show: sent, their relative number is diminished to Religious Discourses. By a Layman. 8vo. "When the observance (he thus poetically one-twelfth. illustrates his subject) of the minute ceremonial pp. 79. H. Colburn. The increase of the population of Ireland, as THE history of this production has been fre- was substituted instead of love to God, and duty compared with that of England, has been men- quently stated. The two Discourses were to our neighbours, the system resembled some tioned as an almost insurmountable difficulty written by Sir Walter Scott for the use of a ancient tree, which continues to shew green in the way of the introduction of poor-laws young friend about to enter upon the ministry; boughs and a stately form to those who regard into Ireland: let us attend to the fact. The but whose course of life being altered, the it only on the outside, but when carefully population of Ireland appears by the returns to kind-hearted author has permitted him to use examined proves rotten and false at heart, have increased in thirty years 61 per cent; them in the way of publication, instead of and valueless excepting as a matter of outward while the increase in the population of Eng- delivering them from the pulpit. This consent land for a like term, supposing it to augment is announced in the following words: from 1821 to 1831 as it has done from 1811 to 1821, will amount to 55 per cent. In other words, every hundred individuals in England will in the course of those thirty years have multiplied into 155, as in Ireland they have into 161-a difference, on the whole, of about 3 per cent, to be distributed through the space of thirty years. All green and wildly fresh without, but worn and gray within.'" In answering the objections of Sceptics, it does not appear to us that the author establishes very triumphantly his proposition respecting the law of Moses being fulfilled, 'not destroyed, by the advent of our Saviour. "They were never intended for publication, as nobody knows better than yourself; nor do I willingly consent that they should be now given to the press, as it may be thought that I have intermeddled with matters for which I have no commission. I have also to add, that they contain no novelty of opinion, and "It was not (he contends) the offer of the no attempt at brilliancy of composition. They Gospel to the Jews, but their ignorant and Amongst the many grounds which our author were meant, I may remind you, to shew that prejudiced rejection of that inestimable gift, adopts for the introduction of the poor-laws a rational and practical discourse, upon a parwhich occasioned the destruction of Jerusalem, into Ireland, is the following: that the want ticular text, was a task more easily performed and the desolation of Judah; even as the storm of such a provision, by compelling these poor than you, in your natural anxiety, seemed at and overthrow of a besieged city is not procreatures to resort to this country in droves, or, the time disposed to believe. I am afraid duced by a message offering the inhabitants as Doctor Chalmers terms it, like "hosts of that those who open this pamphlet with ex- easy terms of safe submission, but by their own locusts," is a grievous injury to the working-pectations of a higher kind, will be much dis-obstinacy in refusing to accept what was merciclasses of England; and in order, at the same appointed. As, however, you seem to be of fully tendered. But another answer remains, time, to correct this evil, and to punish the opinion, that the publication might be attended comprehending within brief compass the great persons to whom it is in a great measure attri- with much benefit to you, I make no objection and awful mystery of Christianity. Christ did butable, he proposes that the property of ab- to it, and shall be glad to hear that it suits not come, as we have already seen, to destroy the sentees (properly such) should contribute in your purpose.' law; but, secondly, he came to fulfil it. That at least a two-fold proportion to this national which is fulfilled can in no sense be said to be charity. destroyed, even though by means of its being fulfilled it should cease to exist. Thus, the crop of the husbandman is destroyed, if it perish through tempest in the field; but if it is gathered into the garner, and put to the proper uses of man, it is not in any sense destroyed, though consumed; but, on the contrary, the purposes of its being reared are legitimately fulfilled. And in this sense the law of Moses being fulfilled in Christ Jesus, remains no longer binding on his faithful followers. He hath gathered in the harvest, and invites them, for his sake and in his name, to partake of the bread of life, which by their own exertions they could never have obtained." The first Discourse is a comparison between the Jewish and Christian dispensations, from the text of Matthew, v. 17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." As we too are laymen, it might be thought we intermeddled with matters for which we have no commission, were we to enter upon any criticisms here: we shall, therefore, content ourselves with a few examples, and a very few remarks. Sir Walter Scott shews why the Sadducees, and still more inveterately the Pharisees (the Atheists and the Epicureans of Israel), opposed the doctrines, and persecuted the person, of Jesus Christ. It appears by a table which is given towards the latter part of the volume, that of the nineteen millions and a half of acres which Ireland contains, there are at this moment 4,900,000 uncultivated and perfectly capable of improvement. This might afford employment to multitudes in that country; and surely we may add, in the words of Mr. Sadler," It is far less wild a scheme, and infinitely more patriotic a one, to clear the wilds and drain the bogs of our own country, than those of Canada; while the expense would be beyond measure less; the capital meantime would be preserved to the country, however expended; and the public interest in it amply secured by the "They could not endure the friendly zeal of fruitful domains which would thus, from time the Divine Physician, when he rent from their to time, be pledged to the country.' wounds the balsams with which they soothed, There is a curious fact mentioned by Mr. and the rich tissues under which they concealed Sadler, with reference to the alleged over- them, and exhibited festering and filthy cancers, populousness of Ireland, namely, that there is which could be cured only by the probe, the less poverty where the population is great, knife, and