fruits; cordials and grog for those who preferred them; | spair, and cut my way, hallooing to my companions. I did and tea and coffee for the ladies, and the more moderate of the gentlemen. not overtake them till we had got through the skirts of the forest, by which time I was nearly exhausted from the violent exertion I had been making. Breathless and full of horror, I related my awful adventure and hairbreadth escape, and judge of my mortification when I was told, after a peal of laughter had made the very woods merry with my misfortune, that none of the snakes in the island were venomous, but perfectly harmless, and were much cherished by the planters for killing and dispersing the rats which infest the cane plantations. Every step we now took, the ground became clearer and clearer, till at last we stood free of all impediments. The size of the trees and the luxuriance of the foliage was absolutely tremendous. I could only see the ramiers for a moment as they flew from tree to tree; and as for a glimpse of the blue vault of heaven, it was impossible. Every shot told like rattling thunder, and it was long ere the echo died away. We now came to a halt, and had recourse to a noggin of superb brandy, which the foreknowledge of my companions had provided. We soon set forth again, not exactly like giants, but refreshed, and our guides loaded with game of all kinds, agouties, ramiers, partridges, neanakoes, &c. We got back by a shorter and clearer route, just as the large dinner-bell was ringing for the first time. In about half an hour, behold us seated round a smoking board, loaded, and groaning under the accumulated beef in a hundred varieties, hashes, stews, and harricoes, potatoes, yams, cabbages, plantains, turnips, and couchcouch; while the rear was brought up by as goodly a display of plum-pudding, tarts, and custards, as I ever beheld in merry England or broad Scotland. What struck me most were four large pine-apples, placed at some distance from each other along the table, each of which was upwards of a foot in length, and proportionably broad, while their size was increased by the large luxuriant tufts and leaves which almost covered them;—nor did their size diminish their flavour; they were every way the most delicious things I ever tasted. Breakfast over, the ladies donned their aprons, and retired to the pantry, where dreadful devastation immediately commenced. Eggs were destroyed by hundreds; sweetmeats, sugar, fruit, fowl, flesh, fish, turtle, were put in requisition; while the lords of the creation strolled forth to kill time, till the dinner hour should bring them back the fair sex from their dreadful and murderous occupation. A party of us, accompanied by two boys, carrying fishing rods, rifles, shot, powder, &c. made the best of our way to the stream or river where, the night before, I made my watery debut. Arrived at the water's edge, we commenced a most vigorous attack on the mullets with our rifles, but our fire was far from deadly. However, we sent two negroes to cut some branches from the manchineal tree, the milk of which is a thousand times worse than the strongest blister: indeed, some of the garrison had fallen asleep under some of the trees in the heat of the day, and, before night, they were found dead. These branches, on being thrown into the river, poison the water, and of course kill all the fish, which we now got in myriads. Surfeited with this, we sent back the boys with our rods; on their return with cutlasses, we buckled them to our waists, and, slinging our rifles at our backs, we strode on to the woods, to avoid the heat of the sun, and to shoot ramiers (wood pigeons.) Our road first led up a steep acclivity, through an im-weight of turtle-soup, callipash and callipee, mutton and mense quantity of very high brushwood, and then along the narrow ridge of an immense perpendicular cliff, at the constant and imminent danger of our necks.. After ascending about half a mile, we entered the great forest which occupies the whole centre, and more than one-half of the island. On gaining the summit of the path, one of the most magnificent and romantically wild views I ever saw, lay before me. As far as eye could reach in front, to the right or left, lay, in calm but majestic, nay, awful quiet, a seemingly boundless and impenetrable forest, whose trees are of enormous magnitude, and untouched by the axe. Above, was a lovely sky, and over all was cast the burning splendour of a tropic sun; while the incessant screeching of the hawk, the distant moaning of the perdrix, or Indian partridge, in the far-stretched forest beneath, and the continued cooing of the ramier all around us, enlivened with the notes of the thrush, mocking-bird, and an infinite variety of the feathered tribe, with the incessant fluttering of those minions of the fairies, the humming-birds, as they danced, in all the minute and gorgeous splendour of their gem-like plumage, from shrub to shrub, and from flower to flower, seemed to invite, or rather welcome us to the lovely scene. I could have shrieked for joy; but, after gazing for some time in silence, we began to descend into the forest below. We soon lost all vestige of a track; and as our way now lay through an almost impenetrable barrier of