THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY A COLLEGE EXAMINATION. HIGH in the midst, surrounded by his peers, Happy the youth! in Euclid's axioms tried, i. M-ns-l.-[4to] ii. Whilst all around.-[4to] iii. iii. Who with scarce sense to pen an English letter, IO I. No reflection is here intended against the person mentioned under the name of Magnus. He is merely represented as performing an unavoidable function of his office. Indeed, such an attempt could only recoil upon myself; as that gentleman is now as much distinguished by his eloquence, and the dignified propriety with which he fills his situation, as he was in his younger days for wit and conviviality. [Dr. William Lort Mansel (1753-1820) was, in 1798, appointed Master of Trinity College, by Pitt. He obtained the bishopric of Bristol, through the influence of his pupil, Spencer Perceval, in 1808. He died in 1820.] 2. [Undergraduates of the second and third year.] What! though he knows not how his fathers bled, Such is the youth whose scientific pate A manner clear or warm is useless, since i We do not try by speaking to convince ; Be other orators of pleasing proud,— We speak to please ourselves, not move the crowd: A proper mixture of the squeak and groan: i. The manner of the speech is nothing, since.— 20 30 [4to. P. on V. Occasions.] 1. Demosthenes. No borrow'd grace of action must be seen, The slightest motion would displease the Dean; Whilst every staring Graduate would prate, The man, who hopes t' obtain the promis'd cup, No matter what, so it can not be heard: Thus let him hurry on, nor think to rest: The Sons of Science these, who, thus repaid, Yet prizing Bentley's, Brunck's, or Porson's1 note,i. i. Celebrated critics.-[4to. Three first Editions.] 40 50 I. The present Greek professor at Trinity College, Cambridge; a man whose powers of mind and writings may, perhaps, justify their preference. [Richard Porson (17591808). For Byron's description of him, see letter to Murray, of February 20, 1818. Byron says (Diary, December 17, 18, 1813) that he wrote the Devil's Drive in imitation of More than the verse on which the critic wrote: Vain as their honours, heavy as their Ale,1 Sad as their wit, and tedious as their tale; 60 To friendship dead, though not untaught to feel, When Self and Church demand a Bigot zeal. This much, at least, we may presume to say— iii. 1806. 70 i. They court the tool of power.-[4to. P. on V. Occasions.] ii. While mitres, prebends.—[4to. P. on V. Occasions.] iii. The reward's scarce equal to the price they pay.-[4to] Porson's Devil's Walk. This was a common misapprehension at the time. The Devil's Thoughts was the joint composition of Coleridge and Southey, but it was generally attributed to Porson, who took no trouble to disclaim it. It was originally published in the Morning Post, Sept. 6, 1799, and Stuart, the editor, said that it raised the circulation of the paper for several days after. (See Coleridge's Poems (1893), pp. 147, 621.)] 1. [Lines 59-62 are not in the Quarto. They first appeared in Poems Original and Translated.] 2. Since this was written, Lord Henry Petty has lost his place, and subsequently (I had almost said consequently) the honour of representing the University. A fact so glaring requires no comment. [Lord Henry Petty, M.P. for the University of Cambridge, was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1805; but in 1807 he lost his seat. In 1809 he succeeded his brother as Marquis of Lansdowne. He died in 1863.] TO MARY, ON RECEIVING HER PICTURE.1 I. THIS faint resemblance of thy charms, (Though strong as mortal art could give,) My constant heart of fear disarms, Revives my hopes, and bids me live. 2. Here, I can trace the locks of gold Which round thy snowy forehead wave; 3. Here I can trace-ah, no! that eye, Whose azure floats in liquid fire, Must all the painter's art defy, And bid him from the task retire. 4. Here, I behold its beauteous hue; But where's the beam so sweetly straying," i. But where's the beam of soft desire? Which gave a lustre to its blue, Love, only love, could e'er inspire.— [4to. P. on V. Occasions.] I. [This "Mary" is not to be confounded with the heiress of Annesley, or Mary" of Aberdeen. She was of humble |