while that which is the result of reflection is much longer in coming to maturity. The natural growth of learning when first introduced into any country, is slow; attempts in the arts and sciences are seldom at first attended with success; numberless trials and experiments must be made to bring them from their embryo state to perfection. The shadow of a man marked by the outlines, gave birth to painting and to sculpture." The first sketches are mere shadows, with a single color: it requires time to give them variety, design, and life. Poetry, the child of the imagination, springs up first, and matures soonest, of all the arts; but it is not perfected in its spirit, form, and finish, by a single mind. It owes to language, which is the production of ages, some of its most exquisite beauties. The canvas does not speak to the imagination under a few rude touches of the pencil: beauty is not embodied in marble by a single stroke; nor is sentiment incarnated in imperishable numbers, or thoughts fixed in permanent and symmetrical forms without time, and effort, as well as genius, and energy. The more stable the government, therefore, provided its stability is compatible with liberty, the more propitious it is to the arts and sciences, and the sooner they will advance to maturity. Political revolutions interrupt the natural course of things, and learning, sympathising with the state of society, does not escape its perils, The form of government does not seem to be material, provided it be permanent and free. The order which is founded upon the subordination of ranks, begets in the privileged classes, elevated no tions of the dignity of man. Ambition to reign, in the higher ranks induces the cultivation of taste, and of a high finish. In the radiance of royal favor the arts and sciences flourish, and attain perfection sooner than in the democratic state. In the boasted equality of a democratic government it is said there is not so much to inflame pride, but more to nourish egotism. But, on the other hand, as we all sustain the same relation to the political system, and stand on a level with our fellows, the only distinction to be attained in a democracy, is that which is founded upon intellectual and moral worth. Without any badge of station or robe of state, the professor mingles with his students, and the governor with the governed, while the noble and the doctor of the monarchy or aristocracy stand aloof, and are seen at a distance; so that taste and urbanity of manners are more necessary to the former, in order to gain esteem and maintain their dignity, than to the latter. Taste and amenity of manners engage the affection and esteem of the citizen, while lineage and display secure the loyalty of the subject. Again, when reason and sentiment take the place of ceremony and parade, literature becomes simple, and yet various and abundant. It is formed upon the true and durable relations of society, and having no visionary systems to support, its only object is truth; then sentiment and expression spring from the same source, and both are true to nature. Prejudice, superstition and fixed forms limit the career of thought: but where the largest liberty prevails, the mind breaks from the common circle of ideas, and explores new fields: from the novelty derived from new ideas, literature acquires an absorbing interest, without any of the studied graces which are unwelcome to the natural taste. This does not relish the ornaments of style, and the simplest expression, so it be forcible and natural, receives the suffrages of the citizen. All despotism is prejudicial to genius: and no tyrant is more severe than public opinion. When the path of genius is marked out by the national spirit, the efforts of each individual tend to the same point, and there is great volume with little depth or variety of thought. The connection between taste and the moral sense is indissoluble, and founded as they are upon human nature, and possessing the greatest susceptibility and activity, they form the basis of public opinion. From these general notions the characters and conduct of men derive their coloring. Glory, either national or individual, is relative in its nature: it denotes the achievement of the highest aspirations of the soul, or of the public mind, whatever that aspiration may be, whether to slay a rival, or benefit a friend; whether the slaughter of an enemy, or superiority in the arts and sciences. Yet this ideal being is the phantom which, in some shape, all are pursuing : "Whence is our love of fame, a love so strong The institutions of society, its manners, and its literature are modified by the same causes which mould the character, and determine the conduct of individuals. The man that possesses a darling notion, intrudes that upon every occasion: and when a nation is absorbed with one idea, its literature will be controlled by it, and will develop it in every form. Ancient literature possesses but few ideas, which is one reason why it is so perfect in form,-while modern literature, though far more fertile in thought, has never in artistic grace and completeness equalled its elder sister. Before the mind is turned inward to reflect upon its own operations it cannot avoid being impresesd with the aspects of the visible world, and the observation of nature is the first study in the early stages of society: the rising and going down of the sun, the changes of seasons, the variations of the atmosphere, are objects that frequently occupy the thoughts. It is natural for unenlightened reason to believe that these things which have such a sensible effect, are possessed of, or connected with, some mysterious powers, or being. Hence, men suppose that spirits reside in everything, or that there is one controlling power that instituted the arrangement, and conducts the movement of the world around them: they believe that there is a power above them, and hence the idea of religion. These notions spring up with the first seeds of learning, and check or advance its growth according to the nature of the notions adopted-that system which adapts itself to human nature, and develops the moral feelings, gives pathos, depth, and variety to literature. But literature is confined, and it cannot flourish even in these narrow limits, until the affec tions are developed. Every new sensibility that is awakened gives a new charm to literature. Christianity addresses itself to the mind, and to the heart: it combines sentiment and reason; it elevates man in the scale of being, and at the same time unites him in feeling and interest with his fellow man. Love is the soul of Christianity, and it acts by sympathy, without the aid of force. Its free spirit is the bond which binds together, as with a chain of gold, men, societies, and nations. It chastens the passions; ele-, vates the hopes, and sheds a lustre and a flood of light upon creation, and at the same time imparts dignity and spirituality to literature. These are some of the causes which affect language and letters, but it is sufficient to glance at them. Language in its connection with literature, and the causes which affect it, may be compared to those instruments, the chords of which, diversified by the manner in which they have been spun, are also strung to different notes: touched by the same impulse, each chord gives forth the sound that is peculiar to itself, depending as it does upon its volume, its texture, its tension, and the momentary state of the air around. It is much in this way that the variety exhibited in the literature of different nations, is produced. There exists a striking variety in the minds, the passions, the energies, the taste, and the imagination of men: and a further distinction exists between nations, caused by the nature of their religion, government, climate, &c. When these natural and moral causes, by acting upon the body and mind, have produced their full legitimate effects in developing the national literature, it has |
