But  think  how  great  a  portion  of  mankind  consists  of  weak
and  ignorant  men  and  women,  and  of  inexperienced  incon-
siderate youth  of  both  sexes,  who  have  need  of  the  motives
of  religion  to  restrain  them  from  vice,  to  support  their  vir-
tue, and  retain  them  in  the  practice  of  it  till  it  becomes  ha-
bitual, which  is  the  great  points  of  its  security.  And,
perhaps,  you  are  indebted  to  her  original,  that  is,  to  your
religious  education,  for  the  habits  of  virtue  upon  which  you
now  justly  value  yourself.  You  might  easily  display  your
excellent  talents  of  reasoning  upon  less  hazardous  objects,
and  thereby  obtain  a  rank  with  our  most  distinguisned
authors.  For  among  us  it  is  not  necessary,  as  among  the
Hottentots,  that  a  youth,  to  be  raised  into  the  company  of
men,  should  prove  his  manhood  by  beating  his  motner.  I
would  advise  you,  therefore,  not  to  attempt  unchaining  the
tiger,  but  to  burn  this  piece  before  it  is  seen  by  any  other
person — whereby  you  will  save  yourself  a  great  cleal  of  mor-
tification from  the  enemies  it  may  raise'  against  you,  and,
perhaps,  a  good  deal  of  regret  and  repentance.  If  men  are
so  wicked  with  religion,  what  would  they  be  without  it?     1


DR.  FRANKLIN.  £27

intend  this  letter  itself  as  a  proof  of  my  friendship,  and
therefore  add  no  professions  to  it,  but  subscribe  mvselt
simply  yours.  B.   FRANKLIN.""

For  the  following,  I  owe  many  thanks  to  the  honourable
Mr.  Rufus  King.
