a poet, in his escent, chanced to come between them, they very often took advantage of the circumstance, to pelt each other most heartily. "Much learned dust involved the combatants, Each claiming truth, and truth disclaiming both. I confess it was with much astonishment, that I observed that those who received their uncivil salutations, generally bore them with much meekness and apparent good nature, and very seldom indulged in any retaliative measures. On expressing my wonder at this circumstance, my guide informed me, that few were ever injured by their malice; and no one, unless he stood far below them—and that those who had ascended higher up the mountain, usually diverted themselves, when thrown at, by laughing to behold their impotent weapons recoil upon their own heads. Once indeed, he said there had been some considerable disturbance on that side the mountain-that one lord By. ron, (whom I now observed far up, and approaching the temple with rapid step) when he first began to ascend, had brought with him a favourite "Childe," whom Jeffries had pelted without mercy-and that his lordship, resenting this usage, had taken advantage of a higher station, and so pelted and bespattered Jeffries and all his friends, that they had exhibited a more modest demeanor ever since. Among the lower criticks, I took notice of several strange fellows, designated by the name of Parodists, whose whim and business seemed to be, to frisk about in a Harlequin dress, with a fools cap and bells, and to burlesque the elegant movements of those who were passing up the steep. Among these, it is almost unnecessary to say, that I remarked George Coleman the younger, distinguished from his companions, by his "BROAD GRINS," and by bearing on his shoulder, in place of an epaulet, a small volume, on which was inscribed, 66 THE LADY OF THE WRECK ;" and which, I understood, entitled him to the rank and title of Ribaldrist General. But my attention was here called off by my attendant Genius, (with a gentle reproach for paying so much attention to objects so far below deserving it,) to observe the progress of those who were in ear nest endeavourng to arrive at the hallowed fane of Fame. Before me lay a smooth and easy way, composed of steps of equal length. Around this path no verdure appeared-no flower bloomed on its borders-and the dull monotony of the Cuckoo's song, was the only sound that broke on the traveller's ear. By this passage it was, that Pope, (half buoying himself on pinions, which he had formed from the stolen plumage of a Grecian eagle,) had with a kind of ostrich progression, reached the top, but all his servile followers had attempted the ascent in vain. At the foot of this path, I beheld one whom I instantly knew to be Montgomery, the " Muse of sorrow's child." He had once ascended up some little way, but was now at the bottom; his progress having been for some time, what an Irishman would call "advancing backwards." Parallel to this way, was the walk of Dryden-but it was wilder and more various-spangled with flowers, and refreshed by gales of fragrance. Farther North, were the different paths by which Scott and Southey had arrived at the summit. Though unlike each other in many respects, they were both wild and luxuriant, now passing through groves of mountain pine, now winding around precipices, half concealed by overhanging woodbine and heathbell-now lost to the sight behind "thunder splintered" craggs, and now passing on with gently waving ascent, through fields of roses and "gaudy broom." I looked in vain to find my favourites in their paths, and on enquiring the reason, was informed by the genius, that they had long since arrived at the Temple of Fame, and were now singing around her altar. Here my attention was directed to a pathway, which, from its uncommon wildness, appeared ab solutely impassable; as its course often lay over rocks, precipitous and broken, and sometimes descended into chasms, never • The excellence of Pope, as a melodious versifier, and a faithful translator cannot be doubted; yet he certainly did not possess "the poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling." With a very few exceptions, he may be said to have left nothing behind him which can lay claim to the character of originality. It is his translations and paraphrases of other authors which have given him eminence. His style, though musical and correct, is certainly disagreeably mo notonous, illumined, but by the orgies of Hecate; and was constantly infested with "horrid shapes, and sights, and shrieks unholy”— not but that the richest flowrets dressed and perfumed its wildest recesses, and "Such sights, as youthful poets dream On summer eve, by haunted stream," were often presenting themselves to the traveller's eye. This path, I learned from my conductor, had been trod by one alone, whose more than mortal vigour enabled him to "scale with steady step," its wild abruptness, and revisit safe the light of heaven, "From