hearts, to the vacant window, where the wild stone-crop was blowing into the roofless apartment, where he had stood, and parted from her, for a field whence he never was to return. Then our aunt's true minstrel memory told of still superb Alnwick, whose turrets had every one a story of its own, from the times of the Picts, to those of many a generation of the brave and the beautiful' of the gallant house of Percy." 'Tales and Novels, by Maria Edgeworth, No. 5; Popular Tales, Vol. II.'-There are five tales in this elegant volume, and two engravings illustrating them; the former we need not praise, and the latter we cannot, though they are picturesque enough, and neatly engraved. 'Instructive Gleanings from the best Writers on Painting and Drawing, by Capt. Mainwaring, R.N.'-The compiler has gathered together the most instructive passages on art from Du Fresnoy, Richardson, Reynolds, Barry, Opie, Fuseli, Shee, Gilpin, Burnet, and Dagley, and formed a little volume well worth the perusal of all who love art, or desire to know what has been said about it by the princes of the calling. Here are instructions how to conceive, draw, and colour up a work; and dissertations on oil colours, water colours, pencils, leads, crayons, and all manner of materials for staining canvas, or wood, or paper. There are clever things from Barry, and some clear and instructive passages from Burnet. We have no room to particularize farther. Natural History of Religion, by the Rev. R. Taylor.'-We know not that such a work was much wanted; yet we cannot do otherwise than welcome it, and recommend it to public attention. Example; or, Family Scenes.'- "The object," says the author of this little volume, "is to exhibit the powerful influence of example, for evil and for good, upon human character and conduct." He has fulfilled his intentions, and written a book useful to young and old; particularly to the self-willed, or those who never think, but follow as stronger and worse disposed minds lead. 'The Youth's Book on Natural Theology, by the Rev. T. H. Gallaadet.'-This is a reprint of an American work; and though we dislike some of its discussions as too minute, and others as too childish for a theme so serious, we are sensible of the frequent presence of good sense and sound knowledge in its pages. We would not, however, advise any one to judge it by the beginning, where the making of a paper kite seems written as a burlesque on the creation of the world. 'Maxims and Morals for every Day in the Year, selected from some of the most approved Authors, by C. W.-These maxims and morals are put up in a little book, such as a man may carry in his waistcoat pocket; indeed, we have no doubt, that the work was got up in small, that it might be ready to pull out at every emergency when poor human nature knows not well what to do. For instance, now this is the 6th of September, and we find it morally impossible to determine whether this be a book which we ought to treasure as useful, or reject as unnecessary, turn we in this sore perplexity to the said book, and there we find it written against this sixth of the running month, "That it is impossible that every truth should admit of proof." This is too oracular: the mental and moral help has thrown no light on the subject, and so we must leave it. 'Harding's Stenography.'-We believe this to be the most popular treatise on short-hand; and we believe it to be the best. 'Kidd's Picturesque Guide to Dover,' is another of his cheap little volumes, full of tasty woodcuts, that make us, who are "in populous cities pent," pine for fresh air and salt water. 'Illustrations of Political Economy, No. 8; Cousin Marshall, a Tale, by Harriet Martineau.' Many a simple person might read Miss Martineau's tales without being particularly aware that they had reference to instruction and political economy: they are, indeed, always natural, lively, and dramatic. ORIGINAL PAPERS INVOCATION TO MISERY. BY PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. COME, be happy!-sit by me, Come, be happy!-sit near me : There our tent shall be the willow, Ha! thy frozen pulses flutter Thou art murmuring, thou art weeping, Clasp me till our hearts be grown Thou mayst dream of her with me. Shadows shifting from a scene- LIVING ARTISTS.-No. XVI. WILLIAM ALLAN, A.R.A. THERE are but two Scotchmen connected with the Royal Academy, and Allan is one of them: he is, however, only an Associate, and has had the pain of seeing artists preferred, in the distribution of honours, whose works, in point of original conception and character, cannot be compared with his. How this has happened, no one out of the Academy can tell; it has not, however, been unobserved by others; and we mention it to show, that some who have not the honour of being artists sympathize with a worthy and an ingenious man, who has been treated with injustice. a Allan conceives his subject well; and in embodying it on canvas, he follows nature step by step, like one resolved to vindicate her works by his example. He has travelled in far lands, and taken sittings of beauty and character in other climates. His 'Sale of Circassian Slaves' is not one of those scenes which are created by the force of: teeming fancy alone: the artist was in the market and viewed the commodity; and all the looks, and forms, and dresses of that very