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  • Sept. 1, 1798
  • Page 25
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The Freemasons' Magazine, Sept. 1, 1798: Page 25

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    Article OPTIMISM, A DREAM. Page 1 of 2 →
Page 25

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Optimism, A Dream.

OPTIMISM , A DREAM .

% / jTY mind was occupied a whole day in reflecting on the happiness V ^ of which the wicked partake , and on the misery that pursues the virtuous . Night dropt her curtain ; but who can sink into slumber upon the downy couch , while the unfortunate suffer , and while his p laintive groans accuse our repose , and awaken in our hearts the

invincible sentiments of commiseration ? The philosopher , or better to qualify the expression , the friend of human nature cannot : his sensible soul is too nearly allied to the fate of his fellow creatures , to suffer itself , like that of the wicked , to be isolated . The soul of the virtuous man is unwilling to possess happiness , or rather wishes to share it with the rest of mankind . My senses ,, weakened by these reflectionsielded to the slumbers

, y of Morpheus ; but my thoughts , still free and powerful , followed with unremitted zeal the bent of their meditations . X did not lose sight of the destiny of the unfortunate ; my heart was awake to his suffering , and felt an interest in the pain that he endured . Although folded in the arms of sleep , I felt irritated at the spectacle which this miserable earth presented to my imagination ; where vice rides

triumphant ; and virtue , timid and fading , is the object of persecution . These were the torments which Iendured ; and they are such as every one but the being whose happiness centres in himself alone must unavoidably endure . Overwhelmed with sorrow , I traversed with tardy steps the beautiful plains of Azora ; but the tranquillity that overspread the smiling face of nature did not penetrate mv heart . All the scenes of injusticeof crimesand tyrannypresented

them-, , , selves to my mind in lively colours . On one side I heard the cries of famishedindigep . ee , which poured forth their bitter complaints to the 'desart air : ' on the other , the unmeaning and clamorous joy of insensible and barbarous mortals , gorged with superfluities , offended my ear . All the misfortunes that assail humanity , all the sorrows which prey upon and devour mankindoccurred to my mind ; I sh'tiedand

, , the soft and bitter point of sympathy deliciously wounded my heart . Parching tears flowed down my cheeks , in plenteous streams ; I poured forth complaints ,, and so far was regardless of thediftates of wisdom , as to mttrniuragainst the powerful hand b y which the eveiits of ' lhe world are governed .

, O God 1 cried I , that mine ear were no longer to be dinned with the sighs of misery and the groans of despair ; that mine eyes were no more to behold one man murdering his fellow creature ; that I might no longer witness the glittering sword of despotism , and the disgraceful chain of slavery ! either render my feelings callous , or give me a new heart , incapable of sympathizing with a world of inisery . Alas ! thou hast imparted existence to so many innocent

“The Freemasons' Magazine: 1798-09-01, Page 25” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 9 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fmm/issues/fmm_01091798/page/25/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 3
LONDON: Article 3
TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Article 4
PRICES OF BINDING PER VOUME. Article 4
DESCRIPTION OF EGYPT: WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THE EXPEDITION OF BUONAPARTE; Article 5
Untitled Article 7
AN HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE KINGDOM OF IRELAND. Article 17
CURIOUS ACCOUNT OF THE DUMP PHILOSOPHER. Article 19
OPTIMISM, A DREAM. Article 25
INTERVIEW OF CAPTAIN VANCOUVER WITH THE CHIEFS OF NOOTKA SOUND. Article 27
THE FATE OF MEN OF GENIUS Article 29
THE LIFE OF BISHOP WARBURTON. Article 30
DURING THE CONFINEMENT OF LOUIS XVI. KING OF FRANCE. Article 32
EDMUND BURKE. Article 35
Untitled Article 39
SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 40
DESCRIPTION OF THE ISLAND OF MAOUNA. Article 44
BARBAROUS ATTACK OF THE NATIVES. Article 45
THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. Article 49
REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. Article 54
POETRY. Article 60
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 62
PARLIAMENT OF IRELAND. Article 63
MONTHLY CHRONICLE. Article 65
OBITUARY. Article 70
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Page 25

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Optimism, A Dream.

OPTIMISM , A DREAM .

% / jTY mind was occupied a whole day in reflecting on the happiness V ^ of which the wicked partake , and on the misery that pursues the virtuous . Night dropt her curtain ; but who can sink into slumber upon the downy couch , while the unfortunate suffer , and while his p laintive groans accuse our repose , and awaken in our hearts the

invincible sentiments of commiseration ? The philosopher , or better to qualify the expression , the friend of human nature cannot : his sensible soul is too nearly allied to the fate of his fellow creatures , to suffer itself , like that of the wicked , to be isolated . The soul of the virtuous man is unwilling to possess happiness , or rather wishes to share it with the rest of mankind . My senses ,, weakened by these reflectionsielded to the slumbers

, y of Morpheus ; but my thoughts , still free and powerful , followed with unremitted zeal the bent of their meditations . X did not lose sight of the destiny of the unfortunate ; my heart was awake to his suffering , and felt an interest in the pain that he endured . Although folded in the arms of sleep , I felt irritated at the spectacle which this miserable earth presented to my imagination ; where vice rides

triumphant ; and virtue , timid and fading , is the object of persecution . These were the torments which Iendured ; and they are such as every one but the being whose happiness centres in himself alone must unavoidably endure . Overwhelmed with sorrow , I traversed with tardy steps the beautiful plains of Azora ; but the tranquillity that overspread the smiling face of nature did not penetrate mv heart . All the scenes of injusticeof crimesand tyrannypresented

them-, , , selves to my mind in lively colours . On one side I heard the cries of famishedindigep . ee , which poured forth their bitter complaints to the 'desart air : ' on the other , the unmeaning and clamorous joy of insensible and barbarous mortals , gorged with superfluities , offended my ear . All the misfortunes that assail humanity , all the sorrows which prey upon and devour mankindoccurred to my mind ; I sh'tiedand

, , the soft and bitter point of sympathy deliciously wounded my heart . Parching tears flowed down my cheeks , in plenteous streams ; I poured forth complaints ,, and so far was regardless of thediftates of wisdom , as to mttrniuragainst the powerful hand b y which the eveiits of ' lhe world are governed .

, O God 1 cried I , that mine ear were no longer to be dinned with the sighs of misery and the groans of despair ; that mine eyes were no more to behold one man murdering his fellow creature ; that I might no longer witness the glittering sword of despotism , and the disgraceful chain of slavery ! either render my feelings callous , or give me a new heart , incapable of sympathizing with a world of inisery . Alas ! thou hast imparted existence to so many innocent

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