which they had been raised in modern savage minds. But, even without going times, by generations wanting in the habits thus far, few can have failed to observe the of reverence and earnestness of feeling. importance of the acquisition of positive Catholic theology, and Moral Philosophy in knowledge, in withdrawing the mind from accordance with Catholic doctrine, were to over contemplation of self and its attributes. be the main foundations of the improved It gives the faculties another world to work education of these newer days; science in, besides that microcosm within which the and literature were not, indeed, to be ne- influences of hopes and fears, pride, ambi glected, but to be cultivated as in subordi- tion, vain-glory, are continually working to nation only to these great architectonic' retain them. It corrects the passions, by sciences, and discarded wherever they could substituting an excitement of a different ornot be forced into such subjection. And der; it encourages generous sentiment, bethus a new generation was to be trained, in cause it has no immediate object but truth, which inferiority in respect of mere object- irrespective of advantage; it encourages ive knowledge, if such should really ensue, candid and honest habits of mind, because was to be far more than compensated by the truth which it holds out is one which the higher cultivation of the immortal part--party feeling and prejudice have comparathe nobler discipline of piety and obedience. Such aspirations may be traced in most of the many writings on the university system which the crisis of those days brought out; while those who are acquainted with the practical details of the subject, know full well how deep a tincture has been introduced into the actual studies and habits of both places, but especially of Oxford, by the prevalence of views such as these, expressed by energetic men, in language at once startling and attractive.

tively httle interest in perverting. It has, of course, like every human pursuit, its own temptations to vanity and presumption; but how infinitely less engrossing and dangerous than those which attend on studies which directly interest the heart, and provoke its stronger feelings!

To substitute, therefore, as the main instruments of education, for the studies of science, history, and literature, those which have for their immediate object the awakening and strengthening of the moral perNor do we imagine that those views are ceptions, is to abandon that discipline which altered now. We have no reason to sup- has an indirect, but not the less powerful, pose that their authors would agree with us influence in enlarging and strengthening the as to the consequences which we cannot but moral faculty;-for that which has indeed believe to have proceeded from the practi- for its direct object moral improvement, but cal realization of their wishes. Yet that is apt, by a strong and necessary under-curthe facts themselves, of which we complain, rent of action, to narrow and distort that exist, they would hardly deny. Their en- very portion of man's nature it is intended to deavor was undoubtedly a lofty one; and improve. The study of Ethical philosophy how far it may prove a vain one, must as may be admirably adapted to harmonize the yet be in a great measure matter of con- general education of the mind; to recall it jecture. It remains to be proved, whether to itself-its own duties and constitutionor not they have not proceeded on a forget. from too wide a wandering over the far fulness of the real importance and value of more attractive fields of external truth. mere positive knowledge in the moral edu- But to have this effect, it must be adminis cation of man. Because the connection be-tered as a corrective only. To make it tween intellectual and moral cultivation is not obvious and direct, it is easily passed over. Nor do we suppose that it can ever be fully appreciated, except by those who are prepared, with ourselves, to recognise the great principles;-that all learning is discipline all discipline self-denial-all self-denial has the nature of virtue and that, by consequence, however wide or strange the corollary may seem, he who knows the first propositions of Euclid is, in so far, better than he who does not; ay, though both may have been equally untaught to pray, and may have formed of their Creator no more than the confused terrific image entertained, by the wildest of

practically the leading discipline, and render others dependent on it, is mental ruin. It is in itself a study fraught with danger; it throws the mind back on itself, fills it with an engrossing, and perhaps morbid, habit of self-analysis; and eventually, and not very indirectly, of self-worship. But independently of this, teach it as you will, it must be taught on a system. That system must rest on arbitrary axioms-axioms which can neither be proved nor are self-evidentaxioms in the defence of which the feelings must in the first place be enlisted. But he whose heart and faculties are wrapt up in attachment to a system-be that system truth itself-inevitably comes to love it and

either.

