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kingdom of the Deist Frederick. Has which it was formed have been aban-
the Christianity of the present mo-doned. No notice, as far as I have
narch retrieved its destiny? I shall not been able to discover, has been taken
notice the pretext of arrondisement: of it in any of our newspapers, or
It would be only the plea of universal other periodical publications. A SO-
monarchy in its extreme; no arrondise-ciety with such liberal and enlarged
ment could be complete, but the cir-views, could not fail, in my opinion,
cumference of the globe. In my next to meet with generous support were its
I shall offer with your permission, a few intentions made sufficiently public, and
remarks on the pretension of Russia to why these should be kept in reserve,
Poland.
JUVENIS. if the association now exists, is a pro-
blem that seems very difficult to solve.
It would gratify many of your readers,
if any of your correspondents could
give some information respecting this
society, which might, with great pro-
priety, and without any departure from
its original views,connect the subject of
the pillory with the other important
reforms for which it was instituted.

THE PILLORY.

SIR.--The remarks which lately appeared in your journal on the subject of the pillory, do equal credit to the head and to the heart of Benevolus. It is rather extraordinary in these enlightened times, when we hear so much about converting the heathen, emanci- While, however, it may be said, that pating the slaves, and encouraging the I have been liberal in my censure Bible Societies, that scarcely one pub- of our public writers for neglecting lic writer should be found, who pos- this vital subject, let me not be acsessed the courage, or the inclination, cused of partiality.---From this general to reprobate a practice so disgraceful reprehension I am glad to find there is to our law, and marked with so many one exception, who has done the subfeatures of a barbarous policy. The ject ample justice, though his modesty, public press every where teems with which is always a proof of talent, has idle and contradictory speculations as led him to conceal his name. I allude to the probable result of the discus- to the observations on the pillory, sions at Vienna; whether the system which appeared in the last number of of aggrandisement attributed to the the periodical work, entitled the Emperor Napoleon, is to be adopted Pamphleteer. They appear to me so as the law of nations, or whether that excellent, and the writer has discussed state of things which existed previous the subject in so masterly a manner, to the French Revolution, is to be re-that I should like to see the whole of stored. These and some contemptible his remarks published in your Register. matters as to a new order of knight- But as this may not be altogether conhood, are the only topics for which sistent with your other arrangements, the people of this highly cultivated I have subjoined to this letter a short nation seem at present to have any extract, to which I hope you will relish, or on which the pen of the phi- the more readily give insertion that its lanthropist or of the philosopher is en- whole tendency is to inforce and illusgaged. The amelioration of our laws, trate the arguments of Benevolus, who the state of our prisons, the remains so strenously and so laudably contended of that rudeness which still pervades against the existence of a mode of pumany of our customs, and presents a nishment possessing so many features of formidable barrier to civilization, are savage cruelty and barbarity. points that few writers appear interested in, nor which have found many partizans among the people. Some years ago, I heard something of the existence of a society in the metropolis for the diffusion of knowledge on the punishment of death, and the improvement of prison discipline; but I have yet to learn that any thing was effected by this institution, or if the objects for

Yours, &c. A. B.

"It may indeed be said, that some of the crimes thus visited are well deserving the utmost fury of an enraged people, and that there is no punishment denounced against them by our penal code at all equal to the darkness of their guilt. Be it so. That affords no reason why the defects of the law should

