4

The Moral Instructor

content, you find that you have spent a pleasant half hour,
the editor and publishers will be amply rewarded.

THE

MORAL INSTRUCTOR,
AND

As the year draws to a close, our thoughts go out to the
grievously troubled world. May the year 1941 be the messenger of better news to all.
To those within our circle of business friends this little
book carries the season's greetings. May Christmas joys be
yours, and may the New Year bring good health and increasing happiness.

GUIDE TO VIRTUE AND HAPPINESS
IN FIVE PARTS.

PART I. Essays on the general diffusion of Knowledge and Moral
Improvement.
PART II. Lives and Moral Precepts of the most eminent ancient
Philosophers of China, Greece, and Rome.
PART III. A System of Morality, founded on the Law of Nature.
PART IV. Summary of Moral Principles, from the works of eminent
German and English Philosophers.
PART V. Miscellaneous Articles concerning erroneous National,
Moral, and Political Customs; on the prospect of meliorating the
condition of the human race, by Universal Education, &c.
WITH AN APPENDIX,
CONTAINING A CONSTITUTION AN D FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE
INSTITUTION OF FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES, &C.

DESIGNED TO BE A W ELCOME GUEST IN

DOMESTIC

CIRCLES, ANO SEMINARIES OF EDUCATION.

BY

JESSE TORR E Y, Jun.

Physician.

"Vice shrinks from Instruction, like Ghost from the light."

BALLSTON • SPA:

'

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR-BY U. F. DOUBLEDAY.

Northern District of New York, ss.

......,.................. ...................
~

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the tenth day of March, in the forty third
year of the Independence of the United States of America, A. D. 1819,
JESSE TORREY, JUN. of the said District, hath deposited in this
office the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author and
proprietor, in the words and figures following, to wit:
"The Moral Instructor, and Guide to Virtue and Happiness: in five
Parts. Part I. Essays on the general diffusion of knowledge and Moral
Im~rovem~nt. Part II. Lives and Moral Precepts of the most eminent
ancient Philosophers of China, Greece, and Rome. Part III. A System
of Morali~,_founded on the Law of Nature. Part IV. Summary of
M~ral Prmc1ples, from th_e works of eminent German and English
Ph1l?sophers. Part V. ~1scellaneous articles, concerning erroneous
National'. '."fora! and Polmcal customs; on the prospect of meliorating
the condmon of the human race, by universal Education, &c. With an
~pi;ien~ix, containing a constitution, and form of subscription for the
msutut!on of fre_e p~blic Libraries, &c. Designed to be a welcome
guest m domestic. ~1rcle~ ~nd sci:iinaries of Educa~ion. By Jesse
Torrey, Jun. Phys1c1an. Vice shnnks from lnstruct10n like Ghost
from the light.' "
. In c?.nformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, ent1tle_d An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the
copies of_ Maps•. Charts ~nd Books to the authors and proprietors of
such copies during the times therein mentioned." And also to the act
entitled "An act supplementary to an act entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts and
book~ to the _authors and proprietors of such copies during the times
therein mentioned and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of
designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."
RICHo. R. LANSING, Clerk
of the Northern District of New York.

INTRODUCTION
HE author's object, in writing and compiling this Publication, is not to entertain frivolous curiositr, nor to
gratify classic taste, but to disseminate usefu instruction amongst all classes of Society.
He has long cherished a decided confidence, that if the
community would appropriate as much wealth to the instruction of the rising generation, as is now devoted to the punishment of crimes and vice, the desired object would be attained,
and human misery averted, to a much greater extent.
But a small proportion of the people, have the means to
purchase, or leisure to study voluminous systems of Moral
Philosophy. On the other hand, dogmatical sententious percepts, unsupported by demonstration, are not generally convincing, nor adapted to human temper.-Whenever men shall
agree to make moral rectitude their inflexible rule of action,
each individual must be persuaded in his own mind, independently of the dictatorial precepts of one another, that his
welfare and happiness will be thereby promoted.
The author has been, for sixteen years, impressed with the
utility of such a work as the one now offered; and has accordingly improved every means in his power, by reading,
observat10n, and reflection, for accumulating materials.
The candid reader, who meets with several articles in this
work, with which he has already been familiarised, will not
be displeased, when he reflects, that nearly all the youth, and
a large proportion of adult readers, will find it as new to
them, and as useful, as if it were an entire original work.
It is of but little avail to the mass of mankind, that Philosophers of different ages and nations, have exerted their talents,
m perfecting the science of moral wisdom, as long as no one

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The Moral Instructor

will take the pains to collect the best fruits of their labors
into a portable vehicle, whereby they may be spread before
all who love the delicious nectar of wisdom, upon the boundless table of the Printing Press.
Mental improvement is relied on as the most effectual
antido~e to the prevai.li?g temperate and intemperate indulgence m the use of spmtuous liquors.
On~ particular object of the work, is to inculcate the
necessity and duty of general economy and simplicity of
manners. It may be confidently presumed, that if the idola.trous and slavish sacrifices of property, to pride, fashion,
custom, ext~ava.ganc.e, and de~raved appetite, were abolished,
Poverty, .with Its hideous tram of woes, might be expelled
from society, and general Plenty, with its smiling train of
blessings, substituted in their stead.
. The author, having so~~ht with pa~ient and persevering
diligence, to detect the ongm of the vanous calamities which
affiict the human family, feels urged, by a sense of f;aternal
duty, toJro~~lgate tl~e result o~ ?is enquiries and experience; .an solicit~ of his fellow-cmzens, only such portion
of their approbat10n and patronage as they may find his wellintended efforts entitled to.
Ballston-Spa, Marcb 4, 1819.

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THE

MORAL INSTRUCTOR.
PART I.
NECESSITY AND ADV ANT AGES OF
KNOWLEDGE.

