speak metaphorically, the dress in which
the story is clothed. It has all the requisites of a good style; it is
concise, perspicuous, simple and occasionally sublime. The poetry is not
of that tumid nature which Pindar uses, but of the graceful simplicity
of Homer's verse. The poet has diversified the language by the
intermixture of the Doric dialect, in imitation of the Greek tragedians;
of this kind are the expressions, _vat vind_, _diskivered_, _I be kim_,
and _for to know_. But what strikes me most is, the solemn, mournful,
and pathetic beauty of the chorus, _Tol lol de rol de riddle iddle ido_.
The [Greek: Ai, an,] and [Greek: pheu, pheu], of Euripides and
Sophocles, the [Greek: e e e e] and [Greek: oto to toi] [Greek: totoi]
of AEschylus, are comparatively frigid and tasteless. Yes; this _Tol lol
de rol de riddle iddle ido_ is so exquisitely tender, and so musically
melancholy, that I dare affirm, that the mind and ear that are not
sensibly affected with it, are barbarous, tasteless, and incapable of
relishing beauty or harmony.

* * * * *

ON THE CHOICE OF A WIFE.

The variety of men's tastes is nowhere more remarkable than in the
choice of their wives. With many, beauty is the first consideration; to
others, fortune is more attractive; by some, excellence in the culinary
art is esteemed the most engaging accomplishment; while others deem
submission the fittest disposition in a partner for life. Indeed, from a
man's character and habits we may make a pretty good guess what sort of
wife he will choose. The avaricious man will gratify his passion with
his wife's fortune; the vain man with his his wife's beauty; and the
epicure with his wife's ragouts.

Gloriosus is sensible and accomplished, but egregiously fond of
admiration. To gratify this passion, he paid his addresses to Sempronia,
whose beauty and fortune attracted a crowd of suitors, and made her the
belle of the town in which she lived. The lady was not insensible of his
attentions, and he succeeded in gaining the prize, for which so many had
sighed in vain. His vanity was highly gratified with the preference he
had obtained, and nothing could exceed his satisfaction during his
courtship and the first weeks of his marriage. The men called him a
lucky fellow, the women praised Sempronia's discernment, and the
handsome couple was the theme of general conversation. But, in a short
time after the visits, which are usual on suc