others by some slight improvements," as meatus siderum is used to express the various courses of the heavenly bodies, so here, by celeri reatu he means some slight variation in the course of expression. Celer, beside swift, means also short and slight, as somnus celer is a slight sleep. The whole passage then is both coherent and rational, although very quaintly expressed, and it wants no corrections in the text. In the two following lines the writer sends the student from Latin oratory to Latin poetry : hovers around it. Dress and equipage were formerly considerable badges of distinction; but the wives of the rich citizens, incited by a laudable ambition, soon broke through their old restraints of economy and deference to their betters; and Mrs. Flounder having transferred her residence from Cornhill to Cavendishsquare, it was no longer possible to discover her origin either from her jewels or her liveries. This barrier being thus broken down, an immense gap was left in the fences of the fashionable world, through which multitudes from Change-alley, and even Pudding-lane are daily forcing an entrance. Rich dresses were now given up; and it was resolved that the intruders by being deprived of ornament, should be exposed to derision in their native vulgarity. A rapid succession of whimsical fashions, and something new for every day, now distinguished the ladies of the ton. The industrious directresses of the Magazins des Modes however, rendered all these measures abortive; for the no-bodies were never above a day behind in their imitations, and the very Dent epulas, et bella truci memorata canore; Grandiaque indomiti Ciceronis verba minentur. The original text has minentur not minetur, the former tallies better to Dent in the plural. "Let tutors give into the hands of students both festive poetry, and horrid wars made memorable in poetic song" and then after such a course of instruction, "Let them threaten with rivalship the magnificent language of the unconquerable soul of Cicero."-I may add, that the phrase Romana manus circumfluat may allude to the Roman practice of being attended by several amanuenses, whose employment was to write down what was dic-waiting-maids were apt to be mistaken for their mistated to them in words. Palmerius, moreover, saw tresses. The ladies of the first fashion, indeed, some so much of the meaning of exonerata sono that it retime since made a bold effort, in which they thought commended translation, while the subsequent line prenone of the little could have the assurance to follow scribed composition. "Aut verti de græco aut conthem; and in order to set all competition at defiance, troversias componi censet ;" but he had no conception || actually appeared in public somewhat more than half of the meaning of Fortuna sonet, any more than your naked. The enterprize, however, was not attended correspondent S. with that success which its boldness merited; for instantly the whole necks, arms, shoulders and bosoms, in the kingdom, were thrown open to the eye of the gazer. It is but yesterday that I cheapened a pair of gloves with a little damsel, who in point of nakedness might have vied with any duchess in the land. MANNERS. The Nabob.-N° X. Odi profanum vulgus & arceo. I hate the rabble and despise HORACE. H. The male fashionables have indeed adopted a more vigorous mode of revenge, for the encroachments made upon their dignity in the way of dress. They I HAVE often wondered that nature should commit have begun by direct acts of retaliation; and as their such a great oversight in not establishing proper distinc- valets and grooms had most impudently aspired to their tive marks for the various ranks of society. If things dress and manners, they have in their turn usurped had been so arranged that all in a certain circle, our the garb and habits of these gentlemen. It is not to fashionables for example, should be tall, slender, be doubted that this vigorous measure will have its due handsome, and elegant; and that all who were trans-effect; for a groom must be exceedingly mortified to lated from an inferior sphere to this upper region find so little gratification to his vanity in rising to his should instantly acquire these qualities, there could | master's level. be little difficulty in distinguishing a person of fashion from the vulgar. But unluckily nature has neglected || to make any such provision. We have the short, the squat, the crooked, the clumsy, the aukward and the hoobyish, even at Mrs. T- -'s routs, and the Countess of K-'s suppers. There is indeed a particular air which is said to distinguish those who move in a certain region, and to be altogether unattainable beyond its boundaries. Such, however, are the effects of imitation in the circles below, and such the unkindly nature of some of the materials which fashion bas to work upon, that even the initiated are often unable to trace a brother fashionable by his air. The members of the haut ton, have therefore been obliged to supply the defects of nature by their own ingenuity; and hence arise the numerous refined contrivances which are daily invented, to separate the pure region of fashion from the