That Bryant was vindictive whenever his literary reputation was impugned, appears also from the following circumstance. He knew the Sexagenarian to be concerned in a publication, in which some of his assertions and dogmas had been dispassionately discussed, and though he met him at the house of a common friend, who equally respected both parties, he declined entering into conversation. But to return to our first subject, the venerable Dean. Various are the branches of science which his pen illustrated and adorned; indeed all his publications may be considered as truly valuable, and highly important. The intricacies of the Greek verb, peculiarities relating to the military tactics of the ancients, many arduous and obscure points, both in ancient and modern geography, a most powerful and effective vindication of the system of national education, with various other contingent appendages to learning, have been elucidated by his learning, and embellished by his taste. The question may naturally be asked why, with such an accumulation of claims, did he not ascend to the highest gradation of his profession? The interrogatory is more easily proposed than answered. Perhaps it is true, that with all his great attainments, and love of literature, the Prime Minister of that day was so occupied with political perplexities and difficulties, that he considered the pursuits of the Muses, as trifling and subordinate, and conferred distinction and reward on those only and their connections, and adherents, who were most useful and necessary to him in the prosecution of his views. However, the honours which were bestowed, were communicated in the handsomest manner possible, and if inadequate to the merits of the receiver, there is great reason to presume that they satisfied his utmost ambition. Bene navis agitatur—pulcre hæc confertur ratis Sed conticiscam: nam audio operiri fores. CHAPTER XVIII. We are again carried back to a remoter period; but these inequalities, with respect to chronology, merely serve to confirm the opinion long since given, that had life been spared, and opportunity allowed, the Sexagenarian meditated a compact and regular whole. In the part of the manuscript at which we are now arrived, are many observations and anecdotes of an eccentric, but well-known character, of considerable reputation for science in his day, an excellent antiquary, a polite scholar, and accomplished gentleman.