第3章
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  Afterthiscourseofstudy,youmaythentakeupandperusesentencebysentencethecommunionservice,thebestofallcommentsontheScripturesappertainingtothismystery。Andthisisthepreparationwhichwillprove,withGod’sgrace,thesurestpreventiveof,orantidoteagainst,thefreezingpoison,thelethargisinghemlock,ofthedoctrineoftheSacramentaries,accordingtowhomtheEucharistisamerepracticalmetaphor,inwhichthingsareemployedinsteadofarticulatedsoundsfortheexclusivepurposeofrecallingtoourmindsthehistoricalfactofourLord’scrucifixion;inshort——(theprofanenessiswiththem,notwithme)——justthesameaswhenProtestantsdrinkaglassofwinetothegloriousmemoryofWilliamIII。!Trueitisthattheremembranceisoneendofthesacrament;

  butitis,DOTHISINREMEMBRANCEOFME,——ofallthatChristwasandis,hathdoneandisstilldoingforfallenmankind,and,ofcourse,ofhiscrucifixioninclusively,butnotofhiscrucifixionalone。14

  December,1827。

  COMPANIONTOTHEALTAR。

  First,then,thatwemaycometothisheavenlyfeastholy,andadornedwiththeweddinggarment,Matt。xxii。ii,wemustsearchourhearts,andexamineourconsciences,notonlytillweseeoursins,butuntilwehatethem。

  Butwhatifaman,seeinghissin,earnestlydesiretohateit?

  Shallhenotatthealtarofferupatoncehisdesire,andtheyetlingeringsin,andseekforstrength?Isnotthissacramentmedicineaswellasfood?Isitanendonly,andnotlikewisethemeans?Isitmerelythetriumphalfeast;orisitnotevenmoretrulyablessedrefreshmentforandduringtheconflict?

  Thisconfessionofsinsmustnotbeingeneraltermsonly,thatwearesinnerswiththerestofmankind,butitmustbeaspecialdeclarationtoGodofallourmostheinoussinsinthought,word,anddeed。

  Lutherwasofadifferentjudgment。Hewouldhaveusfeelandgroanunderoursinfulnessandutterincapabilityofredeemingourselvesfromthebondage,ratherthanhazardthepollutionofourimaginationsbyarecapitulationandrenewingofsinsandtheirimagesindetail。Donot,hesays,standpickingtheflawsoutonebyone,butplungeintotheriveranddrownthem!——IventuretobeofLuther’sdoctrine。

  COMMUNIONSERVICE。

  InthefirstExhortation,beforethewords\"meritoriousCrossandPassion,\"Ishouldproposetoinsert\"hisassumptionofhumanity,hisincarnation,and。\"Likewise,alittlelowerdown,aftertheword\"sustenance,\"Iwouldinsert\"as。\"Fornotinthatsacramentexclusively,butinalltheactsofassimilativefaith,ofwhichtheEucharistisasolemn,eminent,andrepresentativeinstance,aninstanceandthesymbol,Christisourspiritualfoodandsustenance。

  MARRIAGESERVICE。

  Marriage,simplyasmarriage,isnotthemeans\"fortheprocreationofchildren,\"butforthehumanisationoftheoffspringprocreated。

  Therefore,intheDeclarationatthebeginning,afterthewords\"procreationofchildren,\"Iwouldinsert,\"andasthemeansofsecuringtothechildrenprocreatedenduringcare,andthattheymaybe,\"&c。

  COMMUNIONOFTHESICK。

  Thirdrubricattheend。

  Butifaman,eitherbyreasonofextremityofsickness,&c。

  Ithinkthisrubric,inwhatIconceivetobeitstruemeaning,apreciousdoctrine,asfullyacquittingourChurchofallRomishsuperstition,respectingthenatureoftheEucharist,inrelationtothewholeschemeofman’sredemption。Butthelatterpartofit——\"hedotheatanddrinktheBodyandBloodofourSaviourChristprofitablytohissoul’shealth,althoughhedonotreceivethesacramentwithhismouth\"——seemstomeveryincautiouslyexpressed,andscarcelytobereconciledwiththeChurch’sowndefinitionofasacramentingeneral。Forinsuchacase,whereis\"theoutwardandvisiblesignoftheinwardandspiritualgracegiven?\"

  XI。SUNDAYAFTERTRINITY。

  Epistle。——lCor。xv。1。

  Brethren,IdeclareuntoyoutheGospelwhichIpreacheduntoyou。

  Whyshouldtheobsolete,thoughfaithful,Saxontranslationof[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]beretained?Whynot\"goodtidings?\"Whythuschangeamostappropriateandintelligibledesignationofthematterintoamereconventionalnameofaparticularbook?

  Ib-

  howthatChristdiedforoursins。

  Butthemeaningof[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]is,thatChristdiedthroughthesins,andforthesinners。Hediedthroughoursins,andwelivethroughhisrighteousness。

  Gospel——Lukexviii。14。

  Thismanwentdowntohishousejustifiedratherthantheother。

  Notsimplyjustified,observe;butjustifiedratherthantheother,[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced],——thatis,lessremotefromsalvation。

  XXV。SUNDAYAFTERTRINITY。

  Collect-

  thatthey,plenteouslybringingforththefruitofgoodworks,mayoftheebeplenteouslyrewarded。

  Rather——\"thatwiththatenlargedcapacity,whichwithouttheewecannotacquire,theremaylikewisebeanincreaseofthegift,whichfromtheealonewecanwhollyreceive。\"

  Ps。VIII。

  V。2。Outofthemouthofverybabesandsucklingshastthouordainedstrength,becauseofthineenemies;thatthoumighteststilltheenemyandtheavenger。

  Tothedispensationsofthetwilightdawn,tothefirstmessengersoftheredeemingword,theyetlispingutterersoflightandlife,astrengthandpowerweregivenBECAUSEOFTHEENEMIES,greaterandofmoreimmediateinfluence,thantotheseersandproclaimersofaclearerday:evenasthefirstreappearingcrescentoftheeclipsedmoonshinesformenwithakeenerbrilliancethanthefollowinglargersegments,previouslytoitstotalemersion。

  Ib。v。5。

  Thoumadesthimlowerthantheangels,tocrownhimwithgloryandworship。

  Poweridea=angel。

  Idea——power=man,orPrometheus。

  Ps。LXVIII。

  V。34。AscribeyethepowertoGodoverIsrael:hisworshipandstrengthisintheclouds。

  The\"clouds,\"inthesymbolicallanguageoftheScriptures,meantheeventsandcourseofthings,seeminglyeffectsofhumanwillorchance,butoverruledbyProvidence。

  Ps。LXXII。

  ThispsalmadmitsnootherinterpretationbutofChrist,astheJehovahincarnate。InanyothersenseitwouldbeaspecimenofmorethanPersianorMoghulhyperbole,andbombast,ofwhichthereisnootherinstanceinScripture,andwhichnoChristianwoulddaretoattributetoaninspiredwriter。Weknow,too,thattheelderJewishChurchrankeditamongtheMessianicPsalms。——N。B。ThewordinSt。

  JohnandtheNameoftheMostHighinthePsalmsareequivalentterms。

  V。1。Givethekingthyjudgments,OGod;andthyrighteousnessuntotheking’sson。

  GodofGod,LightofLight,veryGodofveryGod,theonlybegotten,theSonofGodandGod,KingofKings,andtheSonoftheKingofKings!

  Ps。LXXIV。

  V。2。Othinkuponthycongregation,whomthouhastpurchasedandredeemedofold。

  TheLambsacrificedfromthebeginningoftheworld,theGod-Man,theJudge,theself-promisedRedeemertoAdaminthegarden!

