parts or districts, each under a distinct governor ; and these again were reduced into endless subdivisions. Some of them we were obliged to decline; it was not a little puzzling to perceive the intricate ramifications of the paths in these parts. Here, the natives spoke several dialects, which rendered our intercourse with them very perplexing. However, it must be confessed, that every step we set in this country was less fatiguing and more interesting. Our course at first lay all up hill, and when we had proceeded to a certain height, the distant country, which was most richly variegated, opened finely to our view: and the atmosphere at this elevation was so clear, that we were able to discern several very remote countries, and were gratified with a distant view of many celebrated antiquities.

I must not, however, omit here to mention a circumstance which occasioned no little mortification and chagrin to some of our party. The hills we were now climbing were so lofty and romantic, and the prospects appeared to us so extensive, that several of us were of opinion, that ascending a few more heights would bring us to our journey's end; and a gaudy and contemptible pagoda, that stood on a neighbouring summit, was actually mistaken by us. for the temple of knowledge itself. Under this idea, many of our party rushed on with an air of triumph; at the same time regarding with looks of great contempt, several parties of pilgrims whom we observed still patiently trudging along in the vallies below. Just as we were loudly congratulating ourselves on this speedy termination of our travels,

and admiring the gay and superficial gilding that adorned this edifice, we were accosted by a venerable man, who having with a smile of pity disclosed to us our mistake, requested us to follow him, while he led us to the furthest summit of the hill; where he desired us to observe a range of lofty mountains, which appeared like faint clouds in the distant horizon.

"Youths," said he, "believe me, it will be long ere you reach the nearest summit of that sublime range: perhaps the patience of some of you may be exhausted before you even approach their bases; but, be assured, that if you should attain that elevation, you will, even from thence, only be able to gain a distant glimpse of the temple, which is situated on one of a far loftier and more remote chain. Be not disconcerted, you are not the first novices who have mistaken this glittering and tawdry place for that sublime structure: some I have known who could never be persuaded of their error, but, under the idea of having attained the end of their pilgrimage, have run in this low neighbourhood all their days. I, myself," continued he, “have been a pilgrim from my childhood, but have never been able to reach the desired goal. I have now retraced my steps for a considerable distance, and am waiting here the arrival of some zealous pilgrims from the valleys, whom I have undertaken to conduct by the nearest route, as far towards the temple as I am myself acquainted with the road."

Some of our number, ingenuously acknowledging our error, thanked the sage for his information;

while others treated him as a conceited impostor. At this place a great variety of roads meet; and here it is usual for parties to disband, each individual taking that path which best suits his taste or convenience. I accordingly took an affectionate leave of my companions, with the lively hope, mutually expressed, of meeting them all at length within the boundaries of the temple of knowledge.

The path I now chose was remarkably steep and difficult of ascent; yet it seemed to me the most inviting. I travelled chiefly by night, keeping my eye in an upward direction, and guiding my course by the motions of the heavenly bodies. This favourite track, with occasional deviations into lanes and meads, belonging to the same district, I have continued to pursue to the present moment. The range of magnificent mountains, mentioned by our early director, now begins to present itself to my longing view, in broad lights and bold outlines, and, as I mentioned above, the temple itself, situated on the loftiest of them all, is visible in a favourable atmosphere. But I now often call to mind the words of that venerable guide, and begin to entertain serious apprehensions that there is some, at present, impassable boundary, which divides the immediate vicinity of the temple from these lower regions. And should I, upon a nearer approach, find this to be the case, my intention is contentedly to take up my abode in some verdant valley at the base of the mountain watered by a pure stream from the sacred height, which may allay my burning thirst, and invigorate my wearied spirits; and I

shall feel perfectly reconciled to this delay by two considerations; first, that my past travels and labours would be well rewarded, if they had answered no other end than that of rectifying the mistaken ideas formed by those who never proceed far on this pilgrimage, with regard to the extent of the journey, and the actual situation of the edifice; each one supposing it to be reared on some spot within the limits of his bounded horizon. And secondly, the full persuasion I entertain, that whenever I am summoned to ford the deep and dark stream which it is generally supposed surrounds the base of the mountains, I shall obtain easy and direct access to the most sacred recesses of the temple.

XXX.

A LIBERAL TASTE.

MR. W- a gentleman of affluent fortune, who resided in the neighbourhood of a populous city, took a benevolent pleasure in encouraging young persons of merit and genius, by his attentions and assistance. He kept a hospitable table in the true sense of the word: that is, one that was oftener surrounded by deserving individuals rising from obscurity, or struggling with difficulties, than by persons of his own rank and consequence, from whom he might receive the same again. In addition to the generous motives which chiefly influenced him

in so doing, he was giad of the opportunity of introducing his children to the society of persons from whom he rightly judged they would be more likely to learn something useful, and to be stimulated to exertion, than by the desultory discourse which commonly prevails in more polite parties.

One day a small company, consisting chiefly of young men of the above description, was assembled at Mr. W's house. One of these had lately returned from a tour on the Continent, whither he had accompanied a young nobleman in the capacity of tutor. In the course of the excursion, he had made a collection of fossils and minerals, which he promised to exhibit this evening for the entertainment of Mr. W———'s children. The young man, who was devoted to his favourite study, expatiated on the various names, families, and properties of his specimens with a genuine enthusiasm, which prevented his perceiving that all the spectators were not equally interested. There was a pale youth, looking on from motives of complaisance, who evinced, sometimes by suppressed yawns, and sometimes by a half concealed smile, his entire distaste for, if not contempt of, the exhibition. This was a young poet.

"Is it possible," thought he to himself, "that a man of education should have gazed on Alpine scenery-have trod the classic ground of Italy and Greece-visited the very abodes of the muses, and wandered amid the magnificent ruins of antiquity— amid all that is immortalized by history and consecrated by poetry, to no other purpose than that of