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a short time the whole country side was astir; and so strong an impulse had been given to business operations, that even the shock of the '45 Rebellion produced only a temporary derangement. Meanwhile, Forsyth, who must have had a genius for governing, managed to keep the town and neighborhood in order and in good humor by administering a species of excellent, though homegrown, law :

mains yet to be told. Quite late in his life, and when he had long been accustomed to be regarded as the leading potentate of the neighborhood, the estate of Cromarty was bought by the famous George Ross, an army agent who, after amassing a large fortune in England, returned to his native land to do more for its trade in the last fourteen years of his life, than most men are able to do in forty. "For more than thirty years after his ap- He began by setting up in Cromarty a manupointment he was the only acting magistrate factory of hempen cloth, which has ever since in the place; and such was the confidence kept constantly employed, outside and in, of the townspeople in his judgment and in-about six hundred persons. He next built tegrity, that during all that time there was not in a single instance an appeal from his an extensive brewery, with the double object decisions. In office and character he seems of finding the farmers a market for the staple to have closely resembled one of the old lan- grain of the country, and damaging the mardammans of the Swiss cantons. The age was kets of the smugglers. He then furnished the a rude one; man is a fighting animal from town with an excellent harbor, and started a very instinct, and his second nature, custom, pork trade, which reached the extent of nearly mightily improves the propensity; and ninetwenty thousand pounds annually. A nail tenths of the cases brought before Mr. Forsyth were cases of quarrels. With the more and spade manufactory and a lace working desperate class of brawlers he could deal at establishment were also set on foot; but his times with proper severity. In most in- great pride was a reform which he achieved stances, however, a quarrel cost him a few in agricultural matters. Finding his tenantry glasses of his best Hollands, and cost no one averse to all new-fangled notions on the subelse anything. The disputants were gener-ject of rearing wheat, he took a large farm ally shown that neither of them had been under his own management, and conducting quite in the right; that one had been too hasty, and the other too ready to take offence; it on the most approved principles of modern that the first blow had been decidedly a wrong, science, he read a profitable lesson to Scottish and the second unquestionably a misde- farmers generally. However valuable an acmeanor; and then, after drinking one an-quisition such a man as this must have been, other's health, they parted, wonderfully Forsyth might easily have been forgiven a pleased with the decision of Mr. Forsyth, and little jealousy on his first arrival. It was alresolved to have no more fighting till their most a change of dynasty; the elder tutelary next difference. He was much a favorite, too, of Cromarty was called on to accommodate with the town's boys. On one occasion, a party of them were brought before him on a himself to a new order of things. But this charge of stealing green pease out of a field. large-minded merchant was equal to the occaMr. Forsyth addressed them in his sternest sion. Every scheme of the agent found a manner. There was nothing, he said, which seconder in him. He took shares in the he so abhorred as the stealing of green pease hempen factory; and, catching the agricul-it was positively theft. He even questioned tural mania, he rented a farm and went thorwhether their parents did right in providing them with pockets. Were they again to be oughly into the theory and practice of cultivabrought before him for a similar offence, they tion under the guidance of his new neighbor. might depend, every one of them, on being locked up in the Tolbooth for a fortnight. Meanwhile, to keep them honest, he had resolved on sowing a field of pease himself, to which he would make them all heartily welcome. Accordingly, next season the field sown, and there could not be a more exposed locality. Such, however, was the spirit of the little men of the place, all of whom had come to a perfect understanding of the decision, that not one pod of Mr. Forsyth's pease was carried away."

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This excellent man's life and influence are described in a very interesting way. Forsyth and Hugh Miller resembled one another in this, that each possessed that astonishing degree of energy and perseverance which sometimes of itself amounts almost to genius. And, while protesting against this fresh instance of a deceased writer's papers being ransacked to the uttermost leaf, we own that we should have been sorry to miss the tribute of cordial admiration so well paid in this memoir.

From The Spectator. THE WORLDLY WISDOM OF BACON.*

at this distance seem mean, petty, and trivial; but which at the time were, no doubt, felt to be vitally connected with the great interests of the day. Hence, too, the heat and turgescence of the Elizabethan style. Greece has kept futurity entranced by the exquisite beauty and symmetry of her intel

lectual remains. But even the relics of the

Peloponnesian, the greatest of Greek eras, seem coldly beautiful, compared with the rank, hot, and almost tropical growths of the English moral conflict under the Tudors. When, after Sophocles, we read Shakspeare, it is as if we passed from the open portico of the Acropolis, gleaming whitely in the sun, into all the quaint shapes, the myriad conceits, the courtless effects of lurid color, of elfish magical sound, which make the heart beat in a modern cathedral. We look in vain to Shakspeare for what, in the present day, has finely been called a white light, unless it be in his descriptions of low life. Every fact is seen by him through a gorgeous

