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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10010-0.txt b/10010-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9be1df --- /dev/null +++ b/10010-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1033 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10010 *** + +THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD. + +A VISION. + + + ----to tell of deeds + Above heroic. MILTON. + + +M.DCC.XCI. + + + + +THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD + + +It was my chance to be conversing with a Friend of the benevolent and +indefatigable HOWARD, when our country was first afflicted with the +public intelligence of his death. After our first expression of surprize +and sorrow, we naturally fell into serious and affectionate reflections +on the gentle character and sublime pursuits of the deceased. On these +articles we had no difference of opinion; but in the course of our +conversation a point arose, on which our sentiments were directly +opposite, though we were equally sincere and ardent in our regret and +veneration for the departed Worthy, to whom it related. I happened to +speak of the public honours that, I hoped, a grateful, a generous, a +magnificent Nation would render to his memory. My companion immediately +exclaimed, "that every ostentatious memorial, to commemorate the virtues +of his friend, would be inconsistent with the meekness and simplicity of +the man; that all, who had the happiness of knowing HOWARD, must +recollect with what genuine modesty he had ever retired from the +enthusiastic admiration of those, who had hoped to gratify his ambition +by undeserved applause; that he had really sought no reward but in the +approbation of his conscience and his GOD; that the British Nation, +however eminent for genius and munificence, could not devise any +posthumous honours, or raise any monument, truly worthy of HOWARD, +except in adopting and accomplishing those benevolent projects which his +philanthropy and experience had recommended to public attention for the +benefit of mankind." + +I readily admitted the singular and unquestionable modesty of the +deceased.--I allowed that the noblest tribute of respect, which the +world could render to so pure a spirit, would be to realize his ideas; +but I contended, that other honours are still due to his name; that it +is the duty and the interest of mankind to commemorate his character +with the fondest veneration. I reminded my companion, that although we +were sincerely convinced that no human mind, engaged in great designs, +could be more truly modest than that of HOWARD; yet we had particular +reason to recollect, that he was not insensible to praise. He had once +imparted to us his feelings on that subject with a frank and tender +simplicity, highly graceful in an upright and magnanimous being, +conscious of no sentiment that he could wish to conceal. Indeed, a +sincere and ardent passion for virtue could hardly subsist with a +disdain of true glory, which is nothing more than the proper testimony +of intelligent and honed admiration to the existence of merit: nor is it +reasonable to suppose that the fondest expressions of remembrance from a +world, which he has served and enlightened, can be displeasing to the +spirit of "a just man made perfect;" since we are taught by Religion, +that the gratitude of mankind is acceptable even to GOD. I endeavoured +to convince my companion, that, as the Publick had seen in HOWARD a +person who reflected more genuine honour on our country than any of her +Philosophers, her Poets, her Orators, her Heroes, or Divines, it is +incumbent on the Nation to consult her own glory by commemorating, in +the fullest manner, his beneficent exertions, and by establishing the +dignity of his unrivaled virtue. + +My arguments, and my zeal, made some impression on the mind of my +antagonist; and sunk so deeply into my own, that on my retiring to rest +they gave rise to the following vision. + +I was suddenly transported to the confines of a region, which astonished +me by its loveliness and extent; it was called, The Paradise of true +Glory. As I approached the entrance, my eyes were delightfully +fascinated by two beings of human form, who presided over the portal. +Their names were Genius and Sensibility:--it was their office to gratify +with a view of this Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely; +and to reject only such intruders as presumed to treat either the one or +the other with the insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: an +incident that I should have thought impossible, from the transcendent +beauty which is visible in each; but, to my surprize, they informed me +it very frequently happened. + +As I readily paid them the unsuspected homage of my soul, I was +graciously permitted to pass the gate.--Immediately as I entered, I was +saluted with a seraphic smile, by two benignant and inseparable Spirits: +these were Gratitude and Admiration, the joint rulers of the +dominion--"You are welcome," said the first, in a tone of angelic +tenderness--"You are welcome to a scene utterly new to your senses, and +in harmony with your heart: you delight in the praises of the deserving: +and you are now wafted to a spot, where those who have merited highly of +mankind are praised in proportion to their desert, and where the praise +of exalted merit is fondly listened to by an extensive human audience, +here purified by our supernatural agency from all the low and little +jealousies of the earth." + +I had hardly answered this pleasing information by a grateful obeisance +to my radiant informer, when I perceived, in a gorgeous prospect that +now opened before us, three structures of stupendous size and superior +magnificence. The first was situated in a grove of olives, and appeared +to me like an ancient temple of Attica, remarkable for massive strength, +and a sober dignity--the second was less solid, but richer in +decoration; and seemed to be almost surrounded by every tree and plant +on which Nature has bestowed any salutary virtue: the third was shaded +only by palms; the form of it was so wonderfully grand and aweful, that +it struck me as a sanctuary for every pure and devout spirit from all +the nations of the globe. + +"These structures, that you survey with astonishment," said one of my +benevolent conductors, "are devoted to what you mortals denominate the +three liberal professions, Law, Medicine, and Theology. Whoever has a +claim to distinguished honour from any one of the three, has a just +encomium pronounced upon his services by the temporary President of that +particular fabrick, in which he is entitled to such grateful +remembrance." "Alas!" I replied, with a murmur that I could not +suppress, "the Man whose well-deserved praises I most anxiously expected +to hear in this region, belonged not to any one of these eminent classes +in human life--he had no profession but that of Humanity." + +"Be patient," said the sweetest of my aetherial guides, with a rebuke +that was softened by a smile of indulgence! "Let not your zeal for the +honour of an individual, however meritorious, make you unjust, or +insensible, to the merit of others! Assume the temper of this region, +where praise is distributed by equity and affection, but where prejudice +and partiality are not allowed to intrude!--Let us advance," continued +my monitor, with an encouraging movement of her hand; "it is time that I +should lead you to the nearest assembly." + +I obeyed with reverential silence; and as I passed the vestibule of the +majestic edifice, my heart panted with an aweful expectation of +beholding the shades of Solon, Lycurgus, and other departed Legislators, +from the various nations of the world. I was chearfully surprized by a +very different spectacle. + +The capacious structure was filled with a concourse of living mortals, +lively, yet respectable in their appearance, evidently belonging to +many countries; but all, as I perceived by their habits, connected with +the Law. Throughout all the multitude I heard no sound of dissention or +debate: but over all there reigned an air of intelligence and sympathy, +while all were hushed in silent expectance, and eager attention, with +their eyes directed to an elevated tribunal:--On this a personage was +sitting, whose majestic figure I immediately recollected. His +countenance is marked with that austerity and grandeur, which are the +external characteristicks of Law herself. His heart, as those who know +it ultimately declare, expresses the tender and beneficent influence of +that Power, who is the acknowledged parent of security and comfort. With +a voice that pervaded the most distant recesses of the extensive dome, +and in tones that sunk deep into the bosom of every auditor, he +pronounced the following oration: + +"After passing many years of life in the painful investigation of human +offences, it is with peculiar satisfaction that I find myself +commissioned to commemorate, in this Assembly, a character of virtue +without example--a character, at once so meek and so sublime, that, if a +feeling spirit had been poisoned with misanthropy from too close a +contemplation of mortal crimes, this character alone might serve as an +antidote to the word of mental distempers, and awaken the most callous +and sarcastic mind to confess the dignity of our Nature, and the +beneficence of our God. In stating to you the merits of HOWARD, I might +expatiate with delight on the various qualities of this incomparable +man; I might trace his progress through the different periods of a life +always singular and always instructive. I could not be checked by any +fear of overstepping the modesty of Truth in the celebration of Virtue, +so solid and so extensive, that the malevolence of Envy could not +diminish its weight, the fondness of Enthusiasm could not amplify its +effects. But I must not forget that there are professional limits to my +discourse. It is incumbent on me to confine myself to a single object, +and to dwell only on those public services, that peculiarly endear the +name of Howard to the liberal and enlightened community in which I have +the honour to preside. + +"It was in the capacity of a Minister to Justice, that the pure spirit, +whom it is my glory to praise, first conceived the idea of those +unrivaled labours that have rendered his memory a treasure to mankind. +In discharging a temporary office, that exposed to him the condition of +criminals, he was led to meditate on the evils which had grievously +contaminated the operations of Justice. He perceived that Law herself, +like one of her most illustrious Delegates (I mean the immortal Bacon), +was grossly injured by the secret and sordid enormities of her menial +servants: that Captivity and Coercion, those necessary supporters of her +power, instead of producing good, often gave birth to mischiefs more +flagrant, and more fatal, than those which they were employed to +correct. He found, even in the prisons of his own humane and enlightened +country, an accumulation of the most hideous abuses: he found them not +nurseries of penitence and amendment, but schools of vice and impiety; +or dens of filth, famine, and disease: not the seats of just and +salutary correction and punishment, but the strong holds of cruelty and +extortion. The irons of the prisoner, which he only beheld, entered into +his soul, and awakened unextinguishable energy in a spirit, of which +companion and fortitude were the divine characteristicks. In the noble +emotions of pity for the oppressed, and of zeal for the honour and +interest of civilized society, he conceived perhaps the sublimest design +that ever occupied and exalted the mind of man, the design to search and +to purify the polluted stream of Penal Justice, not only throughout his +own country, but through the various nations of the world. How low, how +little, are the grandest enterprizes of Heroic Ambition, when compared +with this magnanimous pursuit! How frivolous and vain are the highest +aims of Fancy and Science, when contrasted with a purpose so +beneficently great! But, marvellous as the magnitude of HOWARD'S +enterprise appears, on the slightest view that magnitude becomes doubly +striking, when we contemplate at the same time the many circumstances +that might either allure or deter him from the prosecution of his idea. +Consider him as a private gentleman, possessed of ease and independence, +accustomed to employ and amuse his mind in retired study and +philosophical speculation; arrived at that period of life, when the +springs of activity and enterprize in the human frame have begun to +lose their force! consider that his health, even in youth, had appeared +unequal to common fatigue! his stature low! his deportment humble! his +voice almost effeminate! Such was the wonderful being, who relinquished +the retirement, the tranquillity, the comforts, that he loved and +enjoyed, to embark in labours at which the most hardy might tremble; to +plunge in perils from which the most resolute might recede without a +diminution of honour. Under all these apparent disadvantages, +unsummoned, unauthorized by any Prince, unexcited by any popular +invitation, he resolved to investigate all the abuses of imprisonment; +to visit the abodes of wretchedness and infection; and to prove himself +the friend of the friendless, in every country that the limits of his +advanced life would allow him to examine. Against such an enterprize, +projected by such an individual, what forcible arguments might be urged, +not only by every selfish passion, but even by that prudence, and that +reason, which are allowed to regulate an elevated mind! How plausibly +did Friendship exclaim to Howard, 'Your projects are unquestionably +noble; but they are above the execution of any individual: you are +unarmed with authority; you have the wish to do great good, but the +power of doing little! Consider the probable issue of the +undertaking!--You will see a few hapless wretches, and tell their +condition to the inattentive world; perhaps perish yourself from +contagion, before you have time to tell it; and leave your afflicted +friends to lament your untimely fate, and the ungrateful Publick to +deride your temerity!' What force of intellect, what dignity of soul +were required to prevent a mortal from yielding to remonstrances so +engaging! The divine energy of Genius and of Virtue enabled HOWARD to +foresee, that the sanctity of his pursuit would supply him with strength +and powers far superior to all human authority:--His piercing mind +comprehended that there are enormities of such a nature, that to survey +and to reveal them is to effect their correction.--He felt that his +sincere compassion for the oppressed, and his ardent desire to promote +perfect justice, would serve him as a perpetual antidote against the +poison of fear.--He felt that in the darkness of dungeons he should want +no associates, no guards to defend him against the outrages of detected +extortion, or suspicious brutality.--He felt, that as his purpose was +heavenly, the powers of Heaven would be displayed in his support; that +iniquity and oppression would not dare to lift a hand against him, +though they knew it was the business of his life to annihilate their +sway in their most secret dominion. How admirably did the progress of +his travels evince and justify the pure and enlightened confidence of +his spirit! All dangers, all difficulties, vanish before his gentleness, +his regularity, his perseverance. Insolence and ferocity seem to turn, +at his approach, into docility and respect. Every hardship he endures, +every step he advances, in his wide and laborious career of Beneficence, +instead of impairing his strength, invigorates his frame; instead of +diminishing his influence, increases the utility of his conduct, by +making the world acquainted with the sanctity of his character. Witness, +ye various regions of the earth! with what surprize, delight, and +veneration, ye beheld an unarmed, and unassuming traveller instructing +you in the sublime science of mitigating human misery, and giving you a +matchless example of tenderness and magnanimity! O, England! thou +generous country! ever enamoured of glory, contemplate in this, the most +perfect of thy illustrious sons; contemplate those virtues, and that +honour, in which thy parental spirit may most happily exult!--What +spectacle can be more flattering to thy native, thy honest pride, than +to behold the proudest potentates of distant nations listening with +pleasure to a private Englishman; and learning, from his researches, how +to relieve the most injured of their subjects! how to abolish the +enormities of perverted Justice! To form a complete account of the good +arising to the world from the life and labours of Howard, would be a +task beyond the limits of any human mind: an exact statement of the +benefits he has conferred upon society, could be rendered only by the +attendant Spirit whom Providence commissioned to watch over him, and who +might discern, by the powers of supernatural vision, what pregnant +sources of public calamity he crushed in the seed, and what future +virtues, in various individuals, he may draw into the service of mankind +by the attraction of his example. + +"Of good, more immediately visible, which his exertions produced, there +is abundant evidence in his own country. In the wide circle of his +foreign excursion, what nation, what city, does not bear some +conspicuous traces of his intrepid and indefatigable beneficence! Of the +astonishing length to which his zeal and perseverance extended, we have +the most ingenuous and satisfactory narration in those singularly +meritorious volumes which he has given to the world. In these we behold +the minute detail of labours to which there is nothing similar, or +second, in the history of public virtue; and for which there could be no +adequate reward but in the beatitude of Heaven. An eloquent Enthusiast, +whose genius was nearly allied to frenzy, has expressed a desire to +present himself before the tribunal of the Almighty Judge, with a +volume in his hand, in which he had recorded his own thoughts and +actions: if such an idea could be suitable to the littleness of man, if +it could become any mortal of faculties so limited to make such an +offering to the great Fountain of all intelligence, that mortal must +assuredly be Howard: for where could we find another individual, not +professedly inspired, who might present to his Maker a record of labours +so eminently directed by Piety and Virtue! a book, addressed to mankind, +without insulting their weakness, or flattering their passions! a book, +whose great object was to benefit the world, without seeking from it any +kind of reward! a book, in which the genuine modesty of the Writer is +equal to his unexampled beneficence! The mind of Howard was singularly +and sublimely free from the common and dangerous passion for applause: +that passion which, though taken altogether, it is certainly beneficial +to the interests of mankind, yet frequently communicates inquietude and +unsteadiness to the pursuits of Genius and Virtue. As human praise was +never the object of his ambition, so he has nobly soared above it. There +appear, in different ages upon the Earth, certain elevated spirits, who, +by the sublimity of their conceptions, and the magnanimity of their +conduct, attain a degree of glory which can never be reached by the +keenest followers of Fame--They seek not panegyricks; and panegyricks +can add nothing to their honour. The Eulogies have perished which were +devoted by the luxuriant genius of Tully, and by the laconic spirit of +Brutus, to the public virtue of Cato; yet the name of that illustrious +Roman is still powerful in the world, and excites in every cultivated +mind, an animating idea of independent integrity. The name of Howard has +superior force, and a happier effect. It is a sound, at which the +strings of humanity will vibrate with exultation in many millions of +hearts. Through the various nations that he visited, the mere echo of +his name will be sufficient to awaken that noblest sensibility, which at +once softens and elevates the soul. Every warm hearted and worthy +individual who mentions Howard will glow with an honest, a generous +satisfaction, in feeling himself the fellow-creature of such a man. +Wherever the elegant arts are established, they will contend in raising +memorials to his honour. Indeed, the globe itself may be considered as +his Mausoleum; and the inhabitants of every prison it contains, as +groups of living statues that commemorate his virtue. There is no class +of mankind by whom his memory ought not to be cherished, because all are +interested in those evils (so pernicious to society! so dangerous to +life!) which he was ever labouring to lessen or exterminate. It might be +wished, that different communities should separately devise some +different tribute of respect to him whose character and conduct is so +interesting to all: not for the sake of multiplying vain and useless +offerings to the dead, but to impress with more energy and extent his +ennobling remembrance on the heart and soul of the living. It is hardly +possible to present too frequently to the human mind the image of a man +who lived only to do good. I mean not merely such a resemblance of his +form as Art may execute with materials almost as perishable as the image +of human clay, but such an impression of his soul as may have a more +lasting influence on the life and conduct of his admirers, such as, +diffusing among them a portion of his spirit, may in some measure +perpetuate his existence. + +"By this community, I am confident, such public honours will be paid to +HOWARD, as may be most suitable to the peculiar interest which it +becomes us to take in his glory. What these honours shall be is a point +to be settled by this liberal and enlightened Assembly, which assuredly +will not fail to remember that he suggested to Legal Authority her +omissions and defects with the modest and endearing tenderness of a +Friend; that he laboured in the service of Justice with that +intelligence, fortitude, and zeal, which her votaries cannot too warmly +admire, or too gratefully acknowledge." + +The President arose as he thus ended his speech; and the members of the +Assembly seemed beginning to confer among themselves; but what debates +ensued, or what measure was adopted, I am unable to tell, as my +visionary Guides immediately hurried me to the adjoining Temple. + +This second structure, though less extensive and less solid than the +first, was more attractive to the eye, as it abounded with scientifical +and diversified decorations. The Assembly consisted of men, who appeared +to me equally remarkable for keenness of intellect and elegance of +manners. The seat of pre eminence among them was filled by a person who +possessed in a very uncommon degree these two valuable qualities, so +happily conducive to medical utility and medical distinction. Though +left a young orphan, without patrimony, and obliged to struggle with +early disadvantages, he raised himself by meritorious exertion to the +head of a profession in which opulence is generally the just attendant +on knowledge and reputation. But neither opulence, nor his long +intercourse with sickness and death, have hardened the native tenderness +of his heart; and I had lately known him shed tears of regret on the +untimely fate of an amiable patient, whom his consummate skill and +attention were unable to save. + +Thus strongly prepossessed in his favour, I was delighted to observe +that he was preparing to address the Assembly in the moment we entered. +My celestial Guides smiled on each other in perceiving my satisfaction; +and being placed by them instantaneously in a commodious situation, I +heard the following discourse; which the character I have described +delivered with an ease and refined acuteness peculiar to himself, never +raising his voice above the pitch of polite and spirited conversation: + +"I am persuaded, that every individual to whom I have now the happiness +of speaking, will readily agree with me in this sentiment, that we +cannot possibly do ourselves more honour as a Fraternity than by +considering HOWARD as an Associate: assuredly, there is no class of men +who may more justly presume to cherish his name and character with a +fraternal affection. In proportion as we are accustomed to contemplate, +to pity, and to counteract, the sufferings of Nature, the more are we +enabled and inclined to estimate, to love, and to revere, a being so +compassionate and beneficent. If Physicians are, what I once heard them +called by a lively friend, the Soldiers of Humanity, engaged in a +perpetual, and too often, alas! unsuccessful conflict against the +enemies of life; HOWARD is not only entitled to high rank in our corps, +but he is the very Caesar of this hard, this perilous, and, let me add, +this most honourable warfare. Perhaps the ambition of the great Roman +Commander, insatiate and sanguinary as it was, did not contribute more +to the torment and destruction of the human race, than the charity of +the English Philanthropist has contributed to its relief and +preservation. Of this we are very certain, the splendid and +indefatigable Hero of Slaughter and Vain-glory did not traverse a more +extensive field, nor expose himself more courageously to personal +danger, than our meek and unostentatious Hero of Medical Benevolence. In +point of true magnanimity, I apprehend the spirit of Caesar would very +willingly confess, that his own celebrated attempts to reduce Gaul and +Britain were low and little achievements, when compared to the +unexampled efforts by which Howard endeavoured to exterminate or subdue +(those enemies more terrific) the Gaol Fever, and the Plague. + +"But leaving it to more able and eloquent panegyrists to celebrate the +originality, the boldness, and all the various merit of his +philanthropic exertions, I shall confine myself to a few remarks, and +chiefly professional ones, on his invaluable character. It appears to me +highly worthy of observation, that Howard, before he entered on his +grand projects of Public Benevolence, was subject to those little, but +depressive variations of health which have betrayed many a +valetudinarian into habits of inaction and inutility. Happily for +himself, and for mankind, this excellent person surmounted a +constitutional bias to indolence and retirement. The consequence +sequence was, he became a singular example of activity and vigour. His +powers, and enjoyments of bodily and mental health, augmented in +proportion to the extensive utility of his pursuits. + +"Beneficial as his life has been to the world, his memory may be still +more so. It may prove a perpetual blessing to mankind, if it dissipates, +as it ought to do, a weak and common prejudice, which often operates as +a palsy upon the first idea of a great and generous undertaking. The +prejudice I mean is a hasty persuasion, frequently found in the most +amiable minds, that some peculiar strength of nerve, some rare mechanism +of frame, and extraordinary assemblage of mental powers, are absolutely +requisite for the execution of any noble design. How greatly does it +redound to the true glory of Howard to have given in his successful +labours the fullest refutation of a prejudice, so inimical to the +interest and the honour of human-nature! a prejudice, by whose +influence, to use the words of our great Poet, + + "--The native hue of Resolution + Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of Fear, + And enterprizes of great pith and moment, + With this regard, their currents turn awry + And lose the name of action." + +"The life and character of Howard, if they are justly considered, may +not only annihilate this pernicious prejudice, but tend to establish an +opposite and consolatory truth. His example may shew us, that some +degrees of bodily weakness and mental depression may be most happily +cured by active exertion in the service of mankind. Perhaps there never +existed a more striking proof how far a noble impulse, communicated to +the mind by a project of extensive Benevolence, may invigorate a frame +not equal in health, strength, and stature, to the common standard of +men. It is a prudential maxim of the celebrated Raleigh, that 'Whosoever +will live altogether out of himself, and study other men's humours, +shall never be unfortunate;' a maxim, which the example of Howard might +almost teach us to convert into a medical aphorism by saying, 'Whosoever +will live altogether out of himself, and consult other men's wants, and +calamities, shall never be unhealthy.' It is delightful to those, who +detest the debasing tenets of a selfish philosophy, to see the happy +influence of opposite ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequent +opportunities of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind often +attracts and encreases the malignity of sickness, so an unselfish, a +compassionate spirit has a natural tendency to escape or subdue it. What +can be more pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity of +human-nature, than to see, that the having lost all thoughts of self, +and having acted in direct opposition to selfish principles, has +promoted even the personal advantage of a generous individual? From such +a series of philanthropic labour and peril, as a selfish and timid mind +might esteem it frenzy to encounter, Howard derived not only his +unrivalled and immortal reputation, but the perfect restoration of +enfeebled health; not to mention those high gratifications of the heart +and conscience, which are superior to all the enjoyments both of health +and glory. With such temperance in diet, that his daily food would +appear to most people not sufficient to support the common functions of +life, he chearfully sustained the hardships of long travel, through +regions where travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With a figure, +voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude him from all personal +influence and authority; and with no mental acquisitions, except those +which are common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself not +only universal admiration, but, I may venture to say, the just and moral +idolatry of the world. So invigorating are projects of extensive +Beneficence! so powerful is the energy of Public Virtue! + +"Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence of plain and simple +goodness more strikingly displayed, than in the deference and respect +which this private and meek individual received, not only from foreign +and imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened and atrocious +wretches, on whom Justice herself could hardly make any mental +impression, though armed with all the splendour, and all the violence of +power. Two particular examples of the influence I am speaking of, I +shall mention here, not only as honourable to the prime object of our +regard, but as they may suggest to contemplative minds some useful +ideas, by shewing how far the mere weight of an upright and benevolent +character alone may give to the most callous nerves a trembling +sensibility, and awaken the most ferocious spirit to self-correction. + +"When our indefatigable Visitor of prisons was in Russia, he beheld, in +public, the punishment of the knoot severely administered by a strong +and stern executioner. + +"On the following day he waited on this man, to request from him various +information. The executioner attended him obsequiously; but this +athletic savage, though trained to acts of cruelty, and conscious he had +a legal sanction for the barbarous violence he had exerted, could not +behold without shuddering the meek and gentle Missionary of Compassion. + +"The second and more memorable example of his singular influence +occurred in a prison of his own country, and relates to an outrageous +female delinquent. A corrupt and ferocious woman is, perhaps, the most +intractable fiend that human benevolence can attempt to reform; but even +this difficulty the mild and powerful character of HOWARD +accomplished. + +"In one of our Western gaols, he found an unhappy female loaded with +heavy irons: on his appearance she entreated him to obtain for her the +removal of these galling fetters. Upon enquiry, he found that many +endeavours had been made to keep this turbulent offender in proper +subjection without the severity of chains; but, after repeated promises +of amendment on milder treatment, she had obliged the keeper to have +recourse to this extreme by relapsing into the most flagrant and +insufferable contempt of decency and order. Upon this information, +HOWARD said mildly to the unhappy criminal, 'I wish to relieve you, but +you put it out of my power; for I should lose all the little credit I +have, if I exerted it for offenders so hardened and so turbulent.' 