· Thus the same man was the spy and rascal for both parties!!! Shall we add to this system of unmitigated villany-sapping society to its very core, and uprooting every thing estimable in human nature? No-we leave that odious exposition to M. Savary, and his extraordinary Memoirs, "illustrative (truly so) of the history of the Emperor Napoleon" and his worthy compeers. his advantage; because the reports,' said he, does say " It was, nevertheless, a matter of fout as many new paths as would bring me up would be laid before the Emperor by the Duke astonishment, that the Emperor should have with them in the race. of Bassano himself, who would,' he added, known a multitude of trifling stories, which it "I took care to reward those whose exer' receive them from M. de S... to whom was imagined he never could have learned, tions were productive of advantage without they will have been delivered by myself. except through the minister of police. I their having raised any murmur against them, Fagan, after considering for a few moments, thought so too until I came to hold the place. and altered the station of every one against accepted the offer; and as it was no difficult The Emperor's source of information was as whose conduct complaints had been made; but task for Hennecart to persuade him of the follows: he was not always confined to his never forsook a man of bold and unflinching necessity of the information being on all occa- closet, but frequently received company; he character, who was unsparing of his person sions forwarded to himself in the first instance, was fond of society, particularly that of the when it was question of acquiring information. in order that he might be enabled to transmit fair sex; and it must be acknowledged, that, When I found an agent placed at a station his copy of the report as soon as M. Fouché for the last quarter of a century, this sex has where his talents were confined within too could present the original, it was agreed be. adopted a mode of passing time, and a kind narrow bounds, I had him removed to a wider tween them that one of the documents should of occupation, so widely different from their field of action. My arrangements were now precede the other by the interval of a courier. pursuits in former days, when, with accom-sufficiently extensive, though they served me This point was no sooner settled than M. Fagan plishments no less brilliant, they took more rather as resources in case of need, than as took his departure for London." pains to cultivate and adorn their minds, that positive means of information; and Lresolved a woman can hardly speak of her neighbour to establish certain regulations respecting the without bringing in calumny for the principal police of servants, a class of people in Paris But it was at home, and in Paris, that the topic of conversation. The consequence was, who form of themselves an army." genius of Savary shone most conspicuously: that jealousy, and a spirit of rivalry in the This also he effects-and "in the very first "There is (he tells us) to be found in Paris, demand for favours, gave rise to serious acts months it was the means of placing at the disa certain class of people who subsist upon the of indiscretion, and to the propagation of posal of the administration from nine hundred credulousness and good-nature of others: they calumnious reports. During winter, there to a thousand individuals, as far as I recollect, have a decided interest in being apprised of were masked balls at court, the only amuse- who were all either deserters from the army, every thing, whether true or false; they put ments at which the Emperor could assume a or runaways from prisons or the galleys, as down in their account-current, if I may use disguise, and converse without restraint. I well as fugitives from their native country in this figurative expression, every thing they have often been in his suite on those occa- consequence of legal prosecutions. They be happen to learn. These trifles are the coin sions, as well as at the masked balls at the came spies upon each other, a course which in which they pay for their dinner, or their grand opera. The society at the court balls, worked well for a short time"!!! admission to the theatre; they bring for their though numerous, was very select: all were stock some piece of news, which they exchange aware of being in the best company; and for another. These are truly valuable men yet many gross and unblushing snares were for a minister of police; he may make sure laid at those balls. Can it be supposed that of their aid, in return for helping them out the Emperor felt it necessary to require, that of some scrape, in which they never fail to the minister of police should make him acinvolve themselves. Their employment is to quainted with such trifles as there occurred? give publicity to whatever news it is wished He had instructions of much higher importto spread abroad, and to find out the source ance to give him; and there were courtiers from whence has emanated any news which to be found sufficiently disposed to relate even it is desirable to suppress. The progress of more than he could have desired to hear, if he intrigue never slackens, because there are had once allowed them to annoy him with such never-ending wants which compel its pro- ridiculous stories." moters