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and why ought not gratitude to neutralize sor- press, and speedily to be published. "I am JOW?

LETTERS TO LEINWHA, Teacher of Morality in the Recesses of guin, from a Wanderer in the West.

LETTER III.

hurl'd

Groan'd shattering: from its base Olympus vast Reel'd to the violence of gods: the shock in haste to get it out," said he, "before a friend of mine shall publish his critico heroico Of deep concussion rock'd the dark abyss in Z." He obligingly began to read me his Remote of Tartarus: the shrilling din poem, when he was interrupted by his booksel- Of hollow tramplings, and strong battle strokes, And measureless uproar of wild pursuit. Latin-ier, who came to consult " whether it should be on wire-wove, hot-press, or imperial fools-So they reciprocal their weapons cap." As there was much whispering between Groan-scattering; and the shout of either host them, I thought proper to retire; and as I returned to my apartment the novelty of the composition made so forcible an impression on my memory, that I was able to write what I heard of it on paper. Of this I send you a faithful transcript, together with the advertisement; which it seems is here usually published before the work itself.

I AM every day more and more convinced, that men labour after calamity, whilst happiness is within their reach. Unwilling to be only happy, they seek for something more; and the brief candle of existence goes out, before they find that the world is too narrow for such enjoyments! How hard it is to discover truth! how easy to be deceived! I have actually changed my opinion more than an hundred times respecting this nation, within the short space of thirteen days. Their ignorance has yielded to their wisdom, and their wisdom has been eclipsed by their cunning. What was at first artifice, I afterwards thought ingenuousness; but this was only affability made subservient to interest; and I now find that interest governs all, and for this they labour and are exhausted. They have a national maxim which the infant is taught to lisp in its nurse's arms; it is very long, and I do not recollect it; but I know it is equivalent to 'get money;' and I believe this useful lesson is never taught in vain. The chief men have grown old in its practice; and still hobble out, with all their infirmities to the place of traffick, when they should be at home in their mansions waiting the call of death. With us, you know, there is content and thankfulness with a little labour ceases with the vigour of manhood, and age sits down to enjoy what it has acquired in the days of industry and youth.

:

The very women are not free from avarice. Some of them in the lower classes prefer pleasure to employment, and prostitute their bodies for money; whilst those of a higher degree article for it in their very marriage-contracts!

When this is the predominant passion of a nation, nothing can be expected but its concomitant evils. The gentler virtues are unknown, and charity is driven into exile. Science is confined to the rules of commerce, and commerce erects an idol, before which all are prostrate. The social principle is lost in its contemplation; love and friendship are diverted to its worship; and honesty is dazzled with its golden splendour. In such a country, genius is like the misletoe on the rock; it seems to exist upon the barren and unyielding surface only by its own resources, and the nourishment it receives from the dey of heaven. The progress of literature ha therefore been very slow ; it seems just emerging from the clouds of ignorance, and its lustre is yet too feeble to be seen by the eye alone.

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Nearly opposite to the house in which I dwell, resides one of their bards; with him I have lately become acquainted, and he has even condescended to honour me with his visits and his friendship. He is of a short fat figure, extremely good-natured and free in his discourse. The last time I went to see him he complained bitterly of the ungrateful publick,' though he acknowledged a greater share of favour than had been shewn to his contemporaries. He told me, he had published seven poems in quarto, and five political pamphlets in duodecimo; and at that very moment was in debt to his bookseller 69. He informed me that his last poem, consisting of five cantos,' six hundred lines each, making in all three thousand beginning with P, was then in the

Four first lines of the poem in five cantos :'

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"TAKE NOTICE.

"Now in the press, and speedily to be published, Prince Polion, a poem, in five cantos, with explanatory notes, adorned with cuts, decorated with engravings, and embellished with a correct portrait and biographical sketch of the author, by himself. The uncommon velocity with which this production has circulated in Europe has induced the author to retouch it in his native land, and present it to his countrymen upon a beautiful, fine, light-green, wire-wove royal-folio paper, elegantly bound, gilt, and lettered; the panegyricks which have been lavished upon this perormance, against which the harmless shafts of malevolence and envy fall as against a polished cone, supersede the necessity of recommending it to an enlightened publick, and render all editorial remarks obtrusive and superfluous.

"Booksellers, living at a distance, may be supplied with any number at the shortest notice; a discount of 2 per cent. will be made on payments made in cash exceeding four hundred dollars.

"Subscribers to this edition are requested to call or send for their books before the 31st instant.

"Those gentlemen who wish this work bound in morocco, silvered and lettered, must send their names to the publisher before Christmas."

This advertisement is written by the bookseller. Farewel.

POETRY.

SELECTED.

THE BATTLE OF THE TITANS.
The following fragment is interesting, as a part of one
of the most ancient poems in the world, it having
been transmitted to us, through a period of nearly
three thousand years. This, and a few other excel-
lent passages, have redeemed the works of HESIOD
from oblivion. It bears the true stamp of Eastern
sublimity, and is supposed to have suggested the
very similar description in Paradise Lost. This
translation was published about four years ago, by
Mr. Elton.

