 it only consisted of
two Articles,
the
Sensuality of the Body,
and the
Corruption of the Mind.
I also knew that, in former Ages, a great Number of
Publics
had been affected with the very Malady that now possessed your
Respectableness,
and yet had lived merrily under it to their dying Day.
I wished, however, to keep that Day at some Distance from your Greatness; and, with long and intense Labour, and at the Cost of many a Candle, during my nightly Lucubrations; I compounded a Medicine of approved and infallible Efficacy, consisting, for the Nonce, of a quantum sufficit of the TEMPERANCE and PATRIOTISM of the primitive
Romans.
I knew that the Cure would follow, but how to prevail upon your Respectableness, to swallow the Prescription, was a small matter of Difficulty that yet remained. For, it is a Misfortune peculiar to Those who are bit by Love, Avarice, Ambition, Pride, and such Passions, that they detest the Thoughts of a Restorative, and are so enamoured of their Distemper they would rather see the Devil than Doctor
Apollo
himself at their Door.
I, again, had the Honour of being admitted to an Audience. I called up and exhausted all the Powers of Oratory on that capital Occasion. I demonstrated, to your Respectableness, that the whole Weight and Elevation of the
Roman
State rested, simply, on the two Pillars of TEMPERANCE and PATRIOTISM, on which it rose, increased, and stood supported through many Ages; till, those Pillars being gradually sapped, the mighty Structure, with its said Foundation, decayed, grew ruinous, and fell confounded together. That Temperance is necessary to the Strength of a Man, as Patriotism is necessary to the Strength of a People. That each
Roman,
thus nerved and powerful apart, was yet strengthened, a hundred thousand fold, by an invisible Chord which run from Man to Man and united All, as One, in the LOVE OF COUNTRY. That hence sprung the
Helicon
of their abundant Inspiration to Toil, Industry, Frugality, Valour, Conquest, and Glory. They were swallowed, like so many Drops, in this Ocean of Patriotism. They were lost to every Care and Sensation of SELF; and were only found where they laboured, fought, bled, or expired for their COUNTRY!
While, warmed and somewhat raised by the Elevation of my Subject, I thus reasoned on National-Power, on human-Excellence, on Virtue, on Temperance, on Patriotism, and Glory! I shall never forget the kind Concern which your Respectableness expressed for me, in the evident Alarm
