CONCLUDING NOTE,

BY

THE EDITOR.

THE Editor of the foregoing collection has the more readily undertaken to publish it, because he thinks human nature has often, of late, been shewn in a light too degrading; and he hopes, from this series of letters, it will be seen, that characters may be good without being unnatural. Sir Charles Grandison himself is sensible of imperfections, and, as the reader will remember, accuses himself more than once, of tendencies to pride and passion, which it required his utmost caution and vigilance to rein in; and many there are who look upon his offered compromise with the Porretta family, in allowing the daughters of the proposed marriage to be brought up by the mother, reserving to himself the education of the sons only, as a blot in the character. Indeed, Sir Charles himself declares to the General, that he would not have come into such a compromise, in a beginning address, not even with a princess.

Notwithstanding this, it has been observed by some, that, in general, he approaches too near the faultless character, which critics censure as above nature; yet it ought to be observed, too, that he performs no one action which is not in the power of any man in his situation to perform; and that he checks and restrains himself in no one instance in which it is not the duty of a prudent and good man to restrain himself.

It has been objected by some persons, that a man less able by strength or skill to repel an affront than Sir Charles appears to have been, could not, with such honour, have extricated himself out of difficulties on refusing a challenge. And this is true, meaning by honour, the favourable opinion of the European world, from the time of its being overrun by Gothic barbarism, down to the present. But as that notion of honour is evidently an absurd and mischievous one, and yet multitudes are at a loss to get over it, the rejection and confutation of it by a person whom, it was visible, the consideration of his own safety did not influence, must surely be of no small weight. And when it is once allowed, that there are cases and circumstances in which these polite invitations to murder may consistently with honour, be disregarded, a little attention will easily find others; vulgar notions will insensibly wear out, and more ground be gained by degrees, than could have been attempted, with hope of success, at once; till, at length, all may come to stand on the firm footing of reason and religion.

In the meantime, they who are less qualified to carry off right behaviour with honour in the eye of common judges, will, however, be esteemed for it by every serious and prudent person; and, perhaps, inwardly, by many who are mean enough to join outwardly in blaming them.

Indeed, when a person hath deserved harsh treatment, his acquiescence under it may generally be imputed to fear alone, and so render him an object at once of hatred and ridicule, hardly possible to be borne; but he who supports a conduct equally offensive, by ever so much brutal courage, though a less contemptible, is a vastly more detestable creaWhilst an upright and harmless man, suppose him ever so timorous, merits rather a kind sort of pity, than violent scorn.

ture.

790

CONCLUDING NOTE, BY THE EDITOR.

But whoever declines forbidden instances of self-vindication, not from fear, but from principle; which is always to be presumed, if his regard to principle be steady and uniform in other things; such a one, however inferior to Sir Charles Grandison in advantages of nature and art, yet, if he shews real greatness of mind in such things, as all men may, needs not doubt but he shall be respected by most, and may be sufficiently easy, though he is despised by some. He will still have the satisfaction of reflecting, that the laws of all nations are of his side, and only the usurped authority of a silly modern custom against him; that, on many occasions, worthy men in all ages have patiently suffered false disgrace for adhering to their duty; that the true bravery is to adhere to all duties under all disadvantages; and, that refusing a duel is a duty to ourselves, our fellow-creatures, and our MAKER. And whoever acts on these principles, the more reproach he undergoes for it, rather than be driven, like a coward, by the scoffs of his fellow-subjects, to rebel against the SOVEREIGN of the universe, will have the more delightful consciousness of a strong inward principle of piety and virtue, and the more distinguished reward from the final Judge of all, who alone disposes of that honour which shall never fade.

It has been said, in behalf of many modern fictitious pieces, in which authors have given success (and happiness, as it is called) to their heroes of vitious, if not of profligate characters, that they have exhibited human nature as it is. Its corruption may, indeed, be exhibited in the faulty character; but need pictures of this be held out in books? Is not vice crowned with success, triumphant, and rewarded, and, perhaps, set off with wit and spirit, a dangerous representation? And is it not made even more dangerous by the hasty reformation introduced, in contradiction to all probability, for the sake of patching up what is called a happy ending?

The God of nature intended not human nature for a vile and contemptible thing: and many are the instances, in every age, of those whom he enables, amidst all the frailties of mortality, to do it honour. Still the best performances of human creatures will be imperfect; but, such as they are, it is surely both delightful and instructive to dwell sometimes on this bright side of things; to shew, by a series of facts in common life, what a degree of excellence may be attained and preserved amidst all the infections of fashionable vice and folly.

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON is, therefore, in the general tenor of his principles and conduct, (though exerted in peculiarities of circumstances that cannot always be accommodated to particular imitation,) proposed for an example; and, in offering him as such, were his character still more perfect than it is presumed to be, the Editor is supported by an eminent divine of our country.

"There is no manner of inconvenience in having a pattern propounded to us of so great perfection, as is above our reach to attain to: and there may be great advantages in it. The way to excel in any kind, is, optima quæque exempla ad imitandum proponere; to propose the brightest and most perfect examples to our imitation. No man can write after too perfect and good a copy; and though he can never reach the perfection of it, yet he is like to learn more than by one less perfect. He that aims at the heavens, which yet he is sure to come short of, is like to shoot higher than he that aims at a mark within his reach.

66

to

It is so highly worth observing, that even the military law of our own country is strongly against duelling, that the Editor cannot help subjoining an extract out of the Articles of War, and recommending the consideration of all military persons. ARTICLE XX. Nor shall any officer or soldier presume to send a challenge to any other officer or soldier, to fight a duel, upon pain of being cashiered, if he be an officer; or suffering the severest corporal punishment, if a non-commissioned officer, or private soldier: and if any officer, or non-commissioned officer, commanding a guard, shall willingly and knowingly suffer any person whatever to go forth to fight a duel, they shall be punished as above; and all seconds also, and carriers of challenges, shall be taken as principals, and punished accordingly.-Nor shall any officer or soldier upbraid another for refusing a challenge; since, according to these our orders, they but do the duty of soldiers, who ought to subject themselves to discipline: and we do acquit and discharge all men, who have quarrels offered or challenges sent to them, of all disgrace, or opinion of disadvantage, in their obedience hereunto: and whosoever shall upbraid them, and offend in this case, shall be punished as a challenger."

CONCLUDING NOTE, BY THE EDITOR.

791

"Besides, that the excellency of the pattern, as it leaves room for continual improvement, so it kindles ambition, and makes men strain and contend to the utmost to do better. And, though he can never hope to equal the example before him, yet he will endeavour to come as near it as he can. So that a perfect pattern is no hindrance, but an advantage rather, to our improvement in any kind."-TILLOTSON, vol. II. Serm. LVII. p. 577.

THE END OF SIR CHARLES GRANDISON.

EDINBURGH:

Printed by James Ballantyne & Co.