By James Northcote, R.A., &c. &c. bellished with Two Hundred and Engravings on Wood. 12mo. pp. 272. don, 1828. G. Lawford. One Hundred Fables, Original and Selected. imagine who they were that had thus cruelly tors for court favour. With this intent he assaulted him. A grave old fox who heard him, lost no opportunity of obtaining private con Em-replied, that as he declared he could not conceive ferences with the lion, and on all occasions wa Eighty who they were who had so roughly treated him, busy to inform him of what, he said, he ha Lon-he must of necessity be liable to one of these heard against his character and disposition two odious accusations, either of which would from those whom the lion had taken to be hi ALTHOUGH, from their invention by Æsop, be sufficient to exclude him from being an ob- best friends saying, the fox had accused hi or rather by Hesiod, fables have been, at all ject of pity: that of having offended so many of tyranny-the horse had complained he wa times and in all countries, a favourite mode of as to be confounded by the number of his ene-blood-thirsty-the bull that he was selfish ar communicating instruction to the young, we mies, or that of forgetting those to whom he cruel and the stag, that he knew not wh confess that we have frequently had our had done injuries worthy of resentment.-Ap- mercy was. At length the lion, no longer ab doubts with regard to their beneficial tendency plication. We too often meet with men who to suffer this artful and malignant harangu in that respect. The very fiction on which very much resemble the fox in this fable, who, furiously replied: Thinkest thou, base a they are founded,—the ascribing to beasts, and from a violent partiality to themselves and their pitiful traitor, thus to abuse me to my face, birds, and reptiles, not merely human speech, own interests, can with great facility gloss over attributing all those crimes to me; and th but human passions and human reason,-is cal- their meanest actions, which are soon dismissed thou canst escape my vengeance by sayi culated to confound and mislead the infant from their memories, leaving no more impres- they are the remarks of my good and faith mind; incapable as it must be of distinguishing sion than if they had been written on the sur- subjects? No, foolish animal, take thy des between what is required in narratives of fact, face of the water; whilst, on the contrary, the for thy officious pains, and thus become and what is permitted in creations of fancy. slightest injuries done them, fix in their minds some use to others by the terror of thy exa Add to this, that the moral of a fable is not like inscriptions written with a pen of iron on ple.' So saying, he instantly crushed him always sound; and that the morals of different a rock. But our actions in our own view are pieces.Application. There are some ar fables are frequently contradictory. In the like the last syllables of words, which every case of "children of a larger growth," how-man makes rhyme to what he thinks fit." ever, these objections (at least some of them) are not equally applicable; and a brief and forcible apologue may frequently convey a lesson more effectively than any grave and elaborate didactic composition; and with a much better chance of being remembered. 6 gossips, who take a malicious delight in 1 menting their intimates, by relating every rumour which they have heard against the and, under a pretence of pure friendship, companied with the pride of offering advice, conclude they shall escape the od of giving pain, which they deserve to inc but the triumphs of those petty tyrants, withstanding all their art, turn out at las their own hurt; for their visits are soon fo to forbode our vexation, and at length we them as we shun disease. Those who blow coals of others' strife, may chance to have sparks fly in their own face." "The vain Glow-Worm.-A certain glowworm had long been the object of admiration amongst his humble acquaintance, the insects of the hedge where he made a figure; and every night would condescend to illumine them with the splendour of his light, and in return Mr. Northcote observes, that his chief induce- received the homage of his reptile court with ment in making the present collection was the a most gracious air of affected condescension. amusement and employment it afforded him, in On one occasion a small-waisted flatterer obthe way of his profession as a painter, in truded himself on his notice, by observing, sketching designs for each fable.Many of these that his humility was wonderful, and advised designs are highly ingenious, and possess great him by all means to make himself more public, merit. They are engraved on wood by some of and to shine in a more exalted circle, that the "The Congregation of Pious Anima our best artists in that line; and are, generally great world might become the witnesses of such Once upon a time it is said that an ext speaking, executed with much skill. If, oc-attractions! No, no,' replied the grovelling-dinary fit of piety influenced the animal casionally, there may appear in them a little spirited glow-worm, that is not to my taste; tion to offer up their grateful acknowledg want of clearness, a little adhesion of one part for, between ourselves, my great delight is to to Jupiter for the various gifts and e to another, it is most likely that these deficiencies be in company where I can preside, and be re-ments he had bestowed upon them; and are attributable to the impracticability, even garded as a wonder-no matter though it be assembled, some of the most forward of with the utmost care and attention, of giving from their inferiority or ignorance. Whereas, with much seeming humility and thankfu to the impressions from blocks when printed if I associate with those of higher endowments, professed the deepest sense of the pe in the page with type, the same beauty which I shall feel my pride mortified, and appear, happy talents and dispositions with whic they exhibit when printed by themselves. The even to myself, to be no better than a poor vainly thought they were blessed. Th ornamental letter at the beginning, and the worm.'