Thesamenaturalaversiontoloquacityhasoflateyearsmadeaveryconsiderablealterationinourlanguage,byclosinginonesyllabletheterminationofourpreterperfecttense,asinthewords"drown’d,""walk’d,""arriv’d,"for"drowned,""walked,""arrived,"
whichhasverymuchdisfiguredthetongue,andturnedatenthpartofoursmoothestwordsintosomanyclustersofconsonants。Thisisthemoreremarkablebecausethewantofvowelsinourlanguagehasbeenthegeneralcomplaintofourpolitestauthors,whoneverthelessarethementhathavemadetheseretrenchments,andconsequentlyverymuchincreasedourformerscarcity。
Thisreflectiononthewordsthatendin"ed"Ihaveheardinconversationfromoneofthegreatestgeniusesthisagehasproduced。Ithinkwemayaddtotheforegoingobservation,thechangewhichhashappenedinourlanguagebytheabbreviationofseveralwordsthatareterminatedin"eth,"bysubstitutingan"s"
intheroomofthelastsyllable,asin"drowns,""walks,"
"arrives,"andinnumerableotherwords,whichinthepronunciationofourforefatherswere"drowneth,""walketh,""arriveth。"ThishaswonderfullymultipliedaletterwhichwasbeforetoofrequentintheEnglishtongue,andaddedtothathissinginourlanguagewhichistakensomuchnoticeofbyforeigners,butatthesametimehumoursourtaciturnity,andeasesusofmanysuperfluoussyllables。
Imighthereobservethatthesamesingleletteronmanyoccasionsdoestheofficeofawholeword,andrepresentsthe"his"and"her"
ofourforefathers。Thereisnodoubtbuttheearofaforeigner,whichisthebestjudgeinthiscase,wouldverymuchdisapproveofsuchinnovations,whichindeedwedoourselvesinsomemeasure,byretainingtheoldterminationinwriting,andinallthesolemnofficesofourreligion。
As,intheinstancesIhavegiven,wehaveepitomisedmanyofourparticularwordstothedetrimentofourtongue,soonotheroccasionswehavedrawntwowordsintoone,whichhaslikewiseverymuchuntunedourlanguage,andcloggeditwithconsonants,as"mayn’t,""can’t,""shan’t,""won’t,"andthelike,for"maynot,"
"cannot,""shallnot,""willnot,"&c。
Itisperhapsthishumourofspeakingnomorethanweneedsmustwhichhassomiserablycurtailedsomeofourwords,thatinfamiliarwritingsandconversationstheyoftenloseallbuttheirfirstsyllables,asin"mob。,""rep。,""pos。,""incog。,"andthelike;andasallridiculouswordsmaketheirfirstentryintoalanguagebyfamiliarphrases,Idarenotanswerforthesethattheywillnotintimebelookeduponasapartofourtongue。WeseesomeofourpoetshavebeensoindiscreetastoimitateHudibras’sdoggrelexpressionsintheirseriouscompositions,bythrowingoutthesignsofoursubstantiveswhichareessentialtotheEnglishlanguage。
Nay,thishumourofshorteningourlanguagehadoncerunsofar,thatsomeofourcelebratedauthors,amongwhomwemayreckonSirRogerL’Estrangeinparticular,begantoprunetheirwordsofallsuperfluousletters,astheytermedthem,inordertoadjustthespellingtothepronunciation;whichwouldhaveconfoundedallouretymologies,andhavequitedestroyedourtongue。
Wemayherelikewiseobservethatourpropernames,whenfamiliarisedinEnglish,generallydwindletomonosyllables,whereasinothermodernlanguagestheyreceiveasofterturnonthisoccasion,bytheadditionofanewsyllable。——Nick,inItalian,isNicolini;Jack,inFrench,Janot;andsooftherest。
Thereisanotherparticularinourlanguagewhichisagreatinstanceofourfrugalityinwords,andthatisthesuppressingofseveralparticleswhichmustbeproducedinothertonguestomakeasentenceintelligible。Thisoftenperplexesthebestwriters,whentheyfindtherelatives"whom,""which,"or"they,"attheirmercy,whethertheymayhaveadmissionornot;andwillneverbedecidedtillwehavesomethinglikeanacademy,thatbythebestauthorities,andrulesdrawnfromtheanalogyoflanguages,shallsettleallcontroversiesbetweengrammarandidiom。
IhaveonlyconsideredourlanguageasitshowsthegeniusandnaturaltemperoftheEnglish,whichismodest,thoughtful,andsincere,andwhich,perhaps,mayrecommendthepeople,thoughithasspoiledthetongue。Wemight,perhaps,carrythesamethoughtintootherlanguages,anddeduceagreatpartofwhatispeculiartothemfromthegeniusofthepeoplewhospeakthem。ItiscertainthelighttalkativehumouroftheFrenchhasnotalittleinfectedtheirtongue,whichmightbeshownbymanyinstances;asthegeniusoftheItalians,whichissomuchaddictedtomusicandceremony,hasmouldedalltheirwordsandphrasestothoseparticularuses。ThestatelinessandgravityoftheSpaniardsshowsitselftoperfectioninthesolemnityoftheirlanguage;andtheblunt,honesthumouroftheGermanssoundsbetterintheroughnessoftheHigh-Dutchthanitwouldinapolitertongue。
THEVISIONOFMIRZA-
Omnem,quaenuncobductatuentiMortaleshebetatvisustibi,ethumidacircumCaligat,nubemeripiam。
VIRG。,AEn。ii。604。
Thecloud,which,interceptingtheclearlight,Hangso’erthyeyes,andbluntsthymortalsight,Iwillremove。
WhenIwasatGrandCairo,IpickedupseveralOrientalmanuscripts,whichIhavestillbyme。AmongothersImetwithoneentitled"TheVisionsofMirza,"whichIhavereadoverwithgreatpleasure。I
intendtogiveittothepublicwhenIhavenootherentertainmentforthem;andshallbeginwiththefirstvision,whichIhavetranslatedwordforwordasfollows:
"Onthefifthdayofthemoon,which,accordingtothecustomofmyforefathers,Ialwayskeepholy,afterhavingwashedmyself,andofferedupmymorningdevotions,IascendedthehighhillsofBagdad,inordertopasstherestofthedayinmeditationandprayer。AsIwashereairingmyselfonthetopsofthemountains,I
fellintoaprofoundcontemplationonthevanityofhumanlife;andpassingfromonethoughttoanother,’Surely,’saidI,’manisbutashadow,andlifeadream。’WhilstIwasthusmusing,Icastmyeyestowardsthesummitofarockthatwasnotfarfromme,whereI
discoveredoneinthehabitofashepherd,withamusicalinstrumentinhishand。AsIlookeduponhimheappliedittohislips,andbegantoplayuponit。Thesoundofitwasexceedingsweet,andwroughtintoavarietyoftunesthatwereinexpressiblymelodious,andaltogetherdifferentfromanythingIhadeverheard。TheyputmeinmindofthoseheavenlyairsthatareplayedtothedepartedsoulsofgoodmenupontheirfirstarrivalinParadise,towearouttheimpressionsoftheirlastagonies,andqualifythemforthepleasuresofthathappyplace。Myheartmeltedawayinsecretraptures。
"Ihadbeenoftentoldthattherockbeforemewasthehauntofagenius,andthatseveralhadbeenentertainedwithmusicwhohadpassedbyit,butneverheardthatthemusicianhadbeforemadehimselfvisible。Whenhehadraisedmythoughtsbythosetransportingairswhichheplayed,totastethepleasuresofhisconversation,asIlookeduponhimlikeoneastonished,hebeckonedtome,and,bythewavingofhishand,directedmetoapproachtheplacewherehesat。Idrewnearwiththatreverencewhichisduetoasuperiornature;and,asmyheartwasentirelysubduedbythecaptivatingstrainsIhadheard,Ifelldownathisfeetandwept。
