fellow creature set up to be pelted almost to death amidst the drunken acclamation and infernal revelry of the lowest and most depraved of our species. And if it is thus pernicious in its immediate influence, it is not less dangerous in its example. Those whom you suffer to riot on the side of the laws may soon learn to oppose them with similar outrages. By allowing them thus to supply the deficiency of the lawgiver, we educate them for revolution and carnage. We give them arms to be awakened against our bosoms, whenever the breeze of discontent shall sweep over them. The hands which have learned to throw bricks and filth on the criminal, may exercise the same dis cipline on the judges, if they should be so unfortunate as to incur their displeasure.

Could we trace this mode of punishment to its origin, we should probably find that it was the first rude effort of barbarous tribes to avenge the perpetration of evil. It bears all the marks of republican fierceness with nothing of the noble air of freedom. The country where it should be frequently adopted, would soon become in effect more democratical than if all its rulers were chosen by universal suffrage. For in the latter case, the multitude are only the makers of the laws, and in the former, they execute summary vengeance with no boundary but that which is suggested by the variations of a moment's fury. is sufficiently melancholy to see such a monument of savage life standing uninjured amidst the trophies of goodness and of virtue; but it is still more offensive to see it regarded as a pillar of our legislative system. It saddens us to see riots at all existing in a well regulated state; but we are doubly provoked by the strange anomaly which makes the laws appear to excite them. We regret to see a popular demagogue lead his follower to con

It

fusion and disorder, but our vexation has no bounds

when a judge is compelled by the duties of his office to give up the reins to the frenzy of the shameless and the degraded. Let us not for a moment be misunderstood, when we couple the name of Lord Ellenborough with popular commotion. We know his loyalty to be unsullied even by the breath of suspicion, and his gratitude for the favor of his eminent patrons, to be too lively to allow him for a moment to desire any thing which should break their tranquillity. He would therefore feel most thankful to be relieved from the necessity of pronouncing such a sentence as that which has lately excited so powerful an interest. The feelings, however, even of the greatest men are subordinate to the extensive benefits which would flow from the abolition of the pillory. The current of public spirit, instead of bursting forth on every petty occasion with a wasteful fury which may destroy the fairest temples of human wisdom, would continue to flow on undisturbed in its broad and ancient course, to purify and fertilize a peaceful and happy country, and by a thousand gentle and secluded channels to water the scene enriched with the calm loveliness of domestic virtue, and sprinkled over with the dwellings of serene and unearthly enjoyment.

A

WHY ARE WE STILL AT WAR?

OR THE

American Question

CONSIDERED;

IN A SERIES OF ESSAYS REJECTED BY THE JOURNALISTS AS UNPOPULAR;

RECOMMENDED TO A CANDID PERUSAL,

BY CONCILIATOR.

Illud quod medium est, atque inter utrumque, probamus.

ORIGINAL.

1814.

THE following Essays were offered to a number of the Daily Newspapers, late in July, and early in August last; and to that first in course which has always been held by the writer in the highest estimation, to the Editor of which the first lines do literally apply. To him a number of them were sent for perusal; but though the former objection was removed, another not less formidable had sprung up. The great events, by which every thing relating to the American War was eclipsed, had passed by; but now the popular prejudice was so strong, that nobody would look but at one side of the question. He agreed in the sentiments; particularly in that which deprecated the seeking through an expense of blood and treasure what might be obtained without it; and if they should be thrown into a Pamphlet, or the Pamphleteer, which he recommended as a work that was read; he would willingly give extracts and commendations.

A second Editor commended the energy, and good temper at the same time, with which he thought the letters were written; but observed that the author was not perhaps aware that every Journal had its particular class of readers; and it was necessary to consult their taste, both with respect to the matter, and the time when it would be acceptable.

A third saw nothing in them, that either he or his customers would dislike if they could be brought to attend to them; but they would embroil him in long discussions and argumentations, which would be more plague than profit.-Any information of what was actually going on in respect to the war, or the negociations for peace, he would be very thankful for :-little attention was paid to causes; effects alone were inquired after. The author was now advised to offer them to a Journal, which he had known in its less degenerate days; but whose Editor after having requested from him any advices that might fall in his way, had latterly declined, (certainly in a very civil way) a piece of information, whose truth he did not doubt, as contrary to its spirit.—On an intimation from a