reafon. The fcenes of madnefs run into by ambitious Princes; the excefles our Nobility and wealthy Commoners are, from time to time, guilty of; and the fatal catastrophe of whole nations, whenever they arrive at the pinnacle of greatnels and riches; fhew the abfolute neceffity of affliction to force us upon confideration, to put us in mind of the frailty of our nature and state, and to make us remember that we are under the government of one who can raife or humble, afflict or relieve, reward or punish, as to him feems good.

That we may never lofe fight of our duty, nor have it in our power to pretend ignorance; and even to filence the poor excufe of thoughtlefinefs; confcience, that ever watchful and faithful monitor, is placed within the mind itself, to be always at hand to judge of our characters and actions, and to alarm us with its ftings and reproaches, whenever we do amifs.

There is no mind fo grofs and ftupid, as not to feel, at times, fome pangs of remorfe. And not only confcience within, but every object in nature prefents us fome moral lef fon. Tempefts, thunders, and lightnings from above; inundations and earthquakes from beneath; the fword, famine, and peftilence in our cities; difeafes and pains in our awn perfons, or thofe of our nearest friends and relations, and death on our right hand and on our left: What are all thefe but awful and yet kind warnings from the tender and compaffionate Father of mankind, who fhews himself willing to give his unthinking, fhort-fighted creatures all poffible advantages for virtue and happiness that might be confiftent with their nature, as free agents; with their condition, as being in a state of difcipline; and with the grand and univerfai fcheme, which must be equitable, unchangeable, and uniform.

Thus it appears plain, that the prefent life was intended for a itate of difcipline, and is very well adapted to that purpofe. Nor does the actual prevarication of numbers of moral agents prove, that the state was not intended for training them up to virtue, or that it is not properly adapted to that purpose, any more than the amazing number of abortions which happen in the natural world proves, that the general defign of feeds was not to fructify, and produce plants and animals. Naturalists thew us, that, in fome cafes, millions of ftamina perish, for one that comes to maturity. And, as we conclude every feed of a plant, or animal egg, was formed capable of fructification, fo we may, that every mo ral agent was formed capable of attaining happiness. The great difference is, that in

the natural world numerous abortions are the confequence of the common course of nature; but, in the moral, of fatal perverseness by making a bad choice.

And, indeed, what ftate of difcipline for free agents can be conceived, without fuppofing a poffibility of their behaving ill in it? Nothing but an abfolute restraint upon the liberty of the creature, which is wholly inconfiftent with the nature of free agency, and of a state of difcipline, could have prevented their acting, in many inftances, amifs. But the all-bounteous Creator has effectually put it out of the power of the moft presumptuously infolent of his creatures to arraign his juftice. For, if he has given to every accountable being a fair opportunity of attaining happiness; if he has placed him in the direct way towards it, and is ready to assist him in his endeavours after it; he has, to all intents and purposes, done the fame, as if he had given it to every individual. For he who points out the way to get an estate, or any of the good things of life, and who affifts and fupports me in my endeavours to procure it, he it is to whom I am obliged for whatever I acquire in confequence of his advice, and by means of his protection and afliftance.

Every one knows, that, with refpect to the prefent ftate, exclufive of futurity, there is great difficulty in getting through life, without fome fatal misconduct, which may imbitter and render it unhappy. It is a matter of doubt whether a new-born infant will get over the precarious time of youth, with out being drawn, thro' rafhnefs and thoughtleffnefs, and the temptations of bad company, into fuch a course of folly as may effectually prevent his proving a useful and valuable member of fociety. Yet we always look upon the birth of a child into the world as a fubject of joy, not of grief or complaint; and upon the untimely death of a young perfon as a calamity; because we take into our view the confideration of its being in the power of every perfon to behave well in life, if he pleases; and we hope he will do fo. The warrior is fufficiently apprifed of the danger of engaging, a danger which it is out of his power to ward off. Yet he longs to mix in the martial tumult, and engages with joy in the glorious ftrife. Why fhould man think. himself hardly used in being placed in a poft attended with occafional danger, but in which he must be egregioufly wanting to himself, if he mifcarries finally. But if I fhould not chufe a happiness attainable only through peril and trouble, but would rather, through fordid ftupidity and inactivity, defire to decline exifting upon fuch terms; does it there

fore

fort follow, that the infinite Author of exiftence may not oblige me, in spite of my obftinacy or ftupidity, to go through what he may judge proper for me, and neceflary for his great ends?

