instigated either by avarice or a dread of losing either his life or his kingdom, betrayed his friend on two most important occasions; and placed the whole of Messenia in the hands of the Spartans: acts of cowardice and treachery, which will hand down his name to the latest ages as a pattern, and a traitor of the very first magnitude. In the annals of the world, there are fewer instances of British officers acting in the way that the Arcadian monarch acted on the occasions alluded to, than in any other country whatever. But as what has once occurred may do so again, allow me to tell you that it will be your duty, should you at any time feel disposed to follow in the wake of Aristocrates, to pause long, and reflect very seriously on the course you are intending to pursue, ere it is too late, lest like him and many others of a similar stamp, you may be made to feel the irresistible arm of Him, by whom kings reign and princes decree justice.

"Messenia being completely in the hands of the Spartans, the kings divided all the lands amongst the people, save the district of Methone, which was given to the Argues. By this accession of territory, Sparta became much more powerful than she had previously been; and as her success against the Messenians was the first thing that made her look forward to the sovereignty of Greece, to the same cause may be attributed the numerous battles fought on the plains of that country, during several succeeding ages.

"Of the wisdom that implanted in man's breast a dread of the Divine Author of his being, no professing Christian can have the smallest doubt. I have already had occasion to draw your attention to the fact, that but for a dread of offending the Deity, the Spartans would not have applied to the Athenians for a commander, nor the latter acceded to their request. And I now beg to remark, that the issue of the celebrated Messenian contest furnishes the world with a signal proof, that in the accomplishment of the all-wise purposes for which man was sent into the world, the Divine Author of the universe sometimes sees it necessary to make that dread of Himself inherent in man, instrumental in raising up and pulling down the nations of the earth. For is it not evident that but for the Athenian schoolmaster, the Spartans would not have continued the contest with the Messenians, as nothing but the great coolness, judgment, and fortitude displayed by that general could have prevented the Spartans, kings and all, from flying to Sparta, and leaving the whole of the country in possession of the enemy. Learn also from the issue of this war, that avarice frequently overreaches itself. When the Athenians sent Tyrtæus to Sparta, they ex

pected that country to be defeated in every battle, and not upon his being raised to more than a rival for herself. This hated vice has ever been the besetting sin of nations and individuals. Avoid it, therefore, if you ever expect to arrive at an enviable eminence in your profession, or to enjoy one moment's peace of mind this side the grave.

Aristo

"All hope of recovering possession of Messenia having vanished, Gorgus and Manlicles, with the troops under their immediate command, crossed over to Sicily, and founded the city of Messena, now Messina. menes remained in Greece. All his daughters, save the youngest, were married to men of high rank. A prince of Rhodes having consulted the oracle as to whom he should marry, that his subjects might enjoy happiness under his posterity, was desired to marry the daughter of the most worthy of the Greeks. And conceiving that the oracle pointed to the only unmarried daughter of Aristomenes, the prince immediately demanded her hand in marriage, which being granted, the nuptials were soon after celebrated with considerable pomp and magnificence. The Messenian chief accompanied the happy pair to Rhodes, where he was busily engaged in forming a coalition against Sparta, when death terminated the career of this illustrious man, to the great grief of his countrymen, but unbounded joy of the Lacedæmonians, being the most inveterate enemy they ever had. The prince of Rhodes, his son-in-law, erected a splendid monument to commemorate to future ages, the valour and heroic actions of the deceased.

"Such was Aristomenes, a man whose many virtues, heroic achievements, and distinguished military qualities, natural and acquired, rendered him beloved and honoured by his country, a terror to his enemies, and the admiration of all Greece.

