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In friendships he was very constant ; and the most intimate connection which he ever formed, was with a Mr. Green, an English merchant, though their first meeting was far from being friendly. The circumstance is as follows:

the building, was only begun; he in- | respectful demeanour, for which he tended it to describe the passage from was so remarkable. metaphysics to natural history. But his powers of body and mind had been on the decline since the year 1794; and towards the end of his career, he had hardly been able to connect any ideas: he died in 1804, at the age of eighty, having been born in 1724. Konigsburg had given him birth and education, and it remained also the place of his residence, although he had been made, in 1787, a member of the royal academy of sciences in Berlin.

His bodily constitution did not seem to be intended for a long life; his frame was very delicate, and could only be preserved through regularity and attention; his complexion, however, was uncommonly fresh, and remained so even at a very advanced period: he himself ascribed his good health chiefly to his habit of early rising, and thought that sleeping from ten at night until five in the morning, constituted the chief foundation of a good system: fresh air was of course duly valued by him, and he appropriated as much time for moderate exercise as his occupations would allow.

He bestowed much time upon his dinner, and he then also enjoyed a glass of good wine; but during the rest of the day he only drank water, and made no other meal. In his younger years he was fond of dining at inns, but afterwards he had his own establishment, and invited his friends, but never more than five: he sent his invitations only on the same day, that they might not deprive any one of another engagement; he paid great attention to his guests, and joined cheerfully in the conversation.

He had a great dislike to any thing resembling pedantry, and wished that his disciples might avoid all singularity of appearance and manners. He recommended them very strongly to cultivate an acquaintance with respectable and well-informed ladies, as the best school for true refinement. In this he added the example to the precept; but whether he had been unsuccessful in his first attachment, or whether his metaphysical studies and scientific pursuits had made him neglect the proper opportunitics for a serious engagement, is uncertain: however, he never married, but confined his attentions to a polite and

During the time of the American war, Kant was walking with an acquaintance in a public garden, and their conversation naturally turned upon this remarkable political event. Kant sided with the Americans, and condemned the proceedings of Great Britain, as being arbitrary and unjust; when suddenly a man started, stepped before him, declared himself an Englishman, and demanded a bloody satisfaction for what he considered an insult to himself and his country. Kant was not put out of countenance by this man's violence, but continued his conversation, and began to develope his principles and opinions, by shewing in what manner every man ought to look on the affair as a citizen of the world, whatever might be his patriotism: he did this with such persuasive eloquence, that Green, who was the Englishman, struck with astonishment, held forth his hand, and asked pardon for his untimely passion. His partner, Motherby, was an eye-witness of the scene, and was afterwards frequently heard to say, that Kant had appeared during his speech, to be animated by a heavenly spirit, and that from that very moment he had won the hearts of all present for ever. Mr. Green accompanied Kant home in the evening, and invited him in return, which laid the foundation of a friendship, only to be dissolved by death. Mr. Green was a man of great talents, and possessed such an highly cultivated mind, that Kant acknowledged that, whilst composing his critique on pure reason, he had never put any thing to paper without first discussing it with Green, and submitting it to his unbiassed understanding. Green's character, however, was singular; distinguished, indeed, by strict rectitude and real generosity, but full of oddities, he was a man whose days were regulated by whimsical, but invariable rules of his own. An example will suffice:

Kant had promised one evening that

he would ride out with him at 8 o'clock next morning. Green, who on such occasions walked up and down the room at 45 minutes past 7, put on his hat at 50, took his stick at 55, and opened the door at 8, rode away, and saw Kant, who was about two minutes too late, coming towards him; but did not stop, because it was against his rule. This being perfectly understood, the friendship suffered no interruption, and their regular meetings went on as usual. Kant came every afternoon, and frequently found Green asleep in an arm chair; he then sat himself down in another, and after having indulged in his own ideas for a short time, fell asleep too. Then the bank director, Ruffman, came and did the same; until Motherby, at a fixed time, entered the room, and awoke them; the conversation then became very lively, and continued till seven in the evening: this was so regular, that the neighbours knew the hour by their breaking up, and would often say that it could not be seven, as Mr. Kant had not gone past.

