which made so deep an impression in those days, in which he could on him, that he never afterwards not be said to answer badly, for he could think with patience of his did not attempt to answer at all. uncle Goodwin, rior could he hearti. This account I had from his own. ly forgive the neglect shewn him lips. He told me he had made during that time by his other re many efforts, upon his entering lations.

the college, to read some of the old

treatises on logic, writ by SmegThe unəasy situation of mind

lesius, Thecke maumus, Burgers, which a young man of high spirit

dicius, &c. and that he never had must have been in, under such cir.

patience to go through three pacumstances, produced consequen

ses
of

any of them, he was so disces likely to prove destructive of

susted at the stupidity of the work. his future fortunes. For, in such a state, he could not bear to give Swift made a firm resolution that the necessary application to some

he never would read any of those of the more dry parts of the aca. books; which he so pertinaciously demic studies, for which he had adhered 19: that though he was. indeed naturally no great relish; stopped of his degree the first but passed his time chiefly in read- Hime of sitting for it, on account of ing books of history and poetry ; his not answering in that branch, which were better calculated to he went into the ball a second, relieve the troubles of his mind. In time, as ill prepared in that reconsequence of this, when the time I spect as before ; and would also came for his taking the degree of have been stopped a second time, Bachelor of Arts, he was stopped, on the same account, if the interas he himself expresses it, forest of his friends, who well knew dullness and insufficiency. It is to the inflexibility of his temper, had be supposed the word dullness

not stepped in, and obtained it for was, on this occasion, used by him; although in a manner little Swift jocosely, as the cause assign- l to his credit, as it was inserted in ed for stopping any person of a the college registry; that he ob. degree, in answering badly in any tained it speciali gratia by special branch of literature appointed for favour; where it still remains up. that particular examination; which on record. does not necessarily imply dullness, as it may as well proceed from He reinained in the collcgcncaridleness. But in Swift's case it ly three years after this. He liye was rather to be imputed to con- || ed much alone, and his time was tumacy, than either the one or the employed in pursuing his course other. For the fact is, there was of reading history and poetry, then one branch of the examination, on ) very unfashionable studics for an which the greatest stress was laid II academic; or in gloomy medita.

1

tions on his unhappy circumstances. than the lowness of his circum: Yet under this heavy pressure, the

stances from his birth, could have force of his genius broke out, inkept that fire from bursting out ; the first rude draft of the Tale of nothing less than the galling yoke a Tub, written by him at the age of dependence, could have restrainof 19, though communicated to ne- ed that proud spirit within due

bounds. body but his chamber-fellow, Mr. Waryng; who, after the publication of the book, made no scruple

The Swift of the world left Ire.

land in 1688, to visit his mother to declare that he had read the

who then resided at Chester, he first sketch of it in Swift's hand

found her incapable of affording as. writing, when he was of that age.

sistance. She recommended her Such was the opening of this great

son to go to Sir William Temple man's life ; and from such a be

(a distant relation) and make his ginning, who could at that i me

case known to him. However have imagined that such mighty

granting such an application might things were to ensue? He has now

be to the proud spirit of Swift, yet, in bis one and twentieth year ;

as it was his only recourse, he fol, unqualified for any profession but

lowed his mother's advice, and that of the church ; in which he had no prospect of succeeding Sir William Temple. Sir Wil

soon after presented himself to from interest; the reclu seness of

liain received him with great kindhis life had rendered him little

ness, and Swifts first visit continuknown; and a lemper soured by

ed near two years.

Sir William the misery of his situation, did not qualify hin much for making of a general place at Nimeguen

had been aınbasador and mediator personal friends. How unpromis- before the revolution, in which ing were the prospects of such a

character he became known to the man, just entering into the world,

Prince of Orange, who frequently under such circumstances! And

visited him at Sheen, after his aryet it is to these very circumstanc

rival in England, and took his ad. es, probably, that the world owes

vice in affairs of the utmost impor© Swift ; to the want of money and

tance. Sir William being then want of friends. Whoever is ac

lame with the gout, Swift used to quainted at all with the life and

attend his majesty in the walks awritings of Swift, must see that he

bout the garden, who admitted him hail an uncommon share of spirit

to many familiarities. and fire in his constitution.--Such, as it had been kept unóler during

Swift during his residence with the heat of youth, would probably Sir Williani, applied himself with pave precipitated him into some

great assicuity to his studies; in extravagant courses. Nothing less

which for the space of eight years'

he was employed, by his own ac once a year, ' His manner of tra. count at least eight hours a day, 1 velling was extraordinary, he albut with few intermissions. The ways travelled on foot, except the first of these was oecasioned by weather was very unfavourable, an illness, which he attributed to a when he would clamber up into a surfeit of fruit, that brought on a waggon; he chose to dine' at an coldness of stomach, and giddiness

obscure ale-house ainongst pedlars of head, which pursued him more

and hostlers, and to lie where he or less during the remainder of 52w written over the door 'lodgings his life.

for a penny,' but he used to bribe

the maid with six-pence for a sing About this time Sir William be.

gle bed and clean sheets. gan to know something of the value of his young guest, the Tale of

Swift went over to Ireland in a Tub was now revised and cor.