the cautery. Hence they were, than where it is less. For instance, Ulster, from the beginning of our Saviour's ministry which is the most populous province in Ireland, until its dreadful consummation, (in which they is decidedly the most affluent; while Con- had a particular share,) the constant enemies of naught, on the other hand, the worst peopled, the doctrine and of the person of the blessed is confessedly the most wretched part of the country. And the same may be said with regard to the two other provinces. Jesus. Under his keen and searching eye, the pretensions which they had so long made in order to be esteemed of men, were exposed That the population is too great, as com- without disguise; their enlarged garments and pared to the employment which the country extended phylacteries, their lengthened prayers, at present affords, there can be no doubt; but their formal ceremonial, and tithes of mint and sufficient is stated in the publication before us, anise, were denounced as of no avail, without to prove that the resources of Ireland are quite the weightier matters of the law-justice, sufficient to raise her in the scale of nations, mercy, and faith. Feeling thus their own and that they only require to be placed in the sanctimonious professions held up to contempt, proper view, to enable the public to benefit and their pretensions to public veneration at by them. And here it is that we think Mr. once exposed and destroyed, the Pharisees beSadler's book will render a very essential ser- came the active and violent opposers of those vice, by turning public attention into the doctrines to which the Sadducees, with sullen proper channel, instead of allowing it to centre apathy, seem to have refused a hearing. It was on one point exclusively a point of great the Pharisees who maligned the life of our importance certainly, but one which can never blessed Lord; who essayed to perplex the wisbe discussed without exciting feelings of animosity and ill-will, and from which the most sanguine can expect nothing that is likely to give general satisfaction. dom of Omnipotence by vain and captious We confess that we do not think this reasoning carries perfect conviction with it: perhaps, a regular churchman could have adduced stronger arguments; but we are no casuists, and merely quote for the sake of illustrating the pamphlet before us, touching which, so much public curiosity is felt. We therefore close this Discourse with one other short extract. "In no sense, therefore, was the ancient Mosaic law destroyed. It may be compared to the moon, which is not forced from her sphere, or cast headlong from the heavens; but which, having fulfilled her course of brightness, fades away gradually before the more brilliant and perfect light of day." The second Discourse is upon the first six verses of the first Psalm, and tends to demonstrate the blessedness of the righteous, and the unhappiness of the wicked. It is a sensible moral inculcation; but seldom (any more than the preceding) aspires to eloquence. The following are two extracts which we can most readily detach so as to convey an adequate idea of the whole. After pointing out the dangers of frequenting the society of the ungodly, and listening to the theory of sin; and, secondly, of acquiescing in their practices; Sir Walter says: "Thirdly. Nor sitteth he, whom the psalmist describes, in the seat of the scornful. There is a grave and delusive reasoning which causeth to err-there is an example of sin which is more seductive than sophistry-but there is a third, and to many dispositions a yet | genuine nor the certain reward of the righteous, | certainly produced many who, in point of milimore formidable mode of seduction, arising so neither is temporal adversity the constant tary talent, were and are quite his equals; but from evil communication. It is the fear of requital of the ungodly. On the contrary, we it cannot, and perhaps never could, boast of ridicule, a fear so much engrafted on our have seen the wicked great in power, and flou- one more beloved, not by his own personal nature, that many shrink with apprehension rishing like a green bay-tree; yet could we friends alone, but by every individual that from the laugh of scorners, who could refute have looked into his bosom at that moment of served under him. It would be affectation to their arguments, resist their example, and defy prosperity, how true we should have found deny that Sir John Moore, during his disas their violence. There has never been an hour the words of the Psalmist! The sophistry trous retreat, issued many orders in the highest or an age in which this formidable weapon which he borrowed from the counsels of the degree painful to the feelings of honourable has been more actively employed against the ungodly, gives no assurance of happiness, and men, who felt that their conduct had not Christian faith than our own day. Wit and leads him to no solid or stable conclusion; the merited them. His warmest admirers have ridicule have formed the poignant sauce with wit with which the scorner taught him to acknowledged this, and his best friends have which infidels have seasoned their abstract gloss over his infidel opinions, has lost its lamented it; but, in all probability, no one reasoning, and voluptuaries the swinish messes brilliancy-behind him there is remorse; before would have lamented it more heartily than of pollution which they have spread unblush-him there is doubt. While the godly is fast himself, had he lived to review, in a moment ingly before the public. It is a weapon moored on the Rock of Ages, he is in a stormy of calmness, the general conduct of this camsuited to the character of the apostate spirit sea, without a chart, without a compass, with-paign: because there never lived a man poshimself, such as we conceive him to be out a pilot. The perturbed reasoning, the sessed of a better heart, nor, in ordinary cases, loving nothing, honouring nothing, feeling secret fears, of such a one, make his thoughts of a clearer judgment. neither the enthusiasm of religion nor of indeed like the chaff which the wind drives to "The truth is, that Sir John Moore, with praise; but striving to debase all that is ex- and fro, being as worthless and profitless as many of the qualities requisite to constitute a cellent, and degrade all that is noble and praise- they are changeable and uncertain. A person, general, was deficient in that upon which, more worthy, by cold irony and contemptuous sneer. distinguished as much for his excesses at one perhaps than any