"Man's general ignorance, old as the flood,
"For ages on ages has steep'd him in blood."

is essentially necessary to the well-being
and happiness of every member of the human family,
whether male or female, rich or poor.
To ignorance may be traced, the origin of most of the
vices, crimes, errors and follies that distract and destroy mankind. It is the mother of misery:-a mazy labyrinth of perpetual night. Knowledge, on the contrary, is a torch perpetually flaming, which enables its possessor, to see clearly
and understand every thing that surrounds him. It affords
certain consolation, in all cases of difficulty and danger.
Besides the intellectual pleasure, derived from the possession
of knowledge, which far exceeds that of animal sensuality,
the well informed man, (mechanic, farmer, or of whatever
profession) being acquainted with the laws of nature-with
moral and physical causes and effects, is capable of providing,
generally with certainty, for the prosperity and security of
himself and his family.
General instruction, therefore, is the harbinger of national and individual prosperity and happiness.
While our generous Legislatures arc imitating the policy
of European Monarchies, in making liberal appropnations

K

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The Moral Instructor

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for_enli&'~tening the few, by the endowment of Colleges and
Umversme~, w~uld not ~he many (who, in this country,
s~pply the!r leg1sl~tors with power as well as money) cordially chens~ a policy, calculated, at the same time, to diffuse
a small port10n of the accumulated treasures of intellectual
light of the present era, amongst themselves and their own
children.
The late enthusiastic Champion of the rights of man,
Samuel Adams, in a letter to his venerable friend, John
Adams, e~er_ting his utmost eloquence to convince him of
the s~pen_?nty of the representative system of legislation,
exclauns- In order to secure the perpetuation of our excellent ~orm of government to future generations, let Divines
and Philosophers, Statesmen and Patriots, unite their endeavors t~ renova~e the age, by impress!ng the _minds of the
people with the importance of educatmg their little boys
and girls," &c.
Joseph Lancaster has discovered a method, which gives
incalculable facility to the universal dissemination of the
preliminar~ rudimen~s of science; and is rapidly gaining general assent m the Umted States. But the education of youth
should not cease with the expiration of their attendance on
public schools. The chasm between this period and that of
their corporeal maturity, contains many stumbling blocks
and dangerous snares. The art of reading, without books to
re~d, is to the mind, es is a set of good teeth to the bodY.,
without food to masticate; they will alike suffer the evils
of disease, decay, and eventual ruin.
The printing press is the main engine, and books are the
rapid vehicles for the general distribution of knowledge. Yet
notwithstanding the prodigious difference between the cost
of books within the last 400 years, and the whole anterior
'5pace. of tin:e, b~t few comp.aratively can meet the expense
of pnvate hbranes. Computmg the leisure of every youth
to be two hours daily, from the age of ten to twenty-one

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The Moral Instructor

I I

years, independent of the requisite time for labor, sleep,
eating, recreation, &c. and it is sufficient for reading a library
of seven hundred volumes duodecimo, of 300 pages each.
This only season for laying the foundation of a virtuous and
happy life, to the greatest portion of mankind, is totally lost.
It is only necessary to offer knowledge to the voluntary acceptance of youth, in a proper manner, to produce an ardent
appetite for it.
Intellectual cultivation is the basis of virtue and happiness.
As mental improvement advances, vice and crimes recede.
That desirable happy era, when the spirit of peace and
benevolence shall pervade all the nations which inhabit the
earth, when both national and personal slavery shall be annihilated; when nations and individuals shall cease to hunt
and destroy each other's lives and property; when the science
and implements of human preservation and fe~icity, shall be
substituted for those of slaughter and woe; will commence,
precisely at the moment when the rays of useful knowledge
and wisdom, shall have been extended to the whole human
family. Until an approach towards such a state of things, is
effected, the names of peace, liberty, and security, on this
earth, will differ but little from an ignis fatuus, either to
monarchs or their vass::ils. At present, violence bears universal and imperial sway; and ignorance is the magic spell
which sustains its sceptre. This dense mist which enshrouds
nearly the whole human race, can be penetrated and removed, with much greater certainty and facility, by the
mild but invincible rays of intellectual light, than by opposing violence with violence, and evil to evil.-The traveller in
A~sop's Fables, was induced to throw off his cloak, by the
gentle but melting rays of the physical sun, after the wind
had exerted its fury in vain. What a boundless empire of
glory and unalloyed bliss, might the monarchs and governments of the different nations, and all possessers of wealth
attain, by causing their numerous subjects and brethren, per-

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

petually encompassed by the snares of ignorance, vice, and
oppression, to be instructed; thereby elevating poor degraded
afflicted human nature, to that scale of dignity in the creation,
which was evidently assigned to it, by the supreme parent
of the universe. In our country, particularly, instruction
ought to be universal. For virtue only, can sustain and perpetuate our political organization. "With knowledge and
virtue the united efforts of ignorance and tyranny may be
defied." (Miller, governor of North Carolina.) "In a government where all may aspire, to the highest offices in the
state, it is essential that education should be placed within
the reach of all. Without intelligence, self government, our
dearest privilege, cannot be exercised." (Nicholas, governor
of Virgmia.) "Without knowledge, the blessings of liberty
cannot be fully enjoyed or long preserved." (President
Madison.)
Clinton, the present governor of New-Yock, has elegantly
expressed his sentiments, in his late speech, (of 1819) "That
education is the guardian of liberty and the bulwark of
morality.-And that knowledge and virtue are generally
speaking, inseparable companions, and are in the moral, what
light and heat are in the natural world-the illuminating and
vivifying principle."
General Washington, in his valedictory address to the
people of the United States, says, "Promote then, as objects
of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion
of knowledge; in proportion as the structure of the government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public
opinion should be enlightened."
But it has been questioned whether our constitution authorises the adoption of measures for the diffusion of knowledge and science. If our constitution does not now authorise
measures which are likely to produce the greatest possible
benefit to the country, and security to its liberties, it ought
without delay to be so amended that it should.

Dr. Rush, in his Oration, "on the influence of Physical
causes upon tbe Moral Faculty,"• makes an earnest appeal
in favor of knowledge: · "Nothing can be politically right,
that is morally wrong; and no necessity can sanctify a la~,
that is contrary to equity. Virtue is the soul of the Republic.
There is but one method of preventing crimes, and of re~der­
ing a republican form of government durable, and that is, by
disseminating the seeds of virtue and knowledge, through
every part of the state by means of proper places and modes
of education, and this can be done effectually only by the
interference and aid of the Legislature. I am so deeply impressed with the truth of this opinion, that were this evening
to be the last of my life, I would not only say to the asylum
of my ancestors, and my beloved country, with the patriot
of Venice, "Esto perpetua," but I would add as the last
proof of my affection for her, my parting advice to the
guardians of her liberties, "to establish PUBLIC SCHOOLS in
every part of the State."
The discovery of the art of printing and of manufacturing
paper, gives us a vast ascendancy over our ancestors in the
propagation of knowledge. Dr. Darwin very properly, and
very elegantly, calls the " PRINTING PRESS the most useful of
modern inventions; the capacious reservoir of human knowledge, whose branching streams diffuse sciences, arts and
morality, through all nations and ages." "Then, says Professor Waterhouse, did knowledge raise weeping humanity
from the dust, and with her blazing torch, point the way to
happiness and peace."

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"'Tis the prolific Press; whose tablet, fraught
By grapbic Genius witb l1is painted thought,
Flings f ortb by 111i/Jions, the prodigious birth,
And in a moment stocks the astonisbed earth."
BARLOW'S COI.UMBIAD.

•Delivered in the presence of the Philosophical Society and the Supreme executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania .

