IT is not, I believe, very unusual for writers (efpecially thofe who turn their attention to that fashionable and confequently profitable branch of the protellion, Voyages and Travels) to hazard bold affections; and when they have mounted their readers in their literary cars, to drive them to the very edge of truth, or, indeed, of probability. Of this amufing clafs, as I apprehend, is the Author now before me, Mons. de Non: who, in his excurfion to Sicily and Malta (page 23), ipeaking of that celebrated Volcano Mount Ætna, obferves: "That round its ftupendous bafe, every thing feems to grow with luxuriance. It is," he continues, "the picture of the Golden Age; and I was now perfuaded, more firmly than ever, that a Volcano is necellary to the happiness of a Country.”

Another philofopher of whom I have heard, who had likewife a good opinion of Burning Mountains, wifhed, fome years fince, to raise a subscription for the propagation of them in every country of Europe. How a project fo useful happened to fail, although I have not leifure for the enquiry, may, I think, furnish a fubject for difquifition, not unworthy of the attention of the learned. Leaving, therefore, this fpeculation to thofe that have more time and ingenuity, I hall only obferve, that what has been faid of a trio of celebrated Poets has, in the inftance of thofe Sages, been alfo verified: a third genius hath arifen, who hath united the abilities of the former two; and actually carried into execution a plan of which they had only a crude idea.

My readers will by this time probably guels, that by this third ingenious peronage I mean the mechanical Manager of Ranelagh, to whofe laudable exertions for the benefit of the public it is owing, that Mount Etna has been transplanted to Chelfea, whether in the way that the Sinia Cafa travelled from Nazareth to Dalmatia, and thence to Recanati in Italy, is best known to himself; but be that as it may, to this genius it is owing, that we have for feveral feafons been entertained with an exhibition, confifting of torrents of liquid fire bursting from

a crater of several inches diameter, while the mountain, of a magnitude far more confiderable than a mole-hill, now emitting volumes of finoke, black as that from its neighbouring steam engine: now discharging fhowers of fquibs and crackers, and then perfuming the atmolphere with the delectable odour of fulphur and nitre, is certainly an object which ought to be contemplated with awe and amazement; an object, the fublimity of which muft carry the imagination far above the little paltry concerns of " this vile fpot;" an object which muft give to us the moft elevated idea of the philofopher who tranfported, or rather translated, into this favoured Island a fpectacle, which (as Mons. de Non well obferves) "was the only thing wanting to complete the happiness of the Nation!" Sum Solus !,

I am the only one! was the motto of Powell the famous fire-eater *; from whom, I am informed, the prefent projector is defcended :. and fo ftruck am I with contemplating the immenfe advantage that mult accrue to the public from the importation of Volcanoes, that I could almoft with to behold one fmoaking in the vicinity of every town in England. Yet, fuch a refpect have I for ingenuity, fuch a regard have I for literary, mental, or indeed any other property, that I would have this celebrated artist, like his great predeceffor, able to fay, Sum Solus -I am the only one that all derive any profit from their fabrication for, at least, fourteen years: therefore, I would advife him, with all convenient speed, to apply for a patent; and, by this means, draw a legal line around the bafe of his Burning Mountain. Entre nous, I am the more anxious in this bufinefs, because I know that there are perfons, who fhall be nameless, but who are neither trufty nor well-beloved, that, unfanctioned by Royal authority, are projecting fome volcanic explofions; which, although probably not fo amusing as this which we are obferving upon, may put our author out of a condition to derive any advantage from his invention.

I am led to publish these ferious refections upon a fubject which I have long contemplated with veneration and admiration, by being informed that the former exertions of the artifts concerned in this fplendid exhibition, were far fur. paffed upon the late celebration of the anniverfary of his Majefty's birth-day; an anniversary dear to every true Briton! Upon that happy occafion, the very Cyclops rejoiced; and, as I am inftructed, the Mountain itself had a double allowance of combuftibles; the forges an extra peck of coals each; and further, that fuch was the noife and bellowing of the faid Mountain, that you "might defy poppy or mandragora, or all the droufy fyrups in the world," to adminifter repofe at even three miles diftance. Upon an occafion fo truly patriotic, I am fincerely difpofed to praife the manager for the part he has taken in the general joy; but must, at the same time obferve, that his loyalty is not confined to birth-nights, nor, indeed, to night at all; for although he might begin in the dark, he has frequently been known to continue his exertions till fun-riting, and to have ushered in the day with explofions that have frightened the neighbourhood" from its propriety:" which have acted like the repetition of an electrical fhock, and perhaps in fome cales might be medicinally uleful; efpecially to the fick, convalefcents, and lying-in-women; as while they ferved to brace the nerves of the two former, they might inform the latter, who were confined to their beds, of what was doing in the world.

