conceding that their conduct was not entirely without blemish, surely, their vices were not so foul and abominable as to require the surrender of their property to the harpies of confiscation, the sacrifice of their lives to the demons of revolution. Did they

deserve to die by the hands of such wretched miscreants, such diabolical monsters as those who figured upon the barricades of June

"Who saw those dismal heaps, but would demand

What barbarous invader sacked the land."

It is some consolation to know, that if France possessed men capable of degrading human nature by such revolting deeds, she also possessed men ready to perish rather than remain silent witnesses of so much infamy and dishonour. What liberal mind does not feel some exultation in observing the victory of those who stood up to vindicate and defend the cause of public order over a detestable faction, more despicable and base than even those which disturbed the peace of Rome, in the days of Marius and Sylla. Who can forbear expressing admiration at the unconquerable heroism of that noble army, which successfully defended the narrow pass-way between civilization and barbarism? Who does not rejoice to see the standard of such matchless legions borne triumphant through the conflict? Who does not admire the conduct of that priesthood, whose ministers went forth as heralds of peace, to quell the warring passions of convulsive anarchy, and civil disorder; whose missionaries, with an heroic fortitude, worthy of the noblest martyrs, marched forth un

guarded amidst the dagger and the bayonet to fulfil the duties of their sacred office? History can surely record few actions more lofty or sublime; actions as heroically grand, as the occasion which required them was execrably base. Of the urns which contain the ashes of such men, a nation may feel justly proud; they are amongst the noblest relics of which freedom can boast the highest glories to which freemen can aspire.

In every civilized community a graduated scale of social rank is established by the common consent of its members, to distinguish the solid acquirements of cultivated intelligence, from the vulgar pretensions of ignorant or presumptuous audacity; and it is to the best interests of mankind, that this distinction should be preserved, unless the temple of civilized society is to be stripped and despoiled of all its intellectual ornaments, and converted into an utilitarian workshop for the mere production of the common necessaries of life. By the various degrees of rank, by the esteem which attends those who rise through merit to a higher grade, by the contempt which follows those who fall through infamy into a lower grade, industry meets with a due reward, and indolence receives a just rebuke. Those individuals who have attained a high position in the social scale, must conduct themselves well to retain consideration and respect; those who occupy an inferior position, are emulated to improve their condition and rival their superiors. By this inequality of social rank the laudable distinctions of family and birth are established. Society settles upon

an enduring basis; and its foundations, instead of shifting like a bed of sand, at the mercy of every tempestuous wave, become as firm and immoveable as the rocks upon the shore. To preserve the boundaries and defend the confines of privileged rank, a certain degree of jealous exclusion must exist upon the frontiers of each particular grade; for unless the members of a superior order could protect themselves against those of an inferior order, by the maintenance of artificial but recognised usages, they would be constantly subjected to the intrusion of presumptuous and arrogant impostors. This legitimate principle of exclusion, founded, as it is, upon a sense of honourable pride, has always hitherto remained an insurmountable barrier to the agitator and the demagogue. This is the file which the angry viper has gnawed in vain. It was for the purpose of destroying this wholesome principle, of breaking down this necessary rampart, that the leaders of the social democracy so much desired to establish an universal inequality. They sought to annihilate by violence and force, that which they could not depreciate by argument and reason. They sought to abolish all social ranks and distinctions in the hope that amidst the troubled fermentation of the alembic, their own interests might enter largely into the composition of the new product. They did not desire to elevate those below them, but they wished to depress those above them. Gorgons of the earth, they turned to stone all upon whom they looked; all that came within the circle of their vision. And do not these envious and malignant feelings of

guarded amidst the dagger and the bayonet to fulfil the duties of their sacred office? History can surely record few actions more lofty or sublime; actions as heroically grand, as the occasion which required them was execrably base. Of the urns which contain the ashes of such men, a nation may feel justly proud; they are amongst the noblest relics of which freedom can boast-the highest glories to which freemen can aspire.

In every civilized community a graduated scale of social rank is established by the common consent of its members, to distinguish the solid acquirements of cultivated intelligence, from the vulgar pretensions of ignorant or presumptuous audacity; and it is to the best interests of mankind, that this distinction should be preserved, unless the temple of civilized society is to be stripped and despoiled of all its intellectual ornaments, and converted into an utilitarian workshop for the mere production of the common necessaries of life. By the various degrees of rank, by the esteem which attends those who rise through merit to a higher grade, by the contempt which follows those who fall through infamy into a lower grade, industry meets with a due reward, and indolence receives a just rebuke. Those individuals who have attained a high position in the social scale, must conduct themselves well to retain consideration and respect; those who occupy an inferior position, are emulated to improve their condition and rival their superiors. By this inequality of social rank the laudable distinctions of family and birth are established. Society settles upon

an enduring basis; and its foundations, instead of shifting like a bed of sand, at the mercy of every tempestuous wave, become as firm and immoveable as the rocks upon the shore. To preserve the boundaries and defend the confines of privileged rank, a certain degree of jealous exclusion must exist upon the frontiers of each particular grade; for unless the members of a superior order could protect themselves against those of an inferior order, by the maintenance of artificial but recognised usages, they would be constantly subjected to the intrusion of presumptuous and arrogant impostors. This legitimate principle of exclusion, founded, as it is, upon a sense of honourable pride, has always hitherto remained an insurmountable barrier to the agitator and the demagogue. This is the file which the angry viper has gnawed in vain. It was for the purpose of destroying this wholesome principle, of breaking down this necessary rampart, that the leaders of the social democracy so much desired to establish an universal inequality. Ther sought to annihilate by violence and force, that whic they could not depreciate by argument and reaso They sought to abolish all social ranks and distinction in the hope that amidst the troubled fermentation of the alembic, their own interests might enter we into the composition of the new product. The wil not desire to elevate those below them, but wished to depress those above them. Gorgon is earth, they turned to stone all upon vo looked; all that came within the circle of * • And do not these envious and malignar