صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

frighten the fiercest dog and put him to flight. He accordingly made the attempt on a miller's animal in the neighbourhood, who would never let the boys rob the orchard; but found to his sorrow that he had a dog to deal with who did not care which end of a boy went foremost, so as he could get a good bite out of it. I pursued the instructions,' said Curran; and, as I had no eyes save those in front, fancied the mastiff was in full retreat: but I was confoundedly mistaken; for at the very moment I thought myself victorious, the enemy attacked my rear, and having got a reasonably good mouthful out of it, was fully prepared to take another before I was rescued."

Sir Hercules Langreish and his friend. "We found him in his study alone, poring

over the national accounts, with two claret bottles empty before him, and a third bo tle on the wane; it was about eight o'clock in the evening, and the butler, according to general orders when gentlemen came in, brought a bottle of claret to each of us. Why,' said Parnell, 'Sir Heck, you have emptied two bottles already.' 'True,' said Sir Hercules. And had you nobody to help you?' 'O yes, I had that bottle of port there, and I assure you he afforded ine very great assistance!'"

On the death of Lord Clare, some members of the profession, wishing to pay respect to the first Irish Chancellor, determined, if possible that the bar should attend the funeral in a body; but as the Chancellor had been heartily disliked by many, they determined to sound the opinion of others, and waited first on Counsellor Keller :

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]

said Keller. His father was a papist.""
"This created a laugh disconcerting to the
deputation; however, for fear of worse, the
grand question was then put. My dear Keller,'
said the spokesman, the bar mean to go in pro-
cession; have you any objection to attend Lord

Clare's funeral?'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

"None at all,' said Keller, none at all! I shall certainly attend his funeral with the great est pleasure imaginable !'"

[ocr errors]

Fitzgibbon.

They used to tell a story of him respecting a certain client who brought his own brief and fee, that he might personally apologise for the smallness of the latter. Fitzgibbon, on receiving the fee, looked rather discontented. I assure you, Counsellor,' said the client (mournfully) am ashamed of its smallness; but in fact it is all I have in the world.' 'Oh! then,' said Fitzgibbon, you can do no more:-as it's "all you have in the world,"-why-hem!—I musttake it!' ***

I

[ocr errors]

Speaking of the Catholics in the hall of the Four Courts, Keller seemed to insinuate that Norcott was favourable to their emancipation. What!' said Norcott, with a great show of pomposity-what! Pray, Keller, do you see anything that smacks of the Pope about me?'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Henry Masterton. By the Author of 'Darn-
ley.' 3 vols. London: Colburn and
Bentley.

A chivalrous tale in these unchivalrous times,
these volumes seems to have been aware,
is something daring; of this, the author of
for he has mingled enough of the base,
the grasping, and the sordid, to make it ac-
ceptable to the popular taste of the day.
Henry Masterton' is a tale of true love,
civil war, and domestic hate; the scene is
laid in England and in France, and the time
includes the stormy yet brilliant era of the
rule-we ought to say, reign-of Oliver Crom-
well. The hero is a cavalier; the heroine is
of the same class: their loves are sadly crossed
by fathers, by brothers, by sudden marches,
alarms, and onslaughts: villany keeps them
separate for a time; but, after many wild ad-
ventures and hair-breadth escapes-in one of
which the lady is well nigh wed to a man she
hates, and the gentleman in danger of being
shot by one who owed him no enmity-true
love and chivalrous honour regain and keep
the ascendant. We have characters as va-
rious and as changeable too as the times in
which they flourished-we have cavaliers
from the high-souled and uncalculating class
who fought from a chivalrous affection for
the far-descended line of English princes and
nobles, down to the reeling miscreants, who
filled our change-houses and highways for
the purpose of tippling and plunder; we
have as a set-off against these, your stern
lofty-minded republicans, who desired to see
the reign of mind established, down to the
sordid and snuffling psalm-singers, who hid
much that was coarse, and mean, and detest-
able, under an exterior garb of sanctity. We
have plotters too and planners-a sort of
waiters upon chances, who desire to profit
by the changes on both sides: moreover, we

But our chief favourite is the little evil spirit of a page called Ball-o'-Fire-an orphan nursed in the camp of Lord Goring; there is something so sagacious and so active-so fiery and yet so cool-so affectionate and yet so savage, about this sucking incendiary, that we cannot help liking him, and thanking the author for an original character, which smacks of the camp, and has nothing home-bred or domestic about it more than a wolf-cub.

Had we received these volumes earlier, our notice would have been more ample; but the gloss of novelty is gone by-the work was reviewed by one of our brethren nearly a month since. We refrain from speaking more at length on what must be familiar and well known; and we mention the circumstance, only to vindicate ourselves to an author whose genius we esteem. His booksellers are enterprising and pushing people, yet they neither consult his interest nor their own by such anticipatory notices. The system must not be persisted in; we have for these several months collected all the puffs positive, direct, and oblique, issued from two or three great publishers; we have also noted down every instance in which there has been an unfair attempt to influence public opinion-the measure is nearly fullour patience is nigh exhausted, and we feel an inclination to the fierce and the unsparing growing upon us.

