No. CXXVII.

On the Advantages derivable from National Adversity.

IT is very certain that national prosperity, as it is comprehended in the idea of numerous fleets and armies, of extensive empire, large revenues, advantageous commerce, and a profusion of money in specie, is a kind of good by no means necessarily connected with moral good, or with the substantial happiness of individuals. It makes a splendid figure in Imagination's eye; but to Reason, it appears in a very questionable shape, and experience is able to evince that it has always diffused profligacy and misery through the walks of private life; and, by introducing luxury, licentiousness, indolence, and corruption, has at once destroyed all that can render - human nature dignified and happy, and precipitated the decline and the downfal of empires themselves, while triumphing in fancied glory.

It has been observed, that the Bodies Politic and Natural bear to each other a remarkable analogy. A human form pampered, bloated, and plethoric, will often have the appearance of strength, as well as magnitude; though no state of it can be less adapted to facilitate the animal movements, or in greater danger of a hasty dissolution. The body politic also loses in muscular force, as much as it acquires of unwieldy size, till by the gradual decrease of vigour, and augmentation of weight, it totters on its baseless supports, and, at last, lies level in the dust with Babylon and ancient Rome. Luxury, the inevitable consequence of what is falsely called national pros

could adorn them; or render their longer duration a rational object of desire.

There is, undoubtedly, a certain degree of magnitude, at which, when a State is arrived, it must, of necessity, undergo the alternative of being purged of its peccant humours, or falling into a nerveless languor and consequent decline. Perhaps our own country has already arrived at that degree, and is now, under the operation of Divine Providence, suffering the amputation of its morbid excrescences, for the salvation of its health and existence. It may lose some of its revenues; but it will save and meliorate its morals and its liberty. Ministers may be shaken from their seats, pensioners and placemen may be reduced to despair, funds may be annihilated, and estates brought down to their natural value; but freedom, but virtue, but industry, but the British constitution, but human nature, shall survive the wreck, and emerge, like silver and gold when tried by the fire, with new value and additional lustre. After a state of political adversity, something may take place in the society, similar to the expected renovation of all things after the general conflagration of the universe.

Distress and difficulty are known to operate, in private life, as the spurs of diligence. Powers which would for ever have lain dormant in the halcyon days of ease and plenty, have been called forth by adversity, and have advanced their possessor to the most enviable heights of virtue, happiness, and glory. Man is naturally indolent, and, when undisturbed, will bask and sleep in the sunshine till the sleep of death; but, when roused by the blast and the thunder, he rises, strains every sinew, and marches on to enterprise. Success will almost infallibly attend great exertions uniformly and resolutely continued;

sun which rose in a mist descends with serenity, and paints the whole horizon with gold and purple.

Public industry may be excited in the same manner, and in the same degree, by public misfortunes. The nation is impoverished, or in other words, its superfluities are retrenched. It is an event devoutly to be wished. Luxury, with ten thousand evils in her train, is obliged to withdraw, and the humble virtues, whom she had driven, by her insolence, into exile, cheerfully advance from their concealment. Industry and frugality take the lead; but to what a degree of vigour must every muscle of the body politic be braced, when every member is, in some measure, actuated by industry and frugality. No man ever yet exerted himself to the utmost of his strength; nor is it on record, that any state was ever yet so exhausted, but that, while it enjoyed liberty, it might draw new resources from its own vitals. Though the tree is lopped, yet so long as the root remains unhurt, it will throw out a greater luxuriancy of branches, produce fruit of better flavour, and derive fresh vigour from the axe. If one has accidentally disturbed an ant-hill, or broken the fabric of the hive, though the little animals appeared before to have exerted their utmost efforts, yet it is amazing, with what additional diligence they apply themselves to repair the depredation. Not a moment is allowed for despondency. The earth and the air glow with motion, and the misfortune seems immediately to add to their spirits, and ultimately both to their store and security.

The beautiful description which Virgil has given us of the busy scene in which the Tyrians are engaged in building Carthage, represents, in a most lively manner, the alacrity with which human creatures are found to exert themselves, when instigated

bour seizes every bosom. No murmuring, no complainings in the street, but every one feels himself happy in proportion as he renders himself useful. Men's abilities rise with the occasion; and political evil, like other evil, under the conduct of a merciful Deity, has produced extensive good, by calling forth some of the noblest exertions and most perfect characters which have adorned the records of human nature.

There is one beneficial effect of national adversity, of greater importance than any which I have enumerated. It subdues the haughty soul elevated with riches, and inebriated with excess, and turns the attention to the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the only Ruler of princes, who, from His throne, beholds all nations, and bids the sceptre to depart from the wicked to the righteous. It teaches us to rely less upon our German auxiliaries, our musquets, our mortars, our cannon, our copper-bottomed men of war, our generals, and our admirals, than on the Lord of Hosts.

When he fights for us we shall conquer. Without him, we shall in vain put our trust in a Burgoyne, a Keppel, or a Cornwallis; but "the ball of empire shall continue to roll on westward as it has ever yet done, till it stops in America, a world unknown to the ancients, and which may save the tears of some future Alexander."

If Providence shall have decreed the downfal of British supremacy, happy should I be to have suggested one idea which may stimulate the exertions of my countrymen, once more to raise the noble column on the basis of liberty and virtue; or which may console them on its ruins, and teach them, while they sit by the waters of bitterness, and hang their harps on the willow, to think of Him who can make rivers

No. CXXVIII.

On some of the false Pretensions and Impositions of the Artful and Avaricious.

who em

NOTWITHSTANDING the pretensions of religion, philosophy, and education, the greater part of mankind appears to be restrained in their actual conduct by few efficient principles, but those which are dictated by a regard to interest. To the love of gain, and the weakness or want of principles, it must be imputed, that every occupation and department of life abounds with imposture. A mask is easily put on. Appearances are, indeed, far more easily assumed than realities; and they are often more successful and more plausible; for the edifice of him, ploys all his time and attention in gilding, painting, and carving the front, will much sooner attract the notice and applause of the passenger, than that of him who has been solicitous only about the strength of the beam, and the massy firmness of the foundation. So powerful are the instigations of avarice, and so easy is it to deceive the young, the simple, the innocent, and unsuspecting, that the intercourse among mankind would have been one uniform commerce of deceit, if it had not fortunately happened, that the same want of principle and superfluity of selfishness, which led the deceivers to impose upon mankind, induced them also to betray the arts of each other. Rival cheats, in the fury of jealous competition, have discovered the secrets of the juggling art, and opened the eyes of the deluded observers.

But, as there is always a rising generation unac