1694, being then about 27. years *rected by Swift. A work bearing

old. He took orders, and had givsuch a stamp of original genius,

en him, an Irish prebendary. Soon must, in a man of Sir William

after this Lord Capel gave him the Temple's delicate taste, and nice

diocese of connor, worth about 1001 discernment, have at once raised

a year. To this place Swift imthe author into a high place in his inediately repaired in order to reesteem, and made him look upon

side there, and discharge the du, him afterwards with very different

ties of his office. He now for the eyes. Accordingly we find that,

first time enjoyed the sweets of about this period, he trusted him

independence; but these sweets with matters of great importance.

were not of loog duration, as he He introduced him to King Wil. soon saw that the scene of his inliam and suffered him to be pre

dependence would not pessibly af sent at some of their conferences.

ford lim any other satisfaction in And above all, he consulted him

life. He now began to feel his constantly, and employed him in

own strength, and conscious of his the revisal and carrection of bis

powers, could not conceive they own works.

were meant for so narrow a sphere In this situation Swift continued,

as that of a small country living..

He felt an irresistable impulse still applying closely to his studies till the year 1692, when he went

once more to launch into the to Oxford in order to take his mas.

world, and make bis way to a stater's degree to which he was ad.

tion more suited to his disposition. mitted ad eundem on the 4th of

In this temper of pind he received

a kind letter from Sir William, June, 1692, with many civilities.

with an invitation to return to Swift, during his residence with Moor-Park, his resolution was, at Sir William, visited his mother once fixed. He determined upon

returning but first resolved to re- . The slanderer has a propensity sign his living. As there were to think ill of all men ;--he comsome singular circumstances at bines in his character every vice ; tending this resignation, I shall re- but discovers most prominent, those late them exactly as I received of pride, envy and hatred ; and it them from a gentleman of veraci- is lamentable, that there is no ty, who declared he had the ac. place, which they do not inhabit. count from Swift himself.

They, ever actuated by these base

principles, are busily employed in (To be Conitnued.)!

attacking the characters of man. kind ;-Ronc are too great nor tog

good to escape the level of their THE OBSERVER,

evenomed darts. Whenever they NUMBER V.

discover worth, that merit excites

the exercise of their malignant Happy,thrice happy he, whose conscious , heart,

tongues; nor will their souls rest, Inquires his purpose, and discerns his till their poison is cxhausted. part;

This filthy and pernicious infection Who runs with heed, life's varied chec.

is generally aimed by the most quered race

wicked and profligate part of manNor lets his hour's reproach him as they kind, against those who are most

pass. Virtue doth dwell on mountains hard to deserving and worthy of esteem. climb;

It affords pleasure to the most vile, Her calm ahodes are fix't on heights perfidious and talkative falshood is sublime ;

its father, and envy its motherAnd oft a rough ascent the access de. nies,

There are in some companies Hard oft to find, the path to her en. much freedom used by Slander. joys.

Private characters are gently and But he who bravely gains the glorious subtilly underminded; a judgment

height, Finds his toil paid by pleasure and de.

is passed upon transactions altolight.

gether of a private nature, nor can

a conversation of this kind be purUseful knowledge can have no sued one hour, without some flage enemies but the ignorant: it cher. rant instance of injustice. Good ishes youth, delights the aged; is dispositions have generally the an ornament in prosperity, and most sensibility, and feel most the yields comfort in adversity. But cruelty of a slanderous misrepre. difficult and abstruse speculations sentation of their conduct. No raise a noise and dust ;--they virtue, no prudence nor caution turn to no profitable account,-- can entirely prevent it, and they produce hcal, clamour and

every cininent man vill have eontradiction.

: those around him, who hase

and envy him. Innocence and

not been able to obliterate, the patience will however enable us

dread of the death watch may well to bearit. When a good man suf

be considered as one of the most fers unmerited calu mny, it is like prominent, and still continues to an eclipse of the sun : while it disturb the habitations of rural shines unobscured--it shines un

tranquility with groundless fears noticed :- but when covered by and absurd apprehensions. It is an unexpected darkness, it attracts

not, indeed, to be imagined that our attention, and emerges with

they who are engaged in the more superior effulgence.

important cares of providing the Let the malicious and ignorant immediate necessaries of life enjoy their foul pieasure in distrac- should have either leisure or inclition :-men of sense will disregard nation to investigate with philothem.--Tho' dogs bark at the sophic exactness the causes of a moon, it still shines in its beautiful | particular sound : yet it must be serenity and lustre, and moves on

allowed to be a very singular cirits orbit, with undisturbed regu.

cumstance, that an animal so comlarity:

mon should not be more universal

ly understood. It is chiefly in the Our object is to perform duty regard. || advanced state of spring that this less of censure.

alarming little animal conimences its sound, which is no other

than the call, or signal, by which To the Editor of the Lady's the male and female are led to MISCELLANY.

each other, and which

considered as analogous to the call By inserting the following ac- of birds : though not owing to the count of the insect called by nalu. || voice of the insect, but to its beatralists ptinus fatidicus, and by the ling on any hard subs:ance with vulgar the death walch, extracted

the shield or fore-part of its head. from the sixth volume of Doctor

The prevailing number of distinct Sbaw's General Zoology, you may

strokes which it beats is from seperhaps contribute to dispel the

ven to nine of eleven : which superstitious fears of some per

very circumstance may, perhaps, sons of confined knowledge: at any

still add, in some degree, to the rate you will oblige a constant

ominous character which it bears readerand occasional corespondent.

among the vulgar. These sounds ELEANOR M

or beals are given in pretty quick

succession, and are repeated at Among the popular supersti- uncertain intervals : and in old

houses where the insects are nutions, which the almost general illupination of modern times has merous, may be heard at almort

may be