loquacity may be of singular utility. Disgusted, perhaps, with unprofitable prattle, or stimulated to reply by some severity, they soon discover the amiable virtues of their hearts, and the strength and beauty of their minds. If then loquacity would be silent and abashed, good sense and reason would triumph; but such men, neither admonition nor persuasion, neither reproof nor praise, neither de feat nor victory, can induce to restrain their disposition. To fetter their tongues would be severe torture, and were the legislative power to impose silence on persons of this description, it would be considered the most extreme punishment, the most tyrannical interdiction. Mr. Loquax, by an indulgence in this particular habit, though a man of virtue, some information, and talent, often renders himself ridiculous and unpleasant. Destitute of judgment, he gives the reins to his tongue,-on all subjects, whether competent or not, he must speak,-not content with giving an opinion, he permits the most irrelavent ideas, that are jumbled together in his mind, freely to obtrude themselves.-Unacquainted with systems, without a perfect knowledge of any science, possessed only of miscellaneous intelligence, yet has a tolerable share of memory. Thus, as he thinks so he speaks, on every topic advanced, but like the mercenary troops of an enemy, his endowments seldom co-operate with each other-they do not support with energy the common cause, and every new accession of idea, for want of judgment, are like undisciplined recruits; they exhibit an appearance of power, without being formidable. Such is Loquax, a man, from his situation and age, entitled to respect, and were he possessed of discretion, would, doubtlessly, impart to every society pleasure, and be received as a welcome and respeetable guest. 2 It appears, therefore, an indispensable duty on all heads of families, tutors, and friends, to inculcate modesty in the younger branches of society— teaching them, above all things, to love TRUTH. Satirical conceptions let them reject altogether, as pestilential to friendship and harmony, and let them repress a fulsome, unprofitable, and injudicious propensity to LOQUACITY. Jan. 14, 1801. THE REFLECTOR. [No. XLIX.] THE GARDEN. BY WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ. -The Garden, with its many cares, J. 5. All well repaid, demands him--he attends · Or misapplying his unskilful strength. COWPER.. HE title of this third book of the TASK, indiTHE cates its contents, and boasts of a beautiful variety. In a garden, it is presumed, the poet passed much of his time-the scenes there presented to the eye, were in unison with the benevolence and sensibility of his heart. He, however, indulges himself in that wholesome satire on the vices and follies of men, which he reprobates with a masterly severity. He also lays open a few traits of his own history-an interesting melancholy characterises his retirement. This his history we have in the following singular lines: I was a stricken deer, that left the herd He drew them forth, and heal'd, and bade me live, He then animadverts on the indifference with which religion is treated by the generality of mankind-and forms this admirable apology for the concern which he himself had expressed :— 'Twere well, says one, sage erudite profound, And over-built with most impending brows, In arts like your's. I cannot call the swift The parallax of yonder luminous point, That seems half-quench'd in the immense abyss. Or heedless folly, by which thousands die, The poet, in a few pages afterwards, speaks of the union of learning and piety in former daysthe compliments here passed on Newton, Milton, and Hale, possess equal truth and beauty— -Philosophy baptiz'd, · In the pure fountain of eternal love, Gives him his praise, and forfeits not her own. Friends in the friends of science, and true pray'r In this retirement, it appears that Mr. C. had an bare, which he thus mentions, after having condemned the savage pleasures of the chace : Well, one at least is safe. One shelter'd hare Whom ten long years experience of my care, Not needful here beneath a roof like mine. To thy straw couch, and slumber unalarm'd; Thine unsuspecting gratitude and love. 2 There is a sweetness in this sketch of his favourite bare, which the reader of sensibility will feelit is honourable to the poet's humanity. Indeed all his writings are of this cast-and this amiable trait is deserving of particular commendation. The muse of Cowper is, on no occasion, boisterous and overbearing whilst, indeed, it lashes the vices and follies of man, it breathes a child-like tenderness towards every living thing capable of receiving fe licity. The Cabinet of Mirth. "Here let the jest and mirthful tale go round.” FARMER, not accustomed to large dealings, A in the county of Chester, lately brought to Stockport market a quantity of oatmeal to sell, and an article which forms a great part of the subsist-ence of the lower orders of society in that neighbourhood, soon found a purchaser. It being usual for the middle-man, as he is called, to pay in a good bill of two months, the bargain being struck, |