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THE OLIO.

Notices of New Books.

Narrative of the French Revolution
in 1830; accompanied by State
Papers and Documents. 12mo, pp.
401. Paris, Galignani, and R. T.
Kennett, London.

bable Geoffrey Crayon would have passed unheeded among the million who are daily striving for the wreath of popularity. A copy of the second number was transmitted to the author of the wild and powerful novel of Caleb Williams; it was returned the next day, with a note, from which the following sentence is quoted: "I have great pleasure in giving my opinion of the essays you have sent me; each is entitled to an appropriate praise; taken throughout, it is a work which I scarcely know a living Englishman who could have written it. The essay entitled Rural Life in England, pleases me most.” It is gratifying to see such sentiments elicited from one highly gifted child of genius to another, but they are sentiments in which every one must concur. The materiel of his sketches is remarkably slight; the narratives are far from wonderful; and the incidents trifling in the extreme. To what, then, must be attributed the pleasure, the delight which is experienced in their perusal To the beautiful simplicity, the graceful ease, the exquisite pathos in which they are introduced. The Bride of the Village, a tale of loveliness and feeling may challenge competition with any thing of the kind in the English language. In his sketches of character he is peculiarly happy-we recognize in them the writer of nature and truth. They may be said to be hit off rather than written-they bring our feelings, our thoughts, our daily experience Few can peruse close under view. without emotion the other gems that sparkle in the volume-who has risen without offering a tear to the shrine of maternal feeling, after reading the Widow and her Son?-who has not chuckled over the misfortunes of Rip Van Winkle-commiserated the unhappy fate of Ichabod, the schoolmaster -laughed at the merry sprees of Brom Van Brunt-glowed at the noble traits of heroism displayed by the aboriginal Indians and finally, closed the volume an improved and better man? As the book has been long before the public, and its merits having been duly appreciated, I shall decline producing quotations; suffice it to observe, in conclusion, that a foreigner has effected more towards enriching the literature of the land of his forefathers than any native writer during the last half century.

H. INCE.

We are given to understand that this account of the late memorable struggles of the French people, and their resistance to the tyrannical and oppressive acts of Charles the Tenth, and his weak and pusillanimous ministers, which took place on the miraculous 26th, 27th, and 28th of July last, is by the Rev. C. C. Colton, the author of that clever performance, "Lacon, or Many Things in Few Words."-In all ages, the rising of a nation in defence of their liberties, against arbitrary and despotic power, has formed a bright page in history; and, perhaps, the events here so satisfactorily, so ably, and so impartially narrated by an author too well known It would be to need eulogy from us, may be pronounced the brightest. a work of supererogation, at this late period, to attempt to analize the volume; nevertheless, we frain from recording in our columns a string of anecdotes, which portray the glorious devotion of a people to a just cause-their invincible courage and magnanimity. As distinguishing traits of national character they are valuable, and did they not breathe a love of freedom, we should on that account give them a place here.

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"A circumstance but little known, and which proves that for some time the ministry took its measures for the coup d'etat which ruined them as well as their master, is, that towards the end of June, while a party of the old Body Guards were at dinner at St. Cloud, it was announced, that their pay would be increased by 200fr. from the first of July. One of the company exclaimed, The hour for striking the blow has at last arrived-our pay is raised.'

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"At the commencement of the popular ebullition on Monday, the 26th, the Palais Royal was thronged by men mounted upon chairs, surrounded by dense groups of listeners, who were attentively hearing the obnoxious Ordinances read to them. A gendarme, in the act of dismounting one ofthese orators, exclaimed 'Get about your business-you are sowing discord among the people.' The individual, holding up the Ordinance to the view of the man in office, replied, 'I am only blowing the trumpet-if you

dislike the notes, settle the matter with those who composed the music.'

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"When the people were occupied in breaking the lamps, a bourgeois, thrusting his head out of a neighbouring window, called out, Halloa there! what in the name of heaven are you all about?' Some one replied from the crowd, We are putting the capital in darkness in order to enlighten the Court.' At the same period, a man was in the act of throwing at that placed under the gateway of the house occupied by the Marquis de Pastoret before he became Chancellor, when one of his associates said, 'Stop, let us leave that; it belongs to a house where bread is distributed to the poor throughout the winter.' The lamp was left untouched. "During the evening of Tuesday, while the performance of Leocadie was going on at the Comic Opera (for the Theatres were not closed, though the contrary has been asserted), a man entered, and exclaimed with a loud voice, "They are firing upon our brothers in the streets.' The theatre was immediately deserted by the whole of the audience.