THE meanness of Bacon, spoken of in the bitterest line of one of the bitterest poets, contrasts so strangely with the elevation of Bacon's genius, that even they who cannot get rid of the impression left upon their minds by his conduct to Essex remain perplexed by the apparent enigma. To us it seems that the peculiar character of his extraordinary worldly wisdom has not been sufficiently considered, and that we require a more careful analysis of his absorbing speculative turn, on one hand, combined, on the other, with the momentous period of English history in which he lived, and the personal interest which the position of his family at court gave him from his carliest youth in all the intrigues of those turbulent days, before we can pronounce with justice upon Bacon's character. It is to the personal and almost familiar relations in which he stood to the queen and the court that we must look, if we would understand the peculiar vitality, metaphorical prism, the prism of an imagithe almost microscopic universality of his in-nation nursed to a point beyond which it can sight into human motive. Aristotle's experience may be said to have been in some respects analogous to that of Bacon, and, assuredly, no mere scholar, no man without the minutest familiarity with society in its most active phases, could have written the rhetoric of the former, parts of which correspond to the "Colors of good and evil" of the latter. There probably never was a time or country in history, so far as we know, when so many different moral feelings and tendencies met and clashed with such strange concentration, and reached such an exuberant climax, as in Shakspearian and Elizabethan England. At no time probably in English history was the individual personality of the leading men, in contradistinction to the operation of representative class action, so highly developed-statesmen, orators, poets, historians, courtiers, soldiers, and sailors, the very queens, unfolded their separate powers, and acted upon one another with an individuality, an eagerness, an intensity of feeling which it is almost impossible to contemplate without astonishment. Hence the absorbing interest, the passionate attention of such men as Bacon to details of court influence, which

* Bacon's Essays. By W. Aldis Wright, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge. Macmillan and Co., Cambridge and London. 1862.

scarcely go without becoming too violent and gross, but within which it embraces every relation and aspect in life with marvellous fulness, forming the whole into a moral kaleidoscope never before witnessed, and, perhaps, never to be witnessed again.

What is true of Shakspeare is true of Bacon. Bacon thought in parables. Of the astounding versatility of his thought, of the universality of its reach, the subtlety of its discrimination, the practical Machiavellian omniscience of motive good and evil, it is difficult by words to convey any adequate idea. But the plasticity of his thought is always the humble servant of his omnipresent imagination. His intellect is always at the mercy of his fancy for a clothing. All his intellectual facts are wrapt in visions of beautiful illustration. Here again the same parallel holds between Bacon and Aristotle, as between Shakspeare and Sophocles. The Greek philosopher's language is like a cold limpid crystal, compared with the imagery of Bacon, even when the latter labors to be abstract. Nor could a better instance be given than the name of " colors," which he gives to the common opinions of good and exuberance of the emotional element also evil as means of rhetorical persuasion. This shows itself in the subtlety of the logical dis

