The most durable free dom. The secret is, to plant the sacred tree In ground so sound, so clear from all alloy, That there may spring no branch that can annoy So poor, so steril, that 'twere vain t' employ The usual means, or the most skilful hand, XVII. E'en once obtain'd, this jewel, with what care 1 Perhaps few subjects admit of more interesting discussion, than that of the causes of revolutions in empires; and, notwithstanding all that has been written on the occasion, there is perhaps yet wanting some philosophical and able work, to embrace this momentous question in all its bear ings. The fall and decline of the Roman Empire by Gibbon, requires no eulogy. Froissart's Chronicle is a valuable work; so is Koch's Revolu tions of Europe. The Revolutions of Rome and of Portugal, by Vertot, are admirable; but even all these leave still much to be desired. Chateaubriand's Historical, Political and Moral Essay on Revolutions, Ancient and Modern, contains a good portion of the defects, and many of the beauties, of that accomplished scholar; but it was written at a period when the author was too much alive to the horrors of the French Revolution, to admit of his giving an unbiassed opinion. For instance, he questions whether there is such a thing at all as genuine civil liberty. "I doubt it," adds he, 66 were the Or from the cold insidious artful snare, Of proud patrician, that oft worse than crown; Take care of her. Greeks happier or better after their republican revolution?—No! their Or from, if she would not be trampl'd down, Her own mad worshippers!-What did Brutus1 gain By t'other patriot?? Tyrants and a chain ! XVIII. There's better hope for Europe, in this age Of wonderment.-The noble cause just won the most delicate management, and all the respect which is due to institutions which have stood the ordeal of ages. But, perhaps, a still nicer discernment should be exercised, to foresee when such alterations ought to be for a season altogether abstained from, in the fear of inducing a greater calamity than they were intended to remedy. The desideratum for preserving moderation and harmony in a state would seem to be, an enlightened and moral population, who can the best judge which is the safest road to worldly prosperity,-which the surest path to conscientious reposewhat the conduct to be observed to preserve concord in the community. If the people of a country are, generally speaking, virtuous, from the monarch down to the artisan, that country will be happy, let the constitution be what it may; if, on the other hand, they are ignorant and corrupt, it will be unprosperous under any form of government; nay, then, the republi can must be that most to be dreaded, in so far as many tyrants are more dangerous than one or than a few. 1 Lucius Junius Brutus. He avenged the death of Lucretia, who destroyed herself. 2 Marcus Junius Brutus. He died B. C. 42, having fallen on his (In truth right hasty work, but wrought in rage-) Is a loud lesson for each hauty Don, Of power magnific,—loud enough to stun In Fame's career, in what is just and brave— XIX. Let us hope. Amidst the ruins of his capital1 !— "Tis said, that in his blithe and buxom years, Good, graceful, gracious, debonnair withal, That Nicholas was soften'd into tears On quitting England.—Courtiers whisper'd fears, 'Twas not the beauty of the smiling isle Had gain'd the youthful heart.-No! it appears There was the far-far lovelier smile Of a bright Nameless She, who charmed the while. A Prince's First Love. Countess of sword after the battle of Philippi. The Roman Republic lasted about 480 years, from the expulsion of the Tarquins to the reign of Augustus. 1 This poem was written before the Russians and Poles proceeded to extremities. XX. Fruits better than flowers. Were gather'd, ay! and with no sluggard's hand, Those fairer fruits, which keep, and may command, Through causes it were bootless to repeat, There's much to learn!-Oh! may it long withstand That discord, which the base or indiscreet Would sow with reckless heads and trampling feet. XXI. A merry reign and long. We will not blot our unpretending page With hydras, like those horrors which are past. Where should bright honour never be surpass'd? Which dignifies a state. Then come, though last, |