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may look back with gratitude on those who introduced it to this knowlege: but, in the first shock and collision of opinions, no gratitude of this kind is ever felt. In the next age, Spain may thank Great Britain for the generous wish to free her from the curse of the Inquisition: but as yet she looks on us as officious heretics, and has restored the Inquisition; and so it may be in India.

The East India Proprietor,' in a fourth letter, reconsiders the arguments of his opponent, and minutely examines the question at issue, in all its principal bearings; concluding with asserting that we should abstain from attempting to tamper with the religion of the Hindoos.'

In a fifth, sixth, and seventh letter, the controversy is maintained between these gentlemen; and Laicus has the last word; but we are not sure that it is the word which will last longest. On the moral character of the Hindoos, the arguers are completely east and west; which will excite no surprize when Laicus takes the worst and the Proprietor chuses the best specimens which he can find. A similar opposition of sentiment exists on the practicability of their conversion. Laicus contends that we possess the means; while his cor respondent asserts that those means are wanting. On a review of the controversy, the Proprietor thus sums up his argument:

It is proposed to establish an Episcopal Government in India; and to grant additional facilities to Missionaries to proceed to India. I object to both these measures: -to the first, because it appears to me to be both unnecessary and dangerous. Unnecessary, because the affording religious instruction to the Protestant Christians, which is its professed object, may be easily accomplished by other means equally effectual, and free from the objections to which this is liable. Dangerous; first, because it may have a tendency to create alarm in the minds of the natives of India upon the subject of their religion. Secondly, because it may be employed as an instrument for the purpose of conversion. I object to the second measure, viz. the facilities to be granted to Missionaries; because I disapprove of attempting to convert the Hindoos to Christianity. I disapprove of such attempts, because I consider them to be dangerous, and not likely to meet with success. That they are dangerous, I conclude from the evidences of experience, — from the character of the people, and from the concurring testimony of those best qualified to form an opinion on the subject: that they will be unsuccessful, I conclude from the same considerations.

Out of the agitation of this question a collateral discussion has arisen; highly important in itself, but not necessarily connected with the main points in dispute. It is contended by the advocates for con version, that the Hindoos are suffering under the most dreadful state of moral depravity, addicted to every vice which can degrade our na

ture;

ture; that these vices are attributable to their religion; and that, therefore, it is our bounden duty to convert them to Christianity.

In reply to these arguments, I contend, first, that the moral character of the Hindoos is not deserving of the severity with which it is censured and I support that opinion by a variety of important evidence, drawn from unquestionable authorities. I contend, secondly, that their vices are not attributable to their religion, and I endeavour to establish that point, first, by a reference to its internal evidences; and, secondly, by the authority of competent judges. Having shewn that their vices (of course speaking generally throughout) are not attributable to their religion, I conclude, that their moral character may be improved without their conversion; and in proof of this, I refer to the success which has attended the efforts already made with a view to this great object.'

Notwithstanding the sound judgment of the East India Proprietor, it makes not the smallest impression on Laicus; who seems to be more eager for setting forwards the experiment of converting 60,000,000 of Hindoos, in proportion to the opposition which it receives. He will cherish the belief that

we shall be more likely to strengthen than to weaken their good opinion of us, by offering them the best gift in our power to bestow: but he seems not to be aware that, at the season in which this gift is offered, very different estimates will be formed of it by us and by them; and that, by indiscreetly obtruding this best gift on them, we may be the means of alienating instead of conciliating their affections:-thus retarding rather than advancing the march of Divine truth, which proceeds surely, but never with a rapidity sufficient to satisfy the enthusiast.

MONTHLY

CATALOGUE,

For JULY, 1814.

POETRY.

Art. 12. Ode on the Arrival of the Potentates in Oxford; and Judicium Regale, an Ode. 8vo. 28. Murray.

Occupying, at this moment of general exultation, a most triumphant eminence among the states of Europe, we naturally feel rather proud and elated; and, after having most materially contributed to help our neighbours out of the tyranny in which the victories of one man had involved them, we must be allowed to boast that we alone ne'er crouched, nor "bated jot of heart or hope."

But Britain from the world and the world's shame
Sate sever'd, like her kindred Ocean free,

The rampire of her glories, Nelson's name,
And her broad flags that crimson'd the wide sea.'

Monarchs

Monarchs whom we have assisted in the mighty warfare come to visit us, after their glorious achievements; and this visit awakens recollections of the struggles which have been made and the changes which have been effected. The poet knows how to place this picture before us. Bonaparte invades Russia, and penetrates to Moscow,

"Exitus ergo quis est? O gloria! vincitur idem
Nempe, et in exilium præceps fugit."

Icy arrows overwhelm the invader's army; he escapes: but his veteran army is not to be replaced. He, however, raises another force, and tries his strength at Leipsic; here again he is defeated and flies; the allies pursue him to his capital, and there hurl him from his double throne, and restore France to her antient race of kings. The generous conduct of the allied sovereigns, on taking possession of Paris, is a theme of eulogy: but the poet rather concludes with inflicting a sting than with offering a sugar-plumb.

Ye mighty Kings, a flatterer's honied rhyme
Were poison to a free-born Briton's tongue,
Burst be the harp, that with its luscious chime
Tinkles to slumber souls that scoff at wrong.
By those ye sway is witness'd what ye are,
Go search the nations! walk your subject earth!
If all be peaceful, free, and blissful there;

Thank Heaven that ye were born of royal birth.'

