Thegreatestmoderncriticshavelaiditdownasarulethatanheroicpoemshouldbefoundeduponsomeimportantpreceptofmoralityadaptedtotheconstitutionofthecountryinwhichthepoetwrites。HomerandVirgilhaveformedtheirplansinthisview。
AsGreecewasacollectionofmanygovernments，whosufferedverymuchamongthemselves，andgavethePersianemperor，whowastheircommonenemy，manyadvantagesoverthembytheirmutualjealousiesandanimosities，Homer，inordertoestablishamongthemanunionwhichwassonecessaryfortheirsafety，groundshispoemuponthediscordsoftheseveralGrecianprinceswhowereengagedinaconfederacyagainstanAsiaticprince，andtheseveraladvantageswhichtheenemygainedbysuchdiscords。Atthetimethepoemwearenowtreatingofwaswritten，thedissensionsofthebarons，whowerethensomanypettyprinces，ranveryhigh，whethertheyquarrelledamongthemselvesorwiththeirneighbours，andproducedunspeakablecalamitiestothecountry。Thepoet，todetermenfromsuchunnaturalcontentions，describesabloodybattleanddreadfulsceneofdeath，occasionedbythemutualfeudswhichreignedinthefamiliesofanEnglishandScotchnobleman。Thathedesignedthisfortheinstructionofhispoemwemaylearnfromhisfourlastlines，inwhich，aftertheexampleofthemoderntragedians，hedrawsfromitapreceptforthebenefitofhisreaders：
Godsavetheking，andblessthelandInplenty，joy，andpeace;
Andgranthenceforththatfouldebate’Twixtnoblemenmaycease。
Thenextpointobservedbythegreatestheroicpoetshathbeentocelebratepersonsandactionswhichdohonourtotheircountry：
thusVirgil’sherowasthefounderofRome;Homer’saprinceofGreece;andforthisreasonValeriusFlaccusandStatius，whowerebothRomans，mightbejustlyderidedforhavingchosentheexpeditionoftheGoldenFleeceandtheWarsofThebesforthesubjectsoftheirepicwritings。
Thepoetbeforeushasnotonlyfoundoutaheroinhisowncountry，butraisesthereputationofitbyseveralbeautifulincidents。TheEnglisharethefirstwhotakethefieldandthelastwhoquitit。
TheEnglishbringonlyfifteenhundredtothebattle，theScotchtwothousand。TheEnglishkeepthefieldwithfifty-three，theScotchretirewithfifty-five;alltherestoneachsidebeingslaininbattle。ButthemostremarkablecircumstanceofthiskindisthedifferentmannerinwhichtheScotchandEnglishkingsreceivethenewsofthisfight，andofthegreatmen’sdeathswhocommandedinit：
ThisnewswasbroughttoEdinburgh，WhereScotland’skingdidreign，ThatbraveEarlDouglassuddenlyWaswithanarrowslain。
\"Oheavynews！\"KingJamesdidsay，\"Scotlandcanwitnessbe，IhavenotanycaptainmoreOfsuchaccountashe。\"
LiketidingstoKingHenrycame，Withinasshortaspace，ThatPercyofNorthumberlandWasslaininChevy-Chase。
\"NowGodbewithhim，\"saidourking，\"Sith’twillnobetterbe，ItrustIhavewithinmyrealmFivehundredasgoodashe。
\"YetshallnotScotnorScotlandsayButIwillvengeancetake，AndberevengedonthemallForbraveLordPercy’ssake。\"
ThisvowfullwellthekingperformedAfteronHumble-down，Inonedayfiftyknightswereslain，Withlordsofgreatrenown。
AndoftherestofsmallaccountDidmanythousandsdie，&c。
Atthesametimethatourpoetshowsalaudablepartialitytohiscountrymen，herepresentstheScotsafteramannernotunbecomingsoboldandbraveapeople：
EarlDouglasonamilk-whitesteed，Mostlikeabaronbold，Rodeforemostofthecompany，Whosearmourshonelikegold。
Hissentimentsandactionsareeverywaysuitabletoahero。\"Oneofustwo，\"sayshe，\"mustdie：Iamanearlaswellasyourself，sothatyoucanhavenopretenceforrefusingthecombat;however，\"
sayshe，\"itispity，andindeedwouldbeasin，thatsomanyinnocentmenshouldperishforoursakes：ratherletyouandIendourquarrelinsinglefight：\"
\"ErethusIwillout-bravedbe，Oneofustwoshalldie;
Iknowtheewell，anearlthouart，LordPercy，soamI。
\"Buttrustme，Percy，pityitwereAndgreatoffencetokillAnyoftheseourharmlessmen，Fortheyhavedonenoill。
\"LetthouandIthebattletry，Andsetourmenaside。\"
\"Accurstbehe，\"LordPercysaid，\"Bywhomthisisdeny’d。\"
Whenthesebravemenhaddistinguishedthemselvesinthebattleandinsinglecombatwitheachother，inthemidstofagenerousparley，fullofheroicsentiments，theScotchearlfalls，andwithhisdyingwordsencourageshismentorevengehisdeath，representingtothem，asthemostbittercircumstanceofit，thathisrivalsawhimfall：
WiththattherecameanarrowkeenOutofanEnglishbow，WhichstruckEarlDouglastotheheartAdeepanddeadlyblow。
Whoneverspokemorewordsthanthese，\"Fighton，mymerrymenall，Forwhy，mylifeisatanend，LordPercyseesmyfall。\"
Merrymen，inthelanguageofthosetimes，isnomorethanacheerfulwordforcompanionsandfellow-soldiers。ApassageintheeleventhbookofVirgil’s\"AEneid\"isverymuchtobeadmired，whereCamilla，inherlastagonies，insteadofweepingoverthewoundshehadreceived，asonemighthaveexpectedfromawarriorofhersex，considersonly，liketheheroofwhomwearenowspeaking，howthebattleshouldbecontinuedafterherdeath：
Tumsicexspirans，&c。
VIRG。，AEn。xi。820。
Agath’ringmisto’ercloudshercheerfuleyes;
Andfromhercheekstherosycolourflies，Thenturnstoher，whomofherfemaletrainShetrustedmost，andthusshespeakswithpain：
\"Acca，’tispast！heswimsbeforemysight，InexorableDeath，andclaimshisright。
BearmylastwordstoTurnus;flywithspeedAndbidhimtimelytomychargesucceed;
RepeltheTrojans，andthetownrelieve：
Farewell。\"
DRYDEN。
Turnusdidnotdieinsoheroicamanner，thoughourpoetseemstohavehadhiseyeuponTurnus’sspeechinthelastverse：
LordPercyseesmyfall-
Vicisti，etvictumtenderepalmasAusoniividere。
VIRG。，AEn。xii。936。
TheLatinchiefshaveseenmebegmylife。
DRYDEN。
EarlPercy’slamentationoverhisenemyisgenerous，beautiful，andpassionate。Imustonlycautionthereadernottoletthesimplicityofthestyle，whichonemaywellpardoninsooldapoet，prejudicehimagainstthegreatnessofthethought：
