Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

66

66

"nected with the ruin of the Christian | designated Unbelievers, the latter, in pro66 cause." -He then goes on to tell us, portion to numerical strength, would be that to accomplish the more speedy ruin found to have produced the most GOOD "of the Christians, those whose interests MEN. -With fervent prayers for the cause were incompatible with the progress of of Civil and Religious Liberty, I am, "the Gospel loaded them with most oppro- Dear Sir, your sincere Friend, "brious calumnies; and these (adds he) London, Jan. 1815. ERASMUS PERKINS. were the only arms they had to oppose "the TRUTH."

66

CEDIPUS JUDAICUS.

MR. COBBETT,-One of your Corres

thought proper to introduce a defence of Sir William Drummond into your REGISTER, of the 14th inst. He has cast sonic free expressions on the Rev. G. D'Oyly, Christian Advocate in the University of Cambridge, who has publicly animadverted on the EDIPUS JUDAICUS, and has inREGISTER a rather full extract of violent, and, as I think, most unjust abuse of him, which, has been poured forth by some anonymous writer. As I

ques

How sorry I am, in reading the history of my own church, to find in its infancy such a strong parallel between the beha-pondents, who signs himself VARRO, has viour of the Romans towards the Christians, and the conduct of by far too many professors of our holy religion, in the present day, towards those unfortunate people whom we stigmatize with the name of DEISTS OF THEISTS, because they acknowledge but one God, in opposition to us who are Tritheists. How many books have we inserted in your this country wherein these unhappy persons are branded with every odious epithet that the imagination can devise, and charged with conspiring against the eternal peace and happiness of their fellow creatures, when we know their works breathe nothing but the most unbounded philanthropy and benevolence. The general tenor of their writings approaches much nearer to the mildness and charity of our blessed Saviour than the sermons of many of the most eminent divines. Have not philosophers, whose labours have been devoted to the improvement of mankind, whose dispositions have been most amiable, and whose lives most exemplary, been held up to the execration of the public as impious wretches, unworthy of existence? I grieve for the injury the cause of Christ has sustained by those who profess to be his ministers or disciples, descending to such unworthy measures, and promise, if God is pleased to spare me, and bless me with health and resolution, to vindicate genuine Christianity from the disgrace it has incurred from weak and wicked pretenders; but, at the same time, for the honour of my faith, to prove to the world, that an humble follower of Jesus is capable of writing "An “impartial, biographical, and critical ac"count of all those persons denominated "infidels, who have flourished since the "birth of our Lord;" a work for which I have been collecting materials during the last twenty years; and I have little doubt I shall be able to shew, that if the numbers of these calling themselves Christians could be analysed and compared with those

66

conceive the statement which VARRO has
conveyed to you to be extremely unfair, I
venture to trouble you with what I con-
ceive to be a far more just and true re-
I trust to
presentation of the matter.
your candour to take the earliest opportu-
nity of making this letter public, in com-
pliance with your avowed wish, on every
occasion, of letting both sides of the
tion be fairly heard. It is pretty well
known that, two or three years ago, Sir
William Drummond printed, and privately
circulated, his book, entitled EDIPUS
JUDAICUS, in which he endeavoured to
prove the Bible to contain nothing but
fable, allegory, and romance; and treated
it with as profane and blasphemous ribaldry,
as had ever been done by the most inve-
terate of infidels. Although this book was,
not publicly sold, yet it was clear that the
author's forbearance did not proceed from
tenderness to the Bible, but from his pru-
dent regard to his own safety, and his de-
sire of sheltering himself from animad-
version; for he, and others acting for
him, distributed the work at first without
scruple, whenever they deemed the quar-
ter a safe one, and even took singular
pains, in some instances, to extend its cir-
culation. Thus the book passed into a
number of hands, became of public noto-
riety, and was, in some instances, the
more eagerly sought for, from the secret
manner of its distribution. Under these
circumstances, what was to be done?