  V。15。ThousmotesttheheadsoftheLeviathaninpieces;andgavesthimtobemeatforthepeopleinthewilderness。

  Doesthisalludetoanyrealtradition?ThePsalmsappearstohavebeencomposedshortlybeforethecaptivityofJudah。

  Ps。LXXXII。vv。6-7。

  ThereferencewhichourLordmadetothesemysteriousversesgivesthemanespecialinterest。Thefirstapostasy,thefalloftheangels,is,perhaps,intimated。

  Ps。LXXXVII。

  IwouldfainunderstandthisPsalm;butfirstImustcollateitwordbywordwiththeoriginalHebrew。ItseemsclearlyMessianic。

  Ps。LXXXVIII。

  Vv。10-12。Dostthoushowwondersamongthedead,orshallthedeadriseupagainandpraisethee?&c。

  CompareEzekielxxxvii。

  Ps。CIV。

  IthinktheBibleversionmightwithadvantagebesubstitutedforthis,whichinsomepartsisscarcelyintelligible。

  V。6。——thewatersstandinthehills。

  No;STOODABOVETHEMOUNTAINS。ThereferenceistotheDeluge。

  Ps。CV。

  V。3。——LETTHEHEARTOFTHEMREJOICETHATSEEKTHELORD。

  IfeventoseektheLordbejoy,whatwillitbetofindhim?Seekme,OLord,thatImaybefoundbythee!

  Ps。CX。

  V。2。——TheLORDSHALLSENDTHERODOFTHYPOWEROUTOFSION;(saying)

  RULE,&c。

  V。3。Understand——\"Thypeopleshallofferthemselveswillinglyinthedayofconflictinholyclothing,intheirbestarray,intheirbestarmsandaccoutrements。Asthedewfromthewombofthemorning,innumberandbrightnesslikedew-drops,soshallbethyyouth,ortheyouthofthee,theyoungvolunteerwarriors。\"

  V。5。\"Heshallshake,\"concuss,concutietregesdieiraesuae。

  V。6。For\"smiteinsunder,orwoundtheheads;\"somewordansweringtotheLatinconquassare。

  V。7。For\"therefore,\"translate\"thenshallheliftuphisheadagain;\"thatis,asamanlanguidandsinkingfromthirstandfatigueafterrefreshment。

  N。B。——Iseenopoeticdiscrepancybetweenvv。1and5。

  Ps。CXVIII。

  TobeinterpretedofChrist’sChurch。

  Ps。CXXVI。

  V。5。Astheriversinthesouth。

  Doesthisalludetotheperiodicalrains?

  Asatransparencyonsomenightofpublicrejoicing,seenbycommonday,withthelampsfromwithinremoved——evensuchwouldthePsalmsbetomeuninterpretedbytheGospel。OhonouredMr。Hurwitz!CouldIbutmakeyoufeelwhatgrandeur,whatmagnificence,whataneverlastingsignificanceandimportChristianitygivestoeveryfactofyournationalhistory——toeverypageofyoursacredrecords!

  ARTICLESOFRELIGION。

  XX。ItismournfultothinkhowmanyrecentwritershavecriminatedourChurchinconsequenceoftheirignoranceandinadvertenceinnotknowing,ornotnoticing,thecontradistinctionheremeantbetweenpowerandauthority。RitesandceremoniestheChurchmayordainjureproprio:onmattersoffaithherjudgmentistobereceivedwithreverence,andnotgainsayedbutafterrepeatedinquiries,andonweightygrounds。

  XXXVII。ItislawfulforChristianmen,atthecommandmentofthemagistrate,towearweapons,andtoserveinwars。

  Thisisaverygoodinstanceofanunseemlymatterneatlywrappedup。

  Thegoodmenrecoiledfromtheplainwords——\"ItislawfulforChristianmenattheCommandofakingtoslaughterasmanyChristiansastheycan!\"

  Well!Icouldmostsincerelysubscribetoallthesearticles。

  September,1831。

  ANIGHTLYPRAYER。1831。

  AlmightyGod,bythyeternalWordmyCreatorRedeemerandPreserver!

  whohastinthyfreecommunicativegoodnessglorifiedmewiththecapabilityofknowingthee,theoneonlyabsoluteGood,theeternalI

  Am,astheauthorofmybeing,andofdesiringandseekingtheeasitsultimateend;——who,whenIfellfromtheeintothemysteryofthefalseandevilwill,didstnotabandonme,poorself-lostcreature,butinthycondescendingmercydidstprovideanaccessandareturntothyself,eventotheetheHolyOne,inthineonlybegottenSon,thewayandthetruthfromeverlasting,andwhotookonhimselfhumanity,yea,becameflesh,eventhemanChristJesus,thatformanhemightbethelifeandtheresurrection!——OGiverofallgoodgifts,whoartthyselftheoneonlyabsoluteGood,fromwhomIhavereceivedwhatevergoodIhave,whatevercapabilityofgoodthereisinme,andfromtheegoodalone,——frommyselfandmyowncorruptedwillallevilandtheconsequentsofevil,——withinwardprostrationofwill,mind,andaffectionsIadorethyinfinitemajesty;Iaspiretolovethytranscendentgoodness!——Inadeepsenseofmyunworthiness,andmyunfitnesstopresentmyselfbeforethee,ofeyestoopuretobeholdiniquity,andwhoselight,thebeautitudeofspiritsconformedtothywill,isaconsumingfiretoallvanityandcorruption;——butinthenameoftheLordJesus,ofthedearSonofthylove,inwhoseperfectobediencethoudeignesttobeholdasmanyashavereceivedtheseedofChristintothebodyofthisdeath;——I

  offerthis,myboundennightlysacrificeofpraiseandthanksgiving,inhumbletrustthatthefragranceofmySaviour’srighteousnessmayremovefromitthetaintofmymortalcorruption。Thymercieshavefollowedmethroughallthehoursandmomentsofmylife;andnowI

  liftupmyheartinaweandthankfulnessforthepreservationofmylifethroughthepastday,forthealleviationofmybodilysufferingsandlanguors,forthemanifoldcomfortswhichthouhastreservedforme,yea,inthyfatherlycompassionhastrescuedfromthewreckofmyownsinsorsinfulinfirmities;——forthekindandaffectionatefriendsthouhastraisedupforme,especiallyforthoseofthishousehold,forthemotherandmistressofthisfamily,whoselovetomehathbeengreatandfaithful,andforthedearfriend,thesupporterandsharerofmystudiesandresearches;but,aboveall,fortheheavenlyFriend,thecrucifiedSaviour,theglorifiedMediator,ChristJesus,andfortheheavenlyComforter,sourceofallabidingcomforts,thyHolySpirit!OgrantmetheaidofthySpirit,thatImaywithadeeperfaith,amoreenkindledlove,blessthee,whothroughthySonhastprivilegedmetocalltheeAbba,Father!O,thou,whohastrevealedthyselfinthyholywordasaGodthathearestprayer;beforewhoseinfinitudealldifferencesceaseofgreatandsmall;wholikeatenderparentforeknowestallourwants,yetlistenestwell-pleasedtothehumblepetitionsofthychildren;

  whohastnotalonepermitted,buttaughtus;tocallontheeinallourneeds,——earnestlyIimplorethecontinuanceofthyfreemercy,ofthyprotectingprovidence,throughthecomingnight。Thouhearesteveryprayerofferedtotheebelievinglywithapenitentandsincereheart。Forthouinwithholdinggrantest,healestininflictingthewound,yea,turnestalltogoodforasmanyastrulyseektheethroughChrist,theMediator!Thywillbedone!Butifitbeaccordingtothywiseandrighteousordinances,Oshieldmethisnightfromtheassaultsofdisease,grantmerefreshmentofsleepunvexedbyevilanddistempereddreams;andifthepurposeandaspirationofmyheartbeuprightbeforethee,whoaloneknowesttheheartofman,Ointhymercyvouchsafemeyetinthismydecayoflifeanintervalofeaseandstrength;ifso(thygracedisposingandassisting)ImaymakecompensationtothyChurchfortheunusedtalentsthouhastentrustedtome,fortheneglectedopportunitieswhichthyloving-kindnesshadprovided。Oletmebefoundalabourerinthevineyard,thoughofthelatehour,whentheLordandHeirofthevintage,ChristJesus,callethforhisservant。

  OurFather,&c。

  Tothee,greatomnipresentSpirit,whosemercyisoverallthyworks,whonowbeholdestme,whohearestme,whohastframedmyhearttoseekandtotrustinthee,inthenameofmyLordandSaviourChristJesus,Ihumblycommitandcommendmybody,soul,andspirit。

  Glorybetothee,OGod!

