the pure metal, and that so many brilliant qualities should be obscured and tarnished by a vain and perverted ambition, which receives, and indeed deserves only the applause of fools and merry-andrews. There is yet another species of ambition, still more paultry and unaccountable than the former, which has already corrupted, disgraced, and levelled with the lowest dregs of mankind, many of our young nobility and gentlemen, and which loudly demands reprehension at the present day. I allude to the custom prevalent among many young men of family and fortune, scarcely meriting the name of gentlemen, who think it knowing to preside at every boxing-match, and cock-fight, that takes place within forty miles of the metropolis, and to be the principle inciters and regulators of every battle in the kingdom. If the public prints tell us in one paragraph that a most dexterous battle has been fought between Burke and Belcher, or any two pugilistic heroes of equal celebrity, we are sure to be informed in the next, that the amiable Ld. K* * * * *, orthe dashing Sir D. T* * * *** were present, and expressed their admiration of the combatants by reiterated shouts of applause. In a short time I expect to hear of their ascending the stage themselves, and showing off their prowess and activity at the expence of character and reputation. For I understand that several of them have already been initiated in the noble and manly art of boxing, no doubt that they may hereafter be enabled to gain eternal laurels in the Campus Martius of pugilism. I shall now leave them to the enjoyment of their own glory and importance; and perhaps they may one day regret the folly of having sacrificed the love and esteem of sensible and worthy men, for the vile and disgraceful applause of designing adulation, and unprincipled villainy. E. # THE MINIATURE, NUMB. XIV. MONDAY, July 23, 1804. Nec nox ulla diem, neque noctem Aurora sécuta est, Quæ non audierit mistis vagitibus ægros Ploratus, mortis comites et funeris atri. LUCRET. 2. 578. -And infants' moans Are ever mix'd with others dying groans: IT has been remarked, that there is not a more efficacious method of reviving the fervent spirit of christianity and piety in the mind, than by a mature reflection on the three last things; namely, death, judgment, and the life to come; and so intimately are these connected, that a serious me ditation on the one, must naturally lead us to a close consideration of the others. Of these three death stands the most prominent, as being the first in order, its power being universally known and felt, and concerning all, as avoidable by none. I would apologise to my youthful readers for introducing so awful a subject, and so unproductive of amusement and mirth, were I not confident that their good sense would not reject those lạbours, which might occasionally call off their attention from the light sallies of wit and humour to more weighty and important subjects. Among which none can claim a more earnest attention, than the consideration of our latter end, as in a young mind peculiarly inducing a sense of religion, and an early piety, which can alone alleviate the cares and troubles of this corruptible state. After all the numberless treatises of the wisest heathens, the transcendant discourses of the most eloquent christians, the reign of death continues equally despotic, its force undiminished, its terrors unabated. The very thought of it chills the blood, sinks the spirits, and draws a dark veil over the pleasures and glories of this life. Even amidst the brightest scenes of gaiety and dissipation, it strikes a feeling mind with an inexpresIt is the voice of nature, and that sible awe. voice will be heard. When we see the " haughty, gallant, gay Lothario," who yesterday shone amidst the pride and splendor of fashion, now lying down on that bed from which he can rise no more; are not our thoughts recalled from the mazes of folly and confusion, and deeply impressed with a recollection of our own mortality? The death of those of our own age and society, engaged in the same pursuits, actuated by the same passions, and in every respect under the same circumstances with ourselves, cut off by a sudden and unrelenting hand, must come still closer to our hearts. The thoughtlessness of youth cannot with indifference view the sad pomp and solemnities accompanying a companion to his long home; one, who perhaps by his progress in the paths of virtue and learning, might have promised to become the pride of his parents, the honour of his preceptors, and the future glory and support of his country. One circumstance must strike us; how tranquil and undisturbed is the dissolution of the young, and how quietly their change is effected, who are in a great measure free from what alone makes death terrible, that is SIN. But that which can most deeply affect not only the mind of the youthful, but of every one who is not hardened to the feelings of humanity, is the |