The following passages shew, what we have always suspected, and have before intimated in this account of Pepys's book, that for some time after the Restoration, it was doubtful whether the Church of England would be able to stand. July 26th. Mr. Hill, of Cambridge, tells me, that yesterday put a change to the whole state of England as to the Church; for the King now would be forced to favour Presbytery, or that the city would leave him: but I heed not what he says, though upon inquiry I do find that things in the Parliament are in great disorder. Aug. 3rd. At Cambridge, Mr. Pechell, Sanchy, and others, tell me how high the old doctors are in the University over those they found there, though a great deal better scholars than themselves; for which I am very sorry, and, above all, Dr. Gunning. At night I took horse, and rode with Roger Pepys and his two brothers to Impington. T 66 4th. To Church, and had a good plain sermon. At our coming in the country people all rose with so much reverence; and when the parson begins, he begins,Right worshipfull and dearly beloved,' to us. To Church again, and after supper, to talk about publique matters, wherein Roger Pepys told me how basely things have been carried in Parliament by the young men, that did labour to oppose all things that were moved by serious men. That they are the most prophane, swearing fellows that ever he heard in his life, which makes him think that they will spoil all, and bring things into a warr again if they can." I. 112, 113. time, may I be permitted to make a remark or two upon a passage which it were to be desired that the worthy author had rendered a little more full and complete than it appears to be in its present state? Dr. Channing has done well for the cause of truth and the ministers of truth in pressing upon the latter the duty of keeping pace with the spirit of the age, of enlightening their own minds as far as possible, and ennobling and enriching their statements of doctrine by the united strength of tasteful language and energetic sentiment. In all this I cordially acquiesce. But perhaps Dr. C. goes rather too far in his estimate of the advantages to be derived from this high state of mental cultivation; or rather, in his anxiety to fix his standard of excellence high enough, he a little depreciates the power of simple truth. It is true he does endeavour to shew that there is no such thing as simple or "naked truth." "Truth," says he, "is always humanized in passing through a human mind." This is, no doubt, philosophically true. Yet surely there is a practical incorrectness in the inference which Dr. Channing would have us draw, if he does not allow that the majority of hearers are fully able to separate the human from the divine in the word spoken to them. And that the test to which, ostensibly at least, preaching is brought by Christian hearers, is, as it ought to be, the word of God. "Who does not know," asks Dr. C., "that the sublimest doctrines lose in some hands all their grandeur, and the loveliest all their attractiveness?" Now he is not speaking in this place of false doctrine-he is speaking of truth-the whole tenour of the argument seems to bear me out in this assertion. Assuming this then to be correct, his meaning must be, that the sublimest, the most true, the most attractive doctrines, may lose all their power simply by being conveyed in an unpleasant manner. This is a discouraging doctrine to the "brother of low degree," but it is comforting to feel the persuasion that it is not warranted by experience. Practically, I am persuaded that the most important truths of the gospel are received with more reverence, more lasting good consequences, and more universally salutary effects, when they owe their influence over the mind less to the power of a striking preacher than when they are acquired under circumstances of less excitement. I would not at all dispute the fact, that talent united with right views of Christian truth is to be highly appreciated. I would go farther, and say that it is every preacher's duty to labour at the attainment of every kind of excellence-only let it be conceded, and it is a consideration that should both cheer the humble and check the proud, that converts to all that is of supreme importance in Christian truth have been made and are still making by preachers of very subordinate mental powers and attainments. I have often felt it to be an unfortunate thing for a congregation, when the reverence and admiration which are due to religion, are so transferred to a particular preacher, that it becomes a matter of difficulty to relish the same truths when presented in a less attractive dress. I should not fear that any ill effects will be produced on minds of long-established piety by attendance on the ministrations of a very captivating preacher, but