—thechampion，whofoughtitsbattles——theconqueror，who，inmorethanametaphoricalsense，ledbarbarismandignoranceintriumph，andreceivedintheCapitolthelaurelwhichhismagnificentvictoryhadearned。
Nothingcanbeconceivedmorenobleoraffectingthanthatceremony。Thesuperbpalacesandporticoes，bywhichhadrolledtheivorychariotsofMariusandCaesar，hadlongmoulderedintodust。Thelaurelledfasces——thegoldeneagles——theshoutinglegions——thecaptivesandthepicturedcities——wereindeedwantingtohisvictoriousprocession。ThesceptrehadpassedawayfromRome。Butshestillretainedthemightierinfluenceofanintellectualempire，andwasnowtoconfertheprouderrewardofanintellectualtriumph。Tothemanwhohadextendedthedominionofherancientlanguage——whohaderectedthetrophiesofphilosophyandimaginationinthehauntsofignoranceandferocity——whosecaptivesweretheheartsofadmiringnationsenchainedbytheinfluenceofhissong——whosespoilswerethetreasuresofancientgeniusrescuedfromobscurityanddecay——theEternalCityofferedthejustandglorioustributeofhergratitude。Amidsttheruinedmonumentsofancientandtheinfanterectionsofmodernart，hewhohadrestoredthebrokenlinkbetweenthetwoagesofhumancivilisationwascrownedwiththewreathwhichhehaddeservedfromthemodernswhoowedtohimtheirrefinement——fromtheancientswhoowedtohimtheirfame。
NeverwasacoronationsoaugustwitnessedbyWestminsterorbyRheims。
Whenweturnfromthisgloriousspectacletotheprivatechamberofthepoet，——whenwecontemplatethestruggleofpassionandvirtue，——theeyedimmed，thecheekfurrowed，bythetearsofsinfulandhopelessdesire，——whenwereflectonthewholehistoryofhisattachment，fromthegayfantasyofhisyouthtothelingeringdespairofhisage，pityandaffectionminglewithouradmiration。Evenafterdeathhadplacedthelastsealonhismisery，weseehimdevotingtothecauseofthehumanmindallthestrengthandenergywhichloveandsorrowhadspared。Helivedtheapostleofliterature;——hefellitsmartyr:——hewasfounddeadwithhisheadreclinedonabook。
ThosewhohavestudiedthelifeandwritingsofPetrarchwithattention，willperhapsbeinclinedtomakesomedeductionsfromthispanegyric。Itcannotbedeniedthathismeritsweredisfiguredbyamostunpleasantaffectation。Hiszealforliteraturecommunicatedatingeofpedantrytoallhisfeelingsandopinions。Hislovewastheloveofasonnetteer:——hispatriotismwasthepatriotismofanantiquarian。Theinterestwithwhichwecontemplatetheworks，andstudythehistory，ofthosewho，informerages，haveoccupiedourcountry，arisesfromtheassociationswhichconnectthemwiththecommunityinwhicharecomprisedalltheobjectsofouraffectionandourhope。InthemindofPetrarchthesefeelingswerereversed。HelovedItaly，becauseitaboundedwiththemonumentsoftheancientmastersoftheworld。Hisnativecity——thefairandgloriousFlorence——themodernAthens，theninallthebloomandstrengthofitsyouth，couldnotobtain，fromthemostdistinguishedofitscitizens，anyportionofthatpassionatehomagewhichhepaidtothedecrepitudeofRome。Theseandmanyotherblemishes，thoughtheymustincandourbeacknowledged，canbutinaveryslightdegreediminishthegloryofhiscareer。Formyownpart，IlookuponitwithsomuchfondnessandpleasurethatIfeelreluctanttoturnfromittotheconsiderationofhisworks，whichIbynomeanscontemplatewithequaladmiration。
Nevertheless，IthinkhighlyofthepoeticalpowersofPetrarch。
Hedidnotpossess，indeed，theartofstronglypresentingsensibleobjectstotheimagination;——andthisisthemoreremarkable，becausethetalentofwhichIspeakisthatwhichpeculiarlydistinguishestheItalianpoets。IntheDivineComedyitisdisplayedinitshighestperfection。Itcharacterisesalmosteverycelebratedpoeminthelanguage。Perhapsthisistobeattributedtothecircumstance，thatpaintingandsculpturehadattainedahighdegreeofexcellenceinItalybeforepoetryhadbeenextensivelycultivated。Menweredebarredfrombooks，butaccustomedfromchildhoodtocontemplatetheadmirableworksofart，which，eveninthethirteenthcentury，Italybegantoproduce。Hencetheirimaginationsreceivedsostrongabiasthat，evenintheirwritings，atasteforgraphicdelineationisdiscernible。TheprogressofthingsinEnglandhasbeeninallrespectsdifferent。Theconsequenceis，thatEnglishhistoricalpicturesarepoemsoncanvas;whileItalianpoemsarepicturespaintedtothemindbymeansofwords。OfthisnationalcharacteristicthewritingsofPetrarcharealmosttotallydestitute。Hissonnetsindeed，fromtheirsubjectandnature，andhisLatinPoems，fromtherestraintswhichalwaysshackleonewhowritesinadeadlanguage，cannotfairlybereceivedinevidence。ButhisTriumphsabsolutelyrequiredtheexerciseofthistalent，andexhibitnoindicationsofit。
Genius，however，hecertainlypossessed，andgeniusofahighorder。Hisardent，tender，andmagnificentturnofthought，hisbrilliantfancy，hiscommandofexpression，atonceforcibleandelegant，mustbeacknowledged。Naturemeanthimfortheprinceoflyricwriters。Butbyonefatalpresentshedeprivedherothergiftsofhalftheirvalue。Hewouldhavebeenamuchgreaterpoethadhebeenalesscleverman。Hisingenuitywasthebaneofhismind。Heabandonedthenobleandnaturalstyle，inwhichhemighthaveexcelled，fortheconceitswhichheproducedwithafacilityatonceadmirableanddisgusting。Hismuse，liketheRomanladyinLivy，wastemptedbygaudyornamentstobetraythefastnessesofherstrength，and，likeher，wascrushedbeneaththeglitteringbribeswhichhadseducedher。