Thegeniussmileduponmewithalookofcompassionandaffabilitythatfamiliarisedhimtomyimagination,andatoncedispelledallthefearsandapprehensionswithwhichIapproachedhim。Heliftedmefromtheground,and,takingmebythehand,’Mirza,’saidhe,’I
haveheardtheeinthysoliloquies;followme。’
"Hethenledmetothehighestpinnacleoftherock,andplacingmeonthetopofit,’Castthyeyeseastward,’saidhe,’andtellmewhatthouseest。’’Isee,’saidI,’ahugevalley,andaprodigioustideofwaterrollingthroughit。’’Thevalleythatthouseest,’
saidhe,’istheValeofMisery,andthetideofwaterthatthouseestispartofthegreattideofEternity。’’Whatisthereason,’
saidI,’thatthetideIseerisesoutofathickmistatoneend,andagainlosesitselfinathickmistattheother?’’Whatthouseest,’saidhe,’isthatportionofEternitywhichiscalledTime,measuredoutbythesun,andreachingfromthebeginningoftheworldtoitsconsummation。Examinenow,’saidhe,’thisseathatisboundedwithdarknessatbothends,andtellmewhatthoudiscoverestinit。’’Iseeabridge,’saidI,’standinginthemidstofthetide。’’Thebridgethouseest,’saidhe,’isHumanLife;consideritattentively。’Uponamoreleisurelysurveyofit,Ifoundthatitconsistedofthreescoreandtenentirearches,withseveralbrokenarches,which,addedtothosethatwereentire,madeupthenumberaboutahundred。AsIwascountingthearches,thegeniustoldmethatthisbridgeconsistedatfirstofathousandarches;butthatagreatfloodsweptawaytherest,andleftthebridgeintheruinousconditionInowbeheldit。’Buttellmefurther,’saidhe,’whatthoudiscoverestonit。’’Iseemultitudesofpeoplepassingoverit,’saidI,’andablackcloudhangingoneachendofit。’AsIlookedmoreattentively,Isawseveralofthepassengersdroppingthroughthebridgeintothegreattidethatflowedunderneathit;and,uponfurtherexamination,perceivedtherewereinnumerabletrap-doorsthatlayconcealedinthebridge,whichthepassengersnosoonertroduponbuttheyfellthroughthemintothetide,andimmediatelydisappeared。Thesehiddenpit-fallsweresetverythickattheentranceofthebridge,sothatthrongsofpeoplenosoonerbrokethroughthecloudbutmanyofthemfellintothem。Theygrewthinnertowardsthemiddle,butmultipliedandlayclosertogethertowardstheendofthearchesthatwereentire。
"Therewereindeedsomepersons,buttheirnumberwasverysmall,thatcontinuedakindofhobblingmarchonthebrokenarches,butfellthroughoneafteranother,beingquitetiredandspentwithsolongawalk。
"Ipassedsometimeinthecontemplationofthiswonderfulstructure,andthegreatvarietyofobjectswhichitpresented。Myheartwasfilledwithadeepmelancholytoseeseveraldroppingunexpectedlyinthemidstofmirthandjollity,andcatchingateverythingthatstoodbythemtosavethemselves。Somewerelookinguptowardstheheavensinathoughtfulposture,andinthemidstofaspeculationstumbledandfelloutofsight。Multitudeswereverybusyinthepursuitofbubblesthatglitteredintheireyesanddancedbeforethem;butoftenwhentheythoughtthemselveswithinthereachofthem,theirfootingfailedanddowntheysunk。Inthisconfusionofobjects,Iobservedsomewithscimitarsintheirhands,whorantoandfrofromthebridge,thrustingseveralpersonsontrapdoorswhichdidnotseemtolieintheirway,andwhichtheymighthaveescapedhadtheynotbeenthusforceduponthem。
"Thegenius,seeingmeindulgemyselfonthismelancholyprospect,toldmeIhaddweltlongenoughuponit。’Takethineeyesoffthebridge,’saidhe,’andtellmeifthouyetseestanythingthoudostnotcomprehend。’Uponlookingup,’Whatmean,’saidI,’thosegreatflightsofbirdsthatareperpetuallyhoveringaboutthebridge,andsettlinguponitfromtimetotime?Iseevultures,harpies,ravens,cormorants,andamongmanyotherfeatheredcreatures,severallittlewingedboys,thatperchingreatnumbersuponthemiddlearches。’’These,’saidthegenius,’areEnvy,Avarice,Superstition,Despair,Love,withthelikecaresandpassionsthatinfesthumanlife。’
"Iherefetchedadeepsigh。’Alas,’saidI,’manwasmadeinvain!
howishegivenawaytomiseryandmortality!torturedinlife,andswallowedupindeath!’Thegenius,beingmovedwithcompassiontowardsme,bademequitsouncomfortableaprospect。’Looknomore,’saidhe,’onmaninthefirststageofhisexistence,inhissettingoutforEternity;butcastthineeyeonthatthickmistintowhichthetidebearstheseveralgenerationsofmortalsthatfallintoit。’IdirectedmysightasIwasordered,and,whetherornothegoodgeniusstrengtheneditwithanysupernaturalforce,ordissipatedpartofthemistthatwasbeforetoothickfortheeyetopenetrate,Isawthevalleyopeningatthefurtherend,andspreadingforthintoanimmenseocean,thathadahugerockofadamantrunningthroughthemidstofit,anddividingitintotwoequalparts。Thecloudsstillrestedononehalfofit,insomuchthatIcoulddiscovernothinginit;buttheotherappearedtomeavastoceanplantedwithinnumerableislands,thatwerecoveredwithfruitsandflowers,andinterwovenwithathousandlittleshiningseasthatranamongthem。Icouldseepersonsdressedinglorioushabits,withgarlandsupontheirheads,passingamongthetrees,lyingdownbythesidesoffountains,orrestingonbedsofflowers;
andcouldhearaconfusedharmonyofsingingbirds,fallingwaters,humanvoices,andmusicalinstruments。Gladnessgrewinmeuponthediscoveryofsodelightfulascene。Iwishedforthewingsofaneagle,thatImightflyawaytothosehappyseats;butthegeniustoldmetherewasnopassagetothem,exceptthroughthegatesofdeaththatIsawopeningeverymomentuponthebridge。’Theislands,’saidhe,’thatliesofreshandgreenbeforethee,amidwithwhichthewholefaceoftheoceanappearsspottedasfarasthoucanstsee,aremoreinnumberthanthesandsonthesea-shore:
therearemyriadsofislandsbehindthosewhichthouherediscoverest,reachingfurtherthanthineeye,oreventhineimaginationcanextenditself。Thesearethemansionsofgoodmenafterdeath,who,accordingtothedegreeandkindsofvirtueinwhichtheyexcelled,aredistributedamongthoseseveralislands,whichaboundwithpleasuresofdifferentkindsanddegrees,suitabletotherelishesandperfectionsofthosewhoaresettledinthem:
everyislandisaparadiseaccommodatedtoitsrespectiveinhabitants。Arenotthese,OMirza,habitationsworthcontendingfor?Doeslifeappearmiserablethatgivestheeopportunitiesofearningsuchareward?Isdeathtobefearedthatwillconveytheetosohappyanexistence?Thinknotmanwasmadeinvain,whohassuchanEternityreservedforhim。’Igazedwithinexpressiblepleasureonthesehappyislands。Atlength,saidI,’Showmenow,I
beseechthee,thesecretsthatliehidunderthosedarkcloudswhichcovertheoceanontheothersideoftherockofadamant。’Thegeniusmakingmenoanswer,Iturnedabouttoaddressmyselftohimasecondtime,butIfoundthathehadleftme;IthenturnedagaintothevisionwhichIhadbeensolongcontemplating:butinsteadoftherollingtide,thearchedbridge,andthehappyislands,IsawnothingbutthelonghollowvalleyofBagdad,withoxen,sheep,andcamelsgrazinguponthesidesofit。"
GENIUS-
Cuimensdivinior,atqueosMagnasonaturumdesnominishujushonorem。