  ASAILOR’SFORTUNE。

  ESSAYI。

  FortunaplerumqueestvelutiGalaxiaquarundamobscurarumVirtutumsinenomine。

  BACON。

  (Translation)——Fortuneisforthemostpartbutagalaxyormilkyway,asitwere,ofcertainobscurevirtueswithoutaname。

  \"DoesFortunefavourfools?Orhowdoyouexplaintheoriginoftheproverb,which,differentlyworded,istobefoundinallthelanguagesofEurope?\"

  Thisproverbadmitsofvariousexplanations,accordingtothemoodofmindinwhichitisused。Itmayarisefrompity,andthesoothingpersuasionthatProvidenceiseminentlywatchfuloverthehelpless,andextendsanespecialcaretothosewhoarenotcapableofcaringforthemselves。Soused,itbreathesthesamefeelingas\"Godtempersthewindtotheshornlamb\"——orthemoresportiveadage,that\"thefairiestakecareofchildrenandtipsyfolk。\"Thepersuasionitself,inadditiontothegeneralreligiousfeelingofmankind,andthescarcelylessgeneralloveofthemarvellous,maybeaccountedforfromourtendencytoexaggeratealleffectsthatseemdisproportionatetotheirvisiblecause,andallcircumstancesthatareinanywaystronglycontrastedwithournotionsofthepersonsunderthem。Secondly,itarisesfromthesafetyandsuccesswhichanignoranceofdangeranddifficultysometimesactuallyassistsinprocuring;inasmuchasitprecludesthedespondence,whichmighthavekeptthemoreforesightedfromundertakingtheenterprise,thedepressionwhichwouldretarditsprogress,andthoseoverwhelminginfluencesofterrorincaseswherethevividperceptionofthedangerconstitutesthegreaterpartofthedangeritself。Thusmenaresaidtohaveswoonedandevendiedatthesightofanarrowbridge,overwhichtheyhadridden,thenightbefore,inperfectsafety;orattracingthefootmarksalongtheedgeofaprecipicewhichthedarknesshadconcealedfromthem。Amoreobscurecause,yetnotwhollytobeomitted,isaffordedbytheundoubtedfactthattheexertionofthereasoningfacultiestendstoextinguishorbedimthosemysteriousinstinctsofskill,which,thoughforthemostpartlatent,weneverthelesspossessincommonwithotheranimals。

  Ortheproverbmaybeusedinvidiously;andfollyinthevocabularyofenvyorbasenessmaysignifycourageandmagnanimity。Hardihoodandfool-hardinessareindeedasdifferentasgreenandyellow,yetwillappearthesametothejaundicedeye。Couragemultipliesthechancesofsuccessbysometimesmakingopportunities,andalwaysavailingitselfofthem:andinthissenseFortunemaybesaidtofavourfoolsbythosewho,howeverprudentintheirownopinion,aredeficientinvalourandenterprise。Again:anemientlygoodandwiseman,forwhomthepraisesofthejudicioushaveprocuredahighreputationevenwiththeworldatlarge,proposestohimselfcertainobjects,andadaptingtherightmeanstotherightendattainsthem;

  buthisobjectsnotbeingwhattheworldcallsfortune,neithermoneynorartificialrank,hisadmittedinferiorsinmoralandintellectualworth,butmoreprosperousintheirworldlyconcerns,aresaidtohavebeenfavouredbyFortuneandbeslighted;althoughthefoolsdidthesameintheirlineasthewisemaninhis;theyadaptedtheappropriatemeanstothedesiredend,andsosucceeded。Inthissensetheproverbiscurrentbyamisuse,oracatachresisatleast,ofboththewords,fortuneandfools。

  Howseldom,friend,agoodgreatmaninheritsHonourorwealthwithallhisworthandpains!

  Itsoundslikestoriesfromthelandofspirits,Ifanymanobtainthatwhichhemerits,Oranymeritthatwhichheobtains。

  REPLY。

  Forshame!dearfriend,renouncethiscantingstrain;

  Whatwould’stthouhaveagoodgreatmanobtain?

  Place?titles?salary?agildedchain?

  Orthroneofcorseswhichhisswordhathslain?

  Greatnessandgoodnessarenotmeans,butends!

  Hathhenotalwaystreasures,alwaysfriends,Thegoodgreatman?Threetreasures,love,andlight,Andcalmthoughtsregularasinfant’sbreath:

  Andthreefirmfriends,moresurethandayandnight,Himself,hisMaker,andtheangelDeath。

  S。T。C。

  But,lastly,thereis,doubtless,atruemeaningattachedtofortune,distinctbothfromprudenceandfromcourage;anddistincttoofromthatabsenceofdepressingorbewilderingpassions,which(accordingtomyfavouriteproverb,\"extremesmeet,\")thefoolnotseldomobtainsinasgreatperfectionbyhisignoranceasthewisemanbythehighestenergiesofthoughtandself-discipline。Luckhasarealexistenceinhumanaffairs,fromtheinfinitenumberofpowersthatareinactionatthesametime,andfromtheco-existenceofthingscontingentandaccidental(suchastoUSatleastareaccidental)

  withtheregularappearancesandgenerallawsofnature。Afamiliarinstancewillmakethesewordsintelligible。Themoonwaxesandwanesaccordingtoanecessarylaw。Thecloudslikewise,andallthemanifoldappearancesconnectedwiththem,aregovernedbycertainlawsnolessthanthephasesofthemoon。Butthelawswhichdeterminethelatterareknownandcalculable,whilethoseoftheformerarehiddenfromus。Atallevents,thenumberandvarietyoftheireffectsbaffleourpowersofcalculation;andthattheskyisclearorobscuredatanyparticulartime,wespeakof,incommonlanguage,asamatterofaccident。Well!atthetimeofthefullmoon,butwhentheskyiscompletelycoveredwithblackclouds,Iamwalkingoninthedark,awareofnoparticulardanger:asuddengustofwindrendsthecloudforamoment,andthemoonemergingdisclosestomeachasmorprecipice,totheverybrinkofwhichIhadadvancedmyfoot。Thisiswhatismeantbyluck,andaccordingtothemoreorlessseriousmoodorhabitofourmindweexclaim,howlucky!or,howprovidential!Theco-presenceofnumberlessphaenomena,whichfromthecomplexityorsubtletyoftheirdeterminingcausesarecalledcontingencies,andtheco-existenceofthesewithanyregularornecessaryphaenomenon(asthecloudswiththemoonforinstance),occasioncoincidences,which,whentheyareattendedbyanyadvantageorinjury,andareatthesametimeincapableofbeingcalculatedorforeseenbyhumanprudence,formgoodorillluck。Onahotsunshinyafternooncameonasuddenstormandspoiltthefarmer’shay;andthisiscalledillluck。Wewillsupposethesameeventtotakeplace,whenmeteorologyshallhavebeenperfectedintoascience,providedwithunerringinstruments;butwhichthefarmerhadneglectedtoexamine。Thisisnolongerillluck,butimprudence。

  Nowapplythistoourproverb。Unforeseencoincidencesmayhavegreatlyhelpedaman,yetiftheyhavedoneforhimonlywhatpossiblyfromhisownabilitieshemighthaveeffectedforhimself,hisgoodluckwillexcitelessattentionandtheinstancesbelessremembered。Thatclevermenshouldattaintheirobjectsseemsnatural,andweneglectthecircumstancesthatperhapsproducedthatsuccessofthemselveswithouttheinterventionofskillorforesight;

  butwedwellonthefactandrememberit,assomethingstrange,whenthesamehappenstoaweakorignorantman。So,too,thoughthelattershouldfailinhisundertakingsfromconcurrencesthatmighthavehappenedtothewisestman,yethisfailurebeingnomorethanmighthavebeenexpectedandaccountedforfromhisfolly,itlaysnoholdonourattention,butfleetsawayamongtheotherundistinguishedwaves,inwhichthestreamofordinarylifemurmursbyus,andisforgotten。Haditbeenastrueasitwasnotoriouslyfalse,thatthoseall-embracingdiscoveries,whichhaveshedadawnofscienceontheartofchemistry,andgivenoobscurepromiseofsomeonegreatconstitutivelaw,inthelightofwhichdwelldominionandthepowerofprophecy;ifthesediscoveries,insteadofhavingbeenastheyreallywere,preconcertedbymeditation,andevolvedoutofhisownintellect,hadoccurredbyasetofluckyaccidentstotheillustriousfatherandfounderofphilosophicalchemy;iftheypresentedthemselvestoSirHumphryDavyexclusivelyinconsequenceofhisluckinpossessingaparticulargalvanicbattery;ifthisbattery,asfarasDavywasconcerned,haditselfbeenanaccident,andnot(asinpointoffactitwas)desiredandobtainedbyhimforthepurposeofinsuringthetestimonyofexperiencetohisprinciples,andinordertobinddownmaterialnatureundertheinquisitionofreason,andforcefromher,asbytorture,unequivocalanswerstopreparedandpreconceivedquestions——yetstilltheywouldnothavebeentalkedofordescribed,asinstancesofLUCK,butasthenaturalresultsofhisadmittedgeniusandknownskill。ButshouldanaccidenthavedisclosedsimilardiscoveriestoamechanicatBirminghamorSheffield,andifthemanshouldgrowrichinconsequence,andpartlybytheenvyofhisneighbours,andpartlywithgoodreason,beconsideredbythemasamanbelowparinthegeneralpowersofhisunderstanding;then,\"Oh,whataluckyfellow!

