As the velocity and force of a falling body is increafed, according to the height of the elevation from which it fell, fo we find by experience that the progress of error is always in proportion to the eminence of the character who afsists in its diffemination. As error, when it becomes prevalent by this means, is more mifchievous, fo it ought to be more carefully oppofed; and the world thould not be fo partial and overawed by great talents, as not to give a patient hearing to those who are of an oppofite opinion. But fuch is the influence of a favourite author, that it needs a degree of courage, which few poffefs, boldly to difplay his errors, even when they are almost palpable. The actions of a tyrant may be directly contrary to reafon and juftice; but who will dare to inform him they are of that defcription? The Republic of Literature, like fome other republics, has nothing of a free government but the name; and an Ariftotle, a Pope, or a Johnson, are as great tyrants, in their way, as any that exist in civil government; with this difference, that it is not themselves, but their admirers, who are the means of inflicting punishment on the rash, rebellious fpirit, who dares, in the least, oppose their authority. Human nature, we find, is fallible, in its higheft ftate of perfection; why, then, thould there be any excufe required for venturing to expofe its errors? I thought it neceffary to premise these few obfervations, before I should enter on the difcuffion of a fubject in which it is my fate to differ with a writer of very fuperior abilities, and justly founded celebrity. The fubject I allude to is, the use of proverbs, which, by the authority of Lord Chesterfield, and fome other authors, are now entirely banished from polite converfation; a fate which I do not think they deferve. The chief end of introducing quotations from authors in converfation is, either to fupport our own opinions by the opinions of fome fuperior and univerfally admired genius, or to borrow a peculiarly felicitous expreffion, which, perhaps, places the fentiment we with to convey in a more elegant and perfpicuous point of view than any we could ourfelves contrive at the moment. Thefe, furely, are fufficient reafons for the admiffion of quotations; and the fame reafons apply, with more force, to the admiffion of proverbs. In my opinion, nothing can be more inconfiftent, than to perinit an appeal to the opinions of an individual author, and reje& an appeal to the wildom of a whole country. It is a curious fact, that many of the proverbial fentiments of the prefent times are to be found among thofe that are handed down to us by Heliod and Homer, the two most ancient writers extant. Thus, when we exclude the authority of proverbs, we not only exclude the authority of one nation, but the combined authority of all nations and all ages. Ariftotle, whofe opinions thould certainly have great weight, even now that his power is on the decline, has placed proverbs among what he confiders as undeniable teftimonies of truth. The arguments that are adduced, if they may be called by that name, for the exclufion of proverbs, may, with equal juftice, be applied to the exclufion of quotations. They are both equally fententious, for it is unavoidably occafioned by their neceffary brevity. Proverbs are faid to be dogmatick; but I cannot conceive that a maxim from Rochefaucault, or a couplet from Pope, is less fo. It cannot be faid, becaufe many of them are expreffed in coarfe language, that, for that reafon, they should be totally excluded. Are not there paffages in Ovid, Lucretius, and Horace, more grofs and indecent than are to be found in the proverbs of any country? And fhould we, for that reafon, be debarred from quoting thefe elegant and inftructive writers? The doctrine is abfurd, and need not be combatted with ferious arguments. I fhall not waite words in endeavouring to prove the peculiar force, and fometimes elegance, of expreffion in proverbs. Were it neceflary, I could give examples that are not excelled by any author, ancient or modern; but any one who has given the fmalleft attention to the fubject can easily fupply the deficiency from their own memory. That the exclufion of proverbs from converfation is a picce of modern refinement, or affectation, is evident, from the refpectable manner in which they were treated by authors of antiquity. Plutarch did not think it degrading to his abilities to make them his study; and they are often to be found found in the pages of the politeft authors of the Auguftan age. Quintilian has Quintilian has recommended them as proper ornaments for a difcourfe; and the celebrated Erafmus has given us a collection of them. Nor, when enumerating the teftimonies in their favour, thould it be forgotten, that, in modern times, the elegant and graceful Lord Chetterfield has, more than once, bad recourse to them, in the fame epiftolary correfpondence in which he