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elevated seat, and supported partly by one slender arm, while the other glowing palm is held forth reproachfully to the deceitful Phaon. No drapery hides her smooth shoulders and body; but over her knees a gauzy peplon spreads in folds transparent as a stream, and sinuous as its waves:-so in sweet Spenser the fair witch, Acrasia, lies in her delicious bower

Arayd, or rather disarayd All in a vele of silke and silver thin, That hid no whit her alablaster skin, But rather shewd more white, if more might

bee:

More subtle web Arachne cannot spin; Nor the fine nets which oft we woven see Of scorched deaw, do not in th' ayre more lightly flee.

Let Mr. Tassie also receive your instructions to cast the following beauties. The fragmental sitting Venus and Cupid, with two cornucopiæ. The voluptuous kneeling Leda (1199). The same subject (1232). The misnomed naked Psyche, her back nearly turned to us, looking up at a rock (engraved by Moses, as Diana and Acteon). Greek warrior completely armed cowering behind his shield (7471). "The Nymph of beauteous ankles, Amphitrite, Daughter of Doris many-tressed,"

Whose haunt

Is midst the waters of the sterile main.

Next, the Nereid (2600) skimming the briny green with buoyant limbs. -Another Nymph of deep-flowing ocean (2599). The Moon, Jove's daughter, in her chariot, drawn by two ramping horses, with manes of curled flames. Gracefully reaching forward, she moderates their snorting speed; and, from her far-off-seen silver robes, exhales unspeakable splendour round about the sky star powdered. The sitting Clio, examining a scroll, her lyre near her on a pedestal; most delicate workmanship. The Egyptian Lioness (36), a terrific idea. The Sleeping Hermaphrodite, fanned by Cupids, mentioned above (2516). A rich fragment (Love reining in two Tigers yoked to a car, of which only the fore wheel remains) (6731). A bearded warrior and two high-bred horses: a matchless gem. Venus putting off

her sandal (6230.) The bust of Adrian's favourite, the Boy Antinous; the massy hair arranged with the utmost science and feeling (11701). The noted Minerva of the Florence Gallery (1536), wearing the Ægis as a breast-plate; her neck is circled with a splendid chain composed of pearls and golden acorns; large drops of the same are in her ears, and her high head is crowned with an elaborately ornamented casque, triple crested (rpvpaλeta). The finely shaped but singular Amor drawing his bow, engraved by Millin (6625). The precious cameo of Achilles beguiling the wearisome hours of his voluntary idleness with the sounds of his phorminx, agreeable to the description of Homer,

Τὸν δ ̓ εὗρον φρένα τερπόμενον φόρμιγγι

λιγείη,

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Καλή, δαιδαλέη, ἐπὶ δ' ἀργύρεος ζυγός ήεν, &c. Ιλιάδ. Ι. 186.

thus expounded by Mr. Lamb's fine old favourite, Chapman (Cowper is flat and wrong, in my opinion):

-They found him set Delighted with his solemn harp, which curiously was fret With works conceited, through the verge. -The bawdrick that embrac't His lofty neck was silver twist :-this (when his hand laid wasté

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Eetion's city) he did chuse, as his especial prize,

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And loving sacred music well, made it his exercise.

To it he sung the glorious deeds of great Heroes dead,

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And his true mind, that practice fail'd, * with contemplation fed, an

I shall not trouble' you, Sir,' with any more items of this catalogue, at least, for the duration of thirty days; the which time is sufficiently filled up for the most ravenous of Hot-up-on'ts. However, as a sort of supplement to the casts, I recommend Sir W. Hamilton's second collection of vases, edited by Tischbein; the letter-press from the learned pen of Italinsky. It was put forth at different times, in four volumes folio; each containing about 62 plates, chastely engraved in outline, illustrative of the Bacchic and Eleusinian mysteries, and the noble traditions of Thebes and windy Ilium. Though far superior

* i. e. lacked.

in fidelity to the costly tomes of D'Hancarville, and equal, quite equal in interest of subject and captivating grace of design; it has never met with its due regard in this country, and, I dare say, may be picked up under its original price (twelve guineas), though that was extremely moderate, considering its handsome appearance. Should many of the compositions strike you at the first opening as quaint and uncouth, be not discouraged from the purchase, but modestly yield the palm of taste to the old artists-and pique yourself rather on extracting gold dust from the concealing mud, than in possessing the microscopic vision of the fly for filth and deformity.*

I have thus commenced a plan of study, calculated, I sincerely believe, to inspire a true, because well principled, love for the fine arts, a plan which, if strenuously supported and

acted on, would speedily abolish the pernicious, the senseless method of collecting, not by painters, but by their translators (rather traducers) the engravers, a class of craftsmen whose highest aim must be implicit servility (hard as the phrase may seem), and who necessarily bear the same relation to the inventor, as the mere builder to the architect.

Dear readers, who have had the politeness to go so far with me--good night-God bless you all-and keep you free from such a vile fever and inflamed wind-pipe as I have now! If any of you are good-natured and idle, you cannot employ a few minutes more charitably, than by writing a civil line or two to our amiable Editors (signed Constant Readers!!) requesting them by all means continue the agreeable and popular lectures" of

"to

JANUS WEATHERCOCK.

