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when they happen to clash with objects of more imperious necessity; such, for example, as a course of life sanctioned by high authority. What else could have impaired the fortunes of young men born to great affluence; or by what other means could we have out-rivalled all other nations, for a long series of keeping up those honourable and dignified establishments, the gaming-houses and the race-grounds? What other means could hu man wisdom have devised more admirably calculated to increase the breed, and provide for the maintenance of that valuable class of men, known by the name of Jockeys, Betters, and Sharpers; or that more interesting class of females who are known by every name but the right one? In all this, the suspension of the higher faculty becomes necessary; because, the mere want of Common Sense will not prepare the mind for the requisite degree of stultification, nor leave that perfect void, which the employments alluded to are calculated to fill. Some have even supposed that conscience, as well as reason, has been dispensed with in such instances; but perhaps it may be doubted whether the parties have been taught the use or existence of such sense. any It is certainly not the interest of those who are about them

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to say much on the subject; and it is equally certain, that if conscience does appear, it is at a very late period, when its operations are more severely felt than wisely understood.

The inconveniences which arise from neglecting Common Sense, Reason, and Conscience, have led some curious persons to inquire, whe ther these are not one and the same sense, expressed by different names; and indeed, if we except a few instances of inferior importance, in which manners only are concerned, perhaps this will be found to be nearly the truth. But the character of a man who has every sense but Common Sense is not confined to the instance given by the Author of the book I have quoted, viz. that of a person of parts and learning, but giddy, thoughtless, and dissipated; for a person thus described may be suspected of wanting more senses than one. The character may perhaps be applied with more propriety to a man of parts and learning, who is so destitute of knowledge of the world, and of decent manners, as to be perpetually giving offence by such blunders in speech, caprices of temper, and anomalies in behaviour, as the brightest parts will not be always thought sufficient to excuse. To this class also belong the well-meaning part of the world,

whose meaning must always be taken as an apology for their acting, who never do that well upon which they seem most intent, who are perpetually interfering in matters that nowise concern them, and producing an inextricable confusion of mischief, with the very best intentions; and who, after passing many years in fomenting disputes, with a view to end them, and in suggesting impossibilities, under the name of improvements, have nothing left to console them for hours of anxiety and disappointment, censure and chagrin, but a comfortable quantity of those best of all possible intentions, for which their friends are never thankful enough to make any allowance.

In other respects, it will not perhaps be found that Common Sense differs very much from Reason or Conscience; and, in the ordinary business of life, they follow each other so closely, that it will require a nice eye to mark their boundaries, or distinguish their prerogatives. A worthy predecessor, Sir Richard Steele, has remarked, that "what we call Common Sense, suffers under that word; for it sometimes implies no more than that faculty which is common to all men; but sometimes signifies right reason, and what all men should consent to. In this latter acceptation of the

phrase, it is no great wonder people err so much against it, since it is not every one who is possessed of it, and there are fewer who, against common rules and fashions, dare obey its dictates."

But, whatever name we choose to employ, if we apply the test either of Common Sense, Reason, or Conscience, we shall be able to settle many questions, both in manners and in morals, with considerable facility, which are now contested. The rogue and the fool, for example, who have been thought very distant from each other, will be brought into very close contact; and the only regret will be, that a criterion so infallible should be so much neglected, and that the sense which is so common should be so seldom employed.

THE PROJECTOR. N° 99.

September 1809.

"TO THE AUTHOR OF THE PROJECTOR,

66

SIR,

"I SHALL make no apology for the

abruptness with which I begin this letter, and for accusing you and your brethren, the whole tribe of Moral Essayists, of sundry mistakes and misapprehensions in the exercise of your lawful calling; which mistakes, I am of opinion, proceed from your being better acquainted, in some matters, with theory than practice; and from your sometimes meddling with the business and affairs of a world which you are obliged to contemplate at a distance. But, whatever may be the cause of your errors, there is one subject, and only one, upon which I mean at this time to address you; and as it

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is a very familiar one, and more frequently handled expressly, or casually hinted at, than

any other, I hope you will not refuse immediate insertion to this my remonstrance.

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