Afterthiscourseofstudy，youmaythentakeupandperusesentencebysentencethecommunionservice，thebestofallcommentsontheScripturesappertainingtothismystery。Andthisisthepreparationwhichwillprove，withGod’sgrace，thesurestpreventiveof，orantidoteagainst，thefreezingpoison，thelethargisinghemlock，ofthedoctrineoftheSacramentaries，accordingtowhomtheEucharistisamerepracticalmetaphor，inwhichthingsareemployedinsteadofarticulatedsoundsfortheexclusivepurposeofrecallingtoourmindsthehistoricalfactofourLord’scrucifixion；inshort——（theprofanenessiswiththem，notwithme）——justthesameaswhenProtestantsdrinkaglassofwinetothegloriousmemoryofWilliamIII。！Trueitisthattheremembranceisoneendofthesacrament；
　　butitis，DOTHISINREMEMBRANCEOFME，——ofallthatChristwasandis，hathdoneandisstilldoingforfallenmankind，and，ofcourse，ofhiscrucifixioninclusively，butnotofhiscrucifixionalone。14
　　December，1827。
　　COMPANIONTOTHEALTAR。
　　First，then，thatwemaycometothisheavenlyfeastholy，andadornedwiththeweddinggarment，Matt。xxii。ii，wemustsearchourhearts，andexamineourconsciences，notonlytillweseeoursins，butuntilwehatethem。
　　Butwhatifaman，seeinghissin，earnestlydesiretohateit？
　　Shallhenotatthealtarofferupatoncehisdesire，andtheyetlingeringsin，andseekforstrength？Isnotthissacramentmedicineaswellasfood？Isitanendonly，andnotlikewisethemeans？Isitmerelythetriumphalfeast；orisitnotevenmoretrulyablessedrefreshmentforandduringtheconflict？
　　Thisconfessionofsinsmustnotbeingeneraltermsonly，thatwearesinnerswiththerestofmankind，butitmustbeaspecialdeclarationtoGodofallourmostheinoussinsinthought，word，anddeed。
　　Lutherwasofadifferentjudgment。Hewouldhaveusfeelandgroanunderoursinfulnessandutterincapabilityofredeemingourselvesfromthebondage，ratherthanhazardthepollutionofourimaginationsbyarecapitulationandrenewingofsinsandtheirimagesindetail。Donot，hesays，standpickingtheflawsoutonebyone，butplungeintotheriveranddrownthem！——IventuretobeofLuther’sdoctrine。
　　COMMUNIONSERVICE。
　　InthefirstExhortation，beforethewords"meritoriousCrossandPassion，"Ishouldproposetoinsert"hisassumptionofhumanity，hisincarnation，and。"Likewise，alittlelowerdown，aftertheword"sustenance，"Iwouldinsert"as。"Fornotinthatsacramentexclusively，butinalltheactsofassimilativefaith，ofwhichtheEucharistisasolemn，eminent，andrepresentativeinstance，aninstanceandthesymbol，Christisourspiritualfoodandsustenance。
　　MARRIAGESERVICE。
　　Marriage，simplyasmarriage，isnotthemeans"fortheprocreationofchildren，"butforthehumanisationoftheoffspringprocreated。
　　Therefore，intheDeclarationatthebeginning，afterthewords"procreationofchildren，"Iwouldinsert，"andasthemeansofsecuringtothechildrenprocreatedenduringcare，andthattheymaybe，"&c。
　　COMMUNIONOFTHESICK。
　　Thirdrubricattheend。
　　Butifaman，eitherbyreasonofextremityofsickness，&c。
　　Ithinkthisrubric，inwhatIconceivetobeitstruemeaning，apreciousdoctrine，asfullyacquittingourChurchofallRomishsuperstition，respectingthenatureoftheEucharist，inrelationtothewholeschemeofman’sredemption。Butthelatterpartofit——"hedotheatanddrinktheBodyandBloodofourSaviourChristprofitablytohissoul’shealth，althoughhedonotreceivethesacramentwithhismouth"——seemstomeveryincautiouslyexpressed，andscarcelytobereconciledwiththeChurch’sowndefinitionofasacramentingeneral。Forinsuchacase，whereis"theoutwardandvisiblesignoftheinwardandspiritualgracegiven？"
　　XI。SUNDAYAFTERTRINITY。
　　Epistle。——lCor。xv。1。
　　Brethren，IdeclareuntoyoutheGospelwhichIpreacheduntoyou。
　　Whyshouldtheobsolete，thoughfaithful，Saxontranslationof[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]beretained？Whynot"goodtidings？"Whythuschangeamostappropriateandintelligibledesignationofthematterintoamereconventionalnameofaparticularbook？
　　Ib-
　　howthatChristdiedforoursins。
　　Butthemeaningof[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]is，thatChristdiedthroughthesins，andforthesinners。Hediedthroughoursins，andwelivethroughhisrighteousness。
　　Gospel——Lukexviii。14。
　　Thismanwentdowntohishousejustifiedratherthantheother。
　　Notsimplyjustified，observe；butjustifiedratherthantheother，[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]，——thatis，lessremotefromsalvation。
　　XXV。SUNDAYAFTERTRINITY。
　　Collect-
　　thatthey，plenteouslybringingforththefruitofgoodworks，mayoftheebeplenteouslyrewarded。
　　Rather——"thatwiththatenlargedcapacity，whichwithouttheewecannotacquire，theremaylikewisebeanincreaseofthegift，whichfromtheealonewecanwhollyreceive。"
　　Ps。VIII。
　　V。2。Outofthemouthofverybabesandsucklingshastthouordainedstrength，becauseofthineenemies；thatthoumighteststilltheenemyandtheavenger。
　　Tothedispensationsofthetwilightdawn，tothefirstmessengersoftheredeemingword，theyetlispingutterersoflightandlife，astrengthandpowerweregivenBECAUSEOFTHEENEMIES，greaterandofmoreimmediateinfluence，thantotheseersandproclaimersofaclearerday：evenasthefirstreappearingcrescentoftheeclipsedmoonshinesformenwithakeenerbrilliancethanthefollowinglargersegments，previouslytoitstotalemersion。
　　Ib。v。5。
　　Thoumadesthimlowerthantheangels，tocrownhimwithgloryandworship。
　　Poweridea=angel。
　　Idea——power=man，orPrometheus。
　　Ps。LXVIII。
　　V。34。AscribeyethepowertoGodoverIsrael：hisworshipandstrengthisintheclouds。
　　The"clouds，"inthesymbolicallanguageoftheScriptures，meantheeventsandcourseofthings，seeminglyeffectsofhumanwillorchance，butoverruledbyProvidence。
　　Ps。LXXII。
　　ThispsalmadmitsnootherinterpretationbutofChrist，astheJehovahincarnate。InanyothersenseitwouldbeaspecimenofmorethanPersianorMoghulhyperbole，andbombast，ofwhichthereisnootherinstanceinScripture，andwhichnoChristianwoulddaretoattributetoaninspiredwriter。Weknow，too，thattheelderJewishChurchrankeditamongtheMessianicPsalms。——N。B。ThewordinSt。
　　JohnandtheNameoftheMostHighinthePsalmsareequivalentterms。
　　V。1。Givethekingthyjudgments，OGod；andthyrighteousnessuntotheking’sson。
　　GodofGod，LightofLight，veryGodofveryGod，theonlybegotten，theSonofGodandGod，KingofKings，andtheSonoftheKingofKings！
　　Ps。LXXIV。
　　V。2。Othinkuponthycongregation，whomthouhastpurchasedandredeemedofold。
　　TheLambsacrificedfromthebeginningoftheworld，theGod-Man，theJudge，theself-promisedRedeemertoAdaminthegarden！
　　V。15。ThousmotesttheheadsoftheLeviathaninpieces；andgavesthimtobemeatforthepeopleinthewilderness。
　　Doesthisalludetoanyrealtradition？ThePsalmsappearstohavebeencomposedshortlybeforethecaptivityofJudah。
　　Ps。LXXXII。vv。6-7。
　　ThereferencewhichourLordmadetothesemysteriousversesgivesthemanespecialinterest。Thefirstapostasy，thefalloftheangels，is，perhaps，intimated。
　　Ps。LXXXVII。
　　IwouldfainunderstandthisPsalm；butfirstImustcollateitwordbywordwiththeoriginalHebrew。ItseemsclearlyMessianic。
　　Ps。LXXXVIII。
