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after truth; and, when no other the enormity of past guilt, dishelps are within reach but such played in full view, cannot be as that communion affords, Provi- otherwise than terrific to one who dence may vouchsafe to make use beholds the severity of the divine of such, however inferior they justice, but is not yet acquainted may be in their nature. But it with the placidity of the divine will not escape the observation, mercy. that M. de la Harpe had recourse Lastly, Let the conversion of to the Scriptures as soon as pos- the most obdurate sinner never sible, and confined himself to the be despaired of;-if ordinary meditation of these; which is means are ineffectual, divine certainly one favourable token of grace can employ extraordinary change of heart and mind. An- occurrences. He who will not other proof that his conversion hear in a chapel, shall be obliged was genuine, is to be inferred to hear in a prison;-he who has from his endeavours to recover treated salvation as despicable, those who were lost. The man when at liberty, shall be taught who, notwithstanding two pro- the value of it under bonds, as scriptions, dares to profess his Manasseh was; and be induced belief in God, and in Christ, full to long for spiritual deliverance in the face of an execrable kind much more ardently than even of death, deserves credit for his for temporal. As no set of men professions, and applause for his can do (and have done) so much zeal. The rapidity of the change harm to the unwary as men of in him is remarkable. It bears letters, so those among them, some analogy to that of the well who feel the importance of the known Col. Gardiner. Both of Gospel, ought to promote it with these converts describe the first all their might, that they may effect of their new view of things as a beam of heavenly light bursting on their astonished sight; and in the case of M. de la Harpe, the instantaneous impression derived from "a word in season," may fairly be produced as parallel to those arrows of conviction derived from the sacred word, life and labours. which sometimes it pleases God to fasten in the consciences of sinners in a moment. That prostration and tears should accompany such an incident, will be thought extremely natural by all who have experienced that deep self-abasement which is one part of real conversion. Sobbings, cries, "groanings that cannot be IT is well known that this reuttered," may well be supposed markable man, at different periods to attend the renovation of a heart of his life, held opinions diametriso uncommonly depraved as this:cally opposite. It, therefore.

counteract, as far as possible, the miseries which "philosophy and. literature, falsely so called," have brought on mankind, even to the ruin of thousands. Such was the conviction of M. de la Harpe; and on this conviction he acted, till Providence put a period to his

Evang. Mag.

The following curious extract is
taken from the "Select and
Posthumous Works of the late
Mr. de la Harpe, of the French
Academy."

could not be supposed that he from the Pucelle d'Orleans; anowould admit into this compendi-ther recollected and applauded um, formed in his latter days, any the philosophical distich of Dideof those pieces offensive to mo- rot,

rals and religion, which had been his glory in early life.

Et des boyaux du dernier prêtre,
Serrez le cou du dernier roi.

And of the last priest's entrails form the
string

Around the neck of the last king.

But we acknowledge, without hesitation, that the following paper has appeared to us so extraordinary in its nature, and so striking in its contents, that we A third rises, and with a bumhave separated it, by way of dis-per in his hand, "Yes, gentletinction, from the other articles men," he exclaims, "I am as contained in these volumes, and sure that there is no God, as I am have given it an early insertion, certain that Homer is a fool.' for the consideration and reflec- The conversation afterward took tion of our readers. The editor a more serious turn, and the most makes no remarks on it, but gives it simply as follows.

ardent admiration was expressed of the revolution which Voltaire "The following very curious had produced; and they all agreed note was found among the papers that it formed the brightest ray of M. de la Harpe, after his of his glory. "He has given the death. ton to his age, and has contrived "It appears to me as if it were to be read in the chamber, as but yesterday; and it was, never-well as in the drawing room." theless, in the beginning of the One of the company mentioned, year 1788; we were at the table and almost burst with laughter at of a brother academician, who the circumstance, that his hairwas of the highest rank, and a dresser had said while he was man of talents. The company powdering him, "Look you, sir; was numerous and of all kinds; though I am nothing but a poor courtiers, advocates, literary men, journeyman barber, I have no academicians, &c. We had been, more religion than another man." as usual, luxuriously entertained; It was concluded that the revoluand at the desert, the wines of tion would soon be consummaMalvoisie and the Cape, added ted, and that it was absolutely to the natural gayety of good com- necessary for superstition and pany that kind of social freedom fanaticism to give place to philowhich sometimes stretches be-sophy. The probability of this yond the rigid decorum of it. In epoch was then calculated, and short, we were in a state to allow which of the company present of any thing that would produce would live to see the reign of mirth. Chamfort had been read-reason. The elder part of them ing some of his impious and liber-lamented that they could not flattine tales, and the fine ladies had ter themselves with the hope of heard them without once making enjoying such a pleasure; while use of their fans. A deluge of the younger part rejoiced in the pleasantries on religion then suc- expectation that they should witčeeded; one gave a quotation ness it. The academy was feli

