cause may all the best be imagined to exist in a library of some thousands. It will be recorded to the eternal infamy of the kings and princes now reigning, or rather of those whose feet put into motion their rocking horses, that they never have made a common cause in behalf of learning, but on the contrary have made a common against it. The earth opened her entrails before them, conjured them to receive again, while it was possible, the glories of their species...and they turned their backs. They pretend that it is not their business or their duty to interfere in the internal affairs of other states. This is not an internal affair of any state whatever: it interests all; it belongs to all; and these scrupulous men have no scruple to interfere in giving their countenance and assistence, when a province is to be torn away or a people to be enslaved. The most contemptible of the Medicean family did more for the advancement of letters than all the potentates now in existence. If their delicacy is shocked or alarmed at the idea of making a proposal to send scientific and learned men thither, let them send a brace of pointers and the property is their own. Twenty men in seven years might retrieve all the losses we have experienced from the bigotry of popes and califs. I do not intend to assert, that every Her culanean manuscript might within that period be unfolded; but the three first sentences of the larger part might be; which is quite sufficient to inform the scholar, whether a further attempt on the scroll would repay his trouble. There are fewer than thirty Greek authors worth inquiring for; they exist beyond doubt, and beyond doubt they may with attention, patience, and skill be brought to light. With a smaller sum than is annually expended on the appointment of some silly and impertinent young envoy, we might recall into existence all, or nearly all, those men of immortal name, whose disappearance has been the regret of Genius for three hundred years. In my opinion a few thousand pounds laid out on such an undertaking would be laid out as creditably as on a Persian carpet or a Turkish tent; as creditably as on a collar of rubies and a ball-dress of Brussells-lace for our Lady in the manger, or as on gilding, for the adoration of princesses and their capuchins, the posteriors and anteriors of saint Januarius. OLIVER CROMWEL AND WALTER NOBLE. CROMWEL. WHAT brings thee back from Staffordshire, friend Walter? NOBLE. I hope, general Cromwel, to persuade you that the death of Charles will be considered by all Europe as a most atrocious action. CROMWEL. Thou hast already persuaded me: what then? NOBLE. Surely then you will prevent it, for your authority is great. Even those who upon their consciences found him guilty, would remitt the penalty of blood, some from policy, some from mercy. have conversed with Hutchinson, with Ludlow, your friend and mine, and with Walter Long: you I |