The Sun.
London, England, 1817-09-19 00:00:00

FOR Tfi E SUN;

LETTER NT,

ON PATRIOTS.

MR EDITOR,—After the experience which the
word has had of their temper and dispositions,
it- will hardly be thought an exaggeration to say,
as I do from my soul, that of all the creatures
which wear the human shape, or, approach to it,
there is none so truly odious as a Jacobin, when
softened down, if that he any softening, into an
English Democrat, or Patriot, as it calls itself
(Heaven bless the mark !) it is not much improv-
ed.. Observing the powerful tendency of the
ptintiples of these men to deteriorate and debase
the hurnin mind," have long meditated to send
you an' ssay on the demoralizing effects of political
discontent, in which my object would have been
to shew thtit the constant practice of censure, ca-
lumny, and abuse, can give exercise only to the
worst passions of the human soul, 'to malice,
envy, hatred, and revenge ; which when become
habitual, to the exclusion of all the nobler feel- •
jugs,: must at, length cothPletely.diabolize (if I
may be .illowed the term) the unhappy wretch
who has so tnisetnployed his natural powers. This
truth would admit, not only of ample exemplifica-
tion from fact, but also of a clear demonstration,
a prioii,—that from *Lich causes such effects must

Nit I am spared the labour of this discussion,
by thevolontary confession of a notorious offender
in this line*; who, wishing to gain credit for
sagacity, and careless of- a►+y other credit, has
sent forth two maxims, the truth of which was
doubtless demonstrated to him by his own
'mart.

1 . That " Spleen is the Soul of Patriotism "

2. That I' rite definition of a true Patriot is a
gobd haler."

.10 the former of these, the author has added,
" and of public good ;"—which being only non-
tense, I notice no further; for how spleen can he
the soul 'of public good, we may leave the author
1.13 interpret at his leisure.
What kind of patriotism, and what• kind of pa-
triot, these definitions indicate, it cannot be ne-
cessary to exolain. Patriot originally meant, a
Lover of Ins country. To . hatred it had no
kindred or affinity ; but implietta devoted zeal
and affection for his country, and her interests.
Her enemies certainly such a Patriot did not love.
He would oppose and counteract them by all
honest means. But it was . with generous,
not malignant feelings ; and when he had de-
stroyed their power of doing injury, he re-
tained no rancour against them. They he-
ea me indifferent to him. But the Patriot,
`described by the definition, is the man, who, of
all others, least deserves the name the sour Ja-
cobin ; the splenetic Democrat ; the true invete-
zate Opposition railer ; the creature and the inter-
pre7er of envy, hatred, malice, and every evil
passion. He. to whom all this beauteous earth
seems barren, except the quick-sands of demo-
cracy ; whom neuter public worth can please,
nor public glory warm The man whose love, if
it attaches to any thing, selects by preference the
enemies of his country. TP,,se he delvnds, these
be extols, these he panegyi izes. Towards all
ot!!ces he is a good, that Is A complete hater He
has not a single thought which i• not suggested
by hatred. Spleen is literally the soul of his pre-
tended patriotism ; and T imiNti it is not in fact
possible that spleen should ever produce good,
either public or private, yet in his eyes it seems a
virtue. He has said, with his great archetype,
" evil be thou my good," and on that amiable ,
motive he acts steadily, and without deviation
A good luster indeed lie is, that is, a skilful one : for
he can extract the matter of his hatred from things
in themselves most lovely ; and, like the viper,
can mature his poison • eve n from the . best of
food.

Do you doubt the truth of this conclnsion
Look at the Vic( before you. Behold a man, who
has been wilting as the slave of party, for a series
patriotic papers ; who,
of years, what he calls
when he sits down quietly in his closet, to ana-
lyze his own feelings, and trace his secret motives,
is unable to conceal from his own, eyes, and has
not prudence to hide from the public, the glaring,
though disgraceful truth, that all his patriotism
has been spleen ; and his pretended zeal for his
Country, only rank hatred of her Government, lo-
to Um ions, Laws, Customs, and Public Charagter
To make her the object of his love, he must-alto-
gether change, or, as he calls it, reform her.• He
must make her mean, malicibus, cruel, and jaCO-
hinical, like himself ; and then, perhaps, he may
begin to be a real Patriot.

SOMERS.

• This is the same Essayist hs whose eyes Mr. Pitt bad no
kind of Virtue; nor any talent beyond a command of

m ords.

The crowd assembled round the Grand 'Jury-
room and in the hall of the Cletkenwell Sessions-
house is immense. During the time that the So-
licitors were waiting to be called in with their
witnesses, a gentleman of the profession was
robbed of his gold watch. He immediately com-
municated this robbery to the Chairman, who di-
rected the High Constable to be sent for : on his
appearance with his list of constables, they were
called over, and sev.,ral of those summoned to
attend on duty heiug absent, the Chairman order-
ed them to be fined each 40s. at the same time
he observed that it was a disgrace to the Police
that they did not attend to their duty. He warned
the High Constable to be circumspect, and to
watch the conduct of his inferiors, and to take
especial care that all suspicions characters should
be taken into custody. The High Constable pro-
snised to attend to the command of the Court.