to have their minds incessantly at But his own course, as the head of the work. An intriguer who is inactive, soon police, was not marked with any such reserves. finds his way to the hospital; an active one, "After I had made a division of the societies on the contrary, would reap a harvest from of Paris (says he), I considered of the means of an egg-shell. An intriguer is thoroughly extending a watchful superintendence over the informed of the tender connexions of all his several classes of artisans inhabiting the subfriends: always ready to advise either lover, urbs: this was rather the duty of the prefect he sets them by the ears, in order to bring of police; but I felt desirous to possess the about a reconciliation between them: he means of finding out a clue to any public diswatches every feeling of animosity and pas-turbance, in the event of my not being satis- who do her awful bidding. This tradition has sion: he invites some to partake in his own fied with the reports I should receive from the probably arisen from the circumstance of its unbridled pleasures, and watches on those prefecture: it was nothing more than a measure last inhabitant having been an ancient gentleoccasions the looseness of their morals; for of precaution. I had already discovered that the woman, the Lady Bountiful of the neighbourhis vigilance is particularly directed to places most powerful instrument of my administra-hood, who devoted all her time to the cure of of improper resort. If in the night-time you tion, was to bring every element of hatred and disorders, and was so generally successful in desire to find out a man of pleasure, he in- rivalry into contact, at the same time that it the treatment of her numerous patients, that stinctively knows at what rendezvous of gal- became its duty to prevent the evil effects of she was at length suspected of possessing sulantry he is to be found, the restaurateur he those passions. There certainly is danger in pernatural power. At her death, therefore, may have patronised, the theatre he has fre- proceeding by such a method; and nothing short instead of canonising her, as in duty bound, quented. If a giddy woman is the object of of the greatest personal probity can afford any the ungrateful peasantry have converted the inquiry, the mere description is enough for self-protection against the abuse of it, or against kind-hearted old lady, who was certainly a him to point her out. In no town in the being deceived by information originating in spirit of health,' into a goblin damned;' and world, however small, can a person be found animosity or some secret vice. I seldom re- they are less excusable, as the castle is not in out more quickly than in Paris." sorted to this course, except with a view of want of such an attraction, the terrain being He next details how the system of espionage acquiring a knowledge of events anterior to already occupied by as romantic a spectre as may be perfectly carried ou, even when the my charge, which was indispensable towards ever revisited the glimpses of the moon, makParisians retire to their country seats; and making me acquainted with the different cha- ing night hideous! The legend, indeed, atproceeds: It was generally supposed that the racters with whom I was in daily intercourse." tached to those venerable walls is one of the Emperor felt great interest in breaking through "I required some weapon against the shafts most interesting on the Danube, and I cannot the privacy of domestic affairs, and in being of ridicule, the most powerful enemy which a account for its omission by the diligent made acquainted with every particular con- placeman in France can have to contend with. Schultes. Thus it runs :-As early as the cerning them: I even know that, speaking on I determined, therefore, to make myself a eleventh century the lords of Greifenstein this subject, M. Fouché has presumed to use party of dependents; and as all my colleagues were famed and feared throughout Germany. the following expressions. You little know had ten years the start of me in their re- One of the first knights who bore that name the Emperor; he would feel a pleasure in spective places, during which they had greatly lost his lady soon after she had presented him cooking every one's dinner:"" But the truth of strengthened their own parties, it behoved me with a daughter, who received the name of this is broadly denied by M. Savary; yet he to reach the goal at the same time, by striking Etelina. The dying mother, painfully aware Planché's River Danube. AGREEABLY to our promise, we have now to illustrate this very pleasant and entertaining volume with a legend of ancient, and a picture of modern, times. "Greifenstein was last ruined by the Swedes in 1645, and is one of the castles named as having been the prison of Richard Cœur de Lion; nay, they even shew an iron cage here, in which he is said to have been cooped. The ruins are reported to be haunted by an old white woman, and a legion of Black spirits and white, Red spirits and gray,' how little attention would be paid to the edu- | occasions should present themselves, when the "Nearly facing the mouth of the Trasen, cation of a female by a rude and reckless rocks of the Danube rang with the well-known the little river Kamp discharges itself into the father, half knight, half