show of his intellectual powers for a precarious subsistence. Had he contrived any thing in the nature of a phantasmagoric spectacle, to deceive the eye, he might have profited by the ingenuity of his invention; but lectures which required the exercise of thought on the part of his audience, were not likely to succeed in a capital where people go to exhibitions only for amusement. Nor were the literary exertions of Mr. Coleridge, as an author, much more advantageous to him than his lectures. He began a paper called "The Friend," which had the fate of his "Watchman;" he produced also what he called "Lay Sermons," with no better success; and his tragedy, entitled "Remorse," though possessing many poetic beauties, was not adapted to the stage. He next published two poetic tales, one bearing the title of "Christabel," and the other "Kulla Khan;" both wild and improbable fictions, displaying a glaring mixture of beauties and deformities. The "Biographia Literaria," in two volumes, printed in 1817, would have been an entertaining and instructive work, had the author given more narrative and less disquisition. The few anecdotes contained in this literary life of Mr. Coleridge, are so amusing, that the reader is vexed at finding no more entertainment of the same sort. One of these shall be here selected, because it is characteristic, and throws light upon one branch of modern criticism. "Some years ago," says Mr. Coleridge, "a gentleman, the chief writer and conductor of a celebrated Review, [he might as well have said the Edinburgh,] distinguished by its hostility to Mr. Southey, spent a day or two at Keswick. That he was, without diminution on this account, treated with every hospitable attention by Mr. Southey and myself, I need not say. But one thing I may venture to notice, that at no period of my life do I remember to have received so many, and such high-coloured compliments, in so short a space of time. He was likewise circumstantially informed by what series of accidents it had happened that Mr. Wordsworth, Mr. Southey, and I, had become neighbours; and how utterly unfounded was the supposition, that we considered ourselves as belonging to any common school, but that of good sense, confirmed by the long-established models of the best times of Greece, Rome, Italy, and England; and still more groundless the notion that Mr. Southey, (for as to myself, I had published so little, and that little of so little importance, as to make it almost ludicrous to mention my name at all,) could have been concerned in the formation of a poetic sect with Mr. Wordsworth, when so many of his works had been published, not only previously to any acquaintance between them, but before Mr. Wordsworth himself had written any thing but in a diction ornate, and uniformly sustained; when, too, the slightest examination will make it evident, that between those and the after writings of Mr. Southey, there exists no other difference than that of a progressive degree of excellence, from progressive development of power, and progressive facility from habit and increase of experience. Yet, among the first articles which this man wrote after his return from Keswick, we were characterized as "The school of whining and hypochondriacal poets, that haunt the lakes." "In reply to a letter from the same gentleman, in which he had asked me whether I was in earnest in preferring the style of Hooker to that of Dr.. Johnson; and Jeremy Taylor to Burke; I stated, somewhat at large, the comparative excellencies and defects which characterized our best prose writers, from the Reformation to the first half of Charles II. and that of those who had flourished during the present reign and the preceding one. About twelve months afterwards, a review appeared on the same subject, in the concluding paragraph of which, the reviewer asserts, that his chief motive for entering into the discussion was to separate a rational and qualified admiration of our elder poets, from the indiscriminate enthusiasm of a recent school, who praised what they did not understand, and caricatured what they were unable to imitate. And that no doubt might be left concerning the persons alluded to, the writer annexes the names of Miss Baillie, Southey, Wordsworth, and Coleridge. For that which follows, I have only hearsay evidence, but yet such as demands my belief, viz. that on being questioned concerning this apparently wanton attack, more especially with reference to Miss Baillie, the writer had stated as his motives, that this lady when at Edinburgh had declined a proposal of introducing him to her; that Mr. Southey had written against him; and Mr. Wordsworth had talked contemptuously of him; and that, as to Coleridge, he had noticed him, merely because the names of Southey, and Wordsworth, and Coleridge, always went together." A gentleman, who was, at the time to which I allude, under a violent paroxysm of mania, and confined to his room, was called upon by an old acquaintance, who had not seen him for several years. Upon going into his apartment, the gentleman said to the person who conducted him, “Will he know me, Sir?”—“O dear, yes, he knows every body," was the reply. This the gentleman overheard, and laughed. What do you laugh at, Sir?" said the attendant. 