egarious, and whether a lion or a log is chosen for their
guidance, it is still the same--they will follow the leader, if
regularly recognised as such, even though he be an ass. As if conscious
of their own incapacities, whether these arise from deficiencies of
education or denials of birth, they forego the only habit--that of
self-examination--which alone can supply the deficiency; and with a
blind determination, are willing, on any terms, to divest themselves of
the difficulties and responsibilities of their own government. They
crown others with all command, and binding their hands with cords, place
themselves at the disposal of those, who, in many cases, not satisfied
with thus much, must have them hookwinked also. To this they also
consent, taking care, in their great desire to be slaves, to be foremost
themselves in tying on the bandage which keeps them in darkness and in
chains for ever. Thus will they be content to live, however wronged, if
not absolutely bruised and beaten; happy to escape from the cares of an
independent mastery of their own conduct, if, in this way, they can also
escape from the noble responsibilities of independence.

The unhappy men, thus led on, as we have seen, from the commission of
misdemeanor to that of crime, in reality, never for a moment thought
upon the matter. The landlord, Dexter, and Rivers, had, time out of
mind, been their oracles; and, without referring to the distinct
condition of those persons, they reasoned in a manner not uncommon with
the ignorant. Like children at play, they did not perceive the narrow
boundaries which separate indulgence from licentiousness; and in the
hurried excitement of the mood, inspired by the one habit, they had
passed at once, unthinkingly and unconsciously, into the excesses of the
other. They now beheld the event in its true colors, and there were but
few among the squatters not sadly doubtful upon the course taken, and
suffering corresponding dismay from its probable consequences. To a few,
such as Munro and Rivers, the aspect of the thing was unchanged--they
had beheld its true features from the outset, and knew the course, and
defied the consequences. They had already made up their minds upon
it--had regarded the matter in all its phases, and suffered no surprise
accordingly. Not so with the rest--with Forrester in particular, whose
mental distress, though borne with manliness, was yet most distressing.
He stood apart, saying nothing, yet l