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fathers encountered. For these we ought to make large allowances. What have we ever known, like the colonial vassalage of these states? When did we or our ancestors feel, like them, the weight of a political despotism that 5 presses men to the earth, or of that religious intolerance which would shut up heaven to all but the bigoted? Sir, we sprung from another stock. We belong to another race. We have known nothing,—we have felt nothing,of the political despotism of Spain, nor of the heat of her 10 fires of intolerance.

No rational man expects that the south can run the same rapid career as the north; or that an insurgent province of Spain is in the same condition as the English colonies, when they first asserted their independence. There is, 15 doubtless, much more to be done in the first, than in the last case. But, on that account, the honor of the attempt is not less; and if all difficulties shall be in time surmounted, it will be greater. The work may be more arduous; it is not less noble, because there may be more of 20 ignorance to enlighten,-more of bigotry to subdue,-more of prejudice to eradicate.

If it be a weakness to feel a strong interest in the success of these great revolutions, I confess myself guilty of that weakness. If it be weak, to feel that I am an Ameri25 can, to think that recent events have not only opened new modes of intercourse, but have created also new grounds of regard and sympathy between ourselves and our neighbors; if it be weak to feel that the south, in her present state, is somewhat more emphatically a part of America, 30 than when she lay obscure, oppressed and unknown, under the grinding bondage of a foreign power; if it be weak to rejoice, when, even in any corner of the earth, human beings are able to get up from beneath oppression, to erect themselves, and to enjoy the proper happiness of their in35 telligent nature;-if this be weak, it is a weakness from which I claim no exemption.

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A day of solemn retribution now visits the once proud
monarchy of Spain. The prediction is fulfilled. The
spirit of Montezuma, and of the Incas, might now well say,
"Art thou, too, fallen, Iberia? Do we see
The robber and the murderer weak as we?
Thou! that hast wasted earth, and dared despise
Alike the wrath and mercy of the skies,-

Thy pomp is in the grave; thy glory laid
Low in the pit thine avarice has made "

LESSON CCI.-EXCELLENCE OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

Beattie.

Is it bigotry to believe the sublime truths of the ospel, with full assurance of faith? I glory in such bigotry. 1 would not part with it for a thousand worlds. I congratulate the man who is possessed of it: for, amidst all the 5 vicissitudes and calamities of the present state, that man enjoys an inexhaustible fund of consolation, of which it is not in the power of fortune to deprive him.

There is not a book on earth, so favorable to all the kind, and all the sublime affections; or so unfriendly to hatred 10 and persecution, to tyranny, to injustice, and every sort of malevolence, as the Gospel. It breathes nothing throughout, but mercy, benevolence, and peace.

Poetry is sublime, when it awakens in the mind any great and good affection, as piety or patriotism. This is 15 one of the noblest effects of the art. The Psalms are remarkable, beyond all other writings, for their power of inspiring devout emotions. But it is not in this respect only, that they are sublime. Of the divine nature, they contain the most magnificent descriptions, that the soul of 20 man can comprehend. The hundred and fourth Psalm, in particular, displays the power and goodness of Providence, in creating and preserving the world, and the various tribes of animals in it, with such majestic brevity and beauty, as it is vain to look for in any human composition.

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Such of the doctrines of the Gospel, as are level to human capacity, appear to be agreeable to the purest truth, and the soundest morality. All the genius and learning of the heathen world, all the penetration of Pythagoras, Socrates, and Aristotle, had never been able to produce 30 such a system of moral duty, and so rational an account of Providence and of man, as are to be found in the New Testament. Compared, indeed, with this, all other moral and theological wisdom

Loses, discountenanced, and like folly shows.

LESSON CCII.-SPEECH OF MR. GRIFFIN AGAINST CHEETHAM.

I am one of those who believe, that the heart of the wilful and the deliberate libeller, is blacker than that of the highway robber, or of one who commits the crime of midnight arson The man who plunders on the highway, may 5 have the semblance of an apology for what he does. An

affectionate wife may demand subsistence; a circle of helpless children raise to him the supplicating hand for food. He may be driven to the desperate act, by the high mandate of imperative necessity. The mild features of 5 the husband and the father, may intermingle with those of the robber, and soften the roughness of the shade. But the robber of character plunders that which "not enricheth him," though it makes his neighbor "poor indeed."

The man who, at the midnight hour, consumes his neigh10 bor's dwelling, does him an injury which perhaps is not irreparable. Industry may rear another habitation. The storm may indeed descend upon him, until charity opens a neighboring door: the rude winds of heaven may whistle around his uncovered family. But he looks forward to 15 better days; he has yet a hook to hang a hope on.

