In the present instance, it was not practicable— for the self-sufficient presumer, without waiting a reply, turned upon his heel, and thus dismissed the individual whose ingenuity he had before admitted" deserved so well of his country," without even the acknowledgment of thanks.

That many staunch friends to the country and to the state, by such means, become dispirited, sink under a weight of disappointments, and are rendered useless members of the community, is too certain. Beings of a superior cast, conscious of possessing virtues and abilities, of which the plebeian gentry, on whom wealth and honors are frequently bestowed, have no notion; cannot but feel indignant and mortified, on finding their talents turned by them to useless drugs. When a whole nation is compromised, and reproached for its disregard to justice, by the consummate arrogance of these underlings in office, who at once decide, without referring to their chiefs; the public money may then, indeed, be said to be "thrown away," on those who prove themselves unworthy of the patronage so liberally bestowed on them; though they may retain it, in pitiful sums, from the more deserving, by refusing the tributary mite due to patriotic exertions.

While they are enjoying every luxury the country affords them, these economical croakers in office, begrudge the very crumbs that fall from their master's table, to the man of merit. Such calculators, usurping the power of their

Lords and Masters, too often check a spirit of heroism and nationality; and deprive the country of advantages it might reap from the exercise of genius and deeds of valour.

That the imaginary consequence of these selfsufficient gentlemen may be humbled, and that the power they assume may be curbed, are events to which the public, in the present state of affairs, are confidently looking forward. And here the following anecdote may serve to shew that they are not looking in vain :

It is related of H. R. H. the Duke of Clarence, (and the report is worthy of being recorded in letters of gold) that shortly after his appointment as Lord High Admiral, His Royal Highness, addressing himself to the two Secretaries of the Admiralty, said, THAT HE BEGGED THEY

WOULD CONSIDER THEMSELVES IN FUTURE TO BE MERELY WHAT THEIR DESIGNATION IMTHAT IS,

PORTED-SECRETARIES;

PERSONS

APPOINTED TO CARRY ON THE CORRESPONDENCE, AND EXECUTE THE ORDERS OF THE BOARD: AND THAT IN FUTURE, THEY WOULD CONSIDER THAT IT WAS NO PART OF THEIR BUSINESS, EITHER TO INTERFERE WITH THE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE SERVICE, OR WITH

THE PROMOTION OF OFFICERS!" How good! How just! How wise! A princely example worthy of being followed by the head of every department, and one that should be recorded in the annals of state, and handed down to posterity,

for the imitation of future generations. When Princes, and the ancient nobility, are called upon to take an active part in the management of state affairs, what may we not expect?-Men, brought up from their infancy with high notions of honor, justice, and principle; must be the best qualified to practise the nobler virtues of the soul. Accustomed from their infancy to make themselves popular, they are humane, indulgent, and condescending in their manners; and betray no symptoms of that ostentation so peculiar to inferior mortals. In short, their conduct is regulated by a wise and diligent education, and they bind men to them by their affability. From a love of knowledge, they encourage literature and the liberal arts and sciences, and bring the talents of individuals into action. And they keep in awe those consequential gentlemen, who are so apt to presume on the privileges that are sometimes granted by injudicious masters.

Men who aspire to consequence, merely from the situation they hold, would do well to reflect on the saying of Epaminondas, who, upon his appointment to a public post beneath his rank, observed that" No office could give dignity to him who held it; but that, he who held it might give dignity to any office."

NUMBER XIII.

ON THE VICISSITUDES OF FORTUNE.

Thus families, like realms, with equal fate,
Are sunk by careless Ministers of State.

HUMANICUS, a gentleman of noble descent, was born in affluence, bred in splendor, and for many years lived in opulence. His natural genius was cultivated by an excellent education; his manners were gentle and unassuming; and had received a polish among the first classes of society, both at home and abroad. In short, his superior qualifications fitted him for the important station he filled in life; and his obliging civilities gained him the good-will and commendation of all who knew him. But, alas! his active zeal in the service of government, created a mean jealousy in the breast of an assuming upstart; who, by representations as false as they were malicious, base, and uncharitable, at length succeeded, with a higher authority, in doing him an irreparable injury, and blasting all his fair prospects. As a subtle reptile he darted his venom, and gave the deadly wound e're the unsuspecting victim was Protected by the shield of office, he ad

aware.

M

vanced and gave the blow, and it proved a fatal one. Thus, do these overbearing and malignant beings often cast a gloom over a brave man's life, and consign many a valuable member of society to wretchedness and obscurity.

In private society, where the laws of good order preside with impartial sway, every individual, free from that power which protects official arrogance, may do himself justice, and check the malevolence that these shielded heroes practise with impunity; but as art and cowardice usually go hand in hand, they are generally too circumspect to lay themselves open to the chastisement of those they can wound, without any fear of correction.

With a social disposition, Humanicus possessed a heart overflowing with the milk of human kindness. But, he was one of those happy mortals, who enjoyed the present, without considering the future. Noble, generous, and sympathetic, he lived more for his friends and fellow-man, than for himself. "Charity begins at home," was an adage that never blackened the page of his journal. The omission, whispered comfort to his soul ! But it shielded him not from the keen censure of an ungrateful multitude, when a change of circumstances checked his wonted bounty. His obligations to the world were few,-the world to him owed many. In prosperity he saw, or thought he saw, himself surrounded by friends. In adversity, he found he had none.

Still the