ON THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL CONDITION OF MANKIND.

It is a fine old observation," that man never approaches so nearly to the divine nature, as when he contributes to the happiness of mankind." The celebrated sentence of Cicero, with innumerable other passages from classical antiquity, will occur to the recollection of all, who have not estranged themselves from the studies of their youth. But, however easy might be the task, to indulge in quotations or declamation forms no part of our design, in discussing the question which is before us. We entertain too high an opinion of the hearts and intellects of our readers, to conceive for a moment that it can be needful, at the outset of our inquiry, to enlarge upon the moral obligation, under which we all lie, as men and Christians, of endeavouring, according to our several powers and capacities, to benefit that race of created beings to which we belong, and do some good for the generation in which we live. We may safely leave these topics to the feelings of such as are disposed to follow us in our investigation. The good man will find in his own breast stronger and more convincing arguments, than any which we could possibly adduce: the religious man will draw others still more noble and more animating from the sacred fountain of his faith. For our purpose, a single remark will be sufficient. 2 D

VOL. II.

We affirm, without fear of contradiction, not merely that to raise the standard of human happiness-to improve the social condition of man, and produce an amelioration in his physical, moral, and intellectual existence-must be the highest object of human ambition—the most glorious employment of human energies-the task, of which the very attempt will confer, in after thought, the most solid and lasting satisfaction; but that it would be still the worthiest pursuit of an accountable and rational being, if it were attended by no other advantage, than that reflective efficacy, which operates by exalting the mind, and withdrawing it from those wretched and frivolous occupations, which at once degrade the heart, impoverish the imagination, and stultify the understanding.

Our first proposition, therefore, is, that to labour for an improvement in the general condition of mankind, is the highest duty, and truest interest of man. We consider it a proposition so self-evident, that it may be fairly laid down as an axiom, to which, as in the case of mathematical problems, reference may be always made for the demonstration of other truths.

But we must remember, that this labour, as it demands the greatest degree of resolution and zeal, so it requires no common share of patience, vigilance, calmness, and discretion. The judgment displayed in the prosecution must be proportioned to the magnitude of the end which is to be attained-a magnitude in comparison with which all other human aims shrink into utter insignificance. Chimerical projects and visionary attempts are worse than nothing; as they retard the very work which they were intended to advance. It is better for a man to stand still, than to proceed in a wrong direction; since every step which he takes must be a step farther from his object. Unfortunately, too, the compass of the mischief bears a direct ratio to the swiftness of his march, and the extent of his progress. All wild and visionary efforts, in quest of human amelioration, are like rivers, which flow at first in a rapid and imposing stream, but instead of reaching the proper goal of their course, the vast and illimitable ocean, dwindle by degrees, and lose themselves at last, uselessly and ingloriously, amidst the sands-which, instead of enriching and fertilizing the

land through which they flow, convert it into an unprofitable and pestilential marsh. Miscalculated and abortive efforts have also the effect of deterring the philanthropist, who would proceed upon sounder and more matured principles, while they furnish the most powerful weapons of derision to the narrow-minded and cold-hearted men, who hold in absolute mockery and scorn all generous and disinterested labours for the attainment of universal good, who laugh or affect to laugh-at the fond and foolish expectation of material improvement in the general condition of the human race.

The second proposition, therefore, which we would establish is the following:-that, however imperative may be the obligation, and however great the use of endeavouring to ameliorate the social system of mankind, many evil consequences will inevitably result from such endeavours, unless they are entirely removed from blind ardour, and headlong precipitation: unless they are undertaken with just and enlarged views, by the aid of long and accurate inquiry, and under the guidance of practical and dispassionate experience.