"On Wednesday morning, a hundred young men, headed by M. Petit-Jean, of the Parisian bar, together with some students and printers, forced the door leading to the towers of Notre Dame, mounted their heights, and threw down the white flag into the square, where it was torn into a thousand pieces. A collection was made by these spirited young citizens to buy the national colours, and in a few minutes two superb flags were made at a milliner's in the neighbourhood. One was displayed upon the tower in place of its former occupant, and the other over the clock, amid the acclamations of the spectators, who greeted them with repeated shouts. "In the course of Wednesday, Messrs. Gauja, responsible director of the National, and Arrago, director of the Vaudeville, proceeded to the Faubourg St. Germain, for the purpose of assisting in the glorious struggle, followed by a multitude, loudly demanding arms.Having forced admission to the shop of a gunsmith, these gentlemen engaged by their signatures to pay the proprietor the sum of 1800 francs, the amount at which he estimated the arms contained in his shop, and immediately distributed to the brave fellows who had accompanied them the muskets, pistols, &c. found on the premises. Such acts are worthy of being recorded; it is not the first time that M. Gauja has made a sacrifice in the cause of liberty.

"The ex-gendarmerie in general distinguished themselves by their hostility against the people. Justice demands our notice of an exception to this rule. One of this body of men, having put on the uniform of the National Guard, fought for six hours in the neighbourhood of the Porte Saint Martin, where eleven of the Royal Guard fell from the precision of his aim. Being offered wine or brandy as a refreshment, he refused it, saying, 'A true Frenchman fights best fasting. He is more calm and cool.' He was so fortunate as to escape unwounded.

"A labourer, working under a burning sun on one of the barricades, in the Rue Faubourg Montmartre, was asked to refresh himself with meat and wine at the ambulance, established by Dr. Samuel. 'No, Sir,' replied the poor fellow, my brother was killed yesterday under the pillars of Les Halles, and I have sworn to eat nothing but bread, and drink nothing but water, until Í have had my revenge.'

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"A servant named Jules earned a civic crown, by saving the life of a citizen. A soldier of the Garde Royale being surrounded by the people in the height of their fury, would have fallen beneath their vengeance, when this brave fellow, who had fought the royal troops the whole day with the greatest courage, threw himself into the arms of the soldier, exclaiming,He is my brother! you shall do him no injury.' He was a stranger to him!

"M. Alexandre Lefebvre, who commanded the post established in the Rue des Martyrs, discovered among his party a young woman in male attire, armed with a sword and a brace of pistols. He endeavoured to impress upon her the danger to which she was exposed. She replied- I have no children: there is my husband, into whose feelings 1 enter; I am close to him, and will die with him if necessary'

"The keeper of a wine-shop, in the Rue des Canettes, received a ball, which, passing through his breast, lodged near his shoulder. When it was extracted, he took up the ball, and kissing it, said, Carry it to my wife, and tell her that I die for my dear country.' In an hour after his prognostic was verified.

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"The Princess de Polignac arrived on Wednesday morning at Versailles, on her return from her country-seat at Millemont. Her carriage was stopped, and a workman, approaching the door, said to her, pointing to the people in arms, 'See to what a state your husband

has brought us; but never mind, go on ; we will not revenge ourselves on women."-The carriage proceeded without further obstacle.

"During the attack on the Hotel de Ville, when the banks of the Seine echoed with discharges of cannon and musketry, an elderly humorist was seen with great tranquillity fishing near the baths of Vigier. On being advised to relinquish his sport on that day at least, he coolly remarked, 'They are making such a cursed noise yonder, that the very fish are frightened; I have not had a bite these two hours!'"

With the above extracts from this very valuable addition to the annals of France, we take our leave of Mr. Colton's well written volume.

The Gem; a Literary Annual for 1831. London Marshall, Holborn Bars. pp. 276.

The Annuals are upon us ere our editorial pen is pointed for its task; and we are suddenly called upon to prepare for the potent office of passing opinions on their endearing con tents, ere the tardy Ceres of 1880 has gathered in her sheaves. So hasty a reprisal, however, is quite compensated for by its agreeableness; and at the call we cheerfully postpone our immediate inspection of "new works,"-the turning over the leaves of the "National Library," the weary communings with the pages of the Cabinet Cyclopædia,' -the drudging search for lighter matter in the columns of our magazines,-to bid a hearty welcome to the lyre and the graver.