enchanting composition, are true to the land where the scene is laid. He travelled in Russia: hence his studio teems with the wild men of the desert; and it cannot be denied that he has caught the savage grandeur of the untameable Cossac. He was not long ago in Constantinople, and in the isles of Greece: we saw his portfolio; it was filled with groups copied from nature; with heads, bits of rocks, scraps of ruins, and all those picturesque materials, which talent can readily work into its more studied compositions: nor has he been unheedful of the attractions of his native land: his sketches of the beauties of Caledonia were to us far more interesting than all else he had to show; and the groups which he drew of the Edinburgh lasses waiting round the well in the Lawn Market, till their turn came to obtain water, were full of natural elegance. Though he began with far lands, he has lately sought his subjects at home; and it must be owned that he is skilful in choosing. His Circassian Slaves' is a splendid thing -glowing, but not gaudy, and realizing, in no small degree, those images of beauty with which the ladies of Circassia have bewitched the eastern world; but his 'John Knox admonishing Queen Mary,' and his 'Balfour of Burley slaying Archbishop Sharpe on Magus Moor,' though of a sterner stamp, are of a higher kind of composition; inasmuch as mental power and sentiment are more visible in them. One of the most beautiful of his works, is that of 'Sir Walter Scott reading in his Study at Abbotsford': the poet's back is to the window-the sunshine comes full on the paper he is intent on-and his face is seen by the reflected light: something, but not much, of that sad illness which has robbed us of many fine works, is written on his face the grave, considerate lookthe hair thin, white, and long-his peculiar way of sitting,-nay, the dress in which he delighted-all are there: we never saw any thing more real or natural. All Allan's works show skill in grouping and knowledge of character; but his sense of the importance of a historic subject often abates that ease and confidence of execution which produces excellence: he has few lucky hits : all is elaborated slowly and circumspectly out. He goes to work, too, in historical painting, in a way which we cannot help thinking is wrong; instead of conceiving heads expressive of the characters with which he proposes to people his canvas, he seeks them among the living friends around him; and we sometimes think he sets an ordinary head to a task too high for its faculties. He is much too fastidious, too, we apprehend, in small and subordinate matters: a button or a tassel, a sword-knot or a shoe-tie, are with him things of great weight. With less labour he would produce a better effect. We point out these imperfections-they are not called imperfections by some-in no other spirit but that of brotherly kindness: in an ordinary painter we should have laughed and allowed them to pass; but Allan has almost all the fine elements of a true painter about him he has pathos deep and touchinghumour of a keen and original kind--a sense of character both rustic and heroic-a power of fancy equalled by few-and a skill which can delineate whatever his eye sees or his spirit conceives. We may add, that he is of pleasant address, agreeable manners, has a hearty enthusiasm for his profession, and is ever ready to aid young artists in the way most acceptable to genius-by judicious praise and kind encouragement. In 1826 Allan succeeded Wilson as Master of the Edinburgh Academy of Arts; and we hear that the institution prospers in his hands. He himself studied in the place where he is now master, and was the companion of Wilkie during the days of Grahame. To be so honoured in his own land, must be some consolation for the slight put upon him in England he will, it is said, be elected at the first vacancy; in truth, he cannot well be longer kept out, and so must come in. It is to the credit of Wilkie that he has ever contended and voted for the admission of Allan. The love of art, particularly of painting, is spreading in the north; and we could name several young men of genius who will be heard of at no distant day. TRANSLATIONS FROM KÖRNER.—No. VII. [THIS is one of the many poems in the Lyre and Sword,' which prove how closely fiery valour and high patriotism were blended, in Körner, with that touch of woman's soul which belongs, more or less, to all true poets. It was written in the year most devoted to study and poetry of all in his brief and brilliant life. All his songs, prior to the battle of Aspern, in 1813, breathe in varied tones deep sorrow and despondency for the fate of his beloved Germany; and here he has beautifully connected a mournful train of reverie with the national tree emblematic of his country. Under this tree, so often triumphantly, or pathetically, commemorated in his songs, he was, with true German feeling, buried.] Still through your leaf-crown glimmers, faintly smiling, The last departing glow of eventide! Careless ye view the Fates wide ruins pilingIn vain Time menaces your healthy pride! Yet voices tell me, through your branches sighing, "All that is great in death will soon be lying!" And ye have stood! O'er all that droops decaying, Green, fresh, and strong, ye rear your lusty heads; No weary pilgrim, through the forest