gross atmosphere that VOL. III. || But it is in their amusements that the fashionables have made the most strenuous efforts to preserve their circle inviolate; and their zeal has at length been rewarded with success. They have indeed been invaded at Vauxhall, annoyed at Ranelagh, and absolutely driven from the theatres; for although they still might have enjoyed their private boxes in security at the latter, yet the no-bodies had attained such an ascendancy there, both in numbers and figure, that it was not to be endured. An excellent expedient however, was hit upon to prevent such inconveniencies for the future, by selecting an amusement which should have no temptations for the vulgar. As long as the theatres, or Astley's, or the Circus, or Sadler's Wells, or in short any place which offers the least entertainment is to be found, there is no danger that the fashionables will be followed by the crowd to the Opera House. There they may in perfect security 2 X enjoy their tete-a-tetes and their scandal, and perhaps || listen at a few intervals to the queens and kings, who are torturing their vocal organs in wonderful modes, to draw down an inspiring braco! bravissimo! Other methods of distinction have been devised with equal zeal and ingenuity. The fashionables, perceiving that the vulgar were contented to have the stage and orchestra filled with professional people, determined to make this a ground of distinction, and thenceforwards to play and fiddle for themselves. The crowd, however, who were scrupulously shut out, could not endure that heroes and heroines should be stabbed and poisoned in the ordinary way without themselves having any part in the amusement. The hue and cry was therefore set up with such fury, that the fashionables were obliged to put an end to their mysteries, lest they should be actually violated by profane hauds. The other resource, of amateur concerts, is by far more adviseable, and will be found perfectly secure. The crowd, I have already observed, cannot be prevailed upon, even by their desire of appearing fashionables, to listen whole nights to the enchanting Signora Squallanté uttering unknown words and unknown sounds; and surely it is far less to be apprehended, that they will be seized with any irresistible inclination to drink up the melodies of Lady Louisa Thrum, and the Honble. Mr. Hum. lady, who has discovered such a tasteful method of prolonging a party, has resolved to improve stiil farther on the idea; and that when Bonaparte does something to call for another masquerade she is to have such a crowd of fashionables, that the supperrooms shall be replenished with new guests and new delicacies every two hours, and yet the entertainment extend through the whole four-and-twenty. Such a plan is truly grand, and there is no danger of its being imitated by the little. It is only to be regretted, that it must necessarily give rise to a number of eclipses. An eclipse in the fashionable world is a temporary obscurity in which those, who have no perennial mints in Lombard-street, find it convenient to shroud themselves. When all the old woods have disappeared, when trades-people become importunate, and the Jews saucy, and when therefore it is no longer practicable to see one's friends by hundreds, a fashionable retirement is the resource. The little in these circumstances would begin to retrench, and think of only having ten guests where they had twenty before. But this is out of all rule in the circle of fashion; one must never seem less than he has once been. It is indeed a very easy affair to disappear out of the fashionable world, as no one thinks more of the matter, till the absentees find it convenient again to emerge in all their glory. Who ever thought of the To do justice to the taste and ingenuity of the charming Mrs. —, during her last eclipse? And great, there is something in all their pleasures, which yet what parties are more frequented than hers, since distinguishes them from those of the little. The form she re-appeared? Her spirit indeed deserves the indeed is soon copied by the latter, and there are routs highest commendation; for it is well known that she and card-parties found in every quarter, as idle and as mortified two whole years in an old castle, in order to insipid as any in Portman-square. The little, however, enjoy her present blaze; and it is allowed her parties on those occasions pay some attention to the conveni-yield to none either in numbers or splendour, although ence of their guests, and make some calculation of the flash of this season must immediately be followed the size of their rooms before they issue their cards. by another eclipse. Fashionable happiness is indeed The great, on the contrary, invite all the world; and something quite beyond the comprehension of the the hostess is rendered the happiest creature in the vulgar. universe, if there is not a single corner in her rooms where a living creature can sit, stand, or walk with comfort. A squeeze certainly formed a very agreeable variety amidst the languor of a rout; but since the accompaniment of hot suppers has been introduced, it || has not been found altogether so