more as the scene of those celebrated schools of philosophy, which have transmitted their influence to every succeeding age. The stranger, who may be unable to appreciate all the architectural beauties of the temples of Athens, yet can admire the splendid assemblage they form in their position, outline, and colouring; can. trace out the pictures of the poets in the vale of Cephissus, the hill of Colonos, and the ridge of Hymettus; can look on one side upon the sea of Salamis, on the other upon the heights of Phyle; and can tread upon the spots which have acquired sanctity from the genius and philosophy of which they were once the seats. The hill of the Areopagus, the Academy, the Lyceum, the Portico, the Pnyx, if not all equally distinct in their situation, yet can admit of little error in this respect; and the traveller may safely venture to assert to himself, that he is standing where Demosthenes spoke to the Athenians, and where Plato and Aristotle addressed themselves to their scholars. No where is antiquity so well substantiated as at Athens, or its outline more completely filled up, both to the eye and imagination.

The state of society in Athens is distinguished from that of other parts of Greece, by its greater vivacity and freedom from restraint. In this circumstance also there will be seen some affinity to the habits of the ancient Athenians, though it must be owned that the probable causes are peculiar in part to modern times. The feebleness of the Turkish government here, has contributed much to this effect; still more perhaps the constant resi dence of foreigners in the city. The influence of the latter circumstance is distinctly seen in various habits and feelings of the people, and has been considerably extended of late years, by the direction which English travellers have taken during their exclusion from other parts of the conti

nent. There is a certain festivity about Athens which does not equally belong to any other Greek town; the oppression of slavery is less visibly present, and is actually felt in a smaller degree by the inhabitants. Even the Turks here seem to have lost something of their harshness, and become a people of quiet and inoffensive habits. From whatsoever part of Turkey the traveller may arrive, he finds himself coming to a sort of home, where various comforts may be obtained that are unknown elsewhere in this country. Society is more attainable, and the Greek females enter into it in general with much less restraint than in Ioannina, or other Greek towns.

SCOTTISH REVIEW.

Edinburgh Fugitive Pieces: with Letters, containing a comparative View of the Modes of Living, Arts, Commerce, Literature, Manners, &c. of EDINBURGH, at different Periods: by the late WILLIAM CREECH, Esq.F.R.S. EDINBURGH, with a short Account of his Life. 8vo. 12s. Fairbairn.

THE author of these pieces was so

universally known, and acted so conspicuous a part in this city for so long a period, that the volume cannot fail to possess attractions for a very numerous class of readers. There is not, perhaps, in the tranquillity of civilized society, any life so full of event and interest, as that of an extensive publishing bookseller. His intimate and confidential communication with the greatest men of the age; his occupation, which consists in a series of interesting, and often bold speculations, alike combine to banish that monotony which attends the usual routine of pursuits. No period could produce a greater number of illustrious men than that, during which

Mr

Mr Creech formed the medium by which their works were transmitted to the public. Bookselling, in Scotland, indeed, was not then conducted on the same independent footing that it has been since. Almost all the principal works were undertaken by London booksellers; and Mr Creech was merely the link which united them with the authors here. He held this place, however, exclusively; and there did not perhaps appear a single work of great value during that flourishing era of Scottish literature, which did not bear his name. He possessed, moreover, claims to public notice, independent of this eminent professional situation. His attainments in literature were respectable; his activity of mind and pub. lic spirit rendered him conspicuous on many occasions; and his social quali ties made his presence every where welcome. For these reasons, there appears ample ground for erecting the present monument to his name.

Mr Creech was the son of the Rev. William Creech, minister of the parish of Newbattle, a most respectable clergyman, and of Mrs Mary Buley, an English lady, related to a family of rank in Devonshire. His father died at the age of forty, and the family then removed to Dalkeith, where young Creech enjoyed the instructions of Mr Barclay, a very eminent teacher, who had the honour of educating Lord Melville, Lord Loughborough, and others who became distinguished in after life. An anniversary dinner ⚫ was lately formed of the scholars of Barclay, and though forty years had elapsed since his death, there survived yet twenty to pay this tribute to his

memory.