HOR。,Sat。i。4,43。
Onhimconferthepoet’ssacredname,Whoseloftyvoicedeclarestheheavenlyflame。
Thereisnocharactermorefrequentlygiventoawriterthanthatofbeingagenius。Ihaveheardmanyalittlesonneteercalledafinegenius。Thereisnotaheroicscribblerinthenationthathasnothisadmirerswhothinkhimagreatgenius;andasforyoursmatterersintragedy,thereisscarceamanamongthemwhoisnotcriedupbyoneorotherforaprodigiousgenius。
Mydesigninthispaperistoconsiderwhatisproperlyagreatgenius,andtothrowsomethoughtstogetheronsouncommonasubject。
Amonggreatgeniusesthosefewdrawtheadmirationofalltheworlduponthem,andstandupastheprodigiesofmankind,who,bythemerestrengthofnaturalparts,andwithoutanyassistanceofartorlearning,haveproducedworksthatwerethedelightoftheirowntimesandthewonderofposterity。Thereappearssomethingnoblywildandextravagantinthesegreatnaturalgeniuses,thatisinfinitelymorebeautifulthanallturnandpolishingofwhattheFrenchcallabelesprit,bywhichtheywouldexpressageniusrefinedbyconversation,reflection,andthereadingofthemostpoliteauthors。Thegreatestgeniuswhichrunsthroughtheartsandsciencestakesakindoftincturefromthemandfallsunavoidablyintoimitation。
Manyofthesegreatnaturalgeniuses,thatwereneverdisciplinedandbrokenbyrulesofart,aretobefoundamongtheancients,andinparticularamongthoseofthemoreEasternpartsoftheworld。
HomerhasinnumerableflightsthatVirgilwasnotabletoreach,andintheOldTestamentwefindseveralpassagesmoreelevatedandsublimethananyinHomer。Atthesametimethatweallowagreaterandmoredaringgeniustotheancients,wemustownthatthegreatestofthemverymuchfailedin,or,ifyouwill,thattheyweremuchabovethenicetyandcorrectnessofthemoderns。Intheirsimilitudesandallusions,providedtherewasalikeness,theydidnotmuchtroublethemselvesaboutthedecencyofthecomparison:
thusSolomonresemblesthenoseofhisbelovedtothetowerofLebanonwhichlookethtowardsDamascus,asthecomingofathiefinthenightisasimilitudeofthesamekindintheNewTestament。Itwouldbeendlesstomakecollectionsofthisnature。Homerillustratesoneofhisheroesencompassedwiththeenemy,byanassinafieldofcornthathashissidesbelabouredbyalltheboysofthevillagewithoutstirringafootforit;andanotherofthemtossingtoandfroinhisbed,andburningwithresentment,toapieceoffleshbroiledonthecoals。Thisparticularfailureintheancientsopensalargefieldofraillerytothelittlewits,whocanlaughatanindecency,butnotrelishthesublimeinthesesortsofwritings。ThepresentEmperorofPersia,conformabletothisEasternwayofthinking,amidstagreatmanypompoustitles,denominateshimself"thesunofglory"and"thenutmegofdelight。"
Inshort,tocutoffallcavillingagainsttheancients,andparticularlythoseofthewarmerclimates,whohadmostheatandlifeintheirimaginations,wearetoconsiderthattheruleofobservingwhattheFrenchcallthebienseanceinanallusionhasbeenfoundoutoflateryears,andinthecolderregionsoftheworld,wherewecouldmakesomeamendsforourwantofforceandspiritbyascrupulousnicetyandexactnessinourcompositions。
OurcountrymanShakespearewasaremarkableinstanceofthisfirstkindofgreatgeniuses。
IcannotquitthisheadwithoutobservingthatPindarwasagreatgeniusofthefirstclass,whowashurriedonbyanaturalfireandimpetuositytovastconceptionsofthingsandnoblesalliesofimagination。Atthesametimecananythingbemoreridiculousthanformenofasoberandmoderatefancytoimitatethispoet’swayofwritinginthosemonstrouscompositionswhichgoamongusunderthenameofPindarics?WhenIseepeoplecopyingworkswhich,asHoracehasrepresentedthem,aresingularintheirkind,andinimitable;
whenIseemenfollowingirregularitiesbyrule,andbythelittletricksofartstrainingafterthemostunboundedflightsofnature,IcannotbutapplytothemthatpassageinTerence:-
IncertahaecsitupostulesRationecertafacere,nihiloplusagasQuamsidesoperam,utcumrationeinsanias。
Eun。,ActI。,Sc。1,I。16。
Youmayaswellpretendtobemadandinyoursensesatthesametime,astothinkofreducingtheseuncertainthingstoanycertaintybyreason。
Inshort,amodernPindaricwritercomparedwithPindarislikeasisteramongtheCamisarscomparedwithVirgil’sSibyl;thereisthedistortion,grimace,andoutwardfigure,butnothingofthatdivineimpulsewhichraisesthemindaboveitself,andmakesthesoundsmorethanhuman。
ThereisanotherkindofgreatgeniuseswhichIshallplaceinasecondclass,notasIthinktheminferiortothefirst,butonlyfordistinction’ssake,astheyareofadifferentkind。Thissecondclassofgreatgeniusesarethosethathaveformedthemselvesbyrules,andsubmittedthegreatnessoftheirnaturaltalentstothecorrectionsandrestraintsofart。SuchamongtheGreekswerePlatoandAristotle;amongtheRomans,VirgilandTully;amongtheEnglish,MiltonandSirFrancisBacon。
Thegeniusinboththeseclassesofauthorsmaybeequallygreat,butshowsitselfafteradifferentmanner。Inthefirstitislikearichsoilinahappyclimate,thatproducesawholewildernessofnobleplantsrisinginathousandbeautifullandscapeswithoutanycertainorderorregularity;intheotheritisthesamerichsoil,underthesamehappyclimate,thathasbeenlaidoutinwalksandparterres,andcutintoshapeandbeautybytheskillofthegardener。
Thegreatdangerintheselatterkindofgeniusesislesttheycramptheirownabilitiestoomuchbyimitation,andformthemselvesaltogetheruponmodels,withoutgivingthefullplaytotheirownnaturalparts。Animitationofthebestauthorsisnottocomparewithagoodoriginal;andIbelievewemayobservethatveryfewwritersmakeanextraordinaryfigureintheworldwhohavenotsomethingintheirwayofthinkingorexpressingthemselves,thatispeculiartothem,andentirelytheirown。
Itisoddtoconsiderwhatgreatgeniusesaresometimesthrownawayupontrifles。
"Ioncesawashepherd,"saysafamousItalianauthor,"whousedtodiverthimselfinhissolitudeswithtossingupeggsandcatchingthemagainwithoutbreakingthem;inwhichhehadarrivedtosogreatadegreeofperfectionthathewouldkeepupfouratatimeforseveralminutestogetherplayingintheair,andfallingintohishandbyturns。Ithink,"saystheauthor,"Ineversawagreaterseveritythaninthisman’sface,forbyhiswonderfulperseveranceandapplicationhehadcontractedtheseriousnessandgravityofaprivycouncillor,andIcouldnotbutreflectwithmyselfthatthesameassiduityandattention,hadtheybeenrightlyapplied,’might’havemadeagreatermathematicianthanArchimedes。"
THEODOSIUSANDCONSTANTIA。
Illa;Quisetme,inquit,miserametteperdidit,Orpheu?-
Jamquevale:feroringenticircumdatanocte,Invalidasquetibitendens,heu!nontua,palmas。
VIRG。,Georg。,iv。494。
Thenthusthebride:"Whatfuryseiz’donthee,’Unhappyman!tolosethyselfandme?-
Andnowfarewell!involv’dinshadesofnight,ForeverIamravish’dfromthysight:
InvainIreachmyfeeblehands,tojoinInsweetembraces——ah!nolongerthine!"
