GLEANINGS.

A good author should have the style and courage of a captain, the integrity of a dying man, and so much sense and ingenuity, as to impose nothing, either weak or needless, on the world.

The best of authors are not without their faults, and if they were, the world would not entertain them as they deserve. Perfection is often called for, but nobody would bear it. The only perfect man that ever appeared in the world was crucified.

The man whose book is filled with quotations, may be said to creep along the shore of authors, as if he were afraid to trust himself to the free compass of reasoning. Others defend such authors by a different allusion, and ask whether honey is the worse for being gathered from many flowers?

A few choice books make the best library: a multitude will confound us, whereas a moderate quantity will assist and help us. Masters of great libraries are too commonly like booksellers, acquainted with little else than the titles.

He who reads books by extracts, may be said to read by deputy. Much depends on the latter, whether he reads to any purpose.

Satire is the only kind of wit, for which we have scripture authority and example, in the case of Elijah ridiculing the false gods of Ahab.

He that always praises me, is undoubtedly a flatterer; but he that sometimes praises, and sometimes reproves me, is probably my friend, and speaks his mind. Did we not flatter ourselves, others would do us no hurt.

Men are too apt to promise according to their hopes, and perform according to their fears.

Secrecy has all the prudence, and none of the vices either of simulation, or dissimulation.

For the New-York Weekly Magazine.

An Enigmatical List of amiable young Ladies in this City.

1.	Miss C–l–e S–m–n,
2.	Miss S–r–h B–r–r,
3.	Miss L–e–a B–z–r,
4.	Miss M–r–a C–e–n,
5.	Miss M–r–a B–k–r,
6.	Miss M–r–a B–e–n,
7.	Miss C–h–e D–v–s,
8.	Miss N–n–y P–g–e,
9.	Miss S–r–a T–y–r,
10.	Miss M–r–y U–t.

(A solution is requested.)

Sept. 12, 1796.

A. D.

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NEW-YORK.