straying, But rests him in the shade your branch-work spreads: Even when your leaves are dead, each light wind's playing On the glad earth their precious tribute sheds: Thus o'er your roots these fallen children sleeping, Hold all your next spring's glories in their keeping! Fair images of true old German feeling, As it showed in my country's better days! When, fearlessly with life's blood freedom sealing, Her sons died glad her holy walls to raise! Ah! what avails our common grief revealing! On every heart a hand of death it lays: My German Land! thou noblest under heaven! Thine oak trees stand-thou down to earth art driven ! A NIGHT AT AN INN. THE writer of A Day in a Stage Coach' has depicted the night's sojourn at an inn, in too rose-coloured a manner. Permit me, Mr. Editor, as an ancient and experienced travelling gentlewoman, to add my version of a similar night's lodging. Doubtless, the world is full of good inns, and many inns are full of good things;-you may occasionally be lodged therein in better style than may fall to your lot at home--but then you must not travel in a stage-coach; for, so travelling, you may seek the good things in vain. You are as much labelled "Passenger," as your luggage, and treated accordingly-with this difference, that the luggage is insensible to its ignominious treatment you, the sentient being, perhaps the sensitive, feel it down to your finger ends. The play begins by ushering you from the common vehicle into the common room! Your foot recoils from the threshold, and you demand " a private room. Very well: now in glimmer, now in gloom," you follow the waiter up stairs, down passages, across landings, and are shown at last into a parlour parallel with the kitchen, and owning consanguinity with the bar: the table is stained -the carpet is rusty-the chairs have seen better days-and in the grate 66 The brands are white and dying, Amid their own white ashes lying. Presuming on your habits and tastes, you require a better apartment-"one to the front": you might as well ask to be crowned queen;-" a lady and gentleman have engaged this"-"a party are dining in the other," &c. There is nothing for it but to submit with good-humour-order in your servant-hope for a better fate, as regards bed and refreshment-and hope in vain. You are offered your choice of a single-bedded room with a skylight, or a double-bedded one looking over the pig-styes and stableyard. You demand tea and a cold chicken : you are served with a multifarious assemblage of Staffordshire and queen's ware (alas for royalty!);-the tea-caddy is a custard-cup; and your fowl, if forthcoming, appears the saddest-looking biped that ever was disjointed. You descend to your parallelogram of a parlour, to "spend the evening" and wish for morning. The said room either looks into a back street, and you hear and see more of human nature than pleases you, even admitting you to be a professed student thereof;-or your room looks into a court filled with the departed spirits of sunflowers and marigolds, intersected by a passage leading from no one knows whence, to close to your one window, that you hear all no one knows where-a thoroughfare, so said, and see all done: mothers scolding their children, and the pinafored gentry crying out against their mothers. You see the girls going by for water, the postboys for orders; and you drink your tea and eat your leathern lady (the chicken), or your anything-you-can-get, with what zest you may. The meal ended, you look about for amusement. Your own thoughts are miserable comforters-they have flown to the comforts that await you, or those you have left. Your mind is flooded with refined and musical remembrances-every sense has a separate memory: you see the lovely shades you have left-smell the sweet flowers of yesterdayhear the voices that have no echo but 'in your own heart-hold the hands that you have perhaps held for the last time. In despair, you take up a newspaper, and thence learn the fashions--that ladies' cuffs are now made very deep, and gentlemen's coat collars very long; or you may learn that on Monday a man was made very ill with eating mushrooms, which turned out not to be mushrooms; and that John Hawkins is transported for life; or you may listen to the clatter of the dinner trays, as the waiters carry them up stairs, and wonder what your neighbours above have chosen to dine from; or you may solace your dignity with the remembrance, that a good-looking old woman in black, who rode with you five miles, inquired with surprise whether you were accustomed to stagecoaches. My dear Mr. Editor, take my word for it, that no airs of state, and no affectation of courtesy, will suffice to get you "good entertainment" in any inn in his Majesty's dominions, if so be you entered it from a stagecoach. My advice is-put your feelings, your fancies, your sentiment, your memory, your dignity, all in your pocket (if you wear one) -bear the noises, see the sights, brook the slights, and go to bed. "To a nunnery, to a nunnery." To-morrow morning is on its way, and to-night is on its wane. INDIA. THERE are many Societies and Associations of the learned and opulent, for the encouragement of research, enterprise, and invention, and of these, one of the most active is the Royal Asiatic Society. One learned body busy themselves in arrangements about coffee