and for five years that I refided in the Univerfity, converfed fo much with the dead that I had very little intercourse with the living. So totally had letters engaged my mind, that I was but little affected towards moft other things. Walking and Mufick were my favorite recreations, and almoft the only ones I delighted in. I had hardly a thought at that time of the foolish choices and pursuits of men; thofe fatal choices and purfuits, which are owing to falfe judgments, and to a habit of acting precipitantly, without examining the fancies and appetites; and therefore, very rarely went into the pleasures and diverfions which men of fortune in a Univerfity too commonly indulge in. My relaxation, after study, was my german-flute, and the converfation of fome ingenious, fober friend; generally, my private tutor, Mr. John Bruce, who was a bright and excellent man: (you will find a large account of him in the first volume of my Memoirs of feveral Ladies, p. 7.) and if the weather permitted, I walked out into the country several miles. At this exercise, I had often one or other with me; but for the most part, was obliged to go alone. My dog and my gun however were diverfion enough on the way, and they frequently led me into scenes of entertainment, which lafted longer than the day. Some of them you B 3

will

will find in this Journal. The history of the beautiful Harriot Noel you shall have by and by.

A Course of Reading in a College.

4. At prefent, my scheme requires me to fet down the method I purfued in my readings, and let my Reader know the iffue of my ftudies.-My time I devoted to Philofophy, Cofmography, Mathematicks, and the Languages, for four years, and the fifth I gave to History.

Of Mr.

The first book I took into Locke's Eay. my hand, after receiving my note of admiffion, was the effay of that fine genius Mr. Locke, and I was fo pleased with this clear and accurate writer, that I looked into nothing else, till by reading it three times over, I had made a thorough acquaintance with my own underftanding. He taught me to examine my abilities, and enabled me to fee what objects my mind was fitted to deal with. He led me into the fanctuary of vanity and ignorance, and fhewed me how greatly true knowledge depended on a right meaning of words, and a juft fignificancy of expreflion. In fum, from the Effay my Understanding received very great benefits, and to it I owe what improvement I have made in the rea

fon

fon given me. If I could, I would perfuade all young Gentlemen to read it over and over with great attention, and I am fure they would find themselves very richly rewarded for their pains in reading it. They would acquire that juftnefs and truth of understanding, which is the great perfection of rational Beings.

5. When I had done for a Natural time, with this admirable Ef- Philofophy. fay, I then began to ftudy the

firft principles of things, the ftructure of the Univerfe, the contexture of human bodies, the properties of beasts, the virtues of plants, and the qualities of metals, and was quite charmed with the contemplation of the beautiful order, and wife final causes of nature in all her laws and productions. The ftudy had a delightful influence on the temper of my mind, and infpired into it a love of order in my heart, and in my outward manners. It likewife led me to the great firft Caufe, and in repeated views of harmony, wisdom and goodnefs in all the works of nature, riveted upon my mind a fixed conviction, that all is under the administration of a general Mind, as far remote from all malice as from all weaknefs, whether in respect of understanding or of power. This gave me a due affection towards B 4

the

the infinitely perfect Parent of Nature; and as I contemplated his glorious Works, I was obliged in tranfports to confefs, that he deferved our love and admiration. This did alfo fatisfy me, that whatever the order of the world produces, is in the main both juft and good; and of confequence, that we ought in the best manner to fupport whatever hardships are to be endured for virtue's fake that acquiefcence and complacency, with refpect to ill accidents, ill men and injuries, ought to be our part under a perfect administration; and with benignity and conftancy we must ever act, if there be a fettled perfuafion, that all things are framed and governed by a univerfal Mind. Such was the effect the study of Natural Philofophy had upon my Soul. It fet beyond all doubt before me the moral perfection of the Creator and Governor of the Universe. And if this Almighty God, I faid, is perfect Wisdom and Virtue, does it not follow, that he must approve and love those who are at due pains to improve in wisdom ;-and what he loves and delights in, muft he not make happy? This is an evident truth. It renders the cause of virtue quite triumphant.

Moral PhiloJophy.

6. But upon Ethics or Moral Philofophy I dwelt the longest.

fongeft. This is the proper food for the Soul, and what perfects her in all the virtues and qualifications of a gentleman. This Science I collected in the first place from the ancient fages and philofophers, and ftudied all the moral writers of Greece and Rome. With great pleasure I faw, that these immortal authors had delineated, as far as human reafon can go, that course of life which is most according to the intention of nature, and moft happy; had fhewn that this universe, and human nature in particu lar, was formed by the wisdom and counfel of a Deity, and that from the conftitu tion of our nature various duties arofe:that fince God is the original independent Being, compleat in all poffible perfection, of boundless power, wifdom and goodness; the Creator, Contriver, and Governor of this world, to whom mankind are indebted for innumerable benefits moft gratuitously beftowed; we ought to manifeft the most ardent love and veneration toward the Deity, and worship him with affections of Soul fuited to the pre-eminence and infinite grandeur of the original Caufe of all; ought to obey him as far as human weakness can go, and humbly fubmit and refign ourselves and all our interefts to his will; continually confide in his goodness, and constantly imitate him as far as our weak nature is capaB 5 ble.