brushwood, vines, thorns, and leans, we had to make good use of our cutlasses to clear the road before us. I hacked away at a noble rate till I heard a rustling among the leaves before me, and directing my eyes to the spot, they became riveted on a large snake. His eyes glared at me, but, from the moment they met mine, his body remained stationary. I am not naturally a coward; but this dreadful appearance in an Indian forest brought out a cold sweat over my whole body. I felt, as somebody says, "concealed into an icicle." At last he appeared to be preparing for the spring that was to seal my doom. I made one desperate stroke with my cutlass, and severed his body in twain. The blade crashed through sticks and bushes, and so great was the force of the blow, that my body followed it. Victor and vanquished alike bit the dust, or rather the dry sticks which covered it. I rose, sputtering, in terror and de A sort of tough, ropy weed, or stalk, that runs along the ground, from the body of one tree to another, and frequently covered with large strong thorns. A dinner is a dinner all over the globe, and this was like the rest. I made my escape as fast as possible from the enormous libations of claret and madeira which the guests were pouring on the altars (i. e. throats) of their deities-themselves. When I got out, I found all the negroes assembled on the green, splendidly dressed, and tripping it on their dark fantastic toes in the moonlight. They had formed a large ring, in the inside of which, at one end, three boys were seated on a log of wood, with their tamboos before them. This is a small cask or barrel, with its head tightly covered over with prepared goat or sheepskin, across which a string is stretched, having a few beads, pieces of quill, and pins, &c. attached to it, which, when they strike, makes the instrument give forth a quivering sound, by no means unpleasant when artfully managed. After a short prelude, a man enters the ring, and after a variety of gestures and dancing, darts his eyes towards his favourite fair, or rather dark one; and after running three times round, approaches her, driving against her as if he intended fairly to upset her. This, I was told, was the very height of negro civility. They then enter the ring together, and caper away in a most amusing manner. In a short time the centre of the ring is occupied by a legion of these innocent devils, capering as if quicksilver was in their veins. They call this dance, I think, Yaba. I was summoned from this happy group to a tedious set of quadrilles in the interior of the mansion. The Lancers were put through their exercise to the dulcet sounds of one of the most execrable fiddles that ever murdered music, accompanied by a tambourine. After several of these half-strangled attempts, supper was announced. The glass and the song went round. Our native lands were in our flowing cups freshly remembered; and By William Kennedy, Author of " Fitful Fancies," &c. "In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow."-Ecclesiastes. A BITTER text, stern Eastern sage, More bitter as 'tis true- Souls conscious but of meaner things, Of none, save Him, who, placed on high, A man may urge a fleet by flame, When he hath play'd his sleights of hand, Even they for whom he finds new ways The downward, microscopic eye Which but one impulse draws- Of God's eternal laws? Little or nought, although perchance May light upon "a cause," Counts nothing great or small. Were but a worthless ball- Before its gaze time most remote Where gleams the rising ray; It doth familiar stray-- The world has changed its outward guise In science, arts, and crimes ;-- In these our Christian climes; And though spear, shield, and bow are gone, The murder-craft still prospers on. What have the boasted arts of peace For our improvement done? I had forgot they pamper'd thee, As 'tis in every other, For gold, or glare, or brief command, We are compell'd to smother, Lest those, for whom we grieve, should mock Some there have been so mild of mood, As to anticipate that good Would triumph over wrong. But the experience of the sage Till the last head is hoary; LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES IN EDINBURGH. ROYAL SOCIETY. Monday, 21st December. Professor RUSSELL in the chair. Present,-Baron Clerk Rattray; Sir George S. Mackenzie; Sir William Hamilton; Professors Wallace, Alison, and Christison; Drs Duncan, Maclagan, Knox, Berry; Henry Witham, John Robison, son, Esquires, &c. &c. Steven Dr Knox read "Remarks on the Osteology and Dentition of the Dugong."