are there, whose exertions are palsied by indolence, adversity, morbid nerves, or other unpropitious cir

cumstances!

Sometimes I persuade myself to think, that my inability arises from my anxiety; and that, were I more confident, I should be more likely to succeed. Dr. Johnson used to say, that "with the necessity comes the ability." I have not found it so.

As you have said, that you love to investigate the internal movements of the human mind, I trust, you will not deem this picture of the struggles of mine un-. acceptable. Your's, PHUGAPHILUS.

ART. XV. Continuation of Auld Robin Grey.

"The spring it was past, it was simmer, nae mair,

And thinly were scatter'd the leaves in the air:

Oh winter, says Jenny, we kindly agree,

For the sun he looks wae, when he shines upon me.

Nae langer she grat, for her tears were a spent,
Despair it was come, and she thought it content:

She thought it content, but her cheek it look'd pale,

And she droop'd like the snowdrop broke down by the hail.

Her mither was vex'd, and her father was wae;

What ails you, my bairn? they would oftentimes say:
Your wheel ye turn round, and ye come little speed,
Your hand it grows feeble, and weak is your th ead.

She smil'd, when she heard them, to banish their fear;
But sad looks the smile, that is seen through a tear,
And bitter the tear that is forc'd by a love,
Which virtue and honour can never app:ove,

Her feather was vex'd, and her mither was wae,
But dowie, and silent sat auld Robin Grey;
He spake not a word, and his cheek it grew lean,
Like the side of a brae, where the torrent had been.
Nae questions he ask'd her, concerning her health,
He look'd at her often, but aye 'twas by steal h;
Then his heart it grew grit, and often he feign'd,
To gang to the door, to see if it rain'd.

Syne he took to his bed, no physick he sought
He ordered his neighbours around to be brought,
While Jenny supported his head in its place,
Her tears trickled down, and fell on his face.

Oh ! kill me not, Jenny, said auld Robin Grey,
I have not deserv'd this-I have something to say:
I knew not, dear Jenny, I knew not your vow;
In mercy forgive me,-'twas I stole the cow.
I valued not Crummy, I thought but of thee,
I thought it was her, stood between you and me.
While she fed your parents, oh! did nae ye say,
Ye never would marry that auld Robin Grey."

ART. XVI. Two short Trifles in Verse, by the late Professor Porson.

Though charades may be deemed too trifling for this work, yet surely a trifle from the late lamented Porson will be worth preserving.

I.

My first from the thief tho' your house it defends,
Like a slave or a cheat you abuse or despise;

My second, tho' brief, yet alas comprehends

All the good, all the great, all the learn'd, all the wise.
Of
my third I have little or nothing to say,
Except that it marks the departure of day. *

II.

My first is the lot, that is destin'd by fate
For my second to meet with in every state;
My third is by many philosophers reckon'd
To bring very often my first to my second.†

ART. XVII. Sonnet on the Neglect of Virtue. Sleepless as I lie tossing on my bed

Thro' half the midnight hours, while thro' my brain
This vile world's base affairs revolve with pain,

I sigh and weep to think, in virtue's stead

• Curfew.

+ Woman.

How

1

How mean intrigue and falsehood lift the head;
And every palm that valour ought to gain,
All that the toils of genius should sustain,
Corruption's rav'nous appetite has fed!
O state of sharp probation, where the good
Meet disappointment, sad neglect, disgrace;
And only in retreat can comfort find!

O wretched world, on whose affairs to brood,

Where thro' black clouds no gleam of hope I trace,
Is woe and madness to my troubled mind!

Nov. 2, 1808.

X.

ART. XVIII. Sonnet on the Trade of Book-making, and its consequences.

