sympathies
of mankind; they are neither warped by system, nor perverted by
sophistry; they can attain none of their objects; they can neither
please nor persuade, if they dwell on moral sentiments not in
unison with those of their readers. No system of moral philosophy
can surely disregard the general feelings of human nature, and the
according judgment of all ages and nations. But, where are these
feelings and that judgment recorded and preserved? In those very
writings which Grotius is gravely blamed for having quoted. The
usages and law of nations, the events of history, the opinions of
philosophers, the sentiments of orators and poets, as well as the
observation of common life, are, in truth, the materials out of
which the science of morality is formed; and those who neglect
them, are justly chargeable with a vain attempt to philosophise
without regard to fact and experience, the sole foundation of all
true philosophy.

[Sidenote: Chap. X. 1621-1634]

"If this were merely an objection of taste, I should be willing to
allow, that Grotius has indeed poured forth his learning with a
profusion, that sometimes rather encumbers than adorns his work,
and which is not always necessary to the illustration of his
subject. Yet, even in making, that concession, I should rather
yield to the tastes of others, than speak from my own feelings. I
own that such richness and splendour of literature have a powerful
charm for me. They fill my mind with an endless variety of
delightful recollections and associations. They relieve the
understanding in its progress through a vast science, by calling up
the memory of great men and of interesting events. By this means we
see the truths of morality clothed with all the eloquence (not that
could be produced by the powers of one man, but) that could be
bestowed on them by the collective genius of the world. Even virtue
and wisdom themselves acquire new majesty in my eyes, when I thus
see all the great masters of thinking and writing called together,
as it were, from all times and countries, to do them homage and to
appear in their train.

[Sidenote: X. 2. His Treatise de Jure Belli et Pacis]

"But this is no piece for discussions of taste, and I am very ready
to own, that mine may be corrupted. The work of Grotius is liable
to a more seriou