  Well,Fortunedoesfavourfools——that’scertain!Itisalwaysso!\"——

  andforthwiththeexclaimerrelateshalfadozensimilarinstances。

  Thusaccumulatingtheonesortoffactsandnevercollectingtheother,wedo,aspoetsintheirdiction,andquacksofalldenominationsdointheirreasoning,putapartforthewhole,andatoncesootheourenvyandgratifyourloveofthemarvellous,bythesweepingproverb,\"Fortunefavoursfools。\"

  ESSAYII。

  Quodmenonmovetaestimatione:

  Verumest[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]meisodalis。

  CATULL。xii。

  (Translation。)——Itinterestsnotbyanyconceitofitsvalue;butitisaremembranceofmyhonouredfriend。

  Thephilosophicruler,whosecuredthefavoursoffortunebyseekingwisdomandknowledgeinpreferencetothem,haspatheticallyobserved——\"Theheartknowethitsownbitterness;andthereisajoyinwhichthestrangerintermeddlethnot。\"Asimplequestionfoundedonatriteproverb,withadiscursiveanswertoit,wouldscarcelysuggesttoanindifferentpersonanyothernotionthanthatofamindatease,amusingitselfwithitsownactivity。Oncebefore(I

  believeaboutthistimelastyear),Ihadtakenuptheoldmemorandumbook,fromwhichItranscribedtheprecedingessay,andtheyhadthenattractedmynoticebythenameoftheillustriouschemistmentionedinthelastillustration。Exasperatedbythebaseandcowardlyattemptthathadbeenmadetodetractfromthehonoursduetohisastonishinggenius,Ihadslightlyalteredtheconcludingsentences,substitutingthemorerecentforhisearlierdiscoveries;andwithoutthemostdistantintentionofpublishingwhatIthenwrote,Ihadexpressedmyownconvictionsforthegratificationofmyownfeelings,andfinishedbytranquillyparaphrasingintoachemicalallegorytheHomericadventureofMenelauswithProteus。Oh!withwhatdifferentfeelings,withwhatasharpandsuddenemotiondidI

  re-perusethesamequestionyester-morning,havingbyaccidentopenedthebookatthepageuponwhichitwaswritten。Iwasmoved;foritwasAdmiralSirAlexanderBallwhofirstproposedthequestiontome,andtheparticularsatisfactionwhichheexpressedhadoccasionedmetonotedownthesubstanceofmyreply。Iwasmoved;becausetothisconversationIwasindebtedforthefriendshipandconfidencewithwhichheafterwardshonouredme,andbecauseitrecalledthememoryofoneofthemostdelightfulmorningsIeverpassed;when,aswewereridingtogether,thesamepersonrelatedtometheprincipaleventsofhisownlife,andintroducedthembyadvertingtothisconversation。Itrecalledtoothedeepimpressionleftonmymindbythatnarrative——theimpressionthatIhadneverknownanyanalogousinstance,inwhichamansosuccessfulhadbeensolittleindebtedtofortune,orluckyaccidents,orsoexclusivelyboththearchitectandbuilderofhisownsuccess。Thesumofhishistorymaybecomprisedinthisonesentence——Haec,sabnumine,nobismetfecimas,sapientiaduce,fortunepermittente。(i。e。ThesethingsunderGod,wehavedoneforourselves,throughtheguidanceofwisdom,andwiththepermissionoffortune。)Luckgavehimnothing:inhermostgenerousmoods,sheonlyworkedwithhimaswithafriend,notforhimasforafondling;butmoreoftenshesimplystoodneuter,andsufferedhimtoworkforhimself。Ah!howcouldIbeotherwisethanaffectedbywhateverremindedmeofthatdailyandfamiliarintercoursewithhim,whichmadethefifteenmonthsfromMay,1804,toOctober,1805,inmanyrespectsthemostmemorableandinstructiveperiodofmylife?

  Ah!howcouldIbeotherwisethanmostdeeplyaffected,whentherewasstilllyingonmytablethepaperwhichthedaybeforehadconveyedtometheunexpectedandmostawfultidingsofthisman’sdeath?hisdeathinthefulnessofallhispowers,intherichautumnofripeyetundecayingmanhood!Ionceknewaladywho,afterthelossofalovelychild,continuedforseveraldaysinastateofseemingindifference,theweatheratthesametime,asifinunisonwithher,beingcalm,thoughgloomy;tillonemorningaburstofsunshinebreakinginuponher,andsuddenlylightinguptheroomwhereshewassitting,shedissolvedatonceintotears,andweptpassionately。Innoverydissimilarmannerdidthesuddengleamofrecollectionatthesightofthismemorandumactonmyself。Ihadbeenstunnedbytheintelligence,asbyanoutwardblow,tillthistriflingincidentstartledanddisentrancedme;thesuddenpangshiveredthroughmywholeframe;andifIrepressedtheoutwardshowsofsorrow,itwasbyforcethatIrepressedthem,andbecauseitisnotbytearsthatIoughttomournforthelossofSirAlexanderBall。

  Hewasamanabovehisage;butforthatveryreasontheagehasthemoreneedtohavethemaster-featuresofhischaracterportrayedandpreserved。ThisIfeelitmydutytoattempt,andthisalone;forhavingreceivedneitherinstructionsnorpermissionfromthefamilyofthedeceased,Icannotthinkmyselfallowedtoenterintotheparticularsofhisprivatehistory,strikinglyasmanyofthemwouldillustratetheelementsandcompositionofhismind。ForhewasindeedalivingconfutationoftheassertionattributedtothePrinceofConde,thatnomanappearedgreattohisvaletdechambre——asayingwhich,Isuspect,owesitscurrencylesstoitstruththantotheenvyofmankind,andthemisapplicationofthewordgreat,toactionsunconnectedwithreasonandfreewill。Itwillbesufficientformypurposetoobservethatthepurityandstrictproprietyofhisconduct,whichprecludedratherthansilencedcalumny,theevennessofhistemper,andhisattentiveandaffectionatemannersinprivatelife,greatlyaidedandincreasedhispublicutility;and,ifitshouldpleaseProvidencethataportionofhisspiritshoulddescendwithhismantle,thevirtuesofSirAlexanderBall,asamaster,ahusband,andaparent,willformanolessremarkableepochinthemoralhistoryoftheMaltesethanhiswisdom,asagovernor,hasmadeinthatoftheiroutwardcircumstances。ThattheprivateandpersonalqualitiesofafirstmagistrateshouldhavepoliticaleffectswillappearstrangetonoreflectingEnglishman,whohasattendedtotheworkingsofmen’smindsduringthefirstfermentofrevolutionaryprinciples,andmustthereforehavewitnessedtheinfluenceofourownsovereign’sdomesticcharacterincounteractingthem。ButinMaltatherewerecircumstanceswhichrenderedsuchanexamplepeculiarlyrequisiteandbeneficent。Theveryexistenceforsomanygenerationsofanorderoflaycelibatesinthatisland,whoabandonedeventheoutwardshowsofanadherencetotheirvowofchastity,musthavehadperniciouseffectsonthemoralsoftheinhabitants。ButwhenitisconsideredtoothattheKnightsofMaltahadbeenforthelastfiftyyearsormoreasetofuselessidlers,generallyilliterate,fortheythoughtliteraturenopartofasoldier’sexcellence;andyeteffeminate,fortheyweresoldiersinnameonly;whenitisconsideredthattheywere,moreover,allofthemaliens,wholookeduponthemselvesnotmerelyasofasuperiorranktothenativenobles,butasbeingsofadifferentrace(Ihadalmostsaidspecies)fromtheMaltesecollectively;andfinally,thatthesemenpossessedexclusivelythegovernmentoftheisland;itmaybesafelyconcludedthattheywerelittlebetterthanaperpetualinfluenza,relaxinganddiseasingtheheartsofallthefamilieswithintheirsphereofinfluence。Hencethepeasantry,whofortunatelywerebelowtheirreach,notwithstandingthemorethanchildishignoranceinwhichtheywerekeptbytheirpriests,yetcomparedwiththemiddleandhigherclasses,werebothinmindandbodyasordinarymencomparedwithdwarfs。Everyrespectablefamilyhadsomeoneknightfortheirpatron,asamatterofcourse;andtohimthehonourofasisteroradaughterwassacrificed,equallyasamatterofcourse。ButwhyshouldIthusdisguisethetruth?Alas!