DRYDEN。
Constantiawasawomanofextraordinarywitandbeauty,butveryunhappyinafatherwho,havingarrivedatgreatrichesbyhisownindustry,tookdelightinnothingbuthismoney。Theodosiuswastheyoungersonofadecayedfamily,ofgreatpartsandlearning,improvedbyagenteelandvirtuouseducation。WhenhewasinthetwentiethyearofhisagehebecameacquaintedwithConstantia,whohadnotthenpassedherfifteenth。Ashelivedbutafewmilesdistantfromherfather’shouse,hehadfrequentopportunitiesofseeingher;and,bytheadvantagesofagoodpersonandapleasingconversation,madesuchanimpressioninherheartasitwasimpossiblefortimetoefface。HewashimselfnolesssmittenwithConstantia。Alongacquaintancemadethemstilldiscovernewbeautiesineachother,andbydegreesraisedinthemthatmutualpassionwhichhadaninfluenceontheirfollowinglives。Itunfortunatelyhappenedthat,inthemidstofthisintercourseofloveandfriendshipbetweenTheodosiusandConstantia,therebrokeoutanirreparablequarrelbetweentheirparents;theonevaluinghimselftoomuchuponhisbirth,andtheotheruponhispossessions。
ThefatherofConstantiawassoincensedatthefatherofTheodosius,thathecontractedanunreasonableaversiontowardshisson,insomuchthatheforbadehimhishouse,andchargedhisdaughteruponherdutynevertoseehimmore。Inthemeantime,tobreakoffallcommunicationbetweenthetwolovers,whoheknewentertainedsecrethopesofsomefavourableopportunitythatshouldbringthemtogether,hefoundoutayounggentlemanofagoodfortuneandanagreeableperson,whomhepitcheduponasahusbandforhisdaughter。Hesoonconcertedthisaffairsowell,thathetoldConstantiaitwashisdesigntomarryhertosuchagentleman,andthatherweddingshouldbecelebratedonsuchaday。
Constantia,whowasoverawedwiththeauthorityofherfather,andunabletoobjectanythingagainstsoadvantageousamatch,receivedtheproposalwithaprofoundsilence,whichherfathercommendedinher,asthemostdecentmannerofavirgin’sgivingherconsenttoanovertureofthatkind。ThenoiseofthisintendedmarriagesoonreachedTheodosius,who,afteralongtumultofpassionswhichnaturallyriseinalover’sheartonsuchanoccasion,wrotethefollowinglettertoConstantia:-
"ThethoughtofmyConstantia,whichforsomeyearshasbeenmyonlyhappiness,isnowbecomeagreatertormenttomethanIamabletobear。MustIthenlivetoseeyouanother’s?Thestreams,thefields,andmeadows,wherewehavesooftentalkedtogether,growpainfultome;lifeitselfisbecomeaburden。Mayyoulongbehappyintheworld,butforgetthattherewaseversuchamaninitas"THEODOSIUS。"
ThisletterwasconveyedtoConstantiathatveryevening,whofaintedatthereadingofit;andthenextmorningshewasmuchmorealarmedbytwoorthreemessengersthatcametoherfather’shouse,oneafteranother,toinquireiftheyhadheardanythingofTheodosius,who,itseems,hadlefthischamberaboutmidnight,andcouldnowherebefound。Thedeepmelancholywhichhadhunguponhismindsometimebeforemadethemapprehendtheworstthatcouldbefallhim。Constantia,whoknewthatnothingbutthereportofhermarriagecouldhavedrivenhimtosuchextremities,wasnottohecomforted。Shenowaccusedherselfforhavingsotamelygivenaneartotheproposalofahusband,andlookeduponthenewloverasthemurdererofTheodosius。Inshort,sheresolvedtosuffertheutmosteffectsofherfather’sdispleasureratherthancomplywithamarriagewhichappearedtohersofullofguiltandhorror。Thefather,seeinghimselfentirelyridofTheodosius,andlikelytokeepaconsiderableportioninhisfamily,wasnotverymuchconcernedattheobstinaterefusalofhisdaughter,anddidnotfinditverydifficulttoexcusehimselfuponthataccounttohisintendedson-in-law,whohadallalongregardedthisallianceratherasamarriageofconveniencethanoflove。Constantiahadnownoreliefbutinherdevotionsandexercisesofreligion,towhichheraffectionshadsoentirelysubjectedhermind,thataftersomeyearshadabatedtheviolenceofhersorrows,andsettledherthoughtsinakindoftranquillity,sheresolvedtopasstheremainderofherdaysinaconvent。Herfatherwasnotdispleasedwitharesolutionwhichwouldsavemoneyinhisfamily,andreadilycompliedwithhisdaughter’sintentions。Accordingly,inthetwenty-fifthyearofherage,whileherbeautywasyetinallitsheightandbloom,hecarriedhertoaneighbouringcity,inordertolookoutasisterhoodofnunsamongwhomtoplacehisdaughter。Therewasinthisplaceafatherofaconventwhowasverymuchrenownedforhispietyandexemplarylife:andasitisusualintheRomishChurchforthosewhoareunderanygreataffliction,ortroubleofmind,toapplythemselvestothemosteminentconfessorsforpardonandconsolation,ourbeautifulvotarytooktheopportunityofconfessingherselftothiscelebratedfather。
WemustnowreturntoTheodosius,who,theverymorningthattheabove-mentionedinquirieshadbeenmadeafterhim,arrivedatareligioushouseinthecitywherenowConstantiaresided;anddesiringthatsecrecyandconcealmentofthefathersoftheconvent,whichisveryusualuponanyextraordinaryoccasion,hemadehimselfoneoftheorder,withaprivatevownevertoinquireafterConstantia;whomhelookeduponasgivenawaytohisrivaluponthedayonwhich,accordingtocommonfame,theirmarriagewastohavebeensolemnised。Havinginhisyouthmadeagoodprogressinlearning,thathemightdedicatehimselfmoreentirelytoreligion,heenteredintoholyorders,andinafewyearsbecamerenownedforhissanctityoflife,andthosepioussentimentswhichheinspiredintoallwhoconversedwithhim。ItwasthisholymantowhomConstantiahaddeterminedtoapplyherselfinconfession,thoughneithershenoranyother,besidestheprioroftheconvent,knewanythingofhisnameorfamily。Thegay,theamiableTheodosiushadnowtakenuponhimthenameofFatherFrancis,andwassofarconcealedinalongbeard,ashavenhead,andareligioushabit,thatitwasimpossibletodiscoverthemanoftheworldinthevenerableconventual。
Ashewasonemorningshutupinhisconfessional,Constantiakneelingbyhimopenedthestateofhersoultohim;andafterhavinggivenhimthehistoryofalifefullofinnocence,sheburstoutintotears,andentereduponthatpartofherstoryinwhichhehimselfhadsogreatashare。"Mybehaviour,"saysshe,"has,I
fear,beenthedeathofamanwhohadnootherfaultbutthatoflovingmetoomuch。Heavenonlyknowshowdearhewastomewhilsthelived,andhowbittertheremembranceofhimhasbeentomesincehisdeath。"Sheherepaused,andlifteduphereyesthatstreamedwithtearstowardsthefather,whowassomovedwiththesenseofhersorrowsthathecouldonlycommandhisvoice,whichwasbrokenwithsighsandsobbings,sofarastobidherproceed。Shefollowedhisdirections,andinafloodoftearspouredoutherheartbeforehim。Thefathercouldnotforbearweepingaloud,insomuchthat,intheagoniesofhisgrief,theseatshookunderhim。Constantia,whothoughtthegoodmanwasthusmovedbyhiscompassiontowardsher,andbythehorrorofherguilt,proceededwiththeutmostcontritiontoacquainthimwiththatvowofvirginityinwhichshewasgoingtoengageherself,astheproperatonementforhersins,andtheonlysacrificeshecouldmaketothememoryofTheodosius。Thefather,whobythistimehadprettywellcomposedhimself,burstoutagainintearsuponhearingthatnametowhichhehadbeensolongdisused,anduponreceivingthisinstanceofanunparalleledfidelityfromonewhohethoughthadseveralyearssincegivenherselfuptothepossessionofanother。Amidsttheinterruptionsofhissorrow,seeinghispenitentoverwhelmedwithgrief,hewasonlyabletobidherfromtimetotimebecomforted——totellherthathersinswereforgivenher——thatherguiltwasnotsogreatassheapprehended——thatsheshouldnotsufferherselftobeafflictedabovemeasure。Afterwhichherecoveredhimselfenoughtogivehertheabsolutioninform:directingheratthesametimetorepairtohimagainthenextday,thathemightencourageherinthepiousresolutionshehadtaken,andgivehersuitableexhortationsforherbehaviourinit。Constantiaretired,andthenextmorningrenewedherapplications。Theodosius,havingmannedhissoulwithproperthoughtsandreflections,exertedhimselfonthisoccasioninthebestmannerhecouldtoanimatehispenitentinthecourseoflifeshewasenteringupon,andwearoutofhermindthosegroundlessfearsandapprehensionswhichhadtakenpossessionofit;concludingwithapromisetoher,thathewouldfromtimetotimecontinuehisadmonitionswhensheshouldhavetakenuponhertheholyveil。"Therulesofourrespectiveorders,"sayshe,"willnotpermitthatI
