University of Virginia Library

See the motto prefixed to “The Baviad,” a satirical poem by W. Gifford, Esq. unquestionably the best of its kind since the days of Pope:

The author of the “Pursuits of Literature.”

Vide Sentimental Journey.

The names of Vercengetorix are supposed to have been very much gratified by the invasion of Italy, and the plunder of the Roman territory. The defeat of the Burgundians is to be revenged on the modern inhabitants of Switzerland. But the Swiss were a free people, defending their liberties against a tyrant. Moreover, they happened to be in alliance with France at the time. No matter, Burgundy is since become a province of France, and the French have acquired a property in all the injuries and defeats which the people of that country may have sustained, together with the title to revenge and retaliation to be exercised in the present or any future centuries, as may be found most glorious and convenient.

The speech of General F*tzp*tr*ck, on his motion for an address of the House of Commons to the Emperor of Germany, to demand the deliverance of M. La Fayette from the prison of Olmutz, was one of the most dainty pieces of oratory that ever drew tears from a crowded gallery, and the clerks at the table. It was really quite moving to hear the General talk of religion, conjugal fidelity, and “such branches of learning.” There were a few who laughed indeed, but that was thought hard-hearted and immoral, and irreligious, and God knows what. Crying was the order of the day. Why will not Opposition try these topics again? La Fayette indeed (the more's the pity) is out. But why not a motion for a general gaol-delivery of all State Prisoners throughout Europe?

Now all the while did not this stony-hearted cur shed one tear. —Merchant of Venice.

This is a serious charge against an Author, and ought to be well supported. To the proof, then!

In an Ode of the late Lord Nugent's, are the following spirited lines,

The Author above-mentioned, saw these lines, and liked them—as well he might: and as he had a mind to write about Rome himself, he did not scruple to enlist them into his service; but he thought it right to make a small alteration in their appearance, which he managed thus—Speaking of Rome, he says it is the place.

A sober truth: which gets rid at once of all the poetry and spirit of the original, and reduces the sentiment from an example of manners, virtue, patriotism, from the vitæ exempla dedit of Lord Nugent, to a mere question of inhabitancy. Ubi habitavit Cato—where he was an inhabitant-householder, paying scot and lot, and had a house on the right hand side of the way, as you go down by Esquiline Hill, just opposite to the poulterers. But to proceed—

The last line is not borrowed.

We question whether the History of modern Literature can produce an instance of a theft so shameless, and turned to so little advantage.

See Recit de mes Perils, by Louvet; Memoires d'un Detenu, by Riouffe, &c. The avidity with which these productions were read, might, we should hope, be accounted for upon principles of mere curiosity (as we read the Newgate Calendar, and the history of the Buccaneers), not from any interest in favour of a set of wretches infinitely more detestable than all the robbers and pirates that ever existed.

Every lover of modern French literature, and admirer of modern French characters, must remember the rout which was made about Louvet's death, and Lodoiska's poison. The attempt at self-slaughter, and the process of the recovery, the arsenic, and the castor oil, were served up in daily messes from the French papers, till the public absolutely sickened.

Faciles Napeæ

See Anthologia passim.

Such was the strictness of this Minister's principles that he positively refused to go to court in shoe buckles. See Dumourier's Memoirs.

See Madame Roland's Memoirs—“Rigide Ministre,” Brissot a ses Commetans.

The “purple” nosed attorney of Furnival's Inn.—Congreve's Way of the World.

These lines contain the secret History of Quatremer's deportation. He presumed in the Council of Five Hundred to arraign Madame de Stael's conduct, and even to hint a doubt of her sex. He was sent to Guyana. The transaction naturally brings to one's mind the dialogue between Falstaff and Hostess Quickly in Shakspeare's Henry IV.

Thou art neither fish nor flesh—a man cannot tell where to have thee.

Thou art an unjust man for saying so—thou or any man knows where to have me.

For instance, in the course of a political discussion Rewbell observed to the Ex-bishop—“that his understanding was as crooked as his legs”—“Vil Emigre, tu n'as pas le sens plus droit que les pieds,”—and there withal threw an inkstand at him. It whizzed along, as we have been informed, like the fragment of a rock from the hand of one of Ossian's heroes:—but the wily apostate shrunk beneath the table, and the weapon passed over his innocuous and guiltless of his blood or brains.

See Homer's description of Vulcan. First Iliad. Inextinguibilis vero exbriebatur risus beatis numinibus. Ut viderunt Vulcanum per domos ministrantem.

The men without a God—one of the new sects.—Their religion is intended to consist in the adoration of a Great Book, in which all the virtuous actions of the Society are to be entered and registered. “In times of Civil Commotion they are to come forward, to exhort the Citizens to unanimity, and to read them a chapter out of the Great Book. When oppressed or proscribed, they are to retire to a burying-ground, to wrap themselves up in their great coats, and wait the approach of death.” &c.

The Reader is at liberty to fill up the blanks according to his own opinion, and after the chances and changes of the times. It would be highly unfair to hand down to posterity as followers of Leviathan, the names of men who may, and probably will soon grow ashamed of their leader.

The Ship boring the Moon with her mainmast, and anon swallowed with yeast and foam as you would thrust a cork into a hogshead. Winter's Tale.

i. e. Perhaps a Member of the Whig Club—a Society that has presumed to monopolize to itself a title to which it never had any claim, but from the character of those who have now withdrawn themselves from it. “Perhaps” signifies that even the Whig Club sometimes rejects a candidate, whose principles (risum teneatis) it affects to disapprove.

Vide in daily papers, Doctor Solomon's Charitable Subscriptions and Abstergent Lotion.

Now Lord Liverpool.

See M. Gilray's admirable Caricature, entitled, “Dramatic Loyalty; or the Patriotic Courage of Sherry Andrew.”

“Ere human statute purged the general weal.” Shakspeare.

“Nor all that glisters gold.” —Gray.

It is desired that this may not be mistaken for a sapling from the Constitutional hedge, as it is evident, that both the fence, and the land it encloses, must have been quite out of sight when the Noble Lord made his purchase.