resorting to those distant seminaries, where, amidst the promiscuous society of youthful associates, the character is left to be formed as chance and circumstances may direct. Nor will the course of instruction cease with the period of manhood; but will be continued for the use of those who may choose to avail themselves of it in future life; thereby carrying the acquirements of youth into real use; applying them to the practical concerns of the world, and preventing, as far as possible, that absurd and intire relinquishment of the benefits and attainments of education, which generally takes place at the precise time when they should be converted to their most useful and important purposes.

On the present occasion I shall not trespass further on your indulgence, than to mention one other object, which appears to me to be perfectly within the scope of this Institution. The great end of all education is to form the character and regulate the conduct of life; and every department of it must be considered merely as auxiliary to this purpose. Experience however shows, that it is one thing to acquire the knowledge of rules and precepts, and another to apply them to practice; as a mechanic may possess the implements of his profession without having acquired the skill to use them. The same observation applies, perhaps yet more strongly, to all those precepts which are intended to influence the moral character and regulate the conduct of life. For this purpose various systems of ethics have been formed, by which the rules of moral duty are laid down in the most explicit and satisfactory manner; nor has there, perhaps, been any neglect in inculcating these systems on the minds of our young men, who, in many instances, study these works as an essential part of their education, and become no unskilful disputants on their most important topics. But between the impressing these systems on the memory, and the giving them an operative influence on the conduct and on the heart, there is still an essential difference. It is one thing to extend our knowledge, and another to improve our disposition and influence our will. It seems then essentially necessary to a complete system of education, that the principles of moral conduct, as laid down by our most distinguished writers, should be enforced and recommended to practice by every inducement that instruction and persuasion can supply. It is therefore my earnest wish, that in addition to the various scientific and literary

It is well observed by a celebrated foreign writer, that "a cultivated understanding without a good and virtuous heart, taste and information without integrity and piety, cannot produce happiness either to ourselves or others; and that so circumstanced, our souls can reap only everlasting shame, instead of honor from our acquirements." Gellert, Moral Lesson 1.262.

subjects already proposed by this Institution, a series of lectures should be delivered on the formation of character, and the conduct of life; intended to exemplify the rules of morality, and to enforce the practice of them, not merely by a scientific elucidation, but by a practical view of the affairs of the world, the consequences of a neglect or performance of the various duties of life, by the influence of the feelings, the dictates of conscience, and above all, by the sublime sanctions of the religion we profess. By these means, and by these alone, the various acquisitions made in every department of science or taste will be concentrated in one point, directed to one great object, and applied to their proper purpose -the illustration and perfection of the human character,

1

OPINION

OF THE

DUKE OF FITZ-JAMES,

Peer of France,

ON THE

PROPOSED LAW

RELATIVE TO

PERIODICAL JOURNALS.

TRANSLATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PAMPHLETEER

LONDON:

1818.

OPINION, &c.

NOTE.-" AT the moment when I was writing upon this subject, M. de Chateaubriand was publishing his work, on the Political System followed by the Ministers. Having the same subject to work upon, as I am proud of sharing his principles, it is not to be wondered at if some of his ideas should appear to flow. from my pen, and still less can any body be surprised at the immense distance to which his admirable talents have brought his historical view, beyond the feeble outline I have been able to trace."

GENTLEMEN, WE had long in vain flattered ourselves that the king's ministers (more enlightened upon the true situation of France, and upon the duties imposed upon them by the charter, and above all upon the true support of authority) would no more bring before you the discussion of a question which has already been the subject of so much debate, and in which they have been so successfully opposed both in this House and in the Chamber of Deputies; and we hoped that at last they would leave to a severe but equitable law already established, the care of checking the abuses of the press and of the periodical journals. I was not wrong when last year I said in this seat to the noble peers who did not join in my opinion, that they were perhaps mistaken in giving a too full confidence to the promises then made to them; that men do not willingly give up the power they possess, and that year after year we must look for the continuation of that arbitrary system, apparently so favorable to those who make it the engine of their passions, but yet in reality subverting the authority which