FOR THE IRIS. ON THE FATE OF GENIUS. 'Calliope longum cœlebs car vixit in ævum? SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1822. WHEN we take a view of former times, and turn over the pages of history, recounting their progress, how often do we find cause to regret the clouds which have hung over, and burst with almost unceasing rigour upon the sons of literature. If the research be continued to the present period, our grief is heightened, not, perhaps, that the lives of ancient literary characters have been less subject to misfortune than those of modern days, but that our accounts of the latter are more correct and particular than of the former. Were it possible that the records of time could be fully revealed to us, we should, doubtless, find the distress of genius very little, if any thing, different. Of authors it has been justly observed, that they had the whole world to contend with, and were destitute of any to plead in their favour. Though possessed of all the learning possible, they must have kept it to themselves,-have lived in bare esteem, and famished, instead of being rewarded for the pains they bestowed in endeavouring to enlighten their illiterate contemporaries. Learning was scorned by the wealthy, and the warrior despised it as being beneath him, and incompatible with his profession. In the feudal æra they seemed to have had a sort of contention amongst themselves who should do most injury to literature, and to have striven to com PRICE 3 d. ductions methinks I am conning red letters instead of black ones,-such a stain do I fancy they bear on them. I am aware that as there are exceptions to every rule, so are there to the subject on which I have been treating. There have been authors whose lives and works have been equally propitious, and which latter will be esteemed by the latest posterity. appeared with brilliancy, then quickly vanished and Those authors, however, whose labours now, and will hereafter, shine with increasing lustre, "Whose mortal being only can decay; cessful tragedy, for which, in the days of Tonson, Whose nobler parts, whose fame shall reach the skies, starving, that, if to true talent they add an ordinary And to late times with blooming honours rise;' have been suffered to be it so much so that he waved the crown, which his two 'How small to others but how great to me,' pletely exterminate it. When the Goths overwhelm- patrimony. Yet the laurel has always been accountwere proverbial, as also that poverty was the muse's ed different parts of the learned world, they destroy-ed honourable. Our pedant king, James I, esteemed ed all the literary stores they met with. We are told of one, who, when his countrymen came into Greece, and would have burnt all their books, exclaimed against it, by all means' said he, 'leave them that plague, which, in time, will consume all their vigour, and martial spirit;' and in the dark and obscure age of our own country, no person durst introduce improvements in any art, or science, lest he should be persecuted, or accused of being a sorcerer. As light began to dawn, the schoolmen likewise, fancying themselves pre-eminent in knowledge, allowed no work to possess merit, unless constituted of the same dogmas and intricacies as their own. When Aristotle was beyond their comprehension they decried his philosophy, and what they were conscious they had not ability to understand, they pretended to be no longer worth studying. A second deluge learning thus o'er-ran, And the Monks finished, what the Goths began.' We read of authors indeed, upon whom, whilst living, fortune smiled; and who were courted and caressed by an obsequious multitude. But, as of such their works were works of a day;-like a meteor they wealth, and this appeared more plainly, since king portion of prudence and industry,' and they can raise themselves above the often too severe lash of the critic, there is scarcely any class of men that has less to fear from the caprices of fortune. The announcement of a work from the pen of at least a dozen of our living authors, excites nearly as much interest as the news of a great battle; and for every poem of a few hundred stanzas, London or Edinburgh sends back what the lottery agents call a golden shower, to refresh, with all the luxuries of life, the retirement of a Scott, a Campbell, a Moore, or a Crabbe; or, peradventure, to furnish the noble minstrel with a large letter of credit on some Greek or Italian banker. But for this happy revolution in the republic of letters, the literati of the present age are in a great measure growth of taste, like the progress of liberal opinions, indebted to those who have gone before them. The with which it is inseparably connected, is uniformly, slow and gradual; and had not the Paradise Lost' sold for the paltry sum of ten or twenty pounds, and the Task' and some other works presented as a gift to the publishers, Lalla Rookh,' The Lady of the Lake, or even a single canto of Childe Harold," never could have been purchased at the extraordinary price of three thonsand guineas. 