the art of Poetry; if this analogy has been allowed by the whole tribe of critics! so far, that in speaking of the latter they have used the terms of the former, and have passed judgment on the works of the Poet in the language of the Manufacturer; nay, if Poetry herself has condescended to imitate the expressions, and to adopt the technical terms into her own vocabulary; then may I surely hope, that the sanction of Criticism may challenge the respect, and the flattery of Poetry (for imitation is the highest degree of flattery) may claim the admiration of mankind.

'First then with regard to Criticism; to select a few examples from a multitude of others, are we not entertained in the works of Longinus and the Gentleman's Magazine, with delectable dissertations on the Weaving of plots and the Interweaving of episodes? Are we not continually informed, that the Author unravels the Web of his intrigue, or breaks the Thread of his narration? Besides these, a friend of mine, a great etymologist, has assured me, that Bombast and Bombasin originally sprung from the same root; and Fustian, every body knows, is a term applied indifferently to passages in poetry, or materials for a pair of breeches. So similar is considered the skill employed in the Texture of the Epic Poem and a piece of Broad Cloth; so parallel the qualifications requisite to throw the Shuttle and guide the Pen.

"I was not a little pleased the other day to find, in the critique of one of the most eminent writers of the present day, the works of a favourite poet styled a Tissue. An idea then occurred to me, suggested perhaps by my partiality for my profession, which I am not without some faint hope of one day seeing accomplished.

By a little labour and ingenuity, it might surely be discovered, that the works of different Authors bear a considerable affinity (like this of the Tissue),

to the different productions of the Loom. Thus, to enumerate a few instances, without any regard to chronological order, might not the flowery smoothness of Pope be aptly enough compared to Flowered Sattin? Might not the compositions of all the Poets laureate, ancient and modern, very properly be termed Princes Stuff? And who would dispute the title of Homer, to Everlasting? For Shakspeare, indeed, I am at a loss for a comparison, unless I should liken him to those Shot Silks, which vary the brightness of their hues into a multitude of different lights and shades. And would orthography allow of the pun, I might say, that there are few poets but would be proud to be thought worthy of the Green Bays.

For proof of the use which Poetry makes of the Weaver's dictionary, vide ten thousand Odes on Spring; where you may catch the fragrance of the Damask rose; listen to the restling of the Silken foliage; or lie extended with a listless languor, pillowing your head upon the Velvet mead; to say nothing of Nature's Loom, which is set to work regularly on the first of May, to weave variegated carpets for the lawns and landscapes. Now, Mr. Griffin, these similitudes, though very pretty and very a propos, I own I am not perfectly satisfied with. The Genoese certainly excel us in the article of Velvets; and the French Silks are by many people far preferred for elegance to any of English manufacture. I appeal then to you, Mr. Griffin, if these allusions would not be much more delightful to British ears, if they tended to promote such manufactures as are more peculiarly our own. Georgics of Virgil, let me tell you, Sir, have been suspected by some people, to have been written with a political, as well as poetical view; for the purpose of converting the victorious spirits of the Roman soldiery from the love of war, and the seve

The

rity of military hardships to the milder occupations of peace, and the more profitable employments of agriculture. Surely, equally successful would be the endeavours of our poets, if they would boldly extirpate from their writings every species of foreign manufacture; and adopt, in their stead, materials from the prolific looms of their countrymen. Surely, we have a variety which would suit all subjects and all descriptions;-nor do I despair, if this letter has the desired effect, but I shall presently see landscapes beautifully diversified with (all due deference being paid to alliteration) plains of Plush, pastures of Poplin, downs of Dimity, vallies of Velveret, and meadows of Manchester. How gloriously novel would this be; how patriotically poetical an innovation; which nothing but bigotted prejudice could object to, nothing but disaffection to the interests of the country could disapprove.

Excuse me, Sir, if I have detained you beyond the usual limits of a letter, on a subject, in which I am so deeply interested. Pardon, Sir, the partiality of an old man, to the profession of his youth; and, O! Mr. Griffin, may your paper be the means of restoring from unmerited ridicule and illiberal contempt, an Art, which has added a clearness and a polish to the remarks of Criticism; and has clothed the conceptions of Poetry in the language of Metaphor: an Art, inferior to none, but those which have so frequently and so successfully borrowed its assistance; nor even to them, unless it can be proved, that that which provides the necessary raiment for the body, should yield to those which are but the sources of amusement to the mind. I am, Sir, yours, &c. H. HOMESPUN.'

I cannot but own myself much pleased with the enthusiasm which seems to animate my correspon

dent, while he treats on a subject so near his heart. He has, I can assure him, my full approbation to his proposed improvements; and I am convinced every well-meaning person in his Majesty's kingdoms must feel the force of his reasoning.-Will any caviller presume to contend, that our looms are not as fertile of poetic imagery, as those of our neighbours? Have we not handkerchiefs of printed cotton, crowded with all the beauties of rural scenery? and azure flowers that blow,' in the carpets of the Wilton manufactory? Nay, even supposing an unquestionable inferiority on the side of the English looms, would not every Englishman still shew a laudable partiality to his country? and by such a preference, what he lost in Poetry, would he not amply make up in Patriotism?

In short, so convinced am I by Mr. Homespun's arguments, that I cannot help taking the earliest. opportunity to recommend to such of my correspondents, as may have been induced by the forwardness of the season, to begin Odes on Spring for the use of the Microcosm, that they would be careful to stick to the productions of the English loom, if they think it necessary to draw Metaphors from Weaving at all; that is, if they do really think, that Nature can be embellished by the technical terms of Art; and that the works of the Creator can receive additional beauty by being assimilated to those of the Manufacturer: which, in my humble opinion, I will confess, does not appear to be the case.

I know no better advice that I can give to my Correspondents on this head, unless indeed it were not to write 'Odes on Spring' at all.—B.

I shall take this opportunity of obviating an objection which has been made to my deviation from my original plan, of devoting this work particularly

to Eton College. Those who have considered my occasional sallies into the wider field of history or speculation as a violation of this promise, must entertain no very high idea of our little world, if they suppose, that a weekly siege of some one of its follies, would furnish employment for a long campaign; or, that the example of an equal, is not of as much efficacy to lead the younger part of it to a more serious exercise of thought, than generally distinguishes their years, as his admonitions are to deter them from error.

It has been observed likewise, that in some few instances I have ventured to attack received opinions; in answer to this, if it has ever been the case, so pointedly at least as to give umbrage to the more experienced part of my readers, I shall plead the example of the Roman orators, whose first coup d'essai was universally the impeachment of some powerful offender; which attack, though not always attended with success, was looked upon as the most certain road to future popularity. Nor indeed have any other method

I

Quâ me quoque possim

Tollere humo.-VIRGIL.

To raise myself from earth.

A trite precept of morality would be but ill received by those, who, from the unprecedented novelty of my undertaking, expect rather to be pleased with the enthusiastic though perhaps mistaken ideas of a juvenile knight errant; than instructed with the gleanings of all the moral and philosophic pens, whose authority has from time to time established these common place data.