the first revolutionary war, because he abhorred the principles; and it was part of his political creed, that whoever ceased "to act as an individual

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by making himself a member of any society not "sanctioned by his government, forfeited the rights of a citizen." He was at that time a "vehement anti-ministerialist," but, after the invasion of Switzerland, a more vehement antiGallican, and still more intensely an anti-Jacobin: "I retired," said he, "to a cottage at Stowey, "and provided for my scanty maintenance by "writing verses for a London Morning Paper. "I saw plainly, that literature was not a profes"sion by which I could expect to live; for I "could not disguise from myself, that whatever my talents might or might not be in other re

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spects, yet they were not of that sort that could "enable me to become a popular writer; and that "whatever my opinions might be in themselves,

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they were almost equi-distant from all the "three opposite parties, the Pittites, the Foxites, "and the democrats. Of the unsaleable nature "of my writings I had an amusing memento one "morning from our servant girl. For happening "to rise at an earlier hour than usual, I ob"served her putting an extravagant quantity of

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paper into the grate in order to light the fire, "and mildly checked her for her wastefulness; "La, Sir! (replied poor Nanny) why, it is only "WATCHMEN."

There was at last a pause, as each party seemed worn out; for, "the hand of Providence had disciplined all Europe into sobriety, as men tame wild elephants by alternate blows and caresses now, that Englishmen of all classes are restored to their old English notions and feelings, it will with difficulty be credited, how great an influence was at that time possessed and exerted by the spirit of secret defamation (the too constant attendant on party zeal!) during the restless interim, from 1793 to the commencement of the Addington administration, or the year before the truce of Amiens.'

In short, the exhaustion which had followed the great stimulus, disposed individuals to reconciliation. Both parties found themselves in the wrong, the one had mistaken the moral character of the revolution, and the other had miscalculated its physical resources. The experiment was made at the price of great, we may say, of almost humiliating sacrifices; and wise men foresaw that it would fail, at least, in its direct and ostensible object. Yet it was purchased cheaply, and realized an object of equal value, and, if possible, of more vital importance; for it brought about a national unanimity, unexampled in our history since the reign of Elizabeth; and Providence, never failing to do his part when men have done

theirs, soon provided a common focus in the cause of Spain, which made us all once more Englishmen, by gratifying and correcting the predilections of each party. The sincere reverers of the throne felt the cause of loyalty ennobled by its alliance with that of freedom: while the honest zealots of the people could not but admit that freedom itself assumed a more winning form, humanized by loyalty, and consecrated by religious principle.

During this calm and rest, and while the political fever was subsiding, Coleridge retired, as he informs us, "to a cottage in Somerset"shire, at the foot of Quantock," to devote himself to poetry, and to the study of ethics and psychology, to direct his thoughts and studies to the foundations of religion and morals. "During

my residence here," he says, " I found myself "all afloat; doubts rushed in; broke upon me "from the fountains of the great deep,' and 'fell "from the windows of Heaven.' The fontal "truths of natural religion and the books of "Revelation alike contributed to the flood; "and it was long ere my ark touched on an "Ararat, and rested. The idea (viz. the law " evolved in the mind) of the Supreme Being appeared to me to be as necessarily implied in “all particular modes of being, as the idea of "infinite space in all the geometrical figures by

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"which space is limited." He goes on to state at this period, about the latter end of the year 1796, "For a very long time I could not reconcile personality with infinity; and my head was with Spinosa, though my whole heart remained "with Paul and John. Yet there had dawned upon me, even before I had met with the Critique of Pure Reason, a certain guiding "light. If the mere intellect could make no cer"tain discovery of a holy and intelligent first "cause, it might yet supply a demonstration that "no legitimate argument could be drawn from "the mere intellect against its truth. And what "is this more than St. Paul's assertion, that by "wisdom (more properly translated by the powers "of reasoning) no man ever arrived at the knowledge of God? Man asks what is wisdom? "and whence comes it? In Job, chap. 28th, it "is stated,' But to man he said, the fear of the "Lord is wisdom for THEE! And to avoid evil, "that is thy understanding.'" Such were his philosophical opinions before his final conversion to the whole truth in Christ. He was contending for principles, and diligently in search of truth for its own sake ;—the one thing only permanent, and which carries with it its "own exceeding great reward." Such was the state of his religious feelings and political opinions before his visit to Germany.

There is a general observation or experience he has recorded, not only so applicable to him at that time, but equally to each stage of his career in life, as not to be lost sight of by his friends and admirers, when assailed, as he was, by opposing party-spirits, which, like opposite currents, were contending for the mastery.

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To avoid one party lest he should run on Scylla, he excited and provoked the jealousy and neglect of the other, who might have wrecked him on Charybdis. These were well-known dangers; but, as all navigable seas have their shoals often invisible; in order to avoid the effects of these jealousies, he selected from each party, men of experience to give him the soundings, and thus prevent him from wrecking his barque on rocks and quicksands; for, without such information, there could be little chance of escape.

In so doing, he lost his popularity with the many, though these were evils he might perhaps have conquered (but still speaking figuratively); his crew (his great inward aid) had differed too seriously among themselves, and were under the influence of conflicting feelings.

His whole mind was bent on the search after those truths that alone can determine fixed principles, and which not long after became to him an unerring guide. They were for him what the needle is to the mariner.