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Tis not, I believe, very unusual for writers (especially those who turn their attention to that fashionable and confequently profitable branch of the profeffion, Voyages and Travels) to hazard bold affertions; and when they have mounted their readers in their literary cars, to drive them to the very edge of truth, or, indeed, of probability. Of this amufing clais, as I apprehend, is the Author now before me, Mons. de Non: who, in his excursion to Sicily and Malta (page 23), peaking of that celebrated Volcano Mount Etna, obferves: "That round its ftupendous bafe, every thing feems to grow with luxuriance. It is, he continues," the picture of the Golden Age; and I was now perfuaded, more firmly than ever, that a Volcano is neceffary to the happiness of a Country.

Another philofopher of whom I have heard, who had likewife a good opinion of Burning Mountains, wifhed, fome years fince, to raise a fubfcription for the propagation of them in every country of Europe. How a project so useful happened to fail, although I have not leifure for the enquiry, may, I think, furnish a fubject for difquifition, not unworthy of the attention of the learned. Leaving, therefore, this fpeculation to thofe that have more time and ingenuity, I hall only observe, that what has been faid of a trio of celebrated Poets has, in the inftance of thofe Sages, been alfo verified : a third genius hath arifen, who hath united the abilities of the former two; and actually carried into execution a plan of which they had only a crude idea.

My readers will by this time probably guefs, that by this third ingenious perfonage I mean the mechanical Manager of Ranelagh, to whofe laudable exertions for the benefit of the public it is owing, that Mount Etna has been tranfplanted to Chelfea, whether in the way that the Santa Cafa travelled from Nazareth to Dalmatia, and thence to Recanati in Italy, is best known to himfelf; but be that as it may, to this genius it is owing, that we have for feveral feafons been entertained with an exhibition, confifting of torrents of liquid fire burfting from

a crater of several inches diameter, while the mountain, of a magnitude far more confiderable than a mole-hill, now emitting volumes of fincke, black as that from its neighbouring team engine: now difcharging fhowers of iquibs and crackers, and then perfuming the atmoiphere with the delectable odour of fulphur and nitre, is certainly an object which ought to be contemplated with awe and amazement; an object, the sublimity of which muft carry the imagination far above the little paltry concerns of "this vile fpot ;" an object which must give to us the moft elevated idea of the philofopher who tranfported, or rather tranflated, into this favoured Island a fpectacle, which (as Mons. de Non well obferves) was the only thing wanting to complete the happinets of the Nation!" Sum Solus!

I am the only one! was the motto of Powell the famous fire-eater *; from whom, I am informed, the present projector is defcended: and fo ftruck am I with contemplating the iminente advantage that muft accrue to the public from the importation of Volcances, that I could almoft with to behold one imoaking in the vicinity of every town in England. Yet, fuch a respect have I for ingenuity, fuch a regard have I for literary, mental, or indeed any other property, that I would have this celebrated artift, like his great predeceffor, able to lay, Sum Solus!-I am the only one that fhall derive any profit from their fabrication for, at least, fourteen years: therefore, I would advife him, with all convenient speed, to apply for a patent; and, by this means, draw a legal line around the base of his Burning Mountain. Entre nous, I am the more anxious in this bufinefs, because I know that there are perions, who shall be nameleis, but who are neither truly nor well-beloved, that, unfanctioned by Royal authority, are projecting fome volcanic explosions which, although probably not so amusing as this which we are obferving upon, may put our author out of a condition to derive any advantage from his invention.

I am

I am led to publish thefe ferious reflections upon a subject which I have long contemplated with veneration and admiration, by being informed that the former exertions of the artifts concerned in this fplendid exhibition, were far furpaffed upon the late celebration of the anniverfary of his Majefty's birth-day; an anniversary dear to every true Briton! Upon that happy cccafion, the very Cyclops rejoiced; and, as I am inftructed, the Mountain itfelt had a double allow ance of combuftibles; the forges an extra peck of coals each; and further, that fuch was the noife and bellowing of the faid Mountain, that you "might defy poppy or mandragora, or all the droufy fyrups in the world," to adminifter repofe at even three miles diftance. Upen an occafion fo truly patriotic, I am fincerely difpofed to praife the manager for the part he has taken in the general joy; but muft, at the fame time obferve, that his loyalty is not confined to birth-nights, nor, indeed, to night at all; for although he might begin in the dark, he has frequently been known to continue his exertions till fun-rifing, and to have ushered in the day with explofions that have frightened the neighbourhood from its propriety:" which have acted like the repetition of an electrical fhock, and perhaps in fome cafes might be medicinally ufeful; efpecially to the fick, convalefcents, and lying-in-women; as while they ferved to brace the nerves of the two former, they might inform the latter, who were confined to their beds, of what was doing in the world.

