cast that work into, The Plain Man's Preservative against both Roman and Protestant Popery. My little work, as far as it goes, is as correct as I can make it; but my views were very limited when I wrote it. I was at the lowest ebb of mental freedom, which I ever suffered since my first total casting off of Church Christianity. I considerably corrected the Poor Man's Preservative before Milliken's Edition; but I still was in the fetters of the Church of England, though they were nearly filed open. I should not like to die, leaving many parts of that work unrecalled or unexplained. Whatever relates to Romanism requires no correction or explanation; but the work makes extravagant admissions in regard to Priesthoods, Miracles, the Bible, &c. I will endeavour to bring my plan into effect.* A PARABLE, January 4th. Occasioned by Dr. Hawkin's Sermon on the Duty of Private Judgment. Two parties of powerful Squires divided between them a large portion of land, which they used as preserves for Game. These two parties were originally one, but, in the course of time, a considerable number of individuals separated themselves with the ob [See Appendix.] ject of establishing a system of game-keeping more liberal to the peasantry than the original one. The old party had given notice, that besides a considerable number of steel-traps and spring-guns set in their grounds, which the peasantry had to fear if they ventured to cross in any direction, without taking a game-keeper for their guide, any one who should be found trespassing was to be shot. The liberal squirearchy declared that this system was shocking. They, on the contrary, urged it to be the duty of every peasant to examine and explore the preserves, only taking care not to tread upon any of the innumerable triggers set therein.-Now, which of these two systems had the advantage in mercy? I believe the first. I would certainly hunt, if possible, the old squirearchy out of the country; but, though their conduct was tyrannical, the peasantry had only to submit and they were safe. But the cruel hypocrisy of the liberal party was intolerable. Why did they urge the poor people to examine those most dangerous grounds, knowing that hundreds would perish in the search? January 6th. "Stick to your journal course: the breach of custom is breach of all."-Cymbeline. This is an admirable maxim. It cannot be too much inculcated upon young people: but, like all general maxims, it cannot be interpreted literally; else it would sanctify the worst abuses. It applies directly to habits of industry. January 11th. I heard a simple observation from my cousin M. Anne, which, being the pure offspring of feeling, bears a deeper meaning than she suspects. I was observing that to write well is a very difficult thing, and that many who shine in conversation, write very clumsily. She said it was true; that to her a book well written, though in prose, appeared poetry. This is perfectly true: it expresses the music and charm inseparable from good style. 16th. A letter from Mrs. Whately-most kind, but full of religious anxiety about me. Oh bitter Superstition ! Received from J- M-, by the Post, a little copy of Hoyle's Games. M. Anne and I attempted to play Ecarté after dinner. I was very ill, but laughed a good deal. The Fools and Clowns of Shakspeare. 17th. Lear." That thou hast sought to make us break our vows, A remarkable trait in the character of a rash, obstinate man, who, unable to flatter himself in regard to his judgment, mistakes his unconquerable will for fortitude. "Nothing: I have sworn; I am firm." Shakspeare has expressed his own conception of the character of Lear. Act I. Scene 1. (Gon.) "He always loved our sister most; and with what poor judgment he hath now cast her off, appears too grossly." (Reg.) ""Tis the infirmity of his age: yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself." (Gon.) "The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash: then must we look to receive from his age, not alone the imperfections of long-engrafted condition, but, therewithal, the unruly waywardness that infirm and choleric years bring with them."--But my principal object at present is The Fool. Act I. Scene 4.-(Kent.) "This is not altogether fool, my lord."—"Dr. Fuller, speaking of the Courtjester, remarks, that it is an office, which none but he that hath wit can perform, and none but he that wants it will perform."-Douce, Dissert. on Clowns and Fools. The wit of Lear's Fool is very rich. But after all, what is its main source? Affection to his master: a strong perception of his master's injudicious conduct, and a warm attachment to Cordelia, who was kind to him. Such a character appears to me very natural, and the wit it exhibits, perfectly consistent with the silliness, the levity, the want of self-respect essential to the Fool. The king's protection gives him boldness, and his practical knowledge of wisdom in others, expressed in vulgar sayings and proverbs, produces the contrast required for the ludicrous. Compare Sancho. “Prythee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach thy fool to lie, I would fain learn to lie.” This is another leading feature of this admirable Fool. He might have been moved by affection to flatter his master, and maintain he had acted, if not wisely, yet with unbounded generosity; but "he had not learnt to lie." Nevertheless he is far from triumphing over his master: he only suggests the simple truth. It is the Fool who first raises in Lear's mind the distracting thought, (Scene V. Act 1,) “I did her wrong." Admirable observations (Scene IV. Act 2,) in the answer to Kent's question: "How chance the king comes with so small a train?" Yet consistent with the character of the individual Fool. Act III. Scene 2. The Fool becomes tragical without changing character. Lear. "Come on, my boy: How dost, my boy? Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart At the end of Scene 6, Act III., Kent says to the Fool, "Come, help to bear thy master; thou must not |