'Genius, in fact, must precede taste; and, conseshillings in the pound in public estimation. It is quently, the early writers, who dealt in a commodity related that pope Urban VIII, founded an hospital of which not one man in ten thousand understood the for decayed authors, and called it the retreat for in-value, were sure to find themselves in the predicament curables; intimating that it was equally impossible to reclaim the patients from poverty or from poetry. As I enter into a library, and look at its walls furnished with productions of intrinsic value and deserving the utmost praise, frequently do I picture to myself the countenances of their authors. Some would be covered with rays, whilst a death's head would be concealed underneath, grinning at the prize it was about to make;-some would be debilitated with disease, or groaning under the frowns of booksellers, and others would be confined in prison, or be in a state of starvation. Whilst reading these pro of those who let down buckets into empty wells, and spent their days in drawing no water. But this evil has at last worked its own cure. By indulging, in despite of poverty and privation, the natural bent of their minds, men of genius have at length enlarged the circle of readers; and having created a demand for the beauties of literature, have placed it within the reach of their successors to amass fortunes by their skill and address in supplying it. In a word the fathers of literature in a country may be compared I have heard it sold for £5 only. to a capital sunk in some great national undertaking, which, although ruinous to the first projectors, is destined to enlighten posterity by scattering over the community all the blessings of extended and extending cultivation.'--Extract from a late biographical Account of Cowper, by Mr. Mc. Diarmid, of Dumfries. ) ON ELOQUENCE. J. | dom aimed at as an ornament by the erudite scholar, who rests satisfied with his store of learning, though for want of this accomplishment, they lie unheeded or unknown. Some are prone to think, that, if they can string together a few common-place expressions, though, perhaps, without any order, or talk a long time though they tire the patience of their hearers, they have acquired this highly useful art; but it is not an attainment so cheaply purchased, it can only be obtained by determined perseverance, and will yield only to resolution. Let those who wish to be It is to me a matter of surprise, that mankind in distinguished by this talent, consider the celebrated general should not endeavour to acquire the art of example of Demosthenes, and they will see how far Eloquence; more especially, that it should be neglect- perseverance alone may carry them in the improveed by those gentlemen who are brought up to any of ment of their elocution, even in opposition to the the learned professions, for certainly there is no ac- strongest natural defects: bis life will at the same quirement which goes farther in gaining the good time afford a sufficient lesson to demonstrate the imopinion of the world. How often do we find a man portance of eloquence in the most momentous affairs. of inferior judgement, leaving behind him competitors If the reasons I have before pointed out, are not at the Bar, by the mere force of Eloquence;-a sufficient inducements to lead to its study, it will, I minister of the Gospel attracting by his elocution fear, be totally useless to mark the disadvantages recrowded congregations, though his doctrines be re- sulting from its neglect: but I shall, notwithstanding, pugnant to many of his auditors! A senator com- distinguish a few of them. Frequently are men of mands the attention and respect of his opponents by the greatest talent, deprived of that influence which this all-powerful art. In religion, legislation, and they ought to have in society, from a want of elolaw, how strongly is exemplified the great utility of quence; often do they make themselves appear ridithis acquisition we find its possessors obtaining culous, by their uncouth manner of expression, and the esteem, admiration, and respect of society; rising a deficiency of language in which to clothe their to the most elevated stations in the empire, and aoideas. And this we even find to be the case with quiring immense riches. In every situation of life men, who are able to write in the most nervous and has it a pervading influence; under all circumstances eloquent style; yet when they are called upon to exdoes it command attention. Not only in public cha-press the same sentiments in public, forfeit, in a great racters, but in every private individual, is it