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ship is only the dream of a cold enthusiast, and that the imagination of man is a faculty which must be nourished as well as his reason.

The emigration of the French clergy has in a great degree tended to propagate these ideas; and it may be remarked that by a natural return towards the institutions of their forefathers, the English have, for some time, laid the scene of their dramas and other literary works in the ages, during which the catholic religion prevailed among them. Of late, this faith has been carried to London by the exiled priests of France; and appears to the English, precisely as in their romances, through the medium of noble ruins and powerful recollections. All the world crowded with anxiety to hear the funeral oration over a French lady, delivered by an emigrant bishop at London in a stable.

The English church has reserved for the dead the principal part of those honours, which the Roman religion awards to them. In all the great towns there are persons, called undertakers, who manage the funerals. Sometimes you read

on the signs over their shops, "Coffin maker to

the King," or "Funerals performed here," as if it was a theatrical representation. It is indeed true that representations of grief have long constituted all the marks of it, which are to be found among mankind, and when nobody is disposed to weep over the remains of the deceased, tears are bought for the occasion. The last duties paid to the departed would, however, be of a sad complexion indeed, if stripped of the marks of religion; for religion has taken root at the tomb, and the tomb cannot evade her. It is right that the voice of hope should speak from the coffin; it is right that the priest of the living God should escort the ashes of the dead to their last asylum. It may be said, on such an occa sion, that Immortality is marching at the head of Death.

The political bent of the English is well known in France, but most people are ignorant as to the parties, into which the parliament is divided. Besides that of the minister, and the one in opposition to it, there is a third, which may be called The Anglicans, at the head of which is Mr. Wilberforce. It consists of about

a hundred members, who rigidly adhere to ancient manners, particularly in what respects religion. Their wives are clothed like quakers; they themselves affect great simplicity, and give a large part of their revenue to the poor. Mr. Pitt was of this sect, and it was through their influence that he was elevated to, as well as maintained in the office of Prime Minister; for by sup porting one side or the other, they are almost sure to constitute a majority and decide the question discussed. When the affairs of Ireland were debated, they took alarm at the promises which Mr. Pitt made to the Catholics, and threatened to pass over to the opposition, upon which the minister made an able retreat from office, in order to preserve the friends, with whom he agreed on most essential points, and escape from the difficulties, into which circumstances had drawn him. Having acted thus, he was sure not to offend the Anglicans, even if the bill passed; and if, on the contrary, it was rejected, the catholics of Ireland could not accuse him of breaking his engagement. It has been asked in France whether Mr. Pitt lost his credit with his

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place, but a single fact will be the best answer to this question. He still sits in the House of Commons. When he shall be transferred to the upper house, his political career will be at an end.

An erroneous opinion is entertained by the French as to the influence of the party, in England, called the opposition, which is completely fallen in the opinion of the public. It possesses neither great talents, nor real patriotism. Mr. Fox himself is no longer of any use to it, having lost all his eloquence from age and excesses of the table. It is certain that his wounded vanity, rather than any other motive, induced him, for so long a time, to discontinue his attendance in Parliament.

The bill, which excludes from the House of Commons every person in holy orders, has been also misinterpreted at Paris. It is not known that the only object of this measure was to expel Horne Tooke, a man of genius, and a violent enemy of government, who had formerly been in orders, but had abandoned his cloth; who had also been a supporter of power even to the

extent of drawing upon himself an attack from the pen of Junius; and finally became a proselyte of liberty, like many others.

Parliament lost in Mr. Burke one of its most distinguished members. He detested the French Revolution, but to do him justice, no Englishman ever more sincerely loved the French as individuals, or more applauded their valour and their genius. Though he was not rich, he had founded a shool for the expatriated youth of our nation, where he passed whole days in admiring the genius and vivacity of these children. He used often to relate an anecdote on the subject. Having introduced the son of an English nobleman to be educated at this school, the young orphans proposed to play with him, but the lord did not chuse to join in their sports. "I don't like the French," said he frequently with a degree of sarcasm. A little boy, who could never draw from him any other answer, said, "That is impossible. You have too good a heart to hate ns. Should not your Lordship

substitute your fear for your hatred ?"

It would be right to speak here of English

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