  innineinstancesoutoften,thispatronwasthecommonparamourofeveryfemaleinthefamily。WereIcomposingastatememorialI

  shouldabstainfromallallusiontomoralgoodorevil,asnothavingnowfirsttolearn,thatwithdiplomatistsandwithpracticalstatesmenofeverydenomination,itwouldprecludeallattentiontoitsothercontents,andhavenoresultbutthatofsecuringforitsauthor’snametheofficialprivatemarkofexclusionordismission,asaweakorsuspicionsperson。ButamongthoseforwhomIamnowwriting,thereare,Itrust,manywhowillthinkitnotthefeeblestreasonforrejoicinginourpossessionofMalta,andnottheleastworthymotiveforwishingitsretention,thatonesourceofhumanmiseryandcorruptionhasbeendriedup。SuchpersonswillhearthenameofSirAlexanderBallwithadditionalreverence,asofonewhohasmadetheprotectionofGreatBritainadoubleblessingtotheMaltese,andbroken\"THEBONDSOFINIQUITY\"aswellasunlockedthefettersofpoliticaloppression。

  Whenwearepraisingthedepartedbyourownfiresides,wedwellmostfondlyonthosequalitieswhichhadwonourpersonalaffection,andwhichsharpenourindividualregrets。Butwhenimpelledbyaloftierandmoremeditativesorrow,wewouldraiseapublicmonumenttotheirmemory,wepraisethemappropriatelywhenwerelatetheiractionsfaithfully;andthuspreservingtheirexamplefortheimitationofthelivingalleviatetheloss,whilewedemonstrateitsmagnitude。

  MyfuneraleulogyofSirAlexanderBallmustthereforeheanarrativeofhislife;andthisfriendofmankindwillbedefraudedofhonourinproportionasthatnarrativeisdeficientandfragmentary。Itshall,however,beascompleteasmyinformationenables,andasprudenceandaproperrespectforthefeelingsofthelivingpermitmetorenderit。Hisfame(Iadoptthewordsofourelderwriters)

  issogreatthroughouttheworldthathestandsinnoneedofanencomium;andyethisworthismuchgreaterthesehisfame。Itisimpossiblenottospeakgreatthingsofhim,andyetitwillbeverydifficulttospeakwhathedeserves。Butcustomrequiresthatsomethingshouldbesaid;itisadutyandadebtwhichweowetoourselvesandtomankind,notlessthantohismemory;andIhopehisgreatsoul,ifithathanyknowledgeofwhatisdoneherebelow,willnotbeoffendedatthesmallnessevenofmyoffering。

  Ah,howlittle,whenamongthesubjectsofTheFriendIpromised\"CharactersmetwithinRealLife,\"didIanticipatethesadevent,whichcompelsonetoweaveonacypressbranchthosespraysoflaurelwhichIhaddestinedforhisbust,nothismonument!Helivedasweshouldalllive;and,Idoubtnot,lefttheworldasweshouldallwishtoleaveit。Suchisthepowerofdispensingblessings,whichProvidencehasattachedtothetrulygreatandgood,thattheycannotevendiewithoutadvantagetotheirfellow-creatures;fordeathconsecratestheirexample,andthewisdom,whichmighthavebeenslightedatthecouncil-table,becomesoracularfromtheshrine。

  Thoserareexcellences,whichmakeourgriefpoignant,makeitlikewiseprofitable;andthetearswhichwisemenshedforthedepartureofthewise,areamongthosethatarepreservedinheaven。

  Itistheferventaspirationofmyspirit,thatImaysoperformthetaskwhichprivategratitudeandpublicdutyimposeonme,that\"asGodhathcutthistreeofparadisedownfromitsseatofearth,thedeadtrunkmayyetsupportapartofthedecliningtemple,oratleastservetokindlethefireonthealtar。\"

  ESSAYIII。

  Sipartemtacuissevelim,quodeumquerelinquam,Majuserit。Veteresactus,primamquejuventamProsequar?Adsesementempraesentiaducunt。

  Narremjustitiam?ResplendetgloriaMartis。

  Armatireferamvires?Plusegitinermis。

  CLAUDIANDELAUD。STIL。

  (Translations。)——IfIdesiretopassoverapartinsilence,whateverIomitwillseemthemostworthytohavebeenrecorded。ShallI

  pursuehisoldexploitsandearlyyouth?Hisrecentmeritsrecallthemindtothemselves。ShallIdweltonhisjustice?Thegloryofthewarriorrisesbeforemeresplendent。ShallIrelatehisstrengthinarms?Heperformedyetgreaterthingsunarmed。

  \"Thereissomething,\"saysHarrington,inthePreliminariestotheOceana,\"firstinthemakingofacommonwealth,theninthegoverningofit,andlastofallintheleadingofitsarmies,whichthoughtherebegreatdivines,greatlawyers,greatmeninallranksoflife,seemstobepeculiaronlytothegeniusofagentleman。Forsoitisintheuniversalseriesofhistory,thatifanymanhasfoundedacommonwealth,hewasfirstagentleman。\"Suchalso,headds,ashavegotanyfameascivilgovernors,havebeengentlemen,orpersonsofknowndescents。SirAlexanderBallwasagentlemanbybirth;ayoungerbrotherofanoldandrespectablefamilyinGloucestershire。

  Hewentintothenavyatanearlyagefromhisownchoice,and,ashehimselftoldme,inconsequenceofthedeepimpressionandvividimagesleftonhismindbytheperusalof\"RobinsonCrusoe。\"Itisnotmyintentiontodetailthestepsofhispromotion,ortheservicesinwhichhewasengagedasasubaltern。Irecollectmanyparticularsindeed,butnotthedates,withsuchdistinctnessaswouldenablemetostatethem(asitwouldbenecessarytodoifI

  statedthematall)intheorderoftime。Thesedatesmightperhapshavebeenprocuredfromthemetropolis;butincidentsthatareneithercharacteristicnorinstructive,evensuchaswouldbeexpectedwithreasoninaregularlife,arenopartofmyplan;whilethosewhicharebothinterestingandillustrativeIhavebeenprecludedfrommentioning,somefrommotiveswhichhavebeenalreadyexplained,andothersfromstillhigherconsiderations。Themostimportantofthesemaybededucedfromareflectionwithwhichhehimselfonceconcludedalongandaffectingnarration:namely,thatnobodyofmencanforanylengthoftimebesafelytreatedotherwisethanasrationalbeings;andthat,therefore,theeducationofthelowerclasseswasoftheutmostconsequencetothepermanentsecurityoftheempire,evenforthesakeofournavy。Thedangers,apprehendedfromtheeducationofthelowerclasses,arose(hesaid)

