either the past or the present age, have attempted to form a volume such as is implied in the title-namely, of pieces not generally known, yet characterised by traits of wit or humour, or distinguished by some display of the loftier energies of thought, or by splendid and powerful dictionsuch as may arrest attention upon a first perusal, and may be read a second time without any unequivocal symptom of weariness. It has also been my study to exclude mediocre, as well as other pieces which, however brilliant or striking, have now become hacknied by frequent quotation, and are consequently familiar to every description of readers. Such is the plan which has been followed in the collection of these “ Gems;" and it now remains witli the public to decide how far it is either proper in itself, or carried into effect with becoming judgment and taste. Some readers may indeed be disposed to think the design infringed on when they find in this volume a few extincts from Cowper and Byron, and even two from Shakspeare. There is, I freely admit, some difficulty in abstaining from levying contributions on authors, every page : of whose works abounds with the sterling bullion of genius ; but in compensation for the few pieces of theirs admitted, others of still more imposing claims are withheld, and for no better reason than that of their having become “ familiar in our mouths as household words.". Perhaps a more minute classification in the table of contents might have proved acceptable ; but its various references being sent to the printer in nearly the same order in which the selection was made, the reader who finds time and inclination to proceed onwards, will realize the truth of the motto affixed to the title-page. J, S. EDINBURGH, 20 January 1826. MISCELLANEOUS PIECES, CONTROVERSIAL, HUMOROUS, PHILOSOPHICAL, NARRATIVE, &c. His Death and Character. By Sir Walter Scott, Mr. Colman's Suppressed Preface to the Play of “ The 41 Letter from Mr., Disbiogton to Sir John Sin- clair, 44 The Atheistical Club, 47 The Edinburgh Booksellers, 1802, By the late Dr. Leyden,* 54 The Twa Bottles. By the late Hector Macneill, Esq. 61 Travelling in Germany, 66 The Diamond Beetle'; curious Action of Damages for Defamation, 68 Four Letters from the Hon. Andrew Erskine to James Boswell, Esq. 78-92 * Not by Hector MacNeill, as erroneously stated at p. 54. A CONTROVERSY ON SNUFF-TAKING : Letter to Alexr. G. Hunter Esq. Dialogue on the Virtues of Snuff, George F. Cooke in Dublin-Mr. Matthews and Mrs. Trip to Carlisle-Gretna—the English Northern Circuit, 117 Lines on Liberty-Lord Chatham-Freedom, Criticism on Stanzas addressed to a Comet, Description of the House of Correction in Constantinople, 155 THE DISDAR. By the Author of the “ Critical Exa- mination of Dr. Macculloch on the Highlands of Energy of Thought influenced by Passion, Prologue spoken by George Barrington at opening the Abasuerus, the Wandering Jew, a Fragment, Account of Sam Scot's Smoking Club, Letter of J. P. Curran on his arrival in Scotland, 237 Hlustration in a Case of Retention of Memory, 254 The same, imitated on the late D. of C. Grand Panacea of an Eminent Physician, Letter of Lord Byron to the Editor of Galignani's : Petition of the Young Ladies to Dr. Moyse, The Pretended Power of Witchcraft over the Winds, 270 The Mariner's Song, by Allan Cunningham, Zacharie Boyd's “Last Battel of the Soule," PHANTASMAGORIA ; (ascribed to the Author of Wa- Miscellaneous Thoughts in Verse, (from “ Butler's The Genius and Learning of Shakspeare, Lines on the Burning of a Schoole, Letter of Mr. W. Bowyer to Bishop Warburton, 331 LAFE IN THE COUNTRY-Letter of Sir John Dalrym- Desolation in the Provinces of Oude, 353 357 Cowper's Lines on the Receipt of his Mother's Picture, 365 Victim of Seduction (Extract from “ the Town Stanzas written at the Close of the Year, Drunkenness ; (from Paley's Moral Philosophy) 380 Infidel Fears of Death, (Shakspeare) The Fears of Death, (Lord Bacon) To Live Always, not Desirable, Youth and Age Contrasted-Motives to Early Piety, 426 If that High World which lies beyond, The Wild Gazelle on Judah's Hills, Thou whose Spell can Raise the Dead, 434 When Coldness Wraps this Suffering Clay, 435 Critique on Dr. Taylor's Sermon on the Death of, Marius amongst the Ruins of Carthage, |
