ciple, the objection will be found to have no force.

(39) "Art" for "arts" is not to be defended.

There is an expreffion in this Epitaph, which, though not uncommon, is improper. "This weeping marble," no doubt, every one understands without explanation—but it is impoffible not to attend to the immediate meaning—marble, on which moifture is condenfed in drops-and which, in fact, is much more like tears, than a Cupid with his hand to his eyes. I fee all the poverty and meannefs of fuch a conceit, but it really obtrudes itself on the imagination, in consequence of "marble" being mentioned instead of the sculptured figure.

The

The Hermit.

NOT long fince a Gentleman, whose

real name I fhall difguife under that of Adrastus, took it into his head to give up, or rather to fhun fociety, and retire to a poor cottage, which may still be found between Breckneck and the neighbouring mountain called the Beacon. The place, tho' lonely, was not fecluded from obfervation-befides, he was obliged to attend the market at Brecknock for neceffaries, fo that it was well known such a person was there, and lived by himself. It is true, that once a day a middle-aged woman called at the house to clean it, which when she had done, she departed; and now and then a perfon going by would ask if he wanted any thing from the town-with these excep

tions, he might be said to live absolutely alone. Acquaintance he had none, altho' he cheerfully joined in fuch converfation as chance threw in his way. If the weather was unfavourable, he ftaid at home-when it was fine, he explored the vales, or afcended the mountains of the beautiful country he had chofen for his refidence. As his pace was fometimes flow and folemn, and at other times quick and impetuous, his air was not like one of this world, efpecially as he would at times pause to look at fome trifling object, and seem to observe a great deal where the common eye could fee nothing. Thefe, and other circumftances, occafioned Adraftus to be confidered as a peculiar character, and, tho' always mentioned as a whimsical being, yet, as no one found he did any harm, he was left to pursue his vagaries in peace. Almoft the greatest favor the world has to bestow!

One

One fummer-morning, carrying his day's provifion in his pocket, he ascended the Beacon, and feated himself on the edge of that rapid descent which overlooks the vale of the Ufke. He was alone, it is true, but the furrounding objects furnished such a quick fucceffion of ideas, that before he could half finish one fubject, another prefented itself for confideration, and altogether produced that agreeable tumult of the mind which is fuppofed to be found only in fociety." The keen air of the place reminding him of his dinner, he drew forth his cold. mutton and bread, unconscious of being. obferved, and was eating with a sensation of pleasure unknown where it is endeavoured to be excited at a great expence.

Suppofe you washed it down with a glafs of punch," faid a gentleman behind him, who made one of a large party of both fexes, that had come from Brecon to spend a day on the mountain" Very

willingly,

willingly, Sir," replied Adraftus, who was too collected and firm in himself to be alarmed at an unexpected addrefs. He arofe from the turf, and joined the company, who were mixing their shrub from the adjoining natural bafin of pureft

water.

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you poffibly account for this fpring on the of a mountain? or for that round bafin that is down in yonder hollow, which they tell me is unfathomable ?" "Perhaps," replied Adraftus, "I might give a fatisfactory answer to your question, but it would be encroaching too much upon the fubjects of general converfation." "It was the very fubject which engaged our attention," replied the other, "and the shortest way of introducing a new one would be to difpatch this." "The fpring," said Adraftus, "may poffibly be fupplied by the vapours which most commonly reft on the mountain head, or it