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diff --git a/old/10597-8.txt b/old/10597-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3af0a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10597-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5429 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Four Early Pamphlets, by William Godwin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Four Early Pamphlets + +Author: William Godwin + +Release Date: January 5, 2004 [EBook #10597] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS + +BY WILLIAM GODWIN + +1783 + + + + [A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with + the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North] + + + + [Instructions to a Statesman] + + + + [An Account of the Seminary] + + + + [The Herald of Literature] + + + + + +A + +DEFENCE + +OF THE + +ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + +IN THEIR LATE + +COALITION + +WITH + +THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERIC LORD NORTH. + + +LONDON: Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly. +1783. [Price One Shilling and Sixpence.] _Entered at Stationers Hall._ + + +A + + + +DEFENCE + + + +OF THE + + + +ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + + + +&C. &C. &C. + + + + * * * * * + +The present reign will certainly appear to our posterity full of the +noblest materials for history. Many circumstances seem to have pointed +it out as a very critical period. The general diffusion of science has, +in some degree, enlightened the minds of all men; and has cleared such, +as have any influence upon the progress of manners and society, from a +thousand unworthy pre-possessions. The dissipation and luxury that reign +uncontrouled have spread effiminacy and irresolution every where.--The +grand defection of the United States of America from the mother country, +is one of the most interesting events, that has engaged the attention of +Europe for centuries. And the number of extraordinary geniuses that have +distinguished themselves in the political world, gives a dignity to the +scene. They pour a lustre over the darkest parts of the story, and +bestow a beauty upon the tragedy, that it could not otherwise have +possessed. + +At a time like this, when the attention of mankind has been kept alive +by a series of the most important events, we cease to admire at things +which would otherwise appear uncommon, and wonders almost lose their +name. Even now, however, when men were almost grown callous to novelty, +and the youngest of us had, like Cato in the play, lived long enough to +be "surprised at nothing," a matter has occurred which few expected, and +to which, for that reason, men of no great strength of mind, of no nerve +of political feeling, scarcely know how to reconcile themselves. I refer +to the coalition between the friends of the late marquis of Rockingham +and the noble commoner in the blue ribbon. + +The manner of blaming this action is palpable and easy. The censure is +chiefly directed against that wonderful man, whom, at least in their +hearts, his countrymen, I believe, have agreed to regard as the person +of brightest genius, and most extensive capacity, that now adorns the +British senate. Has not this person, we are asked, for years attacked +the noble lord in the most unqualified manner? Is there any aspersion, +any insinuation, that he has not thrown out upon his character? Has he +not represented him as the weakest man, and the worst minister, to whom +the direction of affairs was ever committed? Has he not imputed to his +prerogative principles, and his palpable misconduct, the whole catalogue +of our misfortunes? If such men as these are to unite for the detested +purposes of ambition, what security can we have for any thing valuable, +that yet remains to us? Is not this the very utmost reach of frontless +profligacy? What dependence after this is to be placed in the man, who +has thus given the lie to all his professions, and impudently flown in +the face of that honest and unsuspecting virtue, which had hitherto +given him credit for the rectitude of his intentions? + +I do not mean for the present to enter into a direct answer to these +several observations. I leave it to others, to rest the weight of their +cause upon sounding exclamations and pompous interogatories. For myself, +I am firmly persuaded, that the oftner the late conduct of the +Rockingham connexion is summoned to the bar of fair reason, the more +cooly it is considered, and the less the examiner is led away by the +particular prejudices of this side or of that, the more commendable it +will appear. We do not fear the light. We do not shun the scrutiny. We +are under no apprehensions for the consequences. + +I will rest my argument upon the regular proof of these three +propositions. + +First--That the Rockingham connexion, was the only connexion by which +the country could be well served. + +Secondly--That they were not by themselves of sufficient strength to +support the weight of administration. + +Thirdly--That they were not the men whose services were the most likely +to be called for by the sovereign, in the present crisis. + +First--I am to prove, that the country could not be well served but by +the Rockingham connexion. + +There are three points principally concerned in the constituting a good +administration; liberal principles, respectable abilities, and +incorruptible integrity.--Let us examine with a view to these, the other +four parties in the British government. The connexion of the earl of +Shelburne, that of lord North, the Bedford party, and the Scottish. In +reviewing these, it is necessary that I should employ a manly freedom, +though, at the same time, I should be much unwilling to do a partial +injustice to any of them. + +It is true, there is some difference between the language of the same +men in office, and out of office. The Bedford connexion, however, have +never been conceived to bear an over favourable aspect to the cause of +liberty. They are the avowed enemies of innovation and reform. + +The Scottish party are pretty much confounded with the set of men that +are called, by way of distinction, the king's friends. The design of +these men has been to exalt regal power and prerogative upon the ruins +of aristocracy, and the neck of the people. Arguments, and those by no +means of a frivolous description, have been brought to prove, that a +most subtle and deep-laid scheme was formed by them, in the beginning of +the reign, to subserve this odious purpose. It has been supposed to have +been pursued with the most inflexible constancy, and, like a skiff, when +it sails along the meandering course of a river, finally to have turned +to account the most untoward gales. + +Lord North, whatever we may suppose to have been his intrinsic +abilities, stands forward, as, perhaps, the most unfortunate minister, +that this country ever produced. Misfortune overtook him in the +assertion of the highest monarchical principles. In spite of misfortune, +he adherred inflexibly to that assertion. In the most critical +situations he remained in a state of hesitation and uncertainty, till +the tide, that "taken at the flood, led up to fortune," was lost. His +versatility, and the undisguised attachment, that he manifested to +emolument and power, were surely unworthy of the stake that was +entrusted to him. + +In what I have now said, I do not much fear to be contradicted. It was +not with a view to such as are attached to any of these parties, that I +have taken up the pen. Those who come under this description, are almost +universally the advocates of monarchy, and think that they have nothing +to regret, but that power and police are not established upon a more +uncontrolable footing among us. To such persons I do not address myself. +I know of nothing that the friends of lord Rockingham have to offer that +can be of any weight with them; and, for my own part, I should blush to +say a word, that should tend to conciliate their approbation to a +system, in which my heart was interested. The men I wish chiefly to have +in view, are those that are personally attached to the earl of +Shelburne; such as stand aloof from all parties, and are inclined to +have but an indifferent opinion of any; and such as have adhered to the +connexion I have undertaken to defend, but whose approbation has been +somewhat cooled by their late conduct. The two last in particular, I +consider as least under the power of prejudice, and most free to the +influence of rational conviction. + +The friends of freedom have, I believe, in no instance hesitated, but +between the Rockingham connexion, and the earl of Shelburne. It is these +two then that it remains for me to examine. Lord Shelburne had the +misfortune of coming very early upon the public stage. At that time he +connected himself with the earl of Bute, and entered with warmth into +the opposition to Mr. secretary Pitt. In this system of conduct, +however, he did not long persist; he speedily broke with the favourite, +and soon after joined the celebrated hero, that had lately been the +object of his attack. By this person he was introduced to a considerable +post in administration. In office, he is chiefly remembered by the very +decisive stile of authority and censure he employed, in a public letter, +relative to the resistance that was made to the act of 1767, for +imposing certain duties in America. From his resignation with lord +Chatham, he uniformly and strenuously opposed the measures that were +adopted for crushing that resistance. He persevered, with much apparent +constancy, in one line of conduct for near ten years, and this is +certainly the most plausible period of his story. He first called forth +the suspicions of generous and liberal men in every rank of society, by +his resolute opposition to the American independency in 1778. But it was +in the administration, that seemed to have been formed under so +favourable auspices in the spring of 1782, that he came most forward to +general examination. + +The Rockingham connexion, in conformity to what were then supposed to be +the wishes of the people, united, though not without some hesitation, +with the noble earl and his adherents, in the conduct of public affairs. +And how did he reward their confidence? He was careful to retain the +question respecting his real sentiments upon the business of America, in +as much obscurity as ever. He wrote officially a letter to sir Guy +Carleton, which has never seen the light, by which that officer was +induced to declare the American independency already irreversibly +recognised by the court of London; by which he appears to have deceived +all his brother ministers without exception; and by which Mr. Fox in +particular, was induced to make the same declaration with general +Carleton to foreign courts, and to come forward in the commons +peremptorily to affirm, that there was not a second opinion in the +cabinet, upon this interesting subject. How must a man of his +undisguised and manly character have felt, when, within a week from this +time, he found the noble earl declaring that nothing had ever been +further from his thoughts, than an unconditional recognition; and +successfully exerting himself to bring over a majority in the cabinet to +the opposite sentiment? Lord Shelburne's obtaining, or accepting, call +it which you will, of the office of first lord of the treasury, upon the +demise of lord Rockingham, without the privity of his fellow Ministers, +was contrary to every maxim of ingenuous conduct, and every principle +upon which an association of parties can be supported. The declaration +he made, and which was contradicted both by his own friends in the +cabinet, and those of Mr. Fox, that he knew of no reason _in God's +earth_ for that gentleman's resignation, but that of his having +succeeded to the office of premier, was surely sufficiently singular. + +But he is celebrated for being a man of large professions, and by these +professions he has induced some persons in different classes in society, +to esteem him the friend of liberty and renovation. What he has held +out, however, upon these heads, has not been entirely confident. He has +appeared the enthusiastical partizan of the aristocracy, a kind of +government, which, carried to its height, is perhaps, of all the +different species of despotism, the most intolerable. He has talked in a +very particular stile of his fears of reducing the regal power to a +shadow, of his desire that the extension of prerogative should keep pace +with the confirmation of popular rights, and his resolution, that, if it +were in his power to prevent it, a king of England should never be +brought to a level with a king of Mahrattas. The true sons of freedom +will not certainly be very apprehensive upon this score, and will leave +it to the numbers that will ever remain the adherents of monarchical +power, to guard the barriers of the throne. In opposition, his +declarations in favour of parliamentary reform seemed indeed very +decisive. In administration, he was particularly careful to explain away +these declarations, and to assure the people that he would never employ +any influence in support of the measure, but would only countenance it +so far as it appeared to be the sense of parliament. In other words, +that he would remain neutral, or at most only honour the subject with an +eloquent harangue, and interest himself no further respecting it. + +But let us proceed from his language to his conduct in office. Almost +every salutary measure of administration, from the resignation of lord +North downward, was brought about during the union of the noble earl +with the Rockingham connexion. What inference are we to draw from +this?--That administration, as auspicious as it was transitory, has +never been charged with more than one error. They were thought too +liberal in the distribution of two or three sinecures and pensions. To +whom were they distributed? Uniformly, exclusively, to the friends of +lord Shelburne. Lord Shelburne proposed them to his august colleague, +and the marquis, whose faults, if he had any, were an excess of +mildness, and an unsuspecting simplicity, perhaps too readily complied. +But let it be remembered, that not one of his friends accepted, or to +not one of his friends were these emoluments extended. But, if the noble +marquis were sparing in the distribution of pensions, the deficiency was +abundantly supplied by his successor. While the interests of the people +were neglected and forgotten, the attention of the premier was in a +considerable degree engrossed by the petty arrangements of office. For +one man a certain department of business was marked out; the place had +been previously filled by another. Here the first person was at all +events to be promoted; and the second gratified with a pension. Thus, in +the minute detail of employment, in adjusting the indeclinables of a +court calendar, to detach a _commis_ from this department, and to fix a +clerk in that, burthen after burthen has been heaped upon the shoulders +of a callous and lethargic people.--But no man can say, that the earl of +Shelburne has been idle. Beside all this, he has restored peace to his +country. His merits in this business, have already been sufficiently +agitated. To examine them afresh would lead me too far from the scope of +my subject. I will not therefore now detain myself either to exculpate +or criminate the minister, to whom, whatever they are, they are +principally to be ascribed. + +From the considerations already suggested, I am afraid thus much may be +fairly inferred, that the earl of Shelburne is a man, dark, insidious +and inexplicit in his designs; no decided friend of the privileges of +the people; and in both respects a person very improper to conduct the +affairs of this country. I would hope however, that the celebrated +character given of him by the late lord Holland was somewhat too severe. +"I have met with many, who by perseverance and labour have made +themselves Jesuits; it is peculiar to this man to have been born one." + +Such then is the estimate we are compelled to form of a man who in his +professions has sometimes gone as far, as the most zealous votaries of +liberty. And what is the inference we shall draw from this? Shall we, +for the sake of one man so specious and plausible, learn to think the +language of all men equally empty and deceitful? Having once been +betrayed, shall we avoid all future risk, by treating every pretender to +patriotism and public spirit, as a knave and an impostor? This indeed is +a conclusion to which the unprincipled and the vicious are ever +propense. They judge of their fellows by themselves, and from the +depravity of their own hearts are willing to infer, that every honesty +has its price. But the very motive that inclines the depraved to such a +mode of reasoning, must, upon the very same account, deter the man of +virtue from adopting it. Virtue is originally ever simple and +unsuspecting. Conscious to its own rectitude, and the integrity of its +professions, it naturally expects the same species of conduct from +others. By every disappointment of this kind, it is mortified and +humbled. Long, very long must it have been baffled, and countless must +have been its mortifications, ere it can be induced to adopt a principle +of general mistrust. And that such a principle should have so large a +spread among persons, whose honesty, candour forbids us to suspect, is +surely, of all the paradoxe upon the face of the earth, incomparably the +greatest.--The man of virtue then will be willing, before he gives up +all our political connexions without distinction, to go along with me to +the review of the only one that yet remains to be examined, that of the +late marquis of Rockingham. + +Too much perhaps cannot be said in their praise. They have nearly +engrossed the confidence of every friend of liberty. They are the only +men, whose principles were never darkened with the cloud of suspicion. +What, let me ask, has been their uniform conduct during the whole course +of the reign? They have been ever steady in their opposition, to +whatever bore an ill aspect to the cause of freedom, and to the whole +train of those political measures, that have terminated in calamity and +ruin. They have been twice in administration. Prosperity and power are +usually circumstances that prove the severest virtue. While in power how +then did this party conduct themselves? + +Of their first administration the principal measure was the stamp act. A +law that restored tranquility to a distracted empire. A law, to which, +if succeeding administrations had universally adhered, we had been at +this moment, the exclusive allies and patrons of the whole continent of +North America. A law, that they carried in opposition to the all-dreaded +Mr. Pitt, on the one hand, and on the other, against the inclination of +those secret directors, from whose hands they receive their delegated +power. They repealed the excise upon cyder. They abolished general +warrants. And after having been the authors of these and a thousand +other benefits in the midst of storms and danger; they quitted their +places with a disinterestedness, that no other set of men have imitated. +They secured neither place, pension, nor reversion to themselves, or any +of their adherents. + +Their second administration was indeed very short. But it was crowded +with the most salutary measures. The granting a full relief to Ireland. +The passing several most important bills of oeconomy and reformation. +The passing the contractors bill. The carrying into effect that most +valuable measure, the abolishing the vote of custom-house officers in +the election of members of parliament. And lastly, the attempt to +atchieve, that most important of all objects, the establishment of an +equal representation. What might not have been expected from their +longer continuance in office? + +But I will not confine myself to the consideration of their conduct as a +body. The characters of the individuals of which they are composed, will +still further illustrate their true principles, and furnish a strong +additional recommendation of them, to every friend of virtue and of +liberty. That I may not overcharge this part of my subject, I will only +mention two or three of their most distinguished leaders. + +The character of the present chancellor of the exchequer is entirely an +_unique_. Though mixing in all the busy scenes of life, though occupying +for many years a principal place in the political affairs of this +country, he has _kept himself unspotted from the world_.--The word of +the elder Cato was esteemed so sacred with the Romans, that it became a +proverb among them respecting things, so improbable, that their truth +could not be established even by the highest authority, "I would not +believe it, though it were told me by Cato." And in an age much more +dissipated than that of Cato, the integrity and honour of the noble lord +I have mentioned, has become equally proverbial. Not bonds, nor deeds, +nor all the shackles of law, are half so much to be depended upon as is +his lightest word. He is deaf to all the prejudices of blood or private +friendship, and has no feelings but for his country. + +Of the duke of Portland, I can say the less, as not having had an +opportunity of knowing much respecting him. His candour and his honour +have never been questioned. And I remember, in the debate upon the +celebrated secession of the Rockingham party, upon the death of their +leader, to have heard his abilities particularly vouched in very strong +terms, by Mr. chancellor Pitt, and the present lord Sidney. The latter +in particular, though one of my lord Shelburne's secretaries of state, +fairly avowed in so many words, that he should have been better +satisfied with the appointment of his grace, to the office he now holds, +than he was, with the noble lord, under whom he acted. + +The character of lord Keppel, with persons not attached to any party, +has usually been that of a man of much honesty and simplicity, without +any remarkable abilities. It is a little extraordinary however, that, +though forced by a combination of unfavourable circumstances into a +public speaker, he is yet, even in that line, very far from contempt. +His speeches are manly, regular, and to the purpose. His defence upon +his trial at Portsmouth, in which he must naturally be supposed to have +had at least a principal share, has, in my opinion, much beauty of +composition. The adversaries of this party, though unwilling to admit +that the navy was so much improved under his auspices as was asserted, +have yet, I believe, universally acknowledged his particular activity +and diligence. + +But I come to the great beast of his own party, and the principal object +of attack to their enemies, the celebrated Mr. Fox. Men of formality and +sanctity have complained of him as dissipated. They do not pretend +however to aggravate their accusation, by laying to his charge any of +the greater vices. His contempt of money, and his unbounded generosity, +are universally confessed. Let such then know, that dissipation, so +qualified, is a very slight accusation against a public man, if indeed +it deserves a serious consideration. In all expansive minds, in minds +formed for an extensive stage, to embrace the welfare and the interest +of nations, there is a certain incessant activity, a principle that must +be employed. Debar them from their proper field, and it will most +inevitably run out into excesses, which perhaps had better have been +avoided. But do these excrescences, which only proceed from the richness +and fertility of the soil, disqualify a man for public business? Far, +very far from it. Where ever was there a man, who pushed dissipation and +debauchery to a greater length, than my lord Bolingbroke? And yet it is +perhaps difficult to say, whether there ever existed a more industrious, +or an abler minister. The peace of Utrecht, concluded amidst a thousand +difficulties, from our allies abroad, and our parties, that were never +so much exasperated against each other at home; must ever remain the +monument of his glory. His opposition to sir Robert Walpole seems +evidently to have been founded upon the most generous principles. And +though the warmth and ebullition of his passions evermore broke in upon +his happiest attempts, yet were his exertions in both instances attended +with the most salutary consequences. But Mr. Fox appears to me to +possess all the excellencies, without any of the defects of lord +Bolingbroke. His passions have, I believe, never been suspected of +having embroiled the affairs of his party, and he has uniformly retained +the confidence of them all. His friendships have been solid and +unshaken. His conduct cool and intrepid. The littleness of jealousy +never discoloured a conception of his heart. In office he was more +constant and indefatigable, than lord Bolingbroke himself. All his +lesser pursuits seemed annihilated, and he was swallowed up in the +direction of public affairs. + +He has been accused of ambition. Ambition is a very ambiguous term. In +its lowest sense, it sinks the meanest, and degrades the dirtiest of our +race. In its highest, I cannot agree with those who stile it the defect +of noble minds. I esteem it worthy of the loudest commendation, and the +most assiduous culture. Mr. Fox's is certainly not an ambition of +emolument. Nobody dreams it. It is not an ambition, that can be +gratified by the distribution of places and pensions. This is a passion, +that can only dwell in the weakest and most imbecil minds. Its necessary +concomitants, are official inattention and oscitancy. No. The ambition +of this hero is a generous thirst of fame, and a desire of possessing +the opportunity of conferring the most lasting benefits upon his +country. It is an instinct, that carries a man forward into the field of +fitness, and of God. + +The vulgar, incapable of comprehending these exalted passions, are apt +upon the slightest occasions to suspect, that this heroical language is +only held out to them for a lure, and that the most illustrious +characters among us are really governed by passions, equally incident to +the meanest of mankind. Let such examine the features and the manners +of Mr. Fox. Was that man made for a Jesuit? Is he capable of the dirty, +laborious, insidious tricks of a hypocrite? Is there not a certain +manliness about him, that disdains to mislead? Are not candour and +sincerity, bluntness of manner, and an unstudied air, conspicuous in all +he does?--I know not how far the argument may go with others, with me, I +confess, it has much weight. I believe a man of sterling genius, +incapable of the littlenesses and meannesses, incident to the vulgar +courtier. What are the principal characteristics of genius? Are they not +large views, infinite conceptions, a certain manliness and intrepidity +of thinking? But all real and serious vice originates in selfish views, +narrow conceptions, and intellectual cowardice. A man of genius may +possibly be thoughtless, dissipated and unstudied; but he cannot avoid +being constant, generous, and sincere. The union of first rate abilities +with malignity, avarice, and envy, seems to me very nearly as incredible +a phenomenon, as a mermaid, a unicorn, or a phoenix. + +I cannot overcome the propensity I feel to add Mr. Burke to this +illustrious catalogue, though the name of this gentleman leads me out of +the circle of the cabinet. Mr. Burke raised himself from an obscure +situation, by the greatness of his abilities, and his unrivalled genius. +Never was distinction more nobly earned. Of every species of literary +composition he is equally a master. He excels alike in the most abstruse +metaphysical disquisition, and in the warmest and most spirited +painting. His rhetoric is at once ornamented and sublime. His satire is +polished and severe. His wit is truly Attic. Luxuriant in the extreme, +his allusions are always striking, and always happy. But to enumerate +his talents, is to tell but half his praise. The application he has made +of them is infinitely more to his honour. He has devoted himself for his +country. The driest and most laborious investigations have not deterred +him. Among a thousand other articles, that might be mentioned, his +system of oeconomical reform must for ever stand forth, alike the +monument of his abilities, and his patriotism. His personal character is +of the most amiable kind. Humanity and benevolence are strongly painted +in his countenance. His transactions with lord Rockingham were in the +highest degree honourable to him. And the more they are investigated, +and the better they are understood, the more disinterestedness of +virtue, and generous singularity of thinking, will be found to have been +exhibited on both sides. + +It is necessary perhaps, that I should say a word respecting the +aristocratical principles of this gentleman, by which he is +distinguished from the rest of his party. To these principles I profess +myself an enemy. I am sorry they should be entertained by a person, for +whom, in every other respect, I feel the highest veneration. But the +views of that man must be truly narrow, who will give up the character +of another, the moment he differs from him in any of his principles. I +am sure Mr. Burke is perfectly sincere in his persuasion. And I hope I +have long since learned not to question the integrity of any man, upon +account of his tenets, whether in religion or politics, be they what +they may. I rejoice however, that this gentleman has connected himself +with a set of men, by the rectitude of whose views, I trust, the ill +tendency of any such involuntary error will be effectually counteracted. +In the mean time this deviation of Mr. Burke from the general principles +of his connexion, has given occasion to some to impute aristocratical +views to the whole party. The best answer to this, is, that the +parliamentary reform was expressly stipulated by lord Rockingham, in his +coalition with the earl of Shelburne, as one of the principles, upon +which the Administration of March, 1782, was formed. + +From what has been said, I consider my first proposition as completely +established, that the Rockingham party was the only connexion of men, by +which the country could be well served. + +I would however just observe one thing by the way. I forsee that my +first proposition lies open to a superficial and childish kind of +ridicule. But in order to its operation, it is not necessary to say, +that the friends of lord Rockingham were persuaded, that the country +could not be well served, but by themselves. In reality, this is the +proper and philosophical state of it: that each individual of that +connexion was persuaded, that the country could not be well served but +by his friends. And I trust, it has now appeared, that this was a just +and rational persuasion. + +The next argument adduced in conformation of my thesis, is, that they +were not by themselves of sufficient strength, to support the weight of +administration. It is certainly a melancholy consideration, that there +should not be virtue enough left in a people to support an +administration of honest views and uniform principles, against all the +cabals of faction. This however, is incontrovertibly the case with +Britain. The bulk of her inhabitants are become, in a very high degree, +inattentive, and indifferent to the conduct of her political affairs. +This has been, at one time, ascribed to their despair of the +commonwealth, and their mortification in perceiving a certain course of +mal-administration persisted in, in defiance of the known sense of the +country. At another time, it has been imputed to their experience of the +hollowness of all our public pretenders to patriotism. I am afraid, the +cause is to be sought in something, more uniform in it's operation, and +less honourable to the lower ranks of society, than either of these. In +a word, luxury and dissipation have every where loosened the bands of +political union. The interest of the public has been forgotten by all +men; and we have been taught to laugh at the principles, by which the +patriots of former ages were induced, to sacrifice their fortunes and +their lives for the welfare of their citizens. Provided the cup of +enjoyment be not dashed from our own lips, and the pillow of sloth torn +away from our own heads, we do not ask, what shall be the fate of our +liberties, our posterity, and our country. Disinterested affection seems +to have taken up her last refuge in a few choice spirits, and elevated +minds, who appear among us, like the inhabitants of another world. In +the mean time, while the lower people have been _careful for none of +these things_, they have been almost constantly decided in the senate, +not by a view to their intrinsic merits, but in conformity to the +jarring interests, and the inexplicable cabals of faction. In such a +situation, alas! what can unprotected virtue do? Destitute of all that +comeliness that allures; stripped of that influence that gives weight +and consideration; and unskilled in the acts of intrigue? + +In conformity to these ideas, when the choice of an administration was +once again thrown back upon the people, in March, 1782, we perceive, +that no one party found themselves sufficiently strong for the support +of government; and a coalition became necessary between the Rockingham +connexion, and a person they never cordially approved, the earl of +Shelburne. Even thus supported, and called to the helm, with perhaps as +much popularity, as any administration ever enjoyed, they did not carry +their measure in parliament without difficulty. The inconsiderate and +interested did even think proper to ridicule their imbecility; +particularly in the house of lords. The most unsuspected of all our +patriots, Mr. Burke, was reduced to the necessity of so far contracting +his system of reform upon this account, as to have afforded a handle to +superficial raillery and abuse. + +But turn we to the administration that succeeded them; who still +retained some pretensions to public spirit; and among whom there +remained several individuals, whose claim to political integrity was +indisputably. Weaker than the ministry of lord Rockingham, to what +shifts were they not reduced to preserve their precarious power? These +are the men, who have been loudest in their censures of the late +coalition. And yet did not they form coalitions, equally extraordinary +with that which is now under consideration? To omit the noble lord who +presided at the treasury board, and to confine myself to those +instances, which Mr. Fox had occasion to mention in treating my subject. +Was there not the late chancellor of the exchequer, who has been +severest in his censures of lord North, and the lord advocate of +Scotland, who was his principal supporter, and was for pushing the +American measures, even to greater lengths, than the noble patron +himself? Was there not the master general of the ordnance, who has ever +gone farthest in his view of political reform, and declaimed most warmly +against secret influence; and the lord chancellor, the most determined +enemy of reform, and who has been supposed the principal vehicle of that +influence? Lastly, was there not, in the same manner, the secretary of +state for the home department, who was most unwearied in his invectives +against lord Bute; and the right honourable Mr. Jenkinson, who has been +considered by the believers in the invisible power of that nobleman, as +the chief instrument of his designs. + +With these examples of the necessity of powerful support and extensive +combination, what mode of conduct was it, that it was most natural, most +virtuous, and most wise, for the Rockingham connexion to adopt? I +confess, I can perceive none more obvious, or more just, than that which +they actually adopted, a junction with the noble commoner in the blue +ribbon. At least, from what has been said, I trust, thus much is evident +beyond control, that they had just reason to consider themselves +abstractedly, as too weak for the support of government. + +Still further to strengthen my argument, I affirm, in the third place, +that they were not the men, whose services were likely to be called for +by the Sovereign. I believe, that this proposition will not be thought +to stand in need of any very abstruse train of reasoning to support it. +The late events respecting it have been, instead of a thousand +arguments. From an apprehension, probably, of the uncourtierliness of +their temper, and their inflexible attachment to a system; it seems to +appear by those events, that the sovereign had contracted a sort of +backwardness to admit them into his councils, which it is to be hoped, +was only temporary. It was however such, as, without any other apparent +cause to cooperate with it, alone sufficed to delay the forming an +administration for six weeks, in a most delicate and critical juncture. +Even the union of that noble person, who had been considered as his +majesty's favourite minister, did not appear to be enough to subdue the +averseness. However then we may hope, that untainted virtue and superior +abilities, when more intimately known, may be found calculated to +surmount prejudices and conciliate affection; it seems but too evident, +that in the critical moment, those men, by whom alone we have +endeavoured to prove, that the country could be well served, would not +voluntarily have been thought on. + +But it does not seem to have been enough considered, at what time the +coalition was made. The Rockingham connexion, along with thousands of +their fellow citizens, who were unconnected with any party, were +induced, from the purest views, to disapprove of the late treaty of +peace. The voting with the friends of lord North upon that question, was +a matter purely incidental. By that vote however, in which a majority of +the commons house of parliament was included, the administration of lord +Shelburne was dissolved. It was not till after the dissolution was +really effected, that the coalition took place. In this situation +something was necessary to be done. The nation was actually without a +ministry. It was a crisis that did not admit of hesitation and delay. +The country must, if a system of delay had been adopted, have +immediately been thrown back into the hands of those men, from whom it +had been so laboriously forced scarce twelve months before; or it must +have been committed to the conduct of persons even less propitious to +the cause of liberty, and the privileges of the people. A situation, +like this, called for a firm and manly conduct. It was no longer a time +to stoop to the yoke of prejudice. It was a time, to burst forth into +untrodden paths; to lose sight of the hesitating and timid; and +generously to adventure upon a step, that should rather have in view +substantial service, than momentary applause; and should appeal from the +short-sighted decision of systematic prudence, to the tribunal of facts, +and the judgment of posterity. + +But why did I talk of the tribunal of facts? Events are not within the +disposition of human power. "'Tis not in mortals to command success." +And the characters of wisdom and virtue, are therefore very properly +considered by all men, who pretend to sober reflection, as independent +of it. If then, as I firmly believe, the coalition was founded in the +wisest and most generous views, the man, that values himself upon his +rational nature, will not wait for the event. He will immediately and +peremptorily decide in its favour. Though it should be annihilated +to-morrow; though it had been originally frustrated in its views, +respecting the continuation of a ministry; he would not hesitate to +pronounce, that it was formed in the most expansive and long-sighted +policy, in the noblest and most prudent daring, in the warmest +generosity, and the truest patriotism. + +But it will be said, a coalition of parties may indeed be allowed to be +in many cases proper and wise; but a coalition between parties who have +long treated each other with the extremest rancour, appears a species of +conduct, abhorrent to the unadulterated judgment, and all the native +prepossessions of mankind. It plucks away the very root of unsuspecting +confidence, and can be productive of nothing, but anarchy and confusion. + +In answer to this argument, I will not cite the happy effects of the +coalition between parties just as opposite, by which Mr. Pitt was +introduced into office in the close of a former reign. Still less will I +cite the coalition of the earl of Shelburne, with several leaders of the +Bedford connexion, and others, whose principles were at least as +inimical to the popular cause, and the parliamentary reform, as those of +Lord North; and the known readiness of him and his friends to have +formed a junction with the whole of that connexion. I need not even hint +at the probability there exists, that the noble lord then in +administration, would have been happy to have formed the very coalition +himself, which he is willing we should so much reprobate in another. I +need not mention the suspicions, that naturally suggested themselves +upon the invincible silence of his party, respecting the +mal-administration of lord North, for so long a time; and their bringing +forward the singular charge of fifty unaccounted millions at the very +moment that the coalition was completed. I should be sorry to have it +supposed, that the connexion I am defending, ever took an example from +the late premier, for one article of their conduct. And I think the mode +of vindicating them, not from temporary examples, but from eternal +reason, as it is in itself most striking and most honourable, so is it +not a whit less easy and obvious. + +Let it be remembered then, in the first place, that there was no other +connexion, sufficiently unquestionable in their sincerity, and of +sufficient weight in the senate, with which to form a coalition. The +Bedford party, had they even been willing to have taken this step in +conjunction with the friends of lord Rockingham, were already stripped +of some of their principal and ablest members, by the arts of lord +Shelburne. Whether these ought to be considered in sound reason, as more +or less obnoxious than lord North, I will not take upon me to determine. +Certain I am, that the Scottish connexion were, of all others, the most +suspicious in themselves, and the most odious to the people. The only +choice then that remained, was that which was made. The only subject for +deliberation, was, whether this choice were more or less laudable than, +on the other hand, the deserting entirely the interests of their +country, and leaving the vessel of the state to the mercy of the winds. + +Secondly, I would observe that the principal ground of dispute between +lord North and his present colleagues in administration, was done away +by the termination of the American war. An impeachment of the noble lord +for his past errors was perfectly out of the question. No one was mad +enough to expect it. A vein of public spirit, diffusing itself among all +ranks of society, is the indispensible concomitant of impeachments and +attainder. And such a temper, I apprehend, will not be suspected to be +characteristic of the age in which we live. But were it otherwise, the +Rockingham connexion certainly never stood in the way of an impeachment, +had it been meditated. And, exclusive of this question, I know of no +objection, that applies particular to the noble lord, in +contradistinction to any of the other parties into which we are divided. + +But, in the third place, the terms upon which the coalition was made, +form a most important article of consideration in estimating its merits. +They are generally understood to have been these two; that the +Rockingham connexion should at all times have a majority in the cabinet; +and that lord North should be removed to that "hospital of incurables," +as lord Chesterfield has stiled it, the house of lords. Surely these +articles are the happiest that could have been conceived for preserving +the power of administration, as much as may be, with the friends of the +people. Places, merely of emolument and magnificence, must be bestowed +somewhere. Where then can they be more properly lodged, than in the +hands of those who are best able to support a liberal and virtuous +administration? + +I beg leave to add once more, in the fourth place, that, whatever the +demerits of lord North as a minister may be supposed to have been, he is +perhaps, in a thousand other respects, the fittest man in the world to +occupy the second place in a junction of this sort. The union of the +Rockingham connexion with the earl of Shelburne last year, was, I will +admit, less calculated to excite popular astonishment, and popular +disapprobation, than the present. In the eye of cool reason and sober +foresight, I am apt to believe, it was much less wise and commendable. +Lord Shelburne, though he has been able to win over the good opinion of +several, under the notion of his being a friend of liberty, is really, +in many respects, stiffly aristocratical, or highly monarchical. Lord +Shelburne is a man of insatiable ambition, and who pursues the ends of +that ambition by ways the most complex and insidious. The creed of lord +North, whatever it may be, upon general political questions, is +consistent and intelligible. For my own part, I do not believe him to be +ambitious. It is not possible, with his indolent and easy temper, that +he should be very susceptible to so restless a passion. In the heroical +sense of that word, he sits loose to fame. He is undoubtedly desirous, +by all the methods that appear to him honourable and just, to enrich and +elevate his family. He wishes to have it in his power to oblige and to +serve his friends. But I am exceedingly mistaken, if he entered into the +present alliance from views of authority and power. Upon the conditions +I have mentioned, it was a scheme, congenial only to a man of a dark and +plotting temper. But the temper of lord North is in the highest degree +candid, open and undisguised. Easy at home upon every occasion, there is +not a circle in the world to which his presence would not be an +addition. It is calculated to inspire unconstraint and confidence into +every breast. Simple and amiable is the just description of his +character in every domestic relation; constant and unreserved in his +connexions of friendship. The very versatility and pliableness, so +loudly condemned in his former situation, is now an additional +recommendation. Is this the man, for whose intrigues and conspiracies +we are bid to tremble? + +Another charge that has been urged against the coalition, is, that it +was a step that dictated to the sovereign, and excluded all, but one +particular set of men, from the national councils. The first part of +this charge is somewhat delicate in its nature. I shall only say +respecting it, that, if, as we have endeavoured to prove, there were but +one connexion, by which the business of administration could be happily +discharged, the friend of liberty, rejoicing in the auspicious event, +will not be very inquisitive in respect to the etiquette, with which +they were introduced into the government. In the mean time, far from +intending an exclusion, they declared publicly, that they would be happy +to receive into their body any man of known integrity and abilities, +from whatever party he came. The declaration has never been +contradicted.--Strangers to the remotest idea of proscription, they +erected a fortress, where every virtue, and every excellence might find +a place. + +The only remaining objection to the coalition that I know of, that it +shocks established opinions, is not, I think, in itself, calculated to +have much weight, and has, perhaps, been sufficiently animadverted upon, +as we went along, in what has been already said. The proper question is, +was it a necessary step? Was there any other way, by which the country +could be redeemed? If a satisfactory answer has been furnished to these +enquiries, the inevitable conclusion in my opinion is, that the more it +mocked established opinions, and the more intellectual nerve it +demanded, the more merit did it possess, and the louder applause is its +due. + +I am not inclined to believe, that a majority of my countrymen, upon +reflection, have disapproved this measure. I am happy to perceive, that +so much of that good sense and manly thinking in public questions, that +has for ages been considered as the characteristic quality of +Englishmen, is still left among us. There can be nothing more honourable +than this.--By it our commonalty, though unable indeed to forestal the +hero and the man of genius in his schemes, do yet, if I may be allowed +the expression, tread upon his heels, and are prepared to follow him in +all his views, and to glow with all his sentiments. + +Sensible however, that in the first blush of such a scheme, its enemies +must necessarily find their advantage in entrenching themselves behind +those prejudices, that could not be eradicated in a moment, I was +willing to wait for the hour of calmness and deliberation. I resolved +cooly to let the first gush of prepossession blow over, and the spring +tide of censure exhaust itself. I believed, that such a cause demanded +only a fair and candid hearing. I have endeavoured to discharge my part +in obtaining for it such a hearing. And I must leave the rest to my +readers. + +Among these there probably will be some, who, struck with the force of +the arguments I have adduced on the one hand, and entangled in their +favourite prejudices on the other, will remain in a kind of suspence; +ashamed to retract their former opinions, but too honest to deny all +weight and consideration to those I have defended. To these I have one +word to say, and with that one word I will conclude. I will suppose you +to confess, that appearances, exclusive of the controverted step, are in +a thousand instances favourable to the new ministers. They have made the +strongest professions, and the largest promises of attachment to the +general cause. To professions and promises I do not wish you to trust. I +should blush to revive the odious and exploded maxim, not men, but +measures. If you cannot place some confidence in the present +administration, I advise you, as honest men, to do every thing in your +power to drive them from the helm. But you will hardly deny, that all +their former conduct has afforded reasons for confidence. You are ready +to admit, that, in no instance, but one, have they committed their +characters. In that one instance, they have much to say for themselves, +and it appears, at least, very possible, that they may have been acted +in it, by virtuous and generous principles, even though we should +suppose them mistaken. Remember then, that popularity and fame are the +very nutriment of virtue. A thirst for fame is not a weakness. It is +"the noble mind's distinguishing perfection." If then you would bind +administration by tenfold ties to the cause of liberty, do not withdraw +from them your approbation till they have forfeited it, by betraying, in +one plain and palpable instance, the principles upon which they have +formerly acted. I believe they need no new bonds, but are unchangeably +fixed in the generous system, with which they commenced. But thus much +is certain. If any thing can detach them from this glorious cause; if +any thing can cool their ardour for the common weal, there is nothing +that has half so great a tendency to effect this, as unmerited obloquy +and disgrace. + +FINIS. + + * * * * * + +NEW BOOKS, + +Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington-House, Piccadilly. + +STOCKDALE's NEW COMPANION to the LONDON KALENDAR, and COURT and CITY +REGISTER, for the Year 1783; being a List of all the CHANGES in +ADMINISTRATION, from the Accession of the present King, in October 1760, +to the present Time. To which is perfixed, a List of the late and +present HOUSE of COMMONS, shewing the Changes made in the Members of +Parliament by the General Election in September 1780, with the Names of +the Candidates where the Elections were contested, the Numbers polled, +and the Decisions since made by the Select Committees. Also the Dates +when each City and Borough first sent Representatives to Parliament, the +Right of Election in each Place, and the supposed Number of Voters. To +which is added, a complete INDEX of NAMES. Price 1s. + +The LONDON KALENDAR, or COURT and CITY REGISTER, for 1783; including all +the new Peers lately created; new Members; Alterations in all the +different Departments under Government, in Great-Britain, Ireland, and +America; with a complete List of the Sovereigns of Europe; the +Presidents of the Congress, from 1774; Presidents and Governors of the +American States; and a number of other new lists not to be found in any +other Publication. Containing complete Lists of British and Irish Houses +of Parliament; Establishments of England, Scotland, Ireland, America, +&c. correct Lists of the Peeresses, Baronets, Universities, Seminaries, +Hospitals, Charities, Governors, Public-offices; Army, Navy, Collectors +at the different Ports, &c. + +This London Kalendar is upon a Plan much more extensive and useful than +any other Book of the Kind yet published. Price 2s. + +==>Be careful to ask for _The London Kalendar_, printed for _J. +Stockdale, &c._ which may be had bound in the three following different +Ways. + +I. With the New Companion to the London Kalendar. + +II. With the Arms of all the Peers of England, Scotland, and Ireland. + +III. With Rider's Sheet Almanack or Book Almanack. + +A DIALOGUE on the ACTUAL STATE of PARLIAMENT. Price 1s. + +The Propriety of Retaining GIBRALTAR impartially considered. Price 1s. + +An ATTEMPT to balance the INCOME and EXPENDITURE of the STATE: With some +Reflections on the Nature and Tendency of the late Political Struggles +for Power. By JOHN EARL of STAIR. Second Edition. Price 1s. + +THOUGHTS on a REFORM in the Representation of the People in the Commons +House of Parliament. Addressed to the Hon. WILLIAM PITT. Price 1s. 6d. + +Inscribed to the SOCIETY for promoting CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION. + +The NATURE and EXTENT of SUPREME POWER, in a Letter to the Rev. DAVID +WILLIAMS, (Author of Letters on Political Liberty) shewing the ultimate +end of Human Power, and a free Government, under God; and in which Mr. +Locke's Theory of Government is examined and explained, contrary to the +general construction of that great Writer's particular sentiments on the +Supremacy of the People. By M. DAWES, Esq. Price 1s. + + + + + +INSTRUCTIONS + +TO A + +STATESMAN. + +HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO + +THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + +GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + + +M.DCC.LXXXIV. + +TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + +MY LORD, + +The following papers fell into my hands by one of those unaccountable +accidents, so frequent in human life, but which in the relation appear +almost incredible. I will not however trouble your lordship with the +story. If they be worthy of the press, it is of no great consequence to +the public how they found their way thither. If they afford your +lordship a moment's amusement, amidst the weightier cares incident to +your rank and fortune, I have obtained my end. + +I have endeavoured in vain to investigate who was their author, and to +whom they were addressed. It should seem, from the internal evidence of +the composition, that they were written by a person, who was originally +of a low rank or a menial station, but who was distinguished by his lord +for those abilities and talents, he imagined he discovered in him. I +have learned, by a kind of vague tradition, upon which I can place +little dependence, that the noble pupil was the owner of a magnificent +_château_ not a hundred miles from your lordship's admired seat in the +county of Buckingham. It is said that this nobleman, amidst a thousand +curiosities with which his gardens abounded, had the unaccountable whim +of placing a kind of artificial hermit in one of its wildest and most +solitary recesses. This hermit it seems was celebrated through the whole +neighbourhood, for his ingenuity in the carving of tobacco-stoppers, and +a variety of other accomplishments. Some of the peasants even mistook +him for a conjuror. If I might be allowed in the conjectural licence of +an editor, I should be inclined to ascribe the following composition to +this celebrated and ingenious solitaire. + +Since however this valuable tract remains without an owner, I thought it +could not be so properly addressed to any man as your lordship. I would +not however be misunderstood. I do not imagine that the claim this +performance has upon the public attention, consists in the value and +excellence of it's precepts. On the contrary, I consider it as the +darkest and most tremendous scheme for the establishment of despotism +that ever was contrived. If the public enter into my sentiments upon the +subject, they will consider it as effectually superseding Machiavel's +celebrated treatise of The Prince, and exhibiting a more deep-laid and +desperate system of tyranny. For my part, I esteem these great and +destructive vices of so odious a nature, that they need only be exposed +to the general view in order to the being scouted by all. And if, which +indeed I cannot possibly believe, there has been any noble lord in this +kingdom mean enough to have studied under such a preceptor, I would +willingly shame him out of his principles, and hold up to him a glass, +which shall convince him how worthy he is of universal contempt and +abhorrence. + +The true reason, my lord, for which I have presumed to prefix your name +to these sheets is, that the contrast between the precepts they contain, +and the ingenuous and manly character that is universally attributed to +your lordship, may place them more strongly in the light they deserve. +And yet I doubt not there will be some readers perverse enough to +imagine that you are the true object of the composition. They will find +out some of those ingenious coincidences, by which The Rape of the Lock, +was converted into a political poem, and the _Telemaque_ of the amiable +Fenelon into a satire against the government under which he lived. I +might easily appeal, against these treacherous commentators, to the +knowledge of all men reflecting every corner of your lordship's gardens +at Stowe. I might boldly defy any man to say, that they now contain, or +ever did contain, one of these artificial hermits. But I will take up +your lordship's defence upon a broader footing. I will demonstrate how +contrary the character of your ancestors and your own have always been +to the spirit and temper here inculcated. If this runs me a little into +the beaten style of dedication, even the modesty of your lordship will +excuse me, when I have so valuable a reason for adopting it. + +I shall confine myself, my lord, in the few thoughts I mean to suggest +upon this head, to your two more immediate ancestors, men distinguished +above the common rate, by their virtues or their abilities. Richard earl +Temple, your lordship's immediate predecessor, as the representative of +your illustrious house, will be long remembered by posterity under the +very respectable title of the friend of the earl of Chatham. But though +his friend, my lord, we well know that he did not implicitly follow the +sentiments of a man, who was assuredly the first star in the political +hemisphere, and whose talents would have excused, if any thing could +have excused, an unsuspecting credulity. The character of lord Chatham +was never, but in one instance, tarnished. He did not sufficiently dread +the omnipotence of the favourite. He fondly imagined that before a +character so brilliant, and success so imposing as his had been, no +little system of favouritism could keep its ground. Twice, my lord, he +was upon the brink of the precipice, and once he fell. When he trembled +on the verge, who was it that held him back? It was Richard earl Temple. +Twice he came, like his guardian angel, and snatched him from his fate. +Lord Chatham indeed was formed to champ the bit, and spurn indignant at +every restraint. He knew the superiority of his abilities, he +recollected that he had twice submitted to the honest counsels of his +friend, and he disdained to listen any longer to a coolness, that +assimilated but ill to the adventurousness of his spirit; and to a +hesitation, that wore in his apprehension the guise of timidity. What +then did Richard earl Temple do? There he fixed his standard, and there +he pitched his tent. Not a step farther would he follow a leader, whom +to follow had been the boast of his life. He erected a fortress that +might one day prove the safeguard of his misguided and unsuspecting +friend. + +And yet, my lord, the character of Richard earl Temple, was not that of +causeless suspicion. He proved himself, in a thousand instances, honest, +trusting, and sincere. He was not, like some men, that you and I know, +dark, dispassionate, and impenetrable. On the contrary, no man mistook +him, no man ever charged him with a double conduct or a wrinkled heart. +His countenance was open, and his spirit was clear. He was a man of +passions, my lord. He acted in every momentous concern, more from the +dictates of his heart, than his head. But this is the key to his +conduct; He kept a watchful eye upon that bane of every patriot +minister, _secret influence_. If there were one feature in his political +history more conspicuous than the rest, if I were called to point out +the line of discrimination between his character and that of his +contemporaries upon the public stage, it would be the _hatred of secret +influence_. + +Such, my lord, was one of your immediate ancestors, whose name, to this +day, every honest Briton repeats with veneration. I will turn to another +person, still more nearly related to you, and who will make an equal +figure in the history of the age in which he lived, Mr. George +Grenville. His character has been represented to us by a writer of no +mean discernment, as that of "shrewd and inflexible." He was a man of +indefatigable industry and application. He possessed a sound +understanding, and he trusted it. This is a respectable description. +Integrity and independency, however mistaken, are entitled to praise. +What was it, my lord, that he considered as the ruin of his reputation? +What was it, that defeated all the views of an honest ambition, and +deprived his country of the services, which his abilities, under proper +direction, were qualified to render it? My lord, it was _secret +influence_. It was in vain for ministers to be able to construct their +plans with the highest wisdom, and the most unwearied diligence; it was +in vain that they came forward like men, and risqued their places, their +characters, their all, upon measures, however arduous, that they thought +necessary for the salvation of their country. They were defeated, by +what, my lord? By abilities greater than their own? By a penetration +that discovered blots in their wisest measures? By an opposition bold +and adventurous as themselves? No: but, by the _lords of the +bedchamber_; by a "band of Janissaries who surrounded the person of the +prince, and were ready to strangle the minister upon the nod of a +moment." + +With these illustrious examples ever rushing upon your memory, no man +can doubt that your lordship has inherited that detestation of +_influence_ by which your ancestors were so honourably distinguished. My +lord, having considered the high expectations, which the virtues of your +immediate progenitors had taught us to form upon the heir of them both, +we will recollect for a moment the promises that your first outset in +life had made to your country. + +One of your lordship's first actions upon record, consists in the high +professions you made at the county meeting of Buckingham, in that +ever-venerable aera of oeconomy and reform, the spring of 1780. My lord, +there are certain offices of sinecure, not dependent upon the caprice of +a minister, which this country has reserved to reward those illustrious +statesmen, who have spent their lives, and worn out their constitutions +in her service. No man will wonder, when he recollects from whom your +lordship has the honour to be descended, that one of these offices is in +your possession. This, my lord, was the subject of your generous and +disinterested professions. You told your countrymen, that with this +office you were ready to part. If a reformation so extensive were +thought necessary, you were determined, not merely to be no obstacle to +the design, but to be a volunteer in the service. You came forward in +the eye of the world, with your patent in your hand. You were ready to +sacrifice that parchment, the precious instrument of personal wealth and +private benevolence, at the shrine of patriotism. + +Here then, my lord, you stood pledged to your country. What were we not +to expect from the first patriot of modern story? Your lordship will +readily imagine that our expectations were boundless and indefinite. +"Glorious and immortal man!" we cried, "go on in this untrodden path. We +will no longer look with drooping and cheerless anxiety upon the +misfortunes of Britain, we have a resource for them all. The patriot of +Stowe is capable of every thing. He does not resemble the vulgar herd of +mortals, he does not form his conduct upon precedent, nor defend it by +example. Virtue of the first impression was never yet separated from +genius. We will trust then in the expedients of his inexhaustible mind. +We will look up to him as our assured deliverer.--We are well acquainted +with the wealth of the proprietor of Stowe. Thanks, eternal thanks to +heaven, who has bestowed it with so liberal a hand! We consider it as a +deposit for the public good. We count his acres, and we calculate his +income, for we know that it is, in the best sense of the word, our own." + +My lord, these are the prejudices, which Englishmen have formed in your +favour. They cannot refuse to trust a man, descended from so illustrious +progenitors. They cannot suspect any thing dark and dishonourable in the +generous donor of 2700_l_. a year. Let then the commentators against +whom I am providing, abjure the name of Briton, or let them pay the +veneration that is due to a character, in every view of the subject, so +exalted as that of your lordship. + +I have the honour to be, + +MY LORD, + +with the most unfeigned respect, + +your lordship's + +most obedient, + +most devoted servant. + + + + + +INSTRUCTIONS + + + +TO A + + + +STATESMAN. + + + +MY LORD, + + + +I have long considered as the greatest happiness of my life, the having +so promising a pupil as your lordship. Though your abilities are +certainly of the very first impression, they are not however of that +vague and indefinite species, which we often meet with in persons, who, +if providence had so pleased, would have figured with equal adroitness +in the character of a shoe-black or a link-boy, as they now flatter +themselves they can do in that of a minister of state. You, my lord, +were born with that accomplishment of secrecy and retentiveness, which +the archbishop of Cambray represents Telemachus as having possessed in +so high a degree in consequence of the mode of his education. You were +always distinguished by that art, never to be sufficiently valued, of +talking much and saying nothing. I cannot recollect, and yet my memory +is as great, as my opportunity for observation has been considerable, +that your lordship, when a boy, ever betrayed a single fact that chanced +to fall within your notice, unless indeed it had some tendency to +procure a school-fellow a whipping. I have often remarked your lordship +with admiration, talking big and blustering loud, so as to frighten +urchins who were about half your lordship's size, when you had no +precise meaning in any thing you said. And I shall never forget, the +longest day I have to live, when I hugged you in my arms in a kind of +prophetic transport, in consequence of your whispering me, in the midst +of a room-full of company, in so sly a manner that nobody could observe +you, that you had just seen John the coachman bestow upon Betty the +cook-maid, a most devout and cordial embrace. From your rawest infancy +you were as much distinguished, as Milton represents the goddess Hebe to +have been, by "nods and becks and wreathed smiles;" with this +difference, that in her they were marks of gaiety, and in you of +demureness; that in her they were unrestrained and general, and in you +intended only for a single _confidant_. My lord, reflecting upon all +these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that I treated your +lordship even in clouts with the reverence due to an infant Jove, and +always considered myself as superintending the institution of the first +statesman that ever existed. + +But, my lord, it has ever been my opinion, that let nature do as much as +she will, it is in the power of education to do still more. The many +statesmanlike qualities that you brought into the world with you, +sufficiently prove, that no man was ever more deeply indebted to the +bounty of nature than your lordship. And yet of all those qualities she +has bestowed upon you, there is not one that I hold in half so much +esteem, as that docility, which has ever induced you to receive my +instructions with implicit veneration. It is true, my coat is fustian, +and my whole accoutrement plebeian. My shoes are clouted, and it is long +since the wig that defends this penetrating brain, could boast a crooked +hair. But you, my lord, have been able to discover the fruit through the +thick and uncomely coat by which it was concealed; you have cracked the +nut and have a right to the kernel. + +My lord, I thought it necessary to premise these observations, before I +entered upon those important matters of disquisition, which will form +the object of my present epistle. It is unnecessary for me to inform a +person of so much discernment as your lordship, that education is, by +its very nature, a thing of temporary duration. Your lordship's +education has been long, and there have been cogent reasons why it +should be so. God grant, that when left to walk the world alone, you be +not betrayed into any of those unlucky blunders, from the very verge of +which my provident hand has often redeemed your lordship! Do not mistake +me, my lord, when I talk of the greatness of your talents. It is now too +late to flatter: This is no time for disguise. Pardon me therefore, my +dear and ever-honoured pupil, if I may seem to offend against those +minuter laws of etiquette, which were made only for common cases. At so +important a crisis it is necessary to be plain. + +Your lordship is very cunning, but I never imagined that you were +remarkably wise. The talents you received at your birth, if we were to +speak with mathematical strictness, should rather be denominated knacks, +than abilities. They consist rather in a lucky dexterity of face, and a +happy conformation of limb, than in any very elevated capacities of the +intellect. Upon that score, my lord,--you know I am fond of comparisons, +and I think I have hit upon one in this case, that must be acknowledged +remarkably apposite. I have sometimes seen a ditch, the water of which, +though really shallow, has appeared to careless observers to be very +deep, for no other reason but because it was muddy. Believe me, my lord, +experienced and penetrating observers are not so to be taken in. + +But, as I was saying, education is a temporary thing, and your +lordship's, however lasting and laborious, is at length brought to a +period. My lord, if it so pleases the sovereign disposer of all things, +I would be very well satisfied to remain in this sublunary state for +some years longer, if it were only that I might live to rejoice in the +exemplification of my precepts in the conduct of my pupil. But, if this +boon be granted to my merits and my prayers, at any rate I shall from +this moment retire from the world. From henceforth my _secret influence_ +is brought to its close. I will no longer be the unseen original of the +grand movements of the figures that fill the political stage. I will +stand aloof from the giddy herd. I will not stray from my little vortex. +I will look down upon the transactions of courts and ministers, like an +etherial being from a superior element. There I shall hope to see your +lordship outstrip your contemporaries, and tower above the pigmies of +the day. To repeat an idea before delivered, might be unbecoming in a +fine writer, but it is characteristic and beautiful under the personage +of a preceptor. The fitnesses which nature bestowed upon your frame +would not have done alone. But joined with the lessons I have taught +you, they cannot fail, unless I grossly flatter myself, to make the part +which your lordship shall act sufficiently conspicuous. + +Receive then, my lord, with that docility and veneration, which have at +all times made the remembrance of you pleasant and reviving to my heart, +the last communications of the instructor of your choice. Yes, my lord, +from henceforth you shall see me, you shall hear from me no more. From +this consideration I infer one reason why you should deeply reflect upon +the precepts I have now to offer. Remembering that these little sheets +are all the legacy my affection can bestow upon you, I shall concenter +in them the very quintessence and epitome of all my wisdom. I shall +provide in them a particular antidote to those defects to which nature +has made you most propense. + +But I have yet another reason to inforce your attention to what I am +about to write. I was, as I have said, the instructor of your choice. +When I had yet remained neglected in the world, when my honours were +withered by the hand of poverty, when my blossoms appeared in the eyes +of those who saw me of the most brown and wintery complexion, and, if +your lordship will allow me to finish the metaphor, when I stank in +their noses, it was then that your lordship remarked and distinguished +me. Your bounty it was that first revived my native pride. It is true +that it ran in a little dribbling rivulet, but still it was much to me. +Even before you were able to afford me any real assistance, you were +always ready to offer me a corner of your gingerbread, or a marble from +your hoard. Your lordship had at all times a taste for sumptuousness and +magnificence, but you knew how to limit your natural propensity in +consideration of the calls of affinity, and to give your farthings to +your friends. + +Do not then, my dear lord, belie the first and earliest sentiments of +your heart. As you have ever heard me, let your attention be tripled +now. Read my letter once and again. Preserve it as a sacred deposit. Lay +it under your pillow. Meditate upon it fasting. Commit it to memory, and +repeat the scattered parcels of it, as Caesar is said to have done the +Greek alphabet, to cool your rising choler. Be this the amulet to +preserve you from danger! Be this the chart by which to steer the little +skiff of your political system safe into the port of historic +immortality! + +My lord, you and I have read Machiavel together. It is true I am but a +bungler in Italian, and your lordship was generally obliged to interpret +for me. Your translation I dare say was always scientifical, but I was +seldom so happy as to see either grammar or sense in it. So far however +as I can guess at the drift of this celebrated author, he seems to have +written as the professor of only one science. He has treated of the art +of government, and has enquired what was wise, and what was political. +He has left the moralists to take care of themselves. + +In the present essay, my lord, I shall follow the example of Machiavel. +I profess the same science, and I pretend only to have carried to much +greater heights an art to which he has given a considerable degree of +perfection. Your lordship has had a great number of masters. Your +excellent father, who himself had some dabbling in politics, spared no +expence upon your education, though I believe he had by no means so high +an opinion of your genius and abilities as I entertained. Your lordship +therefore is to be presumed competently versed in the rudiments of +ethics. You have read Grotius, Puffendorf, and Cumberland. For my part I +never opened a volume of any one of them. I am self-taught. My science +originates entirely in my unbounded penetration, and a sort of divine +and supernatural afflatus. With all this your lordship knows I am a +modest man. I have never presumed to entrench upon the province of +others. Let the professors of ethics talk their nonsense. I will not +interrupt them. I will not endeavour to set your lordship against them. +It is necessary for me to take politics upon an unlimited scale, and to +suppose that a statesman has no character to preserve but that of +speciousness and plausibility. But it is your lordship's business to +enquire whether this be really the case. + +I need not tell you, that I shall not, like the political writers with +which you are acquainted, talk in the air. My instructions will be of a +practical nature, and my rules adapted to the present condition of the +English government. That government is at present considerably, though +imperfectly, a system of liberty. To such a system the most essential +maxim is, that the governors shall be accountable and amenable to the +governed. This principle has sometimes been denominated responsibility. +Responsibility in a republican government is carried as high as +possible. In a limited monarchy it stops at the first ministers, the +immediate servants of the crown. Now to this system nothing can be more +fatal, than for the public measures not really to originate with +administration, but with secret advisers who cannot be traced. This is +to cut all the nerves of government, to loosen all the springs of +liberty, to make the constitution totter to its lowest foundations. + +I say this, my lord, not to terrify your lordship. The students and the +imitators of Machiavel must not be frightened with bugbears. Beside, +were cowardice as congenial to the feelings of your lordship as I +confess it has sometimes been to mine, cowardice itself is not so apt to +be terrified with threats hung up _in terrorem_, and menaces of a vague +and general nature. It trembles only at a danger definite and impending. +It is the dagger at the throat, it is the pistol at the breast, that +shakes her nerves. Prudence is alarmed at a distance, and calls up all +her exertion. But cowardice is short-sighted, and was never productive +of any salutary effort. I say not this therefore to intimidate, but to +excite you. I would teach you, that this is a most important step +indeed, is the grand _desideratum_ in order to exalt the English +monarchy to a par with the glorious one of France, or any other absolute +monarchy in Christendom. + +In order, my lord, to annihilate responsibility, nothing more is +necessary than that every individual should be as free, and as much in +the habit of advising the king upon the measures of government, as his +ministers. Let every discarded, and let every would-be statesman, sow +dissension in the royal councils, and pour the poison of his discontent +into the royal ear. Let the cabinet ring with a thousand jarring +sentiments; and let the subtlest courtier, let him that is the most +perfect master of wheedling arts and pathetic tones, carry it from every +rival. This, my lord, will probably create some confusion at first. The +system of government will appear, not a regular and proportioned beauty, +like the pheasant of India, but a gaudy and glaring system of +unconnected parts, like Esop's daw with borrowed feathers. Anarchy and +darkness will be the original appearance. But light shall spring out of +the noon of night; harmony and order shall succeed the chaos. The +present patchwork of three different forms of government shall be +changed into one simple and godlike system of despotism. Thus, when +London was burned, a more commodious and healthful city sprung as it +were out of her ashes. + +But neither Rome nor London was built in a day. The glorious work I am +recommending to you must be a work of time. At first it will be +necessary for the person who would subvert the silly system of English +government, to enter upon his undertaking with infinite timidity and +precaution. He must stalk along in silence like Tarquin to the rape of +Lucretia. His horses, like those of Lear, must be shoed with felt. He +must shroud himself in the thickest shade. Let him comfort himself with +this reflexion: + +"It is but for a time. It will soon be over. No work of mortal hands can +long stand against concussions so violent. Ulysses, who entered Troy, +shut up in the cincture of the wooden horse, shall soon burst the +enclosure, shall terrify those from whose observation he lately shrunk, +and carry devastation and ruin on whatever side he turns." + +My lord, I have considered the subject of politics with as much +acuteness as any man. I have revolved a thousand schemes, which to +recommend to the pursuit of the statesman of my own creation. But there +is no plan of action that appears to me half so grand and comprehensive, +as this of _secret influence_. It is true the scheme is not entirely +new. It has been a subject of discussion ever since the English nation +could boast any thing like a regular system of liberty. It was +complained of under king William. It was boasted of, even to +ostentation, by the Tory ministers of queen Anne. The Pelhams cried out +upon it in lord Carteret. It has been the business of half the history +of the present reign to fix the charge upon my lord Bute. + +And yet in spite of these appearances, in spite of all the deductions +that modesty can authorise, I may boldly affirm that my scheme has +something in it that is truly original. My lord, I would not have you +proceed by leaps and starts, like these half-fledged statesmen. I would +have you proceed from step to step in a finished and faultless plan. I +have too an improvement without which the first step is of no value, +which yet has seldom been added, which at first sight has a very daring +appearance, but which I pretend to teach your lordship to practice with +perfect safety. But it is necessary for me, before I come to this grand +_arcanum_ of my system, to premise a few observations for the more +accurately managing the influence itself. + +My lord, there are a variety of things necessary to absolute secrecy. +There is nothing more inconvenient to a political character than that +gross and unmanageable quantity of flesh and blood that fortune has +decreed that every mortal should carry about with him. The man who is +properly initiated in the _arcana_ of a closet, ought to be able to +squeeze himself through a key hole, and, whenever any impertinent +Marplot appears to blast him, to change this unwieldy frame into the +substance of the viewless winds. How often must a theoretical statesman +like myself, have regretted that incomparable invention, the ring of +Gyges! How often must he have wished to be possessed of one of those +diabolical forms, described by Milton, which now were taller than the +pole, and anon could shrink into the compass of an atom! + +But I forget the characteristic of my profession. It is not ours, my +lord, to live in air-built castles, and to deal in imaginary hypotheses. +On the contrary, we are continually talking of the weakness and the +frailty of humanity. Does any man impeach one of our body of bribery and +corruption? We confess that these practices may seem to run counter with +the fine-spun systems of morality; but this is our constant apology, +human affairs can be no otherwise managed. Does any man suggest the most +beautiful scheme of oeconomy, or present us with the most perfect model +of liberty? We turn away with a sneer, and tell him that all this is +plausible and pretty; but that we do not concern ourselves with any +thing but what is practicable. + +In conformity to these ideas, I beg leave, my lord, to recal the +fantastic wishes that have just escaped me. To be corporeal is our +irrevocable fate, and we will not waste our time in fruitlessly accusing +it. My lord, I have one or two little expedients to offer to you, which, +though they do not amount to a perfect remedy in this case, will yet, I +hope, prove a tolerable substitute for those diabolical forms of which I +was talking. + +I need not put your lordship in mind how friendly to such practices as +ours, is the cover of darkness, and how convenient those little machines +commonly called back-stairs. I dare say even your lordship, however +inconsequently you may often conduct yourself, would scarcely think of +mid-day as the most proper season of concealment, or the passing through +a crowded levee, the most natural method of entering the royal closet +unobserved. + +But, my lord, you will please to recollect, that there are certain +attendants upon the person of the sovereign whom I find classed in that +epitome of political wisdom, the Red Book, under the name of pages. Most +wise is the institution, (and your lordship will observe that I am not +now deviating into the regions of fable) which is common to all the +Eastern courts, of having these offices filled by persons, who, upon +peril of their life, may not, in any circumstances whatsoever, utter a +word. But unfortunately in the western climates in which we reside, the +thing is otherwise. The institution of mutes is unknown to us. The lips +of our pages have never been inured to the wholesome discipline of the +padlock. They are as loquacious, and blab as much as other men. You +know, my lord, that I am fond of illustrating the principles I lay down +by the recital of facts. The last, and indeed the only time that I ever +entered the metropolis, I remember, as my barber was removing the hair +from my nether lip:--My barber had all that impertinent +communicativeness that is incident to the gentlemen of his profession; +he assured me, that he had seen that morning one of the pages of the +back-stairs, who declared to him, upon the word of a man of honour, that +he had that moment admitted a certain nobleman by a private door to the +presence of his master; that the face of the noble lord was perfectly +familiar to him, and that he had let him in some fifty times in the +course of the past six months. + +"How silly is all this!" added the page; "and how glad should I be", +licking his lips, "that it were but an opera girl or a countess! And yet +my mistress is the very best mistress that ever I see!" _Oh this was +poor, and showed a pitiful ambition__ in the man that did it!_ I will +swear, my lord, that the nobleman who could thus have been betrayed, +must have been a thick-headed fellow, and fit for no one public office, +not even for that of _turnspit of his majesty's kitchen_![A] + +[Footnote A: Vide Burke's Speech upon Oeconomy. ] + +My lord, if you would escape that rock, upon which this statesman +terminated his political career, ever while you live make use of +bribery. Let the pages finger your cash, let them drink your health in a +glass of honest claret, and let them chuckle over the effects of your +lordship's munificence. I know that you will pour forth many a pathetic +complaint over the money that is drawn off by this copious receiver, but +believe the wisest man that now exists, when he assures you, that it is +well bestowed. Your lordship's bounty to myself has sometimes amounted +to near ten pounds in the course of a twelvemonth. That drain, my lord, +is stopped. I shall receive from you no more. Let then the expence, +which you once incurred for my sake, be henceforth diverted to this +valuable purpose. + +I believe, my lord, that this is all the improvement that can be made +upon the head of pages. I think we can scarcely venture upon the +expedient that would otherwise be admirable, of these interviews being +carried on without the intervention of any such impertinent fellows, +from whom one is ever in danger, without the smallest notice, of having +it published at St. James's-Market, and proclaimed from the statue at +Charing-Cross. If however you should think this expedient adviseable, I +would recommend it to you not to mention it to your gracious master. +Courts are so incumbered and hedged in with ceremony, that the members +of them are always prone to imagine that the form is more essential and +indispensable, than the substance. Suppose then, my lord, you were, by +one of those sly opportunities, which you know so well how to command, +to take off the key in wax, and get a picklock key made exactly upon the +model of it. The end, my lord, take my word for it, would abundantly +sanctify the apparent sordidness of the means. In this situation I +cannot help picturing to myself the surprise and the joy, that would be +in a moment lighted up in the countenance of your friend. Your +rencounter would be as unexpected and fortunate as that of Lady Randolph +and her son, when she fears every moment to have him murdered by +Glenalvon. You would fly into each others arms, and almost smother one +another in your mutual embrace. + +But another thing that is abundantly worthy of your lordship's +attention, is the subject of disguises and dark lanthorns. Harley, +afterwards earl of Oxford, was in the practice, if I remember right, for +it is some time since I read Dr. Swift's political pamphlets, of +crossing the park in a horseman's coat. But this is too shallow and thin +a disguise. A mask, on the other hand, might perhaps be too particular. +Though indeed at midnight, which is the only time that I would recommend +to your lordship in which to approach within a hundred yards of the +palace, it might probably pass without much observation. A slouched hat, +and a bob wig, your lordship may at any time venture upon. But there is +nothing that is of so much importance in this affair as variety. I would +sometimes put on the turban of a Turk, and sometimes the half breeches +of a Highlander. I would sometimes wear the lawn sleeves of a bishop, +and sometimes the tye-wig of a barrister. A leathern apron and a trowel +might upon occasion be of sovereign efficacy. The long beard and +neglected dress of a Shylock should be admitted into the list. I would +also occasionally lay aside the small clothes, and assume the dress of a +woman. I would often trip it along with the appearance and gesture of a +spruce milliner; and I would often stalk with the solemn air and +sweeping train of a duchess. But of all the infinite shapes of human +dress, I must confess that, my favourite is the kind of doublet that +prince Harry wore when he assaulted Falstaff. The nearer it approaches +to the guise of a common carman the better, and his long whip ought to +be inseparable. If you could add to it the sooty appearance of a +coal-heaver, or a chimney-sweep, it would sit, upon this more precious +than velvet garb, like spangles and lace. I need not add, that to a mind +of elegance and sensibility, the emblematical allusion which this dress +would carry to the secrecy and impenetrableness of the person that wears +it, must be the source of a delightful and exquisite sensation. + +And now, my lord, for the last head, which it is necessary to mention +under this division of my subject, I mean that of lanthorns. Twenty +people, I doubt not, whom your lordship might consult upon this +occasion, would advise you to go without any lanthorn at all. Beware of +this, my lord. It is a rash and a thoughtless advice. It may possibly be +a false and insidious one. Your lordship will never think of going +always in the same broad and frequented path. Many a causeway you will +have to cross, many a dark and winding alley to tread. Suppose, my lord, +the pavement were to be torn up, and your lordship were to break your +shin! Suppose a drain were to have been opened in the preceding day, +without your knowing any thing of the matter, and your lordship were to +break your neck! Suppose, which is more terrible than all the rest, you +were to set your foot upon that which I dare not name, and by offending +the olfactory nerves of majesty, you were to forfeit his affections for +ever! + +So much, my lord, by way of declamation against the abolition of +lanthorns. Your lordship however does not imagine I shall say any thing +upon affairs so common as the glass lanthorn, the horn lanthorn, and the +perforated tin lanthorn. This last indeed is most to my purpose, but it +will not do, my lord, it will not do. There is a kind of lanthorns, your +lordship has seen them, that have one side dark, and the other light. I +remember to have observed your lordship for half a day together, poring +over the picture of Guy Faux, in the Book of Martyrs. This was one of +the early intimations which my wisdom enabled me to remark of the +destination which nature had given you. You know, my lord, that the +possessor of this lanthorn can turn it this way and that, as he pleases. +He can contrive accurately to discern the countenance of every other +person, without being visible himself. I need not enlarge to your +lordship upon the admirable uses of this machine. I will only add, that +my very dear and ever-lamented friend Mr. Pinchbeck, effected before he +died an improvement upon it so valuable, that it cannot but preserve his +name from that oblivious power, by which common names are devoured. In +his lanthorn, the shade, which used to be inseparable, may be taken away +at the possessor's pleasure, like the head of a whisky, and it may +appear to all intents and purposes one of the common vehicles of the +kind. He had also a contrivance, never to be sufficiently commended, +that when the snuff of the candle had attained a certain length, it +moved a kind of automatic pair of snuffers that hung within side, and +amputated itself. He left me two of these lanthorns as a legacy. Such is +my value for your lordship, that I have wrought myself up to a +resolution of parting with one of them in your lordship's favour. You +will receive it in four days from the date of this by Gines's waggon, +that puts up in Holborn. + +But, my lord, there is a second object of consideration still more +important than this. It is in vain for your lordship, or any other +person, to persuade the sovereign against any of the measures of his +government, unless you can add to this the discovery of those new +sentiments you have instilled, to all such as it may concern. It is the +business of every Machiavelian minister, such as your lordship, both +from nature and choice, is inclined to be, to prop the cause of +despotism. In order to this, the dignity of the sovereign is not to be +committed, but exalted. To bring forward the royal person to put a +negative upon any bill in parliament, is a most inartificial mode of +proceeding. It marks too accurately the strides of power, and awakens +too pointedly the attention of the multitude. Your lordship has heard +that the house of lords is the barrier between the king and the people. +There is a sense of this phrase, of which I am wonderfully fond. The +dissemination of the royal opinion will at any time create a majority in +that house, to divert the odium from the person of the monarch. +Twenty-two bishops, thirteen lords of the bed-chamber, and all the +rabble of household troops, will at any time compose an army. They may +not indeed cover an acre of ground, nor would I advise your lordship to +distribute them into a great number of regiments. Their countenances are +not the most terrific that were ever beheld, and it might be proper to +officer them with persons of more sagacity than themselves. But under +all this meekness of appearance, and innocence of understanding, believe +me, my lord, they are capable of keeping at bay the commons and the +people of England united in one cause, for a considerable time. They +have been too long at the beck of a minister, not to be somewhat callous +in their feelings. And they are too numerous, not to have shoulders +capacious enough to bear all the obloquy, with which their conduct may +be attended. + +But then, my lord, as I would not recommend it to you to bring into +practice the royal negative, so neither perhaps would it be advisable +for the sovereign, to instruct those lords immediately attendant upon +him, in person. Kings, you are not to be informed, are to be managed and +humoured by those that would win their confidence. If your lordship +could invent a sort of down, more soft and yielding than has yet been +employed, it might be something. But to point out to your master, that +he must say this, and write that, that he must send for one man, and +break with another, is an unpleasant and ungrateful office. It must be +your business to take the burden from his shoulders. You must smooth the +road you would have him take, and strew with flowers the path of ruin. +If he favour your schemes with a smile of approbation, if he bestow upon +your proceedings the sanction of a nod, it is enough. It is godlike +fortitude, and heroic exertion. + +But secrecy is the very essence of deep and insidious conduct. I would +advise your lordship to bring even your own name into question, as +little as possible. My lord Chesterfield compares a statesman, who has +been celebrated for influence during the greatest part of the present +reign, to the ostrich. The brain of an ostrich, your lordship will +please to observe, though he be the largest of birds, may very easily be +included in the compass of a nut-shell. When pursued by the hunters, he +is said to bury his head in the sand, and having done this, to imagine +that he cannot be discovered by the keenest search. Do not you, my lord, +imitate the manners of the ostrich. Believe me, they are ungraceful; +and, if maturely considered, will perhaps appear to be a little silly. + +There is a contrivance that has occurred to me, which, if it were not +accompanied with a circumstance somewhat out of date, appears to me in +the highest degree admirable. Suppose you were to treat the lords of the +bedchamber with a sight of St. Paul's cathedral? There is a certain part +of it of a circular form, commonly called the whispering gallery. You +have probably heard, that by the uncommon echo of this place, the +weakest sound that can possibly be articulated, is increased by that +time it has gone half round, into a sound, audible and strong. Your +lordship, with your flock of geese about you, would probably be frolic +and gamesome. You may easily contrive to scatter them through the whole +circumference of this apartment. Of a sudden, you will please to turn +your face to the wall, and utter in a solemn tone the royal opinion. +Every body will be at a loss from whence the mandate proceeds. Some of +your companions, more goose-like than the rest, will probably imagine it +a voice from heaven. The sentence must be two or three times repeated at +proper intervals, before you can contrive to have each of the lords in +turn at the required distance. This will demand a considerable degree of +alertness and agility. But alertness and agility are qualities by which +your lordship is so eminently distinguished, that I should have very few +apprehensions about your success. Meanwhile it will be proper to have a +select number of footmen stationed at the door of the gallery, armed +with smelling-bottles. Some of your friends, I suspect, would be so much +alarmed at this celestial and ghost-like phenomenon, as to render this +part of the plan of singular service. + +But after all, I am apprehensive that many of the noble lords to whom I +allude, would be disgusted at the very mention of any thing so +old-fashioned and city-like, as a visit to this famous cathedral. And +even if that were not the case, it is proper to be provided with more +than one scheme for the execution of so necessary a purpose. The +question is of no contemptible magnitude, between instructions _viva +voce_, and a circular letter. In favour of the first it may be said, +that a letter is the worst and most definite evidence to a man's +disadvantage that can be conceived. It may easily be traced. It can +scarcely be denied. The sense of it cannot readily be explained +away.