Thenleavinglife，EarlPercytookThedeadmanbythehand，Andsaid，\"EarlDouglas，forthylifeWouldIhadlostmyland。
\"OChrist！myveryheartdothbleedWithsorrowforthysake;
ForsureamorerenownedknightMischancedidnevertake。\"
Thatbeautifulline，\"Takingthedeadmanbythehand，\"willputthereaderinmindofAEneas’sbehaviourtowardsLausus，whomhehimselfhadslainashecametotherescueofhisagedfather：
Atveroutvultumviditmorientisetora，OramodisAnchisiadespallentiamiris;
Ingemuit，miseransgraviter，dextramqnetetendit。
VIRG。，AEn。x。821。
ThepiousprincebeheldyoungLaususdead;
Hegrieved，hewept，thengraspedhishandandsaid，\"Poorhaplessyouth！whatpraisescanbepaidToworthsogreat？\"
DRYDEN。
Ishalltakeanotheropportunitytoconsidertheotherpartsofthisoldsong。
NEXTESSAY-
Pendentoperainterrupta。
VIRG。，AEn。iv。88。
Theworksunfinishedandneglectedlie。
InmylastMonday’spaperIgavesomegeneralinstancesofthosebeautifulstrokeswhichpleasethereaderintheoldsongof\"Chevy-
Chase;\"Ishallhere，accordingtomypromise，bemoreparticular，andshowthatthesentimentsinthatballadareextremelynaturalandpoetical，andfullofthemajesticsimplicitywhichweadmireinthegreatestoftheancientpoets：forwhichreasonIshallquoteseveralpassagesofit，inwhichthethoughtisaltogetherthesamewithwhatwemeetinseveralpassagesofthe\"AEneid;\"notthatI
wouldinferfromthencethatthepoet，whoeverhewas，proposedtohimselfanyimitationofthosepassages，butthathewasdirectedtothemingeneralbythesamekindofpoeticalgenius，andbythesamecopyingsafternature。
Hadthisoldsongbeenfilledwithepigrammaticalturnsandpointsofwit，itmightperhapshavepleasedthewrongtasteofsomereaders;butitwouldneverhavebecomethedelightofthecommonpeople，norhavewarmedtheheartofSirPhilipSidneylikethesoundofatrumpet;itisonlynaturethatcanhavethiseffect，andpleasethosetasteswhicharethemostunprejudiced，orthemostrefined。Imust，however，begleavetodissentfromsogreatanauthorityasthatofSirPhilipSidney，inthejudgmentwhichhehaspassedastotherudestyleandevilapparelofthisantiquatedsong;forthereareseveralpartsinitwherenotonlythethoughtbutthelanguageismajestic，andthenumberssonorous;atleasttheapparelismuchmoregorgeousthanmanyofthepoetsmadeuseofinQueenElizabeth’stime，asthereaderwillseeinseveralofthefollowingquotations。
Whatcanbegreaterthaneitherthethoughtortheexpressioninthatstanza，TodrivethedeerwithhoundandhornEarlPercytookhisway;
ThechildmayruethatisunbornThehuntingofthatday！
Thiswayofconsideringthemisfortuneswhichthisbattlewouldbringuponposterity，notonlyonthosewhowerebornimmediatelyafterthebattle，andlosttheirfathersinit，butonthosealsowhoperishedinfuturebattleswhichtooktheirrisefromthisquarrelofthetwoearls，iswonderfullybeautifulandconformabletothewayofthinkingamongtheancientpoets。
Audietpugnasvitioparentum。
Rarajuventus。
HOR。，Od。i。2，23。
Posterity，thinn’dbytheirfathers’crimes，Shallread，withgrief，thestoryoftheirtimes。
Whatcanbemoresoundingandpoetical，orresemblemorethemajesticsimplicityoftheancients，thanthefollowingstanzas？——
ThestoutEarlofNorthumberlandAvowtoGoddidmake，HispleasureintheScottishwoodsThreesummer’sdaystotake。
Withfifteenhundredbowmenbold，Allchosenmenofmight，Whoknewfullwell，intimeofneed，Toaimtheirshaftsaright。
ThehoundsranswiftlythroughthewoodsThenimbledeertotake，AndwiththeircriesthehillsanddalesAnechoshrilldidmake-
VocatingenticlamoreCithaeron，Taygetiquecanes，domitrixqueEpidaurusequorum：
Etvoxassensumemorumingeminataremugit。
VIRG。，Georg。iii。43。
Cithaeronloudlycallsmetomyway：
Thyhounds，Taygetus，open，andpursuetheirprey：
HighEpidaurusurgesonmyspeed，Famedforhishills，andforhishorses’breed：
Fromhillsanddalesthecheerfulcriesrebound：
ForEchohuntsalong，andpropagatesthesound。
DRYDEN。
Lo，yonderdothEarlDouglascome，Hismeninarmourbright;
FulltwentyhundredScottishspears，Allmarchinginoursight。
AllmenofpleasantTividale，FastbytheriverTweed，&c。
ThecountryoftheScotchwarrior，describedinthesetwolastverses，hasafineromanticsituation，andaffordsacoupleofsmoothwordsforverse。IfthereadercomparestheforegoingsixlinesofthesongwiththefollowingLatinverses，hewillseehowmuchtheyarewritteninthespiritofVirgil：
Adversicampoapparent：hastasquereductisProtenduntlongedextris，etspiculavibrant：-
QuiquealtumPraenesteviri，quiquearvaGabinaeJunonis，gelidumqueAnienem，etroscidarivisHernicasaxacolunt：-quirosearuraVelini;
QuiTetricaehorrentesrupes，montemqueSeverum，Casperiamquecolunt，porulosqueetflumenHimellae：
QuiTyberimFabarimquebibunt。
AEn。xi。605，vii。682，712。
Advancinginalinetheycouchtheirspears——-
Praenestesendsachosenband，WiththosewhoploughSaturnia’sGabineland：
BesidesthesuccourswhichcoldAnienyields：
TherocksofHernicus——besidesabandThatfollowedfromVelinum’sdewyland-
AndmountaineersthatfromSeveruscame：
AndfromthecraggycliffsofTetrica;
AndthosewhereyellowTibertakeshisway，AndwhereHimella’swantonwatersplay：
Casperiasendsherarms，withthosethatlieByFabaris，andfruitfulForuli。
DRYDEN。
Buttoproceed：
EarlDouglasonamilk-whitesteed，Mostlikeabaronbold，Rodeforemostofthecompany，Whosearmourshonelikegold。
Turnus，utantevolanstardumpraecesseratagmen，&c。
Vidisti，quoTurnusequo，quibusibatinarmisAurcus——AEn。ix。47，269。
OurEnglisharchersbenttheirbows，Theirheartsweregoodandtrue;
Atthefirstflightofarrowssent，FullthreescoreScotstheyslew。
Theyclosedfullfastonev’ryside，Noslacknesstherewasfound;
