Besides, by living more with
each other, and being seldom absolutely alone, they are more under the
influence of sentiments than passions. Solitude and reflection are
necessary to give to wishes the force of passions, and to enable the
imagination to enlarge the object, and make it the most desirable. The
same may be said of the rich; they do not sufficiently deal in general
ideas, collected by impassioned thinking, or calm investigation, to
acquire that strength of character on which great resolves are
built. But hear what an acute observer says of the great.
'Do the great seem insensible of the easy price at which they may
acquire the publick admiration; or do they seem to imagine that to
them, as to other men, it must be the purchase either of sweat or of
blood? By what important accomplishments is the young nobleman
instructed to support the dignity of his rank, and to render himself
worthy of that superiority over his fellow-citizens, to which the
virtue of his ancestors had raised them? Is it by knowledge, by
industry, by patience, by self-denial, or by virtue of any kind? As
all his words, as all his motions are attended to, he learns an
habitual regard to every circumstance of ordinary behaviour, and
studies to perform all those small duties with the most exact
propriety. As he is conscious how much he is observed, and how much
mankind are disposed to favour all his inclinations, he acts, upon the
most indifferent occasions, with that freedom and elevation which
the thought of this naturally inspires.
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