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read in schools, but to prove what to me is very clear, that the modern notion of epigram is taken from these lively and pointed sallies of Martial, from whom I might have extracted You will see from these, and many more.

what have preceded, that an epigram (in the modern sense) is no more than a witticism in verse; and almost any good jest or repartee put into verse will make an epigram.

This being the case, since wit is more particularly the characteristic of the British islands than of any other nation, it is no wonder that the English language should abound in excel⚫lent epigrams. A great number will be found in all good poetical selections, particularly in that by Dr. Knox, under the name of Elegant Extracts. The Earl of Rochester wrote some good epigrams. That in which he so happily characterized Charles II. is admirable; but Prior is perhaps the best writer of epigrams in our language. Some entire poems may be regarded as altogether epigrammatic. Such are many of Swift's, the satires of Dr. Young; and Dr. Goldsmith's Retaliation, is as a series of epigrams from the beginning to the end, as well as an ode to Pinchbeck, published some

years ago. I shall add one or two from memory, which I believe are not to be found in the collections.

Soon after the affair of Lord Keppel, and the victory of Sir George Rodney, the corporation of London voted the freedom of the city to the former in a box of heart of oak, and to the latter in a gold box. The following epigram appeared in the newspapers

"Each admiral's defective part,

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Satyric cits you've told ;

"The cautious Lee-shore wanted heart,

"The gallant Rodney gold."

The receipt tax, which was at first very obnoxious, was introduced in the time of the famous coalition ministry (that of Lord North and Mr. Fox), and the following epigram was on that occasion handed about

"Premier, says Fox, let's have a tax
"That shall not fall on me-

"Right, says Lord North, we'll tax receipts,
"For these you never see.”

I add one from a deservedly popular collection of poems, published by a friend of mine,

under the quaint and homely title of Salmagundi.

Written after hearing a dull sermon from a dignitary of the church, on the words "watch and pray."

"By our pastor perplext,

"How shall we determine?

"Watch and pray' says the text,

"Go to sleep' says the sermon."

Though the epigram is in general applicable to topics of mirth and gaiety, yet even the most serious subjects have sometimes been agreeably presented in this form. The old French epigram on the fasts of the Romish church is striking. It is thus Englished, I believe, by Swift

"For who can think with common sense,
"A bacon slice gives God offence?

“Or that a herring has a charm
"Almighty vengeance to disarm?
"Wrapt up in majesty divine,

"Does he regard on what we dine?”

But there is something approaching the sublime in the following of Dr. Doddrige on the motto to his own arms—

"Dum vivimus, vivamus."

*Live while you live, the epicure would say,
"And grasp the pleasures of the passing day:
"Live while you live, the sacred preacher cries,
"And give to God each moment as it flies-
Lord, in my view let both united be!

"I live in pleasure, while I live to thee.

Even a good pun may constitute the basis of an epigram, though such will not bear Mr. Addison's test of translation. One example

will suffice.

To a bad Fiddler.

"Old Orpheus play'd so well, he mov'd Old Nick; "But thou mov'st nothing but thy fiddle-stick."

II. The EPITAPH is nearly allied to the epigram, and has a similar derivation, from the } Greek ei & Tapos, meaning literally an inscription on a tomb. Like the epigram too it was originally very simple in its structure, consisting often of only a single line, or even of a few words, which served to attract the notice of the passenger, and to pay him the customary compliment of wishing him well; as if the deceased had been alive and meeting him, saluted him in the usual manner. Like the epigram, how

ever, the epitaph soon assumed a kind of pointed or witty construction. Perhaps it is natural in every one who writes a short poem of any kind to endeavour to conclude with something impressive.

I do not however think those the best epitaphs which conclude epigrammatically, and still less wittily. Prior's, as well as Gay's, are faulty in this respect. The latter affects something serious it is true

"Life's but a jest, and all things shew it—
"I thought so once, but now I know it."

But Prior's is too light and trivial for a Christian cathedral, where all should be solemn and suited to the place; calculated to remind us of our mortality, and inspire us with pious sentiments

"Monarchs and courtiers, by your leave,
"Here lie the bones of Matthew Prior;
"The son of Adam and of Eve;

"Let Bourbon or Nassau go higher."

I cannot even pass without blame, on this account, Mr. Pope's celebrated epigram on Sir Isaac Newton

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