Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/96

 yet to pass the sentences of another as your own, is a practice to which no good and generous mind can descend. You would shudder at the thought of defrauding another of his property; is it not equally unjust to defraud him of his literary labours? You despise the dishonesty of him who passes counterfeit coin; would you not despise also the dishonesty of him who should impress his own name upon the writings of another? This artifice is easily detected, and like every other recoils upon him who practises it, by depriving him of all the real improvement he might derive from the exercise, and exposing him to the contempt of every judicious mind.

But you, I hope, will ever prefer your own thoughts, however rude and unpolished, to the borrowed sentiments of another, from which the eye of penetration would turn away disgusted, and the voice of conscience secretly condemn the deception. Think often upon rational subjects, and it will soon be easy and pleasant to express those thoughts. Pursue with perseverance the appointed path to knowledge and to virtue, the future good will overbalance the present exertion; and suffer me once more to repeat my most earnest wish, that each of you may now acquire what will render you respectable, useful, and beloved throughout the untried scenes of your opening journey; and that each of you from the cares,