* *The Dugong belongs apparently to the class of Cetacea. Its head is small and obtuse; the upper lip forms a short, thick, and nearly vertical snout; the lower resembles a round or oblong chin; two tusks project forward from the upper jaw, and are nearly covered by the upper lip; the eyes are small, and situated on the side of the cranium; the aperture of the ears is so small as to be with difficulty discernible, and is situated at some distance behind the eyes. The body is rounded, and diminishing towards the tail, which is broad, horizontal, and of a crescent form; there are two pectoral fins, without nails; but no vestige of dorsal or ventral fins. The skin is smooth, thick, bluish above, and whitish beneath, with a few scattered hairs. is found on the shores of the Eastern ocean, in shallows and inlets from two to three fathoms deep; never on land or in fresh water. It browzes on the marine algae, like a cow in a meadow. The affection of the mother is strongly marked-when her young one is taken, she follows, and becomes an easy prey. The young emit a short, sharp Dr Knox commenced by expressing a doubt whether took place in the direction of the wind, its first indicathere were a complete skeleton of an adult Dugong in tions were uniformly observed on that side from which Europe. He had indeed heard, that M. Cuvier had de- it was about to blow. Sir G. further noticed, as inconclared he was now in possession of five complete skeletons. sistent with the theory of rarefaction, the fact that eurIf so, M. Cuvier must have acquired them subsequent to rents of air seldom extended far in the same direction. the publication of his work, entitled "Ossemens Fossiles." He mentioned, as a circumstance tending to establish this By complete skeleton, the Doctor meant one prepared by a fact, that he himself, sailing on one occasion from scientific anatomist; extensive experience having clearly Stromness with an easterly wind, was shortly after be satisfied him, that skeletons, prepared in the colonies, or calmed; the wind, when it returned, veered about to dif by those who are not anatomists, cannot be depended on. ferent quarters, and was occasionally violent; yet he It was not sufficient, then, to say that a skeleton is com- learned, on returning to Stromness, that the same wind plete; the person must be known who dissected and pre- which carried him out of the harbour, had continued to pared it, before the zoologist or anatomist can place im- blow steadily in the same direction for a week. Of the plicit reliance on its various details. He showed, that same import, he conceived, was an observation he had the engraving of the skeleton of the Dugong in M. Cu-made on an easterly wind of long continuance, which, vier's great work had been made from an imperfect skele- | had it (as its direction indicated) swept up the Baltic, ton; inasmuch as the bones of the sternum were awant- and over the German ocean, must necessarily have ab ing. The remarks which he had now to submit to the sorbed a great quantity of moisture, but which remained Society, rested upon the examination of a skeleton of the excessively dry during the whole time of its continuance. animal which had come accidentally into the possession It seemed that the motion of the currents of air revolving of the University Museum, and a head of the Dugong, round a vertical axis, was most consistent with such phe. presented a year and a half ago to the Society, by Mr Swin- nomena as had occurred to him at Stromness. It was ton, which was now upon the table. A short allusion also in accordance with what we might often witness was made to the structure of the heart of the Dugong, different current in the upper regions of the atmosphere preserved in spirits, which stood before him. There from what we experienced in the lower. It accorded was a very deep incision between the ventricles, not so likewise with the phenomena of whirlwinds. Sir G. much, however, as to separate them entirely, indicating was of opinion, that we were not sufficiently acquainted an attempt, as it were, on the part of nature, to divide this with the various indications of the barometer to infer much❘ organ into two—an extraordinary phenomenon, in an ani- from them; and that much light might be thrown on this mal ranking so high in organization as the Dugong. There difficult matter, by a carefully conducted series of observawas a considerable diversity between many of the bones in tions with the electrometer. He also anticipated interesting the cranium belonging to the College Museum and that on results from the employment of a machine for indicating the table; they were, however, scarcely of such a decided the force of the wind, to the construction of which he character as to indicate a specific difference. But, with had devoted much time and attention. Lastly, considerreference to the tusks, (and on this matter hinged, as it ing the limited range of currents of air, simultaneous obwere, the object of the paper,) there were indeed differ-servations, at different places, would be interesting and inences seemingly specific betwixt the two crania. It would structive. seem that this diversity in the form of the tusks had been originally noted by Sir Everard Home, but was considered by him not as indicating specific differences, but merely as having a reference to age. Dr Knox farther supported his views by a reference to the dentition of the elephant, the narwhale, and by the well-known physiological laws which regulate the growth of the human teeth. The author hoped that the length of the paper would be readily excused, when the great ignorance, even of good zoologists and anatomists, was taken into account, as to the natural history of the cetaceæ and other animals, which, like the Dugong, approach them in habits and in struc ture. ence. Sir George S. Mackenzie read “A notice regarding some observed anomalies in the phenomena of the atmosphere." The great aim of the