nius, was ever active in exercising his abilities for the general good. Yet was he never known to contrive instruments of destruction to slaughter even foes. His humanity went not so far as to free a multitude of brave men, in one moment, from the miseries of war; but various have been his exertions for the preservation of human lives, and the alleviation of human calamities. But, alas! the man of genius has little chance with the man of war: this, by stratagem, carries every thing before him; that, by candour, loses al. In fine, the bold usurper of another's invention, gets often rewarded for his machinations; whilst the open-hearted promulgator of a public good, is not only sometimes left to starve upon his inge nuity, but is robbed even of his merit.

Among other humane contrivances, Philanthropus, once upon a time, not a hundred years ago, brought forward a plan for the plan for the preservation of lives and property, God permitting, from the destructive elements of wind and water. His suggestions were received with well feigned rapture; minutely investigated, and approved of. He was highly complimented on his ingenuity; and "at all events," said the great man, who deigned for once to honor him with an interview, "should you not meet with a reward to the full extent of your expectations, you may certainly consider yourself entitled to a liberal compensation for the trouble and expense you must necessarily have incurred.”

Philanthropus certainly did consider himself entitled to a compensation, and a liberal one too, for the anxiety and many sleepless nights his ingenuity had cost him; independent of his expenses, and the utility of the invention, both in regard to His Majesty's Navy, and the lives of His subjects.

Deceived by the official duplicity of a crafty underling, he incautiously entered into an explanation of his plan, and retired, elate with joy at his prospect of success; but what was his surprise and disappointment, when, after a lapse of a few days, he was informed by letter, “that His plan was to be found in some old drafts, and that the utility of it was Now going to be proved."

What, thought Philanthropus, a thing which you have allowed to be of such national importance, only going to be tried, upon my suggesting it anew! Aware, however, that it was not for him to make comments of such a nature, to so great a man, he wisely confined himself to home affairs; and merely petitioned to be indemnified for the expenses he had voluntarily entered into, with a view to save a nation's property, as well as the lives of his fellow-creatures.

"What? Remunerate a man for an invention that has been known to the office for three hundred years!" exclaimed the official bashaw, with whom he had to communicate, "can you suppose we are going to throw away the public money in that way?"

"Since the merit of the invention is withheld from me," said Philanthropus, "all hopes of reward, for what I considered so new and useful a contrivance, are blasted at once. Giving up every claim then, on that score, I have merely to ask the reimbursement of my expenses: and I trust, sir, you will do me the favor, in consequence of my extreme disappointment, the pains I have taken to perfect the contrivance, and the exertions I have made in the cause of humanity and the preservation of national property; to state to the heads of your office the expenses in which I am involved, by coming up to town for the express purpose of laying before them, a plan of such national importance; expenses which I can ill afford to sustain, and consequently

"And pray why was I not consulted before you took such decisive steps?" interrupted the blustering hero. "You had no authority from me, sir, to proceed in the way you have done, so I can do nothing for you. Had you explained the thing to me in writing, it might have answered your purpose just as well."

Yes, thought Philanthropus, and your own too perhaps, for like-but comparisons are odious -the thoughts of Philanthropus, therefore, shall be passed over in silence; and the reader, if he please, may liken them unto a blazing comet-a sky-rocket or any thing else, that may strike his imagination.

With certain characters, expostulation is vain.

In the present instance, it was not practicablefor the self-sufficient presumer, without waiting

a reply, turned upon his heel, and thus dismissed the individual whose ingenuity he had before admitted" deserved so well of his country,” without even the acknowledgment of thanks.

That many staunch friends to the country and to the state, by such means, become dispirited, sink under a weight of disappointments, and are rendered useless members of the community, is too certain. Beings of a superior cast, conscious of possessing virtues and abilities, of which the plebeian gentry, on whom wealth and honors are frequently bestowed, have no notion; cannot but feel indignant and mortified, on finding their talents turned by them to useless drugs. When a whole nation is compromised, and reproached for its disregard to justice, by the consummate arrogance of these underlings in office, who at once decide, without referring to their chiefs; the public money may then, indeed, be said to be "thrown away," on those who prove themselves unworthy of the patronage so liberally bestowed on them; though they may retain it, in pitiful sums, from the more deserving, by refusing the tributary mite due to patriotic exertions.

While they are enjoying every luxury the country affords them, these economical croakers in office, begrudge the very crumbs that fall from their master's table, to the man of merit. Such calculators, usurping the power of their

Lords and Masters, too often check a spirit of heroism and nationality; and deprive the country of advantages it might reap from the exercise of genius and deeds of valour.

That the imaginary consequence of these selfsufficient gentlemen may be humbled, and that the power they assume may be curbed, are events to which the public, in the present state of affairs, are confidently looking forward. And here the following anecdote may serve to shew that they are not looking in vain :—

It is related of H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, (and the report is worthy of being recorded in letters of gold) that shortly after his appointment as Lord High Admiral, His Royal Highness, addressing himself to the two Secretaries of the Admiralty, said, THAT HE BEGGED THEY

WOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES IN FUTURE TO BE MERELY WHAT THEIR DESIGNATION IMTHAT IS, PERSONS

PORTED-SECRETARIES;

APPOINTED TO CARRY ON THE CORRESPONDENCE, AND EXECUTE THE ORDERS OF THE BOARD AND THAT IN FUTURE, THEY WOULD CONSIDER THAT IT WAS NO PART OF THEIR BUSINESS, EITHER TO INTERFERE WITH THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE SERVICE, OR WITH

THE PROMOTION OF OFFICERS!? How good! How just! How wise! A princely example worthy of being followed by the head of every department, and one that should be recorded in the annals of state, and handed down to posterity,