  entirelyfromitsnotbeinguniversal,andfromtheunusualnessinthelowestclassesofthoseaccomplishmentswhichhe,likeDr。Bell,regardedasoneofthemeansofeducation,andnotaseducationitself。If,heobserved,thelowerclassesingeneralpossessedbutoneeyeoronearm,thefewwhoweresofortunateastopossesstwowouldnaturallybecomevainandrestless,andconsiderthemselvesasentitledtoahighersituation。Heillustratedthisbythefaultsattributedtolearnedwomen,andthatthesameobjectionswereformerlymadetoeducatingwomenatall;namely,thattheirknowledgemadethemvain,affected,andneglectfuloftheirproperduties。Nowthatallwomenofconditionarewelleducated,wehearnomoreoftheseapprehensions,orobserveanyinstancestojustifythem。YetifaladyunderstoodtheGreekone-tenthpartaswellasthewholecircleofheracquaintancesunderstoodtheFrenchlanguage,itwouldnotsurpriseustofindherlesspleasingfromtheconsciousnessofhersuperiorityinthepossessionofanunusualadvantage。SirAlexanderBallquotedthespeechofanoldadmiral,oneofwhosetwogreatwisheswastohaveaship’screwcomposedaltogetherofseriousScotchmen。Hespokewithgreatreprobationofthevulgarnotion,theworsemanthebettersailor。Courage,hesaid,wasthenaturalproductoffamiliaritywithdanger,whichthoughtlessnesswouldoftentimesturnintofool-hardiness;andthathealwaysfoundthemostusefullybravesailorsthegravestandmostrationalofhiscrew。Thebestsailorhehadeverhad,firstattractedhisnoticebytheanxietywhichheexpressedconcerningthemeansofremittingsomemoney,whichhehadreceivedintheWestIndies,tohissisterinEngland;andthisman,withoutanytingeofMethodism,wasneverheardtoswearanoath,andwasremarkableforthefirmnesswithwhichhedevotedapartofeverySundaytothereadingofhisBible。

  Irecordthiswithsatisfactionasatestimonyofgreatweight,andinallrespectsunexceptionable;forSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsthroughoutliferemainedunwarpedbyzealotry,andwerethoseofamindseekingaftertruth,incalmnessandcompleteself-possession。

  HewasmuchpleasedwithanunsuspicioustestimonyfurnishedbyDampier(vol。ii。part2,page89):\"Ihaveparticularlyobserved,\"

  writesthisfamousoldnavigator,\"thereandinotherplaces,thatsuchashadbeenwell-bredweregenerallymostcarefultoimprovetheirtime,andwouldbeveryindustriousandfrugalwheretherewasanyprobabilityofconsiderablegain;butonthecontrary,suchashadbeenbredupinignoranceandhardlabour,whentheycametohaveplentywouldextravagantlysquanderawaytheirtimeandmoneyindrinkingandmakingabluster。\"Indeeditisamelancholyproofhowstrangelypowerwarpsthemindsofordinarymen,thattherecanbeadoubtonthissubjectamongpersonswhohavebeenthemselveseducated。Ittemptsasuspicionthat,unknowntothemselves,theyfindacomfortinthethought,thattheirinferiorsaresomethinglessthanmen;orthattheyhaveanuneasyhalf-consciousnessthat,ifthiswerenotthecase,theywouldthemselveshavenoclaimtobetheirsuperiors。Forasobereducationnaturallyinspiresself-

  respect。Buthewhorespectshimselfwillrespectothers;andhewhorespectsbothhimselfandothers,mustofnecessitybeabraveman。

  Thegreatimportanceofthissubject,andtheincreasinginterestwhichgoodmenofalldenominationsfeelinthebringingaboutofanationaleducation,mustbemyexcuseforhavingenteredsominutelyintoSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsonthishead,inwhich,however,I

  amthemoreexcusable,beingnowonthatpartofhislifewhichIamobligedtoleavealmostablank。

  Duringhislieutenancy,andafterhehadperfectedhimselfintheknowledgeanddutiesofapracticalsailor,hewascompelledbythestateofhishealthtoremaininEnglandforaconsiderablelengthoftime。Ofthisheindustriouslyavailedhimselftotheacquirementofsubstantialknowledgefrombooks;andduringhiswholelifeafterwards,heconsideredthoseashishappiesthours,which,withoutanyneglectofofficialorprofessionalduty,hecoulddevotetoreading。Hepreferred,indeedhealmostconfinedhimselfto,history,politicaleconomy,voyagesandtravels,naturalhistory,andlatterlyagriculturalworks;inshort,tosuchbooksascontainspecificfactsorpracticalprinciplescapableofspecificapplication。Hisactivelife,andtheparticularobjectsofimmediateutility,someoneofwhichhehadalwaysinhisview,precludedatasteforworksofpurespeculationandabstractscience,thoughhehighlyhonouredthosewhowereeminentintheserespects,andconsideredthemasthebenefactorsofmankind,nolessthanthosewhoafterwardsdiscoveredthemodeofapplyingtheirprinciples,orwhorealisedtheminpractice。Worksofamusement,asnovels,plays,etc。,didnotappeareventoamusehim;andtheonlypoeticalcompositionofwhichIhaveeverheardhimspeak,wasamanuscriptpoemwrittenbyoneofmyfriends,whichIreadtohisladyinhispresence。Tomysurpriseheafterwardsspokeofthiswithwarminterest;butitwasevidenttomethatitwasnotsomuchthepoeticmeritofthecompositionthathadinterestedhim,asthetruthandpsychologicalinsightwithwhichitrepresentedthepracticabilityofreformingthemosthardenedminds,andthevariousaccidentswhichmayawakenthemostbrutalisedpersontoarecognitionofhisnoblerbeing。Iwilladdoneremarkofhisownknowledgeacquiredfrombooks,whichappearstomebothjustandvaluable。Theprejudiceagainstsuchknowledge,hesaid,andthecustomofopposingittothatwhichislearntbypractice,originatedinthosetimeswhenbookswerealmostconfinedtotheology,andtologicalandmetaphysicalsubtleties;butthatatpresentthereisscarcelyanypracticalknowledgewhichisnottobefoundinbooks。Thepressisthemeansbywhichintelligentmennowconversewitheachother,andpersonsofallclassesandallpursuitsconveyeachthecontributionofhisindividualexperience。Itwas,therefore,hesaid,asabsurdtoholdbook-knowledgeatpresentincontempt,asitwouldbeforamantoavailhimselfonlyofhisowneyesandears,andtoaimatnothingwhichcouldnotbeperformedexclusivelybyhisownarms。

  Theuseandnecessityofpersonalexperienceconsistedinthepowerofchoosingandapplyingwhathadbeenread,andofdiscriminatingbythelightofanalogythepracticablefromtheimpracticable,andprobabilityfrommereplausibility。Withoutajudgmentmaturedandsteadiedbyactualexperience,amanwouldreadtolittleorperhapstobadpurpose;butyetthatexperience,whichinexclusionofallotherknowledgehasbeenderivedfromoneman’slife,isinthepresentdayscarcelyworthyofthename——atleastforthosewhoaretoactinthehigherandwiderspheresofduty。Anignorantgeneral,hesaid,inspiredhimwithterror;forifheweretooproudtotakeadvicehewouldruinhimselfbyhisownblunders,andifhe——werenot,byadoptingtheworstthatwasoffered。Agreatgeniusmayindeedformanexception,butwedonotlaydownrulesinexpectationofwonders。AsimilarremarkIremembertohaveheardfromagallantofficer,whotoeminenceinprofessionalscienceandthegallantryofatriedsoldier,addsalltheaccomplishmentsofasoundscholarandthepowersofamanofgenius。

