yet they are apt to judge of a man from the general reception he has met with. Thus we see fops and fools succeed with women of sense, who are often humane enough to take a lover upon trust, and on the judgment of other people, though they may depend solely on their own in every thing else. In these cases a wo man's pride is concerned; she fancies it is a great proof of the power of her charms, if she can attract a man who has been favoured by other women, and she thinks, according to the old song, "If there's delight in love, 'tis when I see "That heart which others bleed for, bleed for

me."

Not considering that the man who obtains the good graces of the women in general, is seldom worth the regard of any one in particular.

These triflers in love, in both sexes, may be justly compared to flies that play about scalding liquors till they fall in and lose their life. But as no warning will prevent them from continuing their course, they must be left to their own experience, which, sooner or later, will infallibly convince them, that no attachments between the sexes can be satisfactory and permanent, but such as are founded on similitude of manners, and mutual esteem and affection.

FEMALE BEAUTY

And Ornaments.

The ladies in Spain gild their teeth, and those of the Indies paint them red; the blackest teeth are esteemed the most beautiful in Guzurat, and in some parts of America. In Greenland the women colour their faces with blue and yellow. However fresh the complexion of a Muscovite may be, she would think herself very ugly if she was not plastered over with paint. The Chinese must have their feet as diminutive as the shegoats, and to render them thus, their youth is passed in tortures. In ancient Persia, an aqualine nose was often thought worthy of the crown; and if there was any competition between two princes, the people generally went by this criterion of majesty. In some countries the mothers break the noses oftheir children, and in others press the head between two boards that may become

square. The ludian beauty is thickly smeared with bear's fat, and the female Hottentot receives from the hand of her lover, not silks or wreaths of flowers, but the warm entrails of animals newly slain, to dress herself with enviable or naments. In China small eyes are liked, and the girls are continually plucking their eye-brows that they may be small and long. The Turkish women dip a gold brush in the tincture of a black drug, which they pass over their eyebrows; it is too visible by day, but looks shining by night; they tinge their nails with a rose colour. An ornament for the nose seems to ns perfectly unnecessary; the Peruvians, however, think otherwise, and they hang from it a weighty ring, the thickness of which is regulated according to the rank of their husbands. The custom of boring it, as our ladies do their ears, is very common in several nations; through the perforation are hung various materials, such as green crystal, gold, stones, a single, and sometimes a great number of gold rings; this is rather troublesome to them in blowing their noses, and the fact is, some have informed as that the Indian ladies never perform this very useful operation,

The female head-dress is carried in some countries to singular extravagance. The Chinese fair carries on her head the figure of a certain bird; this is composed of copper or of gold, according to the rank of the person; the wings spread out, fall over the front of the head-dress, and conceal the temples; the tail long and open, forms a beautiful tuft of feathers; the beak covers the top of the nose; the neck is fastened to the body of the artificial animal by a spring, that it may the more freely play and tremble at the slightest motion. The extravagance of the Myantses is far more ridicu lous than the above; they carry on their heads a slight board, rather longer than a foot, and about six iuches broad, with this they cover their hair and seal it with wax. They cannot lie down, nor lean, without keeping the neck very straight, and the country being very woody, it is not uncommon to find them with their head-dress entangled in the trees. When ever they comb their hair they pass an hour by the fire in melting the wax; but this combing is only performed once or twice a year.

GRESSET.

