1832.] Conversation with the Double Sighted Youth. 583 



Earl of Mulgrave, Lord Nugent, &c. should demean themselves by literary occu- 

 pations. Dean Swift has touched very sensibly upon this subject, in the Introduc- 

 tion to Polite Conversation. I cannot find, he remarks, what use there can be of 

 books, except in the hands of those who are to make learning their trade, which is 

 below the dignity of persons born to titles or estates. Who can dissent from the 

 philosophy of this aphorism ? Some persons have been foolish enough to suppose 

 that genius, pure lofty, genuine genius has a claim to stand upon an equality with 

 titles and estates : but can any thing be more ridiculous ? Only think of 

 comparing John Milton to the Duke of Newcastle, and Felicia Hemans to the 

 Right Honorable the Countess Dowager of Something. The Paradise Lost is very 

 well as a poem, and may occasionally serve to warm the piety of a few imagina- 

 tive Christians; but, in the name of all the muses, can it accomplish in a thousand 

 years a ty the of what fifty thousand per annum will do in a week ? I will only ask 

 one question, Can it send twelve members to parliament ? No ! Then what is 

 the use of it ?j Felicia Hemans, again : Her Songs of the Affections are very charm- 

 ing, but would they marry her to a Duke ? Certainly not ; then what right have 

 Mrs. Hemans and her friends to say, that genius is a nobler endowment than 

 fortune ? 



D. S. Y. Shall I give you a few passages from Lord Porchester's forth-coming 

 Epic, The Romans in Britain P 



O'G. M. Not now I entertain a poor opinion of our noble poets: their heads 

 seem to be in the condition of Lady Answerall's pin cushion, they want stuffing. 



D. S. Y. Perhaps it is with a view of remedying this defect, that Mr. Murray 

 is about to publish a Series of Treatises upon the Elementary Branches of Edu- 

 cation, addressed particularly to the young nobility. Who "do you think is to 

 be Editor ? 



O'G. M. The Earl of Eldon ? 



D. S. Y. The Marquess of Londonderry ; and the contributors, as you may con- 

 clude, are of the highest order. The two first Treatises upon Frugality and 

 Domestic Affection, by Lords Lyndhurst and Ellenborough. 



O'G. M. They will, indeed, write like persons of authority. 



D. S. Y. And that, upon the various modes of escaping from a conflagration, 

 and the peculiar qualities of the fire-proof dresses, recently invented by Signor 

 Valentine of Florence, will be contributed by Sir Charles Wetherell. 



At this moment the Temple clock struck two, and the Double Sighted Youth 

 leaping up at once made a gigantic spring towards the door, and before I could 

 open my mouth he was half way down stairs, and in a momant I heard the ring- 

 ing of his footsteps along the court. I have, however, seen Gordon since, and he 

 has kindly promised to pay me another visit, and at the same time to enlighten 

 me respecting the mysterious appearances which are now gathering along the 

 political horizon. 



