by we shall render him an acceptable secret enemies. But the Gospel all service. the while was guiltless of this blood. In the Introduction, it is remarked, It disclaimed and abhorred such unnathat there are few arguments against the truth and divine origin of the Christian Revelation, on which the adversaries of our faith more frequently and vehemently declaim, than that spirit of cruelty and intolerance which they contend is its distinguishing feature, and the endless massacres, wars, and persecutions, with which (they affirm) that spirit has desolated the Christian world. tural supports, which it was as far from wanting as it was from prescribing. It authorised the use of no other means of conviction but gentleness and persua sion, and if any of its disciples, by a misguided zeal, have been betrayed into violent and sanguinary measures, the blame is all their own, and it is they must answer for it, not Jesus or his religion. But this is not all: the defence of "That too many of the professors of our divine religion against the charge of our religion, have, by their intemperate cruelty, must by no means rest here. and inhuman conduct, brought re- We contend not only that it has never proach upon the Gospel, and extreme been the real source of any misery on misery upon their fellow-creatures, is, earth, but that, on the contrary, it has it must be confessed, unquestionably added most essentially to the sum of true; but it is no less true, that others human happiness; that it is not only ought to bear a large share of that in its own nature calculated to promote odium which is generally thrown ex- the peace, the welfare, and the comfort clusively on the disciples of Christ, of mankind; but that it has actually and that it is not Christianity, but hu- done so, that its beneficial effects are in man nature that is chargeable with the a greater or less degree visible throughguilt of persecution. It is beyond a out the Christian world, and that condoubt, that a large part of those bitter sidered in all the various points of view dissensions and sanguinary contests in which it presents itself to our obserwhich have been usually styled religi- vation, and in all its different bearings ous, and with the entire guilt of which on the several conditions and relations Christianity has been very unjustly of human life, it appears evidently to loaded, were altogether, or at least in a be the greatest and most substantial great measure, owing to political causes, blessing, even in its present state, that and that difference of opinion in mat- Heaven in its bounty ever conferred ters of faith, has much oftener been upon the sons of men." the ostensible, than the real, cause of Such is the introduction to this vathose calamities which have been luable performance. The author then ascribed to it. But allowing it to be proceeds to shew that the beneficent in some cases the real cause, still the spirit of Christianity has been felt in Gospel itself stands perfectly clear of marriage, parental relations, in the conall blame on that account. Whatever dition of servants, in government, both mischief persecution has done in the as to those who govern and those who world (and it has, God knows! done were governed; in war, assuaging its full enough) it was not Christ, but ferocity, and in the abolition of husome mistaken followers of Christ, man sacrifices. These topics take up that brought this sword upon earth, two sections, and the third is employed and it would be as injurious to ascribe to shew that Christianity hath thus to Christianity the false opinions, and meliorated the human species, and augwrong practices of its disciples, how- mented the happiness of mankind. A ever pernicious, as to impute to the variety of quotations from ancient and physician the fatal mistakes of those who modern writers are introduced, with administered his medicines. The very the view of confirming his positions, best laws are liable to be misinterpreted and of putting them beyond the power and perverted. It was the fate of the of controversy. These form an apevangelical law to be so. Its spirit was pendix, and are highly acceptable on so misunderstood, and its precepts misap-. very interesting a subject. plied by some of its avowed friends, Besides the publications already menand its authority made use of as a tioned, this laborious prelate has printed cloak for ambition, resentment, cru- various Charges to his Clergy, all of elty, and oppression, by some of its which have for their object either the dis body? charge of their duty or the best means of My body!' replied the artesting the progress of Infidelity. As Englishman; what do you mean? the subject of our memoir is living, we Vel den, only so far!' marking must be excused from the delineation about six inches.'