a frame not equal in health, strength, and stature,
to the common standard of men. It is a prudential
maxim of the celebrated Raleigh, that ’Whosoever
will live altogether out of himself, and study other
men’s humours, shall never be unfortunate;’
a maxim, which the example of Howard might almost
teach us to convert into a medical aphorism by saying,
’Whosoever will live altogether out of himself,
and consult other men’s wants, and calamities,
shall never be unhealthy.’ It is delightful
to those, who detest the debasing tenets of a selfish
philosophy, to see the happy influence of opposite
ideas; to observe (what Physicians have frequent opportunities
of observing), that as a selfish turn of mind often
attracts and encreases the malignity of sickness, so
an unselfish, a compassionate spirit has a natural
tendency to escape or subdue it. What can be
more pleasing to those, who assert and esteem the dignity
of human-nature, than to see, that the having lost
all thoughts of self, and having acted in direct opposition
to selfish principles, has promoted even the personal
advantage of a generous individual? From such
a series of philanthropic labour and peril, as a selfish
and timid mind might esteem it frenzy to encounter,
Howard derived not only his unrivalled and immortal
reputation, but the perfect restoration of enfeebled
health; not to mention those high gratifications of
the heart and conscience, which are superior to all
the enjoyments both of health and glory. With
such temperance in diet, that his daily food would
appear to most people not sufficient to support the
common functions of life, he chearfully sustained
the hardships of long travel, through regions where
travelling is most difficult and dangerous. With
a figure, voice, and deportment, that seemed to preclude
him from all personal influence and authority; and
with no mental acquisitions, except those which are
common to every cultivated mind, he secured to himself
not only universal admiration, but, I may venture
to say, the just and moral idolatry of the world.
So invigorating are projects of extensive Beneficence!
so powerful is the energy of Public Virtue!
“Never, indeed, was the astonishing influence
of plain and simple goodness more strikingly displayed,
than in the deference and respect which this private
and meek individual received, not only from foreign
and imperious Rulers of the Earth, but from hardened
and atrocious wretches, on whom Justice herself could
hardly make any mental impression, though armed with
all the splendour, and all the violence of power.
Two particular examples of the influence I am speaking
of, I shall mention here, not only as honourable to
the prime object of our regard, but as they may suggest
to contemplative minds some useful ideas, by shewing
how far the mere weight of an upright and benevolent
character alone may give to the most callous nerves
a trembling sensibility, and awaken the most ferocious
spirit to self-correction.