t **3 ] 



all times one exactly under the other, but often m a defultory 

 manner. 



Suppofe, then, a capital fpeech in Shakefpeare c never feen 

 before, and yet read by a child of eight years old, with all the 

 pathetic energy of a Garrick. 



Let it be conceived likewife, that the fame child is reading,, 

 with a glance of his eye, three different comments on this fpeech* 

 tending to its illuftration ; and that one comment is written in 

 Greek, the fecond in Hebrew, and the third in Arabic charac- 

 ters. 



Let it be alfo fuppofed, that by different figns he could point 

 out which comment is molt material upon every word ; and fome- 

 times that perhaps all three are fo, at others only two of them. 



When all this is conceived, it will convey fome idea of what this 

 boy was capable of, in linging fuch a duet at fight in a mafterly 

 manner from the fcore, throwing in at the fame time all its proper 

 accompanyments. 



When he had finimed the duet, he expreffed himfelf highly in 

 its approbation, alking, with fome eagernefs, whether I had 

 brought any more fuch mufic. 



Having been informed, however, that he was often vifited 

 with mufical ideas, to which, even in the midfl of the night, he 

 would give utterance on his harplichord ; I told his father that I 

 mould be glad to hear fome of his extemporary flights. 



The father fhook his head at this, faying, that it depended en* 

 tirely upon his being as it were mufically infpired, but that I 

 might alk him whether he was in humour for fuch a compo- 

 lition. 



c The words in Metaftafio's duet, which little Mezart fung, are very 

 pathetic. 



O o 2 Happening 