On his removal to Edinburgh, Mr Creech was much befriended by the family of Mr Kincaid, who had mar ried a lady related to the Marquis of Lothian, by whom Mrs Creech was always patronized. Mr Kincaid was then his Majesty's printer for Scot

land, and an eminent bookseller.. This connection induced Creech to prefer that profession to the medical one, which had been recommended by his friends. He was accordingly bound apprentice to Kincaid and Bell, and on the death of his mother, which happened soon after, he became an inmate in the family of Mr Kincaid. In the year 1766, he went to spend some time, first in London, and then on the continent, with a view to extend his knowledge of his profession. He afterwards made an extensive tour on the continent with Lord Kilmaurs, son to the Earl of Glencairn. These opportunities of improvement were doubtless well improved by his active mind, and prepared him for the sphere in which he was to act. his return, he was received into partnership by Mr Kincaid, who with drew in his favour in March 1773. Mr Creech then began his distinguished professional career. He soon be

Оп

came a sort of centre for the literature of Edinburgh. His shop, for a long course of years, was, during a part of the

day, the resort of most of the clergy of the city, of the professors of the University, and other public men, as well as of eminent authors, many of whom also frequented his house in the morning, to discuss their literary projects. His breakfast room was a sort of literary lounge, which went for a long time by the name of "Creech's levee." His shop was situated certainly in a very happy situation; in the very centre of the town, fronting the cross, the great scene of public resort. Mr Kincaid had succeeded in it to Mr James Macewen, a bookseller of considerable note; and the premises above are said to have been occupied, as a circulating library, by the celebrated Allan Ramsay. As, in consequence of the projected improvements, it will soon be removed, a sketch of the front bas very properly been preserved in this volume.

Mr Creech was one of the original founders

-founders of the Speculative Society; took an active part in the formation of the Chamber of Commerce; was an office-bearer in the Society for the sons of the Clergy, and in that for promoting Christian Knowledge. In this age of memoirs and correspondence, there is no one who could have furnished a more interesting collection and he seems even to have entertained such an intention; but his numerous engagements of business and society led him always to delay it, till declining health made it too late.

Mr Creech, was at different periods a member of the Town Council; and in 1811-12, he filled the office of Lord Provost. It was hoped that the eminence of his character would have retrieved the dignity of that high situation, which had then suffered some diminution. This hope was not fulfilled. It is needless to conceal the cause. Habits of economy, and even parsimony, induced probably by the narrow circumstances of his early life, and increased by age, withheld him from the exercise of that open and ample hospitality, the want of which our worthy citizens are unable to brook. Mr Creech accepted the office reluctantly; and it was unfortunate that he should thus have been forced into the only situation in which he did not make an advantageous fi

gure.

The following particulars are evidently from the pen of an intimate friend, and are interesting.

While Mr Creech was thus remarked in literary and public life, he was still more distinguished in domestic and social circles. Here, indeed, he was universally known and admired. Possessed of a constant flow of spirits, and habitual cheerfulness;--of an uncommon fund of agreeable information, and of manners the most unassuming and engaging, his company was every where courted. His sallies of wit and humour

of

were generally very successful; and although this species of pleasantry is often indulged without much regard to the feelings of others, it was remarked that Mr Creech avoided every kind of detraction, or personal allusion, that might seriously offend;-indeed good-nature, urbanity, and affability of manner, were prominent parts of his character. It has been observed, that the practice of retailing anecdote is often "the subterfuge of those who without genius wish to shine in conversation;" but if the remark be true in general, we may quote Mr Creech as an honourable exception. With no want of genius, and an imagination sufficiently vivid, he was remarkably fond of narrating anecdotes, and pourtraying the singularities of whimsical characters; and in no department his social powers did he afford more entertainment to his friends. Few will ever forget the enjoyment they have experienced by the recital of his many and well-known stories. His talents in conversation, however, were not confined merely to what is light and humorous; on almost every topic that occurred in convivial intercourse, his information was extensive and varied; and where a subject was introduced, which could be treated only by persons of reading and reflection, the stores of Mr Creech's mind were proved to be choice and abundant.Strangers who happened to be in company with him, were particularly struck with his good humour and powers of conversation, and often, at a distance, mentioned him as in these respects singularly agreeable. When Mr Creech was present, conversation seldom became insipid; or if it was likely to flag, he had a happy talent of introducing some subject that was interesting or amusing; and by his varied observations, promoted ease and cheerfulness. With these qualities, it may easily be conceived he was a most desirable guest, and a most pleasant companion.

