-

such corresponding rectitude of practice, as sure necessarily extended their benign influfill up all our ideas of consummate greatness. ence to the inferior classes of society.In a word, Alfred seems to have been sent Those immunities, which are essential to the into the world to realize the beautiful fiction, well-being of civil and social life, gradually which poets, philosophers, and patriots, have became better secured. Injustice was reformed of a perfect king. It is also worth strained, tyrannical exactions were guarded observing, that all those various plans were against, and oppression was no longer sancboth projected and executed by a monarch tioned. This famous deed, without any viowho, as all historians agree, had suffered lent innovation, became the mound of propmore hardships than any ordinary adventur- erty, the pledge of liberty, and the guaraner, had fought more battles than most gener tee of independence. As it guarded the als, and was the most voluminous author of rights of all orders of men, from the lowest his day. And, if it should be asked by to the highest, it was vigorously contended what means a single individual could accom- for by all; for, if it limited the power of the plish such a variety of projects, the answer king, it also confirmed it, by securing the alis simply this: It was in a good measure by legiance and fidelity of the subject. It was an art of which little account is made, but of inestimable use by giving a determinate which is perhaps of more importance in a form and shape, such a local habitation and sovereign than almost any other, at least it is a name,' to the spirit of liberty; so that the one without which the brightest genius is of English, when, as it often happened, they little value, a strict economy of time. claimed the recognition of their legal rights, were not left to wander in a wide field, with

*

itation, and without direction. They knew what to ask for, and, obtaining that, they were satisfied. We surely cannot but be seusible of the advantages which they derived from this circumstance, who have seen the effects of an opposite situation, in this very particular, illustrated so strikingly in the earlier period of the French revolution.

Between the earlier life of Alfred and that of Charles II. there was, as must be observ-out having any specific object, without limed, a striking similarity. The paths of both to the throne were equally marked by such imminent dangers and hair-breadth 'scapes,' as more resemble romance than authentic history. What a lesson had Alfred prepared for Charles! But their characters as kings, exhibited an opposition which is as strong as the resemblance of their previous fortunes. With an understanding naturally good, with that education which Alfred wanted,-with every advantage which an improved state of society could give over a barbarous one; such, notwithstanding, was the uniform tenor of the Stuart's subsequent life, as almost to present the idea of an intended contrast to the virtues of the illustrious Saxon.

But, rapidity of progress seems, by the very laws of nature, to be precluded, where the benefit is to be radical and permanent.It was not, therefore, until our passion for making war within the territory of France was cured, nor until we left off tearing the bowels of our own country, in the dissensions of the Yorkists and Lancastrians, after having, Another epoch to which the pupil's atten- for near four hundred years, torn those of tion should be pointed, is the turbulent and our neighbours; in a word, it was not until iniquitous reign of king John; whose op- both foreign and civil fury began to cool, pression and injustice were, by the excess to that in the reign of Henry VII. the people which they were carried, the providential began to enjoy more real freedom, as the means of rousing the English spirit, and of king enjoyed a more settled dominion, and obtaining the establishment of the great the interests of peace and commerce subcharter. This famous_transaction, so de- stantially prevailed. Without ascribing to servedly interesting to Englishmen, bestow- this king virtues which he did not possess, ed or secured the most valuable civil privile- the view of his reign, with all its faults, afges; chiefly indeed to the barons and clergy, fords a kind of breathing time, and sense of but also to the people at large. The privile- repose. It is from this reign that the history ges of the latter had, antecedently, been of the laws, and civil constitution of Engscarcely taken into the account, and their land become interesting; as that of our ecliberties, always imperfect, had suffered clesiastical constitution does from the subsemuch infringement by the introduction of quent reign. A general acquaintance with the feudal law into England under the Nor- the antecedent part of our history may sufman William. For, whether they were vas- fice for the royal pupil, but from these perisals under the barons, or vassals under the ods she cannot possess too detailed a knowking it made little difference in their condi-ledge of it.

tion; which was, in fact, to the greater part, little better than a state of absolute slavery. The barons, liberal, perhaps, through policy rather than humanity, in struggling for their own liberty were compelled to involve in one common interest the liberty of the people; and the same laws which they demanded to secure their own protection, in some mea

CHAP. XIII.
Queen Elizabeth.

It is remarkable that in France, a nation in which women have always been held in the highest consideration, their genius has See the character of Alfred in Hume, from never been called to its loftiest exercise.which the preceding part of this account, in substance, is chiefly taken.