　　Vv。10-12。Dostthoushowwondersamongthedead，orshallthedeadriseupagainandpraisethee？&c。
　　CompareEzekielxxxvii。
　　Ps。CIV。
　　IthinktheBibleversionmightwithadvantagebesubstitutedforthis，whichinsomepartsisscarcelyintelligible。
　　V。6。——thewatersstandinthehills。
　　No；STOODABOVETHEMOUNTAINS。ThereferenceistotheDeluge。
　　Ps。CV。
　　V。3。——LETTHEHEARTOFTHEMREJOICETHATSEEKTHELORD。
　　IfeventoseektheLordbejoy，whatwillitbetofindhim？Seekme，OLord，thatImaybefoundbythee！
　　Ps。CX。
　　V。2。——TheLORDSHALLSENDTHERODOFTHYPOWEROUTOFSION；（saying）
　　RULE，&c。
　　V。3。Understand——"Thypeopleshallofferthemselveswillinglyinthedayofconflictinholyclothing，intheirbestarray，intheirbestarmsandaccoutrements。Asthedewfromthewombofthemorning，innumberandbrightnesslikedew-drops，soshallbethyyouth，ortheyouthofthee，theyoungvolunteerwarriors。"
　　V。5。"Heshallshake，"concuss，concutietregesdieiraesuae。
　　V。6。For"smiteinsunder，orwoundtheheads；"somewordansweringtotheLatinconquassare。
　　V。7。For"therefore，"translate"thenshallheliftuphisheadagain；"thatis，asamanlanguidandsinkingfromthirstandfatigueafterrefreshment。
　　N。B。——Iseenopoeticdiscrepancybetweenvv。1and5。
　　Ps。CXVIII。
　　TobeinterpretedofChrist’sChurch。
　　Ps。CXXVI。
　　V。5。Astheriversinthesouth。
　　Doesthisalludetotheperiodicalrains？
　　Asatransparencyonsomenightofpublicrejoicing，seenbycommonday，withthelampsfromwithinremoved——evensuchwouldthePsalmsbetomeuninterpretedbytheGospel。OhonouredMr。Hurwitz！CouldIbutmakeyoufeelwhatgrandeur，whatmagnificence，whataneverlastingsignificanceandimportChristianitygivestoeveryfactofyournationalhistory——toeverypageofyoursacredrecords！
　　ARTICLESOFRELIGION。
　　XX。ItismournfultothinkhowmanyrecentwritershavecriminatedourChurchinconsequenceoftheirignoranceandinadvertenceinnotknowing，ornotnoticing，thecontradistinctionheremeantbetweenpowerandauthority。RitesandceremoniestheChurchmayordainjureproprio：onmattersoffaithherjudgmentistobereceivedwithreverence，andnotgainsayedbutafterrepeatedinquiries，andonweightygrounds。
　　XXXVII。ItislawfulforChristianmen，atthecommandmentofthemagistrate，towearweapons，andtoserveinwars。
　　Thisisaverygoodinstanceofanunseemlymatterneatlywrappedup。
　　Thegoodmenrecoiledfromtheplainwords——"ItislawfulforChristianmenattheCommandofakingtoslaughterasmanyChristiansastheycan！"
　　Well！Icouldmostsincerelysubscribetoallthesearticles。
　　September，1831。
　　ANIGHTLYPRAYER。1831。
　　AlmightyGod，bythyeternalWordmyCreatorRedeemerandPreserver！
　　whohastinthyfreecommunicativegoodnessglorifiedmewiththecapabilityofknowingthee，theoneonlyabsoluteGood，theeternalI
　　Am，astheauthorofmybeing，andofdesiringandseekingtheeasitsultimateend；——who，whenIfellfromtheeintothemysteryofthefalseandevilwill，didstnotabandonme，poorself-lostcreature，butinthycondescendingmercydidstprovideanaccessandareturntothyself，eventotheetheHolyOne，inthineonlybegottenSon，thewayandthetruthfromeverlasting，andwhotookonhimselfhumanity，yea，becameflesh，eventhemanChristJesus，thatformanhemightbethelifeandtheresurrection！——OGiverofallgoodgifts，whoartthyselftheoneonlyabsoluteGood，fromwhomIhavereceivedwhatevergoodIhave，whatevercapabilityofgoodthereisinme，andfromtheegoodalone，——frommyselfandmyowncorruptedwillallevilandtheconsequentsofevil，——withinwardprostrationofwill，mind，andaffectionsIadorethyinfinitemajesty；Iaspiretolovethytranscendentgoodness！——Inadeepsenseofmyunworthiness，andmyunfitnesstopresentmyselfbeforethee，ofeyestoopuretobeholdiniquity，andwhoselight，thebeautitudeofspiritsconformedtothywill，isaconsumingfiretoallvanityandcorruption；——butinthenameoftheLordJesus，ofthedearSonofthylove，inwhoseperfectobediencethoudeignesttobeholdasmanyashavereceivedtheseedofChristintothebodyofthisdeath；——I
　　offerthis，myboundennightlysacrificeofpraiseandthanksgiving，inhumbletrustthatthefragranceofmySaviour’srighteousnessmayremovefromitthetaintofmymortalcorruption。Thymercieshavefollowedmethroughallthehoursandmomentsofmylife；andnowI
　　liftupmyheartinaweandthankfulnessforthepreservationofmylifethroughthepastday，forthealleviationofmybodilysufferingsandlanguors，forthemanifoldcomfortswhichthouhastreservedforme，yea，inthyfatherlycompassionhastrescuedfromthewreckofmyownsinsorsinfulinfirmities；——forthekindandaffectionatefriendsthouhastraisedupforme，especiallyforthoseofthishousehold，forthemotherandmistressofthisfamily，whoselovetomehathbeengreatandfaithful，andforthedearfriend，thesupporterandsharerofmystudiesandresearches；but，aboveall，fortheheavenlyFriend，thecrucifiedSaviour，theglorifiedMediator，ChristJesus，andfortheheavenlyComforter，sourceofallabidingcomforts，thyHolySpirit！OgrantmetheaidofthySpirit，thatImaywithadeeperfaith，amoreenkindledlove，blessthee，whothroughthySonhastprivilegedmetocalltheeAbba，Father！O，thou，whohastrevealedthyselfinthyholywordasaGodthathearestprayer；beforewhoseinfinitudealldifferencesceaseofgreatandsmall；wholikeatenderparentforeknowestallourwants，yetlistenestwell-pleasedtothehumblepetitionsofthychildren；
　　whohastnotalonepermitted，buttaughtus；tocallontheeinallourneeds，——earnestlyIimplorethecontinuanceofthyfreemercy，ofthyprotectingprovidence，throughthecomingnight。Thouhearesteveryprayerofferedtotheebelievinglywithapenitentandsincereheart。Forthouinwithholdinggrantest，healestininflictingthewound，yea，turnestalltogoodforasmanyastrulyseektheethroughChrist，theMediator！Thywillbedone！Butifitbeaccordingtothywiseandrighteousordinances，Oshieldmethisnightfromtheassaultsofdisease，grantmerefreshmentofsleepunvexedbyevilanddistempereddreams；andifthepurposeandaspirationofmyheartbeuprightbeforethee，whoaloneknowesttheheartofman，Ointhymercyvouchsafemeyetinthismydecayoflifeanintervalofeaseandstrength；ifso（thygracedisposingandassisting）ImaymakecompensationtothyChurchfortheunusedtalentsthouhastentrustedtome，fortheneglectedopportunitieswhichthyloving-kindnesshadprovided。Oletmebefoundalabourerinthevineyard，thoughofthelatehour，whentheLordandHeirofthevintage，ChristJesus，callethforhisservant。
　　OurFather，&c。
　　Tothee，greatomnipresentSpirit，whosemercyisoverallthyworks，whonowbeholdestme，whohearestme，whohastframedmyhearttoseekandtotrustinthee，inthenameofmyLordandSaviourChristJesus，Ihumblycommitandcommendmybody，soul，andspirit。
　　Glorybetothee，OGod！
　　ASAILOR’SFORTUNE。
　　ESSAYI。
　　FortunaplerumqueestvelutiGalaxiaquarundamobscurarumVirtutumsinenomine。
　　BACON。
　　（Translation）——Fortuneisforthemostpartbutagalaxyormilkyway，asitwere，ofcertainobscurevirtueswithoutaname。
　　"DoesFortunefavourfools？Orhowdoyouexplaintheoriginoftheproverb，which，differentlyworded，istobefoundinallthelanguagesofEurope？"