I doubt whether young people will be materially strengthened either in knowledge of or regard to religion by such attendance, unless accompanied by that earnest and careful home-instruction which may lead them to estimate truth far more highly than the form under which it may happen to be spoken to them. Were I competent to offer advice at all to a religious parent, there is none, perhaps, which would more frequently rise to my lips than this: If you wish your child's religious principles to wear well, see that they stand not on the uncertain foundation of ordinances, or individual teaching. Lead him to the Bible, fix in his heart the affecting lessons it teaches; make him practically and habitually a religious being by leading him to prayer, and form his dispositions by all those kind and gentle practices which may best secure the love of what is amiable and praiseworthy. Make him feel that these things are perfectly distinct from the exercise of talent; that mental powers are valuable only when accompanied by the fear of God and the love of our fellow-creatures. Especially win his heart to the love and admiration of the character of Jesus, that model of each and every virtue, This strong previous sense of religion will alone lift the mind above the fluctuations which take place in the piety of many individuals when under the ministrations of a preacher more or less judicious, more or less attractive. Do not fear that your child will lose the power of discriminating between the good and bad. If he has early been taught to understand the chief doctrines of Christianity and their application, he will prefer what accords best with his previous knowledge, and the style of preaching he will least like will be that which appears most remote from scriptural truth; but beware lest in your estimate of the importance of publie worship, you attach an undue value to PREACHING." extraordinary character of the age. Any thing respecting such a man, especially on the important topic of religion, must be gratifying to the curiosity. Dr. O'Meara, in his interesting work, A Voice from St. Helena, has several paragraphs on the subject. But I shall draw my information from a more recent source-The Last Days of the Emperor Napoleon, by Dr. F. Antommarchi, his Physician. This gentleman attended him after Dr. O'Meara had left him, was with him in his last illness, and witnessed his dissolution. He went over to him from Italy, and has returned with a pension, for his attendance on the illustrious exile, whose sufferings he mitigated, whilst his work may be pronounced a monumental tribute of regard to his memory. The paragraphs I shall transcribe shall be taken chronologically. Napoleon died May 5th, 1821. He had been long ill, of a liver complaint, brought on by the climate of St. Helena, which allows few of its inhabitants to exceed forty years of age, and is awfully fatal to visitants from any country. Dr. Antommarchi, on his arrival at St. Helena, found Bonaparte (about nine months previous to his dissolution) much worse for want of exercise, and forced him into his garden. "One day," (says Dr. A.,) as Bonaparte was arranging a bed of French beans he perceived some small roots, and began a dissertation upon the phenomena of vegetation. He analyzed and descanted upon them with his usual sagacity, drawing from them the conclusion of the existence of the Supreme Being, who presides over the wonders of nature! You do not believe in all that, Doctor-you physicians are above those weaknesses. Tell me, you who are so well acquainted with the human frame, who have searched it in all its turnings and windings; have you ever met with the soul under your scalpel? In what organ?' I hesi tated to answer. Coine, be sincere: there is not a physician that believes in God, is there?"No, Sire; they are seduced by Mathematicians.' How so? Mathematicians are generally religious. However, your recrimination reminds me of a singular expression used by one of them. I was convers VOL. XX. 3 x ing with L., and congratulating him upon a new work he had just published. I asked him how it happened that the name of God, so often used in the works of Lagrange, had never once occurred in his.' It is,' answered he, because I have not found it necessary to have recourse to that hypothesis !'" Thus it appears that Bonaparte had an ill opinion of the creed of medical men. Few of them, indeed, are Atheists, but more Deists, though many have written excellent treatises in behalf of revealed religion. Of this fact Cheyne and various others might be adduced. The avocations of the faculty are against their attendance on public worship, and hence their low repute for any sort of piety. What Bonaparte thought of the providence of God does not exactly appear; but he often refers to his destiny; and of human life he imagined