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highest degree, is that which relates to the religious belief of the nation with which our calculations are concerned. Religion, viewed independently of its personal character, as an influence acting on national character and conduct, can hardly be overrated as to its power, and the extent and duration of its effects; it is impossible thoroughly to understand any people, to enter into their character, and feel what they are, and of what they are capable, till we have at least, in a considerable degree, rendered ourselves acquainted with the nature and spirit of their religion, and can, in some measure, sympathize with the sentiments which it produces in them. I speak, of course, of religious belief generally, and not of any particular form under which it displays itself; nay, by this expression I would signify, not merely a definite theological system, specifying the object and manner of worship, but the general scope and tendency of the religious feeling which is implanted in every man, and of those sentiments which are opposed to human selfishness, and which set out the notion of duty under any shape, as the guiding principle of action. Human feelings may be divided into two great classes-those in which self-interest is the actuating energy,—and those which point to something superior to ourselves, something ideal, if we may use the expression, as the object of our desires and our endeavours, and instil into our minds the sense of a bond of duty. The latter sentiment exists, under some form, if not in the mind of every individual, at least in the spirit of every nation, and the direction which it takes will exercise a powerful influence on the national character. That such should be the case, our knowledge of human nature would lead us to conclude; for a nation, like an individual, is most durably affected by that which lies deepest in its mind, and adheres most closely to its inmost feelings; and there is nothing which men embrace more closely, and cherish more inwardly, than the religious belief which has once taken hold on their minds. It is when man feels himself to be in the presence, and under the government of a Being above him, yet in some mysterious manner connected with him, that the deepest, and strongest, and most lasting emotions are called forth in his soul; he is conscious that there is something in his nature exalted, and destined for higher objects and nobler purposes than those which daily surround him; and the spirit of the sentiment, as modified by circumstances, follows him, in some degree, throughout every action of his life, and is one which he cannot be brought to give up without a struggle. Hence the durable effects of religious belief on national character. It was the declaration of

Napoleon, a testimony drawn from him by the contemplation of past ages, that without religion a nation could not exist. It is, too, when mighty events are working, and ordinary motives seem inadequate to move men's minds to the necessary exertions, that the effect of religious belief on public events and the fate of empires is most evident. It was when the whole force of Western Europe, under the greatest general of any age, stood arrayed on the banks of the Niemen, banded together to crush religion and liberty, and establish the reign of infidelity and despotism throughout the civilized world; when hope seemed withered, and the powers of evil seemed to reign and triumph over mankind; when the ordinary motives of ambition, and glory, and self-interest, which spur men to action, seemed to have lost their wonted efficacy; then it was, that the deep religious devotion, which animated the breasts of the nobles and peasants of Russia, came forth with almost divine splendour, and hurled the despot of France from his throne, and restored the light of truth and freedom in Europe. Contrast with this, the pusillanimity with which the infidel French people saw their boasted capital twice fall into the hands of the allied armies, and, when once the charm of military glory was dissolved, made not a single national effort to avert disaster and degradation; and we see most clearly, how deep and mighty is the energy of religious feeling in the heart of a nation, and what effects it can produce, when every other motive is powerless. Again, I repeat, we must study a nation's religion, before we can know of what they are capable, and whither their character and history is tending.

Another point to which attention must be given is that of national character. It may, indeed, appear as though this were included in the two points previously mentioned, and would be found dependent on them. To a certain extent this is true, and there can be no doubt that we shall then best understand the national character of a people, when we know the nature of their religion, and shall receive considerable aid in our inquiry, from the consideration of the position and physical capabilities of their country. But there are other influences which cooperate in the formation of a national character, and often tend to impart to it a colouring, different from that which their religious belief might lead us to expect. Among these, the stock and parentage from which a nation is derived holds a prominent place. We find in different races of men, marked differences of character, for which we cannot always account, which appear contrary to what we should have expected, but which evidently descend from generation

to generation, and exercise a lasting influence on events. Circumstances, too, in the history of a nation, the turn which its literature has taken, or the form of government to which it has been for many ages accustomed,-produce a durable effect on its character, independently of religious belief or geographical situation. National character, then, as we find it, formed by these and a variety of other influences, must be taken into account in every historical inquiry. Nor is it merely in public acts and important transactions that we are to seek indications of it; they may be traced, perhaps more effectually, in the intercourse of private life, and the general tone of society, provided that these be observed with discrimination, and their spirit understood and appreciated.