"ALL on that day rous'd infinite the war,
Female and male; the Titan deities,
The gods from Saturn sprung, and those whom Jove
From subterraneous gloom releas'd to light:
Terrible, strong, of force enormous; burst
A hundred arms from all their shoulders huge;
From all their shoulders fifty heads upsprang
O'er limbs of sinewy mould. They then array'd
Against the Titans in fell combat stood,
And in their nervous grasps wielded aloft
Precipitous rocks. On th' other side alert
The Titan Phalanx clos'd: then hands of strength
Join'd prowess, and display'd the works of war.
'Tremendous then th' immeasurable sea
Roar'd; earth resounded; the wide heaven through-

out

Burst in exhorting ardour to the stars
Of heaven; with mighty war-cries either host
Encountering clos'd.

Nor longer then did Jove
Curb his full power; but instant in his soul
There grew dilated strength, and it was fill'd
With his omnipotence. At once he loos'd
His whole of might, and put forth all the god.
The vaulted sky, the mount Olympian, flash'd
With his continual presence; for he pass'd
Incessant forth, and scatter'd fires on fires.
Hurl'd from his hardy grasp, the lightnings flew
Reiterated swift; the whirling flash
Cast sacred splendour; and the thunderbolt
Fell roar'd around the nature-yielding earth
In conflagration, far on every side.

Th' immensity of forests crackling blaz'd :
Yea, the broad earth burn'd red, the streams that mis
With ocean, and the deserts of the sea
Round and around the Titan brood of earth,
Roll'd the hot vapour on its fiery surge;
The liquid heat, air's pure expanse divine
Suffus'd the radiance keen of quivering flame
That shot from writhern lightnings, each dim orb,
Strong though they were, intolerable smote,
And scorch'd their blasted vision. Through the void
Of Erebus, the preternatural glare

Spread, mingling fire with darkness. But to see
With human eye, and hear with ear of man,
Had been, as if midway the spacious heaven,
Hurtling with earth, shock'd-e'en at nether earth
Crash'd from the centre, and the wreck of heaven
Feli ruining from high. So vast the din,
When, gods encountering gods, the clang of arms
Commingled, and the tumult roar'd from heaven."

THE PILGRIM.

'TWAS here the weary pilgrim died-
He died by Arab's bloody blade;
Lost in the waste of desart wild
He sleeps not now beneath the shade.
Stretch'd on the earth, neglected lies
No leaf o'er his cold corpse to wave;
No friend to breathe affection's sighs,
Or form, with pious care, his grave.
Here pity never found her way
To melt this cruel, harden'd race ;
For Murder here, with haughty sway,
Asserts her pow'r, with iron mace.
For him alone the loud wind feels,
As wild it raves along the vale ;
In groaning gusts his fate reveals,
And scatters wide the mournful tale.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR

JOHN PARK,

By MUNROE & FRANCIS,

NO. 4 CORNHILL. Subscribers may be supplied with the preceding numbers.

DEVOTED TO POLITICKS AND BELLES LETTRES.

VOL. I.

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On the duty of resistance to unconstitutional or oppressive laws, with reference to the particular situation of the United States. We have already shewn, that the duty of resistance to unconstitutional and oppressive laws is more imperative and unquestionable in a free government, than in one whose constitution or form of government is more undefined.

BOSTON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1814.

A publication like the present appears to me to be the proper one in which to examine and consign to better times the argument on this interesting question.

lived, but it is probable it may be preserved This publication may or may not be long in some historical society, and may at some future day be consulted by some inquisitive antiquary. We wish then to examine the principles of our present opposition to certain measures of our rulers.

We are accused of factious sentiments, by those who would wish to silence opposition; In a country like ours, almost every publick and even some young man of genius and learnofficer is obliged to take an oath to supporting, who have been taught in a better school the constitution of the United States, as weli than that of Grundy and Madison, of Jefferson as to maintain the constitution of the State of and Clay, appear to believe or at least to which he is a member. maintain such an illiberal and ungenerous opinion of our motives.

To the general duty, which exists in every country to uphold the rights and privileges of the citizens, there is superadded, in our case, the solemn obligations arising from express stipulations of the most serious description.

We are constantly threatened by the advocates of the government with the dreadful consequences which may ensue from a dissolution of the Union, in case we resist or oppose any measures of the national government.

There seems to be a prevalent opinion, that there can be no fault, no weakness, no injustice, except on one side. That the National rulers can do no wrong; but that the State rulers are very liable to error, to passion, to encroachment on national authority.

If it be a settled principle, that,whatever construction may be given to the constitution by the Congress or the President, must be right, and that it settles the extent of their powers ; the reasoning is correct, which some people use, that any opposition to national authority is an infraction of the constitution.

