The Posthumous Works of Thomas De Quincey

_To Mrs. BAIRD SMITH and Miss DE QUINCEY, who put into my hands the remains in manuscript of their father, that I might select and publish from them what was deemed to be available for such a purpose, this volume is dedicated, with many and grateful thanks for their confidence and aid, by their devoted friend,_

ALEXANDER H. JAPP.

PREFACE.

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It only needs to be said, by way of Preface, that the articles in the present volume have been selected more with a view to variety and contrast than will be the case with those to follow. And it is right that I should thank Mr. J. R. McIlraith for friendly help in the reading of the proofs.

A. H. J.

[Transcriber's Note: This etext contains letters with macrons, and have been noted as such: =u represents "u" with a macron, and )o represents o with a breve.]

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION xi

I. SUSPIRIA DE PROFUNDIS: Introduction, with Complete List of the 'Suspiria' 1 1. The Dark Interpreter 7 2. The Solitude of Childhood 13 3. Who is this Woman that beckoneth and warneth me from the Place where she is, and in whose eyes is Woeful Remembrance? I guess who she is 16 4. The Princess who overlooked one Seed in a Pomegranate 22 5. Notes for 'Suspiria' 24

II. THE LOVELIEST SIGHT FOR WOMAN'S EYES 29

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III. WHY THE PAGANS COULD NOT INVEST THEIR GODS WITH ANY IOTA OF GRANDEUR 33

IV. ON PAGAN SACRIFICES 39

V. ON THE MYTHUS 43

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VI. DAVID'S NUMBERING OF THE PEOPLE--THE POLITICS OF THE SITUATION 47

VII. THE JEWS AS A SEPARATE PEOPLE 62

VIII. 'WHAT IS TRUTH?' THE JESTING PILATE SAID--A FALSE GLOSS 68

IX. WHAT SCALIGER SAYS ABOUT THE EPISTLE TO JUDE 71

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X. MURDER AS A FINE ART 77

XI. ANECDOTES--JUVENAL 85

XII. ANNA LOUISA 89

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XIII. SOME THOUGHTS ON BIOGRAPHY 100

XIV. GREAT FORGERS: CHATTERTON AND WALPOLE, AND 'JUNIUS' 125

XV. DANIEL O'CONNELL 132

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XVI. FRANCE PAST AND FRANCE PRESENT 143

XVII. ROME'S RECRUITS AND ENGLAND'S RECRUITS 147

XVIII. NATIONAL MANNERS AND FALSE JUDGMENT OF THEM 163

XIX. INCREASED POSSIBILITIES OF SYMPATHY IN THE PRESENT AGE 165

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XX. THE PRINCIPLE OF EVIL 168

XXI. ON MIRACLES 173

XXII. 'LET HIM COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS' 177

XXIII. IS THE HUMAN RACE ON THE DOWN GRADE? 180

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XXIV. BREVIA: SHORT ESSAYS (IN CONNECTION WITH EACH OTHER): 1. Paganism and Christianity--the Ideas of Duty and Holiness 185 2. Moral and Practical 194 3. On Words and Style 207 4. Theological and Religious 226 5. Political, etc. 269 6. Personal Confessions, etc. 271 7. Pagan Literature 279 8. Historical, etc. 283 9. Literary 292

XXV. OMITTED PASSAGES AND VARIATIONS: 1. The Rhapsodoi 306 2. Mrs. Evans and the Gazette 310 3. A Lawsuit Legacy 313 4. The True Justifications of War 315 5. Philosophy Defeated 317 6. The Highwayman's Skeleton 320 7. The Ransom for Waterloo 323 8. Desiderium 326

GENERAL INTRODUCTION.