Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

On Human NATURE.

HUMAN nature is so motley a composition, that our imagination is alarmed to find united in the same breast, virtues which can have no less than divine extraction, and vices, on the other hand, which can be supposed to derive their existence from hell itself. Among the latter may be classed, Envy, one of the most sordid, selfish and malignant: it is that passion which is the characteristic of weak minds, and is excited when they behold others (in their esteem no more than equals) exalted to a station, at which they never can expect to arrive--when they see them esteemed and caressed by mankind, either for their pleasing behaviour, virtues, good graces, or any adorning qualities which they have the misfortune not to possess. There is no person, whose virtues are rendered conspicuous by being placed in an advantageous light, who ever fails to attract the Envy of his acquaintance; and there is no one, who, by discovering any marks of genius, or from any other cause, suddenly meets with the applause and approbation of men of sense, and escapes the censure of this enemy of mankind: even those, who before perhaps were his most intimate friends, now begin to look on him with a malicious eye-If a genius, and his productions are submitted to their inspection, they are received with indifference; and all his endeavours to appear agreeable to his friends, serve but as fuel for this diabolical flame.

As Envy appears to be the specious progeny of false ambition, and jealousy, of consequence no vice is a greater enemy to the social affections. Who would take to his bosom the man who only waits for an opportunity of completing his ruin? Who would enter a friendship with the man, who, if he should be so kind as to spare his life, would deprive him of a far more precious diamond--his reputation?

The causes and effects of Envy are almost imperceptible. Not only persons of rank and refinement are exposed to the darts of this venomous animal, but persons who undesignedly provoke those of lower stations are attacked by this concomitant of every thing virtuous.