pleasant. Every one has heard of the affair in Audley-street, where two hundred fashionables were pent up in the corners of the supper room, and bad nothing to do but look on and make wry faces, while their fellow-guests made away with the chickens, and swept off the green pease without mercy. On talking of the affair to a young lady who was present, she told me with much emphasis, that she had seen all the delicacies of the season there. Great revolutions may Le expected to arise in the fashionable world from these circumstances; it is whispered that the ladies en bon point, will be quickly out of all repute, and the price of vinegar and sallad is in consequence about to experience an extravagant rise. A very fashionable lady, who has as much money as she can spend, and consequently many more guests than she can well accommodate, has devised a very pretty method of preventing inconvenience, by introducing a fresh supper and a fresh set of guests at certain intervals, till the whole have partaken of the pleasures of the supper room. It is said that this But of all the means by which the great set the little at a distance, there are none so effectual as trampling with contempt on certain restrictions, which the little are compelled to observe with reverence. Those old crabbed fellows the laws indeed, in this age and nation, are extremely unpropitious to the dis tinctions of high life; a lord and his tradesman are quite on a level in Westminster-Hall, nor have the surly jurors civilization enough to acquit a person on the plea of his being a man of fashion. But in spite of these untoward circumstances, there is still a sufficient degree of respect paid to morals and religioa among the no-bodies, to afford considerable distinc tion by breaking through all their restraints: and a man of high fashion may be profligate and profane far beyond what his inferiors can openly venture. The vulgar, indeed, advance with rapid strides in the footsteps of their betters; they have also their affairs at Doctor's Commons, their EO tables, and their Sunday gambols; but things must with them be done in as private a way as possible, for they know that the Society for the Suppression of Vice is every where at their heels. Having mentioned this Society, I cannot forbear to express my admiration of the superiority which the fashionable world have displayed with regard to it. why 'tis surely better to do any thing than to sleep. One part of the little esteem these censors, and ano-question; and when one has nothing to reflect upon, ther fear them; but the great find in them and their functions only a very pretty subject for burlesque. Religion and morality have so long furnished matter for ridicule, that the subject is become quite stale; to find out any thing new therefore in this way, discovers a most happy ingenuity. It does infinite honour to the genius of the person who first hit on the idea of holding up to public derision, those who had devoted their time and labour to the service of virtue and religion. There is a personality in the thing, which gives a new zest to the usual burlesque of these topics. The polite host and the fair hostess, who conducted this rich amusement; have established to themselves a deathless name in the fashionable records. Whenever religion and morals begin to grow saucy, they will universally be looked to as the avengers of the world of fashion; and in order to strike at the root of those nuisances at once, it is to be expected, that at their next masquerade, the entertainment will be the bench of bishops and the twelve judges of England. In passing through St. James's Square sometime since, on a Sunday evening, I found my way quite blocked up by a crowd of very gay carriages. I immediately recollected having read in the Morning Post, a few days before, that a certain high titled lady's Sunday parties had commenced for the season. As I passed under the half-shut windows, my ears were saluted by the well-known bravura notes of a celebrated singer; but I understood afterwards, that she did not sing for pay on this occasion, but was received as a guest very well suited to the party. Every thing relating to this entertainment was conducted in such a manner as to display the most praise-worthy contempt for what is held in reverence by priests and old women. The preceding advertisement was a bold stroke at silly decorum in the eyes of the whole nation; and the open display of the party was well imagined, to shew that not a single scruple existed about trampling upon the most sacred customs of the country. This was in the high fashionable style, and quite beyond vulgar daring; for I have not heard that any of the little have yet ventured to advertise their intention of breaking the Sabbath. As imitation, however, cannot by any means be prevented, there is much reason to apprehend that the great will not long be able to appropriate the breach of the fourth commandment to themselves; nay, I understand that fashionable servants are already nearly as profane as their masters. To preserve the line of distinction still, a very odd scheme has been proposed; namely that the great, after having