andwhenatlengththecampaignof1759closed，inthemidstofarigorouswinter，thesituationofPrussiaappeareddesperate。Theonlyconsolingcircumstancewas，that，intheWest，FerdinandofBrunswickhadbeenmorefortunatethanhismaster;andbyaseriesofexploits，ofwhichthebattleofMindenwasthemostglorious，hadremovedallapprehensionofdangeronthesideofFrance。
Thefifthyearwasnowabouttocommence。ItseemedimpossiblethatthePrussianterritories，repeatedlydevastatedbyhundredsofthousandsofinvaders，couldlongersupportthecontest。ButtheKingcarriedonwarasnoEuropeanpowerhasevercarriedonwar，excepttheCommitteeofPublicSafetyduringthegreatagonyoftheFrenchRevolution。Hegovernedhiskingdomashewouldhavegovernedabesiegedtown，notcaringtowhatextentpropertywasdestroyed，orthepursuitsofcivillifesuspended，sothathedidbutmakeheadagainsttheenemy。AslongastherewasamanleftinPrussia，thatmanmightcarryamusket;aslongastherewasahorseleft，thathorsemightdrawartillery。Thecoinwasdebased，thecivilfunctionarieswereleftunpaid;insomeprovincescivilgovernmentaltogetherceasedtoexist。Buttherewasstillrye—breadandpotatoes;therewasstillleadandgunpowder;and，whilethemeansofsustaininganddestroyingliferemained，Fredericwasdeterminedtofightitouttotheverylast。
Theearlierpartofthecampaignof1760wasunfavourabletohim。
Berlinwasagainoccupiedbytheenemy。Greatcontributionswereleviedontheinhabitants，andtheroyalpalacewasplundered。
Butatlength，aftertwoyearsofcalamity，victorycamebacktohisarms。AtLignitzhegainedagreatbattleoverLaudohn;atTorgau，afteradayofhorriblecarnage，hetriumphedoverDaun。
Thefifthyearclosed，andstilltheeventwasinsuspense。Inthecountrieswherethewarhadraged，themiseryandexhaustionweremoreappallingthanever;butstilltherewereleftmenandbeasts，armsandfood，andstillFredericfoughton。Intruthhehadnowbeenbaitedintosavageness。Hisheartwasulceratedwithhatred。Theimplacableresentmentwithwhichhisenemiespersecutedhim，thoughoriginallyprovokedbyhisownunprincipledambition，excitedinhimathirstforvengeancewhichhedidnotevenattempttoconceal。"Itishard，"hesaysinoneofhisletters，"foramantobearwhatIbear。Ibegintofeelthat，astheItalianssay，revengeisapleasureforthegods。Myphilosophyiswornoutbysuffering。Iamnosaint，likethoseofwhomwereadinthelegends;andIwillownthatI
shoulddiecontentifonlyIcouldfirstinflictaportionofthemiserywhichIendure。"
Borneupbysuchfeelings，hestruggledwithvarioussuccess，butconstantglory，throughthecampaignof1761。OnthewholetheresultofthiscampaignwasdisastroustoPrussia。Nogreatbattlewasgainedbytheenemy;but，inspiteofthedesperateboundsofthehuntedtiger，thecircleofpursuerswasfastclosingroundhim。LaudohnhadsurprisedtheimportantfortressofSchweidnitz。WiththatfortresshalfofSilesia，andthecommandofthemostimportantdefilesthroughthemountainshadbeentransferredtotheAustrians。TheRussianshadoverpoweredtheKing’sgeneralsinPomerania。Thecountrywassocompletelydesolatedthathebegan，byhisownconfession，tolookroundhimwithblankdespair，unabletoimaginewhererecruits，horses，orprovisionsweretobefound。
Justatthistime，twogreateventsbroughtonacompletechangeintherelationsofalmostallthepowersofEurope。OneofthoseeventswastheretirementofMr。Pittfromoffice;theotherwasthedeathoftheEmpressElizabethofRussia。
TheretirementofPittseemedtobeanomenofutterruintotheHouseofBrandenburg。Hisproudandvehementnaturewasincapableofanythingthatlookedlikeeitherfearortreachery。Hehadoftendeclaredthat，whilehewasinpower，EnglandshouldnevermakeapeaceofUtrecht，shouldnever，foranyselfishobject，abandonanallyeveninthelastextremityofdistress。TheContinentalwarwashisownwar。Hehadbeenboldenough，hewhoinformertimeshadattacked，withirresistiblepowersoforatory，theHanoverianpolicyofCarteret，andtheGermansubsidiesofNewcastle，todeclarethatHanoveroughttobeasdeartousasHampshire，andthathewouldconquerAmericainGermany。Hehadfallen;andthepowerwhichhehadexercised，notalwayswithdiscretion，butalwayswithvigourandgenius，haddevolvedonafavouritewhowastherepresentativeoftheToryparty，ofthepartywhichhadthwartedWilliam，whichhadpersecutedMarlborough，whichhadgiventiptheCatalanstothevengeanceofPhilipofAnjou。TomakepeacewithFrance，toshakeoff，withall，ormorethanall，thespeedcompatiblewithdecency，everyContinentalconnection，thesewereamongthechiefobjectsofthenewMinister。ThepolicythenfollowedinspiredFredericwithanunjust，butdeepandbitteraversiontotheEnglishname，andproducedeffectswhicharestillfeltthroughoutthecivilisedworld。Tothatpolicyitwasowingthat，someyearslater，EnglandcouldnotfindonthewholeContinentasingleallytostandbyher，inherextremeneedagainsttheHouseofBourbon。TothatpolicyitwasowingthatFrederic，alienatedfromEngland，wascompelledtoconnecthimselfclosely，duringhislateryears，withRussia，andwasinducedtoassistinthatgreatcrime，thefruitfulparentofothergreatcrimes，thefirstpartitionofPoland。
ScarcelyhadtheretreatofMr。PittdeprivedPrussiaofheronlyfriend，whenthedeathofElizabethproducedanentirerevolutioninthepoliticsoftheNorth。TheGrandDukePeter，hernephew，whonowascendedtheRussianthrone，wasnotmerelyfreefromtheprejudiceswhichhisaunthadentertainedagainstFrederic，butwasaworshipper，aservileimitatorofthegreatKing。ThedaysofthenewCzar’sgovernmentwerefewandevil，butsufficienttoproduceachangeinthewholestateofChristendom。HesetthePrussianprisonersatliberty，fittedthemoutdecently，andsentthembacktotheirmaster;hewithdrewhistroopsfromtheprovinceswhichElizabethhaddecidedonincorporatingwithherdominions;andheabsolvedallthosePrussiansubjects，whohadbeencompelledtoswearfealtytoRussia，fromtheirengagements。
