-like to visit them, but to inhabit there?
'Tis he, whose every thought and deed by rules of virtue moves;
Whose generous tongue disdains to speak the thing his heart
disproves.
Who never did a slander forge, his neighbor's fame to wound;
Nor hearken to a false report, by malice whispered round.
Who vice, in all its pomp and power, can treat with just neglect;
And piety, though clothed in rags, religiously respect.
Who to his plighted vows and trust has ever firmly stood;
And though he promise to his loss, he makes his promise good.
Whose soul in usury disdains his treasure to employ;
Whom no rewards can ever bribe the guiltless to destroy.
The man, who, by this steady course, has happiness insured,
When earth's foundations shake, shall stand, by Providence secured.

A Decalogue of Canons for observation in practical life.

1. Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.

2. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.

3. Never spend your money before you have it.

4. Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear
to you.

5. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.

6. We never repent of having eaten too little.

7. Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.

8. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.

9. Take things always by their smooth handle.

10. When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.

LETTER CLXXXVI.--TO JAMES MADISON, December 24, 1825

TO JAMES MADISON.

Monticello, December 24, 1825.

Dear Sir,

I have for sometime considered the question of internal improvement as
desperate. The torrent of general opinion sets so strongly in favor
of it as to be irresistible. And I suppose that even the opposition in
Congress will hereafter be feeble and formal, unless something can be
done which may give a gleam of encouragement to our friends, or alarm
their opponents in their fancied security. I learn from Richmond, that
those who think with us there are in a state of perfect dismay, not
knowing what to do, or what to propose. Mr. Gordon, our representative,
particularly, has written to me in very desponding terms, not disposed
to yield, indeed, but pressing for opinions and advice on the subject.
I have no doubt you are pressed in the same way, and I hope you have
devised and recommended something to them. If you have, stop