maintained in this last post of retreating virtue. In this view, therefore, it should seem, the function of a satirist may be justified, notwithstanding it should be true (what an excellent moralist has asserted) that his chastisements rather exasperate than reclaim those on whom they fali. Perhaps no human penalties are of any moral advantage to the criminal himself; and the principal benefit that seems to be derived from civil punishments of any kind, is their restraining influence upon the conduct of others. It is not every man, however, that is qualified to manage this formidable bow. The arrows of satire, unless they are pointed by virtue, as well as wit, recoil upon the hand that directs them, and wound none but him from whom they proceed. Accordingly Horace rests the whole success of writings of this sort upon the poet's being integer ipse, free himself from those immoral stains which he points out in others. There cannot, indeed, be a more odious, nor at the same time a more contemptible character, than that of a vicious satirist: Quis cœlum terris non misceat et mare cœlo, The most favourable light in which a censor of this species could possibly be viewed, would be that of a public executioner, who inflicts the punishment on others, which he has already merited himself. But the truth of it is, he is not qualified even for so wretched an office; and there is nothing to be dreaded from the satirist of known dishonesty, but his applause. Melmoth, A PORTRAIT OF MANKIND. VANITY bids all her sons to be generous and brave,- -and her daughters to be chaste and courteous. -But why do we want her instructions?Ask the comedian who is taught a part he feels not. Is it that the principles of religion want strength, or that the real passion for what is good and worthy will not carry us high enough ?- God! thou knowest they carry us too high to be but to seem. -we want not Look out of your door,-take notice of that man: see what disquieting, intriguing and shifting, he is content to go through, merely to be thought a man of plain dealing :-three grains of honesty would save him all this trouble;alas! he has them not. Behold a second, under a show of piety hiding the impurities of a debauched life :- -he is just entering the house of God :would he was more pure-or less pious !-but then he could not - gain his point. Observe a third going almost in the same track, with what an inflexible sanctity of deportment he Sustains himself as he advances:-every line in his face writes abstinence ;- -every stride looks like a check upon his desires; see, I beseech you, how he is cloaked up with sermons, prayers and sacraments; and so bemuffled with the externals of religion, that he has not a hand to spare for a worldly purpose:-he has armour at least-Why does he put it on? Is there no serving God without all this? Must the garb of religion be ex tended so wide to the danger of its rending?Yes, truly, or it will not hide the secret—and, What is that? That the saint has no religion at all. -But here comes GENEROSITY; giving -not to a decayed artist-but to the arts and sciences themselves.-See, he builds not a chamber in the wall apart for the prophet; but whole schools and colleges for those who come after. LORD! how they will magnify his name!- -'tis in capitals already; the first-the highest, in the gilded rent-roll of every hospital and asylum▬▬ One honest tear, shed in private over the unfortunate, is worth it all. What a problematic set of creatures does simulation make us! Who would divine that all the anxiety and concern, so visible in the airs of one half of that great assembly, should arise from nothing else, but that the other half of it may think them to be men of consequence, penetration, parts and conduct?—What a noise among the claimants about it? Behold humility, out of mere pride, and honesty almost out of knavery:— chastity, never once in harm's way,and courage, like a Spanish soldier upon an Italian stage -a bladder full of wind. Hark! at the sound of that trumpet, -let not my soldier run,- -'tis some good Christian giving alms. O PITY, thou gentlest of human passions! soft and tender are thy notes, and ill accord they with so loud an instrument. Sterne. A LOOKING-GLASS FOR MAN. A TRAVELLER passing through a thicket, and seeing a few sparks of a fire, which some passengers had kindled as they went that way before, made up to it. On a sudden the sparks caught hold of a bush, in the midst of which lay an adder, and set it in flames. The adder entreated the traveller's assistance, who, tying a bag to the end of his staff, reached it, and drew him out: he then bid him go where he pleased, but never more to be hurtful to men, since he owed his life to a man's compassion. The adder however prepared to sting him; and when he expostulated how unjust it was to retaliate good with evil, 'I shall do no more,' said the adder, than what you men practise every day, whose custom it is to requite benefits with ingratitude. If you can deny this truth, let us refer it to the first we meet.' The man consented, and, seeing a tree, put the question to it, in what manner a good turn was to be recompensed? If you mean according to the usage of men,' replied the tree, by its contrary: I have been standing here these hundred years to protect them from the scorching sun, and in requital they have cut down my branches, and are going to saw my body into planks.' Upon this the adder insulting the man, he appealed to a second evidence, which was granted, and immediately they met a cow. The same demand was made, and much the same answer given, that among men it was certainly so. "I know it,' said the cow,' by woeful experience, for I have served a man this long time with milk, butter, and cheese, and brought him besides a calf every year; but now I am old, he turns me into this pasture, with the design of selling me to a butcher, who will shortly make an end of me.' The traveller upon this stood confounded, but desired of courtesy one trial more, to be finally judged by the next beast they should meet. This happened to be the fox; who, upon hearing the story in all its circumstances, could not be persuaded it was possible for the adder to enter so narrow a bag. The adder to convince him went in again, when the fox told the man, he had now his enemy in his power; and with that he fastened the bag, and crushed him to pieces. Pope. A PETITION TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENCY OF EDUCATION. I ADDRESS myself to all the friends of youth, and conjure them to direct their compassionate regards to my unhappy fate, in order to remove the prejudices of which I am the victim. There are twin sisters of us and the two eyes of man do not more resemble, nor are capable of being upon better terms with each other, than my sister and myself, were it not for the partiality of our parents, who make the most injurious distinctions between us. From my infancy, I have been led to consider my sister as a being of a more elevated rank. I was suffered to grow up without the least instruction, while nothing was spared in her education. She had masters to teach her writing, drawing, music, and other accomplishments; but |