Froude,orofamanlikeDr。Arnold。Itisamerechance,therefore,whetheritwillgotosupportateacheroftruth,oronewhowilldenouncethattruthasfalsehood。
  ThisargumentseemstousatoncetodisposeofallthatpartofMr。Gladstone’sbookwhichrespectsgrantsofpublicmoneytodissentingbodies。Allsuchgrantshecondemns。Butsurely,ifitbewrongtogivethemoneyofthepublicforthesupportofthosewhoteachanyfalsedoctrine,itiswrongtogivethatmoneyforthesupportoftheministersoftheEstablishedChurch。Foritisquitecertainthat,whetherCalvinorArminiusbeintheright,whetherLaudorBurnetbeintheright,agreatdealoffalsedoctrineistaughtbytheministersoftheEstablishedChurch。IfitbesaidthatthepointsonwhichtheclergyoftheChurchofEnglanddifferoughttobepassedover,forthesakeofthemanyimportantpointsonwhichtheyagree,whymaynotthesameargumentbemaintainedwithrespecttotheothersectswhichhold,incommonwiththeChurchofEngland,thefundamentaldoctrinesofChristianity?Theprinciplethatarulerisboundinconsciencetopropagatereligioustruth,andtopropagatenoreligiousdoctrinewhichisuntrue,isabandonedassoonasitisadmittedthatagentlemanofMr。Gladstone’sopinionsmaylawfullyvotethepublicmoneytoachaplainwhoseopinionsarethoseofPaleyorofSimeon。Thewholequestionthenbecomesoneofdegree。Ofcoursenoindividualandnogovernmentcanjustifiablypropagateerrorforthesakeofpropagatingerror。
  Butbothindividualsandgovernmentsmustworkwithsuchmachineryastheyhave;andnohumanmachineryistobefoundwhichwillimparttruthwithoutsomealloyoferror。Wehaveshownirrefragably,aswethink,thattheChurchofEnglanddoesnotaffordsuchamachinery。Thequestionthenisthis;withwhatdegreeofimperfectioninourmachinerymustweputup?Andtothisquestionwedonotseehowanygeneralanswercanbegiven。
  Wemustbeguidedbycircumstances。Itwould,forexample,beverycriminalinaProtestanttocontributetothesendingofJesuitmissionariesamongaProtestantpopulation。ButwedonotconceivethataProtestantwouldbetoblameforgivingassistancetoJesuitmissionarieswhomightbeengagedinconvertingtheSiamesetoChristianity。Thattaresaremixedwiththewheatismatterofregret;butitisbetterthatwheatandtaresshouldgrowtogetherthanthatthepromiseoftheyearshouldbeblighted。
  Mr。Gladstone,weseewithdeepregret,censurestheBritishGovernmentinIndiafordistributingasmallsumamongtheCatholicpriestswhoministertothespiritualwantsofourIrishsoldiers。Now,letusputacasetohim。AProtestantgentlemanisattendedbyaCatholicservant,inapartofthecountrywherethereisnoCatholiccongregationwithinmanymiles。Theservantistakenill,andisgivenover。Hedesires,ingreattroubleofmind,toreceivethelastsacramentsofhisChurch。Hismastersendsoffamessengerinachaiseandfour,withorderstobringaconfessorfromatownataconsiderabledistance。HereaProtestantlaysoutmoneyforthepurposeofcausingreligiousinstructionandconsolationtobegivenbyaCatholicpriest。Hashecommittedasin?HashenotactedlikeagoodmasterandagoodChristian?WouldMr。Gladstoneaccusehimof"laxityofreligiousprinciple,"of"confoundingtruthwithfalsehood,"of"consideringthesupportofreligionasaboontoanindividual,notasahomagetotruth?"Buthowifthisservanthad,forthesakeofhismaster,undertakenajourneywhichremovedhimfromtheplacewherehemighteasilyhaveobtainedreligiousattendance?Howifhisdeathwereoccasionedbyawoundreceivedindefendinghismaster?Shouldwenotthensaythatthemasterhadonlyfulfilledasacredobligationofduty?Now,Mr。
  Gladstonehimselfownsthat"nobodycanthinkthatthepersonalityoftheStateismorestringent,orentailsstrongerobligations,thanthatoftheindividual。"HowthenstandsthecaseoftheIndianGovernment?HereisapoorfellowenlistedinClareorKerry,sentoverfifteenthousandmilesofsea,quarteredinadepressingandpestilentialclimate。HefightsfortheGovernment;heconquersforit;heiswounded;heislaidonhispallet,witheringawaywithfever,underthatterriblesun,withoutafriendnearhim。Hepinesfortheconsolationsofthatreligionwhich,neglectedperhapsintheseasonofhealthandvigour,nowcomesbacktohismind,associatedwithalltheoverpoweringrecollectionsofhisearlierdays,andofthehomewhichheisnevertoseeagain。AndbecausetheStateforwhichhediessendsapriestofhisownfaithtostandathisbedside,andtotellhim,inlanguagewhichatoncecommandshisloveandconfidence,ofthecommonFather,ofthecommonRedeemer,ofthecommonhopeofimmortality,becausetheStateforwhichhediesdoesnotabandonhiminhislastmomentstothecareofheathenattendants,oremployachaplainofadifferentcreedtovexhisdepartingspiritwithacontroversyabouttheCouncilofTrent,Mr。GladstonefindsthatIndiapresents"amelancholypicture,"
  andthatthereis"alargeallowanceoffalseprinciple"inthesystempursuedthere。MostearnestlydowehopethatourremarksmayinduceMr。Gladstonetoreconsiderthispartofhiswork,andmaypreventhimfromexpressinginthathighassembly,inwhichhemustalwaysbeheardwithattention,opinionssounworthyofhischaracter。
  WehavenowsaidalmostallthatwethinkitnecessarytosayrespectingMr。Gladstone’stheory。Andperhapsitwouldbesafestforustostophere。Itismucheasiertopulldownthantobuildup。Yet,thatwemaygiveMr。Gladstonehisrevenge,wewillstateconciselyourownviewsrespectingtheallianceofChurchandState。
  WesetoutincompanywithWarburton,andremainwithhimprettysociablytillwecometohiscontract;acontractwhichMr。
  Gladstoneveryproperlydesignatesasafiction。WeconsidertheprimaryendofGovernmentasapurelytemporalend,theprotectionofthepersonsandpropertyofmen。
