Attempt > Volume 3

200 THE ATTEMPT.
with dread 1 Was his religion no more a reality for him than that ? Dost think he
found the power and splendour of an earthly crown fit for a moment to be compared
with a heavenly one 1 A modern commentator has it—" Beautiful gi-eat soul; to
whom the temporal is all irradiated with the eternal, and God is everywhere divinely
visible in the affairs of men, and man himself has, as it were, become divine !" That
" great soul " could feel and say, " How great is it to be the Lord's servant in any
drudgery ;" as it could likewise feel that " to depart and be with Him is far better ;"
to be a friend, and no more a servant.
And the world knew him no more. The reins fell loose over the necks of the
unbridled chargers; let us see what they will do with their liberty. Now a-days,
we can but dimly imagine the awe and consternation ; the grief and joy ; the clash
of surging feelings that rose round the electric news. Honest grief from private
friends, and from friends of the nation; as honest joy in the staunch royalists ; and
a loud resounding shout from the many time-servers. He found panegyrists in
Milton, Dryden and Waller; he found censors and calumniators not a few, when
the sunshine of royalty made such plants blossom and bear fiiiit.
But the Third of September had passed meanwhile, and we shall not follow his
fame into other days. Let some mind, powerful in tracing out causes and effects,
suppose that Third of September had borne other impress than it did; and seek a
result in our history now. Long lost lineaments are apt to become confused in our
memory; let us recall as much of him as we may, in the deeds he did, and the words
he spoke, embalmed in his letters and speeches ; and then, looking on the noble fea¬
tures, let us judge them charitably, as we would have others judge ourselves :
" So may he rest, his faults lie gently on him !"
LUTEA EeSEDA.
Stoxmmmg as a §ranf^ 0f Jf^mak ^btttation.
Much has been said and written on the vexed question of female education, great
difference of opinion existing as to what should, and what should not be taught.
There is one branch which has hitherto been almost entirely neglected, and for which
I claim a place amongst desirable acquirements,—I refer to swimming. Doubtless
there are more important accomplishments, but learning this in no way interferes
with any other. Easy and inexpensive to acquire, healthful and agreeable when