The names of virtues were:  Temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquillity, chastity, and humility.  My list contained at first only twelve virtues, but a friend having informed me that I was generally thought proud, I determined endeavouring to cure myself of this vice or folly among the rest; and, though I cannot boast of much success in acquiring the reality of this virtue, I had a good deal of success with regard to the appearance of it.  My intention being to acquire the habitude of all these virtues, I determined to give a week’s strict attention to each of them successively, thus going through a complete course in thirteen weeks, and four courses in a year.  I had a little book, in which I allotted a page for each of the virtues; the page was ruled into days of the week, and I marked in it, by a little black spot, every fault I found by examination to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day.

I was surprised to find myself much fuller of faults than I had imagined, but I had the satisfaction of seeing them diminish.  After a while I went through one course only in a year, and afterwards only one in several years, till at length I omitted them entirely; but I always carried my little book with me.  My scheme of order gave me most trouble.  It was as follows.

5—­8 a.m.  What good shall I do this day?  Rise, wash, and address Powerful Goodness.  Contrive day’s business, and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast.

     8 a.m.—­12 noon.  Work.

     12—­1 p.m.—­Read, or overlook my accounts, and dine.

     2—­6 p.m.  Work.

     6—­10 p.m.  Put things in their places.  Supper.  Music or
     diversion, or conversation.  Examination of the day.  What good
     have I done this day?

     10 p.m.—­5 a.m.  Sleep.

In truth, I found myself incorrigible with regard to order, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I should have been if I had not attempted it.  It may be well that my posterity should be informed that to this little artifice, with the blessing of God, their ancestor owed the constant felicity of his life.

I purposed publishing my scheme, writing a little comment on each virtue, and I should have called my book “The Art of Virtue,” distinguishing it from the mere exhortation to be good.  But my intention was never fulfilled, for it was connected in my mind with a great and extensive project, which I have never had time to attend to.  I had set forth on paper the substance of an intended creed, containing, as I thought, the essentials of every known religion, and I conceived the project of raising a united party for virtue, by forming the virtuous and good men of all nations into a regular body, to be governed by suitable good and wise rules.  I thought that the sect should be begun and spread