66 Why," said he, "I don't know every body, but I know all those that I used to know," putting out his hand at the same time to the stranger, and calling him by his name. 66 I once knew a patient, who was so About the same time that he published the farrago of facts and opinions which he styled his Literary Life, Mr. Coleridge favoured the world with a work, bearing the truly ominous title of "Sibylline Leaves;" being a collection of his scattered poetry, in-violent and vindictive, that the securtroduced by a very splenetic preface, ing of his arms and legs, so that he complaining of the public taste, and could neither strike nor kick, was taking a last farewell of Parnassus. absolutely necessary. In this state But there is a fatality attending those he continued raving, and abusing all who have once enlisted in the service about him. Among other things, he of the muses; and though our author observed respecting himself, "What had not found that service in any de- a shame for a man of my consequence gree profitable, he could not so easily to be kept as a prisoner! what is the shake it off as he imagined. The fit reason of it? what has brought me to soon returned upon him, and within a this?" I replied in a whisper, "Your few months after his abjuration, he pride, Sir." Never shall I forget produced one of his best pieces, enti- that look of rationality and placidity, tled "Zapolia, a Christmas Tale, in which his countenance immediately two parts." This dramatic poem is a assumed. "Give me your hand, Sir, palpable imitation of Shakspeare's give me your hand," said he: "I had Winter's Tale, and the scene, which thought you must be mad for treating is completely tragic, is laid in Illyria; me as you have done; but I ask your but it would be difficult to render the pardon; you are a wise and underplot interesting on the stage. As a standing man, for admitting pride to poem, it possesses many striking be my complaint, you have taken a beauties, which would be more pleas-most excellent way to cure me. Your ing if the author had not disfigured physic, and your authority, and these them by uncouth language, and a me- shackles, will cure pride, I'll warrant taphysical jargon, drawn from the them." dreams of Kant and other German Walking out with a patient on one visionaries. This was the last public occasion, we met a gentleman of our appearance of Mr. Coleridge as aacquaintance; to whom, after the first poet, but he has been, as we under-salutations were over, the patient stand, employed in some literary con- said, Well, Sir, I don't eat the cerns with others; particularly in the bread of idleness at Spring Vale. unfortunate "Encyclopædia Metropo- What with eating and drinking, taklitana," the prospectus to which is too ing medicine, and walking over these characteristic of his style, and manner hills, &c. our time is pretty well of thinking, to be mistaken. Z. taken up. Besides, I am busy composing a book. I am writing a sort of epitome of the history of man, from his cradle to his grave.”—“ Very well," said the gentleman, "when you publish your book, I shall take care to be a purchaser.”—“ What!" said the patient, “publish a book,—a madman publish a book,-why, was such REMARKS ON MENTAL AFFECTIONS. (Continued from col. 1005.) The following anecdotes of Insanity are taken from the recollections of my own practice: 66 66 me. "No," I said, "I will not shake hands with any such person as you are; a pretty expense we have been at! What do you think of yourself? did you not promise upon your word of honour that you would never run away? With a most sly look, he replied, "Sir, I did not run away, I walked every step." Once, at breakfast, the morningobeing fine, I said, Well, now, ladies, for a long walk! nothing like exertion in these cases; nothing is got by sitting still."-" True," said one of them, "how should the mind regain its ra tional powers, if it is not rationally exercised?" These words should be written in letters of gold, and placed in every house where the cure of insanity is attempted; and yet they were spoken by one really insane. At another time I was walking out with him, and we were accosted by a beggar. "Art thou in real distress?" said my patient. "I am, indeed,” replied the beggar. "Dost thou want food?" said the other. "I do, Sir, I assure you," was the reply. Well, then, said the patient, silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I will give unto thee.' I will give thee advice: go into the next village, and feign thyself mad; the people will then take thee up, and carry thee to that house above there, and they'll give thee plenty of food.