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

_Let us suppose Confucius, ~ocrates, a~d Seneca, were permitted to resume the possess10n of their former bodies and
estates; and remain 01~ the earth for five years.-Would they
not be t~an~ported with ecstacy, on beholding a paper-mill
and a pnntmg press. And yet would they not weep with
regret and wonder, to find how few of the inhabitants even
of ci_vilized an? apparent!~ enl~ghtened portions of the earth,
are m posse~s1on of the inestimable moral precepts which
they had, with so much labor and solicitude, prepared and
bequeathed to mankjnd?

the proceedings of that benevolent association of people generally styled Quakers, "for promoting the improvement and
civilization of the Indian natives."-Here I found a speech
addressed to the committee of Friends, at Baltimore, by the
Indian Chief called the Little Turtle, in 1802. I consider it
a still more superb and moving specimen of Indian eloquence
than that of Logan.-It is a pathetic sermon or epitaph on
thousands of his poisoned brethren! As short as it is, before
I could go through it, I was several times compelled to
pause, until I could suppress the sympathetic emotions which
it excited, and recover my interrupted vision, from irresistible suffusions of moisture. Who, that has not a heart of flint
and an eye of horn, can view this picture, drawn by an unlettered savage, and then wheel his eye over the frightful
portraiture, (as large, and no less real than life) which exhibits the present assimilated condition of us civilized white
men, with apathy? Here is the speech:"Brothers and friends-When our forefathers first met on
this island, your red brethren were very numerous.-But
since the introduction amongst us of what you call spirituous
liquors, and what we think may be justly called POISON,
our numbers are greatly diminished. It has destroyed a great
part of your red brethren.
"My Brothers and Friends-We plainly perceive, that you
see the very evil which destroys your red brethren;-it is not
an evil of our own making; we have not placed it amongst
ourselves; it is an evil placed amongst us by the white people;
we look to them to remove it out of our country. We tell
them-brethren fetch us useful things; bring goods that will
clothe us, our women and our children, and not this evil
liquor that destroys our reason, that destroys our health, that
destroys our lives. But all we can say on this subject is of
no service, nor gives relief to your red brethren.
"My Brothers and Friends-I rejoice to find that you agree
in opinion with us, and express an anxiety to be, if possible,

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INTEMPERANCE,
DESTRUCTIVE AS PERPETUAL WAR;-ITS SUBJECTS
VIOLATORS OF THE RIGHTS OF THE COMMUNITY;-REMEDY.

and confirmed is my conviction of the notorious
fact, that, independent of all the other infernal marshals
that annoy ~ankind under the banners of Ignorance,
the grand head traitress, (making the brain her head-quarters)
Intemperance, her commanding chief, directing a fiery,
deathly army of assassins, consisting of millions of battalions
of half gills, gills, half pints and pints of whiskey, gin, rum,
bra~dy, _&c. &c. treachero~sly and murderously betraying
their poisoned arrows, (with a smile and a kiss) into the
sanguem cordis (heart's blood) of their dearest lovers and
friends: commits, annually, greater and more irretrievable
d~predations on the lives, health, wealth, domestic harmony,
v1iy:ue and morals, and physical power of the aggregate populat10n of the republic of the United States, than a numerous
hostile army could inflict by a perpetual warfare!
A. few days after having written the above paragraph,
lookmg over a bundle of pamphlets, I met with an account of

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The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

of service to us in removing this great evil out of our country; an evil which has had so much room in it, and has destroyed so many of our lives, that it causes our young men
to say, "we had better be at war with the white people, this
liquor which they introduce into our country, is more to be
feared than the gun and the tomahawk. There are more of
us dead since the treaty of Greenville, than we lost by the
six years war before. It is all owing to the introduction of
this liquor amongst us."
"Brothers-When our young men have been out hunting,
and are returning home loaded with skins and furs, on their
way if it happens that they come along where some of this
whisky is deposited, the white man who sells it, tells them to
take a little drink; some of them will say no, I do not want it;
they go on till they come to another house, where they find
more of the same kind of drink; it is there offered again;
they refuse; and again the third time; but finally the fourth
or fifth time one accepts of it and takes a drink, and getting
one, he wants another; and then a third and fourth, till his
senses have left him.-After his reason comes back again
to him, when he gets up and finds where he is, he asks for his
peltry-the answer is "you have drank them"-where is my
gun? "It is gone;" where is my blanket? "It is gone;" where
is my shirt? "you have sold it for whiskey!!" Now, Brothers,
figure to yourselves what condition this man must be in. He
has a family at home; a wife and children, who stand in need
of the profits of his hunting. What must be their wants,
when he himself is even without a shirt!"
One of the most prominent advantages of civilization over
t.f e savage state, is considered to be the protection of the
nghts of the social compact and its members, by equitable
laws, from aggressions of individuals. Let us inqmre whether
the habitual drinker of distilled spirits does not, first by
anticipation, and eventually in reality, plunder the public
treasury? A rich man, or a poor man, no matter which, (for

Intemperance, like its legitimate successor, Death, soon levels
all distinctions as to fortune, and the former does also, in
dignity and respectability) and perhaps honest, except bis
fatal mistake, of being willing to sacrifice his health, life,
property, reputation, his wife and children, together with
almost every source of social enjoyment to the heathenish
God of stills, swallows daily the worth of a given amount
in distilled spirits, exceeding the collateral income of his
trade, farm or labor, exclusive of what is required for customary family expenses. It is an ancient and established
truth, that a stitch in time saves nine, although but little
heeded, and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure. General knowledge is the only infallible remedy for
this moral pestilence. To American Sages, therefore,

17

The aggriev'd Genius of America appeals;
To apply the SOVEREIGN BALM, and relieve those ills.

A statement has been communicated to me, from an authentic source, that one of our most distinguished statesmen,
having been a candidate for a seat in one of our State Legislatures, disdained to dishonor himself and his country, by
purchasing the suffrages of his fellow citizens, with distilled
spirits; the consequence of which obstinacy was, that an
ignorant grog-seller, who could neither read nor write his
name, not being over nice about honor, by distributing
whiskey, profusely amongst the electors, obtained the appointment.• With much pain I have also lately learned the
following alarming fact, from credible authority: A philanthropic member of the Legislative Council of one of the
capital cities of the United States, clearly recognjzing the
calamitous consequences, proceeding from the existence of
the great number of tippling shops, sanctioned by the public
•This method of quickening the senses of American citizens to an
understanding of their interests, has been successfully practised for
many years in several of the states, hy candidates for scats in Congress.

