Hints Towards Forming the Character of a Young Princess Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1805 edition. Excerpt: ...This method, instead of marking the moral distinctions, blends and confounds them, by establishing character' on 10 an an accidental disference, often depending on circumstance and occasion, instead of applying to it one eternal rule and motive of action. But, there is another evil into which writers far more unexceptionable than Mr. Hume often fall, that of rarely leading the mind to look beyond second causes and human agents. It is mortifying to reser them to the example of a pagan. Livy thought it no disgrace to proclaim, repeatedly, the insufficiency of man to accomplish great objects without divine assistance. He was not ashamed to refer events to the direction and control of providence; and when he speaks of notorious criminals, he If these remarks may be thought too severe by some readers for that degree of scepticism which appears in Mr. Hume's history, may I not be allowed to observe that he has shewn his principles so fully, in some of his other works, that we are entitled, on the ground of these works, to read with suspicion every thing he says which borders on religion?--A tfircumstance apt to be forgotten by many who read mty his history. is not contented with describing them as transgressing against the state, but represents them as also offending against the gods. Yet, it is proper again to notice the de. sects of ancient authors in their views of providential interference; a defect arising from "their never clearly including a future state in their account. They seem to have Conceived themselves as fairly entitled by their good conduct to the divine favour, which favour they usually limited to present prosperity. Whereas all notions of" diving justice must of necessity be widely erroneous, in which a future retribution...