# 2026-01-21 - Practical Benevolence by Universal Friend
IMG Universal Friend Portrait
I found an article about this trans-gender person in the
United States in colonial times. I found exactly one of their
written works on the Internet archive. The writing style is old
fashioned but i found the ideas very interesting indeed. For
example, they essentially propose to set themselves up as an
"advice columnist" and "life coach" on a "gift economy" basis. I'd
place that among other beautiful dreams.
TEXT Universal Friend
What follows is the complete text, edited to be de-gendered and use
modern English letters.
* * *
To whom persons of all ranks and denominations may have recourse for
advice, in the most critical situations, and most delicate
circumstances of human life.
# Introduction
The ideas contained in the following Letter, may appear to create a
Being, which seems to have been wanting hitherto for the service of
the Public; I therefore hasten to give him birth. If he could not
answer expectation, the Public will excuse the impertinence of the
address, from the motive which occasions it, namely, its own utility,
proceeding from the principle of the most unbounded philanthropy.
# To The Public
> Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum tendimus.
> Through misfortunes of many kinds, through so many critical
> moments. --Aeneid 1.198-207
[One] is said to be a wise child who knows [their] own father: [one]
certainly is an unhappy one who knows neither [their] father nor
[their] mother: and such may be the case of an infant carried abroad
in the womb, and abandoned by [their] parents in a foreign land. Such
a being is properly a citizen of the world; and one of the most
miserable in it. [One] is in a state of nature, and seems to have a
right to take up [one's] dwelling where [one] will.
> The world is all before [one], where to fix
> [One's] place of rest, and providence [one's] guide.
If this observation should prevent curiosity, it will answer the end
for which it is made. With the tender and the delicate it will, and
with those, who renounce and disclaim all pretensions to sentiment
and delicacy, it must take its chance. But to pursue a series of
reflections which arise from it. To what a strange vicissitude in
human life must such a being be exposed! They, who have seen the sea
in a storm, can alone form a just notion how such an individual may
be buffeted by fortune. Sometimes [their] bark sinking under the
billows, and overwhelmed by mountains of misfortunes, is lost to all
human appearance; till rising again, glides smoothly for a time with
a favourable gale in the sunshine, or prosperity.
When I got myself initiated in the secrets of Egyptian knowledge, on
the banks of the Nile, I thought my fortune made by being able to
tell the ladies theirs: but though truth seldom leads to it, as I am
come here to speak nothing else, I will tell it at present and very
candidly confess, that, upon that subject I know nothing at all.
Could I amass as much gold as would raise to my memory a monument as
large as the largest pyramid, I am sure I could draw no inward
consolation from that maxim, which brings so much to others;
/qui vult decipi, decipiatur/ (the world wants to be deceived,
so let it be deceived). I therefore openly disclaim all pretensions
to being a fortune teller, and hope that neither the public nor that
amiable part of the creation, to whose service my labours will be
more particularly dedicated, will let me suffer in their opinion when
I present myself to them as a /fortune maker/ or /mender/, under the
character of L'ami des hommes, or the Universal Friend.
The [person], who has [their] understanding enlightened, and who has
gained [their] knowledge by a long experience:--who has an
inexhaustible source of philanthropy at the bottom of [their]
heart;--who has no connections to warp [their] judgment, or bias
[them] in the advice [one] gives: and to whom even the persons of
those, who come to consult him, must be unknown, and consequently
[the consulted one] unmoved by all those passions, which arise from a
partial interest:--such a [person] certainly may be consulted safely
as a /Human Oracle/: exposed indeed sometimes to errors in judgment
from the weakness of humanity and of the head; but never from the
depravity and corruption of the heart.
What then the [person] of the robe, the most wise and most
illuminated body of [people] of their profession upon earth, are to
people in particular cases and circumstances; I would endeavour to be
to them in all:--their adviser, their genius, and their friend.
