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113 


THE 


INVESTIGATOR; 


OR, 


Auattnl^  ;i)ftaga^ne. 


VOL.  VIII. 


JANUARY  TO  OCTOBER,  1824. 


"  Whatsoever  things  ire  tnie,  whatsoever  things  are  honest,  whatsoever  things 
are  jnst,  whatsoever  things  are  pore,  whatsoever  things  are  lovelj,  whatsoever 
things  are  of  good  report' 


>» 


EDJTEX)  BY 

THE  REV.  WILLIAM  BENGO'  COLLYER,  D.D 

LL.D.    F.A.S. 

THE  REV.  THOMAS  RAFFLES,  LL.D. 

(of  LIVERPOOL,) 

AND  ^^ 

JAMES  BALDWIN  BROWN,  ESQ.  LL.D 


I      r^ 


LONDON : 

Prmi$d  at  th4  Ctuetom  Pr§$s,  fijf  fiimry  FUker, 

PUBLISHED  BT  THOMAS  AND  OEOROE  UNDERWOOD,  32,  FLEET-STREET ; 
OOLE,  DUNCAN,  AND  CO.,  AND  SHERWOOD  AND  CO.,  PATBRNOS- 
TBR-ROW;  BLACK,  KINOSBURT,  PARBURY,  AND  ALLEN,  LEADEN- 
BALI/-STREET  ;  F.  WESTLET,  STATIONERS'  COURT  ;  B.  I.  H0LD8W0RTH, 

BT.  Paul's  church-tard;  wauoh  and  innes,  Edinburgh;  wood, 

MARLBOROUOH-STREBT,     DUBUN ;    AND    MANNINOy    CHAPEL-LANE, 
BELPAST. 

1824. 


PREFACE. 


After  making  trial  for  a  twelvemonth  of  the  practicability 
of  conducting  their  Journal  on  a  reduced  scale,  without  an 
undue  interference  with  the  rapid  increase  of  their  profes- 
sional and  private  engagements,  the  Editors  of  the  Iiivesti- 
gator,  at  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  number,  and  Eighth 
Volume   of  their  work,  are  reluctantly,  but  imperatively, 
compelled  to  say,  "  Here  our  labours  terminate/'    Their 
wish  would  have  been  to  proceed,  but  the  great  inconveni- 
ence of  superintending  a  periodical  work  through  the  press, 
whilst  hastily  removing  from  place  to  place,  at  a  distance  of 
two  hundred  miles  from  home,  and  in  tne  midst  of  the  bustle 
and  complexity  of  the  business  which  regularly  calls  him 
^ence,  has  rendered  it  impossible  for  the  final  Editor  longer 
to  continue  at  a  post,  from  which  his  colleagues  have  as 
little  leisure  to  relieve  him.    With  sincere  thanks,  therefore, 
to  their  friends  and  contributors,  for  the  support  they  have 
experienced  for  the  last  five  years — and  with  the  hope,  that 
in  a  period  in  which  splendid  talents  have  been  shamelessly 
prostituted  to  the  cause  of  vice  and  irreligion,  their  efforts 
to  counteract  its  pestilential  influence  have  not  been  alto- 
gether in  vain — in  that  editorial  capacity,  which  has  but 
more  strongly  cemented  the  ties  of  an  early  and  most  inti- 
mate friendship,  they  bid  their  readers  an  unwilling,  yet  a 
final  adieu ;  referring  them  for  a  continuation  of  several  of 
the  articles  commenced  in  this  work,  to  the  Philomathic 
Journal,  a' quarterly  publication,  edited  at  an  institution,  of 
which  they  are  all  honorary  members,  and  over  which  one  of 
them  presides.  Where  their  wishes  or  recommendation  can 
have  any  weight,  that  journal  will  succeed,  on  the  shelves  of 
their  suDscribers,  the  one  they  now  abandon. 


September  24,  1824. 


"■"^*^J-*^,„._^^ , 


Zieiif-  Governor  of  3aici^olfn  .  ^c. 


^t  ]Ettli«i»ttg:aliir« 


JAinr  ART,  1824. 


Memoir  qf  Sm  Thomas  Stamford  Raffles,  Knt,  F.R. 
and  A.S.,  Lieut.^Govemor  qf  Bencookn,S^c.lfc,S^c» 

Sir  Thomas  Stamford  Raffles  was  born  on  board 
the  ship  Ann,  at  sea,  off  the  harbour  of  puort  Morant,  in  the 
island  of  Jamaica,  on  the  6th  of  July,  1781.  His  father, 
Benjamin  Raffles,  was  one  of  the  oldest  captains  in  the 
West  India  trade,  from  the  port  of  London.  Sir  Stamford 
received  his  educalioii  principally  under  Dr.  Anderson, 
who  presided  over  a  respectable  academy  at  Hammersmith. 
At  an  early  age  he  was  admitted  on  the  establishment  at  the 
East  India  House,  where  his  talents  and  his  industry 
obtained  for  him  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  then 
secretary,  the  late  Wm.  Ramsfiy,  Esq.,  through  whose  in- 
terest, in  1805,  the  directors  gave  him  the  handsome  and 
flattering  appoin.tment  of  assistant^secretary  to  the  govern- 
ment in  Prince  of  Walea's  Island,  together  willi  the  rank  of 
Snior  mierchant,  and  an  eventual  succession  to  council, 
e  had  not  been  long  in  that  settlement  before  he  became 
chief  secretary. 

While  there,  he  diligently  applied  himself  to  the  study  of 
the  Malay,  and  other  languages  of  the  Eastern  Archipelago. 
To  these  studies  he  was  incited  in  no  small  degree  by  the 
late  lamented  Dr.  Leyden,  with  whom  he  formed  a  fnend- 
ship  the  most  endearing,  which  was  unhappily  terminated 
by  the  death  of  that  eminent  scholar,  who  expired  at  Bata- 
via  in  the  arms  of  his  friend.  Such  was  the  success  with 
which  he  cultivated  the  study  of  these  languages,  that  he 
was  appointed  Malay  translator  to  the  government;  and 
Lord  Minto,  then  governor-general  of  India,  honoured  him 
with  especial  notice  in  one  of  his  anniversary  discourses  to 
the  college  of  Calcutta.  Thus  he  became  known  to  that 
truly  enlightened  nobleman,  whose  highest  regard  and  con- 
fidence it  was  afterwards  his  happiness  to  enjoy>  and  in 
whose  death  he  has  had  to  deplore  the  loss  of  a  most  steady 
and  inestimable  friend. 

In  181 U  Sir  Stamford  was  induced  to  visit  Calcutta, 
whence  he  accompanied  Lord  Minto  in  the  expedition 
against  Java,  in  the  capacity  of  private  secretary  to  his 
lordship,  and  his  agent  in  the  Malay  states ;  and  in  the 

VOL.  Vlll.— NO.  1.  B 


2  Memmr  of  Sir  T.  S.  Raffles,  Knt. 

month  6f  October  ib  thftt  year^  he  was  appointed  to  die  high 
station  of  lieutenant-governor  of  that  island,  and  its  various 
important  dependencies.  How  he  disChdtged  the  trust 
reposed  in  him  by  this  distinguished  xmpointment  is  well 
known;  while  the  mildness  anaequity  oi  his  administration  . 
endeared  him  to  the  millions,  amongst  whom  he  then  dis^ 
pensed  the  blessings  of  the  British  government^  to  a  degree 
almost  unexamplea  in  our  colonial  history. 

During  his  residence  in  Java,  b^  lost  hit  fiMt  wife,  to 
iHiom  he  was  united  previous  to  his  leaving  ikm  G^mtsttj ; 
alid  hi^  health  having  materially  stdfered  from  the  combiMcl 
kifiueAce  <tf  domestie  affliction,  tad  the  severe  duties  of  his 
stiition,  lie  was  induced  to  visit  England^  He  arrived  at 
Falmotttfi  in  tlie  autumn  of  1816,  bringing  with  him  the 
R4den  R4iia  Dipiira,  a  Javanese  prince,  win  his  wait;  ond 
a  more  sple&did  and  extensive  edileetion  of  specioiens  kX 
five  piroduc^tionB,  costMoe,  &c.  of  the  Eastern  Artlnpeb^^ 
iSum  had  ever  befine  been  received  into  a  British  port.  The 
reception  *witfa  which  he  m^  in  England,  must  have  kfeetk 
highly  gratifying  io  ktJtk.  He  had  tihe  pleasure  to  see  tinvt 
his  memoes  were  appreciated  by  tiie  public,  while  from  f>er* 
sons,  of  all  ranks  tiM  dassee  xK  society,  he  received  the 
Aiost  flattering  markfi  of  kind  and  respectful  atteudoti. 

During  his  stay  in  this  quarter  of  Ae  glot)e, 
standing  the  numerous  engagements  by  which  he  wa& 
oppressed,  be  found  leisure  to  accotbplish  a  tour  on  the 
Contineirt;,  the  details  of  "whidi  l^we  beefti  ^ven  to  the 
public  by  one  of  the  party, — ^and  to  publii^h  his  History  of 
Java  in  two  large  quurto  tolumes,  containi&g  ub  imtiieitiM 
mass  of  valuable  information  relative  to  that  iateresting 
country.  He  also,  while  in  En^and,  bad  the  haippiness  to 
tbtOk  a  matrimonial  connexion  tvith  a  most  amiable  lady, 
Sophia,  the  daughter  of  J.  Watson  Hull,  Esq.  late  ^  (Sveait 
!baddo^,  in  Essex. 

As  an  acknowledgment  <^  his  services,  and  as  the  best 
appointment,  after  the  remgnation  of  Java,  nt  their  oommiind^ 
€he  East  India  Company  confirmed  bis  'notmnation  to 
Beticoolen,  in  Sumatra,  which  bad  been  held  in  ^resUfve  for 
him,  in  the  anticipation  that  such  an  ev«iil  might  ^possibly 
occur.  With  this  appointment,  the  runk  ttud  title  of  li««i* 
tenant-governor  was  conferred  upon  him.  <He  ahoFeo^ived 
the  honour  of  knighthood  from  his  Mtijesty,  tb^u  {Prince 
Regent,  who  graciously  permitted  the  dedkation  of  'bis 
History  of  Java  to  himself. 

Sir  StttlsoioTd  left  the  shores  of  Engtatid  for  his  new 


Memoir  i^^if  T-  S.  {Uiles,  Knt  3 

etetioD.  in  ^or^vph^t,  1817,  h^mg  \m^  Ae^samA  ^  fM- 
WPutb  by  contrwy  wind^,  loqig  enough  i,o  r^oeiye  tb^  n^plim- 
choly  intelligence  of  the  death  pf  the  laweilted  Piruic^jas 
Charloitt^,  whqse  friendship,  tpgetbftr  witfc  tjiait  pf  hpr  iUm- 
tn€>u$  cpnsort,  he  had  the  diAting^i^ed  g^tiilc^pii  to 
enjoy i  ai»d  hid  first  public  act,  pn  his  arrivp,!  in  hif  ^^V 
governmeiit,  Wft3  ti^e  f(»niirardi.&g  of  an  j^^d^f^s  pf  fiOf^olefkGe 
f/p hi9  m^eet^y  on  Ilie.t  pioati^o^jiriUul  m^t- 

Sinee  \h^  cpfnii^nceineilt  of  his  adminigU^ion  ii^  Siuy^- 
tm,  Sijr  Stsup^ord  ha^  been|xic^tl«bpriovBly  and  fii^epe^fiiUy 
eBq>loyed  in  re9i9ii9g  the  um^^^rraQt^Le  iftg^reiisiow  of  th^ 
J)ut€h— te  promotinjg;  friesidily  iQ^r^pur^e  with  the  nativ^  pf 
that  vast  island — ^in  improving  the  moral  and  social  cppdi|iaii 
of  the  people — and  advancing,  by  all  the  methods  which  a 
liberal  aiid  enlightened  policy  ooiud  suggest,  the  cop.ipeirdjd 
jintere$tis  of  Britain  in  the  Easter^  seas.  Of  all  his  ineasyres, 
that  of  establishing  the  fpree  port  pf  Singapore,  at  the  ex- 
tremity of  ihe  Malay  peninsula,  is  perhaps  the  most  impor- 
tant. This  settlement  has  already  prospered  to  an  aston- 
jffhii^  degree,  and  promises,  if  continued  lender  ^ii|:ish 
patronage^  to  become  the  eQipprwa  and  pride  of  t)^  C^^. 
There  ^,  perh^s.  no  place  in  the  known  worhl  nip^e  ?idva^- 
t9geousl¥  ^ituajted  for  the  purposes  of  comiperce.  Jt  pppa- 
jjtands  tae  straits  of  Malacca,  places  our  interco:M^8|&  with 
China  h^yond  risk  or  annoyance,  and  may  become  the 
.(^qz^ecting  l^nk  and  grand  entrepot  between  Europe,  A^l4, 
andX/hina — it  is  in  factfa^  beconu^g  fi|o,  for  me^rohants  jGrqm 
^11  parts  are  resorting  to  it,  a^  eatablishipg  tii^i;D^v€\B 
^here,  while  yessels  come  from  China  to  Singapp^^^  u^  fiy^ 
jdays,  to  pufchstse  their  goods. 

Amidst  these  important  commercial  affairs.  Sir  Sta^lford 
has  not  been  unmindful  of  the  claiins  of  sci^n^c^.  ^fatural 
philosophy,  in  its  various  department^  of  Botany,  Zoology, 
^Entomology,  &c.  has  been  greatly  enriched  by  hi^  ow|i 
le8learche^,  and  those  of  scientific  individuals  who  l^^yp 
enjoyed  his  patronaff^.  Considerable  collections  from  thp 
interior  of  Sumatra  have  already  reached  this  country,  and 
description^  pf  some  of  the  loost  carious  and  spi^xu}id 
articles  have  been  presented  to  the  public.  7>9^or  should  we 
omit  to  mention^  the  decided  protection  which  he  has  always 
e^teA^ed  to  the  accredited  Missionaries  pf  eyery  deiH)nMna- 
tiou-^r-nrpipoting  their  views  to  th^  utmost  possible  ejKtent, 
apd  affording  them  the  most  efficient  aid  in  the  prpeejcutioii 
of  their  sacred  and  benevolent  desi^s. 

We  lament,  and  every  friend  of  we  hun^an  race  and  lover 
of  his  country  must  lament  with  us,  that,  in  the  midst  of  so 


4  V  History  of  Ethics : 

inuch  usefulness,  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir  htts  been 
awfully  warned  by  disease  and  death  to  quit  the  scene  of  his 
honourable  labours.  Three,  out  of  four,  of  his  children 
have  been  torn  from  him  by  a  malignant  climate;  of  his 
personal  friends,  scarcely  one  remains ;  and  he  himself,  with 
nis  amiable  lady,  have  been  in  a  state  of  health  the  most 
alarming  and  critical.  Under  these  distressing  circum- 
stances,. Sir  Stamford  has  deemed  it  an  imperious  duty  to 
forward  his  resi^ation  to  the  East  India  House ;  and  his 
last  movement,  or  which  we  have  received  intelligence,  was 
a  voyage  to  Singapore,  to  make  suitable  arrai^ements 
there,  prior  to  his  final  departure  from  the  Eastern  Archi- 
pelago.   

The  History  of  Ethics:  a  Lecture  delivered  at  the  'Surrey 
and  Philomathic  Institutions.  By  the  Re»erejid  William 
Bengo'  Collyer,  D.D.LL.D.,  PrcwVfen^  of  the  Philo- 
mathic Institution,  S^c.  Ifc.'Sfc. 

When  i  undertook  to  lecture  on  Ethics,  I  had  not  the 
presumption  to  hope  that  it  would  be  in  my  power  to  pre- 
sent to  my  auditory  any  thing  absolutely  new ;  but  it  Was 
my  object,  and  it  remains  so,  to  produce,  on  a  subject  silwavs 
important,  something  which  may  be  generally  useful.  Tne 
syllabus  which  has  been  submitted  to  your  consideration  is 
of  so  general  a  kind,  as  to  preclude  any  very  close  discus- 
sion of  those  hypotheses  which  it  will  be  necessary  to 
examine  :  and  the  whole  that  can  be  attempted  will  be,  to 
define  principles  as  clearly  as  possible,  and  to  trace  their 
action,  as  well  upon  the  various  branches  of  society,  as 
upon  the  individual  himself  influenced  by  them.  If  I  shall 
he  able  to  do  this  at  all  to  your  satisfaction — if,  in  beguiling 
a  few  wintry  hours,  I  shall  awaken  the  attention  of  any  one 
individual  to  the  great  law  of  his  nature,  which  associates 
him  with  his  fellow-men,  and  with  his  God,  and  succeed  in 
explaining  the  duties  inseparable  firom  it — I  shall  be  Inore 
than  compensated;  and  your  indulgent  patience  will  not  foe 
exercised  in  vain.  Such  are  my  humble  pretensions,  and  I 
submit  them  to  your  candour. 

The  term  Etincs  signifies  manners — or  rather,  the  refla- 
tion and  cultivation  of  manners — which  attention  to  conduct, 
deeply  influencing  both  ourselves  and  others,  is  expressed 
better  by  the  appellation  of  morals.  Plato  distinguishes 
them  into  three  branches.  Moral  Philosophy,  regarding 
man  in  his  individual  capacity,  was  called  Ethics — when  ft 


A  Lecture,  by  the  Rev-  Dr.  Collyer.  5 , 

related  to  him  in  his  family-relations,  it  was  denominated 
(Economics:  but  extending  to  the  larger  confederation  of 
general  society »  it  received  the  name  of  Politics.  To  the^ 
latter  of  these,  Plato  principally  directed  his  attention, 
although  he  wrote  upon  the  whole.  These  distinctions  have 
been  less  respected  in  modern  disquisitions ;  and  Ethics 
have  been  properly  understood  to  comprehend  morals  in  all 
their  branches,  emanating  from  the  individual,  diffusing 
themselves  through  his  immediate  connexions,  and  spread- 
ing over  all  the  face  of  society.  Nor  does  it  appear  possible 
to  separate  morals  in  their  principle,  from  an  operation  as 
extensive  as  the  relations  of  life,  and  the  influence  of  the 
individual^— his  duties  being  commensurate  with  his  capa- 
cities. 

In  tracing  the  History  of  Morals,  which  is  the  subject  of 
|iie  present  lecture,  the  mind  naturally  reposes  upon  So-, 
cntes,  as  the  first  philosopher  who  reduced  morals  to 
system,  uncovered  their  source,  and  applied  them  practically 
to  the  duties  of  the  individual,  and  his  relations  to  others. 
The  philosophy  which  preceded  this  illustrious  man,  related 
to  nature,  and  might  be  called  speculative ;  but  he  directed 
knowledge  to  purposes  of  moral  utility — ^renouncejl  such 
sciences  as  appeared  to  him  to  conduce  little  or  nothing  to 
this  great  design — ^gathered  the  scattered  precepts  of  ^ 
remote  antiquity — ^reduced  them  to  order — established  their 
truth,  or  refuted  their  sophistry — ^inferred  from  them  prac« 
tical  results ;  and,  to  use  the  language  of  Cicero,  was  the 
first  who  led  the  studies  of  mankind  to  the  important 
inquiries  after  virtue  and  vice,  and  to  the  establishiment 
of  the  distinctions  and  the  boundaries  of  good  and  evil.* 
As  this  unriyalled  philosopher  wrote  nothing,  we.  muat 
be  satisfied  to  learn  the  outline  of  his  ^Ethics  from  Plato, 
by  whom  they  were  adopted  and  recorded.  Morals  ^them? 
selves  are  as  old  as  man's  existence,  and  have  be^n  ob- 
jects of  inquiry  and  of  speculation  in  all  ages ;  but  the 
reduption  of  v^em  to  forpi,  (if  we  except  the  sacred 
writings,  the  oldest  of  all,  and  from  which  there  are  strong 
reasons  to  conclude,  they  W0re  all  borrowed^)  must  be 
referred  to  Socrates  amppg  the  Grecians.  He  becomes, 
therefore,  a  pentral  point — equally  removed  from  the  scat- 
tered elements  to  be  found  among  his  predecessors,  who 
borrowed  thein  from  the  eastern  world,  apd  the  modern 
writers  on  this  interesting  subject,  who  seem  substantially 
ip  hj^ve  adopted  his  principles,  with  the  advantages  {wx* 

*  pio.  Acad.  Quest.  i(^ 


6  HiBtory  of  Ethics : 

nraH^d  by  the  ilicreasin^  etperiencer  of  ages,  and  the  mote 
poW^ftil  ai>)si^t£ltlce^  tiot  always  acknowledged,  sometiindd 
par^itij^toriiy  deti)ed>  btit  tldt  the  less  red  and  influential^ 
of  th^  ^bliiiie  code  of  Christianity.  I  take  my  stated  upon 
the  ^ifhple  and  beautiful  system  of  Socrates — as  apon  an 
elevation  from  t^rhich  J  may  myself  dee^  and  be  able  to  point 
dut  to  you,  iti  every  direction,  the  moral  Isindscape  stretched 
all  around  it — losing  itself,  on  the  one  hand,  among  the 
shadoWt^  6f  the  teinotest  antiquity,  and  extending,  on  the 
dtheir,  to  thfe  a^e  iii  which  we  live,  to  the  coutitry  in  which 
it  is  dtrr  privilege  to  dwell,  and  to  the  Very  leeture-room  in 
^Hlch  #e  )ire  now  asdembled* 

Pythagoras  idtands  nearest  Socrat^s>  as  his  preonrsor  in 
this  study ;  and  claims  the  highest  attention  and  respecty 
iVhether  i^e  consider  the  extent  of  his  scientific  reseatobes, 
Olr  th^  accuracy  of  his  judgment^  or  th^  yriue  of  bis  preceptd^ 
6r  the  zeal  \fhich  ptompted  him  to  ex][)lot'e  the  most  distant 
latid^,  find  to  bring  home  the  i^Hsdotn  collected  with  such 
tbil,{h)ih  die  most  celebrated  tend  the  most  copious  sotir<^es. 
^^yehii^  testiinony  alsd  to  the  6tiperiority  of  this  science 
&i^er  Ml  other  researches;  imd  deemed  that  philosophy 
#hidh  c'ottld  hot  cure,  at  lieast  ftome  of  the  human  passions^ 
kA  wbtij^tess  ^s  that  theditiile  tr hich  has  no  effect  npcm 
Bodily  di^eafee/*  He  touched  upon  aH  the  branohes  ©f 
MtiMM  Virtually,  although  not  inetiteodicaHy ;  and  his  ttfdd« 
of  I'ecommei^din^  moral  duti'es,  as  irell  al»  6t  dining  th%m>, 
Wks  by  figures— -by  a  symbolical  and  etoblemsitical  metkord 
of  in^&nction.  To  the  individual  who  rei^s^d  his  advid^, 
Md  ab^tidon^d  his  Acfaool  Ibr  ^enstial  iiidtitgenees,  h«  ap- 
peticfd  by  addyefti^in^  tli*e  sehseil ;  and  pfoeing  m  fmpty 
tdffih  in  the  l^eat  which  h^  hd,d  been  accttstomed  to  occupy, 
as  the  ismbleni  of  that  state  6t  moral  death  to  Which  he  con^ 
fiidered  tlie  mind  of  the  unhaf)py  j^rofligate  16  be  reducedt 

He  waib  accnst6med  to  represent  tihe  friendship,  and 
Mion,  and  harmony,  which  should  prevail  am^ng  his  scho- 
kai^,  by  siting  ^idt  befbre  thcfta.  He  eji:pre6sed  moral  pre^ 
ceptHh  tiie  same  parabolic  mloliner.  Sli^h,  he  liepmved  by 
the  admoiiition,  '*  Receive  not  a  swallow  into  your  hotme." 
The  swallow  sportft  but  for  a  seaison,  soon  disappears,  and 
ift  stipposed  to  oe  torpid  dtiring  th^  grfeatet*  part  of  th>e  yeftr. 
He  gtiarded  ihem  againist  pramktftg  the  irrttable  ernd  the 
•potberflil,  by  advising,  '*  Stnr  not  the  fire  with  a  sword.*' 
He  cautioned  against  corroding  and  tiselesft  cares,  by  tn- 
1iorti%4  **  Eat  not  the  heart.''    He  recommended  a  firtricft 


A  Lecture,  iy  th^  Rcy.  Dr.  CoUyer.  7 

regard  to  justice,  by  the  oommand»  '*  Paat  not  over  the 
fafliaAce.'-  The  "  concord  of  sweet  somuls/'  the  harmonies 
of  ii^usic,  were  with  him  &TOurite  images  of  moral  excellen- 
cies. These  symbols  might  be  multiplied^  if  it  were  njBces- 
sary  to  our  present  purpose ;  ];)ut  such  as  have  been  adduced 
are  sufficient  to  establish  and  illustrate  the  emblematical 
and  parabolic  mode  of  instruction  relative  to  morals  em- 
ployed by  Pythagoras.* 

Nor  did  Pythagoras  stand  alone  in  this  appeal  to  tiie 
understanding  through  the  medium  of  the  senses.  Plato 
•ealia  virtue,  uie  iarmony  (opfioifMr^)  and  mmic  of  the  soul. 
{intx^  fjuMfunv,)  Temperance,  he  describes  as  a  certain  sym- 
phony and  concord  of  the  affections*  (wvfifittvianviy  k^u  of^fUivui.) 
Plato  himself  demands  of  those  who  read  his  allegories, 
that  diey  should  not  rest  satisfied  with  the  image,  but  pene- 
trate the  hidden  meaning  of  the  truth  so  veiled.f  And  it 
was  therefore  justly  observed,  that  **  He  is  no  Platonist 
who  thinks  that  Plato  must  not  be  understood  allegorically, 
onlese  he  will,  with  Aristotle,  triumph  over  Plato's  words, 
and  not  regard  his  {Nrofoupd  sense.'^:  The  philosophy  of 
Socrates  was  plain  and  simple,  and  proceeded  upon  a  mediod 
pecnliar  to  maaseif,  of  asking  questions,  until  he  obtained 
the  induction  which  he  desired,  nrom  the  eoncessions  of  his 
opponents.  That  of  Plato  was  more  dogmatioal,  more 
ORmmented,  and  often  allegonoal.  His  symbols,  indeed, 
were  much  less  obscure  than  tiiose  of  Pythagotaa*  But 
Aristotle  was  the  first  who  udioUy  laid  allegory  aside;  and 
in  icpiisidering  Plato  as  the  representative  of  die  morals  of 
Sfwmtes,  we  mast  not  for^t  that  he  has  added  to  his 
master's  principles  mnch  of  ms  own  manner. 

The  sages  who  obtained  the  distingjuished  title  of  Ae 
Seven  Wise  Men  of  Greece,  diceeted  their  attention  princi- 
pally to  morals ;  and  coimyed  th^ir  precepts  in  the  shape 
ctf  shoet  and  pointed  aphorisms.  Quintilian  esteema  them 
certain  rules  of  life.  **  As  yet,''  said  that  eloauent  writer, 
^  dispiitation  had  not  obtained — but  couching  tneir  instroe- 
tiona  in  a  few  expvessiv^e  terms,  they  were  presented  as  so 
aaaur  religious  mysteries."^  One  grand  sentence  may  be 
mwmoed,  ascribed  by  some  to  Tbales,  and  by  others  to 
Chilo,  which  while  it  explains  this  aphonatic  mode  of 
-tea<4iing,  immoi'talizes  the  wisdom  in  which  it  originated-^ 
"**  Know  thyself  r  This  was  one  of  those  precepts  read  in  the 
temple  of  Delphos ;  and  which  Ciqero  so  esteemed  as  to 

*  Gale,  b.  ii.  c.  7.  vol.  ii.  p.  107.  &c.       t  Plato.  Phced.  and  Repab. 
t.  and  10.       X  Coel.  Redig.  lib.  9.  cap.  12.       §  Quint,  tib.  5.  c.  11. 


8  History  of  Ethics : 

call  it  the  precept  of  Apollo ;  and  he  remarks,  with  singular 
beauty»  that  it  was  given  not  exclusively  to  humble  man  by 
sendiog^him  into  his  bosom  to  learn  its^  weakness,  but  prin- 
cipally^ to  urge  him. to  form  an  acquaintance  with  his  own 
soul,  m  all  the  majesty  of  its  powers,  and  all  the  importance 
of  their  application.* 

These  characteristics  of  the  earliest  method  of  teaching 
morals,  lead  us  still  higher  towards  their ,  indisputable 
source.  The  parabolic  mode  of  instruction  is  notoriously 
oriental :  so  also  is  the  proverJ^ial  form  chosen  by  the  seven 
Grecian  Sages.  The  institutes  of  Menu  may  afford  a  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  the  latter ;  while  the  gorgeous  imagery 
interwoven  with  the  very  texture  of  Eastern  composition, 

E roves  the  former.  The  Grecian  fioets,  older  than  these 
istorians  and  philosophers,  (for  even  Thales,  Chilo,  and 
his  celebrated  associates,  lived  more  than  than  three  cen- 
turies after  Hesiod,)  chose  allegory,  the  very  garb  of 
poetry,  as  the  grand  vehicle  of  their  moral  sentiments. 
And  while  their  mythological  traditions  may  be  distinctly 
traced  to  an  oriental  origin,  their  fables  were  regarded  by 
the  sases  of  Greece  as  containing  philosophical  truths, 
under  we  veil  of  fiction.  Doubtless  they -drew  their  ethics 
from  the  sources  whence  they  derived  their  philosophy;  and 
the  very  form  in  which  Hesiod  gives  his  moral  precepts, 
combines  both  the  characteristics  of  aphorism  and  poetry. 

Thales,  althoi^h  said  to  be  bom  at  Miletus,  is  cont^tded 
to  have  been  of  Phenician  extract ;  and  it  is  certain,  that  he 
travelled  into  .Asia  to  acquire  oriental  wisdom.  PyUii^ras 
is  known  to  have  traversed  various  countries  in  that  direc- 
tion, and  to  have  extended  his  researches  as  far  as  India. 
I^ato  visited  Egypt,  then  the  receptacle  of  the  learning  of 
the  world — ^having  received  her  knowledge  from  the  latter — 
and  confesses  that  the  principles  of  his  philosophy,  as  well 
as  the  use  of  symbols,^  were  derived  from  older  nations, 
whom,  in  conformity  to  the  usage  of  the  Greeks,  relative  to 
all  people  except  themselves,  he  calls  Barbarians.  The 
Phenicians,  as  tne  earliest  navi^tors,  carried  the  sciemces, 
and  the  symbols  under  which  they  were  couched,  from  the 
oriental  world,  and  from  Egypt  immediately  to  Greece,  and 
even  to  Britain.;  whose  Druids,  more  ancient  than  those  of 
Gaul,  resembled  in  many  striking  points^  as  well  of  philo- 
sophy, as  of  religious  observances,  the  Hindus ;  and  shew 
in^e  most  obvious  particulars,  the  oriental  origin  of  their 
system. 

*  Cic.  Tuacab.  I.  72,  &c. 


A  Lecture,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  CoUyer.  9 

;  It  is  di£ELcalt  to  obtain  ii^formation  relative  to  the  origi- 
nation of  ancient  science,  from  any  records  except  those  of 
sacred  history.  From  whatever  fountains  the  sages  of 
India  drew  their  theories,  it  is  evident  that  those  of  Greece 
drank  of  the  same  wells  of  knowledge.  The  philosophical 
schools  of  the  East  comprise  the  metaphysics  of  the  dif- 
ferent sects  of  Grecian  philosophy ;  and,  as  oriental  systems 
afe  unqaestionably  older  than  those  of  Greece,  if  a  real 
analogy  subsists,  it  must  have  been  imparted  to  the  latter : 
it  could  not  have  been  derived  from  them  by  the  former. 
The  grand  and  favourite  doctrine  of  Py thagaras,  relative  to 
the  transmigration  of  souls,  adopted  even  in  the  purer  and 
more  simple  philosophy  of  Plato,  is  so  evidently  of  Eastern 
origin,  thatitbeeoifes  a  powerful  argument  in  suoport  of 
4he  hypothesis  of  the  derivation  of  other  parts  of  the  same 
system^from  the  same  quarter.  And  with  the  general  prin* 
ciples  of  philosophy,  came  their  Ethics,  both  as  to  substance 
and  to  the  form .  of  communication.  Coniecture  and  hypo- 
thesis may,  however,  be  well  spared,  when  we  have  the 
testimony  of  Diodorus  Sicul us. direct  to  this  point.  **  All 
those,",  he  says, ''  who  were  renowned  among  the  Greeks  for 
wisdom  and  learning,  did  in  ancient  time  resort  to  Egypt, 
thence  to  deduce  philosophy  and  laws.''  The  peculiar  dog- 
jnas  of  the  Grecian  philosophers  are  respectively  acquired 
from  Effypt,  Phenicia,  Chaldea,  India,  and  Persia.  The 
Bun  of  KJiowledge  rose,  like  the  orb  of  day,  in  the  East. 
Certain  terms,  and  even  the  names  of  their  idols,  are  by  the 
Grecians  borrowed  from  the  Egyptians,  between  whose 
language,  and  that  of  the  Phenicians  and  Chaldeans,  is  such 
an  affinity,  that:they  may,  with  little  difficulty,  be  traced  to 
an  Hebrew  oriffin. 

Having  touoned  upon  this. point,  I  will. venture  to  remind 
you,  that  there  ia  a  book,  the  most  ancient  of  all  existing 
records-*-{br  even  should  its  inspiration  be  denied^  none 
pretend  .to  question  its  antiquity — in  which  the  purest 
moral.precepts,  and  the  most  sublime  religious  truths,  are 
seen  veiled  in  parables,  couched  under  symbols,  and  commu- 
nicated in  proverbs.  To  this  book  may  be  traced  as  well  ther 
traditions  of  the  East,  as  the  systems  of  Greece;  and  as  an 
important  fact,  it  it  is  necessary  to  remark,  that  if  we  are 
desirous  of  following  the  history  of  morals  up  to  its  spring 
head,  sound  learning  and  diligent  research  have  found,  m 
this  neglected  volume,  the  grand  and  inexhanatible  source 
after  which  the  world  has  been  so  long  lookii^g;  and  which, 
like  the  fountains  of  the  Nile,  lay  concealed  from  ages  and 
generations. 


10  History  of  Ethic$ : 

Tbe  EleuBmiaB  and  Bacohie  mysteries^  those  aotonkking 
and  ckaniGtemtic  parts  of  Grecian  reli^on^  were  syniboii«- 
cal  representations  of  things  moral  and  philosophical.  They 
were  an  attempt  to  ^ound  a  sublime  philosophy  upon  a 
mass  of  fabulous  tradition ;  and  so  far  the  attempt  was  cor** 
rect,  in  that  those  very  fables  originated  in  either  scientific 
researches,  natural  phenomena^  or  moral  truths,  symboli- 
cally expressed.  Plato  represents  these  mysteries  as  typi*- 
fyingthe  external  eyih  associated  with  material  existence-*- 
the  rices  and  humiliation  of  the  spirit  in  its  corporeal 
anLon--'and  the  future  transformations  through  whicn  it  is 
to  pass.  In  the  mecm  time,  while  philosophical  and  moral 
tcoths  were  intended  to  be  taught,  the  mind  was  corrupted, 
amd  the  passions  inflamed,  by  tne  indecencies  and  sensuali^ 
ties  encouraged,  as  symbolizing  the  communication  of  divine 
energies  to  the  various  forms  of  intellectual  being.  The 
flame  exposition  has  been  already  suggested  of  the  fables  of 
the  poetSy  and  of  the  whole  Grecian  mythology — moral  pre- 
cepts, philosophical  truths,  and  natural  sciences,  are  all 
conveyed  by  these  parables.  Such  is  precisely  the  reiigioii 
of  t^  Hindus  at  this  hour.  It  is  philosophical  in  its  cha- 
racter^  closely  allied  with  aetvonomy,  and  moral  in  its  pmp- 
Iposea.  fiist  to  whom  does  it  bear  these  features  of  virtue 
and  snblimtty?  To  the  Bramins,  who,  like  the  Brttidi 
Oruids,  (evidemdy  tif  the  same  family,)  are. at  once  the 
priests  and  tbe  philoeopherB  of  tiheicoui]^;  to  the  select 
number,  who«  like  the  initittted  into  the  Elensiaian  mys- 
teries, have  the  conoeeded  physical  and  moral  trudis  es- 
phufied,;  while  these  symbols  am  to  the  Eastern  mttUitade, 
wdbat  Gorrefiponding  symbols  were  to  the  Grecian  populaoe, 
the  organs  of  gross  idolatry  and  of  irrational  euperstitioB. 
Tlie  coBformBty^  however,  <n  tbe  eventer  and  lesser  myste- 
lies  «o  ceU)rated  in  antiquity,  with  the  eadsting  practicea  'Of 
India»  both  covering  morals  with  the  veil  'Of  fiction,  belh 
aimBing  the  awititude  witih  fables,  and  degeneratiDg  i|i 
ordinary  mse  inio  itiie  grossest  Ucestiousness,  sheiVB-agai^ 
the  originatioQ  of  these  moral  symbols  in  the  East. 

In  omrfbtmi^  with  this  oriental  method  of  representatioii, 
we  find  the  propfaeta  of  the  Odid  Testament  symbolinng  in 
like  manner,  virtues  and  vices,  judgments  and  deliverances, 
things  spiritual  and  futore.  it  was  the  genius  of  <d>at 
oounArf,  it  lemaiu  so,  and  it  was  evidently  transplanted 
'tbenoeio'Gi«eoe  and  Rone;  this  luxwriant  moral  viegeiar 
tinmi  spiangnig  originally  in  a  wanner  chme,  and  from  a 
richer  aoil,  tlmn  Snope  x^ould  boast.  The  conquerora  vA»^ 
have  successively  plundered  the  East,  have  brovght  beoie 


A  Lecture^  by  tbeRer.  Dr.  CoUyer.  11 

mcMTe  Yali]»ible  spoili  than  het  stlTef,  and  her  gdld»  sad  her 
gema;  and  Greeee  had  the  meaimead  to  atesJ  her  morabt 
and  her  philosc^y^  add  then  to  brand  her  aa  barbariav^ 
They  did  not  even  leave  behind  the  beautiful  and  many- 
coloured  rest  in  which  she  clothed  her  8yBteiii£l>  wrought  in 
the  loom  of  her  own  splendid  imagination^  and  nmigled  bfce 
tiie  radiant  hues  of  her  own  dayspring;  and  when  they  had 
deootated  themselves  with  her  intellectual  and  BEMoral  riohesy 
they  put  her  out  of  the  pale  of  their  privileged  society :  for 
if  the  ienti  batbarian  did  not  mean  with  thom,  as  wtth  Us, 
the  absence  of  civilisation — ^it  siraified  emj^hatieally,  a 
foreignet — and  drew  a  broad  line  ofdistinction  between. heir 
and  her  imperious  elislavers.  Nay,  Aridtode  justified  tha 
pelicy  whioh  then  pr&vailed^  by  laying  down  as  a  fundament 
tal  sLnd  self-evident  nuuiim^  that  *'  iCfatuxe  intended  barba** 
liahs  to  be  slaves*^ 

I  have  sUready  directed  your  attention  to  one  signifioaiiil 
symbol  employed  by  Pythagoras,  which  ykBM  the  use  of  Bali 
as  the  embleiti  of  the  union  aiid  harmony  which  ought  to 
subsist  among  the  members  of  his  phttolophical  scfaooK 
'fhls  is  so  truly  oriental^  that  it  at  once  shews  whence  it  was 
deiivedi  Salt  is  still  the  symbol  employed  in  the  East  to 
denote  the  confirmation  of  any  engagement,  and  it  remaina 
die  pledge  of  inviolable  friendship.  Treachery  woaid  be 
stigmatised  by  this  fieure :  and  as  we  sfaoteld  sar*  that  he 
who  ate  of  onr  btead  had  forgotten  us;  they  woi:dd(aiarii  the 
iacratitude  by  sayings  that  the  offender  nad  eaten  of  tha 
salt  oi  the  iajuted  pcnrty*  No  man,  of  whatever  rank,  who 
had  any  regard  to  his  charaoter,  to  public  opinion,  ot  to 
sacred  obligatioas,  nl^^uld  ventnie  to  break  a  promise  vsta*- 
biished  by  this  significant  sj^nboK  It  is  one  of  the  most 
solen^  foctes  of  mt  oath-»^the  persoa  swearing  inoeives  into 
his  month  .a  little  salt^  placed  for  that  purpose  upon  tkt 
blade  af  a  seyiateter,  imprecating  his  own  deatii,  if  lie  shall 
prove  imiaitbfai  to  his  ei^^emeat,  or  a  violator  of  trtrtilu 
Sait  stood  in  the  moat  BaGttedrelaAiotiB,a8  itwas  inscoarabia 
from  8aeri£kse»  land  the  symbol  of  covenaHts  of  the  nighest 
Qffder>  reHgioUs  as  well  aa  eivtl.  If  we  coimeot  <ihese  uaafg^s 
With  the  tfistinet  and  important  a»e  of  this  symbol  ia  tha 
i^iimh  durrch^  v^ith  whicti  Pythagoras  and  Plato  were  wiell 
aofuainted^  and  to  whieh  they  both  «ttude^  sometimes  oafting 
theih  Giliddeansv  and  sometimes  Syrians,  because  of  tha 
abhorrtaos  in  which  Ihey  held  the  Jews>  as  separating 
Aeaisekes  from  all  other  pcjcpte  by  their  atrici  and  singidat 
insititaiioriB^  and  to  oooceal  tha  focmtatatt  ^hao^a  they 


12  History  of  Ethics : 

drew  their  knowledge  of' morals  and  religion,  we  shall  dis- 
cover that  it  was  indeed  a  most  significant  emblem.  It 
implied  confederation,  as  salt  was  the  sealof  a  covenant-— 
communion,  as  it  was  a  bond  of  friendship — sanctity,  as  it 
was  inseparable  from  sacrifice — and  perpetuity,  from  its  pro- 
perties of  preservation — a  covenant  of  salt,  si^ifying  not 
only  a  confirmed  agreement,  but  an  indissoluble  engage- 
ment— the  use  of  the  symbol  in  the  sacred  writings  implying 
eternity. 

I  have  thus,  taking  my  stand  upon  the  Ethics  of 
Socrates,  looked  back  upon  the  history  of  morals,  before  his 
day,  so  far  as  it  can  be  discerned.  It  is  fairly  traced  to  the 
East,  and  I  should  not  fear,  were  this  the  time  or  the  place, 
to  enter  into  the  discussion,  to  prove  the  origination  of  the 
general  philosophy  of  all  ages,  in  revelation,  either  oral  or 
written — traditional  indeed  to  these  nations,  but  recorded 
upon  the  imperishable  pages  of  inspiration ;  and  I  advance 
this  sentiment  with  the  greater  confidence,  because  it  is  not 
out  of  order,  that  distinguished  philosopher  himself,  upon 
whose  system  of  Ethics  we  have  taken  our  stand,  referring 
all  illumination  to  the  Deity,  confessing  the  want  of  a 
divine  teacher,  and  expressing  his  confident  expectation  that 
such  an  instructor  would  appear. 

When  Socrates  devoted  the  powers  of  his  mighty  mind  to 
morals  exclusively,  it  wzs  not  from  any  conscious  deficiency 
in  the  other  branches  of  science  ana  philosophy.  It  was 
not  the  effort  of  an  uncultivated  intellect,  labouring  to  con-r 
ceal  its  literary  poverty  under  the  covering  of  an  interest  in 
moral  attainments  which  left  neither  time,  nor  taste,  for 
oth^  pursuits.  Socrates  was  rich  in  all.  He  studied  imder 
Anaxftgoras  and  Archelaus,  the  most  distinguished  physio- 
logists;  and  we  have  the  testimony  of  Plato  and  of  Xeno- 
phon,  rivals  and  opponents  on  all  other  questions,  but  agrees* 
ingin  this,  confirmed' long  after  by  the  judgment  of  Cicero, 
that  this  great  inan  was  skilled  in  all  sciences,  eminent  for 
all  learning,  distinguished  as  well  for  his  literary  acquire- 
ments as  for  his  mental  endowments,  and  that  to  whatever 
he  applied  himself,  in  that  he  was  sure  to  excel.  Such  was 
his  acknowledged  jpre-eminence,  that  he  was  pronounced 
by  the  oracle,  the  wisest  of  men.  It  arose,  then,  from  a  noble 
dtfdain  of  those  pursuits,  which,  however  ingenious  and 
applauded,  terminated  in  speculation,  or  closed  without 
producing  a  moral  benefit.  Socrates  had  one  grand  object^ 
which  was  to  reduce  philosophy  to  practice;  therefore  he 
cultivated  exclusively  the  science  of  morals,  and  bent  to  it 


A  Lecture,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  CoUyer.  13 

alike  tbe  sublime  powers  of  his  mind,  and  the  extensive 
acquisitions  which  he  had  made.  What  was,  with  philo- 
sophers preceding  him,  wrapped  up  in  dark  sayings,  he 
reduced  to  the  plainest  terms ;  what  was  with  them  inciden- 
tal and  occasional,  was  with  him  a  study,  and  the  work  of 
a  life;  a  work,  moreover,  to  which. he  finally  sacrificed  that 
life.  He  had  one  ^eat  subject— I  call  it  one,  because 
although  it  divides  jtself  into  two  parts,  these  are  insepa- 
rable ;  and  out  of  their  relation  all  morals  arise.  This  su6- 
ject  was,  the  consideration  of  God,  and  of  Man.  The  first 
was  the  object  of  his  most  intense  contemplation ;  the 
second,  he  became  acquainted  with  by  the  most  intimate 
and  familiar  conversation.  The  one  formed  the  substance 
of  his  metaphysics ;  the  other,  laid  the  basis  of  his  morals. 

PkUo  had  the  spirit  of  his  master,  but  he  covered  it  with 
his  own  magnificent  mantle.  The  Cynics,  acknowledging 
.Antisthenes  as  their  head,  imbibed  the  noble  sentiment  of 
Socrates,  that  all  philosophy  ou^ht  to  be  resolved  into 
•moral.  Whatever  coarseness  might  attach,  itself  to  their 
contempt  of  present  .things — and  Diogenes  justified  fully 
the  censure,  that  there  was  at  least  as  much  illrnature  as 
•sincerity  in.  the  sect — they  deserve  the  praise  of  regarding 
science  only  in  so  far  as  it,  can  conduce  to  the  moral  benefit 
of  man.  **  Why,"  said  this  severe  Cynic  to  an  astronomer, 
"  do  you  look  after  the  moon  and  sUirs,  and  disregard  the 
things  which  are  under  your  feet  ?"  To  another,  speculatii^ 
upon. dreams,  and  seduced  by  astrology,  (a  study,  moreover, 
which  was  .transplanted  from  Chaldea,)  he  observed  with 
pointed  indignation,  *^  You  are  curious  to  define  the  import 
of  ^our  dreams,  but  you  pay  no  regard  to  your  waking 
actions/'  **  To  liye  according  to  virtue,"  (to  kut*  apeniv  (riv,) 
was  their  grand  maxim,  as  the  very  end  of  our  being.* 
.Such  a  philosophy  deserved  to  be  separated  firom  brutality; 
such  attention  to  morals,  from  a  disregard  to  manners,  that 
-thus  their  science  might  merit  the  name  of  Ethics ;  and  such 
elevation  of  sentiment,  from  a  contempt  of  literature. 
Neither  morals  nor  religion  require  that  the  forms  of  polish- 
ed society  should  be  laid  ae^ide,  or  the  common  sympathies 
of  our  np.ture  be  renounced ;  but  both,  the  one  as  the  prin- 
ciple, aud  the  other  as  its  application,  will,  when  rightly 
received  and  exercised,  soften  the  manners,  while  they 
purify  the  heart. 

The  /S^oa^  followed  the  Cynics,  and  formed  a  close.alliance 
with  theipi,  dismissing  their  contempt  for  literature.  .  Their 

*  Gale,  yoL  ii.  h.  4.  c.  ii.  p  422. 


14  History  (^EthkMi 

htsA  muB  Zeno;  their  title  was  taken  bmd  tiiie  poroh  im 
whiok  they  ^Mt»  similar  circumstancea  giving  the  name  nf 
iU^ademiofi  to  the  school  of  Plato,  and  the  distinctive  appeL- 
latioo  of  other  sects  of  Grecian  philosopheni*  Althoieh 
diserinriBttted  by  some  pecuiiarities,  the  j^hdos  of  Ztauo  wr 
themiost  part  resembled  those  of  Socrates ;  and  Mrhile  Cicena 
is  ati  iliuatrious  disciple  of  the  Ax^ademics,  E^ictetas  is  as 
aplewlid  a  repveseBta^ve  of  the  Stoics. 

We  fldust  not  forget,  in  the  history  of  morals,  a  most 
abused  name,  Epicurus ;  a  man  whose  life  was  al9  pm^e,  ai| 
jsiis  principle  was  sound,  if  it  be  taken  in  the  sense  in  which 
he  evidenliy  proposed  it,  and  of  wi^icfa  his  whole  character 
«!«s  a  viable  mterpretation.  He  made  the  eod  ^f  life  to  he 
pleasure ;  but  he  commanded  it  to  be  sought  in  the  pedi  of 
Tirtue^  There  were  who  adopted  his  principle,  and  disre- 
garded its  operation;  who  profossing  enjoyment  as  the 
great  object  of  being,  sought  it  in  the  ^ssest  aensttality^ 
and  transasitted  the  name  of  Epieunis  mth  dishonour,  to  a 
fKNiterity  that  would  otherwise  have  done  justice  to  hispari»- 
ciples,  and  Tenerated  his  personal  chanicter»  A  man  who 
held,  that  ^  the  principal  happiness  is  in  God,'*'  thai  the 
anblimest  pleasuies  are  mental,  and  that  these  is  aii  insepan 
lahle  connexion  between  enjoyment  and  virtue;  however 
he  ooay  have  been  misconceived,  misrepresented,  tmd  tmisap- 
|died,  held  no  principles  destructive  of  morels,  nor  indiich 
wdeed  differed  widely  from  ihe  received  bases  of  Ethics.; 
Audto  these  aentimen^,  his  irreproachable  charaeter  ga^e 
ihe  most  ample  and  decided  testimony.*  The  blcmiw  in 
jiis  system  was  hit  atheietic  tenets,  which,  whenever  they 
ase  adopted,  cannot  fail  to  neutrcdise  monils.  Nothing 
-.coiuld  be  more  demonstrative  of  this  ^ct,  than  the  sdmse  <f£ 
im  own  Ethics,  and  the  immorality  of  his  own  professed 
disciples.  Those  who  adopted  his  atheism,  soon  fipsgot  im 
jQQorau;  and  avowing  pleasure  to  consist  in  sensuality, 
aaoiificed  reason  to  the  passions,  and  philosophy  to  licen- 
.tioiisness. 

Among -die^secte  of  philosophers  who  arose  a^ber  Socrates, 
riKMie  negleoted  morals,  nor  failed  to  consider  Sthics  as  a 
eoienoe,  and  to  blend  the  study  of  it  with  their  philosophy^ 
mih  the  exception  of  the  Sceptics — properiy  ^o  oalled^ecaiise 
they  doubted  of  every  thing.  The  nune  whidh  has  been 
preserved  to  an  ignoble  immortality,  in  this  connexion,  ip 
Tyrrho.  They  denied  that  truth  could  be  discovered — 
denied  that  any  thing  was  just,  or  Unjust,  moral  or  the  con- 

*  Laertivs,  aad  Gale,  vol.  il.  p.  444. 


A  Lecture,  bjf  the  Rev.  Dr.  CoUyer.  IS 

travy-'i-denied  any  rule  of  action,  and  any  end  of  bein^. 
Every  thins  wai  denied,  and  nodiing  establiahed^-every 
tking  |idilra  down,  and  nothing  built  up  in  its  room.  The 
sect,  alas,  has  not  confined  itself  to  Greece,  nor  perished 
widn  Pyrrho.  And  where  tlus  unfortunate  perversion  of 
powers,  this  obliquity  of  intellect,  obtains,  the  happiMess  of 
ike  individnal,  and  the  well-^bein^  of  society,  are  alike  endan** 
gcred.  It  is  ako  a  punmit  which  requires  neither  genius 
nor  «ttderstaiMiing.  it  is  easy  to  unravel  tibe  web  which  has 
been  wrought,  with  the  greatest  skill,  into  the  most  perfect 
beauty.  iS  is  easier  to  demolish  a  temple,  than  to  coswtruot 
a  faoveL  That  whi<ch  requires  ao  little  knowledge,  can  con^ 
fier  no  xenown ;  but  unmrtunatdy,  the  damage  to  society 
bears  no  proportion  to  the  facility  of  the  operation :  that 
which  co^»  «K)  labour,  does  neverdidiess  incaiculaible  ison 

I  h&Te  purposely  delayed  naamng  Ariiiotie  until  the  {hs<« 
sent  flMonent,  although  he  preceded  some  of  the  last^mesH 
tioned  sects  in  point  of  time^  because  of  the  entire  change 
whoi^  he  vntKMUsced  into  his  philosophy  in  sespect  mifonu 
Under  this  distsngsaicdied  leader,  the  Peripatetics  ranged 
liieuiselves*  His  mighty  and  isomprehensive  genius  •em- 
bmced  aH«iils3<ects«  We  find  htm  in  all  the  walks  ofscienccr*^ 
Physics,  Metaphysics,  Bthics,  all  oooupied  his  sttentMia* 
What  profession  does  not  tsace  some  of  its  dsments  to  has 
indactfy  and  talents  ?  luTespeot  of  the  subjectinimedia^eljy 
voder  loonsideration,  his  principles  were  «ubaitaBtiaUy  those 
of  Soorates ;  but  he  changed  tne  whole  -order  of  commusi* 
cation,  and  razed  the  usages  of  M.  antiquity.  The  gfeai 
pnncijde  which  he  established  was,  tibiat  nolhtitg  .should  'be 
taken  from  tradition,  bat  every  thing  demonstrated  by 
reaiBon.  The  eatablvshment  of  this  prtuoiple  caused  mem  to 
lose^sightof  tiie  origination  of  llhat  very  philosophy  which 
be  hnd  himself  embraced.  All  Gseeoe  feeeived  her  infoiana'c 
tion  f«om  trndifcion,  or  ratherfrom  those  who  had  tfaemsehnos 
so  'gattbered  it.  Her  dependence  upon  the  East,  thei04Nin* 
tiy  of  (tradition,  was  evident  from  uie  forms  in  which  she 
clothed  her  precepts,  and  which  she  borrowed,  with  the 

Srino^ples  tnemselvieB.  With  -perfect  consistency,  when 
iriistotle  Defused  tradition,  he  decried  the  symbolical  <madb 
of  instruction.  With  hdm  originated  those  dogieal  subtile 
ttesyand  those  metaphysioal  disquisitions,  which  captivated 
and  distinguished  the  schoolmen,  so  many  centuries  afifcer^p 
wavds^  andimpeded  the  progress  of  knowledge,  while  they 
assumed  her  name— -banished  the  substance,  while  Uiey 


16  History  of  Ethics : 

worshipped  the  shadow,  until  the  immortal  Lord  Bacott 
arose,  and  once  more  appealing  to  nature  and  to  truth, 
emancipated  philosophy  from  the  trammels  of  hypothesis,, 
and  placed  her  upon  the  immoveable  basis  of  experiment. 

Such  were  the  principal  Grecian  philosophers,  and  such 
their  modes  of  moral  instruction,  oocrates  being  still  the 
central  point.    The  Romans  conquered  Greece,  and  learned 
her  philosophy*    The  illuutrious  names  of  Cicero,  Seneca^ 
Pliny,  and  others  no  less  distinguished,  (for  who  can  enu*- 
merate  the  stars  in  that  constellation,  of  every  thing  majes*- 
tic  and  imperishable,  comprised  in  the  eternal 'name  of 
Rome  ?)  confessed  these  Grecian  sages  to  be  their  masters, 
and  manifested  towards  them  all  the  warm  affections  of 
disciples.    After  the  fall  of  the  Roman  empire,  an  awful 
blank  occurs  in  the  history  of  morals ;  and  it  was  not  until 
ages  elapsed,  that  the  fountains  of  ancient  philosophy  were 
again  broken  up,  and  syllogistic  wrangUngs  yielded  to  the 
new  impressions  received  from  systems  which  had  been  long 
forgotten,  but  not  one  of  whose  immortal  features  time. had 
been  able  to  injure,  although  he  had  succeeded  for  some 
centuries  in  obscuring  them.    The  immediate  effects  of  this 
restoration  of  the  old  philosophy  to  the  light  of  day,  I  have 
already  anticipated.    The  disciples  of  the  Grove,  of  the 
Stoa,  and  of  tne  Lyceum,  could  not  more  eagerly  .contend 
for  the  characteristic  distinctions  of  their  schools,  than  did 
these  new  Academics,  Stoics,  Peripatetics,  for  the  respec- 
tive dogmas  of  antiquity.    The  results  of  Bacon's  bold  and 
steady  investigation  overthrew  the  whole  system  of  physics, 
and  opened  the  path  of  knowledge  before  the  pupil  of 
science,  broad  and  unobstructed.    In  respect  of  Ethics,  the 
event  was  far  different.    The  very  freedom  of  inquiry  which 
demonstrated  the  physical  absurdities  of  antiquity,  displayed 
to  the  ^eatest  advantage  the  general  grandeur  and  truth  of 
its  Ethics.    And  it  would  be  injustice  to  the  greieit  nances 
which  have  been  produced,  not  to  confess,  that  of  all  the 
modem  systems  ot  Ethics,  not  one  is  to  be  found  which 
does  not,  directly  or  indirectly,  emanate  from  the  principles 
of  one  or  other  of  the  schools. 

I  grant  all  the  advantages  arising  from  our  nearer  approxi- 
mation to  the  eternal  rountain  of  light  and  trutn — and 
this  is  a  superiority  for  which  I  shall  contend,  before  the 
present  course  of  Lectures  closes — ^but  the  general  princi- 
ples were  derived  from  tradition,  approved  and  adopted  by 
these  illustrious  minds,  and  have  received,  with  the  applause 
of  ages,  the  sanctipn  of  modern  mo^ltlists.    I  never  read 


A  Lecture,  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Colly er.  17 

the  Offices  of  Cicero,  without  feeling  that  Grotius,  Puffen- 
dorf,  and  some  of  our  brightest  luminaries,  have  borrowed 
no  small  portion  of  their  splendour  from  this  brilliant  orb. 
And  while  some  of  our  professed  writers  on  Ethics  have 
adopted  the  characteristic  distinctions  of  the  respective' 
schools,  as  their  fancy,  or  their  judgment,  guided  them: 
there  have  been  found  those,  who  nave  not  scrupled  to 
patronize  the  principles  of  Pyrrho,  and  to  attempt  to  bring' 
again  the  shadows  of  scepticism  over  the  dayspring  of 
revelation.  They  have  imbibed  the  atheism  of  Epicurus 
witiiout  his  morals ;  and  employed  the  sophistry  of  Stilpo,  to 
establish  the  laxities  of  Protagoras.  Of  this  unhappy  class 
is  the  theory  of  Hobbes,  whose  metaphysical  atneism, 
exposed  by  various  writers,  has  been  combated  by  hone' 
more  successfully  than  by  the  learned  and  distinguished 
Cndworth,  supported  by  Dr.* Clarke  and  Dr.  Price.  Lord 
Shaftesbury  and  Hutcheson  take  other  grounds,  into  the 
detail  of  which  it  does  not  comport  with  a  simple  histori^cal 
sketch,  such  as  is  the  present  Lecture,  to  enter.  These 
were  followed  by  Mr.  Hume ;  contemporary  with  him,  &.nd 
since  his  day,  we  have  had  a  Butler,  a  Paley^  a  Priestley^ 
a  Hartley,  a  Smith,  a  Cogan,  a  Stewart,  a  Ueid — some  of 
whom  are  spared  to  the  world  of  letters,  while  others  have 
passed  away  with  former  generations.  I  have  mentioned 
these  slightly,  and  have  omitted  others,  because  they  will 
come  before  us  in  their  order  hereafter,  when  their  principles 
«hall  demand  investigation.  Having  conducted  the  history 
of  morals  dawn  to  modern  times,  I  m^  close  the  outline 
which  1  have  attempted,  and  not  intrdde  any  further  obser- 
vations upon  facts  which  are  generally  known,  and  names 
aniversaUy  familiar,  whose  merits,  as  morialists,  will  be  the 
subjects  of  future  discussion. 

ft  was  the  ^reat  object  of  Socrates  to  lead  the  coijten^- 
pkrions  of  his  school  to  the  Deity.  From  his  Being,  and 
our  relation  to  him,  he  argued  moral  obligations ;  and  iin^ 
pelled  by  a  sense  of  duty  so  arising,  he  reduced  speculative 
philosophy  to  practice ;  and  renouncing  those  disputations^ 
whidi  V^re  merely .  intelleptual,  or  related  to  science  fis 
irrespective  of  any  active  result,  he  bent  the  whole  force  of 
his  rigorous  mincj  to  render  men  wiser,  better,  and  therefore 
happier,  than  he  found  them.  He  referred  them  to  the 
Deity  as  the  fountain  of  good — to  his  will,  as  the  grand  rule 
of  morals.  He  said  expressly,  that  "  virtue  came  by  Divine 
inspiration  ;*'  and  whatever  we  are  to  understand  by  that 
mysterious  demon,  which  he  affirmed  constantly  intimated 

VOL.  Vill. — NO.  1,  c 


18  History  of  Ethics: 

to  him  what  he  should  or  should  not  do,  it  is  evident  in 
generals  that  this  professed  and  supernatural  impulse  was 
part  of  his  adopted  system,  that  referred  all  things  excel- 
lent in  man  to  the  iJivine  Being.  It  was  this  conviction 
that  induced  him  to  devote  himself  to  the  study  of  morals,  in 
preference  to  any  other  branch  of  science ;  and  which  im- 
parted that  purity  and  sublimity  to  his  Ethics,  which  dis- 
tinguished him  above  all  other  philosophers. 

I  call  Socrates  the  first  who  reduced  morals  to  system^ 
only  by  courtesy,  as  he  was  the  first  among  heathen  philo- 
sapners  who  effected  this;  by  that  kind  of  courtesy  too, 
which  has,  in  my  opinion,  been  carried  too  far,  and  deprived 
the  Bible  of  its  due  rank  in  the  world  of  science,  its  just 
share  in  the  discussion  of  morals,  not  to  say,  the  fair  claim 
of  having  be^n  the  first,  as  well  in  point  of  antiquity  as  of 
success,  m  the  field  of  Ethics.  It  has  every  way  the  supe- 
riority over  the  system  of  Socrates,  as  over  every  other ;  and 
it  is  shameful  cowardice  in  the  friends  of  revelation  to  dismiss 
so  lightly  its  pretensions  in  connexion  with  the  great  ques- 
tion of  morals,  when  no  pains  are  spared  on  the  part  of  those 
writers  on  Ethics  who  deny  its  authority,  to  nullify  its 
influence  on  the  subject.  The  same  delicacy  is  not 
pbswved  on  the  part  of  those  who  would  exclude  it  from 
the  moral  code,  and  they  at  least  set  us  the  example  of 
boldly  speaking  out  those  sentiments  which  we  hold  in 
respect  of  its  claims.  If  it  shall  hereafter  appear,  that  this 
book  stands  closely  allied  with  Ethics ;  that  it  states  clearer 
principles,  furnishes  more  certain  rules,  and  produces  more 
extended  and  decided  results,  than  any  other  system  of  morals 
which  has  yet  appeared — ^to  pass  it  over,  as  unworthy  atten- 
tion— ^to  yield  its  superiority,  without  investi^ting  the 
ground  on  which  it  is  assumed — to  dismiss  it,  without 
observing  the  stand  which  it  takes — is  not  merely  treating 
the  book  without  candour,  but  doing  the  subject  itself 
irreparable  injustice. 

Should  its  inspiration  be  disputed,  or  even  denied,  its 
system  of  Ethics  lies  before  us  for  examination,  in  common 
with  that  of  Socrates,  or  of  any  other  philosopher,  and  has 
at  least  an  eijual  right  to  be  heard,  and  equal  claims  to 
respect.  It  is  abundantly  more  ancient  than  any  other 
system.  It  is  the  code  whence  most  of  the  principles  of 
jurisprudence  have  been  taken,  and  from  which  all  law- 

fivers  have  borrowed  the  substance  of  their  legislation, 
iven  the  moral  system  of  Socrates  proceeds  upon  princi- 
ples which  may  be  distinctly  traced  to  a  scriptural  origin^ 


A  Lecture,  by  the  Rev.  Jit,  Collyer.  19 

«nd  the  way  in  wbkh  it  was  derived  may  be  easily  conceived, 
after  what* has  been  said  respecting  tiie  deduction  of  Gre- 
eian  philosophy  frooi  Eastern  nations,  and  by  the  confession 
of  Plato  from  the  Syrians.    Socrated  laid  down  four  great 
principles,   whi^h  were    obviously  the   same  with  those 
established  in  the  Bible;  and  as  he  flourished  a  century 
and  a  half  later  than  the  destruction  of  the  Jewish  empire  by 
Nebuchadnezzar,  it  is  evident  with  whom  the  principles, 
ccsmmon  to  both,  originated.    These  four  leading  sentiments 
were.  First,  the  spiritual,  infinite,  and  eternal  nature  of 
Deity,  together  with  the  doctrine  of  his  unity,  for  whicll 
this  distinguished  man  may  be  said  to  have  died  a  martyr. 
This  is  the  grand  doctrine  of  t&e  Scriptures.    Secondly,  the 
corruption  of  human  nature,  (kokov  efttpvrov,  &c.)  a  fundamen- 
tal foct*  affirmed  at  the  very  con^encement  of  the  Jewish 
records.    Thirdly,  a  native  blindness  in  which  all  men  are 
enveloped ;  the  natural  result  of  the  former  principle,  if  that 
be  conceded,  and  constantly  insisted  upon  in  the  HebreW 
writings.    Fourthly,  that  virtue  was  not  attainable  by  nature 
or  art,  but  is  the  product  of  a  Divine  inspiration ;  an  opinion 
which  has  been  eeneralljr  considered  peculiar  to  tlie  volume 
of  revelation.    These  things  Socrates  asserted  as  the  basis 
of  his  philosophy;  and  they  are  so  allied  to  the  sentiments 
h^d  by  the  Hebrews,  that  one  can  scarcely  fail  of  the  con- 
clifsion,  that  they  were  traditionally  derived  thence,  through 
some  of  the  channels  opened  by  l^e  Phenicians,  or  acquiml 
by  the  personal  intercourse  of  ilh^  principarl  sa?es  of  ureece 
themselv^,  with  the  oriental  nation^r.    If,  therefore,  thd 
principles  of  the  greatest  of  the  Healfheh  philosophers  ap- 
pear to  be  borrowed  from  the  Scriptures ;  or  if  it  be  only 
evident,  that  there  is  a  striking  coincidence  between  the 
Ethics  of  Solvates  and  the  doctrines  and  precepts  of  liie 
Bible,  in  giving  the  history  of  morak,  it  was  impossible  to 
overlook  the  latter;  and  if  it  be  at  dl  noticed,  its  native 
grandeur  will  not  fail  to  entitle  it  to  rank  first  in  the  scale 
of  moral  disquisitions. 

These  rematks  will  have  tenfold  weight,  if  they  are  applied 
to  the  New  Testament,  where  the  superiority  of  its  moral 
system  is  so  striking,  that  it  is  maintained  with  the  most 
affecting  eloquence  by  Rousseau  himself,  in  the  person  of 
a  Savoyard  priest,  and  in  a  work  in  which  it  Was  evidently 
intended  that  the  imaginary  speaker  should  convey  the 
sentiments  of  the  philosophical  author.  He  states  justly, 
that  Socrates,  who  had  been  considered  by  some  as  the 
inventor  of  moralily,  was  in  fact,  which  we  have  now 


20  On  the  Results  of  Artp 

represented  him,  only  the  first  who  reduced  it  to  sysfem 
among  the  Greeks  ]  and  he  supports  this  remarkf  by  produ- 
cing some  splendid  examples  of  justice,  patriotism,  tempe-^ 
ranee,  and  the  moral  virtues,  as  practised  long  before  he  had 
framed  his  scheme  of  Ethics.  He  maintains  a  superiority 
80  great  on  the  part  of  the  Son  of  Mary,  over  the  Son  of 
Sophronisca,  that  it  will  not  admit  of  a  comparison  between 
them  :  and,  to  use  his  own  words,  he  confessed,  that  *'  the 
majesty  of  the  Scriptures  filled  him  with  admiration,  and 
that  the  sanctity  of  tne  gospel  addressed  itself  tp  his  b^art/' 
f  f  Rousseau  thus  thought  and  spake  of  the  moral  system  of 
the  Bible;  if  he  could  add,  that  **  the  works  of  philosophers, 
with  all  their  affectation  of  greatness,  appeared  to  him 
mean,  when  compared  with  that  volume ;"  I  repeat,  it  would 
liave  been  inexcusable  indeed,  on  my  part,  to  have  passed  it 
by  unnoticed,  in  professing  to  give  a  history  of  morals. 

If  it  be  important  to  learn  the  crude  elements,  out  of 
which  mighty  empires  have  been  composed;,  ifit  be  inte- 
resting to  trace  grand  political  results  to  their  secret  source, 
a  source  sometimes  as  obscure  as  the  effects  are  tremendous 
and  astonisliing;  if  nothing  is  indifferent  which  associates 
itself  with  the  faculties  of  men,. and  points  out  the  march  of 
intellect;  if  we  caimot  contemplate  the  sublime  operations  of 
human  skill  and  industry,  without  being  anxious  to  ascertain 
by  what  mind  they  were  conceived,  an5  Uy  what  hand  they, 
were  executed,  that  the  immortality  of  the  artist  may  be  co- 
extended  with  that  of  his  work — a  nobler  principle  than 
curiosity  impels  us  to  learn  the  history  of  morala.  When 
the  pyramids  of  E^pt  shall  be  covered  with  the  siands  of 
the  desert  which  drift  upon  them,  or,  yielding  at  last  to  that 
influence  of  time  which  they  have  so  long  resisted,  even 
these  stupendous  monuments  of  ancient  science  shall  sink 
under  the  weight  of  accumulated  ages,  the  structure  of 
morals,  whose  S)undations  are  laid  in  eternity,  shall  rear  it9' 
awful  head  in  the  heavens ;  and,  standing  unmoved  amidst 
the  shock  of  elements,  surviving  the  dissolution  of  nature,* 
remain  alone,  majestic,  and  uninjured,  surrounded  by  the 
wrecks  of  the  material  universe. 


On  the  Results  of  Art,  as  connected  with  tine  Happiness  of  the 

Human  Race  in  general^ 

The  progress  of  Invention  and  Discovery,  the  results  of 
human  Art^  and  the  transactions  of  mankind,  have  been 


as  ca^mected  with  Human  Happiness.  3^1- 

generally  viewed  through  a  medium,  too  partial  and  patti-^ 
cular,  not  sufficiently  generalized,  and  either  too  sanginine, 
too  despondent,  or  too  disdainful.  There  have  been  som^ 
gloomy  prophets,  who,  with  melancholy  broodings,  have 
predicted  the  ruin  and  downfall  of  every  thing  terrestrial ; 
who  are  constantly  pointing  to  the  ages  of  excellence, 
ages  long  gone  by,  and  moralizing;  upon  the  degeneracy  of 
recent  times ;  who  pronounce  every  innovation  pernicious,  and 
every  deviation  from  the  past,  an  approximation  to  ruin ! 

On  the  other  hand,  we  have  dreams  of  human  pterfectibi" 
lity ;  of  an  indefinite  and  interminable  advancement  towards 
perfection,  though  never  to  be  attained.  Here  every  step 
18  an  improvement,  every  change  beneficial — all  science  is 
progressing^  every  art  advancing — ^virtue  is  triumphant,  and 
vice  abashed  and  diminished !  In  a  word,  ''  the  world  is 
grown  honest.''  Again,  we  have  had  pictures  drawn  of  the 
golden  age ;  yet  the  best  authority  has  told  us^  that  the  first 
man  who  was  bom  into  the  world  slew  the  second,  and  it  has 
rather  provokingly  been  asked,  when  were  the  times  of  sim- 
plicity, of  innocence,  and  of  peace? 

Rousseau,  in  his  first  memorable  production,  contended, 
that  the  savage  state  was  more  happy  than  the  civilized. 
This  was  undoubtedly  a  paradox,  Ue  reasoned  from  false? 
premises ;  his  description  of  savage  nature  was  disguised 
and  decorated  in  the  flowing  periods  of  his  matchless  elo-* 
quence,  whilst  the  picture  of  cultivated  man  was  distorted 
and  caricatured  by  the  pencil  of  exaggeration.  His  defini- 
tion of  Happiness  might,  also,  require  some  critical  exami- 
nation, and  probably  very  few  would  agree  in  its  accuracy. 

It  is  not  oy  any  means  certain,  that  man  ever  did  live  in 
ti  purely  savage  state.  Either  we  must  believe  the  account 
presented  in  the  sacred  writings,  which  describes  man  as 
created,  and  created  perfect;  or  we  must  believe  that  he 
existed  through  all  eternity — ^there  is  no  choice,  no  medium 
between  the  two.  If,  then,  man  was  created  perfect,  where 
is  the  evidence  of  his  primitive  ignorance?  If  he  existed 
from  all  eternity,  is  it  reasonable  to  conclude  that  it  was 
reserved  for  the  present,  or  any  recent  period,  to  discover 
the  important  knowledge  of  the  means  of  happiness? 

There  are,  indeed,  abundant  statements  to  be  found  in  the 
books  of  travellers,  of  men  who  live,  even  now,  in  a  state 
very  different  to  that  which  we  term  civilized.  But  the  wh6le 
subject  is  one  of  the  most  vague  and  indefinite  description/ 
It  is,  at  the  best,  entirely  comparative :  we  know  of  no  me» 
who  are  absolutely  and  strictly  uncivilized.  Th|^  Romans  used 


20  On  the  RestdtB  of  Art, 

to  call  all  the  rest  of  the  world  ''  barbafiiep^/'  anf]  justified 
their  wars  under  the  pretence  of  introdpcing  civilization  in 
the  train  of  conqueat*  Those  who  compose  a  society, 
state^  or  dan,  and  live  nnder  the  dominion  of  aoci^l  tiea, 
however  limited  in  extent,  are  so  far  civilised.  They  are 
influenced  by  the  wishes  and  approbation  of  each  pther ; 
they  learn  from  experience,  however  rude  and  confined,  some 
principles  of  moral  and  social  order,  and  some  knowledge  of 
the  distinctions  between  right  and  wrong.  In  the  very 
lowest  state  of  human  society;  out  of  th^  common  association 
in  the  cdms€;»  or  in  the  mean$  of  pbtaij»ing  subsistence,  there 
would  arise  something  resembling  concert  and  order.  But 
the  number  of  those  who  have  been  found  in  this  rude  con* 
ditiop.  is  comparatively  few,  and  unworthy  of  estimation  v^ 
any  general  viqw  of  human  society ;  and  it  is  obvious  to 
femark>  that  the  advantages  of  refinement  being  unknown 
in  the  ruder  $^s,  they  would  be  und^8ired>  and  their 
absence  consequently  unregretted.  Our  present  happiness 
ia  never  affected  by  any  unascertained  good,  which  may  be 
discovered  in  the  lapse  of  future  time.  But,  leaving  this 
point  as  a  matter  in  dispute*  the  leading  proposition  intended 
to  be  maintained,  is,  that  no  arts,  inventions,  discoveries,  09 
attainments  of  mankind,  ofwfnck  we.can  trace  thej&rst  em^t&ue, 
^  which  can  be  claimed  by  any  particular  ag^,  have  ii^ 
cueased  the  general  stock  of  human  happii^ess,  AH  tlmt 
those,  arts  ai3  attainments  have  done,  has  been  merely  to 
chmgty  not  to  intproye,  the  Sitate  or  condition  of  hunian 
existence,  to  vary  it  in  seme  particular  features,  to  modify 
and  refeshion  old  customs  and  habits,  and  by  new  combina* 
tions  and  manners,  to  alter  the  external  aspect  and  mere 
surface  of  artificial  life* — It  will  not  be  necessary  to  review 
the  two  extremes  of  human  society,  to  contrast  the  supposed 
period  when  nature  existed  in  all  its  wild)nese>  and  when  art 
](»  asserted  to  have  been  yet  unborn*  with  that  er«^  in  which 
the  latter  had  attained  its  greatest  eminence.  We  may 
observe,  however,  in  passing,  that  the  advocates  o£  the  high 
benefits  derived  from  human  acquisitions^  very  natumSy 
select  the  most  favourable  period  and  country  upon  which 
to  found  their  argument.  On  the  other  hand,  they  would 
drive  us  to  choose  the  opposite  extreme  of  imputed  barba- 
rity ;  but  the  existence  or  both  extremes,  is  questionahle. 
Let  us,  however,  alk>w  that  some  few  indiTiduals,  unfa- 
vourably circumstanced,  may  experience  the  misery  arising 
firom  a  total  ignorance  of  the  arts  of  life.  Allow  that 
others,  *'  happily  boirn,"  derive  superior  enjoyment  from  the 


as  connected  vyith  Human  Happiness.  23 

possession  of  all  the  refinements  of  poKshed  society.  These, 
surely,  are  not  the  results  of  human  art,  at  tvhich  there  can 
be  any  canse,  or  reason,  to  rejoice — one  person  in  a  hundred 
thousand  rendered  happier  than  the  rest  of  the  species. 
This  is  a  noble  result,  worthy  of  the  exultation  of  the  patriot 
and  philanthropist ! 

It  IS,  however,  no  fair  consideration  of  the  general  ques- 
tion, to  contrast  the  two  extremes.    Let  us  vitew  the  ageft 
described  in  the  pages  of  Homer  and  Ossian,  or  in  the 
historians  of  the  earliest  times,  and  compare  those  periods 
with  the  supreme  elevation  of  moderfi  refinement.    Look  at 
the  time  when  literature  scarcely  existed,  when  every  thing 
mental  Was  centred  in  the  songs  of  the  bard,  the  mini^treC 
and  the  prophet ;  when  there  was  some  splendour  and  maff- 
nificence,  but  little  taste  or  elegance ;  wnen  there  was  evi- 
dent abundance,  but  little  luxury — yet  when  there  were 
the  same  distinctions  amongst  men  ad  in  the  present  period^ 
the  same  gradations  of  rank,  the  same  inequalities  of  wealth, 
and  the  same  varied  degrees  of  renown — when  there  were, 
also,  the  same  kindred  and  social  ties,  and  when  the  same 
passions,  feelings,  and  faculties  existed  as  at  the  presettt 
day.-^There  was  a  period  Which  might  be  callefd  the  empire 
of  the  sword.    In  that  age,  valour  was'  the  chief  quality  id 
estimation,  and  it  consequently  attained  the  highest  reward. 
Comparatively  speaking,  there  now  exists  over  a  large  part 
of  the  habitable  ^obe,  the  reign  of  mind.    The  mode  by 
which  it  governs  is  opinion,  and  talent  is  now  the  chief 
quality  in  request ;  yet  infiuence,  i^ot  reason,  is  the  ageilt 
by  which  its  purposes  are  effected. 

In  rude  ages  mankind  obtained  their  objects  by  physical, 
not  mental,  force :  hence  it  followed,  that  strength,  activity; 
and  bravery,  were  so  highlv  estimable.  In  polished  times, 
wealth,  public  opinion,  and  influence,  in  general,  bear  sway; 
yet  the  object,  at  both  periods,  is  the  same — to  enable  the 
few  to  govern,  perhaps,  sometimes,  to  enslave,  the  many. 

The  criterion  by  which  we  may  try  the  value  of  human 
art,  and  of  all  that  it  has  accomplished,  is  the  degree  of  hap- 
piness which  has  resulted  to  mankind  in  general.  There  is 
no  test,  except  this,  by  which  we  can  ascertain  the  merit  of 
any  production.  Every  thing  should  be  estimated  by  the 
quantum  of  innocent  pleasure  it  affords  to  the  human  race. 
All  art  and  science  is  encouraged  in  proportion  as  it  admi- 
nisters to  the  real,  or  supposed,  satisfaction  and  convenience 
of  society.  The  encouragement  is  sometimes  fastidious, 
and  ill-placed,  but  it  always  assumes   the  existence  of 


24  On  the  Results  of  Art, 

practical  good.  No  one  i»  such  a  Bedlamite  as  to  like  what 
does  not  please  bim.  But  it  is  just  possible^,  tbat  be  may 
affect  to  be  pleased*  when  he  is  not  really  so — that  he  jnay 
be  regulated  in  his  choice^  and  in  the  clamour  of  his  ap*- 
plause*  by  the  opinion  of  others* 

It  has  always  been  considered  extremely  difficult  to  define 
happiness.  The  difference  of  opinion  has  obviously  arisen 
from  the  variety  of'  means  whicn  each  person  requires  to 
constitute  his  own;  but,  by  whatever  meaus  it  may  be  pro* 
duced,  all  will  allow  that  it  consists  in  agreeable  thoughts  and 
sensations.  In  other  words,  we  are  happy  when  we  are, 
thoroughly  pleased.  Now  all  the  faculties  and  feelings,  on 
the  exercise  of  which  happiness  is  dependent,  were  of  the 
sanie  nature  and  extent,  in  the  earliest  times,  as  they  are  at 
present.  The  objects  by  which  they  were  aroused,  may  be. 
chianged  or  altered^  or  differently  modified,  but  the  capacity 
for  happiness  remains  the  same.  There  is  the  same  amount 
of  pleasure  and  pain,  the  same  amount  of  hope  and  fear,  the 
same  amount  oi  expectation  and  disappointment;  and  it 
would  appear,  therefore,  that  the  elements  being  the  same, 
and  the  general  combination  of  those  elements  being  similar^ 
there  must,  with  the  exception  of  some  slight  modincations, 
be  a  corresponding  result. 

Leaving  this  general  view  of  the  subject,  let  us  ask  what 
portion  01  mankind  is  it,  whose  happiness  has  been  improved 
by  the  progressive  advances  of  art  i  Are  those  who  possess 
great  capacity  and  most  exquisite  feeling,  in  possession  of  higher 
or  more  numerous  means  of  enjoyment  ?  They  were  equally 
gratified  in  the  rudest  times,  as  in  the  most  refined.  The 
heroes  of  Homer  and  Ossian  were  as  much  elated  with  their 
distinctions  as  the  most  gifted  moderns :  they  possessed 
equal  objects  of  ambition.  The  plumed  warrior,  who  drag- 
ged his  captives  at  his  chariot  wheels,  received  as  loud  and 
swelling  a  shout  of  human  applause,  as  ever  greeted  the 
ear  of  a  modern  orator  or  a  modern  statesman.  If  refinement 
has  increased  the  number  offactitious  gratifications  to  those 
who  possess  great  sensibility,  who  have  more  softness  of 
heart  than  energy  of  head;  if  it  enables  them 

"  To  fill  the  languid  pause  with  finer  joy,** 

the  same  refinement  has  created,  with  its  gratifications* 
endless  wants — with  more  numerous  expectations,  more 
numerous  disappointments — with  a  greater  variety  of  amuse* 
ments  and  pleasures,  a  correspondent  share  of  languor, 
pain,  andvexatipn. 


a$  connected,  mth  Human  Happiness,  25 

Therq  is  certainly-  a  large  portion  of  mankind  who  are  not 
much  visited  with  Uie  delicate  susceptibilities  to  which  we 
lutve  adverted.  They  are  in  the  lowest  class.  They  have 
been  the  most  numerous  and  most  oppressed  in  all  ages  and 
in  all  countries.  It  will  not  be  contended  that  art  or  inven- 
tion has  done  much  for  them*  Will  any  one  say,  that  *'  the 
lean  unwashed  artificer/'  the  pallid  mechanic,  or  the  squal- 
Hd  manufacturer^  who  crowd  the  great  towns  and  cities  of 
modem  refinement — will  any  one  assert  that  these  are  supe- 
rior in  thought  or  sensation  to  even  a  wild  manof  thewoods^ 
to  the  intrepid  and  fiery  savage,  to  him  who  depends  on  his 
bow  and  his  arrow,  or  on  t£e  bounties  of  a  fertile  though 
uncultivated  soil? — or  will  you  analyze  the  gratifications  of 
the  vassal  of  a  military  cliieftain,  or  a  feudal  lord,  and  com- 
Mjre  him  either  with  the  former  or  with  the  latter?  If  art 
ni^  .the  convenience  of  its  cities,  nature  bestows  the  flow- 
ing health  of  its  fields,  the  inspiring  brightness  and  sublunity 
of  its.  prospects,  its  endless  grandeur,  and  its  exhaustless 
variety. 

Happiness,  as  we  hiive  seen,  consists  in  agreeable  thoughts 
and  sensations.  But  these  thoughts  and  sensations  must 
have  con^spondent  n]^ans  and  causes.  Many  of  our  agree- 
able sensatipn^  may  be  vecy  easily  traced  to  the  cornucopia 
of  plenty.  Famine  is  not  so  well  adapted  to  afford  plea- 
sure, nor  is  the  prospect  of  it  even  in  the  very  lap  of  ease  an 
agreeaUe  thought.  The  means  of  subsistence  administer  to 
the  appetites  and  the  gratification  of  the  senses.  Now,  in  all 
ages,  the  means  of  subsistence  are  nearly  equal.  The  sup- 
ply is  generally  proportioned  to  tl^  demand.  No  one  age 
can  in  this  respect,  boast  much  over  another.  There  haa 
been  occasional  famine  and  disaster  at  all  periods. 

But  agreeable  thoughts  and  sensations  are  produced,  in  a 
considerable  degree,  by  the  approbation  and  sympathy  of  our 
fellow-beings.  The  praise  of  the  praiseworthy  is  a  fit  and 
meritorious  object  of  ambition.  We  never  act  without 
motive,  and  the  applause  of  the  good  and  wise  is  a  powerful 
incetntive  to  action;  but  the  approbation  of  men  is  not 
always  sufficiently  discriminating.  It  sometimes  adminis- 
ters to  the  petty  follies  of  vanity,  it  sometimes  arouses  the 
malice  of  envy,  it  sometimes  swells  the  selfishness  of  pride^ 
an4  it  flpn^ietiines  gratifies  the  ignoble  ambition  of  possessing 
qualities  in  themselves  utterly  valueless,  and  often  perni- 
cious, though  admired  because  of  rare  and  difficult  attain* 
ment.  But  this  approbation  and  sympathy  of  our  fellow- 
beings  is  not  the  result  of  art,  or  a  discovery  that  belongs 


26  On  the  Results  of  Art, 

to  any  particular  age,  much  less  to  any  recent  one.    Men 
have  sought  for  applause^  and  have  been  applauded,  ina)!' 
ages,  and  the  amount  of  this  desirable  object  has  been  tbe* 
same  throughout  all  time.    The  attainments  which  have 

Eroduced  it  have,  indeed,  been  diflTerent.  Circumstances 
ave  changed  the  means  by  which  it  was  obtained^  but 
have  neither  increased  or  diminished  its  value  or  ext^t. 
At  one  period  superior  skill  in  hunting,  or  in  war,  has  beew 
the  supposed  perfection  of  the  human  character, — at  another, 
excellence  in  the  fine  arts,  in  science,  in  literature,  *'  beariv 
the  palm  alone."  The  civilian  then  surpasses  the  wamor, 
and  "  the  gown  triumphs  over  the  sword ;"  yet  this  is  ai 
mere  change  of  the  means — the  end  remains  the  same-^thef 
path  of  the  race  is  altered,  but  the  goal  stands  immutable. 

The  accumulation  of  facts,  the  extension  of  what  is  €alle4 
knowledge,  is  esteemed  by  many  as  incontrovercibly  advan^ 
tageous  to  the  human  race.  It  would  be  as  unnecessary,  ai^ 
laborious,  to  walk  the  extensive  round  of  the  sciences.  la 
few  words,  however,  we  may  advert  to  two  of  them^  and 

I)robably  in  the  selection  it  will  not  be  alleged,  th^t  the 
east  important,  or  the  most  easily  depreciat^,  have  beefi 
chosen.  Astronomy  and  chemistry  ate  among  the  too^ 
eminent  of  the  sciences.  The  one,  as  it  were,  grasping 
within  its  range  the  whole  material  universe,  and  me  oihet 
analyzing  the  nature  even  of  its  minutest  particle.  The 
one  calculated  to  fill  the  mind  of  the  sublimest  genius,  and 
the  other  to  occupy  the  attention  of  the  most  inquisitive  and 
active  observer. 

To  some  few  persons  it  is  doubtless  satisfactory,  that  the 
solar  system  has  been  so  well  explained.  It  is  undoubtedly 
true,  that  when  the  mind  is  contemplating  the  stupendous 
nature  of  that  system,  it  derives  a  high  and  positive  gratifi- 
cation. But  this  is  a  pleasure  enjoyed  cmly  by  a  few,  and 
if  the  thought  which  we  are  now  examining  had  never 
existed,  who  is  prepared  to  say,  that  the  happiness  of  tbos^ 
few  cultivated  minds  would  nave  been  less  ?  The  same 
mind  that  is  occupied  in  the  admiration  of  the  system  thus 
developed,  would  not  have  been  vacant.  It  woura  have  been 
filled  by  some  other  thought,  and  it  is  the  exertion  cf  She 
faculty  that  constitutes  the  pleasure.  Besides,  it  is  by  no 
means  clear  that  the  explanation  of  tiie  theory  of  the  tm^ 
verse  is,  in  itself,  an  object  of  much  pleasure.  The  fyt 
greater  part  of  the  agreeable  thought  is  made  up  of  that  t6 
which  we  are  not  indebted  to  art.  It  consists  in  the  posi- 
tive pleasure  we  derive,  first,  from  the  exertion  oft^  mental 


as  cofineet^  with  Human  Haziness,  27 

power;  and  secondly^  of  the  corporeal  organ;  and  the  ein-> 
ploymeni  of  the  latter  depends  on  tliat  6ood  of  light  which 
IS  ev^ry.  where  poured  on  the  visual  sense.  What  satisfac* 
tion  would  a  blind  man  have  in  contemplating  the  abstract 
theory  of  the  univi^rse  ?  Independent  of  this^  too,  our  own 
sensations  are,  after  all,  the  most  important  in  the  produc* 
tion  of  the  agreeable  idea.  What  does  a  man,  amidst  the 
writhiqgs  of  tortnre,  care  for  the  Newtonian  system?  When 
he  is  happy,  when  the  train  of  his  thoughts  is  agreeable, 
when  he  enioys  '^  the  sunshine  of  the  soul,"  when  **  his 
bosom's  lord  si^  lightly  on  his  throne,"  there  is  no  art,  no 
invention,  no  discov^,  nq  acquisition  that  can  by  possibi- 
lity add  to  the  amount  of  his  happiness. 

The  ancient  chemists  reduced,  as  they  thought,  the 
ibatafia)  world  into  four  elemental  substances.  The  modern 
chymists  have  discovered  a  great  many  more ;  but  it  does 
not  ft>lIow,  that  the  substantial  interests  of  the  human  race 
are  mvteh  jaUTected  by  it.  Whether  there  be  four,  or  forty,  oi 
fwr  hundred  primitive  substances,  does  not  appear  to  be  of 
iftneh  Qonsequenee.  We  cannot  alter  the  substances  them-* 
selves,  nor  can  we  prevent  the  combinations  amongst  those 
substsmces  which  take  place  in  the  general  operations  of  the 
siatdrial  worM.  It  is  not  the  mere  nomooclature  that  is 
so  very  important.  The  names  by  which  they  are  called, 
whether  few  or  many,  can  make  no  difference  in  the  utility 
of  their  nature.  Perhaps  it  will  be  said,  that  chemistry  has 
been  applied  to  the  purposes  of  life,  to  cookery  and  medi- 
cine. Of  the  former,  it  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  the 
ages  Qf]^pieum&  and  LucuUus  were  amply  advanced  in  all 
ib^  %rts  p£  ihe  baiftquet,  for  any  purposes^  either  useful  of 
ple^simable.  Glui;tony  and  drunkenness  are  not  of  modem 
discoviery;  neither  is;  sin^plicity  of  diet.  Those  who  have 
been  edifted  by  a  recent  jproduction,  called  **  Death  t»  the 
Poi"  will  not  be  very  pcone  to  boast  of  modem  excellence 
in  the  wis  Qf  the  kitchen.  But  chemistry  is  useful  in  the 
matemi  mMn^ti.  One  would  wonder,  indeed,  amongst  so 
m^^y  discoreries,  hio^  people  can  be  so  extremely  foolish 
aato  remam  sick,  or,  under  any  circumstances,  to  give  up 
tile  ghoat !  Yet  p/erbaps  we  snail,  ailer  all*  arrive  at  the 
omclttsipn^  that  tk^  ww»  and  wounded,  and  the  deaths,  have 
been  very  neariv  equal  at  all  periods  of  the  known  wovld. 

Thelimiits  of  an>lBssay  do  not  allow  of  more  than  a  very 
bri^f  refereBce  to  the  Arts.  There  are  some  which  are 
useful  to  the  few,  and  some  which  are  useful  to  the  many. 
liotbing  ap{>eara  more   delightful  than   music,  painting. 


28  0»  the  RemlH  of  Art, 

poetry,  and  rfietoric.  One  remark  which'  may  b©  made  is^' 
that  mankind  are  as  well  pleaded,  if  not  more  pleased,  in  the 
origin  and  rise  of  these  arts,  by  the  rudest  efforts,  as  when 
they  attain  their  utmost  perfection.  As  th«  arts  advance, 
the  knowledge  of  them  advances — with  superior  artists,  rise 
up  superior  critics.  The  blissful  ignorance  of  wonder,  the 
enthusiasm  of  unlettered  novelty>  is  no  more.  Thepain/of 
the  artist,  in  attaining  perfection^  is  as  great  a&  thepieas^te^ 
of  the  amateur  in  beholding  it. 

Architecture  is  an  ornamental,  as  well  as  a  nseilil  aft; 
but  is  any  one  the  better,  or  wiser,  or  happier,  for  the  five 
orders  of  architecture?  Suppose  there  had  been  only  one-^— ' 
suppose  the  art  had  terminated  with  the  invention  of  tiie 
Tuscan  order,  and  we  had  heard  nothing  of  the  I>oric,  or 
the  rest ;  is  tiiere  any  person  whose  real  advantages  woul«|( 
have  undergone  the  slightest  reduction? 

But,  then,  there  are  happily  others,  the  culinary  and  A/Xtt- 
rious  arts*  We  have  sumptuous  fare,  fine  dresses,  sjrfendid 
houses,  and  brilliant  equipages.  Unfortunately,  however^ 
the  possessors  of  these  things  think  very  little  of  them,  and 
perhaps  the  most  illustrious  amongst  them  have  no  moi^ 
agreeable  thoughts  or  sensations  in  entering  the  greart  halk 
ot  their  ancestors,  than  we  have  in  entering  the  humblest 
cottage. 

"  Some  are^  and  must  be,  greater  than  the  rest — .  ., . 
More  rich,  more  wise — but  who  infers  from  heBce, 
That  such  are  happier,  shocks  all  common  sense.'^ 

The  invention  of  the  alphabetic  and  numeral  characters 
has  been  generally  considered  as  very  important.  Letters 
were  a  great  improvement  upon  hieroglyphics,  in-  the  facility 
of  conducting  business :  yet  so  far  as  amusement- tod  inge- 
nuity are  concerned,  we  are  not  perhaps  much  the  gainetsl 
It  is  more  agreeable  to  look  at  a  picture  than  at  a  great  A. 
The  Chinese  are  said  to  have  80i060  characters,  and  cer- 
tainly if  novelty  and  variety  be,  as  we  generally  suppdse, 
agreeable,  the  Chinese  have  the  advantage.  The  aequi«i- 
tion  of  them  would,  it  is  true,  be  rather  operose ;  yet  the 
number  of  arts  and  accomplishments,  which  some  attaiti 
amongst  us,  do  not  demand  a  less  consumption  of  time  ahd 
trouble.  But,  apart  from  this,  does  any  one  suppose  that 
the  Egyptians,  or  the  Chinese  are  less  happy  than  we  ire, 
because  they  are  not  blessed  with  the  subbme  invention  o^ 
our  A,  B,  c?  ' 

There  is  another  art,  connected  with  the  use  of  these 


as  connected  with  Human  Happiness.  2& 

A^B^c's,  which  it  is  still  more  dangerous  to  undervalue,  the  art 
of  printing.  Its  utility,  of  course,  can  only  consist  in  the 
difTusion  of  knowledge.  Now,  the  facts  and  principles 
which  ai'e  really  known,  or  discovered,  are  very  easily 
difiiised — those  facts  and  principles,  so  fax  as  they  are 
important,  are  few  in  number,  and  capable  of  being  easily 
disseminated.  The  necessity  of  printed  books  may  there- 
fore at  least  be  questioned.  It  may  even  be  thought  that 
their  number  is  becoming  an  evil — that  there  is  far  more 
error,  prejudice,  and  falsehood,  now  issued  from  the  press, 
than  accuracy,  correct  judgment,  or  truth.  That  which  is 
good  in  moderation,  is  an  evil  in  excess;  and  the  extreme 
fondness  for  books,  so  far  as  it  extends,  is  a  diminution  of 
the  pleasures  of  social  intercourse.  The  studious  character 
in  general  either  shuns  society,  or,  when  he  enters  it,  is 
useless  or  unamiable. 

Amongst  the  discoveries  of  mankind,  that  of  the  continent' 
of  America  was  undoubtedly  the  greatest.  In  reading  its 
history,  even  as  described  by  the  admirable  pen  of  Dr. 
Robertson,  and  in  viewing  its  general  effects  on  the  old,  as 
well  as  the  new  world,  we  are  compelled  to  conclude,  that  it 
has  hithertQ  only  carried  war  and  devastation  into  the 
regions  of  the  West,  and  opened  the  pernicious  floodgates  of 
new  wealth  and  new  luxuries,  upon  the  nations  of  the  East- 
em  Hemisphere:  Well  might  the  Americans  reject  the 
European  promise  of  bettering  their  condition.  "  They 
boast  they  come  but  to  improve  our  state,  enlarge  our 
thought,  and  free  us  from  tlie  yoke  of  error.  Yes!  they 
will  give  enlightened  freedom  to  our  minds,  who  are  them- 
selves the  slaves  of  passion,  avarice,  and  pride !  Tliey  offer 
us  their  protection.  Yes !  such  protection  as  vultures  give 
to  lambs— covering  and  devounng  them !"  "  If  Europe," 
says  Montesquieu,  '*  has  benefited  much  by  America,  Spain 
must  have  derived  still  greater  advantages.  Yet  Philip  the 
Second  was  obliged  to  make  the  nation  bankrupt.  This 
is  owing  to  an  inherent  and  physical  defect  in  the  nature  of 
riches,  which  renders  them  vam — a  defect  which  increases 
every  day.  Gold  and  silver  are  either  a  fictitious  or  a  repre- 
sentative wealth.  The  representative  signs  of  wealth  are 
durable.  But  the  more  they  are  multiplied,  the  more  they 
lose  dieir  value,  because  the  fewer  are  the  things  which  they 
represent.  Spain  behaved  like  the  foolish  king,  who  desired 
that  every  thing  he  touched  mi^ht  be  converted  into  gold, 
and  who  was  obliged  to  beg  of  the  gods  to  put  an  end  to  his 
misery."    It  may l;>e  urged,  that  the  productions  of  America 


30  On  the  ReiuUs  of  Art, 

are  useful,  because  they  increase  the  number  df  ou^  gtaiifi* 
cations.  But,  'tis  doubtful  whether  there  be  any  thing  im- 
ported from  the  new  world  that  was  not  to  be  found  in  the 
old.  Let  us  see  what  was  the  state  of  anciesbt  commerce 
whilst  it  was  limited  to  the  Eastern  hemisphere*  Its  pro- 
ductions appear  to  have  been  numerous  enough  to  satisfy 
the  most  luxurious  and  voluptuous.  Those  prodoctions^ 
have  scarcely  been  surpassed  since  the  discovery  of^Ame^ 
rica.  The  following  is  an  abridged  description  of  the  traffic 
of  the  Eastern  nations :  "  The  Phoenicians,  coasting  the 
peninsula  of  Arabia^  bent  their  voyages  to  the  Persian  GvM, 
and  imported  from  thence  the  pearls  of  Havila,  the  gold  of 
Saba  and  Opfair,  the  aromatics  and  precious  gems  of  Cey-^ 
Ion,  the  diamonds  of  Golconda,  the  silver,  the  gold  dust  of 
Africa.  By  the  Black  Sea»  in  ships  of  Egypt  and.Syria^ 
were  exported  those  commodities  which  constituted  the 
opulence  of  Thebes,  Memphis,  and  Jerusalem.  Sometimes, 
ascending  the  course  of  the  Tigris  and  Euphrates,  they 
awaked  the  activity  of  the  Assyrians,  the  Medes^  the  Chsi- 
deans,  and  the  Persians ;  and,  accordii^  as  they  were  ubed 
or  abused,  cherished  or  overturned  their  wealth  and  pros- 
perity. Hence  grew  up  the  magnificence  of  Pjersepohs,  of 
Ecbfl^AXML,  of  Babylon,  of  Nineveh,  and  of  the  melancholy  and 
memorable  Palmyra."  It  may  be  urged>  that  mtaAy  of  these 
sources  are  dried  up  or  exhausted:    an  answer  may  be 

Suoted  from  the  same  author :  "  Do  the  mountains  retain 
leir  springs  ?  are  the  streams  dried  up  ?  and  do  the  plants 
no  more  bear  fruit  and  seed  ?  Has  heaven  denied  to  th<9 
earth,  and  the  earth  to  its  isihabitaiUs,  the  blessings  thiat 
were  formerly  dispersed?" 

If  it  be  still  contended  that  America  itself,  or  that 
Europe,  has  been  benefited  by  the  discovery,  we  should 
recollect  some  oi  the  evils  that  followed  in  its  train.  In 
order  to  work  the  mines  of  America,  to  cultivate  its  lands, 
and  manufacture  its  productions,  it  has  been  considered 
necessary  to  depopulate  the  villages  of  Africa.  The  prac- 
tice has  generally  been  to  destroy,  or  drive  into  the  woods 
and  mountains,  the  natives  of  the  nevflj  fnvoured  o6utitry, 
to  take  possession  of  their  territories,  and  import  the  poor 
neg3X)es  to  cuUivute  and  work  them.  It  is  not  essentaal'to 
sketch  the  picture  of  the  horrors  of  the  slave  trade.  It  ^ 
may  be  necessary  only  to  remind  those,  who,  in  the  exul- 
tation of  partial  abolitirOn,  have  forgotten  its  former,  and  itis 
still  existing,  atrocities,  that  it  was  conducted  by  treaJohery, 
by  fraud,  rapine,  and  violence : — that  the^  miserable  beings 


as  connected  with  Human  H^finess.  31 

were  torn  from  their  native  land,  **  nor  wife»  nor  children 
more  did  they  behold,  nor  friends,  nor  happy  home."  They 
were  driven,  chained  in  herds,  like  cattle,  to  the  sea-shore, 
and  embarked,  like  cargoes  of  senseless  logs,  to  a  distant 
and  uohealthful  region. 

If  our  attention  be  pointed  to  the  luxuries  we  derive  from 
this  extension  of  commerce,  let  us  recollect  that  the  same 
wave  tibat  bears  to  one  man  a  new  source  of  sensual  gratiii-' 
cation,  rolls  over  the  ruined  hopes  and  fortunes  of  another  : 
that  multitudes  perish  in  attempting  to  reach  those  fatal 
shores :  that  multitudes  die  a  sudden  or  lingering  death  in 
its  heated  and  pestiferous  or  ungenial  climates :  that  multi- 
tudes sink  beneath  the  waters  in  the  un^ratified  wish  to 
regain  the  land  of  their  sires.  Count  togemer  these  human 
calamities,  and  add  the  loss  of  property,  and  of  health, 
which  others  sustain  in  this  boasted  traffic,  and  then  deter- 
min;e  which  should  preponderate  in  the  scales  of  good  and 
evii 

''  In  the  savage  state,''  it  was  said  by  Lord  Kaims,  '*  that 
man  is  almost  all  body,  with  a  very  sinall  portion  of  mind. 
In  the  maturity  of  civil  society,  he  is  complete  both  in  mind 
and  body.  In  a  state  of  degeneracy,  by  luxury  and  volup- 
tuousness, he  is  neither  mind  nor  body." — ^Now,  the  tendency 
of  the  intercourse  with  America,  has  merely  been  to  increase 
the  quantum  of  luxury,  already  sufficiently  great. 

^^  HtiTB  ve  not  seen  rcmnd  Britain's  peopled  shore, 
Her  useful  scms  exchanged  lor  useless  ors  ? 
The  wealth  of  climes,  where  savage  nations  roam, 
Pillag'd  from  slaves,  to  purchase  slaves  at  home  ? 
Ye  friends  to  truth,  ye  statesmen  who  survey 
The  rich  man's  joy  increase,  the  poor's  decay ; 
TTia  your's  to  judge,  how  wide  the  limits  stand 
Between  a  splendid  and  a  happy  land : — 
Proud  swells  the  tide  with  loads  of  freighted  ore, 
And  shouting  folly  hails  them  from  her  shore — 
Yet  count  our  gains — this  wealth  is  but  a  name, 
That  leaves  our  useftd  products  still  the  same." 

Let  us,  to  complete  the  picture,  view»the  stability  of  this 
great  comm^^al  discovery*  Look  to  the  facts  enregi»* 
tetedon.the  pages  of  history.  It  has  been  well  said,  tnat 
*'  commerce  has  wings."  It  fliew  from  Egypt,  frotn  PhcBni- 
cia,  from  Carthage.  It  fled  from  the  Pisans,  the  Florentines, 
theGienoese,  the  Venetians,  the  Hanseatics.  Do  we  expect 
it  will  now  change  its  nature,  or  that  its  advantages  will 
remain  whesn  it  has  changed  its  abode  ? 


J2  On  the  Reitdts  of  Art, 

If  the  prodactipns  of  human  art,  in  the  courde  of  so  many 
centuries,  comprised  even  in  authentic  history,  have  been 
eo  beneficial  to  mankind,  and  so  progressive  in  their  im- 
provement, probably  some  one  will  indulge  us  by  saying 
what  it  is  they  have  permanently  effected  in  the  mental  or 
the  moral  condition  of  human  nature.  Is  health  increased^ 
or  life  prolonged,  by  the  labours  or  the  discoveries  of  the 
sons  of  Esculapius?  They  are  not,  however,  to  blame: 
Their  chief  occupation  is  to  correct  the  evils  of  excessive 
luxury  and  refinement.  They  cannot  add  to  sound  health; 
or  lengthen  the  allotted  span  of  human  existence.  It  would 
be  unreasonable  to  expect  it.  The  changes  effected  in  the 
culture  of  the  earth,  in  edifices,  in  furniture,  in  dresses,  in 
equipages,  in  luxurious  living,  are  enjoyed  by  a  few  only/ 
If  there  were  no  attendant  and  correspondent  evil,  such  a 
result  would  be  an  advantage.  To  produce  the  unmixed 
happiness  of  one  individual,  unconnected  with  the  misery  or 
inconvenience  of  another,  would  be  something  gained.  But 
the  enjoyments  of  the  few  are  unhappily  obtained  at  the 
eevei^  labour  and  expense  of  the  many.  ' 

In  the  mental  progress  of  the  world,  we  take  the  .credit  of 
being  now  more  correct  in  our  ideas  than  at  a  former 
period.  Let  us  pass  the  egotism  of  judging  upon  our  own 
merits ;  let  us  look  to  the  state  of  the  facts,  and  we  shaW 
find,  that  the  age  has  not  g6ne  by  in  which  one  set  of 
mental  philosophers  deny  the  exiistenoe  of  mind,  and  another 
the  existence  of  matter.  How  far  then  are  we  superior  to  the 
ancients  i  Are  our  mental  attainments  more  agreeable  and 
pleasant  than  those  of  our  ancestors  ?  Are  they  more  numerous, 
are  they  more  novel  and  intense,  aat  well  as  more  numerous  ? 
It  is  probable  we  may  all  recollect  the  time  when  we  had 
fewer  thoughts  to  occupy  our  minds,  or,  it  might  be  said, 
fewer  to  distract  them.  I3ut  we  may  doubt  the  memory,  or 
the  candour,  of  the  person  who  asserts,  that  in  the  spring- 
time of  life,  when  every  thing  appeared  "  new  and  strange,'* 
he  was  less  pleased  with  the  few  bright  and  novel  ideas 
with  which  tlie  mind  was  filled  and  delighted,  than  at  a 
later  period,  when,  indeed,  the  number  was  increased,  but 
certainly  neither  their  intensity  nor  their  pleasure. 

But  this  is  contemplating  the  subject  with  respect  to  the 
individual.  Our  business  is  strictly  of  a  more  general 
nature.  Has  any  new  idea  been  added  to  the  stock  ?  Has 
the  genius  of  the  present  enlightened  times  suggested  any 
single  thought  that  was  before  unknown  ?  Have  we  not 
been  going  on,  from  age  to  age,  borrowing  of  one  another? 


as  cofutecfed  wUk  Hitman  Happiness.  33 

Have  we  done  any  thing  more  (even  if  we  liaye  dome  that) 
than  vary  a  littk  the  arrangement  of  our'  mental  stores'?' 
Can  it  be  proved,  that  the  most  learned,  or  the  most  scien* 
tific,  are  the  happiest?  Select  in  your  mind  the  most 
eminent  man  of  the  present  age,  in  this  or  any  other  coun- 
try, and  if  he  be  really  happy,  you  will  find  his  felicity  veiy 
little  dependent  upon  his  leanung,  his  science^  or  his  skill 
in  any  art  whatever.  ' 

We  come  next  to  the  moral  improvements  which  are  sup*- 
posed  to  have  been  effected.  The  benefits  of  Christianity 
cannot  be  appealed  to  on  the  present  occasion.  That 
purest  and  best  religion,  that  system  of  moral  perfection; 
whose  precepts,  if  made  the  universal  rule  of  conduct; 
would  humanize  the  world,  and  create  another  paradise  in 
this  vale  of  tears,  was  revealed,  and  never  could  have  been 
discovered.  It  is  not  the  production  of  imperfect  man.  It 
is  no  art,  and  no  science ;  but  is  above  them  all.  Ind^pen^^ 
dent  of  this  revealed  system,  what  new  truth  in  morals  has 
been  discovered?  The  earliest  of  all  moralists  suggested 
all  that  the  latest  enjoin.  In  all  ages  it  has  been  taught,  in 
all'  ages  it  has  been  known,  that  our  happiness  depended 
on  the  practice  of  virtue.  What  new  maxims  have  b^en 
discovered  i  What  new  motives  of  action  ?  At  all  periods  of 
the  world,  recorded  in  profane  history,  there  have  been 
folly,  vice,  and  crime.  Religion  has  denounced- the  wratil 
of  eternity.  All  laws  have  iissued  their  thunders  :  yet  fblly, 
vice,  and  crime,  have  still  existed.  They  have  varied  only  in 
mode  and  object.  They  have  changed  with  the  times;  and 
been  proportioned  to  the  pressure  of  dis^iress,  and- the  itemp^ 
tationotrelief.'.  ^  ..!.•• 

Advancing  even  to  higher  ground,  what  has  the  wildest 
system  of  legislation  effected,  what  .have  all  the  forms  >of 
government  accomplished  ?  Unequal  and  oppressive  lawii, 
and  despotic  rule,  are  considered  as  tremendous  evils*;  Bat 
the  general  principles  of  justice-pervade  alllaws>  and  thei^e 
**  when  best  administered  are  beat."  Liberty  can.  oply  be 
esteemed  as-  a  means  of  happiness.  No  one  would  admire 
it,  if  misery  were  its  natural  coxLsequence*  It  is  the  ikct, 
however,  that  in  eVery  age  persons  have  called  aloud  for 
better  laws  and  more. liberty;  yet  >^ 

*y  How  small,  of  all  that  human  hearts  endure^  , 

That  part  which  kings,  or  laws,  can  cause' or  cure/* 

If  we  consult  the  catalogue  of  complaints  at  the  present 
period  it  would  appear,  that  so  far  foorn  our  possessing  more 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  L  D 


34  Oh  tie  MesuUi  of  Art, 

^»tic««iid  liberty  than  any  anteoedent  age,  ^^aince  the 
great  flood/'  we  are  pOEatively  fffoaning  under  the  weiffht 
of  the  moet  oppressive  system  or  law  and  gOTeroment  wai 
^Fer  plagued  the  human  species ! 

An  argometuk  of  no  small  force  is  to  be  derived  from  the 
^Oi^eptioD  we  must  have  of  the  goodness  of  **  the  great 
First  Cause/'  No  one  will  dispute,  that  the  end  and  object 
of  our  creation  was  evidently  the  production  of  happiness. 
To  suppose  otherwise,  is  to  suppose  an}r  thing  but  good- 
neap,  tiow,  is  it  cooceivable,  tnat  mankind  should  be  left 
%Q  grope  their  way  in  the  dark,  in  search  of  this  staamum 
bmum ;  that  the  very  purpose  of  their  being  should  be  left  to 
the  uncertain  cultivation  and  progress  of  countless  ages  ? 
Where  w^uld  be  the  justice  of  leaving  all  the  early  races  of 
ipankind  to  struggle  through  comparative  infelicity,  and 
reserve  the  possession  of  happiness  to  some  remote,  genora^ 
tion  ?  We  may  thoroughly  understand,  why  the  happiness 
of  eaeh  iadividnal  shotdd,  in  a  great  degree,  depend  on 
himself;  but  it  is  incomprehensible,  to  every  natiuru  feeling 
^pd  notion  of  justice,  that  one  race  of  men,  as  deserving  as 
f^nother,  should  possess  a  less  degree  ottk^  reward  of  virtue. 

la  fevonr  of  our  position,  we  may  refer  to  the  argument 
pffered  by  the  analogy  in  the  appearance  of  the  universe. 
Th^re  every  thing  was  created,  at  first,  as  perfectly  as  was 
moessejfy.  The  material  world  remains  the  same.  It  n^ 
ther  imf>rQve0,nor  retrogrades :  it  undergoes  a  partial  diiange, 
but  in  its  general  features  it  is  immutable.  In  the  kmg 
jbips^  of  time,  mountains  may  be  raised  or  leveUed,  the 
^evation  of  a  biU#  or  the  depth  of  a  valley,  may  be  increaaed 
or  diminished ;  but  these  appearances  of  nature  still  exist. 
The  species  may  change,  but  the  genus  continues  the  same. 
The  great  ocean  may  roll  its  mighty  waves  into  new  chanr 
nals.  but  its  natnse,  and  its  magnitude,  are  unchanged. 
The  waters  sometimes  produce  fertility,  and  sometimes 
dastructioa.  The  periods  and  the  modes  of  operation 
i^ai^e,  but  the  general  result  is  the  same.  The  earthquake, 
the  tempest,  .the  toomado,  the  pestilence,  visit  di£Ebrent  not- 
tiotis  ofthe  globe ;  ^ey  change  the  site  and  scone  of  tneir 
devastation,  bat  in  no  we  has  tiie*whole  earth  been  exempt 
from  their  influence.  Tnejian  is  not  increased  in  briffhtnesi, 
nor  are  the  stars  diminished  in  lustre.  They  have  illumined 
the  world,  they  have  shone  on  man's  fitful  life  for  many 
thdusimd  years — they  still  shine  in  the  same  splendour. 
The  vegetable  kingdom,  and  all  die  tribes  of  lover  animals, 
beire  remained  the  same.    It  is  reasonable,  tb^[efere»  ^ 


as  connected  with  Human  Happiness,  35 

infer  that  human  nature^  its  passions^  its  thoughts,  its  feel- 
ings, and  itd  happtniBsb,  baTe  been,  are  no^,  and  will  com-^ 
tinue  to  the  end  of  time  to  be,  as  they  were  at  the  beginnifig. 

Yet,  notwithstanding  these  views'^o^  ait  and  seienee,  and 
human  ao<)uisition6,  it  must  be  attowed  that  the  w^rtd  is 
greatly  indebted  to  those  ingenious,  active*,  and  enterprising 
spirits,  who,,  in  all  ages,  haire  exerted  flieir  faculties  to 
amuse  or  gratif]^  the  human  species*  The  strains  of  music 
charm  and  captivate  the  ear — the  eye  is  delighted  with  the 
exlubitions  of  the  pencil — the  fancy  is  dazzlea  and  elevated 
by  the  "  fiaaje-  frenzy"  of  the  poetic  lay — the  understanding 
is  gratified  by  the  skill  of  the  rhetorician,  and  the  heart  by 
the  eloquence  of  the  orator. — Science  has  done  much.  It 
has  amused,  as  well  as  been  useful.  literature  in  general 
is  asource  of  gratification,,  very  important  to  an  age  of  high 
refiniiement,,  and  it  sometimes  removes  the  leaden  languor  of 
idleness. 

But  stiiU  we  must  contend  against  the  assumption^  that 
the  welfiire  of  society,  and  o^f  the  human  species  m  general,. 
can  matexiaHy  depend  on  the  eminence  or  the  extension 
either  of  art,  science,  or  literature.  The  attainments  and 
supposed  advantages  of  the  present  age,  are  not  superior 
to  those  of  fpnaaer  periods.  Throughout  all  autnentic 
time^  the  arts  hare  existed  in  all  the  extent  and  perfection 
that  can  be  necessary  or  useful  in  the  production  of  human 
enj<ranent,  and  the  promotion  of  human  happineGts.  The 
w^Uue  of  mankind,  the  utmost  nm^e  of  its  felicity^  the 
trnestand  most  permanent  interest  orthe  species^  eonsists^ 
not  ia. the  perfection  of  art.    It  depends  on 

*^  What  nothing  eartfily  gives,  or  c€l&  destroy. 
The  soul's  caln^  sunshine,  and  the  heartfelt  jc^." 

It  doei^  not  depend  upon  the  most  boiHidlesa  extend  of 
ridi^8«-it  d^^  not  depend  on  the  utmost  sunnnit  of  worldly 
wisd(Hn.  It  is  to  be  KMind  in  all  clime#  and  all  aituatioQfr-— 
in  eireiy  ^efi,  and  in  every  period  of  the  world.  It  is  the 
^t  of  Hewren  itsalf  It  cannot  either  be  destroyed,  ot 
utipFoved,  by  the  vicissitudes  of  human  invention.  It 
ve^^es  only  to.  be  rightly  appreciated,  and  to  be  ^empe- 
M9My  ei^oyed.    In  fijoe* 


"  That  virtue  only  m&kes  our  bliss  below, 
And  all  our  knowledge  is  mrsetves  to  know,* 


R.  M. 


36 


The  Mischievous  Effects  of  Gaming:  a  Charge  delivered  to 

.  the  Grand  Jury  of  the  County  of  Berks,  in  the  State  jof 

Pennsylvania.  BytheHoif.  Jacob  Rush,  President  of  the 

Third  District  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  and  Quarter 

Session  for  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 

[The  lamentable  instance  of  the  effects  of  gaming,  which 
has  for  many  weeks  past  superseded  all  other  topics  of 
general  conversation  and  public  interest,  has  induced  us  to 
select  the  present  moment  for  presenting  to  our  readers  the 
following  excellent  charge,  by  an  American  Judge  whose 
name  is  well  known  in  England,  and  highly  respected  there, 
as  it  deserves  to  be,  for  the  boldness  with  whicn  he  has  ever 
maintained  from  the  seat  of  justice,  the  distinguishing,  and 
what,  in  the  estimation  of  the  world,  are  deemed  the  oppro* 
brious  doctrines  of  the  gospel.  His  judicial  charges  were 
published  at  Philadelphia,  at  the  particular  recommendation 
of  the  Presbyterian  clergy  of  that  city,  as  "  enforcing  a 
number  of  moral  and  religious  duties,  in  a  manner  that  will 
appear  to  many  at  once  new,  just,  and  striking,''  as  "  parti- 
cularly and  highly  estimable,  as  they  demonstrate  the  con- 
nexion between  the  principles  of  religion  and  those  of 
social  happiness,  to  be  necessary  and  indispensable,''  and 
from  their  being  "  well  calculated  to  render  every  person 
who  seriously  and  candidly  reads  them,  both  a  better  Chris- 
tian and  a  better  citizen;"  and  though  they  have  since 
been  reprinted  at  New- York,  we  are  assured,  that  to  most  of 
our  readers,  if  not  to  all,  they  will  be  perfectly  new,  as  we 
from  time  to  time  commend  the  most  striking  and  generally 
interesting  of  them,  to  their  notice.]         ;,      >  •  . 

Gentlemen  of  the  Grand  Jury, 

The  practice  of  gaming,  with  the  long   train  of  evils 

fenerally  resulting  from  it,  have  been  pointed  out  and 
eplored,  not  more  frequently  by  the  divine  and  the  mora^ 
list,  than  by  the  statesman  and  the  patriot.-  Whether  the 
love  of  this  pernicious  amusement  be  deeply  implanted  in 
human  nature,  as  some  have  supposed,  or  be  altogether  the 
effect  of  habit,  as  others  believe,  it  is  certain,  when  once  it 
gets  (>ossession  of  the  mind,  there  is  no  vice  that  tyrannizeB 
over  its  miserable  votaries  with  more  uncontrolled  sway- 
Such  is  the  infatuation  which  often  attends  it,  that  innume- 
rable instances  might  be  mentioned,  of  persons,  who,  by  ven- 
turing'their  all  upon  this  ocean  of  chances,  have  been 
reduced  from  opulence  to  poverty  and  wretchedness,  in  the 


The  Mkefiiewms  Effects  of  Gaming.  37 

short  space  of  a  few  minutes.    And  though  such  desperate 

-scenes  of  guilt  and  folly  do  AOt-  often  occur  in  our  country, 

yet  as  all  vice  is  in  its  natuf  epro^essive,  and  We  are  making 

rapid  advances  in  every  kind  of  luxury,  there  is  reason  to 

fear  we  shall,  lere  long,  rival  our  European  brethren  in  this, 

-as  well  as  in  every  other  rbode  of  criminal  dissipation. 

-There  is,  however,  a  species  of  ^gaming  conducted  on  a 

lovger  scale,  which  abounds  estresiely' among  us,  is  chiefly 

carried  on  at  taverns,  and  is  nractised  by  persons  of  all 

descriptions,  high  and  ioiw,  tick  and  poor,  old  and  young. 

It  is  to  this  scandalous  violation  of  tne  laws  of  the  land, 

this  open  insult  upon  govemm^it,  I  m^n  at  this  time  to 

•  turn  your  attentioh,  as  to  an  evil  of  growing  magnitude, 

which  threatens  our  country  with  very  calamitous  effects. 

It  would  consume  too  much  time,  and  is  not  my  intention, 
to  go  into  a  full  discussion  of  the  innumerable  evils  flowing 
to  society  from  the  practice  of  gaming.  They  are  so 
obvious,  as  to  present  themselves  to  the  understanding  of 
the  most  unreflecting  person.  Let  it  sufiice  to  observe, 
generally,  that  as  it  springs  chiefly  from  idleness,  the  fruit- 
ful, the  mexhaustible  source  of  almost  every  vice,  so  it  has 
a  natural  tendency  to  produce  idleness.  It  operates  as 
cause  and  efiect,  and  is  at  once  both  parent  and  offspring. 
When  the  heart  is  once  thoroughly  possessed  of  this  passion, 
every  thing  is  sacrificed  to  its  gratification.  In  the  mad 
pursuit,  health  wad  constitution  are  gradually  destroyed  by 
irregular  hours,  and  disorderly  conduct.  Sleepless  nights, 
corroding  passions,  and  a  neglect  of  business,  accompanied 
with  the  mtemperateuse  of  ardent  spirits,  soon  plunge  both 
the  gamester  and  his  family  into  one  common  ruin.* 

It  would  be  a  fortunate   circumstance,  if  the  detail  of 

*  The  pernicious  consequences  of  play,  have  been  frequently 
described  in  the  strongest  terms,  and  illustrated  by  the  most  striking^ 
examples.  Seldom,  however,  have*  they  been  rq>resented  on  so 
large  a  scale,  as  in  the  account  of  the  fate  of  a  great  body  ofaame^ 
iters  at  Hamburgh,  which  an  intelligent  spectator  has  published 
io  a  Germau  Gazette,  as  the  result  of  his  attentive  examination, 

.  during  a  period  of  two  years.  Of  six  hundred  individuals ,  who  were 
in  the  habit  of  frequenting  gaming-houses,  he  states,  that  nearly  one 
half  not  only  lost  considerable  sums,  but  were  finally  stripped  of  all 
means  of  subsistence,  and  ended  their  days  by  self-mnrder.  Of  the 
rest,  not  less  than  an  hundred  finished  their  career  by  becoming 
swindlers  or  robbers  on  the  highway.    The  remnant  of  this  nnfortn- 

,  nate  group  perished ;  some  by  apoplexy ;  but  the  greater  part  by 
chagru  and  despair.  He  mentions,  that  during  the  whole  space  of 
two  years,  to  which  his  journal  is  confined,  he  did  not  see  one  of 
these  six  hundred  gamesters  with  a  single  new  dress. — See  Relfs 
Gazette  of  February  %  l'S02. 


38  TM  MkeUewm  Effeeto^afGiamug. 

.ouscbUfe  ^eiKled  m  the  4^trueikm  ef  iik%  ctmstiiutiM  end 
temporal  <^onoems  of  the  ramUe^ :  bat  the  case  is  finr  otbeis- 
wifie«  The  ftital  effects  c«  ^aiping  extend  beyemd  the  grare. 
The  «»in  J  i^  deeply  coBtunmated,  and  eentimente,  the  most 
ho»tile  to  \X»fnal  peace  and  happiness^  ate  harboumd  and 
indulged.  The  gambler  is  frequently  tcHrtiured  mth  par 
roi:y  mg  of  rage  agaioat  Heaven  ;  the  effect  of  raaaed  expecta- 
tion being  suddenly  dashnd  ftt  a  dritieal  moment :  maam«hile 
his  aountenanoe  is  aknoat  as  much  distorted  with  agcmy,  as 
that  of  a  person  snffering  on  the  lack :  from  which  we  may 
form  a  [pretty  got rect  idea»  what  must  be  the  sensations  that 
are  tearing  his  heart;  aod  how  infinitely  injurions  their 
effect  must  be  on  the  temper  asd  dispo3ition  of  the  souL  la 
sl^rt,  I  must  be  permitted  to  i«mark,  however  dispkasin^  the 
.  observation  may  be,  that  a  gaming-tsbie  geeerally  exhibits  a 
scfone  of  great  immoiaiity,  where  the  most  criminal  passions 
rage  um^ontroUed,  sind  dreadAil  onlha  and  impreeations 
burst  from  almost  erery  tongne.  That  this  is  not  a  false,  or 
exaggerated  description,  candomr  itself  must  acknowledge-^ 
woAJi  think,  it  must  at  the  same  time  be  as  readily  acknow- 
ledged tQ  be  the  duty  of  eyery  friend  oi  virtue  and.  his 
country,  to  abstain  from  an  amasement  pregnant  with  the 
stron^st  temptations  to  avarice,  firana,  lying,  cursing, 
swearing,  contention,  fretfalness,  and  every  emotion  that 
can  disordler  the  heart*  Even  the  stern  jAilosopher,  who  is 
supposed  to  consult  nothing  so  nioch  as  the  tranqnillity  of 
his  own  ^osoiTi,  woukl  do  well  to  avoid  it,  as  dangerous,  if  not 
destructive,  to  that  serene  and  unruffled  enjoyment  of  mind, 
which  he  affiscts  snpremelv  to  puisoe.  He  who  volontarily 
and  unnecessarily  places  nimself  in  a  situation  ^isaare  his 
Jntlocence  may  be  lost,  or  his  feelings  become  the  sport  of 
blind  impierioui^  chance,  acts  a  ps^rt  neither  compatible  with 
the  character  of  sound  wisdom,  or  virtuous  circmnspection* 
The  ideas  of  the  great  philosopher,  Mr.  Locke,  should  not, 
therefore  be  hastily  reprobated ;  who,  after  examining  this 
subject  with  his  usual  acuteness,  declares  it  to  be  his 
opinioHf  that  in  order  to  avoid  all  temptation,  tbe  best  way  is, 
never  to  learn  to  play  a  single  card. 

