"long word to spell) and I overheard a fair dam"sel say to another, that the Tutor was a keen 66 young fellow. Had I been a Prince instead of a Tutor, I would have told her, as Hamlet did "Ophelia, that it would have cost her a groaning "to to take off my edge. "Women know not what to be at. In the " evening they were contending who should first "take the telescope to look at the full moon, "which arose from the distant hills with unusual beauty. The telescope was brought,--and I "shewed each lady in regular succession, the "Polar Hemisphere, together with the constellati ons of Arcturus and Orion; repeating at the same "time their description from the eighteenth Iliad. "I went down to the Sound to swim awhile ago, and, during my stay in the water, some "fellow threw in my shirt; so I came up like "one of Falstaff's men. This lamentable acci"dent brought the servants about me; and the "gardener's wife made no scruple to lend me one "of her husband's shirts. "I knew not when I entered on the office of "Tutor in this family, that one part of my duty "would be to teach my pupils to swim. Is not "this a work of supererogation? However, I never fail to duck most fervently these enemies Ito silence and reflection. "Apropos of my pupils. This morning I was "roused from slumber, (for I sometimes teach L "school before breakfast in bed), by the vocife"ration of the eldest boy, who, laughable to "relate, construed rauca palumbes,* into roasted wood-pigeons. Risum teneas Amice ? "After dismissing these lads, I walked to the "water-side, and sat down under a spreading "tree, not as Tityrus, to play on my pastoral reed, "but as a miserable Tutor; tired with the ennui "of a solitary life, and endeavouring to sooth a "restless imagination by the objects of nature. "You enjoy many advantages over me. I presume you have access to the libraries of "Caritat, and of the city, and wander through "the shelves of literature with poetica licentia. "I fear this letter will be tedious; but only " writing to you, dear fellow, can make my situa"tion supportable. How shall I escape from this "cursed obscurity? I have been here three days, "of which every minute has been passed in "brooding over my misfortunes!" My readers will, perhaps, be ready to exclaim, as the inhabitants of the subterranean abode did to Gil Blas, that Mr. George was an inveterate enemy to the stillness of solitude; but it was ever the fate of genius to be impatient of restraint, and the carol of the birds, the bloom of the meads, and the vernal softness of the breeze, lost all impression on a vigorous mind reduced to dependance. *Vide Virgil, Eclogue I. Some symptoms of the yellow fever appearing in New-York, spread universal consternation; and the subscribers to the volume of modern Poetry not coming in crouds with their subscription-money, the compilation of it was postponed. Being now without any determined employment, I had nothing to detain me in the town; and transporting my books and baggage over to Long Island, I was fortunate enough to procure lodgings at Newtown, under the roof of the Episcopal Minister, Mr. Vandyke. He was a garrulous valetudinary old creature, who would have been excellent company for the Elders that viewed the Grecian forces from the battlements of Troy. The parsonage-house was not unpleasantly situated. The porch was shaded by a couple of huge locust-trees, and accommodated with a long bench. Here I often sat with my host, who, like Parson Adams, always wore his cassoc; but he did not read Eschylus. Alas! the old gentleman was not descended from the family of the Medici; nor would learning have been ever indebted to him for its revival. Mr. Vandyke was at least sixty; yet if a colt, a pig, or any other quadruped entered his paddock, he sprang from his seat with more than youthful agility, and vociferously chased the intruder from his domain. I could not but smile to behold the parson running after a pig, and mingling his cries with those of the animal! It would be ungrateful were I not to enumerate the friends I found on Long Island.-Mr. Titus, who lived on a creek that communicated with the Sound, both feasted and caressed me; he was a worthy old gentleman; and at his house, as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. Farmer Moore, brother to Bishop Moore, of New-York, (I love to give their names, and kindred), always entertained me with a hearty welcome. Every one acknowledged his daughter was charming : A maiden never bold; Of spirit so still and quiet, that her motion Indeed the manners of the whole family were worthy of the Golden Age. Mr. Remsen, who lived with more magnificence on the river-side, opposite Flushing, gave me sumptuous dinners, and Madeira after each repast. His lady was not without elegance; but his two daughters were lovely. Nor in enumerating the Belles of Newtown, ought I to omit Mrs. Dungan, and Miss Townsbend, who dressed with splendour, and moved with grace. From Mr. Remsen's dwelling, on the waterside, the mansion of Mr. Ludlow could be clearly distinguished, lifting its proud turrets above the shore of West Chester. I had been invited, both by the family and my friend to visit the "new house;" and having, on a serene day, dined with Mr. Remsen, I was paddled in a canoe from his landing place to the opposite shore. The little boys shouted with joy as the canoe approached their wharf, and, George, abandoning an epic poem that he was composing, flew to my embrace. I was ushered into the parlour. Every thing breathed splendour. A Turkey carpet covered the floor, and the richest sophas invited repose. Negus was served in a golden cup, by a servant clad in a magnificent livery; and every fruit of the season was placed on the sideboard. The room was soon filled by the family, all eager to receive me, and do the honours of the house. I could not but be delighted with the joy expressed by the children; they either clung round my knees, or ran to bring the letters I had written them, that I might perceive with what care they had preserved my epistles. These boys had certainly made unusual progress under the tuition of Mr. George; for each could repeat with every justness of quantity the first Eclogue of Virgil, and if I might judge from their emotions, feel the spirit of the Poet.— Et jam summa procul-exclaimed one, pointing through the window to some cottages smoking at a distance : Et jam summa procul villarum culmina fumant, |