　　Thisproverbadmitsofvariousexplanations，accordingtothemoodofmindinwhichitisused。Itmayarisefrompity，andthesoothingpersuasionthatProvidenceiseminentlywatchfuloverthehelpless，andextendsanespecialcaretothosewhoarenotcapableofcaringforthemselves。Soused，itbreathesthesamefeelingas"Godtempersthewindtotheshornlamb"——orthemoresportiveadage，that"thefairiestakecareofchildrenandtipsyfolk。"Thepersuasionitself，inadditiontothegeneralreligiousfeelingofmankind，andthescarcelylessgeneralloveofthemarvellous，maybeaccountedforfromourtendencytoexaggeratealleffectsthatseemdisproportionatetotheirvisiblecause，andallcircumstancesthatareinanywaystronglycontrastedwithournotionsofthepersonsunderthem。Secondly，itarisesfromthesafetyandsuccesswhichanignoranceofdangeranddifficultysometimesactuallyassistsinprocuring；inasmuchasitprecludesthedespondence，whichmighthavekeptthemoreforesightedfromundertakingtheenterprise，thedepressionwhichwouldretarditsprogress，andthoseoverwhelminginfluencesofterrorincaseswherethevividperceptionofthedangerconstitutesthegreaterpartofthedangeritself。Thusmenaresaidtohaveswoonedandevendiedatthesightofanarrowbridge，overwhichtheyhadridden，thenightbefore，inperfectsafety；orattracingthefootmarksalongtheedgeofaprecipicewhichthedarknesshadconcealedfromthem。Amoreobscurecause，yetnotwhollytobeomitted，isaffordedbytheundoubtedfactthattheexertionofthereasoningfacultiestendstoextinguishorbedimthosemysteriousinstinctsofskill，which，thoughforthemostpartlatent，weneverthelesspossessincommonwithotheranimals。
　　Ortheproverbmaybeusedinvidiously；andfollyinthevocabularyofenvyorbasenessmaysignifycourageandmagnanimity。Hardihoodandfool-hardinessareindeedasdifferentasgreenandyellow，yetwillappearthesametothejaundicedeye。Couragemultipliesthechancesofsuccessbysometimesmakingopportunities，andalwaysavailingitselfofthem：andinthissenseFortunemaybesaidtofavourfoolsbythosewho，howeverprudentintheirownopinion，aredeficientinvalourandenterprise。Again：anemientlygoodandwiseman，forwhomthepraisesofthejudicioushaveprocuredahighreputationevenwiththeworldatlarge，proposestohimselfcertainobjects，andadaptingtherightmeanstotherightendattainsthem；
　　buthisobjectsnotbeingwhattheworldcallsfortune，neithermoneynorartificialrank，hisadmittedinferiorsinmoralandintellectualworth，butmoreprosperousintheirworldlyconcerns，aresaidtohavebeenfavouredbyFortuneandbeslighted；althoughthefoolsdidthesameintheirlineasthewisemaninhis；theyadaptedtheappropriatemeanstothedesiredend，andsosucceeded。Inthissensetheproverbiscurrentbyamisuse，oracatachresisatleast，ofboththewords，fortuneandfools。
　　Howseldom，friend，agoodgreatmaninheritsHonourorwealthwithallhisworthandpains！
　　Itsoundslikestoriesfromthelandofspirits，Ifanymanobtainthatwhichhemerits，Oranymeritthatwhichheobtains。
　　REPLY。
　　Forshame！dearfriend，renouncethiscantingstrain；
　　Whatwould’stthouhaveagoodgreatmanobtain？
　　Place？titles？salary？agildedchain？
　　Orthroneofcorseswhichhisswordhathslain？
　　Greatnessandgoodnessarenotmeans，butends！
　　Hathhenotalwaystreasures，alwaysfriends，Thegoodgreatman？Threetreasures，love，andlight，Andcalmthoughtsregularasinfant’sbreath：
　　Andthreefirmfriends，moresurethandayandnight，Himself，hisMaker，andtheangelDeath。
　　S。T。C。
　　But，lastly，thereis，doubtless，atruemeaningattachedtofortune，distinctbothfromprudenceandfromcourage；anddistincttoofromthatabsenceofdepressingorbewilderingpassions，which（accordingtomyfavouriteproverb，"extremesmeet，"）thefoolnotseldomobtainsinasgreatperfectionbyhisignoranceasthewisemanbythehighestenergiesofthoughtandself-discipline。Luckhasarealexistenceinhumanaffairs，fromtheinfinitenumberofpowersthatareinactionatthesametime，andfromtheco-existenceofthingscontingentandaccidental（suchastoUSatleastareaccidental）
　　withtheregularappearancesandgenerallawsofnature。Afamiliarinstancewillmakethesewordsintelligible。Themoonwaxesandwanesaccordingtoanecessarylaw。Thecloudslikewise，andallthemanifoldappearancesconnectedwiththem，aregovernedbycertainlawsnolessthanthephasesofthemoon。Butthelawswhichdeterminethelatterareknownandcalculable，whilethoseoftheformerarehiddenfromus。Atallevents，thenumberandvarietyoftheireffectsbaffleourpowersofcalculation；andthattheskyisclearorobscuredatanyparticulartime，wespeakof，incommonlanguage，asamatterofaccident。Well！atthetimeofthefullmoon，butwhentheskyiscompletelycoveredwithblackclouds，Iamwalkingoninthedark，awareofnoparticulardanger：asuddengustofwindrendsthecloudforamoment，andthemoonemergingdisclosestomeachasmorprecipice，totheverybrinkofwhichIhadadvancedmyfoot。Thisiswhatismeantbyluck，andaccordingtothemoreorlessseriousmoodorhabitofourmindweexclaim，howlucky！or，howprovidential！Theco-presenceofnumberlessphaenomena，whichfromthecomplexityorsubtletyoftheirdeterminingcausesarecalledcontingencies，andtheco-existenceofthesewithanyregularornecessaryphaenomenon（asthecloudswiththemoonforinstance），occasioncoincidences，which，whentheyareattendedbyanyadvantageorinjury，andareatthesametimeincapableofbeingcalculatedorforeseenbyhumanprudence，formgoodorillluck。Onahotsunshinyafternooncameonasuddenstormandspoiltthefarmer’shay；andthisiscalledillluck。Wewillsupposethesameeventtotakeplace，whenmeteorologyshallhavebeenperfectedintoascience，providedwithunerringinstruments；butwhichthefarmerhadneglectedtoexamine。Thisisnolongerillluck，butimprudence。
　　Nowapplythistoourproverb。Unforeseencoincidencesmayhavegreatlyhelpedaman，yetiftheyhavedoneforhimonlywhatpossiblyfromhisownabilitieshemighthaveeffectedforhimself，hisgoodluckwillexcitelessattentionandtheinstancesbelessremembered。Thatclevermenshouldattaintheirobjectsseemsnatural，andweneglectthecircumstancesthatperhapsproducedthatsuccessofthemselveswithouttheinterventionofskillorforesight；
　　butwedwellonthefactandrememberit，assomethingstrange，whenthesamehappenstoaweakorignorantman。So，too，thoughthelattershouldfailinhisundertakingsfromconcurrencesthatmighthavehappenedtothewisestman，yethisfailurebeingnomorethanmighthavebeenexpectedandaccountedforfromhisfolly，itlaysnoholdonourattention，butfleetsawayamongtheotherundistinguishedwaves，inwhichthestreamofordinarylifemurmursbyus，andisforgotten。Haditbeenastrueasitwasnotoriouslyfalse，thatthoseall-embracingdiscoveries，whichhaveshedadawnofscienceontheartofchemistry，andgivenoobscurepromiseofsomeonegreatconstitutivelaw，inthelightofwhichdwelldominionandthepowerofprophecy；ifthesediscoveries，insteadofhavingbeenastheyreallywere，preconcertedbymeditation，andevolvedoutofhisownintellect，hadoccurredbyasetofluckyaccidentstotheillustriousfatherandfounderofphilosophicalchemy；iftheypresentedthemselvestoSirHumphryDavyexclusivelyinconsequenceofhisluckinpossessingaparticulargalvanicbattery；ifthisbattery，asfarasDavywasconcerned，haditselfbeenanaccident，andnot（asinpointoffactitwas）desiredandobtainedbyhimforthepurposeofinsuringthetestimonyofexperiencetohisprinciples，andinordertobinddownmaterialnatureundertheinquisitionofreason，andforcefromher，asbytorture，unequivocalanswerstopreparedandpreconceivedquestions——yetstilltheywouldnothavebeentalkedofordescribed，asinstancesofLUCK，butasthenaturalresultsofhisadmittedgeniusandknownskill。ButshouldanaccidenthavedisclosedsimilardiscoveriestoamechanicatBirminghamorSheffield，andifthemanshouldgrowrichinconsequence，andpartlybytheenvyofhisneighbours，andpartlywithgoodreason，beconsideredbythemasamanbelowparinthegeneralpowersofhisunderstanding；then，"Oh，whataluckyfellow！
