Works, conducted on this plan, besides being attended with these bad effects, would be ill calculated even for attaining the object in view. The nature of our duties must vary extremely, according to the character of those with whom we live and act. The same line of conduct, which would be proper in a society of beings thus divested of human imperfection, would lead to the greatest errors, if adopted in our intercourse with men such as they really exist. Imprudence, at least, if not something worse, must be the inevitable consequence of such a delusion. The only good effect which can be produced, is, in regard to those whose superior knowledge and opportunities afford them the means of influencing and guiding the conduct of others. This is, no doubt, an important branch of active benevolence, and one which the author of such a work may, with propriety, endea→ vour to inculcate on his readers. But the improvement produced should appear to be in consequence of efforts made for that purpose, not as existing independently of them.

What then are the characters to whom this

superior excellence is to be ascribed? They are the leading characters, those in whom the reader takes the deepest interest, and with whom he feels disposed, as it were, to identi fy himself. Their number ought certainly to be very small; nay, I doubt, if in its highest degree, this quality should be be stowed on more than one. The rest may be mixed and imperfect characters, with gradations of good and evil, such as actually take place in real life. There may be a propriety, indeed, in drawing a somewhat stronger line between the two, in exhibiting virtue in all her lustre, and vice in all her deformity; and, where the latter predominates, in not veiling her turpitude, by any large proportion of good qualities. This, however, need take place only in the case of a few of the most predominant actors; while the rest, forming the greater number, may be placed on a level with the generality of mankind.

A distinction is also to be made between those associates whom the hero has chosen for himself, and those among whom he is thrown by unavoidable accident. The for

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mer, without being absolutely free from faults, ought yet to possess such a degree of merit, as to render them worthy of his choice. The latter can with no propriety be raised above the ordinary standard.

Our next question relates to the degree in which this favourite character is to be endued with the gifts of nature and fortune. And here a considerable embarrassment arises. For, on the one hand, his merit ought to be as much as possible intrinsic, and independent of outward circumstances. At the same time, to make him strikingly deficient in qualifications which command so much of the admiration of mankind, would lower his character in the eyes of most readers, and would tend to throw contempt even on those moral qualities, which are held forth as objects of imitation. Between these opposite dangers, it will not be easy for the writer to conduct himself so as not to fall into one or other of them. His plan, as I conceive, must vary according to the different nature of these advantages. Most of them may be comprehended under these three: external

appearance; intellectual endowments; rank and fortune.

The first of these, the writers of fiction have lavished on their favourites with an unsparing hand. The possession of these in the most superlative degree, seems to be now considered as an indispensible requisite. This is, indeed,a very obvious and natural way of gaining them the good-will ofthe reader. Yet, considered in the view of its tendency, it would be difficult to discover any good effects that are likely to result from it. One thing is evident, that the greatest admiration which any one can feel for this quality, will have no tendency to increase it in himself, or to form him to any resemblance of the person whom he admires. More important consequences may indeed arise from the desire of meeting with it in another: but it does not follow that they are more advantageous. The practice of forming connections for life, with peculiar regard to this circumstance, is, perhaps, not one which a wise man would wish very much to encourage. Yet, to represent a great deficiency

in this particular would be whimsical, and could not fail to inspire a degree of disgust. Perhaps, therefore, it may be most advisable to pass over the subject in silence, and to turn the attention of the reader towards more valuable and lasting qualities. Nor will this deprive the narrative of any great ornament. The ideas of beauty, which description attempts to convey, are always extremely faint and inadequate.

If any exception be made to this rule, it must be with regard to that higher species of beauty, which consists in expression. As this generally accompanies the possession of valuable mental qualities, it may be considered as, in some degree, susceptible of improvement.

In regard to intellectual endowments, the case seems to be rather different. These are not of a nature to be passed over, nor can they be made wanting without lowering the character in the greatest degree. A weak and foolish good man could extort no approbation that was not mingled with contempt. He could never, at least, excite any of those