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THE TABLET ----- No. XL.

"An ill disposed citizen can do no great harm, except in an ill disposed city."

Most of the good or evil which happens in society is ascribed to the agency of very few individuals. From this cause partial and inadequate remedies are applied for the removal of disorders which are general and permanent. In any community where enormous vices, or abandoned characters exist, it argues some radical defect of institutions. The natural indolence of the human mind makes men contented with a slight and superficial view of things. It therefore happens that a few characters are apt to be marked out, as the only instruments of the happiness or inifery of which the world participates. If the bulk of the inhabitants are inspired with good principles, and formed into good habits, they may be almost certain of prosperity. The means are commensurate to the end. Those very people however may select some conspicuous individuals as objects of adoration, and idolize them as the authors of those blessings, which result from the well ordered conduct of the society at large. On the other hand, in a very loose, depraved slate of morals, the most eminent talents and uncorrupted integrity of a few men, may not be sufficient to fave a country from destruction ; and they may be charged with want of wisdom or virtue, for not warding off evils, which inevitably flowed from such general depravity.