that a limit was assigned it, beyond which it could not be protracted. His physician one day proposing medicine, to which he had an insuperable aversion, he replied, "Doctor, no physicking. We are, as I have often already told you, a machine made to live. We are organized for that purpose, and such is our nature. Do not counteract the living principle. Let it alone; leave it the liberty to defend itself; it will do better than your drugs! Our body is a watch that is intended to go a given time. The watchmaker cannot open it, and must, in handling it, grope his way blindfold and at random. For once that he assists and relieves it, by dint of tormenting it with his crooked instruments, he injures it ten times, and at last destroys it!" Not following the advice of his physician, either as to medicine or exercise in that dreadful climate, the Emperor became worse and worse. On March 19, 1820, he addressed Dr. A. in the following affecting manner: "Doctor, what a delightful thing rest is! The bed is become for me a place of luxury. I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world. What an alteration-how fallen am I! I, whose activity was boundless, whose mind never slumbered, am now plunged in a lethargic stupor, and must make an effort to raise my eyelids! I sometimes dictated upon different subjects to four or five secretaries, who wrote as fast as words could be uttered; but then I was Napoleon; now I am no longer any thing: my strength, my faculties forsake me. I do not live, I merely exist!" · His sister Eliza dying also at this time, he was much dejected, and began to think seriously of his own latter end. His remarks are too striking to be omitted on this occasion. "The Emperor rose, leant upon my arm, and looking steadfastly at me, said, 'You see, Doctor, Eliza has just shewn us the way. Death, which seemed to have overlooked my family, now be gins to strike it; my turn cannot be far distant-what think you?' 'Your Majesty is not yet near the term of your existence; you are still destined for some glorious enterprise! Ah! Doctor, your are young, full of health; but I-I have no longer any strength, activity or energy left. I am no longer Napoleon. You endeavour in vain to revive hope, to recall life on the point of escaping. Your care is without avail against fate; its decrees are immutable, its decision without ap. peal. The first person of our family who will follow Eliza to the grave is that great Napoleon who here drags on a miserable existence, who sinks under its weight, but who, however, still keeps Europe in a state of alarm! It is thus, Doctor, that I consider my present situation. Young as you are, you have a long career before you, but for me, all is over; and I repeat, that my days will soon end on this miserable rock!" On the 19th of April, 1821, the Emperor rallied, after severe paroxyms of suffering; when Dr. A. tells us, "The Emperor rose at two P. M., and seated himself in his arm chair; he was in good spirits, finding himself much better than usual, and asked to be read to. Seeing that General Montholon rejoiced in that amelioration of health, and that I also, without being able to assign any cause for it, as I did not entertain any more hope than before, gave way to the same feeling; he looked at us with a placid smile, and said, "My friends, you are not mistaken; I am better to-day; but I feel nevertheless that my end is approaching! After my death every one of you will have the consolation of returning to Europe, some of you will see their relations again, others their friends, and I shall join my brave companions in the Elysian fields! Yes," (added he, raising his voice,) "Kleber, Dessaix, Bessieres, Duroc, Ney, Murat, Massena and Berthier, will all come to meet me; they will speak to me of what we have done together, and I will relate to them the last events of my life! On seeing me again they will all become once more mad with enthusiasm and glory, and we will talk of our wars with the Scipios, Hannibal, Cæsar, Frederic! There will be pleasure in that, unless," added he, laughing, "it should create an alarm in the next world to see so many warriors assembled together!" This sally of the imagination was, no doubt, suggested by the recollection of a fine passage in the sixth book of Virgil, where the poet thus delineates a similar congress of warriors in the Elysian fields: Here Teucer's ancient race the Prince surveys, The race of heroes born in happier days; Before him stalk'd the tall majestic And train, pitch'd their idle lances on the Those pleasing cares the heroes felt alive, survive! Others beneath a laurell'd grove were laid, And joyful feasted in the fragrant shade! However, this seems to have been the last effort of Napoleon to affect pleasantry in his deplorable condition. Soon after we find him (two days only) sending for his priest, Vignali. When he came, "Abbé,' said he, do you know what chambre-ardente (a room in which dead bodies lie in state) is?' Yes, Sire.' Have you ever officiated in one?' Never, Sire.' 