Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-11-11


| move and act like those whose views are bounded
by the present, and who penetrate not beyond the
outward aspect oi things. II Is not when the ocean
of life is smooth aud unrufiled that the human cha
racter is exhibited in all the various shades which
circu umstanee may give it il Is when the winds
discord begin to rise--when "hish rage the bll
lows" that the strength and versatility of mind, the
grasp of intellect, the ardency of feeling, the eleva
tIon Of sentiment the business, the baseness, anu the
| mutability Of which human nature Is capable, i.
| brought most prominently into observation.
In looking over, during an hour OF leisure, that
period Of English history comprised by the reign o
| Charles ]. the Commonwealth. and the surpatIon
| OF Cromwell, was induced TO contcnplate win
considerable attention, the character Of JouN LII.
BURNE, one OF the most singular personages III the
| whole circle of English biography. lie possessed
| many qualities OF mind, which cannot but extort
| admiration, even from those who regard him as "a
turbulent enthusiast, in support OF those opinions,
which, however absurd, appeared to his mind, alone
invested with tho badge ottruth; and in pursuance
| Of that course Of conduct, which he had mark
ed out for himself the only just one he eviuced
courage the most daring, the most fearless, in the
most tyrannical part Of the reign OF the first Charles.
When the ear of the Court OF Stur Chamber was
open to the slightest murmur OF dIsafection and is
arm barred to infct the stroke OF vengeance, LII
buIne undertook boldly TO assail the vindictive he
rarchy of his country, by publishing some books,
originally written in Iollana by DIR. Bostwck.-
ney were III tIle VI
and other Sectaries OF that day, gross vruent, and
particularly fitted to produce irritation, yet
tanning many truths. The consequences might have
been expected. Poor Lllburne was condemned to
be hogged and pilloried. lie endured his suffer-
iDgs, not merely with frmness, but with exultatIoa
In the presence OF the members OF the Star Cham
Der, (who appeared ever to view with satisfaction
the execution Of their sentences) he expressed his
contempt of the degradation, and distributed
of his books among the people; when threatened by
the officers, he answered, "he would declare ms
mind, if they hanged him up at the hall gate" lie
was then gagged, and afterwards thrown IN prison.
where he was treated with great cruelty. During
The civil war, Lllburne displayed considerable abii
ty and great perseverance, as Colonel, IN the
vice OF the Par Lament. He was at the head of the
party known by the name OF LerelIers. When the
designs Of the wary, skilful aud energetic Crom
well became manifest, from his expulsion Of the
Parliament, few were inclined to oppose him.
Some, disgusted with the existing condition OF
things, were reckless into whose hands the reins OF
government were thrown--a Protector or "A Parlia-
ment were all the same to them: the majority were
awed by the military power, and stern determina-
uon of this victorious Generel; but there was one
man, in whose breast the love ofiiberty not yet
extinguished: who was not 10 be seduced by Crom-
wells professions, nor awed by his ffown. This
other than Lilburne, who, with all the
daring he had exhibited in the reign OF the Stuart
raised his voice against the subverslon Of freedom,
and endeavored to rouse the people to resump-
tlon of their rights. lie wrote and published II
number ofpamphiets, which contained pretty cor
rect statement of tire condition of the nation, aud
complete exposition of the despotc conduct OF
Cromwell There were many passages IN them,
of bold, rough invective, which were peculiarly Of.
fensive to the ambitious usurper Upon his trial
for exercising the liberty Of the press, uniavoraby
towards those who were in possession OF power, he
displayed his ordinary frmness and ardor and for
a layman, uncommon degree oflegal learning
II is remarkable, that he supported in opposition to
the Bench the doctrine which excited much dis
cusson aiterwards--that, in criminal cases. the ju
ry were judges Of the law, well of the fact
Notwithstanding the exertIons made by the judges |
to convict him, the jury pronounced him MOI Gull
ty much TO the satisfaction of the populace. CrOm-
well was chasrined-he who might say,
"none are for me, |
That look into me with suspicious eyes,"
saw himself foiled by man vino had dared to make
an open attack upon HIM. lie was determined, If !
possible, to remove him from England. TO effect |
this, he obtained AN ordinance for his banishment
declaring il felony if he appeared in England after
certain time. 1t wa. little regarded-IIiburne was
soon after found in Eng land and brought trial OH
that act and Notwithstanding the jury threa-
tened, they acquitted him. lie afterwards ar
bitrary imprisoned by Cromwell in Dover Castle.
This man, Lilburne, call him what you will, enthu.
neutrality-suspicious. all the self de votion
all the noble tenacity of a martyr for liberty He
braved all dangers, he hazarded every thing, life
itself not excepted in support Of what he firmly be-
eved to be the truth. He stood forth the un aun-
ted, though prosecuted, opponent of the tyranny of
Stafford and Laud, the notorious abeters and coun-
ellors of Charles |. and less fearlessly lifted
up his voice against the nertness of his countrymeD
when he beheld the sun Of freedom feebiy gliding,
ith its last expiring ray, the land Of his affections
I is spirit like this, that overturn deep root
IL tyranny. II is men like these, that dare march
IN, though destruction itself should beset their
,ath--who, when they have once uufurled the ban
Ter of defiance, will support it, until It wrenched
rom their falling grasp-who will not finch,
hough lgnominy worse than death attend on Ill
uccess. Il is such men, and such alone, that can
estore to their violated rights, those who groan un
ier the iron sway of the oppressor. The cool, cal
,ulating prudential man, may do well to plan sup
port and direct but it is the man Of ardor aud Of
,erye, who must execute. lie can infuse into 9th
.rs portion of that iervor which aimates his own {
,osom-he can add fuel to their zeal aud when a
doom at any time hangs over their prospects, he
IAN cheer them with the expectation OF better days
o come lie will persevere unto the end, and it is
,ny when hope itself fled, that he will resign the
pursuit Of the object of his desire.
There are those, who on account Of some singu-
arity of sentiment or conduct, turn with disgust
rom the contemplation OF such characters as John
.burne. There are many, who survey with !
more admiration brave fidelity to the cause of an
rbitrary and deservedly unfortunate Prince, aud
Misguided, though generous devotion offortune and
# life to his service than noble sacrifice of every
a. i. n 4