Thepaucityofhisthoughtsisveryremarkable。Itisimpossibletolookwithoutamazementonamindsofertileincombinations，yetsobarrenofimages。Hisamatorypoetryiswhollymadeupofaveryfewtopics，disposedinsomanyorders，andexhibitedinsomanylights，thatitremindsusofthosearithmeticalproblemsaboutpermutations，whichsomuchastonishtheunlearned。TheFrenchcook，whoboastedthathecouldmakefifteendifferentdishesoutofanettle—top，wasnotagreatermasterofhisart。
ThemindofPetrarchwasakaleidoscope。Ateveryturnitpresentsuswithnewforms，alwaysfantastic，occasionallybeautiful;andwecanscarcelybelievethatallthesevarietieshavebeenproducedbythesameworthlessfragmentsofglass。Thesamenessofhisimagesis，indeed，insomedegree，tobeattributedtothesamenessofhissubject。Itwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectperpetualvarietyfromsomanyhundredcompositions，allofthesamelength，allinthesamemeasure，andalladdressedtothesameinsipidandheartlesscoquette。I
cannotbutsuspectalsothatthepervertedtaste，whichistheblemishofhisamatoryverses，wastobeattributedtotheinfluenceofLaura，who，probably，likemostcriticsofhersex，preferredagaudytoamajesticstyle。Bethisasitmay，henosoonerchangeshissubjectthanhechangeshismanner。WhenhespeaksofthewrongsanddegradationofItaly，devastatedbyforeigninvaders，andbutfeeblydefendedbyherpusillanimouschildren，theeffeminatelispofthesonnetteerisexchangedforacry，wild，andsolemn，andpiercingasthatwhichproclaimed\"Sleepnomore\"tothebloodyhouseofCawdor。\"Italyseemsnottofeelhersufferings，\"exclaimsherimpassionedpoet;
\"decrepit，sluggish，andlanguid，willshesleepforever？Willtherebenonetoawakeher？OhthatIhadmyhandstwistedinherhair！\"
（\"Chesuoiguainonparchesenta;
Vecchia，oziosa，elenta。
Dormirasempre，enonfiachilasvegli？
Lemanl’avess’ioavvolteentroecapegli。\"
Canzonexi。）
NorisitwithlessenergythathedenouncesagainsttheMahometanBabylonthevengeanceofEuropeandofChrist。HismagnificentenumerationoftheancientexploitsoftheGreeksmustalwaysexciteadmiration，andcannotbeperusedwithoutthedeepestinterest，atatimewhenthewiseandgood，bitterlydisappointedinsomanyothercountries，arelookingwithbreathlessanxietytowardsthenatallandofliberty，——thefieldofMarathon，——andthedeadlypasswheretheLionofLacedaemonturnedtobay。
（\"Maratona，elemortalistretteChedifeseilLEONconpocagente。\"
Canzonev。）
Hispoemsonreligioussubjectsalsodeservethehighestcommendation。AttheheadofthesemustbeplacedtheOdetotheVirgin。Itis，perhaps，thefinesthymnintheworld。Hisdevoutvenerationreceivesanexquisitelypoeticalcharacterfromthedelicateperceptionofthesexandthelovelinessofhisidol，whichwemayeasilytracethroughoutthewholecomposition。
IcoulddwellwithpleasureontheseandsimilarpartsofthewritingsofPetrarch;butImustreturntohisamatorypoetry:
tothatheentrustedhisfame;andtothathehasprincipallyowedit。
Theprevailingdefectofhisbestcompositionsonthissubjectistheuniversalbrilliancywithwhichtheyarelightedup。Thenaturallanguageofthepassionsis，indeed，oftenfigurativeandfantastic;andwithnoneisthismorethecasethanwiththatoflove。Stillthereisalimit。Thefeelingsshould，indeed，havetheirornamentalgarb;but，likeanelegantwoman，theyshouldbeneithermufflednorexposed。Thedraperyshouldbesoarranged，asatoncetoanswerthepurposesofmodestconcealmentandjudiciousdisplay。Thedecorationsshouldsometimesbeemployedtohideadefect，andsometimestoheightenabeauty;butnevertoconceal，muchlesstodistort，thecharmstowhichtheyaresubsidiary。TheloveofPetrarch，onthecontrary，arraysitselflikeafoppishsavage，whosenoseisboredwithagoldenring，whoseskinispaintedwithgrotesqueformsanddazzlingcolours，andwhoseearsaredrawndownhisshouldersbytheweightofjewels。Itisarule，withoutanyexception，inallkindsofcomposition，thattheprincipalidea，thepredominantfeeling，shouldneverbeconfoundedwiththeaccompanyingdecorations。Itshouldgenerallybedistinguishedfromthembygreatersimplicityofexpression;aswerecogniseNapoleoninthepicturesofhisbattles，amidstacrowdofembroideredcoatsandplumes，byhisgreycloakandhishatwithoutafeather。IntheversesofPetrarchitisgenerallyimpossibletosaywhatthoughtismeanttobeprominent。Allisequallyelaborate。Thechiefwearsthesamegorgeousanddegradingliverywithhisretinue，andobtainsonlyhisshareoftheindifferentstarewhichwebestowuponthemincommon。Thepoemshavenostronglightsandshades，nobackground，noforeground;——theyareliketheilluminatedfiguresinanorientalmanuscript，——plentyofrichtintsandnoperspective。Sucharethefaultsofthemostcelebratedofthesecompositions。Ofthosewhichareuniversallyacknowledgedtobebaditisscarcelypossibletospeakwithpatience。Yettheyhavemuchincommonwiththeirsplendidcompanions。Theydifferfromthem，asaMaydayprocessionofchimneysweepersdiffersfromtheFieldofClothofGold。Theyhavethegaudinessbutnotthewealth。Hismusebelongstothatnumerousclassoffemaleswhohavenoobjectiontobedirty，whiletheycanbetawdry。Whenhisbrilliantconceitsareexhausted，hesuppliestheirplacewithmetaphysicalquibbles，forcedantitheses，badpuns，andexecrablecharades。Inhisfifthsonnethemay，Ithink，besaidtohavesoundedthelowestchasmoftheBathos。Uponthewhole，thatpiecemaybesafelypronouncedtobetheworstattemptatpoetry，andtheworstattemptatwit，intheworld。
