The Pursuits of Literature, a Poem [by T J Mathias]

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: In my opinion, the Moor's head might have adorned our coin with the royal Gallick lillies, though the Sovereignty of France and of Corsica is passed, -' I can stand aloof from the scene itself, but I am no stranger to the moving principle. I was not formed to wait in the anti-chamber of a Duke of Lerma, or a Don Calderone. A little experience is sufficient for the observing. It is either my advantage, or my misfortune, not to have adopted any profession. I never epuld decide that point. But, as you well know, I framed an early and an undaunted resolution, (perhaps not wholly, justifiable, but certainly not degrading to the character) that I never would do perfonal suit and service, for. convenience or emolument, to any man however high, in a subordinate station. I framed that resolution; I adhered to it. Privacy is my lot. Be it so: it is the soil in which learning and reflection strike deepest. In these dayst it is my desire that obscurity should gather round me. Now and then indeed the thoughts of times, which are no more, will bring with them a casual, momentary, doubtful glimpse of what might have been; and often with the poet of Vafclusa by the fountain of Sorga, I have regretted some periods of inactivity, not of sloth, which have passed, Senza levarmi a volo, avend'io I'ale, Per dar forse di me non bassi esempi (). i But if the laurel, which I have now planted, should thicken round the temple of my retirement, the pillars will support it. TJie materials are solid, and the ground is firm. () Petrarch. P. z. Son. 86. I have I have indeed a few memoirs by me, writteli-'ift' thet days and with other hopes; and if I could polish the style, and reduce them a little into form, I am convinced they would not be uninteresting. Le Roi et ses Ministres peute...