The embellishment of the mind with acquired attainments, is the object of our early tuition, and engages us when years of maturity impose upon us our own instruction and regulation in con. duct; but there are many qualities which are not the offspring of cultiva tion and art, but are the pure and unasked-for boon of nature. There have been talents given to certain beings at their birth, which may have been improved, but the first seeds of which were sown with existence. There can be no doubt but that many persons receive faculties from the unknown source of life, which are justly adapted and forcibly intended to be employed in the achievements of some great undertaking, which is for the benefit of our race at large, and will cast a lustre and immortality around the head of the performer. If we examine the character of the sages of antiquity-the warriors of former times-or the illustrious men who shone in the circle of our forefathers, we shall perceive in their various transcend. ent actions, such peculiarities, and such stupendous endowments as strike us into awe, and excite us to enquire from whence they drew their abilities. The education which they received, is looked to as being the grand promoter of their wonderful talents-but this means is generally found not to have been within the reach of these individuals their birth was perhaps obscure, and penury hung around their primal days, and from misery and want, and obscurity, they sprung into fame. It, therefore, of necessity arises that these persons obtained their astonishing geniuses from the fountain of existence; that God implanted qualities in their breast, which should perform wonders, and effect in a striking manner, the knowledge and happiness of mankind.

Had Sir Isaac Newton's talents been generated by going to school, I may readily exclaim-what an infinity of Sir Isaacs there would exist in our days! We, however, are well aware that it was not to his tutors or learning, to which we are indebted for his magnificent disco

Z

veries. He was endowed with a mind which nursed conceptions of so high an order as to transcend eulogium. Tae best poesy will spring from those whom nature has only taught, and whilst their verses please, they astonish us, and flash upon the mind as being the genuine emanations of the muses. Akenside says

From heaven descends
The flame of genius on the human breast,
And love and beauty, and poetic joy,
And inspiration.

In the same way as a genius for poetry, painting, &c. &c. is the gift of nature, subject to improvement by cultivation and exercise, so it is with wit. True wit exists in few persons, in comparison to the myriads, who would be supposed to be amply possessed of it. It is a flame that is rarely known to burn pure in the mind of any individuals, though from the numbers who pretend to exhibit its brilliancy, we might suppose that we all were endowed more or less with talent. We find every cox. comb venting the effusions of some superior head, with as much assurance as if they had their origin in his own inventive cranium. The pedant gathers a stock of bright sayings, and now and then hurls forth one or two of them to the amazement of his auditors, and with all possible modesty, bears away the laurels of applause, and admiration. Every town, every village, and every hamlet can boast of the humour and wit which is to be found in its inhabitants, In small country places we shall generally find some person who carries the title of wit, and who bears in his memory a whole store of facetious expressions and smart answers: as those drop from his lips, amidst a crowd of ignorant and illiterate neighbours, they are received as being the strongest tokens of an astonishing mind, and of a wonderful genius. These bright emanations perhaps have all been plucked from the pages of an Encyclopedia of wit, or gathered by degrees through a long life. Yet they have the effect of amazing the credulous, and are usually adopted as

being the workings of superior abilities. It is astonishing how any thing of this kind will exalt a person in the estimation of those around him, provided they are ignorant of their real origin, and are incapable themselves of such reputable sayings. Indeed to so great an extent, will this name of wit attach to some persons, as to add terror to their name. They will be revered for their attainments, and will be feared in the use of them. They will be asked for judgment in cases of dispute, but their answer will be dreaded, though for soundness and justness it will be acknowledged. To be thought a wit, is the attempt of thousands, and where natural talent fails, I usually find that a little feint is called upon to supply the loss. It may be well when these plagiarisms in speech are not discovered; but whether they escape unnoticed or not, it is to be regretted that such a despicable means should be resorted to for the sake of shew and vaunting, since a person who once gives way to a dependence upon the talents of others, will not exert his own, and which, if properly and judiciously used, might be made serviceable to himself and others. Many an original and not despicable remark might issue from them, if they were brought under controul, and improved by attention and reading.