other, success in war must ing. We are far from terming a harmless period of his life, as he was afterwards for his ever depend. He wanted confidence in himself gratification of a gay and lively spirit sinful or repentance, mentioned after his happy change, he was afraid of responsibility—he undereven useless. It has been said, and perhaps that one day, when he was in the full career rated the qualities of his own troops, and with truth, that there are tempers which may of wit and gaiety, admired by the society of greatly over-rated those of his adversary. Yet be won to religion, by indulging them in their which he appeared the life, while all applauded let justice be done. He acted under circumnatural bent towards gaiety. But supposing it and most envied him, he could not forbear stances at once difficult and trying. He was true that a jest may sometimes hit him who groaning inwardly, and saying to himself, harassed by being made, in some degree, deflies a sermon, too surely there are a hundred pendent upon the opinions of others: whilst of cases for one where the sermon cannot remedy looking on one which chanced to be in the support from the authorities in the country, as the evil which a jest has produced. According apartment. Such were the secret thoughts of well military as civil, he was from the first to our strangely varied faculties, our sense of one who had followed the counsel of the un- absolutely destitute. Sir John Moore was, ridicule, although silent, remains in ambush, godly, walked in the way of sinners, and sat moreover, a brave and high-spirited soldier. and upon the watch during offices of the deepest in the seat of the scornful. Regretting the Of this the most satisfactory proof was fursolemnity, and actions of the highest sublimity; past, sick of the present, fearing the future, nished, by his refusal to act upon a suggestion and if aught happens to call it into action, the having little hope beyond a gloomy wish for made to him by some of the oldest and most sense of the ludicrous becomes more resistless annihilation, he was willing to exchange all experienced generals in his army, and his defrom the previous contrast; and the considera- the privileges and enjoyments of wit, under- clining to enter into any convention for the tions of decorum, which ought to restrain our standing, and intellectual superiority, for the quiet embarkation of his troops. He preferred mirth, prove like oil seethed upon the flame. mean faculties and irresponsible existence of the honour of his army to its safety; and by There is also an unhappy desire in our corrupt a beast that perishes. He must have been preserving the one, he provided for the other nature, to approve of audacity even in wicked- indeed like chaff tormented by the wind, ere also." ness, as men chiefly applaud those feats of he could have formed a wish at once so dreadagility which are performed at the risk of the ful and so degrading!" artist's life. And such is the strength and frequency of this unhallowed temptation, that there are perhaps but few, who have not at one time or other fallen into the snare, and laughed at that at which they ought to have trembled. But, O my soul! come not thou into their secret, nor yield thy part of the promised blessing, for the poor gratification of sitting in the seat of the scorner, and sharing in the unprofitable mirth of fools, which is like the crackling of thorns under a pot!" "If the righteousness of the just is sometimes followed by temporal prosperity, the wickedness of the profane is yet more frequently attended by temporal punishment. The cause of this is obvious: he that does not fear God, will not regard man. He that has disbelieved or defied the divine commandment, has only the fear of temporal punishment left to prevent him from invading the laws of society; and the effect of this last barrier must be strong or weak, in proportion to the strength of passion and the greatness of temptation. And hence that frequent introduction to the history of great crimes, that the perpetrators began their course by disuse of public worship, breaking the Lord's day, and neglect of private devotion; and thus opened the way for themselves to infamy and to execution. How many in a higher class of society languish under diseases, which are the consequence of their own excesses; or suffer indigence and contempt, through their own folly and extravagance! But, as prosperity in this life is neither the O that I were that dog!' We have only room to say-Amen. Narrative of the Peninsular War. By the Marquess of Londonderry. PURSUING the noble author's narrative, we "Perhaps the British army has produced Next year, the curtain again drew up on a new scene a wider and a better field offered itself to the enterprise and skill of Sir Arthur Wellesley. His first great exploit was the passage of the Douro, where, says the writer, "his bravery and excellent arrangements were rewarded by a victory which would alone immortalise any other individual, had another been so fortunate as to obtain it. The even wheeled off to approach it by a different route. It was not long before his lordship's party fell in with a picket of the enemy. The picket was instantly charged, and all, except one man, were either cut down or made prisoners. circumstances, as the escape of the whole; for the alarm But the escape of one was as injurious, under existing was given, and, before the 15th could approach the place, the enemy were ready to receive them. It was now broad See Doddridge's Life of Colonel Gardiner. daylight; and, as our troops drew near, the French were Whilst the columns of infantry were filing off in seen formed in what appeared to be an open plain, at no several opportunities of again trying its strength with that into line in a moment; and as there was no time to be The 15th were wheeled the direction of Toro and Benevente, the cavalry enjoyed great distance from the town. of the enemy. In every instance the superiority of British lost, they followed their leader at a brisk trot, with the soldiers was well asserted; and in a variety of skirmishes intention of charging; but when they were yet fifty yards we succeeded in making prisoners of one lieutenant-colo- from the enemy, they found that a wide ditch divided nel, one major, with upwards of a hundred privates, and them, and that the French had availed themselves of sixty horses. It was in truth a glorious spectacle to see other inequalities in the ground, of which, when some A pause was now with what perfect confidence of success the smallest