The Moral Instructor

18

authorities, in vain exerted his efforts for a reduction of the
number of these whirlpools of destruction and woe, for two
years, when, being discouraged, he withdrew from that employment with chagrin.
As the sun began to ascend and diffuse its golden radiance
over the American hemisphere; while I alternately beheld
this majestic agent of the Creator, and the venerable walls
of the last and only solitary castle,t "in which the perse.cuted
Genius of Liberty is permitted to dwell throughout this vast
Globe," the followmg ejaculation sprang spontaneously
from my melted heart; "God of the Universe, enlighten my
soul with the fire of thy spirit;-permit me to be the humble
organ through which a spark thereof may be transmitted
to the souls of men in the United States of America, that a
bright flame may be thereby kindled in their minds, that shall
display clearly to their senses, a view of the fatal and ~n­
extricable vortex into which they are gradually and unwarily
plunging themselves and their posteri~y!" I then yielded to
an irresistible impulse which enjoined 1t on me to devote the
preceding day to the execution of this essay, which, if it
prove the means of protecting a single innocent female, and
her babes from the venomous jaws of the most cruel hydra
that is permitted to enter our dwellings and receive our
voluntary embraces and cordial hospitalities; to me, it will
afford a superior compensation to that of possessing all the
diamonds of all the Monarchs of Europe.
tThe Capitol of the United States.

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NOTE-This essay was published originally in the National lntelUgencer, of the 28th NO'l.J. JBJJ.

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ON THE CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE
OF A DIFFERENT AGE.

sensations which nature has impressed on the
soul are reasoned away in our enlightened age,
which is so carefully cleared of all tbe rubbish of
antiquated prejudices. One of these prej_udices is the sense
of regard for hoary age. Our youth npen soon.er, gr~w
sooner wise and learned than those of former times did.
They repair by diligent reading, particularly of magazines,
pamphlets and novels their want of experience an.d study.
This renders them so intelligent as to be able to decide upon
subjects which our forefathers thought could only be clearly
comprehended after a close and studious application of many
years. Thence arises that noble self-sufficiency and confidence which inferior geniuses mistake for impudence and
arrogance, that consciousness of internal worth with which
the beardless boys of our age look down ~lpon ?Id men, and
decry every thing that happens to come m their way. The
utmost that a man of riper years may expect now-a-days
from his children and grand children is, kind indulgence,
chastening censure, being tutored by them and ~itied, because
he is so unfortunate as not to have been born 111 our happy
age, in which wisdom rains from Heaven, unsown and uncultivated, like the manna in the desert.
There are many things in this world which can be learnt
only by experience; there are. sciences whic? absolutely .require close and long study, reiterate? reflect10n and meditation, coolness of temper and mature Judgment; .and therefore
I think the most brilliant and acute genius 111 most cases
ought to pay some attention and deference to an old man,
whose inferiority of faculties is compensated by age and ex-

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Tbe Moral Instructor

perience. It must be acknowledged in genentl, that the store
of experience which a man gathers in a long course of years
enables him to fix his ideas, to awaken from ideal dreams, to
avoid being led astray by a lively imagination, the warmth
of blood and the irritability of nerves, and to behold the objects with which he is surrounded in their proper point of
view. It is besides so noble and amiable to render the latter
days of the pilgrimage of life, in which cares and sorrows
generally increase, and enjoyment takes its flight, as easy
as possible to those that soon are to bid an eternal farewell
to the treasures and gratifications of this world, that I feel
myself impelled to exclaim with additional energy to youth
of every description-"Rise up before the hoary head, and
honor the face of the old. Court the society of old and experienced people!-Do not despise the counsel of cool reason,
nor the advice of experience. Treat the hoary as you wish to
be treated when your hair shall be bleached by old age.
Respect them and do not desert them, when wild and
thoughtless youths shun their company."
As for the rest, it cannot be denied that there are many
old fools, as there are also wise young men who have earned
already when others scarcely have begun to sow.
The conversation with children is highly interesting to a
sensible man. He beholds in them the book of nature in an
uncorrupted edition. Children appear as they really are,
and as they are not misled by systems, passions or learning,
judge of many things better than grown persons; they receive many impressions much sooner, and are not guided
by so many prejudices as the latter. In short, if you wish
to study men you must not neglect to mix with the society
oh children.
It is a sacred duty to give them no offence whatever, to
abstain in their company from all wanton discourses and
actions, and to display in their presence benevolence, faith,
sincerity, decency and every other virtue; in short, to con-

tribute as much as possible to their improvement; for their
ductile and uncorrupted mind is as ready to receive good
impressions as it is open to the seeds of vice, and I may safely
maintain that the degeneracy of mankind is greatly owing to
the imprudence and inconsideration with which people of a
maturer age deport themselves in the presence of children.

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CAUTION TO YOUNG MEN WHO DEVOTE
THEIR LIFE TO THE SPORTIVE
MUSES AND THEATRES.

myself a warm admirer of the arts, my readers
would wrong me very much were they to suppose
that I am actuated by prejudice, when I advise young
people to enjoy the fine arts, and conversation of the priests
and priestesses of the sportive Muses with great moderation.
Hilarity easily degenerates into licentiousness and a propensity for an eternal round of sensual gratifications.-Mild
manners frequently degenerate into effeminacy, too obsequious pliancy, and mean and unwarrantable complaisance; and
a life entirely devoted to social amusements and sensual
pleasures creates aversion from all serious occupations, while
it enjoys no lasting delight, which can only be purchased
by conquering many difficulties, and those at the expense
of indefatigable labor and exertions; solitude which is so
beneficial to our mind and heart, is irksome by such conduct,
and makes us disgusted with a quiet domestic life which is
devoted to the faithful performance of our family and civil
duties.-In a word, those that devote themselves entirely to
the fine arts, and revel away their whole life with the priests
of their gods, run the greatest risk of ruining their peace of
mind, or at least, of not contributing as much as their situa-

B

EING

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

tion and abilities would enable them to the promotion and
happiness of others. All this may be expected to result, in
a peculiar degree, from too great a love of the theatre and
an intimate connexion with actors. If our plays were what
they could and ought to be, .if they we;e sc~ools ?f virtue,
where our deviations and follies were pamted m their natural
colors, and good morals recommended in a p~easing and convincing manner, then indeed, it would be highly useful for
every young man to visit the theatre constantly, and to converse with those men who would be the greatest benefactors
of their age.-However, we n:iust ~ot judge .of the t.hea.tre by
what it might be, but take it as it really is. While m our
comical pieces, the ridiculous traits of the follies of men are
exagerated so much as to render it impossible for us to behold
in them our own defects; while our plays favor romantic
love; while they teach young fools and love sick girls how
to impose upon, and obtain the consent of old and e~­
perienced fathers and mothers, who know better than their
sons and daughters, that an imaginary sy~pathy of h~arts,
and a transitory fit of love, are not sufficient to constitute
matrimonial happiness; while thought~essnes~ appears on o~r
theatres in a pleasing garb, and profligacy is represented m
an elegant and captivating form, with the external appearance of dignity and energy, admiration becomes forced contrary to our will; while our tragedies ac~ustom ?ur ~yes. to
the sight of bloody scenes of horror; while our imagmat10n
is tutored to look only for wonderful and unnatural catastrophes; while our operas make us indifferent w~ether sou?d
reason be offended or not, if only our ear be tickled; wlule
foreign artists. are enco~raged, and. thos~ . ~f our fellowcitizens possessmg equal, if not supenor, abilmes are suffered
to ~tarve; while the most pitiful grinner, and the most u~de­
serving woman are generally applauded, because .the titled
and untitled populace have taken them under their protection; and finally, while our composers of plays neglect all