There is a species of levity which is often mistaken for wit: it indulges in grossness of expression, and though it may sometimes appear apt and appropriate, yet it may hold no character on a par with true wit. There is a refinement in the latter which exalts it into estimation. It is not like the former,low, unguarded, and rude; but is smart, terse, and forcible. It will bear repetition, and again yield pleasure; whilst the former may create a laugh, but upon consideration will be found coarse and obnoxious, and offends the more it is reflected upon. The former, too, will give offence under the mask of being plain; whilst the latter is cautious and shrewd, and seeks not poignancy so much as effect. A little raillery, or joke, is good in its place; and he is not worthy of the countenance of society who is not capable of submitting to a gibe occasionally: but this kind of pleasantry will become disagreeable from repetition, and should therefore be avoided. However mean this sort of mirth may be, we often find

its ebullitions classed with those of wit. Their nature is examined; their peculiarities are not compared; or I think the poverty of the one would be glaring when held in competition with the riches of the other.

There are numbers who love satire, and frequently denominate it wit. It may be smart and may serve to throw odium for awhile on the person to whom it is levelled; it may correct an error, and may call forth a blush from an offender. Satire is admired with a warmth that astonishes one: its object is to give pain, and I think the evil far overbalances the good that is done by the severe and keen language of the satirist. The refined mind will cherish satire for its smartness and for the vivacity of its remarks and language. Beside, it must be confessed, that wit not unfrequently is imbued with satire. Clever and terse condemnation may be mixed up with such sound and uncensurable expressions of wit as to disarm the critic almost entirely. There is a taste for satire which will endure as long as it is conducted with spirit; though the irascible temper of its strain is, generally speak ing, condemned. But though satire in a typographical form be countenanced, it must not receive applause when exerted amongst private friends, and in the bosom of society. It will there operate to produce dissension and wrangling: an individual will not tacitly sit still to hear the stern invective of the satirist.

It is a certain fact, that there are many pretenders to be wits; and that grossness of sentiment and low repartee will often meet with applause in preference to that genuine and refined expression which may always be known by the effect with which it takes hold of the mind; it will be admired for its vivacity and terseness, and its playfulness and harmlessness will ensure it applause, whilst it does not give pain to any one. It will bear to be examined, and will be found not to possess that tinsel and light character which expressions of an opposite nature always wear. It is not af fected, or the effect of labour and study, but flows from the mind with ease and propriety. If a man have not the power of wit given to him by nature, he may as well attempt to become a first rate poet from study and learning, as to ever sup pose that he can attain from artificial means that faculty which must receive

existence with life. The more he tries for it, the more he will find disappointment. It is thought to be so great an accomplishment, and to cast such lustre upon the name of the person who is master of it, that many entail upon themselves the disgust of society by the fulsome nonsense which they elicit, and which they are weak enough to suppose is witty and sharp. I have seen persons of this character more than once; and I have been disgusted with them in the extreme. They seemed to lay aside all sound conversation or reasoning, to indulge in their whim. No one around could do or say any thing but they passed some unpleasant and hateful remark which might give pain to the person at whom it was levelled, but which received the contempt of the company.

True wit will ever be known from that which is false and adulterated. It will ever be admired when it flows from its own pure and taintless source; but it is natural to suppose, that it will suffer some disparagement from the circumstance of its being so maltreated and abused as it is. It will require some discrimination to discover the one from the other: they will seldom be found but mixed up together; and, by this means, the latter species, which would otherwise be intolerable, is made, in some degree, palpable and seeming.

Griginal Poetry.

NIOBE IN THE TEMPLE OF
LATONA.

In the fair temple knelt the white robed train,
And the soft hymn stole thro' the sacred fane,
The balmy incense floating o'er the the shrine,
In shadowy clouds half veiled, the form divine,
At whose fair feet the lovely votaries bowed
And the dim volumes of the incense cloud,
Rolled higher as the holy virgins came,
Showering fresh roses on the censor's flame,
The virgins of the Altar, and again,
The choral hymn stole thro' the sacred fane;
The sweet low voice of music, such alone
As womans lip and soul of love may own.
"What seek ye here? before this simple
shrine;