--It must be confessed there is something in this; and yet, my +lord, I am by all means for a letter. A voice may often be overheard. I +remember my poor old goody used to say, (heaven rest her soul!) That +walls had ears. There are some lords, my dear friend, that can never +think of being alone. Bugbears are ever starting up in their prolific +imagination, and they cannot be for a moment in the dark, without +expecting the devil to fly away with them. They have some useful pimp, +some favourite toad-eater, that is always at their elbow. Ever remember, +so long as you live, that toad-eaters are treacherous friends. Beside, +it would be a little suspicious, to see your lordship's carriage making +a regular tour from door to door among the lords of the bed-chamber. And +I would by no means have Pinchbeck's dark-lanthorn brought into common +use. Consider, my lord, when that is worn out, you will not know where +to get such another. + +A letter may be disguised in various ways. You would certainly never +think of signing your name. You might have it transcribed by your +secretary. But then this would be to commit your safety and your fame to +the keeping of another. No, my lord, there are schemes worth a hundred +of this. Consider the various hands in which a letter may be written. +There is the round hand, and the Italian hand, the text hand, and the +running hand. You may form your letters upon the Roman or the Italic +model. Your billet may he engrossed. You may employ the German text or +the old primero. If I am not mistaken, your lordship studied all these +when you were a boy for this very purpose. Yes, my lord, I may be in the +wrong, but I am confidently of opinion, that this is absolutely the +first, most important, and most indispensible accomplishment of a +statesman. I would forgive him, if he did not know a cornet from an +ensign, I would forgive him, if he thought Italy a province of Asia +Minor. But not to write primero! the nincompoop! the numbscul! + +If it were not that the persons with whom your lordship has to +correspond, can some of them barely spell their native tongue, I would +recommend to your lordship the use of cyphers. But no, you might as well +write the language of Mantcheux Tartars. For consider, your letters may +be intercepted. It is true, they have not many perils to undergo. They +are not handed from post-house to post-house. There are no impertinent +office-keepers to inspect them by land. There are no privateers to +capture them by sea. But, my lord, they have perils to encounter, the +very recollection of which makes me tremble to the inmost fibre of my +frame. They are ale-houses, my lord. Think for a moment of the +clattering of porter-pots, and the scream of my goodly hostess. Imagine +that the blazing fire smiles through the impenetrable window, and that +the kitchen shakes with the peals of laughter. These are temptations, my +lord, that no mortal porter can withstand. When the unvaried countenance +of his gracious sovereign smiles invitation upon him from the weather +beaten sign-post, what loyal heart but must be melted into compliance. + +From all these considerations, my lord, I would advise you to write with +invisible ink. Milk I believe will serve the purpose, though I am +afraid, that the milk that is hawked about the streets of London, has +rather too much water in it. The juice of lemon is a sovereign recipe. +There are a variety of other preparations that will answer the purpose. +But these may be learned from the most vulgar and accessible sources of +information. And you will please to observe, that I suffer nothing to +creep into this political testament, more valuable than those of +Richelieu, Mazarine, and Alberoni, that is not entirely original matter. +My lord, I defy you to learn a single particular of the refinements here +communicated from the greatest statesman that lives. They talk of Fox! +He would give his right hand for an atom of them! + +I will now suppose you, my lord, by all these artifices, arrived at the +very threshold of power. I will suppose that you have just defeated the +grandest and the wisest measure of your political antagonists. I think +there is nothing more natural, though the rule will admit of many +exceptions, than for people who act uniformly in opposition to each +other, upon public grounds, to be of opposite characters and +dispositions. I will therefore imagine, that, shocked with the boundless +extortions and the relentless cruelties that have been practised in some +distant part of the empire, they came forward with a measure full of +generous oblivion for the part, providing with circumspect and collected +humanity for the future. I will suppose, that they were desirous of +taking an impotent government out of the hands of Jews and pedlars, old +women and minors, and to render it a part of the great system. I will +suppose, that they were desirous of transferring political power from a +company of rapacious and interested merchants, into the hands of +statesmen, men distinguished among a thousand parties for clear +integrity, disinterested virtue, and spotless fame. This, my lord, would +be a field worthy of your lordship's prowess. Could you but gain the +interested, could you eternize rapacity, and preserve inviolate the blot +of the English name, what laurels would not your lordship deserve? + +I will therefore suppose, that your gracious master meets you with a +_carte blanche_, that he is disposed to listen to all your advices, and +to adopt all your counsels. Your lordship is aware that the road of +secret influence, and that of popular favour, are not exactly the same. +No ministry can long preserve their seats unless they possess the +confidence of a majority of the house of commons. The ministry therefore +against which your lordship acts, we will take it for granted are in +this predicament. In this situation then an important question naturally +arises. Either a majority in the house of commons must be purchased at +any rate, or the government must be conducted in defiance of that house, +or thirdly, the parliament must be dissolved. Exclusive of these three, +I can conceive of no alternative. We will therefore examine each in its +turn. + +Shall a majority in the house of commons be created? Much may be said on +both sides. A very ingenious friend of mine, for whose counsels I have +an uncommon deference, assured me, that nothing would be so easy as +this. Observing with a shrewdness that astonished me, that ministry, +upon a late most important question, mustered no more than 250 votes, +and that there were 558 members, he inferred, that you had nothing more +to do than to send for those that were absent out of the country, and +you might have upwards of 300 to pit against the 250. It is with +infinite regret that I ever suffer myself to dissent from the opinion of +this gentleman. But suppose, my lord, which is at least possible, that +one half of the absentees should be friends to the cause of the people; +what would become of us then? There remains indeed the obvious method of +purchasing votes, and it might be supposed that your lordship's talent +of insinuation might do you knight's service in this business. But no, +my lord, many of these country gentlemen are at bottom no better than +boors. A mechlin cravat and a smirking countenance, upon which your +lordship builds so much, would be absolutely unnoticed by them. I am +afraid of risquing my credit with your lordship, but I can assure you, +that I have heard that one of these fellows has been known to fly from a +nobleman covered with lace, and powdered, and perfumed to the very tip +of the mode, to follow the standard of a commoner whose coat has been +stained with claret, and who has not had a ruffle to his shirt. My lord, +if common fame may be trusted, these puppies are literally tasteless +enough to admire wit, though the man who utters it be ever so corpulent, +and to discover eloquence in the mouth of one, who can suffer himself to +spit in an honourable assembly. I am a plain man, my lord; but I really +think that among marquisses and dukes, right honourables and right +reverends, these things are intolerable. + +I would therefore have your lordship give up at once, and with a grace, +the very idea of bringing over to your side the partisans of these huge +slovenly fellows. The scheme of governing the country without taking the +house of commons along with you, is much more feasible than this. This +might be done by passing an act of parliament by the authority of two +estates of the realm, to declare the house of commons useless. For my +part, I am far from thinking this so bold a step as by some it may be +imagined. Was not Rome a free state, though it had no house of commons? +Has not the British house of commons been incessantly exclaimed upon, as +corrupt and nugatory? Has not a reform respecting them been called for +from all quarters of the kingdom? I am much of opinion in the present +case, that that is the most effectual reform, which goes to the root. +Rome had her hereditary nobility, which composed her senate. She had her +consuls, an ill-imagined substitute for monarchical power. In these, my +lord, was comprehended, in a manner, the whole of her government. I +shall be told indeed that they had occasionally their _comitia_, or +assemblies of the citizens of the metropolis. But this is so far from an +objection to my reasoning, that it furnishes me with a very valuable +hint for the improvement of the English constitution. + +Let the present house of commons be cashiered, and let the common +council of the city of London be placed at St. Stephen's chapel in their +room. These your lordship will find a much more worthy and manageable +set of people, than the representatives of the nation at large. And can +any sensible man doubt for a moment, which are the most respectable body +of men? Examine their persons. Among their predecessors I see many poor, +lank, shrivelled, half-starved things, some bald, some with a few +straggling hairs, and some with an enormous bag, pendant from no hair at +all. Turn, my lord, to the other side. There you will see a good, +comely, creditable race of people. They look like brothers. As their +size and figure are the same, so by the fire in their eyes, and the +expression in their countenances, you could scarcely know one of them +from another. Their very gowns are enough to strike terror into the most +inattentive. Each of them covers his _cranium_ with a venerable periwig, +whose flowing curls and voluminous frizure bespeak wealth and +contentment. Their faces are buxom, and their cheeks are florid. + +You will also, my lord, find them much more easy and tractable, than the +squeamish, fretful, discontented wretches, with which other ministers +have had to do. There is but one expence that will be requisite. It is +uniform, and capable of an easy calculation. In any great and trying +question, I was going to say debate, but debates, I am apt to think, +would not be very frequent, or very animated,--your lordship has nothing +to do, but to clear the table of the rolls and parchments, with which it +is generally covered, and spreading a table cloth, place upon it half a +score immense turtles, smoking hot, and larded with green fat. My lord, +I will forfeit my head, if with this perfume regaling their nostrils, a +single man has resolution enough to divide the house, or to declare his +discontent with any of the measures of government, by going out into the +lobby. + +So much, my lord, for this scheme. It is too considerable to be adopted +without deliberation; it is too important, and too plausible, to be +rejected without examination. The only remaining hypothesis is that of a +dissolution. Much, I know, may be said against this measure; but, for my +own part, next to the new and original system I have had the honour of +opening to your lordship, it is with me a considerable favourite. Those, +whose interests it is to raise an outcry against it, will exclaim, +"What, for the petty and sinister purposes of ambition, shall the whole +nation be thrown into uproar and confusion? Who is it that complains of +the present house of parliament? Is the voice of the people raised +against it? Do petitions come up from every quarter of the kingdom, as +they did, to no purpose, a few years ago, for its dissolution? But it is +the prerogative of the king to dissolve his parliament. And because it +is his prerogative, because he has a power of this kind reserved for +singular emergencies, does it follow, that this power is to be exercised +at caprice, and without weighty and comprehensive reasons? It may +happen, that the parliament is in the midst of its session, that the +very existence of revenue may be unprovided for, and the urgent claims +of humanity unfulfilled. It is of little consequence," they will perhaps +pretend, "who is in, and who is out, so the national interests are +honestly pursued, and the men who superintend them be not defective in +abilities. That then must be a most lawless and undisguised spirit of +selfishness, that can for these baubles risk the happiness of millions, +and the preservation of the constitution." + +All these observations, my lord, may sound well enough in the harangue +of a demagogue; but is it for such a man, to object to a repetition of +that appeal to the people in general, in the frequency and universality +of which the very existence of liberty consists? Till lately, I think it +has been allowed, that one of those reforms most favourable to +democracy, was an abridgment of the duration of parliaments. But if a +general abridgment be so desirable, must not every particular abridgment +have its value too? Shall the one be acknowledged of a salutary, and yet +the other be declared of a pernicious tendency? Is it possible that the +nature of a part, and of the whole, can be not only dissimilar, but +opposite? But I will quit these general and accurate reasonings. It is +not in them that our strength lies. + +They tell us, that the measure of a dissolution is an unpopular one. My +lord, it is not so, that you and I are to be taken in. Picture to +yourself the very kennels flowing with rivers of beer. Imagine the door +of every hospitable ale-house throughout the kingdom, thrown open for +the reception of the ragged and pennyless burgess. Imagine the whole +country filled with the shouts of drunkenness, and the air rent with +mingled huzzas. Represent the broken heads, and the bleeding noses, the +tattered raiment, and staggering bodies of a million of loyal voters. My +lord, will they pretend, that the measure that gives birth to this +glorious scene, is unpopular? We must be very ill versed in the science +of human nature, if we could believe them. + +But a more important consideration arises. A general election would be +of little value, if by means of it a majority of representatives were +not to be gained to the aristocratical party. If I were to disadvise a +dissolution, it would be from the fear of a sinister event. It is true, +your lordship has a thousand soft blandishments. You can smile and bow +in the newest and most approved manner. But, my lord, in the midst of a +parcel of Billingsgate fishwomen, in the midst of a circle of butchers +with marrow-bones and cleavers, I am afraid these accomplishments would +be of little avail. It is he, most noble patron, who can swallow the +greatest quantity of porter, who can roar the best catch, and who is the +compleatest bruiser, that will finally carry the day. He must kiss the +frost-bitten lips of the green-grocers. He must smooth the frowzy cheeks +of chandlers-shop women. He must stroke down the infinite belly of a +Wapping landlady. I see your lordship tremble at the very catalogue. +Could you divide yourself into a thousand parts, and every part be ten +times more gigantic than the whole, you would shrink into non-entity at +the disgustful scene. + +In this emergency I can invent only one expedient. Your lordship I +remember had six different services of plate when you were in Ireland, +and the duke of P---- could boast only of three. You had also five +footmen and a scullion boy more than his grace. By all this magnificence +I have been told that you dazzled and enchanted a certain class of the +good people of that kingdom. My lord, you must now improve the +popularity you gained. Import by the very first hoy a competent number +of chairmen. You are not to be told that they are accustomed to put on a +gold-lace coat as soon as they arrive upon our shore, and dub themselves +fortune-hunters. It will be easy therefore to pass them here for +gentlemen, whose low familiarity shall be construed into the most +ravishing condescension. No men, my lord, can drink better than they. +There is no constitution, but that of an Irish chairman, that can +dispense with the bouncing whisky. They are both brawny and courageous, +and must therefore make excellent bruisers. Their chief talent lies in +the art of courtship, and they are by no means nice and squeamish in +their stomach for a mistress. They can also occasionally put off the +assumed character of good breeding, and if it be necessary to act over +again the celebrated scenes of Balfe and M'Quirk, they would not be +found at a loss. My lord, they seem to have been created for this very +purpose, and if you have any hope from a general election, you must +derive every benefit from their distinguished merit. I own however, I am +apprehensive for the experiment, and after all would advise your +lordship to recur to the very excellent scheme of the common-council +men. + +There is only one point more which it remains for me to discuss. I have +already taken it for granted, that you are offered your choice of every +post that exists in the government of this country. Here again, if you +were to consult friends less knowing than myself, you would be presented +with nothing but jarring and discordant opinions. Some would say, +George, take it, and some, George, let it alone. For my part, my lord, I +would advise you to do neither the one nor the other. Fickleness and +instability, your lordship will please to observe, are of the very +essence of a real statesman. Who were the greatest statesmen this +country ever had to boast? They were, my lord, the two Villiers's, dukes +of Buckingham. Did not the first of these take his young master to the +kingdom of Spain, in order to marry the infanta, and then break off the +match for no cause at all? Did he not afterwards involve the nation in a +quarrel with the king of France, only because her most christian majesty +would not let him go to bed to her? What was the character of the second +duke? This nobleman, + + + Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, + Was every thing by starts, and nothing long, + But, in the course of one revolving moon, + Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon. + + +My lord, I do not flatter you so far as to suppose that your abilities +are as great, or that you will ever make so distinguished a figure as +either of these noblemen. But I would have you imitate them in your +humbler circle, and venture greatly, though the honour you should derive +from it, should be only, that you greatly fell. Accept therefore, my +lord, of one of the principal responsible offices without thought and +without hesitation. Through terror or manly spirit, or whatever you +choose to call it, resign again the next day. As soon as you have done +this, make interest for another place, and if you can obtain it, throw +it up as soon again. This, my lord, is not, as an ignorant and +coxcomical writer has represented it, "the vibration of a pendulum," but +a conduct, wise, manly, judicious, and heroic. Who does not know, that +the twinkling stars are of a more excellent nature, than those which +shine upon us with unremitted lustre? Who does not know that the comet, +which appears for a short time, and vanishes again for revolving years, +is more gazed upon than either? But I am afraid the comet is too sublime +an idea for your lordship's comprehension. I would therefore recommend +to you, to make the cracker the model of your conduct. You should snap +and bounce at regular intervals; at one moment you should seem a blazing +star, and the next be lost in trackless darkness. + +My lord, there is nothing, which at all times I have taken more pains to +subdue, than that overweening pride, and immeasurable conceit, which are +the principal features of your lordship's character. Nature, indeed, has +furnished you with one corrective to them, or they must infallibly have +damned you. It is timidity. Other people may laugh at this quality. For +my part I esteem it worthy the loudest praise and most assiduous +cultivation. When the balance hangs in doubt between the adventurousness +of vanity and the frigidity of fear, ever incline to the latter side. I +had rather your lordship should be a coward, than a coxcomb. If however +you could attain to that reasonable and chastised opinion of yourself, +which should steer a proper mean between these extremes, should make you +feel your strength, when menaced by the most terrible adversaries, and +your weakness, when soothed by the most fawning parasites, this, my +lord, would be the highest perfection to which you could possibly +attain. I will therefore close my epistle with the discussion of a case, +which your lordship may think parallel to the species of behaviour I +have recommended to your cultivation. I mean that of the celebrated and +incomparable earl Granville, in the year 1746. I will show you what this +nobleman did, and in how many particulars you must for ever hope in vain +to resemble him. + +I remember, my lord, that you and I once studied together the History of +England, in Question and Answer. If your lordship recollects, the year +1746 began in the very height of the celebrated rebellion. The ministers +of the sovereign at this time, were, that mixed and plausible character, +Mr. Pelham, and that immortalized booby, the duke of Newcastle. These +gentlemen possessed their full proportion of that passion, so +universally incident to the human frame, the love of power. They had +formed such a connection with the monied interest of the kingdom, that +no administration could go on without them. Conscious to this +circumstance, they had no toleration for a rival, they could "bear no +brother near the throne." From this sentiment, they had driven that most +able minister I have mentioned, from the cabinet of his sovereign, in no +very justifiable manner, about twelve months before. The same jealousy +kept alive their suspicions: they knew the partiality of their master: +they imagined their antagonist still lurked behind the curtain. The +distresses of the kingdom were to them the ladder of ambition. This was +the language they held to their sovereign: "The enemy is already +advanced into the heart of your majesty's dominions. We know that you +cannot do without us. You must therefore listen with patience to what we +shall dictate. Drive from your presence for ever the wisest and the +ablest of all your counsellors. This is the only condition, upon which +we will continue to serve you in this perilous moment." Majesty, as it +was but natural, was disgusted with this language. The Pelhams resigned. +Lord Granville accepted the seals. And he held them I believe for +something more than a fortnight. + +My lord, I will tell you, what were the Pelhams, and what was the true +character of lord Granville. Whatever may be said, and much I think may +justly be said, in favour of the former, they were not men of genius. +Capable of conducting, and willing upon the whole to conduct with +loyalty and propriety the affairs of their country, while they kept +within the beaten channel, they were not born to grapple with arduous +situations. They had not that commanding spirit of adventure, which +leads a man into the path of supererogation and voluntary service: they +had not that firm and collected fortitude which induces a man to look +danger in the face, to encounter it in all its force, and to drive it +from all its retrenchments. They were particularly attached to the +patronage, which is usually annexed to their high situations. They did +not come into power by the voice of the people. They were not summoned +to assume the administration by a vote of the house of commons. They +were introduced into the cabinet by an inglorious and guilty compromise +of sir Robert Walpole; a compromise, that shunned the light; a +compromise, that reflected indelible disgrace upon every individual +concerned in it. We will suppose them ever so much in the right in the +instance before us. For certainly, the same responsibility, that ought +to remove a minister from the helm, when he is become obnoxious to his +countrymen, equally makes it improper, that he should be originally +appointed by the fancy or capricious partiality of the sovereign. But +were they over so much in the right, it will yet remain true, that they +took a poor and ungenerous advantage of the personal distresses of their +master, which men of a large heart, and of sterling genius, could never +have persuaded themselves to take. + +Such were the ministers, whom it appears that king George the second +would have had no objection to strip of their employments. I will tell +you who it was, that he was willing to have substituted in their place. +It was a man of infinite genius. His taste was a standard to those, who +were most attached to the fine arts, and most uninterruptedly conversant +with them. His eloquence was splendid, animated, and engaging. Of all +the statesmen then existing in Europe, he was perhaps the individual, +who best understood the interests and the politics of all her courts. +But your lordship may probably find it somewhat more intelligible, if I +take the other side of the picture, and tell you what he was not. He was +not a man of fawning and servility. He did not rest his ambitious +pretensions upon any habitual adroitness, upon the arts of wheedling, +and the tones of insinuation. He rested them upon the most solid +talents, and the most brilliant accomplishments. He did not creep into +the closet of his sovereign uncalled, and endeavour to make himself of +consequence by assiduities and officiousness. He pleaded for years, in a +manly and ingenuous manner, the cause of the people in parliament. It +was by a popularity, great, and almost without exception, that he was +introduced into power. When defeated by the undermining and contemptible +art of his rivals; when convinced that it was impossible for him, to +employ his abilities with success in the service of his country, he +retired. And it was only by the personal intreaties of his sovereign, +and to assist him in that arduous and difficult situation, in which +those who ought to have served, deserted him, that he once again +accepted of office. He accepted it, for the temporary benefit of his +country, and till those persons, who only could come into administration +with efficiency and advantage, should again resume their places. He made +way for them without a struggle. He did not pretend to set practical +impotence, though accompanied with abilities incomparably the superior, +against that influence and connexion by which they were supported. Of +consequence, my lord, his memory will always be respected and cherished +by the bulk of mankind. + +I do not mean to propose him to your lordship for a model. I never +imagined that your talents qualified you for the most distant +resemblance of him; and I wished to convince you how inferior they were. +Beside, my lord, he did not act upon the Machiavelian plan. His system +was that of integrity, frankness, and confidence. He desired to meet his +enemies; and the more extensive the ground upon which he could meet +them, the better. I was never idle enough to think of such a line of +conduct for your lordship. Go on then in those crooked paths, and that +invisible direction, for which nature has so eminently fitted you. +Intrench yourself behind the letter of the law. Avoid, carefully avoid, +the possibility of any sinister evidence. And having uniformly taken +these precautions, defy all the malice of your enemies. They may +threaten, but they shall never hurt you. They may make you tremble and +shrink with fancied terrors, but they shall never be able to man so much +as a straw against you. Immortality, my lord, is suspended over your +head. Do not shudder at the sound. It shall not be an immortality of +infamy. It shall only be an immortality of contempt. + +THE END. + + + + + +AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEMINARY + +That will be opened + +On MONDAY the Fourth Day of AUGUST, + +At EPSOM in SURREY, + +For the INSTRUCTION of + +TWELVE PUPILS + +IN + +The GREEK, LATIN, FRENCH, and ENGLISH Languages. + + +M.DCC.LXXXIII. + + +AN + + +ACCOUNT + + +OF THE + + +SEMINARY, &C. + + + +The two principal objects of human power are government and education. +They have accordingly engrossed a very large share in the disquisitions +of the speculative in all ages. The subject of the former indeed is man, +already endowed with his greatest force of body, and arrived at the +exercise of his intellectual powers: the subject of the latter is man, +as yet shut up in the feebleness of childhood, and the imbecility of +inexperience. Civil society is great and unlimited in its extent; the +time has been, when the whole known world was in a manner united in one +community: but the sphere of education has always been limited. It is +for nations to produce the events, that enchant the imagination, and +ennoble the page of history: infancy must always pass away in the +unimportance of mirth, and the privacy of retreat. That government +however is a theme so much superior to education, is not perhaps so +evident, as we may at first imagine. + +It is indeed wider in its extent, but it is infinitely less absolute in +its power. The state of society is incontestibly artificial; the power +of one man over another must be always derived from convention, or from +conquest; by nature we are equal. The necessary consequence is, that +government must always depend upon the opinion of the governed. Let the +most oppressed people under heaven once change their mode of thinking, +and they are free. But the inequality of parents and children is the law +of our nature, eternal and uncontrolable.--Government is very limited in +its power of making men either virtuous or happy; it is only in the +infancy of society that it can do any thing considerable; in its +maturity it can only direct a few of our outward actions. But our moral +dispositions and character depend very much, perhaps entirely, upon +education.--Children indeed are weak and imbecil; but it is the +imbecility of spring, and not that of autumn; the imbecility that verges +towards power, and not that is already exhausted with performance. To +behold heroism in its infancy, and immortality in the bud, must be a +most attractive object. To mould those pliant dispositions, upon which +the happiness of multitudes may one day depend, must be infinitely +important. + +Proportionable to what we have stated to be the importance of the +subject, is the attention that has been afforded it in the republic of +letters. The brightest wits, and the profoundest philosophers have +emulated each other in their endeavours to elucidate so valuable a +theme. In vain have pedants urged the stamp of antiquity, and the +approbation of custom; there is scarcely the scheme so visionary, the +execution of which has not at some time or other been attempted. Of the +writers upon this interesting subject, he perhaps that has produced the +most valuable treatise is Rousseau. If men of equal abilities have +explored this ample field, I know of none, however, who have so +thoroughly investigated the first principles of the science, or who have +treated it so much at large. If he have indulged to a thousand agreeable +visions, and wandered in the pursuit of many a specious paradox, he has +however richly repaid us for this defect, by the profoundest researches, +and the most solid discoveries. + +I have borrowed so many of my ideas from this admirable writer, that I +thought it necessary to make this acknowledgement in the outset. The +learned reader will readily perceive, that if I have not scrupled to +profit from his discoveries, at least I have freely and largely +dissented from him, where he appeared to me to wander from the path of +truth. For my own part, I am persuaded that it can only be by striking +off something of inflexibility from his system, and something of +pedantry from the common one, that we can expect to furnish a medium, +equally congenial to the elegance of civilization, and the manliness of +virtue. + +In pursuance of these principles it shall be my first business to +enquire, whether or not the languages ought to make any part of a +perfect system of education; and if they ought, at what time they should +be commenced. The study of them does indeed still retain its ground in +our public schools and universities. But it has received a rude shock +from some writers of the present age; nor has any attack been more +formidable, than that of the author of Emile. Let us endeavour to +examine the question, neither with the cold prejudice of antiquity on +the one hand; nor on the other, with the too eager thirst of novelty, +and unbounded admiration of the geniuses, by whom it has been attacked. + +When we look back to the venerable ancients, we behold a class of +writers, if not of a much higher rank, at least of a very different +character, from the moderns. One natural advantage they indisputably +possessed. The field of nature was all their own. It had not yet been +blasted by any vulgar breath, or touched with a sacrilegious hand. Its +fairest flowers had not been culled, and its choicest sweets rifled +before them. As they were not encumbered and hedged in with the +multitude of their predecessors, they did not servilely borrow their +knowledge from books; they read it in the page of the universe. They +studied nature in all her romantic scenes, and all her secret haunts. +They studied men in the various ranks of society, and in different +nations of the world. I might add to this several other advantages. Of +these the noble freedom of mind that was characteristic of the +republicans of Greece and Rome, and that has scarcely any parallel among +ourselves, would not be the least. + +Agreeably to these advantages, they almost every where, particularly +among the Greeks, bear upon them the stamp of originality. All copies +are feeble and unmarked. They sacrifice the plainness of nature to the +gaudiness of ornament, and the tinsel of wit. But the ancients are full +of a noble and affecting simplicity. By one touch of nature and +observation they paint a scene more truly, than their successors are +able to do in whole wire-drawn pages. In description they are +unequalled. Their eloquence is fervent, manly and sonorous. Their +thoughts are just, natural, independent and profound. The pathos of +Virgil, and the sublimity of Homer, have never been surpassed. And as +their knowledge was not acquired in learned indolence, they knew how to +join the severest application with the brightest genius. Accordingly in +their style they have united simplicity, eloquence and harmony, in a +manner of which the moderns have seldom had even an idea. The +correctness of a Caesar, and the sonorous period of a Cicero; the +majesty of a Virgil, and the politeness of a Horace, are such as no +living language can express. + +It is the remark of a certain old-fashioned writer, "The form of the +world passeth away." A century or two ago the greatest wits were known +to have pathetically lamented, that the writers, of whose merits I have +been speaking, were handed down to us in so mutilated a condition. Now +it seems very probable, that, if their works were totally annihilated, +it would scarcely call forth a sigh from the refined geniuses of the +present age. It is certainly very possible to carry the passion for +antiquity to a ridiculous extreme. No man can reasonably deny, that it +is by us only that the true system of the universe has been ascertained, +and that we have made very valuable improvements upon many of the arts. +No man can question that some of our English poets have equalled the +ancients in sublimity, and that, to say the least, our neighbours, the +French, have emulated the elegance of their composition in a manner, +that is very far indeed from contempt. From these concessions however we +are by no means authorised to infer their inutility. + +But I shall be told that in the first revival of letters the study of +the ancient languages might indeed be very proper; but since that time +we have had so many excellent truncations of every thing they contain, +that to waste the time, and exhaust the activity of our youth in the +learning of Latin and Greek, is to very little purpose indeed. +Translation! what a strange word! To me I confess it appears the most +unaccountable invention, that ever entered into the mind of man. To +distil the glowing conceptions, and to travesty the beautiful language +of the ancients, through the medium of a language estranged to all its +peculiarities and all its elegancies. The best thoughts and expressions +of an author, those that distinguish one writer from another, are +precisely those that are least capable of being translated. And who are +the men we are to employ in this promising business? Original genius +disdains the unmeaning drudgery. A mind that has one feature resembling +the ancients, will scarcely stoop to be their translator. The persons +then, to whom the performance must be committed, are persons of cool +elegance. Endowed with a little barren taste, they must be inanimate +enough to tread with laborious imbecility in the footsteps of another. +They must be eternally incapable of imbibing the spirit, and glowing +with the fire of their original. But we shall seldom come off so well as +this. The generality of translators are either on the one hand mere +pedants and dealers in words, who, understanding the grammatical +construction of a period, never gave themselves the trouble to enquire, +whether it conveyed either sentiment or instruction; or on the other +hand mere writers for hire, the retainers of a bookseller, men who +translate Homer from the French, and Horace out of Creech. + +Let it not be said that I am now talking at random. Let us descend to +examples. We need not be afraid of instancing in the most favourable. I +believe it is generally allowed that Mr. Pope's Iliad is the very best +version that was ever made out of one language into another. It must be +confessed to exhibit very many poetical beauties. As a trial of skill, +as an instance of what can be effected upon so forlorn a hope, it must +ever be admired. But were I to search for a true idea of the style and +composition of Homer, I think I should rather recur to the verbal +translation in the margin of the original, than to the version of Pope. +Homer is the simplest and most unaffected of poets. Of all the writers +of elegance and taste that ever existed, his translator is the most +ornamented. We acknowledge Homer by his loose and flowing robe, that +does not constrain a muscle of his frame. But Pope presents himself in +the close and ungraceful habit of modern times; + + + "Glittering with gems, and stiff with woven gold." + + +No, let us for once conduct ourselves with honesty and generosity. If we +will not study the ancients in their own nervous and manly page, let us +close their volumes for ever. I had rather, says the amiable philosopher +of Chaeronea, it should be said of me, that there never was such a man +as Plutarch, than that Plutarch was ill-natured, arbitrary, and +tyrannical. And were I the bard of Venusia, sure I am, I had rather be +entirely forgotten, than not be known for the polite, the spirited, and +the elegant writer I really was. + +To converse with the accomplished, is the obvious method by which to +become accomplished ourselves. This general observation is equally +applicable to the study of polite writers of our own and of other +countries. But there are some reasons, upon account of which we may +expect to derive a more perceptible advantage from the ancients. They +carried the art of composition to greater heights than any of the +moderns. Their writers were almost universally of a higher rank in +society, than ours. There did not then exist the temptation of gain to +spur men on to the profession of an author. An industrious modern will +produce twenty volumes, in the time that Socrates employed to polish one +oration. + +Another argument flows from the simple circumstance of their writing in +a different language. Of all the requisites to the attainment either of +a style of our own, or a discernment in that of others, the first is +grammar. Without this, our ideas must be always vague and desultory. +Respecting the delicacies of composition, we may guess, but we can never +decide and demonstrate. Now, of the minutiae of grammar, scarcely any +man ever attained a just knowledge, who was acquainted with only one +language. And if the study of others be the surest, I will venture also +to pronounce it the easiest method for acquiring a mastery in philology. + +From what has been said, I shall consider this conclusion as +sufficiently established, that the languages ought at some time to be +learned by him who would form to himself a perfect character. I proceed +to my second enquiry, at what time the study of them should be +commenced? And here I think this to be the best general answer: at the +age of ten years. + +In favour of so early a period one reason may be derived from what I +have just been mentioning. The knowledge of more languages than one, is +almost an indispensible prerequisite to the just understanding either of +the subject of grammar in particular, or of that of style in general. +Now if the cultivation of elegance and propriety be at all important, it +cannot be entered upon too soon, provided the ideas are already +competent to the capacity of the pupil. The Roman Cornelia, who never +suffered a provincial accent, or a grammatical barbarism in the hearing +of her children, has always been cited with commendation; and the +subsequent rhetorical excellence of the Gracchi has been in a great +degree ascribed to it. Fluency, purity and ease are to be acquired by +insensible degrees: and against habits of this kind I apprehend there +can be no objection. + +Another argument of still greater importance is, that the knowledge of +languages has scarcely ever been mastered, but by those, the +commencement of whose acquaintance with them was early. To be acquainted +with any science slightly and superficially, can in my opinion be +productive of little advantage. But such an acquaintance with languages +must be very useless indeed. What benefit can it be expected that we +should derive from an author, whom we cannot peruse with facility and +pleasure? The study of such an author will demand a particular strength +of resolution, and aptitude of humour. He can scarcely become the +favourite companion of our retirement, and the never-failing solace of +our cares. Something of slow and saturnine must be the necessary +accompaniment of that disposition, that can conquer the difficulties of +such a pursuit. And accordingly we find that the classics and the school +are generally quitted together, even by persons of taste, who have not +acquired a competent mastery of them in their course of education. Very +few indeed have been those, who, estranged to the languages till the age +of manhood, have after that period obtained such a familiarity with +them, as could ever be productive of any considerable advantage. + +Brutes and savages are totally unacquainted with lassitude and spleen, +the lust of variety, and the impatience of curiosity. In a state of +society our ideas habitually succeed in a certain proportion, and an +employment that retards their progress, speedily becomes disagreeable +and tedious. But children, not having yet felt this effect of +civilization, are not susceptible to this cause of disgust. They are +endowed with a pliableness and versatility of mind, that with a little +attention and management may easily be turned to any pursuit. Their +understandings not yet preoccupied, they have a singular facility of +apprehending, and strength of retention. It is certain this pliableness +and facility are very liable to abuse. It is not easy to believe, that +they were given to learn words without meaning; terms of art, not +understood by the pupil; the systems of theologians, and the jargon of +metaphysics. But then neither were they given without a capacity of +being turned to advantage. And it should seem that it could not be a +very fallacious antidote to abuse, to confine our instructions to such +kinds of knowledge, as are of the highest importance, and are seldom +learned with success, and even scarcely attainable, at any other period. + +Let it be observed that I have not fixed upon the age of ten years at +random. It is the observation of Rousseau; Both children and men are +essentially feeble. Children, because however few be their wants, they +are unable to supply them. Men, in a state of society, because whatever +be their absolute strength, the play of the imagination renders their +desires yet greater. There is an intermediate period, in which our +powers having made some progress, and the artificial and imaginary wants +being unknown, we are relatively strong. And this he represents as the +principal period of instruction. This remark is indeed still more +striking, when applied to a pupil, the progress of whose imagination is +sedulously retarded. But it is not destitute either of truth or utility +in the most general application we can possibly give it. Let it be +observed, that Rousseau fixes the commencement of this period at twelve +years. I would choose to take it at ten. + +However we may find it convenient to distribute the productions of +nature into classes, and her operations into epochas, yet let it be +remembered, that her progress is silent and imperceptible. Between a +perfect animal and vegetable, the distinction is of the highest order. +Between distant periods we may remark the most important differences. +But the gradations of nature are uninterrupted. Of her chain every link +is compleat. As therefore I shall find in commencing at ten years, that +my time will be barely sufficient for the purposes to which I would +appropriate it, I consider this circumstance as sufficient to determine +my election. A youth of ten years is omnipotent, if we contrast him with +a youth of eight. + +But if the languages constitute so valuable a part of a just system of +education, the next question is, in what manner they are to be taught. +Indeed, I believe, if the persons employed in the business of education +had taken half the pains to smooth the access to this department of +literature, that they have employed to plant it round with briars and +thorns, its utility and propriety, in the view we are now considering +it, would scarcely have been questioned. + +There is something necessarily disgusting in the forms of grammar. +Grammar therefore is made in our public schools the business of a +twelvemonth. Rules are heaped upon rules with laborious stupidity. To +render them the more formidable, they are presented to our youth in the +very language, the first principles of which they are designed to teach. +For my own part, I am persuaded the whole business of grammar may be +dispatched in a fortnight. I would only teach the declensions of nouns, +and the inflexions of verbs. For the rest, nothing is so easily +demonstrated, as that the auxiliary sciences are best communicated in +connection with their principals. Chronology, geography, are never so +thoroughly understood, as by him that treats them literally as the +handmaids of history. He, who is instructed in Latin with clearness and +accuracy, will never be at a loss for the rules of grammar. + +But to complete the disgust we seem so careful to inspire, the learned +languages are ever surrounded with the severity verity of discipline; +and it would probably be thought little short of sacrilege to discompose +their features with a smile. Such a mode of proceeding can never be +sufficiently execrated. + +Indeed, I shall be told, "this is the time to correct the native vices +of the mind. In childhood the influence of pain and mortification is +comparatively trifling. What then can be more judicious than to +accumulate upon this period, what must otherwise fall with tenfold +mischief upon the age of maturity?" In answer to this reasoning, let it +be first considered, how many there are, who by the sentence of nature +are called out of existence, before they can live to reap these boasted +advantages. Which of you is there, that has not at some time regretted +that age, in which a smile is ever upon the countenance, and peace and +serenity at the bottom of the heart? How is it you can consent to +deprive these little innocents of an enjoyment, that slides so fast +away? How is it you can find in your heart to pall these fleeting years +with bitterness and slavery? The undesigning gaiety of youth has the +strongest claim upon your humanity. There is not in the world a truer +object of pity, than a child terrified at every glance, and watching, +with anxious uncertainty, the caprices of a pedagogue. If he survive, +the liberty of manhood is dearly bought by so many heart aches. And if +he die, happy to escape your cruelty, the only advantage he derives from +the sufferings you have inflicted, is that of not regretting a life, of +which he knew nothing but the torments. + +But who is it that has told you, that the certain, or even the probable +consequences of this severity are beneficial? Nothing is so easily +proved, as that the human mind is pure and spotless, as it came from the +hands of God, and that the vices of which you complain, have their real +source in those shallow and contemptible precautions, that you pretend +to employ against them. Of all the conditions to which we are incident, +there is none so unpropitious to whatever is ingenuous and honourable, +as that of a slave. It plucks away by the root all sense of dignity, and +all manly confidence. In those nations of antiquity, most celebrated for +fortitude and heroism, their youth had never their haughty and +unsubmitting neck bowed to the inglorious yoke of a pedagogue. To borrow +the idea of that gallant assertor of humanity, sir Richard Steele: I +will not say that our public schools have not produced many great and +illustrious characters; but I will assert, there was not one of those +characters, that would not have been more manly and venerable, if they +had never been subjected to this vile and sordid condition. + +Having thus set aside the principal corruptions of modern education, the +devising methods for facilitating the acquisition of languages will not +be difficult. The first books put into the hands of a pupil should be +simple, interesting, and agreeable. By their means, he will perceive a +reasonableness and a beauty in the pursuit. If he be endowed by nature +with a clear understanding, and the smallest propensity to literature, +he will need very little to stimulate him either from hope or fear. + +Attentive to the native gaiety of youth, the periods, in which his +attention is required, though frequent in their returns, should in their +duration be short and inoppressive. The pupil should do nothing merely +because he is seen or heard by his preceptor. If he have companions, +still nothing more is requisite, than that degree of silence and order, +which shall hinder the attention of any from being involuntarily +diverted. The pupil has nothing to conceal, and no need of falsehood. +The approbation of the preceptor respects only what comes directly under +his cognizance, and cannot be disguised. Even here, remembering the +volatility and sprightliness, inseparable from the age, humanity will +induce him not to animadvert with warmth upon the appearances of a +casual distraction, but he will rather solicit the return of attention +by gentleness, than severity. + +But of all rules, the most important is that of preserving an uniform, +even tenour of conduct. Into the government of youth passion and caprice +should never enter. The gentle yoke of the preceptor should be +confounded as much as possible, with the eternal laws of nature and +necessity. The celebrated maxim of republican government should be +adopted here. The laws should speak, and the magistrate be silent. The +constitution should be for ever unchangeable and independent of the +character of him that administers it. + +Nothing can certainly be more absurd than the attempt to educate +children by reason. We may be sure they will treat every determination +as capricious, that shocks their inclination. The _chef d'oeuvre_ of a +good education is to form a reasonable human being; and yet they pretend +to govern a child by argument and ratiocination. This is to enter upon +the work at the wrong end, and to endeavour to convert the fabric itself +into one of the tools by which it is constructed. The laws of the +preceptor ought to be as final and inflexible, as they are mild and +humane. + +There is yet another method for facilitating the acquisition of +languages, so just in itself, and so universally practicable, that I +cannot forbear mentioning it. It is that of commencing with the modern +languages, French for instance in this country. These in the education +of our youth, are universally postponed to what are stiled the learned +languages. I shall perhaps be told that modern tongues being in a great +measure derived from the Latin, the latter is very properly to be +considered as introductory to the former. But why then do we not adopt +the same conduct in every instance? Why to the Latin do we not premise +the Greek, and to the Greek the Coptic and Oriental tongues? Or how long +since is it, that the synthetic has been proved so much superior to the +analytic mode of instruction? In female education, the modern languages +are taught without all this preparation; nor do I find that our fair +rivals are at all inferior to the generality of our sex in their +proficiency. With the youth of sense and spirit of both sexes, the +learning of French is usually considered, rather as a pleasure, than a +burden. Were the Latin communicated in the same mild and accommodating +manner, I think I may venture to pronounce, that thus taken in the +second place, there will be no great difficulty in rendering it equally +attractive. + +I would just observe that there is an obvious propriety in the French +language being learned under the same direction, as the Latin and Greek. +The pursuit of this elegant accomplishment ought at no time to be +entirely omitted. But the attention of youth is distracted between the +method of different masters, and their amiable confidence, in the +direction under which they are placed, entirely ruined by mutability and +inconstance. The same observation may also be applied here, as in the +learned languages. The attention of the pupil should be confined as much +as possible to the most classical writers; and the French would furnish +a most useful subsidiary in a course of history. Let me add, that though +I have prescribed the age of ten years, as the most eligible for the +commencement of classical education, I conceive there would be no +impropriety in taking up the modern language so early as nine. + +Such then is the kind of subjection, that the learning of languages +demands. The question that recurs upon us is; How far this subjection +may fairly be considered as exceptionable, and whether its beneficial +consequences do not infinitely outweigh the trifling inconveniences that +may still be ascribed to it? + +But there is another subject that demands our consideration. Modern +education not only corrupts the heart of our youth, by the rigid slavery +to which it condemns them, it also undermines their reason, by the +unintelligible jargon with which they are overwhelmed in the first +instance, and the little attention, that is given to the accommodating +their pursuits to their capacities in the second. + +Nothing can have a greater tendency to clog and destroy the native +activity of the mind, than the profuseness with which the memory of +children is loaded, by nurses, by mothers, by masters. What can more +corrupt the judgment, than the communicating, without measure, and +without end, words entirely devoid of meaning? What can have a more +ridiculous influence upon our taste, than for the first verses to which +our attention is demanded, to consist of such strange and uncouth +jargon? To complete the absurdity, and that we may derive all that +elegance and refinement from the study of languages, that it is +calculated to afford, our first ideas of Latin are to be collected from +such authors, as Corderius, Erasmus, Eutropius, and the Selectae. To +begin indeed with the classical writers, is not the way to smooth the +path of literature. I am of opinion however, that one of the +above-mentioned authors will be abundantly sufficient. Let it be +remembered, that the passage from the introductory studies to those +authors, that form the very essence of the language, will be much +facilitated by the previous acquisition of the French. + +Having spoken of the article of memory, let me be permitted to mention +the practice, that has of late gained so great a vogue; the instructing +children in the art of spouting and acting plays. Of all the qualities +incident to human nature, the most universally attractive is simplicity, +the most disgusting is affectation. Now what idea has a child of the +passions of a hero, and the distresses of royalty? But he is taught the +most vehement utterance, and a thousand constrained cadences, without +its being possible that he should see in them, either reasonableness or +propriety. + +I would not have a child required to commit any thing to memory more +than is absolutely necessary. If, however, he be a youth of spirit, he +will probably learn some things in this manner, and the sooner because +it is not expected of him. It will be of use for him to repeat these +with a grave and distinct voice, accommodated to those cadences, which +the commas, the periods, and the notes of interrogation, marked in his +author, may require, but without the smallest instruction to humour the +gay, or to sadden the plaintive. + +Another article, that makes a conspicuous figure in the education of our +youth, is composition. Before they are acquainted with the true +difference between verse and prose, before they are prepared to decide +upon the poetical merit of Lily and Virgil, they are called upon to +write Latin verse themselves. In the same manner some of their first +prose compositions are in a dead language. An uniform, petty, ridiculous +scheme is laid down, and within that scheme all their thoughts are to be +circumscribed. + +Composition is certainly a desirable art, and I think can scarcely be +entered upon too soon. It should be one end after which I would +endeavour, and the mode of effecting it will be farther illustrated in +the sequel, to solicit a pupil to familiarity, and to induce him to +disclose his thoughts upon such subjects as were competent to his +capacity, in an honest and simple manner. After having thus warmed him +by degrees, it might be proper to direct him to write down his thoughts, +without any prescribed method, in the natural and spontaneous manner, in +which they flowed from his mind. Thus the talk of throwing his +reflections upon paper would be facilitated to him, and his style +gradually formed, without teaching him any kind of restraint and +affectation. To the reader who enters at all into my ideas upon the +subject, it were needless to subjoin, that I should never think of +putting a youth upon the composition of verse. + +From all I have said it will be sufficiently evident, that it would be a +constant object with me to model my instructions to the capacity of my +pupil. They are books, that beyond all things teach us to talk without +thinking, and use words without meaning. To this evil there can be no +complete remedy. But shall we abolish literature, because it is not +unaccompanied with inconveniencies? Shall we return to a state of savage +ignorance, because all the advantages of civilization have their +attendant disadvantages? + +The only remedy that can be applied, is to accustom ourselves to clear +and accurate investigation. To prefer, whereever we can have recourse to +it, the book of nature to any human composition. To begin with the +latter as late as may be consistent with the most important purposes of +education. And when we do begin, so to arrange our studies, as that we +may commence with the simplest and easiest sciences, and proportion our +progress to the understanding of the pupil. + +With respect to grammar in particular, the declensions of nouns, and the +inflexions of verbs, we may observe, that to learn words to which +absolutely no ideas are affixed, is not to learn to think loosely, and +to believe without being convinced. These certainly can never corrupt +the mind. And I suppose no one will pretend, that to learn grammar, is +to be led to entertain inaccurate notions of the subjects, about which +it is particularly conversant. On the contrary, the ideas of grammar are +exceedingly clear and accurate. It has, in my opinion, all those +advantages, by which the study of geometry is usually recommended, +without any of its disadvantages. It tends much to purge the +understanding, to render it close in its investigations, and sure in its +decisions. It introduces more easily and intelligibly than mathematical +science, that most difficult of all the mental operations, abstraction. +It imperceptibly enlarges our conceptions, and generalises our ideas. + +But if to read its authors, be the most valuable purpose of learning a +language, the grammar will not be sufficient. Other books will be +necessary. And how shall these be chosen, so as not to leave behind us +the understanding of our pupil? Shall we introduce him first to the +sublime flights of Virgil, the philosophical investigations of a Cicero, +or the refined elegance and gay satire of Horace? Alas! if thus +introduced unprepared to the noblest heights of science, how can it be +expected that his understanding should escape the shipwreck, and every +atom of common sense not be dashed and scattered ten thousand ways? + +The study then I would here introduce, should be that of history. And +that this study is not improper to the age with which I connect it, is +the second point I would endeavour to demonstrate. + +But is history, I shall be asked, the study so proper for uninstructed +minds? History, that may in some measure be considered as concentring in +itself the elements of all other sciences? History, by which we are +informed of the rise and progress of every art, and by whose testimony +the comparative excellence of every art is ascertained? History, the +very testimony of which is not to be admitted, without the previous +trial of metaphysical scrutiny, and philosophic investigation? Lastly, +History, that is to be considered as a continual illustration of the +arts of fortification and tactics; but above all of politics, with its +various appendages, commerce, manufacture, finances? + +To all this, I calmly answer, No: it is not history in any of these +forms, that constitutes the science to which I would direct the +attention of my pupil. Of the utility of the history of arts and +sciences, at least, as a general study, I have no very high opinion. But +were my opinion ever so exalted, I should certainly chuse to postpone +this study for the present. I should have as little to do with tactics +and fortification. I would avoid as much as possible the very subject of +war. Politics, commerce, finances, might easily be deferred. I would +keep far aloof from the niceties of chronology, and the dispute of +facts. I would not enter upon the study of history through the medium of +epitome. I would even postpone the general history of nations, to the +character and actions of particular men. + +Many of the articles I have mentioned, serve to compose the pedantry of +history. Than history, no science has been more abused. It has been +studied from ostentation; it has been studied with the narrow views of +little minds; it has been warped to serve a temporary purpose. Ingenious +art has hung it round with a thousand subtleties, and a thousand +disputes. The time has at length arrived, when it requires an erect +understanding, and a penetrating view, above the common rate, to +discover the noble purposes, which this science is most immediately +calculated to subserve. + +In a word, the fate of history has been like that of travelling. The +institution has been preserved, but its original use is lost. One man +travels from fashion, and another from pride. One man travels to measure +buildings, another to examine pictures, and a third perhaps to learn to +dance. Scarcely any remember that its true application is to study men +and manners. Perhaps a juster idea cannot be given of the science we are +considering, than that which we may deduce from a reflection of +Rousseau. "The ancient historians," says he, "are crowded with those +views of things, from which we may derive the utmost utility, even +though the facts that suggest them, should be mistaken. But we are +unskilled to derive any real advantage from history. The critique of +erudition absorbs every thing; as if it imported us much whether the +relation were true, provided we could extract from it any useful +induction. Men of sense ought to regard history as a tissue of fables, +whose moral is perfectly adapted to the human heart." + +The mere external actions of men are not worth the studying: Who would +have ever thought of going through a course of history, if the science +were comprised in a set of chronological tables? No: it is the hearts of +men we should study. It is to their actions, as expressive of +disposition and character, we should attend. But by what is it that we +can be advanced thus far, but by specious conjecture, and plausible +inference? The philosophy of a Sallust, and the sagacity of a Tacitus, +can only advance us to the regions of probability. But whatever be the +most perfect mode of historical composition, it is to the simplest +writers that our youth should be first introduced, writers equally +distant from the dry detail of Du Fresnoy, and the unrivalled eloquence +of a Livy. The translation of Plutarch would, in my opinion, form the +best introduction. As he is not a writer of particular elegance, he +suffers less from a version, than many others. The Roman revolutions of +Vertot might very properly fill the second place. Each of these writers +has this further recommendation, that, at least, in the former part of +their works, they treat of that simplicity and rectitude of manners of +the first Greeks and Romans, that furnish the happiest subject that can +be devised for the initiating youth in the study of history. + +Under the restrictions I have laid down, history is of all sciences the +most simple. It has been ever considered by philosophers, as the porch +of knowledge. It has ever been treated by men of literature, as the +relaxation of their feverer pursuits. It leads directly to the most +important of all attainments, the knowledge of the heart. It introduces +us, without expence, and without danger, to an acquaintance with manners +and society. By the most natural advances it points us forward to all +the depths of science. With the most attractive blandishments it forms +us by degrees to an inextinguishable thirst of literature. + +But there is still an objection remaining, and that the most important +of all. Let history be stripped as much as you will of every extraneous +circumstance, let it be narrowed to the utmost simplicity, there is +still one science previously necessary. It is that of morals. If you see +nothing in human conduct, but purely the exterior and physical +movements, what is it that history teaches? Absolutely nothing; and the +science devoid of interest, becomes incapable of affording either +pleasure or instruction. We may add, that the more perfectly it is made +a science of character and biography, the more indispensible is ethical +examination. But to such an examination it has been doubted whether the +understandings of children be competent. Upon this question I will beg +leave to say a few words, and I have done. + +It is scarcely necessary to observe, that I do not speak here of ethics +as an abstract science, but simply as it relates to practice, and the +oeconomy of human life. Our enquiry therefore is respecting the time at +which that intuitive faculty is generally awakened, by which we decide +upon the differences of virtue and vice, and are impelled to applaud the +one, and condemn the other. + +The moment in which the faculty of memory begins to unfold itself, the +man begins to exist as a moral being. Not long posterior to this, is the +commencement of prescience and foresight. Rousseau has told us, in his +animated language, that if a child could escape a whipping, or obtain a +paper of sweetmeats, by promising to throw himself out at window +tomorrow, the promise would instantly be made. Nothing is more contrary +to experience than this. It is true, death, or any such evils, of which +he has no clear conception, do not strongly affect him in prospect. But +by the view of that which is palpable and striking, he is as much +influenced as any man, however extensive his knowledge, however large +his experience. It is only by seizing upon the activity and earnestness +incident to youthful pursuits, and totally banishing the idea of what is +future, that we can destroy its influence. Their minds, like a sheet of +white paper, are susceptible to every impression. Their brain, uncrouded +with a thousand confused traces, is a cause, that every impression they +receive is strong and durable. + +The aera of foresight is the aera of imagination, and imagination is the +grand instrument of virtue. The mind is the seat of pleasure and pain. +It is not by what we see, but by what we infer and suppose, that we are +taught, that any being is the object of commiseration. It is by the +constant return of the mind to the unfortunate object, that we are +strongly impressed with sympathy. Hence it is that the too frequent +recurrence of objects of distress, at the same time that it blunts the +imagination, renders the heart callous and obdurate. + +The sentiment that the persons about us have life and feeling as well as +ourselves, cannot be of very late introduction. It may be forwarded by +cultivation, but it can scarcely at any rate be very much retarded. For +this sentiment to become perfectly clear and striking, and to be applied +in every case that may come before us, must undoubtedly be an affair +gradual in its progress. From thence to the feelings of right and wrong, +of compassion and generosity, there is but one step. + +It has, I think, been fully demonstrated by that very elegant +philosopher Mr. Hutcheson, that self-love is not the source of all our +passions, but that disinterested benevolence has its seat in the human +heart. At present it is necessary for me to take this for granted. The +discussion would lead me too far from my subject. What I would infer +from it is, that benevolent affections are capable of a very early +commencement. They do not wait to be grafted upon the selfish. They have +the larger scope in youthful minds, as such have not yet learned those +refinements of interest, that are incident to persons of longer +experience. + +Accordingly no observation is more common, than that mankind are more +generous in the earlier periods of their life, and that their affections +become gradually contracted the farther they advance in the vale of +years. Confidence, kindness, benevolence, constitute the entire temper +of youth. And unless these amiable dispositions be blasted in the bud by +the baneful infusions of ambition, vanity and pride, there is nothing +with which they would not part, to cherish adversity, and remunerate +favour. + +Hence we may infer, that the general ideas of merit and character are +perfectly competent to the understanding of children of ten years. False +glory is the farthest in the world from insinuating its witchcraft into +the undepraved heart, where the vain and malignant passions have not yet +erected their standard. It is true, the peculiar sublimities of heroism +cannot be supposed perfectly within his comprehension. But something of +this sort, as we have already said, is incident to every step in the +scale of literature. + +But the more perfectly to familiarise to my pupil the understanding and +digesting whatever he read, I would consider it as an indispensible part +of my business, to talk over with him familiarly the subjects, that +might necessarily demand our attention. I would lead him by degrees to +relate with clearness and precision the story of his author. I would +induce him to deliver his fair and genuine sentiments upon every action, +and character that came before us. I would frequently call upon him for +a plain and simple reason for his opinion. This should always be done +privately, without ostentation, and without rivalship. Thus, separate +from the danger of fomenting those passions of envy and pride, that +prepare at a distance for our youth so many mortifications, and at the +expence of which too frequently this accomplishment is attained, I would +train him to deliver his opinion upon every subject with freedom, +perspicuity and fluency. Without at any time dictating to him the +sentiments it became him to entertain, I might, with a little honed +artifice, mould his judgment into the form it was most desirable it +should take, at the same time that I discovered his genius, and +ascertained the original propensities of his mind. + +It is unnecessary for me to say any thing respecting morals in the other +sense of the word, I mean as they are connected with the conduct, the +habits of which we should endeavour to cultivate in a pupil; as that +subject has been already exhausted. The vices of youth spring not from +nature, who is equally the kind and blameless mother of all her +children; they derive from the defects of education. We have already +endeavoured to shut up all the inlets of vice. We have precluded +servility and cowardice. We have taken away the motives to concealment +and falshood. By the liberal indulgence we have prescribed, we have +laid the foundation of manly spirit, and generous dignity. A continual +attention to history, accompanied with the cultivation of moral +discernment, and animated with the examples of heroic virtue, could not +fail to form the heart of the pupil, to all that is excellent. At the +same time, by assiduous care, the shoots of vanity and envy might be +crushed in the bud. Emulation is a dangerous and mistaken principle of +constancy. Instead of it I would wish to see the connection of pupils, +consisting only of pleasure and generosity. They should learn to love, +but not to hate each other. Benevolent actions should not directly be +preached to them, they should strictly begin in the heart of the +performer. But when actually done, they should receive the most +distinguished applause. + +Let me be permitted in this place to observe, that the association of a +small number of pupils seems the most perfect mode of education. There +is surely something unsuitable to the present state of mankind, in the +wishing to educate our youth in perfect solitude. Society calls forth a +thousand powers both of mind and body, that must otherwise rust in +inactivity. And nothing is more clear from experience, than that there +is a certain tendency to moral depravation in very large bodies of this +kind, to which there has not yet been discovered a sufficient remedy. + +If, by the pursuit of principles like these, the powers of the +understanding and the heart might be developed in concert; if the pupils +were trained at once to knowledge and virtue; if they were enabled to +look back upon the period of their education, without regretting one +instance of anxious terror, or capricious severity; if they recollected +their tutor with gratitude, and thought of their companions, as of those +generous friends whom they would wish for the associates of their +life,--in that case, the pains of the preceptor would not be thrown +away. + +FINIS. + + + + + +THE + +HERALD OF LITERATURE. + + +[PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.] + + +THE + + + +HERALD OF LITERATURE; + + + +OR, + + + +A REVIEW + + +OF THE + + +MOST CONSIDERABLE PUBLICATIONS + + +THAT WILL BE MADE IN THE + + +COURSE OF THE ENSUING WINTER: + + + +WITH + + +EXTRACTS. + + + + * * * * * + +LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. MURRAY, NO. 32, FLEET-STREET. + +M DCC LXXXIV. + + +TO THE AUTHORS OF THE MONTHLY AND CRITICAL REVIEWS. + + +GENTLEMEN, + +In presenting the following sheets to the public, I hope I shall not be +considered as encroaching upon that province, which long possession has +probably taught you to consider as your exclusive right. The labour it +has cost me, and the many perils I have encountered to bring it to +perfection, will, I trust, effectually plead my pardon with persons of +your notorious candour and humanity. Represent to yourselves, Gentlemen, +I entreat you, the many false keys, bribes to the lacqueys of authors +that can keep them, and collusions with the booksellers of authors that +cannot, which were required in the prosecution of this arduous +undertaking. Imagine to yourselves how often I have shuddered upon the +verge of petty larceny, and how repeatedly my slumbers have been +disturbed with visions of the King's-Bench Prison and Clerkenwell +Bridewell. You, gentlemen, sit in your easy chair, and with the majesty +of a Minos or an Aeacus, summon the trembling culprits to your bar. But +though you never knew what fear was, recollect, other men have snuffed a +candle with their fingers. + +But I would not be misunderstood. Heroical as I trust my undertaking +proves me, I fear no man's censure, and court no man's applause. But I +look up to you as a respectable body of men, who have long united your +efforts to reduce the disproportioned members of an ancient republic to +an happy equality, to give wings to the little emmet of Grub-street, and +to hew away the excrescences of lawless genius with a hatchet. In this +character I honour you. That you have assumed it uncompelled and +self-elected, that you have exercised it undazzled by the _ignis fatuus_ +of genius, is your unfading glory. + +Having thus cleared myself from the suspicion of any sinister view, I +cannot here refrain from presenting you with a peace-offering. Had it +been in my power to procure gums more costly, or incense more fragrant, +I would have rendered it more worthy your acceptance. + +It has been a subject upon which I have often reflected with +mortification, that the world is too apt to lay aside your lucubrations +with the occasions that gave birth to them, and that if they are ever +opened after, it is only with old magazines by staid matrons over their +winter fire. Such persons are totally incapable of comparing your +sentences with the maturer verdict of the public; a comparison that +would redound so much to your honour. What I design at present, is in +some measure to remedy an evil, that can never perhaps be entirely +removed. As the field which is thus opened to me is almost unbounded, I +will confine myself to two of the most striking examples, in Tristram +Shandy, and the Rosciad of Churchill. + +In the Monthly Review, vol. 24, p, 103, I find these words: + +"But your indiscretion, good Mr. Tristram, is not all we complain of in +the volumes before us. We must tax you with what you will dread above +the most terrible of all insinuations--nothing less than DULLNESS. Yes, +indeed, Mr. Tristram, you are dull, _very dull_. Your jaded fancy seems +to have been exhausted by two pigmy octavos, which scarce contained the +substance of a twelve-penny pamphlet, and we now find nothing new to +entertain us." + +The following epithets are selected at random. "We are sick--we are +quite tired--we can no longer bear corporal Trim's +insipidity--thread-bare--stupid and unaffecting--absolutely +dull--misapplication of talents--he will unavoidably sink into +contempt." + +The Critical Review, vol II, p. 212, has the following account of the +Rosciad: + + + "It is _natural_ for young authors to conceive themselves the + cleverest fellows in the world, and withal, that there is not + the least degree of merit subsisting but in their own works: It + is _natural_ likewise for them to imagine, that they may conceal + themselves by appearing in different shapes, and that they are + not to be found out by their stile; but little do these + _Connoisseurs_ in writing conceive, how easily they are + discovered by a veteran in the service. In the title-page to + this performance we are told (by way of quaint conceit), that it + was written by _the author_; what if it should prove that the + Author and the Actor[A] are the same! Certain it is that we meet + with the _same_ vein of peculiar humour, the same turn of + thought, the same _autophilism_ (there's a new word for you to + bring into the next poem) which we meet with in the other; + insomuch that we are ready to make the conclusion in the + author's own words: + + [Footnote A: _The Actor, a Poem, by Robert Lloyd, Esq._] + + + Who is it?------LLOYD. + + + "We will not pretend however absolutely to assert that Mr. L---- + wrote this poem; but we may venture to affirm, that it is the + production, jointly or separately, of the new triumvirate of + wits, who never let an opportunity slip of singing their own + praises. _Caw me, caw thee_, as Sawney says, and so to it they + go, and _scratch_ one another like so many Scotch pedlars." + + +In page 339, I find a passage referred to in the Index, under the head +of "a notable instance of their candour," retracting their insinuations +against Lloyd and Colman, and ascribing the poem in a particular vein of +pleasantry to Mr. Flexney, the bookseller, and Mr. Griffin, the printer. +Candour certainly did not require that they should acknowledge Mr. +Churchill, whose name was now inserted in the title-page, as the author, +or if author of any, at least not of a considerable part of the poem. +That this was their sense of the matter, appears from their account of +the apology for the Rosciad, p. 409. + +"This is another _Brutum Fulinen_ launched at the Critical Review by one +Churchill, who it seems is a clergyman, and it must be owned has a knack +at versification; a bard, who upon the strength of having written a few +good lines in a thing called _The Rosciad_, swaggers about as if he were +game-keeper of Parnassus." + +P. 410. "This apologist has very little reason to throw out behind +against the Critical Reviewers, who in mentioning _The Rosciad_, of +which he calls himself author, commended it in the lump, without +specifying the bald lines, the false thoughts, and tinsel frippery from +which it is not entirely free." They conclude with contrasting him with +Smollet, in comparison of whom he is "a puny antagonist, who must write +many more poems as good as the Rosciad, before he will be considered as +a respectable enemy." + +Upon these extracts I will beg leave to make two observations. + +1. Abstracted from all consideration of the profundity of criticism that +is displayed, no man can avoid being struck with the humour and +pleasantry in which they are conceived, or the elegant and gentlemanlike +language in which they are couched. What can be more natural or more +ingenuous than to suppose that the persons principally commended in a +work, were themselves the writers of it? And for that allusion of the +Scotch pedlars, for my part, I hold it to be inimitable. + +2. But what is most admirable is the independent spirit, with which they +stemmed the torrent of fashion, and forestalled the second thoughts of +their countrymen. There was a time when Tristram Shandy was applauded, +and Churchill thought another Dryden. But who reads Tristram now? There +prevails indeed a certain quaintness, and something "like an affectation +of being immoderately witty, throughout the whole work." But for real +humour not a grain. So said the Monthly Reviewers, (v. 21. p. 568.) and +so says the immortal Knox. Both indeed grant him a slight knack at the +pathetic; but, if I may venture a prediction, his pretensions to the +latter will one day appear no better founded, than his pretentions to +the former. + +And then poor Churchill! His satire now appears to be dull and +pointless. Through his tedious page no modern student can labour. We +look back, and wonder how the rage of party ever swelled this _thing_ +into a poet. Even the great constellation, from whose tribunal no +prudent man ever appealed, has excluded him from a kingdom, where Watts +and Blackmore reign. But Johnson and Knox can by no means compare with +the Reviewers. These attacked the mountebanks in the very midst of their +short-lived empire. Those have only brought up the rear of public +opinion, and damned authors already forgotten. They fought the battles a +second time, and "again they slew the slain." + +Gentlemen, + +It would have been easy to add twenty articles to this list. I might +have selected instances from the later volumes of your entertaining +works, in which your deviations from the dictates of imaginary taste are +still more numerous. But I could not have confronted them with the +decisive verdict of time. The rage of fashion has not yet ceased, and +the ebullition of blind wonder is not over. I shall therefore leave a +plentiful crop for such as come after me, who admire you as much as I +do, and will be contented to labour in the same field. + +I have the honour to be, + +Gentlemen, + +With all veneration, + +Your indefatigable reader, + +And the humblest of your panegyrists. + +CONTENTS. + + +ARTICLE I. + + +_The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. By Edward +Gibbon, Esq. Vols._ iv, v, vi, vii. 4to. + + +ARTICLE II. + + +_The History of America. By William Robertson, D.D. &c. Vols._ iii, +_and_ iv. 4to. + + +ARTICLE III. + + +_Secret History of Theodore Albert Maximilian, Prince of Hohenzollern +Sigmaringen_. 12mo. + + +ARTICLE IV. + + +_Louisa, or Memoirs of a Lady of Quality. By the Author of Evelina and +Cecilia. Three vols._ 12mo. + + +ARTICLE V. + + +_The Peasant of Bilidelgerid, a Tale. Two vols. Shandean._ + + +ARTICLE VI. + + +_An Essay on Novel, in Three Epistles, inscribed to the Right Honourable +Lady Craven. By William Hayley, Esq._ 4to. + + +ARTICLE VII. + + +_Inkle and Yarico, a Poem. By James Beattie, L.L.D._ 4to. + + +ARTICLE VIII. + + +_The Alchymist, a Comedy, altered from Ben Jonson, by Richard Brinsley +Sheridan, Esq._ + + +ARTICLE IX. + + +_Reflexions upon the present State of the United States of America. By +Thomas Paine, M.A. &c._ 8vo. + + +ARTICLE X. + + +_Speech of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, on a Motion for an Address +of Thanks to his Majesty (on the 28th of November, 1783) for his +gracious Communication of a Treaty of Commerce concluded between George +the Third, King, &c. and the United States of America._ + + +THE + + + +HERALD + + + +OF + + + +LITERATURE, &C. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARTICLE I. + + +THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. BY EDWARD +GIBBON, ESQ. VOLS. IV, V, VI, VII. 4TO. + + +We are happy to have it in our power thus early to congratulate the +public upon the final accomplishment of a work, that must constitute one +of the greatest ornaments of the present age. We have now before us, in +one view, and described by the uniform pencil of one historian, the +stupendous and instructive object of the gradual decline of the greatest +empire; circumscribed by degrees within the narrow walls of a single +city; and at length, after the various revolutions of thirteen +centuries, totally swallowed up in the empire of the Turks. Of this +term, the events of more than nine hundred years are described in that +part of our author that now lies before us. It cannot therefore be +expected, that in the narrow limits we have prescribed to ourselves, we +should enter into a regular synopsis of the performance, chapter by +chapter, after the laudable example of our more laborious brother +reviewers. We will pay our readers the compliment, however unauthorised +by the venerable seal of custom, of supposing them already informed, +that Anastasius succeeded Zeno, and Justin Anastasius; that Justinian +published the celebrated code that is called by his name; and that his +generals, Belisarius and Narses, were almost constantly victorious over +the Barbarians, and restored, for a moment, the expiring lustre of the +empire. We shall confine ourselves to two extracts, relating to subjects +of the greatest importance, and which we presume calculated, at once to +gratify and excite the curiosity of the public. + +The reign of the emperor Heraclius is perhaps more crowded with events +of the highest consequence, than that of any other prince in the series. +It has therefore a proportionable scope allotted it in the plan of Mr. +Gibbon; who seems to understand better than almost any historian, what +periods to sketch with a light and active pen, and upon what to dwell +with minuteness, and dilate his various powers. While we pursue the +various adventures of Cosroes II., beginning his reign in a flight from +his capital city; suing for the protection and support of the Greek +emperor; soon after declaring war against the empire; successively +conquering Mesopotamia, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and the +greater part of Natolia; then beaten; a fugitive; and at last murdered +by his own son; we are unable to conceive of a story more interesting, +or more worthy of our attention. But in contemplating the rife of the +Saracen khalifate, and the religion of Mahomet, which immediately +succeeded these events, we are compelled to acknowledge a more +astonishing object. + +The following is the character of the impostor, as sketched by the +accurate and judicious pencil of our historian. We will leave it to the +judgment of our readers, only observing, that Mr. Gibbon has very +unnecessarily brought Christianity into the comparison; and has perhaps +touched the errors of the false prophet with a lighter hand, that the +disparity might be the less apparent. + + + "But Heraclius had a much more formidable enemy to encounter in + the latter part of his reign, than the effeminate and divided + Persian. This was the new empire of the Saracens. Ingenious and + eloquent, temperate and brave, as had been invariably their + national character, they had their exertions concentred, and + their courage animated by a legislator, whose institutions may + vie, in the importance of their consequences, with those of + Solon, Lycurgus, or Numa. Though an impostor, he propagated a + religion, which, like the elevated and divine principles of + Christianity, was confined to no one nation or country; but even + embraced a larger portion of the human race than Christianity + itself. + + "Mahomet, the son of Abdallah, was born on the 9th of April, + 571, in the city of Mecca. Having been early left an orphan by + both parents, he received an hardy and robust education, not + tempered by the elegancies of literature, nor much allayed by + the indulgencies of natural affection. He was no sooner able to + walk, than he was sent naked, with the infant peasantry, to + attend the cattle of the village; and was obliged to seek the + refreshment of sleep, as well as pursue the occupations of the + day, in the open air[A]. He even pretended to be a stranger to + the art of writing and reading. But though neglected by those + who had the care of his infancy, the youth of this extraordinary + personage did not pass away without some of those incidents, + which might afford a glimpse of the sublimity of his genius; and + some of those prodigies, with which superstition is prompt to + adorn the story of the founders of nations, and the conquerors + of empires. In the mean time, his understanding was enlarged by + travel. It is not to be supposed that he frequented the + neighbouring countries, without making some of those profound + observations upon the decline of the two great empires of the + East and of Persia, which were calculated to expand his views, + and to mature his projects. The energies of his mind led him to + despise the fopperies of idolatry; and he found the Christians, + in the most unfavourable situation, torn into innumerable + parties, by the sectaries of Athanasius, Arius, Eutyches, + Nestorius. In this situation, he extracted that from every + system that bordered most nearly upon the dictates of reason, + and framed to himself a sublime doctrine, of which the unity of + God, the innocence of moderate enjoyment, the obligation of + temperance and munificence, were the leading principles. But it + would have contributed little to his purpose, if he had stopped + here. Enthusiastically devoted to his extensive designs, and + guided by the most consummate art, he pretended to divine + communications, related a thousand ridiculous and incredible + adventures; and though he constantly refused a prodigy to the + importunities of his countrymen, laid claim to several frivolous + miracles, and a few thinly scattered prophecies. One of his most + artful devices was the delivering the system of his religion, + not in one entire code, but in detached essays. This enabled him + more than once to new mould the very genius of his religion, + without glaringly subjecting himself to the charge of + inconsistency. From these fragments, soon after his death, was + compiled the celebrated Alcoran. The style of this volume is + generally turgid, heavy, monotonous. It is disfigured with + childish tales and impossible adventures. But it is frequently + figurative, frequently poetical, sometimes sublime. And amidst + all its defects, it will remain the greatest of all monuments of + uncultivated and illiterate genius. + + [Footnote A: "Abuleda, Chron. p. 27. Boulainvilliers, Vie de + Mahomet, b. ii. p. 175. This latter writer exhibits the singular + phenomenon of the native of a Christian country, unreasonably + prejudiced in favour of the Arabian impostor. That he did not + live, however, to finish his curious performance, is the + misfortune of the republic of letters." ] + + "The plan was carefully reserved by Mahomet for the mature age + of forty years. Thus digested however, and communicated with the + nicest art and the most fervid eloquence, he had the + mortification to find his converts, at the end of three years, + amount to no more than forty persons. But the ardour of this + hero was invincible, and his success was finally adequate to his + wishes. Previous to the famous aera of his flight from Mecca, he + had taught his followers, that they had no defence against the + persecution of their enemies, but invincible patience. But the + opposition he encountered obliged him to change his maxims. He + now inculcated the duty of extirpating the enemies of God, and + held forth the powerful allurements of conquest and plunder. + With these he united the theological dogma of predestination, + and the infallible promise of paradise to such as met their fate + in the field of war. By these methods he trained an intrepid and + continually increasing army, inflamed with enthusiasm, and + greedy of death. He prepared them for the most arduous + undertakings, by continual attacks upon travelling caravans and + scattered villages: a pursuit, which, though perfectly consonant + with the institutions of his ancestors, painted him to the + civilized nations of Europe in the obnoxious character of a + robber. By degrees however, he proceeded to the greatest + enterprizes; and compelled the whole peninsula of Arabia to + confess his authority as a prince, and his mission as a prophet. + He died, like the Grecian Philip, in the moment, when having + brought his native country to co-operate in one undertaking, he + meditated the invasion of distant climates, and the destruction + of empires. + + "The character of Mahomet however was exceeding different from + that of Philip, and far more worthy of the attention of a + philosopher. Philip was a mere politician, who employed the + cunning of a statesman, and the revenues of a prince, in the + corruption of a number of fallen and effeminate republics. But + Mahomet, without riches, without rank, without education, by the + mere ascendancy of his abilities, subjected by persuasion and + force a simple and generous nation that had never been + conquered; and laid the foundation of an empire, that extended + over half the globe; and a religion, capable of surviving the + fate of empires. His schemes were always laid with the truest + wisdom. He lived among a people celebrated for subtlety and + genius: he never laid himself open to detection. His eloquence + was specious, dignified, and persuasive. And he blended with it + a lofty enthusiasm, that awed those, whom familiarity might have + emboldened, and silenced his enemies. He was simple of + demeanour, and ostentatious of munificence. And under these + plausible virtues he screened the indulgence of his + constitutional propensities. The number of his concubines and + his wives has been ambitiously celebrated by Christian writers. + He sometimes acquired them by violence and injustice; and he + frequently dismissed them without ceremony. His temper does not + seem to have been naturally cruel. But we may trace in his + conduct the features of a barbarian; and a part of his severity + may reasonably be ascribed to the plan of religious conquest + that he adopted, and that can never be reconciled with the + rights of humanity." + + +After the victories of Omar, and the other successors of Mahomet had in +a manner stripped the court of Constantinople of all its provinces, the +Byzantine history dwindles into an object petty and minute. In order to +vary the scene, and enhance the dignity of his subject, the author +occasionally takes a prospect of the state of Rome and Italy, under the +contending powers of the papacy and the new empire of the West. When the +singular and unparalleled object of the Crusades presents itself, the +historian embraces the illustrious scene with apparent eagerness, and +bestows upon it a greater enlargement than might perhaps have been +expected from the nature of his subject; but not greater, we confidently +believe, than is calculated to increase the pleasure, that a reader of +philosophy and taste may derive from the perusal. As the immortal +Saladin is one of the most distinguished personages in this story, we +have selected his character, as a specimen of this part of the work. + + + "No sooner however was the virtuous Noureddin removed by death, + than the Christians of the East had their attention still more + forcibly alarmed by the progress of the invincible Saladin. He + had possessed himself of the government of Egypt; first, under + the modest appellation of vizier, and then, with the more august + title of soldan. He abolished the dynasty of the Fatemite + khalifs. Though Noureddin had been the patron of his family, and + the father of his fortunes, yet was that hero no sooner expired, + than he invaded the territories of his young and unwarlike + successor. He conquered the fertile and populous province of + Syria. He compelled the saheb of Mawsel to do him homage. The + princes of the Franks already trembled for their possessions, + and prepared a new and more solemn embassy, to demand the + necessary succours of their European brethren. + + "The qualities of Saladin were gilded with the lustre of + conquest; and it has been the singular fortune of this Moslem + hero, to be painted in fairer colours by the discordant and + astonished Christians, than by those of his own courtiers and + countrymen, who may reasonably be supposed to have known him + best. He has been compared with Alexander; and tho' he be + usually stiled, and with some justice, a barbarian, it does not + appear that his character would suffer in the comparison. His + conquests were equally splendid; nor did he lead the forces of a + brave and generous people, against a nation depressed by + slavery, and relaxed with effeminacy. Under his banner Saracen + encountered Saracen in equal strife; or the forces of the East + were engaged with the firmer and more disciplined armies of the + West. Like Alexander, he was liberal to profusion; and while all + he possessed seemed the property of his friends, the monarch + himself often wanted that, which with unstinted hand he had + heaped upon his favourites and dependents. His sentiments were + elevated, his manners polite and insinuating, and the affability + of his temper was never subdued. + + "But the parallel is exceedingly far from entire. He possessed + not the romantic gallantry of the conqueror of Darius; he had + none of those ardent and ungovernable passions, through whose + medium the victories of Arbela and Issus had transformed the + generous hero into the lawless tyrant. It was a maxim to which + he uniformly adhered, to accomplish his lofty designs by policy + and intrigue, and to leave as little as possible to the unknown + caprice of fortune. In his mature age he was temperate, gentle, + patient. The passions of his soul, and the necessities of nature + were subordinate to the equanimity of his character[A]. His + deportment was grave and thoughtful; his religion sincere and + enthusiastic. He was ignorant of letters, and despised all + learning, that was not theological. The cultivation, that had + obtained under the khalifs, had not entirely civilized the + genius of Saladin. His maxims of war were indeed the maxims of + the age, and ought not to be adopted as a particular imputation. + But the action of his striking off with his own hand the head of + a Christian prince, who had attacked the defenceless caravan of + the pilgrims of Mecca, exhibits to our view all the features of + a fierce and untutored barbarian[B] ." + + [Footnote A: Bohaoddin, p. 71. He was an eye witness, and had a + considerable share in many of the transactions of Saladin. He is + generally accurate, and tolerably impartial. ] + + [Footnote B: Ebn Shohnah, Heg. 589. Abulfarai, Renaudot, p. 243. + D'Herbelot, biblioth. orient. art. Togrul, &c. ] + + +As the whole of this excellent work is now before us, it may not be +impertinent, before we finally take our leave of it, to attempt an idea +of its celebrated author. We are happy in this place to declare our +opinion, that no author ever better obeyed the precept of Horace and +Boileau, in choosing a subject nicely correspondent to the talents he +possessed. The character of this writer, patient yet elegant, accurate +in enquiry, acute in reflexion, was peculiarly calculated to trace the +flow and imperceptible decline of empire, and to throw light upon a +period, darkened by the barbarism of its heroes, and the confused and +narrow genius of its authors. In a word, we need not fear to class the +performance with those that shall do lasting, perhaps immortal, honour, +to the country by which they have been produced. + +But like many other works of this elevated description, the time shall +certainly come, when the history before us shall no longer be found, but +in the libraries of the learned, and the cabinets of the curious. At +present it is equally sought by old and young, the learned and +unlearned, the macaroni, the peer, and the fine lady, as well as the +student and scholar. But this is to be ascribed to the rage of fashion. +The performance is not naturally calculated for general acceptance. It +is, by the very tenor of the subject, interspersed with a thousand +minute and elaborate investigations, which, in spite of perspicuous +method, and classical allusion, will deter the idle, and affright the +gay. + +Nor can we avoid ascribing the undistinguishing and extravagant +applause, that has been bestowed upon the style, to the same source of +fashion, the rank, the fortune, the connexions of the writer. It is +indeed loaded with epithets, and crowded with allusions. But though the +style be often raised, the thoughts are always calm, equal, and rigidly +classic. The language is full of art, but perfectly exempt from fire. +Learning, penetration, accuracy, polish; any thing is rather the +characteristic of the historian, than the flow of eloquence, and the +flame of genius. Far therefore from classing him in this respect with +such writers as the immortal Hume, who have perhaps carried the English +language to the highest perfection it is capable of reaching; we are +inclined to rank him below Dr. Johnson, though we are by no means +insensible to the splendid faults of that admirable writer. + +One word perhaps ought to be said respecting Mr. Gibbon's treatment of +Christianity. His wit is indeed by no means uniformly happy; as where +for instance, he tells us, that the name of _Le Boeuf_ is remarkably +apposite to the character of that antiquarian; or where, speaking of the +indefatigable diligence of Tillemont, he informs us, that "the patient +and sure-footed mule of the Alps may be trusted in the most slippery +paths." But allowing every thing for the happiness of his irony, and +setting aside our private sentiments respecting the justice of its +application, we cannot help thinking it absolutely incompatible, with +the laws of history. For our own part, we honestly confess, that we have +met with more than one passage, that has puzzled us whether it ought to +be understood in jest or earnest. The irony of a single word he must be +a churl who would condemn; but the continuance of this figure in serious +composition, throws truth and falsehood, right and wrong into +inextricable perplexity. + + + +ARTICLE II. + + +THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. BY WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D.