of human nature, and the accuracy of his pencil, much more than if he had represented in striking colours either of the component parts. By running them into one another, and by delineating their shades where they are gradually and almost imperceptiby blended together, the extent and delicacy of his conceptions, and his amazing powers of execution are fully evident. Violent and impetuous passions are obvious; their colours are vivid; their features strongly marked; they may easily be discerned and easily copied. But the sensibility of the soul flows out in a variety of emotions and feelings, whose impulses are less apparent, and whose progress and operation may escape the notice of superficial observers; but whose influence in governing the conduct, and fashioning the tempers of mankind, is more extensive that we are apt to imagine. Many passions and affections of an insinuating, rather than urgent nature, gain an ascendant in the soul by silent and unobserved approaches. Not to be discerned in the gestures or countenance till they have established a peculiar habit or temper,

they are represented to us by those only whom nature has distinguished; and whom, by rendering them exquisitely susceptible of every feeling, she has rendered supremely happy, or miserable beyond the common lot of humanity. To men of this character, endowed with lively imaginations, and a talent of easy expression, the most delicate emotions and affections of the soul submit themselves, suffering them to copy their true appearance, and exhibit them for the profit and pleasure of mankind: like those aerial agents, the sylphs, fairies, and other divinities of the poets, that preside over the seasons, and regulate the progress of vegetation, but which can only be rendered visible by the spells and authority of a skilful magician.

II. That Jaques, on account of disappointments in friendship, should become reserved and censorious, is agreeable to human nature: but is it natural that he should abjure pleasure, and consider the world and every enjoyment of sense as frivolous and inexpedient? Ought he not rather to have

recurred to them for consolation? On the contrary, he expatiates with satisfaction on the insufficiency of human happiness, and on the insignificance of our pursuits.

All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exists and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms:-
And then the whining school-boy with his satchel,
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school :-And then, the lover;
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress's eye-brow:-Then, a soldier:
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel;
Seeking the bubble reputation

Even in the cannon's mouth :-And then, the justice,
In fair round belly, with good capon lin❜d,

With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances,
And so he plays his part:-The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon;
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side;
His youthful hose well sav'd, a world too wide

For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,

Turning again toward childish treble, pipes

And whistles in his sound:-Last scene of all,

That ends this strange eventful history,

Is second childishuess, and mere oblivion;

Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans every thing.

That the heart, sorrowful and dejected by the repulse of an ardent passion, is averse from pleasure of every kind, has been often observed. The mind, in a gay and healthful state, receives hope and enjoyment from every object around us. The same objects, if we languish and despond, are regarded with disgust or indifference. "What path "of life would you pursue?" said Poscidippus, morose and out of humour with his condition: "in public you are perplexed. "with business and contention: at home, you are tired with cares: in the country,

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you are fatigued with labour: at sea, you

are exposed to danger: in a foreign land, "if rich, you are fearful; if poor, neglect"ed: have you a wife? expect sorrow: "unmarried? your life is irksome: children, "will make you anxious: childless, your "life is lonely: youth is foolish, and grey"hairs feeble. Upon the whole, the wise "man would chuse either not to have exist"ed, or to have died the moment of his

"birth."

"Chuse any path of life," re

plies the cheerful Metrodorus: "in the fo"rum are profits and wise debates: at home, "relaxation: in the country, the bounty of "nature: the sea-faring life is gainful: in a "foreign land, if wealthy, you are respect"ed; if poor, nobody knows it: are you "married? your house is cheerful: unmar"ried? you live without care: children af"ford delight: childless, you have no sor"row: youth is vigorous, and old-age ve"nerable. The wise man, therefore, would "not chuse but to have existed." Morose and splenetic moments are transient; the soul recovers from them as from a lethargy, exerts her activity, and pursues enjoyment: but, in the temper of Jaques, moroseness is become habitual: he abandons the world, he contemns its pleasures, and buries himself in a cloister. The cause of this excessive severity requires a particular explanation.

Among the various desires and propensities implanted by nature in the constitution of every individual, some one passion, either by original and superior vigour, or by reiterated indulgence, gains an ascendant in the