"Deem ye the cold Latona's power divine?"
The startled votaries cease the choral lay,
Th' entrancing voice of music dies away;
The virgins of the Altar, gather round,
The sacred Image at the unhallowed sound,
As if they trembling sought in wild affright,
To shield their goddess from the impous

sight

Of proud Niobe, as her princely train,
Sweep thro' the arches of the sacred fane,
Her streaming robes of Tyrian purple bound
With clustering jewels, float upon the ground:
Her ringlets turned by many a sparkling gem,
Curl glossy round her princely diadem,
And her dark eyes in lightning glances speak,
The rage that glows upon her crimson'd cheek.
Towering in beauty midst her princely train,
One round white arm she lifts în proud disdain,
And pointing to the pure and stainless shrine,
"Can yon cold image's beauty equal mine?
What see ye there to waken thoughts of love?
My arm's were fitter for imperial jove."
I grant ye that on Delos floating shore,
A god and goddess this Latona bore,
A goddess, cold and joyless as the light,
Her own pale moon yields thro' the lonely
night,

Whose bosom never thrill'd with loves alarm's, A god, whose brightness yields before my charm's.

If ye will kneel and wake your hymns of praise
To me, the incense and the Altar raise,
For seven fair daughter's lovelier far than she,
Who rose in beauty from her parent sea,

And seven brave sons, whose names in glory shine,

The noblest in this lovely land, are mine.
Kneel then again ye virgins, kneel for one,
Whose eyes are brighter than Latona's son,
Whose beauty envy would in Dian raise,
And wake Niobe's, not Latona's praise.
A thousand flowers of rich and deep perfume,
Twined their long garlands round the lofty
dome,

And many a murmuring fountain rose to pour,
It's sparkling waters o'er the parian floor
Of that proud palace; where with busy care,
The

66 young Cytheria" plaid her broidery fair. O'er her whole neck, and crimson Taga's fold, Fell many a clustering tress of shadowy gold, And part with violets braided, backwards thrown,

Showed the white forehead and the cheek of down,

On one fair shoulder peeping o'er her vest,
A silvery dove light hover'd, often prest,
To the soft bosom of its mistress fair,
As its light pinions fann'd her golden hair,
Or swept in playful flights the trembling wire,
Waking the music of her slumbering lyre.
With clustering Roses
"Maia" formed a

braid,

The fair" Ianthe's snowy brow to shade,
Who, seated at her smiling sisters feet,
Pour'd forth a song of love so simply sweet.
The lyre of "Hyacinth" responsive rung,
In trancing cadence to the lay she sung,
The wild notes stealing o'er the trembling
string's,

Mixed with a distant fount's low murmurings,
And bending o'er that crystal fountains tide,"
Their fair cheek's blushing with their beauty's
pride,

Twining fresh roses in their silken hair
Stood
young Aglaie," and her sister fair
The innocent "Idalia," but alone
"She" sat the fairest on her purple throne,
The proud "Niobe," neither gein nor gold,
Play'd in her hair, or on her garment's fold,
A Nymph's white vestments and a purple veil,
Floated around her on the perfumed gale,
And those who sang, aud those who looked upon
Their beauty in the water's, were her own,
And that fair child who seated at her feet,
(The young "Astante") poured in accents

sweet,

A actress hymn to praise her Mother's charms,
All, all, had slumbered, infants in her arms;
Daughters of beauty, louder wake the lay,
And show your garlands in my warrior's way;
Hark echoing footsteps, oh once more they

come,

My gallant sons, in youthful glory home,
Hear ye the shouts of joy that rend the air ?"
A lengthen'd shriek of wild and deep despair,
Rings thro' the lofty dome! the triumph bold,
Fades from her cheek as wide the gates unfold,
My sons! my sons! oh, one with horror pale,
In roken accents tells the fearful tale;
That in the midst of their triumphal pride,
By unseen hands the youthful conqueror's died,
Oh, yet he trembles, for he seems to hear,
The unseen arrow's hissing thro' the air
Aghast she stands, and lifts her tearless eyes,
"Is this revenge, usurper of the skies.
Cold proud Latona oh my son! my son!
My youngest hope, my best beloved one
The houses guard again, with crimson pride,
Her glowing cheek and polished neck is dyed:
"Oh yet Latona, do I scorn thy power!
For seven fair daughters each the loveliest
flower,

Of Theban palaces are yet my own."