I have therefore no doubt but that all the parties I have last mentioned, and a number of other inhabitants of the vicinity of the Volcano, who would rather hear a noise than make one, would readily join in a petition for a patent, by which fo great a bleffing might be fecured to themfelves and their pofterity, at least thrice a week.

I am the more ftrenuous in urging the manager to this ftep to fecure his valuable property, as, befides the innovation which I have mentioned before, I understand that the proprietors of Vauxhall intend to turn their Cafcade into a Burning Mountain, which will probably be as exact a resemblance of Veluvius, as the Chelsea production is of Etna. In this reprefentation, a great improvement will, as I am informed, be made in the emiffion of the fire and fmcke, in the flowing of the lava, and

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the explofion of pumice ftones, &c. all which operations are, as has been stated to me, to be regulated by a concert of martial mufic, performed by the black band, and accompanied by a grand chorus of infernals in their gala dreffes, which, it is well known, are of fable trimmed with gold lace, and red stockings: who mean to join their exertions to thofe of the corps of fire-workers, in order to make this one of the loudest exhibitions ever heard in this country.

or

Notoriety, both within and without doors, has in this age been frequently obtained by making a noise. We have feen, or rather heard, many men, in ftations far more elevated than thofe of either the proprietors of Vauxhall Ranelagh, attain a well-earned popularity by a proper explotion of rhetorical fire; by knowing when to let off a squib; when to launch a rocket; and when to fpring a mine. Upon this fertile topic,' I could defcant with great ingenuity, did not matter of more importance attract my present attention.

A friend, who has a far more retrofpective memory than I would be thought to poffefs, has ventured to attack the originality of this Volcanic invention. He afferts," that fomewhat above thirty years ago, when Marybone Gardens were in fashion, a Burning Mountain was there exhibited by a Signior Torri; from which, while the lava flowed in copious ftreams down its outfide, a burst of thunder iffued, and its body opening, discovered the furnace of Vulcan, with his attendants bufily employed." He further ftates, "that under the direction of

the limping God,' the armour of neus was forged and delivered to Venus; who, in favouring the faid God with a kifs, as a reward for his ingenuity, had her nose smutted, a circumftance which greatly increased the rational delight of the company. After which, the Goddess joined in a fong, amidst a fhower of fire; which, perhaps owing to her marine birth, had no vifible effect upon her."

If this, my friend's information, be true (and I have no reason to doubt his veracity), I fear that the originality of this invention must be given up; and that we in this age, confoling ourselves with an observation made both by Solomon and Cicero, "that there is nothing new under the Sun," can only congratulate the public upon its revival. Though indeed I think, that the future proprietors of Volcanoes may avail them

felves

felves of the ingenuity of Signior Torri; and, like him, open a cavern in their fides, "within whofe vast abyss," some ancient mystery or morality might be reprefented; fuch as Orpheus and Euridice; the defcent of Æneas into the Elyfian fields; the interview betwixt Hercules and Cerberus, in the course of which an excellent opportunity would be afforded for the three canine heads to bark a trio.

Milton's Pandemonium has, I believe, been thought of, as has alfo fome other pieces of lefs gravity; but I fear it would have too comic an effect in an entertainment of fuch dignity and fublimity, to perform the farce of Lethe: befides that, I am against mingling elements, and think the river finding its way into the bowels of the mountain, might be attended with those bad coniequences which Naturalifts fo frequently defcribe.

Some of the other scenes which I have mentioned might certainly be introduced with great advantage to the rifing generation, and be particularly ufeful to youths of fashion, as it would prevent

MY DEAR P.

their taking a journey to Rome and Naples, which we know is very often to little purpofe, and at the fame time give them a fpice of claffical erudition, which it is not probable that they would by any other means attain.

Thus blending the ufeful with the agreeable, and intructing while they elevate, furprife, and enchant the mental faculties, I have no doubt but that Volcanoes will become a favourite fummer amulement; and that the patent, if he obtains it, will prove a profitable speculation to my Ranelagh friend: and I alfo, as was observed in the beginning of this paper, have great hope that we fhall, in every town in England, have the pleafure of feeing a Burning Mountain arife, although it should be no bigger than a fugar loaf.