　　Well，Fortunedoesfavourfools——that’scertain！Itisalwaysso！"——
　　andforthwiththeexclaimerrelateshalfadozensimilarinstances。
　　Thusaccumulatingtheonesortoffactsandnevercollectingtheother，wedo，aspoetsintheirdiction，andquacksofalldenominationsdointheirreasoning，putapartforthewhole，andatoncesootheourenvyandgratifyourloveofthemarvellous，bythesweepingproverb，"Fortunefavoursfools。"
　　ESSAYII。
　　Quodmenonmovetaestimatione：
　　Verumest[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]meisodalis。
　　CATULL。xii。
　　（Translation。）——Itinterestsnotbyanyconceitofitsvalue；butitisaremembranceofmyhonouredfriend。
　　Thephilosophicruler，whosecuredthefavoursoffortunebyseekingwisdomandknowledgeinpreferencetothem，haspatheticallyobserved——"Theheartknowethitsownbitterness；andthereisajoyinwhichthestrangerintermeddlethnot。"Asimplequestionfoundedonatriteproverb，withadiscursiveanswertoit，wouldscarcelysuggesttoanindifferentpersonanyothernotionthanthatofamindatease，amusingitselfwithitsownactivity。Oncebefore（I
　　believeaboutthistimelastyear），Ihadtakenuptheoldmemorandumbook，fromwhichItranscribedtheprecedingessay，andtheyhadthenattractedmynoticebythenameoftheillustriouschemistmentionedinthelastillustration。Exasperatedbythebaseandcowardlyattemptthathadbeenmadetodetractfromthehonoursduetohisastonishinggenius，Ihadslightlyalteredtheconcludingsentences，substitutingthemorerecentforhisearlierdiscoveries；andwithoutthemostdistantintentionofpublishingwhatIthenwrote，Ihadexpressedmyownconvictionsforthegratificationofmyownfeelings，andfinishedbytranquillyparaphrasingintoachemicalallegorytheHomericadventureofMenelauswithProteus。Oh！withwhatdifferentfeelings，withwhatasharpandsuddenemotiondidI
　　re-perusethesamequestionyester-morning，havingbyaccidentopenedthebookatthepageuponwhichitwaswritten。Iwasmoved；foritwasAdmiralSirAlexanderBallwhofirstproposedthequestiontome，andtheparticularsatisfactionwhichheexpressedhadoccasionedmetonotedownthesubstanceofmyreply。Iwasmoved；becausetothisconversationIwasindebtedforthefriendshipandconfidencewithwhichheafterwardshonouredme，andbecauseitrecalledthememoryofoneofthemostdelightfulmorningsIeverpassed；when，aswewereridingtogether，thesamepersonrelatedtometheprincipaleventsofhisownlife，andintroducedthembyadvertingtothisconversation。Itrecalledtoothedeepimpressionleftonmymindbythatnarrative——theimpressionthatIhadneverknownanyanalogousinstance，inwhichamansosuccessfulhadbeensolittleindebtedtofortune，orluckyaccidents，orsoexclusivelyboththearchitectandbuilderofhisownsuccess。Thesumofhishistorymaybecomprisedinthisonesentence——Haec，sabnumine，nobismetfecimas，sapientiaduce，fortunepermittente。（i。e。ThesethingsunderGod，wehavedoneforourselves，throughtheguidanceofwisdom，andwiththepermissionoffortune。）Luckgavehimnothing：inhermostgenerousmoods，sheonlyworkedwithhimaswithafriend，notforhimasforafondling；butmoreoftenshesimplystoodneuter，andsufferedhimtoworkforhimself。Ah！howcouldIbeotherwisethanaffectedbywhateverremindedmeofthatdailyandfamiliarintercoursewithhim，whichmadethefifteenmonthsfromMay，1804，toOctober，1805，inmanyrespectsthemostmemorableandinstructiveperiodofmylife？
　　Ah！howcouldIbeotherwisethanmostdeeplyaffected，whentherewasstilllyingonmytablethepaperwhichthedaybeforehadconveyedtometheunexpectedandmostawfultidingsofthisman’sdeath？hisdeathinthefulnessofallhispowers，intherichautumnofripeyetundecayingmanhood！Ionceknewaladywho，afterthelossofalovelychild，continuedforseveraldaysinastateofseemingindifference，theweatheratthesametime，asifinunisonwithher，beingcalm，thoughgloomy；tillonemorningaburstofsunshinebreakinginuponher，andsuddenlylightinguptheroomwhereshewassitting，shedissolvedatonceintotears，andweptpassionately。Innoverydissimilarmannerdidthesuddengleamofrecollectionatthesightofthismemorandumactonmyself。Ihadbeenstunnedbytheintelligence，asbyanoutwardblow，tillthistriflingincidentstartledanddisentrancedme；thesuddenpangshiveredthroughmywholeframe；andifIrepressedtheoutwardshowsofsorrow，itwasbyforcethatIrepressedthem，andbecauseitisnotbytearsthatIoughttomournforthelossofSirAlexanderBall。
　　Hewasamanabovehisage；butforthatveryreasontheagehasthemoreneedtohavethemaster-featuresofhischaracterportrayedandpreserved。ThisIfeelitmydutytoattempt，andthisalone；forhavingreceivedneitherinstructionsnorpermissionfromthefamilyofthedeceased，Icannotthinkmyselfallowedtoenterintotheparticularsofhisprivatehistory，strikinglyasmanyofthemwouldillustratetheelementsandcompositionofhismind。ForhewasindeedalivingconfutationoftheassertionattributedtothePrinceofConde，thatnomanappearedgreattohisvaletdechambre——asayingwhich，Isuspect，owesitscurrencylesstoitstruththantotheenvyofmankind，andthemisapplicationofthewordgreat，toactionsunconnectedwithreasonandfreewill。Itwillbesufficientformypurposetoobservethatthepurityandstrictproprietyofhisconduct，whichprecludedratherthansilencedcalumny，theevennessofhistemper，andhisattentiveandaffectionatemannersinprivatelife，greatlyaidedandincreasedhispublicutility；and，ifitshouldpleaseProvidencethataportionofhisspiritshoulddescendwithhismantle，thevirtuesofSirAlexanderBall，asamaster，ahusband，andaparent，willformanolessremarkableepochinthemoralhistoryoftheMaltesethanhiswisdom，asagovernor，hasmadeinthatoftheiroutwardcircumstances。ThattheprivateandpersonalqualitiesofafirstmagistrateshouldhavepoliticaleffectswillappearstrangetonoreflectingEnglishman，whohasattendedtotheworkingsofmen’smindsduringthefirstfermentofrevolutionaryprinciples，andmustthereforehavewitnessedtheinfluenceofourownsovereign’sdomesticcharacterincounteractingthem。ButinMaltatherewerecircumstanceswhichrenderedsuchanexamplepeculiarlyrequisiteandbeneficent。Theveryexistenceforsomanygenerationsofanorderoflaycelibatesinthatisland，whoabandonedeventheoutwardshowsofanadherencetotheirvowofchastity，musthavehadperniciouseffectsonthemoralsoftheinhabitants。ButwhenitisconsideredtoothattheKnightsofMaltahadbeenforthelastfiftyyearsormoreasetofuselessidlers，generallyilliterate，fortheythoughtliteraturenopartofasoldier’sexcellence；andyeteffeminate，fortheyweresoldiersinnameonly；whenitisconsideredthattheywere，moreover，allofthemaliens，wholookeduponthemselvesnotmerelyasofasuperiorranktothenativenobles，butasbeingsofadifferentrace（Ihadalmostsaidspecies）fromtheMaltesecollectively；andfinally，thatthesemenpossessedexclusivelythegovernmentoftheisland；itmaybesafelyconcludedthattheywerelittlebetterthanaperpetualinfluenza，relaxinganddiseasingtheheartsofallthefamilieswithintheirsphereofinfluence。Hencethepeasantry，whofortunatelywerebelowtheirreach，notwithstandingthemorethanchildishignoranceinwhichtheywerekeptbytheirpriests，yetcomparedwiththemiddleandhigherclasses，werebothinmindandbodyasordinarymencomparedwithdwarfs。Everyrespectablefamilyhadsomeoneknightfortheirpatron，asamatterofcourse；andtohimthehonourofasisteroradaughterwassacrificed，equallyasamatterofcourse。ButwhyshouldIthusdisguisethetruth？Alas！
