No. XX.

MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1816.

Odi profanum Vulgus. HORACE.

Many of my readers have probably heard, that a physician, afterwards one of the most celebrated England ever produced, being at a loss to gain what is so essential to his profession-Notorietyhad recourse to the following very curious expedient. He drove about town in a chariot drawn by a pair of horses, one of which was perfectly black, and the other perfectly white, that by means of this singularity, he might at least let the world know, that there was such a person in existence.

Whether his judgment or his choice

prompted him to this I am not informed, but the various methods in which singularity is affected from the latter reason at Westminster, induces me to think that it had no inconsiderable share in influencing his conduct.

There are no means, however inconsistent with their feelings, which some among us will not make use of, to distinguish themselves from the common herd of their companions. It has been observed, that a man can bear any thing rather than contempt; that he can forgive another who has injured him most materially, provided that he has thrown no imputation on his character to make him appear ridiculous in the eyes of the world; and except where the affectation of singularity counteracts this principle, I am very willing to allow it:-but it is the fashion for people to glory in any failing which they think peculiar to themselves, even though it should be one that makes them the laughing-stock of their acquaintance. A friend of mine often

invites abuse for absence of mind, when he may vindicate himself from the accusation, not only without implicating himself in any greater one, but so as to clear himself altogether.

But there is no failing which we are more apt to glory in than idleness, considering it as the least disparaging to what we are fondest of valuing ourselves upon, namely, physical powers. It is true that we do not openly profess it as a virtue; for, on the contrary, we often reproach ourselves for it: but then it is in such a way as to boast of what we might have done, had we taken pains; and when we are accused of it, we only fly the imputation as a coy maiden would the man she loves.

66

A celebrated philosopher, whom I have before had occasion to quote, has the following maxim a man is never made so "ridiculous by the qualities he has, as 66 by those he affects to have."

We may reckon the founder and head of lovers of singularity, the man who, for

ths sake of notoriety, set fire to the temple of Diana, at Ephesus; I do not however suppose, that any of my school-fellows will extend this passion so far as their great predecessor; indeed, half of the effect would be lost from the circumstance of their attempt not being an original. My readers, therefore, need be under no alarm lest Westminster Abbey should undergo the same fate as the Heathen Goddess's Temple: but what I mean to say is, that there are many at Westminster, who sacrifice their comfort, their taste, and their conscience, to the singularity they affect in their dress, their manners, and their habits. I shall give, as a warning to persons of this description, an instance of the evils produced by the love of notoriety, though shewn in the most innocent man

ner.

There was, some years ago, a boy at Westminster, who being at a loss for other means, made himself notorious by constantly wearing very conspicuous lea

ther breeches. As he was one day walking in the forbidden ground of St. James's Park with another Westminster, they espied at a distance the Head-master coming toward them ;-they instantly took to flight, and his companion escaped undiscovered,

"At galea Euryalum sublustri noctis in umbrâ "Prodidit."

Alas! the well known Leather Breeches too plainly detected their notorious owner, and a severe punishment gave a salutary lesson to this lover of singularity.

MR. BROWN,

Although I am fully aware of your determination to admit nothing into your papers which does not immediately concern Westminster, still I flatter myself that the following very curious circumstance may find a place in your pages,

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