Grey, some degree of information respecting the order of the Priesthood, to which his father belonged. These Priests, when spoken of collectively, are called the Church; and have the precedence of the Sovereign, as may be inferred from the usual. mode of expression, Church and King.

From the conversation of Morton and his friend, I am convinced that to preserve the primitive purity of their religion, is the first object of attention to the English Government. To ascertain the virtues of those who are devoted to the sacred function, they are destined to undergo trials of no common kind. Worldly riches and honours are held out, not as rewards to virtue, but rather as means of proving the degree of pride, venality, hypocrisy, meanness, &c. of the individuals; and as they are carefully withheld from all, who have not given unequivocal proofs of some of

these qualifications, men of modest virtue, and rigid integrity, run no risk of being spoiled by the pomps and vanities of this wicked world.

By these humble, and lowly men, are performed all the most sacred and important duties of their function. These instruct the ignorant, comfort the afflicted, visit the sick. It is the prayers of these, which ascend to the throne of the Eternal; and it is these, likewise, who, from their slender store, impart relief to the children of indigence.

Such were the duties performed by the father of Mr Morton, who, according to Grey, added to the virtues of a Christian priest, the learning of a true philosopher. This excellent man was never molested by the offer of what is called preferment, but was permitted to exert his superior talents

1

and virtues, in a state of poverty equal to that of the first teachers of Christianity.

Thus is the purity of the Priesthood preserved. The least worthy of its members are provided for in this world; and those, whose labours have been truly beneficial to mankind; who have diffused knowledge, by their writings; inspired the love of virtue, by their precepts; and taught the practice of it, by their example, are permitted to look for their reward in the world to come!

"In this world," says the philosopher, "the wealthy are every one, every where, and at all times, powerful. Riches being the foundation of preferment, and an intro

duction to the favour of the Prince."* It is likewise, here, a necessary introduction to the favour of the ladies.

My poor friend Grey returned this morning from the house which is the residence of his charmer, in a state of indescribable agitation. Vexation, displeasure, and disappointment, were written in such legible characters on his countenance, that they could neither be concealed, nor mistaken. I soon discovered, that his uneasiness had arisen from that sex, whose fickleness, and infidelity, have been the theme of the satirists of a thousand generations.

We are told, by the sages,

"that women

have been at all times inconstant, even among the celestials; and that the security for their virtue, is neither a precise behaviour, nor a modest countenance, but

* See Hetopades.

depends solely on the want of suitors. These are words of gall, flowing from the heart of the disappointed! It was not, however, on the fickleness of the sex, that my friend poured forth the invectives of his wrath; it was upon their avarice, and ambition.

Had I given credit to his assertions, I should have considered all the young Bibbys of Calcutta, as votaries of Lackshmi,† and that, with them, "no man is handsome, none ugly, none virtuous, valiant, or wise, but as he is rich."

The smiles of the lady in the blue and silver, which gladdened the heart of my friend, were not bestowed upon him, but upon the fortune, which, by the mischievous folly of young Cooper, she was led to

* See Hetopades.

+ The Goddess of Riches.