has fo much condemned them. What is the reason, then, that the world have agreed in their degradation' of proverbs and admit the use of quotations? The reafon is plain: the latter flatters our vanity, by giving us an opportunity to display our learning, which the former will not afford. I agree that proverbs become difgufting when they are improperly, or too often, ufed; but are not quotations likewife fo? Is not Dr. Panglofs as ridiculous a character as Sancho Panza? or the ftile of Burton as abfurd as that of Sir Roger L'Estrange? There is a medium in this as in every thing elfe; and it is my opinion, that when proverbs are used in moderation, they adorn, rather than make a dif courfe contemptible. After what I have faid on quotations, fhall I be excufed if I conclude with one from Horace, which expreffes my fentiments better than I can pretend to do myfelf? "Eft modus in rebus funt certi denique fines, Quos ultra citraque nequit confiftore FOR THE EUROPEAN MAGAZINE. BATAVIA; OR, A PICTURE OF THE UNITED PROVINCES: IN A SERIES OF LETTERS, WRITTEN DURING A TOUR THROUGH THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC IN THE YEAR 1802. (Continued from Page 181.) INTRODUCTORY LETTER II*. ON re-perufing my laft (for I am fo much of an author as to obferve a regular fyftem which I have laid down on the fubject of correfpondence, viz. to keep a copy of every line that I write), I cannot forbear fmiling at my own obfervations. There are very few, I am inclined to imagine, who would have bestowed a moment's notice on fuch objects as I have introduced as important, in my Epistle, to thofe who inhabit the places which I have defcribed. I may, perhaps, appear like the maniac, who followed the bubbles on the furface of a rivulet, till the air efcaped, and he loft fight of his object; the deeds of the great man affected him; he had rather hunt a fwallow than a fox. Smile on, ye GRAVESEND-TEXEL. apathifts; "My withers are unwrung." Doubtlefs it appears furprifing, that a being who, perhaps, deems himfelf rational fhould employ a moment on fuch common fubjects. Precifely the fame ideas ftrike the inhabitants of the moft picturesque and beautiful places in England. I allude to the curiofities near the Peak in Derbyshire, and the Lakes of Lancashire, Westmorland, and Cumberland. "On an excursion to thefe latter," fays a Gentleman on whofe veracity I can rely, "I met with an honest ruftic, who feemed greatly aftonished that I should find any thing worthy of registering in my Journal. Thefe places,' faid the ruftic, have no curiosity in them; marry, none at all in the world. Í Errata in our laft; after the title, for "Letter I." read "Introductory Letter I. ;" and page 179, col. 2, line 18, for "wretched irons by which the viɛlim, &c." read, irons by which the wretched victim, &c." would would not give a bean to fee a thoufand fuch places. If you had talked o' Lunnin, I fhould have thought there were fome reafon in your remarking particulars; but of this .poor place, I am certain there is nothing worth your trouble.' I cannot fay but I pitied the mistaken ideas of the peasant, who, while I was rapt in ecitaly at the enchanting fcenery, could perceive no beauties in them. But the old adage, Familiarité engendre mépris, will be found true throughout every avocation in life." But I beg pardon for detaining you a moment on fo trite a fubject; yet it must be recollected, that « Travellers do not work by fquare and line, As fmiths and joiners perfect a defign:" their obfervations furnish them with materials, and their own genius fhould alone be confulted in railing the ftructure. Were it otherwife, they could claim no property in the remarks which they make; they would be a heterogeneous mafs of obfervations, compiled from other authors, than which nothing can be more difgufting to the refearches of curiofity. If we copy nature, we fhall invariably prefent an original; for no two perfons ever beheld her in the fame light, or with the fame propenfities. It is a folitary truth, that much is not at all understood, under the idea that it is too well known to dwell upon. To thofe who refide near Woolwich, &c. thofe fcenes are common, and therefore país unnoticed; yet this negligence is not a criterion of claffical difcrimination. I had feen them before; nevertheless they had the fame effect as though they were entirely new. But enough of this: If I have at all erred, I am confident you will think it lies in apologizing for what every reader of fenfibility would fay ftands in need of none. Mufic is at all times delightful; and in a grove, or on the banks of a river, it has a fuperior effect: at this moment it was peculiarly enchanting. Several mufical captives were admitted to funfhine, on a balcony which overlooks the Thames, and warbled their melo dious notes: the thrush fung loudeft, and called on Echo to repeat the harmony which died in faint murmurs on the ear. This helped