One of the most dreadful consequences of shipwreck is, when a remnant of the crew, cast off in an open boat, are reduced, by extremity of hunger, to determine by lot, which of them shall first be made the food of his companions. Even in such calamity, this perverse and bitter spirit contrives to find matter for merriment. He laughed in himself when he wrote the stanzas, and tries to make his readers laugh; though they must feel indignant with themselves if they give way to the impulse.
I conclude my letter with two sayings of Bishop Horne's. "He who sacrifices religion to wit, like the people mentioned by Ælian, worships a fly, and offers up an ox to it." Again; "Sir Peter Lely made it a rule, never to look at a bad picture, having found, by experience, that, whenever he did so, his pencil took a tint from it. Apply this to bad books and bad company."
However brilliant the talents of a writer may be, yet, if a book has a tendency to produce a bad effect upon the moral habits of the mind, that book is a _bad_ book.
"When I behold a genius bright and base, Of tow'ring talents, and terrestrial aims; Methinks I see, as thrown from her high sphere, The glorious fragments of a soul immortal, With rubbish mixt, and glitt'ring in the dust."
I remain, My dear Nephew, Your affectionate Uncle.
[155:1] Childe Harold and the _four_ first tales (I am speaking only of the larger works) are most free from objection, at the same time that they are the most beautiful and interesting.
[159:1] The Loss of the Kent, and Narratives of the Shipwrecks of the Lady Hobart packet, the Cabalva, &c. &c.
Almighty God, in whose hands are all the powers of man; who givest understanding and takest it away; who, as it seemeth good unto thee, enlightenest the thoughts of the simple, and darkenest the meditations of the wise, be present with me in my studies and inquiries.
Grant, O Lord, that I may not lavish away the life which thou hast given me on useless trifles, nor waste it in vain searches after things which thou hast hidden from me.
Enable me, by thy Holy Spirit, so to shun sloth and negligence, that every day may discharge part of the task which thou hast allotted me; and so further with thy help that labour which, without thy help, must be ineffectual, that I may obtain in all my undertakings such success as will most promote thy glory, and the salvation of my own soul, for the sake of Jesus Christ.