LESSON CXLVI.-NEW ENGLAND FREEDOM AND ENTERPRISE.-
JOSIAH QUINCY.

If, after a general survey of the surface of New England, we cast our eyes on its cities and great towns, with what wonder should we behold, did not familiarity render the phenomenon almost unnoticed, men, combined in great 5 multitudes, possessing freedom and the consciousness of strength, the comparative physical power of the ruler less than that of a cobweb across a lion's path,-yet orderly, obedient, and respectful to authority; a people, but no populace; every class in reality existing, which the gene10 ral law of society acknowledges, except one, and this exception characterizing the whole country. The soil of New England is trodden by no slave. In our streets, in our assemblies, in the halls of election and legislation, men of every rank and condition meet, and unite or divide on 15 other principles, and are actuated by other motives, than those growing out of such distinctions.

The fears and jealousies, which in other countries separate classes of men, and make them hostile to each other, have here no influence, or a very limited one. Each indi20 vidual, of whatever condition, has the consciousness of living under known laws, which secure equal rights, and guarantee to each whatever portion of the goods of life, be it great or small, chance, or talent, or industry, may have bestowed. All perceive, that the honors and rewards of society 25 are open equally to the fair competition of all; that the distinctions of wealth, or of power, are not fixed in families; that whatever of this nature exists to-day, may be changed tomorrow, or, in a coming generation, be absolutely reversed. Common principles, interests, hopes, and affections, are the 30 result of universal education. Such are the consequences of the equality of rights, and of the provisions for the general diffusion of knowledge and the distribution of intestate estates, established by the laws framed by the earliest emigrants to New England.

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If, from our cities, we turn to survey the wide expanse of the interior, how do the effects of the institutions and example of our early ancestors appear, in all the local comfort and accommodation which mark the general condition of the whole country;-unobtrusive, indeed, but substan40 tial; in nothing splendid, but in every thing sufficient and satisfactory. Indications of active talent and practical energy, exist everywhere. With a soil comparatively little

luxuriant, and, in great proportion, either rock, or hill, or sand, the skill and industry of man are seen triumphing over the obstacles of nature; making the rock the guardian of the field; moulding the granite, as though it were clay; 5 leading cultivation to the hill-top, and spreading over the arid plain, hitherto unknown and unanticipated harvests.

The lofty mansion of the prosperous, adjoins the lowly dwelling of the husbandman; their respective inmates are in the daily interchange of civility, sympathy, and respect. 10 Enterprise and skill, which once held chief affinity with the ocean or the sea-board, now begin to delight the interior, haunting our rivers, where the music of the waterfall, with powers more attractive than those of the fabled harp of Orpheus, collects around it intellectual man and mate15 rial nature. Towns and cities, civilized and happy communities, rise, like exhalations, on rocks and in forests, till the deep and far-resounding voice of the neighboring torrent is itself lost and unheard, amid the predominating noise of successful and rejoicing labor.

LESSON CXLVII.-FREEDOM AND PROGRESS.

ATHERTON.

CHARLES G.

Our forefathers came to this land, seeking refuge from oppression. Despised and insulted by the haughty arbiters of the old world, that meek and suffering, but hardy and faithful band brought to inhospitable and savage 5 shores, their household gods, their principles, their hopes. They were wafted hither by no prosperous gales of royal favor:-no lofty patronage protected their humble troop.

The same spirit which led them here,-which supported them under trials and privations almost insupportable,10 which nerved their souls against the attacks of hunger, want and savage enemies,-this same spirit flowed down to their descendants, and became a part of their being. It was the same spirit which in them prompted resistance to unwarrantable assumptions on the part of the parent coun15 try, and the renunciation of an allegiance that no longer promised protection. It was the same spirit, that, throughout their struggle, nerved their arms and braced their souls, and led them to resolve, to use the words of one of their most able writers, "that wheresoever, whensoever, 20 and howsoever, they might be called to make their exit, they would die free men!"

Long enough, have the despots of Europe kept their subjects in ignorance, in order to preserve their own sway Long enough, have they lorded it over the consciences and birthrights of men. The divine right of kings, which they 5 have altered into the milder term legitimacy, will not do "The right divine of kings to govern wrong," is not a maxim for this bold, busy, and inquiring age. There is a spirit abroad, too dangerous to be trifled with. Its outbreakings have already been seen, in various parts of the 10 earth. If the masters of the old world yield to its progress, it may reform abuses gradually, as the water-drop wears the marble, and they may hide in obscurity their imbecility and shame.

