T o all these changes, hoth in the magistracy and military department (added to the
e x p e n s e s of k e eping foreign troops i n pay), t o the increase of taxes for thei r maintenance,
to the disarming of the people, and bereaving them of their right of meeting and
d i s c u s s i n g as usual , may be at tributed the discontent ivhich so immediately succeeded,
a n d which snfficiently indicated, during my last stay in that city, that these n e w regulat
i o n s woul d be obeyed no longer than submission to them was compelled by force, and
t h a t the peopl e at large only wai ted for a favourable opportuni t y of raising fresh disturb
a n c e s . This probability has indeed been hut too unfortunately confirmed since 1790 i
f o r , n o sooner had the French revolution been effected, than, the Genevesc having not
h i n g to fear from that power, many of ti.e discontented citizens, who had retired into
v o l u n t a r y exile in 1782, returned, and, uni t ing wi t h their fellow-citizens, the regulations
f o r m e d in 1782 were, in a short time, totally overturned. This revolution was accomp
a n i e d wi t h the perpetrat ion of horrors and massacres, w h i c h h a w east a n indelible stain,
n o t only on those by whos e orders they wer e perpet rated, but on thos e w h o so shamefully
d e s e r t e d their conntry in the hour of peril, instead of remaining at their post and emp
l o y i n g their best efforts t o concUiat e the minds of the people, and to endeavour to stem
t h e torrent of discontent by their example, courage, and talents. These fugitives, on
t h e contrary, limited the service they owed their distracted country to the wri t ing of a
f ew wretched pamphlets, which served more to gratify the private pique or vengeance
o f a few individuals, than to promot e the general good.
I f . . ;
GENEVA IN CONTINUATION.
REMAINDER OF ITS HISTORY.
A C C O U N T OF ITS CITY AND LAKE.
fi i I
i ' . I
I M
JOHN CALVIN, who had at first appeared only as a secondary actor in the religious
a n d political reform which took place at Geneva in 1535, soon became its principal
a g e n t and zealous advocate, as is evident from the strong and necessary laws proposed
b y h i m to the Councils, and immediately adopted, as well as by the wise and prudent
i n s t i t u t i o n s established, in order to accomplish a work of such magni tude as the Ref
o r m a t i o n .
T h e law which appears to liave most decidedly contributed towards establishing
a n d supporting the n e w doctrine, as well as its democratical principles, may be said to
b e that whi c h tended to put an entire stop to the theological disputes which had begun
a l r e a d y to divide the inhabitants of Geneva, and which, by introducing a schismatic
s p i r i t among them, might probably, in a short t ime, h ave totally over turned the measures
t a k e n to accelerate the Reformat ion *.
T h a t able and celebrated reformer, apprehensive of the danger, and desirous of
o b v i a t i n g the difiiculties, which he thought would arise from such a circumstance,
r e c o m m e n d e d the forming a council, or body, charged with ecclesiastical discipline,
e n t r u s t e d with the care of wa t ching over the morals of the p eopl e , and witli the power
of decision in all theological questions.
T h i s institution w a s no sooner put into execution, than, in a short time, order, regul
a r i t y , and tranquilhty, were restored,—and Geneva became, from its unanimity and
c o m f o r t s , a n asylum to a number of m e n of letters and merit, who were persecuted for
h a v i n g embraced the new doctrine, which had already diffused itself in Germany and
F r a n c o , and was making great progress. Calvin, taking advantage of so fortunate a
• Bill in this Calvin betrayed n spirit as intolerant as (lie church of Rome; and d.c burning of Sereetus
will remain an elernol blot on his memory.