805

Essay on Patriotism.-Poetry.

806

nage affairs, and to keep them from pre- | Individual interest is often aimed at cipices and manifest inconveniences; under the mask of liberty, and people which, nevertheless, are far from the are deceived by appearances and outability to raise and amplify an estate ward professions: the generality opin power, means, and fortune." Now, pressed by a party, fly into the arms of power, means, and fortune," do not the opposite one, only to discover the entirely depend on the external valour deceit. of a nation. The judgment of proper occasions for war, and the regulation of the most important business, depend on the "workmen" at home.

The internal state of the kingdom is in the management of those who are concerned in its government; to enact or propose to be enacted, salutary laws; to make great exertions in order to preserve peace already established; to crush evils in the bud; to save from "precipices," and to amplify the estate in "power, means, and fortune," are the peculiar cases which fall on the shoulders of governors. It is clear, that internal prosperity in itself, is more conducive to happiness than mere outward splendour; when evil commotions disturb the state, when "much poverty and much discontentment" dwell among the people, foreign enemies will take the utmost advantage of their situation. The man then who excels in regulating the nation in these particulars, thereby contributing to the prosperity of the state, both external and internal, is worthy of praise, and richly merits the approbation of the people. One of the greatest patriot kings that ever lived, was Alfred the Great; who delivered his people out of the greatest extremity from a foreign invasion, and afterwards regulated the internal policy of the kingdom in a manner calculated to ensure the happiness of his subjects. Solon, of ancient times, is a name of which no one is ignorant. He united prudence with zeal, and thereby rendered his fame more solid in the eyes of all wise men.

His own declaration was, "he gave his countrymen not the best of all possible laws, but the best they were capable of receiving."

All have given the name of patriots to such as have come forward to assert the liberties of their country, when endangered by its rulers. Such have doubtless great claim to merit, if they would not transgress proper limits. The feelings of many who would be called patriots, are rather too much expressive of that line,—

“Rebellion is my theme all day.”

To the spirit of generosity which courts liberty, the English owe their happiness: if a shameful acquiescence in tyranny had suited the feelings of our ancestors, Magna Charta would never have been enacted and confirmed.

To conclude: Patriotism arises from a noble and natural attachment; it is that which alone forms good citizens; it is that which should be felt in the hearts of all orders of the state, from the heads of the nation, through the several gradations of men.

Poetry.

ODE

FOR THE CORONATION, 19th JULY, 1821. Recited at a Public Festival, held on that day in the town of Penzance, Cornwall; dedicated to all Loyal Subjects, and to the Inhabitants of that Town in particular.

"In those days there was no king in Israel:-
every man did that which was right in his own
eyes."-JUDGES xvii. 6.

DIRE was their fate, when Israel's hosts
Forsook their God,-when thro' their wastes

The sons of Belial prowl'd;
Each ruthless ruffian deem'd his prize
Not widow's tears, or orphan cries,
"Whate'er seem'd good in his own eyes."

Nor feeble age,

Could aught assuage
The furious ire, that reckless scowl'd,
And hurl'd around the flaming brand:

Vice unrestrain'd,
For then no king rul'd the devoted land!!
With terror reign'd,
Terrific scene!—such Gallia erst display'd,

When her fair streets but wak'd to deeds of
death:

When the fatal tocsin bell,
But echoed the demoniac yell

of furies arm'd 'gainst every form of good

Of monsters thirsting for their country's blood!
Thrice happy Britain !-in those days of woe,
That shook Europa to her utmost bound,
Thy dauntless sons defy'd th' insulting foe,
And nobly rais'd the prostrate states around.
E'en then as in the days of peace
The shepherd tun'd his reed
To mirthful strains,
On happy plains;
From terror freed;

And only heard the din of war
In rumour's tales from regions far,
And mark'd with joy his flock's increase.

SIR,-I am well aware of the adage, "De gustibus non est disputandum," And well demand what men are loth to give-and therefore I should not have trouThe mental culture of their fleeting hours :In part the great design for which they live, From which, when exercis'd, a blessing they

811

Vindication of Lord Byron's Poetry.—On Anger.

as he “traverses out of the record," in order to traduce the greatest poet of the age, silence would be criminal, as it might be mistaken for approbation.

When G. M. assures us that "the name of Byron is losing ground," hope has told him a flattering tale, but which is any thing rather than truc. If G. M. will inquire of his lordship's bookseller, Mr. Murray, he will find that the reverse of his assertion is the fact. The enormous sums paid for Lord Byron's productions, the high price at which they are sold, the eagerness with which they are bought, and the avidity and interest with which they are read, demonstrate, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that his muse is very highly estimated, and his poetry justly appreciated.

812

and he has not belied the description. His mind, like the swallow, always sweeps the ground, and

"All who view the idiot in his glory,' Conceive the Bard the hero of the story.". Should G. M. again write in favour of "This mild apostate from poetic rule, Who chimes his childish verse,'

I would remind him, that it is possible to defend a hovel, without attempting to storm a castle; while, for his consolation, I would assure him, that, though Britain

"Feels a Homer's fire in Byron's strains,"

yet that Wordsworth will be read when Homer, and Virgil, and Byron, are forgotten-but not till then.

ARISTARCHUS.

ON ANGER.

MR. EDITOR,

perial Magazine, your insertion of
them will oblige
Your obedient servant,
I. H-N.
London, August 9th, 1821.