We have not so read the constitution. We have heretofore understood, that that sacred instrument was as obligatory on the rulers, as on the people-on Congress, as on the State Sovereignties.

These are considerations which seem to demand a more than usual jealousy on the part of the confederated members of our republick.

It would be the extreme of weakness to deny that there may exist, in a country so extensive as ours, distinct, and indeed opposite interests. It would be absurd to pretend, that a slave-holding people, averse to commerce, incapable of personal industry, must have a common interest with a people, hardy, laborious, and dependent on the fisheries and comme ce for their existence. We do not here mean to enter into the fact, for upon that people may differ-but, theoretically, it is absurd to suppose, that there would be very common feeling in a case, where the interests were so essentially different.

It is not because we are afraid to enter into the discussion of the actual wrongs and injuries and violations of the constitution to which we have hitherto submitted that we refrain from displaying them, but because we wish sober and impartial men (if there are any) to view this question in the abstract; to decide it on principle.

Will they deny, that there are distinct and very importantly different interests in the United States ?

Will they deny, that men will act generally in conformity to their real or supposed interests? Will they deny, that the avowed motives of human actions are full as often as not, far remote from the real ones?

Will they deny, that power makes men forget right, and that the restraints of the constitution have little weight against the more powerful influence of private interest, local prejudices, and personal ambition?

When then we talk of the oppressive measures of the government, is it any answer to say, it is impossible that in a free state your rulers can wish to oppress you? That they emanate from yourselves, and have the same interests with you?

Is there any thing in common, except a constitution on paper, violated every day, between a planter on the Ohio, and a fisherman of Gloucester or Marblehead, who relies on the cod on the banks of Newfoundland for his stock, and on the lent of Spain and Portugal for his market?

If then such difference of interest does exist, and if men have in all ages and countries acted more or less in conformity to their interest, is there any thing factious, any thing unreasonable in entertaining suspicions that such local interests may have swayed the policy of

our rulers?

Throughout the present speculation, I mean to keep the fact and the evidence in support of it out of sight, because men may differ upon that, though they cannot upon the reasoning.

Will any man deny, that it might be the interest of Ohio or Kentucky to wage a war which would ruin New England? Might it not be their interest to drive the Indians beyond the lakes, while they would not be materially affected by the destruction of all the commerce, fisheries, and carrying trade of the Atlantick States ?

Well, if such might be the case owing to our very extended country, does there not seem to be a very imperious duty on the local state sovereignties to watch, and see whether the constitution is not perverted to such anjust and unequal purposes?

Now suppose a case to exist, that three fourths of one section of the country, nay sev

NO. VI.

en eighths of its members of Congress were opposed to a measure, which was by them deemed ruinous to the interests of the part of the country which they represented, and that motives; is it not the imperious duty of the the others carried it from local and interested citizens of the injured and oppressed part, to bury all their political animosities, and endeav our to act in unison for the vindication of their violated rights, or if you'please, “ Interests" ?

On this subject I have a word to say, and I have introduced this term, " Interests," in order to say it. Although I believe Congress have violated the letter and spirit of the constitution in the late embargo act-in a manner and to a degree that the man who would stand to reason about it ought to be expelled from the society of every freeman-to a degree that precludes the necessity of argument-yet I cannot admit, and I beg and entreat, most earnestly entreat, every freeman, clergy and laity, to weigh well my words, I cannot admit, that, in a confederated republick, you are bound down to the words of your compact.

Even if a system of laws was made perfectly consistent with your rights, in the words the constitution; yet if a system of measures should be adopted, destructive of your best and dearest interests; if you find that the general scope of the policy of your rulers must be, and actually is destructive of your permanent as well as temporary interests, you have a right, a most undoubted right, either to insist on a change of this policy, or a modification of your compact. Such is the law of nature, such is the law of nations.

Whether such a case has existed, or may ever exist, it is for the people to decide.

I suggest this idea (to my view extremely important) because it puts an end (if it be correct) to all the petty cavillings about the words of the constitution. If its spirit has been violated; if your interests are overlooked and are destroyed, it is foolish, and weak, and unworthy of a patriot, to seek an apology in the mere terms of your constitution. The man who can deny that the present system is unequal in its operation, and will, if persevered in, eventually destroy the Commercial States, is too much blinded, or too much prejudiced, to be deemed worthy of the confidence of a free people.

QUOMODO? QUANDO ?

HOW frequently we express our wonder that Frenchmen suffer themselves to be oppressed by Buonaparte! How justly may French, English, and all the world wonder at us! The principal business of the national legislature, for years, has been to tyrannize with increasing hardihood over the people, and in this devoted country, it may be literally said, that "Patience stands smiling at grief."

I would not be so absurd, as to recommend resistance by violence. I know the good hearts of my fellow citizens too well to suppose such a measure practicable. We are so constitutionally grounded, in what is pleasantly enough called love of order, that if Mr. Madison were to command a fifty-six to be suspended round the neck of every citizen of our free republick, we should limp about witho

our ponderous medal, and inquire, "what is the news from Washington? Is not Mr. Madison going to take these things off, some time or other ?"