consider- measure, the good opinion they may by their writings ed as a most enviable acquisition. Not alone in the have obtained. How often does the monotonous capulpit, senate, or at the bar, but in the social inter-dence of the preacher lull his congregation to repose, course of life does it obtain for itself pre-eminence however beautiful may be his composition, or inand distinction, for how gladly do we listen to, and structive his discourse. How little are the best hang on the words of the eloquent. It is a talent moral discourses attended to, unless dressed in refined which displays itself in the most momentous affairs, language, and delivered in an impressive manner. and can descend even to the lowest. How capable In parliament, how impotent is the voice of the inare the eloquent of insinuating themselves into the fa- elegant orator; and at the bar, how trifling the busivourable regard of those whom it is their wish to ness of the barrister who is deficient in eloquence. please, even when possessed of no outward advanta- Nothing indeed, tends more to prejudice us against ges, but loathsome to the eye; yet they overcome the another on his first appearance, than a want of address, prejudices or dislike of their hearers, and command by which we may properly understand a deficiency of their esteem-of all the talents possessed or acquired expression. Is it not therefore incumbent upon us, by man, there is none which has led to such important if we wish to obtain the good opinion of the world, results, or so much agitated or influenced the opinions to cultivate this admirable talent? not that we should of the world. Thongh often, alas! too often applied be continually making speeches upon every trifling to the promotion of evil, yet how easily may it be ren- occasion, though at the same time, upon every occadered productive of good; for what can be more advan- sion, to be able to express ourselves in neat and tageous to its spread than the eloquence of its advo- appropriate language. For a man to congratulate a cates, by which truths divine, come mended from their friend when he finds him in good health, by entering tongues; what can make instruction more beneficial or into an elaborate dissertation on the blessings derived acceptable, than coming clothed in a pleasing dress; from its possession, the means of preserving it, and virtue, more lovely, than when described in the glow- the debt of gratitude due for so great a favour, ing language of feeling;- or what can more influence, would be ridiculous and absurd yet it would be or operate upon, the passions and motives of man! gratifying to the friend, to have such congratulations It is adapted to promote every great and noble design, conveyed in a feeling manner. If a man really feels to command the attention of listening senates, and what he wishes to impress upon others, he will alrule the fate of empires; to lead us to the love and ways find himself more competent to express his ideas practice of virtue, to defend the innocent, and punish upon those occasions, than when he is uninterested in the guilty. And, if we descend to meaner conside- the subject. It divests him, in a considerable degree, rations, we find it a most powerful assistant in ac- of that diffidence which he might otherwise feel, and quiring for its owner, a reputation to which his natu- increases his confidence. The attempt once successral talents may not entitle him, for superficial obser- fully made, all future endeavours are pleasing and vers (of which class consist the majority of mankind) gratifying to the mind, and every future flight adds are ready to allow to those who please them, more to the improvement of the art. Like that of the unmerit than they deserve. They generally estimate fledged bird, the first attempt is made in fear, but every man's abilities by his conversation; and, as that encouraged by success, man feels the powers of his is more or less splendid, do they rank him in their tongue; that which was at first an object of terror, opinion; and his title to learning, or knowledge, will becomes a most pleasing source of enjoyment, and rise or fall in their estimation, as he is distinguished we then wonder at our first sensations. If a man by this acquirement. Eloquence being of so much importance, why then should it be so generally neglected? Are we to attribute this to a want of capacity in mankind, or from what other cause does it proceed? I, for my own part, ascribe it to our viewing it as being of less importance than it really is, for we see that no efforts are made to acquire it, unless absolutely required by particular professional pursuits, and even then no greater degree of excellence is usually sought, than is necessary to prevent obloquy and derision. It is sel resolves to attain the art of speaking, let him use diligence and perseverance, and