Such a mind was incapable of appreciating the literary glory on which the mighty mind of BURKE was meditating.

WALPOLE knew BURKE at a critical moment of his life, and he has recorded his own feelings:--"There was a young Mr.BURKE who wrote a book, in the style of Lord Bolingbroke, that was much admired.

He is a sensible man, but has not _worn off his authorism yet_, and thinks there is nothing so charming as writers, and to be one: _he will know better one of these days_" GRAY and BURKE! What mighty men must be submitted to the petrifying sneer--that indifference of selfism for great sympathies--of this volatile and heartless man of literature and rank! That thing of silk, Sporus, that mere white curd of ass's milk! The confidential confession of RACINE to his son is remarkable:--"Do not think that I am sought after by the great for my dramas; Corneille composes nobler verses than mine, but no one notices him, and he only pleases by the mouth of the actors.

I never allude to my works when with men of the world, but I amuse them about matters they like to hear.

My talent with them consists, not in making them feel that I have any, but in showing them that they have." Racine treated the great like the children of society; CORNEILLE would not compromise for the tribute he exacted, but he consoled himself when, at his entrance into the theatre, the audience usually rose to salute him.