ECONOMYONSTATEPRINCIPLES。
Economyinmyplanswas,asitoughttobe,secondary,subordinate,instrumental。Iactedonstateprinciples。Ifoundagreatdistemperinthecommonwealth;and,accordingtothenatureoftheevilandoftheobject,Itreatedit。Themaladywasdeep;itwascomplicated,inthecausesandinthesymptoms。Throughoutitwasfullofcontra-indicants。
Ononehandgovernment,dailygrowingmoreinvidiousfromanapparentincreaseofthemeansofstrength,waseverydaygrowingmorecontemptiblebyrealweakness。Norwasthisdissolutionconfinedtogovernmentcommonlysocalled。Itextendedtoparliament;whichwaslosingnotalittleinitsdignityandestimation,byanopinionofitsnotactingonworthymotives。Ontheotherhand,thedesiresofthepeople(partlynaturalandpartlyinfusedintothembyart)appearedinsowildandinconsiderateamanner,withregardtotheeconomicalobject(forIsetasideforamomentthedreadfultamperingwiththebodyoftheconstitutionitself),that,iftheirpetitionshadliterallybeencompliedwith,thestatewouldhavebeenconvulsed,andagatewouldhavebeenopenedthroughwhichallpropertymightbesackedandravaged。
Nothingcouldhavesavedthepublicfromthemischiefsofthefalsereformbutitsabsurdity,whichwouldsoonhavebroughtitself,andwithitallrealreform,intodiscredit。Thiswouldhaveleftaranklingwoundintheheartsofthepeople,whowouldknowtheyhadfailedintheaccomplishmentoftheirwishes,butwho,liketherestofmankindinallages,wouldimputetheblametoanythingratherthantotheirownproceedings。Buttherewerethenpersonsintheworldwhonourishedcomplaint,andwouldhavebeenthoroughlydisappointedifthepeoplewereeversatisfied。Iwasnotofthathumour。IwishedthattheySHOULD
besatisfied。ItwasmyaimtogivetothepeoplethesubstanceofwhatIknewtheydesired,andwhatIthoughtwasright,whethertheydesiredornot,beforeithadbeenmodifiedforthemintosenselesspetitions。I
knewthatthereisamanifest,markeddistinction,whichillmenwithilldesigns,orweakmenincapableofanydesign,willconstantlybeconfounding,thatisamarkeddistinctionbetweenchangeandreformation。Theformeraltersthesubstanceoftheobjectsthemselves,andgetsridofalltheiressentialgood,aswellasofalltheaccidentalevil,annexedtothem。Changeisnovelty;andwhetheritistooperateanyoneoftheeffectsofreformationatall,orwhetheritmaynotcontradicttheveryprincipleuponwhichreformationisdesired,cannotbecertainlyknownbeforehand。Reformisnotachangeinthesubstance,orintheprimarymodificationoftheobject,butadirectapplicationofaremedytothegrievancecomplainedof。Sofarasthatisremoved,allissure。Itstopsthere;andifitfails,thesubstancewhichunderwenttheoperation,attheveryworst,isbutwhereitwas。
Allthis,ineffect,Ithink,butamnotsure,Ihavesaidelsewhere。Itcannotatthistimebetoooftenrepeated;lineuponline;preceptuponprecept;untilitcomesintothecurrencyofaproverb,TOINNOVATEIS
NOTTOREFORM。TheFrenchrevolutionistscomplainedofeverything;theyrefusedtoreformanything;andtheyleftnothing,no,nothingatall,UNCHANGED。TheconsequencesareBEFOREus,——notinremotehistory;notinfutureprognostication:theyareaboutus;theyareuponus。Theyshakethepublicsecurity;theymenaceprivateenjoyment。Theydwarfthegrowthoftheyoung;theybreakthequietoftheold。Ifwetravel,theystopourway。Theyinfestusintown;theypursueustothecountry。Ourbusinessisinterrupted;ourreposeistroubled;ourpleasuresaresaddened;ourverystudiesarepoisonedandperverted,andknowledgeisrenderedworsethanignorancebytheenormousevilsofthisdreadfulinnovation。TherevolutionharpiesofFrance,sprungfromnightandhell,orfromthatchaoticanarchywhichgeneratesequivocally“allmonstrous,allprodigiousthings,“cuckoo-like,adulterouslylaytheireggs,andbroodover,andhatchtheminthenestofeveryneighbouringstate。Theseobsceneharpies,whodeckthemselvesinIknownotwhatdivineattributes,butwhoinrealityarefoulandravenousbirdsofprey(bothmothersanddaughters),flutteroverourheads,andsousedownuponourtables,andleavenothingunrent,unrifled,unravaged,orunpollutedwiththeslimeoftheirfilthyoffal。
PHILOSOPHICALVANITY;ITSMAXIMS,ANDEFFECTS。
TheAssemblyrecommendstoitsyouthastudyoftheboldexperimentersinmorality。Everybodyknowsthatthereisagreatdisputeamongsttheirleaders,whichofthemisthebestresemblanceofRousseau。Intruth,theyallresemblehim。Hisbloodtheytransfuseintotheirmindsandintotheirmanners。Himtheystudy;himtheymeditate;himtheyturnoverinallthetimetheycansparefromthelaboriousmischiefoftheday,orthedebauchesofthenight。Rousseauistheircanonofholywrit;inhislifeheistheircanonofPolycletus;heistheirstandardfigureofperfection。Tothismanandthiswriter,asapatterntoauthorsandtoFrenchmen,thefoundriesofParisarenowrunningforstatues,withthekettlesoftheirpoorandthebellsoftheirchurches。
Ifanauthorhadwrittenlikeagreatgeniusongeometry,thoughitspracticalandspeculativemoralswereviciousintheextreme,itmightappear,thatinvotingthestatue,theyhonouredonlythegeometrician。
ButRousseauisamoralist,orheisnothing。Itisimpossible,therefore,puttingthecircumstancestogether,tomistaketheirdesigninchoosingtheauthor,withwhomtheyhavebeguntorecommendacoursesstudies。
Theirgreatproblemistofindasubstituteforalltheprincipleswhichhithertohavebeenemployedtoregulatethehumanwillandaction。Theyfinddispositionsinthemindofsuchforceandqualityasmayfitmen,farbetterthantheoldmorality,forthepurposesofsuchastateastheirs,andmaygomuchfurtherinsupportingtheirpoweranddestroyingtheirenemies。Theyhavethereforechosenaselfish,flattering,seductive,ostentatiousvice,intheplaceofplainduty。Truehumility,thebasisoftheChristiansystem,isthelow,butdeepandfirm,foundationofallrealvirtue。Butthis,asverypainfulinthepractice,andlittleimposingintheappearance,theyhavetotallydiscarded。Theirobjectistomergeallnaturalandallsocialsentimentininordinatevanity。Inasmalldegree,andconversantinlittlethings,vanityisoflittlemoment。Whenfullgrown,itistheworstofvices,andtheoccasionalmimicofthemall。Itmakesthewholemanfalse。Itleavesnothingsincereortrustworthyabouthim。Hisbestqualitiesarepoisonedandpervertedbyit,andoperateexactlyastheworst。Whenyourlordshadmanywritersasimmoralastheobjectoftheirstatue(suchasVoltaireandothers)theychoseRousseau,becauseinhimthatpeculiarvice,whichtheywishedtoerectintorulingvirtue,wasbyfarthemostconspicuous。WehavehadthegreatprofessorandfounderofTHEPHILOSOPHYOFVANITYinEngland。AsIhadgoodopportunitiesofknowinghisproceedingsalmostfromdaytoday,heleftnodoubtonmymindthatheentertainednoprincipleeithertoinfluencehisheart,ortoguidehisunderstanding,butVANITY。Withthisvicehewaspossessedtoadegreelittleshortofmadness。Itisfromthesamederanged,eccentricvanity,thatthis,theinsaneSocratesoftheNationalAssembly,wasimpelledtopublishamadconfessionofhismadfaults,andtoattemptanewsortofgloryfrombringinghardilytolighttheobscureandvulgarviceswhichweknowmaysometimesbeblendedwitheminenttalents。Hehasnotobservedonthenatureofvanitywhodoesnotknowthatitisomnivorous;thatithasnochoiceinitsfood;thatitisfondtotalkevenofitsownfaultsandvices,aswhatwillexcitesurpriseanddrawattention,andwhatwillpassatworstforopennessandcandour。
Itwasthisabuseandperversion,whichvanitymakesevenofhypocrisy,thathasdrivenRousseautorecordalifenotsomuchaschequered,orspottedhereandthere,withvirtues,orevendistinguishedbyasinglegoodaction。Itissuchalifehechoosestooffertotheattentionofmankind。Itissuchalifethat,withawilddefiance,heflingsinthefaceofhisCreator,whomheacknowledgesonlytobrave。YourAssembly,knowinghowmuchmorepowerfulexampleisfoundthanprecept,haschosenthisman(byhisownaccountwithoutasinglevirtue)foramodel。Tohimtheyerecttheirfirststatue。Fromhimtheycommencetheirseriesofhonoursanddistinctions。
Itisthatnew-inventedvirtue,whichyourmasterscanonize,thatledtheirmodelheroconstantlytoexhaustthestoresofhispowerfulrhetoricintheexpressionofuniversalbenevolence;whilsthisheartwasincapableofharbouringonesparkofcommonparentalaffection。
Benevolencetothewholespecies,andwantoffeelingforeveryindividualwithwhomtheprofessorscomeincontact,formthecharacterofthenewphilosophy。Settingupforanunsocialindependence,thistheirheroofvanityrefusesthejustpriceofcommonlabour,aswellasthetributewhichopulenceowestogenius,andwhich,whenpaid,honoursthegiverandthereceiver:andthenhepleadshisbeggaryasanexcuseforhiscrimes。Hemeltswithtendernessforthoseonlywhotouchhimbytheremotestrelation,andthen,withoutonenaturalpang,castsaway,asasortofoffalandexcrement,thespawnofhisdisgustfulamours,andsendshischildrentothehospitaloffoundlings。Thebearloves,licks,andformsheryoung;butbearsarenotphilosophers。Vanity,however,findsitsaccountinreversingthetrainofournaturalfeelings。Thousandsadmirethesentimentalwriter;theaffectionatefatherishardlyknowninhisparish。
UnderthisphilosophicinstructorintheETHICSOFVANITY,theyhaveattemptedinFrancearegenerationofthemoralconstitutionofman。