conducted the little to the utmost verge of profligacy, should themselves suddenly turn short, regain the old paths of morality, pay their debts, go to church, and observe the ten commandments. This plan, if practicable, would certainly place a very secure line of distinction between them and the multitude. But a few who some time ago tried the experiment found themselves nearly in the situation of the savage, who having long eat his victuals vastly well without knives or forks could perceive no use in these instruments; they had so long lived without the restraints of religion and morals, that they could not perceive the least benefit from submitting to them. The project was therefore soou abandoned as altogether useless, nor is there any reason to suppose it will again be resumed. POLITICAL ESSAYS. Paper Currency.—Continued from page 635. ALTHOUGH we consider Lord King's reasonings (to prove that British currency has sustained a depreciation by the excessive issue of paper money, since It is astonishing that people should be found in this the suspension of payments in cash at the bank,) not enlightened age, who look upon the Sunday amuse- to be conclusive, and although we are satisfied that it ments of the great as something very improper; when has not as yet sustained any depreciation, we deplore it can be proved by so many arguments, that it is so that suspension not less deeply than 'Lord King, and highly becoming in persons of a certain sphere to are not less apprehensive of the effects which it break the fourth commandment. For instance, we threatens. The danger, which is much greater and shall be told that the Sabbath was intended for reflec- nearer than is generally conceived, consists in this; tion::-now who ever heard of reflection among people that when currency is by any forcible operation put of fashion? And what should they reflect upon ? out of its natural state, the whole system of credit is Surely a whole day would be poorly spent in discus-by that means altered; inconveniencies, proportionate sing over again the chances of last night's pharo to the magnitude of that credit, attend the restoring bank, in weighing the degrees of admiration paid to the currency to its proper state; and the disorders inthe different head dresses at Lady Lucy's rout, or introduced into the system of credit are allowed to run calculating the value of Beau Noddy's compliments. on, till a complete subversion is the consequence. With regard to the matters for reflection which other No man can deny that great difficulties would at prepersons have, such as the intricacies of human affairs, sent attend the renewal of payments in cash at the and the many actions which cannot well be reconciled bank. The probability is, that a drain of gold and to reason or conscience, they are entirely out of the silver, beyond what the bank could sustain, would be . This dangerous irregularity, however, is but a trifle to what was exhibited in the last war. The demands by Mr. Pitt for these secret loans were urged till the advances of the Bank rose to upwards of 500,000l.; at which time, it appears, the Directors became alarmed. This temporary alienation of the property of the Bank made them seriously apprehensive that they had put themselves out of condition to answer their engagements with the public at large. Accord ingly on the 15th of January 1795, they came to a resolution, which they communicated to the Chancel lor of the Exchequer; "That they could not allow their advances for payment of Treasury bills of exchange to exceed at any time the sum of £60,0001." If we compare this even with the extraordinary advances of the American war, it will appear to be a pretty liberal allowance. It will appear that the Bank had not stopt short in its accommodations till it was high time. If we compare it with the sum which the Bank thought itself at liberty to advance before that war, it will be considered enormous. immediately produced; and the public credit of the country destroyed. But is it at all probable that the case will be altered by delaying a little longer? The very reverse is probable; that the more the delay, the more also will the difficulty be encreased of renewing the payment. The reasons, accordingly, which now exist for continuing the suspension, will, in all probability, never be lessened, but continually encreased. There is no reason to hope therefore, that payments in cash at the bank will ever be renewed. The state will continue to struggle on, as long as it may; and at last will sink in a bankruptcy produced by the suspension of payments at the Bank, aided by other causes. This is the danger which we consider to be threatened by the suspension of cash payments. That no events may happen to avert this danger, it would be ridiculous to affirm. But we are clearly of opinion that it is much more likely to be realized than averted. The circumstances which led to a measure of such disastrous tendency deserve to be accurately remembered; and we believe they are by far too little known, and have made much too slight an impression on the public mind. The last war was very much distinguished for the greatness