71 



flections of the same object from a number of 

 mirrors. And, though I did not venture it below 

 stairs, you shall have my simile : like the Fata 

 Morgana, where the objects reflected from the 

 surface of the sea are again reflected from the 

 clouds, but less distinct and generally inverted. 



The conversation began by my uncle and aunt, 

 and Mrs. P., and by degrees my cousins joined. 

 A great distinction was made between gross pla- 

 giarism, and the borrowing a part only of an idea 

 which the author weaves up with something new, 

 and then places in a new light. 



My aunt brought, as an example, these lines in 

 the Lady of the Lake. 



The sun, awakening, through the smoky air 



Of the dark city, casts a sullen glance, 

 Rousing each caitiff to his task of care, 



Of sinful man the sad inheritance ; 

 Summoning revellers from the lagging dance, 



Scaring the prowling robber in his den ; 

 Gilding on battled tower the warder's lance; 



And warning student pale to leave his pen, 

 And yield his drowsy eyes to the kind nurse of men. 



She said, these lines seemed to have been pro- 

 duced, perhaps unconsciously, by a speech of 

 Shakspeare's Richard II. 



Know'st thou not, 



That when the searching eye of heaven is hid 

 Behind the globe, and lights the lower world, 

 Then thieves and robbers range abroad unseen, 

 In murders, and in outrage bloody, here ; 

 But when from under this terrestrial ball, 

 He fires the proud topa of the eastern pines, 