Statesmen,likeyourpresentrulers,existbyeverythingwhichisspurious,fictitious,andfalse;byeverythingwhichtakesthemanfromhishouse,andsetshimonastage;whichmakeshimupanartificialcreature,withpaintedtheatricsentiments,fittobeseenbytheglareofcandlelight,andformedtobecontemplatedataduedistance。Vanityistooapttoprevailinallofus,andinallcountries。TotheimprovementofFrenchmenitseemsnotabsolutelynecessarythatitshouldbetaughtuponsystem。Butitisplainthatthepresentrebellionwasitslegitimateoffspring,anditispiouslyfedbythatrebellionwithadailydole。IfthesystemofinstitutionrecommendedbytheAssemblybefalseandtheatric,itisbecausetheirsystemofgovernmentisofthesamecharacter。Tothat,andtothatalone,itisstrictlyconformable。Tounderstandeither,wemustconnectthemoralswiththepoliticsofthelegislators。Yourpracticalphilosophers,systematicineverything,havewiselybegunatthesource。Astherelationbetweenparentsandchildrenisthefirstamongsttheelementsofvulgar,naturalmorality(Filiolatuatedelectarilaetoretprobaritibiphusikenessetenprostatekna:etenim,sihaecnonest,nullapotesthominiesseadhominemnaturaeadjunctio:quasublatavitaesocietastollitur。ValetePatron(Rousseau)ettuicondiscipuli(l’AssembleeNational)——Cic。Ep。adAtticum。),theyerectstatuestoawild,ferocious,low-minded,hard-heartedfather,offinegeneralfeelings;aloverofhiskind,butahaterofhiskindred。Yourmastersrejectthedutiesofhisvulgarrelation,ascontrarytoliberty;asnotfoundedinthesocialcompact;andnotbindingaccordingtotherightsofmen;
becausetherelationisnot,ofcourse,theresultofFREEELECTION;
neversoonthesideofthechildren,notalwaysonthepartoftheparents。
ThenextrelationwhichtheyregeneratebytheirstatuestoRousseauisthatwhichisnextinsanctitytothatofafather。Theydifferfromthoseold-fashionedthinkers,whoconsideredpedagoguesassoberandvenerablecharacters,andalliedtotheparental。Themoralistsofthedarktimes,preceptorumsanctivoluereparentisesseloco。Inthisageoflight,theyteachthepeoplethatpreceptorsoughttobeintheplaceofgallants。Theysystematicallycorruptaverycorruptiblerace(forsometimeagrowingnuisanceamongstyou),asetofpert,petulantliterators,towhom,insteadoftheirproper,butsevere,unostentatiousduties,theyassignthebrilliantpartofmenofwitandpleasure,ofgay,young,militarysparks,anddanglersattoilets。TheycallontherisinggenerationinFrancetotakeasympathyintheadventuresandfortunes,andtheyendeavourtoengagetheirsensibilityonthesideofpedagogueswhobetraythemostawfulfamilytrusts,andvitiatetheirfemalepupils。Theyteachthepeoplethatthedebauchersofvirgins,almostinthearmsoftheirparents,maybesafeinmatesinthehouses,andevenfitguardiansofthehonourofthosehusbandswhosucceedlegallytotheofficewhichtheyoungliteratorshadpreoccupied,withoutaskingleaveoflaworconscience。
Thustheydisposeofallthefamilyrelationsofparentsandchildren,husbandsandwives。Throughthissameinstructor,bywhomtheycorruptthemorals,theycorruptthetaste。Tasteandelegance,thoughtheyarereckonedonlyamongthesmallerandsecondarymorals,yetareofnomeanimportanceintheregulationoflife。Amoraltasteisnotofforcetoturnviceintovirtue;butitrecommendsvirtuewithsomethingliketheblandishmentsofpleasure;anditinfinitelyabatestheevilsofvice。
Rousseau,awriterofgreatforceandvivacity,istotallydestituteoftasteinanysenseoftheword。Yourmasters,whoarehisscholars,conceivethatallrefinementhasanaristocraticcharacter。Thelastagehadexhaustedallitspowersingivingagraceandnoblenesstoourmutualappetites,andinraisingthemintoahigherclassandorderthanseemedjustlytobelongtothem。ThroughRousseau,yourmastersareresolvedtodestroythesearistocraticprejudices。Thepassioncalledlovehassogeneralandpowerfulaninfluence;itmakessomuchoftheentertainment,andindeedsomuchoftheoccupationofthatpartoflifewhichdecidesthecharacterforever,thatthemodeandtheprinciplesonwhichitengagesthesympathy,andstrikestheimagination,becomeoftheutmostimportancetothemoralsandmannersofeverysociety。Yourrulerswerewellawareofthis;andintheirsystemofchangingyourmannerstoaccommodatethemtotheirpolitics,theyfoundnothingsoconvenientasRousseau。Throughhimtheyteachmentoloveafterthefashionofphilosophers;thatis,theyteachtomen,toFrenchmen,alovewithoutgallantry;alovewithoutanythingofthatfineflowerofyouthfulnessandgentility,whichplacesit,ifnotamongthevirtues,amongtheornamentsoflife。Insteadofthispassion,naturallyalliedtograceandmanners,theyinfuseintotheiryouthanunfashioned,indelicate,sour,gloomy,ferociousmedlyofpedantryandlewdness;ofmetaphysicalspeculationsblendedwiththecoarsestsensuality。Suchisthegeneralmoralityofthepassionstobefoundintheirfamousphilosopher,inhisfamousworkofphilosophicgallantrythe“NouvelleEloise。”Whenthefencefromthegallantryofpreceptorsisbrokendown,andyourfamiliesarenolongerprotectedbydecentpride,andsalutarydomesticprejudice,thereisbutonesteptoafrightfulcorruption。TherulersintheNationalAssemblyareingoodhopesthatthefemalesofthefirstfamiliesinFrancemaybecomeaneasypreytodancing-masters,fiddlers,pattern-drawers,friseurs,andvaletsdechambre,andotheractivecitizensofthatdescription,whohavingtheentryintoyourhouses,andbeinghalfdomesticatedbytheirsituation,maybeblendedwithyoubyregularandirregularrelations。Byalawtheyhavemadethesepeopletheirequals。ByadoptingthesentimentsofRousseautheyhavemadethemyourrivals。Inthismannerthesegreatlegislatorscompletetheirplanoflevelling,andestablishtheirrightsofmenonasurefoundation。
IamcertainthatthewritingsofRousseauleaddirectlytothiskindofshamefulevil。Ihaveoftenwonderedhowhecomestobesomuchmoreadmiredandfollowedonthecontinentthanheishere。Perhapsasecretcharminthelanguagemayhaveitsshareinthisextraordinarydifference。Wecertainlyperceive,andtoadegreewefeel,inthiswriter,astyleglowing,animated,enthusiastic;atthesametimethatwefinditlax,diffuse,andnotinthebesttasteofcomposition;allthemembersofthepiecebeingprettyequallylabouredandexpanded,withoutanydueselectionorsubordinationofparts。Heisgenerallytoomuchonthestretch,andhismannerhaslittlevariety。Wecannotrestuponanyofhisworks,thoughtheycontainobservationswhichoccasionallydiscoveraconsiderableinsightintohumannature。Buthisdoctrines,onthewhole,aresoinapplicabletoreallifeandmanners,thatweneverdreamofdrawingfromthemanyruleforlawsorconduct,orforfortifyingorillustratinganythingbyareferencetohisopinions。Theyhavewithusthefateofolderparadoxes。
“CumventumadVERUMest,SENSUSMORESQUErepugnant,Atqueipsautilitas,justipropemateretaequi。”
Perhapsboldspeculationsaremoreacceptablebecausemorenewtoyouthantous,whohavebeenlongsincesatiatedwiththem。Wecontinue,asinthetwolastages,toread,moregenerallythanIbelieveisnowdoneonthecontinent,theauthorsofsoundantiquity。Theseoccupyourminds。Theygiveusanothertasteandturn,andwillnotsufferustobemorethantransientlyamusedwithparadoxicalmorality。ItisnotthatI
considerthiswriteraswhollydestituteofjustnotions。Amongsthisirregularities,itmustbereckonedthatheissometimesmoral,andmoralinaverysublimestrain。ButtheGENERALSPIRITANDTENDENCYofhisworksismischievous;andthemoremischievousforthismixture:forperfectdepravityofsentimentisnotreconcileablewitheloquence;andthemind(thoughcorruptible,notcomplexionallyvicious)wouldreject,andthrowoffwithdisgust,alessonofpureandunmixedevil。Thesewritersmakeevenvirtueapandertovice。
However,IlessconsidertheauthorthanthesystemoftheAssemblyinpervertingmoralitythroughhismeans。ThisIconfessmakesmenearlydespairofanyattemptuponthemindsoftheirfollowers,throughreason,honour,orconscience。ThegreatobjectofyourtyrantsistodestroythegentlemenofFrance;andforthatpurposetheydestroy,tothebestoftheirpower,alltheeffectofthoserelationswhichmayrenderconsiderablemenpowerfulorevensafe。Todestroythatorder,theyvitiatethewholecommunity。Thatnomeansmayexistofconfederatingagainsttheirtyranny,bythefalsesympathiesofthis“NouvelleEloise“theyendeavourtosubvertthoseprinciplesofdomestictrustandfidelity,whichformthedisciplineofsociallife。Theypropagateprinciplesbywhicheveryservantmaythinkit,ifnothisduty,atleasthisprivilege,tobetrayhismaster。Bytheseprinciples,everyconsiderablefatherofafamilylosesthesanctuaryofhishouse。
Debetsuacuiquedomusesseperfugiumtutissimum,saysthelaw,whichyourlegislatorshavetakensomuchpainsfirsttodecry,thentorepeal。Theydestroyallthetranquillityandsecurityofdomesticlife;
turningtheasylumofthehouseintoagloomyprison,wherethefatherofthefamilymustdragoutamiserableexistence,endangeredinproportiontotheapparentmeansofhissafety;whereheisworsethansolitaryinacrowdofdomestics,andmoreapprehensivefromhisservantsandinmates,thanfromthehired,bloodthirstymobwithoutdoors,whoarereadytopullhimtothelanterne。Itisthus,andforthesameend,thattheyendeavourtodestroythattribunalofconsciencewhichexistsindependentlyofedictsanddecrees。Yourdespotsgovernbyterror。TheyknowthathewhofearsGodfearsnothingelse:andthereforetheyeradicatefromthemind,throughtheirVoltaire,theirHelvetius,andtherestofthatinfamousgang,thatonlysortoffearwhichgeneratestruecourage。Theirobjectis,thattheirfellow-citizensmaybeunderthedominionofnoawe,butthatoftheircommitteeofresearch,andoftheirlanterne。
