genteel behaviour. How then can we trust ourselves to the superintendence of those, whose unpolished style and manner bear witness that they are destitute of the nice sensibilities which every preacher ought to possess? The evil calls loudly for a remedy-and though much may be done by individuals, the old prejudice of preferring good doctrine to smooth sentences, and sincere earnestness to counterfeited zeal and studied gracefulness, is so strong, that we are convinced by long experience no scheme will be effectual but the one we have adopted." The Preamble also argues at some length, in favour of the Practicability of the scheme,-but as this in modern projects is comparatively of little importance-and as experience has shown the scheme to be practicable, I will omit the remainder. My limits will not permit me at present to give a full view of their Constitution-or of the meeting which my friend described-or of the very visible effects which the Society produces on the tone of morals in its neighbourhood. It is sufficient to mention that the qualifications for admission are almost unreasonably severe-and that all the officers must possess almost unrivalled acquisitions: for example, the President-who is to decide on the character of the Sermon, and the talents of the Preacher is required to have read at least twelve Novels, some half dozen fashionable Poets-besides almost all Blair's Lectures-and the title page of Kame's Elements of Criticism, and Campbell's Philosophy of Rhetorick. I shall take a future occasion to present you with more of the subject. Yours, &c. PHILOCLERICUS. TO THE TRAGICK MUSE-A FRAGMENT. But oh Melpomene! thy lyre of woe To what a mournful pitch its keys were strung, To infant softness sunk, as breath'd thy mournful lay. C. E. THE MICROSCOPE. EDITED BY A FRATERNITY OF GENTLEMEN. NEW-HAVEN, (Conn.) PUBLISHED BY A. H, MALTBY & CO. No. 11.] TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1820. [VOL. I. "United, we stand." We have received a second communication from Concinnus, and, without further preface, lay it before our readers : Respected Friends, In a former letter I gave you a sketch of the prominent traits of our character, but refrained from alluding at all to the ungenerous treatment we are constantly receiving from the rest of the sex. Notwithstanding our being universally acknowledged to be a well-disposed pacifick class of gentlemen, still sneers, ridicule and satire have been most bountifully heaped upon our heads. Now if we know our own hearts, we do not indulge the least grain of ill-will towards such as have been engaged in this cruel business: the only sensations we harbour are those of pity and regret. We are sorry to see men of ingenuity and wit devote their talents to the unwarrantable purpose of injuring the inoffensive and unprotected. We cannot deny that there is a little wit in the invention of the significant names that in various caricatures, (some of which you have doubtless seen) are appropriated to the different parts of the body; but we say that it is illiberal and ill-natur ed in the highest degree to fix upon our noddles a nickname* that seems to reflect on us as if we were to blame for not having greater and more exalted talents. Surely we cannot be properly censured, because Nature has communicated to us with a sparing hand. It is not our wish to make pretensions to what we do not possess; nor have we any desire to conceal "Calves'-head-jelly."-Ed. our mental debility, but renewedly cast ourselves upon the mercy and candour of a generous publick. As if all the efforts that have been made to ridicule and satirise us were not enough, many persons are moreover busily engaged in endeavouring to injure our standing, especially among the mechanical part of the community; and in consequence of this we suffer grievously. To this cause we are doubtless correct in attributing an insulting and brutal piece of violence lately committed on the person of one of our fraternity-Mr. ********. That you may have correct ideas of what constituted the essence of the offence, I will accompany this letter with an engraved Sketch, executed by one, who was himself an eye-witness of the affray. Permit me also to state some of the particulars of the case: they are briefly these. About ten months since our brother bad, on the arrival of the latest European fashions, occasion for a new suit, which was immediately furnished by his tailor. The times being rather hard, and his previous expenditures having been much greater than had been anticipated; he for a considerable period neglected to call and settle the demand. The bill was at length sent in. This being unattended to; it was handed in two or three times more. Finally a civil officer was dispatched: on meeting with something of an uncourteous reception when he first addressed our friend, the rascal at once flew into a rage-clasped him around the waist with his right hand-held him up in the air in an impudent manner-and, horrible to relate, shook him most unmercifully to his inexpressible mortification, and to the great delight of a multitude of by-standers. In consequence of this, and numerous other almost equally daring outrages, we have been obliged to take effectual measures for our protection: the brotherhood have recently entered into a league defensive and inviolable. It is quite unnecessary to say that our institution-originating as it does, like most other associations among men, in the weakness of individuals has for its grand object the security and safety of the whole we are to guard each others reputations and persons-to assist each other in recovering from all ludicrous |