?

But is it possible that all "constitutional means" of obtaining relief are exhausted? Have the people said all they have to say Has our Legislature done all they can do? Has responsibility been bandied about like a football from the people to the Legislature, and from the Legislature to the people, until no one can find where it ought to rest?

An

We are sinking deeper and deeper in degradation and slavery. We are every day losing, not only the freedom, but the character of our fathers. The advances of oppression, it is evident, do not excite, but appal us. 'outrageous VIOLATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT does not, now, produce so much animadversion, as did the slightest impediment to commerce a few years ago, though unquestionably within the specified powers of Congress. This serious truth must have struck even the most superficial observer, and it is melancholy; it is sickening; it overwhelms the mind with despair.

The people assemble in their turns-in their distress, they entreat the Legislature to take some steps for their relief. The Legislature express their lively sense of our sufferings and our wrongs, and are ready to do whatever the people demand. The people demand protection in the enjoyment of their unalienable rights. The Legislature wish to know what measure would be most agreeable and best supported. God knows whether ever this will end in any thing; but this scene has become the scorn, the derision, and the triumph of our oppressors.

We do NOT believe that an actual resort to force will be necessary; but we do believe, and are convinced, that, until it is known there is spirit to resist further aggression, our chains will be made heavier, and our means of obtaining relief be abridged; unless Heaven, in mercy, decree the total destruction of the tyrant, on the revival of whose power our rulers depend for support.

Our House of Representatives nobly took their ground, with respect to the attack proposed in Congress, upon the sovereignty of the states. We hear no more of the menaced outrage. This seems to invite to other patriotick measures-cool, circumspect, but determined. Massachusetts expects every independent Legislator will do his duty.

yet indignantly exclaimed, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any

man.

To confound and silence the advocates of MR. MADISON'S WAR, we should never cease to inquire of them, what is the cause of it? British Orders in Council. So said Mr. Munroe, the organ of government, officially. But these Orders in Council were annulled before our war was declared. The Impress ment of Seamen. Indeed! Will the people of the United States support a war, on the ground that our Rulers shall make laws for Great Britain? She does not attempt to exercise any authority over her subjects, the only persons in dispute, while on our soil. She is satisfied to legislate for them, while they are in her own, or a common jurisdiction-the high It is to give Mr. Madison the power over Englishmen, which Englishmen choose their King George and Parliament should alone possess, that we are at war. This appears too absurd to be true; but it is as true as it is absurd. We have exactly turned the tables upon that country. We we it to war in 1776 because we would not suffer England to make laws for us, against our consent. In 1814, we are at war, for the privilege of ing laws for her, against her consent.

seas.

GENERAL REGISTER.

The following is the close of the address from the inhabitants of Newbury.

"In this alarming state of things we can no longer be silent.-When our unquestionable rights are invaded, we will not sit down and coldly calculate what it may cost us to defend them.--We will not barter the liberties of our children for slavish repose, nor surrender our birthright but with our lives.

"We remember the resistance of our fathers to oppressions, which dwindle into insignifi. cance when compared with those which we are called on to endure.-The rights which we have received from God, we will never yield to man."-We call on our State Legislature to protect us in the enjoyment of those privilges, to assert which our fathers died; and to defend which we profess ourselves READY TO RESIST UNTO BLOOD. We pray your honora ble body to adopt measures immediately to secure to us especially our undoubted right of trade within our State.

"We are ourselves ready to aid you in securing it to us, to the utmost of our power, "peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must,' and we pledge to you the sacrifice of our LIVES and PROPERTY in support of whatever measure, the dignity and liberties of this free, sovemak-reign and independent State, may seem to your

BOSTON, SATURDAY, FEB. 5, 1814.

EUROPEAN. Not a word of news has been received from the immediate seat of war, for sixteen days. A letter from Amsterdam of Νον 12th, states that the French custom house officers had left the Hague, Leyden and some other places, and that a small French army had assembled near Ainkern and Deventer, the allies, according to reports, being in force, in that vicinity.

DOMESTICK. The emancipation of the World, by the second grand defeat of the Emperour Napoleon, was celebrated at Annapolis, (Md.) on the 22nd of January. A dinner was given to Commodore Perry at Washington on the 24th.

A report was circulated yesterday, that a part of Gen. Wilkinson's army had taken 900 British troops, and 18 cannon, destined for the naval armament, at Kingston.