Havingfoundtheadvantageofassassinationintheformationoftheirtyranny,itisthegrandresourceinwhichtheytrustforthesupportofit。Whoeveropposesanyoftheirproceedings,orissuspectedofadesigntoopposethem,istoansweritwithhislife,orthelivesofhiswifeandchildren。Thisinfamous,cruel,andcowardlypracticeofassassinationtheyhavetheimprudencetocallMERCIFUL。Theyboastthattheyoperatedtheirusurpationratherbyterrorthanbyforce;andthatafewseasonablemurdershavepreventedthebloodshedofmanybattles。
Thereisnodoubttheywillextendtheseactsofmercywhenevertheyseeanoccasion。Dreadful,however,willbetheconsequencesoftheirattempttoavoidtheevilsofwarbythemercifulpolicyofmurder。If,byeffectualpunishmentoftheguilty,theydonotwhollydisavowthatpractice,andthethreatofittoo,asanypartoftheirpolicy;ifeveraforeignprinceentersintoFrance,hemustenteritasintoacountryofassassins。Themodeofcivilizedwarwillnotbepractised;noraretheFrenchwhoactonthepresentsystementitledtoexpectit。They,whoseknownpolicyistoassassinateeverycitizenwhomtheysuspecttobediscontentedbytheirtyranny,andtocorruptthesoldieryofeveryopenenemy,mustlookfornomodifiedhostility。Allwar,whichisnotbattle,willbemilitaryexecution。Thiswillbegetactsofretaliationfromyou;andeveryretaliationwillbegetanewrevenge。Thehell-houndsofwar,onallsides,willbeuncoupledandunmuzzled。Thenewschoolofmurderandbarbarism,setupinParis,havingdestroyed(sofarasinitlies)alltheothermannersandprincipleswhichhavehithertocivilizedEurope,willdestroyalsothemodeofcivilizedwar,which,morethananythingelse,hasdistinguishedtheChristianworld。
Suchistheapproachinggoldenage,whichtheVirgilofyourassemblyhassungtohisPollios!(Mirabeau’sspeechconcerninguniversalpeace。)
UNITYBETWEENCHURCHANDSTATE。
Theytakethistenetoftheheadandheart,notfromthegreatnamewhichitimmediatelybears,norfromthegreaterfromwhenceitisderived;butfromthatwhichalonecangivetrueweightandsanctiontoanylearnedopinion,thecommonnatureandcommonrelationofmen。
Persuadedthatallthingsoughttobedonewithreference,andreferringalltothepointofreferencetowhichallshouldbedirected,theythinkthemselvesbound,notonlyasindividualsinthesanctuaryoftheheart,orascongregatedinthatpersonalcapacity,torenewthememoryoftheirhighoriginandcaste;butalsointheircorporatecharactertoperformtheirnationalhomagetotheinstitutor,andauthor,andprotectorofcivilsociety;withoutwhichcivilsocietymancouldnotbyanypossibilityarriveattheperfectionofwhichhisnatureiscapable,norevenmakearemoteandfaintapproachtoit。TheyconceivethatHewhogaveournaturetobeperfectedbyourvirtue,willedalsothenecessarymeansofitsperfection——Hewilledthereforethestate——Hewilleditsconnectionwiththesourceandoriginalarchetypeofallperfection。Theywhoareconvincedofthishiswill,whatisthelawoflaws,andthesovereignofsovereigns,cannotthinkitreprehensiblethatthisourcorporatefealtyandhomage,thatthisourrecognitionofasignioryparamount,Ihadalmostsaidthisoblationofthestateitself,asaworthyofferingonthehighaltarofuniversalpraise,shouldbeperformedasallpublic,solemnactsareperformed,inbuildings,inmusic,indecoration,inspeech,inthedignityofpersons,accordingtothecustomsofmankind,taughtbytheirnature;
thatis,withmodestsplendourandunassumingstate,withmildmajestyandsoberpomp。Forthosepurposestheythinksomepartofthewealthofthecountryisasusefullyemployedasitcanbe,infomentingtheluxuryofindividuals。Itisthepublicornament。Itisthepublicconsolation。Itnourishesthepublichope。Thepoorestmanfindshisownimportanceanddignityinit,whilstthewealthandprideofindividualsateverymomentmakesthemanofhumblerankandfortunesensibleofhisinferiority,anddegradesandvilifieshiscondition。Itisforthemaninhumblelife,andtoraisehisnature,andtoputhiminmindofastateinwhichtheprivilegesofopulencewillcease,whenhewillbeequalbynature,andmaybemorethanequalbyvirtue,thatthisportionofthegeneralwealthofhiscountryisemployedandsanctified。
IassureyouIdonotaimatsingularity。Igiveyouopinionswhichhavebeenacceptedamongstus,fromveryearlytimestothismoment,withacontinuedandgeneralapprobation,andwhichindeedaresoworkedintomymind,thatIamunabletodistinguishwhatIhavelearnedfromothersfromtheresultsofmyownmeditation。
ItisonsomesuchprinciplesthatthemajorityofthepeopleofEngland,farfromthinkingareligiousnationalestablishmentunlawful,hardlythinkitlawfultobewithoutone。InFranceyouarewhollymistakenifyoudonotbelieveusaboveallotherthingsattachedtoit,andbeyondallothernations;andwhenthispeoplehasactedunwiselyandunjustifiablyinitsfavour(asinsomeinstancestheyhavedonemostcertainly)intheirveryerrorsyouwillatleastdiscovertheirzeal。
Thisprinciplerunsthroughthewholesystemoftheirpolity。Theydonotconsidertheirchurchestablishmentasconvenient,butasessentialtotheirstate;notasathingheterogeneousandinseparable;somethingaddedforaccommodation;whattheymayeitherkeeporlayaside,accordingtotheirtemporaryideasofconvenience。Theyconsideritasthefoundationoftheirwholeconstitution,withwhich,andwitheverypartofwhich,itholdsanindissolubleunion。Churchandstateareideasinseparableintheirminds,andscarcelyistheoneevermentionedwithoutmentioningtheother。
(Inpreparingthesepagesforpublication,theselectorhasdiscoveredhowunconsciouslyhewasindebtedtotheintellectualinspirationofBurke,inthefollowingextract:——
“FoundedinChrist,andbyApostlesform’d,GloryofEngland!oh,myMotherChurch,Hoarywithtime,butalluntouchedincreed,FirmtothyMaster,byasfondagraspOffaithasLuther,withhisfree-bornmindClungtoEmmanuel,——doththysoulremain。
ButyetaroundTheescowlsafiercearrayOfFoesandFalsehoods;must’ringeachtheirpowers,Triumphantly。AndwellmaythoughtfulHeartsHeavewithforebodingswellandheavyfears,Tomark,howmadopiniondothinfectThychildren;howthineapostolicclaimsAndlovematernalareregardednow,BycreedlessVanity,orcarelessVice。
Fortimetherewas,whenpeerlessHookerwrote,Anddeep-soul’dBacontaughttheworldtothink,Whenthouwertparamount,——thycausesublime!
AndinTHYlife,allPolityandPowersThethronesecuring,orinlawenshrined,WithallestatesourbalancedRealmcontains,Intheesupreme,amaster-virtueown’dAndhonour’d。ChurchandStatecouldthenco-work,LikesoulandbodyinonebreathingFormDistinct,butundivided;eachwithruleEssentialtothekingdom’shealthfulframe,YetBOTH,inunityaugustandgoodTogether,underChristtheirlivingHead,Ahallow’dcommonwealthofpowersachieved。
Butnow,ineviltimes,sectarianWillWouldsplittheBody,andtosectsreduceOursaintedMotherofth’imperialIsles,WhichhaveforagesfromHerbosomdrankThosetruthsimmortal,LifeandConscienceneed。
ButnevermaytherudeassaultofheartsSelf-blinded,ortheautocraticprideOfReason,bynohallowingfaithsubdued,OnelockofgloryfromHerrev’rendheadSucceedintearing:Love,andAwe,andTruthHerdoctrinespreach,withapostolicforce:
HercreedisUnity,herheadisChrist,HerFormsprimeval,andherCreeddivine,AndCatholic,thatcrowningnameshewears。”
“Luther,“6thedition1852。
TRIPLEBASISOFFRENCHREVOLUTION。
InsteadofthereligionandthelawbywhichtheywereinagreatpoliticcommunionwiththeChristianworld,theyhaveconstructedtheirrepubliconthreebases,allfundamentallyoppositetothoseonwhichthecommunitiesofEuropearebuilt。Itsfoundationislaidinregicide,injacobinism,andinatheism;andithasjoinedtothoseprinciplesabodyofsystematicmanners,whichsecurestheiroperation。
IfIamasked,howIwouldbeunderstoodintheuseoftheseterms,regicide,jacobinism,atheism,andasystemofcorrespondingmanners,andtheirestablishment?Iwilltellyou:——
I——REGICIDE。
IcallacommonwealthREGICIDE,whichlaysitdownasafixedlawofnature,andafundamentalrightofman,thatallgovernment,notbeingademocracy,isausurpation。Thatallkings,assuch,areusurpers;andforbeingkingsmayandoughttobeputtodeath,withtheirwives,families,andadherents。Thecommonwealthwhichactsuniformlyuponthoseprinciples,andwhich,afterabolishingeveryfestivalofreligion,choosesthemostflagrantactofamurderousregicidetreasonforafeastofeternalcommemoration,andwhichforcesallherpeopletoobserveit——thisIcallREGICIDEBYESTABLISHMENT。
II——JACOBINISM。
