attempt; and ever fince, in my intervals from bufinefs, have been confidering what fubject I fhould chufe for my animadverfions. As I am convinced every fubject muft fuffer more or lefs in my hands, I have at last determined to make choice of one which I may treat with the utmott freedom. My remarks fhall be wholly perfonal, and yet none fhall be offended. I fhall delineate fome peculiarities in the character of one of your fincere friends, whom I am every day ftriving to be better acquainted with, but of whom, I hope, I have already some knowledge. In plain terms, I am intending to write of myself. You will, perhaps, fay, I have chofen a very barren topic; but, excufe the egotifm, I think, barren as it is, you will be able to make it entertaining and inftructive. I fhall, therefore, endeavour to give you the materials; but in doing this, shall not attempt to deviate from the carelefs ftile ufual in familiar correspondence. A tafe for literature is thought to be of fuch a different nature from the fpirit of exertion neceffary to ensure fuccefs in business that, by fome, they are confidered impoffible to be united in one perfon. I cannot entirely admit the juftice of this remark; for every. one has leisure hours, which he may employ in any fpecies of relaxation he thinks proper; and certainly, if it affords amufement, there can be no argument against employing thofe hours in literature. Indeed, from its being fo much within our power, it feems peculiarly fitted for the recreation of an active life. There is, however, undoubtedly, one great difficulty attending this union. It requires confiderable refolution to keep the two contending purfuits within their proper limits; and, without poffeffing this refolution, all attempts to form fuch a junction must be productive of evil confequences. The temple of Plutus and temple of Minerva are fituated at fuch a distance from each other, that he who intends to vifit both muft not delay much time at either. The perfon who is even bleft with this degree of refolu tion, will often find himself compelled to employ it. Such, Sir, I confider is my fituation: and this continual fruggle between my inclination and y neceffary employment, forms the molt firiking feature in my character. As long as I have prudence to avoid em ploying that time in literary purfuits which fhould be employed in bufinefs, I cannot conceive I am acting wrong. All recreations are blameable, when they infringe on our important duties; but I cannot fee the one I have choten has any peculiar culpability. A perfon of this defcription will, it is true, often be obliged to fnatch monients of meditation in very unțuitable fituations. To catch "the flippery eel of knowledge by the tail," is certainly a dificult task for him; but difficult as it may be, if once endued with the propenfity, he will continually be ftriving after it, and even his attempts will not be unproductive of advantage, Although I cannot fay with Sir Richard Blackmore, that I ever make poetry to the rumbling of my own chariot wheels, I can with truth fay, that I often make profe, and fometimes rhyme, to the rumbling of other people's. The noife of the streets of London can be compared to nothing but that defcribed in Milton "Now forming Fury rose, And clamour, fuch as heard in Heav'n till now Was never arms on armour clashing Horrible difcord, and the madding bray'd wheels Of brazen chariots rag`d." Yet, my good friend, in fuch noife am I often doomed to meditate. Nor is noife the only inconvenience fuffered by becoming Peripatetic in the treets of London: for it often places me in very difagreeable and dangerous cir cunftances. Sometimes, when involved in deep thought in forming a well-turned period, I very narrowly efcape getting an abrupt period put to my own existence; and when my imagination has been fublimely foaring through the celestial regions, a fudden blow from a stupid, iterate polt, has recalled it to earth, and ferved, like the remembrancer of Philip of Macedon, to remind me I was ftill but a man. I have not unfrequently lost my way, when endeavouring to explore the intricate recefies of the human foul; but this cafe is fo very common with metaphyficians, that it icarcely deserves mentioning. It has been obferved, that poets, when in the act of compoling, are accustomed to make expreffive gefti culations culations with their bodies; for which Quintilian has compared them to the lion, who lathes himself with his tail when peparing for combat. "The very external marks of this poetic fury," fays Olaus Wormius, when fpeaking of the ancient Saxon poets, "are, in fome. so obvious, that a ftranger will discover them at first fight to be poets, by certain looks and gestures, which are called in our language Skalvingl, i. e. the poetical vertigo." Horace likewife may