Moral Heroism, in advancing the Interests of Science Moral Heroism, in faithfully admonishing the Great, in visiting the Outcast, and in enduring Provo- cation, Threatenings, and Danger-Thomas Shil- . . 352 MORAL HEROISM. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.-A CONVERSATION ON VALOUR AND HEROISM. IN the rich sunlight of a lovely summer morning two youths, with an intelligent animated cast of countenance, were standing, for the first time, within the stately aisles of the gorgeous metropolitan cathedral of St. Paul's. They were accompanied by their mother; and the whole group gazed with interest and admiration on the vast area, the splendid dome, the lofty roof, the marble pavement, and the pure and polished masses of graceful sculpture, touched and irradiated by the beams of the sun that streamed through the noble windows, casting some portions of the building into deep shadow, which threw out into bolder relief the parts illumined by the sunshine. Perhaps young persons, with their pure, fresh, unhackneyed feelings, are, more than B others, keenly susceptible of the beautiful and the grand in nature and in art. With a kind of solemn awe they gazed around, silent, or, if for a moment uttering a remark or exclamation, it was in a suppressed, reverent tone, and "bated breath," as if fearing to disturb the august sanctities of the temple by their voice. From contemplation of the building, their minds naturally recurred to its architect. They saw the triumph of human genius in the grand conception and noble execution of the vast design, and acquiesced in the forcible brevity of the epitaph on Sir Christopher Wren-"Reader, would you behold his monument, look around you." Very slight circumstances will sometimes serve to break the spell that holds the mind in contemplative mood, and to produce new trains of thought, of an entirely opposite character. The youths simultaneously gazed upward into the majestic dome, and their attention was diverted from its fine form, and symmetrical proportions, by observing a number of flags hanging around in the vast and shadowy space. Some of these flags were perfect; others were torn and tarnished. They eagerly enquired of their mother the meaning of these flags being placed there, when a gentleman, standing near, heard their question, and, smiling at their animation, he said, "All these colours have been won in battle. They are trophies of victory, and evidences of the valour of our brave troops in many hard fought fields; and, as the English are a very courageous people, they show their gratitude to those noble spirits, who have fought and bled for their country, by placing the trophies they have won in the great national cathedral." "I suppose, sir," said the elder youth, "that many men were killed on both sides, before one of these colours was gained; for I have read that the most desperate struggle in a fight is round the colours, because, when they are won, it is taken as a sign of victory." "Yes; you are quite right,” replied the old gentleman, "no doubt but hundreds died in defending these trophies, and as many probably met death in striving to obtain them." "But what did they get besides?" said the younger brother, looking up somewhat discontentedly at the colours as he spoke. 66 Why," said his mother, (for the gentle man looked puzzled,) "you have heard, James, that many got death in the strife, and others most likely were maimed for life, and some, doubtless, were taken captive, and languished long in foreign prisons." "But, mother, these are all evils! What good did any one get?" "Oh!" interposed the gentleman. "Glory was gained-national glory. The English have proved that they are the bravest nation in the world; and, if you look at many of the fine monuments around, you will see that they are erected to the memory of heroes; and you will read on their tombs that they died gloriously on the field of battle, fighting for their country." The two youths now began eagerly to read the inscriptions on the monuments, and they found the stranger's remarks correct; for, one after another, they read the history of warriors and their achievements, written on the splendid marble tombs, and that most of them "died gloriously." The elder youth's eyes sparkled, and his cheeks glowed, as he thought how noble a thing it was to be a warrior and a hero. At that instant no lot in life seemed worthy to compare with that of a conqueror. "Oh! James," he exclaimed |