of the supplies granted to carry it on. It was probably not less distinguished for an extreme want of order and accuracy in the mode of expending these supplies; in so much, that great as they were, they were always expended long before the proper time; and each year great arrears were incurred, which had to be paid out of the income of the succeeding year. It seems the minister for finance, after he had expended the income of the current year, and when some time was to elapse before the income of the succeeding could begin to flow in, was often put to great difficulties how to answer the demands upon the treasury. He had no better method than to borrow of the Bank of England. In a certain limited degree this expedient had been adopted in various periods of our history; and money was advanced by the Bank on Treasury bills of exchange, till the amount was 20,000l. or 30,000l.; when it was customary for the treasury to send down orders for the amount of such advances to be set off from the respective accounts to which the bills properly belonged. Whenever these advances went higher, and when they amounted to near 50,000l. it used to be a subject of complaint, and a requisition was sent by the Bank to the Treasury for their being immediately discharged. The Bank, it seems, at those periods, did not think it within its power, did not think it safe for its credit, or consistent with its engagements to the public, to advance to government on private loans so much as 50,000l. In the American war however, during which all the best maxims of policy were so much relaxed, during which so much disorder was introduced into every department of the state, during which mismanage ment of public affairs reduced the nation to such a state of imbecility; in this period of evil memory, the private loans by the Bank to government were very greatly encreased. Instead of never amounting to 50,000l. they were now allowed to accumulate to the enormous sum of 150,0001. But what will the reader say, when he is informed that this sum, great as it is beyond all precedent, was in the course of a few months doubled, tripled, and quadrupled? This will appear by an extract from the minutes of the Court of Directors, dated the 16th of April, 1795: "The Governor and Deputy-Governor were directed by the Court to wait upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and to mention to him the uneasiness they felt on being left during so long a period, in an advance of one and a half, to upwards of two millions of money, for the bills accepted by the Treasury. That this mode of paying the Treasury bills in advance, was never meant to be carried to any great extent, at the most to 500,000l.; and that only as a temporary accommodation." The Chancellor of the Exchequer did promise to the Governor and Deputy-Governor in December last, and particularly in a conversation on 17th January, that the amount of these bills paid at the bank, then exceeding 500,000 7. should certainly be paid off after the receipt of the first payment on the new loan; which promise hath not yet taken place. The Court have therefore come to a resolution, that they cannot in future allow of any disburse on this account, exceeding the sum of 500,000l.; and they do request that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will order the same to be paid ?” From this appear not only the monstrous demands which had been complied with by the Bank; but also the extreme solicitude of the Directors on account of the state into which their affairs had been thrown by their compliance; an anxiety which led them in so determined a manner to express their resolution of no further compliance, and to urge with so much importunity the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make good his promises. These promises were not made good; and on the 5th of June the Bank found themselves under the necessity of sending the following note to Mr. Pitt. On the 30th of July, the Court of Directors formed a resolution to give orders to the Cashiers to refuse payment of all Treasury bills, whenever the advance should amount to 500,000l. take the liberty of stating to him, that though he was | Exchequer will give a promise that a new mode of pleased to promise, the last time they had the honour paying the Treasury bills shall be adopted immediately of an interview, that the account of the Treasury on the meeting of parliament, as this Court will not bills paid by the bank, should immediately be reduced continue the mode of discharging them any longer." to the sum of 500,000l. (beyond which sum, by a re- "Resolved, That this Court having granted the acsolution of the court, it was not to pass ;) the Bank commodation with great reluctance and contrary to are now in advance on that account 1,210,015/. 17s. 5d. || their wishes, the Governor be desired to transmit to and before the end of next week it will be encreased Mr. Pitt a copy of the following memorial; and reto 1,058,46, 1.