However unfortunate I have always been myself; as it will be my last,
so it will be my greatest consolation, if I can become useful to
those who are so; by causing them to avoid by my experience, those
shoals and quicksands, upon which I have been stranded; and if I can
make them escape those errors in the maze and labyrinth of human
life, which I have always very unfortunately backward trod, whilst I
have been studiously endeavouring to shun them.--The unfortunate
then, may come to me, as to their friend; without any other motive
than that of being desirous to lay open their sores.--I will pour at
least the oil of consolation into their wounds: and perhaps I may be
so happy as to awaken in them some honest means, from whence they may
draw resources, which may relieve their indigence; and I hope among
the cargo of experience, which I offer to distribute for the benefit
of the public, will be found at least, some antidotes against the
numberless evils which flow from Pandora's box.
Silver and gold I have none; but such as I have, I am come to offer
to the public, my experience; my knowledge; my time; my pains; my
affections; and, in a word, my whole self.--There are certain
testimonies of our benevolence, and the interest we take in behalf of
others, which have a greater effect, and are more essentially useful,
than anything else we might have in our power to bestow.--How many
are sick, what numbers are unhappy, who have more occasion for
consolation than for charity! And the oppressed have frequently more
need of protection than of money.--To reconcile then, those that
disagree: to lead parents to indulgence, and children to obedience:
to promote domestic happiness, and a happy union between those who
seek it by discreet and prudential means: to prevent vexations: to
employ all my time in exciting acts of justice and humanity: in
short, to be, if possible, eyes to the blind and feet to the lame:
such are the ends which I have in view; and in which, I flatter
myself, I shall not altogether miscarry. There is nothing so
difficult, which foresight, prudence, secrecy, experience, and
discretion, are not able to surmount and overcome.--A happy
thought;--a letter or a line wrote apropos:--nay, even a word may
dispel personal prejudice, which seldom fails to return with
accumulated weight upon the appearance of the object, which at first
occasioned it. A judicious proposal; a seasonable submission, a
sincere explanation of a misplaced word, or of an inadvertent action,
when coolness and reason have succeeded to warmth and passion. These
are the means, and such as these, by which I propose to obtain those
ends.
I hope that here I shall not be thought to be infringing upon the
province of the most venerable, the most exemplary, the most
respectable, and most learned body of [people], which ever adorned
any Country upon earth: to co-operate with them in their pious
endeavours; and to follow their example, though as the child Ascanius
did his father, /non passibus æquis/ (with unequal steps), surely
cannot give offense. Those gentlemen merit, and therefore ought to
attract, our strictest imitation: they claim our respect; our
veneration: and to be convinced that they do so, we need only look
around us, and compare our clergy with those of all sects and of all
denominations who live beyond the limits of these kingdoms, and we
shall find, that ignorance, pride, and immorality are the
distinguishing characteristics of a set of men, who would be of all
others the most despicable, if they did not rather move our
compassion than our contempt.
Again, among the opulent and the rich there are situations and
circumstances so very delicate and interesting as to make them
desirous of hearing, if not the advice, at least the opinion of
another, and of knowing what another may say about any particular
affair; but know not to whom to have recourse.--An enterprise to be
undertaken; a speculation to be carried into execution: to succeed in
either, demands very frequently the most inviolable secrecy. To whom
then to apply, in whom to confide; there is the difficulty. Is a
relation or an acquaintance to be trusted? It may be in them we may
come across a rival in our projects and designs; and may divulge at
the very moment we think we are confiding our secret.
There are multitudes of people who are engaged in disputes, and
entangled in law-suits; and who wearied and tired out with the
studied delays of those, who have charged themselves with their
concerns, may have an inclination to know, what such a person as
myself may think of their affairs: and very happy should I be, if my
thoughts or my advice might be the means of extricating them. However
I must take this opportunity to declare, that I hate all sort of
chicanery, and detest even the shadow of it. After this declaration
they may come to me, if they please, and we shall try what may be
done without it; for I have a remedy, and though it is not an
infallible one, is seldom or never known to fail at the last.--It is
drawn from a maxim held sacred and in the highest veneration, by our
great oracles of the law, who join to the profoundest wisdom the
strictest integrity; and which is /magna eft veritas, et prævalebit/
(truth is mighty and will prevail).
Among the best bred people, there may be those to whom such an
establishment may be of private service. It is impossible for nature
to be endowed with more prudence; adorned with more wit; or
embellished with finer thoughts than great numbers of the fair-sex:
and who may be utterly incapable to reduce them into order, or to
harmonize them, if the expression may be allowed, at a moment when
connections are to be formed upon which their happiness may depend:
and who, for reasons very apparent, would choose to propose them to
such a person as is described at the beginning of this letter; not
from a principle of disobedience; rather than to a relation or
friend. Upon such occasions there is a certain delicacy; a
repugnance, a /Je ne sais quoi/ (I don't know what)
(undefinable quality) which seizes the heart and staggers all
resolution.--To me they may come in the strictest incognito, and with
the utmost freedom: they may bring their thoughts with them, rough
upon paper, like diamonds out of the mine; or without the least
ceremony or restriction the mouth may utter them warm from the heart;
and we will give them such a polish; such a turn and cast, as
circumstances may require and prudence warrant.
In short to me they may come, without making themselves known, if
they think proper, and without giving any other eclaircissements
(clarifications) than are necessary to place the business in a just
and true light.
From hence it must appear that this undertaking engrosses more
objects than might be at first imagined; and that a Universal Friend
may be of general use: and even upon plans of desired economy abroad,
he may be consulted, and may be found to be of service; having every
information and all the intelligence necessary to point out, where,
and how, and upon what terms the desired end is most likely to be
obtained.
From eight o'clock in the morning till two, my head and hand are at
the service of the Public, and from four till eight in the afternoon;
when persons of all ranks and denominations may have recourse to a
sure and confidential friend: and could I be that Universal one, of
which I have assumed the denomination, I should think myself richer
than a Crœsus, though labouring under the poverty of a Job.
I may adopt without vanity a character drawn by Mr. Gray.
Large is my bounty, and my soul sincere:
Wou'd Heaven a recompence as largely send.
I'll give to Mis'ry all I have, a tear:
I'd gain from Heaven, it's all I want,--a friend.
As to what I expect in return from the Public, I will speak very
plainly upon that head, I expect my support from it.
I expect at the same time, that every person's gratitude should be
limited very strictly by their abilities; and that every act of
generosity shall be void of all ostentation. I should be grieved to
receive the mite of the widow, which might be wanted by the
fatherless at home: for should I want it myself, I doubt not but I
should find a friend, which is all I wish. Let her come then to me
with cheerfulness and confidence; and she will be received with
kindness and affection. Let her pour out her sorrows to me; and if my
councils should wipe them away from her heart; they will do me
injustice who think, that, more than my inward satisfaction, I shall
want any reward.
Every person has a natural propensity to recount [their] story; an
itching to tell [their] tale; and if they will call upon me, I shall
give them the hearing, and perhaps not a useless one, with pleasure.
For as most people are apt to fall into digressions upon such
occasions quite foreign to the subject, and which make them lose
sight of their business; I may stop them when they come at it; may
make them remark it; and fix their attention upon it; and thus whilst
they are imagining that they are informing me of their business, I
may, to their great surprise, show them what it really and
essentially is.
What my destiny may be preparing for me under this character, time
alone can determine. If I reap from the employment of every moment of
mine sufficient to support life with decency for the public good, is
all I desire and if my existence is found by experience to produce
that good, it will be the interest of the Public as well as my own,
to prolong it; yet however it may happen, I have such sort of
feelings about my heart, as seem to presage success; for to the
honour of this country be it said, that whenever virtuous ends are
pursued by virtuous means, encouragement never fails to accompany the
attempt.
-The Universal Friend
P.S.
As the apartments I have taken may be at too great a distance to many
who might be willing to have my advice; and more especially as it may
happen, that I may be engaged when they come, for I shall make it an
invariable rule to receive people in the order they present
themselves without any exception whatever, and only a single person
at a time; it might spare many persons the inconvenience of
returning; and me, the mortification of sending them away without
seeing them; if they would favour me with a letter by the Penny-post,
which shall be immediately answered. Or if their business is too
pressing to admit of such a delay; or if it will take up a good deal
of time to explain and go through with; by sending a servant with
card, an interview shall be fixed upon agreeable to desire; even if
it should be required out of the usual hours of business.
HTML From: https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_practical-benevolence-i_universal-friend_1785
tags: article,compassion,gender
# Tags
DIR article
DIR compassion
DIR gender