After Green's death, Kant never went again to an afternoon party, as if willing to devote to solitude a time which had been consecrated to the friend of his bosom, and even in his walk he did not like to be joined by any body. He maintained, nevertheless, very friendly feelings towards many persons of his acquaintance, and took particular pleasure in forwarding and promoting young men to the utmost of his power, if it was even at his own expense. Hearing of a physician, who promised himself great advantages from a two years'residence in Edinburgh, and a return by the way of France, and understanding that his limited means would not allow him to undertake the scheme; Kant not only interested his friends in it, but offered the traveller in private, that there should be always 500 dollars in readiness for him, in case of need; and he rather regretted that the money was not wanted.

His servants, who had a kind and benevolent master in him, he was in the habit of calling by their surnames, until he got one with the name of Kauffman, and then he used the man's christian name, for fear of giving offence to a merchant of that name, who frequently came to see him.

He spoke ill of nobody; and avoided

mentioning vices, as obnoxious to honest minds. Even less flagrant misdemeanours appeared to him as an unworthy object of conversation, and he never failed to give it a more dignified turn. In the latter years of his life, he became fond of military music, and listened with great attention to the band which passed his house in going to the parade; but he could never bear the sound of the harmonica, or any instrument of the whining kind. He retained the talent of expressing himself with vivacity and warmth to his latest age, and his inmates were particularly delighted in hearing him relate the following wonderful instance of animal instinct:

During a cold summer, he was passing near the great flour magazine, in Konigsburg, when he perceived many swallows' nests, with dead young ones below them. This excited his attention, and led him to make a discovery which he could scarcely credit; namely, that the old birds had cast out part of the young ones, in order to save the remainder from starvation for want of food.

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This bafiled my understanding," he would then exclaim, "because here I could only fall down and worship." He said this in an indescribable and inimitable manner. The high devotion which glowed in his venerable face, the tone of his voice, the folding of his hands, and the enthusiasm with which the words were pronounced, were striking and sublime.

In a future life he hoped and wished to meet with very good, rather than with very wise, people; and he thought it would be no bad sign, if he were to meet, soon after his arrival, his old and honest servant Lambe.

He died without a groan, or any other sign of violent and painful dissolution.

Answer to a Query, inserted col. 101. "Was the conduct of Junius Brutus, in condemning and executing his two sons, consistent with justice or humanity?"

THE importance of an acquaintance with history can only be sufficiently appreciated, by its being attentively perused and felt. From it we may derive the most salutary and practical

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lessons, by imitating the virtues, and shunning the vices, of those who have gone before us. "History," says the eloquent Cicero, "is the evidence of ages, the light of truth, the life of memory, and the school of life;" and Wrangham beautifully and figuratively observes, that Reason, slow and doubtful in her progress, requires an intelligent guide to accelerate and regulate her march. History takes her by the hand in infancy, accompanies her up to maturity, and collects the testimony of universal experience for her instruction."

taken away, were the father and brother of Junius Brutus; and Brutus himself escaped falling a victim to the devouring fury of Tarquin, only by assuming the disguise of an idiot; for Tarquin supposing his folly real, despised him; and "having possessed himself of his estate, kept him as an idiot in his house, merely with a view of making sport for his children." Brutus having imbibed the strongest sense of moral virtue, and possessing a highly cultivated understanding, with an excellent education which he had received from his father, determined to remain in disguise no longer than should be found absolutely neces

If the records of any country whatever be calculated to benefit mankind, and to convey useful and necessary, when he was resolved to appear sary information, the history of the Roman empire must be peculiarly so, pregnant as it is with events of a most singular, interesting, and remarkable character. The successive changes of power, affluence, and governments, with the constant and varied movements of the whole political machinery, arising from the clashing interests of individuals,-influence, patri otism, ambition, and tyranny,-with a thousand other multifarious causes, stamp it as one of the most valuable and striking records in the history of the world. Connected with that history, the question which your correspondent has proposed for solution, is certainly one not the least interesting, and which cannot fail in being productive of mutual advantage.

However much, unfortunately, the relation of very many historical facts may be involved in mystery and doubt, owing to the confused disagreements in the details, as given by various historians, the present subject presents no such obstacles to impede our progress from coming to a conclusion, founded upon a strict accordance of testimony, at once reasonable and satisfactory. In order to form a correct judgment, however, it will be necessary briefly to state the prominent circumstances from which this question is derived.