AndmanyagallantgentlemanLaygaspingontheground。
WiththattherecameanarrowkeenOutofanEnglishbow，WhichstruckEarlDouglastotheheart，Adeepanddeadlyblow。
AEneaswaswoundedafterthesamemannerbyanunknownhandinthemidstofaparley。
Hasintervoces，mediaintertaliaverba，Eccevirostridensalisallapsasagittaest，Incertumquapulsamanu——AEn。xii。318。
Thus，whilehespake，unmindfulofdefence，Awingedarrowstruckthepiousprince;
Butwhetherfromahumanhanditcame，Orhostilegod，isleftunknownbyfame。
DRYDEN。
Butofallthedescriptivepartsofthissong，therearenonemorebeautifulthanthefourfollowingstanzas，whichhaveagreatforceandspiritinthem，andarefilledwithverynaturalcircumstances。
Thethoughtinthethirdstanzawasnevertouchedbyanyotherpoet，andissuchaoneaswouldhaveshoneinHomerorinVirgil：
Sothusdidboththesenoblesdie，Whosecouragenonecouldstain;
AnEnglisharcherthenperceivedThenobleEarlwasslain。
Hehadabowbentinhishand，Madeofatrustytree，Anarrowofacloth-yardlongUntotheheaddrewhe。
AgainstSirHughMontgomerySorighthisshaftheset，Thegray-goosewingthatwasthereonInhisheart-bloodwaswet。
ThisfightdidlastfrombreakofdayTillsettingofthesun;
Forwhentheyrungtheev’ningbellThebattlescarcewasdone。
Onemayobserve，likewise，thatinthecatalogueoftheslain，theauthorhasfollowedtheexampleofthegreatestancientpoets，notonlyingivingalonglistofthedead，butbydiversifyingitwithlittlecharactersofparticularpersons。
AndwithEarlDouglastherewasslainSirHughMontgomery，SirCharlesCarrel，thatfromthefieldOnefootwouldneverfly。
SirCharlesMurrelofRatclifftoo，Hissister’ssonwashe;
SirDavidLambsowellesteem’d，Yetsavedcouldnotbe。
Thefamiliarsoundinthesenamesdestroysthemajestyofthedescription;forthisreasonIdonotmentionthispartofthepoembuttoshowthenaturalcastofthoughtwhichappearsinit，asthetwolastverseslookalmostlikeatranslationofVirgil-
CaditetRipheusjustissimusunusQuifuitinTeucrisetservantissimusaequi。
Diisalitervisum。
AEn。ii。426。
ThenRipheusfellintheunequalfight，Justofhisword，observantoftheright：
Heav’nthoughtnotso。
DRYDEN。
InthecatalogueoftheEnglishwhofell，Witherington’sbehaviourisinthesamemannerparticularisedveryartfully，asthereaderispreparedforitbythataccountwhichisgivenofhiminthebeginningofthebattle;thoughIamsatisfiedyourlittlebuffoonreaders，whohaveseenthatpassageridiculedin\"Hudibras，\"willnotbeabletotakethebeautyofit：forwhichreasonIdarenotsomuchasquoteit。
Thensteptagallant’squireforth，Witheringtonwashisname，Whosaid，\"IwouldnothaveittoldToHenryourkingforshame，\"Thate’ermycaptainfoughtonfoot，AndIstoodlookingon。\"
WemeetwiththesameheroicsentimentinVirgil：
Nonpudet，ORutuli，cunctisprotalibusunamObjectareanimam？numeroneanviribusaequiNonsumus？
AEn。xii。229
Forshame，Rutilians，canyouhearthesightOfoneexposedforall，insinglefight？
Canwebeforethefaceofheav’nconfessOurcouragecolder，orournumbersless？
DRYDEN。
Whatcanbemorenatural，ormoremoving，thanthecircumstancesinwhichhedescribesthebehaviourofthosewomenwhohadlosttheirhusbandsonthisfatalday？
NextdaydidmanywidowscomeTheirhusbandstobewail;
Theywash’dtheirwoundsinbrinishtears，Butallwouldnotprevail。
Theirbodiesbathedinpurpleblood，Theyborewiththemaway;
Theykiss’dthemdeadathousandtimes，Whentheywerecladinclay。
Thusweseehowthethoughtsofthispoem，whichnaturallyarisefromthesubject，arealwayssimple，andsometimesexquisitelynoble;thatthelanguageisoftenverysounding，andthatthewholeiswrittenwithatruepoeticalspirit。
IfthissonghadbeenwrittenintheGothicmannerwhichisthedelightofallourlittlewits，whetherwritersorreaders，itwouldnothavehitthetasteofsomanyages，andhavepleasedthereadersofallranksandconditions。IshallonlybegpardonforsuchaprofusionofLatinquotations;whichIshouldnothavemadeuseof，butthatIfearedmyownjudgmentwouldhavelookedtoosingularonsuchasubject，hadnotIsupporteditbythepracticeandauthorityofVirgil。
ADREAMOFTHEPAINTERS-
Animumpicturapascitinani。
VIRG。，AEn。i。464。
Andwiththeshadowypicturefeedshismind。
Whentheweatherhindersmefromtakingmydiversionswithout-doors，Ifrequentlymakealittleparty，withtwoorthreeselectfriends，tovisitanythingcuriousthatmaybeseenundercover。Myprincipalentertainmentsofthisnaturearepictures，insomuchthatwhenIhavefoundtheweathersetintobeverybad，Ihavetakenawholeday’sjourneytoseeagallerythatisfurnishedbythehandsofgreatmasters。Bythismeans，whentheheavensarefilledwithclouds，whentheearthswimsinrain，andallnaturewearsaloweringcountenance，Iwithdrawmyselffromtheseuncomfortablescenes，intothevisionaryworldsofart;whereImeetwithshininglandscapes，gildedtriumphs，beautifulfaces，andallthoseotherobjectsthatfillthemindwithgayideas，anddispersethatgloominesswhichisapttohanguponitinthosedarkdisconsolateseasons。
Iwassomeweeksagoinacourseofthesediversions，whichhadtakensuchanentirepossessionofmyimaginationthattheyformedinitashortmorning’sdream，whichIshallcommunicatetomyreader，ratherasthefirstsketchandoutlinesofavision，thanasafinishedpiece。
IdreamtthatIwasadmittedintoalong，spaciousgallery，whichhadonesidecoveredwithpiecesofallthefamouspainterswhoarenowliving，andtheotherwiththeworksofthegreatestmastersthataredead。
Onthesideoftheliving，Isawseveralpersonsbusyindrawing，colouring，anddesigning。Onthesideofthedeadpainters，Icouldnotdiscovermorethanonepersonatwork，whowasexceedingslowinhismotions，andwonderfullyniceinhistouches。
