modesty and diffidence, that a cursory observer, though acquainted with her for years, might have been ignorant of her worth. Her deportment was mild, but dignified; for she knew too well the respect due to herself, ever to condescend to any thing that would derogate from it. She never wished to excite the notice of others, yet invariably received the attention and respect of all, who were capable of discerning the excellence of her character. Her capacity was good, and her sense of propriety acute. Few could vie with her in integrity and delicacy of feeling. She was truly thankful for the blessings bestowed upon her by Providence, and endeavoured to be resigned to its afflic tive dispensations. The death of her brother, Benjamin H. Phillips, late American Consul, at Curracoa, was a severe trial of her fortitude; for she entertained an uncommonly strong affection for him: yet she bowed submissively to the will of Heaven. Sensible that every affliction was sent for her good, she endeavoured, as far as was in her power, to obey the will of her Maker, and strove to obtain that knowledge and faith which would ensure her a place in the Mansions of the Blessed. It was her earnest prayer to be taken from this world suddenly, and before the decrepitude of age should render her a burthen to her friends, so great was her fear of outliving her usefulness; and Heaven was not unmindful of her prayer, for the illness which terminated her life, was but of few minutes duration. Though she experienced that apprehension of death natural to the human mind; yet she beheld its approach without terror, supported by the conviction, that

"the dread path once trod,

Heaven lifts its everlasting portals high,

And bids the pure in heart behold their God."

Such was the conduct through life of this amiable woman, who lived beloved, and died lamented by all who knew her.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

THE authoress of the poetical article, addressed "to the modern Laura," in this number, and signed E. which, we have reason to think, was written at New-York, is thanked for a performance of se much genius, taste, and sensibility. We shall be always pleased to receive poetical performances of such a character; but as we under

stand that when she invokes the MORAL MUSE in prose, she is listened to with a very favourable ear, we indulge the hope that she will furnish us with a series of speculations upon those topics of letters and life, which the genius of an accomplished woman is best calculated to discuss.

The pathetic "Lamentation of an unfortunate Mother over the Tomb of her Son," is a memorable proof of the ardour of maternal affection, and of the vigour of a powerful mind, even when oppressed by the weight of tremendous calamity. We remember the object of her tenderness, a beautiful and interesting boy; and we believe that he ripened into a most accomplished man. In breaking the ligaments of this loathsome life, he has made his escape from its various thraldoms. He is now manumitted from its miseries. He is now a citizen of no mean city. Let us cherish the hope that among glorified spirits he is eternally enrolled, and

On flowers reposed and with fresh garlands crown'd

Quaffs immortality and joy.

A well written article, even upon topics repugnant to our feelings, and prejudices, should nevertheless be sometimes admitted by a liberal man into a liberal miscellany, whose object is to please the greater number. In The Port Folio for March, we inserted a Biography of the late celebrated CHARLES FOX, though we do not profess to be one of his partizans. Still we have never been blind to the brilliancy of his genius, the simplicity of his manners, or the versatility of his talents. He, whom BURKE, at a period of opposition and enmity, whom G1BBON, whom even PITT extolled, must have been no vulgar mortal. As a gentleman, as a scholar, as a companion, as a friend-he was unquestionably entitled to all the praise of his contemporaries. His elegant Biographer, Sir JAMES MACKINTOSH, having confined himself to the delineation of the moral, social, and literary qualities of Mr. Fox, we felt no hesitation to admit an elegant article, which, in our deliberate opinion, contains nothing more than a just tribute.

The Analysis of Antony's Speech is subtle, ingenious, and eloquent. The critics may differ, respecting our friend's hypothesis, but no one may doubt of its plausibility, or of the strength, by which it is supported. We think our valuable correspondent has a peculiar talent for those delightful investigations, so dear to the lovers of polite literature, and we urge him to be as lavish of this sort of criticism, as the multiplied avocations of a noble profession will allow to one, who is endowed with the happy privilege of speaking, as well as of writing well.

The gentleman, whose appropriate signature is R. H. R. and who delineates with so much accuracy and beauty those sylvan scenes, which inspire all his rural enthusiasm, we fervently hope will remember that he is a Port, as well as a Painter. In many of the earlier vo‐ lumes of The Port Folio, his compositions in verse, whether of a pensive or a gay complexion, were very favourably received, not only by the partiality of friendship, but by the scrutinizing severity of the stranger. Amid the cares of an occupation, which permits him to take a wide survey of Nature, let him sketch her more delicate, as well as her robuster features; and while many judiciously consult him, as an accomplished man of business, let the few, sometimes, have an opportunity to hearken to him, as the poet of the groves. Whenever this gentleman finds leisure, or inclination to task the powers of his fancy, he is sure to have a favorable verdict from all the judges in the court of criticism. We know him to be so perfectly well read in the Latin and Italian poets, particularly those of a descriptive, an amatory, or an epigrammatic character, that if he will not, habitually, translate from them himself, none is better qualified to indicate them to the attention of other amateurs.

