The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)Beloe, William
General
The sexagenarian; or, the recollections of a literary life (Volume 1 of 2)
Beloe, William
Authors, English; Beloe, William, 1756-1817; English literature -- Anecdotes
This appears no unsuitable opportunity of making mention of an _Opus
Magnum_, in which the Sexagenarian was very materially concerned, and
which, as well it might, had the countenance of the Nobleman of whom
mention is about to be made, and of every other real friend of the
constitution of his country in church and state.
There was a time in England, and a dire time it was, when the contagion
of the French revolution had so infected our purer atmosphere, that the
disloyal, ill-designing, and more profligate part of the community,
dared to use the language of violence, and of menace, to overawe and
intimidate those whose sentiments they knew to be adverse to their own;
who had the presumption to prophesy, that “church and state prejudices
were coming to a speedy issue in this country;” who had the insolence to
use all their efforts to check and suppress the circulation of what the
honest advocates of truth and order, wrote and published in vindication
of their principles; and even proceeded so far as to hold out threats to
the individuals themselves, whom they affected, with equal absurdity and
impertinence, to denominate “Alarmists.”
A sevenfold shield was wanted, beneath the protection of which, the
insidious and poisonous darts of the assailants might be repelled, and
the weapons of those who fought for the good old cause, might be wielded
with boldness and due effect.
Before this, the channels of communication with the public were
preoccupied by a faction; the pure streams of truth were either
obstructed in their progress, or contaminated in the very source; the
representations exhibited of things as they actually were, by the
faithful pencils of loyalty and true patriotism, were misrepresented,
defaced, defamed, ridiculed, and treated with every mark of ignominy.
This powerful shield was at length produced; it was formed with no
ordinary skill and labour, and proved of no common strength. From this
auspicious moment, matters began to assume a very different aspect.
Religion and loyalty were enabled to defy, and to rise victorious over
infidelity and anarchy. The strong clear voice of truth was heard, and
virtue triumphed.
The subject is seducing; and memory lingers with pride and fondness on
the eventful period. Public gratitude followed the manifestation of
public benefit. The individuals who most distinguished themselves in
the effectual extension of this shield, as well as by the ardour, and
fortitude, and dexterity with which they used the weapons entrusted to
them by their country, were not suffered to go without their reward.
But the most grateful of all distinctions, were the praises of such men
as the venerable Archbishop Moore; the protection, and countenance,
and friendship of a Pitt, of Bishops Barrington, Porteus, Tomline; the
courtesies of a Windham; and the friendship of a Loughborough.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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