essay was to establish, that in attempting to explain atmospheric phenomena, too much had been attributed to rarefaction of the atmosphere, and that the generation of heat and cold in the air had been too exclusively attributed to the solar influWith regard to that theory which accounted for the production of currents of wind on the hypothesis of a rarefaction of the atmosphere in one part, and a rushing from the denser parts to supply this demi-vacuum, if it were correct, that portion of the denser atmosphere which was nearest the rarified air, must first be set in motion, then a portion more remote, and thus, any person so situated as to discern the approach of a current of air, would find it advancing towards him by a retrograde motion. But the contrary was the fact; for whenever any change ery, and are said by the natives to weep when taken. The Malays frequently allude to this animal as an instance of maternal affection; and the common people preserve what they believe to be the tears of the young, under the impression that they conciliate for the wearer the affections of those to whom he is attached. The Dugong is taken by spearing: it is considered by the Malays a royal fish; and its flesh, which tastes like young juicy beef, is preferred to that of the cow or buffalo.-Cuvier, Recherches sur les ossemens fossiles des Quadrupedes," Vol. IV.-Philosophical Transactions, Vol. CX. PP. 111, 171, 315. The secretary next called the attention of the meeting to a collection of objects of Natural History, presented to the Society by Mr Swinton, of Calcutta, and beautifully prepared by Dr Knox. The Society then adjourn till the first Monday in January. The meeting of the Wernerian Society, which, according to the usual rotation, should have been held on Saturday the 19th, was postponed. . THE DRAMA. THERE has been little novelty at our theatre this week. "The House of Aspen" has been performed every night, and the afterpieces have not been of the newest description. Sir Walter's play has not drawn very crowded houses; and we must say that it is, upon the whole, a little heavy. It was probably judicious to arrange it in three acts; but each act is, in consequence, too long. There is a want of relief throughout ; and we must again repeat, that we regret the Manager did not take the part of Rudiger. We are convinced he would have performed it in a manner that would have added another laurel to his reputation. Sir Walter Scott, having availed himself of the present holidays to go to his favourite Abbotsford, has not been present at the representation of the piece; which we regret, for more reasons than one. With regard to Mr Thomson's music, our opinion is the same that it was last Saturday. There is a great deal of genius in it; but it is too much after Weber. There is no young man in Great Britain at the present day more likely to distinguish himself in the musical world than Mr Thomson, but he must, above all things, avoid imitation. We can allow him mannerism, if he chooses, but not imitation. We are certainly not at all sorry to perceive that he is an intense admirer of Weber, who has already been spoken of in the Literary Journal as the Lord Byron of modern music; but do not let him confine his admiration too exclusively to Weber,-let his soul become imbued with the beauties of other great composers also, and then his own fine thoughts will run a less risk of assuming any one particular tone, or of flowing continually in the same channel. Were Mr Thomson to fix his residence on the Continent for some months, and place himself under the tuition of Hummel, Cherubini, or some other old and practised master, he could not fail to reap much benefit from their remarks on his compositions; and whilst he probably would acquire a freer and less limited style, he would, at the same time, retain and improve all his own natural taste and talent. We have this week seen Miss Jarman again in the part of the Youthful Queen. We do not hesitate to pronounce her acting, in this piece, equal-probably superior -to any thing the stage can at this moment produce. Her picture of the young, ardent, beautiful, intellectual, and impassioned princess, is the very embodyment of a poet's dream. Had Miss Jarman made her debut in London in this part, under similarly favourable auspices as Miss F. Kemble, when she came out as Juliet, the piece would have run every night for a whole season, and we should never have heard the last of it. If the London people rave so much about Miss Kemble, who has appeared as yet only in two characters, we certainly do not see why we in Edinburgh should not be allowed to express ourselves somewhat enthusiastically regarding an actress like Miss Jarman, who is put to the severe test of taking the first female part in almost every piece that is acted, and who, although many of them are foreign to her dispositions and her genius, never fails at least to please, and more frequently to delight. We trust that Mr Murray will endeavour to secure Miss Jarman as a permanent member of his company; and at all events, we can assure him, that having accustomed us to her acting during one part of the season, he will not consult his own best interests if he does not keep her here for the remainder of