"In the historic page, you of course find hundreds of men more celebrated for their victories; and amongst others Alexander, Philip, Cæsar, Hannibal, Pompey, Antony, Pyrrhus, Sylla, Seleucus, and in your own times, Napoleon. But it is equally true, that in the same page you find it recorded, that in all these campaigns, the conduct of all and each of these individuals was governed by ambition, not patriotism, personal aggrandizement, not the good of their subjects or fellow-countrymen. And what was their several rewards? Alexander and Hannibal, a cup of poison; Antony died the death of a suicide; Pyrrhus was killed by a brick thrown by a Spartan woman; Sylla was killed by vermin; Philip, Cæsar, Pompey, and Seleucus, were assassinated; and Napoleon died on the rock of St. Helena, an exile from his country. Contrast the lives and deaths of those individuals, and the estima

tion in which they severally were held by their countrymen, with the life and death of Aristomenes, and the estimation in which he was held, not only by his countrymen, but all Greece. Then lay your hands on your hearts and tell me whether, in descending into the grave, you would wish to be Alexander, or Pyrrhus, or Cæsar, or Pompey, or Philip, or Sylla, or Napoleon, with all their personal crimes, and the curses of their countrymen heaped on you; or Aristomenes, accompanied by his good actions, and the tears and blessings of his countrymen and of Greece? The actions of Alexander, &c., are no doubt captivating; but though not on so extensive a scale, the exploits of Aristomenes would do credit to any of them. Sieges there have been many, and many garrisons have attempted to escape from the pangs of a merciless enemy, but in the annals of the world the siege of Ira stands unrivalled. For eleven years. with almost the same men, and without aid from any quarter, Aristomenes defended himself in Fort Ira, and all the time inflicting a severe loss on the besiegers. And when the place appeared no longer tenable, he by the mere terror which his almost supernatural actions had inspired, carried away, not by stealth, but in open day, not in sight of the enemy, but through the thickest of his ranks, every man, woman, and child in the fort, and without the loss of a single individual.

"The numerous escapes which military men have had from instant death in the field of battle would, if collected, form a curious and interesting volume. The instruments made use of by Divine Providence to prolong the lives of thousands, embrace every description of dress or ornament worn by soldiers. Amongst those whose lives have been preserved by the kind interposition of the Divine Being, must be classed Aristomenes. For who, I ask, was it that on so many bloodstained fields, and on which I witnessed him send above three hundred of his enemies into another world, preserved him from the weapons of the enemy? Who was it, that on being taken by the women, enabled him to effect his escape from their custody? Who was it that on his being thrown into the cavern, and when all escape appeared beyond the reach of human agency, led the fox into the abode of death, to point out to the only surviving prisoner the way to liberty and to his friends? Who was it that made the widow's daughter dream dreams the night before my friend Aristomenes was carried to her mother's cottage, bound by the Cretan soldiers, and by the means pointed out in that dream restored him to his disconsolate followers? Finally, who was it that inspired the heart of the Spartan leader with such dread of Aristomenes, on the morning on which he resolved upon evacuating the fort?

that on the approach of the garrison, led by the Messenian chief, he opened his ranks to permit him to retire without molestation? Who, I ask, was it? What, all silent! I will tell you. It was the God of battle, the giver of all victory, who is ever ready to throw a protecting shield around all those soldiers who call upon His name in sincerity and truth. In ancient times, it was customary for warriors, on the eve of an engagement, to sacrifice to the gods, to call upon them in prayer, and to solicit their guidance and protection in the conflict. Such being the fact, would it not be derogatory to your characters as Christian officers, if on the day of battle you should be ashamed to appear as religious as pagan generals; and if the god of arms, whom you acknowledge as such, should make a less impression upon your minds, than respect for the false deities of paganism did upon the minds of your pagan brethren ?

"I fear 1 detain you. I shall, therefore, only remark, that if you wish to attain to rank and honour; if you wish to live honoured, and die lamented, pursue the course which Aristomenes chalked out for himself on taking the command of the Messenian army, from which nothing could make him swerve, neither the sunshine of prosperity, nor the dark clouds of adversity; neither the hope of reward, nor the fear of punishment.

"But, by following in his footsteps, you are not to expect to be exempt from the freaks of dame fortune; for to-day your path may be strewed with flowers, to-morrow with briers-to-day you may occupy a palace, to-morrow a hovel; under the roof of safety you may to-day recline on the couch of ease, surrounded with affluence and luxury, and to-morrow repose on the clay-cold earth, surrounded with dangers, and borne to the ground with poverty, hunger, and fatigue. You must ever be prepared to take the world as it comes, to laugh at the frowns as well as the smiles of the fickle goddess, and to bear up against every variety of fortune that can assail frail man, otherwise your life will be a daily round of anxiety and misery.

