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of that presence which every where surrounds him; or, on the contrary; pours out its fears, its sorrows, its apprehensions, to the great supporter of its existence. I have here only considered the necessity of a man's being virtuous, that he may have something to do; but if we consider further; that the exercises of Virtue is not only an amusement for the time it lasts, but that its influence extends to those part of our existence which lie beyond the grave, and that our whole Eternity is to take its colour from those hours which we here employ in Virtue or in Vice, the argument redoubles upon us, for putting in practice this method of passing away our time. The next method to fill up our time, should be useful and innocent diversions. It is below a reasonable creature to be altogether conversant in such diversions as are merely innocent, and have nothing else to recommend them, but that there is no hurt in them. But the mind never unbends itself so agreeably as in the conversation of a well-chosen Friend. There is indeed no blessing of life that is any way comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. It eases and unloads the mind, clears and improves