freebooter, however blast of Sir Reinhard's trumpet, and a broad Danube, and, on doubling a small point of fond he might be of his child, had recommended banner lazily unfolding itself to the morning land, the village of Zwentendorf appeared on her infant with her last breath to the care of a breeze, displayed to the sight of the wakeful the right bank, and the mountains of the kind and pious monk, the chaplain of the warden the two red griffins rampant in a field Wiener-Wald, arising in the distance, ancastle, and under his affectionate guidance the vert, the blazon of the far-feared lords of nounced the vicinity of the capital. It was pretty playful girl gradually ripened into the Greifenstein. In a few moments the old impossible, however, to reach it that evening; beautiful and accomplished woman. Sir Rein-knight was gallopping over the draw-bridge, and therefore making for the little town of hard of Greifenstein, though stern, turbulent, followed by his intended son-in-law. The clat- Tuln, that lay directly before us in a sort of and unlettered himself, was, nevertheless, sen- ter of their horses' hoofs struck upon the heart bay, we landed under the walls of a spacious sible to the charms and intelligence of his of the conscious chaplain as though the ani- building, the mutilated colossal statues of daughter; and often as he parted her fair hair mals themselves were trampling on his bosom; saints, prelates, and monarchs, in front of and kissed her ivory forehead, before he mount- but he summoned up his resolution; and relying which, bore testimony to its former grandeur; ed the steed or entered the bark that waited on his sacred character, met his master with a and groping our way through a narrow pasto bear him to the hunt or the battle, a feeling firm step and a calm eye in the hall of the sage, emerged into the court-yard behind it, of which he was both proud and ashamed castle, evading a direct answer to the first in- where stood the wretched auberge, in which would moisten his eye, and subdue a voice na- quiry for Etelina, he gradually and cautiously our steersman informed us we must pass the turally harsh and grating, into a tone almost informed Sir Reinhard of her love, her mar- night. To our great relief, however, a redof tenderness. On his return weary and sul- riage, and her flight. Astonishment for a elbowed, yellow-haired, blue-stockinged, roundlen from a fruitless chase or a baffled en- short space held the old warrior spell-bound; about mädchen, seizing a candle and a huge terprise, the song of Etelina could banish the but when his gathered fury at last found vent, bunch of keys, recrossed the court with us to.. frown from his brow, when even the wine-cup the wrath of the whirlwind was less terrible. wards the great building, and opening a postern had been thrust untasted away, and the favour- He seized the poor old monk by the throat, and door, which Mrs. Radcliffe would have wor ite hound beaten for a mis-timed gambol. So upon his firm refusal to reveal the retreat of the shipped, led the way up a winding staircase fair a flower, even in the solitary castle of culprits, dashed him to the earth, had him bound into a long gallery, hung with paintings of Greifenstein, was not likely to bloom un- hand and foot, and flung into a pit beneath an martyrdoms and miracles, fubsy virgins and known or unsought. The fame of Etelina's iron grating in the floor of the donjon or keep chubby cherubs, fat abbots and fair nuns; and beauty spread throughout the land. Many a of the castle. Tearing, like an infuriated pasha, ushered us into a wilderness of a chamber, furnoble knight shouted her name as his bright his very beard for ire,' he called down curses nished with one table and sixteen beds! The sword flashed from the scabbard; and many a on Etelina and her husband, and prayed that astonishment of our guide must be imagined, gentle squire fought less for his gilt spurs than if ever he forgave them, a dreadful and sudden when my companion requested yet another for the smile of Etelina. The minstrel who death might overtake him on the spot where room. The idea of separate chambers never sang her praises had aye the richest largess; he should revoke the malediction he now ut- entering her head, she naturally enough supand the little foot-page who could tell where tered! Upwards of a year had elapsed, when posed that sixteen beds would surely be suffi she might be met with in the summer twilight, one winter day the knight of Greifenstein pur- cient for two persons. However, as there was clinging to the arm of the silver-haired chap- suing the chase, lost his way in the maze of a no accounting for the whims of foreigners, and lain, might reckon on a link of his master's wilderness on the banks of the Danube. A as no other travellers were likely to arrive, she chain of gold for every word he uttered. But savage-looking being, half clothed in skins, found another apartment for my friend, conthe powerful and the wealthy sighed at her conducted him to a cavern, in which a woman taining nine beds, and, with a stare of amazefeet in vain she did not scorn them, for so similarly attired was seated on the ground ment I shall not speedily forget, after furnishharsh a feeling was unknown to the gentle with an infant on her knees, and greedily ing us with some coffee and another