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moderate computation, 800 cannon-shot, and withstood the fire of near 10,000 soldiers and seamen, and that with a hundred men only, which were all she had to bear arms from the first of the engagement. The Spaniards, by their own confession, lost above 1,000 men, and several officers of distinction. Of the English,, about sixty survived this glorious action; of whom there was not a man but carried off one or more wounds, as so many honourable memorials of their courageous intrepidity.

Sir Richard was carried on board the Spanish admiral, where he died of his wounds within two days. The ship foundered at sea five days after.

PHILOSOPHY OF SELF.

It may seem a dangerous, but it is not altogether a false sentiment, that bad principles are better than none. Consistency is the true sublime in moral conduct-fixed principles, of any kind, and in any being, command respect and admiration. But mere negations are no principles; they take no hold, and they struggle to usurp the place of those, on which they depend, and which, when they destroy, they necessarily annihilate themselves. Such are all those precocious and ephemeral sects, which, by the dint of paradox and contradiction, have started up, and become giants in an hour. Of these, the foremost (at least to such as me, who care not for church or state, and argue but with mine own feelings) is the Philosophy of Self.

The founder, or, nominal founder of this system, was not, as

might be supposed, a daring sceptic or profound speculatorhe was simply a courtier and beau

one who thought merely to speak, and struck out novelties to relieve the ennui of conversation. He was a ladies' philosopher, and discussed the topics of the toilet and the heart with singular felicity; the fair were his school, and the boudoir his porch. He fell in with the epicurean and languid humour of his time and country, became the moral legislator of the beau monde, and destroyed the existing generous laws of the heart-as Munchausen overcame the wolf, -by turning him inside out. And all this was done by the way of amusement. The life of Rochefoucault gave the lie to his doctrine; and deifier of self was an ardent friend and enthusiastic lover. But folks received that as sterling, which he himself meant for tinsel; they saw not wit, but reason in it, and theory was converted into practice. The empire of raillery was acknowledged and acquiesced in;-sarcasm was allowed to parry accusation, and point to be an answer to proof. Then came the dynasty of epigrams, from whence to that of denunciation and proscription was a short stride.

No topic could be more convenient or delightful to the female scavans and their male followers, than this ingenious babble about l'amour, l'amour propre, leœur, et l'esprit. Each of these unfortunate terms were in their turn viewed and reviewed-asserted at the same time of a thousand different and incongruous things-split and tortured into shadows. It is worth

while to look for the explications of l'esprit in Girard's synonimies, to form an idea of the sufferings of that unlucky substantive. For my part, puzzled at first to know what it was, I was puzzled at last to discover what it was not. The ladies, with all due deference, play the very deuce with words, when they come to talk of philosophy. They are so refined in sentiment, and their perceptions admit of so many shades, that the Chinese themselves would be perplexed to supply them with expressions: four-and-twenty letters can never stand them.

Our neighbours, upon the whole, are too social for philosophy, their thoughts run in the channel of conversation, and having proceeded a space, expect a reply to relieve and set them forward on their journey again. Thought has not been the exercise of their mind, but its diversion; but with the exception of Montesquieu, whose tesselated system manifests the joiner's work, with which it was put together, there is scarce an example in their literature of a body of reasoning. They do not understand, and cannot follow those speculations, whose link and glue is feeling-in which, multifarious subjects are blended together by the glowing power of eloquence and imagination. Hence, by the French literati of the present day, De Stael and Chateaubriand are disowned as compatriots ;-they are not French in spirit, and the deviation is not to be forgiven. To illustrate writing by speech, they were too much soliloquizers for the gossiping spirit of their nation, who, according to the vul

gar idea, set down every one for mad, who mutters with himself. They were, besides, the assertors of feelings, and cast off the pedantic trammels of the old school. To say no more of either at present, each of whom merits a volume of such ill-spun criticism as I could bestow, they overturned the philosophy of self.

COPY OF A REAL WILL.

