O-gley took the firm refolution, which he has ever fince kept, of never playing for any fum that can give him the leat difquietude.

About this period Mr. O-gley met with a molt amiable lady, whofe age and fortune were well adapted to his own. He paid his addreffes in form, and after the expiration of a proper time, the lady confented to give him her hand. The molt perfect blifs that Hymen can confer this happy pair enjoyed. They were, indeed, models for a connubial alliance, as well with regard to domestic felicity as to their public behaviour. Mrs. O-gley regulated the houfhold œconomy with prudence, not penury. Their most hofpitable table does not teem with exotics, which gratify the eye more than the appetite. In a word, true Englith elegance reigned, whilft French refinement was exploded.

As Mr. O-gley was one day riding in Bedfordshire, he perceived a little girl fitting at the door of a hovel, diffolved in tears. He enquired the cause of her grief, but he could make no reply, except with an additional flood of tears. He alighted, when peeping in at the window, he perceived a middle aged man, lying on a bed almost expiring, with five more children round him. He enquired of the eldest daughter the unhappy man's complaint, when he found that grief for the lofs of his wife had fo far preyed upon him, as to deprive him of the power of getting his bread, and that abfolute want, added to his melancholy state, had reduced him to his prefent deplorable condition, which was ftill farther agravat ed by the diftrefs of his deftitute and unfortunate children who furrounded him, bemoaning at once the lofs of a mother and their impending fate, in a dying father. Mr. Ogley no fooner learnt the state of aggravated mifery that prefented itself before him, than he relieved their wants, and fent a nurfe and apothecary to attend this unfortunate man. But relief came too late, as Mr. O-gley heard next day, that he furvived only a few hours his benefactor's departure. Mr. O-gley made fome provifion for the children, to prevent their burthening the parish; and he took home the youngeft who was the first that caught his attention at the door. She was a fine little girl, and feemed to have a good capacity for improvement; he accordingly put her to fchool, and had her taught fuch things as fuited the fphere of life fhe was likely to move in. She occafionally visited at Mr. O-gley's, and was

confidered as one of the family. As fhe advanced towards maturity, he grew genteel and uncommonly engaging, as well in her manners as her perfon. She had now attained her fixteenth year, when a certain baronet, of confiderable landed property, paid a vifit in the neighbourhood, where Mifs Kenton (which we fhall now call her) was alfo upon a vifit to the young ladies of the house, with whom the had been a playfellow many years. The baronet was inftantly fmitten with Mifs Kenton's figure; entered into converfation with her; and was very agreeably, furprised with her fprightlinefs and good fenfe. He at firft entertained fome thoughts of making her his mifirefs; but after fome deliberation, he made her an honourable offer of his hand. She liftened with becoming modefty, and was easily perfuaded to accede to fo beneficial an alliance. Her ladyfhip acquits herself with the greatest propriety, and notwithflanding fo very unexpected an elevation, her deportment is as natural and eafy, as if fhe was born to the rank fhe now moves in.

This

Soon after the celebration of thefe nuptials, as Mr. Ogley was walking down the Haymarket, he overtook a very pretty female, that greatly ftruck his fancy. She was far from a regular beauty; fhe was a brunette, with fine blue eyes. a very engaging mouth, with regular white teeth, and auburn treffes. She was rather above the middle fize, and remarkably genteel. He viewed her with attention, and thought he recollected fonie features that had been familiar to him. He traced her abode, and difcovered fhe was a chamber milliner. led to an introduction, when he ordered fome ruffles; and found, in a very fort. converfation, that fue was one of the fitters of lady, whom he had relieved in their great diftrefs. He learnt that this Mifs Kenton was ignorant of the good fortune that had befallen her filter, though she had seen the account of the marriage in the papers, not fuppofing that her fifter's kind itars had fo ta prevailed in her behalf, and judging, therefore, it was another Mifs Kenton of fuperior fashion. In the courfe of their conversation she let fall fome hints that fhe had been ufed ill by a fea officer, who had promifed her marriage, and left her pregnant feveral months before. This intimation probably induced our hero to think that a chamber milliner was a very convenient female friend, we thall leave our readers to guefs how far he availed himself of this difcovery, and how much

THE

THERE is nothing amid the ordinary transactions of life that, in my idea, fo much enlarges the human understanding, as a freedom from reftraint: where this is denied, we but too often experience obedience at the anxious expence of fufpicion, the delicate barriers of mutual confidence, which men have been taught to fet up one with another, become violated, and felf, not political intereft, reigns the governing principle of active life.

