His spirit flew through fields above, Drank at the source of nature's fontal number 18, Such dreams, so heavenly bright, By the great diadem that twines my hair, part of his days and nights to meditation and the mysteries of his philosophy. Jamblich. de Vit. This, as Holstenius remarks, was in imitation of the Magi. 18 The tetractys, or sacred number of the Pythagoreans, on which they solemnly swore, and which they called παγαν αενας φυσεως, “ the fountain of perennial nature." Lucian has ridiculed this religious arithmetic very finely in his Sale of Philosophers. 19 This diadem is intended to represent the analogy between the notes of music and the prismatic colours. See Newton's Opticks, Book 1. Exper. 7. We find in Plutarch a vague intimation of this kindred harmony in colours and sounds. Οψις τε και ακοή, μετα φωνης τε και φωτος την άρμονιαν επιφαίνεσι. De Musica. in a Cassiodorus, whose idea I may be supposed to have borrowed, says, letter upon music to Boetius, "Ut diadema oculis, varia luce gemmarum, sic cythara diversitate soni, blanditur auditui." This is indeed the only tolerable thought in the letter. Lib. 2. Variar. Mingling their beams In a soft iris of harmonious light, Oh mortal! such ecstatic dreams Thy soul shall know!— Go-to Hispania go! THOUGH late the word of friendship came2 Your friend was mine, before he read it. 1 This gentleman is attached to the British consulate at Norfolk. His talents are worthy of a much higher sphere, but the excellent dispositions of the family with whom he resides, and the cordial repose he enjoys amongst some of the kindest hearts in the world, should be almost enough to atone to him for the worst caprices of fortune. The consul himself, Colonel Hamilton, is one among Yet, though the social bond was wove, 'Twill consecrate what's-done already! Oh what a tempest whirl'd us hither3! the very few instances of a man, ardently loyal to his king, and yet beloved by the Americans. His house is the very temple of hospitality, and I sincerely pity the heart of that stranger who, warm from the welcome of such a board, and with the taste of such Madeira still upon his lips, could sit down to write a libel on his host, in the true spirit of a modern philosophist. See the Travels of the Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt, Vol. 2. 2 A letter of recommendation, which I had omitted to take from Norfolk, and which Mr. Morgan was kind enough to send after me to Bermuda. Its object had been, however, anticipated by my introduction to the person to whom it was addressed. 3 We were seven days on our passage from Norfolk to Bermuda, during three of which we were forced to lay-to in a gale of wind. The Driver sloop of war, in which I went, was built at Bermuda of cedar, and is accounted an excellent sea-boat. She was then commanded by my very regretted friend Captain When close they reef'd the timid sail, And ev❜n our haughty main-mast bow'd! One night, I own, the storms it blew Compton, who in July last was killed aboard the Lilly in an action with a French privateer. Poor Compton! he fell a victim to the strange impolicy of allowing such a miserable thing as the Lilly to remain in the service; so small, crank, and unmanageable, that a well manned merchantman was at any time a match for her. |