1810.} ‘ 
or Von Linné_ - I happen to be possessed 
of several letters from him, in which 
the former mame is constantly used, 
Tn the titles of more than twenty vo- 
lumes pubiished by himself, he con. 
stantly retains it. I hope therefore the 
more barbarous appellation will now be 
jaid aside; and the Linnzan society dis- 
card their modern, but fanciful ortho- 
graphy, in imitation of their illustriows 
founder; who, both before and after he 
received those honorary distinctions due 
to his excellent character, used the first 
appellation. 
Whilst [ have the pen in hand, allow 
me just to remark, that it bas long been 
matter of regret that such a number of 
uncouth and uuclassical names are in- 
troduced into the nomenclature of botany. 
Taste must.be disgusted with their an- 
nual, nay their monthly, increase. We 
already see the pages of botanists filled 
with Crowea, Gemphena, Geodia (for 
Goodenough), Celebreshia, - Elshelttzia, 
Blackstonea, Sowerbea, Hebenstrelia, 
Fortkola, W oodfordia, Woehenderfia, Dill- 
wynia, and Wiggii; and we soon expect 
Crabbea, Wagstatfea, Humphreyia, Ed- 
wardsia, Pitchfordia, Hailstenea, Scrim- 
shiria, Beckhensia, Robsonia, and a long 
jist of others. I wish some more unex- 
ceptionable method could be devised 
to perpetuate the labours of ingenious 
men. How must the lovers of pure Latin 
be disgusted with such barbarisms! 
April 7, 1810. H. Ge 
ee 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
Oncrnius; extracted from the JOURNAL 
of @ REFLECTOR. 
N commerce with the world, by which 
i is meant perpetual intercourse with 
the fashionable, it is difficult to preserve 
enthusiasm or cherish genius; nor is there 
an istance of a mind which. exclasively 
preferred this circle, and long retained 
either. 
«© Powder, and pocket-glass, and shew,” 
bélong to a class little distinguished by 
reason, imagination, or magnanuimity. 
Tt must be observed, we are speaking of 
philosophical, and of the higher order of 
ppetie genius 5 for painting and music 
save eminently flourished in the soil 
of luxury and courts. Ridicule and wit 
may be said to be in their proper ele- 
ment, amidst objects which afford such 
ample materials; witness the reign of 
Charles H., which teemed with authors 
of this description; but the superior 
mind, the profound thought, seeks for 
other scenery and other associates, 
On Centus. 
421 
Nature in its sublimity, is its congenial 
sphere: the rising and the setting sun, 
the impervious desert, and the majestic 
waves of a stormy sea, awaken its enthuy 
siasm; it delights in the tremendous rock, 
the massy ruin; in thunders, whirlwinds, 
and yoleanos; its powers unfold within 
the pale shrines of Gothic superstition, 
and its fancy revels amidst the dreariness 
of enchantment. Nor are Pope, Swift, 
and the other bright luminaries of the 
age of gueen Anne, exceptions. Ona 
close examination of their works it will 
be found, that they all possessed more of 
wit than genius; and, moving in acircle 
of artificial splendour, became incarpo- 
rated with it, and cultivated talentsas difs 
ferent from the sublime, as water-works 
from Niagara. 
Wits are born convivial: they love 
the busy hum of men, the festive board, 
the jovial glee; variety and folly are their 
element; multiplicity of objects forms 
their delight. Genius has but one: to this 
it adheres with undistracted force; and 
its sensations are no less keen than 
strong. Wit has perception without 
feeling ; and merriment and scoff being 
parts of its nature, nothing is unwelcome 
to its taste, or unattainable to its efforts, 
but the sublime. 
But what is genius? Of all the terms to 
which strong signification is annexed, 
opinion has been most varied concern- 
ing its defimtion. The ancients believed it 
inspiration: the moderns, every thing but 
this. Montesquieu considers it as au effect 
of climate; Helvetius, of a favourable 
education: and the French critics deny 
it to every author who writes equally well 
op all subjects. 
Tiat climate has some effect on the 
imagination cannot bédenied. Natives of 
Switzerland and St. Giles’s, (even sap- 
posing it possible to preserve morals in 
the district of the latter.) would form very 
different modes of thinking, from the 
different objects presented to their 
senses: but objects, however influential 
on character, or favourable to genius, 
would not create it; and when we re- 
trace the authors who have written sub. 
limely, or philosophers who have thought. 
profoundly, in situations the least analo- 
gous to their subjects and circum- 
stances, the most depressive to their 
fancy, we cannot admit climate to be an 
‘efficient cause of genius. 
Thomson the poet composed his 
Seasons in London; Wieland cultivated 
his rural muse inthe air’ of Versailles, 
and amidst the marshes of Flanders; 
SRG 