  WethinkthatGovernment,likeeveryothercontrivanceofhumanwisdom,fromthehighesttothelowest,islikelytoansweritsmainendbestwhenitisconstructedwithasingleviewtothatend。Mr。Gladstone,wholovesPlato,willnotquarrelwithusforillustratingourproposition,afterPlato’sfashion,fromthemostfamiliarobjects。Takecutlery,forexample。Abladewhichisdesignedbothtoshaveandtocarve,willcertainlynotshavesowellasarazor,orcarvesowellasacarving—knife。Anacademyofpainting,whichshouldalsobeabank,would,inallprobability,exhibitverybadpicturesanddiscountverybadbills。Agascompany,whichshouldalsobeaninfantschoolsociety,would,weapprehend,lightthestreetsill,andteachthechildrenill。Onthisprinciple,wethinkthatGovernmentshouldbeorganisedsolelywithaviewtoitsmainend;andthatnopartofitsefficiencyforthatendshouldbesacrificedinordertopromoteanyotherendhoweverexcellent。
  ButdoesitfollowfromhencethatGovernmentsoughtnevertopursueanyendotherthantheirmainend?Innowise。Thoughitisdesirablethateveryinstitutionshouldhaveamainend,andshouldbesoformedastobeinthehighestdegreeefficientforthatmainend;yetif,withoutanysacrificeofitsefficiencyforthatend,itcanpursueanyothergoodend,itoughttodoso。Thus,theendforwhichahospitalisbuiltisthereliefofthesick,notthebeautifyingofthestreet。Tosacrificethehealthofthesicktosplendourofarchitecturaleffect,toplacethebuildinginabadaironlythatitmaypresentamorecommandingfronttoagreatpublicplace,tomakethewardshotterorcoolerthantheyoughttobe,inorderthatthecolumnsandwindowsoftheexteriormaypleasethepassers—bywouldbemonstrous。Butif,withoutanysacrificeofthechiefobject,thehospitalcanbemadeanornamenttothemetropolis,itwouldbeabsurdnottomakeitso。
  Inthesamemanner,ifaGovernmentcan,withoutanysacrificeofitsmainend,promoteanyothergoodwork,itoughttodoso。Theencouragementofthefinearts,forexample,isbynomeansthemainendofGovernment;anditwouldbeabsurd,inconstitutingaGovernment,tobestowathoughtonthequestion,whetheritwouldbeaGovernmentlikelytotrainRaphaelsorDomenichinos。ButitbynomeansfollowsthatitisimproperforaGovernmenttoformanationalgalleryofpictures。Thesamemaybesaidofpatronagebestowedonlearnedmen,ofthepublicationofarchives,ofthecollectingoflibraries,menageries,plants,fossils,antiques,ofjourneysandvoyagesforpurposesofgeographicaldiscoveryorastronomicalobservation。ItisnotfortheseendsthatGovernmentisconstituted。ButitmaywellhappenthataGovernmentmayhaveatitscommandresourceswhichwillenableit,withoutanyinjurytoitsmainend,topursuethesecollateralendsfarmoreeffectuallythananyindividualoranyvoluntaryassociationcoulddo。Ifso,Governmentoughttopursuethesecollateralends。
  ItisstillmoreevidentlythedutyofGovernmenttopromote,alwaysinsubordinationtoitsmainend,everythingwhichisusefulasameansfortheattainingofthatmainend。Theimprovementofsteamnavigation,forexample,isbynomeansaprimaryobjectofGovernment。Butassteamvesselsareusefulforthepurposeofnationaldefence,andforthepurposeoffacilitatingintercoursebetweendistantprovinces,andoftherebyconsolidatingtheforceoftheempire,itmaybetheboundendutyofGovernmenttoencourageingeniousmentoperfectaninventionwhichsodirectlytendstomaketheStatemoreefficientforitsgreatprimaryend。
  Nowonboththesegrounds,theinstructionofthepeoplemaywithproprietyengagethecareoftheGovernment。Thatthepeopleshouldbewelleducated,isinitselfagoodthing;andtheStateoughtthereforetopromotethisobject,ifitcandosowithoutanysacrificeofitsprimaryobject。Theeducationofthepeople,conductedonthoseprinciplesofmoralitywhicharecommontoalltheformsofChristianity,ishighlyvaluableasameansofpromotingthemainobjectforwhichGovernmentexists,andisonthisgroundwelldeservingtheattentionofrulers。Wewillnotatpresentgointothegeneralquestionofeducation;butwillconfineourremarkstothesubjectwhichismoreimmediatelybeforeus,namely,thereligiousinstructionofthepeople。
  WemayillustrateourviewofthepolicywhichGovernmentsoughttopursuewithrespecttoreligiousinstruction,byrecurringtotheanalogyofahospital。Religiousinstructionisnotthemainendforwhichahospitalisbuilt;andtointroduceintoahospitalanyregulationsprejudicialtothehealthofthepatients,onthepleaofpromotingtheirspiritualimprovement,tosendarantingpreachertoamanwhohasjustbeenorderedbythephysiciantoliequietandtrytogetalittlesleep,toimposeastrictobservanceofLentonaconvalescentwhohasbeenadvisedtoeatheartilyofnourishingfood,todirect,asthebigotedPiustheFifthactuallydid,thatnomedicalassistanceshouldbegiventoanypersonwhodeclinedspiritualattendance,wouldbethemostextravagantfolly。Yetitbynomeansfollowsthatitwouldnotberighttohaveachaplaintoattendthesick,andtopaysuchachaplainoutofthehospitalfunds。Whetheritwillbepropertohavesuchachaplainatall,andofwhatreligiouspersuasionsuchachaplainoughttobe,mustdependoncircumstances。Theremaybeatowninwhichitwouldbeimpossibletosetupagoodhospitalwithoutthehelpofpeopleofdifferentopinions:andreligiouspartiesmayrunsohighthat,thoughpeopleofdifferentopinionsarewillingtocontributeforthereliefofthesick,theywillnotconcurinthechoiceofanyonechaplain。TheHighChurchmeninsistthat,ifthereisapaidchaplain,heshallbeaHighChurchman。TheEvangelicalsstickleforanEvangelical。Hereitwouldevidentlybeabsurdandcrueltoletanusefulandhumanedesign,aboutwhichweareallagreed,falltotheground,becauseallcannotagreeaboutsomethingelse。Thegovernorsmusteitherappointtwochaplainsandpaythemboth;ortheymustappointnone;andeveryoneofthemmust,inhisindividualcapacity,dowhathecanforthepurposeofprovidingthesickwithsuchreligiousinstructionandconsolationaswill,inhisopinion,bemostusefultothem。
  WeshouldsaythesameofGovernment。Governmentisnotaninstitutionforthepropagationofreligion,anymorethanSt。
  George’sHospitalisaninstitutionforthepropagationofreligion:andthemostabsurdandperniciousconsequenceswouldfollow,ifGovernmentshouldpursue,asitsprimaryend,thatwhichcanneverbemorethanitssecondaryend,thoughintrinsicallymoreimportantthanitsprimaryend。ButaGovernmentwhichconsidersthereligiousinstructionofthepeopleasasecondaryend,andfollowsoutthatprinciplefaithfully,will,wethink,belikelytodomuchgoodandlittleharm。
