slow recovery from illness; and, with that reliance on the better feelings of others, which is the characteristic of amiable minds, she throws herself on the forbearance and goodnature of her critics.

Under such circumstances it is impossible for the most hardened of our ungentle craft to enter upon the perusal of this lady-like volume, without relaxing the brow of criticism, and sympathising in a gallant spirit with the amiable feelings of the writer. Still more prepossessed will the reader be in favour of the work, after the perusal of the first chapter, where he will find an English baronial residence, its ample park and tasteful ruralities, with the quaint pomp of its aristocratic inmates, described with simplicity and truth. For the sake of such as delight in these small matters, we shall give the following characteristic specimen,-the writer is speaking of the interior of the mansion.

"I must in this place introduce some description of the principal sleeping apartments of the Castle. They opened from an oaken gallery, which went round two sides of the building. The walls of each were hung with Indian paper; and the curtains and bed-furniture were composed of the handsomest chintz: the dressingrooms annexed to each had every luxury aud comfort for the purpose. One side commanded an extensive range of country: the other looked upon the garden, on which side my room was situated, as I much preferred a home-view. Besides, a rich and musky gale was wafted to my windows from a luxuriant bed of lilies of the

valley, morning and evening, that refreshed my senses and delighted my imagination. Think of opening one's window with the balmy air from a thousand flowers breathing around, the first thing on a fine budding spring morning! and then think of doing the same in a London street!!"

We have often read more ambitious descriptions in the high-seasoned fashionable novels, but the luxury of this quiet scene comes fresh upon us. What would we not give to be this instant throwing open a window overlooking such a country, and inhaling one breath of balmy air perfumed by the lilies of the valley beneath Clairville Castle!

66

The same minuteness of description and simplicity of thought, mark the notice of every person and thing which this lady encounters during her country visit; but we regret to add, that, for lack of experience, these descriptions at times sink into something like flatness and tedium. That, however, of the harmless and pompous old Earl and his family, proceeding to church on Sunday morning in their huge ark of a vehicle, drawn by four long-tailed black horses," and under the management of the portly and respectable old coachman, in flaxen wig and cocked hat, the rear brought up by Mr. Jameson, my lord's gentleman, dignified by black silk breeches and silver buckles, and bearing under his arm the huge prayer-book with brass clasps, for the no less pompous Mrs. Price, the housekeeper, who walked by his side, reminded us, as they entered the village church-yard, of Addison's inimitable picture of Sir Roger De Coverley and his family, in the same circumstances; and the remark, that, on going into church, the party observed that the men took off their hats and hung them against the sides of their respective pews, and that "honest Joe Robson," the parish clerk, appeared under the pulpit in a grey coat decorated

with large white metal buttons, and wore a nosegay in his breast, "in which was introduced a yellow marygold by way of distinction," may be considered as a clever characteristic of the style which this lady has adopted.

The romantic part of the volume, which indeed includes the whole of the story, though written evidently with great care, is less to our taste. The interest consists mainly in circumstances connected with an equestrian exhibition by three Indian chiefs, which takes place on the lawn in front of the castle, at a fête given on the birth-day of Lord Fancourt, the Earl's son. A melancholy lady lives at a cottage near the castle, about whom there is of course a mystery. This lady lost a son in his infancy, which is the cause of her sorrow. The youngest of the "warriors" who are to exhibit on this auspicious day, is quite a nonpareil of a gentleman, Indian though he be, and "savage" as he is termed, and turns out to be the real hero of the story, and the lost son of the sorrowful lady. As the account of this exhibition is one of the most extractable passages in the tale, we shall give it here.

"All was expectation, with every individual of the company. Lord Fancourt and Mr. Leslie had gone, mounted and equipped, to the great yard, to escort the warriors to the area. At halfpast three the gates of the court were thrown open, and first issued forth the two officers their accoutrements very splendid. The three ing the bit, and seeming as though they disIndians followed, their horses prancing, champ dained to touch the ground, so spirited and elastic was the tread of their finely-formed hoofs. The steeds were led each by a groom, in the Indian garb; the chiefs themselves having loosened the hold of their bridles, one hand resting on their lance, the other raising the conch to their lips, from which they drew forth sounds, as they advanced, in correct harmony, resembling a

slow and wild march.

