slow to impute evil to a neighbour, and will rejoice to have the truth established, and a neighbour's character cleared, though thereby he himself suffers some defeat. Mich. Well, after all, I can't believe that Noakes did his duty as he ought. conduct, an invisible mighty influence, which rectitude and wisdom of its own decisions. few minds can resist. But what is public The conductors of the public journals furnish opinion? Where are we to find it; what fixed the facts, argue from them, and dogmatically principles; what determinate rules of action pronounce their judgment; which by most of does it afford? their constant readers is never called in quesPublic opinion is a very different thing in tion. The writer waxes bolder, the readers Job. What! not believe twelve men on their France and Spain, in Holland and Belgium, in grow more careless and confiding; and by prooath? besides, remember our parson told us that Russia and Poland, in Turkey and China. per tact and management, are gradually brought charity "believeth all things," which he explained What it chiefly concerns us to inquire into is, by their guide to view things from an altered to mean, that a christian man will always be ready public opinion as it exists in England; nor position, in quite a different aspect. to believe all for the best concerning a neigh- will it be easy to define or to describe a thing The immense building in Regent's Park, bour; and he added, that charity hopeth all so wonderfully vague, and subtle, and variable. London, called the Colosseum, contains a vast things, which, he said, meant that a christian Those who are most in the habit of appeal- panoramic view of the great metropolis. In spirit will prompt a man to hope well of ano-ing to public opinion, usually and chiefly form the centre is a circular apartment, into which ther, notwithstanding appearances may be their estimate of it from the periodical press. the exhibitor introduces as large a company as strongly against him; that we should always Does any one suppose that the conductors of he can collect; and after giving them a near put the best construction upon people's con- the periodical press take a calm, accurate, and view of the mimic representation of the great duct, and make all possible allowances for the philosophical survey of all subjects and opi- city, in which they distinctly see the objects circumstances in which they were placed; and nions that come under their review; and after in that part of the streets within the imme he said, that if men were more disposed to deliberately weighing them in the editorial diate view of the spectators, by an ingenious follow this rule, instead of catching at every balance, give the result with infallible precision mechanical contrivance he raises them, room report against a neighbour, and repeating every and wisdom? The periodical writer com- and all, by a gentle and almost imperceptible idle tale with aggravation, that it would tend mences his undertaking with a certain stock of motion to a higher station, from whence the greatly to a man's own comfort as well as to knowledge and with preconceived opinions often former objects are more dimly seen, new ones the peace of the community. I must say I sufficiently scanty, crude, and prejudiced. He are brought into view, and the lights and thought the parson's observations very good, requires no diploma. The integrity of a judge, shades are so artfully managed, as to change and I couldn't help thinking that he was cast- the oath of a juror or a witness, is not exacted the scene, and present the world below in a ing a side look at Noakes's case, and wishing from him; nor have the public any guarantee very different aspect. By a similar process, to abate the heat of public feeling respecting whatever, that the opinions he expresses shall but with much greater power and effect, do that business. Well; now that Noakes is most be true, or the honest convictions of his own periodical writers work the press, so as to elehonourably cleared by a jury of his countrymen mind, or the correct representations of the vate and let down their readers; and perpetu(a jury too all constables as I'm told, and they public mind. His first number generally con- ally to change the aspect of things to the optics ought to know what a constable's duty is) now, tains a promising sketch of the principles by of those whom they contrive to keep within I say, that he has got off so honourably, I think which he professes to be guided. Having their moveable circle. There are few who are that even his prosecutors, if they are men chosen his party, he obtains by degrees a num- so well skilled in this sort of witchcraft, as endued with that charity which" thinketh no ber of readers sufficient to support his paper, William Cobbett. He has been by turns a evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in and makes it his aim to retain their patronage, republican, a tory, and a radical. He passed the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, by narrating and commenting on public events through most of the intermediate gradations of hopeth all things."