court; the evidence is read to him, and thus, for the first time, he knows who are his accusers. He is then asked him; if he con if he is guilty of the facts sworn against fesses, he receives judgment of death; but if he denies the whole, or any part, he is immediately put to the torture, where, perhaps, by the extremity of pain, he may be forced to confess crimes he never committed, and af. terwards suffer death. Again; the property of individ uals may be seized by an arbitrary tyrant, to reward the iniquity of a favorite, or gratify the ambition of a mistress. Happy England, where the cottager is as secure in the enjoyinent of the fruits of his honest industry, as the prince in the possession of his revenues on the throne! I come now to speak of their religion, which triumphs with as much rigor over the mind and conscience, as the civil power over the body. Religion has been justly defined, "A dedication of the whole man to the will of God." But popery, so far from answering the above description, seems to be a slavish submission to the dictates of idle, useless priests, who rule the consciences of the vulgar, and bend them to whatever purpose they please. And indeed there is no great wonder, when we consider that auricular confession puts them in possession of every family secret in their parishes. I am already sufficiently tired with the sight of their follies. The accounts which you have read of the inquisition are far from being exaggerated. I intend to return in an English vessel bound for Marseilles, and from thence hasten to England. I shall expect a letter from you, to be left with my banker in Paris, and remain Yours affectionately, Your account of the civil, and religious tyranny un der which the people groan in foreign nations, together with the progress of deism, exhibits to our view a melancholy picture of human nature,-Your description reminds me of that beautiful passage in Addison's letters from Italy, where he says, They starve, in midst of nature's bounty curst, These people once enjoyed the same privileges as ourselves, and possibly that time may not be far distant when we may be as abject slaves as they. However disagree- able some things may have been to you on your travels, yet I congratulate you on the happiness of being absent from England in these times of public divisions. Never was our Saviour's words more properly verified in this country than at present, when there is scarce one family wherein the most violent dissensions have not happened. An author of no mean rank has asserted, that if ever English liberty is destroyed, it must arise from the people themselves; and, if ever the people should become jealous of the conduct of their representatives in parliament, and those jealousies are well founded, they will soon throw themselves into the arms of arbitrary power. They'll fly from petty tyrants to the throne." Virtue and unanimity have at all times preserved liberty; vice and discord have always procured its ruin. At present there is an universal discontent among nine Tenths of the people. The majority of the people, not only complain of the conduct of the ministry, but have even gone so far, as to impeach the conduct of the house of commons. These complaints are at present carried on to an extraordinary height; and where they will end, God only knows. For my own part, I often reflect on it with sorrow, as I am afraid it must at last prove fatal to our excellent constitution; and involve us in those miseries to which the people of other nations are subject. If I go into a coffee house, the first thing I hear is a political dispute concerning the conduct of the ministry; and when I happen to be invited to dine at the house of a friend, all social converse is destroyed, and the pleasure I used formerly to enjoy on such occasions, is lost in violent altercations amongst the nearest relations. I am far from condemning all ranks of people. There are many worthy persons, who can view the conduct of each party with impartiality, and see the faults on both sides. They can see, that the ministry have not enough considered themselves the servants of the people, and on many occasions abused the confidence of their sovereign. On the other hand, they think the people have carried their jealousies to an unreasonable height, and insisted on the prince exerting a branch of the regal authority, which in the end might prove fatal to themselves. Such is the state of affairs at present in this once happy country; I shall therefore, being tired with the subject, imitate your example, and put an end to this letter. Hoping to see you soon, I am yours sincerely. LETTER 153. From a young Merchant, to an aged Gentleman, formerly of the same profession, but now retired from business. HONORED SIR, Your generosity in sending me instructions during my apprenticeship, will ever remain a lasting proof of that innate goodness for which you have been so justly celebrated; and likewise encourages me to trouble you for advice how to conduct myself, so as to support my credit in the world, now I am entered upon business. Your long and extensive knowledge of mercantile affairs, gives a sanction to every thing you say, and your goodness of heart encourages the inexperienced to address themselves to you with cheerfulness. I have been now about two years in business, and although my success has been equal to my expectations, yet there are such a variety of failures daily in this city, that I am every day thinking that my own name may be that week in the Gazette. I should not be much surprised were all to become bankrupts who are abandoned characters, as I do not see how any thing less can be expected. You know, sir, that assiduity and regularity are qualifications indispensably necessary to the merchant; so that it must appear morally impossible for the man to prosper in trade, whose time is spent in dissipation and idleness; if not, which too often happens, in debauchery. When I hear of such failing in their payments, I am no ways surprised; but when great numbers of those, apparently in affluent circumstances, and the fairest characters, daily fail, I am justly alarmed, and my fears continue to increase in proportion to their numbers. I would not choose to judge rashly, much less uncharitably of any man; although I must confess I am very much shocked to hear that a commission of bankruptcy is awarded against one supposed worth thousands, and not sufficient left to pay five shillings in the pound. I am filled with horror on account of my own situation, and led to believe that there is a latent curse attending mercantile affairs, which the greatest prudence can neither foresee nor prevent. I am sensible, that the person to whom I am writing knows the above to be true. Your long acquaintance with the fluctuating state of merchandize procures respect, and gives a sanction to every thing you say. But, as far as I am able to learn, those failings in the mercantile world are more frequent now than when you was engaged in trade. I am not ambitious of acquiring riches, my whole desire is to obtain peaceable possession of the comforts of life, to do justice to every one with whom I have any dealings, and to live and die an honest man. Such, sir, is the plan I have laid down for my future conduct in life. But alas! it will require the assistance of all my friends to enable me to execute it with a becoming propriety. Let me therefore beg your advice on an affair of so much importance, and whatever you dictate shall be the invariable rule of my conduct, whilst the thanks of a grateful heart shall be continually returned for so benevolent an action. I am, Sir, &c. 17 |