It has been asked, why the beneficent Auor of being did not purfue fuch an effectual scheme in the moral world as he has

done in the natural, by planting in our minds fuch a strong and irrefiftible propenfity to virtue as would have effectually fecured the univerfal happiness of the fpecies? The answer is obvious, that he required the obedience of free agents, by a love of choice and a love of reason. To propofe, by mere inftinctive attractions, mechanically to draw free agents to the love and practice of virtue, was contradictory to the nature of his defign. Because what is wanted is not fo much, that mankind be brought to go, like machines, in a certain track, as that the rational faculties be formed in a rational manner to the intire love and habitual purfuit of goodness. This thews mechanical means to be improper alone for that purpose, though they may prove, as we find, useful helps; and that rational means are abfolutely neceflary for act ing upon rational natures. And it is ever

to be remembered, that, as the inanimate world is made to concur with the divine schems in a mechanical, and the animal in an inftinctive manner, fo rational beings, if they concur at all, muft concur in a manner fuitable to their nature, that is, rational, free, and voluntary.

The requifite concurrence of moral agents, of whatever rank or order, or their conformity to the grand defign of the univerfal Governor, which is the ground-work of univerfal harmony, perfection, and happiness throughout the Creation, confifts therefore in their acting according to truth, rectitude, and propriety, in their refpective stations, whether higher or lower in the fcale of being, whether in ftates of difcipline or reward, in all cafes or circumftances that regard either themselves, their fellow-beings, or their Creator. Whatever moral agent frictly and univerfally obferves this rule, he is of that character which all rational beings call good, is amiable in the fight of the fupreme Judge of rectitude and goodness; and it is as cer tain, that every fuch being must be finally happy, as that the nature of things is what it is, and that perfect wisdom and goodness must act rightly in governing the world :

which the

time when Andrew Doria restored liberty to his country; though calculated to obliterate the memory of former diffenfions, and received at firft with eager approbation, did not, after a trial of near twenty years, give univerfal fatisfaction to these turbulent and factious Republicans. As the intire adminiftration of affairs was now lodged in a certain number of noble families, inany, envying them that pre-eminence, withed for the reftitution of a popular Government, to which they had been accustomed; and, though all reverenced the difinterefted virtue of Doria, and admired his talents, not a few were jealous of that afcendant which he had acquired in all the Councils of the commonwealth. His age, however, his moderation, and love of liberty, afforded ample fecurity to his countrymen that he would not abuse his power, nor fain the clofe of his days by

the labour and pride of his life to erect.

But that authority and influence, which in his hands were innocent, they eafily faw would prove destructive, if ufurped by any citizen of greater ambition, or lefs virtue. A citizen of this dangerous character had actually formed fuch pretenfions, and with fome profpect of fuccefs. Giannetino Doria, whom his grand uncle Andrew destined to be the heir of his private for tune, aimed likewife at being his fucceffor in power. His temper haughty, infolent, and over-bearing to fuch a degree as would fcarce have been tolerated in one born to reign, was altogether infupportable in the citizen of a free State; and the more fagacious among the Genoefe already feared and hated him as the enemy of thofe liberties for which they were indebted to his uncle. While Andrew himself, blinded by that violent and undif cerning affection which perfons in advanced

age

age often contract for the younger members of their family, fet no bounds to the in algence with which he treated him; feeming Lets follicitous to fecure and perpetuate the freedom of the commonwealth, than to aggrandife that undeferving kinfman.

