the public, form an experiment, whose success, we trust, in this, will authorize the trial in other instances. It is well known that there is still a large unpublished part of the Wodrow MSS., which may throw no small additional light on a most important period of national history, and would be a very desirable Supplement to the work before us.

Of the History itself, as the most minute, and, we scruple not to say, on the whole, the most impartial account of the times which it so vividly illustrates, it is probably unnecessary to be particular in our commendation. Its character has been long established, not only among those who might be deemed favourable to any peculiar sentiments ascribed to the author, but with many who differ from them on such points, as, at least, a precious depository of historical information. That a book of so much importance should have been suffered to go entirely out of print, can be accounted for only by the fashionable prevalence of lighter literature, giving little hope of success in the republication of it; a discouragement in such cases, which we would wish to believe is rapidly giving way to a more enlightened judgment on the art of the "reading public."

we beg to know, was any formal attempt made to rebut or controvert its statements? When the advocates for Presbyterianism had recourse to argument, in support of their polity, there was no lack of replies on the part of their opponents. In covenanting times, we find a Maxwell and a Baillie in close combat together; and, immediately after the Revolution settlement, we find the learning and acuteness of Forrester, and Rule, and Jameson, and Anderson, met in battle array by the respectable talents and literature of Bishop Sage and Dr Monro; and never was the Episcopal and Presbyterian controversy managed on both sides with greater ability. Whence, then, is it, that when the unpretending historian comes forth with his two overwhelming folios facts and documents illustrative of the sufferings of the Church of Scotland under the Episcopal ascendency, no pen was drawn to vindicate the good old cause, and no effort was made to prove an alibi for the panel at the bar? Reasoning for Presbyterianism might be met by counter reasonings for Episcopacy, and the records of a distant antiquity might admit of varied interpretations; but 'facts,' as Wodrow says, 'are stubborn things, and will not easily be set out of the way.'"-Prel. Diss. pp. vi., vii.

Were there nothing to recommend Wodrow's History, however, except the mass of important information which is to be found in it, we could not hesitate in admitting One great recommendation of such historical works as it to be of standard value. It is a most particular dethat of Wodrow, is the fair field which they allow to the lineation of events, to which a merely local interest has formation of opinion. More general sketches may be been too often attached,-closely connected as they were useful in the preliminary study of any particular period, with, at that time, the general interests of the two kingbut in these the bias of the writer's mind is almost always doms, and the succeeding destiny of Great Britain; and, too prominent a feature, and the events recorded do not to every Scotchman in particular, it is a proud testimocommonly escape the modifying influence of his own par- nial of the firm and vigorous resistance of his forefathers-tialities, but are so accommodated as to instil them im- no matter how they may have erred in minor points, under perceptibly into the minds of his readers. It is other- many disadvantages, and some temptations to a comprowise, however, where the principal characteristic of the mising submission-against the encroachments of arbinarrative is its minute reference to, and citation of, its trary power on the rights of conscience and the political authorities. The whole evidence is laid before us; it is privileges of the subject. That some of these men were the facts themselves with which we are employed, not fierce and rash, both in their opinions and measures, is well the opinions already formed by others respecting them; known and universally allowed; though, in branding and whatever, therefore, be the views of the author him- them as turbulent and seditious, it were but candour to self, we are in less danger of being misled by him. "Our remember the merciless persecution which helped to make public records," says Wodrow, in his preface to the first them so. Indeed, to identify their characters with their volume," the registers of the privy council, and justi- cause, or their sentiments with those of the great majority ciary, are the great fund of which this history is formed; engaged in it, is not more an unjust than it is a ridicu a great part of it consists of extracts from these, and I lous mistake; and that cause was at first the defence of have omitted nothing which might give light to the state much that was dear,-while afterwards it became the preof the Church of Scotland at that period; though in per-servation of all that was valuable in public safety and dousing or making extracts out of ten or twelve large vo-mestic peace. That it is no small debt of gratitude lumes, several things may have escaped me."" It is a singular feature," says Dr Burns, Prel. Diss. p. 8, "in Mr Wodrow as a historian, that he has not only given us his own narrative of events, but likewise the original documents whence that narrative has been drawn. With the opinions of a historian, we have, properly speaking, nothing to do, and every reader is at perfect liberty to accord with the sentiments which Wodrow has expressed, or to differ from them entirely, as he pleases." We are not overlooking the accusation brought by some against Wodrow, of "disingenuousness." Even if he were disingenuous,—and if it be disingenuous to have an opinion of one's own, upon a most important subject, he is certainly liable to the imputation, even if he were disingenuous, we repeat, that the nature of his work diminishes the personal influence, as it were, of the writer over the reader. On this subject, however, let us quote the fol. lowing paragraph, from Dr Burns's vigorous, and, we think, successful, defence of Wodrow from the imputa

tion:

"The statements of our historian were not questioned at the time of their first publication. We do not deny that a deep sensation was excited by the work, and that a spirit of violent hostility was roused, and that there was every wish felt and expressed to have its testimony set aside. Nor do we deny that the author was rudely assailed with pasquinades and threats of personal violence, while the friendly reception which his Majesty (George the First) and the members of the royal family gave to the book, galled exceedingly the still sanguine adherents of the old dynasty. But

which, under Providence, we owe to the men whom superficial judges of human character regard as the "fanatics" of those days, is a trite observation; but "let even its triteness recommend its truth!" We speak in no un authorized language, when we talk of the lofty-minded heroism, the meek and Christian spirit,-the highly creditable learning, and even the calm good sense, of many amongst them; and whatever were the merits of the contest in other respects, they were engaged in a struggle for the continuance of a form of ecclesiastical po lity from which the happiest effects had previously been derived on the moral character and habits of the people, and which had gained their attachment, as much by the close and constant application of gospel truth which it maintained, as by any association of its peculiarities with the history or the rights of their country.

The plan of Wodrow's History is certainly very open to merely critical objections, but well adapted to gratify the interest commonly felt in a graphic and minute account of facts, more than in a regular and comparatively abstract narrative. It is almost unique, in the familiar air which is imparted to events, usually less interesting in dry detail, or too much idealized in their adaptation to professedly fictitious writings. The effect of the work before us reminds us much of that of old Froissart, though many may smile at the comparison. There is in both, however, we think, a similar unaffected life in description, and a felicitous touching of character, which gleams more pleasingly through simple and straightforward expres

sions.

Wodrow blends, throughout, the general occur- will own him for an equal,-beauty will smile upon him rences of the period with the most particular domestic as a friend,—and humbler aspirants will gaze with fond circumstances, as it were, of the people. Names, dates, and respectful admiration on the individual who has so places, &c., even in comparatively trifling matters, are successfully studied the Art of Tying the Cravat. But given with scrupulous exactness. The manners and ha- behold the reverse of the picture! Suppose that the unbits of the country are developed, not in colder disquisi-happy wretch is but an ignorant pretender to a knowledge tion, but in living pictures of individuals; and, while even of the proper mode of covering that part of the person inferior characters are thus made almost personally known which separates the shoulders from the chin,-a being to us, the more important actors in that eventful day pass who disgraces his laundress by the most barbarous use of before us in an equally vivid and dramatic individuality. her well-ironed and folded neckcloths, starched with that We seem to have seen and known the crafty Sharpe, the degree of nicety, that a single grain more or less would tyrannical Lauderdale, the fierce Dalzell, and the stern have made the elasticity too great or the suppleness too Claverhouse; and there is, in such respects, more unpre- little ;—suppose this Yahoo, with a white cravat tied tending power in many of these pages than the general round his neck like a rope, somewhat after the fashion reader might at first anticipate. The quiet gravity-we most in vogue among the poorer class of divinity students, might say, the elderly respectability-of a style peculiarly were to enter a drawing-room! What man on earth clear, is not unfrequently varied by a solemn pathos, or a would not turn away from him in disgust? The very generous indignation, which seldom fails in its appeal, poodle would snap at his heels; and the large tortoiseand adds no small interest to the details of the “humble shell cat upon the hearth-rug would elevate her back into pastor of Eastwood;" and if the reader turn to any of the form of an arch, bristle up her tail like a brush, and the more marked events narrated the rising at Pent- spit at him with sentiments of manifest indignation. land, the account of Guthrie's trial and death,-the Ladies would shrink from the contamination of his ap"ery,' Havoc,' and let slip," &c. of the Highland host, forproach, and the dearest friend he had in the world would instance he will find abundant evidence of a combination of candour in judgment, with a warm and often eloquent spirit of sympathy and honourable feeling, which cannot but enhance the work with all who can estimate such qualities.

cut him dead upon the spot. He might, perhaps, be a man of genius; but what is the value of genius to a per son ignorant of the Art of Tying the Cravat?