he will seldom fail in its attainment. to excite the enervated Athenians to arms, and long oppose the power and ability of Philip;-by which Cicero acquired for himself that unfading reputation, to which bis character does not altogether entitle him; and by which, onr immortal Chatham awed and commanded the British senate. This may, perhaps, be in some measure attributable to that reservedness of disposition attendant on the character of an Englishman, which generally leads him to avoid appearing conspicuous, or intruding upon the attention of others. Though this disposition is fast wearing away by the diffusion of education, and our continued intercourse with foreign countries, yet still we seldom find the English adopting those means which are most likely to conduce to its attainment. We have no such inducements amongst us, as parties for conversation, where we may enjoy the feast of reason in the mutual communication of sentiment. No, ours are dinnerparties, tea-parties, card-parties, or drinking-parties, or any kind of parties but rational ones; in them, the sole object is to pass away time, not to improve it: not to enjoy our mental faculties, but to gratify our sensual appetites. How often have I, in societies of this nature, been nauseated with the frivolity of our pursuits, and lamented hours passed in scenes of dissipation, which might have been much more usefully employed in the cultivation of the mind, by the discussion of literary and scientific subjects. The English rank first in real and sterling genius, but then they too frequently let their talents lie dormant, satisfied with the consciousness of possessión, nor endeavour to make them useful. Nothing can more tend to make our knowledge useful, than reducing it into practice; by imparting his acquîsitions in learning, every man indeed encreases his store of wisdom, and becomes a benefit to society. No means can, in my opinion, be so efficiently resorted to for increasing the effect of learning and wisdom, as eloquence in writing and speaking. The art of writing is more boundless in its application, by the invention of the press; but the art of speaking is far more effective in the limited circle to which it extends; it makes a deeper impression on the mind, and may be more frequently applied to useful purposes. One is a talent, which may be applied to such purposes every day, hour, and minute, without any expence or labour to the individual: the other can only be brought into exercise occasionally, requires more labour in the composition, and is more subject to animadversion and censure. never feel the same delight in reading the speech of a celebrated orator, as his auditors must have experienced in listening to it ;-nor in reading the drama, even of Shakspeare, as in listening to its recitation by our O'Neill, Kemble, and Kean. In the closet we may admire both, but if our hearts must be affected, we ought to hear the orator and actor. The eultivation of the art of speaking with eloquence and propriety, will naturally lead to the art of writing with elegance and perspicuity, but I much doubt whether any study of the latter talent, would ever make a man speak eloquently. Manchester, Feb. 19, 1822. M We can -S. ACCOUNT OF A GREAT AND EXTRAOR DINARY CAVE IN INDIANA. In a Letter from MR. BENJAMIN ADAMS to JOHN H. FARNHAM, Esq. of Frankfort, Ohio*. THE cave is situated in the north-west quarter of section 27. in township No. 3. of the second easterly range in the district of lands offered for sale at Jeffersonville. Of all nations, however, the English seem to me most defective in this necessary quality. Not but that our country has produced orators, who, for *The above is the title of a very curious paper, eloquence, may vie with the finest models of anti-published as an Appendix to the first volume of the quity, and far surpass them in the strength of reason- Archæologia Americana, which we have just received ing yet, taken as a people, I think it must be ad- from the American Antiquarian Society. Mr. Adams, mitted, that we are deficient in this most important the author of the letter, is the proprietor of the talent: that talent by which Demosthenes was enabled cave.