citated for having prepared the that you should carry about grand work, and being, at the you."" same time, the strong hold, the centre and the moving principle of freedom of thought.

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At first there appeared a considerable degree of astonishment; but it was soon recollected that There was only one of the Cazotte was in the habit of dreamguests who had not shared in the ing while he was awake, and the delights of this conversation; he laugh was as loud as ever. “M. had even ventured, in a quiet Cazotte, the tale which you have way, to start a few pleasantries just told is not so pleasant as your on our noble enthusiasm. It was Diable amoureux. But what deCazotte, an amiable man, of an vil has put this dungeon, this poioriginal turn of mind, but unfor- son, and these hangmen in your tunately infatuated with the reve- head? What can these things ries of the illuminati. He re- have in common with philosophy newed the conversation in a very and the reign of reason?" That serious tone, and in the following is precisely what I am telling you. manner. Gentlemen," said he, It will be in the name of philoso"be satisfied, you will all see phy, of humanity, and of liberty; this grand and sublime revolution. it will be under the reign of reaYou know that I am something son, that what I have foretold of a prophet; and I repeat that will happen to you. It will then you will all see it." He was an- indeed be the reign of reason: swered by the common expres-for she will have temples erected sion, "It is not necessary to be a to her honour. Nay, throughout great conjurer to foretell that." France, there will be no other "Agreed; but, perhaps, it may be places of public worship but the necessary to be something more, temples of reason." "In faith," respecting what I am now going said Chamfort, with one of his to tell you. Have you any idea sarcastic smiles, "you will not of what will result from this revo- however be an officiating priest lution? What will happen to in any of these temples." "I yourselves, to every one of you hope not; but you, Mr. Chamnow present; what will be the fort, you will be well worthy of immediate progress of it, what that distinction; for you will cut its certain effects and consequen-yourself across the veins with ces? "Oh," said Condorcet, twenty-two strokes of a razor, with his silly and saturnine laugh, and will, nevertheless, survive "let us know all about it; a phi-the attempt for some months." losopher can have no objection They all looked at him and conto meet a prophet." You, M. tinued to laugh. "You, M. Vice Condorcet, (said Cazotte) will d'Azyr, you will not open your expire on the pavement of a dun- veins yourself, but you will order geon; you will die of the poison them to be opened six times in which you will have taken to es- one day during a paroxysm of cape from the hands of the exe- the gout, in order that you may cutioner; of poison, which the not fail in your purpose, and you happy state of that period will will die during the night. As for render it absolutely necessary you, M. de Nicolai, you will die

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on the scaffold; and so, M. Bail-thing." "You will yourself be ly, will you; and so will you, a miracle as extraordinary as any M. Malesherbes." "Oh hea- which I have told. You will vens," said Roucher, "it ap- then be a Christian."

