Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

and the Complaint is very properly made in his " Malvern, a defcriptive and hiftorical Poem," that bids fair to live as long as the language in which it is written, or the mountains which it celebrates fhall ftand; "mountains," as he jufily fays,

lieft green,

"Of paftoral beauty, fpotted o'er With happy flecks, and cloth'd with live[fung:Where oft refounds the fhepherd's ruftic Mountains, furveying trees of richer bloom Than Tempe boasts, or Apennine beholds; Vales more abundant,-fields of kindlier foil,

Woods more umbrageous of imperial Oak,
A nation's bulwark, ornament, and pride.
What marvel, that a scene fo rich, fo
grand,

Should admiration e'en in Royal breafts *
Awaken ?-Admiration, that infpir'd
Of old, for yonder venerable pile,
Devotion, and munificence, and zeal,
To rear thofe richly-tinted Windorus, now,
Alas! with ivy, and with weedy mess
O'trufive, bung: fome, by the gutty wind,
Or ftripplings-thoughlefs in their boyish

fports

Fractured, and headleffly, by hand uncouth,
With ill-according workmanship repair'd.
-Such-once their grandeur-they, in fe-
quence, told

Man's blifs primeval and too speedy fall;
His various fortunes in Time's earlieft age,
Recorded in Jehovah's ant ent tome;
Actions myfterious wrought in Holy Land.
Nor lets myfterious those, by God's own Sun
In later time perform'd, depicted there:
His restoration of the fick and lame
To health and foundness,-of the deaf and
blind

To hearing and to fight-the dead to life!
His conqueft o'er grim Death, by dying
gain'd;
[Death

And o'er a monster far more due than

Soul-damning Sin I-Thefe (with eventful [man,

truths Count'efs, and of concernment great to

From Time's beginning to ts laft dread Lour)

*The Lahteld MS. concerning Maivern fates, that the fituation was fo much admired by Henry VII. his Queen, and their two fons, Prince Arthur ad Prince Henry, as to induce them to beautify the church with fta ned glass windows to a degree that made it one of the greatelt ornaments of the nation. "Thofe windows," Lays the MS." form a maror wherem we may fee how to believe, live, and die." It then enumerates the great mul plicity of facred fubjects delineated: one of which, a reprefentation of the Day of Judgment, is faid not to have been inferior to the paintings of Michael Angelo." See Dr. Naib's Hift. arucle Malvern,”

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]

Reitere, O Piety of modern times! Reftore them to their pride. What antient zeal,

deem'd

The generous zeal of better days bestow'd, At least preferve, and let not Ruin's tooth Infatiate prey on pearls. Away! away! With all that is unfeemly from God's house. Endure not there what would be noifome [Mule, Within your own; nor let the obfervant Who fo much all around fees fit for praise, There only cenfure, where not e'en the found [ear." Of Cenfare's voice fhou'd pain the pious In the fame ftrong, poetic-and, let me add-pious fpirit, the author goes on, invoking the inhabitants to rettore the noble, neglected edifice" to its priftine beauty; and concludes his too generally merited reproofs on other neglected churches with this juft reflection:

"How loft to Piety, to Virtue loft, Who, with fuperfluous pageantry and pomp, Adorn their manfions, and neglect their God!

Their own a palace.-His, the Lord of all,
Danp, foetid, loathfome, a fepulchral cave.'
Worcester.
J. W.

