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stones, might have defended the pass against a whole army of assailants.

Gray, the poet, says, that he never experienced the sensations of sublimity, from the moment he crossed the Alps, till he arrived at this spot. In the ruder times of ancient days, a poet might surely have been forgiven, if he had placed the infernal regions directly in this spot, which might then have appeared to him to be the bones and skeleton of the world. Here the bard might have imagined, that airy forms and shadowy spectres took up their habitation, whether they hung on the rude fragment of a rock, or came riding upon the viewless wings of the blast.

Edward crawled up the rocks, and wound his way up towards the road, along Sir James Pulteney's coppice paths, still dwelling with rapture on the scenes every where presented to his view. He was shut in on all sides by mountains, of which those immediately near him, were hung with wood, and well dressed with foliage; but beyond, and elevated above all, the hills were naked to their summits, not even scantily covered with heath. The river rolled itself along at his left hand, now opening upon him its white and perturbed stream, labouring to find its way among the rocks, which opposed its passage, then entirely hidden from his sight, by the out-jutting and overhanging hills, it allowed him only to imagine the difficulties with which it struggled, by the hoarse murmur of its waters, coming

with deep and solemn tones upon his ear, amid the awful silence in which all around was hushed.

Edward at length, by a gradual ascent, reached the road, where the scenery still preserved the same features of grandeur and sublimity. Trees were to be seen on the lower ridges or tiers of mountains, with here and there a little hut, or cabin, (apparently, owing to its distance, hanging in the air) suspended at the side of the hill, the topmost range of rocks was very loftily raised, and their heads enveloped in eternal clouds.

THE COMMON LOT.

ONCE in the flight of ages past,

There liv'd a man;-and wнO WAS HE?

Mortal! howe'er thy lot be cast,

That man resembles thee.

Unknown the regions of his birth,

The land in which he died unknown;
His name hath perish'd from the earth,
This truth survives alone,

That joy, and grief, and hope, and fear,
Alternate triumph'd in his breast;
His bliss and woe,---a smile, a tear;
Oblivion hides the rest.

The bounding pulse, the languid limb,
The changing spirits rise and fall;
We know that these were felt by him,
For these are felt by all.

He suffer'd---but his pangs are o'er ;
Enjoy'd,---but his delights are fled;
Had friends---his friends are now no more;
And foes---his foes are dead.

He lov'd, but whom he lov'd the grave
Hath lost in its unconscious womb :
O! she was fair! but nought could save
Her beauty from the tomb.

The willing seasons, day and night,

Sun, moon, and stars, the earth and main, Ere while his portion, life and light, To him exists in vain.

He saw whatever thou hast seen,

Encounter'd all that troubles thee;

He was---whatever thou hast been;

The clouds and sun-beams, o'er his eye,

That once their shades and glory threw,

Have left, in yonder silent sky,

No vestige where they flew.

The annals of the human race,

Their ruin since the world began,
Of him afford no other trace

Than this,---There liv'd a MAN!

LUDICROUS CONDUCT OF AN AFRICAN SOVEREIGN.

In the beginning of April 1783, I made a journey to Podor, with the intention of reconnoitring the coast, ascertaining the course of the river, and making some regulations in the gum trade. A few leagues before I arrived at the isle of Toddee, I perceived, on the left bank, a numerous body of cavalry, and was informed that king Brack wished for boats to be sent to bring him on board my vessel; I therefore sent two canoes, which returned with the king, five of his ministers, and four of his musicians. As soon as the prince embarked, I saluted him with nine pieces of cannon; and on reaching the ship, I paid him every attention which could flatter and please him.

His majesty was dressed in a white shirt, which hung down to his knees, and was tied round him by a red sash; he had over it a large open tunic of a yellow colour; and his head and feet were naked, except that he wore a pair of yellow slippers. His suite were dressed according to the custom of the country

I conducted the king under an awning, placed on

the deck, where we sat down together, and passed reciprocal protestations of friendship. I offered him some refreshment, which he accepted; and was presented with Bourdeaux wine, but would not drink it. He asked me for brandy; on which I immediately ordered several flaggons of that liquor to be placed before him in a very short time he drank four large glasses full, and ate scarcely any thing. On taking a fifth he lost his speech, and the sixth set him fast asleep. His ministers and musicians were very sober, as they had drunk but little.

The king, while in this state of inebriety, was surrounded by his suite: some of them endeavoured to purify the air by agitating over his head, and in every direction, with great violence, a pagne or cotton cloth; which manner of renewing the air is in general use in that country. The rest were occupied in keeping off the flies from his person, lest they should disturb his sleep.

I amused myself with this ridiculous farce, till my people informed me that dinner was on table, when I invited the ministers to accompany me; but they refused to quit their master. I therefore sat down to table alone. Shortly after his majesty awoke, and asked to see me; when they told him that I was at dinner. 66 What," observed he, "without letting me know! This white man is very unkind." He then got up, came into the cabin, where the cloth was laid, stept upon a chair, jumped on the other side,---and at last seating himself at one of the windows, placed his feet upon the table.