NotcontentwithconcludingpeaceontermsfavourabletoPrussia，hesolicitedrankinthePrussianservice，dressedhimselfinaPrussianuniform，woretheBlackEagleofPrussiaonhisbreast，madepreparationsforvisitingPrussia，inordertohaveaninterviewwiththeobjectofhisidolatry，andactuallysentfifteenthousandexcellenttroopstoreinforcetheshatteredarmyofFrederic。Thusstrengthened，theKingspeedilyrepairedthelossesoftheprecedingyear，reconqueredSilesia，defeatedDaunatBuckersdorf，investedandretookSchweidnitz，and，atthecloseoftheyear，presentedtotheforcesofMariaTheresaafrontasformidableasbeforethegreatreversesof1759。Beforetheendofthecampaign，hisfriend，theEmperorPeter，having，byaseriesofabsurdinsultstotheinstitutions，manners，andfeelingsofhispeople，unitedtheminhostilitytohispersonandgovernment，wasdeposedandmurdered。TheEmpress，who，underthetitleofCatherinetheSecond，nowassumedthesupremepower，was，atthecommencementofheradministration，bynomeanspartialtoFrederic，andrefusedtopermithertroopstoremainunderhiscommand。Butsheobservedthepeacemadebyherhusband;andPrussiawasnolongerthreatenedbydangerfromtheEast。
EnglandandFranceatthesametimepairedofftogether。Theyconcludedatreaty，bywhichtheyboundthemselvestoobserveneutralitywithrespecttotheGermanwar。Thusthecoalitionsonbothsidesweredissolved;andtheoriginalenemies，AustriaandPrussia，remainedaloneconfrontingeachother。
AustriahadundoubtedlyfargreatermeansthanPrussia，andwaslessexhaustedbyhostilities;yetitseemedhardlypossiblethatAustriacouldeffectalonewhatshehadinvainattemptedtoeffectwhensupportedbyFranceontheoneside，andbyRussiaontheother。DangeralsobegantomenacetheImperialhousefromanotherquarter。TheOttomanPorteheldthreateninglanguage，andahundredthousandTurksweremusteredonthefrontiersofHungary。TheproudandrevengefulspiritoftheEmpressQueenatlengthgaveway;and，inFebruary1763，thepeaceofHubertsburgputanendtotheconflictwhichhad，duringsevenyears，devastatedGermany。TheKingcedednothing。ThewholeContinentinarmshadprovedunabletotearSilesiafromthatirongrasp。
Thewarwasover。Fredericwassafe。Hisglorywasbeyondthereachofenvy。IfhehadnotmadeconquestsasvastasthoseofAlexander，ofCaesar，andofNapoleon，ifhehadnot，onfieldsofbattle，enjoyedtheconstantsuccessofMarlboroughandWellington，hehadyetgivenanexampleunrivalledinhistoryofwhatcapacityandresolutioncaneffectagainstthegreatestsuperiorityofpower，andtheutmostspiteoffortune。HeenteredBerlinintriumph，afteranabsenceofmorethansixyears。Thestreetswerebrilliantlylightedup;and，ashepassedalonginanopencarriage，withFerdinandofBrunswickathisside，themultitudesalutedhimwithloudpraisesandblessings。Hewasmovedbythosemarksofattachment，andrepeatedlyexclaimed"Longlivemydearpeople！Longlivemychildren！"Yet，eveninthemidstofthatgayspectacle，hecouldnotbutperceiveeverywherethetracesofdestructionanddecay。Thecityhadbeenmorethanonceplundered。Thepopulationhadconsiderablydiminished。Berlin，however，hadsufferedlittlewhencomparedwithmostpartsofthekingdom。Theruinofprivatefortunes，thedistressofallranks，wassuchasmightappalthefirmestmind。
Almosteveryprovincehadbeentheseatofwar，andofwarconductedwithmercilessferocity。CloudsofCroatianshaddescendedonSilesia。TensofthousandsofCossackshadbeenletlooseonPomeraniaandBrandenburg。Themerecontributionsleviedbytheinvadersamounted，itwassaid，tomorethanahundredmillionsofdollars;andthevalueofwhattheyextortedwasprobablymuchlessthanthevalueofwhattheydestroyed。Thefieldslayuncultivated。Theveryseed—cornhadbeendevouredinthemadnessofhunger。Famine，andcontagiousmaladiesproducedbyfamine，hadsweptawaytheherdsandflocks;andtherewasreasontofearthatagreatpestilenceamongthehumanracewaslikelytofollowinthetrainofthattremendouswar。Nearfifteenthousandhouseshadbeenburnedtotheground。Thepopulationofthekingdomhadinsevenyearsdecreasedtothefrightfulextentoftenpercent。Asixthofthemalescapableofbearingarmshadactuallyperishedonthefieldofbattle。Insomedistricts，nolabourers，exceptwomen，wereseeninthefieldsatharvest—time。Inothers，thetravellerpassedshudderingthroughasuccessionofsilentvillages，inwhichnotasingleinhabitantremained。Thecurrencyhadbeendebased;theauthorityoflawsandmagistrateshadbeensuspended;thewholesocialsystemwasderanged。For，duringthatconvulsivestruggle，everythingthatwasnotmilitaryviolencewasanarchy。Eventhearmywasdisorganised。Somegreatgenerals，andacrowdofexcellentofficers，hadfallen，andithadbeenimpossibletosupplytheirplace。Thedifficultyoffindingrecruitshad，towardsthecloseofthewar，beensogreat，thatselectionandrejectionwereimpossible。Wholebattalionswerecomposedofdesertersorofprisoners。Itwashardlytobehopedthatthirtyyearsofreposeandindustrywouldrepairtheruinproducedbysevenyearsofhavoc。Oneconsolatorycircumstance，indeed，therewas。Nodebthadbeenincurred。Theburdensofthewarhadbeenterrible，almostinsupportable;butnoarrearwaslefttoembarrassthefinancesintimeofpeace。
Here，forthepresent，wemustpause。WehaveaccompaniedFrederictothecloseofhiscareerasawarrior。Possibly，whentheseMemoirsarecompleted，wemayresumetheconsiderationofhischaracter，andgivesomeaccountofhisdomesticandforeignpolicy，andofhisprivatehabits，duringthemanyyearsoftranquillitywhichfollowedtheSevenYears’War。
