1 22 News from Parnassus, Ko. XXX f. 



cited in us by a moderation in tlic 

 proportions of an object, accompanied 

 with a fineiiess in certain turns of the 

 form. Sucli tilings are not to be en- 

 tirely decided by comparison ; cer- 

 tainly, we do not at this moment 

 remember to have seen any thing 

 Avhich was beautiful ai-.d indelicate ; 

 and perhaps that is as much as can be 

 said for any known definition on the 

 subject, and much more than for some. 

 From many other papers, we might 

 quote much to our own satisfaction 

 and the indulgence of our readers, did 

 we not wish to leave as full as possible 

 the resource of entertainment in these 

 volumes. We shall conclude, how- 

 ever, with an abridged account of 

 what appears to the doctor the proba- 

 ble iiistory of our patron saint; and 

 that not so much from the common 

 interest of the subject, tut because, 

 even after our abstract, considerable 

 pleasure will remain in a reference to 

 the proofs of various reading, and 

 many curious notes, which so greaiJy 

 distinguish the original article. 



It appears, then, that St. George, 

 though with much circumstantial evi- 

 dence in his favour, is not known to us 

 by any direct information which has 

 been transmitted respecting him. It 

 is highly probable, however, that he 

 was a Cappadocian of good family, 

 who commanded in the army of 

 Dioclesian with the high credit of a 

 title in mark of his deserts, and was 

 put to death on the day which perpe- 

 tuates a name held, in the early age 

 of the eastern church, in great repute. 

 Nothing more seems certain : the 

 reasons for this presumption, and 

 against suppositions, are detailed in 

 the Disquisitions at a very amusing 

 length. His connexion with the pa- 

 tronage of this country is with the 

 best grace attributable to the temper 

 and wants of the Crusaders; while the 

 story of the dragon rests upon no bet- 

 ter authority tlian a monkish rhyme, 

 to which we have annexed as doggerel 

 a translation. 



O George, martyr iuclyte, 



Te decet laiis et gloria 



Pra^dotatiini militia ; 



Per quem puella regia 



Existciis ill tristitia. 



Coram dracone pessimo 

 Salvala est. 



Translation. 

 Hail ! George, martyr of renown. 

 Laud is tliinc, and Glory's crown 

 In tlie wanior-bands of heaven ; 

 Who the royal maid has given 



[March I 



From the shnilderlns power of tears, 

 From the poisoii'd dragon's fears. 

 Safe to home. 



This certainly smacks of Paganism, 

 It is also stated, that the Turks, 

 amongst whom he is a great favourite, 

 to this day point out a well near 

 which, tradition assures them, the feat 

 took place. From the happy results 

 attributed by the Crusaders to St» 

 George's interposition in their behalf, 

 ensued the contirmation of their choice 

 at home in the institution of the Order 

 of the Garter. 



Dr. Sayers's Poems reached a fourth 

 edition during bis life. As they suc- 

 ceeded each other, his reputation 

 increased ; and, in his middle age, he 

 named amongst his personal acquain- 

 tances, Windham, Mackintosh, Bowles, 

 Scolt, and Southey. The reception of 

 his Sketches abroad, particularly iii 

 Germany, v/as very commendatory, 

 and led to many flattering incidents. 

 Our author, we are told, often loved, 

 but vras often crossed in love, and so 

 lived throughout a bachelor. Hi& 

 biographer quietly observes, tiiat his 

 loves were of too disinterested a na- 

 ture to lead to matrimony. Mean- 

 while, the peaceful tenor of the poet's 

 life flowed on in fame : he became the 

 first wit in Norwich, was an essential 

 guest at the geuteelest tables in town 

 and country;, and sent forth many 

 smaller themes in verse, as the quaint- 

 ucss of time or his friends gave sng- 

 gestion. 



What was the estimation of Lis 

 medical practice, we are not informed ; 

 one cannot bear every palm away, and 

 haply, in the enjoyment of a compe- 

 tency, Dr. Sayers was not inclined to 

 clip one feather in tlie search f"i ano- 

 ther. At last, Ijis health appeared to 

 decline; and, alifer some ft»r or five 

 years, he expired, grievously affected 

 with liypochon<lriasis about the futt/re 

 w'elfare of his soul, on the 16th of 

 August, 1817. A man £o well known, 

 and deservedly respected, was of ne- 

 cessity much and sincerely regretted. 

 The charitable disposition of his pro- 

 perty gave a signal proof of the tender 

 mercy of his heart ; while the disposi- 

 tion of his books proved the sense of 

 Lis attachment to the interests of the 

 cause of literature, already so much 

 benefitted by his works. J-le lies in 

 the Cathedral Church cf Norwich, 

 Avherc a monument is placed, to keep 

 sacred a memory long to be regarded 

 on higher considerations. 



For 