　　innineinstancesoutoften，thispatronwasthecommonparamourofeveryfemaleinthefamily。WereIcomposingastatememorialI
　　shouldabstainfromallallusiontomoralgoodorevil，asnothavingnowfirsttolearn，thatwithdiplomatistsandwithpracticalstatesmenofeverydenomination，itwouldprecludeallattentiontoitsothercontents，andhavenoresultbutthatofsecuringforitsauthor’snametheofficialprivatemarkofexclusionordismission，asaweakorsuspicionsperson。ButamongthoseforwhomIamnowwriting，thereare，Itrust，manywhowillthinkitnotthefeeblestreasonforrejoicinginourpossessionofMalta，andnottheleastworthymotiveforwishingitsretention，thatonesourceofhumanmiseryandcorruptionhasbeendriedup。SuchpersonswillhearthenameofSirAlexanderBallwithadditionalreverence，asofonewhohasmadetheprotectionofGreatBritainadoubleblessingtotheMaltese，andbroken"THEBONDSOFINIQUITY"aswellasunlockedthefettersofpoliticaloppression。
　　Whenwearepraisingthedepartedbyourownfiresides，wedwellmostfondlyonthosequalitieswhichhadwonourpersonalaffection，andwhichsharpenourindividualregrets。Butwhenimpelledbyaloftierandmoremeditativesorrow，wewouldraiseapublicmonumenttotheirmemory，wepraisethemappropriatelywhenwerelatetheiractionsfaithfully；andthuspreservingtheirexamplefortheimitationofthelivingalleviatetheloss，whilewedemonstrateitsmagnitude。
　　MyfuneraleulogyofSirAlexanderBallmustthereforeheanarrativeofhislife；andthisfriendofmankindwillbedefraudedofhonourinproportionasthatnarrativeisdeficientandfragmentary。Itshall，however，beascompleteasmyinformationenables，andasprudenceandaproperrespectforthefeelingsofthelivingpermitmetorenderit。Hisfame（Iadoptthewordsofourelderwriters）
　　issogreatthroughouttheworldthathestandsinnoneedofanencomium；andyethisworthismuchgreaterthesehisfame。Itisimpossiblenottospeakgreatthingsofhim，andyetitwillbeverydifficulttospeakwhathedeserves。Butcustomrequiresthatsomethingshouldbesaid；itisadutyandadebtwhichweowetoourselvesandtomankind，notlessthantohismemory；andIhopehisgreatsoul，ifithathanyknowledgeofwhatisdoneherebelow，willnotbeoffendedatthesmallnessevenofmyoffering。
　　Ah，howlittle，whenamongthesubjectsofTheFriendIpromised"CharactersmetwithinRealLife，"didIanticipatethesadevent，whichcompelsonetoweaveonacypressbranchthosespraysoflaurelwhichIhaddestinedforhisbust，nothismonument！Helivedasweshouldalllive；and，Idoubtnot，lefttheworldasweshouldallwishtoleaveit。Suchisthepowerofdispensingblessings，whichProvidencehasattachedtothetrulygreatandgood，thattheycannotevendiewithoutadvantagetotheirfellow-creatures；fordeathconsecratestheirexample，andthewisdom，whichmighthavebeenslightedatthecouncil-table，becomesoracularfromtheshrine。
　　Thoserareexcellences，whichmakeourgriefpoignant，makeitlikewiseprofitable；andthetearswhichwisemenshedforthedepartureofthewise，areamongthosethatarepreservedinheaven。
　　Itistheferventaspirationofmyspirit，thatImaysoperformthetaskwhichprivategratitudeandpublicdutyimposeonme，that"asGodhathcutthistreeofparadisedownfromitsseatofearth，thedeadtrunkmayyetsupportapartofthedecliningtemple，oratleastservetokindlethefireonthealtar。"
　　ESSAYIII。
　　Sipartemtacuissevelim，quodeumquerelinquam，Majuserit。Veteresactus，primamquejuventamProsequar？Adsesementempraesentiaducunt。
　　Narremjustitiam？ResplendetgloriaMartis。
　　Armatireferamvires？Plusegitinermis。
　　CLAUDIANDELAUD。STIL。
　　（Translations。）——IfIdesiretopassoverapartinsilence，whateverIomitwillseemthemostworthytohavebeenrecorded。ShallI
　　pursuehisoldexploitsandearlyyouth？Hisrecentmeritsrecallthemindtothemselves。ShallIdweltonhisjustice？Thegloryofthewarriorrisesbeforemeresplendent。ShallIrelatehisstrengthinarms？Heperformedyetgreaterthingsunarmed。
　　"Thereissomething，"saysHarrington，inthePreliminariestotheOceana，"firstinthemakingofacommonwealth，theninthegoverningofit，andlastofallintheleadingofitsarmies，whichthoughtherebegreatdivines，greatlawyers，greatmeninallranksoflife，seemstobepeculiaronlytothegeniusofagentleman。Forsoitisintheuniversalseriesofhistory，thatifanymanhasfoundedacommonwealth，hewasfirstagentleman。"Suchalso，headds，ashavegotanyfameascivilgovernors，havebeengentlemen，orpersonsofknowndescents。SirAlexanderBallwasagentlemanbybirth；ayoungerbrotherofanoldandrespectablefamilyinGloucestershire。
　　Hewentintothenavyatanearlyagefromhisownchoice，and，ashehimselftoldme，inconsequenceofthedeepimpressionandvividimagesleftonhismindbytheperusalof"RobinsonCrusoe。"Itisnotmyintentiontodetailthestepsofhispromotion，ortheservicesinwhichhewasengagedasasubaltern。Irecollectmanyparticularsindeed，butnotthedates，withsuchdistinctnessaswouldenablemetostatethem（asitwouldbenecessarytodoifI
　　statedthematall）intheorderoftime。Thesedatesmightperhapshavebeenprocuredfromthemetropolis；butincidentsthatareneithercharacteristicnorinstructive，evensuchaswouldbeexpectedwithreasoninaregularlife，arenopartofmyplan；whilethosewhicharebothinterestingandillustrativeIhavebeenprecludedfrommentioning，somefrommotiveswhichhavebeenalreadyexplained，andothersfromstillhigherconsiderations。Themostimportantofthesemaybededucedfromareflectionwithwhichhehimselfonceconcludedalongandaffectingnarration：namely，thatnobodyofmencanforanylengthoftimebesafelytreatedotherwisethanasrationalbeings；andthat，therefore，theeducationofthelowerclasseswasoftheutmostconsequencetothepermanentsecurityoftheempire，evenforthesakeofournavy。Thedangers，apprehendedfromtheeducationofthelowerclasses，arose（hesaid）