SOUTHEY’SCOLLOQUIES
（Jan，1830）
SirThomasMore;or，colloquiesontheProgressandProspectsofSociety。ByROBERTSOUTHEYEsq。，LL。D。，PoetLaureate。2vols。
8vo。
London:1829。
ITwouldbescarcelypossibleforamanofMr。Southey’stalentsandacquirementstowritetwovolumessolargeasthosebeforeus，whichshouldbewhollydestituteofinformationandamusement。Yetwedonotremembertohavereadwithsolittlesatisfactionanyequalquantityofmatter，writtenbyanymanofrealabilities。Wehave，forsometimepast，observedwithgreatregretthestrangeinfatuationwhichleadsthePoetLaureatetoabandonthosedepartmentsofliteratureinwhichhemightexcel，andtolecturethepubliconsciencesofwhichhehasstilltheveryalphabettolearn。Hehasnow，wethink，donehisworst。Thesubjectwhichhehasatlastundertakentotreat，isonewhichdemandsallthehighestintellectualandmoralqualitiesofaphilosophicalstatesman，anunderstandingatoncecomprehensiveandacute，aheartatonceuprightandcharitable。Mr。Southeybringstothetasktwofacultieswhichwerenever，webelieve，vouchsafedinmeasuresocopioustoanyhumanbeing，thefacultyofbelievingwithoutareason，andthefacultyofhatingwithoutaprovocation。
Itis，indeed，mostextraordinary，thatamindlikeMr。
Southey’s，amindrichlyendowedinmanyrespectsbynature，andhighlycultivatedbystudy，amindwhichhasexercisedconsiderableinfluenceonthemostenlightenedgenerationofthemostenlightenedpeoplethateverexisted，shouldbeutterlydestituteofthepowerofdiscerningtruthfromfalsehood。Yetsuchisthefact。GovernmentistoMr。Southeyoneofthefinearts。Hejudgesofatheory，ofapublicmeasure，ofareligionorapoliticalparty，ofapeaceorawar，asmenjudgeofapictureorastatue，bytheeffectproducedonhisimagination。A
chainofassociationsistohimwhatachainofreasoningistoothermen;andwhathecallshisopinionsareinfactmerelyhistastes。
Partofthisdescriptionmightperhapsapplytoamuchgreaterman，Mr。Burke。ButMr。Burkeassuredlypossessedanunderstandingadmirablyfittedfortheinvestigationoftruth，anunderstandingstrongerthanthatofanystatesman，activeorspeculative，oftheeighteenthcentury，strongerthaneverything，excepthisownfierceandungovernablesensibility。Hencehegenerallychosehissidelikeafanatic，anddefendeditlikeaphilosopher。Hisconductonthemostimportantoccasionsofhislife，atthetimeoftheimpeachmentofHastingsforexample，andatthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，seemstohavebeenpromptedbythosefeelingsandmotiveswhichMr。Coleridgehassohappilydescribed，"Stormypity，andthecherish’dlureOfpomp，andproudprecipitanceofsoul。"
Hindostan，withitsvastcities，itsgorgeouspagodas，itsinfiniteswarmsofduskypopulation，itslong—descendeddynasties，itsstatelyetiquette，excitedinamindsocapacious，soimaginative，andsosusceptible，themostintenseinterest。
Thepeculiaritiesofthecostume，ofthemanners，andofthelaws，theverymysterywhichhungoverthelanguageandoriginofthepeople，seizedhisimagination。TopleadundertheancientarchesofWestminsterHall，inthenameoftheEnglishpeople，atthebaroftheEnglishnoblesforgreatnationsandkingsseparatedfromhimbyhalftheworld，seemedtohimtheheightofhumanglory。Again，itisnotdifficulttoperceivethathishostilitytotheFrenchRevolutionprincipallyarosefromthevexationwhichhefeltathavingallhisoldpoliticalassociationsdisturbed，atseeingthewell—knownlandmarksofstatesobliterated，andthenamesanddistinctionswithwhichthehistoryofEuropehadbeenfilledforagesatoncesweptaway。Hefeltlikeanantiquarywhoseshieldhadbeenscoured，oraconnoisseurwhofoundhisTitianretouched。But，howeverhecamebyanopinion，hehadnosoonergotitthanhedidhisbesttomakeoutalegitimatetitletoit。Hisreason，likeaspiritintheserviceofanenchanter，thoughspell—bound，wasstillmighty。Itdidwhateverworkhispassionsandhisimaginationmightimpose。Butitdidthatwork，howeverarduous，withmarvellousdexterityandvigour。Hiscoursewasnotdeterminedbyargument;buthecoulddefendthewildestcoursebyargumentsmoreplausiblethanthosebywhichcommonmensupportopinionswhichtheyhaveadoptedafterthefullestdeliberation。Reasonhasscarcelyeverdisplayed，eveninthosewell—constitutedmindsofwhichsheoccupiesthethrone，somuchpowerandenergyasinthelowestofficesofthatimperialservitude。
NowinthemindofMr。Southeyreasonhasnoplaceatall，aseitherleaderorfollower，aseithersovereignorslave。Hedoesnotseemtoknowwhatanargumentis。Heneverusesargumentshimself。Henevertroubleshimselftoanswertheargumentsofhisopponents。Ithasneveroccurredtohim，thatamanoughttobeabletogivesomebetteraccountofthewayinwhichhehasarrivedathisopinionsthanmerelythatitishiswillandpleasuretoholdthem。Ithasneveroccurredtohimthatthereisadifferencebetweenassertionanddemonstration，thatarumourdoesnotalwaysproveafact，thatasinglefact，whenproved，ishardlyfoundationenoughforatheory，thattwocontradictorypropositionscannotbeundeniabletruths，thattobegthequestionisnotthewaytosettleit，orthatwhenanobjectionisraised，itoughttobemetwithsomethingmoreconvincingthan"scoundrel"and"blockhead。"
Itwouldbeabsurdtoreadtheworksofsuchawriterforpoliticalinstruction。Theutmostthatcanbeexpectedfromanysystempromulgatedbyhimisthatitmaybesplendidandaffecting，thatitmaysuggestsublimeandpleasingimages。Hisschemeofphilosophyisamereday—dream，apoeticalcreation，liketheDoindanielcavern，theSwerga，orPadalon;andindeeditbearsnoinconsiderableresemblancetothosegorgeousvisions。
Likethem，ithassomething，ofinvention，grandeur，andbrilliancy。But，likethem，itisgrotesqueandextravagant，andperpetuallyviolateseventhatconventionalprobabilitywhichisessentialtotheeffectofworksofart。
