shade of tyranny. His Essays on Christianity are liberal in the extreme."

Shaw to William E. Channing. "I can most cordially join you in rejoicing for the success of the federalists, in their late election, in Virginia. This promises much in our favor. The probability is, I believe, that more than two-thirds of the next Congress will be firm, federal men. This will be more than the most sanguine could expect. In a government like ours, to believe there will be a perfect coincidence of sentiment in all for its support, would be a truly Utopian idea. Every country has many men who call themselves patriots, but are so merely from selfish motives, who, with Horace, are eternally crying, 'dulce et decorum est pro patria mori,' merely to obtain some office under its administration."

May 21. From Thomas B. Adams, who was about taking up his residence in Philadelphia, and was on an excursion to Washington. Of this place he gave a humorous account, which shows us what it was then. "A city growing in the midst of woods. What admiration must it not excite on reading of the stately capitol, the magnificent Presidential palace, the commodious Blodget hotel, placed equi-distant from each other, though scarcely visible by reason of distance. Here, in the language of geographers, is a fine champaign country, well stored with wood, abounding in various sorts of grain; a inajestic river, navigable, full of fish and wild fowl; and other natural advantages, too numerous to mention. The situation of the ground, on which the

city is to stand, is very pleasant. From different positions you are presented with a very fine prospect, uniting landscape and water scenery, and from almost every point a view of Alexandria mingles with and diversifies the whole. The capitol is in very considerable forwardness; I mean one wing of the building, and might be finished in a few months. The President's house is not quite so forward, and, as to the rest, they are yet on the ground. During my stay at Annapolis, I received great hospitality from the first characters of the place. What a fine thing it is to have a father, when his merits are thus visited on the child."

Shaw at Quincy to Walter in New York. "The speech of Pitt, on union with Ireland, has demonstrated to me, that there is not a subject, even casually presented to him, in which he is not able to appear conspicuous. His conduct, during the present war, indicates as if he had looked, with a prophetic eye, into the 'seeds of time,' and knew which would produce good and which evil fruit. He has men continually at their posts, with instruments to cultivate the one and destroy the other. Of the numerous sermons which were preached at the late fast, and have been published, Dr. Morse's is the most interesting. It contains facts, which ought to alarm and arouse every American, who feels an interest in the government and religion of his country. He says, that he has in his possession, an official, authenticated list of names, ages, places of nativity, professions, etc., of the officers and members of a society of Illuminati in Virginia. This association con

sists of one hundred members, principally from St. Domingo. It has a deputy residing at the mother society in France, for the purpose of giving information. It was instituted in 1786. He states, that he has evidence of a similar institution in New York, out of which have sprung fourteen others, scattered over the United States. These societies have become not less alarming in America than in Europe. Before you receive this, you will have heard that Fries has been found guilty of treason. All accounts from Philadelphia indicate that he has had an indulgent trial." In reference to a community of property, as discussed by one of his friends, Mr. Shaw remarked: "It seems to me impracticable, especially in the present demoralized state of the world. Is not selfish interest by far the most powerful motive of action? Give me gold enough, and I believe that I could have power over the greater part of mankind. Bring them together and make their property a common stock, and how long would their union exist? You would soon have Hobbs's state of nature, perpetual hostility, all against all, till each had his own restored to him.”

May 28. Shaw, to the same friend, concerning the authors they had recently perused. "Southey's Miscellaneous Poems I have read and read with admiration. The beautiful simplicity of the dialogues, the rural happiness there described, really charmed me. His epithets are not taken from Gray but Shakespeare. Mallet du Paris's History of the Destruction of Switzerland, unfolds a tale, "the lightest word of which would harrow up your soul."

Every American ought to read it and be convinced, that fell spirits reign in France. Nancrede has sold many thousands of them. It is in vain to surmise

who is the author of the Pursuits of Literature. Matthias and Milus, and a thousand others have been named, but no one with certainty. Miss Hannah Adams, authoress of the View of Religion, etc. has published a Summary History of New England. The advertisement, which you saw in the paper, respecting Count Tilly and Miss Bingham, I have seen and heard repeatedly. This Miss Bingham is the daughter of the Senator, the same family with whom Johnson was connected."

From William E. Channing. "I can remember the day, when I gloried in the moments of rapture, when I loved to shroud myself in the gloom of melancholy, You may remember them too. But I have grown wiser, as I have grown older. I now

wish to do good in the world. 'I love a divine,' says the good Fenelon, who preaches to save men's souls and not to show himself.' I perfectly agree with Fenelon, and to make such a divine as he loves, I must throw away those ridiculous extacies, which have their origin in vanity, and form myself to habits of piety and benevolence. One reason why I dislike the rapture and depression of spirit, which we used to encourage at college, is probably this, I find none to share them with me. Virtue does not consist in feeling, but in acting from a sense of duty. I thank you for the observations, which you made in your last letter on my speculations upon society."

CHAPTER III.

Mount Vernon-Equality of Talents-Nullification of French Treaties celebrated - Mrs. Morton's Works-De la Harpe abjures Illuminatism-Yellow Fever in Philadelphia and New YorkAssassination of the French Ministers-Slavery-Right of Search.

Peters, Jr., of Philadel

1799, June 1. Richard phia, to Shaw at Quincy. "That the spirit of opposition to our government, which manifests itself by such dangerous effects in Northampton, should so soon be crushed and the leader of it brought to know the just rigor of the offended law, must afford to every friend of this country the highest gratification. But, unfortunately, ignorant and deluded as the men are to whom the only arguments which bring conviction home to their minds of the greatness of their crime are corporal punishments, it follows, that when the law has spent its force, they will again return to the gloomy paths of discontent and sink into their original turpitude. Indeed the suspension of the punishment they deserve, has blown into a flame the not entirely extinguished embers of sedition, and they yet refuse to reverence their best of parents, the best of governments. It has been by some persons made a subject of wonder,