Let us enquire for a moment into the history of the Cravat, and the influence it has always held over society The arrangement by which the documents, acts of par- in general. "L'art de mettre sa cravate," says a French liament, &c. have been taken from the separate appendix philosopher (Montesquieu, we think), "est à l'homme du of the old edition, and thrown into the form of notes in monde ce que l'art de donner à diner est à l'homme d'etat." this, is in every way a decided improvement; and we It is believed that the Germans have the merit of invent cannot, at the same time, but bear testimony to the ex- ing the Cravat, which was first used in the year 1636, tensive information and acuteness which Dr Burns has by a regiment of Croats then in their service. Croat, displayed in the notes added by him throughout these vo- being pronounced Cro-at, was easily corrupted into cravat. lumes. He has contributed also a memoir of the author, The Greeks and Romans usually wore their neck free and some specimens of his correspondence, in which the and uncovered, although in winter they sometimes wrapcharacter of the man, and the singularly strong sense he ped a comforter round their throats, which they called a possessed, are very apparent; and the preliminary disser-focalium, from fauces. Augustus Cæsar, who was partation, to which we have already referred, is well worthy an attentive perusal, both as an eloquent and as an instructive composition.

We shall take more particular notice of this History when its publication is completed. At present, we cordially recommend to the encouragement of the public a work which we are persuaded has an equal claim to be considered national with many of far less general interest and loftier pretensions.

The Art of Tying the Cravat, demonstrated in Lessons,
with explanatory Plates. Forming a Pocket Manual.
By H. Le Blanc, Esq.
Effingham Wilson. 1829.

Third Edition. London.

ticularly liable to catch cold, continually used a focalium or sudarium. Even now, it is only some of the European nations who use Cravats. Throughout all the East the throat is invariably kept uncovered, and a white and wellturned neck is looked upon as a great beauty, being me. taphorically compared to a tower of ivory. In France, for a long period, the ruff, stiffened and curled in single or double rows, was the favourite ornament of the neck; but when Louis XIII. introduced the fashion of wearing the hair in long ringlets upon the shoulders, the ruff was necessarily abandoned. In 1660, when a regiment of Croats arrived in France, their singular tour de cou attracted particular attention. It was made of muslin or silk, and the ends, arranged en rosette, hung gracefully on the breast. The cro-at (now cravat) became the pas We have reviewed a good number of books in our day, sion; and the throat, which had hitherto been comparabut we never reviewed one in whose contents we felt so tively free, lost its liberty for ever. Many varieties were intensely interested as that which now lies before us. All introduced; but a fine starched linen cloth acquired the subjects, hiding their diminished heads, sink into insig- ascendency over all other, and retains it to this day. nificance the moment that the Art of Tying the Cravat Abuses crept in, however, for the fancy of the élégans ran engrosses the mind. It is an art without the knowledge wanton on the subject of pieces of muslin, stiffeners, colof which all others are useless. It is the very keystone lars, and stocks. At one time it was fashionable to wear to polite society; it is the open sesame to the highest such a quantity of bandaging round the neck, that shot honours both in church and state. Look at any indi- has been known to lodge in it with perfect impunity to vidual making his entrée into a drawing-room where there the wearer, and few sabre cuts could find their way is a circle in the slightest degree distinguished for taste through. Stocks are a variety of the Cravat species which and elegance. Is it his coat, his waistcoat, his shirt, his are now very general. Collars were the avant-couriers inexpressibles, his silk stocking, or his shoe, to which the of stocks, and were sometimes worn by the Egyptians glass of the critic, or the soft eye of beauty, is principally and Greeks, made of the richest metals, and ornamentdirected? No! it is to none of these. It is the Cravated with precious stones. The modern stock is a less that instantaneously stamps the character of its wearer. If it be put on with a recherché air, if its folds be correct, and its set comme il faut, then he may defy fate. Even though his coat should not be of the very last cut, and his waistcoat buttoned a whole button too high, still he will carry every thing before him. The man of fashion

costly article. It carries with it a stiff and artificial air; but this is rather in its favour as a part of the military costume. It has other advantages, too; it forms no wrinkle, and is very simple, making but one turn round the neck, and being fastened behind by a buckle or clasp. Stocks have very generally superseded the Cravat

