The human heart is liable to many bad propensities, which if not timely corrected by reason shoot forth into practice and become vices; – but of these there are two sorts, – the one born with us, and part of our nature; – the other imbibed by the fatal prevalence of example, and rooted in us by custom, which is a second nature.

Those born with us, as the indulging them is attended with some pleasure, urge in their defence the unconquerable desire of gratifying the senses: – the lustful man pleads the warmth of his constitution, and the strong allurements of beauty; – the soul of the ambitious triumphs and exults on every degree of power he gains over his fellow-creatures; – the miser thinks himself happy in counting over his bags, and being master of a thing that will purchase all things else; – and the epicure feels no care, no sorrow, while he is emptying the full-charg'd goblet, and pallating the delicious viand.

But what has the blasphemer, – the profane swearer, or the gamester to alledge in his vindication; – these are crimes in which nature has no part, – nor are the senses any way concern'd in them, as they neither excite nor feel any satisfaction in them; – one might therefore be apt to imagine, that men thus guilty sinn'd merely for the sake of sinning; – but I will not allow myself to think that there are many so impudently daring, – a few distinguish'd persons will serve to bring up a mode, – and every one knows that at present an indiscriminate imitation is the reigning folly of the English nation.

These were reflections which occurr'd to me after I came home, as I was about to transcribe the remaining part of my evening's progress out of my precious Tablets: – I had some farther thoughts on the occasion, but as they might seem more proper for the pulpit than to be inserted in a work of this nature, I shall add no more, but proceed to the narrative of that adventure which gave rise to them.