tation; nor touched the forbidden fruit (which is often stolen into the hand); let him step forth, to punish them who fall! If ye be Christians, read the beautiful lesson of mercy, which is taught by the immaculate Jesus. And if ye be the disciples of nature only, let that nature teach you, to speak with lenity of failings which are its own. We are all heirs of one constitution: affections, passions, appetites, are as surely compounds of our being, as spirit, soul, and body. Some hold a better rule over them than others do; but all are liable to err: and as no one is out of the reach of adversaries which we carry in our bosoms, so none can, with security, exult over the defeat of a fellow-creature, until he hath himself escaped out of the world, and left his danger with his body in the grave.

Should any detraction be known by its promoters to be a falsehood, then their guilt is too great to be discoursed on; if their blood could wash out the stains with which they have blotted a fair character, it would be only justice that the common executioner

should shed it on the spot: But, alas! calumny, like the lightning, scars where it strikes! It comes from hell; and leaves a burning wound, which no earthly surgery can heal!

POPULAR OPINION.

1.

THE judgment of the world stands upon matter of fortune.

Remark.

The vulgar judge by the event; noble minds by the intention.

2.

Who knows a people, that knows not sudden opinion makes them hope? Which hope,

if it be not answered, they fall into hate; choosing and refusing, erecting and overthrowing, according as the presentness of any fancy carries them. Even their hasty drawing to one leader, makes him think they will as hastily be withdrawn from him; for it is but one ground of inconstancy, soon to take and soon to leave.

Remark.

Vladimir, the first Christian prince of Rus sia, gave an example in his treatment of treason, useful both to kings and subjects. In his war with Yaropolk, prince of Kief, he contrived to bribe Blude, the confidential minister of his enemy, to betray Kief and its sovereign into his hands. It was done; and the traitor prepared to derive yet higher rewards from his treachery. For three days, Vladimir placed him in the seats of distinction, loaded him with titles of dignity, and on the fourth, called him before the whole court, and thus addressed him-" I have ful

filled my promise: thy honours exceed thy wishes: Three days I have treated thee as my friend: To-day, as judge, I condemn the traitor and the assassin of his prince!" Having uttered these words, Blude was led out to immediate execution.

3.

Factions are no longer to be trusted than the factious may be persuaded it is for their good.

Remark.

While interests appear irreconcilable, opinions will be so to; but the instant the mob are led to scent their own advantage, they care not whether the public derive weal or woe from their uproar.

A popular licence, is indeed the manyheaded tyrant.

5.

The people's will, having so many circles

of imagination, can hardly be inclosed in one point.

6.

O! weak trust of the many-headed multitude, whom inconstancy only doth by accident guide to well-doing! Who can set confidence there, where company takes away shame; and each may lay the fault upon his fellow?

7.

The populace are naturally taken with exterior shews, far more than with inward consideration of material points.

Remark.

We should be at a loss to account for this foolish result of the congregated opinions ofa concourse of people (from most of whom, individually, we might expect some wellgrounded judgment), if it were the majority which always carried the verdict on these occasions. But so far from it (as judgment is the consequence of investigation), while they deliberate, the cork-brained minority, ready