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All that is moft ancient and univerfal among men is liable to attack. It is a vulgar task to deftroy; the difficulty is to build.

With this vulgar and humble office however let us reft contented upon the present occafion. Though nothing further fhould refult than hints for other men to purfue, our time perhaps will not have been mifemployed.

Every thing human has its advantages and difadvantages. This, which is true as a general maxim, is probably true of cohabitation.

There are two different ufes that may flow from these hints. Grant that they prove cohabitation fundamentally an erroneous fyftem. It is then reafonable that they fhould excite the inquifitive to contemplate and unfold a mode of fociety, in which it should be fuperfeded. Suppose for a moment that cohabitation is indifpenfible, or that its benefits outweigh thofe of an oppofite principle. Yet the developing its fundamental evil, is perhaps of all modes of proceeding beft calculated to excite us to the reduction and abridgement of this evil, if we cannot annihilate it.

ESSAY

ESSAY XI.

OF REASONING AND CONTENTION.

THERE

HERE is a vice, frequently occurring in our treatment of thofe who depend upon us, which is ludicrous in its appearance, but attended with the moft painful confequences to those who are the objects of it. This is, when we fet out with an intention of fairnefs and equality with refpect to them, which we find ourselves afterwards unable to maintain.

Let it be fuppofed that a parent, accustomed to exercise a high authority over his children, and to require from them the moft uncontending fubmiffion, has recently been convinced of the impropriety of his conduct. He calls them together, and confeffes his error. He has now discovered that they are rational beings as well as himself, that he ought to act the part of their friend, and not of their mafter; and he encourages them, when they differ in opinion with him as to the conduct they ought to pursue, to ftate their reasons, and proceed to a fair and equal examination of the subject.

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All that is moft ancient and univerfal among men is liable to attack. It is a vulgar tafk to deftroy; the difficulty is to build.

With this vulgar and humble office however let us reft contented upon the prefent occafion. Though nothing further fhould refult than hints for other men to pursue, our time perhaps will not have been mifemployed.

Every thing human has its advantages and difadvantages. This, which is true as a general maxim, is probably true of cohabitation.

There are two different ufes that may flow from these hints. Grant that they prove cohabitation fundamentally an erroneous fyftem. It is then reasonable that they should excite the inquifitive to contemplate and unfold a mode of fociety, in which it should be fuperfeded. Suppofe for a moment that cohabitation is indifpenfible, or that its benefits outweigh thofe of an oppofite principle. Yet the developing its fundamental evil, is perhaps of all modes of proceeding beft calculated to excite us to the reduction and abridgement of this evil, if we cannot annihilate it.

ESSAY

ESSAY XI.

OF REASONING AND CONTENTION.

THERE HERE is a vice, frequently occurring in our treatment of thofe who depend upon us, which is ludicrous in its appearance, but attended with the moft painful confequences to those who are the objects of it. This is, when we fet out with an intention of fairness and equality with refpect to them, which we find ourfelves afterwards unable to maintain.

Let it be fuppofed that a parent, accustomed to exercise a high authority over his children, and to require from them the moft uncontending fubmiffion, has recently been convinced of the impropriety of his conduct. He calls them together, and confeffes his error. He has now discovered that they are rational beings as well as himself, that he ought to act the part of their friend, and not of their mafter; and he encourages them, when they differ in opinion with him as to the conduct they ought to purfue, to ftate their reasons, and proceed to a fair and equal examination of the subject.

of it. Do not open a treaty as between independent states, when you are both able and willing to treat the neighbour-state as a conquered province.

Place me in the condition of a flave, I fhall perhaps be able to endure it. Human nature is capable of accommodating itself to a ftate of fubjection, especially when the authority of the mafter is exercifed with mildnefs, and feems to be directed in a confiderable degree to promote the welfare of the dependent.

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The fituation I deprecate is that of a flave, who is endowed with the fhow and appearance of freedom. What I afk at your hand is, that you would not, without a good and folid meaning, waken all the fecret fprings of my nature, and call forth the fwelling ambition of my foul. Do not fill me with the fublime emotions of independence, and teach me to take up my reft among the stars of heaven, if your ultimate purpofe be to draw clofer my fetters, and pull me down unwilling to the furface of the earth. This is a torture more exquifite and refined than all that Sicilian tyrants ever invented.

The person who has been thus treated, turns restless upon the bed of his dungeon. He feels every thing that can give poignancy to his fate. He burns with indignation against the hourly

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