TO CORRESPONDENTS. Paterculus. His excellent Essay on "the Fallacies of History" came too late for admission among the chosen few; and, although afterwards read with pleasure, it is not to be compared, either in thought or expression, with the successful Essay. O. Z., Dunkeld.-We agree with the writer of this philippic against the historian of England, but could not consent to accept his contribution, even as an unrewarded article; two Essays on the same subject would be too much; besides, the infidelity of Hume is so coarse, that even its refutation is not an agreeable subject. Late Hours.-The name was but too prophetic of its present fortune. Every spot was occupied when Mr. Malcolm's contribution was delivered. The Contrast: a Tale-received, accompanied by a very gratifying private note to ourselves. Had we only M'K.'s permission, we think we should have published his favour entire in our notices. It would have been an excellent Prospectus of our Principles, at the opening of the year. R. Bideford.-His Christmas was not received until the contribution of a well known signature in our pages was in type. Perhaps it may be acceptable even a little after date, whether the happy day be remembered or forgotten. E. G. B., Islington, shall have a reply so soon as we shall be qualified to give one. "Expectation," and "A Gossip on Music," both in abeyance; the one, no doubt, will endure confinement restlessly, the other is comfortable anywhere. E. H. M.-The length of our Prize Essay this month left no opportunity of making provision for "The Wanderer." This explanation he cannot doubt, on perceiving that "Walks in Switzerland" have been necessarily interrupted. "The Pilgrim prevented from making his monthly offering at the "Shrine of Taste and Feeling;" and "Chemistry," No. V., held in solution for the present. The Dramatic Art, however delicately treated, would not accord either with the principles of our prospectus, or, the prospectus of our principles. Reference may be made to that description of literature, and dramatic poets are quoted by our contributors perpetually and with approbation; but the interests of the actual Histrionic Art would not, we think, be promoted, by any pleading of their cause in our fire-side pages; T. M.'s favour, therefore, awaits his order in the counting-house. 66 Priory. Although the season favoured such efforts, we have not been able to take up The Silver Tankard." However, we promise to inspect its contents before Twelfth night, and, if found palatable, quaff accordingly. **Several kind and agreeable correspondents remain unanswered-some we shall reply to privately-silence will answer others. Examination of the numerous Prize Essays engrossed our attention so much, that leisure enough could not be found for some of those monthly duties, which we should wish to have discharged with more satisfaction to our literary friends. Subject of the Prize Essay for March "THE IMMORALITY OF JOINT-STOCK SPECULATIONS." "The earth hath bubbles, as the water hath, TEGG'S MAGAZINE. GRATITUDE.-A FRAGMENT. (WITH AN ENGRAVING OF "THE GOOD SAMARITAN," AFTER REMBRANDT.) THE beautiful copy of a still more admirable original, which illustrates our Number of this month, is regarded as amongst the most perfect compositions of Rembrandt. The actions and attitudes of every figure are true to nature, and the countenances, respectively, full of the peculiar expression that might be expected to characterise each. Self-satisfaction, his sole reward, is displayed in the features of the benevolent Samaritan; in those of the wounded traveller, gratitude and indications of bodily pain; while the officious attendants exhibit commiseration mingled with a degree of curiosity. How many feelings of the heart are here clearly truly, beautifully expressed by the painter's art; and in a language that can be read without difficulty by all the nations of the world! Rembrandt's manner is not pleasing to some critics, from the repetition of his peculiar mode of lighting his designs; this artifice he has not adopted in our present original, the colouring of which is distinguished by the transparency of its shades, as well as its semi-tints. The parable of the good Samaritan, as related by St. Luke in the tenth chapter of his Gospel, being known and accessible to our readers, we therefore decline to copy here; but, as we do not feel equally confident that its abstract or symbolical interpretation is as widely communicated, we shall assist in performing this duty, and afterwards relate the tale of Matthew Moneyless, as illustrative of the true nature of that gratitude which the wounded traveller must have felt for the ready benevolence of the good Samaritan. Learned commentators write "that a certain man (Adam) went down (fell) from Jerusalem (perfection) to Jericho (changeable state)— thieves (Sin and Satan) stripped (took away his righteousness)—wounded (infected with evil desires)-half-dead (a living body but a dead soul). The Priest (the moral law)—the Levite (the ceremonial)—passed by (law is the knowledge, not the cure of sin). A certain Samaritan (Christ was so called by the Jews), as he journeyed (from heaven to earth by his incarnation), came where he was (took men's sins upon him, and bore the VOL. I.NO. X. PP punishment due to them), went to him (Christ seeks sinners), bound up his wounds (by promises of comfort), pouring in oil (mercy), wine (the Holy Spirit) set him on his own beast (entirely supported him by grace), took him to an inn (his church), took care of him (by providence and love). When he departed (ascended to the Father), took out two denarii (the law and the gospel), gave them to the host (minister of the gospel) to take care of him (spiritually). What thou spendest more (even health and life), when I come again (to judge the world), I will repay (with life immortal)." However moralists may dispute, there are assuredly benevolent affections implanted in our