Bristol Job Nott; No. XXXII.] OR, LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND. THE BLOODY BUOY. "THE BLOODY Buoy thrown out as a warn- "To trace those deeds to their true source, to ing to the political pilots of all nations; or, a appreciate the principles which led to their commission, and the system to which they gave birth, Job's readers have had presented to them in faithful relation of a multitude of acts of horrid is a task of infinite utility to the members of every the recent numbers of this publication, a brief barbarity, such as eye never witnessed, the civilized state. It will teach them to detect the account of the lives, characters, and writings tongue expressed, or the imagination conceived, impositions which are practised on their credulity, of two men who were most instrumental until the commencement of the French Revolu- to avoid the evils which their humanity deprecates, and to elude the snares which are laid to entrap their in planting "the Tree of Liberty," as it is tion.-BY PETER PORCUPINE." judgment. It will enable them to draw the line of discalled; or in other words, of disseminating the If any one ask who this Peter Porcupine tinction between legitimate freedom and philosophical principles of liberalism and democracy in Eu- was, the following extract from the preface of liberty, by proving that the fruits of the former are rope-but more especially in France. These the English edition may assist them in the opulence, happiness, and good order, while the produce of the latter is poverty wretchedness and men were Paine and Voltaire, men of very anarchy. It will demonstrate, that, when the door different characters and temperaments; the is once open to innovation, and the multitude are one low, vulgar, disgusting-the other refined, released from the salutary restraints, which legisla polished, fascinating-but both agreed to tive wisdom has imposed on their passions, the sacrifice religion at the shrine of idolized intelutmost exertions of human energy are incompetent to check the inroads of usurpation; or to stem the lect, and to immolate order and legitimate impetnous torrent of vice, which destroys every authority at the altar of philosophical liberty. vestige of government, and leaves nothing but the mere wrecks of civilization behind it." inquiry. "This ingenious writer is by birth an Englishman;-having adopted sentiments favourable to democracy, he went to France in the early part of the revolution, where personal observation of the practical effects of revolutionary doctrines convinced him of his error, and rendered him the determined enemy of a system which he found to be fraught with misery to mankind." These are the sentiments of the editor of Having contemplated the agency by which the Tree of Liberty, so called, was planted, it This is all the account I am prepared to is natural to inquire what were its fruits; and give of the author of the work under review, the English reprint of the Bloody Buoy; but it is not only natural to make this inquiry as but should any one be curious enough to ask they are only the echo of those expressed by an object of curiosity, but it is most wise to the notorious William Cobbett about it, I Peter Porcupine himself, in the introduction to make it at this period, when the nations of think he may be able to give some farther his book. Europe are rife with sentiments identified with insight into its origin. those of Paine and Voltaire, and seem about to act over again all the atrocities which the French revolution of 1792-3 exhibited. At such a crisis as this the words of the Abbé Maury, in his speech to the National Assembly, should be rung into the ears of every revolutionist in Europe. eternal detestation and infamy, and the annals of "You will plunge your country into an abyss of your boasted revolution will serve as a BLOODY Buoy, warning the nations of the earth to keep aloof from the mighty ruin." a Our concern, however, is not with the author but with the contents, which are of such horrifying nature, as may well make both the ears of every one that heareth them to tingle. Some persons may question the expedience and utility of exposing to view deeds of terror and of blood, which exhibit man as worse than that familiarity with such recitals has a tendency brutal-yea, as demonized; they may think to sear the heart; but I agree with the editor of the English reprint of Peter Porcupine book, that such recitals, though revolting, yet, when seasonable, are salutary. "The object of the following work, is to give the people of this happy land, a striking and experi mental proof of the horrible effects of anarchy and "Disorganizing and blasphemous infidelity.". principles have been disseminated among us with but too much success; and unless we profit from the awful example before us, we may yet experience all the calamities that heaven and earth now call on ns to deplore. Fully impressed with this and shew to a yet happy people the dangers they persuasion, the author of these sheets has ventured to undeceive the misguided; to tear aside the veil, have to fear. With this object in view, he has too much confidence in the good sense and piety of the that his efforts will be seconded by their zeal in the major part of his countrymen, not to be assured cause of order and religion. The materials for the work have been collected from different