NOTE. The preceding article has occupied more of the present number, than could have been wished, or was at first intended by the editors; but having commenced it, they found, that they could not fairly introduce the author, without giving at least a part of his first letter. The importance of the subject, as a prelude to theological inquiries, and the elegant manner in which it is handled, they hope, will apologize for its length. Their extracts in future from the same work, will be less copious.

MORAL AND POLITICAL RETROSPECT.

AS another revolution of the seasons commences a new year, it may be useful and profitable to take a rapid retrospective view of the changes which have taken place in human affairs.

A survey of continental Europe and its isles, afford nothing consoling to the philanthropist. Man in every corner thereof is degraded, his rights entombed, and the march of the human mind arrested. He is the slave of emperors, kings, and princes, or the dupe of soul-freezing superstition. It requires more faith than even the most enthusiastic friend to man possesses, to believe that a speedy resurrection will be effected from that moral and political death to which he has been subjected.

The rude and uncultivated Russian has improved his condition but little more than the ferocious bear, the native inhabitant of his forests. The chief, who holds despotic sway over that unwieldy empire, has sent forth his savage hords to pillage the territories of the proud and sluggish Ottoman. Much blood has been already shed to gratify the ambition of the two tyrants, but the result yet hangs suspended on the balances of fate.

Sweden, after deposing an imbecile and infatuated sovereign, has bent her neck to another, and yielded to the gigantic power of Russia a valuable portion of her territory, as the price of an ignominious peace.

Denmark and Prussia are now only nations in name, and Poland is blotted from the map of independence. Holland and Switzerland, once the habitations of freedom, Italy and the vast

confederacy of the Rhine, are now tributaries to the Collossal power of France.

Spain, degraded insulted Spain, after being long a prey to contending factions, is at last subjected to the Gallic yoke.

Germany too, has had her eagle clept of his wings, and her independence prostrated in the dust. We have heard, during the last year, a dreadful and prophetic sound. It was the voice of the crash of the bones of her mighty empire, in the jaws of the monster ambition. The conflict was sanguinary, and the havoc prodigious, but ambition glories in such scenes, and revels in the accumulation of human misery.

France, imperial France, is like the sun in the solar system, with her tributary planets revolving round her. Her wonderful chief has rendered her victorious, and by the unexampled energies of his mighty mind, has elevated her to the achmé of military glory. Napoleon has now to do only one thing to obtain the title of liberator of the human race-to part with his power, and lay his trophies at the feet of his country, which would render him greater than a Cincinnatus, a Doria, or a Washington. But alas! it is "hoping against hope," to expect this magnanimous example from one of the most illustrious usurpers

"That ever lived in the tide of time."

The British isles, unhappily for their brave, industrious, and hardy inhabitants, are cursed with a government that is rotten to the very core. The cabinet is now more perfidious and corrupt than in the days of the notorious Walpole. Its murders and its crimes have desolated the four quarters of the globe, and clothed afficted humanity in the habiliments of woe. Defeat and disaster have uniformly attended its extensive and illegitimate projects, and it has brought the nation to premature decrepitude. The navy is still triumphant, and retains the trident of Neptune, but alas! in the hands of a profligate ministry, it has become a dreadful engine of despotism, not only to foreign nations, but also to its own. Land of our forefathers! how sincerely do we pity thy hapless destiny! Instead of a high-minded free people, as you once were, who brought a tyrant to the block, you are degraded by your government, which is preparing a virtuous and moral people to become a nation of free-booters. Arouse, therefore, from your

lethargic slumber, and shake off the vipers who are preying upon your vitals. Imitate the example of your eldest son, the inhabitant of the genial climes of Columbia, who by his valour obtained, and by his virtue inherits, "the birthright and the blessing" of his ancestors.

Asia, once the seat of the arts, and Africa, whose shores, bounded by the Mediterranean sea and the Indian ocean, were consecrated to commerce, as well as the vast continent of South America, are covered with the Cimmerean mantle of the most abominable of religious superstitions, and degraded and enslaved by the iron yoke of despotism. These dreadful monsters, by their united efforts, have almost brutalized nine tenths of the present inhabitants of the globe.

