would be too tedious to enumerate the contents of this budget, nor is it likely that the writers would be much pleased by a more particular notice.

IT is much to be wished that those who favour us with their correspondence would remember the golden rule of Tom Shuffleton--" pay the post Muggins:" it is also desirable that the manuscript should be written distinctly. Carelessness in punctuation cannot be tolerated. In this part of the duty of an author it is related of the poet Savage, that he was so scrupulous, as to pay back the fifth part of a slender pittance which he received for one of his copyrights, for punctuating his proof-sheets.

We have received a variety of communications on the subject of bank paper and specie. We had indulged a hope that we might have been spared from this important question, as it has been treated in various publications, particularly, and with great ability, by Dr. Bollman and judge Workman. The editor had, therefore, thought no more of the subject than to hum one of Macheath's airs, as he dwelt alternately upon the themes of currency and cash:

How happy could I be with either!

But as the present state of the circulating medium forms an important epoch in the history of the country, we shall endeavour, in our next number, to submit to the reader such considerations on the matter, as a careful inquiry may suggest.

THE reply to Milton, which we quoted in our last, was written by Salmasius. The reader is requested to correct the error with his pen. The tract in question is entitled, Defensio Regia pro Carolo Primo. Milton was not dismayed by the brilliant reputation of the author, who was a favourite at the most distinguished courts, and reigned like a dictator, over the learning of his day. He replied to the proud and vaunting performance of the great champion, in his Defensio pro Populo Anglicano: a work which completely answered the ends for which it was written. It procured the highest distinctions for the bard, and drove his antagonist into an obscurity, which would long since have become an utter oblivion but for this masterly defence.

We trust that " An American Farmer," in Rhode Island, will be satisfied that we are not insensible of the truth of the apothegm, ne quid nimis. For reasons which must be obvious to him, we forbear to make any further explanation.

WE are sorry that the translation of a letter from the pen of Madame de Stael, which is supposed to have been written by lady Jane Grey, arrived too late for this number. The author of this fiction has entered very cordially into what may be supposed to have been the feelings of the illustrious victim, and she has therefore produced an epistle of no common interest. Should she ever survey the pages of the Port Folio, she will be gratified, to peruse in a foreign tongue, a translation, in which nothing is lost of the vigour or elegance of the original. Madame de Stael is to be ranked among the most powerful writers of the time, and we are well assured that every thing from her pen will be perused with profound attention.

"THE Joys of Winter" came too late for this number. They shall be sung, however, in season.

THE Speech before "the Anonymous Society," is not suited to our plan.

THE " Elegy on Fanny's Bird,' in our next.

"D. R." must pardon an apparent inattention to his favours.

"A SUBSCRIBER," who addresses " Myra," in the language of a poet, shall soon be heard.

"FREDERIC," shall not complain "unheard and unheeded" by us, though the mistress of his song be coy and cruel.

PETER, the Poet, is too pert, in his epithalamium, which
Bids haste the evening star

On his hill top, to light the bridal lamp.

WE are desired by the publisher to state, that if the portrait of DR. BARTON should not be received in time for this number, the reader may be assured that it will be exhibited in the next. It shall be accompanied by a memoir from an authentic source.

THE PORT FOLIO,

FOURTH SERIES,

CONDUCTED BY OLIVER OLDSCHOOL, ESQ.

Various; that the mind

Of desultory man, studious of change,

And pleased with novelty, may be indulged.-COWPER.

In a paper, designed for general perusal, it will be necessary to dwell most upon things of general entertainment. The elegant trifles of literature, the wild strains of fancy, and the pleasing amusements of harmless wit, shall therefore be considered as necessary to our collection. Dr. Johnson.

VOL. I.

APRIL, 1816.

NO. IV.

LIFE OF BENJAMIN S. BARTON M. D.

LATE PROFESSOR OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MEDICINE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.

THE following memoir is extracted from a paper which was recently read before the Philadelphia Medical Society, by W. P. C. Barton, M. D. and published at their request. It amounts to thirty-four pages 8vo. and contains a list of Dr. Barton's writings-an enumeration of the academic honours conferred upon him-the names and titles of his correspondents, and various other matters, very well calsulated, no doubt, for the purposes of this address, but which would scarcely be interesting to the majority of our readers. Our estimate, too, of the character of the deceased is somewhat different from that which has been formed by the author of this "Sketch." Dr. Barton was a very industrious man in the pursuit of science, and though we do not think that he has contributed much to enlarge its bounds, we are willing to believe that his collections will facilitate the labours of the student, to whom he has left a laudable example of active diligence and unwearied perseverance.

BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, a younger son of the late reverend Thomas Barton, a learned episcopal clergyman, long resident at Lancaster in this state, was born on the 10th day of February, 1766. His mother was a sister of the celebrated Rittenhouse. Both his