Page images
PDF
EPUB

Such is the outline-and a very slender outline-of the career of Thomas Chalmers up to his thirty-fifth year But even if the events of his life could have been narrated more fully in our space, it is not so much in them that the interest of the work before us and the merits of the biog rapher consist. It is in the full exhibition of a very remarkable character-the exhibition, very often, of the minutest working of his mind-that forms the primary interest of the biography. A secondary, though probably undesigned attraction, is in the picture of Scottish character and society for nearly a quarter of a century, when Scottish society was in a transition state. various studies and pursuits, his lectures both in and out of the pulpit, made Chalmers a sort of centre, round which friends and opponents gathered. We have thus something like a mixed comedy, alternately grave and ludicrous, in which many characters and many kinds of life pass before the reader. The style of Dr. Hanna's narrative is

A situation of an additional 1007. a year may per- ment to the electors-would not tell them whether haps be held out to you; but you should take into I would take it or turn from it, but left it a question the account how far that situation may expose you quite undecided till Providence brought it to my to expenses exceeding the addition of income which door; then, if there is no intimation of the will of it renders-what company and connections it may Providence here, it must follow, either that events lead you into how far it may encroach upon the afford no interpretation of that will, or (what, I time which you have hitherto allotted for study, or fear, falls in with the practical Atheism of many) devoted to the pleasures and endearments of domes-God has no share in the matter at all: He is detic life-what effect the sudden change from a quiet posed from His sovereignty, and the solemn assercountry life to the din and bustle of the great city tion that not a sparrow falleth to the ground withis likely to have upon you-and how far you think out His appointment is a nullity and a falsehood. you can relish the formal and empty ceremonious I do not say that this argument should supersede fal lal of refinement when compared to the honest others, but it ought to have a place and a reality but humble society to which you have been accus-in every Christian deliberation. tomed at Kilmany. Besides, Kilmany is the place where you began your career. The Reverend Mr. Chalmers of Kilmany is known; his fame is far spread, his character is respected, his reputation established, and his abilities acknowledged and admired. But the Reverend Mr. Chalmers of Glasgow is another person: he has to begin the world afresh; and there is no doubt but he will be considered in the literary as well as religious world as a very different man from his Reverence of Kilmany. Shining abilities are naturally looked for and expected to be met with at the seat of learning, and of course are not estimated so highly as when they proceed from humble life. Think of all these things, and consider also how greatly it will add to your character, that instance of self-denial which your refusal of the offer will not fail to impress on the minds of all who know you and have heard of you. Keep fast by what you have got, and be contented still to remain the minister of Kilmany; and leave Glasgow to those hunters after the world and vain-glory who may be disposed to throw themselves in its way. Never you mind the call of the Lord, as it is called, but think of ***. Excuse all I have said on the subject. I have no other view than your own happiness; for I am convinced terse and manly; and he effectively indicates the that if you do accept of this offer, you sacrifice pith of his story, whether humorous or serious. your comfort and happiness forever. You will But his great merit lies in the mastery of his subhave no time for study; you will be deprived of all ject and the management of his materials. The the comforts of a home, for you will be continually mode in which he handles complex subjects so as carried down a current of formal visits and compli- to place them plainly before the reader, and the mentary calls, and invitations, and botherations of all sorts. Let Zachariah Boyd look somewhere else for an interpreter of his works, and not insult Kilmany with any such application. I hope to hear from you before long; and I trust your letter will inform me that you have declined the offer, both on your own account, and on account of the Anstruther folks, who would be much hurt at your leaving the neighborhood. I beg you to write soon; and I remain, dear Thomas, your affectionate brother,

JAMES CHALMERS.

From his brother's reply, one of the letters of James on this subject appears to be missing.

Yet

Thus far can we go along with one another; but I am afraid no further. Glasgow is not a better situation in point of emolument. It is greatly more laborious; and I will have to maintain a constant struggle with the difficulties you insist upon. I think it my duty to go: but were I to unfold all the motives to you, I fear, from the strain of your two last letters, that you would positively not understand me. I do not pretend any call of Providence in the shape of a vision or a voice; yet surely, if Providence overrule all events-if the appointment in question is an event I had no hand in-if, during the whole progress of the steps which led to it, I cautiously abstained from giving any encourage

His

way in which he suspends chronology to bring remarkable circumstances effectively together, is akin to the art that produces the episode and retrospection of epic poetry.

