for imitation. To the want of this, it was possibly owing that he contracted some dissolute habits. When he quitted the university, he took too much pleasure, and spent too much time,

"In feats of strength, dexterity, and speed."

He was addicted to company, loved fine clothes, and frequented the theatres to such a degree, that his mind was not only unsettled, but in danger of being quite corrupted. Of this he was soon after sensible; and so strong was his impression of the danger he had escaped, that he resolved he would never see another play. It is not the mere circumstance of being present at these entertainments which constitutes the wrong. They who attend but seldom, may perhaps be amused without injury to their morals; but when men grow fond of such exhibitions, or feel the diversions of a theatre begin to take hold of their minds, then the indulgence is pernicious, and they should avoid it altogether.

There is a redeeming spirit about some men, more than others, which will not long allow them to be guilty of misconduct. That tenderness of conscience, for which the father was distinguished, was possessed by the son; and to its predominating influence may be ascribed all that is valuable in his character, or advantageous in the events of his life. Travelling one Sunday from the West of England, he met with many accidents: one horse fell lame, and another died. These, might have happened on another day, but occurring when they did, they gave rise to many serious reflections, the result of which was, his firm determination never again to abuse the Sabbath, but to honour and observe it in the way that God had commanded; and in this determination he so steadily persisted, that, for thirty-six years together, he never failed attending divine service on that day.

To a mind so susceptible of admonition, and desirous of improvement, opportunities

are never wanting. Events, as trifling as the falling of an apple from a tree, will lead a thinking person to great moral, as well as scientific discoveries; and happy are they who have a wise and understanding heart, to profit by the first hint that offers. But the most awful lessons are too frequently neglected. In company with some students, Mr. Hale was one day dining and making merry, when, from excessive drinking, a young man of the party fell down to all appearance dead. All those who were present were much terrified: some of them, it is to be hoped, felt lasting good effects from the impression which that moment made upon their hearts. Mr. Hale was deeply affected: he went into another room, and on his knees most fervently besought God to restore his friend, and to pardon the intemperance of which they had been guilty. For himself, he vowed that he would never keep company in that free manner again, nor drink even a health for the future. His friend was re

stored to life, and Mr. Hale, as long as he

lived, religiously kept his vow. In extreme distress, when all our hopes are fixed on the special interposition of Heaven, we are very ready to promise extraordinary goodness on our own part; as if that were a condition which it became us to propose, or depended on us to fulfil: but our inability to do any thing that is right without divine assistance, the worthlessness of our best actions in the sight of God, and the consciousness that we have no merits of our own, let us live ever so virtuously, should make us humble, patient, and apprehensive, full of supplication, with fear and trembling, and too well aware of our own nature to place any confidence in our own strength. Prayers are a much better preservative than Vows. These, however, are frequently made by persons in Mr. Hale's situation, who have not the grace to keep them with the same fidelity. In all such cases, it would be much better, silently to resolve, and yet as steadily to execute; and to avoid imposing any more restraints on ourselves, than are abso

lutely necessary to some good end. Mr. Hale was placed in disagreeable and even dangerous situations, from his vow to drink no healths. It caused his loyalty to be suspected, during the civil wars in the reign of Charles the First; and, but for uncommon prudence, it might have cost him his life. Dilemmas like these it is better to avoid, when the object for which they are encountered is no more than an innocent custom; and that Mr. Hale himself thought so afterwards, may be inferred, from his modest unwillingness to give pledges to the world, even for the maintenance of his religious practices.

Reclaimed from the error of his youth, by the reflections which these accidents produced, and encouraged by the advice of the learned counsellor, Serjeant Glanvil, Mr. Hale commenced that vigorous course of study in the profession of the law, which laid the foundation for his future greatness. He was in his twenty-first year when he was admitted into Lincoln's inn. His constitu