of attendants, greatly exceeded the "Newmarket Meetings;" and what a sentimentalist would deem a principal point, the rewards given to the exhibitors partook more of praise than profit. Strict morality was considered as the basis of these sports, as very heavy fines were laid on all candidates who were found guilty of any fraud. Poets, orators, and artists, of very various descriptions, were among the competitors for fame. Alas! Newmarket must hide its head, for the list of the " terrible high-bred cattle" cannot come in competition with Pindar's description of the chariots and their masters. The lofty victors were content with a sprig of bay or parsley, and no one there lost their money or their character. A good-humoured Satirist (Warton) has well described these modern Olympics on the plains of Newmarket--

Smit with the love of the laconic boot,
The cap and wig succinct, the silken suit,
More modern Phaetons usurp the rein,
And scour, in rival race, the tempting plain.
See, side-by-side, his jockey and Sir John
Discuss the important point of six to one,
For oh the boasted privilege, how dear,
How great the pride, to gain a jockey's ear!

Egotism.

This common foible among great talkers assumes a very different character, from the persons who use it, and the subjects on which it is introduced,

When a foolish and opulent man takes up your time with details of his house and gardens, stables and steeds, &c. the intolerable egotist provokes our most unqualified indignation and contempt. Should a man of eminent talents take up the same quantity of time in relating the past occurrences of his life, the course of his reading, his opinions and views of life, &c. we listen with unabated attention to the tales of this dignified, though diffuse speaker.

Independence.

That this is a state of life most likely to produce happiness, is a most excellent lesson to instil into the bosoms of youth, and the most fitted to free that period from the inattention and sang froid with respect to future prospects of life, so apt to seize on the minds of young persons. Some few years since, a most excellent novel, called "Patronage," was published, in which this most important and useful lesson was held forth in a tale of excellent morality, good sense, and full of the experience of life.-N.B. It should be read most attentively by all younger brothers.

A Classical Allusion, of singular felicity. Mere imitation of classical imagery is in the power of any pedant with a memory, and of course ranks him among dull plagiarisms; but an applica

tion of the words or sentiments to a new meaning is pregnant with delight. Dr. Young, laughing at the self-admiring habits of the Dandies of his time, has applied the story of Narcissus in a most happy style of wit

So have I seen, in some bright summer's day,
A Calf of genius, debonair and gay,

Dance on the bank, as if inspired by fame,
Fond of the "pretty fellow" in the stream."

Symmetry of Architecture.

This part of beauty in building seems the Crux Architectorum! How many fine buildings do we see, wherein the height bears no proportion to the length, or where the ornaments fit neither in size or dignity to the general style of the edifice. An Italian illustrates the grace in an edifice, arising from symmetry, with great elegance and force, "A simple structure, which possesses no other merit than that of just proportions of whole to parts, will always produce a fine effect: it will depend on its own beauty, and be the object of admiration, though destitute of all ornaments whatever. Such a building may be compared to a naked statue." A more exact comparison could not be made, as proportion was the soul and life of ancient sculpture.

Symmetry is not only neglected with respect to the buildings only, but also to the grounds on

which they are constructed. Whoever has seen the area at Chester, on which the very Attic structures of the Jails, Law Courts, and Military buildings, are erected, must admire the elegance of the architecture of the various edifices, yet must lament, that, from the disproportionate amplitude of the ground on which they stand, the different buildings exhibit a very mean appearance from their seeming minuteness.

On Study of Antiquities.

Much false wit and unjust strictures have been made on lovers of the olden time, as if they were all alike nugatory and tiresome. Many antiquaries have proved men of great sense and ingenuity. Let two modern ones plead the cause of antiquarianism, the poets Gray and T. Warton. Cervantes has well described foolish and useless researches into antiquity: "Say no more, Sir," says Sancho," for in good faith if I fall to questioning and answering, I shall not have done between this and to-morrow morning; for foolish questions and ridiculous answers I need not be obliged to any of my neighbours." Sancho,' quoth Don Quixote, you have said more than you are aware of; for some there are who tire themselves with examining into and explaining

things, which after they are known and explained, signify not a farthing to the understanding or memory.'

A Beautiful Description of a Virtuous Woman.

Cervantes rises with his subject, and his hero in his lucid intervals very finely exhibits his sentiments. The beautiful and honourable woman,' says Don Quixote, whose husband is poor, deserves to be crowned with laurels, and palms of victory and triumph. Beauty, of itself alone, attracts the inclinations of all that behold it, and the royal eagles and other towering birds stoop to the tempting lure. But if such beauty be attended with poverty and a narrow fortune, it is besieged by kites, vultures, and other birds of prey and she who stands firm against so many attacks, may well be called the crown of her husband.'

Modesty to Poets recommended.

Don Quixote, addressing a young poet, (whom he had in vain exhorted to take up the profession of knight-errantry,) says, "I content myself, then, with putting your worship in the way of becoming a famous poet; and that is, by following the opinion and judgment of other men rather than your own. For no fathers or mothers think their own children ugly; and this self-deceit is yet stronger with respect to the offspring of the mind."