Her words are check'd by Maia's dying groan,
Who sinks in blood' while thro' the lofty dome,
The hissing darts are heard that seal their doom.
The young "lanthes" song of love is o'er,
Her fair hair mingles with the purple gore,
Of beauteous "Hyacinth," whose blue eyes
light,

Lovely in death are closed in endless night:
The limpid water's of the fountains tide,
With young "Aglaie, streaming blood is
dyed,

Her flower wreathed tresses float upon the wave,
The mirror of her beauty and its grave."
"Astarte" rushing from her purple seat,
Clings wildly to her speechless mother's feet,
"Idalia save me" but the fatal dart

Sinks deep in young "Cytheria's gentle heart, In death she falls, yet to her bleeding breast With artless love her fluttering "Dove" she

gold,

Twining amidst "Idalia's" sable pain,
And blood stained roses of her chaplet fair.
And she "Niobe" who amidst them stood,
Her long robes floating in her daughters blood,
Still to her bosom clasped the only one,
Who in the scene of blood survived alone,
This, this alone, she murmur'd, and she prest,
Closer around the child her shielding vest,
Lifts her white arm, and with a stifled groan,
"Latona hear me, grant me this alone;"
A wild unearthly laugh, and shout of joy,
Rings on her hear, the triumph of the sky,
A thousand darts come through the air,
And mingled voices seem to mock her prayer;
A low faint shriek, Niobe's ear doth ineet,
"Astarte" falls and writhing at her feet,
Lifts her ark eyes, robbed of their loveliest

fires,

The last of all Niobe's race expires.

She stands amidst them childless and alone, Stiffening with horror into senseless stone;

Still is the white arm rais'd, the sheltering vest,

Clashed closely to the cold and marble breast, The dark fixed eyes and bloodless cheek remain, And the white vestments bear the crimson stain, The pale and changeless brow that's mark'd alone,

• With speechless horror stiffens into stone,
And tears (that came not while she lived, to
speak

Her nameless anguish,) wet her marble cheek.
And still tho' years are past, Niobe stands,
A lonely Statue on her native sands,

The winds of heaven have marr'd the lovely form,

And clustering weeds and creeping moss de

form,

Her fatal beauty, but her tears still flow, The unceasing tribute of her endless woe. Ianthe.

THE LOVER'S VOW.

Oh! remember dear girl, when so blissfully flew,

The moments we pass'd in the grove; When clasp'd to your bosom you vow'd to prove true,

And seal'd it with kisses of love.
You bound me in fetters of roses entwin'd,
You danc'd to the light castanet;

You, me as your prize, to love's harbour consign'd.

And whisper'd mne, never forget.

Oh! remember the time, when responsive I cried,

To another you'd grant all your charms; Impassion'd you kiss'd me, and blushingly

sigh'd,

You'd guard me from all love's alarms. You breath'd forth the strains of the amorous

fire,

You turned the light Castanet, With sighs then you trilled the Teian lyre, Which truly I'll never forget.

AMICUS.

Pomfret, Dec. 23rd. 1821.

Anecdote. A buck of a highwayman was hanged along with a chimneysweeper. When the ordinary was reading the preparatory prayers, the latter pushed rather rudely on the former to listen to the parson. "You dirty rascal," said the highwayman, "what do you mean pressing on me?" The poor sweep replied, "I have as much right here as you Sir."

Anecdote.-An ignorant fellow being about to be married, resolved to make himself perfect in the responses of the service; but by mistake got by heart the office of baptism for riper years: so when he was asked in the church"Wilt thou have this woman, &c." he answered, "I renounce them all." The clergyman said, "I think you are a fool:" to which he replied, “All this I steadfastly believe."