bably enjoyed a greater share of, than a mere superficial view of history would encourage us to believe, have often been passed over in silence, and buried in oblivion.

THE destroyers of the human race, the ravagers of towns, and the desolators of countries, excite terror in their day, and spread extensive ruin, which it may take ages to repair; such have been Alexander, Genghiscan, and Tamerlane: such has been, in degree, every warrior from Nimrod to the present day.

In their own life time these most mighty hunters set one tribe of men against another, and the battle is continued down to the latest times: children are nursed up in the prejudices of their fathers, and hence, instead of passing along together cordially through this life, which at best, is but a vale of tears, and therefore better suited to our present state of being, (for who has not experienced that affliction sweetens the spirit?) by our mutual strifes and animosities, our prejudices and bigotry, we convert it into an howling wilderness; many of the endearments of domestic life, or good neighbour hood, are stifled and unknown; the peace and harmony of nations are interrupted and destroyed and religion, pure and undefiled religion, which to let it have it's perfect work in the world, would do away the confusion of Babel, and melt down all the different nations and languages into one people and one language, in

to

to one family, with all its members mutually intelligible and agreeable to each other al over the earth, religion is driven from the societies of men, prejudice and fuperstition take it's place, and caufe, create, and multiply the evils of society. Elements of Geography.

HENRY REDHEAD YORKE, Esq.

IN perusing the annals of ancient or modern · story, we may easily discover the manner in which the decrees of nature have been violated and insulted. Ideots, knaves, and despots, have ordinarily decided the fate of men, and to gratify their criminal ambition and avarice, the Demon of Carnage has been let loose to wander in madness over the world.

Whole countries, where peace and plenty once smiled, have been converted into vast and frightful deserts, and the universe has suffered a depopulation that philosophy contemplates in sorrow. During all ages, the repose of the world has been disturbed by the agitation of one great, though simple question,-not whether there be power, nor whence it came, but who should have it. The woeful chronicle of human miseries is filled up with the narrative of the quarrels of Kings, Priests, Nobles, and Prostitutes, on this account, and of the millions of victims sacrificed to their caprice and brutal fury.

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WAR

WAR has ever been the wretched policy of courts, to uphold their government. Nations cannot war with each other, for nature forbids it. During its continuance, Commerce droops her head, Population ceafes, and thousands of helpless families lose their support. While multitudes perish on the horrid day of conflict, others are crushed beneath a dead weight of taxes, which are tripled and rigorously exacted, to defray its expences; a vast portion of the earth remains uncultivated for want of husbandmen, and the other part is laid waste, by the marching or combat of armies.

The field of victory is a vast burying place,a dreadful field of desolation and of mourning; *where it is pretended that laurels are reaped; but alas! the real harvest is of human existence. Thus under every aspect of War, nations have all to lose and nothing to gain, for even conquest is perishable, and often as ruinous as defeat.

It appeared to me from what I had read, and what I had seen, that war can never benefit the PEOPLE, because their happiness consists in order, plenty, and liberty, and as it discomposes all these, they must be plunged sooner or later into an abyss of misery. It is commonly proclaimed in haste and always conducted in CRUELTY (for what is honourable war, but honourable butchery?) and its most inevitable consequence is, the loss of some portion or other of public liberty, by the influence of corruption and additional taxes.

The appointment and regulation of a fland

ing army give a great patronage to a minister and patronage always creates dependance. It cannot then be wondered at, that they should adjust in cold blood, where the thunder of arms shall be directed, and where guiltless towns, females, infants, shall be devoted to plunder, vi-olence and slaughter. The glory and honour - of antiquity, it is true, consisted in murder, robbery, and havoc; but its example ought not to be a precedent for us, in these enlightened times, when all men sigh after peace.

Tyrants are meddlers, therefore, from necessity; and history blushes when she records the lives of royal and noble Quixottes, who are ever sallying forth in quest of adventures, quarrelling with unoffending beings, and repairing injuries that have never been complained of.

In the various contentions of human life, men peaceably récur to the arbitrations of Justice; and nations would be governed by the same principle, if individuals did not preside over the actions and lives of men. THEY declare wars at random-it is the wretched lot of the PEOPLE to wage them.

Commerce, which is nothing more than a peaceable and friendly intercourse between nations, must be suspended, if not destroyed, during a war; and a circumstance the most peculiarly aggravating is, that those who fight, pay also, and then the blood and gold of men become fynonimous terms. Privileged orders may roll in dissipation and security, in the midst of the din of arms, because they are the unceasing

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causes

causes of war; even to priests, who, from their professions, should be the ministers of peace, wars can never be deplorable, as long as their, revenues and tythes are faithfully paid. It is not surprizing that from their pulpits they shouldvomit forth desolation and bloodshed, since they constitute a part of the privileged corps, and their political existence is ensured, so long as the rest of the craft uphold their authority by arms. Ever at war with nature, and with nature's favourite the husbandman, the priest can calmly fiddle when Europe is in flames, clasp the military and honourable butcher to his arms or receive him with a solemn and starched grimace at the altar of the God of Peace, The meek eye of religion turns aside in horror from this atrocious spectacle! Happy had it been for the sons of the earth, if their crowned and mitred tyrants, instead of delivering up to massacre, millions of useful beings, to avenge their quarrels, and those of their harlots, had erected a public theatre, and with poignards in their hands, exhibited to the world the utility and glory of war. One generous example would have curbed the unbridled fury of future heroes, the lives of millions have been saved, and the world been this day in peace.

Reafon urged against Precedent, p.

22.

L 2

MR.