ates or heigthens the blow, and diminishes or encreases its baneful effects? Through the whole series of history his omnipotent providence may clearly be traced, and whether under the name of destiny or chance, his mighty hand may be observed managing the vast design, administering universal justice, and drawing regular order out of extended confusion.

THE

MINIATURE,

NUMB. V.

MONDAY, May 21, 1804.

Noctes atque dies niti præstante labore

Ad summas emergere opes

LUCRETIUS LIB. 3. v. 60.

By night and day to strive with ardent toil
To reach the summit-

IN every rank and situation of human life we may observe the character of man to be strongly impregnated with a degree of unceasing restlessness, which continually urges him on to the attainment of his desires, which enlivens the opening prospects of life, and teaches him never to be satisfied even with the most fortunate and unexpected termination of his pursuits. He fixes his attention upon one object, all his labours tend to

the accomplishment of one purpose; but he no sooner arrives at the intended limit of his ambition, than perceiving other heights still rising over his head, he kindles at the view, and only effects one design, that he may regret the incompletion of others; he reaches the ideal goal, but finds it the barrier to another course.

I do not by any means intend to confine this almost universal passion to those who are actuated by the mere love of fame; for however various the pursuits of the mind are, whether it directs its views to the accumulation of wealth, the knowledge of literature, or the sway of empire, or whether it courts the fluctuating breezes of popular distinction, still in every variation of life, in every stage of its ambition, it is restless, aspiring, and insatiable. Moreover, although the love of fame extends itself to a prodigious degree within the circles of society, yet there are many whose natural torpor has never been awakened by its influence; whereas the passion, to which I allude, universally infuses itself into every heart, both the Learned, and the Ignorant, the Tyrant, and his Vassal, the crafty Politician, and the unlettered Countryman, however different their ideas and intentions, are equally susceptible of its powerful effects. Nor do I for a moment hesitate to

declare, (however improbable it may appear upon a distant view) that mankind in their pro .gress through life, derive more happiness from the prosecution, than the actual enjoyment of the desired object; and that pleasures anticipated by hope, lose their charms after attainment. Although it would be extremely difficult to produce any historical incident for the support of this assertion, which could not possibly be mentioned in the delineation of any great man's character; as the sensation, if indeed existing, would be entirely confined to his own bosom; yet, if we may judge from that apparent inquietude and discontent which operates upon the minds of those who have risen to the summit of authority and glory, which prompts them even to descend to humbler pursuits, rather than remain inactive; to pursuits which, although more conducive to the benefit of society, they overlooked and despised, whilst the power of conquest was able to absorb their attention, there is at least presumptive evidence to authorize such an opinion. What other reason induced Julius Cæsar, after so many glorious victories and triumphs, to repeople the deserted cities of Carthage and Corinth? what to cherish the design of levelling the loftiest mountains in Italy; of draining the Pontine Marsh, or of separating the Istmus of Peloponnesus? We

cannot for a moment attribute it to the love of fame, or suppose that he, who by his skill and valour, had driven Pompey from the plains of Pharsalia, could desire any other monument to immortalize his name. Was it for the benefit of his country? Alas! can we believe that he, who had inthralled the liberties of Rome, and by the force of unlawful arms had usurped the government, and deluged Italy with Roman blood, could turn his ambitious thoughts towards humanity, or benevolence?

Hence it was that Alexander the Great, after having extended his conquests almost to the limits of the Eastern World, lamented the impossibility of undertaking new labours and difficulties, and prefered the horrors and confusion of war, although they might terminate in defeat, to peace and inactivity; after having achieved the most extraordinary and unheard of exploits, and being master of so vast a tract of country, his thirst after military glory must have been satiated; he could not have laboured to retain his honours and advantages, because he evidently sought the enlargement, rather than the preservation of them; activity and exertion therefore appear to have been conducive to his happiness, and the sole objects of his ambition.