-If, I say, they are endued and topics in such a manner, as shall accord public opinion, (whatever his private opinion with this spirit, as I trust some of them are, with their opinions and prejudices, and gratify might be) contradicting and refuting himself then, I think, even those who took part in the their tastes and feelings. Those whom he can-at convenient intervals, over and over again. prosecution of Noakes, will rejoice in his not thus conciliate, desert him, and go to en- But he has contrived to shift his scenes with highly honourable acquittal. courage some other more congenial publication. such dexterity, as to exercise a most pernicious Thus, to a certain extent, a newspaper or other and delusive influence over the minds of many periodical work, does indicate the opinions of his countrymen, throughout his long political and sentiments of its readers; from the great life. Opinions which have now a wide and self-styled leading journal, which, as the poet most injurious currency, may be traced to the said of the Monument in London, “Like some tall bully, lifts its head and lies," Mich. Why as for that, Mr. Nott, I don't wish to be uncharitable, and I don't owe this chief of ours any ill will, but I'm afraid that his getting off will encourage other constables to neglect their duty if a row should occur again. incessant labours of this notorious disciple and Job. No fear of that, friend Sharpe; this tutelary patron of Thomas Paine. The suchauling up of Noakes, though attended with no cess of this writer could not fail to produce dishonour to him, but quite the contrary, will down to Bell's and Pierce Egan's chronicles of many imitators; and accordingly the boldness nevertheless be a pretty good warning to all boxing, bull-baiting, cock-fighting, and such of his invectives, his contempt of rank and chief constables and petties too, what they must like; or lower still, the two-penny trash, the authority, his want of respect for character, expect if they don't do their duty; and 'twill be political register, and all the not-to-be-named his shameless misrepresentations, and foula warning to the people at large, that if they tribe of the infidel and republican school, each mouthed slanderous assertions have influenced expect the peace officers to do their duty, they of them is the reputed organ or mouth-piece to an incalculable degree, not only the readers, must stand by 'em and support 'em. of a peculiar shade and gradation of public but the conductors of the periodical press of this country. Writers who were unable to rival the purity and vigour of his style, have outdone even Cobbett in coarseness, sedition, and impiety. It is rather singular that Job Nott, Jun., should find the minutes he made of the above conversation in his drawer just at this time.] PUBLIC OPINION. *If shape it might be called, that shape had none, opinion. But while we hear a great deal of the force of public opinion, we also hear much of the influence of the press. And with good reason, for the press performs the double function It cannot escape observation that the prinof representing public opinion, and of mate- ciples which tend to the preservation of whatrially changing it and further, the same ever is excellent and venerable in the existing press reasoning in a vicious circle, continually order of things, and which alone can secure appeals to opinions which it has been the due melioration in the progress of society; means of bringing to maturity, in proof of the the principles that tend to the maintenance of N. order, submission to lawful authority, the ad- by an affectation of candour, of pity, or of the periodical press exhibit or recommend the vancement of religion and morals, integrity of praise. meekness of wisdom, the humility, which dealing and charity between man and man; The periodical press, as a whole, is appealed should adorn the Christian? Does it display these do not seek to display themselves with to as the chief criterion of public opinion. If or inculcate that charity, which suffereth long the same restless energy, as the antagonist we judge of public opinion from this standard, and is kind, which is not easily provoked, doth principles that produce confusion and every how wide is it from truth. The periodical not behave itself unseemly, thinketh no evil? evil work. It is much more easy to attack press is a shameless exhibition of the worst Happy shall we be, if, by our humble labours, than to defend; to discover faults and imper- passions of the human heart; and it may be we can raise a beacon, that shall cast its faint fections, than to mend them. This public fitly characterized by those words of scripture, but friendly ray athwart the troubled turbid writers know full well. Unprincipled men have which describe the unconverted heart; "de-waters of public opinion, to warn any of you therefore no motive to curb, but rather to in- ceitful above all things; and desperately from the rocks, and shoals, and quicksands, on dulge the low and malignant passions; for a spirit- wicked." Is this an exaggerated statement? which many have made shipwreck; and to stirring abusive attack, like a brawl in the streets, Hear Mr. Jefferson, the most popular and most guide you into a safe and quiet haven. will gather a crowded audience, when wisdom republican President of the United States I propose to resume the subject in a future might lift her voice unheeded. Religion, indeed, "It is a melancholy truth, (says he) that a paper. can be supposed to have little controul over suppression of the press could not more compublic opinion, if we are to take the exhibition pletely deprive the nation of its benefits, than of its principles and precepts by the periodical is done by its abandoned prostitution to falsepress, as the measure of that influence. There hood. Nothing can now be believed which is The book of nature, and the book of revelahave, indeed, been monthly periodical works seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes tion, so truly correspond with each other, devoted to religious intelligence, but among suspicious, by being put into that polluted that the more they are