be fuppofed to allude to this circumftance, when he says, "Aut infanit homo, aut verfus facit:" The man is making verfes, or infane. Although you know I have never "courted the ten" with fufficient fuccefs to be denominated a poet, I rather think I am sometimes affected in this manner; for I often have the mortification to difcover, by the fignificant words and motions of thofe who furround me, that I am thought a fit inhabitant for St. Luke's Hofpital. Nay, I once had a stronger proof of the popular opinion; for I was ftopped in the Strand, forced into a hackneycoach, and, in fpite of all my remonftrances, carried to Bethnal-green, as a perfon advertised to have escaped from a mad-house in that place. I lately had occafion to call upon a Gentleman to whom I was a perfect ftranger, but with whom I had fome material business to tranfact, As it was rather early in the morning, he was not in a flate in which he thought proper to receive me, and I was confequently requested to wait a few moments in the parlour, until he fhould be ready. In fuch a fituation, it is natural to feek for amufement, and I fometimes provide against fuch exigencies, by carrying a fmall volume in my pocket; but at this time had not taken the precaution. I had, however, no caufe to repent my neglect, for on the table I found a copy of Falconer's Shipwreck," a poem which, in my opinion, poffeffes more truly pathetic paffages than almost any other, of its fze, in the English language. The parting of Palemon and Anna, and the fubfequent account of Palemon's death, are parts which, I think, muft affect the most obdurate heart, and, I am not ashamed to confefs, never fail to draw tears from my eyes. The latter paffage had just begun to have AL its usual effect when the Gentleman entered. My contufion, and his furprife at feeing me in tears, may be much better imagined than defcribed ways haunted with a foolish bashfulneis, I am eafily difconcerted when addreffing aftranger; but at this time my confufion exceeded all that I had ever experienced before. This you will readily believe, when I inform you," that my ridiculous fituation, and the diftrefs of the poem, fo entirely occupied my mind, that I could not recollect the bufinefs I came upon; and it was not until I had made many stupid, confufed fpeeches, and difcuffed in a very incoherent manner the state of the weather, funds, and the other common topics of converfation, that, with the affittance of my memorandum-book, I was able to tell the Gentleman the caufe of my vifit; and although I at laft tranfacted my business with tolerable compofure, I have fince heard he has been enquiring of my friends, whether I was not at times deranged in intellect. It has juft occurred to me, that an extract from the memorandum-book which was fo ufeful to me on the above occafion, will display the peculiarity in my character better than any thing elle I could say. EXTRACT FROM MEMORANDUM-BOOK. MEMORANDUMS. To call on Mefirs. Holdfaft, Gripe, and Co. of Throck morton-street, and enquire the rate of freight on the Neptune-Maxim from Seneca: "Hæc aliis dio, ut dum dicis audias; ipfe fcribe, ut dum fcripferis legas"-Simon Omnium, Stock broker, Bartholomew lane-Captain Van Hau fer fails for Embden on Saturday; must not forget to fee him to-morrow-Mr. Titlepage, the bookfeller, informs me, that Dr. Pofitive is the author of "Philofophical Doubts"-- To write to Mefits: M'Gilvray, Miwham, and Co. of Glasgow, concerning our joint adventure in the Copernicus-The best edition of the Venerable Be le's works is that printed at Cologne, 1612, in & vols. fol. To direct to Metirs. Suckblood, Cowitch, and Co. as executors of the late Mr. Flogwell, Kingston, Jamaica-To deliver to my friend Mr. Mole the books I borrowed of him; viz. "The Treatife on the Tunnel under the Thames," and Dr. Mead's Treatife on the Influence of the Sun and Moon on Human Bodies," &c. &c. Thus, my dear Sir, I have endeavoured to give you a fketch of the most peculiar feature in my character. If you think this sketch can with advantage be introduced into any of your Ellays, it is at your difpofal. I here give you full liberty to abridge, add, "burn, or deftroy," as you think proper; and believe, if you intend to honour it with infertion, you will find it neceffary to imitate our gallant feamen, and exercise your privilege to the Lame extent. I must beg of you, how ever, to conceal my name, whatever alterations you make; as to have it íz print would be very detrimental to my intereft. It would injure my credit as a merchant, and add nothing to it as an author. But while to the public I with to be concealed, to you I hope always to be known as, MY DEAR SIR, Your fincere friend, I fhall defer making my observations on the above letter to fome future Number. July 11th, 1803. BATAVIA ; OR, A