Degradation of Human Intellect. 51 



To fill up the hour, we had to wait for the 

 refreshment of our horses : after our own break- 

 fast, at Moneyhive, I requested of our host the 

 loan of a book. Next in his collection to the 

 Bible, stood a large folio on heraldry. He 

 noticed the surprise I expressed at finding such 

 a work among his volumes ; and in a tone of 

 exultation significantly observed, that he " was 

 a Gordon." 



To what various stratagems have mankind 

 resorted for the purpose of establishing the 

 dominion of the few over the many ! The de- 

 gradation, nay extinction of human intellect, 

 seems to have been the study of ages ; the aim, 

 and not unfrequently the end, of tyranny ; the 

 favourite, because the most effectual engine, in 

 the hands of a secular, as well as spiritual 

 potentate. The soldier's maxim is, " divide 

 and conquer;" the absolute monarch's, " de- 

 base and subdue." Once brutalize the mind of 

 man in ignorance, and he soon resigns himself, 

 even with pride, a devoted victim to the inordi- 

 nate lust of his leader. What a master-piece of 

 military policy in the Highland chief, to share 

 his name with his vassals, identifying the pride 

 and prejudices of the clan with the fame and 

 aggrandisement of their redoubtable captain. 



E 2 



