474 ■^^' Barnes on the Power 



and by its own volitions fo far to weaken \t^ 

 as to endure, with apparent calmnefs, what 

 would to many appear impoflible for human 

 nature to fupport. 



We fmile, indeed, at the pompous and un- 

 natural grimace of an old Stoic, crying out, 

 *' O pain, I will never acknowledge thee to be 

 an evil." The attempt to annihilate, or to 

 defpife fenfation, is doubtlefs much too high ; 

 and, in this degree, borders upon frenzy. 

 But ought we not, at the fame time, to admire 

 the heroifm of a mind flruggling to maintain 

 its" liberty, its peace, its fcif-command, and 

 endeavouring to arm itfclf, by rational and 

 moral influences, againfl: the tyranny of appetite 

 and of fenfe ? And would not this Stoic, who, 

 convinced that it was in his power not to be 

 overcome, is refolutely determined not to yield, 

 feel lefs pain, than one, who, with a puny and 

 timid fjiiit, endeavours to fly from the enemy 

 whom he dares not meet ? Would not this be 

 the cafe with the hardy Spartan, in whom 



'• Generous fcorn 

 *' Of pain, or danger, taught his early Itrength 

 " To ftruggle patient with levereft toils !"* 



The inftances of the firm endurance of torture, 

 in the North American Indians, would be ab- 

 folutely incredible, if not fupported by teftimony, 



* Glover's Leonidas, book. I. I, 54.0 



which 