Astrongproofofthetruthofthesecriticismsis，thatalmostallthesonnetsproduceexactlythesameeffectonthemindofthereader。Theyrelatetoallthevariousmoodsofalover，fromjoytodespair:——yettheyareperused，asfarasmyexperienceandobservationhavegone，withexactlythesamefeeling。Thefactis，thatinnoneofthemarethepassionandtheingenuitymixedinjustproportions。Thereisnotenoughsentimenttodilutethecondimentswhichareemployedtoseasonit。TherepastwhichhesetsbeforeusresemblestheSpanishentertainmentinDryden’s\"MockAstrologer\"，atwhichtherelishofallthedishesandsauceswasoverpoweredbythecommonflavourofspice。Fish，——flesh，——fowl，——everythingattabletastedofnothingbutredpepper。
ThewritingsofPetrarchmayindeedsufferundeservedlyfromonecausetowhichImustallude。HisimitatorshavesomuchfamiliarisedtheearofItalyandofEuropetothefavouritetopicsofamorousflatteryandlamentation，thatwecanscarcelythinkthemoriginalwhenwefindtheminthefirstauthor;and，evenwhenourunderstandingshaveconvincedusthattheywerenewtohim，theyarestilloldtous。Thishasbeenthefateofmanyofthefinestpassagesofthemosteminentwriters。Itismelancholytotraceanoblethoughtfromstagetostageofitsprofanation;toseeittransferredfromthefirstillustriouswearertohislacqueys，turned，andturnedagain，andatlasthungonascarecrow。Petrarchhasreallysufferedmuchfromthiscause。Yetthatheshouldhavesosufferedisasufficientproofthathisexcellenceswerenotofthehighestorder。Alinemaybestolen;butthepervadingspiritofagreatpoetisnottobesurreptitiouslyobtainedbyaplagiarist。Thecontinuedimitationoftwenty—fivecenturieshasleftHomerasitfoundhim。IfeverysimileandeveryturnofDantehadbeencopiedtenthousandtimes，theDivineComedywouldhaveretainedallitsfreshness。ItwaseasyfortheporterinFarquhartopassforBeauClincher，byborrowinghislaceandhispulvilio。ItwouldhavebeenmoredifficulttoenactSirHarryWildair。
BeforeIquitthissubjectImustdefendPetrarchfromoneaccusationwhichisinthepresentdayfrequentlybroughtagainsthim。Hissonnetsarepronouncedbyalargesectofcriticsnottopossesscertainqualitieswhichtheymaintaintobeindispensabletosonnets，withasmuchconfidence，andasmuchreason，astheirprototypesofoldinsistedontheunitiesofthedrama。Iamanexoteric——utterlyunabletoexplainthemysteriesofthisnewpoeticalfaith。Ionlyknowthatitisafaith，whichexceptamandokeeppureandundefiled，withoutdoubtheshallbecalledablockhead。Icannot，however，refrainfromaskingwhatistheparticularvirtuewhichbelongstofourteenasdistinguishedfromallothernumbers。Doesitarisefromitsbeingamultipleofseven？Hasthisprincipleanyreferencetothesabbaticalordinance？Orisittotheorderofrhymesthatthesesingularpropertiesareattached？UnhappilythesonnetsofShakspearedifferasmuchinthisrespectfromthoseofPetrarch，asfromaSpenserianoranoctavestanza。Awaywiththisunmeaningjargon！Wehavepulleddowntheoldregimeofcriticism。Itrustthatweshallnevertoleratetheequallypedanticandirrationaldespotism，whichsomeoftherevolutionaryleaderswoulderectuponitsruins。WehavenotdethronedAristotleandBossuforthis。
Thesesonnet—fancierswoulddowelltoreflectthat，thoughthestyleofPetrarchmaynotsuitthestandardofperfectionwhichtheyhavechosen，theylieundergreatobligationstotheseverypoems，——that，butforPetrarchthemeasure，concerningwhichtheylegislatesojudiciously，wouldprobablyneverhaveattractednotice;andthattohimtheyowethepleasureofadmiring，andthegloryofcomposing，pieces，whichseemtohavebeenproducedbyMasterSlender，withtheassistanceofhismanSimple。
IcannotconcludetheseremarkswithoutmakingafewobservationsontheLatinwritingsofPetrarch。Itappearsthat，bothbyhimselfandbyhiscontemporaries，thesewerefarmorehighlyvaluedthanhiscompositionsinthevernacularlanguage。
Posterity，thesupremecourtofliteraryappeal，hasnotonlyreversedthejudgment，but，accordingtoitsgeneralpractice，reverseditwithcosts，andcondemnedtheunfortunateworkstopay，notonlyfortheirowninferiority，butalsofortheinjusticeofthosewhohadgiventhemanunmeritedpreference。
Anditmustbeownedthat，withoutmakinglargeallowancesforthecircumstancesunderwhichtheywereproduced，wecannotpronounceaveryfavourablejudgment。Theymustbeconsideredasexotics，transplantedtoaforeignclimate，andrearedinanunfavourablesituation;anditwouldbeunreasonabletoexpectfromthemthehealthandthevigourwhichwefindintheindigenousplantsaroundthem，orwhichtheymightthemselveshavepossessedintheirnativesoil。HehasbutveryimperfectlyimitatedthestyleoftheLatinauthors，andhasnotcompensatedforthedeficiencybyenrichingtheancientlanguagewiththegracesofmodernpoetry。Thesplendourandingenuity，whichweadmire，evenwhenwecondemnit，inhisItalianworks，isalmosttotallywanting，andonlyilluminateswithrareandoccasionalglimpsesthedrearyobscurityoftheAfrican。Theeclogueshavemoreanimation;buttheycanonlybecalledpoemsbycourtesy。
Theyhavenothingincommonwithhiswritingsinhisnativelanguage，excepttheeternalpunaboutLauraandDaphne。NoneoftheseworkswouldhaveplacedhimonalevelwithVidaorBuchanan。Yet，whenwecomparehimwiththosewhoprecededhim，whenweconsiderthathewentontheforlornhopeofliterature，thathewasthefirstwhoperceived，andthefirstwhoattemptedtorevive，thefinereleganciesoftheancientlanguageoftheworld，weshallperhapsthinkmorehighlyofhimthanofthosewhocouldneverhavesurpassedhisbeautiesiftheyhadnotinheritedthem。