France is perhaps the only country which has never been governed by a woman.-

The mothers, however, of some of her sove- being confirmed, and that security was liareigns, when minors, have, during their re-able, every moment, to be shaken by the gencies, Blanche of Castile* especially, dis- most alarming commotions. She had covered talents for government not inferior prejudices, apparently insurmountable, to to those of most of her kings.

overcome; she had heavy debts to disAnne of Austria has had her eulogists; charge; she had an almost ruined navy to but in her character there seems to have repair; she had a debased coin to restore; been more of intrigue than of genius, or at she had empty magazines to fill; she had a least, than of sound sense; and her virtues decaying commerce to invigorate; she had were problematical. If her talents had an exhausted exchequer to replenish.-All some splendor, they had no solidity. They these, by the blessing of God on the strength produced a kind of stage effect, which was of her mind, and the wisdom of her counimposing, but not efficient, and she was cils, she accomplished. She not only paid rather an actress of royalty than a great her own debts; but, without any great adqueen. She was not happy in the choice of ditional burdens on her subjects, she disa friend. The source of all Mazarin's charged those also which were due to the greatness, she supported him with inflexible people from her two immediate predecessors. attachment, and established him in more At the same time, she fostered genius, she than regal power. In return, he treated her encouraged literature, she attracted all the with respect as long as he stood in need of her protection, and set her aside when her support was become no longer necessary to his confirmed power.

great talents of the age within the sphere of her own activity. And, though she con. stantly availed herself of all the judgment and talents of her ministers, her acquiescence in their measures was that of conviction, never of implicit confidence.

The best queens have been most remarkable for employing great men. Among these, Zenobia, Elizabeth, and Anne stood fore- Her exact frugality may not, by superfimost. Those who wish to derogate from the cial judges, be reckoned among the shining glories of a female reign, have never failed parts of her character. Yet, those who see to urge, that they were owing to the wisdom more deeply, must allow, that it was a qualiof the ministers, and not to that of the ty from which the most important benefits queen; a censure which involves an eulo- were derived to her people; and without gium. For, is not the choice of sagacious which all her great abilities would have been ministers the characteristic mark of a saga- comparatively inefficient. The parsimony cious sovereign? Would, for instance, Ma- of her grandfather was the rapine and exacry di Medici have chosen a Walsingham; tion of an extortioner; hers, the wise econshe who made it one of the first acts of her omy of a provident parent. If we are to regency to banish Sully, and to employ Con- judge of the value of actions by their concini? Or, did it ever enter into the mind of sequences, let us compare the effects upon the first Mary of England to take into her the country, of the prodigality, both of her councils that Cecil, who so much distin-father, and of her successor, with her own guished himself in the cabinet of her sister? frugality. As it has been asserted by PluElizabeth's great natural capacity was, as tarch, that the money idly thrown away by has been before observed, improved by an the Athenians on the representations of two excellent education. Her native vigour of dramatic poets only, amounted to a larger mind had been early called forth by a series sum than had been expended on all their of uncommon trials. The circumspection wars against the Persians, in defence of their she had been, from childhood, obliged to ex-liberty; so it has been affirmed, that the ercise, taught her prudence. The difficul- first James spent more treasure on his favourties which beset her, accustomed her to self-ites, than it had cost Elizabeth to maintain control. Can we, therefore, doubt that the all her wars. Yet, there have not been wantsteadiness of purpose, and undaunted reso- ing historians, who have given the praise of lution which she manifested on almost every liberality to James, and especially to Henry, occasion during her long reign, were greatly while Elizabeth has suffered the imputation to be attributed to that youthful discipline? of avarice. But we ought to judge of good She would probably never have acquired such an ascendancy over the mind of others, had she not early learned so absolute a command over her own.

and evil, by their own weight and measure, and not by the specious names which the latter can assume, nor by the injurious terms which may be bestowed on the former.

On coming to the crown, she found herself surrounded with those obstacles which disIt is not from the splenetic critic in retired play great characters, but overset ordinrry life, from the declaimer, ignorant of the duminds. The vast work of the reformation, ties and the requisitions of princes, that we which had been undertaken by her brother should take our sentiments on the point of Edward, but crushed in the very birth, as royal economy; but from men, who, howevfar as was within human power, by the bigot er possessing different characters and views, Mary, was resumed and accomplished by yet agree in this one respect, that their exElizabeth; and that, not in the calm of se-alted public situations, and great personal curity, not in the fulness of undisputed pow- experience, enable them to give a fair and er, but even while that power was far from

* In his inquiry whether the Athenians were more eminent in the arts of war or peace.