Froissart and his Times. By the late Barry St. Leger, Esq. 3 vols. London: Colburn & Bentley.

the

As the last act of Henry VI. now serves for the first of Richard III., so may the concluding sentence of our review of Henry Masterton,' be read as introductory to this of Froissart.' This work was announced in papers of last week, as "This day pubhave one lady at least, who lends her influ-lished." To put the truth of the advertiseence, which is great, to the Puritans, and her ment to the test, we sent for it at the last charms, which are not small, to the cause of hour on Friday night, and it could not be had in all Paternoster Row. The summary of King Charles. the bookseller's own report, in his review of Saturday, was briefly, that the work is a collection of tales from Froissart-" we make no extracts, (saith he,) as we take it for granted that the majority are familiar with the chronicles, and shall only recommend the volumes to our juvenile readers." We will take the ghost's word for a thousand pounds, and, as we have but few juvenile readers, shall not trouble ourselves to send again for the work.

The chief excellence of the work is the

unaffected sympathy of the author in all that
is generous and heroic, and his dislike and
loathing for whatever is vile and base. Though
the hero is a cavalier and a sufferer for the
cause, and though much of the interest which
we feel in the narrative is excited by his
strange fortunes, no sooner does the stern
but not unkindly Ireton appear, than we
give our affection to that manly and honest
leader; in short, while we love the cavaliers,
The mind of Mr. James seems almost too
we cannot resist admiring the republicans.
poetic for compositions of the mingled nature
of the historical novel; he has little sympathy
with people of a low condition in life, and,
like Froissart, extends his affections to young
knights about to win their spurs, and fair
ladies, whose dark eyes and fine estates lead
valour into captivity. He is a master of
costume and manners, and gives us the colour
and aspect of the times of which he treats;

nor is he unskilful in character-on the con

I don't know,' replied Keller; but at all trary, for the most stirring scenes he finds

events there is a great deal of the Pretender, and I always understood them to travel in company.'"

Enough, at any rate, for one week.

suitable actors: General Ireton, Lord Mas-
terton, Monsieur de Vitray, and Emily Lang-
leigh, are drawn at full-length, and with
great success-particularly the Frenchman,
who is eternally praising his native land, and
averring, in the words almost of the old ballad,
that the sun took delight to shine for its sake.

Caracalla: a Tragedy. By H. T. T. Lon-
don: Groombridge; Andrews.
THIS drama is founded on one of the saddest
deeds in Roman story; and it is to the praise
of the author, that he has availed himself of
most of the facts, and many of the sentiments
of the historians, who wrote of the detestable
Caracalla. We now and then desire a little
more simplicity, or a little more energy ; and
sometimes we miss the rapid and hurrying
rush of thought and language which distin-
guishes passion: nevertheless, the author

engages our affections largely in behalf of
the suffering and the oppressed, and kindles
us up against the cruel and tyrannical op-
pressor. The soliloquy of Geta will show
the merits and defects of our young dra-

matist :

This is my envied greatness then-but this;
Half empire, power, diadem a half-

To rule-and by that rule to 'stablish firm
The Roman name, the Imperial power and strength;
To watch the bent, the tenor of its laws,
As best and only safeguard to my throne-
To deal with power, as with an axe, to lop
Unsaply branches from the tree of Rome,
That from the gifted space, to Heaven's high front,
The seemliest bough may vegetate to use;
To culture justice, and dispense its fruits;
With mine own hand, to throw along the state
A line of virtuous deeds, that all may speed
To run its parallel, are cause for envy-
Envy! and for food, to bloat ambition's carcass!
-What windy void hath her unglutted maw,
That I should fill the angry chasm?

Is it not monstrous ?-Monstrous too it is,
As wrong of Heaven's benevolence, that in
The every socket of this jointed frame,

I crave an eye; and in each arm a sword,
To guard the flood-gates of a treacherous life-
Is this a state to be desired? -- No.
Is it a state to be rejected?

No.

If not desired, or utterly contemn'd,
To ply the doubtful current be my aim;
Or like the wily stream, steal on my course,
Along the margin of our tempting fates,
Till by the river of the state accrued

In one o'erwhelming flood I rush, and sweep
The empire of my foes.-

He is my brother-I should love him then:
He is my elder-I should give him place-
Why-now I reason-now, I am a child
And call on nature as my waiting nurse:
-What stirs me thus ?-My fears?-My fears the cause?
The cause my fears?-O jealousy, jealousy,
Monster of dreads, ingratitudes and crimes!
Thou weav'st thy bristling locks with mine, till they
Become one matted web inextricable-
Cease! O cease thy hated vapours!—
Cease, in my lungs to breathe thy horrid breaths,
Lest thou become my very prototype!

There is too much bustle-too much hurrying to and fro-and far too much outcry and exclamation in this drama, to make it very acceptable either in the closet or on the stage. The author may be assured that deeds such as he describes, being familiar to the natures of the actors, were done with far more ease, and less noise than he seems to imagine.

History and Topography of the United States of America. Illustrated with a series of views drawn expressly for the work. Philadelphia, Wardle: London, Hinton; and Simpkin & Marshall.