the rules of/robability, and offend against every principle
of nature an art, to please the vitiated taste of the multitude,
and consequently afford to the spectator no food for his
mind and heart, but only amusement and sensual gratification
-while this unhappily is the state of our theatres, it is the
duty of every honest man to admonish young people to partake of these pleasures but sparingly.

22

23

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OF THE DUTY OF PARENTS.-EDUCATION.

in the most extensive sense of the word, may
comprehend every preparation that is made in our
youth for the sequel of our lives, and in this sense
I use it.
Some such preparation is necessary for children of all conditions, because, without it, they must be miserable, and
probably will be vicious, when they grow up, either from
want of the means of subsistence, or from want of rational
and inoffensive occupation. In civilized life, every thing is
effected by art and skill. Whence a person who is provided
with neither (and neither can be acquired without exercise
and instructions) will be useless; and he that is useless, will
enerall be at the same time mischievous to the co munit .

E

DUCATION,

IBl!!!~~ts.

asses o commum y, this principle condemns the neglect of parents, who do not inure their children
by times to labor and restraint, by providing them with apprenticeships, services, or other regular employment, but
who suffer them to waste their youth in idleness and va-

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

grancy, or to betake themselves to som.e laz);', trifling. and
precarious callin · for the consequence of havmg thus tasted
t e sweets of natural liberty, at an age when their passion and
relish for it are at the highest, is, that they become incapable
for the remainder of their lives of continued industry, or of
persevering attention to any t.hing; sp~nd their time in a
miserable struggle between the importumty of want, and the
irksomeness of regular application; and are prepared to ~m­
brace every expedient, which presents a hope of supplying
their necessities without confining them to the plough, the
loom, the shop, or the counting-house.
In the middle orders of society, those parents are most
reprehensible, who neither q~alify .their children for a pr?f ession, nor enable them to h e w1thou
e: and those m
the highest, who, fro indolence, · ndul ence ~
omit to procure their children t ose 1 _eral attan~ments,
which are necessary to make them useful m the stations to
which they are destined. A man of fortune, who permits his
son to consume the season of education, in hunting, shooting,
or in frequenting horse-races, assemblies, or other ~nedify­
ing, if not vicious diversions, defrauds the commumty of a
benefactor, and bequeaths them a nuisance.
The health and virtue of a child's future life are considerations so superior to all others, that whatever is likely to have
the smallest influence uron these, d~serves the parent's ~rst
attention. In respect o health, agriculture, and all active,
rural and out-of-door employments, are to be preferred to
manufaotures and sedentary occupations. In respect of virn1e, a course of dealings in which the advantage is mutual,
in which the profit on one side is connected with the ~enefit
of the other (which is the case in trade, and all serviceable
' art or labor), is more favorable to the moral character, than
callings in which one man's gain is anoth7r's loss, in which,
what you acquire, is acquir~d without eqmvalent, and parted
with in distress. For security, manual arts exceed merchan-

dise, and such as supply the wants of mankind are better than
those which minister to their pleasure.•
On account of the few lucrative employments which are
left. to the female sex, and by consequence, the little opportunity they h~ve of ad~ing to their income, daughters ought
to be the pa~cular obiec.ts of a parent's care and foresight:
and as an opt10n .of m~rnage, from which they can reasonably exp~ct happ~ness,. 1s ~ot p~esent~d to every woman who
deserves it, especially m times m which a licentious celibacy
is in fashion with the men, a father should endeavor to enable
his daughters to lead a single life with independency and
decorum, eve~ though. he subtract more for that purpose
from the pomons of lllS sons, than is agreeable to modern
usage, or than they expect.
•Jn the ~nited States, where educatio n is cheap, a lamentable eagerness pr~va1ls ~mong all classes o! parents for preparing their sons for
professional, ht~rary or mercantile employments. This literary mania
pr.o duces cala~1rou s consequen~es to its s_ubjects, by creating in their
~mds an aversion to _the pursmt of labonous and productive occupatJon_s after a profe.ss1?1~al defeat; whether owing to deficiency of
gen.ms, _or the mult1phc.1ty of_a~v.enrurers. The general public prosperity 1s at the same tune d1m1111shed by every desertion from the
ranks of productive o r useful industry . COMP.

Tbe Moral Instructor

POLITICAL PARTY ANIMOSITY OUGHT TO
BE EXTINGUISHED.
RUINOUS POLICY OF IMPORTING SUCH VAST QUANTITIES OF UNNECESSARY FOREIGN MERCHANDIZE.
HE reason why the citizens of th.e Unit~~ States ~re
separated into two great contendmg poh~1cal p~rues,
calumniating and provok~ng each ot?er w~th volhes of
corrosive epithets and abuse, 1s to me mexphcable. Ask
every citizen indiscriminately his political creed, and. 99 h~n­
dredths will give synonymous answers .. B<?th parties chng
to the same standard, the federal consntunon, and yet .reproach each other with the ~erms fe~era/, democrat, &c. without reflecting on the meanmg. of either. The word fede;al
signifies nothing more than umted, and has no concern with
modes or systems of government whatever. The word
democracy signifies government by the feople, 11.n~ .composes one of the most essential and admirable qualmes of
our political system. Any other mode of govern~ent m~st
originate from usurpation, vi?lence, a~d. oppression. With
rare exceptions it is the unammous poht1~al theorem of the
citizens of the United States, of both parties, that the people
are the only source of legitimate power, and that legislators
are only rublic agents, or servants, d~pen~ent on th_e confidence o their employers for the cont.muat10n of t~elf term
of service. All claim and assume the mle of republican, the
literal meaning of which is public affairs, general interest,
ccJrmnon good, &c. Whence then all t.his senseless cl~mor
about Toryism and Democracy, Federaltsm and Repubhca~­
ism British Influence and French Influence, &c. &c.? Can it
spri,ng entirely from pure patriotism on either side? Docs

