examination. Having received timely notice of their intentions, I prepared myself accordingly; and at about half past four was ushered into an apartment, in which at a modeft diftance from a tea equipage, were feated five respectable perfonages. Now, gentle Reader, before I proceed in the account of my reception, it is necessary that I premife, that it is not the mere mechanical qualities of an Author, which have induced me to affume the character of a MICROCOSMOPOLITAN ; but that as my predeceffor with the fhort face, derived perhaps more dignity from that diftinguishing feature which was to fet him apart from the rest of mankind, than from any obfervation in his whole work, fo nature feems to have cut me out for a periodical writer, by endowing a long nofe of mine with fo ftrange a predilection for my chin, as on moft occafions to form no very harmonious cadence in my organs of elocution. "Hinc mihi prima mali labes: Hence the first origin of all my ill:" For when in return to the extravagant politenefs of the whole room, I began to attempt something like a compliment, it had fo visible an effect on the nerves of my audience, that forgetting the etiquette of receiving a stranger, they with one accord applied their hands to the offended feat of hearing. Nay, fo violent were the emotions of one of them, that he fprung across the table with the agility of a monkey, articulating, as well as the chattering of his teeth would allow him, "I hope in Gad the animal is ta-a-ame." An univerfal titter was the immediate confequence of this ejaculation, when the prefident turning to me with a felf complacent apologizing fimper, obferved, that "I must excufe Mr. Tinfel's oddities, as I fhould find him upon the whole a lounging Creeter." Upon my bowing, a general filence enfued, till one of the company, in a voice which left me to doubt whether he was broad awake, yawned out, "Tinfel, you have wetted my flocking." The whole room, except Tinfel, (whofe late alarm had forced him to have recourfe to an adjacent lavender bottle) as if they had preconcerted a reply, reiterated Twaddle. So general an exclamation in a term which came nearer to Waddle than any thing I had any idea of, I mistook for a perfonal application to me, till I faw the harmless creatures unanimoufly applying their white handkerchiefs to the injured ftocking. As As foon as this important concern was adjusted, the prefident, addreffing himself to me, told me, He had perused the title page of my work, and was much pleased with the style; that the defign, as explained there was exquifite; that having, by an unfortunate accident loft one of their number, they had unanimously agreed to make me the offer of his feat. And that fhould I myself start any objections to the proposals, they wished to make my paper the medium for publishing this vacancy to the world; "One thing, added he, Mr. Griffin, this fociety and myself have been ineffably puzzled on, which is, whether your plan is grounded on Perfonal Satire or no?" Having made my acknowledgements to the company in general for the intended honour, I replied, that when it should be convenient to him to favour my firft paper with a perufal, his objection would answer itself: That at present I should only affure him, that on my fide, nothing more than general allufions were intended, and on that of my fellowcitizens, "Qui capit ille facit: Let the gall'd jade wince." I had scarce pronounced these words when I became fenfible of my careleffness by the fignificant looks D 2 looks of the company. The converfation immediately turned on stockings; when, as I was out of my element, I fat for fome time totally filent; and upon a proper opportunity took my leave, and retired to reflect on the scene I had quitted. On coming home I found Narciffus's letters, and divesting myself of all the petulance of a disappointed candidate, fat down immediately to advertize him of this opportunity. Convinced, notwithstanding the plaufible arguments of thofe, who under the immediate impulfe of any favourite paffion, cannot brook the idea of total listlessness, that an Apathift is as much a real, as a GRIFFIN is an imaginary being. C. NOTES to CORESPONDENTS. It is not confiftent with my plan to infert the letter of TELEMACHUS ; as to its publication in the London Papers he is at li berty to use his pleasure.---My Female Correfpondent, who figns herself DOROTHY TEAR-SHEET, as I am willing to believe her all that is fair and modeft, was not, I should fuppofe, aware of the tendency of her signature. MICROCOSM. MONDAY, November 27, 1786. I demens et fævas curre per Alpes, Ut Pueris placeas & declamatio fias.-JUVENAL. To please the boys, and be a theme at School. DRYDEN. A S the fubject of the following difcourfe is the examination of a paffion more peculiarly prevalent in the minds of youth; and as I conceive it would be but an indifferent compliment to the talents of the younger part of my readers, to confider it neceffary to apologize to them for the more ferious nature ofit; I fhall, without detaining them any further by unneceffary introduction, proceed to my fubject, the Love of Fame. And this I confider not only as that exalted principle, which has in all ages produced patriots and heroes, but when in a depraved state, contributing more perhaps to the promotion of immorality, than our most violent paffions and most craving ap petites. |