THIS valuable work is now complete, forming two handsome volumes quarto. The history is concise, yet satisfactory; the topography full, and we dare say accurate; and the illustrations, which consist chiefly of views of natural scenery, public monuments, national buildings, and maps of the various provinces, spread out as it were the whole republic before us. This is the first work which has ventured to delineate the country, the people, the cities, the institutions, and monuments of America. The author, John Howard Hinton, says in his preface, that "the history of the United States is in many respects humiliating and painful to the feelings of Englishmen;" in this we differ from him; we are proud of America; we are of opinion that from no other people in Europe,could a nation so strong in feelings of independence, and so wise and reasonable in maintaining it, have sprung; we see in our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic, the descendants of those nobleminded men, who, suffering in this isle for freedom's sake, carried to the new world a sense of independence, and a love of religion, on which the present greatness of America is established. We have only to add, that this work is the fruit of much outlay and research-that the historical portion is written with much candour and love of truth, and that the illustrations are very creditable. We wish it all the success which it so well deserves.

The Music of Nature. By William Gardiner. London: Longman & Co. Mr. Gardiner is an enthusiast; but he is also a man of genius. He has successfully treated a subject, on which most other writers have fallen into affectation and nonsense. His views are fanciful and original, and may be true; he will be a bold man who ventures to say more in their [praise. We opened his volume with great misgivings, but read it with great delight. There are some opinions we differ from, and some assertions of which we doubt the accuracy for instance, we think Mr. Gardiner mistaken in what he says of the cuckoo. That bird certainly, in his early song, gives a distinct major third; but towards the close of the season, this major third is so flattened, as to become a minor third, a little out of tune. Neither is it true, that all cuckoos sing in the same diapason or pitch. We have, ourselves, heard two cuckoos at the same time, being between the two, at an almost equal distance from each; and so far from singing in unison, there was a difference of three semi-tones between them. Besides, it is a well-known physiological fact, that there is as great variety of temperament and constitution in animals, as in man; and the pitch of the voice is subject to the same laws.

As Mr. Gardiner's theories are illustrated by engraved music, which we cannot extract, we shall select only some incidental anecdotes or opinions.

The following are curious facts, relative to the powers of the human ear :

"The atmosphere is the grand medium by which sound is conveyed, though recent discoveries prove that other bodies conduct it with greater expedition, as in the instance of vibrating a tuning fork, to the stem of which is attached a packthread string; on the other end being wrapt round the little finger, and placed in the chamber of the ear, the sound will be audibly conveyed to the distance of two hundred yards, though not perceptible to any bystander. Miners, in boring for coal, can tell by the sound what substance they are penetrating; and a recent discovery is that of applying a listening-tube to the breast to detect the motions of the heart. The quickness which some persons possess in distinguishing the smaller sounds, is very remarkable. A friend of the writer has declared he could readily perceive the motion of ted by the machinery of his leaping powers. a flea, when on his nightcap, by the sound emitHowever extraordinary this may appear, we find a similar statement is given in the ingenious work upon insects, by Kirby and Spence, who say, 'I know of no other insect, the tread of which is accompanied by sound, except indeed the flea, whose steps a lady assured me she always hears when it passes over her night-cap, and that it clacks as if it was walking in pattens!' If we can suppose the ear to be alive to such delicate vibrations, certainly there is nothing in the way of sound too difficult for it to

achieve."

Of the great superiority of Cremona violins :

"To those who are conversant with the power

of musical instruments, the following observations will be fully understood. The violins made at Cremona about the year 1660 are superior in tone to any of a later date, age seeming to dispossess them of their noisy qualities, and leaving nothing but the pure tone. If a modern violin is played by the side of one of these instruments, it will appear much the louder of the two, but on receding 100 paces,

when compared with the Amati, it will be scarcely heard."

The following on vocal performers, is worthy of attention:

"The cultivation of the female voice has conferred upon the musical art a charm never contemplated by our early composers; and of late it has been carried to such perfection as nearly to surpass every instrument in its powers of execution and expression. Two hundred years ago, a solo for either instrument or voice was unknown; but such is the love of exhibition at the present day, that it is found expedient to forming a solo, either in the Antient or Philimpose a fine of five guineas upon any one perharmonic Concerts. But, as Dr. Burney observes, instead of this sum being forfeited, if five hundred had been offered to the individual who could perform such a feat at that time, fewer candidates would have entered the lists, than if the like sum had been offered for flying from Salisbury steeple over Old Sarum without a balloon. For the last one hundred and thirty years we have scarcely produced more than half a dozen singers of first-rate eminence of either sex; while Italy has been pouring into this country a crowd of vocalists."

To this we will add a short account of the celebrated Grassini :—

"Grassini was the first female singer who appeared on the Italian theatre with a contralto voice, that part having been previously sustained by men. Her tones, though purely feminine, were so new, that they were received with distrust; and some time elapsed before the audience were reconciled to a voice which was thought greatly too low for a woman. Her compass did not exceed ten notes, from A in the bass to c in the treble; but such was their rich and mellow quality, that they formed a new species of delight in the vocal art. Her pathos and feeling

became the more evident when contrasted with the cold and fluty tones of Billington. She was beautiful and graceful; and her acting was superior to all those who had preceded her. From the introduction of Grassini, we may date one of the greatest improvements in the opera, that of the duetto for female voices, in which Rossini has shown such exquisite and incomparable taste."