'I +know,' replied the intractable delinquent, 'I know that I have a proud +and rebellious spirit; but if I give a promise to so good a man as you +are, I can and I will command it.' On this firm assurance of +reformation, the benevolent HOWARD became a kind of surety for her +future peaceable conduct on the removal of her irons; and he had the +inexpressible delight to find, on his next visit to the prisoners of +this gaol, that the outrageous and ungovernable culprit, for whom he had +ventured to answer, was become the most orderly among them. + +"I could wish, for the moral interest of mankind, that it were possible +to obtain a minute account of the services rendered to the calamitous +spirit of many a forsaken individual by the singular charity of HOWARD. +What could be more instructive than to observe how his Beneficence +encreased by its exertion and success; while his desire of befriending +the wretched became, as it were, the vital spirit that gave strength and +duration to his own existence! + +"If we contemplate with pleasure the singular re-establishment of bodily +health, which HOWARD derived from his active philanthropy; it may be +still more pleasing to recollect, that it also afforded him an +efficacious medicine for an afflicted mind. Perhaps it was to shew the +full efficacy of this virtue in all its lustre, that Heaven allotted to +this excellent personage a domestic calamity, which appears (to borrow +an expression from a great writer) 'of an unconscionable size to human +strength.' + +"That capricious and detestable spirit of Detraction, which on Earth +never fails to persecute superior Virtue, has not scrupled to assert +that the affliction, to which I allude, was the mere consequence of +paternal austerity. The Earth itself, though frequently accused of being +eager to receive ideas that may abase the eminent, could hardly admit a +calumny so groundless and irrational. In this purer spot it is utterly +needless to prove the innocence of an exalted being, to whom we are only +solicitous to pay that sincere tribute of praise and veneration which we +are conscious he deserves. In truth, this admirable Character seemed to +illustrate the philosophical maxim, that mildness is the proper +companion of true magnanimity. He had a gentleness of manners, that was +peculiar to himself; and, instead of possessing such imperious severity +of spirit as might produce the calamity I allude to, he was really +endued with such native tenderness of heart as must have sunk under it, +had he not found in the unexampled services that he rendered to the +world, an antidote to the poison of domestic infelicity. It is among the +most gracious ordinances of Providence, that man is sure to find the +most powerful relief for his own particular afflictions, in his +endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of others. And permit me to add, +it is this beneficent law of our nature, that gives a peculiar charm +and dignity to the Medical Profession; a profession singularly endeared +to the affectionate HOWARD! not only as its compassionate and active +spirit was the guide of his pursuits, but as one of its prime ornaments +was his favourite associate and his bosom-friend. If different classes +of men are to vie with each other, as it may certainly become them to +do, in rendering various honours to this their matchless Benefactor; I +hope we shall display, with the most affectionate spirit, the deep +interest that we ought to take in his glory. I think it very desirable +that every Physician should possess a Medal of HOWARD, not only to shew +his veneration for the great Philanthropist, but to derive personal +advantage from such a mental Amulet, if I may hazard the expression. +Most of us, in the exercise of Medicine, feel at particular moments that +our spirits are too sensibly affected by the objects we survey; that +scenes of misery and infection depress and alarm: at such a time how +might it rekindle the energy of our minds to contemplate a little effigy +of HOWARD! to recollect, that all the trouble and danger that we +encounter, in the practice of a lucrative profession, are trifling in +the extreme, when compared to the labour and the peril, which this +wonderful man most willingly took upon himself, without looking forward +to any reward but the approbation of Heaven! + +"I mention not a Medal as a new idea--it has been already in +contemplation; and a motto for it suggested, which applies with such +singular force and propriety to the person whom it is designed to +commemorate, that perhaps the wide range of classical literature could +not afford another passage so strikingly apposite to a character so +extraordinary-- + + "Stupuere patres tentamina tanta, + Conatusque tuos: pro te Reus ipse timebat."-- + +"I must confess, however, that I wish for another, which may seem to +bind him more closely to us in a medical point of view. But it is time +to leave the different members of our Fraternity at full liberty to +propose any marks of distinction that they wish to suggest.--It is +sufficient for me to have reminded you of a truth, which I am confident +we all equally feel, that, while we justly consider ourselves as +students in the extensive school of Humanity, it becomes us to look up +to HOWARD, with a laudable veneration, as the Prince and Patron of our +Order." + +On the conclusion of this discourse, my Guides immediately conducted me, +with their former celerity and kindness, to the only remaining +Structure. It was the most extensive, and, from the hallowed majesty of +its appearance, the most admirable of the three. In approaching it, I +paused a moment in aweful surprise at the solemnity of the fabrick: the +most lovely and communicative of my two aetherial conductors smiled upon +me, and said, "You will find here Ministers of GOD from every Christian +country; but only those who consider Evangelical Charity as the essence +of true Religion, and who are disposed to honour, in the favourite +object of your veneration, the most signal example of that virtue, which +the present age has beheld." "I hope then," I eagerly replied, "I shall +have the delight of hearing, on this occasion, the most eloquent of our +English Bishops." On this exclamation, my kind informer regarded me with +that lively and soothing air with which intelligent Benevolence corrects +mistaken simplicity, and thus continued to instruct me with united +vivacity and tenderness. + +"Earthly distinctions, you know, are of little moment in the sight of +Heaven. You will hear no Prelate; and perhaps you may feel surprised and +indignant, when you observe how very few of your Mitred Countrymen are +to be seen in this Assembly; but you will not retain in this hallowed +spot that most common of human infirmities, a tendency to censure or to +suspicion. You will recollect that this Convocation contains only those +charitable men, who are peculiarly disposed to honour your recent model +of this Christian virtue. Other good men may exist, who, from motives of +innocent mistake, or of mere inadvertency, may fail to exhibit that +animated regard to his exemplary character, which assuredly it has +merited from all men, and which the Ministers of Religion may most +properly display. + +"One of these," continued my Director, "you are now going to hear; not, +indeed, a Dignitary of your Church, yet a Divine of Talents, Learning, +and Charity. He was led, by a laudable warmth of heart, to suggest to +your Country the first idea of paying a public tribute of veneration to +the signal virtue of Howard; and has acquired from this circumstance a +title to commemorate here the merit, to which he was eager to render +such early justice on earth. But it is time for us to attend him." + +We immediately entered the temple; and I beheld an Ecclesiastic rising +at that moment to address a very numerous Assembly of his order, that +seemed to contain Christians of every sect, and Ministers of every +degree. The person preparing to speak was distinguished by a majestic +comeliness of person, though he appeared to have passed the middle age +of life; and with a powerful elocution he delivered the following +discourse. + +"The Righteous are bold as a Lion." + +Proverbs, chap, xxviii, ver. i. + +"In these few words, my brethren, we have a passage of Scripture, that +served as a favourite maxim, or leading truth, to the admirable +personage whose glorious qualities it is now both my duty and my delight +to recall to your remembrance. The words, indeed, are so consonant to +that exalted spirit which his life displayed, that they almost appear to +me an epitome of his character. Let us consider Courage as one of his +principal endowments! To contemplate so pure and resolute a being in +this point of view, may lead us to form just ideas on the true nature of +this primary virtue, on the sacred source from whence it should proceed, +and the sublime end to which it should aspire. How large a portion of +folly, vice, and wickedness, have arisen from mere mistakes concerning +this most important of human qualities! so important, that the real +dignity of man can only rise in proportion as this virtue is perfectly +understood, and properly cherished! In the same proportion, let me add, +our courageous Philanthropist will be found entitled to the praise of +every upright mind, to the homage of every feeling heart. + +"If we take the word Courage" in the most common and simple sense of +that term, as a generous and noble contempt of personal hardship and +danger; who has given more numerous or more striking examples of such +brave contempt! Or if we follow the definition of Courage given us by a +profound, an eloquent, and philanthropic Writer, namely, that it is a +just estimate of our own powers; who is there among the most signal +Benefactors of mankind, not professedly inspired, that ever formed an +estimate of what he might achieve in the most glorious field of +enterprize, at once so difficult, and so true, so humble, and so grand. + +"With every apparent disadvantage, Howard conceived it possible that his +endeavours might correct the abuses, and mitigate the sufferings of men, +in various nations of the world. Whence happened it, that a mortal, so +visibly weak and gentle, shrunk not from an idea so pregnant with +difficulty and peril! It was because, 'The Righteous are bold as a +Lion.' It was because he felt the strongest internal conviction of this +animating truth, that, while Heaven blesses a man with health sufficient +to pursue a benevolent and magnanimous design, the vigour of his mind, +and most probably his powers of doing good, will be proportioned to the +firmness of his faith, and the sincerity of his virtue. + +"Many achievements of beneficent Courage have undoubtedly been +accomplished by men influenced by no motive but that generous love of +glory which is so frequently the predominant passion of an active and +ardent mind: but the virtues that arise from this source are as +unsteady, and as precarious, as the reward they pursue. He who acts +only as a candidate for the applause of mankind, will find his spirit +vary with all the variations in the ever-changing atmosphere of popular +opinion. He will be subject to hot and cold fits of action and +inactivity, of confidence and distrust, in proportion as the illusive +vapour, that he follows, may either sparkle or fade before him. Hence +proceeded much of that inconsistency and weakness, which appear in some +of the most enlightened, and exalted characters of the Pagan +world.--Wanting a purer light from Heaven, the most radiant spirits of +antiquity were bewildered; one in particular, the mildest and most +undaunted of antient Worthies, who had a sufficient portion of heroic +philanthropy to prefer the benefit of mankind to every selfish +consideration, had yet his hours of diffidence and despondency. On a +final review of his own generous labours, he is supposed to have +questioned the very existence of Virtue, though he had made it the idol +of his life; a striking proof, that the temperate and invariable energy +of soul, which alone perhaps deserves the name of true Courage, can only +proceed from a fuller knowledge and love of GOD; from the animating +assurance, that, however we may prosper or fail in the earthly success +of our endeavours to do good, the merit of the attempt is registered in +Heaven; and we secure to ourselves the everlasting approbation of our +Almighty Parent, in proportion as we approach towards that blessed model +of Perfect Benevolence, who has taught us, by his divine example, to +compassionate and to relieve the sufferings of the wretched. From this +source flowed the courageous beneficence of HOWARD: and how delightful +it is to observe that the force, the extent, the utility, and the lustre +of the stream, has gloriously corresponded to the height and purity of +the fountain! + +"The Sensualist and the Sceptic may, indeed, deride the conduct of a +man, who sacrificed all the common pleasures of life, and sought for no +recompence but in the favour of Heaven. It may be said that an illusive +fervor of mind has hurried men, in all periods of the world, into +singular and wild exertions, which excite the wonder of the passing +hour, and are afterwards either deservedly forgotten, or only recalled +to notice by Reason and Philosophy, to caution the restless and +impetuous spirit of man against all similar excesses. + +"But the pursuits of Howard, though they had all that sublime energy +which so often distinguished the projects of Superstition, were so far +from being influenced by any superstitious propensity, that perhaps they +cannot appear to more advantage than by being brought into comparison, +or contrast, not with the sluggish piety of sequestered Monks, but with +the bold and splendid feats of the most active and enterprising +Fanaticism. Allow me, therefore, to recall to your thoughts those +distant ages, when every ardent spirit in Christendom was inflamed with +a passionate desire to deliver the Christian pilgrims of Palestine from +the oppression of Infidels! Figure to yourselves the whole force of +Europe collecting its violence, like a troubled sea, and preparing to +pour a terrific and destructive inundation over the Holy Land! Behold +the strong and the weak, the ambitious and the humble, pursuing the same +object! Behold assembled Kings and their People, Soldiers and Priests, +the servants of Earth and Heaven rushing, with equal ardour, to rescue +the Sepulchre of Christ, and to drown all the innumerable enemies of +their Faith in an universal deluge of blood! In this scene we have the +sublimest spectacle, perhaps, that was ever exhibited by mistaken piety +and misguided valour. The love of God, by which this heroic multitude +was professedly impelled, was probably in many minds as sincere as it +was ardent. The religious spirit of their enterprize can still animate +and transport us in the song of the Poet: and in the more rational page +of History, while we justly lament the errors of their devotion, we +admire the force and perseverance of their courage. + +"To the sublime fortitude of these collected warriors, let us compare +the mild magnanimity of HOWARD. Let us survey him setting forth for an +expedition as perilous as theirs; not as the Soldier of Fanaticism, but +as the Pilgrim of Humanity! Attachment to GOD, and resolution which no +hardship, no danger, no difficulty can daunt, are equally conspicuous in +the sanguinary Fanatic and the compassionate Philanthropist: but how +widely different are the prime earthly objects of their pursuits! The +fierce Crusaders invaded Asia with a desire to exterminate the Infidels. +The benevolent HOWARD was led into the same quarter of the globe, and +into perils more deadly than those of war, by a wish to exterminate, or +rather to restrain, the ravages of that terrific enemy to human life, +the Plague. + +"He had conceived an idea, that, as this most alarming of mortal +maladies has been often strangely neglected by the sluggish and +superstitious inhabitants of the East, it might be possible by a calm +and courageous examination of its nature and its progress, to set limits +to its rage; and particularly to secure his own country from a future +visitation of a calamity, against which the fearless and eager spirit of +Commerce appears not to have established a sufficient precaution. For +the prospect of accomplishing public good, so devoutly to be wished, he +nobly thought it a trifling sacrifice to hazard the little remnant of +his advanced life; and, however men or nations may differ in policy or +religion, whereever there is a human spirit sufficiently pure and +enlightened to estimate public virtue, the sentiments and the conduct of +HOWARD must secure to his memory the fondest veneration. There is a +perfection and felicity in his character that appears supremely laudable +in every point of view. If, abstracted from all religious +considerations, we regard him only as a citizen who devoted himself to +the service of his country, the brightest records of Antiquity afford us +no parallel to his merit. Had he lived in those early times, the +generous enthusiasm of the antient world would have idolized his name. +Philosophy and Genius would have found, in his benevolent labours, the +most ample theme for instruction, and the purest subject for universal +panegyrick. They would have celebrated him as a benefactor to mankind, +who had built a new portico to the Temple of Glory superior to the dome +itself. They would have preferred the beneficent Philanthropist to the +dazzling Conqueror, to the fascinating Demagogue, to the attractive +Sophist; and all the various idols of public praise. But as Antiquity +exhibits no character of such unclouded lustre, we have great reason to +conclude, that such a character could owe its existence only to the pure +and sublime spirit of our Christian Faith. Let us, therefore, +contemplate HOWARD as a Christian! it is by considering him in this +light, that we shall feel ourselves most happily related to his virtues, +and most delightfully interested in the honours they receive. + +"In the poor and calamitous objects of his regard, in the gentleness +and purity of his manners, in his modest and magnanimous refusal of +earthly honours, in the wide extent and courageous perseverance of his +charity, we cannot fail to discern how richly he was endowed with the +genuine spirit of that pure and sublime Religion which has the divine +prerogative of converting weakness into strength, and of giving to +Humility the influence of Power. There is not a feature in the +character, there is hardly an action in the life of this exemplary +personage, that does not mark him as a true servant of CHRIST. And may +we not presume the blessed Author of our faith, in supplying us in these +dissolute times with a recent example of such astonishing and unlimited +beneficence, is graciously pleased to afford us a new motive to prize +and to cherish that animating faith, which could form, in an age like +the present, a character so wonderfully entitled to the veneration of +the world? The spirit of Christianity is so visible in the conduct of +HOWARD, that the prime objects of his attention might be thought to have +been suggested to him by the very words in which our blessed Lord +announces to the heirs of eternal glory the source of their +beatitude--'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared +for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungry, and ye +gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and +ye took me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; +I was in prison, and ye came unto me.' + +"Is it possible for us, my Brethren, to recall to our memory these holy +words without feeling at the same time, in the most forcible degree, all +the Christian merits of HOWARD? Can we fail to admire and to venerate +the unexampled ardour, purity, and perseverance, with which he exercised +the peculiar virtue so distinguished by our Lord?--While we behold him +sublimely pre-eminent in this Christian perfection, shall we not cherish +the delightful idea, that his heavenly rewards will be finally adequate +to his unrivaled labours on earth? Shall not those who have loved him +exult in the persuasion, that in that great and aweful day, when the +living and the dead are to receive their everlasting doom; when the +princes and the great ones of the earth may be confronted with those +whom they have persecuted and oppressed, or whom they have failed to +relieve; when the proudest Sons of Learning, Genius, or Wit, may shrink +at the superior lustre of those whom they have ridiculed and reviled; +HOWARD will shine encircled by thousands, who will gratefully plead for +his beatitude in those blessed words of our Redeemer, 'I was in prison, +and he came unto me!' + +"Yes, my Brethren, the day will assuredly come, when the servant so +signally faithful will be called to a reward, surpassing the utmost +reach of our conception, by the voice of his Righteous Master--then, and +then only, will praise be fully proportioned to his transcendant merit; +when this consummate Christian is raised to glory by the glorified +Messiah, when his pure spirit exults in the commendation of his GOD. + +"The imperfect efforts, that mankind may make to do honour to such a +Being, cannot, indeed, so much promote his glory, as they may conduce to +the interest of human nature. Subject as it has been to the wildest +excesses, human panegyric, in all its shapes, may be safely devoted to a +personage, whom it is hardly possible to praise with sincerity, without +feeling our disposition improved. In a beneficent, a sublime, and truly +religious character, there is a sort of magnetic virtue, which to those +who are affectionately drawn towards it, though only in idea, +communicates a portion of itself. Hence arises, what we cannot too +fondly cherish, the delight and the utility of commemorating departed +worth. If its title to commemoration be justly proportioned to its +magnitude, its singularity, and extent; not only various individuals, +but different Nations, will become rivals in promoting the fame of +HOWARD. As the glorious qualities, which his life displayed, are equally +open to the emulation of the great and the humble; every class of human +creatures is peculiarly interested in his praise. If to honour his +memory may be thought to belong to any one community more than to +another; surely, my Brethren, we shall not fail to assume to ourselves +so pleasing a duty, so honourable a distinction. Well, indeed, might the +insulting enemies of our Faith reproach us with a supine and disgraceful +inattention to the real interest of Virtue, and the true glory of +Religion, could we suffer any other order of men to surpass the +Ministers of CHRIST in a meritorious zeal to honour this faithful +servant of Heaven, whose life exhibits a lesson more instructive and +sublime than all the eloquence of the Pulpit! a Christian, who has shewn +us, in the most signal manner, how practicable it is to follow, in +succouring the distrest, not only the precepts, but the example of our +GOD." + +In the moment that this benevolent Divine concluded his address to his +attentive brethren, my kind and vigilant Guides removed me from the +temple.--I was now led into a scene entirely different from those we +left. It was an open and verdant plain, with a few elevations in the +ground, that afforded advantageous views of the whole extensive spot. +Here, instead of beholding the Ministers of Peace, I found myself +encircled by the multitudinous votaries of War. It appeared to me that +all the military and all the naval servants of our country were +collected together, and each different division of these well-appointed +and well-looking men, that formed a pleasing spectacle alone, was +attended by a crowd of miscellaneous spectators, more numerous than +itself: yet in all this immense multitude there was no sign of tumult or +confusion. They were ranged in such a manner as to form a wide circular +area in the midst of them. I was stationed on a little eminence within +this area; and in the same vacant space I beheld a party of veteran +Commanders, both Military and Naval, who seemed to have been conferring +together, but separated by the direction of my aetherial Conductors, to +address, in different parts of this extensive field, the different +companies assigned to their care. What they respectively said in their +separate departments I was unable to discover, as I only heard +distinctly one gallant Veteran, whose character was particularly dear to +me. This consummate officer has raised himself by merit alone from the +humblest rank of military life to a station of the highest honour and +trust. His modesty is as singular as his fortune: passing close to me, +with a gracious salutation, he approached a very fine orderly corps of +foot, who looked up to him with a sort of filial respect, while he spoke +to them the few following words: + +"As bravery and compassion are the characteristics of good Soldiers, you +cannot want, my friends, any long exhortation from me to honour the +memory of HOWARD; the most resolute and the most compassionate man that +has lived in our time. Though he was not of our profession, as his life +was devoted to mitigate the united horrors of captivity and sickness, +those worst of enemies to the spirit of a soldier, you will undoubtedly +feel that he has a peculiar claim to our most grateful and generous +regard." + +This speech was followed by a burst of acclamation from those to whom it +was particularly addressed. Similar shouts of applause resounded from +different quarters of the spacious field, while our aetherial +attendants, Gratitude and Admiration, who followed each speaker at the +close of each address to different divisions of this innumerable +assembly, displayed, to each division in its turn, an extensive sketch +of a simple but magnificent mausoleum to the memory of Howard, in the +form of an English lazaretto. On the first display of this striking and +worthy monument, the applauding multitude seemed to exult in the +prospect of its completion. But I soon observed, to my inexpressible +concern, that while Gratitude and Admiration were busy in exciting the +various ranks of the vast assembly, to accomplish this favourite design, +they were followed by two earthy fiends of a dark and malignant +influence: these were Detraction and Indifference, who shed such a chill +and depressive mist around them, that all the ardour of the Assembly +seemed to sink. Among the miscellaneous crowds that were visible between +the divisions of the martial host, there ran a murmur of obloquy and +derision against the pure object of public veneration. He was reviled as +a whimsical Reformer, and a rash Enthusiast, who had absurdly +sacrificed his life in a vain and fantastic pursuit. This base spirit of +calumnious malignity was not communicated to any one division of the +martial multitude; but the universal zeal for the glory of HOWARD seemed +to be almost annihilated; even Gratitude and Admiration appeared to grow +faint in their darling purpose. During their languor, they suffered +their sketch of the Mausoleum to be gradually stolen from their hands, +and to drop upon the ground. At this moment a sudden and violent +earthquake was felt through all the extensive scene. The centre of the +vacant area opened--it threw forth a phantom terrific and enormous--its +magnitude seemed to grow upon the sight; its lineaments were shrouded +from our view by an immense mantle, on which were represented a +thousand different and hideous images of Death. Its name was +Contagion--it rushed forward with an indescribable movement. Dismay and +confusion overwhelmed all that quarter of the crowded scene, that was +particularly threatened by its first advance. The affrighted multitude +rolled back like a tumultuous sea. The horrid spectre stopt; and left a +wide interval between itself and the retiring host. A ray of heavenly +light illumined the vacant space. I fixed my eye on the brilliant spot, +and soon beheld the meek and gentle form of HOWARD advancing, without +fear or arrogance, towards the terrific Phantom. With an untrembling +hand he seized the dark folds of its extensive mantle, and seemed +animated with the hope of annihilating the Monster. In the instant, a +burst of celestial splendor was spread over the gloomy plain. The Angel +of Retribution descended; and snatching the consummate Philanthropist to +his bosom, he rose again; while all the astonished multitude, now +reviving from their terror, gazed only on the celestial apparition; and +heard the reascending Seraph thus address the beneficent spirit now +committed to his care: + +"Thou faithful servant of Heaven! thy hour of recompence is come. Justly +hast thou cautioned mankind not to impute thy conduct to rashness or +enthusiasm. Weak and wavering in their own pursuits of felicity, thou +wilt not wonder to see them so in their sense of thy merit, and their +zeal for thy honour: but I am commissioned to bear thee to that +All-seeing Power, who can alone truly estimate, and perfectly reward thy +desert. I know that the praise of beings, inferior to thy GOD, never +influenced thy life; but the homage of good minds is grateful to the +purest inhabitants of Heaven; and in departing from a world so much +indebted to thy virtue, let it gratify thy perfect spirit to foresee, +that as long as the earth endures, the most enlightened of her sons will +remember and revere thee as one of her sublimest benefactors." + +As soon as the divine messenger had ceased to speak, every voice in the +reanimated multitude, that heard him, raised a shout of benediction on +the name of HOWARD. I started in transport at the sound; and the effort +that I made to join the universal acclamation terminated my vision. + +Pardon me, thou gentlest and most indulgent of Friends! that, conscious +as I am of the sincerity with which thy pure mind ever wished to avoid +all exuberance of praise, I yet presume to send into the world such a +tribute to thy virtues as thy humility might reject. Let the motives of +the publication atone for all its defects! + +This little work is made public, not from a vain expectation, or desire, +in the Writer to obtain any degree of literary distinction; for, if his +wishes and endeavours are successful, the world will not know from what +hand it proceeds. + +Thou most revered object of my regard, who art looking down, perhaps, +with compassion on the petty labours of various mortals, now trying to +commemorate thy merit, thou seest that I am influenced by no arrogant +conceit of having praised with peculiar felicity the perfections that I +so ardently admire. No! I am perfectly sensible, that the most worthy +memorial of thy virtues will be found in those pure records of thy +public services which thy own hand has given to the world with all the +amiable and affecting simplicity that distinguished thy character, and +in the more comprehensive composition of some accomplished Biographer, +who may have opportunities and ability to do justice to thy life. + +The chief aim of these few and hasty pages is to recall, at this +particular time, to the liberal spirits of our countrymen that generous +ardour with which they embraced the first idea of a public monument to +HOWARD. While the expence and dignity of that monument are yet +unsettled, a Writer may consider himself as a friend to national honour, +who endeavours to animate his country to the most extensive display of +her munificence, and her gratitude towards the purest public virtue. May +she justly remember, that, to testify a fond maternal pride in such a +departed son, to manifest and perpetuate esteem for such a character, +is, in truth, to promote the interest of genuine Patriotism, of sublime +Morality, and of perfect Religion! + + +FINIS. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Eulogies of Howard, by William Hayley + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10010 *** diff --git a/10010-h/10010-h.htm b/10010-h/10010-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01ab404 --- /dev/null +++ b/10010-h/10010-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1027 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> + + <title>The Eulogies of Howard, by Hayley.</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; + text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10010 ***</div> + + <h1>THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD.</h1> + + <h2>A VISION.</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>——to tell of deeds</p> + + <p>Above heroic. MILTON.</p> + </div> + + <h4>M.DCC.XCI.