Impressed,  no  doubt,  by  these,  or  other  considerations 
still  more  forcible,  the  legislature  of  our  state  nave  endea- 
_youred  to  abolish  evenr  species  of  earning.  The  ase  has 
been  laid  to  the  root  of  the  evil  by  ttie  law  of  April,  1794, 
intitled,  '*  An  Act  for  the  Prevention  of  Vice  and  Immora- 
lity, and  of  unlawful  Gaming,  and  to  restrain  disorderly 
Sports  and  Dissipations,''  which  has  rendered  it  ^ompleiely» 


TAe  3Bschieims  EJflsa$  i^  Gmnklg,  d$ 

and  to  aU  inteato  and  purposes*  ualtrarful  in  PMMylvoia. 
It  will  not  be  ioipn^er  to  Uj  boibre  you  a  brief  Bketcbi  of  tb;^ 
kw  <Hi  this  inibjeot. 

The  fifth  section  forbids  fighting  cocks*  for  moneyr  or 
(^her  vahiafale  coosideratmi»  under  the  penalty  of  three  dol* 
lars;  and  as  it  is  notorious,  that  nothioj?  so  miich  encouira^es 
this  inhuman  and  bcutal  diversion^  as  laying  bets«  and  that 
eock*figfating  is  often  the  result  of  a  spqcakting, gambling 
temper,  any  wwgif  on  the  evea^  is  proliibite^  wider  a  like 
penalty.  Flaying  at  cards,  dice«  btlliards,  bowls,  shuffle- 
board,  bijdlets,  and  any  ^ame  of  address  or  hazard  for  money, 
or  other  valuable  coosiderationg  is  also  forbidden,  under  a 
penalty  of  three  dollars.  With  respeet  to  playing  bullets 
on  the  h^dkway,  the  act  forbids  it  under  the  like  penalty, 
whether  &ere  be  any  bet  laid  or  not*  The  remedy  in  thas 
case,  is  what  the  law  calls  cumulatiye  or  additional.  Fori 
as  piayine  bullets  in  the  highway  obstructs  die  road,  and 
ineommoms  pasaeagers  and  trayellers,  it  is  an  ofience,  inds^ 
pendent  of  the  act,  for  which  the  parties  are  liable  to  indict<- 
nent  a«d  fine  at  common  law>  A  penalty  of  twenty  dollars 
IB  also  annexed  to  the  offence  of  horse-racing,  for  money  or 
other  TaluaUe  considerationtf 

*  In  England,  this  inhaman  and  bmtafislng  sport  is  a  fkvourft^ 
anasenient  with  many  of  our  gentry ;  nay,  we  ourselves  oooM,  with- 
oat  diffieahy,  naoM  S  nobleman,  in  whose  veins  flow  the  blood  of  as 
ittastrioaa  aBoestij  as  oar  peerage  oan  produce, — who  is  himself  the 
lord-lieutenant  of  one  of  the  most  extensive  and  most  important 
counties  in  the  kingdom,  and  as  such  is  placed  at  the  head  of,  and 
has  the  virtual  nomination  of,  its  magistracy,^who  it  regularly  to  be 
seea  at  eveiy  ooek«pit  withm  his  leaeb,  igfathig  the  most  bretlsb  and 
desperate  maias,  asd  bettiag  en  their  event,  in  the  most  hail^fellaw- 
well-met  familiarity,  with  some  of  the  gn^eatest  blacklegs  and  black- 
guards in  tbe  kingdom.  Some  years  ago,  a  legal  friend  of  ours,  in 
another  part  of  the  country  than  that  tp  which  we  have  just  alhided, 
happening  to  be  attending  a  court  of  quarter  session  as  an  adnt)eaie^ 
doling  the  vase  week^  ia  the  town  wiere  those  sessions  we^e  held, 
dined  at  tjie  ordinary^  where  a  magistrate  of  the  county,  who  had  not 
even  shewn  himself  in  court,  asked  him,  if  he  had  been  at  the  cock- 
pit "  No,  indeed,  1  have  not,"  replied  our  friend,  **  for  I  have  been 
very  diflerently  engaged,  in  drawing  an  indictment  against  some 
people  ^r  eock-ighting/'  **  For  eeeb-fig^tiag!"  exelsi«e4  the  ex- 
pounder of  the  law,  with  mingled  astonishment  and  alarm,'  (for  his 
morning  had  been  devoted  to  the  cock-pit,  rather  than  to  tiie  eomrt, 
where  the  biisiness  was  adjourned  to  the  morrow  for  want  of  justices,) 
^atiddoyou  mean  to  say  that  cock-fighting  is  IHegair'  '*T<y  be 
imre  I  do/'  repUed  the  barrister,  **  and  if  you  will  do  us  the  honour 
to  attend  at  the  next  quarter  sessions,  yea  may  assist  In  seatenoiim 
the  people  who  have  been  guilty  6(f  it,  to  fine  and  impriseament  far 
their  cfence/'-^EDiT. 

-f  This,  as  our  readers  will  perceive  from  sooftlier  article  »  the 


40  The  Mkchievimi  Efftdit  of  Gamhig. 

'  The  sixth  section,  after  declaring  that  the  variouft  detcrip- 
iions  of  gaming  mentioned  in  the  act,  are  frequently  pro- 
moted and  held  at  public-houses,  or  near  them,  imposes  a 
penalty  of  fourteen  dollars,  and  a  loss  of  license  for  one 
year,  upon  every  tayem-keeper,  wh6  shall  promote  any  thing 
bf  the  Kind,  or  9haH  fomish  drink  to  persons  so  employed^ 
ot  shall  allow  any  sort  of  gaming  for  money,  or  other  Tcduable 
(Consideration,  in  his  dwelling-house,  or  in  any  out-bouse 
belonging  tb  him.  In  case  of  a  second  offence,  he  is  subject 
to  a  fine  of  twenty-eight  dollars,  and  is  rendered  for  ever 
incapable  of  keeping  a  tavern  in  the  state  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  seventh  section^  still  keeping  in  view  iaverm  as  the 
grand  theatre  of  gaming,  forbids  bilTiard-tables,  E  O  tables^ 
OT  other  devices  being  kept  in  public-houses,  for  the  purpose 
of  playing  for  money,  on  pain  of  forfeiting  the  instrument  of 
such  play,  and  the  sum  of  twenty-six  dollars. 
*  By  the  subsequent  provisions  of  this  law,  a  person  bsing 
money,  or  other  valuable  thing,  at  any  of  the  games  speci- 
fied in  the  act,  shall  not  be  obliged  to  pay,  or  make  good 
the  same,  or  to  discharge  any  security  given  liierefore.  And 
even  if  the  loser  has  actually  paid  the  money,  or  delivered 
the  article  to  the  winner,  he  may  sue  within  ten  days,  and 
recover  the  same  back  again. 

This,  gentlemen,  is  a  brief,  but  correct  summary  of  our  laws 
upon  the  subject  of  gaming,  made  for  the  best  purposes,  and 
with  the  best  intentions.  And  thus  anxiously  and  benevolently 
have  the  legislature  of  our  country  endeavoured  to  extirpate 
the  evil,  root  and  branch.  You  will,  however,  perceive, 
they  have  not  prohibited  playing  merely  for  amusement  at 
any  of  the  games  specified ;  not  even  horse-racing,  where 
amusement  is  the  only  object.  It  is  only  when  money,  or 
any  thing  of  value,  is  played  for,  that  it  is  absolutely  for- 
bidden. 

And  now,  gentlemen,  let  us  pause  a  few  moments,  and 
seriously  ask  ourselves  this  single  question — Is  it  our  duty, 
ias  good  citizens,  to  yield  obedience  to  this  law  of  our  coun- 
try, or  is  it  not? 

Many  persons,  I  well  know,  are  ready  at  once  to  exclaim, 

present  number  of  our  work,  is  an  offence  panisbable  by  law  in  most 
of  the  United  States.  In  England  it  is  not  so,  save  where  the  race  is 
run  for  a  less  sum  than  £60,  in  which  ease,  the  owner  of  every  horse 
•lanniilg,  is,  by  13  Geo.  II.  c.  19.  sabjeoted  to  a  penaity  of  £200;  and 
every  person  advertising  snch  race,  to  a  penalty  of  half  the  amount. 
Newmarket  and  Blackhambleton  courses  are,  however,  expressly 
excepted  from  the  operation  of  an  act,  which  legalizes  this  specie^  af 
gaming  upon  a  larger,  by  sapprBssing  it  on  a  smaller  scale. — Edit. 


The  Mischiewm  EffeeU  ^f  Gaming.  41 

the  htw  ifi  foolish  and  absurd,  and  we  are  resolved  to  treat 
it  as  sttoh  a  law  deserves  to  be  treated^  with  coatempt  and 
Beglect* 

Waving  for  the  present  any  inqairy  into  the  merits  or  pro- 
priety of  the  law^  we  proceed  to  observe,  that'  conduct  of 
lAis  sort  strikes  at  the  very  root  of  government,. inasmuch 
%B  it  makes  our  obedience  depend  not  upon  the  law  itself, 
and  its  binding  force  upon  constitutional  principles,  but  on 
the  opinion  a  man  may  form  of  its  wisdom  or  expediency — 
which  in  effect  is  to  assert,  that  private  judgment  shall 
defeat  piiA/ic  authority,  should  they  happen  to  clash  with 
each  other.    The  legislature  have  decuied  the  pointy  that 
gaming  is  injurious  to  the  sooial  and  moral  interests  of  our 
country  :•  aiid  to  tiiis  decision,  every  citizen  is  bound  re- 
spectfully to  submit,  unless  he  means  to  set  himself  up 
e^one  the  government  in  all  those  cases  where  they  differ  in 
opinion.    Laws,  in  their  vei^  nature,  are  intended  to  operate 
as  restraints  upon  the  will  and  inclination*    But  this  can 
never  happen,  if  certain  propensities  and  attachments  are 
admitted  to  be  good  reasons  for  not  yielding  obedience  :to 
them.    In  jhct,  this  would  set  mankind  free  from  all  law 
whatever.    The  gainbler  reprobates  the  law  against  gaming, 
because  it  interferes  with  his  habits  and  his  passions,  and 
insists  there  is  no  harm  in  it.    All  he  asks  is,  that  he  may 
be  indulged  in  disobedience  to  the  law  in  ihiS' single  point, 
and  he  is  willing  to  behave  as  a  good  citizea  in  every  other 
respect.    Why,  gentlemen,  this  is  the  very  language  of  the 
.thief  and  the  highwayman.    They,  like  tne  ^mbler,  only 
plead  an  exemption  in  behalf  of  tJiat  vice  to  which  they  have 
the  8tr6ngest  attachment,  and  which  affords  them  the  greatest 
pleasure.    It  is  well  known,  the  common  swearer,  the  adul- 
terer, the  slanderer,  and  the  wicked  of  every  other  ^lass  and 
description,  shelter  themselves  behind  the  ^ame  excuse,  viz. 
that  tneir  vices  are  harmless,  and  they  have  a  particular 
fondness  for  them. 

To  reconcile  us  further  to  the  obedience  of  this,  law,  it 
should  be  remembered,  that  it  is  not  the  imperious  mandate 
of  an  arbitrary  monarch,  or  an.  edict  of  the  dark  age  of  igno>- 
rance  and  superstition,  but  the  law  of  a  free  people,  passed 
by  one  of  the  most  enlightened  governments  upon  earth' — 
a  law  flowing  from  the  deliberate  act  of  our  own  representor 
tives»  selected  from  every  part  of  the  sti^e  for  the  sole  pu^- 
pose  of  legislation.  In  our  republican  governments,  he  only 
,is  a  good  citi^n  who  obeys  all  the  laws — ^those  he  dislikes, 
as  well  af  those  that  meet  his  approbation.    Upon  the 


42  The  Mkchii9»ui  Effe^  of  Gaming. 


gromid  of  obedience,  he  mietkea  no  disiinetioo*  Obnviiiced 
that  even  the  best  government  requires  a  eonsteat  sacrifica 
of  the  will  of  one  part  of  society  to  tiiat  jof  the  other,  he  is 
ready  on  all  occasions  to  take  up  his  cross  and  fellow  his 
country.  Obedience  indeed  is  a  very  easy  thing  when  it 
fiaills  in  with  our  particular  habits  and  views,  and  in  sudi 
cases  there  is  no  danger  the  law  will  prove  a  '^stonle  ot 
stumbling,  and  rock  of  offence*''  But  what  sort  of  a  eitiaeM 
is  that  man,  who  obeys  only  those  laws  which  please  his 
humour  or  his  taste,  and  deliberately  violates  those  he  dis* 
approves?  I  vrill  venture  boldly  to  assert,  a  person  of  <Mf 
description  has  not  a  single  drop  of  federal  or  repubUoaa 
blood  in  his  veins,  or  benevolence  in  his  beart*^id  he 
possess  a  particle  of  either,  he  would  cheerfully  acquiesoe 
in  every  law  that  has  any  tendency  •  to  promote  the  geneial 
good.  If  I  were  asked,  what  is  the^rs^  part  of  the  du^  of 
a  good  citizen?  I  would  BQ,y,  obedience.  If  I  were  asked^ 
wlmt  is  the  second  part?  I  would  say,  obedience*  If  I  were 
askedy  what  is  the  third  part?  I  wonkl  reply,  obedience.  In 
short,  it  is  the  very  essence  and  consummation' of  the  chsK 
racter  of  a  good  citizen  in  a  republiean  goil^emment.  We 
are  told,  that  in  the  school  of  Pythagoras,  bis  eutes  epbe, 
that  is,  his  bare  opinion,  was  deemed  such  decisive  evidence 
of  truth  as  to  adjust  every  controversy  that  arose  among  his 
captious  and  disputing  pupils.  Such  precisely  shouki  be 
the  profound  respect  paid  to  the  laws  m  our  government. 
*'  It  is  the  law;  the  legislature  have  said  so"-^shoukl 
silence  every  objection,  stop  every  mouth,  and  restrain 
every  hand  and  foot.  Has  the  law,  for  example,  said. 
Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Loan  thy  God  in 
vain,  or  swear  by  any  other  name  or  thing?  he  that  tnmsH 

S esses  it,  is  neither  a  good  HHten  nor  a  good  man*  Has 
e  LAW  said.  Thou  shalt  do  no  unnecessary  work,  n^ 
practise  any  eport  or  diversion  on  Sunday?  He  that  offends 
in  those  instances,  against  both  heaven  smd  earth,  is  a  bad 
citizen,  and  a  bad  man*  I  speak  plainly,  gentlemen.  In 
defendinff  the  laws  of  God,  and  my  country,  I  am  noil  to  be 
deterred  by  the  censures  of  any  map,  or  set  of  men,  from 
using  any  language,  or  freedom  of  speech,  not  tnconsistent 
^ith  truth  and  decency.  I  therefore  repeat,  that  a  perdoh 
who  breaks  the  laws  of  God  and  man,  can  have  no  better 
pretensions  to  the  character  of  a  virtuous  good  ciHien,  than 
Ae  felonious  robber  on  the  highway.  They  both  submit  to 
the  laws  in  general,  and  the  hi^mayman,  Kke  the  gambler, 
only  breaks  them  where  they  oppose  his^/immfife  pursait. 


Museum  H&un.  43 

which  is  just  the  case  with  erery  other  immoral  man.  Tb»j 
are  both  bad  citizens,  though  there  may  be  a  difierence  in 
the  nature  and  degree  of  their  crimes. 

[n  estimating  the  character  of  a  man  as  a  citizen,  it  is  his 
conduct  only  that  is  decisive  eridence  for  or  against  him. 
Professions  are  of  no  sort  of  consequence.  What  would  it 
si^ify  for  a  person  boldly  to  assert  he  was  an  honest  man, 
while  he  was  notoriously  addicted  to  lying  and  stealing? 
or  to  take  an  oath  of  fidelity  to  goreniment,  while  be  was 
in  open  arms  against  it?  Equally  absurd  and  ridicnloos  is 
it  to  talk  of  patriots  and  good  citizens^  where  the  life  and 
practice  are  m  any  respect  at  war  with  the  laws  of  our  coun- 
try ;  and  they  are  treated  with  insolence  and  contempt,  for  no 
otner  reason,  but  because  they  happen  not  to  accord  with 
the  selfish  riews  of  one  man,  or  the  mci&us  and  abandoMd 
inclinations  of  aiiother. 

Both  in  religion  and  patriotism^  obedience  constitutes  the 
unerring  touchstone  of  sincerity.  It  is  the  principle  thut 
tries  the  spirit  of  a  man,  and  draws  an  infallible  line  of  dis« 
tinction  between  the  hypocritical  pretender  on  the  one 
hand,  and  tiie  genuine  fnend  of  virtue,  religion,  and  his 
country,  on  the  other. 

Upon  the  whole.  Gentlemen,  obedience  was  made  for  man 
by  his  Creator,  and  man  was  made  for  obedience.  It  is  the 
influence  of  this  principle,  diffused  through  all  the  works  of 
God,  that  supports  tne  universe,  and  maintains  perfect 
harmony  in  his  boundless  dominions.  It  was  disobedience 
hurled  the  apostate  angels  from  heaven ;  and  disobedienoe 
to  his  law  is,  at  this  moment,  the  cause  of  all  the  vice,  war, 
and  confusion,  that  aeitate  and  convulse  this  unhappy  globe, 
on  which  it  is  our  lot  to  reside.  Order  is  heaven's  ^/i'rst 
law,  and  should  be  the  first  law  of  earth.  Universal 
obedience  to  his  inflnitely  holy  and  unerring  laws,  is  neces- 
sarily ptoductive  of  universal  order — ^and  nniversal  order  is 
necessarily  productive  of  universal  happiness. 

MUSEUM  HOURS,  No.  I. 


Beading  Rooms  of  the  British  Museum — their  Regulatiom 
and  Attendants — History,  Condition,  and  Contents  of  the 
Cottonian  library  of  Manuscripts, 

Thb  Reading-room  of  the  British  Museum  is  one  of  those 
scenes  of  quiet  literary  labour,  into  which  the  crowd  of  idly 
curious  visitors,  who  flock  there  three  timet  a  week  to  see 


44  ,Mfueum  Hours. 

ihe  curiosities  and  monstrosities  of  the  other  departments 
of  this,  national  institution,  are  not  permitted  to  intrude. 
On  the  public  days,  (that  is,  with  the  exception  of  holidays, 
^and  the  summer,  or  rather  the  autumnal  vacation  of  two 
.months,  on  every  Monday,  Wednesday,  and  Friday  of  the 
year,)  the  student  in  the  gallery  of  antiquities,  or  half  cellar 
and  half  barn-like  buildings  in  which  the  Elgin  marbles  are 
deposited,  is  interrupted  in  his  pursuits  by  those  impertinent 
gazinss  of  idle  saunterers  through  these,  receptacles  of  clas- 
sical fragments  and  vestiges  of  all  times,  for  which  our  coun- 
Smen  and  countrywomen  are  so  universally  distinguish- 
As  we  have  occasionally  escorted  some  of  our  country 
.friends  to  see,  amongst  the  other  lions  of  the  metropolis, 
.these  antiquities,  which  it  is  infinitely  more  disgraceful  not 
..to  have  visited,  than  not  to  know  a  syllable  more  of  their 
history,  or  that  of  the  persons  or  scenes  which  they  repre- 
:sent,  than  does  each  lifeless  statue  of  its  silent  and  senseless 
^neighbour,  we  have  blushed  for  the  rudeness  of  many  of  the 
.company,  whose  dress  at  least  indicated  that  they  ought  to 
have  known  better,  in  staring  over  the  shoulder  of  a  modest 
and  unassuming  artist,  at  the  copy  he  is  engaged  in  making 
of  some  statues,  at  which  it  would  have  been  at  least  as 
modedt  in  the  female  gazers  not  to  have  looked  at  all,  either 
in  the  original  or  imitation.  Once  or  twice,  ii^deed,  we  have 
been  seriously  alarmed,  lest  a  young  student,  perched  upon 
two  boards  loosely  placed  one  upon  the  other,  and  scarcely 
tall  enough,  with  this  assistance,  (the  best,  it  is  to  be  pre- 
sumed, that  the  institution  can  afford  him,)  to  reach  the  top 
of  his  outstretched  canvass,  should  be  tumbled  to  the  ground 
by  the  rude  jostling  of  some  little  curious  urchin  against 
his  ticklish  standing-place,  whilst  plucking  the  tail  of  his  or 
her  equally  curious  mamma,  to  ask,  "  what  that  little  boy  is 
abput with  the  long  stick  in  his  hand?"  or  to.  exclaim,  "  La, 
Ma,  what  a  funny  face  that  man  is  painting,  do  but  look  at 
him  ;*'  and  the  mother,  who  ought  to  correct  such  imperti- 
nence, accordingly  looks,  wonders,  and  admires  with  equal 
rudeness  as  her  hopeful  ill-mannerly  child.  Thus  much, 
by  way  of  contrast,  for  the  reading-rooms  happily  exhibit,  in 
most  respects,  a  striking  contrast  to  this  lamentable  want  of 
politeness,  no  where  more  strongly  exhibited  than  in  those 
public  spectacles  to  which  the  English  are  indiscriminately 
admitted.  To  the  reading-rooms,  (for  a  second  has  lately 
been  added,  though  as  yet  it  scarcely  has  been  used,)  none 
are  admitted  but  those  who  have  tickets  granted  them, 
renewable  every  six  months,  on  the  recommendation  of  a 


Musewn  Hour$.  45' 

trustee  or  officer  of  the  institution ;  a  restriction,  it  is  sLppre-^' 
handed,  which  can  scarcely  exclude  from  them  any  one  to' 
whom  the  facilities  to  study  and  literary  researcn  which' 
they  afford,  can  be  a  real  benefit,  as  few  such  inen  of  any: 
respectability  are  without  the  means  of  obtaining  an  ihti'o- 
duction  to  at  least  one  of  these  noblemen  or  gentlemen, 
from  forty  to  fifty  in  number,  and  who  evince  the  great- 
est readiness  in  forwarding  the  wished  of  proper  applicants. 
In  France,  we  know,  and  in  many  parts  of  the  contmentalso, 
no  such  introduction  is  needled,  but  the  public  repositories; 
of  literature  are  thrown  open  to  every  persoil  who  wishes  to 
consult  them ;  and  much  popular  clamour  has  been  excited 
here,  by  complaints  against  the  illiberality  which  prevents 
the  adoption  of  a  similar  course  in  England.  That  clamoUr 
is,  however,  most  unjust — the  practice  it  would  force  upon 
the  trustees  of  this  national  institution,  most  impracticable ; 
and  that  we  hesitate  not  to  say,  because  the  difference  of 
national  character,  or  rather  perhaps  of  the  populace,  in 
England  and  on  the  continent,  renders  that  liberality  safe  ii^ 
the  one  instance,  which  would  be  destructive  of  the  safety 
of  the  collection  in  the  other.  Yielding  to  none  in  genuine 
patriotism,  we  are  yet  sufficiently  citizens  of  the  world  to 
avow  our  honest  conviction,  that  the  English  ought  not  to  b^ 
admitted  indiscriminately,  or  even  where  respectability  of 
appearance  is  the  oiily  passport,  to  the  various  monuments 
of  their  own  national  munificence.  We  appeal,  in  support 
of  our  assertion,  to  the  names  scratched,  sometimes  in  ben- 
cil,  sometimes  with  knives,  over  the  monumente<  in  Westi^ 
minster  Abbey  and  St.  PauFs  Cathedral,  and  tiie* books, 
which,  with  all  the  caution  that  can  be  exercised  by  officers' 
of  societies  where  the  admission  is  select,  have  either  beeffi 
taken  away  altogether,  or  materially  injured  by  the  abstrac- 
tion of  plates  or  leavea  in  the  London/ the  British,  and  6ther 
of  our  literary  institutions.  Ko  one  can  indeed  have  been 
lon^  a  subscriber  even  to  a  circulating  library,  >nthout 
having  had  occasion  to  blush  for  the  character  oi  his  coun- 
trymen, in  the  necessity  which  exists  for  the  prdpriietors'^to 
damage  their  property  by  stamping  their  names.  See.  upon 
the  front  of  every  plate,  with  which  the  books  in  their  col- 
lection are  illustrated  or  ornamented,  thatbybein^  rehdei*^ 
thus  useless  to  collectors,  they  may  escape  being  vUftifn; 
as  would  otherwise  be  their  inevitable  fate.  We  iiideed 
ourseiyes  recollect  being  exceedingly  mortified  at  finding  a 
volume  of  Pennant's  works,  belonging  to  a  very'  valuable 
sety  in  one  of  the  first  libraries  in  the  metropolis/ des];ft)ile4 


40  Mmeam  Houf$, 

■ 

of  «v«ry  plate«  whieb  the  thief  bad  beea  ^i  qo  much  trcMible. 
Ui  ciirtiiBg  outj  that  a  part  of  the  paper  oa  whkb  they  were 
worked  was  left  as  a  fraipe^  to  prevent  the  book  from  appear-r 
uig  thinner  than  when  it  was  taken  from  the  library,,  or  the 
librarian  from  diseoyering  that  any  plate  had  been  etoleaj, 
tunlefia  he  bad  mijaiitely  examined  the  volume  for  the  very 
purpose*  Nay.  it  is  a  matter  of  public  notoriiety»  that  one  of 
the  librarians  of  this  very  institutieoiy  now  no  more  aa 
inhabitant  of  a  world  whicn  his  writii^s  and  learning  con-* 
tribuled  at  onoe  to  instruct  and  adorn,  was  dismissed  froo^ 
bis  situation,  in  eonsequeSfCe  of  felonies  and  depredations 
committed  by  some  persons,  of  no  mean  reputation  in  the 
Uterary  cireles„upon  valuable  prints  aiaKl  manuscripts  which 
he  bad  permitted  them  to  nave  access  to  at  their  own 
bouses.  C^ontrary  to  the  rules  of  the  Museum. 

Thus  far  in.  vindication  of  a  restriction,  the  benefit  of 
which  is  daily  experienced  by  those  who  have  occasionr 
to  make  researchea  in  the  roonif^  in  which  you  -will  oou'-' 
s4antly  find  a  great  variety  of  characters  labouring  for 
the  public,  or  for  their  own  aauiaemeat  and  improvement* 
in  tne  different  departments  of  literature,  to  which  taster 
inclinntion,  or  circumstances  may  have  directed  them* 
Here  you  will  (ee  the  asealoma  and  laborious  antiquary 
twnma^ing  amongst  ebarteva  and  musty  parchments,  for  the 
avthentibei^ont  it  may  be,  of  &  date,  of  as  little  inmortance^ 
but  to  bis  bietbren^  as  that  of  the  day  on  which  Kling  John 
shewed  the  first  epicucean  attachment  to  laiiapceys>  by 
whicti,  it  is  said«  Eufflaml  waa^  eventually  ridden  at  once  of 
at|(nuit  and  a  Ibol.  There,.a  second  member  of  the  same  inde^ 
fiiitigiihle  fin^tefnityAksea  attentively  engaged  i«.a  microscopic 
Mmpanaon  of  the  sed  of  an  old  cWter  vrith  the  copy 
wbioh  be  baa  tskem  of  it,  ^crupulQusly  an&ioua  that  not  a 
V^l^  aheuld  be  stcsiigbter  or  more  evodied  than  the  vene* 
nbU  ofiginai  of  some  mitred  bigot,  who  fatt^ied,  lived 
notQiialy»and  ftif  ed  sumpteously  every  day,  upon  the  revenues 
of  a  church,  which  he  disgr^ed  at  once  by  his.  ignorance 
and  his  pride^  The  neatly'  folded  manuscript  that  lies 
beside  bim,  gives^  however,  an  importance  to  bis  employ^ 
ment,  m  as'  much  as  it  autboriaea  l^e  hope  that  he  may  be 
^bout  to  add  anotbei!  effort  to  oempleite  the  seriea  of  our 
county  histories^  which  the  tllnrequiited  toil  of  such  Hercu-' 
lewi  labours  sttti  leatcs  lamentabLy  ^fioiant.  For  our  own 
parts.  We  have  not  viewed  with  equal  complacency,  the 
numerous  tribe  of  hemldie  draftsmen  and  geaealogv  hnn^ 
teiUi  wbo  are  at  work  early  and  latcu-^y  after  day,  and  week 


Mmeum  Hours.  47 

Meceecfiiig  week,  to  aacertain  whetker  some  thick-headed 
ancestor  S[  m  thick-headed  a  squire,  bore  for  hit  anas  a 
Boa  rampant,  or  deminrampant  only;  or  whether  at  great  a 
fool,  though  bearing  a  title  which  he  disgraced,  gave,  acme 
ive  hundred  years  ago,  the  name  of  John  or  Thomas  to 
his  first'bom  booby  and  eldest  son,  or  took  a  Mary  or  Catha- 
rine for  his  wife.  GeaersUy  speaking,  the  men  engaged  in 
these  edifying  pursuits  are  evidenUy  labouring  in  their 
Tocation,  and  for  hire ;  thankful,  therefore,  that  their  lot  ia 
not  ours,  we  pity  them,  and  let  them  pass.  Now  and  then» 
however,  dunng  ihe  sitting  of  Parliament,  we  have  seen  the 
room  graced  by  the  presence  of  some  man  of  title  and  cf 
femily,  determined  to  trust  to  no  one  but  himself,  the  task 
of  making  out  a  pedigree,  than  which  his  manner  plainly 
shews  that  nothing  can  in  his  estimation  be  of  equal  im-* 
portance,  save  perhaps  it  be  that  of  his  race^horses  and  his 
dogs. 

By  the  side  of  such  a  self-important  idler,  (for  suck  in 
truth  he  is,  though  busy  as  a  bee,)  will  perhaps  be  seated 
BOOM  toilsome  laoourer  in  the  field  of  literature,  in  which 
both  his  person  and  his  coat  evince  that  lie  is  well-nirii 
worn  out,  ere  he  has  gained  from  its  cultivation  a  reasonaue 
certainty  of  where  he  can  get  his  next  day's  dinner,  or  how 
long  he  may  hardly  earn  his  daily  bread.  Every  thing 
bespeaks  in  him  his  having  at  length  sunk  to  that  most 
hafdees  condition  into  which  a  man  of  letters  can  fall; 
(perhwB,  indeed,  he  never  had  talents  or  oppertunitr  to  rise 
above  tt,)and  we  have  hardly  been  able  to  supi^eea  tiie  wish, 
that  he  speedily  might  have  applied  to  himself  the  epitaph 
of  Goldsmith  upon  poor  Ned  Furdon,  a  wretdied  member 
^f  a  tribe,  upon  whose  miseries  that  oharmnig  writer  Ml 
ftelingly  could  speak,— «who 

.^ '. — , .  "  from  misery  freed. 

Was  no  longer  a  bookseller's  hack; 

For  he  had  sack  a  horrible  Hfe  in  this  world, 
That  he  never  could  wish  to  come  back.'' 

He  ia  psobaUy  a  death-hunter,  a  chronicler  of  births  and 
marriages  for  magazines  and  aimual  registara— as  the  lady 
who  baa  takani^r  seat4>ppo«te  to  bim«  undau]fcted>  m  th^ 
msl  of  her  pursuit  of  leanang,  by  being  sunounded  by  forty 
or  fifty  gentlemen^  herself  the  only  femals  in  the  rqom,  may 
pc^dventure  be  the  concoctor  of  some  new  b|9tQrical  ro- 
mance, fpr  Uie  incidents  of  which  she  is  spoiling  th^  pithy  bat 

obsQl^te  historian!  of  the  oldm  time.  AdmivHig  her  literary 


48  Museum  Hqutsk 

turn,  we  have  sometimes  wished  that  proper  acconunodatiajB^ 
were  afforded  ia  a  separate  room  for  female  readers ;  and  we. 
doubt  not»  but  that  a  portion  of  the  leisure  which  so  many  of 
the  sex  enjoy,  and  waate  in  fashionable  triflings,  would,  tben« 
at  least  for  themselves,  be  more  profitably  devoted  to  the, 
improvement  of  their  minds,  in  a  place  affording  such  faci- 
lities for  the  purpose.  Biographers,  historians,  lawyers^ 
medical  students,  lexicographers,  poets,  translators^  and  we 
know  not  what  besides,  make  up  the  group  of  those  who 
here  quietly  and.  patiently  collect  the  materials  for  works^ 
which  may  hereafter  purchase  for  some  of  them  a  deathlesii 
immortality — to  others,  the  vexation  of  neglect — for  some 
again,  the  mortification  of  their  vanity,  in  a  merited  expoisure 
of  their  incapacity  for  the  task  they  undertook.  But  be-* 
sides  these  working-bees,  this  hive  contains  several  who  are 
but  sipping  the  dew  from  every  flower,  to  form  their  honey 
at  a  future  day — young  students  in  every  profession,  laudr 
ably  preparing  themselves  for  distinction  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties,  by  recondite  researches  not  elsewhere  U>  he 
pursued,  and  which  none  but  persons,  bent,  like  themselves, 
on  excellence,  pursue  at  all.  It  has  also  here  and  there  an 
idle  :drone-^men  evidently  availing  themselves  of  a  gratui- 
tous admission  to  this  ample  storehouse  of  learning  and  of 
literature,,  to  pass  away  their  time  by  turning  over  the  pages 
of  the  last  new  pamphlet,  or  reauing  through  the  most 
popular  novel  of  the  day.  These  are  confessedly  few.  in 
number,  imd  w&y  be  known  by  their  poring  over  the  cata*- 
.logues  as  a  gourmand  ponders  over  his  bill  of  fare,  puzzled 
what  to  fix  upon,  because  they  have  no. definite  object  of 
-pursuit.  .Half  their,  time. IS  occupied  in  obc^erving  others 
jDOre  busy. than  themselves;  ana  we  have  e^en  knoi^ti 
some  of  them  evince  so  little  regard  to  politeness,  aB 
to  take  up  the  books  lying  by.  the  side  of  another  gentle- 
man, evidently  to  ascertain  what  he  was  about.  They 
occupy,  tpo,  the  seats  nearest  the  fire,  in  front  of  whicn 
they  will  sometimes  sit  and  loiunge  with  so  little  considera- 
tion for  the  comfort  of  others,  as  to  require  a  very  broad  hint 
from  the  librarian,  who  is  in  constant  attendance  in  th^ 
room,  that  gentlemen  at  the  lower  end  of  the  table  may  be 
cold  as  well  as  themselves.  'Several  of  these  are  dandiies  and 
dandizets,  animals  who,  some  how  or  other,  have  intruded 
ihemselves  into  every  circle;  but  some  are  older  and  graver 
men,  firotn  whom  better  manners  might  reasonably  have  been 
expefcted. 
With  the  exception,  however,  of  iheir  rudenesses,  and 


Museum  Hours.  49 

the  occasional  bleach  of  decorum  in  some  one  or  two  men^  of 
gre«it  importance  in  their  own  estimation^  talking  to  the 
servac^s  of  th6  itistitution,  who  bring  tli^m  the  books  for 
which"  they  v^rite,  or  to  th^ir  personal  friends,  in  as  loud  k 
totie  as  they  would  in  their  own  parlour,  or  to  their  footmen* 
if  they  have  either,  (^hich,  by  tne  way,  their  gross  want  or 
common  politeness  would  induce  us  to  supp6se  is  not  the' 
case,)  every  thing  is  usually  conducted  her6^  with  tii6 
greatest  regularity  and  decorum,  in  strict  accordance  with 
the  rule  of  the  institution,  which  requires  silence  in  a  place 
devofed  to  study.  Once  indeed,  and  once  only,  do  we 
recollect  to  have  witnessed  any  continued  and  unrepressedf 
breach  of  so  essential  a  regulation;  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
interruption  it  occasioned  us  in  our  recondite  pursuits, 
W^  could  not  repress  a  smile  at  its  cause,  which  wad 
file  pacing  of  the  reading-room  in  its  length  and  breadth, 
for  some  ten  or- a  dozen  minutes,  by  a  certain  eccentric 
bkrd  of  the  last  generation,  at  least  as  distinguished  for  dirli 
as  for  genius,  for  the  shabbiness  of  his  dress  and  his  singular 
otrfr^  appearance,  as  the  extient  of  his  attainments; — the 
poet's  eye,  in  the  meanwhile,  in  so  fine  a  frenzy  rolling,  as  to 
render  him  totally  unobservant  alike  of  the  frowns  and  the 
smiles'  Which  every  other  countenance  exhibited,  during 
the  continuance  of  his  fervid  locomotion. 

Enough,  however,  of  sketches  of  men  and  manners,  that 
miay  induce  our  brother  readers  to  suppose^  that  we  intend 
tb  adopt  the  very  appropriate  motto  of  Maistef  Jedediah 
Cleishbotham,  schoolmaster  and'  parish-clerk  of  Gander- 
cleugh,  to  the  inimitable  tales  which  the  master-genius  of 
our  tiines  has  done  him  the  honour  of  fathering  upon  him^ 

''  A  chiers  amatig  ye  takin  notes, 
Aq'  faith  he'li  prent  it." 

PasB  we  on  now,  therefore,  to  a  Srifef  account  of  the  various! 
collections  of  manuscripts  and  printed  books,  to  which  the 
sinid^nt  has,  in  these  rooms,  the  freest  and  readiest  access^ 
atid  from  which  (as  they  come  in  our  way,  in  the  course  of 
til'*  more  regular  pursuits  that  have  long  led  us  here,)  We 
punpose,  eimer  by  extracts  or  otherwise,  to  give  our  readers, 
under  thfe  title  of ''Museum  Hours,"  some  such  occasional 
articles,  as  may  enable  them  to  pass  away  a  feW  of  their  own 
hours  with  pleasure,  and  we  hope,  at  times,  with  profit  also. 
The  first  of  these,  in  point,  perhaps  at  once  ot  antiquity 
^tid  importance,  is,  the  Cottonian  Library,  th6  ipanuscripti^ 
df  whi<^  are  deposited  in  twenty^'One  presses,  in  the  same 

VOL.  VIII.— NO.  1.  E 


50  Museum  Hours. 

room  with  those  of  the  Royal  Library.  It  is  on  the  second 
floor  of  the  building,  and  the  public  have  access  to  it, 
on  account  of  the  great  curiosity  it  contains,  in  the 
original  copy  of  Magna  Charta,  secured  in  a  glazed  frame, 
on  a  table  m  the  centre,  with  the  well-known  fac-simile  of 
Pine  by  its  side.  Here  also,  against  one  of  the  presses,  i& 
exhibited  to  public  inspection,  the  original  of  the  articles 
agreed  upon  by  the  barons,  preparatory  to  the  signing  of 
tne  great  charter,  perfect  botn  in  the  instrument  itself  and 
its  seaL  This  valuable  document  formed,  however,  no  part 
of  either  of  the  collections  of  ms.  deposited  here,  but  was 
presented  to  the  Museum  in  1769>  by  Earl  Stanhope. 

Few  of  our  readers  will  need  to  be  reminded,  that  the 
first  of  these  collections  was  formed  by  the  industry  and 
perseverance  of  Sir  Robert  Cotton,  the  friend  and  fellow- 
traveller  of  the  celebrated  Camden,  who,  living  shortly  after 
the  dissolution  of  monasteries,  the  visitation  of  our  univer- 
sities, colleges,  and  schools,  and  surviving  also  such  indefa- 
tigable collectors  of  antiquities,  as  Joceline,  Noel,  Lam- 
barde,  Bowyer,  Elsinge,  and  Camden,  from  whose  libraries^ 
either  by  legacy  or  purchase,  he  selected  their  choicest 
treasures,  had  every  opportunity  his  laudable  curio- 
sity could  desire,  of  forming  a  collection  of  chronicles, 
charterlaries,  and  other  muniments  of  the  dissolved  houses, 
which  have  since  proved  an  invaluable  treasure  to  the 
historian  and  the  antiquary,  and  been  of  little  less  utility 
in  the  ascertainment  and  settlement  of  private  rights. 
This  collection  was  so  highly  valued,  even  in  the  lifetime 
of  its  founder,  that  in  the  arbitrary  times  of  the  Stuarts  and 
the  star-chamber,  its  public-spirited  collector  had  the  morti- 
fication of  being  excluded  from  his  own  library,  by  an  order 
of  the  privy  council,  for  the  locking  of  it  up,  on  the  ground 
that  its  contents  were  of  too  ^reat  public  importance  to  be 
exposed,  as  Sir  Robert  permitted  it  to  be,  to  any  one  who 
wished  to  consult  it;  in  consequence  of  which  liberality,  it 
was  alleged,  that  in  the  time  of  James  the.  First,  some  valu- 
able state  papers  had  been  communicated  to  the  Spanish 
ambassador,  who  had  caused  them  to  be  translated  into  his 
native  tongue.  On  this  latter  account.  Sir  Robert  was 
himself  imprisoned,  though  it  would  seem  but  for  a. short 
time,  and  on  his  release,  the  interdict  was  taken  off  which 
mostunconstitutionallyprevented  bis  reading  his  own  books, 
or  entering  his  study.  Fourteen  years  after,  it  was,  however, 
renewed  with  increased  severity,  for  a  pamphlet  having 
been  circulated  in  ms.  in  1629,  under  the  title  of  "  A 


Museum  Hours.  61 

Project    how  a  Prince  may  make    himself  an  absolute 
Tyrant;"  it  was  traced  to  the  Cottonian  library,  into  which 
it  appeared  to  have  found  admission,  without  the  knowledge 
of  its  owner,  as  a  tract,  written  at  Florence  in  16 13,  by  the  Duke 
of  North umberland,  under  the  less  exceptionable  title  of 
**  Propositions  for  his  Majesty's  Service,  to  bridle  the  Imper- 
tinency  of  Parliaments,"  and  having  been  discovered  there 
by  some  persons,  to  whom  access  to  the  collection  had  been 
granted,  with  its  proprietor's  accustomed  liberality,  (and  there 
is  room  for  suspicion  that  the  celebrated  Selden  was  one  of 
them,  for  a  copy  seems  to  have  been  found  upon  him,)  a  bribe 
to  a  faithless  librarian  had  procured  permission  to  take  two  or 
three  copies  of  it,  which  were  handed  about,  under  a  title  that 
never  belonged  to  it.     For  this.  Sir  Robert  was  a  second 
time  taken  into  custody,  but  being  able  soon  to  establish 
his  own  innocence  in  the  transaction,  even  to  the  satisfaction 
of  the  odious  inquisition  of  the  star-chamber,  before  which 
he  was  brought,  he  was  released,  although,  under  the  old 
pretext  of  his  library  not  being  of  a  nature  to  be  exposed  to 
public  inspection,  it  was  a  second  time  placed  under  seques- 
tration, being  sealed  up  by  some  of  the  oflBcers  of  the  royal 
household,  under  whose  vigilant  surveillance  it  remained 
until  the  death  of  its  ill-used  collector.    That  death  hap- 
pened in  1631,  nearly  two  years  after  he  had  been  thus  un- 
justly and  tyrannically  excluded  from  the  use  of  those 
literary  treasures  which  he  had  spent  his  life  in  amassiiig, 
and  for  which,  though  he  could  scarcely  set  a  value  upon  , 
them  beyond  their  mtrinsic  worth,  he  felt  all  the  attach- 
ment of  a  scholar   to   his   books,  and    a  collector    to    a 
collection,  unique,  as  it  was  curious  and  extensive.     Few 
things,  indeed,  can  be  more  interesting  or  affecting  to  minds 
imbued  with  the  love  of  letters,  than  the  simple  narrative 
given  by  his  brother  antiquary.  Sir  Symonds  D  Ewes,  of  the 
effect  produced  upon  the  mind  and  health  of  this  distin- 
guished lover  and  friend  of  literature,  by  his  being  excluded 
from  his  wonted  sources  of  enjoyment.    "  When,"  says  the 
annalist  of  Elizabeth,  in  a  ms.  account  of  his  own  life,  still 
preserved  in  the  same  national  repository  which  contains 
the  rich  collection  of  the  friend  whom  he  wished  to  console, 
**  I  went  several  times  to  visit  and  comfort  him  in  the  year 
1630,  he  would  tell  me  '  they  had  broken  his  heart,  that  had 
locked  up  his  library  from  him.'     I  easily  guessed    the 
reason,  because  his  honour  and  esteem  were  much  impaired 
by  this  fatal  accident;  and  his  house,  that  Was'  formerly 
frequented    by  great  and  honourable   petsonages,  as   by 


S2  Museum  Hours. 

learned  men  of  all  sorts,  remained  now  upon  the  matter^ 
desolate  and  empty.     He  was  so  outworn  within  a  few 
months^  with  anguish  and  grief»  as  his  face,  which  had  been 
formerly  ruddy  and  well-coloured,  (such  as  the  picture  I 
have  of  him  shews,)  was  wholly   changed  into  a  green- 
blackish  paleness,  near  to  the  resemblance  and  hue  of  a 
dead  visage."    Thus  he  pined  and  wasted  away,  dying  as 
clearly  broken-hearted,  for  the  loss  of  his  books,  as  ever  did 
the  most  devoted  lover,  or  the  fondest  wife,  for  husband,  or 
for  mistress,  however  bitterly  regretted  or  tenderly  beloved. 
This,  indeed,  is  not  matter  of  inference,  but  of  fact,  for  on 
his  death-bed  he  directed  his  friend.  Sir  Henry  Spelman» 
celebrated  alike  as  an  antiquary  and  a  jurist,  to  inform  the 
lords  of  the  council,  that  "  their  so  long  detaining  of  his 
books  from  him,  without  rendering  any  reason  for  the  same> 
had  been  the  cause  of  his  mental  malady."    This  touching 
message  was  immediately  delivered,  ana  wrought  in  those 
whose   conduct  had  given  occasion  to  it,   an   unavailing 
repentance ;  for  when  the  lord  privy  seal  came  to  comfort 
tne  dying  man  with  a  message  from  the  king,  he  found  that 
he  was  half  an  hour  too  late,  as  the  victim  of  the  tyranny 
of  the  council  was  no  more ;  and  all  he  could  do  was,  to 
assure  his  weeping  son,  that,  as  the  king,  had  loved  his 
father,  so  he  would  continue  to  love  him. 

He  gave  not,  however^  very  early  tokens  of  that  love,  of 
a  less  equivocal  description  than  those  which  had  brought 
the  former  object  of  its  caprices  in  sorrow  to  the  grave; 
for  although  its  late  possessor  had  entailed  his  library  upon 
his  heir,  who  also  was  his  only  son,  the  sequestration  of  it 
was  still  continued  with  unabated  rigour,  until,  upon  a 
petition  being  presented,  statins,  that  liis  study  had  long 
been,  and  yet  was  locked  up,  and  he  himself  denied  the  us^ 
of  the  books  it  contained,  though  all  of  them  were  his 
undoubted  property,  it  was  restored  to  Sir  Thomas  Cotton, 
the  collector's  son,  who  continued  in  quiet  possession  of  it 
to  the  day  of  his  death,  which  happened  in  the  year  1662. 
During  the  ccmvulsion  of  the  civil  wars,  in  which,  after  the 
success  of  the  parliament,  and  the  overthrow  of  the  monar* 
chical,  and  the  establishment  of  a  republican  government,  all 
documents  relative  to  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the 
country  were  industriously  sought  after  and  destroyed,  it 

was  carefully  removed,  principally  by  the  zeal  .of-* * 

Bromsall,  Esq.  of  Blunham,  high-sheriff  of  the  qounty  of 
Bedford,  in  loSO,  for  the  preservation  of  so  inestin^ab/e.  a 
treasure,  to  Stratton,  in  that  county,  whereJt  was  keg^  in  a 


Mus&im  Hmirs.  53 

-faoQBe  of  the  eldest  son  of  its  possessor,  (afterwards  Sir  John 
Ootton,)  who  had  married  Dorothy,  daughter  of"  Edmund 
Anderson,  Esa.  of  that  place. 

By  him,  as  nad  previously  been  the  case  with  his  father. 
Sir  Thomas  also,  this    collection  was    greatly  enlarged, 
«nd  ten  years  before  his  death,  its  value  was  so  duly  esti- 
mated by  the   gbvernment  and  legislature,  that,  on  his 
expressing  a  wish  to  carry  into  efiect  tiie  liberal  and  public- 
i^tited  desire  and  intention  of  his  father  and  his  grand- 
fitther,  to  have  it  preserved  for  the  use  of  the  nation,  under 
^e  name  of  the  tlottonian  Library,  an  act  of  parliament 
(12  and  13  W.  III.  c.  7.)  was  passed  in  1700, ''  for  the  better 
settling  and  preserving  of  the  library,  (described  in  the 
preamble  t<>  the  act,  as  '  of  great  use  and  service  for  the 
knowledge  and  preservation  of  our  constitution  both  in 
church  and  state, )  kept  in  the  house  at  Westminster,  called 
Cotton  House,  in  the  name  and  family  of  the  Cottons,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  public/'    Sir  John  Cotton>  the  donor  of 
this  spleiidid  ^ift  to  the  country,  died  in  1702,  when,  in 
pursuance  df  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  Library  was 
vested  in  trustees,  namely,  in  the  hotd  Chancellor  or  Keeper, 
Hie  Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  King's  Bench,  and  the 
Speakerof  the  House  of  Commons,  for  the  time  being,  and  four 
ot  the  Cotton  family,  named  in  the  act,  whose  places  were, 
from  time  to  time,  to  be  'supplied  by  the  heir  male  in  posses- 
sion of  the  house  in  which  the  library  was  to  be  preserved, 
in  the  custody  of  a  keeper,  for  the  use  of  the  public,  who 
were  to  have  convenient  access  to  the  room  in  which  it  was 
deposited.    At  Cotton  House,  situate  at  the  back  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  still  preserving  its  name,  although 
long  since  converted  into  a  residence  for  the  chief-clerk  of 
the  House,  the  library  remained  in  this  state  for  between 
three  and  four  years,  when,  in  consequence  of  a  report  of 
Matthew  Hutton,  John  Anstis,  and  Humphrey  Wantey,  the 
three  most  celebrated  antiquaries  of  their  day,  who,  on  that 
account,  were  appointed  to  inspect  the  collection,  which 
they  certified  to  be  ill  arranged,  partly  in  decay,  and  not 
kept  in  a  place  calculated  for  its  preservation,  another  act 
6f  p^liament  was  passed,  (5  Anne,  c.  30.)  "  for  the  better 
securiA^  of  her  Majesty's    purchase  of  Cotton  House  in 
Westminster.''    That  purchase  had  been  previously  effected 
for  the  sum  of  £4500,  and  provision  was  now  made  by  the 
legislature  for  the  erection  of  "  a  convenient  library  in  the 
bouse,"  to  ''the  intent  so  great  a  treasure  of  books  and 
manuscripts,  so  generously  given  for  the  public  service. 


54  Museum  Hours. 

might  not  remain  any  longer  useless,  and  in  danger  of  perish- 
ing for  want  of  due  care,  and  that  it  may  be  in  her  Majesty's 
power  to  make  this  most  valuable  collection  usjeful  to  her 
own  subjects,  and  to  all  learned  strangers." 

Five  years  after  the  passing  of  this  act,  the  library, 
whether  whilst  a  new  building  was  to  be  prepared  for  its 
reception,  or  with  what  other  view  is  not  now  known,  was 
removed  to  Essex  House,  in  Essex-street,  in  the  Strand, 
where  it  remained  from  the  year  1712  to  1729,  when  it  was 
deposited  in  Ashburnham  House,  in  Little  D<ean's-Yard, 
purchased  by  the  Crown  of  Lord  Ashburnham ;  and  here, 
shortly  after  its  removal,  namely,  on  the  morning  of  the  23d 
of  October,  1731,  a  fire  broke  out,  which  destroyed  seve- 
ral, and  damaged  many  of  the  manuscripts,  and  amongst 
the  latter  the  celebrated  original  of  Magna  Charta,  which 
bears  evident  marks  of  the  injury  it  has  sustained.  The 
whole  collection  would,  in  all  human  probability,  h^^ve 
perished,  but  for  the  great  exertions  made  to  save  as  much 
of  it  as  possible  from  uie  flames,  especially  by  Mr.  Speaker 
Onslow,  who  repaired  immediately  to  the  spot,  and  per- 
sonally assisted  in  rescuing  from  the  fire,  the  manuscnpts, 
of  which  he  was  then  an  official  trustee.  Such  of  them 
as  could  be  saved  from  the  devouring  element,  (and  not  a 
quarter  of  the  collection  was  materially  injured  by  its  rava- 
ges, 114  out  of  958  volumes  being  destroyed,  and  08  consi- 
derably damaged,)  were  immediately  removed,  at  the  solici- 
tation of  the  trustees,  and  by  permission  of  the  dean  and 
chapter,  into  a  room  intended  for  the  dormitory  of  Westmin- 
ster school.  The  former  took  also,  without  delay,  the  most 
efficient  steps  in  their  power,  to  repair,  as  far  as  it  was  repar- , 
able,  the  serious  injury  which  this  valua.ble  national  collec- 
tion had  sustained ;  and  their  laudable  object  was  most 
cordially  seconded  by  the  House  of  Commons,  to  which,  in 
little  more  than  six  months  after  the  accident,  namely,  on  the 
9th  of  May,  1732,  a  report  was  made  by  a  committee  of  its 
members  appointed  for  the  purpose,  on  the  damage  done  by 
the  fire,  and  the  remedies  whicn  had  been  proposed,  giving, 
by  way  of  appendix,  an  accurate  account  of  the  mss. 
wholly  destroyed  or  materially  injured,  in  order  that  persons 
possessed  of  copies  of  them  might  have  an  opportunity  of 
contributing  to  the  reparation  of  the  loss  by  communicating 
their  transcripts. 

The  library  does  not  appear  to  have  been  again  removed, 
until  the  year  1763,  when,  on  the  formation  of  the  British 
Museum,  in  consequence  of  the  will  of  Sir  Hans  Sloane, 


Museum  Hoursp  55 

it  was»  by  direction  of  the  act  of  parliament  passed  for  its 
regulation,  removed  to  the  new  national  establishment,  two 
trustees,  nominated  in  succession  by  the  representatives  of 
the  Cotton  fatnily,  being  thereby  for  ever  added  to  those 
appointed  by  the  act  for  carrying  its  provisions  into  execu- 
tion. Of  that  family,  the  male  line  has  long  since  been 
extinct,  the  elder  branch  in  1731,  with  Sir  John  Cotton, 
Bart.,  the  great-great-srandson  of  Sir  Robert,  who  then 
died  without  issue;  the  younger  in  1762,  with  his  first 
cousin.  Sir  John  Cotton,  Bart,  (standing  in  the  same  degree 
of  kindred  to  the  founder  with  the  other  Sir  John,  through 
the  second  son  of  the  donor  of  the  library,)  who  left  issue 
but  a  daughter,  married  to  one  of  the  respectable  and 
literary  family  of  the  Bowdlers.  The  representative  of  the 
elder  branch  was,  until  lately,  Francis  Annesley,  Esq.  LL.D. 
M.P.  for  Reading,  who,  through  his  great-grandmother,  the 
daughter  of  Sir  George  Downing,  and  wife  of  John  the 
great-grandson  of  Sir  Hobert  Cotton,  had  also  the  singular 

food  fortune  to  be  the>  representative  of  the  founder  of 
>owning  College,  Cambridge,  of  which  he  was  the  first 
master.  He  was  himself  one  of  the  family  trustees.  Those 
now  acting,  are  G.  B.  Tyndale.  Esq.  and  the  Rev.  Arthur 
Annesley. 

Of  this  collection,  three  catalogues  have  been  printed; 
the  first,  in  Latin,  by  Dr.  Thomas  Smith,  in  the  year  I696, 
eight  years  before  Sir  John  Cotton  had  given  it  to  the 
nation :  this  is  a  folio  volume  of  236  pages.  The  second 
was  a  neat  8vo.  volume,  printed  by  Samuel  Hooper  in  1777, 
from  manuscripts  furnished  by  the  celebrated  Astle,  con- 
taining something  like  a  systematic  arrangement  of  Dr. 
Smith  8  catalogue,  the  corrections  and  additions  of  Mr. 
Casley,  printed  in  1734,  with  a  list  of  the  destroyed  and 
damaged  articles,  as  an  appendix  to  his  catalogue  of  the 
Royal  Library  of  manuscripts;  and  an  alphabetical  list  of 
the  charters  then  first  printed,  from  the  original  MS.  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Widmore,  who  had  for  many  years  the  care  of 
this  inestimable  collection.  The  third,  and  most  ample, 
which  has  indeed  entirely  superseded  the  others,  is  that 
printed  by  command  of  his  late  Majei^ty,  in  conseauence  of 
an  address  from  the  House  of  Commons,  founded  on  a 
recommendation  of  the  Commissioners  of  Public  Records, 
from  that  prepared  in  1793,  and  some  following  years,  by 
Joseph  Planta,  Esq.,  the  historian  of  Switzerland,  to  whose 
care  the  collection  was  confided,  on  its  being  deposited  in  the 
Museum,  as  keeper  of  the  manuscripts ;  an  office  from  which 


66  Museum  Hour$. 

})e  was  reiQpyed,  }>^t  to  t}^e  chief  libiariansbip  o^tiie  insti* 
iution,  which  he  still  fills,  with  equal  credit  to  himi^elf  aad 
a4Tantage  to  thQ  puj^lic  §(|eryice  and  accommpdaibioD.  For 
the  priepaj^atioQ  of  that  cataLpgue,  be  weQt  mpst  carefully 
oyer  the  cojilejction,  reduced  by  the  fir^  we  have  ar^ady  notir 
ped,  to  8.61  volumes,  of.^i^hich  105  were  damaged  bundles 
pf*eseiTed  in  ca^es.  Of  tjbese,  the  public  are  most  deeply 
fndebtied  to  bis  sj&ill  ancj  perseverance,  for  the  restoration 
of  fifty-one,  (even  vphere,  as  is  ^he  cas^  with  several*,  parts 
haye  peen  coi^sumed  or  defaced  by  fire,  so  fat  9B  to  give 
puch  useful  infonqatiion,)  whiph  he  directed  to  be  bound  up 
if^  fof  ty-fpHr  voluQies.  The  oihpr  sixty-one  appeared  to  bioi 
irretrievabk,  al)ihough  our  regret  for  their  loss  16  eonsir 
derably  lightened  by  the  assurance  of  so  compet$^nt  a  judg^e^ 
that  they  consist  for  the  most  part  of  Qbspur(&  tracts  j  and  frag** 
ments  of  little  or  no  importance.  They  are  now  coatatned 
in  62  cases.  The  articles  enumerated  in  Dr.  Smith's  cata- 
logue yfexe  about  6200,  although  Mr.  Planta  has  es:tende4 
those  of  thp  remnant  pf  a  library  then  entire,  to  above  four 
times  that  number,  an  improvement  mainly  owing  to  most 
of  the  170  voli|mes  pf  state  papers  and  small  detached  tracts* 
having  been  entered  ])}it  once  as  single  articles,  whereas,  in 
point  of  fact,  they  consisted,  on  an  average,  of  a  hundred 
distinct  pieces  at  the  least.  He  has  also  corrected  several 
errors  of  his  predecessors,  so  grqss»  that  besides  ascribing  to 
Chancer  a  volume  of  poems  by  Hampole  and  others,  and  enter- 
ing I^ydgate's  siege  of  Troy  as  an  anonymous  production* 
they  give  us  Comestor's  Bible  Historiaux  as  a  common  French 
version  of  the  Bible,  and  (worse  and  worse !)  Marbod99ns  de 
Gemmis  as  a  work  of  Evax,  king  of  Arabia.  Some  of  these 
errors  had  not  escaped  the  observation  of  other  learned 
men,  who  bitterly  deplored  the  existence  pf  such  blunders, 
as  greatly  diminishing  the  utility  of  a  catalogue,  in  which 
accuracy  is  every  thing;  but  although  honest  Humphrey 
Wanley  was  so  concerned  at  the  misdescription  of  the 
valuably  Saxon  manuscripts  contained  in  this  collection,  in 
the  catalogues  extant  in  h^s  time,  as  to  publish  a  more  cor^- 
rect  one  m  the  second  volume  of  the  Thesaurus  of  Dr. 
Hicks,  whilst  pther  antiquaries,  from  time  to  time,  contri^ 
buted  their  additions  to  a  list  of  errors  as  absuvd  as  they, 
were  numeroue^,  it  was  reserved  for  the  learning  aod  indus^y 
of  Mr.  Planta^  to  give  to  th^  world  a  reference  to  this  spAeor 
did  collection,  which  should  make  it  really  useful  to  those 
lyho  wish  to  consuU  it.  By  his  direction,  the  volumes  have 
^11  b^en  accurately  repaged;  and  of  th^  26,00Q  articles. 


I^iEraM  of  lii«  Rev.  Edward  Williams,  D.D.  57 

which  the  library  contains,  he  has  given  ns  a  catalogue  occu- 
pying 708  large  folio  pages.  In  its  compilation,  he  has 
taken  great  and  laudable  pains  to  discover  the  real  authors 
ef  anonymous  and  pseudo^-nonyniouB  works,  and  to  give 
references  to  the  books  in  which  any  of  the  manuscripts 
have  been  printed.  Dates  of  letters  and  state  papers^ 
where,  as  was  too  often  the  case  in  the  two  last  centuries, 
die  writers  have  omitted  them,  have  also,  as  fkr  as  possible, 
been  inserted  in  the  catalogue,  in  which  even  approxima- 
tions have  been  given,  with  notes  of  interrogation  affixed, 
when  the  real  date  could  not  be  discovered.  The  supposed 
age  of  Mss.  previous  to  the  I5th  century,  have  also  been 
noticed  in  the  same  manner,  wherever  it  could  be  ascertained 
with  any  degree  of  probability.  A  full  and  accurate  Index 
of  seventy-five  pages,  of  three  columns  each,  completes  thifei 
most  useful  catalogue  of  a  library,  richer  than  any  other 
which  England,  or  probably  the  world,  can  boast,  in 
illustrations  of  the  antiquities  and  early  history  of  his  coun- 
try, to  which  it  is  the  noble  memorial  of  the  learning  and 
munificence  of  its  illustrious,  but  ill-requited  founder. 

V. 

aggga.i.i  ;,i    iM.gggg 

Account  of  the  Death,  and  a  List  of  the  Works,  of  the  Rev. 
Edward  Williams,  D.D.,  late  Theological  Tutor  in  the 
Independent  College,  Rotherham.  The  former  contained  in 
a  Letter  from  a  Friend,  to  a  near  relative  of  the  deceased* 

'  Yo  u  need  not  be  informed,  my  dear  — — ,  that  Dr.  Williams 
lived  constantly  as  in  the  immediate  view  of  eternity. 
There  never  appeared  to  be  a  time,  when  he  might  not  have 
joylally  hailed  the  approach  of  the  angel  of  death.  So  prae- 
tioally  and  effectually  was  he  convinced,  that  infinite  wis- 
dom and  boundless  goodness  superintend  all  things,  that  he 
had  no  other  will  but  that  of  Ood.  His  life  was  one  most 
active  and  undeviating  aim  to  promote  the  divine  glory. 
Of  such  a  man,  the  testimonies  of  a  death-bed,  so  earnestly 
sought  after  on  other  occasions,  were  not  needed.  His 
death,  be  it  what  it  might,  could  not  speak  so  loudly,  nor  so 
effectually,  as  his  life.  However,  in  this  case,  his  d^eath  was 
such  as  added  a  glorious  emphasis  to  the  language  pro- 
claimed by  his  life.  The  activity  of  his  mind  continued 
unabated  to  the  last  day  he  was  spared  to  his  friends  on 
earth.  It  even  seemed  to  have  increased  in  the  liveliness 
of  its  conceptions,  the  rapidity  of  its  movements,  and  the 
intensenesB  of  its  ardour,  during  his  last  illness.    He  him- 


/ 


58  Bmh  of  the  Rev.  Edward  Williams^  D.D. 

self  was  sensible^  that  his  feeble  nature  was  sinking  under 
the  overpowering  energy  of  the  immortal  part.  ''  One  pre- 
itoription/'  said  be,  **  which  would  be  most  of  all  effectual, 
none  of  you  have  thought  of — to  restrain  the  ardour  of  the 
mind."    It  was  busily  employed  in  devising  plans  for  the 

food  of  the  church.    To  the  last  day  of  his  leaving  his 
ed-room,  he  continued  to  employ  his  pen,  as  his  strength 
allowed,  for.  its  bienefit.    On  the  Wednesday  before  his 
departure,  I  believe  you  know,  the  paroxysm  of  pain  was 
long  and  dreadful.    He  told  me,  the  following  morning,  he 
thought  nature  could  not  have  sustained  it.     Ever  after 
this  period,  it  became   indispensably  necessary  that  he 
should  be  as  still  as  possible.     Few  persons  saw  him,  and 
all  interrogatories  were  studiously  avoided.    However,  to 
his  dear  wife  he  said,  '^  I  am  happy  in  God,  but  I  cannot 
talk:"  and  on  a  friend's  coming  iu,  and  asking  him  how  he 
was,  he  said  most  cheerfully,  "  I  am  in  the  hands  of  a 
sovereign  God,  and  he  will  perfect  that  which  concerns 
HE,  and  MINE,  and  the  church,  and  all  His.''   On  another 
occasion  he  observed — '*  For  some  time,  my  mind  has  been 
engaged  about  personal  concerns,  now  it  is  taken  up  with 
anxiety  about  God's  public  glory,  and  the  affairs  of  his 
church ;  and  this  leads  me  to  conjecture,  he  may  have  some- 
thing more  for  me  to  do  on  earth."     "Well,"  said  that 
friend,  "  Paul  would  say, '  for  me  to  live  is  Christ,  and  for 
me  to  die  is  gain.*"    "  Yes,"  rejoined  he,  "  and  for  me  too, 
as  well  as  Paul,  '  to  live  is  Cnrist,  and  to  die  is  gain.'" 
His  physician.  Dr.  Youn^,  observed  the  unabated  vigour 
and  intense  activity  of  his  mind,  while  his  strength  was 
momentarily  sinking,  and  declared  that  this  alarmed  him 
most;  this  was  the  chief  thing  he  had  to  contend  i^ainst. 
To  preach  the  necessity  of  suspending  all  mental  effort,  he 
said,  was  easy;  but, in  this  case,  the  practice,  he  was  afraid, 
was  most  difficult.     Thus  he  continued  till  the  Tuesday, 
when  he  remarked,  "  I  know  not  how  it  is,  but  my  mind, 
hitherto  so  much  engaged,  has  now  ceased  to  work.     It  is 
quite  still."     That,  said  his  dear  companion,  is  what  we 
wished.     If  it  rests,  strength  will  again  revive.    But,  alas ! 
this  hope  was  fallacious.    Its  work  on  earth  was  done,  and 
before  the  close  of  that  day,  its  energies  were  destined  to 
unfold  under  incs^lculable  advantages, — unrestrained  by  a 
dying  body,  and  amidst  the  light  ofneavenly  glory. 

G. 


Dr.  WiUiams's  Worki.  59 

A  CA-fALOGVE  OF   WORKS    PUBLISHED  BY   DS.  WIlLIAHS^r 

1.  .Social  Religion  ExempV^d;  written  originally  by  the 
Rev.  Matthias  Maurice.  Revised,  corrected^  and  abridged^ 
with  occasional  Notes,  a  copious  Index,  and  a  Preface  con- 
taining some  account  of  the  Author.    5th  edit.     12mo. 

2.  Antipadobaptism  Examined:  or  a  strict  and  impartial 
Inquiry  into  the  Nature  and  Design,  Subjects  and  Mode^  of 
Baptism.    2  vols.     12mo. 

3.  An  Exposition  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews ;  with  the 
preliminary  Exercitations.  By  John  Owen,  D.D.  Revised 
and  abridged,  with  a  full  and  interesting  Life  of  the  Author, 
a  copious  Index,  &c.  Including  two  Letters,  the  one  to 
Dr.  Priestley,  and  the  other  to  Mr.  David  Levi,  respecting 
this  work.    4  vols.    8vo. 

4.  A  Discourse  on  the  Influence  of  Religious  Practice  upon 
our  Inquiries  after  Truth.  With  an  Appendix,  addressed 
to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Belsham. 

5.  A  Discourse  on  the  Christian's  Reasons  for  glorying 
in  the  Cross  of  Christ. 

6.  A  Circular  Letter,  from  the  Independent  Ministers 
assembled  at  Nuneaton,  Aug.  6,  1793,  to  the  Associated 
Churches  in  Warwickshire.  With  a  Postscript,  recom- 
mending the  sending  of  Missionaries  among  the  Heathen.  .. 

7.  An  Introductory  Discourse  on  the  Nature  of  an  Ordina- 
tion, delivered  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Fleming. 

8.  A  Charge  addressed  to  the  First  Missionaries  to  the 
Islands  of  the  South  Seas. 

9.  An  Account  of  the  Old  Yorkshire  Academy,  and  the 
New  Rotherham  Academy. 

10  A  Charge  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Bradley. 

11.  The  Christian  Preacher;  or,  Discourses  on  Preaching, 
by  several  eminent  Divines,  revised  and  abridged,  with  an 
Appendix  on  the  choice  of  Books.    2d  edition.     12mo. 

12.  The. Kingdom  of  Christ:  or,  the  Certainty  of  the 
Resurrection  argued  from  the  Nature  of  Christ's  Mediato- 
rial Kingdom;  a  Sermon  preached  at  Nottingham. 

13.  A  Collection  of  above  six  hundred  Hymns,  designed  ac^ 
a  Supplement  to  Dr.  Watts's  Psalms  and  Hymns.  4tb. 
edition. 

14.  The  Psalms  and  Hymns  of  Dr.  Watts:  containing, 
twenty  additional  Hymns  by  the  same  Author — a  Table  of 
the  first  line,  not  only  of  every  Psalm  and  Hymn,  but  also 
oC  every  Stanza  in  uie  Work ;  a  new  Arrangement  of  tba 


60  Dr.  WiltiainB*s  Works. 

whole  in  a  eonveni^nt  Table  prelGixed ;  with  i];Qpra¥ed  bdiex^ 
of  Subjects  and  of  Scriptures.    2  vols. 

15.  Musical  Hints,  designed  to  excite  the  lauclable  curio- 
sity of  Young  People  in  reference  to  Sacred  Musick ;  with 
a  Musical  Index  to  above  250  tunes,  (corresponding  with 
Dr.  Miller's  two  volumes  of  Tunes,  original  and  collected,) 
adapted  to  all  Dr.  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns,  and  the  Sup- 
plement. 

16.  Predestination  t6  Life ;  a  Sermon  preached  at  Sheffield. 
With  Explanatory  Notes  on  iPredestination,  the  Origin  of 
Moral  Evil,  8cc.    2d  edition. 

17.  Apostolic  Zeal  Recommended;  a  Sermon  preached  in 
London,  at  the  eleventh  General  Meeting  of  the  Missionary 
Society. 

18.  Thoughts  on  a  General  and  Explicit  Union  of  Congre- 
gational Churches. 

19.  The  Works  of  Dr.  Doddridge  complete.  With  Notes 
Illustrative,  Theological,  and  Philosophical,  on  the  Preach* 
ing  Lectures  ;  and  an  accurate,  copious  Index.     lO  vols; 

20.  National  Reform;  a  Sermon  preached  at  Masborough 
on  the  Fast  Day,  1809. 

21.  Christian  C/nantmiYyJSecomme^idedf;  a  Discourse  preach- 
ed before  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  General  Congregational 
Union,  London. 

22.  An  Essay  on  the  Equity  of  Divine  Govemmfetit,  and 
the  Sovereignty  of  Divine  Grace. 

23.  The  Christian  Minister's  Main  Study ;  a  Charge  de- 
livered at  the  Ordination  of  the  Re?.  John  Hawksley. 

24.  Apostolic  Benevolence  towards  the  Jews,  recomimended 
for  imitation ;  a  Sermon  at  the  Jews'  Chapel,  Spitalfields, 
liOndon. 

25.  The  Works  of  President  Edwards,  complete.  Includ- 
ing Memoirs  of  the  Life,  Experience;,  land  Character  of  the 
Author,  by  Dr.  Hopkins,  reviewed,  corrected,  and  enlarged  ; 
a  Sketch  of  Mrs.  Edwards's  Life  atid  Character;  a  bi^ief 
Account  of  their  Daiighter,  Mrs.  Burr ;  the  Life  and  Cha- 
racter of  the  Author's  Son,  Dr,  Jonathan  Edwards;  with 
occasional  Notes  on  controverted  Subjects,  and  an  accurate 
copious  Index.    8  vols. 

26.  The  Parent's  Help/  or  the  young  Chfld's  Krst  Cate- 
chism, founded  on  familiar  Scripture  Characters.  Seventh 
edition. 

27.  The  Union  Catechism ;  First  Part,  the  Church  €ate-» 
ehism  abridged,  and  adapted  to  the  capacities  of  voung 
<ihildren;  Second  Part,  the  Assembly's  Catechism  abrni^d. 


Review.— State  of  New^ England  and  New^Yorh-      0) 

and  adapted  ta  the  capacities  of  young  chiUin^n.    Sixth 
edition. 

28.  The  Older  Child^s  Catechism;  founded  on  Scripture 
Characters  and  Important  Facts. 

29.  An  Exposition  of  the  Assemt)ly's  Catechism^  compre- 
hending a  concise  Body  of  Divinitjr. 

30.  JSeripture  Questions;  containing  a  familiar  Introduc- 
tion to  the  Divine  Dispensations^  from  the  beginning  of 
Genesis  to  the  end  of  Revelations ;  accompanied  with  En- 
graved Charts^  chronological^  historical,  and  biographical, 
and  an  Explanation  of  the  Charts.     Second  edition. 

31.  A  Defence  of  Modern  Calvinism;  containing  an  Exa- 
mination of  the  Bishop  of  Lincoln's  Work,  entitled,  •'  A  Refu- 
tation of  Calvinism.'' 

Dr.  WilHams  had  prepared  a  New  Edition  of  the  "  Essay 
on  the  Equity  of  Divine  Government,  and  the  Sovereignty 
of  Divine  Grace,"  corrected  and  improved ;  and  was  prepar- 
ing for  publication,  a  work,  to  have  been  entitled,  "  The 
Principles  of  Moral  Science." 

J.  B.  W. 


i^...;;  m 


REVIEW. 


Travels  in  New -England  and  New -York.  By  Timothy 
D wight,  S.T.D.  LL.D.,  late  President  of  Yale  College, 
Author  of  Theology  Explained  and  Defended.  4  vols. 
8vo.  pp.  515,  615,  626^  525.  London,  182?.  Baynes. 
and  Son. 

Memorable  Da^  in  America:  being  a  Journal  rf a  Tour  to 
the  Unit^  States,  principally  umertaken  to  ascertain  by 
positive  evidence  the.  Conxion  and  probable  Pukspects  of 
British. Emigrants;  including  an  Account  of  Mr.  Birkbeck's 
Settlement  in  the  Illinois,  and  intended  to  shew  Men  and 
Things  as  they  are,  in  America.  By  W.  Faux,  an  English 
Farmer.  8vo.  pp.  504.  London,  1823.  Simpkin  and 
Marshall. 

'^To  she^  things  as  they  really  are  in  America,"  has, 
from  itS'  first  establishment,  been  one  of  the  particular 
objects  of  this  journal ;  and  its  editors  trust,  that  they  have' 
not  altogether  tailed  in  its  attiaiilment.  This  also  is  the 
a^owedrobj,«ct  of  both  the  works  before  us;  the  one  the' 
elaborate  production  of  an  American'  divine,  w^iose- tbeolo^ 
gi(^  .^itiUgs  have  kmg  sincd  made  hisn  advtotagebuslst' 


64       Review.-^tate  of  NenhEngJmid  and  New^York. 

stAftiMl,  iOittt  it  is  not  to  be  fbtind  4fi  AteiaHea.  The  ra- 
pidity df  Uie .  gicKwth  of  lihe  jshoots  fro^  old  Wttimps  of  a 
cleared^  yet  ei^er-living  forest;  erecuring  on  gbod  gronn'd  af 
iifoofated  supply  of  fuel  once  in  fourteen  years,  considerably 
lessens,  however,  the  inconvenience  from  the  want  of  coat 
which  would  otherwise  be  felt.  •     ' 

At  Ridgfield,  in  Connecticut,  there  is  a  mine  of  iron  so  pnfei 
as  to  produce  at  the  first  forging  43teel  of  an  excellent 
quality*  Dr.  Dwight  saw  indeed  a  very  good  and  ser- 
viceable penknife  made  from  the  ore,  as  it  came -from  the 
mine.  Forest  trees  are  abundant,  and  many  of  theni-grow 
to  that  extraordinary  size  which  is  characteristic  of  the 
pf pductipns  of  the'  new  world.  The  whitie  pine,  the  nbblest 
tree  in  New  England,  and  probably  in  the  world,. is 'fre-^ 
quently  si:(  feet  in  diameter,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
in  height.  "The  sound  of  the  wind,"  says  Dr..  Dwightj^ 
"  in  a  grove  of  white  pines,  has  all  tlie  magnificence  which* 
attends,  the  disitant  roar  of  the  ocean."  Besidefe  the  tr^es^ 
of  Qrdinaiy  growth  in  England,  cedails  and  tulip  trees  there, 
flpurish  in  great  abundance*.  The.  latter  flowers  n^o^t  beau- 
tifully, the  blossoms  of  its  yellow  species  appearing  ^t^a 
distance  as^  of  burnished  gold.  From  the  black  mapTe, 
stigar  is  obtained,  at  times,  to  the  extent  of  fourteen  pounds^ 
a  season,  from  a  single  tree.  Most  of  our  fruits  are  success* 
fully  cultivated  there ;  the  meadow-strawberty  of  the  doun- 
tgffjsmngt  foF  instance,  brought  to  sueh  ti  stdte  of  pei^dti6n[ 
a0  to  (have  inereosed  to  twice  its  originat  s^z^,«  Uotte  bliib^ 
fiwii*  inches  and^  a  h^df  iii 'cifcnmfference,  m^ny  fou^,  aha 
lyashels  between  three  and  four.  Apples' also  ate  so  abtiii^ 
dant,  that  although  cider  is  the  common  beverage  of  thef 
country,  rith  and  poor  alike,  in  a  fruitful  year  they  are 
ofleo  given'  to  those  who. will  gather  them',  ana  form,  bi^shel^ 
aft^r  bushel,;  a  delicious  though  n^t  uooonuuon  food  fek^. 
cat-tle  and  for  awiae;  and  if  dieiv  flocks  isofd  henist^are 
feasted' with  ^ome  of  those  exqtiimte  Newtown  fipj^in^y^  on 
lyhioh'it^  has  fsequedtly  beeHn  our  good^fotlunis  to  legate 
oifti!8«iiv1eS!  inc.  £i^;knd,!  w«^  tsoniiot  but'  abs^efve,  eHf  p^firiii 
tlMftl  wendain^  ttem  their  desert;  Ocmtdopes,  9eV6'raf  iWrie^ 
iim'  of?  aietbnsv  amongA;  wMch'are  watef-ittefoiis*  "w^igKitg' 
fifty  pounds,  figs/ ahnoiids,  butter-"nuts,  prunes,  vegetable 
^ggs>  mandrakes,  winter  and  stimm^Y^  squashes,  and  lover 
apples,  seem  to  be  tbe  principal  firuits  growing -wild  or  cul-' 
tivat^d  there,  which  we  eitfaar  have  liot  in  England  a,t  all; 
or  do  not  cultivate  to  any  extent; 

Their  vegetftblies  are  pretty  mUcK  thd  gaVne  as  duN,  and 


Travels  igf  Dn  Bwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  65 

witk  the  exeqition  of  the  artichoke,  grows  laxuriantly,  and 
in  some  cases,  in  the  cauliflower  parttcularlv,  to  greater 
perfection  than  with  «.  In  the  produce  of  nirms,  we  see 
not  much  difference  between  the  countries,  as  to  its  species, 
except  that  a  great  quantity  of  maize  is  grown  in  New^ 
England,  in  most  parts  of  which  the  Hessian  fly  has  been  so 
destmctive  to  the  wheat,  as  to  compel  the  discontinuance 
of  its  cnltiratton  in  districts  so  extensive  as  the  greater 
part  of  Connecticut  To  peas  also,  the  hugs  are  yery  fatal 
enemies,  and  neither  barley  nor  oats  are  very  generally 
^own.  But  besides  these  formidable  foes  to  agriculture, 
New-England  has  others,  to  whose  ruinous  inroads  the 
readers  of  the  former  series  of  our  work  will  recollect  that 
the  ancient  Israelites  were  also  subject.  We  allude  to  the 
pahner-worm  and  the  canker-worm.  Of  the  appearance  of 
the  former  in  1770,  its  only  visit  in  his  recollection. 
Dr.  Dwight  gives  the  following  particulars,  which  we  the 
rather  extract  here,  in  that  Uie  ingenious  essay  of  the 
▼duable  correspondent  to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the 
treatise  on  the  agriculture  of  the  Israelites,  which  has 
enriched  the  former  numbers  of  our  work,  gives  but  little 
information  respecting  them;  and  this  would  not,  we  are  as-* 
sured,  have  been  the  case,  had  the  various  writers,  whom  he 
consulted  for  the  composition  of  his  elaborate  article^  col- 
lected any  thing  important  upon  the  subject. 

^*  It  spread  over  a  great  part  of  the  country,  and  was  stopped  in 
its  progress  only  by  death,  or  by  ploughing  a  trench  before  it,  up 
the  side  of  which  it  was  unable  to  climb;  the  small  particles  of 
earth  yielding  to  its  feet,  and  falling  with  it  into  the  trench.  This 
worm  was  a  caterpillar  nearly  two  inches  in  length,  striped  longitu- 
dinally with  a  very  deep  brown  and  white ;  its  eyes  very  large,  bright, 
and  piercing,  its  movements  very  rapid,  and  its  numbers  infinite. 
Its  march  was  from  west  to  east.  Walls  and  fences  were  no 
obstruction  to  its  course,  nor  indeed  was  anything  else,  except  the 
sides  of  trenches.  It  destroyed,  rather  than  devoured,  ascending 
a  stalk  of  gprass,  or  grain,  cutting  it  off  in  a  moment,  and,  without 
staying;  to  eat  any  part  of  it,  rapidly  repeating  the  same  process  on 
all  which  stood  in  its  way.    The  meadows,  where  it  most  abound- 


scattenng, 

In  some  places,  immense  multitudes  of  these  animals  <fied  in  the 
trenches  which  were  formed  to  stop  their  progress,  and  were  left 
uaCbvered.  The  mass  soon  became  fetid,  and  loathsome ;  and  was 
supposed,  in  several  instances,  to  produce  a  fever,  usually  distress^ 
ing,  and  sometimes  fatal.'^  [vol,  i.p.  49.] 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  1.  F 


G6       Review.-rSMe  cf  Hiw^Bnghud  and  New-  York. 

Thes^  ravttges  ^m  an  evU  of  the  ^eater  mmaitude,  from 
the  lamentable  want  of  jagricuUvral  skill  which  per^adeB 
the  New-Englaud  farmers^  with  few,  if  any,  Qxaeptioiia. 
The  prodiiice  of  ti^ir  farina  is  confesisedly  inferior  to  that 
,o£  ouFs;  a  circumstaace  which  Dr.  Dwight  very  justly 
^attributes  rather  to  the  inferiority  of  their  husbandry,  than 
ih^  poverty  of  their  soil,  which  is  ^aid  (and  there  appears  t» 
]t>e  no  reason  for  douhtiog  the  truth  of  the  assertion)  to  be 
inatur^Ily  as  rich  and  prMUctive  as  that  of  Englaodi  Their 
Thasbandry  m«st  be  miserable  indeed^  when  a  writer,  evi- 
dently disposed  to  put  the  best  face  upon  the  condition  of 
^8  country  as  is  Dir.  Dwight,  admits  that'  its  farmers  are 
generally  igaorant  of  what  crops  will  best  succeed  each 
other,  whilst  their  fields  are  ooveredwith  a  growth  of  weeds 
'SO  r^nk  and  rapikl,  a&  that  they  often  far  exceed  the  crop  in 
weaght. 

Of  medictnal,  and  other  plants,  i:he  ispecies  ImowQ  hefre 
are  ^most  innun^rable. 

On  the  subject  of  the  quadrupeds  of  the  "country,  we 
^shall,  in  justice  to  America,  allow  Dr.  Dwight  to  correct,  in 
.hi9  own  expressions,  a  gross  mistatement  to  whibh  Eiiro*- 
.pean  ignoras^e  and  prejudice  have  given  rise. 

^  It  fs  oommotily  asserted  by  the  zoologists  a(  Europe,  thdt 
•Ameirina,  by  a  mjisterioas  anii  'malignant  influewoe,  deriv^ed  ^rom 
I  know  not  what,  and  ecaeited  i  icoDv  not  hpw>  diminishes  tike  size 
and  deteriorates  the  qualities- of  all  animals,  both  native,  and  jm- 
'poi'ted,  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that  New-England  comes  in 
/fer  no.i^are  of  diis  charge.  To  an  Ameriean  it  is  amusing  enough 
*to  see  how  far  your  writers  have  imbibed  an  opinion,  which  in  its 
'own  na^ture  Bets  probability  at  defiance.  In  Guthrie's  Geography, 
*^the  fpllowing  declarations  have  gone  through  fifteen  editions : — 
'^'"Kie  caribou  is  the  largest  native  animal  in  America,  and  i§  np 
•bigger  than  a  calf  a  year  old.'  *  The  elk  is  a  nativ'e  of  America, 
^d  is  as'^big  as  a  horse.'  Now,  whether  a  calf  a  year  old  is  in 
^teat  Britain  as  h\^  as  a  horse,  or  not,  the  editors  of  this  work  will 
'tindoubt^dly  daim  a  right  to  dietermine,  to  which  I  can  make  no 
'pretensions,  since  I  have  never  seen  a  feritish  calf  exacfly  of  this 
'a^e.  In  this  country  a  horse  is  certainly  much  larger  than  such  ia 
'c^alf ;  und  hence  I  vejiture  to  conctude,  that  the' caribou  is  not 
'the  *l^rge^t  native  animal  of  America.  Cert^iply  he  is  not  bo 
♦large  Us  the  elk.  1  should  judge  from  looking  at  Ais  ianimaj,  of 
•  yhidh  1  have  sefen  several,  that  he  would  weigh  from  one  thousand 
*:^o  eifet^en  hundred  pounds.  The  moose,  which  is  only  a  variety  of 
^tbe  same  kind,. wilf  prob^ly* Weigh  fourteen  hundred  pounds.  A 
'catalogire  has  beeh  published  bj^  the  Rev.  Dr.  Williams,  m  his 
"Hisftory  of  Vermont,  which  very  strongly  illustrates  the  soundness 
of  this  philosophy.     It  is  the  following  : — 


Tfmv0b  by  Dr.  Dwlgbt  an4  Mr-  Fau«.  67 

lbs.     oz.  Ips.     oz. 

Thebear., ...15S  7  45i6  d 

Wolf.... .69  9  92  0 

Deer... ........28S  8  3d8  0 

Fox,red ^. 13  6  30  0 

Porcupine U  fl  IQ  0 

Martiav f*. •.,../,     }  9  ^4 

It  oleoftt  •*.  ••««.9iif««j».«f.»     o  o  7  8 

Rabbit,.,. /...,....     3    4  7    0 

Weasel 2    2  12     0 

Flyiiigaqittrn^U.*^..^.,.*.,    2    %  Ip    Q 

BeaYer«.......,,.,.,t.^.  l^    5  63    8 

OU«r ..,««..,.,,,,     8    9      ,  29    3 

'^  The  weight  of  these  aBin^is  in  Eiismte  is  givea  br  M.  ,De 
Bttftm,  and  wHl  therefore  not  be  qiie.tlionea.  That  of  the  AinerL- 
can  animals  is  giTen  by  Dr.  Wtiliaips,  and .^aayof  oouf  se  bd  i^ganUd 
as  nndoi^btedlyjast.  Yon  see  ikaX  the  oompanson  is  not  a  little 
vnftivourable  to  the  eastern  contiaeot.  If  any  conclusion  is  to  be 
drawn  from  it,  America  is  much  more  favourable  to  the  growth  of 
animals  than  Europe.  At  the  saoae  time  you  will  remember,  that 
the  white  pine  and  the  cypress  6f  this  country  are  giants,  in  compa- 
rison with  the  trees  of  the  eastern  continent.  What  if  we  shon)d 
tuni  the  tables  on  you,  and  insist  that  your  continent  is  grows  too 
old  to  yield  the  prodnetioAS  of  nature  in  thieir  fuH  size,  whiie  ounr, 
young,  if  yon  please,  certaifily  vigorous,  noarkhes  thma  to  a  stale 
of  cpmparative  perfection  ?  Besides,  were  you  once  to  behold  the 
skeleton  of  our  laamfaoth,  3^  would  be  atradt  with  aatonisliiieaty 
«Bil  regard  tiie  ammads  oi  Europe  oa  a  ooBaction  of  pifn^ies. 

*'  Tkere  was  last  veaor  raised  in  a  town  bord^ii^g  Qt^  thia,  ^  ox 
jcif  the  eommonfaroed,  generally  na9Qi^4  tb^  s^aU  hr/^ed,  ip.  dis^oQ- 
tioo  foni  a  }argftr  bfsr^tpfoi^  cpqfiiQaon  ^  tfiis  coi^t^,  ^timat^sd  % 
,akiK9ljtt^^  to  y^pi^  ajive  tju*^  ^housan^  five  hun4re4  ppwnij^. 
Thiere  w^s  fdso,  a  few  weeks  sinpe,  ki^ed  jin  this  tpwn^  fi  ho^, 
wbicji  weighf  d  more  )h^  ^i^bt  b^n^i^d  an<)  fifty  pounds, 

"  To  jgive  you  ray  opinion  on  this  subject^  I  readily  believe;  thit 
4)|i  both  cpptinepts,  it  you  choose  the  proper  clhnate,  species,  and 
food,  you  may  raise  any  of  thjese  anim^iU  to  its  Ml  si2^.  -  In  the 
view  of  a  sober^ American,  the  contrary  ppinion,  ti\oi^  dip|iitfied  by 
die  name  of  philosophy,  and  maxje  the  subject  of  grave  disciissioifs 
of  gn^e  men,  ranks  With  the  stories  of  Lflliput  and  Brobdingna;^, 
and  would  be  readHy  supposed  4o  kavehad  its  ^rfgin  is  the'  Maud 
oflaputa.*^  {vol.  i.  pp.  24—24.] 

We  fear  that  this  comparison  of  rtte  growth  of  animals 
ivjU.  ig&^^v^\ff  (Npe^kiqg,  }^   With  te»»  ^d^Wtefflepug^  to 


69       Review. -^Stait  of  VfeuhEngland and  NevhYork* 

our  American  writet,  when  contrasted  with  the  misrepresen- 
tation and  illiberality  which  have  lone  pervaded  most  of  our 
English  accounts  or  that  quarter  of  the  globe.  Of  birds  of 
prey,  New-*England  has  several  formidable  ones,  and  amongst 
them,  the  bald  eagle,  measuring  sometimes  nine  feet  be- 
tween the  extremities  of  its  winss,  and  abundantly  strongr 
and  bold  enough  to  attack  and  destroy  lambs,  sheep,  and 
calves.  But  even  this  gigantic  marauder  has  an  opponent 
more  than  his  equal,  in  a  curious,  little,  but  very  gallant 
bird,  of  which  our  author  gives  us  the  following  account : — 

**  Birds  of  prey  in  this  coantry  are  of  mimy  kinds;  yet,  if  we 
Except  the  common  or  hen^hawk,  they  are  few  in  mtmber.  It  is  a 
remarkable  fact,  that  the  king^bit d,  or  bee-heater,  is  aft  ovennatch 
for  anv  of  them*  This  little  animal^  possessed  of  ^a  ahaip  beak, 
furivalled  activity,  and  a  spirit  eqiialiy  unrivalled,  boldly  attacks 
every  other  bird,,  and  is  always  secure  of  victory^  .  It  is  not  a  Uttle 
anmsniff  to  see  an'enemy,  so  dispropoKtioned  insise  and  strength, 
vatiquish  the  crow,  the  hawk,  and  tpe  eagle.  While  oa  the  wiqg 
he  always  rises  above  them,  and,  at  ^  short  intervals,  darting  upon 
them  with  wonderful  celerity,  pierces  them  with  bis  bill  on  the  back 
.and  neck  so  painfully,  that  they  make.no  efforts  but  to  , escape. 
Whenever,  they  alight,  he  alights  immediately  over  them,  and 
quietly  waits  until  they  again  take  win^.  Then  he  repeats  the  ^ame 
sevcse  discipline,  until,  satisfied  with  victory  and  revenge,  he  returns 
to  his  nest..  This  bird  is  an  excellent  defence  of  a  garden  against 
«vefy  enemy  of  the  feathered  kind."  [voLi.  p.  27.] 

There  are  a  few  odiier  omitbological  singularities  of  the 
country,  which;  on  so  respectable  authoffity  as  thai'  of  Dr. 
•Bwfght^  we  hesitate  not  to  extract  as  facts,  new  and  ex- 
traordinary as  some  of  them  appear.  Thus  we  are  told,  that 
ih^  crow  is'ther^  easily  taught  to  epeak  as  wetland  volubly 
as  the  parrot;  and  that  a  bird  so  difficult  to  be  approached, 
as  not  to  admit  of  a  more  accurate  description  than  that  it 
is  of  a  browri  colour,  and  in  size  scarcely  so  large  as  the 
rpbjn^  sings  at  once  so  exquisitively  and  so  sweetly,  as  to 
excised  in  voice  the  tone  of  any  instrument,  save,. only  the 
J^^.banp*  .But  this  is  not  alC  for  it  forms  a  concerjt  with 
ipi^  apd  sometip^aa  with  two  of  its  companions ;  U^e  voice  of 
9iie  in  tbe.forioerrinataiiH^.  being  elevated  a  Uiird  greatcsr 
:above  that  of  the.  other,'  and  in  the.  trio  the .  same  perfbriner 
raisins  his  voice  a  fifth  above  the  first,  and  of  course  a  third 
less  above  the  second.  . 

''  In  this  manner,''  says  Dr<  D wight,  ''a  given  set  of. notes  is 
:rqpeated'  altematriy  by  them  -all  at  eqaal  intervals^  and  with  iniiai- 


Trateh  by  Drl  Dwigfat  and  Mr.  Faux.  69 

t^te  svnwttiest  <>f 'jMwad»  ^  fimtttng,  it  ii  MGtted/  Ad' neatest 
t^ipioaoh  to  iKEABoay  ibuod  atocrngst  tbe^dielted  ettotkm.  I  have 
named  diii  bird  the  wn^iter  qftke  woods/*  [Vol.  i.  p.  38;] 

And  w^IIf  we  would  add»  if  this  account  of  its  perforaumcea 
be  s^ccurate,  as  we  cannot  doubt  but  that  it  is>  does  it  merit 
a  title  so  distinctive,  as  to  induce  us  very  earnestly  td  wish 
that  we  could  be  present  at  one  of  those  extiraordinary 
concerts  of  birds,  in  comparison  with  whom  we  should 
hold  the  black  swan  of  Horace  very  littie  of  a  rara  avis  in 
terfd: 

Rattlesnakes  are  amongst  the  most  formidable  of  the 
reptiles  of  which  New-England  has  its  full  share,  though 
Dr.  Dwiffht,  with  somewhat  more  of  nationality,  we  cannotbut 
think,  man  of  justice,  says  that  though  *^  commonly,'^  it  has 
beeft ''  errorieoasly  supuosed  to  be  very  dangerous  to  man.'' 
**  His  bite  is,  indeed,*  he  admits,  **  a  strong  poison ;"  yet 
h^  adds,  for  th^  consolation  of  those  whb  may  be  etposedf  to 
it,  that  it  is  "  both  certainly  and  easily  cured ;"  besides  the 
further  assurance,  that  the  animal  ^'is  so  clumsy,  as  to  be 
avoided  without  any  difficulty."  On  these  accounts,  we 
find,  that  the  rattlesnake  has  long  ceased  to  be  an  object  of 
curiosity  in  these  states;  notwithstanding  which,  from  want 
perhaps  of  a  familiarity  with  them,  of  which,  while  they  are 
Iivin|r,  we  are  by  no  means  ambitious,  we  should  place  our 
chief  security  in  their  being  rarely  met  with^  except  in 
solitary  places. 

Most  of  our  readers  must  have  heard  or  read  of  the  nup- 
pobed  power  of  snakes  to  Ceiscinate  birds,  and  will  not^  we 
are  persuaded,  be  displeased  widi  us^  for  extracting  thfe 
following  facts  upon  the  subject,  from  the  pages  of  Br. 
Dwi^ht,  who  gives  unoualified  credence  to  the  statement, 
whida  he  had  received  trom  a  student  of  Yale  College/ 

^  **  As  this  young  gentleman,  together  with  some  companions,  was 
walklngone  morning  through  a  grove,  in  the  summer  season,  they 
beard  a  bird  scream^  in  an  wiusual  manner.  Upon  ezamination, 
diey  fotmd  a  hlue  jay  flying  in  a  horizontal  direction,  about  fifteen 
feet  from  the  fipround,  from  a  certain  tree;  and,  after  having 
extended  its  flight  about  thirty  rods,  returning  again  to  the  same 
tree.  Its  excursions,  however,  became  in  every  instance  shorter, 
and  its  flight  at  eveiy  return  was  directed  to  a  particular  part  of 
the  tree.  This  naturally  led  the  yOung  gendemen  to  search  for 
the  cause  of  ^o  remarkable  a  phenomenon.  They  found  in  that 
part  of  the  tree  a  lar|^  black  snake,  extended  upon  a  limb,  at  the 
neight  at  whteh  Uie  bird  flew.  Curiosity  induced  them  to  continue 
obser^tttion,  until  the  bird  became  nearly  exbanstedi  and 


i^peared  to  l?e  on  thd  pdint  of  b^comln^  a  prey  to  Its  ttaaaw.  OUa^ 
of  the  company  then  threw  a  cfab  into  the  tiNse^  and  tbvus  dhrcfttd 
the  attention  of  both  the  taake  and  the  btrdb  The  ohtfnn^  Ifl  may 
be  permitted  to  use  this  langaage,  was  immediately  dissolyedy  and 
Ilia  Hlt^nded  ific^  esc^>e<f  withbut  any  diffibaltf.'*  [¥ol.  i.  p.-W.} 

irhe  insects  of  these  states  are  not  remarkable  either  for 
variety,  number*  or  mialigQity.  Hornets  and  wasps  existp 
tnit  do  not  abound  there ;  and  although  we  question  not  tho 
truth  of  the  Doctor^B  assertion,  that  there  are  fewer  noxious 
insects  of  aiiy  kind  in  New-England  than  in  most  countries 
in  the  Eastern  continent,  we  cannot  but  think  that  it  would 
be  a  more  desirable  place  of  residence,  if  freed  from  those 
sWarms  of  musquitos,  not  unreasonably  dreaded  and  dis- 
liked by  our  countrymen,  when  their  bitei.is  occasionally  so 
venomous  as  to  renqet  it  neoessatV  to  cut  tlie  sleeve  of  a 
coaty  before  it  can  be  taken  oft  the  swollen  arm  which  ii 
covered,  Ix)tusts,  too,, as  far  as  comfort  is  concerned, 
might.  We  should  think,  be  dispensed  witb«  although  the 
injuries  they  do  are  confined  to  regular  visitations  every 
seventeenth  year,  prodi|ctive  only^  we  are  told>  of  "  a  little 
mischief  to  tJbe  forest  trees.** 

*She  fish  in  the  waters  of  New-^Englaud  are  proverbially 
numerous,  and  many  of  them  delicious. 

On  the  subject  of  climate  and  seasons,  our  author  enters 
into  details  far  too  minute  for  us  to  follow;  too  minute 
also^  we  should  think,  for  the  majority  of  those  who  are 
likely  to  be  his  readers.  The  results  and  prUicipal  featnres 
ihay  be  stated  in  a  few  words.  The  heat  of  summer  is 
admitted  to  be  somewhat  greater  than  in  European  climes, 
a  circumstance  which,  as  liar  as  England  has  been  concerned 
for  some  >^edAs  past,  is  in  favour  of  America;  although  the 
advantage  is  morQ  than,  cpunterbfeilanced  by  ihe^  gr^at^r 
degree  of  cold  whicli  prevails  there  at  times,  and  still  more 
stroo^ly  by  the  e^ttreme  varia%l^€M  of  the  ^tji&ia1e>  which 
sometimes  ^havigtel  mote  thii«itbirty'-4dlh&  amouht  even«)f 
*M*tyueight  dfegrfees  in fotit-atod-tt#teiM;yhOttr».  During  tbfetold 
winds,  of  freqtnent  recnrreticfe,  and  wiilth,  from  the  severity 
of  tWtr  eiJFefCts,  atfe  not  5tiapt)ropriatfely  termed  blasts,  rapid 
streams  ate  sometimesso  completely  frozen  ovfer  in  anight,^ 
to  bie  crossed  upon  ice  tJie  morning  after  they  had  been  flow- 
ing uncoDigealed  and  uninterrupted  in  their  wonted  course. 
These  winds  Wve  beeti  known  to  blow  for  a  continuance  of 
one-and-twenty  days;  and  whe9&  Qfl  ^^  fi>^queatly  tibe  «ase, 
thqy  ftfe  violtat,  houses  prdstrated>  othiHrs  UnMdfed^  ^elMfc- 
derafbh  tracts  -of  forest  ievdlled  to  ike  ^round^  asd  elctensiVe 


proofs.' of  ibjeir  ^eilUuctiy^  ravages*  Bui  with  their  ruioQiis 
mavch^.H  i^  but  justice  to  contrast  Pir.  Pwight*s  very  bea^r 
tiful  de^riptioa  o(  tli^f .  tbun4^<-stprins  of  his  oouptry.} 
objects  with  u&  not  nasally  prodticlfive  of  plaasufaWe^  sii^Q*- 
tionsy  at  least  to  the  great  majority  of  tnose  who  wit^^sa. 
them. 


**  Tim  thuader-atonos  of  Hkm  oowtry,  gei^emUy  bo  itykd  ber 
cause  ac«Hnidmtble  number  qI  tbem  are  aQilivally  storois,  ace  ia 
meet  cssQs  equally  beneficial  and  deligktiuK  Aj^l  imniense  grsa-. 
dear  invests  them  during  the  time  of  their  approach.  They  are 
so  frequeni  in  qrdin&ry  aeasoi^  as  to  Curni.sh  an  ample  nupply  of 
rain  fof  the  dems^ids  of  vegetation.  The  wind  which  biripgs  tbf  np,; 
an4  which  blows  one  or  two  days  after  they  have  passed  over,  is 
remarkably  pure,  refreshing,  and  healthy.  The  earth,  particularly 
in  the  months  of  May  and  June,  the  richest  season  of  vegetaitioo, 
IS  beautiful  beyond  description.  The  verdure  glows  with  new 
life — the  flowers  exult  with  additional  beauty  and  fragrance — 

^  The  hirds  their  notes  renew ;  and  hleating  heiids 
Attest  their  joy,  that  hill  and  valley  rings/' 

The  sun,  in  the  mean  time,  beams  through  the  purified  atmo- 
sphere with  a  peculiar  splendour.  One,  and  often  two  rainbows 
are  finely  painted  on  the  reverse  of  the  departing  storm.  The  clouds 
in  the  western  regions;  wrought  into  the  boldest  figures,  and 
tinged  in  different  places  with  all  the  elegant  hues  of  the  prismatic 
image,  present  to  the  eye  mountains  with  summits  of  gold,  and 
precipices  of  fire.  To  these  storms  the  people  of  this  country  owe 
^ir  general  exemption  from  drought,  which  seems  so  much  more 
frequently  to  afflict  those  of  the  eastern  continent."  [vol.  i.  p.  48.] 

The  seasons  seem  to  be  as  variable  as  with  us,  March 
having  been  occasionally  the  pleasantest,  and  June  the  most 
unpleasant  month  of  tne  twelve.  Notwithstanding  this, 
however^  New-England  is  ^  very  healthy  country,  and  many 
of  its  inhabitants  attiain  to  a  great  age,  though  not,  it  would 
seem,  in  a  larger,  if  in  qnite  so  large,  a  proportion  as  in 
our  own  country.  To  earthquakes  and  storms  these  states 
have  not  infrequently  been  exposed^— the  former  have, 
however,  seldoi^  done  very  extensive  mischief,  though  the 
ravages  of  the  latter  have  often  been  considerable,  but  not 

greater  than  those  of  similar  convulsions  of  the  elements  in 
urope.  Nor  are  its  tornadoes,  the  most  formidable  shocks 
of  the  atmosphere  known  in  that  country^  by  any  noiean^ 
equal  in  violence  to  those  which  have  frequently  aesQlate4 
large  tracts  of  our  own  West  Indian  possessions. 

The  history  of  the  colonization  of  New-England  is  given 


72       Re^Oew^—Siait  rf  Nem^EnglMi  aild  i^gw-York. 

te^  tlMM6  tncreb  witfcr  mndi'  wifrateness  4lf 'detail,  in  mhUk 

Ss6e&  18  done  f6  the  eibaraeterof  Ihe' P^ritans^  Ikina wkoRi 
r.  Dwighl.iEi  n^t«0htfitied  of  diving  hits  deic^nt.  Nor 
iteed  be  tb  1>e'80;'foi^'i}fet^l)6lmiracter  oTtbe  first  Entfbp^il 
settlers  ih  Ms  cotmtry^  is  tmly  giTen  by  bfan  in  this  short 

sentence. 

.  •  .'  .     -  '  , .   ■ 

**  Piety  was  indeed  the  common  character,  not  itnsulfied  by 
errors  and  faults,  but  nobly  distinguished  by  that  patient,  regular, 
attd  ooiisci^ntiOttS'cOntimiahce  in  welldoing;  wbieb  lii^tf'the  -Mr 
iMmdadoD  for  fiitare  glory,  hoooitry  aadimiii€itriiiiyl'*{?ol.  i-.^*  1 19^} 


This  Is  not,  however,  the  obaracter  which  tbeyhaTe?  borae 
ui'thie  world,  end  least  of  all  in  the  country  whence  bigolty 
and  tyranny  drove  them  forth,  to  seek  a  refuge  firom  oppres*^ 
siop,  and  contumely,  and  wrong,  in  the  wilds  of  Amesi^ica,. 
amidst  the  rude  habitations  of  fierce  and  savage  men. 

The  New-Englanders  have  certainly,  from  their  fimt 
settlement  downwards,  laboured  under  a  heavy  weight  of 
obloquy,  for  the  double  crime  of  Puritanism  andRepublican^ 
ism.  So  long  ago  as  the  latter  end  of  the  seventeenth  and 
fhe  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century,  the  witty,  but  pre- 

i'udiced  and  bigoted  Sputh,  was  in  the  habit  of  going  out  of 
lis  way  to  abuse  them  in  stroog^y  vituperfitive  termsiir  ip 
soj^  of  the  most,  eloquent  discourses  which. he  delivered 
jftom  the  pulpit;  and  his  vigorous  fulminations. carry  with 
them  to  many  minda  a  perpetuity  of  repvoMb.  Very  diSth 
mat  feelings  wiU>  however,  be  awakened  in  the  minds  of 
those  who  set  a  proper  estimate  on  all  tfaey  did  and  awfei^ 
for  liberty  and  conscience'  sake.  Of  those  s^ifierings,  the 
fi^HovriDg  animated  sketch;  in  Dr.  Dwighfd  best  lirtyle^ 
glances  not  at  the  half. 

ff  The  greatest  of  all  the  evils  which  they  suifi^ed  were  detfVed 
from  the  savages.  These  people,  of  whom  £ur<^ieaiis  still  -ibicm 
very  imperfect  concej^tions,  kept  the  colonists,  after  the  first 'hos- 
tilities commenced,  in  almost  perpetual  terror  and  alann.  ..Tl^e 
first  annunciation  of  an  Indian  war  is  its  actual  commencem^at* 
In  the  hour  of  security,  silence,  and  sleep,  when  your  en^mie^  are 
supposed  to  be  friends,  quietly  employed  in  hunting  and  .fishing ; 
when  they  are  believed  to  be  at  the  distance  of  several  hundrefl 
miles,  and  perfectly  thoughtless  of  you  or  yours;  when  thus  un- 
suspecting, thus  at  ease,  slumbering  on  your  pillow,  yottr  sle^b  is 
broken  up  by  the  whar<-whoop,  your  bouse  and  village  are  set  on  nre, 
your  family  and  Mends  are  butchered  and  scalped,  yourself  and'a 
few  other  wretched  survivors  are  hurried!  into  captivity,  to  be 
roasted  flive  at  the  fltake>.  or  have  your  body  stuck  luIl  ofakesstis 


TVmeb  %  Dt*  iDwiglitaiMl  Mr.  Fauai;  -  7& 

iM^d  «( tr^  ID  d>i^  hour  flf  vPflfef^t/fM^p^ 

p^^W ,  di^coy^  their  half-cpnfuip^d  \fqi^%  >P»9gH^  ^^^ .  1*^ 
ashes  ot  your  dwellings  or  your  wife  murclefed,  and  your  little  ones 
lying  beside  her,  after  having  been  dashed  against  a  tree/'  {vol. 

SQch  vf&ce  the  men  who  plapted  tbe^e  colonies ;  such  the 
dangers  they  braved;  such  the  difficuUlea  they siinnoanfetL 
Of  theeffects  of  their  viev^s  and  principles  upon  tbeirdescend- 
attts^  Dr.  Dw%1it  grres  th4e  following  represeniatio<i/feit  the 
ell>8e  of  n  very  complete  vihdiceLti6n  df  toe  conduct  and'^h^ 
nfcCDer  of  those  original  settlerd/ocenpyiiig  the  10th«llth. 
12th)  and  13th  letters  of  the  first  volume  of  his  journal^  to 
which  we  refer  such  of  our  readers  aa  miiy  be  »iixi^us  fbr 
further  information  upon  the  subject. 

,  <<  Of  the  piety  or  the  New^EiiglaQd  peoplei  their  accusers  baire 
furnished  abundant  evidence.  Change  tne  words  siiperstitioxiy 
fanaticism^  enthusiasm/  and  bigotry,  into  piety,  (the  thing  aImo«kt 
invariably  meant  by  them  all,)  and  vqu  will  find  from  their  enemieis 
themselves  ample  testimony,  that  the  objects  of  their  calumny  wer^ 
distinguished  tor  this  superior  kind  of  excellence.  The  numerous 
icb<trchei^  in  this  eottntry,  a  great  part  of  them  good,  and  man^  df 
Iton  handsome  buildings,  are  a  strong  illustration  of  the  spirit  of 
^mhabkints  cottceming  the  subject  of  religion.  The  number  of 
idiese  structures  idready  exceeds  fourteen  huMred,  and  \»  atfnually 
jacKtMtng*  In  idmost  every  part  of  die  oountrr,  eieept  where  t&e 
sff^tl^rac^v^  are  qvite  new,  they  are  found  at  the  distance  of  five, 
ak^  and  seven  miiesi  and  with  their  hwcidsom^  spipes  and  eupolan, 
almost  universally  white,  add  an  exquisite  beauty  to  the  landsoapey 
and  peqietually  refresh  the  eye  of  a  traveller."  [pp.  142, 143.  j 

*'  TowAwtetbe  clbise  of  bia  work,  he  gives  also,  in  oiie-aLhd- 
fwenty  iWers,  occujjyin^  upwards'  of  200  pages,  (vol;  iV, 

)>y 265-^^482,)  a  most  elaborate  dtsquisition  on  the  language, 
learning,  mbtals,  reK^on,  arid  characteristic  features,  of  tne 
iiifikl>itant8  of  New-England,  on  which  we  of  course  can 
cast  Ijutth^  merest  glance,  referring  bur  readers  to  the  work 
;itseir£or  a  vindication  of  his  countrymen,  upon  wlbichi  the 
T)octor  h^  beatowed  a  degree  of  labaur  equal  tQ  thazeal 
w))ich  be  unilEbrmiy  manifests  in  their  cause. 
,;  That. j^eal  will  readily  b^  admitjbed  to  be  as  aetiye  aa  auv 
Ktw-finglander  could  wiidi,  when  the  firat  propostti<m  which 
4i  promptsrfaim  to  nudntaniia;  tbe  bcdd,  and  tans  somewhat 
«tacti!i%  bne,  that- the  Englirii  ^*  Isagua^  is  j^rotiouaeed 


2*       JRetietiNr-S^fjrts  qf  N^i^E^gfimia^JiimhXork. 

WKua  i^OYrcteily  .^AiTd  Ibim^ia  Kngboui  ^^^  ajid  ibia  h«  fwoiffm 
)jiy.«kri&fereooe  to  P«gge'a  rotable  oatalogUieof  Cpcknttyiams^ 
■Kluding,  bestdoflr  the  wom^oiit  jokes^  of  *'  weal.  Tine,  and 
irine^ar,  are  wery  good  whittles  I  wow"  and  "  Villiaaa,.!  rant 
my  r^^,  the  yite  Tig  in  the  voodea  v4g-1bc»r»  vich  I  yore 
last  T^dnesday  yas  a  yeek  at  the  weatry,^  such  ^ncied 
or  obsolete  yuigaiisms,  as  **  partender''  for  partner^  ^*  pee* 
aches"  for  piazzas,  ''i?emon"  foryenom,  '' disgruntled  for 
offended,  *'  nolus  bolus^"  for  nolens ,  yoleps  ^  expression^i 
\^bich  we  neyer  heard  during  a  residence  of  twenty,  years  in 
London,  and  which  we  will  undertake  to  say,  neyer  were 
beard  from  the  lips  of  any  but  the  yery  lowest  of  the  ca- 
naille. Had  we  a  similar  list  of  the  yutgarisms  of  Boston 
and  Newbiaven  (][uays  and  pot-houses,  we  doubt  not  that 
they  would  be  <|uite  as  ridiculous.  To  thQ  charge  of  coining- 
new  words,  giying  new  meanings  to  old  ones,  and  retaining 
many  that  are  obsolete.  Dr.  D wight  pleads  guilty  ^  but  puts 
upon  record  a  justificatory  plea  in  the  necessity  of  the  cajse, 
IcoiH  the  different  circumBtaxicea  of  the  twonations^  though, 
we  apprehend^  that  if  he  were  now  living,  be  would  not  do 
able  to  demonstrate  the  necessity  for  some  of  his  own 
departures  from  the  classical  phraseology  of  our  best  English 
wnters,  to  which  we  shall  refer  before  we  close  our  notice 
of  his  work. 

The  greatest  attention  appears  to  be  paid  throughout  the 
atates  of  this  division  of  America,  to  the  important  subject 
of  education,  much  more  so  indeed  than  even  in  these  aa^s 
of  active  exertion  for  the  promotion  pf  this  g^reat  object^  is 
shown  with  n^,  the  country  being  every  where  divided  into 
societies,  for  the  establishment  of  parochial  and  district 
schools,,  the  districts  having  power  to  tax  themselves  for 
their  mwtenanee,  towards  which,  the  state  also  contributes 
a  small  proportion  of  its  funds.  The  result  of  this 
system  is,  that  the  children  of  New-England  are  universally 
taught  to  read  and  write^  pr  at  least  educajtibn  is  as  nearly 
universal  as  it  is  possible  to  be,  without  a  law  compelling  the 
education  of  every  jcbiM  under  a  severe,  penalty.  The  nu)n« 
ber  of  acadenodes,  or  public-schools  resembling  our  endowed 
grammar-schools,  in  the  di£[erent  states,  was,  in  1812,  be- 
tween ninet]^  and  an  hundred ;  its  uniyersities  and  colleges 
eigbt,  of  which  Harvard  College,  in  Cambridge,  Massapbu* 
setts,  is  the  principal,  th$it  ofVermont,  at  Burlington,  the 
least  considerable.  The  former  hps  seven  academical* .  and 
as  many  medical  professors/  the  number  of  students  bejng 
near  upon  nine  hundred.     There  is  also  a  law-school  at 


Iiiclifield;  in  Oonneetieni^  far  blitket*  condvet^  tfabB  oiiy 
inwtif  €<nirt,  where  the  itad^nt  iMied  do  neibine  but  eat  a 
given  rnkmber  of  dihnerft  in  a. given  nmnber  or  yeare^  te 
qualify  fatm  ^t  the  bar;  Wli^ir^as  m  the  KeW^Engiaiid  iB8ti<* 
ttttion,  Hot  only  is  la\v  tengiit  ne  a  well««onyptiicted  eyetem 
and  a  ecience^  bht  the  students  are  initialed  into  its  pmetice 
with  its  theory.  For  this  purpose,  cooits  Un  constituted,  itt 
which  iliotioisB  aire  bfde|(ht  fmd  eondncted  th^pcKigh  a  re^lat 
prooese,  andnic^  questions  of  judicial  teobnicaKty  aretaised^ 
(or,  to  usetbe  phraseology  applied  to  similar  exercises  inUie 
goodold  tioaeeof  our  ownlaw  societies,wben  they  were  souie^ 
what  more  than  mere  eating-houses  of  state,  are  tMoted,) 
and  thus  they  are  regularly  trained  to  the  duties  of  the  advo<» 
eate,  the  knowledge  of  which,  as  far  as  any  steps  taken  to 
sidTancent  fay  the  societies/  of  one  or  other  of  which  oar 
atudents  are  and  mul^t  be  members,  is  conoemed,  they  gain 
by  .intuition,  er  from  the  stars^  The  mc|dieal  promsion 
has  also  three  societies,  fbimed  expressly  for  ite  impnote- 
inent-^agriculture  and  philosophy,  two^^istory,  (a  braneli 
of  literature  for  whose  encouragement  no  nrotision  ^atever 
has  been  teade  with  us,)  one«  Social  liDtaries,  somewhat 
nnilar  it  would  seem  to  our  reading  societies,  exist  in  many 
of  the  towita  and  parishes,  16  whose  inhabitants  they  have 
natumlly  imparted  a  literary  taste.  That  taste  is,  however, 
confessedly  gratified,  diieny  by  the  productions  of  writers 
of  our  own  country,  the  deaxth  of  native  authors,  arising, 
as  Dr.  Dwight'  contends,  (and  we  go  along  with  him  in  the 
mgorpart  of  hie  argument^)  from  the  great  mass  of  people  in 
•  New^fingtand  being  men  of  business,  with  little  time  for  study 
or  for  much  desultory  readiag-^the  want  of  Ideure  from 
^&e  very  laborious  duties  of  their  cffice,  and  of  libmries,  in 
the  dergy-M^of  the  lettered  ease,  which  the  rich  endowments 
of «ur  own  uaivcrsiiiies  so  abundantly  fismish  to  the  man  of 
study  and  teseescb,  amd  a  ooueequent  deficiency  of  patron- 
-i^e  to  the  few  iodividuehi  who,  in  Amerka,  have  been 
authors  by^ rofessioU)  if  indeed,  wiA  Ubie  e^^eptieti  of  one 
epiendid  genius,  lately  transplanted  to  our  own  more  genial 
noil,  amtiiom  by  profession  ehe  can  be  said  to  have  produoed 
amy.  •     • 

A  distinct  letter  is  devoted  to  a  contradiction  of  the  bold 
.und  not  very  libeiul  aslertion  of  the  Biinbwrgh  Rchriewers, 
that  though  ^  all  thst  federal  Atxierice  hais  wiitten  were 
obHteralied  ibem  the  re^onds  df  leering,  there  would  ^e^:- 
cept  the  woxics  oFPranklin)  be  no  po^tive  dwninution  of  the 
SMMilal  or  <Am  SigreealUie/'  whilst  ^  tiie  destruction  of  her 


T6      £€vtetd.^5^al^.#^w«£iig^ 

whpfe  litemtiura  woold.iHrt;  oec&s^^^  ommIi  T6gfetM w« 
feel  for  the  loss  of  a  few  leaves  firom  an  ancibiit  dasetCb'' 
To  this  sweeping,  anathema^  Dh  Dwight  opposes  the  worka 
of  presidient  Edwards^  (too  well  known  in  thiB'4^outttly  to 
need  more  than  th^  being  named,)  bat  lie  is  the  only 
author,-*— with  die  exceDtion  of  Franklin,  whom  tiie  oeasora 
themselves  except,  ana  the  ingenions  natural  pbilosdiiiier 
Bittenhouse,^ — known  on  this  side  of  Ae  Atlantio,  whom  he 
does,  or  whom  he  probably  pould  adduce*  ProfiisioTs  Win*» 
tiiorp  and  Williams,  of  the  univeiaity  of  Canibridge^  are 
also  quoted  as  natural  philosophers,  who  would  have  done 
honour  to  any  country ;  and  we  are  referred  to  -a-  certaaa 
poem  of  M^*Fingal,  as  not  inferior  in  wit  and  humour  to 
Hudibras,  whilst  in  every  other  respect  it  is  supetior.  *  This 
is  certsinly  no  slight  praise;  but  in  the  absence  of  all 
means  of  formiBg  a  judgment  upon  the  merits  of  such  a 
€u>nstellaiion  of  poelical  excellence  as  Dr.  B  wight  describes 
a  po«n  to  he,  never  heard  of,  we  believe,  in  England  before', 
we  caanot  help  suspecting  his  character  of  it  to  be  tinctured 
with  die  same  pardonable  nationality,  that  induced  the 
somewhat  vaunting  assertion,  that  **  President  Edwards 
has  more  enlarged  the  science  of  theoiogy  than  any  divine 
of  whom  either  England  or  Scotland  can  boast/^  and  that 
Marshall's .  life  of  Wae^ington  (tedious  and  hmvy  as  we 
have  ever  thought  it)  "  will  not  su&r  by  a  comparison  widi 
any  piece  of  biography  written  in  Great  ftitaiui-w^  the 
exception  of  those  of  Johnson."  We  wish  not,  ]u>wey(er^  to 
prplong  an  unpleasant,  useless,  and  acrimonious  discus- 
sion,  and  cannot  better  termbate  it,  iets  far  as  we  ai«  con- 
cemedf  than  bv  expressing  a  conviction,  in  whidh  we  are 
satisfied  that  all  our  readers  who  know  any  thine  of  Ameri- 
can literature  will  agree,  that  puttinj;  this  list  of  Americui 
literati  altogether  cmt  of  the  question.  Dr.  Dwiglit's  own 
woritingft*  trose  of  Prs.  Mason  and  Romeyn,  ihe  mtyvels  of 
Browne,  and  the  sprightly  essays  uid  sketches  of 'Washing^ 
ton  Irvine,  are  in  tnemselves  sufficient  to  jpve  a  direeir  eon- 
tradiction  to  the  grossly  illiberal  and  mounded  dictum  of 
our  northern  Zoiluses,  that  his  country  "  has  done  neddng 
either  to  extend,  diversify,  or  embellish  the  sphere  of  human 
knowledge/' 

But  to  confine  ourselves  more  strictly  to  Kew^Eiigland. 
The  jp^ople  in  general  appear  to  be  remarkably  honeat^ia 
proor  of  which  Dr.  Dwignt  adduces  a  practice,  which  we 
eoiik)  not  recommend  to  adoption  in  Old  England,  of  two- 
tfahrds  of  the  inhabitants  sleeping  the  year  round  without 


^nm&Ay  Dr.Dwie^  ami  Mr.  Fmut.  77 

locking: thtir dMfs> ttad ihattoo in  Imttes  eouti^ing hfget 
qiwMitiea  of  pvopfMriy  easily  rmnovable^  They  iaust  also 
be  quiet,  peftceeMe*  end  orderly,  es,  in  joumeyiiig  twdye 
tho^keeiid  milet^  he  ne;rer  saw  tm>  men  fighting,  and  indeed 
neTer  witnessed  such  an  exhibttioa^  of  evevy  day's  occurs 
rence  in  oer.  streets,  more  than  onice  in  his  Kfe;  On  this 
subject,  it  is  but  jnstioe  to  the  New-£nglaiiders^  thongfa  it 
is  as  disgraceful  to  the  inhabitants  of  our  own  country,  to 
giye.tbe  ooojbrairt,  whii^  our  author  dius  briefly  draws. 

"■**  Now  pstniit  ihe  taoaU  yoiir  eye  to  your  own  newspapers,  and 
ebsttre  how  often  their  oetumns  are  omatmented  ^th  the  feats  of 
Ijhnnphrifls  •  and  Msndosa,  Orib  and  M(Aine«dt.  What  a  grave 
aspeot  is-  given  to  the  acoQunts  which  deaofibes  the  brutal  contests 
of^t^ese,  billies  I  Observe  also,  that  not  the  mob  only>  not  th^ 
laiddle  ranks  of  life  only,  but  gsntleinen,  noblestes,  and  even 

Srinces  of  the  blood,*  have  been  present  at  these  fsneouaters.  I 
o  hot  believe  that  a  gentleman  of  New*£pglaad.oouki  be  per* 
suaded  tp  be  preient  at  such  a  scene  by  any  ijKlucement  whatever, 
unless  to  perform  his  duty,  as  a  magistrate,  in  committiiig  and 
punishing  such  disturbers  of  society."  [vol.  iv.  pp.  324^  326^} 

When  we  rsmember  how  often  these  prize-fights,  thus 
aererely,  though  justly  reprcfeated,  have  terminated  in  the 
death  of  dne/of  the  combatants,  we  cannot  but  hold  it  a  dis- 
fsaoe  to  ouff  law4  and  our  police,  that  such  brutal  exhibir* 
tionsate  permitted,  as  is  also  the  continuaxiee  of  such  sportii 
as  are  thus  aliuded  to  in  another  parallel,  equally  to  our 
disadvantage^ 

'^^  In  New-fingland,  horse-racing  js  almost,  and.  cock-fighting 
ejhselately,  unknown.  I  need  not  remind  vou  to  what  a  degree 
Hksse  barbarous  and  profligate  sports  prevail  in  Great  Britain.  In 
ttsw^Bogtand  there  never  was  such  a  thing  as  a  bull-haititig. 
H^Sap,  mt.  to  rdesU  to  year.  Remembrance  the  debates,  n6t'  loiik 
juoee  held  u>  the  British  parliamest  6n  this  subject,  the  dedMon  '<^ 
^at  mgnkst  Mjs  and  tbs  speech  deUvteedattiisilitimeby'lhe 
Hon,  Mr.  Win4ham."  [vol.  iv,  p.  3a6»]    '  ■      ••.'-     I 

. .  Aft  withus,  Ae  poor  are  here  effecthidly  pit>vtdi6d  for  by  htW, 
svhilsl  ohafiitable  iBstkntaotts  are  hua«raus,  though  cotifdsitf- 
edlr  supported  on  a  less  Uberal  scale  than  in  Great  BritaU. 

.  for  his  ooantrymen.  Dr.  Dwight  clainfs  a  marked  supe- 
riority over  ours,  in  affability,  facility  of  acpess,  sociality, 
andiiBacfiiiesa  to  oblige  friends,  points  on  which  we  hav^  per- 
annally  had  few  op^rtnnities  of  fornring  a^ndgmeflt  by  cod- 


*  '^A  horse-race^  a fox-cbase,  or  a  boxlng-matoh,  is  never  ...^ 
itk  trahis  jof  reverend  attendants."^— Xerter#  to  the  RC  Hon*  Mr* 


JP^pysstM.' 