HehasaspiredtoemulatethephilosophicaleloquenceofCicero，aswellasthepoeticalmajestyofVirgil。HisessayontheRemediesofGoodandEvilFortuneisasingularworkinacolloquialform，andamostscholasticstyle。ItseemstobeframeduponthemodeloftheTusculanQuestions，——withwhatsuccessthosewhohavereaditmayeasilydetermine。Itconsistsofaseriesofdialogues:ineachoftheseapersonisintroducedwhohasexperiencedsomehappyorsomeadverseevent:
hegravelystateshiscase;andareasoner，orratherReasonpersonified，confuteshim;atasknotverydifficult，sincethediscipledefendshispositiononlybypertinaciouslyrepeatingit，inalmostthesamewordsattheendofeveryargumentofhisantagonist。InthismannerPetrarchsolvesanimmensevarietyofcases。Indeed，Idoubtwhetheritwouldbepossibletonameanypleasureoranycalamitywhichdoesnotfindaplaceinthisdissertation。Hegivesexcellentadvicetoamanwhoisinexpectationofdiscoveringthephilosopher’sstone;——toanother，whohasformedafineaviary;——toathird，whoisdelightedwiththetricksofafavouritemonkey。Hislecturestotheunfortunateareequallysingular。Heseemstoimaginethataprecedentinpointisasufficientconsolationforeveryformofsuffering。\"Ourtownistaken，\"saysonecomplainant;\"SowasTroy，\"replieshiscomforter。\"Mywifehaseloped，\"saysanother;\"Ifithashappenedtoyouonce，ithappenedtoMenelaustwice。\"Onepoorfellowisingreatdistressathavingdiscoveredthathiswife’ssonisnoneofhis。\"Itishard，\"
sayshe，\"thatIshouldhavehadtheexpenseofbringinguponewhoisindifferenttome。\"\"Youareaman，\"returnshismonitor，quotingthefamouslineofTerence;\"andnothingthatbelongstoanyothermanoughttobeindifferenttoyou。\"Thephysicalcalamitiesoflifearenotomitted;andthereisinparticularadisquisitionontheadvantagesofhavingtheitch，which，ifnotconvincing，iscertainlyveryamusing。
Theinvectivesonanunfortunatephysician，orratheruponthemedicalscience，havemorespirit。Petrarchwasthoroughlyinearnestonthissubject。Andthebitternessofhisfeelingsoccasionallyproduces，inthemidstofhisclassicalandscholasticpedantry，asentenceworthyofthesecondPhilippic。
Swifthimselfmighthaveenviedthechapteronthecausesofthepalenessofphysicians。
OfhisLatinworkstheEpistlesarethemostgenerallyknownandadmired。Ascompositionstheyarecertainlysuperiortohisessays。Buttheirexcellenceisonlycomparative。Fromsolargeacollectionofletters，writtenbysoeminentaman，duringsovariedandeventfulalife，weshouldhaveexpectedacompleteandspiritedviewoftheliterature，themanners，andthepoliticsoftheage。Atraveller——apoet——ascholar——alover——acourtier——arecluse——hemighthaveperpetuated，inanimperishablerecord，theformandpressureoftheageandbodyofthetime。Thosewhoreadhiscorrespondence，inthehopeoffindingsuchinformationasthis，willbeutterlydisappointed。
Itcontainsnothingcharacteristicoftheperiodoroftheindividual。Itisaseries，notofletters，butofthemes;and，asitisnotgenerallyknown，mightbeverysafelyemployedatpublicschoolsasamagazineofcommonplaces。WhetherhewriteonpoliticstotheEmperorandtheDoge，orsendadviceandconsolationtoaprivatefriend，everylineiscrowdedwithexamplesandquotations，andsoundsbigwithAnaxagorasandScipio。SuchwastheinterestexcitedbythecharacterofPetrarch，andsuchtheadmirationwhichwasfeltforhisepistolarystyle，thatitwaswithdifficultythathislettersreachedtheplaceoftheirdestination。Thepoetdescribes，withpretendedregretandrealcomplacency，theimportunityofthecurious，whooftenopened，andsometimesstole，thesefavouritecompositions。Itisaremarkablefactthat，ofallhisepistles，theleastaffectedarethosewhichareaddressedtothedeadandtheunborn。NothingcanbemoreabsurdthanhiswhimofcomposinggravelettersofexpostulationandcommendationtoCiceroandSeneca;yetthesestrangeperformancesarewritteninafarmorenaturalmannerthanhiscommunicationstohislivingcorrespondents。ButofallhisLatinworksthepreferencemustbegiventotheEpistletoPosterity;asimple，noble，andpatheticcomposition，mosthonourablebothtohistasteandhisheart。Ifwecanmakeallowanceforsomeoftheaffectedhumilityofanauthor，weshallperhapsthinkthatnoliterarymanhasleftamorepleasingmemorialofhimself。
Inconclusion，wemaypronouncethattheworksofPetrarchwerebelowbothhisgeniusandhiscelebrity;andthatthecircumstancesunderwhichhewrotewereasadversetothedevelopmentofhispowersastheywerefavourabletotheextensionofhisfame……
SOMEACCOUNTOFTHEGREATLAWSUITBETWEENTHEPARISHESOFST
DENNISANDSTGEORGEINTHEWATER。
（April1824。）
PARTI。
TheparishofStDennisisoneofthemostpleasantpartsofthecountyinwhichitissituated。Itisfertile，wellwooded，wellwatered，andofanexcellentair。Formanygenerationsthemanorhadbeenholdenintail—malebyaworshipfulfamily，whohavealwaystakenprecedenceoftheirneighboursattheracesandthesessions。
InancienttimestheaffairsofthisparishwereadministeredbyaCourt—Baron，inwhichthefreeholderswerejudges;andtherateswereleviedbyselectvestriesoftheinhabitanthouseholders。Butatlengththesegoodcustomsfellintodisuse。