-Application. There are certain dis- cock returned thanks for the exquisite vignette at the end of every fable, are the in- positions of the mind that incline men to a base ness of his voice-the hog for his love of vention of Mr. William Harvey, whom Mr. and vulgar ambition, a desire of shining at any liness-the viper for his harmless disposi Northcote justly calls "one of the most dis- rate; and therefore they seek out for such com- the cuckoo for the pleasing variety of h tinguished artists in his profession." Most of panions only, as are confessedly their inferiors, sical notes-and the goose for the grace them are admirable; and the adaptation of the where no improvement can be gained, where of her carriage; and so on. Jupiter a vignettes to the respective fables which precede flattery and admiration are received by them this commendable act of duty, in ret them, is in many instances singularly happy. with pleasure, although offered by the meanest real blessings that they undoubtedly did Mr. Harvey also, it seems, made the drawings of mortals; and preferred before the counsel but at the same time informed them, th on the wood, from Mr. Northcote's designs, for of the wise, or the admonition of the good. But being so very particular as to specify th the prints at the head of every fable. such egotists must ever remain in all their dowments was quite unnecessary, as t Of the Fables themselves, some are derived errors. Instruction gives them pain, because ticular gifts which each of them had t from foreign sources; but the greater number it lessens their self-importance; nor can they of, were best known to himself, wh are of Mr. Northcote's own invention. Mr. bear the shock of feeling themselves surpassed, them. Application. It frequently h Northcote evinces in them considerable sa- and from that mean motive shun such oppor- that nature, in her freaks, makes men gacity and discrimination; although some-tunities as might render them fit for the highest verse, as to pride themselves highly in times, perhaps, the view which he takes of society; for he who would become a master, ing they possess those talents (in) whi human nature may be liable to the imputation must first submit to the humble station of a one else can see they are deficient. of being rather cynical. The following extracts pupil. None are so empty as those who are full our acts of piety, we ought to be well will shew that his diction is generally perspi- of themselves." vanity and self-opinion, and not ar cuous and unaffected; though we must except "The Lion and the Ape.-An old lion had imagine that we have greater claims to the beginning of the fable of the Lion and the long been despotic sovereign of the forest, and promised favour than many of our nei Ape, which is the very reverse. of course accustomed to the abject homage of notwithstanding the appearance of "The Hunted Fox. An active young fox, every inferior animal in it, as is common in our own partial and flattering percepti who was exceedingly notorious for his depreda-courts, each trying to out-do his companions in tions on the poultry in his neighbourhood, was servility;-when a pert malicious ape, who. once discovered in the fact, and so closely pur-wished to give his powerful master some pain, sued by the enraged peasants, whose property and yet escape his rage, as he well knew it was IT is not our wont, amidst the multi he had invaded, that he did not escape without as much as his life was worth to offend him publications on subjects which contin several severe blows and wounds, of which he openly, therefore sought how he might artfully up and claim our attention, to drug o made grievous complaint and great outcry when mortify him under the mask of friendship, but even with the best things. But, do he arrived among his companions, declaring, at keep out of the scrape himself, and at the same may, we can only indicate, certainl the same time, that he neither knew nor could time insidiously cause the ruin of his competi-illustrate nor discuss, the great be Bishop Heber's Journal. (Second Notice.) lese volumes. Were we in ill humour with elves or the world, we think a half hour Bishop Heber's page would reconcile us to site. There is a suavity, a kindness, a fine kman sympathy, in every syllable he breathes, Fuca elevates our species; and instead of img our bosoms filled with such painful and wing emotions as the writings of a Hunt Hazlitt excite, we derive from such pubians as this, and Lord Collingwood's Mesri, a pleasure of the purest kind. We must ine our extracts. Soon after, the traveller encounters some drunkards, and relates: "I had seen very few drunken men in India before, but the time of Hoolee' is now coming on, which is the Hindoo carnival, and in which the people of central India more particularly indulge in all kinds of riot and festivity. The sepoys of my guard have begun to assail the women whom they pass on their march with singing and indecent language, a thing seldom practised at other times. This is also the season for pelting each other with red powder, as we have seen practised in Calcutta." In his progress, the Bishop saw something of the people called Bheels, now in a very low estate, though unquestionably the possessors of the country before the Rajpoots. He tells us: long, and formed like those of Europe. The seems to be the same disorder of the eyes with arrows were also of bamboo, with an iron head which people are afflicted who live on damaged coarsely made, and a long single barb. Those or inferior rice, in itself a food of very little intended for striking fish had this head so con- nourishment, and probably arises from a weaktrived as to slip off from the shaft when the fish ness of the digestive powers. I was grieved was struck, but to remain connected with it to think I had insulted a man who might be in by a long line, on the principle of the harpoon. distress." The shaft, in consequence, remained as a float on the water, and not only contributed to weary out the animal, but shewed his pursuer which way he fled, and thus enabled him to seize it." At Bheelwara the Bishop met Captain GerThe Bishop met in his course the Rajpoot ard, and gives a characteristic sketch of that la of Bunaira." He was splendidly gentleman. d with a very glittering turban, a "Captain Gerard I found, under a very slang on his back, and a remarkably modest exterior, a man of great science and sword and dagger in his sash. His information; he was one of the persons most e was led by two grooms tolerably well concerned