vigour, and in the Newmarket dialect, is sound wind and limb, and free from blemish. As a proof of which, it was but yesterday that he knocked down my Devil with a composing-stick, for stuttering at the word Grildrig, when he was drunk. Yet healthy as he is, and unwilling to leave your service, imperious Fate has ordered his departure; the hour of separation approaches; the next Monday is fixed for his melancholy journey; or to use his own words, "he is called from the peaceful bosom of LILLIPUT, into the tumultuous scenes of BROBDINGNAG!!"-He frequently expresses an ardent desire of knowing, before he quits this World in Miniature, to whom he has been obliged for assistance in the prosecution of his labours. As he thinks it would be no small consolation to him in the hour of departure, to have faithfully discharged this debt of gratitude, by the publication of their names.

E.

CASTLE STREET, WINDSOR,

March 25th, 1805.

THE

MINIATURE,

NUMB. XXXIII.

MONDAY, April 1, 1805.

、

-λέξει καὶ διανοίᾳ πάντας υπερβέβληκε.

ARIST. Poet, cap 24.

The Bible-surpasses all in imagination and expression.

FROM our earliest years we are taught to consider the Bible as the Fountain-head, from whence we may derive the purest ideas of morality and religion. On this account we are commanded to read it with veneration, to rely upon its veracity, and to obey its documents with undeviating faithfulness. By it we are admitted into the presence of the LIVING GOD, and the mysteries of the Inner Temple are disclosed to the view of all nations. The eminent superiority of the Bible in these points, is indeed so generally acknowledged, and so frequently insisted

M m

upon, that all further observations, from me at least, would be superfluous. But it is my intention to shew, that it not only surpasses all other writings with regard to its morality; but that every other beauty of composition here springs up with unequalled vigour and simplicity. First however let us pause-and ere we enter into any consideration upon such a subject, let us loose the sandals from our feet, lest, like Moses covered and unhallowed, we should defile the sacred ground. I know that there are many, who may perhaps blame me for attempting to soar beyond my proper sphere. But should I be able to induce any one of my Fellowcitizens to give his more serious attention to that "Fountain of all Wisdom," I shall think myself amply justified, and defended from all animadversion.

The first objects that present themselves to our observation, are the five Books of Moses, which comprehend a period of little less than two thousand six hundred years. This history relates the principal events which took place from the Creation of the World, to the death of Moses, fourteen hundred and fifty-one years before the Christian Æra; and gives a clear and copious account of the several laws and institutions, by

which the Israelites were separated from all other nations, and sanctified to the worship of the true God. When we recollect that the Jewish Lawgiver flourished at least two centuries prior to any Heathen historian, we shall no doubt view his work with increased admiration and astonishment. Observed even through the medium of a translation, we cannot avoid being pleased with the clearness and simplicity of his narrative, in which he scarcely yields to Herodotus the father of Grecian History. When describing the Creation of the World, and the fatal transgression of Mankind, he has infused vigour and even sublimity into his expressions. We have a full and distinct delineation of every interesting circumstance, attending the formation and situation of our first Parents. But what form of words could have expressed with more energetic sublimity the amazing power of the Creator, than— let there be light, and there was light? This transcendant passage bears the genuine stamp of inspiration, and must at once, convince every reader that it is the work of no common mind. It is itself a sufficient proof of the superior excellence of the Holy Scriptures; for even the vigorous and majestic spirit of Homer, is unable to equal these plain and unornamented words, by his most sublime and elaborate descriptions.

With whatever admiration we may view the historical part of the Sacred Scriptures, we shall be more astonished and enraptured by the poetical effusions with which several of the Books are so copiously adorned. These afford the most perfect idea of that animated spirit of genuine Poetry, which unaided by the assistance of metre, and unconfined by the finical regulations of Art, is at once vigorous, natural and luxuriant. In these overwhelming bursts of the imagination, we are never delayed by any secondary considerations, our attention is not called aside to observe the elegance or propriety of the metre; we are borne along with irresistible impetuosity, and sympathize with the writer, in every feeling and expression. The Profane Writers, it is true, are by no means incapable of raising a similar degree of interest; but their most beautiful passages, which bear any resemblance to the Scriptures, almost universally suffer by a comparison. This indeed is the only certain method of deciding the superiority of either party; and under this conviction, I shall produce several passages from the most eminent Heathens, which from their wonderful similarity have the appearance rather of downright imitations, than accidental resemblances.