butlers;-the Cravate à la Bergami, and the Cravate de Bal, where there is no knot at all, the ends being brought forward, crossed on the breast, and then fastened to the braces;—the Cravate Mathématique, grave and severe, where the ends descend obliquely, and form two acute angles in crossing ;-the Cravate à l'Irelandaise, upon the same principle as the preceding, but somewhat more airy; -the Cravate à la Gastronome, which is a narrow neckcloth without starch, fastened very slightly, so that in cases of incipient suffocation it may be removed at a mo

in the army; and, considering that they have been lately much improved, being now usually made of whalebone, thinned at the edges, with a border of white leather which entirely prevents any unpleasant scratching of the chin, we confess we are rather partial to them. But the Cravat still possesses paramount claims upon our attention. Of late years, a black silk Cravat has come into great favour, and, with a white or light-coloured waistcoat especially, it has a manly and agreeable effect. Bonaparte commonly wore a black silk Cravat, and in it he fought at Lodi, Marengo, and Austerlitz. It is somewhat remarkable, how-ment's notice;-the Cravate de Chasse, or à la Diane, ever, that at Waterloo he wore a white neckcloth, although the day previous he appeared in his black Cravat. Some persons have attempted to introduce coloured silk Cravats, but, much to the honour of this country, the attempt has failed. A Cravat of red silk in particular, can be worn only by a Manchester tailor.

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which is worn only on the hunting field, and ought to be deep green; the Cravate en Coquille, the tie of which resembles a shell, and is very pleasing, though a little finical;—the Cravate Romantique, à la Fidélité, d la Talma, à l'Italienne, à la Russe, together with the Cravate Jésuitique et Diplomatique, are interesting, and may all be studied in this delightful" Pocket Manual."

In concluding these observations, which are meant to rouse, if possible, the attention of a slumbering public to a subject, the vast importance of which the common herd of mankind are too apt to overlook, we cannot help reflecting with feelings of the most painful kind on the very small number of persons who are able to tie their Cravats in any thing like a Brummellian or Petershamic style. We have poets, statesmen, and orators,--we have men distinguished for their virtues and talents; but how few have we by whom the intricacies of the Nœud Gordien have been unravelled, or the scientific arrangements of the Cravate Mathématique are understood! In other words, how few perfect gentlemen does one meet with at an ordinary soirée! Our young men study fencing and cigar-smoking, billiards and the Sporting Magazine; but how rarely do they attend with a serious and wholesome earnestness to the Tying of their Cravats! In this respect we strongly suspect that the greater part of Scotland is little better than a moral desert; and it is only at one or two of the most fashionable parties in Edinburgh, that a Cravat is met with worn in a manner at all calculated to gladden the heart of that mighty master in the Tying Art,

Such is a very brief abstract of the rise and progress of Cravats; if they are ever destined to lose the place they at present hold in society, we fervently trust that some Gibbon may appear, to furnish us with a narrative of their decline and fall. But though all this knowledge is valuable, it is only preliminary to the great Art of Tying the Cravat. Hic labor, hoc opus. The first tie the parent of all the others, the most important, and by far the most deeply interesting—is the Nœud Gordien, or Gordian knot. Alexander the Great would have given half his empire to have understood it ;-Brummell was a prouder, a happier, and a greater man, when he first accomplished it. The mode of forming this Naud Gordien is the most important problem that can be offered to the student of the Cravat. He who is perfectly conversant with the theory and practice of this tie, may truly boast that he possesses the key to all the others, and that he has been elevated from the rank of a mere man to that of a gentleman, ay, every inch a gentleman;" for nothing vulgar can lurk in the character of him whose refinement of taste, delicacy of mind, and neatness of hand, enable him gracefully to tie the ends of his Cravat into the Nœud Gordien. It is no easy task; and we seriously advise those who are not initiated into the mysteries of this delight-Henry Le Blanc, Esq., or even to impart a ray of pleaful science, to make their first essays on a moderate-sized block. We can confidently assure them, that with tolerable perseverance they will be enabled to pursue their studies with pleasure and advantage, and in a more profitable manner-on themselves. For all the details of the practice that is necessary, which need not occupy more time than a couple of hours a-day, we have much pleasure in referring our readers to the excellent and most distinct instructions of our respected friend Henry Le Blanc, Esq.

