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all extremes, he is the most zealous advocate for independence of mind and the rejection of authority. He wishes the artist and the poet to think for themselves, and not view their objects through the speculum of others; and yet he is continually pointing out the advantages of precept and example. On this subject we are satisfied that Mr. Shee's feelings are perfectly just, but we think he has not pointed out exactly how far we ought to consult authority, and how far we should be governed by our own feelings. Hence, he appears in some passages, if taken abstractedly, to think that

.

"True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, "As those move easiest who have learned to dance:"

and in others to reject art and authority altogether. It is clear, however, from the general tenour and bearing of his arguments, that his object is not only to shew the necessity, or rather the advantage of consult ing authority and precedent, to form our taste and regulate our judgment, but the danger of being guided by either in actual practice. With this theory we perfectly agree, for though we are aware, that taste is no intuitive or instinctive quality, that we must consult the taste of those who have gone before us, and that

be governed by laws peculiar to itself, and therefore he who would apply the laws of any other production to his own, or be governed by them, will always find himself mistaken. Mr. Shee's theory is, in a word, that the artist and the poet should consult authority, and be acquainted with the best models, but that in their own productions they should think and judge for themselves. When we say that this is his theory, we do not say that he has explained it, so briefly and explicitly; but whoever peruses his "Elements of Art,” can easily perceive that these are the principles he wishes to inclucate. When Mr. M'Dermot, therefore, in his "Dissertation on Taste," objects to Mr. Shee's rejection of authority, he very evidently mistakes his theory. As our limits will not permit us to extend our observations farther on Mr. Shee's poetical works, we shall conclude with the following tribute, which has been paid to him by Lord Byron in his "British Bards and Scotch Reviewers" It must be particularly gratifying to Mr. Shee, that he should happen to be one of the chosen few whose merits have been acknowledged by the noble bard. "And here let Shee and genius find a place,

Whose pen and pencil yield an equal grace;

To guide whose hand the sister arts combine,

"Those move easiest who have learned And trace the poet's or the painter's

to dance,"

yet we are equally aware, or at least
it appears to us, that neither the,
artist nor the poet can hope for suc-
cess, if he has precept and example
always in view. There is no pro-
duction of the mind but requires to

line;

Whose magic touch can bid the canvass glow,

Or form the easy rhymes, harmonious flowy

While honours doubly merited attend The poet's rival, but the painter's

friend."

· LETTERS FROM AN IRISH GENTLEMAN,

No. II.

I PROMISED my reader to meet him at the foot of the statue of my gallant countryman, the Duke of Wellington. I viewed this collossal figure for a considerable time with the eye of a connoisseur, for "I am nothing if not critical," but I must not stop to make my readers acquainted with the result of my observations. I was surprised, I must confess, at one thing, namely, to find the Grecian hero not begirt with that armour, which has been immortalised by the pens, both of the Greek and Roman bards, and which was so stoutly contended for by Hector and Ulysses. My astonishment did not arise from the intention of the artist in displaying a faithful copy of Achilles in all his fair proportions, but from the subscribing ladies having thus denuded their favourite of his martial

trappings. The attitude of the figure has an inclination, which gallantry would interpret into one for the fair sex, and as "None but the brave deserve the fair," this is fair enough. Two admiring belles passed by at the instant, which diverted my attention, and I rode towards Kensington-gate. I overtook on my way Lord Derby Dangleton, whom I had formerly seen in Paris; I observed to him that there was a very fine show of his lovely countrywomen, both in carriages and in the long walk towards the gardens. "Stupid things!" exclaimed he," they have neither witchery nor fascination, vivacity nor small talk." Here he hung half off his saddle, looked conceitedly and disdainfully around him, dropped the rein for a few seconds on his horse's neck, cocked his beaver on one side a-la-parisienne, and after going through the manual exercise of combing a huge display of hair on the opposite side to his hat, and plucking a fly off his cassacks, he began to hum

"Fleuve du Tage

Je quitte tes bords heureux; A ton rivage

J'adresse mes adieux ?"

I was just going to make my adieux to him, when, recovering from his reverie, he burst out into "dear Continent, thou art my delight: England is not the place for a man of taste; here is a fine park for you, but how monotonne; women, but how insipid; a public walk, but how triste. No it won't do; I must order my wings and be off for France and Italy; but, above all, dear, delightful Paris: that's the place." He now looked saucily through his glass at a girl of exquisite beauty, and of most modest appearance; "barn door!” said he, contemptuously, "No, d-me, it won't do, Sir." A heel-motion now brought his horse into a canter: my Shamrock (so I named my horse) evinced symptoms of rebellion, and endeavoured to leave my Lord behind, but good breeding forbade such a thing; I reined him in, and he trotted and fumed with me until we got to the guard-house, where he again capered and pranced, threw pebbles over Lord Derby's castor, and we turned up the ride again. "A frisky fellow, your Irishman," said he;"if I had him I would soon take the shine out of him: he is quite above his work."-"That,” replied I, "you might also, perchance, do to your Irish tenants (he having an estate in Pat's-land) but he is not a bit too much for me. I never discourage the national spirit, when, as you see, it is only playful instead of being dangerous; but if you were to overwork him, and underfeed him, no doubt he would be a different animal."" Comme vous le vouliez," answered my Lord, requiring a foreign ally to come into his aid. I endeavoured on our return up the ride to convince him

Nor could I possibly forget the line which struck me so forcibly when a boy-Arma viri fortis medios mittuntur in hostes, &c.