T

26

not a great proportion of it proceed from self-interested aspirants for office, and their adherents? Let every one examine
and decide for himself. In selecting candidates for public
trust, beware of the imperious haughty Aristocrat or tyrant,
whatever party or title he may assume. Without distinction
of party names, let the indispensible qualifications, be integrity, capacity, wisdom, moral rectitude and patriotism.
. But the most lamentable a~d mischievous prevailing political errors, after all, and wluch are confined to no specific
party, are the customs of sending to the other side of the
globe annually, several millions of silver dollars, to be exchanged for tree leaves, which produce an injury seven fold
greater than the cost of them in promoting the general epidemic of indigestion and nervous complaints; of sending to
Europe several millions more for contemptible trifles for
the gratification of a vain and ridiculous fancy; several millions more to the West Indies for rum, sugar, molasses, coffee,
and tobacco, which co-operate in their effects as joint allies
with the said shrubbery, first mentioned; of sacrificing
~0,000,000 more for whiskey, the worst commodity of all,
m our own country; and lastly of paying many millions more
to the numerous distributors of those various seeds of moral
and physical contamination, three fourths of whom might
otherwise, be employed in augmenting the national wealth,
in a variety of useful occupations.
We have late accounts from China, that in the course of
about six months, American ships alone deposited in Canton,
the enormous sum of five millions of dollars!-Deluded Americans! Boasters of patriotism, liberty, virtue and independence!
Will you remain politically and intellectually blind, until
your last silver dollar is shipped to China for a pound of dried
leaves of a bush; and your last bushel of wheat to the West
Indies for 14 pounds of essence of cane stalks, to counteract
the roughness and gnaw ing effect of those leaves upon the
tongue and stomach? What avails the heroism, the sacrifice

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

of blood and treasure, and the indescribable sufferings of
your fathers, in resisting British ~ompulsion, whi.le you .voluntarily bestow ten fold more tnbute upon foreign nations,
than a monarch would demand.

. After noticing many of the most valuable discoveries and
improvements for meliorating the condition of man, which
have been denounced as Utopian projects, he concludes his
letter, "with an anecdote of a minister in London who after
employing a lo.ng sermon, in controverting what he supposed
to be an heretical opinion, concluded it with the following
words:-1 tell you, I tell you, my brethren, I tell you again,
that an old error is better than a new truth."
. As it is our d~ign to promote the prosperity of society
1? the aggregate, it is hoped that individuals whose occupat10ns depend on those popular follies which we shall endeavor to exterminate, will not be offended at the course
whic;h a sense of duty impels us to pursue. "It will be im~
possible to ?~ much good without some persons accounting
themselves miured by what you do. You will unavoidably
serve some interests to which others are inimical." We cannot subscribe to the doctrine of Goldsmith and Franklin
that luxury and fanciful fashions are beneficial upon a gen~
~ral scale, because. they multiply employment for the labormg classes of society. The rational wants of mankind are
sufficiently numerous to employ the industry and ingenuity
of all who are able and willing to labor.
o scrutinize. and de~ermine the propriety or impropriety
~f ideas and hab_1ts acqmred from precept or example in early
life, (when their correctness is not called in question,) we
need the faculty o.f divesting ourselves from the influence of
previous impressions, and of viewing things with which we
have been long familiarised, as though they were newly presented to our senses.
The most universal, mischievous, expensive and inexcusable customs of the. present age of luxury and extravagance,
are those of adopt~ng sugar,~ tea and coffee, ardent spirits
and tobacco, as articles of daily consumption.-These insati-

PREVAILING MORAL AND POLITICAL
ERRORS OF THE TIMES.

o attack ancient and favorite habits and prejudices, is
not a very encouraging or ?greea.ble. undertak.ing::W hile error is venerated for its anaqmty, truth 1s discarded for its novelty. But there is great consolation in the
consciousness of having done our best.to benefit. our fellowmen, even if our good officr.s are not kmdly received or duly
appreciated.
.
"Let it be remembered," says the author of the fnen.d. of
peace, in his reasons for believing that efforts for t~e a?oh~on
of war will not be in vain, "that the charge of a chimerical
project," or_ "Utopian scheme," h~s. been uniformly made
against the first efforts for the abolmon of any popular custom; yet many such attempts have succeeded, to the asto1!ishment and joy of those who once regarded them as fit subiects
of ridicule."
In a letter of Dr. Rush, to George Clymer, Esq. "on the
amusements and punishments proper for schools," he ~~ys,
"I know how apt mankind are to bran.cl every proposmon
for innovation, as visionary and Utoeian. But good. men
should not be discouraged by such epithets, from their attempts to combat vice and error."

T

"!'

• Dr. Willich says that sugar produces mucus and acid in the stomach, and injures digestion.

The Moral Instructor

Tbe Moral Instructor

able but fashionable leeches to the public wealth, and canker
worms to health and life, ought to be exterminated, if it were
for no other reason, than their enormous expense; but still
more for their deleterious effects. The mischief of coffee and
tea, is doubled by the hot water in which they are drank.
Coffee though a useful medicine, if drank constantly , will at
length induce a decay of health, and hectic fever.t Tea
possesses an acrid astringent <]uality, peculiar to most leaves
and exterior bark of trees, and corrodes and paralyzes the
nerves.-How shall we account for this universal infatuation?
Is nature so partial and niggardly, that she has denied the
American continent a single product, fit for an infusion at
our tables? Is it fashion, pride, depraved appetite or reason,
that induces almost all the inhabitants of America, to drink
China tea, and West India coffee, in preference to milk, or
infusions of sweet meadow grass, red clover, or parched rye,
barley, oats, or even pure water?
How is our country to be supplied with those imaginary
necessaries of life (which however are converted into real
ones by habit, like tobacco, rum, opium, &c.) when it becomes as populous as China? Where shall we find the req~i­
site quantity of silver to purchase tea for three hundred millions of people?
The increasing habit of chewing, smoking and snuffing
tobacco, is too mischievous a trespasser on the public health
and wealth, to be excused from an examination at the bar
of reason. We shall not refuse tobacco the credit of being
sometimes medical, when used temperately, though an acknowledged poison. While it relieves some diseases, it aggravat~s others; and is both unnecessary and pernicious to persons in health, especially to youth.-Che~~ng to~acco is
almost uniformly injurious. Constantly excmng a discharge
from the salivary glands, it exhausts the body of one of its