and hot rolls, and write dissertations upon mole-hills and rabbit-burrows, another body, equally learned, and who aspire to be called scientific, meet weekly, sit and look at one another, smatter a little science, form dinner-parties, and bow to the president and depart. And yet there is much to do in the land for both-our libraries are filled with manuscripts, historical, literary, and statisti cal; yet no one thinks of arranging or of publishing them, though such seems the province of the Antiquarian Society; we have no work in which are described and illustrated, in a way to be useful, the discoveries and inventions in science for which we are distinguished among nations, though the Royal Society might be worse employed than in doing this good office: in short, these two great bodies seem motionless and dead; they want some able, enthusiastic, and stirring members, to put life and mettle into them; the very price of admission into their ranks is made extravagantly high, in order to secure a monopoly to the rich and the titled. Of a very different character is the Royal Asiatic Society: it is young, it is true, and may be considered as seeking the distinction which the others have obtained; and no doubt there are many opulent and easy members, who do little else but enjoy the honours which the more active and intelligent acquire for the Society. We have looked a little into the proceedings of the body, and while we commend them for their activity and intelligence, we are not insensible that they owe much to the well-directed enthusiasm of a few leading spirits; among the most distinguished is Sir Alexander Johnstone he has been long known for his attachment to all that is Asiatic; and not only for his labours to diffuse happiness among the various castes and classes of the East, but likewise for his inquiries-many of them useful, and all curious-into the arts and literature of the peninsula of Hindostan and our Indian Isles. We have been induced to make these re marks from perusing the Appendix, just printed, of the Society's Transactions; it contains a speech by Sir Alexander Johnstone, explanatory of the views and resolutions of the Committee of Correspondence; it will be seen that no contracted notions of research or inquiry are entertained. We wish the Antiquarian Society would do half as much for old England as the Asiatic has done and is doing for India. Four questions of great importance came under the consideration of the Committee; viz. "The first, that of the revival, in consequence of the discovery of steam navigation, of the commercial intercourse which was formerly carried on between Europe and Asia through the Red Sea. The second, that of the policy of allowing European British subjects to settle in the interior of India, for the purpose of introducing amongst the natives of the country British capital, British industry, British arts and sciences, and British improvements. The third, that of the practicability of framing a particular code of laws for the use of the natives of India, which shall be adapted to the circumstances of the country and to the wants of the people; which shall be divested of all technicalities; which shall be short and precise; and which shall materially diminish, if not entirely prevent the delay, the expense, and the inconvenience to which the administration of justice is now subject in India. The fourth, that of the different measures which are necessary to restore the northern and eastern provinces of Ceylon to the state of the agricultural and commercial prosperity, which they enjoyed from the first to the fifteenth century, when they were the emporium of all the maritime trade which was carried on between the western and eastern portions of the globe." describe what they have done, or are about The Committee have, with a view to the first question, directed their researches to the history of Palmyra, Balbec, Petra, Suez, Adulis, Cairo, Thebes, Cocyra, Asioengeber, and Acbana, during the period when those places were enriched by the trade which was carried on bethey have examined all the ancient and modern tween Europe and India, through the Red Sea; maps of the river Nile and of the Red Sea; the present state of the steam navigation, in that river and in that sea, the degree of encouragement it is likely to receive from the Pacha of Egypt, and the probability of his discovering coals in his own or in the neighbouring countries. * * "The Committee have, with a view to the second question, directed their researches to the history of the descendants of the Jews, who are established at Cochin; of the descendants of the Syrian Christians, who are established in the Travancore country; and of the descendants of the Portuguese and the French, who are established at Goa and Pondicherry: to the botany and geology of India, and the different languages which are spoken in Siam, Laos, Cambodia, the Burmese empire and Thibet. "The Committee have, with a view to the third question, directed their researches to the laws and usages of all the different natives who live under the British authority in India. Aware of the great influence which the right of property and the laws of inheritance have had in all ages and in all nations, in leading human society to its highest improvements, they have particularly examined those laws and usages