FAIRS in OCTOBER,

1. Alnwick

2. Helmfley, Howden, N.Allerton 3. Bishop-Auckland

10. Selby

11. Bedale, Leyburn, Malton 12. Carlifle

15. Knaresbro', Skipton

17. Penniston, Wooler

19. Carlifle, Yarm 20. Yarm

23. Boroughbridge

28. Afkrig, Thirsk

29. Afkrig, Kirkby-Stephen, Newcaftle, Sedberg, Thirfk

THE

STOCKTON BE E.

For OCTOBER, 1793.

To TRIS. ECTION.

SIR,

N Reading your Effay on Mifanthropy in the laft BEE. I was exceedingly furprized to find, that fuch a calumnious wretch as you should exift among fociety.— Had you vended (as you have commonly done) your opprobrious flanders against fome private character, you might perhaps have injured his reputation, and fo effected I i

your

312

your accurfed end; but the wor-
thy perfon whom you have made
the object of your malice, is too
well known and efteemed in the
learned world, and foars too high
on the wings of fcience, to be hurt
by the malevolent darts of Slander.
Were it not for that univerfal max-
im, "The bef of men have the
worft of enemies," I would have
been altogether at a lofs how to ac-
count for the invention of your in-
decorous affertions, and malicious
infinuations, against him whom

No way'ring withes wantonize his life,
A faithful husband to a faithful wife;
His leady life no fcenes of fate can move,
As contant to Religion as to love.
A foe to Faction, in a high degree;
Yet none a greater friend to Liberty.
By pride untainted, yet in converfe nice;
Pleas'd to hear counfel, fit to give advice;
Slow to refent, yet fcorns to bear too far;
Of Peace a lover, yet unfhock'd by War.
His foul was up betimes, and much con-
cern'd,

To grafp all excellence that could be
learn'd;

n

C

n

n

ת

fa

r

C

m

n

lie

Je

pr

ve

All his rare virtues were to ripeness grown,
Before his flow'r of youth was fully blown.
In short I cannot which is harder tell,

Or not to praise him, or to praise him well.
A man more fedulous, fincere, and kind,
My best remembrance knows not where to
find.

You talk of religion, but it is manifest you do not understand the christian religion, or you would not have endeavoured to blast your neighbour's reputation.-0 remember, that God hath expressly faid, "Thou shalt not raife a falle report." The great apoftle hath commanded us, to speak evil of no man; and we are well affured, that no one that is defiled, or maketh a lie, can enter the gates of the New Jerufalem. This is beautifully expreffed in the 15th pfalm, new verfion :

Lord, who's the happy man that may
To thy bleft courts repair;

Not firanger-like to vifit them,

But to inhabit there?

'Tis he whofe ev'ry thought and deed
By rules of virtue moves;

Whole gen'rous tongue difdains to speak
The thing his heart difproves.
Who never did a flander forge,
His neighbour's fame to wound ;
Nor hearken to a falfe report,
By Malice whifper'd round.

Perhaps you may make a jest of thefe things;-but remember, it there be a God, and that there is all Nature cries aloud, in all her works, He muft delight in virtue, and utterly deteft all vice. Nay, he has declared, the liar fhall have his portion in the lake which burns with fire and brimftone. However

you may rejoice in doing evil here, fure I am you will not rejoice when you will ftand before the Judge of all the earth, to give an account of every malicious flander you have propagated.

O confider, what will it profit you to flander your virtuous neighbour