It

behold great self-possession in sudden and fearful emergencies, or see a readiness to share voluntarily in another's sufferings, or become acquainted with other moral excellencies of a like kind, we cannot but experience a strong emotion. is not easy, by a mere form of words, to communicate an exact notion of this feeling, except perhaps in the circumstance of its great strength. It is evident, however, that it is analogous to that agitation and heaving and expansion of the soul, which exists, when we contemplate what is vast, and terrible, and mighty in nature.

§. 244. Instances and illustrations of the moral sublime.

At the celebrated pass of Thermopylæ, three hundred Spartans met, and fought with the Persian army of a million. The remark was made by some one of the Spartans at the commencement of the battle, that the Persian arrows would fly so thick as to obscure and shut out the light of the sun; the reply of Dieneces was, "so much the better, for we shall then fight in the shade ;" and this has justly been set down as an instance of moral sublime. That short reply, made almost with a degree of levity, disclosed a mind, prepared to meet every hazard, and to make the best of every form of adversity; a mind, that felt no more dismay, though overshadowed and canopied with a darkness full of death, than the traveller of the desert, who refreshes himself beneath the shadow of some friendly rock, or the shepherd, who has sought the protection of the forest from the rays of the mid-day sun.

Such instances of striking calmness and self-possession amid great dangers are not unfrequent; and seldom fail to enlist a strong feeling in their favor. On some urgent occasion Julius Cæsar put to sea in an open boat; a violent storm arose, and the pilot discovered great terror. "Quid times, (said the Roman,) Cæsarem vehis."We see in this incident, as in that of Dieneces, a marked degree of firmness; an indication of spiritual hardihood, which could stand unshaken both against the opposition of men, and the frowns and persecutions of the elements of nature.

The reply of the wounded and dying Warwick, in the Henry Sixth of Shakspeare, is full of a moral nobleness.

Somerset.

Warwick.

Ah! Warwick, Warwick, wert thou as we are,
We might recover all the loss again.

The queen from France has brought a puissant power,
E'en now we heard the news. Ah! couldst thou fly!
Why then I would not fly.

§. 245. The moral sublime involves the morally beautiful.

In the remarks, which were made in a former part of the Work, in the Chapter on the Natural Sublime, the principle was laid down, that sublime natural objects usually have a degree of beauty; and that a progression may be traced from the beauty to the sublimity. And the same principle, as we have already had occasion to notice, will hold good in respect to the Moral Sublime.-The idea, which we wish to convey by this statement, may be illustrated thus. The benevolent man is a pleasing or beautiful object; but, when, in the pains and agonies of death, he requests with his dying breath, that the poor may continue to be fed from his substance, the exercise of benevolence under such circumstances strongly excites our feelings; and, ascending, as it were, from the region of mere Beauty becomes an instance of the Moral Sublime.

Again, whenever we see an individual undisturbed, composed, and even cheerful in ordinary difficulties and pressures, such an individual is undoubtedly an object of moral beauty. The trait of character, which particularly interests us, is firmness or strength of purpose. But let these misfortunes be increased, let him be driven from home and country, let the world as it were be combined against him, and the man, who, in such circumstances, betrays no diminution of fortitude, but holds up an unshaken stability of soul amid the blackness of the desolations around him, is a sublime object.

§. 246. A degree of moral sublime in acts of strict and undeviating integrity or justice.

Instances of decided and unwavering integrity, not perhaps in ordinary circumstances, but when the sense of justice is strongly opposed by considerations of interest or of natural affection, have a degree of moral sublimity. Sometimes, however, instances, which are not remarkable in them

One

selves, acquire a degree of sublimity by combination. of the distinguished citizens of Athens may be adduced as illustrating this remark. Such was the undeviating rectitude of his life, that Aristides, by the unanimous consent of the Athenians, was surnamed the Just. Whether followed by the acclamations of the multitude, or driven into ignominious banishment, he always retained his truth and integrity; and many acts are related of him, which are deserving of lasting remembrance.

Being once called to act as a judge between two private persons, one of them declared, that his adversary had greatly injured Aristides. "Relate rather, good friend, (said he, interrupting him,) what wrong he hath done yourself; for it is your cause, and not my own, which I am now required to judge of.”—We are aware, that there is nothing particularly remarkable in this incident; but it illustrates the prevalent temper of the man, and shows how lively were his sentiments of justice even on ordinary occasions.