Iwasresolvedtoexaminetheseveralartiststhatstoodbeforeme，andaccordinglyappliedmyselftothesideoftheliving。ThefirstIobservedatworkinthispartofthegallerywasVanity，withhishairtiedbehindhiminariband，anddressedlikeaFrenchman。Allthefaceshedrewwereveryremarkablefortheirsmiles，andacertainsmirkingairwhichhebestowedindifferentlyoneveryageanddegreeofeithersex。Thetoujoursgaiappearedeveninhisjudges，bishops，andPrivyCouncillors。Inaword，allhismenwerepetitsmaitres，andallhiswomencoquettes。Thedraperyofhisfigureswasextremelywellsuitedtohisfaces，andwasmadeupofalltheglaringcoloursthatcouldbemixedtogether;everypartofthedresswasinaflutter，andendeavouredtodistinguishitselfabovetherest。
OnthelefthandofVanitystoodalaboriousworkman，whoIfoundwashishumbleadmirer，andcopiedafterhim。HewasdressedlikeaGerman，andhadaveryhardnamethatsoundedsomethinglikeStupidity。
ThethirdartistthatIlookedoverwasFantasque，dressedlikeaVenetianscaramouch。Hehadanexcellenthandatchimera，anddealtverymuchindistortionsandgrimaces。Hewouldsometimesaffrighthimselfwiththephantomsthatflowedfromhispencil。Inshort，themostelaborateofhispieceswasatbestbutaterrifyingdream：
andonecouldsaynothingmoreofhisfinestfiguresthanthattheywereagreeablemonsters。
ThefourthpersonIexaminedwasveryremarkableforhishastyhand，whichlefthispicturessounfinishedthatthebeautyinthepicture，whichwasdesignedtocontinueasamonumentofittoposterity，fadedsoonerthaninthepersonafterwhomitwasdrawn。
Hemadesomuchhastetodespatchhisbusinessthatheneithergavehimselftimetocleanhispencilsnormixhiscolours。ThenameofthisexpeditiousworkmanwasAvarice。
NotfarfromthisartistIsawanotherofaquitedifferentnature，whowasdressedinthehabitofaDutchman，andknownbythenameofIndustry。Hisfigureswerewonderfullylaboured。Ifhedrewtheportraitureofaman，hedidnotomitasinglehairinhisface;ifthefigureofaship，therewasnotaropeamongthetacklethatescapedhim。Hehadlikewisehungagreatpartofthewallwithnight-pieces，thatseemedtoshowthemselvesbythecandleswhichwerelightedupinseveralpartsofthem;andweresoinflamedbythesunshinewhichaccidentallyfelluponthem，thatatfirstsightIcouldscarceforbearcryingout\"Fire！\"
Thefiveforegoingartistswerethemostconsiderableonthissidethegallery;therewereindeedseveralotherswhomIhadnottimetolookinto。Oneofthem，however，Icouldnotforbearobserving，whowasverybusyinretouchingthefinestpieces，thoughheproducednooriginalsofhisown。Hispencilaggravatedeveryfeaturethatwasbeforeovercharged，loadedeverydefect，andpoisonedeverycolourittouched。Thoughthisworkmandidsomuchmischiefonthesideoftheliving，heneverturnedhiseyetowardsthatofthedead。HisnamewasEnvy。
Havingtakenacursoryviewofonesideofthegallery，Iturnedmyselftothatwhichwasfilledbytheworksofthosegreatmastersthatweredead;whenimmediatelyIfanciedmyselfstandingbeforeamultitudeofspectators，andthousandsofeyeslookinguponmeatonce：forallbeforemeappearedsolikemenandwomen，thatI
almostforgottheywerepictures。Raphael’spicturesstoodinonerow，Titian’sinanother，GuidoRheni’sinathird。OnepartofthewallwaspeopledbyHannabalCarrache，anotherbyCorreggio，andanotherbyRubens。Tobeshort，therewasnotagreatmasteramongthedeadwhohadnotcontributedtotheembellishmentofthissideofthegallery。Thepersonsthatowedtheirbeingtotheseseveralmastersappearedallofthemtoberealandalive，anddifferedamongoneanotheronlyinthevarietyoftheirshapes，complexions，andclothes;sothattheylookedlikedifferentnationsofthesamespecies。
Observinganoldman，whowasthesamepersonIbeforementioned，astheonlyartistthatwasatworkonthissideofthegallery，creepingupanddownfromonepicturetoanother，andretouchingallthefinepiecesthatstoodbeforeme，Icouldnotbutbeveryattentivetoallhismotions。Ifoundhispencilwassoverylightthatitworkedimperceptibly，andafterathousandtouchesscarceproducedanyvisibleeffectinthepictureonwhichhewasemployed。
However，ashebusiedhimselfincessantly，andrepeatedtouchaftertouchwithoutrestorintermission，heworeoffinsensiblyeverylittledisagreeableglossthathunguponafigure。Healsoaddedsuchabeautifulbrowntotheshades，andmellownesstothecolours，thathemadeeverypictureappearmoreperfectthanwhenitcamefreshfromthemaster’spencil。Icouldnotforbearlookinguponthefaceofthisancientworkman，andimmediatelybythelonglockofhairuponhisforehead，discoveredhimtobeTime。
WhetheritwerebecausethethreadofmydreamwasatanendI
cannottell，but，uponmytakingasurveyofthisimaginaryoldman，mysleepleftme。
SPARETIME-
SpatiobreviSpemlongamreseces：dumloquimur，fugeritinvidaAEtas：carpediem，quamminimumcredulapostero。
HOR。，Od。i。11，6。
Thylengthen’dhopewithprudencebound，Proportion’dtotheflyinghour：
Whilethuswetalkincarelessease，Ourenviousminuteswingtheirflight;
Thenswiftthefleetingpleasureseize，Nortrustto-morrow’sdoubtfullight。
FRANCIS。
Weallofuscomplainoftheshortnessoftime，saithSeneca，andyethavemuchmorethanweknowwhattodowith。Ourlives，sayshe，arespenteitherindoingnothingatall，orindoingnothingtothepurpose，orindoingnothingthatweoughttodo。Wearealwayscomplainingourdaysarefew，andactingasthoughtherewouldbenoendofthem。Thatnoblephilosopherdescribedourinconsistencywithourselvesinthisparticular，byallthosevariousturnsofexpressionandthoughtswhicharepeculiartohiswritings。
