To CORRESPONDENTS. Several communications have been just received; but they came to late to be inferted in this NUMBER. Correfpondents are invited, for the future, to fend their favours to the office, where this publication is printed. We hope the defign of HECTOR MOWBRAY, in his addrefs, will be eafily intelligible to every reader. We fincerely thank him for it. We are much pleafed in reading the THEATRICAL REVIEW of Lucilius. It displays learning, and critical talents; but for particular reafons, we refuse to admit it into our publication. "The Plaint," by Anthony, is a doleful one; "O dear, what can the matter be ?" ed. The ELEGY, by W.fball appear in our next Number. The firft offerings of Telon, Tom Hafty, and Momus, are rejeā The "Ode to Sleep," by C. will probably appear in our next. Mariano, it is hoped, will excufe the fmall liberties we have taken, in abridging his communication. ERRATUM. Page 40, 6th line from the top, for featunes, in fome copies, read features. THE MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY, FOR NOVEMBER, 1803. For the MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY. THE LOITERER.-No. L Who would not choose to be awake, While he's encompass'd round with such delight? COWLEY. IT has been often obferved, that no part of the earth combines more local advantages, than the American Republic. Our foil affords an unfailing plenty of fruits; and by an attentive culture, it yields all the variety of dainties, that are fought by the most whimfical appetite. The climate is ufually ferene and healthful, and we are feldom molefted by the turbulent fports of nature. We can live and perhaps flourish with independence; yet our maritime fituation offers us the richest benefits of commerce. Our national ftrength has now become mighty, and is every where viewed with awe and refpect. We enjoy the bleffings of peace, and our own unanimous abilities are alone requifite for their continual prefervation. We are capable of knowing and exercifing all the arts, that can poffibly meliorate and adorn our condition. Could we add to ourselves a character of literary excellence, we might well emulate the most celebrated nation, that ever exifted. We are indeed favoured with every mean of advancing in knowledge and refinement. Univerfal commerce opens to our attainment the literature and improvements of the whole globe. Schools and Colleges are interspersed throughout the country, and are rendered acceffible to ftudious youth of the humblest fortune. Experience has already fhown us the utility of learn ing; and reafon discovers the rising importance of its increas ing cultivation. In an obferving spectator the diverfified fcenery of nature ex-. cites wonder, curiofity and contemplation. Here auguft mountains, clothed in azure forefts, rear their myftic heads around the horizon. Rivers, enrolling a hoft of streamlets, that wander in antic course from their fountains, are frequently feen marching with proud grandeur to the ocean. The hills and vallies, variegated with bright villages, fruitful fields and pleasant groves, difplay prospects, that far furpafs the most lively vifions of fancy. These wild and elegant landscapes loudly invoke the imitative powers of the painter. Poetry, the lovely nurfe of virtue and tafte, if wooed with that ardent affiduity, which her exalted dignity requires, would furely delight in this alluring refidence. That refined fenfibility of foul, which is feldom experienced in a plain inclement region, seems here to be earnestly invited by the sweet melody of nature to awaken and admire her fublime and beautiful features. The heart is taught to subdue every fordid paffion, and to maintain those affections only, which are influenced by divine harmony and love. But with all thefe incitements to the principal glory of a nation, polite literature and the fine arts have hitherto made a very dilatory progrefs. It must however be allowed, that the sciences, which teach the gaining and fecurity of wealth, the common bufinefs, and conveniences of life, are here generally well understood and in high estimation. Thofe, which profefs chiefly to delight and improve the mind with taste and fentiment, to increase the powers of the foul and give it a true zeft for the offered blifs of Heaven, have yet gained but a small number of temporary votaries. Genius has fometimes dawned among us, but its opening brilliancy has been too often and too fuddenly obfcured by the gloom of neglect. But whence arifes this neglect? Does it come from a prejudice against our own talents, from infenfibility of taste, or from an envious difpofition to filence the voice of fame ? Or must we affign it to the predominant fway of avarice? In particular inftances all thefe may induce neglect; but perhaps the principal caufe is the want of zealous perfeverance in the candidates for literary diftinction. They, who have opportunity and genius, too frequently pafs their time in apathy and indolence, in roving fome barren field of pleasure, or else, as is most frequently the cafe, engage in our common purfuit of fortune. So few are they, who engage themselves wholly in the study of literature and in fpeculating on life and manners, that the defign of their occupation is very little underftood. The votary, who intends thefe purfuits for his chief employment, may there fore fafely anticipate the title of Loiterer. I would now introduce myself to you, benevolent reader, though I am fenfible that my address may appear awkward and uninteresting. You have found fo much graceful gentility in the Spectator, fuch majestic eloquence in the Rambler, the engaging deportment of the Adventurer, and fo much winning eafe in the American Lounger, that it may be deemed prefumption in a Loiterer to afpire to your favour. Though I loiter in the high-way of my countrymen, I love diligence in my chofen employment. If conftant endeavours feldom fail in the attainment of their object, there may yet be some chance for my fuccefs in affording amusement. While fashion, opinion and manners are perpetually changing, a new fcene is always arifing for moral fpeculation. The many-headed monster of error is ever watchful for an opportunity of dominion. ful alchymift, and in all her youthful vivacity, ftill employs her infinite arts of feduction. Prejudice is yet alive, and by often concealing our good, brings on confequences most ridiculous and fatal. Though many a valorous band has fought against them, they ftill remain bold and unvanquished. A champion in the cause of virtue and refinement ought ever to be active and zealous in their defence; nor can he be deemed impertinent, if he endeavours to promote their influence, by celebrating their praise. Vice is a fkil In a country like this, where manners and fentiment are so various, a critical inspection into life will discover much to be blamed and much to be applauded. The fatirist will find many fubjects for his humour by obferving the control of paffion; while the grave fentimentalist may largely defcant on our industry and enterprise. The defign of thefe effays is to prefent to |