G. M.'s comparison of Lord Byron to "the fabled phoenix, kindling the flame that will consume him," is pret-remarks on Anger suitable for the ImSIR, Should you deem the following ty; but unfortunately it has one trifling defect,—it is not true. Surely G. M. knows that a comparison is no proof; and while facts are against him, his prediction of Lord Byron's declension resembles those of Baal's prophets,made only to be frustrated, and to recoil with ignominy on the seer. Admitting, however, that a dire eclipse should overspread the nations, and a worse than Gothic darkness return, so that even a Byron should feel a temporary obscuration, his muse would then (according to G. M.'s own comparison,) resemble the phoenix; but it would be to rise from its ashes in order to be viewed with yet greater rapture, and to be hailed with still increasing delight.

For the brilliancy of Lord Byron's diction, for the corruscations of his genius, for the fire of his poetry, and occasionally for the flashes of his wit, as well as the mordacity of his sarcasm, his lordship has been justly termed by, G. M's "master spirits of the times," the greatest poet of the present age, and of almost every other; and surely it is not in the power of any petty assailant to pluck the laurels from his

brow.

G. M. tells us that "much has been said to little purpose upon Wordsworth; and certainly G. M.'s letter forms an illustration of his remark. The character of Wordsworth was, some years ago, comprehensively summed up in the following line,

The simple Wordsworth, pretty-spoken youth;'

ANGER is a passion of the most vio-
of the worst effects on the individual
lent and irregular kind, and productive
and on society. Like the other pas-
sions, when released from the control
of reason, it is fierce and impetuous,
disturbing the quiet of the soul, de-
ranging those parts which ought to
harmonize together, and introducing
into it universal disorder and confu-
sion. Although where it exists, it
does not always indicate so great a
degree of mental depravity, as those
feelings which are of a sterner and
more vindictive nature, still, by a
frequent submission to its impulses,
within. It is a common remark, that
it exerts a no less baneful influence
the passionate man, inimical as he is in
his social capacity, is still more an ene-
my to himself; for while he is inflict-
ing pain on the breasts of others, he
No one
is doubly wounding his own.
from whose mind right principles are
not entirely obliterated, can give way
to an irritable disposition, without at
the very same time feeling uneasy;
and subsequently, when the inward
tumult has subsided, and reason re-
sumes her proper position, being filled
with shame and remorse.

ductions to evil, the power of the

Besides, as is the case with all se

813

Anger.-Origin and Nature of Human Knowledge.

temptation to irritability increases, by not being at first firmly and vigorously resisted; till what appeared only in the light of an occasional infirmity, acquires all the force and frequency of a confirmed habit. The moral energies of the soul are hereby weakened, its means of resistance diminished, and accordingly, a total unfitness ensues for a proper and uniform course of action. The evils which the exhibition of this temper creates in society are exceedingly obvious. The malignity and extent of its effects will be proportioned to the rank and power of the man who is under its influence; for the place he holds in the scale of society, the more extended will be the impression arising from his example, and the greater his facilities for affording vent to his passions. The world has often groaned under the sad scenes of slaughter and desolation, occasioned by the malice as well as the ambition of the great; and the hopes and comfort of millions have been extinguished through the capricious and lawless violence of a single individual.

It would be happy for mankind, were the indulgence of this odious passion, with its train of disastrous consequences, confined to those who occupy elevated stations; but it is to be lamented, that it pervades all classes of the community. It is one of those strong marks of original corruption which characterize the whole species. The passionate man, of a middle or inferior condition, becomes, within his narrow sphere, no less tyrannical than he whose frown inspires whole multitudes with terror. His family circle, which ought to be the seat of mutual harmony and confidence, exhibits little else than trembling distrust and jarring contention; and that home, to which the eye naturally turns with the tenderest and most delightful feelings, is rendered an object repulsive and disgusting. In passing through this world, we must necessarily meet with persons and events which demand from us the exercise of patience and forbearance; and he who suffers not his tranquillity to be ruffled by petty provocations, will be most likely to meet great injuries and misfortunes with equanimity. Anger in private, as well as in public life, has often given rise to deeds at which humanity shudders, and nature recoils. When once it is permitted to gain the ascendancy

814

in the breast, it is impossible to affix a limit to its destructive operation, which, like the resistless sweep of a mountain torrent, bears away all that opposes its progress, and spreads devastation and dismay all around. This is no exaggerated picture of this unhappy temper; and although we readily admit its frequent prevalence in such as are not altogether destitute of virtuous sentiments, but, on the contrary, possess many amiable traits of character, still it must be confessed, that wherever its existence can be traced, it is of itself sufficient to throw a veil of obscurity over the fairest natural and acquired graces. Much may be done to subdue the risings "of anger, by exercising a vigorous and constant habit of self-government, and by yielding to the sober suggestions of reason. But the most powerful assistances in this point of duty, must be derived from religion. Its precept instilled into the heart, will, through divine grace, soften the asperities of human nature, and attune the whole round of conflicting passions into unity and love.

ON THE ORIGIN AND NATURE OF HU-
MAN KNOWLEDGE RESPECTING GOD
AND DIVINE THINGS.

(Continued from col. 668.)

CALVIN very justly observes, that "the
things that are seen were made to be
as a glass or image of the things that
are unseen." And the same senti-
ment has been expressed in a variety
of forms by many writers of consider-
able celebrity. The poet seems to have
had a glimpse of this truth, when he
inquired, "Say who can tell, but things
on earth, and things in heaven, are
each to other like, more than on earth
is thought?" It has, however, a high-
er origin, it fell from the pen of inspi-
ration. Romans, i. 10. is thus para-
phrased by the great and good Richard
Baxter. For though God and hea-
venly things be invisible, even his
eternal power and godhead, yet are
they to be clearly seen in the glass of
his works." And 1 Corinthians, xiii.
12. he interprets as follows:
our knowledge now in this body is by
imperfect media, as we see things in
a glass, and know by riddles, and pa-
rables, or similitudes; but then

66

"For