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the evening is clear, it may be readily gibbet a prey to the birds of the air. distinguished. The Phenicians guid- So true is it, that "Ille crucem preed their navigations by this constella- tium sceleris tulit hie diadema." tion, for which reason it was called To those who are pleased with the Phenice, or the Phenician constella- details of glory, arising from contion. It was also called Cynosura, quests, the period now before us by the Greeks, because, according to would present sufficient details of horthem, it was one of the dogs belong- ror and bloodshed, if happily or uning to the huntress Callisto, or the happily the registers of those times Great Bear. The nearness of the had been preserved with sufficient pole-star to the north pole, is a cir- care; but the actions of the concumstance very useful and opportune queror, and the sufferings of the con in navigation, &c, for determining with precision the meridian line, the elevation of the pole, and consequently the latitude, &c.

Woodstock Street.

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T. B.

ANSWERS TO THE HISTORICAL AND
PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTIONS.

Continued from page 525. QUEST. I. What are the principal occurrences between the year in which Solon was Archon of Athens and the taking of Babylon?

quered, are most of them sunk in oblivion, and the oppressor and the oppressed have mingled together their ashes in the silent tomb, awaiting that day, when a better estimate will be formed of their former condition, The life of Cyrus is interwoven with the chief occurrences of the eastern world, and the few remains of history relate the conquests of Nebuchadnezzar, and the glory in his reign of the Chaldean empire.Greece calls our attention, and the revival of the Isthmian games We have already recommended to forms a date in its history of importour readers, the Cyropædia, written ance. Egypt, after the defeat of by Xenophon, which shews in what Apries or Pharaoh-Hophra, and manner a prince is to be formed, and the ascent of Amasis to the throne, the manner in which the best writer saw in the latter a wise legislator, of Greece, and one of its best gene- who deserved the name of their rals, supposed that Cyrus was trained fifth lawgiver, and the visits to his to that disposition and character court of the wisest men of Greece, which have placed him so high in the Pisistratus, at Athens, obtains a guard list of fame, and in the splendour of for his person, and easily overturnhis victories, and proofs of his wisdom ing the wise system of Solon, be and generosity, diminished the horror comes its tyrant, and Thales dies at which a well informed mind must the great age of ninety years. feel at the misery produced by so The Isthmian games were first degraded a being as a conqueror. instituted by Theseus in honour of In what indeed does the difference Neptune, and were revived in the between him and a robber exist! year before Christ 582; the victors Both seek their own immediate ad- at them were crowned with pine vantage: the one forms projects for leaves. Amasis gave his new code plundering his weaker neighbours; of laws to Egypt in the year before the other lays plans for taking the Christ 568; he added also Cyprus to purses of the travellers within his his dominions. Pisistratus destroyed reach. But mankind has not yet got the liberty of Athens in the year be over the folly of attributing glory to fore Christ 560, a year remarkable conquest; and a knock-me-down fel- for the institution of the Census at low, with a crown on his head, and Rome, by Servius Tullius, who or a pack of vagabonds at his heels, is dered it to be taken every five years; extolled to the skies, for burning ci- and from this æra the Romans comties, laying waste territories, and puted their lustra. In this year, also, murdering some millions of human The spis introduced his plays at beings; whilst the equally noble- Athens, the performers wearing minded highwayman, who has taken maş ks, and acting upon moveable only a few purses, and murdered a stages. This acting of plays was single individual, is an object of con- entirely against the consent and ap tempt, and his carcase becomes on a pro ation of Solon, who wished to

have formed the Athenians to a of vice cannot be too much reprohigher character than they attained bated for its mean and unworthy enby producing the best play writers of deavours to deprive the lower classes any country, and which engendered of the people of their innocent amusesuch a love of theatrical amusements, ments. We are running, it is to be as totally enervated the people, and feared, in this country, to a very in the end was the ruin of the re- dangerous extreme. There is a great public. It is remarkable, that the difference between the encouragesame aversion to the stage was felt ment of boxing, and the conniving by the wise governors of Geneva, at some popular sports, which may and that small state, having now ad- occasionally be attended with irremitted within its walls the represen- gularity: but a dance or a running tations of the stage of popish altars, match is in the eye of fanaticism a will cease probably to produce men most terrible sin, unless the former of distinction. Thales died in the takes place beyond the midnight year before Christ 547. He was the hour in the houses of fashion; or an head of the philosophers of the ass-race at four in the morning is Ionian school, and his death is now countenanced by men of wealth and mentioned, merely to connect the distinction. history of philosophy with that of more general events. From this time the history of philosophy becomes of importance, and we shall make it at a future period a subject of more particular attention.