-DR. BREWster. to crawl ten or twelve feet into the next The precise time of its discovery is diffi- The hill, in which the cave is situated, is about four hundred feet high from the base to the most elevated point; and the prospect to the south-east, in a clear day, is exceedingly fine, commanding an extensive view of the hills and valleys bordering on Big Blue River. The top of the hill is covered principally with oak and chesnut. The side to the south-east is mantled with cedar. The entrance is about midway from the base to the summit, and the surface of the cave preserves ingeneral about that elevation; although I must acknowledge this to be conjectural, as no experiments have been made with a view to ascertain the fact. It is probably owing to this middle situation of the cave, that it is much drier than is common. After entering the cave by an aperture of twelve or fifteen feet wide, and in height, in one place, three or four feet, you descend with easy and gradual steps into a large and spacious room, which continues about a quarter of a mile, pretty nearly the same in appearance, varying in height from eight to thirty feet, and in breadth from ten to twenty. In this distance the roof is, in some places, arched; in others a plane, and in one place, particularly, it resembles an inside view of the roof of a house. At the distance above named the cave forks; but the right hand fork soon terminates, while the left rises by a flight of rocky stairs, nearly ten feet high, into another story, and pursues a course, at this place, nearly south-east. Here the roof commences a regular arch, the height of which, from the floor, varies from five to eight feet, and the width of the cave from six to twelve feet; which continues to what is called the Creeping Place, from the circumstance of having appearance of the cave. to mention its productions. The first in importance is the Sulphate of Magnesia, or Epsom salts, which, as has been previously remarked, abounds throughout this cave in almost its whole extent, and which I believe has no parallel in the history of that article. This neutral salt is found in a great variety of forms, and in many different stages of formation. Sometimes in lumps, varying from one to ten pounds in weight. The earth exhibits a shining appearance, from the numerous particles interspersed throughout the huge piles of dirt collected in different parts of the cave. The walls are covered in different places with the same article, and reproduction goes on rapidly. With a view to ascertain this fact, I removed from a particular place every vestige of salt, and in four or five weeks the place was covered with small needle-shaped crystals, exhibiting the appearance of frost. The quality of the salt in this cave is inferior to none; and when it takes its proper stand in regular and domestic practice, must be of national utility. With respect to the resources of this cave, 1 will venture to say, that every competent judge must pronounce it inexhaustible. The worst earth that has been tried, will yield four pounds of salt to the bushel; and the best from twenty to twenty-five pounds. The next production is the Nitrate of Lime, or saltpetre earth. There are vast quantities of this earth, and equal in strength to any that I have ever seen. There are also large quantities of the Nitrate of Alumina, or nitrate of argil, which will yield as much nitrate of potash, or saltpetre, in proportion to the quantities of earth, as the nitrate of lime. The three articles above enumerated are first in quantity and importance; but there are several others which deserve notice, as subjects of philosophical curiosity. The Sulphate of Lime, or plaster of Paris, is to be seen variously formed; ponderous, crystallized and impalpable, or soft, light, and rather spongy. Ves tiges of the sulphate of iron are also to be seen in one or two places. Small specimens of the carbonate, and also the nitrate of magnesia, have been found. The rocks in the cave principally consist of carbonate of lime, or common limestone. I had almost forgotten to state, that near the forks of the cave are two specimens of painting, probably of Indian origin. The one appears to be a savage, with something like a bow in his hand, and furnishes the hint, that it was done when that instrument of death was in use. The other is so much defaced, that it is impossible to say what it was intended to represent. ANECDOTE OF GARRICK. When Garrick visited the continent, he was received every where with the most distinguished marks of honour and esteem. Even crowned heads vied with each other in the attentions they paid to him. Neither were those of his own profession slow in profiting by Preville, the best actor of France, acknowledged the lessons which he gave them in the dramatic art. him for his master, and looked upon him as a model for imitation. With this actor, he once made a short excursion from Paris on horseback, when Preville Garrick applauded the imitation, but told him he took a fancy to act the part of a drunken cavalier. wanted one thing, which was essential to complete the picture--he did not make his legs drunk. Hold, my friend,' said he, and I shall show you an English blood, who, after having dined at a tavern, and swalin a summer evening, to go to his box in the country.' He immediately proceeded to exhibit all the gradations of intoxication; he called to his servant that the sun and the fields were turning round him; whipped and spurred his horse until the animal