THE MINIATURE. NUMB. XXII. MONDAY, November 19, 1804 Stultus et improbus hic amor est dignusque notari. HOR. This is a foolish love And vicious, which our censure should reprove. FRANCIS. WHOEVER possesses that frame of mind, which can derive a perpetual source of comfort and delight, from the contemplation of its own excellencies and perfections, is undoubtedly happy and enviable. Degraded by the contempt, and assailed by the censure of a whole world, he still retains a degree of conscious dignity, and inward satisfaction, which supports and consoles him under every affliction; he receives from himself those commendations which envy denies; he is at once the author, the critic, and judge of his own compositions; he neither asks nor regards the opinion of others; to him their praises and censure are equally indifferent. Such are the advantages of self-conceit, who confers an equal portion of happiness on all her votaries. Innumerable as they are, and widely different in character and situation, to her they owe that happy independence which makes all their pleasures flow from themselves, and that no less happy gift of ignorance and vanity, which renders them callous to every feeling of ridicule or shame. Why does Facetio wear a constant smile of setf-complacency on his countenance, and while his companions are laughing around him, put on a look which would express, that he is the irresistible cause of their mirth? He certainly has a just claim to this merit, but not for the reasons which his vanity suggests. Why does Popilius in his whole behaviour, in all his gestures and grimaces, betray the idea which entirely occupies his thoughts; namely, that every one in his presence is admiring the elegance of his figure. But it would be an endless task to pursue the different appearances which this passion assumes, according to the different characters over which it has influence; and indeed so minute and trivial are the circumstances in which it frequently originates, that they will escape the eye of a careless observer. A well turned ancle will raise as much conceit, as the imaginary possession of the greatest mental abilities; a small foot has made many a coxcomb, and one successful composition has given many an author a much higher opinion of his powers, than the charity of his cotemporaries will permit them to entertain. Throughout, however, all its minutiæ, selfconceit is uniformly attended by the same intolerable effects. We cannot endure the supercilious arrogance of the learned, more than the assumed importance of the ignorant; they are both equally the object of disgust; equally unfit for the society of their own species: and although we may feel some compassion for those whose brilliant qualities are thus obscured, and whose very attainments are thus converted into defects, it is impossible to associate with them. There is something in the nature, and even in the features of a conceited being, which forbids all approaches to conversation and friendship. The dignity of his carriage, the affected slowness of his diction, and particularly the resentment and impatience which he discovers if in any degree contradicted, contribute to unfit him for society. In short, he is so immoderately pleased with himself, that he has no idea of being disagreeable to others; and if he could be convinced by any arguments, that instead of admiration, his presence universally raises emotions of contempt, his astonishment would be great indeed; and he would probably inveigh against the false taste of the age in which he lives, where real merit is not discovered, and where real abilities are not treated with proper respect, or animated by proper encouragement. But nothing is more worthy of our observation, than the surprising degree of shrewdness and ingenuity, which is communicated by this passion to individuals, who were beforehand entirely innocent of thofe qualities; for it renders them so much more intelligent and quick-sighted than the common race of mortals, that they contrive to discover beauties and attractions in their own persons, and to attribute to themselves various mental accomplishments, which have escaped the observation of their fellow-creatures, and which would have probably remained in obscurity, unless their own care had brought them to light. For who would have imagined that Versificus was a poet, unless they had received the information from his own mouth? His unfortunate friends knew full well that he makes verses; but they must be instructed by himself to distinguish the beauties and to admire the harmony of his numbers. Hence society is pestered by a troublesome swarm of, beings, who in their endeavours to display the talent of which they conceive themselves possessed, voluntarily undertake what they are unable to perform. One seizes every opportunity of bawling out his songs, whose voice is discordant, whose ear is unmusical, and who has no knowledge of the principles or practice of harmony. Another, a superior logician in his own opinion, stuns you with an accumulation of arguments, and comments on exery expression which you use; in defiance of time and place. By an exertion of the same ingenuity, the conceited man learns to place the incidental defects of person and understanding, and his supposed attainments in the same scale, when it may be easily guessed which of the two will kick the beam. The hand which cannot "urge the flying ball,” can guide Pegasus with superior skill. He who does not appear to advantage as an orator, flatters himself that he is outshone by few in a ball room. If I am not a good classical scholar, B b |