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SLANDER AND DEFAMATION.

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LESSON CCLXXIV. -OCTOBER THE FIRST.

Slander and Defamation.

PERHAPS it may be safely affirmed, that not one man in a hundred is completely exempt from the practice of this odious vice. Even at the very moment that a severe invective has just been uttered against it by an individual or a company, how often have we witnessed an attack or insinuation made, unthinkingly perhaps, on the character and reputation of some absent person. There is, indeed, an immense difference between the wretch, who, from envy, malice, and a vindictive spirit, will basely asperse and defame even the respectable and the worthy, and the person who, without any view of gratifying these detestable passions, is sometimes inadvertently betrayed into a little scandal; or between him, who, having been injured by another, expresses by invectives his just resentment, and the man, who, moved by an honest indignation, paints a base and worthless character in its true colours.

There is doubtless a variety of shades of criminality in the practice of this vice; but it unfortunately happens, that human nature in general has too much of an inherent leaning to the uncharitable side in judging of others; so that there are few, even of the better sort of mankind, who can truly say that they have never, in any shape, committed, joined in, or connived at, defamation. That there have been, however, such men, cannot be denied: one example we have now before us, which we quote verbatim from Hume.

"The king (Henry VIII.) was sitting in council, when he was informed of Suffolk's death, and he took the opportunity both to express his own sorrow for the loss, and to celebrate the merits of the deceased. He declared, that during the whole course of their friendship, this amiable nobleman never made any attempt to injure an adversary, and had never whispered a word to the disadvantage of any person. Is there any of you, my lords, can say so much?" When the king had added these words, he looked round in all their faces, and saw that confusion which the consciousness of secret guilt threw upon them."

In the present day, political animosities have engendered a spirit of rancour and malevolence, which, in its merciless, and even savage attacks on private character,

sets at defiance honour, feeling, and decency;—which spares not the sanctuary of domestic peace, nor the helplessness of that sex which it was the boast of chivalry to honour and defend ;—which, in fact, outdoes all that has ever been known or practised by civilized men in their intercourse with each other. If, unhappily, this demoniacal spirit should not be checked, to what horrible consequences may it not lead!

1. To what vice is human nature, unfortunately, generally too prone? 2. What did Henry VIII. say of Suffolk?

3. What have political animosities in the present day engendered ?

LESSON CCLXXV.-OCTOBER THE SECOND.

The most desperate Naval Action on Record. PERHAPS history cannot afford a more remarkable instance of desperate courage, than that which was exerted in December, 1758, by the officers and crew of an English privateer, called the Terrible, under the command of Captain William Death, equipped with 26 carriage-guns, and manned with 200 sailors.

On the 23d day of the month he engaged and made prize of a large French ship from St. Domingo, after an obstinate battle, in which he lost his own brother and 16 seamen : he then with 40 men secured his prize, which contained a valuable cargo, and directed his course to England; but in a few days he had the misfortune to fall in with the Vengeance, a privateer of St. Maloes, carrying 36 large cannon, with a complement of 360 men. Their first step was to attack the prize, which was easily retaken; then the two ships bore down upon the Terrible, whose main-mast was shot away by the first broadside. Notwithstanding this disaster, the Terrible maintained such a furious engagement against both, as can hardly be paralleled in the annals of Britain.

The French commander and his second were killed, with two-thirds of his company; but the gallant Captain Death, with the greater part of his officers, and almost his whole crew, having met with the same fate, his ship was boarded by the enemy, who found no more than 26 persons alive, 16 of whom were mutilated by the loss of leg or arm, and the other ten grievously wounded. The ship itself was so shattered, that it could scarce be kept above

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water, and the whole exhibited a scene of blood, horror, and desolation. The victor itself lay like a wreck on the surface; and in this condition made shift, with great difficulty, to tow the Terrible into St. Maloes, where she was not beheld without astonishment and terror. This adventure was no sooner known in England, than a liberal subscription was raised for the support of Death's widow, and that part of the crew which survived the engagement. There was a strange combination of names belonging to this privateer,—the Terrible, equipped at ExecutionDock, commanded by Captain Death, whose lieutenant was called Devil, and who had one Ghost for surgeon.