TheLordsoftheManor，indeed，stillheldcourtsforform’ssake;buttheyortheirstewardshadthewholemanagementofaffairs。Theydemandedservices，duties，andcustomstowhichtheyhadnojusttitle。Nay，theywouldoftenbringactionsagainsttheirneighboursfortheirownprivateadvantage，andthensendinthebilltotheparish。Noobjectionwasmade，duringmanyyears，totheseproceedings，sothattheratesbecameheavierandheavier:norwasanypersonexemptedfromthesedemands，exceptthefootmenandgamekeepersofthesquireandtherectoroftheparish。Theyindeedwerenevercheckedinanyexcess。Theywouldcometoanhonestlabourer’scottage，eathispancakes，tuckhisfowlsintotheirpockets，andcanethepoormanhimself。Ifhewentuptothegreathousetocomplain，itwashardtogetthespeechofSirLewis;and，indeed，hisonlychanceofbeingrightedwastocoaxthesquire’sprettyhousekeeper，whocoulddowhatshepleasedwithhermaster。IfheventuredtointrudeupontheLordoftheManorwithoutthisprecaution，hegainednothingbyhispains。SirLewis，indeed，wouldatfirstreceivehimwithacivilface;for，togivehimhisdue，hecouldbeafinegentlemanwhenhepleased。\"Goodday，myfriend，\"hewouldsay，\"whatsituationhaveyouinmyfamily？\"\"Blessyourhonour！\"saysthepoorfellow，\"Iamnotoneofyourhonour’sservants;Irentasmallpieceofground，yourhonour。\"\"Then，youdog，\"quoththesquire，\"whatdoyoumeanbycominghere？Hasagentlemannothingtodobuttohearthecomplaintsofclowns？Here！Philip，James，Dick，tossthisfellowinablanket;orduckhim，andsethiminthestockstodry。\"
OneofthesepreciousLordsoftheManorenclosedadeer—park;
and，inordertostockit，heseizedalltheprettypetfawnsthathistenantshadbroughtup，withoutpayingthemafarthing，oraskingtheirleave。ItwasasaddayfortheparishofStDennis。Indeed，Idonotbelievethatallhisoppressiveexactionsandlongbillsenragedthepoortenantssomuchasthiscruelmeasure。
Yetforalongtime，inspiteofalltheseinconveniences，StDennis’swasaverypleasantplace。Thepeoplecouldnotrefrainfromcaperingiftheyheardthesoundofafiddle。And，iftheywereinclinedtoberiotous，SirLewishadonlytosendforPunch，orthedancingdogs，andallwasquietagain。Butthiscouldnotlastforever;theybegantothinkmoreandmoreoftheircondition;and，atlast，acluboffoul—mouthed，good—for—
nothingrascalswasheldatthesignoftheDevil，forthepurposeofabusingthesquireandtheparson。Thedoctor，toownthetruth，wasoldandindolent，extremelyfatandgreedy。Hehadnotpreachedatolerablesermonforalongtime。Thesquirewasstillworse;sothat，partlybytruthandpartlybyfalsehood，theclubsetthewholeparishagainsttheirsuperiors。
Theboysscrawledcaricaturesoftheclergymanuponthechurch—
door，andshotatthelandlordwithpop—gunsasherodea—
hunting。ItwasevenwhisperedaboutthattheLordoftheManorhadnorighttohisestate，andthat，ifhewerecompelledtoproducetheoriginaltitle—deeds，itwouldbefoundthatheonlyheldtheestateintrustfortheinhabitantsoftheparish。
Inthemeantimethesquirewaspressedmoreandmoreformoney。
Theparishcouldpaynomore。Therectorrefusedtolendafarthing。TheJewswereclamorousfortheirmoney;andthelandlordhadnootherresourcethantocalltogethertheinhabitantsoftheparish，andtorequesttheirassistance。Theynowattackedhimfuriouslyabouttheirgrievances，andinsistedthatheshouldrelinquishhisoppressivepowers。Theyinsistedthathisfootmenshouldbekeptinorder，thattheparsonshouldpayhisshareoftherates，thatthechildrenoftheparishshouldbeallowedtofishinthetrout—stream，andtogatherblackberriesinthehedges。Theyatlastwentsofarastodemandthatheshouldacknowledgethatheheldhisestateonlyintrustforthem。Hisdistresscompelledhimtosubmit。They，inreturn，agreedtosethimfreefromhispecuniarydifficulties，andtosufferhimtoinhabitthemanor—house;andonlyannoyedhimfromtimetotimebysingingimpudentballadsunderhiswindow。
Theneighbouringgentlefolksdidnotlookontheseproceedingswithmuchcomplacency。ItistruethatSirLewisandhisancestorshadplaguedthemwithlaw—suits，andaffrontedthematcountymeetings。Stilltheypreferredtheinsolenceofagentlemantothatoftherabble，andfeltsomeuneasinesslesttheexampleshouldinfecttheirowntenants。
AlargepartyofthemmetatthehouseofLordCaesarGermain。
LordCaesarwastheproudestmaninthecounty。Hisfamilywasveryancientandillustrious，thoughnotparticularlyopulent。
Hehadinvitedmostofhiswealthyneighbours。TherewasMrsKittyNorth，therelictofpoorSquirePeter，respectingwhomthecoroner’sjuryhadfoundaverdictofaccidentaldeath，butwhosefatehadneverthelessexcitedstrangewhispersintheneighbourhood。TherewasSquireDon，theownerofthegreatWestIndianproperty，whowasnotsorichashehadformerlybeen，butstillretainedhispride，andkeptuphiscustomarypomp;sothathehadplentyofplatebutnobreeches。TherewasSquireVonBlunderbussen，whohadsucceededtotheestatesofhisuncle，oldColonelFredericVonBlunderbussen，ofthehussars。Thecolonelwasaverysingularoldfellow;heusedtolearnapageofChambaud’sgrammar，andtotranslateTelemaque，everymorning，andhekeptsixFrenchmasterstoteachhimtoparleyvoo。
Neverthelesshewasashrewdcleverman，andimprovedhisestatewithsomuchcare，sometimesbyhonestandsometimesbydishonestmeans，thatheleftaveryprettypropertytohisnephew。
LordCaesarpouredoutaglassofTokayforMrsKitty。\"Yourhealth，mydearmadam，Ineversawyoulookmorecharming。Pray，whatthinkyouofthesedoingsatStDennis’s？\"
\"Finedoings，indeed！\"interruptedVonBlunderbussen;\"Iwishthatwehadmyoldunclealive，hewouldhavehadsomeofthemuptothehalberts。Heknewhowtousacat—o’—nine—tails。Ifthingsgooninthisway，agentlemanwillnotbeabletohorsewhipanimpudentfarmer，ortosayacivilwordtoamilk—