  Wewillrapidlyrunoversomeoftheconsequencestowhichthisprincipleleads,andpointouthowitsolvessomeproblemswhich,onMr。Gladstone’shypothesis,admitofnosatisfactorysolution。
  Allpersecutiondirectedagainstthepersonsorpropertyofmenis,onourprinciple,obviouslyindefensible。For,theprotectionofthepersonsandpropertyofmenbeingtheprimaryendofGovernmentandreligiousinstructiononlyasecondaryend,tosecurethepeoplefromheresybymakingtheirlives,theirlimbs,ortheirestatesinsecure,wouldbetosacrificetheprimaryendtothesecondaryend。ItwouldbeasabsurdasitwouldbeinthegovernorsofahospitaltodirectthatthewoundsofallArianandSocinianpatientsshouldbedressedinsuchawayastomakethemfester。
  Again,onourprinciples,allcivildisabilitiesonaccountofreligiousopinionsareindefensible。ForallsuchdisabilitiesmakeGovernmentlessefficientforitsmainend:theylimititschoiceofablemenfortheadministrationanddefenceoftheState;theyalienatefromittheheartsofthesufferers;theydepriveitofapartofitseffectivestrengthinallcontestswithforeignnations。SuchacourseisasabsurdasitwouldbeinthegovernorsofahospitaltorejectanablesurgeonbecauseheisanUniversalRestitutionist,andtosendabunglertooperatebecauseheisperfectlyorthodox。
  Again,onourprinciples,noGovernmentoughttopressonthepeoplereligiousinstruction,howeversound,insuchamannerastoexciteamongthemdiscontentsdangeroustopublicorder。ForhereagainGovernmentwouldsacrificeitsprimaryendtoanendintrinsicallyindeedofthehighestimportance,butstillonlyasecondaryendofGovernment,asGovernment。ThisruleatoncedisposesofthedifficultyaboutIndia,adifficultyofwhichMr。
  Gladstonecangetridonlybyputtinginanimaginarydischargeinordertosetasideanimaginaryobligation。ThereisassuredlynocountrywhereitismoredesirablethatChristianityshouldbepropagated。ButthereisnocountryinwhichtheGovernmentissocompletelydisqualifiedforthetask。Byusingourpowerinordertomakeproselytes,weshouldproducethedissolutionofsociety,andbringutterruinonallthoseinterestsfortheprotectionofwhichGovernmentexists。Herethesecondaryendis,atpresent,inconsistentwiththeprimaryend,andmustthereforebeabandoned。Christianinstructiongivenbyindividualsandvoluntarysocietiesmaydomuchgood。GivenbytheGovernmentitwoulddounmixedharm。Atthesametime,wequiteagreewithMr。
  GladstoneinthinkingthattheEnglishauthoritiesinIndiaoughtnottoparticipateinanyidolatrousrite;andindeedwearefullysatisfiedthatallsuchparticipationisnotonlyunchristian,butalsounwiseandmostundignified。
  Supposingthecircumstancesofacountrytobesuch,thattheGovernmentmaywithpropriety,onourprinciples,givereligiousinstructiontoapeople;wehavenexttoinquire,whatreligionshallbetaught。BishopWarburtonanswers,thereligionofthemajority。Andwesofaragreewithhim,thatwecanscarcelyconceiveanycircumstancesinwhichitwouldbepropertoestablish,astheoneexclusivereligionoftheState,thereligionoftheminority。Suchapreferencecouldhardlybegivenwithoutexcitingmostseriousdiscontent,andendangeringthoseinterests,theprotectionofwhichisthefirstobjectofGovernment。Butwenevercanadmitthatarulercanbejustifiedinhelpingtospreadasystemofopinionssolelybecausethatsystemispleasingtothemajority。Ontheotherhand,wecannotagreewithMr。Gladstone,whowouldofcourseanswerthattheonlyreligionwhicharuleroughttopropagateisthereligionofhisownconscience。Intruth,thisisanimpossibility。Andaswehaveshown,Mr。Gladstonehimself,wheneverhesupportsagrantofmoneytotheChurchofEngland,isreallyassistingtopropagatenottheprecisereligionofhisownconscience,butsomeoneormore,heknowsnothowmanyorwhich,oftheinnumerablereligionswhichliebetweentheconfinesofPelagianismandthoseofAntinomianism,andbetweentheconfinesofPoperyandthoseofPresbyterianism。Inouropinion,thatreligiousinstructionwhichtherulerought,inhispubliccapacity,topatronise,istheinstructionfromwhichhe,inhisconscience,believesthatthepeoplewilllearnmostgoodwiththesmallestmixtureofevil。Andthusitisnotnecessarilyhisownreligionthathewillselect。Hewill,ofcourse,believethathisownreligionisunmixedlygood。Butthequestionwhichhehastoconsideris,nothowmuchgoodhisreligioncontains,buthowmuchgoodthepeoplewilllearn,ifinstructionisgiventheminthatreligion。HemaypreferthedoctrinesandgovernmentoftheChurchofEnglandtothoseoftheChurchofScotland。ButifheknowsthataScotchcongregationwilllistenwithdeepattentionandrespectwhileanErskineoraChalmerssetsbeforethemthefundamentaldoctrinesofChristianity,andthataglimpseofasurpliceorasinglelineofaliturgywouldbethesignalforhootingandriotandwouldprobablybringstoolsandbrickbatsabouttheearsoftheminister,heactswiselyifheconveysreligiousknowledgetotheScotchratherbymeansofthatimperfectChurch,ashemaythinkit,fromwhichtheywilllearnmuch,thanbymeansofthatperfectChurchfromwhichtheywilllearnnothing。Theonlyendofteachingis,thatmenmaylearn;
  anditisidletotalkofthedutyofteachingtruthinwayswhichonlycausementoclingmorefirmlytofalsehood。
  Ontheseprinciplesweconceivethatastatesman,whomightbefarindeedfromregardingtheChurchofEnglandwiththereverencewhichMr。Gladstonefeelsforher,mightyetfirmlyopposeallattemptstodestroyher。Suchastatesmanmaybetoowellacquaintedwithherorigintolookuponherwithsuperstitiousawe。Hemayknowthatshesprangfromacompromisehuddledupbetweentheeagerzealofreformersandtheselfishnessofgreedy,ambitious,andtime—servingpoliticians。
  Hemayfindineverypageofherannalsamplecauseforcensure。
