is said to have moved upon the face of the waters. Rivers, which, and this could not be from want of reflection,* had been quietly advancing within their banks for ages, now discovered themselves to be in such a state of depravity, as required a recurrence to first principles, for its cure; and Rights of Waters were making a rapid progress through the globe.† It was argued, that this confinement within banks, was a restraint which they had heedlessly imposed upon themselves, contrary to the liberal intentions of Nature. They were created fountains; with equal natural rights; and deemed it expedient to go back to their sources, as the only means of accurate investigation. They could not see why some particles of water should be thrust down by others, no better than themselves. Their forerunners, it was true, had been submitting to this coercion, time out of mind. But what was this to them? The rights of living waters must not be thus controlled and sported away.‡ Divisions of water, into lakes and rivers, springs and puddles, they unanimously decried, as mere civil, artificial, and fantastical distinctions; and pushed their researches to that early period, when water came from the hands of its maker. What was it then? Water.-Water was its high and only title.§ Now a rumour went, that, in the time of Noah, a great aquatic revolution had taken place; when all things were reduced to a philosophic level. Beneath the sanction of which precedent, it was agreed on by the rivers, that they would not *For rivers can reflect; and so can wells; as Narcissus, and neglected Echo, knew. + When he wrote this fable, the Author did not foresee, that the Rights of Rivers would be so strenuously asserted in the political world, as they since have been. Not many months ago, with reference to the opening of the Scheldt, the expression of Rights of Rivers was familiar to every ear.-Note to Second Edition, published in 1793. See Paine's Fable of the Rights of Man. "If we proceed on, we shall at last come out right. We shall come to the time, when Man came from the hands of his Maker. What was he then? Man.-Man was his high and only title."-Paine's Rights of Man. be imprisoned within banks any longer; nor driven headlong in one direction, at the arbitrary will of fountains; but would shed their last drop, in asserting the rights of waters. Obscure as to his origin,* ungovernable in his temper, and a leveller in principles, Nilus led the way, and Egypt was covered with an inundation. Every cultivated inequality was overwhelmed ; and all distinction levelled to uniformity. Nature was supposed to have resumed her rights; and Philosophy admired the grand simplicity of ruin. When lo! the tide of tumult ebbed; and eminences were seen to get their heads above water. The party was daily continuing to gain ground; and all things tended to a counter-revolution. What had first been deemed the effort of enlightened virtue, was now looked on as the rush of inconsiderate violence. What originally seemed calculated to further the views of Nature, was now seen to be directed in opposition to her will. While events had, in the meantime, been suggesting her omnipotence:—that to combat her was dangerous; and to conquer her impossible. Such was the result, and the moral of this enterprise.- His forces all subdued, impoverished and languid,—the baffled Nile retreated to his channel: after having, by his hostile descent, reluctantly served and strengthened the landed interests of Egypt; though, like the commotions of the Seine, this also produced monsters.† * Arcanum Natura caput non prodidit ulli; LUCAN. The mud, deposited by the Nile, was supposed to engender monsters. F. THE HILL OF GOVERNMENT, A VISION. * This is a strange repose! to be asleep, With eyes wide open: standing, speaking, moving, And yet so fast asleep! TEMPEST. Since the first introduction of periodical writings, it has been the constant and undisputed privilege of their authors, to dream with a degree of method, unknown to all but themselves. Indeed this literary franchise could be traced still higher; for the dozings of Homer have been long upon record;† and his celestial visions are noticed by Longinus. I therefore claim to sleep with my fathers: to dream with no less accuracy than they have done; and to inherit those airbuilt castles, which make so principal a part of an author's patrimony. Nor should modern Reformists contest my right to this incorporeal hereditament; since, who more visionary than themselves?§ Overlooking actual good, they contemplate "air-drawn” mischief; and fall on real evils, in shunning illusive forms, which a factious second-sight enables them to discern. As I was lately thinking on a subject for my next paper, my meditations strayed insensibly to a revery; which latter conducting to a slumber, I seemed suddenly to hear the striking of oars upon water; and raising my head, found myself in a spacious bay, on board a boat, which was making for the nearest This is the vision promised in page 45. + Dormitat Homerus.-HOR. * Του Διος ενυπνια.—LONGINUS. This was published in 1792. point of land. The shores on either side were picturesque, and cultivated; and at the extremity of the harbour lay a town,* which, reflecting the rays of the sun as it rose, was gradually lighted up to a most dazzling brightness. While I was admiring this natural fire-work, we disembarked; when, as surprise is an emotion, rarely excited by the occurrences (however uncommon) of a dream, I calmly inquired of the mariners, upon what coast they had landed us; and had scarcely been informed that this was the land of Liberty, before I saw the Goddess descending from an adjacent hill. She was habited like a mountain Nymph;† and in her look there was an expression, of blended modesty and spirit, the most attractive that can be conceived. In her right hand she held a wand, from whose point there issued a bright and steady flame; while her left grasped a scroll, which, as she came nearer, I perceived to consist of the Great Charter, and the Bill of Rights. She was accompanied by the Genius Rekub; and attended by a troop of Africans, who wore upon their heads the symbols of acquired freedom. § She welcomed me to the island, with acknowledgments of my zeal; lamented that Faction was not yet suppressed within her territories; and having recommended me to the care of the Genius, left us.-Rekub, turning upon me a countenance, that beamed with the most intelligent benignity, offered to be my guide, whilst I should ascend the heights of Government, and reconnoitre the motions of the domestic Foe. || Within view of where we stood, several highways, leading from different quarters of the island, terminated in a common point, at the Hill of Government; and were thronged with passengers, on their way thither: concerning whom I remarked, that whilst upon some of the roads they were habited in black, those on others being in arms, and military array, made an extremely brilliant and lively appearance: The country which lay between, filled the eye very agreeably. Broken into inequalities, sheltered with trees, and glittering with streams of water,-intersected by inclosures, and scattered over with buildings, it exhibited all the comfortable gradations, between competence and grandeur. Shunning therefore the bustle of a public road, we sought, amongst these retreats, a passage to the hill; pursuing our way along by-paths, from which, as they lay amongst groves, and on the banks of rivers, by castles and cottages, through scenes of rich cultivation, or elegant retirement, the eye unwillingly endured those glimpses of the mount, and the highways, which broke transiently in upon this rural scene. During our journey, we sometimes met the emissaries of Faction; who, preaching insurrection to such groups as they could collect, assured their audience, that notwithstanding the wealth, freedom, and security, with which they suffered themselves to be deluded, they were in fact the most miserably oppressed wretches in existence; and must so continue, unless they would desert their tillage, and, going upon the highway, assist some patriotic citizens, who were employed in levelling the Hill of Government; which they asserted not to be a natural excrescence; but a mound, thrown up by some tyrant invaders, to awe the people. I could not observe that those preachers were successful. The country-folk seemed to listen with astonishment and contempt; and except a few stragglers, who, averse from industry, and in want of occupation, went with them upon the high-road, they made no proselytes. One indeed there was, who by a simplicity of expression |