investigated, the more the many newspapers which make their daily vehicle.""I really look with commiseration clearly does it appear that they botli proappeal to the prejudices and passions of the over the great body of my fellow citizens, who ceed from the same Divine Author. Bishop public, there are very few that are con- reading newspapers live and die in the belief, Butler, in his admirable work on the "Anaducted on moral principles; and it is only that they have known something of what has logy of Religion, Natural and Revealed, to very recently that any newspapers or cheaper been passing in the world, in their time; the Constitution and Course of Nature," has periodicals of this class were to be found. Into whereas the accounts they have read in the shewn, by the clearest and most irresistible the pages of the rest, religion is seldom intro- newspapers are just as true, as a history of any reasoning, that all the objections, which superduced but to profane it, to pervert its sacred other period of the world, as of the present. ficial and sceptical writers have alleged against truths, or as an occasion of strife. I will add, that he who never looks into a the Bible, apply with equal force to God's newspaper, is better informed than he who creation and moral government of the world. reads them; in as much as he who knows The scoffer and Deist are thus defeated with nothing is nearer the truth, than he whose their own weapons; and, in addition to an mind is filled with falsehood and errors."Jefferson's Memoirs, vol. iv. THE DEAD SEA. While the whole mass of society is split into different sects and parties, each having organs more or less appropriate for expressing their opinions, there are great questions on which overwhelming force of other evidence, this these sects unite with each other, and bring all additional and comprehensive argument for the organs, which exhibit their opinions, to This is quite as far, and somewhat farther, the truth of revelation is afforded, that the bear with astonishing effect. Party spirit, like than I should be disposed to press the point; same anomalies and difficulties, which, to the poverty, makes men acquainted with strange I am not prepared to say, that the periodical limited and superficial view of the finite and companions; and the unhallowed alliances that press is so radically corrupt and pernicious, doubting mind of man, appear in the Bible, are it forms are not less strange, than the divisions that, because of its gross and flagrant abuses, also to be found in the works of creation and it produces. We find men of various denomi- it were better to extinguish it. There are the course of Providence; and therefore only nations of professing Christians, and Infidels, now a considerable number of prints, that ad- shew their mutual correspondence, and harwho ought to have no more fellowship than vocate better principles, and some that take a mony of design. light and darkness, uniting together at the still loftier, and purer, and holier station. But But, independently of this argument, there point where their prejudices meet. To effect such is its general character, as described by are some striking facts recorded or foretold in this union, it is the professing Christian that one of the most strenuous advocates of liberty the Bible, which are written indelibly on the must stoop from the pure elevation of his reli- of opinion. And the admirers of transatlantic face of creation, and in the history of man. gion, to meet the man of infidelity and sin; institutions will surely not contend, that the Thus the science of geology, which investigates and what, but mischief, disunion, and anarchy, press in America, that favoured abode of free- the formation of the earth in its rocks, strata can proceed from such a coalition. dom and intelligence, is in a worse condi- of soil, mineral productions, vegetable and Consider, further, the artifices of those, who tion than in England. And if such be its animal remains, proves, by a train of reasoning take upon themselves to exhibit public opinion: general character, can the people of this independent of the Bible, but parallel to and How skilled are they in all the arts of misre- country act wisely, or safely, or virtuously, corroborating it, that there are distinct traces presentation. How ingenious in mingling when they adopt its opinions, and yield them- on the earth, of a general deluge, as recorded truth with error, so as to make error more selves to its capricious and violent impulse? in the book of Genesis. The present state of dangerous and deceptive: how cunningly do On you, my friends of the labouring class, the the Jews, a people dispersed and scattered they distort a plain story, by omitting, or in-periodical press practises its worst delusions. as wanderers and outcasts among all the terpolating, just what suits their purpose. It plays with your feelings, it stirs up your nations;-of the descendants of Ishmael in With what bitter animosity do they persecute prejudices, it rouses your worst passions, it Arabia, whose hand is still against every man, their opponents. How speedily do they dis- flatters, it affects to pity you; it diverts you and every man's hand against them;-of the card their favourites; so that the man whom from your proper duties; under pretence of ancient cities of Jerusalem, of Tyre and Sidon, they have worshipped as an idol, shall in one redressing the complaints which it puts into and Babylon; of the ancient kingdoms of Egypt, short week, be pelted in the pillory of their your mouths, and of relieving your distresses, Moab, Edom; all correspond in the minutest most malignant