signed it as a satire upon days of yore; but, in this, it appeared to me that he had been mistaken. There was about the antient Beau a respectability and gentlemanly deportment, wanting in the modern one; who, on the contrary, carried with him an air of flippancy and pertness, not quite consistent with that strong masculine good sense, which ought to be among the brightest ornaments of our species.

ON leaving this picture, (or caricature, if it must be so called) a variety of reflections, to which it had given rise, took strong possession of my mind: and, I thought the character of a modern Beau ought to be more justly and generally displayed than it appeared to be in a picture confined only to dress. I wished to make known the mind, habits, and pursuits, of this distinguished class of individuals, and, accordingly, composed the following analytical essay—which, in a few succeeding generations, may probably afford some little amusement. The

materials are supplied by the manners of the present times.

THE Beau of 1806-7 (for we have but just entered into the latter year) is that species of human beings which thrives most successfully in the climate of the metropolis. It is true, he occasionally appears to great advantage in the air of Brighton, or Bath; but London is the soil and climate wherein he loves to vegetate and blossom. Here, from the bottom of St. James's Street to the extremity of Bond Street, is fixed the great greenhouse of living plants-of tulips, anemones, ranunculuses and sunflowersabout which fly a thousand butterflies, unfolding their varied hues: and though insects sometimes devour a great number in the opening bud, yet is this grand repository always crowded with plants. Neither the parching heat of day, nor the cutting blasts of evening, operate to their diminution.

To drop the metaphor, and to pursue

the subject by a more familiar illustra tion-I purpose dividing the modern Beau into the following classes (though a still greater variety might have been specified). The literary, the political, the decout, the operatical, the theatrical, the dashing, the jolly, the dressy, the delightful, the aged.

1. Or the literary Beau. This is a gentleman who decides quickly and peremptorily on works of the most scientific, or erudite nature. A discovery of Herschel, or an emendation of Porson, is alike familiar and puerile to him. He has great personal activity, and loves to examine all booksellers' shops. Having made his first principal visit at Hookham's, he sallies to Payne's, to Egerton's, and to White's: his pockets are stuffed with magazines and reviews, and, as a lover of high-seasoned dishes, he prefers those of the latter, in which the Kyan and Tewkesbury mustard predominate.

AFTER storming against sermons, es

says, and histories, (citing Dr. Johnson's sneer at the Punic war) he sits down contentedly to the Flowers of Poetry,' or the Festival of Wit; and rails at modern times, and modern writers, as lustily as did Tom Nash, or Bob Green, in Queen Elizabeth's reign. To the terror of all grave and sensible writers, he sometimes brandishes the critical pen; and pounces upon his prey with the ferocity of a vulture-though, in grappling with it, he betrays the impotency of the tom-tit.

GENTLEMEN of this description always write upon a patent mahogany desk, with a Hudson's Bay quill, carefully dipped into a silver inkstand.

2. THE political Beau is of a more harmless description; though he is equally vehement and positive with the literary one. He levels his attacks against the operations of the Russians, who do not perhaps quite so much dread his censures, as does the ministry at home,

which he is in the constant habit of abusing. I have known these political Beaus declaim an hour upon the blunders of the Russians, shewing how Buonaparte ought to have been taken prisoner as well as defeated—and, prognosticating another pitched battle, they have laid down such plans of encampments, ambuscades, circumvallations, blind batteries and sorties, as would astonish the little Emperor of the French, who so obstinately adheres to his own plans.

THE abolition of the Slave Trade is sure to meet with the marked disapprobation of the political Beau: he talks aloud of rebellion, emancipation, and false humanity-and, with an air of triumph, asks his neighbour' what rational human being can drink his tea or eat his pudding without sugar?' The oration usually concludes with a retrospect of domestic news, or home politics: and, in the peroration, it is very common to hear some of the following flourishes• Where are your flat-bottomed boats

as