It will be observed, that, like many other great theorists, Mr. Fair ufes a language in some places a little obfcure; and that in others, as where he mentions the tendency of wind to press downwards, his expression borders on the jocular; a liberty in which some of the greatest philosophers have frequently indulged.

These discoveries, however new and astonishing, are not supernatural. But I have just now read an advertisement, which carries its information beyond the bounds of space and time: and though the modesty of its author allows that she has borrowed something from the Eastern Magi, may fairly be deemed an original. Mrs. Corbyn, at No 41, Stanhope-street, Clare-market, London, by the genuiné rules of the real astronomical arcana, for which the • wise men of the East were fo noted, undertakes to answer all legal astrological questions, in a most surpri'sing manner. Continues to give the most amazing accounts of persons by sea and land. Gives attendance at the warehouse every day from ten in the morning to eight at night.' The wise men of the East and some other astrologers, might perhaps retail some predictions; but the idea of a warehouse of prophecy was, I am persuaded, reserved for Mrs. Corbyn of

Clare-market.

In the ornamental department of science, has there been any thing, since the days of Medea, that could so effectually give beauty to homeliness, or restore youth to age, as the Circassian wash, or the Venetian Flower-water? or has the cunning of art ever rivalled the productions of nature more successfully than in the Elaftic Cushion and Spring Curls, which,' says the advertisement, are as natural and

becoming, nay, by many thought more so, than the natural hair itself?"

Nor is the merit of those gentlemen much inferior, where they apply arts already discovered, to. purposes which their inventors never dreamed of. Socrates was said to have brought down philosophy from heaven to dwell with men. I think the same eulogium may be farely bestowed on the very ingenious artist, who has informed us in an advertisement, That he makes leather-breeches by the rules of 'trigonometry.'

Having thus done justice to the merit of those authors in point of substance, I proceed to shew their excellence in the composition and style of their productions. Amidst a variety of instances, I shall make choice of one, merely because it strikes my view in last night's Public Advertiser. It is the production of a very voluminous writer in this de-. partment, Mr. Norton, of Golden-square.

E. S. Gent. of Tenterden in Kent, was long afflicted with an inveterate scorbutic disorder. It first broke out in hot pimples and dry scales all over his face; then appeared in great blotches on various parts of his body, and adimatous swellings in his legs, which terminated in dreadful excoriations and fetid ulcers. All this was attended with a total loss of appetite, and, at last, with such extreme languor and debility, that "the poor gentleman was utterly despaired of by several of the most eminent of the faculty who attended him; till, at laft, by the providential discovery in the newspapers, of the efficacy of Maredant's drops, by taking a few bottles of them, all the above terrible symptoms began gradually to disappear, his appetite returned, his complexion regained its pristine bloom, his skin became as smooth as that of a new-born babe, and his flesh recovered the soundness and elasticity of the • most vigorous habit. He has ever since been perfectly

stout, hale and active, and has had three children born to him, all thriving and healthy.

This may be considered as a sort of tragi-comic recital, and if examined by the rules of Aristotle, will be found to contain all the requisites of the best dramatic composition. Here is a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning, the breaking out of Mr. S.'s disorder; the middle, the progress of the disease; the end, its perfect cure. Here too, in some sort, is the Aywgs, and here evidently the Пg, the two great beauties of a perfect drama; the Aygos, the providential discovery of Maredant's drops; the Igers, the change of situation from pimples and scales to a blooming complexion, from blotches and ulcers to smoothness of skin and soundness of flesh, from extreme debility and languor, to being the father of healthy children.

Nor is this class of writers less remarkable for adaptation of style than for correctness of composi tion. The advertisement above recited of Dr. Dominiceti, and the daily performances of Mess. Christie and Ansell, shew to what elevation they can raise it, when the subject requires elevation. On the other hand where shall we find more truly characteristic simplicity than in the following notice from a gentle, man-tailor? Wanted, by a single gentleman-tailor, a • servant maid, to act as house-keeper and cock, where a girl is kept to attend and wait upon the master. • None need apply who will pretend to manage the kitchen fire without his directions, as he understands the management of coal-fires, which few servants in this town do. As he commonly dines out of a Sunday, he expects his servants to go church, instead of cooking • dainties to themselves, such as shoulders of veal stuffed • &c.; as, though he is a single man he is very well instructed by a neighbour how to manage his family.

Apply next door to the steps, Panton Square?

Other writers, often equally poor and proud, may perhaps object to the class of authors whom I commemorate, that they write not from the love of science, or the desire of fame, but from motives merely interested and selfish. But a little acquaintance with many of their productions will effectually remove this reproach. Is it not benevolence alone that forces Mr. Speediman, in spite of his natural modesty, to address the public in an advertisement? Mr. Speediman would be unjust to the Public if he any longer delayed acquainting them of the virtues of his stomach pills.' Are there not daily advertisements of sales far below prime cost,' which continue for several years to the evident advantage of the Public, and loss of the advertiser ? and does not Mr. Molesworth press adventurers in the lottery to purchase his tickets and shares, though he knows, by certain calculation, that they are to be drawn prizes?

To such men may not the above quoted motto of the illustrious Dr. Dominiceti be most deservedly applied?

'Non sibi, sed toto genitum se credere mundo;'

which, however, as malice is always ready to detract from merit, I heard a wicked wag of my acquaintance translate t'other day to a company of ladies, That the Doctor's fumigations were to make himself live, and to kill all the world beside."

No 81. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1780.

SIR,

To the AUTHOR of the MIRROR.

SOME time ago you inserted in your paper a letter from a lady who subscribed herself S. M. giving an account of the hardships she has suffered as the daughter of a man of fortune, educated in the midst of affluence, and then left to the support of a very slender provision. I own the situation to be a hard one; but it may perhaps, afford her some consolation to be told, that there are others, seemingly enviable, which are yet as distressful, that derive their distresses from circumstances exactly the reverse of those in which Miss S. M. is placed.

I lost my father, a gentleman of considerable fortune, at an age so early, that his death has scarce left any traces on my mind. I can only recollect that there was something of bustle, as well as of sorrow, all over the house; that my coloured sash was changed for a black one; and that I was not allowed to drink papa's health after dinner, which, before, I had been taught regularly to do. Soon after, I can remember my mamma being sick, and that there was a little brother born who was much more attended to than I. As we grew up, I can remember his getting finer play-things, and being oftener the subject of discourse among our visitors and that sometimes, when there were little quarrels in the nursery, Billy's maid would tell mine, that Miss must wait till her betters were served.

VOL. XXXV.

;