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be made up by the assistance of popular | arrayed against their authority; and a tumult, or its necessities supplied by competition is excited where it is the violence and outrage. In short, the noblest policy to conciliate. In the pillory is in direct opposition to the latter, the people act the part of unprinciple upon which all laws are foun-authorized executioners, and become faded, and must serve, as far as its influ-miliar with the most brutal of pleasures, ence extends, to undermine the founda- the delight in pain, the horrible laugh tion of their authority. They were erect- of demoniac exultation at the sufferings ed to control the unbridled passions of of a fellow being. They who look on man, to take from individuals the power the tortures inflicted at a bull-baiting of revenge, to render punishments the or a cock-fight with a virtuous horror, determinate effect of firm and substan- unless they measure out their disgust tial enactments, instead of fluctuating according to law, should feel a much with the rage and the sympathies of stronger indignation at the sight of a individuals, to prevent parties from fellow creature set up to be pelted al being judges of their own injuries, to most to death amidst the drunken accla humanize society by taking from the mation and infernal revelry of the low strongest the power of inflicting arbi- est and most depraved of our species trary penalties by which it was reduced And if thus pernicious in its immedi to a state of perpetual warfare, and to ate influence, it is not less dangerous in impress the mind with awe by the its example, Those whom you suffer to weight and the solemnity of their deci- riot on the side of the laws may soon learn sions. But this strange infliction ac to oppose them with similar outrages. tually reverses all these benign inten- By allowing them thus to supply the tions which the collective wisdom of ages deficiency of the lawgiver, we educate has gradually matured; it proceeds on them for revolution and carnage. We antisocial principles, and tends to bring give them arms to be awakened against us back to our state of original barbar- our bosoms, whenever the breeze of disism. We have all been taught that the content shall sweep over them. The sacred throne of justice should be ex- hands that have learned to throw bricks alled far above the passions and the and filth on the criminal, may exercise ever-fluctuating sympathies of man; the same discipline on the judges, if they that its voice should be as certain as it should be so unfortunate as to incur is awful, and its sentences untainted their displeasure." with any of the grosser particles that It is sufficiently melancholy to see move in a lowlier atmosphere. We have such a monument of savage life standing learnt that while increasing wisdom uninjured amidst the trophies of goodshould improve our laws, their actual ness and of virtue; but it is still more dictates should be received during their offensive to see it regarded as a pillar of existence with a noble and generous our legislative system. It saddens us obedience. But here, in opposition to to see riots at all existing in a well all these maxims, we see in them a regulated state; but we are doubly principle which tends to their own provoked by the strange anomaly which destruction, a secret cancer which by makes the laws appear to excite them. insensible degrees is eating away the We regret to see a popular demagogue vital principle on which their vigor lead his followers to confusion and disand their majesty depend. A judg-order; but our vexation has no bounds ment of the pillory is the worst of when a judge is compelled by the duties their enemies. If the mob applaud, of his office to give up the reigns to the they are set openly at defiance; and if frenzy of the shameless and the degraon the other hand they break out into ded." violence, the peace they should preserve

is broken, the personal feelings they should subdue are excited, and the barbarcus spirit of man unsoftened by ci

DIPUS JUDAICUS.

vilization which they were formed to The Ancients searched for Truth; the Moderni

repress, is aroused by their powerful sanction. In the former case, the best

pretend they possess it.-VOLNEY.

MR. COBBETT.-When I sent you

emotions of the heart are injudiciously my two former letters, I endeavoured

to call your readers, not only to consider the situation of Mr. G. Houston, bui also to request they would examine into the liberty of the press in this country; on whose altar that writer is now a victim; for until this "thinking "nation" really understand his situation, and the motives for which he is punished, he will not be the last that will suffer in its cause.

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explained to me the design and intention of its author; since which I have had a sight of the book. It has fully answered my expectation, and again I say displays a fund of prodigious erudition. The following short tract will shew its intention, and design, "I contend (preface page ii.) that the Ancient Jews, like other nations of antiquity, had their esoteric, and I knew I touched a sore place, when their exoteric doctrines; they I attempted to shew to your readers cealed the former under innumerable the discordant opinionis entertained of types and symbols, the meaning of that old book for which Eaton, Hous- which is generally unknown among ton, and thousands more may be sent their descendants. It is the object of to prison. I knew that I might be a my book to explain the hidden sense trinitarian, a unitarian, a Southcotearian, of many passages in the Hebrew Scripor any other foolarian; but that I must ture." Page 22, he says, "I recollect not bring the contradictions, and (what "that Moses was learned in all the wisthey call) the arguments of one tribe to "dom of the Egyptians, and I expect to combat the whims of the other, without "find traces of that wisdem in his works. exciting the suspicions of those who "The learned among the ancient Egypcall themselves Just! But I have done "tians were pure theists, as Cudworth to; and while I delight in the deed, I" has proved. They were deeply skilled smile at their suspicions and contempt."in the sciences: but they carefully Before I reply to your correspondent "concealed their mysteries under innuJustus, permit me to introduce the origin"merable symbols and allegories. May of my acquaintance with the work in we not look then for the same thing question. You must know there is a "in the writings which are ascribed to town designated by one of the most "the Jewish Lawgiver. It is what I corrupt of his time as "the toyshop" have done, and I submit to the judg of Europe; whose inhabitants, (I speak "ment of a few individuals, the result of generally) in my estimation, rank lower my researches." for liberality of sentiment, general in- Of the 250 copies only, which I stated formation, and Christian charity, than to have been printed, 100 now remain any other on the surface of the globe. in the hands of the publisher. You will, The scale by which I estimate them is, therefore, judge whether I have been unthat in and about the place, there are fair in my former communication. As to the remains of half-mutilated houses, quibbling about its method of publication because their inhabitants opposed the and circulation, it would be a ridiculous origin of our war with the French Re-waste of time. I wish a copy was in the public, burnt by Church and King hands of every person in the kingdom; mobs; and that in those receptacles of for Sir Wm. Drummond would then make resort, where its people go to drink a better and more practical use of his mild ale and talk wisdom, there are abilities and learning. With regard to scrolls inscribed with legible English -the cruel bint about a prosecution, for characters "No Jacobins admitted blasphemy, and the pillory, its author, "here" I was leaving this town last like D. J. Eaton, will receive more praise, Summer in the Mail, and in passing and of a better description, than if he one of those houses whose miserable were to be bespangled with orders and appearance appeals, in silent and pa- titles by every King in Christendom, thetic language, to the frigid faculties, O, Sir, it is cruel? You know it is, to and would bush to silence their un- talk of law in a country where it is manly prejudices, if reflection ever an- possible a picked jury may be chosen imated their torpid brains; when I by those who fatten on the wages of corsoon discovered from the observations ruption, and who delight in persecuting of a gentleman in the coach, that he such as attempt to nndeceive the people. was the Father of the engraver of the As to the writers, whose books I have plates, in the Edipus Judaicus. He fainly quoted, being Sir W. D. himself,

