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purely scientific and literary institution at Paris , but the members judged that they should not depart from their object in paying a token of respect to the memory of a distinguished philanthropist . Their
determination was wise as well as generous , for such expressions of humane and disinterested feeliug' tend to repress national animosities , to check the ambition of governments , and to advance truth and virtue , which belong equally to every people , and are alike beneficial to all .
A fitter man could not have been named as orator to the assembly than M . Benjamin Constant , who has been loug distinguished by his talents , his eloquence , and his pursuit of the same noble objects as occupied the mind of the departed English senator .
He was too , we believe , a personal friend of Sir Samuel Romilly . The Eulogium justifies the choice of the society : it is a master-piece of its kind : it is distinguished by sound philosophy and ardent benevolence : it manifests an intrepid spirit of reform , but at the same time a virtuous
detestation of violence : it is , in short , worthy of the man who has incurred the displeasure of the successive governments of France by his incorruptible principles and bis undaunted courage , and who , by his impartial opposition to all tyranny , has earned the gratitude and confidence of his
country- * The eulogist dwells on those points of Sir Samuel Romilly ' character which always attracted the admiration of wise and good men at home . In explaining these to his audience , lie
displays a thorough knowledge of the state of parties in England . Our politicians may see in the estimate formed of them by an enlightened and temperate foreigner , how they are likely to stand with posterity .
With an exact pencil , M . Constant portrays the Semi-Whig * ministry of 1806 , of which Sir Samuel Romilly formed a part . " Charles Fox" is
described , as he was , the wisest and the most benevolent and honest of statesmen > Lord Sidmouth as lie is , tine minister employed to execute the provisions of the Alien Bill . ? M . Constant has been lately returned to the Chamber of Deputies .
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. Lord Castlereagh is designated as a solemnly-pledged Irish reformer , and Mr . Canning as a travelling orator . M . Constant states that the
Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in England , has been always quoted during the last twenty-five years , in justification of arbitrary measures in France 1 He records with evident
triumph , that Sir Samuel RomilJy had in no instance to reproach himse . f with having- given a vote for this abominable measure . It is distinctly stated by M .
Constant , and apparently from authority , that the Whigs of England , as a party , have abandoned the object of Parliamentary Reform : Sir Samuel Romilly , however , remained faithful to the principle , amidst general
desertion . There is a very interesting passage in the Eulogium on the subject of ** the Dragonades" in the South of France , in 1815- The Editor also
makes some strong remarks upon the same topic in the Preface . It appears that the Dissenting Ministers of London were truly informed of the course of events , and that the Duke of
Wellington was imposed upon . M . Constant vindicates the steps which the Dissenting Ministers took , and pronounces an eloquent panegyric upon them . To them , seconded as they were in the House of Commons by Sir Samuel Romillv , he attributes the
cessation of the persecution . We cannot better characterize the Eulogium than by saying , that it is precisely such a posthumous tribute of affection and respect as Sir Samuel Romilly would have looked forward
to with eagerness and delight , if his disinterestedness , purity and simplicity of heart had allowed him to calculate on any other reward th $ u the consciousness of doing his duty , and the satisfaction of upholding the moral character , the civil rights and the political liberty of his countrymen .
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Art . IV . — Reflections upon the Death of Sir Samuel Romilly - in a Discourse delivered at Essex-Street Chapel , November 8 , 1818 . By Thomas Belsham . 8 vo . pp . 50 . Hunter . 1818-IN relation to the deplorable death of Sir Samuel Romilly , Mr , Bel-
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264 Review . — BeUlutnfs Sermon on the Death of Sir S . Romilly .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1819, page 264, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1771/page/52/
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