to dispel thofe melancholy mufings into which the mind, at fcenes of real or pictured woe, becomes enervated and unelaftic. The coafts from Woolwich to Gravesend exhibit a fine variety of picturesque fcenery and pleafing images. A long feries of charming feats are ranged on each fide of the river, affording, at the fame time, various fenfations of pleafure. On fhore, what is more beautiful than a fleet of veffels under fail, with all their canvas fpread to receive the inconftant gale? On board, no less pleamanfions of elegance and pleafure: fure is experienced on paffing thofe takes leaves of them reluctantly, rebound to a diftant port, the failor volving in his mind the uncertainty of ever again beholding them. Believe me, Sir, I did not pals them without emotion; I reflected on what must be the feelings of thofe who pass them for the last time, condemned to baniment and exile from the dear-loved foil of Britain. At Gravefend, the two Officers of Customs (who had been on board the veffel from her beginning to load), and the Pilot, were difimiffed. It was impoffible to avoid noticing the feemingly unimportant and unneceflary formality which fo frequently attends the execution of nearly every department in the Conftitution. The Captain, after paying the fees and duties at London, mult go on thore at Gravefend to clear the veffel, as they term it; when a bundle of papers, which no one thinks it neceilary to look at, are delivered to him, on payment of a fum of money, without informing him of the nature of fuch demand. It cannot be doubted that at least fifty per cent. of fees which are exacted, never find their way into the Treafury! The paffengers also muft go on fhore to the Searcher's Office, where they are asked a thoufand queftions; a finall fee alfo is demanded; without giving you the leaft idea of the purport of their enquiries. A little below Gravefend ftands an oak tree, ufually called the Round * I remarked, when the thrush fung alone, that the notes were faintly repeated by an Echo, which feemed to be across the water, though it was impoffible to afcertain the place precisely, our veffel being under fail. Tree. Tree. From time immemorial this has been held to mark the limits of the port of London. There does not appear to have been any defign in the plantation of this timber boundary; it feems rather to have been the effect of chance, and acknowledged, by prefcription, to define that limit, and decide thofe contefts which would frequently arife from the different impofts that are exacted upon the fame articles of merchandize within and without the Port of London; an inftance of which was to-day afforded us. Being in want of coal, the Captain defignedly failed below the tree before he came to an anchor for tranfacting his bufinefs at Gravefend, and fent a boat to a warehouse which, ftanding without the Port of London, could afford that article confiderably lower than the London or Gravefend merchants: if the veffel had laid above the tree, the duties which are exacted in the Port muit have been paid, and by this flight manœuvre they were evaded. This prefents us with a proof that taxation is confidered as an evil, and studiously evaded whenever opportunity favours the defign. The practice is committed with impunity; and many take a pride in relating how often they were too cunning for his Majefty's Revenue Officers !! Departing from Gravefend, the channel of the Thames expands gradually, till it lofes itself in the Ocean. One fide of the land, only, is now visible; and that we are fhortly to part from, perhaps for ever! I caft an anxious look on the battlements which are erected as guides to the mariner; the fignal-staffs for the purpofe of conveying intelligence along the coafts to the telegraph at London, and vice versa ; the ipire of the village-church, "that tops the neighbouring hiil;" and the peaceful lawn, where fporting innocence knows no toils but play; and I wished either to re-tread the ground, or quickly vanish out of fight. We were detained fome time, by contrary winds, off Harwich, and at length reached Orfordnefs; from which place we took our departure, and with it took leave of every thing British. Two days after our departure from Orfordnets, we gained fight of the low coaft of Holland. The fea ran high. We hoifted a jack (a flag for a pilot); but none dared to venture out till the next morning. The evening had been very tempeftuous, and the winds adverfe, which drove us confiderably from the coaft. On making good our fituation, we again hoisted a flag for a pilot-boat. Being upon the quarterdeck with the Captain, he called my attention to a scene too frequent at fea, a dead body paffing under our stern. I folicited him, in vain, to perform an office of humanity, to put out a boat, which might have been done in a few minutes, and take it up. He smiled at my request, but refufed; adding, "Such things as thefe every day happen, if