Jacobinismistherevoltoftheenterprisingtalentsofacountryagainstitsproperty。Whenprivatemenformthemselvesintoassociationsforthepurposeofdestroyingthepre-existinglawsandinstitutionsoftheircountry;whentheysecuretothemselvesanarmy,bydividingamongstthepeopleofnopropertytheestatesoftheancientandlawfulproprietors;whenastaterecognisesthoseacts;whenitdoesnotmakeconfiscationsforcrimes,butmakescrimesforconfiscations;whenithasitsprincipalstrength,andallitsresources,insuchaviolationofproperty;whenitstandschieflyuponsuchaviolation,massacringbyjudgments,orotherwise,thosewhomakeanystrugglefortheiroldlegalgovernment,andtheirlegal,hereditary,oracquiredpossessions——IcallthisJACOBINISMBYESTABLISHMENT。
III——ATHEISM。
IcallitATHEISMBYESTABLISHMENT,whenanystate,assuch,shallnotacknowledgetheexistenceofGodasamoralgovernoroftheworld;whenitshalloffertohimnoreligiousormoralworship;——whenitshallabolishtheChristianreligionbyaregulardecree;——whenitshallpersecutewithacold,unrelenting,steadycruelty,byeverymodeofconfiscation,imprisonment,exile,anddeath,allitsministers;——whenitshallgenerallyshutuporpulldownchurches;whenthefewbuildingswhichremainofthiskindshallbeopenedonlyforthepurposeofmakingaprofaneapotheosisofmonsters,whosevicesandcrimeshavenoparallelamongstmen,andwhomallothermenconsiderasobjectsofgeneraldetestation,andtheseverestanimadversionoflaw。When,intheplaceofthatreligionofsocialbenevolence,andofindividualself-denial,inmockeryofallreligion,theyinstituteimpious,blasphemous,indecenttheatricrites,inhonouroftheirvitiated,pervertedreason,anderectaltarstothepersonificationoftheirowncorruptedandbloodyrepublic;——whenschoolsandseminariesarefoundedatthepublicexpensetopoisonmankind,fromgenerationtogeneration,withthehorriblemaximsofthisimpiety;——whenweariedoutwithincessantmartyrdom,andthecriesofapeoplehungeringandthirstingforreligion,theypermititonlyasatoleratedevil——I
callthisATHEISMBYESTABLISHMENT。
CORRESPONDENTSYSTEMOFMANNERSANDMORALS。
Whentotheseestablishmentsofregicide,ofjacobinism,andofatheism,youaddtheCORRESPONDENTSYSTEMOFMANNERS,nodoubtcanbeleftonthemindofathinkingmanconcerningtheirdeterminedhostilitytothehumanrace。Mannersareofmoreimportancethanlaws。Uponthem,inagreatmeasure,thelawsdepend。Thelawtouchesusbuthereandthere,andnowandthen。Mannersarewhatvexorsoothe,corruptorpurify,exaltordebase,barbarizeorrefineus,byaconstant,steady,uniform,insensibleoperation,likethatoftheairwebreathein。Theygivetheirwholeformandcolourtoourlives。Accordingtotheirquality,theyaidmorals,theysupplythem,ortheytotallydestroythem。OfthisthenewFrenchlegislatorswereaware;therefore,withthesamemethod,andunderthesameauthority,theysettledasystemofmanners,themostlicentious,prostitute,andabandonedthateverhasbeenknown,andatthesametimethemostcoarse,rude,savage,andferocious。NothingintheRevolution,no,nottoaphraseorgesture,nottothefashionofahatorashoe,waslefttoaccident。Allhasbeentheresultofdesign;
allhasbeenmatterofinstitution。Nomechanicalmeanscouldbedevisedinfavourofthisincrediblesystemofwickednessandvice,thathasnotbeenemployed。Thenoblestpassions,theloveofglory,theloveofcountry,havebeendebauchedintomeansofitspreservationanditspropagation。Allsortsofshowsandexhibitions,calculatedtoinflameandvitiatetheimagination,andpervertthemoralsense,havebeencontrived。Theyhavesometimesbroughtforthfiveorsixhundreddrunkenwomen,callingatthebaroftheAssemblyforthebloodoftheirownchildren,asbeingroyalistsorconstitutionalists。Sometimestheyhavegotabodyofwretches,callingthemselvesfathers,todemandthemurderoftheirsons,boastingthatRomehadbutoneBrutus,butthattheycouldshowfivehundred。Therewereinstancesinwhichtheyinverted,andretaliatedtheimpiety,andproducedsons,whocalledfortheexecutionoftheirparents。Thefoundationoftheirrepublicislaidinmoralparadoxes。Theirpatriotismisalwaysprodigy。Allthoseinstancestobefoundinhistory,whetherrealorfabulous,ofadoubtfulpublicspirit,atwhichmoralityisperplexed,reasonisstaggered,andfromwhichaffrightednaturerecoils,aretheirchosen,andalmostsoleexamplesfortheinstructionoftheiryouth。
Thewholedriftoftheirinstitutioniscontrarytothatofthewiselegislatorsofallcountries,whoaimedatimprovinginstinctsintomorals,andatgraftingthevirtuesonthestockofthenaturalaffections。They,onthecontrary,haveomittednopainstoeradicateeverybenevolentandnoblepropensityinthemindofmen。Intheircultureitisarulealwaystograftvirtuesonvices。Theythinkeverythingunworthyofthenameofpublicvirtue,unlessitindicatesviolenceontheprivate。Alltheirnewinstitutions(andwiththemeverythingisnew)strikeattherootofoursocialnature。Otherlegislators,knowingthatmarriageistheoriginofallrelations,andconsequentlythefirstelementofallduties,haveendeavoured,byeveryart,tomakeitsacred。TheChristianreligion,byconfiningittothepairs,andbyrenderingthatrelationindissoluble,hasbythesetwothingsdonemoretowardsthepeace,happiness,settlement,andcivilizationoftheworld,thanbyanyotherpartinthiswholeschemeofDivineWisdom。Thedirectcontrarycoursehasbeentakeninthesynagogueofantichrist,Imeaninthatforgeandmanufacturyofallevil,thesectwhichpredominatedintheConstituentAssemblyof1789。
Thosemonstersemployedthesame,orgreaterindustry,todesecrateanddegradethatstate,whichotherlegislatorshaveusedtorenderitholyandhonourable。
FEROCITYOFJACOBINISM。
Astothosewhomtheysuffertodieanaturaldeath,theydonotpermitthemtoenjoythelastconsolationsofmankind,orthoserightsofsepulture,whichindicatehope,andwhichmerenaturehastaughttomankind,inallcountries,tosoothetheafflictions,andtocovertheinfirmity,ofmortalcondition。Theydisgracemenintheentryintolife,theyvitiateandenslavethemthroughthewholecourseofit,andtheydeprivethemofallcomfortattheconclusionoftheirdishonouredanddepravedexistence。Endeavouringtopersuadethepeoplethattheyarenobetterthanbeasts,thewholebodyoftheirinstitutiontendstomakethembeastsofprey,furiousandsavage。Forthispurposetheactivepartofthemisdisciplinedintoaferocitywhichhasnoparallel。Tothisferocitythereisjoinednotoneoftherude,unfashionedvirtues,whichaccompanythevices,wherethewholearelefttogrowuptogetherintheranknessofuncultivatednature。Butnothingislefttonatureintheirsystems。
Thesamedisciplinewhichhardenstheirheartsrelaxestheirmorals。
Whilstcourtsofjusticewerethrustoutbyrevolutionarytribunals,andsilentchurcheswereonlythefuneralmonumentsofdepartedreligion,therewerenofewerthannineteenortwentytheatres,greatandsmall,mostofthemkeptopenatthepublicexpense,andallofthemcrowdedeverynight。Amongthegaunt,haggardformsoffamineandnakedness,amidsttheyellsofmurder,thetearsofaffliction,andthecriesofdespair,thesong,thedance,themimicscene,thebuffoonlaughter,wentonasregularlyasinthegayhouroffestivepeace。Ihaveitfromgoodauthority,thatunderthescaffoldofjudicialmurder,andthegapingplanksthatpoureddownbloodonthespectators,thespacewashiredoutforashowofdancingdogs。Ithink,withoutconcert,wehavemadetheverysameremarkonreadingsomeoftheirpieces,whichbeingwrittenforotherpurposes,letusintoaviewoftheirsociallife。ItstruckusthatthehabitsofParishadnoresemblancetothefinishedvirtues,ortothepolishedvice,andelegant,thoughnotblameless,luxury,ofthecapitalofagreatempire。Theirsocietywasmorelikethatofadenofoutlawsuponadoubtfulfrontier;ofalewdtavernfortherevelsanddebauchesofbanditti,assassins,bravos,smugglers,andtheirmoredesperateparamours,mixedwithbombasticplayers,therefuseandrejectedoffalofstrollingtheatres,puffingoutill-sortedversesaboutvirtue,mixedwiththelicentiousandblasphemoussongs,propertothebrutalandhardenedcourseoflifebelongingtothatsortofwretches。Thissystemofmannersinitselfisatwarwithallorderlyandmoralsociety,andisinitsneighbourhoodunsafe。Ifgreatbodiesofthatkindwereanywhereestablishedinaborderingterritory,weshouldhavearighttodemandoftheirgovernmentsthesuppressionofsuchanuisance。
VOICEOFOPPRESSION。
ShouldwenotobtestHeaven,andwhateverjusticethereisyetonearth?
Oppressionmakeswisemenmad;butthedistemperisstillthemadnessofthewise,whichisbetterthanthesobrietyoffools。Thecryisthevoiceofsacredmisery,exaltednotintowildraving,butintothesanctifiedfrenzyofprophecyandinspiration——inthatbitternessofsoul,inthatindignationofsufferingvirtue,inthatexaltationofdespair,wouldnotpersecutedEnglishloyaltycryout,withanawfulwarningvoice,anddenouncethedestructionthatwaitsonmonarchs,whoconsiderfidelitytothemasthemostdegradingofallvices;whosufferittobepunishedasthemostabominableofallcrimes;andwhohavenorespectbutforrebels,traitors,regicides,andfuriousnegroslaves,whosecrimeshavebrokentheirchains?Wouldnotthiswarmlanguageofhighindignationhavemoreofsoundreasoninit,moreofrealaffection,moreoftrueattachment,thanallthelullabiesofflatterers,whowouldhushmonarchstosleepinthearmsofdeath。
BRITAINVINDICATEDINHERWARWITHFRANCE。
Thereisonethinginthisbusinesswhichappearstobewhollyunaccountable,oraccountableonasuppositionIdarenotentertainforamoment。Icannothelpasking,Whyallthispains,tocleartheBritishnationofambition,perfidy,andtheinsatiatethirstofwar?
