Sir Thomas More | Page 3

attainments would render them an ornament to any
country, and might almost lead me to hope that their republican
constitution may be more permanent than all other considerations
would induce me either to suppose or wish.
"You judge of me," he made answer, "by my speech. I am, however,
English by birth, and come now from a more distant country than
America, wherein I have long been naturalised." Without explaining
himself further, or allowing me time to make the inquiry which would
naturally have followed, he asked me if I were not thinking of the
Princess Charlotte when he disturbed me. "That," said I, "may easily be
divined. All persons whose hearts are not filled with their own grief are
thinking of her at this time. It had just occurred to me that on two
former occasions when the heir apparent of England was cut off in the
prime of life the nation was on the eve of a religious revolution in the
first instance, and of a political one in the second."
"Prince Arthur and Prince Henry," he replied. "Do you notice this as
ominous, or merely as remarkable?"
"Merely as remarkable," was my answer. "Yet there are certain moods
of mind in which we can scarcely help ascribing an ominous
importance to any remarkable coincidence wherein things of moment
are concerned."
"Are you superstitious?" said he. "Understand me as using the word for
want of a more appropriate one--not in its ordinary and contemptuous
acceptation."
I smiled at the question, and replied, "Many persons would apply the
epithet to me without qualifying it. This, you know, is the age of reason,
and during the last hundred and fifty years men have been reasoning
themselves out of everything that they ought to believe and feel.
Among a certain miserable class, who are more numerous than is

commonly supposed, he who believes in a First Cause and a future
state is regarded with contempt as a superstitionist. The religious
naturalist in his turn despises the feebler mind of the Socinian; and the
Socinian looks with astonishment or pity at the weakness of those who,
having by conscientious inquiry satisfied themselves of the authenticity
of the Scriptures, are contented to believe what is written, and
acknowledge humility to be the foundation of wisdom as well as of
virtue. But for myself, many, if not most of those even who agree with
me in all essential points, would be inclined to think me superstitious,
because I am not ashamed to avow my persuasion that there are more
things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in their philosophy."
"You believe, then, in apparitions," said my visitor.
Montesinos.--Even so, sir. That such things should be is probable a
priori; and I cannot refuse assent to the strong evidence that such things
are, nor to the common consent which has prevailed among all people,
everywhere, in all ages a belief indeed which is truly catholic, in the
widest acceptation of the word. I am, by inquiry and conviction, as well
as by inclination and feeling, a Christian; life would be intolerable to
me if I were not so. "But," says Saint Evremont, "the most devout
cannot always command their belief, nor the most impious their
incredulity." I acknowledge with Sir Thomas Brown that, "as in
philosophy, so in divinity, there are sturdy doubts and boisterous
objections, wherewith the unhappiness of our knowledge too nearly
acquainteth us;" and I confess with him that these are to be conquered,
"not in a martial posture, but on our knees." If then there are moments
wherein I, who have satisfied my reason, and possess a firm and
assured faith, feel that I have in this opinion a strong hold, I cannot but
perceive that they who have endeavoured to dispossess the people of
their old instinctive belief in such things have done little service to
individuals and much injury to the community.
Stranger.--Do you extend this to a belief in witchcraft?
Montesinos.--The common stories of witchcraft confute themselves, as
may be seen in all the trials for that offence. Upon this subject I would
say with my old friend Charles Lamb--

"I do not love to credit tales of magic! Heaven's music, which is order,
seems unstrung. And this brave world (The mystery of God)
unbeautified, Disordered, marred, where such strange things are acted."
The only inference which can be drawn from the confession of some of
the poor wretches who have suffered upon such charges is, that they
had attempted to commit the crime, and thereby incurred the guilt and
deserved the punishment. Of this indeed there have been recent
instances; and in one atrocious case the criminal escaped because the
statute against the imaginary offence is obsolete, and there exists no
law which could reach the real