-   »  -    - 


IS      Reviem^SMe  of  Nmt^BngUmi  mkl  N^m^York. 


tewl;  bntMthese«Biabi)itief  6ffltfe«renot'stlea«t  tbe  moai 
cbtMracteristio  virtual  of  <aii  Englisbmoiii^  but  tbo«e>  on  th0 
eoiktrary«  in  nUcli  be  it  fturexcelled  by  Deighboniing  Euro* 
pean  aattcmsr^  vbo  j><mhm6b  not  balf  bi«  storting  wortb,  we 
fthaU  not  contemd  m  precedence  here ;  mot  do  we  doubt 
but  that  the  desoendantt  of  our  pious  ferefiUhers^  recewtlv 
placed  under  new  and  popular  forme  of  gofenunent,  which 
Cf  ery  citizen  faas  a  direct  mtereet  to  preserve  inviolate^  are 
at  the  present  period  more  orderly,  qaiet>  and  peaceful,  and 
governed  with  i^9s  difficulty^  and  by  milder  meaeures*  than 
f » the  ^uparabui^ant  populatiea  of  ihe  parent  state.  What 
tj^y  will  be^  however,  wnen  their  ggiv«ffnnttnt  has,  likie  ouro, 
stood  the  test  of  a  tbomsand  years,  aad  only  improved  by 
the  ttany  fruitless  atteeftpte  made  to  subvert  it,  is  a  eeeret 
ia .  the  womb  of  futurity,  to  be  revealed  t0  'the  present 
inhabitaiits  of  both  eoutitr^,  but  when  they  shaU  know  alt 
things,  and  shall  themselves  be  known  of  all. 

To  -Us  feir  countrywomen,  as  in  gallantry  he  wab  bounds 
imr  learned  tourist  attrH:mtes  every  excellence  of  the 
sex,  save  that  he  gently  intimates  an  apprehension,  that 
ij^lT  domistic  ecoscny  .may  be  radier  JLob  aysteiaatical 
.f^  pearfeot  tJiao  o«n^  aad  that  ibeir  actvrit^  may  also 
Jbe  sP9iewbttt  le$e.  ekdfuHy  dioe^woU  than  with  me-;  bat 
ijti^He  are  peinis  upmi  nvjbieh  we  can  asswie  his  cMtktKy^ 
^emh  (fwuld*  for  their  inteoeet,  and  tluit  of  t)ie  'Ohrua- 
tim  iA^tf^  thomglb  not  fab  Mmn,  we  icould  assure  haxtt) 
our  fashionable  mode  of  female  education  witt  not  leerrc 
them  Jong  behind  ua,-  unless  indeed  similar  £itlse  st^s  '(of 
whxGh»  by  ttie  way,  in  hU  strictui^s>  on  the  edwfttioa  of 
'*  yonag  miiSAsSi"  tbeDoctoi?  eeems  (to  haare  teraced  the  esa> 
U(9r  Qum^i  aheiald  b»  rapidly  unfit  ike  daughter  fior  the 
mother  sAdtlhe  wife,  iosd  convert,  a«,  genevaHy  speaking;  it 
haadaae  iwith  ue^  laidiea'  Jboardin^^eehooils  (we  beg  par* 
•dony "  «iilibli(diiseiitB'  we*  should  have  eaid«)  to  nittsanees, 
instead  of  benefits.  It  is  hardly  worth  notice,  but  aa  some 
,of4>ur]ieAdMi  jaHkyffida  Ibttfe  oariosEfy  BMa^besnUect, 
.we  wtill  ftat^  in  awoed,  Aat  tbeiadies  of  NciwHEngland  laie 
m^i,  for  the  mioet  part,  iio  be  re^ariy  &atiiittd,^q^ely,  tnd 
iiieqiiepHly  handsome;  not  so  fiiir  indeed. as  Bntiahy  Wt,  to 
we  tb0  veryjphsase  of  ^basc  Americaa  panegjfndst,^  ^  jsensibty 
JQiM^er  tbM  /frenoh  woamn/^  It  is.  adiaittedi  he«re«ier>  ikmM, 
Jike  due  women  of  other  Americaii  atatei^  jdiey  lose  fthe  baii^ 
liancv  of  their  beauty  and  of  youth  at  an  earlier  period  of 
^Kfe  tnw  did  thc»9e  of  Englj^d,  m^ny  of  them  sheddmg  iibfiix 
teeth  and  growing  old  at  thirty.     IBxcessive  abatettieni- 


Trateh  ig  Dr.  Hwigfat  ani  lir.  iPwjm.  99 


Hess,  ttnd  y^mit  -i^  exercise, '  (weHcing  bikng  iNstf*  U^tle  pv»&4- 
tised,  and  riditig  on  toweback  oextoAy  known  among  them,) 
are  judiciousiy  spggested  as  Home  of  the  -preVaiUng  eaBttses 
of  this  national  difference  in  the  sex. 

But  pass  w^  now  from  beauty  which  fadeth  as  a  flow6r^ 
to  thq^l  which  shiheth  as  the  brightness  of  the  sun^  increase 
ii^  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.  The  religious 
character  of  the<New-£i^laB4^<s  is  that  in  which,  we  jJoubt 
tkok,  WT  i*eade«s  will  feel  most  interested ;  and  o^  ihii 
fmnt  ShTi.  Dwight  has  eateted  into  a  wiAute  detail  of  near 
■%  handred  okwe)^  pvinted  fukgaft,  from  whieh  W(&  mu  hu/t 
iwrybvicAy  (Mdraottfae  revult*  To  tfae  iii6ax  of  foMtgnesB 
during  >lhe  war  i«  Attierioa  between  the  JPtfenoh  and  fii^ 
inh,  'from  1765  to  176:9,  of- whom  the  diastpaled  ami  'oftm 
«eeptical  officers  of  onr  own  army  wei^  Bot  the  least  4«ijh^ 
rions,  Biid  during  that  revdutyonary  one  also,  -which  temri- 
tiated  in  the  independence  of  out  colonies; — ^to  the  rapid 
spread  of  4he  irreligious  and  infidel  tenets  which  were  sp 
uniformly  blended  with  the  political  ones  of  the  French 
xe  voluJbion,~-aDd  in  a  degree  at  least  not  inferior  to  the  poli- 
jtical  4i83^Q8ioqs  and-  party  spirit  which  long  jprevailed  at 
home-^Br.  Dwi^ht  vecy  sen^bly  iujributes  a  aetexiori^tioa 
in  the  religious  character  of  the  Americans,  affecting,  how- 
ever,-as  mi^t  Tiaturatly  be  -expe^Jted;  less  mfiteritflly than 
•any  otfecr  state  bf  the  Umon, 'the  New-England  4e«ottKl«iitfe 
of  tmr  expatriated  Punfeins.  As  a  people,  Ifcey  ^H 'misfit 
*the  characti^ristic  'distinclionof 'aTelt^ious  biie,  and  one  of 
4hdse  extensive  :revivals,'of  whidh  from  Ateerioa  wie'reid'«6 
•touch, -and* in  lihfe  eKperi'enceof  oufr  own  couwtry,  where«%h^ 
progress  ofiiie  gospel  *as  of  late  yeare^been  slow  and  sure, 
ratiwr  dmn  mcmced  by  its  rapidity  aiid  edat,  we  kiMm  «o 
lTtt}e,-<4)appHy  t^ouirterActcd  ^e  ^ngerona  ^eibi^  <]^  lSie>s^ 
^powetM:a^tsdf  IhfideHty;  itttfd  1h^^  l^f^^he  ebm«li  4lliFe^ 
moreiMmterous  thanieT«r  ft'was,  aiM  '(tx>  ad^pt  an  Amor^ 
camsttf,  *j)atdonafc^  T>erhapfi  iiAien  Mrritiag  <m  Ameri^^) 
irttft  progremng  in  'nhmbers,  and- we%itt  wouM  hope,  in  ^ely 
ttivd'^eat;  ■  Inflie^fcrstof  these  Christian  ^aces>  "WenevM*- 
"^less  diisp^t)/ tfid¥iefer*attfltining%>  the  stature 'of  thek 
fdrefiiiheni,'thotigh'tbey  trare  alseacly^^Bf^pasded  them  in  tilie 
-pfroper  direction  of  the  hitter.  What  those  ifrere,  mnd- iheste 
tore,  how  far  they  rc^semble'^ach  dtb^r,  and  in  what'^fhejr 
•diflfiEor,  let  the  fdflowing  wdl^drawn  paw«<9  of  ©r.  'I^ighl, 
'iiiforms  lis:  .    •  ,     ' 


i<< 


mi;  pnpeiitifttate'of  jodrmioad  xndTdigion^icdMMBdar  oaooott 


60      B4smem.^St^  of  Hem^Enghad  Mi  N^ac-  York. 

peiliiqpsy  te  more  ftdvuitageously  iQuttrated,  thao  by  a  conqparUoai 
of  it  with  that  of  oar  ancestors.  The  religion  of  former  times  was 
more  zealous,  rind,  scrupulous,  and  uniform.  At  the  same  time 
it  was  less  cathoTic,  gentle,  indulgent  in  lawful  cases,  graceful,  and 
amiable.  The  strictness,  the  energy,  the  commanding  character  of 
their  religion,  we  have  in  a  great  measure  lost.  Where  they  stood 
firmly  against  the  blast,  we  bend  to  escape  its  force.  Wh^  they 
watched,  we  are  asleep.  Where  they  Ibught  manfully,  we  are 
employed  in  parleying.  Where  they  triumphed,  we  are  satisfied 
with  a  drawn  battle.  On  the  other  hand,  we  have,  in  some 
respects,  advantageously  relaxed  from  their  austerity  and  rigour. 
We  live  more  kindly  and  evangelically  with  Christians  of  odier 
denominations.  Our  religious  controversies  are  less  violent^  mod 
we  regard  fewer  things  as  fundamental  pounds  of  difference.  On 
the  ouier  hand,  they  educated  their  families  more  virtuously,  r^^<- 
lated  society  with  greater  skill,  executed  laws  with  more  exactness, 
and  settled  the  affairs  of  men  on  a  more  solid  foundation.  They 
chiefly  exhibited  the  magnanimous,  we  the  gentler  virtues.  Ours 
are  more  amiable,  but  less  firm.  Theirs  were  rough  and  uninviting, 
but  more  to  be  relied  on.  In  justice  to  these  excellent  men,  it 
ought  to  be  added,  that  to  them  we  are  indebted  for  almost  every 
thing  in  our  character  which  merits  commendation.  In  some 
respects  we  have  polished,  but,  upon  the  whole,  instead  of  improv- 
ing, we  have  impaired  their  system.**  [vol.  iv.  pp.  378, 379.] 

In  one  important  points  the  due  observance  of  the  sab- 
bath, it  is  but  justice  to  the  present  race  of  New-£ngland- 
ers  to  state,  that^  like  their  forefathers,  they  stand  honourably 
distinguished  from  most  other  people  of  the  world.  In 
the  two  principal  states,  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut, 
travelling  upon  that  day  (with  us.perhi^B,  in  South  Britain, 
the  greatest  travelling  da^  of  the  seven,)  is  peremptorily 
forbidden  by  the  law ;  and  in  every  other  respect  its  aacredf- 
ness  is  generally  observed  with  so  great  sobriety  and  strict- 
nesBtthat — assembling  in  companies,  as  is  done  to  so  shameful 
.an  extent  in  the  dinner  and  musical  parties  of  England — 

Soinff  to  taverns,  or  receiving  guests  there,  are  all  of  them 
name  offences;  parents  and  guardians  being  also  required 
to  correct  their  cnildren  for  breaches  of  the  acts  for  the  due 
observance  of  the  sabbath,  (from  convictions  upon  which 
there  is  no  appeal,)  under  the  penalty  of  half  a  aollar.  In 
•those  states,  provision  is  made  oy  law,  for  the  erection  of 
places  of  worship,  and  the  support  of  a  regular  ministry 
amoqgst.every  sect,  for  which  purpose  the  states  are  divided 
into  parishes,  consisting  of  one  or  more  religious  societies 
of  the  same  or  different  denominations,  the  majority  of 
whose  members,  rated  on  a  real  estate  of  ninot  or  a  personal 


oM*  «f  19%  dollM^per  «imiiitt^  ijn ^itV^Mrettd  to  dk^os^  itbe 
mioiffters  of  tM  tooieties  to  iivliieb  thof  fespeotiv^ly  iH^o&gv 
and  tty  letjjr  taxes  i^  their  support,  fOid  the  re^t  of  dieir 
chmrch,  (n>f  adl  are  chorches  here^)  had  &e  mainteDan^Se  oJT 
public'  l^OrsMp/ there.  Within  a  year  aft^r  attaimag  tbo 
Bge^  .of  ^wefitY-oQ,e,  becoming  a  widow^  or  sejttling  in  a  parish^ 
aQ.pejrsoQB  ^ve  liberty  to^ enroll  their  names  m  that  religi«^ 
OjDta  Mioietv  of  ithe  pla^se  which  tl^y  prefer ;  or^  in  default  of 
ai^ycii  eiiroM8i4te  tte  90ii  belongs  to,  {he  religious  .aebiety  of 
ti^  fatbes4  ^  ;i¥iidow  to  that  Qf  her  de^^aased  husbi^id ;  the 
aew; 9etdMiitOi  Ihe  lovteei^  oa  itbe  list;. and  lA  of  covuraa 
taxable  wilh  Ihem  by  the  vote  of  .the  snajority.ahceadf 
eKidftinfid^  whose  -  ads,  a«fr  these  atfaielies  ^sdra  for  loarioua 
.|m|ioees>  hodies/^orporste intheaoselires^are  iMAditig moii 
their ''•fiiio0^sor8>  Fev  theooUeotioB^f  what  we,  in  Eof^ 
tttadf  should  eall  their  ehfurch^rato,  taX'^atiierers  are  regi>^ 
lafly  apbdinied;  aad  persOn$  refusing  to  take  upon  tbeilj^ 
aelves  mis  or  any  other  ofSce  in  the  ohureh,  are  as  regit^ 
larly  fined,  as  in  our  parishes  are  those  who  refuse  to  aerre 
as  constables  Or  overseer^.  .  Negligent., eollpetors  of  the 
miiuaW^'/9  /sslpijcy  mb  liable  to  ba?e  a  distress  taken  out 
against  th^^  by  .the  con\mittee  for  .ma^agin^  .the.  ten^^prat 
lities  of  the  church,  and  to  make  up  the  denoiencies  occa« 
sieaed  by  ^eir  Mgkrot  o«tof  tiieirown  estate«4  aa^arethe 
connbiltae  -  tbeiailSt>es« '  shoold  l&ey  he  .guilty  of  a  fitoiikr 
i|egiigeaoe«  fo ^sase  of  a  •eoUeotor  not  b^ag  obos^a^  the«oi  vil 
aiaeistrate,  in  Ihe  shape  either  of  a  eeleetman  or  a  ^jupfeiek 
er&epeaoe^appoints  oae^  Nor  is  this  theioiily  ittsftaaoeaf 
iheinterfereacoof  the  eecuhr- authority  with  vie  eoneeras 
of  the^ehMob*  for  where  there  is  tot  enie  seeiety  in  a  towtt, 
its  aeleptiiieii  *0r  chief  ci^l  aiNibiMntiea^  am  er  i^io  tiie 
xsemmitlee  <if  tiie  ohupeh ;  and  a%  iiat.  all  olfherjoa^efl^face* 
bounds  %^  «tteh>  cemmittee,  to  see  the'  tax  for  payifeig  4b» 
jaia^ftM;ev> 'saSary  speedily  oeUected^  and  that  salary  duly 
j^ttiii  "withia  two-months  after  ithaa  become  due.  Wherever 
also  a»  sKKsiety  shall  htffe  voted*  thie  eteetioa  of  a  plaoo.of 
^rship,  the  oi^il  auth^E^ty  Of  the  eoart  of  fsMamon  pleas 
dl»|beHailiea  its  eite;  aad  hi  oase  of  any  attem|A  ateiaotiag 
dtie.  without  its^approbatioa  ferit  had 'and  Obtwsed^^  £ne'<SP 
6Be*h4liidred  ami  twenty-four  dollars;  (sonwwtett  more  than 
thtt^'P^undair)  is  levied <0Q  the  offendets;'whihit$  for  emit- 
ting to  biiild  "after  4t8  aaaotion^has  heea  ffoeosed,  the 
^a«t  oeMifies  iheiceatempt  to  the  ^general  asaeoiUky  of  tiie 
<}OBgregailbfoiai  chiivdhes^  by  whose  authority  a  saffioie0t 
iaX'is  wd  ilpeiri'tiiesoci4ty,f«id-eiq[iettded  uMer-the  ditaei- 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  1.  6 


82       Review. — State  of  NeuhEngkmd  and  New^  York. 

iibn,  or  l^y  the  appomtmefit,  of  the  assembly.  That  eccle- 
siastical body  has  power  also  to  determine  what  salary  shall  be 
paid  to  their  minister,  by  societies  or  churches,  which  have 
made  no  agreement  wiu,  or  do  not  support  their  pastor; 
^ilst  they  further  direct  what  tax  shall  be  laid  upon 
destitate  churches,  for  the  support  of  the  ministry  amongst 
tibem.  On  their  certificate  ot  permission,  churches  unable 
to  support  a  minister  have  leave  to  tax  themselves  for 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  other  necessary  purposes, 
«nd  they  have  a  concurrent  jurisdiction  with  the  separate 
churches,  in  allowing  members  to  withdraw  from  the  church 
to  which  they  belong. 

It  will  be  perceived  at  a  glance,  how  essentially  these 
legislative  provisions,  so  singularly  combining  and  con- 
founding lay  and  ecclesiastical  authorities,  church  and 
state,  differ — ^the  Congre^ationalists  of  New-England,  (for 
they  form  by  far  the  majonty  of  the  inhabitants,  though  fre- 
<][uently,  and  somewhat  indiscriminately,  termed  Presbyte- 
rians,) from  the  Independents  or  Congregationalists  of  our 
own  country,  imiongst  whom  no  parochial  taxations — no 
connexion  with  a  church  or  congregation  but  by  your  own 
ftct,  when  arrived  at  years  of  discretion,  and  nothing  like  a 
compulsory  contribution  either  to  support  a  place  of  wor- 
ship, or  its  minister, — are  known.  Much  of  this,  we  are 
aware,  is  fiiirly  to  be  attributed  to  the  different  condition  of 
the  denomination  in  the  two  countries;  in  one,  as  the  preva- 
lent, and  formerly  the  established — in  the  other,  but  a 
merely  tolerated  sect — yet  are  we  anxious  to  claim  for  our- 
selves the  firmer  adherence  to  the  principles  of  the  old 
Independents,  who  would,  we  are  satisfied,  have  exhibited 
in  their  countenances  other  indications  of  astonishment, 
than  the  smile  which  relaxes  ours,  at  the  argument  em- 
ployed by  Dr.  Dwi^ht  in  favour  of  the  practice  of  his  coun- 
try whicn  we  have  just  described,  in  a  long  and  very  elabo- 
rate letter  in  "vindication  of  the  establishment  of  the  public 
worship  of  God  by  law,** — that  St.  Paul,  in  his  first  epistle 
to  the  Corinthians,  (c.  xvi.  v.  2.)  in  thus  providing  for ''  the 
collection  for  the  saints,*'  ''upon  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  as  God  hath 
prospered  him,  that  there  be  no  ^therings  when  I  come,'* 
nas  determined, ''  that  a  tax  is  a  right  and  proper  measure" 
for  providing  tiie  salaries  of  ministers,  although,  could  we 
bring  ourselves  to  believe  that  the  text  had  any  thing  to  do 
with  the  matter  in  hand,  we  should  draw  a  diametrically 
opposite  conclusicm  in  favour  of  voluntary  contributions  only. 


Ihm&  iy  Dr.  Dwight  oiuf  Mr.  Faux.  8ft 

The  education  of  youngjnen  for  the  minittry  of  the  goff»el 
is  CfHuiucted'in  a  Terj  similarmaimer  to  that  pursued  m  thei 
Dissenting  academiies  of  England^  saye  that  their  collets 
grant  academical  degrees,  for  which  no  extent  of  learning 
or  infonnatioa  is  deemed  with  us  sufficient  to  qualify  any 
man, .  unless  he  can  conscientiously,  or  will  unconsci^^- 
tiously,  subscribe  to  his  belief  in  eyery  iota  of  the  articles, 
lituTj^,  and  homilies,  of  the  established  faith ;  clogs  upon 
learning,  which  America  happily  has  shaken  o£f.  In  the  comn 
mencement  of  their  ministnitions,  the.  Scotch  Presbyterian 
inode  of  licensing  to  preach  for  a  giyen  time  is  followed^ 
and  the  call  of  a. particular  church  to  any  such  licentiate, 
(which  call  is  determined  upon,  and  given,  in  our  English 
Congregational  form,)  is  submitted  to  the  decision  of  a 
standing  committee  of  ministers  of  the  district,  called  the 
Conao<»ation,  by  whom,  if  they  approve  his  settlement,  the 
candidate  is  exunined,  and  ultimately  ordained.  The  aver* 
age  salary  of  the  minister,  is  four  hundred  dollars,  (£90,) 
thomgh  sometimes  it  does  not  amount  to  250  dollars,  (sixty- 
eight  pounds  fifteen  shillings  of  our  currency,)  and  in  a  few 
cases  may  reach  1100  dollars,  or  nearly  £260.  This  at  least 
is  the  general  amount  of  their  remuneration  in  (3onneoticut, 
and  that  state  has,  throughout  the  present  description  of  the 
religion  of  ^ew«Ei^land,  been  referred  to  as  a  specimen 
of  the  whole,  because,  as  it  was  the  one  with  which 
Dr.  Dwight  was  most  familiarly  acquainted,  he  himself 
has  selected  it  foi  the  purpose;  assuring  us  at  the  same 
tine,  that,  save  where  we  nave  followed  him  in  paxticu* 
larly  noticing  it,  the  other  states  differ  but  immaterially 
from  it. 

In  doctrine,  the  Coxigregational  churches  of  New-England 
adopt,  in  substance,  the  doctrinal  articles  of  the  Wesminster 
land  Sienroy  confessions ;  but  in  discipline  more  nearly  ap- 

Cximate  the  Presbyterian  than  the  Independent  form, 
iug  consociations  m  lieu  of  synods,  and  a  general  asso* 
ciation  in  place  of  the  general  assembly.  The  ministers 
have  also  separate  associations  among  themselves,  meeting 
twice  a  year  at  least,  to  consult  concerning  the  duties  of 
their  office,  the  common  interest  of  the  churdies,  to  examine 
and  license  candidates  for  the  ministry,  to  superintend 
destitute  churches,  and  recommend  proper  pastors,  and  to 
take  cognizance  of  the  accusations  of  any  of  their  own  body 
of  heresy  or  scandal,  and,  if  they  see  occasion,  to  direct  the 
calling  of  the  (X)nsociation,  to  proceed  against  them.  This 
system  of  doctrine  and  discipline  was,  soon  after  its  formar 


d4      RevieWi^Staie  of  New-Emgland  and  Nm^York. 


a^mmifOB,  adopted^  Tecogiuzed,  and  established  by  latv; 
9^euxirLg,  however,  at  the  same  time>  to  all  churches  soberly 
differing  and  dissenting  from  it,  the  full  right  of  exercising 
worship  and  dtiicipline  in  their  own  wc^y,  according  to  their 
eonscieoces.  Formerly  the  churches  of  New-^Engnnd  were 
divided,  in  opinion  and  practice,  with  respect  to  ruling 
elders,  some  of  them  admitting,  others  rejecting  th^m ;  but 
they' are  now  utterly  discarded,  to  the  great  dissatisfaction 
of  Dr.  Dwigbt,  who  holds  the  office  io  be  of  apostolic  in^ 
stitution.  Tor  our  own  parts,  we,  however,  are  much  more 
disposed  to  join  in  his  censures  of  th^  singular  eeclesiastical 
eourt  of  appeal  in  the  second  instance,  which,  after  an 
appeal  from  a  single  church  to  the  association,  permits  ikt 
case  to  be  reheard  by  the  same  consociation,  and  a  neigh*- 
bourin^  one  invited  to  assist  their  deliberations  as  assessors ; 
which  IS,  in  fact,  little  better  than  an  appeal  from  the  Pope, 
to  the  Pope  better  advised.  The  general  association  is  but 
a  deliberative,  or,  as  Dr.  Dwight  has  it,  advisary  body; 
although  their  recommendations  have  great  influence  ;faiiid, 
by  means  of  delegates,  they  are  connected  with  the  other 
states  of  New-England. 

.  On  the  letter  containing  a  *'  comparison  of  the  state  ef 
religion  in  England  with  that  in  New-England,^'  we  shaU 
make  no  remarks;  because  that  comparison  is  instituted 
between  our  established  church  ia  its  worst  features,  and 
the  Congregationalists  of  New-England  in  tiidr  best;  and 
for  the  mode  in  which  the  chapels  are  attended  in  our  uni*- 
versities,  the  profanation  of  the  sacrament,  in  its  compul- 
sory reception  by  every  student  there,  the  state  of  patronage, 
and  neglect  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  in  the  church,  and 
bon-residence,  we  are  any  thing  but  advocates;  though  we 
should  be  disponed  to  add,  the  numerous  pluralities  in  Old 
as  in  New-England,  to  this  catalogue  of  ecclesiasttcai 
grievances,  which,  if  not  reformed  in  time,  will  speedily 
refonn  themselves.  We  give,  however,  from  this  letter,  a 
single  sentence  of  its  account  of  the  sermiops  of  New- 
£hgland  preachers,  because  it  contains  a  short,  but  jisst 
tsharacter  of  the  compositions  of  two  of  our  Own  divines. 

.  "  None  of  them  can  boast  the  eloquence  and  sublimity  of  Robert 
fiall ;  but  some  of  them  are  eloquent  smd  sublime.  At  the  same 
time,  they  are  rarely  trifling ;  rarely  are  they  merely  attempts  te 
display  the  preacher  to  advantage.  We  have  no  Sidney  Smith 
sermons ;  gewgaws  intoided  to  be  shewn  hke  a  diamond-riag  or 
snaff-box,  to  proTe  that  the  preacher  is  the  owner  of  sachtiidssts;'' 
£voL  iv.  p.  4m,] 


Trw»ls  by  Dr.  Dwight  and.  Mc.  Faux^  801^ 

Ofthe  other  sects  of  New-Eogland,  our  zeaknis  Preqbvr 
terian  tourist  eives  a  very  brief  eiccount,  and  we  must  nei^da  - 
be  still  more  brief.    Several  Arminiaus  and  Unitarians^  are . 
to  be  found  in  its  eastern  parts,  especially  in  Massachusetts.. 
The  Episcopalians  principally  inlmbit  the  northern  districtn,. 
and  are  generally  Armimans,  or  of  our  hish-church.  party. 
The  Baptists  are  as  generally  Calyinists,  though  severnl  o£ 
tiiem  are  Armiaians,    To  the  former  especially,  Sfr^  Dwight 
attributes  an  excessive  spirit  of  proselytizing  rather  to  their. 
party,  than  to  the  church  of  Ood.    The  latter  have  adopted, 
the  creed  of  a  sect  recently  sprung  up  in  Vermont  and  New* 
Hampshire,  who  hold  for  their  prominent  tenet,  **  that  the 
iricked  will  be  destroyed  on  the  day  of  judgment/'    This. 
MetiiiodiBts  are  principally  Wesleyans,  the  followers   q£ 
Whitfield  bein^  very  few.    The  leaven  of  Antinomianiam  is. 
here  but  too. widely  spread,  amongst  the  churches,  especially, 
of  the  Separatitis,  as  those  who  avail  themselves  of  ths 
p^nnission  of  the  law  to  avoid  the  support  of  a  minister, 
are  wnaUb^  termed.    The  Friends  have  several  societies  in. 
New^-Bndand ;  the  Roman  Catholics  and  Independents  one 
or  tw:o^  we  Moravians  and  Jews  a  single  congregation  each. 
These,  iwith.  the  eweption  of  the  ShaJ^ers^,  of  whom  more 
bes^fif^T,  lomi  nearly  aU  the  sects  dispersed  over  itsdiffei- 
ent  sjMes. 

Thus  mueb  for  the  civil  and  religious  ipstitutionaof  ^i^Wr 
England,  and  the  general  character  of  its  inhajbritants, 
althooflji  upon  the  latter  point  we  wish  .to  add  a  particutaur. 
Qltttio  before  we  quit  the  subieot,  which  we  have  reserved  to. 
ijbie  la$t»  because  they  may  oe  important  to  those  who  aedb 
to  mend  their  fortune  bjr  emigration  to  the  United  States^ 
Thj$  price  of  labour  is  high  throughout  the.  states  of  New« 
Englaod,  but  the  labourers  are  almost  universally!  iiiie,, 
diseased,  or  vicious.  They  mi^t  work>  but  they  will' 
not,  saye  for  the  attainment  of  a  bare  subsistence^  yetf 
ea^iIy  obtained.  The  mechanics  are,  however,  industriouir 
and  prosperous.  The  tiJUers  are,  almost  witbcHtit  exception, 
the  owners  of  the  laild,  which  i^  universally  held:  in  feen 
simple,  and  descends  by  law  in  equal  shares  among  all  die 
children.  It: is  not  necessary  for  us  to  remark,  hpw.very; 
little  encouragement  this  statement  affords  to  the  emigm-. 
tion  of  English  agriculturists. 

Few  of  our  reMers  need  perhaps  to  be  reminded,  that 
New*>£ngland  embraces  the  stages  of  Connecticutt,  Rhode 
Island,  Maine,  Vermont,  Massachusetts,  arid  Ne^-Hamp- 
sbire»   through  each  of  which  we  shall  accomgaiiy  our 


86       Retief».— State  ofNeto-Bngland  and  Jtew-Votk. 

reverend  and  ingenious  tourist,  for  tlie  purpose  of  extracting 
from  his  pages  Mrhatever  information  may  appear  to  ns' 
most  interesting  to  an  English  reader^  beginning,  as  he 
does,  with  Connecticut,  of -which  Hartford  and  New-HaTcn 
are  the  capitals.  Amongst  the  laws  of  this  state  which  we 
deem  worthy  of  notice,  is  one  imposing  upon  the  inhabiHints' 
of  the  different  counties,  the  burden  of  defraying  the  ex- 

Sense  incurred  in  consequence  of  prisoners  confined  for 
ebt  escaping  through  the  insufficiency  of  the  gaol.  On  a 
similarly  equitable  principle,  townships  upon  whom  i«  1m-' 
posed,  as  (generally  speaking,  is  the  case  also  with  us,)  the 
duty  of  making  and  keeping  in  repair  the  bridges  and 
hignways  within  /their  limits,  are  compellable  to  pay  to  the 
surviving  relations  of  every  person  whose  life  is  lost  in  con- 
sequence of  any  defectiveness  in  either,  344dollarsi(e£77.  8s. 
sterling,)  as  a  fine  for  their  neglect;  and  where  carriage, 
goods,  or  cattle,  are  lost  fromUie  same  cause,  they  are  to' 
pay  double  damages  as  a  fine  and  compensation. :  Its  laws; 
with  respect  to  me  poor  and  strangers,  are  very  strict,  we 
should  say,  tyrannical ;  as  every  person  not  an  inhabitant  of 
a  town  from  oirth,  the  vote  of  tne  inhabitants,  consent  of 
the  selectmen  and  civil  authorities  in  public  meetmg  dissem- 
bled, or  by  being  chosen  into  some  office,  or  having  duritig 
his  residence  in  it  possessed  an  estate  in  fee  of  one  hundred 
dollars  value,  or  supported  himself  and  family  there  for  six 
years,  is  removable  by  the  civil  authority  of  the  town,  or  the. 
selectmen;  the  latter  of  whom  have  also  the  power*  to  warn 
all  persons,  not  inhabitants  of  the  state,  to  depart  out  of  thefts* 
town,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  about  seven  shillinrgs 
of  our  currency  per  week,  so  long  as  they  neglect  to  do  so ;' 
or,  possessing  no  property,  yet  refusing  to  depart,  of  bein^ 
publicly  whipped.  Those  who  hire  or  entertain  any  suck 
inhabitants  ofother  states,  (apprentices  and  servants  Dougint* 
for  a  time  alone  excepted,)  and  refusing  to  give  security  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  civil  authorities  and  selectmen,  to 
save  the  town  from  expense  on  their  account,  are  subjected 
to  the  like  pecuniary  penalty  per  week ;  and  for  having  en- 
tertained any  such  person  for  fourteen  days  without  reporting 
him  to  the  selectmen,  shall  themselves  provide  wnatever 
relief  the  stranger  may  afterwards  require.  For  a  free 
republican  state,  these,  we  cannot  help  thinking,  are  mea-^ 
sures  for  preventing  vagrancy  and  parochial  burdens,  rather 
stronger  than  (even  since  the  passing  of  the  new  vagrant 
act,)  an  English  legislature  would  ventare  to  adopt,  or  our 
English  population  would  patiently  submit  to.    We  apply 


Travels  bjf  Dr.  Dwigjit  and  Mr.  FauK.  97 

not,  however,  the  same  character  to  another  IfgislatiTie 
provision  of  the  state,  which  enables  the  selectmen  to, 
apprentice  out,  or  place  in  service,  the  children  of  poor 
inhabitants,  who  either  cannot  or  will  not  bring  them  up  to 
(Bome  honest  and  profitable  calling,  and  properly  provide  for 
them,  or  such  as  live  idly, or  are  exposed  to  want  and  distress. 
This  IS  a  very  wholesome  power  entrusted  to  their  hands, 
and  we  equally  approve  ot  the  eqidtable  provision  against 
the  abuse  of  their  office,  by  directing,  that  if  they  do  not 
truly  account  for  the  town's  money  entrusted  to  their  hands, 
and  pay  over  the  balance  to  their  successors,  they  shall  be 
committed  to  gaol  at  their  own  costs  and  charges,  until  they 
do  80.    '*  Their  powers,"  says  Dr.  Dwight,  '^  at  first  sight 
may  seem  enormous ;"  to  us,  we  confess,  they  do  even  upon 
a  sober  leyiew;  and  it  requires  all  the  high  respect  which  we 
unfeijgnedly  entertain  for  nis  character,  and  the  firm  reliance 
which  we  place  on  his  veracity,  to  believe  that  he  never 
knew  them  abused,  especially  as  their  services,  which  mi^st 
be  arduous,  are  generally  gratuitous.    A  somewhat  singu-r 
)ar,  yet  in  our  opinion  a  very  judicious,  regulation  pervades 
this  republican  state,  in  the  appointment  of  these  and  other 
officers  of  its  various  towns,  in  the  prohibition  of  any  debate 
at  their  election,  save  on  the  right  of  persons  tendermg  their 
votes,  no  discussion  being  consequently  permitted  on.  the 
merits  of  the  candidates,  who  are  merely  put  in  nomination. 
Undue  influence  in  procuring  votes  for  a  representative  in 
the  state,  legislature,  or  in  congress,  is  very  properly  punishr 
ed  by  a  fine  of  seven  dollars.    The  latter  are  nominated 
seven  months  before  the  day  of  voting ;  a  precaution  peculiar 
this  state,  and  Judiciously  preventmg  elections  from  the 
popular  fury  of  uie  moment,  or  from  the  intrigues  of  factious 
clubs,  which  generally  guide  the  choice  of  other  states  of 
the  Union.  .  Strong  efforts  have,  however,  of  late  years  been 
made  to  remove  these  obstacles  to  bribery  and  corruption, 
the  almost  inseparable  .attendants  on  popular  elections. 
Dr.  Dwight,  with  the  foresight  natural  to  a  superior  mind 
like  his,  apprehended  great  evil  from  these  attempts;  and 
we.  have  reason  to  believe,  that,  since  his  death,  the  cause  for 
supb  apprehension  has  been  very  much  augmented.    The 
elections  are,  however^  still  conducted  with  an  order  and 
decorum  forming  a  striking  contrast  to  those  of  our  own 
coimtry,  and  even  of  other  states  of  the  Union.    Dr.  Dwight 
assures  us,  that  he  never  saw  an  individual  intoxicatea  or 
quarrelling,  or  heard  a  profane  or  indecent  word,  or  even  a 
noisy  conversation,  at  any  of  them.    When  will  this  be  said 


Si      Review4 — Siaie  vfUe^BngUmd  ^nd  Niw*  York. 

ef  us  i  tix6  pow^M  of  iuAtioeft  of  tiie  peace  use  neatly t  Vkt 
same  as  in  Eti^land^  mtb  this  alteratioot*  howeres,  (it  maj 
perluEips  also  be  an  iiidpro^t^ementy)  tbat  i^ey  bave  eo^ttzapee 
6f  all  civil  actions  in  wbicb  land- is  notconoerned>  wbetethe 
demand  does  not  exceed  fifteen^  or^  on  bopd  or  note,  wbere 
it  does  not  exceed  tbirty-^^®  dollars. 

Tbe  criminal  code  of  Connecticut  was  oriemall^  con- 
structed on  tbat  ne^  approximation  tp  the  Ji^wisa  law, 
which  distinguished  the  legislative  institutions  of  Pnritaii 
settlements :  and  worshipping  false  gods,  witchcrafts  blas«- 
pliemy,  adulteiy,  where  one  of  the  parties  was  a  iiM|rried 
woman,  cursing  or  smiting  father  or  mother,  save  when  they 
bad  grossly  neglected  the  offending  child  or  his  education^ 
provoked  him  bv  cruelty,  or  forced  him  to  strike  in  his  own 
defence, — iemd  filial  stubbornness  and  rebellion/— were  ac- 
cordingly puiiished  with  death.    This,  however,  is  no  longer 
the  case ;  but  at  present  the  only  crimes  not  puqished  with 
deatii  in  Eneland,  which  are  capital  in  Gonneoticiat>  ar^ 
perjury,   witn  a  desiCT  to  take  away  life,  disabling  tbe 
tongue^  and  voluntarily  depriving  any  one  of  bis-  sight. 
Neither  robbery,  burglary,  nor  forge^,  are  there  punishable 
with  death,  but  with  imprisonment  ror  a  tenn  not  exceed^ 
ing  three  years  for  the  first  offence,  and  for  life  for  a  sec<md, 
Oriyberever  violence  is  used  or  threatened ;  forgers  paying 
also  double  damages  for  the  injury  they  have  done,  anabeing 
rendered  incapable  of  giving  evidence,  or  serving  as  jurori^ 
within  the  state*    Simple  thefi,  and  the  receiving  of  stolen 
goods,  are,  on  the  same  principles  of  penal  jurisprudenee, 
punished  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  sev^n  dollars,  and  the 
payment  of  treble  damages.  Where  the  offender  is  not  able, 
6r  refuses  to  pay  tbe  fine,  he  i&  punished  by  whipping,  not 
exceeding  ten  stripes ;  and  if  unable  to  pay  tbe  damages, 
must  msd^e    satis&ction  by  personal   service.  •  In  lliese 
Vespepts^  it  is  obvious  tbat  the  code  of  Connecticut  is  at 
once  milder,  more  scriptural,  and,  we  are  indined  also  to 
think,  more  equitable  and  efficacious,  than  our  own ;  bat  by 
it  manslaughter  is  more  severely  and  less  justly  pnnisked 
than  it  is  with  us,  even  now  that  a  very  wholesome  statute, 
recently  passed^  enables  our  j  udges,  in  aggravated  cases,  to 
transport  for  it;  tbe  offender,  in  addition  to  the  forfeiture  of 
goods  and  lands,  whipping  and  branding  with  tihe  leltet  Mb 
m  the  hand,  being  diere  subject  to  a  perpetual  disability  to 
give  a  verdict  or  evidence  in  any  court  of  justice,r~a  penidty 
itifihitely  too  severe,  for  a  child  being  run  over  by  a  cart, 
through  the  negligent  driving  of  a  carter,  although  we  will 


.      Tfwkh^b^  Br» iHdgkt cmi^Mr.  Faux.  89^- 

veadilyi  admits  that  it  is  by  no  meanB  Bereve  enoagh  for  t^e 
duelist,  who,  in  Sogfamd^  generally  escapes,  under  a  verdict 
of  Bumslaushter,  with  a  short  impTisonment,  the  sentence  ol 
death,  to  which  as  a  murderer,  m  the  eye  of  God  andiinaa, 
those  laws  condemn  him.  In  America,  howe^er^  he  rarely 
meets  with  any  punishment  whate^r,  although  in  Conneo- 
tieut  a^e  law  contains  an  express  provision  against  an 
offence,  which  is  a  still  more  crying  sin  in  the  country  of 
which  she  forms  a  constituent  state,  than  it  is  in  Bngland; 
fordueling  is  there  pr6hibited  miderafine  of  l^iree  thc^tisuid 
dollars,  by  die  person  accepting,  or^ven  knowingly  delivi^r- 
ing  a  cbwenge,  as  well  as  he  who  gave  it>  and  are  perpe-' 
toally  disablra  from  holding  aipy  office  of  profit  or  honour  in 
the  state ;  and  where  unable  to  pay  the  fbrfeiture,  are  sub- 
ject to  close  imprisonment  for  a  year*  Th^  princif^als  in  a 
challenge  are  also  very  properly  requiped  to  give  security 
for  theiv  good  behaviour  during  hfe* 

Oilier  kws  of  this  state  appear  singular  to  us^  though  we 
wish  t)iat  their  principle,  if  not  their  details,  were  richer 
familiar  than  uwnown  to  our  criminal  code.  Thus,  adul*- 
tery  with  a  married  woman,  here  but  a  gvound  for  a  ci^vil^ 
action,  for  damages,  for  an  injury  which  no  damages  ea» 
eompensate,  is  there  punished  in  both  parties,  by  whipping, 
branding  the  letter  A  in  the  forehead,  and  weaving  a  halter 
round  the  neck  during  their  abode  in  the  state,  which 
sprely  cannot  be  long,  when,  if  found  s^road  there 
withput  the  degrading  and  revy  significant  badge  of  theif" 
crime  about  their  necks,  they  are  liable  to  receive  a  public 
wUpj^i^g  Qf  tfeir^  sjtripesy  Biganoff ,  with  us  a  clergyable 
Gff.  tramportable.  felony,  is^  puau^b^  m  the  saitte  manner. 
Homeoia^ingy  wfaeise  any  bet  or  wager,  is  laid,  is  an  offence- 
praBeribed.l^  the  laws,,  under  the  effectual  penalty  of  for-* 
£ri^g  the  horeesranning,  and  the  stakes  for  which  they 
run,  tt^ether*  with  a  fine  of  fifty  dollars  upon  every  person 
subscribing  to  s[bch  stake^  and  of  thirty  dollars  each  by 
erefry  stake-holder,  rider  of  the  horses^  and  prii^ter  or.other 
advertiseir  o^  the:  race.  These  are  puiiishments  and  prohib^- 
tionSji  at  which  we  are  aware  that  the  lovers,  of  this  popular 
but  most  demoralizing  national  amusement  will  smile:  in^ 
<}9iijtf;mp^  aixd  ^corn,,  branding  them>  as  tU^y  do  sio>  a^  pnri- 
t^i3u<5al  ahd  ioethpdistip^}  Y^^  ^^  wo,v^d  apk.  eveft.  the^,^ 
Wbetfeer.tl^y  fp^noija  pei^t.of  a.n?A?e  ^9nfti.i|t^nt  sys^t^n^  qfi 
Cbisiatisyn  legislfttion^.  tb^^.  doe^s.  tb^  cQndi:Kit,  qS  o»r  onKk 
royaL  Defenders  o£  the  F^th,  who  issue;  proclamations  with 
one.  breath  for  the  suppression  of  all  vice  and  immoraiky. 


90       Remew^^State  of  Nevh  England  and  Neuh'  York. 

especially  6f  all  gaining  eo^nomine,  and  with  the  oCber,  ^«•- 
oiously  furnish  from  the  royal  purse,  some  twenty  or  thirty 
king's  plates,  to  be  run  for  at  races,  most  notoriously 
andpre-^minenily  the  scenes  of  the  very  worst  vices,  in  their 
very  worst  enormities,  of  which  earning  is  the  fruitful 
parent.  One  other  singular  law  of  this  state  we  copy  rather 
tor  its  curiosity,  and  to  shew  the  minute  attention  paid  by 
its  legislators,  the  earlier  ones  especially,  to  every  thing 
that  regards  morals  and  decorum,  than  from  any  wish  to  see 
U  adopted  here,  although  it  might  not  be  without  its  bene- 
fits in  putting  a  stop  to  at  least  one  of  the  violations  of 
decency  so  common  in  our  places  of  theatrical  amusement. 
We  allude  to  that  which  prohibits  the  appearance  of  one 
sex  in  the  dress  of  the  other,  under  penalty  of  a  fine  not 
exceeding  seventeen  dollars. 

In  most  other  respects  the  laws  of  the  state  are  very  closely 
assimilated  to  those  of  England,  of  which  the.  common  law 
is  that  also  of  Connecticut,  wherever  its  own  statutes  are 
silent ;  and  where  that  also  is  silent,  our  statutes  passed 
before  the  settlement  of  the  American  colonies,  are  some- 
times appealed  to  and  admitted  as  law— a  tribute  to  the 
merit  oi  our  jurisprudence,  mot  by  any  means  confined  to 
this  state  of  the  Union.  Whilst  on  this  point,  we  cannot 
deny  ourselves  the  gratification  of  quoting  from  Dr. 
Dwight's  valuable  pi^s,  the  following  liberal,  though 
stricuy  just  acknowledgment  of  the  advantages  derived  by 
Americans  from  their  former  connexion  with,  and  origina- 
tion from.  Great  Britain. 

'*  The  present  race  of  Americans  can  never  be  sufficiently  thank- 
ful, that  their  ancestors  came  jErom  Great  Britain,  and  not  nom  any 
other  country  in  Europe.  In  Great  ^Britain  they  fonned^most  of 
their  ideas  of  liberty  and  jurisprudence.  There,  also,  tliey  found 
their  learning  and  their  religion,  their  morals  and  their  manners*. 
The  very  language  which  they  learned  in  that  country,  opens  to 
their  descendants,  as  in  a'  great  degree  it^had  opened  to  thero, 
more  valuable  literature,  science,  and  sound  wisdom,  than  could  be, 
found  in  all  the  languac^es  of  Europe  united.  In  some  branches 
of  learning,  the  British  have  been  excelled ;  in  all  Chey'  have 
not  been  equalled.  In  science  and  sound  wisdom  they  have  no 
rivals. 

''It  is  with  no  small  satisfaction,  that  I  see  this  language  planted  in 
every  quarter  of  the  globe.  Those  who  speak  it,  are  almost  abso- 
lutely ue  only  persons  who  appear  solicitous  to  spread  Christianity 
among  nations  to  whom  it  is  unknown.  By  this  dispensation  of 
Providence,  a  preparation  is;  I  think,  evidently  making  for  the 
establishment  of  a.  general  vehicle  of  comn^unication  for  mankind^ 


Travels  by  Dr.  D wight  and  Mr.  Faux.  91 

by  nteans  of  trhich  the  religion  of  the  crops  may,  in  its  parity,  be 
diffused  over  both  contiBents."  [vol.  i.  pp.  259,  260.] 

The  same  candour  which  dictated  this  general  acknowledg- 
ment, induced  the  estimable  and  lamented  author  of  these 
travels,  to  admit  also  in  detail,  that  although  the  processes 
in  the  courts  of  Connecticut  are  often  simpler  than  those  of 
the  country  whence  they  are  derived,  they  are  so,  in  some 
cases,  with  manifest  disadvantage,  though  in  others,  advan- 
tiageously. 

**  Generally,'*  says  he,  '^  there  i|  kss  regularity  in  them,  and 
therefore  less  perfection.  At  the  same  time,  they  are  usuidUy 
much  less  expensive.  It  ought  to  be  observjsd,  that  they  are 
gradually  approximating  towards  the  system  of  the  British  courts.'' 
{vol.  i.  p.  260.] 

•  For  our  own  parts.  We  should  hold  it  an  improvement  in 
their  laws,  were  that  approximation  to  extend  to  the  limita- 
tion of  ajitstification  of  a  libel  by  its  truth  to  the  remedy  by 
action,  although  we  are  too  well  aware  of  the  prevalence  in 
this  country  of  an  opinion,  that  it  should  be  extended  also 
to  indictments,  to  enter  now  into  the  grounds  of  the  views 
which  we  take  of  the  subject,  though  in  support"  of  them  an 
opportunity  may,  on  some  future  occasion,  be  afforded  us  of 
saying  a  word  or  two.  Other  defects,  however,  are  too  obvious 
to  require  more  than  pointing  them  out  as  we  pass  on ;  such, 
for  instance,  as  the  dependence  of  the  judiciary  on  the  execu- 
ciutive  department  of  the  govemnient,  alike  in  the  tenure,  and 
the  emoluments  of  the  offices  of  its  minister^-^the  confine-' 
ment  of  criminals  convicted  of  serious  offences,  in  a  dreary 
cavern  uiider  ground ;  although  we  are  free  to  admit,  that 
the  general  systein  of  prison  discipline  of  the  state  is  very 
8t|p^rior'to  our  own,  especially  in  the  care  which  is  taken 
effectually  to  separate  the  sexes  by  confining  women  in 
totally  distinct  gaols.  But  aldlefect  producing  more  serious 
evilfir,  is  the  law  relative  to  divorces,  which  ever  since  the 
year  1667  have  been  granted  not  only  for  adultery,  fraudu- 
fcnt  contract  of  mama^e,  or  an  absence  of  either  party  for 
seven  years  without  bem^  heard  of,  but  for  a  wilful  deser- 
tion of  husband  or  wife,  tor  tdree  years,  or  the  omission  of 
that  care  and  provision  for  each  other  and  their  family, 
wliiifeh  is  incumbent  upon  those  who  have  contracted  so  near, 
and  as,  save  for  scriptural  causes,  it  ought  to  be  so  indisso- 
luble a  connexion,  i^aiast  the  demoralizing  tendency  of 
this  law.  Dr.  Dwight  has  entered  a  strong  protest,  equally 
creditable  to  him  as  a  divine,  a  patriot,  and  «  politician. 


92       Review.*-^  State  of  N&m-'jSmglani  and  New-  York. 

Befote  we  quit  the  institations  ofiliis^  state  of  t^e  Union, 
we  would  just  remark,  as  very  important  departures  from 
our  own  legislation  and  policy^    (in  England  at  least,)^ 
that  marriages  are  celebrated  by  magistrates  and  ordained 
ministers  indifferently,  but  that  to  render  them  valid,  they 
must  have  been  previously  published  before  tji^  congregatipn . 
assembled  in  some  plac^  of  religious  worship  in  the  town  oi 
parish  in  which  each  of  the  parties  dweu,  or  have  been, 
publicly  notified  in  writing,  in  or  near  the  door  of  some 
church  or  meeting-house  there,  for  eight  days  previous  to 
tib.e  celebration  of  the  rite^i    Minors  must  also  have  obtained 
Hbe  consent  of  their  parents  or  guardians.     And  what  more 
liiftn  this,  we  would  ask,  can  reaiionably  or  equitably  be 
required  from  Dissenters  here?    Nothing,  certainly,  ^save 
perhaps  a  longer  notice,)  to  guard  against  iitoproper  mar- 
liages.;  all  th^  the  state  can  be  couLC^^rned  tp-  prevent, 
whatever  influence  pr  emolument  the  church,  ms^y.  &a|*  tOt 
lose.    The  last  things  we  HPtioe  ar^,  the  religjioii^  cha^^ei} 
of  the  inhabitants,,  w^ch  ha$.  occasioned  tlji^.^lectipn  in  mpE^t; 
ins|ta]pi,ces  of  m^iiL  of  probity  to  the  hi^he^t  offi<^e9  of,  the^ 
statpj  veyy  frequently  fiyed,  alsp  by  persons^  eooi^^nt  fpr; 
iheir  piety;  the  ^^eadiine^^,  of  th^ir  atte^c^un^nt  tp.  fyitkri 
fnl  servants,  evinced  in  tjie  ofl^ce  of  secretary  of  sts^t^*  ^h^ 
though,  annually  elective,  ii^vi^gbe^Qi  filled  by  09/e  fSsl^ily^ 
tharpugh  ^hree  g§p,€jriBbt^^]^p%-rtbat  of  op^ ,  iufdiFidwl  having 
for  mc^e  tha^  fifty  years  bei^n  ^W^en  a  meo4)er  of  the  l^gi^n 
lature,  ojid  ajbriiori^  of  ii^  j^4gfiB,i^  cbpiien» 

to  their  office,  seldom  hpl^i^g  ^t  office  hut  for  UferHW^t 
fu^ally,  of  the  very  trilling  sjsj^i^s  p^id  to  the  goy?n¥;>ir  m^ 
chief-justice;  tte. foi;nxer  i:^Qeivi»g. b,ut  1200dolla|?9,.(£27Q) 
the  latter  but  a  thpusaad,  p^  t^obupdj^ed  a^it^^ely?  ]ppui^a, 
of  cxuif  cui^eppy ;  a  re^iun^atipn  .infinitely  le^fii  thaii  iQ  paid, 
for  their  services  to  i^anii  of  oiyr  ns^rcantile.  cl^rk^^  aD[d  about 
hdJ^f  as  mnch  as^  is  m^  by  th?  h^lf'P^^?^  a°d  h^lfnseryants^ 
of  our  leading  barristers^.. waiting  a9  th^y  dp„  Qiea|iwhil% 
behind  their  master's  phair  a.t  di^i^r,  attending  to  thQ  dpq^ 
of  his  chambers,  sx^^  bra^h^ng  the  lOitid.  off  .^e  U^ilpf  h^M 
great  coali.  Of  ii^i^  economy,  ^onjy?  Ai9y9i^<^Q^  ^t^  apt  ta> 
boast,  a£f,a  striding  m^i  of  tbie  Bpn^AOrlike  sijpftpUfiity  w4t 
purity  of  tb^ir  ]^i^li<^an  gpyernpn^nfr.  Not  sq»  baM^ereiu 
does  so.  candid  an4  ^es^ibli^  ^  m^  a^  I^>  Jimf^pMx  U^ 
very  judiciously  observes^  t^ 

**  Itc^uwoty  however,  be  qtsstioiiedv  that  this  system  has  beeni 
carried  too;  far*  ThQ  salaries  of  Ae  priacipal.  public  offioers  ought,. 
without  a  question^  be  consid/erftbly  iQcreased.    The  very  leait 


vUeh  wisdom  or  justice  can  admit  is,  that  they  shoald  be  sufficient 
to  famish  such  a  support  for  the  incumbents  as  is  decently  suited 
to  their  respective  stations."  [p.  258.] 

Another  glaring  defect  in  the  goyermnent  of  this  «tate^ 
¥^hich  iseems  to  have  escaped  our  obBervance,  though  com- 
mon we  believe  to  every  state  in  America,  is  the  resort  to 
lotteries,  for  providing  for  public  improvements,  suchas  thid 
building  of  piers,  &c.  Here  also,  as  in  some  other  states  of 
New-England,  a  very  mischievous  practice  has  long  ^pre- 
vailed, of  dividing  and  subdividing  counfties  and  parishes 
into  diistriotSi  too  small  to  afford  respectable  representativeti 
in  the  legislature  in  the  one  instance,  or  adequately  to  pro^- 
vide  for  the  building  of  churches  and  the  liHaintenance  of 
^tfieir  ministers,  in  the  other. 

The  prevallerrt  religious  denominations  in  this  state  are  the 
Presbyterian  and  Congregational.  When  Dr.  Dwight  wrote, 
in  1812,  it  contained  216  Congregational,  9  Independent> 
61  Episcopalian,  and  67  Baptist  churches,  besides  whioh,  a 
few  Methodists  are  scattered  over  the  state,  in  which  no 
material  alteration  in  these  numbers  lias  since  been  made. 
Though  America  is  alike  without  the  advantages  and  the 
disadvantages  of  an  established  faith  and  mode  of  worship, 
(whatever  raiey  severally  may  be,)  she  is  not  altogether  free 
from  what  many  in  this  country  consider  one  of  the  greatest 
abuses  of  such  a  provision,  the  appointment  of  pastors  to 
flocks  which  they  cannot  feed ;  as,  of  the  Episcopal  churches 
of  Connecticut,  more  than  half,  and  of  the  Presbyterian  iK>t 
^  few,  are  held  by  pluralists.  Of  the  ministers  of  the 
Baptist  churches.  Dr.  Dwight,  who  was  a  staunch  and 
thorough-paced  Presbyterian,  speaks  with  more  cont^x^ 
than  libevatity,  representing  their  preachers  as  **  farmeris 
«tnd  mechanics,  not  a  whit  better  qualified  itx  the  tlesk, 
fmless  hv  superior  volnbilitv,  than  their  hearers,  taken  at  an 
average,^'  g^oferally  unpaid  for  their  services,  and  uneducated 
for  their  sacred  office.  We  rejoice,  however,  to  leiam  from 
a  note  of  the  publisher,  tbat  ten  years  has  wrought  a  very 
favourable  revolution  in  a  body  of  Christians,  which  in  our 
own  country  can  boast  of  a  Hall,  a  Ryland,  a  Carey,  and, 
alas !  that  we  must  onlv  add,  could  boast  of  a  Fuller,  and  a 
IV^ard ;  and  that  considerably  more  attention  is  now  paid  to 
the  education  of  their  teachers  in  holy  things.  Education 
generally  is  so  well  attended  to,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  child 
u  the  stale  who  ia  not  taught  reading,  writing,  aud  arithme- 
•tic,  in  imC'Of  the  schools,  which  in  nusubder  amount  to  about 
2600^  oofttdiniBg  about  78,000  scholars.      .  .  > 


94       Beview.-^Siaie  of  New^Englmnd  md  Nm*  York. 

Newhaven^  one  of  the  capitals  of  this  state,  exhibits  a 
scene  no  less  delightful  than  it  is  singular,  in  the  re-erectioQ» 
by  mutual  consent,  of  the  places  of  worship  of  the  different 
^ects  on  the  same  side  of  the  same  street,  where  the  elegafkxce 
of  their  structure  contributes  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  one  . 
of  the  handsomest  parts  of  the  city.  *'  Rarely/'  says  our 
author^  and  in  fancy  we  realize  the  scene,  ''is  a  more  beauti- 
ful object  presented  to  the  eye,  (I  havQ  never  met  with  one^) 
than  the  multitudes  crossing  the  green' in  different  direc- 
tions to  the  house  of  God/'  Religion  flourished  extea- 
i»ively  in  Newhaven^  the  place  of  his  residence,  and  scene  of 
his  labours^  for  many  years^  in  his  time ;  and  we  are  happy  to 
learn,  that  its  friends  have  since  considerably  increased, 
both  in  number,  in  unanimity,  and  in  zeal.  **  Behold  how 
^ood  and  pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together 
in  unity.''  In  the  spirit  of  this  text,  the  Methodists  were 
here  enabled  to  erect  their  church  by  the  liberal  cpntribu- 
tion  of  their  fellow-citizens  of  different  and  eten  opposing 
sects;  and  as  those  sects  live  together  in  harmony,  they 
are  interred  in  one  common  cemetry,  the  description  of  which 
is  too  striking  not  to  be  extracted. 

'^  The  Honourable  James  Hillhouse,  one  of  the  inhabitants,  to 
whom  the  town,  the  state,  and  the  country,  owe  more  than  to 
almost  any  of  their  citizens,  in  the  year  1 796,  purchased,  near  the 
north-western  corner  of  the  town,  a  Held  of  ten  acres,  which, 
aided  by  several  respectable  gentlemen,  he  levelled  and  enclosed. 
The  field  was  then  divided  into  parallelograms,  handsomely  railed, 
and  separated  by  alleys  of  sufficient  breadth  to  permit  carriages  to 
pass  each  other.  The  whole  field,  except  four  lots  given  to  the 
several  congregations  and  the  college,  and  a  lot  destined  for  the 
reception  of  the  poor,  was  distributed  into  family  burying-places, 
purchased  at  the  expense  actually  incurred,  and  secured  by  law 
from  every  civil  process.  Each  parallelogram  is  sixty-four  ree't  in 
breadth,  and  thirty^five  feet  in  length.  Each  family  burying- 
ground  is  thirty-two  feet  in  length,  and  eighteen  in  breadth ;  and 
against  each  an  opening  is  made  to  admit  a  funeral  procession.  At 
the  divisions,  between  the  lots,  trees  are  set  out  in  the  alleys,  and 
the  name  of  each  proprietor  is  marked  on  the  railing.  The  monu- 
ments in  this  ground  are  almost  universally  of  marble,  in  a  few 
instances  from  Italy;  in  the  rest,  found  in  this  and  the  neighbour- 
ing states.  A  considerable  number  are  obelisks,  others  are  tables, 
and  others  slabs  placed  at  the  head  and  foot  of  the  grave.  The 
obelisks  are  placed  universally  on  the  middle  line  of  me  lots,  and 
thus  stand  in  a  line  successively  through  the  parallelograms.  The 
top  of  each  post,  and  the  railing,  are  painted  white;  the  remainder 
of  the  post  black.    After  the  lots  were  laid  out,  they  were  aU 


Traveh  fy  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  9S 

Arown  into  a  ccmtaon  stock.  A  meetiag  was  then  summoned  of 
such  inhabitants  as  wished  to  become  proprietors.  Such  as  attend- 
ed drew  for  their  lots,  and  located  them  at  their  pleasure.  Others 
in  great  numbers  have  since  purchased  them,  so  that  a  great  part 
of  the  field  is  now  taken  up. 

^^  It  is  believed,  that  this  cemetery  is  altogether  a  singularity  in 
the  world.  I  have  accompanied  many  Americans  and  many 
foreigners  into  it,  not  one  of  whom  had  ever  seen  or  heard  of  any 
thing  of  a  similar  nature.  It  is  incomparably  more  solemn  and 
impressive  than  any  spot  of  the  same  kind  within  my  knowledge; 
and,  if  I  am  to  credit  the  declarations  of  others>  within  theirs.  An 
exquisite  taste  for  propriety  is  discovered  in  every  thiAg  belonging 
to  it,  exhibiting  a  regard  for  the  dead,  reverential  but  not  osteata*- 
tious,  and  happily  fitted  to  influence  the  views  and  feelings  of 
«ucceeding  generations."  [vol.  i.  pp.  160>  161.] 

To  this  singularly  interesting  spot,  the  monuments  erected 
to  the  memory  of  the  dead,  in  the  church-yard,  placed 
injudiciously,  though  in  strict  conformity  with  our  £fng4ish 
ciivstom,  as  absurd  as  it  is  general,  in  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  crowded  parts  of  the  city,  were  all  removed  about  two 
years  a^o.  This  town,  like  most  of  those  of  Connecticut, 
and  indeed  of  New-England  generally,  is  so  thinly  inhabit- 
ed, compared  with  the  larger  towns  of  our  own  country, 
that  the  houses  are  built  at  very  considerable  distances  from 
each  other,  in  streets,  which  in  summer  are  as  verdant  as 
the  fields. 

Near  Montville,  lived  towards  the  close  of  the  seventeenth 
century,  Uncas,  sahem  or  chief  of  the  Pe^uod  and  Moha- 
gan  Indians,  a  firm  friend  to  the  English,  with  whom  he  was 
too  prudent  to  quarrel,  but  who  had  no  occasion  to  be  proud 
of  their  ally,  on  the  score  of  superior  civilization  or  huma- 
nitj ;  for  having  defeated  and  taken  prisoner  a  Narrhagansett 
chief,  who  attacked  him  with  twice  his  numbers,  he  put 
him  to  death,  and  then,  cutting  a  piece  of  fiesh  from  his 
shoulders,  roasted  jand  ate  it,  declaring,  after  he  had  done 
so,  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  savage,  that  it  was  the  sweetest 
meat  he  had  ever  tasted. 

.  The  conflicting  claims  of  two  towns  in  this  state, 
Ly*me  and  New-London,  to  certain  lands,  formerly  belong- 
ing to  the  Indians,  gave  rise,  it  appears,  to  a  species  of 
settlement  of  title,  which  we  apprehend  to  be  new  in  the 
annals  of  civilized  nations* 

"  The  land,"  says  Dr.  Dwight,  '*  though  now  of  considerable 
value,  was  then  regarded  as  a  hifling  object.  The  expense  of 
appointing  agents  to  manage  the  cause  before  the  legislature,  was 


96     Review.— State  tf.  Ht^-SngUmi  and  Hm^Xork. 

x^nsiderablet  and  tjbe  haxcurd  of  the  jottRMqr  w««  QotAvHatU  Spi 
this  ftituatioa,  theiuhabltaots  of  both  townsbips  agrieed  to.  settle 
their  lespective  titles  to  the  lands  in  Coutrove^sjf,  by  It  ooihbat 
between  two  champions,  to  be  chosen  by  each  for  that  purpose, 
New-London  selected  two  men,  of  the  ndmes  of  Picket  alid 
Latimer:  Lyme  committed  its  oause  to  two  others,  named  Oris- 
wold  and  Ely.  On  a  day,  mntually  appointed,  the  ehftn^ioils 
appeared  in  the  field,  and  fought  with  their,  fidts,  ItH  yictory 
declared  in  favoar  of  each  of  the  Lyme  eoihbat«ats.  I^yiBae  then 
guietly  took  {tossession  of  the  controverted  tract,  -and  has  hM  it 
)indisputed  to  th^  {nresent  day.  This,  it  is  pr^sumedl  it;  tfie  onlgf 
instance  in  which  a  public  controreeay  ^as  itfoi  4eeiikidift'!Newr 
England  by  pugilism."  [yoI.  ii.  p.  498.]  .  t  

Gorton,  a  town  on  the  bordejifs  of  Rhode  I^landy  a^e^ms  to 
have  su&red  from  its  proxiinity  to  a  state  in  which  a  re^* 
lar  ^provision  for  a  gospel  ministry  is  held  in  abomina- 
tion ;  for  when  Dr.  Dwight  was  there^  it  had  been  for  a  lon^ 
period  without  a  minister,  the  last  who  ^had  officiateci^ 
though  a  very  worthy  man,  being  obliged  to  leave  his  people 
ff^r  want  of  support,  although  they  could,  without  iBeonve*- 
nience.to  themselves,  have  maintained  three  ministers  at 
leai^t.  It  is  but  justice,  however,  to  ad<l,  that  hi  the  state 
of  Coimecticut,  a  similar  diestitntioB  of  ther  means  of  reli^- 
gious  instruction,  from  a  shmlliT  cause,  is  of  very  tare 
occurTenoe ;  and  that  before  our  ajudior  died,  it  no  longer 
existed  here.  In  the  adjoining  township  of  Stontngtoii> 
reside,  partly  in  small  ragged  and  unhealthy  wigwams, 
and  partly  on  the  farms  of  the  white  inhabitants,  in  nouses 
built  purposely  for  them,  the  wretched  remnant  of  the 
Pequod  Indians,  the  original  proprietors  of  the  land,  and 
for  a  series  of  years  the  most  formidable  enemies  of  the 
Ei^lish  eettlers  on  the  territory  of  their  forefathers.  Lazy, 
idishonest,  prodigal,  thieves,  liars,  and  drunkards ;  Irving 
together  without  marriage,  or  any  tie  but  their  own  lost, 
hedf-naked  and  often  half-starved,  the  former  proud  heroie 
spirit  of  their  race,  terrible  even  to  the  prouder  and  more 
heroic  spirits  around  them,  is  sunk  into  the  tameness  and 
torpor  of  a  half-reasoning  brute ;  all  the  vice  of  the  original 
being  left,  ailber  all  its  eneirgy  has  vanished. 

The  township  of  Stamford,  containing  near  dOOO  inhabit* 
^ts,  ^affords  an  instance  of  the  inanner  in  which  great  part 
of  America  was  obtained  by  the  Europeans  who  peqpled 
it,. for  it  was  purchased  of  the  Indians  by  the  agent  of  .the 
feoteny  of  Newhaven,  for  twelve  coats,  twelve  hoes,  twelve 
hatchets,  twelve  knives,  two   kettles,  and  four  fathom  oF 


Travek  by  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  97 

white  wampum.  The  inhabitants  of  this  state  are«  gene- 
rally speaking,  industrious,  moral,  and  religious,  but  in 
many  of  its  districts,  the  prevalent  practice  oftheir  inhabit- 
ants to  lead  the  wandenng  lives  of  hawkers  and  pedlars, 
has  had  a  demoralizing  effect  upon  their  principles,  conduct, 
and  manners; 

Massachusetts,  the  largest  and  most  populous  of  the 
New-England  states,  differs  not  in  any  material  part  of  its 
constitution  from  that  of  Connecticut.  Its  representatives 
in  the  legislature  are,  however,  far  too  numerous,  equalling 
in  number  those  of  Great  Britain,  with  a  population  at 
the  least  twenty  times  as  large.  Each  town  having,  in  the 
elegant  language  of  America,  150  ratable  polls,  sends  one 
member,  and  another  for  every  226  additional  polls.  Educa* 
tion  is  provided  for  by  law,  in  a  most  exemplary  and  effectual 
manner ;  every  town  or  district  in  the  state,  containing  fifty 
householders,  being  required  to  provide  a  schoolmaster  to 
teach  children  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic,  six  months 
in  every  year.  Those  containingone  hundred  householders, 
are  obliged  to  do  the  same  for  twelve  months ;  those  which 
have  130,  two  such  schools,  one  for  six,  and  the  other  for 
twelve  months ;  and  those  having  200,  an  English  school- 
master, and  another  well  qualified  to  teach  Latin,  Greek, 
and  English,  in  a  grammar-school,  each  of  them  for  twelve 
months.  Failing  in  this,  or  negligently  performing  the 
duty,  they  are  liable  to  penalties  of  from  ten  to  thirty  pounds. 
Persons  keeping  schools,  either  for  boys  or  girls,  on  their 
own  account,  are  required  to  be  citizens  of  the  state,  and  to 
be  furnished  with  a  certificate  of  competency  for  their 
office,  from  two  ministers  in  the  vicinity,  and  as  to  moral 
character,  from  the  minister,  or  a  selectman,  of  the  place  to 
which  they  belong.  The  academies  already  described,  are 
more  numerous  and  better  endowed  than  in  Connecticut. 
As  to  the  provision  for  ministers,  the  laws  respecting  it  are 
essentially  the  same  in  both  states,  as  indeed  are  their 
legal  institutions  in  general.  Nor  is  there  any  very  material 
difference  in  the  character  of  their  inhabitants,  save  that 
those  of  Massachusetts  are  somewhat  more  ardent,  im- 
passioned, and  sudden  in  their  affections  and  actions, 
than  those  of  Connecticut. 

Of  Boston,  the  celebrated  capital  of  this  state.  Dr.  Dwight 
gives  a  minute  description,  for  no  part  of  which  have  we 
room  in  our  pages,  save  for  the  following  very  creditable 
testimony  to  the  detestation  manifested  by  its  inhabitants, 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  1.  H 


9$      RevievQ^ — ^at^  of  New^Enghnd  and  New-York. 

of  a  pmctiee  which  seems  to  be  <m$  of  the  crying  ^ias  of 
their  countrymen. 

^^  An  honourable  specimen  of  the  Bofitonian  character  was  lately 
eschibited.  Two  young  gentlemen,  natives,  fought  a  duel :  dne  of 
tbem  was  killed,  the.  other  fled.  The  inhabitants,  with  one  voicey 
manifested  an  unequivocal  wish  to  have  the  law  executed  upon  the 
survivor.  Even  his  own  friends  are  said  to  have  made  no  efforts 
l^  his  favour.  It  is  doubted,  whether  the  same  opposition  to  this 
crime,  and  the  same  respect  for  the  decisions  of  law,  would  be 
found,  in  a  similar  case,  in  any  other  town  of  equal  distinction.  It 
di^ght  to  be  remarked,  that  the  survivor  was  intensely  provoked, 
and  had  made  numerous,  unusual,  and  very  patient  exertions  to 
prevent  the  unhappy  catastrophe."  [vol.  i.  p.  470.] 

Religion,  pure  and  undefiled^  formerly  flourished  in  a 
most  remarkable  degree  in  this  great  commercial  city,  but 
of  late  years  Socinianism  has  made  sad  inroads  and  havoc 
^here;  but  vigorous  efforts  ha,ve>  for  some  time  past^  been 
making,  to  stem  its  progress  and  counteract  its  influence, 
and  most  ardently  do  we  wish  them  every  possible  success. 
We  regret,  however,  to  have  occasion  to  extract,  from  th^ 
inore  recent  tour  of  Mr,  Faux, .  the  following  account  of  a 
Bostonian  sabbathi  in  the  year  1819. 

•  "  I  accompanied  one  gentleman  to-  ehurch,  an  ediflce  inwardly 
and  outwardly  splendid,  and  the  congregation  fashionable ;  but  I 
thought  the  saryice  and  sermon  vejry  dull  and  insipid,  and  the 
worship  altogether  inanimate.  As  Sunday  here  vanishes,  wdth  the 
daylight,  I  went  in  the  evening  to  the  Town-hall,  to  Caucus,  t 
grand  political  meeting  of  thousands  of  the  mohocracyy  met  to 
deliberate  upon  the  choice  of  a  state- governor,  &c.  The  orators^ 
on  the  present  occasion,  being  principally  well-educated  federalists, 
seemed,  some  of  them,  eloquent  and  ingenious  abusers  of  the 
democrats,  who  angrily  retorted  on  their  opponents.  Thus  I  found 
two  strong  parties,  which  I  am  at  present  unable  to  de6ne,except  as 
mutual  haters  of  each  other,  like  Whigs  and  Tories  in  England.'* 
[Faux,  pp.  28,  29.] 

i 

To  the  beauty^  elegance,  and  conveniencet  of  this  great 
commeroi^l  city,  and  its  nqble  harbour,  our  English  tourist 
hears  aiapk  testimony ;  but  of  its  inhabitants,  he  says,  that 
they  are  tbtual^ul  for  nothing,  or,  at  least,  they  do  not  shew 
that  they  are  grateful  for  any  thing.  "  The  poor,"  he  adds, 
on  the  authonty  of  a  domiciled  Scotch  landlord  of  an  inn, 
**  are  not  wanted  th^e>  nor  any  where  in  the  state  of  Massa* 
dra^etts,  where  niany  ^re  unemployed,  and  nobody  i&  mtv^^ 
fied."     He  accordingly  dissuades  his    countrymen  from 


.Trai^c&  6jf  Dr.  Dwight  awd  Mr.  Fausr.  Qd 

^mightting  tUitber,  unless  they  cto  bring  Mrith  tbem  ftotd 
fiveliundred  to  a  tbonsand  pounds. 

To  his  account  of  the  character  and  manners  of  the  in- 
habitants of  this  city,  with  which,  on  the  whole,  they  have 
every  reason  to  be  satisfied.  Dr.  Dwight  has  appended  a 
letter  on  fashionable  education,  written  in  his  very  best 
style,  and  equally  adapted  to  the  meridian  of  London  as  of 
Boston.  We  therefore,  very  warmly  commend  it  to  the 
attentive  perusal  of  our  readers;  to  such  of  thenl,  more 
especially,  as  sustain  the  weight  of  the  parental  charac-* 
ter;  whilst  it  contains  many  hints  which  might  be  profitably 
perused  by  alU  though  we  cannot  but  wish  that  less  occa* 
sion  had  beeii  afforded  for  the  severity  of  its  remarks. 

In  this  state,  as  in  Connecticut,  and  indeed  throughout 
America,  lotteries  seem  to  be  the  favourite  mode  of  effect-^ 
ing  public  improvements,  for  by  it  the  South  Hadley  canal 
was  mainly  constructed,  or  rather  rendered  an  efficient  navi- 
gation, it  was  at  Hadley,  one  of  the  first  townships  in  this 
state,,  visited  by  our  observing  tourist,  that  the  English 
regicides,  Goffe  and  Whalley,  found  for  many  years  a  renige, 
in  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Russell,  the  then  minister  of 
the  place;  and  during  their  close  seclusion  there,  the  follow- 
ing singular  event  is  traditionally  said  to  have  occurred. 

"  In  the  cburse'  of  Philip's  war,  which  involved  almost  all  the 
ladian  tribes  in  New-England,  and  among  others,  those  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  this  town,  the  inhabitants  thought  it  proper  to 
ob^rve  the  1st  of  September,  1675,  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer. 
While  they  were  in  the  church,  and  employed  in  their  worship,  they 
were  surprised  by  a  band  of  savages.  The  people  instantly  betook 
themselves  to  their  arms^  which,  according  to  the  custom  of  the 
times,  they  had  carried  with  them  to  the  church,  and,  rushing  out 
(^the  house,  attacked  their  invaders.  The  panic  under  which  they 
began  the  confiict  was  however  s6  great,  and  their  number  was  s<y 
disproportioned  to  thatof  their  enemies,  that  they  fought  doubtfully 
at  nrst,  and  in  a  short  time  began  evidently  to  give  way.  At  this 
moment,  an  ancient  man  with  hoary  locks,  of  a  most  venerable  and 
dignified  aspect,  and  in  a  dress  widely  differing  from  that  of  the 
inhabitants,  appeared  suddenly  at  their  head,  and  with  a  firm 
voice,  and  an  example  of  undoubted  resolution,  reanimated  their 
spirits,  led  them  again  to  the  conflict,  arid  totally  routed  the 
savages.  Wh^nthe  battle  was  ended, the  stranger  disappeared,  and 
no  person  knew  whence  he  had  come,  or  whither  he  had  gone. 
The  relief  wfcis  so  timely,  so  sudden,  so  unexpected,  and  so  provi- 
cfential;  the  appearance,  and  the  retreat  of  him  who  furnished  it, ' 
were  sa  unice6imta6le ;  his  person  wad  so  dignified  dnd  command- 
ing, his  resolution  so  superior,  and  his  interference  so  decisive ; 


100      Remew.— State  of  New-England  and  New-York. 

that  the  inhabitants,  without  any  uncommon  exercise  of  credulity, 
readily  believed  him  to  be  an  angel  sent  by  Heayen  for  their  pre- 
servation. Nor  was  this  opinion  seriously  controverted,  until  it 
was  discovered  several  years  afterward,  that  Gofie  and  Whalley 
had  been  lodged  in  the  bouse  of  Mr.  Russell.  Then  it  was  known 
that^their  deliverer  was  GoffCyWhalley  having  become  superannuated 
some  time  before  the  event  took  place.''  [vol.  i.  pp.  317,  318.] 

The  bones  of  the  former  of  these  determined  republicans, 
on  the  house  in  which  Mr.  Russell  lived  having  been  pulled 
down  aboat  thirty  years  a^o,  were  found  buried  just  with- 
out the  cellar  wall,  in  a  kind  of  tomb  formed  of  mason's 
work,  and  covered  with  flags  of  hewn  stone.  It  was  said 
also,  that  Ooffe  was  interred  near  the  spot,  but— as  he  is 
reported  to  have  gone  into  Connecticut  after  the  death  of 
his  companion,  thence  to  have  removed  to  the  neighbour- 
hood of  New- York,  where,  thoagh,  the  better  to  disguise 
himself,  he  sometimes  carri<ed  vegetables  to  market,  he  was 
discovered,  and  on  that  discovery,  to  have  retired  secretly  to 
Rhode  Island,  lived  there  with  a  son  of  Whalley  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life — the  traditions  respecting  him  are 
too  obscure  and  doubtful  to  be  relied  upon.  But  be  this  as 
it  may,  the  place  of  their  first  retreat  seems  to  have  been 
well  adapted  to  their  concealment,  though  surrounded  by 
bqautiful  scenery,  which  the  strictness  of  that  concealment 
would  not  permit  them  to  enjoy. 

Dr.  Dwight  expressly  disclaims  all  attempts  to  render  his 
tour  interesting,  by  filling  it  with  landscapes,  a  fault  with 
which  he  charges,  and  we  fear  with  but  too  much  reason^ 
many  of  our  European  travellers,  who  would,  he  observes, 
and  observes  correctly, "  have  been  more  agreeable  writers, 
had  they  been  less  liberal  of  their  garnishing,  and  furnished 
us  to  a  greater  extent  with  more  solid  entertainment.''  It 
would,  nowever,  be  an  act  of  gross  injustice,  at  once  to  his 
powers  of  observation  and  to  the  scenery  of  his  country,  not 
to  direct  the  attention  of  our  readers  to  his  vfery  glowing 
description  of  the  view  from  Mount  Hoylake,  three  miles  to 
the  southward  of  Hadley,  with  which,  in  richness  and  gran- 
deur, we  apprehend  that  few  scenes  in  England  can  com- 
fiete.  It  is  too  long,  however,  for  extraction,  we  can  there- 
ore  only  recommend  its  perusal,  in  a  work  firom  which,  but 
for  a  like  reason,  several  others  of  equal  beauty  might  be 
selected.  Yet,  to  picturesque  effect,  the  agriculture  of  the 
countrv,  which  is  mat  also  of  most  of  the  other  'states  of 
New-England,  presents  one  very  material  obstacle,  in  the 
walls  of  stone  rudely  laid  together,  (as  with  us,  in  some  of 


Traveh  by  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  101 

the  mountainous  regions  of  Cumberland,  Westmoreland^ 
Lancashire,  and  Yorkshire,  and  even  in  the  hilly  districts  of 
Oxfordshire,  Worcestershire,  and  midland  counties,)  being 
substituted  for  die  beautifiil  hedges,  so  generally  used  as 
enclosures  in  England.  In  some  of  the  districts  of  this 
state,  these  hedges  are  formed  by  the  natural  growth  of  the 
barberiT,  often  spreading  itself  an  unwelcome  visitant 
over  a  fifth,  sixth,  and  even  a  fourth  of  the  surface  of  fields, 
from  which  it  is  extirpated  with  difficulty,  save  from  the 
stone  enclosures,  under  which  pass  its  bushes,  and  spring 
up  so  numerously,  as  to  render  it  almost  impossible  to  eradi- 
cate them.-  Their  blossoms  are  said  to  emit  an  effluvium  so 
acrimonious,  as  to  blast  both  wheat  and  rye,  and  even  to 
prevent  esculent  roots  and  other  vegetables  from  living. 

At  Haverhill,  the  last  town  of  this  state,  on  the  borders 
of  New-Hampshire,  a  natural  curiosity  is  presented,  in  a 
small  island,  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  lake,  which  has  from 
time  immemorial  floated  from  shore  to  shore,  whenever  it 
was  impelled  by  a  violent  wind.  Trees  and  shrubs  grow  on 
it,  and  it  is  covered  with  fresh  verdure,  bo  as,  during  its  alter- 
nations, to  exhibit  a  scene  picturesque  as  it  is  extraordinary. 

Salem,  the  most  ancient  town  in  this  extensive  state,  except 
Plymouth,  and  the  next  in  size  to  Boston,was  unce  the  scene 
of  the  ministerial  labours  of  the  celebrated  Hugh  Peters,  the 
eccentric  chaplain  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  who  here  originated 
many  improvements  in  the  affairs  of  his  parishioners,  di- 
recting tliem  by  his  exhortation,  and  stUl  more  strong- 
ly by  his  own  successful  example,  into  new  channels  of  in- 
dustry, and  thereby  laying  the  toundationof  that  commercial 
prosperity  which  has  rendered  Salem,  for  its  size,  one  of 
the  most  industrious  and  thriving  places  in  the  Union. 
The  neighbouring  town  of  Danvers  is  remarkable  for  a 
supposed  prevalence  of  witchcraft  therein  1692,  in  conse- 
quence .of  which,  nineteen  persons,  the  majority  of  them 
members  of  Christian  churcnes,  and  people  of  unblemished 
character,  were  executed  in  the  town  or  its  neighbourhood, 
whilst  one  man,  according  to  the  humane  practice  of  our 
then  common  law,  was  pressed  to  death,  for  refusing  to  plead 
to  so  absurd  a  charge.  Yet  although  the  absurdity  of  pre- 
ferring that  charge  was  here  carried  so  far  as  to  lead  to  the 
imprisonment  of  a  child  of  between  four  and  five  years  old, 
as  a  witch,  let  not  Europeans  laugh  at  that  instance  of  folly 
in  Americans — let  not,  especially.  Englishmen  place  them- 
selves on  any  superiority,  in  this  respect,  over  their  trans- 
atlantic descendants,  when  it  is  remembered,  that  the  philo- 


102     Review. -^State  qJ  New^Englmd  ami  New  York. 

»opher9,  the  legislators,  the  divines,  of  every  i^xkntryi  were 
at  this  period  devout  believers  in  the  extensive  diffusion  of 
this  singular  crime,  for  which,  in.  our  own  country,  and 
in  the  same  age,  so  profound  a  scholar,  so  ilavQut  a  Chris- 
tian, and  so  humane  a  judge,  as  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  con- 
demned to  death,  and  delivered  over  to  the  exeeu^on^r, 
more  than  one  of  his  innocent  and  persecuted  fellow  cr^- 
tures^  unlamented  victims  of  a  superstition,  to  whose  deadly 
influence  even  his  master  mind  willingly  surrendered  afl, 
its  mighty  powers. 

This  state  appears  not  to  have  adopted  such  severe 
measures  for  the  suppression  of  horse-racipg,.as  that  of 
Connecticut,  as,  at  liynn.  Dr.  Dwigbt  passed  one  of  the 
only  two  spots  used  as  a  race^course. 

In  noticing  the  condition  of  Williams's  college,  on  the 
borders  of  this  state,  occasion  is  given  to  our  author  to 
point  out  the  defects  of  that  and  other  collegiate  institutions 
of. this  country,  in  being  all  but  utterly  destitute  of  fellow- 
.  ships,  or  any  other  endowments  by  which  students  may  be 
enabled  to  pursue  literary  inquiries  to  any  extent;  the  pro- 
.fessorships  alone  excepted,  and  even  they  are,  generally 
speaking,  but  very  moderately  and  inadequately  supportecf, 
^and  impose  much  active  exertion  upon  thoso  who  enjoy 
them. 

On  the  side  of  Saddle  mountain,  in  the  immediate  neigh- 
bourhood of  this  university.  Dr.  Dwight  procured  an  »n- 
>teresting  account  of  the  ravages  of  a.  singular  deluge  of 
rain,  descending  in  a  moment,  to  which  the  mountsin- 
ous  parts  of  New-England  are  occasionally  subject,  and 
there  called  the  bursting  of  a  cloud  ;  nor,  unpbilosophical 
.ss  the  term  confessedly  is,  would  it  be  easy  to  nnd  one  more 
characteristic  of  a  phenomenon,  of  which  we  extract  the 
iollowing  description. 

**  In  the  autumn  of  1784,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  night,  a  delage 
of  water  descended  from  this  mountain.  A  family,  which  lived  in 
a  house  at  some  distance  from  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  not  far 
from  a  brook,  were  suddenly  awaked  out  of  their  sleep  by  the 
united  roaring  of  the  wind  and  the  torrent.  In  their  fright,  th^y 
hastily  dressed  themselves,  and  escaped  from  the  house,  the  g;rou])(£- 
floor  of  which  was,  by  this  time,  six  inches  under  water,  and  fled  to 
that  of  a  neighbouring  inhabitant.  When  they  returned  in  the 
];noming,  they  found  their  own  dwelling  so  completely  swept  away, 
that  no  part  of  it  was  left.  The  brook,  through  the  channel  of 
which  this  flood  discharged  itself,  had  never  before,  not  even  in 
the  highest  freshets,  approached  the  house  by  a  considera()le 
distance. 


/  Tfoveh  by  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.    '         108 

'*  Mr.  C ,  in  his  excursion  to  ibis  niountkin,  on  the  day 

when  we  le£t  Williamstown,  followed  the  path  (^6  this  tatseat  from 
its  commencement,  through  the  principtd  part  of  the  tract  which  U 
ravaged.  He  informed  me^  that  the  channel  worn  hy  these  wafers, 
began  instantaneously  a  little  below  the  summit*  and  w(|s  there^ 
and  in  various  other  places,  as  he  judged,  twenty  feet  deep,  and^ 
where  widest,  at  least  twenty  feet  in  breadth.  A  tract  of  about  ten 
acres  was  entirely  desolated  of  its  trees,  which  the  flood  and  the 
storm  had  thrown  down,  and  which  were  lying  on  the  lowest  part 
of  the  tract  in  heaps  of  confusion.  The  face  of  this  ground  was 
now  either  bare,  or  covered  with  small  shrubs,  apparently  Sprung 
up  since  the  period  of  this  devastation.  Every  appearance  which 
met  his  eye,  corresponded  with  the  opinion  and  language  of  the 
people  in  the  vicinity."  [vol.  iii.  pp.  234,  235.] 

Maine,  the  next  division  of  New- England  in  population 
and  importance,  but  which  in  his  time,  and  indeed  until  the 
year  1820,  when  it  was  admitted  into  the  Union  as  an  inde-^ 

Eendent  state,  formed  a  part  of  Massachusetts;  seems  not  to 
are  stood  very  high  in  our  author's  estimation,  although 
we  cannot  help  suspecting,  that  religious  prejudices  bad 
some  effect  upon  his  judgment^  as  his  complaints  are  prin* 
eipally  directed  against  schism  among  the  people,  or,  as  we 
should  term  it,  thehr  exercising  the  undoubted  right  which 
they  possess,  of  thinking  and  acting  in  religious  matters  as 
they  please ;  the  influx  of"  ignorant,  wandering,  and  unprin- 
cipled preachers,  too  lazy  to  labour,  blown  up  with  spiritual 
pride,  and  assuming  to  themselves  the  character  and  em- 
ployment of  religious  teachers,  because  they  believe  them- 
selves, as  peculiar  favourites,  to  receive  immediate  communi- 
cations from  Heaven,"  and,  above  all,  (a  point  on  which  we 
observe  that  the  reverend  Doctor  is  always  peculiarly 
sore)  the  dependence  of  the  clergy  upon  the  precarious 
pittance  furnished  at  the  good  pleasure  of  their  bearers, 
rather  than  by  the  more  sure  mode  of  a  compulsory  payment 
by  legislative  enactments.  In  this  latter  predicament, 
however,  the  entire  dissenting  ministry  of  England  (with  the 
very  few  exceptions  of  endowments,)  stand  at  this  moment, 
and,  we  most  ardently  hope,  will  ever  continue  to  stand. 

The  inhabitants  of  many  parts  of  this  state  are,  it  appears, 
very  improvident  with  their  wood ;  a  fault  so  general,  indeed, 
in  most  districts  of  America^  that  our  author  expresses  con- 
siderable apprehension  of  its  hereafter  putting  a  final  stop 
to  the  progress  of  population,  before  it  will  have  reached 
to  its  natural  height.  The  evil  id,  it  appears,  generally 
acknowledged,  and  yet  not  a  siagle  efficadous  measure  haa 


104      Review. — SttUe  of  New- England  and  New-  York. 

hitherto  been  taken  to  stop  its  abamine  progress.  But  few 
circumstances  of  the  journeys  of  Dr»X) wight  through  this 
state,  are  particularly  interesting. 

The  town  of  Lichfield  affords  a  singular  instance  of  the 
manner  in  which  settlements  have  been  formed  in  this  coun- 
try, as,  of  upwards  of  one  thousand  inhabitants,  not  one  had 
a  better  title  to  house  or  land,  than  was  derived  from  what, 
in  the  middle  and  northern  states  of  America,  is  called 
squatting,  that  is,  planting  yourself  in  the  wilderness  on 
any  piece  of  ground  you  may  chuse,  without  purchase 
from,  or  even  the  consent  of,  the  proprietor.  To  this  pre- 
datory invasion  of  undisputed  rights,  the  weakness  of  new 
governments  compelled  a  submission  at  the  time,  which  it 
would  now  be  alike  impolitic  and  unjust  to  attempt  to 
supersede. 

Amongst  the  natural  curiosities  of  the  state  of  Vebmont, 
one  of  the  most  singular  is  Mount  Toby,  extending  about 
thirty  miles,  and  chiefly  composed  of  breccia,  or  pudding* 
stone,  with  a  cave  in  it,  undoubtedly  forkned  by  some  violent 
shock,  and  reaching  directly  across  one  part  of  the  moun- 
tain from  east  to  west.  At  Bennington,  another  lusus  na-^ 
tura  presented  itself,  in  the  ravages  of  swarms  of  ^asshop- 
pers  of  a  peculiar  kind,  whose  operations  are  thus  described 
Dy  our  tourist. 

**  Bennington,  and  its  neighbourhood,  have  for  some  time  past 
been  infested  by  grasshoppers,  of  a  kind  with  which  I  had  before 
been  wholly  unacquainted.  At  least,  their  history,  given  by 
respectable  persons,  is  in  a  great  measure  novel.  They  appear  at 
different  periods,  in  different  years,  but  the  time  of  their  con- 
tinuance seems  to  be  the  same.  This  year  (1798)  they  came  four 
weeks  earlier  than  in  1797,  and  disappeared  four  weeks  sooner.  As 
I  had  no  opportunity  of  examining  them,  I  cannot  describe  their 
form  or  their  size :  their  favourite  food  is  clover  and  maize.  Of 
the  latter,  tliey  devour  the  part  which  is  called  the  silk,  the  imme- 
diate means  of  fecundating  the  ear,  and  thus  prevent  the  kernel 
from  coming  to  perfection.  But  their  voracity  extends  toalmost 
every  vegetable,  even  to  the  tobacco  plant  and  the  burdock. 
Nor  are  they  confined  to  vegetables  alone.  The  garments  of 
labourers,  hung  up  in  the  field  while  they  are  at  work,  these  insects 
destroy  in  a  few  hours,  and  with  the  same  voracity  they  devour 
the  loose  particles  which  the  saw  leaves  upon  the  surface  of  pine 
boards,  and  which,  when  separated,  are  termed  sawdust.  The 
appearance  of  a  board  fence,  from  which  the  particles  had  been 
eaten  in  this  manner,  and  which  I  saw,  was  novel  and  singular,  and 
seemed  the  result,  not  of  the  operations  of  the  plane,  but  of  attri* 
tion,  the  cause  of  which  I  was  unaUe  to  conjecture. 


^   Traveb  by  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  106 

-  ^*  At  timesy  particularly  a  little  before  tlieir  dieabpearance,  they 
collect  in  cloatUy  rise  hign  lathe  atmoephere^  ana  takeexleiisive 
flights,  of  which  neither  the  cause  nor  the  direction  has  .hitherto 
b^n  discovered.  I  was  authentically  informed  in  Shaftesbury, 
that  some  persons,  employed  in  raising  the  steeple  of  the  church 
in  Williamstown,  were,  while  standing  near  the  yane,  covered  by 
ihem ;  and  saw,  at  the  same  time,  vast  swarms  of  them  fl3ring  far 
above  their  heads.  The  customary  flight  of  grasshoppers  rarely 
exceeds  four  or  five  yards,  and  their  wings  are  apparently  so 
weak,  as  to  forbid  excursions  extended  much  beyond  these  limits. 
It  is  to  be  observed,  however,  that  they  customarily  return,  and 
perish  on  the  very  grounds  which  they  have  ravaged.*'  [vol.  ii. 
pp.  384,  386.] 

SuAderlandi  a  town  in  this  atate^  was  formerly  the  resi- 
dence of  Colonel  Ethen  Allen,  who  was  taken  priaoner  by 
the  British,  on  a  mad  attempt,  which  he  made  during  the 
American  war,  at  the  head  of  but  one  hundred  men,  to  get 
possession  of  Montreal.  He  was  an  avowed  Deist,  tand 
author  of  the  first  work  published  on  the  other  side  of  tbe 
Atlantic,  against  the  Cnristian  religion.  The  foUowiiM^ 
ja£fecting  anecdote  evinces,  however,  the  little  faith  which 
he  reposed  in  his  own  tenets  in  the  hour  of  danger  and  of 
death. 

"  Dr.  Elliot,  who  removed  from  Guildford  in  Connecticut,  to 
Vermont,  was  well  acquainted  with  Colonel  Allen,  and  made  him  a 
visit  at  a  time  when  his  daughter  was  sick,  and  near  to  death.  He 
was  introduced  to  the  library,  where  the  Colonel  read  to  him  some 
of  his  writings  with  much  self-complacency,  and  asked.  Is  not  that 
well  done?  While  they  were  thus  employed,  a  messenger  entered, 
and  informed  Colonel  Allen,  that  his  daughter  was  dying,  and 
desired  to  speak  with  him.  He  immediately  went  to  her  chamber, 
accompanied  by  Dr.  Elliot,  who  was  desirous  of  witnessing  the 
interview.  The  wife  of  Colonel  Allen  was  a  pious  woman,  and  had 
instructed  her  daughter  in  the  principles  of  Christianity.  As  soon 
^  her  father  appeared  at  her  bedside,  she  said  to  him,  '  I  am 
about  to  die ;  snail  I  believe  in  the  principles  you  have  taught  me, 
or  shall  I  believe  in  what  my  mother  has  taught  me  V  He  became 
extremely  agitated;  his  chm  quivered;  his  whole  frame  shook; 
and,  after  waiting  a  few  moments,  he  replied, '  Believe  what  your 
mother  has  taught  you.'"  [vol.  ii.  pp.  389, 390.] 

.  Of  the  legislature  of  this  state,  at  least  of  the  legislature 
as  it  existea  some  twelve  or  fourteen  years  ago,  the  follow- 
ing passage  in  Dr»  Dwight's  descnption  of  Vergennes, 
^ves.  us  no  very  exalted  idea.  It  is,  however,  the  repre* 
fientation  of  an  American  and  a  New-Eqglander,  and  there- 


lOj^      Review.^Sti^e  of  New-tlf^lmd  And  Afetn^  York. 

|qi9  we  may  quote  it  at  leogtb,  without  any  risk  of  sub- 
jecting ourselveft  to  the  charge  of  libelling  our  republicaa 
Ihendfl. 

'^  Itwasy  ind^dy  intended  for. the  seat  of  government^  and  so 
are  half  a  dozen  other  places.  Whether  any  of  them  will  ever 
•become  what  they  so  ardently  covet>  whether  there  will  be  a  seat 
of  government  in  the  state,  or  whether  the  legislature  will  continue 
to  roll  upon  wheels  from  town  to  town,  as  they  have  hitherto  done, 
no  human  foresight  can  determine.  The  legislature  itself  has  been 
at  least  equally  freakish  with  the  projector  of  this  city,  and  seems 
at  present  little  niore  inclined  to  settle,  than  any  other  bird  of  pas- 
sage." [vol.  ii.  p.  401,  402.] 

Neither  of  the  ^overument  of  Vermont,  however,  nor  its 
inhabitants,  does  the  Doctor,  himself  a  devout  believer  in 
the  superiority  of  his  own  state  of  Connecticut  over  every 
existing  government,  entertain  any  favourable  opinion,  for 
through  at  least  a  dozen  pages  he  expostulates  practically 
on  the  vices  of  all  new  settlements,  from  their  being  com^ 
posed  of  the  very  refuse  of  the  older  states,  with  so  much 
severity,  that  although  we  could  safely  recommend  the  cen* 
sure  to  our  aristoccatical  readers,  we  would  advise  its  being 
passed  over  by  those,  who  expect  from  American  writers, 
any  thing  like  the  sentiments  termed  radical  and  Jacobini- 
cal on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  His  portrait  of  a  genuine 
democrat,  and  would-be  patriot,  dissatisfied  vrith  every 
thing,  and  to  whom  nothing  can  give  pleasure,  is  at  least  as 
highly  coloured  as  it  could  have  been  by  the  most  violent 
antnacobin  in  this  country. 

'the  constitution  of  the  state  of  Nbw-Hampshirb  is 
altogether  one  of  the  best  in  the  Union,  the  two  branches 
of  me  legislature,  the  house  of  assembly,  and  the  senate, 
having  each  of  them  a  negative  on  the  bills  passed  by  the 
bther,  and  the  jndges  holding  their  offices  dunug  their  good 
behaviour ;  a  provision  Tery  much  needed  in  some  of  the 
larger  states.  In  the  limitation  of  seats  in  the  senate  to 
Protestants,  we  trace  however  a  restrictive  spirit,  ill  accor- 
dant witii  the  geperal  liberality  of  the  American  states,  and 
irreconcileable,  as  it  appears  to  us,,  with  the  declaration  of 
its  own  constitution,  that  **  every  denomination  of  Chris- 
tians, demeaning  themselves  as  good  subjects  of  the  state, 
sbalt  be  equally  under  its  protection,  ana  entitled  to  equal 
privileges^  and  that  no  sect  shalLeverbe  legally  subordi«- 
na^ed  to  another."  In  the  same  juat  and  equitable  spMirit^ 
another  article  provides,  that  no  persanr  of  any  n"  ' 


Tra^b  by  Ik.  Dvig^t  and  Mr.  FaitK*  107 

denoniiimti(m  shall  be  eompdled  fb  pay  towafdatbe  support 
^f  any  minister,  or  place  of  worship,  of  a  religions  persiia^ 
sion  to  which  he  himself  does  not  belong. 

Portsmouth,  the  principal  town  and  seaport  of  the  state 
of  New-Hampshire,  is,  like  most  of  the  towns  of  BTew-Eng- 
land,  built  cniefly,  if  not  entirely,  of  wood ;  we  need  not 
therefore  be  surprised  to  learn,  that  conflagrations  have 
ftecj^uently  destroyed  largQ  portioils  of  this  ill-constructed 
capital. 

At  Dover,  a  party  of  Indians  once  committed  as  gross  an 
outrage  as  ever  disgraced  the  most  sa^vag^  horde  of  any  tipa^ 
or  region  of  the  globe.  Deing  then  professedly  at  peace 
with  England,  one  of  their  sachems  or  chiefs,  and  two 
women,  applied  to  Major  Waldron,  formerly  governor  of 
Ifew«^Hampshire,  for  a  night's  lodging;  whion  was  granted 
with  equal  readiness  and  good  will.  In  reward,  however,  for 
this  kindness,  these  fiends  in  human  shape,  whilst  the  family 
were  asleep,  admitted  a  body  of  their  warriors  into  his 
house,  and  having  knocked  down  their  gallant  and  venerable 
host,  who  was  then  in  his  eightieth  year,  by  striking  him  on 
the  head  from  behind,  whilst  he  was  valiantly  but  ineffec- 
tually resisting  his  numerous  and  brutal  assailants,  they 
seated  him  in  an  elbow-chair  upon  the  table,  cut  him  acrosp 
the  breast  and  stomach  whilst  he  was  still  alive«  severed 
bis  nose  and  ears,  and  forced  them  into  his  mouth,  and 
finally,  by  placing  his  sword  under  him  as  he  fell,  teitqi^ 
nated  his  honourable  and  most  useful  life.  To  finish  their 
work  of  destruction,  they  then  killed  or  captured  the  rc^ 
mainder  of  the  family,  and  set  fire  to  their  habitation. 

Early  in  the  next  year,  the  neighbouring  town  of  Bruns*- 
wick  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  French,  powerfully  sup- 
ported by  these  their  fearful  allies  ;  but  they  were  driven 
back,  after  they  had  killed  about  thirty  and  captured  fifty 
of  the  inhabitants.  The  treatment  received  by  the  latter 
from  their  savage  captors,  though  acting  as  the  coadjiitors 
of  men  professing  to  be  Christians^  was  horrible  beyond 
conception,  and  would  scarcely  be  credible,  were  it  de« 
tailed  Tbiy  a  writer  of  less  unquestionably  veracity  than  he 
who  thus  affectingly  relates  it. 

^'  One  of  the  prisoners,  named  Robert  Rogers,  a  corpulent 
Bian,  beinff  loaded  with  a  heavy  pack,  found  it  impossible  to  keep 
pace  with  nit  captors.  When  he  had  fallen  behind  them,  thtnkiisg 
himself  out  q^  their  reach,  he  threw  down  his  ktad,  a]id  attempted  to 
Dft^k^  hi9  ^iiia|pe.  The  savages  pursned  him  to  a  hoUow  tree^  iif 
>l)^  he  endeavoured  U^  conceal  himself,  and^  forcing  bum  out. 


108      Review. — State  of  New^England  and  New-  York. 

stripped  him,  beat  him,  and  pricked  him  forward  on  the  joamey, 
until  the  erening  arrived.  They  then  made  a  feast  for  themselves, 
and,  tying  the  prisoner  to  a  tree,  (his  hands  being  fastened  behind 
is  back,)  sa&g»  shouted,  and  danced  around  him*  When  they  had 
sufficiently  amused  themselves  in  this  manner,  they  made  a  great 
fire  near  me  unfortunate  man,  bade  him  take  leave  of  his  friends, 
and  allowed  him  a  momentary  respite  to  offer  up  his  prayers  to 
his  God.  After  this,  they  moved  the  fire  fovward,  and  roasted  him 
by  degrees;  and  when  they  found  him  failing,  .withdrew  the  fire 
again  to  a  greater  distance.  Then  they  danced  around  him ;  cut, 
at  each  turn,  pieces  of  flesh  from  his  perishing  frame ;  laughed  at 
his  agonies,  and  added  new  pangs  to  this  horrible  death,  by 
insults  and  mockeries.  With  a  refinement  in  cruelty,  not  obvious 
to  civilized  man,  they  placed  the  rest  of  the  prisoners  just  without 
the  fire,  that  they  might  be  witnesses  of  the  catastrophe.  With 
the  same  spirit,  after  his  death,  they  seated  his  body,  still  bound  to 
the  tree,  on  the  burning  coals,  tifa^t  his  friends  might,  at  some 
future  time,  be  racked  by  the  sight. 

''  Such  was  one,  among  innumerable  specimens  of  India^  cruelty. 
Such  are  the  benefits  of  that  state  of  savageness,  which  approxi- 
mates nearest  to  the  state  of  nature.  Let  modern  philosophers 
look  on,  and  learn  here  how  romantically  innocent,  gentle,  and 
amiable,  man  becomes  in  this,  which  they  have  been  pleased  to 
extol  as  the  state  of  human  perfection.  In  the  next  panegyric, 
which  is  pronounced  on  the  state  of  nature  by  one  of  these  gentle- 
men, it  is  to  be  hoped,  that  he  will  recite,  as  a  proof  of  its  bene- 
ficent and  delightful  influence,  the  story  of  Robert  Rogers:"  [vol.  i. 
pp.  387,  388.] 

'  To  such  would-be  philosophers,  men  who,  in  erecting 
their  theories,  overlook  all  fact,  and  contradict  all  experience, 
we  very  earnestly  commend  this  wholesome  advice,  which 
has  been  our  principal  inducement  to  extract  the  passage 
containing  it. 

At  Somersworth,the  next  stage  in  his  journey,  our  traveller 
was  entertained,  much  to  his  satisfaction,  at  an  inn  kept  by 
a  Captain  R.  a  circumstance  which  induces  him  to  enter 
into  an  explanation  and  justification  of  the  inns  of  this  state, 
and  indeed  of  most  others  in  New-England,  and  even 
throughout  the  Union,  being  kept  by  persons  whose  titles 
indicate  them  to  be  men  of  some  consequence.  This  he 
does  with  much  zeal ;  but  although  we  are  fully  ready  to 
admit  with  him,  the  propriety  of  houses  of  accommodation 
for  travellers  being  kept  by  persons  of  respectable  charac- 
ter, we  are  not  convinced  by  any  arguments  which  he  has 
adduced,  that  there  can  be  the  least  (necessity  for  their 
being  kept  by  landlords,  whose  education  and  feelings  as 
gentlemen,  would  in  most  other  countries  be  an  insuperable 


Traveh  by  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux.  109 

bar  to  their  following  such  a  pureuit.  Colonel  A.  of  theT 
Bear  and  Billet,  Captain  B.  of  the  Goose  and  Gridiron,  and 
Mr.  Justice  C.  of  the  Crown  and  Magpie,  would,  in  any 
country  in  Europe,  appear  so  absurd  an  anomaly,  that  our 
American  friends  must  bear  with  our  smiles  at  a  combina- 
tion of  which,  we  doubt  not,  but  that  when  their  middling 
classes  shall  have  attained  to  the  respectability  of  that  grade 
in  old  established  communities,  they  will  themselves  be 
ashamed,  however  they  may  affect  to  glory  in  it  now. 

Near  Hinsdale,  a  border  town  of  this  state,  an  irruption  of 
the  Indians,  in  1775,  issued,  in  the  capture,  amongst  other 
persons,  of  a  Mrs.  Howe,  whose  subsequent  sufferings  and 
history  are  detailed  in  so  interesting  and  affecting  a  man- 
ner, that  we  cannot  but  refer  such  of  our  readers  to  it  as 
may  wish  to  combine  all  the  witching  interest  of  a  novel, 
witn  a  faithful  detail  of  some  of  those  extraordinary  trans- 
actions which  occasionally  form  the  romance  of  real  life. 
They  will  find  it  in  the  second  volume  of  the  work,  pages 
70  to  76. 

Dartmouth  college,  near  Lebanon,  originally  founded  in 
1769,  by  the  exertions  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eleazar  Wheelock, 
of  Lebanon,  in  Connecticut,  under  the  patronage  of  the  good 
Earl  of  Dartmouth,  for  the  purpose  of  educating  Indians,  and 
Missionaries  to  them,  has  faued  of  answering  its  purpose, 
two  natives  only  having  ever  graduated  here ;  and  it  beii^ 
found  difficult,  and  almost  impossible,  to  get  students  from 
among  them,  whilst  missionary  education  was  necessarily 
interrupted  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  American  war,  soon 
after  the  foundation  of  the  college,  the  work  has  since  been 
advantageously  carried  on  by  omer  societies,  and  through 
other  channels.  By  the  education  of  from  fourteen  to  fifteen 
hundred  young  men,  of  whom  a  fourth  devoted  themselves 
to  the  ministry,  the  college  has,  nevertheless,  in  another 
way,  conferred,  most  important  benefits  upon  the  state  in 
which  it  is  erected,  and  the  Union  of  whicn  that  state  is  a 
part*  • 

In  the  neighbourhood  of  Bethlehem,  a  town  not  fai*  dis- 
tant from  the  White  Mountains,  Dr.  Dwight  found  the  roads 
in  a  very  bad  condition,  which  leads  to  some  observations 
that  cannot,  we  think,  be  uninteresting  to  our  readers, 
pointing  out,  as  they  very  forcibly  do,  some  of  the  difficul- 
ties which  their  forefathers,  by  whose  perseverance  those 
vast  trans-atlantic  regions  were  peopled,  cultivated,  and  civi- 
lized, encountered  and  overcame. 

'^  A  reflecting  traveller,  passing  over  these  roadS;  is  naturally 


110     Review^-Staie  of  tiflo^Etigland  ^Hid  NeUSr  York. 

induced  to  recollect  fhe  situation  of  the  first  coioaifl^d  m  Nevrt 
England,  and  to  realize  some  of  the  hardships,  which  those  intre*- 
pid  people  endured  in  settling  this  country.  Among  the  di£Bcul- 
ties  which  they  had  to  encounter,  bad  roads  were  no  contemptible 
one.  Almost  all  the  roads  in  which  they  travelled,  passed  through 
deep  forests,  and  over  rough  hills  and  mountains,  often  over  trou- 
blesome and  dangerous  streams,  and  not  unfreqXiently  through 
swamps,  miry  and  hazardous,  where  wolves,  bears,  and  cata- 
mounts, haunted  and  alarmed  their  passage.  The  forests  they  could 
jiot  cut  down,  the  rocks  they  could  not  remove,  the  swamps  they 
c6Uld  not  causey,  and  over  the  streams  they  could  not  erect 
bridges.  Men,  women,  and  children,  ventured  daily  dirough  thii 
combination  of  evils,  penetrated  the  recesses  of  the  wildetntss; 
climbed  the  hills,  wound  their  way  among  the  rocks,  straggled 
dtfough  the  mire,  and  swam  on  horseback  through  deep  and  rapid 
jiv^rs,  by  which  they  were  sometimes  carried  away.  To  all  these 
evils  was  added,  one  more  distressing  than  all.  In  the  silence  and 
solitude  of  the  forest,  the  Indian  often  lurli;ed  in  ambush  near  their 
path,  and  from  behind  a  neighbouring  tree,  took  the  fatal  aim, 
while  his  victim,  perhaps,  was  perfectly  unconscious  of  danger^' 
[vol.  ii-  pp.  280,  281.] 

At  Davis'^i  Farm,  a  station  in  this  thinly  popnlaied  dis- 
trict^  be  met  with  another  novel  illustration  of  those  bard^ 
ships,  some  of  which  are  still  entailed  on  the  descendants  of 
these  bold,  laborious,  and  nniGh^ndurnig  men,  in  a  tracts 
recently  ravaged  by  one  of  those  destroctive  fires,  which 
kindled  originally  by  the  bnntei^e  to  drive  the  prey  from 
their  coverts,  often  do  incalculable  and  irreparable  mischief 
to  the  neighbourhood,  which  they  lay  desolate  and  waste  for 
many  miles  aronnd. 

"When,"  says  Dr.  Dwight,  "  we  had  reached  Davis'  farm,  we 
were  presented  with  an  object  entirely  new,  and  not  a  little  inte-^ 
resting.  A  fire,  which  had  not  long  before  been  kindled  in  its 
skirts,  had  spread  over  an  extensive  Region  Of  mounteuns  on  the 
tiorth-east,  destroyed  in  its  progress  all  the  vegetation,  and  con- 
sumed most  of  the  soil,  consisting  chiefly  of  vegetable  mould.  The 
whole  tract,  from  the  base  to  the  summit,  was  alternately  white  and 
dappled,  while  the  melancholy  remains  of  half-burnt  trees,  which 
hung  here  and  there  on-  the  sides  of  the  immense  steeps,  finished 
the  picture  of  barrenness  and  ^ath."  [vol.  ii.  pw  282.] 

.  The  state  of  RBonE  Island  differs  from  most  other  states 
in  Newf*£ngland,  of  which  it  is  the  most  insignificanit  aotict 
the  leasts  in  that  the  sabbath  is  there  neither  noticed  by  ike 
law,  nor  sanctioned  by  any  general  religious  observaneej 
hence,  when  Dr.  Dwignt  wrote,  maay  years  had  not  ^lapsed 


Travels  6y  Dr.  Owiglit  and  Mr.  Faux.  111. 

since  the  market^  the  streets,  and  wharfs^  of  Proridence^ 
its  capital,  were  little  less  freqaented,  as  marts  and  scenes  • 
of  business,  on  the  Sunday,  than  on  any  Ofther  day.  The 
general  feeling  of  the  inhabitants  had,  howeyer,  so  strongly 
manifested  itself  against  this  profieniatian  of  the  day  of  rest, 
that  but  few  carts  were  then  seen  entering  the  town,  (which, 
contrary  to  the  usual  ixder  of  things,  and  to  experience 
also,  was  more  moral  than  the  surrounding  country,)  and 
their  numbers  had  been  yearly  decreasing.  The  Khode-* 
Islanders  appear  to  be. great  sticklers  for  liberty,  and  even 
carry  their  attachment  to  it  to  the  het^t  ot  absurdity, 
having  for  many  years  gone  without  a  most  useful  turnpikes- 
road,  throuffh  the  very  heart  of  their  state,  because  turn-- 
pikes,  and  tne  establishment  of  religions  worship,  had  their 
origin  in.  Great  Britain,  the  government  of  which  was  a  mo* 
narchy,  and  the  inhabitants  were,  as  theyxonsidered,  slaves  f 
as  were  also  tlKMse  of  the  neighbouring  states  of  Masacfausettsi 
and  Connecticut,  frombeing  compelled  by  law  to  support  mi-^ 
nisters,  and  pay  turnpikes.  These,  argued  they,  if  they  chose 
to  be  slaves,  undoubtedly  had  a  right  to  their  choice,  but 
freefbom  Khode-Islanders  ought  never  submit  to  be  priest* 
ridden,  nor  to  pay  for  the  privilege  of  riding  on  the  high<« 
way.  They  aceordingly  jogged  on  in  mud  and  mire,  and 
liberty,  until  1805>  when,  the  impassability  of  their  roads 
compelled  them  to  bow  their  free4iom  necks  to  the  horrid 
slavery  of  toavelUng  on  good,  in  preference  to.  bad  ones* 
With  a  spirit  so  opposed  to  all  improvement,  and  so  inca*' 
pable  of  enjoying  real,  whilst  it  prompts  to  xmfounded 
clamour  after  fancied  liberty,  we  are  not  at  all  surprised  to 
find,  that  the  general  features  of  this  state  were  mean  houses, 
ill  repaired  miserable  bams  by  the  roadrside^  misnomered 
churches,  chiefly  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  a  culti*- 
vation  of  a  piece  with  every  thine  else,  rarely,  if  ever^ 
exhibiting  to  the  eye  proofs  either  of  skill  or  of  success. 

"  Every  thing,'^  says  Dr.  Dwight,  in  passing  the  boundary  of 
his  own  state,  to  enter  that  of  Rhode  Island,  "  indicates  a  want  of 
energy,  a  destitution  of  all  views  and  efforts  towards  improvem<^Dt, 
a  sluggish  acquiescence  in  inconveniences  and  imperfections,  which 
&  more  vigoroos  disposition  would  easily  remove,  [vol.  iii.  p.  28.] 

Less  attention  is  paid  to  education  in  this  state  than  in 
any  oilier  of  New-England,  in  consequenice .  of  wliichy  iis 
inbabitantaare  moare  viciona,  and  its .  tahurohes.  worae  snjp>* 
plied  With  Bunisteis,  than  its  neigbhonrs.  Hors^racing.  la 
here  a  fovourite  pursuit.    '*  Thoa  gross  amaseoient/'  s^ya 


1 12     Review. — State  of  New-England  and  New^York. 

Qur  author,  aad  we  quote  his  words  fot  the  benefit  of  such 
of  our  countrymen  as  are  enamoured  of  the  sport,  **  turns 
polished  men  into  clowns,  and  clowns  into  brutes."    The 
sabbath  was  at  this  time,  with  very  many  of  the  people,  but 
a  day  of  visiting  and  sport,  and,  with  others,  regularly  de- 
yoted  to  their  customary  labour.    So  little,  indeed  weve 
sacred  tilings  regarded  there,  that  some  of  the  mis«ionary 
societies  of  the,  neighbouring  states   treated,  and  not,  it 
would  seem,  without  abundant  reason,  Rhode  Island  as 
missionary  ground.    Our  readers  will  not,  howevery  be  sur- 
prised at  the  wretchedness  of  its  moral  and  religious  condi-*' 
tipn,  when  we  inform  them,  that  a  conaidembleiQumber  of 
the  inhabitants,  of  its  trading  towns  viere  ei^ged  ill  that 
bana  to  .ev^  thing  that  is  jvirtuous  or  good,  the  sl«ve  tmde. 
Yet  we  are  assured,  that  they  will  rejoice  with  vus,.  at^ 
a  very,  considerable  amelioration  in  the  oonditkii'of'this- 
state,  in  the  twenty  years  which  have  transpired  «tnAe'tli0' 
account  of.it  was  given,  increasing  wealth  harin^,  as  we 
kam  from,  a  note  of  the  American  pubUsher  of  this  work; 
imparted  more  liberal  views  to  its  inhabitants,  piBttknlarly: 
of  the  large  towns,  with  respect  to  the  impoitance  of  ed^oa-- 
tion  to  the  oommunity.     Revivals  of  religion.hare  also  4idcen 
place^  within  these  few  years,  in  several  parta  of  the  state: ' 

Turn. we  now  from  New-England  to*  ^Nbw-'Yosk, 
On  the  constitution  of  this  state,  we  need  not  ta  make  many 
remarks,  after  the  full  account  already  given  of  tlmt  of 
Connecticut,  as  a  sample  of  the  government  of  ihevsepa* 
rate  states  of  the  Union,  which,  di£Pering  as  they  do  from 
each  other  in  minute  particulars,  have  the .  same  general 
republican  and  elective  features.  New- York  has  a  council 
of  revision,  composed  of  the  governor,  ehanoeUoi^  tmd 
judges  of  tilie  supreme  court,  to  which  all  bills^must  be  sent- 
before  they,  are  passed  into  a  law  by  the  legidature,  and  if 
returned  within  ten  days  to  the  senate,or  house  of  assembly, 
according  as  the  bill  ma)r  have  originated  m  the  one  or  the 
other  of  those  bodies,  with  their  objections  in  writing,  to 
its jpassing  into  a. law,  these  objections  must  be  considered, 
and  recorded,  in  the  nature  of  iat  protest,  upon  the  minutes  of 
the  hquse ;  but  if  tworthirds  of  the  members  still  adhere  4o 
the  bill,  it  passes.  Of  this,  the  nearest  i^pproximkitil^n'  to 
our  .third  B^ate,  that  a  republican  goveromMI  can  pet^lltfps' 
admit,  we  are  inclined  very  cordially  to  approve ;  though  we 
join  iWtth  Dri  .Dwight*  iU  sepvobaiting  the  fraotioe  of  'keep- 
ing the  jndges.depaadent  upon  the  ^execvtive'for  the  tenure 
of  their  offices  ;  aiavlt  common,  we  believe,  to  most  of  the 


Travek  bjf  Dr.  Dwight  andMt.  Faiix/  113 

United  StaWs?  and  tw  other  wovisions  of  the  constitiition 
oF  this  vety  important  one.  iTiese  are,  the  cotincil  of  ap- 
pointment, fbrmed  of  a  senator  fVoiti  each  of  the  four  dis-\ 
tricts  of  Ae  state,  annually  elected  by  th^  house  of  assetiibly^ 
in  wbom,  with  the  chief  of  the  executive  for  the  titnei  beiYig, ' 
tlKmgh  he  has,  as  president,  but  a  casting  vote^  the  sole 
patronage  is  vested  of  the  ereat  mijority  of  offices  through- 
out the  state;  a^U,  indeed,  out  such  as  are  elective  ia  the 
people,  or  by  the  legislature.  The  consequence  of  this 
r^dfttion  is,  theiafiuencing  of  elections  to  the  house  of- 
assembly  and  the  senatb,  of  persons  likely  to  serve  the 
ekctort  ;Miid  we  have  the  respectable  authority  of :  Dr. 
Dwtght^assetting,  that  to  seizure  this  important  Mtrt^nhage 
to  men  ttkely  to  promote  the  self-interested  views  of  its 
members,  '<3ie  house  of  assembly  ii^  itself  rendered  a  scene 
of  <^bal  and  intrigue,  often  issuing  in  measured  openly, 
subversive  of  "law,  principle,  and  decency/'  The  other 
ejrroris  little  less  fatal  to  tne  stability  of  the  constitution^, 
with  which  the  due  and  impartial  administration  pf  just^CQ. 
is  intimately  and  inseDarably  connected;  and  ii^  a  laige 
commercial  p^tate  like  New- York,  that  ol^ect  can  liever  bd 
acoomplished  by  a  supreme  court  of  errors,  constituted 
of  the.  aenate^ihe  chancellor,  and  the  judges  of  the  superior  * 
court,  in  which  the  deliberate  decisions  df  the  ablest  and 
wisest  judicial  tribunals  are  frequently  reversed  by  a 
majority  of  farming,  mercantile,  speculating,  an4  .6j9Sce- 
hunting  senators,  some  of  them  without  suifficient  no^nesty,' 
and  all  of  them  wanting  inlegal  knowledge,  for  i|ie  judgment 
of  the  last  resort,  which  it  is  their  duty  to  pronounce.  These 
defects  must  be  remedied,  or  they  will  remedy  themselves 
in  a  way  not  very  propitious  to  the  safety  of  the  go  v^nimeiit, 
many  of  whose  provisions  exhibit  great  equi^  aitd  wisdom; 
Such,  in  our  judgment  at  l^t^t,  is  the  ineligibitity  of  minis- 
ters of  the  gospel  to  any^  civil  employment  m  the  state,  and 
the  enjoym^t  of  perfectly  equal  rights  and  privileges  by 
members  of  every  religious  sect,  without  disc^rimination  or 
preference.  'T6  these  every  Englishman  will  be  disposedji 
with  OS,  to  add,  the  preservati6n  of  the  great  palladium  of 
our  liberties,  tihe  trialbyjury,inviola,te;aiidthe  recognitiooA 
as  par:t  of  .the  la^s  of  the  state,  of  such  parts  of  our  owii 
cqmmon  and  statute  law  as  Were  in  fotce  there  in  April. 
1775.  ^    ' 

■  Pass  Ve  now  to  the  ecclesiastical  arrangementj?  of  the 
•tate»  ?Evhiic;)i^  as  they  respect  tlie  maintenance  of  inihis-! 
ters  of  the  gospel,  differ  very  widely  from  those  of  New- 

VOi.VXU.Tr-NO.  1.  1 


114     Review.— SiaU  of  New-Ettgland  and  NeuhYork. 

RnglaiKl,  uid  have  a  much  Dearer  confonnity  to  the'Biode. 

of  supportiag  them,  in  use  amoogst  the  Dissenters  of  our 
own  country,  though,  if  men  of  talent,  piety,  and  probity, 
th^  here  experience  but  in  a  very  slight  dc^ee ;  evils, 
the  most  distant  apprehension  of  which  iQstinctiyely  ezciten 
our  reverend  to^rist  s  wrath.  Thus,  for  exi|u:i^>le,in  describi<ig ; 
the  town  of  Paris,  he  says, 

-'^  There  are  three  PresbyteriaD  congregations  in  this  township, 
and  two  clergymen.    These  gentlemen,  though  held  in  high  esti-^ 
iHatien,  and  deservedly  loved  by  their  parishioners,  consider  fhem- 
selves  as  holding  their  comiezion  with  their  congregations  by  a: 
very  precarious  tenure. ,  The  laws  of  this  state  conceming  the  sup^ 

Krt  of  clergymen  are  so  loosely,  and  so  unwisely  fonned,  as  to 
ivetbem  in  a  great  measure  dependent  on  the  fluctuating  feetiogs 
of  parishioners,  rendered  much  more  fluctuating  by  the  laws  tben^ 
selves.    'A  voluntary  contribution,  except  in  a  large  town,  is  aa 
uncertain  as- the  wind;  and  a  chameleon  only  can. expect  .to  derive^ 
a' permanent  support  from  this  source.    By  several  very  respect-. 
adi>le  gentlemen,  with  whom  I  conversed  largely  on  this  subject,  I 
was  informed,  that  the  opposition  to  supporting  clergymen  by  law 
had  lately  very  much  increased  among  tne  New-England  people  of 
this  region.     My  informants  believed,  that  not  more  than  one-tenth' 
of  the  principal  inhabitants,  and  not  more  than  a  twentieth  of  the 
people  at  large,  are  in  favour  of  this  system.  ^  This  is  a  lamentable 
degeneracy.'^    [vol.  iii.  p.  177—178.]  i    ' 

'  Nor  is  the  reverend  Doctor  better  satisfied  with  the  legis*. 
lative  provision,  authorizing  religious  societies  of  everv  de- 
nomination to  appoint  trustees  of  their  property,  which  may 
be  held  to  the  amount  of  30Q0. dollars,  (nearly .£640)  per 
annum,  although  such  trystees  are  made  corporati^  bodies, 
with  a  conimon  seal,  and  empowered  to  regulate  pewrreQts^ 
perquisites,  and  all  matters  connected  with  the  temporal 
concerns  of  their  respective  churches.    How  infinitely  less 
are  the'  legal  rights  with  which  the  Congregation.alists  and, 
Other  dissenters  in  England  are  obliged  to  be  content !  (qjc 
their  places  oif  worship  cannot  be  endowed  with  jands  even 
to  the  value  of  a  shilling  by  the  year,  and  are  moreover  liaUei 
to  vexatious  assessments  for  the  relief  of  the  poor«  and  eve^ 
for  the  building  and  irepairs  of  the  parochial  places  of  wox- 
ship  belonging  to  the  Establishment. 
'  "nie  Sabbath  is,  however,  directed  by  law  to.be  strictly 
observed ;  and  a  proof  that  it  is  so  in  practice,  more  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  tourist  than  this  mode  of  proceeding 
for^the  maintenance  of  the  clergy,  was  aflforded  on  his  jour-; 
:  neying.  with  his  companions  from.  Saratoga  to  CAmbndgei 


Travehby  Dr.  Dwiglitand  Mr.  Faux.  116 

« 

on  accouDst  of  the  latter  containing  a  place  of  Evan^ielical 
worship,  which  the  former  wanted.  We  give  it  in  his  own 
words. 

