solidity betwixt a Westphalia ham and a whip syllabub.

I am astonished to remark the defect of ear, which some tolerable harmonious poets discover in their Alexandrines. It seems wonderful that an error so obvious, and so very disgustful to a nice ear, should occur so frequently as the following:

"What seraph e'er could preach

So choice a lecture as his wondrous virtue's lore?"

The pause being after the sixth syllable, it is plain the whole emphasis of pronunciation is thrown upon the particle as. It seems most amazing to me, that this should be so common a blunder.

"Simplex munditiis" has been esteemed universally to be a phrase at once very expressive, and of very difficult interpretation; at least, not very capable to be explained without circumlocution. What objection can we make to that single word 66 elegant," which excludes the glare and multiplicity of ornaments on one side, as much as it does dirt and rusticity on the other?

The French use the word "naïve" in such a sense as to be explained by no English word, unless we will submit to restrain ourselves in the application of the word "sentimental." It means the language of passion or the heart, in opposition to the language of reflection and the head.

The most frequent mistake that is made, seems to be that of the means for the end; thus riches for happiness, and thus learning for sense. The former of these is hourly observable; and, as to the latter, methinks, this age affords frequent and surprising instances.

It is with real concern, that I observe many persons of true poetical genius endeavouring to quench their native fire, that they may exhibit learning without a single spark of it: nor is it uncommon to see an author translate a book, when with half the pains he could write a better: but the translation savours more of learning, and gives room for notes, which exhibit more.

Learning, like money, may be of so base a coin, as to be utterly void of use; or, if sterling, may require good management, to make it serve the purposes of sense or happiness.

When a nobleman has once conferred any great favour on his inferior, he ought thenceforth to consider, that his requests, his advice, and even his intimations, become commands; and to propose matters with the utmost tenderness. The person whom he obliges has otherwise lost his freedom:

"Hac ego si compellar imagine, cuncta resigno:

Nec somnum plebis laudo satur altilium; nec
Otia divitiis Arabum liberrima muto."

The amiable and the severe, Mr. Burke's sublime and beautiful, by different proportions, are mixed in every character. Accordingly, as either is predominant, men imprint the passions of love or fear. The best punch depends on a proper mixture of sugar and lemon.

XXX. OF MEN AND MANNERS.

:

THERE are many persons acquire to themselves a character of insincerity, from what is in truth mere inconstancy and there are persons of warm, but changeable passions, perhaps the sincerest of any in the very instant they make profession, but the very least to be depended on, through the short duration of all extremes. It has often puzzled me, on this account, to ascertain the character of lady Luxborough ;* yet whatever were her principles, I esteem lord Bolingbroke's to have been the same. She seemed in all respects the female lord Bolingbroke.

The principal, if not the only, difference betwixt honesty and honour, seems to lie in their different motives: the object of the latter being reputation; and of the former, duty.

It is the greatest comfort to the poor, whose ignorance often inclines them to an ill-grounded envy, that the rich must die as well as themselves.

The common people call wit, mirth, and fancy, folly; fanciful and folliful, they use indiscriminately. It seems to flow from hence, that they consider money as of more importance than the persons who possess it; and that no conduct is wise, beside what has a tendency to enrich us.

One should not destroy an insect, one should not quarrel with a dog, without a reason sufficient to vindicate one through all the courts of morality.

Sister to lord Bolingbroke: with her the author had enjoyed a literary correspondence.

The trouble occasioned by want of a servant, is so much less than the plague of a bad one, as it is less painful to clean a pair of shoes than undergo an excess of anger.

The fund of sensible discourse is limited; that of jest and badinerie is infinite. In many companies then, where nothing is to be learned, it were, perhaps, better to get upon the familiar footing: to give and take in the way of raillery.

When a wife or mistress lives as in a jail, the person that confines her lives the life of a jailer. There seems some analogy betwixt a person's manner in every action of his life.

Lady Luxborough's hand writing was, at the same time, delicate and masculine. Her features, her air, her understanding, her motions, and her sentiments, were the same. Mr. W***, in the Mr. same respects, delicate, but not masculine. G*** rather more delicate than masculine. Mr. J*** rather more masculine than delicate. And this, in regard to the three last, extends to their drawing, versification, &c. &c. &c.

Riches deserve the attention of young persons rather than old ones; though the practice is otherwise.

To consume one's time and fortune at once, without pleasure, recompense, or figure, is like pouring forth one's spirits rather in phlebotomy than enjoy

ment.

Parents are generally partial to great vivacity in their children, and are apt to be more or less fond of them in proportion to it. Perhaps, there cannot be a symptom less expressive of future judgment and solidity: it seems thoroughly to preclude, not

only depth of penetration, but also delicacy of sentiment. Neither does it seem any way consistent with a sensibility of pleasure, notwithstanding all external appearances. It is a mere greyhound puppy in a warren, that runs at all truths, and at all sorts of pleasure; but does not allow itself time to be successful in securing any. It is a busy bee, whose whole time passes away in mere flight from flower to flower, without resting upon any a sufficient time to gather honey.

The queen of Sweden declared, "She did not love men as men; but merely because they were not women." What a spirited piece of satire!

In mixed conversation, or amongst persons of no great knowledge, one indulges one's self in discourse that is neither ingenious nor significant. Vapid frivolous chit-chat serves to pass away the time: but corked up again in retirement, we recover our wonted strength, spirit, and flavour.

The making presents to a lady one addresses, is like throwing armour into an enemy's camp, with a resolution to recover it.

He that lies in bed all a summer's morning, loses the chief pleasure of the day: he that gives up his youth to indolence, undergoes a loss of the same kind.

Spleen is often little else than obstructed perspiration.

The regard men externally profess for their superiors, is oftentimes rewarded-in the manner it deserves.

Methinks, all men should meet with a respect due to as high a character as they can act becomingly.