lowed it to the Federalists:—and as the Federal Party was broken up, and there was no possibility of transmitting it further on this side the Atlantic, he seems to have discovered that it has gone off, collaterally, though against all the canons of descent, into the Ultras of France, and finally became extinguished, like exploded gas, among the adherents of Don Miguel. A man, This, sir, is an abstract of the gentleman's history of Federalism. I am not about to controvert it. It is not, at present worth the pains of refutation, because, sir, if at this day any one feels the sin of Federalism lying heavily on his conscience, he can easily obtain remission. He may even have an indulgence, if he is desirous of repeating the same transgression. It is an affair of no difficulty to get into this same right line of patriotic descent. now-a-days, is at liberty to choose his political parentage. He may elect his own father. Federalist, or not, he may, if he choose, claim to belong to the favoured stock, and his claim will be allowed. He may carry back his pretensions just as far as the honourable gentleman himself; nay, he may make himself out the honourable gentleman's cousin, and prove satisfactorily, that he is descended from the same political great grandfather. All this is allowable. We all know a process, sir, by which the whole Essex Junto could, in one hour, be all washed white from their ancient Federalism, and come out, every one of them, an original Democrat, dyed in the wool! Some of them have actually undergone the operation, and they say it is quite easy. The only inconvenience it occasions, as they tell us, is a slight tendency of the blood to the face, a soft suffusion, which, however, is very transient, since nothing is said calculated to deepen the red on the cheek, but a prudent silence observed, in regard to all the past. Indeed, sir, some smiles of approbation have been bestowed, and some crumbs of comfort have fallen, not a thousand miles from the door of the Hartford Convention itself. And if the author of the ordinance of 1787, possessed the other requisite qualifications, there is no knowing, notwithstanding his Federalism, to what heights of favour he might not yet attain. SECTION V. BERTUCCIO FALIERO-DOGE.....Lord Byron. Bertuccio Faliero. I cannot but agree with you, The sentence is too slight for the offence It is not honourable in the Forty To affix so slight a penalty to that Which was a foul affront to you, and even Doge. Oh! that the Saracen were in St. Mark's! Ber. For the sake Of heaven and all its saints, my lord- Away! Ber. In Venice' Duke to say so. Doge. 'Tis not well Venice' Duke! Who now is Duke in Venice? let me see him, That he may do me right. Ber. If you forget Remember that of man, and curb this passion. Doge. (interrupting him.) There is no such thing- Doge. (interrupting him.) You see what it has doneI ask'd no remedy but from the law I sought no vengeance but redress by law1 call'd no judges but those named by law— As sovereign, I appealed unto my subjects, The very subjects who had made me sovereign, The rights of place and choice, of birth and service, The blood and sweat of almost eighty years, Of a rank, rash patrician-and found wanting! Ber. Doge. Appeal again! art thou my brother's son ? The nephew of a Doge? and of that blood Which hath already given three dukes to Venice? Ber. My princely uncle! you are too much moved : We'll take it; but may do all this in calmness— Of torture from the touch? hast thou no soul- Ber. 'Tis the first time that honour has been doubted, And were the last, from any other sceptic. Doge. You know the full offence of this born villain, This creeping, coward, rank, acquitted felon, Who threw his sting into a poisonous libel, And on the honour of-Oh God!—my wife, The nearest, dearest part of all men's honour, Left a base slur to pass from mouth to mouth Of loose mechanics, with all coarse foul comments, And villanous jests, and blasphemies obscene; While sneering nobles, in more polish'd guise, Whisper'd the tale, and smiled upon the lie Which made me look like them-a courteous wittol, Patient-ay, proud, it may be, of dishonour. Ber. And what redress Did you expect as his fit punishment? Doge. Death! Was I not the sovereign of the stateInsulted on his very throne, and made A mockery to the men who should obey me? But, notwithstanding, harm not thou a hair The honour of our house must ever be. Doge. Fear not; you shall have time and place of proof. But be not thou too rash, as I have been. I am ashamed of my own anger now; I pray you pardon me. Ber. All prudence in your fury at these years, Doge. stir not, So will it stand to me;-but speak not, SECTION VI. KING OF SCOTLAND-ATHOL.....Smollett. King. Ir is not well-it is not well we meet On terms like these:-I should have found in Ath A trusty counsellor and steady friend. And better would it suit thy rev'rend age, Athol. By Heav'n, thy proud demeanour more befits Athol. The sword of Athol Was never drawn but to redress the wrongs His country suffer'd. King. Athol. Not yet so low Has fate reduc'd us, that we need to crawl King. And lead thy fugitive adherents back! Swift hie thee to them, And if thy savage clans Away. Now by the mighty soul of Bruce! Thou shalt be met. Abide us in the plain, we soon will tread Rebellion in the dust. Why move ye not! Athol. Forgive, my prince, If, on my own integrity of heart Too far presuming, I have galled the wound My purpose still revered. King. O wretched plea! To which thy blasted guilt must have recourse! |