Mr Creech passed a great part of his life in these social scenes, more, indeed, than was consistent with a due regard to his private concerns, and to his bodily health, although that was for a long period remarkably entire and vigorous. He had more leisure than falls to the lot of most men of business, being little encumbered with family affairs. He was never married. When in the prime of life, with all the prospects of a successful career before him, he was engaged to a most amiable and interesting lady, who falling into bad health a short time previous to their intended union, died on the eve of her departure for Lisbon, where her physicians had some hopes she might recover. This disappointment made a deep and permanent impression on Mr Creech's mind. To the object of his choice he was tenderly attached; and, tho' afterwards engaged in a long life of business, and bustle, and gaiety, he was often known, in moments of retirement, to speak with deep affliction of a loss which to him never could be repaired. In the period of confinement which preceded his dissolution, and when, although averse to confess it, he must have felt the fatal presages of mortality, he frequently spoke of this lady as still the object of his fondest remembrance.— Mr Creech's health gradually declined for a considerable time before his death, and he died on the 14th of January 1815, having nearly completed his 70th year.'

deal outré, and the irony, when he attempts it, is not well supported.— Nevertheless, there are visible traces of those talents, which contributed so much, and so long, to the amusement of this metropolis. We shall first give the following, on a subject which must have been familiar to him.

I must state a superiority which the reader has over him who keeps company. It consists in the patience and meekness with which books bear whatever you may advance against their arguments. I have condemned parts of Swift with great indignation, but he never reviled me; and I have thrown Smollet on the table in disgust, and he never said, Why do you so? Such things cannot be done in company. Besides, you may light your pipe with whatever offends you in Horace, and he seeks no revenge. You may kick Fielding to the end of the room, and there he lies as mute as a fish. You may paper band-boxes with the obnoxious parts of Voltaire, and he murmurs not. Political writers may

be sent to the necessary, and there (quiet, inoffensive men!) they will behave with as much propriety as when alive. Poets may be put under tarts, and philosophers wrapped round pounds of butter, and yet neither the rhymes of the one, nor the resentment of the other, be kindled against you. If Congreve offends you, you may sell snuff in the obnoxious leaves; and, if Ben Johnson's levity displeases, you may stick pins in his plays.

"Woe unto literature in these days of degeneracy! woe unto the Nine Muses and their suitors! how many epics have stood between the candle and candlestick! how many histories have been employed in twist tobacco! and how many philosophers have been made into thread papers, their arguments into paper kites, and their conclusions into three-penny crackers on a birth-day!—and yet with what patience and long-suffering they bear

all

The god of good liquor with fervour they

Woo,

And before the fifth act they are a' greeting fou;

And still, as a maxim, they keep in their eye This excellent adage, "that sorrow is dry."

The following ridicule of the fashions in 1785, is written with a good deal of liveliness.

Fashion has long held good sense and propriety in thraldom, but her triumph has never perhaps been so striking as of late.-A little squat dumpling figure, under a gypsey hat, like Tom Thumb under a bee-hive, is the most ludicrous thing that modern fashion has exhibited. Even the tall and taper damsel looks like the pole of her umbrella, when she is rigged out in a flounced gypsey, and then the ventilation of our streets and lanes affords so charming an opportunity of tossing the head about, to keep this piece of dress, which is called an ornament, in management.

'Fashion has often been at variance with nature and simplicity, but now she is at perfect open war with them, and has lately introduced an appendage of dress, which common-sense may deem rather unsuitable to buxom beauties; yet they too will be monsters, if it is the fashion.-We have long had perfumers who furnish complexions, and red cheeks and pale lips The lily varnish

are not uncommon.

for the mahogany skin may be had at many cosmetic warehouses; but we have now, for the first time, got bottom-shops, and ladies of all ages and dimensions, tall, short, fat, and lean, must have enormous bs. Spinal tenuity and mammillary exuberance (see Johnson's Dictionary,) have for some time been the fashion with the fair; but a posterior rotundity, or a balance, was wanting behind; and you may now tell the country lasses, if they wish to be fashionable, they must resemble two blown bladders, tied together at the necks.

Says Lady Winterbottom t'other day