little Greek ode, preserved by Longinus, the metre of which derives its name from her, has been translated by Mr. Philips with all the air of an original. The Latin translation of Catullus appears much inferior to that of our countryman. The Greek in, deed is much corrupted, and, as it now stands, is less pleasing than the English. Every one, who on reading it recollects its occasion, must lament that so warm a passion, so feelingly represented, was excited by an improper object. She wrote also a tender hymn to Venus.

Scaliger, whose judgment, though sometimes called in question, ought certainly to have great weight, bestowed very extraordinary praises on the writings of Oppian; a poet who, though he has been compared to Virgil in his Georgics, is only perused by the curious in Grecian literature, and is known only by name to the common reader. The emperor Caracalla, under whom he flourished, is said to have been so charmed with his poems, as to have ordered him a stater for each verse. Modern critics will, however, dare to call in question the taste of Caracalla. The works of Oppian consisted of halieutics, cynogetics, and ixeutics, the latter of which have perished by the injuries of time. He was a grammarian, which, in the idea of the Greeks, meant a professed scholar; and in every age, the poems of men who professed literature have been less admired than the vigorous and wild productions of uncultivated genius. The former are con tented to avoid faults, but genius labours after beauties only. Apollonius is more correct than Homer, and Jonson than Shakespeare; but Apollonius and Jonson are coldly approved, while Homer

and Shakespeare are beheld with astonishment almost equal to idolatry. It should however be remarked to the honour of Apollonius, that the judicious Virgil borrowed several of his most celebrated similies from him, and perhaps he is not to be ranked among the poëta minores. Oppian has met with the usual fate of grammarians, and has scarcely been read; but the reader of taste will yet find many passages, which, if they are not sublime, he must confess to be beautiful.

Tryphiodorus has been introduced to the Eng lish reader, by the excellent translation of the ingenious Mr. Merrick. Homer he certainly imitated, and has succeeded in the imitation. Copies taken by great masters, though inferior in general, yet in some parts commonly rival their originals. Tryphiodorus reaches not the sublimer flights of the Mæonian bard, but he sometimes follows his less daring excursions at no distant interval. It is enough to recommend him to general approbation, that with a moderate portion of Homer's fire he has more correctness. He may be read with advantage not only in a poetical, but in an historical view. Where Homer discontinued the thread of his story, Tryphiodorus has taken it up. Indeed this poem is a necessary supplement to the Iliad, without which the reader is left unsatisfied. Tryphiodorus is said to have written another poem, called Οδύσσεια λειπογραμματη, in which he has omitted, through each book, the letter which marked the number of it. Such a kind of composition is trifling and beneath a ́man of genius; but it must be allowed to be a work of great difficulty, and consequently a proof of great application. Nor ought it to injure

the character of Tryphiodorus as a poet, but to be viewed as the wanton production of an ingenious; but ill-employed grammarian. If Homer wrote the Battle of the Frogs and Mice, and Virgil descanted on his Grat, without losing the dignity of their characters, inferior writers may indulge the inoffensive sallies of whim, without the imputation of folly or puerility.

In the perusal of some of these, and other of the minor poets, whose works are extant, the lover of the Grecian Muse finds a pleasing variety, after reading the more sublime and beautiful productions of Homer.

NO. CLXXVII. A CONCLUDING ESSAY.

THE writers of periodical papers have usually subjoined, at the close of their lucubrations, an account of the origin and progress of their work, explained the signatures of correspondents, and assigned each paper to its proper claimant.I am now arrived at the end of the third volume, the boundary prescribed to my excursions; but I have, I believe, no information of this kind remaining to be communicated. I have already accounted for the origin of this work, and intimated, that the composition of it has served, at various times, and in different situations, to amuse a few intervals of literary leisure; and with respect to assistants and correspondents, the nature of the undertaking could not possibly admit them. If, therefore, any praise, should be thought due, it must come undivided, and contribute to lessen whatever severity of censure may be incurred, the whole weight of which must fall without participation.

I mean not, however, to delude myself with an idea of influencing a reader by apologies: the submissions and excuses of authors are of little importance; the Public claims an uncontrovertible right to decide for itself on every composition which soli. cits regard; and its final decisions are usually no less just than immutable.

Instead then of dwelling on such topics, I will take leave of the candid reader, if any reader should have had patience to accompany me so far, by á summary recapitulation, and perhaps addition of a few admonitions which may be salutary. I pretend not to collect all the scattered remarks which have preceded, into one point of view, but merely to repeat and add such as may possibly occur in filling up the paper which now lies before me. I hope the egotism will be pardoned on this and several other occasions, as it is by no means easy at all times to speak in the third person of one's self, without evident affectation.

I have endeavoured, throughout the whole series of these Papers, to warn those who are entering into life (and to them my admonitions are chiefly addressed) against those fashionable examples which often militate against all that is decent, regular, virtuous, and learned. Unless we are taught in our youth to be on our guard against their destructive influence, we shall certainly incur imminent danger of corrupting our principles and practice, by a blind and bigoted imitation. Experience daily evinces, that without this precaution, all the advantages of a virtuous and learned education, all the documents of paternal care, all prudential, moral, and religious restraints, may be totally frus

trated. The rich and great may be considered as beacons on a promontory; and if they hang out deceitful lights, they who will allow no other signal to direct them (and the number of these is infinite) will probably be misguided in the voyage of their lives, till they are dashed on rocks, or sunk in whirlpools. I think I can confidently declare, that I was not influenced by splenetic or envious motives, when I attacked the pride, folly, and wickedness of some among the nominal great, who justify every enormity, under the name of fashionable indulgence; but that I have been actuated solely by a sincere conviction, that such an attack is the most effectual means of promoting the interest of virtue. Even an enemy will allow that it is not the most approved method of advancing private

interest.

If I have at any time indulged an asperity of censure, it has arisen from an honest detestation of vice, meanness, selfishness, and insolence, in those whose example is seducing, and consequently most injurious. The rank and opulence of worthless persons has had no other effect on me than to excite additional indignation. If any feel themselves hurt by my animadversions, their very pain is a proof that they suffer deservedly. Nothing in this book can make a worthy man my foe; and with respect to the unworthy, I fear not their power, and I despise their malevolence.

In adopting modes of address and external behaviour, the study of which appears to engross the attention of many, I have advised the young man to begin his work at the foundation; to correct his heart and temper, that the graces of his appearance