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what principle of rule or right any one dares to interfere and prescribe the method by which another is to exercise his judgment. That a deal of mischief has been the result of this interference, no one, acquainted with the history of his own country, much more with the history of the world, can

of mischief would have taken place provided the bible had never been known, is, in my opinion, difficult to prove.

'I guess no man in his senses will main"tain so wild a position."---Indeed, from the wording of your Correspondent's letter, I do not believe he is serious in his assertion. But I challenge him to the proof; for Candidus, one of the three, tells Sir Wm. Drummond that he prefers the old version best, and censures him for ridiculing the Bible. Sup-deny; and whether the same quantum pose, however, I am wrong in my opinion of the author of the dipus Judaicus; suppose he is the story teller, the fool, and the vain jackdaw, they wish At any rate, the system of to represent him, what "necessity" was priestcraft has had a sufficient trial; there for this great and mighty parson, and it would be more becoming in the Christian Advocate, to notice his those who' profess such anxiety for the production? Why did he make such circulation of the bible, to let it take endeavours to obtain a copy, he best its chance. Let them, at any rate, knows how? Surely, the "pious, think- shew their disinterestedness, by giving "ing people of this country," could up the pounds, shillings, and pence not have their minds tainted" by an it produces; or take pay only in that octavo book of not quite 500 pages, "of manner, and in those quantities, which "the most hollow and fallacious de- those who receive their assistance can scription." But these are the rules agree and afford to give.

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If they

the hypocrites act upon. 1 was a boy should find that they do not thrive so when Thomas Paine's works were pub- well under this system, I hope they lished; but I recollect the writer was will recollect, there will be more manat first held too contemptible for no-liness in their adopting the following tice, and the "friends to social order, maxim, than in returning to the old "and our holy religion," were told they practice: had nothing to fear. After a while, the Attorney General interfered, who got a jury to condemnPaine's books, and then the canting junto asserted they were answered and refuted. "Read our side, (said

Some other scheme must occupy their brain;
For those who once have eat must eat again.
VARRO.

they,) "see what Bishop Watson says." ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION,

LETTER V.

"Advise, but force not."

