"I know the Emperors of the East suffer not strangers to appear before them, till they are dressed up in their own wardrobes. Is it so too in the empire of wit? Then you must cover me with your own embroidery, that I may be a fit object for your thoughts and conversation. This, Madam, may suit your greatness, but doth not at all satisfy my ambition. He who has once flattered himself with the hopes of your friendship, knows not the true value of things, if he can content himself with these splendid ornaments."-Letters to Lady Calverley, in Yorkshire, by John Locke.

Pride and Vanity.

Whilst Pride stalks in solitude, the giant of giant castle, Vanity endeavours to gain popularity amidst crowds of his inferiors. Pride disdains the condescension of being an useful citizen; whilst Vanity courts every means of being so, however humble they may appear, or however irksome. The vain man is found superintending an hospital, listening to a national school-boy's task, or broiling over a turnpike-road in the middle of August. Without such a moving principle as vanity, how many useful employments must go begging for presidents and vice-presidents. Besides, a vain man in society is generally a very

pleasant one, if he has talents: as popularity is. his hobby-horse, he is always accoutred with his gentiest humours, and most attractive air; whilst the proud man is a vexation to himself, and a disgusting character to others, lives unloved, and dies unlamented

Pride hath no other glass

To shew itself but pride; for supple knees
Feed arrogance, and are the proud man's fees.
He that is proud eats up himself: pride is

His own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle, &c.
Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida.

Arts and Sciences.

*

A doubt has been made by an ingenious, but sophistical writer, whether the cultivation of the arts and sciences contribute to the peace and happiness of the world. The affirmative may be supported by a familiar instance. Who has not observed, on entrance into a nursery, that he has pacified the clamours of some children, and dried the tears of others, by an importation of som new play-things, which are their arts and sciences, and literary pursuits.

A Sequel to the former Article.

An Eastern Monarch and conqueror, who had invaded a nation superior to his own in learning.

J.J. Rousseau,

and civilization, and had taken their principal city, of which a great and splendid library was the chief ornament, was advised by some of his officers to destroy it. "No," said the sagacious warrior, "let the captives have their playthings, and then they will live in peace and submission." It has often been observed, that scholars are not warlike, and that warriors are seldom scholars. Both delight, in their respective, but very different, playthings -books and guns.

Sallust

Has great vigour of expression, and depth of thinking, combined with very uncommon and noble sentiments. Yet we must regret that, amidst his splendid narrative, and brilliant diffusion of knowledge, he is subject to the common objection brought against classical historians, viz. want of authority to support his facts. We should laugh at a modern author, should he, in the beginning of his history, and in settling the origin of his nation, say, "Italy was peopled at first by Eneas and his associates on their return from Troy, (sic accepi) as I have heard." A monkish historian could not have founded his narrative on a slighter foundation.-Bell. Catal. b. i. c. 6.

Bon Mot of Joseph Scaliger.

It is very generally and justly observed, that

with regard to the pronunciation of the Latin tongue, different nations utter it in their own vernacular tones and accents. J. Scaliger, being engaged in conversation with a learned Scot, which was carried on in the Latin tongue, at the conclusion made an apology to the gentleman for not answering him. "I hope, sir, you will excuse my not replying; as I really do not understand the Scotch language."

Lovers of Arguments.

These are the greatest pests in society; ever ready to enter on an argument, and unwilling always, and often unable, to conclude one. The author of Hudibras has most aptly described these abusers of the art logical

This pagan heathenish invention
Is good for nothing but contention:
For as in sword and buckler fight,
All blows do on the target light,
So when men argue, the greatest part
O'the contest falls on terms of art,
Until the fustian stuff be spent,
And then they fall to th' argument.

Bon Mot of Casaubon.

Canto 3d.

When in his youth, this eminent scholar first visited the college of the Sorbonne, his friend led him into the great hall, and observed, with much gravity of countenance, that disputes had been

"Pray,

carried on in this place for 400 years. what have they decided upon," said Causabon very drily. It may perhaps be a solution of this difficult question, when we are told that the Sorbonnists were great polemical theologians, and much addicted in early time to scholastic divinity. This circumstance did not escape the wit of S. Butler, He could raise scruples dark and nice, And after solve 'em in a trice,

As it divinity had catch'd

The itch, on purpose to be scratch'd, &c.'

Poets.

Hudibras, canto 1.

"Poeta nascitur non fit," seems rather an encouragement to unlearned poets, than a practical truth. The idea that a man is born a poet, and does not become so by study, &c. is hurtful to literature, as it sets folks on writing poetry, that cannot write even prose. Another great error is generated by the assertion, that obscurity is part of poetry, and necessary to its sublimity. If this were the case, writers of riddles and ænigmas would soar above epic poets, and tragic authors. If to write obscurely be a merit, to pursue the observation further, we must acknowledge that he who does not write at all, is an improvement upon that author who endeavours to make himself unintelligible.