our intercourse became more frequent. We constantly breakfasted
together, and our conversation was usually prolonged through half
the morning.

For a time our topics were general. I thought proper to leave
to him the introduction of more interesting themes: this, however,
he betrayed no inclination to do. His reserve excited some
surprise, and I began to suspect that whatever design he had formed
with regard to me, had been laid aside. To ascertain this
question, I ventured, at length, to recall his attention to the
subject of his last letter, and to enquire whether subsequent
reflection had made any change in his views.

He said that his views were too momentous to be hastily taken
up, or hastily dismissed; the station, my attainment of which
depended wholly on myself, was high above vulgar heads, and was to
be gained by years of solicitude and labour. This, at least, was
true with regard to minds ordinarily constituted; I, perhaps,
deserved to be regarded as an exception, and might be able to
accomplish in a few months that for which others were obliged to
toil during half their lives.

Man, continued he, is the slave of habit. Convince him to-day
that his duty leads straight forward: he shall advance, but at
every step his belief shall fade; habit will resume its empire, and
tomorrow he shall turn back, or betake himself to oblique paths.

We know not our strength till it be tried. Virtue, till
confirmed by habit, is a dream. You are a man imbued by errors,
and vincible by slight temptations. Deep enquiries must bestow