In his youth Dr. Chalmers was several times in England, but not much further south than Liverpool. In his twenty-seventh year he visited London, and the elaborate journal he kept of his tour is very interesting. It vividly conveys the impression which the full-dress style of English scenery and English mansions left upon his mind; and it brings up things which the present generation only know by report. Blenheim was the first seat that greatly struck him; and it inspired a passage that may be quoted as a fine specimen of his composition.

The pleasure I felt was heightened by a variety of circumstances which supplied associations of grandeur. In addition to the stateliness of actual display, I had the recollection of its origin, the im mortality of its first owner, the proud monument of national glory, the prospect not of a house, or scene, or a neighborhood, but the memorial of those events which had figured on the high theatre of war and of politics, and given a turn to the history of the

world. The statue of Louis XIV. placed upon the south front, and taken from the walls of Tournay, gives an air of magnificence far beyond the mere power of form or of magnitude. It is great not as a visible object, but great as a trophy, great as it serves to illustrate the glory of England, and the prowess of the first of warriors. I spent two hours in the garden. Never spot more lovely-never scenes so fair and captivating. I lost myself in an elysium of delight, and wept with perfect rapture. My favorite view was down the river, from the ground above the fountain. The setting sun gleamed on the gilded orbs of Blenheim; through the dark verdure of trees were seen peeps of water and spots of grassy sunshine; the murmurs of the waterfall beneath soothed every anxiety within me; the bell of the village-clock sent its music across the lake on my left. I sat motionless, and my mind slumbered in a reverie of enchantment.

before us; saw in the rich scene that presented itself the wealth of the first city in the world, spreading its embellishments over the neighborhood. Took a boat to Kew when we passed Isleworth, and had a charming sail down the river. From Kew we coached it to town, and reached Walworth by eleven in the evening.

The journals of religious converts—of "brands snatched from the burning"-have been printed so often that little novelty in kind could be looked for; but in the case of Chalmers there is unusual freshness and interest from the character of the man. The mass of people who write these confessions are more or less of mystics: it is the outpouring of reverie, very often of verbiage. In Chalmers there is unsparing critical analysis of his own conduct, a searching dissection of his new faith; with one example of which we conclude

In London he exhibited the same activity as everywhere else; but we will pass theatres, elec-our extracts. tions, and sights, for his Sunday trip to Windsor. A year or two later, such a jaunt would not have been indulged in, nor would the indulgence of others have passed without grave remark.

votion; of which the following is the record. At May 3rd.-I gave an hour in the forenoon to dethe commencement felt my heart strongly occupied with my misunderstanding with - Prayed against this; that my main anxiety may be about God, and not men, and that I may be so filled with charity and forgiveness, as to be in a state of preparation for bringing my gift before the altar. Prayed for God's blessing and presence through the whole exercise. Prayed for the correction of my defects, my want of taste for spiritual and divine objects, my distance from God, my want of those im

Saturday, May 16th.-I arrived at Windsor at seven; ran up to the Castle; got admittance by the porter (1s.); and was shown by the chambermaid (1s. 6d.) through the public rooms. The paintings I did not see to advantage, from the lateness of the hour; but was particularly struck with the magnificence of St. George's Hall, and the finished elegance of the king's audience-chamber. In one of the rooms, I was pointed out the Duke of Marl-pressions of reality and importance which should borough's annual quit-rent for Blenheim, a small accompany the whole of my intercourse with Him. flag highly decorated. I went down to the terrace; Prayed for the correction of my faults in reference to and as I walked along the North of the Castle, I my brethren of mankind, and, in particular, for grievswore in the gladness of my heart that there was ing the Holy Ghost, whose fruits are long-suffering never scene so sweet or fair. You have an ex- and gentleness, by clamor and wrath and bitterness. quisite view, below the eminence, of the Castle, the Prayed for the substitution of right principles, in windings of the Thames, Eton College and Chapel. place of those wrong ones which obtained in the The vivid green seen in patches through the fringe case of -; and that I may be without uncharitaof luxuriant branches-the extensive lawns below, bleness to man on the one hand, and a sinful fear on which the peaceful cattle were grazing-the of man on the other. This led me to a train of hum of the village-the grand association of maj-feeling and speculation about this affair which I inesty-his piety and amiable character-his selec-dulged in, even on my knees; and the result was tion of this quiet retirement as a refuge from the a plan which I think it would be advisable to adopt cares and the splendor of royalty-threw me into in reference to and that is, a full and explan

bed.