PICTURE OF THE UNITED PROVINCES: HERANIO. IN A SERIES OF LETTERS, WRITTEN DURING A TOUR THROUGH THE (Continued from Vol. XLIII. Page 415.) CONTINUATION OF LETTER V. THE Amfterdam. HE central painting reprefents Amfterdam as the firit commercial city in the world. She leans on the new City Arms; Neptune tenders her a crown, Mercury the golden wand of merchandise, and Cybele offers her keys. The Roman eagle fufpends an Imperial crown over her head; Fame is proclaiming her dignity to the world; and Hercules, as the grand reprefentative of Virtue and Valour, is exercifing his club on the progeny of Pandora, who, notwithstanding the guards which are placed round the Goddefs (Amfterdam), endeavour to raise the spirit of faction, and rob her of the glories which fo many divinities are heaping upon her. By this time I am fenfible that one reflection cannot have efcaped you, that is, "The Dutch are very fond of magnifying them felves, of making a great parade of that pre-eminence which the English lay a very powerful claim to." All over the Stadthoufe, Amfterdam is made the Queen of Commerce, fitting in unrivalled glory. Some, probably, may cenfure the Dutch for thus extol ling themselves: for my part, I feel perfectly indifferent respecting it; there • Vide Smollett's Travels may always be found enough to cavil with in every place, if a traveller happens to be troubled with that unfortu nate propensity *. In Holland, an imperious command is treated with filent contempt, and thick vollies of cenfure with the molt careless indifference. Politeness will fcarcely urge a Dutchman one step fafter than his ufual pace; but rudeness makes him ftand ftill. I fhall therefore choose to let them enjoy the idea of the fuperiority which they affume; it is an innocent fpecies of pride, why thould I difturb their enjoyment of it? In the following pages of this letter, I will only promife you a Catalogue of the Paintings, &c.; their merits you will, in fome measure, be able to appreciate, from the names of the artists. I fhould not have taken this trouble, were the English already in poffeffion of fuch a lift; but as this is not the cafe, I feel it a duty incumbent upon me to spare nothing which can render the account perfect, and give you an adequate conception of the pride of Holland. The ftranger generally commences his purfuit after the curiofities of the Stadthouse with the BURGOMASTER'S CHAMBER. Above the entrance is a bas relief of through France and Italy. two two raked children with the Roman bundles and axe. On each fide fands an eagle; one with a theaf of arrows in its claws, the other with the rod of Mercury. Above, Mercury is endeatouring to lall Argus to fleep with his fure, that he might fieal the cafe entruded to his care. Near Argus is a deg upon watch.-Painter unknown, and merit indiferent. Two drawings of the Old and New Stadthoufe, by Zenredam and Van der Ulit, are placed in this chamber. The ornaments are all of variegated marble; the frize on the mantle-tree contres the history of Fabius Maximus in bas relief, inimitably well done; and shore is a painting on the time fubject. The concelhon of the father to the fom, ja quality of Conful, is finely expređed;" and the joy which the old man felt on feeing his chud fatzin his pot with diguity is well conceived.-A. Quellenus. Vondel, the Shaktpeare of the Provinces, has touched this fubject with a fine hand. A Table of Touchfione is another curiofity here. A Poem on the erection of the building is engraved upon it, written by C. Huygens, and engraved by E. Noke, a German.-The ceiling contains fome trifling paintings, of which it may fuffice to fay that they are there. The Burgomatter's Chamber leads to PROCLAMATION PLACE, a gallery 32 feet by 10 feet. Here proclamations, edics, &c. &c. are read to the Public. The ceiling is foely painted by Bronkhurft. The gallery leads to EXECUTION CHAMBER. Above the entrance is a painting reprefeating the ftory of Amplion, and a rehief nearly fimilar to that in the Burgomater's Chamber; which chamber is equal in dimenfions with this, viz. 30 feet by 20. Some Corinthian marble pilafters are worthy of notice. No mainrings, except in the ceiling, of which as before.. The next apartment in the order of place is the COUNCIL CHAMBER, Counsellors, and higher ones for the four Burgomatters for the time being and the Secretary. A capital printing, covering one fde in length, and 19 feet high, by Jacob de Wit, reprefents the election of the leventy Elders chofen by Mofes*. Mr. Feil attributes this piece to Bronkhurd; the name upon it is J. de Mz Above the chimney-piece, Solomon praying for Wi dom.