sound opinion. The judgment even of the war, from which she was singularly averse, emperor Tiberius was not so impaired by his may be ascribed that rapid improvement at vices, but that he could insist, that an ex home, which took place under her reign.chequer, exhausted by prodigality, must be If we were to estimate Elizabeth as a private replenished with oppression. Cicero, versed female, she would doubtless appear entitled in public business, no less than in the know- to but little veneration. If as an instrument ledge of mankind, affirms, that a liberal raised up by Divine Providence to carry prince loses more hearts than he gains, and through the most arduous enterprises in the that the resentment of those from whom he most d fficult emergencies, we can hardly takes the money, is much stronger than the rate her too highly. We owe her much as gratitude of those to whom he gives it.' Englishmen. As protestants, what do we And, on another occasion he says, that men not owe her? If we look at the woman, we are not aware what a rich treasury frugality shall see much to blame; if at the sovereign, is.' The same sentiments seem to have been we shall see almost every thing to admire. adopted by another Roman statesman, a roy- Her great faults, though they derogated al favourite too. Pliny affirms, that a from her personal character, seldom deeply prince will be pardoned, who gives nothing affected her administration. In one instance to his subjects, provided he takes nothing only, her favouritism was prejudicial to the away from them.' state; her appointment of Leicester to the Those princes, who despising frugality, naval command, for which he was utterly have been prodigal for the sake of a little unfit. On many occasions, as we have elsetemporary applause, have seldom achieved where observed, her very passions supplied lasting good. And, allowing that this lavish what was wanting in principle. Thus, her generosity may be for the moment a popular violent attachments might have made her inquality, yet, there is scarcely any thing discriminately lavish, if they had not been which has contributed to bring more calami- counteracted by that parsimoniousness which ties on a state, than the means used for ena- never forsook her. Accordingly, in the bling the prince to indulge it It was not in midst of her lamentations for the death of Rome alone, as recent instances testify, that Leicester, we see her grief did not make when the government has wanted money, her forget to seize his goods, and to repay the rich have been always found to be the herself for what she had lent him. guilty. A prodigal generosity, as we have Our censures, therefore, must not be lost seen in the case of Caesar, and in our own in our admiration, nor must our gratitude time, may be a useful instrument for paving warp our judgment. And it may be useful the way to a throne; but an established to inquire how it came to pass that Elizabeth, sovereign will find economy a more certain with so much power, so much prudence, and means of keeping him in it. The emperor so much popularity, should at length become Nero was extolled for the felicity which he completely miserable, and die, neglected was diffusing by his bounty, while Rome and forsaken, her sun setting ingloriously was groaning under the burthen of his ex-after so bright a day of prosperity and honour. actions. That liberality which would make May we not venture to attribute it to the a prince necessitous, and a people poor, defectiveness, not to say unsoundness, of would, by hurting his fame, weaken his influence; for reputation is power. After all, such a care and improvement of the revenue, as will enable him to spare his subjects, is the truest liberality in a prince

her moral principles? Though corrupt principles for a certain period may conceal themselves, and even dazzle, by the success of the projects to which, in the view of superficial reasoners, they may have appeared But, to return. The distinguishing quali- conducive; they will, in a long course of ties of Elizabeth appear to have been econo- action, betray their intrinsic weakness.my, prudence, and moderation. Yet in They may not entirely have prevented the some instances, the former was rigid, not to public good effects of other useful qualities say unjust. Nor had her frugality always with which they were associated; but they the purest motives. She was, it is true, do most fatally operate against the personal very unwilling to trouble parliament for honour of the individual; and against her money, for which, indeed, they were ex-reaping that harvest of gratitude and respect, tremely unwilling to be troubled; but her to which she might otherwise have been so desire to keep herself independent of them justly entitled. seems to have been her motive for this for- Vanity was, too probably, the spring of bearance. What she might have gained in some of Elizabeth's most admired actions; supplies she must have lost in power. but the same vanity also produced that jealTo her moderation and that middle line of ousy, which terminated in the death of Mary. conduct which she observed, much of her It was the same vanity which led her first to success may be ascribed. To her modera court the admiration of Essex, and then to tion in the contests between papists and suffer him to fall a victim to her wounded puritans. it is chiefly to be attributed, that pride. Her temper was uncontrolled.the reformation issued in a happier medium While we pardon her ignorance of the prinin England, than in any other country.-ciples of liberty, we should not forget how To her moderation, in respect to foreign

Particularly her keeping the see of Ely vacant nineteen years, in order to retain the revenue.

little she respected the privileges of parliament, claiming a right of imprisoning its very members, without deigning to give any account of her proceedings.

necessity of explicit instruction respecting our true happiness, and of divinely communicated strength in order to its attainment; and consequently, the inconceivable worth of that life and immortality, which are so fully brought to light by the gospel.