caverns deep, dug by no mortal hand." I need not say it was the wild bard of Avon. Curiosity inducing me to inquire in what manner the blind Milton had ascended, I was informed, that he had never travelled up the mountain at all. but had been borne on the pinions of angels to a higher abode-that though his name was inscribed, on everduring marble, in the Temple of Fame, yet that the poet had never been her worshipper-and that he now received the reward of his piety, in being admitted to join in the musick around the throne of God, and mingle his songs with the harmony of heaven. After this, it was impossible to feel any interest in observing the stragglers at the foot of the mountain; and the disgust, which I could not but feel, at beholding Coleridge endeavouring to ascend on the back of a "young ass," and Haley, perpetually celebrating "triumphs" without triumphing over one foot of his way, at length awoke me, and "Lo, it was a dream, but the thing was certain and the interpretation sure," BOTANY. Nec vero segetibus solum, pratis, et vineis, et arbustis res rusticæ lætæ sunt, sed etiam bortis nd pomariis: tum pecudum pastu, apium examinibus, florum omnium varietate. CICERO. TO say much in commendation of a science, whose excellence is so generally appreciated as that of botany, would be unnecessary. Some thoughts, however, on its great utility, and on the various advantages accruing from botanick gardens, may not be inopportune. The advantageous application of botanical knowledge to agriculture, to gardening, medicine, and other arts, is generally acknowledged. How many articles, now procured at great expense, might be cultivated by us to advantage, if once introduced and acclimated. But why should not this most interesting branch of natural history be cultivated in this country for its intrinsick excellence, apart from the consideration of its furnishing medicines, and articles for the dyer? Can nothing please unaccompanied by the promise of pecuniary benefit? "Search but the garden, or the wood, Let yon admir'd carnation own, Not all for needful use alone; There while the seeds of future blossoms dwell, "Tis colour'd for the sight, perfum'd to please the smell." Surely the study of natural history may well occupy some portion of the time of the rising generation; and it is to be hoped the Trustees of the University will see the propriety of giving some substantial encouragement for its extension among us. The claim, which botany has to our attention, when considered merely as an elegant amusement, ought not to be neglected; an amusement calculated to interest the understanding, while it promotes health and vigour of constitution. Every other study must yield to that of nature; for who will venture to compare the most finished productions of art with the originals, whence were drawn the ideas of their beauty and proportion? It is however, necessary to the progress of this science, that the student should be supplied with actual and living specimens. The imperfection of language to give an adequate idea of any vegetable production, must be generally admitted; and the most beautiful and accurate drawings or engravings fall so far short of that delicacy and minuteness of parts-those peculiarities incident to its post, or habit and growth, on which its scientifick distinctions depend; that it is only from living plants we can hope to obtain those distinctions which are necessary to discriminate these numerous productions, or to extend the limits of the science it.self. How important then must be the advantages of a botanick garden properly laid out, and supplied with the beautiful productions of vegetable nature which this country so abundantly affords. To unbend the mind from severer studies, and renovate the hebetated faculties and corporeal powers, by withdrawing at times from the busy scenes of life-those confining occupations, which, however lucrative, induce obstinate maladies, is worthy the endeavour of the wise. And what place so fit for exercise and innocent recreation as a garden, furnished with a pleasing variety of plants. Lord Bacon declared, that "of all human pleasures, that of a garden is the purest; and highly refreshes and recreates the spirits; insomuch that without it, buildings and palaces are but gross handy works, that have nothing of nature in them." It is true this has respect to ornamental gardening, considered as a fine art: Yet it must be admitted that the plan and disposal of a botanick garden, do not necessarily preclude elegance of design, nor beauty of arrangement. To walk amid so many species of plants, assembled from different countries, and inhale their rich perfumes;* to mark their varied forms, apprised of the healing virtues of some, and of the beneficient purposes for which all were ordained, must, to the contemplative mind, afford no common gratification. Although it is not expected that all who walk in a garden, should, with "Suaves odores miscent herbæ." VIRGILA |