So much has been said and sung on the inspiring powers of wine, that I anxiously watched its effects on these men of learning. -But, unfortunately for wit and me, no sooner were the bottles set upon the table, than the subject of politicks was introduced: a subject which to me is ever dull and barren of delight. To Miss Ardent it appeared otherwise; she entered with warmth and energy into the discussion, and spoke of ministers and their measures, of the management of wars, and the interests of nations, in such a decisive manner, as proved her qualified to become the Vizir of an Empire.

Not seeing the conversation likely to take a turn to any other subject, and considering that the presence of a stranger might throw some restraint on the discussion of affairs of state, I took my leave; and must confess, that I returned from this banquet of reason not altogether satisfied with my entertainment.

As after having lost a game at Chess, it is my custom to ponder on the past moves, until I find out the false step that led to my defeat, so do I ruminate on the disappointment of expected felicity, till I make a discovery of the source from which it has flowed. In doing so, I am almost always certain of seeing it traced to the fallacy of illgrounded expectation. Why, said I, should I have expected more from an author than from any other man of sense? When a man has given his thoughts a form upon paper, and submitted them in that shape to the perusal of the world, is he from thenceforth to be obliged to speak in laboured sentences, and to utter only the aphorisms of wisdom? Carrying my reasonings upon this subject a little farther, I was almost tempted to conclude, that the manners of even a female author might not differ much from that of other women!--but this, you will think, carrying the matter rather too far.

was

THE amiable, the engaging Delomond has this morning left us. His departure is like a dark cloud, which in early spring deforms the face of nature and checks the gayety of the season with the sudden chill of a wintery storm. It has particularly affected me, as it has at once shut the prospect of prosperity, which, as I had flattered myself, was fast opening on my friend, and deprived me of the sunshine of his presence. But per

haps my disappointment with regard to the success of Delomond is more in proportion to the eagerness of my wishes than to the solidity of my hope. The mind which, like the delicate leaves of the Mimosa, shrinks from every touch, is ill calculated to solicit the assistance of the powerful, or gain the favour of the great. The very looks of the prosperous it construes into arrogance; and is equally wounded by the civility which appears to condescend, and by the insolence which wears the form of contempt.

From all these multiplied mortifications, some perhaps real, and some only imaginary,

has Delomond hastily retired; and relinquishing the pursuit of fortune and the pleasures of society, devotes his future life to the indolent repose of obscurity. But, alas! how shall he, who was discomfited by the first thorny branch which bung across the path of fortune, struggle through the sharp briers of adversity ?-Can a mind, formed for the happiness of domestick life, endowed with such exquisite relish for the refined enjoyment of taste and sentiment, find comfort in a joyless state of solitude; or, what is worse than solitude, the company of the rude and ignorant ?-Ah! my amiable friend, thou wilt find, when it is too late, that the road to happiness is not to be entered by the gate of fastidious refinement.

THE first care that occupied my mind, after my arrival in London, was, to procure a safe conveyance for the presents which I

had intended to lay at the feet of the sister of Percy.

་

But,

I have just received an answer to the letter that accompanied them.-It is such as I should have expected from her who was worthy the esteem of such a brother. alas! it is written with the pen of sorrow, and blotted by the tears of affliction. The amiable old man, who supplied to her the place of a father, who loved her with such tenderness, and was beloved by her with such a degree of filial affection, is gone to the dark mansions of death. She has left the happy abode of her infancy, and her dwelling is now among strangers.-This she particularly deplores, on account of depriving her of the power of shewing the sense she entertains of my friendship to her brother in any other way than by words alone. Her expressions of gratitude have the energetick eloquence of genuine sensibility; they are greatly beyond what I have merited; but, when I consider the tender 11 *

VOL. II.