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tinctions applied to the conduct of life. moment deny; but what we feel very strongly Nothing, we think, throws stronger light is, that until we can place ourselves in the upon the immense part which personal and peculiar focus of his own familiar position, practical affairs played in Bacon's moral and of the personal relations of the great speculations than his letter to Essex, after family of statesmen who then lived round the the latter's victory at Cadiz. There is an English throne, occupied by an able, crafty, eager and trembling minuteness of analysis, and conceited-a vacillating and dangerous which men never display, except when their woman, whose word could and did decide the whole being is stimulated by close personal, fate of any one or more of them, we cannot almost family, considerations. Bacon's ad- rightly judge the exact standard of Bacon's vice to Essex in regard to the queen is tha worldly wisdom. of a conceited young philosopher, very vain So again, although in his Essays it may be of his own sagacity and experience, zealously impossible to recover in all cases the trace of prompting and instructing an older and more personal influences on his language and specheadstrong brother how to deal with a re- ulation, this personal element is sometimes fractory and crotchety sister. Hence the very observable, as for instance, in the essay cunning of the serpent of which Bacon is ac- on Beauty." It is true this essay, Mr. cused. But as Cicero well says, men will do Aldis tells us, was first published in 1612; for their friends what they will not do for but the tone of it is so hampered, and conthemselves, and so also relations, or people trasts so strangely with the gaudy and lustanding in a position almost analogous to minous discursiveness of the other essays, relationship, will descend into particulars that we can hardly resist the feeling that he below the dignity of public life. All those wrote it in the lifetime of Elizabeth, long statesmen were like members of a common before it was published, with her dread befamily. Bacon tells Essex to labor to remove fore his eyes, equally afraid of writing and the impression of his nature being opiniastre of not writing upon the subject, and equally and not rulable, and for that end-1st. To concerned what to say, and what to leave acknowledge to past deficiencies, and not set unsaid. For instance, he begins most of his them up as wilful. Mind, he adds, and harp other essays with the direct mention of the upon this. 2d. Not to parade his scorn thing he is about to discuss. His essay on of Leicester and Hatton. I know, he adds, "Truth " begins, "What is Truth?" on that they are far enough from you in merit," Death," "Men fear Death," and so on; but you know how the queen likes them. but when he comes to talk of "Beauty," he 3d. When you pay her a compliment don't starts on the safer theme of Vertue, or, as we look as if you did not mean it. 4th. Make should say, Merit. Vertue," he begins, some show of having some eager pursuit, and with Machiavellian caution, "is like a rich drop it to please her. Again, he advises him stone, best plaine set.” Scowl not, Elizabeth, not to parade his military character, which and fear not, James, most meritorious but he ought to have left at Plymouth (on his plainest fool in Christendom! For Elizaway home from Cadiz). "And here (my beth, surely, "vertue is best in a body that lord), I pray, mistake me not. It is a thing is comely, though not of delicate features "(!) that of all things, I would have you retain. And that hath rather "Dignity of Presence But, I say, keep it in substance, than Beauty . . . of Aspect." Elizabeth but abolish it in shows to the queen." For, conceived she had both. And be of good 1st. Her majesty loves peace. 2d. She is comfort, James, for "neither is it almost avaricious. 3d. A military dictator is a seene that very beautifull persons are othernatural subject of her fear. And so Bacon wise of great vertue." Again, " in beauty, goes on through two octavo pages more of that of favour (feature), is more than that of close print, refining and refining, and ana- colour, and that of decent and gracious molyzing and analyzing, with a minuteness ut- tion more than that of favour." James flatterly alien to the statesmanship of the pres- tered himself that his motions were very ent day, which strives to rise above personal decent and gracious, and, in fact, that he considerations to the calculus of general moved right royally. How different is the causes. That much of Bacon's advice seems, trimming tone of this essay from the hard, in itself, intrinsically mean, we do not for a cold, analytic, almost brutal dissection of de

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formity: "Deformed persons are commonly tlemen Counsel for the prisoner,' said the

The

even with Nature. For as Nature hath done chancellor, continue your defence within the ill by them, so do they by Nature; being for mits which I have prescribed. My lord,' the most part void of natural affection. And said Ney, I forbid my counsel to say another word. Your excellency may give to the House so they have their revenge of Nature.” what orders you think fit; but as to my counessay proceeds with masterly precision and sel, they may go on if they are free, but if acumen, and we recommend our readers to they are to be restrained by your limits I forcompare the two for their own edification. bid them to speak. You see,' he said, turnThe beautiful little edition of Bacon's Es-ing to M. Berryer, who was anxious to consays now before us does credit to the taste tinue, that it is a decided thing. I had and scholarship of Mr. Aldis Wright. The rather have no defence than one chalked out by my accusers.'" preface, which is written with classical sobriety and accuracy, puts the reader in posMr. Senior can seldom be charged with a session of all the essential literary facts and want of historical scepticism, but it is surprischronology necessary to read the Essays in ing that the frivolity of M. Berryer's plea to connection with Bacon's life and times. We the jurisdiction has not led him to suspect the wish that in his second edition Mr. Wright real origin of Ney's patriotic apostrophe, might be induced to analyze the Essays with which had previously been settled in consulan eye to Bacon's personal history, and the tation by his ingenious advocates. The story known character of the men of his day. It is told at length, apparently on the authority would also be interesting to mark the pas- of M. Dupin, in the History of the Restora sages which Bacon successively added in the tion by Lamartine, who seldom condescends different editions. Many curious biographi- to so prosaic an adherence to the truth. He cal and psychological hints into his character may be excused for consoling himself by the might thus be obtained, which the frequently composition of some imaginary declamation barren disquisition upon outward actions, ca- supposed to have been addressed by the marpable of so many different interpretations shal to M. Dupin and M. Berryer. When it may have failed to give. was seen that a conviction was inevitable

MARSHAL NEY'S LAST SPEECH.

[Extract from the Saturday Review on Senior's Biographical Sketches.]