Ioftenconsidermankindaswhollyinconsistentwithitselfinapointthatbearssomeaffinitytotheformer。Thoughweseemgrievedattheshortnessoflifeingeneral，wearewishingeveryperiodofitatanend。Theminorlongstobeofage，thentobeamanofbusiness，thentomakeupanestate，thentoarriveathonours，thentoretire。Thus，althoughthewholeoflifeisallowedbyeveryonetobeshort，theseveraldivisionsofitappearlongandtedious。Weareforlengtheningourspaningeneral，butwouldfaincontractthepartsofwhichitiscomposed。Theusurerwouldbeverywellsatisfiedtohaveallthetimeannihilatedthatliesbetweenthepresentmomentandnextquarter-day。Thepoliticianwouldbecontentedtolosethreeyearsinhislife，couldheplacethingsintheposturewhichhefanciestheywillstandinaftersucharevolutionoftime。Theloverwouldbegladtostrikeoutofhisexistenceallthemomentsthataretopassawaybeforethehappymeeting。Thus，asfastasourtimeruns，weshouldbeveryglad，inmostpartofourlives，thatitranmuchfasterthanitdoes。Severalhoursofthedayhanguponourhands，nay，wewishawaywholeyears;andtravelthroughtimeasthroughacountryfilledwithmanywildandemptywastes，whichwewouldfainhurryover，thatwemayarriveatthoseseverallittlesettlementsorimaginarypointsofrestwhicharedispersedupanddowninit。
Ifwedividethelifeofmostmenintotwentyparts，weshallfindthatatleastnineteenofthemaremeregapsandchasms，whichareneitherfilledwithpleasurenorbusiness。Idonot，however，includeinthiscalculationthelifeofthosemenwhoareinaperpetualhurryofaffairs，butofthoseonlywhoarenotalwaysengagedinscenesofaction;andIhopeIshallnotdoanunacceptablepieceofservicetothesepersons，ifIpointouttothemcertainmethodsforthefillinguptheiremptyspacesoflife。
ThemethodsIshallproposetothemareasfollow。
Thefirstistheexerciseofvirtue，inthemostgeneralacceptationoftheword。Thatparticularschemewhichcomprehendsthesocialvirtuesmaygiveemploymenttothemostindustrioustemper，andfindamaninbusinessmorethanthemostactivestationoflife。Toadvisetheignorant，relievetheneedy，comforttheafflicted，aredutiesthatfallinourwayalmosteverydayofourlives。Amanhasfrequentopportunitiesofmitigatingthefiercenessofaparty;
ofdoingjusticetothecharacterofadeservingman;ofsofteningtheenvious，quietingtheangry，andrectifyingtheprejudiced;
whichareallofthememploymentssuitedtoareasonablenature，andbringgreatsatisfactiontothepersonwhocanbusyhimselfinthemwithdiscretion。
Thereisanotherkindofvirtuethatmayfindemploymentforthoseretiredhoursinwhichwearealtogetherlefttoourselves，anddestituteofcompanyandconversation;ImeanthatintercourseandcommunicationwhicheveryreasonablecreatureoughttomaintainwiththegreatAuthorofhisbeing。ThemanwholivesunderanhabitualsenseoftheDivinepresence，keepsupaperpetualcheerfulnessoftemper，andenjoyseverymomentthesatisfactionofthinkinghimselfincompanywithhisdearestandbestoffriends。Thetimeneverliesheavyuponhim：itisimpossibleforhimtobealone。Histhoughtsandpassionsarethemostbusiedatsuchhourswhenthoseofothermenarethemostinactive。Henosoonerstepsoutoftheworldbuthisheartburnswithdevotion，swellswithhope，andtriumphsintheconsciousnessofthatPresencewhicheverywheresurroundshim;or，onthecontrary，poursoutitsfears，itssorrows，itsapprehensions，tothegreatSupporterofitsexistence。
Ihavehereonlyconsideredthenecessityofaman’sbeingvirtuous，thathemayhavesomethingtodo;butifweconsiderfurtherthattheexerciseofvirtueisnotonlyanamusementforthetimeitlasts，butthatitsinfluenceextendstothosepartsofourexistencewhichliebeyondthegrave，andthatourwholeeternityistotakeitscolourfromthosehourswhichwehereemployinvirtueorinvice，theargumentredoublesuponusforputtinginpracticethismethodofpassingawayourtime。
Whenamanhasbutalittlestocktoimprove，andhasopportunitiesofturningitalltogoodaccount，whatshallwethinkofhimifhesuffersnineteenpartsofittoliedead，andperhapsemployseventhetwentiethtohisruinordisadvantage？But，becausethemindcannotbealwaysinitsfervours，norstraineduptoapitchofvirtue，itisnecessarytofindoutproperemploymentsforitinitsrelaxations。
Thenextmethod，therefore，thatIwouldproposetofillupourtime，shouldbeusefulandinnocentdiversions。ImustconfessI
thinkitisbelowreasonablecreaturestobealtogetherconversantinsuchdiversionsasaremerelyinnocent，andhavenothingelsetorecommendthembutthatthereisnohurtinthem。Whetheranykindofgaminghaseventhusmuchtosayforitself，Ishallnotdetermine;butIthinkitisverywonderfultoseepersonsofthebestsensepassingawayadozenhourstogetherinshufflinganddividingapackofcards，withnootherconversationbutwhatismadeupofafewgamephrases，andnootherideasbutthoseofblackorredspotsrangedtogetherindifferentfigures。Wouldnotamanlaughtohearanyoneofthisspeciescomplainingthatlifeisshort？
Thestagemightbemadeaperpetualsourceofthemostnobleandusefulentertainments，wereitunderproperregulations。
Butthemindneverunbendsitselfsoagreeablyasintheconversationofawell-chosenfriend。Thereisindeednoblessingoflifethatisanywaycomparabletotheenjoymentofadiscreetandvirtuousfriend。Iteasesandunloadsthemind，clearsandimprovestheunderstanding，engendersthoughtsandknowledge，animatesvirtueandgoodresolutions，soothesandallaysthepassions，andfindsemploymentformostofthevacanthoursoflife。
Nexttosuchanintimacywithaparticularperson，onewouldendeavourafteramoregeneralconversationwithsuchasareabletoentertainandimprovethosewithwhomtheyconverse，whicharequalificationsthatseldomgoasunder。
Therearemanyotherusefulamusementsoflifewhichonewouldendeavourtomultiply，thatonemightonalloccasionshaverecoursetosomethingratherthansufferthemindtolieidle，orrunadriftwithanypassionthatchancestoriseinit。
Amanthathasatasteofmusic，painting，orarchitecture，islikeonethathasanothersense，whencomparedwithsuchashavenorelishofthosearts。Theflorist，theplanter，thegardener，thehusbandman，whentheyareonlyasaccomplishmentstothemanoffortune，aregreatreliefstoacountrylife，andmanywaysusefultothosewhoarepossessedofthem。