|

a train of emotions, soothing, tranquil, and elevat-atory letter. O God, forgive me what is wrong in ing. I returned to the Hero inn, where I got a this wandering; and, as I prayed for wisdom, am snug room, a substantial supper, and a comfortable I to take this plan as Thy suggestion, and to proceed upon it accordingly? My beginning acquaintance with God as He lays Himself before me in the Old Testament is, I hope, putting to flight my metaphysical difficulties about sin. I am proceeding more upon first principles, and not consuming my time and strength so much in speculating about them. Thought of my relative duties. Prayed for a due discharge of them, and for the welfare and prosperity of those who are the objects of them. This carried in it intercession for parish, church, family, friends, and acquaintances. Thought of the general interests of Christianity; prayed for its extension, for the removal of the obstructions which now lie in its way, for the prosperity of religious societies. Concluded with a prayer for forgiveness, and for a blessing on the whole exercise.

Sunday, May 17th.-Went to the king's private chapel; where, at half-past eight, I was gratified with the entrance of their majesties and the Princess Elizabeth. His manner is devotional and unaffected. I heard them all repeat the service most distinctly; and was much pleased with their frank, easy, and benevolent appearance. The view of Twickenham was most charming. Pope's house was among the delightful residences that we gazed on with rapture from the opposite side. The river was enshrined with pleasure-boats; and the gay London parties, walking and drinking tea on both sides, gave cheerfulness and animation to the prospect. The idea, however, of vicinity to the metropolis, pollutes all our rural impressions of this fascinating scene-takes off from all that pure interest, which the idea of simplicity confers, and mingles with original nature the vices, profligacy, and corruptions of civilized life. We ascended Richmond Hill; eyed with rapture the country

May 5th.-This day is an epoch in my life. My dear Grace had a daughter, and I have to bless God for an answer to my prayers in giving her a safe and easy delivery. O my God, perfect her

restoration to health, and carry her in safety | part he played in them, the missions he received, through the remainder of her trials. I dedicate the resolutions he made, the attitude he persisted this child to Thee, and pray for wisdom and ability in holding in view of the passions which were actas well as zeal in the great work of bringing her ing on every side, give importance to this rapid up in Thy nurture and admonition. Insert the narrative. No one will be tempted to judge the following as a memorandum, which may interest | Monarch of July, simply on reading the journal of my daughter when she comes to understand it.

1815; no one ought to flatter himself that he is "Born about five minutes before two in the after-acquainted with the Duke of Orleans without noon; and I was employed at the time in correcting for the press the second paragraph about the contempt incurred by missionaries, in my sermon on Ps. xli. 1."

Among the materials for this varied volume are the Posthumous Works (and indeed all the works) of Dr. Chalmers; which receive new interest from their connection with his life. Some of them, looked at singly, had only a literary or a theological value: considered with the occasion of their production, they have a homefelt interest -like the difference between a distant occurrence and family events.

My Journal.

having read it. The sincerity of the narrator, notwithstanding the vivacity of the anger and resentments of that period, cannot be doubted. To-day this anger is extinguished and these resentments are dead. The cold hand of time has laid heavy on most of the actors in those fiery contests, and the common exile of the two branches of the house of Bourbon, the alliance of all honest opinions with regard to the dissolution of society, leave no longer any room for the memory of ancient quarrels. Three facts spring from this narrative, with an evidence, often veiled by the excessive moderation first, the difficult position of the prince between the of the narrator, but always transparent to criticism: responsibility which the honor of his family fortune put upon him, and the secret antagonism of his early associations, his opinions and his tendencies; The Events of 1815, by Louis in the second place, at the moment of the landing of the emperor, the complete absence of all allusions on his part as to the final result of this heroic return; finally, on the part of the good and sensible Louis XVIII.,a natural confidence-which, however, he could not help resisting-a sort of involuntary dislike mingled with esteem for the character, the fame, and the indisputable capacity of the Duke of Orleans. These three facts will be successively revealed and produced in the rapid analysis which I am about to make of the Journal of 1815.

From the Boston Daily Advertiser.

PHILIPPE of Orleans.

THIS is the title of a book in two volumes, recently published in Paris, of which, a writer in the Journal des Debats, (Cuvillier Fleury,) gives the following history:

It is a book published without the permission of its author. The reason is very simple; the author has been King of the French, he is so no longer. Everything against him is permitted in the generous country of France, even to the publication of his manuscripts, without his consent. This is called barricade law. I do not know what right the editors had to the Journal of King Louis Philippe-whatever it was, worse things have been done since the February revolution. It is better, after all, to publish books than to burn them.

