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