and scurrilous abuse. What it plunges you into far deeper misery, and particulars to the prophetic declarations of slanderous reports do they raise, on the slen- strives to make you the very character it exhi- Scripture concerning them. Modern travelderest foundations; and how well they know bits. Can you be satisfied, or happy, to bear lers, who have visited these countries, have to blast a fair reputation, by hint or inuendo, any resemblance to such a character? Does unconsciously afforded strong confirmation of the Bible, which some of them disbeliever, by simply relating what they saw; so closely do the predictions of the Bible correspond with their narrative of facts. The most signal instance of divine vengeance which followed soon after the flood, was the destruction of the cities of the plain. This terrible judgment which took place about two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ, is referred to repeatedly throughout the Bible, as an event well known to the Jews, and other neighbouring nations. It is mentioned in the books of Moses, by the prophets, by our blessed Lord himself, and by his apostles. A very striking allusion to the destruction of these devoted cities occurs in the book of Isaiah, where the future desolation of Babylon is foretold.—" And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldee's excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, It shall never be inhabited, neither shall the Arabian pitch his tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their folds there." The Dead Sea now covers the accursed plain on which God rained down fire and brimstone from heaven, and its waters bear no resemblance to any other sea in salubrity, constant motion, and magnificence. A modern traveller thus describes it :- The following striking lines, on the same subject, are from the pen of Mr. Croly: THE DEAD SEA. The wind blows chill across those gloomy waves ;- spoke shower, Down stooped in flame, the heaven's red canopy.. WHIG AND TORY. - N. "At length we got into the plain, and to avoid the wandering Arab robbers stretched about two miles to the south, and were luckly enough to reach the barren mountains which bound the western coast of the lake Asphaltites or Dead Sea without meeting a single Arab. The summit of the barren rock on which I stood, was abont 300 feet above the gloomy lake below, and the mountains on the opposite coast appeared to be about 10 miles distant. The following observations upon the diffeThe moon was rising in all her splendour on the rences which subsist between Whig and Tory, desecrated scene, the shadows of the rugged pro-extracted from Boswell's Life of Johnson, may montories were reflected on the lake, but not a not be without their use; as tending to inform ripple was on its surface; the silence of death was there, and the curse of heaven seemed written on the minds of some readers, and to abate the the soil! For miles around there was life neither heat of party feeling in all. in earth or water. I stopped on the rock for half an hour, my feet were cut in many places with the that I was a zealous tory, but not enough according "One day (says Boswell) I told Dr. Johnson, sharp flints that abound there, and it was with to knowledge, and should be obliged to him for a difficulty I could descend. I was desirous of ascer- reason; when he was so candid, and expressed himtaining the truth of the assertion that nothing self so well, that I wrote down as follows. sinks in the Dead Sea.' I swam a conside- "A wise tory and a wise whig, I believe, will rable distance from the shore, and about four yards from the beach was out of my depth. The agree. Their principles are the same, though their nodes of thinking are different. A high tory makes water was the coldest I ever felt, and the taste government unintelligible, it is lost in the clouds. most detestable; it was that of a solution of nitre, A violent whig makes it impracticable: he is for mixed with qnassia. The buoyancy I found to be greater than that of any sea I ever swam in; I could allowing so much liberty to every man, that there is not power enough to govern man. The prejudice lie like a log of wood on the surface, without sti- of the tory is for establishment; the prejudice of the ring hand or foot, as long as I chose, and, with a whig is for innovation. A tory does not wish to great deal of exertion, I could dive sufficiently give more real power to government; but that deep to cover all my body, but was immediately government should have more reverence. Then thrown up again on the surface, in spite of my they differ as to the church. The tory is not for efforts to descend lower. On coming out of the giving more legal power to the clergy, but wishes water, I found my body coated with sulphur, and they should have a considerable infinence, founded likewise with an incrustation of salt, about the on the opinion of mankind: the whig is for limiting thickness of a sixpence; and the wounds in my feet and watching them with a narrow jealousy.'" pained me excessively, the poisonous quality of the water having irritated the broken skin, and ulti- These sentiments certainly exhibit peculiar mately made an ulcer of every wound. I am well candour, as coming from the man, who, in his convinced from my own observation, and the ac- Dictionary, has thus defined the two characters count of Arabs, that no living creature is to be found in the Dead Sea. The surrounding country has the spoken of :-: appearance of having been blasted with fire; and the waters of the Dead Sea stand in sullenness and desolation, a record of the depravity of man, and the vengeance of