　　entirelyfromitsnotbeinguniversal，andfromtheunusualnessinthelowestclassesofthoseaccomplishmentswhichhe，likeDr。Bell，regardedasoneofthemeansofeducation，andnotaseducationitself。If，heobserved，thelowerclassesingeneralpossessedbutoneeyeoronearm，thefewwhoweresofortunateastopossesstwowouldnaturallybecomevainandrestless，andconsiderthemselvesasentitledtoahighersituation。Heillustratedthisbythefaultsattributedtolearnedwomen，andthatthesameobjectionswereformerlymadetoeducatingwomenatall；namely，thattheirknowledgemadethemvain，affected，andneglectfuloftheirproperduties。Nowthatallwomenofconditionarewelleducated，wehearnomoreoftheseapprehensions，orobserveanyinstancestojustifythem。YetifaladyunderstoodtheGreekone-tenthpartaswellasthewholecircleofheracquaintancesunderstoodtheFrenchlanguage，itwouldnotsurpriseustofindherlesspleasingfromtheconsciousnessofhersuperiorityinthepossessionofanunusualadvantage。SirAlexanderBallquotedthespeechofanoldadmiral，oneofwhosetwogreatwisheswastohaveaship’screwcomposedaltogetherofseriousScotchmen。Hespokewithgreatreprobationofthevulgarnotion，theworsemanthebettersailor。Courage，hesaid，wasthenaturalproductoffamiliaritywithdanger，whichthoughtlessnesswouldoftentimesturnintofool-hardiness；andthathealwaysfoundthemostusefullybravesailorsthegravestandmostrationalofhiscrew。Thebestsailorhehadeverhad，firstattractedhisnoticebytheanxietywhichheexpressedconcerningthemeansofremittingsomemoney，whichhehadreceivedintheWestIndies，tohissisterinEngland；andthisman，withoutanytingeofMethodism，wasneverheardtoswearanoath，andwasremarkableforthefirmnesswithwhichhedevotedapartofeverySundaytothereadingofhisBible。
　　Irecordthiswithsatisfactionasatestimonyofgreatweight，andinallrespectsunexceptionable；forSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsthroughoutliferemainedunwarpedbyzealotry，andwerethoseofamindseekingaftertruth，incalmnessandcompleteself-possession。
　　HewasmuchpleasedwithanunsuspicioustestimonyfurnishedbyDampier（vol。ii。part2，page89）："Ihaveparticularlyobserved，"
　　writesthisfamousoldnavigator，"thereandinotherplaces，thatsuchashadbeenwell-bredweregenerallymostcarefultoimprovetheirtime，andwouldbeveryindustriousandfrugalwheretherewasanyprobabilityofconsiderablegain；butonthecontrary，suchashadbeenbredupinignoranceandhardlabour，whentheycametohaveplentywouldextravagantlysquanderawaytheirtimeandmoneyindrinkingandmakingabluster。"Indeeditisamelancholyproofhowstrangelypowerwarpsthemindsofordinarymen，thattherecanbeadoubtonthissubjectamongpersonswhohavebeenthemselveseducated。Ittemptsasuspicionthat，unknowntothemselves，theyfindacomfortinthethought，thattheirinferiorsaresomethinglessthanmen；orthattheyhaveanuneasyhalf-consciousnessthat，ifthiswerenotthecase，theywouldthemselveshavenoclaimtobetheirsuperiors。Forasobereducationnaturallyinspiresself-
　　respect。Buthewhorespectshimselfwillrespectothers；andhewhorespectsbothhimselfandothers，mustofnecessitybeabraveman。
　　Thegreatimportanceofthissubject，andtheincreasinginterestwhichgoodmenofalldenominationsfeelinthebringingaboutofanationaleducation，mustbemyexcuseforhavingenteredsominutelyintoSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsonthishead，inwhich，however，I
　　amthemoreexcusable，beingnowonthatpartofhislifewhichIamobligedtoleavealmostablank。
　　Duringhislieutenancy，andafterhehadperfectedhimselfintheknowledgeanddutiesofapracticalsailor，hewascompelledbythestateofhishealthtoremaininEnglandforaconsiderablelengthoftime。Ofthisheindustriouslyavailedhimselftotheacquirementofsubstantialknowledgefrombooks；andduringhiswholelifeafterwards，heconsideredthoseashishappiesthours，which，withoutanyneglectofofficialorprofessionalduty，hecoulddevotetoreading。Hepreferred，indeedhealmostconfinedhimselfto，history，politicaleconomy，voyagesandtravels，naturalhistory，andlatterlyagriculturalworks；inshort，tosuchbooksascontainspecificfactsorpracticalprinciplescapableofspecificapplication。Hisactivelife，andtheparticularobjectsofimmediateutility，someoneofwhichhehadalwaysinhisview，precludedatasteforworksofpurespeculationandabstractscience，thoughhehighlyhonouredthosewhowereeminentintheserespects，andconsideredthemasthebenefactorsofmankind，nolessthanthosewhoafterwardsdiscoveredthemodeofapplyingtheirprinciples，orwhorealisedtheminpractice。Worksofamusement，asnovels，plays，etc。，didnotappeareventoamusehim；andtheonlypoeticalcompositionofwhichIhaveeverheardhimspeak，wasamanuscriptpoemwrittenbyoneofmyfriends，whichIreadtohisladyinhispresence。Tomysurpriseheafterwardsspokeofthiswithwarminterest；butitwasevidenttomethatitwasnotsomuchthepoeticmeritofthecompositionthathadinterestedhim，asthetruthandpsychologicalinsightwithwhichitrepresentedthepracticabilityofreformingthemosthardenedminds，andthevariousaccidentswhichmayawakenthemostbrutalisedpersontoarecognitionofhisnoblerbeing。Iwilladdoneremarkofhisownknowledgeacquiredfrombooks，whichappearstomebothjustandvaluable。Theprejudiceagainstsuchknowledge，hesaid，andthecustomofopposingittothatwhichislearntbypractice，originatedinthosetimeswhenbookswerealmostconfinedtotheology，andtologicalandmetaphysicalsubtleties；butthatatpresentthereisscarcelyanypracticalknowledgewhichisnottobefoundinbooks。Thepressisthemeansbywhichintelligentmennowconversewitheachother，andpersonsofallclassesandallpursuitsconveyeachthecontributionofhisindividualexperience。Itwas，therefore，hesaid，asabsurdtoholdbook-knowledgeatpresentincontempt，asitwouldbeforamantoavailhimselfonlyofhisowneyesandears，andtoaimatnothingwhichcouldnotbeperformedexclusivelybyhisownarms。
　　Theuseandnecessityofpersonalexperienceconsistedinthepowerofchoosingandapplyingwhathadbeenread，andofdiscriminatingbythelightofanalogythepracticablefromtheimpracticable，andprobabilityfrommereplausibility。Withoutajudgmentmaturedandsteadiedbyactualexperience，amanwouldreadtolittleorperhapstobadpurpose；butyetthatexperience，whichinexclusionofallotherknowledgehasbeenderivedfromoneman’slife，isinthepresentdayscarcelyworthyofthename——atleastforthosewhoaretoactinthehigherandwiderspheresofduty。Anignorantgeneral，hesaid，inspiredhimwithterror；forifheweretooproudtotakeadvicehewouldruinhimselfbyhisownblunders，andifhe——werenot，byadoptingtheworstthatwasoffered。Agreatgeniusmayindeedformanexception，butwedonotlaydownrulesinexpectationofwonders。AsimilarremarkIremembertohaveheardfromagallantofficer，whotoeminenceinprofessionalscienceandthegallantryofatriedsoldier，addsalltheaccomplishmentsofasoundscholarandthepowersofamanofgenius。
