look at every body with a certain inexplicable hauteur, bordering upon contempt; for although it is moft likely you will know little or nothing of them, the great object is, that they fhould have a perfect knowledge of you. Having repeatedly and vociferously called the waiter when he is most engaged, and at each time afking him various questions equally frivolous and infignificant, feem to fkim the furface of The Morning Poft" (if difengaged), humming the march in Blue Beard, to fhow the versatility of your genius; when finding you have made yourfelf fufficiently confpicuous, and an object of general attraction (or rather attention), fuddenly leave the room, but not without fuch an emphatical mode of fhutting the door, as may afford to the various companies and individuals a most friking proof of your departure. Confcious I have prefumed too much upon your paper and patience, I can only (by way of compensation) fay, fhould thefe remarks prove worthy communication to the "rifing generation," you may, perhaps, hear again from GAMBADO. THE INFLUENCE OF THE ATMOSPHERE ON LITERARY GENIUS. [Original.] SIR, So many eminent men have acknowledged themfelves to be mentally affected by the thickness or tenuity of the atmosphere, that one can hardly refufe to admit that there is more in it than mere whim. The preference which Milton gave to particular months is well known. Winter was his favourite feafon for compofition; and though Dr. Johnson, in his 80th paper of the Rambler, fays, that " to men of study and imagination winter is generally the chief G 4 chief time of labour," and that "gloom and filence produce compofure of mind and concentration of ideas," yet, in his life of this great poet, he condemns the fuppofition that the ftate of the elements can operate upon the mind fo as to clog the pinions of fancy, or relax the vigour of judgment. "This dependance of the foul upon the seasons," fays he*, thofe temporary and periodical ebbs and flows of intellect, may, I fuppofe, juftly be derided as the fumes of vain imagination. The author that thinks himself weather-bound will find, with a little help from hellebore, that he is only idle or exhausted. But while this notion has poffeffion of the head, it produces the inability it fuppofes. Our powers owe much of their energy to our hopes. When fuccefs feems attainable, diligence is enforced; but when it is admitted that the faculties are fuppreffed by a crois wind or a cloudy fky, the day is given up without refiftance; for who can contend with the course of nature?" But this was not always the Doctor's opi nion; for in the 117th number of the work first mentioned he afferts, as a truth univerfally known, that the faculties of the mind are invigorated or weakened by the fate of the body," and that "the body is in a great measure regulated by the various compreffions of the ambient air." Perhaps the gigantic powers of this great author were lefs fubject to thefe impreffions than those of other men. But his affertions, so oppofite at different times, lead one to prefume he was not completely invulnerable. A flight east wind, that fhall run upon heaps the mental fcaffoldings of inferior genius, might blow through the ftrong and wellcompacted divifions of the Doctor's brain, almost without difcompofing an idea. But if Milton was Page 182, vol. i. fubject fubject to the "fkiey influences," who may hope to escape? Who, fetting winds and weather at defiance, thall mount in the very teeth of Eurus; and difdaining all unpropitious modifications of the elements, wander through the regions of philofophy or imagination, unfhackled by the accidents of climate and regardless of the abfence of health? If then our first-rate geniuses are comparatively rich men, have felt fuch tedious interregnums of infpiration from the unfavourable afpect of the heavens or the want of other elemental combinations, how much more deplorable must be the predicament of that immense mafs of fubordinate authors who depend on the productions of the head to fatisfy the demands of the appetite? The writer of a faturnine caft may be undone by an ill-timed admittance of the meridian fun, while he of a lighter complexion is half annihilated under the turbulent grandeur of a wintry he-mifphere. It therefore becomes more particularly incumbent on thefe fubalterns in literature to study the effect of time and place, and afcertain with exactness the wind and atmosphere neceffary to fet their intellectual machines in motion. Then perhaps the author, a mere automaton in the funshine of Kenfington, may fparkle a brilliant of the firft water, when transported to the east of Temple Bar; where the gloom of Bolt Court fhall condense his diffipated ideas, and fancy, charmed with the hollow murmurs of the north wind, call up a rich train of images to flutter round his pen. For the fpirit of a gayer temperament, on whom azure fkies and embroidered vallies act moft kindly, if his neceffities will not allow him to fleep away the hibernal months, he may fhip himself to fome ifland in the fouthern ocean, and grow immortal in a more congenial latitude. Were this dependance of authors upon the elements more generally understood, how much might the knowledge tend to mollify the hearts of landlords, laundreffes, and all that miferable tribe which infests the higheft retreats of genius! If thefe people could once be taught what degree of aërial density or tenuity was neceffary to set their debtor's intellect in favourable agitation, they would then transfer their blame of his non-performance where it ought to reft-on the air and fky; and with the fimple logic of humanity, pardon the absence of the effect when the caufe had not occurred to produce it. An attorney, once in poffeffion of this fecret, might often compofe himself in his own parlour, certain of worrying the pennyless author to no purpose; whose landlady, with a little attention to her barometer, might learn to time her demand of payment with fuccefs. How lamentable it is, Mr. Editor, that this fpecies of philofophy is not univerfally inculcated! Who fhall enumerate the irremediable chafms which have been made in an important chain of reasoning, by the abrupt appearance of thefe vulgar intruders on the folitudes of great men? What poetical beauties may they not have deftroyed in the very germ? Who fhall number the elegant combinations they have ruined, or what happy fimiles they have ftifled in the birth? A member of Parliament, fuppofed to be labouring for the nation's welfare, is exempt from certain duties, and enjoys many privileges above the reft of his countrymen. Should not the venturous investigator of moral truth, or the ingenious creator of imaginary worlds, have his privileges alfo? The member expatiates on the advantages of a projected canal; the writer labours to imprefs the dignity of virtue. Is this task lefs arduous or lefs noble, that the author fhould be more expofed than the member of Parliament ? more especially is the the former worthy of your protection, if you will be fo kind to allow that his misfortunes frequently originate from causes which he cannot govern. Good Mr. Editor, try to procure us (for by this time you perceive I am an author) a few fimilar immunities, and you fhall be immortalized; we may then court the Mufe, without dreading an interruption to our tête-àtête from that most hideous of all God's creatures, a bailiff; and even when the blafting eaft howls through our garret, and drives away the Mufe, we shall feel no inclination to fufpend our privileged fublimities to the ceilings. Make the attempt, my dear Sir; in the courfe of the year all forts of weather will operate on all degrees of authors, and every one shall share his talents to record your praife: amongst the firft depend upon receiving (if the atmosphere be propitious) the grateful effufions of Your most humble fervant, PETER PARAGRAPH. IMPROMPTU, ON THE MARRIAGE OF MR. HUSBAND TO MISS BREEDING, OF DURHAM. HEN fingle you were Breeding; yet WHI 'T was known you were a maid; An Hufband you, when Breeding, met, Indeed, fair dame, this match has prov'd Your Husband, fingle, Breeding lov'd, Quiz. |