If these monarchs, en their return home, were to give their subjects the British constitution, their visit to England would indeed be worthy of record.

In the Judicium Regale, we recognize more of genius than of nice execution. The idea is new, but obscurity often prevails, with defective rhythm, and lines scarcely English. The author dreams that he saw the sceptred of the world' assembled in a tall imperial city, and forming a kind of kingly Sanhedrin;' before which stood an Imperial criminal,' (Bonaparte,) and

from north to south an ireful train

Forth came this mighty culprit to arraign.'

Of the accusing nations, France in the last place prefers her depositions, and concludes with calling on the royal Judges to pass the following sentence:

"For yon dark chief of woe, and guilt, and strife,

P

O sceptred Judges! punish him with life.

Fear not he seek, with the old Roman pride,
That weakness to the noble soul allied,
To die as Cato, and as Brutus died.
Fear not that in his abject heart he show
That martyr fortitude, that smiles in woe.
By him shall that great secret be betrayed,

Of what poor stuff are earth's dread tyrants made.

Oh, let him live to be despis'd, to see

France happy, and the glorious nations free,

Death were delight to that deep misery!".

5

< Then

Then did that kingly conclave, with one voice,
Pass the dread sentence on the gloomy man;
In his soul's icy deadness he alone

By others' woes seem'd harden'd to his own.
From land to land the penal tidings ran;
Earth lifted up her rich face to rejoice,

The bright blue heavens bade wintry warring cease,
And spring came dancing o'er a world at peace.'

poem may be much improved. The passage at p. 28., begin

ning Was mid,' &c. is devoid of all construction.

Art. 13. Carmen Seculare: an Ode for the Year 1814. By Arthur Clifford, Esq. 8vo. 28. Booker.

Never at any period were our poets so full of work, as the taylors would say. In addition to verse-making on account of recent victories, on the return of peace, and on the visit of the allied sovereigns, the bard is required to try his skill in a Secular Ode; for be it known that this year of brilliant events is the hundredth anniversary of the accession of the house of Hanover to the throne of this realm. Even this is not all. It is a singular and auspicious circumstance, that the very day on which King George the First ascended the throne of Great Britain, one hundred years ago, should by the alteration of the style, correspond exactly with the birth-day of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent. George I. succeeded to the crown August 1. 1714. By the alteration of the style, which took place in England, according to act of Parliament, in 1751-2, when eleven days were at once thrown out of the Calendar, the 1st of August of the year 1714 coincides exactly with the 12th of August of this present year, 1814.'

This coincidence is very near, but not quite exact; because, since the commencement of the present century, the difference between the old and the new style is twelve days; in the year 1800, another day having been thrown out, by assigning only 28 days to February; which, according to the ordinary rule of leap-year, ought to have had 29.

To this ode is also prefixed a Sketch of the Origin and Antiquity of the House of Brunswick, which is not only traced up to the Guelphs, whose quarrels with the Ghibellines make such a figure in the history of Italy in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, but also to the lines of Este in Italy, and Guelph in Germany, a thousand years ago; Guelph I., Count or Duke of Bavaria, being contemporary with Charlemagne.

For boldness of character, this ode merits the epithet Pindaric: but in its structure it too much reminds us of Gray's Bard. Charlemagne, passing through the woods of Vallombrosa, is arrested by the awful sounds of

"Halt, King! hear the true prophetic strain
That shall eclipse thy reign."

Struck with astonishment, the monarch checks his course, when a reverend hermit appears, and delivers the mysterious prophetic tale of the glories which were in reserve for the Brunswick race:

"Ye

"Ye far-famed potentates of ancient days!

Hide your diminished rays.

Realms, where the Greek and Roman never rod,
Bow to great George's nod.'

Why in the eastern sky afar,
Where primeval nations dwell;
Why so bright yon blazing star?
Who the omen can foretel?

Shall Britain's thunder heaven-born Nile affright?
Shall Ganges roll his floods submissive to her might?
"Ah! when shall discord, war, and bloodshed cease?
Who give the nations peace?

What favoured Prince, with more than sovereign power,
Shall seal the happy hour?
Earthquakes rend the solid ground,
Dread volcanoes whelm the land,
Floods their deluge pour around,
Plagues appal in horrid band.

O'er guilty nations vengeful furies spread

Does George uphold her cause?-fall'n Europe lifts her head. "Hail! Royal daughter! hope of Britain, hail!

To thee, each sea-born gale,

From earth's remotest isles, on gladsome wing,
Shall Ocean's homage bring.

Through orange groves and myrtle bowers,
Led by laughing loves she plays,
Circled by the rosy hours,

O'er the flowery scene she strays.

From her, what kings their proud descent shall claim!
What nations shall exult in Royal Charlotte's name!

"Ye unborn ages! countless suns that roll!

Ye overwhelm my soul.

To thee, immortal Chief! and to thy seed,
An empire is decreed.

A thousand years shall fly apace,
Moments in the ETERNAL's eye,
When another regal race

Thee and thine shall far outvie.

Bright in the western main I see them bloom,

Fixed is their brilliant fate, fixed is their glorious doom."" After having delivered this prediction, the hermit retires, and Charlemagne proceeds to Rome.

Our victories on the Nile and our possessions on the Ganges are very properly introduced into this Secular Ode, which hymns the unrivalled glory and unprecedented prosperity of Great Britain at the present moment.

Art. 14. Ode to the Emperor Alexander. By the Author of "The
Orphans, or the Battle of Nevil's Cross." 8vo.
and Davies.

IS.

Cadell

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