its high degree of civilization and refinement, has, in deliberate acts of injustice, ufurpation and cruelty, furpaffed even the wildest and most ferocious Savages. Nor have they been content with fetting order and juftice at defiance in human affairs-they have dared even to ufurp the rights of Heaven itself-with unparalleled effrontery, they have thrown down the altars of their Forefathers, and tried to hurl the Almighty from his throne-they have dared to abolifh a religion, which has received the fanction of the wifeft and beft of men for near eighteen hundred years, and which, for fo long a period, has been found to be the only effectual remedy, the only true balm and fupport, in all the trials and vexations of life. To this height have the Characters in question carried their audacity.

And these are the Characters (to whose villainy and turpitude no language can do juftice) with whom every thing we have valuable in

this.

only thofe execrable Wretches who by their opinions and actions have brought fuch a train of calamities on that distracted Country. And in this conditional wifh is there any thing contrary to humanity? Any thing but of what reafon must approve, and the duty of felf-prefervation dictate? However, a Mr. DANIEL STUART, (an Author of confequence one muft fuppofe, fince he has been honoured with the thanks of Mr. SHERIDAN and feveral other well-known Friends of the People for his work, entitled "Peace and Reform against War and Corruption") candidly omitting every thing that precedes and follows, quotes only the words in Italics, then has the modest affurance to accufe me of wishing to exterminate "THE FRENCH, AND REFORMERG IN GENERAL"; and after a triumphant exclamation, "these are the fentiments of our high Church Paftors: fuch is the religion, the benevolence, the humanity they teach"; by way of adding to the climax, he very politely affimilates me to that illuftrious and ever memorable character, Citizen Marat. "EXTERMINATE FOR OPINION!" fays he, "WHAT MORE DID MARAT EVER DESIRE!" Did ever Mr. STUART dream of being clofely allied in opinion to Monfr. Marat HIMSELF?Far be it from me to fufpect him of being fo;-however, there may have been a time when the fentiments and Profeffions of this great Republican Chieftain were as pure and plaufible as thofe of many of the Friends of the People among us-Nemo repenté fuit turpiffimus-but on this fubject, as Mr. STUART does fometimes dip into a Sermon, let me recom mend to his attention fome paffages in mine which he has not thought proper to quote, and which I fincerely with may produce a change in his political principles, fo that in future he may be an Advocate for War and Reform rather than for an ignominious Peace and the most abominable Corruption. To be ferious-Such a mode of perverting the fentiments or condemning the SERMON of an obfcure Individual is little worth the notice--but what Lover of his Country must not regret that fimilar practices are employed to depreciate, in the eftimation of the Public, the most valuable productions, particularly those of that distinguished Patriot and enlightened Philofopher, Mr. BURKE?

this Country is at iffue. Had they been content to keep their crimes and abfurdities within their own precincts, and to make their visionary experiments at home, they might have been lefs exposed to our censure and abhorrence—but it is because they have endeavoured to undermine the prosperity and peace of Britons, and plunge us into fimilar calamities with themselves, that we are bound to reprobate them and expose the enormity of their proceedings. It is on this account also, that in refifting their malicious views, every prop and support should be given to the political machine,—and whilst so many of our brave Countrymen are hazarding their lives in defence of our caufe abroad, it seemed expedient to strengthen our internal fecurity, by fupplying their place with additional Forces at home. To this laudable object of government, You, My Brethren, may be congratulated on having distinguished yourselves by contributing. Your Poft is not like the former, accompanied with immediate appearance of danger-it may, however, reflect on you no small proportion of credit and honour. Circumstances are fuch as to render it extremely improbable that you will ever be called to those arduous and spirited exertions which so eminently diftinguish your Brethren in the field of battle. It can hardly be imagined, that, amidst all their wild and extravagant fchemes, our foreign enemies, humbled as they have lately been in a naval conteft, will presume to set their foot on English ground—And as to our Enemies at home, the voice of difcord has been fo well filenced, the hydra of sedition has been so well crushed in its embryo by the prudent and seasonable precautions of the civil power, that one should hope they never can be of fufficient number or confequence to call for the interference of a military force.

