Let Samson with his clear-beaming eyes see into that, and discern
it if he can. We shall now get the measure of him by a new scale
of inches, considerably more rigorous than the former was. For
if a noble soul is rendered tenfold beautifuller by victory and
prosperity, springing now radiant as into his own due element and
sunthrone; an ignoble one is rendered tenfold and hundredfold
uglier, pitifuller. Whatsoever vices, whatsoever weaknesses were
in the man, the parvenu will shew us them enlarged, as in the
solar microscope, into frightful distortion. Nay, how many mere
seminal principles of vice, hitherto all wholesomely kept latent,
may we now see unfolded, as in the solar hothouse, into growth,
into huge universally-conspicuous luxuriance and development!


But is not this, at any rate, a singular aspect of what political
and social capabilities, nay let us say what depth and opulence
of true social vitality, lay in those old barbarous ages, That
the fit Governor could be met with under such disguises, could be
recognised and laid hold of under such? Here he is discovered
with a maximum of two shillings in his pocket, and a leather
scrip round his neck; trudging along the highway, his frock-
skirts looped over his arm. They think this is he nevertheless,
the true Governor; and he proves to be so. Brethren, have we no
need of discovering true Governors, but will sham ones forever do
for us? These were absurd superstitious blockheads of Monks;
and we are enlightened Tenpound Franchisers, without taxes on
knowledge! Where, I say, are our superior, are our similar or at
all comparable discoveries? We also have eyes, or ought to have;
we have hustings, telescopes; we have lights, link-lights and
rushlights of an enlightened free Press, burning and dancing