heaven!" } Tory, one who adheres to the ancient constitution of the state, and the apostolical hierarchy of the church of England." "Whig, the name of a faction!” BRISTOL. By Poet Woodby. Rise, famed Bristolia, from thine ashes rise, Like the 'reft widow on Hindostan's plain, Mingled for thee by those thou didst hring up, And far and wide, the lurid welkin rang Which first consumes, and then embalms the dead; Quickened to new existence by a ray Oh may such union bind our willing hearts, • See Job Nott, No. XLVI, article “The Phenix.” CORRESPONDENCE, The lines "On a Bee-hive" are received. Bristol: Printed and Published by J. & W. RICHARDSON, No. 6, Clare-Street, to whose care all communications may be addressed, post paid; also sold by J. NORTON, Corn Street, BARRY, High Street, and J. CHILCOTT, Wine Street; Mrs. BINNS, Bath; Mr. WHITE, Cheltenham; Mr. BEMROSE, Derby; Mr. HEWETT, Leamington; HAMILTON, ADAMS, and Co. Paternoster Row; and SEELEY and Sox, Fleet Street, London. Bristol Job Nott; No. XLIX.] OR, LABOURING MAN'S FRIEND. DELEGATES AND REPRESENTATIVES. have no understanding, judgment, or will of his own, is the highest qualification of a delegatehis best, his only virtue, is subserviency. a very accurate one; for a delegate is one that is sent "to act," and not to think; he is a man As these are times when an uncommon lot who surrenders up his judgment, will, and afof hard jaw-breaking words are crammed down fections, and reserves to himself no power to And now let us inquire what is a reprethe throats of the working classes, and as Job exercise his reasoning faculties; in short, he is sentative." Johnson is equally happy in exstrongly suspects that there is a plot laid to a complete puppet, whose motions are regulated plaining this term also; he defines a represenconglomerate the senses of his Majesty's sub- by the wires of party dictation, and whose tative to be "one who exercises the vicarious, jects, and to mystify the plainest subjects, and mouth is merely the organ of expressing the power given by another." Mark the difference to stiffen up a tissue of flimsy argumentation sentiments of others. Of course, when a num- -a delegate has no power given him, and therewith the starch of bombast, he thinks that he ber of such puppets meet in committee, it is fore can exercise none. For how can he be cannot do his customers of the working class a the most farcical scene imaginable; there is a said to have power who is a mere chessman, kinder office than just to give them a little in- world of babble and talk, and a deal of knocking moved about by the hand of his constituents ? sight into the meaning of some of the terms heads together, like punch and the clown on a But a representative is not a wooden puppet, which are most current in the periodicals of shew box; but all got up for mere form's sake, but a rational being, selected on account of his the present day; and, perhaps, there are none as there is no expectation of convincing or aptitude to discuss and to determine upon the which more need to be accurately defined as to being convinced by the argumentation and various matters which come under the cogniztheir true meaning, and as to the relation which speechification that is going forward; for every ance of the board to which he is nominated; they bear to each other, than those which stand puppet committee-man has got his cue, and is he possesses the power of thought, of reason, at the head of this article. It will be the ob- as well prepared to decide before he comes into of judgment, of choice; he exercises the funcject then of this essay, to describe the difference the committee room, as after he has heard all tions of an intelligent creature; he has the between a delegate and a representative, and to the arguments pro and con. A circumstance power of shaping his course according to cirshew the vast disparity which exists in the that occurred some time ago in a court of justice cumstances. He is indeed governed by cerqualifications necessary for one, compared with in a Welsh circuit, will illustrate this. Whilst tain general principles of action, in reference those that are requisite in the other; and also a learned counsellor was addressing the jury, he to which his constituents appointed him; but the vastly different process by which a consti- observed that one of the jurymen had his head he is left to the full unfettered exercise of his tuency will arrive at a just conclusion respecting so bound up with a handkerchief, that it was faculties, in the application of those principles, a representative, from that which would enable impossible he should hear the evidence or the to all the infinitely diversified questions that them to choose a delegate. arguments. "My friend," said the counsellor are brought under his consideration. Now, perhaps, my readers may think that to the muffled juryman, "have the kindness to These broad and obvious distinctions beJob has forgotten himself, and is going to plunge remove that bandage from your head, or it is tween delegates and representatives being over head and ears into parliamentary politics. impossible you can hear." "Hire," replied the kept distinctly in view, it will be plain that By no means. On the contrary, there will not Welshman, in the Cambrian dialect, "no matter vastly different qualifications are requisite in one word be said in this article but what might about hire; her was make up her mind before the electors of delegates, from those which are be advanced with equal force and propriety, if her come here." Now, thus it is with the de- necessary in the electors of representatives. there were no such thing as