'You shall officiate in mine!' He then entered into the most minute detail on the subject, and gave the priest his instructions at considerable length. His face was animated and convulsive, and I was following with uneasiness the contraction of his features, when he observed in mine, I know not what, which displeased him. 'You are above those weaknesses,' said he; but what is to be done? I am neither a philosopher nor a physician. I believe in God, and am of the religion of my father. It is not every body who can be an Atheist.' Then turn ing again to the priest, I was born a Catholic, and will fulfil the duties prescribed by the Catholic religion, and receive the assistance it administers. You will say mass every day in the chapel, and will expose the holy sacrament during forty hours! After my death you will place your altar at my head in the room in which I shall lie in state; you will continue to say mass, and perform all the customary ceremonies, and will not cease to do so, until I am under ground."" Dr. A. then adds, "The Abbé withdrew, and I remained alone with Napoleon, who censured my supposed incredulity. How can you carry it so far?' said he. Can you not believe in a God, whose existence every thing proclaims, and in whom the greatest minds have believed?" But, Sire, I have never doubted it. I was following the pulsations of the fever, and your Majesty thought you perceived in my features an expression which they had not.' You are a physician,' he replied, laughing; and then added, in an under tone, Those people have only to do with matter; they never believe any thing."" Not long after, Dr. A. informs us, that one day " Napoleon spoke of religious dissensions, and of the plan he had formed in order to reconcile all seets. Our reverses occurred too soon to allow him to carry that plan into execution; but he had at least reestablished religion, and that was a service, the results of which were incalculable." To reconcile all sects in France, or in any other part of Christendom, is an Herculean task, of which the Emperor was not apprized. Perhaps no man except himself would have thought of such a thing, and assuredly no other man would have been emboldened to attempt its accomplishment. That happy event must be reserved for better times. It is, indeed, no inconsiderable portion of what divines have denominated, the Millenial glory! In the mean time, it will be both the duty and felicity of Catholic and Protestant, of Church man and Dissenter, laying aside their most repulsive peculiarities, to live together in peace, love and Christian charity. And now approaches the last awful scene. Two days previous to his death Vignali, the priest, administered the Viaticum to the Emperor, who, on the 5th of May, 1821, thus affectingly breathed his last. "Head army! were the final words he uttered; he was in a state of delirium and insensibility. At eleven A. M., icy coldness of the extremities, and in a short time of the whole body, eye fixed, lips closed and contracted, breathing slow, deep sighs, piteous moans, convulsive movements, which ended by a loud and dismal shriek! I placed a blister on his chest and on each thigh, applied two large sinapisms on the soles of the feet, and fomentations on the abdomen, with a bottle filled with hot water. I also endeavoured to refresh the Emperor's lips and mouth, by constantly moistening them with a mixture of common water, orange-flower water and sugar, but the passage was spasmodi cally closed; nothing was swallowed; all was in vain! The intermittent breathing and mournful sound continued, accompanied by a violent agitation of the abdominal muscles; the eye-lids remaining fixed, the eyes moved and fell back under the upper lids; the pulse sunk and rallied again. It was eleven minutes before" six o'clock-Napoleon was about to breath his last-a slight froth covered his lips he was no more! Such is the end of all human glory." Dr. A. proceeds to tell us, that "having finished the melancholy operation of dissection, I detached the heart and stomach, and put them into a silver vase, filled with spirits and wine. I afterwards connected the separate parts by a suture, washed the body, and made room for the valet de chambre, who dressed it, as the Emperor was usually dressed during his life :-Drawers, white kerseymere breeches, white waistcoat, white cravat, and over that a black one, fastened behind with a buckle; the ribbon of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the uniform of Colonel of the Chasseurs de la Garde, decorated with the Orders of the Legion of Honour, and of the Iron Crown; long boots, à |