But whatever fufpicion of Doria's designs, or whatever diflatisfaction with the fyttem of administration in the commonwealth, thele circunftances might have occafioned, they would have ended, it is probable, in nothing more than murmurings and complaints, it John Lewis Fiefco, Count of Lavagna, ob, ferving this growing difguft, had not been encouraged by it to attempt one of the boldett actions recorded in hiftory. That young Nobleman, the richeft and moit illustrious fubject in the Republic, poffeffed, in an eminent degree, all the qualities which win upon the human heart, which command respect, or fecure attachment. He was graceful and majestic in his perfon; magnificent to profufion; of a generofity that prevented the withes of his friends, and exceeded the expectations of ftrangers; of an infinuating addrefs, gentle manners, and a flowing affability. But under the appearance of these virtues, which feemed to form him for enjoying and adorning civil life, he concealed all the difpofitions which mark men out for taking the lead in the most dangerous and dark confpiracies; an infatiable and restless ambition, a courage unacquainted with fear, and a mind that difdained fubordination. Such a temper could ill brook that station of inferiority, wherein he was placed in the Republic; and, as he envied the power which the elder Doria had acquired, he was filled with indignation at the thoughts of its defcending, like an hereditary poffeffion, to Giannetino. Thefe various paffions, preying with violence on his turbulent and alpíring mind, determined him to attempt overturning that domination to which he could not fubmit.

At first he thought of an alliance with the King of France, and even propofed it to the French Amballador at Rome; and, after expelling Doria together with the Imperial faction by his affiftance, he refolved to put there public once more under the protection of that Monarch, hoping in return for that fervice to be intrafted with the principal thare in the administration of Government. But, having communicated his fcheme to a few chofen confidents, from whom he kept nothing fecret, Verrina, the Chief of them, a man of defperate fortune, capable alike of advising and of executing the moft audacious deeds, remonitrated with earnestness against the folly of expoling himself to the

moft imminent danger, while he allowed and other to reap all the fruits of his fuccets, and exhorted him warmly to aim hinfelf at that pre-eminence in his conry, to which he was destined by his illuftrious birth, was called by the voice of his fellow-citizens, and would be raised by the zeal of his friends. This difcourfe opened fuch vakt prospects te Fielco, and so suitable to his genius, that, abandoning his own plan, he eagerly adopted that of Verrina. The other perfons pretent, tho' fenfible of the hazardous nature of the undertaking, did not chufe to condenm what their patron had fo warmly approved. It was inftantly refolved, in this dark cabal, to affaffinate the two Doria's as well as the principal perfons of their party, to overturn the eftablished fyftem of Government, and to place Fiefco on the ducal throne of Gener. Time, however, and preparations were requisite to ripen such a design for execution 3 and, while employed in carrying on these, Fiefco made it his chief care to guard against every thing that might' betray nis fecret, or create fufpicion. The difguife he affumed was of all others the most impenetrable. He feemed to be abandoned intirely to pleasure and diffipation. A perpetual gaiety, diverfified by the purfuit of all the amusements becoming his age and rank, ingroffed, in appearance, the whole of his time and thoughts. But, amidst this hurry of diffipation, he profecuted his plan with the moft cool attention, neither retarding the defign by a timid hesitation, nor precipitating the execution by an excefs of impatience. He continued his correfpondence with the French Ambassador at Rome, though without communicating to him his real intentions, that by his means he might fecure the protection of the French arms, if hereafter he fhould find it neceflary to call them to his aid. He entered into a clofe confederacy with Farnefe Duke of Parma, who, being difgufted with the Emperor for refufing to grant him the investiture of that Duchy, was cager to promote any measure that tended to diminish his influence in Italy, or to ruin a family fo implicitly devoted to him as that of Doria. Being fenfible that, in a maritime ftate, the acquifition of naval power was what he ought chiefly to aim at, he purchated four gallies from the Pope, who probably was not unacquainted with the design which he had formed, and did not difapprove of it Under colour of fitting out one of thefe gallies to fail on a crue against the Turks, he not only affembled a good number of his own vaffals, but engaged in his fervice many bold adventurers, whom the truce between the Emperor, and Solyman

had

had deprived of their usual occupation and fubfiftence.

