absolutely enthusiastic; how deeply in earnest; only those could tell who were in the habit of associating with him in his more retired hours. It was then that his whole soul was poured forth without reserve; and he would dilate upon wrongs that he had seen inflicted, and sorrows which he had tried to assuage; till, often, utterance was stopped by emotion, and fears for the narrator overpowered the interest felt in the narration itself.

To compare such a man with the speculating statesmen of modern times,-the Sheridans, the Plunketts, the Cannings, would be simply absurd. He had no more resemblance to them than a loyal patriot leader bears to a "soldier of fortune;"-a Collingwood, for instance, to a Bonaparte. In mere talent-the machinery only, the

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steam-power ” of the character, he might be exceeded by some of this class; but in moral worth and intrinsic value, the inspiring genius of the whole, he rises to a far higher sphere.

It is to be feared that the time has hardly yet arrived, for the full and just appreciation of such a character. There is still too much, among us, of the idolatry of mere talent, and of admiration called forth by success, without regard to the means employed, or the personal worth of the successful gladiator. Higher and sounder principles, which,

it may be hoped, are quietly growing and extending themselves, will wean us from this childish fondness for glittering tinsel, this vulgar delight in dragging the car of whomsoever may happen to be victor. Is it not humiliating to witness earnest and sincere men, often assisting to raise to the pinnacle of fame and power, one who, in private converse, they freely admit to be nothing more than a selfish and ambitious schemer, advocating, perhaps, for the moment, their views, because such a course tends to his own advancement? Yet how often, within the last forty years, has this been a matter of notorious occurrence! How often have public leaders been vehemently and pertinaciously supported, who possessed not the respect or confidence of one in twenty of their professed followers. A most revolting instance of this, is, at the present moment, passing before the public eye. The very latest number of the leading Whig journal, deliberately adopts the following language:

"While the present policy of the government is dictated by motives so childish, it is in vain for them to devise schemes of permanent operation and utility (for Ireland). All will be frustrated by the opposition of the one person who now, and most naturally, wields alone the entire confidence of the people who he has elevated into a nation. And we shall think such plans as the one now

before us worthy of serious support, when we find the proposal of them preceded by the conciliation of the only man who can give them a chance of being carried into effect."*

It is impossible to help suspecting that advice. like this is only tendered in the Satanic view, of tempting your opponent to that which you know would prove his sure destruction. The two main causes of the recent downfal of the Whigs, undoubtedly were their refusal to do anything for the great mass of the people; and their base and despicable pandering to O'Connell. And their present policy—the motive for which is obvious enough,seems to be, to encourage and persuade, as much as possible, the Conservative government to follow in their footsteps-by maintaining the New Poor Law-by refusing protection to the infant-labourers in our factories,-and above all, by cringing to the universally despised and abhorred Irish mendicant.

The manœuvre is perhaps too gross; and any set of men, calling themselves statesmen, who could be entrapped by it, would fall, not only right speedily, but without a single voice to regret their overthrow. We do trust, however, that the progress of religion, and of a higher tone of

* Edinburgh Review, Jan. 1842, p. 496.

morals among us, will gradually elevate the current sentiment of society in these matters. And, whenever the time arrives, of the prevalence of a thoroughly correct and healthy mode of estimating character; not by mere talent or power, but by moral principle and elevation of purpose,— then will the names of such men as Mr. Sadler receive that degree of honour which justly belongs to so rare a union of both.

Thus much of the distinguishing features of his character. Of the rest, it may suffice to say, that he was an amiable and accomplished man; exemplary in every relation in life; beloved as much as he was admired. Both as a poet and as a musician, he held a high rank. He was a fascinating as well as an improving companion; possessing a great variety of attainments, in languages, science, and the arts; without the alloy of either pedantry or conceit. But these are commendations which, happily, may be bestowed on many men, who are still not gifted with the higher and nobler attributes which distinguished the character of MICHAEL THOMAS SADLER.

* For some specimens of his Version of the Psalms, see Appendix (F.)

CHAPTER XVII.

SUMMARY OF MR. SADLER'S SYSTEM.

THE history of the Life of Michael Thomas Sadler has been, of necessity, the history of his opinions; in fact, it was chiefly to assert and maintain his system, that this Memoir was undertaken. It would be wrong, however, to confound him with the swarm of theorizers of the present day; who frame schemes of political economy for lack of other occupation, and would fain, if they were able, play at chess with mankind. There never was a simpler, more earnest, or more strictly practical mind, than that of Mr. Sadler. The idea of building up a system never entered his head. His plans were suggested, one after the other, by the errors and necessities which he saw around him; and thus, gradually, matured by years, and confirmed by experience, the whole results of a life spent in