PAINE.

"In our last paper was announced, and that with extreme
regret, the return of Joel Barlow, Esq., to this country.
This man, the strong friend of Mr. Jefferson and
confidential companion of his late warm defender, Tom Paine,
is one of the most barefaced infidels that ever appeared in
Christendom. Some facts respecting these distinguished
personages may serve to show the votaries of Christianity
what a band of open enemies (to the faith) is now assembling
in this country.

"Mr. Jefferson, in his famous _Notes on Virginia_, advances
opinions incompatible with Mosaic history. This cannot be
disputed, nor will Mr. Jefferson dare to deny that he has,
since he has been President of the United States, publicly
made the Eucharist a subject of impious ridicule. Tom Paine
has written two books for the express purpose of combating
the Holy Scriptures. His _Age of Reason_ is but too common,
and his letter to the late Samuel Adams still evinces his
perverse adherence to his infidel system.

"Joel Barlow is said to have written the following shocking
letter to his correspondent, John Fellows, dated Hamburg,
May 23, 1805: 'I rejoice at the progress of good sense over
the _damnable imposture_ of _Christian mummery_. I had no
doubt of the effect of Paine's _Age of Reason_: it may be
cavilled at a while, but it must prevail. Though things as
good have been often said, they were never said in so good a
way,' etc. Mr. Barlow can now answer for himself: if this
letter be a forgery, let him inform the public. It has never
yet been contradicted, though it has been four years
published in America."

From which we gather that in the political code of that day the grossest
calumnies if uncontradicted were to be accepted as truth. There is not
the slightest evidence, however, in his writings or public utterances
that the poet ever renounced the faith of his fathers, although it is
not probable that he was a very strict Presbyterian at this time.

Barlow seems not to have returned with any hopes of political
preferment: at least he made no attempt to enter the field of politics,
but after spending several months in travel took up his residence in
Washington and devoted himself to philosophical studies and the
cultivation of the Muses. He had purchased a beautiful site on the banks
of the Po