t79^' observationf on Watson^ s history. 169 



the picture, but seem as so many underparts to make 

 one complete whole. The siege of Malta is of this 

 character ; it has the appearance of a highly finifhed 

 and delightful episode, the detail of facts is so natu- 

 rally and clearly exhibited, and the whole told with 

 so much vigour and spirit, as may well entitle it to be 

 put in competition with any portion of antient or mo- 

 dern history. With the same delicacy of taste, and 

 extent of judgment, is introduced, the expulsion of 

 the Moors from Spain, the conquest of Portugal, arid 

 the wars with the Turks. They are so beautifully 

 managed, as to seem so many resting places from the 

 principal action. In the hands of an inferior writer 

 they would have probably entangled and confused the 

 work, so as to weary the memory, and fatigue the at- 

 tention ; but here they only enlarge the view, and va- 

 riegate the fcene ; and when the whole has been dis- 

 played before us, it appears a splendid and perspicu- 

 ous system of things, where every minute circum- 

 stance presents Itself to view j where nothing is want- 

 ing, and where there is not any thing too much. 

 {To be continued.) 



THE EFFECTS OF IMAGINATION. 

 For the Editor of the Bee. 



In midsummer 1768, as a gentleman, by no ways 

 remarkable for firmnefs of mind, was sauntering with 

 two or three of his friends in the Thuilleries, he was 

 suddenly drawn aside by a stranger. " I know futu- 

 rity," said the latter, witli a peremptory tone of voice, 

 " your countenance forbodes much happinefs j and 

 VOL. vii. I Y 