When that happy period arrives, all those who have the good of their country at heart may, with Monfieur de Non, exclaim: “Every thing,” within which circle he must certainly comprehend follies and vices, "feems to thrive with the greateft luxuriance, and ours is a picture of the Golden Age!"

SHALL not, you think, feel myself lefs difpofed to miftruft my own tafte, when I am told that it runs counter to the tafte, not only of the ingenious Ef fayift, but to that alfo of an elegant writer; whofe authority on these fubjects is very generally and very juftly acknowledged. Since I had the pleasure of writing to you, I have myself fallen on the letter in Fitzofbourne, where the admired paffage, which I was then confidering, is fpoken of in high terms of commendation. He must be more tenacious of his purpose than I profefs myself to be, who is not biaffed by the opinion of this able and judicious critic: and yet, to confefs the truth, on reperufing the obfervations I fent you, I do not find any thing in them which I can perfuade myself to retract. The wings with which Pope has equipped Notus, though not found in Homer, I have always thought a beautiful addition to the figure. Has not the view of this great improvement, which at once catches the eye, in this cafe, without further enquiry, determined also the judgment of

thefe confenting admirers? All which follows appears to me, in ftrength of thought, propriety of manner, and nice arrangement of the parts, very far indeed inferior to the original; to which, you will obferve, in thefe effential points, it bears little or no refemblance. What then is tafte? Are its principles fixed by any fure criterion? Is it lubject to the controul of reafon and judgment? Or does it wander at large-under no confinement of rule with no certain defignation-varying, as it may chance, with the temper, the feelings, or the fancy of each individual?

In the fame letter is adduced another admired paffage from Pope; to which the original, though celebrated by ancient authors as tranicendently beautiful, is decidedly pronounced to be inferior. I will give you the approving paragraph in Fitzofbourne's own words:

"There is a defcription in the eighth book which Euftathius, it seems, esteemed the most beautiful night piece that could be found in poetry. If I am not greatly mistaken, however, I can produce a finer; and, I am perfuaded, even the warmest

admirer

night,

O'er Heav'n's clear azure spreads her facred light;

When not a breath disturbs the deep ferene,
And not a cloud o'ercafts the folemn scene;
Around her throne the vivid planets roll,
And stars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole;
O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed,
And tip with filver ev'ry mountain's head.
Then fhine the vales, the rocks in prospect
rife,

A flood of glory bursts from all the skies.
The confcious fwains, rejoicing in the fight,
Eye the blue vault, and bless the useful
light.

I approach this hallowed ground with reverence; and am fearful of violating a performance fo applauded, and fo perfect, by any thing of doubt or objection, which, I am inclined to believe, will be confidered by your readers of profeffed tafte as little fhort of profanation.

The tranflation is, we are told, a great improvement on the original. This improvement muft be effelted either by the omiffion of ideas, judicioufly left out, or fkillfully exchanged for others more apt and beautiful; or, by the addition of ideas entirely new; or, by a different arrangement of those used in common. Now, where any of thefe have taken place, the alteration produced, in my opinion (fuch is the obftinacy of early prejudice), serves only, so far as it goes, to weaken the effect and obfcure the

beauty of the painting. It is by the last of the modes above-mentioned, that the firft great difference between the original and the copy is effected. In the tranflation the moon is made the principal object, exhibited in great pomp, and enthroned in ftate; while the stars, the principal object, and first named in Homer, are introduced at a distance, as at

tendant only. When you contemplate the defcription fimply as a night-piece, independently of the concomitant circumftances, this difpofition of the parts will be confidered as correct, and conformable to the appearances of nature. My objection to it is, that in this place it deftroys the aptitude of the comparifon, and withdraws too much from the eye of the fpe&tator that prominent fea ture of refemblance, by which chiefly the poet illuftrates his fubject-the numerous fires in the Trojan camp.

I remark on this ftriking deviation from the original form with the greater freedom, when I obferve that the poet has been particularly ftudious of holding up this prominent feature to the reader's notice; which he does, on the opening of his defcription, in a very pointed where the moon is mentioned with only manner, by the word APIПPENTEA; a general epithet, of no particular force titular, on all occafions indifcriminately, or import; like thofe applied merely as to the different Gods and heroes of the poem.