Atwhatperiodoftimewasitthatourcountryhasdeservedthatloadofinfamy,ofwhichnothingbutpreternaturalhumiliationinlanguageandconductcanservetoclearus?,Ifwehavedeservedthiskindofevilfamefromanythingwehavedoneinastateofprosperity,Iamsurethatitisnotanabjectconductinadversitythancanclearourreputation。Wellisitknownthatambitioncancreepaswellassoar。
Theprideofnopersoninaflourishingconditionismorejustlytobedreaded,thanthatofhimwhoismeanandcringingunderadoubtfulandunprosperousfortune。Butitseemsitwasthoughtnecessarytogivesomeout-of-the-wayproofsofoursincerity,aswellasofourfreedomfromambition。IsthenfraudandfalsehoodbecomethedistinctivecharacterofEnglishmen?Wheneveryourenemychoosestoaccuseyouofperfidyandillfaith,willyouputitintohispowertothrowyouintothepurgatoryofself-humiliation?IshischargeequaltothefindingofthegrandjuryofEurope,andsufficienttoputyouuponyourtrial?ButonthattrialIwilldefendtheEnglishministry。IamsorrythatonsomepointsIhave,ontheprinciplesIhavealwaysopposed,sogoodadefencetomake。
THEYWERENOTTHEFIRSTTOBEGINTHEWAR。THEYDIDNOTEXCITETHE
GENERALCONFEDERACYINEUROPE,WHICHWASSOPROPERLYFORMEDONTHE
ALARMGIVENBYTHEJACOBINISMOFFRANCE。THEYDIDNOTBEGINWITHAN
HOSTILEAGGRESSIONONTHEREGICIDES,AREANYOFTHEIRALLIES。THESE
PARRICIDESOFTHEIROWNCOUNTRY,DISCIPLININGTHEMSELVESFORFOREIGN
BYDOMESTICVIOLENCE,WERETHEFIRSTTOATTACKAPOWERTHATWASOUR
ALLYBYNATURE,BYHABIT,ANDBYTHESANCTIONOFMULTIPLIEDTREATIES。
(TheEditorhasventuredtoprinttheselinesinitalics,becauseitappears,whilethisselectionfromBurkeispreparingforthepress,aninflateddemagoguehasnotonlydaredtodenytheclaimsofthedukeofWellingtontobetheHeroofanation’sheart,buthasalsoaccusedtheillustriousBurkeofmisrepresentinghistoricalfactsconnectedwithourwarintheFrenchrevolution。Onwhichsideboththetruthandintegrityofhistoryaretobefound,maysafelybelefttothemoraldecisionofmenwhodoNOTlookatHistorythroughtheexclusivemediumofthemarket,andinlisteningtothevoiceofinstructionare,atleast,enabledtodistinguishthebrayofanassfromthepealofatrumpet。)Isitnottrue,thattheywerethefirsttodeclarewaruponthiskingdom?IseverywordinthedeclarationfromDowning-Street,concerningtheirconduct,andconcerningoursandthatofourallies,soobviouslyfalse,thatitisnecessarytogivesomenew-inventedproofsofourgoodfaithinordertoexpungethememoryofallthisperfidy?
POLISHANDFRENCHREVOLUTION。
Akingwithoutauthority;nobleswithoutunionorsubordination;apeoplewithoutarts,industry,commerce,orliberty;noorderwithin,nodefencewithout;noeffectivepublicforce,butaforeignforce,whichenteredanakedcountryatwill,anddisposedofeverythingatpleasure。Herewasastateofthingswhichseemedtoinvite,andmightperhapsjustify,boldenterpriseanddesperateexperiment。Butinwhatmannerwasthischaosbroughtintoorder?Themeanswereasstrikingtotheimagination,assatisfactorytothereason,andsoothingtothemoralsentiments。Incontemplatingthatchange,humanityhaseverythingtorejoiceandtogloryin;nothingtobeashamedof,nothingtosuffer。Sofarasithasgone,itprobablyisthemostpureanddefecatedpublicgoodwhicheverhasbeenconferredonmankind。Wehaveseenanarchyandservitudeatonceremoved;athronestrengthenedfortheprotectionofthepeople,withouttrenchingontheirliberties;allforeigncabalbanished,bychangingthecrownfromelectivetohereditary;andwhatwasamatterofpleasingwonder,wehaveseenareigningking,fromanheroiclovetohiscountry,exertinghimselfwithallthetoil,thedexterity,themanagement,theintrigue,infavourofafamilyofstrangers,withwhichambitiousmenlabourfortheaggrandizementoftheirown。Tenmillionsofmeninawayofbeingfreedgradually,andthereforesafelytothemselvesandthestate,notfromcivilorpoliticalchains,which,badastheyare,onlyfetterthemind,butfromsubstantialpersonalbondage。Inhabitantsofcities,beforewithoutprivileges,placedintheconsiderationwhichbelongstothatimprovedandconnectingsituationofsociallife。Oneofthemostproud,numerous,andfiercebodiesofnobilityandgentryeverknownintheworld,arrangedonlyintheforemostrankoffreeandgenerouscitizens。Notonemanincurredloss,orsuffereddegradation。All,fromthekingtotheday-labourer,wereimprovedintheircondition。
Everythingwaskeptinitsplaceandorder;butinthatplaceandordereverythingwasbetterd。Toaddtothishappywonder(thisunheard-ofconjunctionofwisdomandfortune),notonedropofbloodwasspilled;notreachery;nooutrage;nosystemofslandermorecruelthanthesword;nostudiedinsultsonreligion,morals,ormanners;nospoil;noconfiscation;nocitizenbeggared;noneimprisoned;noneexiled:thewholewaseffectedwithapolicy,adiscretion,aunanimityandsecrecy,suchashaveneverbeenbeforeknownonanyoccasion;butsuchwonderfulconductwasreservedforthisgloriousconspiracyinfavourofthetrueandgenuinerightsandinterestsofmen。Happypeople,iftheyknowhowtoproceedastheyhavebegun!Happyprince,worthytobeginwithsplendour,ortoclosewithglory,araceofpatriotsandofkings:andtoleave,“Aname,whichev’rywindtoheav’nwouldbear,Whichmentospeak,andangelsjoytohear。”
Tofinishall——thisgreatgood,asintheinstantitis,containsinittheseedsofallfurtherimprovement,andmaybeconsideredasinaregularprogress,becausefoundedonsimilarprinciples,towardsthestableexcellencyofaBritishconstitution。
Herewasamatterforcongratulationandforfestiveremembrancethroughages。Heremoralistsanddivinesmightindeedrelaxintheirtemperance,toexhilaratetheirhumanity。Butmarkthecharacterofourfaction。AlltheirenthusiasmiskeptfortheFrenchrevolution。TheycannotpretendthatFrancehadstoodsomuchinneedofachangeasPoland。TheycannotpretendthatPolandhasnotobtainedabettersystemofliberty,orofgovernment,thanitenjoyedbefore。Theycannotassert,thatthePolishrevolutioncostmoredearlythanthatofFrancetotheinterestsandfeelingsofmultitudesofmen。Butthecoldandsubordinatelightinwhichtheylookupontheone,andthepainstheytaketopreachuptheotheroftheserevolutions,leaveusnochoiceinfixingontheirmotives。Bothrevolutionsprofesslibertyastheirobject;butinobtainingthisobjecttheoneproceedsfromanarchytoorder;theotherfromordertoanarchy。Thefirstsecuresitslibertybyestablishingitsthrone;theotherbuildsitsfreedomonthesubversionofitsmonarchy。
Intheonetheirmeansareunstainedbycrimes,andtheirsettlementfavoursmorality。Intheother,viceandconfusionareintheveryessenceoftheirpursuit,andoftheirenjoyment。Thecircumstancesinwhichthesetwoeventsdiffer,mustcausethedifferencewemakeintheircomparativeestimation。TheseturnthescalewiththesocietiesinfavourofFrance。Ferrumestquodamant。Thefrauds,theviolences,thesacrileges,thehavocandruinoffamilies,thedispersionandexileoftheprideandflowerofagreatcountry,thedisorder,theconfusion,theanarchy,theviolationofproperty,thecruelmurders,theinhumanconfiscations,andintheendtheinsolentdominationofbloody,ferocious,andsenselessclubs——thesearethethingswhichtheyloveandadmire。Whatmenadmireandlove,theywouldsurelyact。LetusseewhatisdoneinFrance;andthenletusundervalueanytheslightestdangeroffallingintothehandsofsuchamercilessandsavagefaction!
EUROPEIN1789。
Inthelongseriesofageswhichhavefurnishedthematterofhistory,neverwassobeautifulandsoaugustaspectaclepresentedtothemoraleye,asEuropeaffordedthedaybeforetherevolutioninFrance。Iknewindeedthatthisprosperitycontainedinitselftheseedsofitsowndanger。Inonepartofthesocietyitcausedlaxityanddebility;intheotheritproducedboldspiritsanddarkdesigns。
Afalsephilosophypassedfromacademiesintocourts;andthegreatthemselveswereinfectedwiththetheorieswhichconductedtotheirruin。Knowledge,whichinthetwolastcenturieseitherdidnotexistatall,orexistedsolidlyonrightprinciplesandinchosenhands,wasnowdiffused,weakened,andperverted。Generalwealthloosenedmorals,relaxedvigilance,andincreasedpresumption。Menoftalentbegantocompare,inthepartitionofthecommonstockofpublicprosperity,theproportionsofthedividendswiththemeritsoftheclaimants。Asusual,theyfoundtheirportionnotequaltotheirestimate(orperhapstothepublicestimate)oftheirownworth。WhenitwasoncediscoveredbytherevolutioninFrance,thatastrugglebetweenestablishmentandrapacitycouldbemaintained,thoughbutforoneyear,andinoneplace,Iwassurethatapracticablebreachwasmadeinthewholeorderofthingsandineverycountry。Religion,thatheldthematerialsofthefabrictogether,wasfirstsystematicallyloosened。Allotheropinions,underthenameofprejudices,mustfallalongwithit;andproperty,leftundefendedbyprinciples,becamearepositoryofspoilstotemptcupidity,andnotamagazinetofurnisharmsfordefence。Iknewthat,attackedonallsidesbytheinfernalenergiesoftalentssetinactionbyviceanddisorder,authoritycouldnotstanduponauthorityalone。Itwantedsomeothersupportthanthepoiseofitsowngravity。Situationsformerlysupportedpersons。Itnowbecamenecessarythatpersonalqualitiesshouldsupportsituations。Formerly,whereauthoritywasfound,wisdomandvirtuewerepresumed。Butnowtheveilwastorn,and,tokeepoffsacrilegiousintrusion,itwasnecessarythatinthesanctuaryofgovernmentsomethingshouldbedisclosednotonlyvenerable,butdreadful。Governmentwasatoncetoshowitselffullofvirtueandfullofforce。Itwastoinvitepartisans,bymakingitappeartotheworldthatagenerouscausewastobeasserted;onefitforagenerouspeopletoengagein。Frompassivesubmissionwasittoexpectresolutedefence?No!Itmusthavewarmadvocatesandpassionatedefenders,whichaheavy,discontentedacquiescencenevercouldproduce。Whatabaseandfoolishthingisitforanyconsolidatedbodyofauthoritytosay,ortoactasifitsaid,“I
willputmytrustnotinmyownvirtue,butinyourpatience;Iwillindulgeineffeminacy,inindolence,incorruption;Iwillgivewaytoallmyperverseandvicioushumours,becauseyoucannotpunishmewithoutthehazardofruiningyourselves?”