The characteristic of this odiously squeamish, canting, profligate age!

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IN comparing modern with ancient manners, we are pleased to compliment ourselves upon the point of gallantry, as upon a thing altogether unknown to the old classic ages. This has been defined to consist in a certain obsequiousness, or deferential respect, paid to females, as females.

I shall believe that this principle actuates our conduct, when I can forget, that in the nineteenth century of the era, from which we date our civility, we are but just beginning to leave off the very frequent practice of whipping females in public, in common with the coarsest male of fenders,

I shall believe it to be influential, when I can shut my eyes to the fact, that in England, women are still occasionally hanged.

I shall believe in it, when actresses are no longer subject to be hissed off a stage by gentlemen.

I shall believe in it, when Dorimant hands a fish-wife across the kennel; or assists the apple-woman to pick up her wandering fruit, which some unlucky dray has just dissipated.

VOL. VI.

I shall believe in it, when the Dorimants in humbler life, who would be thought in their way notable adepts in this refinement, shall act upon it in places where they are not known, or think themselves not observed when I shall see the traveller for some rich tradesman part with his admired box coat, to spread it over the defenceless shoulders of the poor woman, who is passing to her parish on the roof of the same stage-coach with him, drenched in the rain-when I shall no longer see a woman standing up in the pit of a London theatre, till she is sick and faint with the exertion, with men about her, seated at their ease, and jeering at her distress; till one, that seems to have more manners or conscience than the rest, significantly declares" she should be welcome to his seat, if she were a little younger and handsomer." Place this dapper warehouseman, or that rider, in a circle of their own female acquaintance, and you shall confess you have not seen a politer-bred man in Lothbury.

Lastly, I shall begin to believe that there is some such principle, influ

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454

Modern Gallantry.

encing our conduct, when more than one half of the drudgery and coarse servitude of the world shall cease to be performed by women.

Until that day comes, I shall never believe this boasted point to be any thing more than a conventional fiction; a pageant got up between the sexes, in a certain rank, and at a certain time of life, in which both find their account equally.

I shall be even disposed to rank it among the salutary fictions of life, when in polite circles I shall see the same attentions paid to age as to youth, to homely features as to handsome, to coarse complexions as to clear to the woman, as she is a woman, not as she is a beauty, a fortune, or a title.

I shall believe it to be something more than a name, when a welldressed gentleman in a well-dressed company can advert to the topic of female old age without exciting, and intending to excite a sneer:-when the phrases" antiquated virginity," and such a one has "overstaid her market," pronounced in good company, shall raise immediate offence in man, or woman, that shall hear them spoken.

Joseph Paice, of Bread-street-hill, merchant, and one of the Directors of the South Sea company-the same to whom Edwards, the Shakspeare commentator, has addressed a fine sonnet-was the only pattern of consistent gallantry I have met with. He took me under his shelter at an early age, and bestowed some pains upon me. I owe to his precepts and example whatever there is of the man of business (and that is not much) in my composition. It was not his fault that I did not profit more. Though bred a Presbyterian, and brought up a merchant, he was the finest gentleman of his time. He had not one system of attention to females in the drawing room, and another in the shop, or at the stall. I do not mean that he made no distinction. But he never lost sight of sex, or overlooked it in the casualties of a disadvantageous situation. I have seen him stand bare-headed smile, if you please to a poor servant girl, while she has been inquiring of him the way to some street-in such a posture of unforced ivility, as neither to embarrass her

in the acceptance, nor himself in the offer, of it. He was no dangler, in the common acceptation of the word, after women: but he reverenced and upheld, in every form in which it came before him, womanhood. I have seen him-nay, smile not-tenderly escorting a market-woman, whom he had encountered in a shower, exalting his umbrella over her poor basket of fruit, that it might receive no damage, with as much carefulness as if she had been a Countess. To the reverend form of Female Eld he would yield the wall (though it were to an ancient beggar-woman) with more ceremony than we can afford to show our grandams. He was the Preux Chevalier of Age; the Sir Calidore, or Sir Tristan, to those who have no Calidores or Tristans to defend them. The roses, that had long faded thence, still bloomed for him in those withered and yellow cheeks.

He was never married, but in his youth he paid his addresses to the beautiful Susan Winstanley - old Winstanley's daughter of Claptonwho dying in the early days of their courtship, confirmed in him the resolution of perpetual bachelorship. It was during their short courtship, he told me, that he had been one day treating his mistress with a profusion of civil speeches-the common gallantries-to which kind of thing she had hitherto manifested no repugHe could not obtain nance-but in this instance with no effect. from her a decent acknowledgment in return. She rather seemed to resent his compliments. He could not set it down to caprice, for the lady had always shown herself above that littleness. When he ventured on the following day, finding her a little better humoured, to expostulate with her on her coldness of yesterday, she confessed, with her usual frankness, that she had no sort of dislike to his attentions; that she could even endure some high-flown compliments; that a young woman placed in her situation had a right to expect all sort of civil things said to her; that she hoped, she could digest a dose of adulation, short of insincerity, with as little injury to her humility as most young women: but thata little before he had commenced his compliments-she had overheard him

