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Rh be decided by the sword will bring repentance for the strife. Surely men will learn from the events of our time, how much to dread excitement, and to eschew passion. Opinion should guide in public affairs, not feeling. Opinion is grounded on circumstance, on observation, and on reflection. Feeling acts from impulse, which sees but half. Excitement leads to enthusiasm, that moral intoxication, whose effects seem incredible to the sober, while the influence which produces the extravagance appears more extraordinary than the act itself. The demon of fanaticism was the shape which it took with us; and verily, what with religious republicans, harmonists, quakers, fifth-monarchy men, presbyterians, and the reign of the saints upon earth, it needs the strong hand of a Cromwell to reduce the spiritual chaos to any sort of order."

The conversation, which had been continued in the soft dimness of a summer evening, was now interrupted by the appearance of supper. Evelyn was struck with the alteration in his father's habits; it had been so constant a rule for the household to sup together. "It keeps up that feeling of attachment which is the best bond of society, a humane and frequent intercourse," was wont to be a frequent exclamation; "may