On the 5th of March, M. de Blacas came in great haste to seek the Duke of Orleans at the Palais Royal at eleven o'clock at night, to conduct him to the Tuileries. "I will put on my uniform," said the prince." That is not necessary," replied the duke.-"What, go in a frock to the Tuileries! this would make a story all over Paris." The circumstances were then very serious. The Duke of Orleans knew nothing of them, but he foresaw some extraordinary revelation. In a frock coat to the Tuileries! Meantime they arrived there. They crossed the guard room. The body-guard, stretched on mattresses on the floor, opened their eyes in astonishment to see a prince of the blood passing at that hour, and in a frock coat! The Duke of Orleans entered the king's apartment.

Ah, well sir," said the king to him, "Bonaparte is in France.”—“ Yes, sire," answered the prince, who had just been informed by M. de Blacas of the news," and I am very sorry for it."

The Journal of 1815 had been printed, but had never been edited. Its history was this: The Duke of Orleans, finding himself at that time at Twickenham, formed the design of writing an exposé of his conduct before and during the Hundred Days. It is generally known that the reaction which had succeeded the ephemeral triumph of Napoleon had not spared the Duke of Orleans. There was a disposition to place to his account some of the grievances which were felt against the whole liberal party. The coolness of the prince when he might have resisted Bonaparte, was spoken of, and his dilatoriness, when he might have returned after an invasion. He was almost accused of treason. Ah, I should like it as well if it were not so," The Duke of Orleans endeavored to defend himself. said the king, "but since it is the fact, we must The defence of the prince was written and printed hope that it will prove a fortunate crisis which may at London, under his own eyes. The whole edition rid us of him."-"I wish it may be so, but I fear was put up in a trunk, to be published in France, the contrary," said the prince. The conversation if his honor demanded it; or to remain secret, if continues some time in this tone. But from the circumstances rendered its publication useless, first moment we see the antagonism between the which in fact happened. The Duke of Orleans re-king and the prince bursting out, between the conturned to France, and the Journal of 1815 did not leave its hiding place. The violent hand and indiscreet curiosity of a revolution was necessary to draw it out.

This book is an interesting page of a great history. In the long life of King Louis Philippe, the few days which preceded or which followed the 20th of March, 1815, are but an instant, but the

[ocr errors]

fidence of the one and the too well justified alarms of the other, between the illusion which shuts the eyes at the Tuileries, and the prudence which opens them at the Palais Royal. "I depend on the garrison of Valence," says the king." The Valence garrison, composed of the 4th horse artillery, will do nothing against Bonaparte," said the prince." I destine you to go to Lyons, under my

brother.""I should be more useful to your majesty in getting together a body of troops between Lyons and Paris, in any event."-" Not at all," replied the king dryly, interrupting the prince. You will be much more useful to my brother, who will give you the command of a division." And is not your majesty uneasy at remaining thus alone at Paris?""I am very much obliged to you; but I have no need of any one, and it is much better for you to go to Lyons. Adieu, oil your boots, and come to see me to-morrow morning."

66

attempt, which could have no other result than that of fortifying the army of Napoleon, by stripping the North of France. The important thing, however, on the contrary, was to secure a refuge there. The Duke of Orleans did all he could to make this opinion prevail, and finally succeeded, since Louis XVIII. gave the prince the command of the northern army. "When I entered the king's apartment," he writes, "his eyes fixed on mine with an uneasy expression, and I thought I perceived that he feared I had come to excuse myself. But as soon as the king understood that I accepted, his expression became as gracious as it had been the contrary.'

The 15th of March arrived. "The eagles of the Empire which were left in the decoration of the Tuileries seemed," says a history of that time, "to resume a threatening aspect." No serious mind could any longer have a doubt of the approaching arrival of Bonaparte in Paris, and of the impossibility of offering him any resistance except in the strong places of the extreme frontier. If the mission given to the Duke of Orleans had any meaning, it was this. But it was necessary to come to an explanation. Did the king wish, after his retreat from Paris, to remain in France? Did he wish to call in the aid of foreign armies? On these two points, the sentiments of Louis XVIII. might seem to agree with the well known dispositions of the Duke of Orleans. A saying of his is quoted, which might pass for heroism. "I shall await Bonaparte in my chair; the victim will be greater than the executioner." On the other hand, the king authorized the prince to repulse all intrusion of foreign troops into his army. Noble sentiments. but vain words! promises, not deceitful, but of little sincerity, dictated perhaps by the heart, impelled by the first emotion to the lips, but to which events were about to give a cruel contradiction. For the Duke of Orleans, meantime, all the question was, will he call in foreign assistance?

