great multitude to a nearer equality of comfort and intelligence with the few; that human nature is capable of a degree of amelioration that it seems never hitherto to have reached; and that the amelioration will be felt from the surface to the depth of the great social waters, over which the spirit shall move. The Republics of old never effected this object. To expect it, society must be altered as well as legislation. It is for this reason that I feel glad with an ingenious and admirable writer,* that even theory is at work: I am glad that inquiry wanders, even to the fallacies of Owen, or the chimeras of St. Simon. Out of that inquiry good may yet come; and some future Bacon overturn the axioms of an old school, polluted, not redeemed, by every new disciple. To the man who finds it possible to entertain this hope, how different an aspect the world wears! Casting his glance forward, how wondrous a light rests upon the future! the farther he extends his vision, the

* The Author of Essays on the Publication of Opinion, &c.

brighter the light. Animated by a hope more sublime than wishes bounded to earth ever before inspired, he feels armed with the courage to oppose surrounding prejudice, and the warfare of hostile customs. No sectarian advantage, no petty benefit is before him; he sees but the Regeneration of Mankind. It is with this object that he links his ambition, that he unites his efforts and his name! From the disease, and the famine, and the toil around, his spirit bursts into prophecy, and dwells among future ages; even if in error, he luxuriates through life in the largest benevolence, and dies—if a visionary—the visionary of the grandest dream!

263

CONVERSATION THE SEVENTH.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ENGLISH LANDSCAPE-THE ANIMAL ENJOYMEN OF LIFE-SOLITARY PERSONS THE LEAST REPINING-COWLEY ON THE TOWN AND COUNTRY-L'S MENTAL PROGRESS FROM HISTORY TO WORKS OF IMAGINATION-HE IS INSPIRED TO EMULATION, NOT BY THE FAME OF GENIUS, BUT BY THE LUXURY OF COMPOSITION-GENIUS IS PECULIARLY SUSCEPTIBLE OF ENJOYMENT -IT EVEN ENJOYS SADNESS-L -'s STUDIES INTERRUPTED.

Ir is a singularly pretty spot in which L resides. Perhaps some of the most picturesque scenery in England is in the neighbourhood of London; and as I rode the other day, in the later April, along the quiet lane, which branches from the main road to L-'s house-Spring never seemed to me to smile upon a lovelier prospect.

The year had broken into its youth as with a sudden and hilarious bound. A little while before, I had passed along the same road—all was sullen and wintry-the March wind had swept along dry hedges and leafless trees-the only birds I had encountered were two melancholy sparrows in the middle of the road-too dejected even to chirp; but now a glory had passed over the earth—the trees were dight in that delicate and lively verdure, which we cannot look upon without feeling a certain freshness creep over the heart. Here and there thick blossoms burst in clusters from the fragrant hedge, and (as a schoolboy prankt out in the hoops and ruffles of his grandsire) the whitethorn seemed to mock at the past winter by assuming its garb. Above, about, around-all was in motion, in progress, in joy-the birds, which have often seemed to me like the messengers from earth to heaven -charged with the homage and gratitude of Nature, and gifted with the most eloquent of created voices to fulfil the mission;-the birds were upon every spray, their music upon every

breath of air, Just where the hedge opened to the left, I saw the monarch of English rivers glide on his serene and silver course-and in the valley on the other side of his waters, village, spire, cottage, and (at rarer yet thick intervals) the abodes of opulence looked out among the luxuriant blossoms, and the vivid green by which they were encircled. It was a thoroughly English scene. For I have always thought that the peculiar characteristic of English scenery is a certain air of content. There is a happier smile on the face of an English landscape than I have ever beheld even in the landscapes of the South; a happier though a less voluptuous smile--as if Nature were more at home.

Presently I came to the turn of the lane which led at once to L-'s house-in a few minutes I was at the gate. Within, the grounds, though not extensive, have the appearance of being so the trees are of great size, and the turf is broken into many a dell and hollow, which gives the lawn a wild and a park-like appearance. The house is quaint and old-fashioned (not Gothic

VOL. II.

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