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extenfive. It is not, like some other virtues, called forth only on peculiar emergencies; but it is continually in action, when we are engaged in intercourfe with men. It ought to form our address, to regulate our speech, and to diffuse itself over our whole behaviour.

We must not, however, confound this gentle "wifdom which is from above," with that artificial courtesy, that studied smoothness of manners, which is learned in the fchool of the world. Such accomplishments, the most frivolous and empty may poffefs. Too often they are employed by the artful, as a fnare; too often affected by the hard and unfeeling, as a cover to the baseness of their minds. We cannot, at the same time, avoid obferving the homage, which, even in such inftances, the world is constrained to pay to virtue. In order to render fociety agreeable, it is found necefsary to afsume fomewhat, that may at least carry its appearance. Virtue is the univerfal charm. Even its fhadow is courted, when the fubftance is wanting. The imitation of its form has been reduced into an art; and, in the commerce of life, the first study of all who would either gain the esteem, or win the hearts of others, is to learn the speech, and to adopt the manners, of candour, gentlenefs, and humanity. But that gentleness which is the characteristic of a good man, has, like every other virtue, its feat in the heart: and let me add, nothing except what flows from the heart, can render even external manners truly pleasing. no afsumed behaviour can at all times hide the real character. In that unaffected civility which fprings from a gentle mind, there is a charm infinitely more powerful, than in all the studied manners of the most finished courtier.

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True gentleness is founded on a sense of what we owe to HIM who made us, and to the common nature of which we all fhare. It arifes from reflection on our own failings and wants; and from juft views of the condition, and the duty of man. It is native feeling, heightened and improved by principle. It is the heart which easily relents; which feels for every thing that is human; and is backward and flow to inflict the leaft wound. It is affable in its addrefs, and mild in its demeanour; ever ready to oblige, and willing to be obliged by others; breathing habitual kindness towards friends, courtesy to ftrangers, long-fuffering to enemies. It exercises authority with moderation; administers reproof with tenderness; confers favours with ease and modefty. It is unafsuming in opinion, and temperate in zeal. It contends not eagerly about trifles; flow to contradict, and still flower to blame; but prompt to allay difsention, and to restore peace. It neither intermeddles unneceffarily with the affairs, nor pries inquifitively into the fecrets of others It delights above all things to alleviate diftrefs; and, if it cannot dry up. the falling tear, to footh at least the grieving heart. Where it has not the power of being useful, it is never burdenfome. It feeks to please, rather than to fhine and dazzle; and conceals with care that superiority, either of talents, or of rank, which is oppressive to those who are beneath it. In a word, it is that spirit and that tenour of manners, which the gospel of Chrift enjoins, when it commands us "to bear one another's burdens; to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to weep with those who weep; to please every one his neighbour for his good; to be kind and tenderhearted; to be pitiful and courteous; to fupport the weak, and to be patient towards all men." BLAIR.

CHAPTER VI.

PATHETIC PIECES.

SECTION I.

Trial and Execution of the EARL of STRAFFORD, who fell a Sacrifice to the l'iolence of the Times, in the Reign of CHARLES the Firft.

THE

HE Earl of Strafford defended himself against the accufations of the boufe of Commons, with all the prefence of mind, judgment, and fagacity, that could be expected from innocence and ability. His children were placed befide him, as he was thus defending his life, and the cause of his royal master. After he had, in a long and eloquent speech, delivered without premeditation, confuted all the accufations of his enemies, he thus drew to a conclufion. "But, my Lords, I have troubled you too long: longer than I should have done, but for the fake of thefe dear pledges, which a faint in heaven has left me."-Upon this he paufed; dropped a tear; looked upon his children; and proceeded. "What I forfeit for myself is a trifle: that my indifcretions fhould reach my pofterity, wounds me to the heart. Pardon my infirmity.-Something I fhould have added, but I am not able; and therefore I let it pafs. And now, my Lords, for myfelf. I have long been taught, that the afflictions of this life are overpaid by that eternal weight of glory, which awaits the innocent. And fo, my Lords, even fo, with the

utmost tranquillity, I fubmit myfelf to your judgment, whether that judgment be life or death: not my will, but thine, O God, be done!"

His eloquence and innocence induced thofe judges to pity, who were the most zealous to condemn him. The King himself went to the Houfe of Lords, and fpoke for fome time in his defence; but the fpirit of vengeance, which had been chained for eleven, years, was now roused; and nothing but his blood could give the people fatisfaction. He was condemned by both Houses of Parliament; and nothing remained but for the King to give his confent to the bill of attainder. But in the prefent commotions, the confent of the King would very eafily be difpenfed with; and imminent danger might attend his refufal. Charles, however, who loved Strafford tenderly, hefitated, and feemed reluctant; trying every expedient to put off fo dreadful an office, as that of figning the warrant for his execution. While he continued in this agitation of mind, and ftate of fufpenfe, his doubts were at laft filenced by an act of great magnanimity in the condemned Lord. He received a letter from that unfortunate nobleman, defiring that his life night be made a facrifice to obtain reconciliation between the King and his people: adding, that he was prepared to die; and that to a willing mind there could be no injury. This inftance of noble generofity was but ill repaid by his master, who complied with his requeft. He confented to fign the fatal bill by commifsion; and Strafford was beheaded on Tower-Hill; behaving with all that compofed dignity of refolution, which was expected from his character.

GOLDSMITH.

G

SECTION II.

An eminent Inftance of true Fortitude of Mind.

ALL who have been diftinguifhed as fervants of God, or benefactors of men; all who, in perilous fituations, have acted their part with fuch honour as to render their names illuftrious through fucceeding ages, have been eminent for fortitude of mind. Of this we have one confpicuous example in the Apoftle Paul, whom it will be inftructive for us to view in a remarkable occurrence of his life. After having long acted as the apoftle of the Gentiles, his mission called him to go to Jerufalem, where he knew that he was to encounter the utmost violence of his enemies. Juft before he fet fail, he called together the elders of his favourite church at Ephefus; and, in a pathetic speech, which does great honour to his character, gave them his laft farewel. Deeply affected by their knowledge of the certain dangers to which he was expofing himfelf, all the afsembly were filled with diftrefs, and melted into tears. The circumstances were fuch, as might have conveyed dejection even into a refolute mind; and would have totally overwhelmed the feeble. "They all wept fore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kifsed him; forrowing moft of all for the words which he fpoke, that they fhould fee his face no more."What were then the fentiments, what was the language, of this great and good man? Hear the words which spoke his firm and undaunted mind. "Behold, go bound in the fpirit, to Jerufalem, not knowing the things that fhall befall me there; fave that the

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