&C. VOLS. III, IV. +4TO. + + +The expectation of almost all ranks has been as much excited by the +present performance, as perhaps by almost any publication in the records +of literature. The press has scarcely been able to keep pace with the +eagerness of the public, and the third edition is already announced, +before we have been able to gratify our readers with an account of this +interesting work. For a great historian to adventure an established name +upon so recent and arduous a subject, is an instance that has scarcely +occurred. Reports were sometime ago industriously propagated that Dr. +Robertson had turned his attention to a very different subject, and even +when it was generally known that the present work was upon the eve of +publication, it was still questioned by many, whether a writer, so +celebrated for prudence, had not declined the more recent part of the +North American history. The motives of his conduct upon this head as +they are stated in the preface, we shall here lay before our readers. + +"But neither the history of Portuguese America, nor the early history of +our own settlements, have constituted the most arduous part of the +present publication. The revolution, which, unfortunately for this +country, hath recently taken place in the British colonies, hath excited +the most general attention, at the same time that it hath rendered the +gratification of public curiosity a matter of as much delicacy as +necessity. Could this event have been foreseen by me, I should perhaps +have been more cautious of entering into engagements with the public. To +embark upon a subject, respecting which the sentiments of my countrymen +have been so much divided, and the hand of time hath not yet collected +the verdicts of mankind; while the persons, to whose lot it hath fallen +to act the principal parts upon the scene, are almost all living; is a +task that prudence might perhaps refuse, and modesty decline. But +circumstanced as I was, I have chosen rather to consider these +peculiarities as pleas for the candour of my readers, than as motives to +withdraw myself from so important an undertaking. I should ill deserve +the indulgence I have experienced from the public, were I capable of +withdrawing from a task by which their curiosity might be gratified, +from any private inducements of inconvenience or difficulty." + +We have already said, and the reader will have frequent occasion to +recollect it, that we by no means generally intend an analysis of the +several works that may come before us. In the present instance, we do +not apprehend that we shall lay ourselves open to much blame, by passing +over in silence the discoveries of Vespusius, and the conquests of +Baretto; and laying before our readers some extracts from the history of +the late war. It is impossible not to remark that the subject is treated +with much caution, and that, though the sentiments of a royalist be +every where conspicuous, they are those of a royalist, moderated by +misfortune and defeat. + +The following is Dr. Robertson's account of the declaration of +independence. + + + "It is by this time sufficiently visible, that the men, who took + upon themselves to be most active in directing the American + counsels, were men of deep design and extensive ambition, who by + no means confined their views to the redress of those grievances + of which they complained, and which served them for instruments + in the pursuit of objects less popular and specious. By degrees + they sought to undermine the allegiance, and dissolve the ties, + which connected the colonies with the parent country of Britain. + Every step that was taken by her ministry to restore tranquility + to the empire, was artfully misrepresented by the zealots of + faction. Every unguarded expression, or unfortunate measure of + irritation was exaggerated by leaders, who considered their own + honour and dignity as inseparable from further advances, and + predicted treachery and insult as the consequences of + retreating. They now imagined they had met with a favourable + opportunity for proceeding to extremities. Their influence was + greatest in the general congress, and by their means a circular + manifesto was issued by that assembly intended to ascertain the + disposition of the several colonies respecting a declaration of + independence. + + "They called their countrymen to witness how real had been their + grievances, and how moderate their claims. They said, it was + impossible to have proceeded with more temper or greater + deliberation, but that their complaints had been constantly + superseded, their petitions to the throne rejected. The + administration of Great Britain had not hesitated to attempt to + starve them into surrender, and having miscarried in this, they + were ready to employ the whole force of their country, with all + the foreign auxiliaries they could obtain, in prosecution of + their unjust and tyrannical purposes. They were precipitated, it + was said, by Britain into a state of hostility, and there no + longer remained for them a liberty of choice. They must either + throw down their arms, and expect the clemency of men who had + acted as the enemies of their rights; or they must consider + themselves as in a state of warfare, and abide by the + consequences of that state. Warfare involved independency. + Without this their efforts must be irregular, feeble, and + without all prospect of success; they could possess no power to + suppress mutinies, or to punish conspiracies; nor could they + expect countenance and support from any of the states of Europe, + however they might be inclined to favour them, while they + acknowledged themselves to be subjects, and it was uncertain how + soon they might sacrifice their friends and allies to the hopes + of a reunion. To look back, they were told, to the king of + England, after all the insults they had experienced, and the + hostilities that were begun, would be the height of + pusillanimity and weakness. They were bid to think a little for + their posterity, who by the irreversible laws of nature and + situation, could have no alternative left them but to be slaves + or independent. Finally, many subtle reasonings were alledged, + to evince the advantages they must derive from intrinsic + legislation, and general commerce. + + "On the other hand, the middle and temperate party, represented + this step as unnecessary, uncertain in its benefits, and + irretrievable in its consequences. They expatiated on the + advantages that had long been experienced by the colonists from + the fostering care of Great Britain, the generosity of the + efforts she had made to protect them, and the happiness they had + known under her auspicious patronage. They represented their + doubt of the ability of the colonies to defend themselves + without her alliance. They stated the necessity of a common + superior to balance the separate and discordant interests of the + different provinces. They dwelt upon the miseries of an internal + and doubtful struggle. Determined never to depart from the + assertion of what they considered as their indefeasible right, + they would incessantly besiege the throne with their humble + remonstrances. They would seek the clemency of England, rather + than the alliance of those powers, whom they conceived to be the + real enemies of both; nor would they ever be accessory to the + shutting up the door of reconciliation. + + "But the voice of moderation is seldom heard amidst the + turbulence of civil dissention. Violent counsels prevailed. The + decisive and irrevocable step was made on the 4th of July 1776. + It remains with posterity to decide upon its merits. Since that + time it has indeed received the sanction of military success; + but whatever consequences it may produce to America, the fatal + day must ever be regretted by every sincere friend to the + British empire." + + +The other extract we shall select is from the story of Lord Cornwallis's +surrender in Virginia, and the consequent termination of the American +war. + + + "The loss of these redoubts may be considered as deciding the + fate of the British troops. The post was indeed originally so + weak and insufficient to resist the force that attacked it, that + nothing but the assured expectation of relief from the garrison + of New York, could have induced the commander to undertake its + defence, and calmly to wait the approaches of the enemy. An + officer of so unquestionable gallantry would, rather have + hazarded an encounter in the field, and trusted his adventure to + the decision of fortune, than by cooping his army in so + inadequate a fortress, to have prepared for them inevitable + misfortune and disgrace. But with the expectations he had been + induced to form, he did not think himself justified in having + recourse to desperate expedients. + + "These hopes were now at an end. The enemy had already silenced + his batteries. Nothing remained to hinder them from completing + their second parallel, three hundred yards nearer to the + besieged than the first. His lordship had received no + intelligence of the approach of succours, and a probability did + not remain that he could defend his station till such time as he + could expect their arrival. Thus circumstanced, with the + magnanimity peculiar to him, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, to + acquaint him with the posture of his affairs, and to recommend + to the fleet and the army that they should not make any great + risk in endeavouring to extricate them. + + "But although he regarded his situation as hopeless, he did not + neglect any effort becoming a general, to lengthen the siege, + and procrastinate the necessity of a surrender, if it was + impossible finally to prevent it. The number of his troops + seemed scarcely sufficient to countenance a considerable sally, + but the emergency was so critical, that he ordered about three + hundred and fifty men, on the morning of the 16th, to attack the + batteries that appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and + to spike their guns. The assault was impetuous and successful. + But either from their having executed the business upon which + they were sent in a hasty and imperfect manner, or from the + activity and industry of the enemy, the damage was repaired, and + the batteries completed before evening. + + "One choice only remained. To carry the troops across to + Gloucester Point, and make one last effort to escape. Boats were + accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock at night the army began + to embark. The first embarkation arrived in safety. The greater + part of the troops were already landed. At this critical moment + of hope and apprehension, of expectation and danger, the + weather, which had hitherto been moderate and calm, suddenly + changed; the sky was clouded, the wind rose and a violent storm + ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were borne down the + stream. To complete the anxiety and danger, the batteries of the + enemy were opened, the day dawned, and their efforts were + directed against the northern shore of the river. Nothing could + be hoped, but the escape of the boats, and the safety of the + troops. They were brought back without much loss, and every + thing was replaced in its former situation. + + "Every thing now verged to the dreaded crisis. The fire of the + besiegers was heavy and unintermitted. The British could not + return a gun, and the shells, their last resource, were nearly + exhausted. They were themselves worn down with sickness and + continual watching. A few hours it appeared must infallibly + decide their fate. And if any thing were still wanting, the + French ships which had entered the mouth of the river, seemed + prepared to second the general assault on their side. In this + situation, lord Cornwallis, not less calm and humane, than he + was intrepid, chose not to sacrifice the lives of so many brave + men to a point of honour, but the same day proposed to general + Washington a cessation of twenty four hours, in order mutually + to adjust the terms of capitulation. + + "The troops which surrendered in the posts of York and + Gloucester amounted to between five and six thousand men, but + there were not above three thousand eight hundred of these in a + capacity for actual service. They were all obliged to become + prisoners of war. Fifteen hundred seamen were included in the + capitulation. The commander, unable to obtain terms for the + loyal Americans, was obliged to have recourse to a sloop, + appointed to carry his dispatches, and which he stipulated + should pass unsearched, to convey them to New York. The British + fleet and army arrived off the Chesapeak five days after the + surrender. Having learned the melancholy fate of their + countrymen, they were obliged to return, without effecting any + thing, to their former station. + + "Such was the catastrophe of an army, that in intrepidity of + exertion, and the patient endurance of the most mortifying + reverses, are scarcely to be equalled by any thing that is to be + met with in history. The applause they have received + undiminished by their subsequent misfortunes, should teach us to + exclaim less upon the precariousness of fame, and animate us + with the assurance that heroism and constancy can never be + wholly disappointed of their reward." + + +The publication before us is written with that laudable industry, which +ought ever to distinguish a great historian. The author appears to have +had access to some of the best sources of information; and has +frequently thrown that light upon a recent story, which is seldom to be +expected, but from the developements of time, and the researches of +progressive generations. + +We cannot bestow equal praise upon his impartiality. Conscious however +and reserved upon general questions, the historian has restricted +himself almost entirely to the narrative form, and has seldom indulged +us with, what we esteem the principal ornament of elegant history, +reflexion and character. The situation of Dr. Robertson may suggest to +us an obvious, though incompetent, motive in the present instance. +Writing for his contemporaries and countrymen, he could not treat the +resistance of America, as the respectable struggle of an emerging +nation. Writing for posterity, he could not denominate treason and +rebellion, that which success, at least, had stamped with the signatures +of gallantry and applause. But such could not have been the motives of +the writer in that part of the history of America, which was given to +the world some years ago. Perhaps Dr. Robertson was willing to try, how +far his abilities could render the most naked story agreeable and +interesting. We will allow him to have succeeded. But we could well have +spared the experiment. + +The style of this performance is sweet and eloquent. We hope however +that we shall not expose ourselves to the charge of fastidiousness, when +we complain that it is rather too uniformly so. The narrative is indeed +occasionally enlivened, and the language picturesque. But in general we +search in vain for some roughness to relieve the eye, and some sharpness +to provoke the palate. One full and sweeping period succeeds another, +and though pleased and gratified at first, the attention gradually +becomes languid. + +It would not perhaps be an unentertaining employment to compare the +style of Dr. Robertson's present work with that of his first +publication, the admired History of Scotland. The language of that +performance is indeed interspersed with provincial and inelegant modes +of expression, and the periods are often unskilfully divided. But it has +a vigour and spirit, to which such faults are easily pardoned. We can +say of it, what we can scarcely say of any of the author's later +publications, that he has thrown his whole strength into it. + +In that instance however he entered the lists with almost the only +historian, with whom Dr. Robertson must appear to disadvantage, the +incomparable Hume. In the comparison, we cannot but acknowledge that the +eloquence of the former speaks the professor, not the man of the world. +He reasons indeed, but it is with the reasons of logic; and not with the +acuteness of philosophy, and the intuition of genius. Let not the living +historian be offended. To be second to Hume, in our opinion might +satisfy the ambition of a Livy or a Tacitus. + + + +ARTICLE III. + + +SECRET HISTORY OF THEODORE ALBERT MAXIMILIAN, PRINCE OF HOHENZOLLERN +SIGMARINGEN. 12MO. + + +This agreeable tale appears to be the production of the noble author of +the Modern Anecdote. It is told with the same humour and careless +vivacity. The design is to ridicule the cold pedantry that judges of +youth, without making any allowance for the warmth of inexperience, and +the charms of beauty. Such readers as take up a book merely for +entertainment, and do not quarrel with an author that does not +scrupulously confine himself within the limits of moral instruction, +will infallibly find their account in it. + +The following specimen will give some idea of the manner in which the +story is told. + +"The learned Bertram was much scandalized at the dissipation that +prevailed in the court of Hohenzollern. He was credibly informed that +the lord treasurer of the principality, who had no less than a revenue +of 109l. 7s. 10-3/4d. committed to his management, sometimes forgot the +cares of an exchequer in the arms of a mistress. Nay, fame had even +whispered in his ear, that the reverend confessor himself had an +intrigue with a certain cook-maid. But that which beyond all things, +afflicted him was the amour of Theodore with the beautiful Wilhelmina. +What, cried he, when he ruminated upon the subject, can it be excusable +in the learned Bertram, whose reputation has filled a fourth part of the +circle of Swabia, who twice bore away the prize in the university of +Otweiler, to pass these crying sins in silence? It shall not be said. +Thus animated, he strided away to the antichamber of Theodore. Theodore, +who was all graciousness, venerated the reputation of Bertram, and +ordered him to be instantly admitted. The eyes of the philosopher +flashed with anger. Most noble prince, cried he, I am come to inform +you, that you must immediately break with the beautiful Wilhelmina. +Theodore stared, but made no answer. The vices of your highness, said +Bertram, awake my indignation. While you toy away your hours in the lap +of a w----e, the vast principality of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen hastens +to its fall. Reflect, my lord; three villages, seven hamlets, and near +eleven grange houses and cottages, depend upon you for their political +prosperity. Alas, thought Theodore, what are grange houses and cottages +compared with the charms of Wilhelmina? Shall the lewd tricks of a +wanton make you forget the jealous projects of the prince of +Hohenzollern Hechingen, the elder branch of your illustrious house? +Theodore pulled out his watch, that he might not outstay his +appointment. My lord, continued Bertram, ruin impends over you. Two +peasants of the district of Etwingen have already been seduced from +their loyalty, a nail that supported the chart of your principality has +fallen upon the ground, and your father confessor is in bed with a +cook-maid. Theodore held forth his hand for Bertram to kiss, and flew +upon the wings of desire to the habitation of Wilhelmina." + + + +ARTICLE IV. + + +LOUISA, OR MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. BY THE AUTHOR OF EVELINA AND +CECILIA. 3 VOLS. 12MO. + + +There scarcely seems to exist a more original genius in the present age +than this celebrated writer. In the performances with which she has +already entertained the public, we cannot so much as trace a feature of +her illustrious predecessors; the fable, the characters, the incidents +are all her own. In the mean time they are not less happy, than they are +new. A Belfield, a Monckton, a Morrice, and several other personages of +the admired Cecilia, will scarcely yield to the most finished draughts +of the greatest writers. In comedy, in tragedy, Miss Burney alike +excels. And the union of them both in the Vauxhall scene of the death of +Harrel ranks among the first efforts of human genius. Of consequence we +may safely pronounce that the reputation of this lady is by no means +dependent upon fashion or caprice, but will last as long as there is +understanding to discern, and taste to relish the beauties of fiction. + +It must be acknowledged that her defects are scarcely less conspicuous +than her excellencies. In her underplots she generally miscarries. We +can trace nothing of Miss Burney in the stories of Macartney, Albany, +and the Hills. Her comedy sometimes deviates into farce. The character +of Briggs in particular, though it very successfully excites our +laughter, certainly deforms a work, which in its principal constituents +ranks in the very highest species of composition. Her style is often +affected, and in the serious is sometimes so laboured and figurative, as +to cost the reader a very strict attention to discover the meaning, +without perfectly repaying his trouble. These faults are most +conspicuous in Cecilia, which upon the whole we esteem by much her +greatest performance. In Evelina she wrote more from inartificial +nature. And we are happy to observe in the present publication, that the +masculine sense, by which Miss Burney is distinguished, has raised her +almost wholly above these little errors. The style of Louisa is more +polished than that of Evelina, and more consonant to true taste than +that of Cecilia. + +The principal story of Louisa, like that of Cecilia, is very simple, but +adorned with a thousand beautiful episodes. As the great action of the +latter is Cecilia's sacrifice of fortune to a virtuous and laudable +attachment, so that of the former is the sacrifice of rank, in the +marriage of the heroine to a young man of the most distinguished merit, +but neither conspicuous by birth, nor favoured by fortune. The event, +romantic and inconsistent with the manners of polished society as it may +appear, is introduced by such a train of incidents, that it is +impossible not to commend and admire the conduct of the heroine. + +Her character is that of inflexible vivacity and wit, accompanied with a +spice of coquetry and affectation. And though this line of portrait +seemed exhausted by Congreve and Richardson, we will venture to +pronounce Louisa a perfect original. It is impossible to describe such a +character in the abstract without recollecting Millamant and Lady G. But +in reading this most agreeable novel, you scarcely think of either. As +there is no imitation, so there are not two expressions in the work, +that can lead from one to the other. Louisa is more amiable than the +former, and more delicate and feminine than the latter. + +Mr. Burchel, the happy lover, is an author, a young man of infinite +genius, of romantic honour, of unbounded generosity. Lord Raymond, the +brother of Louisa, becomes acquainted with him in his travels, by an +incident in which Mr. Burchel does him the most essential service. Being +afterwards introduced to his sister, and being deeply smitten with her +beauty and accomplishments, he quits the house of lord Raymond abruptly, +with a determination entirely to drop his connexion. Sometime after, in +a casual and unexpected meeting, he saves the life of his mistress. In +the conclusion, his unparalleled merit, and his repeated services +surmount every obstacle to an union. + +Besides these two there are many other characters happily imagined. +Louisa is involved in considerable distress previous to the final +catastrophe. The manner in which her gay and sportive character is +supported in these scenes is beyond all commendation. But the extract we +shall give, as most singular in its nature, relates to another +considerable female personage, Olivia. As the humour of Louisa is lively +and fashionable, that of Olivia is serious and romantic. Educated in +perfect solitude, she is completely ignorant of modern manners, and +entertains the most sovereign contempt for them. Full of sentiment and +sensibility, she is strongly susceptible to every impression, and her +conduct is wholly governed by her feelings. Trembling at every leaf, and +agonized at the smallest accident, she is yet capable, from singularity +of thinking, of enterprises the most bold and unaccountable. Conformably +to this temper, struck with the character of Burchel, and ravished with +his address and behaviour, she plans the most extraordinary attempt upon +his person. By her orders he is surprised in a solitary excursion, after +some resistance actually seized, and conducted blindfold to the house of +his fair admirer. Olivia now appears, professes her attachment, and lays +her fortune, which is very considerable, at his feet. Unwilling however +to take him by surprise, she allows him a day for deliberation, and +insists upon his delivering at the expiration of it, an honest and +impartial answer. His entertainment is sumptuous. + +In the mean time, a peasant, who at a distance was witness to the +violence committed upon Burchel, and had traced him to the house of +Olivia, carries the account of what he had seen to Raymond Place. The +company, which, in the absence of lord Raymond, consisted of Louisa, Mr. +Bromley, an uncle, Sir Charles Somerville, a suitor, and Mr. Townshend, +a sarcastic wit, determine to set off the next morning for the house of +the ravisher. This is the scene which follows. + + + "Alarmed at the bustle upon the stairs, Olivia, more dead than + alive, pressed the hand of Burchel with a look of inexpressible + astonishment and mortification, and withdrew to the adjoining + apartment. + + "The door instantly flew open. Burchel advanced irresolutely a + few steps towards the company, bowed, and was silent. + + "The person that first entered was Mr. Bromley. He instantly + seized hold of Burchel, and shook him very heartily by the hand. + + "Ha, my boy, said he, have we found you? Well, and how? safe and + sound? Eh? clapping him upon the shoulder. + + "At your service, sir, answered Burchel, with an air of + embarrassment and hesitation. + + "It was not altogether the right thing, methinks, to leave us + all without saying why, or wherefore, and stay out all night. + Why we thought you had been murdered. My niece here has been in + hysterics. + + "'Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are very facetious. But we + heard, Mr. Burchel, you were ran away with. It must have been + very alarming. I vow, I should have been quite fluttered. Pray, + sir, how was it? + + "Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, the very relation seemed + to disturb sir Charles. For my part, I was more alarmed for him + than for Miss Bromley. + + "Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, it is a queer affair. + I hope as the lady went so far, you were not shy. You have not + spoiled all, and affronted her. + + "Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, you do not suspect him of + being such a boor. Doubtless every thing is settled by this + time. The lady has a fine fortune, Burchel; poets do not meet + with such every day; Miss Bromley, you look pale. + + "Ha! Ha! Ha! you do me infinite honour, cried Louisa, making him + a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles? + + "'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly. + + "Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don't answer + a single question. What, mum's the word, eh? + + "Indeed, sir, I do not know,--I do not understand--the affair is + entirely a mystery to myself--it is in the power of no one but + Miss Seymour to explain it. + + "Well, and where is she? where is she? + + "O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir + Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room. Sir Charles + followed. + + "Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther + than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw + herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands. + + "O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the + meshes. + + "Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed; + Burchel brought up the rear. + + "My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed. We are + come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands. + + "Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed Bromley--What, has + grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed? + Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss. + + "My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon + the ladies modesty. I will stake my life they were not to have + been married these three days. + + "Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and + endeavoured to defend herself. Gentlemen, assure + yourselves,--give me leave to protest to you,--indeed you will + be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a + piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of + Louisa. + + "Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss + Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to + settle; that's all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek. + + "Or perhaps, added Townshend,--the lady is young and + inexperienced--she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in + Cleopatra. + + "Olivia suddenly raised her head and came forward, still leaning + one arm upon Louisa. Hear me, cried she; I will be heard. What + have I done that would expose me to the lash of each unlicenced + tongue? What has there been in any hour of my life, upon which + for calumny to fix her stain? Of what loose word, of what act of + levity and dissipation can I be convicted? Have I not lived in + the solitude of a recluse? Oh, fortune, hard and unexampled! + + "Deuce take me, cried sir Charles, whispering Townshend, if I + ever saw any thing so handsome. + + "Olivia stood in a posture firm and collected, her bosom heaving + with resentment; but her face was covered with blushes, and her + eyes were languishing and sorrowful. + + "For the present unfortunate affair I will acknowledge the + truth. Mr. Burchel to me appeared endowed with every esteemable + accomplishment, brave, generous, learned, imaginative, and + tender. By what nobler qualities could a female heart be won? + Fashion, I am told, requires that we should not make the + advances. I reck not fashion, and have never been her slave. + Fortune has thrown him at a distance from me. It should have + been my boast to trample upon her imaginary distinctions. I + would never have forced an unwilling hand. But if constancy, + simplicity and regard could have won a heart, his heart had been + mine. I know that the succession of external objects would have + made the artless virtues of Olivia pass unheeded. It was for + that I formed my little plan. I will not blush for a scheme that + no bad passion prompted. But it is over, and I will return to my + beloved solitude with what unconcern I may. God bless you, Mr. + Burchel; I never meant you any harm: and in saying this, she + advanced two steps forward, and laid her hand on his. + + "Burchel, without knowing what he did, fell on one knee and + kissed it. + + "This action revived the confusion of Olivia; she retreated, and + Louisa took hold of her arm. Will you retire, said Louisa? You + are a sweet good creature. Olivia assented, advanced a few steps + forward, and then with her head half averted, took a parting + glance at Burchel, and hurried away. + + "A strange girl this, said Bromley! Devil take me, if I know + what to make of her. + + "I vow, cried sir Charles, I am acquainted with all the coteries + in town, and never met with any thing like her. + + "Why, she is as coming, rejoined the squire, as a milk-maid, and + yet I do not know how she has something that dashes one too. + + "Ah, cried sir Charles, shaking his head, she has nothing of the + manners of the _grand monde_. + + "That I can say nothing to, said Bromley, but, in my mind, her + behaviour is gracious and agreeable enough, if her conduct were + not so out of the way. + + "What think you, Burchel, said Townshend, she is handsome, + innocent, good tempered and rich; excellent qualities, let me + tell you, for a wife. + + "I think her, said Burchel, more than you say. Her disposition + is amiable, and her character exquisitely sweet and feminine. + She is capable of every thing generous and admirable. A false + education, and visionary sentiments, to which she will probably + one day be superior, have rendered her for the present an object + of pity. But, though I loved her, I should despise my own heart, + if it were capable of taking advantage of her inexperience, to + seduce her to a match so unequal. + + "At this instant Louisa re-entered, and making the excuses of + Olivia, the company returned to the carriage, sir Charles + mounted on horseback as he came, and they carried off the hero + in triumph." + + + + +ARTICLE V. + + +THE PEASANT OF BILIDELGERID, A TALE. + + +2 VOLS. SHANDEAN. + +This is the only instance in which we shall take the liberty to announce +to the public an author hitherto unknown. Thus situated, we shall not +presume to prejudice our readers either ways concerning him, but shall +simply relate the general plan of the work. + +It attempts a combination, which has so happily succeeded with the +preceding writer, of the comic and the pathetic. The latter however is +the principal object. The hero is intended for a personage in the +highest degree lovely and interesting, who in his earliest bloom of +youth is subjected to the most grievous calamities, and terminates them +not but by an untimely death. The writer seems to have apprehended that +a dash of humour was requisite to render his story in the highest degree +interesting. And he has spared no exertion of any kind of which he was +capable, for accomplishing this purpose. + +The scene is laid in Egypt and the adjacent countries. The peasant is +the son of the celebrated Saladin. The author has exercised his +imagination in painting the manners of the times and climates of which +he writes. + + + +ARTICLE VI. + + +AN ESSAY ON NOVEL, IN THREE EPISTLES INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE +LADY CRAVEN, BY WILL. HAYLEY, ESQ. 4TO. + + +The public has been for some time agreed that Mr. Hayley is the first of +English poets. Envy herself scarcely dares utter a dissentient murmur, +and even generous emulation turns pale at the mention of his name. His +productions, allowing for the very recent period in which he commenced +author, are rather numerous. A saturnine critic might be apt to suspect +that they were also hasty, were not the loftiness of their conceptions, +the majesty of their style, the richness of their imagination, and above +all, the energy both of their thoughts and language so conspicuous, that +we may defy any man of taste to rise from the perusal, and say, that all +the study and consideration in the world could possibly have made them +better. After a course however of unremitted industry, Mr. Hayley seemed +to have relaxed, and to the eternal mortification of the literary world, +last winter could not boast a single production of the prince of song. +The muses have now paid us another visit. We are very sensible of our +incapacity to speak, or even think of this writer with prosaic phlegm; +we cannot however avoid pronouncing, that, in our humble opinion, Mr. +Hayley has now outdone all his former outdoings, and greatly repaid us +for the absence we so dearly mourned. + +We are sensible that it is unbecoming the character of a critic to lay +himself out in general and vague declamation. It is also within the laws +of possibility, that an incurious or unpoetical humour in some of our +readers, and (ah me, the luckless day!) penury in others, may have +occasioned their turning over the drowsy pages of the review, before +they have perused the original work. Some account of the plan, and a +specimen of the execution may therefore be expected. + +The first may be dispatched in two words. The design is almost exactly +analogous to that of the Essay on History, which has been so much +celebrated. The author triumphs in the novelty of his subject, and pays +a very elegant compliment to modern times, as having been in a manner +the sole inventors of this admirable species of composition, of which he +has undertaken to deliver the precepts. He deduces the pedigree of novel +through several generations from Homer and Calliope. He then undertakes +to characterise the most considerable writers in this line. He discusses +with much learning, and all the logical subtlety so proper to the +didactic muse, the pretensions of the Cyropedia of Xenophon; but at +length rejects it as containing nothing but what was literally true, and +therefore belonging to the class of history. He is very eloquent upon +the Shepherd of Hermas, Theagenes and Chariclea, and the Ethiopics of +Heliodorus. Turpin, Scudery, Cotterel, Sidney, the countess D'Anois, and +"all such writers as were never read," next pass in review. Boccace and +Cervantes occupy a very principal place. The modern French writers of +fictitious history from Fenelon to Voltaire, close the first epistle. +The second is devoted to English authors. The third to the laws of novel +writing. + +We shall present our readers, as a specimen, with the character of that +accomplished writer, John Bunyan, whom the poet has generously rescued +from that contempt which fashionable manners, and fashionable +licentiousness had cast upon him. + + + "See in the front of Britain's honour'd band, + The author of the Pilgrim's Progress stand. + Though, sunk in shades of intellectual night, + He boasted but the simplest arts, to read and write; + Though false religion hold him in her chains, + His judgment weakens and his heart restrains: + Yet fancy's richest beams illum'd his mind, + And honest virtue his mistakes refin'd. + The poor and the illiterate he address'd; + The poor and the illiterate call him blest. + Blest he the man that taught the poor to pray, + That shed on adverse fate religion's day, + That wash'd the clotted tear from sorrow's face, + Recall'd the rambler to the heavenly race, + Dispell'd the murky clouds of discontent, + And read the lore of patience wheresoe'er he went." + + +Amidst the spirited beauties of this passage, it is impossible not to +consider some as particularly conspicuous. How strong and nervous the +second and fourth lines! How happily expressive the two Alexandrines! +What a luminous idea does the epithet "murky" present to us! How +original and picturesque that of the "clotted tear!" If the same +expression be found in the Ode to Howard, let it however be considered, +that the exact propriety of that image to wash it from the face (for how +else, candid reader, could a tear already clotted be removed) is a clear +improvement, and certainly entitles the author to a repetition. Lastly, +how consistent the assemblage, how admirable the climax in the last six +lines! Incomparable they might appear, but we recollect a passage nearly +equal in the Essay on History, + + + "_Wild_ as thy _feeble_ Metaphysic page, + Thy History _rambles_ into _Steptic rage_; + Whose giddy and fantastic _dreams abuse_, + A Hampden's Virtue and a Shakespeare's Muse." + + +How elevated the turn of this passage! To be at once luxuriant and +feeble, and to lose one's way till we get into a passion, (with our +guide, I suppose) is peculiar to a poetic subject. It is impossible to +mistake this for prose. Then how pathetic the conclusion! What hard +heart can refuse its compassion to personages _abused_ by a _dream_, and +that dream the _dream of a History!_ + +Oh, wonderful poet, thou shalt be immortal, if my eulogiums can make +thee so! To thee thine own rhyme shall never be applied, (_Dii, avertite +omen_). + + + "Already, pierc'd by freedom's searching rays, + The waxen fabric of his fame decays!" + + + + +ARTICLE VII. + + +INKLE AND YARICO, A POEM, BY JAMES BEATTIE, L.L.D. 4TO. + + +This author cannot certainly be compared with Mr. Hayley. + +We know not by what fatality Dr. Beattie has acquired the highest +reputation as a philosopher, while his poetry, though acknowledged to be +pleasing, is comparatively little thought on. It must always be with +regret and diffidence, that we dissent from the general verdict. We +should however be somewhat apprehensive of sacrificing the character we +have assumed, did we fail to confess that his philosophy has always +appeared to us at once superficial and confused, feeble and +presumptuous. We do not know any thing it has to recommend it, but the +good intention, and we wish we could add the candid spirit, with which +it is written. + +Of his poetry however we think very differently. Though deficient in +nerve, it is at once sweet and flowing, simple and amiable. We are happy +to find the author returning to a line in which he appears so truly +respectable. The present performance is by no means capable to detract +from his character as a poet. This well known tale is related in a +manner highly pathetic and interesting. As we are not at all desirous of +palling the curiosity of the reader for the poem itself, we shall make +our extract at random. The following stanzas, as they are taken from a +part perfectly cool and introductory, are by no means the best in this +agreeable piece. They are prefaced by some general reflexions on the +mischiefs occasioned by the _sacra fames auri_. The reader will perceive +that Dr. Beattie, according to the precept of Horace, has rushed into +the midst of things, and not taken up the narrative in chronological +order. + + + "Where genial Phoebus darts his fiercest rays, + Parching with heat intense the torrid zone: + No fanning western breeze his rage allays; + No passing cloud, with kindly shade o'erthrown, + His place usurps; but Phoebus reigns alone, + In this unfriendly clime a woodland shade, + Gloomy and dark with woven boughs o'ergrown, + Shed chearful verdure on the neighbouring glade, + And to th' o'er-labour'd hind a cool retreat display'd. + + + Along the margin of th' Atlantic main, + Rocks pil'd on rocks yterminate the scene; + Save here and there th' incroaching surges gain + An op'ning grateful to the daisied green; + Save where, ywinding cross the vale is seen + A bubbling creek, that spreads on all sides round + Its breezy freshness, gladding, well I ween, + The op'ning flow'rets that adorn the ground, + From her green margin to the ocean's utmost bound. + + + The distant waters hoarse resounding roar, + And fill the list'ning ear. The neighb'ring grove + Protects, i'th'midst that rose, a fragrant bow'r, + With nicest art compos'd. All nature strove, + With all her powers, this favour'd spot to prove + A dwelling fit for innocence and joy, + Or temple worthy of the god of love. + All objects round to mirth and joy invite, + Nor aught appears among that could the pleasure blight. + + + Within there sat, all beauteous to behold! + Adorn'd with ev'ry grace, a gentle maid. + Her limbs were form'd in nature's choicest mould, + Her lovely eyes the coldest bosoms sway'd, + And on her breast ten thousand Cupids play'd. + What though her skin were not as lilies fair? + What though her face confest a darker shade? + Let not a paler European dare + With glowing Yarico's her beauty to compare. + + + And if thus perfect were her outward form, + What tongue can tell the graces of her mind, + Constant in love and in its friendships warm? + There blushing modesty with virtue join'd + There tenderness and innocence combin'd. + Nor fraudful wiles, nor dark deceit she knew, + Nor arts to catch the inexperienc'd hind; + No swain's attention from a rival drew, + For she was simple all, and she was ever true. + + + There was not one so lovely or so good, + Among the num'rous daughters of the plain; + 'Twas Yarico each Indian shepherd woo'd; + But Yarico each shepherd woo'd in vain; + Their arts she view'd not but with cold disdain. + For British Inkle's charms her soul confest, + His paler charms had caus'd her am'rous pain; + Nor could her heart admit another guest, + Or time efface his image in her constant breast, + + + Her generous love remain'd not unreturn'd, + Nor was the youthful swain as marble cold, + But soon with equal flame his bosom burn'd; + His passion soon in love's soft language told, + Her spirits cheer'd and bad her heart be bold. + Each other dearer than the world beside, + Each other dearer than themselves they hold. + Together knit in firmest bonds they bide, + While days and months with joy replete unnotic'd glide. + + + Ev'n now beside her sat the British boy, + Who ev'ry mark of youth and beauty bore, + All that allure the soul to love and joy. + Ev'n now her eyes ten thousand charms explore, + Ten thousand charms she never knew before. + His blooming cheeks confest a lovely glow, + His jetty eyes unusual brightness wore, + His auburn locks adown his Shoulders flow, + And manly dignity is seated on his brow." + + + + +ARTICLE VIII + + +THE ALCHYMIST, A COMEDY, ALTERED FROM BEN JONSON, BY RICHARD BRINSLEY +SHERIDAN, ESQ. + + +There are few characters, that have risen into higher favour with the +English nation, than Mr. Sheridan. He was known and admired, as a man of +successful gallantry, both with the fair sex and his own, before he +appeared, emphatically speaking, upon the public stage. Since that time, +his performances, of the Duenna, and the School for Scandal, have been +distinguished with the public favour beyond any dramatical productions +in the language. His compositions, in gaiety of humour and spriteliness +of wit, are without an equal. + +Satiated, it should seem, with the applauses of the theatre, he turned +his attention to public and parliamentary speaking. The vulgar +prejudice, that genius cannot expect to succeed in two different walks, +for some time operated against him. But he possessed merit, and he +compelled applause. He now ranks, by universal consent, as an orator and +a statesman, with the very first names of an age, that will not perhaps +be accounted unproductive in genius and abilities. + +It was now generally supposed that he had done with the theatre. For our +own part, we must confess; we entertain all possible veneration for +parliamentary and ministerial abilities; we should be mortified to rank +second to any man in our enthusiasm for the official talents of Mr. +Sheridan: But as the guardians of literature, we regretted the loss of +his comic powers. We wished to preserve the poet, without losing the +statesman. Greatly as we admired the opera and the comedy, we conceived +his unbounded talents capable of something higher still. To say all in a +word, we looked at his hands for the MISANTHROPE of the British muse. + +It is unnecessary to say then, that we congratulate the public upon the +present essay. It is meaned only as a _jeu d'esprit_. But we consider it +as the earnest of that perseverance, which we wished to prove, and +feared to lose. The scene we have extracted, and which, with another, +that may be considered as a kind of praxis upon the rules, constitutes +the chief part of the alteration, is apparently personal. How far +personal satire is commendable in general, and how far it is just in the +present instance, are problems that we shall leave with our readers.--As +much as belongs to Jonson we have put in italics. + + + + ACT IV + + + SCENE 4 + + _Enter_ Captain Face, _disguised as Lungs, and_ Kastril. + + + FACE. _Who would you speak with_? + + + KASTRIL. _Where is the captain?_ + + + + FACE. + + _Gone, sir, about some business._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Gone?_ + + + + FACE. + + _He will return immediately. But master doctor, his lieutenant + is here._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Say, I would speak with him._ + + + [_Exit_ Face. + + _Enter_ Subtle. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _Come near, sir.--I know you well.--You are my_ terrae + fili--_that is--my boy of land--same three thousand pounds a + year._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _How know you that, old boy?_ + + + + SUBTLE. + + _I know the subject of your visit, and I'll satisfy you. Let us + see now what notion you have of the matter. It is a nice point + to broach a quarrel right_. + + + + KASTRIL. + + _You lie_. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _How now?--give me the lie?--for what, my boy?_ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Nay look you to that.--I am beforehand--that's my business_. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _Oh, this is not the art of quarrelling--'tis poor and + pitiful_!--What, sir, would you restrict the noble science of + debate to the mere lie?--Phaw, that's a paltry trick, that every + fool could hit.--A mere Vandal could throw his gantlet, and an + Iroquois knock his antagonist down.--No, sir, the art of quarrel + is vast and complicated.--Months may worthily be employed in the + attainment,--and the exercise affords range for the largest + abilities.--To quarrel after the newest and most approved + method, is the first of sciences,--the surest test of genius, + and the last perfection of civil society. + + + + KASTRIL. + + You amaze me. I thought to dash the lie in another's face was + the most respectable kind of anger. + + + + SUBTLE. + + O lud, sir, you are very ignorant. A man that can only give the + lie is not worth the name of quarrelsome--quite tame and + spiritless!--No, sir, the angry boy must understand, beside the + QUARREL DIRECT--in which I own you have some proficiency--a + variety of other modes of attack;--such as, the QUARREL + PREVENTIVE--the QUARREL OBSTREPEROUS--the QUARREL SENSITIVE--the + QUARREL OBLIQUE--and the QUARREL PERSONAL. + + + + KASTRIL. + + O Mr. doctor, that I did but understand half so much of the art + of brangling as you do!--What would I give!--Harkee--I'll settle + an hundred a year upon you.--But come, go on, go on-- + + + + SUBTLE. + + O sir! you quite overpower me--why, if you use me thus, you will + draw all my secrets from me at once.--I shall almost kick you + down stairs the first lecture. + + + + KASTRIL. + + How!--Kick me down stairs?--Ware that--Blood and oons, sir! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Well, well,--be patient--be patient--Consider, it is impossible + to communicate the last touches of the art of petulance, but by + fist and toe,--by sword and pistol. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Sir, I don't understand you! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Enough. We'll talk of that another time.--What I have now to + explain is the cool and quiet art of debate--fit to be + introduced into the most elegant societies--or the most august + assemblies.--You, my angry boy, are in parliament? + + + + KASTRIL. + + No, doctor.--I had indeed some thoughts of it.--But imagining + that the accomplishments of petulance and choler would be of no + use there--I gave it up. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Good heavens!--Of no use?--Why, sir, they can be no where so + properly.--Only conceive how august a little petulance--and what + a graceful variety snarling and snapping would introduce!--True, + they are rather new in that connexion.--Believe me, sir, there + is nothing for which I have so ardently longed as to meet them + there.--I should die contented.--And you, sir,--if you would + introduce them--Eh? + + + + KASTRIL. + + Doctor, you shall be satisfied--I'll be in parliament in a + month--I'll be prime minister--LORD HIGH TREASURER of + ENGLAND--or, CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Oh, by all means CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! You are somewhat + young indeed--but that's no objection.--Damn me, if the office + can ever be so respectably filled as by an angry boy. + + + + KASTRIL. + + True, true.--But, doctor, we forget your instructions all this + time.--Let me see--Ay--first was the QUARREL PREVENTIVE. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Well thought of!--Why, sir, in your new office you will be + liable to all sorts of attacks--Ministers always are, and an + angry boy cannot hope to escape.--Now nothing, you know, is so + much to the purpose as to have the first blow--Blunders are very + natural.--Your friends tell one story in the upper house, and + you another in the lower--You shall give up a territory to the + enemy that you ought to have kept, and when charged with it, + shall unluckily drop that you and your colleagues were ignorant + of the geography of the country--You foresee an attack--you + immediately open--Plans so extensively beneficial--accounts so + perfectly consistent--measures so judicious and accurate--no man + can question--no man can object to--but a rascal and a + knave.--Let him come forward! + + + + KASTRIL. + + Very good! very good!--For the QUARREL OPSTREPEROUS, that I + easily conceive.--An antagonist objects shrewdly--I cannot + invent an answer.--In that case, there is nothing to be done but + to drown his reasons in noise--nonsense--and vociferation. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Come to my arms, my dear Kastril! O thou art an apt + scholar--thou wilt be nonpareil in the art of brawling!--But for + the QUARREL SENSITIVE-- + + + + KASTRIL. + + Ay, that I confess I don't understand. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Why, it is thus, my dear boy--A minister is apt to be + sore.--Every man cannot have the phlegm of Burleigh.--And an + angry boy is sorest of all.--In that case--an objection is made + that would dumbfound any other man--he parries it with--my + honour--and my integrity--and the rectitude of my intentions--my + spotless fame--my unvaried truth--and the greatness of my + abilities--And so gives no answer at all. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Excellent! excellent! + + + + SUBTLE. + + The QUARREL OBLIQUE is easy enough.--It is only to talk in + general terms of places and pensions--the loaves and the + fishes--a struggle for power--a struggle for power--And it will + do excellent well, if at a critical moment--you can throw in a + hint of some forty or fifty millions unaccounted for by some + people's grandfathers and uncles dead fifty years ago. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Ha! ha! ha! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Lastly, for the QUARREL PERSONAL--It may be infinitely + diversified.--I have other instances in my eye,--but I will + mention only one.--Minds capable of the widest comprehension, + when held back from their proper field, may turn to lesser + employments, that fools may wonder at, and canting hypocrites + accuse--A CATO might indulge to the pleasures of the bottle, and + a CAESAR might play--Unfortunately you may have a CAESAR to + oppose you--Let him discuss a matter of finance--that subject is + always open--there you have an easy answer. In the former case + you parried, here you thrust.--You must admire at his + presumption--tell him roundly he is not capable of the + subject--and dam his strongest reasons by calling them the + reasons of a gambler. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Admirable!--Oh doctor!--I will thank you for ever.--I will do + any thing for you! + + + [Face _enters at the corner of the stage, winks at_ Subtle, _and + exit._] + + + + SUBTLE. + + "_Come, Sir, the captain will come to us presently--I will have + you to my chamber of demonstrations, and show my instrument for + quarrelling, with all the points of the compass marked upon it. + It will make you able to quarrel to a straw's breadth at + moonlight._ + + + Exeunt." + + + + +ARTICLE IX. + + +REFLEXIONS UPON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BY +THOMAS PAINE, M.A. &c. 8vo. + + +The revolution of America is the most important event of the present +century. Other revolutions have originated in immediate personal +feeling, have pointed only at a few partial grievances, or, preserving +the tyranny entire, have consisted only in a struggle about the persons +in whom it should be vested. This only has commenced in an accurate and +extensive view of things, and at a time when the subject of government +was perfectly understood. The persons, who have had the principal share +in conducting it, exhibit a combination of wisdom, spirit and genius, +that can never be sufficiently admired. + +In this honourable list, the name of Mr. Paine by no means occupies the +lowest place. He is the best of all their political writers. His +celebrated pamphlet of Common Sense appeared at a most critical period, +and certainly did important service to the cause of independency. His +style is exactly that of popular oratory. Rough, negligent and +perspicuous, it presents us occasionally with the boldest figures and +the most animated language. It is perfectly intelligible to persons of +all ranks, and it speaks with energy to the sturdy feelings of +uncultivated nature. The sentiments of the writer are stern, and we +think even rancorous to the mother country. They may be the sentiments +of a patriot, they are not certainly those of a philosopher. + +Mr. Paine has thought fit to offer some advice to his countrymen in the +present juncture, in which, according to some, they stand in +considerable need of it. The performance is not unworthy of the other +productions of this author. It has the same virtues and the same +defects. We have extracted the following passage, as one of the most +singular and interesting. + + + "America has but one enemy, and that is England. Of the English + it behoves us always to be jealous. We ought to cultivate + harmony and good understanding with every other power upon + earth. The necessity of this caution will be easily shewn. For + + 1. The united states of America were subject to the government + of England. True, they have acknowledged our independence. But + pride first struggled as much as she could, and sullenness held + off as long as she dare. They have withdrawn their claim upon + our obedience, but do you think they have forgot it? To this + hour their very news-papers talk daily of dissentions between + colony and colony, and the disaffection of this and of that to + the continental interest. They hold up one another in absurdity, + and look with affirmative impatience, when we shall fall + together by the ears, that they may run away with the prize we + have so dearly won. It is not in man to submit to a defalcation + of empire without reluctance. But in England, where every + cobler, slave as he is, hath been taught to think himself a + king, never. + + 2. The resemblance, of language, customs, will give them the + most ready access to us. The king of England will have + emissaries in every corner. They will try to light up discord + among us. They will give intelligence of all our weaknesses. + Though we have struggled bravely, and conquered like men, we are + not without imperfection. Ambition and hope will be for ever + burning in the breast of our former tyrant. Dogmatical + confidence is the worst enemy America can have. We need not fear + the Punic sword. But let us be upon our guard against the arts + of Carthage. + + 3. England is the only European state that still possesses an + important province upon our continent. The Indian tribes are all + that stand between us. We know with what art they lately sought + their detested alliance. What they did then was the work of a + day. Hereafter if they act against us, the steps they will + proceed with will be slower and surer. Canada will be their + place of arms. From Canada they will pour down their Indians. A + dispute about the boundaries will always be an easy quarrel. And + if their cunning can inveigle us into a false security, twenty + or thirty years hence we may have neither generals nor soldiers + to stop them." + + + + +ARTICLE X. + + +SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDMUND BURKE, ON A MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS +OF THANKS TO HIS MAJESTY (ON THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER, 1783) FOR HIS +GRACIOUS COMMUNICATION OF A TREATY OF COMMERCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN GEORGE +THE THIRD, KING, &C. AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + +We were very apprehensive upon Mr. Burke's coming into administration, +that this circumstance might have proved a bar to any further additions +to the valuable collection of his speeches already in the hands of the +public. If we imagined that our verdict could make any addition to the +very great and deserved reputation in which they are held, we should not +scruple to say that were Cicero our contemporary, and Mr. Burke the +ancient, we are persuaded that there would not be a second opinion upon +the comparative merits of their orations. In the same degree as the +principles of the latter are unquestionably more unsullied, and his +spirit more independent; do we esteem him to excel in originality of +genius, and sublimity of conception. + +We will give two extracts; one animadverting upon the preliminaries of +peace concluded by the earl of Shelburne; the other a character of David +Hartley, Esq. + + + "I know that it has been given out, that by the ability and + industry of their predecessors we found peace and order + established to our hands; and that the present ministers had + nothing to inherit, but emolument and indolence, _otium cum + dignitate._ Sir, I will inform you what kind of peace and + leisure the late ministers had provided. They were indeed + assiduous in their devotion; they erected a temple to the + goddess of peace. But it was so hasty and incorrect a structure, + the foundation was so imperfect, the materials so gross and + unwrought, and the parts so disjointed, that it would have been + much easier to have raised an entire edifice from the ground, + than to have reduced the injudicious sketch that was made to any + regularity of form. Where you looked for a shrine, you found + only a vestibule; instead of the chapel of the goddess, there + was a wide and dreary lobby; and neither altar nor treasury were + to be found. There was neither greatness of design, nor accuracy + of finishing. The walls were full of gaps and flaws, the winds + whistled through the spacious halls, and the whole building + tottered over our heads. + + Mr. Hartley, sir, is a character, that must do honour to his + country and to human nature. With a strong and independent + judgment, with a capacious and unbounded benevolence, he devoted + himself from earliest youth for his brethren and fellow + creatures. He has united a character highly simple and + inartificial, with the wisdom of a true politician. Not by the + mean subterfuges of a professed negociator; not by the dark, + fathomless cunning of a mere statesman; but by an extensive + knowledge of the interest and character of nations; by an + undisguised constancy in what is fit and reasonable; by a clear + and vigorous spirit that disdains imposition. He has met the + accommodating ingenuity of France; he has met the haughty + inflexibility of Spain upon their own ground, and has completely + routed them. He loosened them from all their holdings and + reserves; he left them not a hole, nor a corner to shelter + themselves. He has taught the world a lesson we had long wanted, + that simple and unaided virtue is more than a match for the + unbending armour of pride, and the exhaustless evolutions of + political artifice." + + +FINIS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Four Early Pamphlets, by William Godwin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + +***** This file should be named 10597-8.txt or 10597-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/5/9/10597/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Four Early Pamphlets + +Author: William Godwin + +Release Date: January 5, 2004 [EBook #10597] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + <p><a name="TOP"></a></p> + <table class="header" width="100%"> + <tr> + <td rowspan="3"></td> + <td align="left"> + <h2 class="institution"></h2> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left"> + <h1 class="maintitle">FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS</h1> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td align="left"> By WILLIAM GODWIN 1783</td> + </tr> + </table> + <hr> + <div class="contents"> + <h2><a name=""></a></h2> + <ol> + <li><a name="d0e41"></a> + [<a href="#essay1" class="ref">A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with + the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North</a>] + + </li> + <li><a name="d0e46"></a> + [<a href="#essay2" class="ref">Instructions to a Statesman</a>] + + </li> + <li><a name="d0e51"></a> + [<a href="#essay3" class="ref">An Account of the Seminary</a>] + + </li> + <li><a name="d0e56"></a> + [<a href="#essay4" class="ref">The Herald of Literature</a>] + + </li> + </ol> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h2><a name="essay1"></a> + A + + DEFENCE + + OF THE + + ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + + IN THEIR LATE + + COALITION + + WITH + + THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + FREDERIC LORD NORTH. + + </h2> + <p> + LONDON: + Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington House, + Piccadilly. 1783. + [Price One Shilling and Sixpence.] + <em>Entered at Stationers Hall.</em></p> + <p><b> + A + + + DEFENCE + + + OF THE + + + ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + + + &c. &c. &c. + </b></p> + <p> + * * * * * + + </p> + <p> + The present reign will certainly appear + to our posterity full of the noblest + materials for history. Many circumstances + seem to have pointed it out as + a very critical period. The general diffusion + of science has, in some degree, + enlightened the minds of all men; and + has cleared such, as have any influence + upon the progress of manners and society, + from a thousand unworthy pre-possessions. + + The dissipation and luxury + that reign uncontrouled have spread effiminacy + and irresolution every where.—The + grand defection of the United States + of America from the mother country, is + one of the most interesting events, that + has engaged the attention of Europe for + centuries. And the number of extraordinary + geniuses that have distinguished + themselves in the political world, gives + a dignity to the scene. They pour a + lustre over the darkest parts of the story, + and bestow a beauty upon the tragedy, + that it could not otherwise have possessed. + + </p> + <p> + At a time like this, when the attention + of mankind has been kept alive by a + series of the most important events, we + cease to admire at things which would + otherwise appear uncommon, and wonders + almost lose their name. Even now, + however, when men were almost grown + callous to novelty, and the youngest of us + had, like Cato in the play, lived long + enough to be "surprised at nothing," a + matter has occurred which few expected, + + and to which, for that reason, men of no + great strength of mind, of no nerve of + political feeling, scarcely know how to + reconcile themselves. I refer to the + coalition between the friends of the late + marquis of Rockingham and the noble + commoner in the blue ribbon. + + </p> + <p> + The manner of blaming this action is + palpable and easy. The censure is chiefly + directed against that wonderful man, + whom, at least in their hearts, his countrymen, + I believe, have agreed to regard + as the person of brightest genius, and + most extensive capacity, that now adorns + the British senate. Has not this person, + we are asked, for years attacked the noble + lord in the most unqualified manner? + Is there any aspersion, any insinuation, + that he has not thrown out upon his character? + Has he not represented him as + the weakest man, and the worst minister, + to whom the direction of affairs was ever + committed? Has he not imputed to his + prerogative principles, and his palpable + misconduct, the whole catalogue of our + + misfortunes? If such men as these are to + unite for the detested purposes of ambition, + what security can we have for any + thing valuable, that yet remains to us? + Is not this the very utmost reach of frontless + profligacy? What dependence after + this is to be placed in the man, who has + thus given the lie to all his professions, + and impudently flown in the face of that + honest and unsuspecting virtue, which had + hitherto given him credit for the rectitude + of his intentions? + + </p> + <p> + I do not mean for the present to enter + into a direct answer to these several observations. + I leave it to others, to rest + the weight of their cause upon sounding + exclamations and pompous interogatories. + For myself, I am firmly persuaded, that + the oftner the late conduct of the Rockingham + connexion is summoned to the + bar of fair reason, the more cooly it is + considered, and the less the examiner is + led away by the particular prejudices of + this side or of that, the more commendable + it will appear. We do not fear the light. + + We do not shun the scrutiny. We are + under no apprehensions for the consequences. + + </p> + <p> + I will rest my argument upon the regular + proof of these three propositions. + + </p> + <p> + First—That the Rockingham connexion, + was the only connexion by which + the country could be well served. + + </p> + <p> + Secondly—That they were not by + themselves of sufficient strength to support + the weight of administration. + + </p> + <p> + Thirdly—That they were not the men + whose services were the most likely to be + called for by the sovereign, in the present + crisis. + + </p> + <p> + First—I am to prove, that the country + could not be well served but by the + Rockingham connexion. + + </p> + <p> + There are three points principally concerned + in the constituting a good administration; + + liberal principles, respectable + abilities, and incorruptible integrity.—Let + us examine with a view to these, the + other four parties in the British government. + The connexion of the earl of + Shelburne, that of lord North, the Bedford + party, and the Scottish. In reviewing + these, it is necessary that I should + employ a manly freedom, though, at + the same time, I should be much unwilling + to do a partial injustice to any of + them. + + </p> + <p> + It is true, there is some difference between + the language of the same men in + office, and out of office. The Bedford + connexion, however, have never been + conceived to bear an over favourable + aspect to the cause of liberty. They are + the avowed enemies of innovation and + reform. + + </p> + <p> + The Scottish party are pretty much + confounded with the set of men that are + called, by way of distinction, the king's + + friends. The design of these men has + been to exalt regal power and prerogative + upon the ruins of aristocracy, and + the neck of the people. Arguments, and + those by no means of a frivolous description, + have been brought to prove, that + a most subtle and deep-laid scheme was + formed by them, in the beginning of the + reign, to subserve this odious purpose. + It has been supposed to have been pursued + with the most inflexible constancy, + and, like a skiff, when it sails along the + meandering course of a river, finally to + have turned to account the most untoward + gales. + + </p> + <p> + Lord North, whatever we may suppose + to have been his intrinsic abilities, stands + forward, as, perhaps, the most unfortunate + minister, that this country ever + produced. Misfortune overtook him in + the assertion of the highest monarchical + principles. In spite of misfortune, he + adherred inflexibly to that assertion. In + the most critical situations he remained + in a state of hesitation and uncertainty, + + till the tide, that "taken at the flood, + led up to fortune," was lost. His versatility, + and the undisguised attachment, + that he manifested to emolument and + power, were surely unworthy of the stake + that was entrusted to him. + + </p> + <p> + In what I have now said, I do not + much fear to be contradicted. It was + not with a view to such as are attached + to any of these parties, that I have taken + up the pen. Those who come under this + description, are almost universally the advocates + of monarchy, and think that they + have nothing to regret, but that power + and police are not established upon a + more uncontrolable footing among us. + To such persons I do not address myself. + I know of nothing that the friends of + lord Rockingham have to offer that can + be of any weight with them; and, for + my own part, I should blush to say a + word, that should tend to conciliate their + approbation to a system, in which my + heart was interested. The men I wish + chiefly to have in view, are those that + + are personally attached to the earl of + Shelburne; such as stand aloof from all + parties, and are inclined to have but an + indifferent opinion of any; and such as + have adhered to the connexion I have + undertaken to defend, but whose approbation + has been somewhat cooled by + their late conduct. The two last in particular, + I consider as least under the power + of prejudice, and most free to the influence + of rational conviction. + + </p> + <p> + The friends of freedom have, I believe, + in no instance hesitated, but between the + Rockingham connexion, and the earl of + Shelburne. It is these two then that it + remains for me to examine. Lord Shelburne + had the misfortune of coming very + early upon the public stage. At that time + he connected himself with the earl of + Bute, and entered with warmth into the + opposition to Mr. secretary Pitt. In + this system of conduct, however, he did + not long persist; he speedily broke with + the favourite, and soon after joined the + celebrated hero, that had lately been the + + object of his attack. By this person he + was introduced to a considerable post + in administration. In office, he is + chiefly remembered by the very decisive + stile of authority and censure he employed, + in a public letter, relative to the + resistance that was made to the act of + 1767, for imposing certain duties in America. + From his resignation with lord + Chatham, he uniformly and strenuously + opposed the measures that were adopted + for crushing that resistance. He persevered, + with much apparent constancy, in + one line of conduct for near ten years, and + this is certainly the most plausible period + of his story. He first called forth the + suspicions of generous and liberal men in + every rank of society, by his resolute opposition + to the American independency in + 1778. But it was in the administration, + that seemed to have been formed under so + favourable auspices in the spring of 1782, + that he came most forward to general + examination. + + </p> + <p> + The Rockingham connexion, in conformity + to what were then supposed to be + the wishes of the people, united, though + not without some hesitation, with the + noble earl and his adherents, in the conduct + of public affairs. And how did he + reward their confidence? He was careful + to retain the question respecting his real + sentiments upon the business of America, + in as much obscurity as ever. He wrote + officially a letter to sir Guy Carleton, + which has never seen the light, by which + that officer was induced to declare the + American independency already irreversibly + recognised by the court of London; + by which he appears to have deceived + all his brother ministers without + exception; and by which Mr. Fox in + particular, was induced to make the same + declaration with general Carleton to foreign + courts, and to come forward in the + commons peremptorily to affirm, that + there was not a second opinion in the + cabinet, upon this interesting subject. + How must a man of his undisguised and + manly character have felt, when, within + + a week from this time, he found the noble + earl declaring that nothing had ever been + further from his thoughts, than an unconditional + recognition; and successfully + exerting himself to bring over a majority + in the cabinet to the opposite sentiment? + Lord Shelburne's obtaining, or accepting, + call it which you will, of the office of + first lord of the treasury, upon the demise + of lord Rockingham, without the + privity of his fellow Ministers, was contrary + to every maxim of ingenuous conduct, + and every principle upon which an + association of parties can be supported. + The declaration he made, and which was + contradicted both by his own friends in + the cabinet, and those of Mr. Fox, that + he knew of no reason <em>in God's earth</em> for + that gentleman's resignation, but that of + his having succeeded to the office of + premier, was surely sufficiently singular. + + </p> + <p> + But he is celebrated for being a man + of large professions, and by these professions + he has induced some persons in + different classes in society, to esteem him + + the friend of liberty and renovation. + What he has held out, however, upon + these heads, has not been entirely confident. + He has appeared the enthusiastical + partizan of the aristocracy, a + kind of government, which, carried to its + height, is perhaps, of all the different + species of despotism, the most intolerable. + He has talked in a very particular stile of + his fears of reducing the regal power to + a shadow, of his desire that the extension + of prerogative should keep pace with + the confirmation of popular rights, and + his resolution, that, if it were in his power + to prevent it, a king of England should + never be brought to a level with a king + of Mahrattas. The true sons of freedom + will not certainly be very apprehensive + upon this score, and will leave it to the + numbers that will ever remain the adherents + of monarchical power, to guard + the barriers of the throne. In opposition, + his declarations in favour of parliamentary + reform seemed indeed very decisive. + In administration, he was particularly + careful to explain away these + + declarations, and to assure the people that + he would never employ any influence in + support of the measure, but would only + countenance it so far as it appeared to be + the sense of parliament. In other words, + that he would remain neutral, or at most + only honour the subject with an eloquent + harangue, and interest himself no further + respecting it. + + </p> + <p> + But let us proceed from his language to + his conduct in office. Almost every salutary + measure of administration, from the + resignation of lord North downward, + was brought about during the union of + the noble earl with the Rockingham + connexion. What inference are we to + draw from this?—That administration, + as auspicious as it was transitory, has + never been charged with more than one + error. They were thought too liberal in + the distribution of two or three sinecures + and pensions. To whom were they + distributed? Uniformly, exclusively, to + the friends of lord Shelburne. Lord + Shelburne proposed them to his august + + colleague, and the marquis, whose faults, + if he had any, were an excess of mildness, + and an unsuspecting simplicity, perhaps + too readily complied. But let it be remembered, + that not one of his friends + accepted, or to not one of his friends were + these emoluments extended. But, if + the noble marquis were sparing in the + distribution of pensions, the deficiency + was abundantly supplied by his successor. + While the interests of the people were + neglected and forgotten, the attention of + the premier was in a considerable degree + engrossed by the petty arrangements of + office. For one man a certain department + of business was marked out; the place had + been previously filled by another. Here + the first person was at all events to be + promoted; and the second gratified with + a pension. Thus, in the minute detail + of employment, in adjusting the indeclinables + of a court calendar, to detach + a <em>commis</em> from this department, and to fix + a clerk in that, burthen after burthen + has been heaped upon the shoulders of a + callous and lethargic people.—But no + + man can say, that the earl of Shelburne + has been idle. Beside all this, he has + restored peace to his country. His merits + in this business, have already been + sufficiently agitated. To examine them + afresh would lead me too far from the + scope of my subject. I will not therefore + now detain myself either to exculpate or + criminate the minister, to whom, whatever + they are, they are principally to be + ascribed. + + </p> + <p> + From the considerations already suggested, + I am afraid thus much may be + fairly inferred, that the earl of Shelburne + is a man, dark, insidious and inexplicit + in his designs; no decided friend + of the privileges of the people; and in + both respects a person very improper to + conduct the affairs of this country. I + would hope however, that the celebrated + character given of him by the late lord + Holland was somewhat too severe. "I + have met with many, who by perseverance + and labour have made themselves + + Jesuits; it is peculiar to this man + to have been born one." + + </p> + <p> + Such then is the estimate we are compelled + to form of a man who in his professions + has sometimes gone as far, as + the most zealous votaries of liberty. And + what is the inference we shall draw from + this? Shall we, for the sake of one man + so specious and plausible, learn to think + the language of all men equally empty + and deceitful? Having once been betrayed, + shall we avoid all future risk, by + treating every pretender to patriotism and + public spirit, as a knave and an impostor? + This indeed is a conclusion to which + the unprincipled and the vicious are ever + propense. They judge of their fellows + by themselves, and from the depravity + of their own hearts are willing to infer, + that every honesty has its price. But + the very motive that inclines the depraved + to such a mode of reasoning, must, upon + the very same account, deter the man of + virtue from adopting it. Virtue is originally + ever simple and unsuspecting. + + Conscious to its own rectitude, and the + integrity of its professions, it naturally + expects the same species of conduct from + others. By every disappointment of this + kind, it is mortified and humbled. Long, + very long must it have been baffled, and + countless must have been its mortifications, + ere it can be induced to adopt a + principle of general mistrust. And that + such a principle should have so large a + spread among persons, whose honesty, + candour forbids us to suspect, is surely, + of all the paradoxe upon the face of the + earth, incomparably the greatest.—The + man of virtue then will be willing, before + he gives up all our political connexions + without distinction, to go along + with me to the review of the only one + that yet remains to be examined, that of + the late marquis of Rockingham. + + </p> + <p> + Too much perhaps cannot be said in + their praise. They have nearly engrossed + the confidence of every friend of liberty. + They are the only men, whose principles + were never darkened with the cloud of suspicion. + + What, let me ask, has been their + uniform conduct during the whole course + of the reign? They have been ever steady + in their opposition, to whatever bore an + ill aspect to the cause of freedom, and + to the whole train of those political + measures, that have terminated in calamity + and ruin. They have been twice + in administration. Prosperity and power + are usually circumstances that prove the + severest virtue. While in power how + then did this party conduct themselves? + + </p> + <p> + Of their first administration the principal + measure was the stamp act. A law that + restored tranquility to a distracted empire. + A law, to which, if succeeding administrations + had universally adhered, we had + been at this moment, the exclusive allies + and patrons of the whole continent of + North America. A law, that they carried + in opposition to the all-dreaded Mr. + Pitt, on the one hand, and on the other, + against the inclination of those secret directors, + from whose hands they receive + their delegated power. They repealed + the excise upon cyder. They abolished + + general warrants. And after having + been the authors of these and a thousand + other benefits in the midst of storms and + danger; they quitted their places with a + disinterestedness, that no other set of + men have imitated. They secured neither + place, pension, nor reversion to themselves, + or any of their adherents. + + </p> + <p> + Their second administration was indeed + very short. But it was crowded + with the most salutary measures. The + granting a full relief to Ireland. The + passing several most important bills of + oeconomy and reformation. The passing + the contractors bill. The carrying + into effect that most valuable measure, + the abolishing the vote of custom-house + officers in the election of members of + parliament. And lastly, the attempt to + atchieve, that most important of all objects, + the establishment of an equal representation. + What might not have been + expected from their longer continuance + in office? + + </p> + <p> + But I will not confine myself to the + consideration of their conduct as a body. + The characters of the individuals of which + they are composed, will still further illustrate + their true principles, and furnish a + strong additional recommendation of them, + to every friend of virtue and of liberty. + That I may not overcharge this part of + my subject, I will only mention two or + three of their most distinguished leaders. + + </p> + <p> + The character of the present chancellor + of the exchequer is entirely an <em>unique</em>. + Though mixing in all the busy scenes of + life, though occupying for many years a + principal place in the political affairs of + this country, he has <em>kept himself unspotted + from the world</em>.—The word of the elder + Cato was esteemed so sacred with the Romans, + that it became a proverb among + them respecting things, so improbable, + that their truth could not be established + even by the highest authority, "I would + not believe it, though it were told me + by Cato." And in an age much more + + dissipated than that of Cato, the integrity + and honour of the noble lord I + have mentioned, has become equally proverbial. + Not bonds, nor deeds, nor all + the shackles of law, are half so much + to be depended upon as is his lightest + word. He is deaf to all the prejudices of + blood or private friendship, and has no + feelings but for his country. + + </p> + <p> + Of the duke of Portland, I can say + the less, as not having had an opportunity + of knowing much respecting him. + His candour and his honour have never + been questioned. And I remember, in + the debate upon the celebrated secession + of the Rockingham party, upon the death + of their leader, to have heard his abilities + particularly vouched in very strong + terms, by Mr. chancellor Pitt, and the + present lord Sidney. The latter in particular, + though one of my lord Shelburne's + secretaries of state, fairly avowed + in so many words, that he should have been + better satisfied with the appointment of + his grace, to the office he now holds, + + than he was, with the noble lord, under + whom he acted. + + </p> + <p> + The character of lord Keppel, with + persons not attached to any party, has + usually been that of a man of much honesty + and simplicity, without any remarkable + abilities. It is a little extraordinary + however, that, though forced + by a combination of unfavourable circumstances + into a public speaker, he is yet, + even in that line, very far from contempt. + His speeches are manly, regular, and to + the purpose. His defence upon his trial + at Portsmouth, in which he must naturally + be supposed to have had at least a + principal share, has, in my opinion, + much beauty of composition. The adversaries + of this party, though unwilling + to admit that the navy was so much improved + under his auspices as was asserted, + have yet, I believe, universally acknowledged + his particular activity and diligence. + + </p> + <p> + But I come to the great beast of his + own party, and the principal object of + attack to their enemies, the celebrated + Mr. Fox. Men of formality and sanctity + have complained of him as dissipated. + They do not pretend however to aggravate + their accusation, by laying to his + charge any of the greater vices. His contempt + of money, and his unbounded generosity, + are universally confessed. Let + such then know, that dissipation, so qualified, + is a very slight accusation against + a public man, if indeed it deserves a serious + consideration. In all expansive + minds, in minds formed for an extensive + stage, to embrace the welfare and the interest + of nations, there is a certain incessant + activity, a principle that must be + employed. Debar them from their proper + field, and it will most inevitably run + out into excesses, which perhaps had + better have been avoided. But do these + excrescences, which only proceed from the + richness and fertility of the soil, disqualify + a man for public business? Far, + very far from it. Where ever was there + + a man, who pushed dissipation and debauchery + to a greater length, than my + lord Bolingbroke? And yet it is perhaps + difficult to say, whether there ever + existed a more industrious, or an abler + minister. The peace of Utrecht, concluded + amidst a thousand difficulties, + from our allies abroad, and our parties, + that were never so much exasperated + against each other at home; must ever + remain the monument of his glory. His + opposition to sir Robert Walpole seems + evidently to have been founded upon the + most generous principles. And though + the warmth and ebullition of his passions + evermore broke in upon his happiest attempts, + yet were his exertions in both instances + attended with the most salutary + consequences. But Mr. Fox appears to + me to possess all the excellencies, without + any of the defects of lord Bolingbroke. + His passions have, I believe, + never been suspected of having embroiled + the affairs of his party, and he has uniformly + retained the confidence of them + all. His friendships have been solid and + + unshaken. His conduct cool and intrepid. + The littleness of jealousy never + discoloured a conception of his heart. + In office he was more constant and indefatigable, + than lord Bolingbroke himself. + All his lesser pursuits seemed annihilated, + and he was swallowed up in + the direction of public affairs. + + </p> + <p> + He has been accused of ambition. + Ambition is a very ambiguous term. In + its lowest sense, it sinks the meanest, and + degrades the dirtiest of our race. In its + highest, I cannot agree with those who + stile it the defect of noble minds. I + esteem it worthy of the loudest commendation, + and the most assiduous culture. + Mr. Fox's is certainly not an ambition + of emolument. Nobody dreams + it. It is not an ambition, that can be + gratified by the distribution of places and + pensions. This is a passion, that can + only dwell in the weakest and most imbecil + minds. Its necessary concomitants, + are official inattention and oscitancy. + No. The ambition of this hero is a generous + + thirst of fame, and a desire of possessing + the opportunity of conferring the + most lasting benefits upon his country. + It is an instinct, that carries a man forward + into the field of fitness, and of + God. + + </p> + <p> + The vulgar, incapable of comprehending + these exalted passions, are apt upon + the slightest occasions to suspect, that + this heroical language is only held out + to them for a lure, and that the most + illustrious characters among us are really + governed by passions, equally incident to + the meanest of mankind. Let such examine + the features and the manners of + Mr. Fox. Was that man made for a + Jesuit? Is he capable of the dirty, laborious, + insidious tricks of a hypocrite? + Is there not a certain manliness about + him, that disdains to mislead? Are not + candour and sincerity, bluntness of manner, + and an unstudied air, conspicuous in + all he does?—I know not how far the + argument may go with others, with me, + I confess, it has much weight. I believe + + a man of sterling genius, incapable of the + littlenesses and meannesses, incident to the + vulgar courtier. What are the principal + characteristics of genius? Are they not + large views, infinite conceptions, a certain + manliness and intrepidity of thinking? + But all real and serious vice originates + in selfish views, narrow conceptions, + and intellectual cowardice. A man + of genius may possibly be thoughtless, + dissipated and unstudied; but he cannot + avoid being constant, generous, and sincere. + The union of first rate abilities + with malignity, avarice, and envy, seems + to me very nearly as incredible a phenomenon, + as a mermaid, a unicorn, or a + phoenix. + + </p> + <p> + I cannot overcome the propensity I feel + to add Mr. Burke to this illustrious catalogue, + though the name of this gentleman + leads me out of the circle of the + cabinet. Mr. Burke raised himself from + an obscure situation, by the greatness of + his abilities, and his unrivalled genius. + Never was distinction more nobly earned. + + Of every species of literary composition + he is equally a master. He excels alike in + the most abstruse metaphysical disquisition, + and in the warmest and most spirited + painting. His rhetoric is at once ornamented + and sublime. His satire is polished + and severe. His wit is truly Attic. + Luxuriant in the extreme, his allusions + are always striking, and always happy. + But to enumerate his talents, is to tell + but half his praise. The application he + has made of them is infinitely more to his + honour. He has devoted himself for his + country. The driest and most laborious + investigations have not deterred him. + Among a thousand other articles, that + might be mentioned, his system of oeconomical + reform must for ever stand forth, + alike the monument of his abilities, and + his patriotism. His personal character is + of the most amiable kind. Humanity and + benevolence are strongly painted in his + countenance. His transactions with lord + Rockingham were in the highest degree + honourable to him. And the more they + are investigated, and the better they are + + understood, the more disinterestedness of + virtue, and generous singularity of thinking, + will be found to have been exhibited + on both sides. + + </p> + <p> + It is necessary perhaps, that I should say + a word respecting the aristocratical principles + of this gentleman, by which he is + distinguished from the rest of his party. + To these principles I profess myself an + enemy. I am sorry they should be entertained + by a person, for whom, in every + other respect, I feel the highest veneration. + But the views of that man must be + truly narrow, who will give up the character + of another, the moment he differs + from him in any of his principles. I am + sure Mr. Burke is perfectly sincere in his + persuasion. And I hope I have long since + learned not to question the integrity of + any man, upon account of his tenets, + whether in religion or politics, be they + what they may. I rejoice however, that + this gentleman has connected himself with + a set of men, by the rectitude of whose + views, I trust, the ill tendency of any such + + involuntary error will be effectually counteracted. + In the mean time this deviation + of Mr. Burke from the general principles + of his connexion, has given occasion + to some to impute aristocratical views + to the whole party. The best answer to + this, is, that the parliamentary reform was + expressly stipulated by lord Rockingham, + in his coalition with the earl of Shelburne, + as one of the principles, upon + which the Administration of March, + 1782, was formed. + + </p> + <p> + From what has been said, I consider + my first proposition as completely established, + that the Rockingham party was + the only connexion of men, by which + the country could be well served. + + </p> + <p> + I would however just observe one thing + by the way. I forsee that my first proposition + lies open to a superficial and + childish kind of ridicule. But in order + to its operation, it is not necessary to say, + that the friends of lord Rockingham + were persuaded, that the country could + + not be well served, but by themselves. + In reality, this is the proper and philosophical + state of it: that each individual + of that connexion was persuaded, that the + country could not be well served but by + his friends. And I trust, it has now appeared, + that this was a just and rational + persuasion. + + </p> + <p> + The next argument adduced in conformation + of my thesis, is, that they + were not by themselves of sufficient + strength, to support the weight of administration. + It is certainly a melancholy + consideration, that there should not + be virtue enough left in a people to + support an administration of honest views + and uniform principles, against all the + cabals of faction. This however, is incontrovertibly + the case with Britain. + The bulk of her inhabitants are become, + in a very high degree, inattentive, and + indifferent to the conduct of her political + affairs. This has been, at one time, + ascribed to their despair of the commonwealth, + and their mortification in + + perceiving a certain course of mal-administration + persisted in, in defiance of the + known sense of the country. At another + time, it has been imputed to their experience + of the hollowness of all our public + pretenders to patriotism. I am afraid, + the cause is to be sought in something, + more uniform in it's operation, and less + honourable to the lower ranks of society, + than either of these. In a word, luxury + and dissipation have every where loosened + the bands of political union. The interest + of the public has been forgotten by + all men; and we have been taught to + laugh at the principles, by which the + patriots of former ages were induced, to + sacrifice their fortunes and their lives for + the welfare of their citizens. Provided + the cup of enjoyment be not dashed from + our own lips, and the pillow of sloth + torn away from our own heads, we do + not ask, what shall be the fate of our liberties, + our posterity, and our country. + Disinterested affection seems to have taken + up her last refuge in a few choice spirits, + and elevated minds, who appear among + + us, like the inhabitants of another world. + In the mean time, while the lower people + have been <em>careful for none of these things</em>, + they have been almost constantly decided + in the senate, not by a view to their intrinsic + merits, but in conformity to the + jarring interests, and the inexplicable cabals + of faction. In such a situation, alas! + what can unprotected virtue do? Destitute + of all that comeliness that allures; + stripped of that influence that gives + weight and consideration; and unskilled + in the acts of intrigue? + + </p> + <p> + In conformity to these ideas, when the + choice of an administration was once + again thrown back upon the people, in + March, 1782, we perceive, that no one + party found themselves sufficiently strong + for the support of government; and a + coalition became necessary between the + Rockingham connexion, and a person + they never cordially approved, the earl of + Shelburne. Even thus supported, and + called to the helm, with perhaps as much + popularity, as any administration ever enjoyed, + + they did not carry their measure + in parliament without difficulty. The + inconsiderate and interested did even + think proper to ridicule their imbecility; + particularly in the house of lords. The + most unsuspected of all our patriots, Mr. + Burke, was reduced to the necessity of + so far contracting his system of reform + upon this account, as to have afforded a + handle to superficial raillery and abuse. + + </p> + <p> + But turn we to the administration that + succeeded them; who still retained some + pretensions to public spirit; and among + whom there remained several individuals, + whose claim to political integrity was indisputably. + Weaker than the ministry of + lord Rockingham, to what shifts were + they not reduced to preserve their precarious + power? These are the men, who + have been loudest in their censures of the + late coalition. And yet did not they form + coalitions, equally extraordinary with that + which is now under consideration? To + omit the noble lord who presided at the + treasury board, and to confine myself to + + those instances, which Mr. Fox had occasion + to mention in treating my subject. + Was there not the late chancellor of the + exchequer, who has been severest in his + censures of lord North, and the lord advocate + of Scotland, who was his principal + supporter, and was for pushing the American + measures, even to greater lengths, + than the noble patron himself? Was there + not the master general of the ordnance, + who has ever gone farthest in his view of + political reform, and declaimed most + warmly against secret influence; and the + lord chancellor, the most determined + enemy of reform, and who has been supposed + the principal vehicle of that influence? + Lastly, was there not, in the same + manner, the secretary of state for the + home department, who was most unwearied + in his invectives against lord + Bute; and the right honourable Mr. Jenkinson, + who has been considered by the + believers in the invisible power of that + nobleman, as the chief instrument of his + designs. + + </p> + <p> + With these examples of the necessity + of powerful support and extensive combination, + what mode of conduct was it, + that it was most natural, most virtuous, + and most wise, for the Rockingham connexion + to adopt? I confess, I can perceive + none more obvious, or more just, + than that which they actually adopted, a + junction with the noble commoner in the + blue ribbon. At least, from what has + been said, I trust, thus much is evident + beyond control, that they had just reason + to consider themselves abstractedly, as too + weak for the support of government. + + </p> + <p> + Still further to strengthen my argument, + I affirm, in the third place, that + they were not the men, whose services + were likely to be called for by the Sovereign. + I believe, that this proposition + will not be thought to stand in need of + any very abstruse train of reasoning to + support it. The late events respecting it + have been, instead of a thousand arguments. + From an apprehension, probably, + of the uncourtierliness of their temper, + + and their inflexible attachment to a + system; it seems to appear by those + events, that the sovereign had contracted + a sort of backwardness to admit them into + his councils, which it is to be hoped, + was only temporary. It was however + such, as, without any other apparent + cause to cooperate with it, alone sufficed + to delay the forming an administration for + six weeks, in a most delicate and critical + juncture. Even the union of that noble + person, who had been considered as his + majesty's favourite minister, did not appear + to be enough to subdue the averseness. + However then we may hope, that + untainted virtue and superior abilities, + when more intimately known, may be + found calculated to surmount prejudices + and conciliate affection; it seems but too + evident, that in the critical moment, + those men, by whom alone we have endeavoured + to prove, that the country + could be well served, would not voluntarily + have been thought on. + + </p> + <p> + But it does not seem to have been + enough considered, at what time the + coalition was made. The Rockingham + connexion, along with thousands of their + fellow citizens, who were unconnected + with any party, were induced, from the + purest views, to disapprove of the late + treaty of peace. The voting with the + friends of lord North upon that question, + was a matter purely incidental. By that + vote however, in which a majority of the + commons house of parliament was included, + the administration of lord Shelburne + was dissolved. It was not till after + the dissolution was really effected, that + the coalition took place. In this situation + something was necessary to be done. + The nation was actually without a ministry. + It was a crisis that did not admit + of hesitation and delay. The country + must, if a system of delay had been adopted, + have immediately been thrown back + into the hands of those men, from whom + it had been so laboriously forced scarce + twelve months before; or it must have + been committed to the conduct of persons + + even less propitious to the cause of + liberty, and the privileges of the people. + A situation, like this, called for a firm + and manly conduct. It was no longer a + time to stoop to the yoke of prejudice. + It was a time, to burst forth into untrodden + paths; to lose sight of the hesitating + and timid; and generously to adventure + upon a step, that should rather have in + view substantial service, than momentary + applause; and should appeal from the + short-sighted decision of systematic prudence, + to the tribunal of facts, and the + judgment of posterity. + + </p> + <p> + But why did I talk of the tribunal of + facts? Events are not within the disposition + of human power. "'Tis not in mortals + to command success." And the characters + of wisdom and virtue, are therefore + very properly considered by all men, who + pretend to sober reflection, as independent + of it. If then, as I firmly believe, + the coalition was founded in the wisest + and most generous views, the man, that + values himself upon his rational nature, + + will not wait for the event. He will + immediately and peremptorily decide + in its favour. Though it should be + annihilated to-morrow; though it had + been originally frustrated in its views, + respecting the continuation of a ministry; + he would not hesitate to pronounce, that + it was formed in the most expansive and + long-sighted policy, in the noblest and + most prudent daring, in the warmest generosity, + and the truest patriotism. + + </p> + <p> + But it will be said, a coalition of parties + may indeed be allowed to be in many + cases proper and wise; but a coalition between + parties who have long treated each + other with the extremest rancour, appears + a species of conduct, abhorrent to the unadulterated + judgment, and all the native + prepossessions of mankind. It plucks away + the very root of unsuspecting confidence, + and can be productive of nothing, but + anarchy and confusion. + + </p> + <p> + In answer to this argument, I will not + cite the happy effects of the coalition between + + parties just as opposite, by which + Mr. Pitt was introduced into office in the + close of a former reign. Still less will I + cite the coalition of the earl of Shelburne, + with several leaders of the Bedford connexion, + and others, whose principles were + at least as inimical to the popular cause, + and the parliamentary reform, as those of + Lord North; and the known readiness of + him and his friends to have formed a + junction with the whole of that connexion. + I need not even hint at the probability + there exists, that the noble lord + then in administration, would have been + happy to have formed the very coalition + himself, which he is willing we should + so much reprobate in another. I need + not mention the suspicions, that naturally + suggested themselves upon the invincible + silence of his party, respecting the mal-administration + of lord North, for so long + a time; and their bringing forward the + singular charge of fifty unaccounted millions + at the very moment that the coalition + was completed. I should be sorry + to have it supposed, that the connexion + + I am defending, ever took an example + from the late premier, for one article of + their conduct. And I think the mode of + vindicating them, not from temporary + examples, but from eternal reason, as it + is in itself most striking and most honourable, + so is it not a whit less easy and + obvious. + + </p> + <p> + Let it be remembered then, in the first + place, that there was no other connexion, + sufficiently unquestionable in their + sincerity, and of sufficient weight in the + senate, with which to form a coalition. + The Bedford party, had they even been + willing to have taken this step in conjunction + with the friends of lord Rockingham, + were already stripped of some of + their principal and ablest members, by + the arts of lord Shelburne. Whether these + ought to be considered in sound reason, as + more or less obnoxious than lord North, + I will not take upon me to determine. + Certain I am, that the Scottish connexion + were, of all others, the most suspicious + in themselves, and the most odious to + + the people. The only choice then that + remained, was that which was made. The + only subject for deliberation, was, whether + this choice were more or less laudable + than, on the other hand, the deserting + entirely the interests of their country, + and leaving the vessel of the state to the + mercy of the winds. + + </p> + <p> + Secondly, I would observe that the + principal ground of dispute between lord + North and his present colleagues in administration, + was done away by the termination + of the American war. An impeachment + of the noble lord for his past + errors was perfectly out of the question. + No one was mad enough to expect it. A + vein of public spirit, diffusing itself among + all ranks of society, is the indispensible + concomitant of impeachments and attainder. + And such a temper, I apprehend, + will not be suspected to be characteristic + of the age in which we live. But + were it otherwise, the Rockingham connexion + certainly never stood in the way + of an impeachment, had it been meditated. + + And, exclusive of this question, I + know of no objection, that applies particular + to the noble lord, in contradistinction + to any of the other parties into which + we are divided. + + </p> + <p> + But, in the third place, the terms upon + which the coalition was made, form a most + important article of consideration in + estimating its merits. They are generally + understood to have been these two; that + the Rockingham connexion should at all + times have a majority in the cabinet; and + that lord North should be removed to + that "hospital of incurables," as lord + Chesterfield has stiled it, the house of + lords. Surely these articles are the happiest + that could have been conceived for + preserving the power of administration, as + much as may be, with the friends of the + people. Places, merely of emolument and + magnificence, must be bestowed somewhere. + Where then can they be more + properly lodged, than in the hands of + those who are best able to support a liberal + and virtuous administration? + + </p> + <p> + I beg leave to add once more, in the + fourth place, that, whatever the demerits + of lord North as a minister may be supposed + to have been, he is perhaps, in a + thousand other respects, the fittest man in + the world to occupy the second place in + a junction of this sort. The union of the + Rockingham connexion with the earl of + Shelburne last year, was, I will admit, less + calculated to excite popular astonishment, + and popular disapprobation, than the present. + In the eye of cool reason and sober + foresight, I am apt to believe, it was + much less wise and commendable. Lord + Shelburne, though he has been able to win + over the good opinion of several, under the + notion of his being a friend of liberty, is + really, in many respects, stiffly aristocratical, + or highly monarchical. Lord Shelburne + is a man of insatiable ambition, and + who pursues the ends of that ambition by + ways the most complex and insidious. + The creed of lord North, whatever it may + be, upon general political questions, is + consistent and intelligible. For my own + part, I do not believe him to be ambitious. + + It is not possible, with his indolent and + easy temper, that he should be very susceptible + to so restless a passion. In the + heroical sense of that word, he sits loose + to fame. He is undoubtedly desirous, by + all the methods that appear to him honourable + and just, to enrich and elevate his + family. He wishes to have it in his power + to oblige and to serve his friends. But I + am exceedingly mistaken, if he entered into + the present alliance from views of authority + and power. Upon the conditions I + have mentioned, it was a scheme, congenial + only to a man of a dark and plotting + temper. But the temper of lord North is + in the highest degree candid, open and + undisguised. Easy at home upon every + occasion, there is not a circle in the world + to which his presence would not be an + addition. It is calculated to inspire unconstraint + and confidence into every breast. + Simple and amiable is the just description + of his character in every domestic + relation; constant and unreserved in his + connexions of friendship. The very versatility + and pliableness, so loudly condemned + + in his former situation, is now + an additional recommendation. Is this + the man, for whose intrigues and conspiracies + we are bid to tremble? + + </p> + <p> + Another charge that has been urged + against the coalition, is, that it was a step + that dictated to the sovereign, and excluded + all, but one particular set of men, + from the national councils. The first + part of this charge is somewhat delicate + in its nature. I shall only say respecting + it, that, if, as we have endeavoured to + prove, there were but one connexion, by + which the business of administration could + be happily discharged, the friend of liberty, + rejoicing in the auspicious event, + will not be very inquisitive in respect to + the etiquette, with which they were introduced + into the government. In the + mean time, far from intending an exclusion, + they declared publicly, that they + would be happy to receive into their body + any man of known integrity and abilities, + from whatever party he came. The declaration + has never been contradicted.