Religion is but an univerfal name for that duty, which the law of nature and reafon has dictated to mankind, and which we indifpenfably owe to the fupreme Creator of the univerfe for the continued protection we derive from his ineffable goodness: But it, to speak dialectically, Like every other genus, comprehends its fpecies. To profess therefore this or that religion becomes no longer optional, but the hereditary, nay involuntary right of each individual. At the moment of our birth our faith commences, and gradually advances by confirmed experience. Stripped of its external appearance, religion is ever the fame; but it is to this or that particular worship, it comes to be divided into this or that particular fectary. For this reafon I have thought it neceflary to premise this truth in the courfe of the following inquiry, as the generous foundation whereon to build univerfal charity to mankind, be their religion what it may; as alfo to demonstrate that thofe cenfures that may have formerly characterized an individual fpecies of religion, ought not in more enlightened times to be

attributed to thofe that have cafually dopted a fimilar faith

Reflexions fuch as thefe are apt to folicit the judgment, and seriously to demand why (the neceffity vanishing) fo fevere restrictions and uncharitable penalties are at the fame time blended with the difpenfing powers of the conftituticonfiders the true fcope of the legislature, on, while the perfon who impartially cannot but condemn that policy where

the laws at bett inforce restrictive obedi

ence, leaft of all produce those political advantages the liberal offspring of a free conflitution. For to speak in the manner fecution never makes any but hypocrites of the ingenious Mr. Voltaire. "Perfides, ought we to endeavour to eftablish or rebels; a fhocking alternative! Beby the bloody hand of the executioner the religion of that GOD who fell by fuch hands, and who while on earth taught mercy and forbearance?"

The popery laws as they stand unrepealed t this day, however founded on found principles of legiflative difcernment at the time of their inititution, at present appear to me to participate of this inhumanity. Thanks to our memorable forefathers, who have tranfmitted to us a conftitution as liberal as it is perfect; it is our bufinefs at least to preserve that conftitution as free, as it was handed down to us; we fhould not pervert that grand charter which was with fo much difficulty obtained, but confider it as an object to which the circumftances of times and manners ought to be strictly conformable,-Is it then to be imagined that any particular fet of people can reap the fruits of political protection, when the conftitution, like a tep-dame, measures out its benefits to the fame people? While a distinction is made in the difpofition of her favours, there must be a continual fubjet for jealoufy and difcontent, and nought but interefted motives will be found coercive enough, to oblige them to conform to that particular policy; how very like to this is the present treatment of the Roman catholics of this kingdom' An infringement on the political acts of any fubject, but too often carries with it an infringement of idea, when the mind is confined with illiberal impediments, it is too often apt to break loofe and return with impetuofity to the natural principles of freedom; but this force, this impetuofity, where by its endeavours to rescue itfelf, is frequently the occafion of much confufion, urged by the immoderate expreffions of indignant refentment, it feldom provides against the danger that may

enfue;

doms? or will a free power of acquiring property in perpetuity, in the leaft fully that faith which inculcates an equality amon ft mankind? Surely not. Is there the fmalleft connexion between religion and her dictates, and this permillive power granted to papifts? unless indeed that religion points out to us that we fhould not idly bury our talent without putting it to that profitable ufe, fuch a power naturally implies. To fpeak therefore in the language of a fen fible French author who has wrote before me, we must conclude "that the right of the fovereign over his fubjects, goes not beyond the limits of public utihty; whence it appears, that fubjects are not bound to account to their prince for their private religious opinions, but inafmuch as they relate to that particular community of which they are a member." It is certainly expedient for the fiate that every citizen should profess a religion, which directs an obedience to its rules; but the particular form of that religion apparently neither interefts the ftate, nor its members, except in fuch cafes where fociety in general is concerned: errors, which are but speculative, are indifferent to every ftate, diverfity of opinions will naturally reign among ft beings fo imperfect as mankind. Truth produces its excrefcences, as the fun impurities and spots. Let us not then, in the name of humanity, aggravate an evil by trying to extirpate it by feverity and force; if punifhment is to be exercised, let it be folely applied against crimes; but let us compaffionate error, and let us not arm truth with any other weapon, but forbearance, example and perfuafion.

Thus the feveral degrees of people will learn mutual confidence, and one common intereft be the main fpring of all our actions; perfectly fatisfied with the impartial diftribution of justice, we fhall try, if not in form, at least to agree in one established rule of benevolence and frict attachment to each other.

A

[To be continued.]

libertines, he became a very offenfive object, from the diforders which she had contracted by her vicious connections; and copied but too clofely the language and manners of the mofi abandoned of her fex. Her intoxications were frequent, her oaths were horrid, and there was a boldness, mixed with an indelicacy in her whole behaviour, which, while it merited cenfure, excited at the fame time compaflion; for this unhappy girl, with all thefe ftriking marks of a confirmed licentioufnefs of difpofition, really abhorred the way of life into which the had been first thrown by the fordid temper of her avaricious mother, and had a natural benevolence of foul, which might have proved a bleffing to herself, and have rendered her truly amiable in the eyes of all her friends and acquaintance, had fhe been placed in a fituation to make a proper difcovery of it.