  Oneincident,whichhappenedatthisperiodofSirAlexander’slife,issoillustrativeofhischaracter,andfurnishessostrongapresumption,thatthethoughtfulhumanitybywhichhewasdistinguishedwasnotwhollythegrowthofhislatteryears,that,thoughitmayappeartosometriflinginitself,Iwillinsertitinthisplacewiththeoccasiononwhichitwascommunicatedtome。InalargepartyattheGrandMaster’spalace,IhadobservedanavalofficerofdistinguishedmeritlisteningtoSirAlexanderBall,wheneverhejoinedintheconversation,withsomarkedapleasurethatitseemedasifhisveryvoice,independentofwhathesaid,hadbeendelightfultohim;andonce,ashefixedhiseyesonSirAlexanderBall,Icouldnotbutnoticethemixedexpressionsofaweandaffection,whichgaveamorethancommoninteresttosomanlyacountenance。Duringhisstayintheisland,thisofficerhonouredmenotunfrequentlywithhisvisits;andattheconclusionofmylastconversationwithhim,inwhichIhaddweltonthewisdomoftheGovernor’sconductinarecentanddifficultemergency,hetoldmethatheconsideredhimselfasindebtedtothesameexcellentpersonforthatwhichwasdearertohimthanhislife。\"SirAlexanderBall,\"saidhe,\"has,Idaresay,forgottenthecircumstance;butwhenhewasLieutenantBall,hewastheofficerwhomIaccompaniedinmyfirstboatexpedition,beingthenamidshipmanandonlyinmyfourteenthyear。Aswewererowinguptothevesselwhichweweretoattack,amidadischargeofmusketry,Iwasoverpoweredbyfear,mykneestrembledunderme,andIseemedonthepointoffaintingaway。

  LieutenantBall,whosawtheconditionIwasin,placedhimselfclosebesideme,andstillkeepinghiscountenancedirectedtowardtheenemy,tookholdofmyhand,andpressingitinthemostfriendlymanner,saidinalowvoice,’Courage,mydearboy!don’tbeafraidofyourself!youwillrecoverinaminuteorso。IwasjustthesamewhenIfirstwentoutinthisway。’Sir,\"addedtheofficertome,\"itwasasifanangelhadputanewsoulintome。WiththefeelingthatIwasnotyetdishonoured,thewholeburdenofagonywasremoved,andfromthatmomentIwasasfearlessandforwardastheoldestoftheboat’screw,andonourreturnthelieutenantspokehighlyofmetoourcaptain。IamscarcelylessconvincedofmyownbeingthanthatIshouldhavebeenwhatItrembletothinkof,if,insteadofhishumaneencouragement,hehadatthatmomentscoffed,threatened,orreviledme。Andthiswasthemorekindinhim,because,asIafterwardsunderstood,hisownconductinhisfirsttrialhadevincedtoallappearancesthegreatestfearlessness,andthathesaidthis,therefore,onlytogivemeheartandrestoremetomyowngoodopinion。\"

  Thisanecdote,Itrust,willhavesomeweightwiththosewhomayhavelentaneartoanyofthosevaguecalumniesfromwhichnonavalcommandercansecurehisgoodname,whoknowingtheparamountnecessityofregularityandstrictdisciplineinashipofwar,adoptsanappropriateplanfortheattainmentoftheseobjects,andremainsconstantandimmutableintheexecution。ToanAthenian,who,inpraisingapublicfunctionary,hadsaid,thateveryoneeitherapplaudedhimorlefthimwithoutcensure,aphilosopherreplied,\"Howseldomthenmusthehavedonehisduty!\"

  OfSirAlexanderBall’scharacter,asCaptainBall,ofhismeasuresasadisciplinarian,andofthewiseanddignifiedprincipleonwhichhegroundedthosemeasures,Ihavealreadyspokeninaformerpartofthiswork,andmustcontentmyselfthereforewithentreatingthereadertore-perusethatpassageasbelongingtothisplace,andasapartofthepresentnarration。Ah!littledidIexpectatthetimeI

  wrotethataccount,thatthemotivesofdelicacy,whichthenimpelledmetowithholdthename,wouldsosoonbeexchangedforthehigherdutywhichnowjustifiesmeinaddingit!Atthethoughtofsucheventsthelanguageofatendersuperstitionisthevoiceofnatureitself,andthosefactsalonepresentingthemselvestoourmemorywhichhadleftanimpressiononourhearts,weassentto,andadoptthepoet’spatheticcomplaint:-

  Osir!thegooddiefirst,AndthosewhoseheartsaredryassummerdustBurntothesocket。

  WORDSWORTH。

  Thusthehumaneplandescribedinthepagesnowreferredto,thatasysteminpursuanceofwhichthecaptainofaman-of-waruniformlyregardedhissentencesnotasdependentonhisownwill,ortobeaffectedbythestateofhisfeelingsatthemoment,butasthepre-

  establisheddeterminationsofknownlaws,andhimselfasthevoiceofthelawinpronouncingthesentence,anditsdelegateinenforcingtheexecution,couldnotbutfurnishoccasionalfoodtothespiritofdetraction,mustbeevidenttoeveryreflectingmind。Itisindeedlittlelessthanimpossible,thathe,whoinordertobeeffectivelyhumanedeterminestobeinflexiblyjust,andwhoisinexorabletohisownfeelingswhentheywouldinterruptthecourseofjustice;wholooksateachparticularactbythelightofallitsconsequences,andastherepresentativeofultimategoodorevil;shouldnotsometimesbechargedwithtyrannybyweakminds。Anditistoocertainthatthecalumnywillbewillinglybelievedandeagerlypropagatedbyallthosewhowouldshunthepresenceofaneyekeeninthedetectionofimposture,incapacity,andmisconduct,andofaresolutionassteadyintheirexposure。Wesoonhatethemanwhosequalitieswedread,andthushaveadoubleinterest,aninterestofpassionaswellasofpolicy,indecryinganddefaminghim。ButgoodmenwillrestsatisfiedwiththepromisemadetothembytheDivineComforter,thatbyherchildrenshallWisdombejustified。

  ESSAYIV-

  thegenerousspirit,who,whenbroughtAmongthetasksofreallife,hathwroughtUpontheplanthatpleasedhischildishthought:

  WhosehighendeavoursareaninwardlightThatmakesthepathbeforehimalwaysbright;

  Who,doom’dtogoincompanywithpain,Andfearandbloodshed,miserabletrain!

  Turnshisnecessitytogloriousgain;

  Byobjects,whichmightforcethesoultoabateHerfeeling,renderedmorecompassionate。

  WORDSWORTH。

  AtthecloseoftheAmericanwar,CaptainBallwasentrustedwiththeprotectionandconvoyingofanimmensemercantilefleettoAmerica,andbyhisgreatprudenceandunexampledattentiontotheinterestsofallandeach,endearedhisnametotheAmericanmerchants,andlaidthefoundationofthathighrespectandpredilectionwhichboththeAmericansandtheirgovernmenteverafterwardsentertainedforhim。Myrecollectiondoesnotenablemetoattemptanyaccuracyinthedateorcircumstances,ortoaddtheparticularsofhisservicesintheWestIndiesandonthecoastofAmerica,Inowthereforemerelyalludetothefactwithaprospectivereferencetoopinionsandcircumstances,whichIshallhavetomentionhereafter。Shortlyafterthegeneralpeacewasestablished,CaptainBall,whowasnowamarriedman,passedsometimewithhisladyinFrance,and,ifI

  mistakenot,atNantes。Atthesametime,andinthesametown,amongtheotherEnglishvisitors,Lord(thenCaptain)Nelsonhappenedtobeone。Inconsequenceofsomepunctilio,astowhosebusinessitwastopaythecomplimentofthefirstcall,theynevermet,andthistriflingaffairoccasionedacoldnessbetweenthetwonavalcommanders,orintruthamutualprejudiceagainsteachother。Someyearsafter,boththeirshipsbeingtogethercloseoffMinorcaandnearPortMahon,aviolentstormnearlydisabledLordNelson’svessel,andinadditiontothefuryofthewind,itwasnighttimeandthethickestdarkness。CaptainBall,however,broughthisvesselatlengthtoNelson’sassistance,tookhisshipintow,andusedhisbestendeavourstobringherandhisownvesselintoPortMahon。Thedifficultiesandthedangersincreased。Nelsonconsideredthecaseofhisownshipasdesperate,andthatunlessshewasimmediatelylefttoherownfate,bothvesselswouldinevitablybelost。He,therefore,withthegenerositynaturaltohim,repeatedlyrequestedCaptainBalltolethimloose;andonCaptainBall’srefusal,hebecameimpetuous,andenforcedhisdemandwithpassionatethreats。

