affliction, he had been driven to excesses in Paris, the cause and effect would cease together, and that in America he should live as he liked, and as he ought to live.

That Mr. Paine had his failings is as true as that he was a man, and that some of them grew on him at a very advanced time of life, arising from the circumstances before detailed, there can be no doubt: but to magnify these, to give him vices he had not, and seek only occasions of misrepresenting and vilifying his character, without bringing forward the great and good traits in it, is cruel, unkind, and unjust.

"Let those who stand take heed lest they fall."-They too, when age debilitates the body and mind, and unexpected trials and grievances assail them, may give into errors that they now vauntingly value themselves in not having. Singularly blest are they who are correct in their conduct; they should be happy and thankful that they are so; and instead of calumnia

ting and being hard upon, should compassionate those who are not.

The throwers of the first stone would indeed be few if the condition were complied with on which it should be cast. That Mr. Paine in his declining years drank more than he should have done, and that he was a little tinctured with avarice, is in some measure true; but, to these errors of his old age, we ought to oppose his being the principal agent in creating the government of the American States; and that thro his efforts millions have now the happiness of sitting at ease under their own vines and their own fig trees; his fair and upright conduct thro life, his honest perseverance in principles which he might have had immense sums for relinquishing, or for for being silent about, his never writing for money or making his works matter of pecuniary advantage to himself, but, on the contrary, as will be exemplified in these memoirs, his firmness in resisting all such emolument and in not listening to the voice of the briber.

Even amidst the violent party abuse of the day there were cotemporary writers who knew how to appreciate Mr. Paine's talents and principles, and to speak of him as he deserved.*

There were also public meetings held, and addresses to him from Nottingham, Norwich, &c. &c. from the Constitutional Society in London, to which belonged persons of great affluence and influence, and some of the best informed, best intentioned, and most exalted characters. From these and from many other bodies of men were published the highest testimonies of thanks and approbation of Mr. Paine and his political works. These addresses and the resolutions of the public meetings may be seen in the papers and hand bills of the day.-We subjoin two from Manchester and Sheffield.

"MANCHESTER.-At a Meeting of the Manchester Constitutional Society, held this day, it was unanimously resolved,

a

"That the thanks of this Society are due to Mr. Thomas Paine, for the publication of "his Second Part of the RIGHTS OF MAN, combining Principle and Practice," work of the highest importance to every nation under heaven; but particularly to this, as containing excellent and practicable plans for an immediate and considerable reduction of the public expenditure; for the prevention of wars; for the extension of our manufactures and commerce; for the education of the young; for the comfortable support of the aged; for the better maintenance of the poor of every

"We are now," says one of these, "to "treat of a real great man, a noble of nature,

one whose mind is enlarged and wholely

"free from prejudice; one who has most use

description; and finally, for lessening greatly, and without delay, the enormous load of taxes under which this country at present labours.

"That this Society congratulate their countrymen at large on the influence which Mr. Paine's publications appear to have had, in procuring the repeal of some oppressive taxes in the present session of parliament; and they hope that this adoption of a small part of Mr. Paine's ideas will be followed by the most strenuous exertions to accomplish a complete reform in the present inadequate state of the representation of the people, and that the other great plans of public benefit, which Mr. Paine has so powerfully recommended, will be speedily carried into effect.

"Mar. 13, 1792.

"THOMAS WALKER, President. "SAMUEL JACKSON, Secretary."

"SHEFFIELD SOCIETY for Constitutional Information.

"This Society, composed chiefly of the Manufacturers of Sheffield, began about four months ago, and is already increased to nearly TWO THOUSAND Members, and is daily increasing; exclusive of the adjacent towns and villages, who are forming themselves into similar societies.

"Considering, as we do, that the want of knowledge and information in the general mass of the people, has exposed them to numberless impositions and abuses, the

fully and honourably devoted his

pen to

support the glorious cause of general liberty

and the rights of man. In his reply to Mr. "Burke's miserable rhapsody in favour of op

exertions of this Society are directed to the acquirement of useful knowledge, and to spread the same, as far as our endeavours and abilities can extend.

"We declare that we have derived more true knowledge from the two works of Mr. THOMAS PAINE, entitled RIGHTS OF MAN, Part the First and Second, than from any other author on the subject. The practice as well as the principle of government is laid down in those works, in a manner so clear and irresistibly convincing, that this Society do hereby resolve to give their thanks to Mr. Paine for his two said publications entitled 'Rights of Man,' Part 1st and 2d. Also

"Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Society be given to Mr. Paine for the affectionate concern he has shewn in his second work in behalf of the poor, the infant, and the aged; who, notwithstanding the opulence which blesses other parts of the community, are by the grievous weight of taxes rendered the miserable victims of poverty and wretchedness.

"Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Society be given to J. HORNE TOOKE, Esq. for his meritorious support of our lawful privileges, as a firm advocate of our natural and just rights, the establishment of an equal representation of the people.

"Resolved unanimously, That this Society, disdaining