Carrying these two principles along with us in our inquiry, we proceed to form a third from the union of them both. It is, that the study of improving the moral and intellectual state of man requires, above every other pursuit, the combination of energetic earnestness with cautious calculating wisdom. The first proposition should inspire us with a zeal commensurate with the grandeur and magnificence of the object;-the second should instil into us a wariness proportioned to the difficulty and importance of its accomplishment. The one should prevent us from sinking beneath the vast and various ramifications of a gigantic and complicated labour, should teach us to surmount impediments, to vanquish obstacles, to disregard ridicule: the other should restrain us from marring the attainment of a practicable good, through rash impatience, through ignorant dogmatism, through a crude, unreflecting, and childish eagerness to arrive per saltum at the goal of complete harmony, unalloyed happiness, and undeviating virtue; to jump at once to a "consummation indeed devoutly to be wished."

Yet from the general bearing of our remarks, although

there is much to inculcate prudence, there can be nothing to exclude hope, or abate energy, or dishearten resolution. On the whole, to entertain bright and favourable thoughts .with regard to the prospects of mankind-to rest in the conviction, that the probable benefit of attempting a gradual improvement in society must far preponderate over the danger which is likely to result from chimerical and undigested projects, is a view of things as consonant with reason, as it is cheering to philanthropy. The chances of ultimate advantage are, we think, infinitely greater than the chances of final mischief. If the contrary impression were stamped upon our minds, however deep might be our regret, the course to be adopted would not admit the hesitation of a moment. Our love of order, our sense of duty to our country and our species, our notions of honesty and honour, would all emphatically forbid us to proceed one step farther in the series of inquiry, to which the present paper must be considered as an introduction.

For ourselves, with the feelings which we entertain, while we have an internal consciousness of being imbued and animated with that fervent enthusiasm, which is worthy of the great cause of human amelioration; we trust that we possess something of that prudence, which will secure us from a desertion of the principles, which we have above endeavoured to establish. It is our wish, at least, to advance with the utmost caution; to tread upon the surest ground; and to present no ideal picture, of which the colours, however beautiful to the imagination, must fade before the touch of reason, and vanish in exposure to the atmosphere of truth.

We conceive, that we can scarcely give a stronger proof of acting in conformity with this spirit, and bearing our own -leading propositions continually in mind, than is afforded by the singleness and simplicity of the point, to which, on the present occasion, our attention will be confined. We shall attempt nothing more than a demonstration of the possibility which exists of a gradual improvement in the social condition . of mankind.

Yet the point, simple and elementary as it is, must be far from unimportant. It is the post from which we must inevitably start. It is the abstract proposition, on which all

particular and definite theorems must be founded. To suggest schemes of amelioration must be idle in the extreme, while. the very possibility of amelioration is denied. They, assuredly, who have not seen and felt the practicability of improvement will do nothing, and will attempt nothing; they will be but little inclined to bestow their thoughts, or exercise their ingenuity, upon an object, that, for any thing which they know or believe to the contrary, is in its own nature unattainable. The establishment, therefore, of this point will be at once the commencement of our labours, and the foundation-stone of our hopes.

Here, however, we must request, that the terms of our proposition may be observed. We assert the possibilitynot the certainty-not the facility of improvement. We say, gradual, and not sudden-we say improvement and not perfection. We dare not yet indulge in dreams of human perfectibility, but we feel a confident assurance of human amelioration. We speak comparatively:-we affirm that man may become, in general, a better, a wiser, and a happier being than he is: but we are far-very far-from imagining that he will ever arrive on earth at that standard of virtue, or wisdom, or happiness, which he is even now capable of conceiving, and which, we humbly trust, he may be capable of reaching in another and a higher state.

At the same time be it remembered, that although the ultimate limits of his progress may be fixed beyond repeal by the eternal law of nature, they are yet undiscernible to human eyes. Man has only to advance :-as he advances, the termination of the moral horizon will recede: it will expand and enlarge itself on every side, and spread into vast, and glorious, and unexpected prospects before his sight. Man seems to have just the knowledge of his own powers and capacities, which is most admirably adapted for the present stage of his existence. He has that exact portion, which may invigorate his efforts, exalt his hopes, and induce him to aspire to that perfection, which he may not here be destined to attain. Since, in short, no determinate and visible bounds have been assigned to the intellectual and moral advancement of mankind, if the possibility of improvement is granted, all has been granted which the most enthusiastic asserter of