Sentiments like these too frequently banish from the circles of society characters of useful knowledge and of distinguished genius, and from whose endowments mankind might receive both instruction and delight. The loss, in such a case, to the individual is, perhaps, trifling; his comforts may possibly be increased by his seclusion; but the interests of truth and good sense are thereby considerably injured: for the mind of man, however powerful and informed it may be in itself, cannot employ its energies and acquisitions with the same advantage and effect, as when it is whetted by a collision with other minds, and polished by the manners of the world. An acquaintance with the living characters and manners of the world, teaches the mind to direct its powers to their proper and most useful points: exhibits the means and furnishes the instruments, by which the best exertions of virtue can attain her ends; gives morals their brightest color, taste its highest refinement, and truth its fairest objects. The wisest and best philosophers have acknowledged the obligations they were under to society for the knowledge they acquired in its extensive, though dangerous school, and have strongly recommended the study of mankind, by viewing all the various classes with a discriminating eye, as the best means of becoming acquainted with the beauties of _virtue_, and the deformities of _vice_, and, of course, as the best means of discovering the true road to earthly happiness; for-- Virtue, immortal virtue! born to please, The child of nature and the source of ease, Bids every bliss on human life attend; To every rank a kind and faithful friend; Inspirits nature ’midst the scenes of toil, Smooths languor’s cheek, and bids fell want recoil: Shines from the mitre with unsullied rays, Glares on the crest, and gives the star to blaze; Supports distinction, spreads ambition’s wings, Forms saints of queens, and demi-gods of kings; O’er grief, oppression, envy, scorn, prevails, And makes a cottage greater than Versailles.