II. That man having a divinely-ordained destiny to accomplish, cannot be free to produce or to prevent that destiny, as he pleases. III. That man being a creature cannot be independent, and therefore that he cannot be self-determining. IV. That consciousness and experience prove to us that the will is not free but caused. V. That there are no sound objections to the doctrine of Necessity on the grounds, That it is inconsistent with man's accountability, or with the principle of moral good and evil. VI. That the doctrine is confirmed by the History of the World and of Human life. VII. That the doctrine is a cheerful and a happy one, and a conclusion to be desired by man. I would now say a word or two upon the end I have had in view in considering the question. I spoke of it in my first paper as a great one; and such it is. I wish to prove to men that they are in the Hands of an Almighty, Pure, and Infinitely Benevolent Being, who knows all their weakness, feels for all their sorrows, and provides for all their wants. I wish to prove to them that however much they may be oppressed, forsaken, cast-down, there is yet One, who not only seeth them, heareth them, and careth for them, but who through their afflictions, worketh for them an exceeding and eternal glory. I wish to show them that although they are apparently the sport of circumstance and crime, they are really agents doing the work of a Great and Good Master, by whom, and to whom and through whom all things consist. And I desire above all things to prove to them that although they may seem to be placed in a scene of trouble, guilt, and perplexity, doubt and darkness, promising little, and threatening much, they are still progressing rapidly towards a Sublime and Magnificent End, which no power can prevent from coming. And if these sentiments are implanted or more deeply fixed in the hearts of those or any of those who read these papers, my end will have been more than answered, and I shall not have spent my time in vain. ΤΟ Forgotten?-Ah! not so! From distant years Such as I first beheld thee-e'er cold tears Had found a home in young Hope's radiant eye When proudest thoughts checked Care's desponding sigh Forgotten?-Ah! not so! Thy memory now, DELTA. SONG. [BY FRANCIS BENNOCH.] While the year is fresh and young, And daisies peep along the lea— She could not, if she would, beguile ; Thoughts that in her bosom lie? They nothing read but blushes there." Where is self-denial known, Such as woman's life has shown? Man ALONE was wretched there; And they granted Woman's Love; Man's companion, nurse and friend, Woman is as true as fair. Hyde Vale, May, 1843. And you FAREWELL. will go! and we shall see No more that form or face; No more that foot-fall known shall be In your youth's dwelling place; No more that blithe, sweet, silvery voice We e'er shall hear again; That merry laugh will but rejoice The stranger o'er the main; Oh, may that sweet laugh as before Ring out, nor ever sigh Be breathed, except for joys no more, And pleasant days gone by. How merrily, beneath the leaves Farewell. The pale, sweet orange flower perfumes There, overhead, the olive blooms, How gaily through the festal hall Though light your bounding foot's soft fall, Hands, dearer far than those of him Across the western main, May zone your form, as through you swim Yet, when the joyous night is o'er, When pleasant dreams are nigh, How oft the clear, rich, silvery tone Has led mine, mingling with your own, Ah! voices, dearer far than mine, Beside yon southern sea, May swell more sweetly far with thine The mingling melody. Yet, when along the moonlit shore The choral stain shall die, Oh, think of him who sang before With you in days gone by. How oft I've led you home when night Was bright with many a star, And thought than those fair worlds of light Your eyes were brighter far. The southern summer moon may stream Its radiance as you roam With dearer friends than its mild beam Lit with you to your home. Yet think, when brightly stars gleam o'er, From that far foreign sky, Your homeward path, who roamed before With you in days gone by. Full many a joyous hour we've spent While, circling round, the light jest went, And still the mirth grew higher. Around your hearth, in you sweet South, And fast may pass from mouth to mouth, Yet, when the ringing laugh is o'er, Oh! give a single sigh To those whose words you hear no more, 143 144 How oft, with smiles, I, entering, saw Roused, sparkling, up from wandering o'er Ah friends! more dearly you may prize A merrier glance illume those eyes Yet sometimes think, while wanders o'er The poet's page your eye, Of one whom you may see no more, How oft I've smiling gazed with you You plucked, ere off was kissed the dew, Far brighter blossoms your white hand Yet, when, at early morning, o'er Farewell-I will not vainly try I will not seem to mock your eye The startling tear-the uncalled sigh Farewell-may every blessing o'er Your path be showered-a sigh Escape alone for joys no more, And pleasant days gone by. May it be yours of joy alone, May tears by name alone be known, Yet should the sunshine of your lot Be shadowed, seek again Your childhood's home-then linger not Afar beyond the main; Then seek again your native shore, Return, with scarce a sigh,. To all you loved so well before W. C. B. -145 ODD LEAVES FROM AN ODD MAN'S NOTE-BOOK.—No. 6, CHAPTER XIX. OF AMERICA. Or all the great changes that are working in the world and in the history of the human race, the most remarkable to the eye of the careful observer, and the most interesting to the contemplation of the philanthropist and the philosopher, is the rise and progress of that vast and magnificent state-formed of the noblest and grandest portion of the earth's surface-America. Promising-as that empire does promise to be at no very distant date the greatest power that the world has known-the sovereign and mistress of its strength, it is a most improving and important study to trace its powers, its developments, its energies, and its actions; for as these things will have no slight influence on the world's future history and happiness, in them we may perceive Humanity's prospects, and trace the course and end of its destiny. And if it be interesting, as it doubtless is, to the human race at large, thus to trace the features and progress of this land and people, it is of greater and closer importance to us, as belonging to the race from which these people have sprung. They are our brethrenbound to us by the ties of affection and blood-and we feel an interest in their career, a sympathy with their throbs, a fellowship with their struggles, and an identification with their glory, which we should not feel for any other land, and which no other land can feel for them. That this is no fancy or fiction, is proved by the thrilling eagerness with which America is watched by us, with which every particle of news is received, every movement regarded, every development of power and energy hailed. And our pride is roused, too. We cannot look without great, and, let me say, proper satisfaction at the extraordinary efforts now making by this people on behalf of the world's improvement and progression; and although as Britons we may feel some little shame at being outdone by them-for we are outdone by them still as citizens of the world and as philanthropists, we cannot but forget the difference of country and of clime, and regard their exertions with admiration and pride. I said that we are outdone by them, and I was not wrong. That bane of nations-Luxury-has found a home with us, and has done and is doing much to prevent our contributions to the world's good; and-there can be no doubt of this-(it is a painful and humiliating truth, but it is a wholesome one to learn)-a transfer of power is being madeEngland is losing, and America is gaining it. Our country has reached her height-a dizzy, dangerous height it is-and though yet the Queen of Nations, her strength and influence are on the wane. It is useless to disguise the truth from ourselves-Luxury, riches, and power have enervated her she has passed the meridian of her greatness, and the world's throne is being removed from her land-she is not long to be the universal metropolis. Compare the two countries! In the one we see universal distress-we hear the loud murmurings of oppressed penury-we behold the Few gorged with wealth, the Many ground down by poverty-rank and VOL. II. L |