may be more venerably assimilated to the verd antique Marble of Italy. But enough of these, Gentlemen; let us now turn our Attention to my second Species of Existences: To a Set of Men originally endued with Abilities, with Abilities destroyed and obnubilated by Residence and Application. Does any one start at my Assertion? The Honorable Gentlemen are not to be taught I hope, that Application is the Bane and Destruction of Abilities. The human Mind, Gentlemen, pardon the Comparison, is like a Leg of Mutton. The Meat is fine, but requires Roasting to make it eatable. We place it before the Fire then,

and it is suffer'd, according to its Size, to continue there for a longer or shorter Period. We resume it: and upon cutting it, we find the natural Gravy remains there, but matured and meliorated by Concoction. So far it has been in a State of Improvement. It is then at its Point Tropical, its Solstice, its Zenith of Perfection. But would any Cook in Christendom replace it there in Expectation of farther Advantages? Would she not know that any farther Torrefaction must be prejudicial? That the natural Gravy would from that Time decrease and evaporate gradually? A Gravy, Gentlemen, not to be supplied by all the adscititious Sauces of the most ingenious Artificer. I presume no Gentleman

needs my Information that Learning is an elegant Accomplishment. So is Snuff-taking. That the one strengthens the Ideas and clears the Head of its Votary. So does the other. But in either Case how dangerous are Excesses! In the one it degenerates into Pedantry; In the other to Bestiality and Nastiness. I will conclude my Remarks on this Species, with their Character, as drawn by a late elegant Satyrist.
Fellows! who've soak'd away their Knowledge,
In sleepy Residence at College;
Whose Lives are like a stagnant Pool,
Muddy and placid, dull and cool;
Mere drinking, eating; eating, drinking;
With no Impertinence of Thinking;
Who lack no farther Erudition,
Than just to set an Imposition
To cramp, demolish and dispirit,
Each true-begotten Child of Merit;
Censors, who in the Day's broad Light,
Punish the Vice they act at Night;

Whose Charity with self begins,
Nor covers others venial Sins;
But that their Feet may safely tread,
Take up Hypocrisy instead,
As knowing that must always hide,
A Multitude of Sins beside;
Whose rusty Wit is at a stand,
Without a Freshman at their Hand.
I am come now, Gentlemen, to my Third Division. And here