</h4> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD</h2> + + <p>It was my chance to be conversing with a Friend of the benevolent and + indefatigable HOWARD, when our country was first afflicted with the public + intelligence of his death. After our first expression of surprize and + sorrow, we naturally fell into serious and affectionate reflections on the + gentle character and sublime pursuits of the deceased. On these articles we + had no difference of opinion; but in the course of our conversation a point + arose, on which our sentiments were directly opposite, though we were + equally sincere and ardent in our regret and veneration for the departed + Worthy, to whom it related. I happened to speak of the public honours that, + I hoped, a grateful, a generous, a magnificent Nation would render to his + memory. My companion immediately exclaimed, "that every ostentatious + memorial, to commemorate the virtues of his friend, would be inconsistent + with the meekness and simplicity of the man; that all, who had the happiness + of knowing HOWARD, must recollect with what genuine modesty he had ever + retired from the enthusiastic admiration of those, who had hoped to gratify + his ambition by undeserved applause; that he had really sought no reward but + in the approbation of his conscience and his GOD; that the British Nation, + however eminent for genius and munificence, could not devise any posthumous + honours, or raise any monument, truly worthy of HOWARD, except in adopting + and accomplishing those benevolent projects which his philanthropy and + experience had recommended to public attention for the benefit of + mankind."</p> + + <p>I readily admitted the singular and unquestionable modesty of the + deceased.—I allowed that the noblest tribute of respect, which the + world could render to so pure a spirit, would be to realize his ideas; but I + contended, that other honours are still due to his name; that it is the duty + and the interest of mankind to commemorate his character with the fondest + veneration. I reminded my companion, that although we were sincerely + convinced that no human mind, engaged in great designs, could be more truly + modest than that of HOWARD; yet we had particular reason to recollect, that + he was not insensible to praise. He had once imparted to us his feelings on + that subject with a frank and tender simplicity, highly graceful in an + upright and magnanimous being, conscious of no sentiment that he could wish + to conceal. Indeed, a sincere and ardent passion for virtue could hardly + subsist with a disdain of true glory, which is nothing more than the proper + testimony of intelligent and honed admiration to the existence of merit: nor + is it reasonable to suppose that the fondest expressions of remembrance from + a world, which he has served and enlightened, can be displeasing to the + spirit of "a just man made perfect;" since we are taught by Religion, that + the gratitude of mankind is acceptable even to GOD. I endeavoured to + convince my companion, that, as the Publick had seen in HOWARD a person who + reflected more genuine honour on our country than any of her Philosophers, + her Poets, her Orators, her Heroes, or Divines, it is incumbent on the + Nation to consult her own glory by commemorating, in the fullest manner, his + beneficent exertions, and by establishing the dignity of his unrivaled + virtue.</p> + + <p>My arguments, and my zeal, made some impression on the mind of my + antagonist; and sunk so deeply into my own, that on my retiring to rest they + gave rise to the following vision.</p> + + <p>I was suddenly transported to the confines of a region, which astonished + me by its loveliness and extent; it was called, The Paradise of true Glory. + As I approached the entrance, my eyes were delightfully fascinated by two + beings of human form, who presided over the portal. Their names were Genius + and Sensibility:—it was their office to gratify with a view of this + Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely; and to reject only such + intruders as presumed to treat either the one or the other with the + insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: an incident that I should + have thought impossible, from the transcendent beauty which is visible in + each; but, to my surprize, they informed me it very frequently happened.</p> + + <p>As I readily paid them the unsuspected homage of my soul, I was + graciously permitted to pass the gate.—Immediately as I entered, I was + saluted with a seraphic smile, by two benignant and inseparable Spirits: + these were Gratitude and Admiration, the joint rulers of the + dominion—"You are welcome," said the first, in a tone of angelic + tenderness—"You are welcome to a scene utterly new to your senses, and + in harmony with your heart: you delight in the praises of the deserving: and + you are now wafted to a spot, where those who have merited highly of mankind + are praised in proportion to their desert, and where the praise of exalted + merit is fondly listened to by an extensive human audience, here purified by + our supernatural agency from all the low and little jealousies of the + earth."</p> + + <p>I had hardly answered this pleasing information by a grateful obeisance + to my radiant informer, when I perceived, in a gorgeous prospect that now + opened before us, three structures of stupendous size and superior + magnificence. The first was situated in a grove of olives, and appeared to + me like an ancient temple of Attica, remarkable for massive strength, and a + sober dignity—the second was less solid, but richer in decoration; and + seemed to be almost surrounded by every tree and plant on which Nature has + bestowed any salutary virtue: the third was shaded only by palms; the form + of it was so wonderfully grand and aweful, that it struck me as a sanctuary + for every pure and devout spirit from all the nations of the globe.</p> + + <p>"These structures, that you survey with astonishment," said one of my + benevolent conductors, "are devoted to what you mortals denominate the three + liberal professions, Law, Medicine, and Theology. Whoever has a claim to + distiguished honour from any one of the three, has a just encomium + pronounced upon his services by the temporary President of that particular + fabrick, in which he is entitled to such grateful remembrance." "Alas!" I + replied, with a murmur that I could not suppress, "the Man whose + well-deserved praises I most anxiously expected to hear in this region, + belonged not to any one of these eminent classes in human life—he had + no profession but that of Humanity."</p> + + <p>"Be patient," said the sweetest of my aetherial guides, with a rebuke + that was softened by a smile of indulgence! "Let not your zeal for the + honour of an individual, however meritorious, make you unjust, or + insensible, to the merit of others! Assume the temper of this region, where + praise is distributed by equity and affection, but where prejudice and + partiality are not allowed to intrude!—Let us advance," continued my + monitor, with an encouraging movement of her hand; "it is time that I should + lead you to the nearest assembly."</p> + + <p>I obeyed with reverential silence; and as I passed the vestibule of the + majestic edifice, my heart panted with an aweful expectation of beholding + the shades of Solon, Lycurgus, and other departed Legislators, from the + various nations of the world. I was chearfully surprized by a very different + spectacle.</p> + + <p>The capacious structure was filled with a concourse of living mortals, + lively, yet respectable in their appearance, evidently belonging to many + countries; but all, as I perceived by their habits, connected with the Law. + Throughout all the multitude I heard no sound of dissention or debate: but + over all there reigned an air of intelligence and sympathy, while all were + hushed in silent expectance, and eager attention, with their eyes directed + to an elevated tribunal:—On this a personage was sitting, whose + majestic figure I immediately recollected. His countenance is marked with + that austerity and grandeur, which are the external characteristicks of Law + herself. His heart, as those who know it ultimately declare, expresses the + tender and beneficent influence of that Power, who is the acknowledged + parent of security and comfort. With a voice that pervaded the most distant + recesses of the extensive dome, and in tones that sunk deep into the bosom + of every auditor, he pronounced the following oration:</p> + + <p>"After passing many years of life in the painful investigation of human + offences, it is with peculiar satisfaction that I find myself commissioned + to commemorate, in this Assembly, a character of virtue without + example—a character, at once so meek and so sublime, that, if a + feeling spirit had been poisoned with misanthropy from too close a + contemplation of mortal crimes, this character alone might serve as an + antidote to the word of mental distempers, and awaken the most callous and + sarcastic mind to confess the dignity of our Nature, and the beneficence of + our God. In stating to you the merits of HOWARD, I might expatiate with + delight on the various qualities of this incomparable man; I might trace his + progress through the different periods of a life always singular and always + instructive. I could not be checked by any fear of overstepping the modesty + of Truth in the celebration of Virtue, so solid and so extensive, that the + malevolence of Envy could not diminish its weight, the fondness of + Enthusiasm could not amplify its effects. But I must not forget that there + are professional limits to my discourse. It is incumbent on me to confine + myself to a single object, and to dwell only on those public services, that + peculiarly endear the name of Howard to the liberal and enlightened + community in which I have the honour to preside.</p> + + <p>"It was in the capacity of a Minister to Justice, that the pure spirit, + whom it is my glory to praise, first conceived the idea of those unrivaled + labours that have rendered his memory a treasure to mankind. In discharging + a temporary office, that exposed to him the condition of criminals, he was + led to meditate on the evils which had grievously contaminated the + operations of Justice. He perceived that Law herself, like one of her most + illustrious Delegates (I mean the immortal Bacon), was grossly injured by + the secret and sordid enormities of her menial servants: that Captivity and + Coercion, those necessary supporters of her power, instead of producing + good, often gave birth to mischiefs more flagrant, and more fatal, than + those which they were employed to correct. He found, even in the prisons of + his own humane and enlightened country, an accumulation of the most hideous + abuses: he found them not nurseries of penitence and amendment, but schools + of vice and impiety; or dens of filth, famine, and disease: not the seats of + just and salutary correction and punishment, but the strong holds of cruelty + and extortion. The irons of the prisoner, which he only beheld, entered into + his soul, and awakened unextinguishable energy in a spirit, of which + companion and fortitude were the divine characteristicks. In the noble + emotions of pity for the oppressed, and of zeal for the honour and interest + of civilized society, he conceived perhaps the sublimest design that ever + occupied and exalted the mind of man, the design to search and to purify the + polluted stream of Penal Justice, not only throughout his own country, but + through the various nations of the world. How low, how little, are the + grandest enterprizes of Heroic Ambition, when compared with this magnanimous + pursuit! How frivolous and vain are the highest aims of Fancy and Science, + when contrasted with a purpose so beneficently great! But, marvellous as the + magnitude of HOWARD'S enterprise appears, on the slightest view that + magnitude becomes doubly striking, when we contemplate at the same time the + many circumstances that might either allure or deter him from the + prosecution of his idea. Consider him as a private gentleman, possessed of + ease and independence, accustomed to employ and amuse his mind in retired + study and philosophical speculation; arrived at that period of life, when + the springs of activity and enterprize in the human frame have begun to lose + their force! consider that his health, even in youth, had appeared unequal + to common fatigue! his stature low! his deportment humble! his voice almost + effeminate! Such was the wonderful being, who relinquished the retirement, + the tranquillity, the comforts, that he loved and enjoyed, to embark in + labours at which the most hardy might tremble; to plunge in perils from + which the most resolute might recede without a diminution of honour. Under + all these apparent disadvantages, unsummoned, unauthorized by any Prince, + unexcited by any popular invitation, he resolved to investigate all the + abuses of imprisonment; to visit the abodes of wretchedness and infection; + and to prove himself the friend of the friendless, in every country that the + limits of his advanced life would allow him to examine. Against such an + enterprize, projected by such an individual, what forcible arguments might + be urged, not only by every selfish passion, but even by that prudence, and + that reason, which are allowed to regulate an elevated mind! How plausibly + did Friendship exclaim to Howard, 'Your projects are unquestionably noble; + but they are above the execution of any individual: you are unarmed with + authority; you have the wish to do great good, but the power of doing + little! Consider the probable issue of the undertaking!—You will see a + few hapless wretches, and tell their condition to the inattentive world; + perhaps perish yourself from contagion, before you have time to tell it; and + leave your afflicted friends to lament your untimely fate, and the + ungrateful Publick to deride your temerity!' What force of intellect, what + dignity of soul were required to prevent a mortal from yielding to + remonstrances so engaging! The divine energy of Genius and of Virtue enabled + HOWARD to foresee, that the sanctity of his pursuit would supply him with + strength and powers far superior to all human authority:—His piercing + mind comprehended that there are enormities of such a nature, that to survey + and to reveal them is to effect their correction.—He felt that his + sincere compassion for the oppressed, and his ardent desire to promote + perfect justice, would serve him as a perpetual antidote against the poison + of fear.—He felt that in the darkness of dungeons he should want no + associates, no guards to defend him against the outrages of detected + extortion, or suspicious brutality.—He felt, that as his purpose was + heavenly, the powers of Heaven would be displayed in his support; that + iniquity and oppression would not dare to lift a hand against him, though + they knew it was the business of his life to annihilate their sway in their + most secret dominion. How admirably did the progress of his travels evince + and justify the pure and enlightened confidence of his spirit! All dangers, + all difficulties, vanish before his gentleness, his regularity, his + perseverance. Insolence and ferocity seem to turn, at his approach, into + docility and respect. Every hardship he endures, every step he advances, in + his wide and laborious career of Beneficence, instead of impairing his + strength, invigorates his frame; instead of diminishing his influence, + increases the utility of his conduct, by making the world acquainted with + the sanctity of his character. Witness, ye various regions of the earth! + with what surprize, delight, and veneration, ye beheld an unarmed, and + unassuming traveller instructing you in the sublime science of mitigating + human misery, and giving you a matchless example of tenderness and + magnanimity! O, England! thou generous country! ever enamoured of glory, + contemplate in this, the most perfect of thy illustrious sons; contemplate + those virtues, and that honour, in which thy parental spirit may most + happily exult!—What spectacle can be more flattering to thy native, + thy honest pride, than to behold the proudest potentates of distant nations + listening with pleasure to a private Englishman; and learning, from his + researches, how to relieve the most injured of their subjects! how to + abolish the enormities of perverted Justice! To form a complete account of + the good arising to the world from the life and labours of Howard, would be + a task beyond the limits of any human mind: an exact statement of the + benefits he has conferred upon society, could be rendered only by the + attendant Spirit whom Providence commissioned to watch over him, and who + might discern, by the powers of supernatural vision, what pregnant sources + of public calamity he crushed in the seed, and what future virtues, in + various individuals, he may draw into the service of mankind by the + attraction of his example.</p> + + <p>"Of good, more immediately visible, which his exertions produced, there + is abundant evidence in his own country. In the wide circle of his foreign + excursion, what nation, what city, does not bear some conspicuous traces of + his intrepid and indefatigable beneficence! Of the astonishing length to + which his zeal and perseverance extended, we have the most ingenuous and + satisfactory narration in those singularly meritorious volumes which he has + given to the world. In these we behold the minute detail of labours to which + there is nothing similar, or second, in the history of public virtue; and + for which there could be no adequate reward but in the beatitude of Heaven. + An eloquent Enthusiast, whose genius was nearly allied to frenzy, has + expressed a desire to present himself before the tribunal of the Almighty + Judge, with a volume in his hand, in which he had recorded his own thoughts + and actions: if such an idea could be suitable to the littleness of man, if + it could become any mortal of faculties so limited to make such an offering + to the great Fountain of all intelligence, that mortal must assuredly be + Howard: for where could we find another individual, not professedly + inspired, who might present to his Maker a record of labours so eminently + directed by Piety and Virtue! a book, addressed to mankind, without + insulting their weakness, or flattering their passions! a book, whose great + object was to benefit the world, without seeking from it any kind of reward! + a book, in which the genuine modesty of the Writer is equal to his + unexampled beneficence! The mind of Howard was singularly and sublimely free + from the common and dangerous passion for applause: that passion which, + though taken altogether, it is certainly beneficial to the interests of + mankind, yet frequently communicates inquietude and unsteadiness to the + pursuits of Genius and Virtue. As human praise was never the object of his + ambition, so he has nobly soared above it. There appear, in different ages + upon the Earth, certain elevated spirits, who, by the sublimity of their + conceptions, and the magnanimity of their conduct, attain a degree of glory + which can never be reached by the keenest followers of Fame—They seek + not panegyricks; and panegyricks can add nothing to their honour. The + Eulogies have perished which were devoted by the luxuriant genius of Tully, + and by the laconic spirit of Brutus, to the public virtue of Cato; yet the + name of that illustrious Roman is still powerful in the world, and excites + in every cultivated mind, an animating idea of independent integrity. The + name of Howard has superior force, and a happier effect. It is a sound, at + which the strings of humanity will vibrate with exultation in many millions + of hearts. Through the various nations that he visited, the mere echo of his + name will be sufficient to awaken that noblest sensibility, which at once + softens and elevates the soul. Every warm hearted and worthy individual who + mentions Howard will glow with an honest, a generous satisfaction, in + feeling himself the fellow-creature of such a man. Wherever the elegant arts + are established, they will contend in raising memorials to his honour. + Indeed, the globe itself may be considered as his Mausoleum; and the + inhabitants of every prison it contains, as groups of living statues that + commemorate his virtue. There is no class of mankind by whom his memory + ought not to be cherished, because all are interested in those evils (so + pernicious to society! so dangerous to life!) which he was ever labouring to + lessen or exterminate. It might be wished, that different communities should + separately devise some different tribute of respect to him whose character + and conduct is so interesting to all: not for the sake of multiplying vain + and useless offerings to the dead, but to impress with more energy and + extent his ennobling remembrance on the heart and soul of the living. It is + hardly possible to present too frequently to the human mind the image of a + man who lived only to do good. I mean not merely such a resemblance of his + form as Art may execute with materials almost as perishable as the image of + human clay, but such an impression of his soul as may have a more lasting + influence on the life and conduct of his admirers, such as, diffusing among + them a portion of his spirit, may in some measure perpetuate his + existence.</p> + + <p>"By this community, I am confident, such public honours will be paid to + HOWARD, as may be most suitable to the peculiar interest which it becomes us + to take in his glory. What these honours shall be is a point to be settled + by this liberal and enlightened Assembly, which assuredly will not fail to + remember that he suggested to Legal Authority her omissions and defects with + the modest and endearing tenderness of a Friend; that he laboured in the + service of Justice with that intelligence, fortitude, and zeal, which her + votaries cannot too warmly admire, or too gratefully acknowledge."</p> + + <p>The President arose as he thus ended his speech; and the members of the + Assembly seemed beginning to confer among themselves; but what debates + ensued, or what measure was adopted, I am unable to tell, as my visionary + Guides immediately hurried me to the adjoining Temple.</p> + + <p>This second structure, though less extensive and less solid than the + first, was more attractive to the eye, as it abounded with scientifical and + diversified decorations. The Assembly consisted of men, who appeared to me + equally remarkable for keenness of intellect and elegance of manners. The + seat of pre eminence among them was filled by a person who possessed in a + very uncommon degree these two valuable qualities, so happily conducive to + medical utility and medical distinction. Though left a young orphan, without + patrimony, and obliged to struggle with early disadvantages, he raised + himself by meritorious exertion to the head of a profession in which + opulence is generally the just attendant on knowledge and reputation. But + neither opulence, nor his long intercourse with sickness and death, have + hardened the native tenderness of his heart; and I had lately known him shed + tears of regret on the untimely fate of an amiable patient, whom his + consummate skill and attention were unable to save.</p> + + <p>Thus strongly prepossessed in his favour, I was delighted to observe that + he was preparing to address the Assembly in the moment we entered. My + celestial Guides smiled on each other in perceiving my satisfaction; and + being placed by them instantaneously in a commodious situation, I heard the + following discourse; which the character I have described delivered with an + ease and refined acuteness peculiar to himself, never raising his voice + above the pitch of polite and spirited conversation:</p> + + <p>"I am persuaded, that every individual to whom I have now the happiness + of speaking, will readily agree with me in this sentiment, that we cannot + possibly do ourselves more honour as a Fraternity than by considering HOWARD + as an Associate: assuredly, there is no class of men who may more justly + presume to cherish his name and character with a fraternal affection. In + proportion as we are accustomed to contemplate, to pity, and to counteract, + the sufferings of Nature, the more are we enabled and inclined to estimate, + to love, and to revere, a being so compassionate and beneficent. If + Physicians are, what I once heard them called by a lively friend, the + Soldiers of Humanity, engaged in a perpetual, and too often, alas! + unsuccessful conflict against the enemies of life; HOWARD is not only + entitled to high rank in our corps, but he is the very Caesar of this hard, + this perilous, and, let me add, this most honourable warfare. Perhaps the + ambition of the great Roman Commander, insatiate and sanguinary as it was, + did not contribute more to the torment and destruction of the human race, + than the charity of the English Philanthropist has contributed to its relief + and preservation. Of this we are very certain, the splendid and + indefatigable Hero of Slaughter and Vain-glory did not traverse a more + extensive field, nor expose himself more courageously to personal danger, + than our meek and unostentatious Hero of Medical Benevolence. In point of + true magnanimity, I apprehend the spirit of Caesar would very willingly + confess, that his own celebrated attempts to reduce Gaul and Britain were + low and little achievements, when compared to the unexampled efforts by + which Howard endeavoured to exterminate or subdue (those enemies more + terrific) the Gaol Fever, and the Plague.</p> + + <p>"But leaving it to more able and eloquent panegyrists to celebrate the + originality, the boldness, and all the various merit of his philanthropic + exertions, I shall confine myself to a few remarks, and chiefly professional + ones, on his invaluable character. It appears to me highly worthy of + observation, that Howard, before he entered on his grand projects of Public + Benevolence, was subject to those little, but depressive variations of + health which have betrayed many a valetudinarian into habits of inaction and + inutility. Happily for himself, and for mankind, this excellent person + surmounted a constitutional bias to indolence and retirement. The + consequence sequence was, he became a singular example of activity and + vigour. His powers, and enjoyments of bodily and mental health, augmented in + proportion to the extensive utility of his pursuits.</p> + + <p>"Beneficial as his life has been to the world, his memory may be still + more so. It may prove a perpetual blessing to mankind, if it dissipates, as + it ought to do, a weak and common prejudice, which often operates as a palsy + upon the first idea of a great and generous undertaking. The prejudice I + mean is a hasty persuasion, frequently found in the most amiable minds, that + some peculiar strength of nerve, some rare mechanism of frame, and + extraordinary assemblage of mental powers, are absolutely requisite for the + execution of any noble design. How greatly does it redound to the true glory + of Howard to have given in his successful labours the fullest refutation of + a prejudice, so inimical to the interest and the honour of human-nature! a + prejudice, by whose influence, to use the words of our great Poet,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>"—The native hue of Resolution</p> + + <p>Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of Fear,</p> + + <p>And enterprizes of great pith and moment,</p> + + <p>With this regard, their currents turn awry</p> + + <p>And lose the name of action."</p> + </div> + + <p>"The life and character of Howard, if they are justly considered, may not + only annihilate this pernicious prejudice, but tend to establish an opposite + and consolatory truth. His example may shew us, that some degrees of bodily + weakness and mental depression may be most happily cured by active exertion + in the service of mankind. Perhaps there never existed a more striking proof + how far a noble impulse, communicated to the mind by a project of extensive + Benevolence, may invigorate a frame not equal in health, strength, and + stature, to the common standard of men. It is a prudential maxim of the + celebrated Raleigh, that 'Whosoever will live altogether out of himself, and + study other men's humours, shall never be unfortunate;' a maxim, which the + example of Howard might almost teach us to convert into a medical aphorism + by saying, 'Whosoever will live altogether out of himself, and consult other + men's wants, and calamities, shall never be unhealthy.' It is delightful to + those, who detest the debasing tenets of a selfish philosophy, to see the + happy influence of opposite ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequent + opportunities of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind often attracts + and encreases the malignity of sickness, so an unselfish, a compassionate + spirit has a natural tendency to escape or subdue it. What can be more + pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity of human-nature, than + to see, that the having lost all thoughts of self, and having acted in + direct opposition to selfish principles, has promoted even the personal + advantage of a generous individual? From such a series of philanthropic + labour and peril, as a selfish and timid mind might esteem it frenzy to + encounter, Howard derived not only his unrivalled and immortal reputation, + but the perfect restoration of enfeebled health; not to mention those high + gratifications of the heart and conscience, which are superior to all the + enjoyments both of health and glory. With such temperance in diet, that his + daily food would appear to most people not sufficient to support the common + functions of life, he chearfully sustained the hardships of long travel, + through regions where travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With a + figure, voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude him from all personal + influence and authority; and with no mental acquisitions, except those which + are common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself not only + universal admiration, but, I may venture to say, the just and moral idolatry + of the world. So invigorating are projects of extensive Beneficence! so + powerful is the energy of Public Virtue!</p> + + <p>"Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence of plain and simple + goodness more strikingly displayed, than in the deference and respect which + this private and meek individual received, not only from foreign and + imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened and atrocious wretches, on + whom Justice herself could hardly make any mental impression, though armed + with all the splendour, and all the violence of power. Two particular + examples of the influence I am speaking of, I shall mention here, not only + as honourable to the prime object of our regard, but as they may suggest to + contemplative minds some useful ideas, by shewing how far the mere weight of + an upright and benevolent character alone may give to the most callous + nerves a trembling sensibility, and awaken the most ferocious spirit to + self-correction.</p> + + <p>"When our indefatigable Visitor of prisons was in Russia, he beheld, in + public, the punishment of the knoot severely administered by a strong and + stern executioner.</p> + + <p>"On the following day he waited on this man, to request from him various + information. The executioner attended him obsequiously; but this athletic + savage, though trained to acts of cruelty, and conscious he had a legal + sanction for the barbarous violence he had exerted, could not behold without + shuddering the meek and gentle Missionary of Compassion.</p> + + <p>"The second and more memorable example of his singular influence occurred + in a prison of his own country, and relates to an outrageous female + delinquent. A corrupt and ferocious woman is, perhaps, the most intractable + fiend that human benevolence can attempt to reform; but even this difficulty + the mild and and powerful character of HOWARD accomplished.</p> + + <p>"In one of our Western gaols, he found an unhappy female loaded with + heavy irons: on his appearance she entreated him to obtain for her the + removal of these galling fetters. Upon enquiry, he found that many + endeavours had been made to keep this turbulent offender in proper + subjection without the severity of chains; but, after repeated promises of + amendment on milder treatment, she had obliged the keeper to have recourse + to this extreme by relapsing into the most flagrant and insufferable + contempt of decency and order. Upon this information, HOWARD said mildly to + the unhappy criminal, 'I wish to relieve you, but you put it out of my + power; for I should lose all the little credit I have, if I exerted it for + offenders so hardened and so turbulent.' 