—They at the same time beg to express quest of him, that, for the justification of the Court their concern at being so repeatedly obliged to trouble of Directors, the same may be laid before his Mahim on the subject; hoping he will give such direc-jesty's cabinet. tions as may in future prevent it." "The Court of Directors of the Bank of England, fully sensible of the alarming and dangerous situation of the public credit of this kingdom, and deeply impressed with the communication lately made to them by the Right Hon. Wm. Pitt, both by letter, and in a conOn the 5th and 6th of August a request was made ference with the Governor and Deputy-Governor, are by the Chancellor of the Exchequer by two letters, very willing and desirous to do every thing in their for a further accommodation from the Bank, of two power to support the national credit, and to enable millions and a half on the growing produce of the his Majesty's ministers to carry on the public service; consolidated fund; when the Court of Directors en- but in complying with the request made to them by tered into two separate resolutions not even to consider the Right Hon. Wm. Pitt, in his letter of the 27th the request," until they received satisfaction res- inst. they think that they should be wanting in their pecting the re-payment of the monies already advan- duty to their proprietors, and to the public, if that ced for payment of Treasury bills of exchange, to compliance was not accompanied with the following reduce that account under the stipulated sum of most serious and solemn remonstrance; which for the 500,000l. above which the bank was never to be injustification of this Court, they desire may be laid advance; and until it has had sufficient security held before his Majesty's cabinet. out that it shall not be called upon to make further "They beg leave to declare, that nothing could inadvances on this account in future: and that they do duce them, under the present circumstances, to comrequest Mr. Pitt to enter into full explanations on this ply with the demand now made upon them, but the subject, which is not even touched upon in his letter" || dread that their refusal might be productive of a On the 10th of October, after stating various greater evil, and nothing but the extreme pressure and circumstances which had excited apprehensions in the exigency of the case, can in any shape justify them for Bank directors, they say, that on the most serious acceding to this measure, and they apprehend, that in deliberation, they deem it right to communicate to the so doing, they render themselves totally incapable of Chancellor of the Exchequer, the absolute necessity granting any farther assistance to government during they conceive to exist for diminishing the sum of their the remainder of this year, and unable even to make present advances to government ;-the last having the usual advances on the land and malt for the enbeen granted with extreme reluctance on their part, on suing year, should those bills be passed before his pressing solicitations, and statement, that serious Christmas. embarrassments would arise to the public service, if the Bank refused." On 28th January 1796, the Governor of the Bank having informed the Court of Directors, that a notice was brought this morning from the Treasury, that certain bills drawn on the Commissioners of the Treasury, amounting to the sum of 201,000l. would fall due on Wednesday, 3d of February, and were directed for payment at the Bank: and that the sum now in advance on Treasury bills is 1,157,000. Resolved unanimously; That the Governor do give directions to the Cashiers not to advance any money for the payment of these bills, nor to discharge any part of the same, unless money shall be sent down for the purpose; in which case such money is to be appropriated exclusively for the discharge of these bills. On 27th of July, 1799, Mr. Pitt having requested large accommodations from the Bank, and urged in the most importunate manner compliance with the request; stating, "that objects of the utmost importance to the public, were involved in it, the bank complied, but the Court of Directors "Resolved, That this Court do expect that the Chancellor of the They likewise consent to this measure in a firm reliance, that the repeated promises so frequently made to them, that the advances on the treasury bills should be completely done away, may be actually fulfilled at the next meeting of parliament; and the necessary arrangements taken to prevent the same from ever happening again, as they conceive it to be an UNCONSTITUTIONAL mode of raising money, what they are not warranted by their charter to consent to, and an advance always extremely inconvenient to themselves." The state of alarm and even of despair in which the Bank were placed, before they had recourse to such a remonstrance as this, may well be conceived. On the 1st of February 1797, the Governor and Deputy Governor waited upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer, "to represent to him how uneasy the Court were at their large advances for government, and especially on the Treasury bills paid, which now amounted to 1,554,0351. and would in a few days be augmented to 1,815,818; and required that some effective measure should be immediately taken for the payment of the whole of this sum, as had been so |