"having ineffectually endeavoured to per"suade his uncle to eat, began to think of ef "fecting a cure by artifice, "With this intent he caused himself to be "clothed in a winding sheet, in the manner of "bodies about to be buried, except that his "face was uncovered, and to be carried and "placed on a table with four lighted wax can"dles around him, in the chamber where his "uncle was lying. "Every thing was so well imitated, that no one who saw him could refrain from laugh, "ter; not even the very nurse of the sick ad"vocate, afflicted as she was, nor the nephew himself, could forbear, he being moved by "the strange grimaces of the persons around "him endeavouring to contain themselves. "The patient, for whom all this was done, " asked his wife who was that upon the table? " and she answered, " It is the corpse of your "deceased nephew." Nay,' answered the sick «man, how can he be dead, since I have just "seen him laugh till his sides ached ;' to which "the wife answered, that the dead laughed. "The advocate was desirous of making the "experiment upon himself, ordered them to "bring a looking glass, and tried whether he "could laugh. Finding the thing very pos"sible, he was persuaded that the dead had "that faculty, and with this his cure began.. “The nephew, after having continued lying upon the table about three hours, asked for 1 "something good, that he might eat. A ca pon was presently brought to him, which he "devoured, and likewise a pint of wine. 66 Seeing this the advocate asked whether the "dead could eat? And being assured they "could and did, he then demanded some food, " which was brought to him, and he eat with "a good appetite. From this time he contin"ed to perform the actions of a man of sound "understanding, and his melancholy was ઠંડ gradually removed. This history was made "into a farce, then printed, and often played "before his majesty, Charles IX. I being "present." SELECT SENTENCES. POVERTY and riches are the names of want and sufficiency: he who wants any thing ought not to be called rich, and he who wants nothing, poor. HE who would lead a quiet and secure life, must not engage himself in many things, either publick or private; nor attempt any thing above his own ability and nature; but have such a regard to himself, as to decline any exuber ance of fortune that is offered him, assuming no more than he is able to bear; for the convenience of what we enjoy is more excellent than the largeness of it. WHO taught me love's extatick glow, My Edwin. With woe at first, because I fear'd, My Edwin. His melting voice dispell'd those fears, Drove back my sighs and dry'd my tears, And lovlier far than e'er appears My Edwin. When first he own'd the thrilling pow'r, And well he knew 'twas all his own, My Edwin. For ah! how vain is ev'ry art, My Edwin. Who's now my guide in virtue's way, Who is my leading star by day, And in my nightly visions play? My Edwin Who bids the tear spontaneous flow, And who'll to misery aid bestow? My Edwin. Who, when I fly with wild alarms, From pending clouds and threatning storms, Will shelter me within his arms ? My Edwin. Who oft at twilight's pensive hour, My Edwin. Who'd pleasure with instruction blend, My Edwin. Dorchester, Jan. 6, 1807. EMMA. FOR THE POLYANTHOS. FASHION. The following lines were caused by the author's being called a Cynick for some observations he had made on Fashion. I SEVERE ? I a Cynick? good heaven forbid I rail'd at the fair;—but grant that I did, When truth is a libel I'll give up my cause, And, world-ruling fashion, I'll bow to thy laws. Cease, cease, cried an angry toned voice in my ear, (I shrunk into silence, appalled by my fear) 'Twas Fashion herself in her glory array'd, All her jewels, her gems, and her beauty display'd; Her hair artificial, in negligent fold A gem bedecked comb, placed obliquely, did hold; Her forehead's fair curls her mild eyes scarcely shew, Her bosom expos'd, rose soft throbbing to view; Her arms, as they floated sublime on the air [bare, To shew their sweet form, to the shoulders were And her robe, thin and small, her fair form gave to sight, That show'd through its folds a purpureal light. Cease, traitor! she cried, nor my power disallow, I rule all the world from the throne to the plough; But chief o'er the fairest extends my domain, There unbounded, adored, despotick I reign; I teach them to dress, and to sing, and to dance, Send them waltzes so chaste, and cotillions from France, |