or

defend it, not because it is truth, but because | have the distinction of singularity." The it is his system. This is the danger which influence of the prejudices thus excited on besets even the learner of abstract know- the moral character is bad enough; but on ledge; how infinitely more him who pur- intellectual progress it is destruction. The sues studies in which the conclusions are fruits of the recent fashion of decrying practical, and in which to err is to incur mere scientific pursuits, or mere literary moral danger! And how much the peril is studies, as unworthy, frivolous, or dangerincreased, when philosophy is carefully en-ous, are terribly apparent in the present rolled in support of a theological scheme-condition of Oxford. Here, at least, we involved, as it were, in the quarrels of dog-shall scarcely meet with a contradiction. matic theology-in the strife which swells The gradual desertion of the lecture rooms, every heart, and lends bitterness to every in which knowledge not absolutely connecttongue, in the little world which surrounds ed with the University discipline is impartthe pupil;--when, in the language of an ed, is notorious. The utter absence of all able Oxford writer, the Church is made to spirit for investigation of every sort, ex"fix the true point of view from which all cept in polemic theology and one their truths may be seen in their real forms two inferior pursuits of taste, is the subject, and proportions!" But from the moment even there, of general lamentation. Natuthat truth, as such, and irrespectively of par- [ral Philosophy, indeed, while disregarded ticular ends, ceases to be the main object by all, is absolutely discountenanced by proposed to the mind in tuition, farewell to many, from similar reasons to that which honesty, openness, and independence of the late King of Naples was wont to give character. For truly, though severely, was for refusing grants of money to unroll the it said, by one too, who has had no slight Herculanean manucripts ;-namely, that share in fashioning the popular philosophy something might be discovered therein of the present day, that he who loves which would overturn the Christian religion, Christianity better than truth, will soon and then his Majesty would never get ablove his own sect better than Christianity, solution. Historical study seems altogether and end by loving himself better than at an end, except in the single province of ecclesiastical antiquities: indeed, as we Again, in teaching reverence for the dis- have seen it ingeniously remarked by a tant past, those whose views we are at pre-writer of the Oxford school, all history is sent considering have thought themselves dangerous, and ought to be re-written on justified in using a tone of great bitterness Church principles. Nay, the very special great scorn-we must add of great self-ex- studies of under-graduates are no longer altation, in speaking of the present and the pursued with the spirit and zeal of former immediate past. They have thought it their times: classical scholarship is declining. duty to hold up the opinions and sentiments We saw it stated the other day, in a Jourof the ages immediately preceding our own, nal favorable to the present "movement," and of by far the greater part of the world that the art of prose Latin composition is at the present day, to utter contempt; to absolutely lost at Oxford. To borrow again show the futility of the objects most valued, the forcible language of Dr. Arnold:the worthlessness of the knowledge most" The two great parties of the Christian esteemed. This they scarcely could do, world have each their own standard of truth without affording infinite encouragement to by which they try all things-Scripture on that worst kind of vanity, the thinking our- the one hand; the voice of the Church on selves wise above those around us ;-a far the other. To both, therefore, the pure ingreater temptation, as Dr. Arnold himself tellectual movement is not only unwelcome, has acutely remarked, than that of under- but they dislike it. It will question what valuing those who have lived before us. they will not allow to be questioned: it may "Our personal superiority seems much arrive at conclusions which they would remore advanced by decrying our contempo-gard as impious. And therefore in an age" raries, than by decrying our fathers. The (or seat)" of religious movement particulardead are not our real rivals; nor is pride ly, the spirit of intellectual movement soon very much gratified by asserting a superi- finds itself proscribed rather than counteority over those who cannot deny it. It is nanced." far more tempting to personal vanity to think ourselves the only wise amongst a generation of fools, than to glory in belong. ing to a wise generation, where our personal wisdom, be it what it may, cannot at least

