in Ethics, a virtue denoting the mind to an inward sense and outward acknowledgment of benefits received.

Examples of ingratitude, Mr Paley observes, check and discourage voluntary beneficence; hence the cultivation of a grateful temper is a consideration of public importance. A second reason for cultivating in ourselves that temper is: That the same principle which is touched with the kindness of a human benefactor, is capable of being affected by the divine goodness, and of becoming, under the influence of that affection, a source of the purest and most exalted virtue. The love of God is the sublimest gratitude. It is a mistake, therefore, to imagine, that this virtue is omitted in the Scriptures; for every precept which commands us "to love God, because he first loved us," presupposes the principle of gratitude, and directs it to its proper object.

It is impossible to particularise the several expressions of gratitude, which vary with the character and situation of the benefactor, and with the opportunities of the person obliged; for this variety admits of no bounds. It may be observed, however, that on one part gratitude can never oblige a man to do what is wrong, and what by consequence he is previously obliged not to do: On the other part, it argues a total want of every generous principle, as well as of moral probity, to take advantage of that affendency, which the conferring of benefits justly creates, to draw or drive those whom we have obliged into mean or dishonest compliances.

The following pleasing example of genuine gratitude is extracted from Hackwells Apol. lib. xiv. c. 10. p. 436.—Francis Frescobald, a Florentine merchant, descended of a noble family in Italy, had gained a plentiful fortune, of which he was liberal-handed to all in necessity; which being well known to others, though concealed by himself, a young stranger applied to him for charity. Signor Frescobald, seeing something in his countenance more than ordinary, overlooked his tattered clothes; and compassionating his circumstances, asked him "What he was, and of what country." "I am (answered the young man) a native of England; my name is Thomas Cromwell, and my father-in-law is a poor sheefer-man. I left my country to seek my fortune; came with the French army that were routed at Gatylion, where I was a page to a footman, and carried his pike and burgonet after him." Frescobald commiserating his necessities, and having a particular respect for the English nation, clothed him genteelly; took him into his house till he had recovered strength by better diet; and, at his taking leave, mounted him upon a good horse, with 16 ducats of gold in his pockets. Cromwell expressed his thankfulness in a very sensible manner, and returned by land towards England; where, being arrived, he was preferred into the service of Cardinal Wolsey. After the cardinal's death, he worked himself so effectually into the favour of King Henry VIII. that his majesty made him a baron, viscount, earl of Effex, and at last made him lord high chancellor of England. In the mean time, Signor Frescobald, by repeated losses at sea and land, was reduced to poverty; and calling to mind (without ever thinking of Cromwell), that some English merchants were indebted to him in the sum of 15,000 ducats, he came to London to procure payment. Travelling in pursuit of this affair, he fortunately met with the lord chancellor as he was riding to court; who thinking him to be the same gentleman that had done him such great kindness in Italy, he immediately alighted, embraced him, and with tears of joy asked him, "If he was not Signor Francis Frescobald, a Florentine merchant?" "Yes, Sir (said he) and your most humble servant." "My servant! (said the chancellor) No; you are my special friend, that relieved me in my wants, laid the foundation of my greatnesf, and, as such, I receive you; and, since the affairs of my sovereign will not now permit a longer conference, I beg you will oblige me this day with your company at my house to dinner with me." Signor Frecobald was surprised and astonished with admiration who this great man should be that acknowledged such obligations, and so passionately expressed a kindnesf for him; but, contemplating a while his voice, his mien, and carriage, he concludes it to be Cromwell, whom he had relieved at Florence; and therefore not a little overjoyed, goes to his house, and attended his coming. His lordship came soon after; and immediately taking his friend by the hand, turns to the lord high admiral and other noblemen in his company, saying, "Don't your lordships wonder that I am so glad to see this gentleman? This is he who first contributed to my advancement." He then told them the whole story; and holding him still by the hand, led him into the dining-room, and placed him next himself at table. The company being gone, the chancellor made use of this opportunity to know what affair had brought him into England. Frecobald in few words gave him the true state of his circumstan- ces: To which Cromwell replied, "I am sorry for your misfortunes, and I will make them as easy to you as I can; but, because men ought to be just before they are kind, it is fit I should repay the debt I owe you." Then leading him into his closet, he locked the door; and opening a coffer, first took out 16 ducats, delivering them to Frecobald, and said, "My friend, here is the money you lent me at Florence, with ten pieces you laid out for my apparel, and ten more you laid out for my horse; but, considering you are a merchant, and might have made some advantage of this money in the way of trade, take these four bags, in every one of which is 405 ducats, and enjoy them as the free gift of your friend." These the modesty of Frecobald would have refused, but the other forced them upon him. He next caufed him to give him the names of all his debtors, and the sums they owed: which account he transmitted to one of his servants, with a charge to find out the men, and oblige them to pay him in 15 days under the penalty of his displea- sure; and the servant so well discharged his duty, that in a short time the entire sum was paid. All this time Signior Frecobald lodged in the chancellor's house, where he was entertained according to his merits, with repeated persuasions for his continuance in England, and an offer of the loan of 60,000 ducats for four years if he would trade here: but he desired to return to Florence, which he did, with extraordinary favours from the lord Cromwell.

There is a species of grateful remorse, which sometimes has been known to operate forcibly on the minds of the most hardened in impudence. Of this Mr Andrews, who makes the remark, gives an instance in the following anecdote, said to have been a favourite one with the late Dr Campbell. "Towards the beginning of this century, an actor, celebrated for mimicry, was to have been employed by a comic author, to take off the person, the manner, and the singularly awkward delivery of the celebrated Dr Woodward, who was intended to be introduced on the stage in a laughable character, (viz. in that of Dr Fosile, in Three Hours after Marriage). The mimic dressed himself as a coun- try man, and waited on the doctor with a long catalogue of ailments, which he said attended on his wife. The physician heard with amazement diseases and pains of the most opposite nature, repeated and redoubled on the wretched patient. For, since the actor's greatest wish was to keep Dr Woodward in his company as long as possible, that he might make the more observations on his gestures, he loaded his poor imaginary spouse with every infirmity which had any probable chance of prolonging the interview. At length, being become completely matter of his errand, he drew from his purse a guinea, and, with a scrape, made an uncoth offer of it. 'Put up thy money, poor fellow (cried the doc- tor); thou halt need of all thy cash and all thy patience too, with such a bundle of diseases tied to thy back.' The actor returned to his employer, and re- counted the whole conversation, with such true feeling of the physician's character, that the author screamed with approbation. His raptures were soon checked; for the mimic told him, with the emphasis of sensibility, that he would sooner die than prostitute his talents to the rendering such genuine humanity a public laugh- ing-stock. The player's name was Griffin."