publications, all written by Frenchmen, and all except one printed at Paris," Such is indeed the use that it behoves the nations of the earth to make of the French "From the sad records of human depravity the revolution; it flares like a blazing beacon mind generally recoils with horror, but the page amidst the blackness of infidel darkness, to which unfolds the crimes of his fellow creatures warn men not to approach the rock on which imparts a salutary lesson to man. As examples of The author anticipates that he shall be stigothers have split: or it may be set forth under virtue tend to excite imitation, so do instances of matized as an enemy to the cause of miscalled liberty; with respect to which he says,— the image of a blood-red-buoy, fixed as it were for the very purpose of cautioning the navigator shun the quicksands by which their predecessors have been swallowed up. It was with this object that the very remarkable book, which is now to be reviewed, was first published in America, and afterwards reprinted in England, vice contribute to create abhorrence; and the same end, the happiness of society, which can only result "As to the cause of liberty; if that cause is to be maintained by falsehood, blasphemy, robbery, vioBut in order that we may profit by such relation, and murder, he is, and trusts he ever shall citals, we must not content ourselves with be, its avowed and mortal enemy." contemplating the naked facts; we must con- The first chapter of the Bloody Buoy continually connect them with their causes; we sists of extracts from the History of the French must trace up the bitter streams to the bitter Clergy, by Abbé Barruel. The following are A buoy is a large piece of cork, or other light substance, fountain;-we must mark the connexion of specimens, selected out of a mass of horrible made to float on the surface of the sea, to warn sailors of the poisonous fruit with the corrupt stock. details of a similar kind. it is entitled hidden dangers. "As soon as the unfortunate Louis XVI. had from side to side nearly dislocated her shoulders. and the enemies of christianity have vomited forth been transferred from his throne to a loathsome Go on wretches,' said the heroic princess, I against them." prison, the National Assembly formed a plan for will ask no pardon.' In a rage to see themselves the total extirpation of the priests."—" At Paris thus overcome by the constancy of a woman, they That revolutionary infidels should direct about three hundred of them were shut up in order dashed her down, and rushed in upon her with their first assaults against the ministers of to be massacred; and were actually put to death their knives and poignards. Her head soon ap- religion is not to be wondered at,-they hate during the first and second weeks of September, peared hoisted upon a liberty pike, and her heart, all religion, and therefore they hate those who 1792. About 180 of these unhappy men were con- after being bitten by one of the ruffians, was put into are instrumental in propagating it. They are fined in the convent of the Carmelites. A troop of a basin. Both were carried in triumph through assassins commenced the massacre in the garden, the streets of Paris. At last, after having feasted deeply interested in endeavouring to persuade where the priests were permitted to take the air; the eyes of the multitude, the bearers took them to themselves and others that there is no herebut while they were proceeding, a commissary ar- the temple, now become a prison, where one of the after, no heaven, no hell, no devil, no God! rived, and informed them that the work was not to two commissaries that guarded the king, called him and therefore they are filled with murderous go on that way. There were now about one hun- to the window, that he might see it; but his comdred left alive, who were all ordered into the sanc-panion, a little more humane, prevented the unfor- rancour against all who hold the existence of tuary of the church; but to get thither, they had to tunate mornarch from approaching. A fainting fit the Supreme Being, and the doctrine of a fature pass through a crowd of their murderers. One from hearing of the event, saved the queen from state of retribution. In addition to the natural received a ball, another a blow, and another a stab: the heart-rending sight.” enmity which infidelity bears against religion so that when arrived in the sanctuary, they presented a scene the most heart-piercing. Some The last extract which I shall now make in any garb, the Roman catholic ecclesiastics were dragged in wounded, other squite dead. from this encyclopædia of horrors is, if possible, have been still further, the objects of popular Even here, though surrounded by a detachment still more affecting. rage, whenever democratic principals have of soldiers, the blood-thirsty mob rushed in upon them, and murdered several at the very altar. The sanctuary of a christian church was filled with a promiscuous group of the living, the dying, and the dead. The marble pavement was covered with dirt, and gore, and mangled carcases, and the sides of the altar splashed with blood and braius." "The soldiers had not been brought to save the lives of the priests; the commissary who headed them, was to execute a plan of more deliberate murder: the surviving priests were called out, two at a time, and murdered in the presence of the