afferts, that he finds many things right at home, and that he loves his country almoft to enthufiafm.

I had not the leaft doubt that he found in his country many things to please him; nor did I fuppofe that he defired the fame inversion of every part of life, as of the use of Tea. The propofal of drinking Tea four fhewed indeed fuch a difpofition to practical paradoxes, that there was reason to fear left fome fucceeding letter fhould recommend the dress of the Pits, or the cookery of the Efkimaux. However, I met with no other innovations, and therefore was willing to hope that he found fomething right at home.

But his love of his country feemed not to rife quite to enthusiasm, when, amidst his rage against Tea, he made a smooth apology for the Eaft-India Company, as men who might not think themfelves obliged to be political arithmeticians. I hold, though no enthufiaftick patriot, that every man who lives and trades under the protection of a community, is obliged to confider whether he hurts or benefits those who protect him; and that the most which can be indulged to private intereft is a neutral traffick, if any fuch can be, by which our country is not injured, though it may not be benefited.

But he now renews his declamation againft Tea, notwithstanding the greatness or power of thofe that have intereft or inclination to fupport it. I know not of what power or greatnefs he may dream. The importers only have an intereft in defending it. I am fure they are not great, and I hope they

T4

arc

are not powerful. Thofe whofe inclination leads them to continue this practice, are too numerous, but I believe their power is fuch, as the Journalist may defy without enthufiafim. The love of our country, when it rifes to enthusiasm, is an ambiguous and uncertain virtue: when a man is enthu fiaftick, he ceases to be reasonable, and when he once departs from reafon, what will he do but drink four Tea? As the Journalist, though enthusiastically zealous for his country, has with regard to finaller things the placid happiness of philofophical indifference, I can give him no difturbance by advifing him to reftrain even the love of his country within due limits, left it should fometimes fwell too high, fill the whole capacity of his foul, and leave lefs room for the love of truth.

Nothing now remains but that I review my pofitions concerning the Foundling Hofpital. What I declared laft month, I declare now once more, that I found none of the children, that appeared to have heard of the catechifin. It is enquired how I wandered, and how I examined? There is doubtlefs fubtilty in the queftion; I know not well how to answer it. Happily I did not wander alone; I attended fome ladies with another gentleman, who all heard and affifted the enquiry with equal grief and indignation. I did not conceal my obfervations. Notice was given of this fhameful defect foon after, at my requeft, to one of the highest names of the fociety. This I am now told is incredible; but fince it is true, and the past is out of human power, the most important corporation cannot make it falfe. But why is it incre

dible? because in the rules of the hofpital the children are ordered to learn the rudiments of religion. Orders are easily made, but they do not execute themselves. They fay their catechifm, at ftated times, under an able mafter. But this able master was, I think, not elected before last February; and my vifit happened, if I mistake not, in November. The children were thy when interrogated by a ftranger. This may be true, but the fame fhyness I do not remember to have hindered them from anfwering other queftions; and I wonder why children fo much accustomed to new fpectators fhould be eminently fhy.

My opponent, in the first paragraph, calls the inference that I made from this negligence, a hafty conclufion to the decency of this expreffion I had nothing to object: but as he grew hot in his career, his enthusiasm began to sparkle; and in the vehemence of his postscript, he charges my affertions, and my reasons for advancing them, with folly and malice. His argumentation being fomewhat enthufiaftical, I cannot fully comprehend, but it seems to ftand thus: my infinuations are foolish or malicious, fince I know not one of the Governors of the Hofpital; for he that knows not the Governors of the Hospital, must be very foolish or malicious.

He has, however, fo much kindness for me, that he advises me to confult my fafety when I talk of corporations. I know not what the most important corporation can do, becoming manhood, by which my fafety is endangered. My reputation is fafe, for I can prove the fact; my quiet is fafe, for I

meant

meant well; and for any other fafety, I am not used to be very folicitous.

I am always forry when I fee any being labouring in vain; and in return for the Journalist's attention to my fafety, I will confefs fome compaffion for his tumultuous refentment; fince all his invectives fume into the air, with fo little effect upon me, that I ftill efteem him as one that has the merit of meaning well; and ftill believe him to be a man whofe failings may be justly pardoned for his virtues.

INTRODUCTION

то THE

PROCEEDINGS of the COMMITTEE

APPOINTED TO MANAGE THE

Contributions begun at London, Dec. 18, 1758, for cloathing French Prisoners of War.

TH

HE Committee entrusted with the money contributed to the relief of the fubjects of France, now prifoners in the British dominions, here lay before the publick an exact account of all the fums received and expended, that the donors may judge how properly their benefactions have been applied.

Charity would lofe its name, were it influenced by fo mean a motive as human praife: it is therefore not intended to celebrate by any particular memorial, the liberality of fingle perfons, or dif tinct focieties; it is fufficient that their works praise them.

Yet he who is far from feeking honour, may very justly obviate cenfure. If a good example has been fet, it may lofe its influence by mifreprefentation; and to free charity from reproach, is itself a charitable action.

Against the relief of the French only one argument has been brought; but that one is fo popular and fpecious, that if it were to remain unexamined,