18] Bowles's Dispassionate Inquiry into the best Means of National Safety. [514 A Dispassionate Inquiry into the best THIS pamphlet was written immediately after the Austrian Emperor had received from Bonaparte that humiliation, which history will record with trepidation, to the surprise of future generations. Late intelligence from the continent, induces us to infer, that the advice it contains will be thought no less applicable to the present moment, than it was to that when the author wrote. It appears to us to contain matter enough for half a dozen pamphlets and had some of the subjects it discusses been treated separately, the design of the author might have been, in all probability, more effectually answered. Mr. B. is a gentleman whose patriotism is so well known, together with his vigour in discussing those subjects on which he has hitherto engaged the public attention, that to attempt to characterize his style and manner, is superfluous: we may, however, be permitted to hint, that it is ill described by the word " Dispassionate," and that the word " would have suited it better. earnest We agree with our author that religion is the basis of morality, and morality the basis of national prosperity: that when France banished religion, it became a hell upon earth, and might have served as a specimen of the infernal regions, had it, like them, possessed in itself that perpetuity which Makes a hell of hell, a heaven of heaven. We agree too, that, the French nobility first lost their character, and then themselves that they were too frivolous, too sensual, too immoral, to deliver themselves, or to promote deliverance if offered by others they had no vigour of mind, by which to direct the fate of their country, or its king: no fixed principles to which they might bring, as to a test, the insidious propositions of those execrable wretches who scrupled neither delusion nor violence, in unexampled degrees, provided they could carry into execution counsels whose primary object was blood, and whose last bankering was after destruction. VOL. I. [Lit. Pan, Dec. 1806.] We agree, moreover, that a public reformation of manners among us is, "A consummation devoutly to be wished; that every indecency of a public nature is attended with disgrace and danger; and that the duty of authority is expressly, and explicitly, to prohibit whatever is of fensive; to take care that the commonwealth receive no injury," whether from lurking brutes in human shape, who would prey on its vitals, or from foreign enemies, whose open hostility is attended with effects incomparably less detrimental. In many other particulars also, undoubtedly we agree with our author; but we shall confine our considerations to those which appear to us most proper to be at this juncture of time enforced on the public. The first, (and we think Mr. B. should have placed it first) is the reference of events to the SUPREME POWER; which is surprised by no sudden turn of circumstances, nor suffers any human sagacity to thwart that wisdom which ruleth over all. Mr. B. observes that, the events which, during the last fifteen years, have crouded the history of the European world, are of so astonishing a nature, of so awful a magnitude, and of so portentous an aspect; their accomplish ment has so completely violated all probability, and baffled all calculation; they are, in short, of human affairs: that the reflecting mind is so remote from the ordinary and natural course utterly at a loss to account for them on any other supposition, than that they have been brought about by the special and extraordinary interposition of the Almighty Ruler of the universe. That He who created all things by the word of His power, can make them conduce to the purposes of His will, is will dispute. That this Almighty Being, a proposition which no one, it is presumed, besides exerting a constantly over-ruling influence, whereby he renders even the pas sions and the crimes of men subservient to His great designs, does sometimes interfere, in a special and extraordinary manner, and by a more direct, though, for the time, an invisible agency, in the affairs of the world, is a truth which cannot be controverted. If the tremendous convulsions by which See this truth admirably illustrated in Mrs. More's excellent work, entitled, Hints towards forming the Character of a young Princess; chapters 38 and 39. S 5151 Boules's Dispassionate Inquiry into the best Means of National Safety. [516 Europe has been so long agitated, be, as 66 can anticipate no secure termination of the contest: but unless we resolutely maintain that contest until it be securely terminated; until a state of peace, instead of being attended with an increase of danger, will be less perilous than a state of war; until, in short, far brighter prospects open upon us; desolation, such as has not been hitherto known, at least in modern times, must be our lot. In such a situation, the danger to which we are most exposed, is that of being, at length, wearied out and disheartened, on finding, year after year, that notwithstanding all our exertions, and all our successes, we cannot catch any distinct views, however distant, of a state of national repose and safety. On this subject I have already, on another occasion, presumed to warn my countrymen; and the case will justify a repetition of the warning, that, unless it shall please providence to give a great and sudden turn to public affairs, other virtues must be called into exercise, besides those which are now admirably displayed by this country. If we would ultimately preserve our native land from slavery; if, looking beyond the dangers of the moment, we would secure that national independence, for which the British people, like one man, have rushed into the field to meet the insulting foe; if we would place our wives and children beyond the reach of horrors, the very contemplation of which freezes our blood, but against which our drawn swords are now their only protection; if, in