Gothic Architecture. It has been well observed that Grecian architecture is the offspring of reason, and the Gothic of fancy. The symmetry that prevails throughout the former, and the variety of forms and parts which constitute the latter, style of building, seem to justify the description. Whoever has read Milton, (and who has not?) will allow that the Gothic architecture and its accompaniments are almost exclusively adapted to religious purposes; and will incline him to repeat, "with the same spirit that the author wrote," his beautiful lines on this subject But let my due feet never fail To walk the studious cloisters pale, Il Penseroso A singularly witty Sarcasm. A very passionate rider, in company with his friend of a cooler temperament, was continually urging his poor steed into rage by his unreasonable severity. The friend, in a low voice, exclaimed, "Be quiet, and shew yourself the lesser beast of the two." The passionate rider exclaimed, 'Sir, do you call me a beast?' "I was addressing myself to your horse," replied the sage companion, very coolly.-Menagiana. Aristotle and Lord Bacon. This extraordinary writer, equally famous for the extent of his learning, the sagacity of his intellect, and the unweariness of his industry, despised the vain sophistry of his coeval philosophers, and applied to experiment as the test of bis truths. My Lord Bacon, a man of talents scarcely inferior to Aristotle, was so disgusted with his Theory of Logic, that he seems to have thought that the Greek philosopher had no sound reasoning in any of his works. In his "Novum Organum," Lord Bacon seemed to think that, by introducing the arguing by induction, instead of by syllogism, he was destroying the foundation of the Aristotelian philosophy. Had his Lordship cast his eye on the "Metaphysics" of his opponent, he would not have thought of the Stagirite's logical powers so slightly as he seems to have done. "From experiments we proceeded to the possession of knowledge of things, and in this we found science," are the first words in the Metaphysics of Aristotle. Puns. Swift used to say that no one despised pans but those who could not make them. It is certain that very great authors have not thought them below their dignity. In the first six books of Milton's Paradise Lost, a very grave as well as very noble poem, no less than twenty very indifferent puns may be found. Cicero did not disdain them; and though poets, and their cousin-germans the orators, have many poetic licences, yet what shall we say when stately historians make use of them. Livy deigns to pun in his most grave passages: "Plebiscitum quo oneratus magis sum quam honoratus primus antiquo abrogoque:" lib. 2. Velleius Paterculus has admitted a pun on a very sensible remark on human nature. "Naturaliter, audita visis laudamus libentius, et præsentia invidia, præterita veneratione prosequimur; et his nos obrui illis instrui credimus:" lib. 2. Magnanimity and Roman Boasting.. The following speeches of M. Livius Drusus are equally in character with ancient Roman manners and spirit. "M. Livius Drusus, a young nobleman who was stabbed in a mob quarrel, was killed by a knife piercing his side, in a court of his own house. His last words were to the surrounding multitude. "When will ye, Romans, have again a citizen equal to me?" When his architect promised to build his house free from the vicinity and the overlooking of any neighbour, "Build me," says Drusus, a house (if your art can do it) in such a situation, and of such a form, that every man may see what I am doing."— Velleius Pat. lib. ii. c. 14. Anecdotes of Painting, &c. The very lively writer and compiler of these anecdotes of Artists, amuses by his vivacity as well as he instructs by his accuracy and industry. In his History of Ancient and Modern Gardening, he speaks of the invention of the Ha Ha! and the excellent use which Mr. Kent, our first landscape gardener, made of the invention; and the vivacity of his style exuberates in this place into the sublime."The genius of Kent leaped the Ha Ha! and found all nature was a garden.”—Anecdotes of Painting, &c. 4 vols. Ancient Philosophers. Many sayings and observations of these reputed sages of antiquity are of very doubtful merit, and some of very dangerous tendency. Some that are worth remembering shall be laid before the reader. Socrates Said well to one who asked him which was the easiest and shortest road to obtain an honest name, "Be that very character which you wish your neighbours to believe you to be."-Cicero de Offic. Solon. This eminent legislator of the Greeks was asked, "Why he did not enact a law against parricide?", I could not suppose it to be possible," replied the philosopher. With commendable caution he acted in regard to imposing penalties on crimes unknown to his countrymen: Such notices,' said the sage, are more calculated to put these things into people's heads, than to restrain the commission of them.* Plato. He observed of governments that that commonwealth would flourish most, where a philosopher was at the head, or where the head of the state was a philosopher, that is, a wise man.-Cicero ad Quin. Frat. "We are not born for ourselves alone," said this philanthropical sage; "part of our time and talents our country demands part |