"Their singular and striking appearance had so original an effect, that the spectators were too much absorbed in their own sensations to

evidence them by outward demonstration. The warriors proceeded thus till they stopped at the entrance of the lists; then dropping their conchs, in position, advancing to the centre fronting the and resuming their bridles, they put themselves stand. The chiefs drew up together, and made their salutation by lowering their lances, and bending their eyes slowly along the range of company. Lord Fancourt and his friend stationed themselves on horseback on the outside, each at one end of the lists.

"The first manoeuvres were nearly the same as those which we had previously witnessed in town, gone through, perhaps, with more spirit and energy of action, from the enlarged space, and from the horses feeling more spring to their limbs on the soft elastic turf.

"The first impression of the company was deep and engrossing admiration, at such unexampled dexterity; then a low and increased murmur of approbation went round. At length their trained and practised evolutions came to a close; when the chiefs drew up, as before, in the centre, each warrior bending forward his head and lowering his lance. A loud and vehewhich the chiefs seemed duly gratified, repeating ment expression of applause burst forth; with their acknowledgments. They vaulted from their steeds, and the grooms loosening the bits, led them quietly back and forth on the turf. Meantime, Lord Fancourt and Mr. Leslie dismounted outside, entered the area, and joined the warriors, who were pacing the ground with slow and regulated mien. The youthful Konzas

stepped lightly, but proudly; and the fine lofty lineaments of his countenance claimed admiration from all.

"Even our 'Queen of the May,' with a beam of interest and wonder playing over her sweet face, turned round to Miss Ducie and me, saying, in a whisper,

"How can a savage be so handsome! is it not very odd? Do tell me, dear Miss Ducie.'

"I am sure, sweet, it is only in the odious epithet, which always associates something revolting with it; for nothing in the appearance of that noble young chief indicates the 'savage.'

"Lord Clairville became all bustle and eagerness for the grand exploit he had dwelt so much upon, from the first suggestion of the plan. The warriors intimated to Lord Fancourt, that it was necessary their horses should be perfectly cool before the wild gallop' took place;-about a quarter of an hour would suffice for that purpose. During the interval, they conversed in the sedate Indian manner, with serene countenances and unmoved muscles, every now and then casting a lustrous but steady glance on the spectators. The mind of every one was too much wound up to admit of desultory conversation; and even Lady Twidsley's tattle was for the moment subdued by eager curiosity.

In the space of a few moments the conchs were raised, and the same long-drawn tones put forth. The grooms, obeying the signal, halted in the centre of the area, with each a steed in hand, tightened the bits, arranged the bridles, and awaited the approach of the horsemen, who quietly drew near their respective animals. Konzas, being in advance, sprang into the saddle following his example: the beautiful creatures with his accustomed grace and agility, the others appeared immediately to put themselves upon their mettle, gathering up their exquisitelyformed limbs, and fidgeting from one leg to another, as though they would have preferred a flight in the air to treading the heavy earth.

"Konzas drew the reins of his impatient steed, paused a second, then turning his horse, suddenly made a tremendous vault over the lines, rode for a moment in short and rapid circles, as if uncertain of his course, then darted off; after scouring the park, as it appeared, (so great was the velocity,) but for a minute, he was lost to the eye in the opening of the beech-wood on the heights: he soon emerged from another opening in the wood, and galloped like a deer along the skirts of the forest.

"The remaining two chiefs meanwhile continued motionless in the centre, when they also gave a sudden turn, vaulted the lines, and ascended the heights with the same rapidity.

