ment, and frequently of taste, of which their contemners appear to have no conception. It is the great misfortune of such literary labours, that even when performed with ability the learned will not be found to want them, and the unlearned want the discernment which is necessary to give them a just value. But to such abridgers as Monsieur Le Grand in his "Tales of the Minstrels," and Mr. Ellis in his "English Metrical Romances" we owe much; and such writers must bring to their task a congeniality of genius, and even more taste, than their originals possessed. I must com→ pare such to fine etchers after masters :-very few give the feeling touches in the right place! Inferior artists may copy, but a spiritless copy is easily perceived, when placed by the work of another whose taste enters into every part, and knows those parts which he is to mark strongest.

It is an uncommon circumstance to quote the Scriptures on subjects of modern literature; but on the present topic the elegant writer of the books of the Maccabees has delivered in a kind of preface to that history, very pleasing and useful instruction to an Abridger. I shall transcribe (the passages, being concise) from Book ii. Chap. ii. v. 23, that the reader may have it at hand.—

"All these things I say being declared by Jason of Cyrene in five books we will assay to abridge in one volume. We will be careful that they

that will read may have delight, and that they that are desirous to commit to memory might have ease, and that all into whose hands it comes might have profit." (How concise and Horatian!) He then describes his literary labour with no insensibility:"To us that have taken upon us this painful labour of abridging, it was not easy, but a matter of sweat and watching."-And the writer employs an elegant illustration, "Even as it is no ease unto him that prepareth a banquet, and seeketh the benefit of others; yet for the pleasuring of many, we will undertake gladly this great pain; leaving to the author the exact handling of every particular, and labouring to follow the rules of an Abridgement." He now embellishes his critical account with a sublime metaphor to distinguish the original from the copier:"For as the master builder of a new house must care for the whole building; but he that undertaketh to set it out, and point it, must seek out fit things for the adorning thereof; even so I think it is with us. To stand upon every point, and go over things at large, and to be curious in particulars, belongeth to the first author of the story; but to use brevity, and avoid much labouring of the work, is to be granted to him that will make an Abridgement."

Quintilian has not a passage more elegantly composed, nor more judiciously conceived,

PROFESSORS OF PLAGIARISM AND OBSCURITY.

AMONG the most singular characters in literature may be ranked those who do not blush to profess publicly its most dishonourable practices. The vender of printed sermons imitating мs. is too notorious to mention. He to whom the following anecdotes relate had superior ingenuity. Like the famous orator Henley, he formed a school of his own, in which he taught not to imitate the best authors, but to steal from them!

Richesource, a miserable declaimer, called himself" Moderator of the Academy of Philosophical Orators." He taught in what manner a person destitute of literary talents might become eminent for literature. He published the principles of his art under the title of "The Mask of Orators; or the manner of disguising with ease all kinds of composition; briefs, sermons, panegyrics, funeral orations, dedications, speeches, letters, passages, &c." I will give a notion of the work.

The author very truly observes, that all who apply themselves to polite literature do not always find from their own funds a sufficient supply to For such he labours; and teaches

ensure success.

to gather, in the gardens of others, those fruits of which their own sterile grounds are destitute; but so artfully to gather, that the public shall not perceive their depredations. He dignifies this

fine art by the title of PLAGIANISM, and he thus explains it :

"The Plagianism of orators is the art, or an ingenious and easy mode, which some adroitly employ to change, or disguise, all sorts of speeches of their own composition, or of that of other authors for their pleasure, or their utility; in such a manner that it becomes impossible even for the author himself to recognise his own work, his own genius, and his own style, so skilfully shall the whole be disguised.

An

Our professor proceeds to inform us in what manner we are to manage the whole economy of the piece which is to be copied or disguised; and which consists in giving a new order to the parts, changing the phrases, words, &c. orator for instance, having said that a plenipotentiary should possess three qualites,-probity, capacity, and courage; the plagiarist on the contrary, may employ courage, capacity, and probity. This only for a general rule, for it is too simple. to practise frequently. To render the part perfect we must make it more complex, by changing the whole of the expressions. The plagiarist in place of courage, will put force, constancy, or vigour. For probity he may say religion, virtue, or sincerity. Instead of capacity, he may substitute erudition, ability, or science. Or he may

disguise the whole by saying, that the plenipotentiary should be firm, virtuous, and able.

The rest of this uncommon work is composed of passages, extracted from celebrated writers, which are turned into a new manner by the plagiarist; their beauties however are never improved by their new dress. Several celebrated writers when young (particularly the famous Flechier, who addressed verses to him) frequented the lectures of this professor!

Richesource became so zealous in the cause of literature that he published a volume, entitled, "The Art of Writing and Speaking; or a method of composing all sorts of letters, and holding a polite conversation." He concludes his preface by advertising his readers, that authors who may be in want of essays, sermons, letters of all kinds, written pleadings and verses, may be accommodated on application to him.

Our professor was extremely fond of copious title-pages; which I suppose to be very attractive to certain readers; for it is a custom which the Richesources of the day fail not to employ. Are there persons who value books by the length of their titles; as formerly the ability of a physician was judged by the size of his wig?

To this article may be added an account of another singular school, where the professor taught obscurity in literary composition!