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1. Name the day and year on which this action was fought?

2. What was the issue of it?

3. What strange combination of names was there belonging to this privateer ?

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On this day, in 1690, expired Robert Barclay, the famous apologist for the people called Quakers.

Barclay's "Apology" is a learned, scholastic, and methodical performance, very different from the usual productions of a society which trusted to the unpremeditated effusions of inspiration, and many of whose members even vilified human learning. Therefore, although its merit and reputation have caused it to be regarded as the first authority for the principles of the sect, yet perhaps the view it gives of them is rather that of the individual writer than of the society in general. The service, however, which this work did to the sect was very great, by placing it upon a more respectable footing among the variety of reformed churches, and removing many prejudices which had been entertained against it at home and abroad.

The dedication of the "Apology" is as remarkable as the work itself. It is addressed to King Charles II.; and, without any gross familiarity, speaks to him in so plain and forcible a manner respecting the events of his own life, and pleads the cause of religious liberty and of his own society with such a manly spirit, that it has ever been admired as a model in its kind.

The following passage will serve as a specimen. "Thou hast tasted of prosperity and adversity; thou knowest what it is to be banished thy native country; to be over

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ruled, as well as to rule and sit upon the throne; and being oppressed, thou hast reason to know how hateful the oppressor is both to God and man."

The moral character of this eminent person was correspondent to the great employment of his life, that of promoting what he thought to be the cause of religious truth. He was equally amiable and respectable; and the gravity of his pursuits was far from imparting any rigour or sourness to his manners or conversation. He go verned his house with great prudence and discretion, and preserved a serenity of mind under all the changes of his fortune.

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1. Whose death is recorded as having happened on this day, in 1690? 2. To whom is his 'Apology" dedicated?

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The Bundle of Sticks.

A GOOD old man, no matter where,
Whether in York or Lancashire;
Or on a hill, or in a dale,

It cannot much concern the tale;
Had children very much like others,
Composed of sisters and of brothers:
In life he had not much to give,
Save his example how to live;
His luck was what his neighbours had,
For some were good, and some were bad;
When of their father death bereft 'em,
His good advice was all he left 'em.

This good old man, who long had lain
Afflicted with disease and pain,
With difficulty drew his breath,
And felt the sure approach of death.
He still had lived an honest life,
Kind to his neighbour and his wife;
His practice good, his faith was sound,
He built his hopes on Scripture ground;
And knowing life hangs on a breath,
He always lived prepared for death;
He trusted God, nor fear'd to die-
May it be thus with you and I!
Nor let us hope to die content,
Unless our life be wisely spent.

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS.

He call'd his children round his bed, And with a feeble voice he said: "Alas, alas! my children dear, "I well perceive my end is near: "I suffer much, but kiss the rod, "And bow me to the will of God. "Yet ere from you I'm quite removed― "From you, whom always I have loved, "I wish to give you all my blessing, "And leave you with a useful lesson; "That when I've left this world of care, "Each may his testimony bear, "How much my latest thoughts inclined "To prove me tender, good, and kind! "Observe that fagot on the ground, "With twisted hazel firmly bound." The children turn'd their eyes that And view'd the fagot as it lay: But wonder'd what their father meant, Who thus expounded his intent : "I wish that all of you would take it, 66 And try if any one can break it."

way,

Obedient to the good old man,
They all to try their strength began:
Now boy, now girl, now he, now she,
Applied the fagot to their knee;

They tugg'd and strain'd, and tried again,
But still they tugg'd and tried in vain!
In vain their skill and strength exerted;
The fagot every effort thwarted;

And when their labour vain they found,
They threw the fagot on the ground.

Again the good old man proceeded,
To give the instruction which they needed.
"Untwist," says he, "the hazel bind,
"And let the fagot be disjoin'd."
Then stick by stick, and twig by twig,
The little children and the big,
Following the words their father spoke,
Each sprig and spray they quickly broke:
"There, father!" all began to cry,

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"I've broken mine!-and I!-and I!"
Replied the sire : — ""Twas my intent
"My family to represent:

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