Is there in the whole range of poetry a description of winter, so masterly as the following? In quella parte del "giovinetto anno, pra, Si leva, e guarda, e vede la campagna Biancheggiar tutta, "ond' ei si batte lanca : Ritorna a casa, e qua e là si lagna, VIRGIL'S THUNDER. Virgil's art of making thunder seems very like an empirick's recipe: his Cyclops are like so many drug-men, most gravely making it up. There is so much quackery about the original prescription, that one is surprized Dryden did not reduce the ingredients, at least to scruples. Tres imbris torti radios, tres nubis aquosæ Addiderant, rutull tres ignis et alltis Austri, Fulgores nunc terrificos, sonitumque metunique Three rays of writhen rain, of fire three more, For the Anthology. ORIGINAL LETTER. [The following letter, which was written by the late President of the United States, at an early period of his life, will be read with peculiar pleasure by those, who love to trace the progress of eminent men. Some of the sentiments, which it contains, were prophetick, and are gradually fulfilling. We are happy to preserve the fragments of those heroes, who atchieved the inde pendence of our country, and to whom we are indebted for the forms of our civil institutions.] DEAR SIR, Worcester, Oct. 12, 1755. ALL that part of creation, which lies within our observation, is liable to change. Even mighty states and kingdoms are not exempted. If we look into history, we shall find some nations rising from contemptible beginnings, and spreading their influence, till the whole globe is subjected to their sway. When they have reached the summit of grandeur, some minute and unsuspected cause commonly effects their ruin, and the empire of the world is transferred to some other place. Immortal Rome was, at first, but an insig. nificant village, inhabited only by a few abandoned ruffians; but, by degrees, it rose to a stupendous height, and excelled, in arts and arms, all the nations that preceded it. But the demolition of Carthage, (what one should think would have established it in supreme dominion) by removing all danger, suffered it to sink into debauchery, and made it, at length, an easy prey to barbarians. England, immediately upon this, began to increase (the particular and minute causes of which, I am not historian enough to trace) in power and magnificence, and is now the greatest nation upon the globe. Soon after the reformation, a few people came over into this new world, for conscience sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial incident may transfer the great seat of empire into America. It looks likely to me; for, if we can remove the turbulent Gallicks, our people, according to the exactest computations, will, in another century, become more numerous than England itself. Should this be the case, since we have, I may say, all the naval stores of the nation in our hands, it will be easy to obtain the mastery of the seas; and then the united force of all Europe, will The not be able to subdue us. only way to keep us from setting Divide et impera-Keep us in disup for ourselves, is to disunite us. tinct colonies, and then some great men in each colony, desiring the monarchy of the whole, they will destroy each other's influence, and keep the country in equilibrio. Be not surprised that I am turned politician. This whole town is immersed in politicks. The interests of nations, and all the dira of war, make the subject of every conversation. I sit and hear, and after having been led through a maze of sage observations, I sometimes retire, and, by laying things together, form some reflections pleasing to myself. The produce of one of these reveries you have read above. Different employ ments, and different objects, may have drawn your thoughts other ways. I shall think myself happy, if, in your turn, you communicate your lucubrations to me. I wrote you sometime since, and have waited with impatience for an answer, but have been disappointed. I hope that the lady, at Barnstable, has not made you forget your friends. Friendship, I take it, is one of the distinguishing glories of man; and the creature, that is insensible of its charms, though he may wear the shape of man, is unworthy of the character. In this perhaps we bear a nearer resemblance to unembodied intelligences, than in any thing else. From this I expect to receive the chief happiness of my future life; and am sorry that fortune has thrown me at such a distance from those of my friends, who have the highest place in my affections. But thus it is, and I must submit-But I hope, ere long, to return, and live in that happy familiarity, that has, from earliest infancy, subsisted between yourself and affectionate friend, JOHN ADAMS. Addressed to Mr. NATHAN SELECTED POETRY. [We are confident, that our readers will be grateful to us for the re-publication of the following verses. They are extracted from a pamphlet, which has gone through several editions in England, and are supposed to have been written by the celebrated GEORGE CANNING.] ELIJAH's MANTLE. BEING VERSES OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF THAT ILLUSTRIOUS STATESMAN, THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM PITT. FOR MAY, 1807. Librum tuum legi & quam diligentissime potui annotavi, quæ commutanda, que eximenda, arbitrarer. Nam ego dicere vero assuevi. Neque ulli patientius reprehenduntur, quam qui maxime laulari merentur. PLIN. ART. 22. Memoirs of Dr. Joseph Priestley, to the year 1795, written by himself; with a continuation to the time of his decease, by his son, Joseph Priestley: and observations on his writings, by Thomas Cooper, president judge of the 4th district of Pennsylvania: and the Rev. Wm. Christie, Northumberland, Penn. printed by J. Binns, 1806. THIS work is comprised in two volumes 8vo. containing, besides the memoirs with notes, a preface by the son, Joseph Priestley; and several appendixes, giving an account of Dr. Priestley's writings, a summary of his religious opinions, concluded with a catalogue of his works. The accounts of his chemical, philosophical and metaphysical, political and miscellaneous writings, and summary of opinions, are the work of Thomas Cooper, Esq. formerly of Manchester, England. The appendix, which contains the analysis of Dr. P's theological writings, is from the pen of the Reverend Mr. Christie, formerly of Montrose in Scotland, and is signed Caledoni cus Americanus. Dr. Priestley's character, studies, and writings have gained no small share of the attention of his contemporaries; and may perhaps, as he intimates, be interesting to posterity. He had a right to believe, that many of the reading and scientifick world would be willing to hear him speak of himself; and his friends were naturally expected to supply omissions and de ficiencies in his own memoirs by information concerning his life, his character, and publications. The object of this work is therefore to be approved. Of the merit of the execution let the reader judge; using, if he pleases, such light on the sub ject as we may be able to give. The authors of the additions to that part of the work composed by Dr. P. are both the historians and advocates of his conduct, the criticks and, generally, the panegyrists of his writings. They are not however content with vindicating his character and supporting his opinions; but indulge themselves, especially Mr. Cooper, in a contemptuous and sometimes vulgar and abusive treatment of his opponents. Indeed the manner of this gentleman often indicates, that, in his estimation, all who are not dunces, bigots, or knaves, will admit, that Dr. P. has cleared up the principal difficulties and settled the most perplexing questions in metaphysicks, theology, and even politicks. The biographical part of the work begins with Memoirs written by Dr. P., dated Birmingham 1787 and is marked by that simplicity of style and manner, and |