candle, Etelina. Nay, she even wept over the blighted knawing the bones of a wolf, Sir Reinhard left us to sleep in any or all of our twenty-five hopes of some, whose fervent passion deserved recognised in the squalid form before him his beds, as we might eventually determine. On a better fate: but her heart was no longer once beautiful Etelina. Shocked to the soul mentioning this circumstance afterwards to a her's to give. She had fixed her affections on at the sight of the misery to which his severity Viennese, I was assured that, had a larger the poor but noble Rudolph, and the lovers had reduced her, he silently motioned to the company arrived, the remaining fifteen beds in awaited impatiently some turn of fortune which huntsmen, who came straggling in upon his my chamber would have been unceremoniously would enable them to proclaim their attach-track, to remove the wretched pair and their occupied by men or women, as it might have ment without fear of the anger and opposition poor little offspring to the castle. Moved by happened; for, as he remarked to me, with of Sir Reinhard, who was considerably annoyed the smiles of his innocent and unconscious the greatest coolness, how would the poor by Etelina's rejection of many of the richest grandchild, he clasped his repentant daughter people, who possess but two or three good counts and barons of Germany. Business of to his bosom as she re-crossed the threshold, rooms, be otherwise enabled to accommodate importance summoned the old knight to the bore her up into the banquet-hall, and con- forty or fifty persons of both sexes, as they are court of the emperor. His absence, prolonged frequently called upon to do?' Whether the from month to month, afforded frequent opbuilding itself was the Nonnen Kloster founded portunities of meeting to the lovers; and the by Rudolph of Hapsburg, in gratitude for his venerable monk, on whom the entire charge of victory over Ottokar; or the old Schloss, in the castle and its inhabitants had devolved at which, every Monday, at midnight, the ghosts Sir Reinhard's departure, was one evening cipitated to the bottom-his fall was unseen of a lady and her maid are in the habit of prostruck dumb with terror at the confession his cry was unheard-dying, he dragged him- menading, I am to this moment ignorant. If which circumstances at length extorted from self a few paces along the pavement, and ex- the latter, it being Thursday, the ghosts were the lips of Etelina! Recovered from the first pired upon the very spot where he had just not on duty. The Lady-Moon alone peeped shock, however, his affection for his darling embraced and forgiven his daughter. Rudolph, through the long narrow casements; the murpupil seemed only increased by the peril into now lord of Greifenstein, restored the chap- mur of the stream that ran rapidly beneath which passion had plunged her. In the chapel lain to liberty, and lived long and happily them, was the only sound that mingled with of the castle he secretly bestowed the nuptial with his beloved Etelina: but the spirit of Sir my dreams." benediction upon the imprudent pair, and Reinhard to this day wanders about the ruins counselled their immediate flight and conceal- of his ancestral castle, and will continue so to ment, till his prayers and tears should wring do till the stone whereon he expired shall be forgiveness and consent from Sir Reinhard, worn in twain. Alas! poor ghost!' the very the Danube informs us, that the lady's maid was exorwho was now on his return home, accompanied slight hollow which is at present perceivable incised by a barefooted monk,' and quietly, I presume, by a wealthy nobleman, on whom he had de- in it, affords you little hope of its division by laid in the Red Sea. The ghost of quality alone was untermined to bestow the hand of his daughter. fair means previously to the general crack of Scarcely had Rudolph and Etelina reached the cavern in the neighbouring wilderness, selected for their retreat by the devoted old man, who had furnished them with provisions, a lamp and some oil, promising to supply them from time to time with the means of existence, as signing her to the arms of her faithful Ru- doom."" Our example of modern times shall be brief; and is only inserted to shew with how diligent a pencil Mr. Planché has sketched all the different objects which were offered to the eye of taste and observation. Here we conclude our very agreeable task, and heartily recommend this work to our read "I believe I should say were, for the antiquary of the body by an enraged husband, at the moment of an tractable. This spirit, it appears, had been dismissed from awkward discovery. The whole history, says the prudent antiquary, is to be found in the archives of a certain noble house; but as it would redound to the prejudice of the descendants, should the name be made known, it has been passed over in silence. Some time ago, an attempt phantom raised such a racket, that the workmen beat a was made to pull down the building, but the indignant retreat, and the project was abandoned.” ers, who will, we are sure, be as much pleased kinds and qualities; and they affirmed, that head, and so it was considered an ablution with the author as the author is with the King whoever bore one of these on his person was which purified and cleansed from