The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review

SANS SOUCI.

Friendship of women. Women are more constant in friendship than men, for these reasons: the temperament of women is more cold, and therefore less likely to change or fly off from an object, to which they are once attached. The same coolness of constitution renders them more subject to timidity; and so they adhere to objects of affection, because they are fearful of losing what they value.

Scaliger.

Scaliger used to say, that he could not comprehend the causes

well described by an ancient phrase "cor suum edens," eating his own heart. Absolute singleness is the character of the Deity only; but man is too feeble and dependent to subsist by himself.

Swift was invited by a rich miser with a large party to dine; being requested by the host to return thanks at the removal of the cloth, uttered the following grace: Thanks for this miracle !-this is no less, Than to eat manna in the wilderness. Where raging hunger reign'd we've found relief, And seen that wondrous thing a piece of beef. Here chimneys smoke, that never smok'd before,

of three things; the interval of And we've all ate, where we shall eat no more.

an ague, the motion of the sea, and the nature of his own memory.

Medici.

The family of the Medici, most probably, took their rise from some ancestor, who was an eminent physician, as they still bear in their arms the device of five pills.

Aristippus was very fond of magnificent entertainments, and loved a court life. Dionysius asked him, in a sarcastick manner, the reason, why philosophers were seen often at the gates of princes, but princes never at the doors of philosophers? "For the same reason," replied the philosopher, "that physicians are found at the doors of sick men, but sick men never at the doors of physicians."

Etymology of Decreptitude. The comparison of human life to the burning and going out of a lamp was familiar with Latin authors, as we know by the terms "senes decrepiti." A lamp, just about to expire, was said decrepare, to cease to crackle. Hence metaphorically, persons on the verge of the grave were called decrepit

men.

Solitude.

It is an observation of Seneca, that we should mix company and retirement, in order to make them both pleasant by change. The wish always to be alone shows the temper of a wild, ferocious animal, carries with it the dismal darkness of the tomb. The effect of such a disposition of mind is

Sonnet on a Sonnet, by Lopez de
Vega.

Capricious-a sonnet needs must have;
I ne'er was put to't before-a sonnet!
Why fourteen verses must be sper.t upon it,
"Tis good however t'have conquer'd the first

stave.

Yet shall I ne'er find rhymes enough by half,
Said I, and found myself i' th' midst o' the

second,

If twice four verses were but fairly reckon❜d,
I should turn back on th' hardest part, and laugh.

Thus far with good success I think I've scribbled,
And of the twice seven lines clean got o'er ten;

Courage! another'll finish the first triplet;
Thanks to the Muse, my work begins to shorten.
See thirteen lines got through, dribblet by

dribblet;

'Tis done, count how you will, I warr'nt there's fourteen,

POETRY

EXTRACT FROM SOUTHEY'S

MADOC.

...THERE was not, on that day, a speck to stain
The azure heaven; the blessed Sun, alone,
In un approachable divinity,
Careered, rejoicing in his fields of light.
How beautiful, beneath the bright blue sky,
The billows heave ! one glowing green expanse,
Save where along the bending line of shore
Such hue is thrown, as when the peacock's neck
Assumes its proudest tint of amethyst,
Embathed in emerald glory. All the Rocks
Of Ocean are abroad : like hoating foam,
The sea-gulls rise and fall upon the waves ;
With long protruded neck the cormorants
Wing their far flight aloft, and round and round
The plovers wheel, and give their note of joy.
It was a day that sent into the heart
A summer feeling : even the insect swarms
From their dark nooks and coverts issued forth,
For one day of existence more, and joy ;
The solitaty primrose, on the bank,
Scened now as though it had no cause to mourn
Its bleak autumnal birth ; the Rocks, and shores
And everlasting Mountains, had put on
The smile of that glad sunshine, . thcy partook
The universal blessing.

And can we doubt that horrid ghosts ascend,
Which on the conscious murderer's steps attend !
Hear then, and let attested truth prevail ;
From faithful lips I learnt the dreadful tale.

Where Arden's forest spreads its limits wide,
Whose branching paths the doubtful road divides
A traveller took his solitary way,
When low beneath the hills was sunk the day.
And now the skies with gathering darkness lour,
The branches rustle with the threatened shower;
With sudden blasts the forest murmurs loud,
Indented lightnings cleave the sable cloud,
Thunder on thunder breaks, the tempest roars,
And heaven discharges all its watery stores.
The wandering traveller shelter secks in vain,
And shrinks and shivers with the beating rain :
On his steed's neck the slackened bridle lay,
Who chose with cautious step th'uncertain way ;
And now he checks the rein, and halts to hear
If any noise foretold a village ncar.
At length from far a stream of light he sees
Extend its level ray beneath the trees ;
Thither he speeds, and, as he nearer came,
Joyful he knew the lamp's domestick flame
That trembled thro' the window ; cross the way
Darts forth the barking cur, and stands at bay.

