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THE ANTI-CRITIC

And then a sudden hlaze appear'd to shoot Across the face of this terrestial globe : And then a momentary striking up

Of harps celestial when the rapture rush'd Through all my veins; and suddenly I woke !

LX.

EGOTISM S.

Extract of a Letter, July 4th 1821.

It is variety in mental gifts, which can alone lead to enduring distinction in the intellectual world. As we encourage one, or the other, by fits, it takes the temporary mastery, and gives the temporary character to our faculties : whether it be fancy or sentiment, or reason or memory. The same person may therefore at different periods of life exhibit a very different intellectual character.

It is not unreasonable to wish to be fairly estimated, because the power of impressing the opinions we believe to be right, greatly depends on the consideration in which we are held. My vanity has been long cured; and I have long learned to work with little hope of notice and encouragement; but it is this sentiment which sometimes makes me endeavour to set myself right; at least with my friends.

I do this with incessant variety. I feed my mind, it is true, with such infusions as are but of little use except to the

بدرا

AGGERATION, studied piquancy, partiality, envy, rance, affectation, bad taste, political, national, secan, and personal interests, with private intrigue, all ade and debase even the best periodical Criticisms of present day..

hese works are now become mere manufactures of e; and are addressed rather to the passions, capaciand acquirements of the multitude, than of the learned d.

stead of intermingling the notice of Publications of a porary nature, these Journals admit scarcely any thing and the writers live so much within the atmosphere actitious interests, that they can judge of nothing with calmness calculated to establish permanent opinions. oyages, Travels, Pamphlets on the transient politics the day, dull discussions of professional science in ch men are endeavouring to force themselves into distion for the purpose of aiding their professional advan ent, engross the place of elegant literature; of what eases our moral knowlege; ameliorates the heart; and ts the fancy.