Was Sir W. Drummond to be allowed unfounded; but he also shewed, what to taiat the public mind with such matter, seems to have touched the author quite as without a syllable of answer or animad- nearly, that, under an ostentatious display version? Was the Bible not to be heard of deep erudition, he is one of the most even in its defence? Was this novel method shallow of men; that he has used terms of discovering truth to be adopted, that without any knowledge of their meaning, one side of the question only should be has heaped blunder upon blunder, comheard, and a complete bar put upon the mitted inaccuracy after inaccuracy, and mouths of all opponents, because the book asserted the boldest falsehoods without the which required an answer was unpublished? slightest excuse; and that, during all this Was it to become an allowed and esta- time, he has stolen a great part of his matblished privilege of wealth, to circulate opi- ter from preceding infidel writers, while nions of every description, no matter how he endeavoured to assume to himself the noxious to society, in full security from credit of all the learning which he proanimadversion or contradiction, by the sim- daced. Thus Mr. D'Oyly not only deple expedient of writing a book and dis-feated the opposer of revelation, in his tributing it gratuitously? I guess, no man in his senses will maintain so wild a position as this. In the case then of Sir W. Drummond, what was to be done? It is true, that he might have been prosecuted in a court of law for blasphemy; for, there is no doubt, that, in the contemplation of the law, a book gratuitously circulated, is no less a publication than one which is sold at the booksellers shops; and, if this course had been taken, it is tolerably certain that this Sicilian Knight, and British Privy Councillor, would have been raised to more public notoriety than he had yet attained, by the pillory. But as you, Mr. Cobbett, I observe, contend very strenu ously against any use of legal prosecutions towards persons who write against the Bible, you must be the last person to maintain that such a proceeding ought to have been adopted towards Sir W. Drummond. Thus, then, unless the free license was to be granted to him, of saying what he pleased against the Bible, unnoticed and unchastised, it was absolutely necessary that some literary opponent should enter the lists against him, and examine a little the truth of his assertions, and the soundness of his pretensions. Accordingly, the clergyman, whose name your correspondent mentions, came forward for that purpose, and addressed, in the first place, some letters of remonstrance to the author, on the nature of his attack on revelation, and followed these up by an enquiry into the truth, accuracy, and learning which he displayed. I perceive your correspondent to affirm, that the CEDIPUS JUDAICUS of Sir W.Drummond "displays a fund of prodigious "erudition!!!" On the contrary, Mr. D'Oyly not only shewed, in every point, that his attempts to impeach the truth of the biblical histories were most futile and Dec. 30, 1914.

purpose, but stripped the vain jack-daw of his stolen plumes; and shewed that the imposing appearances of deep crudition, which the CEDIPUS JUDAICUS conveyed, were of the most hollow and fallacious description. I wish neither you nor any one else to take all this on my assertion, but call upon every one to enquire for himself, by reading the CEDIPUS JUDAICUS, and the remarks which have been made upon it. Your correspondent tells you, that three anonymous writers have started up in defence of the CEDIPUS JUDAICUS, and have shewn the ignorance and malice of the person who wrote against it. These three anonymous writers, it is pretty well known, are no other than Sir W. D. himself in disguise. They have written, it is true, a very bulky volume in professed defence of the CEDIPUS JUDAICUS, but have almost entirely substituted railing and scurrilous invective for sound arguments; and instead of defending Sir W. D.'s blunders, have indicted whole reams of personal abuse against his opponent.An anonymous pamphlet, signed J. R. has since appeared, in which it has been most fully shewn, that, notwithstanding all which is boldly affirmed by these virulent writers (of whose mode of argument, by the way, your correspondent gives no very unfair specimen), Mr. D'Oyly's charges and proofs against Sir Wm. Drummond remain good in every essential part. I must repeat, that I wish not any single person to believe what I here affirm, solely on my assertion; but as you have thought it right to publish an ex-parte statement from one correspondent, it seems but fair that yon should give equal publicity to the opinion of another respecting this matter. Your's, &c.

JUSTUS.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

66

σε

affront to a Monk in favour (and Monks, "God knows, are scen offended), finds the same compassion; a victim must be of"ferred to his holy rage."