patrol way off, they had not been aware. of British horse would charge bodies often doubling them- necessarily made, but one instant served to put the whole selves in number; and it was no less gratifying to find, again in motion. The regiment, wheeling to its left, soon that a mere numerical superiority in no single instance found out a convenient spot for crossing; and though the availed the enemy any thing. The Monastero enemy manoeuvred actively to hinder the formation, they Melgar Abaxo is distant about three leagues from Saha-were again in line and advancing to the charge, within gun, in which place a corps of seven hundred French five minutes from the commencement of the check. A cavalry was reported to be lodged. As they were at some few changes of ground now took place, as each corps distance from the main body of the French army, it was strove to gain the flank of another; but they were only a deemed practicable to cut them off, and Lord Paget de- few. The British cavalry effected its object, and then termined, at all events, to make the attempt. He accord-coming down at full speed upon their opponents, who ingly put himself at the head of the 10th and 15th hussars, stood to receive the shock, they overthrew them in an and, in the middle of a cold wintry night, when the ground instant. Many were killed upon the spot, many more was covered with snow, set off for that purpose. When unhorsed, and one hundred and fifty-seven were made prithey had ridden about two-thirds of the way, Lord Paget soners, including two lieutenant-colonels. On this occadivided his force; and desiring General Slade, with the sion the English cavalry amounted only to four hundred 10th, to pursue the course of the Cea, and to enter the men, whilst that of the French fell not short of seven town by that side, he himself, followed by the 15th, hundred." ing was not far advanced when the sound of and they were all, with a few exceptions, | Cuesta never gained a victory, yet he was confiring ceased, and the most perfect order, con- remarkably fine men. Some, indeed, were stantly eager to fight; and when the battle sistent with a scene of universal rejoicing extremely young – too young for service began, he was always to be found in the post among the people, prevailed in Oporto. Our particularly among the recruits which had of greatest danger. That, however, was a head-quarters being established in the house lately joined; but take them for all in all, it matter of very little moment; for he gave no which Soult had occupied, we found every would not be easy to point out a better-made, orders except to push on; and as to arrange preparation for a comfortable dinner in pro- stouter, or more hardy-looking body of soldiers ment, or the mode of executing manœuvres, gress; for the French marshal quitted the in the service of any nation in Europe. Of they were things quite unknown in his army. place so lately as two in the afternoon, long their appointments it is not possible to speak It was said that Brigadier-general Quiske, after his sumptuous meal had been ordered. in the same terms of commendation. There Cuesta's military secretary, was a man of ta It will be readily imagined that we were not were, indeed, some battalions whose arms, ac- lent. Him, however, we did not see; but backward in doing ample justice to it. But coutrements, and even clothing, might be pro- O'Donaghoe struck me as being clever and ours was not a situation which sanctioned the nounced respectable; but in general they were sensible, though, like other favourites who act loss of a single hour in relaxation." very deficient, particularly in shoes. It was for their principal, an intriguer and a politician. Actions like these led to a most important easy to perceive, likewise, from the attitude in Respecting the rest of the generals, it was im result. The army looked with confidence to which they stood, as well as from the manner possible to form any opinion, as Cuesta seemed the genius of its commander; and dangers and in which they held their arms, that little or no particularly unwilling that they should hold privations were overcome by the enthusiasm of discipline prevailed among them; and hence any serious conversation with us. It is true, anticipated triumphs. Activity was another of that in general they could not be regarded in that he presented them one by one to Sir Ar Wellesley's characteristics: about this period any other light than as raw levies. Some corps thur Wellesley, the ceremony taking place he rapidly traversed the south to ascertain by there doubtless were, such as the Irish brigades, after breakfast on the 11th; but no words his own observation the actual state of Cuesta's a battalion or two of marines from Cadiz, and were exchanged on the occasion, and each army; and the account of the visit is so curious, the remnants of their grenadier battalions, retired after he had made his bow. This cere that we are tempted to quote it. The party which deserved a higher military character; mony having been gone through, Sir Arthur had missed their way, and the author relates:" but speaking of them in the aggregate, they Wellesley and Cuesta withdrew, at the request “Darkness had, in consequence, set in be- were little better than bold peasantry, armed of the former, to an inner apartment, where fore we began to approach the camp. This partially like soldiers, but completely unac- they held a conference which lasted four hours. was the more to be regretted, as Cuesta had quainted with a soldier's duty. This remark What passed on the occasion I know not, as I drawn out his whole force for Sir Arthur Wel- applied fully as much to the cavalry as to the did not happen to be present; but I heard that lesley's inspection. The troops had been under infantry. The horses were many of them good, O'Donaghoe, who assisted his general, was the arms during four hours, in momentary expec- but their riders manifestly knew nothing of chief speaker, and that Cuesta was, as usual, tation of our arrival; whilst the poor old man movement or discipline; and they were, as well almost wholly silent. When it came to a close, himself, though still lame from the effects of on this account as on the score of a miserable dinner was announced, and we sat down at his bruises at Medelin, sat on horseback at equipment, quite unfit for general service. three o'clock to about forty dishes, the princi their head during the greater part of that time. The artillery, again, was numerous, but totally pal ingredients in which were garlic and onions. Our arrival