of acquiring what thoſe virtues chiefly aim at, the confidence and love of thoſe we live with. A perſon may be eaſily miſrepreſented with regard to a particular action; but it is ſcarcely poſſible that he ſhould be ſo with regard to the general tenor of his conduct. An innocent man may be believed to have done wrong: this, however, will rarely happen. On the contrary, the eſtabliſhed opinion of the innocence of his manners will often lead us to abſolve him where he has really been in the fault, notwithſtanding very ſtrong preſumptions.'
I perfectly coincide in opinion with this writer, for I verily believe that few of either ſex were ever deſpiſed for certain vices without deſerving to be deſpiſed. I ſpeak not of the calumny of the moment, which hangs over a character, like one of the denſe fogs of November, over this metropolis, till it gradually ſubſides before the common light of day, I only contend that the daily conduct of the majority prevails to ſtamp their character with the impreſſion of truth. Quietly does the clear light, ſhining day after day, refute the ignorant ſurmiſe, or malicious tale, which has thrown dirt on a pure character. A falſe light diſtorted, for a ſhort time, its ſhadow—reputation; but it ſeldom fails to become juſt when the cloud is diſperſed that produced the miſtake in viſion.
Many people, undoubtedly, in ſeveral reſpects obtain a better reputation than, ſtrictly ſpeaking, they deſerve; for unremitting induſtry will moſtly reach its goal in all races. They who only ſtrive for this paltry prize, like the Phariſees,