It was an ancient lonely house, that stood Upon the borders of the spacious wood; Here towers and antique battlements arise, And there in heaps tie mouldered ruin lies. Some lord this mansion held in days of yore, To ehace the wolf, and pierce the foaming boar ; How changed, alas, from what it once had been ! Tis now degraded to a publick inn. Straight he dismounts, repeats his loud com

mands: Swift at the gate the ready landlord stands ; With frequent cringe he bows, and begs cxcuse, His house was full, and every bed in use. What, not a garret, and no straw to spare ? Why then the kitchen-fire and elbow-chair Shall serve for once to nod away the night. The kitchen ever is the servants' righi, Replies the host; there, all the fire around, The Count's tir'd footmen snore upon the ground.

The maid, who listend to this whole debate, With pity learnt the weary stranger's fate. Be brave, she cried, you still may be our guest; Our haunted room was ever held the best : if then your valout can the fright sustain Of rattling curtains, and the clinking chain; If your courageous tongue have power to talk, When round your bed the horrid ghost shall walk; If you dare ask it, why it leaves its tomb; P'll see your shects well air’d, and shiew the room. Soon as the frighted maid licr tale had told, The stranger enter'd, for his heart was bold.

The dansel led him through a spacious hall, Whers ivy hung the half-dcmonsbed wall;

TRUE STORY OF AN APPARITION.

By Gay.
SCEPTICKS (whose strength of argument

makes out,
That wisdom's decp inquiries end in doubt)
Hold this assertion positive and clear,
That sprites are pure delusions, rais'd by fear.
Not that fam'd ghost, which in presaging sound
Callid Brutus to Philippi's fatal ground,
Nor can Tibcrius Gracchus' goary shade
These ever-doubting disputants persuade.
Straight they with smiles reply, Those tales of old
By visionary priests were made and told.
Oh, might some ghost at dead of night appear,
And make you own conviction by your fear!
I know your sneers my easy faith accuse,
Which with such idle legends scares the Muse ;
But think not that I tell those valgar sprites,
Which frighted boys relate on winter nights,
How cleanly milk-maids meet the fairy train,
How heedless horses drag the clinking chain,
Night-roaming ghosts, by saucer eye-balls known,
The common spectres of each country-town.
No, I such fables can like you despise,
And laugh to hear these nurse-invented lies.
Yet, has not oft' the fraudful guardian's fright
Compclld him to restore an orphan's right
vel. III. No, 2.

She frequent look'd behind, and chang'd her hue, While fancy tipt the candle's flame with blue. And now they gain'd the winding stairs' ascent, And to the lonesome room of terrours went. When all was ready, swift retir'd the maid, The watch-lights burn, tuck'd warm in bed was

laid

The hardy stranger, and attends the sprite
Till his accustom'd walk at dead of night.

At first he hears the wind with hollow roar Shake the loose lock, and fwing the creaking door ;.

Nearer and nearer draws the dreadful sound
Of rattling chains that dragg'd upon the ground:
When lo, the spectre came with horrid stride,
Approach'd the bed, and drew the curtains wide!
In human form the ghastful phantom stood,
Expos'd his mangled bosom dy'd with blood.
Then, silent pointing to his wounded breast,
Thrice way'd his hand. Beneath the frighted
guest

The bed-cords trembled, and with shuddering

fear,

Sweat chill'd his limbs, high rose his bristled hair; Then muttering hasty prayers, he mann'd his heart,

And cried aloud: Say, whence and who thou art ?
The stalking ghost with hollow voice replies,
Three years are counted since with mortal eyes
I saw the sun, and vital air respir'd.
Like thee benighted, and with travel tir'd,
Within these walls I slept. O thirst of gain!
See, still the planks the bloody mark retain.
Stretch'd on this very bed, from sleep I start,
And see the steel impending o'er my heart;
The barbarous hostess held the lifted knife,
The floor ran purple with my gushing life.
My treasure now they sieze, the golden spoil
They bury deep beneath the grass-grown soil,
Far in the common field. Be bold, arise,
My steps shall lead thee to the secret prize;
There dig and find; let that thy care reward,
Call loud on justice, bid her not retard
To punish murder; lay my ghost at rest:
So shall with peace secure thy nights be blest;
And, when beneath these boards my bones are
found,

Decent inter them in some sacred ground.