shouldseeyou;butyoumayassureyourselfnotonlyofhavingaplaceinmyprayers,butofreceivingsuchfrequentinstructionsasIcanconveytoyoubyletters。Gooncheerfullyinthegloriouscourseyouhaveundertaken,andyouwillquicklyfindsuchapeaceandsatisfactioninyourmindwhichitisnotinthepoweroftheworldtogive。"
Constantia’sheartwassoelevatedwithinthediscourseofFatherFrancis,thattheverynextdaysheentereduponhervow。Assoonasthesolemnitiesofherreceptionwereover,sheretired,asitisusual,withtheabbessintoherownapartment。
TheabbesshadbeeninformedthenightbeforeofallthathadpassedbetweenhernovitiateandfatherFrancis:fromwhomshenowdeliveredtoherthefollowingletter:-
"Asthefirst-fruitsofthosejoysandconsolationswhichyoumayexpectfromthelifeyouarenowengagedin,ImustacquaintyouthatTheodosius,whosedeathsitssoheavyuponyourthoughts,isstillalive;andthatthefathertowhomyouhaveconfessedyourselfwasoncethatTheodosiuswhomyousomuchlament。Thelovewhichwehavehadforoneanotherwillmakeusmorehappyinitsdisappointmentthanitcouldhavedoneinitssuccess。Providencehasdisposedofusforouradvantage,thoughnotaccordingtoourwishes。ConsideryourTheodosiusstillasdead,butassureyourselfofonewhowillnotceasetoprayforyouinfather"FRANCIS。"
Constantiasawthatthehandwritingagreedwiththecontentsoftheletter;and,uponreflectingonthevoiceoftheperson,thebehaviour,andabovealltheextremesorrowofthefatherduringherconfession,shediscoveredTheodosiusineveryparticular。Afterhavingweptwithtearsofjoy,"Itisenough,"saysshe;"Theodosiusisstillinbeing:Ishalllivewithcomfortanddieinpeace。"
Theletterswhichthefathersentherafterwardsareyetextantinthenunnerywheresheresided;andareoftenreadtotheyoungreligious,inordertoinspirethemwithgoodresolutionsandsentimentsofvirtue。ItsohappenedthatafterConstantiahadlivedabouttenyearsinthecloister,aviolentfeverbrokeoutintheplace,whichsweptawaygreatmultitudes,andamongothersTheodosius。Uponhisdeath-bedhesenthisbenedictioninaverymovingmannertoConstantia,whoatthattimewasherselfsofargoneinthesamefataldistemperthatshelaydelirious。Upontheintervalwhichgenerallyprecedesdeathinsicknessofthisnature,theabbess,findingthatthephysicianshadgivenherover,toldherthatTheodosiushadjustgonebeforeher,andthathehadsentherhisbenedictioninhislastmoments。Constantiareceiveditwithpleasure。"Andnow,"saysshe,"ifIdonotaskanythingimproper,letmebeburiedbyTheodosius。Myvowreachesnofurtherthanthegrave;whatIaskis,Ihope,noviolationofit。"Shediedsoonafter,andwasinterredaccordingtoherrequest。
Thetombsarestilltobeseen,withashortLatininscriptionoverthemtothefollowingpurpose:-
"HereliethebodiesofFatherFrancisandSisterConstance。Theywerelovelyintheirlives,andintheirdeaththeywerenotdivided。"
GOODNATURE。
Sicvitaerat:facileomnesperferreacpati:
Cumquibuseratcunqueuna,hissesededere,Eorumobsequistudiis:advorsusnemini;
Nunquampraeponenssealiis。ItafacillimeSineinvidiainveniaslaudem-
TER。,Andr。,Acti。se。1。
Hismanneroflifewasthis:tobearwitheverybody’shumours;tocomplywiththeinclinationsandpursuitsofthoseheconversedwith;tocontradictnobody;nevertoassumeasuperiorityoverothers。Thisisthereadywaytogainapplausewithoutexcitingenvy。
Manissubjecttoinnumerablepainsandsorrowsbytheveryconditionofhumanity,andyet,asifNaturehadnotsownevilsenoughinlife,wearecontinuallyaddinggrieftogrief,andaggravatingthecommoncalamitybyourcrueltreatmentofoneanother。Everyman’snaturalweightofafflictionisstillmademoreheavybytheenvy,malice,treachery,orinjusticeofhisneighbour。Atthesametimethatthestormbeatsonthewholespecies,wearefallingfoulupononeanother。
Halfthemiseryofhumanlifemightbeextinguished,wouldmenalleviatethegeneralcursetheylieunder,bymutualofficesofcompassion,benevolence,andhumanity。Thereisnothing,therefore,whichweoughtmoretoencourageinourselvesandothers,thanthatdispositionofmindwhichinourlanguagegoesunderthetitleofgoodnature,andwhichIshallchooseforthesubjectofthisday’sspeculation。
Good-natureismoreagreeableinconversationthanwit,andgivesacertainairtothecountenancewhichismoreamiablethanbeauty。
Itshowsvirtueinthefairestlight,takesoffinsomemeasurefromthedeformityofvice,andmakesevenfollyandimpertinencesupportable。
Thereisnosocietyorconversationtobekeptupintheworldwithoutgoodnature,orsomethingwhichmustbearitsappearance,andsupplyitsplace。Forthisreason,mankindhavebeenforcedtoinventakindofartificialhumanity,whichiswhatweexpressbythewordgood-breeding。Forifweexaminethoroughlytheideaofwhatwecallso,weshallfindittobenothingelsebutanimitationandmimicryofgoodnature,or,inotherterms,affability,complaisance,andeasinessoftemper,reducedintoanart。Theseexteriorshowsandappearancesofhumanityrenderamanwonderfullypopularandbeloved,whentheyarefoundeduponarealgoodnature;but,withoutit,arelikehypocrisyinreligion,orabareformofholiness,which,whenitisdiscovered,makesamanmoredetestablethanprofessedimpiety。
Good-natureisgenerallybornwithus:health,prosperity,andkindtreatmentfromtheworld,aregreatcherishersofitwheretheyfindit;butnothingiscapableofforcingitup,whereitdoesnotgrowofitself。Itisoneoftheblessingsofahappyconstitution,whicheducationmayimprove,butnotproduce。
Xenophon,inthelifeofhisimaginaryprincewhomhedescribesasapatternforrealones,isalwayscelebratingthephilanthropyandgoodnatureofhishero,whichhetellsushebroughtintotheworldwithhim;andgivesmanyremarkableinstancesofitinhischildhood,aswellasinalltheseveralpartsofhislife。Nay,onhisdeath-bed,hedescribeshimasbeingpleased,thatwhilehissoulreturnedtoHimwhomadeit,hisbodyshouldincorporatewiththegreatmotherofallthings,andbythatmeansbecomebeneficialtomankind。Forwhichreason,hegiveshissonsapositiveordernottoenshrineitingoldorsilver,buttolayitintheearthassoonasthelifewasgoneoutofit。
Aninstanceofsuchanoverflowingofhumanity,suchanexuberantlovetomankind,couldnothaveenteredintotheimaginationofawriterwhohadnotasoulfilledwithgreatideas,andageneralbenevolencetomankind。