Temptingly arrayed in its robe of silk and gold, "The Gem" is the first of the London Annuals to make its appearance; and truly its priority of publicity would seem to be accompanied by priority of interest. Amongst a host of contributors, we recognize "the old familiar faces" of Bernard Barton, the Rev. T. Dale, T. K. Hervey, Dr. Bowring, Archdeacon Wrangham, W. M. Praed, John Malcolm, and Miss Mitford. Other contributors are: Sir Aubrey de Vere, the Hon. Mrs. Norton, the author of "The Castilian," John Carne, Esq., the author of "May You Like It," and William and Mary Howitt. The tales are all original, and most of them excellent. Of the " Brother's Revenge,' "" we are enabled to speak commendably, it is a finely conceived and nervously written narrative. "The Bleeding Hand" is likewise excellent," as is also "The Bloodhound."

Of the poetry we may say that if is as good, on the average, as that of any preceding year. Mrs. Norton's pieces are energetic and apposite. Mr. Praed we have seen to better advantage; as also Dr. Bowring. T. K. Hervey, whose muse, we opine, never imbibes the poppy potion of dulness, is as charming as ever. But we must despatch, for the engravings await the fiat of our criticism. -Vide under the head

Fine Arts. Take, then, complaisant reader, its shortness constituting its eligibility for insertion,—

THE OPENING OF THE TOMB OF
CHARLEMAGNE.

By Sir Aubrey de Vere, Bart.
Amid the torch-lit gloom of Auchen's aisle
Stood Otho, Germany's imperial lord,
Regarding, with a melancholy smile,

A simple stone, where, fitly to record A world of action by a single word, Was graven" Carlo-Magno." Regal style Was needed none: that name such thoughts

restored

As sadden, yet make nobler men the while. They roll'd the marble back-with sudden gasp A moment o'er the vault the Kaiser bent, Where still a mortal monarch seem'd to

reign: Crown'd on his throne, a sceptre in his grasp, Perfect in each gigantic lineamentOtho look'd face to face on Charlemagne.

We trace, on reverting to the prose, the elegant pen of T. Roscoe, Esq. The author of "May You Like It," has a "Fragment from the Story of Lady Russell," of enchaining interest; and, altogether, the prosaic portion is worthy of the high character this Annual has hitherto sustained.

We have said enough to convince the readers of "The Olio" of our "golden opinions of "The Gem for 1831." The editor (the son, we believe, of a late dissenting minister, eminent for his literary attainments,) has got up a delightful book, worthy of the highest praise, and we have little doubt but that his tasteful efforts will receive patronage commensurate with their rich deserving.

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and transferred by Greatbach, engraving of great beauty and clearness, which will be treasured up in a thousand portfolios. Mr. Croly should have written the illustrative verses: we know of no other poet who could impart so much sweetness to such a task. Proceeding on, we arrive at "The Bloodhound," by Cooper, an artist who ranks deservedly high as an animal painter. His quadrupeds are always vigorous and natural, but in his figures there is frequently a straining after effect, which effectually mars the composition; this is exactly the case in "The Bloodhound," the animal is finely given, but the figures are most unnatural; witness the black boy stealing out of the apartment in the background; it is ludicrous in the extreme. The "Bothwell Brigg," of the same, engraved by H. Rolls, is far better; in this design there is less effort, and consequently more nature. The melée here portray ed is well conceived; the horses are full of animation, and the riders are no less so. The "Standard Bearer," another by this master, is most happy-the position of the prostrate animal is one of great difficulty, accomplished with the utmost ease; the overthrown rider is also very effective, his situation is one of extreme peril, and the warrior's countenance indicates that he is fully aware of it. There is a stiffness about the figure "Lady Russell writing to her Husband, the evening before his Execution," which we deprecate. Save the presence of the embroidered handkerchief, there is nothing to indicate that sorrow which should characterize such a scene and such a season. The plate is really unworthy the subject.

"Mars Disarmed," is a subject that pleases us vastly; it is classically and skilfully treated. The god of discord is here served as we would have him ever; he is robbed of his sword by a winged cherub, who laughs to scorn his entreaties to have it restored. "Hope and Love," by the same painter, is also deserving of great praise; the air and attitude of "Young Love" is most be witching, nor is Hope, contemplating the features of the smiling boy less graceful. The two plates are engraved by Warren and Goodyear, who have both felt the importance of the task entrusted to them; they have done their best. The last illustration, "La Tour du Marche," drawn by poor Bonnington, and engraved by W. J. Cooke, is a busy scene, but we have seen subjects that we liked better. Altogether, we consider the graphic department of this volume equal, if not superior, to any that has preceded it.