at the camp was announced by a unlike, both in order and arrangement, to that Our meal did not occupy us long; and on general discharge of artillery, upon which an of other armies; and the generals appeared to Cuesta retiring, as was his custom, to enjoy his immense number of torches were made to blaze have been selected according to one rule alone, siesta, we mounted our horses, and rode out up, and we passed the entire Spanish line in namely, that of seniority. They were almost into the camp. By this means we were enabled review by their light. The effect produced by all old men ; and, except O'Donaghoe and Lar- to see more of the regiments separately than these arrangements was one of no ordinary gas, evidently incapable of bearing the fatigues we had seen during the torch-light review. character. As the torches were held aloft, at or surmounting the difficulties of one hard We saw, however, nothing which served, in moderate intervals from one another, they campaign. It was not so with the colonels and any degree, to raise our opinion of the general threw a red and wavering light over the whole commanders of battalions, who appeared to be efficiency of our allies; and we returned to our scene, permitting, at the same time, its minuter young and active, and of whom we had every host at a late hour, more than ever impressed parts to be here and there cast into shade; reason to believe that many were rapidly learn-with_the persuasion, that if the deliverance of Whilst the grim and swarthy visages of the ing to become skilful officers. The place at the Peninsula was to be effected at all, it must soldiers, their bright arms and dark uniforms, which we paid this visit, and witnessed these be done, not by the Spaniards, but by ourselves. appeared peculiarly picturesque as often as the events, was called Casa del Puertos, where the At an early hour next morning we took leave flashes fell upon them. Then there was the head-quarters of the Spanish army were esta- of Cuesta, and set out on our return to Pla frequent roar of cannon, the shouldering of blished in a wretched hovel. We alighted here cencia. The old Spaniard brightened up as firelocks, mingled with the brief word of com- after the review had ended; and as soon as we we bid him farewell, and embracing us after the mand, and rattling of accoutrements and arms, entered, Cuesta, who seemed quite overpowered manner of his country, repeated over and over as we passed from battalion to battalion: all by fatigue, retired to rest; but he returned again that he was fully satisfied with the result these served to interest the sense of hearing to again at eleven o'clock to supper, and sat with of the communication with which Sir Arthur the full as much as the spectacle attracted the us till past midnight. He sat, however, as he had honoured him. How far the feeling of sense of sight. Nor was old Cuesta himself an always did under similar circumstances, in pro- satisfaction was mutual, I take it not upon me abject to be passed by without notice, even at found silence, neither seeking to take a share to determine; but that the journey had not such a moment and under such circumstances in the conversation, nor, apparently at least, been performed absolutely in vain, the orders as these. The old man preceded us not so paying the slightest attention to it. I was which were issued immediately on our arrival much sitting on his horse as held upon it by much struck by this singularity of manner, and at head-quarters, for the troops to hold themtwo pages at the imminent hazard of being inquired of those around me whether it were selves in readiness to march at a moment's overthrown whenever a cannon was discharged, assumed; but they all represented it as being notice, sufficiently attested." or a torch flared out with peculiar brightness; perfectly natural, and gave rather a curious indeed his physical debility was so remarkable, account of the aged chief. Every thing, it apas clearly to mark his total unfitness for the peared, went on throughout the army rather in situation which he then held. As to his mental his name, than by his immediate orders; for powers, he gave us little opportunity of judg-he governed his followers wholly by a system ing, inasmuch as he scarcely uttered five words of silence and terror, of which all stood wonduring the continuance of our visit; but his derfully in awe. Cuesta was a person of no corporal infirmities alone were at absolute va- talent whatever; but he was a brave, upright, riance with all a general's duties, and shewed and honourable man, full of prejudices, and that he was now fit only for the retirement of obstinate to a great degree, and abhorring the private life. In this manner we passed about French with the hatred of personal rancour. six thousand cavalry, drawn up in rank entire, On the latter account, and because they knew and not less than twenty battalions of infantry, that he would never willingly betray them, the each consisting of perhaps from seven to eight Spaniards reposed unbounded confidence in hundred men. These formed but one portion Cuesta; and they did so the more readily, as of the army, the rest being either at the bridge he never failed to hang, or otherwise put to of Arzobespo, or in position along the Tagus; death, every traitor that fell into his hands. To be concluded in our next, SIGHTS OF BOOKS. The Croppy; a Tale of 1798. By the Authors of the O'Hara Tales, &c. 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1828. Colburn. NoT to mix too much of the dulce with our utile of this week, too much of the novelist with the graver proportions of the Gazette, we pass over Mr. Banim's new work, and do little more than announce its appearance. The adventures of a gentleman, Henry Talbot, and a lady, Eliza Hartley, are involved in the insurrection of 1798. The Croppy, a rebel, acts a conspicuous part, and comes to a violent end: his mother turns a maniac. We have also Nanny, the knitter, a curious Irish character; A Narrative of Memorable Events in Paris, in 1814. Edited by J. Britton. 