a house of parlia- legate; he is sent to the deliberative board In the case of delegates, as all the wisdom lies ment; what Job is going to write will relate to under the pretext of weighing and deciding upon in the constituents, the delegate need not, and abstract principles, and will apply as distinctly argument and evidence, but really predeter- ought not to be abler, or wiser, or better into the election of a committee of an infirmary, mined to a particular course; such, I repeat, is formed than his constituents. It will be deor of a turnpike trust, as to any other more the case with all delegates, properly so called; sirable that he be less so, in order that he may solemn and responsible deliberative body. He they go to the board of the committee with their be the more willingly and obsequiously subbegs therefore that his readers will dis-minds made up. They have their instructions, servient. A good tempered dolt, who has just miss from their minds all ideas connected to which they are pledged to abide, without sense enough "to come when he is called, do with parliament and parliamentary elections-listening to any argument or evidence on the as he is bid, and shut the door after him," is subjects which Job has nothing to do with other side. They go to the committee board the best subject to make a delegate of. But and just imagine that they are about to be called with full directions from their employers how then there must be the exercise of judgment to frame a new board at the infirmary, or to to vote upon every question; and it is on the and discretion somewhere, and as this cannot elect a new set of governors of St. Peter's Hos- peril of their losing their places if they, in the be in the chessman, it must be in those that pital; or in short, to nominate members to any smallest degree, swerve from their instructions. move him, that is, in his constituents; they local board, to whose management some public It is obvious, that to be a delegate, does not must be possessed of the most perfect knowinterests are to be committed; and then it is require any great share of intellect; if he have ledge of all the subjects that can possibly come proposed to illustrate the difference between a any judgment, or will, or choice of his own, it under the cognizance of the public board, to board of delegates and a board of representatives. is absolutely necessary that he throw them whom they send their delegate; in order that A delegate, then, is " a person sent to act for overboard, as the first and most indispensible they may pull the wires of their puppet agent, another; this is Johnson's definition, and it is qualification of his office; and therefore, to and instruct him how to speak and act on all PUBLIC OPINION. points to the result of his own labours, and calls it public opinion. If haply some grievance which he has made a subject of complaint should be redressed, he hails it as a triumph; and if any concession should he made to bim for quietness' sake, he takes the sop, but begins to bark and growl more fiercely than ever at those who gave it. Sir Walter Scott in one of his most admired "From the grey sire, whose trembling band occasions. In this case then, there is an ab- lawyers, physicians, engineers, &c., &c.; but shine as an agitator. He goes from place to solute necessity that the electors be persons if the public business of our city be to be place, collecting crowds, making speeches, pasof consummate knowledge, wisdom, and ex-transacted by those fitted and prepared by sing resolutions, getting up petitions, causing perience. But in the case of choosing a re- education and habit for the discharge of it, tumults, holding out threats of intimidation; presentative, it is quite otherwise. In that then will it be easy for any set of honest, well- and after he has succeeded in producing discase the electors transfer their power to the intentioned men to fill up our various public content and clamour throughout the country, he accredited person, who is to represent them boards with those representatives, who are able at the public board; amongst other powers, to produce such testimonials, as to establish a the power of thought, and the exercise of the claim to public confidence. judgment are entrusted to him; if, therefore, he knows how to exercise these faculties better than his constituents, if he have a wider grasp of intellect, a more copious fund of informa- In a former paper, I considered public opition, and more discriminating judgment than nion as it is indicated, influenced, and misrehis constituents;-they have the benefit of his presented, by the periodical press of this superior powers and attainments, and they country. The only other mode of giving poems, gives an animated description of the rejoice to avail themselves of these advantages; expression to public opinion, to which I shall gathering of the highland clans at the summons it is enough for them that they approve of the advert is by public meetings. These are held of their chief, whose word was their law. It general principles of his conduct, and that they for the professed object of collecting the sense was effected by sending a firebrand among are satisfied he will keep the polar star of of the persons present, on questions of general them, which was swiftly carried about from truth in his view in all his course; and being and local interest. Their number and their place to place. At sight of this symbol of satisfied of this, they freely leave him to the influence on public affairs was never so great strife and bloodshed, the whole country was exercise of his own unfettered judgment in all as at the