  Hemayfeelthathecouldnot,witheasetohisconscience,subscribeallherarticles。Hemayregretthatalltheattemptswhichhavebeenmadetoopenhergatestolargeclassesofnonconformistsshouldhavefailed。Herepiscopalpolityhemayconsiderasofpurelyhumaninstitution。Hecannotdefendheronthegroundthatshepossessestheapostolicalsuccession;forhedoesnotknowwhetherthatsuccessionmaynotbealtogetherafable。Hecannotdefendheronthegroundofherunity;forheknowsthatherfrontiersectsaremuchmoreremotefromeachother,thanonefrontierisfromtheChurchofRome,ortheotherfromtheChurchofGeneva。Buthemaythinkthatsheteachesmoretruthwithlessalloyoferrorthanwouldbetaughtbythosewho,ifsheweresweptaway,wouldoccupythevacantspace。Hemaythinkthattheeffectproducedbyherbeautifulservicesandbyherpulpitsonthenationalmind,is,onthewhole,highlybeneficial。Hemaythinkthathercivilisinginfluenceisusefullyfeltinremotedistricts。Hemaythinkthat,ifsheweredestroyed,alargeportionofthosewhonowcomposehercongregationswouldneglectallreligiousduties,andthatastilllargerportionwouldfallundertheinfluenceofspiritualmountebanks,hungryforgain,ordrunkwithfanaticism。WhilehewouldwithpleasureadmitthatallthequalitiesofChristianpastorsaretobefoundinlargemeasurewithintheexistingbodyofDissentingministers,hewouldperhapsbeinclinedtothinkthatthestandardofintellectualandmoralcharacteramongthatexemplaryclassofmenmayhavebeenraisedtoitspresenthighpointandmaintainedtherebytheindirectinfluenceoftheEstablishment。Andhemaybebynomeanssatisfiedthat,iftheChurchwereatoncesweptaway,theplaceofourSumnersandWhatelyswouldbesuppliedbyDoddridgesandHalls。Hemaythinkthattheadvantageswhichwehavedescribedareobtained,ormight,iftheexistingsystemwereslightlymodified,beobtained,withoutanysacrificeoftheparamountobjectswhichallGovernmentsoughttohavechieflyinview。Nay,hemaybeofopinionthataninstitution,sodeeplyfixedintheheartsandmindsofmillions,couldnotbesubvertedwithoutlooseningandshakingallthefoundationsofcivilsociety。WithatleastequaleasehewouldfindreasonsforsupportingtheChurchofScotland。
  NorwouldhebeunderthenecessityofresortingtoanycontracttojustifytheconnectionoftworeligiousestablishmentswithoneGovernment。HewouldthinkscruplesonthatheadfrivolousinanypersonwhoiszealousforaChurch,ofwhichbothDr。HerbertMarshandDr。DanielWilsonhavebeenbishops。Indeedhewouldgladlyfollowouthisprinciplesmuchfurther。Hewouldhavebeenwillingtovotein1825forLordFrancisEgerton’sresolution,thatitisexpedienttogiveapublicmaintenancetotheCatholicclergyofIreland:andhewoulddeeplyregretthatnosuchmeasurewasadoptedin1829。
  Inthisway,weconceive,astatesmanmightonourprinciplessatisfyhimselfthatitwouldbeinthehighestdegreeinexpedienttoabolishtheChurch,eitherofEnglandorofScotland。
  Butiftherewere,inanypartoftheworld,anationalChurchregardedashereticalbyfour—fifthsofthenationcommittedtoitscare,aChurchestablishedandmaintainedbythesword,aChurchproducingtwiceasmanyriotsasconversions,aChurchwhich,thoughpossessinggreatwealthandpower,andthoughlongbackedbypersecutinglaws,had,inthecourseofmanygenerations,beenfoundunabletopropagateitsdoctrines,andbarelyabletomaintainitsground,aChurchsoodious,thatfraudandviolence,whenusedagainstitsclearrightsofproperty,weregenerallyregardedasfairplay,aChurch,whoseministerswerepreachingtodesolatewalls,andwithdifficultyobtainingtheirlawfulsubsistencebythehelpofbayonets,suchaChurch,onourprinciples,couldnot,wemustown,bedefended。
  WeshouldsaythattheStatewhichallieditselfwithsuchaChurchpostponedtheprimaryendofGovernmenttothesecondary:
  andthattheconsequenceshadbeensuchasanysagaciousobserverwouldhavepredicted。Neithertheprimarynorthesecondaryendisattained。Thetemporalandspiritualinterestsofthepeoplesufferalike。Themindsofmen,insteadofbeingdrawntotheChurch,arealienatedfromtheState。Themagistrate,aftersacrificingorder,peace,union,alltheinterestswhichitishisfirstdutytoprotect,forthepurposeofpromotingpurereligion,isforced,aftertheexperienceofcenturies,toadmitthathehasreallybeenpromotingerror。ThesounderthedoctrinesofsuchaChurch,themoreabsurdandnoxiousthesuperstitionbywhichthosedoctrinesareopposed,thestrongeraretheargumentsagainstthepolicywhichhasdeprivedagoodcauseofitsnaturaladvantages。Thosewhopreachtorulersthedutyofemployingpowertopropagatetruthwoulddowelltorememberthatfalsehood,thoughnomatchfortruthalone,hasoftenbeenfoundmorethanamatchfortruthandpowertogether。
  Astatesman,judgingonourprinciples,wouldpronouncewithouthesitationthataChurch,suchaswehavelastdescribed,neveroughttohavebeensetup。Furtherthanthiswewillnotventuretospeakforhim。Hewoulddoubtlessrememberthattheworldisfullofinstitutionswhich,thoughtheyneveroughttohavebeensetup,yet,havingbeensetup,oughtnottoberudelypulleddown;andthatitisoftenwiseinpracticetobecontentwiththemitigationofanabusewhich,lookingatitintheabstract,wemightfeelimpatienttodestroy。
  Wehavedone;andnothingremainsbutthatwepartfromMr。
  Gladstonewiththecourtesyofantagonistswhobearnomalice。Wedissentfromhisopinions,butweadmirehistalents;werespecthisintegrityandbenevolence;andwehopethathewillnotsufferpoliticalavocationssoentirelytoengrosshim,astoleavehimnoleisureforliteratureandphilosophy。
  FRANCISBACON
  (July1837)
  TheWorksofFrancisBacon,LordChancellorofEngland。AnewEdition。ByBASILMONTAGU,Esq。,16vols。8vo。London:1825—1834。
  WEreturnourheartythankstoMr。Montagu。forthistrulyvaluablework。Fromtheopinionswhichheexpressesasabiographerweoftendissent。Butabouthismeritasacollectorofthematerialsoutofwhichopinionsareformed,therecanbenodispute;andwereadilyacknowledgethatweareinagreatmeasureindebtedtohisminuteandaccurateresearchesforthemeansofrefutingwhatwecannotbutconsiderashiserrors。