The reviewer of Ashe's fictitious Travels in America, has ably vindicated an injured and defamed country, and fully exposed all the absurdities of a deliberate romancer. Must we look in vain for some enlightened, scientific, and candid foreigner, whose tour through our territories will render us common justice? The habit of grossly misrepresenting the manners, genius, and face of our country, contributes most perniciously to the strengthening of those prejudices, which time, as well as good policy, ought long since to have destroyed. With regard to Mr. Thomas Ashe, the last traducer of the United States, he comes forward in the imposing guise of a gentleman, who is therefore supposed to be governed by all the laws of Honour, Urbanity, and Truth. But when, in one sweeping clause, he denies to the Eastern States both manners and morals; when he first freezes New England with his polar ice, and then broils her amid all the fervours of a torrid noon; when he stoutly insists that she hates Great Britain with vindictiveness; when he talks about the bigotry of the north, and of the banditties of the south, and swears lustily that wild cats are always on the watch here to devour men; with all our respect for the character of an accomplished and manly Briton, we are compelled to think of this wild wanderer that he has not the most perfect pretensions to so illustrious a character.

The SCRIBBLER, whose unpretending title is by no means descriptive of his powers, has, in a recent speculation upon the hackneyed topic of ridicule, framed both a novel and ingenious theory, which he has supported with great dexterity of argument. Of the various answers to my lord SHAFTSBURY's famous assertion, scarcely one has escaped our regard; although many of these were from the pens of the most learned Divines and subtlest disputants in the kingdom, and although we had supposed the question was long since perfectly settled against his lordship, yet our correspondent has been by no means engaged in a work of supererogation, but has discussed a very curious topic, with the feelings of humanity, and the force of reason.

A sinister circumstance, entirely foreign from our control, and repugnant to our wishes, has precluded from this number its usual complement of plates. Though our prospectus gives us a latitude to insert from one to three engravings, it shall be our constant endeavour to be uniform in the number; and we shall never confine ourselves to one, unless compelled by some untoward accident. The editor mentions this in terms explanatory, not apologetical. The reign of apology is past. The public have now a right to expect from us a sedulous discharge of duty. We are conscious that, in the language of men of the sword, and of gallant cavaliers, we are on the ground. In that situation, it imports us rather to fight, than to frame excuses.

A yalued friend, who in our first number favoured us, and pleased the public, with an interesting article, under the general head of miscellany, is requested to persevere in his researches, with respect to the history, geography, habits and character of modern Spain. This section of Europe, excites, at this epoch, a very high and vivid interest. From his knowledge of the language, from his habits of reading, from his industry and zeal, we have a perfect pledge of his ability in this behalf.

The biography of the gallant TRUZTUN, inserted in our first number, we are delighted to perceive has not only been perused, with the greatest partiality, by the public, but, with perfect propriety, is considered as the harbinger of a series of the lives of those illustrious men, who have invigorated the commerce, extended the fame, and emblazoned the flag of America. At the commencement of our labours, this was a favorite object of the editor; and when we had the good fortune to persuade one of our best friends to undertake the agreeable task of recording the exploits of a brave scaman, who has augmented the nautical glories of our country, we were fully satisfied that the execution of the essay would be worthy of its theme. Nor

was this confidence without the broadest foundation, because the gentleman, to whom we were indebted for the elegant memoir in question, adds to his splendid literary talents the experience, the enthusiasm, and THE SPIRIT OF A MARINER. Like the illustrious subject of his narrative, he too has fought, and conquered the pirates of the

ocean.

We cannot neglect this opportunity to add that our opinion entirely harmonizes with that of our worthy friend respecting the maritime merit of America. Our hardy seamen and their bold commanders have nobly distinguished themselves on the waters of the Atlantic, and amid the perils of the Mediterranean. Place the American in any situation at sea, where Glory allures, or Danger menaces, and, in all the cardinal points of gallantry, enterprize, perseverance, and skill, he proudly emulates even the lords of the ocean. Both History and Experience abundantly confirm this assertion; and the editor cannot resist the liberal impulse, which urges him to declare, that, enjoying the privilege of an acquaintance with many of the officers of the American navy, he has constant reason to admire their undaunted spirit and their courteous demeanour; and to remark, with the greatest complacency, that they display not one particle of the mere seaman's roughness, but the manners, principles, and sentiments of gentlemen,

We understand that the biography of COMMODORE PREBLE, another renowned name in our maritime annals, is in a state of great forwardness. This interesting memoir of a great and good man is supported by the most authentic authorities, and the biographer, we have a right to aver, is a gentleman, whose liberal mind and cultivated talents will enable him to furnish an affectionate, as well as an elegant tribute to departed worth.

The biography of the benevolent PENN, that illustrious Friend, to whom Pennsylvania and Philadelphia are indebted for much of their renown, is honorable to the head and heart of the author. There is, somewhere, a folio life of the great proprietary, but it is an extremely tame, tiresome, and heavy performance. Our correspondent has rery neatly and succinctly exhibited the principal points in Mr. Penn's character, and has spoken more to the purpose in a page, than his predecessor in a volume. The verbal alteration, suggested by Mr. S. came too late for insertion. We shall be glad to hear frequently from this gentleman, and hope that he will often employ his pen upon topics connected, either with the liberal arts, or polite literature.