—Strangers + + to the remotest idea of proscription, + they erected a fortress, where every + virtue, and every excellence might find a + place. + + </p> + <p> + The only remaining objection to the + coalition that I know of, that it shocks + established opinions, is not, I think, in + itself, calculated to have much weight, + and has, perhaps, been sufficiently animadverted + upon, as we went along, in + what has been already said. The proper + question is, was it a necessary step? Was + there any other way, by which the country + could be redeemed? If a satisfactory + answer has been furnished to these enquiries, + the inevitable conclusion in my + opinion is, that the more it mocked established + opinions, and the more intellectual + nerve it demanded, the more merit + did it possess, and the louder applause is + its due. + + </p> + <p> + I am not inclined to believe, that a majority + of my countrymen, upon reflection, + have disapproved this measure. I am + + happy to perceive, that so much of that + good sense and manly thinking in public + questions, that has for ages been considered + as the characteristic quality of Englishmen, + is still left among us. There can + be nothing more honourable than this.—By + it our commonalty, though unable indeed + to forestal the hero and the man of + genius in his schemes, do yet, if I may + be allowed the expression, tread upon his + heels, and are prepared to follow him in + all his views, and to glow with all his + sentiments. + + </p> + <p> + Sensible however, that in the first blush + of such a scheme, its enemies must necessarily + find their advantage in entrenching + themselves behind those prejudices, + that could not be eradicated in a moment, + I was willing to wait for the hour of + calmness and deliberation. I resolved + cooly to let the first gush of prepossession + blow over, and the spring tide of censure + exhaust itself. I believed, that such a + cause demanded only a fair and candid + + hearing. I have endeavoured to discharge + my part in obtaining for it such a hearing. + And I must leave the rest to my + readers. + + </p> + <p> + Among these there probably will be + some, who, struck with the force of the arguments + I have adduced on the one hand, + and entangled in their favourite prejudices + on the other, will remain in a kind of + suspence; ashamed to retract their former + opinions, but too honest to deny all + weight and consideration to those I have + defended. To these I have one word to + say, and with that one word I will conclude. + I will suppose you to confess, that + appearances, exclusive of the controverted + step, are in a thousand instances favourable + to the new ministers. They have + made the strongest professions, and the + largest promises of attachment to the general + cause. To professions and promises + I do not wish you to trust. I should blush + to revive the odious and exploded maxim, + not men, but measures. If you cannot place + + some confidence in the present administration, + I advise you, as honest men, to do every + thing in your power to drive them from + the helm. But you will hardly deny, that + all their former conduct has afforded reasons + for confidence. You are ready to admit, + that, in no instance, but one, have + they committed their characters. In that + one instance, they have much to say for + themselves, and it appears, at least, very + possible, that they may have been acted + in it, by virtuous and generous principles, + even though we should suppose them + mistaken. Remember then, that popularity + and fame are the very nutriment of + virtue. A thirst for fame is not a weakness. + It is "the noble mind's distinguishing + perfection." If then you would + bind administration by tenfold ties to the + cause of liberty, do not withdraw from + them your approbation till they have + forfeited it, by betraying, in one plain and + palpable instance, the principles upon + which they have formerly acted. I believe + they need no new bonds, but are unchangeably + + fixed in the generous system, + with which they commenced. But thus + much is certain. If any thing can detach + them from this glorious cause; if any thing + can cool their ardour for the common + weal, there is nothing that has half so + great a tendency to effect this, as unmerited + obloquy and disgrace. + + </p> + <p> + FINIS. + + </p> + <p> + * * * * * + + </p> + <p> + NEW BOOKS, + + </p> + <p> + Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington-House, + Piccadilly. + + </p> + <p> + STOCKDALE's NEW COMPANION to the + LONDON KALENDAR, and COURT and + CITY REGISTER, for the Year 1783; being a List + of all the CHANGES in ADMINISTRATION, from + the Accession of the present King, in October 1760, + to the present Time. To which is perfixed, a List of + the late and present HOUSE of COMMONS, shewing + the Changes made in the Members of Parliament by + the General Election in September 1780, with the + Names of the Candidates where the Elections were contested, + the Numbers polled, and the Decisions since + made by the Select Committees. Also the Dates when + each City and Borough first sent Representatives to + Parliament, the Right of Election in each Place, + and the supposed Number of Voters. To which is + added, a complete INDEX of NAMES. Price 1s. + + </p> + <p> + The LONDON KALENDAR, or COURT and + CITY REGISTER, for 1783; including all the new Peers + lately created; new Members; Alterations in all the different + Departments under Government, in Great-Britain, Ireland, + and America; with a complete List of the Sovereigns + of Europe; the Presidents of the Congress, from 1774; Presidents + and Governors of the American States; and a number + of other new lists not to be found in any other Publication. + Containing complete Lists of British and Irish Houses of + Parliament; Establishments of England, Scotland, Ireland, + America, &c. correct Lists of the Peeresses, Baronets, Universities, + Seminaries, Hospitals, Charities, Governors, Public-offices; + Army, Navy, Collectors at the different Ports, &c. + + </p> + <p> + This London Kalendar is upon a Plan much more extensive + and useful than any other Book of the Kind yet published. + Price 2s. + + </p> + <p> + ==>Be careful to ask for <em>The London Kalendar</em>, printed for + <em>J. 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Price 1s. 6d. + + </p> + <p> + Inscribed to the SOCIETY for promoting CONSTITUTIONAL + INFORMATION. + + </p> + <p> + The NATURE and EXTENT of SUPREME POWER, + in a Letter to the Rev. DAVID WILLIAMS, (Author of Letters + on Political Liberty) shewing the ultimate end of Human + Power, and a free Government, under God; and in which + Mr. Locke's Theory of Government is examined and explained, + contrary to the general construction of that great + Writer's particular sentiments on the Supremacy of the People. + By M. DAWES, Esq. Price 1s. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h2><a name="essay2"></a> + INSTRUCTIONS + + TO A + + STATESMAN. + + HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO + + THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + + GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + + </h2> + <p> + M.DCC.LXXXIV. + + </p> + <p> + TO + THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + + </p> + <p> + MY LORD, + + </p> + <p> + The following papers fell into + my hands by one of those + unaccountable accidents, so frequent + in human life, but which + in the relation appear almost incredible. + I will not however + trouble your lordship with the + story. If they be worthy of the + press, it is of no great consequence + to the public how they found their + way thither. If they afford your + lordship a moment's amusement, + amidst the weightier cares incident + to your rank and fortune, I have + obtained my end. + + </p> + <p> + I have endeavoured in vain to + investigate who was their author, + and to whom they were addressed. + It should seem, from the internal + evidence of the composition, that + they were written by a person, who + was originally of a low rank or a + menial station, but who was distinguished + by his lord for those + abilities and talents, he imagined + he discovered in him. I have + learned, by a kind of vague tradition, + upon which I can place little + dependence, that the noble pupil + was the owner of a magnificent + <i>château</i> not a hundred miles from + your lordship's admired seat in + the county of Buckingham. It is + said that this nobleman, amidst a + thousand curiosities with which his + gardens abounded, had the unaccountable + + whim of placing a kind + of artificial hermit in one of its + wildest and most solitary recesses. + This hermit it seems was celebrated + through the whole neighbourhood, + for his ingenuity in the carving of + tobacco-stoppers, and a variety of + other accomplishments. Some of + the peasants even mistook him for + a conjuror. If I might be allowed + in the conjectural licence of an + editor, I should be inclined to + ascribe the following composition + to this celebrated and ingenious + solitaire. + + </p> + <p> + Since however this valuable tract + remains without an owner, I + thought it could not be so properly + addressed to any man as your + lordship. I would not however + + be misunderstood. I do not imagine + that the claim this performance + has upon the public attention, + consists in the value and excellence + of it's precepts. On the contrary, + I consider it as the darkest and + most tremendous scheme for the + establishment of despotism that + ever was contrived. If the public + enter into my sentiments upon the + subject, they will consider it as + effectually superseding Machiavel's + celebrated treatise of The Prince, + and exhibiting a more deep-laid + and desperate system of tyranny. + For my part, I esteem these great + and destructive vices of so odious + a nature, that they need only be exposed + to the general view in order + to the being scouted by all. And if, + which indeed I cannot possibly + + believe, there has been any noble + lord in this kingdom mean enough + to have studied under such a preceptor, + I would willingly shame + him out of his principles, and hold + up to him a glass, which shall convince + him how worthy he is of + universal contempt and abhorrence. + + </p> + <p> + The true reason, my lord, for + which I have presumed to prefix + your name to these sheets is, that the + contrast between the precepts they + contain, and the ingenuous and + manly character that is universally + attributed to your lordship, may + place them more strongly in the + light they deserve. And yet I + doubt not there will be some readers + perverse enough to imagine + that you are the true object of the + + composition. They will find out + some of those ingenious coincidences, + by which The Rape of the + Lock, was converted into a political + poem, and the <i>Telemaque</i> of + the amiable Fenelon into a satire + against the government under + which he lived. I might easily + appeal, against these treacherous + commentators, to the knowledge + of all men reflecting every corner + of your lordship's gardens at Stowe. + I might boldly defy any man to + say, that they now contain, or + ever did contain, one of these artificial + hermits. But I will take up + your lordship's defence upon a + broader footing. I will demonstrate + how contrary the character + of your ancestors and your own + have always been to the spirit and + + temper here inculcated. If this + runs me a little into the beaten + style of dedication, even the modesty + of your lordship will excuse + me, when I have so valuable a reason + for adopting it. + + </p> + <p> + I shall confine myself, my lord, + in the few thoughts I mean to + suggest upon this head, to your two + more immediate ancestors, men + distinguished above the common + rate, by their virtues or their abilities. + Richard earl Temple, your + lordship's immediate predecessor, + as the representative of your illustrious + house, will be long remembered + by posterity under the very + respectable title of the friend of the + earl of Chatham. But though his + friend, my lord, we well know + + that he did not implicitly follow + the sentiments of a man, who was + assuredly the first star in the political + hemisphere, and whose talents + would have excused, if any thing + could have excused, an unsuspecting + credulity. The character of + lord Chatham was never, but in + one instance, tarnished. He did + not sufficiently dread the omnipotence + of the favourite. He fondly + imagined that before a character + so brilliant, and success so imposing + as his had been, no little system of + favouritism could keep its ground. + Twice, my lord, he was upon the + brink of the precipice, and once + he fell. When he trembled on + the verge, who was it that held + him back? It was Richard earl + Temple. Twice he came, like + + his guardian angel, and snatched + him from his fate. Lord Chatham + indeed was formed to champ the + bit, and spurn indignant at every + restraint. He knew the superiority + of his abilities, he recollected that + he had twice submitted to the + honest counsels of his friend, and + he disdained to listen any longer to + a coolness, that assimilated but ill + to the adventurousness of his spirit; + and to a hesitation, that wore in + his apprehension the guise of timidity. + What then did Richard + earl Temple do? There he fixed + his standard, and there he pitched + his tent. Not a step farther would + he follow a leader, whom to follow + had been the boast of his life. He + erected a fortress that might one + day prove the safeguard of his misguided + and unsuspecting friend. + + </p> + <p> + And yet, my lord, the character + of Richard earl Temple, was not + that of causeless suspicion. He + proved himself, in a thousand instances, + honest, trusting, and sincere. + He was not, like some men, + that you and I know, dark, dispassionate, + and impenetrable. On + the contrary, no man mistook him, + no man ever charged him with a + double conduct or a wrinkled + heart. His countenance was open, + and his spirit was clear. He was + a man of passions, my lord. He + acted in every momentous concern, + more from the dictates of his heart, + than his head. But this is the key + to his conduct; He kept a watchful + eye upon that bane of every + patriot minister, <em>secret influence</em>. If + there were one feature in his political + + history more conspicuous than + the rest, if I were called to point + out the line of discrimination between + his character and that of his + contemporaries upon the public + stage, it would be the <em>hatred of + secret influence</em>. + + </p> + <p> + Such, my lord, was one of your + immediate ancestors, whose name, + to this day, every honest Briton repeats + with veneration. I will turn + to another person, still more nearly + related to you, and who will make + an equal figure in the history of + the age in which he lived, Mr. + George Grenville. His character + has been represented to us by a + writer of no mean discernment, as + that of "shrewd and inflexible." + He was a man of indefatigable industry + + and application. He possessed + a sound understanding, and he + trusted it. This is a respectable + description. Integrity and independency, + however mistaken, are + entitled to praise. What was it, + my lord, that he considered as the + ruin of his reputation? What was + it, that defeated all the views of an + honest ambition, and deprived his + country of the services, which his + abilities, under proper direction, + were qualified to render it? My lord, + it was <em>secret influence</em>. It was in + vain for ministers to be able to construct + their plans with the highest + wisdom, and the most unwearied + diligence; it was in vain that + they came forward like men, and + risqued their places, their characters, + their all, upon measures, however + + arduous, that they thought + necessary for the salvation of their + country. They were defeated, by + what, my lord? By abilities greater + than their own? By a penetration + that discovered blots in their wisest + measures? By an opposition bold + and adventurous as themselves? + No: but, by the <em>lords of the bedchamber</em>; + by a "band of Janissaries + who surrounded the person + of the prince, and were ready + to strangle the minister upon + the nod of a moment." + + </p> + <p> + With these illustrious examples + ever rushing upon your memory, + no man can doubt that your lordship + has inherited that detestation + of <em>influence</em> by which your ancestors + were so honourably distinguished. + + My lord, having considered + the high expectations, which + the virtues of your immediate + progenitors had taught us to form + upon the heir of them both, we + will recollect for a moment the + promises that your first outset in + life had made to your country. + + </p> + <p> + One of your lordship's first actions + upon record, consists in the + high professions you made at the + county meeting of Buckingham, in + that ever-venerable aera of oeconomy + and reform, the spring of + 1780. My lord, there are certain + offices of sinecure, not dependent + upon the caprice of a minister, + which this country has reserved + to reward those illustrious statesmen, + who have spent their lives, + + and worn out their constitutions + in her service. No man will wonder, + when he recollects from + whom your lordship has the honour + to be descended, that one of + these offices is in your possession. + This, my lord, was the subject of + your generous and disinterested + professions. You told your countrymen, + that with this office you + were ready to part. If a reformation + so extensive were thought + necessary, you were determined, + not merely to be no obstacle to the + design, but to be a volunteer in + the service. You came forward in + the eye of the world, with your + patent in your hand. You were + ready to sacrifice that parchment, + the precious instrument of personal + wealth and private benevolence, + at the shrine of patriotism. + + </p> + <p> + Here then, my lord, you stood + pledged to your country. What + were we not to expect from the + first patriot of modern story? + Your lordship will readily imagine + that our expectations were boundless + and indefinite. "Glorious + and immortal man!" we cried, + "go on in this untrodden path. + We will no longer look with + drooping and cheerless anxiety + upon the misfortunes of Britain, + we have a resource for them + all. The patriot of Stowe is + capable of every thing. He + does not resemble the vulgar + herd of mortals, he does not + form his conduct upon precedent, + nor defend it by example. + Virtue of the first impression was + never yet separated from genius. + + We will trust then in the expedients + of his inexhaustible mind. + We will look up to him as our + assured deliverer.—We are well + acquainted with the wealth of + the proprietor of Stowe. Thanks, + eternal thanks to heaven, who + has bestowed it with so liberal a + hand! We consider it as a deposit + for the public good. We count + his acres, and we calculate his income, + for we know that it is, in + the best sense of the word, our + own." + + </p> + <p> + My lord, these are the prejudices, + which Englishmen have + formed in your favour. They + cannot refuse to trust a man, descended + from so illustrious progenitors. + They cannot suspect any + + thing dark and dishonourable in + the generous donor of 2700<i>l</i>. a + year. Let then the commentators + against whom I am providing, abjure + the name of Briton, or let + them pay the veneration that is + due to a character, in every view + of the subject, so exalted as that + of your lordship. + + </p> + <p> + I have the honour to be, + + </p> + <p> + MY LORD, + + </p> + <p> + with the most unfeigned respect, + + </p> + <p> + your lordship's + + </p> + <p> + most obedient, + + </p> + <p> + most devoted servant. + + </p> + <p><b> + + + + INSTRUCTIONS + + + TO A + + + STATESMAN. + + + MY LORD, + </b></p> + <p> + I have long considered as the greatest + happiness of my life, the having so + promising a pupil as your lordship. + Though your abilities are certainly of the + very first impression, they are not however + of that vague and indefinite species, + which we often meet with in persons, + who, if providence had so pleased, would + have figured with equal adroitness in the + character of a shoe-black or a link-boy, as + they now flatter themselves they can do + in that of a minister of state. You, my + + lord, were born with that accomplishment + of secrecy and retentiveness, which + the archbishop of Cambray represents + Telemachus as having possessed in so + high a degree in consequence of the mode + of his education. You were always distinguished + by that art, never to be sufficiently + valued, of talking much and saying + nothing. I cannot recollect, and yet + my memory is as great, as my opportunity + for observation has been considerable, + that your lordship, when a boy, ever + betrayed a single fact that chanced to fall + within your notice, unless indeed it had + some tendency to procure a school-fellow + a whipping. I have often remarked + your lordship with admiration, talking + big and blustering loud, so as to frighten + urchins who were about half your lordship's + size, when you had no precise + meaning in any thing you said. And I + shall never forget, the longest day I have + to live, when I hugged you in my arms + in a kind of prophetic transport, in consequence + + of your whispering me, in the + midst of a room-full of company, in so + sly a manner that nobody could observe + you, that you had just seen John the + coachman bestow upon Betty the cook-maid, + a most devout and cordial embrace. + From your rawest infancy you were as + much distinguished, as Milton represents + the goddess Hebe to have been, by + "nods and becks and wreathed smiles;" + with this difference, that in her they + were marks of gaiety, and in you of demureness; + that in her they were unrestrained + and general, and in you intended + only for a single <em>confidant</em>. My lord, + reflecting upon all these circumstances, + it is not to be wondered at that I treated + your lordship even in clouts with the reverence + due to an infant Jove, and always + considered myself as superintending + the institution of the first statesman that + ever existed. + + </p> + <p> + But, my lord, it has ever been my + opinion, that let nature do as much as + she will, it is in the power of education + to do still more. The many statesmanlike + qualities that you brought into the + world with you, sufficiently prove, that + no man was ever more deeply indebted + to the bounty of nature than your lordship. + And yet of all those qualities she has + bestowed upon you, there is not one that + I hold in half so much esteem, as that + docility, which has ever induced you to + receive my instructions with implicit veneration. + It is true, my coat is fustian, + and my whole accoutrement plebeian. + My shoes are clouted, and it is long since + the wig that defends this penetrating + brain, could boast a crooked hair. But + you, my lord, have been able to discover + the fruit through the thick and uncomely + coat by which it was concealed; you + have cracked the nut and have a right to + the kernel. + + </p> + <p> + My lord, I thought it necessary to + premise these observations, before I entered + upon those important matters of + disquisition, which will form the object + of my present epistle. It is unnecessary + for me to inform a person of so much + discernment as your lordship, that education + is, by its very nature, a thing of + temporary duration. Your lordship's education + has been long, and there have + been cogent reasons why it should be so. + God grant, that when left to walk the + world alone, you be not betrayed into + any of those unlucky blunders, from the + very verge of which my provident hand + has often redeemed your lordship! Do + not mistake me, my lord, when I talk of + the greatness of your talents. It is now + too late to flatter: This is no time for + disguise. Pardon me therefore, my dear + and ever-honoured pupil, if I may seem + to offend against those minuter laws of + etiquette, which were made only for + + common cases. At so important a crisis + it is necessary to be plain. + + </p> + <p> + Your lordship is very cunning, but I + never imagined that you were remarkably + wise. The talents you received at + your birth, if we were to speak with + mathematical strictness, should rather be + denominated knacks, than abilities. They + consist rather in a lucky dexterity of face, + and a happy conformation of limb, than + in any very elevated capacities of the intellect. + Upon that score, my lord,—you + know I am fond of comparisons, and I + think I have hit upon one in this case, + that must be acknowledged remarkably + apposite. I have sometimes seen a ditch, + the water of which, though really shallow, + has appeared to careless observers + to be very deep, for no other reason but + because it was muddy. Believe me, my + lord, experienced and penetrating observers + are not so to be taken in. + + </p> + <p> + But, as I was saying, education is a + temporary thing, and your lordship's, + however lasting and laborious, is at + length brought to a period. My lord, + if it so pleases the sovereign disposer of + all things, I would be very well satisfied + to remain in this sublunary state for some + years longer, if it were only that I might + live to rejoice in the exemplification of + my precepts in the conduct of my pupil. + But, if this boon be granted to my merits + and my prayers, at any rate I shall + from this moment retire from the world. + From henceforth my <em>secret influence</em> is + brought to its close. I will no longer be + the unseen original of the grand movements + of the figures that fill the political + stage. I will stand aloof from the + giddy herd. I will not stray from my + little vortex. I will look down upon + the transactions of courts and ministers, + like an etherial being from a superior + element. There I shall hope to see your + lordship outstrip your contemporaries, + + and tower above the pigmies of the day. + To repeat an idea before delivered, might + be unbecoming in a fine writer, but it is + characteristic and beautiful under the + personage of a preceptor. The fitnesses + which nature bestowed upon your frame + would not have done alone. But joined + with the lessons I have taught you, they + cannot fail, unless I grossly flatter myself, + to make the part which your lordship + shall act sufficiently conspicuous. + + </p> + <p> + Receive then, my lord, with that docility + and veneration, which have at all + times made the remembrance of you + pleasant and reviving to my heart, the + last communications of the instructor of + your choice. Yes, my lord, from henceforth + you shall see me, you shall hear + from me no more. From this consideration + I infer one reason why you should + deeply reflect upon the precepts I have + now to offer. Remembering that these + little sheets are all the legacy my affection + + can bestow upon you, I shall concenter + in them the very quintessence and epitome + of all my wisdom. I shall provide in + them a particular antidote to those defects + to which nature has made you most + propense. + + </p> + <p> + But I have yet another reason to inforce + your attention to what I am about + to write. I was, as I have said, the instructor + of your choice. When I had + yet remained neglected in the world, + when my honours were withered by the + hand of poverty, when my blossoms appeared + in the eyes of those who saw me + of the most brown and wintery complexion, + and, if your lordship will allow + me to finish the metaphor, when I stank + in their noses, it was then that your lordship + remarked and distinguished me. + Your bounty it was that first revived my + native pride. It is true that it ran in a + little dribbling rivulet, but still it was + much to me. Even before you were + + able to afford me any real assistance, you + were always ready to offer me a corner + of your gingerbread, or a marble from + your hoard. Your lordship had at all times + a taste for sumptuousness and magnificence, + but you knew how to limit your + natural propensity in consideration of the + calls of affinity, and to give your farthings + to your friends. + + </p> + <p> + Do not then, my dear lord, belie the + first and earliest sentiments of your heart. + As you have ever heard me, let your attention + be tripled now. Read my letter + once and again. Preserve it as a sacred + deposit. Lay it under your pillow. Meditate + upon it fasting. Commit it to memory, + and repeat the scattered parcels of + it, as Caesar is said to have done the Greek + alphabet, to cool your rising choler. Be + this the amulet to preserve you from + danger! Be this the chart by which to + steer the little skiff of your political system + + safe into the port of historic immortality! + + </p> + <p> + My lord, you and I have read Machiavel + together. It is true I am but a bungler + in Italian, and your lordship was generally + obliged to interpret for me. Your + translation I dare say was always scientifical, + but I was seldom so happy as to + see either grammar or sense in it. So + far however as I can guess at the drift of + this celebrated author, he seems to have + written as the professor of only one + science. He has treated of the art of + government, and has enquired what was + wise, and what was political. He has + left the moralists to take care of themselves. + + </p> + <p> + In the present essay, my lord, I shall + follow the example of Machiavel. I + profess the same science, and I pretend + only to have carried to much greater + heights an art to which he has given a + + considerable degree of perfection. Your + lordship has had a great number of masters. + Your excellent father, who himself + had some dabbling in politics, spared + no expence upon your education, + though I believe he had by no means so + high an opinion of your genius and abilities + as I entertained. Your lordship + therefore is to be presumed competently + versed in the rudiments of ethics. You + have read Grotius, Puffendorf, and + Cumberland. For my part I never opened + a volume of any one of them. I am + self-taught. My science originates entirely + in my unbounded penetration, and + a sort of divine and supernatural afflatus. + With all this your lordship knows I am + a modest man. I have never presumed + to entrench upon the province of others. + Let the professors of ethics talk their + nonsense. I will not interrupt them. I + will not endeavour to set your lordship + against them. It is necessary for me to + take politics upon an unlimited scale, and + + to suppose that a statesman has no character + to preserve but that of speciousness + and plausibility. But it is your + lordship's business to enquire whether + this be really the case. + + </p> + <p> + I need not tell you, that I shall not, + like the political writers with which you + are acquainted, talk in the air. My instructions + will be of a practical nature, + and my rules adapted to the present condition + of the English government. That + government is at present considerably, + though imperfectly, a system of liberty. + To such a system the most essential maxim + is, that the governors shall be accountable + and amenable to the governed. + This principle has sometimes been denominated + responsibility. Responsibility in + a republican government is carried as + high as possible. In a limited monarchy + it stops at the first ministers, the immediate + servants of the crown. Now to + this system nothing can be more fatal, + + than for the public measures not really to + originate with administration, but with + secret advisers who cannot be traced. + This is to cut all the nerves of government, + to loosen all the springs of liberty, + to make the constitution totter to its + lowest foundations. + + </p> + <p> + I say this, my lord, not to terrify your + lordship. The students and the imitators + of Machiavel must not be frightened + with bugbears. Beside, were cowardice + as congenial to the feelings of your lordship + as I confess it has sometimes been to + mine, cowardice itself is not so apt to be + terrified with threats hung up <em>in terrorem</em>, + and menaces of a vague and general + nature. It trembles only at a danger + definite and impending. It is the dagger + at the throat, it is the pistol at the breast, + that shakes her nerves. Prudence is + alarmed at a distance, and calls up all + her exertion. But cowardice is short-sighted, + and was never productive of any + + salutary effort. I say not this therefore + to intimidate, but to excite you. I would + teach you, that this is a most important + step indeed, is the grand <i>desideratum</i> in + order to exalt the English monarchy to a + par with the glorious one of France, or + any other absolute monarchy in Christendom. + + </p> + <p> + In order, my lord, to annihilate responsibility, + nothing more is necessary + than that every individual should be as + free, and as much in the habit of advising + the king upon the measures of government, + as his ministers. Let every discarded, + and let every would-be statesman, + sow dissension in the royal councils, and + pour the poison of his discontent into the + royal ear. Let the cabinet ring with a + thousand jarring sentiments; and let the + subtlest courtier, let him that is the most + perfect master of wheedling arts and pathetic + tones, carry it from every rival. + This, my lord, will probably create some + + confusion at first. The system of government + will appear, not a regular and proportioned + beauty, like the pheasant of + India, but a gaudy and glaring system + of unconnected parts, like Esop's daw + with borrowed feathers. Anarchy and + darkness will be the original appearance. + But light shall spring out of the noon of + night; harmony and order shall succeed + the chaos. The present patchwork of + three different forms of government shall + be changed into one simple and godlike + system of despotism. Thus, when London + was burned, a more commodious + and healthful city sprung as it were out + of her ashes. + + </p> + <p> + But neither Rome nor London was + built in a day. The glorious work + I am recommending to you must be a + work of time. At first it will be necessary + for the person who would subvert the + silly system of English government, to + enter upon his undertaking with infinite + + timidity and precaution. He must stalk + along in silence like Tarquin to the rape + of Lucretia. His horses, like those of Lear, + must be shoed with felt. He must shroud + himself in the thickest shade. Let him + comfort himself with this reflexion: + + </p> + <p> + "It is but for a time. It will soon be + over. No work of mortal hands can + long stand against concussions so violent. + Ulysses, who entered Troy, shut + up in the cincture of the wooden horse, + shall soon burst the enclosure, shall + terrify those from whose observation + he lately shrunk, and carry devastation + and ruin on whatever side he turns." + + </p> + <p> + My lord, I have considered the subject + of politics with as much acuteness as + any man. I have revolved a thousand + schemes, which to recommend to the + pursuit of the statesman of my own creation. + But there is no plan of action + that appears to me half so grand and + comprehensive, as this of <em>secret influence</em>. + It is true the scheme is not entirely new. + + It has been a subject of discussion ever + since the English nation could boast any + thing like a regular system of liberty. It + was complained of under king William. + It was boasted of, even to ostentation, + by the Tory ministers of queen Anne. + The Pelhams cried out upon it in lord + Carteret. It has been the business of + half the history of the present reign to + fix the charge upon my lord Bute. + + </p> + <p> + And yet in spite of these appearances, + in spite of all the deductions that modesty + can authorise, I may boldly affirm + that my scheme has something in it that + is truly original. My lord, I would not + have you proceed by leaps and starts, + like these half-fledged statesmen. I + would have you proceed from step to step + in a finished and faultless plan. I have + too an improvement without which the + first step is of no value, which yet has + seldom been added, which at first sight + has a very daring appearance, but which + + I pretend to teach your lordship to practice + with perfect safety. But it is necessary + for me, before I come to this grand + <i>arcanum</i> of my system, to premise a few + observations for the more accurately managing + the influence itself. + + </p> + <p> + My lord, there are a variety of things + necessary to absolute secrecy. There is + nothing more inconvenient to a political + character than that gross and unmanageable + quantity of flesh and blood that fortune + has decreed that every mortal should + carry about with him. The man who + is properly initiated in the <i>arcana</i> of a + closet, ought to be able to squeeze himself + through a key hole, and, whenever + any impertinent Marplot appears to blast + him, to change this unwieldy frame into + the substance of the viewless winds. How + often must a theoretical statesman like + myself, have regretted that incomparable + invention, the ring of Gyges! How often + must he have wished to be possessed + + of one of those diabolical forms, described + by Milton, which now were taller + than the pole, and anon could shrink into + the compass of an atom! + + </p> + <p> + But I forget the characteristic of my + profession. It is not ours, my lord, to + live in air-built castles, and to deal in + imaginary hypotheses. On the contrary, + we are continually talking of the weakness + and the frailty of humanity. Does + any man impeach one of our body of + bribery and corruption? We confess + that these practices may seem to run + counter with the fine-spun systems of + morality; but this is our constant apology, + human affairs can be no otherwise + managed. Does any man suggest the + most beautiful scheme of oeconomy, or + present us with the most perfect model + of liberty? We turn away with a sneer, + and tell him that all this is plausible and + pretty; but that we do not concern ourselves + + with any thing but what is practicable. + + </p> + <p> + In conformity to these ideas, I beg + leave, my lord, to recal the fantastic + wishes that have just escaped me. To be + corporeal is our irrevocable fate, and we + will not waste our time in fruitlessly accusing + it. My lord, I have one or two + little expedients to offer to you, which, + though they do not amount to a perfect + remedy in this case, will yet, I hope, + prove a tolerable substitute for those diabolical + forms of which I was talking. + + </p> + <p> + I need not put your lordship in mind + how friendly to such practices as ours, + is the cover of darkness, and how convenient + those little machines commonly + called back-stairs. I dare say even your + lordship, however inconsequently you + may often conduct yourself, would scarcely + think of mid-day as the most proper + season of concealment, or the passing + + through a crowded levee, the most natural + method of entering the royal closet + unobserved. + + </p> + <p> + But, my lord, you will please to recollect, + that there are certain attendants + upon the person of the sovereign whom I + find classed in that epitome of political + wisdom, the Red Book, under the name + of pages. Most wise is the institution, + (and your lordship will observe that I am + not now deviating into the regions of fable) + which is common to all the Eastern + courts, of having these offices filled by + persons, who, upon peril of their life, may + not, in any circumstances whatsoever, + utter a word. But unfortunately in the + western climates in which we reside, the + thing is otherwise. The institution of + mutes is unknown to us. The lips of + our pages have never been inured to the + wholesome discipline of the padlock. + They are as loquacious, and blab as much + as other men. You know, my lord, + + that I am fond of illustrating the principles + I lay down by the recital of facts. + The last, and indeed the only time that + I ever entered the metropolis, I remember, + as my barber was removing the hair from + my nether lip:—My barber had all that + impertinent communicativeness that is + incident to the gentlemen of his profession; + he assured me, that he had seen + that morning one of the pages of the + back-stairs, who declared to him, upon + the word of a man of honour, that he + had that moment admitted a certain nobleman + by a private door to the presence + of his master; that the face of the noble + lord was perfectly familiar to him, and + that he had let him in some fifty times in + the course of the past six months. + + </p> + <p> + "How silly is all this!" added the page; "and + how glad should I be", licking his lips, + "that it were but an opera girl or a + countess! And yet my mistress is the + very best mistress that ever I see!" + <em>Oh + this was poor, and showed a pitiful ambition</em><em> in the man that did it!</em> I will swear, + my lord, that the nobleman who could + thus have been betrayed, must have been + a thick-headed fellow, and fit for no one + public office, not even for that of <em>turnspit + of his majesty's kitchen</em>!<a class="notelink" href="#Notep2_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="Footp2_1"></a></p> + <p><a name="Notep2_1"></a><a href="#Footp2_1">A</a>: Vide Burke's Speech upon Oeconomy. + + </p> + <p> + My lord, if you would escape that + rock, upon which this statesman terminated + his political career, ever while you + live make use of bribery. Let the pages + finger your cash, let them drink your + health in a glass of honest claret, and + let them chuckle over the effects of + your lordship's munificence. I know + that you will pour forth many a pathetic + complaint over the money that is + drawn off by this copious receiver, but + believe the wisest man that now exists, + when he assures you, that it is well bestowed. + Your lordship's bounty to myself + has sometimes amounted to near ten + + pounds in the course of a twelvemonth. + That drain, my lord, is stopped. I + shall receive from you no more. Let + then the expence, which you once incurred + for my sake, be henceforth diverted + to this valuable purpose. + + </p> + <p> + I believe, my lord, that this is all the + improvement that can be made upon + the head of pages. I think we can + scarcely venture upon the expedient that + would otherwise be admirable, of these + interviews being carried on without the + intervention of any such impertinent fellows, + from whom one is ever in danger, + without the smallest notice, of having + it published at St. James's-Market, and + proclaimed from the statue at Charing-Cross. + If however you should think + this expedient adviseable, I would recommend + it to you not to mention it to + your gracious master. Courts are so incumbered + and hedged in with ceremony, + that the members of them are + + always prone to imagine that the form + is more essential and indispensable, than + the substance. Suppose then, my lord, + you were, by one of those sly opportunities, + which you know so well how to + command, to take off the key in wax, + and get a picklock key made exactly + upon the model of it. The end, my + lord, take my word for it, would abundantly + sanctify the apparent sordidness of + the means. In this situation I cannot + help picturing to myself the surprise and + the joy, that would be in a moment + lighted up in the countenance of your + friend. Your rencounter would be as + unexpected and fortunate as that of Lady + Randolph and her son, when she fears + every moment to have him murdered by + Glenalvon. You would fly into each + others arms, and almost smother one + another in your mutual embrace. + + </p> + <p> + But another thing that is abundantly + worthy of your lordship's attention, is + + the subject of disguises and dark lanthorns. + Harley, afterwards earl of Oxford, + was in the practice, if I remember + right, for it is some time since I read + Dr. Swift's political pamphlets, of crossing + the park in a horseman's coat. But + this is too shallow and thin a disguise. + A mask, on the other hand, might perhaps + be too particular. Though indeed + at midnight, which is the only time + that I would recommend to your lordship + in which to approach within a hundred + yards of the palace, it might probably + pass without much observation. + A slouched hat, and a bob wig, your + lordship may at any time venture upon. + But there is nothing that is of so much + importance in this affair as variety. + I would sometimes put on the turban of + a Turk, and sometimes the half breeches + of a Highlander. I would sometimes + wear the lawn sleeves of a bishop, and + sometimes the tye-wig of a barrister. A + leathern apron and a trowel might upon + + occasion be of sovereign efficacy. The + long beard and neglected dress of a + Shylock should be admitted into the list. + I would also occasionally lay aside the + small clothes, and assume the dress of a + woman. I would often trip it along + with the appearance and gesture of a + spruce milliner; and I would often stalk + with the solemn air and sweeping train + of a duchess. But of all the infinite + shapes of human dress, I must confess + that, my favourite is the kind of doublet + that prince Harry wore when he assaulted + Falstaff. The nearer it approaches to + the guise of a common carman the better, + and his long whip ought to be inseparable. + If you could add to it the + sooty appearance of a coal-heaver, or + a chimney-sweep, it would sit, upon + this more precious than velvet garb, + like spangles and lace. I need not add, + that to a mind of elegance and sensibility, + the emblematical allusion which this + dress would carry to the secrecy and + + impenetrableness of the person that wears + it, must be the source of a delightful + and exquisite sensation. + + </p> + <p> + And now, my lord, for the last head, + which it is necessary to mention under + this division of my subject, I mean that + of lanthorns. Twenty people, I doubt + not, whom your lordship might consult + upon this occasion, would advise + you to go without any lanthorn at + all. Beware of this, my lord. It is + a rash and a thoughtless advice. It + may possibly be a false and insidious one. + Your lordship will never think of going + always in the same broad and frequented + path. Many a causeway you + will have to cross, many a dark and + winding alley to tread. Suppose, my + lord, the pavement were to be torn up, + and your lordship were to break your + shin! Suppose a drain were to have been + opened in the preceding day, without + your knowing any thing of the matter, + + and your lordship were to break your + neck! Suppose, which is more terrible + than all the rest, you were to set your + foot upon that which I dare not name, + and by offending the olfactory nerves of + majesty, you were to forfeit his affections + for ever! + + </p> + <p> + So much, my lord, by way of declamation + against the abolition of lanthorns. + Your lordship however does not imagine + I shall say any thing upon affairs so + common as the glass lanthorn, the horn + lanthorn, and the perforated tin lanthorn. + This last indeed is most to my purpose, + but it will not do, my lord, it will not + do. There is a kind of lanthorns, your + lordship has seen them, that have one + side dark, and the other light. I remember + to have observed your lordship + for half a day together, poring over the + picture of Guy Faux, in the Book of + Martyrs. This was one of the early + intimations which my wisdom enabled + + me to remark of the destination which + nature had given you. You know, my + lord, that the possessor of this lanthorn + can turn it this way and that, as he + pleases. He can contrive accurately to + discern the countenance of every other + person, without being visible himself. + I need not enlarge to your lordship upon + the admirable uses of this machine. I + will only add, that my very dear and + ever-lamented friend Mr. Pinchbeck, + effected before he died an improvement + upon it so valuable, that it cannot but + preserve his name from that oblivious + power, by which common names are + devoured. In his lanthorn, the shade, + which used to be inseparable, may be + taken away at the possessor's pleasure, + like the head of a whisky, and it may + appear to all intents and purposes one + of the common vehicles of the kind. + He had also a contrivance, never to be + sufficiently commended, that when the + snuff of the candle had attained a certain + + length, it moved a kind of automatic + pair of snuffers that hung within + side, and amputated itself. He left me + two of these lanthorns as a legacy. Such + is my value for your lordship, that I + have wrought myself up to a resolution + of parting with one of them in your + lordship's favour. You will receive it + in four days from the date of this by + Gines's waggon, that puts up in Holborn. + + </p> + <p> + But, my lord, there is a second object + of consideration still more important + than this. It is in vain for your lordship, + or any other person, to persuade the sovereign + against any of the measures of his + government, unless you can add to this + the discovery of those new sentiments + you have instilled, to all such as it may + concern. It is the business of every + Machiavelian minister, such as your + lordship, both from nature and choice, is + inclined to be, to prop the cause of despotism. + + In order to this, the dignity + of the sovereign is not to be committed, + but exalted. To bring forward the royal + person to put a negative upon any bill in + parliament, is a most inartificial mode + of proceeding. It marks too accurately + the strides of power, and awakens too + pointedly the attention of the multitude. + Your lordship has heard that the house + of lords is the barrier between the + king and the people. There is a sense + of this phrase, of which I am wonderfully + fond. The dissemination of the + royal opinion will at any time create a + majority in that house, to divert the + odium from the person of the monarch. + Twenty-two bishops, thirteen lords of + the bed-chamber, and all the rabble of + household troops, will at any time compose + an army. They may not indeed + cover an acre of ground, nor would I + advise your lordship to distribute them + into a great number of regiments. Their + countenances are not the most terrific + + that were ever beheld, and it might be + proper to officer them with persons of + more sagacity than themselves. But under + all this meekness of appearance, and + innocence of understanding, believe me, + my lord, they are capable of keeping at + bay the commons and the people of + England united in one cause, for a considerable + time. They have been too + long at the beck of a minister, not to be + somewhat callous in their feelings. And + they are too numerous, not to have shoulders + capacious enough to bear all the + obloquy, with which their conduct may + be attended. + + </p> + <p> + But then, my lord, as I would not + recommend it to you to bring into practice + the royal negative, so neither + perhaps would it be advisable for the + sovereign, to instruct those lords immediately + attendant upon him, in person. + Kings, you are not to be informed, are + to be managed and humoured by those + + that would win their confidence. If + your lordship could invent a sort of + down, more soft and yielding than has + yet been employed, it might be something. + But to point out to your master, + that he must say this, and write that, that + he must send for one man, and break + with another, is an unpleasant and ungrateful + office. It must be your business + to take the burden from his shoulders. + You must smooth the road you would + have him take, and strew with flowers + the path of ruin. If he favour your + schemes with a smile of approbation, if + he bestow upon your proceedings the + sanction of a nod, it is enough. It is + godlike fortitude, and heroic exertion. + + </p> + <p> + But secrecy is the very essence of + deep and insidious conduct. I would + advise your lordship to bring even your + own name into question, as little as possible. + My lord Chesterfield compares a + statesman, who has been celebrated for + + influence during the greatest part of + the present reign, to the ostrich. The + brain of an ostrich, your lordship will + please to observe, though he be the largest + of birds, may very easily be included in + the compass of a nut-shell. When pursued + by the hunters, he is said to bury his + head in the sand, and having done this, + to imagine that he cannot be discovered + by the keenest search. Do not you, my + lord, imitate the manners of the ostrich. + Believe me, they are ungraceful; and, if + maturely considered, will perhaps appear + to be a little silly. + + </p> + <p> + There is a contrivance that has occurred + to me, which, if it were not accompanied + with a circumstance somewhat + out of date, appears to me in the highest + degree admirable. Suppose you were to + treat the lords of the bedchamber with + a sight of St. Paul's cathedral? There + is a certain part of it of a circular form, + commonly called the whispering gallery. + + You have probably heard, that by the + uncommon echo of this place, the + weakest sound that can possibly be articulated, + is increased by that time it has + gone half round, into a sound, audible + and strong. Your lordship, with your + flock of geese about you, would probably + be frolic and gamesome. You may + easily contrive to scatter them through + the whole circumference of this apartment. + Of a sudden, you will please to + turn your face to the wall, and utter + in a solemn tone the royal opinion. + Every body will be at a loss from whence + the mandate proceeds. Some of your + companions, more goose-like than the + rest, will probably imagine it a voice + from heaven. The sentence must be + two or three times repeated at proper + intervals, before you can contrive to have + each of the lords in turn at the required + distance. This will demand a considerable + degree of alertness and agility. But + alertness and agility are qualities by + + which your lordship is so eminently distinguished, + that I should have very few + apprehensions about your success. Meanwhile + it will be proper to have a select + number of footmen stationed at the door + of the gallery, armed with smelling-bottles. + Some of your friends, I suspect, + would be so much alarmed at this celestial + and ghost-like phenomenon, as to + render this part of the plan of singular + service. + + </p> + <p> + But after all, I am apprehensive that + many of the noble lords to whom I allude, + would be disgusted at the very + mention of any thing so old-fashioned + and city-like, as a visit to this famous + cathedral. And even if that were not + the case, it is proper to be provided with + more than one scheme for the execution + of so necessary a purpose. The question + is of no contemptible magnitude, between + instructions <i>viva voce</i>, and a circular + letter. In favour of the first it + + may be said, that a letter is the worst + and most definite evidence to a man's + disadvantage that can be conceived. It + may easily be traced. It can scarcely be + denied. The sense of it cannot readily + be explained away.—It must be confessed + there is something in this; and yet, my + lord, I am by all means for a letter. A + voice may often be overheard. I remember + my poor old goody used to say, + (heaven rest her soul!) That walls had + ears. There are some lords, my dear + friend, that can never think of being + alone. Bugbears are ever starting up in + their prolific imagination, and they cannot + be for a moment in the dark, without + expecting the devil to fly away with + them. They have some useful pimp, + some favourite toad-eater, that is always + at their elbow. Ever remember, so + long as you live, that toad-eaters are + treacherous friends. Beside, it would + be a little suspicious, to see your lordship's + carriage making a regular tour + + from door to door among the lords of + the bed-chamber. And I would by no + means have Pinchbeck's dark-lanthorn + brought into common use. Consider, + my lord, when that is worn out, you + will not know where to get such another. + + </p> + <p> + A letter may be disguised in various + ways. You would certainly never think + of signing your name. You might have + it transcribed by your secretary. But + then this would be to commit your + safety and your fame to the keeping of + another. No, my lord, there are schemes + worth a hundred of this. Consider the + various hands in which a letter may be + written. There is the round hand, and + the Italian hand, the text hand, and the + running hand. You may form your letters + upon the Roman or the Italic model. + Your billet may he engrossed. You + may employ the German text or the old + primero. If I am not mistaken, your + + lordship studied all these when you were a + boy for this very purpose. Yes, my + lord, I may be in the wrong, but I am + confidently of opinion, that this is absolutely + the first, most important, and most + indispensible accomplishment of a statesman. + I would forgive him, if he did + not know a cornet from an ensign, I + would forgive him, if he thought Italy + a province of Asia Minor. But not to + write primero! the nincompoop! the + numbscul! + + </p> + <p> + If it were not that the persons with + whom your lordship has to correspond, + can some of them barely spell their + native tongue, I would recommend to + your lordship the use of cyphers. But + no, you might as well write the language + of Mantcheux Tartars. For consider, + your letters may be intercepted. + It is true, they have not many perils to + undergo. They are not handed from post-house + to post-house. There are no impertinent + + office-keepers to inspect them + by land. There are no privateers to + capture them by sea. But, my lord, + they have perils to encounter, the very + recollection of which makes me tremble + to the inmost fibre of my frame. They + are ale-houses, my lord. Think for a + moment of the clattering of porter-pots, + and the scream of my goodly hostess. + Imagine that the blazing fire smiles + through the impenetrable window, and + that the kitchen shakes with the peals + of laughter. These are temptations, + my lord, that no mortal porter can withstand. + When the unvaried countenance + of his gracious sovereign smiles + invitation upon him from the weather + beaten sign-post, what loyal heart but + must be melted into compliance. + + </p> + <p> + From all these considerations, my lord, + I would advise you to write with invisible + ink. Milk I believe will serve the + purpose, though I am afraid, that the + + milk that is hawked about the streets of + London, has rather too much water in + it. The juice of lemon is a sovereign + recipe. There are a variety of other + preparations that will answer the purpose. + But these may be learned from + the most vulgar and accessible sources of + information. And you will please to observe, + that I suffer nothing to creep into + this political testament, more valuable + than those of Richelieu, Mazarine, and + Alberoni, that is not entirely original + matter. My lord, I defy you to learn a + single particular of the refinements here + communicated from the greatest statesman + that lives. They talk of Fox! He + would give his right hand for an atom of + them! + + </p> + <p> + I will now suppose you, my lord, by + all these artifices, arrived at the very + threshold of power. I will suppose that + you have just defeated the grandest and + the wisest measure of your political antagonists. + + I think there is nothing more + natural, though the rule will admit of + many exceptions, than for people who + act uniformly in opposition to each other, + upon public grounds, to be of opposite + characters and dispositions. I will therefore + imagine, that, shocked with the + boundless extortions and the relentless + cruelties that have been practised in some + distant part of the empire, they came + forward with a measure full of generous + oblivion for the part, providing with + circumspect and collected humanity for + the future. I will suppose, that they + were desirous of taking an impotent government + out of the hands of Jews and + pedlars, old women and minors, and to + render it a part of the great system. I + will suppose, that they were desirous of + transferring political power from a company + of rapacious and interested merchants, + into the hands of statesmen, men + distinguished among a thousand parties + for clear integrity, disinterested virtue, and + + spotless fame. This, my lord, would + be a field worthy of your lordship's prowess. + Could you but gain the interested, + could you eternize rapacity, and preserve + inviolate the blot of the English name, + what laurels would not your lordship deserve? + + </p> + <p> + I will therefore suppose, that your gracious + master meets you with a <i>carte + blanche</i>, that he is disposed to listen to + all your advices, and to adopt all your + counsels. Your lordship is aware that + the road of secret influence, and that of + popular favour, are not exactly the same. + No ministry can long preserve their seats + unless they possess the confidence of + a majority of the house of commons. + The ministry therefore against which + your lordship acts, we will take it for + granted are in this predicament. In this + situation then an important question naturally + arises. Either a majority in the + house of commons must be purchased at + + any rate, or the government must be conducted + in defiance of that house, or + thirdly, the parliament must be dissolved. + Exclusive of these three, I can conceive + of no alternative. We will therefore examine + each in its turn. + + </p> + <p> + Shall a majority in the house of commons + be created? Much may be said on + both sides. A very ingenious friend of + mine, for whose counsels I have an uncommon + deference, assured me, that nothing + would be so easy as this. Observing + with a shrewdness that astonished + me, that ministry, upon a late most important + question, mustered no more + than 250 votes, and that there were 558 + members, he inferred, that you had nothing + more to do than to send for those + that were absent out of the country, and + you might have upwards of 300 to pit + against the 250. It is with infinite regret + that I ever suffer myself to dissent + from the opinion of this gentleman. But + + suppose, my lord, which is at least possible, + that one half of the absentees + should be friends to the cause of the people; + what would become of us then? + There remains indeed the obvious method + of purchasing votes, and it might + be supposed that your lordship's talent of + insinuation might do you knight's service + in this business. But no, my lord, + many of these country gentlemen are at + bottom no better than boors. A mechlin + cravat and a smirking countenance, upon + which your lordship builds so much, + would be absolutely unnoticed by them. + I am afraid of risquing my credit with + your lordship, but I can assure you, that + I have heard that one of these fellows has + been known to fly from a nobleman covered + with lace, and powdered, and perfumed + to the very tip of the mode, to + follow the standard of a commoner whose + coat has been stained with claret, and + who has not had a ruffle to his shirt. + My lord, if common fame may be trusted, + + these puppies are literally tasteless + enough to admire wit, though the man + who utters it be ever so corpulent, and to + discover eloquence in the mouth of one, + who can suffer himself to spit in an honourable + assembly. I am a plain man, + my lord; but I really think that among + marquisses and dukes, right honourables + and right reverends, these things are intolerable. + + </p> + <p> + I would therefore have your lordship + give up at once, and with a grace, the + very idea of bringing over to your side + the partisans of these huge slovenly fellows. + The scheme of governing the + country without taking the house of + commons along with you, is much more + feasible than this. This might be done + by passing an act of parliament by the authority + of two estates of the realm, to + declare the house of commons useless. + For my part, I am far from thinking this + so bold a step as by some it may be imagined. + + Was not Rome a free state, + though it had no house of commons? + Has not the British house of commons + been incessantly exclaimed upon, as corrupt + and nugatory? Has not a reform + respecting them been called for from all + quarters of the kingdom? I am much + of opinion in the present case, that that + is the most effectual reform, which goes + to the root. Rome had her hereditary + nobility, which composed her senate. + She had her consuls, an ill-imagined + substitute for monarchical power. In + these, my lord, was comprehended, in + a manner, the whole of her government. + I shall be told indeed that they had occasionally + their <em>comitia</em>, or assemblies of + the citizens of the metropolis. But this + is so far from an objection to my reasoning, + that it furnishes me with a very + valuable hint for the improvement of the + English constitution. + + </p> + <p> + Let the present house of commons be + cashiered, and let the common council + of the city of London be placed at St. + Stephen's chapel in their room. These + your lordship will find a much more + worthy and manageable set of people, + than the representatives of the nation at + large. And can any sensible man doubt + for a moment, which are the most respectable + body of men? Examine + their persons. Among their predecessors + I see many poor, lank, shrivelled, + half-starved things, some bald, + some with a few straggling hairs, and + some with an enormous bag, pendant + from no hair at all. Turn, my lord, to + the other side. There you will see a + good, comely, creditable race of people. + They look like brothers. As their size + and figure are the same, so by the fire in + their eyes, and the expression in their + countenances, you could scarcely know + one of them from another. Their very + gowns are enough to strike terror into + + the most inattentive. Each of them covers + his <em>cranium</em> with a venerable periwig, + whose flowing curls and voluminous + frizure bespeak wealth and contentment. + Their faces are buxom, and + their cheeks are florid. + + </p> + <p> + You will also, my lord, find them + much more easy and tractable, than + the squeamish, fretful, discontented + wretches, with which other ministers + have had to do. There is but one expence + that will be requisite. It is uniform, + and capable of an easy calculation. + In any great and trying question, I was + going to say debate, but debates, I am + apt to think, would not be very frequent, + or very animated,—your lordship + has nothing to do, but to clear the table + of the rolls and parchments, with which + it is generally covered, and spreading a + table cloth, place upon it half a score + immense turtles, smoking hot, and larded + with green fat. My lord, I will forfeit + + my head, if with this perfume regaling + their nostrils, a single man has resolution + enough to divide the house, or to + declare his discontent with any of the + measures of government, by going out + into the lobby. + + </p> + <p> + So much, my lord, for this scheme. + It is too considerable to be adopted without + deliberation; it is too important, and + too plausible, to be rejected without examination. + The only remaining hypothesis + is that of a dissolution. Much, + I know, may be said against this measure; + but, for my own part, next to + the new and original system I have had + the honour of opening to your lordship, + it is with me a considerable favourite. + Those, whose interests it is to raise an + outcry against it, will exclaim, "What, + for the petty and sinister purposes + of ambition, shall the whole nation + be thrown into uproar and confusion? + Who is it that complains of the + + present house of parliament? Is the + voice of the people raised against it? + Do petitions come up from every + quarter of the kingdom, as they did, + to no purpose, a few years ago, for + its dissolution? But it is the prerogative + of the king to dissolve his parliament. + And because it is his prerogative, + because he has a power of + this kind reserved for singular emergencies, + does it follow, that this power + is to be exercised at caprice, and + without weighty and comprehensive + reasons? It may happen, that the + parliament is in the midst of its + session, that the very existence of revenue + may be unprovided for, and the + urgent claims of humanity unfulfilled. + It is of little consequence," they will + perhaps pretend, "who is in, and who + is out, so the national interests are + honestly pursued, and the men who + superintend them be not defective in + abilities. That then must be a most + + lawless and undisguised spirit of selfishness, + that can for these baubles + risk the happiness of millions, and the + preservation of the constitution." + + </p> + <p> + All these observations, my lord, may + sound well enough in the harangue of a + demagogue; but is it for such a man, to + object to a repetition of that appeal to + the people in general, in the frequency + and universality of which the very existence + of liberty consists? Till lately, + I think it has been allowed, that one of + those reforms most favourable to democracy, + was an abridgment of the duration + of parliaments. But if a general + abridgment be so desirable, must not + every particular abridgment have its value + too? Shall the one be acknowledged + of a salutary, and yet the other be declared + of a pernicious tendency? Is it + possible that the nature of a part, and + of the whole, can be not only dissimilar, + but opposite? But I will quit these + + general and accurate reasonings. It is + not in them that our strength lies. + + </p> + <p> + They tell us, that the measure of a + dissolution is an unpopular one. My + lord, it is not so, that you and I are to + be taken in. Picture to yourself the very + kennels flowing with rivers of beer. + Imagine the door of every hospitable ale-house + throughout the kingdom, thrown + open for the reception of the ragged and + pennyless burgess. Imagine the whole + country filled with the shouts of drunkenness, + and the air rent with mingled + huzzas. Represent the broken heads, + and the bleeding noses, the tattered raiment, + and staggering bodies of a million + of loyal voters. My lord, will they pretend, + that the measure that gives birth to + this glorious scene, is unpopular? We + must be very ill versed in the science + of human nature, if we could believe + them. + + </p> + <p> + But a more important consideration + arises. A general election would be of + little value, if by means of it a majority + of representatives were not to be + gained to the aristocratical party. If I + were to disadvise a dissolution, it would + be from the fear of a sinister event. It + is true, your lordship has a thousand + soft blandishments. You can smile and + bow in the newest and most approved + manner. But, my lord, in the midst of + a parcel of Billingsgate fishwomen, in + the midst of a circle of butchers with + marrow-bones and cleavers, I am afraid + these accomplishments would be of little + avail. It is he, most noble patron, who + can swallow the greatest quantity of porter, + who can roar the best catch, and + who is the compleatest bruiser, that + will finally carry the day. He must + kiss the frost-bitten lips of the green-grocers. + He must smooth the frowzy + cheeks of chandlers-shop women. He + must stroke down the infinite belly of a + + Wapping landlady. I see your lordship + tremble at the very catalogue. Could + you divide yourself into a thousand parts, + and every part be ten times more gigantic + than the whole, you would shrink into + non-entity at the disgustful scene. + + </p> + <p> + In this emergency I can invent only + one expedient. Your lordship I remember + had six different services of plate + when you were in Ireland, and the duke + of P—— could boast only of three. + You had also five footmen and a scullion + boy more than his grace. By all this + magnificence I have been told that you + dazzled and enchanted a certain class of + the good people of that kingdom. My + lord, you must now improve the popularity + you gained. Import by the very + first hoy a competent number of chairmen. + You are not to be told that they + are accustomed to put on a gold-lace coat + as soon as they arrive upon our shore, + and dub themselves fortune-hunters. It + + will be easy therefore to pass them here + for gentlemen, whose low familiarity shall + be construed into the most ravishing condescension. + No men, my lord, can drink + better than they. There is no constitution, + but that of an Irish chairman, that can + dispense with the bouncing whisky. They + are both brawny and courageous, and must + therefore make excellent bruisers. Their + chief talent lies in the art of courtship, + and they are by no means nice and squeamish + in their stomach for a mistress. + They can also occasionally put off the + assumed character of good breeding, and + if it be necessary to act over again the + celebrated scenes of Balfe and M'Quirk, + they would not be found at a loss. My + lord, they seem to have been created for + this very purpose, and if you have any + hope from a general election, you must + derive every benefit from their distinguished + merit. I own however, I am + apprehensive for the experiment, and after + all would advise your lordship to recur + + to the very excellent scheme of the common-council + men. + + </p> + <p> + There is only one point more which + it remains for me to discuss. I have already + taken it for granted, that you are + offered your choice of every post that exists + in the government of this country. + Here again, if you were to consult friends + less knowing than myself, you would be + presented with nothing but jarring and + discordant opinions. Some would say, + George, take it, and some, George, let it + alone. For my part, my lord, I would + advise you to do neither the one nor the + other. Fickleness and instability, your + lordship will please to observe, are of the + very essence of a real statesman. Who + were the greatest statesmen this country + ever had to boast? They were, my lord, + the two Villiers's, dukes of Buckingham. + Did not the first of these take his young + master to the kingdom of Spain, in order + to marry the infanta, and then break + + off the match for no cause at all? Did + he not afterwards involve the nation in + a quarrel with the king of France, only + because her most christian majesty would + not let him go to bed to her? What was + the character of the second duke? This + nobleman, + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h3><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e731"></a></h3> + <div class="lg">Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong,<br>Was every thing by starts, and nothing long,<br>But, in the course of one revolving moon,<br>Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon.<br><br></div> + </div> + <p> + My lord, I do not flatter you so far as + to suppose that your abilities are as great, + or that you will ever make so distinguished + a figure as either of these noblemen. + But I would have you imitate them in + your humbler circle, and venture greatly, + though the honour you should derive + from it, should be only, that you greatly + fell. Accept therefore, my lord, of one + of the principal responsible offices without + thought and without hesitation. + Through terror or manly spirit, or whatever + + you choose to call it, resign again + the next day. As soon as you have done + this, make interest for another place, and + if you can obtain it, throw it up as soon + again. This, my lord, is not, as an ignorant + and coxcomical writer has represented + it, "the vibration of a pendulum," + but a conduct, wise, manly, + judicious, and heroic. Who does not + know, that the twinkling stars are of a + more excellent nature, than those which + shine upon us with unremitted lustre? + Who does not know that the comet, + which appears for a short time, and vanishes + again for revolving years, is more + gazed upon than either? But I am afraid + the comet is too sublime an idea for your + lordship's comprehension. I would therefore + recommend to you, to make the + cracker the model of your conduct. You + should snap and bounce at regular intervals; + at one moment you should seem a + blazing star, and the next be lost in trackless + darkness. + + </p> + <p> + My lord, there is nothing, which at + all times I have taken more pains to subdue, + than that overweening pride, and + immeasurable conceit, which are the principal + features of your lordship's character. + Nature, indeed, has furnished you with + one corrective to them, or they must infallibly + have damned you. It is timidity. + Other people may laugh at this + quality. For my part I esteem it worthy + the loudest praise and most assiduous cultivation. + When the balance hangs in + doubt between the adventurousness of + vanity and the frigidity of fear, ever incline + to the latter side. I had rather your + lordship should be a coward, than a coxcomb. + If however you could attain to + that reasonable and chastised opinion of + yourself, which should steer a proper + mean between these extremes, should + make you feel your strength, when menaced + by the most terrible adversaries, + and your weakness, when soothed by the + most fawning parasites, this, my lord, + + would be the highest perfection to which + you could possibly attain. I will therefore + close my epistle with the discussion + of a case, which your lordship may think + parallel to the species of behaviour I have + recommended to your cultivation. I mean + that of the celebrated and incomparable + earl Granville, in the year 1746. I will + show you what this nobleman did, and + in how many particulars you must for + ever hope in vain to resemble him. + + </p> + <p> + I remember, my lord, that you and + I once studied together the History of + England, in Question and Answer. If + your lordship recollects, the year 1746 + began in the very height of the celebrated + rebellion. The ministers of the sovereign + at this time, were, that mixed and + plausible character, Mr. Pelham, and that + immortalized booby, the duke of Newcastle. + These gentlemen possessed their + full proportion of that passion, so universally + incident to the human frame, the + + love of power. They had formed such + a connection with the monied interest of + the kingdom, that no administration + could go on without them. Conscious + to this circumstance, they had no toleration + for a rival, they could "bear no + brother near the throne." From this + sentiment, they had driven that most able + minister I have mentioned, from the cabinet + of his sovereign, in no very justifiable + manner, about twelve months before. + The same jealousy kept alive their suspicions: + they knew the partiality of their + master: they imagined their antagonist + still lurked behind the curtain. The distresses + of the kingdom were to them the + ladder of ambition. This was the language + they held to their sovereign: "The + enemy is already advanced into the + heart of your majesty's dominions. + We know that you cannot do without + us. You must therefore listen + with patience to what we shall dictate. + Drive from your presence for + + ever the wisest and the ablest of all + your counsellors. This is the only + condition, upon which we will continue + to serve you in this perilous moment." + Majesty, as it was but natural, + was disgusted with this language. + The Pelhams resigned. Lord Granville + accepted the seals. And he held them + I believe for something more than a + fortnight. + + </p> + <p> + My lord, I will tell you, what were the + Pelhams, and what was the true character + of lord Granville. Whatever may be + said, and much I think may justly be + said, in favour of the former, they were + not men of genius. Capable of conducting, + and willing upon the whole to conduct + with loyalty and propriety the affairs + of their country, while they kept within + the beaten channel, they were not born + to grapple with arduous situations. They + had not that commanding spirit of adventure, + which leads a man into the path of + + supererogation and voluntary service: they + had not that firm and collected fortitude + which induces a man to look danger in + the face, to encounter it in all its force, + and to drive it from all its retrenchments. + They were particularly attached to the + patronage, which is usually annexed to + their high situations. They did not come + into power by the voice of the people. + They were not summoned to assume the + administration by a vote of the house of + commons. They were introduced into + the cabinet by an inglorious and guilty + compromise of sir Robert Walpole; a + compromise, that shunned the light; a + compromise, that reflected indelible disgrace + upon every individual concerned in + it. We will suppose them ever so much + in the right in the instance before us. + For certainly, the same responsibility, that + ought to remove a minister from the + helm, when he is become obnoxious to + his countrymen, equally makes it improper, + that he should be originally appointed + + by the fancy or capricious partiality + of the sovereign. But were they + over so much in the right, it will yet + remain true, that they took a poor and + ungenerous advantage of the personal + distresses of their master, which men + of a large heart, and of sterling genius, + could never have persuaded themselves to + take. + + </p> + <p> + Such were the ministers, whom it + appears that king George the second + would have had no objection to strip of + their employments. I will tell you who + it was, that he was willing to have substituted + in their place. It was a man + of infinite genius. His taste was a standard + to those, who were most attached + to the fine arts, and most uninterruptedly + conversant with them. His eloquence + was splendid, animated, and engaging. + Of all the statesmen then existing + in Europe, he was perhaps the + + individual, who best understood the interests + and the politics of all her courts. + But your lordship may probably find it + somewhat more intelligible, if I take the + other side of the picture, and tell you + what he was not. He was not a man + of fawning and servility. He did not + rest his ambitious pretensions upon any + habitual adroitness, upon the arts of + wheedling, and the tones of insinuation. + He rested them upon the most solid talents, + and the most brilliant accomplishments. + He did not creep into the closet + of his sovereign uncalled, and endeavour + to make himself of consequence by assiduities + and officiousness. He pleaded for + years, in a manly and ingenuous manner, + the cause of the people in parliament. + It was by a popularity, great, and almost + without exception, that he was introduced + into power. When defeated by + the undermining and contemptible art of + his rivals; when convinced that it was + + impossible for him, to employ his abilities + with success in the service of his + country, he retired. And it was only + by the personal intreaties of his sovereign, + and to assist him in that arduous + and difficult situation, in which those + who ought to have served, deserted him, + that he once again accepted of office. + He accepted it, for the temporary + benefit of his country, and till those + persons, who only could come into administration + with efficiency and advantage, + should again resume their places. + He made way for them without a struggle. + He did not pretend to set practical + impotence, though accompanied with + abilities incomparably the superior, against + that influence and connexion by which + they were supported. Of consequence, + my lord, his memory will always be respected + and cherished by the bulk of + mankind. + + </p> + <p> + I do not mean to propose him to your + lordship for a model. I never imagined + that your talents qualified you for the + most distant resemblance of him; and I + wished to convince you how inferior they + were. Beside, my lord, he did not act + upon the Machiavelian plan. His system + was that of integrity, frankness, + and confidence. He desired to meet + his enemies; and the more extensive + the ground upon which he could meet + them, the better. I was never idle + enough to think of such a line of conduct + for your lordship. Go on then in + those crooked paths, and that invisible + direction, for which nature has so eminently + fitted you. Intrench yourself behind + the letter of the law. Avoid, + carefully avoid, the possibility of any + sinister evidence. And having uniformly + taken these precautions, defy all the + malice of your enemies. They may + threaten, but they shall never hurt you. + + They may make you tremble and shrink + with fancied terrors, but they shall never + be able to man so much as a straw + against you. Immortality, my lord, is + suspended over your head. Do not + shudder at the sound. It shall not be + an immortality of infamy. It shall only + be an immortality of contempt. + + </p> + <p> + THE END. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h2><a name="essay3"></a> + AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEMINARY + + That will be opened + + On MONDAY the Fourth Day of AUGUST, + + At EPSOM in SURREY, + + For the INSTRUCTION of + + TWELVE PUPILS + + IN + + The GREEK, LATIN, FRENCH, and ENGLISH Languages. + + </h2> + <p> + M.DCC.LXXXIII. + + </p> + <p><b> + AN + + ACCOUNT + + OF THE + + SEMINARY, &c. + </b></p> + <p> + The two principal objects of human + power are government and + education. They have accordingly engrossed + a very large share in the disquisitions + of the speculative in all ages. The + subject of the former indeed is man, already + endowed with his greatest force of + body, and arrived at the exercise of his + intellectual powers: the subject of the + latter is man, as yet shut up in the feebleness + of childhood, and the imbecility of + inexperience. Civil society is great and + unlimited in its extent; the time has + been, when the whole known world was + + in a manner united in one community: + but the sphere of education has always + been limited. It is for nations to produce + the events, that enchant the imagination, + and ennoble the page of history: + infancy must always pass away in the unimportance + of mirth, and the privacy of + retreat. That government however is a + theme so much superior to education, is + not perhaps so evident, as we may at first + imagine. + + </p> + <p> + It is indeed wider in its extent, but it + is infinitely less absolute in its power. + The state of society is incontestibly artificial; + the power of one man over another + must be always derived from convention, + or from conquest; by nature + we are equal. The necessary consequence + is, that government must always depend + upon the opinion of the governed. Let + the most oppressed people under heaven + once change their mode of thinking, + and they are free. But the inequality of + parents and children is the law of our + + nature, eternal and uncontrolable.—Government + is very limited in its power + of making men either virtuous or happy; + it is only in the infancy of society that + it can do any thing considerable; in its + maturity it can only direct a few of our + outward actions. But our moral dispositions + and character depend very much, + perhaps entirely, upon education.—Children + indeed are weak and imbecil; but + it is the imbecility of spring, and not + that of autumn; the imbecility that + verges towards power, and not that is + already exhausted with performance. To + behold heroism in its infancy, and immortality + in the bud, must be a most attractive + object. To mould those pliant + dispositions, upon which the happiness + of multitudes may one day depend, must + be infinitely important. + + </p> + <p> + Proportionable to what we have stated + to be the importance of the subject, is + the attention that has been afforded it in + the republic of letters. The brightest + + wits, and the profoundest philosophers + have emulated each other in their endeavours + to elucidate so valuable a theme. + In vain have pedants urged the stamp of + antiquity, and the approbation of custom; + there is scarcely the scheme so visionary, + the execution of which has not + at some time or other been attempted. + Of the writers upon this interesting subject, + he perhaps that has produced the + most valuable treatise is Rousseau. If + men of equal abilities have explored this + ample field, I know of none, however, + who have so thoroughly investigated the + first principles of the science, or who + have treated it so much at large. If he + have indulged to a thousand agreeable visions, + and wandered in the pursuit of + many a specious paradox, he has however + richly repaid us for this defect, by the + profoundest researches, and the most solid + discoveries. + + </p> + <p> + I have borrowed so many of my ideas + from this admirable writer, that I thought + + it necessary to make this acknowledgement + in the outset. The learned reader + will readily perceive, that if I have not + scrupled to profit from his discoveries, at + least I have freely and largely dissented + from him, where he appeared to me to + wander from the path of truth. For my + own part, I am persuaded that it can + only be by striking off something of inflexibility + from his system, and something + of pedantry from the common + one, that we can expect to furnish a + medium, equally congenial to the elegance + of civilization, and the manliness + of virtue. + + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of these principles it + shall be my first business to enquire, + whether or not the languages ought to + make any part of a perfect system of + education; and if they ought, at what + time they should be commenced. The + study of them does indeed still retain its + ground in our public schools and universities. + But it has received a rude + + shock from some writers of the present + age; nor has any attack been more formidable, + than that of the author of + Emile. Let us endeavour to examine + the question, neither with the cold prejudice + of antiquity on the one hand; + nor on the other, with the too eager + thirst of novelty, and unbounded admiration + of the geniuses, by whom it has + been attacked. + + </p> + <p> + When we look back to the venerable + ancients, we behold a class of writers, if + not of a much higher rank, at least of a + very different character, from the moderns. + One natural advantage they indisputably + possessed. The field of nature + was all their own. It had not yet + been blasted by any vulgar breath, or + touched with a sacrilegious hand. Its + fairest flowers had not been culled, and + its choicest sweets rifled before them. + As they were not encumbered and hedged + in with the multitude of their predecessors, + they did not servilely borrow their + + knowledge from books; they read it in + the page of the universe. They studied + nature in all her romantic scenes, and all + her secret haunts. They studied men in + the various ranks of society, and in different + nations of the world. I might + add to this several other advantages. Of + these the noble freedom of mind that + was characteristic of the republicans of + Greece and Rome, and that has scarcely + any parallel among ourselves, would not + be the least. + + </p> + <p> + Agreeably to these advantages, they + almost every where, particularly among + the Greeks, bear upon them the stamp + of originality. All copies are feeble and + unmarked. They sacrifice the plainness + of nature to the gaudiness of ornament, + and the tinsel of wit. But the ancients + are full of a noble and affecting simplicity. + By one touch of nature and observation + they paint a scene more truly, + than their successors are able to do in + whole wire-drawn pages. In description + + they are unequalled. Their eloquence + is fervent, manly and sonorous. Their + thoughts are just, natural, independent + and profound. The pathos of Virgil, + and the sublimity of Homer, have never + been surpassed. And as their knowledge + was not acquired in learned indolence, + they knew how to join the severest application + with the brightest genius. Accordingly + in their style they have united + simplicity, eloquence and harmony, in + a manner of which the moderns have + seldom had even an idea. The correctness + of a Caesar, and the sonorous period + of a Cicero; the majesty of a Virgil, + and the politeness of a Horace, are such + as no living language can express. + + </p> + <p> + It is the remark of a certain old-fashioned + writer, "The form of the + world passeth away." A century or two + ago the greatest wits were known to have + pathetically lamented, that the writers, of + whose merits I have been speaking, were + handed down to us in so mutilated a condition. + + Now it seems very probable, + that, if their works were totally annihilated, + it would scarcely call forth a sigh + from the refined geniuses of the present + age. It is certainly very possible to carry + the passion for antiquity to a ridiculous + extreme. No man can reasonably deny, + that it is by us only that the true system + of the universe has been ascertained, and + that we have made very valuable improvements + upon many of the arts. No man + can question that some of our English + poets have equalled the ancients in sublimity, + and that, to say the least, our + neighbours, the French, have emulated + the elegance of their composition in a + manner, that is very far indeed from contempt. + From these concessions however + we are by no means authorised to infer + their inutility. + + </p> + <p> + But I shall be told that in the first revival + of letters the study of the ancient + languages might indeed be very proper; + + but since that time we have had so many + excellent truncations of every thing they + contain, that to waste the time, and exhaust + the activity of our youth in the + learning of Latin and Greek, is to very + little purpose indeed. Translation! what + a strange word! To me I confess it + appears the most unaccountable invention, + that ever entered into the mind of man. + To distil the glowing conceptions, and to + travesty the beautiful language of the ancients, + through the medium of a language + estranged to all its peculiarities and all its + elegancies. The best thoughts and expressions + of an author, those that distinguish + one writer from another, are precisely + those that are least capable of being + translated. And who are the men + we are to employ in this promising business? + Original genius disdains the unmeaning + drudgery. A mind that has + one feature resembling the ancients, will + scarcely stoop to be their translator. The + persons then, to whom the performance + + must be committed, are persons of cool + elegance. Endowed with a little barren + taste, they must be inanimate enough to + tread with laborious imbecility in the + footsteps of another. They must be + eternally incapable of imbibing the spirit, + and glowing with the fire of their original. + But we shall seldom come off so + well as this. The generality of translators + are either on the one hand mere pedants + and dealers in words, who, understanding + the grammatical construction of + a period, never gave themselves the + trouble to enquire, whether it conveyed + either sentiment or instruction; or on + the other hand mere writers for hire, the + retainers of a bookseller, men who translate + Homer from the French, and Horace + out of Creech. + + </p> + <p> + Let it not be said that I am now talking + at random. Let us descend to examples. + We need not be afraid of instancing + in the most favourable. I believe + + it is generally allowed that Mr. + Pope's Iliad is the very best version that + was ever made out of one language into + another. It must be confessed to exhibit + very many poetical beauties. As a trial + of skill, as an instance of what can be + effected upon so forlorn a hope, it must + ever be admired. But were I to search + for a true idea of the style and composition + of Homer, I think I should rather + recur to the verbal translation in the + margin of the original, than to the version + of Pope. Homer is the simplest + and most unaffected of poets. Of all + the writers of elegance and taste that + ever existed, his translator is the most + ornamented. We acknowledge Homer + by his loose and flowing robe, that does + not constrain a muscle of his frame. + But Pope presents himself in the close + and ungraceful habit of modern times; + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h3><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e849"></a></h3> + <div class="lg">"Glittering with gems, and stiff with woven gold."