ThewarmestadmirersofMr。Southeywillscarcely，wethink，denythathissuccesshasalmostalwaysborneaninverseproportiontothedegreeinwhichhisundertakingshaverequiredalogicalhead。Hispoems，takeninthemass，standfarhigherthanhisproseworks。HisofficialOdesindeed，amongwhichtheVisionofJudgementmustbeclassed，are，forthemostpart，worsethanPye’sandasbadasCibber’s;nordowethinkhimgenerallyhappyinshortpieces。Buthislongerpoems，thoughfulloffaults，areneverthelessveryextraordinaryproductions。Wedoubtgreatlywhethertheywillbereadfiftyyearshence;butthat，iftheyareread，theywillbeadmired，wehavenodoubtwhatever。
But，thoughingeneralwepreferMr。Southey’spoetrytohisprose，wemustmakeoneexception。TheLifeofNelsonis，beyondalldoubt，themostperfectandthemostdelightfulofhisworks。
Thefactis，ashispoemsmostabundantlyprove，thatheisbynomeanssoskilfulindesigningasinfillingup。Itwasthereforeanadvantagetohimtobefurnishedwithanoutlineofcharactersandevents，andtohavenoothertasktoperformthanthatoftouchingthecoldsketchintolife。Nowriter，perhaps，everlived，whosetalentssopreciselyqualifiedhimtowritethehistoryofthegreatnavalwarrior。Therewerenofineriddlesofthehumanhearttoread，notheoriestopropound，nohiddencausestodevelop，noremoteconsequencestopredict。Thecharacteroftheherolayonthesurface。Theexploitswerebrilliantandpicturesque。ThenecessityofadheringtotherealcourseofeventssavedMr，Southeyfromthosefaultswhichdeformtheoriginalplanofalmosteveryoneofhispoems，andwhichevenhisinnumerablebeautiesofdetailscarcelyredeem。Thesubjectdidnotrequiretheexerciseofthosereasoningpowersthewantofwhichistheblemishofhisprose。Itwouldnotbeeasytofind，inallliteraryhistory，aninstanceofamoreexacthitbetweenwindandwater。JohnWesleyandthePeninsularWarweresubjectsofaverydifferentkind，subjectswhichrequiredallthequalitiesofaphilosophichistorian。InMr。
Southey’sworksonthesesubjects，hehas，onthewhole，failed。
Yettherearecharmingspecimensoftheartofnarrationinbothofthem。TheLifeofWesleywillprobablylive。Defectiveasitis，itcontainstheonlypopularaccountofamostremarkablemoralrevolution，andofamanwhoseeloquenceandlogicalacutenessmighthavemadehimeminentinliterature，whosegeniusforgovernmentwasnotinferiortothatofRichelieu，andwho，whateverhiserrorsmayhavebeen，devotedallhispowers，indefianceofobloquyandderision，towhathesincerelyconsideredasthehighestgoodofhisspecies。TheHistoryofthePeninsularWarisalreadydead;indeed，thesecondvolumewasdead—born。ThegloryofproducinganimperishablerecordofthatgreatconflictseemstobereservedforColonelNapier。
TheBookoftheChurchcontainssomestoriesveryprettilytold。
Therestismererubbish。Theadventurewasmanifestlyonewhichcouldbeachievedonlybyaprofoundthinker，andoneinwhichevenaprofoundthinkermighthavefailed，unlesshispassionshadbeenkeptunderstrictcontrol。ButinallthoseworksinwhichMr。Southeyhascompletelyabandonednarration，andhasundertakentoarguemoralandpoliticalquestions，hisfailurehasbeencompleteandignominious。OnsuchoccasionshiswritingsarerescuedfromuttercontemptandderisionsolelybythebeautyandpurityoftheEnglish。Wefind，weconfess，sogreatacharminMr。Southey’sstyle，that，evenwhenbewritesnonsense，wegenerallyreaditwithpleasureexceptindeedwhenhetriestobedroll。Amoreinsufferablejesterneverexisted。Heveryoftenattemptstobehumorous，andyetwedonotrememberasingleoccasiononwhichhehassucceededfurtherthantobequaintlyandflippantlydull。InoneofhisworkshetellsusthatBishopSpratwasveryproperlysocalled，inasmuchashewasaverysmallpoet。AndinthebooknowbeforeushecannotquoteFrancisBugg，therenegadeQuaker，withoutaremarkonhisunsavouryname。Awisemanmighttalkfollylikethisbyhisownfireside;
butthatanyhumanbeing，afterhavingmadesuchajoke，shouldwriteitdown，andcopyitout，andtransmitittotheprinter，andcorrecttheproof—sheets，andsenditforthintotheworld，isenoughtomakeusashamedofourspecies。
TheextraordinarybitternessofspiritwhichMr。Southeymanifeststowardshisopponentsis，nodoubt，inagreatmeasuretobeattributedtothemannerinwhichheformshisopinions。
Differencesoftaste，ithasoftenbeenremarked，producegreaterexasperationthandifferencesonpointsofscience。Butthisisnotall。ApeculiarausteritymarksalmostallMr。Southey’sjudgmentsofmenandactions。Wearefarfromblaminghimforfixingonahighstandardofmorals，andforapplyingthatstandardtoeverycase。Butrigouroughttobeaccompaniedbydiscernment;andofdiscernmentMr。Southeyseemstobeutterlydestitute。Hismodeofjudgingismonkish。ItisexactlywhatweshouldexpectfromasternoldBenedictine，whohadbeenpreservedfrommanyordinaryfrailtiesbytherestraintsofhissituation。Nomanoutofacloistereverwroteaboutlove，forexample，socoldlyandatthesametimemesogrossly。Hisdescriptionsofitarejustwhatweshouldhearfromareclusewhoknewthepassiononlyfromthedetailsoftheconfessional。
AlmostallhisheroesmakeloveeitherlikeSeraphimorlikecattle。HeseemstohavenonotionofanythingbetweenthePlatonicpassionoftheGlendoveerwhogazeswithraptureonhismistress’sleprosy，andthebrutalappetiteofArvalanandRoderick。InRoderick，indeed，thetwocharactersareunited。Heisfirstallclay，andthenallspirit。HegoesforthaTarquin，andcomesbacktooetherealtobemarried。Theonlylovescene，asfaraswecanrecollect，inMadoc，consistsofthedelicateattentionswhichasavage，whohasdrunktoomuchofthePrince’sexcellentmetheglin，offerstoGoervyl。Itwouldbethelabourofaweektofind，inallthevastmassofMr。Southey’spoetry，asinglepassageindicatinganysympathywiththosefeelingswhichhaveconsecratedtheshadesofVaucluseandtherocksofMeillerie。