Butofallthediversionsoflife，thereisnonesopropertofillupitsemptyspacesasthereadingofusefulandentertainingauthors。ButthisIshallonlytouchupon，becauseitinsomemeasureinterfereswiththethirdmethod，whichIshallproposeinanotherpaper，fortheemploymentofourdead，inactivehours，andwhichIshallonlymentioningeneraltobethepursuitofknowledge。
NEXTESSAY-
HocestViverebis，vitapossepriorefrui。
MART。，Ep。x。23。
Thepresentjoysoflifewedoublytaste，Bylookingbackwithpleasuretothepast。
ThelastmethodwhichIproposedinmySaturday’spaper，forfilingupthoseemptyspacesoflifewhicharesotediousandburthensometoidlepeople，istheemployingourselvesinthepursuitofknowledge。IrememberMr。Boyle，speakingofacertainmineral，tellsusthatamanmayconsumehiswholelifeinthestudyofitwithoutarrivingattheknowledgeofallitsqualities。Thetruthofitis，thereisnotasinglescience，oranybranchofit，thatmightnotfurnishamanwithbusinessforlife，thoughitweremuchlongerthanitis。
Ishallnothereengageonthosebeatensubjectsoftheusefulnessofknowledge，norofthepleasureandperfectionitgivesthemind，noronthemethodsofattainingit，norrecommendanyparticularbranchofit;allwhichhavebeenthetopicsofmanyotherwriters;
butshallindulgemyselfinaspeculationthatismoreuncommon，andmaytherefore，perhaps，bemoreentertaining。
Ihavebeforeshownhowtheunemployedpartsoflifeappearlongandtedious，andshallhereendeavourtoshowhowthosepartsoflifewhichareexercisedinstudy，reading，andthepursuitsofknowledge，arelong，butnottedious，andbythatmeansdiscoveramethodoflengtheningourlives，andatthesametimeofturningallthepartsofthemtoouradvantage。
Mr。Lockeobserves，\"Thatwegettheideaoftimeorduration，byreflectingonthattrainofideaswhichsucceedoneanotherinourminds：that，forthisreason，whenwesleepsoundlywithoutdreaming，wehavenoperceptionoftime，orthelengthofitwhilstwesleep;andthatthemomentwhereinweleaveofftothink，tillthemomentwebegintothinkagain，seemstohavenodistance。\"Towhichtheauthoradds，\"andsoIdoubtnotbutitwouldbetoawakingman，ifitwerepossibleforhimtokeeponlyoneideainhismind，withoutvariationandthesuccessionofothers;andweseethatonewhofixeshisthoughtsveryintentlyononething，soastotakebutlittlenoticeofthesuccessionofideasthatpassinhismindwhilstheistakenupwiththatearnestcontemplation，letsslipoutofhisaccountagoodpartofthatduration，andthinksthattimeshorterthanitis。\"
Wemightcarrythisthoughtfurther，andconsideramanasononeside，shorteninghistimebythinkingonnothing，orbutafewthings;so，ontheother，aslengtheningit，byemployinghisthoughtsonmanysubjects，orbyentertainingaquickandconstantsuccessionofideas。Accordingly，MonsieurMalebranche，inhis\"InquiryafterTruth，\"whichwaspublishedseveralyearsbeforeMr。
Locke’sEssayon\"HumanUnderstanding，\"tellsus，\"thatitispossiblesomecreaturesmaythinkhalfanhouraslongaswedoathousandyears;orlookuponthatspaceofdurationwhichwecallaminute，asanhour，aweek，amonth，orawholeage。\"
ThisnotionofMonsieurMalebrancheiscapableofsomelittleexplanationfromwhatIhavequotedoutofMr。Locke;forifournotionoftimeisproducedbyourreflectingonthesuccessionofideasinourmind，andthissuccessionmaybeinfinitelyacceleratedorretarded，itwillfollowthatdifferentbeingsmayhavedifferentnotionsofthesamepartsofduration，accordingastheirideas，whichwesupposeareequallydistinctineachofthem，followoneanotherinagreaterorlessdegreeofrapidity。
ThereisafamouspassageintheAlcoran，whichlooksasifMahomethadbeenpossessedofthenotionwearenowspeakingof。ItistheresaidthattheAngelGabrieltookMahometoutofhisbedonemorningtogivehimasightofallthingsinthesevenheavens，inparadise，andinhell，whichtheprophettookadistinctviewof;
and，afterhavingheldninetythousandconferenceswithGod，wasbroughtbackagaintohisbed。Allthis，saystheAlcoran，wastransactedinsosmallaspaceoftime，thatMahometathisreturnfoundhisbedstillwarm，andtookupanearthenpitcher，whichwasthrowndownattheveryinstantthattheAngelGabrielcarriedhimaway，beforethewaterwasallspilt。
ThereisaveryprettystoryintheTurkishTales，whichrelatestothispassageofthatfamousimpostor，andbearssomeaffinitytothesubjectwearenowupon。AsultanofEgypt，whowasaninfidel，usedtolaughatthiscircumstanceinMahomet’slife，aswhatwasaltogetherimpossibleandabsurd：butconversingonedaywithagreatdoctorinthelaw，whohadthegiftofworkingmiracles，thedoctortoldhimhewouldquicklyconvincehimofthetruthofthispassageinthehistoryofMahomet，ifhewouldconsenttodowhatheshoulddesireofhim。Uponthisthesultanwasdirectedtoplacehimselfbyahugetubofwater，whichhedidaccordingly;andashestoodbythetubamidstacircleofhisgreatmen，theholymanbadehimplungehisheadintothewateranddrawitupagain。Thekingaccordinglythrusthisheadintothewater，andatthesametimefoundhimselfatthefootofamountainonthesea-shore。Thekingimmediatelybegantorageagainsthisdoctorforthispieceoftreacheryandwitchcraft;butatlength，knowingitwasinvaintobeangry，hesethimselftothinkonpropermethodsforgettingalivelihoodinthisstrangecountry。Accordinglyheappliedhimselftosomepeoplewhomhesawatworkinaneighbouringwood：thesepeopleconductedhimtoatownthatstoodatalittledistancefromthewood，where，aftersomeadventures，hemarriedawomanofgreatbeautyandfortune。Helivedwiththiswomansolongthathehadbyhersevensonsandsevendaughters。Hewasafterwardsreducedtogreatwant，andforcedtothinkofplyinginthestreetsasaporterforhislivelihood。Onedayashewaswalkingalonebythesea-
