put up with so direct an insult. Swords, bullets, gunpowder, pistols, and perhaps death must be the inevitable consequence. But should precisely the same meaning be lowered down into the following expressions, "I beg your pardon, but" or "perhaps you mistake sir," or such like qualifying sentences, no insult can possibly be conceived, or any quarrel arise. Indeed the word itself is esteemed so extremely low and vulgar, that it is not in its crude and genuine state, admitted into conversation; and I am somewhat afraid, that this essay may be thought by some prodigiously ungenteel, from the frequent repetition of that dreadful monosyllable.

But as I have not given any instructions in the art of Pseudology, neither shall I enter into any casuistical arguments on the use and abuse of it. I shall leave for others to determine, to what extent they may be used, in what companies they may be introduced, and in what cases a man of strict honour and steady veracity may exercise them. I shall leave my readers likewise to consider, as the devil is undoubtedly the father of lies, how far the children resemble their parent.

I should consider myself guilty of a species of deceit, if I did not acknowledge the superior merit of an extremely good piece of English poetry, which in the course of last week was transmitted to me. The person I allude to, though with the signature of a "young poet," shewed evident marks of uncommon genius, and a cultivated mind, and are written with great feeling. But I fear that the subject will preclude their insertion here, (though not in a better place,) namely, on the death of that pride of Eton, that great and good man JACOB BRYANT. But at this illustrious name I cannot but pause for a moment. He was in truth as was said of the younger Brutus the "Ultimus Romanorum," the last great scholar that Europe has produced. From the decease of such a man, learning and religion have sustained a loss which no man living is qualified to repair. But the direction of his stupendous learning was most conspicuous; it was uniformly to support and vindicate the sacred revelation of God, and the glorious cause of christianity. From the depth of his erudition, from the vigour of his imagination, and the artless complacency of his manners, he was loved, respected and adored. By learning and religion conducted with dignity to the close of his life, he with humble confidence may be said to have

now gone forward to receive the crown of glory and immortality from that great master, whose he was, and whom he served. "Come thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

THE

MINIATURE.

NUMB. XXIV.

MONDAY, December 3, 1804.

Gentem quidem nullam video neque tam humanam atque do&tam, neque tam immanem atque barbaram, quæ non significari futura, et a quibusdam intelligi, prædicique posse censeat.

CICERO DE Div. Lib. 1.

I do not know of any nation, however polished and enlightened, or however savage and barbarous, that does not conceive it possible for future events to be discovered, understood by some, and foretold. FROM the earliest ages of the World, when society was in its infancy, an idea has universally prevailed, that future events can be foreseen and predicted by particular arts, and that some chosen few have possessed the wondrous faculty of being able to penetrate into futurity, and by their

intellectual sight to perceive the embryos which time will one day bring into action. A noble and sublime faculty indeed, where it exists, which would elevate mankind nearer to the Deity than any other natural, or acquired qualification. It would perhaps be a difficult matter to determine from whence the idea first arose; unless indeed, which is most probable, it took its origin from the Jewish nation.

We are told that God often manifested himself to the holy Patriarchs in dreams and visions, and that by inspiration many, at different periods, were enabled to deliver the Divine Will to their

rebellious countrymen. Thus the wonderful vicissitudes from conquest and grandeur to servitude and ignominy, which Israel continually experienced, were almost literally predicted by the inspired writers, and the various circumstances relative to the nativity, sufferings, death and glory of the Messiah, were partially revealed. It appears indeed to have been the peculiar use and intent of sacred prophecy, that the minds of men might be gradually prepared for the stupendous miracle of universal salvation; lest the Sun of Glory bursting too suddenly upon mortal sight, should have blinded those, whom it was intended to enlighten. From this source it pro