short, we would bequeath to our descendants any other portion than the most degrading subjection, and the most bitter wretchedness; to that patriotic spirit, to that martial ardour, which will render the history of the present moment one of the most brilliant in the records of this country, we must take care to superadd the less splendid, but not less indispensable, virtues, of patience, perseverance, and fortitude. We must not suffer ourselves to be Instead, therefore, of attributing our escape from the calamities which have befallen other nations, to any distinguishing merits of our own, let us rather consider those cala-wearied out by any length of contest; we mities as a merciful warning to us. p. p. Another consideration is, the duty of exercising our fortitude. Many persons can stand an onset well but not all can exert endurance to the end. On this subject Mr. B. thus expresses himself. There is yet another danger against which we must be on our guard, and from which, unless we meet it with extraordinary resolution, we have much more to apprehend than from either premature pacification, or actual invasion. The present is, indeed, a day of trial, of severer trial, whether we consider its probable duration, or the dark clouds with which it is overspread, than this country has ever experienced. We can as yet discover no end of our difficulties-we must not be disheartened by any failure of efforts; we must not be induced, by any temporary or partial success, to relax our after so long an enjoyment of prosperity, exertions for permanent security; and what, may be more difficult than all the rest, we must resolve cheerfully to submit to whatever privations so severe a struggle for all that is dear to us may render necessary. We must, in short, obtain that firmness and self-command, which alone can enable us to encounter those difficulties, and to endure those disappointments, which it may be our lot to experience, before we can again enjoy the sweets of repose *." A view of the moral state of society at the close of the 18th century. There is one quality in particular, the cultivation of which is of such importance in a contest like the present, that it ought not to be passed over without distinct notice. I mean a disposition to internal harmony, concord, and co-operation. We should cherish every disposition, feeling and habit, which are favourable to their growth and vigour; remembering that whatever is adverse to their improvement tends to endanger the security of all that is dear and valuable in social life. We confess these ideas are rather gloomy: present trouble, future trouble, perpetual trouble! our author does not prophesy smooth things," however: yet we indulge a hope, that he, as well as ourselves, will live to see some of those dark clouds dispersed, on which he now bends his anxious eye, and in which his imagination discovers the violence of fu ture hurricanes, the widely spreading devastations of irresistible tornadoes! A third particular in which we agree with Mr. B., is, a strong conviction of the power of good example; and this remedy for our moral diseases is of a nature so pleasant, and adapted to counteract evils so numerous, that we recommend it without the smallest hesitation. Like Shakespeare's Mercy, -It is twice blessed; It blesses him that gives, and him that takes, and no man ever did good to any other person by this means, without doing abundantly more to himself. narily attentive to his deportment? It ought not to satisfy him that his conduct is correct, that it is free from every thing which can have an injurious tendency; he ought to endea your, to the utmost of his power, to render it exemplary, that it may have the effect of alluring others to the practice of every religious and moral duty. But, for that purpose, he must be careful not to forget that, without humility and meekness, the brightest examples, though they excite admiration, will ever fail to produce imitation. These virtue, without which, besides being altoqualities are, indeed, the very key-stone of gether defective as a model, it must also be devoid of strength and stability; insomuch that the good, when destitute of such qualities, (if, indeed, goodness can exist without them) not only lose all their influence upon the bad, but are destitute of coherence and harmony among themselves; nay, they sequently, incapable of mutual co-operation are even repulsive to one another, and, conin the cause which, individually, they endeavour to serve. We admit, also, without reserve, the right of admonition in those who can ap peal with decorous modesty, to their own deportment: and when benevolence has counsels, we believe, the heart is most condescended to precede exhortations and open to receive them with attention, we might justly say, with affection. Yes, sir, much good has been done, much is still doing, by the kindness of superiors to inferiors, throughout this kingdom; displayed, not in ostentation, nor even in broad day-light, but with a privacy which eludes observation, with a gentleness which descends as silently as the fleecy snow from heaven, with a chearfulness which exhilarates the giver no less than the receiver, with a disinterestedness which awaits its reward when the last echo of The most general and obvious of those means, is the powerfully attractive force of good example, which has an invariable tendency to excite men to the love and practice of virtue. The desire of happiness, which is the universal principle of action in the human breast, impels mankind to esteem those who evidently contribute to the general felicity. human applause shall have ceased its vi Now the connection between virtue and hap-bration-But, it shall be rewarded: in piness is so manifest, and the former tends so directly and so invariably to promote the latter, both in individuals and communities, that none but the most abandoned can withhold their admiration from the truly virtuous character; while the captivating model displayed by