it. He may have engaged the support of a succession of stars, but a single star, without the assistance which no other of the company but Miss Jarman can give, will not be satisfactory. We know this opinion to be general. Old Cerberus. mous. METROPOLITAN THEATRICALS. London, December 21st, 1829. UPON Miss Kemble's first performance of Belvidera, though the free-list was suspended, yet hundreds were turned away for whom there was no room; and even the orchestra, to the exclusion of all the band, excepting some half dozen violins, was let in extra seats, to accommodate about ninety persons, at one guinea each! Though suffering from severe indisposition, all doubt was very speedily at an end respecting her renewed triumph, for never was an audience more delighted, or more unaniHer subsequent performances have certainly been improvements on her first; and, on the whole, she may, in the present state of the stage, defy all rivalry. The new scenery is most splendid, and the other leading characters such as they ought to be, to support such a Belvidera. The Theatre, on Miss K.'s nights, still continues crowded; and, to meet the increased and increasing demand for places, one row of seats is still taken from the orchestra every evening.-Miss Foote, much improved since she was last here, is much applauded, but does not, as indeed might be expected on the bye-nights, draw great houses. The immortal "Black-eyed Susan" is yet playing, and to be played until the holidays. Drury-Lane's bad taste, and ill success in novelties, still seem to attend her; since, only on Saturday last, a new drama by Douglas Jerrold, somewhat quaintly styled in the bills," entirely new and original," was most decidedly and deservedly condemned, under the title of the "Witch Finder," although the talents of W. Farren, Harley, Cooper, Sinclair, &c. were all exerted to the utmost to make it palatable. Kean continues to draw for three evenings in the week; and were it not for him, the house would, I very much fear, realize old John Kemble's prophecy, and become "a splendid desert." He has, however, merely rung the changes as yet in Richard, Sir Giles Overreach, and Othello, though he is promised in a new character, which, for the sake of the Theatre, and his own fame, he will, I hope, take time and pains enough to study well and perfectly. The subjects of the grand Christmas Pantomimes, which we, who are in the secret, may whisper to be very excellent, are, at Drury-Lane, "Jack in a Box, or Harlequin and the Princess of the Hidden Island ;" and at Covent-Garden, the old nursery tale of "Who killed Cock Robin?" which must come home to "the business and bosoms" of all its juvenile visitors.-The ponderous Mademoiselle D'jeck still continues so attractive at the Adelphi, that it is absolutely requisite to secure places ten days before-hand;-and the Cobourg has announced another still more surprising Elephant in a new drama by Tom Dibdin, with the classical cognomen of "Siamaraindianaboo!" My next will, I expect, contain more news; and my letter therefore will be, I hope, better worth my writing and your reading. I am extremely glad to find that Miss Smithson seem at last to have found her proper level. How the Parisians ever came to praise her as they did, was always a mystery to me, who so well remember her insipidity at DruryLane; but that she should have been praised in England, as she has occasionally been since her return, is still more enigmatical. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. WE have been favoured with a perusal, in sheets, of the forthcoming third volume of the History of the University of Edinburgh. It contains much curious and interesting matter, and shall be review. ed in the Journal next Saturday. A copy of The Excitement, or a Book to induce Boys to read, which we announced in our last, has been handed to us. It is a very attractive and pleasing volume, and will form the subject of an interesting notice in our next. Mr Klauer Klattowski, author of the German Synoptical Grammar, has in the press a Manual of German Literature, intended for self-tuition. The whole selection will be illustrated by copious explanatory notes, and the first portion of the work will be accompanied by an interlinear analytical translation. Mr Klauer has also nearly ready for publication a Manual of Icelandic Literature, with an Abridgement of Dr Rask's Swedish Icelandic Grammar. In the edition of Boswell's Life of Dr Samuel Johnson, which is now in preparation by the Right Hon. John Wilson Croker, we understand that much new light will be thrown on the manners of the time, the state of society, and the characters of persons. Many curious and entertaining circumstances which occurred in the intervals of Boswell's visits to London will also be introduced. Early in January will be published, Part I. to be completed in about 12 Parts, of a new and highly embellished edition of Walton's and Cotton's complete Angler, with Illustrations by T. Stothard, R.A., and original Memoirs and Notes by Nicholas Harris Nicholas, Esq. In the Appendix, the celebrated Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle, by Juliana Berners, will be printed entire from the Book of St Albans. Mr Robert Montgomery's new poem, entitled