* An odd, not to say whimsical, thought has occurred to me in regard to this inftinctive bent of mankind towards Slander or Scandal against each other: And furely every candid man will acknowledge even in himself something more or lefs of this propensity in his nature, however we may all disguise it to ourselves for the love only of rectitude, and confequent distaste to defect. That the difpofition is in us is certain; nor do I know but, when kept within certain bounds, it may on the whole rather give a zest and usefulness to fociety, like vinegar or other acids in our cookery. At least little mutual ridicules are far from hurtful to it, and many a man is more amiable for having them, as many a one (nay, and however wife) is infipid for the want of them. I knew a gentleman who used to say, he often staid companies out to avoid the attack on going off; but does not this instinct of ours (and this was my odd thought) put one in mind of that of the creature we love fo well, and who loves us no less, and who indeed really and exclusively seems to have been formed by nature for our companions and associates, I mean the Dog, who runs out to bark at every traveller, and perhaps foon after would be glad to carefs him? There is more analogy between us and the creatures than we are aware of; and in regard to the noble Canine Species, methinks we may trace (and only through nature in that specie) not only a great variety, (as in us) but also in certain respects a strong analogy of character to our own. Are not the fawning of the Spaniel, and the difdain of some of the larger and nobler kind of dog, very fimilar to certain human characters? The obftinate unconquerable courage of the Bull-Dog has, doubtlefs, often its resemblance. among men; as has, to be fure, the oppofite extreme fo well marked in both fpecies.

And

And fay, how few, does not include
The confcious pride of Rectitude!

But, worfe than blaft of "winter's wind,"
Ingratitude's" return unkind,"

And there, perhaps, where most believ'd,

From candid confidence deceiv'd.

The gen❜rous act-by RAPTURE giv'n!—

The DONOR gifted with the rays of heav'n!

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By disappointment fad repaid,

And meanness the return that's made:

Say, heav'n-born fouls, where'er ye dwell,

Are there not deeds-bid Heaven tell

That strike you like ætherial light,
Which no return can e'er requite?

Then say, what 'tis OCCASION draws
From Nature's too degen'rate laws,

And will not the analogy alfo hold, where its appearance to myself fuggefted to me this whimsical note, I mean in respect to the barking and fnarling at you, which feems equally among the canine fpecies as our's to prevail' in proportion to the infignificance of the individual? and while the Cur and Little Dog fnarl and bark, the noble Newfoundland Dog, and some other of the large noble kinds, seem to scorn the practice, and attack none who do not attack them.

When

When to the disappointed hour,
The test so true, difplays its pow'r,
And gives you things to be withstood

Scarce by Contempt, or Fortitude !*
Oblivion, Goddess! then bestow,
For then 'tis happiest not to know.

No, with the Poet rather say,
That" to enjoy is to obey;"

And grant me then to share the boon,
So rare which comes, that flies fo foon!

To watch the bleffings as they rise,

And catch the transport ere it dies :

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* As the subject here is Human Nature, the writer will just observe, that he remembers formerly almost every one crying out against the return made to old Lord H— by Mr. C—; who, after being raised by his means from a washerwoman's fon to a confiderable rank in life, and thousands a year, quarrelled with his patron whom he no longer stood in need of, and left him on some flight (perhaps falfe) occafion. Every one exclaimed, that had his benefactor spit in his face, it should not, in this cafe, have been refented. It is afked, how many in fimilar or ftronger cafes would have put the noble theory in practice? This, however unfortunate the trait for human nature, every one will allow, almost to a Proverb,-that one capital offence, be it real or imaginary, generally cancels ever fo great obligation or obligations.

Yes then, when Nature from on high
Shines beauteous to the mental eye,
And all her objects round we view,
As ting'd with her own golden hue;
When, at her fmile benignant, rise
Celestial charms to mortal eyes,

While Sentiment, with fenfe combin'd,

Each, mutual, is by each refin'd;

Oh, grant with rapture-to receive,

But grant, with rapture more-to give!

Not selfish, Goddefs, let me be,

Then-ever a Voluptuary.

Enough, enough; for fure 'tis She
Breathes through my foul divine and free;
Enough, MINERVA; I obey:

To yon fair Temple* lead the way,
Where drefs'd in all thy attic pride,

Thou chief delightest to refide;

* The Temple of MINERVA, in a diftant part of the Gardens.

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At

At thy bright shrine then let me stand
Amid thy delegated band :—

But fee! young CHLORA, gentle Maid,
Light-tripping o'er the verdant glade!
Ah, CHLORA! come, and blefs my cell:
What WISDOM thinks, you best can tell.

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END OF THE FIRST CANTO.