ly; we should read, fays he, "non multa, fed multum." The epigram. matic turn of the words fixes the precept ftronger on the mind, and renders it more cafy to be retained in memory. The powers of the human mind are not ftrong enough now to acquire knowledge by intuition: this rapid mode of learning truth is referved for beings of a fuperior order. To To gain a complete knowledge of a fubject in all its parts, it must be frequently reviewed and examined in every light; a procefs which requires time, labour, and attention; none of which will be in his power, who haftily paffes from fcience to science, and with too much volatility to admit thought and recollection. It frequently happens that men of natural parts are excelled by others whofe talents are inferior. Nor is this to be attributed to any other caufe but to that patience of labour, which is frequently the concomitant of dullness, and which proves an ample compenfation for want of vivacity. A man of flow understanding can stop to inveftigate obfcurity ftep by step, till he brings light from darkness,-can combat difficulties feemingly unfurmountable, can repeat the fame labour without fatigue, and review the fame ideas without fatiety; but the volatility of genius affects to pafs over every thing difguftful, and voluntarily neglects thofe fubjects which it cannot fee through at a glance. The fable of the tortoife and the hare is too obviously applicable to the prefent fubject to admit quotation. Could genius check that precipitation which precludes accurate inquiry and perfect views, it might furely be capable of enlarging the boundaries of human knowledge, and of deriving to itfelf all the light of which the mind is fufceptible. Patiens, when at fchool, was not remarkable for the brightnefs of his parts, or the fenfibility of his temper. The compofitions which he was obliged to bring as exercises were not lively, elegant or florid; but then they were feldom deficient in orthography or grammar. He never difliked the labour of feeking the word he was unacquainted with in his lexicon: and though he did not comprehend the full meaning and fpirit of the author he read, he could tell the English of every word in his leffon, and trace through all its grammatical variations. fhort he underwent every kind of literary labour without wearinefs or difcontent. After all the neceffary forms of education, he at length entered into the profeffion of the law. in Velox, one of the cotemporaries. of Patiens, was fond of learning, and defirous of excelling in it; but as he was of a quick apprehenfion, he was capable of conftruing a paffage at one view, which would. coft Patiens an hour's application. He, therefore, never read his leffon over twice, but diverted his fancy with light modern publications, feveral volumes of which he would frequently devour in a day. Great hopes were entertained of fo lively a genius; he went to the univerfity, flattered by his friends, and elate with confidence in his own powers. But it foon appeared that he who fubmitted to fo little labour while under authority, entirely relinquifhed ftudy, when at his own difpofal. Plato, Ariftotle, and Epictetus, remained untouched on his fhelves; but the works of Fielding, Richardfon, Smollett, together with thofe of every modern dramatic writer, were conftantly on his table. If at any time he deigned to caft an eye over Coke upon Littleton, it was with the fame levity and precipitation with which he read a monthly magazine. When at laft he was called to the bar, and the time was come when he was to make F 2 his his way to eminence by dint of merit, he found himself as much a ftranger to the laws of England as an inhabitant of Otaheite. Chagrined by difappointment, and wearied by learning, which he had never rationally purfued, he gave up all hopes of rifing in the world, and retired to a fmall eftate in the country, where he lived and died an honeft sportsman. Patiens, in the mean time, though he did not reach the top of his profeffion, yet, from his known integrity, and abilities as a counfellor, was always fupplied with a number of briefs, by which he acquired an affluent fortune, and lived univerfally respected, as a man of untainted honour, ftrong fenfe, and profound Jearning. confonant, and one fifth of the god of opportunity. 4 Three eighths of the rod which belongs to the god of eloquence, a vowel, and three fevenths of a piece of armour. 5. Two fifths of to allure, a bed ufed at fea, an interjection, the reverse of stay, and a confonant. 6. The initial of a mufical inftrument invented by Apollo, two sevenths of a poisonous mineral, and two fevenths of the god of the fea. 7. Two eighths of an old Thracian poet, three sevenths of a queen of Lydia, and the luminary of light, changing a letter. EDITH. 5. Two fixths of the book of Jew. EDITH. ifh traditions, initial of a liquor much used by the Chinese, an herb, and the initial of a hoft. Enigmatical Lift of CLERGYMEN. 1. Three fourths of a god of the Sabines, two fevenths of an Athenian orator, and the first and laft letters of the first king of Rome. 2. Three fourths of the goddefs of corn, and four eighths of one of Vulcan's chief forgemen. 3. Two eighths of a king of Troy killed by Hercules, a letter not ufed in the French language, two fixths of a title of Juno, a POETICAL ESSAYS. The powers of care, and grace a throne With each calm joy to life domeftic known; Propitious heav'n has o'er thy head A bud its filken folds display, That crown thy own ambrofial May. O may that fmile's best infant prove Omens of concord and of love! Bid the loud ftrains of martial triumph cease, And tune to fofter mood the warbling reed of peace. And at my feet to breathe their amorous flame, A youth I faw, whose manners soft and gay [was his name. Secured my heart, and Frederick "To him had fortune op'd her golden [difplay, ftore, To him ambition did her charins For in the ftate an office high he bore, And crouds of minions did his voice obey. * To me he came in all the charms of youth, [return; Told me his love, and asked a kind Call'd flatt'ry's aid, and vows of lasting truth, [did burn. Till in my artless breaft love's flame Or mix tumultuous in lafcivious dance. But foon day in fashion's reign my was o'er: Frederick too foon grew cold, and faithlefs proved, Forbad me e'er to enter at his door, Deaf to my pray'rs and to my fighs unmoved. "By him neglected, was I doom'd to know A fad reverse, a lowly abject fate; With fiend-like fhameless wretches doom'd to go, [their state. And know the pains attendant on "Mixed with an abject throng full oft I'd rove, [head, While ev'ry forrow hovered o'er my Was doom'd each dreadful flate of grief to prove, [--bread. And gain, by wretched proftitution, "But worn at length with wretchedness and grief, [door to door, Compell'd for bread to beg from Till fcarce my falt'ring voice could afk relief, [implore; Till fearce I'd ftrength for pity to "Heav'n faw my woes, and bid my forrows end, Ling heart; And from its mercy cheered my breakReliev'd my wants, and rais'd me up a friend, [my fmart. To foothe my forrows, and to cafe |