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tional tranquillity, but the conviction that, however we amuse ourselves with unideal sounds, nothing in reality is governed by chance, but that the universe is under the perpetual superintendance of Him who created it; that our being is in the hands of omnipotent goodness, by whom what appears casual to us, is directed for ends ultimately kind and merciful; and that nothing can finally hurt him who debars not himself from the Divine favour.

 

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Numb. 185. Tuesday, December 24, 1751.

 

At vindicta bonum vita jucundius ipsa, Nempe hoc indocti.——— Chrysippus non dicit idem, nec mite Thaletis Ingenium, dulcique senex vicinus Hymetto, Qui partem acceptæ sæva inter vincla Cicutæ Accusatori nollet dare.——Quippe minuti Semper et infirmi est animi exiguique Voluptas Ultio.	Juv.
But O! revenge is sweet. Thus think the crowd; who, eager to engage, Take quickly fire and kindle into rage. Not so mild Thales nor Chrisippus thought, Nor that good man who drank the pois’nous draught With mind serene; and could not wish to see His vile accuser drink as deep as he: Exalted Socrates! divinely brave! Injur'd he fell, and dying he forgave, Too noble for revenge; which still we find The weakest frailty of a feeble mind.	Dryden.

 

NO vicious dispositions of the mind more obstinately resist both the counsels of philosophy and the injunctions of religion, than those