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Logic.

Some knowledge of this science is useful; but pursued too far, it leads to doubt of every thing. Definitions are the great difficulties in all reasoning; and too exact a demand of these is apt to make a Bayle and a Hume; because such persons cannot emerge from the darkness which they have raised about their own minds, and will not rest in revelation. Syllogisms prevent this state of infirming,' as my Lord Bacon calls it, in opposition to affirming; for the major proposition is built on some acknowledged truths.

Don Quixote.

Perhaps there never was a book so replete with wit and humour, in which a strict propriety of diction and thought is so generally preserved: a most undeniable argument of the author's superior genius. The incomparable Le Sage, inhis novels, as they treat too much of l'amour physique, has not so well preserved this freedom from indecorum in his narrative. The grave and philosophic John Locke says of Don Quixote, "Of all the books of fiction, I know none that equals Cervantes' History of Don Quixote, in usefulness, pleasantry, and a constant decorum." Then adds,

* See his Advancement of Learning; article, Syllogism.

"indeed no writings can be pleasant, which have not nature at the bottom, and are not drawn after her copy"

The best Practical Philosophers.

It has been observed that persons of mild and. gentle dispositions bear the pressure of misfortunes better than those of more obdurate and inflexible minds. The lightning is well known immediately to destroy iron and copper, when they oppose its passage; but to leave untouched large masses of wax that lie in its way

"Levius fit paticntia

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Quicquid corrigere est nefas."

Says a very great moralist and poet of antiquity.

IMITATED.

Patience can make our burdens light,

Aud soothe misfortune's utmost rage;

This is philosophy's delight,

And marks the blockhead from the sage.

An Elegant Compliment.

One is delighted in seeing a Philosopher of great sense and gravity exhibiting symptoms of playful humour and innocent gallantry. John Locke, in answer to a lady who had invited him to ber house, with much praises bestowed on his merit, replied, as the French say, en galant homme:

"I know the Emperors of the East suffer not stran→ gers to appear before them, till they are dressed up in their own wardrobes. Is it so too in the empire of wit? Then you must cover me with your own embroidery, that I may be a fit object for your thoughts and conversation. This, Madam, may suit your greatness, but doth not at all satisfy my ambition. He who has once flattered himself with the hopes of your friendship, knows not the true value of things, if he can content himself with these splendid ornaments.". Letters to Lady Calverley, iu Yorkshire, by John Locke.

Pride and Vanity.

Whilst Pride stalks in solitude, the giant of giant castle, Vanity endeavours to gain popularity amidst crowds of his inferiors. Pride disdains the condescension of being an useful citizen; whilst Vanity courts every means of being so, however humble they may appear, or however irksome. The vain man is found superintending an hospital, listening to a national school-boy's task, or broiling over a turnpike-road in the middle of August. Without such a moving principle as vanity, how many useful employments must go begging for presidents and vice-presidents. Besides, a vain man in society is generally a very

pleasant one, if he has talents: as popularity is his hobby-horse, he is always accoutred with his gentiest humours, and most attractive air; whilst the proud man is a vexation to himself, and a disgusting character to others, lives unloved, and dies unlamented

Pride hath no other glass

To shew itself but pride; for supple knees
Feed arrogance, and are the proud man's fees.
He that is proud eats up himself: pride is

His own glass, his own trumpet, his own chronicle, &c.
Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida.

Arts and Sciences.

A doubt has been made by an ingenious, but sophistical writer, whether the cultivation of the arts and sciences contribute to the peace and happiness of the world. The affirmative may be supported by a familiar instance. Who has not observed, on entrance into a nursery,. that he has pacified the clamours of some children, and dried the tears of others, by an importation of som new play-things, which are their arts and sciences, and literary pursuits.

A Sequel to the former Article.

An Eastern Monarch and conqueror, who had invaded a nation superior to his own in learning

J.J. Rousseau.

and civilization, and had taken their principal city, of which a great and splendid library was the chief ornament, was advised by some of his officers to destroy it. "No," said the sagacious warrior, “let the captives have their playthings, and then they will live in peace and submission." It has often been observed, that scholars are not warlike, and that warriors are seldom scholars. Both delight, in their respective, but very different, playthings -books and guns.

Sallust

Has great vigour of expression, and depth of thinking, combined with very uncommon and noble sentiments. Yet we must regret that, amidst his splendid narrative, and brilliant diffusion of knowledge, he is subject to the common objection brought against classical historians, viz. want of authority to support his facts. We should laugh at a modern author, should he, in the beginning of his history, and in settling the origin of his nation, say, "Italy was peopled at first by Eneas and his associates on their return from Troy, (sic accepi) as I have heard." A monkish historian could not have founded his narrative on a slighter foundation.-Bell. Catal. b. i. c. 6.,

Bon Mot of Joseph Scaliger.

It is very generally and justly observed, that

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