in the measurement and exploring wed; the attire of his silver-stick and stand- of the Himalaya mountains, had been in Ladak, is learers, and other servants, was not in and repeatedly beyond the Chinese frontier, ey good repair, and his own cane was carried though repelled each time, after penetrating a faked boy of about fourteen. He was an few miles, by the Tartar cavalry. He had sey man, and had lost many of his teeth, himself ascended to the height of 19,600 feet, made it very difficult for me to under- or 400 higher than Humboldt had ever climbed Go him. This does not seem a usual in- amid the Andes; and the latter part of his my in India; but the rajah's red eyes and ascent, for about two miles, was on an inclined eneciated countenance sufficiently proved plane of 42, a nearer approach to the perpendia to be an opium-eater. It is, fortu- cular than Humboldt conceived it possible to 127, the custom in this part of the world for climb for any distance together. Nothing, he as of very high rank to converse only said, could exceed the care with which Major gh the medium of a confidential servant; Hodgson, Mr. Frazer, and himself, had ascergladly made use of this etiquette, using tained the altitude of the hills." Jak jemautdar, whose Hindoostanee I und pretty well, as the channel of commuwith the muttering old rajpoot. The however, of this procedure was abundindicrous. Tell the Rajah Sahib that I happy to meet him, and hope he is in good maith ;” thus rendered: The Lord Sahib dethat he is happy to see your worship, and es you are in good health. Tell the Lord sib that I am in very good health, thanks to a arrival and precision, and that I hope he is : rendered, The Rajah Sahib makes retation that he is very well, thanks to der's arrival,' &c. In this way we talked various subjects in our way to the bunganew mode of fishing is soon after described: The fish were the inhabitants of a large dase to the castle hill, which appeared, in s to cover about eighty acres, being in supplied from the Bunass river. It ady retained its water all the year, but this son had already brought it very low, aa month more they calculated that it be quite dry. Accordingly, all hands ww at work to catch the fish while they alive; and people from the whole mymund about had assembled either for "In our way back through the town, a man pose, or to purchase them, a very large begged of me, saying that he was blind. On bang to be had for a single pice. Cap-my calling him, however, he came forwards so ac, an engineer officer who met me readily to the torches, and saw, I thought, so me to see the chase, and said it was clearly, that I asked him what he meant by The fish were pursued in the telling me such a lie. He answered that he muddy water with sticks, spears, and was night-blind (rat unda'), and I, not unin all directions; but there was little derstanding the phrase, and having been a good men dane, till four Bheels, in the service deal worried during the day with beggars, for sie Ouse pour government made their ap- the whole fort is a swarm of nothing else, said, The rabble were then driven away; peevishly, darkness is the time for sleep, not erages, with their bows and arrows, for seeing.' The people laughed as at a good few hours that havoc among the fish thing; but I was much mortified afterwards to ained such plenty in the camp,- find that it was an unfeeling retort. The disut the largest, and striking them ease of night-blindness, that is, of requiring chcertainty as if they had been the full light of day to see, is very common, Their bows were of Dr. Smith said, among the lower classes in , very simply made, but strong India; and to some professions of men, such as , more so, I think, than those of soldiers, very inconvenient. The sepoys ascribe which are generally used in Hin-it to bad and insufficient food; and it is said to They were about four feet six inches be always most prevalent in a scarcity. It "On our first approaching the Bheel villages, a man ran from the nearest hut to the top of a hill, and gave a shrill shout or scream, which we heard repeated from the furthest hamlet in sight, and again from two others which we could not see. I asked the meaning of this, and my suwarrs assured me that these were their signals to give the alarm of our Of the native princes in central India, the coming, our numbers, and that we had horse Ranah of Oodeypoor is a remarkable specimen. with us. By this means they knew at once "He has a large extent of territory, and, in whether it was advisable to attack us, to fly, ordinary years, a singularly fertile one, were or to remain quiet,-while if there were any these people to cultivate it. But he was quite of them of their number who had particular ruined and beggared by Bapoo Sindia and Jum-reasons for avoiding an interview with the sheed Khân. Half his revenues at least are troops and magistrates of the lowlands, they mortgaged to shroffs and money-lenders, and had thus fair warning given them to keep out his people are pitiably racked in order to pay of the way. This sounds like a description of the exorbitant interest of his debts. It has Rob Roy's country; but these poor Bheels been the misfortune of his family to have been are far less formidable enemies than the old the oldest and purest in India; to be descended Macgregors. In the afternoon we walked up in a right line from the Sun without any de- to one of the nearest hills, where were some basing mixture, having resisted all attempts of huts of this unfortunate nation. They were the emperors of Delhi to effect an intermar- all shut up; and an old man who came to meet riage of the houses, and reckoning, I believe, us, said that they were empty. He himself, in their pedigree, one or two Avatars of the and a young man, who was, he said, his Deity. In consequence, they have been gene-nephew, remained alone in the place: all the rally half mad with pride, perpetually marrying rest were with their cattle in the jungle. Dr. among themselves, fond of show and magnifi- Smith, who has an excellent ear, and knows cence beyond their means or the usual custom Hindoostanee well, was able to converse with of Hindoo sovereigns, and very remarkably deficient in knowledge and intelligence. The present Ranah adds to all these advantages a great fondness for opium." The following notices an