commissary, who took their names down in a book, as he was answerable for their assassination. Of all that were found here, only four or five escaped. The like undistinguished carnage was exhibited at the other prisons." “At Reims lived a man, who from the number of gained the ascendant, because of the persecuting his years, might be called the dean of christendom; spirit of their church. Whilst we cannot but and, from the fame of his virtues, the priest, by venerate the firm and patient spirit with which excellence. He had long been known by no other these priests yielded themselves to the assasname than that of "the holy priest." This was sins' knife rather than violate conscience; When the Mr. Pacquot, rector of St. John's. revolutionary assassians broke into his oratory, they whilst we especially admire the meekness with found him on his knees. A true and faithful dis- which a Pacquot gave himself up to ruffian ciple of Jesus Christ, he yielded himself into the hands, and embraced and prayed for his murhands of his executioners without so much as a derers; it is impossible not to remember that murmur, and suffered himself to be led before the the church to which this very man belonged ferocious magistrate as a lamb to the slaughter. He crossed the street singing the psalms of David, had, in a thousand instances, manifested a while the sanguinary ruffians that conducted him spirit the very reverse of this christian charity; endeavoured to drown his voice by their blasphe- it is impossible to forget that these ruthless mies. At the threshold of the town-hall an attempt blood-hounds could find more than a precedent was made to murder him, but the mayor interfered, saying to the people, What are you about? This for their sanguinary deeds in the persecutions old fellow is beneath notice. He is a fool: fanati- which Roman catholics had directed, not cism has turned his brain. These words roused against infidels merely, but against true chrisneither a fool nor a fanatic, nor shall my life take the christian revelation, but who were subthe venerable old man, No, sir,' says he, I am tains-against men who held all the truths of refuge under such an ignominious shelter. I wish "At the gate of the prison of La Force, the you to know, that I was never more in my sober jected to the most cruel massacres and diaboassassins were placed in two rows: the two ruffians, senses. These men have tendered me an oath lical torments, merely because they would not called judges, who gave the signal of death, were decreed by the National Assembly. I am well violate conscience by embracing doctrines placed at the gate, and, as soon as the prisoner acquainted with the nature of this oath: I know which they conscientiously believed to be conpassed them, the assassins dispatched him with that it is impious, and subversive of religion. They their knives or sabres, throwing the bodies in a leave me the choice of the oath or death, and I trary to the word of God. In contemplating heap at the end of the line. At the foot of this choose the latter. I hope, sir, I have convinced the massacres of the French revolution, it is trophy of dead bodies, says the historian, we must you that I am in my senses, and know perfectly impossible to forget the massacre of St. Barnow exhibit a scene of a different kind, in the well what I am about.' The nettled magistrate tholemew and the torments inflicted on the murder of the Princess of Lamballe. She had re-immediately abandoned him to the mob. Which of The next extract which I shall make, will exhibit the firmness and constancy of a noble female, a victim of that revolutionary rage, which spares neither rank nor sex. . · · tired in safety to London; but her attachment to you,' said the old man, is to have the patriotic persecuted Huguenots. the royal family would not suffer her to remain honour of being my murderer?' 'I am,' says a Are these observations made with a view, in her asylum, while they were exposed. Her man, who moved in a sphere that ought to have either on the one hand to palliate the deeds of fidelity was a crime that the infidelity of her ene-distinguished him from a horde of ruthans. Let atrocity committed upon Romish priests, or on mies could never forgive. me embrace you, then,' says Mr. Pacquot; which the other, to kindle resentful feelings in pro"When this illustrious victim was brought forth, he actually did, and prayed God to forgive him. she was asked to swear eternal hatred to the King, This done the hard-hearted villian gave him the testant minds? Oh, far from it! No, but the Queen, and to Royalty. The oath,' said she, first blow, and his companions buried their bayonets they are made to warn Roman catholics to is foreign to the sentiments of my heart, and I in his emaciated breast. take heed how they league themselves with will never take it.' She was instantly delivered "The reader's heart, I hope, will teach him the infidels. Let them recollect that a defection over to the ministers of death. These ruffians pre- love and veneration that every christian ought to from the ranks of popery to open infidelity tended to caress her; they stroke her cheeks with feel for this evangelical old man. If the death of their hands, yet reeking with human blood, and all the murdered priests was not marked with such is no new thing. Let them recollect that the thus conduct her along the line. Amidst all these unequivocal proofs of constancy and fidelity as that men who thus massacred Roman catholic priests insults her courage never deserted her. When of Mr. Pacquot, it was perhaps because a like by hundreds, in cold blood, were nursed in the arrived at the heap of dead bodies, she was ordered opportunity did not always present itself. One bosom of the papal church. Let them fear to kneel, and ask pardon of the nation; I have thing we know, that by taking an oath contrary to never injured the nation,' she replied, nor will I their faith, they might not only have escaped the lest, in taking infidelity to their bosom, they ask its pardon.' Down,' said they, and ask knives of the assassins, but might have enjoyed an fondle and cherish a viper that will presently pardon, if you wish to live.' 