^'  On  our  way,  a  decent  Scotsman  came  np  to  ns  on  horsefaacky 
and  very  civilly,  inquired  why  we  trarell^d  on  the  sabbath ;  observ* 
ing^  to  us  at  the  same  time,  that  such  travelling  was  forbidden  by 
the  law  of  the  state«  and  that  the  people  of  that  vicinity  had  deter- 
mined to  carry  the  law  into  execution.  We  easily  satisfied  him, 
and  were  not  a  little  pleased  to  find,  that  there  were  people  in  this 
vicinity,  who  regardea  the  law  of  the  land  and  the  law  of  God  with 
90  much  respect."    [voU  iii.  p.  222.] 

The  most  numerous  denomination  of  Christians  in  this 
state,  as  in  New-England,  is  the  Congre^tionalist,  although 
ill.  the  luimber  of  meir  churches  t£e  Baptists  far  exceed 
them ;  but  then,  those  churches  very  frequently  consisting 
only  of  three  or  four  families,  but  occasionally  visited  by 
itinerant  preachers,  the  number  of  members  of  course 
bears  a  less  proportion  to  that  of  their  congregations  than 
in  any  other  sect.  As  in  New-England,  the  Baptist  minis* 
ters  are  generally  uneducated  men.  Episcopalians,  Quakers, 
ana  Methodists,  are  the  next  numerous  sects,  Br.  Dwight*s 
catalogue  of  which  is  closed  by  *'  a  considerable  number  of 
Nibiiists,'^  a  term,  we  presun^e,  ingeniously  invented  to  de^ 
scribe  that  most  numerous  of  our  English  sects,  those  who 
have  no  creed,  and  make  no  profession,  at  all. 

Before  we  quit  this  subject,  we  cannot  deny  ourselves  the 
gratification  of  extracting  a  short  passage,  exculpatory  of  a 
body  of  Christians,  some  of  whose  ministers  we  have  the 
pleasure  to  number  amongst  our  friends  and  correspondents, 
from  the  <^nsure  which  our  author  pronounces  upon  most 
other  sects,  for  not  making  a  proper  provision  for  their 
ministers. ' 

^^  The  Dutch  congregations  are  to  be  regarded  as  a  general  ex- 
ception to  these  remarks.  This  sober,  stedfast  peopte,  deriving 
their  birth  from  the  United  Netherlands,  where  the  wisest  plan  for 
supporting  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel,  which  the  world  has  ever 
known,  had  been  long  adopted,  came  to  America  with  fixed  habits 
coaceming  this .  subject,  and  have  hitherto  retained  them.  They 
pay  the  salary,  which  they  have  once  engaged,  so  long  as  th^ 
minister  lives,  whether  he  be  able  or  unable  to  officiate.  In  this 
honourable  conduct,'  it  is  believed,  they  stand  alone,  and  exhibit 
an  example  worthy  of  being  followed  by  those  of  every  other  reli- 
gious denomination.'*    [vol.  iii.  p.  261. J 

No  state-  of  the  Union  has  discovered  a  more  munificent 
Hpirit  in  the  promotion  of  leamincr,  than  that  of  New-York, 


116    Reviett.-^State  of  New-England  and  NeunYork. 

ih  which  a  corporation  has  lon^  e^tisted  iipder  the  title  of 
^'  The  tlegents  of  the  Universitj  of  New- York/'  invested 
with  full  power  to  establish  colleges  and  academies  in 
every  part  of  the  state,  in  which  they  may  think  tttem  ne- 
cesftaty*  It  is  also  charged  with  the  gMeral  superintend* 
encie  of  literature,  and  ahntially  reports  the  condition  of  its 
seminaries  to  the  legislature  of  the  state,  whifeh  has  pro-" 
vided  with  a  liberal  hand  for  the  three  colleges  and  fifty 
academies  already  established,  besides  famishing  very  large 
funds  for  the  support  of  the  common  schools. 

Murder  and  treason  are  the  only  two^  crimes  now  capi- 
tal here;  felonies  of  all  other  descriptions  being  punished 
by  confinement  in  the  State  Prison  for  life ;  and  most  othet 
subordinate  offences,  by  a  similar  confinement  there  for 
fiborter  periods. 

Ih  morals,  it  seems  not,  however,  to  be  so  e^templary  aa 
New-England ;  for  at  Weymouth,  Dr.  Dwight  was  surpnsed 
to.  find  a  considerable  number  of  men  and  women  of  the 
neighbourhood  assembled  round  a  table  in  the  inn  at  which 
lie  stopped,  playing  at  cards,  a  thing  he  had  never  seen  at 
^h^  of  the  numerous  inns  at  which  he  had  sojourned,  in  jour« 
heyings  of  at  least  fifteen  thousand  miles — a  fact  which  we 
notice  to  the  credit  of  the  New-Englanders. 
'  Near  Stockbridge,  he  visited  a  village  of  Shakers,  or 
Shaking  Quakers^  to  whose  enthusiastic  vagaries  be  de*- 
votes  twenty  pages  of  his  work,  where  those .  who  are 
feurious  in  tracing  the  singular  aberrations  of  the  human 
itnnd,  alike  from  sound  reason  and  the  plainest  truths  of  the 
gospel,  will  find  much  that  may  at  once  both  please  and 
insti'udt  them.  Our  limits  compel  us  to  be  very  brief  in 
our  notice  of  this  singular  combination  of  blasphemv  and 
enthusiasm,  which  has  happily  confined  itself,  and  win,  we 
hopie,  ever  be  confined,  to  the  new  world.  The  sect  derives 
Us  name,  in  which,  unlike  the  epithets  ^ven  to  most  sectarian 
distinctions,  they  glory^froiA  one  of  the  leading  tenets  of  its 
thembers.  that  **  the  work  which  God  promised  to  accom-^ 
^'  plish  in  the  latter  day,  was  nnivetsally  marked  out  by  the 
**  prophets  to  be  a  work  of  shaking;"  in  support  of  which 
opinion  they  quote  Haggai  ii.  7.  "  I  will  shake  all  nations, 
'"  and  the  desire  of  all  nations  shall  come,''  and  in  fact  every 
text,  indiscriminately,  that  happens  to  contain  the  word 
shaken,  or  any  of  its  derivatives.  Their  great  head  was, 
and  though  she  has.long  since  been  dead,  still  is,  with  them, 
'Anne  Lee,  the  daughter  and  wife  of  a  blacksmith,  at  Man- 
chester; who,  after  having  been  imprisoned  and  confined  in 


Traveh  by  Dr.  Dwigbt  and  Mr.  Faux,       ;     Vl;?! 

a  mad-house  in  this  country^  passed  over  to  America  in  1774« 
and  became  the  Johanna  oonthcott  of  another  h«aiii9phere< 
She  declared,  and,  wfaAt  is  more  extraordinary,  hnndit^dsr 
beliet^d^and  still  believe, her  blai^faemons  declaration,  that 
she  was  the  Word  spoken  of  in  scnptttre,-^that  in  her  Ghrislx 
appeared  a  second  tine, — that  there  are  two  petsoiis  in  tlsv 
Godhead;  the  Father  and  Wisdom,  or  the  Holy  Ofaost,  who 
is  a  woman,  and  held  the  place  of  the  mother  of  whon^  Christ 
was  bom  the  Son  of  the  Deity;  as  was  also  Anne  Lee,  the 
blacksmith's  wife,  and  the  mother  of  four  children,  the 
daughter,  by  whom  the  Holy  Ghost  or  mother  is  revealed,  as 
the  Son  is  by  theTather.  But  why  pollute  our  pa^es  with  such 
blasphemous  absurdities ?  Suffice  it  to  say,  tnat  after  having; 
pretended  to  miraculous  gifts,  and  proved  her  title  to  them;| 
by  predicting  the  destruction  of  the  world  at  a  perjod  long 
smce  gone  by,  and  with  a  claim-  to  perfection  whicli  li^if 
followers  devoutly  believe  in  having  repeatedly  got  drunk 
with  spirituous  liquors,  which  she  called  one  of  God's  g9od 
creature^,  this  woman,  notwithstanding  the  confident  expec-r 
tations  of  her  disciples  that  she  was  immortal,  went  the 
way  of  all  flesh  in  the  year  1781,  leaving  her  gifts  to  her 
successors,  who  still  lay  claim  to  perfection,  the  miraculous 
power  of  healing  and  speaking  in  unknown  tongues.  Some 
of  their  tenets  and  practices  closely  resemble  the  very 
worst  features  and  dogmas  of  popery ;  such,  for  instance;  aa 
the  infallibility  of  their  leader — the  denial  of  all  right  p^ 
private  judgment — the  lawfulness  of  doing  that  which  19 
wrong,  to  promote  the  good  of  the  church — the  eternal 
damnation  of  all  without  their  pale — confession  of  siiis 
to  the  elders,  (to  whom  they  assert,  that  angels  and  de- 
parted spirits  also  make  confession  of  their  transgres- 
sions,) and  penance  in  inflicting  flagellations  on  their 
disciples,  ana  even  making  them  scourge  themselves^  In 
others,  ihey  resemble  the  New  Jerusalem  church,  suohapi' 
hearing  angels  and  departed  spirits  sing,  and  enjoying  visions 
of  the  invisible  world.  In  some  points  of  discipline,  and  a 
few  of  doctrine  also,  the  Quakers  have  evidently  been  their 
model,  though  they  have  pushed  the  constant  influence .  of 
the  Spirit,  even  in  Uie  minutest  concerns  of  life,  to  a  pdint  of 
absurdity  to  which  the  wildest  fanatic  in  the  early  histoiy 
of  the  society  of  Friends  never  approached;  as  witness  the 
following  ludicrous  tale,  which  we  should  not  have  vepturedf 
to  extract  from  the  pages  of  a  writer  whose  veracity  was  not' 
so  unquestionable  as  uiat  of  Dr.  Dwight. 

*  •  •       • 

**  Among  their  other  early  peculiarities^  this  was  one,  th^t  they 


118    Review, — State  of  New^England  and  New-York, 

were  always  under  the  immediate  and  inspiring  guidance  of  ^lie 
Spirit  of  Gk>d.  The  direction  of  this  diyine  agent  was  made  known 
to  them  by  an  inrohmtary  extension  of  the  riffht  arm,  pointing 
always  towards  some  object,  or  business,  which,  uioagh  abaolately 
unknown  to  themselves,  demanded,  wkh  a  call  from  Heayen,.  Abeir 
iaunediale  attentioa.  A  vava,  of  my  ae^aiatancey  wh^se  tsavi  had 
alwi^s  been  wandering,  who  had  gone  from  sect  to. sect,  to  find. one 
sufficiently  religious,  and  from  doctrine  to  doctrine,  to  find  a  scheme 
sufficiently  rigid  for  his  own  taste,  ultimajtelv  attached  himself  to  thia 
fraternity.  A  gentleman,  at  whose  house  he  was  with  aome  other 
company,  askea  him  to  drink  some  punch.  He  declined,  the  pror 
posal,  and  said,  that  the  Spirit  did  not  move  him  to  drink  punch,. 
but  to  something  else.  In  an  instant  his  right  arm  was  stretched 
out,  and  he  arose  and  followed  the  direction.  It  led  him  out  of  the 
door,  in  a  straight  line,  to  a  hog-trough,  by  the  side  of  which  he 
dropped  upon  his  knees,  and  m&de  a  hearty  draught  of  the  swill, 
with  a  number  of  pigs,  who  were  regaling  themselves  on  the  same 
beverage.**    [vol.  iii.  pp.  144,  146c} 

They  have,  howlever,  more  successfally  cdpied  the  neat 
and  industrious  habits  of  so  highly  respectable,  if  some- 
what enthusiastical  body  of  Christians,  as  are  the  society  of 
Friends,  maintaining  themselviesr  in  a  comnion  fund  by  con- 
stant labour,  highly  creditable  to  their  own  characters,  and 
advatitageouB  to  the  whole  community.'  Amongst  thefnsdVeS, 
they  live  in  great  liannony,  and  their  treatment  of  othefs  is 
fitif,  sincere,  and  obliging.  If,  on  the  one  hand,  they  are  so 
fanatical  as  to  term  a  succession  of  unmeaning,  half-^rt:- 
culated  sounds  gotten  by  heart,  and  jigged  out  to  the  tuiie 
of  Nancy  Dawson,  singing  by  inspiration  ill  an  unknown 
tongue ;  it  is  but  candid  to  state,  on  the  other,  that  they  h6ld 
more  soberly,  that  a  dirty,  slovenly,  careless,  indolent  person 
cannot  be  religious,  and  every  member  of  their  society*  is 
accordingly  required  to  be  continually  employed  in  hiode- 
rate  labour.  They  have  several  establishments  in  New- 
England,  Ohio,  and  other  parts  of  the  Union.  *         *   *  . 

in  this  respect,  at  least,  theii'  practice  seems  to  t>e,  far 
bettet  than  that  of  their  neighbours,  wbo  bet\veeh  theii'  set- 
tlenieilt  and  Utica,  a  distance  of  mor^  than'  one  hundred 
miles,  were  generally  in  a  low  condition,  both  as  to  ihqrals 
and  religion;  fathers  and  sons  being  not  infrequently  seen 
at  the  same  ga-ming  table,  swearing  at^  ahd  endeavouring  to; 
win  money  froin  each  pthef,  aiid  aealiiVg  out  by  whotesale 
mutual  recriminations  for  cheating  and  lying,  whilst  remain- 
ing at  the  ale-house  to  a  late  hour  of  the  night,  in  a  state  of 
bea;8tly  intoxication.  In  close  connexion  with  this  spirit 
of  low  gambling,  a  taste  foi*  horse-racing  very  generally 


Traveb  by  Dr.  Dwight  d/irf  Mr.  Faiix,  1 19 

pervaded  this  district,  and,  as  usual,  caDs  for  a  severe  vi^- 
peratioA  from  the  highly  moral  and  religious  tourist,  whpHe 
indignant  censures  of  $t  diversion  pre-emiJQ^^tly  Ebglish,  vfi^ 
shall  extract,  for  the  edi^cation  of  iovefs.  of.  tl|e  Wr.La^t 
home*    ■.  .<•<••.••.;.     .  ,.i 

"Among  the  causes  .which  hcfreascfeinMe  m«khndes  with'h^fa 
pulsations  of  hope  and  pleasure,  a  horse-race  is  one  of  the  most 
memorable.'  This  diversion,  when  least  exceptionable,  is  a  depl<)«- 
rabl^  dxhibitibi)  of  human  debasement;  The  gentleman  here  dwin- 
dles at  once  into  a  jockey;  imbibes  his  spirit;  assUtnes  his  station; 
and,  what  is  worse,  sinks  to  the  level  of  hit  mor^Ht^.  The  (^ain 
jBatt,  at  the  same,  heoomes  a  mere  brute;  sweats,  ^ewises^  climts, 
lies,  and  gets  drank;  extinguishing  at  once  vtnue,  reason^  and 
character.  Horse-racing  is  the  box  of  Pandora,  frem  w^ch  moite 
and  greater  mischiefs  flow  than  any  man  ever  counted  or  mett- 
sured.'^    [vol.  in,  pp.  161— 162;]  i 

,  At  BrothertowD,  Dr.  Dwight  visited  an.  Indian  settkmeM 
of  forty  families,  in  a  considerable  degree  of  comfort  and 
civilization,  and  following  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agricul- 
ture. This  interesting  village,  formed  a  part  of  the  town- 
ship of  Paris,  whence  a  few  hours'  ride  across  and  by  the 
banks  of.  the  Mohawk,  brought  them  to  Rome,  a  very  hum- 
ble riviil  of  the  eternal  city,  containing  twenty  houses  at 
the  niost.  / 

In  his  visit  to  Long  Island,  which  contains  three  of  the 
southern  counties  of  this  state,  our  observant  traveller  had 
occasion  to  remark  the  ravages  of  the  Hessian-fly j  which 
by  regularly  depositing  its  eggs  in  the  autumn,  just  above 
the  first  joint  of  the  wheat,  in  the  spring  above  the  second, 
and  in  summer  above  the  third,  aepnves  the  ear  of  its 
jQutriment  to  such  an  alarming  extent,' as  well  ni^h  to  have 
compelled  the  discontinuance  of  its  cultivation  in  Connec7 
ticut,  and  materially  to  have  diminished  its  produce  in  other 
parts  of  New-England  and  New-York;  to  the  amount  of  a 
nundred  thousand  dollars  a  year. 

'  The  religious  and  moral  conditio^  of  the  inhabitants  of 
this  Islana  is  very  different  tb'that  of  most  other  districts 
of  the  important  state  of  which  it  forms  a  part.  This  the  Dr. 
attributes  to  its  insular  si tiiati  on— a  strong  attachment  to 
horse-taicing— the  attractive'  influience  of  the  city  of  New-;- 
Yorki  separated  fVom  it  but  by  a'narrow  strait,, on  person^ 
of  intelligence  a^d  property — and,  though  Iast,not  least,  the 
splitting  up^  ad  he  nas  it,  of  the  people  into' sects,  leaving 
the  congrcigations  small,  and  their  ministers  biit  ill-siip-; 
ported.    Et  hinc  ilia  dolores. 


120     Meview. — SteUe  of  New-England  and  NetO'York. 

'<In  various  parts  of  th^se  two  counties  iix^  sabbal^is  /coofider^ 
by  tnady  of  tbe  hihabitdnts  as  scarcely  ^listainiog  a  sacrea  charac- 
ter. It  is  devoted  ett^nsively  to  visiting,  to  ainusement,  (inq, 
dttifffg  the  seasons  of  mowing  and  harvest,  not  unfrequehtly  to 
labour.  lb  some  places  diere  are,  fbi^  long  periods,  no  ministersi; 
in  others  the  people  are  the  prey  of  i^orant  teachers,  recommended 
by  n9diiBg  but  ardour  and  vociferation*    [vol.  iii.  p,'318«] 

^  Iq  traversing  Lalce  George,  Dr.  D wi^ht  had  an  opporio- 
tiity  of  witnessing  a  mode  of  stag-hunting,  as  new  to  us  aA 
it  was  to  bim. 

• 

./<TbQ  huntsmett  wilii  their  hounds,"  he  tellsuft,  ^^roilte  tiiem 
from  Uieic  retr^ts  in  the  fii^rest:  when  they  invaedbtely  beiaihe 
tbeniselves  to  the  waiter,  ai^-  tfwim  towai>ds  this  eppoaike  shore. 
Qther  buntamett,  jsngagedl  in  the  business,  plaoe  themselfies  ontthe 
points^  to  watch  their  entrance  iald  the  lake.  Each:  of  thesis 
provided  with  a  small,  light  batteau,  which  he  is  able  to  row.fasisr 
than  the  deer  can  swim.  When  he  has  overtaken,  the  deer,  he 
despitches  him  with  si  stroke  or  two  of  his  oar,' and  then  tbWs  him 
back  to  the  beach."    [vol.  in.  pw  326.] 

Bears  ar^  caught  here  in  the  same  manner,  except  that, 
t)eing  too  dangerous  to  approach,  they  are  shot. 

To  the  description,  of  iNew-York,  the  capital  of  this  sllate, 
two  letters  are  devoted^  iu.  which  the  reader  wUl  fipd  the 
lQ[iost  minute  statistical  plarticulars  of  its  condition,  at  the 

feriod  of  its  beine  visited  l^y  Di:.  Bwight^  althpugli  our  «z- 
audted  limits,  will  allow  of  our  npticing  but  few.  One  of  its 
jmdst  attractjive  objciC^ts  to  the  curious  visitor,  is  the  Sta.^ 
Prison;  but  we  have  given  so  much  more  recent  an  account  of 
its  condition  in  our  pages,  that  we  rather  notice  here^  a 
sihgular  provision  or  two  of  the  city  Bridewell,  in  the  abo- 
lition of  whipping  offenders  there>  fron^  its  heing  found 
tevolting  to  th^  feelings  of  the  community — the  .punishmeut 
of  idleness  in  the  task-work  which  they  are  compelled  to 
pettoTtii,  by  lessening  their  allowance,  of  fopd.;  their  emptoy- 
iment  ih  repairing  th^  public  roads ;  and  the  entrance  eveii 
jnto  this  place  of  punishment  and  disgrace  of  AioDericaii 
j)ride  of  colpuri  in  i)ot  permitting  a  white,  rogue  and  va- 
gabond, liM^Ie,  &t  the  pleasure  of  .the  municipality,  to.  be 
chained  to  a  barrow,  as  he  wheels  it  along  theipubUcstieeta, 
to  he  subjected  to  the  greater  degradation  of  bcang  locked 
u|^  in  the  same  prison-room,  or  associated.in  work,  of  othei^- 
Wise,  with  his  fellow  thief  and  vag^boqd  the  black*  In  tWe 
city  alms  (or,  as  in  England  wo  should  call  it,  poor)  boue^, 
tt  appears,  that  paupers  are  actually  set  to  vforkj  instead  of 
living  in  a  state  of  idleness  and  ins^ctiou/  f^  they  do  witli  us ; 


Trateb  hf  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mt.  FimiX*  \%\ 

in  direct  contradiction  at  once  to  the  letter  and  ^he  8|^t 
of  the  statute  which  humanity  provided  for  tl^eii;  relief,      .. 

The  benevolent  societies  of  this  capital  .aret  v^ry  nii^tr 
ou8»  and  many  of  them  (esf^^ially  thqse  vpde^  ^e  directjm 
of  the  ladies,)  are  productive  pf  great  benefit  to  ih^  ofc^Wf 
of  their  bounty.  We  regret,  however,  to  find«:  that  ^aimHiffst 
the  other  sex,  societies  professedly  established  for  cbaritapl^ 
purposes  ere  inade  most  convement  and  effectual  political 
et^i^iiies  in  influencing  electrons.  . 

The  inhabitants  of  New- York  are  remarkable  for  their 
industry^  but  not  so  for  economy^  the  magnificent  a^d 
es^pensive  style  of  Uvio^,  which  has  of  late  years  been  so 
extensively  ,i|itroduced  into  most  of  our  laige  commercial 
towns,  (where  they  are  also  sea  ports,  especially,)  haviirg 
induced  many  of  them  to  live  far  above  their  means;  though 
Dr;  D wight  gives  to  its  mercbantSji  a  character  for<&ir  apd 
honourable  trading,  which  we  have  every  reason  tq. believe 
to  be  their  due.  Tbey.are  distinguished  for  hospitalit]^* 
and,  generally  speaking,  by  a  virtue  not  always  its  associ- 
ate, sobriety.  The  clergy  of  all  denomination^  are  ^herf 
highly  esteemed,  a|id  treated  with  very  great  respect^.as 
we  should  expect  would  be  the  case  in  a  metropolis,  a  very 
large  p]X)portion  of  whose  inhabitants  are  on  the  best 
grounds  believed  to  be  religious;  and  where  we  are  fejoiced 
to  heax  And  know,  that  evangelical  religion  and  vital  godli- 
ness are  nsakiog  rapid  progress.  The  vanities  and  ftmuse* 
ment&of  this  world  are  nevertheless  pursued  here,  at  least 
wiih  as  rnxkok  avidity  as  in  most  other  large  towns ;  theatric 
cal  aitertainments,  assemblies,  balls,  concerts,  and  other 
modes  of  killing  time,  being  more  favourite  objects  *of 
attachment  and  pursuit,  than  consists  either  with  the  pro- 
fession of  religion,  or  the  possession,  with  a  due  attentioil 
to  its  dictates,  of  common  sense. 

**  The  general  attachment  to  learning*'  is  said,  by  Dr. 
Dwight^  *'  to  be  less  vigorous  in  this  city  than  in  Boston ; 
commerce  having  originally  taken  a  mone  entire  possessioo 
of  the  minds  of  its  inhabitants/'  He  admits,  however,  that 
the  character  of  those  inhiabltants  has  for  some  tame  past 
been> materially  and  advantageowsly changing  in  this  respect; 
and,  as  far  as  we  can  judge  by  a  very  extensive  coms^pofld* 
ence  Wfth  both  cities,  the  love  and  the  enltitatioki  ofhlfefa* 
ture  is  now  pretty  equally  diffused  through  the  capitals  of 
Massachusett  and  of  mw-York. 

Columbia  college,  established  in  thi^  city,  is  attended  by 
very  manjf  of  the  children  of  the  m6i'0  opulent  ihhabitants. 


i22       R^view.'^Siaie  iff  NeUhEngtand^id  New*  York. 

•  •  • 

lint  it  has  the  dis&dvantffges  of  having  n6  other  tutors 
than  the  professors,  and  of  leaving  the  students  to  lodge 
Inhere  they  can  in  the  city;  a  practice  subversive  of  acade- 
lbi<^al  discipline,  diongh  one,  we  ar^  fully  aware/shared  ttl 
tebmmon  with  our  Scotch  Universities,  atid  from  whieii 
Cambridge  itself  is  hot  enth-ely  free  WiihUU  the  Paci- 
lities  for  instruction  so  abundantly  furnished'  her^,  many 
|>6rsons  can  yet  neither  read  nor  write,  though,  to  theii* 
shame  be  it  added,  most  of  them  are  Europeans.  It  can 
Scarcely  be  necessary  16^  remind  our  readers,  ere  we  quit 
New- York,  of  the  celebrity  of  its  steam*boats,  which  afiord 
a  ready  and  very  convenient  mode  of  conveyance  thence 
to  the  most  distant  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
Europe.  .  With  the  spirit  of  improvement  and  of  enter- 
prise, which  has  prompted  them  thus  extensively  to  avail 
thetnselves  of  this  important  invention,  we  are  surprised  to 
fihd  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  great  city  are  still  miser- 
ably supplied  with  water,  one  of  the  first  objects,  we  should 
have  thought,  to  which  patriotic  speculation  would  have 
been  directed. 

In  journeying  throtlgh  this  state  to  the  majestic  falls  of 
Niagara,  Dr.  Dwight  experienced  some  of  those  inconveni- 
ences of  meeting  with  inna  but  in  names  and  signs,  to 
which  travellers  through  the  less  frequent^^d  parts  of  out 
own  country,  are  (as  we  have  often  painfully  experienced) 
somewhat  ihore  thati  occasionally  exposed;  and  the  contract 
which  they  exhibited  to  the  inns  of  his  native  state,  seems^ 
as  we  should  guess  from  the  fallowing  vituperative  philip- 
pic, father  to  have  disturbed  the  wonted  equanimity  of  hid 
temper. 

"About  four  miles  from  the  ferry,  we  came  to  an  inn,  kept  by  a 
Scotchmaii,  tiam^d  Hanna.  Within  this  distance  we  called  at 
several  others;  none  of  which  could  furnish  us  a  dinner.  I  call 
them  inns,  because  this  name  is  given  to  them  by  the  laws  of  the 
state;  and  because  each  of  them  hung  out' a  sign,  challenging- this 
title;  But  the  law  has  nicknamed. Uiem,  and  the  signs  are  liars; 
It  is  said^  aad  I  suppose  truly,  that  in  this  state  aiiy  aian,  who' will 
pay  for  an  innkeeper's  license,  obtains  .'one  of  course.  In  conse- 
quence of  this,  practice,  the  numbec  of  bouses^  wbic^  bear  the 
appellation,  is  already  enoroiQus.  Too  m.an3(  of.  then^.fice.nieref 
dram-shpps;  of  no  otl^er  use  thaii  to  deceive,  disappoint,  and.  vejX^ 

S»vellers,4nd  to  spread  little  circles  of  drunkenness  throughput 
e  state:  The  government  probably  derives  from  thei;n  a  small 
pfsewiary  benefit;  but  the  purpose,  for  which  the  license  is  given,* 
18  frustrated,  No  inquiries,  if  I  am  correctly  informed,  are  made 
Concerning  the  character  of  those,  to  whom  ihey  are  distributed. 


Traveb  by  Dr.  D wight  and  Mr.  Faux.  123 

Not  a  quention  is  asked,  whellier  they  are  iable  or  unable  to  enter^ 
tain  travellers;  whetlier  they  are  men  of 'lair  repataticMi,  or  of  ttoae. 
No  ay  stem  is  formed,  noreatrietioos  are  preaeribed^  The  -ol^jefet  vi 
leftta  ohaiieey  and  the- licenses  are  offered forsaley as  goods, waoes; 
md  merchaiidise.  llie  affects  of  this  oegHgence  in  the  govero- 
ment  of  tha  state  wte^  daplp^^l^^  A  traveller,ia£ter  passrog  from 
inn  to  inn  in  a  tedious  succession,  finds  that  he  can  g^t  nothing,  for 
his  horse,  and  nothing  for  Jiimself.  At  the  same  time  he  is  po* 
lested,  by  jaight  and  by  day,  by  a  collection  of  dram-drinkers,  who 
offend  his  eye  by  their  drunkenness,  and  his  ear  with  their  profane- 
ness  and  obscenity ;  while  they  prevent  or  disturb  his  sleep,  by  the 
noise  and  tiot  of  their  intoxication.'  In  many  parts  of  this  state, 
whether  the  object  of  the  traveller  be  food  or  lodg-iftg,  he  must  dili- 
gently inquire,  at  a  sufficient  previous  distatice,  for  a. comfortable 
place  of  entertainment;  and  must  shorten  or  lengthen  his  jour- 
ney, so  as  to  suit  these  indispensable  purposes/'    [vol.  iv.  p.  15.] 

,  These,  however,  are  some  of  the  ordinary  ijuisances  of 
travellers  in  every  country,  even  iti  bur  o^n,  where  travel- 
ling is  confessedly  more  convenient  thati  in  any  other  in 
ihe  world :  pass  we  therefore,  to  some  not  quite  so  common, 
in  the  treating  of  wolves  around  the  path  of*  our  tourist'i| 
party,  as  they  *journ eyed  tihfough  the  WesteiH*  regi6ns  of  this 
state,  where  the^e  animals  often  do  much  'mischief  to  the 
flocks  of  sheep  and 'other  smaller  cattle,  and  are  sometimes 
ao  bold  as  to  attack  men  at  day-light;  wtiilst  at  night,  com- 
panies of  tb^m  frequently  compel  individuals  travelling 
alone,  to  betake  themselves  to  tre^s  for  safety;  and  have 
confined  them  to  their  unpleasant  lodging  until  the  morning 
ddwned.  Prom  such  an  attack'  by  day,  and  such  a  lodging 
for  the  night,  the  present  party  was*  sufficiently  secured  by 
its  number^,  and  reached  in  safety  the  falls  of  Niagara,  which 
have  beeni  too  frequently  described,  to  permit  of  pur  taking 
any  further  notice  of  them  in  this  extended  article,  (wit5 
the  main  objects  of  which  they  are  also  utterly  uncon- 
nected,) thah  earnisstly  to  recommend  to  our  readers,  the 
very  minute  ^yet;  spirited  sketch  of  them,  drawn  by  Dr, 
Dwight,  on  whose  well-sto'red  mind,  their  siiblimiiy  pro- 
duced an  effect  *6iiilila'r.  to  the  disturbance^  of  the  mighty 
waters  beneath,  anU  the  ibnely  gi"andeur  of  every  tning 
around  him.  '  *'  *^    .\.  .  \^[ 

The  western  states  of  NeW- York,  through  Which  the  tra- 
vellers retrafced  their  homeward  steps,  exhibit'  frequent  inr 
staniies  of  the  lingular  disease  $b  common  in  some  of  the 
mountainous  districts  df  Switzerland,  and  there  calle4 
goHres;  and  We  learn,  from  information  collected  by  Pr*. 
Dwight,  that  the  same  extraordinary  and   most  unsightly 


124     Review.'-^State  &f  Nm-S^lcnd  md  N^uh.  York. 

sweUjQg  of  the  Qeckr  eta  exieiif  ively  pervadie»greftt  purt  of  the 
regioiM9  lying  north  of  tfie  Ohio,  and  veil  of  the  Alleghany 
loountaiiia.  Womea  are  here  mom  severely  afflieted  with 
tbia  disease  ihaa  meD,  feeble  than  vigoroua  persona,  cbflv 
dren  than  adulta ;  nor  though  in  its  later  stages  it  increases 
to  great  personal  deformity,  not  only  as  an  ntinaturai  pro- 
tuberance, but  by  imparting  a  diMigreeable  cast  or  distor-: 
tion  to  the  features  of  the  face,  does  any  method  of 
cnre  appear  to  have  been  discovered,  save  in  the  re- 
moval of  the  patient  to  a  part  of  the  country  where  the 
disease  is  unknown,  when  it  not  uncommonly  docreasesj, 
and  sometimes  totally  disappears.  This  ci^rciun^t^Qce  shews^ 
that,  as  in  Switzerland,  the  disorder  depends  upon  some- 
thing peculiar  in  the  soil ;  and  the  fact,  that  ev^ry  diatrict  pf 
America,  wherein  this  singular  affaclion  prevails,  is  calca^ 
reous,  tends  very  strongly  to  confirm  the  ingenious  sugges- 
tion of  Mr.  Coxe,  that  the' disorder  is  caused  in  Switzerland 
by  matter  of  that  description  there  called  tuff. 

We  are  fully  conscious  of  having  far  exceeded  the  litiaits 
of  a  Veview  in  this  present  article,  and  .therefoi'e  bring  it 
to  a. close,  by  briefly  stating  our  reasons  for  this  departure 
from  our  usual  course.  Anxious  to  give  our  readers  a  correct 
notion  of  the  state  of  things  in  America,  we  have  e;itraeted 
from  ^  work  of  upwards  of  two  thousand  very  closely 
printed  pages,  the  most  interesting  particulars  of  a  native 
American's  account  of  New-England  and  New-York,  as  im- 
portant as  any  of  the  states  of  the  Union  ;  apd  the  singular 
character  and  arrangement  of  that  work  has  compelled  u^ 
to  do  this  at  unwonted  length,  or  to  leave  our  o4]ject  in*** 
complete  and  unattained.  The  travels  of  Or.  I) wight  con^ 
tain  a  great  mass  of  valuable  information,  and  many  very 
eloquent  ftnd  entertaining  passages;  but  it  is, withal  so 
unusually rheavy  a  composition ;  so  full  of  minute  and  tedi- 
ous details  of  insignificant  circumstances,  that  we  fear  few 
persons,  unassured  of  their  sterling  merit,  will  have  r,eaolu- 
tion  to  encounter  the  fatigue  of  wading  through  an  accurate 
enumeration  of  the  various  traders  in  lumber,  butchers'^ 
schools,  inns,  tallow  chandlers,  Windsor -chair  makers^ 
tailors,  barbers,  clergymen,  lawyers,  physicians,  and  sur- 
geons—  or,  of  (the  number  of  horses,  oxeju,  aad  cows, 
within  the  limits  of  a  particular  township.  Nor  will  their 
tedium  be  very  sensibly  relieved  by  long  biographical  no-: 
tices  of  men,  whose  lives  furnish  not  incidents,  and  whose 
names  are  not  important  enougb«  for  an  obituary  in  a  ma- 
gazine. 


Traveb  by-  Dr.  Dwight  and  Mr.  Faux .  126 

With  somje  of  these  notices  of  men  who  took  an  acttye 

{)art  in  the  American  Revolution,  or  who  are  otherwise 
amiliar  to  English  ears,  they  will,  however,  we  douht  dot,  be 
as  pleased  as  we  have  been,  especially  with  those  of  the 
Edwards,  Bedell,  Colonel  Allen,  Generals  Am61d,  Lyman, 
Patham,  and  Sir  William  Johnstone;  nor  will  their  author's 
very  detailed,  if  somewhat  national  account  of  the  prin* 
cipal  battles  and  leading  incidents  of  the  Retolation,  and 
the  preceding  wars  with  the  French,  be  less  amusing  and 
instractive.  Most  Englishmen  will  also  be  delighted  with 
the  antigalican  and  antijaoobin  spirit  pervading  a  work, 
which,  as  the  production  of  a  zealous  American,  they  would 
have  ej^pected  to  exhibit  other,  and  very  opposite  prejudices. 
It  also  abounds  with  sketches  of  the  nistory,  character^ 
manners,  and  habits  of  the  Indian  aborigines  of  the  coun-^ 
try,  as  interesting  as  in  most  instances  they  are  novel  to* 
E^lish  readers. 

Of  the  Americanisms,  and  other  defects  of  its  style,  let  the 
following  ihstances  suffice: — ^' sinuous  ingenuity  of  the 
French,*  *' with  water  round  the  year,*'  instead  or  the  year 
round ;  "  semi-annUal,'*  *'  semi-cfapital,*'  "  lives  at  a  provi- 
dent disftance  within  his  income,''  **  continually  receiving 
benefits  "for  the  efficacy  of  a  moderate  sum/'  **  govermental 
measures,"  "  rectilinear  integrity,"  *Hhe  prisoners  are  confined 
to  hard  labour,  the  avails  of  which  go  to  their  support/' 
"  we  'arrived  at  sun-down,"  '*  unwkrpin^  public  spirit/' 
**  the  Iqdians  killed  and  captiTated,'*  (meaning,  captured,  •'a 
half-shire  town,"*  *'  often  they  will  not  come  together  at 
all/'  **  and  wears  the  aspect  of  thrift,"  **  attest  to  the  justice 
of  these  observations,*'  "  views  and  intentions  wholly  diverse 
from/*  **anew  bridge  crosses  the  Connecticut  against  the 
city,**  ''well-appearing  houses,"  "  the  swamps  they  could 
not  causey,""  the  property  designated  in  this  bequest  was 
loaned  on  interest,  "  with  a  snail-like  progress,  therefore 
we  trembled  through  this  part  of  our  way,"  "  any  legal  meet- 
in^  warned  for  that  purpose,"  ^a  good  degree  of  pro- 
pnety,'**^*  a  good  share  of  information,"  8tc.  ''a  eountiitg- 
room,"  "  a  well-appearing  man,"  '*  aside  from  the  change  of 
hue/'  "sparsely  formed,'  ''the  usual  powers  attached  ta  the 
gabematorial  chair,"  "  the  waters  of  Lake  George  are  fine 
airf  potable,"  "^  206  killed  outright,"  "  the  school-law  hereto- 
fore recited,"  "  scarcely  at  all  inhabited,"  "  a  few  other  dis- 
eases are  rife  in  this  conntry/'  **  its  site  -is  a  handsome 
plain,  limited  westward  by  hills/'  "of  this  township  We  sair 
nothing  but  a  skirt." 


126    Review^ — New  Method  (^acquiring  the  Reading  of 

.  To.  th^sei  i¥e  may  add  the  fbllonfiog  entire  sentences,  or 
niateri^I  parts  of  them: — "  Sand  appears,  I  think,  evidently, 
to  be  a  congeries  of  multifarious  materials  ;*'  "  in  sufficient 
season  for  (Hvine  service;''  "  nor  did  I  ever  before  mistrust 
how  mach  a  human  being  can  resemble  a  monkey ;"  *'  out 
travellers  pursued  their  stag  with  entire  decency;"  *'bur  com- 
panions were  even  uncensurs^le  for  their  wishes ;"  "  the  water 
IS  of  an  elegit  hue,  and  appearing  as  if  a  soft  lustre  un- 
dulated every  where  on  its  surface,  with  a  continual  and 
brilliant  emanation;"  "the  beauties  of  the  shore  and  of 
the  islands  are  at  least  double,  by  being  arranged  in  the 
fine  expanse,  below  which  they  are  seen  in  perpetual  suc^ 
cession,  depending,  with  additional  exquisiteness  of  form, 
and  firmness  of  colouring ;"  ''those  who.  can  get  along 
with  some  aid,  short  of  an  entire  subsistence,  are  left  at 
home,  and  called  out-door  poor/' 

Of  Mr.  Faux's  book,  we  can  only  say  at  present,  that  it 
is  well  worUiy  the  attention  of  Englishmen  proposing  to 
emigrate  to  America,  though  we  intend  to  resume  our  notice 
of  it  on  a  future  occasion,  in  connexion  with  some  Ame- 
rican and  English  works,  enabling  us  to  give  as  complete 
a  view  of  the  other  states  of  the  American  Union,  as  we 
have  now  done  of  its  eastern  ones,  and  the  most  impor- 
tant of  its  middle  division. 

The  length  to  which  this  has  unexpectedly  extended  ^^ 
will,  we  are  assured,  excuse  our  substituting  this  review, 
for  our  usual  American  intelligence;  or  rather,  for  not 
adding,  under  that  head,  to  the  information  collected  here. 


LA  New  Method  of  acquiring  the  Readingof  Hebrew  ^itti 
the  Vowel  Points,  accordingto  the  ancient  Practice.  By  ui 
Experienced  Teacher.    On  a  Folio  Sheet.    London,  1822. 

.   Ogle  and  Duncan. 

2.  An  Easy  Method  of  acquiring  the  Reading  of  Syriac  with 
.  the  Vowel  Points,  oy  an  Experienced  Teacher  of  Oriental 
.  Languages.    On  a  Folio  Sheet.    London,  1822*    Ogle 

and  Duncan. 

3.  An  Easy  Method  of  acquiring  the  Reading  of  Arabic  with 
the  Vowel  Points.    By  an  Experienced  Teacher  of  Oriental 

.  Languages.  On  a  Folio  Sneet.  London,  1823.  Ogle 
.  and  jDuncan. 

'  We  consider  these  modest  and  unassuming  tables  ad- 
mirably calculated  to  answer  the  purpose  for  which  they 
seem  mainly  to  have  been  constructed    the  ansistance  of 


Hebrew,  Syriac,  and  Arabic^  ioUh  Vowel  Points.      127 

schools  aad.pri]Kate  families,  id  the  insl^ietipn  of.vo«ith  of. 
both  sexes^  (for  we  rejoice  to  know*  tWit  the  study  of  the 
Hebrew  laoguage  at  least  is  occupying  sonue  portion  of  that 
time  which,  in  female  tuition,  was  formerly  wasted  on  mere 
accomplishments,  and  even  on  more  frivolous  pursuits.)  in 
the  acquisition  of  the  three  most  inckportant  of  the  Oriental, 
languages,  with  the  vowel  points  ;  a  mode  of  reading  them, 
the  knowledge  of  which,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  can  do  no 
harm.     These  tables  are  divided  into  three  lessons,  the 
second  in  each  case  containing  the  vowel  points  of  the 
language,  (in  the  Syriac,both  the  ancient  and  modern  ones,) 
with  the   rules  for  their  pronunciation,  well    illustrated 
in  the  third,  by  their  annexation  to  every  letter  of  the  alpha* 
bet,  the  pronunciation  of  which  is  given  in  small  Roman 
letters  under  it.    The  Hebrew  table  coijitains  .for  its  first 
lesson,   the  different  alphabets  in   use   among  the  Jews, 
i.e.   besides    the    one. commonly  adopted,  the  Rabinical 
character,  so  called  from  its  use  by  the  Rabins,  both  in 
printing  and  in  manuscript,  though  tne  latter  is  now  chiefly 
confined  to  the  Portuguese  and  Eastern  Jews ;  and  the  Ger- 
man Hebrew,  employed  by  the  German  and  PoliiA  Jews  in 
works  printed  in  their  vernacular  tongues.    The  other  two 
contain  for  their  first  lessons,  the  forms  final,  (separate  and 
joint)  medial,  and  initial,  of  each  letter,  with  its  sound  and 
pronunciation,  in  Roman   letters,  which  are  also  given  in 
the  two  laat  columns  of  the  firHt  Hebrew  lesson. 

From  this  brief  account  of  their  contents,  and  we  cannot 
from  their  very  ndture  give  more, the  self-instructing  student 
in  these  Oriental  Languages,  and  even  those  who  have  made 
considerable  advances  in  their  acquisition,  will  be  enabled 
to  determine,  whether  the  small  sum  of  four  shillings  and 
sixpence,  (for  they  are  published  at  so  low  a  price  as  eigh- 
teaa  pence  each,)  would  be  thrown  away  in  giving  them  a 
place  upon  the  walls  of  their  study.  We  thijy^  not;  but  on 
the  contrary,  very  cordially  commend  them  to.  the  notice  of 
every  one  engaged  in  the  acquisition  of  the  Hebrew,  Syriac, 
and  Arabic  languages. 

From  the  imprint,  we  conclude  that  their  author  is  Mr. 
Borrentslein,m08t  probably  a  German  teacher  of  languages, 
in  the  metropolis;  and  though  we  never  heard  of  his  name 
before,  we  are  so  pleased  with  the  design  and  execution  of 
these  cheap  and  very  useful  tables,  as  to.receive,  with  pecu 
liar  satisfaction,  the  announcement  of  a  concise  Grammar 
of  the  three  tongues  to  which  those  tables  relate,  divided 
into  easy  lessons,  as  a  work  which  he  is  now  pfeparing  for 


res  Pottty. 

the  prefts.  Several  oriental  grammars  have,  we  are  aware, 
been  published  within  a  few  years,  some  of  them  books  of 
great  merit;  but  they  are  so  critical, abstruse,  dissertational, 
and  witbal  so  expensive,  that  for  the  work  of  tuition,  we  cannot 
but  consider,  a  cheap  and  practical  grammar  of  the  Hebrew^ 
Syriac,  and  Arabic,  by  a  practical  man,  a  desideratum. 


POETRY. 


AFFLICTION. 


*^  WHOM  HI  LOVETH,  HE  CH^STISSTH  V* 


Ah,  why,  when  I  feel  the  soft  hand  of  mv  God^ 

Should  I  murmur  because  of  the  psun  f 
Oh,  no !— let  me  cheerfully  bow  to  the  rod, 

As  I  kiss  it  again  and  again. 
The  hand  of  a  Father,  in  mercy  is  laid, 

On  the  son  whom  he  loves,  to  chastise; 
And  though  I  go  down  the  dark  valley  to  tread, 

I've  a  rod,  and  a  staff,  and  a  prize. 

That  prize  is  not  gold,  nor  is  it  diamonds  rare. 

Nor  riches,  nor  honour,  nor  fame ; 
Nor  garments  made  costly  by  silver  so  fair. 

The  Mammon  of  earthly  acclaim ! 
Tis  a  crown,  starr'd  with  wonders  of  rickier  arrays 

Than  all  this  vain  world  can  afford; 
More  bright  than  the  orient  splendours  of  day, 

And  sure  as  the  oath  of  his  word.  ^ 

His  bow  in  the  cloud  is  his  promise  to  man, 

I  have  seen  it  stretch'd  over  die  sky, 
And  gaz'd  with  ecstatic  delight  on  the  span. 

As  the  brilliant  arch  mounted  on  high. 
Its  colours  have  faded,  but  not  in  my  mind 

Has  so  faded  the  promise  of  rest; 
For  traces  are  left  on  my  bosom  behind. 

Of  the  way  to  the  land  of  die  blest. 

The  cross  on  the  mountain, — when  darkness  was  nigh. 
And  Jehovah  groan'd  under  the  load ; 

When  endless  compassion  gave  Jesus  to  die, 
And  Heaven  spread  weeping  abroad  I — 


PiK^ry.  129 

When  blood  was  the  sacrifice, — Christ  was  the  L^mb, 

And  all  nature  beheld  him  expire, 
An  atonement  for  sin, — by  the  promise  h/s  came. 

As  *^  with  burning  and  fuel  of  fire/' 

And  will  not  my  God,  with  his  Son,  freely  give. 

Whatsoever  is  needful  for  me ; 
When  he  bids  me  drink  deep  at  the  fountain,  and  live, 

Of  his  grace,  and  for  ever  be  Iree? 
Peace,  peace,  doubting  heart,  and  no  longer  complftin. 

Thy  Father  is  loving  and  Idnd ; 
He  bids  thee  look  up,  and  give  sorrow  and  pain. 

And  thy  sighs,  to  the  wings  of  the  wind. 

Then,  on  thy  dear  bosom,  my  Lord,  111  recline^ 

Till  doubt  shall  distress  me  no  more ; 
Already,  by  faith,  the  great  promise  is  mine. 

And  I  long  to  behold  and  adore. 
There,  there  I  shall  dwell  in  inefiabl^  light. 

And  range  the  wide  palace  abroad ; 
And  ever  be  thine,  and  be  blest  with  die  sight, 

And  the  smiles,  and  the  glory  of  God. 

ffistoih  R*  M* 


EARTHLY  AND  HEAVENLY  HOPES. 


Soft  was  the  slumVring  dream,  a  gaudy  train 
Of  exhalations,  from  a  youthful  brain, 
Pass*d  closely  round  my  couch,  and  Hehk  wove 
Her  roseate  gtoland, — Genius  stood  with  Fame 
Painting  a  thousand  rainbows, — that  my  name 
Would  travel  through  the  world,  and  hallow'd  love. 
With  silken  toils  and  lambent  wings,  would  move 
Elysian  hopes.    When,  lo  I  they  cruel  fled 
Quick  as  the  vanish'd  spirits  of  the  dead. 

I  woke  in  tears, — ^I  saw  a  heavenly  ray, 
Not  bright,  but  pure;  the  dawning  of  a  day 
Free  from  illusion,  and  a  gentle  voice,— 
O !  'twas  the  sweetest  music^^whisper'd  peace, 
And  on  my  ravish'd  senses  still  increas'd. 
And  bade  n^e  look  for  everlasting  joys. 
And  antedate  a  bliss  that  never  cloys. 
I  gaze,  and  am  not  mock'd, — a  light  is  g^ven, 
A  stream  of  glory  from  the  throne  of  Heaven, 

J.K.F. 

VOL.  VIII. — NO,  1.  K 


ISO  P&^ttf. 

THE  ADVICE  OF  JJUSHIREWAN  TO  HIS  SON  HORMUZ, 

JtJST  BEFOR£  flIS  D&ATH. 


From  the  Boitan,  or  Garden  of  the  Persian  Poet  Sadi. 

Hear,  thou,  my  Son,  the  orphan's  crie«> 

And  wipe  the  widow's  jteerful  eyes ; 

Nor  think  the  moDarfsh  can  be  blest. 

Who  lolls  him  on  the  couch  of  rest ; 

For,  if  the  careless  sheph^d  sleep, 

Whe^  wolres  are  near.-^who  guards  the  sheep  ? 

Protect  the  people, — they  alone 

Secure  thine  empire,  :^d  thy  thronis ; 

Thou  art  t^e  tree»  a^  Aej  Ijhe  roots, 

FrofB  which  thy  branch  of  grsmdeiir  shoots* 

/3. 


TftE  SUSCEPTIBLE  MINB. 


Frqa  "Jlortl  Pi«aM,  in  Pfoie  ud  Vene,  by  Lydu  Homtlby,"  of  Jbrf^brtf. 

Connecticut, 

Hast  thou  seen  the  Mimosa,  within  its  soft  cell^ 

AU  lihrkikiiig<aiid  ^iffifering  stand, 
And  draw  in  its  tendrils,  «nd  fold  its  young  leaves, 
,    From  the  toueh  of  4he  keedfiMTcWt  kMndl 

Hast  tbou  seen  the  jo»mf  >A4pea  ihal  'tiembks  and  sigh 

Qn  the  bi^th  of  the  liaperjiiig  wind  ? 
Oh!  these  a«e  but  emblemed  in^ocfeot  and  fiaint. 

Of  the  fil>riiikiiig  dadsesisitiviedaitad. 


*  ■  '/   I 


filPE. 


Ifre 

'I    'Hi  ii 

4>iie  is  iik&ia  paidled  dream, 
Like  ^he^fapid  maaaakBr-gtB 
i^kit  ihe  lisslBag  meleorls  otiy^ 
Like  ^he  'shaHest^wiitter^s  tdsf , 
LilB  the  'fitful  kscOs»  Ifaat 
Iske  (the  'wcwenug  rflame  tliat 
•Daitmg^-^vfazalitig  oh  tjhe^gya, 
Fading  in  Eternity. 


cc 


Om  the  Standard  of  Taste. "  An  Essay  intended  ta  compete 
for  a  Prize,  given  by  the  University  of  Glasgow,  By  the 
late  William  Fhienp  Dubant. Pabt  I.* 


"  It  is  with  g^ood  reason,  sa^s  Sancbo  to  the  Squire  with  the  great  note,  du^ 
t  pretend  to  have  a  jadgraent  in  wine :  this  is  a  qaalitj  bereditarj  in  oar  fiiinil j* 
Two  of  vj  kinsisan  were  once  eailed  to  give  Iheir  opinion  of  a  hogshead,  which  was 
supposed  to  be  excellent,  being  old,  and  of  a  good  Yintue.  One  of  theqn  tastes  il^ 
considers  it;  and,  after  matare  reflection,  prononnces  the  wine  to  be  good*  were  it 
ADt  for  a  small  taste  of  leather,  which  he  perceived  in  it.  The  other,  after  asing 
the  same  precaation,  gives  his  verdict  in  favoor  of  the  wine;  bat  with  the  reserve  St 
a  taste  of  iron,  which  he  coald  easiljr  distingaish.  Yon  cannot  imagine  how  maoV 
the^  wore  both  ridicoled  for  their  iodgment.  But  who  laoghed  in  the  end?  Oli 
emptjiog  the  hogshead^  there  was  foimd  at  the  bottosi  an  wd  kej  with  a  leatlieiy 
thong  tied  to  it!"  . 

What  is  the  Standard  of  Taste  ?  Is  it  to  be  ascertained  by 
attending  to  that  constitution,  in  consequence  of  which  the 
"  common  nature'*  appears  at  once  ''  invariable"  and  '^yex^ 
fect?'*t  Or,  if  "some  particular  forms  or  qualities  nom 
the  original  structure  of  the  internal  fabric  are  calculated 
to  please,  and  others  to  displease  ;"  and,  *'  if  in  the  sound 
state  of  the  organ  there  be  an  entire  or  considerable  unifor- 
mity of  sentiment  among  men"j: — ^in  what  way  can  we  so 
aocuraiely  determine  the  original  constitution  of  the  human 
mind,  as  to  be  justified,  in  considering  decidedly  erroneous 
every  thing  diot  deviates  from  one  standard  ?     Can  we,  from 

what  we  know  of  the  human  mind,  safely  deduce  the  prin-' 

» 

*  Our  limits  compel  us  to  make  a  division  which  does  not  exist 
in  the  original  Essay.  Of  that  Essay,  the  father  of  its  lamented 
author,  gives  the  following  account  in  his  most  interesting  memoir 
<»f  bis  ffingularly  gifted  son: — **  Though  the  Essay  could  not  he  pre- 
sented for  competition,  hoth  Dr.  Wardlaw  and  I  thought  it  not 
undesirahle,  that  a  few  of  the  professors,  who  knew  and  respected 
my  son,  should  see  it.  In  a  letter,  dated '  March  2,  Dr.  Wardlaw 
says, '  I  have  this  morning  sent  the  exercise  on  Taste  to  Mr.  Mylne, 
accompained  with  an  explanatory  letter.  It  is  one,  I  think,  whioh 
Wll  more  th^u  maintain  (dear  lamented  youth  I)  the  high  reputation 
he  had  acquired.  Alas !  that  that  reputation  should  now  attach  to 
the  memory  only,  instead  of  attending,  as  we  fondly  hut  vainly  hoped, 
the  living  author,  through  an  active,  and  brilliant,  and  (what  is  best  of 
all)  useful  career !  The  perusal  of  it  has  only  served  to  awaken  aU 
my  hitter,  and,  I  had  almost  said,  and  I  fear  I  might  say,  with  too 
much  tmth,  i$^del  regret^.  But,  oh !  if  all  were  as  clear  U>  us,  as  it 
Is  to  the  Supreme  Disposer  himseU^  where  would  be  the  trial  of  faith? 
where  the  room  for  the  exercise  of  trust?  *  Be  still,  and  know  that 
I  am  God.'  ^  f  Elements  of  Cri^cism,  f«ii.  36t.  < 

I  Hume's  Essays  and  Treatises  part  i.  ep^  ?9*       .  . 

VOL.  Vlli. — NO.  2.  L 


132  The  Standard  of  Taste  ; 

ciples  of  criticism  ?  Is  it  strictly  true»  that  ''  none  of  the 
rules  of  composition  are  fixed  by  reasonings  aprioriV*  Is 
"  Taste  a  sort  of  compound  power,  in  which  the  light  of  the 
understanding  always  mingles  more  or  less  with  the  feelings 
of  sentiment?  t  Or,  ought  a  line  of  distinction  to  be  drawn 
between  "Taste  and  the  natural  sensibility  to  beauty?'^:):  so 
that  the  presence  of  the  latter  "  does  not  necessarily  imply" 
the  existence  of  the  former?  Such  are  a  few  of  the  ques- 
tions, to  which  our  attention  is  demanded. 

To  avoid  the  perplexity  which  metaphysicians  have  intro- 
duced into  this  subject,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  stating 
what  I  conceive  to  be  the  real  object  of  our  present  inquiry. 
Thus  throwing  out  the  extraneous  matter  which  disputants 
have  so  copiously  introduced, — our  labour  will  be  consider- 
ably diminished.  How  can  we,  in  any  instance,  ascertain 
the  correctness  of  taste  ?  Here  the  subject  naturally  divides 
Itself  into  two  branches;  to  each  of  which  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  devote  a  share  of  attention.  Our  first  inquiry,  then, 
^bail  be.  In  what  sense  can  Taste  be  denominated  correct  ? 
Our  second.  By  what  common  standard  is  its  correctness,  in 
any  particular  instance,  to  be  estimated? 

First.-— /n  what  sense  can  Taste  be  denominated  correct. 

,  Dependent  as  Mind  is,  for  her  first  ideas,  on  those  mate- 
rial organs  which  are,  from  their  nature,  solely  couvertant 
with  t^e  phenomena  of  the  material  world,  all  our  nations 
on  the  subjects  of  mental  science  have  necessarily  a  very 
4itrong  atfiaity  to  those  tmins  of  thought  by  which  the  atten- 
tion 18  ?Jiore  usually  occupied.  Few  things,  however,  have 
E roved  more  injurious  to  the  interests  of  knowledge,  thian 
as  analogical  reasoning  from  the  movements  of  matter,  to 
the  operations  of  the  thinking  principle.  Any  attempt  to 
eiuciaate  the  latter  by  a  reference  to  the  former,  is  apt,  un- 
less managed  with  extreme  caution,  to  degenerate  into,  a 
mere  series  of  affected  and  iinmeaning  conceits.  Never,  I 
ithink,  has  the  truth  of  this  position  been  more  fully  db- 
played  than  by  the  writers  who  have  discussed  the  question 
we  are  about  to  consider.  These  reasoners,  not  content 
with  establishing  a  metaphysical  doctrine  on  nothing  better 
than  the  ambiguous  meaning  attached  to  a  single  werd — 
determined  to  push  to  its  utmost  extreme  the  fancied  ana- 
logy betwefen  the  external  senses  and  the  internal.  Finding 
themselves  pressed  by  unconquerable  difficulties,  they  have 

•  Hume,  ibitfem.        f  BlaiVs  Rhetoric,  lecture  h*. 
X  Suwart'f  Phil.Eftsayg,  Essay  iii.  on  Taste,  chap;  3. 


An  Essay,  by  W.  F.  Durant.  135 

inecourse  to  reasonings  as  inconclusive  as  they  are  unneces- 
sary ;  and«  at  last,  are  satisfied  with  evasion  instead  of  reply. 
The  analogy  between  the  sensations  of  the  palate^  and  the 
ensotions  <rf  beauty — ^incomplete  as  it  is — might,  had  it  been 
steadily  prosecuted,  have  conducted  them  to  a  correct  result. 
But  when  met  by  objections,  they  attempt  to  account,  on 
principles  already  admitted,  for  facts  apparently  irreconcile- 
able ;  and  never  seem  to  have  examined  the  foundation  of 
their  system,  or  to  have  suspected  any  defect  in  the  premises, 
of  which  their  whole  argument  presupposed  the  correctness. 
I  ought,  perhaps,  to  apologize  for  speaking  so  strongly  with 
reference  to  men  of  such  undoubted  superiority,  as  were 
-some  of  those  to  whose  sentiments  I  have  alluded.  If, 
therefore,  I  am  occasionally  compelled  to  express  my  decided 
convictions  on  so  delicate  a  subject,  let  it  be  understood 
that  my  reflections  are  intended  to  dpply^  not  to  individuals^ 
but  to  opinions. 

No  maxim  seems  to  have  been  at  once  more  offensive, 
and  more  perplexing,  than  the  proverb,  that  ''  there  is  no 
disputing  about  tastes."  The  analogy,  which  some  writers 
have  been  at  such  pains  to  verify,  seems  here  completely  to 
fail.  It  may,  however,  throw  no  little  light  on  the  sub- 
ject, if,  without    entirely  deserting  an   illustration  which 


plac< 

sensation  can  be,  in  strict  philosophical  accuracy,  denomi- 
'tiated  correct,  or  incorrect.  **  If  any  one,"  (I  quote  from 
Dr.  Blair)  ''  should  assert  that  sugar  was  bitter,  and  tobacco 
was  sweet,  no  reasoning  could  avail  to  prove  it."*  Nor,  I 
would  add,  to  disprove  it;  if  the  assertion  mean  no  more 
than  that  the  substances  referred  to,  produce,  in  the  parti- 
cular instance  of  the  individual  who  makes  that  assertion, 
the  effects  here  ascribed  to  them.  If  he  be,  however,  para- 
doxical enough  to  assure  us  that  tho  taste  of  others  resembles 
his  own  ;  in  what  way  do  we  answer  him  ?  Not  by  appeal- 
ing to  some  common  standard,  of  which  he  is  so  constituted 
as  immediately  to  recognize  the  authority ;  but  by  referring 
him  to  facts.  The  question,  we  should  say,  is  one  that 
must  be  decided  by  experience ;  and,  to  reason  about  it,  is 
foolish  and  unnecessary,  beeanse  the  testimony  of  all  man- 
kind is  against  you. 
'  With  tne  emotions  of  Taste,  the  cause  is  exactly  similar. 
Were  any  man  to  tell  me  that  a  Chinese  temple,  with  its 

*  Blair's  Leeturss  on  Rbet;  &e.  lee.  ii. 


134  The  Standard  of  Taste: 

frippery  ornaments^  appears  to  him  more  beautiful  thao  tlie 
simple  and  majestic  elegance  of  the  Parthenon;  I  would 
not  attempt  to  disprove  the  asserted  fact.  The  fact  is,  wi^ 
him,  a  matter  of  consciousness ;  and,  feeling  as  he  doe8«-r- 
he  can  no  more  doubt  that  the  Chinese  temple  is,  as  far  as 
his  sentiments  are  concerned,  the  more  beautiful  building  of 
the  two ;  than,  in  the  case  above  mentioned,  he  could  quei^ 
tion  the  sweetness  of  tobacco,  or  the  bitterness  of  sugar .-^ 
If  he  were^  however,  to  ^o  any  farther,  and  to  assert,  that 
the  object  of  his  admiration  excited  the  same  emotions  in 
the  breasts  of  others,  I  should  again  say,  that  this  is  a 
question  of  individual  consciousness;  and  that  his  state- 
ment is  opposed  to  the  almost  universal  exp^ence  of 
mankind. 

How  then  does  it  happen,  it  will  be  asked,  that,  in  cases 
so  strictly  analogous,  such  different  modes  of  treatment  are 
adopted  ?  No  argument  will  alter  the  taste  of  my  friend,  in 
the  one  case ;  and,  however  convinced  he  may  oe,  that  the 
peculiarity  of  his  sensations  arises  from  some  malforroati<m 
of  the  organ,  those  sensations  remain  unaltered.  In  the 
other  case,  however,  argument  or  thought  may,  and  probably 
will,  be  effectual  in  removing  the  first  impression,  and  in 
producii^  a  relish  for  purer  and  simpler  beauties :  so  far 
from  despairing  of  my  object,  I  exert  myself  with  the  hope 
of  effecting  it.  I  endeavour  to  shew  him,  that  his  present 
sentiments  are  inconsistent  with  his  feelings  under  ana- 
logous circumstances  ;  and  deduce  the  conclusion^  that  his 
mistake  arises  from  some  unmarked  association  that  has 
influenced  his  decision.  I  point  out  the  proofs  Qf  wisdavi 
which  he  may  previously  have  overlooked*  I  shew  him  4be 
intended  expression,  to  which  his  habits  of  thought  may 
have  rendered  him  hitherto  insensible*  I  trace,  m  every 
portion  of  the  edifice,  the  marks  of  supenor  intelligence; 
and  display,  in  the  united  whole,  harmony  of  parts^  and 
uniformity  of  design*  If  I  am  able  to  convince  ais  untd^r^ 
standing,  a  new  emotion  succeeds  to  that  which  he  before 
cherished;  his  bosom  swells  with  sentiments  of  adakirationk; 
and  his  feelings  undergo  a  change  corresponding  to  that 
which  has  taken  place  in  his  intelkctual  habits* 

The  reason  of  this  is  sufficiently  obvious :  imf»!essioDS  on 
the  external  organ  are.  uniformly  succeeded  by  sentmlioli. 
Emotion,  on  the  contrary,  is  never  excited  withcmt  a  pre- 
vious intellectual  operatic^.  The  same  imi^ession  on  the 
mat^ri^l  organ,  umformly  produices  the  saaaei  sensaiioii; 
and  the  same  judgment,  or  conception  of  the  mind,  is  as 


An  Iksay,  hy  W.  F.  Dahmt.  iB^ 

VBifermly  followed  by  the  same  emotion*  While,  howoTer; 
the  same  material  sobstance,  in  contact  with  the  organ, 
generally  produces  the  same  effect  on  thai  organ ;  and  while 
the  same  material  effect  is  always  followed  by  the  same 
sensation;  sensations  themselres  are  not  connected  by  so 
close  a  tie  with  the  conceptions  to  whi<^  they  give  rise ; 
nor,  of  consequence,  with  the  emotions  by  whicn  tnese  con- 
ceptions are  sncceeded.  By  producing  a  change,  therefore, 
kk  the  judgments  which  we  form  with  regard  to  the  objeota ' 
of  any  of  our  senses,  we  produce  a  correspondent  change  in: 
the  emotions  to  which  the  perception  or  the  recollection  of 
diese  objects  gires  rise.  An  alteration  in  the  intellectual 
process  affects  the  subsequent  emotion  as  entirdy  as  the 
substitution  of  one  body  for  another  would  affect  the  move-* 
aaents  of  the  nervous  system,  and  the  sensation  conse-^^ 
qnent.  I  should  scarcely  have  deemed  it  worth  my  while 
to  expend  so  much  time  on  the  establishment  of  a  proposi« 
tion  apparently  so  obvious,  did  it  not  appear  that  inatten- 
tion  has  often  betrayed  the  best  writers  into  a  strange  con- 
fasion  of  ideas,  or,  at  least,  into  remarkable  ambiguity  of 
expression. 

Lord  Eaimes,  ia  his  Elements  of  Criticism,  commence* 
ffici  essay,  on  the  standard  of  Taste,  with  the  following^ 
remarks :  **  That  theoe  is  no  disputing  about  tas(tea-r*-meaib* 
iitg  taste  in  its  figurative  as  well  as  proper  senoie-^is  a  si^-i 
in^  so  generally  reoeifved,  as  to  haye  beccHne  a  provetb.  Ond 
thing,  even  at  first  view,  is  evident,  that  if  the  proverb  hold 
true  witJi  respect  to  Taste  in  its  proper  meaning,  it  mqfwt 
hold  true  with  respect  to  our  other  external  senses :  if  the 
pleasures  of  the  palate  disdain  a  comparative  trial,  and 
reject  all  cidticism,  the  pleasures  of  toiuek,  of  smeU^  of 
sound,  and  .even  of  sight,  must  be  equally  privileged.  At 
that  rate,  a  man  is  not  within  the  reach  of  censure,  eiren) 
where  be  prefers  the  Saracen's  heiad  upon  a  sign-poet^' 
before  the  best  taUature  of  Raphael;  or  a  rude  Gothic 
tower,  before  the  finest  Grecian  building ;  or  where  he  pre-) 
fets  the  smell  of  a  rotten  .caix>ase  .before  that  of  the  mpst 
odoriferous  flower;  or  discords  before  the  most  eixquisite 
harmony."*  Now,  without  at  present  iioticing  <the  general 
tendency  of  the  reasonii^  heiie  introduced — what  a  confu-* 
taxm  is  here  of  things  tluit  most  essentiaUy  differ-r-of  the 
mere  organic  .pleasme,  and  the  emotions  of  beauty  and  sub<>> 
limity !  The  author  evidently,  gives  us  to  understand,,  that 
we  approve  of  an  exquisite  painting-^are  charmed  with  a 

^  Elements  of  Giit.  ebap.  36. 


136  .   The  Standard  of  Tasie : 

saUime  and  expressive  piece  of  musical  composition — pre- 
fer the  architecture  of  a  polished  and  intellectual  people, 
before  th^t  of  military  barbarians,  in  the  infancy  of  civilisa- 
tion— enjoy  the  delightful  sensations  com>mumcated  by  .a 
fragrant  nosegay,  and  shrink  with  disgust  from  die  stench 
of  a  rotten  carcase-^all  on  one  and  the  same  principle.  For 
this  inadvertence,  I  find  it  difficult  to  account,  sinee^  how 
close  soever  might  be  the  .supposed  analogy  between  the 
senses  and  the  refiex  senses — between  the  '' conviction*' aiWIt 
admiration  of  what  Lord  Kaimes  denominates  '^  the  common 
nature,"  and  that  adaptation  by  means  of  which  physical 
gratifications  are,  through  the  external,  organ,  derived  firom 
its  appropriate  objects  ;r— no  mau,  surely,  would  confound 
the  sensation  with  the  emotion;  the  physical  with  the  in- 
tdlectual  pleasure.  The  distinction  between  internal  and 
external  senses  (how  obscure  soever  that  distinctiod  may  be) 
is,  at  least,  a  proof  that  a  difference  between  them  is  ac- 
knowledged to  exist.  Every  argument  adduced  recognizes 
the  distinction  by  impliedly  allowing  that,  the  subject  is 
capable  of  elucidation.  And  it  surely  need  not  be  repeated^ 
that  sensation  is  not  susceptible  of  analysis,  or  of  any  proof, 
illustration,  or  stand abd,  beyond  the  feelings  and  testi- 
mony of  the  individual.  It  is^  therefore,  certainly  desirable 
to  attend  to  the  distinction  which  I  have  just  attempted  to 
lay  down;  because,  although  every  author  may  not  have 
been  led  into  errors  so  remarkable  as  those  to  which  I  have 
just  adverted, — scarcely  any  have,  till  of  very  late  years, 
expressed  themselves  at  all  unobjectionably.  When  Mr. 
Hume,  who  was  himself  adverse  to  the  notion  of  any  new 
or  peculiar  sense— after,  having  come  to  the  important, 
although  imperfect,  conclusion  that  "  reason,  if  not  an  essen- 
tial part  of  Taste,  is  at  least  requisite  to  the  operations  of  the 
latter  iaculty"*-^soes  on  to  speak  of  the  organs  of  internal 
sensation,  and  of  their  labouring  under  some  defect,  or  being 
^'vitiated  by  some  disorder ;''. can  we  help  regretting  that  he 
is  encumbered  with  this  technical  phraseology.  Does  not 
even  his  penetration  appear  to  have  have  suffered  from  the 
^influence  of  this  forced  analogy? 

In  a  word,  nothing  can  be  truer  than  an  assertion  of  Dr. 
Blair's,  of  which,  indeed,  his  own  subsequent  reasonings 
afford  a  practical  illustration— >that  ''there  are  few  subjects 
on  which  men.  talk  more  loosely  and  indistinctly  than  on 
Taste.^t    This  indistinctness  is^  as  I  have  before  hinted, 

*'  Ham^'s  Essays  and  Treatises,  p.  2.  Essay  xxiii. 
t  Blair's  Lectures  on  Rhet.  lect.  ii. 


.2 

.4 


I 
« 


An  Essay,  iy  W.  F.  Dunmt.  137 

attributable  to  the  strange  confasion  of  emolion  with  tetME* 

tioD.    That  this  obscuhty  was  the  consequenoe  less  of  in* 

advertence  than  of  a  mistake  which  lay  at  the  root  of  the 

syatem^  may,  I  think,  be  gathered  from  the  style  of  reason*. 

iQg  by  which  these  writers  support  the  opinions  of  which 

they  are  the  advocates.     Dr.  Blair  has  been  pleased  to  give 

us,  in  the  following  passage,  some  insight  into  the  meaning. 

which  he  attaches  to  the  term  thus  frequently  employed: 

"  Taste,"  says  he,  **  may  be  defined,  the  power  of  receiving 

pleasure  from  the  beauties  of  nature  and  of  art.    The  first 

question  that  occurs  concerning  it,  is,  whether  it  is  to  be 

constidered  as  an  internal  sense,  or  as  an  exertion  of  reason  ? 

KeasQn.is  a  very  general  term,  but  if  we  understand  by  it 

that  power  of  the  mind,  which,  in  speculative  matters,  ais- 

covers  truth,  and,  in  practical  matters,  judges  of  the  fitness 

of  means  to  an  end,  I  apprehend  the  question  may  be  easily 

answered.     For  nothing  is  more  clear  than  that  Taste  is  not 

resolvable  into  any  such  operation  of  reason.     It  is  not 

merely  through  a  discovery  of  the  understanding,  or  a  de* 

duption  of  argument,  that  the  mind  receives  pleasure  from  a 

beautiful  prospect,  or  a  fine  poem.     Such  objects  often 

strike  us  intuitively,  and  make  a  strong  impression,  when 

we  are  unable  to  assign  the  reasons  of  our  being  pleased. 

They  sometimes  strike,  in  the  same  manner,  the  philosopher 

and  the  peasant,  the  boy  and  the  man.  Hence,  the  faculty  by 

which  we  relish  such  beauties,  seems  more  nearly  allied  to  a 

feeling  of  sense,  thauto  a  process  of  the  understanding."*       / 

Now*  this  argument  either  proves  an  undisputed  fact,  or  it 

proves  >  nothing  whatever:     If  Dr.  Blair  merely  mean,  that 

the  emotions  of  beauty  and  sublimity  are  essentially  different 

from  the  intellectual  process  by  which  they:  are  preceded,  he 

is  a^uing  for  the  admission  oi  a  truth,  so  self^evidei^t  as  to 

be,  I  should  conceive,  wholly  undeniable.    If,  on  the  odier 

hand,  he  intend  to  ass^^t  that  emotion,  like  sensation,  imme*- 

diaitely  follows ;  the  external  impression,  without  the  inter* 

veatiou  of  any  intellectual  operation — his  argument  is  not 

merely,  inconclusive,  but  wholly  irrelevant.     Nay,  if  his 

meaning  be  that  the  sensation  itself,,  without  any  subse* 

quent  judgment  of  the  mind,  is  followed  by  the  emotion  of 

pe4uty-r-hiB  argument  is  equally  irrelevant.    The  sophistry 

lies  in. the  sdectipnof  terms  calculated  entirely  to  mislead 

the  inquirer.     If  by  "a. discovery  of  the   understanding," 

and  ''a  deduction  of  argument,"  be  meant  those  formal  pro« 

cesses  of  thought;  which.it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  con^ 

*  Qlair,  lioe.  ii.. 


IS&  The  Standard  of  Ta$U : 

dact«  and  those  important  conclusions  to  Which  such*  pro- 
cesses may  occasionally  lead,— I  am  ready  to  admit,  that  the 
emotions  of  Taste  are  rarely,  if  ever,  consequences  of  these 
intellectual  operations.  If,  on  the  other  hand>  we  are,  under 
the  terms  employed,  to  include  those  momentary  judgments^ 
every  trace  of  which  vanishes  with  the  consciousfieBS  that 
accompanied  their  formation; — those  habitual  reasonings^ 
which  take  place  with  a  rapidity  the  metaphysician  alone 
can  correctly  estimate;  and  those  trains  of  assodiat^d 
thought,  which  naturally  present  themselves  in  unbroken 
su^ccession— I  must  beg  leave  to  dissent  from  the  opinion. 
True  it  is,  that  the  objects  of  taste  sometimes  strike,  in  the 
same  manner,  the  philosopher  and  the  peasant,  the  boy  and 
the  man  ;"♦  but  do  no  other  objects  *'  strike,  in  the  same 
manner,  the  philosopher  and  the  peasant,  the  boy  and  ^e 
man?"  Is  there  no  combination  of  circumstances  whicAi 
Universally  produces  alarm  ?  Would  not  a  certain  concur- 
rence of  events  inspire  every  human  breast  with  the  animat^^ 
ing  emotions  of  hope,  of  gratitude^  or  of  joy  ?  And  should 
we,  therefore,  be  entitled  to  appropriate  different  internal 
senses  to  the  emotions  accompanymg  these  different  pas^ 
sions,  and  to  speak  of  the  sepse  of  fear-^the  sense  of  joy — the 
grateful  sense?  Yet,  as  far  as  this  reasoning  goes,  the  con- 
clusion would  be  as  legitimate  in  the  one  case  as  in  the 
other;  and  the  analogy,  on  which  the  latter  phntseology 
would  rest,  quite  as  little  exposed  to  objection,  as  is  that 
which  has  given  occasion  to  the  former. 

It  is,  I  confess,  not  very  easy  to  attach  to  the  statement 
before  us  any  definite  meaning.  This  obscurity  of  expres* 
sion  probably  arises  from  indistinctness  of  thought.  The 
author  appears  ta  entertain  one,  of  two  notions.  He  con« 
ceives,  either  that  the  impression  on  the  organ  is  followed 
by  the  sentiments  of  taste,  simultaneously  wil£  the  sensaition 
which  that  impression  produces :  or,  (and  this  is,  I  presume, 
his  real  meaning) — that  the  sensation  is  invariably  and  im*^ 
ICED!  ATELY  folTowcd  by  soms  correspondent  emotion.  That 
certain  sensations  give  rise  to  certain  emotions,  I  am  ex^ 
ceedingly  willing  to  allow.  I  would,  however,  contend  thai 
it  so  happens,  not  because  there  is  in  the  sensation  itself 
any  thing  necessarily  productive  of  this  consequence ;  but 
because,  constituted  and  circnmstiElnced  as  we  are,  oertain 
sensations  suggest  certain  ideas,  and  excite,  according  to 
the  fixed  laws  of  mind,  associated  trains  of  thought.  These 
intellectual  operations  are,  as  has  been  before  stated,  th^ 

*  l^ee  ahoie,  pugs  137. 


An  Essay,  by  W.  F.  Durant.  139 

ittMbeidi^te  anteceileiitA  of  emotioii;  and  when  these  are 
exdiV^A,  they  naturally  draw  in  their  train  thoee  rapturous 
feeli»^8  which  are  produced  by  the  perceptions  of  beauty  or 
of  sumimity*  While  on  this  part  of  the  subject,  it  may  not 
be  iixifproper  to  remark,  that  the  feelings  of  Taste  are,  accord* 
kig  to  fny  ideas,  restricted  to  emotion ;  that  is,  to  those 
feeliligs  or  sentiments  which  succeed  an  intellectual  opera- 
tion. Taste  is,  of  course,  like  every  other  word,  an  arbi- 
trary sign  of  thought;  and  its  meaning  must,  therefore,  be 
fixed  by  orditvary  usage.  But  while  ordinary  usage  appears 
to  sanction  the  restriction  which  has  been  proposed,  diffi*^ 
ctilties  innumerable  seem  to  attend  its  removal.  All  Out 
itierely  organic  pleasures  may  claim  a  place  among  the 
giatincations  of  taste ;  and  thus  present  a  field  of  inquiry, 
including  the  varied  phenomena  of  sensation,  and  nearly 
coextensive  with  the  circle  of  human  enjoymenits*  I  ieim 
awftre,  that  I  have  high  authority  against  me.  Speaking  of 
the  beauty  of  colour  and  form,  Mr.  Stewart  obseryes, "  WitJh 
the  greater  part  of  Mr.  Alison's  remarks  on  these  qualities, 
I  perfectly  agree ;  although  in  the  case  of  the  first,  1  am  dis- 
pofited  to  ascribe  more  to  the  mere  organic  impression,  inde- 
pendently of  any  association  ot  expressit^n  whatever,  than 
Be  de«jms  willing  to  allow :"*  and  again,  "The  circum- 
stances which  please,  in  objects  of  Taste,  are  of  twO  Very 
differenft  kinds*  First,  thoise  which  derive  their  effect  from 
tiie  organical  adaptation  of  the  human  frame  to  the  ex-^ 
temal  universe.^t  To  differ  firom  Mr.  Stewart,  is,  under 
any  circumstances,  perilous ;  nor  should  I,  perhaps,  have 
ventured  to  make  a  single  remark  on  the  passages  I  have 
cited,  had  I  not  the  consolation  df  knowing  that  if  I  err, 
it  is  after  the  example  of  Mr.  Alison.  Mr.  Stewart  has 
stated,  not  merely  with  his  ustial  temperance,  but  even  with 
considerable  reserve,  the  point  on  which  he  differs  firom 
Mr,  Alison. 

From  the  terms  empldyed  in  one  of  the  passages  cited 
above,  it  would  appear  that  Mr.  Alison  is  himself  disposed 
to  attribute  something  to  "the  mere  organic  impression.*' 
That  much  of  our  pleasure  is  ascribed  by  him  to  tnis  cause, 
I  am  quite  ready  to  admit :  the  real  question,  however,  is 
simply,  whether  he  would  choose  to  give  the  denomination 
of  beauty  to  any  of  those  qualities,  from  Which  this  imme- 
diate pleasure  is  derived.  It  is  not  ^ways  easy  to  sele<5t 
from  a  considerable  work,  any  <nie  passage  sufficiently  deci- 

^  Stewart's  Fhil.  Biisays^  part  ii.  eSi^ay  i.  p.  1.  cliap.  ii. 
t  Ibid.  Essay  ill.  chap,  ill. 


140  The  Standard  of  Tasie : 

aive  to  s^rve  for  the  foundation  of  au  argument  like  the 
present.  Under  this  difficulty,  however,  it  does  appear 
to  me,  that  we  do  not  at  present  labour ;  and  I  will  mere-* 
fore  take  the  liberty  of  citing  Mr.  Alison's  pwn  words^ 
both  because  the  auotation  appears  to  me  peculiarly  appo- 
site to  the  immeaiate  subject  of  inquiry,  and  because  it, 
contains  a  luminous  exposition  of  sentiments  the  most  phi- 
losophical, and  the  most  important  to  our  subsequent  rea- 
sonings. '' >yith  the  emotions  of  Taste,  in.  almost  every 
instance,"  says  this  elegant  and  philosophical  writer,  "many 
other  emotions  of  pleasure  are  united :  the  various  simple  plea- 
sures that  arise  from  other  qualities  of  the  object;  thepka" 
sure  of  agreeable  conversation,  in  the  case  of  material  objects ; 
and  in  all  that  pleasure  which,  by  the  constitution  of  our 
naturie,  is  annexed  to  the  exercise  of  our  faculties.  Unless, 
therefore,  we  have  previously  acquired  a  distinct  and  accu- 
rate conception  of  that  peculiar  effect  which  is  produced 
in  our  minds  when  the  emotions  of  Taste  are  felt,  and  can 
precisely  distinguish  it  from  the  effects  that  ar«  produced 
Dy  these  accidental  qualities,  we  must  necessarily  include  in 
the  causes  of  such  emotions,  those  qualities  also  which  are 
the  causes  of  the  accidental  pleasure  with  which  this  emo- 
tion is  accompanied.""^  If  tne  passage^  just  quoted  should 
leave  any  doubt  with  regard  to  the  writer's  real  opinions  on 
the  subject  more  immediately  under  consideration,  that 
doubt  will  be  removed  by  what  I  am  about  to  adduce.  The. 
emotion  of  beauty .'' involves,  in  all  cases,  1st,  The  pro- 
duction of  some  simple  emotion,  or  the  exercise  of  some 
moral  affection ;  and,  2dly,  The  consequent  excitement  of 
a  peculiar  exercise  of  the  imagination  :"t  and  a  liittie  farther 
on,  '^  I  shall,  endeavour  to  shew  that  all  the  phenomena  are 
reducible  to  the  same  general  principle,  and  that  the  qua^ 
lities  of  matter  are  not  beautiful  or  sublime  in  themselves* 
but  as  they  are  by  various  means  the  signs  or  expressions 
of  qualities  capable  of  producing  emotion."  j: 

The  question  at  issue,  therefore,  between  these  two 
writers,  is  not — in  what  proportion  does  the  mere  organic 
impression  contribute  to  that  complex  feeling,  whic£  we 
denominate  die  emotion  of  beauty  ?  But — Does  the  mere 
organic  impression  contribute  any  thing  at  all  to  this  effect  ? 
— llaving  thus  shielded  myself  under  so  considerable  an 
example,  I  may  venture  humbly  to  state  my  reckons  for  dis-, 
senting'from  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Stewart. 

*  Alison's  Essays  on  the  Nature  aod  Principles  of  Taste ;  intro- 
duction, t  l^id.  i  Ibid. 


An  Essai/,  by  W.  F.  Durtnt.  141 

The  only  notion  I  can  attach  to  the  (phrase,  ''mere  orga* 
uio  hnfHiessioii,"  is,  that  it  is  intended  to  express  the  mental 
change  which  takes  place,  when  an  organ  of  sense  has  been, 
affected  by  someinaierial  object.  This  change,  whether  ac- 
companied by  pleasure  or  by  pain,  cannot,  it  appears  to  me, 
be  in  any  respect  different  from  sensation.  I  do  not  suppose 
that  Mr.  Stewart  himself  would  give  any  other  definition 
of  it;  or  that  the  oi%aiiic  gratification,  which  he  reckons 
among  the  constituents  of  beauty,  is  intended,  in  his  use  of 
it,  to  signify  any  thing  more  t£ian  an  s^reeable  8ensali<m« 
My  chief  objection  to  the  required  conpession,  is  founded 
on  the.  difficulty  of  assigning  any  limit  to  the  admissions 
which  seem  to  be  its  natural  consequences.  If  any  class 
of  sensations  is  to  be  considered  one  of  the  constituent: 
elements  of  beauty,  no  good  reason  can  be  giyen^  why.  every 
other  class  of  sensations  may  not  be  allowed  to  occupy  a 
similar  rank :  and  if  sensations  be  indiscriminately  admitted^ 
the  pleasures  of  Taste  must  soon  come  to  comprehend  all 
the  varieties  of  human  enjoyment.  The  leading  idea  which, 
this  snppb^ion  is  intended  to  confirm  and  illustrate,  stands 
in  .mo  need  of  such  corroborative  evidence.  This  theory  is, 
if  I. fully  comprehend  the  writer's  intention,  of  the  following 
kind: —  ,  . 

"The  epithet,  beautiful,"  says  Mr.  Stewart,  "literally 
denotes  what,  is  .pleasing  to  the  eye.^"*  This  last  phrase  is, 
I  confess^  somewhat  ambiguous,  sittce  it  may  refer  to  those 
pleasuresi  which,  although  dependent  on  thought  and  emo* 
tion,  are  ultimately  traceable  td  a  sensation  communicated 
throu^'  the  organ  of  sight,  and  sugg^ting  a  long  train  of 
associated  thought.  It  may,  however,  mean — ^and  this  idea 
it  is,  I  believe,  intended  here  to  convey — a  pleasure  strictly 
organic — ^in  other  words,  an  agreeable  sensation  imme- 
diately arising  from.  Boaie  material  effect  on  the  visual 
organs.  After  this  word,  then,  had  been  appropriated  to 
a  particular  class  of  what  are  ordinarily  termed  physical 
gFatifications,  its  meaning  was  extended,  in  consequence  of 
discovered  resemblances,  or  analogies,  between  certain  cha- 
racteristics of  these  peculiar  sensations,  or  of  their  causes, 
and  certain  qualities  found  to  exist  in  other  objects  of  our 
attention.  The  name,  once  having  been  trcmsferred  to 
objects .  possessed  of  thefte .  qualities~--other  objects  were 
discovered,  having  some  one  property  in  common,  not  with 
that  class  to  which  the  appellation  was  originallv  restricted, 
but  with  that  second  dass  to  which  it  nad  oeen  subse-r 
*  Stewart's  Phil.  Ess.  p.  2. .  Essay  i.  p.  1.  e.  ii. 


142  The  Standard  of  Taste  : 

qnently  applied :  and  hence  arose  another  tramithn,  and'  a 
nirther  extension  of  nieanin^.  Havitig  thus  traced  the  term 
in  question  to  this  simple  origin,  Mr.  Stewart  seens  to  biTe 
retained  an  affection  for  the  ''mere  organic  impressions;*' 
which  induces  him  to  give  them  a  place  among  the  eiements 
of  beauty. 

Before  I  conclude,  it  will  be  my  duty  to  offer  sOme 
strictures  on  his  theory  of  "trainsrtions;"  or,  rather^ 
on  some  inferences  whicn  are  drawn  from  it,  and  which 
are  most  intimately  connected  with  out  present  iBqoiry. 
Just  now,  faoweyer,  my  only  object  will  be,  to  shew  that 
tiie  conclusion,  to  which  1  have  already  objected,  does 
not  naturally  flow  from  the  facts  which  have  just  been 
noticed.  Allow  me  to  illustrate  my  mearang  by  a  quo- 
tation,  on  which  I  intend  to  found  a  few  observations. 
"  I  shall  begin  by  supposing,"  says  Mr.  Stewart,  ''that  A, 
B,  c,  B,  E,  denote  a  series  of  objects— ^that  a  possesses  sone 
one  quality  in  common  with  b  ;  b,  a  quality  in  common  with 
c ;  c,  a  quality  in  common  with  d  ;  d,  a  quality  in  common 
with  B ;  while  at  the  same  thne,  no  quality  can  be  fonnd 
which  belongs  in  common  to  any  three  c^jects  in  the  series. 
Is  it  not  conceivable  that  the  affinity  between  a  and  b  may 
produce  a  transference  of  the  name  of  the  first  to  the  se- 
cond ;  and  that,  in  consequence  of  the  other  affinities  which 
may  connect  the  remaihii^  objects  together,  the  same  nam^ 
may  pass  in  succession  from  b  to  c,  from  c  to  n,  from  d  to  e  1 
In  this  manner  a  common  appellation  will  Arise  between  a 
and  E,  although  the  two  objebts  may,  in  their  nature  and 
properties,  be  so  widely  distant  fVom  each  other,  that  no 
stretch  of  imagination  can  conc^rive  how  the  thou^ts  wme 
led  from  the  former  to  the  latter/**  Now,  then,  let  a  istahd 
for  the  primary  meaning  of  the  word  under  oonsideratioii^ 
and  B,  or  any  of  the  intermediate  letters,  for  that  other  idea 
to  which  the  term  beauty  is  transitively  apphed.  Is  it  not 
possible  that  the  im^rtance  of  this  lost  idea  may  be  so 
great,  and  the  necessity  of  discrimffnating  ^heen  a  and  b  be 
so  apparent,  as  esEclusively  to  appropnate  to  the  latter,  tfaaA 
term  by  which  the  former  was  or^inally  desigteted  ? 

This  subject  we  shajl  soon  have  an  opportunity  of  nmre 
fully  considering :  but  does  not  even  this  snperncial  view 
teach  us,  that  allowing  all  Mr.  Stewavt  has  demanded^  no 
prodf,  nor  indeed  a»y  presumptifon,  exists  in  favour  of  this 
extern  of  application  ?  It  is  admrlted  that  Oe  last  appedl 
lies  to  ordifnary  usage ;  and,  if  that  be  against  us,  that  ai^-* 
*  Phtl.  Bm.  p.  2.    Bssay  i.  p.  I.  ckap,  i. 


An  Emv,  h  ^vF-  Doirant.  143 

meat,  on  the  one  ^ide^  is  BYiperflttous  and  hypothetical ;  or 
a  priori  reaaoaings,  oa  the  other  side,  entirely  futile.  J 
feel  convinced,  however,  that  this  usage  is  decidedly  in  our 
favour ;  and  unwilling  as  I  am  to  speak  dogmatically,  espe^ 
cially  on  any  point  connected  with  philological  inquiry,  I 
shoidd  not  shrink  from  challenging  our  opponents  to  adduce 
a  single  instance  in  which  the  epithet  **  oeautiful"  is  given 
to  any  ''organic  impression,"  except  where  that  impressiop 
is  compounded  with  other  element^. 

In  this  latter  case,  is  it  unnatural  to  conclude  that  the 
epithet  is  intended  to  designate,  not  the  organic  impression 
to  which,  in  a  simple  state,  it  is  never  applied;  but  the 
union  of  those  other  elements,  which  enter  into  the  compo- 
sitiop  pf  the  complex  feeling. 

That  ordinary  usage  is  as  has  been  stated,  observation 
teaches  us.  The  phrase,  a  beautiful  sensation,  would  be 
considered  a  solecism — yet  what  but  sensation  is  the ''mere 
oiganic  impression?"  Those  organic  impressions  which 
rarely:,  if  ever,  awaken  a  subsequent  train  of  thought  and 
emotion,  are  never  denominated  oeautiful ;  while  this  deaig- 
Dation  is  reserved  for  those  sensations  by  which  such  trains 
are  excited.  The  mere  physipal  pjes^sure  attendant  on 
the  sensations  of  taste,  or  even  of  smell,  is,  I  apprehend, 
much  more  considerable  than  any  immediate  sensual  grati- 
Acation,  which  is  derived  from  harmonious  sounds^  or  froqpi 
splendid  colours:  yet  the  term  "beauty"  is  never  correctly 
applied  to  the  objects  of  the  two  former  senses.  These 
remarks  on  Mr.  Stewart's  <^inions,  I  have  hazarded  with 
considerable  diffidence.  These  opinions  have  incidentally 
come  under  onr  notice,  in  cons^uence  of  their  bearings 
toward  a  distinction  which  lies  at  the  root  of  our  system.* 
The  principles  they  are  intended  to  uphold,  and  the  conclu^ 
sions  to  the  support  of  which  they  are  rendered  subservieckt, 
will,  ere  long,  come  again  under  copsideration. 

On  the  whole«  then — the  distinction  which  I  have  been 
labouring  to  establish^  is  simply  of  the  following  kind. 
Writers  om  Taete  seem  generally  to  have  considerea  sensi* 
hility  to  beauty  and  sublimity,  as  a  simple  uncompounded 
act  pf  the  WM.  I  hftve,  on  t^e  contrary,  endeavoured  to 
aheiw«  that  wb^ver  b^Mty  ia».y  be»  some  intellisctual.pro^ 
^S8  Atlfit  n^ces^^ily  tajke  place,  before  the  emotions  of 
!(^te  aie  eo^perienced.  To  reiider  this  distinction  the  more 
iji^M^QUH,  I  have  endieavoured.  to  dr^w  a  line  between  these 
^VQ^tion^,  iM>d  those  pieasHr^  of  Stefibsation  by  which  they 
pay  k^  apcid«B^y  ^^QPpmpsw^  Itf  {n^ceded ;  and^  to 


144  The  Standard  of  Taste : 

accomplish  my  object,  have  endeavoured  to  trace  the  ordi- 
nary indistinctness  of  ideas  on  this  sabject,  to  what  appears 
to  have  been  at  once  a  consequence  and  a  source  of  con- 
fttsion-^I  refer  to  the  introduction  of  an  internal,  or  reflex 
sense. 

My  great  object  in  making  this  distinction,  has  been  to 
justify  the  application  of  the  epithet  *'correci,**  as  used  in 
connexion  with  the  emotions  ot  Taste.  This  I  have  attempt- 
ed to  effect,  by  considering  emotions  in  general,  and  the 
emotions  of  Taste  in  particular,  as  consequences  of  <^ertain 
intellectual  states  to  which  they  owe  their  existence ;  and 
on  which  they  depend  for  their  distinctive  characteristics. 
The  epithet  in  question,  then,  is,  in  striotness,  applicable, 
not  to  the  emotions  of  beauty  or  of  sublimity,  but  to  those 
intellectual  states,  which  are  the  immediate  antecedents  of 
these  emotions. 

As  these  trains  of  thought  are,  however,  so  rapid,  as  in 
almost  every  case  to  elude  ordinary  observation,  and  some- 
times to  defy  metaphysical  analysis;  that  tenn, which  is,  in 
philosophic  strictness,  applied  to  the  process,  is  ultimately 
transferred  to  the  result,  or  rather  to  that  compound  sentt- 
ment  of  taste,  in  which  both  process  and  result — both 
thought  and  emotion-— are  included.  The  objections  which 
may,  perhaps,  at  first  suggest  themselves,  will,  I  think, 
VMiish  as  we  proceed  in  the  inquiry,  and  apply  to  the  9nb- 
jeot  which  w«  are  to  investigate  the  principles  here  laid 
down,  as  preliminary  to  further  discussion.  The  great  diffi- 
culty, however,  still  remains  untouched — ^What  is  the  nature 
of  this  intellectual  process  ?  Wherein  consists  its  correct- 
ness? With  what  objects  is  it  conversant?  I  am  aware 
that  an  answer  to  these  inquiries  seems  to  involve  a  discus- 
sion of  that  question  which  we  have  reserved  for  subsequent 
consideration.  There  are,  however,  some  points  more  imme- 
diately connected  with  this  part  of  our  subject,  which  require 
immediate  attention,  and  wnich  must  be  disposed  bf,  before 
it  will  be  possible  to  make  any  further  progress.  Suppos- 
ing our  previous  re^oning  to  have  been  admitted,  the  most 
obvious  reply  to  this  list  of  queries  will  immediately  pre- 
sent itself  to  every  mind.  Beauty  and  sublimity,  it  will  be 
said,  are  the  objects  of  this  intellectual  operation ;  and  its 
correctness  consists  in  forming  an  accurate  estimate  of  the 
degree  in  which  these  qualities  are  found  in  different  ob- 
jects. No  thinking  man,  however,  will  suffer  himself  to 
be  detained  for  one  moment  on  the  threshold,  by  an  tinswer 
so  vague  and  unsatisfactory. — What  is  beauty  i    What  is 


An  Essay,  by  W.  F.  Durant.  145 

soblimity?  are  questions  naturally  suggested  by  the  very 
terms  oi  the  reply ;  and  till  these  are  set  at  rest»  no  pro- 
gress whatever  has  been  effected. 

To  enter  fully  into  this  subject,  would  not  consist  with 
the  more  limited  plan  of  the  present  Essay;  and  I  shall 
therefore  restrict  myself  to  such  remarks  as  are  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  purposes  of  our  argument.  Philosophers 
seem  at  one  time  to  nave  imagined,  that  there  is  some  one 
quality  in  the  various  objects  of  Taste ;  and  that  of  this 
quality,  wherever  it  may  be  presented,  certain  emotions  are 
the  inseparable  consequences.  This  theory  was  almost 
necessary  to  the  uniformity  of  a  system,  which  had  ^  pro- 
vided reflex  senses  for  almost  every  modification  of  feeling 
that  was  not  directly  traceablie  to  a  material  cause.  A 
variety  of  mistakes  w^re  the  result  of  this  radical  error ; 
and  while  this  one  quality  was  eagerly  sought  for,  each 
theorist  possessed  his  own  secret,  by  means  of  which  the 
great  discovery  was  to  be  effected. 

Led  astray  by  the  same  incorrect  hypothesis,  some  phi- 
losophers resolve  the  emotion,  or,  as  it  should  in  that  case 
be  denominated,  the  sensation  of  beauty,  into  relaxation  of 
the  fibres ;  and  that  of  sublimity,  into  muscular  tension  or 
contraction.  All  such  opinions  iseem  to  me  to  have  arisen 
from  a  defective  analysis.  Writers  had  created  certain 
internal  principles,  for  which  it  was  necessary  to  find  a 
specific  field  of  action ;  and  phenomena  were,  therefore, 
tortured  till  they  gave  evidence  in  favour  of  the  system 
which  they  were  adduced  to  support.  As  particular  exter- 
nal organs  are  appropriated  to  the  perception  of  particular 
qualities  of  matter,  so  beauty  and  sublimity  were  conceived 
to  be  peculiar  qualities,  the  appropriate  objects  of  a  certain 
internal  sense — just  as  the  quality  of  hardness  is  perceived 
by  meims  of  touch,  and  that  of  colour  by  means  of  sight 
alone. 

Mr.  Burke,  who  has  gone  well  nigh  to  complete  what  his 
predecessors  had  commenced — who  substitutes  for  the 
internal,  the  external  organ  ^who  concludes,  "  that  beauty 
is,  for  the  most  part,  some  merely  sensible  quality,  acting 
mechanically  upon  the  human  mind  by  the  intervention  of 
the  senses  ;''*  yet,  as  if  willing,  as  far  as  was  consistent 
ynih  his  system,  to  adhere  to  the  opinion  of  his  predeces- 
sors, assures  us,  "  that  there  is  a  chain  in  all  our  sensations ;" 
,tha.t "  they  are  but  different  kinds  of  feeling,  calculated  to 
be  affected  by  various  sorts  of  objects,  but  all  to  be  affected 

*  Burke's  Phil.  Enquiry,  &o,  partiii.  sect.  12. 


146  The  Standard  of  Taste : 

after  the  same  manner."*  On  this  principle  it  is»  that  this 
distinguished  writer  so  unwarrantably  extends  the  applica* 
tion  01  the  term  beautifuL  Findings  or  fancying,  an  ana- 
logy between  the  qualities  by  whicn  impressions  are  made 
on  the  different  external  organs,  he  seems  to  conclude^ 
that  where  some  one  property  of  matter,  acting  on  som^ 
one  of  our  senses,  is  ordinarily  followed  by  the  emotions  of 
beauty— this  property  will  have  the  same  effect,  whenever 
it  is  so  presented  as  to  affect  any  of  our  other  senses. 
Thus,  in  pursuit  of  this  remarkable  analogy  of  the  senses^ 
he  denominates  sweetness,  *'  the  beautiful  of  the  Taste/'-f 
Nor  is  such  a  conclusion  by  any  means  unnatural,  if  the  pre- 
mises be  once  admitted ;  and  if  the  opinion,  to  which  we 
have  so  often  alluded,  be  adhered  to.  For  if  beauty  be  a 
merely  sensible  quality,  and  if  it  be  at  the  same  time  ^ 
distinct  quality  or  the  object  abstractedly  considered,  there 
seems  no  good  reason  why  each  of  the  senses  should  not 
be  capable  of  transmitting  the  sensation  which  this  quality 
is  fitted  to  produce ;  unless,  indeed,  there  be,  as  in  the 
case  of  odours,  colours,  and  of  all  our  ordinary  sensations^ 
some  one  or^an,  of  which,  and  of  which  alone,  tliis  quality  is 
the  appropriate  object.  Now,  as  it  is  impossible  to  point 
out  any  such  organ,  the  conclusion  to  wnich  Mr.  Burke'^ 
reasonings  seem  to  tend,  appears  to  me  the  natural,  not  t9 
say  the  inevitable,  consequence  of  the  theory  he  has 
^yanced,  when  it  is  taken  in  coimexion  with  the  preju- 
dice by  which  he  appears  to  have  been  influenced. 

There  is,  hQwever,  another,  and,  as  far  as  I  am  able  tp 
form  a  judgment,  an  equally  erroneous  extreme.     It  has 

{*ust  been  remarked,  that  the  older  metaphysicians  seem  to 
lave  cojisidered  beauty  as  a  peculiar  quality  productive  of 
certain  effects  on  reflex  senses,  which  were,  by  a  strange 
sort  of  intellectual  mechanism,  adapted  to  the  perception  of 
their  object.  Another  class  of  philosophers,  not  content 
with  the  analogy,  in  tracing  which  their  predecessors  had 
been  so  sedulousl]r  employed — and  living  at  a  period,  whea 
it  had  become  fashionabl^e  to  look  to  physical  discoveries,  not 
as  illustrative,  but  sts  explanatory  of  mental  phenomena — 
^eem  to  have  altogether  excluded  emotion,  in  the  sense 
which  J  h^ve,attacaed  to  it,  from  among  the  constituents 
of  beauty,  and  to  have  considered  the  objects  of  Taste  as 
little,  if  any  thing,  more  th^n  one  class  of  sensual  pleasures. 
Whether  it  arise  from  attachment  to  a  peculiar  theory,  tp 
which  we  shall  not  at  present  advert,  or  from  a  dread  pf 

«  Burke,  S|it>.  a^  Beftut  p,  iii.  sect  94.       t  Ibid.  p.  iv.  sect  S2. 


An  Address,  by  W.  F.  Duraht.  147 

of  that  extreme  toward  which  the  speculations  of- former 
writers  had  tended,  I  am  unable  to  determine.    It  does, 
howerer,  I  confess,  appear  to  me,  that  Mr«  Stewart  is  at 
least  equally  remote  trom  truth  on  the  other  side  of  the 
question.     It  may  be  a  mistaken  view  of  his  theory,  which 
induces  me  to  regard  it  with  aversion ;  but  to  me  it  ap- 
pears, that  if  carried  out  into  all  its  consequences,  it  would 
destroy  not  only  the  precision,  but  the  utility,  of  langimge. 
It  will  be  unnecessary  to  trouble  the  reader,  with  many 
additional  quotations,  since  I  have  already  stated,  in  Mr« 
Stewart's  own  words,  the  substance,  or  at  least  the  founda« 
tion,  of  his  argument.    He  conceives,  that  where  a  com- 
mon name  is  ^ven  to  objects  or  qualities  apparently  dis- 
tinct from  each  other,  there  is  not,  as  most  philosophers 
have  supposed,  some  common  property  to  which  that  name 
is  in  fact  appropriated.     On  the  contrary,  he  imagines  that 
an  analogy,  that  is  discovered  between  the  object  to  which 
the  name  was  originally  given,  and  some  other  object, 
produces  an  extension,  or  transitioh,  of  the  meaning,  so  M 
to  include  that  second  object  which  has  some  one  point  of 
coincidence  with  the  first.     In  time,  however,  another  idea 
is  found  to  possess  something  in  common  with  that  second 
idea  to  which  the  application  of  the  word  has  now  been 
extended.    The  process  of  generalization  is  thus  carried 
forward,  and  notions  indiscriminately  connected,  but  with- 
out any  common  bond  of  union,  are  denoted  by  one  word 
which  is  indiscriminately  applied  to  each  of  them*    Thus 
far  I  am  fully  prepared  to  acquiesce  in  the  decisions  of  this 
distinguished  writer ;  but  we  shall  soon  be  called  to  notice 
tho&|^  points,  in  relation  to  which  I  am  forced  to  dissent 
from  his  opinions.    Unfortunately,  the  discussion  of  these 
questions  is  intimately  connected  with  a  subject  the  most 
mysterious  in  the  whole  of  mental  science.    To  go  into  the 
controversy  regarding  general  terms  and  abstract  ideas^ 
which  has  so  long  divided  the  literary  world,  and  thus  to 
enter  on  a  field  of  inquiry  which  has  employed  the  atten- 
tion of  so  many  gifted  individuals,  and  from  which,  after 
all  this  labour,  the  unintelligible  paradoxes  of  the  school^ 
men  have  been  swept  away,  only  to  make  room  for  modem 
paradoxes  almost  equally  unintelligible,  would  be  as  muek 
opposed  to  my  inclination,  as  it  is  placed  beyond  the  reach 
of  my  abilities.    Confining  myself,  therefore,  to  the  exami- 
nation of  that  word  which  is  the  immediate  obgect  of  our 
present  inquiry,  I  shall  carefully  exclude  the  more  genend 
▼iews'  wUcn  might  otherwise  attract  a  share  of  our  attea- 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  2.  M 


I4t  On  ^erimn  'tUgubiiions  ik 

tioii;  iind>  without  accommodating  my  cdncliisioiii  1^6  tiHf 
particular  system^  shall  seek  only  to  render  them  iMrcofdaitt- 
with  truth.      I   shall,  therefore,   proceed  to  offer  a  few 
retnark&«  which  may  appear  so  obvious  as  to  be  unworthy 
of  notice^     I  know  that  I  am  suggesting  nothing  new^-^- 
nothing  which  is  not  anticipated  in  the  reasonings,  fo  sofM 

Earts  of  which  I  am  bold  enough  to  object.     It  is  n()4«^ 
owever,  always  unnecessary,  nor  uninteresting,  to  deve- 
lop and  examine  principles,  which,  although  neither  im^ 
kiiown  nor  misapplied,  may  have  failed  to  attract  a  dM 
idiarcf  of  attention  and  regard. 


€hi  certiain  Regtdations  in  Dit.  Williams's  Librartfi  iii 

Red  Cross^street. 

Wb  have  been  unfeignedly  concerned  to  fittd,  thal^  oirtr 
netioe  of  the  death  of  Dr.  Morgan,  the  late  excellenf 
iibratian  of  the  libra;ry  founded  by  the  late  Dr.  Williamsi  and 
long  since  deposited  in  Red  Cross-street,  has  been  eoii* 
stlrued  into  at  least  an  implied  censure  of  the  conduct -of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  CoATEs,  his  saccessor;  than  which  nothing 
oould  be  further  from  the  intention  of  the  author  of  Ae 
Becrological  retrospect,  of  which  that  notice  formed  apart; 
Itie  allusions  to  changes  in  the  Institution,  since  the  Doc* 
tbr^s  death,  were  evidently  meant  for,  and  expressljr  directed 
tb,  the  trustees ;  and  whilst  we  feel  the  most  anxious  wish 
tb  remove  every  impression  that  could  give  pain  to  a  ge^ 
ddman,  for  whom,  from  his  uniform  urbanity  and  attenttoa 
it  the  only  pne  of  the  editors  of  this  work  who  has  had 
the  hisippiness  of  a  personal  acquaintance  with  him,  we 
eitertain  the  bighest  respect,  we  da  not  feel  ourselveii 
called  upon  to  modify  in  auffht,  our  admonitory  protesl 
JKgiainst  the  changes  of  which  he  is  not  the  author,  but  the 
ti&re  official  instrument  of  their  execution.  We  have  every 
reason  to  beliere,  that  the  present  librarian  of  the  Instftu^ 
tkm  willso  conduct  himself  in  the  execution  of  bis  office;  ii 
to  merit  at  our  hands  the  same  praise  which  we  readiljf 
bestowed  upon  his  predecessor,  namely,  that  ''  no  man 
^uld  fulfil  the  duties  of  that  office  with  more  care,  ur^ 
banity,  gentlemanly  attention,  and  liberality,  towards  att 
men,  whatever  their  sentiments,  political  or  religious  $'- 
thoughwe.  hope  it  will -be  very  long  l)efore  we  have  td 
finish  the  sentence  with,  *'  than  he  did.*'  Th^^  he^daM0l 
ftH^iktn&  so  satisiactbrtiy,  to^  thbse  geat^meik  mho  kir% 


I>r.  WilH  imB%  XOnify.  1« 

oeeasi^ti  to  ^onixit  ihe  most  .TBloable  p<^oii  of  An  Ujbrarjr^ 
as  did  Im  predecessor*  is  no  fault  of  his,  but*-4iF  faisUt 
there  be  any--^f  the  trustees*  by  whom  the  regulations  of 
the  library  are  exclusively  framed*  Of  those  regulations 
ia  tlie  times  of  Dv.  Morgan,  when  we  ourselves  have  had 
fi^uent  occasion  to  benefit  by  their  liberality,  the  follow* 
ing  is  a  copy : 

jKK/tff  vj  ihe  Library* — I.  The  library  shall  be  open  from 
ten  o*c]ock  in  the  forenoon  till  three  in  the  afternoon,  on 
Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  and  Friday,  in  every  week 
throughout  the  year,  except  Christmas  and  Whitsaalidei 
weeks,  and  the  month  of  August;  and  the  librarian  (unless 
prevented  by  sickness)  shall  constantly  attend  the  library 
^such  times.  Nevertheless,  a  trustee  shall  have  access 
to  the  library  whenever  he  thinks  proper. 

II,  All  persons  shall  be  admitted  during  the  appointed 
h^urs,  upon  producing  to  the  librarian  a  written  oider  from 
mie  of  the  trustees ;  but  they  shall  not  be  permitted  to  «nter 
the  back  library,  except  in  the  presence  of  a  trustee,  or  of 
the  librarian. 

III.  Persons  who  are  admitted  by  a  trustee's  order  U^ 
eonsult  the  books,  shall  be  introduced  into  the  fnmt  library; 
which  shall  be  uaed  as  a  reading  room.  They  shall  deliver 
tothe  librarian  a  paper,  on  which  is  written  the  title  of  ths^ 
work  they  wish  to  inspect,  the  date,  their  names,  and  placet 
of  abode.  The  book  shall  then  be  brought  to  them  to  the 
front  library,  there  to  be  consulted  or  perused.  No  papet 
shall  be  Isid  on  the  book  when  any  extracts  are  madi^* 
The  written  orders  for  books  which  may  be  thus  delivered 
to  the  librarian^  shall  be  carefully  preserved  by  him  on  a 
file,  to  he  afterwards  referred  to  in  case  any  work  named 
in  them  should  be  discovered  to  have  been  mutilated  ps 
damaged* 

V  ly.  No  book  shall  be  taken  out  of  the  library,  except  by 
one  pr  the  ^trustees,  on  his  giving  a  receipt  for  it  to  m 
l^mriim  i  and  such  book  shall  be  returned  at  or  before  the 
next  qnarterly^  meeting,  except  the  same  be  in  the  actoal 
possession  of  such  -trustee.  ' 

:  V.  The  librsrian  shall  keep  a  correct  account  of  aU  bpokf 
taken  oiit  of  the  library,  witn  the  time  when  taken,  and  thf 
lisme  of  die  trustee  taking  the  same ;  and  of  applicationa 
for  bookS:  alr^dy  taken  out.  Such  accounts  uul  be  laid 
before  die  libfary  committee  previoasliy  to- every  ^uaiteriy 
iw^ltiPftofrtbttruste^^^^^^  ::  .  . 

/irvVl.rAU  bcNsks  *  given- or  ^purchnsed  £si  the  use  of^  tfaf 


liO  Off  certain  Begulaiion$  in 

Vixnry,  shall  be  immediately,  on  sacb  gift  or  parcbaae; 
inaertod  by  the  librarian  in  the  catalogue,  in  their  proper 
tlaces,  and  atamped  or  marked ;  and  also  entered  in  the 
Dook  of  benefactionB,  in  which  shall  be  specified  the  tiaie 
when,  and  the  name  of  the  person  by  wfaom»  given :  and 
such  book  of  benefaclions  shall  be  laid,  on  the  table  at 
every  meeting  of  the  trustees,  and  of  the  book  committee. 

VIL  The  hbrarian  shall  not  receive  any  money,  or  other 
gnttnity,  from  any  person,  for  the  use  of  this  library. 

Hie  completion  of  the  inquiries  which  led  us  to  the 
library  has  prevented  our  personal  observation  of  the 
the  mlode  in  which  these  rules  have  been  enforced,  since  the 
decease  of  Dr.  Morgan*  and  indeed,  from  knowing  how 
they  were  acted  upon  daring  the  latter  period  of  his  life; 
but  we  have  heard  from  several  of  our  ^  friends  and  fellow 
labourers  there,  that  to  the  last  day  of  his  appearance  in  the 
discharge  of  his  official  duties,  the  late  librarian  ot  the 
Institution  continued  to  afford  the  same  facility  of  access 
to  every  part  of  the  collection  under  his  care,  which  was 
most  fiiUy,  and  even  kindly,  granteid  during  the  period  of 
onr  acquaintance  with  it  ana  him.  We  have  also  great 
pleasure  in  adding,  that  all  our  inquiries  and  information 
(for  we  have  had  no  personal  experience  upon  the  subject,) 
abundantly  satisfies  us,  that  the  same  urbane  and  liberal 
eoursp  has  been  uniformly  pursued  by  his  successor;  in  as 
far  aa  the  printed  books  in  me  library  are  concerned ;  and 
if  this  has  not  been  the  case  with  the  manmcripts,  it  is,  we 
are  as  fully  assured,  because  a  new  regulation  of  the  trus- 
teeahas  prevented  him  from  rendering  the  same  assistance, 
lor  forwarding  the  reseftrches  of  those  who  wish  to  consult 
them,,  as  he  appears  ever  most  cheerfully  to  have  afforded 
to  such  readers  as  confined  their  inquiries  to  the  other 
department  of  this  collection. 

On  that  regulation,  we  deem  it  a  duty  which  we  equally 
owe  to  the  public,  and  to  the  trustees  of  the  library,  to 
oflSer  a  few  remarks.  Few  of  our  readers  need  perhs^, 
to  be  informed,  that  the  library  in  Red  Cross*street,  con-» 
tains  several  manuscripts  of  the  older  nonconformist  divines^ 
at  die  most  interesting  period  in  the  histoiy  of  Protestant 
dissent,  and  also  seventi  valuable  statistical  details  of  thtf 
condition  of  the  same  body  in  later  times ;  and  these,  until 
recently,  every  person  woo  had  a  regular  admission  to  the 
library  was  permitted  to  consult,  with  as  little  difficulty  as 
he  could  refer  to  a  ^printed  book  upon  the  library  shelves— ^ 
save  that,  where  he  wtas  not  so  well  Icnoif  n  to  the  librarian* 


Dr.  Willtamis's  LUrary^  HI 

as  to  be  sftfely  left  to  himself,  the  second  of  tha^ules 
which  we  have  here  reprinted  was  carried  into  strict  exe- 
cution,' by  the  librarian  contimiing  with  the  reader  in  th^ 
back  library  the  whole  of  the  time  that  the  manuscript  was 
in  use.  The  election  of  another  librarian  upon  his  death 
might  not  unnaturally  lead  the  trustees  to  revise  the  regu*> 
lations  upon  which  he  had  acted^  and  then  it  was  tnat^ 
the  alterations  were  introduced,  against  which  many  per- 
sons are  disposed,  with  us,  to  remonstrate.  The  formev 
rales  contained,  it  will  be  observed,  nothing  like  a  distinc- 
tion between  the  printed  books  and  manuscripts,  and,  witii 
the  slight  and  prudent  exception  already  stated,  none  waif 
observed  in  practice ;  but  it  is  widely  different  now.  We^ 
have  not  been  able  to  procure  a  copy  of  the  new  regulations, 
which  are  not  yet  printed ;  but  we  are  assured,  nom  goodf 
authority,  that  the  changes  introduced  are  very  trifling; 
except  m  the  requisition  of  a  special  order  from  a  trustee^ 
for  me  inspection  of  any  manuscript^  b]^  those  who,  on  af 
similar  order,  have  a  general  and  unlimited  access  t6  th^' 
printed  books.  Now,  this  restriction  we  conceive  to  be^ 
.inconvenient,  unnecessary,  and  unwarranted  by  the  pre- 
cedent of  any  public  library,  with  whose  reguktions  we  aye 
acq^uainted.  The  library  of  manuscripts  in  the  Britrshf 
Museum  is,  or  we  should  rather  say,  the  libraries  are,  of  i^ 
thousand  times  the  value  and  importance  of  that  at  Red 
Gross-street;  yet  every  individual  who  has  an  admis- 
sion to  the  reading-room  of  that  national  and  noble  insti- 
tution, has  precisely  the  same  right  to  consult,  and  Ae 
same  facility  afforded  him  in  consulting,  the  most  valuable 
manuscript,  in  eillier  of  its  magnificent  collections,  atf 
he  has  to  refer  to  the  commonest  printed  book,  or  pam^ 
phlet,  upon  ittf  shelves.  The  manuscripts  of  the  library  of 
the  Inner  Temple  are  also  as  numerous,  at  the  least,  as 
diose  placed  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Williams's  trusteeii,  and 
are  to  the  full  ^s  valuable  to  a  lawyer,  as  are  the  l&tter  t&  U 
divine  or  ecclesiastical  historian,  yet  are  they  as  eaiiy  of 
accesa  as  those  in  the  national  library ;  nor  are  we  aware  of 
any  stricter  rule  for  regulating  the  care  of  those  in  th^ 
libraries  of  the  other  law  soeiieties,  save  perhaps,  that  the 

fiohibition  of  publishing  toy  of  the  manuscripts  of  Sir 
latdiew  Hale,  imposed  by  their  donor,  may  render 
creater  caution  necessary  witn  respect  to  them,  At  lanoofe's 
Inn. 

With  such  examples  4ieforethem>'Wl|at  reason,  we  catl^ 
act  ibnt  ask;.  h«ve  tha  tni^tets  of  ihe  Red  CiOMHStitet 


/  in^rarfi  fdr  thci  ftdditiofial  restmints  ivliidi  •  tli«)r  kate  im* 

posed  upcm  the^  use  of  the  jnannAoripts  by  those  for  whose 

oenefit  they  are  committed  to  their  care.    Is  it  the  fear  of 

tiieir  being  injured  or  abstracted  ?    Those  who  would  do' 

either,  are  certainly  most  unfit  persons  to  be  admitted  int<$ 

the  library  at  all ;  as,  if  they  would  pocket  a  manuscript, 

Ibey  are  just  as  likely  to  secrete  a  scarce  and  valuable 

pamphlet,  or  to  abstract  a  plate  from  a  printed  book,  and 

tbey'have  moreover  far  better  opportunitiles  of  doing  so,  as 

diey  are  often  left  alone  for  hours  in  the  room  whidi; 

toHtains  the  major  part  of  the  library,  on  open  shelveSr 

''Whilst,  unless  very  well  known  to  him,  they  cohsiAt  the 

ibaiiuscripts  but  m  presence  of  thcf  libi^rian.    Ho  th^f 

fear  lest  an  improper  use  should  be  made  of  themt    Why 

not  adopts  then,  the  very  prudent  and  'proper  rules  of  the 

other  public  libraries  to  which  we  have  referred,  which;: 

jpirohibiting  the  transcription  of  any  entire  manuscript,  of 

even  a  considerable  portion  of  one,  without  express  pe^^ 

mission  of  the  trustees  for  the  purpose,  leaves  open  lo  alt 

readers  the  right  of  consulting,  and  of  making  ejctfacts 

from,  any  and  every  part  of  tlie  collection*    This  has  long 

beieii  found  a  sufficient  control  over  the  largest  and  most 

valuable  collection  of  manuscripts  in  the  kingdom ;  and  if 

those  to.  whose  care  one  of  the  smallest  and  lesust  important 

lis  intrusted,  go  beyond  it^  by^determioing  whatindividuals, 

deemed  by  themselves- proper  persons  for  admisftien  ittto 

(he  library,  shall  bepermitled  to  oonselt  the  mai^u^crietti 

Md  "Which  of  those  manuscriptii  they  may  refer  tOr  ^e)r 

aisunie -to  theitrselves  a  power  which  we  believe  to  M 

unprecedented^  unnecessary,  and  ineompattble  with  Kbe 

droper  dischargeof  their  duties,  as  mere  trustees  for  th# 

eenefit  of  the  public.     Mor  shall  any  false  notions. of 

delicacy,  or  affectation^  of  candour,  induce  us  to  witiihold 

the  expression  of  our  opinion,  tlmt  these  remarks  apniy 

with  double   fcmse,  in  that  the   manuscripts    to   wnich 

th^e,  instructions  apply,  contain  theological   seiftiments 

diame^cally  opposite  to  those  avowed  by  tte  majority  of 

the  tnisteea  who  imposed  tbem,  if  indeed  diere  be  amongtt 

them  a  single  exception  to  the  remark. 

;  J)u  Wilkama,  the  feodder  of  this  library ;>  was  a  Pre8«> 

byterian;  but  be  was  a  Trinitarian^  -  From  ^  the  designa^ 

ti^  of  the  trustees  to  carry  into,  execution;  and  perpetuate 

the  "purposes  of  his  will,  by  a  distinction,  foutfd^d  ratheriOA 

theit  mode  ^  church  discipline^  tfaan'thie  natiirer'of^their 

4M»^iii«^<for  UiUe^Mul^  be  teMr«  entiairMedt  w  t:iUde'«: 


•mamtion  en  di^oe  potQta,  as  has  ^sioce  lod^i^  plaM  0|^  tluis 
Mde  tiie  Tweed,)  tne  major  part,  if  not  the  ivhfAe  o{  tha^ 
trustees,  are  n^w  Unitarians,  or  at  least,  are  not  yeiy 
UttfaTourably  inclined  to  that  form  of  doctrine  $  and,withf 
every  possible  respect  for  them  as  men,  they  cannot  be 
surprised,  that  Trinitarians  view  with  peculiar  jealousy 
Iheir  absolute  control  over  manuscripts  containing  poiatci 
of  &ith  important  to  tlieir  side  of  the  controversy. 
:  Some  of  their  body  have  already  been  refused  access  to 
manuscripts,  which  they  formerly  consulted  in  the.compor 
sittott  of  works,  illustrative  of  the  peculiar  yiew^  of  th^ 
writers  of  them;  and  in  days  in  which  such  extraprdinai^ 
efforts  hare  been  made,  and  are  making,  to  proves  what  they 
consider  the  heterodoxy  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  of 
fbe  old  divines,  it  can  surely  be  no  matter  of  complaint j 
that  they  wish  the  unpublished  records  of  their  senti? 
ments  to  be  readily  accessible  to  every  one ;  especially  as  it 
does  so  hi^ppen,  that  in  the  case  of  the  Henry  family,  some 
interesting  documeqt«  of  this  nature,  which  were  in  the 
libmrv  a  very  few  years  ago,  are  not  fortt^coin.inff  f|ow» 
Wither  they  baye  strayed  unto  th^  portfolios  of  somfai 
autograph  colledtor,  in  this  autograpfaical  mania  age,  we 
know  noti  but  this  at  least  is  certain,  they  are  not  to  be 
foand* 

BfXt  we  said  also«  that  the  restriction  was  inconvenient^ 
and  every  one  engaged  in  literary  researches  will  see  in  n 
minute  that  it  is  so«  His  wish  to  consult  a  manuscript 
nay  suddenly  arise  (it  has  often  done  so  with  ourselves,  ait 
baat,  in  th4^  British  Museum,)  in  the  course  of  bis  examine* 
lion  of  printed  books ;  yet  will  he  be  prevented  from  gratir 
fyipg  it  by  not  being  furnished  with  the  order  of  a  trustee^ 
for  permission  to  refer  to  a  deoui^ent  deposited  in  the 
Utot  room  to  that  in  which  be  is  sitting,  It  is,  we  believe, 
hf  persona  from  the  country,  thiit  the  manuscripts  have 
ediefly  been  referred  to,  and  to  them,  whose  visits,  to  the 
metropolis  are  neither  ver^  frequent,  nor  of  a  lopg  cpnt 
tinuance,  the  reatriction  is  pecvliarly  inconvenient;  fojr 
though  furmshed  with  tn  gejieral  order  of  admi^sipii.  to  |he 
library,  they  cannot  now  ^nfiiVll  (b^  manuscripts  which 
may  alone  be  the  object;  of  their  visiting,  it,  until  they  have 
first  been  there  to  examine ^he  caUlog^e^.tqascffrtftin  if 
what  they  want  be  there;  and  tl>en  they  must  set  oi^ tin 
search  of  a  trustee,  to  obtaiojt  apeciat  pi^mission  to  refier  to 
iu  Happily  we  lire  mot  in  d%ya>  when  to  the  Trinitarian 
attdbUnitariten^  be  awliedb  t|M.  «!iide^  Uae  v^^ 


154         Unitariamsm  and  TrimUaHtmiink  compared, 

existing  in  the  ancient  diurck,  when  ''  the  Jews  had  no 
dealings  with  the  Samaritans;'*  yet  is  it  very  probable* 
that  a  minister  of  the  former  sentiments,  from  a  distant  part 
of  the  country,  wonld  be  put  to  considerable  trouble,  vexa- 
tion, and  loss  of  time,  in  obtaining  an  introduction  to  a 
trustee  of  the  latter  denomination,  and  then  in  procuring 
from  him  the  order,  without  which  his  general  and  standing 
admission  to  the  library  would  be^to  him  of  little  use* 

Having  thus  freely  stated  our  views  of  this  restriction, 
for  the  consideration  of  those  who  imposed  it,  we  have  a 
more  gratifying  part  of  our  duty  to  perform,  in  acknow- 
ledging  the  obligation  conferred  upon  the  public  by  the 
trustees  and  their  present  librarian,  in  the  preparation  and 
printing  of  a  catalogue  of  the  manuscripts ;  tmis  approxima- 
ting nearer  to  that  facility  of  consulting  them,  so  comj)let# 
at  tile  British  Museum,  that  we  earnestly  wish  to  have  it  aa 
perfectly  established  in  the  library  at  Red  Cross-street. 

