its own folly, when corroborated (as always) by self-conceit. The observation that envy is a kind of praise, is strictly true; moreover it is one concomitant of conceit, to be ever carping for praise, so that by seeking attention it attracts observation to its absurdity, which might otherwise escape censure from the powerful, or at all events the notice of the wise. "Argutos inter strepit anser olores,"

is the motto of every impertinent coxcomb, and in no instance, when introduced into society, does he fail to act up to it. Reiterated disappointment, the neglect which cuts the spirit like a sword, or the actual cautery of the world's scorn, together with those oppressive and continual cares, which wither in the soul all hope and energy of resistance, and render it, at length, passive beneath assault, test the difference between pride and conceit; for the latter, akin to vanity, falls speedily prostrate; the other, founded upon true self-esteem, is impregnable. Hence it has been well said, that a proud man is too proud to be vain, for vanity draws its support from the applause of the world, pride from the approbation of self, looking down with just contempt upon the fitful gusts of the "popularis aura," whose scorn or smile it neither seeks nor fears.

I HATE the man who builds his name
On ruins of another's fame:1

Thus prudes, by characters o'erthrown,
Imagine that they raise their own;
Thus scribblers covetous of praise,
Think slander can transplant the bays.

(1) Juvenal's observation is:

"Miserum est alienæ incumbere famæ."-Sat. viii. 76.

Beauties and bards have equal pride,
With both all rivals are decried.
Who praises Lesbia's eyes and feature,
Must call her sister "awkward creature ;”
For the kind flattery's sure to charm,
When we some other nymph disarm.1
As in the cool of early day

A Poet sought the sweets of May,
The garden's fragrant breath ascends,
And every stalk with odour bends.
A Rose he pluck'd: he gazed, admired,
Thus singing, as the Muse inspired :—

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Go, Rose, my Chloe's bosom grace;

How happy should I prove,
Might I supply that envied place
With never-fading love!

There, Phoenix-like, beneath her eye,
Involved in fragrance, burn and die.

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Know, hapless flower! that thou shalt find
More fragrant Roses there:

I see thy withering head reclined
With envy and despair!

One common fate we both must prove;
You die with envy, I with love."
"Spare your comparisons,” replied
An angry Rose, who grew beside;
"Of all mankind you should not flout us;
What can a Poet do without us!

(1) "For malice will with joy, the lie receive,
Report, and what it wishes true, believe."

Vide Yalden's Ovid's Art of Love.

(1) The rose remarks justly, upon the poet's need of flowers for apostrophe to his "ladye love," for indeed all the blossoms of creation,-above, the stars, and below, the flowers,-have been ransacked to furnish images of compliment, by every poetaster that ever penned a sonnet "to his mistress' eyebrow." Hence "to speak ill of the bridge which carries one over" is sheer ingratitude, yet how often do we sacrifice a friend, to court the pleasure of a mere acquaintance, and willingly deteriorate the service of one who had no more to give, in order to obtain the good offices of him, whose only superiority is in the power, and not the will, to serve us! It is seldom, but that the most independent characters leave some stain upon the steps by which they climb to fame. The Ethics of Aristotle, b. iv. c. 4, should be studied in relation to this fable, as he therein draws, with his usual accuracy, this distinction, amongst others, between the magnanimous and the little-minded man, viz. that the first is not fond of talking of people,-cares more for truth than opinion.-and does not care that he himself should be praised, nor that others should be blamed. Hence, I am sorry to say, you do not often find magnanimity amongst women, whose friendship is easier got by maligning a rival, than by impartial vindication of truth.

THE lad of all-sufficient merit,

1

With modesty ne'er damps his spirit;1

(1) Which, strange to say, is in one sense, good policy; for never was there a high-mettled steed yet, who won the race, and would have done so, had he started, already beaten in his own estimation. A proper self-estimate is the sure stimulus to successful exertion; the abuse of it, as exhibited here, is to be repudiated. Many clap-trap sentiments have obtained currency, from the inattention to the marks by which right is separated from wrong; but one thing is certain, that if clever men had not known their own value in some de hey would not have troubled the world with their lucubrations, and nd industry, had perished together.