Woman does not ask Man to be generous, but to be just,—the latter will secure the former.
Every good or brave deed traced by the pen of History, should be for the purpose of Justice to the original party, and for the effect of virtuous example to posterity. Thence the self-sacrifice of the Queen of Carthage was not without its effect (in the same land) upon the mind of Cato, who, though he but imitated the Tyrian Elizabeth, and failed to reach her high motive, still her example inspired him, and secured his fame!
In like manner the glorious heroism of the first British Queen,—Boadicea,—when she opposed at Battle-bridge the Roman army under Paulianus, was not without its effect upon England's Elizabeth, when she addressed her assembled knights upon the threatened Invasion from the then haughty Spain. Elizabeth but imitated Boadicea: but in our own time it has been the peculiar felicity of England to witness an original act of heroism, by the present and beloved British Queen: for when Regicide, like a wild demon, stalked abroad unsecured,—and when the Sovereign was within the arena of assassination, then it was she threw aside the mantle of her own protection, to shelter those faithful and dear to her; and to enjoy that personal freedom, of which as Sovereign she is the chief champion,—and companioned by her Royal and noble Consort alone,—unguarded,—except by her GOD and People, she braved the demon efforts of the assassin! The Almighty in His mercy cast His mantle over both! This noble act,—this self-sacrifice of Queen Victoria to the interest and dignity of her Nation, will live on to all ages, as a patriotic example to all Sovereigns and Rulers; and for its true Courage and Patriotism,—Religious dependence,—pure Heroism, and her royal Mercy to the convicted regicide,—will bear a triumphant comparison with any renowned record in the Annals of Antiquity!
CHAPTER V.
THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH,
CONCERNING
THE OVERTHROW, THE RISE, AND THE FINAL FALL OF
TYRUS.
(FORETOLD 712 B. C.)
The next circumstance claiming peculiar attention in order of datum, is the foretelling of the destruction of Tyrus from the lips of that Prophet, who announced the advent of The Saviour! The sacred writer whose words are believed by both Jew and Christian, the time only of the Messiah's coming being the question at issue between them (apart from His attributes) must be received as an evidence, inspiring both awe and veneration; for it is founded upon one of the highest proofs of Religion itself. Believing, as a Christian, that the Prophecy of the miraculous Advent on earth of The Christ-Immanuel, was accomplished by the Birth of Jesus,—any and every Prophecy of less importance by Isaiah, we receive with absolute belief in its accomplishment,—either past, present, or future. This was our education in boyhood, received from the lips of a fond and pious Mother,—it was continued in our youth,—reason and reflection have produced firm conviction in our manhood: nor in arriving at this conclusion have we rejected or forgotten the student's duty in solving a problem or proposition,—viz., that all arguments should be investigated, either in favour or against the question;—we, therefore, have attentively read the writings of atheists, and all that have endeavoured to refute the authority of the Bible,—the result has been to increase and consolidate the belief first obtained from Maternal eloquence, and to enable us to pass through the Infidel-ordeal unscathed and scarless! Even as a book of historic record relative to the house of Abraham,—either collectively or in its separate branches,—it bears truth upon every page; for although written by Hebrew Historians, the vices of the Rulers and the People are recorded, as well as the virtues,—the former, for their own fame, they would have naturally concealed, had not Truth been stronger than any desire to obtain the applause of posterity through the means of Falsehood.