Indeed，ifweexceptsomeverypleasingimagesofpaternaltendernessandfilialduty，thereisscarcelyanythingsoftorhumaneinMr。Southey’spoetry。Whattheologianscallthespiritualsinsarehiscardinalvirtues，hatred，pride，andtheinsatiablethirstofvengeance。Thesepassionshedisguisesunderthenameofduties;hepurifiesthemfromthealloyofvulgarinterests;heennoblesthembyunitingthemwithenergy，fortitude，andaseveresanctityofmanners;andhethenholdsthemuptotheadmirationofmankind。ThisisthespiritofThalaba，ofLadurlad，ofAdosinda，ofRoderickafterhisconversion。Itisthespiritwhich，inallhiswritings，Mr。
Southeyappearstoaffect。"Idowelltobeangry，"seemstobethepredominantfeelingofhismind。Almosttheonlymarkofcharitywhichhevouchsafestohisopponentsistoprayfortheirreformation;andthishedoesintermsnotunlikethoseinwhichwecanimagineaPortuguesepriestintercedingwithHeavenforaJew，deliveredovertotheseculararmafterarelapse。
Wehavealwaysheard，andfullybelieve，thatMr。Southeyisaveryamiableandhumaneman;nordoweintendtoapplytohimpersonallyanyoftheremarkswhichwehavemadeonthespiritofhiswritings。Sucharethecapricesofhumannature。EvenUncleTobytroubledhimselfverylittleabouttheFrenchgrenadierswhofellontheglacisofNamur。AndMr。Southey，whenhetakesuphispen，changeshisnatureasmuchasCaptainShandywhenhegirtonhissword。TheonlyopponentstowhomtheLaureategivesquarterarethoseinwhomhefindssomethingofhisowncharacterreflected。Heseemstohaveaninstinctiveantipathyforcalm，moderatemen，formenwhoshunextremes，andwhorenderreasons。
HehastreatedMr。OwenofLanark，forexample，withinfinitelymorerespectthanhehasshowntoMr。HallamortoDr。Lingard;
andthisfornoreasonthatwecandiscover，exceptthatMr。Owenismoreunreasonablyandhopelesslyinthewrongthananyspeculatorofourtime。
Mr。Southey’spoliticalsystemisjustwhatwemightexpectfromamanwhoregardspolitics，notasmatterofscience，butasmatteroftasteandfeeling。Allhisschemesofgovernmenthavebeeninconsistentwiththemselves。Inhisyouthhewasarepublican;yet，ashetellsusinhisprefacetotheseColloquies，hewaseventhenopposedtotheCatholicClaims。HeisnowaviolentUltra—Tory。Yet，whilehemaintains，withvehemenceapproachingtoferocity，allthesternerandharsherpartsoftheUltra—Torytheoryofgovernment，thebaseranddirtierpartofthattheorydisgustshim。Exclusion，persecution，severepunishmentsforlibellersanddemagogues，proscriptions，massacres，civilwar，ifnecessary，ratherthananyconcessiontoadiscontentedpeople;thesearethemeasureswhichheseemsinclinedtorecommend。Asevereandgloomytyranny，crushingopposition，silencingremonstrance，drillingthemindsofthepeopleintounreasoningobedience，hasinitsomethingofgrandeurwhichdelightshisimagination。Butthereisnothingfineintheshabbytricksandjobsofoffice;andMr。Southey，accordingly，hasnotolerationforthem。WhenaJacobin，hedidnotperceivethathissystemledlogically，andwouldhaveledpractically，totheremovalofreligiousdistinctions。Henowcommitsasimilarerror。Herenouncestheabjectandpaltrypartofthecreedofhisparty，withoutperceivingthatitisalsoanessentialpartofthatcreed。Hewouldhavetyrannyandpuritytogether;thoughthemostsuperficialobservationmighthaveshownhimthattherecanbenotyrannywithoutcorruption。
Itishightime，however，thatweshouldproceedtotheconsiderationoftheworkwhichisourmoreimmediatesubject，andwhich，indeed，illustratesinalmosteverypageourgeneralremarksonMr。Southey’swritings。Inthepreface，weareinformedthattheauthor，notwithstandingsomestatementstothecontrary，wasalwaysopposedtotheCatholicClaims。Wefullybelievethis;bothbecausewearesurethatMr。Southeyisincapableofpublishingadeliberatefalsehood，andbecausehisassertionisinitselfprobable。Weshouldhaveexpectedthat，eveninhiswildestparoxysmsofdemocraticenthusiasm，Mr。
Southeywouldhavefeltnowishtoseeasimpleremedyappliedtoagreatpracticalevil。WeshouldhaveexpectedthattheonlymeasurewhichallthegreatstatesmenoftwogenerationshaveagreedwitheachotherinsupportingwouldbetheonlymeasurewhichMr。Southeywouldhaveagreedwithhimselfinopposing。Hehaspassedfromoneextremeofpoliticalopiniontoanother，asSataninMiltonwentroundtheglobe，contrivingconstantlyto"ridewithdarkness。"Whereverthethickestshadowofthenightmayatanymomentchancetofall，thereisMr。Southey。Itisnoteverybodywhocouldhavesodexterouslyavoidedblunderingonthedaylightinthecourseofajourneytotheantipodes。
Mr。Southeyhasnotbeenfortunateintheplanofanyofhisfictitiousnarratives。Buthehasneverfailedsoconspicuouslyasintheworkbeforeus;except，indeed，inthewretchedVisionofJudgement。InNovember1817，itseemstheLaureatewassittingoverhisnewspaper，andmeditatingaboutthedeathofthePrincessCharlotte。Anelderlypersonofverydignifiedaspectmakeshisappearance，announceshimselfasastrangerfromadistantcountry，andapologisesverypolitelyfornothavingprovidedhimselfwithlettersofintroduction。Mr。SoutheysupposeshisvisitortobesomeAmericangentlemanwhohascometoseethelakesandthelake—poets，andaccordinglyproceedstoperform，withthatgrace，whichonlylongpracticecangive，allthedutieswhichauthorsowetostarers。HeassureshisguestthatsomeofthemostagreeablevisitswhichhehasreceivedhavebeenfromAmericans，andthatheknowsmenamongthemwhosetalentsandvirtueswoulddohonourtoanycountry。Inpassingwemayobserve，tothehonourofMr。Southey，that，thoughheevidentlyhasnolikingfortheAmericaninstitutions，heneverspeaksofthepeopleoftheUnitedStateswiththatpitifulaffectationofcontemptbywhichsomemembersofhispartyhavedonemorethanwarsortariffscandotoexcitemutualenmitybetweentwocommunitiesformedformutualfellowship。Greatasthefaultsofhismindare，paltryspitelikethishasnoplaceinit。Indeeditisscarcelyconceivablethatamanofhissensibilityandhisimaginationshouldlookwithoutpleasureandnationalprideonthevigorousandsplendidyouthofagreatpeople，whoseveinsarefilledwithourblood，whosemindsarenourishedwithourliterature，andonwhomisentailedtherichinheritanceofourcivilisation，ourfreedom，andourglory。
