reasoning held forth as strong and convincing and his style as the highest specimen of the most sublime eloquence. If his reputation has suffered by the secret poison of the former, he is amply repaid by the adulatory praises bestowed on him by the latter. Occasionally we find as many opinions as critics. In one an author is unfortunately below their notice; in another he is happily above their praise; in a third a few beauties are candidly selected; in a fourth the very same passages are as candidly reprobated. Thus amidst so many contending parties the author may by chance escape with his life, and sometimes with an unblemished reputation.

Many other publications might be mentioned as formed entirely for the taste of the times; as plays, novels, &c, whilst the only object is to ensure a rapid sale for the present, little caring for the future success of their performances, and totally despising the opinion of posterity.

I shall conclude my paper with an account of à gentleman residing in a country village, who is a strong instance of the extensive influence of these productions.

PAPIRIUS is a man who has received a liberal education, and still retains a certain love for

X

learning, which however is cherished by few opportunities, little industry and still less judgement; partly arising from his habits of mind, partly from his situation in a retired part of the country. He feels an interest in the affairs of the state, but from his retirement he is incapable of forming a right judgement on political subjects; his whole source of information on this head is a

single newspaper. He is not less concerned

for the welfare of literature; but he has not industry to read the recent publications, nor strength of mind to form a right conclusion on their merits. A single review saves him the trouble of reading, and furnishes him with a sufficient quantity of criticism on each book, In the newspapers he places an implicit confidence with regard to politics; nor does he consider the Review as a less infallible guide in every literary subject. Well stocked with the materials collected from these, he is a match for all his neighbours on their own ground. He overcomes the Squire in politics, the Apothecary in physic, the Attorney in law, nor is the Parson, although a shrewd man, able to withstand him in a dispute on divinity. He astonishes them with wonderful stories collected from the last magazine; puzzles them with arguments and criticisms from the last review, and terrifies them

with the dreadful situation of the country from his daily source of intelligence. Whatever occurrence, however improbable, if asserted in thése, must in his opinion be true; whatever. dogma, however absurd, is laid down, by him is considered as perfectly valid. Papirius is become, a violent party man, and though the Squire is sufficiently loud on the subject, he is always louder and longer; nor can the collective force of the circle of his acquaintance stand against the weight of his arguments, the vigour of his language, and the readiness of his answers. One circumstance has not however escaped the notice of some silent observers of his conversation; that after the first fortnight his vigour begins to drop, and his noise gradually to decrease, untill the first day of the month, at which time being recruited with a fresh supply of matter, he opens his batteries with renewed force upon his astonished antagonists,

The cause of Papirius's knowledge continued for a long time undiscovered, and the depth of his erudition was in proportion admired by all his country neighbours. One of his acquaintance at length suspecting the source of his information, with more wit than compassion, and more humour than humanity, persuaded the too credulous Papirius to double his monthly and

daily cargo of learning; and ingeniously recommended a Newspaper in a state of complete political opposition to the former, and a Review conducted on pinciples quite contrary to the one which had previously determined his opinions. Papirius was completely staggered by his new directors: One moment he is taught to believe the kingdom threatened wtih immediate and unavoidable destruction; the next that it is in the most glorious state of permament prosperity. His party sentiments fail him, and he is confused, perplexed and distracted. His infallible monitor in literature no longer convinces him; another, as far as he knows, equally true, contradicts and combats the assertions of the former. As his judgement is not strong enough to determine the merits of the case, like the ass between the two bundles of hay, he is in a constant state of stupefaction. His former antagonists enjoy a triumph at his expence. Should he agree with them, his former directors fly before his face; should he disagree with them, the arguments of his new intelligencers disarm his force. As he is always of opinion with the one that he read last, he is totally unable to discard either of them; till which event takes place, he will never resume his original spirits and vehemence; but will remain a silent, penfive, discontented man,

T.

THE

MINIATURE,

NUMB. XIX.

MONDAY, October 29, 1804.

Si rarò scribes, ut toto non quater anno Membranam poscas, scriptorum quæque retexens, Iratus tibi, quod vini somnique benignus Nil dignum sermone canas: quid fiet?Dic aliquid dignum promissis,'

وو

HORACE, Sat. 2, 3.

"If hardly once a quarter of a year,
So idle grown, a single sheet appear;
If angry with yourself that sleep and wine
Enjoy your hours, while anxious to refine
Your labours past, no more your voice you raise
To ought that may deserve the public praise;
What shall be done?

Sing something worthy of the promised strain."-
FRANCIS.

IF my vanity and self-importance have not deceived me, many and various have been the conjectures concerning my sudden and unex

Y