An anecdote of Catalani, will not be here out of place:

"When Captain Montague was cruizing off Brighton, Madame Catalani was invited, with other ladies, to a brilliant fête on board his frigate. The captain went in his launch on shore, manned by more than twenty men, to escort the fair freight on board, and as the boat was cutting through the waves, Madame Catalani without any previous notice, commenced the air of Rule Britannia.' Had a voice from the great deep spoken, the effect could not have been more instantaneous and sublime. The sailors, not knowing whom they were rowing, were so astonished and enchanted into inactivity, that with one accord they rested upon their oars, while tears trembled in the eyes of many of them. 'You see, Madame,' said the Captain, 'the effect this favourite air has upon these brave men, when sung by the finest voice in the world. I have been in many victorious battles, but never felt any excitement equal to this.' On arriving on board, the sailors, with his consent, entreated her to repeat the strain: she complied with the good-nature, that when she quitted the ship, they request with increased effect, and with so much

cheered her until she reached the shore."

We are sorry, that Mr. Gardiner should have recorded in this valuable work, the silly anecdote of Paganini's confinement in a dungeon; where, having a violin with only one string, he, by incessant practice, acquired his extraordinary execution. The story is false, from beginning to end.

The following anecdote of Braham's parrot, is curious :

made, that each might serve for a model of a statue of the Infant Hercules: nothing can exceed the graceful and athletic forms of the men, or the rounded limbs of their young women. These possess eyes beautiful and eloquent, and a profusion of long, silky, curling hair: while the intellects of both sexes seem of a superior order: all appear eager for improvement, full of energy, and indefatigably industrious.

"I must do justice to the temperate habits of my savage friends. During my residence in New Zealand, I have known but very few who were addicted to drinking, and I scarcely ever saw one of them in a state of intoxication; and, on this occasion, where a profusion of what they esteem delicacies was provided gratuitously, they partook so moderately of the tempting fare as not to be prevented using the most violent exertions immediately after their meal. *

"Parrots, like cuckoos, form their notes deep in the throat, and show great aptitude in imitating the human voice. A most remarkable instance I met with at Mr. Braham's villa in Brompton. A lady, who had great admiration for his talents, presented him with a parrot, on which she had bestowed great pains in teaching it to talk. After dinner, during a pause in the conversation, I was startled by a voice from one corner of the room calling out, in a strong hearty manner, 'Come, Braham, give us a song!' Nothing could exceed the surprise and admiration of the company. The request being repeated, and not answered, the parrot struck up the first verse of God save the King,' in a clear, warbling tone, aiming at the style of the singer, and sang it through. The ease with which this bird was taught, was equally surprising with the "The great and leading defect in this counperformance. The same lady prepared him to try, and the principal cause of their frequent accost Catalani, when dining with Mr. Braham, wars and disturbances, which harass and depowhich so alarmed Madame, that she nearly fellpulate the tribes and put a stop to all improvefrom her chair. Upon his commencing Rule Britannia,' in a loud and intrepid tone, the chantress fell on her knees before the bird, exclaiming, in terms of delight, her admiration of its talents.

[ocr errors]

"This parrot has only been exceeded by Lord Kelley's, who, upon being asked to sing, replied I never sing on a Sunday.' 'Never mind that, Poll, come give us a song.' 'No, excuse me, I've got a cold-don't you hear how hoarse I am?' This extraordinary creature performed the three verses entire of God save the King,' words and music, without hesitation, from the beginning to the end."

We call the attention of singers to the following remark upon orchestras :

"The concert orchestras are universally defective: the stringed instruments are overpowered by a crowd of flutes, clarionets, bassoons, trumpets, trombones, drums, and horns. If we except the Philharmonic band, there is not one in London that is properly composed. Singers have an aversion to the full orchestra, and to save the expense of duplicate parts, seldom give out more than one copy to each of the stringed instruments, thinking they shall be better heard by abridging them: they forget that in every case there is seldom or ever a sufficient number of violins, to moderate and keep down the force of the wind instruments. The writer noticed two circumstances in the Abbey band in the year 1791, worthy of remark: first, the great softness with which the songs were executed, although three hundred and seventy-seven stringed instruments accompanied the single voice such was the lightness of the effect, that they did not overpower or incommode it. Second, from the great extent of the surface from which the sounds emanated, they were diffused through the atmosphere, so as completely to fill it. No single instrument was heard, but all were blended together in the softest showers of harmony."

[ocr errors]

In our notice of this entertainiug work, we may be allowed to add, that its use is not confined to the musician alone; it contains

hints and examples of great value to public speakers; and we have no doubt that the Music of Nature' will obtain that popularity to which it is so justly entitled.

A Narrative of a Nine Months' Residence in
New Zealand. By Augustus Earle.
We now resume our extracts from this in-

[Second Notice.]

teresting volume-and first, of

The New Zealanders.

ment, is the want of some regular system of government. There are only two classes of people-chiefs and slaves; and, as consanguinity constitutes a high claim, the eldest son of a large family, who can bring the greatest number of warriors of his own name into the field, is considered the chief of that district or tribe; and as he, by reason of his followers, can take possession of the greatest number of prisoners or slaves, he becomes the ruling man. Every other man of his tribe considers himself on an equality with him in everything, except that he shows him obedience, and follows him to battle.