ButwemustreturntoMr。Southey’sstudyatKeswick。ThevisitorinformsthehospitablepoetthatheisnotanAmericanbutaspirit。Mr。Southey，withmorefranknessthancivility，tellshimthatheisaveryqueerone。Thestrangerholdsouthishand。Ithasneitherweightnorsubstance。Mr。Southeyuponthisbecomesmoreserious;hishairstandsonend;andheadjuresthespectretotellhimwhatheis，andwhyhecomes。TheghostturnsouttobeSirThomasMore。Thetracesofmartyrdom，itseems，arewornintheotherworld，asstarsandribandsareworninthis。SirThomasshowsthepoetaredstreakroundhisneck，brighterthanaruby，andinformshimthatCranmerwearsasuitofflamesinParadise，therighthandglove，wesuppose，ofpeculiarbrilliancy。
SirThomaspaysbutashortvisitonthisoccasion，butpromisestocultivatethenewacquaintancewhichhehasformed，and，afterbeggingthathisvisitmaybekeptsecretfromMrs。Southey，vanishesintoair。
TherestofthebookconsistsofconversationsbetweenMr。
Southeyandthespiritabouttrade，currency，Catholicemancipation，periodicalliterature，femalenunneries，butchers，snuff，bookstalls，andahundredothersubjects。Mr。Southeyveryhospitablytakesanopportunitytoescorttheghostroundthelakes，anddirectshisattentiontothemostbeautifulpointsofview。Whyaspiritwastobeevokedforthepurposeoftalkingoversuchmattersandseeingsuchsights，whythevicaroftheparish，ablue—stockingfromLondon，oranAmerican，suchasMr。
Southeyatfirstsupposedtheaerialvisitortobe，mightnothavedoneaswell，weareunabletoconceive。SirThomastellsMr。Southeynothingaboutfutureevents，andindeedabsolutelydisclaimsthegiftsofprescience。HehaslearnedtotalkmodernEnglish。Hehasreadallthenewpublications，andlovesajestaswellaswhenhejestedwiththeexecutioner，thoughwecannotsaythatthequalityofhiswithasmateriallyimprovedinParadise。Hispowersofreasoning，too，arebynomeansinasgreatvigouraswhenhesateonthewoolsack;andthoughheboaststhatheis"divestedofallthosepassionswhichcloudtheintellectsandwarptheunderstandingsofmen，"wethinkhim，wemustconfess，farlessstoicalthanformerly。Astorevelations，hetellsMr。Southeyattheoutsettoexpectnonefromhim。TheLaureateexpressessomedoubts，whichassuredlywillnotraisehimintheopinionofourmodernmillennarians，astothedivineauthorityoftheApocalypse。Buttheghostpreservesanimpenetrablesilence。Asfarasweremember，onlyonehintabouttheemploymentofdisembodiedspiritsescapeshim。HeencouragesMr。SoutheytohopethatthereisaParadisePress，atwhichallthevaluablepublicationsofMr。MurrayandMr。ColburnarereprintedasregularlyasatPhiladelphia;anddelicatelyinsinuatesthatThalabaandtheCurseofKehamaareamongthenumber。WhatacontrastdoesthisabsurdfictionpresenttothosecharmingnarrativeswhichPlatoandCiceroprefixedtotheirdialogues！Whatcostinmachinery，yetwhatpovertyofeffect！A
ghostbroughtintosaywhatanymanmighthavesaid！Theglorifiedspiritofagreatstatesmanandphilosopherdawdling，likeabiliousoldnabobatawatering—place，overquarterlyreviewsandnovels，droppingintopaylongcalls，makingexcursionsinsearchofthepicturesque！ThesceneofSt。GeorgeandSt。DennisinthePucelleishardlymoreridiculous。WeknowwhatVoltairemeant。Nobody，however，cansupposethatMr。
Southeymeanstomakegameofthemysteriesofahigherstateofexistence。Thefactisthat，intheworkbeforeus，intheVisionofJudgement，andinsomeofhisotherpieces，hismodeoftreatingthemostsolemnsubjectsdiffersfromthatofopenscoffersonlyastheextravagantrepresentationsofsacredpersonsandthingsinsomegrotesqueItalianpaintingsdifferfromthecaricatureswhichCarlileexposesinthefrontofhisshop。Weinterprettheparticularactbythegeneralcharacter。Whatinthewindowofaconvictedblasphemerwecallblasphemous，wecallonlyabsurdandill—judgedinanaltar—piece。
WenowcometotheconversationswhichpassbetweenMr。SoutheyandSirThomasMore，orratherbetweentwoSoutheys，equallyeloquent，equallyangry，equallyunreasonable，andequallygiventotalkingaboutwhattheydonotunderstand。[ApassageinwhichsomeexpressionsusedbyMr。Southeyweremisrepresented，certainlywithoutanyunfairintention，hasbeenhereomitted。]
PerhapswecouldnotselectabetterinstanceofthespiritwhichpervadesthewholebookthanthepassagesinwhichMr。Southeygiveshisopinionofthemanufacturingsystem。Thereisnothingwhichhehatessobitterly。Itis，accordingtohim，asystemmoretyrannicalthanthatofthefeudalages，asystemofactualservitude，asystemwhichdestroysthebodiesanddegradesthemindsofthosewhoareengagedinit。Heexpressesahopethatthecompetitionofothernationsmaydriveusoutofthefield;
thatourforeigntrademaydecline;andthatwemaythusenjoyarestorationofnationalsanityandstrength。Butheseemstothinkthattheexterminationofthewholemanufacturingpopulationwouldbeablessing，iftheevilcouldberemovedinnootherway。
