excellence, at least in the writings of others, I flatter myself that I am not unacquainted.

Without time to have attained any degree of skill in the practical part of music, which I never attempted till I had passed my twentieth year, yet my taste for it has been cultivated and refined, by listening to frequent conversations on the subject, not from arrogant and comparatively ignorant dilettantis, but from ingenious professors ;-and by living in the almost daily habit of hearing vocal music, in those perfectly fine tones, and with that elegance, pathos, energy, and varied powers, which marries it to poetry.

The leading principles of fine painting are so similar to those of fine poetry, that my imagination has always interwoven those sciences, and instructed me to look at the painting in poetry, and at the poetry in picture.

I have no scientific, or rather experimental, philosophy; but moral philosophy was always the favourite subject of my meditations. Ever have I been delighted to look at it through the light medium of Addison's writings, the grand sombre mirror of Johnson's, and the faithful and clear lens through which they shine in Beattie's. In that line of writing, Mr Aikin, and his celebrated sister, have given us a little volume, of priceless value. It's essays are in Johnson's best manner,

possess his energy and finely-rounded periods, without the uncomfortable gloom of his sentiments, or any of that pedantry which sometimes encumbers his inagnificent style.

Upon a stock of knowledge so limited, you see how impossible it is that I should accept your proposal of contributing to the Analytic Review. The sketch of its plan is extremely well drawn up; and if only men of ability shall be employed, and if they will hold fast the integrity it promises, shunning all blended interest with the corrupted, or incompetent brethren of their profession, the public may perhaps see, what it has yet seldom seen, a literary journal superior to the meanness of celebrating worthless publications, and to the injustice which tempts to vilify genius, or to degrade its claims by faint and inadequate praise; through motives venal in the first instance, and venal, or envious, or probably both, in the second. Reviewers may be venal without directly marting out their decisions for money; and this by obeying the pusillanimous fear of disobliging such of their professional brethren as do, and suffering that fear to influence their criticisms.

This ingenious sketch speaks with respect of Matty's Review. I suppose its author might be learned, industrious, and furnish good intelligence of foreign literature; but he was a contemptibly

tasteless and arrogant decider upon works of genius in his own language. He was unable to write English with any tolerable degree of elegance, or even of grammatic accuracy. Never shall I forget his long, elaborate, confused, and stupid critique upon Hayley's beautiful Triumphs of Temper. This same critique places its author amongst the minor poets of the present period. O! the Midas! the Midas! From that moment I never looked into Matty-trash. It was no meat for me. I should think my time ill-bestowed upon the Analytic Review if it is not to be infinitely more able than that publication. I dare assure myself it will, and of all things I approve of its being a day-light business! To have the names of its authors and compilers known, will be the great guards of its integrity.

The sketch promises a view of the present state of the polite arts, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, and Music. Pray what has Poetry done, the eldest, the loveliest, the most intellectual, the most elevated of the arts, that her name is not enrolled with that of her sisters ?

Ingenious is your parallel between the elder and the modern Erasmus. If to a creative genius, a splendid constellation of various acquirements and a generous attention to the indigent, the grace of ingenuous manners had been added,

his society must have been a copious and unfailing spring of instruction and delight-but he manœuvres in conversation, and yet often discovers that he looks down, with supercilious disdain, upon every person's understanding who presumes to dissent from his opinions.

What lustre does the grace he wants throw around the wit, the information, and the eloquence of Mrs Knowles! It is either genuine, or assumed with guarded and unbetraying art. However that may be, it renders her conversation delightful, whether we adopt or combat her opinions. I congratulate you upon the pleasures it will afford you. The new, the strange enthusiasm about Animal Magnetism, has seized her violently. She fervently assures me, that it is a great, important discovery in the powers of nature; capable of being highly useful in the cure of diseases, whether evident or occult, and that it makes no false pretences.

I am sure she believes what she asserts-yet, after reading your candid and rational disquisition on the subject, I stand amazed at her credulity. It must be confessed, however, maugre all the native strength of her understanding, that she has a portion of metaphysic faith, which carries her a great way up the lunar heights of system. That

recollection ought to mitigate my wonder on the magnetic theme.

When I was upon the subject of reviews, I forgot to observe, that we had once a man of great ability, taste, and integrity, who filled the department of poetic critic, during several years, in the Monthly Review. That was Mr Bentley, partner with the great Wedgewood. We found a classic spirit, and elegance in his criticisms, which rendered them at once just and delightful. He died seven years ago, and we shall not look upon his like again." His successor, Kippis, has neither his ingenuity, his judgment, or his impartiality.

I should find the idea of few excursions so alluring as that of a tour into Scotland. In the words of Johnson, though with very different dispositions towards that country, and its inhabitants, I exclaim, respecting such a journey, "Far from me, and from my friends, be that frigid philosophy, which conducts us, cold, and unmoved, over regions that have been distinguished by genius, wisdom, bravery, and virtue."

You are very obliging in the wish, as you express it, to make me better known in Scotland ;but if an author's works do not introduce him, or her, it is in vain that the partialities of private friendship seek to give eclat. I shall, however,