The present session is far advanced. Falmouth, on Cape Cod, was bombarded by Though we feel assured there is no want of the Nimrod, British sloop of war, Jan. 28th, coincidence in sentiment, among those who which fired about 250 shot into the town. The compose a large majority in this Common- buildings were considerably damaged, but no wealth, there is perhaps a want of understand-person injured, as the inhabitants had been ing, as to the particular course to be pursued. It is very uncertain, whether the struggle for liberty in Europe, is yet so definitively and successfully accomplished, as to gain us peace,

as soon as we must have it. Some means we

trust will be devised, before our state guardians disperse, to inquire of the mass of the people, at what time and how, they propose to be reinstated in their accustomed rights; and that when a new General Court assembles, they will bring their answer. Please Heaven, it may not yet be too late to recover some of the blessings of former days; and though in moments of despondence, we can see no prospect of a favourable change, at other times, we indulge a hope, that there is a saving principle in the sentiment and nerve of Massachusetts, which will arrest our sufferings. We confess ourselves somewhat like the Jews, who though they had been slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and carried in bondage to Babylon,

notified of the intended attack, by the commander of the Nimrod, and had removed.

wisdom to demand."

ASTONISHING DISCOVERY!!

We understand that an ingenious mechan. ick and philosopher has submitted to Mr. Madison, the model of a machine which has met with his warmest approbation, which is to conquer Canada, without the expense of a drop of American blood. The idea was suggested by the well known effect of fire-ships, in destroying a naval enemy, without a battle

It consists of a large Block-house, mounted on wheels, to be propelled rapidly by steam, and mounting ten thirty-two pounders on eve ry side. The guns are so constructed as to be loaded and fired by mechanism. It is to be placed in front of Sir George Prevost's army, at a given distance As soon as it is set in operation, it will run violently among the enemy-discharging vollies of spikes and balls like the very in every direction, and thus by annihilating the foe at once, is to put an end to the calamities of war. The inventor asks but four times the sum paid to Henry, for his invention of a New England conspiracy. This Block-house will require but one blockhead to set it in motion. It is not determined whether one of the heads of department or General W. will receive the appointment.

I BEGAN to read the Communication, in the first page of this number, in sorrow. Before I had finished, the tone of my mind was invigorated, my pulse be at strong and healthily-my Last Sunday, at noon, the British 74, Victo- blood flowed warm, to the extremities. Good rious, in beating through the Race, struck, and reader, make the experiment for yourself. If remained aground until Tuesday, when by the you love your country, you will rejoice that aid of the squadron, she was got off. She is the spirit of true patriotism is not extinctsupposed to have gone to Halifax, to repair. you will find your own sentiments faithfully deCONGRESS-have passed a law, increas-picted-and will conclude by saying-« This ing the bounty to soldiers, to 100 dollars on is what I wished to see." enlistment, and 24 dollars and a hundred acres of land, at the expiration of the engagement. The present force, authorized by law, amounts to 63,000 men !! A bill, against ransoming American captured vessels, has passed the house.

STATE LEGISLATURE. An Insolvent Law has been several days agitated, with great interest, in the House; but was refused a third reading, on Thursday morning.

Several Memorials have been received, from towns in this Commonwealth, against the war.

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To correspondents.

"LETITIA CHEERFUL" to The Confidant is receiv ed, and will appear in the next number.

Translations from the Parnasso Italiane Vivente, and of Swiss ballads, by another hand, are both received. As there is something of elegance in these productions, we regret that they are not more correct. Among other exceptions, thought and draught are nothing like rhyme. Rays tips is not grammar. Dark is a redundant epithet applied to gloom, &c &c. Another address to the Confidant, we reserve for & more suitable season of the year.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

FOR THE BOSTON SPECTATOR.

THE CONFIDANT, No. IV.

To the Confidant. Sir,—ALL agree that to seek our own happiness is the first dictate of nature, and I believe no one has ventured to say that, in this pursuit, we are not bound to regard the happiness of our fellow creatures. The extent of this obligation has been differently defined, by both

moralists and statesmen. It is not for me to determine a point, which has perplexed sages; but of this I am certain, that the conduct which is frequently enjoined or expected, as resulting from the obligation not to molest the enjoyments of others, would do them a lasting and serious injury. It is true, that in doing what another may consider an unjustifiable violation of his peace or pleasure, where our own interest is deeply concerned, we ought to be aware that self-love may bias our judgment; we should therefore suspect ourselves-endeavour to make the opposite side our own, and keep a conscience void of offence. If a difference of opinion still exist, we must be governed by our own sense of right. A case of this kind has recently occurred, with respect to a very dear friend of mine, in which all the gossips of our acquaintance are against me; but, not subscribing to the infallibility of that sisterhood, though powerful and of very long standing in society, I appeal through you to an impartial publick. Allow me then to

state the facts.

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My friend, Mr. Sterne, a young gentleman of respectable connexions in the county of Hampshire, lived in the immediate vicinity of a charming and amiable young lady, Miss Emily Wilcox They had been intimates from childhood, and though Emily's advantages of education had been somewhat superiour, she was not insensible to the native, sterling merit of her friend. At the early age of twenty-one, Mr. Sterne had communicated his ultimate hopes, and for one year, their acquaintance continued under the forms, which gave pub

licity to such attachments.