- Are you mad? of his character; and our readers will returned the other, I tell you, if therefore expect no apology for its omis- you don't go about your business, sion. His writings, however, suth-I'll knock you down. Vel den,' ciently speak for themselves, and to said the Frenchman, softening his them we have on this account con- voice and manner, Vil you, my good fined ourselves in the present narrative. Sire, only be so obliging as to pay We are persuaded that the venerable me for the trouble and expense of dignitary himself will join with us in heating this poker?" thinking that the minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ derives his truest ho nours-not from the mitre which encircles his temples, nor indeed from any exterior decorations which this world can bestow, but from his teaching the doctrines, his inculcating the precepts, and his recommending the spirit of our common Christianity. Islington. ANECDOTE OF DR. FRANKLIN. E. Holborn Hill, To the Editor of the Universal Mag. SIR, I Shall be obliged to any of your numerous readers if they will refer me to some case on record, where a medical person has been prosecuted, or had an action brought against him for having either wilfully or ignorantly administered a medicine, or performed an operation by which his patient was injured? If I mistake not, there was a circumstance of this sort occurred, where the person (a magistrate of celebrity) lost the use of his eyes. I also wish to know, what punishment a man is liable to, who, for the sake of experiment, tries some new practice, altenaed with danger, and the patient dies. Quere, would he be guilty of murder or manslaughter? London, AN INQUIRER. July 9, 1806. SIR W. JONES AND MILTON. To the Editor of the Universal Mag. SIR, ON looking over Sir W. Jones's "Poeseos Asiatica Commentariorum," in the 4to. edition of his works, vol. ii, p. 442, I perceive he has quoted a passage from Milton, which he has translated into Latin as fol lows: After the news of the destruction of the stamped papers had arrived in England, the ministry again sent for the Doctor to consult with him, and in conclusion, offered this proposal"That if the Americans would enUt duros mille labores gage to pay for the damage done in Pertulerit: tu rubigenas, invicte, &c. the destruction of the stamped papers, &c. &c. the parliament would then I shall be much obliged to any of repeal the act." The doctor, having your correspondents if they would paused some time upon this question, have the goodness to point out, through at last answered, "This puts me in the channel of your widely circulated mind of a Frenchman, who, having and interesting Magazine, the passage heated a poker red-hot, ran furiously of Milton, which Sir W. Jones has into the street, and addressing the first quoted as above. Englishman he met there Hah! By your early insertion of this reMonsieur, voulez vous give me de quest, you will confer a favour on plaisier de satisfaction to let me run A CONSTANT READER. tis poker only one foot into your July 6, 1806. OF ELOQUENCE. Their leader proposed an escape, and undertakes to conduct it. In endea vouring to gain their coincidence, he represents in a plain and simple manner, the difficulties which they have to encounter, and the probability of success in the attempt. This un THE propriety of encouraging eloquence in a civilized state, has frequently been doubted; and, indeed, it appears that the benefits derived even from a proper application of its power, are preponderated by the evils which adorned address fails in inducing it is calculated to produce. Its domi- them to front the dangers attendant nion where freedom has displayed on the scheme; another arises to perber banners, and its exclusion from suade them of the practicability of the seats of slavery and despotism, the plan. He paints in such strains are become proverbial. History will of animated eloquence the beauties teach us that its origin is not to be of liberty, and the horrors of bondclaimed from temperate manners, re- age, that they cry out they will follow gular laws, settled plans of policy and him, and procure freedom, however legislation; but that anarchy and li- dear it may be purchased; they comcentiousness are to be hailed as its mence their march while their pas parents. Were we to calculate its sions are raging; obstacles present advantages from our view of its con- themselves; they retreat to their sequences presented by the monu- dungeon, and evince the want of that ments of antiquity, we should not perseverance which arises from a hesitate to pronounce, with the illus- conviction of the understanding. trious Athenian court, that eloquence It has been said, that the disputes is inefficient in the production of vir- upon this question, depend upon the tue, better adapted to deceive and definition which may be given of inflame the passions, than to en- eloquence. In all writers of emilighten the understanding, and con- nence, we find that eloquence is to vince the mind. Like the superflu- persuade, not to convince the underous, the luxurious viands, of the fes- standing. It may, perhaps, be the tive board, it may allure: but, like the best mode to persuade, by first them, it will enerve the body and in- effecting conviction; but whence toxicate the brain. What