So says Justus; he calls the author of the Edipus Judaicus a vain jackdaw; tells the people to read the book; (which he knows cannot be had), exST. BERNARD'S Letters. horts them to attend to the Christian SIR.Marmontel, in his Bellisarius, Advocate, and censures those who take [the fifteenth chapter of which, I would part against him. Come, come, Justus, particularly recommend to the perusal give up your prejudices. Let the " Si-of every person who has not read it] cilian Knight and British Privy Coun- says, "Truth cannot fail to triumph, but cellor," interpret the Bible his own "it must not be by the arm of flesh. way. You may depend on it I will let " By putting the sword of VENGEANCE the Archbishop's Chaplain, (who ap-" into the hand of TRUTH, you entrust pears blessed with all those amiable" ERROR with it also. The very posqualities that adorned his predecessor" session of that sword, will always be in the ever memorable time of William" deemed a sufficient authority to wield Penn) put what interpretation on it he "it without mercy, and PERSECUTION pleases. Every one that reads the "will always be on the side of the bible may undoubtedly find both in-" strongest."

struction and delight; but he will be How simple, and yet how forcible is more likely to become a rational being, the mode of reasoning adopted by this if he be allowed to put his own con-beautiful writer. If kings were sup struction upon it, and interpret it his posed to be God's vicegerents upon earth, own way. I should like to know by and, in that capacity were allowed to

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I would except the Quakers from the charge of being likely to evince a persecuting spirit towards other sects, though they are capable of doing it as to their own people; but the Friends of the present day are not a religious society, like the Weslian or Whitfieldian Methodists. They are an Aristocratical civil community; a trading company, and a set of respectable, industrious, economical, money-getting disciplinarians; who possess no more practical religion than the members of the Church of England.

commit whatever enormities they pleased, not examined history for myself; for in defence of what they considered, or being of a curious and speculative turn, were told by their priests was the truth, is I have made myself acquainted with most it not evident, from the diversity of denominations of Christians at present sentiments of different sovereigns, and existing in the Christian world; and after the opposite persuasions of their various having carefully examined their tenets, teachers, that they must necessarily, at one studied their prejudices, and observed time, and in one country, be punishing their conduct, I do affirm, that howtheir subjects for entertaining opinions ever tame and tolerant they may be, which, at another time, and in another while low in the world, they all possess country, were deemed perfectly ortho- the latent seeds of persecution. These dox. Does not this prove incontestably, only want fostering, by the genial that by once admitting the principle, warmth of power, to shoot forth with that the magistrate is to defend Truth, an enthusiastic fury, compounded of he will much oftener be found defend- envy, ambition, pride, hatred, and faing ERROR? Every one will easily agree, natic zeal; as if it were commissioned by that all systems cannot be right. "Er-heaven. "ror," says the same author, "has an "immensity of space, and Truth is like "a mathematical point in the prodigious "void." Now, although every one claims that point to himself, is it not palpable, as Truth is one, and Error multifarious, that the greater portion of religious murders, barbarities, robberies, and incarceration, must have been in defence of Error rather than of Truth. How modest, how humble, ought such considerations to make us? How cautious ought these reflections to render us, of But to return to the sentiment of arrogating to ourselves the sole possession Frankiin, respecting the early Christians. of the truth, when we find that thou- It was shewn in my last, that they were sands who think different from us, claim persecuted by the Romans, at the instithe same happiness? Ought it not to gation of their priests, in the same manner make us diffident of ourselves, and for- as the Deists are molested by us, at the bearing towards others? Those who have instance of our priests, on account of the studied human nature, will have perceived simplicity of their tenets. I cannot illusthat this violent animosity and furious trate the subject better, than by quoting persecuting zeal, does not arise so much Justin Martyr, one of the earliest and from a generous love of virtue, or an most learned writers of the Eastern enthusiastic admiration of abstract truth, Church, born of heathen parents, eduas from the inordinate thirst for power cated a pagan, and who was a platonic which pervades the heart of every hu- philosopher, previous to his becoming a man being. We wish others to think as Christian, He resided at Rome, during we do, and the greater part of us would the reign of Antonius Pius; and upon if we had the power, compel them to a persecution breaking out against the do it. The sword of religious persecu-Christiaus, he presented an Apology in tion is an instrument upon which every their behalf, pointing out in a very able party has played its tune, when raised to manner, the impropriety and absurdity power. The celebrated Dr. Franklin re- of religious persecution; which Apology marks, that if we look into history, for caused the Emperor to send a letter to "the character of the ancient Christians, the States of Asia, not only forbidding "we shall find few who have not in their the Christians to be persecuted, but en"turn been persecutors, and complainers joining, " that if any one hereafter shall "of persecution. The primitive Chris-go on to inform against this sort of "tians thought persecution extremely

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"wrong in the pagans, but practised it on one another." I could easily give @redit to this assertion, even if I had

1

* See the case of Thomas Fuster, disowned by Ratcliff Monthly Meeting, for being SUSPECT of believing in ONLY ONE GOD,

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