most important fluids; produces obstinate chronic diseases;
weakens the organs of digestion, and shortens the term of
vital excitability and life. Young persons ought to be prevented from contracting a habit, which is so very reprehensible, both for its waste of vital power, and property. The
~a?1e_ may be said of smoking tobacco, except that it is more
miunous, because commonly practised in greater excess, and
in the form of segars, is more expensive. Snuffing powdered
tobacco, when habitual is disgusting, like both the other
modes of using it, and injures the whole nervous system, as
well as the sense of smelling.
_\':'e sl~all ~ext ~ommence an attack on a variety of customs,
ongmatmg 111 mistaken fancy; and belonging to the empire
of fashion. It is doubtless a rational conjecture, that the
ann~al _expenditure of s?ciety for superfluities and trifling
habits, is as great as for its reasonable necessities.
Immense sums are continually wasted by almost all classes
of both sexes, in superfluities of dress. Two thirds of the
expense of hats might be saved, if they were manufactured
with a view to utility and durability, instead of fashion and
fancy. The external coating of fur, and the toweri ng crown
~re of no service except for our neighbors to look at; and
1f we were all to ·w ear plain hats, we should all be contented.
In the construction of our coats, several dollars each are
sacrificed on the altar of fashion. But it is unnecessary to
particularize, and perhaps in vain to say any thing on this
subject. I wish it were possible to construct a panorama of
fashion, at which all our youth might gaze at once. It would
include New-York and London; and Paris, as the head quarters. The Taylots, Milliners, Hatters, Boot makers, and Barbers of Paris might be seen, once or twice every season, in
front of the long train of deluded votaries of fashion, contriving a new angle or an addition to the collar padding to a
coat;-a new wrinkle in a bonnet and a new tuck to a gown;
-a new hat brim only wide enough to defend the eye brows

30

t See Dr. Willich's Art of preserving Health and prolonging life.

31

Tbe Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

from the meridian sun, a new boot top worn by some
famous general;-and a head with no hair behind and too
much before, &c. &c. &c. &c. The gentry, fops and belles
of London may be seen throwing off their coats, bonnets and
gowns, hats, boots, and hair, just in the rear of those of Paris.
·n1ose of New-York may be seen trudging along all in a
huddle and confusion two or three months in the rear, according as the wind blows; while by the time the country
boys and girls fall into the ranks; the commanders and
commandresses at Paris have commenced a new campaign
upon the property and weak brains of their dupes.
"Never listen to the cravings of vanity. We wish to be
like others. But this desire extends a great way, and is seldom
satisfied. Among other cravings of vanity, listen not to that
which dress demands. Excess in apparel is a costly folly.
The more simple clothes are, the better. Neither unshapely
nor fantastical. For use and decency, and not for pride.
Nature requires not studied ornaments. A plain manner is
in general the greatest ornament. A modest dress has been
considered the shield to virtue."

mental appearances of our dwelling houses, churches, tomb
stones, carriages, equipage for horses, and domestic furniture.
The wealth which has been vainly if not wickedly squandered in the magnificence of meeting houses, and their lofty
steeples, would be 1mfficient for the establishment of perpetual free schools and free libraries for the instruction of
all the poor children in the United States.-And which would
best advance the cause of virtue and happiness, and promote
the glory of God? Let a reverse experiment solve this problem. Who can contemplate without painful regret, the vast
quantity of silver and labor which are thrown away never
to be recovered, in order to display a few white shining
spots, on our carriages, harnesses, saddles and bridles? The
superfluities of house furniture are numerous and generally
so conspicuous, that it is only necessary to invite reflection
on their impropriety. The gilding and ornamental work of
looking-glasses and picture frames, books, chairs, &c. are
expensive offerings to those phantom idols Fancy and
Fashion.
The whole country is drained every spring and autumn,
of a large portion of its cash and most valuable productions,
to pay for foreign commodities; a great proportion of which,
might be dispensed with, or manufactured among ourselves.
An unbridled hankering after something far-fetched and
dear bought,-gay to the eye and pleasing to the tongue,-is
equally ruinous to a nation as to a private family. The nation
or family that buys more than it sells, that exchanges articles
of solid value for articles of fancy, that imports rather than
manufacture, and more than it exports, must eventually
suffer severe embarrassment from deficiency of money and
the common stock of wealth.
Among the causes of poverty, besides ignorance and vice,
indolence and intemperance, the want of steady employment to all who are able and willing to labor, is one which
has not received the consideration of legislators and moralists

MOTT.

Veil'd in a simple robe, th11t best attire,
Beyond the pomp of dress; for loveliness,
Needs not the foreign aid of ornament,
But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most.
THOMSON.

We shall omit to particularize the superfluities of female
apparel:-if desirable, there will be no difficulty in finding
much room for retrenchment. It would be criminal, how' ever, to neglect this opportunity of condemning, without
reservation, the odious, disgusting, sacrilegious, and suicidal
practice of deforming the natural perfection of the human
fabric, with CORSETS and STAYS.
Incalculable sums are uselessly expended for the orna-

...

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-

·

· · ·--- -

• ..,~..,

,.,

J t '-'-

n.a.llY\ I\

,.

..

~

•Cl

...

...

33

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

that it deserves. A great proportion of crimes, might be
traced to this cause. Robbery or forgery, is the alternative
frequently preferred, by persons of weak moral principles,
to starvation or the humiliation of beggary. It is easier to
prevent poverty and crimes, by instruction and employment,
than to relieve and suppress them, by charity and punishments. There ought to be a public agricultural and manufacturing institution, in every County; where every male or
female capable of digging potatoes, turning a wheel, or
working a loom, or of performing any kind of mechanical
or other labor, may be employed and suitably rewarded,
whenever application shall be made.-Schools and moral
libraries ought to form a department in all such institutions.
The expenditure of such enormous sums of money as are
continually dissipated in play houses, balls, novel-reading
and other idle amusements, is totally unjustifiable; even if
health and virtue were not at the same time impaired.-lt is
surprising that people of refined taste, should be willing to
breathe the vitiated air of crowded theatres and circuses.
Chief Justice Hale says, "Beware of too much recreation
-Gaming, taverns, and plays, are pernicious, and corrupt
youth. If they had no other fault, they are justly to be
declined, in respect to their excessive expense of time, and
habituating men to idleness, vain thoughts, and disturbing
passions, when they are past, as well as while they are used."
"That creation of refined and subtile feeling, reared by
the authors of that species of novels called the Sentimental,
has an ill effect, not only on our ideas of virtue, but also on
our estimate of happiness. That sickly sort of refinement
creates imaginary evils and distresses, and imaginary blessi1'gs and enjoyments, which embitter the common disappointments, and depreciate the common enjoyments of life.
This affects the temper doubly, both with respect to ourselves and others; with respect to ourselves, from what we
think ought to be our lot; with regard to others, from what

we think ought to be their sentiments. It inspires a certain
childish pride of our own superior delicacy, and an unfortunate contempt of the plain worth, the ordinary but
useful occupations and ideas of those around us.
"I have purposely pointed my observations, not to that
common herd of novels, (the wretched offspring of circulating libraries) which are despised for their insignificance, or
proscribed for their immorality; but to the errors, as they
appear to me, of those admired ones, which are frequently
put into the hands of y outh, for imitation as well as amusement. Of yout h it is essential to preserve the imagination
sound as well as pure, and not allow them to forget, amidst
the intricacies of Sentiment, or the dreams of Sensibility, the
truths of Reason, or the laws of principle."