With much good sense, Mr. Sterne possessed an active, energetick mind. His prospects in life did not correspond with his ambition; and probably the interest he felt in Emily's destiny rendered him still more disposed to adopt some enterprize, which should improve his fortune. An opportunity soon presented, which invited his attention; but it required several years' absence from his native village. Emily had the fortitude to recommend his improving the offer-and both of them listening to some romantick notions, about a freedom of conduct, which each seemed to wish the other to enjoy, though neither expected occasion to exercise it, they agreed mutually to suspend all sense of obligation to each other that if ever their acquaintance were renewed, it should be from the impulse of unequivocal preference. Neither of them was much pleas ed with the compact; but it had been mentioned, and now to attempt reversing it, would look like a wish to bind the person, without regard to sentiment. On the contrary, it was likewise settled, that in their situation, it would be improper to correspond.

The unabating fervour of early attachments makes a much greater figure in novels, than in real life. Mr. Sterne went, by the invitation of an uncle, to Virginia, and was connected with him in commerce, with unremitting attention, but various success, for six years. After a separation of some time, the inquiries of these friends for each other,were damped by the

rumours and surmises, which the busy and im-
pertinent are always propagating for their amuse-
ment. It was positively asserted at length,
that Mr. Sterne never intended to return to
New England; and he was as positively as-
sured that Miss Wilcox was engaged. At the
end of five years, the latter was true. There
being no conclusive reason to doubt what she
had so often heard, as the term of Mr. Sterne's
absence had now considerably exceeded his
first expectations; and a respectable gentle-
man of considerable property having offered
his hand; urged by the advice of a fond moth-
er, the solicitations of a man, not exceptionable
in character or circumstances, by prudential
considerations, and at least by gratitude for the
marks of preference she had experienced;
with all these, suspecting herself forgotten by
Mr. Sterne, and really believing her heart dis-
engaged, she permitted his attentions in form.
In about a year, the bans were published,
and in a month she would have been married,
when Mr. Sterne returned, his engagements
having expired, and his object being comple-

ted.

After the repeated accounts he had received, whatever impression they made at first, he felt now no very considerable interest in the event. He could not reproach himself; he would not blame Emily, and thought it a proof that their agreement at parting had been a prope one. By accident they met, in a small party at a friend's. Their intercourse was friendly, and without any allusion to former days. My friend could see no impropriety in visiting an old acquaintance, and feeling an impulse too, as he has confessed to me, of the nature of which he took little pains to inquire, he found himself early the next day with Emily. He then attempted, after some general conversation, to congratulate her on her approaching happiness. He did it awkwardly. He imag ined there was something in her countenance which indicated a latent emotion, corresponding with the throb he felt in his own bosom. Her

eye rested sedately upon him, though the smile, with which she received the compliment seemed to say-Yes-I am another's. The subject was changed-the revolutions, that had taken place in the vicinity, were mentionedbut each betrayed a curiosity to know, how far the rumours they had respectively heard were justly founded. As they conversed, Mr. Sterne became sober, and he detected Emily suppressing a sigh. He possessed a discriminating mind, as well as strong feelings. He saw enough to suspect that Emily would sigh again; he felt enough to convince himself, she was the dearest of her sex. He left her with regret, and every hour increased his agitation. His own privation, was not the only cause of his uneasiness—he imagined he saw her hand going without her heart, and such a life, for such a being, he regarded with horror. He determined to know, before it was irrevocably fixed, and soon saw her again. His attempts were checked, by remarks on the impropriety of such inquiries; but the result was a conviction that Emily's heart was his own. His argument was, that if such were the case, she was under the most solemn obligation not to sacrifice herself to the world's notions of correctness-for by the sacrifice, she could but, injure him, for whom it was made. That she would be guilty of the most cruel deception, and destroy the peace of all three concerned.

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not but respect; whose feelings she could not injure, without violence to her own; and from whom she could nct withdraw, without exposing herself to severe censure. "Are you thus commanded by any law, human or divine, to make yourself miserable for life?-are you morally bound to deceive a man, and in the nicest point? An accident has placed you in a situation, which you did not anticipate.-The person about to marry you could not wish your hand, were he to know the involuntary and unpremeditated state of your mind."-Such was the import of his replies.

The result was, after much deliberation, that
Emily wrote to Mr
giving him a full
and honest account of the unexpected circum-

stances which forbade their union. He flew
into a tremendous passion ;-declared her a
jilt-himself injured and insulted; and pro-
nounced my friend an intermeddling, dishon-
ourable intriguer. Indulgence, I confess, is
due to the subject of so serious a disappoint-
ment, but that the abovementioned tribunal of
gossips should all take his part, in turn enrag-
es me. Mr. Sterne and Miss Wilcox met ac-
cidentally, unconscious of the interest they had
in each other. The first interview revived
their early sympathies. It was too late to
recollect Mr.
's claims. The affair

may be considered an unfortunate one; but I
cannot admit that my young friends are unjus-
tifiably selfish. Who does not say, Petrarch
was a whining fool, and Werter a madman?
But forsooth, from respect to Propriety, De-
corum, or some starched goddess of that
stamp, Mr. Sterne ought to have sacrificed
his happiness-Emily not only her happiness
but her integrity; and all this to effect a
temporary deception, which must end in a se-
verer disappointment, at last; for, in spite of
the most perfect uprightness of conduct, that
bosom which is the abode of tender regrets,
instead of affection, will, sooner or later, betray
its fatal secret.