<br><br></div> + </div> + <p> + No, let us for once conduct ourselves + with honesty and generosity. If we will + + not study the ancients in their own nervous + and manly page, let us close their + volumes for ever. I had rather, says the + amiable philosopher of Chaeronea, it + should be said of me, that there never + was such a man as Plutarch, than that + Plutarch was ill-natured, arbitrary, and + tyrannical. And were I the bard of Venusia, + sure I am, I had rather be entirely + forgotten, than not be known for + the polite, the spirited, and the elegant + writer I really was. + + </p> + <p> + To converse with the accomplished, is + the obvious method by which to become + accomplished ourselves. This general + observation is equally applicable to the + study of polite writers of our own and + of other countries. But there are some + reasons, upon account of which we may + expect to derive a more perceptible advantage + from the ancients. They carried + the art of composition to greater + heights than any of the moderns. Their + + writers were almost universally of a + higher rank in society, than ours. There + did not then exist the temptation of gain + to spur men on to the profession of an + author. An industrious modern will + produce twenty volumes, in the time + that Socrates employed to polish one + oration. + + </p> + <p> + Another argument flows from the simple + circumstance of their writing in a + different language. Of all the requisites + to the attainment either of a style of our + own, or a discernment in that of others, + the first is grammar. Without this, our + ideas must be always vague and desultory. + Respecting the delicacies of composition, + we may guess, but we can never decide + and demonstrate. Now, of the minutiae + of grammar, scarcely any man ever attained + a just knowledge, who was acquainted + with only one language. And + if the study of others be the surest, I + will venture also to pronounce it the + + easiest method for acquiring a mastery in + philology. + + </p> + <p> + From what has been said, I shall consider + this conclusion as sufficiently established, + that the languages ought at some + time to be learned by him who would + form to himself a perfect character. I + proceed to my second enquiry, at what + time the study of them should be commenced? + And here I think this to be + the best general answer: at the age of + ten years. + + </p> + <p> + In favour of so early a period one + reason may be derived from what I have + just been mentioning. The knowledge + of more languages than one, is almost + an indispensible prerequisite to the just + understanding either of the subject of + grammar in particular, or of that of + style in general. Now if the cultivation + of elegance and propriety be at all + important, it cannot be entered upon + + too soon, provided the ideas are already + competent to the capacity of the pupil. + The Roman Cornelia, who never suffered + a provincial accent, or a grammatical + barbarism in the hearing of her + children, has always been cited with + commendation; and the subsequent rhetorical + excellence of the Gracchi has + been in a great degree ascribed to it. + Fluency, purity and ease are to be acquired + by insensible degrees: and against + habits of this kind I apprehend there can + be no objection. + + </p> + <p> + Another argument of still greater importance + is, that the knowledge of languages + has scarcely ever been mastered, + but by those, the commencement of + whose acquaintance with them was early. + To be acquainted with any science slightly + and superficially, can in my opinion be + productive of little advantage. But such + an acquaintance with languages must be + very useless indeed. What benefit can + + it be expected that we should derive from + an author, whom we cannot peruse with + facility and pleasure? The study of such + an author will demand a particular + strength of resolution, and aptitude of + humour. He can scarcely become the + favourite companion of our retirement, + and the never-failing solace of our cares. + Something of slow and saturnine must + be the necessary accompaniment of that + disposition, that can conquer the difficulties + of such a pursuit. And accordingly + we find that the classics and the + school are generally quitted together, + even by persons of taste, who have not + acquired a competent mastery of them + in their course of education. Very few + indeed have been those, who, estranged + to the languages till the age of manhood, + have after that period obtained such a familiarity + with them, as could ever be + productive of any considerable advantage. + + </p> + <p> + Brutes and savages are totally unacquainted + with lassitude and spleen, the + lust of variety, and the impatience of + curiosity. In a state of society our ideas + habitually succeed in a certain proportion, + and an employment that retards + their progress, speedily becomes disagreeable + and tedious. But children, not + having yet felt this effect of civilization, + are not susceptible to this cause of disgust. + They are endowed with a pliableness + and versatility of mind, that with a + little attention and management may + easily be turned to any pursuit. Their + understandings not yet preoccupied, they + have a singular facility of apprehending, + and strength of retention. It is certain + this pliableness and facility are very liable + to abuse. It is not easy to believe, that + they were given to learn words without + meaning; terms of art, not understood + by the pupil; the systems of theologians, + and the jargon of metaphysics. But then + neither were they given without a capacity + + of being turned to advantage. And + it should seem that it could not be a very + fallacious antidote to abuse, to confine + our instructions to such kinds of knowledge, + as are of the highest importance, + and are seldom learned with success, and + even scarcely attainable, at any other period. + + </p> + <p> + Let it be observed that I have not fixed + upon the age of ten years at random. + It is the observation of Rousseau; Both + children and men are essentially feeble. + Children, because however few be their + wants, they are unable to supply them. + Men, in a state of society, because + whatever be their absolute strength, the + play of the imagination renders their + desires yet greater. There is an intermediate + period, in which our powers + having made some progress, and the artificial + and imaginary wants being unknown, + we are relatively strong. And + this he represents as the principal period + + of instruction. This remark is indeed + still more striking, when applied to a + pupil, the progress of whose imagination + is sedulously retarded. But it is not + destitute either of truth or utility in the + most general application we can possibly + give it. Let it be observed, that Rousseau + fixes the commencement of this period + at twelve years. I would choose to + take it at ten. + + </p> + <p> + However we may find it convenient to + distribute the productions of nature into + classes, and her operations into epochas, + yet let it be remembered, that her progress + is silent and imperceptible. Between + a perfect animal and vegetable, + the distinction is of the highest order. + Between distant periods we may remark + the most important differences. But the + gradations of nature are uninterrupted. + Of her chain every link is compleat. + As therefore I shall find in commencing + at ten years, that my time will be barely + + sufficient for the purposes to which I + would appropriate it, I consider this circumstance + as sufficient to determine my + election. A youth of ten years is omnipotent, + if we contrast him with a youth + of eight. + + </p> + <p> + But if the languages constitute so valuable + a part of a just system of education, + the next question is, in what manner + they are to be taught. Indeed, I + believe, if the persons employed in the + business of education had taken half the + pains to smooth the access to this department + of literature, that they have employed + to plant it round with briars and + thorns, its utility and propriety, in the + view we are now considering it, would + scarcely have been questioned. + + </p> + <p> + There is something necessarily disgusting + in the forms of grammar. Grammar + therefore is made in our public + schools the business of a twelvemonth. + + Rules are heaped upon rules with laborious + stupidity. To render them the + more formidable, they are presented to + our youth in the very language, the first + principles of which they are designed to + teach. For my own part, I am persuaded + the whole business of grammar + may be dispatched in a fortnight. I + would only teach the declensions of + nouns, and the inflexions of verbs. For + the rest, nothing is so easily demonstrated, + as that the auxiliary sciences are + best communicated in connection with + their principals. Chronology, geography, + are never so thoroughly understood, + as by him that treats them literally as + the handmaids of history. He, who is + instructed in Latin with clearness and + accuracy, will never be at a loss for the + rules of grammar. + + </p> + <p> + But to complete the disgust we seem + so careful to inspire, the learned languages + are ever surrounded with the severity + + verity of discipline; and it would probably + be thought little short of sacrilege + to discompose their features with a smile. + Such a mode of proceeding can never be + sufficiently execrated. + + </p> + <p> + Indeed, I shall be told, "this is the + time to correct the native vices of the + mind. In childhood the influence of + pain and mortification is comparatively + trifling. What then can be more judicious + than to accumulate upon this + period, what must otherwise fall with + tenfold mischief upon the age of maturity?" + In answer to this reasoning, + let it be first considered, how many + there are, who by the sentence of nature + are called out of existence, before they + can live to reap these boasted advantages. + Which of you is there, that has not at + some time regretted that age, in which a + smile is ever upon the countenance, and + peace and serenity at the bottom of the + heart? How is it you can consent to + + deprive these little innocents of an enjoyment, + that slides so fast away? How is + it you can find in your heart to pall these + fleeting years with bitterness and slavery? + The undesigning gaiety of youth has the + strongest claim upon your humanity. + There is not in the world a truer object + of pity, than a child terrified at every + glance, and watching, with anxious uncertainty, + the caprices of a pedagogue. + If he survive, the liberty of manhood is + dearly bought by so many heart aches. + And if he die, happy to escape your + cruelty, the only advantage he derives + from the sufferings you have inflicted, is + that of not regretting a life, of which + he knew nothing but the torments. + + </p> + <p> + But who is it that has told you, that + the certain, or even the probable consequences + of this severity are beneficial? + Nothing is so easily proved, as that the + human mind is pure and spotless, as it + came from the hands of God, and that + + the vices of which you complain, have + their real source in those shallow and + contemptible precautions, that you pretend + to employ against them. Of all the + conditions to which we are incident, + there is none so unpropitious to whatever + is ingenuous and honourable, as that of a + slave. It plucks away by the root all + sense of dignity, and all manly confidence. + In those nations of antiquity, + most celebrated for fortitude and heroism, + their youth had never their haughty and + unsubmitting neck bowed to the inglorious + yoke of a pedagogue. To borrow + the idea of that gallant assertor of humanity, + sir Richard Steele: I will not + say that our public schools have not produced + many great and illustrious characters; + but I will assert, there was not one + of those characters, that would not have + been more manly and venerable, if they + had never been subjected to this vile and + sordid condition. + + </p> + <p> + Having thus set aside the principal + corruptions of modern education, the + devising methods for facilitating the acquisition + of languages will not be difficult. + The first books put into the hands + of a pupil should be simple, interesting, + and agreeable. By their means, he will + perceive a reasonableness and a beauty in + the pursuit. If he be endowed by nature + with a clear understanding, and the + smallest propensity to literature, he will + need very little to stimulate him either + from hope or fear. + + </p> + <p> + Attentive to the native gaiety of youth, + the periods, in which his attention is required, + though frequent in their returns, + should in their duration be short and inoppressive. + The pupil should do nothing + merely because he is seen or heard by + his preceptor. If he have companions, + still nothing more is requisite, than that + degree of silence and order, which shall + hinder the attention of any from being + + involuntarily diverted. The pupil has + nothing to conceal, and no need of falsehood. + The approbation of the preceptor + respects only what comes directly under + his cognizance, and cannot be disguised. + Even here, remembering the volatility + and sprightliness, inseparable from + the age, humanity will induce him not + to animadvert with warmth upon the appearances + of a casual distraction, but he + will rather solicit the return of attention + by gentleness, than severity. + + </p> + <p> + But of all rules, the most important is + that of preserving an uniform, even tenour + of conduct. Into the government + of youth passion and caprice should never + enter. The gentle yoke of the preceptor + should be confounded as much as possible, + with the eternal laws of nature and + necessity. The celebrated maxim of republican + government should be adopted + here. The laws should speak, and the + magistrate be silent. The constitution + + should be for ever unchangeable and independent + of the character of him that + administers it. + + </p> + <p> + Nothing can certainly be more absurd + than the attempt to educate children by + reason. We may be sure they will treat + every determination as capricious, that + shocks their inclination. The <em>chef + d'oeuvre</em> of a good education is to form + a reasonable human being; and yet they + pretend to govern a child by argument + and ratiocination. This is to enter upon + the work at the wrong end, and to endeavour + to convert the fabric itself into + one of the tools by which it is constructed. + The laws of the preceptor + ought to be as final and inflexible, as + they are mild and humane. + + </p> + <p> + There is yet another method for facilitating + the acquisition of languages, so + just in itself, and so universally practicable, + that I cannot forbear mentioning + + it. It is that of commencing with the + modern languages, French for instance + in this country. These in the education + of our youth, are universally postponed + to what are stiled the learned languages. + I shall perhaps be told that modern + tongues being in a great measure derived + from the Latin, the latter is very properly + to be considered as introductory to + the former. But why then do we not + adopt the same conduct in every instance? + Why to the Latin do we not premise the + Greek, and to the Greek the Coptic and + Oriental tongues? Or how long since is + it, that the synthetic has been proved so + much superior to the analytic mode of + instruction? In female education, the + modern languages are taught without all + this preparation; nor do I find that our + fair rivals are at all inferior to the generality + of our sex in their proficiency. + With the youth of sense and spirit of + both sexes, the learning of French is + usually considered, rather as a pleasure, + + than a burden. Were the Latin communicated + in the same mild and accommodating + manner, I think I may venture + to pronounce, that thus taken in the second + place, there will be no great difficulty + in rendering it equally attractive. + + </p> + <p> + I would just observe that there is an + obvious propriety in the French language + being learned under the same direction, + as the Latin and Greek. The pursuit of + this elegant accomplishment ought at no + time to be entirely omitted. But the attention + of youth is distracted between the + method of different masters, and their + amiable confidence, in the direction under + which they are placed, entirely ruined + by mutability and inconstance. The + same observation may also be applied + here, as in the learned languages. The + attention of the pupil should be confined + as much as possible to the most classical + writers; and the French would furnish + a most useful subsidiary in a course of + + history. Let me add, that though I have + prescribed the age of ten years, as the + most eligible for the commencement of + classical education, I conceive there + would be no impropriety in taking up + the modern language so early as nine. + + </p> + <p> + Such then is the kind of subjection, + that the learning of languages demands. + The question that recurs upon us is; How + far this subjection may fairly be considered + as exceptionable, and whether its + beneficial consequences do not infinitely + outweigh the trifling inconveniences that + may still be ascribed to it? + + </p> + <p> + But there is another subject that demands + our consideration. Modern education + not only corrupts the heart of + our youth, by the rigid slavery to which + it condemns them, it also undermines + their reason, by the unintelligible jargon + with which they are overwhelmed in the + first instance, and the little attention, + + that is given to the accommodating their + pursuits to their capacities in the second. + + </p> + <p> + Nothing can have a greater tendency + to clog and destroy the native activity of + the mind, than the profuseness with + which the memory of children is loaded, + by nurses, by mothers, by masters. + What can more corrupt the judgment, + than the communicating, without measure, + and without end, words entirely devoid + of meaning? What can have a + more ridiculous influence upon our taste, + than for the first verses to which our attention + is demanded, to consist of such + strange and uncouth jargon? To complete + the absurdity, and that we may + derive all that elegance and refinement + from the study of languages, that it is + calculated to afford, our first ideas of + Latin are to be collected from such authors, + as Corderius, Erasmus, Eutropius, + and the Selectae. To begin indeed + with the classical writers, is not the way + + to smooth the path of literature. I am + of opinion however, that one of the + above-mentioned authors will be abundantly + sufficient. Let it be remembered, + that the passage from the introductory + studies to those authors, that form the + very essence of the language, will be + much facilitated by the previous acquisition + of the French. + + </p> + <p> + Having spoken of the article of memory, + let me be permitted to mention + the practice, that has of late gained so + great a vogue; the instructing children + in the art of spouting and acting plays. + Of all the qualities incident to human + nature, the most universally attractive is + simplicity, the most disgusting is affectation. + Now what idea has a child of + the passions of a hero, and the distresses + of royalty? But he is taught the most + vehement utterance, and a thousand constrained + cadences, without its being possible + that he should see in them, either + reasonableness or propriety. + + </p> + <p> + I would not have a child required to + commit any thing to memory more than + is absolutely necessary. If, however, he + be a youth of spirit, he will probably + learn some things in this manner, and + the sooner because it is not expected of + him. It will be of use for him to repeat + these with a grave and distinct voice, + accommodated to those cadences, which + the commas, the periods, and the notes + of interrogation, marked in his author, + may require, but without the smallest + instruction to humour the gay, or to sadden + the plaintive. + + </p> + <p> + Another article, that makes a conspicuous + figure in the education of our + youth, is composition. Before they are + acquainted with the true difference between + verse and prose, before they are + prepared to decide upon the poetical + merit of Lily and Virgil, they are called + upon to write Latin verse themselves. + In the same manner some of their first + + prose compositions are in a dead language. + An uniform, petty, ridiculous + scheme is laid down, and within that + scheme all their thoughts are to be circumscribed. + + </p> + <p> + Composition is certainly a desirable + art, and I think can scarcely be entered + upon too soon. It should be one end + after which I would endeavour, and the + mode of effecting it will be farther illustrated + in the sequel, to solicit a pupil to + familiarity, and to induce him to disclose + his thoughts upon such subjects as were + competent to his capacity, in an honest + and simple manner. After having thus + warmed him by degrees, it might be + proper to direct him to write down his + thoughts, without any prescribed method, + in the natural and spontaneous + manner, in which they flowed from his + mind. Thus the talk of throwing his + reflections upon paper would be facilitated + to him, and his style gradually + + formed, without teaching him any kind + of restraint and affectation. To the + reader who enters at all into my ideas + upon the subject, it were needless to + subjoin, that I should never think of + putting a youth upon the composition of + verse. + + </p> + <p> + From all I have said it will be sufficiently + evident, that it would be a constant + object with me to model my instructions + to the capacity of my pupil. + They are books, that beyond all things + teach us to talk without thinking, and + use words without meaning. To this + evil there can be no complete remedy. + But shall we abolish literature, because it + is not unaccompanied with inconveniencies? + Shall we return to a state of savage + ignorance, because all the advantages of + civilization have their attendant disadvantages? + + </p> + <p> + The only remedy that can be applied, + is to accustom ourselves to clear and accurate + + investigation. To prefer, whereever + we can have recourse to it, the book + of nature to any human composition. + To begin with the latter as late as may + be consistent with the most important + purposes of education. And when we + do begin, so to arrange our studies, as + that we may commence with the simplest + and easiest sciences, and proportion our + progress to the understanding of the + pupil. + + With respect to grammar in particular, + the declensions of nouns, and the inflexions + of verbs, we may observe, that + to learn words to which absolutely no + ideas are affixed, is not to learn to think + loosely, and to believe without being + convinced. These certainly can never + corrupt the mind. And I suppose no + one will pretend, that to learn grammar, + is to be led to entertain inaccurate notions + of the subjects, about which it is + particularly conversant. On the contrary, + + the ideas of grammar are exceedingly + clear and accurate. It has, in my + opinion, all those advantages, by which + the study of geometry is usually recommended, + without any of its disadvantages. + It tends much to purge the understanding, + to render it close in its investigations, + and sure in its decisions. It + introduces more easily and intelligibly + than mathematical science, that most + difficult of all the mental operations, + abstraction. It imperceptibly enlarges + our conceptions, and generalises our + ideas. + + </p> + <p> + But if to read its authors, be the most + valuable purpose of learning a language, + the grammar will not be sufficient. Other + books will be necessary. And how shall + these be chosen, so as not to leave behind + us the understanding of our pupil? Shall + we introduce him first to the sublime + flights of Virgil, the philosophical investigations + of a Cicero, or the refined + + elegance and gay satire of Horace? Alas! + if thus introduced unprepared to the + noblest heights of science, how can it be + expected that his understanding should + escape the shipwreck, and every atom of + common sense not be dashed and scattered + ten thousand ways? + + </p> + <p> + The study then I would here introduce, + should be that of history. And + that this study is not improper to the + age with which I connect it, is the second + point I would endeavour to demonstrate. + + </p> + <p> + But is history, I shall be asked, the + study so proper for uninstructed minds? + History, that may in some measure be + considered as concentring in itself the + elements of all other sciences? History, + by which we are informed of the rise + and progress of every art, and by whose + testimony the comparative excellence of + every art is ascertained? History, the + + very testimony of which is not to be admitted, + without the previous trial of metaphysical + scrutiny, and philosophic investigation? + Lastly, History, that is + to be considered as a continual illustration + of the arts of fortification and tactics; + but above all of politics, with its various + appendages, commerce, manufacture, + finances? + + </p> + <p> + To all this, I calmly answer, No: it + is not history in any of these forms, that + constitutes the science to which I would + direct the attention of my pupil. Of + the utility of the history of arts and + sciences, at least, as a general study, I + have no very high opinion. But were + my opinion ever so exalted, I should certainly + chuse to postpone this study for + the present. I should have as little to + do with tactics and fortification. I would + avoid as much as possible the very subject + of war. Politics, commerce, finances, + might easily be deferred. I would keep + + far aloof from the niceties of chronology, + and the dispute of facts. I would not + enter upon the study of history through + the medium of epitome. I would even + postpone the general history of nations, + to the character and actions of particular + men. + + </p> + <p> + Many of the articles I have mentioned, + serve to compose the pedantry of history. + Than history, no science has been more + abused. It has been studied from ostentation; + it has been studied with the narrow + views of little minds; it has been + warped to serve a temporary purpose. + Ingenious art has hung it round with a + thousand subtleties, and a thousand disputes. + The time has at length arrived, + when it requires an erect understanding, + and a penetrating view, above the common + rate, to discover the noble purposes, + which this science is most immediately + calculated to subserve. + + </p> + <p> + In a word, the fate of history has been + like that of travelling. The institution + has been preserved, but its original use is + lost. One man travels from fashion, and + another from pride. One man travels to + measure buildings, another to examine + pictures, and a third perhaps to learn to + dance. Scarcely any remember that its + true application is to study men and + manners. Perhaps a juster idea cannot + be given of the science we are considering, + than that which we may deduce + from a reflection of Rousseau. "The + ancient historians," says he, "are + crowded with those views of things, + from which we may derive the utmost + utility, even though the facts that + suggest them, should be mistaken. But + we are unskilled to derive any real advantage + from history. The critique of + erudition absorbs every thing; as if it + imported us much whether the relation + were true, provided we could extract + from it any useful induction. Men + + of sense ought to regard history as a + tissue of fables, whose moral is perfectly + adapted to the human heart." + + </p> + <p> + The mere external actions of men are + not worth the studying: Who would + have ever thought of going through a + course of history, if the science were + comprised in a set of chronological tables? + No: it is the hearts of men we + should study. It is to their actions, as + expressive of disposition and character, we + should attend. But by what is it that + we can be advanced thus far, but by specious + conjecture, and plausible inference? + The philosophy of a Sallust, and the sagacity + of a Tacitus, can only advance us + to the regions of probability. But whatever + be the most perfect mode of historical + composition, it is to the simplest + writers that our youth should be first introduced, + writers equally distant from the + dry detail of Du Fresnoy, and the unrivalled + eloquence of a Livy. The translation + + of Plutarch would, in my opinion, + form the best introduction. As he is not + a writer of particular elegance, he suffers + less from a version, than many others. + The Roman revolutions of Vertot might + very properly fill the second place. Each + of these writers has this further recommendation, + that, at least, in the former + part of their works, they treat of that + simplicity and rectitude of manners of + the first Greeks and Romans, that furnish + the happiest subject that can be devised + for the initiating youth in the study + of history. + + </p> + <p> + Under the restrictions I have laid + down, history is of all sciences the most + simple. It has been ever considered by + philosophers, as the porch of knowledge. + It has ever been treated by men of literature, + as the relaxation of their feverer + pursuits. It leads directly to the most + important of all attainments, the knowledge + of the heart. It introduces us, + without expence, and without danger, to + + an acquaintance with manners and society. + By the most natural advances it + points us forward to all the depths of + science. With the most attractive blandishments + it forms us by degrees to an + inextinguishable thirst of literature. + + </p> + <p> + But there is still an objection remaining, + and that the most important of all. + Let history be stripped as much as you + will of every extraneous circumstance, let + it be narrowed to the utmost simplicity, + there is still one science previously necessary. + It is that of morals. If you + see nothing in human conduct, but purely + the exterior and physical movements, + what is it that history teaches? Absolutely + nothing; and the science devoid of + interest, becomes incapable of affording + either pleasure or instruction. We may + add, that the more perfectly it is made a + science of character and biography, the + more indispensible is ethical examination. + But to such an examination it has been + doubted whether the understandings of children + + be competent. Upon this question + I will beg leave to say a few words, + and I have done. + + </p> + <p> + It is scarcely necessary to observe, that + I do not speak here of ethics as an abstract + science, but simply as it relates to + practice, and the oeconomy of human + life. Our enquiry therefore is respecting + the time at which that intuitive faculty + is generally awakened, by which we decide + upon the differences of virtue and + vice, and are impelled to applaud the one, + and condemn the other. + + </p> + <p> + The moment in which the faculty of + memory begins to unfold itself, the man + begins to exist as a moral being. Not + long posterior to this, is the commencement + of prescience and foresight. Rousseau + has told us, in his animated language, + that if a child could escape a whipping, + or obtain a paper of sweetmeats, by promising + to throw himself out at window + tomorrow, the promise would instantly + + be made. Nothing is more contrary to + experience than this. It is true, death, + or any such evils, of which he has no + clear conception, do not strongly affect + him in prospect. But by the view of + that which is palpable and striking, he is + as much influenced as any man, however + extensive his knowledge, however large + his experience. It is only by seizing + upon the activity and earnestness incident + to youthful pursuits, and totally banishing + the idea of what is future, that we + can destroy its influence. Their minds, + like a sheet of white paper, are susceptible + to every impression. Their brain, + uncrouded with a thousand confused + traces, is a cause, that every impression + they receive is strong and durable. + + </p> + <p> + The aera of foresight is the aera of imagination, + and imagination is the grand + instrument of virtue. The mind is the + seat of pleasure and pain. It is not by + what we see, but by what we infer and + suppose, that we are taught, that any being + + is the object of commiseration. It + is by the constant return of the mind to + the unfortunate object, that we are + strongly impressed with sympathy. Hence + it is that the too frequent recurrence of + objects of distress, at the same time that + it blunts the imagination, renders the + heart callous and obdurate. + + </p> + <p> + The sentiment that the persons about + us have life and feeling as well as ourselves, + cannot be of very late introduction. + It may be forwarded by cultivation, + but it can scarcely at any rate be + very much retarded. For this sentiment + to become perfectly clear and striking, + and to be applied in every case that may + come before us, must undoubtedly be an + affair gradual in its progress. From + thence to the feelings of right and wrong, + of compassion and generosity, there is but + one step. + + </p> + <p> + It has, I think, been fully demonstrated + by that very elegant philosopher Mr. + + Hutcheson, that self-love is not the + source of all our passions, but that disinterested + benevolence has its seat in the + human heart. At present it is necessary + for me to take this for granted. The + discussion would lead me too far from + my subject. What I would infer from + it is, that benevolent affections are capable + of a very early commencement. + They do not wait to be grafted upon the + selfish. They have the larger scope in + youthful minds, as such have not yet + learned those refinements of interest, + that are incident to persons of longer experience. + + </p> + <p> + Accordingly no observation is more + common, than that mankind are more + generous in the earlier periods of their + life, and that their affections become + gradually contracted the farther they advance + in the vale of years. Confidence, + kindness, benevolence, constitute the entire + temper of youth. And unless these + amiable dispositions be blasted in the bud + + by the baneful infusions of ambition, + vanity and pride, there is nothing with + which they would not part, to cherish adversity, + and remunerate favour. + + </p> + <p> + Hence we may infer, that the general + ideas of merit and character are perfectly + competent to the understanding of children + of ten years. False glory is the + farthest in the world from insinuating its + witchcraft into the undepraved heart, + where the vain and malignant passions + have not yet erected their standard. It + is true, the peculiar sublimities of heroism + cannot be supposed perfectly within + his comprehension. But something of + this sort, as we have already said, is incident + to every step in the scale of literature. + + </p> + <p> + But the more perfectly to familiarise + to my pupil the understanding and digesting + whatever he read, I would consider + it as an indispensible part of my + business, to talk over with him familiarly + + the subjects, that might necessarily + demand our attention. I would lead + him by degrees to relate with clearness + and precision the story of his author. + I would induce him to deliver his fair + and genuine sentiments upon every action, + and character that came before us. I + would frequently call upon him for a + plain and simple reason for his opinion. + This should always be done privately, + without ostentation, and without rivalship. + Thus, separate from the danger of + fomenting those passions of envy and + pride, that prepare at a distance for our + youth so many mortifications, and at the + expence of which too frequently this + accomplishment is attained, I would + train him to deliver his opinion upon + every subject with freedom, perspicuity + and fluency. Without at any time dictating + to him the sentiments it became + him to entertain, I might, with a little + honed artifice, mould his judgment into + the form it was most desirable it should + take, at the same time that I discovered his + + genius, and ascertained the original + propensities of his mind. + + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary for me to say any + thing respecting morals in the other sense + of the word, I mean as they are connected + with the conduct, the habits of + which we should endeavour to cultivate + in a pupil; as that subject has been already + exhausted. The vices of youth + spring not from nature, who is equally + the kind and blameless mother of all her + children; they derive from the defects + of education. We have already endeavoured + to shut up all the inlets of vice. + We have precluded servility and cowardice. + We have taken away the motives + to concealment and falshood. By the + liberal indulgence we have prescribed, we + have laid the foundation of manly spirit, + and generous dignity. A continual attention + to history, accompanied with the + cultivation of moral discernment, and + animated with the examples of heroic + virtue, could not fail to form the heart + + of the pupil, to all that is excellent. + At the same time, by assiduous care, the + shoots of vanity and envy might be + crushed in the bud. Emulation is a + dangerous and mistaken principle of + constancy. Instead of it I would wish + to see the connection of pupils, consisting + only of pleasure and generosity. + They should learn to love, but not to + hate each other. Benevolent actions + should not directly be preached to them, + they should strictly begin in the heart of + the performer. But when actually done, + they should receive the most distinguished + applause. + + </p> + <p> + Let me be permitted in this place to + observe, that the association of a small + number of pupils seems the most perfect + mode of education. There is surely + something unsuitable to the present state + of mankind, in the wishing to educate + our youth in perfect solitude. Society + calls forth a thousand powers both of + mind and body, that must otherwise + + rust in inactivity. And nothing is more + clear from experience, than that there + is a certain tendency to moral depravation + in very large bodies of this kind, to + which there has not yet been discovered + a sufficient remedy. + + </p> + <p> + If, by the pursuit of principles like + these, the powers of the understanding + and the heart might be developed in + concert; if the pupils were trained at + once to knowledge and virtue; if they + were enabled to look back upon the period + of their education, without regretting + one instance of anxious terror, or + capricious severity; if they recollected + their tutor with gratitude, and thought + of their companions, as of those generous + friends whom they would wish + for the associates of their life,—in that + case, the pains of the preceptor would + not be thrown away. + + </p> + <p> + FINIS. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h2><a name="essay4"></a> + THE + + HERALD OF LITERATURE. + + </h2> + <p> + [PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.] + + </p> + <p><b> + THE + + + HERALD OF LITERATURE; + + + OR, + + + A REVIEW + + OF THE + + MOST CONSIDERABLE PUBLICATIONS + + THAT WILL BE MADE IN THE + + COURSE OF THE ENSUING WINTER: + + + WITH + + EXTRACTS. + </b></p> + <p> + * * * * * + + </p> + <p> + LONDON: + PRINTED FOR J. MURRAY, NO. 32, FLEET-STREET. + + </p> + <p> + M DCC LXXXIV. + + </p> + <p><b> + TO THE + AUTHORS OF THE MONTHLY + AND + CRITICAL REVIEWS. + </b></p> + <p> + GENTLEMEN, + + </p> + <p> + In presenting the following sheets to + the public, I hope I shall not be considered + as encroaching upon that province, + which long possession has probably taught + you to consider as your exclusive right. + The labour it has cost me, and the many + perils I have encountered to bring it to + perfection, will, I trust, effectually plead + my pardon with persons of your notorious + candour and humanity. Represent to + + yourselves, Gentlemen, I entreat you, + the many false keys, bribes to the lacqueys + of authors that can keep them, + and collusions with the booksellers of authors + that cannot, which were required + in the prosecution of this arduous undertaking. + Imagine to yourselves how often + I have shuddered upon the verge of petty + larceny, and how repeatedly my slumbers + have been disturbed with visions of the + King's-Bench Prison and Clerkenwell + Bridewell. You, gentlemen, sit in your + easy chair, and with the majesty of a + Minos or an Aeacus, summon the trembling + culprits to your bar. But though + you never knew what fear was, recollect, + other men have snuffed a candle with + their fingers. + + </p> + <p> + But I would not be misunderstood. Heroical + + as I trust my undertaking proves + me, I fear no man's censure, and court + no man's applause. But I look up to you + as a respectable body of men, who have + long united your efforts to reduce the disproportioned + members of an ancient republic + to an happy equality, to give wings + to the little emmet of Grub-street, and to + hew away the excrescences of lawless + genius with a hatchet. In this character + I honour you. That you have assumed + it uncompelled and self-elected, that you + have exercised it undazzled by the <em>ignis + fatuus</em> of genius, is your unfading glory. + + </p> + <p> + Having thus cleared myself from the + suspicion of any sinister view, I cannot + here refrain from presenting you with a + peace-offering. Had it been in my power + to procure gums more costly, or incense + + more fragrant, I would have rendered + it more worthy your acceptance. + + </p> + <p> + It has been a subject upon which I have + often reflected with mortification, that + the world is too apt to lay aside your lucubrations + with the occasions that gave + birth to them, and that if they are ever + opened after, it is only with old magazines + by staid matrons over their winter + fire. Such persons are totally incapable + of comparing your sentences with the + maturer verdict of the public; a comparison + that would redound so much to your + honour. What I design at present, is + in some measure to remedy an evil, that + can never perhaps be entirely removed. + As the field which is thus opened to me + is almost unbounded, I will confine myself + to two of the most striking examples, + + in Tristram Shandy, and the Rosciad of + Churchill. + + </p> + <p> + In the Monthly Review, vol. 24, p, + 103, I find these words: + + </p> + <p> + "But your indiscretion, good Mr. + Tristram, is not all we complain of in + the volumes before us. We must tax + you with what you will dread above + the most terrible of all insinuations—nothing + less than DULLNESS. Yes, indeed, + Mr. Tristram, you are dull, <em>very + dull</em>. Your jaded fancy seems to have + been exhausted by two pigmy octavos, + which scarce contained the substance + of a twelve-penny pamphlet, and we + now find nothing new to entertain us." + + </p> + <p> + The following epithets are selected at random. + + "We are sick—we are quite + tired—we can no longer bear corporal + Trim's insipidity—thread-bare—stupid + and unaffecting—absolutely dull—misapplication + of talents—he will unavoidably + sink into contempt." + + </p> + <p> + The Critical Review, vol II, p. 212, + has the following account of the Rosciad: + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is <em>natural</em> for young authors to + conceive themselves the cleverest fellows + in the world, and withal, that + there is not the least degree of merit + subsisting but in their own works: It + is <em>natural</em> likewise for them to imagine, + that they may conceal themselves by + appearing in different shapes, and that + they are not to be found out by their + stile; but little do these <em>Connoisseurs</em> in + writing conceive, how easily they are + + discovered by a veteran in the service. + In the title-page to this performance + we are told (by way of quaint conceit), + that it was written by <em>the author</em>; what if + it should prove that the Author and the + Actor<a class="notelink" href="#Notep4_1"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="Footp4_1"></a> are the same! Certain it is that + we meet with the <em>same</em> vein of peculiar + humour, the same turn of thought, the + same <em>autophilism</em> (there's a new word + for you to bring into the next poem) + which we meet with in the other; insomuch + that we are ready to make the + conclusion in the author's own words: + + </p> + <p><a name="Notep4_1"></a><a href="#Footp4_1">A</a>: <em>The Actor, a Poem, by Robert Lloyd, Esq.</em></p> + <div class="poem"> + <h3><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1139"></a></h3> + <div class="lg">Who is it?———LLOYD.<br><br></div> + </div> + <p> + "We will not pretend however absolutely + to assert that Mr. L—— wrote + this poem; but we may venture to affirm, + that it is the production, jointly + + or separately, of the new triumvirate + of wits, who never let an opportunity + slip of singing their own praises. <i>Caw + me, caw thee</i>, as Sawney says, and so + to it they go, and <em>scratch</em> one another + like so many Scotch pedlars." + + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In page 339, I find a passage referred to + in the Index, under the head of "a notable + instance of their candour," retracting + their insinuations against Lloyd + and Colman, and ascribing the poem in + a particular vein of pleasantry to Mr. + Flexney, the bookseller, and Mr. Griffin, + the printer. Candour certainly did not + require that they should acknowledge + Mr. Churchill, whose name was now inserted + in the title-page, as the author, or + if author of any, at least not of a considerable + part of the poem. That this was + + their sense of the matter, appears from + their account of the apology for the + Rosciad, p. 409. + + </p> + <p> + "This is another <em>Brutum Fulinen</em> + launched at the Critical Review by + one Churchill, who it seems is a clergyman, + and it must be owned has a + knack at versification; a bard, who + upon the strength of having written a + few good lines in a thing called <em>The + Rosciad</em>, swaggers about as if he were + game-keeper of Parnassus." + + </p> + <p> + P. 410. "This apologist has very little + reason to throw out behind against the + Critical Reviewers, who in mentioning + <em>The Rosciad</em>, of which he calls + himself author, commended it in the + lump, without specifying the bald + lines, the false thoughts, and tinsel + + frippery from which it is not entirely + free." They conclude with contrasting + him with Smollet, in comparison of + whom he is "a puny antagonist, who + must write many more poems as good + as the Rosciad, before he will be considered + as a respectable enemy." + + </p> + <p> + Upon these extracts I will beg leave to + make two observations. + + </p> + <p> + 1. Abstracted from all consideration of + the profundity of criticism that is displayed, + no man can avoid being struck + with the humour and pleasantry in which + they are conceived, or the elegant and + gentlemanlike language in which they + are couched. What can be more natural + or more ingenuous than to suppose that + the persons principally commended in a + + work, were themselves the writers of it? + And for that allusion of the Scotch pedlars, + for my part, I hold it to be inimitable. + + </p> + <p> + 2. But what is most admirable is the + independent spirit, with which they + stemmed the torrent of fashion, and forestalled + the second thoughts of their countrymen. + There was a time when Tristram + Shandy was applauded, and Churchill + thought another Dryden. But who reads + Tristram now? There prevails indeed + a certain quaintness, and something "like + an affectation of being immoderately + witty, throughout the whole work." + But for real humour not a grain. So said + the Monthly Reviewers, (v. 21. p. 568.) + and so says the immortal Knox. Both + + indeed grant him a slight knack at the + pathetic; but, if I may venture a prediction, + his pretensions to the latter will one + day appear no better founded, than his + pretentions to the former. + + </p> + <p> + And then poor Churchill! His satire + now appears to be dull and pointless. + Through his tedious page no modern student + can labour. We look back, and + wonder how the rage of party ever swelled + this <em>thing</em> into a poet. Even the great + constellation, from whose tribunal no + prudent man ever appealed, has excluded + him from a kingdom, where Watts and + Blackmore reign. But Johnson and Knox + can by no means compare with the Reviewers. + These attacked the mountebanks + in the very midst of their short-lived + + empire. Those have only brought + up the rear of public opinion, and damned + authors already forgotten. They fought + the battles a second time, and "again + they slew the slain." + + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, + + </p> + <p> + It would have been easy to add twenty + articles to this list. I might have selected + instances from the later volumes + of your entertaining works, in which + your deviations from the dictates of imaginary + taste are still more numerous. + But I could not have confronted them + with the decisive verdict of time. The + rage of fashion has not yet ceased, and + the ebullition of blind wonder is not + over. I shall therefore leave a plentiful + + crop for such as come after me, who admire + you as much as I do, and will be + contented to labour in the same field. + + </p> + <p> + I have the honour to be, + + </p> + <p> + Gentlemen, + + </p> + <p> + With all veneration, + + </p> + <p> + Your indefatigable reader, + + </p> + <p> + And the humblest of your panegyrists. + + </p> + <p> + CONTENTS. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article1" class="ref"> + ARTICLE I. + </a></p> + <p><em>The History of the Decline and Fall of the + Roman Empire. By Edward Gibbon, Esq. + Vols.</em> iv, v, vi, vii. 4to. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article2" class="ref"> + ARTICLE II. + </a></p> + <p><em>The History of America. By William Robertson, + D.D. &c. Vols.</em> iii, <em>and</em> iv. 4to. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article3" class="ref"> + ARTICLE III. + </a></p> + <p><em>Secret History of Theodore Albert Maximilian, + Prince of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen</em>. 12mo. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article4" class="ref"> + ARTICLE IV. + </a></p> + <p><em>Louisa, or Memoirs of a Lady of Quality. + By the Author of Evelina and Cecilia. Three + vols.</em> 12mo. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article5" class="ref"> + ARTICLE V. + </a></p> + <p><em>The Peasant of Bilidelgerid, a Tale. Two + vols. Shandean.</em></p> + <p><a href="#article6" class="ref"> + ARTICLE VI. + </a></p> + <p><em>An Essay on Novel, in Three Epistles, inscribed + to the Right Honourable Lady Craven. + By William Hayley, Esq.</em> 4to. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article7" class="ref"> + ARTICLE VII. + </a></p> + <p><em>Inkle and Yarico, a Poem. By James Beattie, + L.L.D.</em> 4to. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article8" class="ref"> + ARTICLE VIII. + </a></p> + <p><em>The Alchymist, a Comedy, altered from Ben + Jonson, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq.</em></p> + <p><a href="#article9" class="ref"> + ARTICLE IX. + </a></p> + <p><em>Reflexions upon the present State of the United + States of America. By Thomas Paine, M.A. + &c.</em> 8vo. + + </p> + <p><a href="#article10" class="ref"> + ARTICLE X. + </a></p> + <p><em>Speech of the Right Honourable Edmund + Burke, on a Motion for an Address of Thanks to + his Majesty (on the 28th of November, 1783) + for his gracious Communication of a Treaty of + Commerce concluded between George the Third, + King, &c. and the United States of America.</em></p> + <p><b> + THE + + + HERALD + + + OF + + + LITERATURE, &c. + </b></p> + <p> + * * * * * + + </p> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article1"></a> + ARTICLE I. + + THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL + OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. BY EDWARD + GIBBON, ESQ. VOLS. IV, V, VI, VII. 4TO. + + </h3> + <p> + We are happy to have it in our power + thus early to congratulate the public + upon the final accomplishment of a work, that + must constitute one of the greatest ornaments + of the present age. We have now before us, + in one view, and described by the uniform + + pencil of one historian, the stupendous and + instructive object of the gradual decline of + the greatest empire; circumscribed by degrees + within the narrow walls of a single city; + and at length, after the various revolutions + of thirteen centuries, totally swallowed up in + the empire of the Turks. Of this term, the + events of more than nine hundred years are + described in that part of our author that now + lies before us. It cannot therefore be expected, + that in the narrow limits we have prescribed + to ourselves, we should enter into a + regular synopsis of the performance, chapter + by chapter, after the laudable example of + our more laborious brother reviewers. We + will pay our readers the compliment, however + unauthorised by the venerable seal of + custom, of supposing them already informed, + that Anastasius succeeded Zeno, and Justin + Anastasius; that Justinian published the celebrated + code that is called by his name; and + that his generals, Belisarius and Narses, were + + almost constantly victorious over the Barbarians, + and restored, for a moment, the expiring + lustre of the empire. We shall confine + ourselves to two extracts, relating to subjects + of the greatest importance, and which we + presume calculated, at once to gratify and excite + the curiosity of the public. + + </p> + <p> + The reign of the emperor Heraclius is + perhaps more crowded with events of the + highest consequence, than that of any other + prince in the series. It has therefore a proportionable + scope allotted it in the plan of + Mr. Gibbon; who seems to understand better + than almost any historian, what periods to + sketch with a light and active pen, and upon + what to dwell with minuteness, and dilate + his various powers. While we pursue the + various adventures of Cosroes II., beginning + his reign in a flight from his capital city; + suing for the protection and support of the + Greek emperor; soon after declaring war + against the empire; successively conquering + + Mesopotamia, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, + Egypt, and the greater part of Natolia; then + beaten; a fugitive; and at last murdered by + his own son; we are unable to conceive of a + story more interesting, or more worthy of + our attention. But in contemplating the + rife of the Saracen khalifate, and the religion + of Mahomet, which immediately succeeded + these events, we are compelled to acknowledge + a more astonishing object. + + </p> + <p> + The following is the character of the impostor, + as sketched by the accurate and judicious + pencil of our historian. We will leave + it to the judgment of our readers, only observing, + that Mr. Gibbon has very unnecessarily + brought Christianity into the comparison; + and has perhaps touched the errors of + the false prophet with a lighter hand, that + the disparity might be the less apparent. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "But Heraclius had a much more formidable + enemy to encounter in the latter + part of his reign, than the effeminate and + + divided Persian. This was the new empire + of the Saracens. Ingenious and eloquent, + temperate and brave, as had been + invariably their national character, they + had their exertions concentred, and their + courage animated by a legislator, whose + institutions may vie, in the importance of + their consequences, with those of Solon, + Lycurgus, or Numa. Though an impostor, + he propagated a religion, which, + like the elevated and divine principles of + Christianity, was confined to no one nation + or country; but even embraced a + larger portion of the human race than + Christianity itself. + + </p> + <p> + "Mahomet, the son of Abdallah, was + born on the 9th of April, 571, in the city + of Mecca. Having been early left an orphan + by both parents, he received an + hardy and robust education, not tempered + by the elegancies of literature, nor much + allayed by the indulgencies of natural affection. + + He was no sooner able to walk, + than he was sent naked, with the infant + peasantry, to attend the cattle of the village; + and was obliged to seek the refreshment + of sleep, as well as pursue the occupations + of the day, in the open air<a class="notelink" href="#Notep4_2"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="Footp4_2"></a>. + He even pretended to be a stranger to the + art of writing and reading. But though + neglected by those who had the care of + his infancy, the youth of this extraordinary + personage did not pass away without some + of those incidents, which might afford a + glimpse of the sublimity of his genius; + and some of those prodigies, with which + superstition is prompt to adorn the story + + of the founders of nations, and the conquerors + of empires. In the mean time, + his understanding was enlarged by travel. + It is not to be supposed that he frequented + the neighbouring countries, without making + some of those profound observations + upon the decline of the two great empires + of the East and of Persia, which were calculated + to expand his views, and to mature + his projects. The energies of his mind led + him to despise the fopperies of idolatry; + and he found the Christians, in the most unfavourable + situation, torn into innumerable + parties, by the sectaries of Athanasius, + Arius, Eutyches, Nestorius. In this situation, + he extracted that from every system + that bordered most nearly upon the dictates + of reason, and framed to himself a + sublime doctrine, of which the unity of + God, the innocence of moderate enjoyment, + the obligation of temperance and + munificence, were the leading principles. + + But it would have contributed little to his + purpose, if he had stopped here. Enthusiastically + devoted to his extensive designs, + and guided by the most consummate art, + he pretended to divine communications, + related a thousand ridiculous and incredible + adventures; and though he constantly refused + a prodigy to the importunities of his + countrymen, laid claim to several frivolous + miracles, and a few thinly scattered + prophecies. One of his most artful devices + was the delivering the system of his + religion, not in one entire code, but in + detached essays. This enabled him more + than once to new mould the very genius + of his religion, without glaringly subjecting + himself to the charge of inconsistency. + From these fragments, soon after + his death, was compiled the celebrated Alcoran. + The style of this volume is generally + turgid, heavy, monotonous. It is disfigured + with childish tales and impossible + + adventures. But it is frequently figurative, + frequently poetical, sometimes sublime. + And amidst all its defects, it will remain + the greatest of all monuments of uncultivated + and illiterate genius. + + </p> + <p><a name="Notep4_2"></a><a href="#Footp4_2">A</a>: + "Abuleda, Chron. p. 27. Boulainvilliers, Vie de + Mahomet, b. ii. p. 175. This latter writer exhibits + the singular phenomenon of the native of a Christian + country, unreasonably prejudiced in favour of the + Arabian impostor. That he did not live, however, + to finish his curious performance, is the misfortune + of the republic of letters." + + </p> + <p> + "The plan was carefully reserved by Mahomet + for the mature age of forty years. + Thus digested however, and communicated + with the nicest art and the most fervid + eloquence, he had the mortification + to find his converts, at the end of three + years, amount to no more than forty persons. + But the ardour of this hero was + invincible, and his success was finally + adequate to his wishes. Previous to the + famous aera of his flight from Mecca, he + had taught his followers, that they had + no defence against the persecution of their + enemies, but invincible patience. But + the opposition he encountered obliged him + to change his maxims. He now inculcated + the duty of extirpating the enemies + + of God, and held forth the powerful allurements + of conquest and plunder. With + these he united the theological dogma of + predestination, and the infallible promise + of paradise to such as met their fate in the + field of war. By these methods he trained + an intrepid and continually increasing army, + inflamed with enthusiasm, and greedy + of death. He prepared them for the + most arduous undertakings, by continual + attacks upon travelling caravans and scattered + villages: a pursuit, which, though + perfectly consonant with the institutions + of his ancestors, painted him to the civilized + nations of Europe in the obnoxious + character of a robber. By degrees however, + he proceeded to the greatest enterprizes; + and compelled the whole peninsula + of Arabia to confess his authority as + a prince, and his mission as a prophet. + He died, like the Grecian Philip, in the + moment, when having brought his native + + country to co-operate in one undertaking, + he meditated the invasion of distant climates, + and the destruction of empires. + + </p> + <p> + "The character of Mahomet however + was exceeding different from that of Philip, + and far more worthy of the attention of a + philosopher. Philip was a mere politician, + who employed the cunning of a statesman, + and the revenues of a prince, in + the corruption of a number of fallen + and effeminate republics. But Mahomet, + without riches, without rank, + without education, by the mere ascendancy + of his abilities, subjected by persuasion + and force a simple and generous + nation that had never been conquered; + and laid the foundation of an empire, that + extended over half the globe; and a religion, + capable of surviving the fate of empires. + His schemes were always laid with + the truest wisdom. He lived among a + people celebrated for subtlety and genius: + + he never laid himself open to detection. + His eloquence was specious, dignified, and + persuasive. And he blended with it a lofty + enthusiasm, that awed those, whom familiarity + might have emboldened, and silenced + his enemies. He was simple of + demeanour, and ostentatious of munificence. + And under these plausible virtues + he screened the indulgence of his constitutional + propensities. The number of his + concubines and his wives has been ambitiously + celebrated by Christian writers. + He sometimes acquired them by violence + and injustice; and he frequently dismissed + them without ceremony. His temper does + not seem to have been naturally cruel. + But we may trace in his conduct the features + of a barbarian; and a part of his + severity may reasonably be ascribed to the + plan of religious conquest that he adopted, + and that can never be reconciled with the + rights of humanity." + + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After the victories of Omar, and the other + successors of Mahomet had in a manner + stripped the court of Constantinople of all its + provinces, the Byzantine history dwindles + into an object petty and minute. In order to + vary the scene, and enhance the dignity of + his subject, the author occasionally takes a + prospect of the state of Rome and Italy, under + the contending powers of the papacy and + the new empire of the West. When the + singular and unparalleled object of the Crusades + presents itself, the historian embraces + the illustrious scene with apparent eagerness, + and bestows upon it a greater enlargement + than might perhaps have been expected + from the nature of his subject; but not + greater, we confidently believe, than is calculated + to increase the pleasure, that a reader + of philosophy and taste may derive from the + perusal. As the immortal Saladin is one of + the most distinguished personages in this story, + we have selected his character, as a specimen + of this part of the work. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "No sooner however was the virtuous + Noureddin removed by death, than the + Christians of the East had their attention + still more forcibly alarmed by the progress + of the invincible Saladin. He had + possessed himself of the government of + Egypt; first, under the modest appellation + of vizier, and then, with the more + august title of soldan. He abolished the + dynasty of the Fatemite khalifs. Though + Noureddin had been the patron of his family, + and the father of his fortunes, yet + was that hero no sooner expired, than he + invaded the territories of his young and + unwarlike successor. He conquered the + fertile and populous province of Syria. He + compelled the saheb of Mawsel to do + him homage. The princes of the Franks + already trembled for their possessions, and + prepared a new and more solemn embassy, + to demand the necessary succours of their + European brethren. + + </p> + <p> + "The qualities of Saladin were gilded + with the lustre of conquest; and it has + been the singular fortune of this Moslem + hero, to be painted in fairer colours by + the discordant and astonished Christians, + than by those of his own courtiers and + countrymen, who may reasonably be supposed + to have known him best. He has + been compared with Alexander; and tho' + he be usually stiled, and with some justice, + a barbarian, it does not appear that his + character would suffer in the comparison. + His conquests were equally splendid; nor + did he lead the forces of a brave and generous + people, against a nation depressed + by slavery, and relaxed with effeminacy. + Under his banner Saracen encountered Saracen + in equal strife; or the forces of the + East were engaged with the firmer and + more disciplined armies of the West. + Like Alexander, he was liberal to profusion; + and while all he possessed seemed the + + property of his friends, the monarch himself + often wanted that, which with unstinted + hand he had heaped upon his favourites + and dependents. His sentiments + were elevated, his manners polite and insinuating, + and the affability of his temper + was never subdued. + + </p> + <p> + "But the parallel is exceedingly far from + entire. He possessed not the romantic + gallantry of the conqueror of Darius; he + had none of those ardent and ungovernable + passions, through whose medium the victories + of Arbela and Issus had transformed + the generous hero into the lawless tyrant. + It was a maxim to which he uniformly + adhered, to accomplish his lofty designs + by policy and intrigue, and to leave as + little as possible to the unknown caprice + of fortune. In his mature age he was temperate, + gentle, patient. The passions of + his soul, and the necessities of nature were + subordinate to the equanimity of his character<a class="notelink" href="#Notep4_3"><sup>A</sup></a><a name="Footp4_3"></a>. + + His deportment was grave and + thoughtful; his religion sincere and enthusiastic. + He was ignorant of letters, + and despised all learning, that was not theological. + The cultivation, that had obtained + under the khalifs, had not entirely + civilized the genius of Saladin. His + maxims of war were indeed the maxims + of the age, and ought not to be adopted + as a particular imputation. But the action + of his striking off with his own + hand the head of a Christian prince, who + had attacked the defenceless caravan of + the pilgrims of Mecca, exhibits to our + view all the features of a fierce and untutored + barbarian<a class="notelink" href="#Notep4_4"><sup>B</sup></a><a name="Footp4_4"></a> + ." + + </p> + <p><a name="Notep4_3"></a><a href="#Footp4_3">A</a>: + Bohaoddin, p. 71. He was an eye witness, and had + a considerable share in many of the transactions of Saladin. + He is generally accurate, and tolerably impartial. + + </p> + <p><a name="Notep4_4"></a><a href="#Footp4_4">B</a>: + Ebn Shohnah, Heg. 589. Abulfarai, Renaudot, + p. 243. D'Herbelot, biblioth. orient. art. Togrul, + &c. + + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + As the whole of this excellent work is now + before us, it may not be impertinent, before + we finally take our leave of it, to attempt an + idea of its celebrated author. We are happy + in this place to declare our opinion, that + no author ever better obeyed the precept of + Horace and Boileau, in choosing a subject + nicely correspondent to the talents he possessed. + The character of this writer, patient + yet elegant, accurate in enquiry, acute in + reflexion, was peculiarly calculated to trace + the flow and imperceptible decline of empire, + and to throw light upon a period, + darkened by the barbarism of its heroes, and + the confused and narrow genius of its authors. + In a word, we need not fear to class + the performance with those that shall do lasting, + perhaps immortal, honour, to the country + by which they have been produced. + + </p> + <p> + But like many other works of this elevated + description, the time shall certainly come, + when the history before us shall no longer be + + found, but in the libraries of the learned, + and the cabinets of the curious. At present + it is equally sought by old and young, the + learned and unlearned, the macaroni, the peer, + and the fine lady, as well as the student and + scholar. But this is to be ascribed to the + rage of fashion. The performance is not + naturally calculated for general acceptance. + It is, by the very tenor of the subject, interspersed + with a thousand minute and elaborate + investigations, which, in spite of perspicuous + method, and classical allusion, will + deter the idle, and affright the gay. + + </p> + <p> + Nor can we avoid ascribing the undistinguishing + and extravagant applause, that has + been bestowed upon the style, to the same + source of fashion, the rank, the fortune, + the connexions of the writer. It is indeed + loaded with epithets, and crowded with allusions. + But though the style be often raised, + the thoughts are always calm, equal, and rigidly + classic. The language is full of art, + + but perfectly exempt from fire. Learning, penetration, + accuracy, polish; any thing is rather + the characteristic of the historian, than the flow + of eloquence, and the flame of genius. Far + therefore from classing him in this respect + with such writers as the immortal Hume, + who have perhaps carried the English language + to the highest perfection it is capable + of reaching; we are inclined to rank him + below Dr. Johnson, though we are by no + means insensible to the splendid faults of that + admirable writer. + + </p> + <p> + One word perhaps ought to be said respecting + Mr. Gibbon's treatment of Christianity. + His wit is indeed by no means uniformly + happy; as where for instance, he tells us, + that the name of <em>Le Boeuf</em> is remarkably apposite + to the character of that antiquarian; + or where, speaking of the indefatigable diligence + of Tillemont, he informs us, that + "the patient and sure-footed mule of the + Alps may be trusted in the most slippery + + paths." But allowing every thing for the + happiness of his irony, and setting aside our + private sentiments respecting the justice of + its application, we cannot help thinking it + absolutely incompatible, with the laws of + history. For our own part, we honestly confess, + that we have met with more than one passage, + that has puzzled us whether it ought to be + understood in jest or earnest. The irony + of a single word he must be a churl who + would condemn; but the continuance of + this figure in serious composition, throws + truth and falsehood, right and wrong into + inextricable perplexity. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article2"></a> + ARTICLE II. + + THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. BY WILLIAM + ROBERTSON, D.D.&C. VOLS. III, IV. 4TO. + + </h3> + <p> + The expectation of almost all ranks + has been as much excited by the present + performance, as perhaps by almost any + publication in the records of literature. The + press has scarcely been able to keep pace with + the eagerness of the public, and the third + edition is already announced, before we have + been able to gratify our readers with an account + of this interesting work. For a great + historian to adventure an established name + upon so recent and arduous a subject, is an + instance that has scarcely occurred. Reports + were sometime ago industriously propagated + that Dr. Robertson had turned his attention + to a very different subject, and even when + it was generally known that the present work + was upon the eve of publication, it was still + + questioned by many, whether a writer, so + celebrated for prudence, had not declined the + more recent part of the North American + history. The motives of his conduct upon + this head as they are stated in the preface, + we shall here lay before our readers. + + </p> + <p> + "But neither the history of Portuguese + America, nor the early history of our own + settlements, have constituted the most arduous + part of the present publication. + The revolution, which, unfortunately for + this country, hath recently taken place + in the British colonies, hath excited the + most general attention, at the same time + that it hath rendered the gratification of + public curiosity a matter of as much delicacy + as necessity. Could this event have + been foreseen by me, I should perhaps + have been more cautious of entering into + engagements with the public. To embark + upon a subject, respecting which the sentiments + + of my countrymen have been so + much divided, and the hand of time hath + not yet collected the verdicts of mankind; + while the persons, to whose lot it hath + fallen to act the principal parts upon the + scene, are almost all living; is a task + that prudence might perhaps refuse, and + modesty decline. But circumstanced as I + was, I have chosen rather to consider these + peculiarities as pleas for the candour of + my readers, than as motives to withdraw + myself from so important an undertaking. + I should ill deserve the indulgence I have + experienced from the public, were I capable + of withdrawing from a task by + which their curiosity might be gratified, + from any private inducements of inconvenience + or difficulty." + + </p> + <p> + We have already said, and the reader will + have frequent occasion to recollect it, that we + by no means generally intend an analysis of + + the several works that may come before us. + In the present instance, we do not apprehend + that we shall lay ourselves open to much + blame, by passing over in silence the discoveries + of Vespusius, and the conquests of + Baretto; and laying before our readers some + extracts from the history of the late war. + It is impossible not to remark that the subject + is treated with much caution, and that, + though the sentiments of a royalist be every + where conspicuous, they are those of a royalist, + moderated by misfortune and defeat. + + </p> + <p> + The following is Dr. Robertson's account + of the declaration of independence. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "It is by this time sufficiently visible, + that the men, who took upon themselves + to be most active in directing the American + counsels, were men of deep design and + extensive ambition, who by no means confined + their views to the redress of those + grievances of which they complained, + and which served them for instruments + + in the pursuit of objects less popular and + specious. By degrees they sought to undermine + the allegiance, and dissolve the + ties, which connected the colonies with + the parent country of Britain. Every step + that was taken by her ministry to restore + tranquility to the empire, was artfully + misrepresented by the zealots of faction. + Every unguarded expression, or unfortunate + measure of irritation was exaggerated + by leaders, who considered their own + honour and dignity as inseparable from + further advances, and predicted treachery + and insult as the consequences of retreating. + They now imagined they had met + with a favourable opportunity for proceeding + to extremities. Their influence + was greatest in the general congress, and + by their means a circular manifesto was + issued by that assembly intended to ascertain + the disposition of the several colonies respecting + a declaration of independence. + + </p> + <p> + "They called their countrymen to witness + how real had been their grievances, and + how moderate their claims. They said, + it was impossible to have proceeded with + more temper or greater deliberation, but + that their complaints had been constantly + superseded, their petitions to the throne + rejected. The administration of Great + Britain had not hesitated to attempt to + starve them into surrender, and having + miscarried in this, they were ready to + employ the whole force of their country, + with all the foreign auxiliaries they could + obtain, in prosecution of their unjust and + tyrannical purposes. They were precipitated, + it was said, by Britain into a state + of hostility, and there no longer remained + for them a liberty of choice. They must + either throw down their arms, and expect + the clemency of men who had acted as the + enemies of their rights; or they must + consider themselves as in a state of warfare, + + and abide by the consequences of + that state. Warfare involved independency. + Without this their efforts must + be irregular, feeble, and without all prospect + of success; they could possess no + power to suppress mutinies, or to punish + conspiracies; nor could they expect countenance + and support from any of the states + of Europe, however they might be inclined + to favour them, while they acknowledged + themselves to be subjects, and it + was uncertain how soon they might sacrifice + their friends and allies to the hopes + of a reunion. To look back, they were + told, to the king of England, after all + the insults they had experienced, and the + hostilities that were begun, would be the + height of pusillanimity and weakness. They + were bid to think a little for their posterity, + who by the irreversible laws of nature and + situation, could have no alternative left + them but to be slaves or independent. + + Finally, many subtle reasonings were alledged, + to evince the advantages they must + derive from intrinsic legislation, and general + commerce. + + </p> + <p> + "On the other hand, the middle and + temperate party, represented this step as + unnecessary, uncertain in its benefits, and + irretrievable in its consequences. They + expatiated on the advantages that had + long been experienced by the colonists + from the fostering care of Great Britain, + the generosity of the efforts she had made + to protect them, and the happiness they + had known under her auspicious patronage. + They represented their doubt of + the ability of the colonies to defend themselves + without her alliance. They stated + the necessity of a common superior to + balance the separate and discordant interests + of the different provinces. They + dwelt upon the miseries of an internal and + doubtful struggle. Determined never to + + depart from the assertion of what they + considered as their indefeasible right, they + would incessantly besiege the throne with + their humble remonstrances. They would + seek the clemency of England, rather than + the alliance of those powers, whom they + conceived to be the real enemies of both; + nor would they ever be accessory to the + shutting up the door of reconciliation. + + </p> + <p> + "But the voice of moderation is seldom + heard amidst the turbulence of civil dissention. + Violent counsels prevailed. The + decisive and irrevocable step was made on + the 4th of July 1776. It remains with + posterity to decide upon its merits. Since + that time it has indeed received the sanction + of military success; but whatever + consequences it may produce to America, + the fatal day must ever be regretted by + every sincere friend to the British empire." + + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The other extract we shall select is from + the story of Lord Cornwallis's surrender in + + Virginia, and the consequent termination of + the American war. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "The loss of these redoubts may be considered + as deciding the fate of the British + troops. The post was indeed originally + so weak and insufficient to resist the force + that attacked it, that nothing but the assured + expectation of relief from the garrison + of New York, could have induced + the commander to undertake its defence, + and calmly to wait the approaches of the + enemy. An officer of so unquestionable + gallantry would, rather have hazarded an + encounter in the field, and trusted his adventure + to the decision of fortune, than + by cooping his army in so inadequate a + fortress, to have prepared for them inevitable + misfortune and disgrace. But + with the expectations he had been induced + to form, he did not think himself + justified in having recourse to desperate + expedients. + + </p> + <p> + "These hopes were now at an end. The + enemy had already silenced his batteries. + Nothing remained to hinder them from + completing their second parallel, three + hundred yards nearer to the besieged than + the first. His lordship had received no + intelligence of the approach of succours, + and a probability did not remain that he + could defend his station till such time as + he could expect their arrival. Thus circumstanced, + with the magnanimity peculiar + to him, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, + to acquaint him with the posture of his + affairs, and to recommend to the fleet and + the army that they should not make any + great risk in endeavouring to extricate + them. + + </p> + <p> + "But although he regarded his situation + as hopeless, he did not neglect any effort + becoming a general, to lengthen the siege, + and procrastinate the necessity of a surrender, + if it was impossible finally to prevent + + it. The number of his troops seemed + scarcely sufficient to countenance a + considerable sally, but the emergency was + so critical, that he ordered about three + hundred and fifty men, on the morning + of the 16th, to attack the batteries that + appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, + and to spike their guns. The assault was + impetuous and successful. But either from + their having executed the business upon + which they were sent in a hasty and imperfect + manner, or from the activity and + industry of the enemy, the damage was + repaired, and the batteries completed before + evening. + + </p> + <p> + "One choice only remained. To carry + the troops across to Gloucester Point, + and make one last effort to escape. Boats + were accordingly prepared, and at ten + o'clock at night the army began to embark. + The first embarkation arrived in + safety. The greater part of the troops + + were already landed. At this critical moment + of hope and apprehension, of expectation + and danger, the weather, which + had hitherto been moderate and calm, + suddenly changed; the sky was clouded, + the wind rose and a violent storm ensued. + The boats with the remaining troops were + borne down the stream. To complete + the anxiety and danger, the batteries of + the enemy were opened, the day dawned, + and their efforts were directed against the + northern shore of the river. Nothing + could be hoped, but the escape of the + boats, and the safety of the troops. They + were brought back without much loss, + and every thing was replaced in its former + situation. + + </p> + <p> + "Every thing now verged to the dreaded + crisis. The fire of the besiegers was heavy + and unintermitted. The British could not + return a gun, and the shells, their last resource, + were nearly exhausted. They + + were themselves worn down with sickness + and continual watching. A few hours it + appeared must infallibly decide their fate. + And if any thing were still wanting, the + French ships which had entered the mouth + of the river, seemed prepared to second + the general assault on their side. In this + situation, lord Cornwallis, not less calm + and humane, than he was intrepid, chose + not to sacrifice the lives of so many brave + men to a point of honour, but the same + day proposed to general Washington a + cessation of twenty four hours, in order + mutually to adjust the terms of capitulation. + + </p> + <p> + "The troops which surrendered in the + posts of York and Gloucester amounted + to between five and six thousand men, but + there were not above three thousand eight + hundred of these in a capacity for actual + service. They were all obliged to become + prisoners of war. Fifteen hundred seamen + + were included in the capitulation. + The commander, unable to obtain terms + for the loyal Americans, was obliged to + have recourse to a sloop, appointed to + carry his dispatches, and which he stipulated + should pass unsearched, to convey + them to New York. The British fleet and + army arrived off the Chesapeak five days + after the surrender. Having learned the + melancholy fate of their countrymen, + they were obliged to return, without effecting + any thing, to their former station. + + </p> + <p> + "Such was the catastrophe of an army, + that in intrepidity of exertion, and the + patient endurance of the most mortifying + reverses, are scarcely to be equalled by + any thing that is to be met with in history. + The applause they have received undiminished + by their subsequent misfortunes, + should teach us to exclaim less upon the + precariousness of fame, and animate us + with the assurance that heroism and constancy + + can never be wholly disappointed + of their reward." + + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The publication before us is written with + that laudable industry, which ought ever to + distinguish a great historian. The author + appears to have had access to some of the + best sources of information; and has frequently + thrown that light upon a recent + story, which is seldom to be expected, but + from the developements of time, and the + researches of progressive generations. + + </p> + <p> + We cannot bestow equal praise upon his + impartiality. Conscious however and reserved + upon general questions, the historian + has restricted himself almost entirely to the + narrative form, and has seldom indulged us + with, what we esteem the principal ornament + of elegant history, reflexion and character. + The situation of Dr. Robertson may suggest + to us an obvious, though incompetent, motive + in the present instance. Writing for + + his contemporaries and countrymen, he + could not treat the resistance of America, as + the respectable struggle of an emerging nation. + Writing for posterity, he could not + denominate treason and rebellion, that which + success, at least, had stamped with the signatures + of gallantry and applause. But such + could not have been the motives of the + writer in that part of the history of America, + which was given to the world some years + ago. Perhaps Dr. Robertson was willing to + try, how far his abilities could render the + most naked story agreeable and interesting. + We will allow him to have succeeded. But + we could well have spared the experiment. + + </p> + <p> + The style of this performance is sweet and + eloquent. We hope however that we shall + not expose ourselves to the charge of fastidiousness, + when we complain that it is rather + too uniformly so. The narrative is indeed + occasionally enlivened, and the language picturesque. + But in general we search in vain + + for some roughness to relieve the eye, and + some sharpness to provoke the palate. One + full and sweeping period succeeds another, + and though pleased and gratified at first, the + attention gradually becomes languid. + + </p> + <p> + It would not perhaps be an unentertaining + employment to compare the style of Dr. + Robertson's present work with that of his + first publication, the admired History of + Scotland. The language of that performance + is indeed interspersed with provincial + and inelegant modes of expression, and the + periods are often unskilfully divided. But + it has a vigour and spirit, to which such + faults are easily pardoned. We can say of + it, what we can scarcely say of any of the + author's later publications, that he has thrown + his whole strength into it. + + </p> + <p> + In that instance however he entered the + lists with almost the only historian, with + whom Dr. Robertson must appear to disadvantage, + the incomparable Hume. In the + comparison, we cannot but acknowledge + + that the eloquence of the former speaks the + professor, not the man of the world. He + reasons indeed, but it is with the reasons of + logic; and not with the acuteness of philosophy, + and the intuition of genius. Let not + the living historian be offended. To be + second to Hume, in our opinion might satisfy + the ambition of a Livy or a Tacitus. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article3"></a> + ARTICLE III. + + SECRET HISTORY OF THEODORE ALBERT + MAXIMILIAN, PRINCE OF HOHENZOLLERN + SIGMARINGEN. 12MO. + + </h3> + <p> + This agreeable tale appears to be the production + of the noble author of the + Modern Anecdote. It is told with the same + humour and careless vivacity. The design + is to ridicule the cold pedantry that judges + of youth, without making any allowance + for the warmth of inexperience, and the + charms of beauty. Such readers as take up + a book merely for entertainment, and do + not quarrel with an author that does not + scrupulously confine himself within the limits + of moral instruction, will infallibly + find their account in it. + + </p> + <p> + The following specimen will give some + idea of the manner in which the story is + told. + + </p> + <p> + "The learned Bertram was much scandalized + at the dissipation that prevailed in + the court of Hohenzollern. He was credibly + informed that the lord treasurer of + the principality, who had no less than a + revenue of 109l. 7s. 10-3/4d. committed to + his management, sometimes forgot the + cares of an exchequer in the arms of a + mistress. Nay, fame had even whispered + in his ear, that the reverend confessor + himself had an intrigue with a certain cook-maid. + But that which beyond all things, + afflicted him was the amour of Theodore + with the beautiful Wilhelmina. What, + cried he, when he ruminated upon the + subject, can it be excusable in the learned + Bertram, whose reputation has filled a + fourth part of the circle of Swabia, who + twice bore away the prize in the university + of Otweiler, to pass these crying sins in + silence? It shall not be said. Thus animated, + he strided away to the antichamber + + of Theodore. Theodore, who was + all graciousness, venerated the reputation + of Bertram, and ordered him to be instantly + admitted. The eyes of the philosopher + flashed with anger. Most noble + prince, cried he, I am come to inform + you, that you must immediately break + with the beautiful Wilhelmina. Theodore + stared, but made no answer. The vices + of your highness, said Bertram, awake + my indignation. While you toy away + your hours in the lap of a w——e, the + vast principality of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen + hastens to its fall. Reflect, my + lord; three villages, seven hamlets, and + near eleven grange houses and cottages, + depend upon you for their political prosperity. + Alas, thought Theodore, what + are grange houses and cottages compared + with the charms of Wilhelmina? Shall + the lewd tricks of a wanton make you + forget the jealous projects of the prince of + + Hohenzollern Hechingen, the elder branch + of your illustrious house? Theodore pulled + out his watch, that he might not outstay + his appointment. My lord, continued + Bertram, ruin impends over you. Two + peasants of the district of Etwingen have + already been seduced from their loyalty, + a nail that supported the chart of your + principality has fallen upon the ground, + and your father confessor is in bed with a + cook-maid. Theodore held forth his hand + for Bertram to kiss, and flew upon the + wings of desire to the habitation of Wilhelmina." + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article4"></a> + ARTICLE IV. + + LOUISA, OR MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. + BY THE AUTHOR OF EVELINA AND + CECILIA. 3 VOLS. 12MO. + + </h3> + <p> + There scarcely seems to exist a more + original genius in the present age than + this celebrated writer. In the performances + with which she has already entertained the + public, we cannot so much as trace a feature + of her illustrious predecessors; the fable, + the characters, the incidents are all her own. + In the mean time they are not less happy, + than they are new. A Belfield, a Monckton, + a Morrice, and several other personages + of the admired Cecilia, will scarcely yield + to the most finished draughts of the greatest + writers. In comedy, in tragedy, Miss Burney + alike excels. And the union of them + + both in the Vauxhall scene of the death + of Harrel ranks among the first efforts + of human genius. Of consequence we may + safely pronounce that the reputation of this + lady is by no means dependent upon fashion + or caprice, but will last as long as there is + understanding to discern, and taste to relish + the beauties of fiction. + + </p> + <p> + It must be acknowledged that her defects + are scarcely less conspicuous than her excellencies. + In her underplots she generally miscarries. + We can trace nothing of Miss + Burney in the stories of Macartney, Albany, + and the Hills. Her comedy sometimes deviates + into farce. The character of Briggs + in particular, though it very successfully + excites our laughter, certainly deforms a + work, which in its principal constituents + ranks in the very highest species of composition. + Her style is often affected, and in + the serious is sometimes so laboured and + figurative, as to cost the reader a very strict + + attention to discover the meaning, without + perfectly repaying his trouble. These faults + are most conspicuous in Cecilia, which upon + the whole we esteem by much her greatest + performance. In Evelina she wrote more + from inartificial nature. And we are happy + to observe in the present publication, that + the masculine sense, by which Miss Burney + is distinguished, has raised her almost + wholly above these little errors. The style + of Louisa is more polished than that of + Evelina, and more consonant to true taste + than that of Cecilia. + + </p> + <p> + The principal story of Louisa, like that + of Cecilia, is very simple, but adorned with + a thousand beautiful episodes. As the great + action of the latter is Cecilia's sacrifice of + fortune to a virtuous and laudable attachment, + so that of the former is the sacrifice + of rank, in the marriage of the heroine to a + young man of the most distinguished merit, + but neither conspicuous by birth, nor favoured + + by fortune. The event, romantic + and inconsistent with the manners of polished + society as it may appear, is introduced by + such a train of incidents, that it is impossible + not to commend and admire the conduct + of the heroine. + + </p> + <p> + Her character is that of inflexible vivacity + and wit, accompanied with a spice of + coquetry and affectation. And though this + line of portrait seemed exhausted by Congreve + and Richardson, we will venture to + pronounce Louisa a perfect original. It is + impossible to describe such a character in the + abstract without recollecting Millamant and + Lady G. But in reading this most agreeable + novel, you scarcely think of either. As + there is no imitation, so there are not two + expressions in the work, that can lead from + one to the other. Louisa is more amiable + than the former, and more delicate and feminine + than the latter. + + </p> + <p> + Mr. Burchel, the happy lover, is an author, + a young man of infinite genius, of + + romantic honour, of unbounded generosity. + Lord Raymond, the brother of Louisa, becomes + acquainted with him in his travels, by + an incident in which Mr. Burchel does him + the most essential service. Being afterwards + introduced to his sister, and being deeply + smitten with her beauty and accomplishments, + he quits the house of lord Raymond + abruptly, with a determination entirely to + drop his connexion. Sometime after, in a + casual and unexpected meeting, he saves the + life of his mistress. In the conclusion, his + unparalleled merit, and his repeated services + surmount every obstacle to an union. + + </p> + <p> + Besides these two there are many other + characters happily imagined. Louisa is involved + in considerable distress previous to the + final catastrophe. The manner in which her + gay and sportive character is supported in + these scenes is beyond all commendation. + But the extract we shall give, as most singular + in its nature, relates to another considerable + + female personage, Olivia. As the humour + of Louisa is lively and fashionable, + that of Olivia is serious and romantic. Educated + in perfect solitude, she is completely + ignorant of modern manners, and entertains + the most sovereign contempt for them. Full + of sentiment and sensibility, she is strongly + susceptible to every impression, and her conduct + is wholly governed by her feelings. + Trembling at every leaf, and agonized at + the smallest accident, she is yet capable, + from singularity of thinking, of enterprises + the most bold and unaccountable. Conformably + to this temper, struck with the character + of Burchel, and ravished with his address + and behaviour, she plans the most extraordinary + attempt upon his person. By her orders + he is surprised in a solitary excursion, + after some resistance actually seized, and + conducted blindfold to the house of his fair + admirer. Olivia now appears, professes her + attachment, and lays her fortune, which is + + very considerable, at his feet. Unwilling + however to take him by surprise, she allows + him a day for deliberation, and insists upon + his delivering at the expiration of it, an + honest and impartial answer. His entertainment + is sumptuous. + + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, a peasant, who at a distance + was witness to the violence committed + upon Burchel, and had traced him to the + house of Olivia, carries the account of what + he had seen to Raymond Place. The company, + which, in the absence of lord Raymond, + consisted of Louisa, Mr. Bromley, + an uncle, Sir Charles Somerville, a suitor, + and Mr. Townshend, a sarcastic wit, determine + to set off the next morning for the + house of the ravisher. This is the scene + which follows. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "Alarmed at the bustle upon the stairs, + Olivia, more dead than alive, pressed the + hand of Burchel with a look of inexpressible + + astonishment and mortification, and + withdrew to the adjoining apartment. + + </p> + <p> + "The door instantly flew open. Burchel + advanced irresolutely a few steps towards + the company, bowed, and was silent. + + </p> + <p> + "The person that first entered was Mr. + Bromley. He instantly seized hold of + Burchel, and shook him very heartily by + the hand. + + </p> + <p> + "Ha, my boy, said he, have we found + you? Well, and how? safe and sound? + Eh? clapping him upon the shoulder. + + </p> + <p> + "At your service, sir, answered Burchel, + with an air of embarrassment and hesitation. + + </p> + <p> + "It was not altogether the right thing, + methinks, to leave us all without saying + why, or wherefore, and stay out all night. + Why we thought you had been murdered. + My niece here has been in hysterics. + + </p> + <p> + "'Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are + very facetious. But we heard, Mr. Burchel, + you were ran away with. It must + + have been very alarming. I vow, I should + have been quite fluttered. Pray, sir, how + was it? + + </p> + <p> + "Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, + the very relation seemed to disturb + sir Charles. For my part, I was more + alarmed for him than for Miss Bromley. + + </p> + <p> + "Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, + it is a queer affair. I hope as the + lady went so far, you were not shy. You + have not spoiled all, and affronted her. + + </p> + <p> + "Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, + you do not suspect him of being such a + boor. Doubtless every thing is settled by + this time. The lady has a fine fortune, + Burchel; poets do not meet with such + every day; Miss Bromley, you look + pale. + + </p> + <p> + "Ha! Ha! Ha! you do me infinite + honour, cried Louisa, making him a droll + curtesy; what think you, sir Charles? + + </p> + <p> + "'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so + bewitchingly. + + </p> + <p> + "Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you + say nothing, don't answer a single question. + What, mum's the word, eh? + + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, sir, I do not know,—I do not + understand—the affair is entirely a mystery + to myself—it is in the power of no one + but Miss Seymour to explain it. + + </p> + <p> + "Well, and where is she? where is she? + + </p> + <p> + "O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; + will you come, Sir Charles; and immediately + tripped out of the room. Sir Charles + followed. + + </p> + <p> + "Olivia had remained in too much confusion + to withdraw farther than the next + room; and upon this new intrusion, she + threw herself upon a sopha, and covered + her face with her hands. + + </p> + <p> + "O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, + fluttering in the meshes. + + </p> + <p> + "Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. + Townshend followed; Burchel brought + up the rear. + + </p> + <p> + "My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do + not be alarmed. We are come to wish you + joy; and seized one of her hands. + + </p> + <p> + "Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed + Bromley—What, has grace been said, + the collation served, and the cloth removed? + Upon my word, you have been + very expeditious, Miss. + + </p> + <p> + "My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do + not reflect so much upon the ladies modesty. + I will stake my life they were not + to have been married these three days. + + </p> + <p> + "Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable + agitation, and endeavoured to + defend herself. Gentlemen, assure yourselves,—give + me leave to protest to you,—indeed + you will be sorry—you are mistaken———Oh + Miss Bromley, added she, in + a piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly + about the neck of Louisa. + + </p> + <p> + "Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; + you know, gentlemen, Miss Seymour is + + studious; it was a point in philosophy she + wished to settle; that's all, Olivia; and + kissed her cheek. + + </p> + <p> + "Or perhaps, added Townshend,—the lady + is young and inexperienced—she wanted a + comment upon the bower scene in Cleopatra. + + </p> + <p> + "Olivia suddenly raised her head and came + forward, still leaning one arm upon Louisa. + Hear me, cried she; I will be heard. What + have I done that would expose me to the + lash of each unlicenced tongue? What has + there been in any hour of my life, upon + which for calumny to fix her stain? Of + what loose word, of what act of levity and + dissipation can I be convicted? Have I + not lived in the solitude of a recluse? Oh, + fortune, hard and unexampled! + + </p> + <p> + "Deuce take me, cried sir Charles, whispering + Townshend, if I ever saw any thing + so handsome. + + </p> + <p> + "Olivia stood in a posture firm and collected, + her bosom heaving with resentment; + + but her face was covered with + blushes, and her eyes were languishing and + sorrowful. + + </p> + <p> + "For the present unfortunate affair I will + acknowledge the truth. Mr. Burchel to + me appeared endowed with every esteemable + accomplishment, brave, generous, + learned, imaginative, and tender. By what + nobler qualities could a female heart be + won? Fashion, I am told, requires that + we should not make the advances. I reck + not fashion, and have never been her slave. + Fortune has thrown him at a distance from + me. It should have been my boast to + trample upon her imaginary distinctions. + I would never have forced an unwilling + hand. But if constancy, simplicity and + regard could have won a heart, his heart + had been mine. I know that the succession + of external objects would have made + the artless virtues of Olivia pass unheeded. + It was for that I formed my little plan. + + I will not blush for a scheme that no bad + passion prompted. But it is over, and I + will return to my beloved solitude with + what unconcern I may. God bless you, + Mr. Burchel; I never meant you any + harm: and in saying this, she advanced + two steps forward, and laid her hand on + his. + + </p> + <p> + "Burchel, without knowing what he did, + fell on one knee and kissed it. + + </p> + <p> + "This action revived the confusion of + Olivia; she retreated, and Louisa took + hold of her arm. Will you retire, said + Louisa? You are a sweet good creature. + Olivia assented, advanced a few steps forward, + and then with her head half averted, + took a parting glance at Burchel, and hurried away. + + </p> + <p> + "A strange girl this, said Bromley! Devil + take me, if I know what to make of her. + + </p> + <p> + "I vow, cried sir Charles, I am acquainted + with all the coteries in town, and never + met with any thing like her. + + </p> + <p> + "Why, she is as coming, rejoined the + squire, as a milk-maid, and yet I do not + know how she has something that dashes + one too. + + </p> + <p> + "Ah, cried sir Charles, shaking his head, + she has nothing of the manners of the + <i>grand monde</i>. + + </p> + <p> + "That I can say nothing to, said Bromley, + but, in my mind, her behaviour is gracious + and agreeable enough, if her conduct + were not so out of the way. + + </p> + <p> + "What think you, Burchel, said Townshend, + she is handsome, innocent, good + tempered and rich; excellent qualities, + let me tell you, for a wife. + + </p> + <p> + "I think her, said Burchel, more than + you say. Her disposition is amiable, and + her character exquisitely sweet and feminine. + She is capable of every thing generous + and admirable. A false education, + and visionary sentiments, to which she + will probably one day be superior, have + + rendered her for the present an object of + pity. But, though I loved her, I should + despise my own heart, if it were capable + of taking advantage of her inexperience, + to seduce her to a match so unequal. + + </p> + <p> + "At this instant Louisa re-entered, and + making the excuses of Olivia, the company + returned to the carriage, sir Charles + mounted on horseback as he came, and + they carried off the hero in triumph." + + </p> + </blockquote> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article5"></a> + ARTICLE V. + + THE PEASANT OF BILIDELGERID, A TALE. + + </h3> + <p> + 2 VOLS. SHANDEAN. + + </p> + <p> + This is the only instance in which we + shall take the liberty to announce to the + public an author hitherto unknown. Thus + situated, we shall not presume to prejudice + our readers either ways concerning him, but + shall simply relate the general plan of the + work. + + </p> + <p> + It attempts a combination, which has so + happily succeeded with the preceding writer, + of the comic and the pathetic. The latter + however is the principal object. The hero + is intended for a personage in the highest degree + lovely and interesting, who in his earliest + bloom of youth is subjected to the + most grievous calamities, and terminates + them not but by an untimely death. The + + writer seems to have apprehended that a dash + of humour was requisite to render his story + in the highest degree interesting. And he + has spared no exertion of any kind of which + he was capable, for accomplishing this + purpose. + + </p> + <p> + The scene is laid in Egypt and the adjacent + countries. The peasant is the son of + the celebrated Saladin. The author has exercised + his imagination in painting the manners + of the times and climates of which he + writes. + + </p> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article6"></a> + ARTICLE VI. + + AN ESSAY ON NOVEL, IN THREE EPISTLES + INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + LADY CRAVEN, BY WILL. HAYLEY, ESQ. + 4TO. + + </h3> + <p> + The public has been for some time + agreed that Mr. Hayley is the first of + English poets. Envy herself scarcely dares utter + a dissentient murmur, and even generous + emulation turns pale at the mention of his + name. His productions, allowing for the + very recent period in which he commenced + author, are rather numerous. A saturnine + critic might be apt to suspect that they + were also hasty, were not the loftiness of + their conceptions, the majesty of their style, + the richness of their imagination, and above + all, the energy both of their thoughts and + language so conspicuous, that we may defy + any man of taste to rise from the perusal, + and say, that all the study and consideration + + in the world could possibly have made them + better. After a course however of unremitted + industry, Mr. Hayley seemed to have + relaxed, and to the eternal mortification of + the literary world, last winter could not + boast a single production of the prince of + song. The muses have now paid us another + visit. We are very sensible of our incapacity + to speak, or even think of this writer + with prosaic phlegm; we cannot however + avoid pronouncing, that, in our humble opinion, + Mr. Hayley has now outdone all his + former outdoings, and greatly repaid us for + the absence we so dearly mourned. + + </p> + <p> + We are sensible that it is unbecoming the + character of a critic to lay himself out in + general and vague declamation. It is also + within the laws of possibility, that an + incurious or unpoetical humour in some of our + readers, and (ah me, the luckless day!) + penury in others, may have occasioned their + turning over the drowsy pages of the review, + + before they have perused the original work. + Some account of the plan, and a specimen of + the execution may therefore be expected. + + </p> + <p> + The first may be dispatched in two words. + The design is almost exactly analogous to + that of the Essay on History, which has been + so much celebrated. The author triumphs + in the novelty of his subject, and pays a very + elegant compliment to modern times, as + having been in a manner the sole inventors + of this admirable species of composition, of + which he has undertaken to deliver the + precepts. He deduces the pedigree of novel + through several generations from Homer and + Calliope. He then undertakes to characterise + the most considerable writers in this line. + He discusses with much learning, and all + the logical subtlety so proper to the didactic + muse, the pretensions of the Cyropedia of + Xenophon; but at length rejects it as containing + nothing but what was literally true, + and therefore belonging to the class of history. + + He is very eloquent upon the Shepherd + of Hermas, Theagenes and Chariclea, and + the Ethiopics of Heliodorus. Turpin, Scudery, + Cotterel, Sidney, the countess D'Anois, + and "all such writers as were never read," + next pass in review. Boccace and Cervantes + occupy a very principal place. The modern + French writers of fictitious history from Fenelon + to Voltaire, close the first epistle. The second + is devoted to English authors. The third + to the laws of novel writing. + + </p> + <p> + We shall present our readers, as a specimen, + with the character of that accomplished + writer, John Bunyan, whom the poet has + generously rescued from that contempt which + fashionable manners, and fashionable licentiousness + had cast upon him. + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h4><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1643"></a></h4> + <div class="lg">"See in the front of Britain's honour'd band,<br>The author of the Pilgrim's Progress stand.<br>Though, sunk in shades of intellectual night,<br>He boasted but the simplest arts, to read and write;<br>Though false religion hold him in her chains,<br>His judgment weakens and his heart restrains:<br>Yet fancy's richest beams illum'd his mind,<br>And honest virtue his mistakes refin'd.<br>The poor and the illiterate he address'd;<br>The poor and the illiterate call him blest.<br>Blest he the man that taught the poor to pray,<br>That shed on adverse fate religion's day,<br>That wash'd the clotted tear from sorrow's face,<br>Recall'd the rambler to the heavenly race,<br>Dispell'd the murky clouds of discontent,<br>And read the lore of patience wheresoe'er he went."<br><br></div> + </div> + <p> + Amidst the spirited beauties of this passage, + it is impossible not to consider some as + particularly conspicuous. How strong and + nervous the second and fourth lines! How + happily expressive the two Alexandrines! + What a luminous idea does the epithet + "murky" present to us! How original and + picturesque that of the "clotted tear!" If + the same expression be found in the Ode to + + Howard, let it however be considered, that + the exact propriety of that image to wash it + from the face (for how else, candid reader, + could a tear already clotted be removed) is a + clear improvement, and certainly entitles the + author to a repetition. Lastly, how consistent + the assemblage, how admirable the + climax in the last six lines! Incomparable + they might appear, but we recollect a passage + nearly equal in the Essay on History, + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h4><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1682"></a></h4> + <div class="lg">"<em>Wild</em> as thy <em>feeble</em> Metaphysic page,<br>Thy History <em>rambles</em> into <em>Steptic rage</em>;<br>Whose giddy and fantastic <em>dreams abuse</em>,<br>A Hampden's Virtue and a Shakespeare's Muse."<br><br></div> + </div> + <p> + How elevated the turn of this passage! + To be at once luxuriant and feeble, and to + lose one's way till we get into a passion, + (with our guide, I suppose) is peculiar to a + poetic subject. It is impossible to mistake + this for prose. Then how pathetic the conclusion! + What hard heart can refuse its + + compassion to personages <em>abused</em> by a <em>dream</em>, + and that dream the <em>dream of a History!</em></p> + <p> + Oh, wonderful poet, thou shalt be immortal, + if my eulogiums can make thee so! + To thee thine own rhyme shall never be applied, + (<i>Dii, avertite omen</i>). + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h4><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1724"></a></h4> + <div class="lg">"Already, pierc'd by freedom's searching rays,<br>The waxen fabric of his fame decays!"<br><br></div> + </div> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article7"></a> + ARTICLE VII. + + INKLE AND YARICO, A POEM, BY JAMES + BEATTIE, L.L.D. 4TO. + + </h3> + <p> + This author cannot certainly be compared + with Mr. Hayley. + + </p> + <p> + We know not by what fatality Dr. Beattie + has acquired the highest reputation as a + philosopher, while his poetry, though acknowledged + to be pleasing, is comparatively little + thought on. It must always be with regret + and diffidence, that we dissent from the general + verdict. We should however be somewhat + apprehensive of sacrificing the character we + have assumed, did we fail to confess that his + philosophy has always appeared to us at once + superficial and confused, feeble and presumptuous. + We do not know any thing it has to + recommend it, but the good intention, and + + we wish we could add the candid spirit, + with which it is written. + + </p> + <p> + Of his poetry however we think very + differently. Though deficient in nerve, it is + at once sweet and flowing, simple and + amiable. We are happy to find the author + returning to a line in which he appears so + truly respectable. The present performance + is by no means capable to detract from his + character as a poet. This well known tale + is related in a manner highly pathetic and + interesting. As we are not at all desirous of + palling the curiosity of the reader for the + poem itself, we shall make our extract at + random. The following stanzas, as they are + taken from a part perfectly cool and + introductory, are by no means the best in this + agreeable piece. They are prefaced by some + general reflexions on the mischiefs occasioned + by the <i>sacra fames auri</i>. The reader + will perceive that Dr. Beattie, according to + the precept of Horace, has rushed into the + + midst of things, and not taken up the narrative + in chronological order. + + </p> + <div class="poem"> + <h4><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1749"></a></h4> + <div class="lg">"Where genial Phoebus darts his fiercest rays,<br>Parching with heat intense the torrid zone:<br>No fanning western breeze his rage allays;<br>No passing cloud, with kindly shade o'erthrown,<br>His place usurps; but Phoebus reigns alone,<br>In this unfriendly clime a woodland shade,<br>Gloomy and dark with woven boughs o'ergrown,<br>Shed chearful verdure on the neighbouring glade,<br>And to th' o'er-labour'd hind a cool retreat display'd.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">Along the margin of th' Atlantic main,<br>Rocks pil'd on rocks yterminate the scene;<br>Save here and there th' incroaching surges gain<br>An op'ning grateful to the daisied green;<br>Save where, ywinding cross the vale is seen<br>A bubbling creek, that spreads on all sides round<br>Its breezy freshness, gladding, well I ween,<br>The op'ning flow'rets that adorn the ground,<br>From her green margin to the ocean's utmost bound.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">The distant waters hoarse resounding roar,<br>And fill the list'ning ear. The neighb'ring grove<br>Protects, i'th'midst that rose, a fragrant bow'r,<br>With nicest art compos'd. All nature strove,<br>With all her powers, this favour'd spot to prove<br>A dwelling fit for innocence and joy,<br>Or temple worthy of the god of love.<br>All objects round to mirth and joy invite,<br>Nor aught appears among that could the pleasure blight.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">Within there sat, all beauteous to behold!<br>Adorn'd with ev'ry grace, a gentle maid.<br>Her limbs were form'd in nature's choicest mould,<br>Her lovely eyes the coldest bosoms sway'd,<br>And on her breast ten thousand Cupids play'd.<br>What though her skin were not as lilies fair?<br>What though her face confest a darker shade?<br>Let not a paler European dare<br>With glowing Yarico's her beauty to compare.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">And if thus perfect were her outward form,<br>What tongue can tell the graces of her mind,<br>Constant in love and in its friendships warm?<br>There blushing modesty with virtue join'd<br>There tenderness and innocence combin'd.<br>Nor fraudful wiles, nor dark deceit she knew,<br>Nor arts to catch the inexperienc'd hind;<br>No swain's attention from a rival drew,<br>For she was simple all, and she was ever true.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">There was not one so lovely or so good,<br>Among the num'rous daughters of the plain;<br>'Twas Yarico each Indian shepherd woo'd;<br>But Yarico each shepherd woo'd in vain;<br>Their arts she view'd not but with cold disdain.<br>For British Inkle's charms her soul confest,<br>His paler charms had caus'd her am'rous pain;<br>Nor could her heart admit another guest,<br>Or time efface his image in her constant breast,<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">Her generous love remain'd not unreturn'd,<br>Nor was the youthful swain as marble cold,<br>But soon with equal flame his bosom burn'd;<br>His passion soon in love's soft language told,<br>Her spirits cheer'd and bad her heart be bold.<br>Each other dearer than the world beside,<br>Each other dearer than themselves they hold.<br>Together knit in firmest bonds they bide,<br>While days and months with joy replete unnotic'd glide.<br><br></div> + <div class="lg">Ev'n now beside her sat the British boy,<br>Who ev'ry mark of youth and beauty bore,<br>All that allure the soul to love and joy.<br>Ev'n now her eyes ten thousand charms explore,<br>Ten thousand charms she never knew before.<br>His blooming cheeks confest a lovely glow,<br>His jetty eyes unusual brightness wore,<br>His auburn locks adown his Shoulders flow,<br>And manly dignity is seated on his brow."<br><br></div> + </div> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article8"></a> + ARTICLE VIII + + THE ALCHYMIST, A COMEDY, ALTERED + FROM BEN JONSON, BY RICHARD BRINSLEY + SHERIDAN, ESQ. + + </h3> + <p> + There are few characters, that have + risen into higher favour with the English + nation, than Mr. Sheridan. He was + known and admired, as a man of successful + gallantry, both with the fair sex and his + own, before he appeared, emphatically + speaking, upon the public stage. Since that + time, his performances, of the Duenna, and + the School for Scandal, have been distinguished + with the public favour beyond any + dramatical productions in the language. His + compositions, in gaiety of humour and spriteliness + of wit, are without an equal. + + </p> + <p> + Satiated, it should seem, with the applauses + of the theatre, he turned his attention + + to public and parliamentary speaking. The + vulgar prejudice, that genius cannot expect + to succeed in two different walks, for some + time operated against him. But he possessed + merit, and he compelled applause. He now + ranks, by universal consent, as an orator and + a statesman, with the very first names of an + age, that will not perhaps be accounted unproductive + in genius and abilities. + + </p> + <p> + It was now generally supposed that he had + done with the theatre. For our own part, + we must confess; we entertain all possible + veneration for parliamentary and ministerial + abilities; we should be mortified to rank second + to any man in our enthusiasm for the + official talents of Mr. Sheridan: But as the + guardians of literature, we regretted the loss + of his comic powers. We wished to preserve + the poet, without losing the statesman. + Greatly as we admired the opera and the comedy, + we conceived his unbounded talents + capable of something higher still. To say all + + in a word, we looked at his hands for the + MISANTHROPE of the British muse. + + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary to say then, that we congratulate + the public upon the present essay. + It is meaned only as a <i>jeu d'esprit</i>. But we + consider it as the earnest of that perseverance, + which we wished to prove, and feared to lose. + The scene we have extracted, and which, + with another, that may be considered as a + kind of praxis upon the rules, constitutes + the chief part of the alteration, is apparently + personal. How far personal satire is commendable + in general, and how far it is just + in the present instance, are problems that we + shall leave with our readers.—As much as + belongs to Jonson we have put in italics. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h4><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1927"></a>ACT IV + </h4> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h5><a name="projectID3f5c705938b0b-div-d0e1930"></a>SCENE 4 + </h5> + <p><em><i>Enter</i> Captain Face, <i>disguised as Lungs, + and</i> Kastril. + </em></p> + <dl> + <dt>FACE.</dt> + <dd><i>Who would you speak with</i>? + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt>KASTRIL.</dt> + <dd><i>Where is the captain?</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + FACE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Gone, sir, about some business.</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Gone?</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + FACE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>He will return immediately. But master + doctor, his lieutenant is here.</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Say, I would speak with him.</i></dd> + </dl> + <p><em> + [<i>Exit</i> Face. + </em></p> + <p><em><i>Enter</i> Subtle. + </em></p> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Come near, sir.—I know you well.—You + are my</i> terrae fili—<i>that is—my boy of + land—same three thousand pounds a year.</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd><i>How know you that, old boy?</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>I know the subject of your visit, and I'll + satisfy you. Let us see now what notion + + you have of the matter. It is a nice point + to broach a quarrel right</i>. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd><i>You lie</i>. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>How now?—give me the lie?—for what, + my boy?</i></dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Nay look you to that.—I am beforehand—that's + my business</i>. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd><i>Oh, this is not the art of quarrelling—'tis + poor and pitiful</i>!—What, sir, would + you restrict the noble science of debate to + the mere lie?—Phaw, that's a paltry trick, + that every fool could hit.—A mere Vandal + could throw his gantlet, and an Iroquois + knock his antagonist down.—No, sir, the + art of quarrel is vast and complicated.—Months + may worthily be employed in the + attainment,—and the exercise affords range + for the largest abilities.—To quarrel after + + the newest and most approved method, is + the first of sciences,—the surest test of + genius, and the last perfection of civil + society. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + You amaze me. I thought to dash the + lie in another's face was the most respectable + kind of anger. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + O lud, sir, you are very ignorant. A + man that can only give the lie is not worth + the name of quarrelsome—quite tame and + spiritless!—No, sir, the angry boy must + understand, beside the QUARREL DIRECT—in + which I own you have some proficiency—a + variety of other modes of attack;—such + as, the QUARREL PREVENTIVE—the + QUARREL OBSTREPEROUS—the QUARREL + SENSITIVE—the QUARREL OBLIQUE—and + the QUARREL PERSONAL. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + O Mr. doctor, that I did but understand + half so much of the art of brangling as + + you do!—What would I give!—Harkee—I'll + settle an hundred a year upon you.—But + come, go on, go on— + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + O sir! you quite overpower me—why, + if you use me thus, you will draw all my + secrets from me at once.—I shall almost + kick you down stairs the first lecture. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + How!—Kick me down stairs?—Ware + that—Blood and oons, sir! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Well, well,—be patient—be patient—Consider, + it is impossible to communicate + the last touches of the art of petulance, + but by fist and toe,—by sword and pistol. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Sir, I don't understand you! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Enough. We'll talk of that another + time.—What I have now to explain is the + cool and quiet art of debate—fit to be introduced + + into the most elegant societies—or + the most august assemblies.—You, my + angry boy, are in parliament? + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + No, doctor.—I had indeed some thoughts + of it.—But imagining that the accomplishments + of petulance and choler would be + of no use there—I gave it up. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Good heavens!—Of no use?—Why, sir, + they can be no where so properly.—Only + conceive how august a little petulance—and + what a graceful variety snarling and + snapping would introduce!—True, they + are rather new in that connexion.—Believe + me, sir, there is nothing for which I + have so ardently longed as to meet them + there.—I should die contented.—And you, + sir,—if you would introduce them—Eh? + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Doctor, you shall be satisfied—I'll be + in parliament in a month—I'll be prime + + minister—LORD HIGH TREASURER of + ENGLAND—or, CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Oh, by all means CHANCELLOR of the + EXCHEQUER! You are somewhat young + indeed—but that's no objection.—Damn + me, if the office can ever be so respectably + filled as by an angry boy. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + True, true.—But, doctor, we forget + your instructions all this time.—Let me + see—Ay—first was the QUARREL PREVENTIVE. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Well thought of!—Why, sir, in your + new office you will be liable to all sorts of + attacks—Ministers always are, and an angry + boy cannot hope to escape.—Now nothing, + you know, is so much to the purpose as + to have the first blow—Blunders are very + natural.—Your friends tell one story in + + the upper house, and you another in the + lower—You shall give up a territory to + the enemy that you ought to have kept, + and when charged with it, shall unluckily + drop that you and your colleagues + were ignorant of the geography of the + country—You foresee an attack—you immediately + open—Plans so extensively beneficial—accounts + so perfectly consistent—measures + so judicious and accurate—no + man can question—no man can object + to—but a rascal and a knave.—Let him + come forward! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Very good! very good!—For the + QUARREL OPSTREPEROUS, that I easily + conceive.—An antagonist objects shrewdly—I + cannot invent an answer.—In that + case, there is nothing to be done but to + drown his reasons in noise—nonsense—and + vociferation. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Come to my arms, my dear Kastril! O + thou art an apt scholar—thou wilt be nonpareil + in the art of brawling!—But for + the QUARREL SENSITIVE— + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Ay, that I confess I don't understand. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Why, it is thus, my dear boy—A + minister is apt to be sore.—Every man + cannot have the phlegm of Burleigh.—And + an angry boy is sorest of all.—In that case—an + objection is made that would dumbfound + any other man—he parries it with—my + honour—and my integrity—and the + rectitude of my intentions—my spotless + fame—my unvaried truth—and the greatness + of my abilities—And so gives no + answer at all. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Excellent! excellent! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + The QUARREL OBLIQUE is easy enough.—It + is only to talk in general terms of + places and pensions—the loaves and the + fishes—a struggle for power—a struggle for + power—And it will do excellent well, if at + a critical moment—you can throw in a hint + of some forty or fifty millions unaccounted + for by some people's grandfathers and + uncles dead fifty years ago. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Ha! ha! ha! + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + Lastly, for the QUARREL PERSONAL—It + may be infinitely diversified.—I have + other instances in my eye,—but I will + mention only one.—Minds capable of the + widest comprehension, when held back + from their proper field, may turn to lesser + employments, that fools may wonder at, + and canting hypocrites accuse—A CATO + might indulge to the pleasures of the + bottle, and a CAESAR might play—Unfortunately + + you may have a CAESAR to oppose + you—Let him discuss a matter of + finance—that subject is always open—there + you have an easy answer. In the + former case you parried, here you thrust.—You + must admire at his presumption—tell + him roundly he is not capable of the + subject—and dam his strongest reasons + by calling them the reasons of a gambler. + + </dd> + </dl> + <dl> + <dt> + KASTRIL. + + </dt> + <dd> + Admirable!—Oh doctor!—I will thank + you for ever.—I will do any thing for + you! + + </dd> + </dl> + <p><em> + [Face <i>enters at the corner of the stage, + winks at</i> Subtle, <i>and exit.</i>] + </em></p> + <dl> + <dt> + SUBTLE. + + </dt> + <dd> + "<i>Come, Sir, the captain will come to us + presently—I will have you to my chamber of + demonstrations, and show my instrument for + quarrelling, with all the points of the compass + marked upon it. It will make you able + to quarrel to a straw's breadth at moonlight.</i></dd> + </dl> + <p><em> + Exeunt." + </em></p> + </div> + </div> + </blockquote> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article9"></a> + ARTICLE IX. + + REFLEXIONS UPON THE PRESENT STATE OF + THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BY + THOMAS PAINE, M.A. &c. 8vo. + + </h3> + <p> + The revolution of America is the most + important event of the present century. + Other revolutions have originated in + immediate personal feeling, have pointed + only at a few partial grievances, or, preserving + the tyranny entire, have consisted only in + a struggle about the persons in whom it + should be vested. This only has commenced + in an accurate and extensive view of things, + and at a time when the subject of government + was perfectly understood. The persons, + who have had the principal share in + conducting it, exhibit a combination of wisdom, + spirit and genius, that can never be + sufficiently admired. + + </p> + <p> + In this honourable list, the name of Mr. + Paine by no means occupies the lowest + + place. He is the best of all their political + writers. His celebrated pamphlet of Common + Sense appeared at a most critical period, + and certainly did important service to the + cause of independency. His style is exactly + that of popular oratory. Rough, negligent + and perspicuous, it presents us occasionally + with the boldest figures and the most animated + language. It is perfectly intelligible + to persons of all ranks, and it speaks with + energy to the sturdy feelings of uncultivated + nature. The sentiments of the writer are + stern, and we think even rancorous to the + mother country. They may be the sentiments + of a patriot, they are not certainly + those of a philosopher. + + </p> + <p> + Mr. Paine has thought fit to offer some + advice to his countrymen in the present juncture, + in which, according to some, they + stand in considerable need of it. The performance + is not unworthy of the other productions + of this author. It has the same virtues + + and the same defects. We have extracted + the following passage, as one of the most + singular and interesting. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "America has but one enemy, and that is + England. Of the English it behoves us + always to be jealous. We ought to cultivate + harmony and good understanding with + every other power upon earth. The necessity + of this caution will be easily shewn. + For + + </p> + <p> + 1. The united states of America were + subject to the government of England. + True, they have acknowledged our independence. + But pride first struggled as + much as she could, and sullenness held off + as long as she dare. They have withdrawn + their claim upon our obedience, but do + you think they have forgot it? To this + hour their very news-papers talk daily of + dissentions between colony and colony, and + the disaffection of this and of that to the + + continental interest. They hold up one + another in absurdity, and look with affirmative + impatience, when we shall fall + together by the ears, that they may run + away with the prize we have so dearly + won. It is not in man to submit to a defalcation + of empire without reluctance. + But in England, where every cobler, slave + as he is, hath been taught to think himself + a king, never. + + </p> + <p> + 2. The resemblance, of language, customs, + will give them the most ready access + to us. The king of England will + have emissaries in every corner. They + will try to light up discord among us. + They will give intelligence of all our + weaknesses. Though we have struggled + bravely, and conquered like men, we are + not without imperfection. Ambition and + hope will be for ever burning in the breast + of our former tyrant. Dogmatical confidence + is the worst enemy America can + + have. We need not fear the Punic sword. + But let us be upon our guard against the + arts of Carthage. + + </p> + <p> + 3. England is the only European state + that still possesses an important province + upon our continent. The Indian tribes + are all that stand between us. We know + with what art they lately sought their detested + alliance. What they did then was the + work of a day. Hereafter if they act against + us, the steps they will proceed with will be + slower and surer. Canada will be their place + of arms. From Canada they will pour down + their Indians. A dispute about the boundaries + will always be an easy quarrel. And + if their cunning can inveigle us into a false + security, twenty or thirty years hence we + may have neither generals nor soldiers to + stop them." + + </p> + </blockquote> + </div> + <div class="teidiv"> + <h3><a name="article10"></a> + ARTICLE X. + + SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + EDMUND BURKE, ON A MOTION FOR AN + ADDRESS OF THANKS TO HIS MAJESTY (ON + THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER, 1783) FOR HIS + GRACIOUS COMMUNICATION OF A TREATY + OF COMMERCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN + GEORGE THE THIRD, KING, &C. AND THE + UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + </h3> + <p> + We were very apprehensive upon Mr. + Burke's coming into administration, + that this circumstance might have proved a + bar to any further additions to the valuable + collection of his speeches already in the hands + of the public. If we imagined that our verdict + could make any addition to the very + great and deserved reputation in which they + are held, we should not scruple to say that + were Cicero our contemporary, and Mr. + Burke the ancient, we are persuaded that + there would not be a second opinion upon + the comparative merits of their orations. In + the same degree as the principles of the latter + + are unquestionably more unsullied, + and his spirit more independent; do we + esteem him to excel in originality of genius, + and sublimity of conception. + + </p> + <p> + We will give two extracts; one animadverting + upon the preliminaries of peace concluded + by the earl of Shelburne; the other + a character of David Hartley, Esq. + + </p> + <blockquote> + <p> + "I know that it has been given out, that + by the ability and industry of their predecessors + we found peace and order established + to our hands; and that the present ministers + had nothing to inherit, but emolument + and indolence, <i>otium cum dignitate.</i> + Sir, I will inform you what kind of peace + and leisure the late ministers had provided. + They were indeed assiduous in their devotion; + they erected a temple to the goddess + of peace. But it was so hasty and incorrect + a structure, the foundation was so imperfect, + the materials so gross and unwrought, + and the parts so disjointed, + + that it would have been much easier to + have raised an entire edifice from the + ground, than to have reduced the injudicious + sketch that was made to any regularity + of form. Where you looked for + a shrine, you found only a vestibule; + instead of the chapel of the goddess, there + was a wide and dreary lobby; and neither + altar nor treasury were to be found. There + was neither greatness of design, nor accuracy + of finishing. The walls were full of + gaps and flaws, the winds whistled through + the spacious halls, and the whole building + tottered over our heads. + + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hartley, sir, is a character, that + must do honour to his country and to human + nature. With a strong and independent + judgment, with a capacious and + unbounded benevolence, he devoted himself + from earliest youth for his brethren + and fellow creatures. He has united a + character highly simple and inartificial, + + with the wisdom of a true politician. Not + by the mean subterfuges of a professed + negociator; not by the dark, fathomless + cunning of a mere statesman; but by an + extensive knowledge of the interest and + character of nations; by an undisguised + constancy in what is fit and reasonable; + by a clear and vigorous spirit that disdains + imposition. He has met the accommodating + ingenuity of France; he has met the + haughty inflexibility of Spain upon their + own ground, and has completely routed + them. He loosened them from all their + holdings and reserves; he left them not a + hole, nor a corner to shelter themselves. + He has taught the world a lesson we had + long wanted, that simple and unaided virtue + is more than a match for the unbending + armour of pride, and the exhaustless + evolutions of political artifice." + + </p> + </blockquote> + </div> + </div> + <p> + FINIS. + + </p> + <hr> + <address> 1783 By WILLIAM GODWIN. + <br> + <!-- +Generated from projectID3f5c705938b0b using an XSLT version 1 stylesheet +based on c:\downloads\saxon6_5_3teihtml.xsl +processed using SAXON 6.5.3 from Michael Kay +on 2004-01-04T14:35:10-06:00--></address> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Four Early Pamphlets, by William Godwin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + +***** This file should be named 10597-h.htm or 10597-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/5/9/10597/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Four Early Pamphlets + +Author: William Godwin + +Release Date: January 5, 2004 [EBook #10597] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS + +BY WILLIAM GODWIN + +1783 + + + + [A Defense of the Rockingham Party, in Their Late Coalition with + the Right Honorable Frederic Lord North] + + + + [Instructions to a Statesman] + + + + [An Account of the Seminary] + + + + [The Herald of Literature] + + + + + +A + +DEFENCE + +OF THE + +ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + +IN THEIR LATE + +COALITION + +WITH + +THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FREDERIC LORD NORTH. + + +LONDON: Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington House, Piccadilly. +1783. [Price One Shilling and Sixpence.] _Entered at Stationers Hall._ + + +A + + + +DEFENCE + + + +OF THE + + + +ROCKINGHAM PARTY, + + + +&C. &C. &C. + + + + * * * * * + +The present reign will certainly appear to our posterity full of the +noblest materials for history. Many circumstances seem to have pointed +it out as a very critical period. The general diffusion of science has, +in some degree, enlightened the minds of all men; and has cleared such, +as have any influence upon the progress of manners and society, from a +thousand unworthy pre-possessions. The dissipation and luxury that reign +uncontrouled have spread effiminacy and irresolution every where.--The +grand defection of the United States of America from the mother country, +is one of the most interesting events, that has engaged the attention of +Europe for centuries. And the number of extraordinary geniuses that have +distinguished themselves in the political world, gives a dignity to the +scene. They pour a lustre over the darkest parts of the story, and +bestow a beauty upon the tragedy, that it could not otherwise have +possessed. + +At a time like this, when the attention of mankind has been kept alive +by a series of the most important events, we cease to admire at things +which would otherwise appear uncommon, and wonders almost lose their +name. Even now, however, when men were almost grown callous to novelty, +and the youngest of us had, like Cato in the play, lived long enough to +be "surprised at nothing," a matter has occurred which few expected, and +to which, for that reason, men of no great strength of mind, of no nerve +of political feeling, scarcely know how to reconcile themselves. I refer +to the coalition between the friends of the late marquis of Rockingham +and the noble commoner in the blue ribbon. + +The manner of blaming this action is palpable and easy. The censure is +chiefly directed against that wonderful man, whom, at least in their +hearts, his countrymen, I believe, have agreed to regard as the person +of brightest genius, and most extensive capacity, that now adorns the +British senate. Has not this person, we are asked, for years attacked +the noble lord in the most unqualified manner? Is there any aspersion, +any insinuation, that he has not thrown out upon his character? Has he +not represented him as the weakest man, and the worst minister, to whom +the direction of affairs was ever committed? Has he not imputed to his +prerogative principles, and his palpable misconduct, the whole catalogue +of our misfortunes? If such men as these are to unite for the detested +purposes of ambition, what security can we have for any thing valuable, +that yet remains to us? Is not this the very utmost reach of frontless +profligacy? What dependence after this is to be placed in the man, who +has thus given the lie to all his professions, and impudently flown in +the face of that honest and unsuspecting virtue, which had hitherto +given him credit for the rectitude of his intentions? + +I do not mean for the present to enter into a direct answer to these +several observations. I leave it to others, to rest the weight of their +cause upon sounding exclamations and pompous interogatories. For myself, +I am firmly persuaded, that the oftner the late conduct of the +Rockingham connexion is summoned to the bar of fair reason, the more +cooly it is considered, and the less the examiner is led away by the +particular prejudices of this side or of that, the more commendable it +will appear. We do not fear the light. We do not shun the scrutiny. We +are under no apprehensions for the consequences. + +I will rest my argument upon the regular proof of these three +propositions. + +First--That the Rockingham connexion, was the only connexion by which +the country could be well served. + +Secondly--That they were not by themselves of sufficient strength to +support the weight of administration. + +Thirdly--That they were not the men whose services were the most likely +to be called for by the sovereign, in the present crisis. + +First--I am to prove, that the country could not be well served but by +the Rockingham connexion. + +There are three points principally concerned in the constituting a good +administration; liberal principles, respectable abilities, and +incorruptible integrity.--Let us examine with a view to these, the other +four parties in the British government. The connexion of the earl of +Shelburne, that of lord North, the Bedford party, and the Scottish. In +reviewing these, it is necessary that I should employ a manly freedom, +though, at the same time, I should be much unwilling to do a partial +injustice to any of them. + +It is true, there is some difference between the language of the same +men in office, and out of office. The Bedford connexion, however, have +never been conceived to bear an over favourable aspect to the cause of +liberty. They are the avowed enemies of innovation and reform. + +The Scottish party are pretty much confounded with the set of men that +are called, by way of distinction, the king's friends. The design of +these men has been to exalt regal power and prerogative upon the ruins +of aristocracy, and the neck of the people. Arguments, and those by no +means of a frivolous description, have been brought to prove, that a +most subtle and deep-laid scheme was formed by them, in the beginning of +the reign, to subserve this odious purpose. It has been supposed to have +been pursued with the most inflexible constancy, and, like a skiff, when +it sails along the meandering course of a river, finally to have turned +to account the most untoward gales. + +Lord North, whatever we may suppose to have been his intrinsic +abilities, stands forward, as, perhaps, the most unfortunate minister, +that this country ever produced. Misfortune overtook him in the +assertion of the highest monarchical principles. In spite of misfortune, +he adherred inflexibly to that assertion. In the most critical +situations he remained in a state of hesitation and uncertainty, till +the tide, that "taken at the flood, led up to fortune," was lost. His +versatility, and the undisguised attachment, that he manifested to +emolument and power, were surely unworthy of the stake that was +entrusted to him. + +In what I have now said, I do not much fear to be contradicted. It was +not with a view to such as are attached to any of these parties, that I +have taken up the pen. Those who come under this description, are almost +universally the advocates of monarchy, and think that they have nothing +to regret, but that power and police are not established upon a more +uncontrolable footing among us. To such persons I do not address myself. +I know of nothing that the friends of lord Rockingham have to offer that +can be of any weight with them; and, for my own part, I should blush to +say a word, that should tend to conciliate their approbation to a +system, in which my heart was interested. The men I wish chiefly to have +in view, are those that are personally attached to the earl of +Shelburne; such as stand aloof from all parties, and are inclined to +have but an indifferent opinion of any; and such as have adhered to the +connexion I have undertaken to defend, but whose approbation has been +somewhat cooled by their late conduct. The two last in particular, I +consider as least under the power of prejudice, and most free to the +influence of rational conviction. + +The friends of freedom have, I believe, in no instance hesitated, but +between the Rockingham connexion, and the earl of Shelburne. It is these +two then that it remains for me to examine. Lord Shelburne had the +misfortune of coming very early upon the public stage. At that time he +connected himself with the earl of Bute, and entered with warmth into +the opposition to Mr. secretary Pitt. In this system of conduct, +however, he did not long persist; he speedily broke with the favourite, +and soon after joined the celebrated hero, that had lately been the +object of his attack. By this person he was introduced to a considerable +post in administration. In office, he is chiefly remembered by the very +decisive stile of authority and censure he employed, in a public letter, +relative to the resistance that was made to the act of 1767, for +imposing certain duties in America. From his resignation with lord +Chatham, he uniformly and strenuously opposed the measures that were +adopted for crushing that resistance. He persevered, with much apparent +constancy, in one line of conduct for near ten years, and this is +certainly the most plausible period of his story. He first called forth +the suspicions of generous and liberal men in every rank of society, by +his resolute opposition to the American independency in 1778. But it was +in the administration, that seemed to have been formed under so +favourable auspices in the spring of 1782, that he came most forward to +general examination. + +The Rockingham connexion, in conformity to what were then supposed to be +the wishes of the people, united, though not without some hesitation, +with the noble earl and his adherents, in the conduct of public affairs. +And how did he reward their confidence? He was careful to retain the +question respecting his real sentiments upon the business of America, in +as much obscurity as ever. He wrote officially a letter to sir Guy +Carleton, which has never seen the light, by which that officer was +induced to declare the American independency already irreversibly +recognised by the court of London; by which he appears to have deceived +all his brother ministers without exception; and by which Mr. Fox in +particular, was induced to make the same declaration with general +Carleton to foreign courts, and to come forward in the commons +peremptorily to affirm, that there was not a second opinion in the +cabinet, upon this interesting subject. How must a man of his +undisguised and manly character have felt, when, within a week from this +time, he found the noble earl declaring that nothing had ever been +further from his thoughts, than an unconditional recognition; and +successfully exerting himself to bring over a majority in the cabinet to +the opposite sentiment? Lord Shelburne's obtaining, or accepting, call +it which you will, of the office of first lord of the treasury, upon the +demise of lord Rockingham, without the privity of his fellow Ministers, +was contrary to every maxim of ingenuous conduct, and every principle +upon which an association of parties can be supported. The declaration +he made, and which was contradicted both by his own friends in the +cabinet, and those of Mr. Fox, that he knew of no reason _in God's +earth_ for that gentleman's resignation, but that of his having +succeeded to the office of premier, was surely sufficiently singular. + +But he is celebrated for being a man of large professions, and by these +professions he has induced some persons in different classes in society, +to esteem him the friend of liberty and renovation. What he has held +out, however, upon these heads, has not been entirely confident. He has +appeared the enthusiastical partizan of the aristocracy, a kind of +government, which, carried to its height, is perhaps, of all the +different species of despotism, the most intolerable. He has talked in a +very particular stile of his fears of reducing the regal power to a +shadow, of his desire that the extension of prerogative should keep pace +with the confirmation of popular rights, and his resolution, that, if it +were in his power to prevent it, a king of England should never be +brought to a level with a king of Mahrattas. The true sons of freedom +will not certainly be very apprehensive upon this score, and will leave +it to the numbers that will ever remain the adherents of monarchical +power, to guard the barriers of the throne. In opposition, his +declarations in favour of parliamentary reform seemed indeed very +decisive. In administration, he was particularly careful to explain away +these declarations, and to assure the people that he would never employ +any influence in support of the measure, but would only countenance it +so far as it appeared to be the sense of parliament. In other words, +that he would remain neutral, or at most only honour the subject with an +eloquent harangue, and interest himself no further respecting it. + +But let us proceed from his language to his conduct in office. Almost +every salutary measure of administration, from the resignation of lord +North downward, was brought about during the union of the noble earl +with the Rockingham connexion. What inference are we to draw from +this?--That administration, as auspicious as it was transitory, has +never been charged with more than one error. They were thought too +liberal in the distribution of two or three sinecures and pensions. To +whom were they distributed? Uniformly, exclusively, to the friends of +lord Shelburne. Lord Shelburne proposed them to his august colleague, +and the marquis, whose faults, if he had any, were an excess of +mildness, and an unsuspecting simplicity, perhaps too readily complied. +But let it be remembered, that not one of his friends accepted, or to +not one of his friends were these emoluments extended. But, if the noble +marquis were sparing in the distribution of pensions, the deficiency was +abundantly supplied by his successor. While the interests of the people +were neglected and forgotten, the attention of the premier was in a +considerable degree engrossed by the petty arrangements of office. For +one man a certain department of business was marked out; the place had +been previously filled by another. Here the first person was at all +events to be promoted; and the second gratified with a pension. Thus, in +the minute detail of employment, in adjusting the indeclinables of a +court calendar, to detach a _commis_ from this department, and to fix a +clerk in that, burthen after burthen has been heaped upon the shoulders +of a callous and lethargic people.--But no man can say, that the earl of +Shelburne has been idle. Beside all this, he has restored peace to his +country. His merits in this business, have already been sufficiently +agitated. To examine them afresh would lead me too far from the scope of +my subject. I will not therefore now detain myself either to exculpate +or criminate the minister, to whom, whatever they are, they are +principally to be ascribed. + +From the considerations already suggested, I am afraid thus much may be +fairly inferred, that the earl of Shelburne is a man, dark, insidious +and inexplicit in his designs; no decided friend of the privileges of +the people; and in both respects a person very improper to conduct the +affairs of this country. I would hope however, that the celebrated +character given of him by the late lord Holland was somewhat too severe. +"I have met with many, who by perseverance and labour have made +themselves Jesuits; it is peculiar to this man to have been born one." + +Such then is the estimate we are compelled to form of a man who in his +professions has sometimes gone as far, as the most zealous votaries of +liberty. And what is the inference we shall draw from this? Shall we, +for the sake of one man so specious and plausible, learn to think the +language of all men equally empty and deceitful? Having once been +betrayed, shall we avoid all future risk, by treating every pretender to +patriotism and public spirit, as a knave and an impostor? This indeed is +a conclusion to which the unprincipled and the vicious are ever +propense. They judge of their fellows by themselves, and from the +depravity of their own hearts are willing to infer, that every honesty +has its price. But the very motive that inclines the depraved to such a +mode of reasoning, must, upon the very same account, deter the man of +virtue from adopting it. Virtue is originally ever simple and +unsuspecting. Conscious to its own rectitude, and the integrity of its +professions, it naturally expects the same species of conduct from +others. By every disappointment of this kind, it is mortified and +humbled. Long, very long must it have been baffled, and countless must +have been its mortifications, ere it can be induced to adopt a principle +of general mistrust. And that such a principle should have so large a +spread among persons, whose honesty, candour forbids us to suspect, is +surely, of all the paradoxe upon the face of the earth, incomparably the +greatest.--The man of virtue then will be willing, before he gives up +all our political connexions without distinction, to go along with me to +the review of the only one that yet remains to be examined, that of the +late marquis of Rockingham. + +Too much perhaps cannot be said in their praise. They have nearly +engrossed the confidence of every friend of liberty. They are the only +men, whose principles were never darkened with the cloud of suspicion. +What, let me ask, has been their uniform conduct during the whole course +of the reign? They have been ever steady in their opposition, to +whatever bore an ill aspect to the cause of freedom, and to the whole +train of those political measures, that have terminated in calamity and +ruin. They have been twice in administration. Prosperity and power are +usually circumstances that prove the severest virtue. While in power how +then did this party conduct themselves? + +Of their first administration the principal measure was the stamp act. A +law that restored tranquility to a distracted empire. A law, to which, +if succeeding administrations had universally adhered, we had been at +this moment, the exclusive allies and patrons of the whole continent of +North America. A law, that they carried in opposition to the all-dreaded +Mr. Pitt, on the one hand, and on the other, against the inclination of +those secret directors, from whose hands they receive their delegated +power. They repealed the excise upon cyder. They abolished general +warrants. And after having been the authors of these and a thousand +other benefits in the midst of storms and danger; they quitted their +places with a disinterestedness, that no other set of men have imitated. +They secured neither place, pension, nor reversion to themselves, or any +of their adherents. + +Their second administration was indeed very short. But it was crowded +with the most salutary measures. The granting a full relief to Ireland. +The passing several most important bills of oeconomy and reformation. +The passing the contractors bill. The carrying into effect that most +valuable measure, the abolishing the vote of custom-house officers in +the election of members of parliament. And lastly, the attempt to +atchieve, that most important of all objects, the establishment of an +equal representation. What might not have been expected from their +longer continuance in office? + +But I will not confine myself to the consideration of their conduct as a +body. The characters of the individuals of which they are composed, will +still further illustrate their true principles, and furnish a strong +additional recommendation of them, to every friend of virtue and of +liberty. That I may not overcharge this part of my subject, I will only +mention two or three of their most distinguished leaders. + +The character of the present chancellor of the exchequer is entirely an +_unique_. Though mixing in all the busy scenes of life, though occupying +for many years a principal place in the political affairs of this +country, he has _kept himself unspotted from the world_.--The word of +the elder Cato was esteemed so sacred with the Romans, that it became a +proverb among them respecting things, so improbable, that their truth +could not be established even by the highest authority, "I would not +believe it, though it were told me by Cato." And in an age much more +dissipated than that of Cato, the integrity and honour of the noble lord +I have mentioned, has become equally proverbial. Not bonds, nor deeds, +nor all the shackles of law, are half so much to be depended upon as is +his lightest word. He is deaf to all the prejudices of blood or private +friendship, and has no feelings but for his country. + +Of the duke of Portland, I can say the less, as not having had an +opportunity of knowing much respecting him. His candour and his honour +have never been questioned. And I remember, in the debate upon the +celebrated secession of the Rockingham party, upon the death of their +leader, to have heard his abilities particularly vouched in very strong +terms, by Mr. chancellor Pitt, and the present lord Sidney. The latter +in particular, though one of my lord Shelburne's secretaries of state, +fairly avowed in so many words, that he should have been better +satisfied with the appointment of his grace, to the office he now holds, +than he was, with the noble lord, under whom he acted. + +The character of lord Keppel, with persons not attached to any party, +has usually been that of a man of much honesty and simplicity, without +any remarkable abilities. It is a little extraordinary however, that, +though forced by a combination of unfavourable circumstances into a +public speaker, he is yet, even in that line, very far from contempt. +His speeches are manly, regular, and to the purpose. His defence upon +his trial at Portsmouth, in which he must naturally be supposed to have +had at least a principal share, has, in my opinion, much beauty of +composition. The adversaries of this party, though unwilling to admit +that the navy was so much improved under his auspices as was asserted, +have yet, I believe, universally acknowledged his particular activity +and diligence. + +But I come to the great beast of his own party, and the principal object +of attack to their enemies, the celebrated Mr. Fox. Men of formality and +sanctity have complained of him as dissipated. They do not pretend +however to aggravate their accusation, by laying to his charge any of +the greater vices. His contempt of money, and his unbounded generosity, +are universally confessed. Let such then know, that dissipation, so +qualified, is a very slight accusation against a public man, if indeed +it deserves a serious consideration. In all expansive minds, in minds +formed for an extensive stage, to embrace the welfare and the interest +of nations, there is a certain incessant activity, a principle that must +be employed. Debar them from their proper field, and it will most +inevitably run out into excesses, which perhaps had better have been +avoided. But do these excrescences, which only proceed from the richness +and fertility of the soil, disqualify a man for public business? Far, +very far from it. Where ever was there a man, who pushed dissipation and +debauchery to a greater length, than my lord Bolingbroke? And yet it is +perhaps difficult to say, whether there ever existed a more industrious, +or an abler minister. The peace of Utrecht, concluded amidst a thousand +difficulties, from our allies abroad, and our parties, that were never +so much exasperated against each other at home; must ever remain the +monument of his glory. His opposition to sir Robert Walpole seems +evidently to have been founded upon the most generous principles. And +though the warmth and ebullition of his passions evermore broke in upon +his happiest attempts, yet were his exertions in both instances attended +with the most salutary consequences. But Mr. Fox appears to me to +possess all the excellencies, without any of the defects of lord +Bolingbroke. His passions have, I believe, never been suspected of +having embroiled the affairs of his party, and he has uniformly retained +the confidence of them all. His friendships have been solid and +unshaken. His conduct cool and intrepid. The littleness of jealousy +never discoloured a conception of his heart. In office he was more +constant and indefatigable, than lord Bolingbroke himself. All his +lesser pursuits seemed annihilated, and he was swallowed up in the +direction of public affairs. + +He has been accused of ambition. Ambition is a very ambiguous term. In +its lowest sense, it sinks the meanest, and degrades the dirtiest of our +race. In its highest, I cannot agree with those who stile it the defect +of noble minds. I esteem it worthy of the loudest commendation, and the +most assiduous culture. Mr. Fox's is certainly not an ambition of +emolument. Nobody dreams it. It is not an ambition, that can be +gratified by the distribution of places and pensions. This is a passion, +that can only dwell in the weakest and most imbecil minds. Its necessary +concomitants, are official inattention and oscitancy. No. The ambition +of this hero is a generous thirst of fame, and a desire of possessing +the opportunity of conferring the most lasting benefits upon his +country. It is an instinct, that carries a man forward into the field of +fitness, and of God. + +The vulgar, incapable of comprehending these exalted passions, are apt +upon the slightest occasions to suspect, that this heroical language is +only held out to them for a lure, and that the most illustrious +characters among us are really governed by passions, equally incident to +the meanest of mankind. Let such examine the features and the manners +of Mr. Fox. Was that man made for a Jesuit? Is he capable of the dirty, +laborious, insidious tricks of a hypocrite? Is there not a certain +manliness about him, that disdains to mislead? Are not candour and +sincerity, bluntness of manner, and an unstudied air, conspicuous in all +he does?--I know not how far the argument may go with others, with me, I +confess, it has much weight. I believe a man of sterling genius, +incapable of the littlenesses and meannesses, incident to the vulgar +courtier. What are the principal characteristics of genius? Are they not +large views, infinite conceptions, a certain manliness and intrepidity +of thinking? But all real and serious vice originates in selfish views, +narrow conceptions, and intellectual cowardice. A man of genius may +possibly be thoughtless, dissipated and unstudied; but he cannot avoid +being constant, generous, and sincere. The union of first rate abilities +with malignity, avarice, and envy, seems to me very nearly as incredible +a phenomenon, as a mermaid, a unicorn, or a phoenix. + +I cannot overcome the propensity I feel to add Mr. Burke to this +illustrious catalogue, though the name of this gentleman leads me out of +the circle of the cabinet. Mr. Burke raised himself from an obscure +situation, by the greatness of his abilities, and his unrivalled genius. +Never was distinction more nobly earned. Of every species of literary +composition he is equally a master. He excels alike in the most abstruse +metaphysical disquisition, and in the warmest and most spirited +painting. His rhetoric is at once ornamented and sublime. His satire is +polished and severe. His wit is truly Attic. Luxuriant in the extreme, +his allusions are always striking, and always happy. But to enumerate +his talents, is to tell but half his praise. The application he has made +of them is infinitely more to his honour. He has devoted himself for his +country. The driest and most laborious investigations have not deterred +him. Among a thousand other articles, that might be mentioned, his +system of oeconomical reform must for ever stand forth, alike the +monument of his abilities, and his patriotism. His personal character is +of the most amiable kind. Humanity and benevolence are strongly painted +in his countenance. His transactions with lord Rockingham were in the +highest degree honourable to him. And the more they are investigated, +and the better they are understood, the more disinterestedness of +virtue, and generous singularity of thinking, will be found to have been +exhibited on both sides. + +It is necessary perhaps, that I should say a word respecting the +aristocratical principles of this gentleman, by which he is +distinguished from the rest of his party. To these principles I profess +myself an enemy. I am sorry they should be entertained by a person, for +whom, in every other respect, I feel the highest veneration. But the +views of that man must be truly narrow, who will give up the character +of another, the moment he differs from him in any of his principles. I +am sure Mr. Burke is perfectly sincere in his persuasion. And I hope I +have long since learned not to question the integrity of any man, upon +account of his tenets, whether in religion or politics, be they what +they may. I rejoice however, that this gentleman has connected himself +with a set of men, by the rectitude of whose views, I trust, the ill +tendency of any such involuntary error will be effectually counteracted. +In the mean time this deviation of Mr. Burke from the general principles +of his connexion, has given occasion to some to impute aristocratical +views to the whole party. The best answer to this, is, that the +parliamentary reform was expressly stipulated by lord Rockingham, in his +coalition with the earl of Shelburne, as one of the principles, upon +which the Administration of March, 1782, was formed. + +From what has been said, I consider my first proposition as completely +established, that the Rockingham party was the only connexion of men, by +which the country could be well served. + +I would however just observe one thing by the way. I forsee that my +first proposition lies open to a superficial and childish kind of +ridicule. But in order to its operation, it is not necessary to say, +that the friends of lord Rockingham were persuaded, that the country +could not be well served, but by themselves. In reality, this is the +proper and philosophical state of it: that each individual of that +connexion was persuaded, that the country could not be well served but +by his friends. And I trust, it has now appeared, that this was a just +and rational persuasion. + +The next argument adduced in conformation of my thesis, is, that they +were not by themselves of sufficient strength, to support the weight of +administration. It is certainly a melancholy consideration, that there +should not be virtue enough left in a people to support an +administration of honest views and uniform principles, against all the +cabals of faction. This however, is incontrovertibly the case with +Britain. The bulk of her inhabitants are become, in a very high degree, +inattentive, and indifferent to the conduct of her political affairs. +This has been, at one time, ascribed to their despair of the +commonwealth, and their mortification in perceiving a certain course of +mal-administration persisted in, in defiance of the known sense of the +country. At another time, it has been imputed to their experience of the +hollowness of all our public pretenders to patriotism. I am afraid, the +cause is to be sought in something, more uniform in it's operation, and +less honourable to the lower ranks of society, than either of these. In +a word, luxury and dissipation have every where loosened the bands of +political union. The interest of the public has been forgotten by all +men; and we have been taught to laugh at the principles, by which the +patriots of former ages were induced, to sacrifice their fortunes and +their lives for the welfare of their citizens. Provided the cup of +enjoyment be not dashed from our own lips, and the pillow of sloth torn +away from our own heads, we do not ask, what shall be the fate of our +liberties, our posterity, and our country. Disinterested affection seems +to have taken up her last refuge in a few choice spirits, and elevated +minds, who appear among us, like the inhabitants of another world. In +the mean time, while the lower people have been _careful for none of +these things_, they have been almost constantly decided in the senate, +not by a view to their intrinsic merits, but in conformity to the +jarring interests, and the inexplicable cabals of faction. In such a +situation, alas! what can unprotected virtue do? Destitute of all that +comeliness that allures; stripped of that influence that gives weight +and consideration; and unskilled in the acts of intrigue? + +In conformity to these ideas, when the choice of an administration was +once again thrown back upon the people, in March, 1782, we perceive, +that no one party found themselves sufficiently strong for the support +of government; and a coalition became necessary between the Rockingham +connexion, and a person they never cordially approved, the earl of +Shelburne. Even thus supported, and called to the helm, with perhaps as +much popularity, as any administration ever enjoyed, they did not carry +their measure in parliament without difficulty. The inconsiderate and +interested did even think proper to ridicule their imbecility; +particularly in the house of lords. The most unsuspected of all our +patriots, Mr. Burke, was reduced to the necessity of so far contracting +his system of reform upon this account, as to have afforded a handle to +superficial raillery and abuse. + +But turn we to the administration that succeeded them; who still +retained some pretensions to public spirit; and among whom there +remained several individuals, whose claim to political integrity was +indisputably. Weaker than the ministry of lord Rockingham, to what +shifts were they not reduced to preserve their precarious power? These +are the men, who have been loudest in their censures of the late +coalition. And yet did not they form coalitions, equally extraordinary +with that which is now under consideration? To omit the noble lord who +presided at the treasury board, and to confine myself to those +instances, which Mr. Fox had occasion to mention in treating my subject. +Was there not the late chancellor of the exchequer, who has been +severest in his censures of lord North, and the lord advocate of +Scotland, who was his principal supporter, and was for pushing the +American measures, even to greater lengths, than the noble patron +himself? Was there not the master general of the ordnance, who has ever +gone farthest in his view of political reform, and declaimed most warmly +against secret influence; and the lord chancellor, the most determined +enemy of reform, and who has been supposed the principal vehicle of that +influence? Lastly, was there not, in the same manner, the secretary of +state for the home department, who was most unwearied in his invectives +against lord Bute; and the right honourable Mr. Jenkinson, who has been +considered by the believers in the invisible power of that nobleman, as +the chief instrument of his designs. + +With these examples of the necessity of powerful support and extensive +combination, what mode of conduct was it, that it was most natural, most +virtuous, and most wise, for the Rockingham connexion to adopt? I +confess, I can perceive none more obvious, or more just, than that which +they actually adopted, a junction with the noble commoner in the blue +ribbon. At least, from what has been said, I trust, thus much is evident +beyond control, that they had just reason to consider themselves +abstractedly, as too weak for the support of government. + +Still further to strengthen my argument, I affirm, in the third place, +that they were not the men, whose services were likely to be called for +by the Sovereign. I believe, that this proposition will not be thought +to stand in need of any very abstruse train of reasoning to support it. +The late events respecting it have been, instead of a thousand +arguments. From an apprehension, probably, of the uncourtierliness of +their temper, and their inflexible attachment to a system; it seems to +appear by those events, that the sovereign had contracted a sort of +backwardness to admit them into his councils, which it is to be hoped, +was only temporary. It was however such, as, without any other apparent +cause to cooperate with it, alone sufficed to delay the forming an +administration for six weeks, in a most delicate and critical juncture. +Even the union of that noble person, who had been considered as his +majesty's favourite minister, did not appear to be enough to subdue the +averseness. However then we may hope, that untainted virtue and superior +abilities, when more intimately known, may be found calculated to +surmount prejudices and conciliate affection; it seems but too evident, +that in the critical moment, those men, by whom alone we have +endeavoured to prove, that the country could be well served, would not +voluntarily have been thought on. + +But it does not seem to have been enough considered, at what time the +coalition was made. The Rockingham connexion, along with thousands of +their fellow citizens, who were unconnected with any party, were +induced, from the purest views, to disapprove of the late treaty of +peace. The voting with the friends of lord North upon that question, was +a matter purely incidental. By that vote however, in which a majority of +the commons house of parliament was included, the administration of lord +Shelburne was dissolved. It was not till after the dissolution was +really effected, that the coalition took place. In this situation +something was necessary to be done. The nation was actually without a +ministry. It was a crisis that did not admit of hesitation and delay. +The country must, if a system of delay had been adopted, have +immediately been thrown back into the hands of those men, from whom it +had been so laboriously forced scarce twelve months before; or it must +have been committed to the conduct of persons even less propitious to +the cause of liberty, and the privileges of the people. A situation, +like this, called for a firm and manly conduct. It was no longer a time +to stoop to the yoke of prejudice. It was a time, to burst forth into +untrodden paths; to lose sight of the hesitating and timid; and +generously to adventure upon a step, that should rather have in view +substantial service, than momentary applause; and should appeal from the +short-sighted decision of systematic prudence, to the tribunal of facts, +and the judgment of posterity. + +But why did I talk of the tribunal of facts? Events are not within the +disposition of human power. "'Tis not in mortals to command success." +And the characters of wisdom and virtue, are therefore very properly +considered by all men, who pretend to sober reflection, as independent +of it. If then, as I firmly believe, the coalition was founded in the +wisest and most generous views, the man, that values himself upon his +rational nature, will not wait for the event. He will immediately and +peremptorily decide in its favour. Though it should be annihilated +to-morrow; though it had been originally frustrated in its views, +respecting the continuation of a ministry; he would not hesitate to +pronounce, that it was formed in the most expansive and long-sighted +policy, in the noblest and most prudent daring, in the warmest +generosity, and the truest patriotism. + +But it will be said, a coalition of parties may indeed be allowed to be +in many cases proper and wise; but a coalition between parties who have +long treated each other with the extremest rancour, appears a species of +conduct, abhorrent to the unadulterated judgment, and all the native +prepossessions of mankind. It plucks away the very root of unsuspecting +confidence, and can be productive of nothing, but anarchy and confusion. + +In answer to this argument, I will not cite the happy effects of the +coalition between parties just as opposite, by which Mr. Pitt was +introduced into office in the close of a former reign. Still less will I +cite the coalition of the earl of Shelburne, with several leaders of the +Bedford connexion, and others, whose principles were at least as +inimical to the popular cause, and the parliamentary reform, as those of +Lord North; and the known readiness of him and his friends to have +formed a junction with the whole of that connexion. I need not even hint +at the probability there exists, that the noble lord then in +administration, would have been happy to have formed the very coalition +himself, which he is willing we should so much reprobate in another. I +need not mention the suspicions, that naturally suggested themselves +upon the invincible silence of his party, respecting the +mal-administration of lord North, for so long a time; and their bringing +forward the singular charge of fifty unaccounted millions at the very +moment that the coalition was completed. I should be sorry to have it +supposed, that the connexion I am defending, ever took an example from +the late premier, for one article of their conduct. And I think the mode +of vindicating them, not from temporary examples, but from eternal +reason, as it is in itself most striking and most honourable, so is it +not a whit less easy and obvious. + +Let it be remembered then, in the first place, that there was no other +connexion, sufficiently unquestionable in their sincerity, and of +sufficient weight in the senate, with which to form a coalition. The +Bedford party, had they even been willing to have taken this step in +conjunction with the friends of lord Rockingham, were already stripped +of some of their principal and ablest members, by the arts of lord +Shelburne. Whether these ought to be considered in sound reason, as more +or less obnoxious than lord North, I will not take upon me to determine. +Certain I am, that the Scottish connexion were, of all others, the most +suspicious in themselves, and the most odious to the people. The only +choice then that remained, was that which was made. The only subject for +deliberation, was, whether this choice were more or less laudable than, +on the other hand, the deserting entirely the interests of their +country, and leaving the vessel of the state to the mercy of the winds. + +Secondly, I would observe that the principal ground of dispute between +lord North and his present colleagues in administration, was done away +by the termination of the American war. An impeachment of the noble lord +for his past errors was perfectly out of the question. No one was mad +enough to expect it. A vein of public spirit, diffusing itself among all +ranks of society, is the indispensible concomitant of impeachments and +attainder. And such a temper, I apprehend, will not be suspected to be +characteristic of the age in which we live. But were it otherwise, the +Rockingham connexion certainly never stood in the way of an impeachment, +had it been meditated. And, exclusive of this question, I know of no +objection, that applies particular to the noble lord, in +contradistinction to any of the other parties into which we are divided. + +But, in the third place, the terms upon which the coalition was made, +form a most important article of consideration in estimating its merits. +They are generally understood to have been these two; that the +Rockingham connexion should at all times have a majority in the cabinet; +and that lord North should be removed to that "hospital of incurables," +as lord Chesterfield has stiled it, the house of lords. Surely these +articles are the happiest that could have been conceived for preserving +the power of administration, as much as may be, with the friends of the +people. Places, merely of emolument and magnificence, must be bestowed +somewhere. Where then can they be more properly lodged, than in the +hands of those who are best able to support a liberal and virtuous +administration? + +I beg leave to add once more, in the fourth place, that, whatever the +demerits of lord North as a minister may be supposed to have been, he is +perhaps, in a thousand other respects, the fittest man in the world to +occupy the second place in a junction of this sort. The union of the +Rockingham connexion with the earl of Shelburne last year, was, I will +admit, less calculated to excite popular astonishment, and popular +disapprobation, than the present. In the eye of cool reason and sober +foresight, I am apt to believe, it was much less wise and commendable. +Lord Shelburne, though he has been able to win over the good opinion of +several, under the notion of his being a friend of liberty, is really, +in many respects, stiffly aristocratical, or highly monarchical. Lord +Shelburne is a man of insatiable ambition, and who pursues the ends of +that ambition by ways the most complex and insidious. The creed of lord +North, whatever it may be, upon general political questions, is +consistent and intelligible. For my own part, I do not believe him to be +ambitious. It is not possible, with his indolent and easy temper, that +he should be very susceptible to so restless a passion. In the heroical +sense of that word, he sits loose to fame. He is undoubtedly desirous, +by all the methods that appear to him honourable and just, to enrich and +elevate his family. He wishes to have it in his power to oblige and to +serve his friends. But I am exceedingly mistaken, if he entered into the +present alliance from views of authority and power. Upon the conditions +I have mentioned, it was a scheme, congenial only to a man of a dark and +plotting temper. But the temper of lord North is in the highest degree +candid, open and undisguised. Easy at home upon every occasion, there is +not a circle in the world to which his presence would not be an +addition. It is calculated to inspire unconstraint and confidence into +every breast. Simple and amiable is the just description of his +character in every domestic relation; constant and unreserved in his +connexions of friendship. The very versatility and pliableness, so +loudly condemned in his former situation, is now an additional +recommendation. Is this the man, for whose intrigues and conspiracies +we are bid to tremble? + +Another charge that has been urged against the coalition, is, that it +was a step that dictated to the sovereign, and excluded all, but one +particular set of men, from the national councils. The first part of +this charge is somewhat delicate in its nature. I shall only say +respecting it, that, if, as we have endeavoured to prove, there were but +one connexion, by which the business of administration could be happily +discharged, the friend of liberty, rejoicing in the auspicious event, +will not be very inquisitive in respect to the etiquette, with which +they were introduced into the government. In the mean time, far from +intending an exclusion, they declared publicly, that they would be happy +to receive into their body any man of known integrity and abilities, +from whatever party he came. The declaration has never been +contradicted.--Strangers to the remotest idea of proscription, they +erected a fortress, where every virtue, and every excellence might find +a place. + +The only remaining objection to the coalition that I know of, that it +shocks established opinions, is not, I think, in itself, calculated to +have much weight, and has, perhaps, been sufficiently animadverted upon, +as we went along, in what has been already said. The proper question is, +was it a necessary step? Was there any other way, by which the country +could be redeemed? If a satisfactory answer has been furnished to these +enquiries, the inevitable conclusion in my opinion is, that the more it +mocked established opinions, and the more intellectual nerve it +demanded, the more merit did it possess, and the louder applause is its +due. + +I am not inclined to believe, that a majority of my countrymen, upon +reflection, have disapproved this measure. I am happy to perceive, that +so much of that good sense and manly thinking in public questions, that +has for ages been considered as the characteristic quality of +Englishmen, is still left among us. There can be nothing more honourable +than this.--By it our commonalty, though unable indeed to forestal the +hero and the man of genius in his schemes, do yet, if I may be allowed +the expression, tread upon his heels, and are prepared to follow him in +all his views, and to glow with all his sentiments. + +Sensible however, that in the first blush of such a scheme, its enemies +must necessarily find their advantage in entrenching themselves behind +those prejudices, that could not be eradicated in a moment, I was +willing to wait for the hour of calmness and deliberation. I resolved +cooly to let the first gush of prepossession blow over, and the spring +tide of censure exhaust itself. I believed, that such a cause demanded +only a fair and candid hearing. I have endeavoured to discharge my part +in obtaining for it such a hearing. And I must leave the rest to my +readers. + +Among these there probably will be some, who, struck with the force of +the arguments I have adduced on the one hand, and entangled in their +favourite prejudices on the other, will remain in a kind of suspence; +ashamed to retract their former opinions, but too honest to deny all +weight and consideration to those I have defended. To these I have one +word to say, and with that one word I will conclude. I will suppose you +to confess, that appearances, exclusive of the controverted step, are in +a thousand instances favourable to the new ministers. They have made the +strongest professions, and the largest promises of attachment to the +general cause. To professions and promises I do not wish you to trust. I +should blush to revive the odious and exploded maxim, not men, but +measures. If you cannot place some confidence in the present +administration, I advise you, as honest men, to do every thing in your +power to drive them from the helm. But you will hardly deny, that all +their former conduct has afforded reasons for confidence. You are ready +to admit, that, in no instance, but one, have they committed their +characters. In that one instance, they have much to say for themselves, +and it appears, at least, very possible, that they may have been acted +in it, by virtuous and generous principles, even though we should +suppose them mistaken. Remember then, that popularity and fame are the +very nutriment of virtue. A thirst for fame is not a weakness. It is +"the noble mind's distinguishing perfection." If then you would bind +administration by tenfold ties to the cause of liberty, do not withdraw +from them your approbation till they have forfeited it, by betraying, in +one plain and palpable instance, the principles upon which they have +formerly acted. I believe they need no new bonds, but are unchangeably +fixed in the generous system, with which they commenced. But thus much +is certain. If any thing can detach them from this glorious cause; if +any thing can cool their ardour for the common weal, there is nothing +that has half so great a tendency to effect this, as unmerited obloquy +and disgrace. + +FINIS. + + * * * * * + +NEW BOOKS, + +Printed for J. STOCKDALE, opposite Burlington-House, Piccadilly. + +STOCKDALE's NEW COMPANION to the LONDON KALENDAR, and COURT and CITY +REGISTER, for the Year 1783; being a List of all the CHANGES in +ADMINISTRATION, from the Accession of the present King, in October 1760, +to the present Time. 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Price 1s. + +An ATTEMPT to balance the INCOME and EXPENDITURE of the STATE: With some +Reflections on the Nature and Tendency of the late Political Struggles +for Power. By JOHN EARL of STAIR. Second Edition. Price 1s. + +THOUGHTS on a REFORM in the Representation of the People in the Commons +House of Parliament. Addressed to the Hon. WILLIAM PITT. Price 1s. 6d. + +Inscribed to the SOCIETY for promoting CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION. + +The NATURE and EXTENT of SUPREME POWER, in a Letter to the Rev. DAVID +WILLIAMS, (Author of Letters on Political Liberty) shewing the ultimate +end of Human Power, and a free Government, under God; and in which Mr. +Locke's Theory of Government is examined and explained, contrary to the +general construction of that great Writer's particular sentiments on the +Supremacy of the People. By M. DAWES, Esq. Price 1s. + + + + + +INSTRUCTIONS + +TO A + +STATESMAN. + +HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO + +THE RIGHT HONOURABLE + +GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + + +M.DCC.LXXXIV. + +TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE EARL TEMPLE. + +MY LORD, + +The following papers fell into my hands by one of those unaccountable +accidents, so frequent in human life, but which in the relation appear +almost incredible. I will not however trouble your lordship with the +story. If they be worthy of the press, it is of no great consequence to +the public how they found their way thither. If they afford your +lordship a moment's amusement, amidst the weightier cares incident to +your rank and fortune, I have obtained my end. + +I have endeavoured in vain to investigate who was their author, and to +whom they were addressed. It should seem, from the internal evidence of +the composition, that they were written by a person, who was originally +of a low rank or a menial station, but who was distinguished by his lord +for those abilities and talents, he imagined he discovered in him. I +have learned, by a kind of vague tradition, upon which I can place +little dependence, that the noble pupil was the owner of a magnificent +_chateau_ not a hundred miles from your lordship's admired seat in the +county of Buckingham. It is said that this nobleman, amidst a thousand +curiosities with which his gardens abounded, had the unaccountable whim +of placing a kind of artificial hermit in one of its wildest and most +solitary recesses. This hermit it seems was celebrated through the whole +neighbourhood, for his ingenuity in the carving of tobacco-stoppers, and +a variety of other accomplishments. Some of the peasants even mistook +him for a conjuror. If I might be allowed in the conjectural licence of +an editor, I should be inclined to ascribe the following composition to +this celebrated and ingenious solitaire. + +Since however this valuable tract remains without an owner, I thought it +could not be so properly addressed to any man as your lordship. I would +not however be misunderstood. I do not imagine that the claim this +performance has upon the public attention, consists in the value and +excellence of it's precepts. On the contrary, I consider it as the +darkest and most tremendous scheme for the establishment of despotism +that ever was contrived. If the public enter into my sentiments upon the +subject, they will consider it as effectually superseding Machiavel's +celebrated treatise of The Prince, and exhibiting a more deep-laid and +desperate system of tyranny. For my part, I esteem these great and +destructive vices of so odious a nature, that they need only be exposed +to the general view in order to the being scouted by all. And if, which +indeed I cannot possibly believe, there has been any noble lord in this +kingdom mean enough to have studied under such a preceptor, I would +willingly shame him out of his principles, and hold up to him a glass, +which shall convince him how worthy he is of universal contempt and +abhorrence. + +The true reason, my lord, for which I have presumed to prefix your name +to these sheets is, that the contrast between the precepts they contain, +and the ingenuous and manly character that is universally attributed to +your lordship, may place them more strongly in the light they deserve. +And yet I doubt not there will be some readers perverse enough to +imagine that you are the true object of the composition. They will find +out some of those ingenious coincidences, by which The Rape of the Lock, +was converted into a political poem, and the _Telemaque_ of the amiable +Fenelon into a satire against the government under which he lived. I +might easily appeal, against these treacherous commentators, to the +knowledge of all men reflecting every corner of your lordship's gardens +at Stowe. I might boldly defy any man to say, that they now contain, or +ever did contain, one of these artificial hermits. But I will take up +your lordship's defence upon a broader footing. I will demonstrate how +contrary the character of your ancestors and your own have always been +to the spirit and temper here inculcated. If this runs me a little into +the beaten style of dedication, even the modesty of your lordship will +excuse me, when I have so valuable a reason for adopting it. + +I shall confine myself, my lord, in the few thoughts I mean to suggest +upon this head, to your two more immediate ancestors, men distinguished +above the common rate, by their virtues or their abilities. Richard earl +Temple, your lordship's immediate predecessor, as the representative of +your illustrious house, will be long remembered by posterity under the +very respectable title of the friend of the earl of Chatham. But though +his friend, my lord, we well know that he did not implicitly follow the +sentiments of a man, who was assuredly the first star in the political +hemisphere, and whose talents would have excused, if any thing could +have excused, an unsuspecting credulity. The character of lord Chatham +was never, but in one instance, tarnished. He did not sufficiently dread +the omnipotence of the favourite. He fondly imagined that before a +character so brilliant, and success so imposing as his had been, no +little system of favouritism could keep its ground. Twice, my lord, he +was upon the brink of the precipice, and once he fell. When he trembled +on the verge, who was it that held him back? It was Richard earl Temple. +Twice he came, like his guardian angel, and snatched him from his fate. +Lord Chatham indeed was formed to champ the bit, and spurn indignant at +every restraint. He knew the superiority of his abilities, he +recollected that he had twice submitted to the honest counsels of his +friend, and he disdained to listen any longer to a coolness, that +assimilated but ill to the adventurousness of his spirit; and to a +hesitation, that wore in his apprehension the guise of timidity. What +then did Richard earl Temple do? There he fixed his standard, and there +he pitched his tent. Not a step farther would he follow a leader, whom +to follow had been the boast of his life. He erected a fortress that +might one day prove the safeguard of his misguided and unsuspecting +friend. + +And yet, my lord, the character of Richard earl Temple, was not that of +causeless suspicion. He proved himself, in a thousand instances, honest, +trusting, and sincere. He was not, like some men, that you and I know, +dark, dispassionate, and impenetrable. On the contrary, no man mistook +him, no man ever charged him with a double conduct or a wrinkled heart. +His countenance was open, and his spirit was clear. He was a man of +passions, my lord. He acted in every momentous concern, more from the +dictates of his heart, than his head. But this is the key to his +conduct; He kept a watchful eye upon that bane of every patriot +minister, _secret influence_. If there were one feature in his political +history more conspicuous than the rest, if I were called to point out +the line of discrimination between his character and that of his +contemporaries upon the public stage, it would be the _hatred of secret +influence_. + +Such, my lord, was one of your immediate ancestors, whose name, to this +day, every honest Briton repeats with veneration. I will turn to another +person, still more nearly related to you, and who will make an equal +figure in the history of the age in which he lived, Mr. George +Grenville. His character has been represented to us by a writer of no +mean discernment, as that of "shrewd and inflexible." He was a man of +indefatigable industry and application. He possessed a sound +understanding, and he trusted it. This is a respectable description. +Integrity and independency, however mistaken, are entitled to praise. +What was it, my lord, that he considered as the ruin of his reputation? +What was it, that defeated all the views of an honest ambition, and +deprived his country of the services, which his abilities, under proper +direction, were qualified to render it? My lord, it was _secret +influence_. It was in vain for ministers to be able to construct their +plans with the highest wisdom, and the most unwearied diligence; it was +in vain that they came forward like men, and risqued their places, their +characters, their all, upon measures, however arduous, that they thought +necessary for the salvation of their country. They were defeated, by +what, my lord? By abilities greater than their own? By a penetration +that discovered blots in their wisest measures? By an opposition bold +and adventurous as themselves? No: but, by the _lords of the +bedchamber_; by a "band of Janissaries who surrounded the person of the +prince, and were ready to strangle the minister upon the nod of a +moment." + +With these illustrious examples ever rushing upon your memory, no man +can doubt that your lordship has inherited that detestation of +_influence_ by which your ancestors were so honourably distinguished. My +lord, having considered the high expectations, which the virtues of your +immediate progenitors had taught us to form upon the heir of them both, +we will recollect for a moment the promises that your first outset in +life had made to your country. + +One of your lordship's first actions upon record, consists in the high +professions you made at the county meeting of Buckingham, in that +ever-venerable aera of oeconomy and reform, the spring of 1780. My lord, +there are certain offices of sinecure, not dependent upon the caprice of +a minister, which this country has reserved to reward those illustrious +statesmen, who have spent their lives, and worn out their constitutions +in her service. No man will wonder, when he recollects from whom your +lordship has the honour to be descended, that one of these offices is in +your possession. This, my lord, was the subject of your generous and +disinterested professions. You told your countrymen, that with this +office you were ready to part. If a reformation so extensive were +thought necessary, you were determined, not merely to be no obstacle to +the design, but to be a volunteer in the service. You came forward in +the eye of the world, with your patent in your hand. You were ready to +sacrifice that parchment, the precious instrument of personal wealth and +private benevolence, at the shrine of patriotism. + +Here then, my lord, you stood pledged to your country. What were we not +to expect from the first patriot of modern story? Your lordship will +readily imagine that our expectations were boundless and indefinite. +"Glorious and immortal man!" we cried, "go on in this untrodden path. We +will no longer look with drooping and cheerless anxiety upon the +misfortunes of Britain, we have a resource for them all. The patriot of +Stowe is capable of every thing. He does not resemble the vulgar herd of +mortals, he does not form his conduct upon precedent, nor defend it by +example. Virtue of the first impression was never yet separated from +genius. We will trust then in the expedients of his inexhaustible mind. +We will look up to him as our assured deliverer.