"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 : * 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. 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 it to the consideration of all military persons. 66 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." "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 : |