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After the Naud Gordien come a host of others, all of which ought to be known for the sake of variety, and that the tie may be made to suit the occasion on which it is worn. There is the Cravate à la Orientale, when the neckcloth is worn in the shape of a turban, and the ends form a crescent ;-the Cravate à l'Americaine, which is simple, but not much to our taste, and the prevailing colours are detestable, being sea-green, striped blue, or red and white;-the Cravate Collier de Cheval, in which, after making the Nœud Gordien, the ends are carried round and fastened behind; a style much admired by ladies' maids and milliners, but in our opinion essentially vulgar, unless when used out of doors ;-the Cravate Sentimentale, in which a rosette is fastened at the top immediately under the chin, and which ought to be worn only by dapper apprentices, who write "sweet things" on the Sundays, or by Robert Montgomery, the author of "The Omnipresence of the Deity," a young man much puffed by Mr William Jerdan ;-the Cravate à la Byron, very free and dégagée, but submitted to by the noble poet, only when accommodating himself to the bienséances of society;-the Cravate en Cascade, where the linen is brought down over the breast something like a jet d'eau, and is a style in great vogue among valets and

sure to us, the far-off followers of his footsteps. We call upon our readers, if they value their necks, to show a greater regard for their Cravats. They may rest assured that a well-tied Cravat is better than the most flattering letter of introduction, or most prepossessing expression of countenance. An elegant Naud Gordien has been known to secure for its possessor £5000 a-year, and a handsome woman into the bargain. Let it not be viewed as a light or trifling matter; a Cravat comme il faut is synonymous with happiness, and they who know the difference between neck and nothing, will at once perceive that the "march of intellect" means little more than a due appreciation of the value of the Cravat, and as near an approach as possible to perfection, or to Henry Le Blanc, in the art of Tying it.

Medicine no Mystery, being a brief outline of the Principles of Medical Science, designed as an Introduction to their General Study as a Branch of a Liberal Education. By John Morrison, M.D. and A. B. Trin. Coll. Dublin. London. Hurst, Chance, & Co. 1829.

We suspect that every professed mystery must in this enlightened age be the harbinger either of most deplorable ignorance, or of most abominable imposition, and we care not, therefore, how soon the threshold of every temple of science be relieved from embarrassing difficul ties and absurdities, and rendered accessible to the humblest denizen, in search of knowledge. We denounce empirics of all denominations and orders, from the time when the druidical priests pretended to restore health to the sick by muttering mystic syllables at the shrine of Esculapius, down to that of the fire-loving, phosphorus

1

be called a half English town. Of course, it is no good their own superiority in this respect, have had recourse school for one who would learn to speak German. Even to the miserable shift of turning that which is properly here, in Göttingen, our countrymen will find opportuni- a subject of praise, into an object of ridicule, by misre ties enough of speaking English, if they do not wish to presenting the Germans as mere laborious drudges in libe at the trouble of acquiring the language of the country. terature, well calculated to compile lexicons of words, Though Russell had taught me that English was much plants, or stones, but utterly destitute of that fire of studied in Germany, I certainly did not expect to find genius which produces the poet and the fine writer. For it so generally known as it seems to be here. Of the such a charge there has long ceased to be any foundaProfessors of the Göttingen University, there are few, if tion. The works of Goethe, Schiller, Wieland, Herder, any, who do not understand English; I mean in so far Lessing, and a hundred others, will not fear comparison as to consult with facility the productions of our press, with the best productions of English, French, or Italian which relate to their respective sciences; and not a few literature. I may safely take it for granted, therefore, speak it with great fluency and accuracy. The study of that the German language contains literary treasures our language is no less favourite and common among the worthy the attention of those with whom such treasures students. In the circle of my acquaintance here (already are in estimation; and I shall now endeavour to recom pretty considerable) most have studied English a little, mend it to the notice of my countrymen on consideramany can read it with ease, and not a few speak it with tions drawn from the nature of the language itself, ina readiness and accuracy, which, to those who have never dependently of the literature of which it is the medium. been in England, must have cost much pains and study. To suppose a Göttingen student who had not soared to the heights of tragic feeling with Shakspeare, and heartily sympathized with all Sir Walter Scott's well-depicted scenes of English and Scottish life, would be to brand him as utterly a stranger to literature in general. They whom want of opportunity or inclination have debarred from consulting these authors in the original, never fail to make acquaintance with them by means of translations, which are to be found everywhere, both good and cheap. Cheap I may truly say. Sir Walter's works are published at Stuttgard, at four-pence per volume. For this price I bought Ivanhoe, at Hamburg, complete in five volumes.

