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cation , it is at least a voluntary submission to the scrutiny of others , acid a fair and manly appeal to their apr probation arid good-will . That differences in opinion do and will subsist between persons of the clearest heads and most benevolent
hearts , is , perhaps , mare to be admired in the dispensations of Providence , than regretted as an imperfection . Without this stimulus to inquiry , one can form no idea of improvement or elevation of character \ and , like all other bounties of heaven , it becomes
the bane of our happiness , only when we lose sight of its advantages , and suffer it to degenerate into a selfish and degrading excess . The freedom of tbe press is the glory of Englishwen , and ought to be that of every civilized human being : but who has not bitter occasion to lament its exer
arable perversion ; and who is not ready to admit that much of the acrimony and diabolical violence which agitates the world , would be softened or eren exterminated by the voluntary responsibility of those who presume to instruct others through this
powerful and extensive channel ? Perhaps the principal objection wfaicb generally operates upon the minds erf writers , whose ambition may be bounded by occupying a few columns in a periodical miscellany , is the comparative insignificance of their
communications . In reply it will be readily admitted , that it is one of the leading recommendations to these popular works , that they spread useful knowledge to a much greater extent than can be attained by other means , and give the fullest opportunity of
concentrating the result of long and patient inquiry in the smallest possible compass ; sa that ** multum in par-vo may often and effectually be presented as an apology for scattered but valued fragments , and the communicator be at least entitled to share the second
portion of applause with the voluminous and -original inquirer . Besides , will not the objection resolve itself into this dilemma ; if too trivial to sanction with a name , can such communication be worthy the public attention ? Why annoy a whole community with what an individual is ashamed to
acknowledge ? Or if the subject be really good , why object to a fair reputation
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founded on the esteeno and goodwill of out contemporaries , ( even for small attempts ., ) or to the nope of herng hereafter named among the few members of society who , tui their day , w&& desirous of doing good ? Theremust
be an inexpressible charm even ia the expectation of posthumous fame y ? fl # while such writers as Milton ap 4 Bentham have looked through the veil erf futurity as a recompense fpr the neglect of their contemporaries , it must be admitted as a commendable
motive in human conduct to animate to its most vigorous and amiable exertions : " La raison sait que e ' est un songe , Mais elie eti sait les douceurs ;—Pr ^ sque tons les plaisirs des homines , Ne sbnt que &e » donees evreurs , "
Reason admits tis all a dream ,. byt she also knows its gratifications ; almost the sum of human felicity consists in $ weet hut voluntary delusions , I was much gratified with the Memoir in your last Number , [ p . 153 , ] of the late W * Russell , Esq ., my chief regret being its shortness , as 1 conceive the circumstances and the man
would supply a most interesting aarrative for an , e ^ tepsive display \ aiul I a ^ o ( to apply my foregoii ^ g hints ) wished the w riter had giyep his name instead of the mere initials . By way of farther illustration , I beg leave % q offer the following Jiouourable
anecdotie , convinced that it will lose J * qthing <* f its impprt ^ oce by the atte » - tation of a real signature . The case is probably unknow n to the friends and relations of the deceased , aud I am prou ^ l pf the opportunity of i ecar < jl
ing it . It could pat with propriety be divulged before , and gratitude aow forbids that such magnanimity should pass silently into oblivion . If it ip highly praiseworthy in the benefactor , it confers no sm ^ ill degree of credit
on the receivers - J y may it operate 3 ? | t is intended as stn eucourygemeut % all , but especially % q young perftqn ^ begiuning the wprld , to merit the con ^ fMlenee of their friends , by an infte ^ i
ble adherence to tho ^ e principles ^ u which the confidemce w ^ s l ^ 8 t ^ w ^ 4-Generosity md jgiratitwde ;^ re ^ cipwcal ; worthy of each other , and depending on mutual co-operation and support . I have never had an oppor-
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VOL , XIII . £ V
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On Anonymous CQmmumcatiQns . $$ f >
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1818, page 329, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2476/page/41/
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