they are liberties equally homogeneal with the exactness of Mathematical disquisition, and the boldness of Pindaric daring. I have three strong champions to defend me against the attacks of Criticism: the Novelty, the Difficulty, and the Utility of the work. I may justly plume myself that I first have drawn the nymph Mathesis from the visionary caves of abstracted idea, and caused her to unite with Harmony. The first-born of this Union I now present to you; with interested motives indeed -as I expect to receive in return the more valuable offspring of your Muse. Thine ever,

March 31, 1791.

To the Rev. G. C.

S. T. C.

This is now this was erst,

Proposition the first-and Problem the first.

I.

Na given finite line

Which must no way incline;
To describe an equi—

-lateral Tri—

-A, N, G, L, E.

Now let A. B.

Be the given line
Which must no way incline;

The great Mathematician

Makes this Requisition,

That we describe an Equi-lateral Tri—

-angle on it:

Aid us,

Reason-aid us, Wit!

II.

From the centre A. at the distance A. B.
Describe the circle B. C. D.;

At the distance B. A. from B. the centre The round A. C. E. to describe boldly venture. (Third postulate see.)

And from the point C.,

In which the circles make a pother
Cutting and slashing one another,

Bid the straight lines a journeying go,

C. A., C. B., those lines will show,—
To the points, which by A. B. are reckon'd,
And postulate the second
For Authority ye know.

A. B. C.

Triumphant shall be

An Equilateral Triangle,

Not Peter Pindar carp, nor Zoilus can wrangle.

III.

Because the point A. is the centre
Of the circular B. C. D.,

And because the point B. is the centre
Of the circular A. C. E.,

A. C. to A. B. and B. C. to B. A.
Harmoniously equal for ever must stay;
Then C. A. and B. C.
Both extend the kind hand

To the basis, A. B.,

Unambitiously join'd in Equality's Band. But to the same powers, when two powers are equal,

My mind forebodes the sequel;

My mind does some celestial impulse teach, And equalizes each to each.

Thus C. A. with B. C. strikes the same sure alliance,

That C. A. and B. C. had with A. B. before;
And in mutual affiance
None attempting to soar
Above another,

The unanimous three

C. A. and B. C. and A. B.
All are equal, each to his brother,

1

Preserving the balance of power so true : Ah! the like would the proud Autocratix do!

At taxes impending not Britain would
tremble,

Nor Prussia struggle her fear to dissemble;
Nor the Mah'met-sprung wight,
The great Mussulman,

Would stain his Divan

With Urine the soft-flowing daughter of Fright.

IV.

But rein your stallion in, too daring Nine!
Should Empires bloat the scientific line?
Or with dishevell'd hair all madly do ye run,
For transport that your task is done?

For done it is the cause is tried!
And Proposition, gentle maid,

1 Empress of Russia.

Who soothly ask'd stern Demonstration's aid,
Has proved her right, and A. B. C.
Of Angles three

Is shown to be of equal side;

And now our weary steed to rest in fine, 'Tis raised upon A. B. the straight, the given line.

ON A LATE MARRIAGE

BETWEEN AN OLD MAID AND A FRENCH PETIT

MAITRE. *

HOUGH Miss's match is a subject of mirth,

She consider'd the matter full well, And wisely preferr'd leading one ape on earth To perhaps a whole dozen in hell.

ON AN AMOROUS DOCTOR.

ROM Rufa's eye sly Cupid shot his dart
And left it sticking in Sangrado's heart.
No quiet from that moment has he
known,

* Printed, with the next two pieces, in The Watchman, 1796.

And peaceful sleep has from his eyelids flown.
And Opium's force, and what is more, alack!
His own orations, cannot bring it back.
In short, unless she pities his afflictions,
Despair will make him take his own prescrip-
tions.

“BRISTOL WITS.”

F smart pretty fellows in Bristol are numbers, some

Who so modish are grown, that they think plain sense cumbersome; And lest they should seem to be queer or ridiculous,

They affect to believe neither God or old Nicholas !

B

ON DEPUTY

Y many a booby's vengeance bit,
I leave your haunts, ye sons of wit!
And swear by Heaven's blessed light
That Epigrams no more I'll write.
Now hang that * * * * * for an ass
Thus to thrust in his idiot face,
Which, spite of oaths, if e'er I spy,
I write an Epigram-or die!

* Printed in 1798, as also the following.