Ear. Mag. Dec. 1823.

3 P

of cambric, trimmed with the lace of Valenciennes, a pair of satin shoes, tied round her ancles with ribbond, and a handkerchief of em"Dbroidered muslin twisted round her head, and tied in a bow over one eye. This was her negligè-ber morning dress-her five minutes toilette-not to forget the profusion of glossy curls in the front of her head, whilst the other tresses were confined in papers. What must have been her dress for dinner? and, most probably, a third arrangement of captivation for the ball or soiree. She told me that she had a thousand things to say to me, and, unfortunately she kept her word. She wished to make me au fait as to the town, to direct my taste and appetite at the same time, to point out to me a couple of houses where a meeting of genuine gastronames took place weekly, to inform me of those of her acquaintance who had the best cooks, to let me into the secrets of a Nabob's cellar, who had a trick of keeping back his best wine for the heel of the evening, to warn me against the ecarte of a certain square, to advise me to pay great attention to a certain rich heiress, whom I thought detestable, to beg that I would not believe one word which Mrs. Mendax might say to me about herself, to treat me with all the scandal of the town, and, in conclusion, to engage me to give her my arm at an “at home” in Portland-place. Her last words were, "To how many parties are you engaged to-night ?" Two," said I, a dinner and a private concert."

that there was every foreign amuse-
ment, nay, every foreign vice in
London, which his Lordship pos-
sibly could wish for at Paris, Flo-
rence, Naples, or Vienna.
Vienna!" said he, "the three first
à la bonne heure, but none of your
cold places for me; it makes a man
look blue, do you see."-" And the
others make him black sometimes,"
retorted 1. 66
N'importe," he re-
sumed, "I wish I was at either of
them; but pray where will you find
the circles, the saloons, the soireès
and reunions, the mysterious meet-
ings, and the foreign gay theatricals
in London ?" "At a hundred
noblemens' and gentlemens' houses;
at dowagers and demireps; at the
Rouge et noire tables, which dis
grace the metropolis," quoth I; "at
the boulotte table in Bury-street;
the increasing French houses con-
tinually establishing in London; at
the Opera-House and the Argyll;
and at the parties of incurables who
are afflicted with gallamania, the
languid habits of Italy, and who
consume their properties in the de-
sirable societies of foreign singers,
dancers, actors, actresses, gamesters,
and intrigantes." "Bah, bah!"
articulated Lord Derby, imitatively.
"Yes, we have two or three foreign
theatres, a few gaming tables ill
attended, and here and there a house
where fashions are imported from
Paris; but they want spirit, free-
dom, gaiete. They are so much a
l'Anglaise, that they only serve to
whet the appetite for migration; so
bon jour mon ami, we cannot agree
upon these points. I hope we shall
meet to night at Lady Katherine's
soiree; and so man and horse fare-
wel." Shamrock began to kick, but I
again tamed him, and "smiling as
in scorn," turned my back upon
my giddy acquaintance.

I had now to make an evening call before dinner (for Hesperus had arisen upon my airing) on a cousin of mine, Lady O'Trump. She had not yet quitted her downy couch, but on sending up my name she insisted on my waiting, assuring me, per lady's woman, that she would throw on a wrapper in five minutes, and come down stairs directly. Five quarters chimed upon her timepiece before my gentle coz made her appearance in a wrapper

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"Oh! that's all, (bridling) that's nothing; you can easily then devote an hour to me, one in the morning will do, for I am only going for form's sake." I promised to obey; and now found other five quarters of an hour mispent. My groom had led Shamrock up and down so often that he exhibited none of that fire and sprightliness which he had displayed in the park. The animal was, like myself, a novice in town, the fatigues of which suited neither of us." Poor fellow!" said I, "who or what would not be worn out and dispirited by waiting at the doors of the great, at being thus kept in fatiguing attendance for no purpose, without the object of sport,

exercise, or recreation in view ?" I cantered home, but Shamrock shook his head frequently on the way, and was as tame as Lord Dangleton seemed to have wished him some hours before. I found my servants at their supper at my dressing time; for, although I kept bad hours, the establishment was orderly as to meal time, save only the exceptions of the upper servants, who got gentlemanly drunk over a collation at a later hour, and played at cards until I came in in the morning. I arrived too late for dinner, blush, ing and apologizing, but as I soon found that this was du bon ton, this was my maiden and last apology.