Quest. II. To what reflections do the above occurrences give rise?

How difficult it is either to acquire or preserve liberty! Solon had done great things for his country;yet, where liberty is, factions will intrude, and good men, from the dread of the latter, are too often found to desert the cause of the former. The laws of Solon were held in the highThe 1sthmian games were per- est estimation; but means remained formed in the midst of a great con- to the wealthy noble, by an affeccourse of people from all parts of tation of popularity, to secure the Greece, and the adjacent countries. lower class to his side, and thus to To excel in driving a chariot, riding a make himself master of the whole. race, boxing, leaping, running, pitch- Pisistratus followed the usual plan of ing the bar, wrestling, and the like such traitors. He wheedled the exercises, was esteemed a very high lower people, and by this means, attainment: the victor had several under the pretence of an injury reprivileges, and his return to his na- ceived, obtained a military guard, and tive town was celebrated like that of formed a standing army in his own a hero, who was supposed to have defence, and to the offence of the performed some signal service to people. The natural consequence mankind. These exercises are sunk followed: he became instead of a now, too much perhaps, below their citizen a tyrant; and the virtuous real value; though we cannot wish Solon, detesting his falsehood, abto see boxing elevated into the rank jured his country, rather than live of polite accomplishments, or the under such tyranny, The Athenians sprig of fashion, who turns a corner merited the disgrace and the oppresadroitly in his phaeton and four, to sion they experienced for, when be esteemed more highly than an the people throw away their arms, equally expert stage coachman. The and trust their defence to others, they Isthmian games did not produce pro- merit and can expect nothing else bably such good races as are now but to be subjected to a foreign foe ; usual at every meeting at Newmar- or, what is perhaps as bad. to lie at ket, and to which we may not err the mercy of a few of their own felin ascribing the excellence of our low-citizens.

English horses. Man is composed The introduction of the moveable of both body and mind, and there theatre at Athens, and the disapare exercises suitable to the improve- probation of stage performances, exment of each: to lay a stress upon pressed by Solon, naturally excite either, to the exclusion of the other, our enquiry into the propriety of such betrays a narrow and weak judgment, amusements. Much has been said and the society for the suppression and written on this subject, but

per

haps the tendency of them cannot be conduct of many Christians, who pro

better exemplified than in the states fess their veneration for the character of Athens and Geneva; the one of their Saviour and his disciples, yet being absolutely ruined by them, the attach so much importance to the other producing more men of genius station which a man fills, and not his and taste than any other town in character in life. How many who modern Europe at the same period of listen to the precepts of the fishermen time, and yet excluding entirely such and their head, treat with the utmost amusements from its territories. Whe- disdain persons in similar situations in ther they are proper or improper, no life: and if a teacher should now be one can doubt the impropriety of honourably gaining his bread by his them in the manner in which they own labour, during the days approare conducted in the London theatres. priated to work, and teaching without The licentiousness that prevails in the fee or reward on the day appropriated lobby of the theatres is a disgrace to to that purpose, he is treated with the metropolis: this might be easily contempt, in comparison of him whọ stopped, so that a modest family passes his six days in idleness, and could go to and from and sit in their moves in great pomp and with high box, without fear of molestation from ideas of his own rank and dignity, to insolence and intemperance. the seventh day's exercises of re

The institution of the census at ligion. Rome will fix our attention, because Quest. III. What are the principal it is connected with an event of occurrences between the peace of which the founder could have no Ryswick and the union with Scotnotion, and which is remarkable in land?