I have therefore no doubt but that all the parties I have laft mentioned, and a number of other inhabitants of the vicinity of the Volcano, who would rather hear a noife than make one, would readily join in a petition for a patent, by which fo great a bleffing might be fecured to themselves and their poterity,

at least thrice a week.

I am the more ftrenuous in urging the manager to this ftep to fecure his valuable property, as, befides the innovation which I have mentioned before, I understand that the proprietors of Vauxhall intend to turn their Cascade into a Burning Mountain, which will probably be as exact a refemblance of Vefuvius, as the Chelsea production is of Etna. In this reprefentation, a great improvement will, as I am informed, be made in the emiffion of the fire and fmoke, in the flowing of the lava, and

3

the explosion of pumice ftones, &c. all which operations are, as has been stated to me, to be regulated by a concert of martial mufic, performed by the black band, and accompanied by a grand chorus of infernals in their gala dreffes, which, it is well known, are of fable trimmed with gold lace, and red stockings: who mean to join their exertions to thofe of the corps of fire-workers, in order to make this one of the loudeft exhibitions ever heard in this country.

or

Notoriety, both within and without doors, has in this age been frequently obtained by making a noife. We have feen, or rather heard, many men, in ftations far more elevated than thofe of either the proprietors of Vauxhall Ranelagh, attain a well-earned popularity by a proper explotion of rhetorical fire; by knowing when to let off a squib; when to launch a rocket; and when to fpring a mine, Upon this fertile topic, I could defcant with great ingenuity, did not matter of more importance attract my prefent attention.

He

A friend, who has a far more retrofpective memory than I would be thought to poffefs, has ventured to attack the originality of this Volcanic invention. He aflerts," that fomewhat above thirty years ago, when Marybone Gardens were in faflion, a Burning Mountain was there exhibited by a Signior Torri; from which, while the lava flowed in copious ftreams down its outfide, a burst of thunder iffued, and its body opening, difcovered the furnace of Vulcan, with his attendants bufily employed." further states, "that under the direction of the limping God,' the armour of Æneus was forged and delivered to Venus; who, in favouring the faid God with a kifs, as a reward for his ingenuity, had her nofe fmutted, a circumftance which greatly increafed the rationa! delight of the company. After which, the Goddefs joined in a fong, amidst a fhower of fire; which, perhaps owing to her marine birth, had no visible effect upon her,"

If this, my friend's information, be true (and I have no reafon to doubt his veracity), I fear that the originality of this invention must be given up; and that we in this age, confoling ourselves with an obfervation made both by Solomon and Cicero, "that there is nothing new under the Sun," can only congra tulate the public upon its revival. Though indeed I think, that the future, proprietors of Volcanoes may avail them

felves

felves of the ingenuity of Signior Torri; and, like him, open a cavern in their tides, within whofe vaft abyfs," fome ancient myftery or morality might be reprefented; fuch as Orpheus and Euridice; the defcent of Æneas into the Elylian fields; the interview betwixt Hercules and Cerberus, in the courfe of which an excellent opportunity would be afforded for the three canine heads to bark a trio.

Milton's Pandemonium has, I believe, been thought of, as has alfo fome other pieces of lefs gravity; but I fear it would have too comic an effect in an entertainment of fuch dignity and fublimity, to perform the farce of Lethe: beldes that, I am against mingling elements, and think the river finding its way into the bowels of the mountain, might be attended with those bad confequences which Naturalifts fo frequently defcribe.

Some of the other scenes which I have mentioned might certainly be introduced with great advantage to the rifing generation, and be particularly ufetul to youths of fashion, as it would prevent

MY DEAR P.

their taking a journey to Rome and Naples, which we know is very often to little purpofe, and at the fame time give them a ipice of claffical erudition, which it is not probable that they would by any other means attain.

