simply told the story of his own life. Ra phael, or Michael Angelo, (which I forget,) unwilling to commit his immortality to any clumsy artist, made the portrait of himself. And would that Mr. Curran, following such bright examples, had given, in all the high colouring and exquisite touches of his mas terly pencil, the character of a mind so truly curious and original. Cervantes, fearing the loss of fame, observed, that to translate from one language into another was like turning the seamy side of a vestment inside out, How discouraging the admonition, how humbling the analogy, when one considers how much is lost by the medium through which genius passes! However, when much is to be gained, something may be hazarded; as amidst the dangers of a tempest, to save the general cargo from a wreck, the richest merchandize, the gums of Arabia, the spices of the East, and the gems of India, are flung overboard into the slimy bottom of the deep: so here I may be permitted to sacrifice much

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where much is to be saved, and under such disadvantages to collect the scattered limbs of the poet, and console myself with the recollection, that though it be denied to me, unambitious of fame and unappalled by dangers, to describe all the traits of his genius, with a quill plucked from the wing of the Eagle of the Sun *; yet, with the accuracy

* I have not met in any book on natural history with an account of this remarkable bird. I am indebted for what I know of it to a friend who had for several years a command in Canada, and who made himself well acquainted not only with the language, but also with the superstition of the Indian tribes. They hold this bird in great veneration; they conceive it to be the messenger sent by the Great Spirit to inspect the affairs of the world, to bring back daily reports of what occurs among the Indians, and it is supposed to be in the confidence of the Divinity. It takes wing at the rising of the sun, and directs its course with great rapidity till it reaches its destination; there it is suspended for the whole day, and presents the appearance of a round ball; it is supposed to be in close conversation with the Great Spirit during the whole time it continues there, and that when it descends to the earth it is employed on errands, and particularly to spy into the actions of the tribes. They attribute to it pretty nearly the functions assigned to Mercury, but with larger powers. The one had in heathen mythology a kind of brevet rank, whilst this bird is supposed to partake of the divinity; and so valuable is its plumage, that the hunter who is so fortunate as to get possession of the bird is raised to a high rank among the tribes, and is considered to be a favourite with Heaven.

of an inferior talent, Lord Mansfield lived to see his sublime conceptions, his profound reasonings, and all the ornaments of his masterly and finished eloquence, of his luminous and comprehensive understanding, shorn of their beams in the prosing accuracy of a Burrow.

For Murray, long enough his country's pride,
Is now no more than Tully or than Hyde.

There is a fragment written by Edmund Smith upon the works of Philips, and transcribed from the Bodleian manuscript, so much to my present purpose, that by breaking it up into parts, and accommodating it to the present object, I strengthen by its authority some of those observations which arise out of, and apply to, the present subject. He says, “it is altogether as equitable some account should be given of those who have distinguished themselves by their writings, as of those who are renowned for great actions; it is but reasonable they who contribute so much to

the immortality of others should have some share in it themselves (be they poets, orators, or historians, it matters not); for no men," he adds," who respect themselves, will write their own panegyrics; and it is very hard they should go without reputation only because they the more deserve it."

The French are very just to eminent men in this point: not a learned man nor a poet can die, but all Europe must be acquainted with his accomplishments: they give praise and expect it in their turn: they commend their Patrus and Molieres, as well as their Condes and Turennes. Their Pellisons and Racines have their eulogies, as well as the prince whom they celebrate: and their poems, their mercuries, and orations, nay, their very gazettes, are filled with the praises of the learned.

I am satisfied had they a Curran among them, and had known how to value him, had

they had one of his learning, his wit, but, above all, that particular turn of humour, that altogether new genius, he had been an example to their poets and orators, and a subject of their panegyrics; and, perhaps, set in competition with the ancients, to whom only he ought (if ought) to submit. As Johnson has adopted this illustration, I need not be ashamed to use it.

The Greeks certainly transmitted the memory of their illustrious men; and if any country which abounds so much in genius, and in letters, can be found more inattentive than another to this point, it is Ireland. Possibly not so much to the perfection of taste, to the cultivation of literature, or to all that enriched Athens with the arts, is she so much indebted for her immortality as to biography and history. No star ever appeared in that clear firmament, in that galaxy of heroes, statesmen, philosophers, orators and poets, sculptors and painters,