'No,' said she, 'I annual income. Their refusing to do this, is an awake to infix its fangs into the breast of its scorn to ask pardon from assassins that call them- incontrovertable testimony that they were no im- infatuated foster parent! selves the nation: I will never bend my knee or accept of favour from such hands.' Her soul was superior to fear. Kneel and ask pardon,' was heard from a thousand voices, but in vain. Two of the assassins now seized her arms, and pulling her postors or hypocrites, but sincere believers of the THE LEADING TRADE. MR. NOTT, Your humorous description of the "Claims of the Trades" brings the following to my mind: minded, that should infidelity gain a transient This request was granted; and as so moderate had tined to invade Greece, he reflected that not ascendency, as some learned and pious men, ther request. "If," said he, "I am to have my be alive at the end of a hundred years! been his ambition, the emperor bade him make ano- one of that almost countless multitude would judging from prophecy and the signs of the utmost wish-command that for the future, the comIf a times, have been led to anticipate, they must pany of cobblers shall take place of the company of heathen prince could thus be softened at the expect to be the first objects of attack. Oh shoe makers." It was accordingly so ordained; and thought of the transitory nature of earthly then, let them gird themselves for the conflict, to this day there is to be seen a chapel in Flanders, glory, should not the Christian be at least adorned with a boot and the imperial crown upon it; -not with the weapons of this world, as if and in all processions, the company of cobblers take equally alive to the affecting consideration? they would lean upon an arm of flesh-but precedence of the company of shoe makers.* Oh if every individual of that concourse of people "with the armour of righteousness, on the who thronged our streets on a late occasion, right hand and on the left." Yea, let them could be brought to the serious inquiry, "what 66 put on the whole armour of God, that they and where shall I be a hundred years hence ?" may be able to stand in the evil day." Not to dwell on still more important benefits, it the impression would be salutary. might serve at least to abate the intenseness of desire after earthly advantages, and earthly When the trades of the city of walked privileges and distinctions. Men would not in the year Mr. B. the undertaker, had fight and quarrel so about this world's things, his place assigned him in the rear, in common if they did but reflect how precarious a hold with the rest of his trade. A friend who met they have upon them at best-how short must Mr. B. the next day, rallied him upon the sub- be their enjoyment of them at most! or, to ject, observing that such a leading man as he return to the idea with which we set out, was in the city should have taken a more pro- men would not be so eager to walk one before minent station. Why, the truth is, replied B. another in the world's great pageant, if they the other crafts treated us very cavalierly, and did but duly consider how soon the undertaker said as ours was notoriously the last of all trades, will walk before them all! we should walk behind. But never mind, added B. they may walk before us now, but time will come. For proud as they may be, there isn't a mother's son of 'em but will have Let christians generally be solicitous to purge out from amongst them all "leaven" of evil, that might give the adversary occasion to speak reproachfully. Let them, like Daniel, so live, that their enemies may find no occasion against them, except they find it concerning the law of their God; and then they need not fear anything that the malice of earth or hell can effect. If the Lord be for us, who shall be against us? "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?.. Nay, in all these things we are more then conquerors through him that loved us." Rom. viii. 35-37. (To be continued.) A TRUE SON OF CRISPIN. Charles V. in his intervals of relaxation, used to retire to Brussels. He was curious to know the sen timents of his meanest subjects concerning himself and his administration; and therefore often went requiring immediate mending, he was directed to a our one of us undertakers to walk before them ere A CONSTANT READER. THE LIFE OF VOLTAIRE. [Concluded.] share of the pleasures and honours of this Voltaire had enjoyed an unusually large world; but so vain and unsatisfying are they that the poor weak mortal who had now reached the highest point of his ambition died, The