'I know,' replied the intractable + delinquent, 'I know that I have a proud and rebellious spirit; but if I give + a promise to so good a man as you are, I can and I will command it.' On this + firm assurance of reformation, the benevolent HOWARD became a kind of surety + for her future peaceable conduct on the removal of her irons; and he had the + inexpressible delight to find, on his next visit to the prisoners of this + gaol, that the outrageous and ungovernable culprit, for whom he had ventured + to answer, was become the most orderly among them.</p> + + <p>"I could wish, for the moral interest of mankind, that it were possible + to obtain a minute account of the services rendered to the calamitous spirit + of many a forsaken individual by the singular charity of HOWARD. What could + be more instructive than to observe how his Beneficence encreased by its + exertion and success; while his desire of befriending the wretched became, + as it were, the vital spirit that gave strength and duration to his own + existence!</p> + + <p>"If we contemplate with pleasure the singular re-establishment of bodily + health, which HOWARD derived from his active philanthropy; it may be still + more pleasing to recollect, that it also afforded him an efficacious + medicine for an afflicted mind. Perhaps it was to shew the full efficacy of + this virtue in all its lustre, that Heaven allotted to this excellent + personage a domestic calamity, which appears (to borrow an expression from a + great writer) 'of an unconscionable size to human strength.'</p> + + <p>"That capricious and detestable spirit of Detraction, which on Earth + never fails to persecute superior Virtue, has not scrupled to assert that + the affliction, to which I allude, was the mere consequence of paternal + austerity. The Earth itself, though frequently accused of being eager to + receive ideas that may abase the eminent, could hardly admit a calumny so + groundless and irrational. In this purer spot it is utterly needless to + prove the innocence of an exalted being, to whom we are only solicitous to + pay that sincere tribute of praise and veneration which we are conscious he + deserves. In truth, this admirable Character seemed to illustrate the + philosophical maxim, that mildness is the proper companion of true + magnanimity. He had a gentleness of manners, that was peculiar to himself; + and, instead of possessing such imperious severity of spirit as might + produce the calamity I allude to, he was really endued with such native + tenderness of heart as must have sunk under it, had he not found in the + unexampled services that he rendered to the world, an antidote to the poison + of domestic infelicity. It is among the most gracious ordinances of + Providence, that man is sure to find the most powerful relief for his own + particular afflictions, in his endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of + others. And permit me to add, it is this beneficent law of our nature, that + gives a peculiar charm and dignity to the Medical Profession; a profession + singularly endeared to the affectionate HOWARD! not only as its + compassionate and active spirit was the guide of his pursuits, but as one of + its prime ornaments was his favourite associate and his bosom-friend. If + different classes of men are to vie with each other, as it may certainly + become them to do, in rendering various honours to this their matchless + Benefactor; I hope we shall display, with the most affectionate spirit, the + deep interest that we ought to take in his glory. I think it very desirable + that every Physician should possess a Medal of HOWARD, not only to shew his + veneration for the great Philanthropist, but to derive personal advantage + from such a mental Amulet, if I may hazard the expression. Most of us, in + the exercise of Medicine, feel at particular moments that our spirits are + too sensibly affected by the objects we survey; that scenes of misery and + infection depress and alarm: at such a time how might it rekindle the energy + of our minds to contemplate a little effigy of HOWARD! to recollect, that + all the trouble and danger that we encounter, in the practice of a lucrative + profession, are trifling in the extreme, when compared to the labour and the + peril, which this wonderful man most willingly took upon himself, without + looking forward to any reward but the approbation of Heaven!</p> + + <p>"I mention not a Medal as a new idea—it has been already in + contemplation; and a motto for it suggested, which applies with such + singular force and propriety to the person whom it is designed to + commemorate, that perhaps the wide range of classical literature could not + afford another passage so strikingly apposite to a character so + extraordinary—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>"Stupuere patres tentamina tanta,</p> + + <p>Conatusque tuos: pro te Reus ipse timebat."—</p> + </div> + + <p>"I must confess, however, that I wish for another, which may seem to bind + him more closely to us in a medical point of view. But it is time to leave + the different members of our Fraternity at full liberty to propose any marks + of distinction that they wish to suggest.—It is sufficient for me to + have reminded you of a truth, which I am confident we all equally feel, + that, while we justly consider ourselves as students in the extensive school + of Humanity, it becomes us to look up to HOWARD, with a laudable veneration, + as the Prince and Patron of our Order."</p> + + <p>On the conclusion of this discourse, my Guides immediately conducted me, + with their former celerity and kindness, to the only remaining Structure. It + was the most extensive, and, from the hallowed majesty of its appearance, + the most admirable of the three. In approaching it, I paused a moment in + aweful surprise at the solemnity of the fabrick: the most lovely and + communicative of my two aetherial conductors smiled upon me, and said, "You + will find here Ministers of GOD from every Christian country; but only those + who consider Evangelical Charity as the essence of true Religion, and who + are disposed to honour, in the favourite object of your veneration, the most + signal example of that virtue, which the present age has beheld." "I hope + then," I eagerly replied, "I shall have the delight of hearing, on this + occasion, the most eloquent of our English Bishops." On this exclamation, my + kind informer regarded me with that lively and soothing air with which + intelligent Benevolence corrects mistaken simplicity, and thus continued to + instruct me with united vivacity and tenderness.</p> + + <p>"Earthly distinctions, you know, are of little moment in the sight of + Heaven. You will hear no Prelate; and perhaps you may feel surprised and + indignant, when you observe how very few of your Mitred Countrymen are to be + seen in this Assembly; but you will not retain in this hallowed spot that + most common of human infirmities, a tendency to censure or to suspicion. You + will recollect that this Convocation contains only those charitable men, who + are peculiarly disposed to honour your recent model of this Christian + virtue. Other good men may exist, who, from motives of innocent mistake, or + of mere inadvertency, may fail to exhibit that animated regard to his + exemplary character, which assuredly it has merited from all men, and which + the Ministers of Religion may most properly display.</p> + + <p>"One of these," continued my Director, "you are now going to hear; not, + indeed, a Dignitary of your Church, yet a Divine of Talents, Learning, and + Charity. He was led, by a laudable warmth of heart, to suggest to your + Country the first idea of paying a public tribute of veneration to the + signal virtue of Howard; and has acquired from this circumstance a title to + commemorate here the merit, to which he was eager to render such early + justice on earth. But it is time for us to attend him."</p> + + <p>We immediately entered the temple; and I beheld an Ecclesiastic rising at + that moment to address a very numerous Assembly of his order, that seemed to + contain Christians of every sect, and Ministers of every degree. The person + preparing to speak was distinguished by a majestic comeliness of person, + though he appeared to have passed the middle age of life; and with a + powerful elocution he delivered the following discourse.</p> + + <p>"The Righteous are bold as a Lion."</p> + + <p>Proverbs, chap, xxviii, ver. i.</p> + + <p>"In these few words, my brethren, we have a passage of Scripture, that + served as a favourite maxim, or leading truth, to the admirable personage + whose glorious qualities it is now both my duty and my delight to recall to + your remembrance. The words, indeed, are so consonant to that exalted spirit + which his life displayed, that they almost appear to me an epitome of his + character. Let us consider Courage as one of his principal endowments! To + contemplate so pure and resolute a being in this point of view, may lead us + to form just ideas on the true nature of this primary virtue, on the sacred + source from whence it should proceed, and the sublime end to which it should + aspire. How large a portion of folly, vice, and wickedness, have arisen from + mere mistakes concerning this most important of human qualities! so + important, that the real dignity of man can only rise in proportion as this + virtue is perfectly understood, and properly cherished! In the same + proportion, let me add, our courageous Philanthropist will be found entitled + to the praise of every upright mind, to the homage of every feeling + heart.</p> + + <p>"If we take the word Courage" in the most common and simple sense of that + term, as a generous and noble contempt of personal hardship and danger; who + has given more numerous or more striking examples of such brave contempt! Or + if we follow the definition of Courage given us by a profound, an eloquent, + and philanthropic Writer, namely, that it is a just estimate of our own + powers; who is there among the most signal Benefactors of mankind, not + professedly inspired, that ever formed an estimate of what he might achieve + in the most glorious field of enterprize, at once so difficult, and so true, + so humble, and so grand.</p> + + <p>"With every apparent disadvantage, Howard conceived it possible that his + endeavours might correct the abuses, and mitigate the sufferings of men, in + various nations of the world. Whence happened it, that a mortal, so visibly + weak and gentle, shrunk not from an idea so pregnant with difficulty and + peril! It was because, 'The Righteous are bold as a Lion.' It was because he + felt the strongest internal conviction of this animating truth, that, while + Heaven blesses a man with health sufficient to pursue a benevolent and + magnanimous design, the vigour of his mind, and most probably his powers of + doing good, will be proportioned to the firmness of his faith, and the + sincerity of his virtue.</p> + + <p>"Many achievements of beneficent Courage have undoubtedly been + accomplished by men influenced by no motive but that generous love of glory + which is so frequently the predominant passion of an active and ardent mind: + but the virtues that arise from this source are as unsteady, and as + precarious, as the reward they pursue. He who acts only as a candidate for + the applause of mankind, will find his spirit vary with all the variations + in the ever-changing atmosphere of popular opinion. He will be subject to + hot and cold fits of action and inactivity, of confidence and distrust, in + proportion as the illusive vapour, that he follows, may either sparkle or + fade before him. Hence proceeded much of that inconsistency and weakness, + which appear in some of the most enlightened, and exalted characters of the + Pagan world.—Wanting a purer light from Heaven, the most radiant + spirits of antiquity were bewildered; one in particular, the mildest and + most undaunted of antient Worthies, who had a sufficient portion of heroic + philanthropy to prefer the benefit of mankind to every selfish + consideration, had yet his hours of diffidence and despondency. On a final + review of his own generous labours, he is supposed to have questioned the + very existence of Virtue, though he had made it the idol of his life; a + striking proof, that the temperate and invariable energy of soul, which + alone perhaps deserves the name of true Courage, can only proceed from a + fuller knowledge and love of GOD; from the animating assurance, that, + however we may prosper or fail in the earthly success of our endeavours to + do good, the merit of the attempt is registered in Heaven; and we secure to + ourselves the everlasting approbation of our Almighty Parent, in proportion + as we approach towards that blessed model of Perfect Benevolence, who has + taught us, by his divine example, to compassionate and to relieve the + sufferings of the wretched. From this source flowed the courageous + beneficence of HOWARD: and how delightful it is to observe that the force, + the extent, the utility, and the lustre of the stream, has gloriously + corresponded to the height and purity of the fountain!</p> + + <p>"The Sensualist and the Sceptic may, indeed, deride the conduct of a man, + who sacrificed all the common pleasures of life, and sought for no + recompence but in the favour of Heaven. It may be said that an illusive + fervor of mind has hurried men, in all periods of the world, into singular + and wild exertions, which excite the wonder of the passing hour, and are + afterwards either deservedly forgotten, or only recalled to notice by Reason + and Philosophy, to caution the restless and impetuous spirit of man against + all similar excesses.</p> + + <p>"But the pursuits of Howard, though they had all that sublime energy + which so often distinguished the projects of Superstition, were so far from + being influenced by any superstitious propensity, that perhaps they cannot + appear to more advantage than by being brought into comparison, or contrast, + not with the sluggish piety of sequestered Monks, but with the bold and + splendid feats of the most active and enterprising Fanaticism. Allow me, + therefore, to recall to your thoughts those distant ages, when every ardent + spirit in Christendom was inflamed with a passionate desire to deliver the + Christian pilgrims of Palestine from the oppression of Infidels! Figure to + yourselves the whole force of Europe collecting its violence, like a + troubled sea, and preparing to pour a terrific and destructive inundation + over the Holy Land! Behold the strong and the weak, the ambitious and the + humble, pursuing the same object! Behold assembled Kings and their People, + Soldiers and Priests, the servants of Earth and Heaven rushing, with equal + ardour, to rescue the Sepulchre of Christ, and to drown all the innumerable + enemies of their Faith in an universal deluge of blood! In this scene we + have the sublimest spectacle, perhaps, that was ever exhibited by mistaken + piety and misguided valour. The love of God, by which this heroic multitude + was professedly impelled, was probably in many minds as sincere as it was + ardent. The religious spirit of their enterprize can still animate and + transport us in the song of the Poet: and in the more rational page of + History, while we justly lament the errors of their devotion, we admire the + force and perseverance of their courage.</p> + + <p>"To the sublime fortitude of these collected warriors, let us compare the + mild magnanimity of HOWARD. Let us survey him setting forth for an + expedition as perilous as theirs; not as the Soldier of Fanaticism, but as + the Pilgrim of Humanity! Attachment to GOD, and resolution which no + hardship, no danger, no difficulty can daunt, are equally conspicuous in the + sanguinary Fanatic and the compassionate Philanthropist: but how widely + different are the prime earthly objects of their pursuits! The fierce + Crusaders invaded Asia with a desire to exterminate the Infidels. The + benevolent HOWARD was led into the same quarter of the globe, and into + perils more deadly than those of war, by a wish to exterminate, or rather to + restrain, the ravages of that terrific enemy to human life, the Plague.</p> + + <p>"He had conceived an idea, that, as this most alarming of mortal maladies + has been often strangely neglected by the sluggish and superstitious + inhabitants of the East, it might be possible by a calm and courageous + examination of its nature and its progress, to set limits to its rage; and + particularly to secure his own country from a future visitation of a + calamity, against which the fearless and eager spirit of Commerce appears + not to have established a sufficient precaution. For the prospect of + accomplishing public good, so devoutly to be wished, he nobly thought it a + trifling sacrifice to hazard the little remnant of his advanced life; and, + however men or nations may differ in policy or religion, whereever there is + a human spirit sufficiently pure and enlightened to estimate public virtue, + the sentiments and the conduct of HOWARD must secure to his memory the + fondest veneration. There is a perfection and felicity in his character that + appears supremely laudable in every point of view. If, abstracted from all + religious considerations, we regard him only as a citizen who devoted + himself to the service of his country, the brightest records of Antiquity + afford us no parallel to his merit. Had he lived in those early times, the + generous enthusiasm of the antient world would have idolized his name. + Philosophy and Genius would have found, in his benevolent labours, the most + ample theme for instruction, and the purest subject for universal + panegyrick. They would have celebrated him as a benefactor to mankind, who + had built a new portico to the Temple of Glory superior to the dome itself. + They would have preferred the beneficent Philanthropist to the dazzling + Conqueror, to the fascinating Demagogue, to the attractive Sophist; and all + the various idols of public praise. But as Antiquity exhibits no character + of such unclouded lustre, we have great reason to conclude, that such a + character could owe its existence only to the pure and sublime spirit of our + Christian Faith. Let us, therefore, contemplate HOWARD as a Christian! it is + by considering him in this light, that we shall feel ourselves most happily + related to his virtues, and most delightfully interested in the honours they + receive.</p> + + <p>"In the poor and calamitous objects of his regard, in the gentleness and + purity of his manners, in his modest and magnanimous refusal of earthly + honours, in the wide extent and courageous perseverance of his charity, we + cannot fail to discern how richly he was endowed with the genuine spirit of + that pure and sublime Religion which has the divine prerogative of + converting weakness into strength, and of giving to Humility the influence + of Power. There is not a feature in the character, there is hardly an action + in the life of this exemplary personage, that does not mark him as a true + servant of CHRIST. And may we not presume the blessed Author of our faith, + in supplying us in these dissolute times with a recent example of such + astonishing and unlimited beneficence, is graciously pleased to afford us a + new motive to prize and to cherish that animating faith, which could form, + in an age like the present, a character so wonderfully entitled to the + veneration of the world? The spirit of Christianity is so visible in the + conduct of HOWARD, that the prime objects of his attention might be thought + to have been suggested to him by the very words in which our blessed Lord + announces to the heirs of eternal glory the source of their + beatitude—'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared + for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungry, and ye gave + me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took + me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in + prison, and ye came unto me.'</p> + + <p>"Is it possible for us, my Brethren, to recall to our memory these holy + words without feeling at the same time, in the most forcible degree, all the + Christian merits of HOWARD? Can we fail to admire and to venerate the + unexampled ardour, purity, and perseverance, with which he exercised the + peculiar virtue so distinguished by our Lord?—While we behold him + sublimely pre-eminent in this Christian perfection, shall we not cherish the + delightful idea, that his heavenly rewards will be finally adequate to his + unrivaled labours on earth? Shall not those who have loved him exult in the + persuasion, that in that great and aweful day, when the living and the dead + are to receive their everlasting doom; when the princes and the great ones + of the earth may be confronted with those whom they have persecuted and + oppressed, or whom they have failed to relieve; when the proudest Sons of + Learning, Genius, or Wit, may shrink at the superior lustre of those whom + they have ridiculed and reviled; HOWARD will shine encircled by thousands, + who will gratefully plead for his beatitude in those blessed words of our + Redeemer, 'I was in prison, and he came unto me!'</p> + + <p>"Yes, my Brethren, the day will assuredly come, when the servant so + signally faithful will be called to a reward, surpassing the utmost reach of + our conception, by the voice of his Righteous Master—then, and then + only, will praise be fully proportioned to his transcendant merit; when this + consummate Christian is raised to glory by the glorified Messiah, when his + pure spirit exults in the commendation of his GOD.</p> + + <p>"The imperfect efforts, that mankind may make to do honour to such a + Being, cannot, indeed, so much promote his glory, as they may conduce to the + interest of human nature. Subject as it has been to the wildest excesses, + human panegyric, in all its shapes, may be safely devoted to a personage, + whom it is hardly possible to praise with sincerity, without feeling our + disposition improved. In a beneficent, a sublime, and truly religious + character, there is a sort of magnetic virtue, which to those who are + affectionately drawn towards it, though only in idea, communicates a portion + of itself. Hence arises, what we cannot too fondly cherish, the delight and + the utility of commemorating departed worth. If its title to commemoration + be justly proportioned to its magnitude, its singularity, and extent; not + only various individuals, but different Nations, will become rivals in + promoting the fame of HOWARD. As the glorious qualities, which his life + displayed, are equally open to the emulation of the great and the humble; + every class of human creatures is peculiarly interested in his praise. If to + honour his memory may be thought to belong to any one community more than to + another; surely, my Brethren, we shall not fail to assume to ourselves so + pleasing a duty, so honourable a distinction. Well, indeed, might the + insulting enemies of our Faith reproach us with a supine and disgraceful + inattention to the real interest of Virtue, and the true glory of Religion, + could we suffer any other order of men to surpass the Ministers of CHRIST in + a meritorious zeal to honour this faithful servant of Heaven, whose life + exhibits a lesson more instructive and sublime than all the eloquence of the + Pulpit! a Christian, who has shewn us, in the most signal manner, how + practicable it is to follow, in succouring the distrest, not only the + precepts, but the example of our GOD."</p> + + <p>In the moment that this benevolent Divine concluded his address to his + attentive brethren, my kind and vigilant Guides removed me from the + temple.—I was now led into a scene entirely different from those we + left. It was an open and verdant plain, with a few elevations in the ground, + that afforded advantageous views of the whole extensive spot. Here, instead + of beholding the Ministers of Peace, I found myself encircled by the + multitudinous votaries of War. It appeared to me that all the military and + all the naval servants of our country were collected together, and each + different division of these well-appointed and well-looking men, that formed + a pleasing spectacle alone, was attended by a crowd of miscellaneous + spectators, more numerous than itself: yet in all this immense multitude + there was no sign of tumult or confusion. They were ranged in such a manner + as to form a wide circular area in the midst of them. I was stationed on a + little eminence within this area; and in the same vacant space I beheld a + party of veteran Commanders, both Military and Naval, who seemed to have + been conferring together, but separated by the direction of my aetherial + Conductors, to address, in different parts of this extensive field, the + different companies assigned to their care. What they respectively said in + their separate departments I was unable to discover, as I only heard + distinctly one gallant Veteran, whose character was particularly dear to me. + This consummate officer has raised himself by merit alone from the humblest + rank of military life to a station of the highest honour and trust. His + modesty is as singular as his fortune: passing close to me, with a gracious + salutation, he approached a very fine orderly corps of foot, who looked up + to him with a sort of filial respect, while he spoke to them the few + following words:</p> + + <p>"As bravery and compassion are the characteristics of good Soldiers, you + cannot want, my friends, any long exhortation from me to honour the memory + of HOWARD; the most resolute and the most compassionate man that has lived + in our time. Though he was not of our profession, as his life was devoted to + mitigate the united horrors of captivity and sickness, those worst of + enemies to the spirit of a soldier, you will undoubtedly feel that he has a + peculiar claim to our most grateful and generous regard."</p> + + <p>This speech was followed by a burst of acclamation from those to whom it + was particularly addressed. Similar shouts of applause resounded from + different quarters of the spacious field, while our aetherial attendants, + Gratitude and Admiration, who followed each speaker at the close of each + address to different divisions of this innumerable assembly, displayed, to + each division in its turn, an extensive sketch of a simple but magnificent + mausoleum to the memory of Howard, in the form of an English lazaretto. On + the first display of this striking and worthy monument, the applauding + multitude seemed to exult in the prospect of its completion. But I soon + observed, to my inexpressible concern, that while Gratitude and Admiration + were busy in exciting the various ranks of the vast assembly, to accomplish + this favourite design, they were followed by two earthy fiends of a dark and + malignant influence: these were Detraction and Indifference, who shed such a + chill and depressive mist around them, that all the ardour of the Assembly + seemed to sink. Among the miscellaneous crowds that were visible between the + divisions of the martial host, there ran a murmur of obloquy and derision + against the pure object of public veneration. He was reviled as a whimsical + Reformer, and a rash Enthusiast, who had absurdly sacrificed his life in a + vain and fantastic pursuit. This base spirit of calumnious malignity was not + communicated to any one division of the martial multitude; but the universal + zeal for the glory of HOWARD seemed to be almost annihilated; even Gratitude + and Admiration appeared to grow faint in their darling purpose. During their + languor, they suffered their sketch of the Mausoleum to be gradually stolen + from their hands, and to drop upon the ground. At this moment a sudden and + violent earthquake was felt through all the extensive scene. The centre of + the vacant area opened—it threw forth a phantom terrific and + enormous—its magnitude seemed to grow upon the sight; its lineaments + were shrouded from our view by an immense mantle, on which were represented + a thousand different and hideous images of Death. Its name was + Contagion—it rushed forward with an indescribable movement. Dismay and + confusion overwhelmed all that quarter of the crowded scene, that was + particularly threatened by its first advance. The affrighted multitude + rolled back like a tumultuous sea. The horrid spectre stopt; and left a wide + interval between itself and the retiring host. A ray of heavenly light + illumined the vacant space. I fixed my eye on the brilliant spot, and soon + beheld the meek and gentle form of HOWARD advancing, without fear or + arrogance, towards the terrific Phantom. With an untrembling hand he seized + the dark folds of its extensive mantle, and seemed animated with the hope of + annihilating the Monster. In the instant, a burst of celestial splendor was + spread over the gloomy plain. The Angel of Retribution descended; and + snatching the consummate Philanthropist to his bosom, he rose again; while + all the astonished multitude, now reviving from their terror, gazed only on + the celestial apparition; and heard the reascending Seraph thus address the + beneficent spirit now committed to his care:</p> + + <p>"Thou faithful servant of Heaven! thy hour of recompence is come. Justly + hast thou cautioned mankind not to impute thy conduct to rashness or + enthusiasm. Weak and wavering in their own pursuits of felicity, thou wilt + not wonder to see them so in their sense of thy merit, and their zeal for + thy honour: but I am commissioned to bear thee to that All-seeing Power, who + can alone truly estimate, and perfectly reward thy desert. I know that the + praise of beings, inferior to thy GOD, never influenced thy life; but the + homage of good minds is grateful to the purest inhabitants of Heaven; and in + departing from a world so much indebted to thy virtue, let it gratify thy + perfect spirit to foresee, that as long as the earth endures, the most + enlightened of her sons will remember and revere thee as one of her + sublimest benefactors."</p> + + <p>As soon as the divine messenger had ceased to speak, every voice in the + reanimated multitude, that heard him, raised a shout of benediction on the + name of HOWARD. I started in transport at the sound; and the effort that I + made to join the universal acclamation terminated my vision.</p> + + <p>Pardon me, thou gentlest and most indulgent of Friends! that, conscious + as I am of the sincerity with which thy pure mind ever wished to avoid all + exuberance of praise, I yet presume to send into the world such a tribute to + thy virtues as thy humility might reject. Let the motives of the publication + atone for all its defects!</p> + + <p>This little work is made public, not from a vain expectation, or desire, + in the Writer to obtain any degree of literary distinction; for, if his + wishes and endeavours are successful, the world will not know from what hand + it proceeds.</p> + + <p>Thou most revered object of my regard, who art looking down, perhaps, + with compassion on the petty labours of various mortals, now trying to + commemorate thy merit, thou seest that I am influenced by no arrogant + conceit of having praised with peculiar felicity the perfections that I so + ardently admire. No! I am perfectly sensible, that the most worthy memorial + of thy virtues will be found in those pure records of thy public services + which thy own hand has given to the world with all the amiable and affecting + simplicity that distinguished thy character, and in the more comprehensive + composition of some accomplished Biographer, who may have opportunities and + ability to do justice to thy life.</p> + + <p>The chief aim of these few and hasty pages is to recall, at this + particular time, to the liberal spirits of our countrymen that generous + ardour with which they embraced the first idea of a public monument to + HOWARD. While the expence and dignity of that monument are yet unsettled, a + Writer may consider himself as a friend to national honour, who endeavours + to animate his country to the most extensive display of her munificence, and + her gratitude towards the purest public virtue. May she justly remember, + that, to testify a fond maternal pride in such a departed son, to manifest + and perpetuate esteem for such a character, is, in truth, to promote the + interest of genuine Patriotism, of sublime Morality, and of perfect + Religion!</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>FINIS.