several persons who have neither time nor inclination to avail themselves of the lucubrations of former writers, may yet be induced to peruse a short essay in the columns of that fashionable vehicle of intelligence a newspaper. Curiosity may induce others to take a cursory glance for the sake of guessing at the author; and, "though last, not least," a wish to find fault with the productions of a contemporary, may be the means of procuring him a multiplicity of readers.

The qualifications requisite for filling with eclat the office of a periodical essayist, are indeed such as can scarcely be found combined in one individual. Some minds are fitted by nature and education for abstruse disquisitions on important topics in morals or literature, who are totally incapable of attaining to the classical suavity of the SPECTATOR, or the broader humour which marks the pages of the CONNOISEUR. On the contrary, others who possess the art of trifling agreeably, are unable to enforce, with proper dignity, the precepts of morality. It has often been observed, that the RAMBLER would have been more attractive to the generality of readers, had the excellent papers it contains been mingled with a greater proportion of others of a lighter nature; and Dr. Johnson, we are informed by one of his biographers, acknowledged the justness of this remark. The periodical essayist,

therefore, who aspires to procure the suffrages of the many, should be able

"happily to steer

"From grave to gay, from lively to severe."

To the preceding qualifications, however, others ought to be added, in order to give them their full force and effect. What Imlac observes of the accomplished poet, may, in a great measure, be applied to the essayist:-"To him nothing can be useless. Whatever is beautiful, and whatever is dreadful, must be familiar to his imagination; he must be conversant with all that is awfully vast or elegantly little. The plants of the garden, the animals of the wood, the minerals of the earth, and meteors of the sky, must all concur to store his mind with inexhaustible variety; for every idea is useful for the enforcement or decoration of moral or religious truth; and he who knows most, will have most power of diversifying his scenes, and of gratifying his reader with remote allusions and unexpected instruction. But the knowledge of nature is only half his task; he must be acquainted likewise with all the modes of life. His character requires that he estimate the happiness and misery of every condition; observe the power of all the passions in all their combinations, and trace the changes of the human mind as they

are modified by various institutions and accidental influences of climate or custom, from the sprightliness of infancy to the despondence of decrepitude. He must divest himself of the prejudices of his age and country; he must consider right and wrong in their abstracted and invariable state; he must disregard present laws and opinions, and rise to general and transcendental truths, which will always be the same. **** That his style may be worthy of his thoughts, he must, by incessant practice, familiarize to himself every delicacy of speech, and grace of harmony."

The answer of Rasselas will, perhaps, be deemed equally proper here:-"Enough! thou hast convinced me no man can be an essayist." It may be observed, however, that though our attaining the summit of excellence in any department of art or science, is next to an impossibility, this is no reason why we ought to discontinue our efforts. If such a principle had been generally acted upon, few of those valuable writings of which we are in possession, would ever have seen the light. Some person, whose name I cannot at present recollect, has pointed out, as one of the marks of genius, that its performances never equal its conceptions. most esteemed authors have frequently been dissatisfied with such of their own labours as procured them the admiration and applause of others; and

The

name.

had the judgment of Virgil been attended to by his friends, the Æneid had never immortalized his It must be allowed, that no man, in any of the common departments of life, ought to desist from attempting, at least, to promote the good of his fellow-creatures, merely because he does not possess all those endowments which are requisite to effectuate it in the highest degree; nor does there seem any reason why even inferior attainments in literature ought to debar the possessor of them from contributing his mite to the diffusion of useful knowledge. Persons distinguished for their eminent acquisitions in science or in art, are frequently less capable of communicating a portion of their information to others, than those whose abilities are confessedly of a much lower standard. The profound observations and energetic style of the RAMBLER, although calculated to enlighten and gratify the minds of men who have had a liberal education, will fail to produce equal effect where similar advantages have been denied. Besides, in the circumstance before us, as well as in the common occurrences of life, the co-operation of many will overcome obstacles, and produce consequences, to which the efforts of an individual are totally inadequate.

Upon these grounds it is, that the INSPECTOR presumes to make its appearance before the public,

and to solicit that candour and indulgence which good intentions are generally allowed to claim. The Printers of the HULL ADVERTISER have consented to set apart a portion of that paper, every week or fortnight, for the reception of the future numbers, provided they appear to meet with approbation. Many persons who are qualified by their talents and studies to confer respectability on any undertaking of this nature, are undoubtedly to be found in the circuit of that paper. The assistance of such is respectfully solicited. Communications addressed " To the Inspector," at the Printers hereof, will receive due notice, and an early insertion, if adapted to answer the intention of this work.