the history of prophecy. The census After the peace of Ryswick, Wilwas preserved in full vigour for many liam may be said to have been securely centuries at Rome, and, as the do- placed on his throne, and the internal minions of this state increased, it was welfare of his new kingdom would occasionally introduced into the re- naturally excite his attention. He mote provinces. In the reign of Au- had lived however in the midst of gustus, a census or registering of all arms, and the bustle of a soldier's life their inhabitants took place in Syria. had more attraction for him than the This was performed under a decree charms of repose: the sound of canfrom Augustus, while Cyrenius was non was more agreeable to his feelthe governor of Syria; and in con- ings than the bickerings of parliament. sequence of this decree, Palestine was But whatever respect we may entersubject to the census. The order tain for his memory, we must applaud was, that every one should go to his the jealousy of our ancestors, which own city to be enrolled; and Joseph, kept them alive to every effort to inthe husband of Mary, being of the troduce or support arbitrary power; race of David, was of course under and the first occurrence of importance, the necessity of leaving Nazareth, a in the period now before us, is the poor town in Galilee, the place of his opposition they made to the king's residence, to go to Bethlehem, the place of his family. A multitude of persons came, in consequence of the order, at the same time to the town; and in so little estimation was the mother of the Saviour of the world, that she gave him to the world in the outhouse of an inn. Thus, owing to the institution of the census, was accomplished the prophecy, that the Christ should be born at Bethlehem, in Judea; and the miserable Jews, when he made his public appearance, were determined that he should not be the Christ, because he was a Galilean. As great an instance however of human folly is apparent in the

desire of retaining his Dutch guards, and keeping a standing army. What a melancholy contrast does the conduct of their posterity now present for the notice of the future historian! But if we do not imitate our ancestors in the praiseworthy part of their conduct, in that which is highly reprehensible there are some among us determined not to be behind them. Discontent at vice, and its supposed prevalence, may lead to good, if the zeal is directed by prudence; but this zeal is too often mixed with a love of distinction and the pride of power. To make every body walk in a certain line was the object of a society, which

called itself the society for the refor- and wreaking their vengeance on him mation of manners, which however for real, or supposed injuries. The sunk deservedly into contempt, and act of succession passed in the year might have been an example to others, 1700, and its importance ought to not to obtrude themselves with offi- stamp both the date, and the matter cious zeal and vicious actions to cor- of this bill, on every person's memorect irregularities. The death of the ry. By this bill the crown of Engking of Spain opened a new scene of land is confined to a protestant, wilbloodshed; he left his kingdom by ling to join in communion with the will to one person; various powers church of England: England is not in Europe chose another; but little obliged to defend the king's foreign did the contending parties think of possessions, if he has any: the king the advantages the subjects of Spain cannot leave his dominions without were to receive from their interpo- the consent of parliament: no person sition, and the Spaniards had not holding an office of trust or profit spirit enough to meet in their cortes, under the crown, is to have a seat in and elect for themselves their own the house of commons; and no Sovereign. The act of succession in pardon from the crown can be pleaded England established a precedent for to an impeachment. With these and Europe, to shew the true depend- some other wise regulations, the sucance of the crown on the legislature; cession to the crown was settled on and that a kingdom is not the pro- the princess Sophia, after the death perty of a sovereign, but an office of the princess Anne, and to her heirs, conferred on him, and connected so that all the claims to the crown by with certain duties. A scene of war- inheritance, and they were numerous, fare and bloodshed, arising from the were cut off; and, as the French Spanish succession, disfigures and have lately done, the English then disgraces Europe during the greater exercised their right of electing their part of Queen Anne's reign; and future sovereigns. The manor of the erecting of the mansion at Woodstock, named Blenheim, from a victory obtained at a place of the same name in Germany, by the duke of Marlborough, is a monument of the gratitude of the nation for his services, at the same time that it makes us deeply sensible of the folly of human nature, which, throwing reason aside, betakes itself to "brutal force, to bring to pass designs, in which it seldom or ever by those means obtains success.

Woodstock was conferred on the Duke of Marlborough, in 1704, and an immense, heavy, cumbersome palace was built in it, at a very great expence, and with very little taste, either in the external or internal decorations. The English nation is so much accustomed to jobs, that it is very difficult for any public work to be executed in a manner that would do honour to the country.

Quest. IV. To what reflections do the above occurrences give rise?