by accident, in rather rough language, rating a young woman, who had not brought home his cravats quite to the appointed time, and she thought to herself, "As I am Miss Susan Winstanley, and a young lady —a reputed beauty, and known to be a fortune,-I can have my choice of the finest speeches from the mouth of this very fine gentleman who is courting me--but if I had been poor Mary Such-a-one, (naming the milliner)and had failed of bringing home the cravats to the appointed hourthough perhaps I had sat up half the night to forward them-what sort of compliments should I have received then?-And my woman's pride came to my assistance; and I thought, that if it were only to do me honour, a female, like myself, might have received handsomer usage: and I was determined not to accept any fine speeches, to the compromise of that sex, the belonging to which was after all my strongest claim and title to them."

I think the lady discovered both generosity, and a just way of thinking, in this rebuke which she gave her lover; and I have sometimes imagined, that the uncommon strain of courtesy, which through life regulated the actions and behaviour of my friend towards all of womankind indiscriminately, owed its happy origin to this seasonable lesson from the lips of his lamented mistress.

I wish the whole female world would entertain the same notion of these things, that Miss Winstanley showed. Then we should see something of the spirit of consistent gallantry; and no longer witness the anomaly of the same man—a pattern of true politeness to a wife-of cold contempt, or rudeness, to a sisterthe idolater of his female mistressthe disparager and despiser of his no less female aunt, or unfortunate-still female-maiden cousin. Just so much respect as a woman derogates from her own sex, in whatever condition placed-her handmaid, or dependant

she deserves to have diminished from herself on that score; and probably will feel the diminution, when youth, and beauty, and advantages, not inseparable from sex, shall lose of their attraction. What a woman should demand of a man in courtship, or after it, is first-respect for her as she is a woman;-and next to that to be respected by him above all other women. But let her stand upon her female character, as upon a foundation; and let the attentions, incident to individual preference, be so many pretty additaments, and ornaments-as many, and as fanciful, as you please-to that main structure. Let her first lesson be-with sweet Susan Winstanley-to reverence her sex.

ELIA.

AWAKE, MY LOVE.

1.

Awake, my love! ere morning's ray
Throws off night's weed of pilgrim grey;
Ere yet the hare cower'd close from view
Licks from her fleece the clover dew;
Or wild swan shakes her snowy wings,
By hunters roused from secret springs;
Or birds upon the boughs awake,
Till green Arbigland's woodlands shake.

2.

She comb'd her curling ringlets down,

Laced her green jupes and clasp'd her shoon, And from her home by Preston burn

Came forth, the rival light of morn.

The lark's song dropt, now loud, now hush

The gold-spink answered from the bush

The plover, fed on heather crop,

Call'd from the misty mountain top.

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ON THE MORAL INFLUENCE OF ETIQUETTE AND PARADE.

SOME philosophers and declaimers, disgusted with the vanities of polite society, have concluded that happiness and true dignity can exist only in the savage state. Herein, I think, they are manifestly wrong. There is an intermediate state, surely, between the opposite extremes of barbarism and extravagant refinement, better suited than either of them to the free and right exercise of man's intellectual endowments and natural affections. Man was right, it appears to me, when he betook himself to soap and water; neither is he without a respectable plea for his use of combs; nor can I, in my heart, think much the worse of him, for declining to eat his meat either raw or alive. In his moral conditions too, as well as in his external circumstances, I can make many allowances for his departure from some of the simplicities of Otaheitè. His emancipation from thievish propensities, for instance, may be borne with; and his neglect of the "good old practice" of knocking young children or old persons on the head, when consider ed troublesome or unnecessary, is, in my opinion, absolutely commendable. These modest improvements are within the verge of the intermediate state that I have mentioned; and no man, perhaps, in clothes and his senses, would deliberately condemn them. If there were no such state, however, and the question of preference lay between a condition

purely natural or savage, and the highest degree of what we call refinement-between a wigwam and a palace, the Boshies-men and the beau monde-a man might hesitate in his decision, yet not be mad; or might finally turn from kings and their courts, and give his choice to his kindred in the woods, yet not be indifferent to the glories of human intellect, and the charms of human love and kindness.

Coarseness is the besetting sin of uncivilized life-while civilization in its excess degenerates into effeminacy, frivolity, and all the timid vices, headed by their chief, hypocrisy. Now coarseness is by no means incompatible with the highest attributes of mind, and often enters even into the gentlest charities of our nature-not indeed without violence to the softness of their exterior forms, but without injury_to their vital pith and substance. We certainly cannot say this of that combination of feebleness, coldness, and affectation, however set off by polish, which is the peculiar produce of "the best society." The noblest creations of mind in poetry have abounded with extreme coarseness; and it has been questioned, whether this quality, the result of an irresponsible boldness and freedom, be not in some degree inseparable from the highest order of genius. The rules which govern taste, it has been said, frighten invention; they make a man at once

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