Meantime the Count d'Artois had gone. The Duke of Orleans followed soon after him. On the 9th of March he was at Lyons. "What news?" asked the prince on arriving.-"Ah, the news is not very pleasant," replied Monsieur. In fact, the emperor was at Grenoble. He had found there a hundred and thirty pieces of cannon, ammunition of all kinds, and an immense supply of guns. At Lyons, on the contrary, there was neither a cannon, a gun, a ball, nor a dollar. "This is our position, sir," said the Count d'Artois, "here it is without dressing (au naturel.)"-" The affair cannot last long," replied the Duke of Orleans; and he ordered his post horses. The same evening Marshal Macdonald arrived. A council was held. The position was explained to him. Lyons was to be defended, the troops were not to be depended on, no fortifications, no cannon. "This simplifies much the defence of the place," said the marshal smiling. The council broke up; they inquired for the news --Napoleon was marching on Lyons. The next day he, who was then called the enemy, had his advanced posts at La Verpilliere. The troops at Lyons refused to serve. There was but one thing for the princes to do; this was to go as they came. None of them failed to do this, and they did well. The Duke of Orleans has been much blamed for having predicted what happened; it was said that he was guilty of the defection of the troops, because he had judged it inevitable. "When M. Necker,' writes Madame de Stael," said to the king and queen, Are you sure of the army?' they imagined they saw in this doubt a factious sentiment; for one of the traits which characterizes the aristo-ceeds with the narrative: cratic party (the old style) in France is holding the knowledge of facts to be suspicious. These facts, which are obstinate, in vain raised themselves ten times against the hopes of the privileged orders; they always attributed them to the persons who predicted them, not to the nature of things.'

On his return to Paris, the Duke of Orleans began by complaining to the king of the part he had just been made to play at Lyons, and the figure he had made there. "You only went there," said the king, "like a man pushed by the shoulders.""Sire," replied the duke, "the sacrifice I made to your majesty, in giving you, against my judgment, this mark of my obedience, ought to prohibit henceforth all suspicion of my motives. When did I permit myself to examine, before accepting, a mission, if I had the hope and the means of success?" Louis XVIII. was a sensible man. He needed the Duke of Orleans, he esteemed him. He pretended not to understand him, and turned the conversation to something else.

The reviewer proceeds to state at length the difficulty there was in establishing perfect confidence between the king and the prince. He pro

66

But time passed; the emperor was approaching. The king, who, on the 15th of March, when the Duke of Orleans had come to ask his orders, in case Napoleon should arrive in Paris, had answered with an air of the greatest astonishment, You must not suppose such a thing!"-the king took in all haste the northern route. On the 22d he arrived at Lille, almost unexpectedly, without the prince, who did not expect him, not having received, in any season to be of use, any notice of his approach: afterward, however, he was blamed for not having divined what he had not even foreseen. However this may be, Lille was no longer a tenable position for the King of France. The population was good, the disposition of the garrison more than doubtful. To keep the place for the king it was necessary to draw from it the troops, which could alone defend it, and if they were left there no one could answer for the safety of the monarch. To escape this alternative, of taking the garrison from the place, or comproMeantime the blow was struck. It was neces-mising the retreat of the king, it seemed there was sary to consult with the Duke of Orleans. Events hurried on. The ideas of the prince were adopted, but too late. They thought of forming a camp under Paris. This might have been the salvation of it perhaps some days sooner; now it was a vain

only one part to take, to pass the frontier. Patriotism suggested another to the Duke of Orleans. In a council held before Louis XVIII., he proposed that the king should retire to Dunkirk, and establish himself there with his military household.