The people of America take a great satisfaction in acknowledging, that a strict, inflexible integrity was one of the remarkable traits in the character of Washington. During a long life of the most trying public services, it is impossible to point out a single act, where there is any reason to believe, that he subjected his principles to his interest. Accordingly in the view of his countrymen there is a sort of sublimity throwing its unextinguishable light around that illustrious name, arising not so much from particular acts of integrity, as from their multiplication. The separate rays of virtue embody themselves in the complex conception of his character, the stars that shine apart congregate into one centre; and, as in the case of Aristides, present, by their mingled and united influence, an object of contemplation truly sublime.

§. 247. Other instances of the sublimity of justice.

There are other instances of justice or integrity, where a high degree of moral sublimity will be found to attach even to a single transaction. We have already had occasion to mention the conduct of Regulus. From a mere regard to the obligation, involved in the promise which he had given to the Carthaginians, he returned to Carthage, and suffered a

cruel death; willingly encountering suffering for the sake of his good name, and holding his honor far above his life.

But perhaps the most strikingly triumphant and sublime instance of rectitude is to be found in the history of the first Roman Consul. It was the memorable and unhappy lot of Lucius Junius Brutus to be placed in circumstances, where his duty to his country and its laws required him, according to the view which he took of his situation and responsibilities, to pronounce the sentence, and see the punishment of death executed, at the same time, upon two of his own children. Nothing could be more terrible than such an exigency. Not only the measureless weight of a father's affection, but even the desires of the surrounding multitude, that were melted into compassion at an event so melancholy, conspired to weaken and dethrone the stern sense of justice, that had hitherto reigned in the heart of the illustrious liberator of his country. But he did not sully his high fame; he would not condescend to ask or accept for his own children what he felt himself bound to deny to those of others. Though borne down with inexpressible misery, he caused them to be executed as traitors to their country, and was present at their death; thus showing, under circumstances fearfully calculated to make him falter in the expression of such exalted sentiments, that the duty we owe to God and the authority of the laws is higher than that, which we owe to our dearest friends and kindred.

§. 248. Instances of friendship and the parental affection illustrative of the subject.

Sincere friendship is an interesting and exceedingly pleasing trait in the human character; and it may exist in such a degree of intensity as to partake of the Moral Sublime. The same may be said of the filial and parental affections. In the history of these affections we may read many lessons, in the highest degree creditable to human nature, and entitled to a lasting admiration.

And here we cannot forbear remarking, that there may be kindness and nobleness of mind even in the rude Savage; and that too in such a degree as to call forth the blush on those, who claim for themselves the exclusive honor of civilization and refinement. The patience and fortitude of the

Aborigines of America under the most excruciating sufferings have often been eulogized; but it has not been so generally acknowledged that they were capable of other virtues. The benevolent affections of the Savage, as well as those of an opposite kind, are often found to exist in the highest possible degree, as may be seen in the following instances.

It is related in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Virginia, that Col. Byrd of that State was sent at a certain time to the Cherokee nation to transact some business with them. "It happened, (says this writer,) that some of our disorderly people had just killed one or two of that nation. It was therefore proposed in the council of the Cherokees, that Col. Byrd should be put to death in revenge for the loss of their countrymen. Among them was a chief called Silòuee, who, on some former occasion, had contracted an acquaintance and friendship with Col. Byrd. He came to him every night in his tent, and told him not to be afraid, they should not kill him. After many days deliberation, however, the determination was, contrary to Silòuee's expectation, that' Byrd should be put to death, and some warriors were dispatched as executioners. Silòuee attended them, and when they entered the tent, he threw himself between them and Byrd, and said to the warriors, "This man is my friend: before you get at him, you must kill me.' On which they returned, and the council respected the principle so much as to recede from their determination."

Some years since an Indian of the Collapissas nation near the Mississippi slew a Choctaw in a moment of excited passion. The circumstances were such as to render it necessary, that the guilty person, whose name was Tychou Mingo, should die. At the time appointed for the execution, the aged father of Mingo came forward, and expressed an earnest desire to be put to death in his son's stead. He urged his request by saying that he was an old man, and no longer good for any thing; that his son was young and vigorous, and his life was necessary for the support of a mother, wife, and four infant children. The surrounding multitude, (among whom were many French soldiers present,) were affected to tears; the Choctaws accepted the offer of the heroic old man ; and with a hatchet severed his head from his body.