Satan, will make its appearance next week. Mr A. G. Stapleton, formerly private secretary to the late Mr Canning, announces the Political Life of that distinguished individual, from his acceptance of the Seals of the Foreign Department in September 1822, to the period of his death in 1827. The next volume of Dr Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, to be published on the 1st of January, will be the first volume of the History of Maritime and Inland Discovery. Mr Sotheby, the ingenious translator of Oberon, is about to send to press a new translation of the Iliad, which, we understand, possesses merits of no mean order. The first volume of the Family Classical Library, commencing with the Orations of Demosthenes, translated by Thomas Leland, D.D., will be published on the 1st of January. of Number I. of Gray's Illustrations of Indian Zoology, consisting coloured figures of Indian Animals, unknown or not yet publish ed, will appear on New-Year's-Day. The Rev. Hobart Caunter is preparing for publication a poem, en titled "The Island Bride," with an illustration by Martin. Among other interesting new works announced by Mr Murray of Albemarle Street, we observe,-Consolations in Travel, or the Last Days of a Philosopher, by Sir Humphry Davy. A Memoir of the Life and Public Services of the late Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The Book of Psalms, newly translated from the Hebrew, and with Explanatory Notes, by W. French, D.D., Master of Jesus College, Cambridge, and G. Skinner, M.A. Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Giovanni Finati. The Life of Julius Caesar, by the Author of the Life of Alexander the Great. Financial Reform, by Sir Henry Parnell. The Kirby Letters, a Family Tour from Yorkshire to Penzance. Principles of Geology, by C. Leyell, F.R.S. The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, comprising a great part of his early Correspondence, by Dr Paris. The Mirror of the Graces, or the English Lady's Costume, is announced for early publication, by a Lady of Distinction. Musical Illustrations of the Waverley Novels, by Eliza Flower, are announced. Anecdotal Reminiscences of distinguished Literary and Political Characters, with Autographs, is announced by Mr Leigh Cliffe. The Poetry of the Magyars, with an account of the Language and Literature of Hungary, by Dr Bowring, is in the press. A poem entitled the Reproof of Brutus is announced, which will contain appeals, on the state of the country, to Mr Peel, Sir F. Burdett, Messrs Hume, Horton, and Sadler, the Archbishop of Canter bury, &c. Among other novelties, a complete edition of the poetical works of the Rev. George Croly is preparing for publication. Mr Croly deservedly holds a very high rank among our living poets. TIME'S TELESCOPE -We are requested by the editor of the first sixteen volumes of this work to state, that he is in no way connected with the forthcoming volume for 1830. JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES-Mr Knowles is delivering his Lectures on Dramatic Literature with great success at Manchester. It is stated in one of the Manchester papers, that his observations on various points are calculated to produce as strong an effect on the judgment of his audience, as the beautiful readings and recitations with which his Lectures are interspersed produce on their feelings. LADIES' TEMPERANCE SOCIETY.-The New York Observer informs us, that the ladies of a town in Ohio have formed themselves into a Temperance Society, and adopted the following constitution : -"We, the subscribers, having witnessed and heard of many cases of misery and ruin, in consequence of the free use of ardent spirits, and desirous to prevent, if possible, so great evils, have resolved--1. We will wholly abstain from the use of ardent spirits on all occasions, except when prescribed by a temperate physician. 2. We will discountenance all addresses in any of the male sex, with a view to matrimony, if they shall be known to drink ardent spirits, either periodically, or on any public occasion. 2. We, as mothers, daughters, and sisters, will use our influence to prevent the connexion of our friends with a man who shall habitually drink any kind of ardent spirits." We leave our readers to draw their own inference in regard to these reformadoes (as the Baron of Bradwardine sayeth); but we should merely like to know what w re the characters of the ladies before the above resolutions were entered into. To say the least, it looks a leetle suspicious. A KNOWING EDITOR.-In La Belle Assemblée for December, the editor of that fashionable work thus displays his acquaintance with the state of affairs in the literary world :-" We certainly anticipated the extinction this year of some of the mob of the annual pretenders. Whether the Keepsake is amongst the dead and forgotten, we have not been informed; we only know we have not seen it; if gonepeace to its manes! The Landscape Annual, about which so much fuss was made, has not yet appeared; and, for aught we know, will not be published at all (!)" All the world of course knows, with the exception of this editor, that both the works he mentions have been printed, published, and reviewed nearly six weeks ago. Does the editor of La Belle Assemblée live at Timbuctoo? Theatrical Gossip.