InthatcelebratedpassageofSallust,whereCaesarandCatoareplacedinsuchbeautifulbutoppositelights,Caesar’scharacterischieflymadeupofgoodnature,asitshoweditselfinallitsformstowardshisfriendsorhisenemies,hisservantsordependents,theguiltyorthedistressed。AsforCato’scharacter,itisratherawfulthanamiable。JusticeseemsmostagreeabletothenatureofGod,andmercytothatofman。ABeingwhohasnothingtopardoninHimself,mayrewardeverymanaccordingtohisworks;buthewhoseverybestactionsmustbeseenwithgrainsofallowance,cannotbetoomild,moderate,andforgiving。Forthisreason,amongallthemonstrouscharactersinhumannature,thereisnonesoodious,norindeedsoexquisitelyridiculous,asthatofarigid,severetemperinaworthlessman。
Thispartofgoodnaturehowever,whichconsistsinthepardoningandoverlookingoffaults,istobeexercisedonlyindoingourselvesjustice,andthattoointheordinarycommerceandoccurrencesoflife;for,inthepublicadministrationsofjustice,mercytoonemaybecrueltytoothers。
Itisgrownalmostintoamaxim,thatgood-naturedmenarenotalwaysmenofthemostwit。Thisobservation,inmyopinion,hasnofoundationinnature。ThegreatestwitsIhaveconversedwitharemeneminentfortheirhumanity。Itake,therefore,thisremarktohavebeenoccasionedbytworeasons。First,becauseill-natureamongordinaryobserverspassesforwit。Aspitefulsayinggratifiessomanylittlepassionsinthosewhohearit,thatitgenerallymeetswithagoodreception。Thelaughrisesuponit,andthemanwhouttersitislookeduponasashrewdsatirist。Thismaybeonereasonwhyagreatmanypleasantcompanionsappearsosurprisinglydullwhentheyhaveendeavouredtobemerryinprint;
thepublicbeingmorejustthanprivateclubsorassemblies,indistinguishingbetweenwhatiswitandwhatisill-nature。
Anotherreasonwhythegood-naturedmanmaysometimesbringhiswitinquestionisperhapsbecauseheisapttobemovedwithcompassionforthosemisfortunesorinfirmitieswhichanotherwouldturnintoridicule,andbythatmeansgainthereputationofawit。Theill-
naturedman,thoughbutofequalparts,giveshimselfalargerfieldtoexpatiatein;heexposesthosefailingsinhumannaturewhichtheotherwouldcastaveilover,laughsatviceswhichtheothereitherexcusesorconceals,givesutterancetoreflectionswhichtheotherstifles,fallsindifferentlyuponfriendsorenemies,exposesthepersonwhohasobligedhim,and,inshort,sticksatnothingthatmayestablishhischaracterasawit。Itisnowonder,therefore,hesucceedsinitbetterthanthemanofhumanity,asapersonwhomakesuseofindirectmethodsismorelikelytogrowrichthanthefairtrader。
NEXTESSAY-
Quisenimbonus,autfacedignusArcana,qualemCererisvultessesacerdos,Ullaalienasibicredatmala?-
JUV。,Sat。xv。140。
Whocanallsenseofothers’illsescape,Isbutabrute,atbest,inhumanshape。
TATE。
Inoneofmylastweek’spapers,Itreatedofgood-natureasitistheeffectofconstitution;Ishallnowspeakofitasitisamoralvirtue。Thefirstmaymakeamaneasyinhimselfandagreeabletoothers,butimpliesnomeritinhimthatispossessedofit。Amanisnomoretobepraiseduponthisaccount,thanbecausehehasaregularpulseoragooddigestion。Thisgoodnature,however,intheconstitution,whichMr。Drydensomewherecalls"amilkinessofblood,"isanadmirablegroundworkfortheother。Inorder,therefore,totryourgood-nature,whetheritarisesfromthebodyorthemind,whetheritbefoundedintheanimalorrationalpartofournature;inaword,whetheritbesuchasisentitledtoanyotherrewardbesidesthatsecretsatisfactionandcontentmentofmindwhichisessentialtoit,andthekindreceptionitprocuresusintheworld,wemustexamineitbythefollowingrules:
First,whetheritactswithsteadinessanduniformityinsicknessandinhealth,inprosperityandinadversity;ifotherwise,itistobelookeduponasnothingelsebutanirradiationofthemindfromsomenewsupplyofspirits,oramorekindlycirculationoftheblood。SirFrancisBaconmentionsacunningsolicitor,whowouldneveraskafavourofagreatmanbeforedinner;buttookcaretopreferhispetitionatatimewhenthepartypetitionedhadhismindfreefromcare,andhisappetitesingoodhumour。Suchatransienttemporarygood-natureasthis,isnotthatphilanthropy,thatloveofmankind,whichdeservesthetitleofamoralvirtue。
Thenextwayofaman’sbringinghisgood-naturetothetestistoconsiderwhetheritoperatesaccordingtotherulesofreasonandduty:forif,notwithstandingitsgeneralbenevolencetomankind,itmakesnodistinctionbetweenitsobjects;ifitexertsitselfpromiscuouslytowardsthedeservingandtheundeserving;ifitrelievesaliketheidleandtheindigent;ifitgivesitselfuptothefirstpetitioner,andlightsuponanyoneratherbyaccidentthanchoice——itmaypassforanamiableinstinct,butmustnotassumethenameofamoralvirtue。
Thethirdtrialofgood-naturewillbetheexaminingourselveswhetherornoweareabletoexertittoourowndisadvantage,andemployitonproperobjects,notwithstandinganylittlepain,want,orinconvenience,whichmayarisetoourselvesfromit:inaword,whetherwearewillingtoriskanypartofourfortune,ourreputation,ourhealthorease,forthebenefitofmankind。Amongalltheseexpressionsofgoodnature,Ishallsingleoutthatwhichgoesunderthegeneralnameofcharity,asitconsistsinrelievingtheindigent:thatbeingatrialofthiskindwhichoffersitselftousalmostatalltimesandineveryplace。
Ishouldproposeitasarule,toeveryonewhoisprovidedwithanycompetencyoffortunemorethansufficientforthenecessariesoflife,tolayasideacertainportionofhisincomefortheuseofthepoor。ThisIwouldlookuponasanofferingtoHimwhohasarighttothewhole,fortheuseofthosewhom,inthepassagehereaftermentioned,HehasdescribedasHisownrepresentativesuponearth。Atthesametime,weshouldmanageourcharitywithsuchprudenceandcaution,thatwemaynothurtourownfriendsorrelationswhilstwearedoinggoodtothosewhoarestrangerstous。
Thismaypossiblybeexplainedbetterbyanexamplethanbyarule。
Eugeniusisamanofauniversalgoodnature,andgenerousbeyondtheextentofhisfortune;butwithalsoprudentintheeconomyofhisaffairs,thatwhatgoesoutincharityismadeupbygoodmanagement。Eugeniushaswhattheworldcallstwohundredpoundsayear;butnevervalueshimselfabovenine-score,asnotthinkinghehasarighttothetenthpart,whichhealwaysappropriatestocharitableuses。Tothissumhefrequentlymakesothervoluntaryadditions,insomuch,thatinagoodyear——forsuchheaccountsthoseinwhichhehasbeenabletomakegreaterbountiesthanordinary——hehasgivenabovetwicethatsumtothesicklyandindigent。Eugeniusprescribestohimselfmanyparticulardaysoffastingandabstinence,inordertoincreasehisprivatebankofcharity,andsetsasidewhatwouldbethecurrentexpensesofthosetimesfortheuseofthepoor。Heoftengoesafootwherehisbusinesscallshim,andattheendofhiswalkhasgivenashilling,whichinhisordinarymethodsofexpensewouldhavegoneforcoach-hire,tothefirstnecessitouspersonthathasfalleninhisway。Ihaveknownhim,whenhehasbeengoingtoaplayoranopera,divertthemoneywhichwasdesignedforthatpurposeuponanobjectofcharitywhomhehasmetwithinthestreet;andafterwardspasshiseveninginacoffee-house,oratafriend’sfireside,withmuchgreatersatisfactiontohimselfthanhecouldhavereceivedfromthemostexquisiteentertainmentsofthetheatre。Bythesemeansheisgenerouswithoutimpoverishinghimself,andenjoyshisestatebymakingitthepropertyofothers。
Therearefewmensocrampedintheirprivateaffairs,whomaynotbecharitableafterthismanner,withoutanydisadvantagetothemselves,orprejudicetotheirfamilies。Itisbutsometimessacrificingadiversionorconveniencetothepoor,andturningtheusualcourseofourexpensesintoabetterchannel。Thisis,I