-I want to fast, and they will not let me. The scripture says, 'fast and pray;' now I only want to fast and pray, but as they will not let me fast, I cannot pray." I must observe here, that previous to his being put under my care, he had fasted six days at one time; but, upon seeing me, he said it was all over, and he began to eat: and yet in a little time he was as obstinate with me, till he found that I could force food into him with little trouble. He then said, he might as well take it quietly. At one time," Well, Miss S. and what was it that observing that we were annoyed with some sheep breaking into our premises from the adjoining waste, he called out to me, "Master, I'll tell you how to keep those sheep away :-you have only to catch the leader, and drench him with some of your physic, and hang me if either he or any of the flock will ever come again." An unfortunate lady, who from gross ill treatment for full seven years before, being put under my care, had become fatuous. She would sit muttering to herself, and it was but seldom possible to make her speak. In this state she was sitting one day with some other ladies, who were not so bad as herself, but were capable of conversing; and they were telling the causes which brought them to Spring Vale: One came to be cured of the rheumatism, another of a consumption, but all concealed the real cause. At last one of them said, brought you to Spring Vale?" With a quick manner, as being suddenly roused from a stupor, and with that keen sarcastic look for which she had been noticed in her happier days, she said, “Oh, I came to be cured of my megrims :" as much as to say, I'll tell the truth; and you, I know, have been telling falsehoods. A gentleman who had made his If any mental attack can be made escape from the asylum, after being upon the hallucinations of insanity, taken, on finding himself closely with a prospect of success, it must be watched, came to me and said, "I by the shafts of ridicule. I have often confess that I have been wrong in been highly pleased with the adroitescaping; but to put you at ease on ness of my patients in ridiculing the my account, I promise, upon my ho- folly of other patients, though they nour, that from this time I will never were affected in a similar way themrun away, and you well know that I selves. And even in those low deam too tenacious of my honour ever sponding cases, which require every to violate it." Soon after this, how- possible consolation, I have freever, he again made his escape, and quently observed, with great delight, I was put to much trouble and ex- the sympathies of friendship exerted pense in having him brought back.by those afflicted with the same disOn his return, he came with a great ease, with most happy effect; so that, deal of confidence to shake hands with under constant and judicious regula tions, the insane may be the best society for each other. But it is not in wit or repartee, or in the occasional expression of the social feelings, that the nature of insanity can be determined. Those afflicted with this malady may, generally, under proper management, be rendered agreeable and intelligent companions, capable of summunicating any knowledge they previously possessed; and while those of a lower rank in life shall be capable of useful employment, those of a higher shall be able to exhibit their superior education to the best advantage. THOS. BAKEWELL. Spring-Vale, near Stone, (To be continued.) STRICTURES ON PRIDE. "Pride was not made for man." ECCLESIASTICUS. | educated because he has not had so many opportunities of improvement as himself; and pride, joined with weakness and insolence, spreads itself on every side of us. Flattery so coincides with the passions and propensities of man, that when he cannot get the praise and adulation of his fellow-creatures, he fills himself up with his own, and, intoxicated with self-esteem, becomes proud, haughty, and consequently worthless. Now, the conduct of such a person as this, evidently shews him to possess a shallow mind, as it proves him to be destitute of self-knowledge, which is indispensably necessary to the proper regulation of our actions; and it finally draws upon him the censure and opprobrium of the world. I have attempted to shew the evil and folly of pride, when brought into action; and I will now exhibit it as it exists in the mind, in the state of inordinate self-esteem. In order to do this effectually, I will put the thoughts of such a person as I have Of all the objects which excite satire just been describing, into the form of and contempt, there is none more a soliloquy :-" I am wise, great, and ridiculous than pride; for, arising from good; nay, I am wiser, greater, and an opinion of self-superiority, it bears better, than all I see around me. upon itself the stamp of egotism. It With my accomplishments and educais the custom of some people, when tion, I am worthy to command the they want to know the worth or im- admiration and esteem of all the portance of an individual, to examine world; for superiority is my distinchis descent, and trace his genealogy: tion, and to enjoy the praise of manif he chance to be equally high-born kind must be my lot. They talk of with themselves, he is judged to be Shakspeare's greatness; but his father worthy of friendship and esteem; but was a woolcomber, while I am nobly if the contrary happen to be the case, descended. We hear of the victories he is immediately discarded as a of Alexander; but his neck was awkmean and beggarly plebeian. Now, ward and awry, while mine is straight were ridicule out of the case, and did and handsome: and, in short, comnot such conduct, even at the first pared with most of my fellow-creaglance, expose itself to laughter, every tures, I am entitled to superior rank reflecting being would pronounce it and honours. Now that I begin to despicable in the extreme, because it see my own worth, I will despise all derogates from the wisdom of God. the plebeians