man of war, does not amount to more than 81. per annum, until he obtains a rating as "Midshipman,” when his pay in a first rate is about 367. per annum, which is the most a midshipman can receive-every other rate decreasing the amount. dium; and I think a very fair, and only a moderate, fit-out for a boy to appear as a gentleman (which all midshipmen are supposed to be, and ought actually to be), could not cost less than 1007. 501. more will supply him plentifully. Some may stare; but I will make a moderate calculation of what, in my opinion, is the inside, rather than otherwise, of the contents of their ward-due to them; which evil, by the by, Dirk and belt On foreign stations they have no pos sibility of obtaining one shilling that is surely might be remedied by the proper authorities; it has been already stated in Parliament, by one of the very few advocates of the navy amongst that body. As to Prize Money," they can receive but very little indeed before they are rated, when they receive five shares, which in a good prize is something considerable; but as it is quite a lottery, it is scarcely worth men tioning. I feel confident, sir. you will excuse my offering a laboured apology for this address; and am, sir, Your obedient humble servant, A NAVAL PARENT, To the Editor of the European Magazine. SIR, As you have thought the few lines in which I ventured to convey to your Prayer Book, Bible, and Hamilton Moore readers my ideas on the subject of early Washing materials and chest g hats. Total, 1257. And even now, I have valued every article, I believe, under its real value, besides omitting many things I cannot immediately recollect. For a boy who understands the Lunars, a sextant is necessary, being 187. more, and many other things, which those who are able to afford them would let their children have; such as a glass, sword, books, &c. which, though not absolutely ne cessary, would add to the comfort of the poor little fellow, when he is about to be sent away for the first time far from the fostering arms of his father and mother, to fight his own way in the world, without the prospect of a return to them for a long time, The smallest allowance which a boy ought to have, is, in my opinion, 401. per annum: 602, is not too much; more than that sum would, perhaps, rather do bim harm than good. For the information of those most ignorant of naval matters, it is proper remark, that the pay a young gentlea receives op first coming on board a Europ. Mag. Vol. LXX. Aug. 1816. Indications of Attachment to particular Pursuits, worthy an insertion in what, notwithstanding the remarks of your witty Correspondent, Abraham Dry, I must still style your truly entertaining Miscellany, you will excuse my continuing the subject, by adding one or two additional remarks, and a few examples of some of the most celebrated men of talents, calculated to prove the correctness of my opinions. Our immortal moralist, Dr. Johnson, has, in one of his essays, declared, that “he considers those happy who have been fixed, from the first dawn of thought, in a determination to some state of life, by the choice of one whose authority may preclude caprice, and whose influence may prejudice them in favour of his opinion. The general precept," he adds, "of consulting the genius is of little use use, unless we are told how the genius can be known.” But this certainly can only apply to one particular class of minds. Will the soaring imagination of a youthful genius submit to the dull drudgery and nice correctness of business with the same passive submission as the indus R trious plodder, whose greatest happiness consists in employment, be it occupied on subjects ever so minute? Perhaps our great essayist was only speaking consistently with that general sternness which displayed itself in his character and conversations; and he might have been inclined to have endeavoured to compel submission, how ever involuntary might have been the obedience. Surely there are quite enough whose desires are bounded within a very narrow limit, to fill those stations in life calculated for such dispositions, without nipping the opening bud which promises a rich maturity of dence, the careful calculation of consequences, which will suit him for commercial and mercantile engagements.— But it were useless to dwell longer on what must surely be obvious to every attentive parent and careful observer of the dispositions and habits of youth. talent. The pages of biography, and even the confined circle of our own observations, will afford numerous instances of the unhappiness that has been produced by depriving the youth who has been attached to intellectual pleasures of the opportunity of enjoying them. Let any one family only be made the subject of a little attention-In one of its younger branches we may probably perceive the dauntless daring, the untamed energy, the active restlessness, that mark the future soldier or sailor-In another a serious contemnplative turn of mind is visible, satisfied only with subjects of a higher importance than those which relate to our present existence-shocked at what he considers the giddy thoughtlessness of his fellows, and retiring from the gay circle to peruse such works as are calcuJated to feed the devotional flame-and may we not venture to pronounce that he will be the best calculated, in riper years, *To stand the messenger of Truth-to stand The legate of the skies." But hitherto I have only advanced general propositions, which require to be illustrated by example-And here it is not my intention to swell the catalogue, by referring to every instance upon record of early proofs of superior talents. There are but few of our great poets who did not at a very youthful period display a taste for poetical composition, and prove its influence by their successful attempts They lisp'd in numbers--for the numbers came." I would rather confine myself to some few instances where children at a very early age have not only proved that they possessed a more than ordinary degree of mental strength, but have evinced a predilection for those particular studies in which they have eventually so greatly excelled. The great Linnæus, the founder of the system of modern botany, first imbibed his attachment to that science by attending to the culture of bis father's garden, which was in a very retired situation, and was stocked with many of the rarest plants of the climate. Thus from his very cradle was he marked for a naturalist; and when sent to college, in order to prepare himself for the church, instead of making any profi