Che Philosopher.

SIR THOMAS BROWNE.

THERE is something winsome as well as venerable in the character of the true philosopher. He, as well as the poet, derives his charter from nature. The term, in its best acceptation, not merely designates the adherents of a school of wisdom whether Stoical, Platonic, or Epicurean, but the man of liberal and inquiring mind, who habitually reasons upon facts, and to whom the pursuit of truth is an instinct, and its appreciation a keen delight. Next to the great bards, this race of men engage the affections; after the poetic, this phase of humanity is most noble. Approaches to the character are to be found in all good diarists and self-biographers-for such writings are but collections of personal incidents and thoughts more or less rich in philosophy. Montaigne is the prince of this species, and old Burton a fine example; but autobiographies, ingenuously composed, furnish the same kind of aliment, and betoken a like idiosyncrasy. Thus Rousseau, Goldoni, Alfieri, Cellini, and Boswell, have contributed invaluable materials towards the science of life, by disclosing, with honesty and

acumen, psychological histories. One of the most interesting specimens of the genuine philosopher in the annals of literature, is Sir Thomas Browne. His candour, scope, and kindliness, united with bravery of thought and originality of expression, make his works attractive beyond any other of the old English prose writers. The bulk of the writings of Sir Thomas Browne are curious rather than of practical value; but their indirect utility is greater than a casual view of their ostensible design would suggest. A vast amount of quaint knowledge, a vein of original speculation, and a loftiness of conception as well as waywardness of fancy, fix the mind to the page whither the quaint title attracts it. The "Enquiries into Vulgar Errors" are the result of years of observation and study; "Christian Morals" forms an epitome of religious maxims which would do credit to the best of the old English Divines; "Urn Burial," suggested by the discovery of some ancient urns at Norfolk, in 1658, is an essay as remarkable for its accurate learning as for the melancholy charm with which his devout imagination invested the theme. "The Garden of Cyrus" is like an antique horticultural poem; and the very titles of the tracts and letters, breathe of eccentric genius. The mention of one will suffice: "On the Fishes eaten by our Saviour and his disciples, after his resurrection from the dead." His alleged belief in witchcraft has been derided, but this is evidently one of those subjects upon which he indulges his fancy rather than his reason, and to which he al