Vnitarianism  and  Trinitarianism,  compared    in    their  Ten-- 
.    dency  to  Convert  Turks,   Pagans,  Jews,  and  Infidek,  to 
Christianity. 

The  subject  of  this  Essay,  is  the  comparison  of  the  two 
systems  of  Unitarianism  and  Trinitlirianism,  in  their  ten- 
ancy to  promote  the  conversion  of  professed  nnbelievevs^ 
such  as  Jews,  Turks,  Pagans,  and  Inndels. 

At  the  outset  of  our  remarks,  we  beg  leave  to  premise^ 
that  we  should  lay  no  stress  upon  the  superior  tendeney 
Of  the  latter  system  to  proselyte,  as  a  proof  of  its  troth; 
except  God  had  declared  that  "  the  knowledge. of  the  Lofd 
should  cover  the  earth,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

Indeed,  a  Christian  will  be  the  last  man  in  the  world,  that 
16  likely  to  do  it;  for^if  such  a  principle  were  once  admit- 
ted, it  would  go  immediately  to  overthrow  the  end  it  was 
intended  to  subserve ;  and  prove  as  dangerous  to  our  owa 
system,  as  to  that  to  which  it  stands  opposed.  Cast  your 
eyes  upon  the  world,  and  you  will  find^  that  many  systems 
have  been  infinitely  more  successful,  in  proselyting,  than 
the  Christian.  Look  into  the  realms  of  Paganism,  and  ^ou 
will  find  it  has  converted  infinitely  more  than  Christtaiiity^ 
and  Mahometanism  has  done  the  same.  If,  then,  we  were 
for  a  moment  to  proceed  on  the  principle  that  a  superior 
tendency  to  proselyte,  is  a  proof  of  the  truth  of  aay  syBtem* 
we  must  pluck  the  pahn  oat  ef  tiie  hand  of  the  ChiistifMii 


in}heir  Tenden^  to  Camm  Turk$,Pagmu,^c.      165 

religion^  and  put  it  mto  that  of  the  Pagan,  or  Mahometan ; 
for  these  sti^nd  in  the  front  rank  of  proselyting  systemSt 
andf  compared  with  their  converts,  those  of  Christianity  are 
as  a  little  handful,  compared  with  a  mighty  army. 

That  this  principle  is  totally  inadmissible,,  will  fi^rther 
appear,  from  the  consideration,  that  every  system  must 
have  some  proofs  to  render  it  plausible,  or  confirm  its  truth, 
before  it  can  hope  to  make  any  proselytes  at  all.  It  cannot 
have  proselytes  to  start  with ;  it  must  have  something  else, 
some  evidences  on  which  it  is  built,  and  to  which  it  appeals ; 
and  by  these,  and  Uiese  only,  it  must  either  stand  or  fell. 
Again,  a  Christian,  who  believes  in  the  necessity  of  an  atone* 
meirt,  is  the  most  unlikely  man  in  the  world  to  adopt  this 
mode  of  thinking,  because  the  very  fundamental  principle 
of  his  religion,  proceeds  upon  a  fact,  which  precludes  the 
possibility  of  his  doing  it,  and  that  is,  universal  depravity. 
if  he  believes  that  the  heart  of  man  is  deceitful  above  all 
things,  and  desperately  wicked ;  that  the  carnal  mind  is 
enmity  against  God — that  every  imaginaticm  of  his  heart  is 
oxAy  evil,  and  that  continually — and  that  there  is  none  that 
doeth  good,  no,  not  one,  (ana  he  is  no  Christian,  who  does 
not  beueve  these  declarations,)  he  will  be  the  last  man  in 
the  world  to  think  that  religion  the  true  one,  which  makes^ 
eif  is  calculated  to  make^  the  most  proselytes  from  amongst 
men  of  this  description;  for  if  they  be  so  bad,  they  will  be 
most  likely  to  fall  in  wiUi  a  bad  religion,  such  an  one  as  ac<- 
eommodates  itself  to  the  gratification  of  their  propensities; 
libat  winks  at  their  crimes,  while  it  creeps  into  their  favour; 
jfchat  prcMnises  them  peace,  while  it  permits  theoi  to  sin;  that 
passes  iu^  eulogiums  upon  their  dignity^  and  says  nothing 
dbout  their  degradatipn.  And  this,  lets  us  at  once  into  the 
Kason  why  Christianity  ha3  made  so  few  converts ;  because 
kiisso  unaccommodatmg^—its  spirituality  stands  opposed 
to  carnality— rits  dogmatism  to  freethinking — its  simplicity 
to  refinement—its  plainness  to  pomp-r-its  holiness  to  immo- 
lality — its  heavenly  mindedness  to  worldly  mindedness — ^and 
its  humility  to  pride.  We  merely  make  these  preliminary 
dbsenrations  to  shew,  that  although  pur  system  has  made, 
and  in  our  humble  opinion  is  calculated  to  make^  infinitely 
more  converts  th^  that  of  our  opponents,  yet  that  we  lay 
no  more  stress  upon  this  circumstance,  than  is  warranted 
.by  scrq>ture«  God  has  said,  yea,'he  has  sworuji  that  to  him 
every  knee  shall  bow,  and  every  tongue  confes>s,  Thait 
a vatem,  then,  which  has  the  greatest  t^deney  to  promote 
this  end,  must  of  course  be  tlm  spriptwnU^  and  the  true  sys- 


186  UnUariamm  and  Truiitoriamim  campaind, 

tern.  It  ifl  our  iBtentioa  to  compare  the  two  syvtemt  under 
our  taotice,  in  this  point  of  lignt — ^which  of  them  has  the 
greatest  persuasives  to  present  to  professed  unbelievers^  to 
renounce  their  present  delusions,  and  embrace  Christianity. 
Not  that  by  merely  embracing  Christianity,  a  man  becomes 
converted  to  God,  for  in  order  to  this,  *'  he  is  born  again  { 

Sutctened  out  of  a  death  of  trespasses  and  sins,  by  the 
pirit  of  God.'*  Yet  this  Spirit  always  operates  upon  us 
as  rational  creatures^  and  always  addresses  us»  in  his  word» 
as  such. 

We  now  proceed  to  examine  these  two  systems,  in  this 
their  tendency.  These  professed  unbelievers,  Turks,  Pa*- 
gans,  Jews,  and  Infidels,  are  destitute  of  the  truths  of  Chris- 
tianity. No  truths  can  act  where  they  are  not — these  truths 
must,  if  they  operate  at  all  on  their  minds,  be  carried  to 
them — ^we  have  then  to  place  these  systems  side  by  side  | 
in  the  first  place,  as  they  will  operate  on  our  minds,  to  cause 
1X8  to  send  them  to  these  individuals ;  and  in  the  second,  af 
they  will  operate  on  their  minds,  when  they  reach  them.  In 
the  first  place,  then,  we  ask.  How  will  they  operate  on  our 
minds,  in  inducing  us  to  send  them  to  these  poor  deluded 
devotees?  This  will  depend  entirely  upon  another  ques* 
tion,  viz.  the  light  in  which  they  cause  us  to  look  upontheQ|i 
in  their  present  moral  condition ;  for  our  exertions  will  be 
regulated  by  our  feelings— our  feelings  by  our  views— our 
views  by  our  creeds — and  our  creeds  by  our  systems.  Ex^ 
amine  we  then  the  systems,  and  first  the  Unitarian  oo«l 
Let  us  gather  our  light  from  a  sun  in  this  system,  Dr«  Joseph 
Priestley—*'  If,"  says  the  Doctor, "  we  could  be  so  happy; 
is  to  beheve  there  are  no  errors,  but  what  men  aiay  be  S9 
circumstanced  as  to  be  innocently  betrayed  into ;  ^at  any 
mtstilke  of  the  head  is  perfectly  consistent  with  rectitnde  of 
heart,  and  that  all  differences  in  modes  of  worship,  may  be 
only  the  different  method  Si  which  different  men,  who  are 
equally  the  offspring  of  God,  are  endeavouring  to  honou? 
and  obey  their  common  parent ;  our  differences  of  opinion 
would  have  no  tendency  to  lessen  our  natural  love  and  ea* 
teem."*  Now,  it  is  certain  it  would  not ;  but  then  it  would 
couch  our  minds,  and  make  us  perfectly  easy  about  the 
conversion  of  the  individuals  in  question ;  for,  according  to 
this  aentiment,  all  the  false  religions  under  heaven  may  be 
harmless,  there  being  no  errors  into  which  men  may  not 
be  so  circumstanced,  as  to  be  innocently  betrayed,  Tb^ 
Began,  Mflhometan,  Popish,  and  every  <^her  rekgion,  mi^y 

*  Dif.orOpiaiea,seoct. 


n 


im  ikdr  Tendency  (6  ConwBri  Tarki,  Pn^Mh  ifc.     t67 

Iheii  be  perftetl^  Itsirmless.  Harmtoi^g  religion;  the  Pagaii; 
whose  morality  is  suicide  and  murder — wnose  worship  ii 
druehy  and  debauchery — whose  priests  are  baechi^naliaas^^ 
whose  temples  are  brothels — ^whose  annual  festivities  gorge 
Vultures  and  tigers  with  human  flesh-^and  whiten  and 
btatich  the  surrounding  soil  with  human  bones!  Harmless 
Religion,  the  Mahometan,  which  was  originally  establistted 
kmongst  the  nations  With  fire  and  sword,  and  propagated  by 
a  bigoted  band  of  human  butchers,  guided  by  the  bloody 
dictates  of  the  impostor's  koran!  Harmless  religion^tbe 
Popish,  which  established  the  itrfernal  inijuisition;  tor- 
tured its  unhappy  tictims,  on  instruments  which  had  satamo" 
ingenuity  displayed  in  their  invention,  and  satanic  maligmtjf 
%imibited  in  their  design ;  and  which  had  overwhelined  whole 
Mtibiis  in  promiscuous  bloodslied,  carnage,  devastation,  and 
inassacre !  Harmless  religiohs  the$e !— ^''  so  many  different 
Ittodee  in  which  diiFerent  men  are  honouring  and  obeying 
their  common  parent!**  One  stands  perfectly  astonished^ 
Chat  atiy  man  could  utter  such  a  sentiment.  While  Untta^i 
li^ns  can^  With  such  a  philosophical  composure  as  this; 
look  upon  the  deluded  devotees  of  these  cruel  superstitions^ 
if  is  not  likely  they  will  make  any  efforts  towards  their  ccm^* 
Versidn-.  Their  creed  and  conduct  are  perfectly  consistent 
#ith  each  other.  What  efforts  liave  they  made  for  the 
icriptural  illumination  of  these  poor  wretches,  that  are  iptt* 
tfng  in  darkness,  and  in  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  deadi? 
What  missionary  society  have  they  fonned  ?  Into  whal 
teifguages  have  they  translated  the  scriptures  of  tratk? 
Wbata^as  have  their  missionaries  navigated?  What  mooa«> 
fiiiis  havHft  tltey  climbed  f  What  rivers  have  they  forded  I 
.What  Ibrests  have  they  traversed  f  What  deserts  have  they 
Hrdfrsed? '  With  what  sincerity  mtist  they  pray,  *'  thy  kiiig^ 
«iiilc6mer' 

'' Turn  to  the  other  system,  which  teaches  its  disciples  to 
\(Mk  upon  the  heiathen,  ks  rebels  against  God^-transgressors 
dfthe^  first  coimmandment  of  the  law— an  such,  exposed  to 
Gdd^s  earliest  curse— liable  to  perish  everlastingly— and 
i^ist  on  the  lyrink  of  hell.  Such  a  belief  as  this,  causes  the 
fiearts  of  Trinitarians  to  bleed -^their  eyes  to  weep— ^theif 
bowels  to  yearn-wtheir  heads  to  plan,  and  hailds  to  exeoutei 
i(teasutes  for  their  conversion.  Hence  they  have  fomwd^ 
ahd  zealously  support,  their  missionary  societies,  those 
frftiamentil  bf  i?he  ag^— the  glories  of  the  country— the  lights 
if^ef^nvch-^he  b^heTaetors  of  the  world.  Their  wih' 
sionaries  havedimtedflOjOQiitai^  ttkeTWost  rugged,  crossed 


168  Umiariitnkm  and  Triniiariamsm  campaml, 

deeerU  the  most  inhogpitable,  forded  rivers  the  most  dan* 

Krousy  traversed  forests  the  most  pathless;  their  agents 
ve  sent  us  home,  as  so  many  standajpds  captured 
from  the  enemy,  the  idols  that  were  formerly  worshipped  3 
their  missionaries  have  many  of  them  laid  down  the  shatter^ 
ed  remai<is  of  a  worn-out  constitution  in  a  distant  land,  and 
maliy  at  this  moment  are  ''reclaiming  another  and  another 
from  the  wastes  of  dark  and  fallen  humanity;  and  are 
widening  the  domains  of  gospel  light,  and  gospel  principle, 
amongst  them ;  and  are  spreading  a  moral  beauty  around 
the  very  spot,  where  they  pitch  their  lowly  tabernacle ;  and 
are,  at  length,  compelling  even  the  eye  and  testimony  of 
giinsayers,  by  the  success  .pf  their  noble  enterprise;  and 
are  forcing  the  exclamation  of  delighted  surprise  from  the 
dumned  and  arrested  traveller,  as  he  looks  at  the  softening 
tints  they  are  now  spreading  over  the  wilderness,  and  as  he 
hears  the  sound  of  the.chapel  bell,  and  as  in  those  haunts, 
liehere  at  the  distance  of  half  a  generation  a^,  savages 
would  have  scowled  upon  his  path,  he  resales  himself  witti 
^bte  hum  of  missionary  schools,  and  the  lovely  prospect  of 
peaceful  and  Christian  villages.'' 

.  We  are  not  boasting  of  what  they  have  done,  for  there  is 
no  room  to  boast,  but  plenty  for  shame  to  ourselves  that 
tUs  was  not  done  long  ago;  and  to  our  shame  be  it  spoken^ 
that  these  thinjgs  are  so  novel  amongst  us.  But  has  any 
thing  of  thi»  kind  been  produced  by  Unitarianism  i  It  cer- 
tainly has  not  yet.  But  is  it  likely  to  be?  It  is  true,  we 
<»innot  tell  what  is  yet  to  come,  for  we  know  no  more  what 
a  system  will  bring  forth,  than  an  hour.  But  if  there  Im$ 
Miy  thing  to  be  done  by  it,  it  is  certainly  yet  to  come.  Let 
W  then  grant  the  utmost  they  can  require,  and  that  we  can 
bestow^  viz.  .that  efforts,  equally  as  great  as  our  own>  will 
be  made  by  Unitarians,  for  the  conversion  of  the  heathen ; 
which  will  bring  us  to  the  second  thing  to  be  noticed — the 
effect  of  these  different  systems  upon  Turks,  Pagans,  and 
so  On :  we  will  then  contrast  them  in  their  tendency  to  lay 
hold  of  the  attention,  understandings,  imaginaticms^  feel^ 
ings,  and  fears«  of  these  individuals^ — all  of  which  they  toe 
in  possession.  And  of  the  effect  they  would  produce  on 
ibeir  understandings,  imaginations,  feelings,  and  fears,  our 
readers  may  judge  by  the  effect  they  produce  upon  their 
^wn« 

.  Let  tt^  look  at  their  tendency  to  arrest  the  attentipn  of 
these  poor  infatuated  men.  Attention  is  first  created,  in 
tbe  oiainary  c(^»ae  of  things^by  ^  missionary  teaebier}  that 


in  Mitr  JWuZmcy  to  Concert  TufkB,  Pi^nm^Sfc.     169 

gtteilticm  is  now  engrossed,  wh<dly  by  their  own  idolatrous 
superstitions,  their  minds  are  bound  in  a  thoasand  invisible 
chains,  and  locked  up,  as  it  were  in  iron.  Which  of  thescf 
two  systems  is  the  most  calculated  to  arrest  the  attention 
of  these  men  ?  Both  of  them  are  equally  destitute  of  exter«» 
nal  pomp,  and  glitter,  and  dazzle,  and  parade.  Which  of 
them,  then,  will  strike  the  minds  of  these  men  the  most^ 
who  hare  beard  neither  of  them  before  i  That  of  course 
which  is  the  most  different  from  any  they  have  erer  heard 
before ;  which  of  the  two  would  that  be  ?  That  which  says 
Christ  was  a  mere  man,  his  mission'  that  of  a  prophet,  his 
holiness  mere  morality,  his  life  that  of  an  exemplar,  his 
death  that  of  a  martyr,  and  that  since  he  was  raised  ttom 
the  dead,  we  do  not  know  what  is  become  of  him;  or  that 
system,  which  says,  this  same  Christ  was  God  and  maa^ 
united  together  in  one  person ;  truly  God  who  made  us  and 
all  things  else,  and  truly  man,  bone  of  our  bone,  and  flesh 
of  our  flesh;  that  he  had  eyes  like  ours,  and  with  them  he 
shed  the  tears  of  affection,  at  the  grave  of  friendship ;  ears 
hke  ours,  and  vrith  them  he  listened  to  the  tale  of  woe  f 
bands  like  ours,  and  with  them  he  staunched  the  bleeding 
wounds  of  dismembered  relationship,  and  steadied  the  knees 
Aat  were  feeble ;  feet  like  ours,  and  with  them  he  went 
abont  ameliorating  human  wretchedness,  aiid  lessening  th0 
magnitude  of  human  suffering ;  a  soul  like  ours,  that  found 
this  world  too  poverty-stricken  to  satisfy  its  wants;  and  too 
navrow  to  give  ample  range -to  its  faculties :  that  his  life  was 
obedience,  perfect  obedience  to  the  law  we  had  broken ; 
his  death,  atonement  for  the  sins  we  had  committed ;  his 
resurrection  from  the  dead,  the  grand  seal  of  his  messiah«» 
ship ;  has  ascension  to  and  reception  in  heaven,  a  proof  that 
his  work  was  accepted ;  his  intercession,  the  source  of  all 
blessings  to  his  church ;  and  his  second  coming  to  adminis- 
ter justice,  vindicate  providence,  fulfil  prophecy,  and  sub* 
UmeW  ccmsummate  redemption,  the  last  grand  act  that 
should  be  performed  upon  the  moving  theatre  of  life. 
Which  of  these  would  strike  the  attention  the  most  power- 
ftdly  ?  To  hear  of  a  mere  man,  a  prophet,  a  teacher,  a  mar- 
tyr, would  not  strike  the  minds  of  those  so  powerfully,  who 
Kad  heard  of  men,  and  prophets,  and  teachers,  and  martyrs, 
thousands  of  times  before.  But  wh^n  they  hieard  of  a  per- 
son who  was  God  and  Man  together,  and  of  his  atonement 
and  righteousness,  and  all  that  branches  from  his  divinity, 
diey  would  have  something  they  had  never  heard  before ; 
they  weuld  see4n  it  something  they  had  oiever  seen  before  { 


tbejr  would  feel  firom  it  wbut  the;  oerer  felt  befi>re;  Ihiy 
wre  in  a  system  altogether  new  in  a  moioent*  ci»d  atlention 
is  ioimediately  put  vtnder  arrest.  From  the  supreme  divinity 
of  Christ  bfdiiff  an  integral  part  of  the  system^  it  has  a 
dbaracter  pecmtarl]^  its  own;  nothing  like  it  will  be  found 
in  heaven  above*  or  in  the  earth  beneath*  or  in  the  waters, 
under  the  earth;  it  can  never  be  incorporated  with  any  other 
aystem;  its  difference  from  all  other  systems  on  earthjs  so 
striking  and  so  peculiar*  that  it  can  never  be  confounded 
wiUi  them  by  sophistry*  demolished  by  familiarity*  or  crum« 
Ued  by  time. 

Let  us  now  look  at  the  appeal  these  systems  make  .to  the 
understandings  of  these  men.  **  There  is  a  spirit  in  man* 
and  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty  giveth  him  understand*: 
ilig/'  It  hath  pleased  Almighty  God  to  erant  these  men 
an  ordinary  portion  of  human  understandiog*  whi<^  dia- 
plays.itself  in  every  thing  except  their  debasing  supersti* 
tiops.  These  systems  address  themselves  to  tbisiwttky. 
Every  system  proceeds  on  the  sround  that  man  is  a  sinner^ 
and  professes  to  find  a  remedy  for  the  disorder*  one  in  tbia 
way*  another  in  that  way*  and  another  in  the  other  wa^; 
fbr  every  system  has  its  paradise  and  its  perdition*  in .  a 
future  world;  its  perdition  recognizes  him; as  a  sinner;  iim 
paradise*  as  a  beUever  in,  and  participator :  of*  the  remdj^ 
provided.  Now*  this  sin,  so  universally  recognised  in. ei:ery: 
system  of  religion,  necessarily  supposes  a  law ;  "  for  sin  is 
a  transgression  of  law**'  that  law  cannot  be.  human*  for  meft 
would  never  make  a  law  to  condemn  themselves.-— as  it  t» 
not  heman*  it  must  be  divine;  as  it  is  divine, itmustbe*.]iiker: 
its  author*  holy,  just*  and  good;  as  such*  God*  w1k><  is  Uie: 
moral  governor  of  the  universe*  must  of  necessity  enforce  it 
in  every  point,  for  if  he  could  dispense  with  one  point*  1^ 
could  dispense  with  all.  These  men  have  broken  this  law,  and. 
it  cannot  recede  from  any  of  its  requirementa;  the.4raiM-e 
gressors  are  therefore  liable  to  the  punishment  it  has,  de» 
nounced,  even  eternal  death.  Now  then  for  the  remedy 
provided  by  Unitarianism  in  this  distressing  dilemma*  within 
the  bounds  of  which  men  seem  irrecoverably  Iwmul  up*  U^* 
tells  us  that  repentance  is  a  satisfaction  to  d^e  law  for  trans* 
agressions ;  repentance,  of  the  intensity  of  which*  of  theduia?! 
tion  of  which*  of  the  depth  of  which*  of  the,  number  of  sig^ 
he  must  fetch*  or  of  the  number  of  tears  he  must  slnd^tte 
of  the  number  of  groans  he  must  heave*  the.|>enit€»ct  ia  Ihra 
oidyjndge.  Repentaoce*  of  whi<^  there:  are  different  :dfrr 
grees#  todvconsequently  dtffeivnt  degrees  lofaatisfcotioA 


in  ffajr  IVMefeney  to  Omoert  3WJb,  R^igtmi^ifc.      UQ^ 


whidi  it  Bibsord,  for  sfttisfaction  to  a  l«w  miist  be 
definite,  epecific,  and  known;  or  else  it  it  a.  burleaque  on 
le^siation :  repentance  a  tatitfaction  to  a  broken  law  i  a^ 
tbing  never  admitted,  or  perhaps  scarcely  ever  dreamt  of; 
in  hainan  codes^  although  they  are  imperfect  like  the  man  who 
nutkes  them,  and  tlie  man  who  breaas  them.;  while  the  law 
of  Gpd  is  an  absolutely  pei/irc/  law* 

Let  US  nowlook  at  the  remedy  provided  bytheTrinitariatt^ 
scheme.  We  have  already  observed*  that  satisfaction  to'  a; 
law  must  be  something  specific  and  defintte,  and  with  such  a 
satisfaction  this  system  presents  us,  in  the  death  of  the  man' 
Christ  Jesusv  who  *'  being  without  sin,  and  no  guile  found  in 
his  mouth,"  voluntarily  became  a  substitute  in  the  stead  of 
die  sinner;  and  who,  by  being  God  and  man,  not  only  madtf 
satisfaetion  to  the  awakened  justice  of  God,  for  the  sins  of 
oaeman^  which,  had  he  been  man  only,  he  might  have  domsi 
but  could  do  no  more^-but  made  a  satisfaction  ta  the  lair, 
sufficient  for  the  sins  of  all  mankind.  Thus  his  death  )>re* 
seats  the  understanding  with  a  definite  satisfaction  to  tiWI 
awakened  justice  of  Jehovah;  the  law  is  satisfied;  sin 
punished;  the  difine  government  honoured;  and  the  sinnef 
saved.  Now  all  this  commends  itself  to  the  understanding^ 
in  every  point  as  luminous,  as  light,  and  as  clear  as  crystal, 
e^ept  tm  incarnation  of  Christ,  which,  it  is  confessed,  is 
amystery ;  but  if  the  fact  of  that  incarnation  is  established  by 
the  most  indubitable  evidence,  as  it  easilj  may  be,  the  mode 
of  the  fact'will  never  render  it  objectionable  to  a  hutnble 
rad  consistent  understanding,  for  the  creation  of  God  is 
full  of  mysteries  equally  incomprehensible  with  the  incarna^ 
tioD,  all  of  which  are  nevertheless  believed ;  for  to  disbe^ 
lieve  them,  would  be  an  unnatural  rebellion  against  thlT 
demonstrations  of  the  senses.  Every  time  a  man  sets  hi¥ 
foot  to  the  ground,  he  covers  thousands  of  mysteries ;  f^ 
ev^ry  atom  on  which  he  treads,  is  a  mystery  equally  incom* 
pnehensible  with  the  incarnation  of  Jesus  Christ* 

Thus  we  have  examined  these  systems,  in  the  appeal 
which  they  make  to  the  understanding.  Let  us  now  took 
atthem  in  another  point  of  view. 

■■  Nothing  is  plainer,  or  may  more  easily  be  made  so,  than 
diat  if  the  laws  of  God  were  uniformly  and  universal^ 
dbeyed,  all  lying,  swearing,  stealing,  murder,  drunkenness, 
sabbath^brsakinff,  blasphemy,  infidelity,  covetousness,  war, 
fetisitiation,  aduhery,  swindling,  treason,  malice^  i>ppres* 
sion,  and  the  whole  long  and  black  cat»dagae  of  faiiipan^ 
vices,  wotdd  iftishppear  fVom  the  land  of  the  Hfing^^^^at  the^ 


102         VnkBTHtmsm  and  Trimiarianifm  eomparedp 

golden  age^  which  has  existed  only  in  the  dreams  of  poets, 
would  be  realized— our  assizes  would  be  all  maiden  as- 
sizes—our sessions  mere  forms — our  judges  and  magistrates 
mere  ciphers — our  prisons  empty  and  useless — our  news- 
papers nothing  but  the  undeformed  and  unvarying  records  * 
of  human  excellence ;  that  asylums  for  the  distressed,  and 
hospitals  for  the  sick,  and  Sunday-schools  for  the  gratai-* 
tons  instruction  of  the  ignorant,  and  benevolent  societies 
for  feeding  the  hungry  and  clothing  the  naked,  and  sano<* 
tuaries  for  the  worship  of  the  living  God,  would  break  out 
in  all  directions  like  stars  on  a  winter's  night,  shedding 
round,  about  them  the  blessings  of  science,  humanity,  and 
religion,  over  Uie  face  of  this  well-peopled  world.    If  all 
this  delightful  vision  would  be  realized,  then,  by  a  perfect 
obedience  to  the  law  of  God,  of  which  we  are  as  satisfied 
as  of  our  own  existence,  nothing  can  be  plainer,  than  that  the 
system  which  honours  this  law  the  most,  and  inspires  men 
with  the  greatest  respect  for  it,  and  supplies  the  strongest 
motives  to  its  observation,  must  commend  itself  the  most  to 
the  understandings  of  Turks,  Pagans,  Jews,  and  Infidels,  and 
to  all  who  have  any  understanding.    The  Unitarian  systeai 
inculcates,  that  the  law  of  God,  which,  in  the  Bible,  de* 
maads  perfect  obedience ;  **  for  cursed  is  every  one  that 
continuethnot  in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law 
to  do  them,"  will    be    satisfied  with   sincere   obedience. 
Now,  what  is  sincere  obedience?    We  take  it  for  granted, 
it  is  not  perfect  obedience,  else  it  would  have  been  called 
such.    But  if  it  is  not  perfect  obedience;  it  must  be  im- 
perfect  obedience;  so  then  the  law  of  God  will  be  satisfied 
with  imperfect  obedience :  but  this  proceeds  on  the  CTound 
that  the  law  is  relaxed.    But  to  what  extent  is  it  relaxed  ? 
Every  man  must  be  judge  for  himself.    Yet  is  it  not  highly 
paradoxical  to  suppose,  that  a  system  which  recognizes  an 
undefined  relaxation  of  the  law,  can  be  favourable  to  ob^ 
dience?  or  that  it  can  inspire  men  with  respect  for  die 
law  ?    The  law  is  sunk,  by  such  a  system,  in  the  eye  of  the 
subject;  for  although,  in  the  first  place, it  demandctdjiei/€«;^ 
obedience,  yet,  as  it  cannot  get  that,  it  will  be  satisfi^ 
with  sincere^  which,  mean  what  it  may,  cannot  mean  more 
than  all  it  can  get ;  reminding  us  (pardon  the  comparison) 
of  the  itinerating  pedlar  who  comes  to  your  door,  and,  in  the 
first  place,  asks  a  high  price  for  his  article,  but  whom  you 
may  neat  down  from  price  to  price,  till  at  length  he  takes 
what  you  please  to  give  him. 

But  we  gladly  turn  from  a  system  which  thus  sink«  the 


in  tkeir  Temieueif  to  Cowoert  Jew^  Pagma,  Sfc.       163 

la;vry  to  one  that  migixifie»  it,  akid  ttkakes  it  faotxmraUe ;  that 
IB,  the  Tritiitainan  system^  whieh  goes  upon  the-'groundy 
tiiat  the  law  iniitt  have  perfect  obedience  in  every  putic* 
tilioy  from  the  swaddling  band  to  the  shroud ;  that  it  is  of 
no  use  what  men  say,— ^tbat  they  are  good  at  the  bottom,^ 
except  they  are  good  at  the  top,  and  good  all  the  way  from 
the  bottom  to  the  top;  that  perfect  obedience  was  paid  to 
it  by  Christ,  and  is  imputed  to  every  one  that  believes  in 
him — and  that  the  strongest  motives  to  perfect  obedience 
are  supplied  by  the  Redeemer's  agony  and  sofferings. 


« 


There  strongest  motives  stiag. 


**  There  sacred  violence  assaults  the  soul/'         Young. 

It  will  scarcely  be  necessary  ta  stop>  and  ask  which  of 
these  two  will  commend  itself  most  to  the  understandings  of 
these  poor  deluded  devotees  of  cruel  superstitions. 

As  we  flatter  ourselves  that  we  hare  thus  laid  the  foandU'* 
tien  deep  and  sound  in  the  judgment,  we  may  now  appeal  to 
another  faculty,  the  imagination,  for  the  possession  of  which 
oriental  nnbdievers  are  celebrated.  But  here  we  are  aware, 
that  the  soundness  of  this  ground  may  be  questioned  by 
some,  though  we  confess  that  we  do  not  think  it  questionabie^ 
All  the  works  of  God  are  calculated,  Arom  their  beingf 
awfully  vast  or  elegantly  Kttle,  to  fill  the  imagination  wttn 
the  most  sublime,  and  kindling*  and  admiring  conoeptioAS, 
and  may  be  legitimately  used  for  that  purpose^r  *'Tbe 
heavens  that  he  hath  meted  out  with  a  span,  the  waters 
that  he  hath  measured  in  the  hollow  of  his  band,  the 
mountains  Uiat  he  hath  weighed  in  scales,  and  the  liifle 
that  he  has  poised  in  a  balance,''  All  the  imagination  with 
the  highest  conceptions  of  his  power,  and  wisdom,  aih4 
goodness,  and  majesty,  '*who  hath  the  heaven  fbr  bia 
throne,  and  the  earth  for  his  footstool ;  the  cloud  fof  his 
chariot,  and  the  winds  for  the  wtn^s"  on  wbid^i  be  fltea 
through  the  univerae,  ^*  glorious  m  hoHness,  fearft»l  in 
praises,  doing  wondem."  Why  is  it,  then,  that  redemptioti 
— redemption  of  immortal  soula  from  hell  flameSp  ie  tbe 
only  work  of  Ood  that  foils  within  the  range  of  htmian 
knowiedge^-^be  only  work  of  God  that  may  not  be  legi- 
timately employed  to  fill  the  imagination  with  the  most 
sublime  and  exalted  conceptions  of  him  who  accom^ 
pliehed  it  ?  Is  it  the  (tBT,  that  being  so  glorious  a  work, 
It  should  fill  the  imagination  with  too  exalted  ooneep* 
tions  and  sentiments  of  him  who  accompliahed  itt  Or  id 
it  the  fear,  that  it  should  raise  expectations  in  the  rnsnd^ 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  2.  N 


VS4        Vnitarianism  and  Trimtarianwn  eomparedy 

which  the  next  world  will  not  satifify?  Or  what?  &urely» 
if  '*  the  wave  of  mighty  forests,  and  the  rush  of  soumUng 
water&Us/'  and  distant  glimpses  of  human  territory,  and 
pinnacles  of  everlasting  snow,  and  the  sweep  of  that 
circling  horizon,  which  folds  in  its  ample  emorace  the 
whole  of  this  noble  amphitheatre,  are  employed,  and 
legitimately  too,  to  give  birth  to  the  most  exalted  and 
majestic  conceptions  of  God ;  then  the  incarnation  of  the 
Son  of  God,  and  his  atonement  -for  sin,  and  his  resurrec* 
tion  from  the  dead,  and  his  ascension  to  heaven — and  his 
second  coming  to  judge  the  world,  and  take  his  saints  to  a 
glory,  of  which  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive, — may  be 
employed  to  kindle  it  also.  Yes,  they  will  set  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  believer  on  fire,  in  spite  of  all  the  cold  water 
that  men  of  no  imagination,  who  are  philosophically  hard, 
and  scientifically  insensibl^,  may  throw  upon  it.  With 
which  of  these  two  systems  would  the  imaginations  of 
these  deluded  devotees  be  interested,  elevated,  delighted, 
^d  kindledi  Would  it  be  with  that  which  represents 
Christ  a  mere  man— his  mission  that  of  a  prophet — nis  holir 
ness  mere  morality — his  death  a  mere  example  of  patience; 
and  that,  since  his  resurrection,  we  don't  know  where  he  is  f 
Or  with  that  which  represents  him  as  God,  who,  though  he 
was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  became  poor,  in  the  assumption 
of.  pur  natures—that  he  first  appeared  amongst  us  in  the 
form  of  a  little  child — that,  from  his.  swaddling  band  to.  hia 
shroud,  he  -buffeted  with  the  billows  of  trouble,  that  be 
might  know  how  to  sympathize  with  us  in  our  calamities — 
that  he  went  about,  God  and  man  in  one  person,  working 
miracles  as  benevolent  as  they  were  bright,  and  ddivering 

J  arables  as  instructive  as  they  were  true — ^that  he  died  in 
is  human  nature  for  our  sins,  and  rose  again  from  the 
dead  on  the  third  day  for  our  j  ustification — that  he  asoendedi 
to  heaven,  where,  above  that  high  ar4)h,  under  which  we 
sleep  in  our  cradles,  and  worship.in  our  sanctuaries,  and  rot 
in  our  graves,  he  intercedes  at  the  right  hand  of  God  the 
Father  Almighty — and  that  from  thence .  he  will  come  to . 
judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  separate  the  precious  and 
the  vile,  and.raise  his  saints  to  heaven,  where,  in  their  own 
nature,  he  shall  shine  for  ever  the  object  of  their  adoration, 
the  source  of  their  joys,  the  ornament  of  creation,  and  the 
wonder  of  the  universe;  while. they  shall  sing,  the  song, 
f^Unto  him  that  redeemed  us,  and  washed  us  from  our 
sins,  in  his  oifvn  blood,  be  honour  and  glory  for  ever  and 4 


in  their  Tendency  to  Convert  Jews,  Pagans,  Sfc.       165 

«Ter,  in  hallelujahs  lofty  as  the  them«  they  celelirate/'  and 
countless  as  the  ages  through  which  they  shall  roll. 

We  scarcely  need  stay  to  ask  which  system  will  (ill  their 
imaginations  with  the  most  sublime^  ravishing,  and  rich 
conceptions* 

Let  us  now  look  at  them,  in  the  appeal  they  make  to  the 
feeling  of  these  individuals— that  feeline  which  constitutes 
all  the  difference  there  is  between  fallen  men  and  fallen 
angels ;  feeUnff,  the  only  surviving  lineament  of  original 
excellence,  which  has  escaped  the  catastrophe  of  the  fall, 
like  the  solitary  servant  of  Job,  escaped  from  the  destruc-' 
tion  in  which  his  fellows  were  overwhelmed,  and  which, 
like  him,  if  it  could  speak,  would  finish  its  tale  of  woe, 
by  saying,  '*  I,  only  I,  am  escaped  alone  to  tell  thee/' 
Upon  this  feeling,  how  would  these  different  systems 
operate  ?  In  order  to  judge,  listen  to  the  different  state- 
ments they  give  of  human  ruin  and  human  redemption. 
The  Unitarian  scheme  represents  man  as  being  createa  with 
the  principal  part  of  the  appetites  he  possesses,  except  a 
few  which  he  may  have  contracted  by  education  and 
example — and  that  God  is  so  easy  on  the  subject  of  sin, 
that  although  it  is  the  bitter  cause  of  all  our  calamities, 
yet  he  will  pardon  it  without  any  mark  of  his  decisive  hatred 
against  it,  on  our  repentance,  although  its  first  object  is 
to  de&rone  God,  ana  its  next  to  destroy  man.  The  other 
system  represents  man  as  having  fallen  from  original  excel* 
lence  and  happiness  into  sin,  which  is  the  source,  the  proli- 
fic, the  frightfully  prolific  source  of  all  his  sorrows ;  but  that 
God -SO  loved  the  world,  and  so  hated  sin,  as  to  give  his 
only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  on  him  might 
not  pensh,  but  have  everlasting  life.  That  "  herein  was 
love;  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us, and  setit 
his  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  all  our  sins/'  Which  of 
these  two  would  operate  most  powerfully  on  the  feelings  of 
that  poor  Pagan,  who  stands  with  outstretched  hands  and 
horriole  contortions,  muttering  his  deadly  incantations  at 
the  shrines  of  devils,  hardening  his  heart  with  cruelty, 
and  dyeing  his  hands  with  blood?  or  upon  that  poor  TurK, 
who  is  paying  a  visit  to  Mecca,  and,  on  his  bended  knees, 
is  gabbling  over  a  detached  passage  from  the  Koran,  which 
is  another  rivet  to  his  chain,  another  fetter  to  his  delu- 
sion, another  sin  to  his  list?  or  upon  the  feelings  of  that 
Soor  Jew,  who  is  seeking  for  justification  by  tbe  law  of 
loses,  although  just  when  he  seems  to  have  arrived  at  the 
summit  of  his  wishes,  down  all  falls  to  the  dust,  owing  to 


\6Q       .  Vniturianism  and  Trmitarianism  ecmipared. 

tS^  eommiBsioii  of  some  sin,  the  oinissibn  of  sotie  cliity» 
like  the  wretch  in  the  fabled  Pagan  mjrtbolo^y,  who  was 
doomed  to  roll  a  stone  up  to  a  certain  eminence,  and 
always,  whenever  it  seemed  just  at  the  top,  down  it  rolled 
to  the  bottom.  We  leave  our  readers  to  jud^e  which  will 
operate  most  powerfully  on  the  feelings  of  unbelievers,  by 
the  mai^ner  they  operate  upon  their  own. 

Lastly,  let  us  look  at  them,  as  they  are  calculated  to 
operate  u{>on  the  fears  of  mankind,  is  there  any  thing  in 
the  Unitarian  system  to  make  men,  who  are  naturally  in 
love  with  sin,  airaid  of  c<nnmitting  it  ?  Will  they  be  afraid 
of  offending  God  by  it?  No;  i^r  he  is  ao  easy  and  so 
kind,  that  li^  cannot  at  least  be  soon  offended.  Will  they 
be  qfraid  of  future  punishment?  No;  for  there  is  none, 
according  to  this  scheme,  or  next  to  none,  even  for  the  finally 
impenitent.  What  is  there  th^n  to  alarm  their  fears,  if  they 
comniit  sin  I    Nothing,  comparatively  speakins,— nothing. 

L^t  us  now  look  at  the  other  system,  ana  see  hew  it 
alarms  the  sinner.  It  points  us  to  the  Saviour  on  tha 
cross ;  and  who,  with  that  affecting  spectacle  before  his 
eyes,  can  doubt  for  sk  moment,  whetber  it  is,  or  is  not,  God's 
intention  severely  to  punish  sin  ?  Who  that  sees  the  Saviour 
swelled  viith  strokes,  pale  with  death,  besmeared  with 
spittlejt  ftnd  stained  with  blood,  for  sin,  can  doubt  it  for  a 
moment?  This  determination  severely  to  punish  sin,  is 
eminently  calculated  to  work  on  the  fears  ot  mankind,  for 
it  is  got,  not  from  our  own  speculations  about  the  matter, 
but  from  a  fact ;  the  same  fact  by  which  the  feelings  are 
op^rat^d  upon,  and  that  is,  the  crucifixion  of  Christ.  It 
decides  in  a  moment,  in  the  mind  of  the  man  that  believes 
Christ  was  cruqified  for  sin,  that  it  is  God's  determination 
severely  to  punish  it — and  although  this  fact  does  not  say, 
thai;  tb!e  punishment  will  be  everlasting,  yet  still  it  c(m- 
vinces  us,  that  it  could  not  be  from  a  punishment  of  short 
duration,  that  all  this  scale  of  continued  miracles  was  con- 
structed, or  else  there  would  be  such  a  huge  disproportion  be- 
tween the  means  and  end.  It  must  have  been,  nrom  a  punish-^ 
ment  truly  dreadful,  and  which  is  explained  by  the  Saviour, 
the  gentle  Saviour,  himself ;  and  it  is  remarkable,  that  his 
language  is  the  mmt  awful  that  is  to  be  Sound  any  where  on 
the  subject;  "  there  their  worm  dieth  not,  and  their  fire  ia 
not  quenched."  Wbich  of  these  systems  then  will  operata 
most  pow^fttUy  on  the  fears  of  these  men ;  the  Unitarian, 
which  pr^mhesies  smooth  things,  or  the  Trinitarian,  which 
9lH6a  Fire  I  fire!  in  the  ears  of  the  sinner?  ^   . 


Hora  Juridic4Ct  16? 

For  the  reasons  thus  t^tated  at  length,  though  we  arc^ 
apprehensiine  that  they  have  been  but  too  feebly  enforced^ 
we  think  it  abundantly  plain,  that  the  Trinitarian  ficheiM 
will  operate  most  nowerfully  on  the  understandings,  and 
imaginations,  and  reelings,  and  6ear8>'of  unconrerted  men, 
to  whom,  be  they  Pagans,  Mahometans,  Roman  Catho-^ 
lies,  or  mere  nominal  professors  of  a  purer  form  of  Chris^ 
tianity>  we  would  say,  that  the  gospel  answer  to  the  qnes^' 
tion,  '*  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?"  i8>  **  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  savied !" 


jfcjMiMi 


UORJE  JURIDlC-aS,— No*  I. 


0/1  the  Origin  and  Principles  of  the  Law  of  Libel;  and  the 
Punishment  of  Defamation  amongst  the  Jews,  Egyptians, 
ancient  Persians,  and  Lydians. 

Thos£  persons  can  have  formed  but  a  very  imperfect 
notion  of  the  nature  aad  objects  of  Legislation,  in  a  civilizecl 
state,  who  conceive  that  the  pains  and  penalties  of  its  vin-^ 
dictive  sanction  should  be  principally,  if  not  exclusively, 
applied  to  those  injuries  which  immediately  alFect  tiie  lives^ 
the  persons,  or  the  property  of  individual  members  of  the 
commiQiiity.  True  it  is,  indeed,  Uiat  in  the  earlier  stages  of 
society,  the  criminal  code  of  every  country  was  strictly 
confined  within  these  limits ;  and  it  was  so  confined,  for  a 
reason  at  once  sufficient  and  obvious.  Tliere  were^  then,  no 
other  rights  for  the  lawless  to  violate^  or  which  ilie  peace- 
ful subject  could  wish  to  defend.  The  *^koneste  vivere: 
aiteruni  non  ladere:  sunm  cuique  tribuere*^ — ^three  short 
maxims,  to  which  the  Justinian  code  has  reduced  the  whole 
elements  of  jurisprudence,  has  a  higher  origin,  and  a  more 
binding  authority,  than  that  of  a  system  which  weakened 
every  principle  of  equity  it  contained — ^and  they  weie  nei- 
ther few,  nor  difficult  to  be  applied — by  a  mafk  of  tyranny 
in  the  sovereign,  and  of  slavery  in  tfie  people,  which,  con- 
ceived in  but  few  words,  was  in  itself  capable  of  annihi- 
lating the  liberty  of  the  one,  and  establishing  the  despotism 
of  the  other :  **  quod  principi  plaeuit,  legis  hahet  vigorem,**f 
In  fact,  notwithstanding  the  various  speculations  of  cer- 
tain writers,  who  have  shrewdly  suspected  that  theft  is  not 
prohibited  by  the  law  of  nature,  it  might  easily  be  shewn, 
were  this  the  place  to  enter  on  the  disquisition,  tiliat  these 
maxims  constitute  the  elements,  we  had  almost  saidllie  fouh- 
*  Inst.  i.  3.  t  Inst.  11.  6. 


168  Hori^  Juridtt^. 

dation,  of  those  ^tenial,  immutable  principles  of  right 
and  wrong,  with  which  the  revealed  law  of  God  accords, 
and  every  human  law  should  harmonize^  or  lose  its  hold 
upon  the  consciences  of  men.  These  principles  of  justice 
are  adapted^  therefore,  to  every  stage  of  society,  and  should, 
at  all  periods,  form  the  basis  of  its  laws.  But  the  particu- 
lar duties  which  thev  require  to  be  performed  \  the  variety 
of  injuries  they  may  be  made  to  prohibit;  the  incitements 
necessary  to  be  held  forth,  the  punishments  to  be  denoun* 
ced,  to  secure  the  performance  of  the  duty,  and  to  prevent 
the  commission  ot  the  crime,  are  not  so  fixed,  but  must 
change  with  the  chan^ng  manners  of  a  peo|>le  advancing 
from  oarbarism  to  civilization ;  from  civilization  to  refine- 
ment ;  and  from  refinement  but  too  often  sinking  into  pre- 
mature decay. 

8ome  considerable  time  would,  for  instance,  elapse,  ere 
the  savage  of  the  desert  would  be  induced  to  admit  the  su- 

Jerior  right  of  his  brother  savage  to  the  skin  of  the  beast  he 
ad  slain  in  die  chase,  for  a  moment  longer  than  actual  posses- 
sion demonstrated  his  intention  of  appropriatiDg  it  to  him- 
self. His  readiness  and  ability  to  maintain  that  possession^ 
against  any  one  who  should  attempt  to  strip  from  his  back 
the  trophy  of  his  skill,  and  the  only  shelter  of  his  person 
from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather,  would  perhaps,  too, 
after  all,  be  the  best  protection  of  a  property,  so  transient, 
so  ill-defined,  and  so  ill-protected  by  laws,  which  can  only 
derive  a  permanent  and  effectual  sanction  from  mutual  com- 
pact, which,  originating  in  mutual  danger,  ascertains  mu- 
tual rights,  and  establishes,  on  an  equitable  basis,  the 
mutual  relations  of  civil  and  of  social  life.  The  terms  of 
that  compact  must  have  been  pretty  well  understood ;  the 
extent  ot  those  rights  accurately^  however  disproportion- 
ately, ascertained ;  and  the  duties  of  those  relations  defined 
with  a  considerable  degree  of  precision,  before  the  legis- 
lative code  of  any  nation  could  have  provided  remedies 
for  those  ioiuries,  or  punishments  for  those  crimes,  which 
have  not  a  direct  and  immediate,  but  an  indirect  and  more 
remote,  effect  upon  the  happiness  of  individuals,  and  the 
peace  of  society.  If  we  Iook,  therefore,  to  the  earlier  pro- 
visions of  our  own,  or  of  any  other  body  of  laws,  we  shall 
find  them  chiefly,  if  not  solely,  directed  to  the  prevention, 

or  rather  to  the  punishment,  of  offences  committed  by  the 
Btcong  arm  of  open  and  lawless  violence,  the  tendency  of 
which  to  put  in  jeopardy  the  lives   and  property  of  the 

more  honest  and  peaceable  members  of  the  community,  is 


Hof^  Jtmdica.  l(3$i 

neither  Gonceakd,  nor  attempted  to  be  coneealed^  rsUher  thair 
to  guard  agaiost  those  more  subtle  devices  which  effectuate' 
the  same  purpose  by  art  instead  of  force,,  cloaking  themi* 
selves  the  vrhiie  with  pretences  sq  specious,  and  having  so 
little  about  them  to  awaken  the  caution  of  the  most  pru- 
dent,  that  their  real  object  is  not  immediately  discovered. 
It  never  has  been,  and  in  the  nature  of  things  it  never  could 
be,  a  characteristic  of  those  provisions,  that  they  embraced 
circumstances  which  never  could  arise,  iniuries  whicb  could 
have  no  existence,  until  the  manners  and  habits  of  the  peo-- 
pie,  for  the  regulation  of  whose  conduct  they  were  epacted«, 
VI  the  slow,  but  certain  march  of  civilization,,  of  moral  and 
intellectual  refinement,  and  of  commercial  enterprise,  hadi 
assumed  very  different  features  to  those  to  which  they 
could,  and  ought  alone,  to  adapt  themselves. 

Legislation  is  a  progressive  work;. and  from  its  intimate 
connexion' with  the  changing  manners  and  circumstances  ^f 
mankind,  its  advancement  to  perfection,  if  even  to  the 
standard  of  human  perfection  it  ever  can  attain,  must 
inevitably  be  slow.  In  its  earlier  stages,  the  protection  of 
the  lives,  the  persons,  and  the  properties  of  individuals 
from  the  effects  of  inunediate  violation^  and  the  prevention 
of  direct  attempts  to  subvert  the  government  established,  or 
rather  permitted  to  have  an  uncertain  existence,  (suspended 
as  it  were  by  a  single  thread,  which  the  sword  of  any  power- 
ful leader  might  cut,  or  the  storm  of  popular  ccMumotioti 
could  in  an  instant  tear  asunder,)  by  pains  and  penalties 
the  most  effectual  which  the  narrow  capacities  of  tne  legis'^ 
lators  could  devise^  or  the  imperfect  subordination  of  the 
people  would  permit  them  to  enact, — ^is  all  we  must  look  for, 
and  all  that  we  shall  ever  find.  But  as  civilisation  advances, 
as  the  arts  are  cultivated,  as  commerce  extends  itself,  a 
new  order  of  things  arises ;  and  it  is  discovered,  that  there 
are  other  and  often  more  effectual  means  of  gratifying  a 
malicious,  an  envious,  or  a  revengeful  disposition,  than  by 
openly,  or  even  secretly,  though  directly,  attacking  the  peiw 
sons  or  property  of  those  at  whose  prosperity  the  heart  sick- 
ens, or  whose  interests  a  malevolent  spirit  would  seek  to  under- 
mine. As  the  intercourse  and  connexion  of  men^witb  each 
other,  for  the  purposes  of  social  life,  or  of  commercial,  traffic, 
strengthen  and  extend  themselves,  the  necessity  for  mutual 
confidence  attaches  a  value  to  individual  reputation,  which 
in  a  savage  and  uncommercial  state  of  society  must  have 
been  at  its  lowest  ebb,  if  indeed  it  can  be  said  to  have  had 
any  existence  at  all.    But  as  the  value  of  thi&  personal 


ITO  iibrtf  Juridica. 

leputation,  and  the  great  imparlance  of  edtablbhing  aind 
maintaining  a  national  character  for  the  strict  observance 
of  public  faitii,  would  increase  in  an  exact  ratio  with  the 
intercourse  of  indifidaals,  of  public  bodies,  of  governments, 
and  of  nations,  it  most  be  selr-evident,  that  whatever  coold 
contribute  to  extend  this  intercouse,  would  in  an  e^ual 
degree  enlarge  the  means,  and  increase  the  opportunities, 
of  injuring  another,  in  a  point  which,  under  some  circum- 
stances, may  be  dearer  to  him  than  life,  and  often  of  more 
value  than  all  the  property  he  may  possess.  Upon  the 
character  he  maintains  in  the  world,  the  future  enjoyment 
of  the  one,  and  the  increase  or  even  the  continuance  of  the 
other,  may  indeed  frequently  be  feimd  most  essentially  to 
depend.  It  might  also  be  demonstrated  with  equal  ease, 
for  it  is  a  fact  equally  obvious,  that  whatever  gives  genend 
&cility  to  an  attack  upon  personal  reputation,  must  open,  to 
such  as  are  inclined  to  avail  themselves  of  it,  a  wider  field 
for  attempts  to  excite  in  the  minds  of  the  people  sentiments 
of  dissatisfaction  with  the  government  under  which  they  live, 
and  thus  to  weaken  its  authority :  but  the  point  is  too  clear 
to  need  illustration. 

In  the  combined  operation  of  these  two  causes,  the  neees<» 
sity  of  protecting  the  character  of  individuals  from  unjust 
and  unwarrantable  attacks,  and  governments  from  being 
brought  into  contempt  and  jeopardy,  originated  those  legis* 
lative  provisions^  which  are  usually  classed  under  the  head 
of  the  Lnw  of  Scandal,  and  of  Libel.  Of  that  law  it  is  the 
intention  of  the  present  article  of  our  lucubrations,  and  of 
a  (kw  of  its  successors,  to  trace  the  history,  wit^  a  view,  from 
the  practices  of  other  nations,  to  illustrate  and  to  defend 
some  supposed  peculiarities  in  our  own.  Against  these 
the  voice  of  faction  and  of  ignorance  Ihls  raised  the  clamour 
of  innovation,  when,  in  point  of  fact,  the  principles  on  which 
they  Q(re  founded — for  it  is  principles,  and  not  mere  techni*: 
ealities,  which  we  wish  to  discuss — are  s^tfaered  fVom  the 
collective  wisdom  of  ages,  and  sanctioned  by  the  usage  of 
every  nation  and  kindred  of  the  civilixed  world.  The  asser- 
tion may  be  bold,  but  we  hope  to  prove  it  to  be  true,  to  the 
satisfhction  of  every  unprejudiced  mind,  and  to  an  extent 
of  which  even  our  lawyers  are  not  fully  aware* 

That  the  subject  which  is  thus  proposed  for  consideration 
is  an  important  one  to  every  person  who  takes  the  smallest 
share  in  our  public  affiiirs,  or  in  the  poiitical  discussions 
Which  they  engender,  or  who,  in  the  daily  intercourse  and 
mere  private  relations  of  life,  is  called  upon  to  enter  into 


Horm  Juridical*  171 

oominaniostions  Upon  the  chafacter  of  another,  it  cannot 
surely  be  needfiil  to  demonstrate.  Independent  too  of  the 
.immediate  and  personal  interest  which  we  may  all  of  us 
take  in  its  inTestigation,  there  is  attached  to  the  subject,  a 
question  of  deep  public  interest,  and  of  very  general  im« 
portance,  inyolring  no  less  than  the  liberty  of  the  press 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  check  of  its  licentiousness  on  the 
other. 

In  discussing  such  a  subject,  it  can  scarcely  be  necessary 
to  observe,  that  the  term  libel,  which,  to  a  modem  ear,  is 
apt  as  it  were  intuitively  to  convey  the  idea  of  a  publica- 
tion of  some  criminal  matter,  is,  in  its  literal  meaning, 
perfectly  harmless,  being  but  a  mere  diminutive  of  the 
Latin  word  iiber,  and  signifying  nothing  more  than  a 
written  composition,  or  litUe  book.*  And  even  on  its  firet 
adoption  as  a  technical  term  by  the  Roman  lawyers,  its 
import  was  very  different  to  that  which  we  now  attach  to  it, 
for  they  employed  it  as  the  distinctive  apnellation  of  the 
roll  delivered  to  the  praetor  in  open  court,  oy  the  plaintiff 
or  accuser,  in  every  cause  which  was  brought  before  him  ;*t' 
answering  in  substance  to  the  declarations,  indictments, 
and  infonnations  ex  officio  of  our  modem  law,  and  indeed^ 
when  reduced  to  writing,  to  legal  proceedings  in  general.;^ 
Bnt  in  the  fonims,  and  the  codes  of  the  Roman  emperors, 
the  term  thus  engrafted  on  the  law  soon  acquired  a  more 
exclusive  application  to  those  writings  which  reflected 
upon  the  conduct  of  persons  in  autborityy  or  on  the  cha^ 
racters  of  individ«als,§  though  in  its  general  application  k 
was  still  variovsly,  and,  as  it  would  seem,  indifferently, 
employed  to  denote  petitions  and  remonstrances  to,  and 
written  answers  or  messages  from,  the  emperors  and  other 
persons  of  rank  ;||*--inforoiations,  state  papers,  and  writings 
of  a  publio  nature  in  general  ^  briefs  or  instructions  of  the 

*  Enaius  Fragm.  Horace  Carm.  v.  8, 15 ;  Epist.  i.  13,  4. 9, 17,  &g. 
Ovid,  Fast,  i,  \M,  ii.  549;  ex  Foot.  iv.  xxi.  25.  et  passim;  Phae- 
drus  t.  ptol.  3.;  Cicero  pro  Clement.  51;  Ausonias,  EpSg.  ix.  1. 
xxiv.  3.  &c. 

t  Horace,  Sat  1.4,  66. ;  Plin.  Epist.  vii.  27.  x.  6,  5. ;  Javenal, 
Sat.  vi.  143. ;  Qaintiliaa,  lost.  vi.  2.  xii.  8. ;  Tacitus  Add.  ii.  44. 

X  Plaotus  Carculio  i.  2,  6. ;  Juvenal,  Sat.  xxxi.  107. ;  Suetonius 
Nero,  15. ;  Claud.  37.  Cicero  is  Ycrr.  i.  6. 

%  Tacitus,  Ann.  i.  72.;  Saet.  Aug.  55. 

ft  Quint  Inst.  vL  3.;  Martial  viii.  31,  S2.  xi.  1.;  Cieero  ad  Attic. 
XYi.  16. ;  Pliu.  i.  10.  Bpist  iii.  18.  v.  14.  vii.  12.  x.  297,  ^. ;  Juf  enal. 
Sat  xiv.  193» 

1[  Ovid.  Ibis.  39.;  Tacitus  i.  11,  74  ;  ii.  30.  vi.  8.;  Saetonias, 
Galb.  80. ;  Florus,  iv.  12. 


l7d  Hora.  Juridica, 

wlvocates;*  written  papers  held  in  the  bandit  mere 
memoranda ;  I  a  packet  or  parcel  ;§  epigrams,  and  the 
little  satirical  effusions  which  have  since  oeen  denomina- 
ted pasquinades ; II  advertisements  of  spectacles,^  and 
public  notifications  in  general;**  booksellers'  shops; ft 
the  pro^mma  of  the  meatres,  and  painted  exhibitions  of, 

every  kind.jji 

The  very  derivation  of  the  term,  upon  which,  for  a 
wonder,  our  legal  antiquaries  are  perfectly  agreed,  and  have 
no  shrewd  surmises  to  offer,  makes  it  self-evident  that  libel- 
ling, according  to  the  strict  definition  of  the  term  adopted 
by  our  law  from  the  later  of  the  Roman  jurists,  could  not 
prevail  to  any.  very  alarming  extent,  but  with,  a  people, 
amount  whom  the  art  of  writing  was  pretty  genearally 
practised.  In  the  earlier  of  the  ancient  codes,  as  well-  as 
in  those  of  more  modern  nations,  before  that  art  was  in  any 
very  extensive  use,  we  must  not  therefore  be  surpriseo, 
that  we  find,  but  very  little  upon  the  subject*  Most  of 
diem  contain,  however,  provisions  more  or  less  severe,  for 
the  suppression  of  that  disposition,  which,  by  no  means 
deficient  in  the  will,  wanted  but.  the  means  to -diffuse  and 
perpetuate  the  slander,  which,  from  pure  necessity,  was 
confined  to  a  verbal  publication,  injurious  and  malicious 
in-a greater  or  a. less  proportion,  according.to  the  circum- 
stances of  time  and  place  under  which  it  might  be  made. 
To  those  ruder  enactments  asrainst  scandal  and  defama- 
tion, which  may  not  inaptly  oe  termed  the  law  of  libels^ 
non  scripti,  we  shall  therefore  direct  some  portion  of  the 
reader's  attention,  inasmuch  as  they  were  the  foundation  of 
the  more  finished  system  of  laws  for  preventing  the  publi- 
cation of  those  libelli  scripti,  which,  in  modem  days,  have 
extended  themselves,  with  the  extension  -  of  writing  and 
printing,  to  a.degree  that  has  alarmed  some  of  the  most 
zealous  supporters  of  the  liberty  of  the  press,  who  wish  not 
that  its  licentiousness  should  be  pemutted  to  attack,  with 
equal  impunity,  the  throne  and  the  altar;  whilst  it  affords 
a  secure  protection  to  the  vilifier  of  his  prince,  the  insulter 

*  Juvenal,  Sat.  vi. 243.;  vii.  107.;  Martial,  v.  61. 1.;  Quint.  Inst, 
vi.  2. ;  xii.  8. 

t  Pliny,  Epist.  vi.  5. ;  Quint.  Inst.  x.  7.  J  Suet.  Aug.  84. 

§  Cicero,  Attic,  xi.  I. 

II  Juvenai,  Sat.  i.  92. ;  Soetonius,  Domit.  14. ;  Quint.  Inst.  viiL  6. 

4  Gatulias,  liii.  4.  ^*  Cicejro,  Philipp.  li.  38. 

tt  Cicero  pro  Quint.  6, 15,  19. ;  Senec.  de  Benef.  iv.  12. ;  Pctro» 
nius,  Sat.  28. 

II  Horace,  Sat.  i.  41. ;  Suetonius,  Tib.  306. 


Hora  Juridica,  173 

of  his  country's  laws*  and  the  bold  blasphemer  of  bis  God. 
This  course  will,  too,  in  some  measure,  prepare  them  for  the 
remarks  which  we  intend  to  offer,  on  what  we  cannot  but  con* 
sider  one  of  the  most  glaring  errors  of  our  own  law  for  the. 
punishment  of  defamation  generally ;  in  the  wide  distinction 
which  they  make  in  the  punishment  of  scandal  spoken,  and 
the  same  scandal  when  reduced  to  writing;  a  distinction 
which,  as  we  shall  then  endeavour  to  prove,  is  not  founded 
on  any  correct  principles  of  reasoning,  but  which,  on  the 
contrary,  in  its  practical  application,  is  productive  of  the 
greatest  evils,  as  well  as  pregnant  with  the  grossest 
absurdity. 

In  all  historical  investigations,  a  believer  in  revelation> 
is  naturally^  led  to  look,  in  the  first  place,  to  the  Jewish 
records,  as  by  far  the  most  ancient  in  existence;  and  of  the 
state  of  the  law. of  defamation  amongst  that  extraordinary 
people,  who  for  a  long  period  had  the  Almighty  at  once 
for  their  lawgiver  and  King,  the  following  account  has  been 
given  by  Mr.  Holt,  in  the  Introduction  to  his  Treatise  on 
the  Law  of  libel.'*'' 

"  Amongst  the  Jews,  to  whom  a  distinct  revelation  was 
made,  one  of  the  main  purposes  of  which  was  to  revive, 
the  characters  of  the  law  of  nature,  and  to  retrace  those 
laws  which  were  defaced  and  almost  obliterated  by  corrupt 
traditions, — to  slander  any  one,  particularly  those  in  author 
rity,  was  expressly  forbidden,  and  the  suSject  of  a  curse, 
by  the  law  of  Moses." 

We  have,  however,  carefully  examined  the  22d  and  25d 
chapters  of  Exodus,  referred  to  in  support  of  this  statement; 
but  neither  there,  nor  in  any  other  part  of  the  Pentateuch, 
can  we  find  any  very  express,  provision  against  slandering 
another.  '*  Thou  shalt  not  revile  the  gods,  nor  curse  the 
ruler  of  thy.people,"t  is  the  only  passage  in  the  first,  which 
has  any  relation  to  the  subject;  but  surely,  cursing  the 
gods  or  rulers  of  the  people,  (fdr  here,  as  in  some  other 
parts  of  the  sacred  writings,  those  terms  are  synonymous,) 
IS  a  very  difierent  thing  from  expressly  prohibiting  to 
slander  any  one,  and  rendering  that  prohibition  the  subject 
of  a  curse.  In  the  earlier  of  the  legislative  codes,  the 
first  of  these  offences  is  raised  into  a  species  of  lasa 
majestas,  or  high  treason ;  whilst  of  the  latter — for  they 
took  much  better  care  of  kings,  and  those  in  authority  under 
them,  than  of  the  people — tney  scarcely  make  the  slightest 
mention.  Nor  does  the  second  chapter  afford  much  better 
*  Pa^e  3.  t  Bxodus,  xxii.  26. 


174  Hora  Juridicdd4 

gtontid  for  the  assertion,  since  the  first  verse  alone  can  at 
any  rate  be  pressed  into  the  service ;  and  it  may  reasonably 
be  doubted  whether  the  enactment  contained  in  its  former 
clause,  "  tbou  shalt  not  raise  a  false  report/'  does  not  much 
more  nearly  approach  to  the^&a  clamor,  than  to  the  scan- 
dal or  defamation  of  our  law ;  whilst  there  can  be  no  hesita- 
tion in  identifying  that  of  the  latter,  **  jmt  not  thy  hand 
with  the  wicked  to  be  an  unrighteous  witness,''  with  the 
penary,  and  subornation  of  perjury,  of  modem  times. 

The  laws  of  the  ancient  Egyptians,  as  far  as  we  are 
acquainted  with  their  provisions,  are  equally  silent  upon  the 
subject  of  simple,  defamation.  That  aggravated  specie^ 
of  It,  which  was  sought  to  be  effected  by  rendering  the 
courts  of  Justice  the  unconscious  ministers  of  personal 
malice,  or  by  calling  in  the  sanction  of  an  oath  to  support 
a  charge  falsely  preferred  arainst  another,  was  visited  with 
great,  and,  in  so  advanced  a  stage  of  society,  with  very 
unnecessary  severity.  Perjury, .  partly  from  a  religious, 
amd  partly  from  a  political  motive,  was  m  all  cases  punished 
by  death,  it  being  looked  upon  as  a  crime  little  less  de- 
structive of  the  peace  of  the  community,  than  it  was 
insulting  to  the  majesty  of  the  gods.  In  the  like  vindic* 
tive  spirit,  false  accusers  were  punished  in  the  same  manner 
as  those  whom  they  accused  would  have  been,  had  they 
been  convicted — an  application  of  the  lex  talionis,  by  no 
means  peculiar  to  this  remote  period  of  the  history  of  the 
world,  inasmuch  as  it  still  pervades  the  <iodes  of  several 
of  the  northern  nations,  and  was  once  attempted  in  our 
own.'"'  It  may,  however,  be  questioned,  whether  these  laws 
for  the  punishment  of  perjury  and  false  accusations,  severe 
as  they  unquestionably  are,  would  have  been  sufficient  to 
prevent  the  evil  resulting  from  individual  reputation,  being 
in  other  points  left  open  to  attack,  amongst  a  people 
whose  progress  in  the  arts  would  abundantly  furhish  them 
with  the  m^ans,  as  the  extent  of  their  commerce  would 
readily  supply  the  inducement,  to  traduce  and  undermine 
the  character  of  their  neighbours.  But  here  the  precau- 
tions of  their  well-arranged,  Ibough  arbitrary  system  of 
police,   aided    the   defective  legislation  of  this   singular 

*  By  37  Edw.  III.  o.  18.  which  provided,  that  such  as  preferred  any 
8ug;§^e9tioiis  to  the  kinj^'s  great  council,  should  put  in  pledgos  of 
taliation,  to  incur  the  same  punishment  as  would  have  been  iniicied 
upon  the  persons  whom  they  accused ,  in  case  of  4beir  conviction, 
should  the  char^i^  prove  to  foe  untrue.  But  after  the  trial  of  a  single 
year,  this  law  was  repealed. 


Hora  Juridica.  175 

people,  ihftsmuch  a9  the  strict  injunction  upon  eTery  indi* 
vidual  to  give  in,  to  the  gorernor  of  his  ni ovince,  a  true  and 
correct  account  of  the  manner  in  which  ne  gained  his  liveli- 
hood, under  pain  of  death,  if  that  account  should  in  any 
lespect  be  false,  would  effectually  prevent  men  of  talent, 
witnout  principle,  from  carrying  on  the  trade  of  a  common 
libeller,  which,  after  all,  is  far  more  injurious  to  personal 
reputation,  and  to  the  safety  of  the  state,  than  any  attack 
that  might  be  feared  from  the  tongues  of  persons  envious 
of  individual  prosperity,  or  who  conceived  themselves 
called  upon  to  revenge  their  own  real  or  imaginary  wrongs, 
by  bcrfdmg  up  to  tike  contempt  of  the  people  the  govern- 
ment wbidb  had  inflicted  them.  In  the  one  instance,  you 
have,  it  is  true,  plenty  of  combustible  matter,  but  it  may 
remwi  innoxious  for  ever,  for  want  of  the  spark  to  explode 
it ;  in  the  other,  you  have  the  torch  and  the  train  always 
ready  to  be  applied  to  every  inflammatory  substance, 
which  waited  but  the  first  touch  of  ignition,  to  spread 
abroad  in  every  direction  a  destructive  volume  of  smoke  and 
flame. 

*'  The  Persians,"  says  the  writer  already  referred  to,* 
in  the  Introduction  to  his  work,  "  had  a  law  which  declared 
it  infamous  to  be  detected  in  a  lie.  A  people  enacting  a 
positive  law  in  mere  morals,  could  not  be  unprovided  with 
a  punishment  for  defamation." 

This  certainly  seems  to  be  a  very  natural  and  legitimate 
conclusion :  we  would  accompany  it,  however,  by  this  obser- 
vation, that  the  extraordinary  attention  bestowed  by  the 
ancient  Persians,  in  training  up  their  children  in  the  public 
seminaries,  to  an  habitual  direction  of  their  views  to  the 
public  good;  the  military  spirit  of  their  nation^  which 
appears  for  a  long  period  to  have  been  an  utter  stranger  to 
commerce,  and  never  tp  have  pursued  it  to  any  extent; 
and,  above  all,  their  blind  obedience  to  everv  indication  of 
their  monarch's  will,  and  the  awe  with  which  they  contem- 
plated its  nnnisters, — would,  in  all  probability,  render  the 
infamy  attached  to  detection  in  a  lie,  sufficient  to  prevent 
an  inclination  to  public  or  private  defamation  from  gaining 
much  ground  amongst  them.  It  was  the  character  also  of 
the  laws  of  the  ancient  Persians,  according  to  the  repre- 
sentations of  Xenophon,  who  had  sufficient  opportunities 
of  making  himself  acquainted  with  them,  that  they  tended 
more  than  those  of  any  other  nation  to  prevent,  rather  than 
to  punish,  crime;  to  deter  men  from  the  commission  of 
*  Holt's  Treatise  on  the  Law  of  Libel,  p^  3,  4. 


17G  Hodge's  Dissertation  on  the 

eiil,  by  iaspiring  them  with  q,  love  of  virtae  and  a  hatred  of 
yice^  rather  than  by  a  hope  of  reward,  or  fear  of  punish- 
ment.* 

In  a  very  short  note  upon  a  case  in  his  twelfth  Report,+ 
my  Lord  Coke  informs  us,  that  the  law  of  the  Lydians 
was,  "  that  he  who  slanders  another  shall  be  let  blood  in 
the  tongue,  and  he  who  hears  it,  and  assents  to  it,  in  the 
ear,  &c.,"  but  as  he  does  not  refer  us  to  the  authority  upon 
which  he  makes  this  assertion,  we  have  not  been  able  to 
discover  at  what  period  of  their  history  this  law  was 
enacted,  though  from  its  singular,  and,  if  we  may  so  apply 
the  term,  quaint  infliction  of  punishment  upon  the  very 
organs  which  were  the  immediate  instruments  in  commit- 
ting the  offence,  we  should  be  inclined  to  ascribe  it  to  an 
early  stage  bf  their  legislation.  There  is  every  reason  to 
conclude,  that  the  Lydians  were  a  far  more  commercial 
people  than  were  their  conquerors  the  Persians,  and  this 
circumstance  may  account  for  the  pains  taken  by  their 
lawgivers  to  prevent  defamation,  though  the  remedy  they 
applied  must  have  been  somewhat  more  curious  than  effi* 
cacious. 

/J. 

A  Dissertation  on  the  Importance  of  Biblical  Literature. 
By  Charles  Hodge,  A.M.,  Teacher  of  the  Original  Lan^ 
guages  of  Scripture;  in  the  Theolosical  Seminary  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  at  Princeton,  New-Jersey. 

Biblical  Literature  is  usually  divided  into  two  great  parts, 
denominated  Criticism,  and  Interpretation,  orHermeneutics. 
The  object  of  the  former,  is  to  determine  what  is  the 
genuine  text  of  sacred  scripture ;  of  the  latter,  to  discover 
and  exhibit  its  meaning. 

The  series  of  books  which  compose  the  sacred  volume 
were  written  at  different  times,  during  a  period  of  sixteen 
hund:  .d  years.  The  latest  of  these  productions,  therefore, 
have  come  down  to  us  through  a  series  of  more  than  seven* 
teen  centuries ;  and  the  earliest  have  been  preserved  for 
more  than  three  thousand  years.  During  this  long  period, 
they  have  undergone  innumerable  transcriptions  in  almost 
every  part  of  the  world,  and  by  every  description  of  per** 
sons.  We  find,  from  our  own  experience,  that  it  is  difficult 
to  transcribe  a  single  page  without  making  some  mistake ; 
and  that  to  transcribe  a  volume  without  an  error,  would  be 

*  Anab.  lib.  i.  f  PaS*  36. 


Impafriance  of  Bihlicul  Literature.  177 

almost  impossible.  That  the  sacred  scriptaires,  therefore, 
should  have  be^i  exempted  from  all  errors  of  this  nature, 
would  haye  required  a  miraculous  superintendence  of  every 
one  who  undertook  to  transcribe  them.  We  hare  the  most 
convincing  proof,  that  no  such  miraculous  influence  has 
ever  been  granted.  It  has  been  found,  on  the  collation  of 
the  numerous  maiiuscripts  still  extant,  and  on  the  exami- 
nation of  other  sources  of  information,  that  the  number  of 
discrepances  is  very  great,  and  indeed  at  first  view  appal- 
ling. It  becomes,  therefore,  a  matter  of  great  difficulty  and 
impdrtance,  to  determine,  amidst  this  vast  multitude,  which 
is  the  true  reading,  and  to  fix  with  certainty  the  text  which' 
proceeded  from  the  sacred  penmen.  The  importance  o£ 
this  subject  is  such,  that  it  early  forced  itself  on  the  atten« 
tion  of  uxe  friends  of  revelation.  Even  as  early  as  the  time 
of  Origen,  the  discrepances  between  the  several  copies  of 
the  Septuagint  were  so  numerous  and  serious,  that  he  was 
induced  to  devote  more  than  twenty-eight  years  of  his  life 
to  a  laborious  attempt  to  restore  its  purity,  and  bring  it  to 
a  nearer  coincidence  with  the  Hebrew,  in  this  department 
of  sacred  criticism^  he  was  followed  by  Lucian  of  Antioch, 
and  Hesychius  of  Egypt,  whose  revised  editions  became 
^e  standard  conies  of  their  respective  countries,  and  seem 
to  have  included  the  New  Testament  as  well  as  the  Sep- 
tuagint. 

The  same  disagreement  which  Origen  had  found  in  the 
Greek  scriptures,  Jerome  complains  of  in  the  Latin.  As 
this  ancient  version  had  been  made  from  the  Septuagint, 
ivhich  was  then  the  standard  both  of  the  Eastern  and  Westv 
ern  churches,  Jerome  at  first  had  courage  to  attempt  no- 
thing more  than  a  correction  of  this  translation,  from  the 
improved  text  of  the  Greek  scriptures,  fomished  by  the' 
labours  of  Origen.  But  his  manuscripts  being  lost  or 
destroyed,  he  embraced  the  bolder  resolution  of  making  a 
version  from  the  Hebrew  text  itself.  This  translation, 
about  the  year  six  hundred,  received  the  sanction  of  the 
Bishop  of  Rome^  and  became  the  standard  of  the  Roman- 
church. 

Previously  to  the  time  of  Jerome,  though  at  what  pre- 
cise period  is  unknown,  the  Jews  had  begun  to  devote  much 
attention  to  the  cultivation  of  the  Hebrew  language,  and 
the  preservation  of  their  sacred  writings.  The  two  prin- 
cipal, seats  of  their  learning  ^ere,  Tiberias,  for  the  western 
Jews^  and  Babylon  for  the  eastern.  At  the  former  of  these 
places  was  composed  the  Jerusalem  Talmud,  at  the  latter 


17S  Hodge^s  Dissertation  on  the 

the  Babylonish ;  contaimng  the  traditionary  law  of  tfae  Jeirs, 
with  the  comments  of  their  doctors.  Bot  what  at  present 
we  are  more  interested  in,  is  the  incredible  labour  they 
devoted  to  fix  the  text  of  the  Hebrew  scriptures,  and  to  pre* 
serre  it  immaculate.  The  Masora,  which  is  one  of  the 
most  surprising  monuments  of  human  industry,  contains 
the  result  of  their  labours.  It  embraces  the  enticisms  on 
the  text,  which  had  been  handed  down  from  their  ances- 
tors ;  the  most  minute  details  respecting  the  size,  form,  and 
position  of  the  letters ;  the  number  of  letters  in  each  book, 
and  in  the  whole  Bible ;  how  often  each  letter  occurs ;  and 
the  rules  to  be  observed  in  transcribing  the  sacred  rolmne ; 
m  shorty  nothing  seems  to  have  been  omitted,  which  inge- 
nuity and  industry  could  devise  and  accomptish,  to  preserve 
the  Hebrew  scriptures  from  the  slightest  alteration.  When 
these  Jews  were  driven  from  the  east,  they  carried  with 
them  to  the  southern  parts  of  Spain,  their  fondness  for  Bib- 
lical criticism,  and  rendered  the  twelfth  century  famons,  by 
the  writings  of  Maimonides,  Aben  Etra,  David  Kimcfai,  8co« 
Such  was  the  effect  of  the  labours  of  the  Masorites,  that 
the  Jews  generally  imbibed  the  belief  of  the  perfect  exemp-* 
tion  o^the  Hebrew  Bible  from  all  errors  in  letters,  points, 
and  accents.  On*  the  revival  of  Hebrew  literature  among 
the.  Christians,  shortly  befcHre  the  Reformation,  the  same 
belief  of  the  immaculate  purity  of  the  sacred  text  was  em- 
braced by  them.  It  was  not  until  the  Samaritan  Pentateuch 
was  discovered,  and  brought  into  Europe,  in  sixteen  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  that  much  diversity  of  opinion  on  thia 
subject  seems  to  have  existed.  As  this  copy  of  the  law  of 
Moees  was  vnritten  in  the  Hebrew  language,  but  without 
the  vowel  points,  and  in  the  Samaritan  charact^,  critics 
were  led  to  question  the  antiquity  both  of  the  Hebrew 
points  and  letters.  As  it  was  still  farther  observed,  that 
the  Samaritan  and  Hebrew  Pentateuchs  differed  frequently 
in  thrir  readings,  Morinus  was  led  to  infer  from  this  fact, 
and  from  the  diversity  which  existed  between  the  Hebrew 
and  the  Septuagint,  that  the  former  was  much  corrupted. 
In  the  year  sixteen  hundred  and  fifty,  Capellus  published 
his  Cntica  Sacra,  in  which  he  took  the  more  moderate 
ground  of  maintaining,  that  the  Hebrew  scriptures  had  de- 
scended to  us  with  the  usual  inaccuracies  attendant  on  all 
works  frequently  transcribed.  The  opposition  made  to 
these  sentiments  by  Buxtorf  and  others,  was  of  the  most 
serious  kind.  The  doctrines  of  Capellus,  however,  were 
soon  adopted  by  Walton,  and  since  that  period  have  rapidly 


Imfm^hcmt^  0/  lUhlkdt  tAiefdinre.  i7^ 

g&ifl«d  pmtiti.    The  pr^irdeaee  of  the§e  cpttthM  nsHftffalfy 

SLW  ri^e  to  thfe  denire  of  ftnowiitg  the  am^  stsf^  df  tih^ 
d^rew  text,  «ad  the  dt«o«in€  of  ^e  dfi^ersity  trbich  r^dlly 
esMted«  Tbid  led  fo  the  {mbG^fltion  of  KetxtAt6tfn  isde^ 
Wated  editkm  of  the  HebrefW  BrUe;  fofttied  f^om*  atl  exten- 
sive colltttioM  of  mitawsttlpt^,  both  m  ^ghmd  ttid  otr  {frd 
eontiDeiif*  Thwvwork  wae^  fiflaUy  cotfri|lefed  m  s^evenrt^eiiett 
huRd^ed  and  eighty,  attefided  wi^  an  httmenif e  tttimber  of 
Varro w»  readidgs,  tbow^h  fe^  of  them  are  of  Ae  ItAtit  ithpat- 
Umce.  Tbie  eoRecCtoiy  has  been  etiftvsidtnSsfy  intreMea  bt 
the  laboars  of  I>e  Roam,,  wbo  has  been  fbHowed  by  J.  s, 
Mighacfw,  and  ESehhom,  in  Ais  departmeftf . 

Thfe*  high  fdev  enfeitc^ived  of  iSve  ptmty  of  the  Hetffetr 
«Mi,  WW  to-  a  coMiderable  exterd  tmngfeired  to-  die  recefted 
text  ot  the  Vew  Tefitaiiieat,  idirch  was  supposi^d,  by  Chris- 
liams  geneinA^,  tb  be  as  ftere  from  ail  imperfet^4iotf,  aa  iSi6 
My  Tefigvott  it  reeorded.  This*  tefxt  became  fixedF  iiv  fh^ 
BlzeTir  edyiioir  of  shrteeti^  hundred  audf  twenty-lotnr.  IPhti 
faiaCory  of  the  f^miation  of  the  reee«^df  teid,  ^  ^x&iftit^d 
i«  thfe  edition,  ia  tlHiB' briefly  attmmed  ttp-  by  Qriesbaob'  oti 
fti^  kffty^w&of  hfrPVolegomena.  "The  ©Ttevfr*  editioii 
was  fofiaed  from  filaf  of  tkta^  and  tbe  thitdf  of  l^pben^: 
Beza  follofW*  t!fie»  thrttf  of  aStephen^,  with^  very  ffetr  aite- 
ratiods.  TtM  edMott  of  Stephens  wa^  tfte*  fifth  of  l^s- 
iiiuB  retrriated,  wiA  the  exeepttovr  of  (lire  few  tn^tantei 
in-  ^iAtifch  be  pt«ii%rfed  the^  Cbmpfui^inrikn.  Btcsmutf  forttfed 
hh  text  froffi  8'few  mocfertrmaimscript]^,  nvith  tbe  assiinstnob 
of  Ihe  £a«ki:  Tulgate,  and  the  wrrting^  of  d;  few  of  tbe 
fathers  iiSEiCCiirately  edited."*' 

Shortly  after  tfie  formation  of  \be  receirerf  text,  i»r  the 
Sfaevir  editiorr  in  arxteerr  hundred  and  twenty-fbttr,  Bfbfi^ 
cal  Literature  received- a  conardenlbre  accessron,  in  the  ptrb- 
Ifteatron  of  Wsitoi/a  Folyglott,  and  sdbseqaently  of  Father 
Binvon's  CVitical  Histories'  of  die  €9<f  Testament  and  ffew 
Tesitoienlis.  The  attention  bestowed  on  tbfsr  snbject  gra- 
dtaill^  increased,  and  tfre  ntrmber  of  disctefpances  was  found 
to  be  more  and  more-  conaitferable.  The*  received  text  waa 
gradually  obtaining  the  sanctity  of  age;  and  die  atLtht>rity 

.  *  CkitsbacKysry  properly  EMDarJupthat  ao-  edkien  ft#  eatided*  t9 
aajr  autBerity  of  Hseff^  bat  iir  to  be-  estimated  by  the  value  of  the 
amt^alk  from  wMcb  it  wa^  formed  tt  has  providentially  happened, 
aecordin£to  &e  opinion  of  later  critics,  that  the  manugcripts  whence 
ftraannn,  and  the  other  earfy  edltonr,  formeif  their  edi'fions,  bisloog 
lb  therery  cfass,  wHfbbrof  alT  others  i^  of  the  most  valde»and  t&al 
therefore  the  rccervet^  text  is*  better  enttned  to'  .our  confidence,  tfian 
any  other  which  has  yet  been  formed. 
VOL.  VIII. — ^o.  2.  o 


}80^  Hodge's  Duseriatwn  an  iht 

of  loDg  jcootmued  acceptance,  when  the  Christian  world 
was  aroused  by  the  appearance  of  the  edition  of  Dr.  MilU 
with  its  thirty  thousand  various  readings.  The  subject  now 
assumed  so  serious  an  aspect,  that  the  enemies  of  the  truth 
stood  in  wishful  expectation  to  see  the  very  foundation  pf 
the  church  undermined,  and  the  pious  were  turning  them-* 
pelves  to  God  as  their  last  refuge.  As  this  subject,  for  a 
•time,  almost  engrossed  the  attention  of  Christendom,  it 
was  pursued  with  the  greatest  ardour.  The  materials  of 
this  science  have  thus  not  only  been  greatly  increased,  but 
reduced  to  the  order  of  a  regular  system,  by  the  labours  of 
Wetstein,  Bengel,  Semler,  and  especially  of  Griesbach. 
Although  the  various  readings  have  been  made  to  amount 
to  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  yet  since 
it  has  been  found,  that  rules  or  criteria  could  easily  be  de- 
termined upon,  whose  application  would  decide,  in  almost 
every  important  instance,  which  was  the  original  reading, 
and  that  the  vast  majority  of  these  discrepances  were  of 
no  importance,  relating  to  mere  differences  of  orthography, 
arrangement  of  words^  or  other  trivial  particulars,  the  hopes 
and  fears  of  the  enemies  and  the  friends  of  the  truth,  have 
alike  subsided,  and  the  church  with  more  confidence  than 
ever  can  exclaim — Verbum  Dei  manet  in  atemumJ* 
.  It  surely  will  not  be  considered  an  unreasonable  requi- 
sition, that  we  review  the  course  of  this  investigation,  and 
follow  the  steps  which  have  led  to  this  delightful  result; 
that  we  carefully  consider  the  evidence,  that  the  Bible  we 
now  have,  is  essentially  the  Bible  which  proceeded  from 
the  sacred  writers.  To  lead  us  over  this  course,  and  «xhi<- 
bit  this  evidence,  is  the  6ffice  of  sacred  criticism.  As  this 
is  a  subject -of  great  interest  and  importance,  it  is  also 
one  of  considerable  extent,  requiring, 
,.  1.  As  it  regards  the  Old  Testament,  a  history  of  the 
sacred  text,  through  different  periods,  from  its  formation  to 
the  present  day,  including  an  account  of  the  manner  in 
whicn  the  several  books  were  originally  written,  compiled, 
and  preserved,  and  the  various  means  devised  for  maintain- 
ing or  restoring  their  purity. 

The  first  pomt  of  interest  on  this  subject,  is  the  consi- 
deration of  the  question  respecting  the  purity  of  the  Hebrew 
text;  and  having  come  to'  the  conclusion,  now  universally 

'  *  It  should  be  stated,  that  these  errors  do  not  affect  the  integrity  of 
the  text.  Because,  to  almost  every  instance,  they  are  the  mere  mis- 
takes of  transcribers ;  and  the  true  reading ^  though  lost  in  one  copy, 
is  preserved  in  another. 


Importance  of  Biblical  Lileraiure.  181 

admitted,  that  there  is  no  such  thing  as  a  text  immaculatdy 
pure,  to  inquire  into  the  various  sources  of  the  errors  found 
to  exists  and  to  arrange  them  in  their  proper  classes. 

Our  second  object  should  be^  the  consideration  of  the 
means  by  which  the  purity  of  the  text  may  be  restored* 
This  requires  a  knowledge  of  the  sources  whence  its  origi* 
nal  state  is  to^  be  learnt,  such  as  ancient  manuscripts,  yer* 
sions,  and  quotations. 

With  regard  to  manuscripts,  we  must  learn  the  circum- 
stances by  which  their  comparative  authority  is  to  be  deter- 
mined ;  as,  their  antiquity,  the  care  with  wnich  they  have 
been  written  and  preserved,  and  the  particular  family  or 
class  to  which  they  belong. 

The  consideration  of  the  ancient  versions  leads  us  into 
die  extensive  history  of  the  LXX.  Whether  this  version 
derived  its  name  from  the  belief^  that  seventy-two  persons  * 
were  engaged  in  the  translation,  or  from  its  being  made 
mider  the  sanction  of  the  council  of  seventy  elders,  is  un- 
certain. It  is  strongly  recommended  to  our  atttention,  by- 
its  hi^h  antiquity ;  by  the  authori^  it  so  long  maintained, 
both  in  the  Jewish  and  Christian  church;  by  the  influence 
it  has  had  on  the  style  of  the  New  Testament;  and  its 
importance  in  ascertaining  the  ancient  readings  of  the  Old. 
The  other  versions  of  importance  are,  the  Gredk  translations 
of  Aquila,  Symmachus,  and  Theodotion — the  ancient  Latin,, 
the  Syriac,  and  the  Chaldee  Paraphrases,  or  Jewish  Tar- 
g^ms.  Each  of  these  versions  is  considered  as  in  s(nne 
measure  exhibiting  the  text,  at  the  period  in  which  they 
were  respectively  made.  In  this  connexion  should  be  mea- 
tioaed  tne  Stfmaritan  Pentateuchf  which  is  the  Hebrew, 
text  in  the  Samaritan  character,  and,  as  is  generally  sup- 
posed, the  ancient  Hebrew  character*  As  this  Pentateuch 
nas  come  down  through  a  channel  entirely  distinct  from 
diat  by  which  the  Jewish  scriptures  have  been  received, 
and  as  it  has  had  considerable  influence  in  regulating  the 
course  of  sacred  criticism,  it  becomes  one  of  the  most 
interesting  docundents  connected  with  this  subject.  The 
principal  quotations  of  importance  from  the  Hebrew  scrip- 
tures are  to  be  found  in  the  Jewish  Talmuds.  In  addition 
to  these  sources  of  information,  should  be  mentioned,  the 
Masora,  which  contains  the  critical  apparatus  of  the  Jews^ 
for  restoring  and  preserving  the  purity  of  the  text* 

After  attending  to  these  various  means  of  arriving  at  a 
knowledge  of  the  original  state  of  the  Hebrew  ScriptureSt 
we  are  next  to  consider  their  relative  value,  and  the  rule* 


Its.  Hocige'a  DisseKtatim  m  the 

to  b^  adopted  in  s^keting  fh>m  tke  varioua  rttdinga  they 
zSoxd.  "" 

And,  ftnaUy*  wa  are  to  review  the  history  of  the  acliiai 
api^licdtioB  of  these  means.,  to  the  restiajraition  of  the  test, 
whioh  inirohres  an  acoouat  of  the  eafly  critical  laheim  of 
the  Jews,  and  the  suhseqneat  labouia  of  Chiistiiiii0f  which, 
can  obW  be  given  in  an  aeoount  of  the  YariouB  orilaoal  edi- 
tions of  the  Hebrew  Bible. 

When  we  turn  to  the  oriticiain  of  the  New  Testamonit  we 
meet  a  subject  of  fkr  greater  extent  and  imiportatiee»  aL^- 
thoagb'wa  shall  have  the  same  g^aeral  coucae'  ta  paraue : 
esaniinnigy  fimt,  the  sources  oC  the  eraora;  eecooidly,  the 
means  of  their  correction ;  and  ^bordlyy  the  history  of  the> 
abdication  of  these  means. 

'  moait  ot  the  souicea  of  ^ror,  whiok  affected  the  CUd  Tea**; 
tamcnt^  have  9^  operated  on  the  Kew,  and  mangt'of  thoab 
to  a  iBUch  ^eater  extent ;  because  the  New  Teataoiettt  wa» 
mote  widely  diffiued,  mora  firequeatly  and  leaa  carelnUy; 
tiabsofibed.  The  attention  the,  Jewa  detoted  td  the  cor- 
reotnesa  of  th^v  maaufeicMtsy  was  carried  to.  a  pnparatiAoiis. 
extent.  The  rales  which  thejy  preaenbed  to  thein  travK. 
aiGAbevs^  embraced  the  most  uiinuAev  particulars^  sadb  aat; 
the  size  and  fcpm  of  the  letters^  tbi^.  numher  to  he  ceaapBised; 
in  each  Uae,  their  distaoca  fiEoaa  ea^k  oihuexi,  be.  Tbb  lan' 
borlous^  attention  jeinad  wsdi  the  iaftaettea  exerted  by  thsj 
pMidtictioiia  of  tha  nbin^  aa  to  the^  sesidi  ofi  the. least  misn 
take,  i^dabed  a  decree  of  smpuioas  care,  aAicK  wa^; 
n^ver  extended  te  thel>ooka  of  the  New  TesHsateat.  l^Ma 
ciiNiutnstaiMie^  logether  with  the  great  aMkiplkatififk  of  th* 
eopi»  of  the  New  Testatnen^  would  lead  va  to  expect,  tliel: 
tfa0  dii^repanQea  b^a^eeik  these  copiee  wcMildi  be  more  serin 
oiia  than  the  various  readiaga  of  tlie>  QU  Testament.  The; 
means  of  correcting  whatever  esrors.  reaHy>  may  exmk,  and! 
of^arripwig  at  the  knowledge^  of  tho<  original  text^'may<agaUfe 
be  referred  t^  the  sev^Bl  heada  off  manuauip^  vessionsi; 
and  ^uotatiitMis* 

In  esttm^tiBg  Ae  vahia  of  maaAiacci|^,  we  momt^  m  before^ 
atteikd  ta  their  aatiqauty;  the  cafe<  wiik  which  they^w^rq 
wpiitlea;  their  purity,  or  freedom  from  cotrecticlnai  or  iaieai 
polntioaa^  and  the  class  to.  whioh  they  beloagk.  Thia  hM 
subjiect  rises  iato  iufcfdoalable'  HDpeiitanee,  ftom  the  tstot^ 
that  critics,  do  not  hesitatq  to.  inerge.  odq  hundaedb  BMmiH 
fl^nf>ts  into  ona  testimony,  and  tamake  one  counterb^ttce 
an  bufiidred,  aecording  to  the  paitibuloi!  elas&to.  wbidi  they 
belong*    In  other  words,  in  judging  of  a»y  pastkrohtE  reao^ 


Imptf/ianct  ofBitUddl  Lit^ikre.  liB^ 

ing»  tte  Aumbto  cf  individuU  BiafciitBcHpili  iti  Ikrdlj^  tiAk^ 
into  tb<e  iLcioubt;  the  odiy  qatetida  is^  by  bdWMWy  dakil^ 
or  recensions  Is  it  wpportra  ?  ^  thds^  6tklf  im  cicminddl^A 
luB  indep^disnt  witnesses.  Foir  thk,. there  is  deAHf  impdi^- 
ianl  reason^  sintb  it  wbnld  bt  «te  tttipfober  Ix)  wdtioe  ftk 
separate  testiitiottyv  the  sevi^rd  transcti^  of  tbe  skM^ 
mantistHpt,  »l  the  several  copies  of  ^k  satue  (^ditioii  of 
any  printed  work.  But  the  difficulty  UeS  in  fltidibg  sUffi^ 
eient  eritefiia  for  sepajratiog  tike  lieteml  tna^ttsdript^  infb 
iiieiir  distitiofc  classed.  Thet«  is  certainly  d^iiiger  (^(  eit^Iting 
to  the  rank  of  independent  Witnessesi  thoi^e  wbid^  'i&re  iiot 
«ntitlidd  to  thill  iuthorily.  Bengel  flfst  prbbt»6«d  t&is  pHi^ 
cip}^  of  classttScHtiiMu  He  was  followed  by  Seliitet'^  yid 
aftarwairds  by  Oii^sbAch.  These  ori^^ii>  obfeerv'mg  aii^oh^ 
the  attmeroas  ^nnrioas  raaditigs  exhibited  by  ekteti^  toAnvL- 
scriptSi  dittt  in  cbaracteristio  #eadiligs  tMAy  d£  thsm  Hgf e^, 
aad  that  ihk  ooi«i4ide0oe  Was  so  t^arkedj  Ihat  it  fce^ald  htfi 
hare  been  fortnitaue ;  thi  mimoseripts  thus  dgte^ibg^  they 
referred  to  the  same  clie^l^,  ihtiiilyi  or  i^iietisioii^  And  thisy 
still  farther  tetaark^^  that  thds^  iaanttseiipts  wlbibh  k^t^b 
in  thsir  chlira^teristic  readii&gS)  tAtAe  frofti  the  sam^  6ottti- 
try«  and  coincide  with  the  set^ml  V»si&hs>  khA  with  th^ 
writings  of  the  fathers  which  belofig  to  tteir  #^6)^d^i>^^ 
districts/  Hedoe  diese  r^censiotis  4re  esJled  the  Weston ; 
the  Al^andrine^  and  the  Byzahtii^e,  kn  pr^v&ili^g  ih  Hmk 
seretal  lections  of  the  ^huit^ha  lliid  is  Grie^belt^h'i  didtiibti^ 
tioHi  The  tnanasclipts  belonging  to  the  twd  fettner  ^(  tltede 
olasees,  are  CxtreiixelV  few,  yet  on  the  suppcdilioh  th&t  th^jr 
are  separate  and  independent  Witiiessei>  these  few^  i^  Case 
i0f  tikcir  coincidence,  are  made  to  oidtWei^  die  Mtdtitnde 
#hioh  belong  to  the  B]i!zantihe  ditision.  It  is  on  this  CoiiW 
eidenee  that  the  authoritjr  of  Griesbath's  tel^t  id  fbiriidcd. 
It  is  plaitii  tiiefefori9|  thaf  tbis  authority  may  be  destroys, 
aithef  by  shewing  that  there  is  no  Miffi^ient  gtoutid  kk 
thus  separating  manuscripts  into  distinct  classes,  Whkh 
wtts  tbe  opinion  of  Matth«iy  and  odim*  distitigtiished  men^ 
ahd  which  is  the  tendenoy  'Of  a  ^eai  part  of  Dr.  Lattteiice'i^ 
Essaj  on  this  sttbjeotfon  admitting  tbftt  tbe/C  is  goCd  tek- 
son  for  this  classification,  by  shewifig  that  SOitie  Cf  these 
ndtnesites  afe  unwoithy  of  credit.  ThiS/  Mf.  Volkh  has 
4tteiiptedj  ia  his  work  on  the  Integrity  6f  the  Greek  Vul- 
gate. His  objeot  Was  to  prove^  that  tb«  BytHntiM  text, 
which  h  that  followed  in  the  teeeiTSd  tett  of  the  N^w  Tes^ 
tattenty  i^  the  only  one  which  has  oome  d^Wn  iincotr^pted, 
and  supported  by  the  uniform  traditionary  testimtmy  6f  the 


:184  Hodge*e  Dissertation  vn  tlte 

.church.  Instead  of  calling  the  first  two  classes  Western 
and  Alexandrine^  he  calls  them  Egyptian  and  Palestine, 
and  gives  (page  105)  a  satisfactory  reason  for  the  preva^ 
lence  of  the  first  in  the  Western  church,  and  of  the  second 
in  Alexandria.  By  thus  changing  the  birth-place  of  these 
two  recensions,  he  is  enabled  to  give  an  historical  account 
of  their  origin.  The  Egyptian  text  be  ascribes  to  the  revi^ 
sion  of  Hesychius,  the  ralestine  to  that  of  Eusebius.  The 
Byzantine  was  edited  by  Lucianus.  The  last-mentioned 
eaitor,  he  supposes,  published  the  then  authorized  text, 
without  alteration ;  whereas  both  the  others  corrected  their 
copies  a^eeably  to  their  own  views,  and  to  the  state  of 
opinion  m  their  respective  countries^  with  which  he  shews 
they  very  strikingly  correspond.  In  thus  assi^ing  to 
Oriesbacn's  two  most  important  classes  a  recent  origin,  and 
endeavouring  to  fix  on  them  the  charge  of  systematic  cor- 
ruption, he  has  attempted  to  undermine  the  authority  of  his 
principles  for  settling  the  text.  How  far  he  has  succeeded 
m  this  attempt,  must  be  left  for  others  to  decide :  it  may, 
however,  be  safely  asserted,  that  enough  has  been  accom* 

{>lished,  to  make  the  friends  of  truth  nesitate  to  acknow- 
edge  the  exclusive  authority  of  a  text,  which  is  the  result 
of  so  questionable  a  system. 

After  the  manuscripts,  the  next  source  of  information  is 
the  early  versions,  of  which  the  most  important  are,  the 
Syriac,  the  old  Latin  or  Italick,  the  Sahidic,  and  the  Latin 
Vulgate,    Each  of  these  is  made  to  contribute  an  important 

fiart^in  settling  the  sacred  text.    The  history  of  each,  there- 
ore,  calls  for  our  serious  attention. 

Quotations  from  the  New  Testament  in  the  early  fathers, 
is  the  third  source,  and  one  which  has  given  rise  to  much 
discussion,  and  exerted  great  influence  on  the  theories  of 
eminent  critics.  It  is  one,  also,  of  peculiar  difficulty,  owing 
to  the  loose  memoriter  manner  in  which  these  quotations 
were  frequently  made. 

After  consicfering  these  sources  of  information  as  to  the 
original  state  of  the  sacred  text ;  we  are  next  to  attend  to 
the  rules  by  which  we  are  to  be  governed  in  our  choice  of 
the  various  readings  they  afford. 

To  learn  what  has  been  done  in  attempting  to  restore  the 
purity  of  the  text,  we  must  study  the  principles  on  which 
the  most  important  editions  of  the  New  Testament  were 
conducted,  and  their  respective  histories,  especially  those 
of  Ximenes,  Erasmus,  Stephens,  Mill,  Wetstein,  and 
Griesbach. 


Imparitmce  of  Bibtiehl  LUerature.  1^3 

Such  is  a  very  imperitBci  6tttline  of  the  first  division*  of 
this  subject.  Before  prooeeding  to  say  any  thing  on  inter-^ 
pretation,  I  would  mention  two  or  three  subjects,  on  which 
our  minds'  should  be  previously  made  up,  viz.  the  canonical 
authority,  the  genuineness,  ana  the  inspiration,  of  the  sacred 
scriptures. 

With  respect  to  the  first,  it  is  evidently  proper  that  we 
know  what  books  are  to  be  recognized  as  scripture,  before 
we  proceed  to  consider  the  principles  on  which  the  sacred 
writings  are  to  be  explained.  The  consideration  of  the 
second  subject,  is  little  more  than  the  extension  of  the  appli^ 
cation  of  tne  ]^rinciples  of  sacred  criticism,  ascending  from 
the  investigation  oi  the  genuineness  of  particular  passages 
to  the  genuineness  of  entire  books. 

The  reason  for  placing  the  inspiration  of  the  sacred  scrip>- 
tures  in  this  part  of  our  course,  is  two-fold :  Ist,  that  we 
may  study  them  under  the  deep  impression  that  they  are 
the  word  of  God ;  and  2dly,  because  it  may  be  found  that 
the  divine  origin  of  the  scriptures  should  exert  a  consider- 
able influence  on  the  principles  by  which  they  are  to  be  in^ 
terpreted.  It  is  one  of  the  first  principles  of  interpretation, 
thatin  explaining  any  work,  respect  is  to  be  had  to  the  cha- 
racter of  its  autnor.  But  if  the  doctrine  of  the  plenary 
inspiration  be  true,  God  is  the  real  author  of  the  sacred 
sonptures.  It  is  readily  admitted,  that  this  fact  does  not 
interfere  with  their  having  been  written  according  to  the 
common  principles  of  language,  which  the  object  they  were 
intended  to  answer  rendered  absolutely  necessary.  •  In 
translating  the  sacred  writings,  therefore,  the  principle  inr 
question  mav  not  exert  any  great  influence ;  but  when  we 
come  to  explain  them,  it  will  be  found  of  esssential  impor- 
tance. The  rules  of  interpretation,  which  arise  out  of  the 
divine  origin  of  the  Bible,  are  as  clearly  ascertained,  and  as- 
well  founded,  as  those  which  arise  from  any  other  source, 
resting  on  the  authority  of  the  sacred  writers  themselves. 
It  is  from  them  we  learn,  that  the  old  dispensation  wa» 
preparatory  to  the  new ;  that  the  law  was  *'  a  shadow  of 
good  things  to  come,"  and  is  to  be  explained  accordingly. 

Before  entering,  therefore,  on  the  second  department  of 
this  subject,  we  should  be  convinced  of  the  canonical> 
authority,  authenticity,  and  inspiration,  of  the  sacred  scrip*^ 
tures,  thai  we  may  be  able  to  take  their  divine  authority  a& 
proved. 

I  am  now  to  endeavour,  briefly,  to  state  the  course  to  be 
pursued  in  the  Interpretation:  of  the  Bible. 


eq^fotvik  <HP  highly  wpn^lmt  in.  tli^ ' JAtarpretft  biowtlf ; 
iHj  ifiBl^  » Jui9«4^g(»  m  t)ie  >lMg;iMce»  in  Mtbieh  the  fiiUe 
WMi>fiJi^ifisUly.ff9iftePf   ^y.oM  wb^  netd^  a  wonk  in  » 

and'phrases  ot  no  two  languages  exactly  correspond  iimd  Hm 

f^vii^T  i^omhiwi'UQTmp  it  i«  ]mp09f»liJo  a  ?eremi  ishould 
ff^ny  Witliattt  <liv^Ui«>9  9»  f bif  wigectp  it  ie  suffiomyt  to 
appeiJl  to  Cli^^xMiie^QQ  Qf  eyi^ry  OM  acq«amted  wiib  ajqr 
ti^Q  Im^ffmig^f^  Whitt^^tp  How  would  tkb  Itnomnt  claamiem 
Wp  .«f tim^tMi  if  j  iMig^  by  fi  ifitaral  tvanaJaAmi  ?  H«  shoitki 
«W  im  Acftit^ivt^d  wHb  tbe  «bArftcfe«r  ftud  bi«tory  of  tibe 
several  sacred  writers,  wijdi  ik^  «tfrte  of  q^ioQ  in  thfi  a^ 
ii»  wbi^  tbey  lived*  Tbii  is  <^  pioodiiar  importance  m 
ri^af d  tK>  tb^  ^^w  Tei»ta«ieQt«  and  iocludea  a  knowl^dg^  of 
tb«  «Q6ts  m4  ppiiniaiM  of  tb^  Jewft,  of  tbe  ««rly  CbmiiMii 
io(^iTvsm»  and  of  Ihe  wdy  hero^ies-  He  «bonld  aiao  bo 
a^ufOAt^d  witb  tbe  mftnneni  aiid  ewitosns«  tbft  biw«#  cba-* 
trnUf^  wd  oivcwiPtAQoea  of  ib^  pmapi  to  iwbom  (be  aaef ed 
l¥riti»g0  v^sre  «d4r9fi«ed«  tb^if  civil  history,  witb  that  of 
n§ig^bOufii)g  n^iiQW^  ti^ther  Intb  whatever  Ug^  gao^ 
gmihy^  ebroMU>gy*  oatitrtd  biotoiy,  jmd  pbilosopfay,  can 

CHiM  Q»  tb^  SftCI^  T0lu«|i^ 

Th^  ii^berpret^r  of  iKsript^rQ  ahould.be  diicriminattng  and 
ewtious;  bo  fbonld  bo  bumble  nod  teacbablci,  atiwiUe  of 
bia  »ee4of  diyii^  4»obiag^  Md  mxipu^  to  obtain  it»  Of 
9)1  qu^JiSottioQ^^  tho  moat  in^portani  are,  piety,  and  a  firm 
oonfi^tion  pf  tb^  divlm  origin  of  tbe  aonptwras :  withcmt 
^so  WO'CW  MY^  «nter  into  the  fedingo  aaui  Ticywa  «f  tho 
&4orod  wntont.  nor  have  any  pooper  imfwcssiona  as  to  tbe 
4^gPA  of  tbo  Biblo,  and  tbereforo  «aimor  be.  praj)ared  to 
Ol^p^^  iti  Thu  fintt  duly  of  m  intcirpreter  ia  to  beacome 
a^u^ted  with  tba  «Maniog  of  wmda>  tiie  •QTend  dasaes 
iiip^V)  which  tb^  ara^  natvfally  divided^  and  to  beeomo  fami-» 
UftV  wi^  the  goooral  prviGipiea  of  IttBgmige. 

We  mwt  nexiotteM  to  Ae  oommoii  acoeptaiion  of  worda 
aqd  pbraao9»»iid  tbe  aonroea  of  infonnatioaonthia  subject; 
wo  «b»«14  inquira  into  the  qiroumatfiiuwi  hv  wbioh  the 
import  of  words  and  pbiaaea  is  st gnlated  in  all  langua^a ; 
s^ob  M  tba  optnionq^  laws*  and  cuatoma  of  the  {>eople,  the 
PfKHdif^r  oireumituiQOS  of  thia  natnra^  itbioh  hav«  inflnenoad 
the  language  and  modes  of  expression  characteristic  of.  tho 
"B&yli^.  Esf^eoioJljr  wa  sboald  aitend  to  the  paisuliar  phraae- 
ology  of  the  T^ew  l^Mammt,  the  soui»09  whence  it  Ma  haaq 


dcfived/M  Uk  Hsbttmm  olfigin  <of  die  atered  wrilen>  Anit 
fcniiHaiity  miih  the  Sepblagintv  ^e  mflneiifser  of  tiMur  wtH^ 
gioas  McHt;  and  their  iBtemmoBe  widi  Jiefe^bomtig  niitioiab 
We*  slK>uld  study  the  means  by  whteh  the  Jninguftge  of  the 
New  Testament  is  to  be  iUustmted  ;  su6b  aa»  die  wiibhge 
of  e€KtcB»6nry  aiithoiB,  ihe  phrmseoidgy  of  the  (Md  Teeta- 
Bosnt,  boui  ID  die  'Greek  and  Hdnev^  and  the  general  olm* 
racter  of  the  eastern  idiom. 

.  Hairmg  considered  these  subjects^  and  ihced  in  ous  rai&dt 
the  geaeral  principles  of  interpretatitm,  whether  appliiAble 
to  all  writings,  or  peculiar  to  the  eaored  ycdnme,  we  mxxst 
attend  to  tbe  inteipretation  of  figuraim  langnaf^,  tiie  am* 
aeatioti  between  the  literal  and  figsoratiTe  meanitig  of  words^ 
iSke  ctrcmmstanoes  in  which  tbe  latter  is  to  be  rworted  to^ 
Su3.  This  will  lead  to  tbe  consideration  of  the  ptinoipail 
figures  of  epeecb,  each  as  metaphor  and  allegory^  nnd  em^ 
enlly  the  parables  of  onr  Savionr,  whioh  hare  been  en  often 
perrerted  as  any  part  of  the  saered  Tolame.  It  is  dsere«- 
fore  neeeesary  nint  we  ^Kmld  h«we  distinctly  befbre  us  tbe 
tulee  by  whicn  these  figures  are  to  be  espfadned* 

These  are  only  preuminary  subjeels,  which  lead  to  tiba 
more  oxteosiye  pnnetplea  of  interpretation,  i^pficslde  tO 
whole  departments  of  the  word  of  Qod,  as  the  ruka  te 
historical,  doctrinal,  typical,  and  prophetieal  intervietn^ 
tion.  The  two  latter  are  peeufiarly  ^portant;.  .  We  flnouU 
0x  in  onr  minds  the  precise  definition  of  a  type^  leom  whoA 
persons,  inatitations,  and  civeumstances  of  uie  Old  Testai^ 
inent  are  to  be coasidei ed  as  typical;  determiiie  niSiethee 
we  are  to  confine  this  character  to  the  particular  untanoes 
specified  in  the  New  Testament,  or  are  at  liberty  to:  extesol 
it,  and  how  &r.  Witb  r^ard  to  prophecy,  it  is  untaeoei^ 
saiy  to  say  that  it  will  require  much  laDorious  study^  inchid«^ 
'  ing  two  oi  the  most  difficult  sabjeets  connected  with  this 
w€oie  department,  im.'«^the  doctrine  o£  double  seane^nnd 
the  modes  of  quotation  adopted  by  tihe  sacred  writers  of 
the  New  Testament;  And,  finally,  we  must  consider  l3ie 
systems  of  interpretation  to  which  the  whole  Bible  has 
been  liiade  to  submit,  as  the  cabbalistic ;  the  allegorical ; 
tiie  mys^al,  which  either  deserts  entirely  the  grsoMnatical 
sense,  er  exalts  some  inward  feeKng  above  the  word;  tba 
dogmatical,  which  makes  any  system  of  doctrine  annadiohi 
ittative  rule  of  interpretation;  ae  the  RomMi  churchy  tbe 

Sstem  which  they  believe  to  have  been  handed  down  m 
eior  traditions ;  and  tbe  philosopbi<$aI,  which  nudees  omr 
preconceived  opinions  the  rule  of  fiulh ;  which  incfa^dee 


Ids  Hodge's  DiaerMion,  ifc.     . 

the  eonsidftration  of  the  proper  office  of  reason  in  the  iater«« 
pfetetion  of  seriptuie.  The  histonry  and  olaims  of  diese 
several  systems,  and  their  respective  influence  on  the  church, 
open  to  us  as  instructiye  a  field  of  investigation,  as  any 
which  ecclesiastical  history  affords. 

•  We  may  conclude  the  general  outline  of  this  department, 
by  stating  the  most  important  and  interesting  of  me  duties 
it  enjoins,  viz.  the  immediate  study  of  the  word  of  God. 
With  this  we  are  to  be  occupied  from  the  commencement 
to  the  close  of  our  course.  The  object  of  Biblical  Litera* 
ture,  is  to  enable  us  to  do  this  with  the  best  advantage. 
Not  contented  with  prescribing  rules  of  interpretation,  and 
furnishing  the  various  means  for  the  illustration  of  the 
Bible,  it  IS  a  great  part  of  her  duty  to  oversee  our  actual 
application  of  them.  It  is,  therefore,  to  the  delightful 
eniployment  of  studying  the  scriptures  that  she  invites  us. 
i  I  have  not  forgotten,  that,  the  professed  object  of  thi» 
Dissertation  is  to  exhibit  the  importance  of  Biblical  Litera-* 
tuie.  But  I  feel  that  1  have  already  nearly  completed  the 
task  assigned  me,  by  shewing,  as  &r  as  my  knowledge  of 
the  subject  would  permit,  what  Biblical  Literature  is; 
because  I  conceive  tne  feeblest  statement  of  its  nature  is 
demonstrative  of  its  importance.  The  importance  of  a 
ccmrse  of  study,  whose  object. is  to  fix  with  cei;tainty  the 
sacred  text,  and  exhibit  the  evidence  that  the  Bible  we 
now  have,  is  the  Bible  which  Ood  delivered  to  hi s> church; 
to  assist  us  in  discovering  and  exhibiting  its. meaning,  by 
prescribing  the  principles  by  which  it  is  to  be  explamra, 
and  bringing  within  our  reach  the  various  means  of  illus** 
tration;  and,  above  all,  which  leads  us  so  much  to  the  im« 
mediate  study  of  the  word  itself  :—7the  importance  of  such 
a  course,  is  surely  a  subject  on  which  diversity  of  opinion 
is  impossible.  It  is  my  intention,  therefore,  on  a  future 
occasion,  to  make  some  remarks,  intended  to  impress  on 
our  minds  the  necessity  of  paying  particular  attention  to 
this  subject,  the  importance  of  which  we  must  all  admit. 

[The  above  essay,  with  that  which  we  hope  soon  to  sive 
in  continuation  of  it,  was  delivered  to  a  society,  formed  in 
the  theological  seminary  in  which  its  author  is  a  tutor,  for 
improvement  in  Biblical  Literature,  by  dissertations  on 
important  subjects  connected  with  it,  and  tmnslations  and 
expositions  of  sacred  scripture,  performed  by  the  members 
in  alphabetical  order!  a  plan  well  worthy  of  imitation  in 
our.own  country. — Enix.] 


189 


REVIEW. 

1  •  Characteristics,  in  the  Manner  of  Rocfiefoucault's  Maximsm 
F'cap.  8vo.  pp.  156,  Londfon,  1823,  Simpkin  and 
Marshall. 

2.  Outlines  of  Character:  consisting  of,  the  Great  Charac-s 
ter — the  English  Character — Characteristic  Classes  m  Rela^ 
iion  to  Happiness — the  Gentleman — External  Indications  of 
Character — Craniology — the  Poet — the  Orator — Literary 
Characters — the  Periodical  Critic — the  Man  of  GeniuSf 
By  a  Member  of  the  PhilomathiQ  Institution.  8vo* 
pp.320.    London,  1823.    Longman.  ,  i. 

*'  It  is  not  easy  to  write  Essays  like  Montaigne^  nor  Maxims 
'  in  the  manner  of  the  Duke  de  la  Rochefoucault ;''  so  rttnii 
the  three  hundred  and  seventy-eighth  of  the  four  hundred 
and  twenty-four  Characteristics  in  this  volume ;  but  it  is 
strangely  misplaced  towards  the  close  of  the  book^  when  it 
should  nave  stood  at  the  head,  as  a  text,  upon  which  we 
have  a  hundred  and  fifty  pages  of  practical  comment.  Save, 
indeed,  in  a  few  particulars,  better  honoured  in  the  breach 
.than  in  the  observance,  nothing  can  conveniently  be  less 
V  in  the  manner  of  Hochefoucaulf  s  Maxims,''  than  these 
professed  imiitations  of  them.  Of  the  style,  and^  as  far  as 
execution  is  concerned,  the  spirit  of  those  celebrated  pro* 
ductious,  wehave  ever  been  as  ardent  admirers  as  the  author 
before  us  can  be,  though  despairing  of  seeing  them  equal- 
led in  their  beauties,  whilst  their  defects  were  avoided.-  To 
this  rare  excellence,  he,  however,  ambitiously  aspires,  though 
confessedly  aware  of  the  difficulties  of  so  bold  a  flight; 
f*  A  thought,"  says  he  in  his  preface,  ^'  must  tell  at  once,  or 
jiot  at  all;'«  and  he  observes  with  as  accurate  a  taste,  that 
in  the  construction  of  maxims,  whilst  '*  the  style  must  be 
sententious  and  epigrammatic,  it  is  equally  necessary  to 
avoid  paradox  or  cdmmon-place."  By  these  canons  of 
criticism  he  cannot  object  to  be  tried,  for  they  are  hifr 
own ;  yet  strangely  do  we  deceive  ourselves,  if,  ere  we 
have  done  with  him,  be  is  not  most  satisfactorily  proved  to 
have  violated  both.  "Commencer  par  le  commencement,*^ 
then,  we  can  say  little,  either  for  the  elegant  or  the  epigram-' 
matic  turn  of  such  expressions,  as  "  want  of  confidence  in 
themselves,  which  is  upset  and  kicks  the  beam,  if  the 
smallest  particle  of  praise  is  thrown  into  another's  scale  ;'* 
nor  does  the  following  singular  rope  of  metaphors,  which 


190  Review. — GhltractemticB : 

immediately  follow  the  words  just  qi;oted>  strike  us  as  very 
axiomatic,  or  particwltfly  « la  ftcMUidbucault.  "  They  are 
poor  feeble  insects,  tottering  oa  the  road  to  fame,  that  are 
crushed  by  the  shadow  of  opposition,  or  stopped  1^  a 
whisper  of  rivaUhi^/*  To  out  vulgar  ^ste,  and  dull  ama* 
^nations  also,  the  idea  and  the  ^^pression  deems  equally 
unhappy,  of  a  woman  "  throwing  herself  unblushingly  at 
Otnr  heads,*'  though  Bome  heads,  oy  the  way,  would  not  be 
much  injured  by  a  far  heavier  concussion.  Whether  that 
might  be  the  case  with  the  authot's,  our  readers  must  deter- 
mine for. themselves,  as  they  proceed  with  our  remarks  upon 
Ibis  production. 

^  llie  desire  to  say  what  he  considers  a  smart  thing,  and 
to  follow  out  a  favourite  thought  through  every  possible 
ramifiottioii,  fraqoently  lebds  him  into  amardity  and  para<- 
dox ;  as  wberej  in  the^tWeBtyHsaoMld  mlixlm,  to  prove  Aat 
envy  i«  tha  moat  umvdnial  patsioii,  he  roandly  a(SsertM»  ikM 
V  we  envy  IbUv  and  conoeitf  tmj^  w«  ^  lo  ntir  as  to  envy 
whatever  eon^m  distiiHftioa  or  iiotoriety,  even  Vice  and 
infamy/^  If  this  be  true,  we  e&ty  the  lounging  fo^  in 
BoD4-stveei!4  whotn  ^nr^rj  tnaa  of  sense  desptsos ;  and  oj^ 
sdmost  willing  to  be  huag  ind  anatomtEed^  to  aecjiire  the 
notoriety  of  the  perpetrators  of  iJte  htte  horrid  murdek?. 
In  IiIls  jcaat^iefj  et^rv  day'a  ex|»erieii&e  .  ooniiradiets  an 
lu^s^rtian,  foundied  eitber  Upon  this  oonatatit  liitnling  flfier 
prettyisms  and  wUtkis!iDB^  or  afi  certaia  rumours,  heraSbr  to 
be  stated,  lead  us  t<>  stuspect,  upon  personal  piqut^  **  that 
if  a  maa  i^  didliked  by  otto  Mroman,  bie  will  Buceeed  with 
none.  The  aex  (one  abd  all)  harve.  die  same  secret  ot 
Iree-oiaaoBfy  in  judging  of  meo."  This  is  downright  no^«- 
senstt*  N<>r  can  ire  oonoeive  of  dnv  thin^  so  v6ltttUe  aad 
m^rcwal  as  our  a«thor  mtist  b€f>  if  ae  venfi^s^  in  hia  owtl 
versatility,  the  assertion  of  his  oktielih  oh&ratteristi^ 
tWt  *'  we  often  bestow  the  most  opprobrious  epithets  oA  our 
^st  &iondo>  and  retract  them  twenty  timei^  in.  the  course  of 
a  day#  while  the  man  hiiUself  remaina  the  same/'  Sorely  he 
vntBt  havo  drawn  soiae  at  least  of  the  views  of  humui  lifii 
and  oharfieter  fitom  the  interior  of  bediain,  for  witboutaide 
its  walls,  no  one,  who  ought  not  to  b^  within  them^  dan  act 
in  thia  and  eeversi  other  respects*  as  he  teipresents  th^ 
whole  biman  lace  to  do.  Other  of  hia  aketehes  satisfy  ui^ 
indeed, that  he  uust  have  kept  strange  company,  or  we  never 
ahould  have  had  a  grave  denunciation  of  aasociating  with 
footinen,  thus  happily  ezpreSEred,  "  Livery  servants  (1  ooo^ 
|i(ea  U)  are  the  only  people  I  do  not  like  to  sit  in  eompany 


in  the  Manuer  9f  Roebcfimcwlt'fi.  Maxims.         191* 

with«  Tli«y  oSmA  not  only  by  tlleir  own  meMoieBs^  bnt: 
by  tb^  ofttfiotatiiQua  display  of  the  pxide  of  thor  oww 
naa^ci.'*  Wk^iul  p«blic4ifiaMt  the  wrker  may  be  in; 
the  habit  of  £raqittotiiig,  to  amoke  Ua  pipe  aai  take  hia. 
^aaa»  we  know  not ;  but  it  lautt  have  beoii  in  &e  tap-rpooaa/^ 
or  acme  aach  place  of  lorn  tesar^  tkat  he  ccmld  alone  ho. 
sohjetted  to  tim  affroaut;  «iid  if  ho  aou|;ht  ittcheompattfr 
ha  at  leaat  ought  not  to  complaiii  of  their  intrvaiqiw  Wa 
should^  hovireTer^  be  astonutied  at  vo>  ineaagriii^  in  the  eon^ 
doct,  ^tea»  or  aiaociatioaa  of  a  man,  who  ^MilMimtely  telk& 
i»«  aa  the  result  of  hie.  obaairTatioa.  of  hjaoiaiiL  chamater^ 
"  ao  that  wo  excke  a  stion^  eimotioa  ift  the  breasts  of  oAen,, 
we  caie  Uttie  of  what  kiiad  ifr  ia^  or  by  vhatmeana  we.  pvodBCA 
k'y^  aa  that  it  is  a  mattet  of  perfeet  isikiflereiice,  whetlwe 
we  excite  the  waimest  aivd  beet,  fomnded  adasiation,.  or 
the  strongest  and  most  merited  disguat,  by  the  auhlimast 
yirt»e%  on.  the  one  hajod^  or  the.  moBJt  deteatable  yicea  ota  thor 
Qtheir-  The  nhihuitjhropiat  and.  the  mivderer-^-tbe  pro- 
fymidteat  scholar,  ai^d  the  moet  dejctere^ua  thieif,7-4lQ]ilKacdi 
and  C^olooi^l  Qb^rtreai  Milt<iM»  and  Bill  S^eamesk  are  eqiaaUah 
e^vi^ible,  heeauae  equallor  an^^ceaefid  in  attaiioa^  Ae  ^dMofi 
object  of  human  pursuit  in  life ;  and,  if  there  were  any  truth 
ia  the  following  Beunago  of  nonsenae-,  wosJd  boi  on  tiiei  sttne 
QOwmoD  level  at  thai»d)eaths« 

*^  People,  in  th|^  grasp  of  death  wish  all  tba  evil  they  have  d^ne 
(as  wqU  as  aljt  the  good)  to  bq  knowa,  not  to  make  atQivement  h^ 
confession,  but  to  excite  one  more  strong  sensatibiv  before  thej^ 
die,  and  to  leave  t^eftr  ititerests  and  passiqns  a  legacy  to  posterity, 
when  lliey  themseKcs  are  exe;mpt  from  the  consequences."  [pp** 
66,  67.] .  -  ' 

CoQspared  ««tk  suchi  wnetched  aaaralkty,  or  ralher  gvoail 
imflaQfaUty«r^BO  oemplcte  a  nerveraioa  o^  comnioii.  sanso^ 
a^di  caricaAafic  of  ii»  prifioifuea  o£  koflHia  aoliaA^-«^-e«  thiav 
MaodevoAle^  ItochdGouoault,.  epd  Chaatatfieldy  winb  alk  the 
eynucism*  settsbness,  and  laxity  o£  their  lyitsta  of*  etMoe^ 
ace^  ^ters.  who  caa  da  no  haam. 