side，beingseizedwithmanymelancholyreflectionsuponhisformerandhispresentstateoflife，whichhadraisedafitofdevotioninhim，hethrewoffhisclotheswithadesigntowashhimself，accordingtothecustomoftheMahometans，beforehesaidhisprayers。
Afterhisfirstplungeintothesea，henosoonerraisedhisheadabovethewaterbuthefoundhimselfstandingbythesideofthetub，withthegreatmenofhiscourtabouthim，andtheholymanathisside。Heimmediatelyupbraidedhisteacherforhavingsenthimonsuchacourseofadventures，andbetrayedhimintosolongastateofmiseryandservitude;butwaswonderfullysurprisedwhenheheardthatthestatehetalkedofwasonlyadreamanddelusion;
thathehadnotstirredfromtheplacewherehethenstood;andthathehadonlydippedhisheadintothewater，andimmediatelytakenitoutagain。
TheMahometandoctortookthisoccasionofinstructingthesultanthatnothingwasimpossiblewithGod;andthatHe，withwhomathousandyearsarebutasoneday，can，ifHepleases，makeasingleday——nay，asinglemoment——appeartoanyofHiscreaturesasathousandyears。
IshallleavemyreadertocomparetheseEasternfableswiththenotionsofthosetwogreatphilosopherswhomIhavequotedinthispaper;andshallonly，bywayofapplication，desirehimtoconsiderhowwemayextendlifebeyonditsnaturaldimensions，byapplyingourselvesdiligentlytothepursuitofknowledge。
Thehoursofawisemanarelengthenedbyhisideas，asthoseofafoolarebyhispassions。Thetimeoftheoneislong，becausehedoesnotknowwhattodowithit;soisthatoftheother，becausehedistinguisheseverymomentofitwithusefuloramusingthoughts;
or，inotherwords，becausetheoneisalwayswishingitaway，andtheotheralwaysenjoyingit。
Howdifferentistheviewofpastlife，inthemanwhoisgrownoldinknowledgeandwisdom，fromthatofhimwhoisgrownoldinignoranceandfolly！Thelatterisliketheownerofabarrencountry，thatfillshiseyewiththeprospectofnakedhillsandplains，whichproducenothingeitherprofitableorornamental;theotherbeholdsabeautifulandspaciouslandscapedividedintodelightfulgardens，greenmeadows，fruitfulfields，andcanscarcecasthiseyeonasinglespotofhispossessionsthatisnotcoveredwithsomebeautifulplantorflower。
CENSURE。
Romulus，etLiberpater，etcumCastorePollux，Postingentiafacta，deorumintemplarecepti;
Dumterrashominumquecoluntgenus，asperabellaComponunt，agrosassignant，oppidacondunt;
PloraveresuisnonresponderefavoremSperatummeritis。
HOR。，Epist。ii。1，5。
MITATED。
EdwardandHenry，nowtheboastoffame，AndvirtuousAlfred，amoresacredname，Afteralifeofgeneroustoilsendured，TheGaulsubdued，orpropertysecured，Ambitionhumbled，mightycitiesstorm’d，Orlawsestablish’d，andtheworldreform’d;
ClosedtheirlongglorieswithasightofindTh’unwillinggratitudeofbasemankind。
POPE。
\"Censure，\"saysalateingeniousauthor，\"isthetaxamanpaystothepublicforbeingeminent。\"Itisafollyforaneminentmantothinkofescapingit，andaweaknesstobeaffectedwithit。Alltheillustriouspersonsofantiquity，andindeedofeveryageintheworld，havepassedthroughthisfierypersecution。Thereisnodefenceagainstreproachbutobscurity;itisakindofconcomitanttogreatness，assatiresandinvectiveswereanessentialpartofaRomantriumph。
Ifmenofeminenceareexposedtocensureononehand，theyareasmuchliabletoflatteryontheother。Iftheyreceivereproacheswhicharenotduetothem，theylikewisereceivepraiseswhichtheydonotdeserve。Inaword，themaninahighpostisneverregardedwithanindifferenteye，butalwaysconsideredasafriendoranenemy。Forthisreasonpersonsingreatstationshaveseldomtheirtruecharactersdrawntillseveralyearsaftertheirdeaths。Theirpersonalfriendshipsandenmitiesmustcease，andthepartiestheywereengagedinbeatanend，beforetheirfaultsortheirvirtuescanhavejusticedonethem。Whenwritershavetheleastopportunityofknowingthetruth，theyareinthebestdispositiontotellit。
Itisthereforetheprivilegeofposteritytoadjustthecharactersofillustriouspersons，andtosetmattersrightbetweenthoseantagonistswhobytheirrivalryforgreatnessdividedawholeageintofactions。WecannowallowCaesartobeagreatman，withoutderogatingfromPompey;andcelebratethevirtuesofCato，withoutdetractingfromthoseofCaesar。Everyonethathasbeenlongdeadhasadueproportionofpraiseallottedhim，inwhich，whilsthelived，hisfriendsweretooprofuse，andhisenemiestoosparing。
AccordingtoSirIsaacNewton’scalculations，thelastcometthatmadeitsappearance，in1680，imbibedsomuchheatbyitsapproachestothesun，thatitwouldhavebeentwothousandtimeshotterthanred-hotiron，haditbeenaglobeofthatmetal;andthatsupposingitasbigastheearth，andatthesamedistancefromthesun，itwouldbefiftythousandyearsincooling，beforeitrecovereditsnaturaltemper。Inthelikemanner，ifanEnglishmanconsidersthegreatfermentintowhichourpoliticalworldisthrownatpresent，andhowintenselyitisheatedinallitsparts，hecannotsupposethatitwillcoolagaininlessthanthreehundredyears。Insuchatractoftimeitispossiblethattheheatsofthepresentagemaybeextinguished，andourseveralclassesofgreatmenrepresentedundertheirpropercharacters。Someeminenthistorianmaythenprobablyarisethatwillnotwriterecentibusodiis，asTacitusexpressesit，withthepassionsandprejudicesofacontemporaryauthor，butmakeanimpartialdistributionoffameamongthegreatmenofthepresentage。