Thus blending the ufeful with the agreeable, and inftructing while they elevate, turprife, and enchant the mental faculties, I have no doubt but that Volcanoes will become a favourite fummer amufement; and that the patent, if he obtains it, will prove a profitable speculation to my Ranelagh friend: and I allo, as was obferved in the beginning of this paper, have great hope that we fhall, in every town in England, have the pleasure of seeing a Burning Mountain arife, although it fhould be no bigger than a sugar loaf.

When that happy period arrives, all those who have the good of their country at heart may, with Monfieur de Non, exclaim: "Every thing," within which circle he muft certainly comprehend follies and vices, "feems to thrive with the greatest luxuriance, and ours is a picture of the Golden Age!"

ISHALL not, you think, feel myself lefs difpofed to mistrust my own tafte, when I am told that it runs counter to the tafte, not only of the ingenious Ef fayift, but to that alfo of an elegant writer; whofe authority on thefe fubjects is very generally and very juftly acknowledged. Since I had the pleature of writing to you, I have myfelf fallen on the letter in Fitzofbourne, where the admired paffage, which I was then confidering, is fpoken of in high terms of commendation. He must be more tenacious of his purpose than I profefs myfelf to be, who is not biaffed by the opinion of this able and judicious critic: and yet, to confefs the truth, on reperuling the obfervations I fent you, I do not find any thing in them which I can perfuade myself to retract. The wings with which Pope has equipped Notus, though not found in Homer, I have always thought a beautiful addition to the figure. Has not the view of this great improvement, which at once catches the eye, in this cafe, without further enquiry, determined alfo the judgment of

thefe confenting admirers? All which follows appears to me, in ftrength of thought, propriety of manner, and nice arrangement of the parts, very far indeed inferior to the original; tohich, you will obferve, in thefe eflential points, it bears little or no refemblance. What then is tafte? Are its principles fixed by any fure criterion? Is it fubject to the controul of reafon and judgment? Or does it wander at large-under no confinement of rule with no certain defignation--varying, as it may chance, with the temper, the feelings, or the fancy of each individual?

In the fame letter is adduced another admired paffage from Pope; to which the original, though celebrated by ancient authors as tranfcendently beautiful, is decidedly pronounced to be inferior. I will give you the approving paragraph in Fitzofbourne's own words:

"There is a defcription in the eighth book which Euftathius, it feems, efteemed the most beautiful night-piece that could be found in poetry. If I am not greatly mistaken, however, I can produce a finer; and, I ain perfuaded, even the warmeft

admirer

As when the Moon, refplendent lamp of night,

O'er Heav'n's clear azure fpreads her facred light;

When not a breath disturbs the deep ferene,
And not a cloud o'ercaits the folemn fcene;
Around her throne the vivid planets roll,
And ftars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole ;
O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed,
And tip with filver ev'ry mountain's head.
Then fhine the vales, the rocks in profpect
rife,

A flood of glory burfts from all the skies.
The confcious fwains, rejoicing in the fight,
Eye the blue vault, and blefs the ufeful
light.

I approach this hallowed ground with reverence; and am fearful of violating a performance fo applauded, and fo perfect, by any thing of doubt or objection, which, I am inclined to believe, will be confidered by your readers of profeffed tafte as little fhort of profanation.

The tranflation is, we are told, a great improvement on the original. This improvement must be effected either by the omiflion of ideas, judiciously left out, or fkillfully exchanged for others more apt and beautiful; or, by the addition of ideas entirely new; or, by a different arrangement of thofe ufed in common. Now, where any of thefe have taken place, the alteration produced, in my opinion (fuch is the obftinacy of early prejudice), ferves only, fo far as it goes, to weaken the effect and obfcure the beauty of the painting. It is by the lait

of the modes above-mentioned, that the first difference between the original great and the copy is effected. In the tranflation the moon is made the principal objet, exhibited in great pomp, and enthroned in ftate; while the ftars, the principal object, and firft named in Hoiner, are introduced at a distance, as at

tendant only. When you contemplate the defcription fimply as a night-piece, independently of the concomitant circumitances, this difpofition of the parts will be confidered as correct, and conformable to the appearances of nature. My objection to it is, that in this place it deftroys the aptitude of the compaeye of the fpectator that prominent fearifon, and withdraws too much from the ture of refemblance, by which chiefly the poet illuftrates his fubject-the numerous fires in the Trojan camp.