At the morning shew of belles in Hyde Park I had observed a profusion of French hats and bonnets, but at the dinner and concert all was French dresses, head ornaments, gloves, shoes; the manner of wearing the shawl, the borrowed affectation of the fair: this brought to my mind the advice of appearing any thing but what I was. The same counsel had been unnecessary to these elegantes. When half past twelve arrived, I escaped from the gay scene, well aware, that I was not missed, for I was not a virtuoso, a man so powerfully rich that mothers might cast a hawk's eye at me for their daughters., I bore not a title, which affluent low birth or insignificance might incline to pension for life, or to purchase for self and heirs in succession. I bore no badge on my breast of embroidery to dazzle ambition, and I was not known to above one-tenth of the company. It was my effort to please and to seem pleased in return, for which I overheard some old stagers of fashion, and some declining beauties say (I thought a little too loudly), "Who is he? Do you know his name? He is a well dressed man: who did he come with ?" A whisper next intervened, and a depreciating remark of, "I believe he is an Irish gentleman." All this I bore patiently, praised every thing, was gratified by the music, and made a decent retreat. On my way to my stylish cousin, Lady O'Trump's, I could not help, feeling a certain void of comfort and amusement, from which a small circle of sincere friends, do

mestic harmony, rational and instructive conversation, or genuine mirth and festivity would have relieved me; but I was a stranger, although in a neighbouring land, and under the same king and laws as when at home, and I made up my mind to gain experience, and to be content when I could, and patient where I must. Her Ladyship kept me waiting for half an hour; she was giving the last blush of youth to a cheek which it had long flown from, the last twist to a favourite lock of hair, and an increased spark to an eye, which late hours and, dissipation had dimmed. She was splendidly attired, and was completely what the French term une femme superbe. I was commanded to dismiss my carriage, and to accompany her in her vis a vis, behind which two footmen mounted, averaging about thirteen feet between them, the lofty laced hat included, and bearing weapons offensive and defensive, which might have caused them to be mistaken for Pole-ish gentry. They played their part admirably, for Jupiter intonans was nothing to the thunder which they raised at the door of the lady "athome," peals of which were kept up with infinite spirit for whole hours, amid the press of carriages, the emulation of coachmen, the dread of pickpockets, the vigilance of police men, and the crowd and coxcomicality of a batallion of fellows in livery. Is this pleasure, thought I, are we at home, or is any lady at home here? The staircase was masqueraded into a grove, one room was a conservatory, another seemed like the Temple of Flora: here the flowering myrtle reminded me of Italy; there the orange trees were like scenes in Portugal or the South of France; one alley conducted you to the Cape of Good Hope, another avenue led you to a bower of roses; painted windows marked the sacred aisle, and transparences cut us off from the prospect of a town. I lost a little money at cards, and a little time in chit chat with Lord Derby Dangleton; but I must say, that the features of one card-table contradicted his assertion as to his countrywomen's wanting spirit, and the flippancy of other females far ex

her carriage, and she set me down at my door; one can bear a ɛɛl down from a lady. Well, thought I, on retiring to rest, pride is not in fashion at my home, but it may be useful in travelling, for I see many a one get on most astonishingly by it, doubtless because

"Pride, where wit fails, steps in to our defence,

ceeded small talk, the want of which he had complained of. My cousin now joined me on a sofa, and informed me that she had heard a great deal in my favour, which she had endeavoured to improve by doubling my rent-roll, a piece of duplicity which I requested her not to practice again. It was asserted that I was easy and good natured, and evidently had travelled, but I yet wanted a little And fills up all the mighty void of brushing up; (did they mean to get rid of the dust of the Emerald Isle?) "A little touch of affectation," she observed," would be of service, and a becoming pride."-" Your humble servant," replied I. "Yes," continued she, "a degree of pride is as necessary as a drawing-room suit." She now bade me order

seuse."

I must try what I can do with it, and with this I fell asleep. Good night, Mr. Editor, Ladies and Gentlemen all.

I remain,

Yours most sincerely,

THE SIGH AND TEAR.

PATIENCE to Sorrow cried, one day,
"Tell me, my mournful sister, pray,
Thy twin-born offspring, which most dear,
Etherial Sigh, or glittering Tear?
Which doth most feelingly express,
Grief, pity, pain, and tenderness?
If forced to part with one, pray who
Should still await, soft nymph, on you ?"
"Alas!" the pensive parent cried,
"That were an evil choice to bide,
My fairy ministers, sweet pair!
So subtly formed, so sadly fair.
Delicious gem-like, crystal Tear,
Transparent, silvery, lustrous, clear.
Sparkling on childhood's cheek of bloom,
Or shed by woe at friendship's tomb;
Or aiding beauty's witching wile,
In company with sunny smile;
The smarting flow from passion's eye,
The balmy dew of sympathy.

Sigh hath a tone more hush'd and holy,
More plaintive, meek, and melancholy;
Unostentatious, deep, profound,
Cadence of heart, thought-shapen sound!
A bosom-pang that bursts controul,
A gliding, soft, escape of soul;
Constant, sincere, serene, intense,
It speaks with thrilling eloquence;
Eludes the world's deriding eye,
All truth, and all timidity.

Heart searching power of aspect mild,

THOU,-Thou art sorrow's favourite child.

ARIA

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