think,notonlythemostprudentandconvenient,butthemostmeritoriouspieceofcharitywhichwecanputinpractice。Bythismethod,weinsomemeasuresharethenecessitiesofthepooratthesametimethatwerelievethem,andmakeourselvesnotonlytheirpatrons,buttheirfellow-sufferers。
SirThomasBrown,inthelastpartofhis"ReligioMedici,"inwhichhedescribeshischarityinseveralheroicinstances,andwithanobleheatofsentiments,mentionsthatverseintheProverbsofSolomon:"HethatgivethtothepoorlendethtotheLord。"Thereismorerhetoricinthatonesentence,sayshe,thaninalibraryofsermons;andindeed,ifthosesentenceswereunderstoodbythereaderwiththesameemphasisastheyaredeliveredbytheauthor,weneedednotthosevolumesofinstructions,butmightbehonestbyanepitome。
ThispassageofScriptureis,indeed,wonderfullypersuasive;butI
thinkthesamethoughtiscarriedmuchfurtherintheNewTestament,whereourSaviourtellsus,inamostpatheticmanner,thatheshallhereafterregardtheclothingofthenaked,thefeedingofthehungry,andthevisitingoftheimprisoned,asofficesdonetoHimself,andrewardthemaccordingly。PursuanttothosepassagesinHolyScripture,Ihavesomewheremetwiththeepitaphofacharitableman,whichhasverymuchpleasedme。Icannotrecollectthewords,butthesenseofitistothispurpose:WhatIspentI
lost;whatIpossessedislefttoothers;whatIgaveawayremainswithme。
SinceIamthusinsensiblyengagedinSacredWrit,IcannotforbearmakinganextractofseveralpassageswhichIhavealwaysreadwithgreatdelightinthebookofJob。Itistheaccountwhichthatholymangivesofhisbehaviourinthedaysofhisprosperity;and,ifconsideredonlyasahumancomposition,isafinerpictureofacharitableandgood-naturedmanthanistobemetwithinanyotherauthor。
"OhthatIwereasinmonthspast,asinthedayswhenGodpreservedme:Whenhiscandleshineduponmyhead,andwhenbyhislightI
walkedthroughdarkness:WhentheAlmightywasyetwithme;whenmychildrenwereaboutme:WhenIwashedmystepswithbutter,andtherockpouredmeoutriversofoil。
"Whentheearheardme,thenitblessedme;andwhentheeyesawme,itgavewitnesstome。BecauseIdeliveredthepoorthatcried,andthefatherless,andhimthathadnonetohelphim。Theblessingofhimthatwasreadytoperishcameuponme,andIcausedthewidow’shearttosingforjoy。Iwaseyestotheblind;andfeetwasItothelame;Iwasafathertothepoor,andthecausewhichIknewnotIsearchedout。DidnotIweepforhimthatwasintrouble?Wasnotmysoulgrievedforthepoor?Letmebeweighedinanevenbalance,thatGodmayknowmineintegrity。IfIdiddespisethecauseofmyman-servantorofmymaid-servantwhentheycontendedwithme:WhatthenshallIdowhenGodrisethup?andwhenhevisiteth,whatshallIanswerhim?Didnothethatmademeinthewomb,makehim?anddidnotonefashionusinthewomb?IfIhavewithheldthepoorfromtheirdesire,orhavecausedtheeyesofthewidowtofail;Orhaveeatenmymorselmyselfalone,andthefatherlesshathnoteatenthereof;IfIhaveseenanyperishforwantofclothing,oranypoorwithoutcovering;Ifhisloinshavenotblessedme,andifhewerenotwarmedwiththefleeceofmysheep;IfIhaveliftedmyhandagainstthefatherless,whenIsawmyhelpinthegate:Thenletminearmfallfrommyshoulder-blade,andminearmbebrokenfromthebone。IfI[have]rejoicedatthedestructionofhimthathatedme,orliftedupmyselfwhenevilfoundhim:NeitherhaveIsufferedmymouthtosin,bywishingacursetohissoul。Thestrangerdidnotlodgeinthestreet;butI
openedmydoorstothetraveller。Ifmylandcryagainstme,orthatthefurrowslikewisethereofcomplain:IfIhaveeatenthefruitsthereofwithoutmoney,orhavecausedtheownersthereoftolosetheirlife:Letthistlesgrowinsteadofwheat,andcockleinsteadofbarley。"
AGRINNINGMATCH-
Removeferamonstra,tuaequeSaxificosvultus,quaecunqueea,tolleMedusae。
OVID,Met。v。216。
Hencewiththosemonstrousfeatures,and,O!spareThatGorgon’slook,andpetrifyingstare。
POPE。
Inalatepaper,ImentionedtheprojectofaningeniousauthorfortheerectingofseveralhandicraftprizestobecontendedforbyourBritishartisans,andtheinfluencetheymighthavetowardstheimprovementofourseveralmanufactures。Ihavesincethatbeenverymuchsurprisedbythefollowingadvertisement,whichIfindinthePost-boyofthe11thinstant,andagainrepeatedinthePost-boyofthe15th:-
"Onthe9thofOctobernextwillberunforuponColeshill-heath,inWarwickshire,aplateofsixguineasvalue,threeheats,byanyhorse,mare,orgeldingthathathnotwonabovethevalueof5
pounds,thewinninghorsetobesoldfor10pounds,tocarry10
stoneweight,if14handshigh;ifaboveorunder,tocarryorbeallowedweightforinches,andtobeenteredFriday,the5th,attheSwaninColeshill,beforesixintheevening。Also,aplateoflessvaluetoberunforbyasses。Thesamedayagoldringtobegrinn’dforbymen。"
Thefirstofthesediversionsthatistobeexhibitedbythe10
poundsrace-horses,mayprobablyhaveitsuse;butthetwolast,inwhichtheassesandmenareconcerned,seemtomealtogetherextraordinaryandunaccountable。WhytheyshouldkeeprunningassesatColeshill,orhowmakingmouthsturnstoaccountinWarwickshire,morethaninanyotherpartsofEngland,Icannotcomprehend。I
havelookedoveralltheOlympicgames,anddonotfindanythinginthemlikeanass-race,oramatchatgrinning。Howeveritbe,Iaminformedthatseveralassesarenowkeptinbody-clothes,andsweatedeverymorningupontheheath:andthatallthecountry-
fellowswithintenmilesoftheSwangrinanhourortwointheirglasseseverymorning,inordertoqualifythemselvesforthe9thofOctober。Theprizewhichisproposedtobegrinnedforhasraisedsuchanambitionamongthecommonpeopleofout-grinningoneanother,thatmanyverydiscerningpersonsareafraiditshouldspoilmostofthefacesinthecounty;andthataWarwickshiremanwillbeknownbyhisgrin,asRomanCatholicsimagineaKentishmanisbyhistail。Thegoldringwhichismadetheprizeofdeformity,isjustthereverseofthegoldenapplethatwasformerlymadetheprizeofbeauty,andshouldcarryforitspoesytheoldmottoinverted:
Deturtetriori。
Or,toaccommodateittothecapacityofthecombatants,Thefrightfull’stgrinnerBethewinner。
InthemeanwhileIwouldadviseaDutchpaintertobepresentatthisgreatcontroversyoffaces,inordertomakeacollectionofthemostremarkablegrinsthatshallbethereexhibited。
ImustnothereomitanaccountwhichIlatelyreceivedofoneofthesegrinningmatchesfromagentleman,who,uponreadingtheabove-mentionedadvertisement,entertainedacoffee-housewiththefollowingnarrative:-UponthetakingofNamur,amidstotherpublicrejoicingsmadeonthatoccasion,therewasagoldringgivenbyaWhigjusticeofpeacetobegrinnedfor。Thefirstcompetitorthatenteredthelistswasablack,swarthyFrenchman,whoaccidentallypassedthatway,andbeingamannaturallyofawitheredlookandhardfeatures,promisedhimselfgoodsuccess。Hewasplaceduponatableinthegreatpointofview,and,lookinguponthecompanylikeMilton’sDeath,Grinnedhorriblyaghastlysmile。
Hismusclesweresodrawntogetheroneachsideofhisfacethatheshowedtwentyteethatagrin,andputthecountryinsomepainlestaforeignershouldcarryawaythehonouroftheday;butuponafurthertrialtheyfoundhewasmasteronlyofthemerrygrin。