pears that his vengeance is level- Loud exclamations immediately led solely against the academy: followed. "Ab," replied Chamhe has just made a most horrible fort, "all my fears are removed: execution of the whole of it; now for if we are not doomed to perish tell me my fate in the name of till La Harpe becomes a Chris mercy?" "You will die also tian, we shall be immortal." upon the scaffold." "Oh!" it was "As for us women," said the universally exclaimed, "he has dutchess de Grammont, "it is sworn to exterminate all of us." very fortunate that we are con"No, it is not me who has sworn sidered as nothing in these revoit." Are we then to be subjuga-lutions. Not that we are totally ted by Turks and Tartars?"" By discharged from all concern in no means; I have already told them; but it is understood that in you, that you will then be govern- such cases we are to be left to ed by reason and philosophy ourselves. Our sex"" Your alone. Those who will treat sex, ladies, will be no guarantee you as I have described, will all to you in these times. It will of them be philosophers; will be make no difference whatever, continually uttering the same whether you interfere or not. phrases that you have been re- You will be treated precisely as peating for the last hour, will de- men; no distinction will be made liver all your maxims, and will between you." "But what does quote you as you have done Di- all this mean, M. Cazotte? You derot and the Pucelle." "Oh," are surely preaching to us about it was whispered, "the man is the end of the world." out of his senses;" for during the know no more of that, my lady whole of the conversation his dutchess, than yourself: but this features never underwent the I know, that you will be conductleast change. "Oh no," said ed to the scaffold, with several another, "you must perceive that other ladies along with you, in he is laughing at us; for he al-the cart of the executioner, and ways blends the marvellous with with your hands tied behind you.' his pleasantries." "Yes," an- " I hope, sir, that in such a case swered Chamfort, the marvel- I shall be allowed at least a coach lous with him is never enlivened hung with black." "No, mawith gayety. He always looks dam, you will not have that inas if he were going to be hanged. dulgence; ladies of higher rank But when will all this happen?" than you will be drawn in a cart "Six years will not have passed as you will be; with their hands away, before all which I have tied as yours will be, and to the told you shall be accomplished." same fate as that to which you "Here, indeed, is plenty of are destined." "Ladies of highmiracles," it was myself, says M. er rank than myself? What, de la Harpe, who now spoke, princesses of the blood;" "Greatand you set me down for no- er still."

" I

Here there was a very sensi-[tioned any thing respecting your ble emotion throughout the com- own." After a few minutes of pany, and the countenance of the silence, with his eyes fixed on the master of the mansion wore a ground, "Madam," he replied, very grave and solemn aspect: it" have you read the siege of Jewas, indeed, very generally ob-rusalem, as related by Josephus ?" served, that this pleasantry was " To be sure I have, and who has carried rather too far. Madame not? but you may suppose, if de Grammont, in order to dis-you please, that I know nothing perse the cloud that seemed to about it." "Then you must be approaching, made no reply know, madam, that during the to his last answer, but contented siege of Jerusalem, a man for herself with saying with an air seven successive days went round of gayety, "You see, he will not the ramparts of that city, in the even leave me a confessor. "No, sight of the besiegers and the madam, that consolation will be besieged, crying incessantly, in a denied to all of you. The last loud and inauspicious voice, Wo person led to the scaffold who to Jerusalem! and, on the seventh will be allowed a confessor as the day he cried, Wo to Jerusalem greatest of favours, will be -" and to myself! At that very moHere he paused for a moment. "And who then is the happy mortal who will be allowed to enjoy this prerogative ?" "It is the only one which will be left to him; it will be-the king of France."

tone 66

ment an enormous stone, thrown by the machines of the enemy, dashed him to pieces."

M. Cazotte then made his bow and retired.

MEMOIR OF REBECCA M. COIT.

The master of the house now rose in haste, and his company were all actuated by the same impulse. He then advanced towards M. Cazotte, and said to him REBECCA M. COIT, the in an affecting and impressive youngest daughter of Mr. Elisha My dear M. Cazotte, we Coit of this city, was born Auhave had enough of these melan gust 21, 1808. Her natural discholy conceits. You carry it too position was amiable; and her far; even to the compromising mind, as it unfolded itself, discothe company with whom you are; vered no ordinary capacity. Both and yourself along with them." were cultivated by the instrucCazotte made no answer, and was tion which she received at home preparing to retire; when ma- and in school. Her parents, bedame de Grammont, who wished ing followers of Christ, taught if possible to do away all serious her to remember her Creator impressions, and to restore some and Saviour in the days of her kind of gayety among them, ad- youth. Her teachers, whilst they vanced towards him and said, instructed her in the rudiments "My good prophet, you have of knowledge, enforced the prebeen so kind as to tell us all our cepts which she received from fortunes, but you have not men- parental piety. Her dutiful be

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