“Unbounded confidences are in general better avoided but if you be entrusted with important secrets, endure every reproach, even the world's cen sure, rather than reveal them. "Adopt as few as possible of the modish follies this state will expose you to. Endeavour, however, to avoid incurring the epithets of severe, of prudish, or of envious, by arrogant censure; let your conduct alone mark your disapprobation. "Be neither vain of your birth nor your present rank: they are accidents, not always acquired by merit; perhaps in the issue to be lamented. "The strongest proof we can give of the excellency of our principles is the pardon of injuries, as it is that of a victory over our passions. "Shut your eyes to the personal blemishes of your acquaintance, and open your ear to the sound of their virtues. "Should a plentiful fortune enable you to indulge a disposition to give, complete the happiness of the receivers by the manner of bestowing. "Make no persons wait, who are dependent on you the loss of time to all who have to live on the careful employment of it, is the loss of their bread. "Curiosity is a foible, I fear not unjustly, attributed to our sex: while it remains merely as a guide in the road of instruction, it is useful; but when stretched into an impertinent enquiry it is odious. "Endeavour to correct a disposition to absence of mind: its effects are various; some amusing, some ridiculous, but all unprofitable. "Do not ever allow yourself to exaggerate, in praise or in censure. 66 Supposing that satire should be gilded with all the splendour of wit and learning that can attract present applause; be well aware, that you may indeed be first the idol, but finally the victim of the satirist. Despise no occupation as vulgar or trifling, that can contribute to any general benefit. 66 "Be not repulsed by the first difficulties in learning: the roughness of the road to any science will insensibly decrease as you approach the summit. "An elegant hand, expressing elegant sentiments, is like a favourable light to a good picture. "Rest not contented with the plea of a bad memory: it is but another name for negligence among young persons. "Let each year which shall steal a charm or a grace, the companions of your youth, add a virtue in return. "Suffer no peevishness to intermix itself with trouble; it is a species of revolt against the decrees of Providence."] DAVID MURRAY, EARL OF MANSFIELD, [BORN probably in North Britain, but educated in Westminster school, and elected thence in 1744 student of Christ Church, Oxford, where his proficiency in classical learning evinced his taste and application. He succeeded his father as viscount Stormont in 1748, not long after he had finished his studies at the university. Having travelled abroad for several years, he was elected soon after his return one of the sixteen peers of Scotland. In 1756 he was appointed envoy to the court of Dresden. He returned to England in 1762, and the next year was appointed ambassador to the court of Vienna, where he continued till 1772, when he accepted the same appointment at the court of France. In 1779 he became secretary of state for the northern department, and held the seals till the change of administration in 1782. In 1783 he returned into office, and except the interruption of a few months, continued president of the council till the time of his decease on Sept. 1. 1796. By the death of his uncle, William, earl of Mansfield, in 1793, he became the successor to his title, and to his very considerable property. As a minister in foreign courts his conduct was every where admitted to have been invariably governed by the purest and most rigid principles of truth, ho nour, and good faith; while the tenour of his public life at home was uniformly influenced by the most zealous and devoted attachment to the welfare of his country. In the relative duties of social life, no man is said to have observed with more scrupulous exactness the ties of father, husband, brother, or friend. His liberality also is described to have been secret in the manner, but princely in the measure of its allotment. The death of such a character therefore in any rank of life must have been a loss to society, but became so in a tenfold degree from being combined with such munificent ability of doing good. 2 It is with willing respect that his lordship is incorporated into the present roll of dignified authors, for having composed an elegiac tribute, while at Paris, on the death of Frederick, prince of Wales, which was printed with the Oxford verses on that occasion, and reprinted in the Union 1753.3 Its opening will show that his lordship had read Milton; and its close, that he was a disciple of the Whartonian school of poësy. "Little I whilom deem'd, my artless zeal Should woo the British muse in foreign land To strains of bitter argument, and teach The mimic nymph, that haunts the winding verge And oozy current of Parisian Seine, To syllable new sounds in accents strange. Gent. Mag. vol. lxvi. p. 796. A suspicion has been started by sir E. Brydges, that these verses might have been the composition of lord Stormont's tutor. But sad occasion calls: who now forbears To gracious Frederick rais'd; though but compos'd Where are those hopes, where fled th' illusive scenes Then filial piety and parting love Pour'd the fond pray'r:-"Farewell, ye less'ning cliffs, "Nor vain the wish, while George the golden scale In years, and happiest in nuptial choice. 4 See vol.i. p. 173. |