veil their bosoms to brighter suns: young poets are captivated with gaudy epithets, Sheridan. Yes, and old poets too. Author. Which evinces a want of tasteSheridan. And judgment; for judgment is as necessary in poetry as in prose. Author. Nay more; Pegasus is a fiery steed. I hope the Doctor was as happy as your brother in the choice of his wife? Sheridan. To the full: I knew her very well, a woman of spotless character, Miss Mac Faden; she was descended of a Scottish family of respectability; she was agreeable in conversation, pleasing in her manner; in short, she was a good girl and an affectionate wife: I cannot say that she was handsome; she had beauty sufficient, however, to captivate the Doctor; and the truth is, he rejoiced through life in his captivity, for it was a gentle one. I believe I was the first he consulted on the subject of his marriage with that lady; for he was afraid to mention it to his father; who, no doubt, like all fathers, thought himself a better judge of an affair of so important a nature than his son himself. Be that as it may, it was not the business of a day; many letters passed between the youth and the maid; they were written in a strain of unaffected simplicity; many of them were shewn to me after their marriage, marriage, but I did not think it would have been delicate to have asked a copy of any of them; I only recollect some lines that Miss Mac Faden wrote, which I can repeat, for I was in those days as fond of reading poetry as others were of writing it; particularly if it flowed from a female pen. Stay, let me recollect; now I remember them: I forget the occasion on which they were written. In pity first to human kind, Love taught the art of writing; And taught man false inditing. False vows, false words, nay e'en false tears, Soon after were invented; And Love from each account appears Almost to have repented That he disclos'd the magic art, At first for gods intended, By which he thought the virgin heart What vows, what sighs on paper flow, They melt away like now-fall'n snow, In sun-shine now of money. Then Love with indignation saw His tender views defeated; And erime on crime repeated.. Then, Then, Love, resume thy wonted power, And punish ev'ry traitor; One thing brings another to my recollection. The Doctor and I called one morning on Miss Mac Faden, in order to take his leave of her for a few days, as he was to set out on a journey, I forget where. The young lady asked in a tone that well expressed more than the words that accompanied it, how long he intended to stay away? to which he immediately answered: You ask how long I'll stay from thee: If you should reckon time like me, Author. Very happy indeed. Sheridan. Love dictated the lines. Sheridan. The Doctor, with all his learning, was not what we call a popular preacher. His sermons were always composed of good materials, and he could sometimes rise with his subject; you may judge of his character from the few fragments I have given you. Author. They are valuable in my sight; I like to see the human mind in its undress; I love 3 the t the early effusions of genius; especially of those that " lisp in numbers," and 1 am very happy that I called on you. Sheridan. In a few days it would be too late; I shall soon be gathered to my fathers-but the passage is smooth. Author. I see it is-and if there is any thing in my power NATIONAL CHARACTERS. (WRITTEN IN 1637.) In Affection. THE French loveth every where. The Spaniard very well. The Italian knows how to love. The German knows not how to love.. French courteous. Spaniard lordly. In Behaviour. Italian amorous. In Body. The French hath it manly. Spaniard so so. Italian indifferent. The German tall. In Buildings. French build conveniently. Spaniard meanly. Italian stately. German strongly. In Clothes. French inconstant and changing. Spaniard modest. A Italian poor. German mean. In Colour. French like a chesnut. Spaniard black. Italian brown. German white or reddish. In Conversation. The French jovial. Spaniard troublesome. Italian complying. German unpleasant. |