dy knew who or what he was. He remained at Venice some months, and three things were remarked in his conduct. The first was, that he had a small collection of fine pictures, which he readily shewed to any body that desired it; the next, that he was perfectly versed in all arts and sciences, and spoke on every subject with such readiness and sagacity as astonished all who heard him; and it was in the third place observed, that he never wrote or received any letter; never desired any credit, or made use of bills of exchange, but paid for every thing in ready money, and lived decently, though not in splendour.

"This gentlemen met one day at the coffeehouse with a Venetian nobleman who was an extraordinary good judge of pictures: he had heard of Signor Gualdi's collection, and, in a very polite manner, desired to see them, to which the other very readily consented. After the Venetian had viewed Signor Gualdi's collection, and expressed his satisfaction, by telling him, that he had never seen a finer, considering the number of pieces of which it consisted, he cast his eye by chance over the chamber door, where hung a picture of this stranger. The Venetian looked upon it, and then upon him.

"This picture was drawn for you, sir,' says he to Signor Gualdi; to which the other made no answer, but by a low bow. You look (contin*ued the Venetian) like a man of fifty, and yet I know this picture to be of the hand of Titian, who has been dead one hundred and thirty years; how is this possible?' 'It is not easy," said Signor Gualdi gravely, 'to know all things that are possible; but there is certainly no crime in my being like a picture drawn by Titian.' The Venetian easily perceived by his manner of speaking that he had given the stranger offence, and therefore took his leave.

"He could not forbear speaking of this in the evening, to some of his friends, who resolved to satisfy themselves by looking upon the picture the next day. In order to have an opportunity of doing so, they went to the coffeehouse about the time that Signor Gualdi was wont to come thither, and not meeting with him, one of them, who had often conversed with him, went to his lodgings to inquire after him, where he heard, that he had set out an hour before for Vienna. This affair made a great noise, and found a place in all the newspapers of that time. *"

*Hermippus Redivivus, or the Sage's Triumph, 3d ed. p. 160.

I shall now take the liberty to state why I say, it may be alledged*, that the above passages in Hermippus suggested the hint of this work. I say so, because, like the philosopher, when he was told that some persons had spoken ill of him, I might add, it is plain they do not know my other rogueries, or they would not only talk of this. To be ingenuous, gentle reader, I am also indebted for the idea of drawing the character of a man possessing unbounded wealth, and indulging in all the luxuries of life, without finding happiness; and the gift of immortality, which merely tends to make him miserable; to the Rasselas of Dr. Johnson, and to either the Arabian Nights' Entertainments, or the Tales of the Genii, in which there is a story of a man endowed by a Genius with eternal life, and who, outliving all his friends and kindred, bitterly complains of being the most wretched creature in existence.

Having discharged this duty, I shall proceed

* This allegation too, it may not be amiss to say, is not strictly true. My work was not written in consequence of that passage, but this; "The stories he inserts of EUGENIUS, PHILALETHES, SIGNIOR Gualdi, and the celebrated FLAMEL, are not only extremely diverting, but may contribute also to the procuring us some well-written history of the Pretenders to the Philosopher's Stone." Dr. Campbell's preface, p. v. Mine is the well-written history here prophesied,

to advance a few words respecting the subsequent pages, which it may not be found unnecessary to know.

We writers, who so admirably bring up the rear of our illustrious predecessors, must be contented to arrive at novelty in whatever mode we are able; and I trust it will be acknowledged that I have taken as curious a road to it as could be imagined.

The foundation of the following tale is such as, it is not to be supposed, ever existed. But if I have mixed human feelings and passions with incredible situations, and thus rendered them impressive, interesting, and pleasing, I shall entertain some hope to be pardoned for any pain I may occasion by an excess of laughter, or by the apparent severity of my attacks on the tenderest feelings of the heart..

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