</h4> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10010 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Eulogies of Howard + +Author: William Hayley + +Release Date: November 7, 2003 [EBook #10010] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: iso-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +</pre> + + <h1>THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD.</h1> + + <h2>A VISION.</h2> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>——to tell of deeds</p> + + <p>Above heroic. MILTON.</p> + </div> + + <h4>M.DCC.XCI.</h4> + <hr class="full" /> + + <h2>THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD</h2> + + <p>It was my chance to be conversing with a Friend of the benevolent and + indefatigable HOWARD, when our country was first afflicted with the public + intelligence of his death. After our first expression of surprize and + sorrow, we naturally fell into serious and affectionate reflections on the + gentle character and sublime pursuits of the deceased. On these articles we + had no difference of opinion; but in the course of our conversation a point + arose, on which our sentiments were directly opposite, though we were + equally sincere and ardent in our regret and veneration for the departed + Worthy, to whom it related. I happened to speak of the public honours that, + I hoped, a grateful, a generous, a magnificent Nation would render to his + memory. My companion immediately exclaimed, "that every ostentatious + memorial, to commemorate the virtues of his friend, would be inconsistent + with the meekness and simplicity of the man; that all, who had the happiness + of knowing HOWARD, must recollect with what genuine modesty he had ever + retired from the enthusiastic admiration of those, who had hoped to gratify + his ambition by undeserved applause; that he had really sought no reward but + in the approbation of his conscience and his GOD; that the British Nation, + however eminent for genius and munificence, could not devise any posthumous + honours, or raise any monument, truly worthy of HOWARD, except in adopting + and accomplishing those benevolent projects which his philanthropy and + experience had recommended to public attention for the benefit of + mankind."</p> + + <p>I readily admitted the singular and unquestionable modesty of the + deceased.—I allowed that the noblest tribute of respect, which the + world could render to so pure a spirit, would be to realize his ideas; but I + contended, that other honours are still due to his name; that it is the duty + and the interest of mankind to commemorate his character with the fondest + veneration. I reminded my companion, that although we were sincerely + convinced that no human mind, engaged in great designs, could be more truly + modest than that of HOWARD; yet we had particular reason to recollect, that + he was not insensible to praise. He had once imparted to us his feelings on + that subject with a frank and tender simplicity, highly graceful in an + upright and magnanimous being, conscious of no sentiment that he could wish + to conceal. Indeed, a sincere and ardent passion for virtue could hardly + subsist with a disdain of true glory, which is nothing more than the proper + testimony of intelligent and honed admiration to the existence of merit: nor + is it reasonable to suppose that the fondest expressions of remembrance from + a world, which he has served and enlightened, can be displeasing to the + spirit of "a just man made perfect;" since we are taught by Religion, that + the gratitude of mankind is acceptable even to GOD. I endeavoured to + convince my companion, that, as the Publick had seen in HOWARD a person who + reflected more genuine honour on our country than any of her Philosophers, + her Poets, her Orators, her Heroes, or Divines, it is incumbent on the + Nation to consult her own glory by commemorating, in the fullest manner, his + beneficent exertions, and by establishing the dignity of his unrivaled + virtue.</p> + + <p>My arguments, and my zeal, made some impression on the mind of my + antagonist; and sunk so deeply into my own, that on my retiring to rest they + gave rise to the following vision.</p> + + <p>I was suddenly transported to the confines of a region, which astonished + me by its loveliness and extent; it was called, The Paradise of true Glory. + As I approached the entrance, my eyes were delightfully fascinated by two + beings of human form, who presided over the portal. Their names were Genius + and Sensibility:—it was their office to gratify with a view of this + Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely; and to reject only such + intruders as presumed to treat either the one or the other with the + insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: an incident that I should + have thought impossible, from the transcendent beauty which is visible in + each; but, to my surprize, they informed me it very frequently happened.</p> + + <p>As I readily paid them the unsuspected homage of my soul, I was + graciously permitted to pass the gate.—Immediately as I entered, I was + saluted with a seraphic smile, by two benignant and inseparable Spirits: + these were Gratitude and Admiration, the joint rulers of the + dominion—"You are welcome," said the first, in a tone of angelic + tenderness—"You are welcome to a scene utterly new to your senses, and + in harmony with your heart: you delight in the praises of the deserving: and + you are now wafted to a spot, where those who have merited highly of mankind + are praised in proportion to their desert, and where the praise of exalted + merit is fondly listened to by an extensive human audience, here purified by + our supernatural agency from all the low and little jealousies of the + earth."</p> + + <p>I had hardly answered this pleasing information by a grateful obeisance + to my radiant informer, when I perceived, in a gorgeous prospect that now + opened before us, three structures of stupendous size and superior + magnificence. The first was situated in a grove of olives, and appeared to + me like an ancient temple of Attica, remarkable for massive strength, and a + sober dignity—the second was less solid, but richer in decoration; and + seemed to be almost surrounded by every tree and plant on which Nature has + bestowed any salutary virtue: the third was shaded only by palms; the form + of it was so wonderfully grand and aweful, that it struck me as a sanctuary + for every pure and devout spirit from all the nations of the globe.</p> + + <p>"These structures, that you survey with astonishment," said one of my + benevolent conductors, "are devoted to what you mortals denominate the three + liberal professions, Law, Medicine, and Theology. Whoever has a claim to + distiguished honour from any one of the three, has a just encomium + pronounced upon his services by the temporary President of that particular + fabrick, in which he is entitled to such grateful remembrance." "Alas!" I + replied, with a murmur that I could not suppress, "the Man whose + well-deserved praises I most anxiously expected to hear in this region, + belonged not to any one of these eminent classes in human life—he had + no profession but that of Humanity."</p> + + <p>"Be patient," said the sweetest of my aetherial guides, with a rebuke + that was softened by a smile of indulgence! "Let not your zeal for the + honour of an individual, however meritorious, make you unjust, or + insensible, to the merit of others! Assume the temper of this region, where + praise is distributed by equity and affection, but where prejudice and + partiality are not allowed to intrude!—Let us advance," continued my + monitor, with an encouraging movement of her hand; "it is time that I should + lead you to the nearest assembly."</p> + + <p>I obeyed with reverential silence; and as I passed the vestibule of the + majestic edifice, my heart panted with an aweful expectation of beholding + the shades of Solon, Lycurgus, and other departed Legislators, from the + various nations of the world. I was chearfully surprized by a very different + spectacle.</p> + + <p>The capacious structure was filled with a concourse of living mortals, + lively, yet respectable in their appearance, evidently belonging to many + countries; but all, as I perceived by their habits, connected with the Law. + Throughout all the multitude I heard no sound of dissention or debate: but + over all there reigned an air of intelligence and sympathy, while all were + hushed in silent expectance, and eager attention, with their eyes directed + to an elevated tribunal:—On this a personage was sitting, whose + majestic figure I immediately recollected. His countenance is marked with + that austerity and grandeur, which are the external characteristicks of Law + herself. His heart, as those who know it ultimately declare, expresses the + tender and beneficent influence of that Power, who is the acknowledged + parent of security and comfort. With a voice that pervaded the most distant + recesses of the extensive dome, and in tones that sunk deep into the bosom + of every auditor, he pronounced the following oration:</p> + + <p>"After passing many years of life in the painful investigation of human + offences, it is with peculiar satisfaction that I find myself commissioned + to commemorate, in this Assembly, a character of virtue without + example—a character, at once so meek and so sublime, that, if a + feeling spirit had been poisoned with misanthropy from too close a + contemplation of mortal crimes, this character alone might serve as an + antidote to the word of mental distempers, and awaken the most callous and + sarcastic mind to confess the dignity of our Nature, and the beneficence of + our God. In stating to you the merits of HOWARD, I might expatiate with + delight on the various qualities of this incomparable man; I might trace his + progress through the different periods of a life always singular and always + instructive. I could not be checked by any fear of overstepping the modesty + of Truth in the celebration of Virtue, so solid and so extensive, that the + malevolence of Envy could not diminish its weight, the fondness of + Enthusiasm could not amplify its effects. But I must not forget that there + are professional limits to my discourse. It is incumbent on me to confine + myself to a single object, and to dwell only on those public services, that + peculiarly endear the name of Howard to the liberal and enlightened + community in which I have the honour to preside.</p> + + <p>"It was in the capacity of a Minister to Justice, that the pure spirit, + whom it is my glory to praise, first conceived the idea of those unrivaled + labours that have rendered his memory a treasure to mankind. In discharging + a temporary office, that exposed to him the condition of criminals, he was + led to meditate on the evils which had grievously contaminated the + operations of Justice. He perceived that Law herself, like one of her most + illustrious Delegates (I mean the immortal Bacon), was grossly injured by + the secret and sordid enormities of her menial servants: that Captivity and + Coercion, those necessary supporters of her power, instead of producing + good, often gave birth to mischiefs more flagrant, and more fatal, than + those which they were employed to correct. He found, even in the prisons of + his own humane and enlightened country, an accumulation of the most hideous + abuses: he found them not nurseries of penitence and amendment, but schools + of vice and impiety; or dens of filth, famine, and disease: not the seats of + just and salutary correction and punishment, but the strong holds of cruelty + and extortion. The irons of the prisoner, which he only beheld, entered into + his soul, and awakened unextinguishable energy in a spirit, of which + companion and fortitude were the divine characteristicks. In the noble + emotions of pity for the oppressed, and of zeal for the honour and interest + of civilized society, he conceived perhaps the sublimest design that ever + occupied and exalted the mind of man, the design to search and to purify the + polluted stream of Penal Justice, not only throughout his own country, but + through the various nations of the world. How low, how little, are the + grandest enterprizes of Heroic Ambition, when compared with this magnanimous + pursuit! How frivolous and vain are the highest aims of Fancy and Science, + when contrasted with a purpose so beneficently great! But, marvellous as the + magnitude of HOWARD'S enterprise appears, on the slightest view that + magnitude becomes doubly striking, when we contemplate at the same time the + many circumstances that might either allure or deter him from the + prosecution of his idea. Consider him as a private gentleman, possessed of + ease and independence, accustomed to employ and amuse his mind in retired + study and philosophical speculation; arrived at that period of life, when + the springs of activity and enterprize in the human frame have begun to lose + their force! consider that his health, even in youth, had appeared unequal + to common fatigue! his stature low! his deportment humble! his voice almost + effeminate! Such was the wonderful being, who relinquished the retirement, + the tranquillity, the comforts, that he loved and enjoyed, to embark in + labours at which the most hardy might tremble; to plunge in perils from + which the most resolute might recede without a diminution of honour. Under + all these apparent disadvantages, unsummoned, unauthorized by any Prince, + unexcited by any popular invitation, he resolved to investigate all the + abuses of imprisonment; to visit the abodes of wretchedness and infection; + and to prove himself the friend of the friendless, in every country that the + limits of his advanced life would allow him to examine. Against such an + enterprize, projected by such an individual, what forcible arguments might + be urged, not only by every selfish passion, but even by that prudence, and + that reason, which are allowed to regulate an elevated mind! How plausibly + did Friendship exclaim to Howard, 'Your projects are unquestionably noble; + but they are above the execution of any individual: you are unarmed with + authority; you have the wish to do great good, but the power of doing + little! Consider the probable issue of the undertaking!—You will see a + few hapless wretches, and tell their condition to the inattentive world; + perhaps perish yourself from contagion, before you have time to tell it; and + leave your afflicted friends to lament your untimely fate, and the + ungrateful Publick to deride your temerity!' What force of intellect, what + dignity of soul were required to prevent a mortal from yielding to + remonstrances so engaging! The divine energy of Genius and of Virtue enabled + HOWARD to foresee, that the sanctity of his pursuit would supply him with + strength and powers far superior to all human authority:—His piercing + mind comprehended that there are enormities of such a nature, that to survey + and to reveal them is to effect their correction.—He felt that his + sincere compassion for the oppressed, and his ardent desire to promote + perfect justice, would serve him as a perpetual antidote against the poison + of fear.—He felt that in the darkness of dungeons he should want no + associates, no guards to defend him against the outrages of detected + extortion, or suspicious brutality.—He felt, that as his purpose was + heavenly, the powers of Heaven would be displayed in his support; that + iniquity and oppression would not dare to lift a hand against him, though + they knew it was the business of his life to annihilate their sway in their + most secret dominion. How admirably did the progress of his travels evince + and justify the pure and enlightened confidence of his spirit! All dangers, + all difficulties, vanish before his gentleness, his regularity, his + perseverance. Insolence and ferocity seem to turn, at his approach, into + docility and respect. Every hardship he endures, every step he advances, in + his wide and laborious career of Beneficence, instead of impairing his + strength, invigorates his frame; instead of diminishing his influence, + increases the utility of his conduct, by making the world acquainted with + the sanctity of his character. Witness, ye various regions of the earth! + with what surprize, delight, and veneration, ye beheld an unarmed, and + unassuming traveller instructing you in the sublime science of mitigating + human misery, and giving you a matchless example of tenderness and + magnanimity! O, England! thou generous country! ever enamoured of glory, + contemplate in this, the most perfect of thy illustrious sons; contemplate + those virtues, and that honour, in which thy parental spirit may most + happily exult!—What spectacle can be more flattering to thy native, + thy honest pride, than to behold the proudest potentates of distant nations + listening with pleasure to a private Englishman; and learning, from his + researches, how to relieve the most injured of their subjects! how to + abolish the enormities of perverted Justice! To form a complete account of + the good arising to the world from the life and labours of Howard, would be + a task beyond the limits of any human mind: an exact statement of the + benefits he has conferred upon society, could be rendered only by the + attendant Spirit whom Providence commissioned to watch over him, and who + might discern, by the powers of supernatural vision, what pregnant sources + of public calamity he crushed in the seed, and what future virtues, in + various individuals, he may draw into the service of mankind by the + attraction of his example.</p> + + <p>"Of good, more immediately visible, which his exertions produced, there + is abundant evidence in his own country. In the wide circle of his foreign + excursion, what nation, what city, does not bear some conspicuous traces of + his intrepid and indefatigable beneficence! Of the astonishing length to + which his zeal and perseverance extended, we have the most ingenuous and + satisfactory narration in those singularly meritorious volumes which he has + given to the world. In these we behold the minute detail of labours to which + there is nothing similar, or second, in the history of public virtue; and + for which there could be no adequate reward but in the beatitude of Heaven. + An eloquent Enthusiast, whose genius was nearly allied to frenzy, has + expressed a desire to present himself before the tribunal of the Almighty + Judge, with a volume in his hand, in which he had recorded his own thoughts + and actions: if such an idea could be suitable to the littleness of man, if + it could become any mortal of faculties so limited to make such an offering + to the great Fountain of all intelligence, that mortal must assuredly be + Howard: for where could we find another individual, not professedly + inspired, who might present to his Maker a record of labours so eminently + directed by Piety and Virtue! a book, addressed to mankind, without + insulting their weakness, or flattering their passions! a book, whose great + object was to benefit the world, without seeking from it any kind of reward! + a book, in which the genuine modesty of the Writer is equal to his + unexampled beneficence! The mind of Howard was singularly and sublimely free + from the common and dangerous passion for applause: that passion which, + though taken altogether, it is certainly beneficial to the interests of + mankind, yet frequently communicates inquietude and unsteadiness to the + pursuits of Genius and Virtue. As human praise was never the object of his + ambition, so he has nobly soared above it. There appear, in different ages + upon the Earth, certain elevated spirits, who, by the sublimity of their + conceptions, and the magnanimity of their conduct, attain a degree of glory + which can never be reached by the keenest followers of Fame—They seek + not panegyricks; and panegyricks can add nothing to their honour. The + Eulogies have perished which were devoted by the luxuriant genius of Tully, + and by the laconic spirit of Brutus, to the public virtue of Cato; yet the + name of that illustrious Roman is still powerful in the world, and excites + in every cultivated mind, an animating idea of independent integrity. The + name of Howard has superior force, and a happier effect. It is a sound, at + which the strings of humanity will vibrate with exultation in many millions + of hearts. Through the various nations that he visited, the mere echo of his + name will be sufficient to awaken that noblest sensibility, which at once + softens and elevates the soul. Every warm hearted and worthy individual who + mentions Howard will glow with an honest, a generous satisfaction, in + feeling himself the fellow-creature of such a man. Wherever the elegant arts + are established, they will contend in raising memorials to his honour. + Indeed, the globe itself may be considered as his Mausoleum; and the + inhabitants of every prison it contains, as groups of living statues that + commemorate his virtue. There is no class of mankind by whom his memory + ought not to be cherished, because all are interested in those evils (so + pernicious to society! so dangerous to life!) which he was ever labouring to + lessen or exterminate. It might be wished, that different communities should + separately devise some different tribute of respect to him whose character + and conduct is so interesting to all: not for the sake of multiplying vain + and useless offerings to the dead, but to impress with more energy and + extent his ennobling remembrance on the heart and soul of the living. It is + hardly possible to present too frequently to the human mind the image of a + man who lived only to do good. I mean not merely such a resemblance of his + form as Art may execute with materials almost as perishable as the image of + human clay, but such an impression of his soul as may have a more lasting + influence on the life and conduct of his admirers, such as, diffusing among + them a portion of his spirit, may in some measure perpetuate his + existence.</p> + + <p>"By this community, I am confident, such public honours will be paid to + HOWARD, as may be most suitable to the peculiar interest which it becomes us + to take in his glory. What these honours shall be is a point to be settled + by this liberal and enlightened Assembly, which assuredly will not fail to + remember that he suggested to Legal Authority her omissions and defects with + the modest and endearing tenderness of a Friend; that he laboured in the + service of Justice with that intelligence, fortitude, and zeal, which her + votaries cannot too warmly admire, or too gratefully acknowledge."</p> + + <p>The President arose as he thus ended his speech; and the members of the + Assembly seemed beginning to confer among themselves; but what debates + ensued, or what measure was adopted, I am unable to tell, as my visionary + Guides immediately hurried me to the adjoining Temple.</p> + + <p>This second structure, though less extensive and less solid than the + first, was more attractive to the eye, as it abounded with scientifical and + diversified decorations. The Assembly consisted of men, who appeared to me + equally remarkable for keenness of intellect and elegance of manners. The + seat of pre eminence among them was filled by a person who possessed in a + very uncommon degree these two valuable qualities, so happily conducive to + medical utility and medical distinction. Though left a young orphan, without + patrimony, and obliged to struggle with early disadvantages, he raised + himself by meritorious exertion to the head of a profession in which + opulence is generally the just attendant on knowledge and reputation. But + neither opulence, nor his long intercourse with sickness and death, have + hardened the native tenderness of his heart; and I had lately known him shed + tears of regret on the untimely fate of an amiable patient, whom his + consummate skill and attention were unable to save.</p> + + <p>Thus strongly prepossessed in his favour, I was delighted to observe that + he was preparing to address the Assembly in the moment we entered. My + celestial Guides smiled on each other in perceiving my satisfaction; and + being placed by them instantaneously in a commodious situation, I heard the + following discourse; which the character I have described delivered with an + ease and refined acuteness peculiar to himself, never raising his voice + above the pitch of polite and spirited conversation:</p> + + <p>"I am persuaded, that every individual to whom I have now the happiness + of speaking, will readily agree with me in this sentiment, that we cannot + possibly do ourselves more honour as a Fraternity than by considering HOWARD + as an Associate: assuredly, there is no class of men who may more justly + presume to cherish his name and character with a fraternal affection. In + proportion as we are accustomed to contemplate, to pity, and to counteract, + the sufferings of Nature, the more are we enabled and inclined to estimate, + to love, and to revere, a being so compassionate and beneficent. If + Physicians are, what I once heard them called by a lively friend, the + Soldiers of Humanity, engaged in a perpetual, and too often, alas! + unsuccessful conflict against the enemies of life; HOWARD is not only + entitled to high rank in our corps, but he is the very Caesar of this hard, + this perilous, and, let me add, this most honourable warfare. Perhaps the + ambition of the great Roman Commander, insatiate and sanguinary as it was, + did not contribute more to the torment and destruction of the human race, + than the charity of the English Philanthropist has contributed to its relief + and preservation. Of this we are very certain, the splendid and + indefatigable Hero of Slaughter and Vain-glory did not traverse a more + extensive field, nor expose himself more courageously to personal danger, + than our meek and unostentatious Hero of Medical Benevolence. In point of + true magnanimity, I apprehend the spirit of Caesar would very willingly + confess, that his own celebrated attempts to reduce Gaul and Britain were + low and little achievements, when compared to the unexampled efforts by + which Howard endeavoured to exterminate or subdue (those enemies more + terrific) the Gaol Fever, and the Plague.</p> + + <p>"But leaving it to more able and eloquent panegyrists to celebrate the + originality, the boldness, and all the various merit of his philanthropic + exertions, I shall confine myself to a few remarks, and chiefly professional + ones, on his invaluable character. It appears to me highly worthy of + observation, that Howard, before he entered on his grand projects of Public + Benevolence, was subject to those little, but depressive variations of + health which have betrayed many a valetudinarian into habits of inaction and + inutility. Happily for himself, and for mankind, this excellent person + surmounted a constitutional bias to indolence and retirement. The + consequence sequence was, he became a singular example of activity and + vigour. His powers, and enjoyments of bodily and mental health, augmented in + proportion to the extensive utility of his pursuits.</p> + + <p>"Beneficial as his life has been to the world, his memory may be still + more so. It may prove a perpetual blessing to mankind, if it dissipates, as + it ought to do, a weak and common prejudice, which often operates as a palsy + upon the first idea of a great and generous undertaking. The prejudice I + mean is a hasty persuasion, frequently found in the most amiable minds, that + some peculiar strength of nerve, some rare mechanism of frame, and + extraordinary assemblage of mental powers, are absolutely requisite for the + execution of any noble design. How greatly does it redound to the true glory + of Howard to have given in his successful labours the fullest refutation of + a prejudice, so inimical to the interest and the honour of human-nature! a + prejudice, by whose influence, to use the words of our great Poet,</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>"—The native hue of Resolution</p> + + <p>Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of Fear,</p> + + <p>And enterprizes of great pith and moment,</p> + + <p>With this regard, their currents turn awry</p> + + <p>And lose the name of action."</p> + </div> + + <p>"The life and character of Howard, if they are justly considered, may not + only annihilate this pernicious prejudice, but tend to establish an opposite + and consolatory truth. His example may shew us, that some degrees of bodily + weakness and mental depression may be most happily cured by active exertion + in the service of mankind. Perhaps there never existed a more striking proof + how far a noble impulse, communicated to the mind by a project of extensive + Benevolence, may invigorate a frame not equal in health, strength, and + stature, to the common standard of men. It is a prudential maxim of the + celebrated Raleigh, that 'Whosoever will live altogether out of himself, and + study other men's humours, shall never be unfortunate;' a maxim, which the + example of Howard might almost teach us to convert into a medical aphorism + by saying, 'Whosoever will live altogether out of himself, and consult other + men's wants, and calamities, shall never be unhealthy.' It is delightful to + those, who detest the debasing tenets of a selfish philosophy, to see the + happy influence of opposite ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequent + opportunities of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind often attracts + and encreases the malignity of sickness, so an unselfish, a compassionate + spirit has a natural tendency to escape or subdue it. What can be more + pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity of human-nature, than + to see, that the having lost all thoughts of self, and having acted in + direct opposition to selfish principles, has promoted even the personal + advantage of a generous individual? From such a series of philanthropic + labour and peril, as a selfish and timid mind might esteem it frenzy to + encounter, Howard derived not only his unrivalled and immortal reputation, + but the perfect restoration of enfeebled health; not to mention those high + gratifications of the heart and conscience, which are superior to all the + enjoyments both of health and glory. With such temperance in diet, that his + daily food would appear to most people not sufficient to support the common + functions of life, he chearfully sustained the hardships of long travel, + through regions where travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With a + figure, voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude him from all personal + influence and authority; and with no mental acquisitions, except those which + are common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself not only + universal admiration, but, I may venture to say, the just and moral idolatry + of the world. So invigorating are projects of extensive Beneficence! so + powerful is the energy of Public Virtue!</p> + + <p>"Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence of plain and simple + goodness more strikingly displayed, than in the deference and respect which + this private and meek individual received, not only from foreign and + imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened and atrocious wretches, on + whom Justice herself could hardly make any mental impression, though armed + with all the splendour, and all the violence of power. Two particular + examples of the influence I am speaking of, I shall mention here, not only + as honourable to the prime object of our regard, but as they may suggest to + contemplative minds some useful ideas, by shewing how far the mere weight of + an upright and benevolent character alone may give to the most callous + nerves a trembling sensibility, and awaken the most ferocious spirit to + self-correction.</p> + + <p>"When our indefatigable Visitor of prisons was in Russia, he beheld, in + public, the punishment of the knoot severely administered by a strong and + stern executioner.</p> + + <p>"On the following day he waited on this man, to request from him various + information. The executioner attended him obsequiously; but this athletic + savage, though trained to acts of cruelty, and conscious he had a legal + sanction for the barbarous violence he had exerted, could not behold without + shuddering the meek and gentle Missionary of Compassion.</p> + + <p>"The second and more memorable example of his singular influence occurred + in a prison of his own country, and relates to an outrageous female + delinquent. A corrupt and ferocious woman is, perhaps, the most intractable + fiend that human benevolence can attempt to reform; but even this difficulty + the mild and and powerful character of HOWARD accomplished.