Petrarch's Sonnets. In the revival of letters it became the fashion to consider many writings allegorical, which seem not so intended by the authors. The Sonnets of Petrarch have been edited with a perpetual commentary, to prove that they were written on sacred subjects. Indeed, the refined and metaphysical thoughts in these love sonnets would easily admit of such a metamorphosis, and be readily turned aside from any profane meaning, or perhaps from any meaning at all, save what is unjustly called Platonic love. The acute and luminous historian of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire calls Petrarch's love for Laura a metaphysical passion for a nymph so shadowy, that her existence has been questioned. Gilbert Wakefield. A most singular instance of the dexterity of self-love, in apologizing for the imperfections of the writer's mind, is to be seen in his own account. "A strange fastidiousness, for which I could never account, and which has been a great hindrance to my improvement through my whole life, took a bewildering possession of my faculties. This impediment commonly recurred in the spring of the year, when I was enamoured of rambling in the open air, through solitary fields, or by a river's side, of cricket, and of fishing, that no selfexpostulation, no prospect of future vexation, nor even emulation itself, could chain me to my books. Sometimes, for a month together, and even for a longer period, I have been disabled from reading a single page, &c. A matter-of-fact man would call this a fit of idleness, rather than of fastidiousness; though such relaxation was doubtless of use, and even necessary, to one of such generally sedentary habits, and might, without injury to any man's character, be called by the right name. The mind endeavouring to investigate the mind is a singular phenomenon in science measuring a thing by itself would not be less so in physics. My Lord Bacon, in one of his essays, has admirably stated this absurdity in metaphysical studies: "The wit and mind of man, if it work upon matter, which is the contemplation of the creatures of God, worketh according to the stuff, and is limited thereby; if it work upon itself, as the spider * See A. Chalmers's Biograph. Dic. worketh his web, then it is endless, and brings forth, indeed, cobwebs of learning, admirable for the fineness of thread and work, but of no substance or profit." Milton has made metaphysics the idle sport of the fallen angels: Others apart, sate on a hill retir'd, In thoughts more elevate; and reason'd high Paradise Lost, book 2. Telemachus (of Bishop Fenelon) Is a most beautiful book; pleasing and instructive in its morals; sound in its politics and religion. The description of the old and patriotic King of Tarentum is a very masterly-drawn picture; and his virtues are their own rewards, viz. the love of his subjects, and his own cheerfulness and peace of mind. The style is very elegant, the rural scenery very delightful and picturesque. The character and description of the priest of Apollo is designed in the finest traits of a christian minister. The whole composition is perfumed with the "odour of sanctity." Ariosto, Tasso, and Dante. The dispute concerning the different merits of these Italian poets may be laid at rest by ascribing to each his due merits. As a regular poem, according to the acknowledged rules of the critics, Tasso is superior; and must also bear the bell, as to workmanship. Ariosto, on the contrary, has many passages very superior to any in Tasso; but they are ill arranged; and the fable of his poem is not sufficiently agreeable to the Aristotelian taste. The scholars of Italy admire Tasso, and love Ariosto. Dante is too gloomy for any reader but who is, or wishes to be, a monk of the Monastery of La Trappe. Men of mere Memory. This is a faculty, which, when attached to a feeble mind, may prove hurtful, or of little use. A young person who has been praised for his strengh of memory, is very apt to content himself with his powers of quoting the product of other intellects, rather than labour in the cultivation of his own. From this circumstance arise many babblers and few philosophers. A man of genius may be possessed of little force of memory, he therefore cultivates his own mind like a skilful gardener, who knows if he cherishes the root, the branches and flowers will sprout and flourish of themselves. Ask a mere man of memory on what principle such a position may be fixed, and the babbler is silenced; he knows that his recollection of detail constitutes all his talk; and the parrot would as soon be able to converse, as the babbler to reason; so well sings our poet of reason: The coxcomb bird, so talkative and grave, That from his cage cries cuckold, whore, and knave, You hold him no philosopher at all. Pope's Moral Essays, epist. 1, line 5. Arguments. Many persons unaccustomed to the restraints of more polished society are always ready to resist the sentiments of the last speaker by opposition, or what they choose to call arguments. Let the subject be what it will, interesting or not to either party, these gentlemen are ever ready to "play a fit of argument." When it happens among young lawyers, the reason of this practice is obvious, as it sharpens their wit, and strengthens their nerves for the Courts of Law; but it may be a matter of surprise, why a man without any fee or reward should raise the anger of a dull neighbour, by proving to him that his positions are absurd, and his expressions confused, and his sentiments altogether untenable. Silence in such company would |