While Fiefco was taking these important fteps, he preferved fo admirably his ufual appearance of being devoted intirely to pleafure and amusement, and paid Court with fuch artful address to the two Doria's, as im pofed not only on the generous and unfufpicious mind of Andrew, but deceived Giannetino, who, conscious of his own criminal intentions, was more apt to diftruft the defigns of others. So many inftruments being now prepared, nothing remained but to ftrike the blow. Various confultations were held by Fiefco with his confidents, in order to fettle the manner of doing it with the greatest certainty and effect. At first, they propofed to murder the Doria's and their chief adherents, during the celebration of high mafs in the principal church; but, as Andrew was often abfent from these religious folemnities, on account of his great age, that defign was laid afide. It was then concerted that Fiefco fhould invite the uncle and nephew, with all their friends whom he had marked out as victims, to his houfe; where it would be easy to cut them off at once without danger or resistance; but, as Giannetino was obliged to leave the town on the day which they had chosen, it became neceffary likewife to alter this plan. They at laft determined to attempt by open force what they found difficult to effect by ftratagem, and fixed on the night between the 2d and 3d of January, for the execution of their enterprife. The time was chofen with great propriety; for, as the Doge of the former year was to quit his office, according to custom, on the first of the month, and his fucceffor could not be elected fooner than the fourth, the Republic remained during that interval in a fort of anarchy, and Fiefco might with lefs violence take poffeffion of the vacant dignity.

The morning of that day Fiefco employed in vifiting his friends, paffing fome hours among them with a fpirit as gay and unembarrailed as at other times. Towards evening he paid Court to the Doria's with his ufual marks of refpect, and, furveying their counte nance and behaviour with the attention natural in his fituation, was happy to obferve the perfect fecurity in which they remained, without the leaft forefight or dread of that ftorm which had been fo long a gathering, and was now ready to burft over their heads. From their palace he haftened to his own, which stood by itfelf in the middle of a large court, furrounded by a high wall. The gates had been fet open in the morning, and all perfons without distinction were allowed

to enter, but ftrong guards posted within the court fuffered no one to return. Verrina, mean-while, and a few perfons trufted with the fecret of the confpiracy, after conducting Fiefco's vaffals, as well as the crews of his gallies into the palace in finall bodies, with as little noife as poffible, difperfed themfelves through the city, and, in the name of their patron, invited to an entertainment the prin cipal citizens whom they knew to be difgufted with the adminstration of the Doria's, and to have both inclination and courage to attempt a change in the Government. Of the vaft number of perfons who now filled the palace, a few only knew for what purpose they were affembled; the reft, astonished at finding, inftead of the preparations for feaft, a court crouded with armed men, and apartments filled with the inftruments of war, gazed on each other with a mixture of impa tience, curiofity, and terror.

While their minds were in this state of fufpence and agitation, Fiefco appeared. With a look of alacrity and confidence, he addreffed himself to the perfons of chief diftinction, telling them, that they were not now called to partake of the pleafure of an entertainment, but to join in a deed of valour, which would lead them to liberty and immortal renown. He fet before their eyes the exorbitant as well as intolerable authority of the elder Doria, which the ambition of Giannetino, and the partiality of the Emperor to a family more devoted to him than to their country, was about to enlarge and to render perpetual. This unrighteous domination, continued he, you have it now in your power to fubvert and to establish the freedom of your country on a firm bafis. The tyrants must be cut off. I have taken the most effectual meafures for this purpose. My affociates are numerous. I can depend on allies and protectors, if neceflary. Happily the tyrants are as fecure as I have been provident. Their infolent contempt of their countrymen has banished the fufpicion and timidity which ufually render the guilty quick-fighted to difcern, as well as fagacious to guard a gainft the vengeance which they deferve. They will now feel the blow, before they fufpect any hoftile hand to be nigh. Let us then fally forth, that we may deliver our country by one generous effort, almoft unac companied with danger, and certain of fuccefs. Thefe words, uttered with that irrefiftible fervour which animates the mind when roufed by great objects, made the defired impreffion on the audience. Fiefco's valfals, ready to execute whatever their mafter should command, received his discourse

with