sin; he then of Bavaria, to whose love of literature and secured by it from the particular evil it was partook of the eucharist of bread and wine. munificent encouragement of the fine arts and made to guard against. These images and They adored Christ under the form of the sun, science he pays the justly deserved tribute of figures of different materials are mentioned by which Meithras signifies; and considered that his warmest applause. Irenæus, and some of the mysterious words the visible material luminary was himself. The engraven on them are described and explained identity of Abrasax and Meithras is evinced in by contemporary historians, (Iren. Hæres. the following table :c. 24. Hieron. c. iii. 1.) They were called amulets, from their supposed efficacy in allaying evil. The immense number and variety of these talismans that have been, and are still, found in many places very remote from each other, at once attest the accuracy of the Dr. Walsh on the Gnostics. ecclesiastical historians who have described I A B 1 2 100 I MELOFAC 5 10 9 .. 100 200 1 200 P ........... 1 1 60 365 365 [As this is simply an abridged continuation of Dr. Walsh's very interesting history of the extraordinary Gnostic sect, we do not interrupt it by any introductory remarks.] "ITALY, and the western parts of the empire, had hitherto been infested with few heretical doctrines; it was in the East only, the preg- these sects and their opinions, and the great The word IA, in a variety of modifications, is nant parent of every monstrous and absurd imagination, they originated, and to the con- encouragement and reception those opinions also found on most of the gems of the Gnostics; genial minds of the people they were confined; met with in different parts of the world. They and, next to Abrasax, seems to have been the but in the year 167, in the reign of Marcus are found not only in the East, where travellers most portentous and mysterious. It is geneAurelius, certain of these sectaries, availing procure them without much difficulty, but in rally supposed to be a corruption of the tetrathemselves of the pretext of persecutions then the West they are continually dug up on the grammaton, or Jehovah, that name of four carried on, came from Pontus, Egypt, and the banks of the Rhine and Garonne, and in dif- letters to which the Jews attached so awful an eastern provinces, and obtruded themselves ferent parts of Spain, Italy, and other western importance, and in which Christians have disamong the Christians at Rome. With these countries, where Marcian and the founders and cerned the elements of the Trinity. I shall followers of the Gnostic sects distributed them: venture, however, to suggest another meaning. came Marcian, Ponticus, and Cerdon. They were powerfully assisted by a woman named proving, as Montfaucon justly observes, that Irenæus gives the following form of initiation Marcellina, who, by her influence and artifice, no superstition was more widely spread or uni into the mysteries of the sect: Some (said spread abroad the opinions of the sect, and versally adopted; and affording a hope that by he) express their redemption, and introduce gained so many proselytes, that they no longer their means the more secret mysteries of those the secret name which Jesus of Nazareth ascovered their mysteries with a veil, but openly sectaries may be elucidated. To appreciate sumed, in this manner-'I do not separate the professed and taught their doctrines, and the duly the extent of this sect and their perverse spirit, the heart, the super-celestial and com. Gentiles made no distinction between those fecundity of invention, it will be only neces-passionate power. I will enjoy thy name, who had embraced them and those who had sary to mention, that Montfaucon alone has Saviour of truth. When the initiators have not; but included the whole Christian com- given three hundred fac-similes of gems, with thus spoken, the initiated replies I have munity in the censure and reprobation which different devices and inscriptions. Those that been confirmed, and I redeem my soul from justly attached to these sectaries, who had propose to exhibit are not to be found either this Æon, and from all that shall proceed from now expanded themselves beyond the provin- whom I have consulted; though many have Here seems a strong affirmation of, and allusion in Montfaucon or Kircher, or any other writer it, in the name of IA.'' (Iren. lib. ii. c. 13.) cial limits to which they were at first confined; that resemblance which at once establishes their to, the name by which the divine character of and mingled with and tainted every Christian community wherever the Gospel had extended similar origin. It is to be presumed, therefore, Christ was expressed; as if the Aw was initself. Whatever were the shades of differ- that they are new discoveries, and now, for the tended to be the alpha and omega of the Reveence by which they were distinguished from first time, published. In order that a clear lations, and the characters IAW stood for Jesus, each other, as taught by a particular leader, view may be had of the subject, I shall endea- the Redeemer, the first and the last. The there were certain general dogmata in which your to accompany each fac-simile with a refer- interpretation is countenanced by the circumall the sects seemed to agree: they looked upon of the sect to which it is supposed to belong. perors, a little after, placed the A on their ence of its device to the practices and opinions stance, that the first Christian Byzantine emall other Christians, who interpreted the Scriptures in their plain and obvious sense, as sim--The first gem is a beautiful chrysoprase. ple and weak; and affirmed that they alone on one side is represented a right line crossed were capable of comprehending the true and by three curved ones, a figure very common on occult meaning. Hence, they denominated Gnostic gems, but its meaning has not been themselves, exclusively, Gnostics, as being the ascertained. This is surrounded by the legend only Christians who had attained to true know. ABPACAE IAW, words also of very common use, ledge. They taught that all evil resolved and which are to be found either by themselves itself into matter; they therefore treated the or accompanied by every variety of figure, but body with contempt, and denied its resurrec- most particularly from those that have rays tion or reunion with the soul after its separa-issuing from the head. The word Abrasax, tion. They discouraged marriage, as a con- sometimes spelled Abraxas, with a slight trans. nexion of minds polluted by carnal feelings; position of the letters, was the great mystery and they partook of sensual pleasures with the of the Gnostics, and has been noticed and grossest and most unrestrained indulgence, be- expounded by most of the contemporary Christian writers. The supreme deity and omnicause they divested it of all sentiment or mental association. But their most remarkable potent god of the Gnostics was the Abrasax, tenet was, that malevolent spirits ruled the which contained within it the mystic number, world, presided over all nature, and caused 365. He it was that created the N&C, or indiseases and human sufferings; but that by tellectual mind, from whence proceeded the knowledge and science these spirits could be LOOC, or word: from the word emanated pro- On the other face of this gem is represented a controlled, their power suspended, and even vidence; from providence, virtue and wisdom; serpent coiled into a knot, surmounted with their malevolence rendered subservient to the and from these, principalities, powers, and a lion's head and mane, having rays issuing use and service of man. This science they angels, who finally created the 365 heavens. from the head. The serpent was universally thought they had themselves exclusively atAbrasax was the same as Meithras, the sun of adopted, not only by the Greek and Roman, tained, and that it principally consisted in the the Gentiles; both their names in Greek cha- but by the oriental and Egyptian Gentiles. efficacy of numbers, and certain mysterious racters representing the same number 365, By the first it was consecrated to Esculapius, hieroglyphics adopted from the Egyptians.the annual solar circle, and the deity of the sun who was worshipped at Epidaurus under that Hence, they made systems of monads, triads, The mysteries of Meithras were form; and on sundry coins and sculptured and decads; and formed figures of Anubis, Se accompanied by Christian ceremonies. The remains, the serpent is seen twining round a rapis, and other idols. This composition of novice was initiated by the rite of baptism, staff, with a legend THP, or the Saviour. certain abstruse words and mysterious figures pouring water and making a sign on the fore- Hence this reptile was adopted by the Gnostics. One of their sects is known to have worshipped was engraved on gems and stones of different * Amuletum, quòd malum amolitur. Some derive it it, and to have been called Ophites from the from amula, a small vessel of lustral water carried about by the Romans. It is a term used by Pliny. name of their deity, as we have already seen; Donec in angustum redigatur litera conum. AEHIOYW IOYW OYW ABPACADABPA BPACADABPA ACADABPA CADABPA YW ADABPA DABPA 6 АВРА ᏴᏢᎪ PA La Pia; or, the Fair Penitent. A Poem. "Yet still will you feel as unsocial and lone And over its strings her light fingers were lain. "A grave to rot the soul away," and it is to be found in every form and modi- constructed from it his celebrated amulet of merely to say that great improvement is obfication on their gems, either by itself, or Abracadabra against tertian ague, and gives servable in the construction of the Magazine, attached to other bodies; and the members of directions for forming it by abstracting a letter and that it now bids fair to realise our expecother bodies frequently attached to it. The from every line: tation. Gnostics adopted it as a mystic emblem, and represented under its form Christ, the rays issuing from its head indicating his divinity. Thus, then, in this first gem, appear to be combined the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, mixed up and confounded with the absurd and extravagant fictions of heathen superstition. The identification of Christ with the serpent seems to be evident from the gem which follows. The Ophites were known to maintain, that the person of one was embodied in that of the other; and they even preferred the serpentine form, because, as they asserted, he had the knowledge of good and evil. That it A second figure of this kind is sculptured on a was in virtue of this prerogative, Moses