LETTRES DE CACHET. Signet, lie in the hands of the Ministers, SIR,-Your recent remarks on the un- as well as in those of the Under Governors handsome and illiberal newspaper abuse of" of Provinces, to be used at their discrethe people of France, and the measures of "tion, frequently to gratify their own their Government, are fully corroborated" vengeance. Is an Intendant piqued by the manner in which the Morning against any man of quality; or a MinisChronicle, of last week, adverted to the "ter against a President of Parliament ? proceedings against General Excelmans," Such a letter is straight sent to him, and who had been ordered under arrest by the" he instantly sent from home, sometimes King of France. Of this officer the "into a remote province. Is the GoChronicle observed, that he had "petition-"vernor's Lady, or daughter, disgusted at "ed both Chambers for redress, and has" another lady in the place, finer and more "stated his willingness to surrender him- "admired than herself, her punishment is self the moment a trial is promised him," decreed, and the poor rival sent a wan"and his reasons for withdrawing himself"dering; a crime is easily forged, and "momentarily from the oppression which "the sufferer has no remedy. The smallest "this renewed system of Lettres de Cachet" "had inflicted on him.". -Either the writer of this article is entirely ignorant of the nature of Lettres de Cachet, or he must have been influenced by motives of No one who reads this description of the worst kind, to compare the order given Lettres de Cachet, will be able to discover in this case to that terrible instrument.- any resemblance to these in the proceedIn the justly celebrated answer to the ings against General Excelmans. He was Bourbon proclamation, published in your not put under arrest to gratify the caprice of REGISTER of the 15th January, I observe any Minister, Deputy Governor, Mistress, some very pertinent remarks on the subject or Monk. He was, in the first instance, of Lettres de Cachet, extracted from Mr. ordered to remove from Paris, by comArthur Young's Survey of France. To mand of the King, for an offence, real or these may be added the following more de- supposed, against the State. Had there tailed account by Gordon, an able writer been any intention to revive the Lettres de in the cause of freedom, whose works were Cachet, the General would have been. published about the beginning of last cen- seized and sent to prison, without any cetury:-"The French Government, though remony, instead of giving him an oppora mild one for an arbitrary one, is yet a tunity to remove himself. But did he very terrible one to an Englishman. All obey the order of his Sovereign? On the "the advantages in it are not comparable contrary, he remonstrated against it, and "to one single advantage in ours: I mean persisted in continuing at Paris. Even "the Act of Habeas Corpus, which se- then, no violence was used, though, if he cures, at least rescues, from all wanton had been previously innocent, his disobe"and oppressive imprisonment. In France, dience might have been converted into "by the word of a Minister, the greatest, a crime, and he dealt with accordingly. "the most innocent, subject, may, from The order to leave Paris was dated caprice, or a whisper, or the pique of a the 10th. On the 14th he had not mistress, be committed to a dungeon for gone to his place of destination, which "his life, or the best part of it, or as long led the Minister to put a guard on his "as the Minister, or his faistress or mi-house. In this stage of the business, and "nion pleases. Some have been there shut in place of sending him to prison, or even up in dismal durance and solitude for securing his person, the order was renewed, years together, though no harm was and twenty-four hours allowed him to re"meant them; not for any offence real move himself. Still he continued refrac"or imaginary, but only through mistake tory. It was, therefore, considered expe"and likeness of names. Thus a Minister dient to place him under arrest; but no at"has sometimes committed his favorites, tempt having been made to convey him "and useful agents, who lay in misery for from his house, an opportunity was thus afyears, and might have perished in it, had forded the General to make his escape. 66 not accident contributed to undeceive "bim. Such orders, called Letters of the

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

66

66

[ocr errors]

66

[ocr errors]

Such being the well authenticated nature of the Lettres de Cachet, and such the true

66

[ocr errors]

66

The man

[ocr errors]

put

state of General Excelman's case, as given" riff Court. During the whole expoeven in the Morning Chronicle itself, how sure, they were assailed not only with is it possible to acquit the writer in that" filth but with stones. The man, who Journal of a base and malicious calumny "seemed at first to treat his punishment as against the French Government, when he" a joke, was particularly aimed at, and denominates its proceedings oppression," "must have received much bodily hurt. and a "renewed system of Lettres de "The woman, however, did not wholly "Cachet ?"-It is not my wish to advocate" escape. From the blood on her cap, she the conduct of the present Rulers of France," seemed to have been wounded on the or to attach blame to the individual who" head. The stones were thrown chiefly, has incurred their displeasure. The charge" if not entirely, by a party of lads stapreferred by the former may be unfounded."tioned near the new building erecting on The latter, of course, must be innocent.- "the site of the old gaol. When the hour But it is not necessary that either of these" was elapsed, the disgraceful business did points should be established, to shew that "not terminate. There were those among the proceedings against the General me- the mob who thought the sport far too rited the harsh terms by which they have" fine to be given up so soon. been described by the Chronicle. In this "was, according to their jargon, land of liberty, where the Habeas Corpus," through the mill.' He was cuffed and as Gordon says, secures, at least rescues, "kicked, and knocked down and raised up, "from all wanton and oppressive impri-" at the pleasure of the by-standers. In 66 sonment," numbers of persons are neces- "the Candleriggs-street, to which the mob sarily arrested, and even imprisoned, who it" moved, he was thrown into a cart, whose afterwards turns out are entirely innocent." driver for some time drove him along, We have each known individuals, for rea-"humouring the amusement; but, finding sons of State, kept in close custody, with-" that neither himself nor his horse escaped out any suspension of the Habeas Corpus. "the punishment meant for the old man, he Would we not call that man a knave, or "loosed his cart, and tumbled him out on a fool, who would charge our Government" the street. In the course of the fray he with oppression for sanctioning those pro- "was repeatedly raised shoulder-high, and ceedings? What, then, are we to think "exhibited in his grey-hairs, torn garof the Editor of such a paper as the Morn-"ments, and swollen features, a most pitiing Chronicle, when we see him bringing" able spectacle. At length he was rea similar charge against the French Go-" scued by the exertions of the Police, and vernment, who appear to have acted a part "taken to the office in Albion-street." not more reprehensible than ours? Is it That scenes, no less savage and barbapossible, as I asked before, to acquit such rous than those described above, have been a man of wanton and deliberate malice ?-exhibited in London, within these few Your's, &c. January 4, 1815.

