CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. LETTER LX. From Lien Chi Altangi to Hingpo. Proper lessons to a youth entering the world, with fables suited to the occasion. THE news of your freedom lifts the load of former anxiety from my mind; I can now think of my son without regret, applaud his resignation under calamities, and his conduct in extricating himself from them. You are now free, just let loose from the bondage of an hard master: this is the crisis of your fate; and as you now manage fortune, succeeding life will be marked with happiness or misery; a few years perseverance in prudence, which at your age is but another name. for virtue, will ensure comfort, pleasure, tranquillity, esteem; too eager an enjoyment of every good that now offers will reverse the medal, and present you with poverty, anxiety, remorse, contempt. As it has been observed, that none are better qualified to give others advice than those who have taken the least of it themselves: so VOL. II. B in this respect I find myself perfectly authorized to offer mine, even though I should wave my paternal authority upon this occa sion. The most usual way among young men, who have no resolution of their own, is first to ask one friend's advice, and follow it for some time; then to ask advice of another, and turn to that; so of a third, still unsteady, always changing. However, be assured that every change of this nature is for the worse; people may tell you of your being unfit for some peculiar occupations in life; but heed them not; whatever employment you follow with perseverance and assiduity will be found fit for you; it will be your support in youth, and comfort in age. In learning the useful part of every profession, very moderate abilities will suffice; even if the mind be a little balanced with stupidity, it may in this case be useful. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate Life has been compared to a race; but the allusion still improves, by observing that the most swift are ever the least manageable. ones. To know one profession only is enough for one man to know; and this (whatever the professors may tell you to the contrary) is soon learned. Be contented therefore with one good employment; for if you understand two at |