were the then all those figures detailed in sys* benefits that resulted from the ora- tems of oratory Why those feigned tors of ancient times? What was ef- expressions of sorrow which produce fected by those thunderbolts of elo- hypocrisy? Why those rules and quence which were hurled from the arts to maintain an improper cause? tribunes of Demosthenes? Did they The ends of conviction may be atregenerate the expiring energy of tained by conversation, but the lanAthens-or rather did not the orator guages of conversation and eloquence himself become a victim to the more are widely different. Thus persuaefficacious powers, to the more delu- sive language, as it is termed, exersive eloquence of an Æschines? Ci- cises the most unwarrantable and cero could not expel a Cæsar. The despotic usurpation over the human sensations excited by the sublime pa- race; it is the endeavour of an indivithos of tragedy, though strong, are dual to cloud instead of enlighten only transient; so also are the im- the understanding of his fellow-creapressions of eloquence. They may ture. He wishes to impose upon animate the passions, but cannot era- him what he does not himself bedicate vice. For a moment they may lieve. Instead of following the prin agitate the breast, call forth the tear of sympathy, and excite the impulse of indignation; but at the approach of manly argument they will subside, they will disappear like the dews of the morning opposed to the first rays of the sun. Rousseau, in his Emilius, relates a story of a band of soldiers who were taken prisoners and confined. UNIVERSAL MAG. VOL, VI. ciples of rigid justice in stating with impartiality his sentiments, and placing those around him in an equal situation, he triumphs over the weakness and misfortunes of humanity, renders more bitter the cup of ignorance, and assumes a despicable and selfish principle of living for himself alone. It is, indeed, fortunate for mankind, that there are but few rivals B 3 of Cicero or Demosthenes. The Battersea, Fulham, Hammersmith, inequality which they would produce Wandsworth, &c. &c. met together at in society would not be the endless the end of Piccadilly, each a knapsack variety of talent, or the superiority of at her back, containing her stock for the true ratiocinative powers, but the approaching winter. After taking an triumph of artful vice over the sim- affectionate leave of their friends, who plicity of virtue. The evil affects accompanied them so far, they dividnot the auditor alone, but even the ed into two parties: those for South orator himself partakes of the infec- Wales, pursued their route towards tion. To accomplish the end in view Kensington; while those bound for by the precepts of eloquence, it will North Wales struck up Park-lane, be necessary to assume a hypocritical then took the road towards Bayswagarb; to mould the external features ter, to the places of their nativity. with the nicest art of dissimulation, to accommodate them to all the innumerable tones of varied passion. They are seldom more than five days on their journey home! On quitting their friends, they all began singing a Welch song, nor ceased till they had entirely lost sight of each other. OBSERVATOR. PARALLEL BETWEEN ALEXANDER "What a piece of work is man! PARALLEL BETWEEN ALEXANDER OF MACEDON AND JULIUS CESAR. Is it possible that we can entirely divest ourselves of this cloak of insincerity even when absent from the tribune? If we indulge in a vice under the idea of obtaining a good, our future morality is reduced to an uncertainty; ever afterwards we shall not scruple to indulge in whatever passion may require. It is obvious that the maxim of doing ill that good may ensue, will break down the barriers of virtue, and throw open the portals to extreme depravity. The hypocritical character will remain although the limited period for its toleration may have expired. Of such IN order to make a just comparison susceptibility is the human mind pos- between the life of Alexander the sessed, that a train of argument, if Great and that of Julius Cæsar, I shall properly enforced, would produce an take a cursory view of some of their effect superior to that of the su- most eminent actions, as they occur, blimest strains of eloquence; and with this considerable advantage, that the one would be calm and permanent, the other temporary and violent. It may be said, shall we not trust a sword to a human being because it is capacitated to injure? is it not necessary for self-defence? I grant it; but first it may be necessary to consider, whether there be not some other mode of repelling violence. It can not surely be necessary to multiply the instruments of destruction. D. ROWLAND. that I may the better be enabled to perceive in what they resemble each other, and in what they differ. The first remarkable circumstance happened when Alexander was a boy : he was asked whether he would run at the Olympic Games?' he replied "Yes, were he to have kings to run with." This expressión certainly shewed his greatness of mind, mixed with