in India, which are directly or indirectly calculated to secure the right and to regulate the inheritance of property of every description. They have traced the origin and the different modifications of all the different laws of inheritance, scends in certain proportions both to males and as well those according to which property defemales, as those according to which it, in some provinces, and amongst some classes of people, descends only to females: the various rights of children by birth, and those of children by adoption. The difference between the rule of law, which applies to the property which a person inherits from his ancestors, and that which applies to the property which he acquires by his own industry and talents. They have considered the moral and the political effect of all these laws and usages upon the character of the people, and the prosperity of the country; they have derived much valuable information upon the subject from the memoir of the late General Walker, and they expect to derive still more from the appendixes which will in future be attached to each case which is brought in appeal from the Courts of Sudder Adawlut at Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, before the King in Council in this country. "The Committee, with a view to the fourth question, have directed their researches to the ancient history of the island, to the ancient site of its principal cities, to its ancient code of morals, to its ancient form of government, to its ancient trade, to its ancient system of agriculture and irrigation, and to its animal and vegetable productions. They are collecting all the geographical and local information necessary to explain and illustrate the English translation of the three ancient histories of Ceylon, the Maha Wansie, the Rajawallie, and the Rajarettnakarre, all the manuscripts which contain any account of the ancient cities and temples of Jaffna, Mantotte, Amarajapuro, Monisseram, Trincomalee, Trecoil, and Dewandera, of the early sanctity of Adam's Peak and Cadregam, and of the frequent pilgrimages performed in ancient times by innumerable devotees and invalids from the most distant parts of India to On each of these topics the Committee the ancient Hindoo temple at Trincomalee, and to the different hot wells in that neighbourhood, which were believed by the Hindoos in those days to be one of the favourite resorts of the sage called Angustier, adored throughout the Peninsula of India for his medical knowledge and his universal wisdom. They are about to have an English translation made of the great Buddhist work in our library called Panseyapanas-jatakaya, which contains a description of 550 of the transmigrations of Buddha, and the whole system of morals observed by the Buddhists in Ceylon. They are comparing the account drawn up by the late Sir John D'Oyley, with all the other accounts drawn up at different times by different persons in Portuguese, Dutch and English, of the form of government which vailed in the Kandian country for upwards of two thousand years, and which affords a very correct picture of the form of government that prevailed amongst all the Hindoos throughout India in the most remote ages." pre These are matters of some moment, and worthy of the attention of such a Society: our government seems supine in all things connected with history or science; not so the French-hear what Sir Alexander says: "The English and the French governments, equally anxious to promote scientific inquiries in India, have recently aided each other in the attainment of this great object: France, by the appointment of M. Jaquemont, an eminent naturalist, to proceed to India and to remain there for seven years upon a public salary, for the purpose of investigating the natural history of that country; England, by affording M. Jaquemont in every part of British India the most ready and the most efficient assistance. Both nations, by completely divesting themselves of the national jealousy which has so long prevailed between them, have set a bright example to all other nations of the cordial and unreserved manner in which all countries ought to co-ope rate according to the means which they respectively possess, in promoting those researches which are calculated to extend the limits of scientific and literary knowledge.” We have quoted enough to show that our praise is merited; we are sorry that we have not room for the whole supplement: it is replete with information, and abounds in wise and extensive views for the good of this country, and the general welfare of mankind. OUR WEEKLY GOSSIP ON LITERATURE We have before us the prospectus of a bold and new undertaking, called the 'Library of Romance,' to be conducted by Leitch Ritchie and Thomas Roscoe; the object of which is to supply the public with a succession of cheap novels and romances of great original excellence, and written, of course, by the most eminent of living authors in England and America. These works will be published in handsome monthly volumes, at the price of six shillings each, and it is calculated that they will contain as much in quantity as the half of an ordinary novel. The Editors say, they hope to produce "a series of novels and romances greatly cheaper than the cheapest, and as good as the best that have preceded them." Alas! if this undertaking answers, what