Here ceas'd the ghost. The stranger springs from bed,

And boldly follows where the phantom led: The half-worn stony stairs they now descend, Where passages obscure their arches bend. Silent they walk; and now through groves they pass,

Now through wet meads their steps imprint the

grass.

At length amidst a spacious field they came: There stops the spectre, and asceads in flame, Amaz'd he stood, no bush or brier was found, To teach his morning search to find the ground. What could he do? the night was hideous dark, Fear shook his joints, and nature dropt the mark: With that he starting wak'd, and rais'd his head, But found the golden mark was left in bed.

What is the statesman's vast ambitious scheme, But a short vision and a golden dream? Power, wealth, and title, elevate his hope; He wakes: but, for a garter, finds a rope.

PAIRING-TIME ANTICIPATED.

A fable. By Cowper.

I SHALL not ask Jean Jacques Rousseau,
If birds confabulate or no;

"Tis clear that they were always able
To hold discourse, at least in fable;
And ev❜n the child, who knows no better,
Than to interpret by the letter,

A story of a cock and bull,

Must have a most uncommon skull.

It chanc'd then, on a winter's day, But warm and bright, and calm as May, The birds, conceiving a design

To forestal sweet St. Valentine,

In many an orchard, copse, and grove,
Assembled on affairs of love,

And with much twitter, and much chatter,
Began to agitate the matter.

At length a Bulfinch, who could boast
More years and wisdom than the most,
Entreated, opening wide his beak,
A moment's liberty to speak i
And, silence publickly enjoin'd,
Deliver'd briefly thus his mind.

My friends! be cautious how ye treat
The subject upon which we meet;
I fear we shall have winter yet.

A Finch, whose tongue knew no control,
With golden wing and satin pole,
A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried
What marriage means, thus pert replied.

Methinks the gentleman, quoth she,
Opposite in the apple-tree,

By his good will would keep us single,
Till yonder heav'n and earth shall mingle,
Or (which is likelier to befal)
Till death exterminate us all.
I marry without more ado,

My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?

Dick heard. and tweedling, ogling, bridling,
Turning short round, strutting and sideling,
Attested, glad, his approbation
Of an immediate conjugation.
Their sentiments so well express'd,
Influenc'd mightily the rest,

All pair'd, and each pair built a nest.
But though the birds were thus in haste,
The leaves came on not quite so fast,
And destiny, that sometimes bears
An aspect stern on men's affairs,
Not altogether smil'd on theirs.
The wind, of late breath'd gently forth,
Now shifted east and east by north;
Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,
Could shelter them from rain or snow,
Stepping into their nests, they paddled,
Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled;
Soon ev'ry father bird and mother
Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other,
Parted without the least regret,
Except that they had ever met,
And learn'd, in future, to be wiser,
Than to neglect a good adviser.

Instruction.

Misses the tale that I relate

This lesson seems to carryChoose not alone a proper mate, But proper time to marry.

It was one of the whimsical speculations of this philosopher, that all fables which ascribe reason and speech to animals should be withheld from children, as being only vehicles of deception. But what child was ever deceived by them, or can be, against the evidence of hi senses?

THE BOSTON REVIEW,

For FEBRUARY, 1806.

Librum tum legi & quam diligentissime potui annotavi, quæ commutanda, quæ eximenda, ar

bitrarer. Nam ego dicere verum assuevi. Neque ulli paticntius reprehenduntur, quam qui maximc laudari merentur.Pliny.

ARTICLE 1.

us with those of some other genMemoirs of the American Academy tlemen, who accompanied him in

of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 1. attending to these phenomena. 1785. 4to. pp. 568.

And having corresponding obser

vations of the first of the said e[Coatinued.)

clipses at Beverly, Chelsea, PeV. Some select astronomical ob- nobscott-Bay,and Providence in the servations made at Chelsea, latitude state of Rhode Island, he subjoins 42° 25', and 26" in time east of the their differences of longitude,which university at Cambridge. By the he had deduced, and consequently Rev. Phillips Payson, F.A.A. their longitudes from Cambridge,

The astronomical observations, that of Chelsea relatively to Camhere selected, are those of several bridge being known. Hence it emersions of Jupiter's first, sec- appears, that the longitude of Bevond, and third satellites in 1779; erly eastward from Cambridge is l' three solar eclipses, namely, in 11" in time ; that of PenobscottJune, 1778, October, 1780, and Bay 9' 15"; and that of Provi. April, 1782 ; two lunar eclipses, dence 1' 7" westward. namely, in May, 1979, and Novem. From the times of the contacts ber, 1780 ; and the transit of of Mercury at the said transit, Mercury in November, 1782. president Willard, using Mayer's VI.