Mr。Southeydoesnotbringforwardasinglefactinsupportoftheseviews;and，asitseemstous，therearefactswhichleadtoaverydifferentconclusion。Inthefirstplace，thepoor—rateisverydecidedlylowerinthemanufacturingthanintheagriculturaldistricts。IfMr。SoutheywilllookovertheParliamentaryreturnsonthissubject，hewillfindthattheamountofparochialreliefrequiredbythelabourersinthedifferentcountiesofEnglandisalmostexactlyininverseproportiontothedegreeinwhichthemanufacturingsystemhasbeenintroducedintothosecounties。ThereturnsfortheyearsendinginMarch1825，andinMarch1828，arenowbeforeus。Intheformeryearwefindthepoor—ratehighestinSussex，abouttwentyshillingstoeveryinhabitant。ThencomeBuckinghamshire，Essex，Suffolk，Bedfordshire，Huntingdonshire，Kent，andNorfolk。
Inallthesetherateisabovefifteenshillingsahead。Wewillnotgothroughthewhole。EveninWestmorelandandtheNorthRidingofYorkshire，therateisatmorethaneightshillings。InCumberlandandMonmouthshire，themostfortunateofalltheagriculturaldistricts，itisatsixshillings。ButintheWestRidingofYorkshire，itisaslowasfiveshillings。andwhenwecometoLancashire，wefinditatfourshillings，one—fifthofwhatitisinSussex。ThereturnsoftheyearendinginMarch1828arealittle，andbutalittle，moreunfavourabletothemanufacturingdistricts。Lancashire，eveninthatseasonofdistress，requiredasmallerpoor—ratethananyotherdistrict，andlittlemorethanone—fourthofthepoor—rateraisedinSussex。Cumberlandalone，oftheagriculturaldistricts，wasaswelloffastheWestRidingofYorkshire。Thesefactsseemtoindicatethatthemanufacturerisbothinamorecomfortableandinalessdependentsituationthantheagriculturallabourer。
Astotheeffectofthemanufacturingsystemonthebodilyhealth，wemustbegleavetoestimateitbyastandardfartoolowandvulgarforamindsoimaginativeasthatofMr。Southey，theproportionofbirthsanddeaths。Weknowthat，duringthegrowthofthisatrocioussystem，thisnewmisery，tousethephrasesofMr。Southey，thisnewenormity，thisbirthofaportentousage，thispestwhichnomancanapprovewhoseheartisnotscaredorwhoseunderstandinghasnotbeendarkened，therehasbeenagreatdiminutionofmortality，andthatthisdiminutionhasbeengreaterinthemanufacturingtownsthananywhereelse。Themortalitystillis，asitalwayswas，greaterintownsthaninthecountry。Butthedifferencehasdiminishedinanextraordinarydegree。ThereisthebestreasontobelievethattheannualmortalityofManchester，aboutthemiddleofthelastcentury，wasoneintwenty—eight。Itisnowreckonedatoneinforty—five。InGlasgowandLeedsasimilarimprovementhastakenplace。Nay，therateofmortalityinthosethreegreatcapitalsofthemanufacturingdistrictsisnowconsiderablylessthanitwas，fiftyyearsago，overEnglandandWales，takentogether，opencountryandall。Wemightwithsomeplausibilitymaintainthatthepeoplelivelongerbecausetheyarebetterfed，betterlodged，betterclothed，andbetterattendedinsickness，andthattheseimprovementsareowingtothatincreaseofnationalwealthwhichthemanufacturingsystemhasproduced。
Muchmoremightbesaidonthissubject。Buttowhatend？ItisnotfrombillsofmortalityandstatisticaltablesthatMr。
Southeyhaslearnedhispoliticalcreed。Hecannotstooptostudythehistoryofthesystemwhichheabuses，tostrikethebalancebetweenthegoodandevilwhichithasproduced，tocomparedistrictwithdistrict，orgenerationwithgeneration。Wewillgivehisownreasonforhisopinion，theonlyreasonwhichhegivesforit，inhisownwords:——
"Weremainedawhileinsilencelookingupontheassemblageofdwellingsbelow。Here，andintheadjoininghamletofMillbeck，theeffectsofmanufacturesandofagriculturemaybeseenandcompared。Theoldcottagesaresuchasthepoetandthepainterequallydelightinbeholding。Substantiallybuiltofthenativestonewithoutmortar，dirtiedwithnowhitelime，andtheirlonglowroofscoveredwithslate，iftheyhadbeenraisedbythemagicofsomeindigenousAmphion’smusic，thematerialscouldnothaveadjustedthemselvesmorebeautifullyinaccordwiththesurroundingscene;andtimehasstillfurtherharmonizedthemwithweatherstains，lichens，andmoss，shortgrasses，andshortfern，andstone—plantsofvariouskinds。Theornamentedchimneys，roundorsquare，lessadornedthanthosewhich，likelittleturrets，crestthehousesofthePortuguesepeasantry;andyetnotlesshappilysuitedtotheirplace，thehedgeofcliptboxbeneaththewindows，therose—bushesbesidethedoor，thelittlepatchofflower—ground，withitstallhollyhocksinfront;thegardenbeside，thebee—hives，andtheorchardwithitsbankofdaffodilsandsnow—drops，theearliestandtheprofusestintheseparts，indicateintheownerssomeportionofeaseandleisure，someregardtoneatnessandcomfort，somesenseofnatural，andinnocent，andhealthfulenjoyment。Thenewcottagesofthemanufacturersareuponthemanufacturingpattern——naked，andinarow。
"’Howisit，’saidI，’thateverythingwhichisconnectedwithmanufacturespresentssuchfeaturesofunqualifieddeformity？
FromthelargestofMammon’stemplesdowntothepooresthovelinwhichhishelotryarestalled，theseedificeshaveallonecharacter。Timewillnotmellowthem;naturewillneitherclothenorconcealthem;andtheywillremainalwaysasoffensivetotheeyeastothemind。’"
Hereiswisdom。Herearetheprinciplesonwhichnationsaretobegoverned。Rose—bushesandpoor—rates，ratherthansteam—
enginesandindependence。Mortalityandcottageswithweather—
stains，ratherthanhealthandlonglifewithedificeswhichtimecannotmellow。Wearetold，thatouragehasinventedatrocitiesbeyondtheimaginationofourfathers;thatsocietyhasbeenbroughtintoastatecomparedwithwhichexterminationwouldbeablessing;andallbecausethedwellingsofcotton—spinnersarenakedandrectangular。Mr。Southeyhasfoundoutaway，hetellsus，inwhichtheeffectsofmanufacturesandagriculturemaybecompared。Andwhatisthisway？Tostandonahill，tolookatacottageandafactory，andtoseewhichistheprettier。DoesMr。
