15 



endeavours. Englishmen, Sir, may sometimes 

 carry their nationality to an unwarrantable 

 height, and I think that you have detected 

 something of this over-patriotic spirit in the 

 writings of Mr. Abernethy. But these minor 

 faults would be ill-redeemed by throwing off 

 our alarms against those who have filled Eu- 

 rope and the world with disorder and desola- 

 tion. Experience has convinced us these 

 "charming'* writers, are not less dangerous 

 from the seductive embellishments, with which 

 they have adorned their principles. Whilst we 

 admire their taste and genius, we are not disposed 

 to embrace their scepticism and irreligion ; and 

 if you, or any man should attempt to hold them 

 up in these kingdoms, as the guides and in- 

 structors of our youth, I feel confident, that 

 you would but sacrifice your own reputation at 

 the shrine of your attachment to foreigners. 



But it is not only France and the continent 

 which are to be preferred to this country, we 

 are also to be humbled and taunted by the su- 

 perior excellence of our American descendants. 

 Truly, Sir, this is going beyond your official 

 duties, merely to insult the civil and religious 

 institutions of Great Britain. If such be your 

 private opinions, why are they to be delivered 

 from the theatre of the Royal College? Why 

 should your pupils be instructed to consider 

 Europe * " as one great state prison >" to con- 



* P. 37. 



