or more, good than among men. This rule holds as to lawyers, soldiers, parsons, courtiers, citizens, etc. They are all men, subject to the same passions and sentiments, differing only in the manner, according to their several educations; and it would be as imprudent as unjust to attack any of them by the lump. Individuals forgive sometimes; but bodies and societies never do. Many young people think it very genteel and witty to abuse the clergy; in which they are extremely mistaken; since, in my opinion, parsons are very like other men, and neither the better nor the worse for wearing a black gown. All general reflections, upon nations and societies, are the trite, threadbare jokes of those who set up for wit without having any, and so have recourse to commonplace. Judge of individuals from your own knowledge of them, and not from their sex, profession, or denomination. [April, 1746.]
How to Travel.—I am very well pleased to find
that you inform yourself of the particulars of the
several places you go through. You do mighty
right to see the curiosities in those several places;
such as the golden Bull at Frankfort, the tun at
Heidelberg, etc. Other travellers see them and talk
of them; it is very proper to see them, too; but remember,
that seeing is the least material object of,