who may be in any way He has appointed every man a sphere, inferior to me, for I certainly am bein which he may act both honourably fore all in the endowments of both and usefully; nay, the talents given mind and body.” If this specimen be to each individual by his Maker, are correct, (and I have no doubt that capable of raising him to notice and many a proud man, if his thoughts esteem; and he must be despised, for- were inspected, would be found insooth, because he happens to want a dulging in far more extravagant ideas particular favour, which has been than these,) how foolishly ridiculous, given to another! It is the same as extravagantly weak, and unaccountcontemning the ox for being unac- ably depraved, a proud heart must be! quainted with the classics. But how A person indulging in these thoughts, frequently is this conduct pursued!- very nearly resembles the donkey, the rich man despises the poor for his having long ears, to listen with delight poverty; the learned slights the unto his own praises, even when dic tated by his own heart,-but, like that hardy animal, possessing at the same time a mind unparalleled in stupidity. A proud man, when exercising his pride, does it under the idea, that he is superior to the person whom he despises; whereas, on the contrary, by the very exercise of pride, he proves himself to be a fallen creature. Were mankind in their pristine state of virtue, no one could possibly esteem himself above his fellow-creatures, because that virtue, when equally disseminated through the earth, would have levelled to its standard all its subjects. Hence, by priding ourselves above the rest of our species, we only afford proof of human depravity. This conduct, then, is like that of a man, who, to prove his superior honesty, should go out and rob the first traveller he meets. pride will be laid low in the "house appointed for all living;" for, "the small and great are there." In conclusion, I have to observe, that although the poor puny inhabitants of this lower sphere may triumph over their fellow-creatures without punishment, and I may almost say, with honour; yet, at that all-righteous tribunal, before which we must one day stand, they will be slighted, humbled, and disgraced: for a proud look does the Lord hate." Dudley, September 26, 1822. 66 JOHN. CURIOUS EXPERIMENTS ON VINES. RESPECTED Friend, being Cautions and Directions in the Treatment of Diseases," designed chiefly for the use of Students. By Joseph Townsend, M. A. Rector of Pewsey. 1799. Having constantly an opportunity of seeing thy truly interesting work, and therein finding some valuable pieces If we take a general view of the on gardening, &c. &c. I now send way in which nature treats the chil- thee what I think very many of thy dren of men, we shall find that pride, scientific readers will be pleased with. and every thing savouring of it, is It is transcribed from a valuable mecontrary to all her established regula-dical work, the title of which is as tions; but let it be kept in mind, that by follows, viz. "Elements of Thenature I do not mean the evil propen-rapeutics; or, a Guide to Health, sities of man's heart, but that stated, fixed, and settled way of divine governance, to which every human being is subject. And here we see no distinction, no pride, no superiority :here disease or health, weakness or strength, is fixed to no particular class or condition of men;-but the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the learned and unlearned, the wise, the fool, the beggar, and the king, are all | subject to the same evils, cheered by the same comforts, and partake of the same common diversities. But if piety and happiness are to be the standard of superiority, (as they should,) I may say, that in the cottages of the poor, viewing the subject in a general point of light, there is more real piety, and untarnished happiness, than in the palaces of the rich, the noble, or the great. Let the proud man consider the state of all the human race when life shall be over; let him go to the grave, where nature ends her operations;there will he see that all the offspring of Adam lie together; that all distinctions of rank and title, fame and honour, are buried in the dust:-then let him reflect but for a moment on his own case, and he will find that his In speaking of nervous diseases, on the order Spasmi, section 1. page 232, he proceeds as follows: "Of Irritability.-Motion, as far as we are acquainted with the laws of the creation, appears to be produced by four several causes; Attraction, Repulsion, Irritation, and Volition. Lifeless inorganized matter is governed in all its motions by the laws of attraction or repulsion. Vegetables are subject chiefly to the laws of irritation. Animals are equally with vegetables subject to the laws of irritation; but rising above the vegetable tribes, we see them endued with a superior power, that of voluntary motion. It is of motion, as caused by irritation, I am now to treat; and, in the prosecution of this subject, let us begin with the motion of the sap in plants. "If the student will consult that incomparable work, 'The Vegetable Statics' of the Rev. Dr. Stephen Hales, chap. 3. he will be convinced, that the rising of the sap in plants is not produced either by the rarefaction |