maid。\"
\"Indeed，it’sverytrue，Sir，\"saidMrsKitty;\"theirinsolenceisintolerable。Lookatme，forinstance:——apoorlonewoman！——
MydearPeterdead！Ilovedhim:——soIdid;and，whenhedied，I
wassohystericalyoucannotthink。AndnowIcannotleanonthearmofadecentfootman，ortakeawalkwithatallgrenadierbehindme，justtoprotectmefromaudaciousvagabonds，buttheymusthavetheirnauseoussuspicions;——odiouscreatures！\"
\"Thismustbestopped，\"repliedLordCaesar。\"Weoughttocontributetosupportmypoorbrother—in—lawagainsttheserascals。IwillwritetoSquireGuelfonthissubjectbythisnight’spost。Hisnameisalwaysattheheadofourcountysubscriptions。\"
IfthepeopleofStDennis’shadbeenangrybefore，theywerewell—nighmadwhentheyheardofthisconversation。Thewholeparishrantothemanor—house。SirLewis’sSwissportershutthedooragainstthem;buttheybrokeinandknockedhimontheheadforhisimpudence。TheythenseizedtheSquire，hootedathim，peltedhim，duckedhim，andcarriedhimtothewatch—house。Theyturnedtherectorintothestreet，burnthiswigandband，andsoldthechurch—platebyauction。TheyputupapaintedJezebelinthepulpittopreach。Theyscratchedoutthetextswhichwerewrittenroundthechurch，andscribbledprofanescrapsofsongsandplaysintheirplace。Theysettheorganplayingtopot—
housetunes。Insteadofbeingdecentlyaskedinchurch，theyweremarriedoverabroomstick。But，ofalltheirwhims，theuseofthenewpatentsteel—trapswasthemostremarkable。
Thistrapwasconstructedonacompletelynewprinciple。Itconsistedofacleaverhunginaframelikeawindow;whenanypoorwretchgotin，downitcamewithatremendousdin，andtookoffhisheadinatwinkling。Theygotthesquireintooneofthesemachines。Inordertopreventanyofhispartisansfromgettingfootingintheparish，theyplacedtrapsateverycorner。
Itwasimpossibletowalkthroughthehighwayatbroadnoonwithouttumblingintooneorotherofthem。Nomancouldgoabouthisbusinessinsecurity。Yetsogreatwasthehatredwhichtheinhabitantsentertainedfortheoldfamily，thatafewdecent，honestpeople，whobeggedthemtotakedownthesteel—
traps，andtoputuphumaneman—trapsintheirroom，wereveryroughlyhandledfortheirgoodnature。
InthemeantimetheneighbouringgentryundertookasuitagainsttheparishonthebehalfofSirLewis’sheir，andappliedtoSquireGuelfforhisassistance。
EverybodyknowsthatSquireGuelfismorecloselytiedupthananygentlemanintheshire。Hecould，therefore，lendthemnohelp;buthereferredthemtotheVestryoftheParishofStGeorgeintheWater。Thesegoodpeoplehadlongborneagrudgeagainsttheirneighboursontheothersideofthestream;andsomemutualtrespasseshadlatelyoccurredwhichincreasedtheirhostility。
TherewasanhonestIrishman，agreatfavouriteamongthem，whousedtoentertainthemwithraree—shows，andtoexhibitamagiclanterntothechildrenonwinterevenings。Hehadgonequitemaduponthissubject。Sometimeshewouldcalloutinthemiddleofthestreet——\"Takecareofthatcorner，neighbours;fortheloveofHeaven，keepclearofthatpost，thereisapatentsteel—
trapconcealedthereabouts。\"Sometimeshewouldbedisturbedbyfrightfuldreams;thenhewouldgetupatdeadofnight，openhiswindowandcry\"fire，\"tilltheparishwasroused，andtheenginessentfor。ThepulpitoftheParishofStGeorgeseemedlikelytofall;Ibelievethattheonlyreasonwasthattheparsonhadgrowntoofatandheavy;butnothingwouldpersuadethishonestmanbutthatitwasaschemeofthepeopleatStDennis’s，andthattheyhadsawedthroughthepillarsinordertobreaktherector’sneck。Oncehewentaboutwithaknifeinhispocket，andtoldallthepersonswhomhemetthatithadbeensharpenedbytheknife—grinderofthenextparishtocuttheirthroats。Theseextravagancieshadagreateffectonthepeople;
andthemoresobecausetheywereespousedbySquireGuelf’ssteward，whowasthemostinfluentialpersonintheparish。Hewasaveryfair—spokenman，veryattentivetothemainchance，andtheidoloftheoldwomen，becauseheneverplayedatskittlesordancedwiththegirls;and，indeed，nevertookanyrecreationbutthatofdrinkingonSaturdaynightswithhisfriendHarry，theScotchpedlar。HissupporterscalledhimSweetWilliam;hisenemiestheBottomlessPit。
ThepeopleofStDennis’s，however，hadtheiradvocates。TherewasFrank，therichestfarmerintheparish，whosegreatgrandfatherhadbeenknockedontheheadmanyyearsbefore，inasquabblebetweentheparishandaformerlandlord。TherewasDick，themerry—andrew，ratherlight—fingeredandriotous，butacleverdrollfellow。Aboveall，therewasCharley，thepublican，ajolly，fat，honestlad，agreatfavouritewiththewomen，who，ifhehadnotbeenrathertoofondofaleandchuck—farthing，wouldhavebeenthebestfellowintheneighbourhood。
\"Myboys，\"saidCharley，\"thisisexceedinglywellforMadamNorth;——notthatIwouldspeakuncivillyofher;sheputupmypictureinherbestroom，blessherforit！But，Isay，thisisverywellforher，andforLordCaesar，andSquireDon，andColonelVon;——butwhataffairisitofyoursormine？Itisnottobewonderedat，thatgentlemenshouldwishtokeeppoorpeopleoutoftheirown。Butitisstrangeindeedthattheyshouldexpectthepoorthemselvestocombineagainsttheirowninterests。IfthefolksatStDennis’sshouldattackuswehavethelawandourcudgelstoprotectus。Butwhy，inthenameofwonder，arewetoattackthem？WhenoldSirCharles，whowasLordoftheManorformerly，andtheparson，whowaspresentedbyhimtotheliving，triedtobullythevestry，didnotweknocktheirheadstogether，andgotomeetingtohearJeremiahRingletubpreach？AnddidtheSquireDon，orthegreatSirLewis，thatlivedatthattime，ortheGermains，sayawordagainstusforit？Mindyourownbusiness，mylads:lawisnottobehadfornothing;andwe，youmaybesure，shallhavetopaythewholebill。\"
