ERRATA. Last Page of Contents, line 8, for Gregory II. read Gregory VII. Page 2, line 18, for Hum read Hem. Page 149, line 24, for Gascoigne read Gascogne. Page 230, line 29, for in robe read in a robe. NUMBER I. ON MODERN CRITIQUES. Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own, "SOMETHING NEW!" ejaculated a worthy disciple of the old school, as he skimmed over the advertisements of a morning paper, "that is impossible, 'There is nothing new under the sun' says the wisest of men." 66 Nothing New!" reiterated his modernized Sister, as she closed the second volume of Sir Walter Scott's last new novel, "What can you mean, Brother? Why every thing is new; we are altogether a new race of beings; the old doctrines of the ancients carry but little weight with them at present; and those of your Royal Preacher, in particular, are scarcely admitted into the new code. New doctrines, new ideas, new language, new manners, new habits, new stile, new schools, new studies, new fancies, new inventions, new fashions, and even new religions, mark the novelty of the age we live in. In short, as I said before, every thing is new; not so much as an old woman B to be found now, nor an old friend, without a new face. Our very constitution will be changed anon, I suspect; for new systems are daily springing up; and believe me, Brother, you've only to send to your bookseller," continued she jocosely, "and you'll soon be convinced that there are fifty new things under the sun to be had, for the papers teem with SOMETHING NEW every day. Prithee who is it written by??" “By the author, I presume, Madam,” solemnly replied the sage, "since you are so mighty sharp, for the advertisement only intimates that 'He has a lean and hungry look; he reads much: He is a great observer; and he looks SHAKSPEARE!-HUM! "So I suspect you will not now be over anxious to cultivate his acquaintance, since he is not introduced to your notice either by a captivating title or a well-known Spark of fashion." "Perhaps not, Brother," said the lady, drawing herself up, "but pray where is the thing published? that may be a criterion by which one may judge of its merits, since the author does not choose to announce himself.” "Oh! if that be the case," replied her Rallier, "you will decide in its favor at once; for it is published at that great literary depot where none but scientific works, or productions of uncommon genius, are ever accepted." "Is it a good thing then, after all, think ye, Sir Solomon?" satirically enquired the lady in her turn. "Good! to be sure. It must be good-according to the new system of things; a Scott, a Moore, an Albion Peer perchance incog." exclaimed the Sage, with well-feigned extacy. "It must be good-it must be good, if›› "What, without a name, Brother?" interrupted the astonished fair. "Aye, without a name, without a title, and e'en without common-sense, Madam," said he, with a most provoking tone of irony, "when brought forward under the auspices of so fashionable a publisher as ——” "Say what you will of modern taste, Brother," interrupted the offended Fair-one, "it is quite necessary for people of fashion, as well as people of no fashion at all, to read popular authors; yes, and to admire them too, in spite of all their vulgarisms, absurdities, and extravagancies; or subject themselves to the sarcasms of all the little Masters and Misses of romantic erudition, as well as the sagacious shrugs of more experienced readers; indicative of a most extraordinary want of judgment in differing from the universal opinion of universal readers.” "Yes yes, sister, so the world goes at present; and as you very justly observe, old fools are led |