and wise. Nor can my laudations be confined to any class. To begin at the highest, I have already spoken of the King of the Belgians as a Ruler, and I am not aware that there is any thing left to be desired with our own Queen, as a Constitutional Monarch, "Moriamur pro nostro Rege Maria Theresa." She certainly bears her faculties meekly, and brings up her family wisely; two of the most charming young persons I have ever met with are the two respective daughters of England and of Belgium. Austria and Russia have been successful in a Royal Lottery, where prizes are not always drawn, according to the judgement of those acquainted with the facts. To descend lower, I have met great men, really great, and lowly men also; and I mmst conclude with this word of qualification or apology; and I should also admit, I am aware moreover, that my collection of Sea Drift" is commonplace enough, 66 "I cannot analyse the air nor find The parallax of yonder luminous point," in science politics, in morals, or in anything else, but I may try to interest others with what has interested myself, and lay before them my fragments to be received quantum valeant. I am ready to communicate my present views or to correct them if they be wrong, "Vive vale, si quid novisti rectius istis, Candidus imperti: si non his utere mecum."-Horace, bk. 1, Epistle vi. And I covet correction, as I have a considerable amount of expurgated matter, and more of my SEA DRIFT, which I shall weave into another volume if I be encouraged to do so, but "If you are sad my pubiic,” I shall be satisfied with this experiment upon your patience. |