  Thelabourwhichhasbeenbestowedonthisvolumehasbeenalabouroflove。Thewriterisevidentlyenamouredofthesubject。
  Itfillshisheart。Itconstantlyoverflowsfromhislipsandhispen。ThosewhoareacquaintedwiththeCourtsinwhichMr。
  Montagupractiseswithsomuchabilityandsuccesswellknowhowoftenheenlivensthediscussionofapointoflawbycitingsomeweightyaphorism,orsomebrilliantillustration,fromtheDeAugmentisortheNovumOrganum。TheLifebeforeusdoubtlessowesmuchofitsvaluetothehonestandgenerousenthusiasmofthewriter。Thisfeelinghasstimulatedhisactivity,hassustainedhisperseverance,hascalledforthallhisingenuityandeloquence;but,ontheotherhand,wemustfranklysaythatithas,toagreatextent,pervertedhisjudgment。
  WearebynomeanswithoutsympathyforMr。Montagueveninwhatweconsiderashisweakness。Thereisscarcelyanydelusionwhichhasabetterclaimtobeindulgentlytreatedthanthatundertheinfluenceofwhichamanascribeseverymoralexcellencetothosewhohaveleftimperishablemonumentsoftheirgenius。Thecausesofthiserrorliedeepintheinmostrecessesofhumannature。Weareallinclinedtojudgeofothersaswefindthem。Ourestimateofacharacteralwaysdependsmuchonthemannerinwhichthatcharacteraffectsourowninterestsandpassions。Wefinditdifficulttothinkwellofthosebywhomwearethwartedordepressed;andwearereadytoadmiteveryexcuseforthevicesofthosewhoareusefuloragreeabletous。Thisis,webelieve,oneofthoseillusionstowhichthewholehumanraceissubject,andwhichexperienceandreflectioncanonlypartiallyremove,Itis,inthephraseologyofBacon,oneoftheidolatribus。Henceitisthatthemoralcharacterofamaneminentinlettersorinthefineartsistreated,oftenbycontemporaries,almostalwaysbyposterity,withextraordinarytenderness。Theworldderivespleasureandadvantagefromtheperformancesofsuchaman。Thenumberofthosewhosufferbyhispersonalvicesissmall,eveninhisowntime,whencomparedwiththenumberofthosetowhomhistalentsareasourceofgratification。Inafewyearsallthosewhomhehasinjureddisappear。Buthisworksremain,andareasourceofdelighttomillions。ThegeniusofSallustisstillwithus。ButtheNumidianswhomheplundered,andtheunfortunatehusbandswhocaughthimintheirhousesatunseasonablehours,areforgotten。WesufferourselvestobedelightedbythekeennessofClarendon’sobservation,andbythesobermajestyofhisstyle,tillweforgettheoppressorandthebigotinthehistorian。FalstaffandTomJoneshavesurvivedthegamekeeperswhomShakspearecudgelledandthelandladieswhomFieldingbilked。Agreatwriteristhefriendandbenefactorofhisreaders;andtheycannotbutjudgeofhimunderthedeludinginfluenceoffriendshipandgratitude。Weallknowhowunwillingwearetoadmitthetruthofanydisgracefulstoryaboutapersonwhosesocietywelike,andfromwhomwehavereceivedfavours;
  howlongwestruggleagainstevidence,howfondly,whenthefactscannotbedisputed,weclingtothehopethattheremaybesomeexplanationorsomeextenuatingcircumstancewithwhichweareunacquainted。Justsuchisthefeelingwhichamanofliberaleducationnaturallyentertainstowardsthegreatmindsofformerages。Thedebtwhichheowestothemisincalculable。Theyhaveguidedhimtotruth。Theyhavefilledhismindwithnobleandgracefulimages。Theyhavestoodbyhiminallvicissitudes,comfortersinsorrow,nursesinsickness,companionsinsolitude。
  Thesefriendshipsareexposedtonodangerfromtheoccurrencesbywhichotherattachmentsareweakenedordissolved。Timeglideson;fortuneisinconstant;tempersaresoured;bondswhichseemedindissolublearedailysunderedbyinterest,byemulation,orbycaprice。Butnosuchcausecanaffectthesilentconversewhichweholdwiththehighestofhumanintellects。Thatplacidintercourseisdisturbedbynojealousiesorresentments。Thesearetheoldfriendswhoareneverseenwithnewfaces,whoaxethesameinwealthandinpoverty,ingloryandinobscurity。
  Withthedeadthereisnorivalry。Inthedeadthereisnochange。Platoisneversullen。Cervantesisneverpetulant。
  Demosthenesnevercomesunseasonably。Danteneverstaystoolong。
  NodifferenceofpoliticalopinioncanalienateCicero。NoheresycanexcitethehorrorofBossuet。
  Nothing,then,canbemorenaturalthanthatapersonendowedwithsensibilityandimaginationshouldentertainarespectfulandaffectionatefeelingtowardsthosegreatmenwithwhosemindsheholdsdailycommunion。Yetnothingcanbemorecertainthanthatsuchmenhavenotalwaysdeservedtoberegardedwithrespectoraffection。Somewriters,whoseworkswillcontinuetoinstructanddelightmankindtotheremotestages,havebeenplacedinsuchsituationsthattheiractionsandmotivesareaswellknowntousastheactionsandmotivesofonehumanbeingcanbeknowntoanother;andunhappilytheirconducthasnotalwaysbeensuchasanimpartialjudgecancontemplatewithapprobation。Butthefanaticismofthedevoutworshipperofgeniusisproofagainstallevidenceandallargument。Thecharacterofhisidolismatteroffaith;andtheprovinceoffaithisnottobeinvadedbyreason。Hemaintainshissuperstitionwithacredulityasboundless,andazealasunscrupulous,ascanbefoundinthemostardentpartisansofreligiousorpoliticalfactions。Themostdecisiveproofsarerejected;theplainestrulesofmoralityareexplainedaway;
  extensiveandimportantportionsofhistoryarecompletelydistorted。Theenthusiastmisrepresentsfactswithalltheeffronteryofanadvocate,andconfoundsrightandwrongwithallthedexterityofaJesuit;andallthisonlyinorderthatsomemanwhohasbeeninhisgraveduringmanyagesmayhaveafairercharacterthanhedeserves。
  Middleton’sLifeofCiceroisastrikinginstanceoftheinfluenceofthissortofpartiality。NeverwasthereacharacterwhichitwaseasiertoreadthanthatofCicero。NeverwasthereamindkeenerormorecriticalthanthatofMiddleton。Hadthebiographerbroughttotheexaminationofhisfavouritestatesman’sconductbutaverysmallpartoftheacutenessandseveritywhichhedisplayedwhenhewasengagedininvestigatingthehighpretensionsofEpiphaniusandJustinMartyr,hecouldnothavefailedtoproduceamostvaluablehistoryofamostinterestingportionoftime。Butthismostingeniousandlearnedman,though"SowaryheldandwiseThat,as’twassaid,hescarcereceivedForgospelwhatthechurchbelieved,"