present day. Do these meetings up in arms, the details of his conduct. A brief illustration actually embody, and correctly exhibit, the may serve to put the difference in a stronger intelligent views and opinions of the nation on light. Suppose the subscribers to the Bristol most questions of importance? infirmary, were called upon to elect a new We sometimes hear of meetings, consisting medical board, consisting of physicians and of a chairman and secretary, and two or three surgeons. There would be one common ob- individuals of a particular trade, who pass ject professed by all the constituents, namely, resolutions approving or disapproving of partithe health of the patients, and the general good cular measures, and purporting to be the By hundreds, prompt tor blows and blood." of the institution; but suppose one party should opinion of the whole body to which they Similar to the progress of such a firebrand is insist upon binding down the physicians and belong. Now if the more sober, well-informed, that of the agitator, and somewhat similar are surgeons to a particular mode of treatment, and judicious members were no parties to its effects. At his bidding, his clansmen leave which they should prescribe, insisting that these proceedings, and expressed no opinion their peaceful employments, and gather tothis was the only way to effect a radical cure; on the subject; or if they had been required, gether in thousands and tens of thousands; -but suppose that the opposing party should would have expressed an opinion diametrically with the professed object of discussing public contend that all the subscribers had to to do, opposite, it is needless to observe, that a partial questions, but in reality to have their prejuwas to select such professional men as pos- and false view of the sentiments of the whole dices and passions excited by inflammatory sessed skill, experience, and integrity of cha- body is exhibited by the hole and corner speeches to such a pitch, that they shall beracter, and then to leave it to them to admi- meetings in question. Yet such meetings are come the willing instruments of their ambinister in the exercise of a sound discretion, to sometimes appealed to, as a test of public tious and turbulent leader. He with loud proall the various cases brought under their care, opinion. fessions of patriotism and humanity, is striving -could any reasonable man hesitate as to On the other hand, we have meetings of the meanwhile to accomplish his own selfish and which party took the wiser course? Here omnium gatherum kind, of as many persons as ambitious prospects by their agency. then we have an illustration of the difference can be collected, and made to hear in the open Is it possible that a multitude so collected between a fettered delegate and an unfettered air by the leathern lungs of the loudest hustings and so excited, can deliberate, even if the inrepresentative. And we have an equally dis. orator; and of many more, to whom it is dividuals composing it, were capable of doing tinct illustration of the qualifications necessary enough to see the speakers, and know the so under more favorable circumstances? Is in their respective constituencies; for in the object of the meeting; who shout when others it not obvious that the greater the multitude, one case, it is plain that none but persons pos- shout-cheer when others cheer-laugh when the less probability is there that their collecsessed of the highest medical skill, could be others laugh-and join in the multitudinous tive decision will be according to truth and qualified to give instructions to the medico-approbation of the resolutions, which are to be reason, and calculated to promote the real welchirurgico delegates; whereas a set of men, produced, cut and dry, from the pocket of the fare of the community? If a man wishes to who were totally destitute of medical know- principal speaker, and passed by acclamation. get good advice as to some important matter ledge, might be quite competent to form such The trade of agitators has thriven wonder-that concerns his welfare, whether would it be Still gathering as they pour along, a general opinion respecting the skill and in- fully of late years. Like rival pettifogging wiser, think you, to listen to the deliberate, tegrity of a particular physician, as to be fully attorneys, they make business for one another, honest, and prudent counsel of two or three justified in consigning over the care of the The business of the agitator is to manufacture sensible and judicious friends; or to consult patients, and the interests of the institution public opinion wholesale. To set up in this all his neighbours and acquaintances? By into his hands; the same is true of all other trade, neither credit nor character are requisite. his few friends he would probably be directed faculties. It is quite preposterous to maintain, They may rather be considered as encum- aright; by the random views and impressions that in order to perform our parts as honest brances. A ready tongue, a good stock of of half a hundred neighbours, he would be constituents, we must be familiar with all the impudence, a fund of coarse humour, plausibi- involved in still greater perplexity; and that arts and mysteries of all the faculties; if in- lity, and a convenient memory as to facts and would only be increased, if he were to get the deed we are to send delegates to all our public dates, will eminently qualify a man, who is town crier to tell his story, and to collect the institutions, then we have need to be all of us ambitious of notoriety and loves contention, to public opinion upon it. Who would feel his |