one of the noblest features of the national character, and still farther every idea of encouraging the unfeeling sect, who conceal general indifference under the affectation of philanthropy, and sacrifice the feelings of the patriot to the pretended benevolence of the philosopher. But attachment to our own country, and partiality to its reputation, do not oblige us to despise those nations, which having been once tumbled from the pinnacle of Glory, are held by a series of disastrous revolutions and irresistible circumstances in a state of dependence and of consequent degradation. On the contrary, the numberless evils and abuses which result from slavery and oppression, cannot but excite sentiments of compassion and of sympathy. Scipio, when he beheld the flames of Carthage ascending to the skies, exclaimed with a prophetic application to Rome then triumphant, Εῦ μὲν γὰρ τόδε οἶδᾳ κατὰ φρένα, καὶ κατὰ θυμὸν ILIAD VI. 447-8. Yet come it will, the day decreed by Fates, ILIAD VI. Empire has hitherto rolled westward: when we contemplate the dominions of Great Britain, and its wide extended power, we may without presumption imagine that it now hovers over Great Britain; but it is still on the wing; and whether it be destined to retrace its steps to the East, or to continue its flight to Transatlantic regions, the days of England's glory have their number, and the period of her decline will at length arrive. The inhabitants of these islands may, like the sons of Greece and Italy, lie prostrate at the feet of a victorious enemy, and claim his compassion as a tribute due to the greatness of their ancestors. Let us therefore extend our sympathy to the now enslaved offspring of our predecessors in the career of glory, of the former LORDS OF HUMAN KIND-"terræ dominantis alumni." In fine, let us contemplate the different forms of worship which prevail in different parts of Christendom, not with the acrimonious contempt of a narrow minded sectary, but with the compassionate indulgence of a mild and humble Christian. Let it be remembered that Englishmen are reproached by foreigners with intolerance, and that it becomes them to keep up the national reputation of candour and good sense, by conciliatory and forbearing conduct. I do not mean to recommend either compliance with practices which they condemn, or indifference to that form of Christianity which they haveadopted; but surely every candid and consistent Protestant will admit, that Christianity is excellent in all her forms; that all Christian Establishments receive the same primitive creeds, and admit the same moral obligations; that it becomes a benevolent and charitable mind to consider rather in what they agree, than in what they differ; especially as the former is so much, and the latter comparatively so little; that while the spirit of Christianity is, like its divine author, immutable, its external form may change with the age and the climate, and, as public opinion and authority shall direct, assume or resign the pomp and the circumstance of worship; that ceremonies, in themselves unmeaning, signify just as much as those who employ them attach to them, and that Catholic as well as Protestant nations may be allowed to adopt in religion as well as in civil life, such forms and rites as may seem calculated to ensure order and respect; that whether the Gospel be read in the language and according to the simple forms of the Church of England, under the Gothic vaults of York or of Canterbury; or whether it be chanted in Greek and Latin, with all the splendour of the Roman ritual under the golden dome of the Vatican; it is always and everywhere the same voice of truth, the same tidings of salvation: in fine, that all Christians are marked on their entrance into life with the same seal of salvation; that all hope to receive at the eucharistic table the same pledge of redemption, and that all resign their souls in death to the same merciful Father, with humble hopes of forgiveness through the same gracious Redeemer. That there should be such an universal agreement in these great and interesting articles must be a subject of consolation, and of pious acknowledgment to every benevolent mind. But I fear that Charity itself can scarce look for a greater unanimity. An agreement in all the details and consequences drawn by arguments from first principles, is not to be expected in our present state, so chequered with light and shade, where knowledge is dealt out so unequally, and where the opinions of even good and wise men are so biassed by education, by habit, and by prejudice. But if we have not knowledge enough to coincide in speculation, we may at least have charity enough to agree in practice, by treating each other's opinions with tenderness and, in all our differences and discussions, keeping in view that beautiful maxim inculcated by a very learned, a very zealous, and a very benevolent Father, "In necessariis Unitas, in dubiis Libertas, in omnibus Caritas." ; X. It is usual to take with us as guides on our journey certain works written for the purpose, and Addison's Travels are generally recommended; and indeed his known taste and character, together with the avowed purpose of his journey, might have justified the expectation of a finished performance. But though Addison had naturally an enlarged mind, humane feelings, and a fancy teeming with imagery, yet prejudice had narrowed his extensive views, religious acrimony had soured his temper, and party spirit had repressed his imagination. He gave therefore to one half of the nation, what he owed to the whole; he considered principally how he might support one party and annoy the other; and he ran over a great part of Europe, particularly Italy, not so much a Classic as a Whig traveller. In his eyes countries appeared fertile and happy, or barren and miserable, not as nature formed them, but as they were connected with France or with England, as their religion was Protestant or Catholic. Hence, he dwells with at least as much complacency on the little miserable details of German and Italian superstition, as on the interesting remains of Roman grandeur, and fills with the dreams of bigotry and the censures of intolerance, those pages which ought to have been devoted to the effusions of classical enthusiasm, and strewed with the flowers of ancient poesy*. Prejudice or malevolence, in ordinary writers, excites neither surprize nor regret; the ignorance or the folly of mediocrity can claim nothing more than contempt; but the errors and the defects of the wise and of the good awaken more serious emotions; and while we justly lament the weakness of human nature we are cautioned by such examples against the indulgence of passions, which could imbitter the benevolence, and * Vide seven pages devoted to St. Anthony's Sermon to the Fish, in Italian and English. e 2 |