We proceed now to the operations of the mind, which, indeed, have an unlimited scope: but as fome attainments are more adapted to the views and duties of a foldier than of other men; as fome fubjects of study require a greater degree of his peculiar application, and others lefs; it is neceffary to direct his progrefs with a judicious discrimination, that every part of the time allotted for preparatory education, which grows more valuable in proportion as it grows more fhort, may be advantageously employed.

The first and most important object in the cultivation of his mind, is to establish thofe principles of moral truth and duty, and form those habits of severe virtue, that will fupport the dignity of his character in all fituations, and render his actions not lefs honourable and useful in the ftillness of peace, than in the activity and bustle of war. This is to be effected only by gradual advances; and therefore must never be out of fight, but constantly accompany his progress in science, as the only ground upon which the advantages of science can be permanently fecured. With this, where brilliancy and vigour of natural parts are want

ing, an inferior degree of fkill in his profeffion will preserve the honour and usefulness of his character; but, without it, the higher his attainments in fcience are, he will only be rendered more infolent, more prefumptuous, and more mischievous.

But as military students are defigned, not for learned cafuifts, but for accomplished officers and useful men, this great business is to be pursued more by practice than by study, more by the vigour of the heart than the fpeculations of the head. His common course of reading, of which fome notice is hereafter to be taken, will furnish him with many inftances. of the lafting influence both of good and evil principles and habits; and a little fuperintendence will affift him in the juft and difcriminate application of them to himself: but the great foundation of wisdom and virtue is to be laid in his own heart, and it confifts in felfdenial. Mental not less than corporal vigour depends on the ability to bear hardship; the love and defire of this ability will promote the attainment of it; and when by repeated efforts controlling the strong tendency of the will to case, indulgence and pleasure for the fake of a

ftrict

strict and honourable conformity to discipline and duty, a vigorous habit of felf-denial is once established, the mind will be fitted for all the various scenes and offices of duty in the higher walks of life, and be always able to repel the influence of the three great corrupters of intellectual and moral excellence, gluttony, wine, and wanton women. Reasoning minds have not found it difficult to trace back all the virtues that can adorn the foldier and the man, to felf-denial as their common fource; the very ideas of temperance, patience, justice, and even liberality, in their utmost latitude, being apparently involved in it. And, indeed, he that has obtained the mastery of his appetites and paffions by continual resistance, is in no danger of being tempted into excefs and riot: he that has chearfully fubmitted to voluntary hardship for the love of order and due obedience, will not be apt to murmur at fevere fervice in the order of military duty, nor at disappointment and distress in the order of providence: he that can easily surrender his own alienable rights for the common good, is not likely to appropriate the alienable rights of others; and knowing life and liberty to be unalienable rights in himself, he will hold them facred

facred and inviolate in all mankind: he that can despise ease, indolence, and pleasure, will fet no value on the means of gratifying them; and therefore, will look on the poffeffion of wealth, not as a gift for his own use, but as a depofit for the reward of indigent merit and the alleviation of helpless wretchedness.

Fortitude, however, that diftinguishing characteristic of a good foldier, is the genuine offspring of self-denial; and if it does not include in it all other virtues, is, at leaft, their best protection and fupport. Infenfibility of danger cannot conftitute this character; it knows all that it has to fuffer, and fears nothing but the abatement of its own vigour it is a calm undisturbed unchangeable refolution of perfevering in duty, whatever danger lies in the way, or whatever evil may be the confequence; and is, therefore, the irreconcileable and determined enemy of vice,

in

every form both of violence and allurement. No people, however renowned for courage, can long preserve their character, when once corruption has broken down the boundaries of duty, diffolved the restraint of discipline, and

given

given humour appetite and paffion their own scope.

In this kingdom, where moral science has been more cultivated than in any other, the ftudent, out of the vast variety before him, may be affifted in the felection of fuch truths, as will illuftrate the principle of self-denial, and by convincing his judgment confirm him in the practice of it; and if, as indifpenfably neceffary to compleat his fyftem of duty, his attention is turned to the spirit and precepts of Christianity, he will find, that the same selfdenial which he has been practising as the fure ground of wisdom and virtue, is made the fole foundation of every exalted attainment that Christianity requires.

It may, indeed, be objected by fome, that it is rather an impropriety to recommend Christianity to the notice of a foldier, when Christianity is fuppofed to discountenance war as repugnant to its heavenly fpirit. The fame objection, however, from the precepts of Christianity, lies equally as ftrong against the use of oaths, and, by implication in the nature of its spirit, against a boundless commerce,

and