interesting fact in an interesting manner : these people more readily than any of our party, and said that it was chiefly in accent and tone that their language differed from the dialect usually spoken in Malwah. They speak in a drawling sort of recitative, which Dr. Smith imitated, and found them catch his meaning much better than they otherwise could. The old man said that they had suffered much from want of rain, that their crops had been very scanty, that there was little pasture left for their cattle; and, what was worst of all, they expected the pools of the neighbouring nullah to dry up before the end of the hot weather. When that happened, he said, with much resignation, they must go down to Doongurpoor, or some other place where there was water, and do as well as they could.' Both the men were evidently in fear, and even trembled; they shewed an anxiety that we should not go near their huts, and were unwilling to trust themselves with us as far as our tents, though they perfectly understood my promise that they should have something to eat. I pressed the young man to shoot one of his arrows at a mark, but he had only two with him, and he looked at us all round as if he feared we wanted to make him part with his means of defence. I succeeded, however, in re-assuring him; he shot at, and hit a tree about 100 yards off; and on my praising his skill, let fly his other arrow, which went straight enough, but struck the ground near the root. He held his bow and arrow in the English manner, differently from the Hindoostanees, who place the arrow on what we should call the wrong side, and draw the string with the thumb: his arrows were not ill-made, but his bow was what a • British bowman' would call a very slight one. The applause which he received, and the security which he now felt, made him familiar. He sat on the ground, to shew us the manner in which his countrymen shoot from amid the long grass, holding the bow with their feet, and volunteered aiming at different objects, till I told him there was no need of more trials." We conclude, for the present, with a curious accident. Narrative of an Attempt to Reach the North sleeping-dresses, and put on those for travelby prayers, after which we took off our fur Pole, in Boats fitted for the purpose, and ling; the former being made of camblet, lined attached to H. M. S. Heela, in the Year 1827. with racoon-skin, and the latter of strong blue Under the Command of Capt. W. E. Parry, box-cloth. We made a point of always putting R.N. F.R.S., &c. Illustrated by Plates on the same stockings and boots for travelling and Charts, and published by Authority of in, whether they had dried during the day or H. R. H. the Lord High Admiral. 4to. not; and I believe it was only in five or six pp. 229. London, 1828. J. Murray. instances, at the most, that they were not either THOUGH it is extremely gratifying to read the still wet or hard-frozen. This, indeed, was of details of this gallant adventure, from the pen no consequence, beyond the discomfort of first of its brave and enterprising commander, we putting them on in this state, as they were sure have such good cause to be satisfied with the to be thoroughly wet in a quarter of an hour accounts of it which have, from time to time, after commencing our journey; while, on the appeared in the Literary Gazette, that in truth other hand, it was of vital importance to keep we can exhibit little of novelty to our readers dry things for sleeping in. Being rigged' for after the perusal of this volume. By referring travelling, we breakfasted upon warm cocoa to pages 185, 233, 507, 649, 665, 747, and 844 and biscuit, and after stowing the things in of our Journal for 1827, it will be found that the boats and on the sledges, so as to secure all the leading events of this Expedition, from them as much as possible from wet, we set off the hour of its sailing to the day of its return, on our day's journey, and usually travelled have been accurately and amply described, from from five to five and a half hours, then stopped "From Kalingera is about seven miles more such sources of intelligence as we will venture an hour to dine, and again travelled four, five, of jungle to Tambresra, a village near which to say no other periodical publication ever pos- or even six hours, according to circumstances. our tents were pitched under the shade of some sessed. Having indulged our vanity by this After this we halted for the night, as we called fine trees, and near a cistern which still con- boast, it would be a waste of our much-wanted it, though it was usually early in the morning, tained a little water. The situation was very room to repeat any of the statements contained selecting the largest surface of ice we happened beautiful, but made less agreeable than it might in these papers in which the dates of the to be near for hauling the boats on, in order to have been by an unlucky accident. Our little ship's sailing and arriving, the dates of the avoid the danger of its breaking up by coming flock of sheep and goats were resting after boats' leaving, of their progress northward and in contact with other masses, and also to pretheir march under a spreading tree, when a coming back; the particulars of a fresh-water vent drift as much as possible. The boats were monkey, who had come down to steal the lake on the ice, of a phenomenon of six fog-placed close alongside each other, with their shepherd's breakfast, and was driven back by bows, of the southward drift of the ice, of the sterns to the wind, the snow or wet cleared out him, in his hurried flight among the branches distance travelled, of the uncommon fall of of them, and the sails, supported by the bamstumbled on a bee's nest which hung sus-rain, of the survey of Waygatz Strait, and even boo masts and three paddles, placed over them pended in the air, and not only got himself of the seals and bears killed and cooked, have as awnings, an entrance being left at the bow. well stung, but brought out the whole swarm all been faithfully recorded. It must, how. Every man then immediately put on dry in fury against the poor unoffending animals ever, be pleasant to readers to see how finely stockings and fur boots, after which we set beneath. Most of them were severely stung, and how modestly Captain Parry tells his own about the necessary repairs