AFTER the second Restoration, M. Berryer, in concert with M. Dupin, defended Marshal Ney before the House of Peers. Mr. Senior justly censures the Duke of Wellington and the English Government for their refusal to stipulate for the impunity of the illustrious criminal, although it might not be legally secured by the capitulation of Paris. In recording the most striking incident of the defence, Mr. Senior omits to furnish the characteristic explanation. M. Berryer, according to his own account, after failing in his argument from the Convention of Paris, offered the technical objection that Sarre Louis, 'the birthplace of Ney, having recently been ceded to Prussia, he was no longer a subject of France ::

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"M. Berryer whispered to his client, Now is the moment; all hope is lost-it only remains to illustrate your end, and to save your memory, by falling with patriotism and nobleness in the presence of France.' 'I understand you,' answered the marshal, and under the pretext of wanting air and rest he retired, accompanied by his two defenders, to settle in concert with them his attitude and his language. They assured him with painful but necessary candor of the inflexibility of the Peers, and of the certainty of the sentence. But we have reserved for you,' said M. Dupin, the means of sharing by your last noble words in the close of your trial and your life. We will return into court, I will ask to defend you in my turn, and I will begin to plead your quality of a foreigner to France, which withdraws you from her own jurisdiction by your birth at Sarre Louis, a town now words indicating the purpose of covering you detached from our dominion. At my first with the character of a foreigner, you will interrupt me with a burst of indignation and an impulse of patriotic feeling which you will not fear to assume, and you will forbid me to save your life at the price of your glorious nationality."

"Here, however, the counsel were interrupted by Ney, 'No,' he exclaimed, 'I was born a Frenchman, I will die a Frenchman. Up to this time my defence was free, but I M. Dupin proceeded to draw the extemporanow see that it is to be fettered.' 'Gen-neous formula which Ney was to deliver, and

at the proper moment the marshal sprang melancholy but complete collapse of optimisin, from his seat, and laid his hand on his heart, We are compelled with heavy hearts to give “Non, monsieur, je suis Français, et je saurai up our aspirations after ideal churches and mourir en Français," and so forth, according ideal commonwealths, and content ourselves to M. Dupin's instructions. M. de Lamar- with patching a little here, and altering a bit tine's comment is worthy of the theatrical there, in the hope that the systems under contrivance which almost throws ridicule on which we live may at all events furnish us the last hours of a hero ;shelter for our time. Practical philanthropy, which has abandoned all other hope but that of being a temporary palliative for ills it cannot cure, is useful, but little fascinating. The flood of evil wells up ceaselessly; and it requires no small philosophy to labor on, baling it out little little, with the certainty that no exertions that we can make will ever materially abate its flow.

"L'émotion préméditée fut immense. L'instant, l'accent, le geste, le regard de l'accusé y ajourtèrent ce que la préparation n'vait pas prévu. La nature, comme tonjours, dépassa toute prévision.

M. Dupin and M. Berryer were of course aware that, if the Peers had been inclined to listen to their audacious plea, their clients' repudiation of their line of defence would not have deprived him of the benefit of the quibble.

The "Life of Tronçon Ducoudray," is not less instructive, and from the beginning to the end Mr. Senior's volume is full of interesting matter. His memoir of Lord King, which is the most strictly biographical of all the essays, contains some valuable remarks on the effect of the Bank Restriction Act, and on the principles of currency. A miscellany of so solid a character is seldom equally amusing.

But

Such thoughts, pressed home by the events of our day even upon the most sanguine, have produced a marked alteration, not always for the better, in the tone of popular thought. Many delusions have disappeared; but much of the zeal which it seems can hardly be maintained without their aid has evaporated at the same time. Of course this tendency shows itself the most strongly in the women, who are always the quickest barometers to mark the progress of a general change of feeling. The feature "most conspicuous by its absence" in the educated society of the present day, is the class of devout women and clerical young ladies who formed a very faFrom The Saturday Review. miliar type of womanhood ten or fifteen years PRACTICAL YOUNG LADIES. ago. Whether the women of the present day MANY changes have passed over the world are essentially better or worse than those of in the last fifteen years. We are all colder, the same age half a generation back, is a matmore prosaic, less hopeful than we were. A ter too delicate for male critics to decide. generous theory, based on a belief in the per- that they are externally less devotional there fectibility of man, was as certain then to can be no question whatever. At the time evoke a cheer as it is now to be scouted with to which we are referring, religious observa scornful laugh. In those days men believed ances formed a material part of a young lady's in an extended suffrage, and eternal peace, business in life. She entertained very strong and the possibility of extirpating crime by views in favor of one or other of the schools reformatory prisons. Some went so far as to into which the religious world was then dibelieve in an approaching union of all Chris-vided. She got up regularly for early church, tian Churches. Others, of an opposite turn or taught industriously in a Sunday school. of mind, had persuaded themselves that a drab-colored millennium was dawning on the other side of the Atlantic. Rude facts have roughly woke us from these luxurious dreams, and taught us that the antagonism which divides sects and classes, the ambition which embroils nations, and the love of a good dinner which animates the garotter, are passions as rife and powerful as they ever were before especially in collecting money for penitentiaat any period of human history. It is the ries. She possessed an abundant store of de

She had some pet clergyman whom she defended against all comers, and the praise of whose voice in intoning, or whose cloquence in preaching, she sounded on every possible occasion. She was usually engaged in the conversion of her parents, and often of one or two Guardsmen into the bargain; and be sides this, she was active in good works—

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