;

"I must confess" (continued Dryden, "that I am equally charmed with the style and the subject; and I flatter myself, gentlemen, that. I stand in. need of no argument, to induce you to join with me in oninion against yourselves. This kind of writing exceeds any other; whether ancient or modern. It is not the essence, but the quintessence of language, and is in fact, reason and argument, surpassing every thing." The company all readily concurred with the bard, and each person was forward to express a due admiration of his lordship's penetration, solid judgment, and superior abilities, with which it is probable, Dryden was more thoroughly satisfied than any of the company.

Instance of extraordinary recollection. in the late Doctor Samuel Johnson.

Some time previous to Doctor Hawksworth's publication of his beautiful littleOde on Life, since published in Pearche's Collection of. Poems, in 4 vols. he carried

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it down with him to a friend's house in the country to re-touch. Dr. Johnson was of this party, and as Hawksworth and the Doctor lived upon the most intimate terms, the former read it to him for his opinion. Why, Sir," says Johnson, "I cannot well determine on a first hearing; read it again-second thoughts are sometimes best." Doctor Hawksworth complied: after which, Doctor Johnson read it himself; approved of it very highly, and returned it. Next morning at breakfast, the subject of the poem being resumed; Doctor Johnson, after again expressing his admiration of it, said, he had but one objection to make to it, which was, that he doubted its originality." Hawksworth, alarmed at this, challenged him to the proof, when the Doctor repeated the whole poem, with the exception of only a few lines.

"What do you say now, Hawky?" said the Doctor," I only say this, replied the other," that I shall repeat nothing of my composing before you again, for you

have a memory that would convict any author of plagiarism in any Court of Literature in the world.

ANECDOTE.

A merchant in the reign of James I. having a demand on the King of Spain, for some damage which he had sustained from one of the Spanish men of war, and not having any other means of procuring redress, proceeded against his Majesty in Westmister-Hall, where, for want of an appearance, the King was (after some process) outlawed; whereupon Gondemar, the Spanish ambassador, immediately paid the money: The King, his master, having at that time several suits against the English merchants depending, he could not (during the outlawry) proceed as plaintiff.

ORDERS TO MY PORTER.

Translated from the French.

Thou faithful guardian of these happy walls,
Whose honest zeal protects thy master's gate;

If any stranger at this mansion calls,

I'll tell thee who shall enter, who shall wait.

If Fortune, (blindfold dame) should chance to knock,

Or proud Ambition court me to her arms;

"Shut, shut the door, good John," and turn the lock, And hide thy master from their syren charms,

For in their dismal train, as black as night

Come hideous care, and sullen melancholy;
And song and joy, and laughter take their flight,
Nor leave one precious moment to dear Folly.
If at my door a beauteous boy be seen

(His little feet have oft my threshold trod)
You'll know the offspring of the Cyprean Queen,
His air (without his bow) betrays the God.
His magic smiles admission always win,

Tho' oft deceiv'd, I love the dear deluder,
Morn, noon, or night, be sure to let him in,
For welcome Love is never an intruder.

Should sober Wisdom hither deign to roam,
Nor let her in, nor drive her quite away;
Tell her at present "I am not at home,
"But hope she'll visit me another day."

EPITAPH.

To the Memory of JOHN DEALTRY, M. D. York, whose Skill in his Profession was only equalled by the Humanity of his Practice.

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Here, o'er the tomb, where Dealtry's ashes sleep, See Health in emblematic anguish weep:

She drops her faded wreath, "No more," she cries "Let languid mortals, with beseeching eyes, Implore my feeble aid-it failed to save

My own and Nature's guardian from the grave."

A monument is erected in the cathedral of York to the memory of the abovenamed gentleman, the design of which is a figure of Health in alto relievo, with her antient insignia bending o'er an urn, and dropping a chaplet, and underneath the above inscription.

ANECDOTE OF DEAN SWIFT.

When Swift was at Quilca, a country seat of Doctor Sheridans, he went one sunday to a church at the distance of more than two hours ride. The clergyman of the parish invited him to dinner, but Swift excused himself by saying, it was too far to ride home after it-"No, I shall dine with my neighbour Reilly at Virgini, which is half way home." Reilly, who was what is called there a Gentleman Farmer, was proud of the honour, and