of boats, sledges, and bleated pitifully; but it was curious to ob- tale; and we select a passage well adapted for or clothes; and, after serving the provisions serve the different conduct between the sheep that purpose. for the succeeding day, we went to supper. and the goats. The former crowded all toge- “Our plan of travelling (he says, speaking Most of the officers and men then smoked ther, burying their noses in the sand, but with of the journey over the ice after leaving the their pipes, which served to dry the boats and no apparent notion of flight or resistance, the Hecla) being nearly the same throughout this awnings very much, and usually raised the latter ran off as fast as they could for shelter excursion, after we first entered upon the ice, temperature of our lodgings 10 or 15 deg. This among our tents, pressing in for security as so may at once give some account of our usual part of the twenty-four hours was often a many dogs would have done. They brought, mode of proceeding. It was my intention to time, and the only one, of real enjoyment to however, such a swarm of their pursuers ad- travel wholly at night and to rest by day, us; the men told their stories, and fough hering to their coats and following them close, there being, of course, constant daylight in all their battles o'er again,' and the labours o that their coming was very little to be desired, these regions during the summer season. the day, unsuccessful as they too often were and we were forced to refuse them the hospi- The advantages of this plan, which was occa- were forgotten. A regular watch was set during tality which they would otherwise have re-sionally deranged by circumstances, consisted, our resting-time, to look out for bears or fo ceived. Indeed, as it was, my tent was filled first, in our avoiding the intense and oppressive the ice breaking up round us, as well as to atten for a short time with bees; and several of the glare from the snow during the time of the to the drying of the clothes, each man alter people were stung. We had good reason, how-sun's greatest altitude, so as to prevent, in nately taking this duty for one hour. ever, to be thankful that they were the sheep some degree, the painful inflammation in the then concluded our day with prayers, and goats which were attacked, and not the eyes called snow-blindness,' which is common having put on our fur dresses, lay down t horses; had the latter been the case, the con- in all snowy countries. We also thus enjoyed sleep, with a degree of comfort which perhap sequence might have been very serious. From greater warmth during the hours of rest, and few persons would imagine possible under suc what I saw on this occasion, I do not think the had a better chance of drying our clothes; be. circumstances: our chief inconvenience being sting of the common Indian bee so severe as sides which, no small advantage was derived that we were somewhat pinched for room, an that of the European." from the snow being harder at night for tra- therefore obliged to stow rather closer than wa Among the various qualities of this amiable velling. The only disadvantage of this plan quite agreeable. The temperature, while w and highly gifted person, was that of being an was, that the fogs were somewhat more fre- slept, was usually from 36 to 45 deg., accord accomplished artist. These volumes are illus-quent and more thick by night than by day, ing to the state of the external atmosphere trated by a number of beautiful prints, chiefly though even in this respect there was less dif- but on one or two occasions, in calm and war from drawings by the Bishop, although the ference than might have been supposed; the weather, it rose as high as 60 to 66 deg subjects of a few of them have been contributed temperature during the twenty-four hours un-obliging us to throw off a part of our fur dres by Mrs. Heber, who appears to have been closely dergoing but little variation. This travelling After we had slept seven hours, the man a assimilated to her excellent husband in cha- by night, and sleeping by day, so completely in-pointed to boil the cocoa roused us, when racter and taste. Mr. Finden has evidently verted the natural order of things, that it was exerted all his talents on the occasion: "The difficult to persuade ourselves of the reality. Ghat between Calcutta and Barrack poor, "the Even the officers and myself, who were all furView in the Deccan," "Janghera,' 9966 Umeer,' "nished with pocket-chronometers, could not "the Entrance to the Cave of Elephanta," and always bear in mind at what part of the others, are admirable specimens of the art. twenty-four hours we had arrived; and there were several of the men who declared, and I believe truly, that they never knew night from day during the whole excursion. When we rose in the evening, we commenced our day W an was ready, by the sound of a bugle, when v commenced our day in the manner before d scribed. Our allowance of provisions for ea man per day was as follows: Biscuit Sweetened Cocoa Powder.. 10 ounces. 1 do. to make one pi 1 gill. 3 ounces per week. Our fuel consisted entirely of spirits of wir of which two pints formed our daily allo son." ASTRONOMY. ance, the cocoa being cooked in an iron boiler But though, from the nature of this Expedi- |strated by experiments at once new, delightful, over a shallow iron lamp with seven wicks,- tion, it was meagre of striking incident, the and extraordinary. We trust to be enabled to a simple apparatus which answered our pur-chart and appendix of scientific tables render it render a detailed account of this Lecture, which pose remarkably well. We usually found one a valuable accession to our stock of knowledge. was appropriately concluded by a performance piat of the spirits of wine sufficient for pre- It was, indeed, necessary in order to complete on the Jew's-harp by Mr. Eülenstein, of whose paring our breakfast; that is, for heating the subject of these remarkable voyages, in wonderful power over this simple, but with twenty-eight pints of water, though it always which the efforts of England and Englishmen him exquisite and comprehensive instrument, commenced from the temperature of 32 deg. have been such as became the high naval sta- we have frequently spoken in the Literary If the weather was calm and fair, this quantity tion of the country and the high intellectual Gazette. of fuel brought it to the boiling point in about character of the people. an hour and a quarter; but more generally The plates illustrative of the work have been the wicks began to go out before it had reached exquisitely engraved by Finden, and are very New, Lost, and Variable Stars.