walnut, lay a portable telescope; attended with Thompson's Seasons, and Vanierii Prædium Rusticum.

"The whole was fitted up in the highest taste, and furnished with every pleasurable ornament. On purpose to harmonize with that lavish gaiety, which seemed to smile over all the face of Nature. On purpose to correspond with that vernal delight, which came breathing on the wings of every fragrant gale. I may add, on purpose to remind the beholder of those immortal mansions, which are decorated with images infinitely more splendid, with objects unspeakably more glorious. Where Holy Beings will spend, not a few vacant hours in refined amusement, but a boundless eternity in the consummation of joy.-For to a well-turned mind, Nature is a preceptor; and these are her instructive lessons. To the pure in heart, even sense is edifying; and these are its delicate moralities.

"The redundant waters of the canal rolled off in a spreading cascade. Which, tumbling from many a little precipice, soothed the air with a symphony of soft and gurgling sounds. Nor ever intermitted the obliging office,

From morn to noon, from noon to dewy eve. But, when the fanning breezes dropt their wings; when the feathered choir were hushed in sleep; when not so much as a chirping grass-hopper was heard throughout the meads; this liquid instrument still played its solo: still pursued its busy way, and warbled, as it flowed, melodious murmurs."-HERVEY's Dialogues, vol. 1, p. 314.

[An Ornamental Arbour.] AN elegant Arbour.

66 Strong and substantial plants of Laburnum formed the shell; while the slender and flexile shoots of Syringa filled up the interstices. Was it to compliment, as well as to accommodate their worthy guests, that the shrubs interwove the luxuriant foliage? Was it to represent those tender

but close attachments, which had united their affections and blended their interests? I will not too positively ascribe such a design to the disposition of the branches. They composed, however, by their twining embraces, no inexpressive emblem of the endearments and the advantages of friendship. They composed a canopy, of the freshest verdure, and of the thickest texture. So thick, that it entirely excluded the sultry ray; and shed both a cool refreshment and an amusive gloom: while every unsheltered tract glared with light, or fainted with heat.

"You enter by an easy ascent of steps, lined with turf, and fenced with a balustrade of sloping Bay-trees. The roof was a fine concave, peculiarly elevated and stately. Not embossed with sculpture; not mantled over with fret-work; but far more delicately adorned with the Syringa's silver tufts and the Laburnum's flowering gold. Whose large and lovely clusters, gracefully pendent from the leafy dome, disclosing their sweets to the delighted bee, and gently waving to the balmy breath of spring, gave the utmost enrichment to the charming bower.

Facing the entrance, lay a spacious grassy walk, terminated by an octangular bason, with a curious jet d'eau playing in the centre. The waters, spinning from the lower orifices, were attenuated into innumerable little threads, which dispersed themselves in an horizontal direction, and returned to the reservoir in a drizzling shower. Those which issued from the higher tubes and larger apertures, either sprung perpendicularly or spouted obliquely, and formed, as they fell, several lofty arches of liquid crystal; all glittering on the eye and cooling to the air.

"Parallel to the walk ran a parterre; planted with an assemblage of flowers. Which advanced, one above another, in regular gradations of height, of dignity, and of beauty. First, a row of Daisies, gay as the smile of youth, and fair as the virgin snows.-Next, a range of Crocusses, like a

played, and the Magdalens sung a hymn in parts; you cannot imagine how well. The chapel was dressed with orange and myrtle, and there wanted nothing but a little incense to drive away the devil-or to invite him. Prayers then began, psalms, and a sermon: the latter by a young clergyman, one Dodd, who contributed to the Popish idea one had imbibed, by haranguing entirely in the French style, and very eloquently and touchingly. He apostrophized the lost sheep, who sobbed and cried from their souls; so did my Lady Hertford and Fanny Pelham, till I believe the city dames took them both for Jane Shores. The Confessor then turned to the audience, and ad

dressed himself to his Royal Highness, whom he called most illustrious Prince, beseeching his protection. In short, it was a very pleasing performance, and I got the most illustrious to desire it might be printed. We had another hymn, and then were conducted to the parloir, where the governess kissed the Prince's hand, and then the lady Abbess or matron brought us tea. From thence we went to the refectory, where all the nuns, without their hats, were ranged at long tables, ready for supper. A few were handsome, many who seemed to have no title to their profession, and two or three of twelve years old: but all recovered, and looking healthy. I was struck and pleased with the modesty of two of them, who swooned away with the confusion of being stared at. We were then shewn their work, which is making linen, and bead-work; they earn ten pounds a week."-Private Correspondence of HORACE Walpole, vol. 2, p.