above story revives in Job Nott's versation as he thought proper. One night, his boot viewed public processions, and with which in-perished like the fly in a honeypot, overwhelmed incog. and mixed himself in such companies and con- mind the feelings with which he has sometimes (says his biographer)" of glory and happiness,' in its sweetness. Of the numerous ways of cobbler. Unluckily it happened to be St. Crispin's deed they ought always to be viewed. A pub-dying this is certainly one of the most rare. holiday; and the cobbler, instead of being inclined lic pageant is one of the most affecting sights The statement, however, is merely a flourish of for work, was in the height of his jollity amongst his that can possibly be presented to a serious the pen of this infidel writer, who wishing acquaintance. The disguised emperor acquainted snob with what he wanted, and offered him a hand- mind. The banners are unfurled; the tinsel that his hero should seem to quit the stage in some gratuity. "What, friend," says the fellow, trophies glitter in the sunbeams; the bands "do you know no better than to ask any of our craft play a martial or a sprightly air; the applaud- between the last act of Voltaire's public life triumph, artfully omits the dreadful interval to work on St. Crispin? was it Charles V. himself, ing spectators rend the air with shouts-all is in the theatre, and his death. The terrible in and drink St. Crispin, do and welcome: we are as the passing scene, we mark each succeeding been described more minutely and faithfully by bustle, hilarity, and triumph. We contemplate dying scene in his solitary bed-chamber has happy as the emperor can be." The sovereign accepted his offer; but whilst he was contemplating object of the procession; this banner turns the other pens. The Abbé de Baruel gives the their rude pleasure instead of joining it, the merry corner, and that, and that—and now they are host thus addresses him. "What, I suppose you are all gone by, and the sounds of joy become letter from M. de Luc, an eminent philosopher, following account of it, which is confirmed by a some courtier politician or other by that grave phiz; fainter and fainter as they die in the distance; and a man of strict honesty and truth. however, be who or what you may, you're heartily welcome. Put the bottle round. Here's Charles the and with respect to us the show is over-" sic I'd not do a stitch for him to day; but if you'll come to have worked for the emperor." "It was on his return from the theatre, and in the in the first days of his illness, he gave signs of wishing to return to the GOD whom he had so often blasphemed. As his danger increased he wrote the following note to the Abbé Gaultier :- You promised, sir, to come and hear me. I entreat you would take the trouble of calling as soon as possible. Voltaire.' fth's health." "Then you love Charles the fifth," transit gloria mundi." So fades the pageant midst of the labours he was resuming in order to replied the emperor. "Love him!" says the son of of earthly glory and happiness from the eyes gain fresh applause, that Voltaire was warned that Crispin, "aye, aye, I love his long noseship well of man. Whether it be the gemmed and his life of impiety was drawing to an end. enough, but I should love him more if he would tax us less: but what, after all, have we got to do with plumaged cortege of a coronation procession, "In spite of all the infidels flocking around him politics?"After a short stay, the emperor took or whether it be the lowlier pomp of a "trades' his leave, thanking the cobbler for his hospitable re- walk," the impression upon the serious mind is ception. "That," cried he, "you're welcome to ; "The fashion [i. e. the pomp but I would not to-day have dishonoured St. Crispin, much the same. and show] of this world passeth away." Charles, pleased with the frankness and good hu- Yes, the undertaker must indeed do his mour of the fellow, sent for him next morning to office ere long, with reference to every indivicourt. Imagine his surprise to see and hear that his dual of the now healthful and joyous crowd. He then confessed to the priest, and signed a late guest was his sovereign! He feared what might declaration that he died in the holy catholic church, Xerxes is said to have wept whilst he sur- in which he was born; which declaration was be the consequence of his jest upon his long nose. However the emperor thanked him for his hospitality, veyed the five millions of human beings whom carried to the rector of St. Sulpice and the archand as a reward for it, bid him ask for whatever he he had collected together on the plains of bishop of Paris, to know whether it would be suffi most desired, and take the whole night to consider of it. Next day he appeared and requested that for Asia; and when surveying the pomp and cient. When the Abbé Gaultier returned with the the future the cobblers of Flanders might bear for strength of the armed myriads that were des- to the patient; the conspirators had strained every their arms a boot with the emperor's crown upon it. nerve to hinder their chief from completing the re • London Magazine, 1785. answer it was impossible for him to gain admission cantation of his infidel opinions, and every avenue beds, have proved a stumbling-block to many as " THE NEHEMIAH. POST OF DUTY, THE PLACE OF SAFETY. "And upon a set day Herod arrayed