The last Will and Testament of Mr. Daniel Martinett, of Calcutta, in the East Indies. In the name of God, I, Daniel Martinett, of the town of Calcutta, being in perfect mind and memory, though weak in body, make this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, appointing my truly beloved friend, Mr. Edward Gulston, in the service of the honourable united East India company, of the aforesaid town, to be my executor, revoking_all my former wills. To avoid Latin phrases, as it is a tongue I am not well versed in, I shall speak in plain English.

First-In the most submissive manner I recommend my soul to Almighty God, hoping for pardon for all my past sins and iniquities, through the merits of his only son, my blessed Lord, Saviour, and Mediator, Jesus Christ.

Secondly-Now, as to worldly concerns, in the manner following :-As to this fulsome carcase, having already seen enough of worldly pomp, I desire nothing relative to it to be done, only its being stowed away in my old green chest, to avoid expense; for, as I lived profusely, I die frugally.

Thirdly-The undertaker's fees come to nothing, as I won them from him at a game of billiards, in the presence of Mr. Thomas Morrice and William Perkes, at the said William Perkes's house, in February last. I furthermore request, not only as it is customary, but as I sincerely believe the prayers of the good availeth, and are truly consistent with decency, that the Rev. Mr. Henry Butler read the prayers which are customary at burials, and also preach a funeral sermon, the Sunday next after my decease, taking his text from Solomon-All is vanity. In consider-ation of which, over and above his fees, I bestow on him all my hypocrisy, which he wants as a modern good man; but as my finances are low, and cannot conveniently discharge his fees, I hope he will please to accept the will for the deed.

Fourthly-To Henry Vansittart, Esq. as an opulent man, I leave the discharge of all such sum or sums of money (the whole not exceeding three hundred rupees) that I shall stand indebted to indigent persons in the town of Calcutta.

Fifthly-To Mr. George Gray, secretary to the presidency, I bequeath all my sincerity.

Sixthly-To Mr. Simon Droze, writer to the secretary's office, all my modesty.

Seventhly-To Mr. Henry Higgenson, also of the secretary's office, all the thoughts I hope I shall die possessed of.

Eighthly -To Mr. Thomas Forbes, all the worldly assurance which I had when I had taken a cheerful glass, though in fact a doleful cup.

Ninthly-My wearing apparel,

furniture, books, and every thing else I die possessed of, I bequeath to those who stand most in need of them, leaving it to the discernment of my executor, Mr. Edward Gulston, excepting the things after-mentioned. Unto captain Edward Menzies, late commander of the ship Hibernia, I give my sea-quadrant, invented by Hadley, and made by Howel, in the Strand; ; likewise my two-feet Gunter's scales. These I give him, because I believe he knows the use of them better than any commander out of this port.

My silver watch and buckles I give to Mr. Edward Gulston, in lieu of his sincere friendship to me during our acquaintance; and these I hope he will not part with, unless his necessities require it, which I sincerely hope will never be the case.

Also to Mr. Thomas Forbes I give my gold ring with a blue stone set therein, which he may exchange for a mourning one, if he pleases.

I give my Bible and prayerbook to the Rev. Mr. Henry Butler.

My sword, with a cut and thrust blade, I give to captain Ransulie Knox, as I verily believe he not only knows how, but has courage to use it, and I hope only in a good cause.

As I have lived the make-game of a modern gentleman, being a butt for envy, and a mark for malice, by acting a little out of the common road, though, thank God, never in a base way, I hope I may die with sincere love and charity to all men, forgiving all my persecutors, as I hope for forgiveness from my Creator.

As it lies not in my power to bequeath any thing to my rela

tions at home, I shall say nothing concerning them, as they have not for these six years past concerned themselves about me; excepting that I heartily wish them all well, and that my brothers and sisters may make a more prosperous voyage through this life than I have done.

DANIEL MARTINETT. Governor Vansittart was SO well pleased with the bequest which was made him, that he generously discharged the testator's debts above-mentioned.

DREAMS.