-To show that there is no slight diversity of opinion regarding the merits of Miss F. Kemble, a friend to whom we expressly applied for a verdict concerning her, thus writes on the subject:-"Fanny Kemble I saw (in company with a judicious friend) play Juliet. We agreed in thinking it a most audacious humbug. The name of Kemble and the newspaper trumpery led the miserable Cockneys. The newspapers, one and all, I know, and a precious knot they are. Take it as an infallible rule, that their ecstasies are the agonies of truth and taste." We hope this is a little trop fort. Of the performances of the Adelphi elephant, which we shrewdly suspect is little better than a large humbug, also, the Court Journal furnishes the following account:-" The drama which introduces this enlightened foreigner to an English audience, is modestly composed, so that there may be no jealousy between the Elephant and the author, the whole merit being left to the quadruped-who presents posies to the ladies of the harem-car ries a letter from a distressed damsel to her lover - incarcerates a whole body of traitors-and, when two hostile armics are a the point of joining issue, majestically walks between them, and does as much as to say, Put up your swords,' which they readily do. The sagacious arbitrator of war must have his banquet after such a toilsome exhaustion of the animal system and of the meatal faculties, and he accordingly rings his bell, for dish after dish, and bottle after bottle, which, with his napkin under his chin, he cosumes with evident satisfaction. Next he dances what may be well called a pas seul, for one leg most reluctantly follows the other, leaving it seul for no short period. Finally, when the legitimate and the usurper are crossing blades, the Elephant majestically enten, takes the crown from the head of the latter, like a good and loyal gentleman,' places it on the head of the rightful sovereign, whom he lifts in the air, bearing him out of danger; and afterwards he car ries the rightful King and his mistress upon his back in grand pr cession, a living sign of the Elephant and Castle.' In fact, the Elephant is well introduced, and between the narrow scenes he look of an enormous bulk. In certain lights, his skin seems of a dari mouse-colour, and instead of the unpleasant appearance of the hard encrusted testaceous hide, it looks from above as if it had a fe coat of down. The house, this week, has been filled to overflowing and with really good company."-On the recent occasion of Mr denhoff's bene it at Liverpool, he received a substantial proof of th high estimation in which he is held by the patrons of the drama then The house was crowded in every part; so great was the pressurs the pit, that numbers received back their money, and retired. T receipts amounted to L.275.-There has been a terrible row at Me chester between De Begnis and the Manager of the Theatre-Royal The latter, however, has made good his point, and prevented Italians from performing operas in the minor theatre, which looked upon as an infringement of his patent. They now give y concerts.-Master Burke, who has called himself ten years of for the last fifteen, is playing at Carlisle.-Alexander has opened the Theatre-Royal, Glasgow, with applause, but with a very indiffer company. We regret to learn that Mr Macready is still in bad health, having been threatened with the return of an alarming eve stitutional complaint." The Youthful Days of Shakspeare," a des drama, which has been successful at Covent-Garden, is to be pro duced here next week; also the Christmas pantomime. IN our next Number, which will commence the Third Volume 50 the LITERARY JOURNAL, we shall take an opportunity of informing ! our Readers of our projects for the future. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. WE regret that, notwithstanding our double Number, we have been obliged to omit this week several articles by esteemed Corre spondents, which are in types, and will appear speedily. Our table is covered with new books, all of which we shall over take in our next, and succeeding numbers, We shall be glad to hear again from " Astolpho" at his convenence. The Memoir of the late Mr Hacket of Inveramsay may be forwarded to us at any time that is most agreeable. The Stanzas by "G. B." of Stonehaven, and " W. S. M." of Thurso, shall have a place.—Of many other poetical favours we can at present only acknowledge the receipt. Our list includes" Me dical Advice," and an "Epitaph," by "J. D." of Leith," Epitaph on a Lady of Quality at Bath,”—“ Song," by "C. W.”—“ A Portical Epistle to the Editor,"—" A Poem, consisting of forty-one stanzas of ottava rima, written in pencil,"—" The Vision,” by “ E. P.," and " Woman," by "W." Of the Poems transmitted to us from West-Houses, we shall in a week or two insert, with a few alterations, that entitled "The Witch Dance." The others will be returned. Our opinion upon the longer poem alluded to is at the author's service. ERRATA IN OUR LAST NUMBER.-In Mr Tennant's Remarks on the Psalms, for" paraphrases," read periphrasis; for “plethargy," read plethory; for "disturbed the image," read distorted the imagti and for "concerned to accompany," read conceived to actumpany |