I close this sketch with two illuftrious examples of patriotifm; one ancient, one modern; one among the whites, one among the blacks. Ariftides the Athenian is famed above all the ancients for love to his country. Its fafety and honour were

cr

"indigent nobility and their vaffals. He has fub"jected every branch of commerce to minifterial e"moluments; and fixed judicial proceedings, both "civil and criminal, on the fluctuating basis of his own interest or inclination. Take an instance of their law. A fmall proprietor having land ad"joining to or intermixed with the land of a greater proprietor, is obliged to fell his poffeffion, if "the other wishes to have it. In the case of several "competitors to the fucceffion of land, it is the en"deavour of each to feize the poffeffion, well know"ing that poffeffion is commonly held the best title; "and at any rate, that there is no claim for rents "during the time of litigation. All the corn grow"ing in Eftremadura must be fold at Lifbon, A "tenth of all fales, rents, wages, &c. goes to the "King. Thefe inftances are I think fufficient to ❝give a notion of the prefent ftate of the kingdom, "and of the merits of Pombal, who has long had "the reins in his hands as first minifter, who may "justly boast of having freed his countrymen from "the dread of becoming more wretched than they

are at prefent. It gave me fatisfaction to find the "doctrines of the Sketches finely illuftrated in the "hiftory of this fingular kingdom. I am," &c.

the

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the only objects of his ambition; and his fignal difinterestedness made it the fame to him, whether thefe ends were accomplished by himself or by others, by his friends or his foes. One confpicuous inftance occurred before the battle of Marathon. Of the ten generals chofen to command the Athenian army, he was one: but fenfible that a divided command is fubjected to manifold inconveniences, he exerted all his influence for Miltiades; and at the fame time, zealously supported a propofal of Miltiades to meet the Perfians in the field. His difinterestedness was ftill more confpicuous with regard to Themistocles, his bitter enemy. Sufpending all enmity, he cordially agreed with him in every operation of the war; affifting him with his counfel and credit, and yet fuffering him to engross all the honour. In peace he was the fame, yielding to Themistocles in the administration of government, and contenting himself with a fubordinate place. In the fenate and in the assembly of the people, he made many proposals in a borrowed name, to prevent envy and oppofition. He retired from public bufinefs at the latter part of his life; paffing his

time in training young men for ferving the state, inftilling into them principles of honour and virtue, and infpiring them. with love to their country. His death unfolded a fignal proof of the contempt he had for riches: he who had been treasurer of Greece during the lavishment of war, did not leave money fufficient to defray the expence of his funerals: a British commiffary, in like circumftances, acquires the riches of Cræfus.

The scene of the other example is Fouli, a negro kingdom in Africa. Such regard is paid there to royal blood, that no man can fucceed to the crown, but who is connected with the first monarch, by an uninterrupted chain of females: a connection by males would give no fecurity, as the women of that country are prone to gallantry. In the last century, the Prince of Sambaboa, the King's nephew by his fifter, was invefted with the dignity of Kamalingo, a dignity appropriated to the prefumptive heir. A liberal and generous mind with undaunted courage, rivetted him in the affections of the nobility and people. They rejoiced in the expectation

of

of having him for their King. But their expectation was blafted. The King, fond of his children, ventured a bold measure, which was, to inveft his eldest son with the dignity of Kamalingo, and to declare him heir to the crown. Tho' the Prince of Sambaboa had for him the laws of the kingdom and the hearts of the people, yet he retired in filence to avoid a civil war. He could not however prevent men of rank from flocking to him; which being interpreted a rebellion, the King raised an army, vowing to put them all to the fword. As the King advanced, the Prince retired, refolving not to draw his fword against an uncle, whom he was accustomed to call father. But finding that the command of the army was beftow'd on his rival, he made ready for battle. The Prince obtained a complete victory: but his heart was not elated. The horrors of a civil war, ftared him in the face: he bid farewell to his friends, difmiffed his army, and retired into a neighbouring kingdom; relying on the affections of the people, to be placed on the throne after his uncle's death. During banishment, which continued

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tinued thirty tedious years, frequent attempts upon his life put his temper to a severe trial for while he existed, the King had no hopes that his fon would reign in peace. He had the fortitude to furmount every trial; when, in the year 1702, beginning to yield to age and misfortunes, his uncle died. His coufin was depofed ; and he was called by the unanimous voice of the nobles, to reign over a people who adored him.

VOL. II.

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