THE PILLORY.

JUSTITIA.

MR. COBBETT,I should like to be informed why our neighbours the Scotch, who have been so long celebrated for their liberality of sentiment, and so far famed for their hospitality, should have degenerated so much of late years, as to permit the following disgraceful affair, (the account of which has appeared in all our newspapers) to be transacted amongst them:—

years, no one will pretend to deny; but that they should exist in Scotland, the seat of learning, where “ pure and undefiled "religion" has more professors than any where else, and where we ought to look for a more distinguished display of its humane and benevolent effects; that such a spectacle should be witnessed, at this time of day, in such a country, is a phenomenon well deserving the attention of those who feel interested in the cultivation of public morals, and in the improvement of our criminal code. I question much, whether in all Europe, even in "demoralized" France “BRUTAL BEHAVIOUR.-Wednesday, itself, an instance can be produced where "between one and two o'clock, William popular fury has been permitted to dis"Coil and Elizabeth Roberts, his wife, charge itself with such marks of ferocity, "stood in the pillory at the cross of. Glas- as in the case of the hoary-headed wretch "gow, for Wilful Perjury, of which who was given up by the Magistrates of they were lately convicted at the She-Glasgow to be cuffed, kicked, and knocked

66

[ocr errors]

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.

down, all for the "amusement" of the "observance." Much as has been done of pious and hospitable inhabitants of that late towards ameliorating our criminal highly cultivated and enlightened city!!! law, there still remains a vast accumulation The pillory is evidently a vestige of that of abuse and error, which it will require feudal barbarism which formerly overspread more than ordinary exertion and talent to Europe; and although it is not now at- overcome. Those to whom the country is tended, as then, with the painful infliction already indebted for many excellent reof having the ears nailed to the instrument forms in our criminal code, will have of disgrace, or the cheek branded with a much to combat, in the way of prejudice, hot iron, it is a punishment that must, in before they can accomplish all they propose. many cases, be worse than death, when But as they have already experienced the the culprit, through a mistaken policy, is beneficial advantages of perseverance, they left to the mercy of an infuriated mob,may pretty safely calculate, that as long as It would be difficult, think, to point out they continue to keep the object steadily the wisdom of that law, which leaves the in view, they need be under no apprehendegree of punishment of a criminal to be sions as to the result.-Yours, &c. determined, and inflicted, by the multitude, BENEVOLUS, who neither know, or are capable of justly appreciating, the offence with which he is charged. The case of the man at Glasgow was no doubt of a very aggravated nature. But are all persons condemned to the pillory of the same description? Have we not had that sentence put in execution for mere matters of opinion? and can it seriously be said that any person thus situated ought to be consigned to the hands of a set of unprincipled ruffians, to be kicked and cuffed, as long as they please, for their amusement? Why should not the law explicitly define and apportion the degree of punishment belonging to each offence? Why should so glaring a proof of its inefficacy be permitted for one moment to exist? Where our national character is so much involved, and the rights of humanity so deeply implicated, it surely would be no disgrace if our legislators would exert themselves to get a practice abolish-thod ed, which, on all occasions, would be more honoured in the breach than in the

66

SIR, You will much oblige the writer of the letter which appeared in your last REGISTER on the subject of the Oxford prison, by inserting the following Postscript to it :

It is true that a room is now fitting up in the prison for sick persons, but this room will not contain more than four beds, which is a very inadequate accommodation. As the University Officers are at this time endeavouring to apprehend all the prostitutes who are ill of a certain disease, the prison, should the winter be severe, will present a scene of more than usual misery. The writer will feel himself much obliged to any resident Member of the University of Cambridge, who will favou him, through the medium of your REGISTER, with a full and accurate account of the me pursued there with respect to these unfortunate women. Oxford, Jan. 2, 1815.

Printed and Published by J. MORTON, 94, Strand,

« AnteriorContinuar »