reared and wheeled in every direction; at length he lost his whip, his feet seemed incapable of resting in the stirrups, the bridle dropped from his hand, and he appeared to have lost the use of all his faculties; finally, he fell ville gave an involuntary cry of horror, and his terror greatly increased when he found his friend made no answer to his questions. After wiping the dust from his face, he asked him again, with the emotion and anxiety of friendship, whether he was hurt? Garrick, whose eyes were closed, half opened one of them, hiccupped, and with the most natural tone of intoxication, called for another glass. Preville was astonished; and when Garrick started up and resumed his usual demeanour, the French actor exclaimed, My lowed three or four bottles of port, mounts his horse from his horse in such a death-like manner, that Pre friend, allow the scholar to embrace his master, and thank him for the valuable lesson he has given him!' POETRY. TO THE EDITOR. SIR, Please to admit the following Biblical Specimens, which may, perhaps, appear a somewhat new walk in Poetry, possessing the singular advantage of combining the melody of versification with the sacredness of Scripture. They may not be inappropriate at a period when the very truths and tendencies of the sacred pages are perverted and profaned, and particularly when a popular writer has ventured to bring forward a new argument, defamatory of Revelation, by insinuating that there is no allusion to a future state in the first records of the Bible-the Old Testament. The text of the Prophet, of which one of the following is a transcript, will at least demonstrate a day of judgement, and, as a legitimate conclusion of general Scripture evidence, and connected with the revelations of succeeding inspiration, will obviate (from the natural connexion between a day of judgment and a future state) the difficulty which the Poet alluded to has started. March 11, 1822. 1 am, Sir, R. G. SACRED TRANSCRIPT, FROM MALACHI IV. For lo! the judgment of the Lord will come, THE HAPPY STATE OF THE REDEEMED : A SACRED TRANSCRIPT FROM ISAIAH. Then will the desert's solitary bourne Be glad for them, nor longer sorrowing mourn. And lo! the blind will ope the closed eye, Then will those members leap that once were lame, An Answer to an Enquiry whether I had ever seen a Yes! I have often seen the dead, and thought If scenes like these can ever fail to move ONE O'CLOCK. R. R. I sing of noon, yes, noon, god wot, At ev'ry door with list'ning ear, Ye gods! behold their rapid pace, They run, they fly! And much I marvel, nay opine, Greatly I ween, that I disclose, DISPARITY OF PUNISHMENTS. T. T. L. At a sessions in Charleston, in the United States of America, a man for killing a negro was only fined £50; while two other persons for negro stealing, punishment in other states of the union, is not less were sentenced to be hanged. The disproportion of remarkable. In the district of Ohio, one man for the frequent embezzlement of letters from the United States' Mail, was sentenced to three months' imprisonAnother man convicted at Richmond of stealing a missal from a church, was condemned to three years, confinement in the Penitentiary. ment. MAGNANIMITY OF A BRITISH SOLDIER. ་ The following anecdote, says a correspondent in the American Village Record,' comes from a source entitled to perfect credit. During the revolutionary war, two British soldiers, of the army of Lord Cornwallis, went into a house, and abused the inmates in a most cruel and shameful manner. A third soldier in going into the house, met them coming out, and knew them. The people acquitted him of all blame, but he was imprisoned because he refused to disclose the names of the offenders. Every art was tried, but in vain, and at length he was condemned by a court martial to die. When on the gallows, Lord Cornwallis, surprized at his pertinacity rode near him. 'Campbell,' said he, what a fool are you to die thus. Disclose the names of the guilty men, and you shall be immediately released; otherwise, you have not fifteen minutes to live.' Although the law's delay is often complained of in civil cases, yet in criminal ones it is speedy enough. An instance of summary punishment occurred at Derby, in 1814. A man was detected picking a gentleman's pocket, of his pocket book. He was taken into custody, the property found upon him, carried before a Justice, committed, a bill found by the Grand Jury, which was then sitting; he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to transportation; and all this was done in the course of two hours. MANCHESTER DRAMATIC REGISTER. Monday, March 11th.