</p> + + <p>"In one of our Western gaols, he found an unhappy female loaded with + heavy irons: on his appearance she entreated him to obtain for her the + removal of these galling fetters. Upon enquiry, he found that many + endeavours had been made to keep this turbulent offender in proper + subjection without the severity of chains; but, after repeated promises of + amendment on milder treatment, she had obliged the keeper to have recourse + to this extreme by relapsing into the most flagrant and insufferable + contempt of decency and order. Upon this information, HOWARD said mildly to + the unhappy criminal, 'I wish to relieve you, but you put it out of my + power; for I should lose all the little credit I have, if I exerted it for + offenders so hardened and so turbulent.' 'I know,' replied the intractable + delinquent, 'I know that I have a proud and rebellious spirit; but if I give + a promise to so good a man as you are, I can and I will command it.' On this + firm assurance of reformation, the benevolent HOWARD became a kind of surety + for her future peaceable conduct on the removal of her irons; and he had the + inexpressible delight to find, on his next visit to the prisoners of this + gaol, that the outrageous and ungovernable culprit, for whom he had ventured + to answer, was become the most orderly among them.</p> + + <p>"I could wish, for the moral interest of mankind, that it were possible + to obtain a minute account of the services rendered to the calamitous spirit + of many a forsaken individual by the singular charity of HOWARD. What could + be more instructive than to observe how his Beneficence encreased by its + exertion and success; while his desire of befriending the wretched became, + as it were, the vital spirit that gave strength and duration to his own + existence!</p> + + <p>"If we contemplate with pleasure the singular re-establishment of bodily + health, which HOWARD derived from his active philanthropy; it may be still + more pleasing to recollect, that it also afforded him an efficacious + medicine for an afflicted mind. Perhaps it was to shew the full efficacy of + this virtue in all its lustre, that Heaven allotted to this excellent + personage a domestic calamity, which appears (to borrow an expression from a + great writer) 'of an unconscionable size to human strength.'</p> + + <p>"That capricious and detestable spirit of Detraction, which on Earth + never fails to persecute superior Virtue, has not scrupled to assert that + the affliction, to which I allude, was the mere consequence of paternal + austerity. The Earth itself, though frequently accused of being eager to + receive ideas that may abase the eminent, could hardly admit a calumny so + groundless and irrational. In this purer spot it is utterly needless to + prove the innocence of an exalted being, to whom we are only solicitous to + pay that sincere tribute of praise and veneration which we are conscious he + deserves. In truth, this admirable Character seemed to illustrate the + philosophical maxim, that mildness is the proper companion of true + magnanimity. He had a gentleness of manners, that was peculiar to himself; + and, instead of possessing such imperious severity of spirit as might + produce the calamity I allude to, he was really endued with such native + tenderness of heart as must have sunk under it, had he not found in the + unexampled services that he rendered to the world, an antidote to the poison + of domestic infelicity. It is among the most gracious ordinances of + Providence, that man is sure to find the most powerful relief for his own + particular afflictions, in his endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of + others. And permit me to add, it is this beneficent law of our nature, that + gives a peculiar charm and dignity to the Medical Profession; a profession + singularly endeared to the affectionate HOWARD! not only as its + compassionate and active spirit was the guide of his pursuits, but as one of + its prime ornaments was his favourite associate and his bosom-friend. If + different classes of men are to vie with each other, as it may certainly + become them to do, in rendering various honours to this their matchless + Benefactor; I hope we shall display, with the most affectionate spirit, the + deep interest that we ought to take in his glory. I think it very desirable + that every Physician should possess a Medal of HOWARD, not only to shew his + veneration for the great Philanthropist, but to derive personal advantage + from such a mental Amulet, if I may hazard the expression. Most of us, in + the exercise of Medicine, feel at particular moments that our spirits are + too sensibly affected by the objects we survey; that scenes of misery and + infection depress and alarm: at such a time how might it rekindle the energy + of our minds to contemplate a little effigy of HOWARD! to recollect, that + all the trouble and danger that we encounter, in the practice of a lucrative + profession, are trifling in the extreme, when compared to the labour and the + peril, which this wonderful man most willingly took upon himself, without + looking forward to any reward but the approbation of Heaven!</p> + + <p>"I mention not a Medal as a new idea—it has been already in + contemplation; and a motto for it suggested, which applies with such + singular force and propriety to the person whom it is designed to + commemorate, that perhaps the wide range of classical literature could not + afford another passage so strikingly apposite to a character so + extraordinary—</p> + + <div class="poem"> + <p>"Stupuere patres tentamina tanta,</p> + + <p>Conatusque tuos: pro te Reus ipse timebat."—</p> + </div> + + <p>"I must confess, however, that I wish for another, which may seem to bind + him more closely to us in a medical point of view. But it is time to leave + the different members of our Fraternity at full liberty to propose any marks + of distinction that they wish to suggest.—It is sufficient for me to + have reminded you of a truth, which I am confident we all equally feel, + that, while we justly consider ourselves as students in the extensive school + of Humanity, it becomes us to look up to HOWARD, with a laudable veneration, + as the Prince and Patron of our Order."</p> + + <p>On the conclusion of this discourse, my Guides immediately conducted me, + with their former celerity and kindness, to the only remaining Structure. It + was the most extensive, and, from the hallowed majesty of its appearance, + the most admirable of the three. In approaching it, I paused a moment in + aweful surprise at the solemnity of the fabrick: the most lovely and + communicative of my two aetherial conductors smiled upon me, and said, "You + will find here Ministers of GOD from every Christian country; but only those + who consider Evangelical Charity as the essence of true Religion, and who + are disposed to honour, in the favourite object of your veneration, the most + signal example of that virtue, which the present age has beheld." "I hope + then," I eagerly replied, "I shall have the delight of hearing, on this + occasion, the most eloquent of our English Bishops." On this exclamation, my + kind informer regarded me with that lively and soothing air with which + intelligent Benevolence corrects mistaken simplicity, and thus continued to + instruct me with united vivacity and tenderness.</p> + + <p>"Earthly distinctions, you know, are of little moment in the sight of + Heaven. You will hear no Prelate; and perhaps you may feel surprised and + indignant, when you observe how very few of your Mitred Countrymen are to be + seen in this Assembly; but you will not retain in this hallowed spot that + most common of human infirmities, a tendency to censure or to suspicion. You + will recollect that this Convocation contains only those charitable men, who + are peculiarly disposed to honour your recent model of this Christian + virtue. Other good men may exist, who, from motives of innocent mistake, or + of mere inadvertency, may fail to exhibit that animated regard to his + exemplary character, which assuredly it has merited from all men, and which + the Ministers of Religion may most properly display.</p> + + <p>"One of these," continued my Director, "you are now going to hear; not, + indeed, a Dignitary of your Church, yet a Divine of Talents, Learning, and + Charity. He was led, by a laudable warmth of heart, to suggest to your + Country the first idea of paying a public tribute of veneration to the + signal virtue of Howard; and has acquired from this circumstance a title to + commemorate here the merit, to which he was eager to render such early + justice on earth. But it is time for us to attend him."</p> + + <p>We immediately entered the temple; and I beheld an Ecclesiastic rising at + that moment to address a very numerous Assembly of his order, that seemed to + contain Christians of every sect, and Ministers of every degree. The person + preparing to speak was distinguished by a majestic comeliness of person, + though he appeared to have passed the middle age of life; and with a + powerful elocution he delivered the following discourse.</p> + + <p>"The Righteous are bold as a Lion."</p> + + <p>Proverbs, chap, xxviii, ver. i.</p> + + <p>"In these few words, my brethren, we have a passage of Scripture, that + served as a favourite maxim, or leading truth, to the admirable personage + whose glorious qualities it is now both my duty and my delight to recall to + your remembrance. The words, indeed, are so consonant to that exalted spirit + which his life displayed, that they almost appear to me an epitome of his + character. Let us consider Courage as one of his principal endowments! To + contemplate so pure and resolute a being in this point of view, may lead us + to form just ideas on the true nature of this primary virtue, on the sacred + source from whence it should proceed, and the sublime end to which it should + aspire. How large a portion of folly, vice, and wickedness, have arisen from + mere mistakes concerning this most important of human qualities! so + important, that the real dignity of man can only rise in proportion as this + virtue is perfectly understood, and properly cherished! In the same + proportion, let me add, our courageous Philanthropist will be found entitled + to the praise of every upright mind, to the homage of every feeling + heart.</p> + + <p>"If we take the word Courage" in the most common and simple sense of that + term, as a generous and noble contempt of personal hardship and danger; who + has given more numerous or more striking examples of such brave contempt! Or + if we follow the definition of Courage given us by a profound, an eloquent, + and philanthropic Writer, namely, that it is a just estimate of our own + powers; who is there among the most signal Benefactors of mankind, not + professedly inspired, that ever formed an estimate of what he might achieve + in the most glorious field of enterprize, at once so difficult, and so true, + so humble, and so grand.</p> + + <p>"With every apparent disadvantage, Howard conceived it possible that his + endeavours might correct the abuses, and mitigate the sufferings of men, in + various nations of the world. Whence happened it, that a mortal, so visibly + weak and gentle, shrunk not from an idea so pregnant with difficulty and + peril! It was because, 'The Righteous are bold as a Lion.' It was because he + felt the strongest internal conviction of this animating truth, that, while + Heaven blesses a man with health sufficient to pursue a benevolent and + magnanimous design, the vigour of his mind, and most probably his powers of + doing good, will be proportioned to the firmness of his faith, and the + sincerity of his virtue.</p> + + <p>"Many achievements of beneficent Courage have undoubtedly been + accomplished by men influenced by no motive but that generous love of glory + which is so frequently the predominant passion of an active and ardent mind: + but the virtues that arise from this source are as unsteady, and as + precarious, as the reward they pursue. He who acts only as a candidate for + the applause of mankind, will find his spirit vary with all the variations + in the ever-changing atmosphere of popular opinion. He will be subject to + hot and cold fits of action and inactivity, of confidence and distrust, in + proportion as the illusive vapour, that he follows, may either sparkle or + fade before him. Hence proceeded much of that inconsistency and weakness, + which appear in some of the most enlightened, and exalted characters of the + Pagan world.—Wanting a purer light from Heaven, the most radiant + spirits of antiquity were bewildered; one in particular, the mildest and + most undaunted of antient Worthies, who had a sufficient portion of heroic + philanthropy to prefer the benefit of mankind to every selfish + consideration, had yet his hours of diffidence and despondency. On a final + review of his own generous labours, he is supposed to have questioned the + very existence of Virtue, though he had made it the idol of his life; a + striking proof, that the temperate and invariable energy of soul, which + alone perhaps deserves the name of true Courage, can only proceed from a + fuller knowledge and love of GOD; from the animating assurance, that, + however we may prosper or fail in the earthly success of our endeavours to + do good, the merit of the attempt is registered in Heaven; and we secure to + ourselves the everlasting approbation of our Almighty Parent, in proportion + as we approach towards that blessed model of Perfect Benevolence, who has + taught us, by his divine example, to compassionate and to relieve the + sufferings of the wretched. From this source flowed the courageous + beneficence of HOWARD: and how delightful it is to observe that the force, + the extent, the utility, and the lustre of the stream, has gloriously + corresponded to the height and purity of the fountain!</p> + + <p>"The Sensualist and the Sceptic may, indeed, deride the conduct of a man, + who sacrificed all the common pleasures of life, and sought for no + recompence but in the favour of Heaven. It may be said that an illusive + fervor of mind has hurried men, in all periods of the world, into singular + and wild exertions, which excite the wonder of the passing hour, and are + afterwards either deservedly forgotten, or only recalled to notice by Reason + and Philosophy, to caution the restless and impetuous spirit of man against + all similar excesses.</p> + + <p>"But the pursuits of Howard, though they had all that sublime energy + which so often distinguished the projects of Superstition, were so far from + being influenced by any superstitious propensity, that perhaps they cannot + appear to more advantage than by being brought into comparison, or contrast, + not with the sluggish piety of sequestered Monks, but with the bold and + splendid feats of the most active and enterprising Fanaticism. Allow me, + therefore, to recall to your thoughts those distant ages, when every ardent + spirit in Christendom was inflamed with a passionate desire to deliver the + Christian pilgrims of Palestine from the oppression of Infidels! Figure to + yourselves the whole force of Europe collecting its violence, like a + troubled sea, and preparing to pour a terrific and destructive inundation + over the Holy Land! Behold the strong and the weak, the ambitious and the + humble, pursuing the same object! Behold assembled Kings and their People, + Soldiers and Priests, the servants of Earth and Heaven rushing, with equal + ardour, to rescue the Sepulchre of Christ, and to drown all the innumerable + enemies of their Faith in an universal deluge of blood! In this scene we + have the sublimest spectacle, perhaps, that was ever exhibited by mistaken + piety and misguided valour. The love of God, by which this heroic multitude + was professedly impelled, was probably in many minds as sincere as it was + ardent. The religious spirit of their enterprize can still animate and + transport us in the song of the Poet: and in the more rational page of + History, while we justly lament the errors of their devotion, we admire the + force and perseverance of their courage.</p> + + <p>"To the sublime fortitude of these collected warriors, let us compare the + mild magnanimity of HOWARD. Let us survey him setting forth for an + expedition as perilous as theirs; not as the Soldier of Fanaticism, but as + the Pilgrim of Humanity! Attachment to GOD, and resolution which no + hardship, no danger, no difficulty can daunt, are equally conspicuous in the + sanguinary Fanatic and the compassionate Philanthropist: but how widely + different are the prime earthly objects of their pursuits! The fierce + Crusaders invaded Asia with a desire to exterminate the Infidels. The + benevolent HOWARD was led into the same quarter of the globe, and into + perils more deadly than those of war, by a wish to exterminate, or rather to + restrain, the ravages of that terrific enemy to human life, the Plague.</p> + + <p>"He had conceived an idea, that, as this most alarming of mortal maladies + has been often strangely neglected by the sluggish and superstitious + inhabitants of the East, it might be possible by a calm and courageous + examination of its nature and its progress, to set limits to its rage; and + particularly to secure his own country from a future visitation of a + calamity, against which the fearless and eager spirit of Commerce appears + not to have established a sufficient precaution. For the prospect of + accomplishing public good, so devoutly to be wished, he nobly thought it a + trifling sacrifice to hazard the little remnant of his advanced life; and, + however men or nations may differ in policy or religion, whereever there is + a human spirit sufficiently pure and enlightened to estimate public virtue, + the sentiments and the conduct of HOWARD must secure to his memory the + fondest veneration. There is a perfection and felicity in his character that + appears supremely laudable in every point of view. If, abstracted from all + religious considerations, we regard him only as a citizen who devoted + himself to the service of his country, the brightest records of Antiquity + afford us no parallel to his merit. Had he lived in those early times, the + generous enthusiasm of the antient world would have idolized his name. + Philosophy and Genius would have found, in his benevolent labours, the most + ample theme for instruction, and the purest subject for universal + panegyrick. They would have celebrated him as a benefactor to mankind, who + had built a new portico to the Temple of Glory superior to the dome itself. + They would have preferred the beneficent Philanthropist to the dazzling + Conqueror, to the fascinating Demagogue, to the attractive Sophist; and all + the various idols of public praise. But as Antiquity exhibits no character + of such unclouded lustre, we have great reason to conclude, that such a + character could owe its existence only to the pure and sublime spirit of our + Christian Faith. Let us, therefore, contemplate HOWARD as a Christian! it is + by considering him in this light, that we shall feel ourselves most happily + related to his virtues, and most delightfully interested in the honours they + receive.</p> + + <p>"In the poor and calamitous objects of his regard, in the gentleness and + purity of his manners, in his modest and magnanimous refusal of earthly + honours, in the wide extent and courageous perseverance of his charity, we + cannot fail to discern how richly he was endowed with the genuine spirit of + that pure and sublime Religion which has the divine prerogative of + converting weakness into strength, and of giving to Humility the influence + of Power. There is not a feature in the character, there is hardly an action + in the life of this exemplary personage, that does not mark him as a true + servant of CHRIST. And may we not presume the blessed Author of our faith, + in supplying us in these dissolute times with a recent example of such + astonishing and unlimited beneficence, is graciously pleased to afford us a + new motive to prize and to cherish that animating faith, which could form, + in an age like the present, a character so wonderfully entitled to the + veneration of the world? The spirit of Christianity is so visible in the + conduct of HOWARD, that the prime objects of his attention might be thought + to have been suggested to him by the very words in which our blessed Lord + announces to the heirs of eternal glory the source of their + beatitude—'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared + for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungry, and ye gave + me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took + me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in + prison, and ye came unto me.'</p> + + <p>"Is it possible for us, my Brethren, to recall to our memory these holy + words without feeling at the same time, in the most forcible degree, all the + Christian merits of HOWARD? Can we fail to admire and to venerate the + unexampled ardour, purity, and perseverance, with which he exercised the + peculiar virtue so distinguished by our Lord?—While we behold him + sublimely pre-eminent in this Christian perfection, shall we not cherish the + delightful idea, that his heavenly rewards will be finally adequate to his + unrivaled labours on earth? Shall not those who have loved him exult in the + persuasion, that in that great and aweful day, when the living and the dead + are to receive their everlasting doom; when the princes and the great ones + of the earth may be confronted with those whom they have persecuted and + oppressed, or whom they have failed to relieve; when the proudest Sons of + Learning, Genius, or Wit, may shrink at the superior lustre of those whom + they have ridiculed and reviled; HOWARD will shine encircled by thousands, + who will gratefully plead for his beatitude in those blessed words of our + Redeemer, 'I was in prison, and he came unto me!'</p> + + <p>"Yes, my Brethren, the day will assuredly come, when the servant so + signally faithful will be called to a reward, surpassing the utmost reach of + our conception, by the voice of his Righteous Master—then, and then + only, will praise be fully proportioned to his transcendant merit; when this + consummate Christian is raised to glory by the glorified Messiah, when his + pure spirit exults in the commendation of his GOD.</p> + + <p>"The imperfect efforts, that mankind may make to do honour to such a + Being, cannot, indeed, so much promote his glory, as they may conduce to the + interest of human nature. Subject as it has been to the wildest excesses, + human panegyric, in all its shapes, may be safely devoted to a personage, + whom it is hardly possible to praise with sincerity, without feeling our + disposition improved. In a beneficent, a sublime, and truly religious + character, there is a sort of magnetic virtue, which to those who are + affectionately drawn towards it, though only in idea, communicates a portion + of itself. Hence arises, what we cannot too fondly cherish, the delight and + the utility of commemorating departed worth. If its title to commemoration + be justly proportioned to its magnitude, its singularity, and extent; not + only various individuals, but different Nations, will become rivals in + promoting the fame of HOWARD. As the glorious qualities, which his life + displayed, are equally open to the emulation of the great and the humble; + every class of human creatures is peculiarly interested in his praise. If to + honour his memory may be thought to belong to any one community more than to + another; surely, my Brethren, we shall not fail to assume to ourselves so + pleasing a duty, so honourable a distinction. Well, indeed, might the + insulting enemies of our Faith reproach us with a supine and disgraceful + inattention to the real interest of Virtue, and the true glory of Religion, + could we suffer any other order of men to surpass the Ministers of CHRIST in + a meritorious zeal to honour this faithful servant of Heaven, whose life + exhibits a lesson more instructive and sublime than all the eloquence of the + Pulpit! a Christian, who has shewn us, in the most signal manner, how + practicable it is to follow, in succouring the distrest, not only the + precepts, but the example of our GOD."</p> + + <p>In the moment that this benevolent Divine concluded his address to his + attentive brethren, my kind and vigilant Guides removed me from the + temple.—I was now led into a scene entirely different from those we + left. It was an open and verdant plain, with a few elevations in the ground, + that afforded advantageous views of the whole extensive spot. Here, instead + of beholding the Ministers of Peace, I found myself encircled by the + multitudinous votaries of War. It appeared to me that all the military and + all the naval servants of our country were collected together, and each + different division of these well-appointed and well-looking men, that formed + a pleasing spectacle alone, was attended by a crowd of miscellaneous + spectators, more numerous than itself: yet in all this immense multitude + there was no sign of tumult or confusion. They were ranged in such a manner + as to form a wide circular area in the midst of them. I was stationed on a + little eminence within this area; and in the same vacant space I beheld a + party of veteran Commanders, both Military and Naval, who seemed to have + been conferring together, but separated by the direction of my aetherial + Conductors, to address, in different parts of this extensive field, the + different companies assigned to their care. What they respectively said in + their separate departments I was unable to discover, as I only heard + distinctly one gallant Veteran, whose character was particularly dear to me. + This consummate officer has raised himself by merit alone from the humblest + rank of military life to a station of the highest honour and trust. His + modesty is as singular as his fortune: passing close to me, with a gracious + salutation, he approached a very fine orderly corps of foot, who looked up + to him with a sort of filial respect, while he spoke to them the few + following words:</p> + + <p>"As bravery and compassion are the characteristics of good Soldiers, you + cannot want, my friends, any long exhortation from me to honour the memory + of HOWARD; the most resolute and the most compassionate man that has lived + in our time. Though he was not of our profession, as his life was devoted to + mitigate the united horrors of captivity and sickness, those worst of + enemies to the spirit of a soldier, you will undoubtedly feel that he has a + peculiar claim to our most grateful and generous regard."</p> + + <p>This speech was followed by a burst of acclamation from those to whom it + was particularly addressed. Similar shouts of applause resounded from + different quarters of the spacious field, while our aetherial attendants, + Gratitude and Admiration, who followed each speaker at the close of each + address to different divisions of this innumerable assembly, displayed, to + each division in its turn, an extensive sketch of a simple but magnificent + mausoleum to the memory of Howard, in the form of an English lazaretto. On + the first display of this striking and worthy monument, the applauding + multitude seemed to exult in the prospect of its completion. But I soon + observed, to my inexpressible concern, that while Gratitude and Admiration + were busy in exciting the various ranks of the vast assembly, to accomplish + this favourite design, they were followed by two earthy fiends of a dark and + malignant influence: these were Detraction and Indifference, who shed such a + chill and depressive mist around them, that all the ardour of the Assembly + seemed to sink. Among the miscellaneous crowds that were visible between the + divisions of the martial host, there ran a murmur of obloquy and derision + against the pure object of public veneration. He was reviled as a whimsical + Reformer, and a rash Enthusiast, who had absurdly sacrificed his life in a + vain and fantastic pursuit. This base spirit of calumnious malignity was not + communicated to any one division of the martial multitude; but the universal + zeal for the glory of HOWARD seemed to be almost annihilated; even Gratitude + and Admiration appeared to grow faint in their darling purpose. During their + languor, they suffered their sketch of the Mausoleum to be gradually stolen + from their hands, and to drop upon the ground. At this moment a sudden and + violent earthquake was felt through all the extensive scene. The centre of + the vacant area opened—it threw forth a phantom terrific and + enormous—its magnitude seemed to grow upon the sight; its lineaments + were shrouded from our view by an immense mantle, on which were represented + a thousand different and hideous images of Death. Its name was + Contagion—it rushed forward with an indescribable movement. Dismay and + confusion overwhelmed all that quarter of the crowded scene, that was + particularly threatened by its first advance. The affrighted multitude + rolled back like a tumultuous sea. The horrid spectre stopt; and left a wide + interval between itself and the retiring host. A ray of heavenly light + illumined the vacant space. I fixed my eye on the brilliant spot, and soon + beheld the meek and gentle form of HOWARD advancing, without fear or + arrogance, towards the terrific Phantom. With an untrembling hand he seized + the dark folds of its extensive mantle, and seemed animated with the hope of + annihilating the Monster. In the instant, a burst of celestial splendor was + spread over the gloomy plain. The Angel of Retribution descended; and + snatching the consummate Philanthropist to his bosom, he rose again; while + all the astonished multitude, now reviving from their terror, gazed only on + the celestial apparition; and heard the reascending Seraph thus address the + beneficent spirit now committed to his care:</p> + + <p>"Thou faithful servant of Heaven! thy hour of recompence is come. Justly + hast thou cautioned mankind not to impute thy conduct to rashness or + enthusiasm. Weak and wavering in their own pursuits of felicity, thou wilt + not wonder to see them so in their sense of thy merit, and their zeal for + thy honour: but I am commissioned to bear thee to that All-seeing Power, who + can alone truly estimate, and perfectly reward thy desert. I know that the + praise of beings, inferior to thy GOD, never influenced thy life; but the + homage of good minds is grateful to the purest inhabitants of Heaven; and in + departing from a world so much indebted to thy virtue, let it gratify thy + perfect spirit to foresee, that as long as the earth endures, the most + enlightened of her sons will remember and revere thee as one of her + sublimest benefactors."</p> + + <p>As soon as the divine messenger had ceased to speak, every voice in the + reanimated multitude, that heard him, raised a shout of benediction on the + name of HOWARD. I started in transport at the sound; and the effort that I + made to join the universal acclamation terminated my vision.</p> + + <p>Pardon me, thou gentlest and most indulgent of Friends! that, conscious + as I am of the sincerity with which thy pure mind ever wished to avoid all + exuberance of praise, I yet presume to send into the world such a tribute to + thy virtues as thy humility might reject. Let the motives of the publication + atone for all its defects!</p> + + <p>This little work is made public, not from a vain expectation, or desire, + in the Writer to obtain any degree of literary distinction; for, if his + wishes and endeavours are successful, the world will not know from what hand + it proceeds.</p> + + <p>Thou most revered object of my regard, who art looking down, perhaps, + with compassion on the petty labours of various mortals, now trying to + commemorate thy merit, thou seest that I am influenced by no arrogant + conceit of having praised with peculiar felicity the perfections that I so + ardently admire. No! I am perfectly sensible, that the most worthy memorial + of thy virtues will be found in those pure records of thy public services + which thy own hand has given to the world with all the amiable and affecting + simplicity that distinguished thy character, and in the more comprehensive + composition of some accomplished Biographer, who may have opportunities and + ability to do justice to thy life.