"The Earl was in ecstasies, and with a glass to his eye was minutely watching the various circuits and curvetings the heroes were performing on the hill, as if in mock combat. This we could all perceive distinctly, and the whole attention was directed to what was occurring on the upland. For a moment the party were concealed under the shade, from whence they emerged, and drawing up on the brow of the hill, raised their conchs, and sounded the thrilling war-blast of their people: wood, hill, and dale, rung with the echo, which gradually died away down the valley. The horses, at the top of their speed (the ground being admirably adapted to the finest powers of the animal), then rushed down the hill: the noble black seemed conscious of the advantage, and bore his wartiful. They turned all three at the bottom of like rider with a loftiness and spirit truly beauthe declivity abreast, and continuing their course, in a sort of trial of speed, for about half a mile in circuit, returned in a devious and rapid course to the lines. Konzas was foremost, and a shout of delight greeted him. Riding into the centre of the area, and pulling hard with a jerk on the rein, his steed reared his forward

in a little time enabled to rise and tell us a story which no hermit even telling his last beads could avoid laughing at. Related by any one, it would have been good; but as told by Curran, with his powers of description and characteristic humour, was super-excellent;—and we had to thank Diver, the water-dog, for the highest zest of the whole evening.

"The fact was, that a little while previous to dinner-time, Curran, who had omitted his customary ablution in the morning, went to our allotted bed-chamber to perform that ceremony; and having stripped, had just begun to apply the sponge, when Diver, strolling about his master's premises to see if all was right, placed by chance his paw against the door, which not being fastened, it flew open, he entered unceremoniously, and observing what he conceived to be an extraordinary and suspicious figure, concluded it was somebody with no very honest intention, and stopped to reconnoitre. Curran, unaccustomed to so strange a valet, retreated, while Diver advanced, and very significantly showed an intention to seize him by the naked throat; which operation, if performed by Diver, whose tusks were a full inch in length, would no doubt have admitted an inconvenient quantity of atmospheric air into his oesophagus. He therefore crept as close into the corner as he could, and had the equivocal satisfaction of seeing his adversary advance and turn the meditated assault into a complete blockade-stretching himself out, and 'maintaining his position' with scarcely the slightest motion, till the counsellor was rescued, and the siege raised.

"Curran had been in hopes that when Diver

had satisfied his curiosity he would retire; and with this impression, spoke kindly to him, but was answered only by a growl. If Curran repeated his blandishments, Diver showed his long white tusks;-if he moved his foot, the dog's hind legs were in motion. Once or twice Curran raised his hand: but Diver, considering that as a sort of challenge, rose instantly, and

with a low growl looked significantly at Curran's windpipe. Curran, therefore, stood like a model, if not much like a marble divinity."

FAMILY LIBRARY.

|

restless and "quick eye" and "nimble gestures, turning himself oftentimes about, and casting an eye, not only on those who were on each side of the court, but even on the spectators in the midst of the hall," give us the truest notion of the man, although they

detract a little from the accustomed accounts

of his almost superhuman composure. Of the abstract right or wrong of an insincere and unjust king brought to judgment by his people-that mightier sovereign, we do not here offer any opinion: it was certainly a nobler course than any of those secret means of imprisonment or destruction, so often practised on the rulers of despotic states; nor are the celebrated words, used by Lord Orford, in exposing the inconsistency of Lord Anglesey's sitting in judgment on the regicides, with whom he had before acted in open rebellion, without their weight. "If a king," said the courtly Orford, "deserves to be opposed by force of arms, he deserves death. If he reduces his subjects to that extremity, the blood spilt in the quarrel lies on him.

Whatever may be our opinion, however, of the justice of Charles's fate, the treatment of the regicides was, to the last degree, barbarous and inhuman-only worthy of the petty malignity of a government that could order the bodies of Ireton, Cromwell, and Bradshaw, to be digged out of their graves and hanged at Tyburn; and that took the pariot Pym and the immortal Blake from their tombs in Westminster Abbey, to cast them, with the bodies of the amiable mother and daughter of Cromwell, into one common pit. We alluded, in our last notice, to some of the base hardships endured by the regicides; but we here find no mark of reprobation attached to them, whilst the few notes appended to the trials, are extremely partial. We certainly believe the motives of the great actors in that remarkable tragedy to have been as free from any charge of petty individual passion, of selfishness, or

The Trials of Charles the First, and of some malignity, as their conduct was uninfluenced of the Regicides.