It will be recollected that Tarquinius Superbus, commonly called Tarquin the Proud, an oppressor and a tyrant, had made his way to the throne by conspiracy and stratagem, and by every violation of legitimate right. Among the numerous individuals whom he put to death, for fear of his power and government being

in his real character, and honourably, and publicly, avenge his father's and brother's deaths upon the guilty head of their most implacable enemy and murderer, and the usurper of the people's crown. The day soon arrived for a full display of his purposes. Sextus Tarquinius, the king's son, to gratify a lustful passion, committed a rape upon Lucretia, the virtuous wife of Collatinus, the stain of which she could not survive, for while surrounded by her friends, she drew a poniard from beneath her robe, and plunging it into her bosom, she instantly expired. Brutus, who stood by Lucretia, and saw the fatal wound inflicted, drew the reeking poniard, and raising it up to heaven, he swore: "Be witness, ye gods, that from this moment I proclaim myself the avenger of the chaste Lucretia's cause: from this moment I profess myself the enemy of Tarquin, and his lustful house; henceforth this life, while life continues, shall be employed in opposition to tyranny, and for the happiness and freedom of my much-loved country."

The family of Tarquin, who had always been looked upon with the most utter contempt and horror, now became odious and insupportable. Brutus availed himself of this favourable opportunity, by obtaining a decree of the Senate, that Tarquin and his family should be for ever banished from Rome; and that it should be capital for any to plead for their return. The immediate consequence was, that the monarch and his family were expelled; and with them terminated the kingly government of Rome. Two consuls were instantly appoint

ed in the persons of Brutus and Collatinus.

be drawn, as they regard the solution of the query proposed.

It will be seen, then, from the foregoing brief narrative, that as the projects of Brutus were founded upon the most undoubted equity, it was essentially necessary that the execution of them should proceed upon the same solid basis. It was impossible to devise the means, and look at the end, of the grand object which was sought, without a reciprocal principle of action to govern both. To have acted otherwise, would have been to endanger, if not entirely to subvert, that change of circumstances, which Brutus had nobly designed to consummate. He had risked his life and the liberty of Rome, in throwing off the idiot's garb; and it was only by the most inflexible justice, that these were to be maintained. In the due discharge of his consular duties, he had equal and indiscriminite justice to administer unto all parties, regardless of private worth, domestic affection, or kindred alliances; and without the most rigid observance of which, the very pillars of his government would have been undermined by the same hands which had reared them. Titus and Valerius had been guilty of no small crime, in conspiring to take away the life of their father and of Collatinus,-to recall the exiled house of Tarquin,--to wrest from Rome that liberty, which their father had proudly won; and to plunge it into all its former tyranny and barbarity. Their conspiracy was besides, considerably aggravated by sealing it in drinking of human blood, and tasting of human entrails, sacrificed for the express occasion, to show their utter detestation and abhorrence against their father and his measures. Filial sympathy had no place within their bosoms, for nature, with all her generous sentiments, had resigned her throne. The tears of repentance never glistened, or Pity might have offered a silent but fervent ejaculation, and Mercy have responsed the plain

Tarquin, restless in his exile, and still grasping at regal supremacy, used every means within the powers of ingenuity and deception, to ingratiate himself in the affections of his people; but Brutus, knowing how to appreciate tyranny in disguise, and feeling the value of remaining firmly attached to the standard of liberty, which he had planted, and the vast importance of the solemn oath which he had voluntarily made before the gods, nobly and determinately refused -to listen to his entreaties. This rejection of all terms, was but the signal for fresh device and treachery. The ambassadors of the deposed king, under pretence of taking care of his effects, corrupted two of the best families in Rome; that of the Aquilii, in which were three senators; and the Vitelli, among whom were two senators. The latter being intimately acquainted with Titus and Valerius, the two sons of Brutus,† (and who had just arrived at years of maturity) persuaded them to engage in a conspiracy to murder both Brutus and Collatinus, and to re-establish the banished family of Tarquin; which was ratified by an oath in "drinking together of the blood, and tasting the entrails, of a man sacrificed for that purpose." The plot was discovered by a slave, named Vindicius, who communicated it without delay. They were arraigned in the Forum before the senators; the evidence was adduced; and Brutus, calling upon his two sons by name, demanded of them to make their defence. The question was repeated three times, and no answer being returned, he pointed to the lictors, and said, "Yours is the part that remains." The punishment was immediately inflicted, and when the awful ceremony was concluded by their being extended on the ground, and their heads cut off with the axe, Brutus departed, and left the remainder to his colleague, Such are the circum-tive echo. stances attending a most remarkable era in the Roman history; and from which the necessary deductions must

Langhorne says, that the name of the second son of Brutus was not Valerius, but

Tiberius.