Strolling through the fireet: one night, in fearch of a dupe, from whom she might procure money enough to drown thofe reflections which became almoft infupportable, fhe heard a poor wretch, on the pavement, begging, in a molt plaintive tone, for a fingle halfpenny, to fave her from ftarving. Struck by the mournful founds, which pierced her fympathizing heart, the advanced, and faw a human figure indeed, and a female, but in a moft diftref-ful condition; maimed, emaciated, and juft finking under the heavy preffures of poverty and disease. Thrufting her hand into her pocket, the took out a little trinket, the laft piece of finery in her poffeffion, and faid to her, "I have no money; I am almost as much in want as you are; but take this, you may pawn it for fomething." The poor creature grafped the hand held out to her in an agony of gratitude, and feeing a mole on the wrift, looked up in the face of her benefa&refs-exclaimed,

ing history, conducted her to the Magdalen-house, where the djed in a short time after her admiffion, fincerely repentant for all the errors which the had committed.

The

The Political Hiftory of Europe for the Year 1774. (Concluded from p. 647.) Motion preparatory to a Repeal of the Tea Duty laid in 1767. Debate upon the Policy of a Repeal at this particular Time. Negative put on the Motion. Bill brought in for the better regulating the Government of Maffachufet's-bay: Debates upon it: Petitions against it: Rejected by the Houfe: the Bill paffed: carried to the Lords: Proceedings there: faffes the Lords. Bill for the impartial adminiftration o Juflice in Maflachujet's bay: Debates: the Bill palles both Houles. Bill for the Government of Quebec, brought into the House of Lords, and paled: fent to the Commons: De bates: paffes the Commons, but with great Amendments. Clofe of the Seffion. Speech from the Throne.

S

EVERAL gentlemen, who had voted for the bill to fhut up the port of Boston, were nevertheless of opinion, that fomething of a conciliatory and redrefling nature fhould attend this meafure of feverity, and might give the greater efficacy to it. That parliament, whilft it refented the outrages of the American populace, ought not to be too willing to irritate the fober part of the colonies. That, if they had fatisfaction in the matter of taxes, they would become inftrumental in keeping the inferior and more turbulent in order; and that this facrifice to peace would be at no confiderable expence, as the taxes were of very little value to Great Britain; but a very heavy burthen on the minds of the Americans, as they confidered the impofitions which they had no fare in granting, rather as badges of flavery than contributions to government. A motion was accordingly made preparatory to a repeal of the tea duty laid in 1767. The arguments uled in fupport of the general propofition, and in oppofition to it, were nearly the fame as thofe which have been stated in former volumes of this magazine. But the debate upon the policy of a repeal at this particular time, was long and earneft. The party for the repeal trongly urging experience, which they infilted was in their favour. That the attempt to tax America had inflamed, the repeal had quieted, and the new taxes had inflamed it again. That even the partial repeal of fome of the new taxes had produced no fmall degree of tranquility in America, until the attempt to enforce what remained by the late Eaft-India a&t, had again thrown the empire into confufion. They were of opinion, that this act of December, 1775.

condefcenfion would fhew, that parliament meant by their penal acts to punish diforders in the colonies; but that they regarded alfo their privileges and their would depend on a tincture of lenity. quiet. The good effect of their rigour They were of opinion that this lenitive would render rigour unneceffary. They therefore earneftly prefied the repeal of the obnoxious tea duty that remained, as a very probable method of refioring tranquility and obedience. To enforce this they entered into a large field, and the merits and fuccefs of the several plans of colony-government for feveral years were laid open and fully difcuffed.

ed, that fuppofing the tea duty fo conBut to thefe arguments it was anfwer. temptible an object as was represented, which however the minifter denied, yet a repeal at this time would fhew fuch a degree of wavering and inconfiftency, as would defeat the good effects of the vigorous plan, which after too long remilnefs was at length adopted. That parliament ought to thew that it will relax in none of its just rights, but enforce them in a practical way. That the ought to fhew that he is provided with fulficient means of making herself obeyed whenever the is refifted. If this tax is repealed, what anfwer is to be given when they demand the repeal of the tax on wine? No answer, until all is furrendered, even America herfelf. That if the house perfifted in the measures begun, there was no doubt they faid of fucceeding, or, to adopt the expreffions ufed, "of becoming victorious." And this victory could only be obtained by a firm, confiftent, jult, and manly conduct.

On these grounds a negative was put on this motion, which had been propofed fo often in former feffions. The numbers in its favour were also much smaller than upon former occafions. The difpofition to carry things to extremities with America was become very general; and as the repeal of the ftamp act was much condemned by the minifterial fide, and its authors greatly decried, they repofed the higheft confidence in the fuccefs of meafures of a contrary nature.

The Bolton port bill formed only one part of the coercive plan propofed by the miniftry as the effectual method of bringing her to obedience. Others of a de per and more extenfive nature were behind, and appeared in due time. Soon after the rejection of this motion a bill was brought in for " the better regulating government in the province of Maffachufet's- Bay." The purpose of thi Хууу