Mr. URBAN,

Chefier, Jan. 8. learn with much pleafure, that .there is a life of the late Edmund Burke preparing for the prefs. I hope the plan is a good one; that is, I trust the biographical productions of Jortin, Mafon, or Hayley, may be the model which the author means to follow. As Burke's correspondence was very exten feveral of his letters; and feveral paffive, the work may be enriched with fages from his fpeeches and pamphlets, duced: fo that he may be, in a great illuftrative of his life, may be introdegree, his own biographer. Of his early life a good deal, I prefume, might be learned from the fon of his old fchoolmafier. The Rev. Mr. Todd, in his valuable edition of Milton's Poetical Works, gives an account vol. I. cliii, of a literary club in Dublin, to which Burke belonged when he was, probably, a ftudent in the college of that city. In Dr. Campbell's Stricture on the Hiftory of Ireland, there is a letter of this great man to General Val lancey, which merits the notice of his biographer. Nor thould Mr. Price's obfervations on his Treatife on the Sub

թ.

fo firongly marked as thefe cannot, indeed, be well mistaken, if it fhall be once agreed upon that they are the diftinguithing characteristics of PROJECTORS. But I hope on fome future occafion to be able to prove that this is not the cafe with all PROJECTORS, and that fome think jufly, fpeak flowly, and have credit with their taylor. In the mean time, I fhall content myfelf with remarking, that there certainly is a particular fpecies of Projector who may be difcovered by fuch badges of a contriving genius. I have known a few of them in our times, and indeed they cannot affect concealment; for, their projects being molily of a political kind, they are obliged to frequent coffeehoufes, and other publick meetings, in order to announce what, in a dearth of credit with bookfellers, it may not be convenient to commit to the prefs. Now of this clafs of political Projectors, as far as my obfervation extends, " extravagance of conceptions" belongs principally to thofe gentlemen who deal in fchemes of the wholefale kind, who undertake very largely for the good of mankind, and are for overturning governments, and throwing nations into confufion. The meaus whereby this is to be done are very often difproportioned, in all human appearance, to the end; as when the mott worthlefs of mankind offer fchemes of happinefs to the world. But my readers mult here observe, that this is the great boast of all fuch projectors, namely, that the effence of their art confifts in effering the greatcit purposes by the loweft means, or in forming the great eft plans with the moft infignificant materials and the leaft labour; and this economy enters largely into their practice, whether a government is to be overturned, or a fhop-keeper to be taken in, whether a multitude is to be deceived, or a bailiff cluded.

The other characterific mentioned by Mr. Addifon, is "hurry of fpecch." This belongs to projectors whole plans feldom go farther than words, and who are, therefore, fo extremely defirous of fpeaking their minds, that their words are taught to make their efcape with precipitation, and without waiting for any order or arrangement. As to the "thabbinets of drefs," noted fo pointedly by the Spectator, it is well known that characteristic belongs almoft exclufively to projećting finan

ciers; who, in their anxiety to defray the expences of the nation, are apt to overlook their own little concerns, be come enamoured of round numbers, and speak of millions with a grand and impoling emphafis. This kind partiality for the publick is foon obferved to fpread over their whole appearance the infallible mark of diftinction here noticed. But they are not held in very high eftimation; and fome of them have been peculiarly unfortu nate, partly owing to the inattention of minifiers of ftate, who are always inclined to think themfelves the best judges of what belongs to their office, and partly to the ungrateful neglect of the publick at large, fo that it frequently happens that a man fhall be able to pay the debts of the nation in a few years, who knows not where to procure credit for the next meal. Indeed,. there is this fatality attends the finan cial projector, that he never meddleswith the fubject of debt until he is deeply involved in it, and never undertakes any thing for the nation but what he is incapable of practifing for himfelf. I have always advised thofe on whom my advice is likely to prevail, to avoid fuch dangerous projects as cannot be entered upon without a capital, but I cannot fay I have been very fuc cefsful; and I fometimes think that poverty and confinement bring on fits of financial calculation, and that fome men learn to raife budgets and loans as birds are taught to fing, by being confined in a dark room.

I have only to add with refpect to the above claffes of political projectors, that they do not belong to our family, and however numerous they may have been lately (for fome rank them among the miferies of war) the fuccefs of their plans is not of that kind which will recommend them to wife and confiderate perfons. I muft, therefore, as a neceflary recommendation to the favour of my readers, difèlaim all connexion with them, as well as with the religious projectors of late years, who have

particularly diftinguifhed by "extravagance of conceptions ;" and fome of them, I truft, have not beendeprived of that other characterittic,

fhabbinefs of drefs;" at leaft, it feems to belong to, and ought ever to accompany thofe who have attempted to fubiitute the "filthy rags" of piety for the "robe of righteoufhefs.”