Fox, the martyrologist, records the following remarkable instance of the saving of some Protestants in London, in the sanguinary reign of Mary. "When the persecution was at its highest pitch, there was but one congregation in the metropolis; to which a Mr. Rough belonged, as a deacon or officer; and whose office was to administer to the poor, for which purpose he had in his custody a roll, in which were the names of all the members of the church. It happened one night, that Cuthbert Simpson, one of the congregation, dreamt that Mr. Rough was apprehended and the roll found in his pocket-on which he awoke ; but falling to sleep again, he had a repetition of his dream. This very much affected him, and he got up with the intention of going to Mr. Rough; but, before he was dressed, Mr. Rough came into his chamber, to whom Simpson related his dream, and desired that he would so dispose of the roll, that it might never be found upon him. Rough reproved him for his superstition, tell

ing him that dreams were but idle fancies, and that Christians ought not to regard them; but Simpson, upon whose mind it had made a deep impression, adjured him, in the most solemn manner, to pay due regard to what he had said, for the sake of so many poor and innocent people, as might, otherwise, be sufferers by his rashness; on which Rough was persuaded to give up the roll. In a few days after he was actually apprehended, and, had the paper been discovered, the whole congregation would have been returned.'

THE DECAYED GENTLEMAN.

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The consciousness of being believed softens our chagrins, and enables the greatest part of mankind to support the misery of existence. The affections must be exercised on something; for, not to love is to be miserable. "Were I in a desert,' says Sterne, I would find out wherewith in it to call forth my affections. If I could not do better, I would fasten them upon some sweet myrtle, or seek some melancholy cypress to connect myself to. I would court their shades, and greet them kindly for their protection. I would cut my name upon them, and swear they were the lovliest trees throughout the desert. If their leaves withered, I would teach myself to mourn-and when they rejoiced, I would rejoice with them." But a short story will illustrate this reasoning better than the most beautiful reflections.

"A respectable character, after having long figured in the gay world, at Paris, was, at length,

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compelled to live in an obscure retreat in that city, the victim of severe and unforseen misfortunes. He was so indigent, that he subsisted only on an allowance from the parish. Every week a quantity of bread was sent to him, sufficient for his support— and yet, at length, he demanded more. On this, the curate sent for him. He went. Do you Do you live alone?' said the curate. ‹ With whom, sir,' answered the unfortunate man, is it possible I should live! I am wretched! You see that I am, since I thus solicit charity-and am abandoned by all the world.' 'But, sir,' continued the curate, if you live alone, why do you ask for more bread than is sufficient for yourself?' The other was quite disconcerted, and at last, with great reluctance, confessed that he had a dog. The curate did not drop the subject. He desired him to observe that he was only the distributor of the bread that belonged to the poor, and that it was absolutely necessary that he should dispose of his dog. Ah, sir!' exclaimed the poor man, weeping, and if I lose my dog, who is there then to love me!' The good pastor, melting into tears, took his purse, and giving it to him- Take this, sir,' said he, this is mine; this I can give you.'

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JUSTICE EVADED.

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The New York Advertiser of the 13th of May says:-" A curious instance of escape from the fangs of the law occurred at one of the wharfs in this city yesterday. In consequence of a wrangle between a sailor and a black man; the latter having sustained

some injury, procured a writ against the sailor, and put it into the officer's hands for the purpose of having him arrested. Jack being upon the wharf when the sheriff drew near, immediately mounted the shrouds of a fishing-smack to the mast-head, and there took his seat, lit his segar, and very composedly began to smoke. The officer, after having in vain attempted to coax him down within the reach of the process, at length concluded to have him brought down by force. The messenger approaching rather too near, Jack took a small spar, used for a top-mast, and kept him at a reasonable distance. Finding it impossible to surmount this obstacle, he, after awhile, retreated back to the deck. After Jack had maintained his position at the mast-head for nearly two hours, occasionally relieving his apprehensions by a bottle of grog, which his messmates below had fastened to a rope for him to draw up, a sloop laying alongside being about getting under weigh, by the aid of his brother tars, the two vessels were rocked in such a manner as to bring the rigging into contact, when he stepped from his roost in the mast-head of the smack over to that of the sloop, and sailed securely off, amidst the cheers of a great number of persons who had collected on the docks, and witnessed the diverting scene, leaving the minister of of justice to return his writ non est inventus."

THE ECLIPSE.

The dreadful massacres in South America, by which millions of poor Indians, were savage

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