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that, by means of an easy and natural contraction, they can be shortened, or lengthened (like a pockettelescope), according to the structure of the line in which they are to be introduced; others, by the assistance of proper interjections, are ready made into smooth flowing hexameters, and will be found extremely useful, particularly to our writers of tragedy.

All these, Sir, the fruits of several years labour and industry, I am ready to communicate for an adequate consideration, to authors, or other persons whom they may suit. Be pleased, therefore, to inform your correspondents, that, by applying to your publisher, they may be informed, in the language of Falstaff, "where a commodity of good names is to "be bought." As for your own particular, Sir, I am ready to attend you gratis, at any time you may stand in need of my assistance; or you may write out your papers blank, and send them to me to fill up the names of the parties.

I am yours, &c.

NOMENCLATOR,

To CORRESPONDENTS.

"The editor has to return thanks to numberless correspondents for their favours lately received; he begs leave, at the same time, to acquaint them, that as many inconveniencies would arise from a particular acknowledgment of every letter, he must henceforward be excused from making it; they may, however, rest assured of the strictest attention and im. partiality in regard to their communications.As to the insertion of papers sent him, he will be allowed to suggest, that, from the nature of his publication, the acceptance or refusal of an essay is no criterion of its merit, nor of the opinion in which it is held by the editor. A performance may be improper for the MIRROR, as often on account of its rising above, as

of its falling below the level of such a work, which is peculiarly circumscribed, not only in its subjects, but in the manner of treating them. The same circumstance will often render it necessary to alter or abridge the productions of correspondents; a liberty for which the editor hopes their indulgence, and which he will use with the utmost caution."

No. VIII. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20.

Inspicere tanquam in speculum

Vitas omnium jubeo.

TER.

IT was with regret that the editor found himself under the necessity of abridging the following letter, communicated by an unknown correspondent.

SIR,

To the Editor of the Mirror.

AS I was walking one afternoon, about thirty years ago, by the Egyptian side of the Red Sea, in the neighbourhood of Babelmandel, I accidentally met with a Dervise. How we forthwith commenced ac quaintance; how I went with him to his hermitage; how our acquaintance improved into intimacy, and our intimacy into friendship; how we conversed about every thing, both in heaven above, and in the earth beneath; how the Dervise fell sick, and how I, having some skill in medicine, administered to his recovery; how this strengthened his former regard by the additional tie of gratitude; how, after a space, I tired of walking by the Red Sea in the neighbourhood of Babelmandel, and fancied I should walk with more security and satisfaction by the side of Forth;

are circumstances, that, after you shall be more interested in my life and conversation, I may venture to lay before you.

In the mean while, suffice it to say, that my parting with the Dervise was very tender; and that, as a memorial of his friendship, he presented me with a mirror. I confess frankly, that considering the poverty of my friend, and his unaffected manner of offering it, I supposed his present of little intrinsic value. Yet, looking at it, and wishing to seem as sensible of its worth as possible, "This," "said I, may be a very useful mirror. "As it is of a con❝venient size, I may carry it in my pocket; and, "if I should happen to be in a public company, it 66 may enable me to wipe from my face any acci"dental dust, or to adjust the posture of my peri"wig." For, Sir, For, Sir, at that time, in order to command some respect among the Mussulmen, I wore a periwig of three tails.

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"That mirror," said the Dervise, looking at me with great earnestness, "is of higher value than you suppose: and of this, by the following account ❝ of its nature and uses, I am sure you will be fully "satisfied. Of mirrors, some are convex, and re"present their object of a size considerably dimi"nished: accordingly, the images they display are "extremely beautiful. A company of people repre"sented by this mirror shall appear without spot or "blemish, like a company of lovely Sylphs. Now,

my good Christian friend, mine is not a convex "mirror. Neither is it concavé: for concave mir

rors have just an opposite effect; and, by enlarg"ing the object they represent, would render even "the Houri in Paradise as hideous as the witch of "Endor, or a Pagan fury. In short, it is a good « plain mirror, intended to represent things just as "they are, but with properties and varieties not to "be met with in common glass."

"Whenever," continued he, "you entertain any "doubt concerning the propriety of your conduct, 66 or have apprehensions that your motives are not "exactly what you conceive, or wish them to be, I "advise you forthwith to consult the mirror. You "will there see yourself without disguise; and be "enabled, not merely to wipe from your face any "accidental dust, or to adjust your periwig of three "tails, but to rectify your conduct, and adjust your "deportment." In truth, Sir, I have made this experiment, according to the direction of the Dervise, so often, and with such small satisfaction to myself, that I am heartily sick of it. I have consulted my mirror in the act of giving alms, expecting, no doubt, to see myself charactered with the softest compassion, and, behold! I was swollen and bloated with ostentation. Glowing with indignation, as I conceived, against the vices of mankind, and their blindness to real merit, I have looked in the mirror, and seen the redness of anger, the flushings of disappointed ambition. Very lately, a friend of mine read me an essay he had written; he seemed to me somewhat conscious of its merit: he expected, and was intitled to some applause; but, said I to myself, "I will ad"minister to no man's vanity, nor expose my friend "by encouraging self-conceit ;" and so observed an obstinate unyielding silence. I looked in the mirror, and am ashamed to tell you my motive was not so pure.

But, instead of exposing my own infirmities, I will, in perfect consistency with some of the most powerful principles in our nature, and in a manner much less exceptionable to myself, explain the properties of my mirror, by the views it gives me of other men.

"Whenever," continued the Dervise, "you have ❝any doubt concerning the conduct of another person, take an opportunity, and, when he is least

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"aware, catch a copy of his face in your mirror." It would do your heart good, Sir, if you delight in that species of moral criticism which some people denominate scandal, to see the discoveries I have made. Many a grave physician have I seen laying his head to one side, fixing his solemn eye on the far corner of a room, or poring with steady gaze on his watch, and seeming to count the beats of his patient's pulse, when, in fact, he was numbering in his own mind the guineas accruing from his circle of morning visits, or studying what fine speech he should make to my lady duchess; or, if patient were a fair patient-But here I would look no longer.

I have often carried my mirror to church; and, sitting in a snug corner, have catched the flaming orator of the pulpit in many a rare grimace, and expressive gesture; expressive, not of humility, but of pride; not of any desire to communicate instruction, but to procure applause; not to explain the gospel, but to exhibit the preacher.

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"This mirror," said the Musselman, continuing his valedictory speech, "will not only display your "acquaintance as they really are, but as they wish "to be and, for this purpose," shewing me the way, you have only to hold it in a particular posi"tion." From the use of the mirror, holding it as the Dervise desired me, I confess I have received special amusement. How many persons hideously deformed have appeared most divinely beautiful; how many dull fellows have become amazing clever; how many shrivelled cheeks have suddenly claimed a youthful bloom! Yet, I must confess, how surprising soever the confession may appear, that I have found mankind, in general, very well satisfied with their talents and, as for as regards moral and religious improvement, I recollect very few instances of persons who wished for changes in their present condition. On the contrary, I have met with other ex

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