  hadasuperstitionofhisown。ThegreatIconoclastwashimselfanidolater。ThegreatAvvocatodelDiavolo,whilehedisputed,withnosmallability,theclaimsofCyprianandAthanasiustoaplaceintheCalendar,washimselfcomposingalyinglegendinhonourofSt。Tully。Hewasholdingupasamodelofeveryvirtueamanwhosetalentsandacquirements,indeed,canneverbetoohighlyextolled,andwhowasbynomeansdestituteofamiablequalities,butwhosewholesoulwasunderthedominionofagirlishvanityandacravenfear。ActionsforwhichCicerohimself,themosteloquentandskilfulofadvocates,couldcontrivenoexcuse,actionswhichinhisconfidentialcorrespondencehementionedwithremorseandshame,arerepresentedbyhisbiographeraswise,virtuous,heroic。ThewholehistoryofthatgreatrevolutionwhichoverthrewtheRomanaristocracy,thewholestateofparties,thecharacterofeverypublicman,iselaboratelymisrepresented,inordertomakeoutsomethingwhichmaylooklikeadefenceofonemosteloquentandaccomplishedtrimmer。
  ThevolumebeforeusremindsusnowandthenoftheLifeofCicero。Butthereisthismarkeddifference。Dr。Middletonevidentlyhadanuneasyconsciousnessoftheweaknessofhiscause,andthereforeresortedtothemostdisingenuousshifts,tounpardonabledistortionsandsuppressionsoffacts。Mr。Montagu’sfaithissincereandimplicit。Hepractisesnotrickery。Heconcealsnothing。Heputsthefactsbeforeusinthefullconfidencethattheywillproduceonourmindstheeffectwhichtheyhaveproducedonhisown。Itisnottillhecomestoreasonfromfactstomotivesthathispartialityshowsitself;andthenheleavesMiddletonhimselffarbehind。HisworkproceedsontheassumptionthatBaconwasaneminentlyvirtuousman。FromthetreeMr。Montagujudgesofthefruit。Heisforcedtorelatemanyactionswhich,ifanymanbutBaconhadcommittedthem,nobodywouldhavedreamedofdefending,actionswhicharereadilyandcompletelyexplainedbysupposingBacontohavebeenamanwhoseprincipleswerenotstrict,andwhosespiritwasnothigh,actionswhichcanbeexplainedinnootherwaywithoutresortingtosomegrotesquehypothesisforwhichthereisnotatittleofevidence。Butanyhypothesisis,inMr。Montagu’sopinion,moreprobablethanthathisheroshouldeverhavedoneanythingverywrong。
  ThismodeofdefendingBaconseemstousbynomeansBaconian。Totakeaman’scharacterforgranted,andthenfromhischaractertoinferthemoralqualityofallhisactions,issurelyaprocesstheveryreverseofthatwhichisrecommendedintheNovumOrganum。Nothing,wearesure,couldhaveledMr。Montagutodepartsofarfromhismaster’sprecepts,exceptzealforhismaster’shonour。Weshallfollowadifferentcourse。Weshallattempt,withthevaluableassistancewhichMr。Montaguhasaffordedus,toframesuchanaccountofBacon’slifeasmayenableourreaderscorrectlytoestimatehischaracter。
  ItishardlynecessarytosaythatFrancisBaconwasthesonofSirNicholasBacon,whoheldthegreatsealofEnglandduringthefirsttwentyyearsofthereignofElizabeth。Thefameofthefatherhasbeenthrownintoshadebythatoftheson。ButSirNicholaswasnoordinaryman。Hebelongedtoasetofmenwhomitiseasiertodescribecollectivelythanseparately,whosemindswereformedbyonesystemofdiscipline,whobelongedtoonerankinsociety,tooneuniversity,tooneparty,toonesect,tooneadministration,andwhoresembledeachothersomuchintalents,inopinions,inhabits,infortunes,thatonecharacter,wehadalmostsaidonelife,may,toaconsiderableextent,serveforthemall。
  TheywerethefirstgenerationofstatesmenbyprofessionthatEnglandproduced。Beforetheirtimethedivisionoflabourhad,inthisrespect,beenveryimperfect。Thosewhohaddirectedpublicaffairshadbeen,withfewexceptions,warriorsorpriests;warriorswhoserudecouragewasneitherguidedbysciencenorsoftenedbyhumanity,priestswhoselearningandabilitieswerehabituallydevotedtothedefenceoftyrannyandimposture。TheHotspurs,theNevilles,theCliffords,rough,illiterate,andunreflecting,broughttothecouncil—boardthefierceandimperiousdispositionwhichtheyhadacquiredamidstthetumultofpredatorywar,orinthegloomyreposeofthegarrisonedandmoatedcastle。Ontheothersidewasthecalmandsubtleprelate,versedinallthatwasthenconsideredaslearning,trainedintheSchoolstomanagewords,andintheconfessionaltomanagehearts,seldomsuperstitious,butskilfulinpractisingonthesuperstitionofothers;false,asitwasnaturalthatamanshouldbewhoseprofessionimposedonallwhowerenotsaintsthenecessityofbeinghypocrites;selfish,asitwasnaturalthatamanshouldbewhocouldformnodomestictiesandcherishnohopeoflegitimateposterity,moreattachedtohisorderthantohiscountry,andguidingthepoliticsofEnglandwithaconstantside—glanceatRome。
  Buttheincreaseofwealth,theprogressofknowledge,andthereformationofreligionproducedagreatchange。Thenoblesceasedtobemilitarychieftains;thepriestsceasedtopossessamonopolyoflearning;andanewandremarkablespeciesofpoliticiansappeared。
  Thesemencamefromneitheroftheclasseswhichhad,tillthen,almostexclusivelyfurnishedministersofstate。Theywerealllaymen;yettheywereallmenoflearning;andtheywereallmenofpeace。Theywerenotmembersofthearistocracy。Theyinheritednotitles,nolargedomains,noarmiesofretainers,nofortifiedcastles。Yettheywerenotlowmen,suchasthosewhomprinces,jealousofthepowerofanobility,havesometimesraisedfromforgesandcobblers’stallstothehighestsituations。Theywereallgentlemenbybirth。Theyhadallreceivedaliberaleducation。Itisaremarkablefactthattheywereallmembersofthesameuniversity。Thetwogreatnationalseatsoflearninghadeventhenacquiredthecharacterswhichtheystillretain。Inintellectualactivity,andinreadinesstoadmitimprovements,thesuperioritywasthen,asithaseversincebeen,onthesideofthelessancientandsplendidinstitution。CambridgehadthehonourofeducatingthosecelebratedProtestantBishopswhomOxfordhadthehonourofburning;andatCambridgewereformedthemindsofallthosestatesmentowhomchieflyistobeattributedthesecureestablishmentofthereformedreligioninthenorthofEurope。
