Here I digress, and beg leave to observe, though perhaps it may be unnecessary, That parents or guardians should be particularly careful to study the ruling passions of young persons under their charge; and, should they be such as tend to hurt their morals or blind their best judgment, to correct them by timely, proper, and wholesome instruction. But above all things, they should study to learn the inclination of their mind as to business, and to put them early to it. Because this will give a full scope to the young mind in the pursuit of fortune, in a way consistent with his profession; whereas when not put early to business, they are apt to seek after her by indirect methods. After I began business on my own account, I adopted every method that my ingenuity could suggest, to arrive at some eminence in Society. For one, I studied the dispositions and ruling passions of individuals; and, not having the gift of speech equal with others, I spoke but little when in company, lest I should either speak improperly, or hurt the feelings of another by interruption. From what I have said, the reader will easily discern the following passions to have born rule in my conduct, _viz._ pride and ambition. Pride is the fruitful mother of all the other irregular passions--It was the origin of rebellion in heaven, and the thunderbolt that hurried Satan into the bottomless Pit; and stript innocent Adam of his original purity. Ever since, it more or less holds a place in every human breast. It is capable of assuming various forms--At times it assumes the garb of humility, rigidity, and moderation. But none can trace its various evolutions so well, or discover its malignity, as the sincere Christian. It may possibly keep him company in all his devotional exercises; and, even under the specious pretext of humility, may be apt to drive him from God, as judging himself unworthy of eternal life. But its influence over me was remarkable--I could not brook the idea to be indebted to any person for advice, even in difficult and doubtful cases. I therefore very seldom consulted any person, though many consulted me. Had I acted the prudent part, I should have consulted intelligent and disinterested men, previously chosen.--The friendship and esteem of some such I have had the honour to enjoy. Ambition--Though this passion be the offspring of pride, it is to be no less watched against than its source. It blinds our best judgment by the appearance of utility, and is apt to drive to acts of injustice in the pursuit of the wished-for object; while it is but a distrusting of, and a contending against divine Providence. Influenced by this base passion, under the semblance of utility, I was induced to carry on a secret correspondence with Mr Dundas and the Lord Advocate. This conduct, I confess, was altogether inconsistent with the spirit and design of Christianity, which requires the most unbounded simplicity, integrity, and love to my fellow-creatures.