such a character is wonderfully calculated, by means of the fascinating charm of imitation, not only to reclaim the vicious, but also to animate and assist the virtuous in their struggles with temptation. If such be the beneficial tendency of good example, what imperious motives are suggested by the present awful state of the world, to induce every one, who considers himself enlisted in the cause of virtue, to be more than ordi what manner, we leave to the gracious disposer of all events; and we appeal to our highly favoured Britain in proof that hitherto our security has kept pace with our benevolence, private and national. The Alexandriad. Being an humble attempt to enumerate in rhyme some of those acts which distinguish the reign of the Emperor Alexander. Royal 4to. pp. 24. Price 2s. 6d. Westley, London, 1805. A poem in praise of a crowned head will always be liable to suspicion of flat tery: even truth itself, wears somewhat | As when the sun first bursting into light, While thus the son, by gentle nature mov'd, The first acts of Alexander's reign realised the expectations of the world, and exhibited the benevolence of his nature in the most impressive manner. His accession to the throne was announced early on the 12th March, 1801. On the day following, he went to the senate, and re Now through the dungeon's gloomy sorrow breaks; tyranny and injustice he gave liberty to the state + Alexander has invited men of genius from afforded them the most liberal protection. every country to settle in his dominions, and ↑ Vide Panorama, p. 414, 415. His Majesty has revived the university of Wilna, and has granted 105,000 roubles in silver annually for its support. Mélanges de Physiologie, de Physique et A strange production this, which Icaves far behind it, the labours of all former physiologists! The ingenious researches of those gentlemen on the human frame, went no farther, than to ascertain the nature and functions of our organs, the causes and effects of their irritability and sensibility, and the reciprocal influence they exert on each other, and on the general system in the same individual. But our author scorns such contracted limits, and sturdily maintains, that by the sympathetic connexion which exists between the corresponding organs of different individuals, we may, actually, be affected with every sensation of another, even at a great distance, and in spite of our reluctance to submit to it. He then proceeds to apply his doctrine to each particular organ. He affirins, for instance, that by steadfastly fixing an object, he has made it visible to people far away from it, and completely out of sight of it. The sense of smelling, and that of tasting may likewise, we learn, be gratified by proxy; although the person who is to feast on the second-hand sensation, is himself beyond the reach of the effluvia. Our author insists that this is no fiction, as some ignorant people grossly and arrogantly affirm; however he restricts the distance of sympathetic enjoyment to 300 feet: but then, his only indispensible requisite is, intensity of thought, and profound meditation on the subject to be enjoyed. He observes, very judiciously, that men of letters possess this requisite in perfection; and chears us with the prospect of our participation in a Guildhall dinner, notwithstanding the formidable battalions of porters and beadles, which blockade the avenues. Perhaps, as M Claude Roucher de Ratte did not write for Englishmen, he had in idea the savoury haut goût which emanates from certain French dishes of extensive celebrity: and these we confess we give him leave ex animo to station immoveably at the most extreme distance admitted by his hypothesis, or to double the interval, if he please: but, if the question concern good roast beef, we beg leave to acquaint him that our blunt feelings can never be brought to enjoy the distant flavour, no, nor gratification by proxy, nor second-hand festivity. Nothing but an absolute approximation and relish will satisfy the characteristic cravings of a Brifeet! No, Sir, one hundredth part of the tish appetite. A sirloin distant 300 distance is a misery: and we confidently make our appeal to the approaching festienjoy repeated opportunities of resolving vities of Christmas, when our readers will this question by experiment. Q. E. D. He proceeds afterwards to unfold a still more marvellous discovery; of which we have seen only the forerunners, and which is to carry his name to the most distant climes and generations. We shall give it in his own words: thoughts of another person, and transmit "I have discovered that we may know the without any motion of the lips, without our own, without the assistance of words, any signs, and without seeing one another. "When we want to know a truth, which we suspect is carefully concealed from us, we have only to press with our fingers the cartilaginous part of the first false ribs, near the heart, towards the sternum, and then, put a categorical question to the person from whom we expect information, at the distance requisite in all sympa. thetic phenomena (from 30 to 300 feet). It is not necessary that the question should be expressed by word of mouth; the thought alone mentally uttered is sufficient. Nor is it necessary that the two persons should see each other. fulfilled, the person who is thus interpel"If the requisite conditions have been led, will, if the conjecture be right, experience in the region of the heart, a kind of pricking, like the stinging of ants, which, by a sympathetic affection, will be transmitted to the other. In the contrary case neither will feel any thing!" This wonderful discovery is indeed liable to some inconveniencies; the more so, as our author assures us, for which we give him credit, that it is within the reach of any old woman; and requires only at tention, a little practice, and a proportionable quantum of faith. We may, for instance, in spite of ourselves, have the ideas of others insensibly inoculated into |