Thenextthatmountedthetablewasamalcontentinthosedays,andagreatmasterinthewholeartofgrinning,butparticularlyexcelledintheangrygrin。Hedidhispartsowellthatheissaidtohavemadehalfadozenwomenmiscarry;butthejusticebeingapprisedbyonewhostoodnearhimthatthefellowwhogrinnedinhisfacewasaJacobite,andbeingunwillingthatadisaffectedpersonshouldwinthegoldring,andbelookeduponasthebestgrinnerinthecounty,heorderedtheoathstobetendereduntohimuponhisquittingthetable,whichthegrinnerrefusing,hewassetasideasanunqualifiedperson。Therewereseveralothergrotesquefiguresthatpresentedthemselves,whichitwouldbetootedioustodescribe。Imustnot,however,omitaploughman,wholivedinthefurtherpartofthecounty,andbeingveryluckyinapairoflonglanternjaws,wrunghisfaceintosuchahideousgrimacethateveryfeatureofitappearedunderadifferentdistortion。Thewholecompanystoodastonishedatsuchacomplicatedgrin,andwerereadytoassigntheprizetohim,haditnotbeenprovedbyoneofhisantagoniststhathehadpractisedwithverjuiceforsomedaysbefore,andhadacrabfounduponhimattheverytimeofgrinning;
uponwhichthebestjudgesofgrinningdeclareditastheiropinionthathewasnottobelookeduponasafairgrinner,andthereforeorderedhimtobesetasideasacheat。
Theprize,itseems,fellatlengthuponacobbler,GilesGorgonbyname,whoproducedseveralnewgrinsofhisowninvention,havingbeenusedtocutfacesformanyyearstogetheroverhislast。Attheveryfirstgrinhecasteveryhumanfeatureoutofhiscountenance;atthesecondhebecamethefaceofspout;atthethirdababoon;atthefourththeheadofabass-viol;andatthefifthapairofnut-crackers。Thewholeassemblywonderedathisaccomplishments,andbestowedtheringonhimunanimously;butwhatheesteemedmorethanalltherest,acountrywench,whomhehadwooedinvainforabovefiveyearsbefore,wassocharmedwithhisgrinsandtheapplauseswhichhereceivedonallsides,thatshemarriedhimtheweekfollowing,andtothisdaywearstheprizeuponherfinger,thecobblerhavingmadeuseofitashisweddingring。
Thispapermightperhapsseemveryimpertinentifitgrewseriousintheconclusion。Iwould,nevertheless,leaveittotheconsiderationofthosewhoarethepatronsofthismonstroustrialofskill,whetherornotheyarenotguilty,insomemeasure,ofanaffronttotheirspeciesintreatingafterthismannerthe"humanfacedivine,"andturningthatpartofus,whichhassogreatanimageimpresseduponit,intotheimageofamonkey;whethertheraisingsuchsillycompetitionsamongtheignorant,proposingprizesforsuchuselessaccomplishments,fillingthecommonpeople’sheadswithsuchsenselessambitions,andinspiringthemwithsuchabsurdideasofsuperiorityandpre-eminence,hasnotinitsomethingimmoralaswellasridiculous。
TRUSTINGOD。
Sifractusillabaturorbis,Impavidumferientruinae-
HOR。,Car。iii。3,7。
Shouldthewholeframeofnatureroundhimbreak,Inruinandconfusionhurled,He,unconcerned,wouldhearthemightycrack,Andstandsecureamidstafallingworld。
ANON。
Man,consideredinhimself,isaveryhelplessandaverywretchedbeing。Heissubjecteverymomenttothegreatestcalamitiesandmisfortunes。Heisbesetwithdangersonallsides,andmaybecomeunhappybynumberlesscasualtieswhichhecouldnotforesee,norhavepreventedhadheforeseenthem。
Itisourcomfort,whileweareobnoxioustosomanyaccidents,thatweareunderthecareofOnewhodirectscontingencies,andhasinHishandsthemanagementofeverythingthatiscapableofannoyingoroffendingus;whoknowstheassistancewestandinneedof,andisalwaysreadytobestowitonthosewhoaskitofHim。
ThenaturalhomagewhichsuchacreaturebearstosoinfinitelywiseandgoodaBeingisafirmrelianceonHimfortheblessingsandconveniencesoflife,andanhabitualtrustinHimfordeliveranceoutofallsuchdangersanddifficultiesasmaybefallus。
ThemanwhoalwayslivesinthisdispositionofmindhasnotthesamedarkandmelancholyviewsofhumannatureashewhoconsidershimselfabstractedlyfromthisrelationtotheSupremeBeing。AtthesametimethathereflectsuponhisownweaknessandimperfectionhecomfortshimselfwiththecontemplationofthoseDivineattributeswhichareemployedforhissafetyandhiswelfare。
HefindshiswantofforesightmadeupbytheOmniscienceofHimwhoishissupport。Heisnotsensibleofhisownwantofstrengthswhenheknowsthathishelperisalmighty。Inshort,thepersonwhohasafirmtrustontheSupremeBeingispowerfulinHispower,wisebyHiswisdom,happybyHishappiness。HereapsthebenefitofeveryDivineattribute,andloseshisowninsufficiencyinthefulnessofinfiniteperfection。
Tomakeourlivesmoreeasytous,wearecommandedtoputourtrustinHim,whoisthusabletorelieveandsuccourus;theDivinegoodnesshavingmadesuchrelianceaduty,notwithstandingweshouldhavebeenmiserablehaditbeenforbiddenus。
Amongseveralmotiveswhichmightbemadeuseoftorecommendthisdutytous,Ishallonlytakenoticeofthesethatfollow。
Thefirstandstrongestis,thatwearepromisedHewillnotfailthosewhoputtheirtrustinHim。
Butwithoutconsideringthesupernaturalblessingwhichaccompaniesthisduty,wemayobservethatithasanaturaltendencytoitsownreward,or,inotherwords,thatthisfirmtrustandconfidenceinthegreatDisposerofallthingscontributesverymuchtothegettingclearofanyaffliction,ortothebearingitmanfully。A
personwhobelieveshehashissuccourathand,andthatheactsinthesightofhisfriend,oftenexertshimselfbeyondhisabilities,anddoeswondersthatarenottobematchedbyonewhoisnotanimatedwithsuchaconfidenceofsuccess。Icouldproduceinstancesfromhistoryofgeneralswho,outofabeliefthattheywereundertheprotectionofsomeinvisibleassistant,didnotonlyencouragetheirsoldierstodotheirutmost,buthaveactedthemselvesbeyondwhattheywouldhavedonehadtheynotbeeninspiredbysuchabelief。ImightinthesamemannershowhowsuchatrustintheassistanceofanAlmightyBeingnaturallyproducespatience,hope,cheerfulness,andallotherdispositionsofthemindthatalleviatethosecalamitieswhichwearenotabletoremove。
Thepracticeofthisvirtueadministersgreatcomforttothemindofmanintimesofpovertyandaffliction,butmostofallinthehourofdeath。Whenthesoulishoveringinthelastmomentsofitsseparation,whenitisjustenteringonanotherstateofexistence,toconversewithscenes,andobjects,andcompanions,thatarealtogethernew——whatcansupportherundersuchtremblingsofthought,suchfear,suchanxiety,suchapprehensions,butthecastingofallhercaresuponHimwhofirstgaveherbeing,whohasconductedherthroughonestageofit,andwillbealwayswithher,toguideandcomfortherinherprogressthrougheternity?
DavidhasverybeautifullyrepresentedthissteadyrelianceonGodAlmightyinhistwenty-thirdPsalm,whichisakindofpastoralhymn,andfilledwiththoseallusionswhichareusualinthatkindofwriting。Asthepoetryisveryexquisite,Ishallpresentmyreaderwiththefollowingtranslationofit:
I。
TheLordmypastureshallprepare,Andfeedmewithashepherd’scare;
Hispresenceshallmywantssupply,Andguardmewithawatchfuleye;
MynoondaywalksHeshallattend,Andallmymidnighthoursdefend。
II。
WheninthesultryglebeIfaint,Oronthethirstymountainpant;
TofertilevalesanddewymeadsMyweary,wand’ringstepsHeleads;
Wherepeacefulrivers,softandslow,Amidtheverdantlandscapeflow。
III。
ThoughinthepathsofdeathItread,Withgloomyhorrorsoverspread,Mysteadfastheartshallfearnoill,Forthou,OLord,artwithmestill;
Thyfriendlycrookshallgivemeaid,Andguidemethroughthedreadfulshade。
IV。
Thoughinabareandruggedway,Throughdevious,lonelywildsIstray,Thybountyshallmypainsbeguile:
ThebarrenwildernessshallsmileWithsuddengreensandherbagecrowned,Andstreamsshallmurmurallaround。
第4章