"Finally, base, cruel, unprincipled as the conduct has been of many of those princes, statesmen, and generals who now sleep with their fathers, historians have not been wanting to laud and bedaub with fulsome praise many of those men, one tithe of whose crimes, if they had been committed by men in a more humble situation in life, would have brought them to the scaffold. Beware, therefore, how you imitate the actions of men exhibited to your view through a false medium, by partial or interested individuals. Let me urge you to banish all such from your view, and imitate the conduct of those

only, who through life have pursued an undeviating path of virtue. By so doing, you may not occupy so prominent a place in the historic page, but you will take your departure from this world with the pleasing re

flection that, your actions have merited the approbation of all those whose good opinion, the truly good man should be anxious to

secure.

THE preservation of the integrity of the Ottoman empire has long been a theme on which British statesmen have loved to dwell. And from the earnestness with which they argue the point, and, if necessary, support it by physical force, one would naturally suppose that it truly formed a portion of the British dominions. Whig and Tory statesmen may disagree on many subjects, but on this they both appear to have fully made up their minds; the integrity of the Porte is ever a soul-stirring theme, yet, notwithstanding such is the case, the united strength of Britain will be unable long to maintain that integrity, for prophecy has declared that the end of that kingdom draweth near, and when its hour is come, there is none who can help or extricate; God having said it, who can hinder it? Prophecy is one of the strongest evidences of revealed religion, as in it we see the true confirmation of God's word in the rise, progress, and fall of empires; this being testimony that defies the infidel to contradict, it is evidence which none can gainsay, and those doing so run the risk of being set down as fit inmates of a lunatic asylum.

No prophecy is more to be remarked at the present moment than that relating to the Mohammedan empire, its increasing feeble

ness,

the rebellion of its various pachas and governors, the defeating of its armies by its own vassals, the contempt in which it is held by foreign states, and the frequent insults it receives from each and all of them, at once signifies the rapid decline of that power which once, with its mighty armies, made Europe tremble. Are we to be told that this fate is chance, that in it there is no visible working of Providence? if so, then Providence does not exist, or lets sleep that energy which we believe upholds the universe. Is it chance that causes empires to rise, progress to such a height, and then decline? Has not this been the case with every nation that has yet existed, and is this regularity, this precise working and fulfilling of destinies, to be ascribed to an inanimate thing, an idea-a thing without form, spirit, substance, or life, a mere appellation? The idea is ridiculous; it is worthy only of fools, and sure we are, that not even a fool would

VOL. I.

No; in our

come to such a conclusion. observations on the rise, progress, and decline of nations, we observe the working of an invisible Providence, the Decreer of times and seasons; and in the preciseness and regularity of the circumstance that every nation shall fall, after having risen to the full zenith of its glory, we perceive the working of a Mind which, in its infinite conceptions and designs, does what it will with every nation, none being able to prevent its decrees being put into execution. This alone, we should think, ought to be sufficient for any one as evidence of the existence of an all-wise Ruler of the universe, even though no other testimony could be adduced.

In the same manner, and according to the same rule, the exact fulfilment of prophecy, in regard to the fate of nations, ought to be evidence sufficient to confirm the truth of Scripture to the veriest dunce of an infidel that ever lived. Are there any who imagine it incredible that God should foretel future events? If they believe in the infinity of the Deity's mind, in the eternity of his being, there can exist no hinderance to the idea of God's revealing things to come, how, and in what manner he pleases; and that he has done so, no one, having the slightest faith in historic testimony, can deny.

