IMITATED.

With rule and compass in his eye,
To practical philosophy

He squar'd his theoretic knowledge,
And left the jargon of a college
To pedants all, unskill'd to smooth
The thorny paths that lead to truth;
Whilst Fontenelle, with gentle smiles,
The reader of his fears beguiles.
Whilst other sages vainly press
Their maxims of true happiness;

Our sage more wise, more shrewd than they,
Shew'd the example, and the way.

Philosophers in practice.

Many persons are ready enough to amuse and instruct the world with their new theories, yet are they by no means so willing to trust their lives on the strength of them. It is related by the Abbé du Bos, that M. Leibnitz would never pass a particular part of a road which his coachman had told him was dangerous. His brothers in science assured him, that from the circumstances of the shape and level of the road, the coach could not overturn according to scientific principles. The philosopher trusted to the experience of his coachman, and turned a deaf ear to the expositions of philosophers who walked on foot.

Thoughts on Female Wisdom, by a Lady.

Seigneur Chevalier, ne me parlez jamais de la'sagesse d'une femme. Je connois bien ma sexe; la plus sage de nous toutes n'est qu'un peu moins sotte que les autres." This was the answer of Queen Mary of Scotland to a nobleman of the English court, who was expatiating on the wisdom of Queen Elizabeth. Anger and jealousy are bad reporters of sentiments, and deserve little credit for candour or justice. The unfortunate Mary had talents equal to Queen Elizabeth, and foibles and vices which would put her on a level with Catherine de Medicis.

Quintus Curtius.

This historian of Alexander the Great is, by some learned men, supposed to be a fictitious compilation, within a few centuries back, by some Italian scholar. Others say that he lived in the time of Augustus. Some ascribe him to the reign of Tiberius, or Vespasian. However, one thing is certain, that none of the ancient writers make mention of him. Quintus Curtius is, notwithstanding, an author famous for his elegant latinity, and the good sense and pleasantry of his narrative. If it be a fiction of modern times, it is a very extraordinary imposition on scholars, and a very pleasant addition to modern literature.

Magazine Poetry.

Pope, by his example, has laid an embargo on all barsh lines; and these modern rhimes are always tuneful, if not always intelligible. Some critic of eminence has said that obscurity is one source of the sublime, and these monthly votaries of the Muses have availed themselves of this position, for having no meaning is certainly the right road to the most palpable obscure.

"Their verses run in smooth and gentle stream,
"Whilst readers stare, and wonder what's the theme."

Learning and Knowledge.

By those who have not well considered the difference between these two things, and who set out with diligence and love of labour in the literary mine, much crude pedantry is produced. Such labourers, indeed, by means of time and strong machines bring up a great deal of ore, but have not the skill to separate the dross from the useful mineral. Much inert matter lays upon the soil, like useless manure, which, to use the words of a critic,*loads the ground it was intended to fructify."

*Sheridan's Comedy.

Good-Humour.

1

The most lovely part of the female character is urbanity. The ancient poets described Venus as the goddess of smiles; and consigned all "frowns" and ill-humours to the old ladies, the "Furies." M. Fontenelle, when past eighty years, was adjusting a part of the dress of a young beauty, who repaid the philosopher's attentions with a terrific frown. “Madame," said the old sage, "you waste your anger and rigour on one past all your power of annoying him." Prudery is always suspicious; it proves too much. Woman's empire is founded on pleasing. The prude is well chidden by the Poet:

From men we only seem to fly,
To meet them with more secrecy.

Crown's Calisto.

Byzantine Libraries.

Some writers, though no mean scholars, are rash enough to assert that the ancients were deficient in this or that department of science or art, because we have not any of their writings on these subjects. Let such complainants recollect that this would only be a negative argument against the ancients; and that, at the overthrow of Byzantium, by Mahomet, one hundred and

twenty thousand volumes are reported to have been lost.—Malone's Note to Dryden's Character of Polybius, vol. iv.

Paley's Philosophy.

Amidst much plain and practical rules for life, this sensible writer has laid down one, on the forming our moral habits, that is very strikingly useful. "Accustom yourself to those pursuits, the remission of which will relax the powers of your mind, and produce an innocent degree of pleasure." "Men of pleasure," as they are improperly styled, miss their aim by too continued a pursuit of it. This avarice, or lust of amusement, disorders the susceptibility of the mind, and acts like perpetual

toil.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," says the proverb: all pleasure and no work would make Jack much more dull, in a little time.

Poetic License.

To address inanimate objects, as rocks and trees, as capable of attention, has been an usage with many bards; but to expect them to answer to our complaints, or to tell others to expect it, is carrying the poetic license rather too far. Guarini is the bold man to do this.