aughters, before
we were summoned to dinner, to which a considerable party had been
invited; for the neighborhood was populous and rather polished.

The conversation after dinner was rational, animated, and instructive. I
observed that Mr. Stanley lost no opportunity, which fairly offered, for
suggesting useful reflections. But what chiefly struck me in his manner
of conversing, was, that without ever pressing religion unseasonably
into the service, he had the talent of making the most ordinary topics
subservient to instruction, and of extracting some profitable hint, or
striking out some important light, from subjects which, in ordinary
hands, would have been unproductive of improvement. It was evident that
piety was the predominating principle of his mind, and that he was
consulting its interests as carefully when prudence made him forbear to
press it, as when propriety allowed him to introduce it. This piety was
rather visible in the sentiment than the phrase. He was of opinion that
bad taste could never advance the interests of Christianity. And he gave
less offense to worldly men, than most religious people I have known,
because though he would, on no human consideration, abate one atom of
zeal, or lower any doctrine, nor disguise any truth, nor palliate, nor
trim, nor compromise, yet he never contended for words or trifling
distinctions. He thought it detracted from no man's piety to bring all
his elegance of expression, his correctness of taste, and his accuracy
of reasoning to the service of that cause which lies the nearest to the
heart of every Christian, and demands the exertion of his best
faculties.

He was also forward to promote subjects of practical use in the affairs
of common life, suited to the several circumstances and pursuits of his
guests. But he particularly rejoiced that there was so broad, and safe,
and uninclosed a field as general literature. This he observed always
supplies men of education with an ample refuge from all vulgar, and
dangerous, and unproductive topics. "If we can not," said he, "by
friendly intercourse, always raise our principles, we may always keep
our understanding in exercise; and those authors who supply so peccable
a creature as man with subjects of elegant and innocent discussion, I do
not reckon among the lowest benefactors of mankind."

In my further acquaintance with Mr. Stanley, I have sometimes observed
with what address he has converted a merely moral passage to