179. UNHAPPY end of an Irish Bishop.

In the year 1753, a friend of Lord D** passed some days at his country-seat. On the evening previous to his departure, Lord D** happened to mention that he was going on the following day to a neighbouring town to receive 1500/. The friend inquired if he did not fear being robbed ; and his Lordship answered, that he had no such fear, as he always furnished himself with a well-loaded blunderbuss. Early in the morning the friend departed; and some hours afterwards Lord D**'s servant came with great surprize to inform his master, that though he had loaded the blunderbuss the preceding evening, he had now discovered it to be unloaded, and could no way learn by whom it had been done. After endeavouring to no purpose to find out the matter, the piece was recharged, and the journey proceeded on. In returning, his lordship was stopped on the road by a highwayman whose face was covered with black crape, and who presenting a pistol demanded his money. Lord D** pretending to search for some;

took up his blunderbuss, and shot the man through the head. On quitting his chaise to examine the robber, how great was his astonishment to recognise the face of his friend who had lodged at his house the preceding night! He charged his servants to keep the matter secret, and ordered them to inter the body. The domestics however could not prevail on themselves to forbear telling so extraordinary a tale, and it was presently every where known. All that can be said in favour of the friend in question is, that he might not intend to rob Lord D**, but only to frighten him; if so, he paid the forfeit of his life for an ill-judged pleasantry.

180. AXIOM AND MAXIM.

The words axiom and maxim are sometimes indifferently used one for the other, but very improperly. The first, as it is applied in arts and sciences, signifies a principle already established; an indubitable truth generally known; a proposition, the truth of which speaks at once for itself, and requires no circumlocution to prove it.

VOL. V.

A maxim is a sententious thought; an idea commonly acknowledged, and energetically expressed.

181. SAYING OF BUSSY.

It was well said by Bussy (Letters, vol 5, p. 126) that time remedies all mischances: we die unfortunate, only for want of living long enough. Marshal d'Estrée, who died rich at 100 years of age, would have died a beggar had he lived only to 80."

182. DEFINITION OF WIT.

Locke has given the best definition of wit: it consists, says he, in distinguishing how objects which differ resemble each other, and how objects which resemble each other differ.

183. NAÏVETÉ of Mrs. E

Mrs. Et was daughter of a Minister of State of the King of Prussia. Mr. E-t, the King of Great Britain's Minister at the Court of Berlin, married this young lady, who had never been out of town. Immediately after their marriage, they went into

the country. The new scenery of woods, rivers and rivulets, groves, shady walks, the singing of the birds, cattle, flocks of sheep, fishing, and other amusements of the country, delighted the young lady so much, that in her enthusiasm she said repeatedly; that "it was surprising to her, people had "never thought of building towns in the "country!"

184, MATERIALITY OF THE SOULS OF BEASTS MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE.

The materiality of the souls of beasts is proved in the 24th verse of the first chapter

אמר אלהים תוצא הארץ נפש-of Genesis

nyn. Et dixit Deus, Producat terra animam viventem ad speciem suam, &c. "And God said; Let the earth bring forth the "living souls of beasts, according to their "species," and in the 20th verse of the same chapter, Producant aquæ reptile animæ viventis, et volatile supcr terram, sub firmamento cæli, for fishes and birds: so that the very substance which animates the souls of beasts is described by God himself to be material, produced from earth, air, and water.

185. LOUIS XVI.

It is well known that Mr. Edgeworth, an Irish priest, was chosen by the unfortunate Louis XVI. to confess and prepare him for death. This worthy ecclesiastic then resided with his mother and sister at Paris; and the following is a letter, dated February 10, 1793, which the sister of Mr: Edgeworth wrote to a friend concerning that dreadful event.

"Into what an abyss of crime has France now plunged!-Who could have believed she would have dared such an excess of guilt? O day of grief and horror !-Never will its afflictions be erased from my remembrance: never can I forget my sorrow for the fate of an injured monarch, or the fears and anguish I endured in behalf of the brother so deservedly dear to me. The King, perceiving that his life was aimed at, sent to request my brother would attend him; who, without the smallest hesitation, complied with the request. Though be carefully avoided mentioning the matter to