Policy was her favourite science, but in that day a liberal policy was not understood; and Elizabeth was too apt to substitute both simulation and dissimulation for an open and generous conduct. This dissimulation at length lost her the confidence of her subjects, and while it inspired her with a distrust, it That reader looks to little purpose over also forfeited the attachment of her friends. the eventful page of history, who does not Her insincerity, as was natural, infected accustom himself to mark therein the finger those around her. The young Cecil himself of the Almighty, governing kings and kingwas so far alienated from his royal mistress, doms; prolonging or contracting the duraand tainted with the prevailing spirit of in- tion of empires; tracing out beforehand, in trigue, as to be secretly corresponding with the unimpeachable page of the prophet Danher rival James. iel, an outline of successive empires, which That such mortifying occurrences were subsequent events have realized with the too likely to arise, from the very nature of most critical exactness; and describing their existing circumstances, where the dying eventful subservience to the spiritual kingprince was the last of her race, and the near-dom of the Messiah, with a circumstantial ly vacant throne about to be possessed by a accuracy which the well-informed Christian, stranger, must assuredly be allowed. But it who is versed in scripture language, and may still be asserted, that nothing but de- whose heart is interested in the subject, ficiency of moral character could have so reads with unutterable and never-ceasing desolated the closing scene of an illustrious astonishment. It is, in fact, this wonderful princess Real virtue will, in every rank, correspondence, which gives its highest valdraw upon it disinterested regard; and a ue to the more ancient half of the historic truly virtuous sovereign will not be shut out series. What would it profit us, at this day, from a more than ordinary share in this gen- to learn from Xenophen, that the Assyrian eral blessing. It is honourable to human monarch had subjugated all those countries, nature to see the dying William pressing to with the exception of Media, which spread his bosom the hand of Bentick; but it will eastward from the Mediterranean, if it were be still more consolatory as well as instruct- not that, by this statement, he confirms that ive to compare, with the forsaken death-bed important portion of sacred and prophetic of Elizabeth, the exemplary closing scene of history? And to what solidly useful purthe second Mary as described by Burnet, an pose would the same historian's detail of the eye-witness of the affecting event which he taking of Babylon be applicable, if it did relates. not forcibly as well as minutely, illustrate the almost equally detailed denunciations of the prophet Isaiah? It was partly for the purpose of elucidating this correspondence between sacred prophecy and ancient histoMoral advantages to be derived from the V; and showing, by how regular a provistudy of history, independent of the exam- ancient world were connected with each dential chain the successive empires of the ples it exhibits.-History proves the cor- other, and ultimately with Christianity, that ruption of human nature. It demonstrates the excellent Rollin composed his wellthe superintending power of Provid nce-known work: and the impression which his illustrated by instances.

CHAP. XIV.

researches left upon his own mind, may be seen in those sublimely pious remarks with which his last volume is concluded.

THE knowledge of great events and splendid characters, and even of the customs, laws, and manners of different nations; an A careful perusal of the historical and proacquaintance, however accurate, with the phetical parts of scripture will prepare us for state of the arts, sciences, and commerce of reading profane history with great advanthose nations, important as is this knowledge, tage. In the former we are admitted within must not however be considered as of pri- the veil. We are informed how the vices of mary importance in the study of history.-nations drew down on them the wrath of There are still higher uses to which that the Almighty; and how some neighbouring study may be turned. History furnishes a strong practical illustration of one of the fundamental doctrines of our religion, the corruption of human nature. To this truth it constantly bears witness by exemplifying it under every shape and shade, and colour, and gradation; the annals of the world, indeed, from its commencement to the present hour, presenting little else than a strongly interwoven tissue of those corruptions, and their attendant calamities.

*The parts of the book of Daniel chiefly alluded to, are Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation of it, in the second chapter; and his own vision of the four beasts, in the eighth. These two passages alone, preserved as they have been by the most inveterate enemies of Christianity, amounts to an irrefragable demonstration that our religion is divine. One of the most ancient and most learned opposers of revelation is said to have denied the possibility of these prophecies having existed before the events. But we know they did History every where proves the helpless-But, admitting this, however they may take refuge exist, and no modern infidel dares to dispute it.ness and natural inability of man, the insuf- in their own inconsequence of mind, they inevitaficiency of all such moral principles as can bly, though indirectly, allow the truth of Chrisbe derived from nature and experience; the tianity.

