way of compensation an ample latitude for the riot of 

 passion is allowed to those within the pale. Mahometanism 

 in fine does not enlighten or console, it only flatters its 

 followers. It is no wonder that a religion which unites 

 the seductions of the Epicurean and Stoic doctrines, in- 

 culcating at the same time self-sufficiency and sensual in- 

 dulgence, should take a firm hold on an ignorant people, 

 and that no Musulman, as Reland affirms, has ever been 

 converted. The devout exterior of the Turks certainly 

 imposed on the benevolent Dr. Clarke, who, after speaking 

 of their frequent prayers and ablutions, says, we think 

 indiscreetly, "that there is no people without the pale of 

 Christianity who are better disposed towards its most essen- 

 tial precepts;" but surely the Turks do not love mercy 

 better than sacrifice ; they are not meek and poor in spirit ; 

 they do not commune with their own hearts; pride stands 

 high in their category of virtues, and among the ninety- 

 nine canonical names by which they invoke the Deity, 

 that of Most Proud occupies a foremost place. A religious 

 creed cannot be fairly judged from the separate texts of 

 which it is composed ; its practical influence is the best 

 criterion of its merit ; it may contain many precepts totally 

 at variance with the genius of the whole ; nay, a few of its 

 leading principles may suffice to render nugatory all its 

 salutary provisions. 



The law of the Turks is but an extension of their reli- 

 gion ; their whole code is founded on the Koran, and the 

 edifice is completed by dialectic subtilty. Where sacred 

 texts are wanting, traditionary tales, or constructions put 

 upon the silence of the Prophet, supply their place, and 

 the involuntary fraudulence of ingenious reasoning per- 

 vades the whole. In the imperfect state of sublunary dis- 

 pensations, this identity of law and religion is the greatest 

 calamity that can befal a people. A few simple enactments 

 will suffice for society in a primitive condition ; but as it 

 becomes developed new interests and new sentiments arise, 

 which require new regulations : institutions, however, 

 which pretend to a divine origin, are not sufficiently accom- 

 modating to the wants and weakness of human nature, 

 which can never become perfect but by a slow progression. 



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