regular subordination of the passions and affections to the authority of conscience and the voice of reason.

The various modifications of virtue, said William, abstractedly considered, or the diversity of actions to which mankind at different periods have affixed ideas of right and wrong, is no proof that a moral sense does not exist, but only evinces the flexibility, variableness, and fallibility of the human judgment, which modifies actions according to its general perceptions of utility; or, to speak philosophically, according to the ideas entertained of the fitness or unfitness of things, or of the propriety of the means pursued to effect the end designed.

'Peace of conscience,' said the Vicar, is a blessing intimately connected with holy and well-regulated affections, and both together constitute a solid ground of happiness in all conditions and in all circumstances.' S'il y a quelque joie au monde il est reservèe á la conscience pure,' said Madame Maintenon. Let us, my dear children, attend to the dictates and listen to the admonitions of Conscience: let us never stifle its impulses, nor disregard this sacred

monitor. Let us cultivate this divine spark, nor insult the glorious Giver, by refusing to attend to its counsels or be guided by its dictates.

The improvements in mental philosophy, said Charles, have demonstrated that the moral sense is formed by association, as well as the affections and general perceptions of the understanding. The culture of the understanding is therefore essential to the refinement of the moral sense, the formation of proper affections, and to the permanent operation of the benevolent principle.

To cultivate and enlighten the moral sense,' said Mrs. Wentworth, in ourselves and others, is a duty of the highest obligation,' and of serious importance in education; since the moral conduct and happiness of the individual in every subsequent period of life must greatly depend on the ideas early imbibed of right and wrong, the refinement of the moral sense, or the tenderness and general susceptibility of the conscience.

The analysis of the powers and affections of the

mind, said the Vicar, evidently prove that the moral sense is an acquired and not an instinctive faculty. It exists universally in a greater or less degree; because it originates in and is dependant on the understanding. How beautiful is the conformity of scripture to reason and philosophy! and how grand the structure of the intelligent world, which a knowledge of the powers and faculties of the human mind enables us to contemplate.

6

'The perfection of the moral sense,' said Charles, consists in the conformity of its dictates to truth,' and its union with the benevolent principle.

The moral sense, said Sir Edward, being an acquired, and not an instinctive perception, is no proof that it is not universal, since it is connected with mind; and wherever mind exists, a capacity for judging must reside. The erroneous opinions entertained of right and wrong, proceed from the effects of early association, the perversion or misapplication of the faculties, and the baneful tendency of improper habits and malevolent affections. In a wellconstituted mind, the pleasures and pains of

the moral sense are powerful motives to the practice of virtue, and strong preventives against

the commission of vice.

CONVERSATION IV.

Observations on Natural, Civil, and Political Remarks on the Nature and Ne

Liberty.

cessity of Government.

How great, said William, how inesti

mable the blessings, the enjoyments, the charms of liberty! Ask the galley-slave, confined to the oar, for what blest boon he sighs? and he will answer, 'tis for liberty. Ask the prisoner, confined in the gloomy cell for the commission of wrongs on his fellow-creatures, what is as goading to his body as the remembrance of his crimes is galling to his mind? and he will reply, the loss of liberty. Ask the debtor, immured in the abode of poverty, through perhaps the extravagance or debts of honour of a thoughtless and dissipated wife, what adds to the anguish