Thus much, at least, is matter of general observation, that while the loss is certain, the gain in higher respects is worse than questionable; that much has been lost, along with knowledge itself, of the habits

of mind which attend an ardent pursuit of | plies no topics to neutral and harmless inknowledge of manly candor, of extended terest. Add to this, the thousand temptasympathies, of that generous, frank enthu- tions to take sides, to enlist in parties-the siasm so graceful in the young; that a cap- sad want of importance of those, old or tious, close, exclusive spirit, is apt to grow young, who in agitated societies keep aloof on the mind, under the discipline and as- from agitation. Talent, enthusiasm, selfsociations now prevailiug-producing in importance, eccentricity, all take one and vigorous natures a concentrated heat, in- the same direction; the able are easily stead of an expansive warmth: this is com-drawn in by the desire to shine; and fools, plained of, we know not how justly, but because they have an instinctive consciousseems to follow as a not unnatural conse- ness that in no other way can a fool bequence. For this, and much more, Oxford come a man of consequence. has to thank the peculiar exertions of the ablest and most active among her present teachers, and the success which has attended them.

It is needless to dwell on the influence which this combination of deteriorating causes may have on the prospects of the rising generation. Væ diebus nostris, exIt is true that they are awake now. Of claimed the old chronicler, who in his bar. course it is not to be supposed that men of barous age saw and felt the moral darkness really superior minds, such as many of extending itself, along with the decline of those of whom we speak, can be content in that culture, of which, in these enlightened observing the decay of knowledge around times, some men seem to fancy that we them; or the loss of interest in those pur- have a surfeit-væ diebus nostris, quia periit suits to which the youthful disposition should studium litterarum a nobis! We know full seem adapted. It appears to be the very well the elements of greatness which exist earnest endeavor of many of them, to keep at Oxford. They need no other proof than the minds of those under actual pupilage as the extraordinary influence which has profar as possible unpolluted by that black and ceeded from thence for the last ten years bitter Styx of controversy which envelopes for good or for evil. We know, too, that the region. But this is utterly impossible, with all the degrading effects of its present unless they could influence also-which in condition on its usefulness as a place of inthis direction they cannot-the minds and struction, the very violence of its controstudies of that body of which the condition versies has not been without direct intelforms by far the best test of the state of lectual influence, in awakening and pointeducation at our universities. We mean ing the energies of dispositions of a pecuthose who have passed their short academi-liar order. But what the general class of cal course, but are still detained by various minds which its present system produces duties or circumstances; young themselves, need above all things, is a stimulus to a although, for the most part, instructors of more natural and more independent action. those still younger-for they form the class This is precisely what talents like those which gives the tone to the studious part of of Dr. Arnold were fitted to give; and it is those under discipline. So long as theolo-in this respect that his loss is nothing less gical controversy forms the great excite- than a national calamity. Both his virtues, ment and interest of their lives, so long it lofty as they were, and his talents were of will exercise its miserable influence on the an eminently practical order; nor were his education in which they assist. However very peculiarities without their usefulness. honestly disposed, the tutor whose head is If he had been a severer anaylst than he in a whirl with the religious battles of Con-was-a man of judgment more free from vocation, cannot get up among his pupils the impulses of the affections a man less much enthusiasm about the Punic or Pelo- solicitous about the polemics of his dayponnesian war. Where his mind mechani- more patient in investigation, and less cally leads, theirs will follow. Nor will the ready to grasp at obvious solutions of dif tone of society, out of academical hours ficulties-in one word, less of a theorist; assist in supplying the stimulus of better he might have been greater as a literary and more vigorous speculation; for society man; but he could scarcely have possessed, at Oxford-that is, the society of the intel- along with these faculties, his own distincligent and active part of its denizens-is be- tive excellence. His mode of action, in come dead and spiritless-paralyzed from his university sphere, as his lectures prove, the dread which prevails of giving mutual would have been, not to endeavor forcibly offence. Men stand carefully aloof from to tear away his audience from their acfree intercourse with each other on ques- customed associations, and make at once tions which excite them, and the place sup- of young theologians and moralists a new

MADAME D'ARBLAY.