From these confiderations, your poft may, I fay, comparatively speaking, be deemed one of perfect safety. Conclude not, however,

from

it

you

from hence, that it is a post of indolence or cafe, that in occupying have no difficulties to contend with, no obftacles to furmount. If it be fuperfluous to recommend to you the courage and intrepidity requifite in the hour of danger, there are other endowments worthy of your eager pursuit---other duties to which you are called that help to exalt and promote the good of the fervice. As there is a laurel to adorn the brow in the hour of victory, there are rewards and encomiums that have their attraction in times of fecurity; and the reputation to be gained by decency of deportment, fobriety of manners, and regularity of difcipline, if not as brilliant, is as fubftantial as that which follows magnanimous exploits in encountering a foe. In fact, Where is the Soldier who does not feel his heart expand and take an honest pride in hearing it said that he belongs to a Corps celebrated for the abovementioned qualities? But remember-this reputation fo flattering to a regiment can be attained only by the united efforts of the Individuals who compofe it.-And among these, however indefatigable and zealous may be the Officers in difcharging their duty, all their prudent counsels and falutary directions will be of no effect if they meet not with a favourable reception and ready acquiefcence from you. However eminent may be the fkill and knowledge of your Superiors, it depends on you to profit by it to obtain the object proposed. Hence will appear evident the utility of different orders in Society-fince whilft fome are difpofed to learn, others are qualified to teach; and whilst fome have merit in commanding, others have no less fo in obeying.

Probably many of you, My Brethren, may have heard of a doc

trine somewhat diffimilar to this-a doctrine which it was left for Traitors and Infidels to promulgate, and which has been productive of the most calamitous effects-I mean that of liberty and equality. Suf

fer me to engage your attention for a moment to this subject. As to liberty, by which is meant a right of doing not what you please, or what the paffions may dictate, but what is confiftent with the rules of prudence, your own happiness and that of your Fellow-creatures, ---consult your own feelings and experience, and fay, if the Inhabitants of this Country do not enjoy liberty, thus understood, on the most extensive scale, in as great and probably greater degree than thofe of any other. For the very existence of fociety it is neceffary that laws fhould be made-but here these laws, framed by the accumulated wisdom of the People, give equal protection to all—All are amenable to justice for the infringement of them, the highest Nobleman as well as the lowest Plebeian. And if it be objected that errors prevail or difficulties occur in the administration of these laws, fo that all are not equally benefited by their influence-I answer that these errors and these difficulties arise from the very nature of the thing-they are fuch as must be expected more or less in every State, confidering the corruption of human nature, and the imperfect condition in which we are placed. As to equality, by which is meant an equality of rank or fortune, and not an equality of rights as fome who wish to leffen the horror for this fyftem, would have us imagine, -(for then the word would be entirely useless and redundant—it would convey no idea but what was before comprehended in the word liberty). As to equality of condition, this, no doubt, may be very flattering in theory to the lower orders of fociety, but no elaborate disquisition is neceffary-a moment's reflection will convince the plainest understanding among you, how impoffible it is to be reduced to practice. Suppofe that by fome human Contrivance or the interpofition of Heaven, an equality of fortune was actually established, would all men be content to enjoy their fortunes in the fame manner? Would not fome be prodigal, others parfimo

nious

nious in the expenditure of them? Would not fome, of defigning views and lefs fcrupulous confciences, take advantage of the fimplicity of the credulous and unwary? Would not many of the strong employ their strength in plundering and oppreffing the weak? And hence would not the equality, of which we might so much boast today, require another miracle for us to renew it to-morrow? It is, then, in the nature of things, and the happiness of society demands that there should be different ranks and degrees among men founded on the unequal diftribution of riches—and this again takes its rise from the various talents and difpofitions men poffefs-Born with different tempers and capacities, they are deftined to be of different ranks and fortunes.

But let us meet the question in a fairer point of view. If fuch be the divine dispensation, so as entirely to counteract all the schemes of defigning Levellers-is the wisdom or goodness of the Creator to be arraigned on this account? Can he be accused of injuftice or partiality by the lowest of his Creatures? Does he withold from them any good which it is their interest to pursue? Are the fubftantial blessings of life, health, joy and contentment placed beyond their reach? Is it not in their power to obtain every thing that conftitutes happinefs? Will not their good works follow them hereafter and be of equal weight in the fcale of unerring juftice with thofe of the highest of their Fellow-creatures? Because you are in a lower fphere of life, then, My Brethren, imagine not that there is no exercife for the talents GOD has given you, or that your ambition is to be restrained-On the contrary, here is an extenfive scope for you to display it in-I mean in the practice of virtue and discharge of the duties of your calling. In this refpect you may not only be equal, but if I may fo fpeak, fuperior to your fuperiors-Yes, if you are virtu