Deoringsus and Livy mention only two, but Plutarch and Cicero say that Brutus had

more.

It cannot possibly be supposed, that, had even Brutus been but a private citizen, and the plot laid against him as an individual, by his two sons, he would be accused of want of humanity in delivering them up to the just tribunal, to receive the punishment which they deserved. All the glowing feelings and affections which

nuine patriotism never equalled, and which never forsook him, sacrificed his private feelings for the public weal. The tender emotions of consanguinity, he knew were but transient; while the establishment of the commonwealth would, in all proba

are entwined around the heart of the parent, must, in a great measure, be suspended, when his life is eagerly sought by any of his children. The anxious eye, the trickling tear,-the fond embrace,-the beating heart,and all the tender emotions of parental love, must cease to vibrate, when ability, prove both perpetual and proschild shoots the arrow of malignity at the heart-strings of his father. But Brutus had not only the feelings of a parent to contend against; but the high office of Consul demanded of him the most rigorous discharge of his duty. Upon the disposal of these conspirators depended the future destinies of Rome. Had Titus and Valerius received any punishment short of that which was inflicted, their fellow conspirators must have received the same mitigation; by which means the very decree which the senate had made, making it capital for any person to seek the return of the Tarquin

perous. It was Brutus alone that de-
vised the noble plan, of rescuing
Rome from tyranny and disgrace; and
it was Brutus alone, acting upon the
most inflexible justice, that achieved
the victory, and removed the galling
yoke.
Your's, respectfully,
T. W-
Blackfriars-Road, Jan. 17, 1822.

M.

An answer, similar in principle, has been received from W. S. of Hoxton.

VITAL CHRISTIANITY, FROM THE
FIRST PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL,
TO THE PRESENT TIME.

family to the throne, would have been ON THE PROGRESSIVE INCREASE OF abrogated; the solemn oath which Brutus had made before the gods would have been violated; the commonwealth would have been destroyed; the Roman decree which had been enacted, banishing Tarquin and his family from Rome for ever, would have been cancelled; and the iron grasp of cruelty and tyranny would have been spread throughout the land, in more than pristine vigour. Rome hung suspended as it were between hope and alarm,-between the feelings of the parent, and the duties of the consul. The laws provided no exemption for partiality, and justice cried aloud, and asserted her paramount claim. A long train of evils in quick succession must have followed the commutation of the sentence of death; for with it was indissolubly conjoined the re-establishment of the house of Tarquin.

THE universal diffusion of divine truth, is an event which every pious mind must ardently desire, and which the prophecies of the holy scriptures clearly predict. Prior to the advent of the Messiah, the knowledge of the true God was restricted almost entirely to the Jews, to whom were committed the sacred oracles; but when the fulness of time was come, and the Saviour of the world had "appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself," the GOSPEL, the glad tidings of redemption, was commanded to be proclaimed to every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue: "Go, ye, into all the world," said Jesus to his apostles, "and preach the gospel to every creature."-This gracious command, apostolic benevolence endeavoured to accomplish, and the extensive travels, and unparalleled labours of these holy men, bespeak the zeal, and ardour, and power, and grace, with which they were endued from on high. Their successors enter

However agonizing the feelings of Brutus as a parent might have been to condemn his own sons to death; he had a more important office to fulfil in providing a safeguard for the future happiness and liberty of Rome. He, who could watch over the destinies of an empire, and permit kindred sensi-ed into their labours, and when they bilities to have a greater claim upon his regard than the official and national responsibilities with which he was invested, would have been but little calculated to fill so arduous and trying a situation. But Brutus, with a ge

steadily followed their example, were successful, for the great Head of the church had promised to be with his ministers to the latest period; for "Lo!" said he, "I am with you even to the end of the world."

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