ATHEISMCANNOTREPENT。
Disappointmentandmortificationundoubtedlytheyfeel;buttothem,repentanceisathingimpossible。Theyareatheists。Thiswretchedopinion,bywhichtheyarepossessedeventotheheightoffanaticism,leadingthemtoexcludefromtheirideasofacommonwealththevitalprincipleofthephysical,themoral,andthepoliticalworld,engagestheminathousandabsurdcontrivancestofillupthisdreadfulvoid。
Incapableofinnoxiousrepose,orhonourableaction,orwisespeculation,inthelurking-holesofaforeignland,intowhich(inacommonruin)theyaredriventohidetheirheadsamongsttheinnocentvictimsoftheirmadness,theyareatthisveryhourasbusyintheconfectionofthedirt-piesoftheirimaginaryconstitutions,asiftheyhadnotbeenquitefreshfromdestroying,bytheirimpiousanddesperatevagaries,thefinestcountryuponearth。
OUTWARDDIGNITYOFTHECHURCHDEFENDED。
TheEnglishpeoplearesatisfied,thattothegreattheconsolationsofreligionareasnecessaryasitsinstructions。Theytooareamongtheunhappy。Theyfeelpersonalpain,anddomesticsorrow。Inthesetheyhavenoprivilege,butaresubjecttopaytheirfullcontingenttothecontributionsleviedonmortality。Theywantthissovereignbalmundertheirgnawingcaresandanxieties,which,beinglessconversantaboutthelimitedwantsofanimallife,rangewithoutlimit,andarediversifiedbyinfinitecombinationsinthewildandunboundedregionsofimagination。Somecharitabledoleiswantingtothese,ouroftenveryunhappybrethren,tofillthegloomyvoidthatreignsinmindswhichhavenothingonearthtohopeorfear;
somethingtorelieveinthekillinglanguorandover-labouredlassitudeofthosewhohavenothingtodo;somethingtoexciteanappetitetoexistenceinthepalledsatietywhichattendsonallpleasureswhichmaybebought,wherenatureisnotlefttoherownprocess,whereevendesireisanticipated,andthereforefruitiondefeatedbymeditatedschemesandcontrivancesofdelight;andnointerval,noobstacle,isinterposedbetweenthewishandtheaccomplishment。
ThepeopleofEnglandknowhowlittleinfluencetheteachersofreligionarelikelytohavewiththewealthyandpowerfuloflongstanding,andhowmuchlesswiththenewlyfortunate,iftheyappearinamannernowayassortedtothosewithwhomtheymustassociate,andoverwhomtheymustevenexercise,insomecases,somethinglikeanauthority。Whatmusttheythinkofthatbodyofteachers,iftheyseeitinnopartabovetheestablishmentoftheirdomesticservants?Ifthepovertywerevoluntary,theremightbesomedifference。Stronginstancesofself-denialoperatepowerfullyonourminds;andamanwhohasnowantshasobtainedgreatfreedom,andfirmness,andevendignity。Butasthemassofanydescriptionofmenarebutmen,andtheirpovertycannotbevoluntary,thatdisrespect,whichattendsuponalllayproperty,willnotdepartfromtheecclesiastical。Ourprovidentconstitutionhasthereforetakencarethatthosewhoaretoinstructpresumptuousignorance,thosewhoaretobecensorsoverinsolentvice,shouldneitherincurtheircontempt,norliveupontheiralms;norwillittempttherichtoaneglectofthetruemedicineoftheirminds。Forthesereasons,whilstweprovidefirstforthepoor,andwithaparentalsolicitude,wehavenotrelegatedreligion(likesomethingwewereashamedtoshow)toobscuremunicipalities,orrusticvillages。No!Wewillhavehertoexalthermitredfrontincourtsandparliaments。Wewillhavehermixedthroughoutthewholemassoflife,andblendedwithalltheclassesofsociety。ThepeopleofEnglandwillshowtothehaughtypotentatesoftheworld,andtotheirtalkingsophisters,thatafree,agenerous,aninformednationhonoursthehighmagistratesofitschurch;thatitwillnotsuffertheinsolenceofwealthandtitles,oranyotherspeciesofproudpretension,tolookdownwithscornuponwhattheylookuptowithreverence;norpresumetotrampleonthatacquiredpersonalnobility,whichtheyintendalwaystobe,andwhichoftenis,thefruit,notthereward(forwhatcanbethereward),oflearning,piety,andvirtue。Theycansee,withoutpainorgrudging,anarchbishopprecedeaduke。TheycanseeabishopofDurham,orabishopofWinchester,inpossessionoftenthousandpoundsayear;andcannotconceivewhyitisinworsehandsthanestatestothelikeamountinthehandsofthisearl,orthatsquire;althoughitmaybetrue,thatsomanydogsandhorsesarenotkeptbytheformer,andfedwiththevictualswhichoughttonourishthechildrenofthepeople。Itistrue,thewholechurchrevenueisnotalwaysemployed,andtoeveryshilling,incharity;norperhapsoughtit;butsomethingisgenerallysoemployed。Itisbettertocherishvirtueandhumanitybyleavingmuchtofreewill,evenwithsomelosstotheobject,thantoattempttomakemenmeremachinesandinstrumentsofapoliticalbenevolence。Theworldonthewholewillgainbyaliberty,withoutwhichvirtuecannotexist。
Whenoncethecommonwealthhasestablishedtheestatesofthechurchasproperty,itcan,consistently,hearnothingofthemoreortheless。
Toomuchandtoolittlearetreasonagainstproperty。Whatevilcanarisefromthequantityinanyhand,whilstthesupremeauthorityhasthefull,sovereignsuperintendenceoverthis,asoveranyproperty,topreventeveryspeciesofabuse;and,wheneveritnotablydeviates,togivetoitadirectionagreeabletothepurposesofitsinstitution。InEnglandmostofusconceivethatitisenvyandmalignitytowardsthosewhoareoftenthebeginnersoftheirownfortune,andnotaloveoftheself-denialandmortificationoftheancientchurch,thatmakessomelookaskanceatthedistinctions,andhonours,andrevenues,which,takenfromnoperson,aresetapartforvirtue。TheearsofthepeopleofEnglandaredistinguishing。Theyhearthesemenspeakbroad。Theirtonguebetraysthem。Theirlanguageisinthepatoisoffraud;inthecantandgibberishofhypocrisy。ThepeopleofEnglandmustthinkso,whenthesepratersaffecttocarrybacktheclergytothatprimitive,evangelicpoverty,which,inthespirit,oughtalwaystoexistinthem(andinustoo,howeverwemaylikeit),butinthethingmustbevaried,whentherelationofthatbodytothestateisaltered;whenmanners,whenmodesoflife,whenindeedthewholeorderofhumanaffairs,hasundergoneatotalrevolution。Weshallbelievethosereformersthentobehonestenthusiasts,not,asnowwethinkthem,cheatsanddeceivers,whenweseethemthrowingtheirowngoodsintocommon,andsubmittingtheirownpersonstotheausteredisciplineoftheearlychurch。
DANGEROFABSTRACTVIEWS。
Itisnotworthourwhiletodiscuss,likesophisters,whether,innocase,someevil,forthesakeofsomebenefit,istobetolerated。
Nothinguniversalcanberationallyaffirmedonanymoraloranypoliticalsubject。Puremetaphysicalabstractiondoesnotbelongtothesematters。Thelinesofmoralityarenotlikeideallinesofmathematics。Theyarebroadanddeepaswellaslong。Theyadmitofexceptions;theydemandmodifications。Theseexceptionsandmodificationsarenotmadebytheprocessoflogic,butbytherulesofprudence。Prudenceisnotonlythefirstinrankofthevirtuespoliticalandmoral,butsheisthedirector,theregulator,thestandardofthemall。Metaphysicscannotlivewithoutdefinition;butprudenceiscautioushowshedefines。Ourcourtscannotbemorefearfulinsufferingfictitiouscasestobebroughtbeforethemforelicitingtheirdeterminationonapointoflaw,thanprudentmoralistsareinputtingextremeandhazardouscasesofconscienceuponemergenciesnotexisting。Withoutattemptingthereforetodefine,whatnevercanbedefined,thecaseofarevolutioningovernment,this,Ithink,maybesafelyaffirmed,thatasoreandpressingevilistoberemoved,andthatagood,greatinitsamount,andunequivocalinitsnature,mustbeprobablealmosttocertainty,beforetheinestimablepriceofourownmorals,andthewell-beingofanumberofourfellow-citizens,ispaidforarevolution。Ifeverweoughttobeeconomistseventoparsimony,itisinthevoluntaryproductionofevil。Everyrevolutioncontainsinitsomethingofevil。
APPEALTOIMPARTIALITY。
Thequalityofthesentencedoesnothoweverdecideonthejusticeofit。Angryfriendshipissometimesasbadascalmenmity。Forthisreasonthecoldneutralityofabstractjusticeis,toagoodandclearcause,amoredesirablethingthananaffectionliabletobeanywaydisturbed。
Whenthetrialisbyfriends,ifthedecisionshouldhappentobefavourable,thehonouroftheacquittalislessened;ifadverse,thecondemnationisexceedinglyembittered。Itisaggravatedbycomingfromlipsprofessingfriendship,andpronouncingjudgmentwithsorrowandreluctance。Takinginthewholeviewoflife,itismoresafetoliveunderthejurisdictionofseverebutsteadyreason,thanundertheempireofindulgentbutcapriciouspassion。ItiscertainlywellforMr。
Burkethatthereareimpartialmenintheworld。TothemIaddressmyself,pendingtheappealwhichonhispartismadefromthelivingtothedead,fromthemodernWhigstotheancient。
HISTORICALESTIMATEOFLOUISXVI。
TheunhappyLouisXVI。wasamanofthebestintentionsthatprobablyeverreigned。Hewasbynomeansdeficientintalents。Hehadamostlaudabledesiretosupplybygeneralreading,andevenbytheacquisitionofelementalknowledge,aneducationinallpointsoriginallydefective;butnobodytoldhim(anditwasnowonderheshouldnothimselfdivineit)thattheworldofwhichheread,andtheworldinwhichhelived,werenolongerthesame。Desirousofdoingeverythingforthebest,fearfulofcabal,distrustinghisownjudgment,hesoughthisministersofallkindsuponpublictestimony。
Butascourtsarethefieldforcaballers,thepublicisthetheatreformountebanksandimposters。Thecureforboththoseevilsisinthediscernmentoftheprince。Butanaccurateandpenetratingdiscernmentiswhatinayoungprincecouldnotbelookedfor。