-Notwith290 deg. This, however, made a very com- curious and interesting. The powerful con- standing the attention of the mind of man has fortable meal to persons situated as we were. trast which in high latitudes always exists be- been in all ages ardently bending its intelSuch, with very little variation, was our re-tween the deep gloom of the sky, and the lectual powers in researches amidst the celestial gular routine during the whole of this excur- dazzling splendour of the land and ice, is ad- regions, and of late years aided by the exquisite mirably expressed. Of this, "the Boats hauled instruments which have enlarged the sphere of Again, speaking of one day: "the fog dis-up for the night," affords a striking example. the fixed stars beyond all that could be conpersing before noon, we had another clear and fine day, but, as usual, paid dear for this comfort by the increased softness of the snow and the oppressive glare reflected from it. Setting out at half past seven in the evening, we found the sun more distressing to the eyes than we had ever yet had it, bidding defiance to our crape veils and wire-gauze eye-shades; but a more effectual screen was afforded by the sun Proceedings of the Expedition to Explore the becoming clouded about nine, P.M. Our way Northern Coast of Africa, from Tripoly What is it we contemplate when we fix our still lay over small loose masses, to which we eastward, in 1821 and 2; comprehending eyes on the brightest of the starry train? a were now so accustomed as scarcely to expect an Account of the Greater Syrtis and Cyre- glittering point, concerning which, we only any other; for it was evident enough that we naica, and of the Ancient Cities composing know that the body which sends forth such a were not improving in this respect as we ad- the Pentapolis. By Captain F. W. Beechey, stream of radiance is inconceivably too remote vanced northwards. At half-past nine we came R.N. F.R.S., and H. W. Beechey, Esq. to borrow its lustre from the sun of our system, to a very difficult crossing among the loose ice, F.S.A. 4to. pp. 620. London, J. Murray. or from any other sun; for, of necessity, such which, however, we were encouraged to at- THIS sterling volume has at last issued from a glorious orb, if existing, would be visible: tempt by seeing a floe of some magnitude be- the press, and fulfils all the expectations we we believe the star we thus behold, to be itself yond it. We had to convey the sledges and entertained of it, from some acquaintance with a sun,— the fount of light, the soul and centre provisions one way, and to haul the boats over its progress. At page 405 of our last year's of revolving worlds: we know that, as far as by another. One of the masses over which the Literary Gazette will be found an interesting human ingenuity has contrived instruments, boats came began to roll about while one of extract on the subject of the Gardens of the the distance of this shining body is beyond them was upon it, giving us reason to appre- Hesperides, which is a fair specimen of the computation; though such is the minuteness of hend its upsetting, which must have been work; and we regret that we cannot this modern instrumental graduation, that angles, attended with some very serious consequence; week go further into its contents. Suffice it formerly considered to be insensible, are now fortunately, however, it retained its equilibrium to observe, that it is replete with intelligence measured with the greatest accuracy. long enough to allow us to get the boat past it in safety, not without several of the men falling overboard in consequence of the long jumps we had to make, and the edges breaking with their weight." The Boats off Walden Island in a snow-ceived, it must be admitted that, notwithstorm," besides being inimitably executed, is a standing these vast acquirements, we are but most fearful exhibition of one of the perils to on the very threshold of the science of astrowhich our brave and persevering countrymen nomy; and the conviction is pressed home to were exposed in the course of their adventurous the mind, that ere its flight be unfettered, enterprise. and capable of expatiating through the vast range of the universe, the spirit must be released from its present enthralment, and arrayed in the vestments of immortality. SIGHTS OF BOOKS. of the highest literary cast; and that its Where calculation fails, imagination takes up the wondrous consideration, and in vain attempts to date the period when this bright orb first shone forth in pristine beauty; and as we are ignorant of its origin, we are equally so of the These quotations speak the character of the The Merchant's Wedding; or, London Frolics period when the hand that moulded the orb volume, where the most persevering and noble in 1638, &c. By J. R. Planché. Pp. 79. shall return it to its original nothingness. conduct, under the severest privations, is de- London, 1828. J. Cumberland. When we survey the glorious host, stars picted throughout with the same simplicity. The THIS comedy, extremely well arranged inas- densely thronging still," we cannot suppose following, respecting red snow, is new to us :much as relates to its ancient parts, and ex- them merely twinkling lights to garnish the August 2d." In the course of this day's tremely well written inasmuch as relates to its blue vault of heaven-to afford speculation to journey we met with a quantity of snow, tinged, modern additions, has just been published, the philosopher-to excite the admiration, is the depth of several inches, with some red with a dedication, by permission, to the Lord and add to the delight of man. Returning colouring matter, of which a portion was pre- High Admiral. Its success at Covent Garden from the vast survey, we must confess that all ved in a bottle for future examination. This renders it unnecessary for us to say more in its these glittering gems, which are displayed in drcumstance recalled to our recollection our praise as a drama; the patronage under which the celestial