Illustrations of History.

A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE COMPASS. The author of the Annals of Commerce recites a curious use to which crows, and probably many other birds, (indeed, we read of Noah's dove), were put when navigation was in its earliest infancy. "Amgrim Johas tells us that when Flok, a famous Norwegian navigator, was going to set out from Shetland for Iceland, then called Gardarsholm, he took on board some crows, Of because the Mariner's Compass was not the late Sir Thomas Lawrence's "Por- yet in use. When he thought he had trait of a Boy," by Thomson, we can made a considerable progress, he threw not speak too highly; it is a lovely up one of his crows, which, seeing land subject, sweetly handled; the period of astern, flew to it; whence Flok, conhappy innocence here depicted cannot cluding that he was nearer to Shetland be excelled; exquisite taste, delicacy, (perhaps than Feroe) than other land, and feeling mark every feature. This kept on his course for some time, and portrait is the gem of the book. The then sent out another crow, which see66 Young Crab Catchers," by Collins, is ing no land at all, returned to the vesa pretty plate. Hilton's "Cupid and sel. At last, having run the greatest Nymph," by Engleheart, is superb, no- part of his way, a third crow was sent thing can be finer; it is chaste in design out, which, seeing land a-head, immeand most happy in execution: we pro- diately flew for it, and Flok, following nounce it second best. "Evening," by his guide, fell in with the east end of Creswick, is an exceedingly clever the island. Such was the simple mode composition; it reminds us strongly of of steering their course practised by Claude's sublime efforts. Had the en- these bold navigators of the stormy graver exercised a little more freedom, northern ocean. The ancient natives it would have been perfect, as it now of Taprobane (Ceylon) used the same stands, parts of it are harsh and stiff, expedient when skimming along the especially the figures in the foreground, tranquil surface of the Indian occan.”

The Nate Book.

SHEW BREAD,

THE OLIO.

Called in Hebrew, Bread of Faces, or of Presence, because they were to be set before the face, or in the divine presence continually. Every cake was made square, and so had, as it were, many faces. The length of each cake was ten hand-breadths; the breadth five hand-breadths; and seven fingers in height. Shew-bread is also called the Proposition of Bread, or of cakes, of which twelve were made weekly of fine flour, with pure incense, and exhibited in public ceremony. The custom of leaving loaves to be distributed among the poor belonging to the parish and exhibiting them every Sunday in the church, may have arisen from the shew-bread. It is a wholesome one, too, which, though it is now rarely increased by present givers, will be held in lasting remembrance by those who have, from time to time, eaten the sweet PANIS. morsel.

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PRICE OF PROVISIONS.

In the year 1073, we read, that the rates which purveyors appointed by the king to levy provision, for his court or army excepted, were

Bread for 100 men, ls. One pasture fed ox, 1s. One ram or sheep, 4d. Provender for 20 horses, 4d. The year 1125 was a dear time in England, wheat was then sold for six shillings the quarter.

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the following emphatic and peremptory
caution:-" Whoever is found tres-
passing on these grounds will be shot
dead without further notice."

Anecdotiana.

MRS. BILLINGTON.

On the 6th of February, Mrs. Billington first appeared in the part of Rosetta, in the opera of Love in a Village. ** Amongst the fashionables present that evening was Mr. Jekyl, the witty barWhen the curtain rister, who had with him a gentleman from the country. rose and discovered Rosetta and Lucinda, in the first scene, the applause being great, Mrs. Billington, who had prodigiously increased in bulk, curtsied to the audience, on which the country gentleman said to his friend,-" Is that Rosetta?"-" No, sir," replied Mr. Jekyl; "it is not Rosetta, it is Grand Cairo."

DR. ARNE'S DEATH.

The manner of Dr. Arne's death was very singular. The day after his de cease his intimate friend, Vernon, the favourite singing actor at Drury Lane Theatre, came into the music room, and in my presence described it as follows: "I was talking on the subject of music with the doctor, who suffered much from exhaustion, when, in attempting to illustrate what he had advanced, he in a very feeble and tremulous voice sung part of an air, during which he became progressively more faint, until he breathed his last! making, as our immortal Shakspeare expresses it, 'a swan like end, fading in music.'"

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While the French by their acts make each nation a brother,

Our statesmen are busied in blaming each
other;

Two changes at present might better our lot,
If the king could but see-or the people could

not.

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