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And the King seized a flambeau with zeal to destroy:
Thäis led the way

To light him to his prey,

And, like another Helen, fir'd another Troy.

But it was not only as a poet that Dryden excelled; his prefaces and dedications may be generally quoted as models of elegance and beauty in prose. The following passage, as well as a multitude of others from the same source, has perhaps never been surpassed in vigour and harmony of expression.

(') There are no factions,» says the poet, addressing his patron, though irreconcilable to one another, that are not united in their affection to your Lordship. Titus was not more the delight of human kind. Universal empire made him only more known, but could not make him more beloved. I have one privilege which is almost particular to myself, that I saw you in the East, at your first rising above the hemisphere. I was soon sensible of that light when it was just shooting out, and beginning to travel towards the meridian. I made my early addresses to your Lordship, and there bespoke you to the world, wherein I have the right of a first discoverer. When I was myself in the rudiments of my poetry, without name or reputation in the world, having rather the ambition of the writer than the skill; when I was drawing the outlines of an art without any living master to instruct me in it-an art which had been better praised them studied here in England; wherein Shakspeare had written rather happily than knowingly and justly; when thus I was sailing in a vast ocean before the use of the loadstone or a knowledge of the compass, I had the presumption to dedicate to your Lordship. Yet was I stronger in prophecy than in criticism: I was inspired to foretel you to mankind as the restorer of poetry, the greatest genius, the truest judge, and the best patron.»

The eighteenth, as well as the present century, abounds in poets and prose writers of the highest eminence, whom it would be useless to quote, as their works are in every body's hands we should not however pass over the names of Swift and Addison, who may be considered as models of English purity and simplicity.

(') Dedication of Juvenal to the Duke of Dorset.

We cannot conclude this short notice, without saying a few words on the sententious pomp of Dr. Johnson's prose style. Himself gigantic, both morally and physically, he is well represented by his style-admirable in his own hands :-but we cannot help thinking that it has, in some respects, had an evil influence on our language, as it is unfortunately but too easily imitated by men of little genius, who dazzle the unlearned, by making a parade of words, in order to conceal the poverty of their ideas.

We should do better, perhaps, to apply ourselves to the style of Addison as a model, in favour of which we shall conclude by quoting what Dr. Johnson himself says in its favour: "Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison. »

THE COST OF A REPUTATION.

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A PARABLE.

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No, no, the post-chaise is at the door;-it is too late, cried I to my mother and sisters,-I will not say how many years ago, when about to set out for Sedan, bearing urgent letters of recommendation to the Duc de C., who was enjoying his ministerial holidays at a country-seat in that neighbourhood. "You cannot surely have expected, my dear mother, that, at twenty years of age, I should sit down tamely contented with- »

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Twenty thousand livres per annum,`- a cheerful happy home, with the best hunting, shooting, fishing, and prettiest sisters in the provinces,» interrupted the youngest of the girls. Bernard! Bernard!—think twice before you sacrifice the happiness of such a destiny to idle dreams of vain ambition.

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« Think of your poor cousin Henrietta, who loves you so dearly, remonstrated another of my sisters.

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Think of the example shown you by the best of fathers, " added my mother in a graver voice.

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My dear mother, my dear girls, cried I respectfully kissing the hand of the former, as I prepared to take my leave, You should have spoken thus earnestly two months ago, before I addressed my first letter of solicitation to the Duc de C. Great men and great ministers are not to be trifled with. My visit has been announced, and I must go. Some day or other you will rejoice that I had courage to tear

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myself from among you, and create for the honour of the family a reputation destined to ennoble the obscure patronymic of my fathers. In youth we owe ourselves to the world, in order that, in later years, the world may repay the loan with its esteem. The public distinctions, essential to my happiness, once achieved, I will return straight to the chateau, marry my cousin Henrietta, and remain happy and contented among you for the remainder of my days.

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But why not be happy and contented now?» still pleaded the three girls.

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In inglorious obscurity? never! You will be twice as proud of me, my dear little girls, when, four years hence, I return with epaulettes on my shoulders,-a gay colonel from Versailles! »

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But if you should be killed in battle in the interim, my good brother?» pleaded my little favourite Ann.

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I muttered something about « glory, »—« renown, »—« fame, the usual claptraps of the occasion,-kissed them hastily all round; and, to avoid further importunity, jumped into the carriage. There was no arguing with their shrewd good sense and strong affection.

A day or two afterwards I was at Sedan, a garrison town, where I was not sorry to obtain some insight into the pleasures and habits of a military life, previous to taking the first step in my career. Already I foresaw a tremendous crown of laurels impending over my head. The exigencies of war were just then direfully active. In half a dozen years I might be a general officer,-in a dozen more, perhaps, a field-marshal! So, at least, I assured myself, every time my servant touched his hat, addressing me by the ignominious title of Monsieur le Chevalier." Even Henrietta almost ceased to occupy a place in my memory, so warmly were my hopes engrossed by my brilliant prospects.

The fortifications of Sedan, the roll of its drums, the martial air of its very citizens, who cock their hats in the street, as much as to say to strangers visiting the town, «We are the countrymen of Turenne!-did not tend to refrigerate my military ardour. I hated to find myself nothing in the eyes

To be famous

of the garrison. Some day or other," said I to myself, « these people shall become familiar with my name.» was the height of my ambition.

I supped that night with the mess of a regiment of cuirassiers quartered at Sedan, with one of the young officers of which I had a family connexion. Among young fellows of our age it soon transpired that I was on my road to the chateau of the Duc de C.; that I was forthwith to accompany him to Versailles, where he was to present me to the king; and take care of my promotion; and so unanimous were my companions in congratulating me upon my great good fortune, and predicting that, in a few years, I should be at the head of a regiment, that I felt prouder than ever of having found courage to extricate myself from the peaceful ignominy of a country life, and the arms of my pretty cousin Henrietta,

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I ventured to enquire the road to the residence of the Duc de C., for which I was to set out early in the morning. « Any one will show you the way, cried one of the officers, It is the famous chateau where Field-marshal Fabert breathed his last; and one of the finest places in the neighbourhood."

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Fine as it is, however, added another, I know plenty of provincials hereabouts who would not set foot in it to command the interest at Court of the Duc de C.!»

«Or even the good fortune of Marshal Fabert! » added another. Then finding me insufficiently versed in the feats and triumphs of the said marshal, they proceeded to relate the eventful history of one, who, from a printer's boy, had risen to the highest military rank in Europe;-eventually refusing, from the hands of Louis XIV., letters-patent of nobility, and the insignia of the order of the Holy Ghost.

« In Fabert's life-time, observed one of the officers, «his rapid rise, and unexampled successes, gave grounds to a popular belief, that he was indebted to magic for his unvarying good fortune. "

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Nay, to this day," added another, the peasants expressly point out the tower in which the general held his colloquies with the Evil One. »

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