But full I hope that, with the excsp

tions already mentioned, it may not be altogether difhonourable to enlist in the band of PROJECTORS; and, among other inducements of a perfonal nature, I am encouraged in this attempt by the liberal fentiments of Dr. Samuel Johnfon, himself a worthy member of the corps, who thus vindicates the genuine race of PROJECTORS; "By the unreafonable diftribution of praife and blame, none have fuffered ofteuer than PROJECTORS, whofe rapidity of imagination and vaftnefs of defign raife fuch envy in their fellow mortals, that every eye watches their fall, and every heart exults at their diftreffes." In another place this eminent author fays, and a noft confoling decifion it is, "The folly of projection is very feldom the folly of a fool."

In forining a project like the prefent, it has been ufual to befpeak the attention of the publick, fometimes by a lefeription of the author's perfon, and fometimes by the genealogy of his family. With refpect to the perfon of the PROJECTOR, it is of little confequence to give a defeription of what, by the conftitution of periodical writings, is meant to be concealed. The beti delineation is defective where there can be no opportunity to compare it with the original; and the circumftances of ftature, complexion, and feature, have feldom much connexion with the movements of the pen. Dit regarding precedents of this kind, there fore, I fhall wear a fhort face or a long one as I find it convenient, and fhall vary my age and shape according to the fubject I may, handle, or the character I may perform. Gentlemen feldom are curious in fuch matters; and if any lady thinks proper to enquire, I have inftructed Mr. Urban to make me neither old nor ugly.

But as to fauly, were I to indulge fo unjuftifiable a paflion as vanity, at my firft appearance, I might affert, without the leaft hazard of contradiction, that the PROJECTORS are a family of great antiquity, and that there are few countries in which fome branch or other of the race has not fettled, if the word fettled be applicable to perfons of fo various a turn that they are fometimes faid even "to move heaven and earth." We are to be found however in all parts of the globe, and may with great confidence put the queftion, "Quac regio in terris noftri non plena la

boris

Nor is the family more numerous than

the infinity of defigns by which, they have fought to raife their fame and fortune, and confequently benefit mankind. No fubftance, created or uncre ated, has efcaped their inventive or convertive powers. Body and mind are alike fubjected to their experiments: art and nature are alike pregnant with materials for the ingenuity of their fchemes; yet I must confels that this variety, however honourable to that univerfal genius which is the proud boaft of fome moderns, has tended in a great mealure to confound the merit of Projectors, and throw an air of ridicule upon their labours when viewed in the lump. Most of our family have felt the unreafonable disproportion of praite or blame;" and the high honours of philofophical refearch have fometimes been bestowed on the contriver of only a paltry convenience. Thus the panie of the inventor of the telefcope is little known to the generality of thofe who have agreed to keep in perpetual remembrance the illuftrious character who fir taught us to place a wine-glafs on a fquare piece of linen. There are difputes among the learned relating to the right of Galileo, while that of Doyley is acknowledged by univerfal fuffrage. And the memory of the parliamentary renown of a late eminent ftatefan is fatt going into the land of oblivion, while it will never be forgotten that he was the first who placed a flice of ham between two flices of bread and butter More recently fill, a young nobleman has thruft himself into the rank of PROJECTORS, by no other merit than that of bringing fkirt, into difrepute, and changing the full-length of a great coat

to the fize of a kit-cat.

Agaia it mult be remarked, for I do not with to glofs over the little infirmities of our order, that Projectors, like poets, are liable to fall into the bathos, when they attempt too many things, when they mix heroifin with bombait, and the grave with the familiar. It is really whimfical to fee a plan for introducing lax principles of religion in the fame volume with directions for tranfplanting hedges; and the fame man contriving to make coach-lamps fiationary, who had juft before written on the perpetual motion. Yet thus it always is with our numerous family; and it mutt frequently remind the publick of Horace's compofition of a man, a horfe, a fifh, and a woman.

