metropolis, and would with pleasure at this moment re-embark on the bosom of that ocean, whose distant waves now beat against the happy shores of India. Some weeks must elapse before such an opportunity can be found. I shall, therefore, in the interim, avail myself of the polite and friendly invitation of Lady Grey and the family of the Ardents to go into the country.

If I can prevail upon the philosopher to accompany me, I shall indeed be happy. And let not Maandaara too much exult over the disappointment of his friend, when I confess to him, that experience has now convinced me that though the novelty of manners and opinions may produce amusement and the variety of human characters afford some degree of instruction, it is the society of the friend we esteem that can alone solace and satisfy the heart !

WHEN I vainly flattered myself with obtaining the company of Severan, I had entirely forgot his experiments. He has now engaged in them with renewed ardour; and so deeply is he interested in their success, that no motive, less powerful than the pos. sibility of relieving a fellow creature in distress, would be sufficient to make him quit his laboratory. The morning after that in which we had visited the building allotted to the reception of the unfortunate people, whom these good Christians have so piously devoted to Eemen,* I paid a visit to the worthy family who had been rescued from the punishment of poverty, and after having done what was in my power to preserve them from being found guilty of a like crime in future, directed them to return to Severan the sum he had so generously advanced.

But though I am thus deprived of his company for the present, he promises to join me as soon as his scientifick engagements

will admit. And in the mean time, he tells me, I may expect amusement (I wonder he did not rather say instruction) from the characters I shall meet at Sir Caprice Ardent's. This man of many minds has left his temples and his turrets, his pillars and pilasters, his arcades and his colonnades, to be finished by the next lover of architecture who may chance to spring up in the family; and has retired into the country to enjoy, without interruption, the calm pleasures of philosophy. The philosophy which at present engrosses the soul of the Baronet is, however, of a different species from that which engages the capacious mind of Doctor Severan. It is a philosophy which disdains the slow process of experiment, and chiefly glories in contradicting common sense. Its main object is, to shew that the things which are, are not, and the things which are not, are; and this is called Metaphysicks.

As I understand the matter, the art of these metaphysical champions lies in puz

zling each other, and the best puzzler carries off the prize.

While these Christian-born philosophers pique themselves in turning from light to walk in the darkness of their own vain imaginations, may the words that are written in the "Ocean of Wisdom," never escape from our remembrance !

Though one should be intimately acquainted with the whole circle of Sciences, and master of the principles on which the most abstruse of them are founded; yet if this knowledge be unaccompanied by the humble worship of the Omniscient God, it shall prove altogether vain and unprofitable."*

I have heard of a conveyance, which, al. though not eligible for my personal accom

This passage appears to have been taken from the Tervo-Vaulever Kuddel, a composition which bears the marks of considerable antiquity, and which, though written not by a Bramin, but a Hindoo of the lowest order, is held in high estimation for the beauties of its poetry and intrinsick value of its precepts. Part of it has been lately translated into English, by Mr. Kindersley.

modation, yet will serve to transmit this letter to my friend.

May he who possesses the eight attributes, receive your prayers! May you walk in the shadows of Veeshnu! and when by the favour of Varuna this letter shall reach the dwelling of Maandaara, may he read its contents with the same sentiments of friendship as now beats in the bosom of Zaarmilla. The brother of Zamarcanda salutes the sis. ter of his heart, and weeps over the tender blossom he entrusted to her bosom. O that by her care his mind may be nourished by the refreshing dew of early virtue!

What can I say

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