will become of us? for be it known to our readers, that on days when we were not dressing viands for their palates, we dipped our pen in the ink of romance, and "did a bit of somewhat that way," and with all humility be it said, we have seen our little nameless attempts figuring in French and German. It is true, that our friends, the editors, have made a seat for us on the summit of their omnibus; for, by clause second, the works of unknown or littleknown authors may be admitted; but this sort of juxta-position with all the illustrious obscure, seems infra dig.; and that it may not be insinuated that our offerings have been rejected because we are absent, we declare our intention to take "to pastures green, the quiet waters by," and leave the way clear for the contest. Periodical fits of change and improvement come upon the good people of London; at a time when not only houses but nearly whole streets are to be let, an ingenious architect has conceived the idea of razing the brothels, and rooting out the nests of filth and iniquity in Westminster, and building a city of palaces in their place. We have these designs before us, and can have no hesitation in saying, that as they propose to purify the place, and improve the people, they have our concurrence; yet we cannot help looking upon the whole scheme as more beautiful than practicable. A sort of crescent-shaped street is to extend from Buckingham Palace to the Parliament House, the outer part of the circle cutting deeply through York Street, while in the hollow part lying next to St. James's Park, there are to be splendid squares and gardens. The purchase of the sites of the old houses would be enormous, and the price of the new would be so high as to swallow up a moderate income in rent and taxes. The only feasible plan we ever saw, was the celebrated one by Sir Christopher Wren after the great Fire had prepared the way; but that, practicable and useful as it seems, was rejected. We cannot have any more than a bit-by-bit reform in this great and overgrown city, we fear; yet the design of Mr. Bardwell is not without beauty and boldness: a crescentshaped street twelve hundred yards in length, of handsome houses, would have a noble appearance. Gallery of the Society of Painters in Water-colours. | down, and having done with earth. There is Part IV. no grass on the ground, nor leaves on the trees, and all seems withered and wasted. THIS number is scarcely so good as some of its brethren. The Malvolio' of WRIGHT, though smiling and cross-gartered, is really a handsome fine-limbed fellow, and what is worse, the lady seems to think so too. His posture is easy and graceful, and his mistress looks calmly up in and his perpetual smiling. In all respects, save his face, as if she sanctioned his cross-gartering in character, the picture is a fine one. Evening,' wish that he had allowed his swans to sit with by BARRETT, is picturesque and lovely; we they are as busy under the moon as if it were the head under the wing in some quiet nook; morning: we suspect, too, that he looked out for his motto after he had painted the picture; Lord Byron speaks of the repose of heaven and earth, the splendour of the stars, and the silence of the lake; he says nought of temples and evening parties. Yarmouth Roads,' is very well. This work has, as it deserves, a high reputation. We wish the proprietors a proportionate sale-but these are hard times for costly works and copper-plate engravings. Scraps and Sketches. By George Cruikshank. Part IV. · SOME of these scraps and sketches are only absurd, and some of them are ridiculous; but about a third of them are of great talent, full of satire, and whim, and originality of character. Among the former, we may count eight scenes of the nine named Odd Fish; the ninth, The Scaley Fellow,' is really capital. One or two of the caricatures called 'Tails,' might have been spared, such as 'Pitiful Tails,' and 'Red Tails,' but all the other Tails, particularly Tails,' and the Tail of Terror,' are capital. But those who desire to see Cruikshank in his strength, must look at The Pleasure Boat,' 'The Cigar Divan,' and 'The Ale House.' There is much ludicrous woe and tipsy jollity in the first and last, and most exquisite dandyism in the cigar scene. Plate second, is what men of virtù call a gem, or rather gems, for there are four scenes in it, all different and all good. The first is called 'An Easy Place,' where a rhinoceros of a girl desires to have an easy place, because she is rather delicate: the second is 'Dress and Undress;'-dress, is a young damsel half naked, quite ready for an evening party; and undress, is a lady warmly attired for her own fireside We have chanced to see a very clever lithographed head of the Princess Louise, from the pencil of Lane: it is said that the hand of Her Majesty traced the original. These are prosperous days for lithograph prints we have them of all kinds and chathe third is Practice,' that is, a dandy lout racters. The proposed designs for West-practising dancing! we never saw such painful minster are from stone; and here is a clever capering, or such a look of anxious complacency: the fourth is best of all, the name is, The Last little thing-a church in Devonshire, by the Fond Look,' the only figure on the scene is a hand of young Picken, the son of the author