one with whom a man frequently converses.

As the human mind cannot always be on the Companion stretch, nor the hands always employed in labour, recreation becomes both agreeable and necessary. Of all recreations, that of the company of a few chosen companions must be allowed to be the most manly and most improving: but as in those hours of recreation we are most in danger of being misled, being generally at such seasons more off our guard than usual, the greatest care should be taken in making choice of which to associate with; for according to our choice of them, both our character and disposition will receive a tincture, as waters passing through minerals partake of their taste and efficacy. This is a truth so universally received, that it is become a proverb both in the natural and moral world, That a man is known by his company. As by chemistry we learn, that discordant mixtures produce nothing but broil and fermentation till one of them gets the ascendency of the rest; so from scripture we learn, that two cannot walk together except they be agreed. From which we may see, how impossible it is for any one to be thought a person of real goodness and integrity, whilst he chooseth for his companions the abandoned and licentious.

By herding with such, he will not only lose his character, but his virtue; for whatever fallacious disposition he may be pleased to make between the men and their vices, in the end the first generally qualifies the last; and by ceasing to hate them he will soon learn both to love and practice them. In short, the society of sensual men is peculiarly ensnaring. The malignity of their contagion doth not appear all at once. Their frolics first appear harmless; then, when partaken of, they leave a longing relish behind them; and one appointment makes way for another, one expense leads on to a second; and so time and fortune are wasted away to very bad purpose. Then one appetite craves, and another must be gratified, till all become too importunate to be denied; which verifies what the wisest of men long since said, "That the beginning of sin is like the breaking forth of waters, which when it once maketh an entrance, carrieth all before it with rushing impetuosity." Some pangs of remorse may be felt by the infatuated creature on his first degeneracy, and some faint resolutions against being seduced any more; which will no sooner be discovered by those leaders to destruction, but all arts will be used to allure him back to bear them company in the broad beaten path to ruin. Of all which methods, none is more to be dreaded than gallantry; for this is generally exercised with all its force, and too often proves fatal. Another method used to mislead the young novice not yet hackneyed in vice, and no less dangerous than the other, is to call evil good, and good evil. Lust and sensuality must pass for love and gallantry; revenge and malice, for heroism. But steadiness should be shown, by holding such pests of society in derision, and looking on them with contempt; by appearing unmoved by their ill founded banter, and uniting by their impious jests.

Upon the whole, in order to escape the danger which attends the keeping of evil company, let those you associate with be persons as carefully educated and as honestly disposed as yourself; of a good moral character, not given to any known vice; whose lives are temperate, and whose expenses are moderate; with such such company as these, you will neither get discredit, nor degenerate into excess. You will be a mutual check to each other; and your reputation will be so established, that it will be the ambition of others to be admitted members of your society. Select those for your companions who are men of good sense and understanding; and, if possible, who excel in some art, science, or accomplishment; that so, in the course of your acquaintance, your very hours of amusement may contribute to your improvement; and for the most part such are open and communicative, and take as much pleasure in being heard as you to be informed. By pursuing such a conduct, you will be an ornament and useful member of society.