If, then, the Germans are such admirers of our literature, why are we so backward to return the compliment? If some unlucky German should stumble on our coasts, how improbable that he would meet with an Englishman who could communicate a thought to him in his native tongue! When a German student pays a visit to our universities, is it very likely that Goethe or Schiller will meet his eyes, arrayed on the shelves of the Scottish Burchen? I question much if he would find the German classics very abundant even in the extensive libraries of our greatest literati. While translations of our classics are here to be found in abundance, even in the common circulating libraries, where with us is the good and complete translation to be found of those brilliant writers who have adorned the German literature? The fact cannot be disputed; and I again ask, why is it so? It cannot be that the German literature is held unworthy of the trouble necessary to be employed in acquiring the language; for we study French and Italian commonly enough, though these languages are keys to nothing half

so valuable as the German can unlock.

A more book-making people than the Germans cannot easily be named, and these books are not generally (as some suppose) the flimsy effusions of a wild imagination, but the solid and elaborate productions of a more laborious and painstaking set of authors than any other country in Europe can boast of. Diligence and perseverance, united with the greatest zeal in the pursuit, and an undivided attention to their respective provinces, have procured to the German literati a character, before which their French and even English brethren must yield. In Botany, for instance, Mineralogy, and other branches of Natural History, they have made great advances; and if in these departments we can oppose to a Wildenow a Smith, or to a Werner a Hutton, in the field of Philology and Biblical Criticism, the different universities of Germany can boast of such a constellation of bright names, that before them all our literati must hide their diminished heads. Every Scotch grammarian and divine will confess, that the greater number of those books which assist him in unfolding the meaning of ancient authors emanate from Germany. So incontrovertible is this fact, that many among the English, unable to assert

The German language, then, deserves our attention principally on account of its near connexion and relationship with our own. The present languages of Europe, numerous as they at first sight appear to be, are all reducible to three original tongues-the Latin, the Sclavonic, and the Teutonic. The Sclavonic is the language of Russia, and of some parts of Germany. Latin prevails in the greater number of European languages-it forms the principal part of the Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese; and, along with the German, it forms the present English language. This prevalence of the Latin arose, very naturally, from the extension of the Roman empire. Thus it has happened that in France, Spain, and Portugal, the polished and cultivated language of the conquerors has almost entirely extirpated the languages of the original inhabitants. Germany was at once too remote from the seat of Roman power, and possessed too warlike inhabitants, to be exposed to the same danger from the Roman power, as those nations whom we have just mentioned. Accordingly this country, with its northern neighbours, Denmark, Holland, Sweden, and Norway, has retained its original tongue, without any further intermixture with the Latin, than what the universal use of this language, in matters of religion and law during the middle ages, rendered unavoidable. England has, in respect of language, been exposed to more changes than any other nation in Europe. The original language of the Britons, our ancestors before the invasion of the Romans, has no connexion either with the Latin or the Teutonic, but is rather allied to the Eastern tongues. It kept its ground against the Roman power, but not so against the Saxon, before which it fled, and sought for itself an asylum in the mountainous recesses of Wales and Scotland. There, as well as in Ireland, it remains to the present day. But in the greater and more important part of the British isles, the language introduced by the AngloSaxons, a people from the north of Germany, prevailed universally. The dominion of the Saxons was destined to yield to that of the Normans, who, in the eleventh century, treated the Saxons as the Saxons had formerly treated the Britons. And now a great change took place in our language; Norman French became the language of the court, and of all who aimed at court favour, or wished to be thought in any degree refined and polished in manners. For this reason, we had well-nigh lost our old Saxon language. But it had taken too deep a root, to allow itself to be altogether extirpated by foreign influence. For many years, while the court and the po lished of the land used the new language, the Old Saxon was retained, in its unmixed purity, by the peasants and other descendants of the original Saxons. From the influence of these causes, which the Author of Waverley has rendered so familiar to us, by the romance of Ivanhoe, many ages passed before one common language was spoken in England. At last, however, as the distinction between Normans and Saxons wore away, their languages also were incorporated, and from their union was the present