NUMBER IV.

ON SENSIBILITY.

I would not enter on my list of friends,
(Tho' grac'd with polish'd manners and fine sense,
Yet wanting sensibility,) the man

Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.

man.

THOUGH plausible excuses, with expressions of sorrow, are too frequently made to the unfortunate, without an attempt to alleviate their distress; still must we allow that the tender sensations of pity are not extinct in the breast of Those who have been the most exposed to the buffets of fortune, it is usually said, are the readiest to sympathize with their fellow-creatures in trouble-yet not always so. The gay, the opulent, and the needy are each in their turn touched with the sufferings of a fellow-creature, and each have a heart to sooth, and a disposition to relieve pain, in whatever shape they may behold it. Brutes, as well as human beings, feel the happy effects of their kind nature, as they hasten upon all occasions to render a service in the moment of need. Witness the manly deeds of tenderness, as well as the mental energies

exercised by the author of the Farmer's Vision; and the ever active exertions of the tender-hearted Member for Galway, whose unwearied efforts in the cause of humanity, so often put in motion the risible faculties of those beings to whom the tender sensations of pity seem to be unknown. That beings born to sympathize with all God's creatures thus, should ever feel the anguish of domestic woes, is much to be deplored. undisturbed repose is not the lot of man, and seldom the reward of sympathizing souls on earth. The susceptibility of a feeling heart lays it open to every soft impression, and it is often liable to be influenced by improper objects. These are sad reflections! But perfection, let it be remembered, is not to be ascribed to earthly mortals.

But

There are too many, however, who are almost strangers to the tender sensations of pity; and as insensible to the distresses of the human race, as they are to the sufferings of the brute creation. Accustomed to one continued round of pleasure, and enjoying every comfort riches can afford, they can form no just idea of the miseries under which a multitude of their fellow-creatures are languishing. In stepping from their carriage, they are perhaps touched for a moment, by the cries of some poor wretch, imploring a halfpenny worth of charity; they drop a sixpence, which they consider lent upon good interest; think they have covered a multitude of sins, and are satisfied with their bargain. But the unfortunate per

plexities in which a more respectable class of the community is often involved, rarely reach their attention or awaken their sympathy, but in the pages of romance. If there they meet with a suffering hero, or a persecuted heroine, they can weep over the imaginary woes, and display admirable tokens of tenderness.

Such sensibility, if it do not move those who possess it to acts of kindness and humanity to real objects of commisseration, is of no avail, and does them little honour. But a soul replete with sentiments of pity, possessing a heart to execute the dictates of a sympathizing mind, may be truly stiled the Man of Feeling. He will extend his compassion to all God's creatures in distress, whether man or beast.

What fine feelings of commiseration has Cowper demonstrated in his admirable Poem of The Task. “He has therein given to man,” says Lord Erskine, "a golden rule for his conduct towards the lower world; which we should do well to study and to follow. The latitude he allows for our acknowledged dominion, is said to be amply sufficient."

"The sum is this-if man's convenience, health,

Or safety interfere, his rights and claims
Are paramount, and must extinguish theirs.
Else they are all—the meanest things that are
As free to live, and to enjoy that life,
As God was free to form them at the first,
Who in his sov'reign wisdom made them all.”

"The whole subject of humanity to animals," says Lord Erskine, is so beautifully and strikingly illustrated in this admirable Poem"alluding to Cowper's Task-" that no parents ought to be satisfied until their children have that part of it by heart."

As a specimen of his Lordship's heroic conduct in the cause of humanity, which he so ably supported in the House of Lords, when he introduced a Bill to prevent Cruelty to Animals; the following occurrence may not be considered as unaptly reverted to. It is worthy of being recorded, both to shew the magnanimity of his Lordship in the cause he so eloquently espoused, and as an example for the imitation of those who may have the courage to prove the sensibility they boast, by acting in conformity with their professions.

"A mad dog! a mad dog! knock him down," was echoed from all quarters, as his Lordship, wrapped in deep meditation, was one day walking up Holborn Hill, on his return from the Court of Justice in which he had been pleading the cause of persecuted innocence. Roused in a moment from his contemplations, he looked around, caught sight of a little panting animal flying from the fury of his pursuers; snatched him up, as he was endeavouring to escape, and with seeming unconcern, walked on with the dog under his arm.

"The dog's mad, sir, the dog's mad, see how

"He ran

he foams at the mouth," cried one. straight forward with his tail between his legs," said another. "Knock him down," vociferated a third. "Mad!" ejaculated his indignant and undaunted friend," the dog's no more mad than I am, and not half so mad as yourselves."

"Knock him down-knock him down," was notwithstanding still the cry.

"Well then, if you are determined to knock him down," returned his Lordship, "knock away -but recollect you must first of all knock me down," and so saying he deliberately marched forward, with the dog still under his arm, to the consternation of the gaping crowd, who, as he triumphantly bore the little victim off, expressed their “idiot-wonder in their looks," and suffered him to proceed without further molestation, or presuming to oppose his Lordship's will.

The expressive gestures of the animal, as he looked his protector in the face, and the sensations of joy and thankfulness he manifested, when, secure from further persecution, he was set at liberty; said enough, to shew he had a sense of obligation to his deliverer. In fine, he followed and skipped about his Lordship, till he reached his Villa, about five miles from the scene of action; was hospitably admitted, to partake of the good things of this life; and probably, for many years,

"Free from envy, care and strife,
Liv'd a sweet contented life."