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Sir William Elwaies, Lieutenant of the Tower who was tried for being accessary, and that in a passive way only, to the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, gave a remarkable instance upon the gallows, that people should be very cautions how they make vows to heaven, for the breach of them seldom passes without a judgment, whereof he was a most ruthful example. Being in the Low Countries, and being much given to gaming, he once made a solemn vow (which he brake afterwards,) that if he played above such a sum he might be hanged.-Howel's Family Letters to my Father, letter 2, vol ii.

Laying out Grounds.

Much has been written of late years on this subject, and the principles of the art discussed with much ability, and some sharp dissensions. Pope, who well understood the matter, has, with his usual powers of condensing precepts, furnished us with these excellent observations, which shew the man of taste and science, equally with the Doet

Consult the genius of the place in all,
That tells the waters or to rise or fall,

Or helps the ambitious hill the heavens to scale,

Or scoops in circling theatres the vale,
Calls in the country, catches opening glades,
Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades,
Now breaks or now directs the intended lines,
Paints as you plant, and as you work designs.

Art of Criticism, line 57.

It is observable here, that the poet has borrowed much of his illustrative imagery from the sister art of painting, the use of which an elegant and very amusing writer has recommended to all landscape gardeners.-See Uvedale Price on the Picturesque, &c. 3 vols. 8vo.

Ancient and Modern Superstition.

The following descriptions of a superstitious person, by an ancient writer, seem to bear a close resemblance to the same characters in our own days. The fanciful superstitionist accounts every little distemper in his body, or decay in his estate, the deaths of his children, and public calamities, as the immediate strokes of God, and the incursions of some vindictive Dæmon. He dares not therefore attempt to remove or relieve his disasters, or to use the least remedy, for fear he should seem to struggle with God, or to make resistance under correction. If he be sick, he thrusts away the physician; if he be in any grief, he shuts out the philosopher who would advise and comfort him. 'Let me alone,' saith he, to pay for my sins,

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I am a curst and vile offender, and detestable both to God and Angels."

The Subject Continued.

"How can any succour, in word or deed, be administered to a superstitious person? He sits down without doors in sackcloth, or wrapt up in foul and nasty rags; yea, many times rolls himself naked in mire, repeating over I know not what sins and transgressions of his own; how he did eat this thing, and drink t'other thing, &c. But, suppose all goes well with him, and he is now at his most temperate devotions, you shall even then find him sitting down in the midst of his house, all be-charmed and be-spelled with a parcel of old women about him, tagging all they can light on, and hanging it upon him, (to use an expression of. Bion,) as upon a nail or peg."-Plutarch, of Superstition.

A Modern Joke returned to its Owner.

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It is reported of the late Lord North, of facetious memory, that on a fit of the gout threatening to approach him, he called for his shoes which he wore on those occasions. "Sir," replied the servant, some person has stolen them." I wish,' said the facetious minister, they may soon fit the fellow. The shoes of Demonides, the crip

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ple, were lost, and he supposed he had been robbed of them. "I wish that they may fit the robber," said the philosopher.-Plutarch, on reading the Poets.

Music, its Use.

Two great men, Euripides and Plutarch, differ widely on the propriety of introducing music at a feast. "If at any time," says the philosopher, "'tis over a glass of wine that music should be allowed, then chiefly Apollo and Bacchus harmonize; and Euripides shall not persuade me that music should be applied to melancholy and grief, for there sober reason should, like a physician, take care of the diseased mind." But let us hear the poet

Queen of every moving measure,
Sweetest source of purest pleasure,
Music, why thy powers employ
Only for the sons of joy,
Only for the smiling guests
At natal or at nuptial feasts?
Rather thy lenient numbers pour
On those whom secret griefs devour,
And with some softly whisper'd air,

Smooth the brow of dumb despair.

Imitated from the Medea of Euripides, by Dr. Joseph Warton.

*See his Symposiacs.

Dull Authors.

When men of this common but unfortunate description complain that the world gives their works a very bad reception, they gain, and indeed are entitled to, very little compassion. Such persons remind one of many a silly fellow, who thinks himself a wag, and makes very heavy complaints if you do not laugh at his good things, as he calls them.

Thoughtless Persons.

A false idea of compassion has given rise to this incorrect phrase, when applied to persons whose conduct is blameable by neglecting the common cautions, decencies, and duties of their stations. A man who contracts a debt which he is very slow in discharging, yet continues to lead the same expensive mode of life, is far from being thoughtless, but is ever thinking how he shall defer the evil day of payment, and how he shall contrive to continue the same pleasures at the expense of others. He who lives beyond his income is a most selfish man, and heeds not the ills he brings. on others; and yet it is well known, hat self-lore is very thoughtful about itself.

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