"Each is independent in his own family, and holds uncontrolled power of life and death over every individual it contains. They seem not to exercise any coercion over the younger branches of a family, who are allowed unbounded liberty till the girls have sweethearts and the boys are strong enough to go to war. They are kind and hospitable to strangers; and are excessively fond of their children. On a journey, it is more usual to see the father carrying his infant than the mother; and all the little offices of a nurse are performed by him with the tenderest care and good humour. In many instances (wherein they differ from most savage tribes) I have seen the wife treated as an equal and companion. In fact, when not engaged in war, the New Zealander is quite a domestic, cheerful, harmless character; but once rouse his anger, or turn him into ridicule, and his disposition is instantly changed."

Mr. Earle throughout speaks in terms of high praise of the character of the people, and of the progressive advance they are making towards civilization. Our navigators, indeed, report them to be treacherous and wantonly cruel; but it is not remembered how often they may have innocently offended against their prejudices, and even their religious opinions. It appears from the accounts collected by Mr. Earle, that it was owing to an unintentional offence of this nature-fishing in taboo'd water, and drawing their nets on to the sacred beach-that Captain Marion and his crew were murdered. From like

ignorance Mr. Earle and his friends were placed in a position of great difficulty. The vessel had, accidentally, a chief from another part of the island on board. The moment he was seen, King George and the natives became outrageous, and resolved on vengeance:

"To all our remonstrances George replied, 'Any other man than this I would have pardoncast in beauty's perfected; but it was only last year he killed, and mould:' the children are so fine and powerfully helped to eat, my own uncle, whose death still

"The natives are

remains unrevenged: I cannot allow him to leave my country alive; if I did, I should be despised for ever.'

"I was greatly grieved at the circumstance; but as I was somewhat of a favourite with George, I succeeded in convincing him that it arose purely from accident, and no intention of giving him offence; and he consented to leave him on board, but cautioned us not to allow him to land. If I see him on shore, he dies,' he repeated several times. ✶✶✶

"Some days having passed since this altercation with George, we thought no more about it. The brig, from various causes, was certain to remain some time in this harbour; and, as our New Zealand guest expressed a great desire to go on shore one day, we consented to his accompanying us. We had scarcely entered our house, when we had reason to repent the imprudent step we had taken: all the natives were in commotion; messengers were sent off to George to acquaint him with the eircumstance, and soon after we saw him, attended by all his relations, accoutred for war; that is, quite naked, their skins oiled and painted, and armed with muskets. Fury was in their looks and gestures as they hastened towards our residence. We had scarcely time to shut and fasten our door, when they made a rush to force it; and we had a severe struggle to keep them out. At one period their rage became so ungovernable that we expected every instant they would fire who was the cause of all this violence crept into on us for preventing their entrance. The man our bed-room, and kept out of sight; but he did not, at any period of the disturbance, exhibit the least sign of fear, so accustomed are they from childhood to these deadly frays.

"When the natives found we would not give up the man, but that they must murder us before they could accomplish their revenge, the disappointment rendered them nearly frantic. Our situation was most critical and appalling; and nothing can be a more convincing proof of the influence the Europeans have obtained over them, than that, at such a moment, they should have refrained from setting fire to or pulling down the house, and sacrificing every one of us. George again remonstrated with us, assuring us it was his sacred duty to destroy this man, now he was in his territory; a duty which, he said, he owed to the memory of his murdered relations, and which must be performed, even though he should sacrifice his 'good English friends.' He cautioned us not to stand between him and his enemy, who must die before the sun-set, pointing, at the same time, to that large fire to roast him on. Finally, he and his luminary, and ordering his slaves to kindle a friends planted themselves all round the house to prevent the escape of their victim."

King George was at length prevailed on to permit the man to return to the ship.

66

During this transaction I witnessed the natural kindness of heart and disinterested tenderness of the female sex: no matter how distressing the circumstance or appalling the danger, they are, in all countries, the last to forsake man. While the enraged chiefs were yelling outside our house, and all our exertions could scarcely prevent them from making a forcible entry, all the women were sitting with, and trying to comfort the unhappy cause of this calamity. They had cooked for him a delicate dinner; brought him fruit, and were using every means by which they could keep up his spirits, and buoy up his hopes; confidently assuring him the white men would not yield him up to his ferocious foes. Notwithstanding all their exertions, he was miserable, till informed by me of his safety; and I received the warmest thanks, and even blessings from his fair' friends, as if I had conferred upon each a personal favour." Neither Mr. Bennett nor Mr. Earle give a

very favourable report of the Missionaries, or of the success of their labours.

"It has been imagined that the residence of missionaries would have the effect of civilizing the natives, and adding to the safety of ships touching here; but experience fully proves the fallacy of such an expectation. These people, abstracted by their own gloomy reflections, look with contempt on all who are in the pursuit of 'worldly wealth;' and regard the arrival of a whaler as an enemy coming to interfere with the spiritual interests of their flock,' as they term the inhabitants; though I never yet saw one proselyte of their converting.

"They never visit a whaler except on a Sunday, and then it is to beg for the benefit of their society. It cannot, therefore, be expected that much sympathy can exist between parties, where the cold formality of one excites the contempt and disgust of the other."