8vo. pp. 298. Longman and Co. The Gentleman's Pocket Magazine, and Album a Dice-thrower, something of the kind of the|dustry, or its reward: but the selection is not against the old system), may be ascribed the Card-drawer; and several superstitions very altogether judicious. The poetry at the end revolution which is about to take place on the cleverly illustrated. is complete trash; and the plan of the little French stage. Macready appeared in Virgigeographical sketches, one or two short bio- nius on the night of the 16th, in which he graphies, and some historical scraps, is rather was worthy of himself, and excited the combined well imagined at the commencement, than sensations of sensibility and horror in his audiwell carried into execution. ence: applauses and encores were frequent, and THIS is the journal of a Détenu, and records the words, C'est un Talma Anglais ! resounded very faithfully what the writer witnessed and from more than one box. The Duchess de heard during one of the most memorable years Berri was (on dit) enchanted with him in the of this or any other age. We can bear tesrôle of Macbeth, though she only saw him in timony to his accuracy on many points, and are the first act. It is reported, that Kean has rethus led to place implicit reliance on his state- A VERY amusing miscellany; though better nounced his English engagements to gratify ments respecting others. The volume is, al-in its selected than in its original matter. Parisian curiosity, and to acquiesce in the together, gossiping and entertaining; but as There is, however, an injustice in selections wishes which the Duke of Orleans has expressed its principal contents have already appeared in of this kind, the want of proper acknow- to see him display his talents in this capital. a contemporary periodical (the London Ma- ledgment to the sources whence their matériel It would appear, that the French have congazine), we do not think it requisite to illus- is derived. There are one or two pretty en-ceived the same goût for foreign actors as they trate it by any selections, though some of the gravings, and a series of very entertaining generally have for their neighbours' wives; for anecdotes are tempting enough. coloured prints by Cruikshanks, representing English literature, English tragedians, and even beadles, draymen, dustmen, &c., most striking comedians, are the rage. and characteristic likenesses, and perfect in costume and other attributes. Mary Harland, or the Journey to London: a Tale of Humble Life. 18mo. pp. 320. Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd: London, Whittaker. ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. a I do not know whether you have seen an advertisement in a Literary Gazette of Leipzig, by a Friend of Humanity, proposing a reward to any one who will discover a means of diminishing the faculty of thinking until the year 1840, particularly in young married women and young men, to whom the habit of reflection is particularly pernicious; as they see too much! hear too much! write too much!-Soul doctors, body doctors, and political doctors, are excepted. An institution for young students at Madrid bids fair to gain the prize. Letters of an American, on the Situation Industrielle de la France, are highly esteemed, as bearing the seal of truth in their observations. The author expresses his surprise at A VERY neatly got-up, and a very well-inthe contrast between theory and reality. "No tended book; but one of which we must express In the classing of news, I suppose the serious country (says he) possesses more profound and our decided disapprobation. The minute story has a right to precedency: so commence with learned men, or more brilliant public establishof an innocent country-girl's seduction; her Mr. Cousin's philosophical lectures. This pro- ments; yet none profit so little in their applirepentance and restoration to happiness, by fessor is highly esteemed here, as was mani- cation of them." He alludes also to the philomarrying a worthy young man, however interlarded by moral and religious reflections, is far fested by the numerous audience which attended sophical schools, as tending to bend the mind more likely to produce evil by its details and his first discourse, and the lively enthusiasm to the yoke of mysticism, under an appearance example, than good by its inculcations and evinced on his appearing in the salle. Mr. of bringing it to perfection. The philosophers homilies. We see too much of the vicious side Cousin set out by contending that philosophy is of the age will be but little obliged to this of the picture, and too little of the consequences: not a vain dream, but the natural produce of writer for opening the eyes of the blind, and the seeds of intelligence given to human beings; and "preachee, preachee" cannot amend the for opposing facts to falsehoods. These Letters, matter, nor prove that the Magdalen would therefore, that its birth is a necessary, not though peculiarly applicable to France, must have fared one jot better had she been quite casual effect. He then proceeded, with much be interesting to every country, particularly to virtuous and immaculate. In such designs it eloquence, to shew how man, by the application England, to which, perhaps, many of the truths is desirable that the pattern of the Scriptures of thought, changes the face of nature; how, contained in them may also apply. should be followed: there we hear of the suf-by his industry, he varies and subdues matter; ferings, the despair, the repentance, and the how, by his ideas of justice, he transforms the faith; but we have no descriptions of the sin to savage into a social state; how, by art, he heat the imagination more than all an author's changes le spectacle du monde, and corrects it lecturing can cool it. according to his conception of perfection; and, finally, how, by the worship rendered to the Conversations on the English Constitution. Divinity, he gives life and form to the relations 12mo. pp. 389. Longman and Co. existing between the creature and the Creator. THE quantum of instruction to be obtained Another man of deep science, whose name I from works of the class before us can hardly be am not at liberty to cite, is preparing a work estimated. When well put together, as the on analogy and attraction, which he asserts will present volume is, they convey all the informa- throw a new light on the destiny of man, and tion necessary for ordinary purposes to the completely crush the doctrine of materialism, general reader, and in a simple and agreeable now, unhappily, but too prevalent. manner make him sufficiently master of some The Princesse Constance de Salm has lately subject which it would require the perusal of written a poem, entitled L'Esprit de l'Aveuglemany tomes, and the application of much hard ment du Siècle, in which she traces "the study, to become acquainted with in the usual march" of the human mind. According to her, way. It is like extracting essences in che-it has taken a crab-like pace, if we are to judge mistry, and