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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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State of Public Ajffhir * . 601
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The c © mnioii& are thus raised by the Revolution to a level , under which they had been so long and so basely kept , and to which they could not have thought of aspiring ; and what this change will produce , nothing but experience can discover . In fact , the change is the greatest in the
condition , of the commons * They are no longer the base and servile race , tratftpled upon by the nobility $ they feel that they are men , and will act accordingly . They have seen enough of the folly of birth without talents and without property , and
the Revolution has thrown into their hands so much property , that they can now maintain their consequence . A body of independent yeomanry is formed , and they who wish to arrive at distinction , must now cultivate their friendship , as they formerly bowed down to a minister , or intrigued for
places at a court . But the greatest change is that of the clergy . They are no longer the proud domineering body , possessing a third nearly of the lands iii the kingdom , trampling upon liberty of conscience , and
setting on dragoons to massacre or carry to the galleys those who professed a different faith from themselves . They have lost not only their property , but the respect attached to their profession is vanished . Their frauds have been so completely detected , that it is in vain to resort to their ancient
tricks . They may have processions , and reproduce the rags atndreliques of saints , but these are the objects of the ridicule of the higher classes , an ^ few , even of the lowest , place any confidence in them . Great efforts will undoubtedly be made to
keep up the old superstition , but it appears to be in vftiii . Unhappily also , few traces as yet appear of a better system—of the religion of Christ being embraced iii the simple colours in which it was at first proclaimed to the world . The established
religion is the Catholic , but there is toleration for other sects , and tlieir situation may iii future become an object of importance . The two secta which are rising into consequence , are the Lutheran , and thatwh ^ ch adheres to the faith originating with Calviri
at Geneva , The former has its feead-quarters at Stratebnrgh ; the tatter depends upon Geneva , and probably follows very much the change that has taken place in the doctrines of that town . Formerly this sect had its universities arid schools , which pro * duced eminent scholars 5 but the Revocation of the Eldict of Nantes levelled them to the
ground , and deprived Fiance of the advantage it might have received fromthem , by their defence of Christianity against the attacks of modem infidelity . How far this infidelity may have introduced itself
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into the sect , it is not easy to determine ; but if France is to be morally regenerated , we must look- rather to the exertion * of the Protestants tlian the Catholics ; and it is certain that this g-feat kingdom cannot remain long in its present state of neutral ity .
But the great thing * which remains in suspeiice , and on which the future pros * perity of the kingdom chiefly depends ,, is the liberty of the press . Circumstances have seemed to defend certain restraints imposed upon it , but if they are to be continued , and the question will probably be
brought to an issue in the approaching * winter , the state of France will remain for sometime longer unsettled . Thai it will finally break its chains cannot be doubted . There is evidently , not only in that country , but in all Europe , a new spirit bursting forth , which animates all minds to examine
into those principles by which they . have hitherto been regulated , and to cast off many of those unworthy prejudices , the fruit of a few hundred years * slavery , by which one class has arrogated to itself
lordship and dominion over their fe I lowcreatures . Such a spirit , under the guidance of Christian feeling's , can tend only to good , but how far it may be checked by tyranny , or abused by faction , we must leave to posterity to determine .
The congress at A lX-la-Chapelle differed from that in 1748-1749 , which was assembled to give peace to Europe , and finished its discussions hy the celebrated treaty under the name of that of Aix-la-Ghapelle , The peace then settled was soon broken , and the subscribing parties forgot
with great ease all the promises of future amity and benevolence . In the present instance , the sovereigns themselves conferred together , bat it may be doubted whether their decisions will be more permanent . Russia , Prussia , Austria and England , were the chief powers ; the latter
represented by its minister , distinguished rather by hh appearance at such discussions , than his skill in diplomacy . The great point settled is , the retreat of the troops from France , and the restoration of that power to its former independence and
consequence among * the nations . But much more than that has undoubtedly been done , and in the approaching meeting of parliament much will come out , and be subject of discussion . If nothing has been
settled , but what is equally beneficial to sovereign and subject , the meeting will have passed off in a most remarkable manner ; and if any thing has been done through ignorance oi * design to the injury of the latter , the state of the world it such , that the scheme will be rendered abortive . One circumstance attending this celebrated
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1818, page 661, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2481/page/61/
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