143,

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[Whitfield and Lady Huntingdon's Watch.] "THE apostle Whitfield is come to some shame: he went to Lady Huntingdon lately, and asked for forty pounds for some distressed saint or other. She said she had not so much money in the house, but would give it him the first time she had. He was very pressing, but in vain. At last he said,

'There's your watch and trinkets, you don't want such vanities; I will have that.' She would have put him off; but he persisting, she said, 'Well, if you must have it, you must.' About a fortnight afterwards, going to his house, and being carried into his wife's chamber, among the paraphernalia of the latter the Countess found her own offering. This has made a terrible schism: she tells the story herself. I had not it from Saint Frances, but I hope it is true." -Private Correspondence of HORACE WALPOLE, vol. 2, p. 255.

[Horace Walpole's Description of Wesley, his Chapel, and its Congregation.]

"I HAVE been at one opera, Mr. Wesley's. They have boys and girls with charming voices, that sing hymns, in parts, to Scotch ballad tunes; but indeed so long, that one would think they were already in eternity, and knew how much time they had before them. The chapel is very neat, with true gothic windows (yet I am not converted); but I was glad to see that luxury is creeping in upon them before persecution: they have very neat mahogany stands for branches, and brackets of the same in taste. At the upper end is a broad hautpas of four steps, advancing in the middle; at each end of the broadest part are two of my eagles, with red cushions for the parson and clerk. Behind them rise three more steps, in the midst of which is a third eagle for pulpit. Scarlet armed chairs to all three. On either hand a balcony for elect ladies. The rest of the congregation sit on forms. Behind the pit, in a dark niche, is a plain table within rails; so you see the throne is for the apostle. Wesley is a lean elderly man, fresh-coloured, his hair smoothly combed, but with a soupçon of curl at the ends. Wondrous clean, but as evidently an actor as Garrick. He spoke his sermon, but so fast, and with so little accent, that I am sure he

1 Lady Frances Shirley.

has often uttered it, for it was like a lesson. There were parts and eloquence in it; but towards the end he exalted his voice, and acted very vulgar enthusiasm; decried learning, and told stories, like Latimer, of the fool of his college, who said, 'I thanks God

for every thing. Except a few from curiosity, and some honourable women, the congregation was very mean. There was a Scotch Countess of B, who is carrying a pure rosy vulgar face to heaven, and who asked Miss Rich, if that was the author of

the Poets. I believe she meant me and the

Noble Authors."-Private Correspondence of HORACE WALPOLE, vol. 3, p. 191.

[Whether Souls are Equal.]

In his Life of M. de Montpezat, BRANTOME says (tom. 6, p. 404): “Ainsi despartit cette belle jeune Ame: jeune Ame l'appelle-je, à mode que nous autres courtesans, jay veu que nous appellions à la Cour, un jeune Gentil-homme qui ne faisoit que venir, jeune espee. Aussi jeune Ame sa peut-elle dire pour estre enfermée dans un beau jeune corps; et non pas autrement, selon l'opinion de plusieurs grands philosophes, qui asseurent toutes les ames égales, et autant belles et parfaites l'une que l'autre; et autant celle d'un jeune comme d'un vieux, et autant d'un vieux comme d'un jeune. Toutesfois, avec l'opinion d'autres grands que j'ay ouy parler, je ne sçaurois pas autrement croire, puis que ce n'est un article de nostre foy, que l'ame d'un jeune enfant, d'un sot, d'un fat, d'un beste, d'un meschant, pust estre aussi belle, pure et nette, accomplie et parfaite, comme d'un sage, d'un habile, d'un honneste, d'un vertueux et homme, de-bien; et non plus l'ame d'une dame laide, maussade, sotte et beste, pust se comparer à celle d'une bellee, honneste et agreable dame. De cela il y en a de grands disputes, dont je m'en rapporte aux grandes Docteurs et Philosophes."

[Why the richest Mines were placed in America.]

297

THE Jesuit P. Diego Hernandez says, "It is well worthy our serious consideration, that the eternal wisdom of God should have

thought fit to enrich the very remote parts of the world (Mexico and Peru), inhabited by the least civilized people; and thus to place the greatest number of mines that ever were known in order that men might be excited to seek out and possess those countries, and at the same time communithe true God."—Monthly Review, vol. 13, cate to them the knowledge and religion of p. 461.

