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so correct, that, like the orations of Demosthenes, they may be said to smell of the lamp. We would be understood to follow the directions of the Roman satirist, 'to grow pale by the midnight candle;' though perhaps, as our own satirist expresses it, we may be thought

Sleepless ourselves to give our readers sleep.

But, as a relief from the fatigue of so many restless hours, we have frequently gone to sleep for the benefit of the public: and surely we, whose labours are confined to a sheet and half, may be indulged in taking a nap now and then, as well as those engaged in longer works; who, according to Horace, are to be excused, if a little drowsiness sometimes creeps in upon them.

After this preface, the reader will not be surprised, if I take the liberty to relate a dream of my own. It is usual on these occasions to be lulled to sleep by some book; and most of my brethren pay that compliment to Virgil or Shakspeare; but as I could never discover any opiate qualities in those authors, I chose rather to doze over some modern performance. I must beg to be excused from mentioning particulars, as I would not provoke the resentment of my contemporaries: nobody will imagine, that I dipt into any of our modern novels, or took up any of our late tragedies.-Let it suffice, that I presently fell fast asleep.

I found myself transported in an instant to the shore of an immense sea, covered with innumerable vessels; and though many of them suddenly disappeared every minute, I saw others continually launching forth, and pursuing the same course. The seers of visions, and, dreamers of dreams, have their organs of sight so considerably improved, that they can take in any object, however dis

tant or minute. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at, that I could discern every thing distinctly, though the waters before me were of the deepest black.

While I stood contemplating this amazing scene, one of those good-natured genii, who never fail making their appearance to extricate dreamers from their difficulties, rose from the sable stream, and planted himself at my elbow. His complexion was of the darkest hue, not unlike that of the demons of a printing-house; his jetty beard shone like the bristles of a blacking brush: on his head he wore a turban of imperial paper; and

There hung a calf-skin on his reverend limbs,

which was gilt on the back, and faced with robings of Morocco, lettered, like a rubric post, with the names of the most eminent authors. In his left hand he bore a printed scroll, which from the marginal corrections I imagined to be a proof sheet; and in his right he waved the quill of a goose.

He immediately accosted me.' Town,' said he, 'I am the Genius, who is destined to conduct you

through these turbulent waves. The sea that you

now behold is the ocean of Ink. Those towers, at a great distance, whose bases are founded upon rocks, and whose tops seem lost in the clouds, are situated in the isle of Fame. Contiguous to these, you may discern by the glittering of its golden sands, is the coast of Gain, which leads to a fertile and rich country. All the vessels which are yonder sailing with a fair wind on the main sea, are making towards one or other of these: but you will observe, that on their first setting out they were irresistibly drawn into the eddies of Criticism, where they were obliged to encounter the most dreadful ful tempests and hurricanes. In these dangerous

straits, you see with what violence every bark is tossed up and down; some go to the bottom at once; others, after a faint struggle, are beat to pieces; many are much damaged; while a few, by sound planks and tight rigging, are enabled to weather the storm.'

At this sight I started back with horror: and the remembrance still dwells so strong upon my fancy, that I even now imagine the torrent of Criticism bursting in upon me, and ready to overwhelm me in an instant.

'Cast a look,' resumed " instructor, my on that vast lake divided into two parts, which lead to yonder magnificent structures, erected by the tragic and comic Muse. There you may observe many trying to force a passage without chart or compass. Some have been overset by crowding too much sail, and others have foundered by carrying too much ballast. An Arcadian vessel *, the master an Irishman, was, through contrary squalls, scarce able to live nine days; but you see that light Italian gondola, Gli Amanti Gelosi †, skims along pleasantly before the wind, and outstrips the painted frigates of our country, Didone and Artaserse ‡. Observe that triumphant squadron, to whose flag all the others pay homage. Most of them are ships of the first rate, and were fitted out many years ago. Though somewhat irregular in their make, and but little conformable to the exact rules of art, they will ever continue the pride and glory of these seas for as it is remarked by the present laureat in his prologue to Papal Tyranny,

Shakspeare, whose art no play-wright can excel,
Has launch'd us fleets of plays, and built them well.

* Philoclea, a tragedy: founded on Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia.

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The Genius then bade me turn my eye, where the water seemed to foam with perpetual agitation. 'That,' said he, is the strong current of Politics, often fatal to those who venture on it.' I could not but take notice of a poor wretch on the opposite shore, fastened by the ears to a terrible machine. This, the Genius informed me, was the memorable Defoe, set up there as a land-mark, to prevent future mariners from splitting on the same rock.

To this turbulent prospect succeeded objects of a more placid nature. In a little creek, winding through flowery meads and shady groves, I descried several gilded yachts and pleasure-boats, all of them keeping due time with their silvers oars, and gliding along the smooth, even, calm, regularly flowing rivulets of Rhyme; shepherds and shepherdesses playing on the banks; the sails were gently swelled with the soft breezes of amorous sighs; and little loves sported in the silken cordage.

My attention was now called off from these pacific scenes to an obstinate engagement between several ships, distinguished from all others by bearing the holy cross for their colours. These, the Genius told me, were employed in the holy war of Religious Controversy; and he pointed out to me a few corsairs, in the service of the infidels, sometimes aiding one party, sometimes siding with the other, as might best contribute to the general confusion.

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I observed in different parts of the ocean several galleys which were rowed by slaves. Those,' said the Genius, are fitted out by very oppressive owners, and are all of them bound to the coast of Gain. The miserable wretches, whom you see chained to the oars, are obliged to tug without the least respite; and though the voyage should turn out successful, they have little or no share in the profits. Some few you may observe, who rather choose to

make a venture on their own bottoms. These work as hard as the galley-slaves, and are frequently cast away: but though they are ever so often wrecked, necessity still constrains them to put out to sea again.'

-Reficit rates

Quassas, indocilis pauperiem pati.

HOR. CAR. i. 1. 17.

Still must the wretch his shatter'd bark refit,
For who to starve can patiently submit?

It were needless to enumerate many other particulars, that engaged my notice. Among the rest was a large fleet of Annotators, Dutch-built, which sailed very heavy, were often a-ground, and continually ran foul on each other. The whole ocean, I also found, was infested by pirates, who ransacked every rich vessel that came in their way. Most of these were endeavouring to make the coast of gain, by hanging out false colours, or by forging their passports, and pretending to be freighted out by the most reputable traders.

My eyes were at last fixed, I know not how, on a spacious channel, running through the midst of a a great city. I felt such a secret impulse at this sight, that I could not help inquiring particularly about it. The discovery of that passage,' said the Genius,' was first made by one Bickerstaff, in the good ship called the Tatler, and who afterwards embarked in the Spectator and Guardian. These have been followed since by a number of little sloops, skiffs, hoys, and cock-boats, which have been most of them wrecked in the attempt. Thither also must your course be directed.'-—At this instant the Genius suddenly snatched me up in his arms, and plunged me headlong into the inky flood. While I lay gasping and struggling beneath the

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