giving all the virtue of bulky by the two following lines: masses in small crystals or liquid drops: Hale, Rushworth, and Blackstone, condensed into a few paragraphs and pages. We cannot too much praise this little work: a knowledge of our noble constitution ought to be impressed on the mind of every Englishman, and Englishwoman too, of liberal education; and yet we fear it is too often neglected, from the notion of its being dry and tedious. These Conversations, the work of a young barrister will impart the intelligence in a very pleasant, way. The First Flowers; or, Literary Bouquet. "Ne touchons nous pas à ce moment suprême, Ou tout décompose et s'eteint de soi-même." Though a woman, Madame la Princesse has a Madame de Genlis is reviving with the spring, and is again preparing a soporific for the public, and food for the pens of critics, who generally treat her most unmercifully, making little allowance for her age and former preju dices. Scandal, which is a plant of all nations, an ever-green which resists cold and heat, is in full vigour here at present. Thanks to Messrs. les Anglais, who are accused of bringing their better halves to the continent, as a last effort to conquer their obstinate fidelity. This experiment has latterly answered the hopes of those who are tired of conjugal felicity, and This may be called the Shakspearean age, for promises a rich harvest to English lawyers, as that great poet never excited more enthusiasm more than one of Britain's lords are preparing than at present. M. Emile Deschamp and proofs of their wives' weakness. This success, Alfred de la Vigne have just translated lite- however, will not, I trust, induce too numerous rally into verse his Romeo and Juliet, which is an emigration. There are also instances where to be represented without any alteration. Mac-a bold stroke to get rid of a wife fails, as was beth and Othello are also translating by the lately proved by the exclamation of an Hibersame authors, who pique themselves on keeping nian, on hearing the good fortune of his to the originality of the text. They speak here friends-"Heavens ! will no one take a fancy of opening a second Théâtre Français, as a to my wife?" THE title of the work seems to us singularly means of deciding the literary quarrel between See also our dramatic head for a notice of the effect inappropriate. It is an elegant little volume, the dramatiques and the classiques. To En-produced by this admirable performer on the French blending amusement and instruction; well glish theatricals, as also to the pens of Lamar-audiences. He seems to have been recalled hastily from adapted to be the incitement to juvenile in-tine, Victor Hugo, Nodier (who have declaimed on Monday, and was received with great applause. these triumphs; for he played Virginius at Drury Lane It is rumoured that M. Damas is to become the governor of the young Duke de Bourdeaux. This choice displeases the nation in general; however, it is not yet decided. M. Damas is of the old school of prejudice, therefore little capable of bringing up a prince who is to live in a world of new opinion. The Duke de Gramont is seriously ill-not expected to recover. M. de Sayes also, who pleaded the cause of Louis XVI. is verging towards the tomb; but as his measure of days is full, less regret will he felt for his loss than for that of the poor I am likewise sorry to say, an Englishman of marshalled around the flag-staff upon Point | burg they will meet Dr. Erman, from Berlin, rank is reported to have committed forgery William, the colours were hoisted, and the who will go with them as naturalist and astrohere the police are in search of him, and, if proclamation read. Three cheers to the boat-nomer. They will proceed from St. Petersburg to swain's whistle followed, and then royal salutes Moscow, Kasan, and Tobolsk, and northwards caught, the galleys will be his fate. were fired. The very solemn document which along the Obi to Beresow, in order to examine I have termed proclamation was lawfully sub- the hitherto imperfectly known northernmost scribed by all present; and should it appear branch of the Ural chain, and to observe the in the London Gazette, I have no doubt the temperature of that tract. They will afternames of some of the subscribing parties will wards go from Tobolsk by way of Tara, excite general merriment. Buonaparte and Tomsk, Krasnoiarsk, and Nischnei-Udinsk, to George Rex were amongst the number who Irkoutsk, where they hope to arrive in time witnessed the taking peaceable possession of to pass the winter. Hence they mean to travel Fernando Po. Doctor Wollaston and Doctor north-east to Jakoutsk, from which the most faSyntax were also present; but neither of these tiguing part of the journey will be to Ochotsk, learned gentlemen could write their names, as there are 1014 wersts (676 miles) to go over, and were therefore obliged to attach their in a country entirely uninhabited, in which marks in the shape of a X. Horace Walpole they must pass perhaps a thousand streams, Neither bivouac in the night, and take provisions for and Benjamin West did the same. did the autographs of Saint Macauley, Hum- the whole journey. It is calculated that the phrey Davy, Billy Button, and Nicholas Car-tour may occupy two years. The grand object lisle, differ materially in character from those of this important expedition is to observe the of Pea Soup, Soda Water, John Dory, and One phenomena of magnetism, and to ascertain, if Glass. Arthur Wellesley affixed his mark also possible, the situation of the magnetic poles, &c. with Tom the First, Jem Neverfear, Black Chappy, Chaw Tobacco, Tom Liverpool, and Prince Will. Duke de Rivières. ARTS AND SCIENCES. FERNANDO PO. We have again the satisfaction of laying before our readers the latest intelligence received from this new colony. Having established confidential correspondence wherever public curiosity and interest pointed, at least to a wider extent than ever was before attempted by any literary or political journal, we shall continue to give the information which reaches us, without heeding the rash and unfounded contradictions which may emanate from other quarters. Clarence Cove, January 5, 1828. OUR establishment here proceeds prosperously; the island is extremely fertile, with abundance of fresh water, and some excellent anchorages. As a settlement, it is likely to become an important, and I hope a fortunate one; although it is not a little ominous, that the spot selected by us is probably that which was chosen by the Spaniards for their ill-fated colony. This