Í remark on this ftriking deviation from the original form with the greater freedom, when I obferve that the poet has been particularly ftudious of holding up this prominent feature to the reader's notice; which he does, on the opening of his defcription, in a very pointed manner, by the word APIПPĒПEA; where the moon is mentioned with only a general epithet, of no particular force or import; like thofe applied merely as titular, on all occafions indifcriminately, to the different Gods and heroes of the poem.

ΝΕΦΕΛΗΓΕΡΕΤΑ Ζευς

ΠΟΔΑΣ ΩΚΥΣ Αχιλλευς, &c.
Αστρα ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ αμφι σεληνην
Past APIPEA.

Ου την ΙΟΤΕ φαείνην, αλλά την ΚΑΘΟ.
ΛΟΥ φατίνην.
VILL.

There is another note in the fame

fcholia, edited by Villoifin, fo much to allow me the liberty of tranfcribing it. my purpofe, that I am fure you will

Πορφύριο. Εκ των αδύνατων και τετο. Πως γαρ δυνατον περι Την ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ σεληνην ΑΡΙΠΡΕΠΗ είναι τα αστρα ; λυτ ται δε εκ της λέξεως, το ΦΑΕΙΝΗΝ 8 επι της ΤΟΤΕ, αλλά επι της ΦΥΣΕΙ.

But enough of thefe dry quotations, collected (you will think perhaps with fufficient parade) from the volumes of antiquity. You will not wonder, however, if, engaged as I am in fo perilous an enterprife, I am willing to shelter myfelt under the authority of great names. I return with pleasure to Homer himself, on whole protection I depend with far greater confidence, than I should do on a whole host of learned commentators. He not only introduces the ftars with great folemnity at the opening of his deicription; but, to mark more ftrongly his defign, calls them again into notice at the conclufion, with an emphatic accompanyment.

ΠΑΝΤΑ δὲ τ' ειδεται

αστρα.

These words, whether from delicacy, as fearing to difguft his readers by tedious repetitions, or from his wonderful judgment, which taught him to avoid every defect and impropriety in bis author, or rather not understanding their drift, and the peculiar force which they carry with them in this place, thus repeated, Pope, in the tranflation, has chosen to

omit.

After this the poet again brings for

ward his primary object, which fuggefted the fimile to his imagination, and places it in formal comparifon with the subject affumed for the fake of illuftration. Ως τα μεσηγύ νέων ηδε Ξάνθοιο ροαων Τρωων καίοντων ΠΥΡΑ φαινετο (λιοθε προ.

And now feeing the pains which the great mafter himself has taken to fet this, his principal object, in the most confpicuous light, may I not be pardoned if I rather regret to fee its luftre eclipfed by the dazzling fplendour of another object, which he certainly meant to reprefent in a fubordinate character? Let me urge in my own behalf, that I have not prefumed to under-rate the merits of Pope's extraordinary performance. The utmoft which can be deduced from what I have faid amounts to no more than this; That the copy varies from the original, and does not fo appofitely answer the purpose, for which folely the fimile is introduced. Allow me but thus much, and I will leave you to admire, with Fitzofbourne, the beautiful night-piece, fo much finer than the painting of Homer. Adieu.

O.P.C.

JAMES, FIRST DUKE OF ORMOND.

houfe afterwards occupied by a Duke of

Life and Character)

AMONGST the many Loyalifts who attached themselves to the caufe of Charles the Second, during his banifhment and afterwards, there are few who fand fo confpicuous for their zeal, integrity, and good fervices, as this celebrated Nobleman.

His Grace was the twelfth Earl of the family; in the title of Ormond, firit Duke; and the feventh of the name of James. The antient name of the family was Fitzwalter, and the name of Butler (as Hiftory relates) came firft from the office of being Chief Butler of Ireland to King Henry the Second.

He was born on the 19th of October 1610, at Clerkenwell in London, in the VOL. XXXII.

John Poyntz his grandfather. He received the early parts of his education under one Conyers, a Roman Catholic at Finchley, near Barnet; and afterwards, by order of King James the First, placed under the tuition of Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, where he was but very indifferently maintained by his Grace, very little ichooling bestowed upon him, and no fort of allowance from the King, or from home, the family_eftate being then under fequeftration. It was therefore from his Chaplain, fome years afterwards, that he learned all the Latin he had; and it was whilft he lived in London, and converfed with the Irish, that he acquired the most he had of that language; which, though he understood tolerably well, and could readily speak D

it