  Thestatesmenofwhomwespeakpassedtheiryouthsurroundedbytheincessantdinoftheologicalcontroversy。Opinionswerestillinastateofchaoticanarchy,intermingling,separating,advancing,receding。SometimesthestubbornbigotryoftheConservativesseemedlikelytoprevail。ThentheimpetuousonsetoftheReformersforamomentcarriedallbeforeit。Thenagaintheresistingmassmadeadesperatestand,arrestedthemovement,andforceditslowlyback。ThevacillationwhichatthattimeappearedinEnglishlegislation,andwhichithasbeenthefashiontoattributetothecapriceandtothepowerofoneortwoindividuals,wastrulyanationalvacillation。ItwasnotonlyinthemindofHenrythatthenewtheologyobtainedtheascendantoneday,andthatthelessonsofthenurseandofthepriestregainedtheirinfluenceonthemorrow。ItwasnotonlyintheHouseofTudorthatthehusbandwasexasperatedbytheoppositionofthewife,thatthesondissentedfromtheopinionsofthefather,thatthebrotherpersecutedthesister,thatonesisterpersecutedanother。TheprinciplesofConservationandReformcarriedontheirwarfareineverypartofsociety,ineverycongregation,ineveryschooloflearning,roundthehearthofeveryprivatefamily,intherecessesofeveryreflectingmind。
  Itwasinthemidstofthisfermentthatthemindsofthepersonswhomwearedescribingweredeveloped。TheywerebornReformers。
  Theybelongedbynaturetothatorderofmenwhoalwaysformthefrontranksinthegreatintellectualprogress。Theyweretherefore,oneandall,Protestants。Inreligiousmatters,however,thoughthereisnoreasontodoubtthattheyweresincere,theywerebynomeanszealous。NoneofthemchosetorunthesmallestpersonalriskduringthereignofMary。NoneofthemfavouredtheunhappyattemptofNorthumberlandinfavourofhisdaughter—in—law。NoneofthemsharedinthedesperatecouncilsofWyatt。TheycontrivedtohavebusinessontheContinent;or,iftheystaidinEngland,theyheardmassandkeptLentwithgreatdecorum。Whenthosedarkandperilousyearshadgoneby,andwhentheCrownhaddescendedtoanewsovereign,theytooktheleadinthereformationoftheChurch。Buttheyproceeded,notwiththeimpetuosityoftheologians,butwiththecalmdeterminationofstatesmen。Theyacted,notlikemenwhoconsideredtheRomishworshipasasystemtoooffensivetoGod,andtoodestructiveofsouls,tobetoleratedforanhour,butlikemenwhoregardedthepointsindisputeamongChristiansasinthemselvesunimportant,andwhowerenotrestrainedbyanyscrupleofconsciencefromprofessing,astheyhadbeforeprofessed,theCatholicfaithofMary,theProtestantfaithofEdward,oranyofthenumerousintermediatecombinationswhichthecapriceofHenryandtheservilepolicyofCranmerhadformedoutofthedoctrinesofboththehostileparties。TheytookadeliberateviewofthestateoftheirowncountryandoftheContinent:theysatisfiedthemselvesastotheleaningofthepublicmind;andtheychosetheirside。
  TheyplacedthemselvesattheheadoftheProtestantsofEurope,andstakedalltheirfameandfortunesonthesuccessoftheirparty。
  Itisneedlesstorelatehowdexterously,howresolutely,howgloriouslytheydirectedthepoliticsofEnglandduringtheeventfulyearswhichfollowed,howtheysucceededinunitingtheirfriendsandseparatingtheirenemies,howtheyhumbledtheprideofPhilip,howtheybackedtheunconquerablespiritofColigny,howtheyrescuedHollandfromtyranny,howtheyfoundedthemaritimegreatnessoftheircountry,howtheyoutwittedtheartfulpoliticiansofItaly,andtamedtheferociouschieftainsofScotland。Itisimpossibletodenythattheycommittedmanyactswhichwouldjustlybringonastatesmanofourtimecensuresofthemostseriouskind。But,whenweconsiderthestateofmoralityintheirage,andtheunscrupulouscharacteroftheadversariesagainstwhomtheyhadtocontend,weareforcedtoadmitthatitisnotwithoutreasonthattheirnamesarestillheldinvenerationbytheircountrymen。
  Therewere,doubtless,manydiversitiesintheirintellectualandmoralcharacter。Buttherewasastrongfamilylikeness。Theconstitutionoftheirmindswasremarkablysound。Noparticularfacultywaspre—eminentlydeveloped;butmanlyhealthandvigourwereequallydiffusedthroughthewhole。Theyweremenofletters。Theirmindswerebynatureandbyexercisewellfashionedforspeculativepursuits。Itwasbycircumstances,ratherthanbyanystrongbiasofinclination,thattheywereledtotakeaprominentpartinactivelife。Inactivelife,however,nomencouldbemoreperfectlyfreefromthefaultsofmeretheoristsandpedants。Nomenobservedmoreaccuratelythesignsofthetimes。Nomenhadagreaterpracticalacquaintancewithhumannature。Theirpolicywasgenerallycharacterisedratherbyvigilance,bymoderation,andbyfirmness,thanbyinvention,orbythespiritofenterprise。
  Theyspokeandwroteinamannerworthyoftheirexcellentsense。
  Theireloquencewaslesscopiousandlessingenious,butfarpurerandmoremanlythanthatofthesucceedinggeneration。ItwastheeloquenceofmenwhohadlivedwiththefirsttranslatorsoftheBible,andwiththeauthorsoftheBookofCommonPrayer。
  Itwasluminous,dignified,solid,andveryslightlytaintedwiththataffectationwhichdeformedthestyleoftheablestmenofthenextage。If,assometimeschanced,thesepoliticianswereunderthenecessityoftakingapartinthetheologicalcontroversiesonwhichthedearestinterestsofkingdomswerethenstaked,theyacquittedthemselvesasiftheirwholeliveshadbeenpassedintheSchoolsandtheConvocation。