NeverthelessthepeopleofStGeorge’swereresolvedonlaw。
Theycriedoutmostlustily，\"SquireGuelfforever！SweetWilliamforever！Nosteeltraps！\"SquireGuelftookalltherascallyfootmenwhohadwornoldSirLewis’sliveryintohisservice。Theywerefedinthekitchenontheverybestofeverything，thoughtheyhadnosettlement。Manypeople，andthepaupersinparticular，grumbledattheseproceedings。Thesteward，however，devisedawaytokeepthemquiet。
Therehadlivedinthisparishformanyyearsanoldgentleman，namedSirHabeasCorpus。HewassaidbysometobeofSaxon，bysomeofNorman，extraction。SomemaintainthathewasnotborntillafterthetimeofSirCharles，towhomwehavebeforealluded。OthersareofopinionthathewasalegitimatesonofoldLadyMagnaCharta，althoughhewaslongconcealedandkeptoutofhisbirthright。Certainitisthathewasaverybenevolentperson。Wheneveranypoorfellowwastakenupongroundswhichhethoughtinsufficient，heusedtoattendonhisbehalfandbailhim;andthushehadbecomesopopular，thattotakedirectmeasuresagainsthimwasoutofthequestion。
Thesteward，accordingly，broughtadozenphysicianstoexamineSirHabeas。Afterconsultation，theyreportedthathewasinaverybadway，andoughtnot，onanyaccount，tobeallowedtostiroutforseveralmonths。Fortifiedwiththisauthority，theparishofficersputhimtobed，closedhiswindows，andbarredhisdoors。Theypaidhimeveryattention，andfromtimetotimeissuedbulletinsofhishealth。Thestewardneverspokeofhimwithoutdeclaringthathewasthebestgentlemanintheworld;
butexcellentcarewastakenthatheshouldneverstiroutofdoors。
Whenthisobstaclewasremoved，theSquireandthestewardkepttheparishinexcellentorder;floggedthisman，sentthatmantothestocks，andpushedforwardthelaw—suitwithanobledisregardofexpense。Theywere，however，wantingeitherinskillorinfortune。AndeverythingwentagainstthemaftertheirantagonistshadbeguntoemploySolicitorNap。
WhodoesnotknowthenameofSolicitorNap？Atwhatalehouseisnothisbehaviourdiscussed？Inwhatprint—shopisnothispictureseen？Yethowlittletruthhasbeensaidabouthim！
Somepeopleholdthatheusedtogivelaudanumbypintstohissixclerksforhisamusement。Others，whosenumberhasverymuchincreasedsincehewaskilledbythegaoldistemper，conceivethathewastheverymodelofhonourandgood—nature。Ishalltrytotellthetruthabouthim。
Hewasassuredlyanexcellentsolicitor。Inhiswayheneverwassurpassed。Assoonastheparishbegantoemployhim，theircausetookaturn。Inaverylittletimetheyweresuccessful;
andNapbecamerich。Henowsetupforagentleman;tookpossessionoftheoldmanor—house;gotintothecommissionofthepeace，andaffectedtobeonaparwiththebestofthecounty。
Hegovernedthevestriesasabsolutelyastheoldfamilyhaddone。Yet，togivehimhisdue，hemanagedthingswithfarmorediscretionthaneitherSirLewisortherioterswhohadpulledtheLordsoftheManordown。Hekepthisservantsintolerableorder。Heremovedthesteeltrapsfromthehighwaysandthecornersofthestreets。Hestillleftafewindeedinthemoreexposedpartsofhispremises;andsetupaboardannouncingthattrapsandspringgunsweresetinhisgrounds。Hebroughtthepoorparsonbacktotheparish;and，thoughhedidnotenablehimtokeepafinehouseandacoachasformerly，hesettledhiminasnuglittlecottage，andallowedhimapleasantpad—nag。Hewhitewashedthechurchagain;andputthestocks，whichhadbeenmuchwantedoflate，intogoodrepair。
Withtheneighbouringgentry，however，hewasnofavourite。Hewascraftyandlitigious。Hecarednothingforright，ifhecouldraiseapointoflawagainstthem。Hepoundedtheircattle，broketheirhedges，andseducedtheirtenantsfromthem。
HealmostruinedLordCaesarwithactions，ineveryoneofwhichhewassuccessful。VonBlunderbussenwenttolawwithhimforanallegedtrespass，butwascast，andalmostruinedbythecostsofsuit。HenexttookafancytotheseatofSquireDon，whowas，tosaythetruth，littlebetterthananidiot。Heaskedthepoordupetodinner，andthenthreatenedtohavehimtossedinablanketunlesshewouldmakeoverhisestatestohim。ThepoorSquiresignedandsealedadeedbywhichthepropertywasassignedtoJoe，abrotherofNap’s，intrustforandtotheuseofNaphimself。Thetenants，however，stoodout。Theymaintainedthattheestatewasentailed，andrefusedtopayrentstothenewlandlord;andinthisrefusaltheywerestoutlysupportedbythepeopleinStGeorge’s。
AboutthesametimeNaptookitintohisheadtomatchwithquality，andnothingwouldservehimbutoneoftheMissGermains。LordCaesarsworelikeatrooper;buttherewasnohelpforit。Naphadtwiceputexecutionsinhisprincipalresidence，andhadrefusedtodischargethelatterofthetwotillhehadextortedabondfromhisLordshipwhichcompelledhimtocomply。
THEENDOFTHEFIRSTPART……
ACONVERSATIONBETWEENMRABRAHAMCOWLEYANDMRJOHNMILTON，TOUCHINGTHEGREATCIVILWAR。
SETDOWNBYAGENTLEMANOFTHEMIDDLETEMPLE。
（August1824。）
\"ReferresermonesDeorumetMagnamodistenuareparvis。\"——Horace。