The famous vote of the house of The resistance made by our ancommons, for disbanding all the cestors to a standing army, in the forces raised since the year 1680, reign of William III. ought to impassed in the year 1697, and the press upon every Englishman the courtiers were, from the ferments oc- danger that attends a large military casioned in the nation by the fears of force in any kingdom. Liberty and a standing army, obliged, though a large standing army are things inwith the utmost reluctance, to ac- compatible. However well educated quiesce in the general wish. The so- a young Englishman may be, and ciety for the reformation of manners however noble the spirit of liberty was formed in the year 1698; the which he has imbibed, there is always members were to inform the magis- great danger that it should be extintrates of all vice and immorality, that guished by the spirit too frequently is, In other words, to become a set of prevalent in a standing army. The spies and informers, and to give en- jealousy that has been expressed by couragement to the worst passions some military officers against the of the human mind, by teazing indi- volunteers, is a proof of this assertion: viduals, under the pretence of some and yet perhaps there is no institution blemish in their neighbours' conduct, which the nation ought to hold in

1

higher honour than that of the vo- have little influence probably in the lunteers. With a volunteer force of transactions of the society, and are upwards of three hundred thousand not acquainted with the secret springs men, we may less fear the increase by which it is conducted. The soof the regular army; and, when ciety we know from a public trial, every man has learned the use of arms, employs spies for its purposes, and and the titles of colonel, captain, encourages by that act alone, more &c. are diffused among a sufficient vice, than it will ever be in its power number of our fellow citizens, the to suppress. It tells us of the number soldier colonel, that is the colonel of petty irregularities that it has paid for his services, will learn to stopped: but the trial, in which it have a proper regard for the citizen appears, that it subjected a variety of colonel, who takes up arms in the innocent individuals to the expence detence of his country, and instead of and inconvenience of a prosecution, deriving any advantage from, is at a outweighs all its pretences to regard great expence on account of his rank. for the checks given to petty offenders; That Englishmen should view without and besides we do not know how much abhorrence a large standing army, is vice may have been occasioned by an inconceivable folly. The navy can- the threats of its spies, and what monot be too much cherished. It is our ney may have been extorted by them honour, it is our safeguard. The off- from innocent persons, to avoid the cers, when they come on shore, mix terror of a prosecution. It becomes with the people, and have no interests every member of this society to reflect separate from those of the people. seriously on the evil he may produce, The sailors, after fighting gloriously both to individuals, and to the manthe battles of their country, are not a ners of the public for duelling is burden to it, but increase its wealth better than assassination, and drunkby wafting its commerce to every enness a small crime, compared with shore. The navy can never be made the odious hypocrisy, which such a an instrument to enslave the people. society has a tendency to create. If it were increased too much, which it is never likely to be, it would add only to the expence of the nation: the increase to a large standing army, is not only an increase of expence, but an increase of terror to those who have any regard for the liberty of their country.

The act of succession, passed in the year 1700, leads to many reflections on the nature of sovereign power, and the disputes occasioned by it in most countries. How it is legitimately acquired, and how it has in general been acquired, are questions which may fill many volumes; the divines The society for the reformation of were fools enough in former times to manners in king William's time, na- assert that kings reigned by right diturally carries our thoughts to the vine, when every page almost in hissociety for the suppression of vice, tory, and the slightest view of the now established amongst us, and to various governments in the world, the benefit or mischiefs of such insti- might have taught them the folly of tutions. The title of these societies such an assertion. We have however catches the fancy; and in their ab- nothing to do with these disputes. horrence of vice, many put their The right of our sovereign to the names down, who looking to the ad- crown, is founded on the best of titles, vantages proposed, think little of the an act of parliament. The compact, evil connected necessarily with the so much disputed of between king execution of their designs. The per- and people, has actually taken place sons who established the inquisition among us and George I. was seated in Spain, thought that they were act on his throne in right of that compact; ing for the honour of God: the con- the parliament assuring to him the sequence of this zeal was however allegiance of the people on certain general hypocrisy, and the destruction conditions, laid down for the presuof social intercourse. There are med benefit of both king and people. doubtless, many respectable persons In vain did the duchess of Savoy, the in the society for the suppression of next heir to the crown, after the des vice, and their names give a countecendants of James H. protest against Rance to its proceedings: but they this act; birth can be a title only with

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