The political nature of the government of a country is another point to which our thoughts must turn ; but on this it is needless to dwell, for reason and experience leave no room for doubt as to its importance, and there is some danger of its occupying our minds to the exclusion of other no less weighty considerations. Such are some few of the many points of similarity or difference which must be taken into account, in the application of general laws deduced from experience, and in the deduction of the laws themselves. It must be remembered, that they cannot be rightly considered apart, but must be in our minds connected with one another, and exercise a mutual influence, perpetually opposing, modifying, or counteracting one another.

Thus briefly, then, I have mentioned some of the questions which must be answered, when we adopt that plan in historical study, which leads us to view events as parts of a great whole, tending to one object, and regulated by general laws, founded on the principles of human nature. There are other lights in which we may look on this system, and there are dangers springing from it which require to be mentioned; but these must form the material of a subsequent paper.

G. S. W.

STERLING WORTH.

(From the German of Blumauer.)

ACT with a man as you would with a piece of money if his edge be rough, and his voice ring honestly, extend your hand freely to receive him; if he be worn down by intercourse with the world, be not so eager for his company; but if he be clipped by fashion, avoid him altogether.

PROMETHEUS BOUND.

A TRAGEDY.

(Translated from the Greek of Eschylus.)

[IN putting forth a new translation of a master-piece of ancient literature, which has already given employment to the pens of scholars, the author may be, with apparent reason, suspected of presumption, and an exaggerated opinion of his own powers; with a view to the removal of such suspicions, it may be as well for him candidly to state the motives which induced him to take upon himself so arduous a task. It was not with the hope of surpassing former translations of the same work (for, in fact, he must plead guilty to a very limited acquaintance with them,) nor with his mind fixed on defects existing in them, but simply in the belief that the King's College Magazine might fall into the hands of some, who, unacquainted with the language of the original, and previous versions of it, would nevertheless be glad to become familiar with so noble a specimen of the Greek drama, that the following translation has been undertaken and continued.]

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SCENE.-The Caucasian range of mountains, surrounded by desert plains, and looking down on the Euxine and Caspian Seas. It remains unchanged throughout the Play.

Enter PROMETHEUS, guarded by KRATOS, BIA, and VULCAN.

KRATOS. Earth's farthest confines have our steps attained,
To Scythian wilds untenanted by man.
Vulcan, 'tis thine thy sire's command t'obey;
To these precipitous o'erhanging rocks,
Caucasian piles, in adamantine chains,
Indissoluble fetters, here to bind

This robber-god; who, beyond measure bold,
Thy sacred right, the splendour pure of fire,
Mother of every art, to mortal men

By impious theft has given; for which condemned,
He here shall wither; till, by suffering taught,

He shall unlearn his love for human race,

And own with awe the royal power of Jove.

VULCAN. Your task is done, and Jove's behest by you
Performed; but mine with terror thrills my soul,
To chain a captive to this wintry chasm,
A kindred god! but stern necessity
Compels to daring; for my father's will
To slight, more fearful recompense would draw.
Wise son of Themis, with reluctant hand
Thee Jove compels in stubborn chains to bind,
Unwilling captive, to this desert rock,

Where neither kindly voice, nor human form,
Again shall gladden thee, but ardent suns
Thy bloom shall wither; while with joy thou seest
Star-spangled night throw round the beams of day
Her silver mantle, till the rising sun

Scatter the morning frost; thy pining form,
Grief ever present, ever felt shall waste;—
For hope is none, where none can bring relief.
The cause of all these woes, thy love for man :-
A god, regardless of the wrath divine,
Honours unmeet to mortals thou didst give;
Wherefore this joyless rock thy ward shall be,
Nor dewy sleep shall on thy eyelids press,
Nor rest thy stiffened limb; but many a groan
And many a bitter wail thy lips shall pour
In vain; for Jove's inexorable will
Forbids to hope; and all, who, newly-great,
Unwonted sceptre wield, are stern of mood.

KRAT. Why tardy thus in pity waste thy breath?

Oh! rather hate the enemy of heaven,

By every god abhorred, who durst betray

Thy sacred honours to that earth-born race.

VULC. Friendship of old, by kindred blood cemented, Strikes horror to my soul.

KRAT.

Be it so; and yet

Thy father's high behest to disobey

A stouter heart demands. This rather fear.

VULC. Oh! thou art ever deaf to pity's voice.

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