any perfon cared for it. Remonttrance was in vain; and I contented myself with giving my feelings the range of fympathy, of fuffering them to be called forth in the intereft of human benevolence. When I had sketched my piece, I prefented it to the Captain. He changed colour on feeing a picture of himself fhaded fo deeply, and begged of me to alter thofe two lines. It was now my turn to refufe, and I feized the privilege. Perhaps, when a fimilar fcene prefents itself, he may forget his inhumanity, recollecting what a charming figure he made on paper on this occafion. But I hate the fombre pencil, which always dwells on difagreeable fubjects, the perfon who here L12 acted acted with fo much indifference towards the corpfe of a fellow-creature, poffeffes a generous mind, and (I had almost faid) a benevolent heart. I affure you I could not but rejoice, that a fimple couplet of rude poetry made him fenfible of his too great indifference. We have now got a pilot on board, who conducts us through the ZuyderZee to Amiterdam. Of what benefit he can poffibly be, I will not pretend to afcertain; only he does not understand one word of English, nor any on board a fyllable of Dutch: he throws out the lead occafionally, and fmokes perpetually; in the latter he feems a perfect connoiffeur, having a pipe encaled, to prevent its breaking, a large box of tobacco, and another with fint, fteel, and tinder; all thofe are lodged, with a large cafe-knife, in enormous pockets made in the breeches :-perhaps from the circumstance of having fuch very large pockets, the epithet of Dutchbuilt may have arisen. I now feel the neceffity of understanding a little of the language of the Hollanders, as it may, and undoubtedly will, happen, that I fhall fometimes meet with perfons who understand no other language but their own; and if I cannot ask for neceffaries in their own tongue, I must be under the difagreeable neceffity of wanting many comforts which I fhould otherwife enjoy. We are gliding along the fmooth furface of the Zuyder-Zee. To the right and left are feveral fmall villages, the houses of which are feemingly of only one ftory, probably the refidence of the fishermen whofe boats cover the coast of the Texel. Yet, though they feem of but fmall importance, I can difcover by the map, or chart of the coaft, that fome of thofe places witneffed various viciffitudes of fortune in the late campaigns in Holland; they will, of courfe, claim fome attention in my excurfions over the Provinces. Probably fome anecdotes might be learnt from our Pilot, if I understood Dutch, or he English or French. This not being the cafe, I fhall poftpone any remarks till the period of my visiting them. Holland, being a champaign country, has a very indifferent appearance from the fea. Those who may estimate the grandeur or worth of a place from its appearance at a distance, will form a very incorrect idea of Holland. Here is nothing to arrest the attention, either picturesque or fublime. No towering majeftic cliffs, like thofe on the British coafts, that defy the turbulence of the waves, which spend their force in vain at the foot of the precipice. No proud mountain, that lifts its head above the clouds, and overlooks a vast extent of territory; it is evening, and the fun is just finking beneath the horizon. No eminence to catch the refracted rays, after he has drooped below the horizon of the valley, appears; they are lost in the atmoff here. No mountain, rock, or fteeple, obstructing their progress, and reflecting the golden gleam on the inhabitants of the vale. A few tacks of chimneys fcattered about are ob fervable above the embankment which confines the Ocean within its limits, faying, "Hither fhalt thou go, and no further." Were thefe formidable ramparts to give way, the whole of the Provinces would be laid under water, as it has been repeatedly proved, that even at low water the tea is feveral, inches higher than the land. By afcending the rigging, I commanded a very extenfive prospect over the States. Vegetation is in full bloom; the plantations of muftaid, which are very extensive, covered the face of nature with a golden tinge: here a meadow, and there a few acres of mustard yonder a few hamlets envelope a small fpire, which ferves the double purpote of religion and navigation. To-morrow we thail reach Amfterdam. have formed many curious opinions of the Dutch from our poor Pilot, who, no doubt, deems us beings equally ridiculous, according to his mode of aflociating ideas. J. B. I AN. AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF ROBERT ORME, Esq. F. A. S. HISTORIOGRAPHER TO THE HONOURABLE THE EAST INDIA COMPANY. (From the ASIATIC ANNUAL REGISTER.) ROBERT ORME was the fon of Mr. John Orme, a furgeon in the Honourable East India Company's fervice on the Bombay establishment; a ftation in which he ferved for many years with confiderable reputation. Being See Vol, XXXIX. p. 163. 5 appointed |
