nerally terrified my opponents with the idea of my superior knowledge. Having acquired, or thought that I had acquired, their confidence and respect, I ventured artfully to declaim on the absurdities of religion; and to ridicule the grimaces, hypocrisy, and useless expence of an ignorant, idle, and luxurious Clergy, with a variety of other matters, which I need not now particularly enumerate. My endeavours, in that part of the country where the greater part of my property lies, were, I lament to add, but too successful. Several of my farmers have so far followed my ideas, and those of my oracle, Thomas Paine, that, for a considerable time back, they have entirely neglected church, and even prevented their children from being baptized, wishing them, as they say, to be educated free from prejudice, and, particularly, to be kept ignorant of the Christian su-perstition. A large portion of people, in some adjoining manufacturing towns and villages, likewise perverted by my means, or with my knowledge, have absolutely burnt their Bibles, and have become complete Levellers and Atheists. I need not add, and I wish I had not occasion to deplore, that with their infidelity and their levelling, they have become idle, vicious, and insolent. The consequences I now most bitterly lament; and I firmly believe, from what I have seen, and have had but too much concern with, that of all the pests of civilized society, of all the artful opponents of human virtue and happiness, infidels and levellers are the most destructive and alarming. These men are assiduous, they are indefatigable, and they appear in a thousand dif ferent shapes, in order with the more certainty to succeed; and where they meet with a number of men half virtuous, half vicious, half learned, half ignorant, their efforts take effect with a rapidity of which they who have not had occasion to see it, can have no conception. One of their most successful and fatal engines of of seduction, is the institution of what is called Reading Societies, which are now numerous in various parts of the country. The plan is specious, because the avowed object of it is improvement in knowledge and virtue; and it might be useful, were it under proper management. But as unenlightened men, the bulk of whose time must be employed in manual labour, can be no proper judges of what should form the subject of their enquiries, they must be extremely liable to error, and to become the dupes of artful men. Accordingly, into most of those with which I am acquainted, such men, if they. had not a hand in establishing them, have afterwards found means to insinuate themselves; and, in general, by contending that a liberal mind must beware of established prejudices, and willing to hear both sides of every question, they cruelly bereave the poor ignorant members of their religion, their loy, alty, and their comfort, whilst they are buoying them up with the idea that they are improving in knowledge, liberality, and happiness. From this account, Sir, you will perceive, that, though a very young man, I have been a most des structive member of society. But I earnestly request you not to spurn me on that account from you as totally unworthy of your countenance and advice: Indeed I have therefore the more occasion for both My crimes have been the result of circumstances peculiar and unfortunate; and though I by no means make this remark in order to palliate their enormity, I hope you will hence be the more readily induced to lend me your assistance in reforming my own conduct, and, as far as possible, that of others, who owe their corruption to my unfortunate activi ty. The general cause of all my follies, I judge to be want of religion, self conceit, and impatience of restraint. When obliged, in my early years, by the authority of my old aunt, to go to church, I went there only because compelled; and though, by her means, I received some instruction in the principles of Christianity, I easily disburdened myself of the incumbrance, when removed from her inspection, in which I was but too fatally encouraged by those who ought to have known better, and to have acted more honourably by me. Though, therefore, I have declaimed with confidence, as you have heard, a gainst religion, I was totally unacquainted with its principles or proofs, till I heard your speeches in our society; and I can truly assert, that few of my deluded companions, who dignify themselves with the appellation of philosophers, are much better instructed on this head than myself. When you first heard me speak on this subject, I had not read, as far as I recollect, a single chapter of the Bible, from the time I was at school; and in our private meet. ings, I have heard the same confession made by those whom I acknowledged as my guides. If we ever read any defence of religion, it was only for the pur pose of turning it into ridicule; and thus, in particular, the Apology of Bishop Watson was treated with the most wanton disrespect, and the most acrimonious contempt; for which his Lordship's character came in for no small portion. Your speeches, which were provoked by my folly, to which, however, I was urged by others, exhibited the subject of religion in a light in which I had never been accustomed to view it; and exposed my own conduct in a way which, as I could not confute it, occasioned, for some time, most irksome feelings. The whole made a very strong impression upon my mind,-an impression, which, I trust, shall never be obliterated. It rests however with you, to complete the good work which you have thus happily begun. my I need not tell you that affairs are in confusion; for, being the only man of fortune in our club, I became of course a bird of prey to all the other members. This, however, is a circumstance, which, in my present situation, I consider as of inferior note. I trust they are not yet so far gone or so much confused, but that they may by economy be retrieved:-But, without the advice and help of another, I cannot be absolutely certain that I have fortitude enough entirely to throw off my former vices and acquaintances, and finally, to return to a more worthy mode of life. I fondly hope, therefore, that, as from you I learned my danger, to you I may yet owe my final reformation; and that, though you must detest my conduct, your charity will yet induce you to save me from its most awful consequences.In this hope, I remain, sir, your most obliged and most humble servant. EDINBURGH, 29th May 1797. FRANCIS GOODWILL.. MR CHRISTIAN'S ANSWER.. Cernenda autem diligenter, ne fallant ea nos vitia, quæ virtu tem, videntur imitari. Sæpe latet vitium proximitate boni, DEAR SIR, CICERO. THOUGH I was at first a good deal astonished, and perhaps indignant, at your conduct and petulance in our society, my indignation soon gave way to compassion for your unfortunate delusion. Having seen many young men in your situation, seduced at first by a negligent or erroneous education, and afterwards confirmed in the corruptions they had thus acquired by artful and designing men, I guessed your circumstances before I had certain information of them, and was at first disposed to throw myself in your way, and, if possible, to prevent you from absolute ruin. On enquiry, however, and on further reflection, I determined to leave you to your.. self; because I thought, if what I said publicly, had no effect, private admonitions would only expose me to the further insolence and ridicule of your associates, and perhaps to ill-usage from yourself. I need not therefore tell you, that your letter of the 29th instant, which I received yesterday, on |