Return we again to the individual aspect of the country, and see how pleasing is its general condition, even as its wealth is untold; and in this respect it bears a striking exception to most colonies which have rapidly achieved greatness or renown. Need we turn to the blood-stained page of the glorious land of Mexico, by nature transcendant in beauty; by its vast resources and boundless wealth unequalled; by its delicious clime unexcelled; and what is it now? Need we proceed?—alas! a terror rather than example.
Here it may not be deemed amiss of us to quote a few lines from the much admired Cowper, which seem to strike us as forcibly applicable, not only on account of its making mention of the mild and gentle but energetic discoverer of this continent, brought into forcible contrast with the conqueror of this said Mexico, but also proves our argument still stronger,—how the principle of divine charity and truth will ever rise predominant over the ever so mighty power of wicked man:—
"God, working ever on a social plan,
By various ties attaches man to man.
***
When Cook, lamented, and with tears as just
As ever mingled with heroic dust,
Steered British oak into a world unknown,
And in his country's glory sought his own:—
While Cook is loved for savage lives he saved,
See Cortes odious for a world enslaved.
How dark the veil that intercepts the blaze
Of Heaven's mysterious purposes and ways!"
