ment to use great exertions on small occasionshe will not draw Ulysses' bow to shoot at a pigeon. It is not, however, that I think letter-writing trifling because it is familiar, any more than I think an epigram easy because it is short. My two models whom I parallelized (I believe there is no such word though) at the beginning of this scrawl, also resemble each other in one particular as much as they differ from the generality,-which is their perspicuity; their sense is never perplexed; their periods are not so long as to be involved, nor so short as to be affected; and there is in their manner a kind of luminous cast, which, like the sunshine of Claude, embellishes the most trifling objects. When a poet happens to be possessed of this transparency of expression, this vivid brightness, it gives a wonderful charm to his numbers.

But to go from poetry to painting.-And so, my dear madam, your partiality to your unworthy friend makes you determined to send her down to posterity by the only conveyance in which she can ever expect to reach it. I feel all the kindness of your intention, and hope you will not think me ungrateful when I say that I have such a repugnance to having my picture taken, that I do not know any motive on earth which could induce me to it but your wishes, which, to me, are such indisputable commands, that any time on Wednesday you will please to appoint, I shall have the honour to attend you to Mr. Opie; and as I am sure the dinner with you will be the pleasantest part of the business to me, I shall wait for your commands as to both. En attendant, believe me, dear madam,

From Mrs, H. More to Mr. Harford.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Shrewsbury, Sept. 9, 1811.

ACCEPT a hasty line for your entertaining letter, I have been so constantly in motion, or in company, or indisposed, that I have not written one letter but of absolute necessity or business since I met you that last morning. You have not the less lived in my affectionate remembrance. Instead of the stipulated fortnight, Mr. Gisborne detained us a month in his charming forest, accompanying us, however, on our excursions. We obeyed your commands in making the Derbyshire tour. Matlock is enchanting, of a different character, but not more interesting than Malvern, where we staid a couple of days in our way to Staffordshire. Every thing concurred to make our visit at Yoxall interesting; scenery of a peculiar character, and pleasant society in the house and neighbourhood. Among our inmates was Mr. -, brother to Lord the bent of whose mind and the turn of whose conversation incline me to believe that he is not unworthy to fill the pulpit at Lutterworth, once so worthily filled by Wickliffe. It is delightful to witness the many accessions to the cause of Christian piety in the higher ranks of life,

We are come to this fine old town to visit some friends. Both the near and distant views are intimately connected with our history. Here is the battle-field where Harold once fought; and since still more distinguished by the fall of Hotspur, Harry Percy. They do not exactly show the spot where Falstaff ran away. Another hill presents the scene of the valour of Caractacus. Another of an ancient oak, said to have been planted by Owen

Glendower. Still more substantially valuable are the numerous edifices consecrated to public charity; all appear to be remarkably well conducted. With public charity the name of Richard Reynolds naturally connects itself, as it did in Cole. brook Dale, the most wonderful mixture of Elysium and Tartarus my eyes ever beheld; steam-engines, hills, wheels, forges, fires, the dunnest and the densest smoke, and the most stupendous iron bridge, all rising amid hills that in natural beauty rival Dovedale and Matlock. We grieved that excessive fatigue and heat, rendered more intolerable by a withering east wind, prevented us from roving through Reynolds's fine walk, which he keeps up for the benevolent accommodation of others. morrow (alas! it is still a parching east wind) we propose, if it please God, to set out on a little Welsh tour with our hosts, to peep at the Vale of Llangollen, Valle Crucis, Chirk Castle, &c. &c We hope to return over the classic ground of Ludlow, a town I much wish to see. May God bless and direct you, my dear friend.

Yours affectionately,

To

Dr. Franklin to Miss Stevenson, at Wanstead.

Craven Street, May 16, 1760.

I SEND my good girl the books I mentioned to her last night. I beg of her to accept of them as a small mark of my esteem and friendship. They are written in the familiar, easy manner, for which the French are so remarkable; and afford a good deal of philosophic and practical knowledge, un

embarrassed with the dry mathematics, used by more exact reasoners, but which is apt to discourage young beginners.

I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand, and enter in a little book short hints of what you find that is curious, or that may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such particulars in your memory, where they will be ready, either for practice on some future occasion, if they are matters of utility, or at least to adorn and improve your conversation, if they are rather points of curiosity. And, as many of the terms of science are such as you can not have met with in your common reading, and may therefore be acquainted with, I think it would be well for you to have a good dictionary at hand, to consult immediately when you meet with a word you do not comprehend the precise meaning of. This may at first seem troublesome and interrupting; but it is a trouble that will daily diminish, as you will daily find less and less occasion for your dictionary, as you become more acquainted with the terms; and, in the mean time, you will read with more satisfaction, because with more understanding. When any point occurs, in which you would be glad to have farther information than your book affords you, I beg you would not in the least apprehend that I should think it a trouble to receive and answer your questions. It will be a pleasure, and no trouble. For though I may not be able, out of my own little stock of knowledge, to afford you what you require, I can easily direct you to the books where it may most readily be found. Adieu, and believe me ever, my dear friend, yours affec. Lionately. B. FRANKLIN.

Dr. Franklin to John Alleyne, Esq.

DEAR JACK,

Craven Street, August 9, 1768.

You desire, you say, my impartial thoughts on the subject of an early marriage, by way of answer to the numberless objections, that have been made by numerous persons, to your own. You may remember, when you consulted me on the occasion, that I thought youth on both sides to be no objection. Indeed, from the marriages that have fallen under my observation, I am rather inclined to think, that early ones stand the best chance of happiness. The temper and habits of the young are not yet become so stiff and uncomplying as when more advanced in life; they form more easily to each other, and hence many occasions of disgust are removed. And if youth has less of that prudence, which is necessary to manage a family, yet the parents and elder friends of young married persons are generally at hand to afford their advice, which amply supplies that defect; and by early marriage youth is sooner formed to regular and useful life; and possibly some of those accidents or connexions, that might have injured the constitution, or reputation, or both, are thereby happily prevented. Particular circumstances of particular persons may possibly sometimes make it prudent to delay entering into that state; but in general, when nature has rendered our bodies fit for it, the presumption is in nature's favour, that she has not judged amiss in making us desire it. Late marriages are often attended, too, with this further inconvenience, that there is not the same chance that the parents shall live to see their off spring educated. "Late children," says the Span