ciency in his theological studies, he would wauder in the fields, and indulge his favourite passion; and Dr. Thoraton, whom we may consider as our British Linnæus, has ascribed his fondness to the science of plants to the attention he paid when quite a child to the cultivation of a few flowers in a little plot in his mother's garden. The immortal Sir Isaac Newton, as related by Dr. Stukely, when a child of ten years old, instead of associating with his school-fellows in the playground, was amusing himself with designing strange inventions, and in mechanical employments, busying himself, to use the doctor's words, in making nick-knacks and models of wood of various kinds-and we may form some idea of his infantine bias towards calculation and philosophical investigation by the following incident, related by one of his biographers, who says, that when very young he had a rude method of measuring the force of wind -blowing against him, by observing how much farther he could leap in the direction of the wind, or with it blowing on his back, than in opposition to it when blowing in his face. I might allude to several who have excelled in the art of painting, particularly Raphael and Titian, both of whom from childhood manifested an attachment to the pencil; and, indeed, instances might be adduced from those who have been particularly celebrated for their researches or proficiency in every science, would your limits admit; and in addition to these, I could call in to my aid the opinions of several distinguished philosophical writers, both ancient and modern; from one of the former of which I can scarcely refrain from quoting a passage. Seneca, in his lofty way of expressing himself, says, "As the immortal gods never learnt any virtue, though are endued with all that is good-so there are some men who have so natural a propensity to what they should follow, that they learn it almost as soon as they hear it." Should these few hasty remarks induce any of your readers, who possess any influence over those who have the determining the fates of the rising generation, so far as concerns their temporal pursuits. to take such pains to inquire into their dispositions and habits, their mental powers, and capability of exertion, I shall be amply repaid; and though I might not, with a modern writer, recommend publie examiners of all the young men in the state, to decide on that employment for which they were particularly suited, yet would every parent become such himself, or, if he felt his own incapability, would he commit the important office to one calculated to discharge it with judgment and discretion, I feel no doubt but the aggregate amount of human happiness would be considerably increased. I am, yours, &c. ALFRED. To the Editor of the European Magazine. I WAS much gratified to meet in your last Number (for July, p. 37) the fae speech of Mr. Cuffe immediately before his execution in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, especially as, having read it several years ago by chance in a very old Magazine (of which I forget the title), I admired it so much as to copy it out immediately: I read it afterwards on the same evening in a party where a very sensible and accomplished lady was so delighted with the laconic strength and manly oratory by which it is characterized, that she besought me to leave it in her possession, promising to return it shortly Unfor tunately, the day of restoration never arrived, and I have sought the speech in vain among several histories of the reign above mentioned. If any of your studious Correspondents will inform me in what chronicle of those times it originally appeared, it will be esteemed a favour by, Sir, REMARK OF LORD BACON. DACON remarks, " As knowledges BA are now, there is a kind of contract of error between the deliverer and receiver, for he that delivereth knowledge desireth to deliver it in such a form as may be best believed, and not as may be best examined; and he that receiveth knowledge, desireth rather present satisfaction than expectant inquiry, and so rather not to doubt than not to err: glory maketh the author not to lay open his weakness, and sloth maketh the disciple not to know his strength." HENRY VIII. As all the successors of this prime prince (says Lord Orford) owe their unchangeable title of Defender of the Faith to his piety and learning, we do not presume to question his pretensions to a place in the Catalogue of Royal Authors; otherwise a little scepticism on his majesty's talents for such a performance, mean as it is, might make us question whether he did not write the Defence of the Sacraments against Luther, as one of his successors is sup posed to have written the Eiken Basi like; that is, with the pen of some court prelate. It happened unfortunately, that the champion of the church neither convinced his antagonist nor himself: Luther died an heretic-his majesty would have been one if he had not erected himself into the head of that very church which he had received so glorious a compliment for opposing. But by a singular felicity in the wording of the title, it suited Henry equally well when he burned papists or protestants; it suited each of his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth; it fitted the martyr Charles and the profligate Charles; the Romish James and the Calvinist William, and, at last, seemed peculiarly adapted to the weak head of high church Anne. In the year 1740, Dr. Salmon showed to the Society of Antiquaries, an edition of a book published by King Henry, called The Institution of a Christian; in which, being corrected by the king himself, it was remarkable, that in the Lord's Prayer his majesty had blotted out the words lead us not into temptation, and inserted, Suffer us not to be led into temptation: a propriety of veneration not to have been expected from such a man as Henry. 'REMARKABLE MURDER AT STOCKHOLM, IN SWEDEN. A young man in good circumstances, whose conduct had becu always regular, laid hold of a child in the day-time, who was playing before his father's shop, and, without any provocation, cut its throat. He was immediately seized, and carried before the judges. Being asked what could induce him to commit so barbarous an action? he replied, "Gentlemen, I confess my crime, and acknowledge I deserve death. So far am I from seeking to justify myself, or suing for pardon, that, on the contrary, I think you would act unjustly if you should forgive me. I have considered life, and I have studied death: one appears to me the source of sin and misery; the other the state of innocence and peace. I therefore judge death preferable to life, and have sought out the means to leave this world. After many reflections, I found I could not obtain the end I desired without a crime: whereupon I chose that which I have committed, as the least wicked; and the most excusable. I have killed a child in the age of innocence, and thereby secured his salvation.