ciate the genuine feeling and singleness of mind which dictated its contents, "Advancing gravely to apply To th' optic glass their judging eye, As if they meant to gaze it through," and have discovered a meditated attack upon the grand Turk or an holy crusade against the Wahabis. But a candid consideration will convince us, that a document scarcely ever appeared containing stronger internal evidence of unity in object and artlessness in design; or, (if the circumstances under which it was drawn up be considered,) reflecting greater honour on the heads and hearts of the potentates personally concerned in its composition. The sighs and groans of their own subjects, and the retributive sufferings of the French, had been heard and contemplated by them as the ultimate results of a long course of political transactions disjoined "from those true principles on which the wisdom of God in his Revelation has founded the tranquillity and prosperity of nations." The effects were before their eyes, the causes were not doubtful, and but one effectual remedy presented itself. The sovereigns had the moral magnanimity boldly to avow their determination to apply it. This term is peculiarly apposite on the present occasion; for it was plain to foresee that the document would be branded as little better than cant and hypocrisy, and the framers of it as little better than madmen, by those philosophers who, in their admiration of religion without cant, are themselves a little apt to adopt what I have seen well described by the term of cant without religion. But truly if the document which follows be any proof of the insanity of those who signed it, one may be disposed to answer the persons who make the insinuation in the words of an English king, who, when informed by his courtiers, for obvious purposes, that one of his most distinguished naval officers was gone mad upon religion, replied, "I heartily wish, gentlemen, that he would bite you all.” The following manifesto was issued at St. Petersburgh on Christmas day, and precedes the treaty about which there has been some discussion in the British House of Commons. 66 We, ALEXANDER I. by God's Grace, Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, &c."Make known: As we have learned from experience, and its direful consequences to all the world, that the course of former political connexions between the powers of Europe had not those true principles for its basis on which the wisdom of God, in his revelation, has founded the tranquillity and prosperity of nations, therefore We, in concert with their Majesties the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia, have proceeded to establish an alliance, (to which the other Christian powers have been invited to accede,) in which we mutually bind ourselves, both for us and for our subjects, to adopt, as the only means of attaining that end, the principle derived from the words and religion of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who teaches mankind to live as brethren, not in hatred and strife, but in peace and love. We pray the Almighty that he may send down his blessing thereon; yea, may this holy alliance be confirmed between all powers for their general welfare; and may no one, unrestrained by the unanimity of all the rest, dare to depart therefrom. We therefore order a copy of this alliance hereto annexed to be made generally known, and "read in all the churches." "In the name of the Most Holy and Indivisible Trinity. "Their Majesties the Emperor of Austria, the King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Russia, having, in consequence of the great events which have marked the course of the three last years in Europe, and especially of the blessings which it has pleased Divine Providence to shower down upon those states which place their confidence and their hope on IT alone, acquired the intimate conviction of the necessity of founding the conduct to be observed by the powers in their reciprocal relations upon the sublime truths which the holy religion of our Saviour teaches— 66 They solemnly declare that the present act has no other object than to publish, in the face of the whole world, their fixed resolution, both in the administration of their respective states, and in their political relations with every other government, to take for their sole guide the precepts of that holy religion, namely, the precepts of justice, Christian charity, and peace, which, far from being applicable only to private concerns, must have an immediate influence on the councils of princes, and guide all their steps, as being the only means of consolidating human institutions, and remedying their imperfections. In consequence their Majesties have agreed on the following articles: "Art. I. Conformably to the words of the Holy Scriptures, which command all men to consider each other as brethren, the three contracting Monarchs will remain united by the bonds of a true and indissoluble fraternity; and considering each other as fellow-countrymen, they will on all occasions, and in all places, lend each other aid and assistance; and regarding themselves towards their subjects and armies as fathers of families, they will lead them, in the same spirit of fraternity with which they are animated to protect religion, peace, and justice.* "Art. II. In consequence, the sole principle in force, whether between the said governments or between their subjects, shall be that of doing each other reciprocal service, and of testifying, by unalterable good will, the mutual affection with which they ought to be animated, to consider themselves all as members of one and the same Christian nation, the three allied princes looking on themselves as merely delegated by Providence to govern three branches of the one family, namely, Austria, Prussia, and Russia; thus confessing that the Christian world, of which they and their people form a part, has, in reality, no other sovereign than him to whom alone power really belongs, because in him alone are found all the treasures of love, science, and infinite wisdom, that is to say, God, our Divine Saviour, the Word of the Most High, the Word of Life. Their Majesties consequently recommend to their people, with the most tender solicitude, as the sole means of enjoying that peace which arises from a good conscience, and which alone is durable, to strengthen themselves every day more and more in the principles and exercise of the duties which the Divine Saviour has taught to mankind. "Art. III. All the powers who shall choose solemnly to avow the sacred principles which have dictated the present act, and shall acknowledge how im * The Polish nobles formerly drew their swords when they turned to the altar to repeat the Creed, in testimony that they were ready to DEFEND their faith at the risk of their lives. portant it is for the happiness of nations, too long agitated, that these truths should henceforth exercise over the destinies of mankind all the influence which belongs to them, will be received with equal ardour and affection into this holy alliance. "Done in triplicate, and signed at Paris, the year of grace, 1815, 14th (26th) September. Done at St. Petersburg, the day of the birth of our Saviour, the 25th of December, 1815." Having now traced, perhaps at too great length, the conclusions to be derived from the application of the fourth fundamental proposition of this treatise as far as religion is concerned, we will proceed to a few brief remarks upon the department of morals. The general argument is here of course very similar to that which has just been submitted to the reader. If the happiness to be derived from the influence of morality be in proportion to the extent of that influence, the statesman cannot rest satisfied barely with that degree of it which may be just sufficient to preserve the state from convulsions: but he will aspire after that which shall at least exonerate every public law of the state from the reproach of tempting the people to immoral conduct. In England for example, although our laws are certainly constructed upon the general basis of moral principle, and are sufficiently so to secure a fair competence of public happiness and prosperity, yet I think that no candid philanhropist or statesman will hesitate in admitting, that |