nino:" Glory is nothing, when he, to whom it is said to belong, has ceased to exist. In the same strain it is affirmed, by an eminent modern writer, that the desire of posthumous fame, in those who do not believe that there will be any consciousness of it remaining, is one of the most preposterous principles imaginable*. This is an assertion, however, which will be disputed. If we are so constituted by nature as to receive pleasure from the idea, that our names will be held in reverence when we ourselves are nothing but unconscious dust, why should we not make efforts to obtain that pleasure? If we can enjoy the mere prospect, if we can find delight in the bare anticipation, it is a sufficient warrant for taking those steps which are likely to give permanence and stability to our hopes. By performing actions calculated to immortalize our names, we shall be acquiring a perpetual source of gratification; and it matters not that we shall be unconscious of the voice of fame, if our happiness is in *Letters from a Father to his Son, by Dr. Aikin, vol ii, p. 164. creased by the expectation of it. We must take human nature as it is, and we shall find, that reflections, as to the emptiness of posthumous reputation, its actual nullity as regards the individual, will have no more influence in abating our desire for it, than the idea that beauty is a transitory charm in allaying the ardour of passion. "It has been argued," says an anonymous writer," that posthumous fame is an unreasonable object of desire, as no man can botain it till he is incapable of enjoying it. To this I shall answer, that he, who has done actions to deserve it, has already attained it in imagination; he feels himself living in the future; he foresees the homage that will attend upon his name. It would be easy to show, that almost every great poet and philosopher has foreseen his own immortality. If it be objected, that this foretaste of fame, being unaccompanied by any homage, must be an airy and unsubstantial pleasure, I shall briefly reply, that it is of the same nature with many others which have always been appreciated. If it is a pleasure to contribute to the happiness, though without hearing the thanks, of an unknown beggar; if it is a pleasure to be read and admired by distant nations, though they transmit no testimony of their admiration; if it is a pleasure to be loved by persons in England, even when on a voyage across the Atlantic, it may also be a pleasure, and one of the highest degree, to be conscious that we shall obtain the admiration, the blessing, and the love of future generations." Essays and Sketches of Life and Character, attributed to Lord John Russell. For a vindication of this desire, and an ingenious explanation of its nature, see also Dr. Brown's Lectures on the Human Mind, lecture lxxi. A. APTITUDES, for particular pursuits, are they from nature, or created by circumstances?... B, BEAUTY, is it the effect of association ?................... Question Page Ivii, 280 lix, 288 9 CHAIN OF BEING, is there one? ............... lxxviii, 372 CHARACTER, do its essential qualities alter?... Ixxiii, 356 CIVILIZATION, whether likely to be permanent? does it increase the happiness xli, 194 Question Page CORN, ought there to be any interference with its importation or its exportation ?............ CRANIOLOGY, is there any truth in it ? ..... D. DEATH, is society justified in inflicting it as a xxvii, 123 lii, 253 FAME, POSTHUMOUS, is the desire of it rational ? lxxxiii, 391 .................. FARMS, are large ones hurtful? ble to it?..... .......... FINE ARTS, are northern climates unfavoura- ble to them? .... iv, 20 V, 25 FOREIGN COMMERCE, does it enrich a nation? Foreign Goods, ought their importation to be |