Page:Affecting history of an inn-keeper in Normandy.pdf/4

(4) follies, nor the worst altogether destitute of worth and virtue. But sometimes there is such a mixture of good and bad qualities, so great a contrariety both of sentiment and conduct in the same individual; that when we ourselves ſit upon the trial of such a character, we are even constrained to suſpend our sentence; and our judgement is not only embarraſſed by the intersperſion of ſlighter crimes; but it is also frequently perplexed and obstructed in its deciſions when actions of the blackest turpitude have been perpetrated by men, whose general behaviour hath correſponded with the ſtricteſt rules of virtue and benevolence. Hiſtory, ſacred and profane, furniſhes us with ſtriking inſtances of the brightest excellencies, and the fouleſt blemiſhes, concentered in the ſame perſon. Oftentimes that predominant paſſion, which conſtitutes the very heroiſm of goodneſs, ſhall aggravate every feature of vice, if once it be inliſted under the banner of wickedneſs. That natural warmth of St. Peter's temper, which rendered his zeal for his injured maſter ſo conſpicuous, betrayed him into the moſt horrid oaths and execrations. But there is no neceſſity of a recourſe to ſuch diſtant examples, we ſhall find ſufficient ſcope for reflection upon topics of this nature amidſt the occurrences of our own times. Nor will the ſubſequent ſtory be a bad comment upon