of the age in which they lived. Augustus Cæsar thought the skin of a sea-calf to be a preservative against lightning; and expected some grievous calamity to befall him in the course of the day, if at rising he happened to put the left shoe upon the right foot:—but we are not therefore to say, that Augustus Cæsar was a fool. The very learned and able Bishop Jeremy Taylor, on a certain topic, asserts what was rather suited to the notions current in his time, than what was philosophically true; but it does not follow, that the Holy Living and Dying, in which this passage occurs, is therefore a foolish book. He would be indeed a foolish man, who would catch at such a passage, and make it a reason for rejecting all the excellent instruction and counsel contained in that golden treatise.

8. Bossuet, before he sat down to compose a sermon, read a chapter in the prophet Isaiah, and another in Rodriguez's tract on Christian perfection. The former fired his genius, the latter filled his heart. Dominichino never offered to touch his pencil, till he found a kind of enthusiasm or inspiration upon him.-Biograph. Dict.

9. Patrons are but too apt to reward their authors with compliments, when they want bread. Sorbiere, being treated in this manner by his friend

Pope Clement IX. is said to have complained in the following humorous terms:-" Most Holy "Father, you give ruffles to a man who is without 46 a shirt."

10. Valesius used to say, he learned more from borrowed books than from his own; because, not having the same opportunity of reviewing them, he read them with more care.

11. Some books, like some fields, afford plenty of provision for various creatures-while, as to others,

Jejuna quidem clivosi glarea ruris

Vix humiles apibus casias roremque ministrat:
Et tophus scaber, et nigris exesa chelydris
Creta, negant alios æque serpentibus agros
Dulcem ferre cibum, et curvas præbere latebras.

GEORG. ii. 212.

The coarse lean gravel, on the mountain sides,
Scarce dewy bev'rage for the bees provides :
Nor chalk, nor crumbling stones, the food of snakes,
That work in hollow earth their winding tracks.

DRYDEN, 293.

12. The Biographia Britannica, a work which, notwithstanding its singular merit, I cannot help calling Vindicatio Britannica, or a defence of every body. Royal and Noble Authors, ii. 68.

13. Voltaire's Universal History, a charming bird's-eye landscape, where one views the whole in

picturesque confusion, and imagines the objects more delightful than they are in reality, and when examined separately. Ibid. 87.

14. By the writers of dialogues matters are often contrived, as in the combats of the Emperor Commodus, in his gladiatorial capacity. The antagonist of his imperial majesty was allowed only leaden weapon.

15. It is said of Ascham, that "he lost no time "in the perusal of mean and unprofitable books.” See the reflection on it in Biog. Br. 2d edit.

16. "Fronti nulla fides" is a just maximotherwise, one should be prejudiced against a book with this title-Fog Theologiæ Speculativæ Schema.

17. "To read while eating was always my fancy, "in default of a tête-à-tête. Tis the supplement "to society I want. I alternately devour a page " and a piece: 'tis as if my book dined with me.” Rousseau, b. 6. vol. ii. p. 137.

18. Genuine knowledge should be diffused. "Quid magni faceres," said archbishop Warham to Erasmus, "si uno agresti popello prædicâris? "Nunc libris tuis omnes doces pastores, fructu "longè uberiore." Cooper's Charge, p.22.-" What great work could you have wrought, had your

preaching been confined to one small and rustic “flock? But now, with much more extensive bene"fit, your books instruct the shepherds of all other "flocks."

BRACHMANS AND ALEXANDER.

GREAT indeed was the stateliness of the Brachmans! When Alexander expressed a desire to converse with them, he was told, these philosophers made no visits; if he wanted to see them, he must go to their houses.-The tradition of a fall and restoration was strong among them.

BRIBERY.

THE Spartans were the only people that for a while seemed to disdain the love of money; but, the contagion still spreading, even they, at last, yielded to its allurements; and every man sought private emoluments, without attending to the good of his country.-"That which has been is that which shall be!"

OF BUYING BOOKS.

YOUNG men should not be discouraged from buying books. Much may depend on it. It is

said of Whiston, that the accidental purchase of Tacquet's Euclid at an auction first occasioned his application to mathematical studies.-Biog. Dict. art. Whiston, vol. xxi. p. 394.

CATHARINE I. OF RUSSIA.

SHE was not very brilliant and quick in her understanding; but the reason why the Czar was so fond of her, was her exceeding good temper: she never was seen peevish or out of humour; obliging and civil to all, and never forgetful of her former condition.—Coxe, i. 568, from Gordon.-Peter was subject to occasional horrors, which at times rendered him gloomy and suspicious, and raised his passions to such a height, as to produce a temporary madness. In these dreadful moments Catharine was the only person who ventured to approach him; and such was the kind of fascination she had acquired over him, that her presence had an instantaneous effect, and the first sound of her voice composed his mind and calmed his agonies. From these circumstances she seemed necessary, not only to his comfort, but to his very existence; she became his inseparable companion on his journies into foreign countries, and even in all his military expeditions.-P. 554.