arches, are enshrined in mystehaving frequently before, in the course of this it appears says enough for its propriety and rious obscurity: we see, admire, and specu arney, remarked that the loaded sledges, in merit; and we have only to say, that it is as late; but the soul falls prostrate in attempting ing over hard snow, left upon it a light neatly got up in the printer's as in the theatrical to unravel these material wonders, which are e-coloured tint, which at the time we attri- phrase. as inexplicable as infinite space or eternal dubarted to the colouring matter being pressed out ration. We judge there are new creations, the birch of which they were made. To-day, ARTS AND SCIENCES. pure and beautiful, from the sudden appear. kowever, we observed that the runners of the CAPTAIN FRANKLIN. We are informed ance of new stars; unless we may suppose that bots, and even our own footsteps, exhibited that Captain Franklin will make another their light, after having traversed space mythe same appearance; and on watching it more journey to the northern coast of America, in riads of years, has just reached our earth: we owly afterwards, we found the same effect order to complete his survey, by traversing the may conclude from the disappearance of others, so be produced, in a greater or less degree, by space left between him and Captain Beechey, that the awful mandate has been issued forth, heavy pressure on almost all the ice over which as described in the Literary Gazette of last and brilliant systems have been blotted from passed, though a magnifying-glass could year (see No. 547, et seq.). the ample page of the universe. nothing to give it this tinge. The colour the red snow which we bottled, and which my occurred in two or three spots, appeared what different from this, being rather of a mimon than a rose colour; but both were ariking as to be the subject of constant ROYAL INSTITUTION. Among some which have been recently seen in the heavens, and are called New Stars, are On Friday evening in last week, Mr. Faraday those in the following constellations:-Lacerta, delivered one of the most popular lectures which Perseus, Bootes, Hydra, Monoceros, Cepheus, we ever heard, on Phonics. His illustrations &c.; and of those which have been termed of the resonance of sound were full of interest; Lost Stars, are three in Hercules, and others and some very remarkable facts were demon.in Cancer, Perseus, Pisces, Orion, and Coma it Berenices. A very remarkable star appeared liberal mark of his attention in offering a Writership has been very successful. The bold but wary (belonging to his patronage in the Hon. East India Comin the year 1604, near the right foot of Ser-pany's Service) as a prize for competition among the covenanter, listening to the sound of im pentarius; it surpassed Jupiter in magnitude, junior Members of the University; and at the same time pending danger, is well imagined. It is not and its brilliancy exceeded that of every other was agreed that his offer of the Writership be accepted. the listening of fear-scarcely that of appreThe same day the following degrees were conferred:Master of Arts. Rev. F. A. Sterky, Student of Christ hension; but it is the listening of a man who, Church. however desirous of eluding his foe, has, ne. H. D. Serrell, P. Poore, Queen's College; G. Ross, Bachelors of Arts.-W. Reade, Grand Compounder, vertheless, made up his mind to meet whatever Lincoln College: W. M. Leir, Wadham College; J. Whalley, Brasennose College; H. D. Wickham, Exeter College. star: when near the horizon it shone with a white light; but in every other situation it assumed alternately the varying colours of the rainbow. It gradually diminished in splendour till about October 1605, when it disappeared, and has not been seen since. FINE ARTS. ROYAL ACADEMY-We record with pleasure that W. Etty, Esq. has been elected a Royal Academician in the room of the late Mr. Flaxman. His efforts in the highest branches of art seem to us to have entitled him peculiarly to become the successor of that distinguished genius. BRITISH GALLERY. peril may present itself. The listening in No. 405. Captain Dalgetly listening to the Sermon in the Chapel at Inverary, by the same artist, is of a very different nature, but is quite appropriate to the character. We think Mr. Morton's Don Quixote and Sancho (No. 328) is too much crowded and sprinkled with accessories, which, in a great measure, destroy the breadth that he has so well preserved in his other performances. There is also another class of stars in the heavens which afford considerable speculation to the philosopher. These are the Variable Stars, which having attained a certain maxi. mum of brilliancy, by degrees suffer a diminution of it, in some instances so as to vanish entirely, and re-appear, increasing to their former splendour; and this variation occupyNo. 404. A Gondolier, sketched at Venice. ing a limited portion of time. Many have J. F. Lewis. There seems to be something in been the hypotheses to account for this perithe nature of Venetian costume and scenery odical change: the solar spots sanction the which invariably induces all those who treat idea that these stars are suns, having very No. 479. Smugglers Alarmed. H. P. Parker. such subjects to impart to them a tone of large spots on their orbs, which, by their ro- Artists, as well as writers, have their fa- colouring correspondent with that which pertation, are alternately turned from and towards vourite topics; and although those subjects vades what is known by the name of "The our system. Others have considered the phe- may not always fall in with the taste of the Venetian School." Mr. Lewis's Gondolier is nomenon sufficiently explained, by supposing public, or of that part of the public likely to a broadly and spiritedly painted specimen of large planets circulating round the stars, which, become purchasers of pictures or books, they that bold and picturesquely clad character. when in conjunction, intercept the light. Ano- may still serve to shew how far, and in what No. 348. Mandeville saved from fanatical ther opinion is, that their exceedingly swift rota- way, the talents employed on them might be Assassins. W. Thomas.