230] 



A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



books, to which he intended to have added a third, and of which 

 he left a fragment. In these three books, it is said, that he meant 

 to give a full explanation of Natural Religion, and thus to lay the 

 foundation of Christianity. But a candid and even critical exami- 

 nation of the two books now before the public, must convince the 

 reader, that a passion for classic elegance rather than a zeal for 

 Revelation, animated the author. There is nothing indeed in the 

 poem contrary to Christianity, but little in illustration of its divine 

 truth. The author keeps up that philosophical tone which he bor- 

 rowed from Lucretius, Seneca, and Lucan; and his reasoning, 

 even in the most interesting passages, does not seem superior to 

 that of Plato, Socrates, or any wise heathen, on the important sub- 

 ject of Immortality. In this spirit he says in the first book : 



Well worth our search discoveries may be made 

 By Nature, \oid of the celestial aid : 

 Let's try what her conjectures then can reach, 

 Nor scorn plain Reason, when she deigns to teach. 



* * # * 



That mind and body often sympathize 

 Is plain ; such is this union Nature tries ; 

 But then as often loo they disagree, 

 Which proves the soul's superior progeny. 

 Sometimes the body in full strength we lind, 

 While various ails debilitate the mind ; 

 At others, while the mind its force retains, 

 The body sinks with sickness and with pains ; 

 Now did one common fate their beings end, 

 Alike they'd sicken, and alike they'd mend. 

 But sure experience, on the slightest view, 

 Shews us that the reverse of this is true ; 

 For when the body oft expiring lies, 

 Its limbs quite senseless, and half-closed its eyes, 

 The mind new force and eloquence acquires, 

 And with prophetic voice, the dying lips inspires." 



These are pleasing illustrations of the immortality of the hu- 

 man soul, yet they are merely such as any sagacious and ingenious 

 heathen might have derived from reflection and observation. 



At the conclusion of the second book, Christianity has thrown 

 some irradiations on his view of a future state : 



If ev'ry rule of equity demands 



That vice and virtue from th' Almighty's bands 



Should due rewards and punishments receive, 



And this by no means happens whilst we live, 



It follows, that a time must surely come 



When each shall meet their well-adjusted doom ; 



