ever, I am fure, endear to you these fertile ftores of cheap delight.

A tafte for the fublime and beautiful of nature, as exhibited in her larger works, and resulting from the varied combinations of her external forms, is alfo productive of many exquifite pleafures, which few perfons are at all times precluded from enjoying. To feel these in a fupreme degree, a mind enriched by literature and expanded by fancy and reflection is neceffary; and, in particular, a high relifh for poetry is almoft an effential accompaniment. Much pains do not feem requifite in cultivating this fpecies of enjoyment, for it obtrudes itfelf unfought upon every elegant mind, and the danger is, left the defire should too foon exhauft its objects. More uneafy longings after what lay beyond my reach, have preyed upon my imagination on reading defcriptions of the ftriking fcenes of nature vifited by travellers, than on reflecting on all the other advantages which fortune and leifure have to beftow. Yet, certainly, I would not wish to have been lefs fenfible than I am to this fource of pleasurable emotions. They may be rendered more diftinct and varied, by calling in a taste for what is properly termed the picturesque, or a reference of the natural fcene to its imitations and improvements by the pencil. But this I conceive to be almoft neceffarily connected with practical skill in the art of painting; and unless it were made fubfervient to the purpofes of this art, I fhould apprehend that more might be loft by opening an inlet to faftidious nicety, than would be gained by viewing things with a more learned eye.

This remark would naturally lead me to confider the pleasures to be derived from the practice of ornamental arts, and from the contemplation of their productions in others. But though I am fully fenfible of the pleafing addition these make to the general stock of human enjoyment, yet with refpect to moft individuals, they fcarcely come within the catalogue of cheap pleafures. A tafte for them must be formed early in life, muft be cultivated

cultivated with much affiduity, and at confiderable expence both of time and money. They are not of all times and places, but require apparatus and opportunity. They are with difficulty kept within bounds, and are continually difpofed to defert the eafy and fimple, in purfuit of what is more complex and elaborate. A tafte for mufic appears to me, as far as I can judge from obfervation alone, to be eminently of this kind. Where it is marked out by nature, as in fome cafes it manifeftly is, and can be cultivated early and advantageoufly, it is capable, I doubt not, of affording the most exquifite delights; but then it will probably take place of all other ornamental acquirements. And though fuch a facrifice may be worth making under the circumftances described, yet to make it with a view of creating a tafte for any purfuit merely amufive, is, I think, to eftimate falfely the value of things. If, however, experience fhews that mufical pleasures may be enjoyed in moderation, and fo as to make an agreeable variety, without occupying the place of any thing preferable, my objections are at an end. The fame may be faid of drawing, and various other taftes and acquifitions, concerning which, accident and inclination, if regulated by prudence, may be fuffered to determine the choice.

I have now, I think, pointed out to you fources which will fupply fufficient materials of eafily procurable pleasure if you bring to them what is effential to the fuccefs of any external means of happiness-a mind in harmony with itself. This, nothing but confcious worth and virtue can beftow. This, "tibi ipse parabis.” Farewell!

SHORT ACCOUNT OF MALTA.

RECENTLY TAKEN BY BUONAPARTE.

MALTA Africa and Sicily, 20 miles in length, and

ALTA is an ifland of the Mediterranean fea, be

12 in breath; much therefore about the fize of our Inle

of

of Wight. Formerly it was reckoned a part of Africa, but now belongs to Europe. It was anciently little elfe than a barren rock; but there has been brought from Africa fuch quantities of foil, that it is now become a fertile island. However, they fow but little corn, becaufe they can purchase it cheap in Sicily; but they cultivate large quantities of lemon, cotton trees, and vines which produce excellent wine. The heat is fo exceffive, both day and night, that the water breeds great number of gnats, which are the plague of the country. The number of the inhabitants are faid to be about 90,000, and they are much fuch fort of people as those in Sicily. The common people fpeak Arabic, but the better fort Italian.