[A Party Writer's Encouragement to his Printer.]

A PARTY writer having finished a piece a little too highly, the cautious printer objected to the danger of ushering it into the world, 'Why, I shall be hanged,' said he, if I print it!'-' Aye, aye,' replied the pamphleteer, let them, if they dare. I want to bring the rascals to that! If they do hang you, by God, I'll write your case, and see what the mob will say to it."Monthly Review, vol. 13, p. 479.

[Apostrophe to Patience.]

THESE stanzas, from an address to Patience, in the St. James's Magazine, (vol. 1, p. 108), signed C. J., deserve to be reprieved from oblivion.

“O come, surrounded with thy sober train Of meekness, piety, and holy hope; Blest source of peace, blest cure for every pain,

Without whose aid the proudest spirits

droop:

"Kindly descend to those whose humbled mind

Knows no relief, but what from Patience springs;

Whose griefs no cure, whose pangs no respite

find;

On those descend with healing on thy wings.

"O hover round the melancholy bed, Where lingering sickness claims thy fostering care,

Thy influence rears the drooping sufferer's head,

And gives a ray of merit to his prayer."

[Diffusion of Knowledge.]

"I Do feel strongly," says ALEXANDER KNOX," and I thank God that I have had the feeling, that to neglect the mind for the sake of any thing earthly, is high treason against the laws of nature. The great mass, hitherto, could not commit this crime; because, either they had not minds to cultivate, or their minds were never awakened to activity, or even consciousness. But Providence is now clearly putting things on another footing, knowledge is spreading into the dark places of the earth; and to be ignorant will be a disgrace of a far different kind from what it ever was before. A good English scholar has hitherto been a reputable character; because to be so was no common thing. Now, through the aid of Sunday Schools first, and of Dr. Bell and Joseph Lancaster next; and through means at the same time of Reviews, Magazines, and Newspapers innumerable, good English scholars will be, in comparison of what they were, probably as one hundred to one; so that those who were sufficiently distinguished by being good English scholars, must now rise a step higher or forfeit their place in the intellectual scale of society,

"I admire the wisdom of Providence in making such an advance in knowledge so easily attainable."— Remains, vol. 1, pp.

239-40,

[Wilkes and his Rose-trees.]

WILKES says in a letter to his daughter, "I cut off all the rose-buds of the trees in our little garden (which is a secret) to make them blow at the end of the season,

when I hope to enjoy your company there after our trees."-ALMON's Memoirs, vol. 4, p. 54.

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[Judaizing Fanatics.]

"HORRENDUM dictu est, eo abiisse fanaticorum nostri temporis rabiem, et Judæis etiam palpum obtrudant, dicta prophetica de regno Messiæ spiritualiter intelligenda atque adimpleta esse negent; reditum in terram Canaan, Hierosolymæque et Templi restitutionem illis promittant; nec quidquam magis habeant in votis, quam ut socii fiant itineris, deliciisque terrenis una cum vespis in futuro illo imaginario regno perfruantur. Quid enim, si hoc non est universum Christianismum ejurare, atque Judæis exponere ludibrio."-EDZARDUS, Præfatio ad Avoda Sara.

[Rabbinical Doctrine that the Jewish Religion founded not upon the Written but the Spoken Law.]

"NOLI existimare, quod Lex scripta sit fundamentum religionis nostræ: nam e contrario, fundamentum ejus est Lex oralis; et super Legem oralem initum fœdus est a Deo cum Israelitis; quemadmodum scriptum est, Exod. xxxiv. 27, 'Nam secundum verba hæc pepigi tecum fœdus.' Atque hæc ipsa verba Legis oralis sunt reconditus thesaurus Dei sancti benedicti. Constabat enim ipsi, quod Israelitæ olim futuri essent exules inter gentes; quodque gentiles libros ipsorum essent in vernaculam suam translaturi; ideoque noluit, ut Lex oralis scripto comprehenderetur. Nam gentes etiam accipiant olim mercedem ob studium Legis, atque Deus sanctus benedictus dicat ad illas, Omnes cui mysteria mea sunt cognita, ferat præmium. Quamvis autem postremis sæculis propter raritatem virorum cordatorum in literas fuerint relatæ sex partes Talmudis, tamen gentes in linguam suam vernaculam transferre eas non poterunt, quia prolixa commentatione opus est ut in