we conjecture from the discovery of some coins and a large Spanish bottle, which were found in digging, although not the slightest traces of buildings or entrenchments are to be seen; and no other indication besides the relics I have just mentioned, and which Captain Owen has sent home to the Admiralty, leads to the opinion, except that the timber is of a much smaller growth, and has evidently been cleared at no very distant period. DEATH OF CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON. HOWEVER slight the hopes which were enterThe purchase-iron paid for our right of set-tained for the safety of Captain Clapperton, we tlement at Clarence seems only to have in- regret to say that no doubt now exists of the creased the native craving for this metal. In fate of this enterprising traveller. His servant fact, the people of Fernando Po, though generally an honest race, cannot withstand the all-powerful temptation of iron; and we have, therefore, been obliged to commence the instruction of the islanders, quoting Hudibras for our text-book, in -"what dangers do environ The man that meddles with cold iron." arrived on Thursday at Portsmouth, in the Esk sloop of war; and from him we learn that Captain Clapperton died on the 13th April, 1827, at Sockatoo, where he had been detained for five months, in consequence of the Sultan Bello of Sockatoo not permitting him to proceed, on account of the war between him and Bornou. He had waited there in hopes of Several most daring thefts took place; and the getting permission to go on to Timbuctoo, and authority of the officers became unable to re- lived in a small circular clay hut belonging to strain our own men from purloining iron for the the sultan's brother, the size of which was purposes of barter with the natives. There about fifty yards each way. He was attacked Two days behad hitherto been but little difficulty in reclaim- with dysentery; and latterly fell away rapidly, ing the stolen article from the natives in cases and became much emaciated. On its where they had themselves been guilty of the fore he died, he requested his servant to shave theft; but when they had received it in barter him, as he was too weak to sit up. completion, he asked for a looking-glass, and from any of our people, it was irrecoverable. Captain Owen, therefore, with a view to remarked he was doing better, and should cerenforce discipline, determined on making one tainly get over it. The morning on which he or two examples of the guilty, and accordingly died, he breathed loud and became restless, selected two of the most notorious thieves and shortly after expired in his servant's arms. The Spaniards evacuated Fernando Po about (Africans) for punishment. One of these he He was buried by him at a small village (Junthe close of the year 1782. According to an flogged, and then turned on shore; the other gali), five miles to the S.E. of Sockatoo, and account which I have met with, the original was probably drowned, having jumped over- followed to his grave by his faithful attendant settlement consisted of 3000 men, who were board from the Eden, where he was placed in and five slaves. The corpse was carried by a abundantly supplied with brass cannon and irons. Towards the natives no act of violence camel, and the place of interment marked by a military stores; but the natives were so dis- whatever has taken place, and a mutual con- small square house of clay, erected by his serpleased at their proceedings, which are reported fidence seems to be established between us: vant, who then got permission from the sultan to have been strongly marked by treachery and their respect for Captain Owen is very great; to return home. He accordingly journeyed to bad faith, that they poisoned the palm wine and his word will soon be complete law with Badagry, which occupied him seven months, and was taken off the coast by Capt. Laing, of with which they supplied them, and not more them. than 200 effected their escape. The cannon As yet we have all been, thank God, ex- the merchant brig Maria, of London, in Januwere dismounted and buried, according to this ceedingly healthy. We have abundant sup-ary 1828, to whom he expresses himself most account, (so that it is possible we may stumble plies of turtle, fish, sheep, fowls, and yams; grateful for his attentions and the preservaupon them in our grubbing,) and the natives but after March, about which time the rainy tion of his being. He states that he nearly lost are said, immediately on the departure of the season will commence, I shall be able to speak his life while at Badagry, from the Portuguese Spaniards, to have levelled all their works with more satisfactorily on the score of the salubrity setting the minds of the natives against him, the ground, and flung the stones of which they of the place. We have now been here upwards and that they attempted to administer poison were formed into the sea. of five months, and have been necessarily sub- to him in his drink. He landed at Cape Coast, On Christmas day Captain Owen took formal ject to much and severe exposure. During whence he was brought by the Esk. possession of our new settlement, which he has that time out of 170 Europeans, five only have named Clarence, apparently much to the satis- died; and including Africans our loss has been faction of the natives, in consideration of three but six out of 500. The prevalent disease apHe also confirms the account that Mungo bars of iron having been duly paid and de- pears to be a contagious kind of ulcer, of which livered by him for the fee simple thereof. On thirty cases are at present on our surgeon's list. Park was lost on a reef of rocks which runs this occasion a grand procession took placefrom the island of Busa (or Boussa) in the the officers and crew of the Eden, the Royal Marines, the Royal African Corps, and the TOWARDS the end of this month (April), Pro-Niger. Park got on the reef, and was unable Clarence Militia, colours flying-drums beating fessor Hanstein will set out on his journey to to get off. When the natives saw him, they He will be accompanied by Lieu- came down and fired on him and his party. -fifes playing-bugles sounding, marched from Siberia. the border parade; when, having been properly tenant Due, of the navy; and at St. Peters-Three black slaves and two white companions NORTHERN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. Whilst travelling to Badagry he lost four horses and two asses, from their being exposed to the sun, and fording the rivers which were much swollen by the rains. |