[Second Notice.]

to the great deed by any fear of violence from the army. On this latter point, we hold the silence of Ludlow, and the explicit testimony of Mrs. Hutchinson, to be perfectly satisfactory. They were sincere and ardent republicans; mistaken, it might be, in their views, but honest in the prosecution of them, and supported in their day of trial and suffering, beyond almost any men found on record, by that consciousness of rectitude. They were, the great majority of them by birth, and all by education and feeling, what Algernon Sydney well called them, the "true nobility of the country."

We have seen nothing, on a closer examination of this volume, to alter the opinion we last expressed of it. It is crudely compiled, and with a too evident leaning to the royal cause. Whatever may have been the merits or faults of the republican party, the scenes which followed their overthrow and the restoration were, undoubtedly, awful scenes of treachery and persecution. We are not reminded of this in the volume before us,which would too plainly have us forget the insincere and designing tyrant, in the hardships of the suffering prince. We could as soon The three lives in the volume, of Ireton, forget the murder of Eliot, or the dark busi-Bradshaw, and Harrison, though not drawn

ness of the Irish Rebellion. The remarks appended to Charles's trial, with the interpolated comment on poor Bradshaw's" dialogue with the king, are but transcripts of some of Mr. D'Israeli's flights, written in a worse style. With respect to the praises lavished on the composed demeanour of Charles at his trial, and the favourable arguments drawn from it-it seems forgotten, that such reasoning will, in a still stronger degree, justify those who doomed him to die; and indeed, though we would not detract from Charles's claim to equanimity, in that last crisis of his fortunes, we believe that those memorialists, who describe his

up

consi

show of research, possess with any derable interest. We extract a passage from the life of Bradshaw-the account of the last public act of that sincere republican. To him, who had performed the principal part in destroying royalty, it had devolved to make the last expiring protest on behalf of the commonwealth. His was the first, and his the last act of the first English republic. But another noble protest was reserved for him, and even in the weakness of old age he was found not unequal to it.

"We have seen Bradshaw's vehement denunciation of Oliver Cromwell's violent dissolution of the Long Parliament. The last act which

shaw, who was present, though by long sickness very weak, and much attenuated, yet animated by his ardent zeal and constant affection stood up, and interrupted him, declaring his to the common cause, upon hearing those words abhorrence of that detestable action, and telling the Council, that being now going to his God, he had not patience to sit there to hear his great name so openly blasphemed; and, therefore, departed to his lodgings, and withdrew himself from public employment.' He did not live many days; dying on the 22d of November, 1659, of a quartan ague, from which he had suffered more than a year. He was buried with great pomp in Westminster Abbey. His body was disinterred, with those of Cromwell and Ireton, at the Restoration, and exposed on a gibbet at Tyburn, and then thrown into a pit."

We have only, in conclusion, to express life, to Bradshaw's relationship to Milton. our surprise, that no allusion is made in this It seems to us a fact by no means unimportant, in the history of both of these great perfectly satisfactory, being that of the brother of the poet, Christopher Milton, who was a judge under James the Second, and not likely to feel flattered by the alliance. He states his mother to have been a Bradshaw. Wood, in his 'Athenæ Oxonienses' in asserting her name to have been Sarah confirms it, and yet the biographers persist Caston, on the very uncertain authority of the inaccurate Edward Phillips. Mr. Godwin seemed to have set the matter beyond a doubt, in his work on the 'Nephews of Milton'; and more recently in his great work on the Commonwealth'; but the most recent biographer of the poet (Mr. Mitford), as well sist in an unaccountable silence about a ciras the author of the volume before us, percumstance which certainly illustrates, in an interesting view, the close connexion so remarkably evident between the fortunes of

men. The evidence on which it rests is

Milton and Bradshaw.

An Historical Sketch of Sanscrit Literature. Oxford: Talboys.