34

1

-- - -\M"',.... ,,....- ...-, '-"'--

, _ , . . • _., t.4 n.&.llV\ I\
.....................
_ ............. _ '

-- ~_....

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35

LOUNGER.

The act of injuring one's own mind or health, is a vice;
and therefore .it is the duty of parents and instructors, to
prevent y outh, peremptorily, from contracting the alluring
habit of reading novels; which besides destroying the health,
by incessant night reading, fits the mind for a world of
fiction and romance, instead of a world of realities. If youth
could be prevailed on first to taste the salutary sweets of
Biography, History, Travels, Morality, Natural Philosophy
and Geography, they would ever after, with rare exceptions,
view a Novel with as much disgust as the mother of beautiful
living children would a doll.
The consummation of human folly and madness is to be
found in the beastly custom of nominally civilized as well
as savage nations, to settle their differences, through the
medium of iron cannon, muskets, swords, bayonets, balls,
and leaden bullets; fire and brimstone, salt-petre and charcoal;
and human blood the final product of the whole. This
method of obtaining justice or injustice, incurs an incalculable sacrifice of wealth and morals, as well as of life.
Victors as well as the vanquished, are inevitably losers in

The Moral Instructor

The Moral Instructor

the aggregate, unless in the only justifiable case of wardefense of life, liberty and country, against tyrants, or murderous invaders.
National military establishments swallow up a vast proportion of the revenues of a country, even in time of peace. Is
there no alternative? If not, then let man cease to boast his
moral superiority to tygers and dogs. 0 ye mad nations!
retrieve your abused divine legacy, reason! Commence your
retreat from the horrid game of folly, blood and death,
simultaneously. Dismantle all your war-ships, frigates, &c.
and sink in the ocean, or destroy, every engine or instrument
of human destruction. Dismiss your war servants, and abolish
military schools. Institute a perpetual Congress of delegates,
from each nation respectively, to which all national disputes,
not amicably arranged by agents of the parties, shall be referred for final decision.

I consider the body as a system of tubes and glands, or to
use a more rustic phrase, a bundle of pipes and strainers,
fitted to one another after so wonderful a manner, as to make
a proper engine for the soul to work with. This description
does not only comprehend the bowels, bones, tendons, veins,
nerves and arteries, but every muscle and every ligature,
which is a composition of fibres, that are so many imperceptible tubes or pipes interwoven on all sides with invisible
glands or strainers.
This general idea of a human body, without considering it
in its niceties of anatomy, lets us see how absolutely necessary labor is for the right preservation of it. There must be
frequent motions and agitations, to mix, digest, and separate
the juices contained in it, as well as to clear and cleanse that
infinitude of pipes and strainers of which it is composed,
and to give their solid parts a more firm and lasting tone.
Labor or exercise ferments the humors, casts them into their
proper channels, throws off redundancies, and helps nature
in those secret distributions, without which the body cannot
subsist in its vigor, nor the soul act with cheerfulness.
I might here mention the effects which this has upon all
the faculties of the mind, by keeping the understanding clear,
the imagination untroubled, and refining those spirits that are
necessary for the proper exertion of our intellectual faculties, during the present laws of union between soul and body.
It is to a neglect in this particular that we must ascribe the
spleen, which is so frequent in men of studious and sedentary
tempers, as well as the vapors to which those of the other
sex are so often subject.
Had not exercise been absolutely necessary for our wellbeing, nature would not have made the body so proper for
it, by giving such an activity to the limbs, and such a pliancy
to every part as necessarily produce those compressions,
extensions, cor.ttortions, dilations, and all other kinds of motions that are necessary for the preservation of such a system

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LABOR AND EXERCISE INDISPENSIBLE
FOR HEALTH.
Pray for a sound mind in a sound body.-JUV.

labor is of two kinds, either that which a man
submits to for his livelihood, or that which he undergoes for his pleasure. The latter of them generally
changes the name of labor for that of exercise, but differs
only from ordinary labor as it rises from another motive.
A country life abounds in both these kinds of labor, and
for that reason gives a man a greater stock of health, and
consequently a more perfect enjoyment of himself, than any
other way of life.

B

ODILY

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37

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The Moral Instructor

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of tubes and glands as has been before-mentioned. And that
we might not want inducements to engage us in such an
exercise of the body as is proper for its welfare, it is so
ordered, that nothing valuable can be procured without it.
-Not to mention riches and honor, even food and raiment
are not to be come at without the toil of the hands and
sweat of the brows.
Providence furnishes materials, but expects that we should
work them up ourselves. The earth must be labored before it
gives its increase, and when it is forced into its several products, how many hands must they pass through before they
are fit for use? Manufactures, trade, and agriculture, naturally employ more than nineteen parts of the species in
twenty; and as for those who are not obliged to labor, by
the condition in which they are born, they are more miserable than the rest of mankind, unless they indulge themselves
in that voluntary labor which goes by the name of exercise.
There is no kind of exercise which I would so recommend to my readers of both sexes as that of riding, as there
is none which so much conduces to health, and is every way
accommodated to the body, according to the idea which I
have riven of it. Dr. Sydenham is very lavish in its praises;
and i the English reader will see the mechanical effects of
it described at length, he may find them in a book published
not many years since, under the title of MEDICINA GYMNASTICA.
For my own part when I am in town, for want of these
opportunities, I exercise myself an hour every morning upon
a dumb bell that is placed in a corner of my room, and pleases
me the more because it does every thing I require in the
most profound silence. My landlady and her daughters are
~ well acquainted with my hours of exercise, that they
never come into my room to disturb me while I am ringing.
To conclude, as I am a compound of soul and body, I
consider myself as obliged to a double scheme of duties; and

The Moral Instructor

39
think I have not fulfilled .the business of the day when I do
not thus employ the one m labor and exercise as well as the
other in study and contemplation.
'
Spectator, No. 115-AomsoN.

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BOOKS.

are they, who being disgusted with all violent
pleasures, know how to content themselves with the
. sweets of an inno_cent life. Happy are they, who
are diverted at the same. t1i:iie that they are instructed, and
please themselves by ennchmg their minds with knowledge.
Whereve~ they may b_e throw~ by adverse fortune, they
car~y their own entertamment with them; and the uneasiness
:~hich preys on others, even in the midst of their pleasures
1s unknown to those who can employ themselves in reading.
Happy are they who love books and are not deprived of
ili~!
.
TELEM. b. ii.

H

APPY