The position was strong, and Napoleon could not think of laying siege to it before having invaded Belgium. Besides, at Dunkirk, the king would find himself freed from dependence on the allied troops, and entirely out of the line of their operations; he might then await events there without incurring the reproach of having participated in the invasion of his kingdom. These arguments and many others, brought forward with warmth by the Duke of Orleans during a discussion, which lasted five hours, brought about the adhesion of the two marshals who were present at the council, that of M. de Blacas himself, and finally the king appeared to have made up his mind. It was midnight-the horses were ordered for one o'clock-orders were given to the Count d'Artois to conduct the household of the king to Dunkirk, to Marshal Macdonald to set out at the end of half an hour, and to all the servants to hold themselves in readiness for depart

ure.

I die in all humility, knowing well that we are all alike before the throne of God, and I request, therefore, that my mortal remains be conveyed to the grave without any pomp or state. They are to be moved to St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where I request to have as private and quiet a funeral as possible.

I particularly desire not to be laid out in state, and the funeral to take place by daylight; no procession; the coffin to be carried by sailors to the chapel.

All those of my friends and relations, to a limited number, who wish to attend, may do so. My nephew, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Lords Howe and Denbigh, the Hon. William Ashley, Mr. Wood, Sir Andrew Barnard, and Sir D. Davies, with my dressers, and those of my ladies who may wish to attend.

I die in peace, and wish to be carried to the But here the scene changed with the sud-tomb in peace, and free from the vanities and the denness of an opera decoration. The Duke of pomp of this world. Orleans had scarcely returned home for a moment's repose, when one of the king's secretaries arrived. "The king has ordered me," said he, "to warn monseigneur, that he shall not move to-night! majesty is not going away!" The secretary went

out.

His

I request not to be dissected, nor embalmed; and desire to give as little trouble as possible.

November, 1841.

ADELAIDE R.

The Duke de Trevisa came in: "What is all It may be questionable whether the "Ceremothis," said the prince, "is not the king going nial for the private interment of her late Most away?"-"I know nothing about it," said the Duke Excellent Majesty, Adelaide the Queen Dowager, of Orleans—and, in fact, he never knew, neither he, in the Royal Chapel of Saint George at Windnor the Duke of Trevisa, nor Marshal Macdonald, sor," published at the same time as this affecting the motives of a change of resolution as sudden as

it was extraordinary. The next day, however, the paper, be quite in unison with the feelings it king said to him, "I did not wish to leave Lille expresses. Uneasy doubts obtrude themselves upon like a thief in the night."-" But now it is day," re- the mind whether" her late majesty's state carriage plied the prince." I prefer to stay in Lille."-"I drawn by six horses, in which will be the crown wish your majesty may be able to do so, but I fear of her late majesty, borne on a velvet cushion," it will not be long."" We shall see," said the would not have been more in keeping with the king. It is not necessary to add that a few hours funeral requests of the late Mr. Ducrow. The after the king passed the frontier, leaving to the Duke of Orleans, instead of the precise instructions programme, setting forth in four lines, of which he had so great need, an enigma to guess. Louis XVIII. was full of malice, the Duke of Orleans full of art. The game was then, between them, we may be excused for saying it, perfectly equal.

THE CHIEF MOURNER,
The Duchess of Norfolk
(veiled)
Attended by a Lady,

Everybody knows who won, and how, in 1848, is like a bad play-bill. The announcement how this same Duke of Orleans, who had looked so "the archbishop having concluded the service, scornfully at the irresolution of his royal relative, Garter will pronounce near the grave the style of was forced to make as precipitate and not a more glorious retreat. So the world goes.

From the Examiner.

COURT CEREMONIES.

THE late Queen Dowager, whose death has given occasion for many public tributes to exalted worth, often formally and falsely rendered on similar occasions, and rarely, if ever, better deserved than on this, committed to writing, eight years ago, her wishes in reference to her funeral. This truly religious and most unaffected document has been published by her majesty the queen's directions. It is more honorable to the memory of the noble lady deceased than broadsides upon broadsides of fulsome panegyric, and is full of good example to all persons in this empire, but particularly, as we think, to the highest persons of all.

her late majesty; after which the lord chamberlain and the vice-chamberlain of her late majesty's household will break their staves of office, and, kneeling, deposit the same in the royal vault," is more like the announcement outside a booth at a fair, respecting what the elephant or the conjurer will do within, by-andby, than consists with the simple solemnity of that last Christian service which is entered upon with the words, "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

We would not be misunderstood on this point, and we wish distinctly to express our full belief that the funeral of the good dowager queen was conducted with a proper absence of conventional absurdity. We are persuaded that the highest personages in the country respected the last wishes so modestly expressed, and were earnest

« PreviousContinue »