No such consolation cheers the heart of him whose character has been torn from him. If innocent, he may look, like Anaxagoras, to the heavens; but he must be constrained to feel, that this world is to him a wilderness. For whith20 er shall he go? Shall he dedicate himself to the service of his country? But will his country receive him? Will she employ in her councils, or in her armies, the man at whom the "slow, unmoving finger of scorn" is pointed? Shall he betake himself to the fire-side? The story of his 25 disgrace will enter his own doors before him. And can he bear, think you, can he bear the sympathizing agonies of a distressed wife? Can he endure the formidable presence of scrutinizing, sneering domestics? Will his children receive instruction from the lips of a disgraced father? Gentlemen, I am not ranging on fairy ground. I am telling the plain story of my client's wrongs. By the ruthless hand of malice, his character has been wantonly massacred; and he now appears before a jury of his country for redress. Will you deny him this redress? 35 Is character valuable? On this point I will not insult you with argument. There are certain things, to argue which is treason against nature. The Author of our being did not intend to leave this point afloat at the mercy of opinion; but, with his own hand, has he kindly planted in 40 the soul of man an instinctive love of character.

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This high sentiment has no affinity to pride. It is the ennobling quality of the soul: and if we have hitherto been elevated above the ranks of surrounding creation, human nature owes its elevation to the love of character. It is the

love of character for which the poet has sung, the philosopher toiled, the hero bled. It is the love of character which wrought miracles at ancient Greece; the love of character is the eagle on which Rome rose to empire. 5 And it is the love of character animating the bosom of her sons, on which America must depend in those approaching crises that may "try men's souls." Will a jury weaken this our nation's hope? Will they by their verdict pronounce to the youth of our country, that character is scarce 10 worth possessing?

We read of that philosophy which can smile over the destruction of property,—of that religion which enables its possessor to extend the benign look of forgiveness and complacency, to his murderers. But it is not in the soul of 15 man to bear the laceration of slander. The philosophy which could bear it, we should despise. The religion which could bear it, we should not despise, but we should be constrained to say, that its kingdom was not of this world.

LESSON CCIII.-SIR ANTHONY ABSOLUTE AND CAPTAIN ABSO

LUTE.-Sheridan.

Capt. A. Sir Anthony, I am delighted to see you here, and looking so well! Your sudden arrival at Bath made me apprehensive for your health.

Sir A. Very apprehensive, I dare say, Jack. What, 5 you are recruiting here, hey?

Capt. A. Yes, sir, I am on duty.

Sir A. Well, Jack, I am glad to see you, though I did not expect it; for I was going to write to you on a little matter of business. Jack, I have been considering that I 10 grow old and infirm, and shall probably not be with you long.

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Capt. A. Pardon me, sir, I never saw you look more strong and hearty; and I pray fervently that you may continue so.

Sir A. I hope your prayers may be heard, with all my heart. Well then, Jack, I have been considering that I am so strong and hearty, I may continue to plague you a long time. Now, Jack, I am sensible that the income of your commission, and what I have hitherto allowed 20 you, is but a small pittance for a lad of your spirit.

Capt. A. Sir, you are very good.

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Sir A. And it is my wish, while yet I live, to have my boy make some figure in the world. I have resolved, therefore, to fix you at once in a noble independence.

Capt. A. Sir, your kindness overpowers me. Yet, sir, I presume you would not wish me to quit the army? Sir A. Oh! that shall be as your wife chooses. Capt. A. My wife, sir!

Sir A. Ay, ay, settle that between you; settle that 10 between you.

Capt. A. A wife, sir, did you say ?

Sir A. Ay, a wife: why, did not I mention her before?
Capt. A. Not a word of her, sir.

Sir A. Yes, Jack, the independence I was talking of

15 is by a marriage; the fortune is saddled with a wife; but suppose that makes no difference?

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Capt. A. Sir, sir, you amaze me!

Sir A. What's the matter with the fool?-just now you were all gratitude and duty.

Capt. A. I was, sir; you talked to me of independence and a fortune, but not one word of a wife.

Sir A. Why, what difference does that make? Sir, if you have the estate, you must take it with the live stock on it, as it stands.

Capt. A. Pray, sir, who is the lady?

Sir A. What's that to you, sir? Come, give me your promise to love, and to marry her directly.

mon my

Capt. A. Sure, sir, that's not very reasonable, to sumaffections for a lady I know nothing of! Sir A. I am sure, sir, 't is more unreasonable in you, to object to a lady you know nothing of,

Capt. A. You must excuse me, sir, if I tell you, once for all, that in this point I can not obey you.

Sir A. Hark ye, Jack; I have heard you for some 35 time with patience,-I have been cool,-quite cool: but take care; you know I am compliance itself, when I am not thwarted; no one more easily led, when I have my own way; but don't put me in a frenzy.

Capt. A. Sir, I must repeat it; in this I can not obey 40 you.

Sir A. Now, hang me, if ever I call you Jack again, while I live!

Capt. A. Nay, sir, but hear me.

Sir A. Sir, I won't hear a word, not a word! not one

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