Ah! were the Muses more than but a name,

Those they would rescue from the harpy claws
Of sordid booksellers, who love their laws,
Rehearse their dulcet chants, and spread their flame,
Hence there is room for pity more than blame

That loveliest POESY few votaries draws;
That few remain to guard the sacred cause
Of Art, Taste, Genius, Wisdom, Virtue, Fame :
That now to MAKE, that high CREATIVE Power
Which named the POET, is become a trade;
Monsters obscene the hallow'd groves invade :
Ignorance, Folly, Vice, profane the bower

Where all the Graces dwelt in laureate shade,

And blasts of senseless scorn the gentle bloom devour.

18 Nov. 1808,

C. L.

Makers, Poets. Spenser. How, HonTng, Plato. Though to create, in its proper sense, be incommunicable, yet the analogy is enlarging and ex

alted.

Y 3

ART.

ART. XIX. Report of Sales of Books from May to October (both inclusive), 1808.

N. IV.

A small, but very choice and elegant collection of books, the property of Robert Heathcote, Esq. by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; two days, May 2, 3; lots 223, vols. 670.

Library of the late G. Atwood, Esq. F. R. S. by Messrs. Jordan and Co.; May 3; lots 246, vols. 370.

Miscellaneous collection, chiefly the property of a foreigner [including a portion of the library of the late Lord Strafford]. by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; seven days, May 5-12; lots 1821, vols. 3500.

Miscellaneous collection, principally best classic authors, by Mr. Stewart; three days, May 9-12; lots 529, vols.

1140. *

Miscellaneous collection, by Messrs. King and Lochée; May 13; lots 251, vols. 560.

Library of the late Rev. John Marshall, rector of Orsett, Essex, and chaplain to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, by Mr. Stewart; twelve days, May 16-28; lots 2774, vols. 3760. †

Libraries of the late Rev. Thomas Bowen, of Palham, Norfolk; and Charles Francis Forster, Esq. of Low Buxton, Northumberland, by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; ten days, May 18-28; lots 2581, vols. 4560.

Miscellaneous collection by Mr. King, jun. four days, May 23-26; lots, 852, vols. 2690.

Library of the late Mr. Thomas Hull, of C. G. T. by Mr. Fisher; two days, May 23, 24; lots 218, vols. 1260.

*This collection was disposed of by private contract.

The first portion, consisting of duplicates, &c. was sold in the life time of the collector, by Mr. Stewart; seven days, May 5-12, 1806; lots 1842, vols. 2520.

Library

Library of the late Rev. David Durand, minister of the French Protestant church, by Messrs. King and Lochée; two days, May 31, June ; lots 573, vols. 1530.

Library of the late John Lambert, Esq. of Kenton Lodge, near Harrow, Middlesex, by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; four days, June 1-4; lots 743, vols. 1500.

Portion of the library of a very distinguished collector, brought from his seat, [at Fonthill,] in Wiltshire, by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; three days, June 9—11; lots 323, vols. 730.

Library of the late George Hill, his Majesty's ancient Serjeant at Law, by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; eight days, June 20-28; lots 1774, vols. 3130.

Miscellaneous collection by Mr. Dodd, St. Martin's Lane, seven days, June 20-27; lots 1288, vols. 1990.

Library of the late Sir Giles Rooke, Knight, one of the Judges in the Court of Common Pleas, by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby; five days, July 4-8; lots 1109, vols. 1790. Miscellaneous collection, by Messrs. King and Lochée; three days, July 7-9; lots 649, vols. 1340.

Library of the late Charles Henry Wilson, Esq. * formerly editor of the Gazetteer, author of the Wandering Islander, Beauties of Burke, &c. by Mr. Stewart; four days, July 7-11; lots 980, vols. 3310.

Libraries of the late Charles Francis Sheridan, Esq. and

A singular pile of manuscripts, enough to fill a common cart, was sold in one lot, belonging to this writer. The greater proportion consisted of extracts from modern works, scraps of novels, and translations from the German. Some of the pieces were supposed to have been origina', but it was not easy to discriminate. A theatrical piece, cons dered original, is entitled "The Englishman in Dublin, an operatical entertainment in two acts. I never knew a good Irish joke that didn't make an Englishman laugh. Lord Chesterfield." It does not appear to have received the author's final corrections.