After the taking Rhodes, the Emperor Charles V. gave this ifland to the Grand Mafter of the Order of St. John of Jerufalem, and it is extremely well fortified. It was attacked by the Turks in 1566, who were obliged to abandon the enterprize with the lofs of 30,000 men. The Knights of Malta formerly confifted of eight nations; but now they are but feven, because the English have forfaken them. They are obliged to fupprefs all pirates, and are at perpetual war with the Turks, and other Mahomedans. It is about 60 miles S. of Sicily, and 200 E. of Tunis in Africa.

IN

CHARACTER OF

WALTON'S COMPLETE ANGLER;

OR,

CONTEMPLATIVE MAN'S RECREATION.

BY THOMAS ZOUCH, A. M.

N this volume of The Complete Angler, which will be always read with avidity, even by thofe who entertain no ftrong relish for the art which it profeffes to teach, we discover a copious vein of innocent pleasantry

and

and good humour. The fcenes defcriptive of rural life are inimitably beautiful. How artiefs and unadorned is the language! The dialogue is diverfified with all the characteristic beauties of colloquial compofition. The fongs and little poems, which are occafionally inferted, will abundantly gratify the reader who has a taste for the charms of paftoral poefy. And above all, those lovely leffons of religious and moral inftruction, which are fo repeatedly inculcated throughout the work, will ever recommend this exquifitely pleafing performance.

It was first printed in 1653, with the figures of the fishes very elegantly engraved, probably by Lambert, on plates of fteel, and was fo generally read as to pafs through five editions during the life of the author. The fecond edition is dated 1655, the third in 1661, and in 1668, the fourth appeared, with many valuable additions and improvements. The lovers of angling, to whom this treatife is familiar, are apprifed that the art of fishing with the fly is not difcuffed with fufficient accuracy; the few directions that are given having been principally communicated by Mr. Thomas Baker, who has written a very entertaining tract on the subject. To remedy this defect, and to give leffons how to angle for a Trout or Grayling in a clear ftream, a fifth and muchimproved edition was published in 1676, with a fecond part, by Charles Cotton, of Beresford, in Staffordshire, Efq. This gentleman, who is reprefented as the most laborious Trout-catcher, if not the moft experienced angler for Trout and Grayling that England ever had, to teftify his regard for Mr. Walton, had caused the words Pifcatoribus Sacrum, with a cypher underneath, comprehending the initials of both their names, to be infcribed on the front of his fishing-houfe. This little building was fituated near the banks of the Dove, which river divides the two counties of Stafford and Derby. Here Mr. Walton fpent his vernal months, carrying with him the best and choicest of all earthly bleffings, a contemplative mind, a cheerful difpofition, an active

and an healthful body. So beauteous did the scenery of this delightful spot appear to him, that to use his own words, "the pleafantnefs of the river, mountains, and meadows about it cannot be described."

Mr. Walton died aged 91, during the great froft, 1683, at Winchefter, were he lies buried.

THE

BEAUTIES

OF THE

LATE MARY WOOLLSTONCRAFT GODWIN,

Author of "A Vindication of the Rights of Women."

CAREFULLY SELECTED

FROM HER VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS,

For the Entertainment and Inftruction of the rifing Generation. (Continued from page 277.)

(From Travels into Sweden, Norway, and Denmark)

LANDING IN SWEDEN.

4

NCE more we rowed off, they following tardily,

Nill, turning round another bold protuberance of

the rocks, we faw a boat making towards us, and foon learnt that it was the lieutenant himself, coming with fome earnestness to see who we were.

To fave the failors any further toil, I had my baggage inftantly removed into his boat; for, as he could fpeak English, a previous parley was not neceffary; though Marguerite's refpect for me could hardly keep her from expreffing the fear, ftrongly marked on her countenance, which my putting ourselves into the power of a strange man excited. He pointed out his cottage; VOL. IV.

li

and