University of Virginia Library

The advice of Hamlet to his mother, when he urges her to refrain from any further converse with his uncle, is admirably calculated to impress the mind with the necessity there is for beginning at once a reformation; and that when the first step is taken, every subsequent one becomes less arduous. Nor are the words of the Prodigal Son, in the inimitable parable of our Saviour, less requisite to these fools, when he says, “I will arise and go unto my Father, and will say unto him—Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and against thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son.”

This reminds me of the story of Balaam, who would not believe, though his ass spoke! and indeed, to the multitude of fools who yield to this propensity, we may say with Horace,

A vehicle which neither comes under the head of curricle or buggy, being drawn by two horses at length, and not abreast, in order to display the dexterity of gentlemen coachmen. This appellation, which originated at one of the Universities, is perfectly consonant with the wit of the present race of what are termed students, whether with trencher caps, or fellow commoners' gowns.

In the prayers of the famous Dr. Johnson is recorded, a curious instance of this foolery; for even that learned man, therein confesses, that he nightly retired to rest, with the determination of amending his course of life, and rising early in the morning, but, when the morrow came, he as invariably yielded to his old propensities, and continued in bed oill mid-day. It would have been well for our Lexicographer, had he called to mind the following Italian proverb, which so well expresses the fruits derived from labour. Travaglio vinea la palma, e monda la rugine dell' alma.

The folly considered by the poet in this section, which may be well termed obduracy in sinning, is far more excusable in youth than in old age, for when we view deadened passions, and the grey hairs of experience, still obedient to foolery, and lost to conscience and approaching death, there is certainly no excuse to palliate the dereliction from reason, which frequently involves the fool in dangers from which, not even the grave itself can relieve him, having tainted the soul as well as the body with vice. Assidua occupatione impedisce la tentatione.