-Jane Shore: Alicia, Mrs. REPOSITORY OF GENIUS. No. 4. The eldest of our company is Frederick Tacit; he is somewhat above thirty years old, and five years ago was certainly the greatest beau in the town. Of late, however, his habits are much changed and though at present he has not quite relinquished either society or his toilette there is certainly every indication of a disposition to abandon them both. The gay scenes in which he has mingled have taught him some knowledge of the world. Indeed, if he had not entered into life, rather with the view of indulging in its pastimepleasures than of studying the inclinations and characters of mankind, there are few whose opportunities could have been turned to more profitable account than those of our friend. He is essentially a philosopher and though many have attributed the recent turn of his disposition, from gay to grave from liveFor a solution to No. 4. we are referred by ourly to severe,' to disappointment in a tender and at one time absorbing passion, those of nicer discerncorrespondent, Amicus, to the article Magic Squares, humour, which the aforesaid circumstances may probably have tended to accelerate. Tacit, however, is still an agreeable fellow his former vivacity and wildness are finely tempered into a conciliating yet manly gentleness, which is equally engaging to every variety of age, temper and rank. He is an unimpaired favourite with the women, in fact it may be said that his influence among them is greater than ever. The serious and mild deportment, which he has blendat once wins the regard and confidence of the young, ed with the more violent qualities of his earlier days, retains the estimation of those of his own standing in life, and secures the countenance and favour of the older and more prudent. in Hatton's Mathematical Dictionary, or to Saunderson's Algebra. Solution to No. 5, by X. Y. Z: For half of a kiss, take half of sal-ute, From forty take for, and leave the rest mute; Then in lieu of five hundred you substitute D: And the name of the town surely Salford will be. Solution of No. 6. With four weights of 1, 3, 9, and 27 pounds any quantity from 1 to 40 pounds may be weighed as follows: To weigh 2lb place 31b in one scale, and 1b as a counterpoise in the other. To weigh 5lb place 91b in one scale, and 1 & 3tb in the other. The Editor of the Iris having politely conceded a certain portion of his paper to our superintendance and direction, we mean to dedicate it exclusively to the service and entertainment of the ladies. But we have too much regard for good manners to obtrude ourselves on the presence of the fair without first sending in our names, to know whether it be agreeable to admit us; and have, therefore, drawn up the following account of our pretensions to their favour, and of the manner in which it is our purpose to amuse them. We are a party of four bachelors and in lack of pleasanter engagements we generally play whist at our own houses. Two of us have nothing to do and are tolerably independent in our fortunes. A Clergyman and a Physician complete the number :- but perhaps a more particular presentation will be pleasant. ment perceive in it only the developement of a latent of : The next of our party is the Doctor. He is a man considerable attainments, and has the admirvery able art of displaying them to the best possible. advantage, without seeming to assume the slightest superiority over those with whom he converses. He is now in the progress of examination before the College of Female Society, as a necessary and final preparative for a full diploma of practice. His success may be looked upon as certain; he has already proceeded through three classes of enquiry, and has proved himself thoroughly proficient in the mysteries of cards, scandal and gossip. The art of paying impartial attention to every lady of a company, and at the same time of seeming particular to each, has puzzled him exceedingly: yet he does not despair. But accepting four or five invitations for an evening, and waiting upon them all, is not a whit more difficult than it would be to call on the same number of individuals in a professional capacity. own. In point of seniority the Parson is the third, but in point of honour we always reckon him the first. Homily Orthodox has just taken his Master's degree, and though he never manifested any deficiency of spirit, was always noted as a steady fellow at Oxford. Indeed it is remarkable, that, without entering into the extreme either of hard reading or extravagant jovialty, he has managed to keep in with both sets and to be as hand and glove with them as if he were one of their Orthodox has brought several serious notions into the church which young men do not often entertain, but which are certainly the best security for obtaining respect and approbation from all classes of society. He is a punctilious observer of all the duties of his religion, without any portion of ascetick austerity; and though he considers the title of a fine gentleman, in the ordinary signification of the phrase, as little better