dandy dressed at all points, with his hand on of that name: it is one of the embellishments the handle of his dressing-room door, on the to the British Magazine. point of sallying out; he turns half round, and casts a glance of satisfaction on his shadow in the glass, and says, or seems to say, “A'n't I a handsome fellow?" FINE ARTS Major's Cabinet Gallery of Pictures. THIS work is to consist of "selections from the splendid collections of art, public and private, which adorn Great Britain," with critical descriptions by Allan Cunningham. A number is to be published every month, and to contain three engravings, with letter-press, &c., for halfa-crown! In this first one, we have the Bacchus and Ariadne,' of TITIAN; the 'Christ in the Sepulchre,' of GUERCINO; and 'The Market Cart,' by GAINSBOROUGH-all works of the highest class, and selected from the National Gallery. The Bacchus and Ariadne,' is not, perhaps, so well drawn as it might have been -nor is the distance so well preserved in the Gainsborough as we could have desired; but when we consider the price, we forget all critical objections. For our notice of the literature of the number, see page 582. Waiting for Death. An unfinished engraving on wood, by the late Thomas Bewick, being his last work. THIS is the last work, and a fine one it is, of one of the most original minds which England has for a long while produced. Those who only look at Bewick as a fine engraver on wood, do him much wrong; his designs are full of nature and truth-full of admonition and humour;the tail pieces of his volumes display a fine vein of invention. We look upon him as a great artist, and hope to see the day when some one who knew the man, as well as the world knows his works, will give us his life and character. The present work is a mournful one: an old horse, worn and torn with age and toil, retires to a tree as old and decayed as itself, and hangs down its head in quiet expectation of dropping MUSIC Six Original Melodies: Words by various Authors; Music by S. Philpot, late of the Royal Academy of Music. melody invented by persons even ignorant of We have heard many an elegant and expressive notation; yet no uneducated musical mind ever produced a composition of a more elevated character than a ballad, romance, waltz, or minuet. Hence we regret that a pupil of a royal institution, one of those who ought to be "competitors for fame," should seek it with a mere collection of Songs; none of which assume a higher grade than the simple ballad, with the same undeviating melody for each stanza, and the harmony and accompaniments after the established fashion. A Manual of Parochial Psalmody, containing One Hundred and Forty-two Psalm and Hymn Tunes, by various Authors; selected, revised, and harmonized, by the Rev. Joseph Jowett, M.A. CONTRARY to the prevailing custom of selecting inappropriate dramatic music, which, by association, is likely to disturb the devout feelings of the congregation, Mr. Jowett has here provided the organist with a collection of such modern and ancient tunes, as have obtained permanent celebrity in the church; to which are added, a few of his own composition. In the latter, we do not like the ungrammatical use of the dissonance in the sixth bar of the tune Belton,' also in the seventh bar of 'St. Asaph's'; in both instances, c in the bass, as a semibreve, would remove the objection. The work is of a convenient size, the type clear, and the price moderate; and it will probably supersede the use of many inferior works. Gresham Prize Composition-the Jubilate, which gained the Prize Medal, Dec. 1831; and Te Deum; composed by C. Hart, Organist of St. Dunstan's, Stepney. BOTH these compositions are in the style of the great church writers of the last century-solid in counterpoint, and rich in modulations. The subjects of imitation and fugue are not very striking for their originality; but they are effectively worked, and with great skill. Sweet as the modest Flower that blows; by W. H. Plumstead. NEITHER Verse nor music is very original; yet the song is capable of being effective, if sung with proper feeling. THEATRICALS WE have heard but little of the engagements at the Winter Theatres for the ensuing season since last week. The most important at Covent Garden, is that of Mr. Richard Jones. Many more are engaged by report-few, we believe, by Laporte. Madame Malibran, for instance, is said to have come to an arrangement with him. Our pen would confirm this with eagerness, if it felt itself justified. At Drury Lane, we believe, we may announce Mr. Brahamand so, some day or other, may our son, perhaps our grandson, if our critical avocations should continue in the family. Our theatrical recollections do not carry us beyond the time when Mr. Braham, then a man grown, and as tall as he is at this moment, was deservedly the principal attraction in opera. He has since constantly pursued the even "tenor" of his way, until now, when, after a lapse of-we de cline printing how many years--he is still the The Strand Theatre has been doing better lately-its latter pieces have been very successful, though we have been prevented from reporting them.-Mrs. Fitzwilliam has made another hit with The Little Red Man,' at Sadler's Wells; and that (Buckstone again!) and every body's pet, The Pet of the Petticoats,' are bringing her capital houses-in short, they are drawing at "the Wells." MISCELLANEA ject has been well considered in the last num- Greek Literature.