　　Oneincident，whichhappenedatthisperiodofSirAlexander’slife，issoillustrativeofhischaracter，andfurnishessostrongapresumption，thatthethoughtfulhumanitybywhichhewasdistinguishedwasnotwhollythegrowthofhislatteryears，that，thoughitmayappeartosometriflinginitself，Iwillinsertitinthisplacewiththeoccasiononwhichitwascommunicatedtome。InalargepartyattheGrandMaster’spalace，IhadobservedanavalofficerofdistinguishedmeritlisteningtoSirAlexanderBall，wheneverhejoinedintheconversation，withsomarkedapleasurethatitseemedasifhisveryvoice，independentofwhathesaid，hadbeendelightfultohim；andonce，ashefixedhiseyesonSirAlexanderBall，Icouldnotbutnoticethemixedexpressionsofaweandaffection，whichgaveamorethancommoninteresttosomanlyacountenance。Duringhisstayintheisland，thisofficerhonouredmenotunfrequentlywithhisvisits；andattheconclusionofmylastconversationwithhim，inwhichIhaddweltonthewisdomoftheGovernor’sconductinarecentanddifficultemergency，hetoldmethatheconsideredhimselfasindebtedtothesameexcellentpersonforthatwhichwasdearertohimthanhislife。"SirAlexanderBall，"saidhe，"has，Idaresay，forgottenthecircumstance；butwhenhewasLieutenantBall，hewastheofficerwhomIaccompaniedinmyfirstboatexpedition，beingthenamidshipmanandonlyinmyfourteenthyear。Aswewererowinguptothevesselwhichweweretoattack，amidadischargeofmusketry，Iwasoverpoweredbyfear，mykneestrembledunderme，andIseemedonthepointoffaintingaway。
　　LieutenantBall，whosawtheconditionIwasin，placedhimselfclosebesideme，andstillkeepinghiscountenancedirectedtowardtheenemy，tookholdofmyhand，andpressingitinthemostfriendlymanner，saidinalowvoice，’Courage，mydearboy！don’tbeafraidofyourself！youwillrecoverinaminuteorso。IwasjustthesamewhenIfirstwentoutinthisway。’Sir，"addedtheofficertome，"itwasasifanangelhadputanewsoulintome。WiththefeelingthatIwasnotyetdishonoured，thewholeburdenofagonywasremoved，andfromthatmomentIwasasfearlessandforwardastheoldestoftheboat’screw，andonourreturnthelieutenantspokehighlyofmetoourcaptain。IamscarcelylessconvincedofmyownbeingthanthatIshouldhavebeenwhatItrembletothinkof，if，insteadofhishumaneencouragement，hehadatthatmomentscoffed，threatened，orreviledme。Andthiswasthemorekindinhim，because，asIafterwardsunderstood，hisownconductinhisfirsttrialhadevincedtoallappearancesthegreatestfearlessness，andthathesaidthis，therefore，onlytogivemeheartandrestoremetomyowngoodopinion。"
　　Thisanecdote，Itrust，willhavesomeweightwiththosewhomayhavelentaneartoanyofthosevaguecalumniesfromwhichnonavalcommandercansecurehisgoodname，whoknowingtheparamountnecessityofregularityandstrictdisciplineinashipofwar，adoptsanappropriateplanfortheattainmentoftheseobjects，andremainsconstantandimmutableintheexecution。ToanAthenian，who，inpraisingapublicfunctionary，hadsaid，thateveryoneeitherapplaudedhimorlefthimwithoutcensure，aphilosopherreplied，"Howseldomthenmusthehavedonehisduty！"
　　OfSirAlexanderBall’scharacter，asCaptainBall，ofhismeasuresasadisciplinarian，andofthewiseanddignifiedprincipleonwhichhegroundedthosemeasures，Ihavealreadyspokeninaformerpartofthiswork，andmustcontentmyselfthereforewithentreatingthereadertore-perusethatpassageasbelongingtothisplace，andasapartofthepresentnarration。Ah！littledidIexpectatthetimeI
　　wrotethataccount，thatthemotivesofdelicacy，whichthenimpelledmetowithholdthename，wouldsosoonbeexchangedforthehigherdutywhichnowjustifiesmeinaddingit！Atthethoughtofsucheventsthelanguageofatendersuperstitionisthevoiceofnatureitself，andthosefactsalonepresentingthemselvestoourmemorywhichhadleftanimpressiononourhearts，weassentto，andadoptthepoet’spatheticcomplaint：-
　　Osir！thegooddiefirst，AndthosewhoseheartsaredryassummerdustBurntothesocket。
　　WORDSWORTH。
　　Thusthehumaneplandescribedinthepagesnowreferredto，thatasysteminpursuanceofwhichthecaptainofaman-of-waruniformlyregardedhissentencesnotasdependentonhisownwill，ortobeaffectedbythestateofhisfeelingsatthemoment，butasthepre-
　　establisheddeterminationsofknownlaws，andhimselfasthevoiceofthelawinpronouncingthesentence，anditsdelegateinenforcingtheexecution，couldnotbutfurnishoccasionalfoodtothespiritofdetraction，mustbeevidenttoeveryreflectingmind。Itisindeedlittlelessthanimpossible，thathe，whoinordertobeeffectivelyhumanedeterminestobeinflexiblyjust，andwhoisinexorabletohisownfeelingswhentheywouldinterruptthecourseofjustice；wholooksateachparticularactbythelightofallitsconsequences，andastherepresentativeofultimategoodorevil；shouldnotsometimesbechargedwithtyrannybyweakminds。Anditistoocertainthatthecalumnywillbewillinglybelievedandeagerlypropagatedbyallthosewhowouldshunthepresenceofaneyekeeninthedetectionofimposture，incapacity，andmisconduct，andofaresolutionassteadyintheirexposure。Wesoonhatethemanwhosequalitieswedread，andthushaveadoubleinterest，aninterestofpassionaswellasofpolicy，indecryinganddefaminghim。ButgoodmenwillrestsatisfiedwiththepromisemadetothembytheDivineComforter，thatbyherchildrenshallWisdombejustified。
　　ESSAYIV-
　　thegenerousspirit，who，whenbroughtAmongthetasksofreallife，hathwroughtUpontheplanthatpleasedhischildishthought：
　　WhosehighendeavoursareaninwardlightThatmakesthepathbeforehimalwaysbright；
　　Who，doom’dtogoincompanywithpain，Andfearandbloodshed，miserabletrain！
　　Turnshisnecessitytogloriousgain；
　　Byobjects，whichmightforcethesoultoabateHerfeeling，renderedmorecompassionate。
　　WORDSWORTH。
　　AtthecloseoftheAmericanwar，CaptainBallwasentrustedwiththeprotectionandconvoyingofanimmensemercantilefleettoAmerica，andbyhisgreatprudenceandunexampledattentiontotheinterestsofallandeach，endearedhisnametotheAmericanmerchants，andlaidthefoundationofthathighrespectandpredilectionwhichboththeAmericansandtheirgovernmenteverafterwardsentertainedforhim。Myrecollectiondoesnotenablemetoattemptanyaccuracyinthedateorcircumstances，ortoaddtheparticularsofhisservicesintheWestIndiesandonthecoastofAmerica，Inowthereforemerelyalludetothefactwithaprospectivereferencetoopinionsandcircumstances，whichIshallhavetomentionhereafter。Shortlyafterthegeneralpeacewasestablished，CaptainBall，whowasnowamarriedman，passedsometimewithhisladyinFrance，and，ifI
　　mistakenot，atNantes。Atthesametime，andinthesametown，amongtheotherEnglishvisitors，Lord（thenCaptain）Nelsonhappenedtobeone。Inconsequenceofsomepunctilio，astowhosebusinessitwastopaythecomplimentofthefirstcall，theynevermet，andthistriflingaffairoccasionedacoldnessbetweenthetwonavalcommanders，orintruthamutualprejudiceagainsteachother。Someyearsafter，boththeirshipsbeingtogethercloseoffMinorcaandnearPortMahon，aviolentstormnearlydisabledLordNelson’svessel，andinadditiontothefuryofthewind，itwasnighttimeandthethickestdarkness。CaptainBall，however，broughthisvesselatlengthtoNelson’sassistance，tookhisshipintow，andusedhisbestendeavourstobringherandhisownvesselintoPortMahon。Thedifficultiesandthedangersincreased。Nelsonconsideredthecaseofhisownshipasdesperate，andthatunlessshewasimmediatelylefttoherownfate，bothvesselswouldinevitablybelost。He，therefore，withthegenerositynaturaltohim，repeatedlyrequestedCaptainBalltolethimloose；andonCaptainBall’srefusal，hebecameimpetuous，andenforcedhisdemandwithpassionatethreats。
　　CaptainBallthenhimselftookthespeaking-trumpet，whichthefuryofthewindandwavesrenderednecessary，andwithgreatsolemnityandwithouttheleastdisturbanceoftemper，calledoutinreply，"I