ΝΕΦΕΛΗΓΕΡΕΤΑ Ζευς

ΠΟΔΑΣ ΩΚΥΣ Αχιλλευς, &ς.
Αστρα ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ αμφι σεληνην
VET' APIПPEA.

Ου την ΙΟΤΕ φαεινην, αλλα την ΚΑΘΟ.
ΛΟΥ φαεινην.
VILL.

There is another note in the fame

fcholia, edited by Villoifin, fo much to allow me the liberty of tranfcribing it. my purpofe, that I am fure you will

Πορφυρία. Εκ των αδυνάτων και τετο. Πως γας δυνατον περι την ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ σεληνην ΑΡΙΠΡΕΠΗ είναι τα αστρα ή λικες ται δε εκ της λέξεως, το ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ 8 επι της ΤΟΤΕ, αλλα επι της ΦΥΣΕΙ.

All the old fcholiafts agree in explaining the paffage in the fame manner. How happens it then, that we find Euftathius quoted in Pope's notes? It would in • deed be paffing ftrange to find him there, were Pope the annotator; for his version is altogether irreconcileable with the commentary alluded to.

Αστρα ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ αμφι σεληνην aver' APIPEПEA

Ου την πλησιραν, νοητεον, και πληρωσε Avoy su autn yap AMAYPA тa αorga, ως υπεραυναζόμενα.

ΑΡΙΠΡΕΠΕΑ δε αστρα, τα λίαν εκε рery λaμπPOTNτI.

But

But enough of thefe dry quotations, collected (you will think perhaps with fufficient parade) from the volumes of antiquity. You will not wonder, however, if, engaged as I am in fo perilous an enterprife, I am willing to fhelter myfelf under the authority of great names. I return with pleasure to Homer himself, on whofe protection I depend with far greater confidence, than I should do on a whole host of learned commentators.

He not only introduces the ftars with great folemnity at the opening of his defcription; but, to mark more strongly his design, calls them again into notice at the conclufion, with an emphatic accompanyient.

ΠΑΝΊ Α δε τ' ειδεται αστρα.

These words, whether from delicacy, as fearing to difguft his readers by tedicus repetitions, or from his wonderful judgment, which taught him to avoid every defect and impropriety in bis author, or rather not understanding their drift, and the peculiar force which they carry with them in this place, thus repeated, Pope, in the tranflation, has chofen to

omit.

After this the poet again brings for

And now feeing the pains which the great mafter himself has taken to fet this, his principal object, in the most confpicuous light, may I not be pardoned if I rather regret to fee its luftre eclipfed by the dazzling fplendour of another object, which he certainly meant to reprefent in a fubordinate character? Let me urge in my own behalf, that I have not prefumed to under-rate the merits of Pope's extraordinary performance. The utmoft which can be deduced from what I have faid amounts to no more than this; That the copy varies from the original, and does not fo appofitely answer the purpofe, for which folely the fimile is introduced. Allow me but thus much, and I will leave you to admire, with Fitzofbourne, the beautiful night-piece, fo much finer than the painting of Homer. Adieu.

O.P.C.

JAMES, FIRST DUKE OF ORMOND.

houfe afterwards occupied by a Duke of

Life and Character.)

AMONGST the many Loyalifts who attached themselves to the cause of Charles the Second, during his banishment and afterwards, there are few who ftand fo confpicuous for their zeal, integrity, and good services, as this celebrated Nobleman.

His Grace was the twelfth Earl of the family; in the title of Ormond, first Duke; and the feventh of the name of James. The antient name of the family was Fitzwalter, and the name of Butler (as Hiftory relates) came firft from the office of being Chief Butler of Ireland to King Henry the Second.

He was born on the 19th of October 1610, at Clerkenwell in London, in the VOL. XXXII,

John Poyntz his grandfather. He received the early parts of his education under one Conyers, a Roman Catholic at Finchley, near Barnet; and afterwards, by order of King James the First, placed under the tuition of Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, where he was but very indifferently maintained by his Grace, very little schooling beftowed upon him, and no fort of allowance from the King, or from home, the family eftate being then under fequeftration. It was therefore from his Chaplain, fome years afterwards, that he learned all the Latin he had; and it was whilft he lived in London, and converfed with the Irish, that he acquired the most he had of that language; which, though he understood tolerably well, and could readily fpeak D

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