STUDY XII. 9 



try, have inclined the balance of fentiment too 

 decidedly in his favour, fuppofe the child over- 

 whelmed with the woes of Belifarhis, and at the 

 fame time poffeffing fome of his virtues, fiich as 

 having his eyes put out by his parents, and, never- 

 thelefs, continuing to beg alms for their relief* ; 

 there would, in my opinion, be no room for hefi- 

 tation, provided a man felt only : for if you rea- 

 fon, the cafe is entirely altered; the talents, the 

 victories, the renown of the Grecian General, would 

 prefently abforb the calamities of an obfcure child. 

 Reafon will recal you to the political intereft, to 

 the / human. 



The fentiment of innocence is a ray of the Di- 

 vinity. It invefls the unfortunate perfon with a 

 celeftial radiance, which falls on the human heart, 

 and recoils, kindling it into generofity, that other 

 fiame of divine original. It alone renders us fen- 

 fjble to the diftrefs of virtue, by reprefenting it to 

 us as incapable of doing harm ; for othervvife, we 

 might be induced to confider it as fufficient to it- 

 felf. In this cafe it would excite rather admira- 

 tion than pity. 



* The reélor of a country village, in the vicinity of Paris, 

 not far from Dravet, underwent, in his infancy, a piece of inhu- 

 manity not lefs barbarous, from the hands of his parents. He 

 fufFered cailration from his own father, who was by profeffion a 

 furgeon : he, neverthelefs, fupported that unnatural parent in 

 bis old age. I believe both father and fon are flill in life. 



Of 



