266 oration of Lomonofsoff. Oct. 236 
the present occasion, we ought to advert that the situation of Lomo- 
_-mofsoff was extremely difsimilar to our own. Wein Britain have 
been long accustomed to enjoy the protection of a steady govern- 
ment so entirely, that we have scarcely an idea of the miseries 
that those experience who have been exposed to the ravages of a- 
narchy and misrule. Lomonofsoff from his infancy, had been wit- 
nefs to the horrors which originate in unstable government ; and 
had been exposed to the innumerable evils to which unprotected 
indigence is perpetually subjected in such a case: Yet stimulated 
by the amazing powers of his own mind, he had struggled against 
difficulties, that to almost any other man would have been insur- 
mountable, and: at last had the happinefs tosee tranquillity restor= 
ed, the industrious citizens protected, and himself rais¢d from the 
-dregs ofthe people to enjoy a-most distinguifhed place in the couns. 
cils of his sovereign. In these circumstances, an excefs of gratitude 
would not have been anunpardonable failing ; and if this panegy- 
ric had been even extravagant, it could scarcely be condemned. 
Those who are best acquainted with the history of the princefs he 
served, will be the most disposed to join with the orator in his just 
praises of that amiable potentate. 
But it isthe actions of Peter, the father of his protectrefs, that attract 
’ the principal attention of the orator, and form the chief subject of 
this animated oration. With a ‘bias no lefs ‘natural than just, the 
mind of Lomonofsoff dilates with wonderful pleasure on the exerti- 
ons of Peter. ‘Lomonofsoff fixed his mind steadily on Peter trom his 
birth ; he knew that he had been reared up in ignorance, and educa- 
ted in error: He saw him/in early youth afsailed by prejudices on 
every side, while the impenetrable gloom of ignorance, put it out 
of his power to distinguith the true road from those crooked paths 
into which his false guides were perpetually drawing him aside. 
He saw the hero groping his way with an unconquerable perseve~ 
_ yance, and at last tearing asunder the thick vail that had overfhaded 
the kingdom for ages; and at length bursting forth into the effulgence 
ofglory. Was it a wonder if the man who had, himself, experienced a 
similar struggle, fhould appreciate the merit of the person who had 
overcome these difficulties in more animated strains than those who 
never having experienced the trials, can have no idea of the merit 
of having overcome them. 
It was these great ideas filling the mind of the philosopher which rais- 
ed his language to that unwonted elevation, so conspicuous tow ards 
ial 5 
