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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 + + + + +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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