possessors: but, in reality, the difference exists in the means of support and defence with which Nature has respectively furnished them for no one can possibly imagine, that a less affection is experienced by the nightingale, who mourns in plaintive note the loss of her unfledged offspring, than by the lioness, who fights with savage ferocity in behalf of her helpless whelps. This natural affection, moreover, exists, whether called iato active exertion, or compelled to lie dormant for want of an object to employ it on. From this instinctive impulse of nature may be traced that false affection so generally manifested for dumb animals, by those persons who have no family of children upon whom they may lavish it, or no relative from whom at a future period they may expect a grateful return. Thence that care and solicitude to their wants, which from the aversion of some animals to receive, would, it might have been supposed, have convinced them they were acting in violation to all principles of nature, and that the Great Parent of all never designed that their affections should be so unprofitably bestowed. Many and great names, both in ancient and modern times, I am well aware can be quoted in defence of the practice. The fond indulgence displayed by the learned Johnson in the treatment of his favourite cat, Hodge, is well known; for whom, if Boswell's account be true, he was in the habit himself of buying oysters, apprehensive that the servants having that trouble should take a dislike to the poor inoffensive animal. The pampered horse of Caligula, who was stabled in the most costly apartments of marble, and decked with the most valuable trappings and jewels the Roman empire could produce, is another instance of the same character. But these examples furnish no argument in support of the habit:-Folly becomes not wisdom by the numerical strength, or proud attainments, of it's votaries; and the custom, doubtless, were "more honoured in the breach, than in the observance." But my purport in this pa per is, more particularly, to shew the existence of this idle passion among that portion of my fair countrywomen, Seleped old maids. Among the ancients, but more especially the Grecians,matrimony was considered so highly honour Eur. Mag. Vol. 81, Jan, 1822.

able to the state and the individual, that laws were instituted for it's greater encouragement. The severity, indeed, of the Spartan enactments towards bachelors of a certain age was remarkable-He who had exceeded the limited time granted by their lawgiver, was compelled once every winter to run stark naked round the Forum, singing a ridiculous song, whose tendency heightened the shame, and apparently encreased the crime: they were likewise excluded, and forbidden to be present at those exercises, where young virgins contended naked. Another penalty was, that at a certain feast the women were allowed to buffet and bruise them with their fists, and otherwise maltreat them at their discretion. Thank heaven! this age of barbarism has long since passed away, and with it the exercise of such inhuman practices. Our ears are now safe from the heavy blows of disappointed dames, or the more tormenting pinches of amorous damsels. We can now look with perverse insensibility alike on the youthful glow of seventeen, or the sallow complexion of forty-five. Love need no longer be dwelling on our lips, or forcing it's way by compulsion to the heart. Deliberation may guide our choice, and free will sanction the election. But then, as every good has it's relative evil, so we find this advantage counterbalanced by the too numerous females of "single blessedness," who, from the want of a family to partake their love, and occupy their attention, are encircled by crowds of dumb pet favourites, in whom their sole affection seems centered. This I know by dear-hought experience, having one surviving maiden aunt, who, though verging fast on the respectable age of fifty-five, has never yet participated in the joys of matrimony, and to whom every year I dedicate six weeks of my life; not from any intention of legacy-hunting, but from a pure desire of contributing to her happiness, and breaking the dull monotony of her life. Her house, though not large, is adapted for comfort, which has long since been disregarded, by the introduction into her family of three favourite spaniels as her constant companions. At every corner, therefore, some obstruction presents itself, which is designed for the use of these dumb creatures; either mats

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for their repose in the day-time, or tufted rugs, the work of her notability, for their nightly beds; baskets for the more inclement season; pans of water lightly tinged with the yellow roll of sulphur for their drink, or neat wedgwood ware for their meat, which is cut hot each day from the family joint in short, every thing that fancy can devise, or affection execute. These, indeed, have often caused "curses, not loud but deep," to escape my lips, when, hastening down stairs to our early meals, to preserve my reputation of punctuality, my foot has met in opposition with them, and laid me even with the objects of my misfortune. Time and custom has familiarized her to them, and she, therefore, moves along with perfect indifference. But this is not the only inconvenience I am subjected to, from this absurd predilection. Many a long winter's night, when my visit has taken place at that season of the year, I have sat shivering with cold at an awful distance from the fire; for my legs being unhappily rather long, I should have otherwise disturbed the slumbers of these basking favourites. At tea, again, I am roused from an easy arm-chair, to reach a swimming saucer of milk to "dear Flora," or

gentle Prince," remembering the due etiquette that Flora is served first, from the preference usually given to the female sex:-and even here my catalogue of misery is not complete; for during the day I am harassed by these creatures' motions, and capricious whims. Whether reading aloud the pompous description, in her favourite paper the Morning Post, of the Marchioness of — -'s Conversazione, or turning over the entertaining pages of the last Scotch novel, down must go the admired column, or the beautiful picture of High

land manners is destroyed, by the necessary attendance upon their wishes. Should the weather prove unfavourable for her to venture out, she occasionally reminds me, during the intermission of the showers, that I must not omit my daily exercise; which ambiguously means, that her dear pets must take their accustomed walk. All these, and many more, miseries I endure during my visit; which are the more vexatious, as my worthy relative, in other respects, displays great talent, and sound knowledge. Such affection, besides being absurd and obnoxious, is repugnant to every principle of Nature. These animals are gifted with the powers of instinct, which require no human hand to direct; she has clothed them with a covering adapted to the alternation of the seasons, which needs not the additional aid of art. No person enjoys them more in their proper situation than myself; no sportsman feels a greater delight in the opening cry of a pack of hounds, or treads with more anxiety the stubble field behind a brace of staunch pointers. I am, besides, a zealous advocate for their kind treatment, as I consider inhumanity to dumb animals the certain indication of a bad disposition. But then confine them within their proper place; let not the drawingroom be converted into a dog-kennel, and your friends into whippers-in. Nothing is so revolting to good sense, or propriety. Human affections ought not to be so trifled with: they should be cherished for higher and legitimate objects. Every day's encreased intercourse with the world will convince us, that the numerous calls to which they are subject, should leave them unrestrained for a full, free, and active exertion.

CELEBS.