Hisconductinitsprinciplewasnotunwise;but,likemostotherofhiswell-meantdesigns,itfailedinhishands。Itfailedpartlyfrommereillfortune,towhichspeculatorsarerarelypleasedtoassignthatverylargesharetowhichsheisjustlyentitledinhumanaffairs。Thefailure,perhaps,inpartwasowingtohissufferinghissystemtobevitiatedanddisturbedbythoseintrigues,whichitis,humanlyspeaking,impossiblewhollytopreventincourts,orindeedunderanyformofgovernment。However,withtheseaberrations,hegavehimselfovertoasuccessionofthestatesmenofpublicopinion。Inotherthingshethoughtthathemightbeakingonthetermsofhispredecessors。Hewasconsciousofthepurityofhisheart,andthegeneralgoodtendencyofhisgovernment。Heflatteredhimself,asmostmeninhissituationwill,thathemightconsulthiseasewithoutdangertohissafety。Itisnotatallwonderfulthatbothheandhisministers,givingwayabundantlyinotherrespectstoinnovation,shouldtakeupinpolicywiththetraditionoftheirmonarchy。Underhisancestorsthemonarchyhadsubsisted,andevenbeenstrengthened,bythegenerationorsupportofrepublics。First,theSwissrepublicsgrewundertheguardianshipoftheFrenchmonarchy。TheDutchrepublicswerehatchedandcherishedunderthesameincubation。Afterwards,arepublicanconstitutionwas,undertheinfluenceofFrance,establishedintheempireagainstthepretensionsofitschief。EvenwhilstthemonarchyofFrance,byaseriesofwarsandnegociations,andlastly,bythetreatiesofWestphalia,hadobtainedtheestablishmentoftheProtestantsinGermanyasalawoftheempire,thesamemonarchyunderLouistheThirteenth,hadforceenoughtodestroytherepublicansystemoftheProtestantsathome。LouistheSixteenthwasadiligentreaderofhistory。Buttheverylampofprudenceblindedhim。Theguideofhumanlifeledhimastray。A
silentrevolutioninthemoralworldprecededthepolitical,andpreparedit。Itbecameofmoreimportancethaneverwhatexamplesweregiven,andwhatmeasureswereadopted。Theircausesnolongerlurkedintherecessesofcabinets,orintheprivateconspiraciesofthefactious。Theywerenolongertobecontrolledbytheforceandinfluenceofthegrandees,whoformerlyhadbeenabletostiruptroublesbytheirdiscontents,andtoquietthembytheircorruption。
Thechainofsubordination,evenincabalandsedition,wasbrokeninitsmostimportantlinks。Itwasnolongerthegreatandthepopulace。
Otherinterestswereformed,otherdependencies,otherconnections,othercommunications。Themiddleclasseshadswelledfarbeyondtheirformerproportion。Likewhateveristhemosteffectivelyrichandgreatinsociety,theseclassesbecametheseatofalltheactivepolitics;
andthepreponderatingweighttodecideonthem。Therewerealltheenergiesbywhichfortuneisacquired;theretheconsequenceoftheirsuccess。Therewereallthetalentswhichasserttheirpretensions,andareimpatientoftheplacewhichsettledsocietyprescribestothem。
Thesedescriptionshadgotbetweenthegreatandthepopulace;andtheinfluenceonthelowerclasseswaswiththem。Thespiritofambitionhadtakenpossessionofthisclassasviolentaseverithaddoneofanyother。Theyfelttheimportanceofthissituation。Thecorrespondenceofthemoniedandthemercantileworld,theliteraryintercourseofacademies,but,aboveall,thepress,ofwhichtheyhadinamannerentirepossession,madeakindofelectriccommunicationeverywhere。Thepressinrealityhasmadeeverygovernment,initsspirit,almostdemocratic。Withoutitthegreat,thefirstmovementsinthisRevolutioncouldnot,perhaps,havebeengiven。Butthespiritofambition,nowforthefirsttimeconnectedwiththespiritofspeculation,wasnottoberestrainedatwill。Therewasnolongeranymeansofarrestingaprincipleinitscourse。WhenLouistheSixteenth,undertheinfluenceoftheenemiestomonarchy,meanttofoundbutonerepublic,hesetuptwo。Whenhemeanttotakeawayhalfthecrownofhisneighbour,helostthewholeofhisown。LouistheSixteenthcouldnotwithimpunitycountenanceanewrepublic:yetbetweenhisthroneandthatdangerouslodgmentforanenemy,whichhehaderected,hehadthewholeAtlanticforaditch。HehadforanoutworktheEnglishnationitself,friendlytoliberty,adversetothatmodeofit。Hewassurroundedbyarampartofmonarchies,mostofthemalliedtohim,andgenerallyunderhisinfluence。Yeteventhussecured,arepublicerectedunderhisauspices,anddependentonhispower,becamefataltohisthrone。Theverymoneywhichhehadlenttosupportthisrepublic,byagoodfaith,whichtohimoperatedasperfidy,waspunctuallypaidtohisenemies,andbecamearesourceinthehandsofhisassassins。
NEGATIVERELIGIONANULLITY。
IfmeredissentfromthechurchofRomebeamerit,hethatdissentsthemostperfectlyisthemostmeritorious。Inmanypointsweholdstronglywiththatchurch。HethatdissentsthroughoutwiththatchurchwilldissentwiththechurchofEngland,andthenitwillbeapartofhismeritthathedissentswithourselves:——awhimsicalspeciesofmeritforanysetofmentoestablish。Wequarreltoextremitywiththosewhoweknowagreewithusinmanythings,butwearetobesomaliciousevenintheprincipleofourfriendships,thatwearetocherishinourbosomthosewhoaccordwithusinnothing,becausewhilsttheydespiseourselves,theyabhor,evenmorethanwedo,thosewithwhomwehavesomedisagreement。AmaniscertainlythemostperfectProtestantwhoprotestsagainstthewholeChristianreligion。Whetheraperson’shavingnoChristianreligionbeatitletofavour,inexclusiontothelargestdescriptionofChristianswhoholdallthedoctrinesofChristianity,thoughholdingalongwiththemsomeerrorsandsomesuperfluities,israthermorethananyman,whohasnotbecomerecreantandapostatefromhisbaptism,will,Ibelieve,choosetoaffirm。Thecountenancegivenfromaspiritofcontroversytothatnegativereligionmay,bydegrees,encouragelightandunthinkingpeopletoatotalindifferencetoeverythingpositiveinmattersofdoctrine;and,intheend,ofpracticetoo。Ifcontinued,itwouldplaythegameofthatsortofactive,proselytizing,andpersecutingatheism,whichisthedisgraceandcalamityofourtime,andwhichweseetobeascapableofsubvertingagovernment,asanymodecanbeofmisguidedzealforbetterthings。
ANTECHAMBEROFREGICIDE。
Tothosewhodonotlovetocontemplatethefallofhumangreatness,Idonotknowamoremortifyingspectacle,thantoseetheassembledmajestyofthecrownedheadsofEuropewaitingaspatientsuitorsintheantechamberofregicide。Theywait,itseems,untilthesanguinarytyrantCarnotshallhavesnortedawaythefumesoftheindigestedbloodofhissovereign。Then,when,sunkonthedownofusurpedpomp,heshallhavesufficientlyindulgedhismeditationswithwhatmonarchheshallnextgluthisraveningmaw,hemaycondescendtosignifythatitishispleasuretobeawake;andthatheisatleisuretoreceivetheproposalsofhishighandmightyclientsforthetermsonwhichhemayrespitetheexecutionofthesentencehehaspasseduponthem。Attheopeningofthosedoors,whatasightitmustbetobeholdtheplenipotentiariesofroyalimpotence,intheprecedencywhichtheywillintriguetoobtain,andwhichwillbegrantedtothemaccordingtotheseniorityoftheirdegradation,sneakingintotheregicidepresence,andwiththerelicsofthesmile,whichtheyhaddressedupfortheleveeoftheirmasters,stillflickeringontheircurledlips,presentingthefadedremainsoftheircourtlygraces,tomeetthescornful,ferocious,sardonicgrinofabloodyruffian,who,whilstheisreceivingtheirhomage,ismeasuringthemwithhiseye,andfittingtotheirsizethesliderofhisguillotine!Theseambassadorsmayeasilyreturnasgoodcourtiersastheywent;butcantheyeverreturnfromthatdegradingresidence,loyalandfaithfulsubjects;orwithanytrueaffectiontotheirmaster,ortrueattachmenttotheconstitution,religion,orlawsoftheircountry?Thereisgreatdangerthatthey,whoentersmilingintothisTrophoniancave,willcomeoutofitsadandseriousconspirators;andsuchwillcontinueaslongastheylive。
Theywillbecometrueconductorsofcontagiontoeverycountrywhichhashadthemisfortunetosendthemtothesourceofthatelectricity。Atbesttheywillbecometotallyindifferenttogoodandevil,tooneinstitutionoranother。Thisspeciesofindifferenceisbuttoogenerallydistinguishableinthosewhohavebeenmuchemployedinforeigncourts;butinthepresentcasetheevilmustbeaggravatedwithoutmeasure;fortheygofromtheircountry,notwiththeprideoftheoldcharacter,butinastateofthelowestdegradation,andwhatmusthappenintheirplaceofresidencecanhavenoeffectinraisingthemtotheleveloftruedignity,orofchasteself-estimation,eitherasmen,orasrepresentativesofcrownedheads。
TREMENDOUSNESSOFWAR。
Asifwarwasamatterofexperiment!Asifyoucouldtakeituporlayitdownasanidlefrolic!Asifthediregoddessthatpresidesoverit,withhermurderousspearinhand,andhergorgonatherbreast,wasacoquettetobeflirtedwith!Weoughtwithreverencetoapproachthattremendousdivinity,thatlovescourage,butcommandscounsel。Warneverleaveswhereitfoundanation。Itisnevertobeenteredintowithoutmaturedeliberation;notadeliberationlengthenedoutintoaperplexingindecision,butadeliberationleadingtoasureandfixedjudgment。
Whensotakenup,itisnottobeabandonedwithoutreasonasvalid,asfully,andasextensivelyconsidered。Peacemaybemadeasunadvisedlyaswar。Nothingissorashasfear;andthecouncilsofpusillanimityveryrarelyputoff,whilsttheyarealwayssuretoaggravate,theevilsfromwhichtheywouldfly。
ENGLISHOFFICERS。
Thereisnowantofofficers,thatIhaveeverunderstood,forthenewshipswhichwecommission,orthenewregimentswhichweraise。Inthenatureofthingsitisnotwiththeirpersons,thatthehigherclassesprincipallypaytheircontingenttothedemandsofwar。Thereisanother,andnotlessimportantpart,whichrestswithalmostexclusiveweightuponthem。Theyfurnishthemeans,“HowwarmaybestupheldMovebyhertwomainnerves,ironandgold,Inallherequipage。”