</p> + + <p>The chief aim of these few and hasty pages is to recall, at this + particular time, to the liberal spirits of our countrymen that generous + ardour with which they embraced the first idea of a public monument to + HOWARD. While the expence and dignity of that monument are yet unsettled, a + Writer may consider himself as a friend to national honour, who endeavours + to animate his country to the most extensive display of her munificence, and + her gratitude towards the purest public virtue. May she justly remember, + that, to testify a fond maternal pride in such a departed son, to manifest + and perpetuate esteem for such a character, is, in truth, to promote the + interest of genuine Patriotism, of sublime Morality, and of perfect + Religion!</p> + <hr /> + + <h4>FINIS.</h4> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Eulogies of Howard, by William Hayley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD *** + +***** This file should be named 10010-h.htm or 10010-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/1/10010/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Eulogies of Howard + +Author: William Hayley + +Release Date: November 7, 2003 [EBook #10010] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD. + +A VISION. + + + ----to tell of deeds + Above heroic. MILTON. + + +M.DCC.XCI. + + + + +THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD + + +It was my chance to be conversing with a Friend of the benevolent and +indefatigable HOWARD, when our country was first afflicted with the +public intelligence of his death. After our first expression of surprize +and sorrow, we naturally fell into serious and affectionate reflections +on the gentle character and sublime pursuits of the deceased. On these +articles we had no difference of opinion; but in the course of our +conversation a point arose, on which our sentiments were directly +opposite, though we were equally sincere and ardent in our regret and +veneration for the departed Worthy, to whom it related. I happened to +speak of the public honours that, I hoped, a grateful, a generous, a +magnificent Nation would render to his memory. My companion immediately +exclaimed, "that every ostentatious memorial, to commemorate the virtues +of his friend, would be inconsistent with the meekness and simplicity of +the man; that all, who had the happiness of knowing HOWARD, must +recollect with what genuine modesty he had ever retired from the +enthusiastic admiration of those, who had hoped to gratify his ambition +by undeserved applause; that he had really sought no reward but in the +approbation of his conscience and his GOD; that the British Nation, +however eminent for genius and munificence, could not devise any +posthumous honours, or raise any monument, truly worthy of HOWARD, +except in adopting and accomplishing those benevolent projects which his +philanthropy and experience had recommended to public attention for the +benefit of mankind." + +I readily admitted the singular and unquestionable modesty of the +deceased.--I allowed that the noblest tribute of respect, which the +world could render to so pure a spirit, would be to realize his ideas; +but I contended, that other honours are still due to his name; that it +is the duty and the interest of mankind to commemorate his character +with the fondest veneration. I reminded my companion, that although we +were sincerely convinced that no human mind, engaged in great designs, +could be more truly modest than that of HOWARD; yet we had particular +reason to recollect, that he was not insensible to praise. He had once +imparted to us his feelings on that subject with a frank and tender +simplicity, highly graceful in an upright and magnanimous being, +conscious of no sentiment that he could wish to conceal. Indeed, a +sincere and ardent passion for virtue could hardly subsist with a +disdain of true glory, which is nothing more than the proper testimony +of intelligent and honed admiration to the existence of merit: nor is it +reasonable to suppose that the fondest expressions of remembrance from a +world, which he has served and enlightened, can be displeasing to the +spirit of "a just man made perfect;" since we are taught by Religion, +that the gratitude of mankind is acceptable even to GOD. I endeavoured +to convince my companion, that, as the Publick had seen in HOWARD a +person who reflected more genuine honour on our country than any of her +Philosophers, her Poets, her Orators, her Heroes, or Divines, it is +incumbent on the Nation to consult her own glory by commemorating, in +the fullest manner, his beneficent exertions, and by establishing the +dignity of his unrivaled virtue. + +My arguments, and my zeal, made some impression on the mind of my +antagonist; and sunk so deeply into my own, that on my retiring to rest +they gave rise to the following vision. + +I was suddenly transported to the confines of a region, which astonished +me by its loveliness and extent; it was called, The Paradise of true +Glory. As I approached the entrance, my eyes were delightfully +fascinated by two beings of human form, who presided over the portal. +Their names were Genius and Sensibility:--it was their office to gratify +with a view of this Paradise every mortal that revered them sincerely; +and to reject only such intruders as presumed to treat either the one or +the other with the insolence of disdain, or the coldness of contempt: an +incident that I should have thought impossible, from the transcendent +beauty which is visible in each; but, to my surprize, they informed me +it very frequently happened. + +As I readily paid them the unsuspected homage of my soul, I was +graciously permitted to pass the gate.--Immediately as I entered, I was +saluted with a seraphic smile, by two benignant and inseparable Spirits: +these were Gratitude and Admiration, the joint rulers of the +dominion--"You are welcome," said the first, in a tone of angelic +tenderness--"You are welcome to a scene utterly new to your senses, and +in harmony with your heart: you delight in the praises of the deserving: +and you are now wafted to a spot, where those who have merited highly of +mankind are praised in proportion to their desert, and where the praise +of exalted merit is fondly listened to by an extensive human audience, +here purified by our supernatural agency from all the low and little +jealousies of the earth." + +I had hardly answered this pleasing information by a grateful obeisance +to my radiant informer, when I perceived, in a gorgeous prospect that +now opened before us, three structures of stupendous size and superior +magnificence. The first was situated in a grove of olives, and appeared +to me like an ancient temple of Attica, remarkable for massive strength, +and a sober dignity--the second was less solid, but richer in +decoration; and seemed to be almost surrounded by every tree and plant +on which Nature has bestowed any salutary virtue: the third was shaded +only by palms; the form of it was so wonderfully grand and aweful, that +it struck me as a sanctuary for every pure and devout spirit from all +the nations of the globe. + +"These structures, that you survey with astonishment," said one of my +benevolent conductors, "are devoted to what you mortals denominate the +three liberal professions, Law, Medicine, and Theology. Whoever has a +claim to distinguished honour from any one of the three, has a just +encomium pronounced upon his services by the temporary President of that +particular fabrick, in which he is entitled to such grateful +remembrance." "Alas!" I replied, with a murmur that I could not +suppress, "the Man whose well-deserved praises I most anxiously expected +to hear in this region, belonged not to any one of these eminent classes +in human life--he had no profession but that of Humanity." + +"Be patient," said the sweetest of my aetherial guides, with a rebuke +that was softened by a smile of indulgence! "Let not your zeal for the +honour of an individual, however meritorious, make you unjust, or +insensible, to the merit of others! Assume the temper of this region, +where praise is distributed by equity and affection, but where prejudice +and partiality are not allowed to intrude!--Let us advance," continued +my monitor, with an encouraging movement of her hand; "it is time that I +should lead you to the nearest assembly." + +I obeyed with reverential silence; and as I passed the vestibule of the +majestic edifice, my heart panted with an aweful expectation of +beholding the shades of Solon, Lycurgus, and other departed Legislators, +from the various nations of the world. I was chearfully surprized by a +very different spectacle. + +The capacious structure was filled with a concourse of living mortals, +lively, yet respectable in their appearance, evidently belonging to +many countries; but all, as I perceived by their habits, connected with +the Law. Throughout all the multitude I heard no sound of dissention or +debate: but over all there reigned an air of intelligence and sympathy, +while all were hushed in silent expectance, and eager attention, with +their eyes directed to an elevated tribunal:--On this a personage was +sitting, whose majestic figure I immediately recollected. His +countenance is marked with that austerity and grandeur, which are the +external characteristicks of Law herself. His heart, as those who know +it ultimately declare, expresses the tender and beneficent influence of +that Power, who is the acknowledged parent of security and comfort. With +a voice that pervaded the most distant recesses of the extensive dome, +and in tones that sunk deep into the bosom of every auditor, he +pronounced the following oration: + +"After passing many years of life in the painful investigation of human +offences, it is with peculiar satisfaction that I find myself +commissioned to commemorate, in this Assembly, a character of virtue +without example--a character, at once so meek and so sublime, that, if a +feeling spirit had been poisoned with misanthropy from too close a +contemplation of mortal crimes, this character alone might serve as an +antidote to the word of mental distempers, and awaken the most callous +and sarcastic mind to confess the dignity of our Nature, and the +beneficence of our God. In stating to you the merits of HOWARD, I might +expatiate with delight on the various qualities of this incomparable +man; I might trace his progress through the different periods of a life +always singular and always instructive. I could not be checked by any +fear of overstepping the modesty of Truth in the celebration of Virtue, +so solid and so extensive, that the malevolence of Envy could not +diminish its weight, the fondness of Enthusiasm could not amplify its +effects. But I must not forget that there are professional limits to my +discourse. It is incumbent on me to confine myself to a single object, +and to dwell only on those public services, that peculiarly endear the +name of Howard to the liberal and enlightened community in which I have +the honour to preside. + +"It was in the capacity of a Minister to Justice, that the pure spirit, +whom it is my glory to praise, first conceived the idea of those +unrivaled labours that have rendered his memory a treasure to mankind. +In discharging a temporary office, that exposed to him the condition of +criminals, he was led to meditate on the evils which had grievously +contaminated the operations of Justice. He perceived that Law herself, +like one of her most illustrious Delegates (I mean the immortal Bacon), +was grossly injured by the secret and sordid enormities of her menial +servants: that Captivity and Coercion, those necessary supporters of her +power, instead of producing good, often gave birth to mischiefs more +flagrant, and more fatal, than those which they were employed to +correct. He found, even in the prisons of his own humane and enlightened +country, an accumulation of the most hideous abuses: he found them not +nurseries of penitence and amendment, but schools of vice and impiety; +or dens of filth, famine, and disease: not the seats of just and +salutary correction and punishment, but the strong holds of cruelty and +extortion. The irons of the prisoner, which he only beheld, entered into +his soul, and awakened unextinguishable energy in a spirit, of which +companion and fortitude were the divine characteristicks. In the noble +emotions of pity for the oppressed, and of zeal for the honour and +interest of civilized society, he conceived perhaps the sublimest design +that ever occupied and exalted the mind of man, the design to search and +to purify the polluted stream of Penal Justice, not only throughout his +own country, but through the various nations of the world. How low, how +little, are the grandest enterprizes of Heroic Ambition, when compared +with this magnanimous pursuit! How frivolous and vain are the highest +aims of Fancy and Science, when contrasted with a purpose so +beneficently great! But, marvellous as the magnitude of HOWARD'S +enterprise appears, on the slightest view that magnitude becomes doubly +striking, when we contemplate at the same time the many circumstances +that might either allure or deter him from the prosecution of his idea. +Consider him as a private gentleman, possessed of ease and independence, +accustomed to employ and amuse his mind in retired study and +philosophical speculation; arrived at that period of life, when the +springs of activity and enterprize in the human frame have begun to +lose their force! consider that his health, even in youth, had appeared +unequal to common fatigue! his stature low! his deportment humble! his +voice almost effeminate! Such was the wonderful being, who relinquished +the retirement, the tranquillity, the comforts, that he loved and +enjoyed, to embark in labours at which the most hardy might tremble; to +plunge in perils from which the most resolute might recede without a +diminution of honour. Under all these apparent disadvantages, +unsummoned, unauthorized by any Prince, unexcited by any popular +invitation, he resolved to investigate all the abuses of imprisonment; +to visit the abodes of wretchedness and infection; and to prove himself +the friend of the friendless, in every country that the limits of his +advanced life would allow him to examine. Against such an enterprize, +projected by such an individual, what forcible arguments might be urged, +not only by every selfish passion, but even by that prudence, and that +reason, which are allowed to regulate an elevated mind! How plausibly +did Friendship exclaim to Howard, 'Your projects are unquestionably +noble; but they are above the execution of any individual: you are +unarmed with authority; you have the wish to do great good, but the +power of doing little! Consider the probable issue of the +undertaking!--You will see a few hapless wretches, and tell their +condition to the inattentive world; perhaps perish yourself from +contagion, before you have time to tell it; and leave your afflicted +friends to lament your untimely fate, and the ungrateful Publick to +deride your temerity!' What force of intellect, what dignity of soul +were required to prevent a mortal from yielding to remonstrances so +engaging! The divine energy of Genius and of Virtue enabled HOWARD to +foresee, that the sanctity of his pursuit would supply him with strength +and powers far superior to all human authority:--His piercing mind +comprehended that there are enormities of such a nature, that to survey +and to reveal them is to effect their correction.--He felt that his +sincere compassion for the oppressed, and his ardent desire to promote +perfect justice, would serve him as a perpetual antidote against the +poison of fear.--He felt that in the darkness of dungeons he should want +no associates, no guards to defend him against the outrages of detected +extortion, or suspicious brutality.--He felt, that as his purpose was +heavenly, the powers of Heaven would be displayed in his support; that +iniquity and oppression would not dare to lift a hand against him, +though they knew it was the business of his life to annihilate their +sway in their most secret dominion. How admirably did the progress of +his travels evince and justify the pure and enlightened confidence of +his spirit! All dangers, all difficulties, vanish before his gentleness, +his regularity, his perseverance. Insolence and ferocity seem to turn, +at his approach, into docility and respect. Every hardship he endures, +every step he advances, in his wide and laborious career of Beneficence, +instead of impairing his strength, invigorates his frame; instead of +diminishing his influence, increases the utility of his conduct, by +making the world acquainted with the sanctity of his character. Witness, +ye various regions of the earth! with what surprize, delight, and +veneration, ye beheld an unarmed, and unassuming traveller instructing +you in the sublime science of mitigating human misery, and giving you a +matchless example of tenderness and magnanimity! O, England! thou +generous country! ever enamoured of glory, contemplate in this, the most +perfect of thy illustrious sons; contemplate those virtues, and that +honour, in which thy parental spirit may most happily exult!--What +spectacle can be more flattering to thy native, thy honest pride, than +to behold the proudest potentates of distant nations listening with +pleasure to a private Englishman; and learning, from his researches, how +to relieve the most injured of their subjects! how to abolish the +enormities of perverted Justice! To form a complete account of the good +arising to the world from the life and labours of Howard, would be a +task beyond the limits of any human mind: an exact statement of the +benefits he has conferred upon society, could be rendered only by the +attendant Spirit whom Providence commissioned to watch over him, and who +might discern, by the powers of supernatural vision, what pregnant +sources of public calamity he crushed in the seed, and what future +virtues, in various individuals, he may draw into the service of mankind +by the attraction of his example. + +"Of good, more immediately visible, which his exertions produced, there +is abundant evidence in his own country. In the wide circle of his +foreign excursion, what nation, what city, does not bear some +conspicuous traces of his intrepid and indefatigable beneficence! Of the +astonishing length to which his zeal and perseverance extended, we have +the most ingenuous and satisfactory narration in those singularly +meritorious volumes which he has given to the world. In these we behold +the minute detail of labours to which there is nothing similar, or +second, in the history of public virtue; and for which there could be no +adequate reward but in the beatitude of Heaven. An eloquent Enthusiast, +whose genius was nearly allied to frenzy, has expressed a desire to +present himself before the tribunal of the Almighty Judge, with a +volume in his hand, in which he had recorded his own thoughts and +actions: if such an idea could be suitable to the littleness of man, if +it could become any mortal of faculties so limited to make such an +offering to the great Fountain of all intelligence, that mortal must +assuredly be Howard: for where could we find another individual, not +professedly inspired, who might present to his Maker a record of labours +so eminently directed by Piety and Virtue! a book, addressed to mankind, +without insulting their weakness, or flattering their passions! a book, +whose great object was to benefit the world, without seeking from it any +kind of reward! a book, in which the genuine modesty of the Writer is +equal to his unexampled beneficence! The mind of Howard was singularly +and sublimely free from the common and dangerous passion for applause: +that passion which, though taken altogether, it is certainly beneficial +to the interests of mankind, yet frequently communicates inquietude and +unsteadiness to the pursuits of Genius and Virtue. As human praise was +never the object of his ambition, so he has nobly soared above it. There +appear, in different ages upon the Earth, certain elevated spirits, who, +by the sublimity of their conceptions, and the magnanimity of their +conduct, attain a degree of glory which can never be reached by the +keenest followers of Fame--They seek not panegyricks; and panegyricks +can add nothing to their honour. The Eulogies have perished which were +devoted by the luxuriant genius of Tully, and by the laconic spirit of +Brutus, to the public virtue of Cato; yet the name of that illustrious +Roman is still powerful in the world, and excites in every cultivated +mind, an animating idea of independent integrity. The name of Howard has +superior force, and a happier effect. It is a sound, at which the +strings of humanity will vibrate with exultation in many millions of +hearts. Through the various nations that he visited, the mere echo of +his name will be sufficient to awaken that noblest sensibility, which at +once softens and elevates the soul. Every warm hearted and worthy +individual who mentions Howard will glow with an honest, a generous +satisfaction, in feeling himself the fellow-creature of such a man. +Wherever the elegant arts are established, they will contend in raising +memorials to his honour. Indeed, the globe itself may be considered as +his Mausoleum; and the inhabitants of every prison it contains, as +groups of living statues that commemorate his virtue. There is no class +of mankind by whom his memory ought not to be cherished, because all are +interested in those evils (so pernicious to society! so dangerous to +life!) which he was ever labouring to lessen or exterminate. It might be +wished, that different communities should separately devise some +different tribute of respect to him whose character and conduct is so +interesting to all: not for the sake of multiplying vain and useless +offerings to the dead, but to impress with more energy and extent his +ennobling remembrance on the heart and soul of the living. It is hardly +possible to present too frequently to the human mind the image of a man +who lived only to do good. I mean not merely such a resemblance of his +form as Art may execute with materials almost as perishable as the image +of human clay, but such an impression of his soul as may have a more +lasting influence on the life and conduct of his admirers, such as, +diffusing among them a portion of his spirit, may in some measure +perpetuate his existence. + +"By this community, I am confident, such public honours will be paid to +HOWARD, as may be most suitable to the peculiar interest which it +becomes us to take in his glory. What these honours shall be is a point +to be settled by this liberal and enlightened Assembly, which assuredly +will not fail to remember that he suggested to Legal Authority her +omissions and defects with the modest and endearing tenderness of a +Friend; that he laboured in the service of Justice with that +intelligence, fortitude, and zeal, which her votaries cannot too warmly +admire, or too gratefully acknowledge." + +The President arose as he thus ended his speech; and the members of the +Assembly seemed beginning to confer among themselves; but what debates +ensued, or what measure was adopted, I am unable to tell, as my +visionary Guides immediately hurried me to the adjoining Temple. + +This second structure, though less extensive and less solid than the +first, was more attractive to the eye, as it abounded with scientifical +and diversified decorations. The Assembly consisted of men, who appeared +to me equally remarkable for keenness of intellect and elegance of +manners. The seat of pre eminence among them was filled by a person who +possessed in a very uncommon degree these two valuable qualities, so +happily conducive to medical utility and medical distinction. Though +left a young orphan, without patrimony, and obliged to struggle with +early disadvantages, he raised himself by meritorious exertion to the +head of a profession in which opulence is generally the just attendant +on knowledge and reputation. But neither opulence, nor his long +intercourse with sickness and death, have hardened the native tenderness +of his heart; and I had lately known him shed tears of regret on the +untimely fate of an amiable patient, whom his consummate skill and +attention were unable to save. + +Thus strongly prepossessed in his favour, I was delighted to observe +that he was preparing to address the Assembly in the moment we entered. +My celestial Guides smiled on each other in perceiving my satisfaction; +and being placed by them instantaneously in a commodious situation, I +heard the following discourse; which the character I have described +delivered with an ease and refined acuteness peculiar to himself, never +raising his voice above the pitch of polite and spirited conversation: + +"I am persuaded, that every individual to whom I have now the happiness +of speaking, will readily agree with me in this sentiment, that we +cannot possibly do ourselves more honour as a Fraternity than by +considering HOWARD as an Associate: assuredly, there is no class of men +who may more justly presume to cherish his name and character with a +fraternal affection. In proportion as we are accustomed to contemplate, +to pity, and to counteract, the sufferings of Nature, the more are we +enabled and inclined to estimate, to love, and to revere, a being so +compassionate and beneficent. If Physicians are, what I once heard them +called by a lively friend, the Soldiers of Humanity, engaged in a +perpetual, and too often, alas! unsuccessful conflict against the +enemies of life; HOWARD is not only entitled to high rank in our corps, +but he is the very Caesar of this hard, this perilous, and, let me add, +this most honourable warfare. Perhaps the ambition of the great Roman +Commander, insatiate and sanguinary as it was, did not contribute more +to the torment and destruction of the human race, than the charity of +the English Philanthropist has contributed to its relief and +preservation. Of this we are very certain, the splendid and +indefatigable Hero of Slaughter and Vain-glory did not traverse a more +extensive field, nor expose himself more courageously to personal +danger, than our meek and unostentatious Hero of Medical Benevolence. In +point of true magnanimity, I apprehend the spirit of Caesar would very +willingly confess, that his own celebrated attempts to reduce Gaul and +Britain were low and little achievements, when compared to the +unexampled efforts by which Howard endeavoured to exterminate or subdue +(those enemies more terrific) the Gaol Fever, and the Plague. + +"But leaving it to more able and eloquent panegyrists to celebrate the +originality, the boldness, and all the various merit of his +philanthropic exertions, I shall confine myself to a few remarks, and +chiefly professional ones, on his invaluable character. It appears to me +highly worthy of observation, that Howard, before he entered on his +grand projects of Public Benevolence, was subject to those little, but +depressive variations of health which have betrayed many a +valetudinarian into habits of inaction and inutility. Happily for +himself, and for mankind, this excellent person surmounted a +constitutional bias to indolence and retirement. The consequence +sequence was, he became a singular example of activity and vigour. His +powers, and enjoyments of bodily and mental health, augmented in +proportion to the extensive utility of his pursuits. + +"Beneficial as his life has been to the world, his memory may be still +more so. It may prove a perpetual blessing to mankind, if it dissipates, +as it ought to do, a weak and common prejudice, which often operates as +a palsy upon the first idea of a great and generous undertaking. The +prejudice I mean is a hasty persuasion, frequently found in the most +amiable minds, that some peculiar strength of nerve, some rare mechanism +of frame, and extraordinary assemblage of mental powers, are absolutely +requisite for the execution of any noble design. How greatly does it +redound to the true glory of Howard to have given in his successful +labours the fullest refutation of a prejudice, so inimical to the +interest and the honour of human-nature! a prejudice, by whose +influence, to use the words of our great Poet, + + "--The native hue of Resolution + Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of Fear, + And enterprizes of great pith and moment, + With this regard, their currents turn awry + And lose the name of action." + +"The life and character of Howard, if they are justly considered, may +not only annihilate this pernicious prejudice, but tend to establish an +opposite and consolatory truth. His example may shew us, that some +degrees of bodily weakness and mental depression may be most happily +cured by active exertion in the service of mankind. Perhaps there never +existed a more striking proof how far a noble impulse, communicated to +the mind by a project of extensive Benevolence, may invigorate a frame +not equal in health, strength, and stature, to the common standard of +men. It is a prudential maxim of the celebrated Raleigh, that 'Whosoever +will live altogether out of himself, and study other men's humours, +shall never be unfortunate;' a maxim, which the example of Howard might +almost teach us to convert into a medical aphorism by saying, 'Whosoever +will live altogether out of himself, and consult other men's wants, and +calamities, shall never be unhealthy.' It is delightful to those, who +detest the debasing tenets of a selfish philosophy, to see the happy +influence of opposite ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequent +opportunities of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind often +attracts and encreases the malignity of sickness, so an unselfish, a +compassionate spirit has a natural tendency to escape or subdue it. What +can be more pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity of +human-nature, than to see, that the having lost all thoughts of self, +and having acted in direct opposition to selfish principles, has +promoted even the personal advantage of a generous individual? From such +a series of philanthropic labour and peril, as a selfish and timid mind +might esteem it frenzy to encounter, Howard derived not only his +unrivalled and immortal reputation, but the perfect restoration of +enfeebled health; not to mention those high gratifications of the heart +and conscience, which are superior to all the enjoyments both of health +and glory. With such temperance in diet, that his daily food would +appear to most people not sufficient to support the common functions of +life, he chearfully sustained the hardships of long travel, through +regions where travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With a figure, +voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude him from all personal +influence and authority; and with no mental acquisitions, except those +which are common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself not +only universal admiration, but, I may venture to say, the just and moral +idolatry of the world. So invigorating are projects of extensive +Beneficence! so powerful is the energy of Public Virtue! + +"Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence of plain and simple +goodness more strikingly displayed, than in the deference and respect +which this private and meek individual received, not only from foreign +and imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened and atrocious +wretches, on whom Justice herself could hardly make any mental +impression, though armed with all the splendour, and all the violence of +power. Two particular examples of the influence I am speaking of, I +shall mention here, not only as honourable to the prime object of our +regard, but as they may suggest to contemplative minds some useful +ideas, by shewing how far the mere weight of an upright and benevolent +character alone may give to the most callous nerves a trembling +sensibility, and awaken the most ferocious spirit to self-correction. + +"When our indefatigable Visitor of prisons was in Russia, he beheld, in +public, the punishment of the knoot severely administered by a strong +and stern executioner. + +"On the following day he waited on this man, to request from him various +information. The executioner attended him obsequiously; but this +athletic savage, though trained to acts of cruelty, and conscious he had +a legal sanction for the barbarous violence he had exerted, could not +behold without shuddering the meek and gentle Missionary of Compassion. + +"The second and more memorable example of his singular influence +occurred in a prison of his own country, and relates to an outrageous +female delinquent. A corrupt and ferocious woman is, perhaps, the most +intractable fiend that human benevolence can attempt to reform; but even +this difficulty the mild and powerful character of HOWARD +accomplished. + +"In one of our Western gaols, he found an unhappy female loaded with +heavy irons: on his appearance she entreated him to obtain for her the +removal of these galling fetters. Upon enquiry, he found that many +endeavours had been made to keep this turbulent offender in proper +subjection without the severity of chains; but, after repeated promises +of amendment on milder treatment, she had obliged the keeper to have +recourse to this extreme by relapsing into the most flagrant and +insufferable contempt of decency and order. Upon this information, +HOWARD said mildly to the unhappy criminal, 'I wish to relieve you, but +you put it out of my power; for I should lose all the little credit I +have, if I exerted it for offenders so hardened and so turbulent.' 