“ I have relieved his father, who was burthened with a large family, which be found it difficult to maintain. I know, however, that I am guilty; but I hope the punishment 1 expect from you, aud the manner in which I shall bear it, will obtain from God pardon of my offence. TRANQUILITY. Tranquility is the wish of all: the good, while pursuing the track of virtue; the great, while following the star of glory; and the little, while creeping in the styes of dissipation, sigh for tranquility, and make it the great object which they ultimately hope to attaiu. How anxiously doth the sailor, on the high and giddy mast, when rolling through tempestuous seas, cast his eyes over the foaming billows, and anticipate the calm security he hopes to enjoy when he reaches the wished-for shore! Even kings grow weary of their splendid slavery, and nobly sicken under increasing dignities. All, in short, feel less delight in the actual enjoyment of worldly pursuits, however great and honourable they may be, than in the idea of their being able to relinquish them, and retire to "some calm sequester'd spot, The world forgetting, by the world forgot." SENSUAL ENJOYMENTS. The unceasing pursuit of sensual enjoyment is merely a mean used by the votaries of worldly pleasure of flying from themselves: they seize with avidity upon any object that promises to occupy the present hour agreeably, and provide entertainment for the day that is passing over their heads. To such characters, the man who can invent, hour after hour, new schemes of pleas sure, and open, day after day, fresh sources of amusement, it is a valuable companion indeed; he is their best, their only friend. Having been con tinually led from object to object in the pursuit of pleasure, the assistance of others has habitually become the first want, and greatest necessity of their lives. THE FERTILITY OF GENIUS. When Apelles drew the portrait of Antigonus, who had lost an eye, he judiciously took his face in profile, that he might hide the blemish. Not less was the caution of Vandyke. The Countess Dowager of Exeter had no eye-brows. To conform to a vicious taste, that would have been miserable to have seen the status rei, he put a gauze over the forehead of her picture, and the hem of it concealed what is called the defect of nature. THE LITERARY GARDEN. Sic nullum vobis tempus abibit iners. OVID. APPINESS results from the occu ably. When persons are actively engaged in their several callings and professions, time is usefully employed, conducing to respectability, honour, or proit, never-failing sources of self-satisfaction. They who have no regular business or profession resort to the expedient of beguiling their hours by some pursuit of amusement that shall supply the place of business. Their endeavour is to fill up time agreeably. Thus the Country-gentleman devotes himself to the sports of the field, making dogs and horses his principal occupation, while the town man of fortune fills up his evening hours in frequenting the theaIres, card parties, routs, and masquerades. These modes, however, of employing time are by no means the most eligible; they are not productive of that genuine self-satisfaction which results from pursuits of a more tranquil escription; such as reading, music, painting, gardening. To these may be added the nurture and education of certain domestic animals. It is certainly very amusing to contemplate the forms and looks and ges tures, and to study the habits and manners of these creatures; to perceive them gradually become attached to us; to see theni attentive to our call, sensible of our caresses, and grateful for the food that is given them. To these recommendations is added, a natural melody in some, or a mimic power of voice or action in others. With such engaging qualities, it is not surprising that a fondness for these objects, so conspicuous in early life, should in many instances be retained through maturer years. Passing over the endless examples of solace and amusement derived from the canine race, we shall restrict our observations to other cases. Oue of the most renowned warriors and statesmen of the last century, the great Frederic-William of Prussia, thought it no degradation to royalty, when he amused himself, in his hours of retirement, by watching the tricks and grimaces of a monkey. The amiable moral poet Cowper found an agreeable occupation in nurturing bares, whose natural timidity gradu ly disappeared under his tender treatment. He even tutored them to bear the company of a of great relief to him during a state of spaniel. These animals were a source mental depression; and the epitaph Tmey, is a pleasing proof of the poet's sensibility. It is, however, much inferior in plaintive sweetness (perhaps the subject would not admit of it) to the beautiful elegies of Catullus on the Sparrow, and Ovid on the Parrot. So far from checking, I would always encourage, in young people, a fondness for keeping tamne animals, and particu larly birds. Many an hour that would otherwise be idly or heavily spent, might thus be innocently or agreeably employed. These pursuits never fail to promote the gentler affections; there are cares as well as pleasures attached to them, and these early cares have a beneficial influence on youthful minds, and particularly on the minds of females, by preparing them for subsequent higher and more important engagements. A marked tenderness and anxiety in the treatment of animals kept for amusement in early life, may be regarded as pretty sure presages of future parental affection. It has been objected, that there is some degree of cruelty in keeping brute creatures in confinement. If full-grown animals are suddenly brought from their wild state into a state of captivity, it is obvious they cannot be comfortable. In this there is doubtless some degree of cruelty; it is a violence offered to nature, and should always be discouraged. But the case is very different, when, from their birth, they are brought' up domestically. Then, if they are properly fed and looked after, they are probably in every respect as happy as they would have been in an uncon fined state; if not, how could it be possible for them to delight the eye |