Notthattheyareexemptfromcontributingalsobytheirpersonalserviceinthefleetsandarmiesoftheircountry。Theydocontribute,andintheirfullandfairproportion,accordingtotherelativeproportionoftheirnumbersinthecommunity。Theycontributeallthemindthatactuatesthewholemachine。Thefortituderequiredofthemisverydifferentfromtheunthinkingalacrityofthecommonsoldier,orcommonsailor,inthefaceofdangeranddeath;itisnotapassion,itisnotanimpulse,itisnotasentiment;itisacool,steady,deliberateprinciple,alwayspresent,alwaysequable;havingnoconnectionwithanger;temperinghonourwithprudence;incited,invigorated,andsustained,byagenerousloveoffame;informed,moderated,anddirectedbyanenlargedknowledgeofitsowngreatpublicends;flowinginoneblendedstreamfromtheoppositesourcesoftheheartandthehead;carryinginitselfitsowncommission,andprovingitstitletoeveryothercommand,bythefirstandmostdifficultcommand,thatofthebosominwhichitresides:itisafortitude,whichuniteswiththecourageofthefieldthemoreexaltedandrefinedcourageofthecouncil;whichknowsaswelltoretreat,astoadvance;
whichcanconqueraswellbydelay,asbytherapidityofamarch,ortheimpetuosityofanattack;whichcanbe,withFabius,theblackcloudthatlowersonthetopsofthemountains,orwithScipio,thethunderboltofwar;which,undismayedbyfalseshame,canpatientlyenduretheseveresttrialthatagallantspiritcanundergo,inthetauntsandprovocationsoftheenemy,thesuspicions,thecoldrespect,and“mouth-honour“ofthose,fromwhomitshouldmeetacheerfulobedience;which,undisturbedbyfalsehumanity,cancalmlyassumethatmostawfulmoralresponsibilityofdeciding,whenvictorymaybetoodearlypurchasedbythelossofasinglelife,andwhenthesafetyandgloryoftheircountrymaydemandthecertainsacrificeofthousands。
Differentstationsofcommandmaycallfordifferentmodificationsofthisfortitude;butthecharacteroughttobethesameinall。Andnever,inthemost“palmystate“ofourmartialrenown,diditshinewithbrighterlustrethaninthepresentsanguinaryandferocioushostilities,wherevertheBritisharmshavebeencarried。
DIPLOMACYOFHUMILIATION。
Ithappensfrequentlythatpridemayrejectapublicadvance,whileinterestlistenstoasecretsuggestionofadvantage。Theopportunityhasbeenafforded。Ataveryearlyperiodinthediplomacyofhumiliation,agentlemanwassentonanerrand,ofwhich,fromthemotiveofit,whatevertheeventmightbe,wecanneverbeashamed。
Humanitycannotbedegradedbyhumiliation。Itisitsverycharactertosubmittosuchthings。Thereisaconsanguinitybetweenbenevolenceandhumility。Theyarevirtuesofthesamestock。Dignityisofasgoodarace;butitbelongstothefamilyoffortitude。InthespiritofthatbenevolencewesentagentlemantobeseechtheDirectoryofregicidenottobequitesoprodigalastheirrepublichadbeenofjudicialmurder。
Wesolicitedthemtosparethelivesofsomeunhappypersonsofthefirstdistinction,whosesafetyatothertimescouldnothavebeenanobjectofsolicitation。TheyhadquittedFranceonthefaithofthedeclarationoftherightsofcitizens。Theyneverhadbeenintheserviceoftheregicides,norattheirhandshadreceivedanystipend。
Theverysystemandconstitutionofgovernmentthatnowprevailswassettledsubsequentlytotheiremigration。TheywereundertheprotectionofGreatBritain,andinhismajesty’spayandservice。Notanhostileinvasion,butthedisastersofthesea,hadthrownthemuponashoremorebarbarousandinhospitablethantheinclementoceanunderthemostpitilessofitsstorms。Herewasanopportunitytoexpressafeelingforthemiseriesofwar;andtoopensomesortofconversation,which(afterourpublicovertureshadgluttedtheirpride),atacautiousandjealousdistance,mightleadtosomethinglikeanaccommodation。Whatwastheevent?Astrangeuncouththing,atheatricalfigureoftheopera,hisheadshadedwiththree-colouredplumes,hisbodyfantasticallyhabited,struttedfromthebackscenes,and,afterashortspeech,inthemockheroicfalsettoofstupidtragedy,deliveredthegentlemanwhocametomaketherepresentationintothecustodyofaguard,withdirectionsnottolosesightofhimforamoment;andthenorderedhimtobesentfromParisintwohours。
RELATIONOFWEALTHTONATIONALDIGNITY。
Wehaveavastinteresttopreserve,andwepossessgreatmeansofpreservingit:butitistoberememberedthattheartificermaybeencumberedbyhistools,andthatresourcesmaybeamongimpediments。
Ifwealthistheobedientandlaboriousslaveofvirtueandofpublichonour,thenwealthisinitsplace,andhasitsuse:butifthisorderischanged,andhonouristobesacrificedtotheconservationofriches,——riches,whichhaveneithereyesnorhands,noranythingtrulyvitalinthem,cannotlongsurvivethebeingoftheirvivifyingpowers,theirlegitimatemasters,andtheirpotentprotectors。Ifwecommandourwealth,weshallberichandfree:,ifourwealthcommandus,wearepoorindeed。Weareboughtbytheenemywiththetreasurefromourowncoffers。Toogreatasenseofthevalueofasubordinateinterestmaybetheverysourceofitsdanger,aswellasthecertainruinofinterestsofasuperiororder。Oftenhasamanlosthisallbecausehewouldnotsubmittohazardallindefendingit。Adisplayofourwealthbeforerobbersisnotthewaytorestraintheirboldness,ortolessentheirrapacity。Thisdisplayismade,Iknow,topersuadethepeopleofEnglandthattherebyweshallawetheenemy,andimprovethetermsofourcapitulation:itismade,notthatweshouldfightwithmoreanimation,butthatweshouldsupplicatewithbetterhopes。Wearemistaken。Wehaveanenemytodealwithwhoneverregardedourcontestasameasuringandweighingofpurses。HeistheGaulthatputshisSWORDintothescale。Heismoretemptedwithourwealthasbooty,thanterrifiedwithitaspower。Butletusberichorpoor,letusbeeitherinwhatproportionwemay,natureisfalseorthisistrue,thatwheretheessentialpublicforce(ofwhichmoneyisbutapart)isinanydegreeuponaparinaconflictbetweennations,thatstate,whichisresolvedtohazarditsexistenceratherthantoabandonitsobjects,musthaveaninfiniteadvantageoverthatwhichisresolvedtoyieldratherthantocarryitsresistancebeyondacertainpoint。Humanlyspeaking,thatpeoplewhichboundsitseffortsonlywithitsbeing,mustgivethelawtothatnationwhichwillnotpushitsoppositionbeyonditsconvenience。
AMBASSADORSOFINFAMY。
OnthistheirgaudydaythenewregicideDirectorysentfortheirdiplomaticrabble,asbadasthemselvesinprinciple,butinfinitelyworseindegradation。Theycalledthemoutbyasortofrolloftheirnations,oneafteranother,muchinthemannerinwhichtheycalledwretchesoutoftheirprisontotheguillotine。Whentheseambassadorsofinfamyappearedbeforethem,thechiefdirector,inthenameoftherest,treatedeachofthemwithashort,affected,pedantic,insolent,theatriclaconium:asortofepigramofcontempt。Whentheyhadthusinsultedtheminastyleandlanguagewhichneverbeforewasheard,andwhichnosovereignwouldforamomentendurefromanother,supposinganyofthemfranticenoughtouseit;tofinishtheiroutrage,theydrummedandtrumpetedthewretchesoutoftheirhallofaudience。
AmongtheobjectsofthisinsolentbuffoonerywasapersonsupposedtorepresentthekingofPrussia。Tothisworthyrepresentativetheydidnotsomuchascondescendtomentionhismaster;theydidnotseemtoknowthathehadone;theyaddressedthemselvessolelytoPrussiaintheabstract,notwithstandingtheinfiniteobligationtheyowedtotheirearlyprotectorfortheirfirstrecognitionandalliance,andforthepartofhisterritoryhegaveintotheirhandsforthefirst-fruitsofhishomage。Nonebutdeadmonarchsaresomuchasmentionedbythem,andthoseonlytoinsultthelivingbyaninvidiouscomparison。TheytoldthePrussianstheyoughttolearn,aftertheexampleofFredericktheGreat,aloveforFrance。Whatapityitis,thathe,wholovedFrancesowellastochastiseit,wasnotnowalive,byanunsparinguseoftherod(whichindeedhewouldhavesparedlittle)togivethemanotherinstanceofhispaternalaffection。ButtheDirectoryweremistaken。
ThesearenotdaysinwhichmonarchsvaluethemselvesuponthetitleofGREAT:theyaregrownPHILOSOPHIC:theyaresatisfiedtobegood。YourlordshipwillpardonmeforthisnoverylongreflectionontheshortbutexcellentspeechoftheplumeddirectortotheambassadorofCappadocia。Theimperialambassadorwasnotinwaiting,buttheyfoundforAustriaagoodJudeanrepresentation。WithgreatjudgmenthishighnesstheGrandDukehadsentthemostatheisticcoxcombtobefoundinFlorencetorepresent,atthebarofimpiety,thehouseofapostolicmajesty,andthedescendantsofthepious,thoughhigh-minded,MariaTheresa。HewassenttohumblethewholeraceofAustriabeforethosegrimassassins,reekingwiththebloodofthedaughterofMariaTheresa,whomtheysent,half-dead,inadung-cart,toacruelexecution;andthistrue-bornsonofapostasyandinfidelity,thisrenegadofromthefaith,andfromallhonourandallhumanity,droveanAustriancoachoverthestoneswhichwereyetwetwithherblood;——withthatbloodwhichdroppedeverystepthroughhertumbril,allthewayshewasdrawnfromthehorridprison,inwhichtheyhadfinishedallthecrueltyandhorrors,notexecutedinthefaceofthesun!TheHungariansubjectsofMariaTheresa,whentheydrewtheirswordstodefendherrightsagainstFrance,calledher,withcorrectnessoftruth,thoughnotwiththesamecorrectness,perhaps,ofgrammar,aking:MoriamurproregenostroMariaTheresa——Shelivedanddiedaking,andotherswillhavesubjectsreadytomakethesamevow,when,ineithersex,theyshowthemselvesrealkings。