potentate was employed as the instrument not then begun, nor was the frost of their of divine vengeance. How his ambition, his courage, and military skill were but the means of fulfilling the divine prediction, or of inflicting the divine punishment. How, when the mighty conqueror, the executioner of the sentence of Heaven, had performed his assigned task, he was put aside, and was himself, perhaps in his turn, humbled and laid low. Such are the familiar indications of historic and prophetic Scripture. But, in addition to the stock of knowledge which we receive from thence, we shall have learned in the divine school to little purpose, if we do not find the benefit of our studies in the general impression and habits of mind which we derive from them; if we do not open our eyes to the agency of Providence in the varying fortunes of nations, and in the talents, characters, and fates of the chief actors in the great drama of life.

dreariest winter more benumbing than that in which their minds had been for ages locked up. To what then but a regular design of Providence can we attribute the amazing change? And it is doubtless the part, no less of religious gratitude than of philosophical cu. iosity, to inquire into the series of instrumental causes by which the transformation was effected. This interesting and most instructive intelligence is conveyed to us by history. We mark the slow but steady development of the wise and benevolent plan. We see the ambition of Rome breaking up the soil with its resistless plough-share, and scattering even through these British isles the first seeds of civilization. We see the northern invaders burst forth with irresistible violence, bringing back, to all human appearance, the former desolation; but, in reality, conducing, though with an operation like that of lava from a volcano, to a richer harvest of social and civil happiness. We see all that was really valuable spring up again afresh, mingled with new principles of utility and comfort; and above all, quickened and enriched by the wide-spread influences of a pure and heavenly religion. We see the violent passions providentially let loose, when it was necessary for society to be roused from a pernicious torpor. We see an enthusiastic rage for conquests in Asia, inducing an activity of mind, and enlargement of view, out of which eventually Another important end to the study of grew commerce, liberty, literature, philosogeneral history, distinct from that which has phy, and at length, even religious reformajust been mentioned, but by no means uncon- tion. In brief, if in our perusal of history, we nected with it, is the contemplation of divine take true wisdom for our guide, we shall not wisdom and goodness, as exercised in grad-only be instructed by that gracious progressually civilizing the human race, through the iveness which is discernible in past events, instrumentality of their own agitation In but, notwithstanding the awful concussions this view the mind of the pupil should be of the present period, we shall learn to trust particularly led to observe that mysterious | Almighty wisdom and goodness for what is to yet most obvious operation of Providence, by come. And we shall be ready to indulge the which, through sccessive ages, the complica- hope of a yet greatly increased happiness of ted chaos of human agency has been so over-mankind, when we consider, that the hand ruled as to make all things work together for general good: the hostile collision of nations being often made conducive, almost in its immediate consequences, to their common benefit, and often rendered subservient to the general improvement, and progressive advancement of the great commonwealth of mankind.

Do we read in the prophetic page the solemn call and designation of Cyrus-Let us learn to recognise no less, as the instrument of the Almighty, a Gustavus, and a Marlborough! Are we many hundred years before, informed by Him who can alone see the end from the beginning, of the military exploits of the conqueror of Babylon, and the overturner of the Assyrian empire?Let us learn to refer no less to that same alldisposing power, the victories of Lutzen and of Blenheim, the humiliation of Austrian arrogance, and of French ambition.

which brought us from barbarism to our present circumstances is still over us ;-that progression to still better habits is equally possible, and equally necessary; and that no means were rendered more conducive to such progress, in the period which is passed, than the agitations of the same awful and afflictive kind which we are now doomed to contemplate.

If this view, respecting the world at large, should be deemed too vast for satisfactory It will be seen that the same Infinite wisconsideration, it may be limited to that part dom often permits human evils to balance with which we are most nearly connected; each other, and in subservience to his grand and to which it is hardly too bold to say, that purpose of general good, not only sets good Divine Providence itself has, during the lat-against evil, but often, where the counterter ages of the world, seemed to direct its chief attention-I mean the continent of Eu rope. Let it simply be asked, what was the state of this continent two thousand years ago? The answer must be-from the Alps to the Frozen Ocean, a moral as well as physical wilderness. That the human powers were formed for extended exercise, and in some sense for boundless improvement, the very contemplation of those powers is sufficient to evince. But that improvement had

acting principle of religion seems wholly suspended, prevent any fatal preponderance in the scale of human affairs, by allowing one set of vices to counterbance another. Thus, societies, which appear, on a general view, to have almost wholly thrown off the divine government, are still preserved for better things, or perhaps, for the sake of the righteous few, who still remain in them, by means of those exertions which bad men make from selfish motives; or by the vigilance with