When men in high situations happen to be wicked, how little scruple do
they make of oppressing their poor neighbours! They are perched upon
a lofty station, and, having outgrown all feelings of humanity, are
insensible to the pangs of remorse. The widow’s tears, the orphan’s
cries, and the curses of the miserable, fall by the way, and never
reach their hearts. But let such, in the midst of their flagrant
injustice, remember how easy it is, notwithstanding their superior
distance, for the meanest vassal to take his revenge. The bitterness
of affliction (even where cunning is wanting) may animate the poorest
spirit with desperate resolutions; and when once the fury of revenge
is thoroughly awakened, we know not what she may effect before she
is lulled to rest again. The most powerful tyrants cannot prevent a
resolved assassination: there are a thousand different ways for any
private man to do the business, who is heartily disposed to it, and
willing to satisfy his appetite for revenge, at the expence of his
life. An old woman may clap a fire-brand to the palace of a prince, and
a poor weak fool may destroy the children of the mighty.
[Illustration] [Page 275]