　　feelconfidentthatIcanbringyouinsafe；Ithereforemustnot，and，bythehelpofAlmightyGod，Iwillnotleaveyou！"Whathepromisedheperformed；andaftertheyweresafelyanchored，NelsoncameonboardofBall’sship，andembracinghimwithalltheardourofacknowledgment，exclaimed，"Afriendinneedisafriendindeed！"
　　Atthistimeandonthisoccasioncommencedthatfirmandperfectfriendshipbetweenthesetwogreatmen，whichwasinterruptedonlybythedeathoftheformer。ThepleasingtaskofdwellingonthismutualattachmentIdefertothatpartofthepresentsketchwhichwillrelatetoSirAlexanderBall’sopinionsofmenandthings。Itwillbesufficientforthepresenttosay，thatthetwomenwhomLordNelsonespeciallyhonoured，wereSirThomasTroubridgeandSirAlexanderBall；andonce，whentheywerebothpresent，onsomeallusionmadetothelossofhisarm，hereplied，"WhoshalldaretellmethatIwantanarm，whenIhavethreerightarms——this（puttingforwardhisown）andBallandTroubridge？"
　　IntheplanofthebattleoftheNileitwasLordNelson’sdesign，thatCaptainsTroubridgeandBallshouldhaveleduptheattack。Theformerwasstranded；andthelatter，byaccidentofthewind，couldnotbringhisshipintothelineofbattletillsometimeaftertheengagementhadbecomegeneral。Withhischaracteristicforecastandactivityof（whichmaynotimproperlybecalled）practicalimagination，hehadmadearrangementstomeeteveryprobablecontingency。Alltheshroudsandsailsoftheshipnotabsolutelynecessaryforitsimmediatemanagement，werethoroughlywetted，andsorolledupthattheywereashardandaslittleinflammableassomanysolidcylindersofwood；everysailorhadhisappropriateplaceandfunction，andacertainnumberwereappointedasthefire-men，whosesoledutyitwastobeonthewatchifanypartofthevesselshouldtakefire；andtothesemenexclusivelythechargeofextinguishingitwascommitted。Itwasalreadydarkwhenhebroughthisshipintoaction，andlaidheralongsideL’Orient。OneparticularonlyIshalladdtotheknownaccountofthememorableengagementbetweentheseships，andthisIreceivedfromSirAlexanderBallhimself。Hehadpreviouslymadeacombustiblepreparation，butwhich，fromthenatureoftheengagementtobeexpected，hehadpurposedtoreserveforthelastemergency。Butjustatthetimewhen，fromseveralsymptoms，hehadeveryreasontobelievethattheenemywouldsoonstriketohim，oneofthelieutenants，withouthisknowledge，threwinthecombustiblematter：
　　andthisitwasthatoccasionedthetremendousexplosionofthatvessel，which，withthedeepsilenceandinterruptionoftheengagementwhichsucceededtoit，hasbeenjustlydeemedthesublimestwarincidentrecordedinhistory。Yettheincidentwhichfollowed，andwhichhasnot，Ibelieve，beenpubliclymadeknown，isscarcelylessimpressive，thoughitssublimityisofadifferentcharacter。Attherenewalofthebattle，CaptainBall，thoughhisshipwasthenonfireinthreedifferentparts，laidheralongsideaFrencheighty-four；andasecondlongerobstinatecontestbegan。ThefiringonthepartoftheFrenchshiphavingatlengthforsometimeslackened，andthenaltogetherceased，andyetnosigngivenofsurrender，theseniorlieutenantcametoCaptainBallandinformedhim，thattheheartsofhismenwereasgoodasever，butthattheyweresocompletelyexhaustedthattheywerescarcelycapableofliftinganarm。Heasked，therefore，whether，astheenemyhadnowceasedfiring，themenmightbepermittedtoliedownbytheirgunsforashorttime。Aftersomereflection，SirAlexanderaccededtotheproposal，takingofcoursetheproperprecautionstorousethemagainatthemomenthethoughtrequisite。Accordingly，withtheexceptionofhimself，hisofficers，andtheappointedwatch，theship’screwlaydown，eachintheplacetowhichhewasstationed，andsleptfortwentyminutes。Theywerethenroused；andstartedup，asSirAlexanderexpressedit，morelikemenoutofanambushthanfromsleep，soco-instantaneouslydidtheyallobeythesummons！
　　Theyrecommencedtheirfire，andinafewminutestheenemysurrendered；anditwassoonafterdiscoveredthatduringthatinterval，andalmostimmediatelyaftertheFrenchshiphadfirstceasedfiring，thecrewhadsunkdownbytheirguns，andthereslept，almostbytheside，asitwere，oftheirsleepingenemy。
　　ESSAYV-
　　Whosepowersshedroundhiminthecommonstrife，Ormildconcernsofordinarylife，Aconstantinfluence，apeculiargrace；
　　Butwho，ifhebecall’dupontofaceSameawfulmoment，towhichHeavenhasjoin’dGreatissues，goodorbadforhumankind，Ishappyasalover，isattiredWithsuddenbrightnesslikeamaninspired；
　　AndthroughtheheatofconflictkeepsthelawIncalmnessmade，andseeswhatheforesaw。
　　WORDSWORTH。
　　Anaccessibilitytothesentimentsofothersonsubjectsofimportanceoftenaccompaniesfeebleminds，yetitisnotthelessatrueandconstituentpartofpracticalgreatness，whenitexistswhollyfreefromthatpassivenesstoimpressionwhichrenderscounselitselfinjurioustocertaincharacters，andfromthatweaknessofheartwhich，intheliteralsenseoftheword，isalwayscravingadvice。Exemptfromallsuchimperfections，sayratherinperfectharmonywiththeexcellencesthatprecludethem，thisopennesstotheinfluxesofgoodsenseandinformation，fromwhateverquartertheymightcome，equallycharacterisedbothLordNelsonandSirAlexanderBall，thougheachdisplayeditinthewaybestsuitedtohisnaturaltemper。Theformerwitheasyhandcollected，asitpassedbyhim，whatevercouldaddtohisownstores，appropriatedwhathecouldassimilate，andleviedsubsidiesofknowledgefromalltheaccidentsofsociallifeandfamiliarintercourse。Evenatthejovialboard，andintheheightofunrestrainedmerriment，acasualsuggestion，thatflashedanewlightonhismind，changedthebooncompanionintotheheroandthemanofgenius；andwiththemostgracefultransitionhewouldmakehiscompanyasseriousashimself。Whenthetaperofhisgeniusseemedextinguished，itwasstillsurroundedbyaninflammableatmosphereofitsown，andrekindledatthefirstapproachoflight，andnotseldomatadistancewhichmadeitseemtoflameupself-revived。InSirAlexanderBall，thesameexcellencewasmoreanaffairofsystem；andhewouldlisten，eventoweakmen，withapatience，which，insocarefulaneconomistoftime，alwaysdemandedmyadmiration，andnotseldomexcitedmywonder。Itwasoneofhismaxims，thatamanmaysuggestwhathecannotgive；adding，thatawildorsillyplanhadmorethanonce，fromthevividsenseordistinctperceptionofitsfolly，occasionedhimtoseewhatoughttobedoneinanewlight，orwithaclearerinsight。Thereis，indeed，ahopelesssterility，amerenegationofsenseandthought，which，suggestingneitherdifferencenorcontrast，cannotevenfurnishhintsforrecollection。Butontheotherhand，therearemindssowhimsicallyconstituted，thattheymaysometimesbeprofitablyinterpretedbycontraries，aprocessofwhichthegreatTychoBraheissaidtohaveavailedhimselfinthecaseofthelittleLackwit，whousedtositandmutterathisfeetwhilehewasstudying。Amindofthissortwemaycomparetoamagneticneedle，thepolesofwhichhavebeensuddenlyreversedbyaflashoflightning，orothermoreobscureaccidentofnature。Itmaybesafelyconcluded，thattothosewhosejudgmentorinformationherespected，SirAlexanderBalldidnotcontenthimselfwithgivingaccessandattention。No！heseldomfailedofconsultingthemwheneverthesubjectpermittedanydisclosure；andwheresecrecywasnecessary，hewellknewhowtoacquiretheiropinionwithoutexcitingevenaconjectureconcerninghisimmediateobject。