triumphantly quoted. The style of writing, truly worthy of illuminism, which was the object, could not, in such hands, meet the approbation of the critic of genuine feelings. Such poets, when most elevated, would seem to tower, not like the eagle, but the snake, and strikingly resemble the seductive one which, to bring about the fall of man, reared itself upon its

"Circular base of rising folds;"

and moving on to the liberty tree of false knowledge, "made intricate seem straight

"To mischief prone."

In the same manner too, they were to address themselves particularly to the female sex, in order, by their co-operation, more easily to delude the whole human race. But let not us too neglect to search for first-rate qualities, because second-rate ones are more abundant and prone to mischief. A truly powerful writer, who would naturally be afraid to act upon the principles of the French Revolution, may boldly accept the allotted task of doing good to mankind; nor does it signify whether sensibility or judgment preponderate in such a mind. It is the command of ideas, whether chiefly of the one sort,

G

or of the other, or equally of both, by which it possesses or deserves reputation. Burke is singular in uniting them equally in one work. But I should not forget I have already considered qualities so supremely possessed by that great man, and have to speak upon the subject of Mediocrity. I must observe then, that we should know how to esteem it, and be able to dispense, not only with sublimity and beauty, but with novelty; since nature has ordained also this quality, however ambition and prejudice are unwilling to tolerate it. It is remarkable that we should extol only Mediocrity in fortune, and a want of it in characters. An Italian poet,* equal to the comprehension of the nature of man, even supposes its possessors, or those who neither do good nor harm, inclined to envy those who are apparent losers by doing either. And certainly the love of notice and distinction implanted in us, renders this very conceivable, as it forms, I think, the great claim of passive virtue; for, as notice and distinction procure solid advantages, interest, as well as ambition, may be gratified by a dexterous transgression of the rules of duty. Persons therefore without sufficient vigour to propose measures, and exert themselves,

* Dante.

for the good of mankind, who yet have the manliness to stand firm in respecting the laws, and scorn the often profitable qualities, any one can display, of false sublimity, beauty, and novelty, merit much. more reward than it is the fashion to allow them. For passive virtue resembles the sober back-ground of a picture, which equally gives truth and eclat to the colours laid upon the principal figures; nor yet setting them off as a worthless foil, but as a labour of taste and excellence. Characters marked by Mediocrity, of course wanting energetic qualities, may yet be usefully employed, as the studies and efforts they are formed for, will, on examination of them, shew. They may derive pleasure from the cultivation of literature, and even sensibly assist its progress. The character of Minim in the Idler, is intended to appear ridiculous for a want of originality in his critical notions. That it does not merit high admiration, is certain; yet the time that has elapsed since it was written, has brought the proof, that it is less injurious to taste, in expressing our sentiments on points of criticism, to judge by the mere gout de comparaison, and respect established opinions, than to furnish some little that is new, and confound the ideas of men by a great deal of paradox and

absurdity. At least, calmness and caution are in the power of any one, who may withhold his approbation awhile from a new critical prejudice, and be thus really instrumental in protecting taste. He may also interest himself in, and promote the success of schemes for the improvement of his country and mankind. A disposition to improve society, corrected by a consciousness of the insufficiency of human reason for that end, unassisted by laws and institutions, and an unwillingness to attempt it, unless recommended, not only by men of the greatest abilities, but of the greatest judgment, in a country, is truly desirable for all its inhabitants. Whether that part of them I am here considering, though every man possess what is essential of dignity, can all think it rational to feel pain at the reputation acquired by others from experiments in agriculture, mechanics, or any art, I cannot tell; and yet it seems to me as absurd to be displeased at the man who safely wins lasting advantages for us, and for mankind, by outstripping his competitors in the race of genius, as at the horse who enriches us by the ruin of our friends, though at the risk of our own, at Newmarket.

CENSURE ought to be sufficiently fearful of acting unjustly by that description of people who have a disposition to novelty, and who may be said to move faster than others; their ideas, either from greater rapidity, or greater eccentricity, leaving those of the generality behind them. Ingenious and inquisitive men, perhaps, form the most interesting example of this disposition; which, when it only impels them, in the pursuit of knowledge, to examine the nature of things by the rules of common sense and sober reason, tends chiefly to the improvement of existing systems, and runs no risk of doing harm. It then ought to be admired as productive of great atchievements: nor needs the champion of science perform the least glorious ones, who submits to retreat from the divine shield and warning voice which protect religion. We may conjecture how one of these safe, yet enterprizing spirits, might reason with himself on perceiving the fate of some who have preceded him in the same career. When Burke became a philosophical writer, he was witnessing the reception Warburton met with in the world, and might have argued thus in consequence: "I see clearly I must not be permitted to answer my objectors, in order to explain to the public the