On one occasion, when Mr. Earle was present,

"The minister endeavoured to explain the sacred mysteries of our religion to a number of the chiefs who were present. They listened attentively to all he said, and expressed no doubts as to its truth, only remarking that as

[ocr errors]

that the success of this work will tempt him | pass, much that must be sought widely else-
to give us another chapter out of the Journal where.
of his wandering life.
'A Royal Road to Short Hand, and a Key to
the Same,' by G. W. Jones.-We are admonished
to beware how we meddle with the mysteries of
short hand by an inscription still extant in West-
minster cloisters:-

OUR LIBRARY TABLE.

Sketches of Venetian History,' Vol. II. This volume forms the thirty-second number of Murray's Family Library; and, perhaps, it would be enough were we to say that it equals, in the spirit of its narrative and the graphic force of its details, its elder brother, volume the first, which we noticed some time ago. The history of that remarkable republic is now brought down from the year 1400 to its final extinction by the French in 1798, and the adventures of its children by sea and land, and the vicissitudes of its own changeable fortunes are related at great length, probably more than necessary. The story of Venice is one of a romantic kind: she fought more great battles for existence or conquest by land, and fitted out more splendid naval armaments for protection or aggression

With diligence and zeal most exemplary
Did William Lawrence serve a Prebendary:
Short hand he wrote, his flower in prime did fade,

And hasty death short hand with him hath made
'A Roman History for Youth,' by T. Rose, is
a meagre outline, and has been compiled from
sources long since convicted of inaccuracy, and
is besides very carelessly executed. The illus-
trations are designed by Brooke-but either be
has been more negligent of his fame than usual,
or has not received justice from the hands of
the engraver.

The second volume of The Family Topogra pher,' by Samuel Tymms, contains Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Hampshire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire. The first volume had our good word, and the present appears to have been compiled with equal care.

at sea, than nations of ten times her extent: Christendom at large owes her much for her valour against the Infidels; Freedom owes her 'Doddridge's Devotional Letters,' &c. There something for preserving at least an image of was a time when an English lady would scarcely liberty on her shores, when half the earth around have deemed her devotion to be real, unless she all these wonderful circumstances happened her was sunk in slavery; and Commerce is deep- the lips, and letters from the hand of some dis had it fortified by frequent admonitions from only in the country of the white men, the greatly indebted to her intrepid and fortunate naviSpirit expected the white men only to believe gators, who showed or led the way to riches tinguished divine. Many of these letters are them.' The missionary then began to expatiate and honours. It is these considerations which extant-those of Rutherford are, perhaps, the on the torments of hell, at which some of them make the name of Venice dear to us; nor are most singular: on reading them one cannot but seemed horrified, but others said, they were there wanting other ties. Our Shakspeare, our be struck with his ingenuity in making them quite sure such a place could only be made for Otway, and our Byron, have made her streets, acceptable to his fair correspondents; they the white faces, for they had no men half wicked her palaces, and public places, as well as her abound in spiritual raptures, allegorical wooings; enough in New Zealand to be sent there;' but citizens, familiar to us by the imperishing charm and, when he quotes Scripture he has recourse when the reverend gentleman added with vehe- of divine verse: nor should we forget that she to the Song of Solomon, and cites those verses mence that all men' would be condemned, the foiled not only open enemies, but discovered which speak of kisses. The letters of Doddridge and frustrated the most extraordinary conspi-like so interesting as are those of the elder diare more guarded, more elegant, but nothing racy-formed by one nation against anotherwhich the world ever heard of. On the whole, the volume is worthy of the Family Library; the embellishments, too, are numerous, and, what is better, much to the purpose.

[ocr errors]

savages all burst into a loud laugh, declaring they would have nothing to do with a God who delighted in such cruelties;' and then (as a matter of right) hoped the missionary would give them each a blanket for having taken the trouble of listening to him so patiently."

The dogs left by the early voyagers have multiplied to such an extent, as to be now an intolerable nuisance; so the cats at Tristan

D'Acunha.

"When the first settlers arrived here, they brought with them several cats; some of which unfortunately escaped into the bushes, and have increased so rapidly, that they have become quite a nuisance. Poultry had run wild, and the climate was so congenial, that they multiplied prodigiously, and were to be found in all parts of the island in abundance; but 'since the cats have been introduced, the poor fowls disappear rapidly. Indeed, these wild cats come so near the settlement as to attack and carry off the domestic poultry. I was out a few mornings ago, when the dogs caught one upon the beach. The nature and appearance of the animal seemed quite changed; all the characteristics of the domestic cat were gone: it was fierce, bold, and strong; and stood battle some time, against four good dogs, before it was killed."

The opinion of the Natives on the Compass. "The second day after we were at sea, I saw a group of savages lying round the binnacle, all intently occupied in observing the phenomenon of the magnetic attraction; they seemed at once to comprehend the purpose to which it was applied, and I listened with eager curiosity to their remarks upon it.

"This,' said they, 'is the white man's God, who directs them safely to different countries, and then can guide them home again.' Out of compliment to us, and respect for its wonderful powers, they seemed much inclined to worship this silent little monitor."

