RENUNCIATION OF GOOD OFFICES.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.
" A BURNT child," says the proverb, " dreads the fire ;" and the saying may be true as relates to fire, and all other things which do not offer the profit men love for their risks. But in most cases, how resolutely, how obstinately and wilfully, people resist lessons of caution ! The speculator, whose fortunes have received many shocks, speculates on, not a whit deterred by his disasters. The gambler throws the dice again, though he has experienced the frowns of Fortune. The author composes, though his books have turned to waste paper. The fox-hunter takes the field again, though he yesterday narrowly escaped with a sound neck. There is indeed only one province in which men are extremely apt to receive with readiness the hints of prudence, and to abstain from the hazard of loss for good, and that is the province of benevo- lence. As nothing is admitted to be so sweet to the mind as the performance of good offices, so it is the more admirable to observe the firmness, and strength of will, with which persons who have experienced disappointment will renounce this delight. The specu- lator speculates afresh after the ruin of his hopes. The gambler dices till he stakes his coat. The' author writes though all have long re- fused to read. The fox-hunter daily emperils his life and limbs for vermin. The merchant consoles himself for past losses with the hope of better returns. The man of benevolence alone has power of ab- stinence enough to say, " I have met with so much ingratitude that I have come to a fixed determination to do no more kind actions." How soon is the lesson of prudence taught us in this one instance ! how strictly is it observed ; and with whatan air of self-satisfaction a worthy. gentleman is remarked to close his ac- count of good offices ! The .probability is, that all his gratifica- tions are attended with some inconvenience physical or pecuniary ; but, save in the case of this one of benevolence, how difficult it is to renounce them ! Turtle and venison sometimes carry with them the consequence of gout ; but how seldom the bon-vivant is rash enough to say, " I will eat no more turtle and venison !" --he hopes the viands will use him better another time. A man's cards at the whist-table, or horses on the turf, occasionally wound his pocket, but he trusts in better luck. If his friend, however, is ungrateful, away at once with kind- ness—his check-book and heart are closed for ever to the ap- peals of necessity. After some disappointment, nothing is to be hoped in the single province of benevolence. It is the only field of human adventure which has strict limits after a few unsuccess- ful risks. It is singular to look at those men who have soberly re- nounced good actions, and to consider their parts in the world. They are the eunuchs of Humanity. Next to the ready firmness with which gentlemen, who have met with a bad return or two, renounce good offices, we marvel at the rigidity with which one oath, and one alone is observed. There is probably only one promise which a husband makes to his wife and faithfully abides by ; and that is, " Never to go bail for a friend.".
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