--We are well acquainted +with the wealth of the proprietor of Stowe. Thanks, eternal thanks to +heaven, who has bestowed it with so liberal a hand! We consider it as a +deposit for the public good. We count his acres, and we calculate his +income, for we know that it is, in the best sense of the word, our own." + +My lord, these are the prejudices, which Englishmen have formed in your +favour. They cannot refuse to trust a man, descended from so illustrious +progenitors. They cannot suspect any thing dark and dishonourable in the +generous donor of 2700_l_. a year. Let then the commentators against +whom I am providing, abjure the name of Briton, or let them pay the +veneration that is due to a character, in every view of the subject, so +exalted as that of your lordship. + +I have the honour to be, + +MY LORD, + +with the most unfeigned respect, + +your lordship's + +most obedient, + +most devoted servant. + + + + + +INSTRUCTIONS + + + +TO A + + + +STATESMAN. + + + +MY LORD, + + + +I have long considered as the greatest happiness of my life, the having +so promising a pupil as your lordship. Though your abilities are +certainly of the very first impression, they are not however of that +vague and indefinite species, which we often meet with in persons, who, +if providence had so pleased, would have figured with equal adroitness +in the character of a shoe-black or a link-boy, as they now flatter +themselves they can do in that of a minister of state. You, my lord, +were born with that accomplishment of secrecy and retentiveness, which +the archbishop of Cambray represents Telemachus as having possessed in +so high a degree in consequence of the mode of his education. You were +always distinguished by that art, never to be sufficiently valued, of +talking much and saying nothing. I cannot recollect, and yet my memory +is as great, as my opportunity for observation has been considerable, +that your lordship, when a boy, ever betrayed a single fact that chanced +to fall within your notice, unless indeed it had some tendency to +procure a school-fellow a whipping. I have often remarked your lordship +with admiration, talking big and blustering loud, so as to frighten +urchins who were about half your lordship's size, when you had no +precise meaning in any thing you said. And I shall never forget, the +longest day I have to live, when I hugged you in my arms in a kind of +prophetic transport, in consequence of your whispering me, in the midst +of a room-full of company, in so sly a manner that nobody could observe +you, that you had just seen John the coachman bestow upon Betty the +cook-maid, a most devout and cordial embrace. From your rawest infancy +you were as much distinguished, as Milton represents the goddess Hebe to +have been, by "nods and becks and wreathed smiles;" with this +difference, that in her they were marks of gaiety, and in you of +demureness; that in her they were unrestrained and general, and in you +intended only for a single _confidant_. My lord, reflecting upon all +these circumstances, it is not to be wondered at that I treated your +lordship even in clouts with the reverence due to an infant Jove, and +always considered myself as superintending the institution of the first +statesman that ever existed. + +But, my lord, it has ever been my opinion, that let nature do as much as +she will, it is in the power of education to do still more. The many +statesmanlike qualities that you brought into the world with you, +sufficiently prove, that no man was ever more deeply indebted to the +bounty of nature than your lordship. And yet of all those qualities she +has bestowed upon you, there is not one that I hold in half so much +esteem, as that docility, which has ever induced you to receive my +instructions with implicit veneration. It is true, my coat is fustian, +and my whole accoutrement plebeian. My shoes are clouted, and it is long +since the wig that defends this penetrating brain, could boast a crooked +hair. But you, my lord, have been able to discover the fruit through the +thick and uncomely coat by which it was concealed; you have cracked the +nut and have a right to the kernel. + +My lord, I thought it necessary to premise these observations, before I +entered upon those important matters of disquisition, which will form +the object of my present epistle. It is unnecessary for me to inform a +person of so much discernment as your lordship, that education is, by +its very nature, a thing of temporary duration. Your lordship's +education has been long, and there have been cogent reasons why it +should be so. God grant, that when left to walk the world alone, you be +not betrayed into any of those unlucky blunders, from the very verge of +which my provident hand has often redeemed your lordship! Do not mistake +me, my lord, when I talk of the greatness of your talents. It is now too +late to flatter: This is no time for disguise. Pardon me therefore, my +dear and ever-honoured pupil, if I may seem to offend against those +minuter laws of etiquette, which were made only for common cases. At so +important a crisis it is necessary to be plain. + +Your lordship is very cunning, but I never imagined that you were +remarkably wise. The talents you received at your birth, if we were to +speak with mathematical strictness, should rather be denominated knacks, +than abilities. They consist rather in a lucky dexterity of face, and a +happy conformation of limb, than in any very elevated capacities of the +intellect. Upon that score, my lord,--you know I am fond of comparisons, +and I think I have hit upon one in this case, that must be acknowledged +remarkably apposite. I have sometimes seen a ditch, the water of which, +though really shallow, has appeared to careless observers to be very +deep, for no other reason but because it was muddy. Believe me, my lord, +experienced and penetrating observers are not so to be taken in. + +But, as I was saying, education is a temporary thing, and your +lordship's, however lasting and laborious, is at length brought to a +period. My lord, if it so pleases the sovereign disposer of all things, +I would be very well satisfied to remain in this sublunary state for +some years longer, if it were only that I might live to rejoice in the +exemplification of my precepts in the conduct of my pupil. But, if this +boon be granted to my merits and my prayers, at any rate I shall from +this moment retire from the world. From henceforth my _secret influence_ +is brought to its close. I will no longer be the unseen original of the +grand movements of the figures that fill the political stage. I will +stand aloof from the giddy herd. I will not stray from my little vortex. +I will look down upon the transactions of courts and ministers, like an +etherial being from a superior element. There I shall hope to see your +lordship outstrip your contemporaries, and tower above the pigmies of +the day. To repeat an idea before delivered, might be unbecoming in a +fine writer, but it is characteristic and beautiful under the personage +of a preceptor. The fitnesses which nature bestowed upon your frame +would not have done alone. But joined with the lessons I have taught +you, they cannot fail, unless I grossly flatter myself, to make the part +which your lordship shall act sufficiently conspicuous. + +Receive then, my lord, with that docility and veneration, which have at +all times made the remembrance of you pleasant and reviving to my heart, +the last communications of the instructor of your choice. Yes, my lord, +from henceforth you shall see me, you shall hear from me no more. From +this consideration I infer one reason why you should deeply reflect upon +the precepts I have now to offer. Remembering that these little sheets +are all the legacy my affection can bestow upon you, I shall concenter +in them the very quintessence and epitome of all my wisdom. I shall +provide in them a particular antidote to those defects to which nature +has made you most propense. + +But I have yet another reason to inforce your attention to what I am +about to write. I was, as I have said, the instructor of your choice. +When I had yet remained neglected in the world, when my honours were +withered by the hand of poverty, when my blossoms appeared in the eyes +of those who saw me of the most brown and wintery complexion, and, if +your lordship will allow me to finish the metaphor, when I stank in +their noses, it was then that your lordship remarked and distinguished +me. Your bounty it was that first revived my native pride. It is true +that it ran in a little dribbling rivulet, but still it was much to me. +Even before you were able to afford me any real assistance, you were +always ready to offer me a corner of your gingerbread, or a marble from +your hoard. Your lordship had at all times a taste for sumptuousness and +magnificence, but you knew how to limit your natural propensity in +consideration of the calls of affinity, and to give your farthings to +your friends. + +Do not then, my dear lord, belie the first and earliest sentiments of +your heart. As you have ever heard me, let your attention be tripled +now. Read my letter once and again. Preserve it as a sacred deposit. Lay +it under your pillow. Meditate upon it fasting. Commit it to memory, and +repeat the scattered parcels of it, as Caesar is said to have done the +Greek alphabet, to cool your rising choler. Be this the amulet to +preserve you from danger! Be this the chart by which to steer the little +skiff of your political system safe into the port of historic +immortality! + +My lord, you and I have read Machiavel together. It is true I am but a +bungler in Italian, and your lordship was generally obliged to interpret +for me. Your translation I dare say was always scientifical, but I was +seldom so happy as to see either grammar or sense in it. So far however +as I can guess at the drift of this celebrated author, he seems to have +written as the professor of only one science. He has treated of the art +of government, and has enquired what was wise, and what was political. +He has left the moralists to take care of themselves. + +In the present essay, my lord, I shall follow the example of Machiavel. +I profess the same science, and I pretend only to have carried to much +greater heights an art to which he has given a considerable degree of +perfection. Your lordship has had a great number of masters. Your +excellent father, who himself had some dabbling in politics, spared no +expence upon your education, though I believe he had by no means so high +an opinion of your genius and abilities as I entertained. Your lordship +therefore is to be presumed competently versed in the rudiments of +ethics. You have read Grotius, Puffendorf, and Cumberland. For my part I +never opened a volume of any one of them. I am self-taught. My science +originates entirely in my unbounded penetration, and a sort of divine +and supernatural afflatus. With all this your lordship knows I am a +modest man. I have never presumed to entrench upon the province of +others. Let the professors of ethics talk their nonsense. I will not +interrupt them. I will not endeavour to set your lordship against them. +It is necessary for me to take politics upon an unlimited scale, and to +suppose that a statesman has no character to preserve but that of +speciousness and plausibility. But it is your lordship's business to +enquire whether this be really the case. + +I need not tell you, that I shall not, like the political writers with +which you are acquainted, talk in the air. My instructions will be of a +practical nature, and my rules adapted to the present condition of the +English government. That government is at present considerably, though +imperfectly, a system of liberty. To such a system the most essential +maxim is, that the governors shall be accountable and amenable to the +governed. This principle has sometimes been denominated responsibility. +Responsibility in a republican government is carried as high as +possible. In a limited monarchy it stops at the first ministers, the +immediate servants of the crown. Now to this system nothing can be more +fatal, than for the public measures not really to originate with +administration, but with secret advisers who cannot be traced. This is +to cut all the nerves of government, to loosen all the springs of +liberty, to make the constitution totter to its lowest foundations. + +I say this, my lord, not to terrify your lordship. The students and the +imitators of Machiavel must not be frightened with bugbears. Beside, +were cowardice as congenial to the feelings of your lordship as I +confess it has sometimes been to mine, cowardice itself is not so apt to +be terrified with threats hung up _in terrorem_, and menaces of a vague +and general nature. It trembles only at a danger definite and impending. +It is the dagger at the throat, it is the pistol at the breast, that +shakes her nerves. Prudence is alarmed at a distance, and calls up all +her exertion. But cowardice is short-sighted, and was never productive +of any salutary effort. I say not this therefore to intimidate, but to +excite you. I would teach you, that this is a most important step +indeed, is the grand _desideratum_ in order to exalt the English +monarchy to a par with the glorious one of France, or any other absolute +monarchy in Christendom. + +In order, my lord, to annihilate responsibility, nothing more is +necessary than that every individual should be as free, and as much in +the habit of advising the king upon the measures of government, as his +ministers. Let every discarded, and let every would-be statesman, sow +dissension in the royal councils, and pour the poison of his discontent +into the royal ear. Let the cabinet ring with a thousand jarring +sentiments; and let the subtlest courtier, let him that is the most +perfect master of wheedling arts and pathetic tones, carry it from every +rival. This, my lord, will probably create some confusion at first. The +system of government will appear, not a regular and proportioned beauty, +like the pheasant of India, but a gaudy and glaring system of +unconnected parts, like Esop's daw with borrowed feathers. Anarchy and +darkness will be the original appearance. But light shall spring out of +the noon of night; harmony and order shall succeed the chaos. The +present patchwork of three different forms of government shall be +changed into one simple and godlike system of despotism. Thus, when +London was burned, a more commodious and healthful city sprung as it +were out of her ashes. + +But neither Rome nor London was built in a day. The glorious work I am +recommending to you must be a work of time. At first it will be +necessary for the person who would subvert the silly system of English +government, to enter upon his undertaking with infinite timidity and +precaution. He must stalk along in silence like Tarquin to the rape of +Lucretia. His horses, like those of Lear, must be shoed with felt. He +must shroud himself in the thickest shade. Let him comfort himself with +this reflexion: + +"It is but for a time. It will soon be over. No work of mortal hands can +long stand against concussions so violent. Ulysses, who entered Troy, +shut up in the cincture of the wooden horse, shall soon burst the +enclosure, shall terrify those from whose observation he lately shrunk, +and carry devastation and ruin on whatever side he turns." + +My lord, I have considered the subject of politics with as much +acuteness as any man. I have revolved a thousand schemes, which to +recommend to the pursuit of the statesman of my own creation. But there +is no plan of action that appears to me half so grand and comprehensive, +as this of _secret influence_. It is true the scheme is not entirely +new. It has been a subject of discussion ever since the English nation +could boast any thing like a regular system of liberty. It was +complained of under king William. It was boasted of, even to +ostentation, by the Tory ministers of queen Anne. The Pelhams cried out +upon it in lord Carteret. It has been the business of half the history +of the present reign to fix the charge upon my lord Bute. + +And yet in spite of these appearances, in spite of all the deductions +that modesty can authorise, I may boldly affirm that my scheme has +something in it that is truly original. My lord, I would not have you +proceed by leaps and starts, like these half-fledged statesmen. I would +have you proceed from step to step in a finished and faultless plan. I +have too an improvement without which the first step is of no value, +which yet has seldom been added, which at first sight has a very daring +appearance, but which I pretend to teach your lordship to practice with +perfect safety. But it is necessary for me, before I come to this grand +_arcanum_ of my system, to premise a few observations for the more +accurately managing the influence itself. + +My lord, there are a variety of things necessary to absolute secrecy. +There is nothing more inconvenient to a political character than that +gross and unmanageable quantity of flesh and blood that fortune has +decreed that every mortal should carry about with him. The man who is +properly initiated in the _arcana_ of a closet, ought to be able to +squeeze himself through a key hole, and, whenever any impertinent +Marplot appears to blast him, to change this unwieldy frame into the +substance of the viewless winds. How often must a theoretical statesman +like myself, have regretted that incomparable invention, the ring of +Gyges! How often must he have wished to be possessed of one of those +diabolical forms, described by Milton, which now were taller than the +pole, and anon could shrink into the compass of an atom! + +But I forget the characteristic of my profession. It is not ours, my +lord, to live in air-built castles, and to deal in imaginary hypotheses. +On the contrary, we are continually talking of the weakness and the +frailty of humanity. Does any man impeach one of our body of bribery and +corruption? We confess that these practices may seem to run counter with +the fine-spun systems of morality; but this is our constant apology, +human affairs can be no otherwise managed. Does any man suggest the most +beautiful scheme of oeconomy, or present us with the most perfect model +of liberty? We turn away with a sneer, and tell him that all this is +plausible and pretty; but that we do not concern ourselves with any +thing but what is practicable. + +In conformity to these ideas, I beg leave, my lord, to recal the +fantastic wishes that have just escaped me. To be corporeal is our +irrevocable fate, and we will not waste our time in fruitlessly accusing +it. My lord, I have one or two little expedients to offer to you, which, +though they do not amount to a perfect remedy in this case, will yet, I +hope, prove a tolerable substitute for those diabolical forms of which I +was talking. + +I need not put your lordship in mind how friendly to such practices as +ours, is the cover of darkness, and how convenient those little machines +commonly called back-stairs. I dare say even your lordship, however +inconsequently you may often conduct yourself, would scarcely think of +mid-day as the most proper season of concealment, or the passing through +a crowded levee, the most natural method of entering the royal closet +unobserved. + +But, my lord, you will please to recollect, that there are certain +attendants upon the person of the sovereign whom I find classed in that +epitome of political wisdom, the Red Book, under the name of pages. Most +wise is the institution, (and your lordship will observe that I am not +now deviating into the regions of fable) which is common to all the +Eastern courts, of having these offices filled by persons, who, upon +peril of their life, may not, in any circumstances whatsoever, utter a +word. But unfortunately in the western climates in which we reside, the +thing is otherwise. The institution of mutes is unknown to us. The lips +of our pages have never been inured to the wholesome discipline of the +padlock. They are as loquacious, and blab as much as other men. You +know, my lord, that I am fond of illustrating the principles I lay down +by the recital of facts. The last, and indeed the only time that I ever +entered the metropolis, I remember, as my barber was removing the hair +from my nether lip:--My barber had all that impertinent +communicativeness that is incident to the gentlemen of his profession; +he assured me, that he had seen that morning one of the pages of the +back-stairs, who declared to him, upon the word of a man of honour, that +he had that moment admitted a certain nobleman by a private door to the +presence of his master; that the face of the noble lord was perfectly +familiar to him, and that he had let him in some fifty times in the +course of the past six months. + +"How silly is all this!" added the page; "and how glad should I be", +licking his lips, "that it were but an opera girl or a countess! And yet +my mistress is the very best mistress that ever I see!" _Oh this was +poor, and showed a pitiful ambition__ in the man that did it!_ I will +swear, my lord, that the nobleman who could thus have been betrayed, +must have been a thick-headed fellow, and fit for no one public office, +not even for that of _turnspit of his majesty's kitchen_![A] + +[Footnote A: Vide Burke's Speech upon Oeconomy. ] + +My lord, if you would escape that rock, upon which this statesman +terminated his political career, ever while you live make use of +bribery. Let the pages finger your cash, let them drink your health in a +glass of honest claret, and let them chuckle over the effects of your +lordship's munificence. I know that you will pour forth many a pathetic +complaint over the money that is drawn off by this copious receiver, but +believe the wisest man that now exists, when he assures you, that it is +well bestowed. Your lordship's bounty to myself has sometimes amounted +to near ten pounds in the course of a twelvemonth. That drain, my lord, +is stopped. I shall receive from you no more. Let then the expence, +which you once incurred for my sake, be henceforth diverted to this +valuable purpose. + +I believe, my lord, that this is all the improvement that can be made +upon the head of pages. I think we can scarcely venture upon the +expedient that would otherwise be admirable, of these interviews being +carried on without the intervention of any such impertinent fellows, +from whom one is ever in danger, without the smallest notice, of having +it published at St. James's-Market, and proclaimed from the statue at +Charing-Cross. If however you should think this expedient adviseable, I +would recommend it to you not to mention it to your gracious master. +Courts are so incumbered and hedged in with ceremony, that the members +of them are always prone to imagine that the form is more essential and +indispensable, than the substance. Suppose then, my lord, you were, by +one of those sly opportunities, which you know so well how to command, +to take off the key in wax, and get a picklock key made exactly upon the +model of it. The end, my lord, take my word for it, would abundantly +sanctify the apparent sordidness of the means. In this situation I +cannot help picturing to myself the surprise and the joy, that would be +in a moment lighted up in the countenance of your friend. Your +rencounter would be as unexpected and fortunate as that of Lady Randolph +and her son, when she fears every moment to have him murdered by +Glenalvon. You would fly into each others arms, and almost smother one +another in your mutual embrace. + +But another thing that is abundantly worthy of your lordship's +attention, is the subject of disguises and dark lanthorns. Harley, +afterwards earl of Oxford, was in the practice, if I remember right, for +it is some time since I read Dr. Swift's political pamphlets, of +crossing the park in a horseman's coat. But this is too shallow and thin +a disguise. A mask, on the other hand, might perhaps be too particular. +Though indeed at midnight, which is the only time that I would recommend +to your lordship in which to approach within a hundred yards of the +palace, it might probably pass without much observation. A slouched hat, +and a bob wig, your lordship may at any time venture upon. But there is +nothing that is of so much importance in this affair as variety. I would +sometimes put on the turban of a Turk, and sometimes the half breeches +of a Highlander. I would sometimes wear the lawn sleeves of a bishop, +and sometimes the tye-wig of a barrister. A leathern apron and a trowel +might upon occasion be of sovereign efficacy. The long beard and +neglected dress of a Shylock should be admitted into the list. I would +also occasionally lay aside the small clothes, and assume the dress of a +woman. I would often trip it along with the appearance and gesture of a +spruce milliner; and I would often stalk with the solemn air and +sweeping train of a duchess. But of all the infinite shapes of human +dress, I must confess that, my favourite is the kind of doublet that +prince Harry wore when he assaulted Falstaff. The nearer it approaches +to the guise of a common carman the better, and his long whip ought to +be inseparable. If you could add to it the sooty appearance of a +coal-heaver, or a chimney-sweep, it would sit, upon this more precious +than velvet garb, like spangles and lace. I need not add, that to a mind +of elegance and sensibility, the emblematical allusion which this dress +would carry to the secrecy and impenetrableness of the person that wears +it, must be the source of a delightful and exquisite sensation. + +And now, my lord, for the last head, which it is necessary to mention +under this division of my subject, I mean that of lanthorns. Twenty +people, I doubt not, whom your lordship might consult upon this +occasion, would advise you to go without any lanthorn at all. Beware of +this, my lord. It is a rash and a thoughtless advice. It may possibly be +a false and insidious one. Your lordship will never think of going +always in the same broad and frequented path. Many a causeway you will +have to cross, many a dark and winding alley to tread. Suppose, my lord, +the pavement were to be torn up, and your lordship were to break your +shin! Suppose a drain were to have been opened in the preceding day, +without your knowing any thing of the matter, and your lordship were to +break your neck! Suppose, which is more terrible than all the rest, you +were to set your foot upon that which I dare not name, and by offending +the olfactory nerves of majesty, you were to forfeit his affections for +ever! + +So much, my lord, by way of declamation against the abolition of +lanthorns. Your lordship however does not imagine I shall say any thing +upon affairs so common as the glass lanthorn, the horn lanthorn, and the +perforated tin lanthorn. This last indeed is most to my purpose, but it +will not do, my lord, it will not do. There is a kind of lanthorns, your +lordship has seen them, that have one side dark, and the other light. I +remember to have observed your lordship for half a day together, poring +over the picture of Guy Faux, in the Book of Martyrs. This was one of +the early intimations which my wisdom enabled me to remark of the +destination which nature had given you. You know, my lord, that the +possessor of this lanthorn can turn it this way and that, as he pleases. +He can contrive accurately to discern the countenance of every other +person, without being visible himself. I need not enlarge to your +lordship upon the admirable uses of this machine. I will only add, that +my very dear and ever-lamented friend Mr. Pinchbeck, effected before he +died an improvement upon it so valuable, that it cannot but preserve his +name from that oblivious power, by which common names are devoured. In +his lanthorn, the shade, which used to be inseparable, may be taken away +at the possessor's pleasure, like the head of a whisky, and it may +appear to all intents and purposes one of the common vehicles of the +kind. He had also a contrivance, never to be sufficiently commended, +that when the snuff of the candle had attained a certain length, it +moved a kind of automatic pair of snuffers that hung within side, and +amputated itself. He left me two of these lanthorns as a legacy. Such is +my value for your lordship, that I have wrought myself up to a +resolution of parting with one of them in your lordship's favour. You +will receive it in four days from the date of this by Gines's waggon, +that puts up in Holborn. + +But, my lord, there is a second object of consideration still more +important than this. It is in vain for your lordship, or any other +person, to persuade the sovereign against any of the measures of his +government, unless you can add to this the discovery of those new +sentiments you have instilled, to all such as it may concern. It is the +business of every Machiavelian minister, such as your lordship, both +from nature and choice, is inclined to be, to prop the cause of +despotism. In order to this, the dignity of the sovereign is not to be +committed, but exalted. To bring forward the royal person to put a +negative upon any bill in parliament, is a most inartificial mode of +proceeding. It marks too accurately the strides of power, and awakens +too pointedly the attention of the multitude. Your lordship has heard +that the house of lords is the barrier between the king and the people. +There is a sense of this phrase, of which I am wonderfully fond. The +dissemination of the royal opinion will at any time create a majority in +that house, to divert the odium from the person of the monarch. +Twenty-two bishops, thirteen lords of the bed-chamber, and all the +rabble of household troops, will at any time compose an army. They may +not indeed cover an acre of ground, nor would I advise your lordship to +distribute them into a great number of regiments. Their countenances are +not the most terrific that were ever beheld, and it might be proper to +officer them with persons of more sagacity than themselves. But under +all this meekness of appearance, and innocence of understanding, believe +me, my lord, they are capable of keeping at bay the commons and the +people of England united in one cause, for a considerable time. They +have been too long at the beck of a minister, not to be somewhat callous +in their feelings. And they are too numerous, not to have shoulders +capacious enough to bear all the obloquy, with which their conduct may +be attended. + +But then, my lord, as I would not recommend it to you to bring into +practice the royal negative, so neither perhaps would it be advisable +for the sovereign, to instruct those lords immediately attendant upon +him, in person. Kings, you are not to be informed, are to be managed and +humoured by those that would win their confidence. If your lordship +could invent a sort of down, more soft and yielding than has yet been +employed, it might be something. But to point out to your master, that +he must say this, and write that, that he must send for one man, and +break with another, is an unpleasant and ungrateful office. It must be +your business to take the burden from his shoulders. You must smooth the +road you would have him take, and strew with flowers the path of ruin. +If he favour your schemes with a smile of approbation, if he bestow upon +your proceedings the sanction of a nod, it is enough. It is godlike +fortitude, and heroic exertion. + +But secrecy is the very essence of deep and insidious conduct. I would +advise your lordship to bring even your own name into question, as +little as possible. My lord Chesterfield compares a statesman, who has +been celebrated for influence during the greatest part of the present +reign, to the ostrich. The brain of an ostrich, your lordship will +please to observe, though he be the largest of birds, may very easily be +included in the compass of a nut-shell. When pursued by the hunters, he +is said to bury his head in the sand, and having done this, to imagine +that he cannot be discovered by the keenest search. Do not you, my lord, +imitate the manners of the ostrich. Believe me, they are ungraceful; +and, if maturely considered, will perhaps appear to be a little silly. + +There is a contrivance that has occurred to me, which, if it were not +accompanied with a circumstance somewhat out of date, appears to me in +the highest degree admirable. Suppose you were to treat the lords of the +bedchamber with a sight of St. Paul's cathedral? There is a certain part +of it of a circular form, commonly called the whispering gallery. You +have probably heard, that by the uncommon echo of this place, the +weakest sound that can possibly be articulated, is increased by that +time it has gone half round, into a sound, audible and strong. Your +lordship, with your flock of geese about you, would probably be frolic +and gamesome. You may easily contrive to scatter them through the whole +circumference of this apartment. Of a sudden, you will please to turn +your face to the wall, and utter in a solemn tone the royal opinion. +Every body will be at a loss from whence the mandate proceeds. Some of +your companions, more goose-like than the rest, will probably imagine it +a voice from heaven. The sentence must be two or three times repeated at +proper intervals, before you can contrive to have each of the lords in +turn at the required distance. This will demand a considerable degree of +alertness and agility. But alertness and agility are qualities by which +your lordship is so eminently distinguished, that I should have very few +apprehensions about your success. Meanwhile it will be proper to have a +select number of footmen stationed at the door of the gallery, armed +with smelling-bottles. Some of your friends, I suspect, would be so much +alarmed at this celestial and ghost-like phenomenon, as to render this +part of the plan of singular service. + +But after all, I am apprehensive that many of the noble lords to whom I +allude, would be disgusted at the very mention of any thing so +old-fashioned and city-like, as a visit to this famous cathedral. And +even if that were not the case, it is proper to be provided with more +than one scheme for the execution of so necessary a purpose. The +question is of no contemptible magnitude, between instructions _viva +voce_, and a circular letter. In favour of the first it may be said, +that a letter is the worst and most definite evidence to a man's +disadvantage that can be conceived. It may easily be traced. It can +scarcely be denied. The sense of it cannot readily be explained +away.--It must be confessed there is something in this; and yet, my +lord, I am by all means for a letter. A voice may often be overheard. I +remember my poor old goody used to say, (heaven rest her soul!) That +walls had ears. There are some lords, my dear friend, that can never +think of being alone. Bugbears are ever starting up in their prolific +imagination, and they cannot be for a moment in the dark, without +expecting the devil to fly away with them. They have some useful pimp, +some favourite toad-eater, that is always at their elbow. Ever remember, +so long as you live, that toad-eaters are treacherous friends. Beside, +it would be a little suspicious, to see your lordship's carriage making +a regular tour from door to door among the lords of the bed-chamber. And +I would by no means have Pinchbeck's dark-lanthorn brought into common +use. Consider, my lord, when that is worn out, you will not know where +to get such another. + +A letter may be disguised in various ways. You would certainly never +think of signing your name. You might have it transcribed by your +secretary. But then this would be to commit your safety and your fame to +the keeping of another. No, my lord, there are schemes worth a hundred +of this. Consider the various hands in which a letter may be written. +There is the round hand, and the Italian hand, the text hand, and the +running hand. You may form your letters upon the Roman or the Italic +model. Your billet may he engrossed. You may employ the German text or +the old primero. If I am not mistaken, your lordship studied all these +when you were a boy for this very purpose. Yes, my lord, I may be in the +wrong, but I am confidently of opinion, that this is absolutely the +first, most important, and most indispensible accomplishment of a +statesman. I would forgive him, if he did not know a cornet from an +ensign, I would forgive him, if he thought Italy a province of Asia +Minor. But not to write primero! the nincompoop! the numbscul! + +If it were not that the persons with whom your lordship has to +correspond, can some of them barely spell their native tongue, I would +recommend to your lordship the use of cyphers. But no, you might as well +write the language of Mantcheux Tartars. For consider, your letters may +be intercepted. It is true, they have not many perils to undergo. They +are not handed from post-house to post-house. There are no impertinent +office-keepers to inspect them by land. There are no privateers to +capture them by sea. But, my lord, they have perils to encounter, the +very recollection of which makes me tremble to the inmost fibre of my +frame. They are ale-houses, my lord. Think for a moment of the +clattering of porter-pots, and the scream of my goodly hostess. Imagine +that the blazing fire smiles through the impenetrable window, and that +the kitchen shakes with the peals of laughter. These are temptations, my +lord, that no mortal porter can withstand. When the unvaried countenance +of his gracious sovereign smiles invitation upon him from the weather +beaten sign-post, what loyal heart but must be melted into compliance. + +From all these considerations, my lord, I would advise you to write with +invisible ink. Milk I believe will serve the purpose, though I am +afraid, that the milk that is hawked about the streets of London, has +rather too much water in it. The juice of lemon is a sovereign recipe. +There are a variety of other preparations that will answer the purpose. +But these may be learned from the most vulgar and accessible sources of +information. And you will please to observe, that I suffer nothing to +creep into this political testament, more valuable than those of +Richelieu, Mazarine, and Alberoni, that is not entirely original matter. +My lord, I defy you to learn a single particular of the refinements here +communicated from the greatest statesman that lives. They talk of Fox! +He would give his right hand for an atom of them! + +I will now suppose you, my lord, by all these artifices, arrived at the +very threshold of power. I will suppose that you have just defeated the +grandest and the wisest measure of your political antagonists. I think +there is nothing more natural, though the rule will admit of many +exceptions, than for people who act uniformly in opposition to each +other, upon public grounds, to be of opposite characters and +dispositions. I will therefore imagine, that, shocked with the boundless +extortions and the relentless cruelties that have been practised in some +distant part of the empire, they came forward with a measure full of +generous oblivion for the part, providing with circumspect and collected +humanity for the future. I will suppose, that they were desirous of +taking an impotent government out of the hands of Jews and pedlars, old +women and minors, and to render it a part of the great system. I will +suppose, that they were desirous of transferring political power from a +company of rapacious and interested merchants, into the hands of +statesmen, men distinguished among a thousand parties for clear +integrity, disinterested virtue, and spotless fame. This, my lord, would +be a field worthy of your lordship's prowess. Could you but gain the +interested, could you eternize rapacity, and preserve inviolate the blot +of the English name, what laurels would not your lordship deserve? + +I will therefore suppose, that your gracious master meets you with a +_carte blanche_, that he is disposed to listen to all your advices, and +to adopt all your counsels. Your lordship is aware that the road of +secret influence, and that of popular favour, are not exactly the same. +No ministry can long preserve their seats unless they possess the +confidence of a majority of the house of commons. The ministry therefore +against which your lordship acts, we will take it for granted are in +this predicament. In this situation then an important question naturally +arises. Either a majority in the house of commons must be purchased at +any rate, or the government must be conducted in defiance of that house, +or thirdly, the parliament must be dissolved. Exclusive of these three, +I can conceive of no alternative. We will therefore examine each in its +turn. + +Shall a majority in the house of commons be created? Much may be said on +both sides. A very ingenious friend of mine, for whose counsels I have +an uncommon deference, assured me, that nothing would be so easy as +this. Observing with a shrewdness that astonished me, that ministry, +upon a late most important question, mustered no more than 250 votes, +and that there were 558 members, he inferred, that you had nothing more +to do than to send for those that were absent out of the country, and +you might have upwards of 300 to pit against the 250. It is with +infinite regret that I ever suffer myself to dissent from the opinion of +this gentleman. But suppose, my lord, which is at least possible, that +one half of the absentees should be friends to the cause of the people; +what would become of us then? There remains indeed the obvious method of +purchasing votes, and it might be supposed that your lordship's talent +of insinuation might do you knight's service in this business. But no, +my lord, many of these country gentlemen are at bottom no better than +boors. A mechlin cravat and a smirking countenance, upon which your +lordship builds so much, would be absolutely unnoticed by them. I am +afraid of risquing my credit with your lordship, but I can assure you, +that I have heard that one of these fellows has been known to fly from a +nobleman covered with lace, and powdered, and perfumed to the very tip +of the mode, to follow the standard of a commoner whose coat has been +stained with claret, and who has not had a ruffle to his shirt. My lord, +if common fame may be trusted, these puppies are literally tasteless +enough to admire wit, though the man who utters it be ever so corpulent, +and to discover eloquence in the mouth of one, who can suffer himself to +spit in an honourable assembly. I am a plain man, my lord; but I really +think that among marquisses and dukes, right honourables and right +reverends, these things are intolerable. + +I would therefore have your lordship give up at once, and with a grace, +the very idea of bringing over to your side the partisans of these huge +slovenly fellows. The scheme of governing the country without taking the +house of commons along with you, is much more feasible than this. This +might be done by passing an act of parliament by the authority of two +estates of the realm, to declare the house of commons useless. For my +part, I am far from thinking this so bold a step as by some it may be +imagined. Was not Rome a free state, though it had no house of commons? +Has not the British house of commons been incessantly exclaimed upon, as +corrupt and nugatory? Has not a reform respecting them been called for +from all quarters of the kingdom? I am much of opinion in the present +case, that that is the most effectual reform, which goes to the root. +Rome had her hereditary nobility, which composed her senate. She had her +consuls, an ill-imagined substitute for monarchical power. In these, my +lord, was comprehended, in a manner, the whole of her government. I +shall be told indeed that they had occasionally their _comitia_, or +assemblies of the citizens of the metropolis. But this is so far from an +objection to my reasoning, that it furnishes me with a very valuable +hint for the improvement of the English constitution. + +Let the present house of commons be cashiered, and let the common +council of the city of London be placed at St. Stephen's chapel in their +room. These your lordship will find a much more worthy and manageable +set of people, than the representatives of the nation at large. And can +any sensible man doubt for a moment, which are the most respectable body +of men? Examine their persons. Among their predecessors I see many poor, +lank, shrivelled, half-starved things, some bald, some with a few +straggling hairs, and some with an enormous bag, pendant from no hair at +all. Turn, my lord, to the other side. There you will see a good, +comely, creditable race of people. They look like brothers. As their +size and figure are the same, so by the fire in their eyes, and the +expression in their countenances, you could scarcely know one of them +from another. Their very gowns are enough to strike terror into the most +inattentive. Each of them covers his _cranium_ with a venerable periwig, +whose flowing curls and voluminous frizure bespeak wealth and +contentment. Their faces are buxom, and their cheeks are florid. + +You will also, my lord, find them much more easy and tractable, than the +squeamish, fretful, discontented wretches, with which other ministers +have had to do. There is but one expence that will be requisite. It is +uniform, and capable of an easy calculation. In any great and trying +question, I was going to say debate, but debates, I am apt to think, +would not be very frequent, or very animated,--your lordship has nothing +to do, but to clear the table of the rolls and parchments, with which it +is generally covered, and spreading a table cloth, place upon it half a +score immense turtles, smoking hot, and larded with green fat. My lord, +I will forfeit my head, if with this perfume regaling their nostrils, a +single man has resolution enough to divide the house, or to declare his +discontent with any of the measures of government, by going out into the +lobby. + +So much, my lord, for this scheme. It is too considerable to be adopted +without deliberation; it is too important, and too plausible, to be +rejected without examination. The only remaining hypothesis is that of a +dissolution. Much, I know, may be said against this measure; but, for my +own part, next to the new and original system I have had the honour of +opening to your lordship, it is with me a considerable favourite. Those, +whose interests it is to raise an outcry against it, will exclaim, +"What, for the petty and sinister purposes of ambition, shall the whole +nation be thrown into uproar and confusion? Who is it that complains of +the present house of parliament? Is the voice of the people raised +against it? Do petitions come up from every quarter of the kingdom, as +they did, to no purpose, a few years ago, for its dissolution? But it is +the prerogative of the king to dissolve his parliament. And because it +is his prerogative, because he has a power of this kind reserved for +singular emergencies, does it follow, that this power is to be exercised +at caprice, and without weighty and comprehensive reasons? It may +happen, that the parliament is in the midst of its session, that the +very existence of revenue may be unprovided for, and the urgent claims +of humanity unfulfilled. It is of little consequence," they will perhaps +pretend, "who is in, and who is out, so the national interests are +honestly pursued, and the men who superintend them be not defective in +abilities. That then must be a most lawless and undisguised spirit of +selfishness, that can for these baubles risk the happiness of millions, +and the preservation of the constitution." + +All these observations, my lord, may sound well enough in the harangue +of a demagogue; but is it for such a man, to object to a repetition of +that appeal to the people in general, in the frequency and universality +of which the very existence of liberty consists? Till lately, I think it +has been allowed, that one of those reforms most favourable to +democracy, was an abridgment of the duration of parliaments. But if a +general abridgment be so desirable, must not every particular abridgment +have its value too? Shall the one be acknowledged of a salutary, and yet +the other be declared of a pernicious tendency? Is it possible that the +nature of a part, and of the whole, can be not only dissimilar, but +opposite? But I will quit these general and accurate reasonings. It is +not in them that our strength lies. + +They tell us, that the measure of a dissolution is an unpopular one. My +lord, it is not so, that you and I are to be taken in. Picture to +yourself the very kennels flowing with rivers of beer. Imagine the door +of every hospitable ale-house throughout the kingdom, thrown open for +the reception of the ragged and pennyless burgess. Imagine the whole +country filled with the shouts of drunkenness, and the air rent with +mingled huzzas. Represent the broken heads, and the bleeding noses, the +tattered raiment, and staggering bodies of a million of loyal voters. My +lord, will they pretend, that the measure that gives birth to this +glorious scene, is unpopular? We must be very ill versed in the science +of human nature, if we could believe them. + +But a more important consideration arises. A general election would be +of little value, if by means of it a majority of representatives were +not to be gained to the aristocratical party. If I were to disadvise a +dissolution, it would be from the fear of a sinister event. It is true, +your lordship has a thousand soft blandishments. You can smile and bow +in the newest and most approved manner. But, my lord, in the midst of a +parcel of Billingsgate fishwomen, in the midst of a circle of butchers +with marrow-bones and cleavers, I am afraid these accomplishments would +be of little avail. It is he, most noble patron, who can swallow the +greatest quantity of porter, who can roar the best catch, and who is the +compleatest bruiser, that will finally carry the day. He must kiss the +frost-bitten lips of the green-grocers. He must smooth the frowzy cheeks +of chandlers-shop women. He must stroke down the infinite belly of a +Wapping landlady. I see your lordship tremble at the very catalogue. +Could you divide yourself into a thousand parts, and every part be ten +times more gigantic than the whole, you would shrink into non-entity at +the disgustful scene. + +In this emergency I can invent only one expedient. Your lordship I +remember had six different services of plate when you were in Ireland, +and the duke of P---- could boast only of three. You had also five +footmen and a scullion boy more than his grace. By all this magnificence +I have been told that you dazzled and enchanted a certain class of the +good people of that kingdom. My lord, you must now improve the +popularity you gained. Import by the very first hoy a competent number +of chairmen. You are not to be told that they are accustomed to put on a +gold-lace coat as soon as they arrive upon our shore, and dub themselves +fortune-hunters. It will be easy therefore to pass them here for +gentlemen, whose low familiarity shall be construed into the most +ravishing condescension. No men, my lord, can drink better than they. +There is no constitution, but that of an Irish chairman, that can +dispense with the bouncing whisky. They are both brawny and courageous, +and must therefore make excellent bruisers. Their chief talent lies in +the art of courtship, and they are by no means nice and squeamish in +their stomach for a mistress. They can also occasionally put off the +assumed character of good breeding, and if it be necessary to act over +again the celebrated scenes of Balfe and M'Quirk, they would not be +found at a loss. My lord, they seem to have been created for this very +purpose, and if you have any hope from a general election, you must +derive every benefit from their distinguished merit. I own however, I am +apprehensive for the experiment, and after all would advise your +lordship to recur to the very excellent scheme of the common-council +men. + +There is only one point more which it remains for me to discuss. I have +already taken it for granted, that you are offered your choice of every +post that exists in the government of this country. Here again, if you +were to consult friends less knowing than myself, you would be presented +with nothing but jarring and discordant opinions. Some would say, +George, take it, and some, George, let it alone. For my part, my lord, I +would advise you to do neither the one nor the other. Fickleness and +instability, your lordship will please to observe, are of the very +essence of a real statesman. Who were the greatest statesmen this +country ever had to boast? They were, my lord, the two Villiers's, dukes +of Buckingham. Did not the first of these take his young master to the +kingdom of Spain, in order to marry the infanta, and then break off the +match for no cause at all? Did he not afterwards involve the nation in a +quarrel with the king of France, only because her most christian majesty +would not let him go to bed to her? What was the character of the second +duke? This nobleman, + + + Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, + Was every thing by starts, and nothing long, + But, in the course of one revolving moon, + Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon. + + +My lord, I do not flatter you so far as to suppose that your abilities +are as great, or that you will ever make so distinguished a figure as +either of these noblemen. But I would have you imitate them in your +humbler circle, and venture greatly, though the honour you should derive +from it, should be only, that you greatly fell. Accept therefore, my +lord, of one of the principal responsible offices without thought and +without hesitation. Through terror or manly spirit, or whatever you +choose to call it, resign again the next day. As soon as you have done +this, make interest for another place, and if you can obtain it, throw +it up as soon again. This, my lord, is not, as an ignorant and +coxcomical writer has represented it, "the vibration of a pendulum," but +a conduct, wise, manly, judicious, and heroic. Who does not know, that +the twinkling stars are of a more excellent nature, than those which +shine upon us with unremitted lustre? Who does not know that the comet, +which appears for a short time, and vanishes again for revolving years, +is more gazed upon than either? But I am afraid the comet is too sublime +an idea for your lordship's comprehension. I would therefore recommend +to you, to make the cracker the model of your conduct. You should snap +and bounce at regular intervals; at one moment you should seem a blazing +star, and the next be lost in trackless darkness. + +My lord, there is nothing, which at all times I have taken more pains to +subdue, than that overweening pride, and immeasurable conceit, which are +the principal features of your lordship's character. Nature, indeed, has +furnished you with one corrective to them, or they must infallibly have +damned you. It is timidity. Other people may laugh at this quality. For +my part I esteem it worthy the loudest praise and most assiduous +cultivation. When the balance hangs in doubt between the adventurousness +of vanity and the frigidity of fear, ever incline to the latter side. I +had rather your lordship should be a coward, than a coxcomb. If however +you could attain to that reasonable and chastised opinion of yourself, +which should steer a proper mean between these extremes, should make you +feel your strength, when menaced by the most terrible adversaries, and +your weakness, when soothed by the most fawning parasites, this, my +lord, would be the highest perfection to which you could possibly +attain. I will therefore close my epistle with the discussion of a case, +which your lordship may think parallel to the species of behaviour I +have recommended to your cultivation. I mean that of the celebrated and +incomparable earl Granville, in the year 1746. I will show you what this +nobleman did, and in how many particulars you must for ever hope in vain +to resemble him. + +I remember, my lord, that you and I once studied together the History of +England, in Question and Answer. If your lordship recollects, the year +1746 began in the very height of the celebrated rebellion. The ministers +of the sovereign at this time, were, that mixed and plausible character, +Mr. Pelham, and that immortalized booby, the duke of Newcastle. These +gentlemen possessed their full proportion of that passion, so +universally incident to the human frame, the love of power. They had +formed such a connection with the monied interest of the kingdom, that +no administration could go on without them. Conscious to this +circumstance, they had no toleration for a rival, they could "bear no +brother near the throne." From this sentiment, they had driven that most +able minister I have mentioned, from the cabinet of his sovereign, in no +very justifiable manner, about twelve months before. The same jealousy +kept alive their suspicions: they knew the partiality of their master: +they imagined their antagonist still lurked behind the curtain. The +distresses of the kingdom were to them the ladder of ambition. This was +the language they held to their sovereign: "The enemy is already +advanced into the heart of your majesty's dominions. We know that you +cannot do without us. You must therefore listen with patience to what we +shall dictate. Drive from your presence for ever the wisest and the +ablest of all your counsellors. This is the only condition, upon which +we will continue to serve you in this perilous moment." Majesty, as it +was but natural, was disgusted with this language. The Pelhams resigned. +Lord Granville accepted the seals. And he held them I believe for +something more than a fortnight. + +My lord, I will tell you, what were the Pelhams, and what was the true +character of lord Granville. Whatever may be said, and much I think may +justly be said, in favour of the former, they were not men of genius. +Capable of conducting, and willing upon the whole to conduct with +loyalty and propriety the affairs of their country, while they kept +within the beaten channel, they were not born to grapple with arduous +situations. They had not that commanding spirit of adventure, which +leads a man into the path of supererogation and voluntary service: they +had not that firm and collected fortitude which induces a man to look +danger in the face, to encounter it in all its force, and to drive it +from all its retrenchments. They were particularly attached to the +patronage, which is usually annexed to their high situations. They did +not come into power by the voice of the people. They were not summoned +to assume the administration by a vote of the house of commons. They +were introduced into the cabinet by an inglorious and guilty compromise +of sir Robert Walpole; a compromise, that shunned the light; a +compromise, that reflected indelible disgrace upon every individual +concerned in it. We will suppose them ever so much in the right in the +instance before us. For certainly, the same responsibility, that ought +to remove a minister from the helm, when he is become obnoxious to his +countrymen, equally makes it improper, that he should be originally +appointed by the fancy or capricious partiality of the sovereign. But +were they over so much in the right, it will yet remain true, that they +took a poor and ungenerous advantage of the personal distresses of their +master, which men of a large heart, and of sterling genius, could never +have persuaded themselves to take. + +Such were the ministers, whom it appears that king George the second +would have had no objection to strip of their employments. I will tell +you who it was, that he was willing to have substituted in their place. +It was a man of infinite genius. His taste was a standard to those, who +were most attached to the fine arts, and most uninterruptedly conversant +with them. His eloquence was splendid, animated, and engaging. Of all +the statesmen then existing in Europe, he was perhaps the individual, +who best understood the interests and the politics of all her courts. +But your lordship may probably find it somewhat more intelligible, if I +take the other side of the picture, and tell you what he was not. He was +not a man of fawning and servility. He did not rest his ambitious +pretensions upon any habitual adroitness, upon the arts of wheedling, +and the tones of insinuation. He rested them upon the most solid +talents, and the most brilliant accomplishments. He did not creep into +the closet of his sovereign uncalled, and endeavour to make himself of +consequence by assiduities and officiousness. He pleaded for years, in a +manly and ingenuous manner, the cause of the people in parliament. It +was by a popularity, great, and almost without exception, that he was +introduced into power. When defeated by the undermining and contemptible +art of his rivals; when convinced that it was impossible for him, to +employ his abilities with success in the service of his country, he +retired. And it was only by the personal intreaties of his sovereign, +and to assist him in that arduous and difficult situation, in which +those who ought to have served, deserted him, that he once again +accepted of office. He accepted it, for the temporary benefit of his +country, and till those persons, who only could come into administration +with efficiency and advantage, should again resume their places. He made +way for them without a struggle. He did not pretend to set practical +impotence, though accompanied with abilities incomparably the superior, +against that influence and connexion by which they were supported. Of +consequence, my lord, his memory will always be respected and cherished +by the bulk of mankind. + +I do not mean to propose him to your lordship for a model. I never +imagined that your talents qualified you for the most distant +resemblance of him; and I wished to convince you how inferior they were. +Beside, my lord, he did not act upon the Machiavelian plan. His system +was that of integrity, frankness, and confidence. He desired to meet his +enemies; and the more extensive the ground upon which he could meet +them, the better. I was never idle enough to think of such a line of +conduct for your lordship. Go on then in those crooked paths, and that +invisible direction, for which nature has so eminently fitted you. +Intrench yourself behind the letter of the law. Avoid, carefully avoid, +the possibility of any sinister evidence. And having uniformly taken +these precautions, defy all the malice of your enemies. They may +threaten, but they shall never hurt you. They may make you tremble and +shrink with fancied terrors, but they shall never be able to man so much +as a straw against you. Immortality, my lord, is suspended over your +head. Do not shudder at the sound. It shall not be an immortality of +infamy. It shall only be an immortality of contempt. + +THE END. + + + + + +AN ACCOUNT OF THE SEMINARY + +That will be opened + +On MONDAY the Fourth Day of AUGUST, + +At EPSOM in SURREY, + +For the INSTRUCTION of + +TWELVE PUPILS + +IN + +The GREEK, LATIN, FRENCH, and ENGLISH Languages. + + +M.DCC.LXXXIII. + + +AN + + +ACCOUNT + + +OF THE + + +SEMINARY, &C. + + + +The two principal objects of human power are government and education. +They have accordingly engrossed a very large share in the disquisitions +of the speculative in all ages. The subject of the former indeed is man, +already endowed with his greatest force of body, and arrived at the +exercise of his intellectual powers: the subject of the latter is man, +as yet shut up in the feebleness of childhood, and the imbecility of +inexperience. Civil society is great and unlimited in its extent; the +time has been, when the whole known world was in a manner united in one +community: but the sphere of education has always been limited. It is +for nations to produce the events, that enchant the imagination, and +ennoble the page of history: infancy must always pass away in the +unimportance of mirth, and the privacy of retreat. That government +however is a theme so much superior to education, is not perhaps so +evident, as we may at first imagine. + +It is indeed wider in its extent, but it is infinitely less absolute in +its power. The state of society is incontestibly artificial; the power +of one man over another must be always derived from convention, or from +conquest; by nature we are equal. The necessary consequence is, that +government must always depend upon the opinion of the governed. Let the +most oppressed people under heaven once change their mode of thinking, +and they are free. But the inequality of parents and children is the law +of our nature, eternal and uncontrolable.--Government is very limited in +its power of making men either virtuous or happy; it is only in the +infancy of society that it can do any thing considerable; in its +maturity it can only direct a few of our outward actions. But our moral +dispositions and character depend very much, perhaps entirely, upon +education.--Children indeed are weak and imbecil; but it is the +imbecility of spring, and not that of autumn; the imbecility that verges +towards power, and not that is already exhausted with performance. To +behold heroism in its infancy, and immortality in the bud, must be a +most attractive object. To mould those pliant dispositions, upon which +the happiness of multitudes may one day depend, must be infinitely +important. + +Proportionable to what we have stated to be the importance of the +subject, is the attention that has been afforded it in the republic of +letters. The brightest wits, and the profoundest philosophers have +emulated each other in their endeavours to elucidate so valuable a +theme. In vain have pedants urged the stamp of antiquity, and the +approbation of custom; there is scarcely the scheme so visionary, the +execution of which has not at some time or other been attempted. Of the +writers upon this interesting subject, he perhaps that has produced the +most valuable treatise is Rousseau. If men of equal abilities have +explored this ample field, I know of none, however, who have so +thoroughly investigated the first principles of the science, or who have +treated it so much at large. If he have indulged to a thousand agreeable +visions, and wandered in the pursuit of many a specious paradox, he has +however richly repaid us for this defect, by the profoundest researches, +and the most solid discoveries. + +I have borrowed so many of my ideas from this admirable writer, that I +thought it necessary to make this acknowledgement in the outset. The +learned reader will readily perceive, that if I have not scrupled to +profit from his discoveries, at least I have freely and largely +dissented from him, where he appeared to me to wander from the path of +truth. For my own part, I am persuaded that it can only be by striking +off something of inflexibility from his system, and something of +pedantry from the common one, that we can expect to furnish a medium, +equally congenial to the elegance of civilization, and the manliness of +virtue. + +In pursuance of these principles it shall be my first business to +enquire, whether or not the languages ought to make any part of a +perfect system of education; and if they ought, at what time they should +be commenced. The study of them does indeed still retain its ground in +our public schools and universities. But it has received a rude shock +from some writers of the present age; nor has any attack been more +formidable, than that of the author of Emile. Let us endeavour to +examine the question, neither with the cold prejudice of antiquity on +the one hand; nor on the other, with the too eager thirst of novelty, +and unbounded admiration of the geniuses, by whom it has been attacked. + +When we look back to the venerable ancients, we behold a class of +writers, if not of a much higher rank, at least of a very different +character, from the moderns. One natural advantage they indisputably +possessed. The field of nature was all their own. It had not yet been +blasted by any vulgar breath, or touched with a sacrilegious hand. Its +fairest flowers had not been culled, and its choicest sweets rifled +before them. As they were not encumbered and hedged in with the +multitude of their predecessors, they did not servilely borrow their +knowledge from books; they read it in the page of the universe. They +studied nature in all her romantic scenes, and all her secret haunts. +They studied men in the various ranks of society, and in different +nations of the world. I might add to this several other advantages. Of +these the noble freedom of mind that was characteristic of the +republicans of Greece and Rome, and that has scarcely any parallel among +ourselves, would not be the least. + +Agreeably to these advantages, they almost every where, particularly +among the Greeks, bear upon them the stamp of originality. All copies +are feeble and unmarked. They sacrifice the plainness of nature to the +gaudiness of ornament, and the tinsel of wit. But the ancients are full +of a noble and affecting simplicity. By one touch of nature and +observation they paint a scene more truly, than their successors are +able to do in whole wire-drawn pages. In description they are +unequalled. Their eloquence is fervent, manly and sonorous. Their +thoughts are just, natural, independent and profound. The pathos of +Virgil, and the sublimity of Homer, have never been surpassed. And as +their knowledge was not acquired in learned indolence, they knew how to +join the severest application with the brightest genius. Accordingly in +their style they have united simplicity, eloquence and harmony, in a +manner of which the moderns have seldom had even an idea. The +correctness of a Caesar, and the sonorous period of a Cicero; the +majesty of a Virgil, and the politeness of a Horace, are such as no +living language can express. + +It is the remark of a certain old-fashioned writer, "The form of the +world passeth away." A century or two ago the greatest wits were known +to have pathetically lamented, that the writers, of whose merits I have +been speaking, were handed down to us in so mutilated a condition. Now +it seems very probable, that, if their works were totally annihilated, +it would scarcely call forth a sigh from the refined geniuses of the +present age. It is certainly very possible to carry the passion for +antiquity to a ridiculous extreme. No man can reasonably deny, that it +is by us only that the true system of the universe has been ascertained, +and that we have made very valuable improvements upon many of the arts. +No man can question that some of our English poets have equalled the +ancients in sublimity, and that, to say the least, our neighbours, the +French, have emulated the elegance of their composition in a manner, +that is very far indeed from contempt. From these concessions however we +are by no means authorised to infer their inutility. + +But I shall be told that in the first revival of letters the study of +the ancient languages might indeed be very proper; but since that time +we have had so many excellent truncations of every thing they contain, +that to waste the time, and exhaust the activity of our youth in the +learning of Latin and Greek, is to very little purpose indeed. +Translation! what a strange word! To me I confess it appears the most +unaccountable invention, that ever entered into the mind of man. To +distil the glowing conceptions, and to travesty the beautiful language +of the ancients, through the medium of a language estranged to all its +peculiarities and all its elegancies. The best thoughts and expressions +of an author, those that distinguish one writer from another, are +precisely those that are least capable of being translated. And who are +the men we are to employ in this promising business? Original genius +disdains the unmeaning drudgery. A mind that has one feature resembling +the ancients, will scarcely stoop to be their translator. The persons +then, to whom the performance must be committed, are persons of cool +elegance. Endowed with a little barren taste, they must be inanimate +enough to tread with laborious imbecility in the footsteps of another. +They must be eternally incapable of imbibing the spirit, and glowing +with the fire of their original. But we shall seldom come off so well as +this. The generality of translators are either on the one hand mere +pedants and dealers in words, who, understanding the grammatical +construction of a period, never gave themselves the trouble to enquire, +whether it conveyed either sentiment or instruction; or on the other +hand mere writers for hire, the retainers of a bookseller, men who +translate Homer from the French, and Horace out of Creech. + +Let it not be said that I am now talking at random. Let us descend to +examples. We need not be afraid of instancing in the most favourable. I +believe it is generally allowed that Mr. Pope's Iliad is the very best +version that was ever made out of one language into another. It must be +confessed to exhibit very many poetical beauties. As a trial of skill, +as an instance of what can be effected upon so forlorn a hope, it must +ever be admired. But were I to search for a true idea of the style and +composition of Homer, I think I should rather recur to the verbal +translation in the margin of the original, than to the version of Pope. +Homer is the simplest and most unaffected of poets. Of all the writers +of elegance and taste that ever existed, his translator is the most +ornamented. We acknowledge Homer by his loose and flowing robe, that +does not constrain a muscle of his frame. But Pope presents himself in +the close and ungraceful habit of modern times; + + + "Glittering with gems, and stiff with woven gold." + + +No, let us for once conduct ourselves with honesty and generosity. If we +will not study the ancients in their own nervous and manly page, let us +close their volumes for ever. I had rather, says the amiable philosopher +of Chaeronea, it should be said of me, that there never was such a man +as Plutarch, than that Plutarch was ill-natured, arbitrary, and +tyrannical. And were I the bard of Venusia, sure I am, I had rather be +entirely forgotten, than not be known for the polite, the spirited, and +the elegant writer I really was. + +To converse with the accomplished, is the obvious method by which to +become accomplished ourselves. This general observation is equally +applicable to the study of polite writers of our own and of other +countries. But there are some reasons, upon account of which we may +expect to derive a more perceptible advantage from the ancients. They +carried the art of composition to greater heights than any of the +moderns. Their writers were almost universally of a higher rank in +society, than ours. There did not then exist the temptation of gain to +spur men on to the profession of an author. An industrious modern will +produce twenty volumes, in the time that Socrates employed to polish one +oration. + +Another argument flows from the simple circumstance of their writing in +a different language. Of all the requisites to the attainment either of +a style of our own, or a discernment in that of others, the first is +grammar. Without this, our ideas must be always vague and desultory. +Respecting the delicacies of composition, we may guess, but we can never +decide and demonstrate. Now, of the minutiae of grammar, scarcely any +man ever attained a just knowledge, who was acquainted with only one +language. And if the study of others be the surest, I will venture also +to pronounce it the easiest method for acquiring a mastery in philology. + +From what has been said, I shall consider this conclusion as +sufficiently established, that the languages ought at some time to be +learned by him who would form to himself a perfect character. I proceed +to my second enquiry, at what time the study of them should be +commenced? And here I think this to be the best general answer: at the +age of ten years. + +In favour of so early a period one reason may be derived from what I +have just been mentioning. The knowledge of more languages than one, is +almost an indispensible prerequisite to the just understanding either of +the subject of grammar in particular, or of that of style in general. +Now if the cultivation of elegance and propriety be at all important, it +cannot be entered upon too soon, provided the ideas are already +competent to the capacity of the pupil. The Roman Cornelia, who never +suffered a provincial accent, or a grammatical barbarism in the hearing +of her children, has always been cited with commendation; and the +subsequent rhetorical excellence of the Gracchi has been in a great +degree ascribed to it. Fluency, purity and ease are to be acquired by +insensible degrees: and against habits of this kind I apprehend there +can be no objection. + +Another argument of still greater importance is, that the knowledge of +languages has scarcely ever been mastered, but by those, the +commencement of whose acquaintance with them was early. To be acquainted +with any science slightly and superficially, can in my opinion be +productive of little advantage. But such an acquaintance with languages +must be very useless indeed. What benefit can it be expected that we +should derive from an author, whom we cannot peruse with facility and +pleasure? The study of such an author will demand a particular strength +of resolution, and aptitude of humour. He can scarcely become the +favourite companion of our retirement, and the never-failing solace of +our cares. Something of slow and saturnine must be the necessary +accompaniment of that disposition, that can conquer the difficulties of +such a pursuit. And accordingly we find that the classics and the school +are generally quitted together, even by persons of taste, who have not +acquired a competent mastery of them in their course of education. Very +few indeed have been those, who, estranged to the languages till the age +of manhood, have after that period obtained such a familiarity with +them, as could ever be productive of any considerable advantage. + +Brutes and savages are totally unacquainted with lassitude and spleen, +the lust of variety, and the impatience of curiosity. In a state of +society our ideas habitually succeed in a certain proportion, and an +employment that retards their progress, speedily becomes disagreeable +and tedious. But children, not having yet felt this effect of +civilization, are not susceptible to this cause of disgust. They are +endowed with a pliableness and versatility of mind, that with a little +attention and management may easily be turned to any pursuit. Their +understandings not yet preoccupied, they have a singular facility of +apprehending, and strength of retention. It is certain this pliableness +and facility are very liable to abuse. It is not easy to believe, that +they were given to learn words without meaning; terms of art, not +understood by the pupil; the systems of theologians, and the jargon of +metaphysics. But then neither were they given without a capacity of +being turned to advantage. And it should seem that it could not be a +very fallacious antidote to abuse, to confine our instructions to such +kinds of knowledge, as are of the highest importance, and are seldom +learned with success, and even scarcely attainable, at any other period. + +Let it be observed that I have not fixed upon the age of ten years at +random. It is the observation of Rousseau; Both children and men are +essentially feeble. Children, because however few be their wants, they +are unable to supply them. Men, in a state of society, because whatever +be their absolute strength, the play of the imagination renders their +desires yet greater. There is an intermediate period, in which our +powers having made some progress, and the artificial and imaginary wants +being unknown, we are relatively strong. And this he represents as the +principal period of instruction. This remark is indeed still more +striking, when applied to a pupil, the progress of whose imagination is +sedulously retarded. But it is not destitute either of truth or utility +in the most general application we can possibly give it. Let it be +observed, that Rousseau fixes the commencement of this period at twelve +years. I would choose to take it at ten. + +However we may find it convenient to distribute the productions of +nature into classes, and her operations into epochas, yet let it be +remembered, that her progress is silent and imperceptible. Between a +perfect animal and vegetable, the distinction is of the highest order. +Between distant periods we may remark the most important differences. +But the gradations of nature are uninterrupted. Of her chain every link +is compleat. As therefore I shall find in commencing at ten years, that +my time will be barely sufficient for the purposes to which I would +appropriate it, I consider this circumstance as sufficient to determine +my election. A youth of ten years is omnipotent, if we contrast him with +a youth of eight. + +But if the languages constitute so valuable a part of a just system of +education, the next question is, in what manner they are to be taught. +Indeed, I believe, if the persons employed in the business of education +had taken half the pains to smooth the access to this department of +literature, that they have employed to plant it round with briars and +thorns, its utility and propriety, in the view we are now considering +it, would scarcely have been questioned. + +There is something necessarily disgusting in the forms of grammar. +Grammar therefore is made in our public schools the business of a +twelvemonth. Rules are heaped upon rules with laborious stupidity. To +render them the more formidable, they are presented to our youth in the +very language, the first principles of which they are designed to teach. +For my own part, I am persuaded the whole business of grammar may be +dispatched in a fortnight. I would only teach the declensions of nouns, +and the inflexions of verbs. For the rest, nothing is so easily +demonstrated, as that the auxiliary sciences are best communicated in +connection with their principals. Chronology, geography, are never so +thoroughly understood, as by him that treats them literally as the +handmaids of history. He, who is instructed in Latin with clearness and +accuracy, will never be at a loss for the rules of grammar. + +But to complete the disgust we seem so careful to inspire, the learned +languages are ever surrounded with the severity verity of discipline; +and it would probably be thought little short of sacrilege to discompose +their features with a smile. Such a mode of proceeding can never be +sufficiently execrated. + +Indeed, I shall be told, "this is the time to correct the native vices +of the mind. In childhood the influence of pain and mortification is +comparatively trifling. What then can be more judicious than to +accumulate upon this period, what must otherwise fall with tenfold +mischief upon the age of maturity?" In answer to this reasoning, let it +be first considered, how many there are, who by the sentence of nature +are called out of existence, before they can live to reap these boasted +advantages. Which of you is there, that has not at some time regretted +that age, in which a smile is ever upon the countenance, and peace and +serenity at the bottom of the heart? How is it you can consent to +deprive these little innocents of an enjoyment, that slides so fast +away? How is it you can find in your heart to pall these fleeting years +with bitterness and slavery? The undesigning gaiety of youth has the +strongest claim upon your humanity. There is not in the world a truer +object of pity, than a child terrified at every glance, and watching, +with anxious uncertainty, the caprices of a pedagogue. If he survive, +the liberty of manhood is dearly bought by so many heart aches. And if +he die, happy to escape your cruelty, the only advantage he derives from +the sufferings you have inflicted, is that of not regretting a life, of +which he knew nothing but the torments. + +But who is it that has told you, that the certain, or even the probable +consequences of this severity are beneficial? Nothing is so easily +proved, as that the human mind is pure and spotless, as it came from the +hands of God, and that the vices of which you complain, have their real +source in those shallow and contemptible precautions, that you pretend +to employ against them. Of all the conditions to which we are incident, +there is none so unpropitious to whatever is ingenuous and honourable, +as that of a slave. It plucks away by the root all sense of dignity, and +all manly confidence. In those nations of antiquity, most celebrated for +fortitude and heroism, their youth had never their haughty and +unsubmitting neck bowed to the inglorious yoke of a pedagogue. To borrow +the idea of that gallant assertor of humanity, sir Richard Steele: I +will not say that our public schools have not produced many great and +illustrious characters; but I will assert, there was not one of those +characters, that would not have been more manly and venerable, if they +had never been subjected to this vile and sordid condition. + +Having thus set aside the principal corruptions of modern education, the +devising methods for facilitating the acquisition of languages will not +be difficult. The first books put into the hands of a pupil should be +simple, interesting, and agreeable. By their means, he will perceive a +reasonableness and a beauty in the pursuit. If he be endowed by nature +with a clear understanding, and the smallest propensity to literature, +he will need very little to stimulate him either from hope or fear. + +Attentive to the native gaiety of youth, the periods, in which his +attention is required, though frequent in their returns, should in their +duration be short and inoppressive. The pupil should do nothing merely +because he is seen or heard by his preceptor. If he have companions, +still nothing more is requisite, than that degree of silence and order, +which shall hinder the attention of any from being involuntarily +diverted. The pupil has nothing to conceal, and no need of falsehood. +The approbation of the preceptor respects only what comes directly under +his cognizance, and cannot be disguised. Even here, remembering the +volatility and sprightliness, inseparable from the age, humanity will +induce him not to animadvert with warmth upon the appearances of a +casual distraction, but he will rather solicit the return of attention +by gentleness, than severity. + +But of all rules, the most important is that of preserving an uniform, +even tenour of conduct. Into the government of youth passion and caprice +should never enter. The gentle yoke of the preceptor should be +confounded as much as possible, with the eternal laws of nature and +necessity. The celebrated maxim of republican government should be +adopted here. The laws should speak, and the magistrate be silent. The +constitution should be for ever unchangeable and independent of the +character of him that administers it. + +Nothing can certainly be more absurd than the attempt to educate +children by reason. We may be sure they will treat every determination +as capricious, that shocks their inclination. The _chef d'oeuvre_ of a +good education is to form a reasonable human being; and yet they pretend +to govern a child by argument and ratiocination. This is to enter upon +the work at the wrong end, and to endeavour to convert the fabric itself +into one of the tools by which it is constructed. The laws of the +preceptor ought to be as final and inflexible, as they are mild and +humane. + +There is yet another method for facilitating the acquisition of +languages, so just in itself, and so universally practicable, that I +cannot forbear mentioning it. It is that of commencing with the modern +languages, French for instance in this country. These in the education +of our youth, are universally postponed to what are stiled the learned +languages. I shall perhaps be told that modern tongues being in a great +measure derived from the Latin, the latter is very properly to be +considered as introductory to the former. But why then do we not adopt +the same conduct in every instance? Why to the Latin do we not premise +the Greek, and to the Greek the Coptic and Oriental tongues? Or how long +since is it, that the synthetic has been proved so much superior to the +analytic mode of instruction? In female education, the modern languages +are taught without all this preparation; nor do I find that our fair +rivals are at all inferior to the generality of our sex in their +proficiency. With the youth of sense and spirit of both sexes, the +learning of French is usually considered, rather as a pleasure, than a +burden. Were the Latin communicated in the same mild and accommodating +manner, I think I may venture to pronounce, that thus taken in the +second place, there will be no great difficulty in rendering it equally +attractive. + +I would just observe that there is an obvious propriety in the French +language being learned under the same direction, as the Latin and Greek. +The pursuit of this elegant accomplishment ought at no time to be +entirely omitted. But the attention of youth is distracted between the +method of different masters, and their amiable confidence, in the +direction under which they are placed, entirely ruined by mutability and +inconstance. The same observation may also be applied here, as in the +learned languages. The attention of the pupil should be confined as much +as possible to the most classical writers; and the French would furnish +a most useful subsidiary in a course of history. Let me add, that though +I have prescribed the age of ten years, as the most eligible for the +commencement of classical education, I conceive there would be no +impropriety in taking up the modern language so early as nine. + +Such then is the kind of subjection, that the learning of languages +demands. The question that recurs upon us is; How far this subjection +may fairly be considered as exceptionable, and whether its beneficial +consequences do not infinitely outweigh the trifling inconveniences that +may still be ascribed to it? + +But there is another subject that demands our consideration. Modern +education not only corrupts the heart of our youth, by the rigid slavery +to which it condemns them, it also undermines their reason, by the +unintelligible jargon with which they are overwhelmed in the first +instance, and the little attention, that is given to the accommodating +their pursuits to their capacities in the second. + +Nothing can have a greater tendency to clog and destroy the native +activity of the mind, than the profuseness with which the memory of +children is loaded, by nurses, by mothers, by masters. What can more +corrupt the judgment, than the communicating, without measure, and +without end, words entirely devoid of meaning? What can have a more +ridiculous influence upon our taste, than for the first verses to which +our attention is demanded, to consist of such strange and uncouth +jargon? To complete the absurdity, and that we may derive all that +elegance and refinement from the study of languages, that it is +calculated to afford, our first ideas of Latin are to be collected from +such authors, as Corderius, Erasmus, Eutropius, and the Selectae. To +begin indeed with the classical writers, is not the way to smooth the +path of literature. I am of opinion however, that one of the +above-mentioned authors will be abundantly sufficient. Let it be +remembered, that the passage from the introductory studies to those +authors, that form the very essence of the language, will be much +facilitated by the previous acquisition of the French. + +Having spoken of the article of memory, let me be permitted to mention +the practice, that has of late gained so great a vogue; the instructing +children in the art of spouting and acting plays. Of all the qualities +incident to human nature, the most universally attractive is simplicity, +the most disgusting is affectation. Now what idea has a child of the +passions of a hero, and the distresses of royalty? But he is taught the +most vehement utterance, and a thousand constrained cadences, without +its being possible that he should see in them, either reasonableness or +propriety. + +I would not have a child required to commit any thing to memory more +than is absolutely necessary. If, however, he be a youth of spirit, he +will probably learn some things in this manner, and the sooner because +it is not expected of him. It will be of use for him to repeat these +with a grave and distinct voice, accommodated to those cadences, which +the commas, the periods, and the notes of interrogation, marked in his +author, may require, but without the smallest instruction to humour the +gay, or to sadden the plaintive. + +Another article, that makes a conspicuous figure in the education of our +youth, is composition. Before they are acquainted with the true +difference between verse and prose, before they are prepared to decide +upon the poetical merit of Lily and Virgil, they are called upon to +write Latin verse themselves. In the same manner some of their first +prose compositions are in a dead language. An uniform, petty, ridiculous +scheme is laid down, and within that scheme all their thoughts are to be +circumscribed. + +Composition is certainly a desirable art, and I think can scarcely be +entered upon too soon. It should be one end after which I would +endeavour, and the mode of effecting it will be farther illustrated in +the sequel, to solicit a pupil to familiarity, and to induce him to +disclose his thoughts upon such subjects as were competent to his +capacity, in an honest and simple manner. After having thus warmed him +by degrees, it might be proper to direct him to write down his thoughts, +without any prescribed method, in the natural and spontaneous manner, in +which they flowed from his mind. Thus the talk of throwing his +reflections upon paper would be facilitated to him, and his style +gradually formed, without teaching him any kind of restraint and +affectation. To the reader who enters at all into my ideas upon the +subject, it were needless to subjoin, that I should never think of +putting a youth upon the composition of verse. + +From all I have said it will be sufficiently evident, that it would be a +constant object with me to model my instructions to the capacity of my +pupil. They are books, that beyond all things teach us to talk without +thinking, and use words without meaning. To this evil there can be no +complete remedy. But shall we abolish literature, because it is not +unaccompanied with inconveniencies? Shall we return to a state of savage +ignorance, because all the advantages of civilization have their +attendant disadvantages? + +The only remedy that can be applied, is to accustom ourselves to clear +and accurate investigation. To prefer, whereever we can have recourse to +it, the book of nature to any human composition. To begin with the +latter as late as may be consistent with the most important purposes of +education. And when we do begin, so to arrange our studies, as that we +may commence with the simplest and easiest sciences, and proportion our +progress to the understanding of the pupil. + +With respect to grammar in particular, the declensions of nouns, and the +inflexions of verbs, we may observe, that to learn words to which +absolutely no ideas are affixed, is not to learn to think loosely, and +to believe without being convinced. These certainly can never corrupt +the mind. And I suppose no one will pretend, that to learn grammar, is +to be led to entertain inaccurate notions of the subjects, about which +it is particularly conversant. On the contrary, the ideas of grammar are +exceedingly clear and accurate. It has, in my opinion, all those +advantages, by which the study of geometry is usually recommended, +without any of its disadvantages. It tends much to purge the +understanding, to render it close in its investigations, and sure in its +decisions. It introduces more easily and intelligibly than mathematical +science, that most difficult of all the mental operations, abstraction. +It imperceptibly enlarges our conceptions, and generalises our ideas. + +But if to read its authors, be the most valuable purpose of learning a +language, the grammar will not be sufficient. Other books will be +necessary. And how shall these be chosen, so as not to leave behind us +the understanding of our pupil? Shall we introduce him first to the +sublime flights of Virgil, the philosophical investigations of a Cicero, +or the refined elegance and gay satire of Horace? Alas! if thus +introduced unprepared to the noblest heights of science, how can it be +expected that his understanding should escape the shipwreck, and every +atom of common sense not be dashed and scattered ten thousand ways? + +The study then I would here introduce, should be that of history. And +that this study is not improper to the age with which I connect it, is +the second point I would endeavour to demonstrate. + +But is history, I shall be asked, the study so proper for uninstructed +minds? History, that may in some measure be considered as concentring in +itself the elements of all other sciences? History, by which we are +informed of the rise and progress of every art, and by whose testimony +the comparative excellence of every art is ascertained? History, the +very testimony of which is not to be admitted, without the previous +trial of metaphysical scrutiny, and philosophic investigation? Lastly, +History, that is to be considered as a continual illustration of the +arts of fortification and tactics; but above all of politics, with its +various appendages, commerce, manufacture, finances? + +To all this, I calmly answer, No: it is not history in any of these +forms, that constitutes the science to which I would direct the +attention of my pupil. Of the utility of the history of arts and +sciences, at least, as a general study, I have no very high opinion. But +were my opinion ever so exalted, I should certainly chuse to postpone +this study for the present. I should have as little to do with tactics +and fortification. I would avoid as much as possible the very subject of +war. Politics, commerce, finances, might easily be deferred. I would +keep far aloof from the niceties of chronology, and the dispute of +facts. I would not enter upon the study of history through the medium of +epitome. I would even postpone the general history of nations, to the +character and actions of particular men. + +Many of the articles I have mentioned, serve to compose the pedantry of +history. Than history, no science has been more abused. It has been +studied from ostentation; it has been studied with the narrow views of +little minds; it has been warped to serve a temporary purpose. Ingenious +art has hung it round with a thousand subtleties, and a thousand +disputes. The time has at length arrived, when it requires an erect +understanding, and a penetrating view, above the common rate, to +discover the noble purposes, which this science is most immediately +calculated to subserve. + +In a word, the fate of history has been like that of travelling. The +institution has been preserved, but its original use is lost. One man +travels from fashion, and another from pride. One man travels to measure +buildings, another to examine pictures, and a third perhaps to learn to +dance. Scarcely any remember that its true application is to study men +and manners. Perhaps a juster idea cannot be given of the science we are +considering, than that which we may deduce from a reflection of +Rousseau. "The ancient historians," says he, "are crowded with those +views of things, from which we may derive the utmost utility, even +though the facts that suggest them, should be mistaken. But we are +unskilled to derive any real advantage from history. The critique of +erudition absorbs every thing; as if it imported us much whether the +relation were true, provided we could extract from it any useful +induction. Men of sense ought to regard history as a tissue of fables, +whose moral is perfectly adapted to the human heart." + +The mere external actions of men are not worth the studying: Who would +have ever thought of going through a course of history, if the science +were comprised in a set of chronological tables? No: it is the hearts of +men we should study. It is to their actions, as expressive of +disposition and character, we should attend. But by what is it that we +can be advanced thus far, but by specious conjecture, and plausible +inference? The philosophy of a Sallust, and the sagacity of a Tacitus, +can only advance us to the regions of probability. But whatever be the +most perfect mode of historical composition, it is to the simplest +writers that our youth should be first introduced, writers equally +distant from the dry detail of Du Fresnoy, and the unrivalled eloquence +of a Livy. The translation of Plutarch would, in my opinion, form the +best introduction. As he is not a writer of particular elegance, he +suffers less from a version, than many others. The Roman revolutions of +Vertot might very properly fill the second place. Each of these writers +has this further recommendation, that, at least, in the former part of +their works, they treat of that simplicity and rectitude of manners of +the first Greeks and Romans, that furnish the happiest subject that can +be devised for the initiating youth in the study of history. + +Under the restrictions I have laid down, history is of all sciences the +most simple. It has been ever considered by philosophers, as the porch +of knowledge. It has ever been treated by men of literature, as the +relaxation of their feverer pursuits. It leads directly to the most +important of all attainments, the knowledge of the heart. It introduces +us, without expence, and without danger, to an acquaintance with manners +and society. By the most natural advances it points us forward to all +the depths of science. With the most attractive blandishments it forms +us by degrees to an inextinguishable thirst of literature. + +But there is still an objection remaining, and that the most important +of all. Let history be stripped as much as you will of every extraneous +circumstance, let it be narrowed to the utmost simplicity, there is +still one science previously necessary. It is that of morals. If you see +nothing in human conduct, but purely the exterior and physical +movements, what is it that history teaches? Absolutely nothing; and the +science devoid of interest, becomes incapable of affording either +pleasure or instruction. We may add, that the more perfectly it is made +a science of character and biography, the more indispensible is ethical +examination. But to such an examination it has been doubted whether the +understandings of children be competent. Upon this question I will beg +leave to say a few words, and I have done. + +It is scarcely necessary to observe, that I do not speak here of ethics +as an abstract science, but simply as it relates to practice, and the +oeconomy of human life. Our enquiry therefore is respecting the time at +which that intuitive faculty is generally awakened, by which we decide +upon the differences of virtue and vice, and are impelled to applaud the +one, and condemn the other. + +The moment in which the faculty of memory begins to unfold itself, the +man begins to exist as a moral being. Not long posterior to this, is the +commencement of prescience and foresight. Rousseau has told us, in his +animated language, that if a child could escape a whipping, or obtain a +paper of sweetmeats, by promising to throw himself out at window +tomorrow, the promise would instantly be made. Nothing is more contrary +to experience than this. It is true, death, or any such evils, of which +he has no clear conception, do not strongly affect him in prospect. But +by the view of that which is palpable and striking, he is as much +influenced as any man, however extensive his knowledge, however large +his experience. It is only by seizing upon the activity and earnestness +incident to youthful pursuits, and totally banishing the idea of what is +future, that we can destroy its influence. Their minds, like a sheet of +white paper, are susceptible to every impression. Their brain, uncrouded +with a thousand confused traces, is a cause, that every impression they +receive is strong and durable. + +The aera of foresight is the aera of imagination, and imagination is the +grand instrument of virtue. The mind is the seat of pleasure and pain. +It is not by what we see, but by what we infer and suppose, that we are +taught, that any being is the object of commiseration. It is by the +constant return of the mind to the unfortunate object, that we are +strongly impressed with sympathy. Hence it is that the too frequent +recurrence of objects of distress, at the same time that it blunts the +imagination, renders the heart callous and obdurate. + +The sentiment that the persons about us have life and feeling as well as +ourselves, cannot be of very late introduction. It may be forwarded by +cultivation, but it can scarcely at any rate be very much retarded. For +this sentiment to become perfectly clear and striking, and to be applied +in every case that may come before us, must undoubtedly be an affair +gradual in its progress. From thence to the feelings of right and wrong, +of compassion and generosity, there is but one step. + +It has, I think, been fully demonstrated by that very elegant +philosopher Mr. Hutcheson, that self-love is not the source of all our +passions, but that disinterested benevolence has its seat in the human +heart. At present it is necessary for me to take this for granted. The +discussion would lead me too far from my subject. What I would infer +from it is, that benevolent affections are capable of a very early +commencement. They do not wait to be grafted upon the selfish. They have +the larger scope in youthful minds, as such have not yet learned those +refinements of interest, that are incident to persons of longer +experience. + +Accordingly no observation is more common, than that mankind are more +generous in the earlier periods of their life, and that their affections +become gradually contracted the farther they advance in the vale of +years. Confidence, kindness, benevolence, constitute the entire temper +of youth. And unless these amiable dispositions be blasted in the bud by +the baneful infusions of ambition, vanity and pride, there is nothing +with which they would not part, to cherish adversity, and remunerate +favour. + +Hence we may infer, that the general ideas of merit and character are +perfectly competent to the understanding of children of ten years. False +glory is the farthest in the world from insinuating its witchcraft into +the undepraved heart, where the vain and malignant passions have not yet +erected their standard. It is true, the peculiar sublimities of heroism +cannot be supposed perfectly within his comprehension. But something of +this sort, as we have already said, is incident to every step in the +scale of literature. + +But the more perfectly to familiarise to my pupil the understanding and +digesting whatever he read, I would consider it as an indispensible part +of my business, to talk over with him familiarly the subjects, that +might necessarily demand our attention. I would lead him by degrees to +relate with clearness and precision the story of his author. I would +induce him to deliver his fair and genuine sentiments upon every action, +and character that came before us. I would frequently call upon him for +a plain and simple reason for his opinion. This should always be done +privately, without ostentation, and without rivalship. Thus, separate +from the danger of fomenting those passions of envy and pride, that +prepare at a distance for our youth so many mortifications, and at the +expence of which too frequently this accomplishment is attained, I would +train him to deliver his opinion upon every subject with freedom, +perspicuity and fluency. Without at any time dictating to him the +sentiments it became him to entertain, I might, with a little honed +artifice, mould his judgment into the form it was most desirable it +should take, at the same time that I discovered his genius, and +ascertained the original propensities of his mind. + +It is unnecessary for me to say any thing respecting morals in the other +sense of the word, I mean as they are connected with the conduct, the +habits of which we should endeavour to cultivate in a pupil; as that +subject has been already exhausted. The vices of youth spring not from +nature, who is equally the kind and blameless mother of all her +children; they derive from the defects of education. We have already +endeavoured to shut up all the inlets of vice. We have precluded +servility and cowardice. We have taken away the motives to concealment +and falshood. By the liberal indulgence we have prescribed, we have +laid the foundation of manly spirit, and generous dignity. A continual +attention to history, accompanied with the cultivation of moral +discernment, and animated with the examples of heroic virtue, could not +fail to form the heart of the pupil, to all that is excellent. At the +same time, by assiduous care, the shoots of vanity and envy might be +crushed in the bud. Emulation is a dangerous and mistaken principle of +constancy. Instead of it I would wish to see the connection of pupils, +consisting only of pleasure and generosity. They should learn to love, +but not to hate each other. Benevolent actions should not directly be +preached to them, they should strictly begin in the heart of the +performer. But when actually done, they should receive the most +distinguished applause. + +Let me be permitted in this place to observe, that the association of a +small number of pupils seems the most perfect mode of education. There +is surely something unsuitable to the present state of mankind, in the +wishing to educate our youth in perfect solitude. Society calls forth a +thousand powers both of mind and body, that must otherwise rust in +inactivity. And nothing is more clear from experience, than that there +is a certain tendency to moral depravation in very large bodies of this +kind, to which there has not yet been discovered a sufficient remedy. + +If, by the pursuit of principles like these, the powers of the +understanding and the heart might be developed in concert; if the pupils +were trained at once to knowledge and virtue; if they were enabled to +look back upon the period of their education, without regretting one +instance of anxious terror, or capricious severity; if they recollected +their tutor with gratitude, and thought of their companions, as of those +generous friends whom they would wish for the associates of their +life,--in that case, the pains of the preceptor would not be thrown +away. + +FINIS. + + + + + +THE + +HERALD OF LITERATURE. + + +[PRICE TWO SHILLINGS.] + + +THE + + + +HERALD OF LITERATURE; + + + +OR, + + + +A REVIEW + + +OF THE + + +MOST CONSIDERABLE PUBLICATIONS + + +THAT WILL BE MADE IN THE + + +COURSE OF THE ENSUING WINTER: + + + +WITH + + +EXTRACTS. + + + + * * * * * + +LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. MURRAY, NO. 32, FLEET-STREET. + +M DCC LXXXIV. + + +TO THE AUTHORS OF THE MONTHLY AND CRITICAL REVIEWS. + + +GENTLEMEN, + +In presenting the following sheets to the public, I hope I shall not be +considered as encroaching upon that province, which long possession has +probably taught you to consider as your exclusive right. The labour it +has cost me, and the many perils I have encountered to bring it to +perfection, will, I trust, effectually plead my pardon with persons of +your notorious candour and humanity. Represent to yourselves, Gentlemen, +I entreat you, the many false keys, bribes to the lacqueys of authors +that can keep them, and collusions with the booksellers of authors that +cannot, which were required in the prosecution of this arduous +undertaking. Imagine to yourselves how often I have shuddered upon the +verge of petty larceny, and how repeatedly my slumbers have been +disturbed with visions of the King's-Bench Prison and Clerkenwell +Bridewell. You, gentlemen, sit in your easy chair, and with the majesty +of a Minos or an Aeacus, summon the trembling culprits to your bar. But +though you never knew what fear was, recollect, other men have snuffed a +candle with their fingers. + +But I would not be misunderstood. Heroical as I trust my undertaking +proves me, I fear no man's censure, and court no man's applause. But I +look up to you as a respectable body of men, who have long united your +efforts to reduce the disproportioned members of an ancient republic to +an happy equality, to give wings to the little emmet of Grub-street, and +to hew away the excrescences of lawless genius with a hatchet. In this +character I honour you. That you have assumed it uncompelled and +self-elected, that you have exercised it undazzled by the _ignis fatuus_ +of genius, is your unfading glory. + +Having thus cleared myself from the suspicion of any sinister view, I +cannot here refrain from presenting you with a peace-offering. Had it +been in my power to procure gums more costly, or incense more fragrant, +I would have rendered it more worthy your acceptance. + +It has been a subject upon which I have often reflected with +mortification, that the world is too apt to lay aside your lucubrations +with the occasions that gave birth to them, and that if they are ever +opened after, it is only with old magazines by staid matrons over their +winter fire. Such persons are totally incapable of comparing your +sentences with the maturer verdict of the public; a comparison that +would redound so much to your honour. What I design at present, is in +some measure to remedy an evil, that can never perhaps be entirely +removed. As the field which is thus opened to me is almost unbounded, I +will confine myself to two of the most striking examples, in Tristram +Shandy, and the Rosciad of Churchill. + +In the Monthly Review, vol. 24, p, 103, I find these words: + +"But your indiscretion, good Mr. Tristram, is not all we complain of in +the volumes before us. We must tax you with what you will dread above +the most terrible of all insinuations--nothing less than DULLNESS. Yes, +indeed, Mr. Tristram, you are dull, _very dull_. Your jaded fancy seems +to have been exhausted by two pigmy octavos, which scarce contained the +substance of a twelve-penny pamphlet, and we now find nothing new to +entertain us." + +The following epithets are selected at random. "We are sick--we are +quite tired--we can no longer bear corporal Trim's +insipidity--thread-bare--stupid and unaffecting--absolutely +dull--misapplication of talents--he will unavoidably sink into +contempt." + +The Critical Review, vol II, p. 212, has the following account of the +Rosciad: + + + "It is _natural_ for young authors to conceive themselves the + cleverest fellows in the world, and withal, that there is not + the least degree of merit subsisting but in their own works: It + is _natural_ likewise for them to imagine, that they may conceal + themselves by appearing in different shapes, and that they are + not to be found out by their stile; but little do these + _Connoisseurs_ in writing conceive, how easily they are + discovered by a veteran in the service. In the title-page to + this performance we are told (by way of quaint conceit), that it + was written by _the author_; what if it should prove that the + Author and the Actor[A] are the same! Certain it is that we meet + with the _same_ vein of peculiar humour, the same turn of + thought, the same _autophilism_ (there's a new word for you to + bring into the next poem) which we meet with in the other; + insomuch that we are ready to make the conclusion in the + author's own words: + + [Footnote A: _The Actor, a Poem, by Robert Lloyd, Esq._] + + + Who is it?