Observation of the transit solar tables, and De La Lande's of Mercury over the sun, Nov. 12,

tables of Mercury, calculates the 1782, at Ipswich. By the Rev. angle of Mercury's apparent way Manasseh Cutler, F.A.A.

with the ecliptick, the time of the The going of the clock was ecliptick conjunction, the errour carefully examined, and the times of the tables in the latitude of Merof all the contacts, except the first cury at that time, which appears external, were determined.

to be 55.98 in defect. He also de

duces the place of Mercury's as-, VII. memoir, containing ob. cending node, and calculates it servations of a solar eclipse, Octo- from the tables ; whence it apber, 27, 1780, made at Beverly : pears, that the latter differs from Also of a lunar eclipse, March 29, the former 1'34" in excess. 1782 ; of a solar eclipse, April 12, VIII. Observations of a solar and of the transit of Mercury over eclipse, October 27, 1780, made at the sun's disc, November 12, the St. John's Island, by Messrs. Clarke same year, made at the president's and Wright. In a letter from Mr. house in Cambridge. By the Rev. Joseph Peters to Caleb Gannett, Joseph Willard, president of the Ho A.M. Rec. Sec, Amer. Acad. niversity.

These observations were made Beside his own observations the at a place called Charlotte-town, author of this memoir furnishes which, according to Mr. Wright's

determination, is situated in 46° 13′ of north latitude, and 62° 50' of west longitude from Greenwich. In this account it is stated on the authority of a gentleman, belong ing to Yarmouth-Jebouge-Harbour, on the western coast of Nova-Scotia, that this eclipse, which excited great attention in this part of the country, was total there for a moment.

IX. Observations of a solar eclipse, October 27, 1780, made at the university in Cambridge. Communicated by Caleb Gannett, A.M.

The observers of this eclipse at Cambridge were the Rev. Professor Wigglesworth, Mr. Gannett, and the Rev. John Mellen. They did not perceive the beginning of the eclipse, but noted very particularly the disappearance and reappearance of various spots, which were then visible on the sun, and the end of the eclipse. And these may be compared with other corresponding observations; some attention having been paid to the passage of the moon's limbs over solar spots by most of the astron omers, who observed the eclipse. The quantity of the eclipse they estimated at 113 digits.

X. An observation of a solar eclipse, October 27, 1780, at Providence. By Joseph Browne, Esq.

The beginning of the eclipse was not seen, but the times, when the moon's limb first touched certain solar spots, were ascertained, and that of the end was noted by three observers. By measure with a micrometer Mr. Brown determined the quantity of the e clipse to be about 11 digits.

XI. Observatians of the solar eclipse of the 27th of October, 1780, made at Newport, Rhode Island, by Mons, de Granchain. Translated

from the French, and communicat. ed by the Rev. President Willard.

By these observations times are determined, when limbs of the sun and moon, and the sun's horns passed over the vertical and hori zontal wires of a telescope, and when the eclipse ended, at a station on Goat-Island in 41° 30′ 30′′ of northern latitude.

M. de Granchain also observed the lunar eclipse of the 11th of November, 1780, at the same place. And the memoir contains his observed times of the beginning, immersion, and emersion of certain spots, and the end.

XII. An account of the obser vations made in Providence, in the state of Rhode Island, of the eclipse of the sun, which happened the 23d day of April, 1781. By Benjamin West, Esq. F.A.A..

The quantity of the eclipse and the time of its end were determin, ed.

And Mr. West calculated the moon's diameter from the magni, tude of the eclipse and the length of the chord, joining the cusps at the time of greatest obscuration.

Mercury, observed at Cambridge, XIII. Account of the transit of November 12, 1782. By James Winthrop, Esq. F.A.A.

Observations of this transit by Judge Winthrop are contained in Professor Williams' account of those, which were made by himself and others. But, in the memoir before us, the author gives a more particular relation, with some additional facts and remarks.

XIV. Observations of an eclipse of the moon, March 29, 1782, and of an eclipse of the sun, on the 12th of April, following, at Ipswich, lat. 429 38' 30". By the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, F.A.A.

Relative to the lunar eclipse

« Previous Continue »

Books

The Monthly Anthology, and Boston Review, Volume 3