We have been told by the infidel, that his unbelief arises from the fact of the great distance of time since any revelation of God's will to man has taken place. But this objection is a most stupid one, as we do not expect even a friend or master upon earth to reveal the same thing to us twice; he has informed us of the fact once, and he does not conceive any further information on the subject necessary to your believing it, yea, with this we are always satisfied; and why, therefore, require more of God than man. Why not take God's word revealed once, when you take man's in this manner? the thing certainly very absurd, and the objection hardly worth replying to. God has informed us once what his purpose is concerning the nations to the end of time, and having done so, no further confirmation would be thought necessary from man, and why from God? But there are people, the limit of whose faith, extending no further

than the circumscribed circle of their own diminutive vision, unable to contradict the remarkable coincidence between prophecy and history, have the audacity to declare these prophecies to be nothing more than mere histories written after the event had happened, their short-sightedness actually preventing their seeing the present fulfilment of these very prophecies in their own times. Such assertions are easily made, but not so easily proved, and to this day there has not been one feasible argument produced which could, in the slightest degree, assist the infidel in obtaining the climax of his wishes. On the contrary, there are all the proofs and authorities which can be had in cases of this nature, that the prophecies were predicted in such and such an age, and the events occurred at the precise period named. And whoever takes upon himself to deny these facts, must at the same time deny the truth of all historic testimony, and every event not happening under his immediate inspection; and even then, it is doubtful whether his faith would hold good. It is remarkable, that infidels have ever been distinguished for ignorance on the very subjects on which they supposed their genius, talents, and acquirements shone forth with the greatest splendour. If a Christian happened not to be fully acquainted with the birth-place of Homer, Virgil, &c., and the times in which they lived, and their various productions, these infidel wiseacres would at once set him down as a booby and an illiterate person; while, at the same time, these deriders of other men's talents and acquirements, blush not to avow their ignorance of the writings of the greatest men who ever trod upon the earth's surface, and affect to deny the authenticity of writings ten thousand times more strongly corroborated than all the trashy effusions of pagan stoics. And not only do these worldly lights betray their ignorance on this point, but they refuse to receive as testimony the very arguments which they themselves bring forward as vouchers for the genuineness of the histories of their pagan idols.

It is very easy to affirm that the facts related in prophecy were written after the occurrences had taken place; but these pretended sticklers for truth are defeated with

their own weapons. They say, We know these prophecies were written several hundreds of years ago; show us, therefore, their fulfilment in our own time, and we may then believe. Yes, may believe, but we are afraid they may not be badly represented by the rich man's brethren in the parable, of whom Abraham said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe though one rose," and preached to them "from the dead."

In order to furnish a proof of the present fulfilling of prophecy, we instance the Turkish empire, which is now about to be cut down. Even whilst we write, we have received information that the sultan has determined to appropriate the church revenues to his own use, pension the clergy, and let their benefices to sects of all denominations, who choose to hire them. This is one of the most daring steps that has been taken by the government of that country, and the result will be equally important. It may be said to be the death blow of the Mohammedan religion. Hitherto the professors of that faith would have suffered any privation rather than commit their religion one iota, and death preferable to granting Christian and other sects the use of the sacred edifices and benefices of their creed. It is not improbable but that such a step may prove the destruction of the empire, dissolving, as it does, those sacred ties which have, at all times, existed between the Mohammedan priests and the successors of Mohammed. And it will prove rather a singular circumstance, if the successor of the prophet who now sways the Ottoman sceptre should, in the hands of God, be made the instrument of destroying that faith and that dominion which his predecessor established by subtlety and the sword. We have also received information that a change of ministry has taken place in Constantinople, whose principles are stern Mohammedanism, despotic, and inclined to Russia, and who are ever cherishing the idea of reconquering Greece and those states which have thrown off Mussulman sway.

It is well known that birds of prey watch with keen foresight the death of an animal, in order to pounce upon it; at least, if not till death, till it is so feeble that it can make no effectual resistance. So it is with Turkey: England, France, and Russia, like birds of prey hover about her, one pretends to take an interest in one portion of her dominions, another of another part, and the third somewhere else; but all pretend they are her obedient servants until death; then her body they will seize as the reward due to their long, untiring, and persevering zeal in her favour.

