THE INFLUENCE OF COMMERCE. Note 73. COMMERCE is civilizing. Its very germ is an acknowledgment of a diversity of powers in nature and men. The recognition of an interlocking of human interests whereby, no one being complete, each furnishes to the other. Thus it has founded and blessed a thousand cities by the sounding sea has stretched the solid pomp of dock and warehouse and mast along a hundred river sides: has guided a myriad caravans to green oases, there to rear abodes of luxurious culture. It has roused to useful industry energies else spent in war, or chase, or loitering idleness. Creating cravings for conveniences, for culture, and for luxuries, it has put in operation countless agencies to sate them; fostering and encouraging invention and skill, bearing arts and sciences everywhere. Quickening minds, brightening brains, it effects what the love of knowledge suggests. Dispelling prejudices, appeasing animosities, refining and elevating, it is the Gulf Stream of civilization; doing for progressive humanity what this mighty current does for the ocean world. The history of Italy verifies these assertions. Through the gloom of the dark ages she appears to us dismembered, torn by dissensions and petty wars among her bandit barons. Laws unknown, useful arts neglected, luxuries despised, she lay steeped in ignorance and brutality, a plaguespot upon the fairest portion of Europe. What power potent for her cure! Northward the spirit of commerce is advancing. It reaches Italy; she feels its healthful influence, rouses from her lethargy, and moves on in a new career of honor and glory. Dismembered States are reunited, wars cease, manufactures and the arts flourish, literature revives, law and order prevail. Milan and Pisa and Genoa are regal in power and splendor, and Venice be comes "A ruler of the waters and their powers." MAUREEN COSHA DHAS. 175 Commerce fosters the spirit of liberty and equality. It has ever been the companion and champion of freedom. By its influence were swept away the false distinctions, the oppression and savage slavery of the feudal system. Surrounded by plundering nobles and stupid serfs, from the marshes of Holland rose the free cities of the Hanseatic League, "whose merchants were princes, whose traffickers the honorable of the earth.” Hamburg and Lubec and their sister cities demonstrated to the world that free confederacies, the result of intelligent co-operation, ruled by merchants and defended by artisans, were stronger than castles, more powerful than armies of vassals; that none were better fitted to conduct the affairs of State than they who could well conduct the affairs of trade. The influence of commerce destroys the aristocracy of birth and rears the aristocracy of brains and consequent wealth. The history of England proves this. Encouraged by avaricious Henry VII. commerce flourished, merchants became a power in the land, and the "Commons" for the first time had a voice in the government of the kingdom. This influence is felt no less to-day than then. It is peacefully revolutionizing England. Her merchants are her lords, her lords becoming merchants. "The Duke of Norfolk deals in salt, The Douglas in red herrings: BRAINERD G. SMITH. MAUREEN COSHA DHAS. MAUREEN COSHA DHAS! Yer the purtiest lass Ever walked on shoe-leather or dhrove a boy mad : For your wee little feet And yer figure so sweet Are too much for the brain of a poor Irish lad. Maureen Cosha Dhas! When I see ye at mass, Saints above! I'm afraid that it's t'yeh I pray ; An' th' crown o' my hat, When I look into that, Has yer pretty face there, with the dimples at play. Maureen Cosha Dhas! Thin the medda ye cross, To your father's nate cabin just under the hill. Wid a woman-Bedad! we've the pattern still. Maureen Cosha Dhas! (Yer's th' sly little lass) Wid yer "Top o' th' mornin'," thin ye go on yer way, But yer purty eyes dance And yeh gives me a glance That sez, "Dinny, agra! have yeh nothin' t' say?" Maureen Cosha Dhas, I'll not let yeh pass Th' next time I meet yeh at fair or at wake; Me pace yeh destroy An that's hard on a boy That 'ud fight a whole faction and die for yer sake! Maureen Cosha Dhas, We'll sit on the grass Wid me arm roun' yer waist, and a tear in yer eye; Spake to Father Maginnis ; Shure I'd rather do that, now, nor think that ye'd die!" THE DUBLIN UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE. JOHN PROBERT'S ADVENTURE IN WALES. 177 JOHN PROBERT'S ADVENTURE IN WALES. Note 74. 66 Not long ago, Mr. John Probert, a knight-errant of the Government, whose constitution I have lately seen and read, was sent to search for revenues and adventures upon the mountains of Wales. The commission is remarkable, and the event not less so. The commission sets forth that upon a report of the deputy-auditor of the principality of Wales, it appeared that his Majesty's land revenues within said principality are greatly diminished," and "that upon a report of the surveyor-general of his Majesty's land revenues, upon a memorial of the auditor of his Majesty's revenues within the said principality, that his mines and forests have produced very little profit either to the public revenue or to individuals"; therefore, they appoint Mr. Probert, with a pension of three hundred pounds a year from the said principality, to try whether he can make anything more of that very little which is stated to be so greatly diminished. And yet you will remark that this diminution from littleness was not for want of the tender and officious care of surveyors-general and surveyors-particular, of auditors and deputy-auditors; nor for want of memorials, and remonstrances, and reports, and commissions, and constitutions, and inquisitions, and pensions. Probert, thus armed, and accoutered and paid, proceeded on his adventure: but he no sooner arrived on the confines of Wales, than all Wales was in arms to meet him. That nation is brave and full of spirit. Since the invasion of King Edward, and the massacre of the bards, there never was such a tumult and alarm and uproar through the region of Prestatyn. Snowdon shook to its base. Cader-Idris was loosened from its foundations. The fury of litigious war blew her horn on the mountains; the rocks poured down their goat-herds, and the deep caverns vomited out their miners. Everything above ground, and everything under ground, was in arms. In short, the Preux Chevalier Probert went to look for revenue, like his masters upon other occasions; and found rebellion. But we were grown cautious by experience. A civil war of paper might end in a more serious war: for now remonstrance met remonstrance, and memorial was opposed to memorial. The wise Britons thought it more reasonable that the poor, wasted, decrepit revenue of the principality should die a natural than a violent death. In truth, the attempt was no less an affront upon the understanding of that respectable people than it was an attack upon their property. They chose rather that their ancient, moss-grown castles should moulder in decay, under the silent touches of time, and the slow formality of an oblivious and drowsy exchequer, than that they should be battered down all at once by the lively efforts of a pensioned engineer. As it is true of the noble lord to whom the auspices of this campaign belonged frequently to provoke resistance, so it is his rule and nature to yield to that resistance in all cases whatsoever. He was true to himself on this occasion. He submitted with spirit to the spirited remonstrances of the Welsh, Mr. Probert gave up his adventure and keeps his pension and so ends "the famous history of the revenue adventures of the bold Baron North and the good Knight Probert upon the mountains of Venodotia." EDMUND BURKE. Note 75. DECORATION DAY. No incidents in the world's history or literature are so moving, none have exerted so humane an influence upon society as those which have revealed in their finest and deepest phases, the universal passions of love and sorrow. The literature and achievements of the intellect have operated powerfully in the creation and advancement of material civilization; but human nature has been refined, |