THE recent foundation of a Professorship of Sanscrit in the University of Oxford, naturally gave an additional impulse to the curiosity

session; and that they may want no attractions,
he prints them prettily, and dedicates them to
the Ladies of Great Britain; he, however, in-
forms his fair auditors that his strains are
"generally deficient in those essential requi-
sites, Feeling and Fancy." Now we would gage
a basnet to a 'prentice cap," that our author
imagines that his chief strength lies with fancy
and with feeling; at least, he ventures on themes
where they are essentially necessary for his suc-
cess. The introductory lines will show, as well
as any other, the nature of his verses, and how
little he is inclined to adopt the line of the old
song for his motto, "Humility sets me best."
Go, stem the torrent's rapid force-
Check the wild falcon in her course-
Hurl from its base the tow'ring rock,
And turn aside the lightning's shock.
Level the mountain with the plain-
Dash back the billows of the main!
These, these, proud Man, may yield to thee;
And more than these perchance may be
Thy slaves; yet seek not to controul
The freedom of the Muse's soul.

She's free:-free as the breeze that bows
The sturdy pine, and fragile rose.
Free, as the feelings fierce that roll
Across dark Guilt's destructive soul,
Which brave both heaven and earth's controul.
Free, as the Sons of Man, ere Sin
Had found a place of rest within-
Ere Ruin ruled them with the rod

That sway'd them to a despot's nod-
Ere Tyranny a throne had won-

Ere Fraud and Force their state o'errun,

And with rapacious fury swept
The Treasure, while its guardian slept.
Like the swift scythe of Time effaced
The lines that God's own hand had traced;-
Dimm'd the fair feelings of the mind,
And left-nought but a wreck behind.
For "Feeling" and "Fancy," our readers
may look in the following verses:-

Where are those hours of love,
O'er which the beam

Of brilliant Hope brightly glow'd,
Gilding the stream

Of joy that glanced gladly on,
Gleaming in light-
Where are those hours of love,
Beaming and bright?
Where are the looks that broke,
Breathing the spell
O'er the soft yielding heart,
Therein to dwell;
Spite of the dark storms,
Around that may roll-
Where are the looks that broke
Bright o'er the soul?
Gone;-never to return-
Darken'd and past-
Fled are the hours that beam'd
Too bright to last:-

If in Oblivion's shade
Thought could find rest,
Then might remembrance be
Tranquil and blest.

Though he dedicates his poetry to the Ladies, he has nothing remarkable to tell them; his verses on Love are full of harmony, but wanting in passion and tenderness.

Fort Risbane; or, Three Days Quarantine, by a Detenu.'-We cannot think well of the taste of an author who in these days carries on a conversation through a whole volume, between Hartley, Pungent, Scribbleton, Orthodox, Tythinkind, Benignus, Goodenough, O'Lucre, Pyrotic, Pertinax, and others of that family, who come with characters ticketed and labelled into company, and cannot speak otherwise than according to their names. We do not mean to say that our Detenu has in these colloquies shown no knowledge of human nature or of the world; on the contrary, he discourses cleverly enough concerning many matters of kingdoms, republics, merchandize, plague, poison, poetry, and politics.

'Tales Historical and Domestic, by Will. Harrison.'-The author of the series of tales of which this is the commencing number, is well known to the reading world by his Tales of a Physician.' He has conceived the idea of giving us a succession of stories in a cheap form, and well embellished, and we think he may be successful; there is nature enough, and tact enough,

in the 'Lost Deed,' with which the work begins, to recommend it to a large class of readers, without trusting to the attractions of the embellishments, of which many are promised, from the pencils of Boxall, Richter, Stothard, and Wright. We ought to mention that, in imitation of prouder names, Mr. Harrison sends his tales to the public in monthly instalments, at the low charge of one shilling.

ORIGINAL PAPERS

THE COURT OF SAXE-MEINUNGEN. [The fact of Her present Majesty Queen Adelaide being a Princess of the House of Saze-Meinungen, gives great additional interest to the following Paper, which is translated from a Manuscript about to be published at Paris under the title of Recollections of an Officer."]