  CaptainBallthenhimselftookthespeaking-trumpet,whichthefuryofthewindandwavesrenderednecessary,andwithgreatsolemnityandwithouttheleastdisturbanceoftemper,calledoutinreply,\"I

  feelconfidentthatIcanbringyouinsafe;Ithereforemustnot,and,bythehelpofAlmightyGod,Iwillnotleaveyou!\"Whathepromisedheperformed;andaftertheyweresafelyanchored,NelsoncameonboardofBall’sship,andembracinghimwithalltheardourofacknowledgment,exclaimed,\"Afriendinneedisafriendindeed!\"

  Atthistimeandonthisoccasioncommencedthatfirmandperfectfriendshipbetweenthesetwogreatmen,whichwasinterruptedonlybythedeathoftheformer。ThepleasingtaskofdwellingonthismutualattachmentIdefertothatpartofthepresentsketchwhichwillrelatetoSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsofmenandthings。Itwillbesufficientforthepresenttosay,thatthetwomenwhomLordNelsonespeciallyhonoured,wereSirThomasTroubridgeandSirAlexanderBall;andonce,whentheywerebothpresent,onsomeallusionmadetothelossofhisarm,hereplied,\"WhoshalldaretellmethatIwantanarm,whenIhavethreerightarms——this(puttingforwardhisown)andBallandTroubridge?\"

  IntheplanofthebattleoftheNileitwasLordNelson’sdesign,thatCaptainsTroubridgeandBallshouldhaveleduptheattack。Theformerwasstranded;andthelatter,byaccidentofthewind,couldnotbringhisshipintothelineofbattletillsometimeaftertheengagementhadbecomegeneral。Withhischaracteristicforecastandactivityof(whichmaynotimproperlybecalled)practicalimagination,hehadmadearrangementstomeeteveryprobablecontingency。Alltheshroudsandsailsoftheshipnotabsolutelynecessaryforitsimmediatemanagement,werethoroughlywetted,andsorolledupthattheywereashardandaslittleinflammableassomanysolidcylindersofwood;everysailorhadhisappropriateplaceandfunction,andacertainnumberwereappointedasthefire-men,whosesoledutyitwastobeonthewatchifanypartofthevesselshouldtakefire;andtothesemenexclusivelythechargeofextinguishingitwascommitted。Itwasalreadydarkwhenhebroughthisshipintoaction,andlaidheralongsideL’Orient。OneparticularonlyIshalladdtotheknownaccountofthememorableengagementbetweentheseships,andthisIreceivedfromSirAlexanderBallhimself。Hehadpreviouslymadeacombustiblepreparation,butwhich,fromthenatureoftheengagementtobeexpected,hehadpurposedtoreserveforthelastemergency。Butjustatthetimewhen,fromseveralsymptoms,hehadeveryreasontobelievethattheenemywouldsoonstriketohim,oneofthelieutenants,withouthisknowledge,threwinthecombustiblematter:

  andthisitwasthatoccasionedthetremendousexplosionofthatvessel,which,withthedeepsilenceandinterruptionoftheengagementwhichsucceededtoit,hasbeenjustlydeemedthesublimestwarincidentrecordedinhistory。Yettheincidentwhichfollowed,andwhichhasnot,Ibelieve,beenpubliclymadeknown,isscarcelylessimpressive,thoughitssublimityisofadifferentcharacter。Attherenewalofthebattle,CaptainBall,thoughhisshipwasthenonfireinthreedifferentparts,laidheralongsideaFrencheighty-four;andasecondlongerobstinatecontestbegan。ThefiringonthepartoftheFrenchshiphavingatlengthforsometimeslackened,andthenaltogetherceased,andyetnosigngivenofsurrender,theseniorlieutenantcametoCaptainBallandinformedhim,thattheheartsofhismenwereasgoodasever,butthattheyweresocompletelyexhaustedthattheywerescarcelycapableofliftinganarm。Heasked,therefore,whether,astheenemyhadnowceasedfiring,themenmightbepermittedtoliedownbytheirgunsforashorttime。Aftersomereflection,SirAlexanderaccededtotheproposal,takingofcoursetheproperprecautionstorousethemagainatthemomenthethoughtrequisite。Accordingly,withtheexceptionofhimself,hisofficers,andtheappointedwatch,theship’screwlaydown,eachintheplacetowhichhewasstationed,andsleptfortwentyminutes。Theywerethenroused;andstartedup,asSirAlexanderexpressedit,morelikemenoutofanambushthanfromsleep,soco-instantaneouslydidtheyallobeythesummons!

  Theyrecommencedtheirfire,andinafewminutestheenemysurrendered;anditwassoonafterdiscoveredthatduringthatinterval,andalmostimmediatelyaftertheFrenchshiphadfirstceasedfiring,thecrewhadsunkdownbytheirguns,andthereslept,almostbytheside,asitwere,oftheirsleepingenemy。

  ESSAYV-

  Whosepowersshedroundhiminthecommonstrife,Ormildconcernsofordinarylife,Aconstantinfluence,apeculiargrace;

  Butwho,ifhebecall’dupontofaceSameawfulmoment,towhichHeavenhasjoin’dGreatissues,goodorbadforhumankind,Ishappyasalover,isattiredWithsuddenbrightnesslikeamaninspired;

  AndthroughtheheatofconflictkeepsthelawIncalmnessmade,andseeswhatheforesaw。

  WORDSWORTH。

  Anaccessibilitytothesentimentsofothersonsubjectsofimportanceoftenaccompaniesfeebleminds,yetitisnotthelessatrueandconstituentpartofpracticalgreatness,whenitexistswhollyfreefromthatpassivenesstoimpressionwhichrenderscounselitselfinjurioustocertaincharacters,andfromthatweaknessofheartwhich,intheliteralsenseoftheword,isalwayscravingadvice。Exemptfromallsuchimperfections,sayratherinperfectharmonywiththeexcellencesthatprecludethem,thisopennesstotheinfluxesofgoodsenseandinformation,fromwhateverquartertheymightcome,equallycharacterisedbothLordNelsonandSirAlexanderBall,thougheachdisplayeditinthewaybestsuitedtohisnaturaltemper。Theformerwitheasyhandcollected,asitpassedbyhim,whatevercouldaddtohisownstores,appropriatedwhathecouldassimilate,andleviedsubsidiesofknowledgefromalltheaccidentsofsociallifeandfamiliarintercourse。Evenatthejovialboard,andintheheightofunrestrainedmerriment,acasualsuggestion,thatflashedanewlightonhismind,changedthebooncompanionintotheheroandthemanofgenius;andwiththemostgracefultransitionhewouldmakehiscompanyasseriousashimself。Whenthetaperofhisgeniusseemedextinguished,itwasstillsurroundedbyaninflammableatmosphereofitsown,andrekindledatthefirstapproachoflight,andnotseldomatadistancewhichmadeitseemtoflameupself-revived。InSirAlexanderBall,thesameexcellencewasmoreanaffairofsystem;andhewouldlisten,eventoweakmen,withapatience,which,insocarefulaneconomistoftime,alwaysdemandedmyadmiration,andnotseldomexcitedmywonder。Itwasoneofhismaxims,thatamanmaysuggestwhathecannotgive;adding,thatawildorsillyplanhadmorethanonce,fromthevividsenseordistinctperceptionofitsfolly,occasionedhimtoseewhatoughttobedoneinanewlight,orwithaclearerinsight。Thereis,indeed,ahopelesssterility,amerenegationofsenseandthought,which,suggestingneitherdifferencenorcontrast,cannotevenfurnishhintsforrecollection。Butontheotherhand,therearemindssowhimsicallyconstituted,thattheymaysometimesbeprofitablyinterpretedbycontraries,aprocessofwhichthegreatTychoBraheissaidtohaveavailedhimselfinthecaseofthelittleLackwit,whousedtositandmutterathisfeetwhilehewasstudying。Amindofthissortwemaycomparetoamagneticneedle,thepolesofwhichhavebeensuddenlyreversedbyaflashoflightning,orothermoreobscureaccidentofnature。Itmaybesafelyconcluded,thattothosewhosejudgmentorinformationherespected,SirAlexanderBalldidnotcontenthimselfwithgivingaccessandattention。No!heseldomfailedofconsultingthemwheneverthesubjectpermittedanydisclosure;andwheresecrecywasnecessary,hewellknewhowtoacquiretheiropinionwithoutexcitingevenaconjectureconcerninghisimmediateobject。

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