From the Edinburgh Magazine.

Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay. Five vols. 8vo. London: 1842.

public esteem. She lived to be a classic. Time set on her fame, before she went hence, that seal which is seldom set except on the fame of the departed. Like Sir Condy Rackrent in the tale, she survived her own wake, and overheard the judgment of posterity.

THOUGH the world saw and heard little of Madame D'Arblay during the last forty Having always felt a warm and sincere, years of her life, and though that little did though not a blind admiration for her talnot add to her fame, there were thousands, ents, we rejoiced to learn that her Diary was we believe, who felt a singular emotion about to be made public. Our hopes, it is when they learned that she was no longer true, were not unmixed with fears. We among us. The news of her death carried could not forget the fate of the Memoirs of the minds of men back at one leap, clear Dr. Burney, which were published ten years over two generations, to the time when her ago. That unfortunate book contained first literary triumphs were won. All those much that was curious and interesting. whom we had been accustomed to revere Yet it was received with a cry of disgust, as intellectual patriarchs, seemed children and was speedily consigned to oblivion. when compared with her; for Burke had The truth is, that it deserved its doom. sat up all night to read her writings, and It was written in Madame D'Arblay's later Johnson had pronounced her superior to style-the worst style that has ever been Fielding, when Rogers was still a school-known among men. No genius, no inforboy, and Southey still in petticoats. Yet mation, could save from proscription a book more strange did it seem that we should so written. We, therefore, opened the just have lost one whose name had been Diary with no small anxiety, trembling lest widely celebrated before any body had we should light upon some of that peculiar heard of some illustrious men who, twenty, rhetoric which deforms almost every page thirty, or forty years ago, were, after a of the Memoirs, and which it is impossible long and splendid career, borne with honor to read without a sensation made up of to the grave. Yet so it was. Frances Bur- mirth, shame, and loathing. We soon, ney was at the height of fame and popu- however, discovered to our great delight, larity before Cowper had published his first that this Diary was kept before Madame volume, before Porson had gone up to col D'Arblay became eloquent. It is, for the lege, before Pitt had taken his seat in the most part, written in her earliest and best House of Commons, before the voice of manner; in true woman's English, clear, Erskine had been once heard in Westmin- natural, and lively. The two works are ster Hall. Since the appearance of her first lying side by side before us, and we never work, sixty-two years had passed; and this turn from the Memoirs to the Diary without interval had been crowded, not only with a sense of relief. The difference is as political, but also with intellectual revolu- great as the difference between the atmostions. Thousands of reputations had, dur-phere of a perfumer's shop, fetid with laing that period, sprung up, bloomed, with-vender water and jasmine soap, and the air ered, and disappeared. New kinds of com- of a heath on a fine morning in May. Both position had come into fashion, had gone out of fashion, had been derided, had been forgotten. The fooleries of Della Crusca, and the fooleries of Kotzebue, had for a time bewitched the multitude, but had left no trace behind them ; nor had misdirected We may, perhaps, afford some harmless genius been able to save from decay the amusement to our readers if we attempt, once flourishing schools of Godwin, of with the help of these two books, to give Darwin, and of Radcliffe. Many books, writ-them an account of the most important ten for temporary effect, had run through years of Madame D'Arblay's life. six or seven editions, and had then been She was descended from a family which gathered to the novels of Afra Behn, and the epic poems of Sir Richard Blackmore. Yet the early works of Madame D'Arblay, in spite of the lapse of years, in spite of the change of manners, in spite of the popularity deservedly obtained by some of her rivals, continued to hold a high place in the VOL. I. No. IV. 38

works ought to be consulted by every person who wishes to be well acquainted with the history of our literature and our manners. But to read the Diary is a pleasure; to read the Memoirs will always be a task.

bore the name of Macburney, and which, though probably of Irish origin, had been long settled in Shropshire, and was possessed of considerable estates in that county. Unhappily, many years before her birth, the Macburneys began, as if of set purpose and in a spirit of determined rivalry, to