-The height at which tion generates a very oblate spheroid; and con. more profitably directed. The materials, whe-this picture is placed prevents us from judging sequently when the plane which passes through ther principal or accessory, which belong to of its merits in point of execution; but its the axis of the spheroid is turned towards our such subjects as that which Mr. Parker has composition and character seem to evince conearth, the light appears at its minimum; and here chosen, are always highly picturesque, siderable talent in the artist for historical and when its equatorial diameter is similarly po- partaking in their character and circumstances similar subjects. sited, its maximum of brightness occurs. This of the bold and the romantic. In the perNo. 94. Castle of Indolence. F. P. Steshifting of the planes is accounted for from formance under our notice we consider the phanoff. This can be considered only as a the action of immense planetary masses, whose artist as having very successfully attained his sketch. Being well assured of Mr. Stephanoff's orbits are considerably inclined. We have object; and as having given to his work, both capacity to produce something more worthy of something analogous to this in the nutation of in conception and in execution, a high degree his powers from this beautiful and descriptive the earth's axis, which is caused by the incli- of interest. poem of the author of the "Seasons," (abound. nation of the moon's orbit, and the obliquity of No. 411. Holy Family. James Bethell. ing as it does with the most striking and the ecliptic. The number of stars ascertained This picture belongs to a high class of art; splendid varieties of scenery and character,) we to be variable is fifteen, and those suspected to and the artist has displayed his talents to great cannot omit the opportunity of recommending it be so, thirty-seven: the most remarkable of advantage in the several qualities of composi- to the more particular notice and study of so tion, colouring, and execution. distinguished an artist. the former are Algol in Perseus.. Antinoi ...... 2d to 4th A Star in Sobieski's shield 5 to 7.8 .... .... 4 15 0 62 days. Varying Magnitude. Period of Variation. No. 364. Titian in his Study. R. T. Bone. No. 33. The Parting of Hector and AndroD. H. M. S.This is a variety in the style of this able mache. Douglas Guest.The management of 2 20 40 50 artist's pencil, combining in its chiaroscuro half-length groups is attended with consider much of the character of Rembrandt, and in able difficulty; but in the present instance the the tone of its colouring much of the character artist has accomplished the arrangement of his of Titian. No. 89. Les Adieux; No. 90. figures in such a way as to present a clever and Cephei is subject to a periodic variation of Relaxation; and No. 93. The Meeting; are classic composition. 5 days, 8 hrs. 37 min. 30 sec. in the following painted with Mr. R. T. Bone's usual gaiety No. 376. Reading the Fifth Act of the Maorder: It continues at its greatest brightness and taste. They are gems in their way, al-nuscript. Theodore Lane. Our acquaintance about 1 day, 13 hrs. ; it gradually declines in though we think they would be improved by a with the works of this artist commenced with 1 day, 18 hrs.; is at its greatest obscuration little more finish. about 1 day, 12 hrs.; and increases in 13 hrs. : its maximum and minimum of brightness is that between the third and fourth, and between the fourth and fifth magnitudes. In the years 1783, 1784, 1785, Pollux in Gemini was observed to be considerably brighter than Castor; in Flamstead's time, the reverse was the case, he making Castor of the first, and Pollux of the second magnitude. On these mysterious points (the appearance and disappearance of some stars, and the gradual decrease and augmentation of light in others) it is highly probable, that not only the present age, but future generations, will continue to remain in obscurity: every particular connected with the fixed stars so nearly approaches to infinity, that nothing short of Infinite Wisdom can direct the intellectual powers in the development of its sublimities. Deptford. J. T. B. LITERARY AND LEARNED. OXFORD, Feb. 16.-In a convocation, holden on Thurs day last, the thanks of the University were voted to the Right Hon. Charles Watkin Williains Wynn, for the his "An hour before the Duel;" in the con. No. 388. View on the River Tamar, at ception and execution of which we considered Ensleigh, in the Grounds of his Grace the him highly successful. We do not mean by Duke of Bedford. F. C. Lewis. The lovers this remark to imply that the present perform. of solitude and of solitary scenes will look with ance is a failure; yet, although the subject cer. calm and complacent delight on this inter- tainly admits of humour, the humour appears to esting view; for its loneliness is not the lone- us to be in this instance overcharged, and to liness of the desert-the spectator is not here approach closely to caricature. Neither do we out of humanity's reach;"-mingled with think that the scene, a wretched garret,-is the grandeur of rocks and the intricacies of judicious and appropriate; for, although the foliage, is the freshness of cultivation. The Calamities of Authors" are not, and prodeep tone and transparency of the still water, bably never will be, at an end, they generally, and the introduction of the heron and other by some means or other, contrive in the prewater-fowl, are in excellent keeping with the sent day to carry on the war in more com fortable habitations. Our principal objection, No. 188. Balfour of Barley in the Hayloft, however, to the interior chosen is, that its hearing Claverhouse's Cavalry in pursuit of form by no means assists the composition. him. Andrew Morton. The interest excited Mr. Lane's other performance, No. 129. Too by the well-drawn scenes and characters in many Cooks spoil the Broth, whatever merit the Waverley Novels, has called forth many it may possess in colouring, effect, and exean effort on the part of our artists to embody cution, is one on which we cannot dwell for a those scenes and characters on the canvass; a moment. Cruelty, whether inflicted by man task of no ordinary difficulty, requiring, as it or by brute, is a very unfit subject for mirth. does, an individuality of expression which the No. 6. The Young Draught Players. No. 11living model alone can furnish. Mr. Morton | The Dancing Dog. Wm. Gill.-This young scene. |