and badness the qualities or powers whereby they do it; and the signs of that goodness are called by the Latins in one word Pulchritudo, and the signs of evil Turpitudo, to which we have no words precisely answerable." There is much matter for thinking upon, in this passage, but (with all due deference to Mr. Hobbes) I greatly doubt both its correctness and its wisdom.. THE PRESENT TIME. LORD BYRON Set the fashion of running off to Greece in search of sentiment, dark eyes, pale foreheads, and a taste for the antique. Since his time there has been an infinite quantity of very vulgar declamation about Greece, and half Cheapside has trafficked either in Greek bonds or bas reliefs, for the purpose of showing a classical feeling, or for some other purpose. But, after all, there never was a time since classical learning and associations gained an ascendancy over the minds and actions of modern, civilized men, that the spirit of old Greece and Rome, whether in energy or in elegance, seemed of so little practical avail as it now is. People think themselves too wise in these times to be influenced by the grandeur of soul in literature, or in patriotism, which was once idolized as classical, and which it was thought every gentle man should be proud of. One might submit to the change the more cheerfully, if any thing really true, and more practically useful, that is, more conducive to elevation of thought, and the happiness of society-had come in the place of that enthusiasm after classical models of character, which has certainly departed. But we do not recognise any such thing. Confident conjecture, tricked out in the formalities of truth, under the name of “statistics;" mechanical improvements, which throw labourers out of work; railways and locomotive engines, by which rich people are shot through the air at the rate of thirty miles an hour, and poor people are killed at the rate of three or four per week; union workhouses; mechanics' institutes; lectures; chartists; agitation; hurry; noise; enormous activity-little meditation-much artno gracefulness-these are the signs of the times which have arisen, since the eyes, and ears, and hands, and feet, of so many Englishmen have become familiar with those classic scenes of which formerly they only read. How is this? "The man of abject soul in vain The poet has hit it-abjectness of soul, whencesoever arising, is the characteristic of the time. People go to Greece, not to have their souls elevated and sanctified by contemplation, but to fidget about, take the number of feet and inches in some pillar, and then to hie away home and see what profit can be made of the voyage, either in the way of talk and distinction in their set, or in an article for a magazine, or perhaps in the manufacture of a book. In the early part of Byron's career he compared the aspect of Greece to that of a human form lifeless, but still lovely : "the mild angelic air, The rapture of repose, that's there;" and added, after much rather unintelligible rhodomontade, which has been excessively admired: "Such is the aspect of this shore. "Tis Greece, but living Greece no more." But this sublime tranquillity which ruined Greece wore for upwards of a thousand years, while the soul of the nation lived in other forms and in other lands-this has, in our days of worthless activity, and perpetual disturbance, given place to a far more revolting species of decay. The body of Greece has gone into another and a fouler stage of dissolution, and "creeping things" are "revelling in the spoil" of that with which so many noble and inspiring recollections have been associated. But where is now the soul of Greece? Is it dead, too? Where is that noble energy-that lofty devotedness-that magnificent elevation above all meanness-that splendour of simple dignity-that sublime propriety, which the literature of Greece-her poetry-her history-her glorious eloquence did once inspire? Where are these things gone? Alas! they are not to be found in our "halls of science," nor on our railroads; no, nor among our public men. SUCCESS WITH THE GREAT. Ir is, perhaps, quite certain that in England, more than in any other country, there is a pride of society which mere talent, or even genius, cannot of itself break through. Clever people are, no doubt, admitted in very many quarters on account of their cleverness-and made use of as a sort of exciting novelty. Of these a very few may keep their ground: but, if they do, it depends upon something else than their cleverness-upon their power of making themselves agreeable, and having tact enough to assume nothing, at least in appearance, on account of the superiority of which they may be conscious. This is extremely difficult; and many who think they can manage it, and who may perhaps succeed for a while, fail in the end, and so bid farewell to the ex clusive circle. The danger is twofold-that of falling into obsequiousness, which breeds contempt, or into presumption, which excites alarm and disgust. Thus, unless a man or woman, however clever, have a natural turn for succeeding in society with the great, it is not worth while to attempt it. For, suppose the thing attainable by considerable pains and trouble, where is the equivalent advantage? is There is a brief passage relating to this subject in the life of the poet Crabbe, by his son, which very well worthy of attention. The writer is alluding to Mr. Crabbe having relinquished his situation as domestic chaplain in the house of the Duke of Rutland, and says "in truth, neither nature nor circumstances had qualified him for it. The aristocracy of genius approaches too near the aristocracy of station: superiority of talent is apt, without intention, to betray occasional presumption. It is true, subserviency would be always despised; but a cool collected mind-never thrown off its guard -pleased with what passes-entering into the interests of the day, but never betrayed into enthusiasm is an indispensable qualification for that station." There is good sense and accuracy of observation, worthy of Crabbe himself, in these remarks of his biographer. Let every one remember them well, and square his practice by them, who would succeed permanently in the very highest walks of society. |