------LLOYD. + + + "We will not pretend however absolutely to assert that Mr. L---- + wrote this poem; but we may venture to affirm, that it is the + production, jointly or separately, of the new triumvirate of + wits, who never let an opportunity slip of singing their own + praises. _Caw me, caw thee_, as Sawney says, and so to it they + go, and _scratch_ one another like so many Scotch pedlars." + + +In page 339, I find a passage referred to in the Index, under the head +of "a notable instance of their candour," retracting their insinuations +against Lloyd and Colman, and ascribing the poem in a particular vein of +pleasantry to Mr. Flexney, the bookseller, and Mr. Griffin, the printer. +Candour certainly did not require that they should acknowledge Mr. +Churchill, whose name was now inserted in the title-page, as the author, +or if author of any, at least not of a considerable part of the poem. +That this was their sense of the matter, appears from their account of +the apology for the Rosciad, p. 409. + +"This is another _Brutum Fulinen_ launched at the Critical Review by one +Churchill, who it seems is a clergyman, and it must be owned has a knack +at versification; a bard, who upon the strength of having written a few +good lines in a thing called _The Rosciad_, swaggers about as if he were +game-keeper of Parnassus." + +P. 410. "This apologist has very little reason to throw out behind +against the Critical Reviewers, who in mentioning _The Rosciad_, of +which he calls himself author, commended it in the lump, without +specifying the bald lines, the false thoughts, and tinsel frippery from +which it is not entirely free." They conclude with contrasting him with +Smollet, in comparison of whom he is "a puny antagonist, who must write +many more poems as good as the Rosciad, before he will be considered as +a respectable enemy." + +Upon these extracts I will beg leave to make two observations. + +1. Abstracted from all consideration of the profundity of criticism that +is displayed, no man can avoid being struck with the humour and +pleasantry in which they are conceived, or the elegant and gentlemanlike +language in which they are couched. What can be more natural or more +ingenuous than to suppose that the persons principally commended in a +work, were themselves the writers of it? And for that allusion of the +Scotch pedlars, for my part, I hold it to be inimitable. + +2. But what is most admirable is the independent spirit, with which they +stemmed the torrent of fashion, and forestalled the second thoughts of +their countrymen. There was a time when Tristram Shandy was applauded, +and Churchill thought another Dryden. But who reads Tristram now? There +prevails indeed a certain quaintness, and something "like an affectation +of being immoderately witty, throughout the whole work." But for real +humour not a grain. So said the Monthly Reviewers, (v. 21. p. 568.) and +so says the immortal Knox. Both indeed grant him a slight knack at the +pathetic; but, if I may venture a prediction, his pretensions to the +latter will one day appear no better founded, than his pretentions to +the former. + +And then poor Churchill! His satire now appears to be dull and +pointless. Through his tedious page no modern student can labour. We +look back, and wonder how the rage of party ever swelled this _thing_ +into a poet. Even the great constellation, from whose tribunal no +prudent man ever appealed, has excluded him from a kingdom, where Watts +and Blackmore reign. But Johnson and Knox can by no means compare with +the Reviewers. These attacked the mountebanks in the very midst of their +short-lived empire. Those have only brought up the rear of public +opinion, and damned authors already forgotten. They fought the battles a +second time, and "again they slew the slain." + +Gentlemen, + +It would have been easy to add twenty articles to this list. I might +have selected instances from the later volumes of your entertaining +works, in which your deviations from the dictates of imaginary taste are +still more numerous. But I could not have confronted them with the +decisive verdict of time. The rage of fashion has not yet ceased, and +the ebullition of blind wonder is not over. I shall therefore leave a +plentiful crop for such as come after me, who admire you as much as I +do, and will be contented to labour in the same field. + +I have the honour to be, + +Gentlemen, + +With all veneration, + +Your indefatigable reader, + +And the humblest of your panegyrists. + +CONTENTS. + + +ARTICLE I. + + +_The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. By Edward +Gibbon, Esq. Vols._ iv, v, vi, vii. 4to. + + +ARTICLE II. + + +_The History of America. By William Robertson, D.D. &c. Vols._ iii, +_and_ iv. 4to. + + +ARTICLE III. + + +_Secret History of Theodore Albert Maximilian, Prince of Hohenzollern +Sigmaringen_. 12mo. + + +ARTICLE IV. + + +_Louisa, or Memoirs of a Lady of Quality. By the Author of Evelina and +Cecilia. Three vols._ 12mo. + + +ARTICLE V. + + +_The Peasant of Bilidelgerid, a Tale. Two vols. Shandean._ + + +ARTICLE VI. + + +_An Essay on Novel, in Three Epistles, inscribed to the Right Honourable +Lady Craven. By William Hayley, Esq._ 4to. + + +ARTICLE VII. + + +_Inkle and Yarico, a Poem. By James Beattie, L.L.D._ 4to. + + +ARTICLE VIII. + + +_The Alchymist, a Comedy, altered from Ben Jonson, by Richard Brinsley +Sheridan, Esq._ + + +ARTICLE IX. + + +_Reflexions upon the present State of the United States of America. By +Thomas Paine, M.A. &c._ 8vo. + + +ARTICLE X. + + +_Speech of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, on a Motion for an Address +of Thanks to his Majesty (on the 28th of November, 1783) for his +gracious Communication of a Treaty of Commerce concluded between George +the Third, King, &c. and the United States of America._ + + +THE + + + +HERALD + + + +OF + + + +LITERATURE, &C. + + + + * * * * * + + + +ARTICLE I. + + +THE HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. BY EDWARD +GIBBON, ESQ. VOLS. IV, V, VI, VII. 4TO. + + +We are happy to have it in our power thus early to congratulate the +public upon the final accomplishment of a work, that must constitute one +of the greatest ornaments of the present age. We have now before us, in +one view, and described by the uniform pencil of one historian, the +stupendous and instructive object of the gradual decline of the greatest +empire; circumscribed by degrees within the narrow walls of a single +city; and at length, after the various revolutions of thirteen +centuries, totally swallowed up in the empire of the Turks. Of this +term, the events of more than nine hundred years are described in that +part of our author that now lies before us. It cannot therefore be +expected, that in the narrow limits we have prescribed to ourselves, we +should enter into a regular synopsis of the performance, chapter by +chapter, after the laudable example of our more laborious brother +reviewers. We will pay our readers the compliment, however unauthorised +by the venerable seal of custom, of supposing them already informed, +that Anastasius succeeded Zeno, and Justin Anastasius; that Justinian +published the celebrated code that is called by his name; and that his +generals, Belisarius and Narses, were almost constantly victorious over +the Barbarians, and restored, for a moment, the expiring lustre of the +empire. We shall confine ourselves to two extracts, relating to subjects +of the greatest importance, and which we presume calculated, at once to +gratify and excite the curiosity of the public. + +The reign of the emperor Heraclius is perhaps more crowded with events +of the highest consequence, than that of any other prince in the series. +It has therefore a proportionable scope allotted it in the plan of Mr. +Gibbon; who seems to understand better than almost any historian, what +periods to sketch with a light and active pen, and upon what to dwell +with minuteness, and dilate his various powers. While we pursue the +various adventures of Cosroes II., beginning his reign in a flight from +his capital city; suing for the protection and support of the Greek +emperor; soon after declaring war against the empire; successively +conquering Mesopotamia, Armenia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and the +greater part of Natolia; then beaten; a fugitive; and at last murdered +by his own son; we are unable to conceive of a story more interesting, +or more worthy of our attention. But in contemplating the rife of the +Saracen khalifate, and the religion of Mahomet, which immediately +succeeded these events, we are compelled to acknowledge a more +astonishing object. + +The following is the character of the impostor, as sketched by the +accurate and judicious pencil of our historian. We will leave it to the +judgment of our readers, only observing, that Mr. Gibbon has very +unnecessarily brought Christianity into the comparison; and has perhaps +touched the errors of the false prophet with a lighter hand, that the +disparity might be the less apparent. + + + "But Heraclius had a much more formidable enemy to encounter in + the latter part of his reign, than the effeminate and divided + Persian. This was the new empire of the Saracens. Ingenious and + eloquent, temperate and brave, as had been invariably their + national character, they had their exertions concentred, and + their courage animated by a legislator, whose institutions may + vie, in the importance of their consequences, with those of + Solon, Lycurgus, or Numa. Though an impostor, he propagated a + religion, which, like the elevated and divine principles of + Christianity, was confined to no one nation or country; but even + embraced a larger portion of the human race than Christianity + itself. + + "Mahomet, the son of Abdallah, was born on the 9th of April, + 571, in the city of Mecca. Having been early left an orphan by + both parents, he received an hardy and robust education, not + tempered by the elegancies of literature, nor much allayed by + the indulgencies of natural affection. He was no sooner able to + walk, than he was sent naked, with the infant peasantry, to + attend the cattle of the village; and was obliged to seek the + refreshment of sleep, as well as pursue the occupations of the + day, in the open air[A]. He even pretended to be a stranger to + the art of writing and reading. But though neglected by those + who had the care of his infancy, the youth of this extraordinary + personage did not pass away without some of those incidents, + which might afford a glimpse of the sublimity of his genius; and + some of those prodigies, with which superstition is prompt to + adorn the story of the founders of nations, and the conquerors + of empires. In the mean time, his understanding was enlarged by + travel. It is not to be supposed that he frequented the + neighbouring countries, without making some of those profound + observations upon the decline of the two great empires of the + East and of Persia, which were calculated to expand his views, + and to mature his projects. The energies of his mind led him to + despise the fopperies of idolatry; and he found the Christians, + in the most unfavourable situation, torn into innumerable + parties, by the sectaries of Athanasius, Arius, Eutyches, + Nestorius. In this situation, he extracted that from every + system that bordered most nearly upon the dictates of reason, + and framed to himself a sublime doctrine, of which the unity of + God, the innocence of moderate enjoyment, the obligation of + temperance and munificence, were the leading principles. But it + would have contributed little to his purpose, if he had stopped + here. Enthusiastically devoted to his extensive designs, and + guided by the most consummate art, he pretended to divine + communications, related a thousand ridiculous and incredible + adventures; and though he constantly refused a prodigy to the + importunities of his countrymen, laid claim to several frivolous + miracles, and a few thinly scattered prophecies. One of his most + artful devices was the delivering the system of his religion, + not in one entire code, but in detached essays. This enabled him + more than once to new mould the very genius of his religion, + without glaringly subjecting himself to the charge of + inconsistency. From these fragments, soon after his death, was + compiled the celebrated Alcoran. The style of this volume is + generally turgid, heavy, monotonous. It is disfigured with + childish tales and impossible adventures. But it is frequently + figurative, frequently poetical, sometimes sublime. And amidst + all its defects, it will remain the greatest of all monuments of + uncultivated and illiterate genius. + + [Footnote A: "Abuleda, Chron. p. 27. Boulainvilliers, Vie de + Mahomet, b. ii. p. 175. This latter writer exhibits the singular + phenomenon of the native of a Christian country, unreasonably + prejudiced in favour of the Arabian impostor. That he did not + live, however, to finish his curious performance, is the + misfortune of the republic of letters." ] + + "The plan was carefully reserved by Mahomet for the mature age + of forty years. Thus digested however, and communicated with the + nicest art and the most fervid eloquence, he had the + mortification to find his converts, at the end of three years, + amount to no more than forty persons. But the ardour of this + hero was invincible, and his success was finally adequate to his + wishes. Previous to the famous aera of his flight from Mecca, he + had taught his followers, that they had no defence against the + persecution of their enemies, but invincible patience. But the + opposition he encountered obliged him to change his maxims. He + now inculcated the duty of extirpating the enemies of God, and + held forth the powerful allurements of conquest and plunder. + With these he united the theological dogma of predestination, + and the infallible promise of paradise to such as met their fate + in the field of war. By these methods he trained an intrepid and + continually increasing army, inflamed with enthusiasm, and + greedy of death. He prepared them for the most arduous + undertakings, by continual attacks upon travelling caravans and + scattered villages: a pursuit, which, though perfectly consonant + with the institutions of his ancestors, painted him to the + civilized nations of Europe in the obnoxious character of a + robber. By degrees however, he proceeded to the greatest + enterprizes; and compelled the whole peninsula of Arabia to + confess his authority as a prince, and his mission as a prophet. + He died, like the Grecian Philip, in the moment, when having + brought his native country to co-operate in one undertaking, he + meditated the invasion of distant climates, and the destruction + of empires. + + "The character of Mahomet however was exceeding different from + that of Philip, and far more worthy of the attention of a + philosopher. Philip was a mere politician, who employed the + cunning of a statesman, and the revenues of a prince, in the + corruption of a number of fallen and effeminate republics. But + Mahomet, without riches, without rank, without education, by the + mere ascendancy of his abilities, subjected by persuasion and + force a simple and generous nation that had never been + conquered; and laid the foundation of an empire, that extended + over half the globe; and a religion, capable of surviving the + fate of empires. His schemes were always laid with the truest + wisdom. He lived among a people celebrated for subtlety and + genius: he never laid himself open to detection. His eloquence + was specious, dignified, and persuasive. And he blended with it + a lofty enthusiasm, that awed those, whom familiarity might have + emboldened, and silenced his enemies. He was simple of + demeanour, and ostentatious of munificence. And under these + plausible virtues he screened the indulgence of his + constitutional propensities. The number of his concubines and + his wives has been ambitiously celebrated by Christian writers. + He sometimes acquired them by violence and injustice; and he + frequently dismissed them without ceremony. His temper does not + seem to have been naturally cruel. But we may trace in his + conduct the features of a barbarian; and a part of his severity + may reasonably be ascribed to the plan of religious conquest + that he adopted, and that can never be reconciled with the + rights of humanity." + + +After the victories of Omar, and the other successors of Mahomet had in +a manner stripped the court of Constantinople of all its provinces, the +Byzantine history dwindles into an object petty and minute. In order to +vary the scene, and enhance the dignity of his subject, the author +occasionally takes a prospect of the state of Rome and Italy, under the +contending powers of the papacy and the new empire of the West. When the +singular and unparalleled object of the Crusades presents itself, the +historian embraces the illustrious scene with apparent eagerness, and +bestows upon it a greater enlargement than might perhaps have been +expected from the nature of his subject; but not greater, we confidently +believe, than is calculated to increase the pleasure, that a reader of +philosophy and taste may derive from the perusal. As the immortal +Saladin is one of the most distinguished personages in this story, we +have selected his character, as a specimen of this part of the work. + + + "No sooner however was the virtuous Noureddin removed by death, + than the Christians of the East had their attention still more + forcibly alarmed by the progress of the invincible Saladin. He + had possessed himself of the government of Egypt; first, under + the modest appellation of vizier, and then, with the more august + title of soldan. He abolished the dynasty of the Fatemite + khalifs. Though Noureddin had been the patron of his family, and + the father of his fortunes, yet was that hero no sooner expired, + than he invaded the territories of his young and unwarlike + successor. He conquered the fertile and populous province of + Syria. He compelled the saheb of Mawsel to do him homage. The + princes of the Franks already trembled for their possessions, + and prepared a new and more solemn embassy, to demand the + necessary succours of their European brethren. + + "The qualities of Saladin were gilded with the lustre of + conquest; and it has been the singular fortune of this Moslem + hero, to be painted in fairer colours by the discordant and + astonished Christians, than by those of his own courtiers and + countrymen, who may reasonably be supposed to have known him + best. He has been compared with Alexander; and tho' he be + usually stiled, and with some justice, a barbarian, it does not + appear that his character would suffer in the comparison. His + conquests were equally splendid; nor did he lead the forces of a + brave and generous people, against a nation depressed by + slavery, and relaxed with effeminacy. Under his banner Saracen + encountered Saracen in equal strife; or the forces of the East + were engaged with the firmer and more disciplined armies of the + West. Like Alexander, he was liberal to profusion; and while all + he possessed seemed the property of his friends, the monarch + himself often wanted that, which with unstinted hand he had + heaped upon his favourites and dependents. His sentiments were + elevated, his manners polite and insinuating, and the affability + of his temper was never subdued. + + "But the parallel is exceedingly far from entire. He possessed + not the romantic gallantry of the conqueror of Darius; he had + none of those ardent and ungovernable passions, through whose + medium the victories of Arbela and Issus had transformed the + generous hero into the lawless tyrant. It was a maxim to which + he uniformly adhered, to accomplish his lofty designs by policy + and intrigue, and to leave as little as possible to the unknown + caprice of fortune. In his mature age he was temperate, gentle, + patient. The passions of his soul, and the necessities of nature + were subordinate to the equanimity of his character[A]. His + deportment was grave and thoughtful; his religion sincere and + enthusiastic. He was ignorant of letters, and despised all + learning, that was not theological. The cultivation, that had + obtained under the khalifs, had not entirely civilized the + genius of Saladin. His maxims of war were indeed the maxims of + the age, and ought not to be adopted as a particular imputation. + But the action of his striking off with his own hand the head of + a Christian prince, who had attacked the defenceless caravan of + the pilgrims of Mecca, exhibits to our view all the features of + a fierce and untutored barbarian[B] ." + + [Footnote A: Bohaoddin, p. 71. He was an eye witness, and had a + considerable share in many of the transactions of Saladin. He is + generally accurate, and tolerably impartial. ] + + [Footnote B: Ebn Shohnah, Heg. 589. Abulfarai, Renaudot, p. 243. + D'Herbelot, biblioth. orient. art. Togrul, &c. ] + + +As the whole of this excellent work is now before us, it may not be +impertinent, before we finally take our leave of it, to attempt an idea +of its celebrated author. We are happy in this place to declare our +opinion, that no author ever better obeyed the precept of Horace and +Boileau, in choosing a subject nicely correspondent to the talents he +possessed. The character of this writer, patient yet elegant, accurate +in enquiry, acute in reflexion, was peculiarly calculated to trace the +flow and imperceptible decline of empire, and to throw light upon a +period, darkened by the barbarism of its heroes, and the confused and +narrow genius of its authors. In a word, we need not fear to class the +performance with those that shall do lasting, perhaps immortal, honour, +to the country by which they have been produced. + +But like many other works of this elevated description, the time shall +certainly come, when the history before us shall no longer be found, but +in the libraries of the learned, and the cabinets of the curious. At +present it is equally sought by old and young, the learned and +unlearned, the macaroni, the peer, and the fine lady, as well as the +student and scholar. But this is to be ascribed to the rage of fashion. +The performance is not naturally calculated for general acceptance. It +is, by the very tenor of the subject, interspersed with a thousand +minute and elaborate investigations, which, in spite of perspicuous +method, and classical allusion, will deter the idle, and affright the +gay. + +Nor can we avoid ascribing the undistinguishing and extravagant +applause, that has been bestowed upon the style, to the same source of +fashion, the rank, the fortune, the connexions of the writer. It is +indeed loaded with epithets, and crowded with allusions. But though the +style be often raised, the thoughts are always calm, equal, and rigidly +classic. The language is full of art, but perfectly exempt from fire. +Learning, penetration, accuracy, polish; any thing is rather the +characteristic of the historian, than the flow of eloquence, and the +flame of genius. Far therefore from classing him in this respect with +such writers as the immortal Hume, who have perhaps carried the English +language to the highest perfection it is capable of reaching; we are +inclined to rank him below Dr. Johnson, though we are by no means +insensible to the splendid faults of that admirable writer. + +One word perhaps ought to be said respecting Mr. Gibbon's treatment of +Christianity. His wit is indeed by no means uniformly happy; as where +for instance, he tells us, that the name of _Le Boeuf_ is remarkably +apposite to the character of that antiquarian; or where, speaking of the +indefatigable diligence of Tillemont, he informs us, that "the patient +and sure-footed mule of the Alps may be trusted in the most slippery +paths." But allowing every thing for the happiness of his irony, and +setting aside our private sentiments respecting the justice of its +application, we cannot help thinking it absolutely incompatible, with +the laws of history. For our own part, we honestly confess, that we have +met with more than one passage, that has puzzled us whether it ought to +be understood in jest or earnest. The irony of a single word he must be +a churl who would condemn; but the continuance of this figure in serious +composition, throws truth and falsehood, right and wrong into +inextricable perplexity. + + + +ARTICLE II. + + +THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. BY WILLIAM ROBERTSON, D.D.&C. VOLS. III, IV. +4TO. + + +The expectation of almost all ranks has been as much excited by the +present performance, as perhaps by almost any publication in the records +of literature. The press has scarcely been able to keep pace with the +eagerness of the public, and the third edition is already announced, +before we have been able to gratify our readers with an account of this +interesting work. For a great historian to adventure an established name +upon so recent and arduous a subject, is an instance that has scarcely +occurred. Reports were sometime ago industriously propagated that Dr. +Robertson had turned his attention to a very different subject, and even +when it was generally known that the present work was upon the eve of +publication, it was still questioned by many, whether a writer, so +celebrated for prudence, had not declined the more recent part of the +North American history. The motives of his conduct upon this head as +they are stated in the preface, we shall here lay before our readers. + +"But neither the history of Portuguese America, nor the early history of +our own settlements, have constituted the most arduous part of the +present publication. The revolution, which, unfortunately for this +country, hath recently taken place in the British colonies, hath excited +the most general attention, at the same time that it hath rendered the +gratification of public curiosity a matter of as much delicacy as +necessity. Could this event have been foreseen by me, I should perhaps +have been more cautious of entering into engagements with the public. To +embark upon a subject, respecting which the sentiments of my countrymen +have been so much divided, and the hand of time hath not yet collected +the verdicts of mankind; while the persons, to whose lot it hath fallen +to act the principal parts upon the scene, are almost all living; is a +task that prudence might perhaps refuse, and modesty decline. But +circumstanced as I was, I have chosen rather to consider these +peculiarities as pleas for the candour of my readers, than as motives to +withdraw myself from so important an undertaking. I should ill deserve +the indulgence I have experienced from the public, were I capable of +withdrawing from a task by which their curiosity might be gratified, +from any private inducements of inconvenience or difficulty." + +We have already said, and the reader will have frequent occasion to +recollect it, that we by no means generally intend an analysis of the +several works that may come before us. In the present instance, we do +not apprehend that we shall lay ourselves open to much blame, by passing +over in silence the discoveries of Vespusius, and the conquests of +Baretto; and laying before our readers some extracts from the history of +the late war. It is impossible not to remark that the subject is treated +with much caution, and that, though the sentiments of a royalist be +every where conspicuous, they are those of a royalist, moderated by +misfortune and defeat. + +The following is Dr. Robertson's account of the declaration of +independence. + + + "It is by this time sufficiently visible, that the men, who took + upon themselves to be most active in directing the American + counsels, were men of deep design and extensive ambition, who by + no means confined their views to the redress of those grievances + of which they complained, and which served them for instruments + in the pursuit of objects less popular and specious. By degrees + they sought to undermine the allegiance, and dissolve the ties, + which connected the colonies with the parent country of Britain. + Every step that was taken by her ministry to restore tranquility + to the empire, was artfully misrepresented by the zealots of + faction. Every unguarded expression, or unfortunate measure of + irritation was exaggerated by leaders, who considered their own + honour and dignity as inseparable from further advances, and + predicted treachery and insult as the consequences of + retreating. They now imagined they had met with a favourable + opportunity for proceeding to extremities. Their influence was + greatest in the general congress, and by their means a circular + manifesto was issued by that assembly intended to ascertain the + disposition of the several colonies respecting a declaration of + independence. + + "They called their countrymen to witness how real had been their + grievances, and how moderate their claims. They said, it was + impossible to have proceeded with more temper or greater + deliberation, but that their complaints had been constantly + superseded, their petitions to the throne rejected. The + administration of Great Britain had not hesitated to attempt to + starve them into surrender, and having miscarried in this, they + were ready to employ the whole force of their country, with all + the foreign auxiliaries they could obtain, in prosecution of + their unjust and tyrannical purposes. They were precipitated, it + was said, by Britain into a state of hostility, and there no + longer remained for them a liberty of choice. They must either + throw down their arms, and expect the clemency of men who had + acted as the enemies of their rights; or they must consider + themselves as in a state of warfare, and abide by the + consequences of that state. Warfare involved independency. + Without this their efforts must be irregular, feeble, and + without all prospect of success; they could possess no power to + suppress mutinies, or to punish conspiracies; nor could they + expect countenance and support from any of the states of Europe, + however they might be inclined to favour them, while they + acknowledged themselves to be subjects, and it was uncertain how + soon they might sacrifice their friends and allies to the hopes + of a reunion. To look back, they were told, to the king of + England, after all the insults they had experienced, and the + hostilities that were begun, would be the height of + pusillanimity and weakness. They were bid to think a little for + their posterity, who by the irreversible laws of nature and + situation, could have no alternative left them but to be slaves + or independent. Finally, many subtle reasonings were alledged, + to evince the advantages they must derive from intrinsic + legislation, and general commerce. + + "On the other hand, the middle and temperate party, represented + this step as unnecessary, uncertain in its benefits, and + irretrievable in its consequences. They expatiated on the + advantages that had long been experienced by the colonists from + the fostering care of Great Britain, the generosity of the + efforts she had made to protect them, and the happiness they had + known under her auspicious patronage. They represented their + doubt of the ability of the colonies to defend themselves + without her alliance. They stated the necessity of a common + superior to balance the separate and discordant interests of the + different provinces. They dwelt upon the miseries of an internal + and doubtful struggle. Determined never to depart from the + assertion of what they considered as their indefeasible right, + they would incessantly besiege the throne with their humble + remonstrances. They would seek the clemency of England, rather + than the alliance of those powers, whom they conceived to be the + real enemies of both; nor would they ever be accessory to the + shutting up the door of reconciliation. + + "But the voice of moderation is seldom heard amidst the + turbulence of civil dissention. Violent counsels prevailed. The + decisive and irrevocable step was made on the 4th of July 1776. + It remains with posterity to decide upon its merits. Since that + time it has indeed received the sanction of military success; + but whatever consequences it may produce to America, the fatal + day must ever be regretted by every sincere friend to the + British empire." + + +The other extract we shall select is from the story of Lord Cornwallis's +surrender in Virginia, and the consequent termination of the American +war. + + + "The loss of these redoubts may be considered as deciding the + fate of the British troops. The post was indeed originally so + weak and insufficient to resist the force that attacked it, that + nothing but the assured expectation of relief from the garrison + of New York, could have induced the commander to undertake its + defence, and calmly to wait the approaches of the enemy. An + officer of so unquestionable gallantry would, rather have + hazarded an encounter in the field, and trusted his adventure to + the decision of fortune, than by cooping his army in so + inadequate a fortress, to have prepared for them inevitable + misfortune and disgrace. But with the expectations he had been + induced to form, he did not think himself justified in having + recourse to desperate expedients. + + "These hopes were now at an end. The enemy had already silenced + his batteries. Nothing remained to hinder them from completing + their second parallel, three hundred yards nearer to the + besieged than the first. His lordship had received no + intelligence of the approach of succours, and a probability did + not remain that he could defend his station till such time as he + could expect their arrival. Thus circumstanced, with the + magnanimity peculiar to him, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton, to + acquaint him with the posture of his affairs, and to recommend + to the fleet and the army that they should not make any great + risk in endeavouring to extricate them. + + "But although he regarded his situation as hopeless, he did not + neglect any effort becoming a general, to lengthen the siege, + and procrastinate the necessity of a surrender, if it was + impossible finally to prevent it. The number of his troops + seemed scarcely sufficient to countenance a considerable sally, + but the emergency was so critical, that he ordered about three + hundred and fifty men, on the morning of the 16th, to attack the + batteries that appeared to be in the greatest forwardness, and + to spike their guns. The assault was impetuous and successful. + But either from their having executed the business upon which + they were sent in a hasty and imperfect manner, or from the + activity and industry of the enemy, the damage was repaired, and + the batteries completed before evening. + + "One choice only remained. To carry the troops across to + Gloucester Point, and make one last effort to escape. Boats were + accordingly prepared, and at ten o'clock at night the army began + to embark. The first embarkation arrived in safety. The greater + part of the troops were already landed. At this critical moment + of hope and apprehension, of expectation and danger, the + weather, which had hitherto been moderate and calm, suddenly + changed; the sky was clouded, the wind rose and a violent storm + ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were borne down the + stream. To complete the anxiety and danger, the batteries of the + enemy were opened, the day dawned, and their efforts were + directed against the northern shore of the river. Nothing could + be hoped, but the escape of the boats, and the safety of the + troops. They were brought back without much loss, and every + thing was replaced in its former situation. + + "Every thing now verged to the dreaded crisis. The fire of the + besiegers was heavy and unintermitted. The British could not + return a gun, and the shells, their last resource, were nearly + exhausted. They were themselves worn down with sickness and + continual watching. A few hours it appeared must infallibly + decide their fate. And if any thing were still wanting, the + French ships which had entered the mouth of the river, seemed + prepared to second the general assault on their side. In this + situation, lord Cornwallis, not less calm and humane, than he + was intrepid, chose not to sacrifice the lives of so many brave + men to a point of honour, but the same day proposed to general + Washington a cessation of twenty four hours, in order mutually + to adjust the terms of capitulation. + + "The troops which surrendered in the posts of York and + Gloucester amounted to between five and six thousand men, but + there were not above three thousand eight hundred of these in a + capacity for actual service. They were all obliged to become + prisoners of war. Fifteen hundred seamen were included in the + capitulation. The commander, unable to obtain terms for the + loyal Americans, was obliged to have recourse to a sloop, + appointed to carry his dispatches, and which he stipulated + should pass unsearched, to convey them to New York. The British + fleet and army arrived off the Chesapeak five days after the + surrender. Having learned the melancholy fate of their + countrymen, they were obliged to return, without effecting any + thing, to their former station. + + "Such was the catastrophe of an army, that in intrepidity of + exertion, and the patient endurance of the most mortifying + reverses, are scarcely to be equalled by any thing that is to be + met with in history. The applause they have received + undiminished by their subsequent misfortunes, should teach us to + exclaim less upon the precariousness of fame, and animate us + with the assurance that heroism and constancy can never be + wholly disappointed of their reward." + + +The publication before us is written with that laudable industry, which +ought ever to distinguish a great historian. The author appears to have +had access to some of the best sources of information; and has +frequently thrown that light upon a recent story, which is seldom to be +expected, but from the developements of time, and the researches of +progressive generations. + +We cannot bestow equal praise upon his impartiality. Conscious however +and reserved upon general questions, the historian has restricted +himself almost entirely to the narrative form, and has seldom indulged +us with, what we esteem the principal ornament of elegant history, +reflexion and character. The situation of Dr. Robertson may suggest to +us an obvious, though incompetent, motive in the present instance. +Writing for his contemporaries and countrymen, he could not treat the +resistance of America, as the respectable struggle of an emerging +nation. Writing for posterity, he could not denominate treason and +rebellion, that which success, at least, had stamped with the signatures +of gallantry and applause. But such could not have been the motives of +the writer in that part of the history of America, which was given to +the world some years ago. Perhaps Dr. Robertson was willing to try, how +far his abilities could render the most naked story agreeable and +interesting. We will allow him to have succeeded. But we could well have +spared the experiment. + +The style of this performance is sweet and eloquent. We hope however +that we shall not expose ourselves to the charge of fastidiousness, when +we complain that it is rather too uniformly so. The narrative is indeed +occasionally enlivened, and the language picturesque. But in general we +search in vain for some roughness to relieve the eye, and some sharpness +to provoke the palate. One full and sweeping period succeeds another, +and though pleased and gratified at first, the attention gradually +becomes languid. + +It would not perhaps be an unentertaining employment to compare the +style of Dr. Robertson's present work with that of his first +publication, the admired History of Scotland. The language of that +performance is indeed interspersed with provincial and inelegant modes +of expression, and the periods are often unskilfully divided. But it has +a vigour and spirit, to which such faults are easily pardoned. We can +say of it, what we can scarcely say of any of the author's later +publications, that he has thrown his whole strength into it. + +In that instance however he entered the lists with almost the only +historian, with whom Dr. Robertson must appear to disadvantage, the +incomparable Hume. In the comparison, we cannot but acknowledge that the +eloquence of the former speaks the professor, not the man of the world. +He reasons indeed, but it is with the reasons of logic; and not with the +acuteness of philosophy, and the intuition of genius. Let not the living +historian be offended. To be second to Hume, in our opinion might +satisfy the ambition of a Livy or a Tacitus. + + + +ARTICLE III. + + +SECRET HISTORY OF THEODORE ALBERT MAXIMILIAN, PRINCE OF HOHENZOLLERN +SIGMARINGEN. 12MO. + + +This agreeable tale appears to be the production of the noble author of +the Modern Anecdote. It is told with the same humour and careless +vivacity. The design is to ridicule the cold pedantry that judges of +youth, without making any allowance for the warmth of inexperience, and +the charms of beauty. Such readers as take up a book merely for +entertainment, and do not quarrel with an author that does not +scrupulously confine himself within the limits of moral instruction, +will infallibly find their account in it. + +The following specimen will give some idea of the manner in which the +story is told. + +"The learned Bertram was much scandalized at the dissipation that +prevailed in the court of Hohenzollern. He was credibly informed that +the lord treasurer of the principality, who had no less than a revenue +of 109l. 7s. 10-3/4d. committed to his management, sometimes forgot the +cares of an exchequer in the arms of a mistress. Nay, fame had even +whispered in his ear, that the reverend confessor himself had an +intrigue with a certain cook-maid. But that which beyond all things, +afflicted him was the amour of Theodore with the beautiful Wilhelmina. +What, cried he, when he ruminated upon the subject, can it be excusable +in the learned Bertram, whose reputation has filled a fourth part of the +circle of Swabia, who twice bore away the prize in the university of +Otweiler, to pass these crying sins in silence? It shall not be said. +Thus animated, he strided away to the antichamber of Theodore. Theodore, +who was all graciousness, venerated the reputation of Bertram, and +ordered him to be instantly admitted. The eyes of the philosopher +flashed with anger. Most noble prince, cried he, I am come to inform +you, that you must immediately break with the beautiful Wilhelmina. +Theodore stared, but made no answer. The vices of your highness, said +Bertram, awake my indignation. While you toy away your hours in the lap +of a w----e, the vast principality of Hohenzollern Sigmaringen hastens +to its fall. Reflect, my lord; three villages, seven hamlets, and near +eleven grange houses and cottages, depend upon you for their political +prosperity. Alas, thought Theodore, what are grange houses and cottages +compared with the charms of Wilhelmina? Shall the lewd tricks of a +wanton make you forget the jealous projects of the prince of +Hohenzollern Hechingen, the elder branch of your illustrious house? +Theodore pulled out his watch, that he might not outstay his +appointment. My lord, continued Bertram, ruin impends over you. Two +peasants of the district of Etwingen have already been seduced from +their loyalty, a nail that supported the chart of your principality has +fallen upon the ground, and your father confessor is in bed with a +cook-maid. Theodore held forth his hand for Bertram to kiss, and flew +upon the wings of desire to the habitation of Wilhelmina." + + + +ARTICLE IV. + + +LOUISA, OR MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. BY THE AUTHOR OF EVELINA AND +CECILIA. 3 VOLS. 12MO. + + +There scarcely seems to exist a more original genius in the present age +than this celebrated writer. In the performances with which she has +already entertained the public, we cannot so much as trace a feature of +her illustrious predecessors; the fable, the characters, the incidents +are all her own. In the mean time they are not less happy, than they are +new. A Belfield, a Monckton, a Morrice, and several other personages of +the admired Cecilia, will scarcely yield to the most finished draughts +of the greatest writers. In comedy, in tragedy, Miss Burney alike +excels. And the union of them both in the Vauxhall scene of the death of +Harrel ranks among the first efforts of human genius. Of consequence we +may safely pronounce that the reputation of this lady is by no means +dependent upon fashion or caprice, but will last as long as there is +understanding to discern, and taste to relish the beauties of fiction. + +It must be acknowledged that her defects are scarcely less conspicuous +than her excellencies. In her underplots she generally miscarries. We +can trace nothing of Miss Burney in the stories of Macartney, Albany, +and the Hills. Her comedy sometimes deviates into farce. The character +of Briggs in particular, though it very successfully excites our +laughter, certainly deforms a work, which in its principal constituents +ranks in the very highest species of composition. Her style is often +affected, and in the serious is sometimes so laboured and figurative, as +to cost the reader a very strict attention to discover the meaning, +without perfectly repaying his trouble. These faults are most +conspicuous in Cecilia, which upon the whole we esteem by much her +greatest performance. In Evelina she wrote more from inartificial +nature. And we are happy to observe in the present publication, that the +masculine sense, by which Miss Burney is distinguished, has raised her +almost wholly above these little errors. The style of Louisa is more +polished than that of Evelina, and more consonant to true taste than +that of Cecilia. + +The principal story of Louisa, like that of Cecilia, is very simple, but +adorned with a thousand beautiful episodes. As the great action of the +latter is Cecilia's sacrifice of fortune to a virtuous and laudable +attachment, so that of the former is the sacrifice of rank, in the +marriage of the heroine to a young man of the most distinguished merit, +but neither conspicuous by birth, nor favoured by fortune. The event, +romantic and inconsistent with the manners of polished society as it may +appear, is introduced by such a train of incidents, that it is +impossible not to commend and admire the conduct of the heroine. + +Her character is that of inflexible vivacity and wit, accompanied with a +spice of coquetry and affectation. And though this line of portrait +seemed exhausted by Congreve and Richardson, we will venture to +pronounce Louisa a perfect original. It is impossible to describe such a +character in the abstract without recollecting Millamant and Lady G. But +in reading this most agreeable novel, you scarcely think of either. As +there is no imitation, so there are not two expressions in the work, +that can lead from one to the other. Louisa is more amiable than the +former, and more delicate and feminine than the latter. + +Mr. Burchel, the happy lover, is an author, a young man of infinite +genius, of romantic honour, of unbounded generosity. Lord Raymond, the +brother of Louisa, becomes acquainted with him in his travels, by an +incident in which Mr. Burchel does him the most essential service. Being +afterwards introduced to his sister, and being deeply smitten with her +beauty and accomplishments, he quits the house of lord Raymond abruptly, +with a determination entirely to drop his connexion. Sometime after, in +a casual and unexpected meeting, he saves the life of his mistress. In +the conclusion, his unparalleled merit, and his repeated services +surmount every obstacle to an union. + +Besides these two there are many other characters happily imagined. +Louisa is involved in considerable distress previous to the final +catastrophe. The manner in which her gay and sportive character is +supported in these scenes is beyond all commendation. But the extract we +shall give, as most singular in its nature, relates to another +considerable female personage, Olivia. As the humour of Louisa is lively +and fashionable, that of Olivia is serious and romantic. Educated in +perfect solitude, she is completely ignorant of modern manners, and +entertains the most sovereign contempt for them. Full of sentiment and +sensibility, she is strongly susceptible to every impression, and her +conduct is wholly governed by her feelings. Trembling at every leaf, and +agonized at the smallest accident, she is yet capable, from singularity +of thinking, of enterprises the most bold and unaccountable. Conformably +to this temper, struck with the character of Burchel, and ravished with +his address and behaviour, she plans the most extraordinary attempt upon +his person. By her orders he is surprised in a solitary excursion, after +some resistance actually seized, and conducted blindfold to the house of +his fair admirer. Olivia now appears, professes her attachment, and lays +her fortune, which is very considerable, at his feet. Unwilling however +to take him by surprise, she allows him a day for deliberation, and +insists upon his delivering at the expiration of it, an honest and +impartial answer. His entertainment is sumptuous. + +In the mean time, a peasant, who at a distance was witness to the +violence committed upon Burchel, and had traced him to the house of +Olivia, carries the account of what he had seen to Raymond Place. The +company, which, in the absence of lord Raymond, consisted of Louisa, Mr. +Bromley, an uncle, Sir Charles Somerville, a suitor, and Mr. Townshend, +a sarcastic wit, determine to set off the next morning for the house of +the ravisher. This is the scene which follows. + + + "Alarmed at the bustle upon the stairs, Olivia, more dead than + alive, pressed the hand of Burchel with a look of inexpressible + astonishment and mortification, and withdrew to the adjoining + apartment. + + "The door instantly flew open. Burchel advanced irresolutely a + few steps towards the company, bowed, and was silent. + + "The person that first entered was Mr. Bromley. He instantly + seized hold of Burchel, and shook him very heartily by the hand. + + "Ha, my boy, said he, have we found you? Well, and how? safe and + sound? Eh? clapping him upon the shoulder. + + "At your service, sir, answered Burchel, with an air of + embarrassment and hesitation. + + "It was not altogether the right thing, methinks, to leave us + all without saying why, or wherefore, and stay out all night. + Why we thought you had been murdered. My niece here has been in + hysterics. + + "'Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are very facetious. But we + heard, Mr. Burchel, you were ran away with. It must have been + very alarming. I vow, I should have been quite fluttered. Pray, + sir, how was it? + + "Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, the very relation seemed + to disturb sir Charles. For my part, I was more alarmed for him + than for Miss Bromley. + + "Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, it is a queer affair. + I hope as the lady went so far, you were not shy. You have not + spoiled all, and affronted her. + + "Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, you do not suspect him of + being such a boor. Doubtless every thing is settled by this + time. The lady has a fine fortune, Burchel; poets do not meet + with such every day; Miss Bromley, you look pale. + + "Ha! Ha! Ha! you do me infinite honour, cried Louisa, making him + a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles? + + "'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly. + + "Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don't answer + a single question. What, mum's the word, eh? + + "Indeed, sir, I do not know,--I do not understand--the affair is + entirely a mystery to myself--it is in the power of no one but + Miss Seymour to explain it. + + "Well, and where is she? where is she? + + "O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir + Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room. Sir Charles + followed. + + "Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther + than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw + herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands. + + "O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the + meshes. + + "Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed; + Burchel brought up the rear. + + "My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed. We are + come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands. + + "Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed Bromley--What, has + grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed? + Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss. + + "My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon + the ladies modesty. I will stake my life they were not to have + been married these three days. + + "Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and + endeavoured to defend herself. Gentlemen, assure + yourselves,--give me leave to protest to you,--indeed you will + be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a + piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of + Louisa. + + "Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss + Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to + settle; that's all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek. + + "Or perhaps, added Townshend,--the lady is young and + inexperienced--she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in + Cleopatra. + + "Olivia suddenly raised her head and came forward, still leaning + one arm upon Louisa. Hear me, cried she; I will be heard. What + have I done that would expose me to the lash of each unlicenced + tongue? What has there been in any hour of my life, upon which + for calumny to fix her stain? Of what loose word, of what act of + levity and dissipation can I be convicted? Have I not lived in + the solitude of a recluse? Oh, fortune, hard and unexampled! + + "Deuce take me, cried sir Charles, whispering Townshend, if I + ever saw any thing so handsome. + + "Olivia stood in a posture firm and collected, her bosom heaving + with resentment; but her face was covered with blushes, and her + eyes were languishing and sorrowful. + + "For the present unfortunate affair I will acknowledge the + truth. Mr. Burchel to me appeared endowed with every esteemable + accomplishment, brave, generous, learned, imaginative, and + tender. By what nobler qualities could a female heart be won? + Fashion, I am told, requires that we should not make the + advances. I reck not fashion, and have never been her slave. + Fortune has thrown him at a distance from me. It should have + been my boast to trample upon her imaginary distinctions. I + would never have forced an unwilling hand. But if constancy, + simplicity and regard could have won a heart, his heart had been + mine. I know that the succession of external objects would have + made the artless virtues of Olivia pass unheeded. It was for + that I formed my little plan. I will not blush for a scheme that + no bad passion prompted. But it is over, and I will return to my + beloved solitude with what unconcern I may. God bless you, Mr. + Burchel; I never meant you any harm: and in saying this, she + advanced two steps forward, and laid her hand on his. + + "Burchel, without knowing what he did, fell on one knee and + kissed it. + + "This action revived the confusion of Olivia; she retreated, and + Louisa took hold of her arm. Will you retire, said Louisa? You + are a sweet good creature. Olivia assented, advanced a few steps + forward, and then with her head half averted, took a parting + glance at Burchel, and hurried away. + + "A strange girl this, said Bromley! Devil take me, if I know + what to make of her. + + "I vow, cried sir Charles, I am acquainted with all the coteries + in town, and never met with any thing like her. + + "Why, she is as coming, rejoined the squire, as a milk-maid, and + yet I do not know how she has something that dashes one too. + + "Ah, cried sir Charles, shaking his head, she has nothing of the + manners of the _grand monde_. + + "That I can say nothing to, said Bromley, but, in my mind, her + behaviour is gracious and agreeable enough, if her conduct were + not so out of the way. + + "What think you, Burchel, said Townshend, she is handsome, + innocent, good tempered and rich; excellent qualities, let me + tell you, for a wife. + + "I think her, said Burchel, more than you say. Her disposition + is amiable, and her character exquisitely sweet and feminine. + She is capable of every thing generous and admirable. A false + education, and visionary sentiments, to which she will probably + one day be superior, have rendered her for the present an object + of pity. But, though I loved her, I should despise my own heart, + if it were capable of taking advantage of her inexperience, to + seduce her to a match so unequal. + + "At this instant Louisa re-entered, and making the excuses of + Olivia, the company returned to the carriage, sir Charles + mounted on horseback as he came, and they carried off the hero + in triumph." + + + + +ARTICLE V. + + +THE PEASANT OF BILIDELGERID, A TALE. + + +2 VOLS. SHANDEAN. + +This is the only instance in which we shall take the liberty to announce +to the public an author hitherto unknown. Thus situated, we shall not +presume to prejudice our readers either ways concerning him, but shall +simply relate the general plan of the work. + +It attempts a combination, which has so happily succeeded with the +preceding writer, of the comic and the pathetic. The latter however is +the principal object. The hero is intended for a personage in the +highest degree lovely and interesting, who in his earliest bloom of +youth is subjected to the most grievous calamities, and terminates them +not but by an untimely death. The writer seems to have apprehended that +a dash of humour was requisite to render his story in the highest degree +interesting. And he has spared no exertion of any kind of which he was +capable, for accomplishing this purpose. + +The scene is laid in Egypt and the adjacent countries. The peasant is +the son of the celebrated Saladin. The author has exercised his +imagination in painting the manners of the times and climates of which +he writes. + + + +ARTICLE VI. + + +AN ESSAY ON NOVEL, IN THREE EPISTLES INSCRIBED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE +LADY CRAVEN, BY WILL. HAYLEY, ESQ. 4TO. + + +The public has been for some time agreed that Mr. Hayley is the first of +English poets. Envy herself scarcely dares utter a dissentient murmur, +and even generous emulation turns pale at the mention of his name. His +productions, allowing for the very recent period in which he commenced +author, are rather numerous. A saturnine critic might be apt to suspect +that they were also hasty, were not the loftiness of their conceptions, +the majesty of their style, the richness of their imagination, and above +all, the energy both of their thoughts and language so conspicuous, that +we may defy any man of taste to rise from the perusal, and say, that all +the study and consideration in the world could possibly have made them +better. After a course however of unremitted industry, Mr. Hayley seemed +to have relaxed, and to the eternal mortification of the literary world, +last winter could not boast a single production of the prince of song. +The muses have now paid us another visit. We are very sensible of our +incapacity to speak, or even think of this writer with prosaic phlegm; +we cannot however avoid pronouncing, that, in our humble opinion, Mr. +Hayley has now outdone all his former outdoings, and greatly repaid us +for the absence we so dearly mourned. + +We are sensible that it is unbecoming the character of a critic to lay +himself out in general and vague declamation. It is also within the laws +of possibility, that an incurious or unpoetical humour in some of our +readers, and (ah me, the luckless day!) penury in others, may have +occasioned their turning over the drowsy pages of the review, before +they have perused the original work. Some account of the plan, and a +specimen of the execution may therefore be expected. + +The first may be dispatched in two words. The design is almost exactly +analogous to that of the Essay on History, which has been so much +celebrated. The author triumphs in the novelty of his subject, and pays +a very elegant compliment to modern times, as having been in a manner +the sole inventors of this admirable species of composition, of which he +has undertaken to deliver the precepts. He deduces the pedigree of novel +through several generations from Homer and Calliope. He then undertakes +to characterise the most considerable writers in this line. He discusses +with much learning, and all the logical subtlety so proper to the +didactic muse, the pretensions of the Cyropedia of Xenophon; but at +length rejects it as containing nothing but what was literally true, and +therefore belonging to the class of history. He is very eloquent upon +the Shepherd of Hermas, Theagenes and Chariclea, and the Ethiopics of +Heliodorus. Turpin, Scudery, Cotterel, Sidney, the countess D'Anois, and +"all such writers as were never read," next pass in review. Boccace and +Cervantes occupy a very principal place. The modern French writers of +fictitious history from Fenelon to Voltaire, close the first epistle. +The second is devoted to English authors. The third to the laws of novel +writing. + +We shall present our readers, as a specimen, with the character of that +accomplished writer, John Bunyan, whom the poet has generously rescued +from that contempt which fashionable manners, and fashionable +licentiousness had cast upon him. + + + "See in the front of Britain's honour'd band, + The author of the Pilgrim's Progress stand. + Though, sunk in shades of intellectual night, + He boasted but the simplest arts, to read and write; + Though false religion hold him in her chains, + His judgment weakens and his heart restrains: + Yet fancy's richest beams illum'd his mind, + And honest virtue his mistakes refin'd. + The poor and the illiterate he address'd; + The poor and the illiterate call him blest. + Blest he the man that taught the poor to pray, + That shed on adverse fate religion's day, + That wash'd the clotted tear from sorrow's face, + Recall'd the rambler to the heavenly race, + Dispell'd the murky clouds of discontent, + And read the lore of patience wheresoe'er he went." + + +Amidst the spirited beauties of this passage, it is impossible not to +consider some as particularly conspicuous. How strong and nervous the +second and fourth lines! How happily expressive the two Alexandrines! +What a luminous idea does the epithet "murky" present to us! How +original and picturesque that of the "clotted tear!" If the same +expression be found in the Ode to Howard, let it however be considered, +that the exact propriety of that image to wash it from the face (for how +else, candid reader, could a tear already clotted be removed) is a clear +improvement, and certainly entitles the author to a repetition. Lastly, +how consistent the assemblage, how admirable the climax in the last six +lines! Incomparable they might appear, but we recollect a passage nearly +equal in the Essay on History, + + + "_Wild_ as thy _feeble_ Metaphysic page, + Thy History _rambles_ into _Steptic rage_; + Whose giddy and fantastic _dreams abuse_, + A Hampden's Virtue and a Shakespeare's Muse." + + +How elevated the turn of this passage! To be at once luxuriant and +feeble, and to lose one's way till we get into a passion, (with our +guide, I suppose) is peculiar to a poetic subject. It is impossible to +mistake this for prose. Then how pathetic the conclusion! What hard +heart can refuse its compassion to personages _abused_ by a _dream_, and +that dream the _dream of a History!_ + +Oh, wonderful poet, thou shalt be immortal, if my eulogiums can make +thee so! To thee thine own rhyme shall never be applied, (_Dii, avertite +omen_). + + + "Already, pierc'd by freedom's searching rays, + The waxen fabric of his fame decays!" + + + + +ARTICLE VII. + + +INKLE AND YARICO, A POEM, BY JAMES BEATTIE, L.L.D. 4TO. + + +This author cannot certainly be compared with Mr. Hayley. + +We know not by what fatality Dr. Beattie has acquired the highest +reputation as a philosopher, while his poetry, though acknowledged to be +pleasing, is comparatively little thought on. It must always be with +regret and diffidence, that we dissent from the general verdict. We +should however be somewhat apprehensive of sacrificing the character we +have assumed, did we fail to confess that his philosophy has always +appeared to us at once superficial and confused, feeble and +presumptuous. We do not know any thing it has to recommend it, but the +good intention, and we wish we could add the candid spirit, with which +it is written. + +Of his poetry however we think very differently. Though deficient in +nerve, it is at once sweet and flowing, simple and amiable. We are happy +to find the author returning to a line in which he appears so truly +respectable. The present performance is by no means capable to detract +from his character as a poet. This well known tale is related in a +manner highly pathetic and interesting. As we are not at all desirous of +palling the curiosity of the reader for the poem itself, we shall make +our extract at random. The following stanzas, as they are taken from a +part perfectly cool and introductory, are by no means the best in this +agreeable piece. They are prefaced by some general reflexions on the +mischiefs occasioned by the _sacra fames auri_. The reader will perceive +that Dr. Beattie, according to the precept of Horace, has rushed into +the midst of things, and not taken up the narrative in chronological +order. + + + "Where genial Phoebus darts his fiercest rays, + Parching with heat intense the torrid zone: + No fanning western breeze his rage allays; + No passing cloud, with kindly shade o'erthrown, + His place usurps; but Phoebus reigns alone, + In this unfriendly clime a woodland shade, + Gloomy and dark with woven boughs o'ergrown, + Shed chearful verdure on the neighbouring glade, + And to th' o'er-labour'd hind a cool retreat display'd. + + + Along the margin of th' Atlantic main, + Rocks pil'd on rocks yterminate the scene; + Save here and there th' incroaching surges gain + An op'ning grateful to the daisied green; + Save where, ywinding cross the vale is seen + A bubbling creek, that spreads on all sides round + Its breezy freshness, gladding, well I ween, + The op'ning flow'rets that adorn the ground, + From her green margin to the ocean's utmost bound. + + + The distant waters hoarse resounding roar, + And fill the list'ning ear. The neighb'ring grove + Protects, i'th'midst that rose, a fragrant bow'r, + With nicest art compos'd. All nature strove, + With all her powers, this favour'd spot to prove + A dwelling fit for innocence and joy, + Or temple worthy of the god of love. + All objects round to mirth and joy invite, + Nor aught appears among that could the pleasure blight. + + + Within there sat, all beauteous to behold! + Adorn'd with ev'ry grace, a gentle maid. + Her limbs were form'd in nature's choicest mould, + Her lovely eyes the coldest bosoms sway'd, + And on her breast ten thousand Cupids play'd. + What though her skin were not as lilies fair? + What though her face confest a darker shade? + Let not a paler European dare + With glowing Yarico's her beauty to compare. + + + And if thus perfect were her outward form, + What tongue can tell the graces of her mind, + Constant in love and in its friendships warm? + There blushing modesty with virtue join'd + There tenderness and innocence combin'd. + Nor fraudful wiles, nor dark deceit she knew, + Nor arts to catch the inexperienc'd hind; + No swain's attention from a rival drew, + For she was simple all, and she was ever true. + + + There was not one so lovely or so good, + Among the num'rous daughters of the plain; + 'Twas Yarico each Indian shepherd woo'd; + But Yarico each shepherd woo'd in vain; + Their arts she view'd not but with cold disdain. + For British Inkle's charms her soul confest, + His paler charms had caus'd her am'rous pain; + Nor could her heart admit another guest, + Or time efface his image in her constant breast, + + + Her generous love remain'd not unreturn'd, + Nor was the youthful swain as marble cold, + But soon with equal flame his bosom burn'd; + His passion soon in love's soft language told, + Her spirits cheer'd and bad her heart be bold. + Each other dearer than the world beside, + Each other dearer than themselves they hold. + Together knit in firmest bonds they bide, + While days and months with joy replete unnotic'd glide. + + + Ev'n now beside her sat the British boy, + Who ev'ry mark of youth and beauty bore, + All that allure the soul to love and joy. + Ev'n now her eyes ten thousand charms explore, + Ten thousand charms she never knew before. + His blooming cheeks confest a lovely glow, + His jetty eyes unusual brightness wore, + His auburn locks adown his Shoulders flow, + And manly dignity is seated on his brow." + + + + +ARTICLE VIII + + +THE ALCHYMIST, A COMEDY, ALTERED FROM BEN JONSON, BY RICHARD BRINSLEY +SHERIDAN, ESQ. + + +There are few characters, that have risen into higher favour with the +English nation, than Mr. Sheridan. He was known and admired, as a man of +successful gallantry, both with the fair sex and his own, before he +appeared, emphatically speaking, upon the public stage. Since that time, +his performances, of the Duenna, and the School for Scandal, have been +distinguished with the public favour beyond any dramatical productions +in the language. His compositions, in gaiety of humour and spriteliness +of wit, are without an equal. + +Satiated, it should seem, with the applauses of the theatre, he turned +his attention to public and parliamentary speaking. The vulgar +prejudice, that genius cannot expect to succeed in two different walks, +for some time operated against him. But he possessed merit, and he +compelled applause. He now ranks, by universal consent, as an orator and +a statesman, with the very first names of an age, that will not perhaps +be accounted unproductive in genius and abilities. + +It was now generally supposed that he had done with the theatre. For our +own part, we must confess; we entertain all possible veneration for +parliamentary and ministerial abilities; we should be mortified to rank +second to any man in our enthusiasm for the official talents of Mr. +Sheridan: But as the guardians of literature, we regretted the loss of +his comic powers. We wished to preserve the poet, without losing the +statesman. Greatly as we admired the opera and the comedy, we conceived +his unbounded talents capable of something higher still. To say all in a +word, we looked at his hands for the MISANTHROPE of the British muse. + +It is unnecessary to say then, that we congratulate the public upon the +present essay. It is meaned only as a _jeu d'esprit_. But we consider it +as the earnest of that perseverance, which we wished to prove, and +feared to lose. The scene we have extracted, and which, with another, +that may be considered as a kind of praxis upon the rules, constitutes +the chief part of the alteration, is apparently personal. How far +personal satire is commendable in general, and how far it is just in the +present instance, are problems that we shall leave with our readers.--As +much as belongs to Jonson we have put in italics. + + + + ACT IV + + + SCENE 4 + + _Enter_ Captain Face, _disguised as Lungs, and_ Kastril. + + + FACE. _Who would you speak with_? + + + KASTRIL. _Where is the captain?_ + + + + FACE. + + _Gone, sir, about some business._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Gone?_ + + + + FACE. + + _He will return immediately. But master doctor, his lieutenant + is here._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Say, I would speak with him._ + + + [_Exit_ Face. + + _Enter_ Subtle. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _Come near, sir.--I know you well.--You are my_ terrae + fili--_that is--my boy of land--same three thousand pounds a + year._ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _How know you that, old boy?_ + + + + SUBTLE. + + _I know the subject of your visit, and I'll satisfy you. Let us + see now what notion you have of the matter. It is a nice point + to broach a quarrel right_. + + + + KASTRIL. + + _You lie_. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _How now?--give me the lie?--for what, my boy?_ + + + + KASTRIL. + + _Nay look you to that.--I am beforehand--that's my business_. + + + + SUBTLE. + + _Oh, this is not the art of quarrelling--'tis poor and + pitiful_!--What, sir, would you restrict the noble science of + debate to the mere lie?--Phaw, that's a paltry trick, that every + fool could hit.--A mere Vandal could throw his gantlet, and an + Iroquois knock his antagonist down.--No, sir, the art of quarrel + is vast and complicated.--Months may worthily be employed in the + attainment,--and the exercise affords range for the largest + abilities.--To quarrel after the newest and most approved + method, is the first of sciences,--the surest test of genius, + and the last perfection of civil society. + + + + KASTRIL. + + You amaze me. I thought to dash the lie in another's face was + the most respectable kind of anger. + + + + SUBTLE. + + O lud, sir, you are very ignorant. A man that can only give the + lie is not worth the name of quarrelsome--quite tame and + spiritless!--No, sir, the angry boy must understand, beside the + QUARREL DIRECT--in which I own you have some proficiency--a + variety of other modes of attack;--such as, the QUARREL + PREVENTIVE--the QUARREL OBSTREPEROUS--the QUARREL SENSITIVE--the + QUARREL OBLIQUE--and the QUARREL PERSONAL. + + + + KASTRIL. + + O Mr. doctor, that I did but understand half so much of the art + of brangling as you do!--What would I give!--Harkee--I'll settle + an hundred a year upon you.--But come, go on, go on-- + + + + SUBTLE. + + O sir! you quite overpower me--why, if you use me thus, you will + draw all my secrets from me at once.--I shall almost kick you + down stairs the first lecture. + + + + KASTRIL. + + How!--Kick me down stairs?--Ware that--Blood and oons, sir! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Well, well,--be patient--be patient--Consider, it is impossible + to communicate the last touches of the art of petulance, but by + fist and toe,--by sword and pistol. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Sir, I don't understand you! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Enough. We'll talk of that another time.--What I have now to + explain is the cool and quiet art of debate--fit to be + introduced into the most elegant societies--or the most august + assemblies.--You, my angry boy, are in parliament? + + + + KASTRIL. + + No, doctor.--I had indeed some thoughts of it.--But imagining + that the accomplishments of petulance and choler would be of no + use there--I gave it up. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Good heavens!--Of no use?--Why, sir, they can be no where so + properly.--Only conceive how august a little petulance--and what + a graceful variety snarling and snapping would introduce!--True, + they are rather new in that connexion.--Believe me, sir, there + is nothing for which I have so ardently longed as to meet them + there.--I should die contented.--And you, sir,--if you would + introduce them--Eh? + + + + KASTRIL. + + Doctor, you shall be satisfied--I'll be in parliament in a + month--I'll be prime minister--LORD HIGH TREASURER of + ENGLAND--or, CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Oh, by all means CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER! You are somewhat + young indeed--but that's no objection.--Damn me, if the office + can ever be so respectably filled as by an angry boy. + + + + KASTRIL. + + True, true.--But, doctor, we forget your instructions all this + time.--Let me see--Ay--first was the QUARREL PREVENTIVE. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Well thought of!--Why, sir, in your new office you will be + liable to all sorts of attacks--Ministers always are, and an + angry boy cannot hope to escape.--Now nothing, you know, is so + much to the purpose as to have the first blow--Blunders are very + natural.--Your friends tell one story in the upper house, and + you another in the lower--You shall give up a territory to the + enemy that you ought to have kept, and when charged with it, + shall unluckily drop that you and your colleagues were ignorant + of the geography of the country--You foresee an attack--you + immediately open--Plans so extensively beneficial--accounts so + perfectly consistent--measures so judicious and accurate--no man + can question--no man can object to--but a rascal and a + knave.--Let him come forward! + + + + KASTRIL. + + Very good! very good!--For the QUARREL OPSTREPEROUS, that I + easily conceive.--An antagonist objects shrewdly--I cannot + invent an answer.--In that case, there is nothing to be done but + to drown his reasons in noise--nonsense--and vociferation. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Come to my arms, my dear Kastril! O thou art an apt + scholar--thou wilt be nonpareil in the art of brawling!--But for + the QUARREL SENSITIVE-- + + + + KASTRIL. + + Ay, that I confess I don't understand. + + + + SUBTLE. + + Why, it is thus, my dear boy--A minister is apt to be + sore.--Every man cannot have the phlegm of Burleigh.--And an + angry boy is sorest of all.--In that case--an objection is made + that would dumbfound any other man--he parries it with--my + honour--and my integrity--and the rectitude of my intentions--my + spotless fame--my unvaried truth--and the greatness of my + abilities--And so gives no answer at all. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Excellent! excellent! + + + + SUBTLE. + + The QUARREL OBLIQUE is easy enough.--It is only to talk in + general terms of places and pensions--the loaves and the + fishes--a struggle for power--a struggle for power--And it will + do excellent well, if at a critical moment--you can throw in a + hint of some forty or fifty millions unaccounted for by some + people's grandfathers and uncles dead fifty years ago. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Ha! ha! ha! + + + + SUBTLE. + + Lastly, for the QUARREL PERSONAL--It may be infinitely + diversified.--I have other instances in my eye,--but I will + mention only one.--Minds capable of the widest comprehension, + when held back from their proper field, may turn to lesser + employments, that fools may wonder at, and canting hypocrites + accuse--A CATO might indulge to the pleasures of the bottle, and + a CAESAR might play--Unfortunately you may have a CAESAR to + oppose you--Let him discuss a matter of finance--that subject is + always open--there you have an easy answer. In the former case + you parried, here you thrust.--You must admire at his + presumption--tell him roundly he is not capable of the + subject--and dam his strongest reasons by calling them the + reasons of a gambler. + + + + KASTRIL. + + Admirable!--Oh doctor!--I will thank you for ever.--I will do + any thing for you! + + + [Face _enters at the corner of the stage, winks at_ Subtle, _and + exit._] + + + + SUBTLE. + + "_Come, Sir, the captain will come to us presently--I will have + you to my chamber of demonstrations, and show my instrument for + quarrelling, with all the points of the compass marked upon it. + It will make you able to quarrel to a straw's breadth at + moonlight._ + + + Exeunt." + + + + +ARTICLE IX. + + +REFLEXIONS UPON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. BY +THOMAS PAINE, M.A. &c. 8vo. + + +The revolution of America is the most important event of the present +century. Other revolutions have originated in immediate personal +feeling, have pointed only at a few partial grievances, or, preserving +the tyranny entire, have consisted only in a struggle about the persons +in whom it should be vested. This only has commenced in an accurate and +extensive view of things, and at a time when the subject of government +was perfectly understood. The persons, who have had the principal share +in conducting it, exhibit a combination of wisdom, spirit and genius, +that can never be sufficiently admired. + +In this honourable list, the name of Mr. Paine by no means occupies the +lowest place. He is the best of all their political writers. His +celebrated pamphlet of Common Sense appeared at a most critical period, +and certainly did important service to the cause of independency. His +style is exactly that of popular oratory. Rough, negligent and +perspicuous, it presents us occasionally with the boldest figures and +the most animated language. It is perfectly intelligible to persons of +all ranks, and it speaks with energy to the sturdy feelings of +uncultivated nature. The sentiments of the writer are stern, and we +think even rancorous to the mother country. They may be the sentiments +of a patriot, they are not certainly those of a philosopher. + +Mr. Paine has thought fit to offer some advice to his countrymen in the +present juncture, in which, according to some, they stand in +considerable need of it. The performance is not unworthy of the other +productions of this author. It has the same virtues and the same +defects. We have extracted the following passage, as one of the most +singular and interesting. + + + "America has but one enemy, and that is England. Of the English + it behoves us always to be jealous. We ought to cultivate + harmony and good understanding with every other power upon + earth. The necessity of this caution will be easily shewn. For + + 1. The united states of America were subject to the government + of England. True, they have acknowledged our independence. But + pride first struggled as much as she could, and sullenness held + off as long as she dare. They have withdrawn their claim upon + our obedience, but do you think they have forgot it? To this + hour their very news-papers talk daily of dissentions between + colony and colony, and the disaffection of this and of that to + the continental interest. They hold up one another in absurdity, + and look with affirmative impatience, when we shall fall + together by the ears, that they may run away with the prize we + have so dearly won. It is not in man to submit to a defalcation + of empire without reluctance. But in England, where every + cobler, slave as he is, hath been taught to think himself a + king, never. + + 2. The resemblance, of language, customs, will give them the + most ready access to us. The king of England will have + emissaries in every corner. They will try to light up discord + among us. They will give intelligence of all our weaknesses. + Though we have struggled bravely, and conquered like men, we are + not without imperfection. Ambition and hope will be for ever + burning in the breast of our former tyrant. Dogmatical + confidence is the worst enemy America can have. We need not fear + the Punic sword. But let us be upon our guard against the arts + of Carthage. + + 3. England is the only European state that still possesses an + important province upon our continent. The Indian tribes are all + that stand between us. We know with what art they lately sought + their detested alliance. What they did then was the work of a + day. Hereafter if they act against us, the steps they will + proceed with will be slower and surer. Canada will be their + place of arms. From Canada they will pour down their Indians. A + dispute about the boundaries will always be an easy quarrel. And + if their cunning can inveigle us into a false security, twenty + or thirty years hence we may have neither generals nor soldiers + to stop them." + + + + +ARTICLE X. + + +SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDMUND BURKE, ON A MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS +OF THANKS TO HIS MAJESTY (ON THE 28TH OF NOVEMBER, 1783) FOR HIS +GRACIOUS COMMUNICATION OF A TREATY OF COMMERCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN GEORGE +THE THIRD, KING, &C. AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + +We were very apprehensive upon Mr. Burke's coming into administration, +that this circumstance might have proved a bar to any further additions +to the valuable collection of his speeches already in the hands of the +public. If we imagined that our verdict could make any addition to the +very great and deserved reputation in which they are held, we should not +scruple to say that were Cicero our contemporary, and Mr. Burke the +ancient, we are persuaded that there would not be a second opinion upon +the comparative merits of their orations. In the same degree as the +principles of the latter are unquestionably more unsullied, and his +spirit more independent; do we esteem him to excel in originality of +genius, and sublimity of conception. + +We will give two extracts; one animadverting upon the preliminaries of +peace concluded by the earl of Shelburne; the other a character of David +Hartley, Esq. + + + "I know that it has been given out, that by the ability and + industry of their predecessors we found peace and order + established to our hands; and that the present ministers had + nothing to inherit, but emolument and indolence, _otium cum + dignitate._ Sir, I will inform you what kind of peace and + leisure the late ministers had provided. They were indeed + assiduous in their devotion; they erected a temple to the + goddess of peace. But it was so hasty and incorrect a structure, + the foundation was so imperfect, the materials so gross and + unwrought, and the parts so disjointed, that it would have been + much easier to have raised an entire edifice from the ground, + than to have reduced the injudicious sketch that was made to any + regularity of form. Where you looked for a shrine, you found + only a vestibule; instead of the chapel of the goddess, there + was a wide and dreary lobby; and neither altar nor treasury were + to be found. There was neither greatness of design, nor accuracy + of finishing. The walls were full of gaps and flaws, the winds + whistled through the spacious halls, and the whole building + tottered over our heads. + + Mr. Hartley, sir, is a character, that must do honour to his + country and to human nature. With a strong and independent + judgment, with a capacious and unbounded benevolence, he devoted + himself from earliest youth for his brethren and fellow + creatures. He has united a character highly simple and + inartificial, with the wisdom of a true politician. Not by the + mean subterfuges of a professed negociator; not by the dark, + fathomless cunning of a mere statesman; but by an extensive + knowledge of the interest and character of nations; by an + undisguised constancy in what is fit and reasonable; by a clear + and vigorous spirit that disdains imposition. He has met the + accommodating ingenuity of France; he has met the haughty + inflexibility of Spain upon their own ground, and has completely + routed them. He loosened them from all their holdings and + reserves; he left them not a hole, nor a corner to shelter + themselves. He has taught the world a lesson we had long wanted, + that simple and unaided virtue is more than a match for the + unbending armour of pride, and the exhaustless evolutions of + political artifice." + + +FINIS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Four Early Pamphlets, by William Godwin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FOUR EARLY PAMPHLETS *** + +***** This file should be named 10597.txt or 10597.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/5/9/10597/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Amy Overmyer and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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