From such scenes, we return with satisfaction to our native land. Here, with sensations of pleasure, mingled with honest pride, we perceive man, with steady and progressive pace, marching on to his high destiny. Civilization and the arts have been gradually travelling from east to west, and we trust have at length fixed their permanent abode within the limits of our rising empire. During the last year, discoveries have been made of immense importance, to the mechanic and the naturalist. Domestic manufactures have progressed in a ratio that is almost unparalleled. While commerce, on the ocean, has been cramped by the cupidity and injustice of the belligerents, we have been calling forth the native resources of our own country, and have opened new channels, in which the genius and capital of our citizens may be profitably employed, within the territorial limits of the United States.

From this hasty and imperfect view, it will appear that we have the most powerful reasons to be animated with the spirit of patriotism, to maintain and defend the inestimable privileges which we enjoy as a nation.

CHARACTER OF THOMAS PAINE.

FROM A LONDON PAPER.

The biography of Mr. Thomas Paine is known; he was of low origin, but even in his youth of a strong, resolute and constant temper. He had from his infancy adopted the opinions he

so successfully promulgated in his manhood. All his literary productions evince an acute, profound, determined mind; his language is simple, accurate and nervous, adapted to all capacities, so pointed and unequivocal, that there is no misconceiving it; he is sententious; his axioms are incontrovertible, and their impression indelible. No human being's efforts have done more for liberty; he made more converts than Sydney or Russel. His "Common Sense" enfranchised America. America was divided into two parties; the argument of this little pamphlet, decided the contest. His "Rights of Man" had nearly a similar effect in England. Innumerable replies have appeared against it; but so weak and futile as to injure the cause they meant to sustain. He reasoned from facts, and his distinction was irresistable, he poured like a torrent and bore down every thing before him; he was prosecuted for his works, but they are so admired they are in every library. He seemed stern and morose, but he was lenient, friendly and benevolent. He instanced his humanity by his resolute vote to save the king's life. The sanguinary Roberspierre never forgave him. In the reign of terror Robespierre imprisoned him, but the apostle of liberty, though in such imminent danger, never retracted his opinions, or solicited mercy; it pleased providence that he should escape this monster. Bold, manly, and fearless, he never concealed his sentiments; positive and inflexible, they never varied. He continued in Paris long after Bonaparte rendered himself supreme in the state, and spoke as freely as ever. He told the writer of this article at Paris, on the peace of Amiens, that he was preparing for America; that he could not reside in comfort in the dominions of Bonaparte; that if he was to govern like an angel, he should always remember that he had perjured himself; that he had heard him swear that France should be a pure republic; and that he himself would die rather than endure the authority of a single individual; he would end his days in America, for he thought there was no liberty any where else. There he soon went, and there he paid the debt of nature; but his memory will never perish.

MARLE.

WITH great satisfaction we announce to the public the discovery of several strata of marle, on Shrewsbury river, in New-Jersey; the value of which is greatly enhanced by the convenience of water carriage. Manure adapted to the soil on the sea board, has long been a disideratum to the farmer, and we congratulate him on a discovery which promises such immense advantages. As to the quality of the marle, the following letter from Mr. Grant, (who is represented to us as a gentleman of superior talents and education, of very considerable experience as an agriculturist in England, and a farmer of great respectability here) will, we presume, be satisfactory to the public.

MR. N. WOODWARD,

SIR,

your

AT desire I have examined the Marle on your premises, at the Bay Shore, and having seen some of it made use of, I am able positively to pronounce it "Shell Marle” of the most superior quality. From an earnest desire to see so valuable a manure generally made use of, I venture to assure my brother farmers, that they can scarcely be at too much expense to procure so lasting and so valuable a material, calculated in fact, for every soil. For more than 40 years I lived in that part of England abounding in Marle, and for many years I made use of it, in large quantities, on my own land, and ever found it to be highly beneficial reasons which, I hope, will apologise for the confident manner in which I pronounce my opinion.

EDWARD B. GRANT.

Shrewsbury, N. F. Dec. 6th, 1809..