'I +know,' replied the intractable delinquent, 'I know that I have a proud +and rebellious spirit; but if I give a promise to so good a man as you +are, I can and I will command it.' On this firm assurance of +reformation, the benevolent HOWARD became a kind of surety for her +future peaceable conduct on the removal of her irons; and he had the +inexpressible delight to find, on his next visit to the prisoners of +this gaol, that the outrageous and ungovernable culprit, for whom he had +ventured to answer, was become the most orderly among them. + +"I could wish, for the moral interest of mankind, that it were possible +to obtain a minute account of the services rendered to the calamitous +spirit of many a forsaken individual by the singular charity of HOWARD. +What could be more instructive than to observe how his Beneficence +encreased by its exertion and success; while his desire of befriending +the wretched became, as it were, the vital spirit that gave strength and +duration to his own existence! + +"If we contemplate with pleasure the singular re-establishment of bodily +health, which HOWARD derived from his active philanthropy; it may be +still more pleasing to recollect, that it also afforded him an +efficacious medicine for an afflicted mind. Perhaps it was to shew the +full efficacy of this virtue in all its lustre, that Heaven allotted to +this excellent personage a domestic calamity, which appears (to borrow +an expression from a great writer) 'of an unconscionable size to human +strength.' + +"That capricious and detestable spirit of Detraction, which on Earth +never fails to persecute superior Virtue, has not scrupled to assert +that the affliction, to which I allude, was the mere consequence of +paternal austerity. The Earth itself, though frequently accused of being +eager to receive ideas that may abase the eminent, could hardly admit a +calumny so groundless and irrational. In this purer spot it is utterly +needless to prove the innocence of an exalted being, to whom we are only +solicitous to pay that sincere tribute of praise and veneration which we +are conscious he deserves. In truth, this admirable Character seemed to +illustrate the philosophical maxim, that mildness is the proper +companion of true magnanimity. He had a gentleness of manners, that was +peculiar to himself; and, instead of possessing such imperious severity +of spirit as might produce the calamity I allude to, he was really +endued with such native tenderness of heart as must have sunk under it, +had he not found in the unexampled services that he rendered to the +world, an antidote to the poison of domestic infelicity. It is among the +most gracious ordinances of Providence, that man is sure to find the +most powerful relief for his own particular afflictions, in his +endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of others. And permit me to add, +it is this beneficent law of our nature, that gives a peculiar charm +and dignity to the Medical Profession; a profession singularly endeared +to the affectionate HOWARD! not only as its compassionate and active +spirit was the guide of his pursuits, but as one of its prime ornaments +was his favourite associate and his bosom-friend. If different classes +of men are to vie with each other, as it may certainly become them to +do, in rendering various honours to this their matchless Benefactor; I +hope we shall display, with the most affectionate spirit, the deep +interest that we ought to take in his glory. I think it very desirable +that every Physician should possess a Medal of HOWARD, not only to shew +his veneration for the great Philanthropist, but to derive personal +advantage from such a mental Amulet, if I may hazard the expression. +Most of us, in the exercise of Medicine, feel at particular moments that +our spirits are too sensibly affected by the objects we survey; that +scenes of misery and infection depress and alarm: at such a time how +might it rekindle the energy of our minds to contemplate a little effigy +of HOWARD! to recollect, that all the trouble and danger that we +encounter, in the practice of a lucrative profession, are trifling in +the extreme, when compared to the labour and the peril, which this +wonderful man most willingly took upon himself, without looking forward +to any reward but the approbation of Heaven! + +"I mention not a Medal as a new idea--it has been already in +contemplation; and a motto for it suggested, which applies with such +singular force and propriety to the person whom it is designed to +commemorate, that perhaps the wide range of classical literature could +not afford another passage so strikingly apposite to a character so +extraordinary-- + + "Stupuere patres tentamina tanta, + Conatusque tuos: pro te Reus ipse timebat."-- + +"I must confess, however, that I wish for another, which may seem to +bind him more closely to us in a medical point of view. But it is time +to leave the different members of our Fraternity at full liberty to +propose any marks of distinction that they wish to suggest.--It is +sufficient for me to have reminded you of a truth, which I am confident +we all equally feel, that, while we justly consider ourselves as +students in the extensive school of Humanity, it becomes us to look up +to HOWARD, with a laudable veneration, as the Prince and Patron of our +Order." + +On the conclusion of this discourse, my Guides immediately conducted me, +with their former celerity and kindness, to the only remaining +Structure. It was the most extensive, and, from the hallowed majesty of +its appearance, the most admirable of the three. In approaching it, I +paused a moment in aweful surprise at the solemnity of the fabrick: the +most lovely and communicative of my two aetherial conductors smiled upon +me, and said, "You will find here Ministers of GOD from every Christian +country; but only those who consider Evangelical Charity as the essence +of true Religion, and who are disposed to honour, in the favourite +object of your veneration, the most signal example of that virtue, which +the present age has beheld." "I hope then," I eagerly replied, "I shall +have the delight of hearing, on this occasion, the most eloquent of our +English Bishops." On this exclamation, my kind informer regarded me with +that lively and soothing air with which intelligent Benevolence corrects +mistaken simplicity, and thus continued to instruct me with united +vivacity and tenderness. + +"Earthly distinctions, you know, are of little moment in the sight of +Heaven. You will hear no Prelate; and perhaps you may feel surprised and +indignant, when you observe how very few of your Mitred Countrymen are +to be seen in this Assembly; but you will not retain in this hallowed +spot that most common of human infirmities, a tendency to censure or to +suspicion. You will recollect that this Convocation contains only those +charitable men, who are peculiarly disposed to honour your recent model +of this Christian virtue. Other good men may exist, who, from motives of +innocent mistake, or of mere inadvertency, may fail to exhibit that +animated regard to his exemplary character, which assuredly it has +merited from all men, and which the Ministers of Religion may most +properly display. + +"One of these," continued my Director, "you are now going to hear; not, +indeed, a Dignitary of your Church, yet a Divine of Talents, Learning, +and Charity. He was led, by a laudable warmth of heart, to suggest to +your Country the first idea of paying a public tribute of veneration to +the signal virtue of Howard; and has acquired from this circumstance a +title to commemorate here the merit, to which he was eager to render +such early justice on earth. But it is time for us to attend him." + +We immediately entered the temple; and I beheld an Ecclesiastic rising +at that moment to address a very numerous Assembly of his order, that +seemed to contain Christians of every sect, and Ministers of every +degree. The person preparing to speak was distinguished by a majestic +comeliness of person, though he appeared to have passed the middle age +of life; and with a powerful elocution he delivered the following +discourse. + +"The Righteous are bold as a Lion." + +Proverbs, chap, xxviii, ver. i. + +"In these few words, my brethren, we have a passage of Scripture, that +served as a favourite maxim, or leading truth, to the admirable +personage whose glorious qualities it is now both my duty and my delight +to recall to your remembrance. The words, indeed, are so consonant to +that exalted spirit which his life displayed, that they almost appear to +me an epitome of his character. Let us consider Courage as one of his +principal endowments! To contemplate so pure and resolute a being in +this point of view, may lead us to form just ideas on the true nature of +this primary virtue, on the sacred source from whence it should proceed, +and the sublime end to which it should aspire. How large a portion of +folly, vice, and wickedness, have arisen from mere mistakes concerning +this most important of human qualities! so important, that the real +dignity of man can only rise in proportion as this virtue is perfectly +understood, and properly cherished! In the same proportion, let me add, +our courageous Philanthropist will be found entitled to the praise of +every upright mind, to the homage of every feeling heart. + +"If we take the word Courage" in the most common and simple sense of +that term, as a generous and noble contempt of personal hardship and +danger; who has given more numerous or more striking examples of such +brave contempt! Or if we follow the definition of Courage given us by a +profound, an eloquent, and philanthropic Writer, namely, that it is a +just estimate of our own powers; who is there among the most signal +Benefactors of mankind, not professedly inspired, that ever formed an +estimate of what he might achieve in the most glorious field of +enterprize, at once so difficult, and so true, so humble, and so grand. + +"With every apparent disadvantage, Howard conceived it possible that his +endeavours might correct the abuses, and mitigate the sufferings of men, +in various nations of the world. Whence happened it, that a mortal, so +visibly weak and gentle, shrunk not from an idea so pregnant with +difficulty and peril! It was because, 'The Righteous are bold as a +Lion.' It was because he felt the strongest internal conviction of this +animating truth, that, while Heaven blesses a man with health sufficient +to pursue a benevolent and magnanimous design, the vigour of his mind, +and most probably his powers of doing good, will be proportioned to the +firmness of his faith, and the sincerity of his virtue. + +"Many achievements of beneficent Courage have undoubtedly been +accomplished by men influenced by no motive but that generous love of +glory which is so frequently the predominant passion of an active and +ardent mind: but the virtues that arise from this source are as +unsteady, and as precarious, as the reward they pursue. He who acts +only as a candidate for the applause of mankind, will find his spirit +vary with all the variations in the ever-changing atmosphere of popular +opinion. He will be subject to hot and cold fits of action and +inactivity, of confidence and distrust, in proportion as the illusive +vapour, that he follows, may either sparkle or fade before him. Hence +proceeded much of that inconsistency and weakness, which appear in some +of the most enlightened, and exalted characters of the Pagan +world.--Wanting a purer light from Heaven, the most radiant spirits of +antiquity were bewildered; one in particular, the mildest and most +undaunted of antient Worthies, who had a sufficient portion of heroic +philanthropy to prefer the benefit of mankind to every selfish +consideration, had yet his hours of diffidence and despondency. On a +final review of his own generous labours, he is supposed to have +questioned the very existence of Virtue, though he had made it the idol +of his life; a striking proof, that the temperate and invariable energy +of soul, which alone perhaps deserves the name of true Courage, can only +proceed from a fuller knowledge and love of GOD; from the animating +assurance, that, however we may prosper or fail in the earthly success +of our endeavours to do good, the merit of the attempt is registered in +Heaven; and we secure to ourselves the everlasting approbation of our +Almighty Parent, in proportion as we approach towards that blessed model +of Perfect Benevolence, who has taught us, by his divine example, to +compassionate and to relieve the sufferings of the wretched. From this +source flowed the courageous beneficence of HOWARD: and how delightful +it is to observe that the force, the extent, the utility, and the lustre +of the stream, has gloriously corresponded to the height and purity of +the fountain! + +"The Sensualist and the Sceptic may, indeed, deride the conduct of a +man, who sacrificed all the common pleasures of life, and sought for no +recompence but in the favour of Heaven. It may be said that an illusive +fervor of mind has hurried men, in all periods of the world, into +singular and wild exertions, which excite the wonder of the passing +hour, and are afterwards either deservedly forgotten, or only recalled +to notice by Reason and Philosophy, to caution the restless and +impetuous spirit of man against all similar excesses. + +"But the pursuits of Howard, though they had all that sublime energy +which so often distinguished the projects of Superstition, were so far +from being influenced by any superstitious propensity, that perhaps they +cannot appear to more advantage than by being brought into comparison, +or contrast, not with the sluggish piety of sequestered Monks, but with +the bold and splendid feats of the most active and enterprising +Fanaticism. Allow me, therefore, to recall to your thoughts those +distant ages, when every ardent spirit in Christendom was inflamed with +a passionate desire to deliver the Christian pilgrims of Palestine from +the oppression of Infidels! Figure to yourselves the whole force of +Europe collecting its violence, like a troubled sea, and preparing to +pour a terrific and destructive inundation over the Holy Land! Behold +the strong and the weak, the ambitious and the humble, pursuing the same +object! Behold assembled Kings and their People, Soldiers and Priests, +the servants of Earth and Heaven rushing, with equal ardour, to rescue +the Sepulchre of Christ, and to drown all the innumerable enemies of +their Faith in an universal deluge of blood! In this scene we have the +sublimest spectacle, perhaps, that was ever exhibited by mistaken piety +and misguided valour. The love of God, by which this heroic multitude +was professedly impelled, was probably in many minds as sincere as it +was ardent. The religious spirit of their enterprize can still animate +and transport us in the song of the Poet: and in the more rational page +of History, while we justly lament the errors of their devotion, we +admire the force and perseverance of their courage. + +"To the sublime fortitude of these collected warriors, let us compare +the mild magnanimity of HOWARD. Let us survey him setting forth for an +expedition as perilous as theirs; not as the Soldier of Fanaticism, but +as the Pilgrim of Humanity! Attachment to GOD, and resolution which no +hardship, no danger, no difficulty can daunt, are equally conspicuous in +the sanguinary Fanatic and the compassionate Philanthropist: but how +widely different are the prime earthly objects of their pursuits! The +fierce Crusaders invaded Asia with a desire to exterminate the Infidels. +The benevolent HOWARD was led into the same quarter of the globe, and +into perils more deadly than those of war, by a wish to exterminate, or +rather to restrain, the ravages of that terrific enemy to human life, +the Plague. + +"He had conceived an idea, that, as this most alarming of mortal +maladies has been often strangely neglected by the sluggish and +superstitious inhabitants of the East, it might be possible by a calm +and courageous examination of its nature and its progress, to set limits +to its rage; and particularly to secure his own country from a future +visitation of a calamity, against which the fearless and eager spirit of +Commerce appears not to have established a sufficient precaution. For +the prospect of accomplishing public good, so devoutly to be wished, he +nobly thought it a trifling sacrifice to hazard the little remnant of +his advanced life; and, however men or nations may differ in policy or +religion, whereever there is a human spirit sufficiently pure and +enlightened to estimate public virtue, the sentiments and the conduct of +HOWARD must secure to his memory the fondest veneration. There is a +perfection and felicity in his character that appears supremely laudable +in every point of view. If, abstracted from all religious +considerations, we regard him only as a citizen who devoted himself to +the service of his country, the brightest records of Antiquity afford us +no parallel to his merit. Had he lived in those early times, the +generous enthusiasm of the antient world would have idolized his name. +Philosophy and Genius would have found, in his benevolent labours, the +most ample theme for instruction, and the purest subject for universal +panegyrick. They would have celebrated him as a benefactor to mankind, +who had built a new portico to the Temple of Glory superior to the dome +itself. They would have preferred the beneficent Philanthropist to the +dazzling Conqueror, to the fascinating Demagogue, to the attractive +Sophist; and all the various idols of public praise. But as Antiquity +exhibits no character of such unclouded lustre, we have great reason to +conclude, that such a character could owe its existence only to the pure +and sublime spirit of our Christian Faith. Let us, therefore, +contemplate HOWARD as a Christian! it is by considering him in this +light, that we shall feel ourselves most happily related to his virtues, +and most delightfully interested in the honours they receive. + +"In the poor and calamitous objects of his regard, in the gentleness +and purity of his manners, in his modest and magnanimous refusal of +earthly honours, in the wide extent and courageous perseverance of his +charity, we cannot fail to discern how richly he was endowed with the +genuine spirit of that pure and sublime Religion which has the divine +prerogative of converting weakness into strength, and of giving to +Humility the influence of Power. There is not a feature in the +character, there is hardly an action in the life of this exemplary +personage, that does not mark him as a true servant of CHRIST. And may +we not presume the blessed Author of our faith, in supplying us in these +dissolute times with a recent example of such astonishing and unlimited +beneficence, is graciously pleased to afford us a new motive to prize +and to cherish that animating faith, which could form, in an age like +the present, a character so wonderfully entitled to the veneration of +the world? The spirit of Christianity is so visible in the conduct of +HOWARD, that the prime objects of his attention might be thought to have +been suggested to him by the very words in which our blessed Lord +announces to the heirs of eternal glory the source of their +beatitude--'Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared +for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungry, and ye +gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and +ye took me in; naked, and ye cloathed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; +I was in prison, and ye came unto me.' + +"Is it possible for us, my Brethren, to recall to our memory these holy +words without feeling at the same time, in the most forcible degree, all +the Christian merits of HOWARD? Can we fail to admire and to venerate +the unexampled ardour, purity, and perseverance, with which he exercised +the peculiar virtue so distinguished by our Lord?--While we behold him +sublimely pre-eminent in this Christian perfection, shall we not cherish +the delightful idea, that his heavenly rewards will be finally adequate +to his unrivaled labours on earth? Shall not those who have loved him +exult in the persuasion, that in that great and aweful day, when the +living and the dead are to receive their everlasting doom; when the +princes and the great ones of the earth may be confronted with those +whom they have persecuted and oppressed, or whom they have failed to +relieve; when the proudest Sons of Learning, Genius, or Wit, may shrink +at the superior lustre of those whom they have ridiculed and reviled; +HOWARD will shine encircled by thousands, who will gratefully plead for +his beatitude in those blessed words of our Redeemer, 'I was in prison, +and he came unto me!' + +"Yes, my Brethren, the day will assuredly come, when the servant so +signally faithful will be called to a reward, surpassing the utmost +reach of our conception, by the voice of his Righteous Master--then, and +then only, will praise be fully proportioned to his transcendant merit; +when this consummate Christian is raised to glory by the glorified +Messiah, when his pure spirit exults in the commendation of his GOD. + +"The imperfect efforts, that mankind may make to do honour to such a +Being, cannot, indeed, so much promote his glory, as they may conduce to +the interest of human nature. Subject as it has been to the wildest +excesses, human panegyric, in all its shapes, may be safely devoted to a +personage, whom it is hardly possible to praise with sincerity, without +feeling our disposition improved. In a beneficent, a sublime, and truly +religious character, there is a sort of magnetic virtue, which to those +who are affectionately drawn towards it, though only in idea, +communicates a portion of itself. Hence arises, what we cannot too +fondly cherish, the delight and the utility of commemorating departed +worth. If its title to commemoration be justly proportioned to its +magnitude, its singularity, and extent; not only various individuals, +but different Nations, will become rivals in promoting the fame of +HOWARD. As the glorious qualities, which his life displayed, are equally +open to the emulation of the great and the humble; every class of human +creatures is peculiarly interested in his praise. If to honour his +memory may be thought to belong to any one community more than to +another; surely, my Brethren, we shall not fail to assume to ourselves +so pleasing a duty, so honourable a distinction. Well, indeed, might the +insulting enemies of our Faith reproach us with a supine and disgraceful +inattention to the real interest of Virtue, and the true glory of +Religion, could we suffer any other order of men to surpass the +Ministers of CHRIST in a meritorious zeal to honour this faithful +servant of Heaven, whose life exhibits a lesson more instructive and +sublime than all the eloquence of the Pulpit! a Christian, who has shewn +us, in the most signal manner, how practicable it is to follow, in +succouring the distrest, not only the precepts, but the example of our +GOD." + +In the moment that this benevolent Divine concluded his address to his +attentive brethren, my kind and vigilant Guides removed me from the +temple.--I was now led into a scene entirely different from those we +left. It was an open and verdant plain, with a few elevations in the +ground, that afforded advantageous views of the whole extensive spot. +Here, instead of beholding the Ministers of Peace, I found myself +encircled by the multitudinous votaries of War. It appeared to me that +all the military and all the naval servants of our country were +collected together, and each different division of these well-appointed +and well-looking men, that formed a pleasing spectacle alone, was +attended by a crowd of miscellaneous spectators, more numerous than +itself: yet in all this immense multitude there was no sign of tumult or +confusion. They were ranged in such a manner as to form a wide circular +area in the midst of them. I was stationed on a little eminence within +this area; and in the same vacant space I beheld a party of veteran +Commanders, both Military and Naval, who seemed to have been conferring +together, but separated by the direction of my aetherial Conductors, to +address, in different parts of this extensive field, the different +companies assigned to their care. What they respectively said in their +separate departments I was unable to discover, as I only heard +distinctly one gallant Veteran, whose character was particularly dear to +me. This consummate officer has raised himself by merit alone from the +humblest rank of military life to a station of the highest honour and +trust. His modesty is as singular as his fortune: passing close to me, +with a gracious salutation, he approached a very fine orderly corps of +foot, who looked up to him with a sort of filial respect, while he spoke +to them the few following words: + +"As bravery and compassion are the characteristics of good Soldiers, you +cannot want, my friends, any long exhortation from me to honour the +memory of HOWARD; the most resolute and the most compassionate man that +has lived in our time. Though he was not of our profession, as his life +was devoted to mitigate the united horrors of captivity and sickness, +those worst of enemies to the spirit of a soldier, you will undoubtedly +feel that he has a peculiar claim to our most grateful and generous +regard." + +This speech was followed by a burst of acclamation from those to whom it +was particularly addressed. Similar shouts of applause resounded from +different quarters of the spacious field, while our aetherial +attendants, Gratitude and Admiration, who followed each speaker at the +close of each address to different divisions of this innumerable +assembly, displayed, to each division in its turn, an extensive sketch +of a simple but magnificent mausoleum to the memory of Howard, in the +form of an English lazaretto. On the first display of this striking and +worthy monument, the applauding multitude seemed to exult in the +prospect of its completion. But I soon observed, to my inexpressible +concern, that while Gratitude and Admiration were busy in exciting the +various ranks of the vast assembly, to accomplish this favourite design, +they were followed by two earthy fiends of a dark and malignant +influence: these were Detraction and Indifference, who shed such a chill +and depressive mist around them, that all the ardour of the Assembly +seemed to sink. Among the miscellaneous crowds that were visible between +the divisions of the martial host, there ran a murmur of obloquy and +derision against the pure object of public veneration. He was reviled as +a whimsical Reformer, and a rash Enthusiast, who had absurdly +sacrificed his life in a vain and fantastic pursuit. This base spirit of +calumnious malignity was not communicated to any one division of the +martial multitude; but the universal zeal for the glory of HOWARD seemed +to be almost annihilated; even Gratitude and Admiration appeared to grow +faint in their darling purpose. During their languor, they suffered +their sketch of the Mausoleum to be gradually stolen from their hands, +and to drop upon the ground. At this moment a sudden and violent +earthquake was felt through all the extensive scene. The centre of the +vacant area opened--it threw forth a phantom terrific and enormous--its +magnitude seemed to grow upon the sight; its lineaments were shrouded +from our view by an immense mantle, on which were represented a +thousand different and hideous images of Death. Its name was +Contagion--it rushed forward with an indescribable movement. Dismay and +confusion overwhelmed all that quarter of the crowded scene, that was +particularly threatened by its first advance. The affrighted multitude +rolled back like a tumultuous sea. The horrid spectre stopt; and left a +wide interval between itself and the retiring host. A ray of heavenly +light illumined the vacant space. I fixed my eye on the brilliant spot, +and soon beheld the meek and gentle form of HOWARD advancing, without +fear or arrogance, towards the terrific Phantom. With an untrembling +hand he seized the dark folds of its extensive mantle, and seemed +animated with the hope of annihilating the Monster. In the instant, a +burst of celestial splendor was spread over the gloomy plain. The Angel +of Retribution descended; and snatching the consummate Philanthropist to +his bosom, he rose again; while all the astonished multitude, now +reviving from their terror, gazed only on the celestial apparition; and +heard the reascending Seraph thus address the beneficent spirit now +committed to his care: + +"Thou faithful servant of Heaven! thy hour of recompence is come. Justly +hast thou cautioned mankind not to impute thy conduct to rashness or +enthusiasm. Weak and wavering in their own pursuits of felicity, thou +wilt not wonder to see them so in their sense of thy merit, and their +zeal for thy honour: but I am commissioned to bear thee to that +All-seeing Power, who can alone truly estimate, and perfectly reward thy +desert. I know that the praise of beings, inferior to thy GOD, never +influenced thy life; but the homage of good minds is grateful to the +purest inhabitants of Heaven; and in departing from a world so much +indebted to thy virtue, let it gratify thy perfect spirit to foresee, +that as long as the earth endures, the most enlightened of her sons will +remember and revere thee as one of her sublimest benefactors." + +As soon as the divine messenger had ceased to speak, every voice in the +reanimated multitude, that heard him, raised a shout of benediction on +the name of HOWARD. I started in transport at the sound; and the effort +that I made to join the universal acclamation terminated my vision. + +Pardon me, thou gentlest and most indulgent of Friends! that, conscious +as I am of the sincerity with which thy pure mind ever wished to avoid +all exuberance of praise, I yet presume to send into the world such a +tribute to thy virtues as thy humility might reject. Let the motives of +the publication atone for all its defects! + +This little work is made public, not from a vain expectation, or desire, +in the Writer to obtain any degree of literary distinction; for, if his +wishes and endeavours are successful, the world will not know from what +hand it proceeds. + +Thou most revered object of my regard, who art looking down, perhaps, +with compassion on the petty labours of various mortals, now trying to +commemorate thy merit, thou seest that I am influenced by no arrogant +conceit of having praised with peculiar felicity the perfections that I +so ardently admire. No! I am perfectly sensible, that the most worthy +memorial of thy virtues will be found in those pure records of thy +public services which thy own hand has given to the world with all the +amiable and affecting simplicity that distinguished thy character, and +in the more comprehensive composition of some accomplished Biographer, +who may have opportunities and ability to do justice to thy life. + +The chief aim of these few and hasty pages is to recall, at this +particular time, to the liberal spirits of our countrymen that generous +ardour with which they embraced the first idea of a public monument to +HOWARD. While the expence and dignity of that monument are yet +unsettled, a Writer may consider himself as a friend to national honour, +who endeavours to animate his country to the most extensive display of +her munificence, and her gratitude towards the purest public virtue. May +she justly remember, that, to testify a fond maternal pride in such a +departed son, to manifest and perpetuate esteem for such a character, +is, in truth, to promote the interest of genuine Patriotism, of sublime +Morality, and of perfect Religion! + + +FINIS. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Eulogies of Howard, by William Hayley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EULOGIES OF HOWARD *** + +***** This file should be named 10010.txt or 10010.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/1/10010/ + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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