nature; not merely those of parents to children, or of a lover to his lady-love, but such as are alone satisfied by the exertion of kindness to fellow-creatures. It will be in vain that the selfish school refer us to epicures, misers, tyrants, and other equally hateful classes; they are exceptions, not examples; their conduct has resulted from wrong education, or utter ignorance,-from prejudice, bigotry, or circumstances into which they were thrown,-rather than from original unsocial propensities. The joy and comfort of human life consist in the reciprocal exercise of kind affections, and without them it would be undesirable. If there were none whom we loved, or who loved or esteemed us, how miserable would our condition be! A man, capable of reflection, would sooner pass out of existence than remain in it in such a state of solitary imprisonment. The following narrative, therefore, of our West Indian correspondent, Matthew Moneyless, is correct in concluding, that benevolence occupies a corner in every heart; more remote, however, in some than in others; and that every hand, sooner or later, is extended in charity. But to our fragment: "The world,' said I, is full of ingratitude!' Ay,' replied Matthew Moneyless, 6 so the world says: but I maintain it, that one-half of the world, when they talk of ingratitude, do not understand the meaning of the expression.' 'Impossible !' said I ; sure every school-boy '—'Hold,' said Matthew; these gray heirs come not without experience; and experience has taught me, that ingratitude, in the true sense of the word, is not so common as you seem to think.''Prove me that, my friend Matthew, and I'll burn Rochefoucault's Maxims, and become enamoured with mankind !’ To prove it,' replied Matthew, 'would perhaps be difficult; but I'll relate a few facts; and they are such as occur every day. "I applied to my friend Presto for a favour.-Presto considered, for about half a minute, and then, with a look of sympathetic friendship, declared that he was very sorry that it was not in his power to oblige me. I felt a degree of pain, not on my own account, but on his. My mortification at the disappointment was entirely swallowed up by the uneasiness which I felt for having reduced him to the necessity of refusing a friend; and this sensation, if it did not increase my friendship for him, at least did not diminish it.-I knew Presto would have served me had it been in his power. "I next applied to Allegro. "Yes, my friend! I am happy to oblige you :" and my request was immediately granted. For this favour, and it was a trifling one, but well-timed, I felt a degree of gratitude which I can hardly express: I would requite Allegro a thousand-fold. "On another occasion, I requested a favour of Penseroso; and Penseroso could have immediately gratified me, had he been so inclined. He would not give me an immediate answer, but would think on it. A considerable time elapsed. No answer. I applied a second time, and obtained my request. I observed, however, a cloud upon his brow, which plainly indicated that he was far from taking a pleasure in what he did. I am not naturally ungrateful; but, on this occasion, I felt very little gratitude. "To Severus I made known some difficulties in which I was involved by the late revolutions, and requested his assistance to extricate me. Severus started at the request, looked very serious, and required time to deliberate. After an interval of above a week, I renewed my application; his countenance now wore an appearance of reserve and disgust; and "he had not as yet determined." Again I waited a considerable time for an answer; but in vain. I applied a third time. Severus now looked,-but I'll not attempt to describe his look; suffice it to say that a very glance of his eye was a dagger to my soul. The desired assistance, however, I did obtain, though with some difficulty, and attended with some remarks, admonitions, and something even bordering upon reproof, that hurt my feelings to the last degree. On this occasion, so far from feeling the smallest emotion of gratitude, I carried home a secret displeasure, and even something like resentment, against Severus. "How will you account for the different sensations which I experienced, on these several occasions? Was I ungrateful in the two last instances? Penseroso, Severus, and others of their stamp, may perhaps think me so but I trust I shall be acquitted of the charge by every man of feeling and sensibility; and to such only would I appeal. For, as to those who are themselves unacquainted with the finer and more delicate sensations of the human breast, and can therefore make no allowance for their operations in others, I would be as unwilling to appeal to them, on the subject of sensibility or gratitude, as to a blind man on the subject of colours. "Let us then take a review of those different transactions, and examine what sensations they might naturally be expected to produce in the breast of any one not quite callous to all the finer feelings of human nature. "By Presto's immediate refusal, I was at once relieved from the pain and anxiety of suspense. Even this I considered as a favour; especially as the refusal was accompanied with expressions of friendship, the sincerity of which I had no reason to call in question. And besides, my wish was instantly gratified on making application to Allegro; so that, in fact, Presto benefited me more essentially by refusing me on the spot, than he could have done by granting the favour after a week's delay: for, in consequence of his speedy refusal, I received the benefit a week sooner than would otherwise have been the case. And "Allegro, by serving me at once, gave me a full opportunity of deriving every possible advantage from the favour he conferred; and thus enhanced its value. then his manuer !