IcannotforbearentertainingmyselfveryoftenwiththeideaofsuchanimaginaryhistoriandescribingthereignofAnnetheFirst，andintroducingitwithaprefacetohisreader，thatheisnowenteringuponthemostshiningpartoftheEnglishstory。Thegreatrivalsinfamewillbethendistinguishedaccordingtotheirrespectivemerits，andshineintheirproperpointsoflight。Suchanone，saysthehistorian，thoughvariouslyrepresentedbythewritersofhisownage，appearstohavebeenamanofmorethanordinaryabilities，greatapplication，anduncommonintegrity：norwassuchanone，thoughofanoppositepartyandinterest，inferiortohiminanyoftheserespects。Theseveralantagonistswhonowendeavourtodepreciateoneanother，andarecelebratedortraducedbydifferentparties，willthenhavethesamebodyofadmirers，andappearillustriousintheopinionofthewholeBritishnation。Thedeservingman，whocannowrecommendhimselftotheesteemofbuthalfhiscountrymen，willthenreceivetheapprobationsandapplausesofawholeage。
Amongtheseveralpersonsthatflourishinthisgloriousreign，thereisnoquestionbutsuchafuturehistorian，asthepersonofwhomIamspeaking，willmakementionofthemenofgeniusandlearningwhohavenowanyfigureintheBritishnation。Formyownpart，Ioftenflattermyselfwiththehonourablementionwhichwillthenbemadeofme;andhavedrawnupaparagraphinmyownimagination，thatIfancywillnotbealtogetherunlikewhatwillbefoundinsomepageorotherofthisimaginaryhistorian。
Itwasunderthisreign，sayshe，thattheSpectatorpublishedthoselittlediurnalessayswhicharestillextant。Weknowverylittleofthenameorpersonofthisauthor，exceptonlythathewasamanofaveryshortface，extremelyaddictedtosilence，andsogreataloverofknowledge，thathemadeavoyagetoGrandCairofornootherreasonbuttotakethemeasureofapyramid。HischieffriendwasoneSirRogerDeCoverley，awhimsicalcountryknight，andaTemplar，whosenamehehasnottransmittedtous。Helivedasalodgeratthehouseofawidow-woman，andwasagreathumoristinallpartsofhislife。Thisisallwecanaffirmwithanycertaintyofhispersonandcharacter。Asforhisspeculations，notwithstandingtheseveralobsoletewordsandobscurephrasesoftheageinwhichhelived，westillunderstandenoughofthemtoseethediversionsandcharactersoftheEnglishnationinhistime：
notbutthatwearetomakeallowanceforthemirthandhumouroftheauthor，whohasdoubtlessstrainedmanyrepresentationsofthingsbeyondthetruth。Forifweinterprethiswordsintheirliteralmeaning，wemustsupposethatwomenofthefirstqualityusedtopassawaywholemorningsatapuppet-show;thattheyattestedtheirprinciplesbytheirpatches;thatanaudiencewouldsitoutaneveningtohearadramaticalperformancewritteninalanguagewhichtheydidnotunderstand;thatchairsandflower-potswereintroducedasactorsupontheBritishstage;thatapromiscuousassemblyofmenandwomenwereallowedtomeetatmidnightinmaskswithinthevergeoftheCourt;withmanyimprobabilitiesofthelikenature。Wemusttherefore，intheseandthelikecases，supposethattheseremotehintsandallusionsaimedatsomecertainfollieswhichweretheninvogue，andwhichatpresentwehavenotanynotionof。Wemayguessbyseveralpassagesinthespeculations，thattherewerewriterswhoendeavouredtodetractfromtheworksofthisauthor;butasnothingofthisnatureiscomedowntous，wecannotguessatanyobjectionsthatcouldbemadetohispaper。IfweconsiderhisstylewiththatindulgencewhichwemustshowtooldEnglishwriters，orifwelookintothevarietyofhissubjects，withthoseseveralcriticaldissertations，moralreflections，-
***
Thefollowingpartoftheparagraphissomuchtomyadvantage，andbeyondanythingIcanpretendto，thatIhopemyreaderwillexcusemefornotinsertingit。
THEENGLISHLANGUAGE。
Estbrevitateopus，utcurratsententia，HOR。，Sat。i。10，9。
Letbrevitydespatchtherapidthought。
IhavesomewherereadofaneminentpersonwhousedinhisprivateofficesofdevotiontogivethankstoHeaventhathewasbornaFrenchman：formyownpartIlookuponitasapeculiarblessingthatIwasbornanEnglishman。Amongmanyotherreasons，Ithinkmyselfveryhappyinmycountry，asthelanguageofitiswonderfullyadaptedtoamanwhoissparingofhiswords，andanenemytoloquacity。
AsIhavefrequentlyreflectedonmygoodfortuneinthisparticular，IshallcommunicatetothepublicmyspeculationsupontheEnglishtongue，notdoubtingbuttheywillbeacceptabletoallmycuriousreaders。
TheEnglishdelightinsilencemorethananyotherEuropeannation，iftheremarkswhicharemadeonusbyforeignersaretrue。Ourdiscourseisnotkeptupinconversation，butfallsintomorepausesandintervalsthaninourneighbouringcountries;asitisobservedthatthematterofourwritingsisthrownmuchclosertogether，andliesinanarrowercompass，thanisusualintheworksofforeignauthors;for，tofavourournaturaltaciturnity，whenweareobligedtoutterourthoughtswedoitintheshortestwayweareable，andgiveasquickabirthtoourconceptionsaspossible。
ThishumourshowsitselfinseveralremarksthatwemaymakeupontheEnglishlanguage。As，firstofall，byitsaboundinginmonosyllables，whichgivesusanopportunityofdeliveringourthoughtsinfewsounds。Thisindeedtakesofffromtheeleganceofourtongue，butatthesametimeexpressesourideasinthereadiestmanner，andconsequentlyanswersthefirstdesignofspeechbetterthanthemultitudeofsyllableswhichmakethewordsofotherlanguagesmoretuneableandsonorous。ThesoundsofourEnglishwordsarecommonlylikethoseofstringmusic，shortandtransient，whichriseandperishuponasingletouch;thoseofotherlanguagesarelikethenotesofwindinstruments，sweetandswelling，andlengthenedoutintovarietyofmodulation。
Inthenextplacewemayobservethat，wherethewordsarenotmonosyllables，weoftenmakethemso，asmuchasliesinourpower，byourrapidityofpronunciation;asitgenerallyhappensinmostofourlongwordswhicharederivedfromtheLatin，wherewecontractthelengthofthesyllables，thatgivesthemagraveandsolemnairintheirownlanguage，tomakethemmoreproperfordespatch，andmoreconformabletothegeniusofourtongue。Thiswemayfindinamultitudeofwords，as\"liberty，\"\"conspiracy，\"\"theatre，\"\"orator，\"