The)  wifih  of  gensraliziag^ri^^na  aiia  afe  cafiwnagittg  aft  tiMft 
can  be  said  on  any;  subjeee^  into  m  uni^abeliL-^bas  led  all 
ataxiMHnakeis  and  axiainaidtti  wiitBra,  Rofthefimcanil  by  no 
aaeana  excepted*  ta  lay  down  aalea  aa^  universally)  appnoaM 
ble^  aduuchareLbttiiveiy  pai)tia%'80vaBdiGonMfmcAQd^  taqoinB 
aonds  wttrlefyation  aa|d  qnahfyingv  Thup,  wb^n  Hbm  aMbat 
l^eiora  ua  tetta  UB,Uiat  ^'  we  ana  q«i(he«aa«ipttO'beieae'Whal 
we  dread,  as  whatwa  bope^'^  everyone  what  thiaka^ai  alt  aiaHrt 


192.  Reviiw.-^Cbaracteristm: 

see^  in  a  moment,  that  this  mainly  depends  upon  constttu-' 
tional  temperament,  some  persons  as  habitually  hoping  even 
against  hope,  as  others  are  sunk  into  the  depth  of  despair 
by  the  slightest  disappointment  or  uncertainty.  The 
nerves,  indeed,  have  often  as  much  to  do  with  our  hopes 
and  fears,  as  the  character  of  the  mind.  We  the  rather 
wonder,  too,  at  his  overlooking  this  obvious  fact,  as  in 
another  part  of  his  book,  he  accidentally  gives  to  the  nervous 
system  a  most  fearfiil  preponderance  in  the  regulation  of 
our  conduct,  where,  in  undertaking  a  new  explanation  of 
the  classical  confession  of  the  obnoxious  and  unclassical 
doctrine  of  human  depravity,  **  video  meliora  probo^ue, 
deteriara  sequar,"  he,  in  the  following  sublimely  unintelligi-- 
ble  rant,  says,  of  the  generally  received  opinion,  that  we  do 
from  passion  the  things  of  which  our  reason  disapproves, — 

**  Nothing  like  it.  The  course  that  persons  in  the  situation  of 
Medea  pursue,  has  often  as  little  to  do  with  inclination  as  with 
judgment;  but  they  are  led  astray  by  some  object  of  a  dhturbed 
imagination,  that  shocks  their  feelings  and  staggers  their  belief, 
and  they  grasp  the  phantom,  to  put  an  end  to  this  state  of  tor--^ 
meating  suspense,  and  to  see  whether  it  is  human  or  not.'^  [p.  58.} 

A  shaved  head  and  a  strait  waistcoat  would  be  the  fittest 
regimen,  at  once  for  the  author,  and  the  subjects,  of  this  new 
theory  of  morals. 

In  this  species  of  writing,  especially,  brevity  is  the  soul  of 
wit;  and  we  have  often  thought,  that  some  of  the  latter 
maxims  of  Rochefoucault  have  been  very  faulty,  from  their 
wide  departure  from  this  rule ;  but  a  much  larger  proportion 
of  those  of  his  imitator  are  in  the  like  dilemma,  of  losing 
most  of  whatever  point  and  force  they  may  possess,  by  their 
lenethiness.  Of  this,  he  would  himself  seem  to  be  aware, 
for  he  has  divided  several  of  them  into  two,  three,  four,  and 
even  five  separate  maxims  or  characteristics,  although  they 
are  so  evidently  consecutive  parts  of  the  same  proposition, 
as  to  be  commenced  with  an  *'  or  it  often  arises,"  *'  this 
negative  system  leads ;"  "  others  make  ;*'  '*  it  doea  not 
render  the  person  less  contemptible ;"  **  are  we  to  infer  from 
thi^?"  **  the  foregoing  maxim  shews,"  &c. 

In  those  maxims  we  are  furnished  vnth  abundance  of 
truisms,  some  of  them  as  novel  and  instructive,  as  that  a 
man  cannot  produce  a  fine  picture,  or  solve  an  abstruse 
problem,  by  giving  himself  airs  of  importance ;  a  discovery 
for  which  feiw,  we  ajpprehend,  will  hold  themselves  very 
deeply  indebted  to  this  new  Rochefoucault. 


fit  tlie  Manner  q/"  Rochefoucault's  Maxims.         193 

Others  are  at  once  trifling,  little-minded,  useless,  an^' 
absurd ;  e.  s.  **  The  expression  of  a  Frenchman's  face  is 
often  as  melancholy  when  he  is  by  himself,  as  it  is  lively  in 
conversation.  The  instant  he  ceases  to  talk,  he  becomes 
*  quite  chop-fallen/  "  It  would  have  been  equally  impor-^ 
taut  and  instructive  to  have  recorded  as  an  axiom,  that 
**  the  appearance  of  an  Hessian  boot  is  often  as  dull,  when 
it  has  been  rained  upon  for  an  hour,  as  it  is  glossy  when 
sent  out  of  the  maker's  shop.  The  instant  it  has  had  ar 
thorough  soaking,  it  becomes  as  duU  as  though  it  nevec 
had  a  brush  upon  it." 

Nor  are  we  much  more  edified  by  the  oracular  assurance^ 
that  Russel  could  play  nothing  but  Jerry  Sneak ;  and  that 
it  was  ridiculous  to  set  up  Mr.  Kean  as  a  rival  to  Mr. 
Kemble,  a  text,  upon  which  we  have  a  page  of  comment;  or 
struck  with  astonishment,  by  the  italic  prodigious  appended 
to  the  name  of  Listen,  as  an  illustration  of  a  character- 
istic, the  burden  of  which  is,  that  '*  comic^  actors  have 
generally  attempted  tragedy  parts,  and  have  a  hankering 
after  it  to  the  last. 

Enough,  however,  of  instances  to  prove,  that  this  maker 
of  maxims  is  no  Rochefoucault,  although  he  has  succeeded 
in  copying  dome  of  the  faults,  without  having  ability  to 
imitate  the  beauties,  of  that  agreeable  writer*  Thus  draw- 
ing sketches  of  human  character  from  the  worst  features  of 
its  worst  specimens,  they  have,  though  with  different 
degrees  of  talent  and  success,  formed  rules  for  the  conduct 
of  mankind,  admirably  calculated  to  render  them  what 
they  represent  them  naturally  to  be,  self-interested  hypor 
crites.  Such,  for  instance,  are  principles  of  morality  like 
the  following : — "  It  signifies  little  what  we  say  of  our 
acquaintances,  so  that  we  do  not  tell  them  what  others  say 
against  them ;"  or  in  other  words,  it  is  unimportant  whe- 
ther we  speak  truth  or  falsehood.  On  the  same  system, 
we  are  told,  that  "  mankind  are  a  herd  of  knaves  ajid  fools. 
It  is  necessary  to  join  the  crowd,  or  get  out  of  their  way, 
in  order  not  to  be  trampled  to  death  by  them."  After  such 
a  sweeping  condemnation  of*  the  whole  race  of  which  he  is 
an  individual,  it  can  be  no  breach  of  charity  to  say,  that  the 
author  of  this  characteristic  must  either  be  a  fool  or  knave ; 
and  our  perusal  of  his  work  would  induce  us  to  ask  him,  as 
some  wit  of  the  last  century  asked  one  of  its  anti-social 
philosophers,  who  had  pronounced  a  somewhat  similar  libel 
upon  liis  species,  ''  Pray,  sir,  may  not  a  man  be  both  ?" 
That  he  may,  is  indeed  admitted,  by  another  of  these  charac- 


{94  Mei9iew.'^Ciafa€tenstk$: 

iemticf^m  wbich there  10  at  once  utoie  truth a»i seMe ;  *'  I 
am  always  afraid  of  a  fmir  one  cannot  be  sare  that  lie 
k^  not  a  knave  as  weB  f  and  in  compliance  with  this  fnem&fy 
caiaiioD,  we  abaN  take  espedal  caro  ta  keep  out  et  idm 
aathov^s  way. 

la  atio^f  respect  be  resembles  Rochefaaeattii;  sfad 
those  satirists  who  know  Kttle  of  women  buA  Ae  teftise  of 
Ate  sex  ;  aod  hence  attribute  to  the  most  chaste  and  ^iv^ 
taous  the  inclinalioAfi  and  vioes  of  the  most  degradM--4iM 
necessity  for  disguising  the  one,  aad  refraining  itceii^  psne 
other,  constituting,  according  to  their  slanderous  th^oryi 
the>  enly^  diffareBce  between  the  modest  teoman  and  the 
shaaislesa  pfostitate,  the  hitter  of  Whom  has  evidelitly  thitf 
adfantiags,  that  she  hr  nO'  hypocnte.  "  Women,**  we  are 
told,  ^  never  reason/^and  thererare,  addsenr  astute  k^icisB^ 
^they  are  comparatrrely  seldom  wrong/'  Yet  ether*  of 
his  fetches  of  tiie  sex,  represent  themr  as  everlastingi^ 
talking  about  their  dress;  as  neither  consalHaRg  the  head 
mot  heart;  bet  mere  hvmoorand:  fancy;  in  love,  though  with 
them  it  is  '*  the  great  business  of  life,"  in  which  they  ccnin 
stanrify  make  mistakes,  and  ;^et,  marvdh>u»  ta  say,  only 
asfss^miarbingprofbuiid  discoveries^  h«t  ^'  dsnotiavoilfethein^ 
selves  in  gcosi^  absurdities/*  These  are  paradoxes  beyond 
ear  mean  commen  sense  to  reconcile,  or  to  sdve  i  peraaps, 
however,  tbatnamefesequalifioation  of  Ae*  other  sex,  which 
is  soperior  to*  reason,  may  enable  them  to^  d^  it  more  to 
Ibeis'satisftbction,  thaU'  we  fear  iiie  fblfowing^  extracts  ftom 
this  work  wiU  he  to-  the  anlhor^s,  rf  Iheir  appmbatien  is 
among  the  vavied  objects  e#  his  singular  ambitkm; 

^Wbmen  have  as  Gate  AnaginatiDn  as  they  hsnre  reason.  T^X 
arepare  egotists.  Tbey  cannot  go  oat  of  themsefares.  There  is 
ngs*  insCttRce  of  a  woman  haring  done  any  thing  great  in  poetry  or 
{philosophy.  They  can  act  tragedy,  because  tnie  depends  r&j 
muohsB  l^»  physical  expression  or  die*  passions— 4liey' can-  sing; 
te'they  hsire  ftsaiblk  thooats.  and  aioe  eam^— they  can  wnte  vch- 
uumses.  abDut  loTK)-~and'  talk  foe  ever  afasufc  notUng^^WamsB 
ares  not  phflosopham  or  poets».  palnota^  nrarali]^,  «r  pilitisiaas^- 
thef  age-  simply  womenJ'  ^i.  L14i]' 

**  Womesuhave^  no  speculative  &cuUy  or  fiartitttde.  of  sudd,  and 
wherevtc  tbev  exercise  a  aontinual  and  paiameunt  swayv.  all  naial; 
be  soon  laughed  out  of.  cauntenance,  but  the*  immediatel]}  inteUi/e 
ffbh^  and"  agreeable — but  tbe>  sbewy  incefig^bn,.  the  lax  in  morals, 
and  the  superficiaT  in  phirosopliy.  The  texture  ofwomen'^s  minds, 
as  welY  as  of  their  boaies,  is  softer  than«  that  of 'menu's ;  but  they 
have  not  f^e  same  strength  of  nerve,  of  uadeistandihg,  or  of  move) 
purpose*.'**  fp.  ir5.J 


in  the  Maumr  of  Rockefoucault't  Maxims.         19^ 

*^  Women  do  not  become  abandoned  with  the  mere  lots  of 
character.  They  only  discover  the  vicious  propensities^  which 
they  before  were  boiiDd  to  conceal.  Thev  do  not  (al)  at  onoe)  part 
with  their  virtue,  buit  throw  aside  the  veil  of  affectation  and  pru-^ 
dery.''  [p.  131.] 

Bat  still,  more  strongly  do  we  protest  against  the  anti- 
Christian^  and  worse  tnan  heathenish,  cast  of  this  work. 
Worse  than  heathenish,  we  deliberately  repeat^  for  the 
philosophers  -of  ancient  Greece  and  Bome,  unaided  by  the 
light  of  revelation  which  we  enjoy,  were  too  wi&e  to  hav-e 
written,  as  this  would-be  philosopher  writes :  **  Death  is 
the  greatest  evil,  because  it  cuts  off  hope."  Now,  if  this 
means  any  thing — ^thoueh  we  have  often  suspected  the 
wretched  school  to  whioh  this  writer  evidently  belongs,  of 
having  no  meaning  ia  a  great  part  of  what  they  say — it 
must  mean,  that  death  is  annihilation ;  and  happy  would  it 
belbr  them, 'COttld  they  prove  it  to  be  so ;  and  that,  eonse- 
quently,  death,  whilst  it  cuts  off  hope,  puts  an  end  also 
to  fear.  Bnt  it  is  not  tiius  Aat  death  acts  either  upon  the 
wicked  or  the  rt^teous;  its  approaches  b^ng  to  the  one 
a  fearful  looking-for  of  judgment  and  of  fiery  indignation^ 
to  be  revealed  in  the  last  day;  to  the  other,  a  hope  full  of 
immortality.  To  the  Christian,  therefore,  the  arrival  of 
death  is  not  the  greatest  evil,  but  strongly  as  the  ties  of 
kindred,  weeping  friends,  and  beloved  companions,  may 
attach  him  to  this  life,  it  is  yet  the  greatest  gQod  ;  not  the 
end  of  hope,  but  the  connecting  Idnk  betwe^i  Us  ddiglitful^ 
though  lingering  promises^  and  their  full  and  rapturous  fru- 
ition. To  strive  to  believe  a  cootrary  doctrine^  because  the 
dUttciMisiiess  of  a  mispent  life  indbces  them  to  wish  it 
weee  true,  ia  a  fearfal  illustration  of  one  of  the  scripture 
characteristics  of  the  wicked,  that  ''  tihey  lay  the  flattering 
unction  to  their  aouls,^'  quoted,  in  tibese  characteristics,  with 
the  levity  which  marks  the  writings  of  scoffers  at  die  truths 
of  the  Bible,  of  whose  sublime  and  happy  phraseology 
they  frequently  avail  themselves,  **  to  round  a  period,  or 
adorn  a  tale.^'  To  the  doctrines  of  that  sacred  volume^  the 
writer  before  us  not  only  shews  a  marked  neglecl^  but  an 
open  hostility*  disposing  in  a  very  summary  way>  ijQ  two  oi 
bis  characteristics,  of  origiaal  sia,  as  a  ''  jiegaiiiFe  sys- 
tem of  virtue,  leading  to  a  rery  low  style  of  mtoral  aenti- 
ment ;"  wb^eas  it  is'One  of  the  |)illar8  on  wbich  the  sublime 
notraUty  of  the  iscriptures  rests.  Burt  of  liis  ^polemical  at- 
tainments, our  readers  will  be  able  to  f^Mm  a  correct  judg- 
^ient,  from  the  following  very  satisfactory  solution  of  all 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  2.  P 


196  Review. — Characteristics : 

the  difficolties  attending  some  of  the  nicest  questions,  that 
in  all  ages  of  the  church  have  perplexed  and  divided  the 
wisest  and  the  best  of  men,  and  formed  a  Gordian  knot, 
which  it  was  reserved  for  the  superior  illumination  of  this 
new  philosopher  thus  dexterously  to  untie. 

/^  The  theological  doctrines  of  Original  Sifiy  of  Grace,  and 
Election^  adroit  of  a  moral  and  natural  solution.  Outward  acts 
or  events  hardly  reach  the  inward  disposition,  or  fitness  for  good 
or  evil.  Humanity  is  to  be  met  with  in  a  den  of  robbers,  nay, 
modesty  in  a  brothel.  Nature  prevails,  and  vindicates  its  rights 
to  the  last.''  [p.  131.] 

Was  ever  such  arrant  unintelligible  fustian  put  in  print, 
since  poor  Mat.  Lee,  in  one  of  his  fits  of  lunacy,  exclaimed^ 


« 


Arise,  t)  Jupiter,  and  snuff  the  moon?' 


If  any  of  our  readers  can  understand  it,  we  do  not  envy 
them  their  understanding. 

To  avoid  the  very  suspicion  of  prejudice,  we  will  now^ 
however,  extract  a  few  of  the  best  of  the  maxims  wlich 
this  book  contains. 

**  Popularity  disarms  envy  in  well-disposed  minds.  Those  are 
ever  the  most  ready  to  do  justice  to  others,  who  feel  that  the  world 
has  done  them  justice.  When  success  has  not  this  effect  in  open- 
ing the  mind,  it  is  a  sign  that  it  has  been  ill-deserved."  [p.  4.] 

**  What  passes  in  the  world  for  talent,  or  dexterity,  or  enterprise, 
is  often  only  a  want  of  moral  principle.  We  may  succeed  where 
others  fail,  not  from  a  greater  share  of  invention,  but  from  not 
being  nice  in  the  choice  of  expedients."  [p.  42.] 

"  The  truly  proud  n^n  knows  neither  superiors  nor  inferiors. 
The  first  he  does  not  admit  of:  the  last  ne  does  not  concern 
himself  about."  [p.  50.] 

'^  Animal  spirits  are  continually  taken  for  wit  and  fancy;  and 
the  want  of  them,  for  sense  and  judgment."  [p.  59.] 

**  In  public  speaking,  we  must  appeal  either  to  the  prejudices  of 
others,  or  to  the  love  of  truth  and  justice.  If  we  think  merely  of 
displaying  our  own  ability,  we  shallruineyery  cause  we  underuJce.** 
[Ibid.] 

**  A  man's  reputation  is  not  in  his  own  keeping,  but  lies  at  the 
mercy  on  the  profligacy  of  others.  Calumny  requires  no  proof. 
The  throwing  out  mabcious  imputations  against  any  character 
leaves  a  stain,  which  no  after-refutation  can  wipe  out.  To  create 
an  unfavourable  impression,  it  is  not  necessary  that  certain  things 
should  be  trusy  but  that  they  have  been  said*  The  imagination  is 
of  so  delicate  a  texture,  that  even  words  wound  it.''  [pp.  75, 77.} 

<<  Nothing  gives  such  a  blow  to  friendship  as  the  detecting 


in  the  Manner  of  Rochefoucault's  Maxims.         107 

another  in  an  tntruth.  It  strikes  at  the  root  of  our  confidence 
ever  alter."  Fp.  77.] 

^*  People  oo  not  persist  in  their  vices  because  thev  are  not  weary 
of  them*  but  because  they  cannot  leave  them  off.  It  is  the  nature  of 
vice  to  leave  us  no  resource  but  in  itself."  [p.  94.] 

'<  Habitual  liars  invent  falsehoods,  not  to  gain  any  end^  or  even 
to  deceive  their  hearers,  but  to  amuse  themselves.  It  is  partly 
practice  and  partly  habit.  It  requires  an  effort  m  them  to  speak 
truth."  [p.  96.] 

**  Those  only  deserve  a  monument  who  do  not  need  one ;  that 
is,  who  have  raised  themselves  a  monument  in  the  minds  and 
memories  of  men."  [p.  139.] 

**  Those  who  can  command  themselves,  command  others*** 
[p.l44j 

There  is  also  much  good  sense  in  the  following  refutation' 
of  the  leading  principTe  of  Rochefoucault's  selfish  system^ 
although  in  form  it  is  more  like  an  essay  than  a  maxim. 

"  It  is  ridiculous  to  say,  that  compassion,  friendship,  &c.  are  at 
bottom  only  selfishness  in  disguise,  because  it  is  we  who  feel 
pleasure  or  pain  in  the  good  or  evil  of  others ;  for  the  meaning  of 
self-love  is  not  that  it  is  I  who  love,  but  that  I  love  myself.    The 
motive  is  no  more  selfish  because  it  is  I  who  feel  it,  than  the  action 
is  selfish,  because  it  is  I  who  perform  it.    To  prove  a  man  selfish, 
it  is  not  surely  enough  to  say^  that  it -is  he  who  feelsy  (this  is  a 
mere  quibble,)  but  to  shew  that  he  does  not  fttXjor  another;  that 
is,  that  the  idea  of  the  suffering  or  welfare  of  others  does  not  excite 
any  feeling  whatever  of  pleasure  or  pain  in  his  mind,  except  from 
some  reference  to,  or  reflection  on,  himself*    Self-love,  or  the 
love  of  self,  means,  that  I  have  an  immediate  interest  in  the  con- 
templation of  my  own  good,  and  that  this  is  a  motive  to  action ; 
and  benevolence,  or  the  love  of  others,  means  in  like  manner,  that 
I  have  an  immediate  interest  in  the  idea  of  the  good  or  evil  that 
may  befal  them,  and  a  disposition  to  assist  them,  in  consequence. 
Self-love,  in  a  word,  is  symi>athy  with  myself,  that  is,  it  is  I  who 
feel  it,  and  X  who  am  the  object  of  it :  in  oenevolence  or  compas- 
sion, it  is  X  who  still  feel  sympathy,  but  another  (not  myselt)  is 
the  object  of  it    If  I  feel  sym|^athy  with  otliers  at  all,  it  must  be 
disinterested.    The  pleasure  it  may  ^ve  me  is  the  consequence^ 
not  the  cause,  of  my  feeling  it.    To  msist  that  sympathy  is  self- 
love,  because  we  cannot  feel  for  others,  without  being  ourselves 
affected  pleasurably  or  painfully,  is  to  make  nonsense  of  the 
question :  for  it  is  to  insist,  that  in  order  to  feel  for  others  properly 
and  truly,  we  must  in  the  first  place  feel  nothing.     Cest  une 
mauvaise  plakanterie.    That  the  reeling  exists  in  the  mdividual 
must  be  granted,  and  never  admitted  of  a  question:  the  only 
question  is,  how  that  feeling  is  caused,  and  what  is  its  object-^ 
and  it  is  to  express  the  two  opinions  that  may  be  entertained  on 


\96  Remew.'^CharacterhHcs : 

this  subject,  that  tlie  terms,  sdf-Icve  and  beneisoiewx,  have  beett 
appropriated.  Any  other  interpretation  of  them  is  an  evident 
Bbuse  of  language,  and  a  subtei^ge  in  tegament,  which,  driven 
'<hmi  the  ftiir  field  of  faet  and  observation^  takes  shelter  in  verbal 
sophistry/'  [pp.45-  47*] 

Had  the  work  contained  many  sentiments  like  these,  we 
should  have  given  a  very  different,  character  of  it;  but 
inasmuch  as  it  only  overturns  one  false  system  of  morality 
to  set  up  another,  (if  atiy  thing  like  a  system  it  contains,) 
we  should  not  have  said^  so  much  as  we  have  done  about  a 
book  of  very  little  value,  but  that  it  is  generally  attributed 
to  a  writer  who '  has  obtained  b  very  extensive  reputation* 
and  who  certainly  possesses  considerable  talents,  although 
they  have  been  miserably  misapplied.  We  allude  to  Mr« 
Hazlitt ;  and  these  characteristics  contain  internal  evidence, 
'which,  though  circumstantial,  is  abundantly  sufficient  to 
prove  the  correctness  of  this  appropriation.  He  is  one  of 
the  many  literary  characters  of  the  present  day,  who,  from 
their  merit  having  been  excessively  overrated  at  their  first 
appearance,  have  now  sunk  perhaps  as  much  beneath  their 
proper  level ;  and  he  bears  a  degradation,  for  which  he  may 
in  a  ^reat  measure  thank  himself,  with  a  very  ill  grace, 
repaying  with  contempt  and  abuse  the  public  neglect  of 
hinxself  and  his  productions.  '*  Nothing,''  he  tells  us,  at 
the  close  of  one  of  his  characteristics,  **  is  more  unjust 
and  capricious  than  public  opinion ;''  and  the  next  is  but 
a  reiteration  of  the  same  complaint,  in.  the  sweeping  con- 
demnation, that  **  the  public  have  neither  sense  nor  gra- 
titude." For  our  own  parts,  we  think  vary  differently 
upon  the  subject;  but  if  authors,  on  account  of  the  real  or 
supposed  beauties  of  their  compositions,  because  either  with 
or  without  meri£  it  was  fashionable  to  admire  them,  haTe 
presumed  upon  this  indulgence,  and  exacted  undiminished 
admiration  for  whatever  trash  the^^  chose  to  publish,  they 
must  nor  murmur  at  meeting  with  the  fate  which  many 
a  scornful  beauty  and  coquettish  flirt  has  bitterly  but  inef- 
fectually lamented  that  she  provoked,  when  she,  m  her  turn, 
is  neglected  and  despised. 

.  Lord  Byron  was  the  first  of  those  miserably  mistaken 
men,  who,  intoxicated  by  praises  too  extravagant  and  in- 
discriminating  to  last,  imagined  themselves  sucn  favourites 
with  the  public,  that  they  might  do  what  they  pleased. 
After  they  had  bome>  therefore,  with  quietness,  the  irreli- 
gious ana  misanthropic  sentiments  of  Childe  Harold,  and 
others  of  his  earlier  productions,,  he  presumed  on  the^r  tole- 


Outlines  ff  Charticier.  "       199 

fating,  with  equal  complaoency,  the  senBeless  ribaldry  of 
Don  Jitan,  and  the  grosa  ixapiety  and  cold-blooded  mali^-* 
nancy  of  his  contributions  to  the  Liberal.  But  this  insult 
to  public  taste  and  feeling  has  deservedly  recoiled  upoa 
himself^  and,  as  an  author,  he  has  sunk — wnere,  but  for  his 
own  folly,  no  other  man  could  have  sunk  him — beneath  con-, 
tempt.  Thither  the  writer,  now  more  immediately  under 
our  notice,  is  rapidly  following  him ;  and  his  only  consola- 
tion in  his  merited  degradation  will  be,  that  as  he  never 
rose  so  high,  he  cannot  have  so  severe  a  fall,  as  the  noble. 

Jet  most  Ignoble  bard,  who,  in  his  animated,  though  vin- 
ictive  satire  on  the  colleagues  of  Mr.  Hazlitt  in  the  Edin- 
burgh Review,  seems  prophetically,  though  most  uninten- 
tionally, to  have  anticipated  his  own  fate,  when  he  indig- 
nantly asks> 

^'  Shall  peers  or  princes  tiead  pollution's  path. 
And  'scape  alike  the  law's  and  mu8e*s  wrath  ? 
Nor  blaze  with  guilty  glare  throngfa  £iiture  time, 
Eternal  beacons  of  consumnate  crime  ?" 

But  from  Mr.  Hazlitt,  and  his  feeble  imitation  of  the 
Characteristics  of  Rochefoucault,  we  gladly  pass  to  anothei; 
work,  formed  more  upon  the  model  of  Tbeophrastus  and  La 
Bruyere,  under  the  very  modest  and  unassuming  title  of 
"  Outlines  of  Character,  by  a  Member  of  the  Philomathic 
Institution ;"  though  we  are  h^py  to  find  that  its  author 
has  met  with  sufficient  encouragement,  in  what  would 
appear  to  be  his  first  appearance  before  the  public,  to 
avow  himself,  in  a  seoooa  edition  of  his  work,  wnich  bears 
upon  its  title-page  the  name  of  Mr.  Robert  Maugham,  the 
secretary  to  tlie  sooiety.  His  cmtlines  are  sketched  with 
a  bold  and  masterly  hand,  in  a  style  nervous,  yet  graceful^ 
axiomatical,  yet  by  no  means  devoid  of  eloquence,  though 
sometimes  verging  on  the  bombastic.  They  are  not  indeed 
all  cf  equal  merit,  though  none  of  them  are  so  devoid  of 
interest  as  not  to  repay  the  trouble  of  perusing  .them, 
eiUier  by  ^ome  new  ideas  which  they. contain,  or  by  the  apt, 
and  frequently  also  the  very  i^ovel  and  striking  illustration 
of  those  which  have  no  clainas  to  originality.  In  that  upon 
the  Eni^ish  Character,  (evidently  drawn  by.anEiB^lisbnum,} 
the  opinion  mainUuned  by  many  writers  of  eminence, 
that  the  character  and  conditijon  of  nations  chiefly  depend 
upon  the  form  of  their  government,  is  ccmtroyerted  with 
ability  and  snccess.  From  the  very  ingenious  essay  which 
follows,  intituled,  ''  Characteristic  Classes  in  Relation  to 
Happiness/'  in  which  the  man  of  talent  and  susceptibility^ 


200  Review^^CharacterUtics^: 

the  man  of  talent  without  snsceptibilitv — ^the  snaceptible 
without  talent — the  connnon-placeand  the  clods, — are  suc- 
cessively passed  in  review  before  us^.we  select  the  following 
very  fair  specimen  of  the  author's  style,  forming  a  part  of 
his  estimate  of  the  share  of  happiness  enjoyra  by  the 
dangerously  gifted  individuals  of  his  first  class : — 

"  Let  no  man  envy  the  occasional  exultations,  the  few  fleeting 
moments  of  renown  and  honour,  which  are  snatched  by  the  fore- 
most few  in  the  race  of  distinction.  The  purchase  is  made  at  the 
expense  of  a  more  solid,  if  a  less  brilliant  satisfaction — of  a  more 
permanent,  if  a  less  elevated  emotion.  Could  we  witness  the 
anxieties  which  precede  and  follow  these  *  longings  after  fame,^ 
the  possessors  of  the  reward  would  deserve  our  pity^  rather  than 
our  admiration.  We  see  only  the  beauty  of  the  fabric.  The 
scaffolding  is  removed — the  labour  is  not  seen — the  consuming 
care  that  formed  the  design;  the  heahh,  the  comfort,  the  hilarity, 
the  portion  even  of  /t/f,  that  has  been  sacrificed  to  raise  the 
wonder  of  a  moment,  is  not  the  subject  of  human  cognizance.  We 
see  the  ^ndeur  of  Uie  object,  and  may  wish  to  have  the  merit  of 
its  creation;  but  will  this  idle  envy,  this  '  momentary  buz2  of  vain 
renown,'  repay  the  sacrifice  by  which  it  has  been  purchased  t 
The  happiness  of  these  individuals  will,  in  truth,  be  proportioned 
to  the  measure  of  their  intellect.  However  strong  the  feelings, 
if  the  mind  still  maintain  its  preponderance,  the  equanimity  of  the 
character  may  be  preserved.  Strong  feelings  are  the  g;eneral 
attendants  of  great  talent;  but,  though  strong  and  impetuous, 
they  do  not  always  lead  to  despondency,  still  less  to  despair. 
Among  beings,  however,  of  diis  order,  the  imaginative  faculty  is 
oftten  predominant;  and  thoup^h  it  Uirows  numberless  charms 
around  the  dull  realities  of  life,  it  increases  the  vividness  of  disap-> 
pointed  feeling,  and  adds  new  acnteness  to  the  intensity  of  Buf« 
f(ttping."  [pp.  61—63,] 

From  *'  the  Gentleman,"  we  give  another  short  passaffe, 
worthy  alike  of  commendation,  from  the  correctness  of  its 
conceptions,  and  the  spirit  of  its  execution. 

"It  is  worth  inquiring,  whether  a  character,  adapted  for  the 
highest  display  of  heroic  virtue,  might  not  be  perverted,  and 
perhaps  destroyed,  by  aii  attempt  to  graft  upon  it  a  stock  of  the 
graceful  and  ornamental  qualities.  There  are  also  characters 
formed  by  nature  or  accident,  or  peihaps  by  the  influence  of  both, 
which  appear  peculiarly  adapted  to  acquire  all  that  is  brilliant  in 
wit  and  fancy,  and  all  that  is  fascinating  in  elegancy  and  acomn- 
plisfament  Are  not  these  beings,  however  produced,  by  nature^ 
accident,  or  habit,  obviously  of  an  opposite  and  uncongenial  cha- 
racter,  incapable  of  uniting  in  the  same  individual,  without  Ike 


Outlines  of  Chamcter.  201 

4e8tructioo  of  tjkc  jnincipal  quabUes  of  each?  The  rofinements  of 
art  destroy  the  di^ty  of  nature — ^they  aspire  to  charm  only^  not  to 
oxalt.  The  poet,  whose  excellence  consists  in  the  elegance  and 
liveliness  of  his  imaginatian — ^the  painter,  whose  characteristics 
are  delicacj  of  touch,  and  brilliancy  of  coloiiring — the  musician, 
whose  strams  are  only  meltrog  and  harmonious — can  never  mount 
to  the  regions  of  active  heroism.  The  appropriate  scenes  of  their 
exploits,  are  the  enamelled  lawn,  the  margin  of  the  rippling  stream, 
the  shady  bower,  and  the  luxurious  almes  of  wealth  and  indo- 
lence. Even  the  accomplished  orator,  from  whose  public  exercise 
we  might  expect  better  things,  is  lost  in  the  very  refinement  and 
polish  of  his  art.  ^tness  the  yain  and  cowardly  Cicero — the 
bribed  and  fugitive  Demosthenes  1  [pp.82, 83.] 

The  essay  on  *' External  Indications  of  Character,''  gives 
opportunity  for  the  introduction  of  the  author's  belief  in  the 
system  once  denominated  Craniology,  but  now  endeayour- 
ing  to  establish  itself  under  the  newer  term  of  Phrenology^ 
Of  that  system.  Dr.  Gall  is  well  known  to  be  the  inyentor* 
Dn  Spurzheim,  the  improver,  and  yery  zealous  propaga- 
tor»  wnikt,  amonest  their  warmest  and  naost  deyoted  dis-? 
ciples,  they  need  not  be  afihamed  to  rank  the  ingenious 
author  of  this  yolume,  who  closes  a  specious  detence  of 
their  singular  discoyery,  by  the  following  very  intelligible^ 
though  not  peculiarly  modest,  statement  of  its  high  pre- 
tensions. 

**  To  sum  up, — ^it  will  be  observed,  that  the  general  proposition 
advanced  by  the  theory  is, — ^that  the  moral  qualities  and  intellecr 
tiial  powers  of  human  beings  can  be  ascertained  by  an  inspection 
f^  the  external  form  of  the  head.  That  the  station  of  the  percep- 
tive iacnteies  «  in  the  region  of  the  eye-'^-of  the  superior  ^ulties, 
on  the  summit  of  the  brow — of  the  sentiments,  on  tne  crown  of  the 
head — and  the  propensities  behind.  That,  as  the  organs  of  sense 
UNdiy  transmit  impfessions  to  the  interoal  faculties*,  Uie  diAoovery 
of  thoQ^  HKOulties  is. a  step  farther  in  tracing  the  nature  of  tbiSt 
wonderful  essence — the  wind  oj  man.  That  the  brain  is  the  seat 
of  all  the  powers,  moral  and  intellectual.  That  the  faculties  are 
seated  io  peculiar  portions  of  the  brain,  as  the  congeries  of  organs 
or  instruments  by  which  all  mental  phenomena  are  performed* 
That,  on  the  state,  and  in  proportion  to  the  size  and  the  activity  of 
the  brain,  depend  the  pe^ection,  the  suspension,  the  derangement, 
or  the  annihilation  of  mind.  That,  the  skull,  being  ductile  till 
long  after  the  brain  is  formed,  becoming  ossified  by  degrees,  and 
oonstantly  undergoing  change  and  renovation,  till  a  late  stage  of 
life,  it  is  consequently  modified  and  manifested  in  proportion 
to  the  degree  of  force,  <^  energy,  and  of  the  continued  action  of 
the  bndn;  smd,  in  the  reauk,  ^ese  operati<ms  present  a  form  of 


202  Meckm^^GImraUemiUs : 

head  coMuiteiit  with  the  me»Ul  and  numl  dbracter  of  tte 
iodundvaL 

^*  Such  n  the  ftystem,  softported,  it  wocdd  seem,  by  Ae  evidenee 
of  indUpiitabl^  laicts,  exbibited  in  nvmercms^  iastasces^  galiheved 
from  all  part»  of  the  globe.  The  living  have  been  scrutinised  m 
aetioiiy  and  the  dead  have  been  dissected.  Cblkctions  have  been 
formed  of  the  skalls  of  all  nations.  The  experience  ci  men  of 
science  has  testified  in  fiiirour'  of  the  theory,  and  She  reasonings  of 
Humy  able  anthors  have  siveeessfally  supported  it.''  [ppw  Yt5y  12^.] 

Now  all  this  is  very  satisfactory  and  conclusive,  pro^vided 
it»!  assertions  were  proofs,  though  Mr.  Maugham,  who,  w« 
believe,  is  a  lawyer^musl  bei^well.  aware  o£  themae&I  diis'* 
tinction,  which  gives  to  the  weakest  evidence  a  decided 
anp^oiity  oTer  the  bold^t  declaration,  unsupported  Iby 
testimony  or  erperienee.  In  the  first  place,  it  has  beert 
rery  properly  objected  to  the  new  system  of  our  iie%h-^ 
bours,  that  it  has  taken  for  granted,  a  pokit  oo  whic^  the 
ablest  anatomists  have  been  divided  in  c^piniofl  ever  since 
their  science  was  cultivated',  and  will,  in  all  probability, 
renwiia  so,  (for  the  theon^  is  not  capable  of  demonstration,) 
vutil  it  shall  cease  to  be  numbered  with  the  oHects  iA 
hiuman  pursuit — namely,  tiiat  the  organs  of  mtelleef 
reside  in  the  brain,  and  not  in  the  nervous  system,  or  some 
other  part  of  the  wonderfully  complicated  machinery  of 
man.  That  it  does  not,  can  no  more  oe  proved,  than  that  it 
ijloes ;  and  in  the  anatomical  part  of  the  theory,  this  diffi- 
culty stares  those  in  the  face»  who  bottom  themselves  en-, 
tirely  upon  having  given  to  the  mental  faculties.an  exGla<« 
aive  local  habitation  in  thei  brain — that  many  persons  have 
lost  oousid^rable  portioits  of  that  organ,  and,  to  use  a  fani-? 
liar,  colloquial  expcessfion,  have  bee»  none  the  worse  Car  it^ 
eahibitiiig,  aft»  soch  loss,  no  atteiation,  either  in  their 
noPHitaf)/  or  wh<tl  is  eqiiatty  fatal  to  the  phrenologist,  in  ttieir 
ttiQval  powers.  Say  they^  that  the  common  cofisent  of 
mankind,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  sceptical  individuals, 
has  established  the  seat  of  intellect  for  which  they  contend  P 
If e  should  be  tempted  to  meet  so  unphilosophical  an^ 
argument  with  the  objection,  that  for  the  establishing  such! 
a  superstructure  sis  you  intend  to  raise  upon  this  founda- 
tion, we  caa  have  nothing  to  do  with  consents  or  admls- 
^ons,  or  hypotheses,  or  opinions,  buvt  with  the  most  con- 
elusive  and  convincing  deixu)BStration.  With  another  view, 
we  are  wilUag^  however,  to  wave  the  objection,  and  to  sajr 
tatbe  Granicfelogist,  (we  be^  ten  thousand  pardons,  we  shonld? 
have  said,  the  Phrenologist,)  cooceding  to  yon,  on  iUe. 


giraDcl,  l3i«  dote  of  youv  theory  of  tiie  mhid,  the  vefy  ee^ 
cearioB  desteoyi^  tlie  more  BOTel  wad  more  importaiil  part  of 
yonr  system,  umtlbe  brain  is  ako  tbe  seat  of  all  the  moral 
powers,  or,  in  the  words  of  one  of  Mr.  Maugham'ii  expHma- 
tory  notes,  ''of  thonght,  of  sensation,  and  Titality;''  for  by 
tbe  same  common  consent  of  all  mankind,  with  still  fewer 
exceptions  of  the  sceptical  or  perrersely  hypothetical,  the 
latter  are  seated  in  the  heart.  To  our  author,  who  irery 
properly  settles  the  dispute  upon  the  origin  and  diversity 
of  language  with  ''the  scriptwes  have  deeid<ed,^*  (pv  S95,) 
we  may  not  improperly  make  anther  .am>ea1,  and  ask.  With 
^s  consent  does  not  the  revealed  will  of  God  accord? 
Is  not  its  langaage,  "The  k^art  of  man  is  deceitful  above 
all  things,  aind  despemtely  wicked,''  not  the  head.  **  Out  of 
the  hemrt/*  not, again,  the  head,  "proceed  all  manner  of  evU 
speaking,  lies^  muitier,  tbefk,  admkery,''^  Stc.  "  I  will  take 
away  the  keoH  of  stone ;  a  ftew  heart  will  I  give  him,'^  not 
a  new  hraia^  "  saith  the  Lord."  Throughout  the  Bible, 
in  fact,  thovgh  tbe  understanding  is  to^  be  enliehtened,  it  is 
the  heart  that  is  to  be  changed ;  and  whilst  folly  aware  of 
Ae  answer  likely  to  be  made  to  the  remark, — ^that  thiil 
language  is  uniformly  fignrative.  Or  aeeommodating  ifself 
to  tbe  imperfect  knowledge  of  mankind,  and  Iherelbre  et 
part  is  put  for  Ae  whole ;  we  in  our  turn  must  ask,  whether, 
as  the  scriptures  were  written  under  the  inspiration  of  the 
Almighty,  it  is  not  probable  that  tbe  right  part  would 
have  been  used,  when  it  was  as  easy  to  use  rt  as  the  wrong, 
and  no  end  could  possibly  have  been  answered  by  the  mi»^ 
representation?  Wo  are  not  of  the  number  of  those  whd 
appeal  to  the  Bible  as  a  book  of  minute  scientific  accuracy, 
for  such  it  never  pretended  to  be,  as  its  object  was  more 
Oixalted  than  the  suUimest  speculations  ol  mere  bmnan 
learning,  when  directed  to  the  perishing  interests  and  em^ 
pk^^inents,  rather  than  the  eternal  delst»iiy>  of  sian;*  btif 
w4iiht  we  refer  not  to>  4t,  tihevefore,  for  ansltomieal  or  phy*^ 
siolog^I  fkcts,  nothing  short  of  actual  demonstration  can 
convince  us  of  the  inaccuracy  of  its  langui^e,  when  speak^-* 
iag  figuratively  and  incidentally  upon  the  structure  of  the 
creatures  of  His  hand,  by  whose  iaspiration  all  scripture  was 
given  for  our  instruotion.  And  even  admitting  that  the 
mtiforin  language  of  scripture,  in  speaking  of  the  seat  of  the 
affections,  uie  passions,  the  vices,  and  the  virtues  of  man* 
kind,  is  not  to  be  prayed  in  aid  of  any  argument  tending  to 
abew  their  real  position  in  the  human  (Vame,  we  are  but  left 
where  we  were,  in  that  unoertainty>  as  to  the  mysterious 


204  Bmi€»» — CharacUritiiu: 

imion  of  the  body  and  the  soul^ — ^diis  ^'Titel  apaik  of  hem* 
Tenly  flame/'  and  the  material  dements  which  shall  mingle 
into  the  dust  from  whence  they  sprung,  when  the  sjpirit 
shall  return  to  God  who  gave  it— of  materiality  and  imma- 
teriality,  corruption  and  incorruption — ^in  which  we  were 
left  by  our  Creator,  for  this  perhaps,  amongst  other  reasons, 
that  we  might  not  bend  the  imperfect  knowledge,  the 
prejudices,  and  the  pride,  of  finite  and  erring  beings,  to  the 
formation  of  systems  for  judging  our  fellow<*creatures,  in 
opposition  to,  and  derogation  from,  that  judgment  which 
betongeth  alone  to  our  maker  and  our  God. 

After  these  observations,  our  readers  will  not  need  to  be 
informed,  that  we  are  no  supporters  of  the  new  system  of 
Craniology,  or  Phrenok)gy,  call  it  which  you  will;  nor, 
though  some  of  them  are  infinitely  less  dbjectionable>  and 
more  plausible,  were  we  ever  the  advocates  of  physio^omy^ 
palmistry,  or  that  other  ology^  or  ixifjf,  (whose  oistinctive  ap- 
pellation we  have  forgotten,  if  ever  it  had  an^rO  which  pro*- 
fesses  to  determine  the  character  of  an  individual  hy  that 
of  his  hand-writing ;  a  conclusion,  by  the  way,  which,  if  it 
could  be  established,  would  be  highly  gratifying  to  some 
of  our  very  intimate  friends,  and  indeed  ot  our  literary 
associates  in  this  journal,  who  would  thai  be  fairly  intitkd 
at  least  to  this  distinction,  that  they  were  chasacters  staoidU 
ibg  alone  in  the  wide  world,  for  as  no  one  ever  wrote,  so 
no  one  could  ever  be,  like  them*  To  all  of  these  ingenious 
speculations  we  have  one  objection,  which,  to  our  mindg^ 
has  ever  been  conclusive  as  to  the  fallacy  of  their  preten- 
sions, namely,  that  if  well-founded,  and  reduced  to  nrao* 
tice,  they  mast  be  injurious  to  the  happiness  of  man  nere» 
and  fatal  to  his  prospects  for  hereafter.  To  this  we  know 
it  will  be  rejoined,  that  in  our  search  after  tmth,  we  have 
nothing  to  do  with  its  consequences,  but  are  bound  to  fol- 
low wherever  it  may  lead  us ;  nor  do  we  deny  the  correelness 
of  the  assertion : — ^but  life  is,  uiibrtunately,  too  short  Ux  the 
attainment  of  all  truth,  men  must  therefore  be  satisfied  with 
directing  their  attention  to  that  which  is  most  essential  to 
the  welfare  of  themselves  and  of  their  species  in  this  worlds 
and  in  the  world  to  come.  Those,  therefore,  who  wish  to 
make  the  best  use  of  their  time,  which,  with  the  loI^;est 
liver,  is  but  too  short  for  the  acqmsition  of  knowledge 
really  useful  to  its  possessor,  will  do  wisely  to  ask  them- 
selves the  cui  bono  of  every  invention  or  pursuit  presented 
to  their  investigation  jx  adoption.  To  this  we,  for  our 
own  guidance,  have  long  a^ed  another  rule,  of  looking  lo 


OuiUnes  of  Character^  206 

the  consequences  of  the  establishment  of  any  new  theory; 
and  if  we  have  found  that  these  are  detrimental  to  the 
best  interests  of  our  race^  we  have  made  up  our  minds^  that 
it  cannot  be  worth  the  pains  of  minutely  examining  its 
pretensions,  as  the  time  occupied  in  discovering  and  ex- 
posing its  fallacies  might  be  much  better  employed^  botli 
for  ourselves  and  others. 

Now,  in  applying  these  principles  to  Phrenology,  the 
obvious  answer  to  its  cut  bono,  is,  that  it  enables  us  to  form  a 
correct  notion  of  the  characters  of  men  from  the  formation 
of  their  skulls ;  and  were  its  pretensions  well-founded,  we 
should  be  furnished  with  a  royal  and  easy  road  to  the 
attainment  of  that  grand  arcanum  of  legislation,  the  pre* 
vention  of  crime ;  for,  as  all  writers  en  politicstl  science 
and  jurisprudence  have  agreed,  that  prevention,  and  not 
revenge,  should  be  the  object  of  human  punishments,  it 
would  be  at  once  a  justifiable  and  beneficial  course,  to 
indict  and  convict  men,  not  for  murdering  their  fellow 
creatures,  or  despoiling  them  of  their  property,  but  for  that 
they  **  in  and  upon  the  several  back  parts  of  the  several 
heads  of  them,  the  said  a.  b.  c«  d.  ana  £.  f.  severally  had 
one  bump,  of  the  length  of  one  inch,  the  breadth  of  half  an 
inch,  and  the  height  of  one*quaFter  of  an  inch,  by  reason  of 
which  said  bump,  called  the  organ  of  destructiveness,  they 
the  said  a.b.  c.d.  and  b«  f.  upon  any  provocation  to  them 
inconsiderately  offered,  were  severally  likely  to  murder,  or 
attempt  to  murder,  kill,  and  slay,  the  liege  subjects  of  our 
lord  tne  king,  tibem  so  offending,  to  the  great  danger  of 
all  the  lieges  of  our  said  lord  the  king,  and  also  against  his 
peace,  his  crown  and  dignity."  Ludicrous  as  such  a  charge 
must  now  appear,  could  the  new  science  for  measuring  and 
mapping  out  Dumps  and  lumps  on  the  head,  as  the  only  dure 
indications  of  character,  be  once  reduced  to  that  matbema* 
tical  certainty,  witibout  which  it  is  worse  than  useless-^we 
should  seriously  recommend  such  a  svtftem  of  legislation^ 
as  the  wisest  and  mildest  that  could  be  pursued.  But 
startled  perhaps  at  the  absurdity  which  would  result  firom 
following  out  their  own  principles  to  all  its  consequences, 
we  question  much  whether  the  ablest  and  most  confident 
amongst  them  would  venture  to  hire  a  servant  upon  the 
mere  conformity  of  the  craniimi  with  the  gauge  and  gamut 
of  his  system,  however  uncharitably  he  might  be  disposed 
to  exercise  it  upon  those  in  whom  he  felt  no  other  interest, 
than,  at  all  risks  to  their  characters  and  his  own  candour, 
to  make  them  illustrations  of  its  truth.    Yet  if  they  do  not 


20$ 

Biiieb  mare  than  this,  their  boitfited  disccyvery  can  be  pio- 
dnetifne  of  no  real  adTantage  to  others  or  to  tbenselves, 
and  the  time  bestowed  upon  die  study  of  it  is  time  com- 
pletely thr&WD'  away. 

But  we  hai^  charged  it  with  Bomethiug  infinitely  worse^ 
a»  a  reason  why  it  snould  not  be  par saed, — i.  e.  a  manifest 
tendency  to  injure  the  best  interests  of  our  race,  for  time, 
and  for  eternity.  And  this,  if  true,  it  must  do,  by  barring 
the  door  to  all  repentance  and  change  of  heart,  which  is  not 
evidenced  by  a  corres]K)ndent  change  in  the  ossification  oS 
the  head.  What  Christian,,  bnt  from  the  records  of  the 
inspired  volume — the  exj)res6  declaration  of  our  Saviour — 
ana  his  own  observation  in  the  world,  but  believes  in  that 
regeneration,  or  new  formation  of  the  character,  (to  avoid 
all  disputation  about  tenns>  we  say  not  cbange  of  head  or 
heart,)  by  which  .the  drunkard  becomes  sober — the  lasci** 
vious  chaste — the  violent  peaceable — the  tibief  honest-— the 
idle  active — and  even  the  miser  benevolent,  and  the  morose* 
kind.  This  change  frequently  takes  place,  if  not  instan-' 
taneously,  very  suddenly ;  elBected,  as  it  often  is,  by  the 
agency  of  some  unexpected  incident  or  momentary  im* 
pression.  Is  that  change  then,  we  ask  Phrenologists,  of 
which  the  altered  conduct  of  the  man  compels  every  one  to< 
take  notice,  accompanied  by  a  correspondent  change  in  the* 
surface  and  protuberance  of  his  head  ?  if  not,  what  be- 
comes of  the  truth  or  value  of  their  system  i  Yet  that  it  is, 
what  mail  in  his  senses  can  brieve,  or  how  will  they  under-- 
take  to  demonstrate  it?  They  will,  therefore,. be  compelled* 
to  give  tiie  same  charneter  of  the  man  tlms  singularly 
changed,  the  year  after  his  c6nyerfik>n,  and  even  down  tO) 
the  period  wketi  he  shall  ctese  the  witness  of  a^  good  ooom 
fi^dton,  though  it  be  of  thd- chief  of  sinners  saved  b]rgi(a)ee/ 
by  a  triumpmnt  deaths  whi^htliey  would  have  given  ofi 
him  the  motae«it  bsftoe' ttiat  conversiiOBy ' when  be  wasiia*^ 
dutging  every  wicked  and  sinfol  lust  anid  passion  of  « 
depraved  a^d  unregenerated  nature..  Couldwe  ieatronsitdv 
a  subject,  we  would  *  ask  them,;  if>  andongsl;  their  organs 
indicative  of  character,  they  have  one  iimicative  of  that 
great  change  which  divides  the  liinner  from  the  saint?  If 
not,  wherever  the  abandoned  and  open  profligate  is  turned 
from  the  eiror  of  his  ways,  their  system  must  oe  worse  than 
useless,  for  it  is  deceptive,  mischievous,  uncharitable,  and 
fiailse. 

We  have  been  led  so  far  beyond  our  original  intentions 
in  discussing  the  merits  of  this  new  theory,  that  wo  shall 


(hiiiinesiff,ChMP€icier.  207 

not  be  able  to  devote  mvck  space  to  tlie  remakiiiig  coiileiiift 
of  this  interesting  yolume,  the  penisal  of  which  bro«giil 
that  theory  incidentally  beneath  o«t  notice.  in  **  the 
Orator^^  we  meet  with  several  j  udicious  remarkson  the  oouh 
parative  state  of  eloquence  in  ancient  and  modem  times/ 
and  a  very  satisfactory  reason  for  its  declension  at  the  hwr, 
since  the  days  in  which  Demosthenes  and  Cicero  exhibited 
there  the  noblest  triumphs  of  the  art.  We  give  the  passage 
entire,  as  a  specimen  at  once  of  the  correctness  of  our 
author's  reasonings  and  the  neatness  of  his  style  :-r- 

"  The  style  of  oratory  at  the  Bar  is  characteristic  of  the  subjects 
on  which  it  is  exercised.  It  partakes  of  all  the  dryness  ^ich 
belongs  to  an  intricate  science,  and  all  the  subtlety  which  attaches 
to  an  abstruse  art.  The  causes  of  the  dearth  of  forensic  oratory^ 
are  obvious  on  the  surface.  Unlike  the  pAeadeis  of  antiquity^ 
those  who  exercise  it  are  bound  in  l^e  letters  df  precedent*  Instead 
of  reason,  they  refer  to  authority;  and  the  declMOns  of  an  igno* 
rant  agf ,  become  a  staadard  for  that  which  is  enlightened.  Wis- 
dom and  virtue  are  supposed  to  be  o^s^roc^,  not  relative,  qualities; 
and  what  was  wise  and  good  yesterday,  must,  on  legislative 
authority,  be  so  to-day,  and  for  ever. 

'^Though  all  admire  the  display  of  eloquence,  the  forensic 
orator,  however  brilliaiiit  m  speech,  if  ignorant  of  the  subtleties  of 
his  profession^  would  in  general  reonain  neglected  and  unemployed. 
For,  after  all  that  the  man  of  taste  may  say  in  favour  of  the  oma* 
mental,  even  he,  when  self-interest  is  importantly  concerned, 
would  prefer  the  useful  and  efficient.  No  man  would  relish  libe 
loss  of  his  cause,  and  consequently  of  his  pro|^erty,  and  peifcaps 
his  life,  for  the  sake  of  the  most  pathetic,  Uie  most  brilliant,  and 
ttke  most  sublime  oration,  that  was  ever  pronounced  by  the  genius 
of  man. 

'^  We  need  not  be  surprised,  therefore,  that  what  is  not  required 
or  encouraged,  should  cease  to  exist.  The  ancient  pleaders  soon 
acc(aired  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  few  siaRile  principles  df 
their  nmnicipal  jurispmdenoe,  and  the  rules  oi  law  and  prac- 
tice which  eousted  in  their  days.  The  rest  of  thek  time  was 
dev€^d  to  the  study  of  eloquence^  and  to  all  those  arts  with  which 
it  is  connected,  and  by  which  it  might  be  advanced  and  adorned, 
^otso  the  forensic  student  of  modern  times.  The  professional 
education  of  a  barrister,  is  decidedly  opposed  to  the  acquisition  of 
oratorical  graces.  A  whole  life  is  insufficient  to  master  the  exten- 
sive range  of  our  complicate  system  oF  jurisprudence :  and,  since 
it  is  more  important  to  know  the  law,  than  to  descant  on  it  eloquent- 
ly, the  student  prefers  his  duty  and  interest,  to  his  gratification. 

**  The  wide  extent  of  legal  controversy  denies  to  the  practitioner, 
'in  general,  the  leisure  of  studying  to  embellish  his  speeches.  The 
interest,  also,   of  forensic  avocations,  is  'diminished,  by  their 


208  Rmew^^^Charaeimiiie^,  S^c^ 

coiuitaiit  recmrence*  Tbey  become  mere  matters  of  common- 
place;  and  a  legal  advocate  perhaps  thinks  no  more  of  tropes  and 
figures,  tones  and  gestures,  than  a  mechanic  does  of  the  line  of 
beauty,  or   the  standard  and   the  principles   of  taste."    [pp. 

188— 191.1 

There  is  much  severity  of  truth  in  Mr.  Maugham's  re-* 
marks  on  the  literary  character  of  the  age,  which  he  de- 
scribes, we  fear,  but  too  correctly,  as  one  of  book-making 
and  of  books,  though  we  doubt  whether  he  has  been  suffi- 
ciently behind  the  curtain  to  know  how  the  system  of  pub- 
lishing and  concocting  is  carried  on  in  the  Row,  as,  for 
brevity's  sake,  the  street  of  bibliopolists,  in  which  most  of 
the  leading  houses  in  the  trade  have  their  establishments, 
is  generally  called.  At  least,  it  is  not,  as  he  suspects,  by 
authors  eiuer  reviewing  their  own  works^  or  furnishing  an 
outline  of  them,  and  selecting  the  passages  which  Uiey  think 
most  favourable  for  quotation ;  though,  of  other  modes  of 
puffing,  we  doubt  not  there  are  enough  in  use.  We  are 
more  inclined,  however,  to  agree  with  him  in  the  opinion 
which  he  thus  gives,  of  the  state  and  probable  fate  of  litera- 
ture amongst  us. 

**  The  inundation  of  books  already  exceeds  all  useful  purposes; 
The  supply  will  become  too  great  for  the  demand;  and  tne  result 
must  be,  that  authors,  less  liberally  remunerated,  will  cease  to 
labour.  Such  must  ever  be  the  case,  when  the  article  produced  is 
out  of  all  proportion  superabundant.  Neither  will  the  decline  be 
confined  to  the  decrease  of  new  productions.  Those  already 
written  will  accelerate  the  decline  iif  value,  and  the  fastidiousness 
of  taste  will  fly  from  what  is  within  the  reach  of  the  odious  vulgar,** 
[pp.  225, 226.] 

He  will  hardly  expect  us,  however,  to  extend  our  approba* 
tion  to  the  next  article,  intitled,  "  the  Periodical  Critic," 
on  whose  labours  he  sets  but  very  little  store.  We,  however, 
naturally  estimating  them  more  highly,  are  determined  not 
to  devote  to  the  defence  of  our  fraternity,  any  portion  of 
that  time  which  misht  be  more  usefully  directed  to  the  dis- 
charge of  their  unpleasant,  but  important  functions.  Our 
author  is  of  opinion,  that  nothing  could  be  more  serviceable 
to  the  cause  of  literature,  ''than  the  establishment  of  a 
work,  which  should  annually  review  the  reviewers,  rejudge 
their  decisions,  and  constitute,  as  it  were,  a  court  of  literary 
appeal;"  a  suggestion  which  we  cordially  meet  with  a  ''Try 
the  experiment,  good  sir,  and  right  heartily  do  we  wish  yon 
i;ood speed.-'  Commending  also  the  entire  article  to  the  atten- 


Letters  on  Earfy  Rising,  209 

live  perusal  of  those  who  may  be  disposed  to  treat  the  tribe 
to  wiiich  we  belongs  with  as  little  reverence  as  our  author, 
we  in  our  turn  take  a  very  gentle  vengeance  upon  him»  for 
his  presumptuous  attack  upon  reviewers  in  general,  by 
begging  him  to  review  his  own  composition,  wim  a  view  to 
correct  some  errors  in  it,  which  he  ought  to  be  grateful, 
even  to  critics  by  profession,  for  pointing  out.  The  following 
sentence,  for  instance,  requires  pruning  of  much  of  its  some- 
what inconeruous  exuberance,  ''Their  cacdethes  hquendi 
is  latent,  and  the  hidden  spring  must  be  effectually  touched, 
ere  its  stream  can  flow  to  the  surface,  or  the  gathering  tor* 
rent  pour  forth  its  exuberance  in  the  waters  of  eloquence/' 
To  ttie  same  judicious  process,  we  would  also  commend 
"  the  stream  of  eloquence,  which  flowed  and  gathered  in 
its  progress  the  tears  of  the  initiated ;'' — "  touch  but  those 
springs  of  action,  those  master-chords  by  which  the  human 
lyre  is  moved  and  agitated,  and  we  produce  all  those  effects 
which  are  the  outward  and  visible  signs  of  energy  and 
genius ;" — **  his  soul  is  not  attuned  to  the  strings  of  sympa- 
fliy,  and  he  knows  but  few,  if  any,  of  the  notes  within  the 
compass  of  the  heart's  melody .'' 

On  the  whole,  however,  we  have  been  so  much  pleased 
with  these  Outlines,  that  we  dismiss  them  with  our  warm 
commendation,  saying  to  our  readers^  Legite,  et  nobiscum 
plamUie. 


1.  Letters  on  the  Importance  JDuttf  and  Advantages,  of  Early 
Rising.  Addressed  to  Heads  oj  Families,  the  Man  of  Btist- 
fiess,  the  Lover  of  Nature,  the .  Student,  and  the  Christian* 
Fourth  Edition.  F'cap.  8vo.  pp.  210.  London,  1822. 
Taylor  and  Hessey. 

2.  Earbf  Rising  recommended;  a  Tract,  written  immediately  on 
Returning  from  an  agreeable  Morning  Walk,  in  the  Neigh^ 
bourhood  of  London.  By  the  Rev.  Jacob  Snelgar.  F'cap. 
8vo.    pp.  24.    London,  1822.    Westley. 

We  regret  to  say,  that  these  two  publications  have  laid 
upon  our  table,  until  the  author  of  one  of  them  has  changed 
the  scene  at  once  of  his  ministerial  labours,  and  his  matin 
lucubrations ;  whilst  the  writer  of  the  other  has  passed  into 
that  better  world,  where  we  doubt  not  that  he  is  reaping 
some  of  the  fruits  of  the  due  emplovment  of  the  compara- 
tively short  portion  of  time  allottea  to  him  in  this  the  only 
scene  of  preparation  for  the  blessedness  or  misery  of  an 


f^jbemsj  -Btaie*  Tlie  delay  kas^  ob  <Mif  parte,  hetu  uttayoid* 
able;  but  the  dawBiagx>f  spring  after  tbe  comiaeDcemeali^ 
at  ojqice  >of «  new  year»  a^d  a  new  aeries  af  •pur  joaraaJ^  baa 
been 'CpAftidei^d  a  |Mroper  period  for  recoiaBieiidiag  to  om 
readers  the  adoption  of  what  we  apprebead  will,  to  mangr 
of  them,  be  aaew  practice^  that  of  early  rising. 

Tbefiistof  the  treatises  enforcing  so  salutary  and  bene* 
ficial  a  habit,  is  the  production  of  the  late  Mr.  Alfred  Cecil 
Bucklaindy  a  member  of  the  inferior  branch  of  the  legal  pro* 
fesBiQa^  who  in  early  life,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  nsefnlness, 
was  taken  from  hisJabours  to  his  rest^  though  not»  we  tmat# 
before  much  good  had  been  effected  by  the  dispcHraion  of 
foar  editions  of  a  work«  from  which,  we  candidly  aonfess, 
that  we  ourselves  have  experienced  considearaUe  pvaotioal 
benefit;  and  therefore  do  we  the  more  earnestly ^OBVuend 
it  to  the  atteotive  jierusal  of  oth^a. 

''^  Shoidd  he,'*  says  the  ingenious  aaithot  of  letters,  of  which 
lie  modestly  and  unafiectedly  expresses  his  conviction,  **  that  his 
name  is  net  of  suffident  importance  to  give  celebrity  to  his  woiic, 
an4  oonsoioas  that  ^s  work  ^iU  erer  be  too  obscure  to  reflect 
lustre  upon  his  name,'* — *^  wheu  smigltng  hereafter  in  society,  ever 
ha^e  the  happiness  to  bear  one  jtareut  say,  in  aUnaioa  to  these 
pages,  *  By  diem  I  was  first  iled  to  knproYe  those  boars  wfaiok 
prer^  .fonpmy  consum^  in  :aleep,  and  thus.  I  have  mot  lonly  been 
able  to  perform  with  ease  the  duties  which  before  wese  ^iftea 
neglectea,  but  I  have  also  experienced  the  satisfaction  of  having 
set  a  good  example  to  nify  <5htldrenf — Should  he  ever  hear  one 
lover  ofncUure  observe, — *  To  them  I  am  indebted  for  the  con- 
templation of  scenes  more  lovely  4han  I  bad  ever  beheld,  and  the 
pictfires  which  ereadoB  now  unfolds  to  my  sight  are  more  beauti- 
M  "diaa  those  whic^  poetic  imagery  OBoe  presented  to  my  fancy:' 
•— ^SSiDuU  he  ever  hear  one  shident  jemark,  *  Theoe  was  a  time 
when  my  health  was  impaired  in  the  same^apoarfioaasmylaiow- 
ledge  increased,  but  they  taught  me  to  promote  at  once,  the 
vigour  of  my  body,  and  the  improvement  of  my  mind  :* — but  ^espe- 
cially, shcuild  he  ever  hear  one  Christian  dedare, '  My  devotions 
have  never  been  so  ardent,  and  my  faith  has  never  been  so  strong, 
as  in  those  seasons  which  they  persuaded  me  to  snatch  from  obu- 
iBin,'-«4ie  wiil  hot  coonder  his  time  msspent,  'Or  his  iabiMir  ift- 
boitowed.''   [pp.  ix.xi,  xii,] 

That  he  laboured  not  altogether  in  vsain^  we  can  testify ; 
and  if  iJie  new  series  of  our  work  should  amell  les)^  of  l^e 
lamp  than  4id  the  old  one,  to  him  wiU  we  gladly  ottrilMite 
the  chief  merit  of  tbe  change,  altheijigb  he  is  now  fisr 
jbeyond  tbe  influence  of  our  ansignificaat  aduatowledgmeAts* 


Letters  on.  Early  Rising.  2H 

We  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  the  good  sense  of  our 
readers,  to  waste  a  moment  of  that  time,  for  the  improve- 
ment of  which  we  are  urgent  advocates,  by  a  statement  of 
the  evils  of  lying  in  bed  to  a  late  hour  in  the  morning, 
Kriiere  that  habit  is  a  mere  indulgence.  Scarcely  need  a 
child  be  told,  that  the  hours  wasted  in  needless  sleep,  are 
time  lost,  never  to  be  recovered,  yet,  doubtless,  to  be  ac- 
counted for  hereafter,  besides  that  the  individual  who  so 
wastes  them,  is  encouraging  a  habit  that  will  steal  imper- 
ceptibly upon  him — is  enervating  his  frame — enfeeblinjg 
the  powers  of  his  mind— diminishing  his  usefulness,  and, 
from  the  consciousness  of  laziness  wnich  all  idle  persons 
feel,  is  souring  his' temper;  in  fact  is  realiring  the  mischiefs 
eanmmrated  by  the  author  of  the  Letters  on  Early  Rising, 
with  a  fidelity  which  even  the  pitiable  victims  o£  the  indo- 
lence he  deservedly  reprobates  must  adcnowldge. 

**  Each  morning,  instead  of  being  commenced  with  sentiments 
of  gratitude  to  that  kind  and  paternal  Being  who  has  added  another 
day  to  his  former  mercies,  is  accompanied  with  a  bitter  reflection 
on  bis  again  becoming  the  slave  of  a  habit  which  he  detests,  but 
is  unwilling  to  relinquish.  A  softness  is  thrown  over  the  disposi- 
tion, altogether  inconsistent  with  the  courage  and  strength  which 
the  daily  ecfncems  of  business  require.  A  dissatisfaction  with 
srif  »  produced,  which  sours  the  temper,  and  which  is  opposed  to 
/every  thing  amiable  and  pleasing.  Every  object  that  presents 
itselfis  veiled  in  a  gloom,  which  invests  it  in  a  peciuliar  melan- 
choly hue,  and  deprives  it  of  the  power  of  bestowing  the  pleasures 
that  it  fnay  be  really  calculated  to  afford.  The  mutual  endear- 
ments of  the  social  circle  are  suspended ;  and  very  often  the  brows 
of  the  more  aged  are  knit  into  a  frown  at  the  artless  cheerfulness 
of  the  young,  arising  from  an  envy  of  their  happiness,  a  near  re- 
semblance to  which  might  have  been  enjoyed  by  themselves.  The 
day  thus  commenced,  cannot  be  expected  to  be  spent  With  satis- 
faction, or  to  be  finished  with  self-approbation."  [pp.  25,  26.] 

.  That  lying  long  in  bed  is  injurfous  to  the  constitution, 
«ve.ry  medical  man  will  tell  us ;  and  we  fully  agree  with  our 
aaUior  in-referring  that  lon^  train  of  indescribable  maladies, 
80  prevalent  sis  wdl  -as  fftsfaaonable  in  the  times  in  which  we 
live,-— tfaovgh  BC^cely  known  in  th(9  good  old  days  of  our 
robuster  forefathers,  wad  which,  in  the  absence  of  a  more 
«pecifi6  term,  are  ranked  under  the  general  aiid  compas- 
sionating name  of  nervou8,-^to  the  inordinate  portion  of 
time  spent  in  bed.  On  the  effect  of  this  habit  oh  the  con- 
stitution, our  author  judiciously  gives  us  the  following 
high  professional  authority. 

VOL.  VIII.— NO.  2.  Q 


•"  N6thittg/'  0Byft  Dr.  CHi^yiie,  '<  can  he  Aior^  prejudiciai  tb  feo^ 
der  cooslitiitidnd,  studious  and  contemplative  fiierson^,  than  lyii^ 
lcn|»'in  bed,  lotting  and  soaking  m  v^eeis  altar  any  one  is  dis^ 
tiactky  awake,  or  has  slel[^  a  due  and  reflfsoaable  time.  U  fiecei^ 
sarily  thiekeos  the  juices^  enervates  ihe  solids,  and  weakens  die 
constitution.  A  free  open  air  is  a  kind  x>f  cold  balb,  especially 
af^r  rising  out  of  a  warm  bed,  and  cooseqitfenlly  makes  the  circa* 
kttioQ  brii^r  and  more  aomidete,.  and  brsuoes  up  the  .solids,  whei> 

S^iag  in  bed  dissolves  mid  soaks  them  in  moisture.  This  is  evw 
ent  from  the  appetite  and  hunger  those  that  rise  early  feeVbeyon^ 
that  wliich  they  get  by  lying  long  in  bed.*^ — Etsay  on  Heaiik  ank 
long  Hfe,  b.  iii.  s.6.  [p^  eU] 

Of  the  medical  skiH  dTMr.WeskjF,  s^lelof  Im  Prnii«ir« 
Physic^  we  enteftaiDilk  Tfery  low  opuiioQ,  yet  are  ivediiiduied 
to  gifire  maeh  weight  to  the  ei^petienee  of  so  obactsvant  • 
man,  who  from  the  nenfous  weakneBS  of 'his  /sight  in  '^mtif 
life,  and  its  great  strength  to  the  elose  of  a»  existence  as 
actively  passed,  perhs^ps,  as'fhat  of  aay  of  the  sons  of  Adam^ 
eoucTudes>  that  sleeping^  or  lying  too  long  iik  bed,,  ie  injik- 
rious  to  the  eye-si^ht  Wpukl  Uiat  the  advice  of  the  doo: 
tor,  and  the  es^penence  of  the  divine,  could  iB^liftoe  8<mie 
of  out  nervoDs  females,  those  especially  whose  sight  ia 
afiected  by  theiv disease, to tvyhow  much asoie^tbeir oODSti- 
tntioos  would  be  'strengthened  by  exertion  than  iaiiulgience,. 
tly^early  vUtng,  than  late  lying  in  bed*  We  catt<a8sase  tbem^ 
that  several  instances  have  come  to  Our  knowled^,  of  the 
incalculable  benefits  of  this  vcfry  cheap  Stfbstiltlte  fbf  afiti* 
nervous  pitls,'hartshotn,.  lavender,,  valerian,  and  saWolatlle,. 
With  the  abundant  use  df  which  we  have  known  headaches 
to  be  incessant,  which  a  few  breathings  of  pare  moining 
air  have  speedily  removed.  To  our  own  testimony,  we 
add  also  a  very  striking  one  from  the  woik  now  under 
review* 

^  As  aa  lastance  of  the  eoo^  effects  of  the  habits  of  early  rismg^ 
*«veti  upon  persons  afl^cted  with 'the  malculies  whkft'rha^  sup- 
'^sed' the  neglect  of  It  to  produce,.!  wiU  relate  toyea  dke^etoe  ef  a 
^jKmkgladywhobaddiseplyMttbdifbtttiefolmflttsatoe.  iShe^wasie- 
tdweed  to  saohextietne  weeUoiessyaeitOirequtseassistaMein  walk^ 
ing  acrosathe^rbom;  and 'imagining' 80  aafsebWbastaftaieqttifed  a 
lasgev  portion  of  steis.  she  generally  higr  etght  <ir  'nine  hMis».ibat 
in^e-monungfeHBd^nwif  801  relaxed  aM  ^'piglitt. 

>nd  uaaHfS  to  di^ss  without  the  leUef  of  sssliiiig  two  es^  three  timfiMk 
On  reading  Wesley's  serosa  on  early  rising,,  she  was  so  perfectly 
.convinte^  of  the  propriety  of  the  reasoniiig,  that  by  risine  ^gra- 
*iAually  earlier  every  morning,  she  soon  lessened  the  time  of  sleep 
la  six  hours ;  htr  strength  daily  increaseil,  and  by  persevering  in 


Letters  on  &$rfy  Rising,  213' 

up  oisorderK  which  had  /id  long  afflietea  h^  v^r^  reiftov^ ;  mi 
deeply  sensible  of  the  great  cental  aod  bodily  advimtpig^  of  e^Hy 
lisiag,  oidy  regrets  that  the  habit  had  not  been  fo^qmaq^^t  a  ixmcft 
earlier  period  of  her  life."  Jjpp.  63,  64.] 

Bat  tli€  evils  entailed  by  tkis  erimiiMtl  indulgence  upon 
the  body^  bear  no  proportion  to  the  injury  £)ne  to  the 
mind,  iheJt  epark  of  tminortal  flame^  which  ii|  iUxe  spirit  shfl^ 
return  to  God  who  gavse  it.  Few  persons^  ittmy,  can  snatch 
iitom  the  ordinary  avooations  of  life,  die  time  they  j^ould 
wish  to  devote  to  its  improvement;  but  every  hour  and  every 
mimite  consumed  «MUieeessarily  in  ^ed^  is  4  portion  of  time 
which  theynughteedeem  for  thismost  important  purpose^und 
for  the  ^waste  of  which  they  m«^t  answer  to  Iheif  own  c<«- 
science  here^  and  he«e%fter  most  account  at  the  bar  of  Ood. 
This  responsibility  every  individual  incurs^  ^vefi  dioee  (if 
any  such  there  be)  whose  slumbering  away  their  Jime>  but 
inconvenicQces  and  affects  themselves^  But  to  parents, 
mastevs,  heads^  and  mMnbers  of  Aimilies^  this  inconveni- 
ence and  jresponmlnlfity  will  be  alike  increased.  Lazy  self-in- 
dulging masters  and  mistresses  will  maSie,  and  should  not 
eomtpkun  of,  lazy  and  'Self^ndulgin^  servants ;  nor  can  the 
eaok  or  bousemaid  of  die  family,  where  the  breaikfast  things 
aee  put<en*lhe  table  at  iiine  o  clock,  and  wait  there  until 
ton,  ^and  ofiten  to  amidpii  slater  hoinr,  be  scolded  with  a  very 
good  grace,  for  not  fretting  up  herself  at  six,  or  even  foit 
aimultaaeouelijr  opeuA^g  iher  own  oyes  and  the  window- 
ditttters  of  the  house,  sAer  the  clock  has  struck  seven. 
Euamplr,  thou^  a  silent,  is  a  most  po wecfiil  teacher  of  bad 
habiti^  as  well  as  ctf  good  ones ;  hence,  wJiere  the  heads  of 
a  fimiily  (are  la$e  risers,  the  servants  fnrjil  aeldom,  if  ever,  be 
eaiiyones;  and  k  wiU  be  as  vein  as  it  is  ridiculous,  to 
pseaeh  Jto  the  -nurseryimaid  the  very  admirable  doctrine  of 
the  vgpeait  iooportance  ^ef  «^y 'rising, and  waiks  -before  breaic-' 
fiurt,'to^thie  iieaith  of  bbildren,  while-  the  sun  has  risen  many 
haujw  of  ihe  iakest  sumn^er  mornings,  whilst  papa  andmaita- 
Hia^are  «ioo»iig  very  jcomfontably  hi  bed,  depeMlng  altoge- 
ther ^npoaithe  vjera^ftViof  their  seavants,  for  d|e  ti^ne  at  whick 
tfre.ohildreaiwereitaken  jto  ^their  morning's  walk.  Whilst 
tooytouBig  .to  dress  ilhemselveSf.diese  drildren,  eontrarv  to 
express  orders,  butin  aecordaiioe  to  the  practice  o€|heir 
patents,  AUay  therefore,  and  t&e^ueiitly  wiili,  be  deprived  of 
ooeof  AeimostjeiMieaitial  requidtasto  the  formafion  of  a 
robttst  And  hardy  oonstilMtion,  fcom^the  eniminal  negKgence 
of  their  parents,  in  omittiiig,  for  tbdr  own  in4«1g^n<^i  ^ 


214  Review. 

vigilant  inspection  of  the  execution  of  their  orders.    In 
ibwncy,  when  bracing  of  the  frame  is  of  the  most  impor- 
tance.-^and  nothing  contributes  to  it  so  essentially  as  the 
pure  balm  of  the  morning  air,  the  sufferers, — from  a  decep- 
tion as  injurious  as  it  is  ]^robable,  cannot,  and  when  they  get 
older,  will  not,  assist  in  its  detection ;  and  the  parents  will, 
we  fear,  in  many  instances;  be  further  answerable  for  temp- 
tations to  lying,  preirarication,  arti6ce,  and  concealmerit» 
both  in  their  servants  and  their  children,  whose  slothful 
indulgence  is,  after  all,  very  far  from  going  the  full  length 
of  their  own  mischievous  example.    As  the  former  grow  up 
into  life,  is  it  not  also  reasonable  to  expect  that  they  will 
do  as  their  parents  do  or  did,  rather  tnan  as  they  say  or 
8Md,and  neglect  those  precepts  on  improving  time,  on  which 
the  practical  waste  of  it,  constantly  before  their  eyes,  is 
hourly  reading  so  mischievous  a  comment.    These  plain 
hinfts  may  sumce  for.  indolent  lie-a-beds,  but  we  are  fully 
conficious  of  having  a  more  difficult  task  to  accomplish,  in 
attempting  to  convince  another  class,  who  fancy  they  have 
a  sufficient  excuse,  and  who  really  have  a  ^  very  plausible 
one,  for  taking  in  die  rabmii^  the  rest  of  yrhich  they  de- 
prive theipselves  at  night.    We  allude  to  studious  and  lite- 
rary men,  whose  first  slumber  often  commences  but  as  the 
ploughman  and  the  industrious  labourer,  at  the  dawn  of 
day,  hie  them  to  their  work,  whistling  full  cheerily  as  they 
go,  and  who,  by  their  early  toil,  have  added  largely  to  their 
stock  of  health  and  strength,  ere  the  pale  votary  of  learning 
has  with  much  effort  roused  himself  from  his  leverish  and 
unrefreshing  sleep.     Many  such  have  we  known,7->with 
several  of  them  we  are  still  living  in  habits  of  intimacy; — ^but 
recollections  of  a  most  painful  nature  crowd  upon  our  minds, 
as  we  count  the  number  of  those  who  are  not.    Whilst  lit 
up  with  the  irradiations  of  fancy  and  genius, — whilst  beam- 
ing with  satisfaction  at  the  conquest  of  difficulties  long 
pamfuUy  pursued,  and  at  length  laboriously  overcome,«-^we 
saw  on  their  countenances  the  aspect  of.  cheerfulness,  we 
found  from  their  conversation  thsat  their  spirits  were  buoy- 
ant with  hope,  yet  was  diere  a  worm  preying  at  the  heart, 
whose  unobserved   yet   deadly  •  gnawings  were  gradually 
undermining  constitutions,  the  hardiest  of  which  could 
struggle  but  for  a  few  short  years,  with  an  ^nemy,  the  more 
dangerous,  ia  that  itl»  operations  were  slow,  and  were  not 
seen.     A  continued  and  habitual  indxdgence  in  nocturnal 
studies^  w.a8,  we  doubt  not,  the  wonn  which  preyed  upon— 
the  worm  which  eventually  destroyed  tlieir  existence.   Thus, 


Letters  on  Early  Rising.  215 

again>  and  again,  and  again>  have  we  seen  the  fair  yerndi 
bud,  which  promised  a  lovely  flower  to  the  aummeF,  and  as 
rich  fruit  to  the  autumn,  cut  off  and  withered,  not  by  the 
cold  frosts  of  winter,  but  by  one  of  those  deadlier  bliehts 
which  often  destroy  the  richest  blossoms  of  the  sprmg* 
Would  from  what  we  have  seen  and  known,* — would  from 
what  they  themselves  must  at  the  least- have  read  of  the 
baneful  effects  of  this  too  prevalent  practice, — the  votaries 
of  science,  happily  for  themselves,  and  for  die  world,  who 
no,  sooner  learn  their  worth,  than  they  are  called  upon  to 
deplore  their  loss, — ^would  leam^^tbat  tne  avidity  with  which 
we  pursue  an  object,  frequently  prevents  the  success^ 
which  slower,  but  more  regular  advances,  seldom  fail  in 
securing.  Certe  sed  Sente,  is  too  important  a  maxim,  to  be 
confined  to  the  motto  of  an  armorial  bearing,  op  a  seal,  or  a 
carriage ;  it  should  be  inscribed  in  letters  of.  gold,  over  the 
study  door  of  every  man  of  genius*  For  want  of.  attention 
to  so  useful  a  memento,  many  a.youn?  ntan  of  talent,  whilst 
catching  at  the  laurel,  to  form  a,  wreath  for  bis  brow,  has  but 
encircled  in  a.gra^p  that  cap  never  be  unloosed,  the. cypress 
bougl^.  soon  to  be  planted  by  his  grave. 

We  .are  aware,.,  that  amongst,  the  class  of  self-destroyers 
to  whom  we  are  addressing  ourselves^  many?  justify  the 
means  they,  employ,  by  the  end  they  are  wishing  to  attain* 
We  would,  however,,  remind  them,  that  as  the  sacrifice  was 
not  the  less  sanguinary,  because  the  victims  were  led  to  the 
altar  bedecked  with  glands  and  flowers ;  so  their  sel& 
destruction  is  not  the  less  criminal  in  them,  or  less  afflict- 
ihg  to  their  friends,  because  it  is  made  in  the  acquisition  of 
knowledee,  or  the  gaining  to  themselves  an  imperishable 
name.  Many  of  them,  again,  we  doubt  not,  will  argue  that^ 
provided  you  take  a  sufficient  portion  of  rest,  it  signifies 
not  at  what  part  of  the  twenty-four  hours  it  is  taken;  and 
«o  once  thought  we :  nature,  however,  has  its  propter  season 
for  every  Uiing;  apd  seed-time,  and  Harvest- t;im^,  .suppnior; 
and  winter,  cannot  be.  more  appropriately  confqunded  wUh. 
each  other,  dian  in  the  use  maae  of  its  hours,  can  night  in- 
nocuously be  turned  into  day.  It  is. the  natural,  season 
f(»r'rest;  and  during  its  darkness,  its  coolness,  (for  even 
during  the  heat  of  summer,  it  is  infinitely  cooler  than  the 
day,)  and  its  quiet,  sleep  is  more  refreshing  than  it  can  be  at 
any  other  time.  We  have  known  those  who,  at  two  or  three 
and  twenty,  had  for  some  years  *been  in  the  habit  of  sitting 
up  every  alternate  night,  at.  the  least  to  one,  two,  tiisee, 
four,  five,  and  even  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  one 


216  RtvkuHi 

Who  •v«n  had  sat  at  hUi  desk  for  9^ytoty-lwo  h^wrs,  with 
Ihe  intenniasioa  of  six  hours'  repose ;  but  nt  tbr^e-and'^ 
ibirty^  headftcbes^  swimminffs  ia.Ihe  bead^  myrefreshing 
sleeps  disturbed  by  th^  Imu  of  countless  noises  in;  theif  ears^ 
had  tftueht  them  wisdom  ere  it.  was  too  Iate«  and  they  nOw 
riee  at  the  period  when  they  not  imfreqaently  went  to  rest^ 
Other  reasons  ia  fatrout.  of  moinins^  mth^  than  of  boo* 
ftumal  stodies,  are  ably  urged  in  Mn  Buddand's  invaluable 
iitde  book>-^in  the  oheenidness  of  disposition.  geoeraQy 
eKperiended  then^  ere  the  temper  has  b^n  raffled  by  th!s 
business  and  anxieties  of  the  day>  and  the  extruorcHhary 

Eower  of  the  memory  at  that  period^  which  every  schoot^ 
oy,  Who  htB  conned  <>ver  his  task  soon  after  risieg  frdari 
kis  bedi  can  well  attest* 

But  example  is  j adioiously  quoted,  to  enforce  these  whole- 
edme  precepts,  and  we  bhall  ettract  tb^m  for  the  benefit  of 
our  readers^  ia  the  author's  wordsu       .  . 

^'Bishop  Gurnet}  the  autbor  of  *The  History  of  his  OwnlHmes/ 
Wad  ati  habitual  eaHy  dsen  Whilst  be  was  at  coll^^  his  father 
ttsed  to  atoase  him  to  his  studies  every  morning  at  four  Vclcck, 
and  he  continued  the  practice  during  the  reiuaiimer  of  his  life.  It 
Is  to  this  halMt  that  we  are  iadebtea  to  Bn  Deddridg^  for  tieariv 
the  whek  of  his  vaiuaMs  works,  who,  notwiUiiftaadiBg  m 
^siieus  kbeanit  both  as  a  minister  sad  a  tutor,  has  left  as  many 
pffoo£i  of  his  talents  as  an  author**  Bishop  Jewell  regaiarly  rose 
to  study  at  foar.  Sir  Thomas  Mor^  usually  rose  at  the  ssme 
^arly  heup",  and  yet  he  remitrkf,  in  his  preface  to  the  Utopia,  that 
be  had  completed  that  work  by  stealing  time  from  his  sle^  and  his 
lo^eals ;  and  he  appeared  to  be  so  well  satisfied  of  iht  excellence  o^ 
the  habit,  that  he  represents  the  Utopians  as  attending  public  teo- 
tures  every  morning  before  day-)>Teak. 

^  ''  Dr.  Parkhurst,  the  philologist,  rose  regularly  at  five  in  summer 
and  winter,  and  in  the  latter  season  made  bis  owni  fire.  It  is  re- 
corded of  John,  Lotd  Hertey,  Ih^  Mn  tho^e  early  bouts,  wheh  all 
airotmd  were  hushed  in  sleep,  he  seized  the  opportunity  of  that 
ilMikHy  as  the  most  fefbutame  season  tor  stttdy>  msA  frequency 
^peiit  an  useful  day,  belbre  •odi^M  began  to  enjoy  lt»H* 

**  Do  ^tt  not  rc«iiemi>er  Paky's  eeeouat  of  the  early  paft  ethss 
ttoflege  life?  *  I  speat,'  said  he,  when  ^onveninfg  wjtik  seme  of >  his 
IHends, '  I  ^pent  the  first  two  yeass  bf  my  uttderrgrsdoateshqi  hep- 
pdy,  bufc  uoprofitaHy^  I  Was  constantly  ix^  society,  whete  we 
were  not  is^moraf ,  ba^  idle  and  rather  e^peasiye.  4t  the  com- 
meneement  of  my  third  year,  however,  after  haying  left  the  usual 

•    *  Doddiidge's  Family  jfopesitor.  Note  to  Reomrks,  Rom.  xiii.  19. 
t  MMdMon^DedisationtolieJbifeof  Cicere. 


LMen  m  SlV^  Rising.  ^Ij 

pcrtf.  a%  mtber  a  late  home  i»  ik^  aTening^^  I  ^u  diiffikv^  ^^  6^ 
ii  tn#  mprniiig  by  one  oG  my  cotapanipii^  w1^  9too4  at^mj 
bad-side,  and  aaid, — * Paky,  I  bav^  bean  ftinkwig  wb^t  a fipplyo^ 

4ke  lift  I  lead:  yoi)  ootid  do  eyety  tf^iag,  aod ^i|Ono^  afford  i^ 
I  have  bad  no  tleep  dimdg  A^  iirtaolo  1^^%  oa  ^qopiie^  «^  ^^^ 
feSeclaona,  and  aUR  now  coma  volemnly  to  inform  yojUj  tbt^  iyf  yp« 
fieraial  in  voor  indolMce,  I  m«ilt  Me^ovga^  yopc  ^t^J^  ^  |  wj^ 
ao  atarock.  Dr.  Pabsy  cpntiaiiod*  ^  wi^  ibe  viait  an^'  tb?  X^^* 
tiuil  I  lay  ki  bed  gwit  part  of  ^a  dt^y*  ^4  formed  my  pljs^n.  | 
ordered  my  faed-iaafci^  to>l4|r  my  fir«  ^iret^rev^i^,  ii^  ord^  tbai 
ilr  mi^t  be  Ugbted  by.  my^oE  J  oroi^  afjiv^  rafi4  during  thj^ 
wbole  of  ^  day^  tF^^  ^<^  bojurs  %$  chape)  and  ball  reqviirecl^ 
^Qttiu  to  eac^  portion  of  time  its  peculisMr  branch  of  study ;  and 
juat  bdtQre  the  ck^g  of  the  ^aties  (nine  oclock)  \  went  to  a 
neighboaring  coffee-house,  where  I  constantly  regaled  upon  a  mut- 
ton chop,  said  t.  dose  of  mSk  punch,  and  then^  on  tajung  my  bache- 
lor's deme,  I  became  senior  wran^en^ 

^^f  might  refer  yo«  to  tha  optntons  and  practice  of  the  fttrnpua 
Franktia,  and  Priestley,  and  ma^r  others ;  but  you  wiH,  perhaps^ 
prefer  aa  asampla  talc^n  from  one  in  ^o^  orh  professiod.  Sir 
tiattbeir  Hak,  that  great  and  learMd  tawy<¥>¥y  and  pipti^  Qhrl^r 
tian,  whilst  at  linoolnv  loa,  p^eipariiig  bim^^lf  for  the  bar,  s^udj^ 
aistoeii.  howt  in  tha  day,  T}m§l  very  ear^y  ev^  momipgi''  [pp<. 

■  To  these,  the  names  of  John  Wesley,  atid  aeyeral  other 
lif'hts  of  the  world,  and  beaefhctors  of  mankind,  nii^t  be 
added  ;bqt  we  sif all  satisfy  ourselves  with  ttie  mention  of 
Howard  the  philanthropist,  who  was  seldom  in  bed  alRfcer 
four  in  the  piof  ning.  Bat  grefl|4;er  es^amples  tlian  that  of  even 
Hpward,  fihougli  h6  perhaps  was  tl^e  most  illustrious  imita- 
tor of  his  divine  Ma8ter,^ij  going  about  doing  good,  that 
the  records  9f  the  world  eAibit  since  the  apotitolrc  ag:^, 
are  thas  enuineratad,  for  1}ie  imitation  of  the  Chriatian,  in 
the  pi^es  now  under  our  feviow. 

'fAtefhafa^^at  np  aar4y  in  Jb^.  i^P^lBS/t  .  ^!^^ 
fastimei 
-Lsban 

tha  moming.lf    Job  rose  up  early  in  the  morning, 

k^  ppfftf^uf^J^  ,  qi(^n  *  TQfe^  up  early  in  the  lAorpi^e-'tf 

JofVtt?  '»»«  eyly  ifi  ikf  mprnmg.'itt    SMnuel  'rose  earlj  fp 

*  Meadley^s  Memoirs  of  Dr.  Paley,  p.  l^f ,  6. 

t  Qe^  xix.  ay. ;  xxi.  14. ;  xxii.  3.  t  Cfgn-  ^Kxvi.  n. 

i  Heji.  xxyiu.  18.      11  4ea.  xxxL  66.      IT  BxQfi.  xxiv.  4;;  f  xxir.  4. 

2»  SAul  ^  if  Judgesyi.  28,  33.  "    ' 

U  Jasbiia  iii.  1. ;  vi.  12. ;  vu.  16. ;  vili.  10. 


218  '  JteoiM. 

meet  Saul  kk  the  moraiiig.^  David  ^  *  roee-iip  earlj  in  Ae  mora*-' 
ing/f  Jetemiah  continued  in  the-  habit  of  ^rising  early  and 
apealung'  for  twenty-three  yean,}'  Nehemiah  and  his  fellow- 
labourers  Maboured  from*  the  rising  of  the  morning  till  the  stars 
appeared.'^  And  our- blessed  Saviour  is  represented  as  having^ 
risen  early,  affording  a  practical  illustration  of  his  own  precept, 
'  work  whilst  it  is  day/  It  was  ^  at  the  break  of  day  that  he  call- 
ed to  him  his  disciples,  and  chose  of  them  tweWe,  whom  he  call- 
ed appstles.1l  It  was  *  early  in  the  mommg  that  the  people  came 
to  him  in  the  temple  to  hear  him.'1F  •  It  wa^  *  e&rly  m  the  munming 
that  Jesus  came  into  the  temple^  and  all  the  people  came*  unto 
him  :***  and  it  was  ^  in  the  morning,  a  gr<dat  i^Ue  before  day; 
that  he  went  out  to  a  solitary  |4ace  to  pray/  "t|  [pp^  168-9.] 

To  the  Christian,  however,  we  surely  need  tiot  say  any 
thing  on  the  sin  of  sloth,  or  the  dub^  of  improving  to  the 
utmost  the  short  portion  of  time  allotted  for  preparation 
for  another,  and  an  eternal  state  of  existence,  if,  however, 
any  arguments  are  necessary  tp  prove  the  impprtanc^  of 
early  rising  to  those  who  profess  ''  to  work,  while  it  j« 
called  day/'  because  *'  the  night  cometh  wherein  no  man 
can  work,' they  cannot  be  furnished  with  more  cogent <tf 
convincing  ones  than  aire  contained  in  the  four  Jast 
of  the  letters  of  Mr.  Buckland,  and^inthe  very  sensible 
little  pamphlet  of  Mr.  Snelg^r,  which,  in  the  form  of  a 
tract,  IS  a  short  but  very  judicious  sermon  on  Psalm  lxiii«  1. 
**  Early  will  I  seek  thee,'  in  which  the  author  very  satisfac- 
torily i^hews  that  there  is  a  pleasure  to  be  enjoyed  in  early 
rising,  because  it  is  refreshing  to  the  body,  cheering  to 
the  spirits,  and  an  agreeable  nreparation  for  every  succeeds 
ing  event  of  the  day.  The  design  of  the  practice  recom- 
mended from  the  example  of  David,  is  then  stated  as.  for 
purposes  of  piety;  because  of  the  serenity  of  the  morning; 
and  on  account  of  the  importance  of  religion :  to  which  suc- 
ceeds a  brief  statement  of  the  advants^es  resulting  from 
early  rising — froni  its  improving  our  temporal  prosperity— 
advancing  our  spiritual  welitEtre — being  our  best  preparation 
for  the  public  worship  of  Qod — ^imlicative  of  pefsonal 
religion,*<^-and  a  good  course,  productive  of  the  best  ter- 
mination. 

With  such  motives  before  them  as  have  been  stated  in 
the  course  of  this  article,  who  that  regards  hiel  best  interests, 

*  1  Sam.  ix.  26. ;  xv.  12. 

t  I  Sam.  xtU.  20.    Psalms  v.  3. ;  Iv.  17.;  Hx;  10.;  Ixxxviii.  13.; 
xcii.  1,2.;  cxix.  147. ;  cxiiii.  8.  I  Jer.  xxf .  3. ;  vii.  13. 

§  Neh.  iv.  21.  11  liake  vi.  13.  f  Luke  xxi.  38, 

♦•  John  viii.  2.  tt  Mark  i.  36. 


The  Modtm  'Pravdkr.  219 

for  time'mri  for  i^tenitty/bttt  would  wi«h  to  put :  the  etraeit 
reeommendatioim  ^of  these  two  Tery  useful  writers '  into  ita- 
mediate  practice.  But  how  is  thiB  to  be  done,  we  may  be 
asked,  wnere  a  long  course  of  indulgence,  either  in  noc- 
turnal studies  or  morning  sluggishness,  has  engendered  a 
habit  of  lying  in  bed,  difficult,  and,  as  those  who  have  given 
way  to  it  will  think,  impossible  to  overcome.  The  author 
of  the  Letters  on  Early  Kising  shall  answer  the  question. 

**  You  must  conauer  by  degrees*  Rise  fire  minutes  eariier  ever^ 
morning,  till  you  nave  arrived  at  the  hour  which  kppiears  to  you 
"Uiost  ehgtble.  You  wfll  thus  accomplish  the  work  wnieh  you '  are 
soaiiztottsto  effiict.  The  daily  subtraction  from  Sleep  witt  be  so 
trifling,  that  it  will  not  occasion  that  drowsiness  on  the  succeeding 
morning,  which  the,  sudden  change  from  rising  at  eight  to  fire 
must  necessarily  produce.  You  will  thus  reach  the  object  of 
your  wishes,  in  the  sarest  and  easiest  manner.  You  wiU  be  daily 
undermining  a  very  injurious  habit,  and  confirmme  a  very  useful 
one.  A  short  period  will  make  such  a  sensible  difference  in  the 
time  you  have  gained,  that  you  will  beein  to  feel  the  pleasure  of 
victory,  before  you  are  scarcely  conscious  oS  having  commenced 
the  combat.  Ihe  last  day  in  each  week  will  be  half  an  hour  lon- 
ger than  the  first,  and  at  the  termination  of  a  month  you  will 
.become  an  early  riser,  with  the  additional  advantage  of  having 
formed  the  habit  in  sudi  a  manner  that  there  is  little  danger  of  its 
being  relinquhihed.''  [pp.  137*8.] 

On  the  merits  of  this  plan,  we  simply  add  our  probatum 
est,  and,  having  done  so,  unequivocally  commend  the  work 
whence  this  excellent  recipe  for  the  cure  of  laziness  is 
extracted,  together  with  its  humble,  but  still  very  useful 
and  cheap  companion,  to  the  attentive  perusal  and  delibie- 
rate  consideration  of  our  readers.  Ere  we  close  our  re- 
marks, we  would  just  hint,  however,  to  Mr.  Snelgar,  in  the 
the  hope  that  his  very  useful  little  tract  will  soon  go  into 
another  edition,  that  the  braying  of  the  ass  might,  we 
should  think,  be  omitted,  without  injury  to  the  thousand 
pleasing  associations  which  gave  to  his  early  morning 
walks  Siat  peculiar  and  inexpressible  interest,  which  we 
hope  he  will  long  continue  to  enjoy  himself,  whilst,  through 
the  press,  he  is  the  very  useful  instrument  in  imparting  it 
to  others. 

The  Modem  Travelkr.    Palestine.    Parti.    18mo.    Lon- 
don, 1824*.  Duncan,    pp.180. 

Few  books  are,  perhaps,  more  generally  interesting  than 
voyages  and- travels;,  and  no  period  of  our  .literature  has 


92Q  HtnkUt^ 

liMft  moBt  pM^iuctiM  #t  <liia  i^ected  <rf  jM»«I9$1  m4  gQHenl 
rateYyammnl  AtA  tlie  {Mwawt.  Sciwtjifi^  entHpvMwg^ 
%ad  uitdUgMii  hm*,  hnve  yiditad  erery  qnwrter  of  ibfi 
globe;  and  the  rMetrchos  of  meb  weU-i^uilifi^  tQUi»$lii 
fts  PaUM»  Gierke^  J>odw«Il«  Eusteee,  m4  Hi:^)^9»  i|k  Sut 
rope}  Moriet^  ElphiuiilQm,  Biiohma^^  Fm^er,  Poiitinger* 
€k»r«  Oittely,  KtiiMir»  and  Poster,  m  Awt,;  BelzQUi,  I^rd 
ValAntim^  nirckbiirdi  Richardson,  jQUfiV»»  Dei^OEiH  m4 
Chateaubriaadrmf^gypt  and  the  adjjc^^eut  cQiuit^ie^xI'^^is, 
Md  Clsirke^  Pike,  JcmeH.  FrapkU«,  apd  Humboldt,  in  Aj^^t 
irioa^w^^ve  Cumi«ibed  the  moat  extensive  %nd  imBortaute  ^4t 
ditioni  to  o«v  geogmfihieiA  knowledgQ,  tQ  n^hioV  i^lsc^  thi» 
laboHin  of  our  niasiiQttarieg,  though  devoted  to  mwk  higher 
objects,  have  iBoideatally  dontnhnted  no  small  ^aie  of 
curious  and  valuable  intbrnHition*  But^  alas^  the  knowr 
ledge  of  foreign  dimes,  which  most  peoplo  feel  a  great 
and  laudable  curiosity  to  obtain,  is  procurable  but  by  very 
few ;  as,  of  a}l  books,  (law-books  perhaps  alone  excepted^) 
voyages  and  travels  are  the  most  costly,  and  conseqiientlv 
the  most  unattainable  by  the  ordinary  clas^  of  readers.  To 
remedy  this  inconvenience^  various  plans  have  bee^  hit 
upon«1^i)t  hitherto  witho^i  any  very  di9tinguishe4  succewj. 
Jin  the  year  1300|  tir.  MavQr  published  w  abri4gi?aent  cf 
the  most  popular  voyages  andj  tr^^vels  then  ^^tant^in  t^^PLtVi- 
4^ight  volumeSf  in  18mo.  j  but  at  least  ^Cty  others,  upoi^  the 
same  plan,  would  be  requisite  to  bring  down  the  collection 
to  the  present  time.  jPipkerton's  more  formic(able  and 
very  heavy  wor]^,  in  sevei^teen  £]^uartb  voluinei^,  is  also 
very  Qoqsiqerably  in  arrear;  and  tp  make  it  compUt^,  it 
would  be  placed  stllJ  further  beyond  the  reach  of  tnoiie  for 
whose  use  such  cpUeptions  ar^  pip^t  rec^ui^ite^  and  that  is 
iJtogedier  needless, 

But  independent  pf  such  well-foupd^d  objections  t^'the 
t)Ulk  and  e^peivse  of  iheffe  epUectjoq^^  we  hij^ve  loqg  b?en  of 
opinion^  that  something  more  than  the  mere  work  of  ^bri^g- 
ment  was  necessjary  to  give  those,,  who  hs^ve  not  the  leii^ure 
pr  th^  mesm  of  consiuting  th^  mul^plicitr  of  ponderous 
and  expensive  4parto  vpyag^s^  travels^  aii^  toar$;  which  a^ 
constantly  appearing  in  rapid  succession,  the  means  of 
knowing  what  disgxMEeiieg  ux&  msk]c\n^  in  the  wolrld.  "WW 
had  therefore  fgnpedf  in  our  Qw;if  min^s,  a  plan  for  a  con- 
densation of  th^  most  generally  ipjteresting^and  ValumYe 
intelligence,  contained  m  these  volumes,  id  the  form  of  a 
rej^ular  narrative,  Choa^,  as  we  a^e  neyer  likely  to  haw 
kisuffs  for  carrying  it  into  execution,  we  are  very  happy  lo 


jT&e  Modem  TiraveUer.  SSI 

fifid,  Attt  M  fliniiiir  Befceme  km  ragmliid  ilwlf  to  ««Imm; 
tad  that  it  is  now  in  prpgrfw  in  Mcb  a  style  of  esree^mse, 
titttrtt^y  Md  topogfttpfaidttf^  M  to  rtedev  stny  olhelr  attemf»t 
Irorse  than  sup^rfliKyna.  One  prfnetpal  ground  of  our 
objection  to  the  etifttin|f  collections  of  ro^ages  and  tmvels, 
h,  that  in  mere  abridgments  of  the  narratiiredf  of  travellers, 
who  have  taken  the  same  route,  and  described  the  same 
scenery,  repetition  is  inevitable ;  and  conflicting  accounts  of 
the  same  tnings  are  repeatedly  given^  without  any  directions 
to  the  reader  as  to  which  is  worthy  of  preference^  or  how 
fiur  their  discrepances  ma^  be  reconciled  or  accounted  for* 
To  obviate  these  difflcnltiesg  the  prssent  work  proposes  to 
^ve  4  cinnplete  description  of  the  diffei^ilit  countriesi  fbras* 
iDg  an  accurate  and  sufficiency  minute  cosmovamic  view  of 
their  present  actual  state.  This  object  is  effected  partly 
ky  adopting  the  details  given  by  travellers,  who  have  visited 
tne  different  places,  in  theii*  own  langnage,  and  very  IVe- 
qtiently  by  a  combination  of  their  venous  accoimts  in  the 
language  Of  the  editor ;  to  whom,  thodgh  we  have  not  the 
slightest  conception  of  who  or  what  he  is,  this  commenda* 
tion  at  the  least  is  due,  that  he  has  executed  bis  task  with 
great  accuracy  and  judgment.  But  of  this^  we  will  enable 
our  readers  to  form  an  opinion  for  themselves,  b^  extracting 
a  part  of  that  account  of  Jerusalemi  which^  with  its  envir 
ronsy  occupies  upwards  of  one  hundred  pages  of  the  present 
portion  of  this  most  interesting  work  >^ 

**  The  Jerusalem  of  sacred  history  is,  in  fact,  no  more.  Not 
a  vestige  remains  of  the  calpital  of  David  and  SoTomon;  not  a 
monument  of  Jewish  times  is  standing.  The  Very  course  of  the 
Mis  is  chfmed,  and  Ike  boundaries  of  the  andent  city  are 
become  doafatniL  The  monks  pretend  to  shew  the  sites  ol  ^ 
uionA  j^aces ;  bat  Asither  Calvsiy,  nor  the  Holy  BepvlebBi,  mlck 
less  di#  Dolorous  Way,  the  house  of  CaiaDNis»  &ci.»  baive  Ae 
slightest  pretensions  to  even  a  probaUe  identity  w|tih  the  real 
places  to  which  the  tradition  refers.  Dr.  Claijks  has  iha  merit  tf 
being  the  first  modem  tmveller, who  ventured  to  speaifL  of  the  pi^ 
posterous  lejfends  and  clumsy  forgeries  of  the  prie$t8«  with  the 
Contempt  which  they  merit.  *  To  men  interested  m  tracing^,  vrithii^ 
the  walls,  antiquities  referred  to  by  the  documents  of  sacred  hj8|> 
tery,  no/spectacle,*  remarks  the  learned  trateller,  ^can  be  moie 
toortif]fhig  than  the  dty  in  Its  present  state.  Ihe  mistaken  piety 
of  theeany<^kri8laans,in  atteaipdng  to  preserve,  has  either  con- 
Aised  or  amihikted  the  memorials  it  was  anxious  to  render  con-^ 
spiouoos.  Viewing  the  havoc  thus  made,  it  nay  now  be  rseretted 
tiiat  the  Hely  Land  was  evcriesened  from  the  dominien  of  Sara«- 
oenk,  who  were  far  ksf  harioArmts  thasi  iUu  ctmtfmnn^   fke 


3SI  Remw. 

abnir&y,for«Kiaq)ie,of lMiriDg;thei«cbof.JiAea  bto  ibiiiw 

aod  chapdt,  and  of  diwniiiiig  Ibe  fttcc  of  Dstnre  with  painled 
domei,  and  gilded  tnarbla  coTeriog*,  bj  way  of  coiniiienu>ratiii|; 
the  scenes  of  our  Saviour's  life  and  dew,  is  so  evident  and  so 
lamentable,  that  eTeo  Sandys,  with  all  his  creduUty,  could  not 
avoid  a  happy  application  of  the  reproof  conveyed  by  the  Ronnut 
satirist,  against  a  similar  violation  of  the  Egerian  fountain.' 

"  Di.  Clarke,  however,  thoughhe  discovers  his  sound  judgment 
in  these  remarks,  has  contributed  very  little  to  the  illustratjon  of 
Ibe  topc^raphy  of  Jerusalem.  His  jjfan  is  extremely  inaccurate, 
and  hit  hypothesis  respecting  the  site  of  the  ancient  Zion  alto- 
gether baselriss.  It  is  quite  evident  that  he  trusted  to'  his  recol- 
fectioB  iodrawiit^  up  the  account  of  Jerusalem,  and  that  his 
memory  has  misldd  him.  By  far  the  best  account  which  has 
been  given  o(  the  sacred  oi^,  is  that  furnished  by  Dr  Richardson, 
who,  by  virtue  of  his  professioiial  (fancier  as. a  physician,— s 
character  esteemed  sacred  all  over  the  east,— was  pennitted  four 
times  to  enter,  in  company  with  soipe  of  Ibe  principal  Turks  in  Jeru- 
salem, the  sacred  encJosure  of  the  Stoa  Sakhara,  the  mosque  of 
Omar.  With  the  exception  of  Ali  Bey,  who  pass^  for  a  Hoslemi 
though  really  a  Spaniard,  Dr.  R.  is  the  only  Frank  whose  feet 
have  trodden  the  coaseciated  ground  with  unpunity,  since  the 
days  of  the  Crusades.  A  Jev  or  a  Christian  entering  within  its 
precincts,  must,  if  discovered,  forfeit  either  his  religion  or  his  life. 
•  Sir  F.  Henniker  states,  that  a  few  days  before  he  visited  Jerusalem, 
a  Greek  Christian  entered  the  tnosque.  '  He  was  a  Turkish  sub- 
ject, and  servant  to  a  Turk :  he  was  invited  to  chanee  his  religion^ 
but  refused,  and  was  immediately  murderiid  by  the  mob.  -  His 
body  remained  exposed  in  the  street ',  and  a  passiag  Mossujman, 
kicking  up  the  head,  exclaimed, '  That  is  the  way  I  would  serve  all 
ChrisUans.'"  [pp.  75— 77.] 

DesiffDed)  and  Terr  properly ao,  rather  fbr  apopular  and 
vaefdl,  man  a  Botentific  oompikation,  it  is  intended  to  si^xat 
into  tluB  vroric  anfhentic  aatcdotes,  serving '  to  ilhiBtraM 
nationel  cbuvcter;  and  oUier  details  of  amusing,'  whilst  the^ 
are  also  of  an  instructive  nature ;  thoagh  every  attention  is 
at  the  same'time  to  be  paid  to  topi^aphTcal  accuracy,  and 
to  an  object,  which  we  regret  to  say  that  there  ib  much  rea- 
son for'  never  overlooking, — the  rectifying  those  mistakes. 
Which  are  to  be  found  in  great  abniidaiice,  and  sufficient 
grossnessB,  in  the  most  poptilar  of  our  geographical  works. 
Brief  historical  notices  will  also  he  prenxed  to  the  descrip- 
tion of  eveiy  country,  including  its  ancient  geography,  its 
supposed  aborigines,  and  the  principat  revolutions  of  which 
it  has  b«eD  the  meatre,  whilst,  with  respect  to  the  unciyilixed 
portions  of  the  habitaUe  globe,-  diis  sketch  will  exhibit  also 
the  prepress  of  discotvery.    In  every  case,  the  natoral  faia* 


The  Modem  Traveller.  223 

tory,  botany»  geological  features,  volcanic  pbenomena,  and 
other  natural  curiosities '  of  the  country^  will,  as  far  ad 
possible,  be  fully  described;  together  with  the  costume, 
physiognomy,  and  domestic  habits  of  the  natives ;  their 
traditions,  religion,  and  literature ;  their  public  buildings, 
arts,  and  ancient  monuments  :  in  fact,  all  the  multifarious 
information  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  the  indefatigable 
researches  of  modem  travellers. 

In  the  execution  of  this  most  judicious  and  comprehen- 
sive plan,  biographical  sketches  of  individuals  who  have, 
by  remarkable  actions,  identified  themselves  with  the  his- 
tory of  the  portions  of  the  globe  described,  should  not  of 
course  be  omitted ;  and  we  doubt  not,  from  the  following 
brief,  yet  accurate  notice  of  Djezzar  Pasha,  the  remorseless 
tyrant  of  Acre,  that  this  part  of  the  work  will  receive  a  due 
portionof  the  editor's  attention: — 

"Dr.  E.  D.  Clarke,  who  visited  Palestine  in  th6  summer  of 
1801,  landed  at  Acre,  then  under  the  dominion  of  the  notorious 
Djezzar  Pasha — an  appellation  explained  by  himself  as  si^ifying 
the  butcher.  This  execrable  tyrant,  whose  name  carried  terror 
with  it  over  all  the  Holy  Land,  at  one  time,  shut  up  in  his  fortress 
at  Acre,  defied  the  whole  power  of  Turkey,  deriding  the  menaces 
of  the  Capudan  Pasha,  though  he  affected  to  venerate  the 
authority  of  the  sultan.  His  real  name  was  Achmed.  He  was 
a  native  of  Bosnia,  and  spoke  the  Sclavonian  language  better  than 
any  other.  At  an  early  period  of  his  life,  he  sold  himself  to  a 
slave-merchant  in  Constantinople,  and  being  purchased  by  Ali 
Bey  in  Egypt,  rose  from  the  humble  situation  of  a  Mameluke  slave 
to  be  governor  of  Cairo.  In  this  situation,  according  to  his  own 
account  given  to  Dr.  Clarke,  he  distinguished  himself  by  the  most 
rigorous  administration  of  justice ;  realizing  the  stories  related  of 
Omental  caliphs,  by  minglmg  in  disguise  with  the  inhabitants  of 
the  city,  and  thus  making  himself  master  of  all  that  was  said  con- 
cerning himself,  or  transacted  by  his  officers.  So  far  back  as  1784, 
when  M.  Volney  visited  the  Holy  Land,  he  was  pasha  of  Siede 
(Sidon)  and  Acre.*  At  that  time,  his  cavalry  amounted  to  900 
Bosnian  and  Anaut  horsemen ;  by  sea,  he  had  a  frigate,  two  galiots, 
and  a  zebeck;  and  his  revenue  amounted  to  £400,000.  At  the 
time  of  Dr.  Clarke's  arrival,  he  was  upwards  of  sixty  years  of  age, 
and  vain  of  the  vigour  which  he  still  retained.  Of  forty-three 
pashas  of  three  tails  then  living  in  the  Turkish  empire,  he  was,  by 

*  Dr.  Clarke  says :  **  He  has  been  improperly  considered  as  pasha 
of  Acre :  Ms  real  pashalic  was  that  of  Seide,  but  at  the  time  of  oar 
arrival,  he  was  also  lord  of  Damascus,  Berytus,  Tyre,  and  Sidon.'' 
Borokhardt,  however,  represents  the  pashalic  of  Siede  to  be  the 
same  as  that  of  Akka.  . 


tSt  Beviem. 


(O^vii  BeeouDt^  the  leBMr..  'WefawiA  hioa/  s«ys  Or.  Claike, 
^^ealed  on  a  mat,  io  a  little  chamber  •d«^tiiie  of  4he  meaA^st  actt- 
cte.4»f  Aisiiitiiiny  ^locaptif^  a^Qoan^»»pciBOiig,  eaHbeqiprai^  yestal  for 
cooUaff  tha  water  Jbe  acci^OBally  4raak.  |ie  was  sucrounded  by 
persau  auimed  and  di»%H«d.'  Bome  without  a  nc^  otheis  with- 
out  an  arniy  with  one  ear  t)]:dj,  or  one  eye ;  marked  men,  j^  he. 
termed  them — persons  bearing  signs  of  thek  havin  j^  been  instructed 
to  serve  their  master  with  fidelity.  '  He  scarcely  loolced  up  to 
notice  our  entrance,  bat  x^ontinued  his  employment  of  drawing 
upon  the  floor,  for  one  of  his  engineers,  a  plan  of  some  works  he 
was  then  constructing.  His  form  was  athtetic,  and  fats  kmg  white 
beaid  ^ntiieW  covered  his  hreast.  Ifis  habit  was  that  f>f  a  com-* 
mon  Arab,  plain,  iMit  <llean,  consisting  of  a  w4nte  capulet  over  a 
ooMen  «assoek«  liis  tufbaa  was  also  wUte.  IKetther  cnahion  nor 
caqpet  deceratad  tbeaudced  boatds  of  fab  difaa.  In  fais  givdle  fae 
wore  at  fioniani  set  with,  diawonds ;  ihuA  dus  be  apo)ogiaad  for  esU^ 
biting,  saying  it  was  fais  badge-of  ofBce  m  gpv^)iM>r  of  Aas^  ai^ 
therefore  could  not  be  laid  aside.  Having  ended  his  .orders  to 
fhe  engineer,  we  wete  directed  to  sit  lipoh  the  end  of  the  divan; 
find  Signor  Bertocino,  his  dragoman,  kneeling  by  his  side,  he  pr^ 
pared  to  hear  the  cause  of  our  visit.*  "•^  ^Qpp.  18— 2Cl] 

"  Djezzar  was  the  Herod  of  his  (day.  At  one  period,  having 
reason  to  suspect  the  .fidelity  of  his  wives,  he  put  seven  of  them  to 
death  with  his  own  hands.  No  .person  in  Acre  knew  the  nuifiber 
of  his  women,  but  from  the  circumstanoe  of  a  certain  number  of 
covers  bein^  daily  placed  in  a  kind  of  wheel,  or  turning  cylinder, 
so  contrived. as  to  convey  dishes  totfae  interior,  without  any  pos- 
sibility of  observing  the  person  who  received  them.  If  aiiy  of  them 
died,  ih^  event  was  kept  as  secret  as  when  he  massacred  them 
with  his  own  fasmds.  In  his  public  works  he  aimed  at  munificence. 
He  built,  the  mosque,  the  bazai:,  and  and  an  elej^nt  public  fountain 
at  Acre,  using  the  ei^tensive  remsdns  of  Cesarea  as  a  quarry.  In 
all  these  works  he  was  himself  both  the  engineer  and  tHe  architect^ 
he  formed  the  plans,  drew  the  designs,  and  supermtended  the 
execution.  He  was  his  own  minister,  chancellor,  .treasurer,  and 
isecretary ;  often  his  own  cook  and  gardener;  and  not  unfrequently 
,  both  judge  and  executioner  inthe  same  inst^t.  ,Sudiis,thiBaccoui^t 
given  of  this  extraordinary  man  by  Baron  de  Tott,Tolney,  and  Dx. 
Clarke.  Tet  with  the.short-si^hted  and  narrow-minded  .policy  o(f 
an  Oriental  despot,  he  sacrificed  to  his  avarice  ih^  permanent 
prosperity  of  ^he  districts  which  he, governed.  During  the  latter 
vears  of  his  administratioi^,  miQre  especially,  towi^s  that  »had  once 
been  flourishing,  were  reduced  by  his  oppression  to  a  few  cottagesy 
and  luxuriant  plains  were  abanaoned  to  die  wandering  Arab3." 

*Si|iE|h  is  the  lOuQi^e  of , the  uudect|tkil)g»  .idth  Mliioh  .wp 
•re  ao  mmsh  dielaghlfid*  lh%t/w^  thMO  .pot  lo^t.^  99^^11^  tkt 

*  Travels  in  various  Countries,  part  ii.^'i.-€liftp'8.  ■     • 


The  MoOem  frmeller.  &9S 

commending  it  to  the  notice  aiid  cordial  support  of  our 
reiiders. 

i^ale&tine  has  tcfry  properly  becfn  selected  as  the  first 
comitry  to  be  noticed ;  and  i^faen  vfe  infbrm  out  readers^ 
that  in  the  present  part  of  the  Modem  Traveller,  and  that 
i¥hich  will  ne  published  on  the  same  da^  with  our  journal^ 
— supposing  it  executed  with  equal  spirit  and  fidelity  as 
his  spedmen,  as  we  hare  no  teason  to  doubt  that  it  will  be, — 
they  Nvill  have  an  accotmt  of  die  Holy  Land,  comprising  all 
that  is  most  durious,  and  generally  interesting,  m  the  tra- 
vels of  Maundrell,  Pococke,  Sandys,  Hasselqtriist,  Vohtey» 
Srown,  Dr.  Clarke,  the  psetido  AH  Bey,  Chateaubriand, 
Diirckhardt,  Joliffe,  Dr.  Kichardson,  Buckingham,  Irby 
Mangles,  l^ilr  F.  Hetmiker,  and  others,  throtign  this  most 
attraetive  region  of  the  earth,  at  lelist  in  a  Christian'^  eye^ 
in  a  neat  pocSiet  volume,  of  between  three  'and  four  hundred 
closely  printed  pages,  at  the  low  "price  Of  five  sArillings,  we 
fbel  assured,  that  tney  will  soon  enable  tliemselves  to  judge 
of  the  justice  of  our  encomiums,  which,  though  somewhat 
warmer  perhaps  than  is  our  wont,  have  been  excited  by  the 
uncommon  merits  of  what  we  consider  a  fiyotur  in  the  lite- 
tarv  world.  Tet  warm  as  that  commendation  has  'been, 
and  as  We  intended  that  it  should  be^  it  would  be  a  gross 
injustice  to  close  this  review  wiibout  noticing,  in  terms  of 
the  highest  praise,  the  very  superior  merit  of  the  typogra- 
phical department  of  this  woric,  ^hich  is  from  the  very 
accurate  press  of  Mr.  Moyes,  a.nd  iti  a  '^tyte  Of  neatness 
which  we  liave  seldom  seen  surpassed,  even  in  the  most 
e^^pensive  wofks.  It  is  also  illustrated  i>y  a  rery  well 
executed  view  of  Jerusalem,  and  a  small  Irt^t  accurate  map 
of  l^alestine,  embellishments  which  we  areliappy  to  learn 
that  it  is  the  intention  of  the  publisher  to  continue  through- 
out the  series,  at  the  rate  of  a  plate  Ht  the  least  to  every 
part,  and  occasionally  of  more. 

To  the  icontinuation  of  the  series,  we  shall  lierei^er 
direc^t  the  attention  of  our  readers,  ss^tisfied  as  we  are,  that 
if  executed  with  the  taste  and  spirit  which  ^hasmaifked  its 
commencemeiit,  it  will  be  decidedly  the  best  and  most 
useful  of  those  cabinet  and  nocket  compilations,  on  which 
•so  much  attention  has  been  oedtowed  oi  late  years  by  the 
booksellers,  and  So  large  a  portion  of  psitronage  by  the 

Jmblic.  If,  in  that  "patronage,  the  Modem  Traveller,  so 
ong  as  it  is  conducted  as  it  is  *begun,  does  not  very 
largely  participate,  the  feult  wilVbe  with  the  public,  upon 
#hose  taste  we  shall  consider  the  negleot  of  its  very  supe- 
rior claims  no  light  imputation. 


296  Review. 


A  Letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  British  Reoiew,  occasioned  by 
the  Notice  of  "  No  Fiction/'  and  ''  Martha/*  in  the  last 
Number  of  that  Work.    By  Andrew  Reed.    8vo.    Lon-   - 
doa,  1824.    Westley.     pp.  80. 

In  our  early  attention  to  this  Pamphlet,  it  is  by  no  means 
our  purpose  to  enter  into  the  merits  of  the  case  between 
the  author  and  our  brethren  of  the  British  Review,  the 
latter:  of  whom  we  leave  to  fight  their  own  battles,  as  we 
doubt  not  that  they  are  quite  able  to  do^  though  we  say  not 
with  what  success  against  an  antagonist  like  Mr.  Keed# 
who  has  advanced  very  serious,  charges  of  misrepresentt^- 
tion  and  prejudic0  against .  them^  supjported  by  evidence^ 
which,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  ixiakes  put  a  very  strong />rii?ia 
facie  case  on  his  behalf.  Nor  shall  we .  touch  upon,  that 
part  of  his  address  which  relates  to  the  second  of  his  publi- 
cations, as  we  have  not  yet  had  leisure  to  notice  '*  Martha,? 
although  .we  hope  it  will  not  long  lay  amongst  the  heap  of 
neglected  books,  which  have  for  some  time,  thoiich  un*^ 
avoidably,  acciiqiulated  on  our  table.  But  we  do  think  ii 
du^,;in  justice  to  Mr.  Reed,  to  our  readers,  and  to  ourselves, 
not' to  defer  to  a  more  convenient  oppbrtuhity,  an  exami^ 
nation  of  the  charges  which  have  long  been  in  general  cir- 
culation against  him,  for  the  publication  of  ^*  No  Fiction,*' 
a  work,  which  appearing  anonymously  at  first,  was  very  pro- 
perly avowed  oy.its  author,  the '  moment  that'  avowal 
seemed  likely  to  involve  him  in  danger  and  difficulty. 
Those  charges  have  been  divided  with  sufficient  accuracy 
for  oiir  purpose,  into  the  following  heads : — 1st.  That  the 
credulity  ot  the  public  has  been  imposed  upon ;  2dly.  That 
Mr.  Bamett,  (the  hero  of  the  tale)  has  been  injured ;  an<) 
SdljT.  That  the  author  has  sought  to  eulogize  himself  and 
family. 

The  first  of  the  charges  imputes  to  Mr.  Reed,  the  imposi- 
tion upon  the  public,  as  a  ''  narrative  founded  on  recent 
and  interesting  facts  ;**  of  a  collection  of  fictions,  and  gross 
distortions,  and^  exaggerations^  for  which  there  was  but 
slender  ^foundation  in.  the  real  occurrences,  whence  itd 
author  professed  to  dra^w  his  materials.  To  this  Mr.  Reed 
opposfs  the  following  statement,  pn  the  correctness  of 
which,  as  well  from.our. knowledge  of  his  character,  as  the 
acquaintance  we  have  elsewhere  obtained,  with  the  princi- 
pal facts  to  which  he  appeals,  we  place  the  firmest  reliance. 

**  It  is  true,  that  the  acquaintance  between  Lefevre  and  Douglaf 
began  as  is  described.    It  is  true,  that  their  friendship,  was  car<!> 


Keed's  Leiier  to  /Ar  £AW  oftht  JBriikh  Remew.  887 

iiedfi>Hiraid  by  meant  and  ikicidcfiil&  afatiilar  to  Ifaote  iiilioAaoed. 
It  is  tme»  dial  tbey  mado  m  cxcoriioii  to  a  diataat  pa<|t  ^  ^§ 
eaamtxfivk.ei  Tiait  to  Mia«  LtfeTi»».irho  wa9  vliat»h^  s  r«(»ra-r 
aaated  to  bcL  k  it  tnia^  that  Lefene  faeUla  place  in  an  offioa  in 
LoiidoB,  and  resided  with  Mr*  and  Mrs*  Rnttell;  and  tbat  he  was 
happj  wkile  he  conlinaed  in  the  paths  of  usefnlnets  and  reUgion* 
It  IB  tfoe,  diat  he  and  Doiig;lat  separaited;  mi  thai;  aftenrards  h9 
beg;a».  to  decline,  firomi  hit  formtir  purtuita  tnd  pleasures.  It  it 
txue,  that  iheRustells  and  Dcmglaits  often  remonstrated  as  they 
are  represented;  and  that  die  correspondence  frooa  Plyokouth  on 
an  alleged  ^  impropriety'  really  existed.  It  is  true,  that  Lefevre 
contended  with  many  resolves  to  fietrace  his  steps,  but  that 
he  orercame  them,  forsook  his  religious  comiexioaB,  and  was  grin 
dutily  drawn  into  the  paths  of  woridly  plauure.  It  is  true,  that 
he  became  entangled  in  debit  the  coBversation  on  this  tmbjecft  it 
sdmoflt  fifarally  given :  and  H  is  time,  though  he  nevier  knew  iL 
that  Donglat  became  boond,  in  word  and  honour^  for  the  largest 
amount  he  ever  owed.  It  is  true,  that  Lefewe  left,  the  Russelit 
similarly  to  the  way  described,  and  very  much  for  the  reato^ 
given.  It  is  true,  that  he  formed,  an  ettaohment,  that  it  had  ^> 
beneficial  influence  on  his  mind  and  conduct,  and  that  he  sought 
his  friend  Douglas,  and  made  him  acquainted  with  his  prospects. 
It  is  true,  that  when  Douglas  was  expecting  to  hear  of  nis  settle- 
men^  and  to  see  its  good  effects,  he  was  aroused  at  midnight  to 
feceive  Lefevre  in  the  state  described;  that  he  voluntarily  con- 
fessed, that  w^at  he  had  formerly  dented  was  actually  true ;  that 
he  had  been  subject  to  rebuke  in  one  office,  that  his  accbunts  had 
been  unexpectedly  calked  for  ^elsewhere,  and  be  >was  not  then 
|iM|»ared  to  vender  them ;  and  that  ihe  connexion  to  which  he  had 
%eeB  tooktng,  was  broken  off  fot  ever*  H  Is  tnt^  that  Douglat 
dud  every  tinng  to  tranqaiUise  him ;  and  in  ihe  morning  awidcened 
himt  and  induced  him  to  say  he  would  return  to  hit  duties; 
but  that  he  went  home,  and  remained  in  a  similar  state  of  mind 
fcr  soma  time.  It  is  true,  that  he  eloped  from  his  friends;  ram- 
bled in  a  state  of  mental  desperation  in  the  environs  of  llochester^ 
was  advertised,  and  at  last  found,  and  brought  home  by  Mr* 
perry.  It  is  ti^ue,  that  his  mother  and  Douglas  found  him  as 
described^  that  he  remained  in  this  state  till  he  agaio  forsook  his 
home,  and  was  not  heard  of,  after  the  most>anxious  inquiry.  It 
is  true,  that  he  wandered  far  away,  enjisted  in  the  army,  and  went 
over  to  Canada;  that  he  became  the  subject  of  reflection ;  that  he 
fcn  in  with  an  excellent  missionary,  who  waH  of  great  use  to  hitn; 
iibd  Ibaa  he  wrote  home  to  his  niends  penitential  and  pleasing 
letum.  it  b*true,  that  his  relative  piueured  hit  diaeharge,  dttt 
ha  iBtumed  heme,  mid  though  diierenlily  received  by  his  different 
friends,  he  was  joyAiHy  received  by  thorn  alL  It  it  true,  that 
Wilton  wiat  Inflnenced  by  Lefevre's  example,  and  that  his  state  of 
mind,  in  his  last  affliction^  was  similar  to  what  is  given. 
VOL.  vlii. — NO.  2.  R 


238  Itemw.-^Ueed*fi  Letter  totke 

/'^Mttdi^Yery^imidit  bMii«»  what  tkialiftaly  skeldi  inoloAes,  is 
eqetMy  troe.  The  letters  and  conTenHttionsj  though  not  literaUj 
rendered,  are,  with  few^xoepti^nSy  subUantiaIfy  true}  while  the  con- 
tents of  a  letter  hate  sometimes  heen  tfirown  into  a  dialogue,  and 
the  body  of  manv  conTers&tibnsre^uoed  to  a  letter.  The  spirit  is 
generally  true,  where  the  form  of  representation  is  most  affected 
by  variety.  Even  the  sketches  from  nature  are  mostly  from 
memory ;  and  those  few  parts  of  the  work,  which  are  of  the  nature 
of  episode,  are  commonly  real  incidents,  though  first  founded  in 
union  with  other  circumstances/' [pp.  1^ — 16,] 

To  erery  oandid  i&ind>  this  statement  must  <  present  ad 
abundantly!  suffieient  refutation  of  the  charge  of  ^nposi- 
ti(Hi.on  the  public  credulity,  though  it  doiea  niot  by  any 
mesBB  free  its  author  irom  the  mcnretMiablevftDd  more'  im- 
|K>rtsiit  ones,  of  improperly  publishing,  facto  celaling  to 
another,  which  he  ovgnt  not  in  prudence  os  delicacy  to 
have  80  used ;  and  that  is  the.  charge*  to  whidbi.in  our  nottoe 
of  his  work,^  we  distinctly  allnded,  as  a  very  serious  on^, 
extending  even  to  the  hdtiout  and  honesty  of  the  auth<»r, 
though  in  fitvour  of  them,  we  then  decided,  on  the  stren^h 
of  the  assurance  contained  in  his  advertisement  to  the  tiburd 
edition  o£  this  work,  that  the  true  key  to  it  '' W€^  thai  in 
bis  poBsession-rthat  it  had  never  been  in  th|»  ppw^  of  any 
other  .person-^-and  that  it  never  should  be,  wbJle.di^  cciisti^g 
raupKHM  continued  for  withholding  it/'.  A  mori^  minute 
atatemoit. of. those  foota^is.  now  pubUsbed*  .and.  we.  are 
therefore  anxious  to  review  a  judgment  pronoiufieied  upon 
partial  -  evidtioiee,  whtoh  we  ar&  nowfully  in  possessftDH  of 
the  means  of  ^onfirmingy  modifying,  or  reversing,: as  full 
and  authentic  admissions  and  testimony  upon  thef  subject, 
may  call  upon  us  to  do. 

It  now  stands  admitted  on  all  hands^  that  Lefevre,  the 
hero  of '^  No  Fiction,*'  is  Mr.  Barnett,  once  an  intimate  friend 
of  Mr.  Reed,  who  performed  towards  him,  in  its  general 
outline,  the  kind  part  attributed,  in  the  narrativ^^'to  Doug- 
las;— ^that  between  them  the  correspondence  inserted  in»  or 
interwoven  with,  the  work,  substantially  took  place^  tbougb 
the  letters  are  not  ^cactly  copied,  or  always  used  even  m 
the  epistolary  form; — that  the  work  was  published  without 
Mr.  Batnett's  consent,  or  any.  application. to  him  for  it, 
tfabugh  subetantially  oontaining.the  chief  incidodits. of  his 
eventful  history,  and  his  correspondence  with  the  author, 
who  beiliev^d  him  at  that  time  to  be  residing  within  ^wo 
hundred  miles  from  him.  Now,  upon  th^s  plain  statement  of 

Vol.  li.  p.  359. 


of  ike  JMHsk  Review.  229 

'«dniitlid  JJMts^  we  thmild  aMndiettd,  that  not  eyMi  the 
most  prejiidifoed  iHeiid  of  Mr;  Reed  clui  consoieiitiowily 
scqint  hiiQ*  of  indelicacy  uid  imprtideiice. 

To  these  chaises  he  pleads,  Ist,  >  that  the  AamiiT^, 
thoo^  an()iie8tionabIv  founded  on  facts,  and  stfbsfantially 
true  m  all  its  principal  details,  was  pnrpOjiely  so  altered  ni 
dates,  places,  and  minor  connecting  circumstances,  as  to 
secure  nk  design  of  concealing  from  the  pubtic  the  real 
hero  of  the  piece.  That  he  intended  this  course  to  pro- 
duce the  efEdct  he  states,  we  do  not  for  a  moment  doubt; 
'7et,«^where  some  of  the  leading  facts  must  have  been  known 
to  nmay  besides  himself,  being  of  public  notoriety-in  the  cirde 
in  which  the  then  friendly,  but  now  contending  parlies, 
noTed,-^ow  he  eoidd  so  decdire  himself  as  to  beliefe  he 
should  succeed  in  his  oUeot,  is  to  us  a  niaittier  of  uafai^ed 
astomshment*  Nor  could  he  long  retnain  in  so  nnaccount- 
able  a  delusien,  as  the  book  hm  scarcely  issued  from  the 
press,  ere  tike.  key.  to -its  interpretation  wan  Atrmshed 
to  every  one  who  associated  with  the  religioas  part  of  the 
poipidatio«  of  the  metropolis,  whence  it  spread  in  a  very 
abort  time  to  the  wm»  dass  of  pessdns  in  the  larger  towns 
of  the  kingdom.  To  this  natural,  yet,  as  the  aiithor  assures 
us,  to  him  most  untooked*-for  events  many  circumstances, 
speedy 'to  be  noticed,  contributed ;  though  the  one  just 
slated  would,  lb  our  estimatioii,  have  beett4{uite>eDoi^  to 
produce  it;  in  a  degrse  sufficiently  injurious  alike  io  Ae 
author  and'his  hero* 

The  second  plea  «pon  ike  record  is,  that  befbf e  he  deter- 
mined «pon  publishing,  Jie  sou^  a  cooferenee  witi^  die 
latter,  but  fiiiled  in  procuring  it.  How  and  why  he  so 
failed,  he  has  not  informed  us,  but  we  conclude  it  must  have 
been  merely  from^Ms  not  beia^  able  to  meetwith-  Mr.  Bar- 
nett ;  for,  if  any  decree  of  coldness  between  lum  and  Mr. 
Reed  prevented  the  interview,  the  publication  of  this  narra- 
tive under  such  circumstances,  was  unjustifiable  and  un- 
pardonable in  dbe  extreme ;  as,  in  our  view  of  the  subject, 
nothing  can  be  ctfered  in  palliatien  o£  the  want,  not  only  of 
caution,  but  of  proper  feeling,  exhibited  in  giving  to.  the 
world  the  details  of  a  cjonfidendal  friendship  of  a  peculiariy 
delicate  nature,  without  the  full  consent  of  all  paurties  coti- 
cesned  iu' it,  than  the  honest  conviction  of  the  individual 
who  so  published  it,  that  its  appearance  would  not  at  least 
be  dipagreeable  to  his  friend;  and  that  Mr.  Reed  himself 
must,  atone  time,  have  been  of  this  latter  opinion;  his  meref 
intention  to  apply  for  permission  to  print  his  narrative  very 


Iflaiiily  ,pmfe4.  Why  Ibw  4iA  bajdot  oMaii^  0v,^.ttie 
)eaat,  m4mt  U? .  "  W  hM  Im  414  d«te«laim  ^m  tbo  .publiM- 
tioD^  Mr.  B."  hQ  telU  110^,  !*  ^»9^  to.the  :b«9l  of  Us  koow- 
.l^^K?*  i^esi^^ng  two  hundred  tx^ilM  from  Iion4(m/'  .  And 
'.wbut  tbefi  ?  Wie  a^k ;.  ^%^  ill^TQ  no. poM  lo  OKmiF«y  m  Vetter  to 
^itPytwd  iafotic  or  fire  days  to  Vring  back^bUiasidenil  to^  or 
disQ^nt  £vom,.,th0  profioscMl  p^VU^tio|]L><>F,  kU  hvijfeory>? 
Uom^tigiai&bly  tbere  Hftust  have  l>f  ^ ;  find  ht8;Mt  baifdng 
fty^Uod  bimself  of  tbift  ordinary  mode,  of  tCK)BGMl»imicati«li 
h^imten  friends.  «4pacated  by  ,di«fca«o^  toram  upon  -ptir 
ii^ndf  the  unwelcome  and  painful  sabpieion^  tbat.at.tbts 
period  Mr.  Re^  aad  Mr.  Barn0U,co«(AAot  bav^  bomi«n 
terma  of  oQsdiality,  .or.erm  pf  infcuna«y;,ia  wbiob  case 
nplbing  ooidd  juiijUfy  tb^  paMicatton.ctf ''  IIoFicftion'!  atameh 
a  Ji«^.  Slevp^eting  Mr*  Be§d»  how«ytr»  hl^y  aB  .Mra  do, 
it  will  afiEpsd  aa  great  ^satigfttetion  to  l^ni^  that  oar  aiiapi- 
cipat  are.  witbput  foundation/ and  t«i .  ba  fittcniabad.with  a 
mora,  siitisfaotory  elucidation  of  a  aayatfiry  i^hi^b  we  aoe 
unable  otherwise  to  «olv0« 

.  His  third  plea  ia,  that  bein^  disappointied  in  obtaiid^g  « 
.conference  with  bia  fiiend^  his  determination  to  print  was 
not  formed  till  /'be. bad  diatinctily  taken  the  opjnion  of 
friends  of  discreet  and  matured  judgisent  on  the  question^ 
Whether  there  was.  any  deUoaey  i^  submitling  ^a  body <  .of 
iacis  so  concealed,  to  the  .public  eye/'  ''The  aplnion/' 
bn  s^dds,  ''  of.cQurse  waa,  in  each  eaee,  aush.  as.iaiKHiariaed 
the  step  I  afterwards  took.''  That  it  weaao».ite  cannot  Iw 
a  momelit  doubt*  Vr^eti,  Mr.  Reed  so  unequitooaUy  asa^rts 
the  .fapt;  but  that  it  sboaid  be,  spj  we  can  never. cease  to 
mar^U  :proy:ided  (which*  from .  our  uafeimaed  Deapeot  ftr 
Mrs  Reed>  M^e  predicate,  to  have  been  the  fi^)  the  cMe  wan 
fairly,  stated  to  them* .  If  it  was,  let  them  never  se4  up  for 
teachers  in  Israel*  ''of  discreet  and  matured  Judgment^" 
who  did  not  counsel  him*  that  the  publication  be  contem- 
plated wa$  in  the  highest  degree  ifidis<»reet  and  ittde" 
unleas  he  had  Mr.  Barne^^t's  permission  for  it»  wbiob 
and  onsht  to  be  applied  for  by  the  verjr  next  posti 

Mr.  Reed  concludes  this  branch  of  his  defence^  by  saying 
U>  the  Reviewer*  to  whom  be  addresees  it,  "  Prudence* 
perhaps*  Sir,  cpuU  do  little  more  than  this :"  to  whidi 
Vfit.  answer*  It  oould  do*  and  ought  to  have  done*  a  gcest 
deal  more*  and  we  need  not  recapitulate  in  what^  satisfied,  as 
we  are*  that  most  men  of  correct  feeling  will  be  o^  epinion 
with  us*  that  the  pablication  oC  information  with  reapeot  to 
anathei;*  obtained  in  the  course  of  an  iatimaAe  "  '     *  ' ' 


EdUw  of  tie  Briiish  lUniew.  231 

without  hi*  express  pernliftBion,  even  where  the  fieidts  stated 
are  preeminently  and  uoequiTocally  honourable  to  hie  dbu- 
racter,  ie  a  breach  of  confidence  altogether  incautioitti,  inju* 
dieioag^  and  unwarrantable.  We  have  spoken  otronj^ly  on 
ihin  point,  much  more  no  indeed  than  our  regard  m  Mr* 
Reed  would  have  permitted  us  to  do,  but' in  the  ftdthAil 
discharge  of  a  pubhc  duty,  in  which  we  knew  nei Aier  friend^ 
nor  foe.  But  that  his  error  was  a  mere  erro|r  of  judgment,  we 
are  as  folly  convinced^  as  we  are  of  that  error  baring  beeii< 
oommitted ;  and  henee  we  as  unreserredly  acquit  him  of  di» 
slightest  intention  of  injuring  any  one,  stiH  less  a  friend 
for  whom  be  has  done  so  much. 

This  naturally  brings  us  to  the  second  part  of  the  charge ; 

th^  injury  inflicted  upon  Mr.  Bamett,and  the  blame  aitach* 

ing  itself  to  Mr.  R^ed  for  that  infliction. — And  first,  we 

would  inquire  what  is  the  injury  done?    We  admit,  at  the 

outset,  that  every  person  has  a  just  ground  of  complaint^ 

whose  private  history  is  laid  open  to  %e  public,  eidier  by 

firiend  or  foe,  without  his  permission  first  had  and  obtained 

for  such  a  disclosure ;  and  afciiUm  has  he  so,  where  tiial 

disclosure  is  made  in  violation  of  the  confidence  of  friend*^ 

ship.    That  Mr.  Bamett  might,  therefore,  very  reasonably 

complain  of  this  publication,  few  unprejudiced  persons 

can,  we  tfppr^eno^  be  disposed  to  question ;  but  on  the 

oHier  hand,  he  alone  can  determine  whetiier  his  fedings  or 

interests  have  been  so  affected,  as  to  give  him  anv  ground 

of  eomplaillt  for  a  real  injury  sustained.    Hie  act  done  was, 

as  we  contend,  unjustifiable  by  the  individual  who  did  it} 

iMit  it  does  not,  therefore,  follow 4hat  it  was  injurious  to 

any  one;  whilst,  by  assenting  to  it  afterwards,  the  party 

who   might  otherwise  most  justly   have   complained  of 

it,  in  as  fiir  as  be  was  conoemed,  supplied  the  defidaicy! 

of  a'ptevk>us  application  for  his  permission;  and; as  ajpinsi 

hivMelf^  put  the  thing  upon  precisely  the  same  footing  as 

l^ough  he,  by  his  consent,  had  originally  been  a  |)ali;y  tei 

liie  publication ;  leaving,  however,  the  other  party  still  open 

to  tneehaqgeof  indelicacy  and  precipitancy,  in  proceeding 

without  that  assent.    This,  then,  we  conceive  to  be  prc^ 

cicely  the  situation  in  which  Mr.  Reed  and  Mr.  Bamett 

sjt^d.    The  fonner  bae  precipitately  and  incautiously  done 

that,  which/ as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and  a  gentleijaan, 

be  ongbt  qotr  to  have  done;  but  the  latter  has  deprived 

himself  of  the  right  of  complaining  of  this  n^isco^duct,  in 

that  he  ^deliberately  ind  advisedly  sanctioned  the  jm^^tft 

the  menaejliit  he  was  aware  of  its  adoption.    That  be  did  no/ 


232  12evtet&.— Reed*8  Letter  to  the 

KSj  and  tmreBerredly,  admits  not  of  a  momeBt'ci  doubt ; 
for  ne  notoriously  introduced  himself,  and  suffered  himself 
tobe  introdooed,  into  circles  in  which  he  had  not  previously 
moved,  as  the  Lefevre  of  No  Fiction;  conceiving,  and  we. 
still  tUnk«  not  erroneously. conceiving,  diat  the  character 
was  on  the  whole  more^ honourable  to, him  than  disadvan- 
tageouste   Iiong»  therefore,  after  .the  appearance  of  the  work, 
aira  his.  own  ^option  of  the  principal  chars.cter  in  it,,  be 
lived  on  terms  of  renewed  intimacy  with  the  friend  by  whom 
Aat  character  was  sketched,  and  himself  widely  circulated 
tbe  key.  to  it,  which  he  and  the  author  alone  possessed,  so 
completely,  as  to  apply  all  its  characters  and  events  to  the 
real  nistory  of  their  intercourse.    During  the  whole  of  this 
period,  and  it  was  not  a  short  one,  it  is  self-evident,  there^ 
fore,  thkt  he  never  dreamt  of  an  injury  having  been  done 
him  by  the  publication,  but,  on  the  contrary,  uniformly  con* 
sidered  it  a  benefit ;  and  even  had  he  subsequently  disco- 
vered that  this  impression  upon  the  subject  had  been  erro- 
neous, he  could  have  no  more  right  to  complain  of  the 
publication,  than  he  would  have  had  in  the  event  of  his  per- 
mission having  been  previously  and  properly  obtained;  for, 
as  we  have  already  intimated,  bU  subsequent,  deliberate, 
aaid  long-oont&nued  assent,  wfis,  at  the  very  least,  fully  tantar 
raR0unt>  to  a  previous,  free;  consent ;  an4:  if  the.  latter^  be  must 
necessaiily  have  taken,  without  murmuring^  all  the  come*. 
|)tt^ices.    The  evidence  in  this  ease  not  only  nq^tiyes  the 
infliction  of  any  injury  upon  Mr.  Barnett  byti^  publi^a^ 
tton,  but  proves  that,  on  tne  contrary,  it  was  highly  advan* 
tageous  to  him ;  aHhough,  we  regret  to  add,  that  his  own 
subsequent  misconduct  has  rendered  that  advantage  un- 
ftvailing.    It  is  wdl  known,  we  doubt  not,  to  many  of  our 
readers,  that  subsequent  to  the  publication  in  question,  and 
hia  own  ready  adoption  of  the  .leading. character  in  it»  thia 
gentleman  obtained  a  situation  in  the  Londoii  Orphan  Aay* 
lum,  of  which  his  friend  Mr.  Re,ed  has  long,  been  the  very 
active  secretary.     How  that  situation  was  obtained*  and 
lost,  itis.but  justice  to  the  latter  gentleman  tg  permit  him 
to  atale;  at  length.     . 

^*  Another  head  of  injury  to  "which  your  reviewer  refers,  is  con- 
nected with  Mr.  B/s  introduction  to  the  London  Orphan  Asylum, 
and  which  he  thus  expresses: — 

/''When  he  offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  the  office  of 
assistant-secretary,  it  was  objiected  to  him,  that  he  was  the  hero  of 
No  Fiction;  that  he  had  so  misconducted  himself  in  the  Post- 
office,  that  he  was  in  danger  of  dismissal ;  that  he  had  embez- 


EdUar  rf  tke  BriHsh  Eiview.  i&a 

iM  the  money  of  kis  employers^  and  that  m  idl  respects  he.  was  a 
most  imniorai  character.' 

*^  Now,  it  is.necessaxy  for  ,me  to  meet  this  statement  with  the 
plain  and  bold  ai^sertion,  that  it  is  Jake,  and,  as  I  shiJl  shew,  most 
ungenerously  false. 

*'  When  die  situation  in  question  becabie  vacant;  Mr.  Bartiett 
applied  for  my  advice  in  offering  hhnself  fbr  tt.~^' It  would/  he 
said, '  take  him  from  his  brother's,  where  he  was  exposed  to  temp* 
tation — ^it  would  restore  him  to  his  best  oonneackms^l  would  be 
all  he  desired.V 

^*  I  apprized  him,  that  the  ground  yas  already  occupied  by  a 
very  eligible  eandidate-^-rthat  I  had  no  doubt,  if  he  ventured  to 
emnpete  with  him,  all  his  foniier  life  would  be  inqmred  into^  and 
bs^ii^t  forward«*-tbat  I  diought,  with  steadiness  of  conduct,  he 
would  be  the  more  suitable  of  the  two  candidates — and  that,  with 
this  conviction,  waving  my  own  feelings,  I  should  rega]:d  myself 
bound  jto  forward  the  object  to  the  utmost,  should  he  continue  to 
think  it  so  desirable.  I  begged  him  to  take  time  to  consider  it;  and 
having  done  so,  he  resolved  to  face  whatever  difficulties  might 
arise,  and  become  a  candidate.  I  immediately  did  what  I  have 
liot  done  before  or  since,  I  wrote  separately  in  his  behalf  to  the 
members  of  the  Board,  and  gave  him  every  assistance  in  his  owd 
personal  canvass. 

**  Tlie  night  of  election  came.  A* gentleman  who  snpported'the 
o&er  candidate,  fromf  his  knowledge  4)f  his  exeelleAtckauniciiair,;lml 
who  did  not  know  that  such  a  book  as  No  Fiction-waa  in  eaaatimsa, 
stated  he  had  heard,  (it  was  the  oommoR  report  when  Mr.  B» 
eloped,)  that  he  had  been  very  unsteady,  that  be  hadUefk  his  duty 
ana  hit  country,  and  that  he  had  even  embedded  moaeyto  a  large 
amomut  belonging  to  the  Post-K>ffice*  .  Another  gentlevoan^  to  whom 
Mr.  B^  b^d  imraduoed  himseff  indiscreetly  as  .the  Lefevre  oF  No 
Fiction,  took  occaJaion  to  say,  there  might  possibly  be  some  grouiid 
for  a  pact  of  such  reports,  as  he  had  been  given  to  understand, 
from  good  authority,  that  there  were  some  allusions  to  him  in  an 
ammymous  worX he  had  lately  seen.  ' 

''  I  was,  of  course,  the  only  person  who  could  meet  tiiese  charges; 
and  vindicate  his  character.  I  maintstined;  without  knowing  of 
Mr.  B^'s  admissions,  thatno  one  was  authoriEed  in  concluding  any 
thing  for  or  against  a  living  individuail,  ft«m  the  wofkref^rrra  to^ 
and  that,  in  relation  to  tl^  reports  which  had  been  named,  they 
were  paitly  true,  and  partly  false.  I  allowed  that  there  had  been 
some  irregularities:  but  I  insisted,  that  the  report  of  dishonesty 
and  embezzlement  was  wholly  unfounded ;  that  I  could  prove  this 
by  testimonials,  which  I  read ;  that  I  was  willing  to  be  one  of  his 
sureties  to  any  amount;  and  that  I  sincerely  believed  he  deeply 
regretted  whatever  might  have  been  amiss  in  nis  past  conduct.  ' 
HThe  effect  of  this  statement  was,  that  Mr.  B.  was  allowed  to  eo 
to  the\)allot  immediatety  9xAunamimously\  and  the  issue  of  the 


234  JBfl«tM.^BMd's  Letter  to  ike 

had  no  weak  points  of  condact  to  be  exposed,  ana.  kad  vaAe  eeiH 
aMerldile  iotm^Bt  belbine  ^he  began;  and  tlie  sataadon  to  vliieh  be 
wa9  thM  appoiatedi  w^yfot^neark^iowUf  tteft  af  any  ooa  he 
had  ever  possessed ! 

**  Nawi*iir,  what  is  4lhe  fttate  of  tiia  case  heye?  Mf.  B»  after 
fbfsakiag  his  coonenotia,  se^s  once  more  to  be  cowfortably  set- 
tled; his  reported  irregulaiities  are,  as  was  expected,  brovglit 
fotMidhy  a  petsoB  who  fand  sot  seen.  No  Factiooi,  mned,  as  they 
are  sure  to  be,  with  great  exaggerations.  His  friend  stands  np 
aLofliey  and  oMeta  all  the  .heat  of  feeing  which  an  eieotion  to  a 
valuable  place  commolkly  gcnerales,  aad  eamestiy  mdkates  ecfa^* 
dttot,  whi(di4fc  was  difficah  entirely  to  dweidale.  This  TmdaettCina 
is  so  sttdoessfU,  that  he  b  admitted,  wUhaut  even  a  meehn  la  Ifta 
0a»traryt  to  go  to  the  ballot,  and  is  elected  to  a  sitaatiott  better 
every  «;b5fi,  than  any  one  he  had  possessed  in  his  best  days.  More 
than  this;  this  situation  he  would  most  certainly  haye  lost,  had  H 
Hot  be^n  for  the  fayoarable  impressions  produced  on  the  minds  of 
many  who  yo4ed,  by  his  having  amiounced  hiaaself,  or  been  an- 
noaaoed  by  others,  as  the  Lefevre  of  No  Fiction ! 

"  Thta  sitaaiion  Mr.  B.  might  hate  held  to  the  present  hoar,  with 
the  gretitest  comfort  aad  respetitafaility ;  mnd  patnfol  as  it  may  be^ 
I  am  perhaps  bound  to  throw  some  light  on  the  circumstaacea 
atftettdmg  his  removai  from  it^  as  some  atraage  and  heavy  in- 
siauationa  have  been  made  respeetiag  it^  and  yoar  renewsr  seema 
anxious. to  ceoetve  them.  The  effort  has  been  to  cast  the  Uame  of 
lolling  an  excellent  appointoient  on  me;  and  that  blame  I  oaghl 
not  to  endure. 

**  For  some  montha  after  the  election,  Mr.  B.  performed  the 
duties  of  his  office  admiraMy,  and  cheerAiUy  rendered  me  ali  the 
relief  in  his  power ;  aad  so  long  as  this  was  ihie  case,  he  felt  him- 
Idf  useful  aad  ha]|Kpy.  Afterwards  he  aMowed  Inmself  iadulgeooea 
linfkTOiiraUe  to  faedth,  and  uldmatdy  fell  into  a  state  of  anental 


I  was  the  first  person  he  eaBed  for.  I  aaw  him ;  etary 
tioa,  medical  and  otherwise,  was  given  itt  him;  hsB  state  was 
tsealed  with  die  greatest  tenderness  and  delicacy;  I  attended  in 
his  place,  end  discharged  all  his  duties  till  he  rasovemd^  that  no 
one  asight  complain ;  end  when  he  did  rcoorer,  and  I  was.  made 
aware,  by  those  Jtho  lived  with  him,  of  the  causeaof  this  distiesiung 
afflictton,  I  wrote  an  affiectioaate  and  foithful  ietler  to  hinu  He 
acknowledged  it  with  tears  of  gratitude,  and  assured  me,  that  he 
would  do  honour  to  whatever  my  friendship  had  led  me  to  say  inhia 
fovour. 

**  For  about  three  moa^s  he  kept  to  his  resolutiofls,  and 
assisted  -greatly  to  promote  die  interests  of  the  Charity.  Then  he 
relap^d  into  a  similar'  state ;  and  it  became  necessary  for  him  to 
seaa  in  his  resignation.    That  resignation  was  accepted  widiont 


EdUor  cfOie  BHtkh  Amae.  33ft 

r  tad  the  Boaid  vBUumbMlf  iffvoied  of  tMrnouiaM 
iliU<&iM«Bdi8«ni^pib;i^my.owtiiim;  «ttd  which  are  th»  latk# 
pMseMtti*  I  yr^Mf'md  am  still  scasiU^f  thai  ijm  dolfamte  oopdnet 
OB  thair  |Murt  waa  obaerred  very  laiielii  in  respeel  to  my  iBeltB^t 
and  I  shall  always  be  grateful  for  it,  exercised  aa  it  was,  mdef 
ciicnmstances  wmch  gare  me  so  much  concern  aod  mortification* 
^'  During  the  whole  term  of  his  continuance,  an  unkind  word 
was  not  addressed  to  him ;  whatever  was  omitted,  I  did,  and  utter* 
ed  no  reproach ;  and  I  hate  his  own  acknowledgment  in  a  casaal 
note,  when  leaving  the  situation — '  That  he  kad  only  himself  to 
blame  lor  it;'  and  flie  only  feefing  I  had,  or  have  on  the  subject,  is 
l!iat  of  deep  regret,  that  he  so  little  fulfiHed  te  expectations  i^ed 
concerning  him,  and  frustrated  no  inconsiderable  efforts  made  to 
he^  and  bless  him."  [pp.  30 — 36.] 

On  this  statement,  few  of  our  readers  will,  we  apprehend, 
come  to  any  other,  conclusion,  thau  that  at  which  we  hav^ 
ai^rived, — that  the  conduct  of  the  author  of  No  Ficttou 
towarda  the  hero  of  hi^^  work,  was,  in  this  transaction  at 
the  least,  so  far  from  injurious,  that  it  was  kind,  friendly, 
and  considerate^  in  the  extreme ;  nor,  through  the  whole  of 
their  connexion,  doea  there  appear  the  slightest  reason  to 
suspect  that  it  was  ever  intentionally  otherwise*  We  be- 
lieve, as  fully  as  the  warmest  friend  of  Mr«  Reed,  and  even 
Mr; Reed  himself,  can  do,  that  the  character  of  Lefevre  was 
never  sketched,  or  published,  with  a  malignant  band  or 
view,  but,  on  the  contrary,  with  a  kind  intention  towards 
it^  original,  for  whom^  until  he  strangely  thrust  Umiself 
forward,  under  cirpumstances  far  less  creditable  to  hin;i 
than  those  in  wbic^  his  friend  had  placed  and  left  hin\,  th^ 
general  ipipression  was  decidedly,  if  not  univ^sally,  of  tbe 
most  favourable  kind.  By  his  n^4s*  ^J  the  pnUi^jaad 
even  by  himself,  he  was  considered  an  example  of  the  power 
of  religion  in  reclaiming  the  victim  of  those  strong  tempta- 
tions, to  which  he  was  not  singularly  exposed,  from  the 
error  of  his  way« ;  and  an  example  so  deltmated  as  to  be 
beneficial  to  others,  whilst  it  was  not  discreditable  to 
him,  at  least  in  the  estimation  of  those,  whose  judgment  of 
human  character  and  actions  is  formed  upon,  and  guided 
by,  the  word  of  God.  The  misfortune  of  this  well-meant 
attempt  has  been,  not  that  it  failed  in  the  latter,  but  the 
former  part  of  its  object,  by  prematurely  presenting  a  living 
instance  of  Qxe  power  of  d^ne  grace  in  changing  the  heart 
and  life,  ere  the  sincerity  of  that  repentance,  and  amelioxa'^ 
tioo  of  conduct,  which  is  the  evidence  of  tlus  regenaratiog 
change,  had  stood  tha  test  of  time ;  a  faiLare  whiw  viil,  me 


296  Heview.—BjbeA'B  iMUr  to  the 

hope,  detor  others  from  the  dai^ioiut,  end  irery  improper 
practice,  of  giving  us  exempies  of  the  eovereign  power  of 
Godi  in  this  his  inightiest  work,  ftom  men  still  expoeed, 
from  the  trials  and  temptations  of  life;  at  least  to  the 
liability  of  making  shipwreck  of  their  faith/ and  bringing 
disgrace  upon  the  Christian  name* 

In  this  view  of  the  subject,  we  are  aware  of  having  argued 
the  case  as  between  religious  men,  looking  mainly,  if  not 
Solely,  to  the  approbation  of  the  religious  public,  aad  the 
view  which  they  are  likely  to  take  of  their  characters  and 
conduct ;  and  inasmuch  as  both  the  litigant  parties,  either 
form,  or  profess  to  form,  a  part  of  this  division  of  the 
public,  we  apprehend,  that  in  doing,  so,  we  have  not  done 
either  of  them  wrong.  But  if  Mr.  Bamett,  shifting 
the  ground  which  he  has  long  occupied,  and  which  we  sup- 
pose him  anxious  still  to  occupy,  chooses  now  to  say, 
— -I  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  the  sanctuary,  to  that  of 
the  exchange, — from  the  people  of  God,  to  the  men  and 
the  maxims  of  the.  world— he  then  unquestionably  may 
have  been  injured  by  the  publication  of  his  history;  see- 
ing that  by  such  a  tribunal,  and  such  judges,  as  he  will 
thus  have  chosen,  the  vices  of  his  character  will  alone  be 
considered,  whilst  the  regetieratin^  influence  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  upon  it,  (a  redeeming  quality,  in  the  estimation  of 
the  Christian,  above  all  comparison  or  price)  is  treated  as 
mere  hypocrisy  and  cant.  Ivor  will  he  there  be  judged  for 
mere  follies  and  dissipations,  on  which  little,  if  any,  censure 
would  be  passed;  for  the  work  most  undoubtedly  con- 
tains some  charges,  which  no  man  of  honour,  or  of  busi- 
ness, can  look  at,  but  with  abhorrence;  and  it  has  been 
urged  against  Mr.  Reed,  that  one  of  these  amounts  to 
felony.  To  this  imputation,  however^  he  gives  the  following 
direct  denial. 

**  I  distinctly  assert,  that  there  is  no  such  charge  in  the  wht^ 
work.  Lefevre  is  mdeed  said  to  have  employed  a  small  sum, 
which  he  held  for  other  purposes,  to  meet  some  passing  claim  on 
him ;  but  he  is  stated  to  have  done  this,  *  in  the  integrity  of  his 
heart/  and  with  the  full  design  and  prospect  of  restoring  it  before 
he  should  have  occasion  to  account  fbr  it.  Now  the  object  was 
not  to  shew  that  this  was  a  dishonest  practice,  but  to  warn  youth 
i^ainst  it  as  a  dangerous  habit.  To  have  called  it  neoessarily, 
and  in  every  case  dishonest,  would  have  been  absurd^  as  multi- 
tudes act  on  the  principle,  whose  uprightness  of  intention  cannot 
be  questioned ;  and  even  the  danger  is  not  in  the  thing  itself,  but  in 
the  liability  to  an  inconsiderate  use  of  such  monies,  and,  from  the 


EdiOnr  of  thk  British  Remew.  337: 

posnUe.  di^cnky  of  .returning  the  trifle  ao  b<»h>wed,  ia  the  aki-' 
mate  eiponiie  df  one's  integrity  to  temptation.    Tbis  is  all  I  den 
spgaed  to  convejr  by  the  {Muragraph  in  question ;  and  if  any  word, 
or  sentence  of  mine  really  imports  more,  (which  I  cannot  perceive,) 
I  freely  acknowledge  that  it  expresses  more  than  I  intendeds" 
[pp.  27,  28.] 

Of  the  intentions  here  expressed,  we  entertain  not  the 
shadow  of  a  doubt ;  but  in  exeentin^  them,  Mr.  Reed  has- 
proved  that  he  is  at  least  a  better  divine  than  a  lawyer ;  for,> 
adding  to  his  statement  the  trifling  fact,  which,  according 
to  our  recollection  of  the  history  ofthe  transaction  given  in 
No  Fiction,  is  there  stated,— that  this  money  was  intrusted 
to  Mr.  Barnett,  as  a  confidential  servant,  .by,  his  employer, 
and  we  have  such  a  felony  made  out,  as  we  have  ourselves 
known  many  a  clerk  convieted  for,, under  the  embezzlement 
act. 

Having  gone  through  the  two  first  and  more  serious  of 
the  charges  against  Mr.  Reed,  and  shewn,  as  we  flatter 
ourselvesi  that  he  is  guilty  but  of  imprudence,  in  the  origi- 
nal publication  of  Mr.  Bamett's  history  without  his  per- 
mission, we  come  now  to  the  more  venial  one  of  vanity,  in 
eulo^zing  himself  and  his  family;  Neither  with  himself  nor* 
his  family  has  the  writer  of  this  article  the  slightest  per- 
sonal acquaintance;  he  therefore  is  unable  to  form  any 
judgment  of  the  resemblance  between  them  and  certain 
characters  in  No  Fiction;  yet  has  he  every  reason  to 
believe,  from  the  information  of  others  well  qualified  to 
determine  the  point,  that,  as  far  iets  his  parents  are  concerned^ 
this  resemblance  is  striking  and  minute.  On  the  same 
authority,  we  should  say  the  same  thing  as  to  the  general 
features  of  character  in  Douglas  and  Mr.  Reed  himself; 
and  the  general  assent  of  his  friends  woqld.bear  out  the. 
appropriation  of  this  twiurhero  of  his  story.  He,  however, 
distinctiy  disclaims  all  intention  of  having  drawn  .thia 
character  from  himself;  we  must  therefore  take  the  resem- 
blance to  have  been  accidental,  or  rather  unintentional. 
Yet  surely  it  would  be  ''  passing  strange,"  that  whilst 

fdving,  in  the  guise  of  fiction,. the  history  of  a  most  intimate" 
riendship  of  many  years,  he  should  draw  the  character  of 
lus  (riena  so  very  faithfully  that  no  one  can  mistake  it,  and 

!ret  avoid  all  resemblance  to  his  own.  Throughout  his] 
aboured  repudiation  of  such  resemblance,  we  observe,' 
indeed,  that  Mr.  Reed  carefully  abstains  from  every  thing 
like  an'  assertion,  that,  in  as  fistr  as  he  knows  himself,  Doug- 
las is  in  every  respect  an  opposite  character  to  his  own : 


288  JZemMOir^Aced'ft  Leiti^  to  iiei 

and  doiag,  as  he  imdodbtodly  did,  what  he  Mpraseiito 
Doughs  to  have  done,  some  e«eh  explieit  deriafntwn — 
some  strong  points  of  difference,  fikmiKar  tft  least  to  his 
fiuniliar  friends,  shonld  be  given,  ere  the  world  (and  iVom 
them  we  wish  not  to  be  severed)  can  be  chargeable  with 
tmcharitableness,  in  ranking  this  unintentional  resemblance 
with  the  unintentional  improprieties  and  indecorums,  with 
which  alone  we  consider  the  author  of  No  Fiction  to  be 
chargeable. 

This  is  the  result  of  our  honest  and  o&biassed  judgmmt 
upon  the  subject ;  and  regretting,  as  we  unfeigpedly  (uiould 
do,  the  mode  in  which  we  have  expressed  it  giving  any 
uneasiness  to  Mr.  Reed,  whom  we  believe  to  be  a  highly 
honowaUe  man,  we  dose  our  notice  of  his  pamphlet,  by 
extracting  from  it,  a  d^enoe  of  fiction,  as  a  mode  of  inca(* 
eating  moral  and  religious  truths,  by  far  the  most  masterly 
that  we  ever  read. 

**  The  hxjlt  of  a  tale,  in  my  view,  n  not  that  it  is  a  tab,  but  that 
it  is  hnmorai  or  irreUgwu9*  Let  it  be  wisely  devoted  to  the  ifias-' 
tration  of  good  habits,  good  opinions,  and  good  pcineiples,  and  1 
see  in  it  BO  evil,  but  much  benefit.  ladeed,  most  of  those  who  are 
disposed,  from  limited  reading  or  unexamined  prejudices,  to  eom* 
plam  of  the  dung,  apart  from  its  fidmiH^  abuses,  ar0  not  aware 
now  far  their  objection  reaches.  You,  yourself.  Sir,  from  whatever 
cause,  seem  to  have  fdfku  intp  the  same  inconsistency.  In  thai 
i^umber  of  the  Review  where  you  sanctiou  reiparks  against  ficti- 
tious works,  you  give  your  sanction  and  your  praise  to  two  con* 
siderable  poems !  Is  it  to  be  said,  that  they  are  not  exactly  the 
same  thing  ?  I  reply,  exactly  so ;  excepting  only  that  they  are  in 
metre,  l^e  poem  and  the  novel  are  precisely  of  the'  same  class, 
apd  are  to  be  approved  or  condemned,  on  the  very  same  princi- 
ples ;  and  tiiere  is  quite  as  much  to  censure,  under  the  sulnring 
dress  of  rhyme,  as  beneath  the  pkdner  garb  of  prose. 

^  If  this  point  be  admitted,  and  I  wilt  venture  to  pronounce  it 
incontestable,  it  will  at  once  clear  the  way  to  the  real  questieify 
and  enable  us  to  look  at  it  in  all  its  magnitude.  That,  queatiob 
is*-whfltber  works  of  fiction,  of  sucA,  are,  or  are  not,  a  laudable 
and  hiqppy  saedium  of  illuminating  the  public  mind?  By  works 
of  fiotbn,  I  unden^tand  all  such  works  as.  profess  to  illustrate 
moral  and  natural  truth  by  the  aid  of  the  imaginaiiou;  and  it  is 
distinctly  to  be  observed,  that  it  is  no  part  of  the  inquiry,  whether 
they  are  in  meiUie  or  out  of  it;  whether  they  are  historic,  dramatic, 
descriptive,  or  allegorical ;  whether  &ej  discover  talent  or  not ; 
i^ether  they  have,  or  have  not,  individually,  a  good  or  evil  ten- 
dency. We  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  execution  of  any  one 
work;  but  with  the  simple  principle  on  which  all  works  oJF  Ais 
class  necessarily  depend. 


Ediior  9fike  Brki$h  Jtmww  i9S9 

<< Jtk  appMtnty 4ihtn^  duit bcfom  drift  ifneslion  dm  be  ttitfliTtred 
10  the  negaiW0,  we  cnvat  be  pi«(iared  i»  flacrifice  tke  very  best 
§ixd  leoil  harmfeflfl  ot  prose  fiotkne.  ^6op,  who  hee  eo  hmg  beflli 
oonaidered  en  umocent.iiaMte  of  oar-  nuraerieei;  ^The  Villt^ 
Diekgiieft/  which  «re  weU  adapted  to  those  for  whom  they  aiie 
designed ; '  Henrey's  Meditatioas/  which,  with  whateTer  faiills  of 
style,  are  still  a  fiiie  specimen  of  piety  and  talent;  *  Rasselas/  not 
the  leait  production  of  a  mighty  mind ;  *  Robinson  Crusoe/  which 
is  Ao  true  to  nature,  though  not  to  particular  fact,  that  we  eati 
never  think  of  it  as  a  fiction;  ^  The  Pilgrim's  Progress,'  which  fata 
gained  to  itself  applause  frdm  the  philosophical  and  imagiaative, 
the  tlliteraie  and  the  critical,  the  young  and  the  old-^ which  has 
estAbJiehed  Hfeelf  in  almost  every  dwelling,  and  is  second  only  in 
efaculation  to  the  Bible,  and  Book  of  Common  Prayer;— thesis 
moat  all  be  saenficed,  before  works  of  fiction,  as  such,  eaU  be  cow- 
denttied>  for  they  are  aU  fictitious,  they  are  all  novelsk 

<<On  the  sane  pnaciple  it  will  be,  as  we  have  intimated,  indis- 
pensable that  wte  should  abandon  at  once,  and  for  ever,  all  the 
walks  of  poetry.  All  poetry  is  fiction;  and  our  finest  poems  are 
novels  io  verse,  though,  in  most  oases,  resting  on  facts.  Our 
Viigil,  Homer,  and  Milton,  therefore,  must  be  shot,  to  be  opened 
no  mote ;  and,  we  must  cease  to  learn  the  lessons  of  wisdom  or 

Siety  firom  Pope  and  Addison,  Cowper  and  Montgomery,  Young, 
lilaian,  and  Wordsworth.  All,  *  firom  the  diverting  story  of  John 
Gilpin,*  to  the  most  sublime  productions  of  human  genms,  must 
pass  under  a  common  sentence  of  reprobation,  before  any  one  tide 
can^  beemt$e  ku  a  tale,  be  condemned. 

^  More  than  this : — If  this  question  is  to  be  decided  in  the  nepa- 
iwif  I  wodd  ask,  what  is  to  become  of  the  fine  arts  generally? 
Music,  pamting,  sculpture,  what  would  these  be  widiout  the  ima- 
gination? They  all  vest  on  the  sounds,  aod  figures,  and  scenes 
of  nature;  but  they  all  depend  essentially  on  the  tmagmaiiony  for 
those  combinations  which  impart  to  them  their  interest  and  sub- 
limity. It  is  this  power,  that  intuhiyely  rejecting  what  is  discord- 
ant, feeble,  or  deformed,  and  as  quickly  snggestmg  what  is 
beautiful,  grand,  or  afiectinff,  presents  us  wkh  a  hviag  type,  Qr 
that  ideal  perfection  which  it  has  conceived;  and  without  it,  these 
arts,  and  all  their  affinities,  would  be  prostrated  ill  the  dust — 
would  be  a  mere  mechanical  exercise,  in  which  there  could  be  no 
place  for  the  movements  and  inqNrations  of  a  mind,  dilated  by  its 
own  divine  inventions.  Yet,  so  far  as  the  imaeination  is  oon- 
oemed  m  tiiem,  tliey  are  maaifesliy  fictitious ;  and  if  fiction  nnst 
not  be  written^  it  must  not  be  itMneaied;  and  the  finest  works  of 
iUphad,  of  Phidias,  and  of  Handel,  mast  be  proscribed ;  and 
Hicrn  arts  whidi  contribute  so  largely,  and,  tmder  due  restrainti^, 
-eo  hmdcenily  to  eur  intellectual  «eB}oyment,  and  national  dviliaa- 
tioB,  itiiisi.be  permitted  to  expire^  or  be  reduced  to  a  state  woiae 
thsfn  eatinction. 


240  iieti»tff.— Reed*s  Letter  to  the 


*'Ag«iB;  IhafcmostserioinlytoMk^iftlieqoettUmbeibie  us 
18  to  reeeWe  an  unfavowable  aDSwer,  how  we  ase  to  ditpoae  of 
.tiiOBeportioiiaof  tiie  holy  Scriptures  which  mntl  be  afeelcd  by 
it?  lliey  cootaiii  tablet,  poetry,  and  paiaUet;  tfiefe,we  hate 
•been  incuned  to  think,  add  materially  to  the  beauty  aikl  pathos 
of  tbe  difine  word;  bat  this  opinion  must  necessarily  be  inflo- 
enced  by  ^e  way  in  which  we  determiiM  on  the  principle— *that 
triith  may  be  lawfidly  presented  to  the  mind  by  means  of  fiction— 
:for  they  axe  evidently  fictitious.  Not  to  refer  to  the  poetry*  whidi 
'dwells  on  the  idide  face  of  scriptore  like  a  sacred  hdo ;  1»e^d»les 
of  Jotham.and  Nathan  are  beaatilul  fictians,  insinaating  to  the 
4nind  important  moral  tnith;  and  the  parables  of  our  Loid  ai^ 
exaietly  o^  the  same  class.  These  adnurable  parables  may  hate 
bem,  in  many  cases,  suggested  by  real  oceurrtnces,  hot  who 
would  think  it  necessaiy  that  diey  should  shnply  stale  isot. 
Mid  desciibe  living  individuals?  The  affeeliBg  jpavable  of  die 
prodigal,  for  instance,  it  is  not  unlikely,  was  fntnnated  to  the 
mind  of  the  Saviour,  by  what  he  had  Observed  in  human  life, 
and  without  doubt  it  would  describe  the  leading  follies  of  many 
a  youth,  who  lived  in  his  time;  yet,  before  this  sketdi  can  be  jus- 
tified, must  it  be  shewn  diat  the  representation  applies  to'  a  parti- 
cular individual,  and  a  particular  family?  and  must  it  be  con- 
demned, on  finding  any  discrepances  between  it  and.  the  living 
example  ?  I  reply,  Certainly  iiot;  it  was  never  meant  thi^  these 
sacred  compositions  sboidd  be  brought  to  such  a  standard.  It  is 
not  needful  to  shew  that  there  was  a  Dives,  a  Lazarus,  -and  a  Pro- 
d^al,  to  justify  these  parables;  die  characters  were  meemt  to  .be 
fictitious,  while  they  were  modelled  after  the  finest  and  truest  con- 
ceptions of  human  nature.  Yet  this  can  enfy  be  numitained  by 
allowing  that  truik  may  be  npneteKted  by  me&ns  ofjietion;  and 
those  mo  reject  thispsoposition,  must  be  prepared  ^  as  they  can, 
to  answer  for  a  virtual,  but  undoubted^  rejection  of  no  very  incon- 
siderable portion,  of  revelation. 

*^  Finally,  1  desire  to  ask,  if  the  imagination  may  not  be  em- 
ployed for  these  and  similar  purposes,  why  was  the.  imagination 
given?  This  noble  focidty  is  possessed  by  us  all;  it  is  of  its  very 
nature  to  be  employed  in  fictitious  and  mventive  combinations'; 
and  its  creations  are  without  end.  All  that  the  oraitor  has  ex- 
pressed, .  or  the  artist  delineated,  or  the  au1h,or  written  of  its 
cbncejptions,  are  as  nodiing,  con^iared  with  those  countless  forma- 
tions, which  inhabit  the  deep-  recesses  of  thought,  and' which 
never  see  the  light.  But  why  should  this  pow^r,  the  most  aetive 
and  ethereal  we  know,  be  bestowed,  if  not  for  good?  And  how 
can  it  be  for  good,  if  its  most  natural  exercises  are  evil?  And 
.  they  must  necessarily  be  evil,  if  fictitious  combinations  are  to  be 
condemned;  tor  the  very  elanent  in  whidiiiit  lives  is  fiction,  as 
much  as  reason,  is  the  element  of  the  understanding,  and  love  of 
the  afiectioDs.    On  the  principle  we  are  considering^  it  is  noques* 


Edkar  of  the  British  Btvkw.  241 

tiOOf  wbeAer  Aob  power  k  Itable.to  abiiae^  nor  vJielher  its  copcep- 
tionB  arebodied  fortb  ia  descriptioii.  If  tbey  are  improper,  to  he 
eaqn'eitedf  then  tbej  are  irapmper.to  be  MOj^riiMd;  and  ibefacuU^^ 
fir  it^oum  gakCf  must  come  under  reprehenaion. 

**  In  aniyiiig  at  ike  coacluBion,  ^com  tbese  pre mises,  I  am  nea% 
ashamed,  sir,  focmallj.tQ  inquire^  to  which  tide  of  Uie  questioi) 
you  now  determine.  It  sfaoidd  seem  an  insult  to.the  understa&dr 
ing  of  any  man,  to  ask,  wheliier  in  contending  against  the  law- 
fulness of  fictitious  productions,  he  is  disposed  to  resist  the  use  of 
the  imagination  altogether,  and,  of  course,  to  implicate  the  utility 
and  benefit  of  its  very  existence.  Yet:  I  see  no  otlrar  alternative* 
Thepliun  and  incontestable  oonclusion  isr-rThat,  before. any  one 
fiction  can  be  censured,  beoeaae  H  is  a^itf«m,.all  that  is  imagiaa- 
lire  in  our  best  writers  and  artists,  all  that  is  imaginative  in  the 
holy  scriptures,  and  the  yery  nature  of  the  imagiiiation  in  mam, 
must  be  sttbnutted  to  condemnation!  Indeed,  the  cooclusioo, 
though  so  greatly  resisted,  is.so  strong,  and  so  much  a  part  of 
^  principle  for  which  I  am  pleading,  that  to  gijre  them  a  sepacate 
existence  almost  involres  a  paradox; — it  is  nearly  saying,  that  fic- 
tion dannot  be  ornidemned  while  fiction  is  appnored.  And  if  I  have 
taken  time  to  come  to  such  a  oondnsion,  the  blame  must  not  be 
feferred  tome,  but  to  those  who  have  attempted  to  divide  things  so 
essentiatlly  united.    •  . 

**  Many  b^iievdlent  and  pious  persons,  in  their  jealousy  {or  the 
safety  ana  wel&re  of  yonth,  have  formed  wrong  opinions  on  this 
subject,  under  Uie  impulse  of  fear.  Anadous  to  save  the  unsuspect- 
ing from  the  sn»e  of  some  fictitious  writtngs>  as  well  they  miglit 
be,  they  have  hastily  exelaiolked  against  o^  productions  of  the  same 
elass-;  and  sudi  persons  would  now  be  disposed  eagerly  to  in- 
quire— ^If  we  once  admit,  that  wodks  of  fiction  are  lawful  and  good, 
what  means  have  we  of  protecting,  the  reading  cdmm«nityffroin 
that  large  mass  of  licentious  novels,  which  wjould  afiect  the  whole 
of  it  like  contagion  ?  .  I  reply,  Let  them  be  oondemnedf  severely 
condemned;  yet  let  them  be  condemned  not  as  fictions,  baton 
their  own  separate  offences.  .  If  they  are  extravagant  or  silly ;  if 
they  encourage  morbid  feeliag  or.  false  senttmei]^;  if  they  apolo- 
gize for  vice,  while  they  compliment  virtue ;  if  they  spj^isticate  the 
plain  maxims  of  morality,  or  trifle  with  and.  impugn:  the  sacred 
pinciples  of  reUgioh ;  let  the  head  of  offending  be  shewn,  and  let 
thein  snffisr.for  the  crimes  of  which  they  are  guilty, 

"This,  as  it  is  the  ji<s^  mode  of  procedure,  is  also  the  so/S^  one 
Let  a  parent  tell  a  child,  that  he  objects  to  all  novels  or.  tales, 
because  they  are  fictions,  and  therefore  bad ;  and  he  wiil  at  once 
hazard  the  success  of  his  most  anxious,  desires.  He  will  ask  too 
much,  iftnd  be  in  danger  of  obtaining  nothing.  The  child  will  soon 
fall  in  with  some  fiction,  to  which  no  reasonable,  obiection  can  be 
vmade;  or  he  will  soon  have  sense,  to  know  that  his  Virgil  i^nd 
'  Homer  are  as  much  fictions  or  novels.as.any  writings  can  be ;  and 


i/m  Remm.'^BMii^B  Letter  to  Ae 

thtHfriH  dtstroy  his  reapeot  (bran  opmion  winch  he  liwi^dfeiide^ 
Iwt  has  fooDd  ineonsistait.  From  haTingire^;ftrded  an  mjiulieiotts 
Cfmon,  he  irill  be  templed  unduly  to  despise  k;  and  it  b  well,  if 
he  does  not  satisfy  binsdf  forwhat  he  connderB  needlese  restntiMk, 
by  gtmtg  \aB  UMnrbed  attention  to  works  he  woold  nerer  have 
ipeady  fasd  he  not  thought  them  unjustly  censored. 

**  As  ^s  is  the  safe  mode  of  ptooeeaingy  so  it  ia  of  moreezt8»- 
«!««  applieaition.  He  who  adopts  it^  will  not  be  driven  to  make 
weaik  and  imtioaal  distiaotioiis,  where,  if  there  aie  great  aecidental 
dMbtences,  there  can  be  no  esseniUU  ones.  He  wiil  not  eKense  a 
,  tale,  and  censure  a  no^el ;  he  wiH  not  justify  a  poem>  nad  arriagn 
n  story,  or  withhold  his  imprimatur  from  a  historical  vomeace'. 
Admitliag  the  principle  without  iimitation,  that  no  work  of  imagt- 
nation  is  to  be  condemned  because  it  is  iraAginatcve,  we  shali  at 
^noe  bring  M  works  of  imagination,  whether  of  ^e  pencS,  thfe 
^isel,  or  tiie  pen,  to  a  higher  standard,  and  try  each  of  l^em  bj 
its  own  peculiar  daims  and  character.  To  do  (ess  dtan  this,  is  to 
betray  liie  cause  we  would  defend,  by  our  fears  and  moonsifitency^ 
to  attempt  more,  would  be  to  reject  a  poem,  a  statue,  ^it  a  tale, 
because  it  is  such,  and  to  expose  our  want  of  wisdom  and  of  taste 
to  those  whom  we  would  infln^iee  by  our  opinion* 

^  And,  surely,  if  works  of  imaguiation  must  be  accepted  as 
legitimate,  it  is  most  unwise  in  the  friends  of  religion,  to  relinr 
quish  this  province  of  letters  to  the  wcwldly  and  profeiMi  They  have 
been  disposed  to  coiufemn  it;  and,  in  their harte  to  do  so,  lliey  have 
not  taken  t^  most  tenable  position  the  swlNect  aifords.  It  is 
Yeadtily  admitted,  that  there  is  mudi,  very  miicn,  as  thd  case  now 
ii,  to  condemn;  but  may  it  not  be  fearly  inquired,  whether  this 
«vil  has  aot  greatly  arieen  from  the  line  of  conduct  pursued  by 
those  who  are  «o  earnest  to  censure  ?  They  have  nbandoned  this 
department  of  literature :  and,  ihetefare^  statuary  bait  been  too 
often  indelicate,  psMiting  too  often  luscious,  and  fictitieiis  writings, 
wheHiMr  in  ibyme  or  pvose,  have  'produced,  in  rank  and  unchecked 
kixorianoe,  afl  die  poisonous  weeds  of  vice  and  lictetiouBaess. 
Their  hope  undoubtedly  was,  by  withholding  their  inAucnoe  from 
this  braiK^h  of  letters,  that  it  would  wither  and  dKe;  but  the  efieot 
bas  been  only  to  leave  its  fruits  to  grow  wild  and  noisome. 

*'  This  eivor  has  remained  the  longer,  and  acted  the  more  powei»- 
ftilly,  because  it, has  been  sustained  by  another;  what  heas  been 
condemned  has  likewise  been  deqrised.  Certainly  no  diapoaitien 
Is  less  adapted  to  the  subject  tban  thoit  of  contempt.  Corrupted 
as  this  portion  of  our  literature  unquestionably  is,  it  still  contaiiis 
mote  of  eenius,  and  of  pfailosoi^y  too,  than  any  other ;  nad,  from 
libe^opaiar  cbaraetor  or  ite  productions^  it  has  exnited  nnd  will 
exert,  heynnd  any  other,  an  influence  on  die  general  niind.  It  tis 
«tf  ^  last  tnpoitanoe,  therefore,  to  a  people,  diatllm  character  of 
Ih^r  poKto  litemtoio  should  be  salutary  and  ^eod.  The  nmss  of 
n  naltton  wfll  neiUher  be  moral  nor  nehgiona/tiU  its  Iftemmre  bft- 


Editor  of  <Ae  Briiish  Review.  243 

QOIM  ftoi  VhA  its  litftlttlai«  onn  nkeymt  be  Mhttl^  CHr-  ptoaii  idlik 
iMoffoed  ttiid  atMBcloiied  by  f^e  firttfodi  ^teligidti  ttjul  fMktityi 

^  Let,  tkeii)  the  toiBlakei  wbieb  have  b^eft  held  otl  Uie  iiAgeist 
bt  venottAeed.  "Aey  kave  had  a  mdM  ^ittaftlroiig  t^ideiiisy^  Md 
thiy  will  woik  iniidi  more  exte&si^e  miMbief  if  jperftidlgd  in*  W4 
have  #ii4tibigh  ta  the  ecale  of  civiliEall0a)  l^d  potile  arts  haV^ 
mach  more  of  popular  notice  and  admiration  than  eftUtt  ^tatttii 
aad  imagiaaiMMi  of  the  people  ate  ofcleasivdy  eiidt^ ;  lh«y  are 
eagerly  deiMiiding^  to  be  ibd,  and  woebe  ta  tia^  if  ite  give  ik^tm  4 
aeoqHoa  instead  of  bread  I  It  HhiMt  not  be  eaid  at  tlM#  time  of  dayv 
Ikai  tbeae  atfe  iitt#boleaome  appetite,  and  that  otlM  fiaeulliea 
must  be  fosteled.  No-^ey  ttiaat  all  be  teAi  Poeti^  eaiitidt 
dies  6etiOtt  cannot  dies  the  imitative  arts  oannot  die$  aalelit  itt* 
teatiaa  atid  imagination  sboald  Ikat  expire! 
.  ^  Let  then  the  friends  of  rdtgion  and  of  mankiitd  gthiti  ifbat  U 
dM  t»  this  btfaa^  of  knonledge.  Let  them  tiot  pot  liteTttdiite  atihi 
teligioa  in  tnoH  dangei>ou8  and  anitatitral  opposttioft^  let  ihetH 
Iftel  the  importande  of  bavwg  polite  learning  on  (heii^  skLi^,  in  Iheit 
«ft«y  against  lax  morals  and  bad  principles.  Let  tbeo^  more  itt  A 
laigef  dtde  than  <hey  harc' hitherto  described ;  let  ih^tit  Act  be  tod 
fiwtidioui  about  means;  lettfiem  employ  every  talent,  and  comnkend 
m^ effort,  to  vender  irtMrks  addressed  to  the  idnaginatiett  asb^tie- 
ficial  as  they  are  influential.  Let.tbem  not  «xact  conftmnity  in 
every  particular,  before  they  will  acknowledge. an  auxitianr  in -any. 
He  tn&t  in  not  against  good  nense  and  right  feeling,  is  Lor  themi 
inrtiatever  the  deld  of  his  labour  or  the  gifts  of  his  mind.     . 

''^Tet,  if  somewhat  like  complaiiit  is  raised  against  the  6oiM6 
^mtrtd  by  the  serions  aud  the  good,  tt  mustt  be  received  witii  cdn-^ 
liderMe  qiialificatlon.  There  have  always  bei^il  many  of  their 
tuimber,  who  have  thought  it  neither  Wiee  liOr  #aie  to  leave  s<9 
impartant  a  f«pmr  as  die  b&afiiiiatloa,  Hi  Iha  baiMte  xtf  iii^deliq^ 
asndirioa;  md  by  tbeir  peAr  &eir  panoft,  ^r  thellr  ttaiadoiw  dtey 
bbve  done  what  wf  ooidd  to  neatraliae  an  evU  wlich  they  wesd 
notable  10  Meveat^  Tbeit  oaaalplo  has  been  an  aaefnl.as.lheit 
iabouia.  Numbers  weia  induced  lo  fbllW  ift-  their  «tQps  ^  i^bd  ae^ 
centiy  those  numbers  have  been  happily  aectanuiatiag*  No  maail 
division  o(  the  more  serious  part  of  the  community,  have  taken  a 
decided  interest  in  the  cause  of  re6ped  literature;  t^y  hava 
entered  a  protest  against  its  monopoly  by  the  frivolous  vand  licenr 
tious ;  atia  they  have  demanded,  that  its  productions  should  be  so 
amended  as  to  become  a  medium  of  delight  and  iitiprovenient  to 
the  most  innocent  add  unwary. 

'  ^Already  we  have  seen  the  good  effe^t|{  of  tbiii  conduct,  f^attiaf 
aaif  has  been.  The  public  taste  fa«s  beea  'pitHfied;  the't6fie  of 
opiaioa  has  been  strengthened ;  and  vice  bae  beei^  put  out  df 
countenance  by  the  steady  frown  of  virtue.  Those  autfaonf^  wbeiO' 
anly  wish,  perhaps,  was  to  please,  have  been  compelled  to  shift 
dieir  ground,  if  they  would  afford  pleasure.    Painting  has  become 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  2.  s 


244  Rmew. 

more  chtuite ;  poetry  has  been,  in  tome  degree,  restored  to  her 
native  and  dignified  position ;  and  prose  fiction  has  received  a  new, 
a  better,  if  not  an  uneiEGeptioiiable,  diaracter.  And  if  any  one 
has  dared  to  pass  the  bounds  of  decorum,  and  has  sought  to  wound 
the  pubUc  virtue,  it  has  not  been  possible  for  him  to  ^cape,  thoug^ 
the  most  gifted  of  mortals,  without  suffering  a  deeper  wound  in  his 
own  reputation.  . 

"  Besides — amongst  the  advocates  of  right  sentiment  and  good 
principles  themselves,  a  band  of  persons  have  sprung  up*  who, 
imbued  with  the  importance  of  the  undertaking,  have  determined  to 
employ  works  of  imagination  in  favour  of  just  morals  ^tnd  devotional 
affections.  They  have  had  not  only  to  labour,  but  to  fight;  and 
have  been  called  not  merely  to  contend  with  their  enemies,'but  with 
their  allies.  However,  their  efforts  have  not  been  in  vain;  and 
ultimately  they  shall  be  duly  appreciated.  It  is  by  such  efforts, 
sustained  by  irrepressible  hope,  that  they  shall  become  the  censors 
of  the  literary  republic,  and  shall  purify  and  invigorate  the  streams 
of  literature,  till  tliey  shall  carry  refreshment,  life,  and  healing,  to 
the  most  distant  parts  of  the  land.  And  when  this  shall  be  accom- 
plished, we  shall  have  little  to  desire ;  the  finer  arts  and  deeper 
sciences  shall  follow  in  the  illustrious  train  of  piety  and  truth,  and 

*  every  imagination,'  as  well  as  every  thought,  shall  be  brought 

•  into  captivity  to  Christ  V  "  [pp.  60—76.] 

For  an  extract  so  very  much  longer  than  any  we  are 
in  the  habit  of  making,  we  should  think  an  apology  most 
justly  due  both  to  its  author  and  our  readers,  but  that,  we 
entertain  a  well-grounded  expectation,  that  both  the  one 
and  the  other  will  rather  thank  than  blame  us,  for  extiiacting 
a. passage  so  highly  creditable  to  the  taste  and  talent  of  its 
author,  and  so  likely  to  interest  all  who  peruse  it,  from  a 
woriL,  which,  being  altogether  a  matter  o/personal  alterca* 
tion,  is  not  likely  to  get  into  general  circulation.  To  divide 
it  was  impossible,  without  fdto^ether  destroying  its  effect; 
and  that,  we  apprehend,  is  so  likely  to  be  beneficial  to  the 
best  interests  ot  religion  and  of  literature,  as  abundantly  to 
warrant  a  deviation  nom  our  usual  apportionment  of  quota- 
tions, of  which  we  are  persuaded  tnat  our  readers  will 
admit  us  to  be  rarely  guilty.  We  intend  also  to  make  this 
defence  of  a  species  of  writing,  which  no  one  is  better 
calculated  rightly  to  employ  than  its  author,  the  basis 
of  a  notice  of  some  half  dozen  works  of  Fiction,  now  piled 
upon  our  table;  and  therefore  we  insert  it,  an  entire  piece- 
in  our  pages,  rather  as  a  separate  essay,  than  an  extract  io 
a  review. 


245 


POETRY. 

THE  SMILE  THAT  WE  LOVE  IN  OUR  OWN  DEAR 

HOME. 


AddrHsed  to  a  Young  Lady  at  ♦♦*♦•♦♦♦•*. 

Whek  tbe  business  of  life  compels  us  to  roam 
From  the  smile  that  we  love  in  our  own  dear  home,. 
From  husband  or  wife,  from  brother  or  friend. 
More  distancing  still,  as  our  footsteps  bend ; 
Oh  I  is  it  not  sweet,  for  the  eye  to  trace 
That  welcoming  smile  on  a  stranger's  face,  ' 
And,  sweet  to  the  heart  the  encouraging  tone^ 
That  assures  us  we  are  not  quite  alone ; 
For  that  friends,  though  formed  but.  of  yesterday^,. 
Will  try  every  art  that  can  wile  away 
The  grief  we  must  feel,  when  compelled  to  roam 
From  the  smile  that  we  love  in  our  own  dear  horoe^ 

Such  welcoming  smile^  such  encouraging  tone, 

'Twas  mine  to  trace-*to  feel — shall  be  mine  to  own  i 

For  when  hither,  from  southern  plains  I  came, 

A  stranger — known  only  at  least  by  name, — 

I  found — ^how  kindly  found,  from  yours  and  yott^    ' 

Welcome  warm-hearted,  unaffected,  true* 

And  often  since  then,  as  the  Queen  of  the  Night 

Thrice  waxes  and  wanes  in  her  silvery  lights 

My  round  returns — I  return  but  to  find 

A  kindness,  that  well  might  dispel  from  the  ttind 

The  grief  we  must  fSeel,  when  compelled  to  roam 

From  the  smile  that  we  love  in  our  own  dear  home^  * 

And  for  kindness  like  this,  what  thanks  I  pray,. 

Fair  lady,  can  recreant  minstrel  pav  ? 

A  minstrely  Oh  yes  I  I  must  love  tne  name^ 

Though  years  have  rolled  by  since  the  minstrel  flame^ 

So  dimly  that  burned  in  the  morning  of  Ufe, 

Was  quenched  in  the  turmoils  of  legal  strife. 

I  can  out  try  my  rude  hand  to  fliug 

Across  my  forsaken  harp's  breaking  string, 

To  wake  for  thee,  fair  one,  a  parting  strain,  .  [ 

From  chords  that  my  finger  may  touch  not  again ; 

For  sad  would  their  notes  be,  while  their  master  must  roam. 

From  the  smile  that  he  loves  in  his  own  dear  home*.     ?  •* 


246  Pif^ry. 

And  but  faiBtly  they  wake,  whilst  endearoiiring  to  give 
Words  to  tiie  wish,  in  kis  kefurt  tbat  must  live, 
Whilst  vibrates  its  pulse — ^that  for  yours  and  for  you. 
Kind  sylphs  (if  there  be  sueh),  or  angels  may  strew 
A  pathway  of  fl<^wera  :-^as  cloudless  a  sky, 
Twere  vain  that  I  wished ;  ma^  the  clouds  swiftly  pass  by. 
And  the  sun  shine  in  splendour,  though  tempered  its  ray. 
Bright — ^brightening  still,  to  the  perfection  of  day. 
Whilst  for  yours,  and  for  you,  Mid  fcr  all  that  you  love, 
May  the  wish  of  the  minstrel  prophetical  prove, 
For  the  kindest  oi  wdcomcs,  whcEnever  you  voam 
Fron  the  sm^  tkatyoii love  in  yow  own  dear  konse. 


T* 


Mouldering  thy  once  honoured  bard's  fiyia|f  finger,    ' 
Cambriit I  thy  wild  mountaon  harp  I  woiUd  vmke; 

If  yet  around  thee  one  spsrit  should  lii^r. 
Blest  be  that  spiiit-^bat  harp  for  thy  sake. 

Torrents  of  foam  to  the  summer-sun  ^leaminjf. 

Valleys  of  shads  i»  that  kaip  have  rap lieiC 
When  thy  bold  pmphets  had  burst  from  their  dieamiag. 

And  hurled  the  bold  mqstc  o'er  tiiose  that  had  died; 

Years  hav«  rolled  by  sle.ce  the  brealh  of  fedse  glory. 
With  war*s  suUen  tnimpet,  has  startled  thy  gkn ; 

Long  may  it  be  ere  thy  record  of  story 
Is  hung  with  tl^e  cypt^ss  ef  murder  agidn. 

1  passed  ^y  tliy  onee  splendid  easjlle,'^  lAere  title 
And  beafiity,  and  mirth  held  their  ibstal-*-*but  o'Jer 

Its  gate  kuag  ^le  faaeral  scuteheon-^and  idle. 
The  echo  that  flung  back  the  anthem  of  yore. 

I  passed  by  thy  Abbey ;t  die  cowl  and  the  mkfe 
Had  mingled  Aielr  dost  vrttk  tike  haogkty  onea  tbera; 

But  its  time-ftetted  ateh  in  the  sunset  grew  bri|fkter. 
And  the  chiB  weed  of  vai»  swayed  sweeth  i»  a^. 

I  passed  by  thy  pillar,t  flrm^planted  to  wfi^ent 
Late  memory ^flrleikdswfo in  battlehad  sunk) 

But  its  rooting  the  visjil  of  Sunders  kad  skakoB, 
And  ai  vmtS  of  the  mountains  kftd  ahattered  its  tiraaki 

*  Chirk^Mile*       t  Akkejr  VallaC^i^       | F^te^Eliseg. 


Icrossfd  in  ito  g)»dQQ«iitby  Qee>^ai&,w«tof|   ; 

AU  fresh  in  the  fulnessof  yeimit  flO«iF(Mloiij      .   .  - 
But  the  hearts  that  oi^oe  vomhipped'  irore  pemb«d  m  daughter^ 

The  patriot — the  chieftain-^lhe  haspet  irar«  l^ooe* 

Too  like  the  lone  Golumm  wQnif  bl«iik»  (md  dagxaded, 
Which  proudly  to  Heaven  r^ik^ad  itfl  rich  sc^pit«i«d  bead ; 

Man  blossoms  to-da^,.  and  Uhmonam  Ue9  feded^ 
All  blasted,  his  triiiinpbs»  his  gl^ri«a  a))  flod. 

Alone,  in  nnchangeable  btoom  o'er  bin  iuihaa» 

Wild  nature  bve^  oa»T.-*-«Nad!epi««t  and  t]9^t 
Tet  the  mountain  still  towers, — yet  the  broad  river  dashes. 

Unsullied  by  slofua,  and  ufiAloopiiig  to  hi^ 

But  countless  and  puoe  aa  tbo  nior^xof  tKat  guftera 
On  thy  hills,  wlMra  ^  ted  ah^t  (tf  Ughtoingf  is  foiled. 

Thy  sons  shall  iospira  the  lao^wn  ol  their  falilMam^ 
And  be  all  that  their  ftitbtra  have  becA  to  ^  v«rld« 

W. 

GRATITUP^. 

LINES  WEITTEN  ON  r&Altniia  SLIPS  HOT  aEftAVIOa  AVa  eOKV^AMCY,  MEAE 

THE  9a ATS  Qf  A  VSUBBAata  f  B|Elf|». 

From  <'  MoTAi  Pieooi,  in  Ppn^  at4  Verte,  liy  JUyqu  BQllT|.aY/'  of  Hart/ari^ 


Little  plant  of  slender  form, 
Fair,  and  shrinking  from  the  stpnn, 
Lift  thou  here  thine  infknt  head. 
Bloom  in  thi^  uncultured  \>ed. 
Thou,  of  firmer  spirit  too. 
Stronger  texture,  deeper  hue. 
Dreading  not  the  vinds  that  cast 
Cold  shows  o*er  the  frozen  waste^, 
Rise,  and  shield  it  fVoin  the  blast. 

I^hriftk  BOt  from  die  awfol  shades 
Where  the  bones  of  men  ave  iatd : 
Short  like  tbiaa  their  ttaniiieBt  dale» 
Keen  has  been  the  scythe  of  fate. 
Forth  like  pknta  in  glory  dreit 
They  came  upovi  the  gteen  eaitfa^s  broa$t» 
Sent  forth  their  roots  to  reach  tba  $tn$m, 
Their  budste  moat  the  riping  be«ii> 
They  drank  the  monuDg'a  babiy  WfatH^ 
And  sunk  at  ^mi  im  iritbering  dotA* 


348  Poetry: 

Rest  here/ meek  plants,  for  few  intrude 
To  trouble  this  deep  solitude ; 
But  should  the  giday  footstep  tread 
Upon  the  ashes  of  the  dead, 
Stdl  let  the  hand  of  rashness  spare 
These  little  plants  of  love  to  tear, 
Since  fond  affection  with  a  tear, 
Has  placed  them  for  an  oflfeiing  here. 
Adorn  the  grave  of  her  who  sleeps 
Unconscious,  while  remembrance  weeps, 
Though  ever,  ever  did  the  feel, 
And  mourn  those  pangs  she  could  not  IimK 

Seven  times  tKe  sun,  with  sWift  career. 
Has  marked  the  circle  of  the  year, 
Since  first  she  presised  her  lowly  bieri 
.   And  seven  times*  sorrowing  have  I  comcy* 
Alone^and  wandering  through  the  gloom. 
To  pour  my  lays  upon  her  tomb : 
And  I  have  sighed  to  see  her  bed 
With  brambles  and  with  thorns  o'erspread. 

For  surely  round  her  place  of  rest, 
I  shoukl  not  let  the  coarse  weed  twine^ 

Who  so  the  couch  of  pain  has  blest^ 

The  path  of  want  so  freely  drest. 
And  scattered  such  perfumes  on  mine. 

It  is  not  meet  that  she  should  be 

Forgotten  or  unblest  by  me. 

Ye  plants,  that  in  your  hallowed  beds. 
Like  strangers,  lift  your  trembling  heads, 
Drink  the  pure  dew  that  evening  sheds, 
And  meet  the  morning's  earliest  ray. 
And  catch  the  sunbeams  as  they  play; 
And  when  your  buds  are  moist  with  rain, 
Oh  shed  those  drops  in  tears  again ; 
And  if  the  blast  that  sweeps  the  heath. 
Too  rudely  o'er  your  leaves  should  breathe 
Then  sigh  for  her;  and  when  you  bloom. 
Scatter  your  fragrance  on  her  tomb. 

But  should  you,  smit  with  terror,  cast 
Your  infant  foliage  on  the  blast, 
Or  faint  beneath  the  vertic  heat. 
Or  shrink  when  wintry  tempests  beat 
There  is  a  plant  of  constant  bloom, 
And  it  shall  deck  this  lowly  tomb, 


AnecdoU.  249 

Not  blanched  with  frost,  or  drowned  with  rain, 

Or  by  the  breath  of  winter  slain ; 

Or  by  the  sweeping  gale  annoyed. 

Or  by  the  giddy  hand  destroyed. 

But  every  mom  its  buds  renewed, 

Are  by  the  dops  of  evening  dewed. 

This  IS  the  plant  of  Cfratitude. 


ANECDOTE. 

INDIAN  Wrr  AND  GENEROSITY. 

Not  waokj  years  alter  the  connty  of  Litchfield  began  to  be  settled 
by  the  English,  a  stranger  Indian  came  one  day  into  an  inn,  in  the 
dosk  of  the  evening,  and  requested  the  hostess  to  furnish  him  with 
some  drink  and  a  sapper.  -  At  the  same  time  he  observed,  that  he 
«onld  pay  for  neither,  as  he  had  had  no  saceess  in  hunting  $  but  pro- 
nised  payment  as  soon  as  he  should  meet  with  better  fortune.  The 
hostess  refosed  him  both  the  drink  and  the  supper ;  called  him  a  lasy, 
drunken,  good-for-nothing  fellow ;  and  told  him,  that  she  ^d  not 
work  so  hard  herself,  to  urow  away  her  earnings  upon  such  orea- 
tnres  as  he  was.  A  man  who  sat  by,  and  observed  that  the  Indian, 
then  turning  about  to  leave  ao  inhospitable  a  place,  shewed  by  his 
countenance  that  he  was  suffering  very  severely  from 'want  and 
weariness,  directed  the  hostess  to  Supply  hun  with  what  he  wished, 
and  engaged  to  pay  the  bill  himself.  She  did  so.  When  the  Indian 
had  fimshed  his  supper,  he  turned  to  his  benefactor,  thanked  him, 
and  assured  him  that  he  should  remember  his  kindness,  and,  when-^ 
ever  he  was  able,  would  faithfully  recompense  it  For  the  present, 
he  observed,  he  could  only  reward  him  with  a  story,  which,  if  the 
hostess  would  give  him  leave,  he  wished  to  tell.  The  hostess,  whose 
complacency  had  been  recaUed  by  the  prospect  of  payment,  con* 
sented.  The  Indian,  then  addressing  himself  to  his  beneftictor,  said, 
"  I  supjpose  you  read  the  Bible.'^  The  iban  assented.  **  Well,''  said 
the  Indian,  **  the  Bible  say,'€tod  made  the  world,  and  then  he  took 
him,  and  looked  on  him,  and  say,  *  It's  all  yeiy  good.'  Then  he 
made  light,  and  took  him,  and  looked  on  him,  and  say,  Mt's  all  very 
good.'  Then  he  made  dry  land  and  water,  and  sun  and  moon,  and 
grass  and  trees,  and  took  himi,  and  looked  on  him,  and  say,  ^Ifs  all 
very  good.'  Then  he  made  beasts,  and  birds,  and  fishes,  and  took 
him,  and  looked  on  1dm,  and  say,  *  It's  all  very  good.'  Then  he  made 
man,  and  took  him,  and  looked  on  him,  and  say,  *  It's  all  very  good.' 
Then  he  made  woman,  and  took  him,  and  looked  on  him,  and  he  no 
dare  say  one  such  word."  ,The  Indian  having  told  his  story,  with- 
drew. 

A  few  years  after,  the  man  who  had  befriended  him,  had  occasion 
to  go  some  distance  into  the  wilderness  between  Litchfield  (then  a 
frontier  settlement)  and  Albany,  where  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  an 
Indian  scout,  and  carried  to  Canada.  When  he  arrived  at  the  prin- 
cipal setflement  of  the  tribe,  on  the  southern  border  of  the  St 
Lawrence,  it  was  proposed  by  some  of  the  captors  that  he  should  be 
putio  death.    During  the  consultation,  an  old  woman. demanded 


eSO  Ameriean  LUerOtum  ^md  Intelligence. 

that  he  shooid  be  flvM  op  to  bor»  Hum  likd  mi|^  Ado^  liim  in  the 
place  of  a  son,  whom  she  had  loat  in  the  war.  He  was  accordingly 
given  to  her,  and  lived  throogh  the  soooeediag  yialef  in  her  family, 
experiencing  the  cnstomary  effectf  of  savage  hospitality.  The  fol- 
lowing sommer,  as  he  was  at  work  in  the  forest  alone,  an  unknown 
Indian  came  up  to  him,  and  asked  him  to  meiet  him  at  a  place  which 
he  pointed  out,  upon  a  given  day.  The  prisoner  agreed  to  the  pro- 
posal, bat  not  without  some  apprehensions  that  ndsehief  was  in- 
tended him.  During  die  interval,  these  apprehensions  increased  to 
such  a  degree,  as  to  dissuade  him  effectually  from  fulfilling  his  en- 
gagement Soon  after,  the  same  person  found  him  at  his  work 
again,  and  very  gravely  reproved  him  tor  not  performing  his  promise. 
The  man  apologized  awkwardly  SBeugh,  but  in  the  best  manner  in 
his  power.  The  Indian  toid  hin^,  that  he  shooJd  be  satisfied  if  he 
would  meet  him  at  the  same  place  on  a  future  day,  which  he  named. 
The  man  pronueed  to  meet  hfan^  and  fulfilled  his  pioamse.  When  bo 
anived  at  the  spet,  he  lonnd  the  Indian  provided  with  taro  maskets^ 
ammenitioe  lor  them,  and  tero  knapaaeka*  Tlie  Uttan  oideeed  him 
ietakeoeeoCeaoh^andMlow  him.  The  divectioB  oi  their  laateh 
WMM  la  the  •fMkk  The  ammi  followed  wMboat  the  least  knowledge  of 
what  he  was  todo»  4ir  «ffaitfaer  he  wai  gnf ng;  bat  eendnded,  thatt  if 
his  <pondaetor  intended  him  bam,  he  woeid  hsve  despaldied  hkn^l 
the  beginiiing;  end  that  at  the  worst,  he  was  as  safe  where,  he  vms, 
as  he  eoeid  be  in  any  other  plaee.  Within  a  short  time*  Ihereforet 
lus  feers  inbsiided»  aUheng^  the  Indiaa  observed  a  ipFrofodtfd  And 
iaysterioM  silenee  eoneeiAing  the  ol^eet  of  the  uipeditUin^  In  the 
day-time  iheir  shot  eveh  gano  ae  oaeie  in  their  way«  and  st  ^gtit 
kindled  a  ire*  by  iHlieh  Aey  slept.  Alter  a  teiioita  joomi^  of  miuiy 
dayst  thef  eame  oneaseining  to  thie  top  off  an  emiaenee,  preeentlitf  a 
pffespeeteftftcnlliifnted4ionlitryf  innMeb^air  m  wsmber  of  bodseSi 
The  Indian  aehedilds  eOeipaeioM  wihetther  te  knew  tbe  gooottd.  He 
iKplied  eagerly « that  it  was  litefafield.  Hie  gdide,  tbefi«  after  iMOlnd^ 
iof  him  that  he  bad  ao  alany  yeata  before  Mlieired  the  wants  of  a 
liMBisbing  Indian,  Jit  an  ina  in  that  town,  enUjoined,  **  I  Unit  Ittdlett  I 
DOW  I  pay  yom!  go  bonuu''  Baping  said  thta^be  bade  hiw  e^en^ 
IMd  the  .man  jogrf ally  jeliBned  to  bis  own  botiie. 

■■nfeBttBemnfefeaBB 


AMEftlCAU   LlTERATtTRE  AKd  Hff'TOlLIAetlC^. 


Wb  bnye  received  from  Nefw-York  oome  panpMetB  in 
defence  of  Bishop  Hobart;^  but  fte  they  ^te  not  compl^rte^ « 
tre  defer  noticing  them  nntil  our  next  1n  umber^  especially 
as  it  would  be  impossible  to  do  justice  to  the  subject  uow» 
foxDi  the  dUtance  of  tke  final  editor  from  London  rendering 
it  neoeseiuT  to  pablish  the  wotk  with  n  eomewh&t  smalWr 
quantity  of  matter  than  usual,  rather  than  risk  a  delay  in 
Us  regular  appearance^  by  the  transmission  of  prools  nearly 
50OimIes, 


^$  $Hbt»titai0V, 


Memoir  of  the  late  Miss  Jane  Buky,  c^'  Stockport. 

[Though  the  subject  of  the  following  Memoir  was  unknown  but  in 
the  circles  of  private  life,  the  knowledge  which  some  of  the  editors  bf 
this  work  possessed  of  her  talents,  her  virtues,  and  her  piety,  indu^ce 
them  most  readily  to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  her  friends,  to  give  a 
plaice  in  their  pages  to  a  memorial  of  her  worth,  which  will,  they 
flatter  themselves,  be  instructive  to  the  rioting  generation  of  the  female 
sex,  whilst  it  is  not  uninteresting  to  their  readers  of  every  age  and 
class.— Bmt.] 

**  The  mind  ^as  well-hiformed,  the  passions  held 
Sabordinate,  and -diligence  waa  choice."  Cowpbr. 

The  biographer  of  Kirke  White  elegantly  observes,  that 
'*  just  at  the  age  when  the  painter  would  have  wished  to  fix 
his  likeness,  and  the  lover  of  poetry  would  delight  to  con- 
template hioiy — in  the  morning  of  his  virtues,  the  full  spring 
blossom  of  his  hopes, — just  at  that  age  hath  death  set  the 
seal  of  eternity  upon  him,  and  the  beautiful  hath  been  made' 

|)ermahent.^  Without  asserting,  that  the  excellent  young 
kdy,  whose  moral  and  intellectual  worth  it  is  the  object  of 
the  following  record  to  exhibit,  was  equal  to  that  celeorated 
youth,  it  may  be  affirmed,  that  the  passage  just  (quoted  is 
truly  applicable  to  her,  and  that  there  was  a  striking  simi- 
larity between  both  the  individuals,  insobriety  of  judgment, 
vigilant  application,  and  substantial  piety. 

Miss  Jane  Bury  was  born  at  Hopehill,  near  Stockport, 
in  Cheshire,  October  26, 1801.  The  days  of  childhood  fur- 
nished none  of  those  romantic  events,  aind  marvellous  occur- 
riences,  which  have  been  so  frequently  and  injudiciously 
published  to  the  world  as  facts.  It  may  suffice  to  remark,, 
that  she  furnished  occasion  for  rejoicing,  not  only  in  the! 
possession  of  considerable  energy  of  character,  but,  more 
especially,  as  manifesting,  with  advancing  maturity,  those 
amiable  features  of  disposition,  which  indicated,  by  their 
development,  the  principles  of  spiritual  life.  The  natural 
reservedness  of  Miss  Bury's  temper,  together  with  a  nervous 
timidity,  led  to  an  habitual  silence  in  company,  and  at  the 
same  time  render  it  impossible  to  delineate,  with  desirable 
accuracy,  the  process  of  her  mental  improvement  and  reli- 
gious experience.    This  deficiency,  though  for  some  reasons 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  3.  T 


262  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury. 

to  be  deplored,  clothes  her  memory  with  additional  interest, 
by  giving  to  her  feminine  excellency  a  polish,  sacred  in  its 
cnaracter,  and  impressive  in  its  effects.  Instead  of  mani- 
festing a  disposition  to  forwardness  and  tattling,  or  any 
thing  approaching  to  Mrs.  More's  happy  delineation  of  the 
*•  Borderers,"  there  was  about  Miss  Bury  a  tact  of  delicacy 
which  prevented  obtrusion,  and  a  devotion  to  intellectual 
pursuits,  which  gave  to  her  faith  a  more  vigorous  exercise, 
while  ii  received  illustration  and  daily  increase,  by  the 
actings  of  a  spirit  eminently  meek  and  quiet. 
.  The  memorial  of  her  juvenile  days,  embracing  a  faithful 
sketch  of  her  general  character  and  attainments,  will  be 
best  exhibited  m  the  language  of  one  who  intimately  knew 
her.  "  At  a  very  early  period,"  the  narrative  states,  "  she 
discovered  a  strong  bias  for  mental  culture.  This  taste  was 
seconded  by  uncommon  industry  and  perseverance.  No 
pursuit  undertaken  by  her,  was  relinquished  on  account  of 
its  difficulty.  When  a  child,  she  took  great  pleasure  in  com- 
mitting to  memory  long  extracts  from  various  authors ;  and. 
at  the  age  of  ten  or  eleven  voluntarily  learned,  during  her 
play  hours,  the  whole  of  the  third  book  of  Milton's  Paradise 
Lost.  They  who  had  the  charge  of  instructing  her  at  this 
period  well  know  how  solicitous  she  was  that  no  lesson 
should  be  omitted,  whether  of  a  serious  nature,  or  of  lighter 
accomplishment.  She  seemed, .  indeed,  to  act  intuitively, 
upon  the  principle  which  so  many  learn  only  by  experience, 
and  which  Butler,  among  others,  has  so  beautifully  illustra- 
ted in  his  *  Analogy' — that  the  neglect  and  omission  of  one 
season  of  our  lives,  however  trivial,  will  necessarily  and  in- 
^riably  involve  their  respective  consequences  and  regret 
in  a  succeeding.  The  solidity  of  her  judgment  was  remark- 
able, and  to  her  early  conviction  of  the  necessity  of  restrain- 
iiig  the  imagination  in  its  undue  exercise,  may  be  attributed 
much  of  the  useful  and  substantial  knowledge  she  acquired. 
She  did  not,  perhaps,  possess  much  originality  of  thought, 
and  of  this  she  was  aware,  but  her  mind  was  constantly 
active,  and  her  understanding  was  clear,  comprehehsive,and 
uiiprejudiced.  Works  addressed  specifically  to  the  imagi- 
nation were  by  her  rarely  perused.  Thus,  though  in  dispo- 
sition afTectLOuate  and  susceptible,  she  gradually  acquired  a 
mascuUne  vigour,  free,  on  the  one  hand,  from  false  senti- 
ment, and  6ii  the  other,  from  vain  delusions." 

*•  Previousi  to  going  to  school,  she  occasionally  enjoyed 
the  corn jiany  of  sensible  arid  intelligent  ministers ;  and  the' 
interest  which,  though  so  young,  she  took  in  their*  conver- 

''-•'  .4'"'.'  <i  ■'. 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jttne  Bury.  253 

satioDi  was  evinced  by  an  anira'ated  countenance,  and  by 
frequent  recurrence,  even  in  the  last  year  Of  h^r  life,  to  sen- 
timents ai^d  facts  which,  at  those  seasons,  had  been  «tated.^* 

•*  At  school  her  ambition  lo  excel,  was  universally  re- 
marked; and  such  was  her  ardour  in  the  pursuit  of  knoW*- 
ledge,  as  sometimes  to  double,  and  even  treble  the  appointed 
lessons.  The  •biographical  memoir  of  Mrs.  Ramsay  was  now 
perused,  and  it  appears  to  have -materially  inftuenced  her 
future  habits.  She  frequently  alluded  with  admiration  l^ 
the^me'iital  exertions  of  that  excellent  w6man,  and  to  her 
peculiar  jfelicity  in  being  able  to  support  health  with  only 
four  hours  sleep.  It  was  Jane's  ambition  to  imitate  her,  as 
fer  as  circumstances  would  aMow;  and  during  one  winter 
especially,  she  was  usually  engaged  at  her  studies  as  early 
as  four  br  five  o'clock. 

**  During  the  last  four  years  and  a  half  of  her  life,  she 
was^  assiduously  employed  as  an  instructor;  but  the  hours 
set  apart  for  recreation,  were  still  devoted  to  the  increase 
of  her  own  stores,  and  existing  memorials  shew  how  well 
they  were  occupied  ^  Thes^  consist  of  voluminous  extracts 
from  various  authors,  of  which  the  historical  works  of  Gib- 
bon, Robertson,  Rollin,  &c.  form  a  large  proportion.  Her 
ettracts  froto  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,  Missl  Aitkin's 
Memoirs  of  the  Court  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  Southey's  Life 
of  Wesley,  and  other  biographies,  are  occasionally  inter- 
spersed with  remarks,  which  shew  how  well  the 'sentiments 
were  weighed.  Indeed,  no  hint  calculated  to  facilitate  im- 
provement was  lost,  and  the  earliest  opportunity  was  seized 
for  reducing  it  to  practice.  She  was  much  attached  to 
natural  philosophy  and  botarty,  and  her  papers  testify 
steady  exertionsfor  impressing  upon  her  memory  every  fact 
connected  with  those  subjects.  At  the"  agie  of  nineteen  she 
was  so  much  interested  in  an  article  in  the  EncyclopsedisL 
Britannica,  on  Intellectutil  BdiicatioYi,  as  to  abridge  it  for 
mor^  easy  use.  Nor  were  the  numerous  extracts^thus  made^ 
treated  as  useless,  but  at  stated  periods  were  diligently  re- 
viewed; and  thus  the  impressions  first  made  were  strength- 
ened. Her  very  ready  recollection  of  events  has  been  attri- 
buted by  those  who  were  unacquainted  with  her  habits,  to  a 
remarkably  retentive  memory;  but  those  to  whom  she  was 
best  known,  more  justly  assigned  it  principally  to  unwearied 
appUcs^ion.'  Dlinng^  the  last  year  of  her  life,  she  was  en- 
^ged  in  reading  Locke's  Essay  on  the  Human  Understand-* 
log/the  first  volume  of  which  she  finished  by  devoting  a 
short  time  .before  bteakfast  to  its  perusal :  of  this  work  she 


254  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Burg, 

wrote  an  analysis.  Never  satisfied  with  present  e(M|iiijreo 
xaenta,  she  was  continually  looking  forward,  and  she  consi- 
dered that  time  as  lost,  which  was  not  diligently  and  duly 
appropriated.  Thus  the  moments  of  social  intercourse  were 
devoted  to  the  needle ;  and  it  has  been  remarked  by  visitors, 
that  she  was  never  unemployed.  By  the  same  habits  she 
acquired  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  Italian  language,  and 
translated  into  the  French  several  eissays,  which  remain  spe«- 
cimens  alike  of  taste  and  skill." 

"  Her  superior  attainments  in  music  will  not  be  easily 
forgotten,  especially  by  those  who  know  how  very  little  tiaie 
she  thought  \X  right  to  devote  to  its  charms.  Her  e?ieoutioR, 
though  not  rapid,  was  clear  and  pleasing,  and  her  touch 
exquisitely  light  and  graceful."* 

The  reader's  attention  shall  now  be  directed  to  MisA 
Bury*B  MSS. 

It  was  in  the  ycior  1819^  that  her  propensities  to  self^eulti*- 
vation  were  more  explicitly  made  known,  as  will  be  manifest 
from  the  following  letters.  They  were  addressed  lo  on^  of 
her  relatives,  ^.nd,  while  unfolding  the  writer's  mind,  will  fur* 
nish  no  unintereating  G^peqimen  of  her  habits  of  thiUiking* 

"  Jl%  13,  1819. 
.  **  I  can  assure  you»  my  diear  — ^^  that  I  never  s^  down  to 
write  with  sq  mi]^h  satisfac^tion  as  at  present;  your  ptopoaal 
gave  me  mudi  pl^Siaure.  I  bad  long -wished  to  bs^vesoiiie 
friendi  to  whom  I  could  communicate  my  thoughts,  attd 
whos^  advice  I  might  be  favoured  wi4h.  I  soitketlaies.  think 
I  cou^d  tell  you  every  thing,  but  have  aftervirai?ds  bee9  de« 
teri!^  by  the  idea  that  it  would  have  top  mvkh  t^he  ^f^pear^ 
aia^e  of  egotism^,  atid  th,at  love  of  sdf  wbieh  is  inhetent  in 
<lfi^  nature ;  yet  when  reflecting  that  \  am  writing  to  ^ — ^^— r^ 
Wikbo  loves  me /with  ^1  my  faults/  this  dil3«uky  pactly 
if^^^ishe&A  though  I  cannot  say  it  is  entirely  remov^^ 
(  ''  I  should  be  glad  if  you  wofuld  reeommjeod  to  liie  aome 
plM  fpr  iipaprovi^g  the  little  time  which  may  be  called  mf 
cNf^H  I  am  sensible  of  great,  difficulty  in  things  whic^  an«  of 
importance  to  my  ststion>  and  often  regret  theil  %  d^ep  sei^e 
oft|j^  vfidije  of  iB^ti:u<rtioo«  c^nd  of  tha^t  time  w^ieb  Was  en-* 
tirely  4eto|ed;|Orit,  hi^.  not  been,  earlier  impree^dJbli'an.yi 
mi^i.bvit  ^w  that  se^fiQQ  is  pafit^itfeere  is  no  ^n^ltt  \demsx 

.  "  U; baSt  freqi^ei^tly  ecc^r^  ,to» noiei  m  «t  bf^qliite 
tighti  to  incjcijpftt(^:  1*3  pflre^?^^^  is^por*  yPiM^gi  pwp^i>  tii^^ 
Ihe  (}««ii:^,t^^ot^^j^  fcnQirf^dg€|ii#  WdsMf^  aiidiai^iU  ev« 


Memair  of  Miss  Jeffte  Bury.  '-iS5 

i^eet  with  encouragement.  This  opinion  is  seldom  found 
suitable  to  those  who  are  in  the  middle  or  lower  ranks  of 
society,  for  if  they  fulfil  the  various  duties  of  their  station 
in  a  conscientious  manner^  the  cultiViat^ion  of  their  minds 
will,  of  course,  be  n^lected*  apd  that  considered  of  leasts 
which  was  before  maintained  to  be  of  the  greatest  import- 
ar^ce,.  Would  it  not  be  better  to  give  them  an  accurate  view, 
of  the  subject,  according  to  the  situation  they  are  to  fill? 

**  i  should  like  to  know  how  far  it  is  wrong  to  indulge  a- 
taste  for  soi^e  particular  studies  which  are  not  absolutely 
mecessary  to  jbe  ^cqi^ired. 

''  I  often  wonder  how  it  is  thut  sov^e  people  are  so  entirely 
engrossed  in  the  trivial  occurreqces  wnich  pass  every  day» 
as  to  think  and  talk  of  nothing  else;  for  if  it  is  ui^d,  by 
w^y  of  excuse>  th^t  tribes  become  of  copsequence  when 
conpectpd  with  the  concerns  of  life,  yet  surely  a  small  por- 
tion of  time  might  be  spent  profitably,  in  discoursing  upon 
subjects  that  are  worthy  the  attention^of  a  rational  creature. 

**  I  hope  you  will  excuse  all  defects,  and  write  a  few  lines 
apon  to  Your  ever  affectionate,  Janb." 

It  is  impossible  not  to  be  struck  with  the  good  sense  and 
judicious  observations  embodied  in  the  foregoing  letter. 
IS^or  G^q  that  part  of  it  which  regards  education  be  impressed 
too  forcibly  upon  persons  so  engaged,  whether  as  instruct 
tprs  or  as  parents.  To  the  one  class  it  furnishes  a  useful 
~  mt',  to  the  other  a  safe  guide.  When  will  the  manageys  of 
lunday  and  day  schools  sufficiently  comprehend  it$  pro** 
pri^y? 

"  June  9,  iSaO* 

''  My  ^^y  desJTi — I  have  just  finished  reading  a  veir  inr 
t^iC^ting  u'or^^  Sir  W.  Forbes' '  Life  of  J)t*  Sc^tie^  and 
have  w^de  soig^  ext^fiots  from.it^  which  if  you  have  not  rend^ 
you  will  lik^i  to  see.  They  will  give  you  some  idea  of  t^ 
charaAlter  of  this  great  and  good  man.  Perhaps  you  will 
ttMf  k,  ^s  I  do  ^o^eti^peSi  th^t  I  re^  top  many  books  to 
derive  ^ny  liastivg  he^s^^t  frpn^  them;  but  really  it  is  v^ry. 
4iffici^l^  tp  r^ist  the  tei^^ptfktioni  wbjep  p.  work  of  ^^iskipd 
Q9in9f^  ^^  the  Wjsy'  I  hope  it  hf^^  fiot  Wen  perused  Yfifiko^ti 
some  profit. 

.  ''  I  J^^v^er  before  beend  of  tl^  '  A^id^strel/  It  i^  highly 
sppkf^  ofj  sf^d  I  shoi^ild  iikjB  n^uob  to  compare  the  poifit  #imI 
iSi^  phUosopher*  Tbi^  il^ipPi  conpiideripg  ^ciir  distingitiahing 
<^fpt^risl^x8e<8iaa#fl4i^Qsti9cp|pp<^ibl^  Thfit  thss^iHhot 
ofjB^n^s^^iPn  .!f  rw*,  ?|Bd  qthp?  philoso.p)MCfilwrC?t^s,^wW* 


256  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bary. 

tioh  which  constitute  sotne  of  the  requisite  qualities  of  a 
^►ocl  po<it,  is  to  Hie  ft  striking  proof  of  the  wonderful  versa- 
xiiity  of  some  tninds. 

>■'**  It  has  often  struck  tne,  that  th^ 'frequent  perusal  of 
poetry  (though  of  the  best  kind)  must  produce  much  the 
same  effects  as  novels  and  romances,  the  larger  portion 
being  addressed  to  the  imagination.  Imagination  is  evi- 
dently an  indispensable  qualification  in  true  poetry;  for 
without  it  the  most  harmonious  verse  would  soon  lose  its 
e0ect,  and  tlie  ear  be  tired  with  the  dull  Uniformity  of 
rhyming  syllables.  Those  poets,  tlierefore,  whdse  warm  and 
lively  firtictes  can  bring  fortn  abundant  and  diversified  inia- 
gery,  and  paint,  the  beautiful  or  the  sublime  in  the  most 
glowing  colours,  will  be  the  objects  of  most  interest.  This 
i^  my  conjecture.  Though  I  have  read  but  little,  and  can- 
not attempt  to  argue  on  comparative  merits,  yet  I  think  Dr. 
Beattie  confirms  the  opinion  when  hesays^  '  the  end  of 
true  poetry  is  to  give  pleasure  rather  than  to  convey  in- 
struction/ and  that '  a  poet  must  do  a  great  deal  for  the  sake 
of  pleasure  only ;  for  if  he  fail  to  please,  he  may  deserve 
praise*  on  other  accounts,  but  as  a  poet  he  has  done  nothing.' 
He  shews  also  that  poetry  exhibits  a  state  of  things  some- 
\rtiat  different  from  what  they  really  are.  If  so,  will  it  not 
oftt^b  mislead  the  judgment,  and  produce  a  diisrelish  for 
plaiin  and  sober  realities?  In  this  manner  many  erroneous 
ideas  are  formed,  and  the  mind  is  perplexed,  and  often  led 
astray,  when  searching  after  truth. 

"  fiut  I  do  not  wish  to  depreciate  the  value  of  poetry, 
whidh  has  always  been  a  source  of  gratification  to  me,  only 
to  suggest  what  I  conceive  to  be  the  consequences  of  too 
great  a  love  for  it.  My  ideas  upon  this  subject  are  but  im- 
perfect, yet  such  as  they  are,  I  submit  them  to  your  inspec- 
tion, and  remain  your  ever  affectionate  and  sincere  friend, 

"Jane." 

•From '  this  period  more  particularly,  may  be  dated  the 
visible  expansion  of  Miss  Bury's  mind ;  her  character  was, 
in  fact,  formed,  and  all  her  powers  had  received  a  direction 
susceptible  of  pleasure  from  that  only  which  was  suited  to 
mental  vigour,  and  to  promote  her  best  interests. 

The  art  of  self-cultivation  seems  to  have  been  now  at- 
tempted with  increased  assiduity ;  and  her  observations  on 
every  thing  connected  with  personal  improvement  hence- 
forth testify  alike  the  soundness  of  her  judgment,  and  the 
accuracy  of  her*  taste.  She  was  taught  too;  we  trust,  by  the 
h(Aj  Spirit,  "  the  vanity  of  man  as  mortal/'  the  insufficiency 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury.  257 

of  even  human  learning  to  furnish  happiness,  and  the  fear- 
fill  state  of  the  heart  by  reason  of  transgression.  Thus  .th^ 
following  extracts,  instead  of  occasioning  surprise!  may 
serve  the  twofold  purpose  of  confirming  spripture  testjmpny, 
and  exhibiting,  in  a  spirit  of  humility,  the  foundation  of 
that  beautiful  superstructure  which  was  gradually  advancing 
to  perfection. 

To  a  careful  perusal  of  the  memoirs  of  Miss  Hamilton, 
and  it  is  probable  also  of  Miss  Elizabeth  Smith,  may  be 
traced  many  of  the  succeeding  observations. 

"  There  appears  to  me,"  she  writes,  "  to  be  very  little 
difficulty  in  convincing  ourselves  of  the  poverty  of  our  un- 
derstandings, and  of  the  scanty  supplies  of  knowledge  with 
which  our  minds  are  furnished.  If  we  reflect  on  the  vast 
depths  of  knowledge,  they  will  be  found  illimitable  to  our 
capacities ;  if  we  endeavour  to  range  through  the  world  of 
science,  they  will  appear  immense  and  endless  ;  biit  let  us 
only  take  a  survey  of  one  little  spot,  and  it  will  discover  to 
our  astonished  view,  stores  apparently  inexhaustible,  and 
amply  sufficient  to  employ  all  our  faculties  during  the  period 
of  our  earthly  existence.  But  what  are  the  effects  which 
such  a  contemplation  should  produce?  Should  we  be  so 
overwhelmed  with  the  boundless  perspective,  as  to  imagiuo 
every  attempt  futile  ;  and  bo  contented,  because  we  cannot 
know  every  thing,  to  know  nothing?  Rather,  let  it  excite  in 
us  proper  sehtiments  with  respect  to  our  own  ignorance,  and 
stimulate  to  fresh  exertion." 

'  Almost  immediately  afterwards  it  is  added  :  "  To  the 
mind  which  is  ever  ready  to  receive  instruction,  innumerable 
sources  are  opened,  which  were  once  barren  and  neglected.; 
as  in  the  world  of  nature  every  thing  teems  with  life,  and 
affords  full  scope  for  philosophical  research,  so  we  may 
derive  instruction  from  the  meanest  object.  This  is  well 
calculated  to  inspire  sentinients  of  wonder  and  admiration 
at  the  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness  of  our  all-wise  Creator. 
But  if  these  are  so  fully  displayed  in  the  works  of  his  hands, 
how  much  more  so  in  the  effects  of  his  governing  pow^r. 
It  is  impossible  to  read  the  history  of  a  nation,  without  being. 
Convinced  of  this  truth;  and  while  we  are  often  struck  with 
the  surprising  and  unforeseen  events  which  take  their  rise 
from  causes  apparently  remote  and  unconnected,  we  must 
admit  Chat  they  only  furnish  new  and  striking  proofs  of  a^ 
siiperintending  Providence,  while  they  form  another  linl^  in 
that  grand*  chain' of  wonders  which  will  one  day  be  disclosed; 
tb  our*  astonished  view  ?" 


JJ$8  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Butjf* 

'*  With  these  reflections,"  she  proceeds,  "  we  may  advan- 
tageously open  the  pages  of  history,  but  ia  no  other  way 
yin\  they  afford  any  real  satisfi^ction.  We  shall  often  be 
left  in  darkness  and  perplexity,  unless  we  accept;  willingly 
the  light  of  revelation.  The  glare  of  human  reason  is  an 
tgnisjatttus;  it  leads  astray  into  labyrinths  of  error ;  the  more 
We  follow  it,  the  more  we  recede  from  the  path  of  truth.'* 

In  the  preceding  iremarks,  we  perceive  a  viable  contra- 
riety to  the  natural  course  of  mankind.  Man,  like  the  demo- 
niac who  dwelt  apriong  the  tombs,  is  prone  to  reverse  tbiQ 
sentiments  thus  expressed.  Instead  of  depreciating  his 
own  powers^  and  subjecting  his  reason  to  the  cpntrol  of 
revelation,  he  calls  his  reason,  which  is  very  darkness,  light; 
and  the  oracles  of  truth,  the  only  illuminated  path  to  heaven^ 
darkness.  And  it  is  only  as  the  mind  is  influenced  by  divine 
grace,  that  a  restoration  to  sanity  and  spiritual  vigour  is 
effected.  Then  only  is  it  that  divme  effects  are  visible^  and 
that  the  happy  recipient  will  sit  "  at  the  feet  of  Jesus" 
clothed,  ana  "in  his  right  mind.'*  How  impressive  is  the 
inducement  for  all,  in  youth  especially,  to  seeK  transforming 
influence,  and  to  the  eternal  renunciation  of  every  deceitfm 
gleam,  to,  lift  up  the  earnest  supplication, — "  Oh!  that  my 
ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  statutes.**  *'  If,*'  says  Dr. 
Manton,  *'  men  were  more  sensible  of  their  obligation,  we 
should  have  more  prayers  of  the  kind." 

Mrs.  More*s  Strictures  on  the  Modern  System  of  Female 
Education,  particularly  chap.  vii.  vol.  i.  seem  to  have  been 
read  with  special  attention,  and  no  inconsiderable  part  was, 
with  some  yariations,  transcribed. 

In  1820  Miss  Bury  commenced  a  series  of  memoranda, 
entitled,  "  Extracts  and  Observations.**  The  title  sufficiently 
desi^ates  their  object,  and  a  perusal  of  the  whole  amply  dis- 
covers a  combination  of  enviable  qualities.  The  following 
selection  is  characteristic  :  it  originated  in  the  Life  of  Wes- 
ley, then  recently  published.  Having  freely  commented  on 
several  particulars,  both  as  to  the  author  and  his  subject« 
she  thus  proceeds : — 

'*'  Soutney  says,  that  no  conqueror  or  poet  was  ever  mora 
ambitious  than  Mr.  Wesley.  This  was  certainly  true,  but. 
his  ambition  was  very  different  to  that  which  influences  con- 
querors or  poets.  It  was  a  true  and  laudable  apibition, 
which  made  nim  devote  all  his  time  and  talents  to  the  service 
of  Gody  and  for  the  good  of  his  fellow  creatures,  without  ex* 
pecting  or  hoping  for  the  applause  of  the  world ;  he  looked 
to  a  higher  recompense,     buch  ambition  was  worthy  of 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury.  259 

an  immortal  creature ;  and  it  would  be  well  far  mankiod^  if 
ipore  were  actuated  by  its  powerful  claims*  They,  likeliiai, 
would  tbeu  seek  to  promote  God*s  glory  in  the  salvation  of 
souls." 

'*  We  should  be  particularly  careful,"  she  proceeds/'  how 
W9  judge  of  the  motires  which  influence  those  who  are 
engaged  in  public  life.  Actions  may  be  weighed  and  cen« 
sureo,  but  their  secret  springs  ought  to  be  held  sacred^  aa 
known  only  to  him  who  is  acquainted  with  the  heart." 

We  now  return  to  the  journal,  and  select  a  few  extracts 
almost  at  random. 

"  May  14,  1821.— The  author  of  Miss  Hamilton's  Me- 
moirs relates,  that  Miss  H.  considered  herself  as  haying 
received  an  education  superior  to  what  is  usually  allotted  to 
youn^  persons  of  her  sex  and  station,  since  she  had  learned 
to  thmk.  The  want  of  this  appears  to  be  one  of  the  great 
defects  in  the  modern  system  of  education.  Young  persons 
are  taught  all  necessary  outward  accomplishments,  and 
many  which  are  superfluous  and  useless,  but  very  few  there 
are  who  haye  learned  to  employ  their  reasoning  faculties  so 
as  to  fulfil  any  of  the  great  ends  for  which  they  wera 
designed ;  few  attain  that  knowledge  which,  as  Miss  More 
(;mpnatically  expresses  it, '  is  burnt  in/  " 

"  Jum  18,  1821. — I  have  just  begun  to  read  Bennett  on 
the  Gospel  Dispensation,  and  hope  that,  by  prayer  and 
meditation,  the  work  may  be  of  great  benefit  to  me.  The 
author  shews,  that  the  wnole  of  revelation  is  a  moral  plan 
for  ei^ercising  the  natural  powers.  It  is  remarked,  that  in 
almost  every  view  which  can  be  taken  of  God's  revealing  bis 
will,  unbridled  vanity  might  conceive  of  great  possible  addi- 
tions to,  and  emendations  of,  what  is  actually  found  in  tb^e 
inspired  volume.  It  cannot  be  doubted,  that  if  God  had 
seen  fit,  he  could  easily  have  revealed  divine  truths,  and 
haye  exhibited  the  blessings  of  salyation  in  such  a  manner, 
as  would  irresistibly  have  instructed  men  to  believe  and 
embrace  them.  And  in  our  self-flatterii^  imagination,  bow 
ready  are  we  to  exclaim.  What  a  complication  of  unpleasant 
and  painful  circumstances  mi^ht  thus  have  been  preyented! 
What  &cilities  to  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  what  sub- 
sidiary  means  to  the  full  assurance  of  und^8:UiiKUng  in  the 
mysteries  of  the  gospel,  might  thfus  haye  been  a9Qrded> 
What  hannony  of  yiews,  what  uniformity  of  systei^,  what 
unison  ol  hearts  in  the  possession  of  religious  troth,  loigjA 
baye  been  secured!  But  the  Author  of  reyelation  bfta  £f^ 
posed  otherwise  i  and  it  was  evident)^  in  the  neftmn  vi  bi« 


260  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury. 

wisdom  that  he  adopted  this  mode  of  procedure  towards' 
intelligent  creatures,  though  sunk  in  ignorance,  guilt,  and 
wretchedness,  because  he  saw  it  most  consistent  with  their 
rational  nature,  and  eventually  best  adapted  to  the  wise  ends 
of  bis  moral  goyernment/' 

**  In  this  view  the  gospel  dispensation,  which  includes  the 
whole  revelation  of  God's  will  to  sinful  man,  together  with 
the  outward  means  which  he  has  appointed  for  them  to  wait 
upon  him  in,  is  a  moral  plan  oi  exercising  their  natural 
powers,  and  is  closely  connected  with  his  moral  govern- 
ment of  intelligent,  accountable  creatures,  the  principles  of 
which  are  equity  and  wisdom,  and  the  subjects  of  which 
must  be  dealt  with  as  moral  agents,  not  impelled  by  neces- 
sity even  to  a  right  mode  of  acting,  or  rendered  incapable  of 
acting  otherwise,  but  instructed  and  invited  to  a  proper 
mode  of  acting  by  suitable  means  and  motives,  or  moral 
considerations  of  duty  and  interest  prescribed  through  the 
medium  of  the  understanding.  Thus  arises  a  proper  ground 
of  responsibility." 

Again  she  writes:  "  Oc^  26,  1821. — ^This  day  I  enter 
upon  my  21st  year,  and  am,  therefore,  led  to  make  some 
reflections.  I  cannot  but  notice,  with  serious  consideration, 
the  rapidity  with  which  the  different  portions  of  my  time 
[move  on]  and  mark  my  progress  to  the  end  of  my  days. 

*'  It  seems  as  if  the  last  two  or  three  years  of  my  life  had 
rolled  on  with  greater  speed  than  any  of  the  former;  but 
this  may  perhaps  be  accounted  for,  from  the  uniform  tenor 
of  my  life,  and  the  nature  of  my  employments,  which  leave 
not  an  hour  unoccupied. 

"  I  am  now  arrived  at  a  period  which,  some  years  ago,  I 
should  have  thought  the  utmost  boundary  of  my  prospect' 
into  futurity,  and  probably  at  that  time  anticipated  that  I 
should  be  hardly  ^:he  same  being.  But  how  vain  are  the 
speculations  of  childhood  and  youth !  Instead  of  finding 
myself  arrived  at  that  maturity  ofjudgment  which  I  expected, 
instead  of  having  those  fixed  and  steady  principles  which  I 
hoped  to  attain,  truth  compels  me  to  acknowledge  that  I 
am  yet  very  ignorant  of  many  things  which  I  ought  to  know, 
relating  to  the  affairs  of  the  present  life,  and  that  my  mind 
is'  filled  with  doubts  and  fears  concerning  the  important 
realities  of  a  never-ending  state  of  existence  hereafter* 
Surely  it  becomes  me  to  inquire  how  I  have  spent  the  past, 
since  So  large  a  portion  of  these  fleeting  shadows  have  dis- 
apipeared,  and  I  know  not  how  many  remain.  I  fear  I*  have' 
not  fulfilled  4;he  end  of  my  being,  in  living  to  the  glory  of 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury.  261 

God,  and  making  preparation  for  an  eternal  state ;  I  desire, 
therefore,  to  enter  upon  this  year  with  more  solemn  consi- 
dei-ations  than  1  have  ever  yet  had,  and  to  make  religion  my 
chief  concern.  I  have  reason  to  be  thankful,  if  I  have,  in 
soine  degree,  been  made  sensible  of  my  danger,  and  of  the 
etil  of  my  heart,  bat  want  to^  feel  that  deep  humiliation  on 
account  of  sin,  which  leads  to  sincere  and  genuine  repent- 
ance, and  that  fear  of  falling  into  sin,  which  arises  from  a 
kno\*ledge  of  its  dreadful  nature. 

•'  May  the  great  searcher  of  hearts  make  me  more  and 
more  acquainted  with  the  wickedness  of  my  heart;  and  that 
I  may  daily  and  hourly  supplicate  the  direction  and  assist- 
ance of  the  holy  Spirit,  without  which  I  can  do  nothing. 
May  the  Spirit  of  truth  guide  me  into  all  truth,  that  I  may 
no  longer  walk  in  darkness,  ignorance,  and  error,  but  as  I 
grow  in  years,  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  my 
&od  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  I  desire  to  commit 
all  I  have  and  hope  for,  through  time  and  eternity.  Amen/* 
The  next  extract  may  be  read  with  profit,  and  its  recogni- 
tion of  principle  furnishes  a  valuable  clue  to  the  writer's 
state  of  mind. 

**  Feb.  7,  1822;-^— Having  accidently  overheard  a  question 
proposed.  What  is  the  distinction  to  be  made  between  the 
amusements  of  the  theatre  and  card -table,  and  those  of 
drawing  and  music,  I  have  been  led  to  consider  the  answer 
that  I  should  give  to  this  question ;  and  how  I  would  make 
it  appear,  that  a  professing  Christian  may  be  justified  in 
pursuing  the  latter,  and  rejecting  the  former.  I  intend  to 
confine  myself  entirely  to  what  may  arise  in  my  own  mind, 
without  referring  to  the  opinion  of  any  author ;  because  I  wish 
afterwards  to  ascertain  if  my  own  reasonings  are  sufficiently 
forcible  to  produce  a  conviction,  or,  at  least,  to  silence  the 
objections  of  those  who  would  endeavour  to  bring  against 
me  the  charge  of  inconsistency; — 

'*  I  shall  begin  with  theatrical  amusements,  and  consider 
their  use,  design,  and  evil  tendency.  To  trace  the  progress 
of  improvement  in  the  stage,  from  the  first  actor,  who, 
mounted  on  a  cart,  performed  in  the  streets  of  Athens,  would 
be  foreign  to  the  purpose ;  and  were  it  not  so,  would  suffi- 
ciently attest  my  incompetency  for  the  task.  It  is  sufficient 
to  consider  the  end  that  was  originally  intended  by  these' 
public  exhibitions,  and  whether  there  is  the  same  reason  to 
justify  their  continuance. 

''  If  we  attentively  observe  the  customs  and  manners  of 
the  ancients,  as  i^ecorded  in  history,  it  will  be  seen  that  tbei^ 


263  Memoir  of' Miss  Jane  Bur^^ 

habits  took  a  tincture  from  their  national  character,  ao4 
even  their  amusements  may  be  traced  up  to  the  same  source. 
Were  they  a  warlike  people  ?  Their  delight  was  in  martial 
spectacles^  and  in  tho^e  hardy  and  vigorous  exercises  wl^ich 
fit  the  body  for  trials  and  danger.  Were  they  peafseful? 
Agriculture  was  their  chief  employment ;  and  rpral  sporj^ 
tbeir  chief  amusements.  Were  they  possessed  of  inventive 
genius  ?  The  arts  were  cultivated  with  eagerness,  and  every 
tiding  tending  to  promote  their  advancement  was  looked  up 
to  as  of  primary  importance^  Thus  the  Athenians  were 
particularly  addicted  to  learning  and  sciencesi  and  became 
thereby  the  most  polished  state  of  Greece. 

''  In  order  to  contribute  to  the  advancement  of  les^ping, 
they  justly  paid  particular  attention  to  the  improrement  of 
their  language,  and  oratory  was  held  in  high  estimation. 

"  To  tnis  cause  may  be  ascribed  the  invention  of  theatii* 
cal  amusements,  which  were,  at  first,  mere  exhibitions  of 
oratorial  power,  accompanied  by  such  a  modulation  of  vo^ce 
aixd  gesture  as  was  calculated  to  impress  the  sentiments 
more  forcibly  upon  the  hearers. 

''  The  subjects  of  such  harangues  were  the  more  adapted 
to  excite  attention,  being  generally  drawn  from  human  life ; 
they  were  designed  eloquently  to  set  forth  the  ^dva^tage^ 
of  virtue^  the  duty  of  patriotism,  and  endeavouring  to  cpn- 
tribute  to  its  welfare  and  happiness;  while,  on  ^e  con- 
traryj  vice  was  painted  in  the  most  glowing  coloi^*s,  an4 
depraved  habits  and  principles  were  so  exposed^  as  thajt  by 
becoming  just  subjects  of  abhorrence,  feelings  pf  disgust  ap4 
detestation  might  be  excited. 

''  If  such  were  the  causes  and  the  design  of  theatrical 
representations,  it  is  surely  n^cessary^  before  we  adi^ocate 
i^em.  on  the  same  principles,  to  endeavour  to  prove  how 
far  they  can  Ji^e  appl^d  to  the  present  time^.  I  nave  h^ar4 
it  alleged,  that  it  is  very  useful  to  at;tend  the  thea^e,  fyr  the 
pujcpose  of  acqulri];ig  a  taste  for  good  ^ra^ory^  of  Ibriping 
tbe  ear  io  a  correct  pronunciatiajii  and  a  just  delivery,  anq 
that  it  IB  a  mean  of  preserving  our  language  fyovfi  jc^r^tipT 
tM^n^  and  inoovaticau»*  But  this  argm^eii^t  lappeara  fp  w§afc 
as  Wdly  to  require  refutaf^ion.  Were  we  defi&tuitf  ^.f  v^ry 
ojl*b«r  jnean  of  prey«nti^g  anch  pa^fi^qju^ei;ice»«  t)^  migl^t  l^e 
respited  to  as  an.  e)cpedient ;  but  wh^e  w^  (can  brii^  d^w^'^A 
otter  clauos  of  a  f^j^^nor  n24^T^,  jv^  w^te»i  tkf^i  ^  .^i^ilii 
give  place  to  them. 

,."tet  ikkosn  who  de^sij^  to ^ht^ux a il;aste  %  fi^d  ^^09y, 
lUtfii  to  9^r  UciHlaJtors  iftoo^^g  %fb  a^  champion  ^ 


Memoir  of  Miss  June  Bury.  363 

defence  of  their  oountry,  proolaiini»g  her  freedom,  and  coti- 
tending  fot  her  rights;  armed »  not  with  martial  ifeapong, 
but  with  the  persuasive  doqnenee  of  tnath,  a  plttri6tic  Keal 
glowing  in  their  hearts.  Let  them  go  and  bear  our  advo- 
cates pleading  the  cause  of  the  injured  and  defenceless;  or 
let  them  direct  their  steps  to  the  sanctuary,  and  hear  thfe 
ministers  of  our  holy  religion  engaged  in  a  more  glorious 
theme,  and  pleading  a  fer  nobler  cause,  with  all  the  eld»- 
qtieiioe  which  language  can  command,  and  all  the  force  of 
the  majesty  of  truth  proclaiming  to  a  ruined  wofd>  Jesttb 
Christ  and  him  cnicifiedi 

**  But  supposing  itjustifiable  on  the  grounds  above  niett- 
tioned,  to  attend  theatrical  amus^ments^  a  mind  at  all  in^ 
flnenced  by  religions  principka  would  find  olnections  suffi- 
cient to  outweigh  eveiy  other  GOndidel*dtion.  The  theatre  ik 
one  of  the  haums  of  vice  and  imntorality.  This  ought  to 
iaflvence  thoee  who  are  instrnoied  bv  the  volume  of  inspira^ 
tion>  not '  to  enter  into  the  p»th  of  Ine  wicked,  nor  to  go  in 
the  way  of  evil  tnen,  but  te  avoid  it,  to  pass  by  it,  td  tum 
ftom  it  and  pass  Away.* 

**  It  may  be  nrged^  that  it  is  possible  to  attend  the  theatre 
without  aesociating  with  the  gay  and  thoughtless,  tind  utiA*- 
nut  witnessing  the  licentious  scenes  which  take  place  in  thili 
abode  of  impiety.  (Granting  th^  possibility,  is  it  not  enough 
to  know  that  all  hinda6f  wickedness  are  encouraged  secretly, 
if  not  exhibit^  openly?  And,  kmming  this,  is  it  not  sanc^ 
ttoning  ivtA  practices  to  frequent  the  place  of  their  resbrt ; 
or  at  least,  is  it  not  declaring  to  the  world  that  vice  and  inn- 
moraUty  are  not  held  in  their  just  abhorrence  ?  But  tot  the 
sake  M  argument,  let  os  concede  all  Uie  olijeetioiis  which 
bsrvi  been  Drought  forward,  and  suppose  that  theatvea  wei^e 
bendiicti^  on  the  best  possible  plan  for  the  preservation  of 
the  fMiUic  motials,  and  were  even  deemed  nnexceptionab}^ 
with  respect  to  devistion  from  nobtic  virtue,  they  woidd  ncriE 
then  be  fit  places  for  ihe  diecipie  of  Jesus^  Hm  ttssipation 
and  vanity  the  Cbrififtiun  would  there  meet»  but  iit  acooNI 
with  that  devotional  spitit  wM^ch  he  ahould  chl$riish»  He# 
wonld  he  afterwards  to  filAed  fi)r  relimment  and  ittIfHsasititi'>> 
niftkfn,  wtteii  the  wothl  and  hs  cc^ncerns  shMld  be  shot  'otti^, 
snsd  h^  must  seek  for  satrnfttdltoii  ahd  ent^yaknit  ki  higher 
mmults  ?  Out  bkssed  Saviour  exhorted  his  disutple^ne^M 
Imw  eft#  m^M^  fwt  ike  things^  sf  ike  Vfo^ld^  !»  public  fhaseA 
at  tannsidiiiMt,  everv  thing  il^  talMhited  toi>ctoeriilif  antf  iu«^ 
eMaiie> thsftlove^  Ail  tfaavosn  pleaM  the  eye^  end  timm,  th« 
ear,  all  that  can  captivate  the  senseaatid  |>n9>duue  adttint'- 


264  Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Buty, 

tioD  and  delight,  is  exhibited,  and  contributes  to  entrance 
the  soul,  and  make  itfcMrgetfal  of  its  iooToortal  nature,  to 
cause  the  Christian  to  OTerlook  his  condition  as  a(  pilgrim 
and  a  stranger  upon  earth,  seeking,  a  better  country. 

''  We  would  here  draw  a  line  of  demarcation,  and  attempt 
to  establish  the  opinion,  that  those  amusements  Biay  be  inr 
dulged  in,  which  nave  not  a  tendency  to  increase  a  lovef  of 
the  world,  and  conse(|uently  to  cause  a  disrelish  for  spiritoal 
engagements,  but  which  are  rather  calculated  to  raise  the 
afiectionsto  the  gracious  Author. of  all  good,  and  to  quicken 
and  promote  a  spirit  of  devotion  and  praise;  in  short,  those 
which  do  not  stand  opposed  to  the  nighest  interests:  of  an 
immortal  creature,  but  elevate  his  mind  to  m^re  noble  pur* 
suits  than  the  passing  scenes  of  time,  and  can,<witibait 
regret,  be  exchanged  for  the  awful  realities  of  eternity. 

''  With  respect  to  the  card-table,  little  need  be  added,  as 
many  of  the  arguments  before  advanced  may  be  applied  to 
this  amusement,  and  facts  are  not  wanting  to  render  the 
application  forcible.  But  its  votaries^  who  will  coBtend 
that  dieir  favourite  pleasure  is  an  inilocent  one,  I  would  ask, 
*  Cvji'that  be  innocent,  which  wastes  the  most  preeioub  gift 
bestowed  upon  us  ?  And  to  those  who  have  no  better  reascm 
to  bring  forward,  than  that  they  engage  in  it  to  fill  up  iheir 
time,  .1  would  appeal, '  Are  there  no  regions  in  the  world  of 
nature  yet  unexplored,  no  wonders  that  reinain.to  beMn* 
folded,  no  stores  apparently  inexhaustible, ;  and  iii^faichai^ 
well  calculated  to  fill  the  mind  with  more  exalted  thp<ights 
of  that  incomprehensible  Bein^  who  made  all  things,  and  to 
awakepi.towards  him  feelings  of  adoration  and  reverence?'" 
.  ''While  such  subjects  as  these  claim  attention,  can  any 
feel  justified  in  spending  a  moment  'in  shuffling  about 
painted  paper  ?  One!  would  almost  imagine  that  the  title  of 
reasonable  creature  had  been  abandoned,  before* such  an 
outr^e  could  be  committed — even  against  reason ! 
.  "  Snt  it  may  be  urged,  that  this  amusement  isionly  re* 
sorted  to  in  company  where  it  would  be  impossible,  to  intror 
duce  subjects  of  a  literary  nature,  and  where  you  must  either 
join  the  party,  or  remain  unemployed,  and  probably 'give 
offence,  not  to  say  induce  ihe  charge  of  singularity .-^Were 
this  the  case,  it  would  be  better  to  remain  :unemployed^  than 
to  sanction  that  which  serves  only  to  kill  .time:  no  one^ 
however,  has  occasion  so  to  plead,  but  those. ^ho  are  afraid 
to  look  into  their  own  hearts,  who  never  watch  .their  thoughtE^ 
and  scrutinize  their  actions,  in  order  to  a^ertain  the  .motives 
which  give  rise  to  them. 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury.  266 

"  The  fear  of  giving  offence,  or  of  being  accounted  singu- 
lar, is  an  argument  which  can  only  influence  weak  mindp, 
and  if  we  allow  it  any  force  in  one  instance,  the  same  may 
certainly  be  admitted  in  others,  and  it  will  at  once  justify 
conformity  to  all  the  maxims  of  the  world. 

''  It  now  remains  to  consider,  what  distinction  is  to  be 
made  between  these  amusements,  and  those  of  drawing  aikl 
music?  .  And  here  it  may  be  observed,  that  the  exception 
is  only  granted,  provided  the  subjects  of  it  are  not  carried 
to  excess. 

"  We  know  it  may  be  objected,  that  too  great  a  love  of 
music  has  been  attended  with  effects  as  pernicious  as  by 
those  amusements  which  we  have  condemned ;  and  we  per-r 
fectly  agree  with  those  who  deem  the  oratorio  as  improper 
a  place  for  the  Christian  as  the  theatre. 

"  But  why  should  it  be  inferred,  that  because  a  good 
thing  is  abused,  it  becomes  criminal.  It  is  the  abme  of  it, 
from  whence  arises  the  criminality.  Who  will  ai&rm,  that 
what  the  great  Creator  has  deigned  to  employ  as  a  mean  of 
imparting  pleasure  to  bis  rational  creatures,  and  as  tending 
to  elevate  their  views  of  his  infinite  goodness  and  perfec- 
tion, has  any  thing  improper  in  its  nature?  Yet  however 
strong  thje  assertion  may.  appear,  we  must  tacitly  acquiesce 
in  it,  if  we  disallow  of  music  and  drawing  on  account  of. the 
impropriety  of  the  amusements  objected  to.  If  we  see  no 
beauty  in  the  various  appearances  of  nature,  the  rich  colour- 
ing 01  the .  sky,  the  exquisite  tints  and  delicate  shades  of  a 
flower,  or  the  different  objects  combined  in  the  finished 
landscape  ;if  we  derive  no  pleasure  in  listeniilg  to  the  music 
of  some  sweet  songster,  whose  melodious  notes  seem  to  be 
the  voice  of  gratitude  and  praise,  let  us  be  contented  to 
resign  the  accomplishments  of  drawing  and  music,  for  they 
will  then  cease  to  afford  us  innocent  gratification.  If  the 
pleasure  derived  from  their  pursuit,  arise  from  no  tiobler 
cause  than  ambition,  or  a  vain  desire  to  obtain  the  praise 
and  approbation  of  men,  it  ought  not  to  be  cherished,  bujt 
abandoned,  as  springing  from  a  sensual  and  impure  source. 
But  if  our  ear  is  indeed  tuned  to  the  harmony  of  creation> 
and  our  sight  is  ever  ready  to  contemplate  the  wonders  it 
displays,  we  may,  without  injury  to  ourselves, .  cultivate 
these  source^  of  rational  enjoyment,  so  far  as^  they  interfere 
not  with  higher'  duties  and  the  great  business  of  life.  If  on 
a  review  of.  the  feelings  that, have  been  excited  while  indulg- 
ing in  these  amusements,  we  find  that  they  have  not  dimiti- 
ished,  but  rather  increased  our  love  to  Qod  and  to  his  %&cr 


366  Memoir  ef  Miss  Jane  Bury. 

rice,  thAl  tbey  have  awakened  teal,  and  qaickened  al  spirit 
of  devoliOB,  we  may  affirm  that  the  time  occupied  had  not 
beea  speitt  in  vain.'^ 

Not  only  do  the  pfeeediD|  pages  manifest  the  Superior' 
capacity  and  attainmenta  of  Miss  Bury,  but  they  also  dis-> 
eavw,  88  we  have  just  seen^  art  habitual  regard  to  higher 
principles  than  those  of  ambition,  or  literary  feme.  The 
tenov  of  her  remarks,  as  already  qnoted,  shew  a  state  of 
Iselin^,  and  a  conviction,  too  refined,  and  too  spiritual,  to  be 
conceived  of  apart  from  religious  excellence.  It  is  true, 
there  is  among  her  papers  no  distinctire  narration  of  a 
**  new  birth  unto  righteousness '"  but  it  mdtf  be  observed, 
that  when  an  indiridual  has  been  early  inured  to  habits  of 
fliental  cultm^e,  not  to  say,  trained  up  in  the  nnrtore  and 
admonition  of  the  Lord,  it  is  commonly  no  easy  matter,  and, 
indeed,  frequently  as  impossible,  to  detail  the  all4mportant 
pvoceaSf  as  rt  is  to  define  the  progress  of  natitral  ligh](,  or  to 
ttariLi  with  aceuracy  and  distinctness,  the  exact  boundary 
between  night  and  day.  However,  there  is  safety  and  wis^ 
doai  in  ascending  from  effects  to  their  causes,  not  only  to 
sfttisiy  the  inquiriea  of  curiosity,  but  to  jud^  correctly, 
especially  in  things  pertaining  to  the  heaveiuy  kingdom. 
••  Df  their  fruits,'*  said  our  Lord^  "  shall  ye  know  them."— 
••  Miss  BwM^/'  observes  one  who  knew  her  well,  "  from  in- 
fMiey  was  of  a  delicate  constitution,  possessing  more  than: 
commoti  irascibility  of  tetnyer,  arising,  f)erhaps,  principally 
from  much  nervous  irritability ;  but  this,  even  oefore  the 
ineam  of  childhood  were  past,  was  considerably  overcome 
by  her  natural  ^ood  sense,  seconding  the  restramts  of  edu- 
«sitifont  And,  it  is  remarked  by  her  mother,  were  there  no 
etfi^r  evidence  tfa^t  in  after  years  she  became  the  subject 
<yf  a  iffaange  of  heart,  than  the  ^frr^  svMiigaiion  of  this 
AtteMitg'flto,  it  would  be  quite  satisfactory.^ 

Where  a  change  of  heart  has  been  wrought,  the  mighty 
irvent  represented  in  scripture,  as  a  **  new  creation,"  cannot, 
With<lhe  appearance  of  rationality  or  piety,  be  ascribed  to 
fl«y  dther  influence  than  that  which  is  divine.  Nor  can  a 
better  6t  mdre  infallible  evidence  be  required,  than  ''  the 
ftuitt'  of  righteousness."  Instead,  therefore,  of  pronouncing; 
t  efefrtarti  oourse  of  feeling,  or  a  conformity  to  certain  accre^ 
dtted  modes  of  expression  or  experience,  indispensable  to 
ftirnkh  ground  for  the  hopes  of  charity,  let  the  inspired 
standard  be  adhered  to  wttn  unvarying  stedfestness.  Thnn 
will-  be  dib^eHed,.  «s  with  a  ray  of  brightness,  all  Ibe  niii^, 
and  eonfasidn,  an\d  error,  whi^b  aifee  ftota  elevating  th^ 


rionfli  19  B«9t  e^plaiMd,  ftii  itr  M  b^iSt  d)8^6<9V^fdtmH-%' JM' 
operathni.  ^  ITte  «?tW  ^ti^efA'  tefke^&  ii  Ikteih,  Af^  fkM^ 
hearest  the  sound  fkereofi  bttt  eartsf  net  i^lftihtTiet  H  comeih^ 
and  loMikeritgdtth:  Jo-tV  emtirontflmlU  6^k  dftke  i'/**.'*' 

Tfce  Cftrhitiatlil^  of  Misfl^1Scrfy<  Will  !h^  mi^^  «%  mtttti^' 
rented,  hx  ftAKtion  to  tire  JOtfAtorWt  txceietn^t  dF  het  dego¥!f-* 
meAt>  Vjr  gome  ftrrfber  artfectfewr  ftomf  He^ joiiiiiial^  Witfr' 
these,  tlTei*efcrt,  tire  |)rbcee(f. 

^  HoMT  mtK*,**  Jilie  write*',  April  2&,  *•  have  I  rtttdto^  t^y 
dfepbfe  the  hardiiless  and  in^eiWioiBty  ef  my  hearts  I  fcnow^ 
that  Ao Aittg  but  dfyiue  grace?  can  Enable'  me  to^  do  Whaif  i^ 
right;,  yet  bdw  hackw^if d  azt^  I  fh  eeelting  a^sistatiee'  Uf  taf 
wtsak  aiKd  vtiiti  eftdesbvoatd.  The  tt^ths' that  6<rilbeiiiy  mihtf 
fbtt^iftfy;  and'  rbtrse  iiiy  attention,  ai^,  by^  ihe  most  Hi^hriaF 
decutrence,  fotgottea;  or,  »t  feaurtr,  dtebrryied  of  thefts  l^Mff 
weight  ahtT  importance.  Sutrh  irthe  kaidenii^  naftui^  of 
sin.  Conscience  is  sometimes  awakened,  but  the  eVflptO^^' 
pensities^  of  ai  cfortupt  liature'  prefv^a^P  in  liHKbg  re  into  its 
fbmier  state,  and  entfeaTOui^  to'Stiffe  thb^  voiivregreta which' 
thehieart,  when^  contetted,  canndt  suppijesfe.'  If  we^coidd^ 
become,  for  a  time,  abstracted -from  EieMifbf^  e^eets*,  therc^ 
would  be  some  reasOtt^  to  hope  tlM  g^dOd  rmpressiwiis,  wKen 
once  received,  would  not!  ht  so  ststoa  efiaeed  j  we  should  he'' 
enabled  tOCoHeet  aH  the^argrrtttent*'  that  nright  be  biotkg&ti 
forwteird  in  order  tty  strerigtlen^  and  ^ottfiito  the  W*riemi^ 
rfesofuttent  and  then,  jwerhaj^i  we  need-not  edmj^ia  ifcat  eur^ 
goodnesa  was^  a^  ibe  mor^i^  efond  sand  il»  the  early  diet^ 
that  passelJr  aw«y:  But  als  ft  Js^  hnipfoirsiWte^  to  fie^mttSif 
diiiengaged  ftoril-  the-  obj  efett^  wfiich^afpe'cottti^iitffy  sttrfdmsd-' 
ing-  us^,  Aere  i1«  gteafter  occasion  fet*  eonstant'wfffcift/trf/i^; 
thut  while  our  minds  are  engaged  wJfli  earAfy'cares,  wetmky* 
not  lose  si^ht  of  Ijiose  important  concerns-  which  inVofve 
iJite  eternal  interests' of  the  soul  !*  M  i*rtot'  only  the  otttwrfrtf 
itetiOns  that  must  be  sei^ere!)!  dCi^fnisBed,  but  the  thoughts^' 
and  dei^h'es  of  our  heattis ;  wHfcfr,  tls  they  are  only  known  to* 
Hktt  wh(^  searchetrb  the*  hfeart,  rami!  b^  judged  by  *e  Word 
of  frtWh,  in  orderto  asdertainwhethfet-  they  tt^'  pui^  irihfs^ 
sight.  Itk  this  difficult*  taisk,  we  have  more  espeiJJaP  ntetB 
for  divine  assistance^  than  in  the  regulation  of  the  outward 
conduct;  for  while  the  lattfer  may  be  influenced  by  a  dejsire, 
toappear-  fair  before  men,  the  former  can  oalv.  pr^oeed  jfrontt 
the*  roat  of  3od^  and  ar  desire  to>.(h>  hia  wiU  in*  aQr  tlungs. 
Our  prayer  should  be — ^  £et  the  womlb  of  itiy  tf  ovtt,  and^ 

VOL.  VIII, — NO.  3.  u     / 


2Q8  :  Memoir  of  Mm  Janefiurt/i 

the  meditatioi^STof  my  hfiartf  be<apcepl^ble  in  ttiy  sight,  0 , 
Lard;'  and,  if  offered. up  with  sincerity,  we  might  hppe  for,, 
that  delightful  consolatioii  which  the  psalmist  experienced, 
when  he  said, '  In  the  multitude  of  my  thoughts,  &c.'."* 

Shortly  afterwards  she  writes, — ^'^  Another  awful  provi- 
dence has  occuired,  which  may  well  awaken  serious  reflec-: . 
tions.    Am  I  prepared  for  death,  should  it  come  thus  sud« 
den  and  unexpected  ?    Should  I  soon  be  called  off  the  stage 
of  life,  can  I  hope  for  admission  into  the  heavenly  kingdom? 
Is  not  the  fear  of  death  an  intimation  that  all  is  not  right  ?; 
But  what  can  take  away  this  fear;  what  can  depriv^e,  the 
enemy  of  his.  deadly  sting,  and  cause  him  to  be  viewed  a^.a 
peaceful  messenger?    The  apostle  says,  that  the  sting.  oC 
death  is  sin.    It  is  then  sin  which  causes  death  to  be  looked, 
Ht  as  an  objiBct  of  terror,  and  sin  must  be  removed  ^re  it  will . 
be:  disarmed.    We  must  have  a  living  faith  in  the  mente 
and  atonement  of  our  Saviour,  placing  our  whole. dep^n^l^ 
ence  on  him  who  hatb  loved  u$,  and  toashed  away,  o^r  mis  m^ 
his  bloodJ*  .     '  X      -  ■ 

The  following  record  gives  a  still  more  especial  ,promi- 
nence.to  those  sentiments  which  are  dear  to  l^e>heart  of  a. 
Christian,  and,  when  fully  realized,, indicate  no, unenviablie; 
state  of  religious  attainment. 

"  Surely  there  is  no  occasion  to  complain,  that  o.pportuni*. 
ties  are  wanting  that  may  sefve  to  bresuc  down  the  stubborn, 
pride  of  the  heart,  and  to  warn  us  of  the  importance  of  cul- 
tivating that  first  of  Christian  graces — humility.    Yet  how 
frequently  have  we  to  deplore  that  these  opportunities  affect 
us  so  little ;  ov,  if  the  impression  be  at  first  strong,  it  is  only, 
momentary,  and  has.no  abiding  influence  on. our  future  con- 
duct: we  return  insensibly  to.  the  obdurs^te  course  v^hich, 
was  so  .lately  condemned.    This  perhaps  arises,  from^  our. 
humility  being  only  a  conviction  of  the  underst^p4iQg«  ^'Qd 
not  of  the  heart;  and  if  it  be  so,  it  will  avail  us  littl^..    For 
our  minds,  may  be  so.  far  enlightened  by  an  acquaintance 
with  scripture, 'and  by  the  experience  which,  results  from, 
observation,  and  a.comparjson  made  with  others,  as  tp  make 
us  feel  sensible  of  our  many  deficiencies,  and  rea^y  enou^ 
to  allow  the  existence  of  evil;  yet  if  this  knowledge  be  not. 
practically  applied,  if  it.  do  not  so  influencie  a^s  to  make  us 

*  Wss  Bury  has  here  recognized  an  important  fact,  worthy  of  the 
matuTcst  consideration.  The  active  exercise  of  Christian  principles 
is  adapted  to  the  present  state :  these  ill  accord  with  mc^ltestic  se- 
clnmov,  and  going  oat  of  the  iirorld^  It  is  the  ovitfroOiiiing  beKevar,- 
not  the  oowai^,  wlio  will  feo^ve^the  erowji« 


ahp  Aft^r  a  gipwifig  ooiffolttUytc^  tl^  ^dhitabKs^ 

in  allithlngs-;  it'  tt'  do  not 'htimMe  '^ts*  before  bui  hedreetily 
Ffttber.'it  will  be*  of  AOt-ase/^^ttutTttifarey'Mti^^to  <njfir  xttm^ 
demnation.  How  inndi  doiv^need  tbeboiitibiialitiffueoe^ 
of  divine  grace,  to  subdue  in  ue'aUTainvbobiMke&^;afi!d'>td 
instnictns  in  the  kaowledgerof  ourselvesithktwe  limy  leant 
the  vanity  of  trusting  in  our  own  endteavbnra  :-^Hib  the'Loni 
ulone  u  there  either  righteousness  or  strength.  But  sueh  is^th^ 
conniption  of  our  evil'nature,  that  we  are  oootimUtllT  brittg^ 
ing'forward  eome^  new  claim  to  memitg^  and  oar  fboMeh  hcHartH 
ace  oootimialh^  a^ggestioj^  aohie  ^s^erie  ]if  etenakm  to  )utMaae^ 
rited  favours.  These  frail  supports  may  snstain  for  a  shbtt 
bne,  bat  they  will  be  fomid  insoffibiest  m  the  hofa  oft^p- 
tation/-  '  -  ;'.';.*.';'    :'-•»{; :l  1  '.)t  «>> 

.  ^  Genuine  humility  will  influence;  our  behaViiurtoWavdk 
our  fellow*creatures>  and  teach  us  d»l  we  are  nothing,  can 
do  nothiog»'  and-  have  nothing  to  hope  for,  but  through' thie 
free  and  sovereign  grace  of  Qod>  by  Jeaua'  GUrtirt  iMir  Lord 
and Saviour.V ;  -  »  .  [,'...  :;,.-».  ;:•  -/^  m  r-i  i«^  i 

•  How  Imjpresaive  too  ieire  the  follolfing  obseihralienBb^^:^. 
^'  It  is  a  tiMh  admitted  by.  the  wise  and  expeifeiiced^^biat 
«eldon|>pfaelised  even  bytbose  who  are  most  ibiwar4  to 
maintain  its  just  claims,  —that  were  persons,  who  ball  tAimi- 
adves  the  diciciples  of  ChiHIst,  more  anxious  to  •  become 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  their  own  hearts,  thaii  toeon*^ 
dema  others,  there  would  kiot  be  so  rmnV'wbo'wrmeneiy 
professing  Christians,  and  who^es^mplirjr  so  little  of  iiSb 

Sower  of  religion  in  their  daily  conduct  aad^sonveipatioMi. 
he  reason  of  which  is  obvious:  when  .viewing  the  <estMioir 
conduct' of  others  with  a  severe  and  sdrutiniaingefye;  we  ^are 
apt  to  draw  comparisons  which  are  sure  to  terminate  ib  biir 
own  advantage,  and  thus  we  become  blind  to  ourselved^  or, 
as  the  emphatical  language  of  our  Saviour  esqpiteBcies  ib; 
we  view  the  mote  in  our  brother's  eye.  without  cdsisidering  tklt 
-beam  that  is  in  our  own.  In  fact,  it  is  the  want  of  oar  tifr|i- 
ing  our  thoughts  within,  that  is  the  cause  of  bur. remaining 
80  ignorant  and  deceived  with  respect  to  our  true  ebarab^ 
ters.  Were  we  to  keep  in  constant  review  the  vain 'add 
foolish  thoughts  which  nave  so  frequently  arisen/ and -lite 
temptations  which  we  have  so  oflen  suffeted  ourselves  tq  ftdi 
into,  we  should  be  less  liable  to  censure  others  for  wh^^e 
ourselves  are  guilty  of,  and  it  would  tend  to  break  down 
that  sinful  vanity  wnich  will  often  persuade  us  that  we  are 
wiser  or  better  than  they.  .  So  prone  is  the  huinan  heart  to 
deceive  itself,  and  ao  unwilling  toae^nowledge  the  decepticns^ 


»._ 


ntmtgi.  .  Bat  MMteitdL  #f  odbMrimg.  otii^A  tipitb.%  d^ifin  to 
forai  iiieooipwiMn  rilAA'iiiM;fitmaomBA^ 
tegt,  if  w^  onlijr  deftertiutee  to  vtenr  ounM^vvt  liy  tb«  word  df 
toiilliU:aiid  iMMt  torlJbe  dt cwioH  of  tbfr  h^ly  sefbtoMii  i« 
»:|Mrfadk  steadtfd  b]!  ^n^bkh. we  imuttbiirtfliftf^  be |wlg»cb 

inpftH  imcf:  ifatf  cmtwmUig!^    Eb^pemnoe^  totifcifteB  the  Ivrth 

fioMhAlM  chiorgt^  tl|o«gh  {nride  i»  «tt»iljtee^  tof  fldmn^ 

'  Again  flin  cdnetrei^  ^  I  lHiv>e.  ifMk>B  tti  be  tMdkMMd,  tad 
to  feel  humbled  at  the  consideration,  that  within  tbtaer  laifc 
ftv;da]rs  thalFe  aumy  tisneiir  ofcl  Terjil  brifiiiigr  aeteadions^ 
nueiit  wAjr  to  weong  teiipers^  and  ijKduIged  m  aiofel  atigiuv 
ThottgK  ptritiq!>9>  imperceptible  to  oftb^^  it  was  ttotleM 
btddabe^  and  ftened  to  aMraken  tiie  bad.  pasaioBa  of  tfaft^sav^ 
and  to  create  discord  and  tumnlt,  instead  of  thattpHj^fe  tod 
•eraaiijr  whiob  afe  aa  deiimbte*  Wbien  X  waaa^  dbild»  my 
M^kbd.temper  ased  to  hveeft:.  fortk  on;  eftery  aaorifiae  of  my 
Hill^  aad  iiemnied  ma  disobedieali  to  »y  paKtaAs^.  qaaMst 
aMM  and  akduad  to  c^iwtan^  and  iHtaiaiablQ  in  aU  my 
MndfacrL  Nanr^  to  all  ott^ioard  appearaai^>  tli»  finsy  e^  lay 
tompat  ia  aebdmd^  my  angcjr  paMiaua  bam  tocrf;  tbat  aaf«il^ 
^faaaytwUchlbey  oawabaflt  Mrit  tb^ettttlarkwotbinbi  aaii 
ai^  taidjvithea  otcasioat  catt$  themfoitii^  to  iMva  Aaiti  Ihcf 
hava^atdomiaaoii^  ovet  mlr^  and  can  »areiiett  ifo  td  die 
iflfttDy  ^i  iay  peMie.  If  wa  wotdd  aadteaiTaat  ta  ^aaotiMiii 
tMr  aapBA)  winafa.  leataaiM  our  e^il:  tempem.  fiod^bBaokiog 
dMm  'mible.aeta^  itmM  meiHly  ba  foaod  topvaaaedfom 
#MitiJ»^<'idmiaaiixc^t)f  levaqr^ alnftj  <pa8B)a»>-;aad  Miifirom^a 
,direaik«fi  tfaa  laMM^ofaaesiwhfch  mi^f  aiiaii^  W^iui 
limMftuw^  tbat  aftheik  tba faMraiat is^a^taecmm^  -^-oor 
<ipimQii(p)  todi-na/'oaii  act:wiihoa£  fear  of  ii^airisg  Qtar!afcM> 
ipKitnrfvitli  thfisa  wJMsa  eateeak  ^q  wift.toobtabiwiiia  not 
oAttt  piaciiaed.  But  birar  aeUom  do  Ire  mflecA  timt  by 
iWMh  iabcapiion»  weannat  aia  againatbiir  hoave^V.Fatbaa 
aidi  gnc^TO  Ua  holy  Spitit.  (Mil  tbailr  i  tseinU  fcet  atoo^ 
Atispl^.  di^  dnadfol  oanaaqiaMQa.  of  cvfetaUbg  a  Babig  sa 
fjaeaik  tod  lioly.  \  hw«  ^qs4  caiiasa  fi«r  InHottbiitaii. wheai  I 
canaidbrbtfiw  tcontititally  I  am.  trti^iipreeMtng  bt a  csfsaiom^ 
laaata,  aad;  daii^  what  is  eidi  in  hastdgh/^.  Itfay  fbia  be  my 
aoaatailtamLferYeatpatitifme  to  a  thsdaa^tf  giMe%4>'  &eatei«a 


tlieveeiitdifirftfl!,  ftdd^te  MsMatkMltlith'llibiajp^roal^litg^ 

iii%m38tiflfgiMd  %enefl«)itl  t«Aecfi^ii^  >  i    ^ 

*' Owing/'  she  Writes,  *^  te^  tbe  taflde  MOiilOMa  lit  ft 

lOfMvkl  Qf^Hit  habitation^  ttid  a  i^ttriety  isf  MiMr  ^ib W^ 

•l8iic)M-lAi«li  have  tenifed  lo  didsiM^viy  ttditdi  andtttt^ 

Ihottghbr.  1%Hd'  I  wavd'  Bttfl^Md  att  ks^^ftndt  idntmi  to  pMi; 
Mid  «btidl9]«r  «tag^  4>f  my  Mfcf  to  begins  withoM  tefcln|  ttdftaM 
of  it,  tiiough  so  calculated  to  excite  ^aiiisdilfeLtioft>  ttM  t^  «)iH 
fW  Btiici  and  faklrfW  wl^examilt&tfon.  Itt  wv^gwiig  'the 
e^e^itft  of  the  pafit  year,  I  have  teas<»n  «d  ^sdtaim^lilii  g*^^ 
necm  and  nierejr  hai^  followed  me.  ^^1^  t6  ^sMjr^havift 
been  awftilty  matched  away  hjr  d«ath')  wliiW  so  naum  ffaMi^ 
Ke»  teiTe  been  deptited  tyf  their  ptteei{Mll  «op^ott>  it  littVft 
bad  to  ttoum  over  the  graves  ^  ttiose  11^9  aim  4mt  <iffitt 
eartyyon^,  and  by  tSieir  removal  imW  blighted  ^Aee^MtiMA 
p^ts  of  their  fond  parents  <]iro«igh  li<fe>  I  xTeslve  to  rMWif 
wp&i  ^Tftfitude,  the  preeervatton  <of  ttky  Mdiids  atid  iMx^ 
ne!ticM,  aAd«hecoii«imianGe  of  every  "MtftUycotttfoit;^^:  OM 
tliat  ^ese  tmdeserv^d  tti«rciea  may  nofcbs  tnyloagiM'-paiii^ 
m^  in  f[>rj^etfalne0s  asfd  nnoottoem.  'Afoy  tlMy  aiwakMmhl 
fliy  h^art  f&elings  of  dewrat  AeaMalittas  ix»  the  <gi«atUi«H 
thor-  sf  Mevery  ^>od  and  'perfect  «ifl|  ttvd  tta;  I  Jb»  i^tiablsiil 
to  lAiewforAfAs  prsise  by  a  Ufele^^ed  10  iipa  servioet 

'^  But  While  I  recount  these  meteies>  I  wotrhl  ttot  fb^^ 
(he  ^Hioertain  tenure  on  wUoh  f  hoM  evety  Uessin^*  i£i^ 
other  year  jaay  dieprhro  ine  <)f  some  eat<My  ^tmSm^  or  1 119^ 
B«1f  may  be  called  into  aa  e«snMd  utttte.  Ot  hxfm  nnaak 
impoitanM  i»ift,tlien^tbatIahoald'SO<lk  atiiHteiiistinllMMii 
tiiinga  which  ^an  siOM  oMippon  me  ia  th»  hfa«ir  of  triatl 
Bow  earaestly  ^ottid  I  aeelL  to  f^Ml  the  <gveat  end  of  my 
Mistenn^K, to  live  to  the  gfory of  Ckidd  OhJiaMyilbemy 
eMef  eonceim,  faenoeft)tth>  fbr  I  have  too  ions  nagkdDedH 
Mid  Kved  ^ter  the  flesh.  May  the  Bpi#it  tead  ma  to  Hm 
ll^itte mid  saving kncwledgeiof  Him/wbose  i  am,«iii«rtiMii 
Ml  Iboited  lo  servo/' 

^    Tlie  tte!it  effbrt  of  her  pen  WM^  to  Mta  tha  ongsgomoiit* 
'  of  the  Christian  sabbath.    Instead  of  pursuing  winaly;  01* 
esleemittg  lihe  sacred  hours  ^  0  wekfinM,^  ishie  wtitoa  thus 
<yf  Its  oecupationa. 

^*  liuilt  «abbath  day  i  enjoyed  ft  gMkI  prrviie^i^'  tvhkli  i 
triiiit  was  not  thrown  away.    I  heard  two  exoelleifl  ttsWMaf, 


pmn  f>i»  qf  Hia  ^faitlftd  wiustem  of  the;  gfwpd/of  Jetus 
jChmt.  A»:I  tev«  to  peldoo^  of  l«^i  li^teoed  to  the  truth 
ei(;i^i9 in  i(eia8i4eU¥eTfidfroiii^  the  palmt»  they  ivere  epjoyed 
urith  a  8«perior  relish,  a»d  I  sbaU  endeavour  (to  recall  Aowae 
iifthe:leadiBeeeii|iiiiMtBd0n^^3^  '.         , .  .. 

.^ft^Theintaiii^  diioo^pe  was  fomded  43iPon  the  Ifith 


Meieefaf^tileiitxth  chapter  pf  the  epistle  to;  t}ie  EpheMiuEis^ 
S'Eefcet^e  aword  of  the  fipurit»  which  is  the  word  of  Go^/ 
d(r*'R*  observed,  that  the  Christian's  warfare  was  a  spiritual 
.oae*> .  Hence  the  apostle  exhorts  the  followers  of  Corist  to 
M*  on  the  whole  artnbur  of  God,  and  closes  his  exhortation 
hf  the  words  of  the  text/' 

.  '♦*  He.  ceosideredr-Firsl;  Why  the  word  of  Gpdia  com- 
piased  to  it  sword  ?^^lBt.  Because,  as  the  sword  of  the  warvior^ 
it  serves  to  keep  off  the  distant -attacks  of  the  enemy.  ^  The 
Christian  will  often  find  hunself  engaged  in  this  species  of 
combat  by  those  who  dare  not  come  to  a  closer  engage^ 
inient,  but  who,  by  secret  insinuations,  or  artful  suspicions, 
seek  tO' undermine  his  faith,  and  make  him  distrust  the  pror 
iDises-of  God.  But  the  word  of  God  is  a  shield,  and  a  s^re 
w^aponifof  defence,  by  which  he  may  put  to  flight  these  dis- 
tant foes/and , party  eff  the  blo^s  which  are  aiofied  from  alar. 
8dly*  As  a  $word,;it  ia  a^o  effectuajl  in  close  icombat. 
When  our  j«uj^ineeiit8  are  called  in  quej^tion,  our  £iith  cour 
diPmned,  and  the  hopie  of  the^  gospel,  in  whidi  we  trusty  is 
the'  subject  of  contempt  and  ri^ule,  we  must^not^nse  veiar 
liatipn,:  hut  apply  to  the  word  of  God  for  refuge ;  ^ad  with 
its  blessed  truths  c^mibund  and'  disperse  our  most* daring 
cDeiniesv ;  We:  have^tbe  fsxample.of  our  blessed  Redeemer 
tOfteieourage  us,  iwho,!when  he  was  te^ipted  by  the  great 
Hdimsary  of  eouls/replied  always  ip  the  words  of  the  scfip^ 
|urefi(.ri(3(}ly*  > A3  a:  siv^rd/ ^e  wtord  of  Ge^  ,is  not  only  a 
defeni|ive:lM«t  aa'o^cinsi^e  weapoii,  and  is  found  effectual  in 
t^ttt^g^down  aU  our  foes.  The  apostle  says,  f  the  word  of 
Crod  is  <}«icik;  and  ipoweflul,  and  sharper  than  any  twoi 
edged;awbnd/  Sec.  With  this:  weapon  in  our  hands,  we 
mkistrwwr  JE^;aii¥lt.  all  our  carnal  .and  spiritufil  enemies,  omr 
luAts.and  passiomt  wluioh,  rise  up  affai^st  us  to  disturb  our 
peace,  and  especially,  when  assailed  by  do.ubt8  and,  templar 
jtions,  which)  tMgneati  enemy  of  spula  sugge^ti^d,  ia  order  to 
•lead us iiirto sin»'r       :     ^     ..     i  t  \  , 

'"**:  Secondly-^  Consider  why  the.  word  of  God  is  called  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit. — Ist.  Because  it  is  a  spiritual  weapon:  it 
cssmefro^nGoa;  or,  to  use  themetaphor^itwassentfromthe 
.armonry  of  heaven,  and  is  die  workmanship  of  God.    The 


Memoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury*  278 

pfToplitfts  and  apostles  were  inspired*  by  thie  boly  Spiritt 
itrhen  diey  I^TOte,  and 'went  on  their  niis«ion^  or  the  former 
eonid  not  have  predicted  eyenta  which  occarred  in  aucceed- 
in^  ages,  nor  the  latter  have  confirmed  their  divine  corn-^ 
mission  by  the  miracks  which  they  wrought.  The  word  of 
God  IS  the  sword  of  the  Spirit^  because  without  the  influ- 
ente  of -the  divine  Spirit,  even  this  heavenly  warfare  will 
becbhie  of  no  effect.  *  To  establish  this  fact>  a  reference  was 
made  <o  the  first  missionaries  to  Greenland;  and  the  South 
Seail^tands,  whose  labours  were  for  many  years  unsuccess- 
iol — ^ough  they  possessed  this  spiritual  weapon — ^till  it  was 
wielded  by  the  almighty  arm  of  God ;  when  it  became  irre- 
sistible. It  is  the  same  with  individuals  who  sit  under  the 
soimd  of  the  eospel ;  they  derive  no  spiritual  benefit  firom  it  till 
it  is  blessed  by  the  resistless  energy  of  the  holy  Spirit.  It  is 
thai  that  the  word  of  God  is  powerful,  and  sharper  than 
any  two-edged  sword,  for  it  pierces  the  conscience;  it 
lays  open  &e  inward  parts;  it  pierces  the  stony  heart, 
and  britfgs  it  to  the  Saviour:  it  breaks  down  the  strong 
holds  of  Satan,  and  brings  every  tiiought  into  captivit]^ 
onto*  the  obedience*  of  Christ.  3nd.  What  is  meant  by 
taking  this  sword?  It  implies  that  we  have  it  in  our  pos* 
session.  Christians  of  the  preseiM;  day  ought  to  be  sensi* 
bUs  of  die  blessings  they  enioy^  in  having  the  word  of  God 
so  readily  obtained,  when  they  remember  that  their  ances* 
tors  only  enjoyed  this  privilege  by  the  payment  of  a  very 
large  sum ;  yet  so  mucn  was  the  Bible  valued  amon^  the 
primitive  Christians,  that  they  Would  rather  have  partedwith 
the  whole  of  their  property,  than  have  given  up  those  per* 
tibns'ofth^  scriptures  which  they  possessed.  3rd.  To  take 
tlust  sword,'  implies  also  that  it  i»  in  use.  It  will  be  of  no 
avail  if  we  have  the  Bible  in  our  possession,  and  yet  neglect 
to^stiidy  Its  contents.  We  must  bring  into  constant  and 
dait^  use,  and  •  endeavomr  to  store  our  minds  with  select 
pH^rtiotts  of  it,  which  may  be  profitably  applied  when  occa*- 
sion  Tequires:  for  the  holy  scriptures  contain  all  things 
necessary  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  fi)r  correction,  and  f^* 
instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  be 
perfiecit,  thoroughly  furnished  unto  all  good  works.  But  we 
itiust  study  theblessed  word  of  God  with  humility  and  ear* 
nest  prayer  for  the  illumination  of  the  holy  Spirit,  without 
which  we 'Shall  derive  no  real  benefit  from  it*  We  must 
earnestly  seek  to  be  taught  of  God,  that  his  word  may  be 
made  c^ctual  to  our  complete  salvation.^' 
•   The  other  discourse  was  from  Romans,  chap,  i.  19.^    The 


f^f^^i^ip^^  ^ji^  f^v^\^\^^\ff,  tih^  iw9^«   7b^  Jaw  ¥^  1^  iibtr 

t^f{X  jde^fi^ri^,  Xlu^  P^}  w^»  tbe^  sfivi^  jv^fermoa  iq  tbf 
fpff^e  fifim  W^^}^^  ^  i^%t'  i#  ♦^ke*»  MHi^  W^*«4»,  ttte^jurt 

di^Wf^  l?|Vf  P^  |thi9  few  deivmds  petr/dc«  fi^<)jeQM«  Md 
)b;e  th^t  i^  gMJUy  i>f  ppe  ofience^  is  li^blA  to  the  pimUtgr 

w.aS'^Bc^  0^3(99^  up-^^-^^u  the  J^fMi^iof  <9o4»  H^b^  mtIMI  &biiii 
^cj^W^  the fp^d^tiaa  qf  t^  ^orldf   . 

;2pd*  CoiKi4«r  |;he  Ufe  thput  he  liead^.  »8ittMi»  aip  yaid  to 
be  ^9^  ia  ^rei^p^sifQ^  aod  fiips^  bujt  ithe  tfpte  %eli#wer  ia  f^r 
ixew^d  to  a  ipiMii^^J  lili^  iql  Gkmi  ^sai9«  H0  Uws  » life  of 
pci^^d,  T)]H^  ,ia{)a«Ue^  k^  i^  fiftb  obs^ipkr  <»f  ibi«  (^i#lfei  #ay«b 
JS&f^HSii^d  ^Jaiiki  ^m  fiwe  ,p«w  W(A  <fH^4Af(M4eft  our 
f^4xrfL^Mm§  Chm^.  The  <7hn«twi  ^^li^fr  ^ojoya  p^Me  ^rf 
CQ^sciancQ,  iimiog  iram  ^  a^d^b  of  tbfl  p»rdw  pf  W  «iM 
ti^r<M:i^l^  ^^  Uo0^  i^  hm^^f  9od  k^  -£^9  eo  uiwtird  Mti AfM«* 
ii^  4H  ikying  ^ibtai^i^  .tJ»e  fipivot^r  of  <:^«  and  beiw 
s^dopW#  lAto  hi.^  f^milywwlMeh  JA  ibo  peMe  i)i«tt  piuMtS 
fi^j^a4ftqd»>&  wl)i4^  ^e  vvc^U  ifa^.  Millar  giye  Mf  dddt 

th^  b^^4»  wd^orlMf  hy4PTt9>^;  Jtit  4biik  fmA  whi^b^aMM^ 
icm  ib^lie^er;  tooWi»d  i«fiS<H>d  wqrlps,  t^  bMa^ne^e  aMadbct 

i»  l^g  ^aTf^tetiiop,  hut  'th^y  f^f^  from  a  ij^iure  yrincipki  -of  dam 
^  Qf)!4,  ^pd  ^  Mw  ^^m  >l9  !pii4AQt9  bis  il^<»y  m  ik^  wot  U» 
li  ^  ihii«  Ahioyt  Al^f^h^4^.'Mra8.  J4aU4^  J^y  w^<i,  wihw  ht 
f)i;^ed  uj^  Itis  ^<^  lis^ii^- .  I(  i9<  A^fMf^Ty  to  >0Wvftt^  Itei 
|b«  feitJi  of  4^h^  telifff^  '»  n^  abfv%f&i  4^Q  (mm^rr^fwm  m 
^^ju^sr-  cif  <Qws^efih-ib^  tki«i  doeis  pot  ^iu^^  his  salvMliKio.kM 
sure*    It  is  his  owAK^owoJiaiioe  whi^h  jiialifies  Ji<tain.luMi 


t 

i»e0^»  ««d  0i  9f>IM^«l»(P»»  «tttob  6M  Uiii  &r  ibe  .mli«i»tfaioe 

^U  .lifOi  altocb9i4nt  to4iiri«ie  d»iiiBB»  kindly  faaiier totoiiti 
that  charity  which  fiKtonJU  io  oib^vf  4fN4iA»to'Of  tifceadvaaiiH 
iiig0««  Ja  ft.  AWT^raattoA  b«ld  ooljr  a  few  w#ek«  be&ne  Jier 
4aatb»  ph  ^  2)iopmtf  of  iduag  meastti^s  ioir  "the  bm^^tf 
4b^  nfiii^honyhoad  into  wbkh  the  fiuoiiy  had  r^oeiUljr  w- 
iMv^  ^.  WM  Qby9oted»  ihat,  in  prodteoof,  -a  mote  k^ 
mate  knowledge  of  the  inbabitents  ahwld  bo  pv^miniif 
^^bMinad.*  ^Sb^  f?pU^  with  i9ome  /vf^annth*  imA  aa  if  under 
a prMMttQirat  of  e«irly  dteao]iitjon»  that -ah^  ''did  Mit  like 
iJi^  i(Mi  of  any  tifm  bewg  loat/'  *'  Can  we  »ot/'  aaid  «bi» 
^'fi»dke  a  'begwmia^  if  it  i^  only  by  the  distribatioo  of  a 
f«iw  ifaoto  ?"  ai>d  added^ ''  tbat  ake  bad  tbougbt  ao  «aneh  of 
A  fdtti  of  TiaHing  4be  poor,  to  eonveiaa  mtb  thmt  ft)f  ibeii' 
Mpd,  tba^  £a^  ibo  two  or  tbpoo  laat  nighte,  U  b^iA  pravantod 
Aar  firwi^^eapMig.'' 

tier  diKgenoe.  aa  a  iSiwclayHaobool  toidM^r  was  mottt 
<eawiplafy  I  and  io  aid  in  iia  ongafomaaia*  aba  a^y  and 
sf|;i4ar)y .  wfdkad^  iroeapaotiva  of  change  ctf  '«f atheje*  ^a 
Ulilafl'on  ihaaabbatb  AoomiAg^  •  <Sha  ol4ai»ed  the  affealMma 
n^  4lit  fobildDen^  aind  whan  vamoyed  froia  4ba  aceno  of  tbote 
Jbboniw  toaana  disUmee,  ona  of  ihiwiaaid  aba  ^wonld  any  day 
mkik  Aina  milai*  *'  if  it  ware  only  to  look  at  ker^^  a  firaa  aad 
baarly  MttBranaa  of  f aeUng  alike  <erediiaUa  to  both  pnrtiae. 
Jfoi^oan  4to  writer  HHnii  to  iH;ate  in  ibia  -oannanion^  tbat  4ita 
fytimx  of.  a  iitrtle  girlj  wkoea  efiployjttent  fm$  tbat  of  a  gu^ 
dwtn^  pmianted  to  Miaa  .Bory  "a  ^Mm  ptot^  of  .cnrafnl 
f^nrii^  in  41  manner  ^ffipreaiiYa  of  f^ituda  and  ^etoent* 

Hnr4retard  to  the  bclyaoriptaae9iie»enpea*eep0eieJrliotu)ci^ 
Vit  vMi  oba^roB^n  naarnelatiiPn,  ''  viaible,  a«d  strongly 
jnifkad^  :  She  wasiraiviaotlylannd  readiogtba^bk/wian 
^  .wa9  aiq>pQsnd  aba  bad  »&tirad  to  ratU  <&ha  alaa  faam«> 
xaittodJaDgaporliQlMiof  k to. nMsinoryt  :Tba  laat  tinm  oka 
walked  to  Grosvenoa-aliraet  eb9»d»*  d»a  aoaMnadaed  <a  eon^ 
tanMiony  by ^oomotanljng  -an  itboae  intor^^twig  wdfdfi^  '''If 
libaibrath  <yf  Ood  bare  move  aboMdad  tbfoagh  my  li^*  unto 
}da  ^ory. why  yeiaaa  I  alsq  :Me^d  m  aaiAner ?"  She  tbw 
ajno  9emarkna»  *bai  the  a pistla  to  4^Q  Roin«M  waa  n.  fa^M^ 

*  MaacfaeHten  ... 


276  Ifemoir  of  Miss  Jane  Bury. 

tite  part  of  iiiBpiration^  lade^di  %he  vHholeof  it  Wasengra^ 
ven  upon  her  memory^  and,  in  compliance  "witb  request,  she 
proceeded  to  repeat  several  chapters.  The  manner  in 
which  she  discoursed^  the'  facility  <with  which  she  referred 
to  Tarious  branches  of  the  apostle's  argument^  and  the  clear 
view  she  seelned  to  hsLte  of  the  wlme  ammgenient,  dis- 
cohered  how  much  it  ted  been  the  object  of  study.  She 
had  proceeded'  a  considerable  way  in  leaming  die'  Apoca* 
lypse,  when  death  arrested  her  progress.'^ 

Miss  Bury  diligently  and  punctdaily  traversed  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  her  residence  several  miles  in  circumference, 
as  a  collector,  for  the  distribution  of  the  book  of  Ood.  The 
excellence  of  the  last  entry  in  her  journal;  will  render  any 
apology  for  its  introduction  needless. 

"  Having  heard  it  related  of  a  young  person,  that  there 
was  little  ground  of  hope  for  her  on  a  dying  bed,  since  she  ^ 
«was  not  self-dedicated,  I  have  been  led  to  apply  the  siibr 

Sct  to  myself,  and  inquire.  Am  I  self-dedicatea  unto  God? 
o  I  desire  to  devote  my  time  and  talents  unto  his  service? 
Alas !  I  fear  I  have  too  long  substituted  a  form  of  godliness 
ioi  its  power,  and  neglected  his  reasonable  service.  What 
would  De  my  condition,  if  I  were  called  to  give  an  accotint 
of  itiy  stewardship?  Perhaps  similar  to  that  of  the  voting 
Yemaie^  whose  awful  state  I  heard  related  in  such  feeling 
ierms.  I  too,  like  her,  have  lived  under  the  sound  of  the 
gofifpel,  and,  though  I  have  been  prevented  from  mixing  in 
tho'gaietieis  of  the  world,  as  she  did,  has  not  my  heart  con«- 
tinned  in  an  unconverted  state?  Have  I  not  remained  ex- 
perimentally ignorant  of  the  truths  of  the  goSpel>  and;  ther^ 
-fore^  been  incapable  of  applying  them  as  a  rule  of  laith  and 
practice  ?  Does  not  my  heart  continue  hard  and  insetisible 
to  a  iust  view  of  the  dreadful  consequences  of  siA,  with  the 
^rath  of  an  offended  Ood  ?  I  desire  to  be  thankful  that  I 
am  brought  to  see  my  need  of  an  atoning  sacrifice,  and  my 
«rtter  inability  to  perform  any  good  thing.  But  I  want  to 
feel  more  deeply  such  a  hatred  of  sin,  as  will  make  iae  abhoi^ 
that  which  is  evil,  and  cleave  to  that  which  is  good,  and  ren«> 
tier  me  more  earnest  in  my  entreaties  at  the  thnme  of  grace, 
far  the  influence  of  the  holy  Spirit,  which  can  alone  sub- 
due the  reigning  corruptions  of  my  heart." 

Of  Miss  JSury  it  may  now  be  remarked;  as  of  the  patriarch 
Israel :  "  The  time  drew  nigh  that  she  must  die.'-  A  <dboH 
illness  only  preceded  the  event.  SUe  was  in  usual  health, 
and  a  lifeless  corpse  in  five  days ;  thus  furnishing  a  strik- 
ing illustration  or  the  uncertainty  and  rapid  flight  of  oppor- 


MeMah.i^lieMJvneBiiry.  S77 

iaokiM4  •>  topic  wttht'vt'lriol^  iiL  healthy  berxmhod  :lnd'  been 
deeply  impreaaed.  :         , 

'  The.  aoknmi  pmcess  of  >  dbsohition  will  be  best  detoribi^d 
bv.  one  of  her  most  intinate  aad  beloved  velatives^-^'''  Cooa^ 
pieteljfv did diyiAe.gfnoe. triumph  thsoughottt  her  last  indis^ 
poeitioii;  not  ,a  nwnrmuri  nor  an  impatient  expitestion; 
escaped.  Though  much  in  pain  and  weariness,  from  total 
depnratioii  of  reaf^<f^'waa  peace aad  tmnqiiiUity ;  thankful- 
ness and  calm  serenity  presided  over  her  words  and  actions; 
her  mind  was  superior  to  suffering,  and  while  preacribed 
remedies  were  ineffectually  applied,  she  read^. conversed, 
and  repeated,  with  uninterrupted  activity. 

**  On  the  Saturday  before  her  death,  it.  was  observed  to 
her,  that  pain  and  sickness  'are  not  joyous,  but  grievous/ 
yet  if  sanctified,  they  frequently  'yield  the  peaceable  firuits 
of  righteousness.'  She  replied,  '  I  have  earnestly  prayed 
that  this  affliction  might  be  sanctified,  that  should  I  recover, 
I  may  more  than  ever  devote  myself  to  God.  You  know, 
mamma,  I  have  not  had  much  illness,  never  such  an  one  as 
this.'  *  No,  my  dear^  Jane,  you  have  not  had  those  severe 
paiils  and  sufferings  which  many  pass  through^  and  this 
calls  for  thankfulness.'  *  O  yes,  I  know  I  ought  to  be  thank- 
ful, aiid  I  hope  I  am  very  thankful.' 

.  *  ''On  the  same  Saturday,  speaking  of  the  value  of  pure 
water,  she  remarked,  '  what  innumerable  blessings  are  held 
out  in' scripture  under  that  emblem,'  and  proceeded  to  repeat 
inan^  texts  to  die. purpose.  That  night,  to  the  sister  who  sat 
itp  tvith  her,  siinilar  observations  were  made,  and  she  added, '  I 
do  not  t^ink  I  shall  ever  get  better,  but  I  am  not  fit  to  die.' 
'  ''Being  reminded  that  our  fitiieds  is  of  Christ,  she  quickly 
rejoined,  '  O  yes,  I  know  that;  but  I  mean,  I  want  to  have 
an  assurance  that  my  sins  are  forgiven  me,  and  I  do  not 
think  that  without  this,  it  is  possible  to  get  above  the  fear 
of  death.' 

"  From  several  allusions  made  as  to  the  uncertainty  of  her 
teeov»ry,  it  shbuU  seem  she  was  moire  fully  aware  of  the 
ganger  of  her  situation,  than  the  too  sai^uine  friends  aroimd 
heil*.  These  allusions  did  not  discover  auy.  visible  emotion, 
pfobdbly  because,  in  a  season  of  health,' she  had  not  shrunk 
frbm:  Ihe  frequeniscontemplation  of  death.^ 
*  >^'  Obfiervittg  her  motfanr's  afixiety  to  relieve  her,  sfaeiSadd^ 
wilih  an  earuestlook,  imd  peculiar .  emphasis — *  My  dear 
mamma,  don't; be  abxious;  put  your  trust  in  the  Lord,  and 
he  will  suppor.t  you ;  yes,  he  will.' 
.  "Being,  exljiorted.  to  look  to  Jesus  for  s^vation,  her 


876  4fatetr.^<AfitfJ^Jfa#. 

under  heaven  by  which  we  can  be  sared/.  Bayfm  htlti»m 
injr  doHvtbatJieiBiaUe'tbinwTDtt?  ^i;»o.btMWflBnt  I 
«MKt)  an  aasnanoe  ifast  be  k«i  paidoaed  Idimysins^  Praj^ 
rndLina.'  Hdr  reqaaal^wto  oqinplitf d wttb,«M)  ojbfnui  rang^ 
fi&iogtenie^^iika  wonldaay;  ^it  aoothei'intf/iaid  liie  hjniui 
bogtmring  .'•....- 

: 'When  jidneta  and  idmenieiaNnida     "* 
.    nriatranblnighoiaB^fcipiy/  ' 

«eemed  mneh  to  please  Iter. 

^Su;eeHD  the  confidienceof  faitii 

To  ti^t  his  firm  decrees.  ,    ^  /♦• 

I  '  AS'tbe^  ttr  Ke  passive  in  his  naaflSy         "'      - 

And  kaowno  will  birt  hrs/  *  '    ' 

'*lt  18  conjectured,  fwnn  Jher  intenee  lobk?^  the.  pect^Iiiur 
ixianner  wliidi  accomDanied  some  of  her  aotioia^f  and  thr9. 
fearue$tnesj8  with  whicn  she  requested  that  every  biie  Jyoql^' 
hasten  to  leave  the  room*  but  the  eister  who  wfi9  to.  ^i)t  up 
with  }ier^  that  she  had  intended  to  say  something  mor^ 
pointed  on  the  subject  of  her  ^pproacTiing  c^iii^ge^  P^o- 
pably,  tod,  ber  incneased  iHness,  and  the  extreme  aefii^iwjy 
she  had  manifested  duriiig  her  indisypjosition  XXQ%  jto  ofiep^ 
^e  feelings  of  other9»  checked  the  expression  pf  her.  own. 

"The  tamily  had  retired  to  rest^-^out  the  restlessness  o^ 
death  was  on  ner«  and  every  five  minutes  some  cba^ge  i^ 
her  position  was  made*  *  Oh  1  that  I  could  isleep ;  but  np  moine 
aleep  for  me*^  I^o  eooner  was  sh^  aware  that  every  one  had 
quitted  the  xpom*  than  she  renewed  ber  xeque^tp^  'Now 
repeat/  A  line  or  two>  Or  a  text,  was  repeated  at  intiarvals, 
accoi^pwied  by  entreaties  that  abe  would  endeavour  to  com- 
pose herself  and  cease  to  think*  TCho  following  lities  wer^ 
jthe^  xecitecU 

*  There  is  a  land  of  pure  delight, 
,  Wheiie  saiats  im^Dort^l  ra^l^' 

^'In  «.  hm  ttee,  «lie  •said^  *  Wt&jf  ftr  Me;'  I  Ao-  ffn^jt  I 
have  {prsjfiedi,  and  i  jai0w  <faatiny^raiyem.4iiieh«ard*«-*-¥ai^ 
Jsne,4faDttgh  be  fifaoidd  lend  youubraadi  ibe  :daik^vaUqr> 
bewtt be thaneuto pioleiBt yom.'  TJie  &d  Patdm vmibm 
repeated ;  soon  after  which  iierinotiiier  ma^  cal}ed>  wbeaahe 
askad  9fitb«bflie  amciely**^*  Bitty  mumna/ do  fwi  think  toy 
miia  ave  forgivan  ooelV  Vim,  :mv  dear  <diild,  I  koMv  Aey 
am* .  'duMt  oame  into  the wond  to  he  fliada  a  aaorifiea 
for  sin,  that  all  who  believe  in  him  0|igbt  liave.f  varlastiag 
ivk.'    ^Yai,  mammal  but  not  for  me.    Ohyi.  ap  a  poor 


Ifte  wkti^ibeiwarUL  &h^  ao*  brokei  oitt  liM  fti  p)tH;fifr  fbf 
Ikifeh^  IKT  itnrQiir  of  iiriHokiiiDn^^itttb^dDwwiftv  \mi  iiMst  «did 
can  coTMBd V  iinii|iii8(  ^bm  Mnftil  MteikiM  o£  mA  an  bMfC 
It wasinwigud!  iMh  aevetali  tcxiB  of  wmyturr  vttelifi^  to 
fekfe^Buch  as^  'I^idi  ia  tikm gift  a€ Q^^*  He^fbait  b^e«u 
eth.oa  him  Aaik  Haver  :4ie'-^0Lar^  ^rrc^ia^  faiti^'^O 
Lord^.  haste  tuemyufOTL  my  fioor  -s^aik^  and  dG^bhtcMM 
^Laihia  not  bis  aabaoieil  ivhen  I  oomai  ibto  Ay*  pmtxkwi 
Qhatj  he  td  Ib^  Fathai^aod  to«  th&  Sott^  and  t^  the  ]io^ 
Qhostl»    A  man* 

*'  McDMMty  fedis totaccdl  mast ofi  wimit  paMttd,  anly^  iii^lif 
Qspressiotia  are  eommitled  to  pa/pe^y  aa  oati  ba^  vaHbaUt^ 
rasEieacibered.  Th0«  oomnibite  ainiggle  of  di^ath  aiNma^ea, 
daring  "which  the  tnemy  laaa  permitted  t(»<  es^i^cMe  hsa'  laat 

Iiower^aadsararat doobtawace  aagge&ted^ apebas^, ^ Ilia IM 
ate  nov'-^*  i  hove  neglectad  it  too  long/  But  m  la«a^  tibaii 
tCB  miniitea  aH  was  agaui  eahn,  and  ifr  a  lyaarOev  of  an  bomr 
ake  brealiied  her.  fidorit  into,  the  haiida  of  ke»  SAtiotBv  M 
gently^  timtbcr  fiimi«lo6ewpus.6caBccaly  anaemti 

'^  She  sfeepa  in  Jrcaua^  and  vre  sonrow  ao^  aa  thosif  tvho'  Hire 
na  hope.  Wd  have  planted  her  remains  in  die  gmra^  in  tha 
mire  axpecAatioo  that  she  sbalt^  thvou|^  the  ntierils<  of  her 
Ilede«ncr,  spring  again:  to  bhNBilooi>  in  mmQiKal  verdmre.^    > 

This  event  t^  place^  April  126, 1823,  m  the  StMl  year  of 
her  age.  Its  improvement  from  thepalBUi  Aimi4he«  addi^ 
iiaafil  einAeixoe  df  Ae  kfkathkBJb^  r  egar&ef  her  aas*oeia^s, 
atod  cdso  of  hidk  estimalioa  by  those  who,  inilhe>achoot.  bad 
hiceiveil.ha«lLtructians.       . 

Maooiy  obaervelaona^  in  addition  to  Ifeoae  tfeead^  notieed; 
ataod  coinneoted  with  a  lifiB  like  that  befSi^ra  us.  Wetite 
tantght  tlm- misatisftctbry  natu^  bfi  eve»  the  fDOSt  admired 
tnH»ai|s«^t&e imponaaoaofi harmig th% alfeetiona  re^ukited 
oy  taehstial;  ligkt^^tbat  the  gvelttev'  tbe- degree  of  iHumi^ 
nation,  the  more  wiUthey  be  elevatisd>«0'tbmgf9^BoV^^^«^Ad 
that  ito  proportion  aii  tbe>  fleatifii^  eifcaMatattees'^  earthly 
<A9eQt8aoeffealized,:tha  anote  dfe^ot  will  be  <Mrf^ce^ 
tion  ofilJK  glovieaef 'the  Sfamoat><md<  the  attre(otiafiS'6f  th(^ 
invisible  state.  •    r .  / 

But  the  remltffbsf  mo9t.lBUubara)l^  aasdeiMed  vrilli'  the  pre- 
ceding nfiM.li3ec».  bear !  upiQn.the:  valuie  of  thiie,  add  its  neht 
improvement.  It  wmsi  truly  affirined  ^f'  Mi^df  33ury,  that 
'Hbeae  who  knew  beir  moat  intiviMltely,  wonld  ^d  it  diffi- 
cult to  aay^ tln^ in dietctfuraitof  ^e^ttuy sIm^  waa^ met  seen 


290  JkGMWr  i^MusJ^Bury. 

JA  tHBe  away,  an  kbtn"/'  Bex  -mdefiKfigdjfe  ardottrlin.  the 
pufBciitof  kaolnrledge,  dkeoverean  instibctiTeicfbiiBnrKnee  of 
Ihe  apcwtoUc exhortation^  ^ Be aot cfailcbenmimdeiviand^ 
ing;" — and  attention  to  thai, eanoonu^t  onlviwithpctsBe- 
yeringindflfttiy.andatifaabitttaliwtemptien.ofl^^  * 

<  An  eniioent  modern  writer  has  snggeirted'hiots^in  eonr- 
nexion  with  this  subject^  which  cannot  be  too  matiunely 
weighed.  ^'Very  early  rising*-«a .  syatematic  tdi^ision^-of 
time--«abatinence  fVpm  reading,  writings  onwenihinldn^^  on 
modem  nolitics — and^aboTe,  aiU  ney^  peimxttiiig:  a^.bit  or 
scrap  of  .tine  to.Ue  nhemployedy  .h^ye  suppliedi  aa  abun- 
dance of  literary  hours.  His  literary  acc^sitions/'  con- 
tinues Mr.  Butler^  referring  as  a  reministentio  his  o:*ii'ac- 
quir^nents*  ''  whatever  they  are,  may»  perhapis^  be  princi- 
pally owing  to  the  rigid  performance  of  four  rulei^  :*^t6  direct 
nis  attention  to  one  literary  object  only  at  a:tifaieM:o  read 
the  best  book  upon  it,  consulting  others. as  f little*  as  possi'- 
ble— whi&re  the  stibject  was  contentions,  to  tead' the:  best 
book  on  each,  side — to 'find  out  men  of  informational  and 
when  in  their  sx>ciety,  to  listen,- not  to  talk/'f  Such  intinu^ 
tions,  while  peculiarly  gratifying  to  an  ardent  student;  ar^ 
capable  of  an^  easy  adaptation  to  the  varied  eirctoistanc^s 
and  pursuits  of  all  mankind.  Nor  should  it*  bi^  forffotteitv 
that,  to  such  a  course  as  this.  Bacon,  and  DoddrMj^c, Watts; 
and  Miss  Smith,  with  a  host  of  the  learned,  while  benefiting 
the  public,  gave  a;  zest- to  their  own  existence,  wbicU' is 
unknown  to  trifling  indolence.  .      :i! 

A  Course  of  activity  and  labour,  it  is  true,  wtll  require 
vigilant  constancy :  but'  the  Christian  will  anxiously  re6oU 
lect  that  for  time — ^the  most  precious  talent-^he  .must  acf 
count.  He  will  observe  the  order  of  the  most  High.in  crea- 
tion; six  .days  labour,  and  then  rest:  nor  will  it  escape 
notice,  that  'the  season  for  repose,'  as  expressed  in  > the 
moral  law,  is  deduced  from  preceding  toil;  '^  The  presen|; 
life  is  designed  for  action ;  the  world  to  come,  for  the  ^tran- 
quillity  of  perfect  knowledge  and  everlasting  bliss. :  . '        u 

Nor  has  any  thing,  it  may  bendded,  such  a  direct  ten- 
dency to  produce acourse like  this, as  an  ever«abtdingopn- 
yiction  of  the  uncertainty,  as  well' as  brevity,  of  our:  abode 
on  earth. 

*^  Time  is  dealt  out  by  partides,  and  each, 
Ere  mingled  with  the  streaming  sands  of  life, 
By  fate's  inviolable  oath  is  sworn  . 

Deep  silence, — ^where  Eternity  begins.''  youko. 

*  Renuaboences,  by  C.  Bailer;,  Esq.  Svo.  1822.  p.  3. 


Horn  Jutidke..  281 

What  a  scene,,  obserrea  Mis.  More»  wiUri^|ica';upoii.  vs,; 
wWd  froiBQur  eternal  state  we  shall  IooIl  bji^ck  ou.tfae  use, 
we  .have .  made  oi  time !  What  a  reyolutipn  will  he  wrought 
in  qui:  opiuioiis !,  What  a  contrast  will  be  exhibited,  when 
we  shall  take  a  clear  retraspect  of  all.  we  have  done^.ajid  all . 
we  ought  to.  have  done  !* 

J.  B.  W    . 

. ■ 

.    HORiE  JURIDICiE,— No.  II. 


Oh  the  Punishfinent  of  Defamation  amongst  the  Hindus  and 

Chinese* 

Havinq,  in  a  former  essay,  travelled  the  route  to  which' 
Mr.  Holt's  introductory  chapter  may  be  considered  a  mere, 
road-book  directory, — the  whole  of  his  observations  upon, 
the.Jewish,  Persian,  and  Lydian  codes,  being  comprised, 
in  about  fourteen  lines, — now  we  must^  for  a  while,  part 
company,  ^d  strike  into  a  new  and  unfrequented,  path,, 
which  we  are  not  aware  that  the  footsteps  of  any  legal, 
antiquary  has  yet  trodden,  in  his  endeavours  to  trape  the 
histoj^y  of  the  Law  of  label  and  Defamation  from  remote, 
ages  to  the  present  time,  and  to  point  out  the  different  fea-: 
tures  which  it  has  assumed,  according  to  the  circumstances 
of  different  ages  and  nations  of  the  world.  We  allwle  to 
the  laws  of  some  of  the  Oriental  nations,  with  which,  though' 
of  far  higher-  antiquity  than  any  whose  provisions,  are  still 
extant,  our  acquaintance  is  comparatively  of  modern  date. 

The  first  of  these  is  the  code  of  Menu,  the  great  fountain 
of  Hindu  law,  believed  by  the  eastern  pundits  to  have  been 
immediately  revealed  by  Brahma  to  his  son,  whose  name  it 
bears ;  and  which  is  beyond  all  doubt  one  of  the  most 
ancient  of  the  writings  that  we  possess.  And  amidst  all  the 
gross  and  ludicrous  absurdity  of  the  rites  which  it  so  mi- 
nutely prescribes,  and  the  singular  and  most  unequal  punish* 
ments  which  it  inflicts,  that  code  contains  many  very  sound 
principles  of  morality,  and  several  provisions  well  calculated 
to  promote  the  happiness  of  individuals,  and  to  preserve  the 
peace  of  society.  Amongst  these  are  various  enactinents 
against  defamation,  but  they  are  so  strangely  mingjed  with 
precise  directions,  to  shun  with  equal  care,  m  oblations  to 
the  gods,  a  housebreaker — a  giver  of  poison — a  seller  of  the 
moon-plant — a  navigator  of  the  ocean — a  political  encomiast, 
an  oilman,  and  a  sul^omer  of  p^jury  ;-Tto,  avoid  looking 
*  ChristUui  Moralf,  Works,  vol.  ily*  p..iai.     . 


2Gfi^  Bow  JutUScar. 

at  ^o^Y  Mfe'lHtfle  i^e  in  etttiitg,  sneezmg;  6rTttwt3i^-^mid( 
(MMr  offeMeB  of  like  prodigtotis  enormity;  Wnitli  trraf  titSg^ 
att'  Hbidti  ittto  om^sma-^twenty  mccessftre  Hefts',  or  catfse  his: 
i«-^pe«nizice'  Mon*  ettrib  m  the  slmpe'  of  6ae-^tid«-twetity 
JilTefettt  beoitsi  m  tnm  to  dterotir  atntJ  to  be  diftycrtirfecf-^that' 
it  has  g^ven  us  no  small  trouble  to  ascertfdirtheiftiattife  ^flrd" 
extetit.       '  .        . 

One  of  the  general  directions  of  their  legislator  to  the 
Brahmins  for  tbd  gmerniiieiit  off  fbeit  coiidiMll^  in  the  fourth 
section  of  this  singular  eode,  bearing  for  its  title  "  On 
EhonQVlkui  %xA  Pmata  MflNrtiia^''  in^  (addieHifagi  tbemvimdi- 
vidually)  ''Let  him  keep  in9ub|eetion  his  speech,  his  arm, 
apd  Jiis  appetite  ;"-^whence  we  may  infer,  that  the  injuriesr 
occa»?onid  liy  a  tregltect  of  either  of  these  ditedSorts  to  fiJi 
creatures;,  more  especially  to.  hiB  immediate  prfe^ts;  Wis^ 
contrd^red^  equaTIv  culj^able  in  the  eye  of  Brahma.  But 
tfcat  tboser  wountls  which  might  be  inflicted  upon  the. 
happiness' of  individuals  and  the  peace  of  society:  by  not' 
attending  to  the  first  of  these  ptecepts,  M'fere  distinctly; 
dohtemprated  by  the  compiler  of  this  codfe,  whoever  he 
may  hatia  leien.  Is'  ertill  more  evident,  from  an  express; 
direction  in:  a  pteceding-  part  of  tMk  very  chapter.*  -^^^  tetf 
him  say  what  is  true,  but  let  hnn*  say  what  ib.  plea^SirL 
fet  hha  speak  no  disagreeable  trutihf,  nor  let  him  spe^ 
dfeagreeabPe  falffehood.^  Arid  would  the  Kbeflers  of  >iio-* 
dbm  dtiys^but  teep  thts  "  primaf  rufe  of  the  Hitidii  law*** 
in^  (heir  constant'  remembrance,  they  need  nof  ffear  the  ea?- 
o/ffwo  iW&rmatibns  of  the  attbmey-gfeneral;  noractions  upon 
me  case  fbr  damages  su^tainea  m  consequence  of  their 
dtftmfng  any  bf  hi's  majesty's  Rege  and  peatefuj  subj'ects,' 
of  ••  goocf  name,  feme,  and  ^eptitation.*^  '•  let'  him  iiot,'* 
sayff  3ie  code  of  Menu  to  every  Bhihman,  as 'the  doinmon* 
and  statute  Ikw^  of  England  in  fact  say  to  cvety  Kfceller,  *'  be 
flippant  in  his  speech,  nor  ihtelKgent  in  doing  mi&cfiief.' 
Let  htm  walk  in  the  path  of  good  men ;  \vfiife  he  moves  in 
that  path,  he  can  give  no  oflferice."^  fti  diib*  system  of 
Hittdu  law,  the  duty  of  brfdKnff  the  tongue,,  and  abstaining 
from  dfefitmation;  or  speaking;  ill  of  anothor,  is  gtrongfy  in- 
^ntcuted  upon  all'  classes  and  conditions  of  men..  To  the^ 
jrnpfl  ft  says;  *^  In  whatever  place,  elthefr  a  ttrue  but  cetiso- 
rious'^,  or  false  and  defamatory  discourse,  is  held'  concerning 
Ms  teatjher;  let  him  there  cover  Ms  ears,  or  remove  to 
anollier  place.  By  censuring  his  preceptor^  though  j,ustly  * 
lie  wHl  be  born  an  ass ;  by  mUeFy  defaming  him,  a  dog.f^ 

*  §.  138.    '        '  fib,  V.  nr,  a.  X  CBap.  ii.  %.  200,  201. 


Hora  Juridica.  263^ 

To  Ae  king  himself  it  addresses  this  admonition :  *'  Bat-< 
tery,  defamation,  and  injury  to  property,  let  him  alwaysf 
eonsider  the  three  most  heinous  (vices)  in  the  set  which 
arises  from  wrath;"*  whilst  the  very  Brahmins,  whom  the 
code  of  the  son  of  their  supreme  god  ranks  far  above  kinga 
and  princes,  are  exhorted,  when  they  have  retired  from  its 
active  scenes,  to  prepare  for  their  final  departure  from  this 
world,  to  ''bear  a  reproachful  word  with  patience,"  and  to 
*'  speak  reproachfully  to  no  man."t  ' 

Such  are  tiie  precepts  of  Menu ;  but  as  his  laws  havo 
declared  pwmkment  to  be  the  perfection  .of  justice,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  wise,  we  cannot  but  devote  a  few  minutes  o£ 
our  titn^,  to  those  punishoients  which  he  has  provided  for 
the  prevention  of  slander,  which,  coupled  with  assault,  con- 
stitutes the  eleventh  and  twelfth  of  the  eighteen  principal 
titles  of  the  Hindu  code  of  legislation.  These  pusiishments 
dtflfer,  as  in.  the  code  of  sucn  a  people  we  must  naturally 
expect  diey  would  do,  accordmg  to  the  rank  or  caste  of  the- 

Serson  defaming,  and  of  the  person  defamed.  A  soldlelr' 
e&ming  a  priest,  is  to  be  fined  a  hundted  punas ;  a  priest 
slandering  a  soldier,  five  hundred;  whilst  the  punishment 
of  mutual  abuse  by  men  of  these  classes^  is  td  be  at  the 
discretion  of  this  king,  **  the  lowest  on  the  priest,  and  the* 
middlemost  on  the  soldier;"  A  merchant  abusing  a  priest, 
is  to  be  fined  an  hundred  and  fifty,  ot  two  hundred  panas  ; 
but  being  slandered  in  return,  is  to  receive  but  twenty-five. 
For  slandeHn^  a  man  of  the  servile  class,  a  priest  is  con- 
demned to  a  mie  of  twelve  panas ;  but  should  ne,  in  his  tum^ 
give  a  similar  license  to  his  tongue,  ^'  as  a  once  bom  man,' 
who  insults  th^  twice  bom"  with  gross  invectives,  let 
him,"  says  the  righteous  Menu,  '*  have  his  tongue  slit;  for 
he  is  sprang  firom  the  lowest  part  of  Brahma ;"  a  sufficient 
reason  in  his  estimation  for  a  punishment,  which,  unlike' 
most  others,  that  may  be  commuted,  is  declared  to  be  ••  a- 
fixed  rule."  But  this  is  not  the  worst.  If  he  mentiona 
iheir  naihes  and  classes  with  contumely,  as  if  he  say,  '  Oh^ 
Devadatta,  thou  refuse  of  Brfaihmins, '  an  iron  style,  ten  fin- 
g€frs  long,  shall  be  thhist  red-hot  into  his  mouth.  Shotild 
fie,  through  pride,*  gjive  instructions  to  priests,  concerning 
their  Juty,— *•  let  the  king,"  says  Menu,  •*  order  sonkehotpu 
to  be  dlropped  into  his  mouth  and  his  ear."  Defamation  of  a 
flither,  a  mother,  a  son,  or  a  preceptor,  is  subiected  to  a  fin^ 
of.  an  hxaidred  panas :  whilst  A«  is  compelled  to  pay  double 
that  sum  ''who  falsely  decries,  through  msolence,  the  saor^d 

*  €hap.  vu.  §  51 .  t  Chap,  viii*  (332. 

VOL.  VIII. — NO.  &.  X 


294.  Hoia  JuridiC0. 

knowledge^  the  country;  the  cWt;  or  the  corporeal  tnv»8tr«» 
tare  of  a  maa  equal  iii  raak*'  with  himself.  Fake  and  ma* 
lignaat  imputations  upon  the  chastity  of  an  umnarried 
female^  are  also  fineable  in  an  hundred  panas,  provided  the 
person  who  makes  them  cannot  prove  the  truth  of  hit  asser*. 
tion.*  In  this  case,  the  truth  of  the  charge  would  seem  to 
be  a  sufficient  defence  of  the  party  accused  of  making  it ; 
but  it  is  the  only  one  discoverable  in  the  whole  of  the  Hindu- 
code,  and  a  subsequent  part  of  the  law  of  defamation,  as> 
there  laid  down,  clearly  proves,  that  the  contrary  doctrine  of 
truth  itself  being  in  some  cases  a  libel,  is  by  no  means, 
peculiar  to  the  age  or  country  in  which  we  live,  **  If  a  man 
call  another  blind  with  one  eye,"  say  the  laws  of  the  son  of 
Brahma,  **  or  lame,  or  defective  in  any  similar  way,  he  shall 
pay  the  small  fine  of  one  pana,  even  thousth  he  $peak  truth.^\ 
And  this  provision  is  the  more  remarkable,  in  that  these 
Uttmishes^  so  far  from  being  considered,  as  among  us,  mis- 
fortunes to  be  commiserated,  are  expressly  declared  in  this 
very  cod^,  to  be  marks  of  Divine  vengeance  for  crimes  com-> 
mitted  in  that  previous  state  of  mortal  existence^  from  which 
tl^ose  who  bear  them  mast  have  transmigrated. 

'f  Such  iptthe  law,"  declared  by  Menu,  ''for  the  punish- 
ment of  defamatory .i^eech."t  *hat  this  was  considered  a. 
very  serious  offence,*  the  severity  of  its  punishment,  when 
compared  with  that  of  crimes  which  have  generally  been 
held  to  assume  a  much  blacker  dye,  is  in  itself  sufficient. to 
evince.  But  the  rank  which  it  held  in  the  scale  of  offences 
proscribediby  this  singular  code,  is  a  matter  not  left  to  mere 
deduction,  since  we  find  it  expressly  classed  with  those 
which  it  is  ihs Jirst  duty  of  a  sovereign  to  banish  from  his. 
empire.  **  That  kipg,"  s^ys  the  Hindu  legislator, ''  in  whose^ 
realm, lives  no  thief«  no  adulterer,  no  <2e/*ai7ier,  no  man  guilty, 
of  atrocious  violence,  and  no  committer  of  assaults,  attains- 
the  miinsions  oif  Sacra.  By  suppressing  these  five  in  his- 
dominions,  he  gains  royalty  paramount  oyer  men  of  the  same 
kingly  .rank,  and  spreads  his  fame  through  the  world.":^. 
*'  In  all  cases  of  violence,  of  theft  and  adultery,  ofdefama* 
Abu.  and  assault^"  th^  kiug^  says  a  previous. section  of  the. 
same. chapter  of  the  institutes,  §  '' must  not  examine  too 
minutely  the  competence  of  witnesses*" 

^  It  cannot,  we  should  imagine,  but  strike  the  mind  of  evecyr 
attentive  reader  of  the  preceding  statement,.as  a  somewhs^ 
singular  circumstance,  that  these  legal  provisions  for  the. 

*  Chap.  Tii.  i  »86.         t  Chap.  viiL  ^  20i«-5»:8.         I  lb.. §380, 7v 
hV>'  %  72. 


preyjeation  and  punisbin^nt  of  slander,  which'  h&ve  niore  o£ 
the  characteristics  of  a  systematic  arrangement*  than  ihose. 
of  any  other  of  the  ancient  nations,  should  be  found  in  the 
legiskitiTe  enactments  of  a  people,  amongst  whom  we  should 
be  least  disposed  to  lopk  for  them.  Difficult,  however,  as 
it  may  at  first  sight  appear,  this  problem  may  perhaps  easily 
be  solved ;  at  least,  a  few  hints  shall  be  offered  for  its  solu* 
tion.  1%  is  self-evident,  that  this  code  of  Indian  law,  what-* 
eyer  xnuy  have  been  the  period  of  its  composition,  or  the 
name  of  its  author,  must  nave  been  the  work  of  a  priest,  or, 
more  probably,  the  joint  production  of  a  body  of  men  of  the 
sa^rdotal  order.  It  was,  thei^fore,  their  principal  object  to; 
secnre  t^eir  own  aggmndiseiQjent,andtooDtainanunumited 
dcnmnioti  over  the  coi\Sieieaces>aiid  conduct  of  men,.by  im** 
pressing  their  minds ^  with'  blind.. veneration,  for  ihe  com^ 
mandsof  the  superiondeity,  whom  they  artfnlly  represented 
as  the  immediate  SAthof  of  the  code  which  they  promul- 

Sated  in  his  qamew    The  unlettered. and  superstitious  Htur 
us  were  accordingly  toldji  in*  the  name  of  Menu,  the  son  of 
Brahma,  dieir  god,  that  ^^  a  Brahmin,  whether  learned  or- 

S'  pprant,  is  a  powevfliiL  divinity,  even  as  fire  is  a  pomrerful 
ivipil^,  whether,  aowecrated'  or  popular*  Thus,  although 
Brahmins  empb^  themsekes  in  ill.  sorts  of  mean  occupa- 
tions^ they  must  myariably  be  honoured ;  for  they  are  some'- 
thing  transeendentfy  divine.***  Hence,  the  ecclesiastical  im-. 
munity,  that  sure  test  for  the  discovery  of  unhallowed 
priestcraft  in  the  composition  of  human  laws :  *'  Never  shall 
the  king  slay  a  Brahmin,  though  convicted  of  all  possible 
crimes ; — let  him  banish  him  from  his  realm,  but  witn  all  hi» 
property  secure  and  his  body  unhurt/'f  It  CQuId  only  have 
been  in  an  age  of  gross  siliperstition  and  ignorance,  that 
claims  like  these  cocdd  have- oeen  successfully  advanced; — 
but  then,  the  priests  by  whom  they  were  advanced,  as  in  the 
instance  of  the  pop^and  monks  of  the, dark  ages  of  Europe^ 
must  have.possessed  a  cunning  and  foresight  perfectly  cou"* 
sistent  with  a  degree  of  learning  and  information  very  limited 
in  its  extent,  though  powerfi^l  in  its  operation,  from  its  ex- 
clusive and  zealous  demotion  to  one  ^r^d  object  of  personal 
and  self-ittterjssted  ambition^.  Whilst  therefore  uiey  en* 
deavaured,  by  .eyeiy  possible  means,  to  prevent  the  general 
difiusion  of  knowl^ge,  which  must,  they  knew,  be  destruc* 
tive  of  their  influence,  they  sought  in  some  measure  to  arm 
^mselves  against  its  effects,  by  imposing,  in  anticipation, 
the  severest  penalties  oi|  those  who  snould  presmne  tOhapply 

f  Chap.  ix.  S  317, 319.  f  CbM»«  ^«  (  890. 


286  Hortt  Juridiva. 

lit  to  expose'  llie  impudent  of  their  pretensinns^  whiehr 
they  would  readily  interpret  into  ft  defumation  of  their  sacred 
ohara<^ters,  and»  m  their  persons,  a  most  outrageous  insult 
to  the  majesty  of  heaven.    Hence  then  were  the  iron  style, 
the  boiling  oil,  and  the  slitting  of  the  tongue,  prepared  for 
those  who  spoke  with  contumely  of  a  priest,  or  presumed  to 
instruct  him  in  any  part  of  his  duty,  in  other  words,  who 
should  Tenture  to  say  or  wrtlte  any  thing  either  of  him  or 
Us  office,  which  was  not  j^erfectly  agreeable  ta  his  own  ftot- 
ings.    They  were,  however,  folly  aware  of  the  importance  Of 
securing  ihe*  protection  of  that  powerful  class,  who,  by  fol** 
lowinflT  the  profession  of  arms,  would  at  al)  times  rendei^ 
their  favour  desirable,  and  t&eiY  enmity  much  to  be  dreaded. 
Whilisi,  therefore,  thtey  protected  themselves  as  effeetoiG^ 
as  they  could  agauist  a  power  which  they  feared,  by  super- 
addti^  to  the  general  terM>rs  of  a  future  punishment,  most 
liberally  denounced  agiMotM;  the  oppressors  and  despisers  of 
^e  priests  of  Brahma,  an  express  provision  tiiat — ''of  « 
military  man,  who  raises  his  arm  vtoieiitly  on  aHoccasionsr 
against  the  priestly  class,  tb&  priest  himstlf  shall  be  the 
ehastteeff,^^-4bhe]r  military  pHde  wa»  flaltercKl  by^eir  bek^ 
nlai&ed,  4(hougb  at «  suflScfendy  respectfur  distftik^cf,  the  nex€ 
m  rank  to  the  superiors  of  kings,  the  divinities  of  this 
tovi^er  world.     Last  of  tiie'ilitee  twice'-born  classes,  ih^ 
rights  of  the  merehants  received  from  thiB  priestly  code 
ihe-  degree  of  protection  necessary  to  enable*  them  to  procure 
those  riches,  upon  which  the  wtats  of  the-  Brahmins  would 
alwayahave  the  first*  and  the  most  sacred  clakns.    'fhei^ 
ehamcters  were,  therefore,  protected  f^om  defcmatioi>  by  the* 
inferior  castes,  by  the  same  ptintshment  as  wa9  to  protectthe 
seldiery  from  l^e  license  which  the  populace  ttdght  otherMifise 
gtveta  their  tongues,  by  way  of  revenging' themselves  for  that 
mfifepiority,  which,  in  spite  of  Ih^ir  systematic  tilainibg  to  bear 
itmth  patience,  as^  an  irr^ver^ble  decree  of  heaveh,  they 
could  not  but  flBet  to-be  irksiottie  and  d^gi^ding.    As  they 
wei«'ffNr  tfiftriot,  bowel^r,  boUi  itl  i^nk  and  impottm6e,  to  t^ 
nfiiitBlty^  they  went  smbjetted^toa  dbtbl^fine  tbt  abusit^  tt 
ftmbd^il;^a^  ts  t&e  pi^e^ts  Wei<e  ittfiihvtely  lesii  litttibus  t^ 
sedut#  Aieir  ^od  win;  tHey  reserved  to  th^sm6el¥es  a  rigftf 
io  abUAe^^emi whe^^tierth^ehotiM' imfL^tf, 'otipkymtot  of 
)i«lM more^^thiati  tWi^^  tUk*  4i^  in^l^bh  ihey>%^^  by  taW 
MUlre&d  fbs  d<lfMitegorf^^^A4i'lM¥^«  dad^^Si  but  Which 

^a^P Uk  ^\mi^fiT^'M%  ^  tfi%  litfitiiArf  <iMI^.    .TbtiA  did &e 
precautiosaiBtakitn  b;^  thf  se  ecclsHiBi$tiea)  kgifiliitofs,  to  pre- 


Hora  JMrkUcte,  -267 

» 

•^ent  the  exposure  of  their  own  sdf^interested  views,  their 
-vices,'  their  follies,  and  their  embition,  become  Ae  jaeuui  of 
4iitrodueiiig  into  the  code  of  laws  which  they  premulgated, 
ftpfobibttionof  defiunijtioQ.faraiore  geneml  in  its  objecte, 
«ttore  precise  in  its  definitions,  and  more  severe  in  its  panish-^ 
4nent8,  than  any  of  ancient  date,  whose  provisions  have  sur- 
vived the  wreck  of  aees,  cutd  veiy  probabljr  of  any  that  ever 
^faad  existence.  As  uie  fire,. which  was  tiveir  favourite  sym*- 
bol,  and  in  some  measure  an  object  of  .their  worship,  if  not 
property  confined,  will  consume  in  its  fiiry  every  tning  op^ 
posed  to  its  destructive  ravages^  they  knew  that  a  ctisposi^- 
tion  toecandal  and  defamatioa,  if  not  checked  on  its  very 
fivst  appearance,  would  in  time  treat  witii  but  little  reve^ 
^nce  the  sanctum  iandarum  of  ihe  ]»iestly  character. 
•  The  revolution  of  fifteen  hundred  years  will  introduce 
gBeat  alterations  into  the  habits,  manners,  and  opinions,  of  a 
people,  even  as  blindly  attached  to  the  tenets  and  cnstoma 
of  their  forefathers  as  are  the  natione  of  Hindostui.    The 

{progress  of  improvement,  by*  the  eecret  extension  of  more 
iberal  notions,  must,  with  such  a  lace  of  beings,  be  too 
slow  and  eilent  to  be  traced ;  yet  its  (effects  may  be  evident^ 
where  Hscauses  are  enveloped  iii  uncertainty.  That  auch 
an  improvement  has  taken  place,  we  may  easily  satisfy  our- 
selves,  by  Teforring  to  the  code  of  Oentoo  have,  compiled 
firatn  thsji  of  Menu-  md  nineteen  other  more  modem  t^reav 
tiee^  ef  the  Hinfdn  lawycrrs,  by  the  most  celebrated  pan*- 
dite  of  the  Bast,  by  oMer  of  Warren  Hastily,  when  govern 
aor^eneral'of  India,  ^nd  tranalated  into  E^ish.imdir  hie 
direetAO«,c  by  >  that  learned  'btfteceeatrtc  writer,  Jisufimnssey 
itttlhed>.  .  We  ishalLtherefiiid,  that  the  gmsaidieprc^rtioB 
tliU  suffered  to  <ejcist  in  the  ipunishmest^'  of  defamaiioo^  4U> 
cording'  to  the  .rank  orcasie  of  the  ^MBieons  dctfamed  and 
defaming,  is  eempairiitivetv  >4nit  littte  iiiflu^noed  by  Hheir 
belonging  to  the  saaerdotel  e^derv  provided  tfiey  areonem* 
bers  of  one  of.  the  Uiree  principal  aii^' only  tiieocTOnlda 
idMses^^lhe.  priestly ,» the  ttvimary ,  cind  the  mereaatile.  For 
sewli  is^the  nlttunil  tendeneyef  cMiiaien^'taidlevate  in  tha 
futii^  «f 'secie^;  thoi^e  wSio,«  by:  aunoesefiilly  eiigvgiiu^^  ih  its 
pursuits,  >ac(|uiite*iisbeB  tend*  ififliieoce,  llmt  %  metonast  is 
voifar4r<sm  JMing  plaoedi  inthe  ecaie  of  punidoia^for  de* 
faming  die  cbavaoteref  a  piveat,'  neady  on  «I  letel  with  Ji 
«oodah,>or4nfm.  of  the  servile  eiAte;  that  llMittfcipIiaEe,ef 
csmirfi%'a'9ed^i9titoni«iiQtO'  Ihe  mmith'Of^ttfe  defamenre* 
8emdbyMea«ilbrtbefei^r,iorp9^  instraetor 

bf: :4lNi  JiraftauMts^^fS  %  the  ^ter  inet&iitf  s  of:  the ; Hindu 


268  Hcr€R  Juridke. 

law^  indifferently  awarded  to  the  aUnderer  of  either  of  the 
other  aupeiior  castes,  with  the  further  pumabmeat  of  the 
.entire  loss  of  the  tongae,  where  the  <»limmy  excites:  a  soa^ 
.picion  of  the  persoii»of  whom  it  is  propagated^  hara^been 
guilty  of  either  of  the  offences  in  the  three. principal  classes 
of  scandalous  crimes.  Those  crimes  are  specified  with  a 
dcj^ee  of  heterogeneous  preciseness,  which  would  force  a 
-smile  from  the  most  rigid  stoic,  in  the  fit'st  section  of  the 
chapter  of  the  code,  (or  digest,  for  that  would  haye  been  a 
far  more  appropriate  appellation)  of  the  Gentoo  laws,  which 
bears  for  its  title,  ''Of  scandalous  and  bitter  expressions,'* 
f.  e*  such  expressions  as  it  is  a  crime  to  utter.  Here  we 
have  three  distinctions  of  the  crinie  of  false  accusation, 
strangely  jumbling  together  in  the  same  class  of  moral  guilt. 
Incest,  and  robbins  a  Brahmin;  murdering  a  friend,  and 
eating  the  Victuals  of  a  washerwoman's  caste ;  killing  a  woman, 
and  uUing  a  cow ;  injuring  a  Brahmin  and  striking  a  man 
where  schoolboys,  whilst  flogging  was  in  fashion,  occasion- 
ally fdt  the  rod.  For  using  any  expression,  in  consequence 
of  which  a  man  beccmies  suspected  of  either  of  these  crimes, 
particular  punishments  are  provided  and  apportioned  with 
great  nicety  to  the  particular  offence  of  which  he  may  be  sus* 
pected,  and  the  caste  and  abilities  of  the  accuser  and  the 
accused ;  persons  slandering  their  inferiors  in  both  these 
respects,  bein^  most  righteously  fined  in  but  half  the 
penalty  in  which  a  man  abusing  his  equal  is  amerced, 
and  only  in  one  fourth  of  that  levied  upon  those  who 
falsely  cause  their  superiors  to  be  suspected  of  any  of  those 
enormous  offences,  it  is  a  curiofus  circumstance,  however, 
and  one  we  should  least  expect  to  meet  with  in  an  oriental 
code  of  laws,  that  the  fine  for  falsely  accusing  a  woman  of 
any  of  these  crimes,  or  causing  her  to  be  suspected  of  them, 
is  visited  .by  the  highest  pecuniary  punishment  which  the 
law  inflicts  in^  cases  of  di^unation.  In  this,  as  in  all  its 
enactments,  the  digest  of  the  Hindu  law  of  libel,  or,  more 
technically  sneaking,  of  defeunation,  [carries  wil^  it  evident 
ttarks  of  moaem  arrangement,  and  reduction  to  a  systema- 
tic form;  which,  however  opposed  to  justice  and  tiie  prin- 
ciples of  sound  reason,  is  perfectly  consistent  with  itself, 
mid  complefo  in  all  its  parts.  Thus  the  fine  originally 
directed  ny  Menu  to  be  imposed  upon  those  who  should 
reproach  persons  disfigured,  by  being  deficient  in  certain 
limbs,  or  in  any  of  the  sensual  organs,  or  possessing  them 
inl>ut  an  imperfect  state,  is  expressly  extended  to  these, 
who  by  ironical  praise  give  additional  keenness  .to  the  wound 


Hora  JuritUca.  269 

they  seek  to  inflict.  Thus,  too»  a  fine  is  imposod  u jpon  those 
who  malicioasly  attempt  to  undervalue  the  skill  of  aaofJber 
ia.his  urofession  or  calling*  thougb  measured  by  the  singO)^ 
lar  graoation  of  giiilt  which  we  have  already  noticed.  In 
the  same  spirit  of  a  more  regular  jurisprudence,  it  is  pro* 
yided,  that  "if  a  man  speaks  reproachfully  of  any  country, 
the  magistrates  shall  fine,  him  two  hundred  puns  of  cow* 
ries;"  that  where  two  persons  mutually  abuse  or  utter  false 
accusations  i^ainst  each  other,  the  magistrate  shall  take  an 
equal  fine  from  both  parties ;  and  that  if  a  man  should  have 
spoken  reproachfully  of  another,  or  should  hare  abused  him» 
and  afterwards  says,  **  I  spoke  inconsiderately,  or  in  a  jest^ 
and  I  will  not  utter  such  expressions  in  future,"  themagistrats 
shall  take  from  him  half  the  fine  that  had  been  specified  foe 
such  fault.  It  is  not,  therefore,  in  the  principle,. but  in  the 
mode  of  punishing  the  crime  of  defamation,  that  the  Hindu 
law  has  experienced  that  change,  which  is  always  attendant 
upon  a  general  improvement  in  the  habits  and  manners  of  a 
nation,  however  slow  may  be  its  movements..  It  does  not 
appear  to  be  less  criminal  in  the  modern  digest,  of  the  Gen- 
too  laws,  than  it  does  in  the  more  ancient  code  of  Menu: 
but  the  punishment  is  more  systematically  apportioned, 
and  adapted  to  the  existin(f  state  of  society,  amongst  the 
singular  people  whose  conduct  it  is  meant  to  regulate.  In 
some  respects  that  punishment  is  considerably  aggravated, 
by  the  imposition  of  additional  pains  and  inconYeuienoes  on 
those  who  shall  be  found  guilty,  or  even  accused  iof  slandering 
another/  They  are  forbidden,  for  instance^. to  appear. by 
vakeel,  or  attorney,  but  are  compelled  to  make  aMwer  in 
person,  and  that  trntatUer,  to  the  accusation  preferred  against 
them; — being  placed  in  this  respect  on  a  level  with  mur« 
derer8»  robbers,  adulterers,  and  some  others,  whose  offencea 
we  shall  not  name.  If  convicted,  they  are  also  rendered 
incapable  of  becoming  witnesses,  as  much  ajs  arxnan  who  bad 
committed  murder,  Uieft,  adultery^  and  other  crimes  deemed 
infamous  in  the  eye  of  the  law. 

From  the  laws  of  Hindostan,  we  are  naturally  led  to  make 
a  few  remarks  upon  those  of  China.  What  were  the  ancient 
provisieos  ,of  this  singular  race,  who  seem  .to  be  asitwiere 

Eerfect  aborigines  in  all  their  habits  and.  institutiQniB,  wis 
ave  no  means  of  ascertaining,  though- there  can  be  Utile 
doubt  but  that  with  a  people  holding  in  such  profound  reve- 
reikce'  the  opinions  and  customs,  of  their  forefathers, -the 
spirit  of  ^those  provisions  is  very  de^ly  infused  into,  tba 
more  modem  of  their  l^i^lative  enactments*    The  "  Tsing 


390  Horm^  Jikridka. 

Lea  le^/'  or  pent!  laoidd  of  China,  for  a  trtirtltftioti  of  which 
we  aie  indeht^  to(  the  learning  and  ettraordifiiary  perse* 
Yeratiee  of  Sir  George  Staunton,  has  a  hook  of  one  of  ita 
divisions,"*  entirely  <kYOted  \x>  the  laws  against  abaatTe  lan-i* 
guage :  and  we  are  informed  in  one  of  the  tmnsiator's  notes^ 
tkat  it  is  ohserved  in  the  Chinese  eommentaty,  ** that  aba- 
site  and  insalting  lflttg«ia|e,  having  naturally  a  tendency 
to  produce  quarrels  and  afirays,  this  book  of  the  laws  is 
expressly  provided  for  its  prevention  and  puniabnient/' 
(p.  354.)  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark^  thatthe  pij^ishinent 
so  provided,  being  entirety  of  a  corporal  nature,  can  have 
beeQ  awarded  upon  ho  other  ground  than  that  of  the  injury 
which  the  indnlgence  of  that  propensity  is  Ukely  to  occasion 
to  the  public  peace ;  the  very  principle  upon  which  out  own 
law  proceeds,  in  authorising  private  individuals,  when  slan** 
dered  by  others^  to  procera  by  way  of  indictment  at  the 
suit  of  the  king,  for  the  breach  of  the  peace,  of  which  hfe  is 
the  legal  guardian,  whenever  they  Uitnk  proper  to'wavii  their 
claim  for  pecuniary  compensation  for  the  injtiry  they  them- 
selves may  have  sustained  from  the  promulgation  of  the  scan- 
dal complained  ^f.  ''In  ordinary  cases,-  says  the  section 
of  the  uhiiiese  laws  ^hich  bears  for  its  title,  'On  abusive 
language  between  equals,* ''  all  persons  guUty  of  employing 
abusive  language  shall  be  Kabte  to  a  pmiishment  of  ten 
bloivs;  and  persons  abusing  each  other,  shall  be  punished 
wil^  tenblowB  respectively/'  In  the  case  of  abuseaddressed 
to  an  officer  of  igovemment^  civil  or  military,  ^r  to  a  magis- 
trate>  thQ  punishment  is  increased  to  6itty,'seventy>  or  one 
hundred  fold,  according  to'tfae  rankihe  oeonpies ;  whilst  th^ 
officers  of  the  tribunals  themselves  tr e  subject  lo  a  fiiae  of 
from  tiiiiiy'to  sixty  blows  ^  for  abasing  each  other,  sud  of 
from  fifty  to-  eighty  for  abusing  their  president,  when  in 
the  discharge  of  their  reiip^ctive  duties.  Shiti^  aiJd  faired 
servants  addressing  abusive  language  to  their  masters'  rela- 
tions/are  liable  to  a  ptmii^fament  of  frdta  forty  to  <»ie'httti- 
dred  blows,  according  to  the  degree  <rf  relaticnship.  The 
piinisbiaent  of  the' 8lave-is,in  all  cases,  heavier;  however,  by 
twenty  blows  than  that  of  the  servant;  and  to  llie  eighty 
wluoh  he  is  to  ^receive  for  abusing  his  master's  rdalions  in 
the  first  degree,  is  added  two  years'  banishiaent,-^  pu- 
nishment inlioted  upon  tihe  servant  but  in  the  Instance  of 
his  abusing  his  master;  an  ofibnce  which  the  poor  slave 
is  condemned  by  law  to  expiate  wiA  -  bis  life,  ''  I^  being 
strangled  at  the  usual  period."    The  abaiie  of  one  reltticii 

*  Book  iv.  dir.  0. 


i' 


by;aiiother,  is  also  prohibited  trnder  pemity  of  a  gwritotfam 
of  blows,  regulated  with  the  preetsion  which  diatniq^ttisbet 
%he  Chinese  punii^bineiits,  by  the  degree  of  affinity  iieiweeii 
the  parties,  provided  the  pei-son  abused  is  himself  jkhe  cen- 
plainant.  The  child,  gratidchlld^  or  wife,  w4io  shall  address 
abusive  kingQage  to  a  parent,--^  paternal  ffitendiather  or 
giundinother,  or  tolbose  of  the  husband, — **  uiall,"  says- the 
Chinese  code, ''  in  every  case  suffer  death;  provided  always,'' 
adds>  however,  this  singular  law,  **  that  the  persons  abused 
themselves  complain  thereof  to  the  magistrates,  atid  had 
themselves  heanl  the  abusive  language  which  has  been 
addressed  to*  them/'  It  is,  we  should  imagine,  to  this, 
and  the  other  more  severe  enactments  of  the  i^e,  where,  on 
account  of  the  particular  relation  in  whieb  the  o^QKnkleifimi^ 
stand  to  him,  the  mere  verbal  abuse  of  another  is  ravs^  into 
a  capital  offence,  that  Sir  George  Staunton  refevsl  in  the'uote;, 
in  wnich  he  says,  **  It  is  not,  however,  to  be  supposed,  that 
laws  of  this  nature  are  often  ver^  strictly  enforced,"  (p.  356,) 
!Por  the  credit  of  humanity,  it  is  to  be  hoped  th^y  are  not; 
but  in  the  laws  of  China,  as,  it  is  painful  to  add,  is  but  too 
much  the  case  in  our  own,  the  sentence  of  death  is  but  a 
bugbear,  which  the  yery  offenders,  upon  whom  itis-fchrmere 
form's  sake  pronounced,  know  may  be  commuted  for  a  cer- 
tain number  of  blows  with  the  bamboo,  or  by  th6  payment 
of  so  many  ounces,  and  decimals  of  an  ounce,  of  silver ;  'as 
with  us  it  is  changed  into  a  certain  qttantum  of  imprisonment, 
and,  in  the  more  atrocious  cases',  into  a  given  period  of 
transportation.  The  requisition,  that  ihordertoMnViot'a 
person  of  defiim'ation,'  it  is  netessary  that  thef  individual 
defamed  shotild  himself  hayfeli^ard  the  slander;  ii^  not 'pecu*- 
liar  to  the  section  of  the  Chinese  law  on  abusive  languam, 
from  which  weliave  a  noted  it;  but  applies  equally  ta^U  tiie 
oth^s,  excepting,  as  it  would  seem,  (for  even  here' the  pbint 
is  somewhat  doubtful,)  to  the  ordinary  cases.  '  Tlis  is  an 
addttioncU  confirmation  of  lihe  position  bcffore'tfdtanced, 
that  the'Chinese  consider  deftim^tion  to  li& U;  publib  'njury, 
from  its  tendency  to  produce  quarrels,  ill-wSll,  and*  i  cohse- 
queftt  breach  6(  the  peace.  Whether,tbeir  ci vilibtftitutions 
give  any  piecuniary  comp^Mationf  for  the  injury  si^dlaSnedlby 
the  individual  whose  reputation  may*  have  he4n  unwarirant- 
ably  attacked;  we  have  no  means  of  satisfting  outsehres ;— ^but 
eertairi  it  is,  ihat  the  penal  sanctions  of  their  laws  are  no  hx 
ftt)m  acting  upon  this  principle,  that  to wcyer  nuita wbus  the 
asaemblv  in  whos^  hes^ring  the  slander  majr  hliveleeii  pro- 
Hdunctid/it  is  never  visited  by  any  puiliftbment>  at' least  in 


292  The,  Standafd  of  Ta$U : 

tkose  cases  in  whiefa  it  is  aggravs^ted  by  the  rank  or  relation 
of  the  person  de&mod^  unless^  from  having  heard  it  himself> 
he  mignty  in  the  heat  of  passion,  have  been  tempted  to  become 
the  avenger  of  his  own  wrongs.  The  peculiar  severity  of  these 
pooishments  may  be  referred  to  the  genius  of  the  govern- 
menty  and  the  people^  whose  laws  and  manners  were  alike 
moulded  on  the  patriarchal  plan,  with  the.  addition  of  su0h 
stretches  of  an  arbitrary  power,  as  a  military  government 
wo^ld  impose  upon  an  abiect  people, — and  which  accord- 
ingly impreraed  upon  children  Uie  most  submissive  respect 
for  their  parents, — ^upon  wives  the  most  absolute  obedience 
to  their  husbands,  upon  servants  an  entire  dependence  on 
the,  will  of  their  masters;  and  upon  aU,  an  habitual  reverence 
forthe  emperofy  as  the  gr^iat  parent  of  the  state.  Still  the 
object  was  the  public  goodrwithout  any  reference  to  a  repa- 
ration for  th(&  private  wrong.  /8. 


"  On  the  Standard  of  TasteJ"    An  Essay  intended  to  compete 
for  a  Prize,  given  by  the  university  of  Glasgow.    By  the 
late  William  Friend  Dueant. Part  IL 

If  the.  procQS^  of  generalization  already  described,  wer^ 
wholly  unchedked  by  any  corrective  influence,  the  conse- 
quences would  certainly  be  inconvenient,  and  would,  per- 
haps, be  fiktal  to  the  interests  of  our  species.  Objects  so 
numerous,  are  connected  by  points  of  individual  resemblance; 
and  indeed,  analogies  so  numberless  are  discovered  by  the 
ingenuity,  or  invented  by  the  fancy,  of  mankind,  that  it  th^ 
principle  to  which  we  have  adverted  were  employed  without 
restriction  in  the  classification  of  objects,  the  vocabulary  of 
man  would  soon  be  contracted  within  a  very  narrow  com* 
pass,  and  yet  each  part  of  it  would  be  filled  with  ambiguity 
and  confusion.  It  seems,  then,  evident  that  some  counter- 
acting power  is  in  opeiatiop,  to  restrain,  or  rather  to  subdue^ 
that  which  is  exerted  in  a  contrary  direction.  "Nov  need  we 
go  fas  .to  (discover  the  obstacle  which  serves,  eptirely  to 
prevent  the  progress  of  generalization. ,  When  a  word  is^  im 
ordinary  Ifinguage,  eitlwr  metaphorically,  or  transitively, 
applied  to  objects  which  have.no  projperty  in  common,  one 
of  two  resi4ts  necessarily  follows.  If  the  inqonyenienpe  of 
ambiguity  be  so  apparent  as.  to  preps  itself  on  the  attention 
of  mankind,  some  attempt  is  immediittely  made  to  remove 
it.  The  most, obvious,  and  the  most  ordinary  remedy,. ii^ 
the  inventioii  .of  a, new  word  to  designate  the  one  d^  (u 
objects i^  and  the  appropriation  to  the  o^^er,  qf  ;that  which 


An  Essay,  by  W.  F.  Durant.  293 

was  once  indiscriminately  applied  to  either.  In  otk»cases> 
however,  little  inconvenience  arises  from  the  double  meaning 
of  the  word :  those  different  ideas  which  are  designated  by 
the  same*  arbitrary  sign,  are  so  widely  removed  from  each 
other,  and  so  rarely  found  in  a  state  of  proximity,  that  the 
connexion  of  the  term  is  almost  always  su£Bcient  to  indicate 
its  real  meaning,  and  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  miscon^ 
Btmction. 

Thus,  no  new  term  is  invented,  because  the  danger  of 
ambiguity  is  not  apoarent :  the  ends  of  language  are,  on  the 
whole,  answered,  ana  no  great  solicitude  is  experienced  about 
the  symmetry  of  its  several  parts.  This  one  word,  however, 
is  not  at  any  one  time  so  used  as  to  include  objects  essen- 
tially distinct  from  each  other.  It  may  here  designate  one 
class  of  ideas,  and  in  another  place  it  may  be  the  sign  of  ideas 
totally  different :  but  it  cannot,  in  the  same  connexion,  and 
at  the  same  time,  stand  to  denote  things  which  have  in 
common  nothing  but  their  name.  To  the  substance  of  this 
statement,  I  should  not  have  imagined  that  any  objection 
could  have  been  offered. 

Mr.  Stewart  has,  however,  noticed  what  he  conceives  to  be 
a  different  procedure,  and  conducted  on  different  principles. 
I  shall  quote  his  own  words ;  both  because  I  do  not  feel  my* 
self  qualified  to  do  justice  to  his  reasonings,  and  because  the 

Eassage  I  am  about  to  cite,  states,  vrith  great  simplicity  and 
eauty,  some  of  the  facts  to  which  I  have  just  alluded.  ^'  I  shall 
only  add  at  present  on  thispreliminary  topic,''  says  this  elegant 
.and  ingenious  philosopher,  "  that  according  to  the  different 
degrees  of  intimacy  and  of  strength,  in  the  associations  on 
which  the  transitions  of  language  are  founded,  very  different 
effects  may  be  expected  to  arise.  Where  the  association 
•is  slight  and  casual,  the  several  meaninss  will  remain  dis- 
tinct from  each  other ;  and  will  often,  m  process  of  time, 
assume  the  appearance  of  capricious  varieties  iti  the  use  of 
the  same  arbitrary  sign.  Where  the  transition  is  so  natural 
and  habhual  as  to  become  virtually  indissoluble,  the  transi- 
tive meanings  will  coalesce  into  one  complex  conception ; 
and  every  new  transition  will  become  a  more  comprehensive 
generalization  of  the  t^rm  in  question.^'*  The.  reader  will 
be  good  enough  to  .keep  in  mind  that  illustration  whidi  I 
quoted  in  the  preceding,  part.of  this  essay^  and  by  means-  of 
which  Mr.  Stewart  professes  that  he  has  been  "  attetnptihg 
to  conyey''  his  ideas  on  this  subject.  On  referring  to  that 
iUuBtratidn,  it  does  most  evidently  appear  that  the  different 

*  Stewart's  Pliil,  Esiaysi  part  ii.  esf ay  it  cbap.  1. 


294  The  Standard  of  Taste  : 

objecti  c(  the  series  have  no  common  property,  and  no 
miktuali  relation.  True  it  is,  tliat  a  and  c  have  a  mutaal 
relation-to  B««^B>and.D,  to  €*— c  ands,  to  d  :  but  it  is  equally 
true,  that  the  extremes  of  the  series  are  totally  disoonisecled 
from  each  other,  and  from  s(Mne  of  its  intermediate  portions. 
Jifot  only  have  they  no  common  property,  but  they  have  not 
-even  that  stenderor  bond  of  nnion,  which  a  mutual  i^htion 
would  supply;  because  the  very  force  of  the  iUmtration 
depends  4!>n  the  eircrnnstance  that  the  concatenation  of  the 
aeries  ^oes  not  imply  connedlion  between  any  two  of  its 
parts,  where  they  are  sepamted  by  the  intervention  of  a 
third.  Mr.  Stewart  has  in  this  very  passage  assured  us,  that 
^Vwhereithe  asssociatioii  is  slight  and  casual,  the  several 
»eanitige!wiU^remiaia'distinctfrom  each  other  ;'^  and,  there- 
lore,  may. w«  not  concladey^ybneiort,  that  the  same  effects 
wiU  arise  where  there  is  no  association  at  all  ?  Yet  on  what» 
let  meask^^caa  an  association  be  founded,  where  there  is  no 
property  in  common  between  the  objects  associated,  and 
mrhere  they  are  not  mutually  related  to  any  other  object? 
I  am  fully  aware  of  the  answer  which  may  be  given  to  an 
ar^mmeBt  like  that  which  has  just  been  urged. 
.  Mr^  Stewcirt,  it  will  be  said,  is  enga^d  in  coipbatingt  the 
supposition,  that  ^  common  name  implies  a  common  qiwlity 
to  the  several  objects  to  which  that  name  is  applied.  To 
shew  the  incorrectness  of  this  liypothesis,  he  professes  his 
int^tioato  '^select  afew^of  the  cases  in  which  the.pri«ci* 
plenow  iuiqcrestion  appreais  most  pbvloosly  and  ,cmnpletely 
to  fikil  :''*  and^  in  pursiaanoe  ci  the  plan  he  has  laid  down, 
addnces  as  a  sin^Jacty  il|ustfattve  of  what  iie  concerns  to 
bea^generaltruUi,  the  tsase  to  which  you  hawe^jtistislllttded. 
It  iSy  tbeur  unfair  to  conclude  tiMt,  ibecause  tb^  existenoe  of 
en  indissoluble  a»^otatkNi  isiBConsistejit  with  ithe  ciroum-> 
stances  of  this  partiitular  fact,  thereforei.it  liamot^be  con* 
distent  with  iaoiatialogauaJMPbqess,  wbichmayinc^ertlMtlcas, 
berdiiBtiDffuifiheidbyisomei'msttute  dif{ei?eBci»  from  that  wiiich 
faaayust  been'  wkder^  lOohsideralaoB.  To  thfesa  <thnlsiri«tioiis» 
I'Teply,  in  >  the  ^rst>niM)e>'  that  tUs  Ulmtratkm,  howevcir 
apparently  '^^ualffied ,07  the  'sentence  i whieh  immediateljr 
precedes  rt,  is  «viden4ily  i^kftwaidf  O0Bsideiiediiot.mm 
a  speoimen  «of  one^out  of  nHmy*  methods,  by  iarhidi'  thecsMse 
lasaiha  may'  be  prodsoefd,  but  ^  as ,  itself  oonyo^pxig'  the  pe- 
oisev  idea  whioh-we  are  to  attach  to  the*  aprtfaet  .ttancdttre. 
Ifloanedssilely rafter  the*ase;of  this  itttistratson,'Mr>^S«ewait 

.*'Pldi-SMsy8|f>a(rt'HieMS5  Lekap.  1. 


Ah  Essay,  iy  W.  F.  Durant.  295 

his  analytical  inqairy  into  the  principles  oF  taste,  between 
the  transitive  and  metaphorical  meanings  of  a  word'/*  **  The- 
distinction/*  proceeds  Mr.  Stewart,  *•  seems  to  me  equally 
just  and  important;  and  as  the  epithet  fra/mfive  expresses 
clearly  and  happily  the  idea  which  I  have  been  attempting 
to  convey  by  the  preceding  itittstration,  I  shall  make  no 
scruple  to  adopt  it,  &c/**^  A^  this  clearly  identifies  ti^e  idea 
attached  to  the  epithet  ^'tiiansitrre/'with  that  which  is  con« 
▼eyed  hj  the  preceding  illustration,  I  am  surely  justified 
when  I  take  from  that  very  illustration,  the  notion  which 
I  attach  to  the  term  it  is  intended  to  elucidate ;  and  in 
arguing  against  the  possibility  of  an  indissoluble  as8o6iation 
between  "  transitive  meanings,"  found  my  opinion  on  the 
circumstance  that  the  very  proceiiS,  by  which  tjie  transition 
is  supposed  to  be  eflbcted,  is  inconsistent  with  the  supposir 
tion,.  tnat  such  an  association  can  take  place  between  the 
different  ideas  which  are  said  thu»  to  coalesce  into  '^  one 
complex  conception/'  Should  we;  however,  even  allow  it 
to  be  possible  for  an  indissoluble  association  to  exist,  its 
existence  necessarily  implies  some  assoQiatin?  circumstance. 
Whatever  that  circumstance  may  be— whether  a  common 
prppetty,  of  a  common  relation— it  must  be,  I  apprehend, 
something  iii  which  each  c>f  the  associated^  object?  partici- 
pated. Where  this  commotr  circumstance  exists,  therefore, 
IS  it  not  more  than  probable,  that  the  common  designation 
kf  intended  to  point  out  that  particular  in  which  there  is  an. 
agreement  between  all  the  objects  to  which'  this  designation 
is  given ;  and  that,  whenever  it  is'  employed,  we  are  led  to 
view  the  obj'ecf  to  which  it  is  applied  in  relation  to  tfie  cir- 
cumstance, in  which^  that  objebt  participates  with  the  other 
indtvi  duals  that  the  same  term  is  used  to  denote  ? 

My  intention,  however,  as  I  have  befbref  remarked,.lB  not 
to  take  those  general  views  which  present  themselre*  inr 
connexix>ri  with  our  subject ;  but  to  confine  myself  to  such 
observations  as  are  absolutely  essential  to  tts^  ePucidation. 
Whatever,  then,  may  be  the  decision  of'tiie  general  question; 
I  shall  be  perfectly  cotitent«  if  I  can  make  it  appear,  that 
flie  word  to  which  our  attention  is  at  present  directed— haal 
a  defiffite,  i,  precise;  and  an  assignable  meaning;  Those 
iltustratibns  which  are  intended  to  she^,  that  th&  intimate 
association  may  take  place  tn  cases  where  the  appfioaitibn 
of  the  word  has  been  thus  trttnsitively  exfended,  and  that, 
cbhsequentW'*  **^  *«  Hcveral  transittvo  meaiiiogi^  xoaj 
^Idttalesce  inter  one  cbmptet*  conception** — seem  to  me  to 

*  nip.  Iissays,  piirt  if.  essty  ii.  cliap.  % 


296  The  Standard  vf  Ta^ : 

point  oat  a  circtimstaDce  sufBeiently  important  of  itself  to 
justify  the  common  appellation.  This  subject  will  deodand 
a  rather  len^hened  discussion,  because  it  is  intimately 
connected  with  the  conclusions  at  which  we  wish  to  arrive. 
Some  observations  of  Mr.  Stewart,-^and  his  observations  are; 
invaluable^  even  when  we  dissent  from  the  opinion  founded 
on  them, — will  be  our  best  guides  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
inquiry.  The  investigation  may,  perhaps,  ultimately  lead 
us  to  imagine,  that,  at  least  iujUiis  particular  instance,  the 
common  appellation  is  not  bestowea  on  objects  totally  unr 
cpnnected  by  any  circumstance  of  agreement.  *'  In  this 
enlargement,  too,  of  the  signification  of  the  word/'  the  tran- 
sitive application  of  the  word  beauty  to  forms  and  moti<m, 
'*  it  is  pa^icularly  worthy  of  remark,  that  it  is  not  in  conse-i 
quence  of  the  discovery  of  any  quality  belonging  in  com-' 
mon  to  forms  and  to  motion,  considered  abstractly,  that  the 
same  word  is  now  applied  to  them  indiscriminately.  They» 
all  indeed  agree  in  this^  that  they  give  pleasure  to  the  spec- 
tator; but  there  cannot,  I  think,  be  a;  doubt  that  they  please 
on  principles  essentially  different;  and  that  the  transference 
of  tne  word  'beauty,'  from  the  .first  to  the  last^  arises  solely 
from  their  undistinguishable  co-operation  in  producing  the 
same  agreeable  effect,  in  consequence  of  their  bein^  perceivr 
ed  by  tne  same  organ,  and. at  tne  same  time/'"*^  JTam  quite 
ready  to  admit,  that  the  objects  of  taste  have,  considered 
abstractly,  no  common  Quality.  The  theory  before  us, 
however,  remains  unprovea,  should  it  be  found  that  there  is 
some  one  circumstance  in  which  they  all  agree.       • 

A  natural,  and  probably  a  correct,  inference  will  be,  that 
in  this  agreement  the  common  name  originated ;  and  that 
whenever  that  name,  is  useid,  we  view  the  object,  in  con- 
nexion with  that  circumstanceby  which  the  class  is  charac- 
terized, in  the  instance  immediately  before  us,  Mr.  Stewart; 
admits,  that "  they  all  agree  in  this,  that  they  give  picture, 
to  the  spect;ator ;'  and  speaks  of  "  their  indistinguishable 
co-operation  in  producing  the  same  agreeable  effect."  Here^ 
then,  is  a  common  effect ;  and  it  is«  J.  should  imagine,  in,' 
consequence  of  this  common  effect,  that  the  common  name 
is  applied  to  these  different  objects.  Insteaci,  therefore;,  of 
saying  l^at  the  term  '*  beauty  is  employed  with  r^g^rd  tq 
eftcb  of  them  in  a  different  sense  from  that  in  which  it  ia 
applied  to  any  of  the  Others,  or  that  the  several  ideas;  de- 
signated by  the  appellation,  coalesce  into  one  compliBX  con- 
ception ;  I  should  rather  imagine  tl^at  one  and  the  same 

*  Phil,  Eaaaysy  part  ii.  essay  i,. p.  1.  chap,  li* 


An  Essay,  by  W.  F.  Durant.  297 

meaning  is  attached  to  the  word  in  each  of  its  several  appli- 
cations. When  I  denominate  a  colour  beautiful — ^^I  mean,  if> 
this  opinion  be  correct— 'that  it  produces,  or  contributes  to. 
produce,  a  peculiar  state  of  mental  feeling.  If  I  apply  the. 
same  appellation  to  form,  I  do,  in  fact,  only  m^e,  in  rela-. 
tion  to  it,  the  same  assertion  which  I  formerly. made  in  rela- 
tion to  colour.  The  same  reasoning  may  be  applied  to  mo- 
tion, and  to  all  those  other  qualities  of  which  these  are,  in 
the  present  instance,  adduced  as  representEitiyes.  In  some:, 
cases,  all  these  qualities  co-operate  in  the  production  of 
one  simultaneous  effect;  while  they  are>  at  other  times,, 
presented,  both  separately,  and  in  every  state  of  varied 
combinfition.  I  am  aware,  that  when  united,  they  may  be 
denominated  beautiful,  when,  if  disjoined,  each  would  be 
excluded  from  any  claim  to  the  appellation;  that  in  a  dis- 
joined state,  each  may  be  beautiful,  whep  combination  would 
produce  positive  ugliness ;  an<d  that,  therefore,  neither  union, 
nor  separation,  is  in  every  case  necessary  to  the  result. 
This  admission,  however,  does  not  in  the  least  affect  thei 
argument,  unless  it  can  also  be  shewn  that  the  emotiom. 
which  each,  when  out  of  combination,  produces,  are  essen- 
tially different  from  those  which  are  in  other  cases  pro-., 
diuced,  when  many  simple  elements  are  combined.  .  But 
''they  please,'*  it  is  said,  **  on  principles  essentially  differ- 
ent.'^ .  J3e  it  so — I  can  have  no  objection  to  the  concession. 
The  word/' beauty"  is,  we  assert,  intended  to  denote,  not. 
any  c6mmon.|)roperty  in  the  objects  to  which  it  is  applied-^, 
not  the  identity  in  each  several  c^se,  if  tlie  prinpiple  on 
which  the  pleasure  they  pccasionis  founded-^but  the  gene* 
ral  similarity  6f  result.  .Perhaps  I,  cannot  better  explain, 
myself  than  by  referring  to  thete^rms  " phasing  dxidpleasmU' 

7Ke««,"  as  illiistrative  of  my  meanjing.    ..,..;  .  '   .    r 

:  .Although  no  man  would  talk  oi  the j^leasing  in  objects,;  aa 
philosophers  have  talked  of  tlie  beautiful,  yet  the  cases  are, 
sufficiently,  analogous  for  .pur  present  purpose.  ,  The  ,word& 
lief^e  us. are  susceptible  of  application  co-extensive  wilii 
the  range  of  our  pleasurable  feelings.  '  Every  thing  in  nature^ 
or  in  art,  that  is  capable  of  ministering  to  our  grati^cation--- 
whether  it  be  the  poetry  of  Milton — flie  sculpture  of  Praxi-. 
telesrrror  tfa^  Lowest  object  of  mere  animal  appetite — is^^y 
be  denominated  pleasing.  Now,  though  the.  sources,  of 
delight  are  infinitely  varied— rthoush  pleasures  differ  frpm 
each  .other,  i^ot  on^  in  the  mode  of  their  production,  but  la 
th^ir  s^eral  distinguishing:  characteristica,rryetnp^z^^ 
would,  I  think,  be  %(M  jeo^ngh  to  assert  that  there,  is,  nof 


298  The  Standard  of  Tasle : 

sometliin^,  however  incapable  we  may  be  of  defining  it,  which 
distinguiimes  aereeable  sensations  or  emotions'  froiii  ftnv 
other  class  of  feelings.  The  word  pleasing,  when  it  is  appliea, 
not  to  the  feeling  itself,  but  to  the  object  by  which  feeling  iel 
excited,  has  one  simple  and  easily  assignable  sienifibation.' 
It  stands  to  denote  the  connexion  which  sotiiehoW  'Exists' 
between  the  object  to  which  it  is  applied,  and  a  certain  pecu- 
liar state  of  mind.  Here  there  is  no  trahsitiVe  application  of 
the  word.  The  propriety  of  its  use  depends  indeed  not  ott 
any  thing  in  the  object  *'  considered  abstractly,'*  but  on  the 
connexion  of  that  object  with  the  state  of  mind  produced 
by  it.  This  word,  therefore,  has  in  evety  si  Ration  a  single'; 
and  a  simple  meaning.  Whether  it  \>e  applied  to  eblouri^j' 
to  sounds,  to  motion,  to  relishes,  to  odours,  or  t6  any'df 
those  thousand  objects  which,  gratify  our  seqses,  or  adxjiinis-; 
ter  intellectual  and  moral  enjoyments,  the  only  meanih^ii 
conveys  is,  that  which  I  have  pointed  out-— the  bohhe^adti 
between  these  objects,  and  feelmgs  of  ri  peci]iliar  ordei*.  If 
I  wish  to  give  a  more  accurate  idea  of  the  eflects  which  ahy 
df  them  produces,  I  add  some  wbrd§j  of  fimitatidh, — as,,  that 
it  is  pleasii^  to  the  touch,  to  the  ta&te,  to  the  smel)!^  ibiiii 
affe(}tions, — and  thus  restrict  the  meaning  of  the  more^efaersl 
term;  but  that  general  term^  wherever'  and  ho\h^ever  ^m^^ 
ployed,  conveys  the  same  idea.  In  the  same  WBiy,  then,  do 
I  conceive  that  objefets  denominated  beautiful,  have  all  od^ 
cir^omstance  in  common,  in  consequence  of  their  alf  produ- 
cing emotions,  which,  however  varied,  yet  pdssess  some 
general  chaiacteristic  sufficient  to  distinguisn  them  frbin 
feeling  of  any  other  order.  Any  object  may  in  an  indivi- 
<faial  instance  be  beautifal,  jiist  as  any  object  may,  perhaps^ 
under  certain  conceivable  circumstances,  be  plea^rmg ;  but 
those  object?  only  are^  ordinarily  denominated  beautifut; 
which,  in  a  majority  of  ca^es«  produce  that  peculiar  class  pf 
di|sotions  which  we  denominate  the  sentiment  of  beauty-^ 
jy^t  as  the  epithet  '*  pleasing''  is  usually  applied  to  thos<^ 
objects  alone  which  are  calculated  to  administer  jpleasure  to 
the  great  mass  of  mankind. 

Before  we  proceed,  it  may  not  be  improper  to/review  the 
ground  over  which  we  have  already  passed', 
y  We  are  at  .present  attempting  to  ascerti^in  the  'sense  m 
hi  which  the  epithet  correct  is  applied  to  the  emotionct.  of 
tatte. .  Our  first  object  was  distinctlv  to  marh  the  df0ierence 
between  sensation  and  emotion,  aha  to  shew  that  thelattcir 
dtpenjls  for  its  existence  on  a  pievious  intellectual  procesis. 
thence  we  deduced  Ae  inference,  that  correctnelBs  is/ in 


A H  Essay, .byW.T.  Durant.  299 

•trictDess>  Dredicable^  not  of  the  emotion,  but  of  the  pre- 
ceding intellectual  process.    The  inauii^  here  presented 

.  itself-— What  i9  the  nature  of  this  inteUectual  (Mrooess?  and 

.  what  is  meant  by  its  correctness?  Here  there  is  a  prelimi- 
nary discussion  for  the  sake  of  ascertaining  the  object,  or 

.  rather,  perhaps,  the  exciting  cause  of  the  intellectual  ope- 
ration. Beauty  and  sublimity  seem  to  afford  a  natural 
answer  to  our  inquiries*  A  collateral  investigation  into  the 
nature  of  sublimity  and  beauty  was  thus  rendered  necessary. 
We  were,  then,  obliged  to  notice  some  reasonings  and  con- 
clusions, which  would,  i