-he appeared to consider the favour as a mere trifle; and to wish that I should consider it in the same light. Nay, he seemed to think that it was I who conferred the obligation on him, by giving him an opportunity of showing his friendship. Thus he at once smothered, in their birth, all those painful and humiliating reflections which naturally arise in every feeling bosom on asking, or receiving, any favour or obligation, and left my heart and mind free and open to the impressions of joy, friendship, and gratitude. I felt them in their fullest force: I feel them still; and will ever be proud to acknowledge an obligation to Allegro. "Penseroso, on the other hand, thought, and thought, and thought! perhaps, in fact, he never, in my absence, bestowed a single thought on me or my concerns. In the interval of delay, to say nothing of the anxiety and uneasiness of expectation, I suffered inconveniences to which I would not have been exposed if he had granted the favour at once, and from which the favour, when at length it was conferred, did not fully extricate me. Had he refused me at first, I would have immediately turned my eye upon some other person, who, like Allegro, would perhaps have obliged me without hesitation or delay. As he had not refused me, I had still hopes of gaining my wish. Fear constantly attends hope; and anxiety ever walks hand in hand with fear. My mind alternately agitated with hope, fear, and anxiety, I determined to wait his answer. No answer given;-what's to be done? Reveal my necessities to another?-mortifying! Renew my applications to Penseroso ?-equally so. "On the whole, however, as Penseroso was already made acquainted with my situation, I thought better even to submit to the mortification of applying to him a second time, than to reveal my distresses to a third person. With reluctance I prevailed on myself to renew my solicitation; my request, indeed, was complied with. Observe, however, that the favour granted me was exactly of such a nature and consequence, that the pleasure resulting from it was but barely sufficient to counterbalance the pain and anxiety I felt from the delay, and the mortification attending the renewal of my request. What room here for gratitude? "Had Penseroso, indeed, when at length he did grant my request, apologised for the delay, had the accents of friendship burst forth from his lips,-had benevolence beamed from his eyes, they would have reached my heart, and there produced their natural effect-gratitude and if they there lie dormant and decay, 'tis but for the want of the sunshine of benevolence, to warm and animate the soil, to call them forth into birth, and make them blossom to maturity. Nothing of this kind attended the interview with Penseroso quite the contrary. I retired, therefore, with the resolution of discharging the debt as soon as it was in my power. When that duty was performed, I looked upon myself as exonerated from all further claims, on his part and obligation on mine. "The service, indeed, which Severus rendered me was of such magnitude, that the delight and satisfaction arising from it would have been more than sufficient to counterbalance the uneasiness and chagrin which I had unavoidably experienced during the interval of suspense, and the pain attending a second, and even a third application. But, unfortunately, Severus would not suffer me to incur a debt of gratitude. In the very act of conferring the favour, he threw sɔ much additional mortification into the one scale, which was already but too heavily charged, as to make it quite outweigh all the pleasure and satisfaction that were in the other. Having, therefore, fairly cast up the account in my own mind, I found there remained in his favour, a balance of pain and disgust. This pain and disgust he had, if not wantonly, at least unnecessarily, subjected me to. I therefore credited the balance to his account. "Thus it happened that Severus, in rendering me a considerable service, has diminished my esteem and friendship for him; whereas Allegro, by a trifling obligation, has taken immoveable possession of my heart and Penseroso, although he conferred a favour, did not make greater advances in my friendship than Presto in refusing one. "On the whole, from the observations which I have made through life, I am thoroughly convinced that real ingratitude is not so common among mankind as superficial observers are apt to imagine. And I think, that any man that is at all acquainted with the secret springs of human actions, and has carefully noticed the conduct of those around him, must acknowledge, that for one man that is ungrateful from want of principle, twenty will he found who, though otherwise of grateful dispositions, feel their gratitude frozen by the cold, unfriendly manner in which favours are conferred, or suffered to perish through the delays, reluctance, and hesitation, of those who confer them. "Almost every man knows from experience, that the delay of an answer to a request, or of the performance of a promise, keeps the expectant in suspense. Sus-, pense is attended with anxiety and pain; and the transition from the feeling of pain to the feeling of resentment towards him who causes it is so imperceptible, that when, by unnecessary delays and procrastinations, the pain and anxiety is continued, we need not be surprised if a degree of- I'll not say "resentment," but at least coolness, proportioned to the degree of pain, should sometimes happen to spring up in the bosom along with it. "The heart of man is a fertile, luxuriant soil. Let any passion once take root there, it soon flourishes and gathers strength and, unhappily, the evil passions, like noxious weeds of every kind, are but too apt to flourish without the labour of cultivation. This coolness, therefore, or, if you please, resentment,-the longer it is nourished by hesitation and delay, strikes the deeper root, and branches out the farther. And when at length the expected favour is conferred, what effects does it produce? If conferred in a delicate and friendly manner, it may, perhaps, calm the |