in royal apparel sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, it is twenty more of the conspirators never approached "For there are no bands in their death. They the voice of a God and not of a man. And immedihim but to witness their own ignominy; and often are not in trouble as other men, neither are they ately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he he would curse them and exclaim, retire-begone-plagued like other men. Therefore pride compass-gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, it is you that have brought me to my present state. eth them as a chain, violence covereth them as a and gave up the ghost.' I could have done without you all but you could not garment. They have more than heart could wish. They Reader mayest thou be able to say with all exist without me! AND WHAT A WRETCHED GLORY are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression; thine heart, "Let me die the death of the righHAVE YOU PROCURED ME! they speak loftily; they set their mouth against the "Then would succeed the horrid remembrance of heaveus, and their tongue walketh through the earth. teous, and let my last end be like his !" his conspiracy. They could hear him, the prey of And they say how doth GOD know, and is there knowanguish and dread, alternately supplicating or blas-ledge in the Most High? Behold these are the unpheming that God against whom he had conspired, godly who prosper in the world; they increase in and in plaintive accents he would cry out, Oh riches." Christ! oh Jesus Christ!' and then complain that he was abandoned by GoD and man. The hand which had traced in the Old Testament the sentence of an impious and reviling king seemed to him to In vain he trace Crush then, do crush the wretch.'* turned his head away; the time was coming apace when he was to appear before the tribunal of Him whom he had blasphemed; and his physicians, particularly M. Tronchin, calling in to administer relief, went away as if thunderstruck, declaring that the death of the impious man was terrible indeed. The Marechal de Richlieu fled from his bed side, saying, that it was a sight too terrible to be borne; and M. Tronchin declared that the furies of Orestes could give but a faint idea of those of Voltaire." a The death-beds of unbelieving and ungodly men are not always marked by so dreadful foretaste of future misery, disclosing the sandy foundation on which they had built, and the awful gulph into which they are sinking for ever. Even pious men, who have been accustomed to meditate often and deeply on death, and judgment, and eternity, acknowledge the great difficulty of realizing the solemn import of these words, in any adequate degree. Nevertheless, the believer who has been accustomed to turn his mind to the contemplation of these great realities, and who must have still deeper and more solemn views of them at his dying hour, might be overwhelmed by the near prospect of eternity, if he were not sustained by the precious and animating promises of the gospel, the brightening prospect of the glory soon to burst upon him, and the presence of his GoD, comforting him in the dark valley of the shadow of death. On the contrary, the natural disinclination and inability of the human mind to realise divine things, has been so increased in the case of the infidel and worldly-minded man, by his continual habit of resistance to all serious impressions, that the things of the world he is leaving often retain their hold over him to the very last moment of his existence; and the miserable sinner dies as he has lived, occupied with some of the many idols that have engaged his thoughts and affections, trusting to some refuge of lies, but destitute of all true consolation; or in a state of hard insensibility and torpor, from which nothing will arouse him but the flames of hell. The prosperity of the wicked in their lives, and the deceitful tranquillity of their death It had been Voltaire's custom for many years, with the most daring profanity, to call our blessed Saviour "the wretch," and to vow that he would crush Him, and put an end to the Christian religion. Vain and impious man! "On whomsoever that Stone shall fall it shall grind him to powder."-On his death-bed Voltaire fancied he saw a hand like that which wrote re doom of Belshazzar, writing the words "crush then, do crush the wretch," which filled him with horror. There is a story which, though it has been often told, may well bear repetition at the present crisis. I cannot lay my hand just now upon the book which contains it, but it is to Human nature, in its leading features, has ever been the same. With what wonderful faithfulness and accuracy does the inspired volume here describe the state of the ungodly who prosper for a season! The description, in many the following effect. particulars, closely corresponds with the life of At the time of the plague in London, great Voltaire and other infidels,* and in the following numbers of the wealthier classes left town. verses we may read their miserable end, which Amongst the rest, a certain gentleman of conDavid only understood "when he went into siderable note was preparing to depart. His the sanctuary of GoD," and which in the case luggage had been hastily packed up, and was of Voltaire and some other striking instances is ready in the hall, and the carriage was actually made manifest by a death-bed