tion of reaſon; I mean, the preſent emotion governed him. He had not any ſtrength or conſiſtency of character; one moment he enjoyed a pleaſure, and the next felt the pangs of remorſe, on account of ſome duty which he had neglected. He always indeed intended to act right in every particular to-morrow; but to-day he followed the prevailing whim.
He heard by chance of a man in great diſtreſs, he determined to relieve him, and left his houſe in order to follow the humane impulſe; but meeting an acquaintance, he was perſuaded to go to the play, and to-morrow, he thought, he would do the act of charity. The next morning ſome company came to breakfast with him, and took him with them to view ſome fine pictures. In the evening he went to a concert; the day following he was tired, and laid in bed till noon; then read a pathetic ſtory, well wrought up, wept over it—fell aſleep—and forgot to act humanely. An accident reminded him of his intention; he ſent to the man, and found that he had too long delayed—the relief was uſeleſs.