Ihavethoughtitgoodtosetdowninwritingamemorabledebate，whereinIwasalistener，andtwomenofpregnantpartsandgreatreputationdiscoursers;hopingthatmyfriendswillnotbedispleasedtohavearecordbothofthestrangetimesthroughwhichIhavelived，andofthefamousmenwithwhomIhaveconversed。Itchancedinthewarmandbeautifulspringoftheyear1665，alittlebeforethesaddestsummerthateverLondonsaw，thatIwenttotheBowlingGreenatPiccadilly，whither，atthattime，thebestgentrymadecontinualresorts。ThereImetMrCowley，whohadlatelyleftBarnelms。TherewasthenahousepreparingforhimatChertsey;andtillitshouldbefinished，hehadcomeupforashorttimetoLondon，thathemighturgeasuittohisGraceofBuckinghamtouchingcertainlandsofherMajesty’s，whereofherequestedalease。Ihadthehonourtobefamiliarlyacquaintedwiththatworthygentlemanandmostexcellentpoet，whosedeathhathbeendeploredwithasgeneralaconsentofallPowersthatdelightinthewoods，orinverse，orinlove，aswasofoldthatofDaphnisorofCallus。
Aftersometalk，whichitisnotmaterialtosetdownatlarge，concerninghissuitandhisvexationsatthecourt，whereindeedhishonestydidhimmoreharmthanhispartscoulddohimgood，I
entreatedhimtodinewithmeatmylodgingintheTemple，whichhemostcourteouslypromised。And，thatsoeminentaguestmightnotlackabetterentertainmentthancooksorvintnerscanprovide，IsenttothehouseofMrJohnMilton，intheArtilleryWalk，tobegthathewouldalsobemyguest。For，thoughhehadbeensecretary，firsttotheCouncilofState，and，afterthat，totheProtector，andMrCowleyhadheldthesamepostundertheLordStAlbansinhisbanishment，Ihoped，notwithstandingthattheywouldthinkthemselvesratherunitedbytheircommonartthandividedbytheirdifferentfactions。Andsoindeeditproved。For，whilewesatattable，theytalkedfreelyofmanymenandthings，aswellancientasmodern，withmuchcivility。
Nay，MrMilton，whoseldomtastedwine，bothbecauseofhissingulartemperanceandbecauseofhisgout，didmorethanoncepledgeMrCowley，whowasindeednohermitindiet。Atlast，beingheated，MrMiltonbeggedthatIwouldopenthewindows。
\"Nay，\"saidI，\"ifyoudesirefreshairandcoolness，whatshouldhinderus，astheeveningisfair，fromsailingforanhourontheriver？\"Tothistheybothcheerfullyconsented;andforthwewalked，MrCowleyandIleadingMrMiltonbetweenus，totheTempleStairs。Therewetookaboat;andthencewewereroweduptheriver。
Thewindwaspleasant;theeveningfine;thesky，theearth，andthewaterbeautifultolookupon。ButMrCowleyandIheldourpeace，andsaidnothingofthegaysightsaroundus，lestweshouldtoofeelinglyremindMrMiltonofhiscalamity;whereof，however，heneedednomonitor:forsoonhesaid，sadly，\"Ah，MrCowley，youareahappyman。WhatwouldInowgivebutforonemorelookatthesun，andthewaters，andthegardensofthisfaircity！\"
\"Iknownot，\"saidMrCowley，\"whetherweoughtnotrathertoenvyyouforthatwhichmakesyoutoenvyothers:andthatspeciallyinthisplace，wherealleyeswhicharenotclosedinblindnessoughttobecomefountainsoftears。Whatcanwelookuponwhichisnotamemorialofchangeandsorrow，offairthingsvanished，andevilthingsdone？WhenIseethegateofWhitehall，andthestatelypillarsoftheBanquetingHouse，I
cannotchoosebutthinkofwhatIhavethereseeninformerdays，masques，andpageants，anddances，andsmiles，andthewavingofgracefulheads，andtheboundingofdelicatefeet。AndthenI
turntothoughtsofotherthings，whicheventoremembermakesmetoblushandweep;——ofthegreatblackscaffold，andtheaxeandblock，whichwereplacedbeforethoseverywindows;andthevoiceseemstosoundinmineears，thelawlessandterriblevoice，whichcriedoutthattheheadofakingwastheheadofatraitor。TherestandsWestminsterHall，whichwhocanlookupon，andnottrembletothinkhowtime，andchange，anddeathconfoundthecouncilsofthewise，andbeatdowntheweaponsofthemighty？HowhaveIseenitsurroundedwithtensofthousandsofpetitionerscryingforjusticeandprivilege！HowhaveIhearditshakewithfierceandproudwords，whichmadetheheartsofthepeopleburnwithinthem！Thenitisblockadedbydragoons，andclearedbypikemen。Andtheywhohaveconqueredtheirmastergoforthtremblingatthewordoftheirservant。Andyetalittlewhile，andtheusurpercomesforthfromit，inhisrobeofermine，withthegoldenstaffinonehandandtheBibleintheother，amidsttheroaringofthegunsandtheshoutingofthepeople。Andyetagainalittlewhile，andthedoorsarethrongedwithmultitudesinblack，andthehearseandtheplumescomeforth;andthetyrantisborne，inmorethanroyalpomp，toaroyalsepulchre。Afewdaysmore，andhisheadisfixedtorotonthepinnaclesofthatveryhallwherehesatonathroneinhislife，andlayinstateafterhisdeath。WhenIthinkonallthesethings，tolookroundmemakesmesadatheart。TrueitisthatGodhathrestoredtousouroldlaws，andtherightfullineofourkings。Yet，howIknownot，butitseemstomethatsomethingiswanting——thatourcourthathnottheoldgravity，norourpeopletheoldloyalty。Theseeviltimes，likethegreatdeluge，haveoverwhelmedandconfusedallearthlythings。And，evenasthosewaters，thoughatlasttheyabated，yet，asthelearnedwrite，destroyedalltraceofthegardenofEden，sothatitsplacehathneversincebeenfound，sohaththisopeningofalltheflood—gatesofpoliticalevileffacedallmarksoftheancientpoliticalparadise。\"
\"Sir，byyourfavour，\"saidMrMilton，\"though，frommanycircumstancesbothofbodyandoffortune，Imightpleadfairerexcusesfordespondencythanyourself，Iyetlooknotsosadlyeitheronthepastoronthefuture。Thatadelugehathpassedoverthisournation，Idenynot。ButIholditnottobesuchadelugeasthatofwhichyouspeak;butratherablessedflood，likethoseoftheNile，whichinitsoverflowdothindeedwashawayancientlandmarks，andconfoundboundaries，andsweepawaydwellings，yea，dothgivebirthtomanyfoulanddangerousreptiles。Yethenceisthefulnessofthegranary，thebeautyofthegarden，thenurtureofalllivingthings。