-G. Hinke. Four bas reliefs and imitations by Jacob de Wit, which at a little distance would deceive the eye of a c. nnoiffeur. Oppofre the painting of Solomon is one by Bronkhurt, of nearly the fame fubject with the large one by De Wit. I prefame this accounts for Mr. Fell's mistake: yet he does not even mention this painting; he peaks only of the large one! Four paintings in grey, by J. de Wit; fubjects, Religion, Peace, Government, and Fidelity, ceiling by J. de Wit. ORPHANS CHAMBER. Over the door, fome bas reliefs. On the chimney-piece, a picture of the Ceremonies of Roman Adoption. Ceiling daubed with figures of birds, &c. Above the Council Chamber, and of the fame magnitude, is the PAINTERS CHAMBER. It is a ipecies of picture gallery, containing many fine paintings and innumerable prints, fome by upwards of 10,000. Were I to enter upon fo elaborate a work as defcribing them, I presume you would read the firk line and lat one, then throw it afde-perhaps for ever. BANKRUPTS CHAMBER. Story of Icarus and Dedalus, furmounted with elegant feftoons, all of white marble. Fortune lying away, &c. SCHEPER'S CHAMPER, or the Hall of Magitracy, where the Magißrates fit every day to hear and determine on the merits of petty caules and grievances 13 a fummary way. Over the entrance is written in gold letters, Audi et alteram partem. It is extremely poplafant to certrovert what is already before the Public, even when truth fan&icas our oblervations. Mr. Fell has detailed an imperfect account of the Stadthouse. He (without any perfonal offence to that Genikman) has requently minaken both the names of the apartments and the painters whole picces ormanent them! VOL. XLIV. JULY 1703. E The The dimenfions of this apartment are 80 feet by 32. A fine painting of Mofes delivering the Law to the Children of Ifrael.Bol. An exquifite historical baffo relievo; fubject, the Children of Ifrael erecting the Golden Calf in the Abfence of Mofes; with an infcription. This room is divided in the manner of a court of justice, in fuch a way as to prevent the least confufion from taking place. Not a voice is heard, fave thofe of the parties on examination. The ceiling is painted with appropriate defigns in the tile of De Wit, or perhaps Laireffe. THE SCHEPEN'S CHAMBER EXTRA ORDINARY. It contains feveral pictures of various: merit; none bad, and few worthy being called excellent. The ceiling is painted in a manner fuperior to the defign, which being trifling, occafions a confiderable drawback from the praise of the painter. SECRETARY'S OFFICE. Over the door at which you enter is defigned Fidelity, by a Dog watching the Body of his murdered Matter; and Conftancy, by a burning Altar with a Hand and Sword; probably taken from the anecdote of Scevola, who fail ing in his enterprife, held his hand in the flames to be burnt, to convince them that Fortune would not force him to reveal a fecret. Above the other door, Silence is defignated by a woman with her finger in her mouth, leaning upon a Dolphin, and a Goofe flying, with a ftone in her mouth. Pictures. Mary de Medicis-Charles the Fifth, Emperor of Germany. THE TREASURY ORDINARY contains feveral bronze ftatues of the Counts of Holland, a ftatue of Jupiter, and another of Atlas. On the chimney is an hiftorical piece of Jofeph and his Brethren justifying themfelves from the Charge of the ftolen Cup.-Here is preferved an old Plan of Amfterdam, by Cornelius Anthonifen, of the ex There is a chimney at each end, fupported by elegant variegated marble friezes are defigns reprefenting Amfterpillars; the capitals are white; on the dam furrounded by Juftice, Prudence, and Fidelity; Hercules is clearing her coaft of harpies. On one chimney is a painting, the defign from the ftory of Marcus Curius, who, contented with a dish of turnips, refufed the Samnites' gold.G. Flincke. On the other, the ftory of Fabricius on his Embaffy to Pyrrhus.-Ferdinand Bol. I am apprehenfive that ere you have reached this line, you feel a little oppreffed with ennui; a repetition even of excellence will occafionally disgust: but we must make "One effort more, and then the work is done." To convince you that I have not exhaufted this mine of treasure, I will now usher you into the GREAT CHAMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF WAR, an infignificant closet of 80 feet by 32!!! one fide and the two ends of which are ! entirely covered with paintings of the great Mafters. It can only provoke the most innocent kind of risibility, when we perceive a traveller, who gives an air of importance to his "Tour through the Batavian Republic," call the Great Chamber an apartment unworthy the paintings with which it is embel *Here we may obferve Mr. Fell's mistake, who confounds the two Chambers with each other: the paintings which he mentions are in the Apartment; the Chamber he paffes by unnoticed. Ireland has made a fimilar miftake, defcribing a picture of Fabius Maximus to be in the Apartment which is in the Chamber !! lifhed |