than a gloss for infidelity, he does not perceive any necessary reason why a good christian may not be both fashionable and polite. Will. Volatile is the fourth of our community. He has just entered on the great stage of the world and is beginning to tread it with ease and self possession. His cast of character has hitherto been various, but high comedy seems most peculiarly his talent, and that to which he will ultimately incline. Will. does not seem to be wanting in any principles that are good; but he has acquired some wrong ideas of applying them. He is certainly both liberal and honest; præterpluperfect of the one and future imperfect of the other. He does not act without thought -but the acting is precipitate and the thinking at leisure. He has generally some good object in view; but when he fires at it he mistakes the distance. Will. however has certain qualities of generosity and spirit which make him a high favourite with the ladies; and, in return, they are all eye-favourites with him. Lately, he has been observed, more than commonly attentive in a particular quarter: and like the sun, having attained his meridian, he begins to indicate in what point he will descend. These constitute our regular corps: in addition to which we shall occasionally bave the assistance of Paul Forense, Esquire, Barrister, and formerly of our fraternity. We have had some deliberations on the propriety of a general retainer, but although our abstract and brief chronicle' has something in common with the profession we have thought Paul not quite a case in point to our undertaking. We have now introduced ourselves, or more properly introduced each other, to our readers; and as we have shewn that we are really very genteel young men whom it will be perfectly proper for them to acknowledge, we shall throw aside all further reserve. and converse with them familiarly of our project. We mean then, dear ladies, to publish the most delightful and charming paper you can possibly imagine. It shall be about every thing:-new books and old books-worth reading and not worth readingthe best poet and the worst poet,-we will be serious clever, moral and not didactick, amusing and not and sentimental, witty and wise, clever-and not too light, familiar but by no means vulgar. Our criticisms will be very short and very candid: we shall be nice and discriminating in our recommendation of books, but we trust nothing like prudery will ever affect us. We shall have a poetical department, for which we must depend a good deal on correspondents for we are not poets ourselves. The Parson and the Doctor never composed a couplet in their lives; and poor Tacit, who never did much in poesy, excepting a few sonnets to his mistress which it would be cruelty to ask him for, is now the most unimaginative being in the universe. Volatile, we may say though, has prosody at his fingers' ends; for be assuredly has no other notion of measuring a verse, than that of counting his digits. With the assistance of a rhyming dictionary he has managed to compose some stanzas of tolerable merit; and as he becomes more deeply in love we may expect a consequent improvement. We shall, therefore, occasionally rummage his portfolio for the entertainment of our friends. After all, we must be chiefly indebted to supernumerary aid: and we solicit contributions from our fair readers and townswomen, many of whom, we know, are 'framers of the feeling line.' Souvenirs, Albums, Books of Follies, and all the numerous et cetera of feminine wit, are hereby put in requisition. Brevity and originality-not more than three stanzas nor fewer than three novelties can possibly be accepted. 'We intend to take the fashions entirely under our superintendence; the London list will be regularly corrected by our own standard, and no one must venture to appear in any mode which we have sealed with reprobation. The manners and pursuits of the ladies will likewise come under our cognizance. We intend to publish a code of duties and proprieties from which no deviation will be permitted. In the mean time, not to excite unnecessary alarm, we assure them that we are by no means rigid in our opinions. We have sometime had our eye on several very prevalent errors which it will be our first business to correct. The misapplication of time is a very grievous offence, especially among the young, it will come under our early consideration. Our advice will always be open to any one who may choose to apply for it. Our very general intimacy and acquaintance will give us an advantage, in this respect, which may prove of the greatest utility: and, if by chance, we should come at some secret which it was desirable to conceal from us, the strictest confidence may be placed in our integrity. Every communication intended for us must be addressed to the Editors of the MUSAEID, at the IRIS Office.. |