Now, sir, for what does that celebrated pamphlet, " War in Disguise," which is said to have been written under the eye of the British prime minister, contend, but this "principle of necessity?" And this ground is abandoned by this pamphleteer at the very threshold of the discussion. But, as if this were not enough, he goes on to assign as a reason for not referring to the authority of the ancients, that "the great change which has taken place in the state of manners, in the maxims of war, and in the course of commerce, make it pretty certain" (what degree of certainty is this?) "that either nothing will be found relating to the question, or nothing sufficiently applicable to deserv attention in deciding it." Here, sir, as an apology of the writer for not disclosing the whole extent of his learning, (which might have overwhelmed the reader,) is the admission, that a change of circumstances ("in the course of commerce") has made (and therefore will now justify) a total change of the law of nations. What more could the most inveterate advocate of English usurpation demand? What else can they require to establish all, and even more than they contend for? Sir, there is a class of men-we know them very well-who, if you only permit them to lay the foundation, will build you up step by step, and brick by brick, very neat and showy if not tenable arguments. To detect them, 'tis only necessary to watch their premises, where you will often find the point at issue totally surrendered, as in this case it is. Again, is the mare liberum any where asserted in this book? that free ships make free goods? No, sir; the right of search is acknowledged; that enemy's property is lawful prize is sealed and delivered. And after abandoning these principles, what becomes of the doctrine that a mere shifting of the goods from one ship to another, the touching at another port changes the property? Sir, give up this principle, and there is an end of the question. 78.-DRESS AND ARMOUR OF SIR HUDIBRAS. Who fear'd no blows but such as bruise. His breeches were of rugged woollen, And had been at the siege of Bullen; To old King Harry so well known, Some writers held they were his own. Through they were lined with many a piece Of ammunition bread and cheese, And fat black-puddings, proper food For warriors that delight in blood : For, as we said, he always chose To carry victual in his hose, That often tempted rats and mice The ammunition to surprise. His puissant sword unto his side, Of somebody to hew and hack : Of warrants, exigents, contempts, And prisoners too, or made them run. It was a serviceable dudgeon, In th' holsters, at his saddle-bow, From two-legg'd and from four-legg'd foes. From peaceful home, set forth to fight. BUTLER 79.-DESCRIPTION OF WYOMING. ON Susquehanna's side, fair Wyoming! From morn, till evening's sweeter pastime grew, With timbrel, when beneath the forests brown, Thy lovely maidens would the dance renew; And aye those sunny mountains half-way down Would echo flageolet from some romantic town. Then, where of Indian hills the daylight takes And scarce had Wyoming of war or crime The blue-eyed German changed his sword to pruning-hook. CAMPBELL. 80.-SONG OF THE GREEK BARD. THE Isles of Greece, the Isles of Greece ! Eternal summer gilds them yet, The Scian and the Teian muse, Than your sires' "Islands of the Blest." The mountains look on Marathon- I dream'd that Greece might still be free A king sat on the rocky brow Which looks o'er sea-born Salamis; And ships, by thousands, lay below, And men and nations-all were his! He counted them at break of dayAnd when the sun set-where were they? And where are they? and where art thou, My country? On thy voiceless shore Th' heroic lay is tuneless now Th' heroic bosom beats no more! And must thy lyre, so long divine, Degenerate into hands like mine? Must we but weep o'er days more blest? What silent still? and silent all? And answer, "Let one living head, But one arise, we come, we come!" 'Tis but the living who are dumb. In vain-in vain !-strike other chords: |