Or all the satellites, great and small, which, under the denomination of members of the Confederation of the Rhine, revolved round the bright star of Napoleon's glory, none was less hostile or more submissive than the chief of the principality of Saxe-Meinungen.

This chief was an amiable and timid woman, the mother of a numerous and interesting family, whom she brought up in the fear of God and of Napoleon, with all the economy, if not the simplicity, which characterizes the establishment of a bettermost German tradesman. With the truly German ostentation and old-fashioned formality of her court, as it was termed, were combined the most paternal care for the welfare and happiness of the few hundred subjects over whom she reigned.

'Periodicals.'-We are called upon, almost daily, to announce some new periodical—in truth, they come so fast, that even a few lines of criticism upon each will occupy more space than we can well spare. We have now before us The Saturday Magazine,' published under the direction of a committee appointed by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. It is a rival to the Penny Magazine, and this first number is quite as dull as the first number of the original wrong-doer, but it contains more useful information. The Penny Magazine has improved; the Saturday's may follow the example. The success of these speculations, we repeat, must end in the ruin of the little publishers; in establishing two or three huge monopolies, which will swallow up all competitors. It is impossible that Mr. Limbird, or Mr. Steill, or Mr. Berger, or any other publisher, can succeed in opposition to chartered If my memory serve me correctly, the societies, fed by subscription, and marshalling military force which, as member of the Rhein the title pages of their works, as a recomnish Confederation, this excellent princess mendation, the names of half the rank and maintained under arms, at the disposal, talent of the country. Unfortunately, the rank though not in the pay of Napoleon, amounted and talent are blind or indifferent to the conse- to some sixty or seventy men. This modest quences of these proceedings. We are now told corps d'armée, in which, no doubt, the warof the good done in disseminating knowledge, like virtues made up for any deficiency in by the sale of a hundred thousand copies of the numerical strength, took a very serious part Penny Magazine. This is just the same ignoin more than one of the battles fought by the rance which, five and twenty years ago, argued Grand Army. At Ratisbon, a drummer of in favour of large farms and inclosures-"look at the broad corn-lands, look at the well filled Meinungen was wounded-and severely too stack-yards;" never pausing to think of the-by a vigorous kick from the foot of a French numberless small farmers and honest yeomen gradually sinking into labourers and paupers. The Penny Magazine alone will probably end by ruining a hundred rival speculations. It is altogether forgotten that its hundred thousand sale includes all the readers that the Mirror, the Mechanic's Magazine, the Olio, the Casket, and other well conducted works have lost-it is a cruel, an unjust, and an unfair rival—and if not shortly and seriously opposed by the public press, will do incalculable mischief.-We have also to announce a' Weekly Miscellany,' to which we wish success, as to every honest speculation which tends to diffuse knowledge among the people. The Islington Popular Library' is a religious publication. The Schoolmaster at Home,' and Asmodeus,' are political satires, somewhat too close in imitation of Figaro to be commended for originality, though not wanting in spirit. The Guide to Knowledge,' edited by Mr. Pinnock, assumes a higher character, and is an instructive and clever work, likely, we

papers.

grenadier, who asked him in French, which the poor drummer did not understand, for a bit of touchwood to light his pipe. It is said, that after the battle a report of the wound -the place and cause of which were somewhat disguised-was made to the princess, and the star of Meinungen, with its pendant ribbon, was transmitted, by the chancellor of the order, to the brave drummer and twelve of his valiant companions.

At the period when all the high roads in Germany swarmed with detachments from the army destined by Napoleon to carry fire and sword into the remote dominions of the Czars, a regiment of light infantry arrived, one fine morning, at the little town of SaxeMeinungen. Having obtained leave to make a halt there of three days, gallantry required the officers, whom fame had made acquainted with the amiable character of the princess and her family, to offer to this interesting sovereign that personal homage which she deserved, much more than she desired; and on the very day of their arrival a visite de corps was ordered by the commanding officer.

The regiment, with its four battalions complete, counted a hundred officers of different ages and ranks-a number somewhat greater than that of the whole army kept up by