SoutheythinkthatthebodyoftheEnglishpeasantrylive，oreverlived，insubstantialorornamentedcottages，withbox—
hedges，flower—gardens，beehives，andorchards？Ifnot，whatishisparallelworth？Wedespisethosemockphilosophers，whothinkthattheyservethecauseofsciencebydepreciatingliteratureandthefinearts。Butifanythingcouldexcusetheirnarrownessofmind，itwouldbesuchabookasthis。Itisnotstrangethat，whenoneenthusiastmakesthepicturesquethetestofpoliticalgood，anothershouldfeelinclinedtoproscribealtogetherthepleasuresoftasteandimagination。
ThusitisthatMr。Southeyreasonsaboutmatterswithwhichhethinkshimselfperfectlyconversant。Wecannot，therefore，besurprisedtofindthathecommitsextraordinaryblunderswhenhewritesonpointsofwhichheacknowledgeshimselftobeignorant。
Heconfessesthatheisnotversedinpoliticaleconomy，andthathehasneitherlikingnoraptitudeforit;andhethenproceedstoreadthepublicalectureconcerningitwhichfullybearsouthisconfession。
"Allwealth，"saysSirThomasMore，"informertimeswastangible。Itconsistedinland，money，orchattels，whichwereeitherofrealorconventionalvalue。"
Montesinos，asMr。Southeysomewhataffectedlycallshimself，answersthus:——
"Jewels，forexample，andpictures，asinHolland，whereindeedatonetimetulipbulbsansweredthesamepurpose。"
"Thatbubble，"saysSirThomas，"wasoneofthosecontagiousinsanitiestowhichcommunitiesaresubject。Allwealthwasreal，tilltheextentofcommercerenderedapapercurrencynecessary;
whichdifferedfrompreciousstonesandpicturesinthisimportantpoint，thattherewasnolimittoitsproduction。"
"Weregardit，"saysMontesinos，"astherepresentativeofrealwealth;and，therefore，limitedalwaystotheamountofwhatitrepresents。"
"Pursuethatnotion，"answerstheghost，"andyouwillbeinthedarkpresently。Yourprovincialbanknotes，whichconstitutealmostwhollythecirculatingmediumofcertaindistricts，passcurrentto—day。Tomorrowtidingsmaycomethatthehousewhichissuedthemhasstoptpayment，andwhatdotheyrepresentthen？
Youwillfindthemtheshadowofashade。"
Wescarcelyknowatwhichendtobegintodisentanglethisknotofabsurdities。Wemightask，whyitshouldbeagreaterproofofinsanityinmentosetahighvalueonraretulipsthanonrarestones，whichareneithermoreusefulnormorebeautiful？Wemightaskhowitcanbesaidthatthereisnolimittotheproductionofpapermoney，whenamanishangedifheissuesanyinthenameofanother，andisforcedtocashwhatheissuesinhisown？ButMr。Southey’serrorliesdeeperstill。"Allwealth，"
sayshe，"wastangibleandrealtillpapercurrencywasintroduced。"Now，wasthereever，sincemenemergedfromastateofutterbarbarism，anageinwhichtherewerenodebts？Isnotadebt，whilethesolvencyofthedebtorisundoubted，alwaysreckonedaspartofthewealthofthecreditor？Yetisittangibleandrealwealth？Doesitceasetobewealth，becausethereisthesecurityofawrittenacknowledgmentforit？Andwhatelseispapercurrency？DidMr。Southeyeverreadabanknote？Ifhedid，hewouldseethatitisawrittenacknowledgmentofadebt，andapromisetopaythatdebt。Thepromisemaybeviolated，thedebtmayremainunpaid:thosetowhomitwasduemaysuffer:butthisisarisknotconfinedtocasesofpapercurrency:itisariskinseparablefromtherelationofdebtorandcreditor。Everymanwhosellsgoodsforanythingbutreadymoneyrunstheriskoffindingthatwhatheconsideredaspartofhiswealthonedayisnothingatallthenextday。Mr。Southeyreferstothepicture—galleriesofHolland。
Thepictureswereundoubtedlyrealandtangiblepossessions。Butsurelyitmighthappenthataburgomastermightoweapicture—
dealerathousandguildersforaTeniers。Whatinthiscasecorrespondstoourpapermoneyisnotthepicture，whichistangible，buttheclaimofthepicture—dealeronhiscustomerforthepriceofthepicture;andthisclaimisnottangible。Now，wouldnotthepicture—dealerconsiderthisclaimaspartofhiswealth？Wouldnotatradesmanwhoknewoftheclaimgivecredittothepicture—dealerthemorereadilyonaccountoftheclaim？
Theburgomastermightberuined。Ifso，wouldnotthoseconsequencesfollowwhich，asMr。Southeytellsus，wereneverheardoftillpapermoneycameintouse？Yesterdaythisclaimwasworthathousandguilders。To—daywhatisit？Theshadowofashade。
Itistruethat，themorereadilyclaimsofthissortaretransferredfromhandtohand，themoreextensivewillbetheinjuryproducedbyasinglefailure。Thelawsofallnationssanction，incertaincases，thetransferofrightsnotyetreducedintopossession。Mr。Southeywouldscarcelywish，weshouldthink，thatallindorsementsofbillsandnotesshouldbedeclaredinvalid。Yetevenifthisweredone，thetransferofclaimswouldimperceptiblytakeplace，toaverygreatextent。
Whenthebakertruststhebutcher，forexample，heisinfact，thoughnotinform，trustingthebutcher’scustomers。Amanwhooweslargebillstotradesmen，andfailstopaythem，almostalwaysproducesdistressthroughaverywidecircleofpeoplewithwhomheneverdealt。
Inshort，whatMr。Southeytakesforadifferenceinkindisonlyadifferenceofformanddegree。Ineverysocietymenhaveclaimsonthepropertyofothers。Ineverysocietythereisapossibilitythatsomedebtorsmaynotbeabletofulfiltheirobligations。Ineverysociety，therefore，thereiswealthwhichisnottangible，andwhichmaybecometheshadowofashade。
Mr。Southeythenproceedstoadissertationonthenationaldebt，whichheconsidersinanewandmostconsolatorylight，asaclearadditiontotheincomeofthecountry。
"Youcanunderstand，"saysSirThomas，"thatitconstitutesagreatpartofthenationalwealth。"