I am aware that, in objection to my opinion, it may be inquired, why this doctrine does not equally apply to conjugal life? Why is not happiness as precarious then, as before the ceremony is performed? Can we imagine a rite of sacred authority, which shall arbitrarily make that pursuit unjustifiable, in one case, which is allowable in another?

Divine Legislation is ever adapted to the nature of its subjects. The marriage connexion, it is true, permits the indulgence of no attachment, incompatible with the mutual devotion of the parties. But it is as true. however the contrary may be countenanced by pathetick fictions, that this kind of attachment cannot exist without HOPE. By the common consent of the world; by laws divine and human; by habitual opinion, the nuptial ceremony is decisive. This both secures the tranquillity of those who seal their vows at the altar, and prevents the importunate aspirings of new admirers. It may go far to obliterate impressions already received; but such an event is too critical to tempt the discreet to so important a hazard. Injudicious legislators have frequently. by licentious regulations, loosened the bands and diminished the decisive character of the marriage compact. The experiment has uniformly been found to foment domestick discontent. The reason is obvious-by such laws even the married constantly remain candidates for now connexions; the irritable passions are encourIt would be tedious to repeat the reasonings, aged; under the excitement of a trivial collis by which Emily was at last induced to relin-ion, objects probably little known, appear more quish her first position; that her fate was de- amiable, and a rash separation ensues, bringtermined, and that she was bound to fulfil her ing in its consequences,misery and regret.

T.

THE PLEASURES OF REVERIE.

[The following translation of passages, selected from Rousseau's description of his mode of life, during a summer which he passed in the island of St. Pierre, in the middle of the lake of Bienne, was communicated by a young lady. A partiality for such productions displays a refined taste; and I doubt not but many of my fair readers will share, with the amiable translator, a serene satisfaction, from Rousseau's picture of a state of mind, which every person of sensibility must have frequently experienced.]

LES REVERIES, PROMENADE 5 ET 7.

Translated for the Boston Spectator. "WHEN beautiful weather invited me, I used to throw myself, alone, into a boat, which I guided to the middle of the lake; and there, extending my whole length in the boat, my eyes turned towards the heavens, I suffered myself to be moved and gently wafted along, at the pleasure of the water; sometimes, for several hours, plunged in a thousand reveries, confused but delicious, and which, without having any very definite or constant object, were uniformly, to my taste, a hundred times preferable to the sweetest enjoyment I have ever realized, from what are called, the pleasures of life. When evening approached, I descended from the heights of the island, and following the impulse of inclination, seated myself on the margin of the lake, in some sweet retreat, on the sandy shore. There the whispers of the waves, and the agitation of the water fixing my senses, and banishing from my soul every other emotion, busied it in delightful contemplation, until night often surprised me before I was sensible of its advan

ces.

*

The ebb and flow of the water, its continued but occasionally swelling sound, striking without cessation my ear and eyes, supplied those internal impulses, which the state of reverie had extinguished in me, and made me perceive my existence, without the labour of thought.

* Such is the situation in

which I am often found, in the island of St. Pierre, in my solitary reveries. Whether lying in my boat, moved spontaneously by the water, or seated on the shore of the rippled lake; or elsewhere on the bank of a beautiful river; or by a stream murmuring on its pebbly bed. Such is the manner in which I have passed my time, during the stay I made there. Let any one tell me now, what there is in this so attracting, as to excite in my heart, regrets so lively, so tender, so lasting, that after a lapse of fifteen years, it is impossible for me to think of that dear habitation, without being affected with the transports of desire. * * I have sometimes thought profoundly; but rarely with pleasure; generally against my inclination and as it were by compulsion. Reverie revives and amuses me; reflection fatigues and makes me melancholy. Sometimes my reveries terminate in study; more frequently my studies in reverie; and during these rambles, my soul wanders and skims through the universe, on the wings of imagi nation, in ecstasies which exceed all other delights. So long as I enjoyed it, every other Occupation was always insipid to me; but when once engaged in the literary career, by an external impulse, I felt the fatigue of mental labour, and the importunity of an unfortunate celebrity; I perceived, at the same time, that my secret musings had become languid and cold; and soon forced to occupy myself with my unhappy situation, against my disposition, I could find, but very rarely, those

charming ecstasies, which for fifty years had
supplied the place of fortune and of glory;
and without other loss, than that of time, had
rendered me, even in idleness, the happiest of

mortals."

LETTERS TO LEINWHA,
Teacher of Morality in the Recesses of Latin-
guin, from a Wanderer in the West.

