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and of Isabella, in opposition to the heartless Barnardine and the fantastic Lucio, form a most interesting group, which might demand all the scrutiny of the philosophic gazer. The inimitable scene between the Justice, Elbow, and Froth deserves an essay, and in Troilus and Cressida, the principal personages merit a very scrupulous examination. Above all, a very pleasing parallel, after the manner of PLUTARCH and SALLUST, might be run between the characters of Henry of Monmouth, and Harry Hotspur.

The amiable and accomplished lady, from whom we lately received a tribute to the memory of her regretted son, will find some mitigation for her grief by strengthening those habits of contemplation, composition and study, which her genius, education and industry inspire. Let her be constantly, nay laboriously employed in a course of LITERARY PURSUITS, and although Occupation will not entirely pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, yet it may render the sense of it less painful, and perhaps deprive a rankling dart of some of its acuteness. At this enchanting season, the survey and the description of natural scenery, the investigation of the truths of science, and the processess of art, the endless, variegated, and delightful departments of the belles lettres, all may agreeably engage her attention, and whether she reads, meditates, or composes books, she will find, at least, a temporary oblivion of care. As we believe that her faith is fervent, and her principles unshaken, and as we know that her fine fancy is keenly sensible of all that is sublime and beautiful in composition, she will discover in the oriental writings innumerable topics of consolation, expressed with all the energy and elegance of the most consummate composition. By the perusal of the IMMORTAL WORK to which we now allude, her fortitude will be invigorated, her grief appeased, her hopes gilded, and her fears quelled.

Under the title of VARIETY, we propose, from time to time, either 1 from original sources, or from very rare or recent publications, to publish a mass of miscellaneous matter, so prepared and arranged, as to afford the most diversified entertainment to the reader. Of those departments of a magazine, which are devoted, principally, to the amusement of the loungers, who by the bye, form the great majority in a metropolis, this kind of medley, which may be called small talk, or table talk, or variety, or by any title, which sufficiently indicates its light and heterogeneous character, has always proved highly acceptable. Such is the fondness of desultory man for short paragraphs, either pithy or poignant, that although grave essays may have their turn for examination, edification or delight, still the terse, the epigrammatic, the laconic pages in a miscellany are always the first to be perused. Indeed the example of ERASMUS, of LUTHER, of SELDEN and of JOHNSON, is quite sufficient to stamp a value upon those miscellaneous compositions, in which either wit or wisdom is briefly expressed, and men find either the merry or the memorable without being at much pains to seek for either. The adagia of the Greeks, the spritely sayings of the Romans, the apologues of the Orientals, and the colloquies of the middle Latinity, all demonstrate that this love of whatever is concise and brilliant is a universal passion. We remember many years ago to have perused a translation of, this character from the Spanish, and an old volume, edited by one Fuller, containing about twenty thousand good things, and we were of opinion that they were among the most sensible as well as spritely books, we ever remember to have looked into.

In the department of the USEFUL ARTS, we have received from some obliging friend at New-York, a communication, relative to a magnificent aqueduct, near the enchanting vale of Llangollen, in Wales. This description may furnish profitable hints to the civil engineer. In a country so new, and so astonishingly extensive as America, it is peculiarly proper to foster every project, auxiliary to public undertakings, whether of utility, beauty, or grandeur.

In noticing this article we advert, with pleasure, to the inscription. Perhaps no style is of more difficult attainment than the lapidary. A very large proportion of the epitaphs in Westminster Abbey are in the very worst taste of writing, and are remarkable for any qualities, rather than terseness, force, or brevity. Numerous inscriptions on the most magnificent edifices in London, and throughout the United Kingdom, often serve only to perpetuate the imbecility of the inscriber. Such is the copiousness and diffusion of many a protracted period in this class of writing, that it seems we are reading a history rather than an inscription. In the concluding paragraph of the article we are now commending, the reader will acknowledge the justness of the sentiment and praise the classical elegance of the style. It is free from the defects above mentioned, and is not unworthy of the genius of a Lacedemonian.

The gentleman, who has favoured us with the precocious production of a darling child, is thanked, with emphasis, for such an interesting communication. Although the partiality of a parent is extremely visible in his letter, yet that very circumstance is honorable to the author; and we have so much faith in him, both as a Phycisian and a Philosopher, that we believe his feelings have not beguiled him to exaggerate the truth. This remarkable record of prematurity of talent, although marvellous, and even romantic, has been before realized in the case of Cowley, Chatterton, and many others, whose names, the memory and various reading of our correspondent will readily suggest. The boy bard, whom the fondness of a father thus affectionately describes, deserves all that fostering care, which infant genius demands; and, from our knowledge of the abilities and affection of the parents, we are of opinion that the talents of the child will not languish for lack of culture. This prattling poet in miniature commences with good omens the career of literature. We hope he will reach the goal, and be crowned with the chaplets of Applause.

MORTUARY.

Died, on the 3d ult, at Rockland, near Havre de Grace, Philip Thomas, Esq.

In the death of this worthy man, his widow is deprived of an affectionate husband, his children of a tender father, and his servants of the most indulgent of masters; his immediate acquaintance of a kind neighbour and firm friend, whilst the poor of his district will have to mourn that the hand which so often ministered to their wants will never again resume its wonted office.

Of a frank and noble disposition, free from the grovelling prejudices of the generality of mankind, Mr. Thomas was eminently calculated to grace the social circle, and add to the felicities of life; and, while his doors were ever open to his friends or the wandering stranger, his domestic arrangement displayed all that can be conceived of the hospitality, freedom and comforts of a real country gentleman of "olden time."

Died, on the 7th inst. aged 62 years, Samuel Breck, Esq. This gentleman was born in Boston, in which town he resided till within the last sixteen years: these he has passed in Philadelphia; where, in the philanthropic spirit of his native home, he gained the love of all who knew him, by his urbane manners and numerous virtues.

The Price of The Port Folio is Six Dollars per annum.

PRINTED FOR BRADFORD AND INSKEEP, NO. 4, SOUTH THIRDSTREET, BY SMITH AND MAXWELL.

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WITHOUT discussing the question, whether particular countries are peculiarly favourable to the production of particular genius, we are safe in the assertion, that the United States, in proportion to their age and population, have furnished a large quota of successful adventurers in the Art of Painting. Many Americans have distinguished themselves in the European schools in different departments of this most difficult and elegant art. In portrait painting, STEUART is, perhaps, unrivalled; and our pretensions to the higher walks of historical painting are well supported by WEST and TRUMBULL. Others might be named, whose industry and genius reflect high honour on our country. This success is the more worthy of admiration as our country contains very few, indeed, of those models of Art and Taste with which Europe abounds, and which are so absolutely necessary to any degree of perfection in the profession, that no force of genius or application can dispense with them. Hence those, who have not the means of visiting the old world, languish in obscurity, or abandon the attempt in utter despair. Every transatlantic student may have access to works of established excellence; while in our country the few that exist are scattered in various private hands, and inaccessible to all but the immediate friends of their possessors.

With a view of establishing a general public depository of celebrated works in the Fine Arts, and affording the American genius an opportunity of attesting and improving his powers, a number of gentlemen

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