In this verfatile humour of "putting

our

of the Gentleman's Magazine? The queftion is fair, and shall not be evaded; but, as every future paper will be an anfwer, it may at prefent fuffice to fay negatively, that I have nothing to ad vance in the arts or fciences properly fo called; I have no improvements to offer in botany, chemistry, agriculture, or mechanics; I have made no prógrefs in the difcovery of the longitude, and fhall not meddle with the lever, the axle, the pulley, or the inclined plane. Yet, that I niay not feen wholly inattentive to fuch objects, it will probably fall in my way to offer fome im

Our hands to any thing," while fome are conftructing iron bridges, others are improving green fpectacles. While fome are forming conftitutions for new republics, others are enriching their country in the article of wind-mills. While fome are introducing in new fhapes the exploded opinions of old infidels, others are fitting out veffels to go against wind and tide. While fome are fo afpiring as to mount to fmoaky chimneys, others are lavishing their genius on razor-ftrops and cork-fcrews. While fome have raifed a mighty name by planning revolutions, others have given their nights and days to cart-provements, if not upon wheel-carwheels. While fome have plunged into favour with potterity by the depth of a tunnel, others have burst into reputation by the force of fteam. Nay, one of my acquaintance, a barrister, remarkable for his fkill in crofs-queftioning witnefles, has fpent half his fees in the conftruction of pumps; and a very ingenious clergyman, who diftinguished himfelf last year on the question of refidence, has done nothing fince but make experiments on black-beetles.

It is thus that the name of PROJECTOR is brought into danger, and frequently fuppofed to imply a reftleflnefs of fancy, and a perpetual effort at ufelets contrivances. But there is certainly nothing in the name itself that ought to reflect difgrace. If a Projector fails, he but fhares the fate of many others who know not that they have deferved the name. In fact, if the matter were ferioutly confidered, a great portion of mankind who are apt to fhrink from that name would find that they have been projectors the greater part of their lives, but with a Hrange inverfion of purpofes. What, for example, is a man whofe fortune has been fquandered on dogs, horfes, and gaming-houies, but a Projector who has contrived to ruin himself in

riages, at leaf on those who use them : and although I have no difcoveries to nake of intrigues ainong" the plants," I fhall not fail to attend to thofe which are matured in the hot-houfes of diflipation. I may likewife take notice of fome new-invented wind-mills, of thofe fchemes which depend on vapour, and on thofe projects of felicity which fo frequently end in air. I fhall not fail to record the explosions which attend difappointed vanity and perverted talents, and carefully minute thofe variations of atmosphere which at certain feafons render home pernicious. It will perhaps be found that my projects will be as various as my materials; and, what will appear fomewhat fingular, I fhall more frequently refer my readers to improvements that are very old, than to thofe that are very new, Among the clafs of Projectors to which I belong, it has been long an error to look forward rather than backwards, and to neglect old schemes for new, before the new have been proved, and the old worn out. In mechanics this may be only ridiculous; in morals it has been fatal.

Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 2.

the fhorteft poflible fpace of time, and life of Hartlib, as Mr. Todd

with the leaft affillance from art or
nature? And what is a woman known
only in the annals of gaming and adul-
tery,
but a machine contrived by
fafhion to deftroy the happinels of a
family, and contribute to the difgrace
of a lex ?

It may now be afked, fince I have difowned fo many of the name, to what clafs I propole ny felf to belong, and what is the nature of thofe projects I intend to deliver through the melium

[merged small][ocr errors]

obferves in his Life of Milton, is defideratum in Walter Harte pronounces Hartlib “a English literature. man of great genius *," an" ingenious and diligent enquirer †," the great times of the commonwealth, and promoter of hufbandry during the much efteemed by all ingenious men in thofe days ." T. Warton fays, "he certainly deferved well of the

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »