Notice of the late Mr Alex. Smyth. The following concise account of Mr Smyth, is given principally as a tribute to› his memory, and as it may afford some little information to the readers of this Mis. cellany concerning his productions in it, from which perhaps they have at some hour or other derived amusement.

Mr Smyth was born about the year 1783 in the village of Collinsburgh, in Fife, of parents whose circumstances exceeded indigence, and whose penury of education made them feel a solicitude for that of their son. Their efforts accordingly had the effect of procuring him respectable instruction, which his own ardour and attention improved and extended. As a step to a kind of genteel life, he was initiated into the profession of the law, but appears to have had no predilection for juridical study, never having practised, or been known to receive one professional commendation. Instead of spending his time in the acquisition of legal knowledge, he dedicated it to literature; he fancied its walks enamelled with flowers, with whatever is fascinating; but experience discovered to him, alas! when it was too late, the delusions of imagination. Besides a variety of fugitive pieces, he wrote " Providence, a Fragment," the tales of "Sir Frederick Osmand," and the "Clergyman's Daughter," in the Edinburgh Magazine. Altho' these

compositions shew no appearance of genius, they exhibit just and moral sentiments, a language flowing, and often pretty.

From the cruelty of fortune, he was impressed with a settled melancholy, for a. considerable time previous to his death, and this having occasioned much seclusion from society, the circumstances of his last illness are imperfectly known. It is certain, however, that it was rapid; he died at Edinburgh in the end of February last, with out the kindnesses of intimacy, or the cares of parental tenderness.

To an elegant literary taste, Mr Smyth added generosity and feeling, a courteous sociability, and jocular vivacity; when distress presented itself, he always alleviated it, quickness of impulse made him bestow with profuseness, and having no pecuniary superfluity, his imprudence frequently ren dered him necessitous. Under the smiles of prosperity, his gay colloquial qualities drew around him a circle of friends, but the last scenes of his life were clouded by misfortunes, and he was deserted by those who, it is said, had expressed unalienable regard at a time when his only contemplation was lowring prospects, which perhaps their sympathy and assistance might have mitigated. Such is the influence of circumstances, and such the infidelity of friendship.

AMICUS.