of horror. at the door, when he happened to overhear a castedst them down into destruction. How are they another domestic. "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thon conversation between his black servant and "Why massa go away in brought into desolation in a moment! they are utterly such a hurry?" said the black servant. "Why, consumed with terrors.” to get away from the plague, to be sure," re"Oh! den massa's God live plied the other. in the country," observed the black. The gentleman was forcibly struck. "My God live in the country!" said he to himself. "My God lives every where." He instantly determined Another prime mover of the French revolution not to leave town, but to keep to his post. He was Mirabeau, “who ruled the national assembly, was eminently useful during the season of peril, who directed the political opinions of twenty-five and was preserved from infection. millions of men for two years together, and who Let those weigh this, who are disposed to was for that period, what has been cleverly termed hurry away from our city and neighbourhood at the intellectual dictator of France, This champion the first alarm of cholera. Let them seriously for the people was born a noble." And what was his character? The dreadful end of Voltaire resembles that of the infidel Herod, the cruel persecutor of the early Christians, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. (12th chap.) ask themselves whether their God lives in the "He had been seventeen times in prison; he had country; and whether they conceive, that by deserted his own, and run away with other men's running away they can get beyond the reach of wives; he had had the most scandalous lawsuits the sword of the destroying angel; or whether with his own family; had been condemned as a criminal; exiled; executed in effigy; he had they may not more reasonably trust to be written and published one of the most depraved of covered with the shield of Divine protection, books; had led the most dissipated and obscene of whilst keeping to their proper post, and conlives; and was known to be a dangerous enemy to scientiously discharging the duties of it. those he hated, and an unsure friend to those he pretended to love. The morals of the French capital had been reduced in the days of despotism to a degraded standard: but, according to Dumont, when the name of Mirabeau was first read in tree National Assembly among those elected to represent the French nation, it was hissed and hooted by all present." "In spite, however, of all this, in a few weeks he was everything with those men who had considered themselves disgraced by being associated with him; and gathering influence and power by bounds, and not by slow steps, he became almost the absolute master of the National Assembly, the mass of whose members he moved and controlled with as much facility as the Italian showman moves his wooden puppets." At the very crisis, when he was supposed to hold the Your's, &c. X, Y. Job Nott cannot but be gratified and encouraged in his work, by the high commendations bestowed by E. E, upon the "general conduct" of his little periodical, nor is he less thankful for the very kind admonition conveyed by the same pen.-(vide Ps. cxli. 5.) J. N. fully admits that scripture should, under all circumstances, be regarded as “holy ground;" and he sincerely regrets if anything has been inserted in his columns, calculated to give pain to even the most scrupulous mind. Should however that species of "retort" be made, to which E. E. alludes, it will be easy to show the wide disparity of the two cases. Bristol Job Nott; No. XXXIII.] PUBLIC SPIRIT. OR, LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND. THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1832. [Price 14d. liberal principle, and be desirous to give their every now and then read of a sum of money servants as good wages as they can honestly sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for There is a great talk in our day about public afford, so as to get a reasonable return for their conscience sake; and, methinks, if all the men spirit; but though the word is in every body's capital, according to the scriptural injunction, that have been enriching themselves by evading mouth, I question if the thing be well under"Masters give unto your servants that which is the excise, &c., could but be touched a little in stood. To judge by the conduct of those who just and equal, knowing that ye also have a their conscience and made to disgorge, 'twould talk most about it, one would think that public Master in heaven."