passengers, see them wandering on each side you, and

pick their way through the dirt :

seriously

From learning's towering height to gaze around,
And see plebeian spirits range below.

THERE is a sort of masonry in poetry, wherein the pause represents the joints of building; which ought in every line and course to have their disposition varied.

THE difference betwixt a witty writer and a writer of taste is chiefly this. The former is negligent what ideas he introduces, so he joins them surprisinglyThe latter is principally careful what images he introduces, and studies simplicity rather than surprise in his manner of introduction.

IT may in some measure account for the difference of taste in the reading of books, to consider the difference of our ears for music. One is not pleased without a perfect melody of style, be the sense what it will another, of no ear for music, gives to sense its full weight without any deduction on account of harshness.

HAR

HARMONY of period and melody of style have greater weight than is generally imagined in the judgment we pass upon writing and writers. As a proof of this, let us reflect, what texts of scripture, what lines in poetry, or what periods we most remember and quote, either in verse or prose, and we shall find them to be only musical ones.

I WONDER the ancient mythology never shews Apollo enamoured of Venus; considering the remarkable deference that wit has paid to beauty in all ages. The Orientals act more consonantly, when they suppose the nightingale enamoured of the rose; the most harmonious bird of the fairest and most delightful flower.

HOPE is a flatterer: but the most upright of all parasites; for she frequents the poor man's hut, as well as the palace of his superior.

WHAT is termed humour in prose, I conceive, would be considered as burlesque in poetry of which instances may be given.

PERHAPS

PERHAPS burlesque may be divided into such as turns chiefly upon the thought, and such as depends more upon the expression; or we may add a third kind, consisting in thoughts ridiculously dressed in language much above or below their dignity.

THE Splendid Shilling of Mr. Phillips, and the Hudibras of Butler, are the most obvious instances. Butler, however, depended much upon the ludicrous effect of his double rhymes. In other respects, to declare my own sentiments, he is rather a witty writer than a humorous one.

SCENES below verse, merely versified, lay claim to a degree of humour.

SWIFT in poetry deserves a place somewhere betwixt Butler and Horace. He has the wit of the former, and the graceful negligence which we find in the latter's epistles and satires. I believe, few people discover less humour in Don Quixote than myself. For beside the general sameness of adventure, whereby it is easy to foresee what he will do on most occasions, it is not so easy to raise a laugh from

P

the

the wild achievements of a madman. The natural passion in that case is pity, with some small portion of mirth at most. Sancho's character is indeed comic; and, were it removed from the romance, would discover how little there was of humour in the character of Don Quixote.

IT is a fine stroke of Cervantes, when Sancho, sick of his government, makes no answer to his comforters, but aims directly at his shoes and stockings.

OF

OF MEN AND MANNERS.

HE arguments against pride drawn so frequently by our clergy from the general infirmity, circumstances, and catastrophe

of our nature, are extremely trifling and insignificant. Man is not proud as a species, but as an individual; not, as comparing himself with other beings, but with his fellow creatures.

I HAVE often thought that people draw many of their ideas of agreeableness, in regard to proportion, colour, &c., from their own persons.

IT is happy enough that the same vices which impair one's fortune, frequently ruin our constitution, that the one may not survive the other.

DEFERENCE often shrinks and withers as much upon the approach of intimacy, as the sensitive plant does upon the touch of one's finger.

THE