LETTER IV.

THOUGH the people of this country are a nation of merchants, their passion for letters is not extinguished by trade. It is continually struggling with the obstacles that oppose it, and in its efforts to surmount them you may behold the glory of genius vanquished by adversity, and smiling superiour to neglect.

his visit, he gave me a paper full of verses, which he said were written by a lady of his acquaintance, to whom he has promised to introduce me. She is a woman of great literature and uncommon virtue. I transcribe these verses for your collection of writings.

SONNET TO A RED-BREAST,

Who flew in at my window while I was asleep, and fer
out before I awoke.
"SWEET roseate songster of the leafy grove,
Return again; sweet bird, again return;
Warble those strains that Echo told to Love,
Before bright Phoebus could awake the morn.
And when I hear thy note from yonder trees,
Silence and Taciturnity shall sleep;

Thy note shall meliorate the perfum❜d breeze,
And the soft breeze on wings of down shall creep.

I always thought that a severe law in La-Then shall the musick of the spheres be still,
tinguin, which prohibits any one to write a
Or if not still, less sweet, fair bird, than thine ;
book, until he shall have passed an examina- Thy voice shall rise, the air shall seem a hill,
Round which to heaven thy melody shall twine.
tion by the great Crit, upon the penalty of los-
ing the thumb and first finger of his right
hand, and having his belly blown up with the
same quill which was instrumental in commit-
ting the offence. The lawgiver here has been
more humane; there is nothing so hostile to
literature in all their code. Every one has an
unlimited right to think for himself, and write
what he pleases. Almost all classes avail
themselves of this indulgence. The mechan-
ick, when the day is done, lays down his in-
struments and retires to his apartment; he
examines the edicts of his national assembly,
and furnishes the printer with his comments
on their proceedings. He arraigns their judg-
ment, or commends their wisdom. He calls
upon his fellow-citizens to co-operate with
him in opposing their designs, or adopting
their measures; and concludes with declaring
his disinterested zeal for the welfare of him-
self, his country, and posterity.

Return, sweet bird; sweet bird, again return;
Nor let this breast thy absence, Red-breast, mourn.'

DELLA AURORA BOREALIA.

I have not yet discovered the schools of the philosophers. I have however met with a proclamation in a common paper, from one of their learned societies, purporting to be the

There are others, who write in a manner called "periodical." Many of these productions I sent you by the last caravan. By them you may devise the pursuit of these authors. You will wonder perhaps at what you may imagine a want of method, the choice of expres sion, and the typographical negligence, which sometimes seem to violate the rules of composition.

But, as they are written for the whole world, they are conveyed to the publick by the same vehicle, which contains the wants of the needy; a schedule of the merchant's articles which he offers for sale; an account of foreign and domestick intelligence; with a catalogue of murders and marriages. To this may be added another reason the writers are generally those, who wisely study originality, rather than elegance; they are not restrained by those forms, which would only serve to abridge their performances; nor overloaded with reading, which would unavoidably steal into their compositions; and, as their avowed object is to reform the errours of the age, surely none are better calculated than they, whose minds are unbiassed by any favourite system, and unoccupied by any thing but their object.

I find the women here are also writers; and some of their productions are not inferiour to those of the men. They are free from unnecessary exactness, and minuteness of style, beautifully miscellaneous, and abounding with tales. The love of imitating the bards prevails with these females; in this character they assuage the pangs of love, when they describe its delight. My friend, whose poem I so lately mentioned to you, told me he had sold all his "copies." I suppose him to mean the printed books of his poem. In the course of

contents of a new book. I wished much to send it to you, but as I could not, its matters are here faithfully transcribed.

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CONTENTS.
"1. Dissertation on the zibeta occidentalis.
2. A new method to kill ducks.

3. An account of a spot seen on the sun's disk, July
13, 1731.

4. Origin of the word Dun.

5. Thunder and lightning, the cause of.

6. Account of a bone, dug up near a salt mountain. 7. Account of the discovery of longitude.

8. Commerce of the United States, how best promo

ted.

9. Concerning the planetary system. 10. Short and easy method for writing. 11. Anecdote of Dr. Franklin, and his whistle. 12. Improvements in agriculture. 13. State of the treasury."

POETRY.

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SELECTED.

The following elegant lines, in imitation of a passage
in the Medea of Euripides, are from the pen of Doc-
tor Warton.

HINT FROM EURIPIDES.
QUEEN of every moving measure,
Sweetest source of purest pleasure,
Musick! why thy powers employ
Only for the sons of joy ;
Only for the smiling guests
At natal or at nuptial feasts ?
Rather thy lenient numbers pour
On those whom secret griefs devour :
Bid be still the throbbing hearts

Of those whom wrath or absence, parts;
And with some softly whisper'd air
Smooth the brow of dumb despair.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR

JOHN PARK,

By MUNROE & FRANCIS,

NO. 4 CORNHILL. Subscribers may be supplied with the preceding numbers.

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