'The Unchanged:' a Novel. 3 vols.- Mr. Newman assuredly is the most fortunate of all publishers: his authors and authoresses have all fine-sounding poetic-looking names—he has no Crabbes, nor Scotts, nor, in short, any other barbarous name on his list-he deals in Rosas, Selinas, Celestinas, Seraphinas, and Clementinas, and hence we have stories all silk and satin and otto of roses, which throw our young ladies into gentle raptures, and are even but too captivating for us elderly men. Read but the spell which our Selina of The Unchanged' casts at the threshold of her story, and doubt, if you can, that it leads not to sweet love, sad crosses, fortunate incidents, and happy marriages. "It was a bright and cloudless morning in Spring, when the cheering rays of the sun shone full on the venerable countenance of Farmer Bloomfield, and, by their warmth, awakened him from a sleep as calm and tranquil as was the heart of the good old man." We shall not unveil-to use the appropriate language-any further the chaste blessings of love or the sacred mysteries of Hymen, but leave the adventure to such of our readers as may choose to encounter it in company with Selina Davenport.

vine. The present volume, however, contains many epistles to male devotees; and, to the whole are added, meditations and lectures from the most popular of the author's works.

[ocr errors]

Another Memoir of Eugene Aram,' by a Mr. Morrisson Scatchard, has been sent to us. It is surely time to let the murderer's memory

forgotten;

66

be

but Mr. Scatchard's babble about the great man-the solitary rambler-the sublime visionary-the worshipper of nature," is exceedingly disgusting.

6

The Literary Pancratium,' by R. Carr, and T. S. Carr.-Under this odd title much learning

and much agreeable-nay, searching, writing, are concealed. The two bold brethren have ventured on the discussion of perilous themes -viz. knowledge-the immateriality of the soul--the immortality of the soul-on natural religion the origin of natural religionthose mental associations which precede and follow discoveries-on language-on the existence of the Deity-on revelation. These are subjects, some of which have been often, perhaps too often, discussed: they are too profound, and too awful for human ingenuity to make much of: the sword of sacred mystery opposes

the

way to them as it did to the Garden of Eden of old, and men even of learning and genius should abstain from approaching. Our authors, nevertheless, embark with much boldness and The Frugal Housewife,'-dedicated to those perfect self-possession on the dangerous sea of who are not ashamed of economy, by Mrs. Child, lights indeed from all lands, and when they these speculations; they beg charts, and borrow -like all the works we have ever seen by this know not well in what direction to go, they lay lady, appears to be excellent. We are not down their oars and trust to fortune. When the now speaking on our poor unauthoritative judg-husband, in Prior's tale, disclosed to his spouse ment; the work has been submitted to all the that the receipts alone are worth the price of "womankind" of the family; and they are agreed the volume, and that it is equally valuable to mistress and maid.

the makers of this book embellish one part and his opinions with quotations;" in like manner a new scheme of domestic happiness, he “backed strengthen another, and, we are afraid, weaken a third, by quotations from sermons, poems, We now take leave of Mr. Earle, wish-graphy.This little ninepenny thing is for the by turns, pleased, delighted, amused, and offended Introduction to Goldsmith's Grammar of Geo-speeches, magazines and reviews. We have been ing him a pleasant voyage; and trusting use of junior pupils, and contains, in small com

in the perusal of this singular work.

[blocks in formation]

We hear of heavy things-the mighty fall,-
And none rise up to fill their vacant seat:
The tomb those great magicians doth enthrall
Who held the world of hearts beneath their
feet-

The Bard whose music made our pulses beat
Even as he willed-the Prophet and the Sage-
Rests by his princely friend-the giant of his
age!-

We hear of heavy things-there went one forth
Whose spells ten thousand thousand hearts
obeyed-

We thought th' inclement breezes of the north
Too boisterous for a flame about to fade:
And to the spirit of the south we prayed
With genial airs to nurse its waning fire,
Nor let its precious light in her warm breast
expire.

The summer brings him back-ah! woeful day,
When the tired wanderer finds his native
shore,

Not with the buoyant step, the promise gay

Of active health, to gladden us once moreLies not Life's secret in his treasured lore?Vain thought-how vain!-a cloud of boding fears

Sinks on the anxious heart, and loads the eyes

with tears.

Must he too go?-Come, sit we by his gate
To catch the tidings of the passing hour,-
Is there not yet retrieval left to Fate?.

Is there not Hope, unalienable dower
That clings to Life?-Hath mind divine no

power

For him who bears it, to increase the span
Of few and changeful years allotted unto man?

Thou seek'st too much-and yet, that spark from
Heaven,

That mind divine, itself shall never die !—
Lo-on the earth it shall survive-the leaven
Of future triumphis over worlds that lie
In the gross darkness of the sealed eye.
Years pass-it spreads-it breathes-it burns-

and light
Breaks out where was but mist-and knowledge
springs from night!

Then hold thy hope-though they must go

whose songs

We hung upon like oracles-the seed
Is sown among the world's unheeding throngs,
From which the Tree of Life shall yet proceed,
Whose fruit is lofty thought, and noble deed;
It shall increase-shall flourish-bright and
brave,

Albeit its Planter's hand lie withered in the

grave.

THE LIFE AND CONFESSIONS, INCLUDING THE
OPINIONS, MORAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL, OF
DICKY O'BRADY, ESQ.

[Continued from No. 243.]

I have a little deviated from the strict order of time in this narrative; but the plan of my story renders a certain portion of irregularity eminently necessary.

