The feeling is true, however whimsical such unaccomplished fancies might appear when thrown together into one picture.

In literary history such instances have occurred but too frequently: the imagination of youth, measuring neither time nor ability, creates what neither time nor ability can execute.

ADAM SMITH, in the preface to the first edition of his "Theory of Sentiments," announced a large work on law and government; and in a late edition he still repeated the promise, observing that "Thirty years ago I entertained no doubt of being able to execute everything which it announced." The "Wealth of Nations" was but a fragment of this greater work.

Surely men of genius, of all others, may mourn over the length of art and the brevity of life! Yet many glorious efforts, and even artificial inventions, have been contrived to assist and save its moral and literary existence in that perpetual race which genius holds with time.

We trace its triumph in the studious days of such men as GIBBON, Sir WILLIAM JONES, and PRIESTLEY.