A short time since France stood aloof from the other powers, and watched with eagerness her opportunity of revenge for the gross insult she made herself believe to have received; but her policy kept her within bounds, and she has lately taken her position once more in the rank of Turkey's friends, and ally of the other confederated powers. But now a fresh line of policy must be adopted; times and circumstances have changed, and France, instead of being isolated as before, must, in accordance with her policy, join arms with England to maintain

that ascendency in the East which is now threatened to be overturned by the restoration of Russian influence in the councils of the Porte. And we may remark, that it is our firm conviction, that a war against the independence of Greece, and other independent minor states on the Turkish frontiers, will shortly take place through the instigations of Russia, in order that she may have an opportunity of marching a Russian army into Turkey to maintain its integrity against the arms of France or England, which would most certainly be directed against her, if she attempts a war of the nature described. And should such a war take place, it will be the last in which Turkey, as an independent state, will take part. She will be torn to pieces by the contending parties, and independence will never again gleam on the bright crescent of the Ottoman empire. Her time draweth to a close; she has fulfilled the will of God concerning her, and she must now give place to other powers who have likewise their parts to play in the drama of life, before they also are cut down, and their names extinguished as existing states. According to the prophecy of Daniel, two kingdoms shall be instrumental in the overthrow of the Turkish monarchy; one from the north, and another from the east now, as Russia lies on the north, and Persia on the east, we conclude that these two powers are alluded to as the destroyers of the Turkish empire. And there is a remarkable prophecy, very current among the common people of Turkey, that their kingdom will be destroyed by the Russians. And Sir Paul Rycaut, in his account of the Greek church, speaking of the respect and reverence which the Russians have for the see of Constantinople, says also, that "the Greeks on the other side have an esteem and affection for the Muscovites, as for those whom ancient prophecies mention to be designed by God for their avengers and deliverers in after ages."

England, in order to have a barrier between Russia and India, maintains the integrity of the Porte, keeps a powerful fleet in the Mediterranean, and lately bombarded Acre to oblige the Porte, for which piece of kindness her counsels are now slighted, and those of Russia preferred. England may endeavour to keep together the tottering empire, but He who sits in heaven doth laugh, the Lord holds the strength and power of man in derision. He has declared that empire's fall, and the might of a universe could not counteract the decree.

It has long been a favourite project of the Russian czars to possess the eastern capital, and he who did not hesitate to crush Poland, only waits the favourable opportunity to put that project into execution. Russia will do

so, Scripture has declared it, and the power of man will be unable to wrest the prize out of her hands. As to the extension of her power to India, we do not conceive that even should she attempt it, that she has the slightest grounds for success ; her foes are numerous, and the extension of her territory even now must weaken, instead of strengthen her. We, therefore, do not hold the opinion of those who imagine Russia's aim, in the possession of Turkey, to be the seizure of our eastern dominions; such we declare impossible, without the slightest hesitation. She may annoy us by fomenting division and strife amongst the tribes and states on our frontier, but as to her actually marching an army into India to deprive us of it, we conceive her as likely to send one to the moon to take it. India would most undoubtedly be nearer Russia if Turkey was a Russian province, but as to the closer locality being any thing to dread, it is quite improbable. The more that empire increases her territory, the more readily will she be beaten. Her iron sway causes her to be detested by every nation she has overcome, and the division of her arms over a greater space of country would only afford a more easy conquest. Look at Circassia; army after army has gone into that glorious country, and has been utterly destroyed, and we behold the vast power of Russia defied by a few brave, hardy, and determined mountaineers.

What, then, would the consequence be, if Russia, with increased territory, was assailed by various such tribes ? She would, like the Roman empire, be overwhelmed, crushed by the magnitude of her own size. We need, therefore, fear nothing for our Indian possessions, for that day her army marched, would be the most woful in Russian history. And here we may just remark, that it is to the disgrace of England and France that they have not interfered on behalf of the brave Circassians. Sympathy has been expressed for Poland, now that she is no longer a nation, and like pity will doubtless be afforded the Circassians when they have been nearly exterminated. This circumstance teaches us a good lesson; it shows that states are actuated by the same impulse which actuates men singly, selfinterest. Circassia is of no importance apparently to any of the powers, therefore they allow her to be destroyed by the ruthless northern barbarian; but Turkey, being serviceable, we see them all offering their services, and actually spending blood and treasure in her service.

So it is with man; pity is afforded, or, at best, pretended to be afforded, in abundance to misfortune; but unless there exists some probability of misfortune being of use, no