I come now to that period of my human existence when I was eight years of age.

was Stubbs. It must be confessed, that he
was a lad of amiable and engaging manners.
In his person he was beautiful. His exte-
rior habiliments were composed partly of
brown velveteen, and partly of crimson
plush. It was scarcely possible to conceive,
against such a being, a sentiment of dislike;
and thence it resulted that I hated, I ab-
horred, I detested him! His jest was not
the emanation of my spirit, and I envied him
its success. At that moment I conceived
the idea, that we must for ever be bitter and
remorseless enemies; that it was inevitably
in the destiny of one of us to destroy the other.
I formed the determination, if possible, to
destroy him. It may, perhaps, be imagined,
that I was not, what is usually termed, a
well-disposed lad. I confess it. I was, com-
paratively, a bad boy. Strickly speaking, I
was positively a bad boy. In a word, I was
superlatively a bad boy.
"Show me a boy
with such a mind as this, and time, that
ripens manhood in him, shall ripen vice too."
The Gamester, a Tragedy in five acts.-
Act 1. sc. 2. p. 3. line 4. ed. 5.

At the time of which I am now speaking, the metropolis was agitated by the commotion, vulgarly distinguished as the Riots of Eighty. If there be one subject rather than another in which numerous bodies of children feel intensely interested, it may be said to be a political dispute. Another circumstance, eminently tending to heighten this interest is, the fortunate concurrence of a religious feeling being grafted, if I may so express myself, upon the political stem. These disturbances, it is well-known, received also the appellation of the "No Popery Riots."

It may perhaps be generally asserted that the progress made by any given individual in learning depends less on the price paid for his education, than his capacity or willingness to receive instruction. My mother derived our means of subsistence from the purchase of oysters at the market of Billingsgate, and the subsequent sale of that nutritious fish, at an inconsiderable profit, at the corner of the court in which we lived. From this acknowledgment, it may be inferred that it did not come within the ability of my mother to provide for my education at any of the greater, or more expensive, establishments for instruction. This is an advantage from which the poor are for ever excluded. I was consequently intrusted to the care of one who, as the poet expresses it, "taught the young idea how to shoot," in consideration of the humble recompense of three-pence per week. Thus it will be seen that, even allowing the year to consist of fifty-two weeks, the annual charge of my education could not possibly exceed thirteen shillings. It must, however, in fairness be admitted that, on a subsequent year, this charge was somewhat aggravated by the necessity that occurred of furnishing me with a slate and a ciphering-book. Slate! What a sensitive and impressible being is It happened that the school of which I man! That the mere act of writing this one was a member was eminently popish. We little word should possess the magic and were, to a boy, the offspring of popish parents. irresistible power of disturbing the whole of Any slur upon the cause of popery would my animal organization, and of shaking my have invited the utter and inevitable destrucimmortal soul as the leaf is shaken by the tion of him who should have dared to level blast! Strange as it may appear, this dumb it. I have already mentioned Billy White. and passive utensil was to become the ar- A custom at this time existed in the school, biter of my destiny! Oh! that I had of shooting peas at each other, out of a holbeen gifted with the power of Hercules, low tube. This weapon, paramountly simas described in Tooke's Pantheon, or the ple in its construction, was denominated a strength of Samson, anterior to the cropping pop-gun. I was of a grave cast of mind. I of his hair by the barbarous and barberizing took no delight in this amusement. I disDalilah! I would have dashed thee into mil-liked it in an inexpressible degree. * lions of pieces, and again shattered'each particular and individual fragment into atoms innumerable!

* But to proceed.
The name of the superintendent of the
society in which I was now admitted a mem-
ber was O'Floggarty. School-boys are ever
prone to bestow, what they term nick-names
on all who come within the sphere of their
acquaintance. ** I shall not attempt
to account for this propensity. I merely
state the fact. I retain a fresh and perfect
recollection of one of those "flashes of mer-
riment," as Shakspeare, in his tragedy of
Hamlet, expresses it, which the propensity
I have just noticed elicited.

One of my school-fellows, a lively, whim-
sical lad, perceiving that the name of O'Flog-
garty was eminently susceptible of a pun,
waggishly converted it into Old Flog-hearty!
The jest was hailed with enthusiasin. The
inventor was instantly proclaimed the very
paragon of wit. His success invested him
with a certain degree of influence in all the
proceedings of this little community. He
became the lord of the ascendant. His name

It was a remarkable part of my system of conduct never to talk more than was strictly necessary. Not only was I silent when I had nothing to say; but frequently, when it became a matter of urgency that I should communicate my ideas to another, I preferred, if possible, to convey them through any other medium than that of language. Thus, I frequently expressed my thoughts and feelings by a look, a nudge, or a kick. Having stated this circumstance, it will appear the less extraordinary that I devised the expedient of exhibiting in writing my protest against the use of pop-guns.

I have already said it became necessary to furnish we with a slate. At the period I am now speaking of, I was in possession of it. According to the laws by which the right of property is regulated and established, the slate was legally and equitably mine. It was superlatively my slate. No honourable or ingenuous mind would have disputed my property in it. I contemplated my right in it with feelings of indescribable complacency. I knew that nothing short of the appli

« السابقةمتابعة »