  TherewassomethinginthetemperofthesecelebratedmenwhichsecuredthemagainsttheproverbialinconstancybothoftheCourtandofthemultitude。Nointrigue,nocombinationofrivals,coulddeprivethemoftheconfidenceoftheirSovereign。Noparliamentattackedtheirinfluence。Nomobcoupledtheirnameswithanyodiousgrievance。Theirpowerendedonlywiththeirlives。Inthisrespect,theirfatepresentsamostremarkablecontrasttothatoftheenterprisingandbrilliantpoliticiansoftheprecedingandofthesucceedinggeneration。BurleighwasMinisterduringfortyyears。SirNicholasBaconheldthegreatsealmorethantwentyyears。SirWalterMildmaywasChancelloroftheExchequertwenty—threeyears。SirThomasSmithwasSecretaryofStateeighteenyears;SirFrancisWalsinghamaboutaslong。Theyalldiedinoffice,andintheenjoymentofpublicrespectandroyalfavour。FardifferenthadbeenthefateofWolsey,Cromwell,Norfolk,Somerset,andNorthumberland。FardifferentalsowasthefateofEssex,ofRaleigh,andofthestillmoreillustriousmanwhoselifeweproposetoconsider。
  TheexplanationofthiscircumstanceisperhapscontainedinthemottowhichSirNicholasBaconinscribedovertheentranceofhishallatGorhambury,Mediocriafirma。Thismaximwasconstantlyborneinmindbyhimselfandhiscolleagues。Theyweremoresolicitoustolaythefoundationsoftheirpowerdeepthantoraisethestructuretoaconspicuousbutinsecureheight。NoneofthemaspiredtobesoleMinister。Noneofthemprovokedenvybyanostentatiousdisplayofwealthandinfluence。Noneofthemaffectedtooutshinetheancientaristocracyofthekingdom。Theywerefreefromthatchildishloveoftitleswhichcharacterisedthesuccessfulcourtiersofthegenerationwhichprecededthemandofthatwhichfollowedthem。Onlyoneofthosewhomwehavenamedwasmadeapeer;andhewascontentwiththelowestdegreeofthepeerage。Astomoney,noneofthemcould,inthatage,justlybeconsideredasrapacious。Someofthemwould,eveninourtime,deservethepraiseofeminentdisinterestedness。TheirfidelitytotheStatewasincorruptible。Theirprivatemoralswerewithoutstain。Theirhouseholdsweresoberandwellgoverned。
  AmongthesestatesmenSirNicholasBaconwasgenerallyconsideredasrankingnexttoBurleigh。HewascalledbyCamden"Sacrisconciliisalterumcolumen";andbyGeorgeBuchanan,"diuBritanniciRegnisecundumcolumen。"
  ThesecondwifeofSirNicholasandmotherofFrancisBaconwasAnne,oneofthedaughtersofSirAnthonyCooke,amanofdistinguishedlearningwhohadbeentutortoEdwardtheSixth。
  SirAnthonyhadpaidconsiderableattentiontotheeducationofhisdaughters,andlivedtoseethemallsplendidlyandhappilymarried。Theirclassicalacquirementsmadethemconspicuousevenamongthewomenoffashionofthatage。Katherine,whobecameLadyKilligrew,wroteLatinHexametersandPentameterswhichwouldappearwithcreditintheMusaeEtonenses。Mildred,thewifeofLordBurleigh,wasdescribedbyRogerAschamasthebestGreekscholaramongtheyoungwomenofEngland,LadyJaneGreyalwaysexcepted。Anne,themotherofFrancisBacon,wasdistinguishedbothasalinguistandasatheologian。ShecorrespondedinGreekwithBishopJewel,andtranslatedhisApologiafromtheLatin,socorrectlythatneitherhenorArchbishopParkercouldsuggestasinglealteration。Shealsotranslatedaseriesofsermonsonfateandfree—willfromtheTuscanofBernardoOchino。Thisfactisthemorecurious,becauseOchinowasoneofthatsmallandaudaciousbandofItalianreformers,anathematisedalikebyWittenberg,byGeneva,byZurich,andbyRome,fromwhichtheSociniansectdeducesitsorigin。
  LadyBaconwasdoubtlessaladyofhighlycultivatedmindafterthefashionofherage。Butwemustnotsufferourselvestobedeludedintothebeliefthatsheandhersistersweremoreaccomplishedwomenthanmanywhoarenowliving。Onthissubjectthereis,wethink,muchmisapprehension。Wehaveoftenheardmenwhowish,asalmostallmenofsensewish,thatwomenshouldbehighlyeducated,speakwithraptureoftheEnglishladiesofthesixteenthcentury,andlamentthattheycanfindnomoderndamselresemblingthosefairpupilsofAschamandAylmerwhocompared,overtheirembroidery,thestylesofIsocratesandLysias,andwho,whilethehornsweresounding,andthedogsinfullcry,satinthelonelyoriel,witheyesrivetedtothatimmortalpagewhichtellshowmeeklyandbravelythefirstgreatmartyrofintellectuallibertytookthecupfromhisweepinggaoler。Butsurelythesecomplaintshaveverylittlefoundation。Wewouldbynomeansdisparagetheladiesofthesixteenthcenturyortheirpursuits。Butweconceivethatthosewhoextolthemattheexpenseofthewomenofourtimeforgetoneveryobviousandveryimportantcircumstance。InthetimeofHenrytheEighthandEdwardtheSixth,apersonwhodidnotreadGreekandLatincouldreadnothing,ornexttonothing。TheItalianwastheonlymodernlanguagewhichpossessedanythingthatcouldbecalledaliterature。AllthevaluablebooksthenextantinallthevernaculardialectsofEuropewouldhardlyhavefilledasingleshelf,EnglanddidnotyetpossessShakspeare’splaysandtheFairyQueen,norFranceMontaigne’sEssays,norSpainDonQuixote。Inlookingroundawell—furnishedlibrary,howmanyEnglishorFrenchbookscanwefindwhichwereextantwhenLadyJaneGreyandQueenElizabethreceivedtheireducation?Chaucer,Gower,Froissart,Commines,Rabelais,nearlycompletethelist。
  Itwasthereforeabsolutelynecessarythatawomanshouldbeuneducatedorclassicallyeducated。Indeed,withoutaknowledgeofoneoftheancientlanguagesnopersoncouldthenhaveanyclearnotionofwhatwaspassinginthepolitical,theliterary,orthereligiousworld。TheLatinwasinthesixteenthcenturyallandmorethanallthattheFrenchwasintheeighteenth。Itwasthelanguageofcourtsaswellasoftheschools。Itwasthelanguageofdiplomacy;itwasthelanguageoftheologicalandpoliticalcontroversy。Beingafixedlanguage,whilethelivinglanguageswereinastateoffluctuation,andbeinguniversallyknowntothelearnedandthepolite,itwasemployedbyalmosteverywriterwhoaspiredtoawideanddurablereputation。A
  personwhowasignorantofitwasshutoutfromallacquaintance,notmerelywithCiceroandVirgil,notmerelywithheavytreatisesoncanon—lawandschooldivinity,butwiththemostinterestingmemoirs,statepapers,andpamphletsofhisowntime,nayevenwiththemostadmiredpoetryandthemostpopularsquibswhichappearedonthefleetingtopicsoftheday,withBuchanan’scomplimentaryverses,withErasmus’sdialogues,withHutten’sepistles。