-Professor Theocharopolos, The Brain. On the occasion of the post mortem examination of Cuvier's body, considerable attention was excited by the extraordinary volume of his brain, which was referred to as an indication of the superior qualities of his mind. Indeed, the celebrated Mascagni, as well as Dr. Automarchi, have come to the following conclusions:-that the strength of a man's un Millhouse, the Poet.-A reader of the Athenæum has left at our office a sovereign for Mr. Millhouse; and it has been to us a hint, that, were this example followed, it might prove a real benefit to this talented and worthy man. We learn with great satisfaction, that Mill-derstanding depends upon the greater or lesser house has long found a stanch and liberal friend in his neighbour Mr. Thomas Wakefield, a man always at work in numberless ways for the good of his townsmen, and without whose aid he would have in vain contended with his difficulties. Now, it is certainly much easier and more reasonable for many, than for one, to give adequate assistance to a suffering man of genius; and it has occurred to us to state that, as there may be numerous individuals desirous of giving a similar testimony of approbation to the above, we shall be happy to receive and transmit to Mr. Millhouse, any sums which may be left at our office for him: Subscriptions received. £. 8. d. H. W., Brixton.... 1 0 0 The Copyright Act.-It is not perhaps generally known, that, under this Act, a tax ofeleven copies of every new work is levied on the publisher. One copy being claimed, of right, by the British Museum, Sion College, and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, in England -in Scotland, by the Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Perth; the University and the Advocates Library, Edinburgh-in Ireland, by Trinity College and the King's Inns, Dublin. This is an unjust, because an unequal tax. It was well observed by the Bishop of London when the question was before Parliament, Eleven copies are to be given, whether a work is worth one guinea or ten; so that a publisher who prints 1000 copies of a work, which sells for one guinea, has to pay only 11 guineas out of 1,000; whereas, another, who publishes only 100 copies of a work worth ten guineas, has to pay a tax of 110 guineas out of the same sum of 1,000 guineas." That the division of the spoil is unequal, is evident enough, and it might perplex philosophy to know why Scotland should have nearly as many copies as England and Ireland together. The Scotch seem to be of this opinion; and the University of Aberdeen have kindly offered to forego their right for an annual payment of 500l., being, it is believed, about double the value of the copies. Does not this courtesy on their part prove that the only pretence on which the tax is levied is absurd, and ought it not to awaken inquiry? The sub developement of his brain, and the greater or lesser that the diminution of the brain gradually in- Constantinopolitan Press. -The only work ene mies of God and man" to a close. The title of At Liège there is to be seen an Abraham Feats in Verse.-"You might as well attempt to put the College card into verse," said a student of T. C. D. to another, who proposed writing a rhythmical grammar." I have done so already," was the reply, "here it is Logic, Locke, and Mathematics, Astronomy, Dynamics, Statics, Optics, Ethics, Greek, and Latin, Every student must be pat in." Ill Success. During the insurrection of 1798, the following announcement appeared in a Dublin paper. "General Lake scoured the country yesterday, but had not the good fortune to meet with a single rebel." Dry Wine.-Some queer fellow in Philadel phia, inquires of Mr. Chandler, of the Gazette, the meaning of dry wine. The editor's answer is very satisfactory, he says, "Dry wine means wine imported in empty bottles."-Boston Sen tinel. wearing a white cravat with your academic Effects of Cold." Sir, I shall fine you for not dress," said a strict disciplinarian to an unfortunate freshman, on a raw morning in January. "Fine me! I assure you, Sir, my cravat is white."-"How can you say so, Sir? Do I not see that it is blue?"-"Oh, Sir, it was white when I put it on this morning, but it looks blue from the cold." Relations." What relations are least regarded?" said a Fellow of T. C. D. to a student deeper read in Hoyle than Locke; after a pause, the delinquent made a desperate guess, and an swered," Poor relations, Sir, without doubt." Barbarous Punishment.—" A wretched negress, who was condemned to death during the writer's sojourn at Boni, by something like a jury of old men, was brought out for execution. She was rubbed with honey from head to foot, and then lashed to the trunk of a gum-tree. In this state, swarms of musquitoes and venomous insects instantly lodged themselves in her ears, nostrils, and eyes, and, attacking her breast, inflicted the afterwards, the body of this unfortunate woman most horrible torture upon her. Two days was become a mere misshapen mass, covered with myriads of bleeding insects. The name given to this species of punishment by the natives themselves, is the Musquito Tree."-Corbière's Narrative of a Visit to the Western Coast of Africa. |