But let them form themselves into alliances, and, by 15 combinations, endeavor to preserve their sway, and "the over-strung nations will arm in madness." Let them endeavor to breast and stop the tide of improvement which is rushing onward, and it will sweep them away, in its mighty torrent. The murmurings of the storm are already 20 heard in the forest, the sighings of the gusts of wind, and the groans of the laboring trees. If they prostrate themselves before the coming tempest, it may pass them untouched, unhurt; but woe to those who endeavor to brave it; for the angel of death will ride on its rushing wings.

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Reverses may ensue in the cause of freedom; hope delayed may sicken the souls of patriots; the exertions of heroes and martyrs may be, for a while, in vain; brave hearts may spill their best blood, on the points of mercenary bayonets, but the cause of human nature, and of God, 30 must triumph! I say the cause of God; for the Almighty has not placed the longing after freedom, any more than the longing after immortality in our bosoms, that it should only forever be a source of disappointment and despair! Our history must inspire all. And it is curious to reflect 35 that our forefathers, despised and insulted by the potentates of the old world, brought that here with them, which shall react, nay, is reacting on their persecutors, with tre mendous energy. They came here to plant the tree of life, to plant fair freedom's tree," which has grown up so 40 large and beautiful, and will overshadow all the earth,the tree which shall prove, to the free of all nations, a shelter and protection, but, to tyrants and oppressors, will be more deadly than the Upas, which blasts and withers all who approach it.

The only condition on which liberty is granted to man, is that of perpetual vigilance. This subtle spirit of oppression must be met, in its first approaches, it must be guarded against, with ever anxious care. Man cannot procure 5 anything of importance, unless by striving for it; nor can he retain anything worth having, unless by guarding it. The husbandman, before he can expect the earth to yield its increase, must prepare it, by his toil; and after his stores are gathered, his care is still necessary to preserve 10 them.

The accumulator of property, when he has amassed wealth, if he would not lose all the fruits of his labor and anxiety, must still be ever on the alert, lest it vanish, and all his fond hopes be prostrated. No other blessing can 15 we expect to enjoy long, without activity and care on our part; and why should we expect that liberty, the greatest of blessings, can be retained without either? Why should we imagine, that, because we now have liberty, we must always possess it, however supine we may be? If free20 dom is worth fighting for, it is worth preserving. Let us never listen to the voice which would calm all our apprehensions, and lull us into slumbers of security; into a quiet which might be repose indeed, but would soon be the leaden sleep of despotism.

LESSON CXLVIII.-SCENE FROM MARINO FALIERO.- -Byron.
[Doge, President, and Senators.]

Doge. The seigniory of Venice! You betrayed me'
You, you who sit there,-traitors as ye are !
From my equality with you in birth,

And my superiority in action,

5 You drew me from my honorable toils

In distant lands,-on flood,—in field,—in cities;
You singled me out, like a victim, to

Stand crowned, but bound and helpless, at the altar,
Where you alone could minister.
I knew not,
10 Sought not, wished not, drearned not, the election,
Which reached me first at Rome, and I obeyed,
But found, on my arrival, that, besides
The jealous vigilance which always led you
To mock and mar your sovereign's best intents,

15 You had, even in the interregnum of
My journey to the capitol, curtailed

And mutilated the few privileges

Yet left the duke. All this I bore, and would
Have borne, had not my very hearth been stained
By the pollution of your ribaldry,

5 And he, the ribald, whom I see amongst you,—
Fit judge in such tribunal!

President. And can it be, that the great doge of Venice With three parts of a century of years

And honors on his head, could thus allow 10 His fury, (like an angry boy's,) to master All feeling, wisdom, faith, and fear, on such A provocation as a young man's petulance?

Doge. A spark creates the flame; 'tis the last drop Which makes the cup run o'er,—and mine was full 15 Already. You oppressed the prince and people:I would have freed both,—and have failed in both Pause not: I would have shown no mercy, and I seek none My life was staked upon a mighty hazard,— And, being lost, take what I would have taken.

20 I would have stood alone amidst your tombs:

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Now you may flock round mine, and trample on it,
As you have done upon my heart while living.

President. You do confess then and admit the justice
Of our tribunal ?

Doge. I confess to have failed.

Fortune is female:-from my youth her favors

Were not withheld. The fault was mine to hope
Her former smiles again, at this late hour.

Pres. You do not, then, in aught arraign our equity?
Doge. Noble Venetians, stir me not with questions.

I am resigned to the worst, but in me still
Have something of the blood of brighter days,
And am not over-patient. Pray you, spare me
Further interrogation, which boots nothing,

35 Except to turn a trial to debate.

I shall but answer that which will offend you,
And please your enemies,-a host already.

'Tis true, these sullen walls should yield no echo ;

But walls have ears,-nay more, they have tongues,—

and if

40 There were no other way for truth to overleap them,You, who condemn me,-you who fear and slay me,Yet could not bear in silence to your graves