, it is not amiss to have such a character among the number of your acquaintance; and, especially in arbitrations, nobody more deserves your confidence. He will there stickle for your interest as if it was his own, and wrangle obstinately for trifles that you would be ashamed to mention; whence it is odds but he procures you better terms

than you either expected, or could have attained by your own endeavors.

FACES OF MEN TO BE STUDIED.

But, to be able to turn all the different inclinations effectually to your own advantage, we would have you (however whimsical or romantic it may at first appear) to study the expression which the hand of nature has written in every face. Men may disguise their actions, but not their inclinations; and though it is not easy to guess, by the muscles of the countenance, what a man will do, it is hardly to be concealed what he wishes to have done. Judge, therefore, of characters, by what they are constitutionally, and what habitually; that is to say, in other words, what they would be thought, and what they really are, but principally the last; for however diligently a man may keep guard on his passions, they will sally out sometimes in spite of him; and those escapes are a never-failing clue to wind the whole labyrinth of his life.

We say again, therefore, take your first impressions of men from their faces; and, though it is exceedingly difficult to lay down rules to inform your judgment, or assist your conjectures, on this occasion, you have nothing to do but to make the study familiar to you, and you will very rarely be mistaken. Observation and experience presently unveil the mystery; and even hypocrisy can hardly preserve itself from the rigor of your scrutiny. Not that we would advise you to be too peremptory in your decisions, neither; but compare men's faces with their actions, and their actions with their faces, till, by the light mutually reflectL

ed from each other, you are able to ascertain the truth. Nor is this custom alone serviceable in judging of a man in the gross; it will likewise help you to determine of every extempore impulse, that, for the time being, governs the heart. Thus, while you barter, purchase, solicit, or any other way confer, the uncontrollable emotions of the countenance will more infallibly indicate the purpose of him you treat with, than any thing he utters, and give you earlier notice to be on your guard. But, in order to do this effectually, your own eye must warily watch every motion of his, especially when you are delivering what you think will affect him most; you must likewise weigh every hasty syllable he lets fall; for these are generally the imbecilities of human nature, as well as the involuntary symptoms in the face; and what deliberate speeches and cool reasonings conceal, these flash out at once, without warning, and beyond recall. But, however curiously you examine the eye or heart of another, it will be to little purpose, unless you have art enough to conceal

your own.

ARTIFICIAL INSENSIBILITY.

Now, the best and nearest way to attain this self-continence, is to cultivate an artificial insensibility of fear, anger, sorrow, and concern of any sort whatever. He that actually feels either pain or pleasure, cannot help expressing it some way or other; and whoever makes the discovery has the springs of the affections at his command, and may wind them up or let them down at pleasure; whereas, he that witnesses no sensation of the mind, betrays no weakness, and is wholly inacces

sible. Labor then indefatigably to subdue your resentments; for, as you are to bustle through the busy world, the more exquisite your sensations are, the more frequent and more severe will be your pangs. The passions are, like the elements, excellent servants, but dreadful masters; and whoever is under their dominion, will have little leisure to do any thing but obey their dictates.

DISSIMULATION OF INJURIES.

In the particular of injuries, it is above all things necessary, sometimes, not only not to resent them, but even to dissemble the very feeling of them. Whoever complains, declares he would punish if he had the power; and from that moment your adversary both thinks his animosity justifiable, and will do you all the mischief possible, by way of self-defence; whereas, if you seem ignorant of the ill turn he has done you, he concludes himself safe from your expostulations and reproaches, and will believe it his interest to behave so as to avoid an explanation. Again, in wrestling with those that have more strength and power than yourself, though equity is on your side, it is ten to one but you are hurt more by contending for redress, than you suffered by the very grievance itself. Remember, then, the fable of the brazen and earthen pots, and keep as far as you can from the dangerous encounter. Again, we have known many a man interpret the most innocent action or expression into an affront, and, in the foolish pursuit of what he called justice, has lost the best friend he had in the world: and therefore those forward tongues, or peevish tempers, which rather choose to vent their present

spleen than make it give place to their future convenience, not only keep themselves in perpetual troubles, but also shut the door against those opportunities which otherwise might have presented to their advantage.

IRRESOLUTION AND INDOLENCE.

But, though you must not let your actions be governed by every sudden gust of appetite or passion that rises, you are not, on the other hand, to deliberate so lazily on every proposal, that you lose the occasion, while you are pausing whether you shall use it. Some fall into this aguish disease, through doubt, irresolution, and timidity; and others through downright indolence, flattering themselves, that if wind and tide court them to-day, they will do the same to-morrow. But nothing is more dangerously fallacious; one moment sometimes offers what whole ages might be wasted in soliciting in vain. If, therefore, such a nice and delicate crisis as this should court your acceptance, be bold! be vigilant! be resolute! and never sleep till you have made the most of it. There is more reason to use economy in the husbanding time than money, since it is infinitely more valuable; and he that does not make this the ruling maxim of his life, may be said, very pertinently, to shorten his days.

CHOICE OF OPPORTUNITIES.

We would further advise you, when you have any point to carry which depends on the will of another, to choose the minute of application, with all the sagacity you are master of; for there is no