and discontent towards the attainment of the next object, as if they had nothing at all in their pos

session.

Do

"But let us now consider the PATH of PUBLIC HONOUR, which is on our right hand. Behold with what anxiety all strive to surpass each other,' never for an instant averting their attention from those brazen statues, and bowers, which give a pleasing variety to the asperity of the road. The enjoyment of these is the sole object of their ambition, and they expect to find in them everlasting ease, and happiness. Alas! when they have at length reached them, they only look forward to the next, which then for the first time offers itself to their view, and find themselves still further from the conclusion of their labours. you see that quick, ardent youth who is pressing forwards with such unusual alacrity? He has already passed all his competitors, and is now entering the first bower, flushed with the joy of conscious superiority. Mark the sudden variation of his countenance; he has left the bower and is now continuing his exertion with evident chagrin and dissatisfaction, somewhat alleviated by hope. The two nearer roads are occupied by travellers who are animated by the same desires, and a similar degree of insatiable curiosity and ambition.

"But now a very different prospect is submitted to our consideration; I mean the narrow, craggy path whose apparent difficulty seemed so much to discourage you. In your imagination it was rugged, and scarcely possible to be approached, whilst the laborious and unremitting diligence of the travellers excited your compassion; moreover you perceived that there were no verdant bowers, no magnificent palaces, or high worked statues to attract the eye, or divert the attention. Upon trial you would have found it far otherwise, from what it appeared upon a more distant view. Those fragments of rock which seem so rough and treacherous, become smooth and firm under the feet of those treading upon them; and the passengers themselves become happier, and more invigorated at every step; whereas the others meet with new dangers the higher they advance. It is true there are no places of ease and recreation, but they are neither regretted, or desired. Each person rests his hopes, and attention upon a most beautiful and splendid temple which rises over the top of the mountain; and is not visible to you in our present situation, but which becomes more and more conspicuous and magnificent as you proceed; and there at length the weary travellers will receive certain and eternal rewards. To the other paths there is no percep

tible termination, nor have the most fortunate adventurers ever discovered one. The summit of the mountain has hitherto been inaccessible, except on that side through which the PATH of VIRTUE rises; and is constantly enveloped by the surrounding clouds."

At these words the GENIUS RELIGION vanished; I did not hesitate a moment, but suddenly springing forwards with great exertion towards the PATH OF VIRTUE-I awoke, and was considerably astonished to find myself quietly seated in my arm-chair.

E.

H

THE

MINIATURE.

NUMB. VI.

MONDAY, May 28, 1804.

Stat contra, dicitque tibi tua pagina, fur es. MART. 1, 28.

Your book stands witnesss, and proclaims you thief.

IN every state, even among barbarians, we find the possessions of individuals secured to them by the laws of the land; we find various offences marked out and distinguished one from another, and adequate punishments appropriated to the several degrees of guilt. If then personal property is guarded with such exactness, surely in the republic of letters mental property should as carefully be protected; the boundaries of crimes as accurately defined, and punishments as justly distributed. Supposing then the necessity of such regulations, a question may arise, who shall

form this code? shall Solomon Grildrig the little, a mere inmate in the court of Lilliput, presume in this respect to take upon him the dignity of a Brobdingnagian? But to prevent such objections for the future, and moreover for the purpose of asserting my absolute and indisputable authority, I SOLOMON GRILDRIG do give MYSELF leave to bring in a bill; I AGREE that it shall be passed, and do give my royal assent to it, the form of which shall be as follows.

"To all Connoisseurs, Judges, Cavillers, Catchpoles, Critics, Hangmen, &c. within the territory of letters, be it known by these presents, that SOLOMON GRILDRIG, shall be at perfect liberty to enact what laws he pleases, and that his readers shall be compelled to follow as many of them as they please.

Given under my hand at the court of Lilliput, May 28th, 1804.

Witness MYSELF,

S. G."

Having thus asserted my privilege of lawgiver, I shall proceed to distinguish the offences, and proportion penalties according to the several distinctions. Plagiarism is a word of too extended a sense, as including every species of theft, from half a dozen pages to a single idea; a subdivision