* On the other hand, if this help a bit toward making up the deficiencies in spirit meant a disposition to pursue our own principle were acted upon by the operatives, the public purse. Let them be sure of this, ambitious or covetous ends, without any rethey would be considerate for their masters' however, that money gotten by such practices gard to the interests or happiness of society, interests; they would be content with what is will never do any of them any good, but will be to take care of number one and let others take just and equal, and they would watch over a a rust and a canker to consume their estates. care of themselves. For instance, the public would feel that if masters are bound in justice just now, when the cholera is about, and when master's interest as if it were their own; they This may be a good subject to meditate upon spirit of the demagogue consists in setting men together by the ears, raising a party, calling to pay them for their time and skill, they are we should all of us be setting our house in upon a parcel of poor deluded fellows to support equally bound in justice to render the full mea- order. But don't think that this principle "the cause;" painting a fool's paradise to sure of time and service stipulated for, and not applies only to rich people; very many of the please their fancies; setting all agog, drinking, to rob and injure their employers by idling operatives have the privilege of being liable to rioting, railing, sporting, emptying their pock-away time, or by doing their jobs in a slighting pay taxes. And isn't it a privilege? Take ets, starving their bellies, and beggaring their unworkmanlike manner; or by little pilfering, the poor tax for instance. Perhaps some of families, and then leaving 'em to rot in a jail peculating practices under the name of per- you think it very hard that you should pay that; or break stones at sixpence a day; when with quisites; which, however, they may in some but let me ask you whether you had rather be the help of a little more industry and diligence, instances be sanctioned by custom, are certainly payers or receivers? If you have a spark of and a good deal less politics and gin, they might not according to the christian principle of doing English independence and true public spirit, have had a comfortable home, a belly-full of as we would be done by. you will say, "though it does bear heavy victuals, a quiet mind, and their families smiling Public spirit doesn't consist in all men turning own bread notwithstanding; and I would rather Then, again, with respect to public affairs. upon me, yet I thank God that I can eat my and happy around them. Now if you want to know what is Job Nott's state tinkers and political cobblers; but in every pay a pound, as long as I've got it to pay, than notion of public spirit, you shall have it. Pub- one being ready and willing to bear a reason- receive a penny." For a labouring man or lic spirit consists in " looking not every man able share of the burdens of the state. Every little tradesman, struggling to live and his on his own things, but every man also on the body agrees that there must be taxes; but no own way, thus, at the same time to bear with things of others;" or, in other words, that every body likes to pay any, and every body wants cheerfulness his share of the public burdens, I man should study not merely what is best for that particular tax taken off which touches say this is true public spirit! My honoured himself, but what is most conducive to the wel- himself; and most people are for shirking and father has an excellent bit on this very subject. fare of society at large. If men in general, rich evading duties and taxes, and say, jestingly, In his book called 'Humble Advice,' &c. he says, and poor, could but be brought to act upon this there is no harm in "cheating the king." Now principle, it would do more to benefit the I say that there is as much harm in cheating know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to country than fifty acts of parliament; and it the king as in cheating any other man; and another. Now in throwing in our proper share into would do more to quiet the country than fifty that he that wilfully and fraudulently keeps the treasury, for the support of that state which proregiments of soldiers. I say, if men in general back a shilling from the public purse is as bad tects the poor and helpless as well as the rich and could be brought to act upon this principle; as a swindler. For the same that hath said great, we do manifest a love one for another ..... but money, money [he should rather have for observe, it is not confined to one class of render to all their dues, hath said, "tribute to said "the love of money"] is the root of all evil, but it applies to all without exception. whom tribute is due." But, besides this, it is which, while some covet after, they pierce themselves persons, Looking every man at the things of others;" a great mistake to pretend that evading taxes through with many sorrows. My advice to every body every man, the poor therefore as well as the and duties by smuggling and other underhanded is to pay to the uttermost farthing; and to be above rich; the servant as well as the master; the practices is cheating the king. The truth is shuffling the weight from his own shoulders upon that of his neighbours. Do the thing that is right, and if subject as well as the ruler; all are called to that it is cheating your next door neighbour, if you have less money in your pockets, you will have he be an honest man; for as the burdens of the more quiet in your consciences." state must be borne, the honest men will be obliged in the end to make up for the frauds and evasions practiced by the rogues. We exercise mutual kindness and consideration one pay "O that we had more public spirit; or, in other words, more christianity. By this shall all men .... .... And now to come to that sort of public spirit which is commonly called benevolence. Here the same rule will hold. He that looks only or chiefly to his own things, and studies only his own self-interest, will be close fisted and niggardly; every penny that he bestows will |