a great degree of haughty dignity; however, allowances must be made for his youth, or the influence of adulation on so young a heart. The questions which he put to the Persian Ambassadors are wonderful; they neither betrayed any thing childish or trifling, but more evident marks of a warm genius and cultivated judgOn the 6th of October, 1803, up- ment-a judgment scarcely to have wards of 100 Welch girls, who re- been expected from one twice his gularly migrate to this part of the age. His conquering the fiery spirit empire in the spring, to seek em- of Bucephalus, is an astonishing mark ployment in the garden-grounds of of the quickness of his penetration;. WELCH MARKET GIRLS. THE following account of these young women may not be uninteresting at the present season of the year. observing the temper of the horse ceeded to the Granicus, where he was from the struggles he made when at- advised by Hephestion not to attempt tempted to be mounted by any of the to pass the river, or pursue his warcourtiers, he soon discovered that his like intentions that year, as it was generous disposition was not to be already so late in the season, being a subdued by stripes; gentleness and thing unusual for the Macedonian a proper attention to the situation in Kings to march with their armies in which be placed him, would in some the month of June. Alexander de-. degree abate the proud resistance of sired them to think it a second May,. the horse-the experiment answered and said, "He should disgrace the his hopes-and he conquered him. Hellespont, should he fear the Grani-. His knowledge and judgment on all cus!" Upon which words he plunged subjects must have been admirable; into the river, followed by 10 troops. for we find him, at sixteen years of age, of horse; but the current being very. the regent of Macedonia. During rapid, it was with great difficulty and the time his father was absent against exertion that he reached the opposite the Byzantines, he was even entrusted shore. with the care of the great seal, which This action displayed in the most. fully demonstrates the great confi- glowing colours his heroism and dence Philip placed in his justice and strong enthusiasm of glory, a fire, genius for government. At the age which spread to the very lowest of of twenty he succeeded to a throne en- the soldiery, who seeing their king vironed with myriads of enemies, and and general the very first to brave before he was thirty, he hushed them in the fury of the torrent, would, had it. silence, and gained all the known been seven times as strong, have folworld to his dominions. The anec- lowed him to death or victory. He dote which is related of Alexander, in well knew that nothing endears a regard to his behaviour to Timocles general more to his soldiers than at the siege of Thebes, is a striking springing into the first ranks of daninstance of the generosity of his dis- ger and fatigue, and sharing with: position. Though it was a small re- them in every hardship and peril. compense for the many agonies he In the sickness which afflicted; suffered, he was, most undoubtedly, Alexander in Cilicia, when Philip of too cruel in the taking of that city, Arcania gave him a potion which was but the reason assigned for such con- said to be poisoned, he displayed a duct, to a politician, has some weight: mind truly magnanimous. He preThat its fate might terrify the remain- sented the physician with the accusder of Greece into subjection. He ing letter, and took the draught at often repented of his severities to- the same instant. Had it really been wards the Thebans; a repentance, as it was reported, his noble confiwhich either bred or awoke the spirit dence in the faithfulness of friendof mercy in his heart-for all other ship, at that moment, would have deconquered cities, he treated as became served the tears of the whole world, the soul of a generous soldier. To at the undeserved death of the nomake his remorse for the sanguinary blest, the bravest, and most generous fate of Thebes appear more sincere, of heroes that ever graced the page it was observed, that whenever a of history or the book of life. The Theban who had survived the vic- kind treatment which the family of tory desired of him any favour, he Darius received from him, after the granted it with the most evident battle of the Straits in Syria, does marks of pleasure. He entered on high honour to the sensibility of his the Persian war with an army only heart, and the respect which his noble consisting of 38,000 men, which was mind paid to ruined majesty. He in my opinion a very inconsiderable ordered them to be honoured as number for the magnitude of the en- princes, not as prisoners. Few conterprize this,we may discover, in querors would have behaved like him, such apparent rashness, that his per- when so many beautiful sonal courage was equal to his ambi- were in their possession. He then tion. After crossing the Hellespont put in practice the precepts which he with this body of men, he then pro- had learnt from his instructor Aris women |