set blood stone. Instead of a shield it holds in its up the brazen serpent, in order that all who left hand a serpent. Round the figure is the looked on it might recover their health; and legend HHHMI. The letters H are supposed that Christ merely imitated this power, when by Scaliger to be a repetition of the corre- are evidence enough of careless or youthful he said that as Moses lifted up the serpent, so spondent Hebrew, and a contraction of the composition, and extreme want of polish. Still should the Son of Man be exalted. The sculp-tetragrammaton, or name for Jehovah; there is a poetical feeling in some passages ture on the gem represents this. In the gem and the letters Mr for METAZ, and so the in- which augurs better of future efforts. The which follows is also the figure of a serpent, hav-scription would imply the great God.' On wish for ing the legend IAW CABAW, for Sabaoth, round the opposite face are the letters COYMAPTA, it; and on the other face, the word MOTCH, which frequently occur, and are supposed to for Moses, which confirms the allusion of the be the name of one of the 365 angels in Gnostic former. Sometimes the serpent was placed by mythology." itself, unaccompanied by any other emblematical figure. It is then generally represented either as a circle or an ellipse, holding its tail in its mouth. This appears to have been the The Beauties of Don Juan; including those common emblem of eternity, as having no end; Passages only which are calculated to extend and also the Egyptian representation of the the real Fame of Lord Byron. 12mo. pp. 421. solar circle, the year revolving into itself. The London, 1828. J. Cawthorn. one here exhibited is unusually large. On one THIS is a very captivating volume, with all face is a serpent forming a ring, and contain- the impurities of Don Juan expurgated, and THIS amiable enthusiast was a member of the ing inside it a long inscription surrounded by yet displaying a galaxy of connected lustre sect called Independents; to which no indimysterious characters. The inscription con- which is well calculated to throw a halo of vidual is admitted who does not in the first sists entirely of vowels, among which the word splendour round the memory of Lord Byron. instance satisfy the pastor and elders, &c. LAW appears in various transpositions. This It may with perfect propriety be put into that he or she has been regenerated, or, in gem is remarkably and satisfactorily illustrated female hands, from which the levities and other words, has convincing experience of a by a passage of Iræneus. The vowels were pruriencies of the entire poem too justly ex-second birth. held in high estimation by the Gnostics; their cluded it, in spite of all its charms of genius. melancholy story of a life preyed upon, and The memoir dwells upon the number seven they imagined had the powers of As we never were the apologists of the noble probably early destroyed, by religious feelings the seven virtues in animating the world, and poet's errors, nor the eulogists of those things too strongly excited, but unmarked by any was the soul of all we see, and represented the in his productions which merited censure rather uncommon circumstance, with all the fervour seven celestial abodes. But when these powers than praise, we were often accused of blind- of congenial sentiments; which we presume are involved and mixed together, they resoundness to his high endowments, merely because must be acceptable to parties of the same class and glorify him by whom they were projected. we would discriminate between what was and way of thinking. It should appear from this strange and mystic really worthy of fame and what was the repassage, that an amulet so constructed with the verse. seven vowels mingled together, had a myste- that we approve of an undertaking like the It may, therefore, readily be supposed, rious power of extraordinary efficacy. There present, which carries into practical effect is none of this structure at all noticed either those principles on which all we ever wrote about the author was founded. in Kircher or Montfaucon. "The next class is that where the serpent forms a part of some other figure. The facsimile here given represents it as forming the legs of a human body; and it so frequently occurs as a Gnostic emblem, that it seems to have been considered as a representation of the God of the Christians, and, as we shall see, was placed on the coins of the Roman emperors as the image of Christianity. On the opposite face are the seven vowels, forming the elements of a figure which obtained great celebrity for its supposed efficacy. By dropping a letter in each succeeding word, at every repetition of the vowels, an equilateral triangle or cone is formed, to which they annexed potent medical virtues. This secret the Gnostics wrapped up in the letters of their inscription; but Quintus Serenus Samonicus, a learned physician of the school of Basilides, was more explicit. He This gem is engraved by Dr. Walsh; and we may probably, from its importance, have a copy transferred to the Literary Gazette. Ed. [To be continued.] SIGHTS OF BOOKS. as well as the body, is a bold expression; and "Those hearts must needs be desolate Female Piety and Zeal exemplified in Memoirs and Davis. ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. DUST and heat have cleared Paris of half its population, and theatres of three parts of the audiences, to the dismay of the managers, who The Practical Cabinet-Maker, Upholsterer, deem it most extraordinary that individuals and Complete Decorator. By Peter and do not prefer losing a portion of their corpu M. A. Nicholson. 4to. London, 1828. lency by means of theatrical vapour, to decreas Fisher and Co. ing the receipts of the caisse. Unfortunately, HOWEVER useful this work may be to opera- however, in the calculation of giving and retive cabinet-makers and upholders, as contain-ceiving, the tragic and comic Muses have little ing practical instructions, it is but little calcu- to offer the public in exchange for the price of lated to improve their taste. The highest tickets and stewing alive, particularly since praise we can bestow is, that it contains some the inimitable Mlle. Mars has become an inwell-drawn ornaments from the antique. habitant of Albion, and the interesting Madame Malibran's departure for the "land of The Naval and Military Magazine (Quar-song." This fair cantatrice bade adieu to de terly). No. VI. London. Saunders and spairing amateurs in the character of DesdeOtley. wreaths, verses, crowns, bouquets, WHEN this periodical first appeared, we ex- garlands, &c. &c., were thrown at her feet, pressed our approbation of the design, and our and all the chapter of gallantries brought into opinion, that if the plan were well executed, play: in fact, applauses were of a very ultra we should have a miscellany, not only calcu-order. As well try to quench Mount Vesulated to please naval and military men, but to vius, as repel the enthusiasm of a Frenchinterest the community in general. We notice man; once it is inflamed, if not allowed to this Number, coming from new publishers, spend itself, an explosion is sure to be the mona; result. Of this, M. Le Commissaire de Po-sent my Krooman to a neighbouring brook for The sheep I gave to Cut-throat to kill, who lice seemed aware, as, after having pro-water, with which I commenced washing, as well supported his claim to the cognomen, nounced the words ordres supérieurs, regle- well as the want of every thing necessary from the able and dexterous manner he permens, in a stentorian tone, he at length con- would allow, to the no small amusement of formed that office on the devoted animal: in sented to the reappearance of the charming some dozens of women and children who sur- about five minutes it was skinned, quartered, singer, who received the redoubled shower of rounded me, uttering the most ear-piercing and hung up in my cabin. Two quarters I praise with the utmost grace of acknowledg- yells. In the mean time I had set my fellow- sent to the Coco la Co, intending the other ment, and un baiser le plus gracieux calmed traveller to prepare a fowl, which was given two for our dinner, the Krooman assuring me in some measure the frenzy of the spectators. us for breakfast. This was soon done; the he could eat one himself, and assist me in The divine Pasta (as she is termed here) was natives first of all pulling every feather out of despatching the other. Matters thus arranged expected to replace Madame Malibran; but it the fowl while alive, then killing it, and placing for the day, I took my leave of the chief, and appears English gold outweighs Parisian adu-it on the embers of last night's fire for a few started with Incledon and my fellow-traveller lation. Macready is now the sole point d'at- minutes, and finally giving it to me barely sod-up the mountain, accompanied a short distance trait: if he sometimes plays to less crowded den. In cooking their fowls and mutton, I have by the whole strength of our little community. benches, it is not that admiration is cooled, often seen them eat them hardly warm through. Our route was about south, leading to the but that heat is increased; and as yet the pub-As yesterday, the Coco la Co sent me a sup- summit of one of the lower ridges of the great lic are not incombustible. ply of boiled yams and topé, on which I mountain, about five miles from its longitudi Owing to the King of Bavaria's encourage-breakfasted. Being desirous to proceed this nal base. After leaving the chief's residence, ment of arts and sciences, many of the literati day as far as possible up the mountain, II saw but one small village of about a dozen are about to visit that country, where they proposed to Cut-throat and Incledon to start huts, with the exception of two by the side of expect a more discerning public will reward at once, as they had last evening promised a yam store, far up the hill. After walking the toils of their imagination. Indeed, it is to accompany me. This proposition met a a mile I found the palm-trees get scarce, most true that genius is crushed here; for if, decided negative, and I was told I must wait, a' thick impervious brushwood arising every unfortunately, a young man has not a fame as the Coco la Co wished to see me. After where around me. Our road now for miles established, or money to make it, in vain he stopping some time, I endeavoured to go to- lay up a tortuous rugged steep, requiring no may address himself either to booksellers, ency-wards the hut of the chief; but this was not trifling exertion to surmount it. I observed but clopedists, managers of theatres, &c. &c. un- allowed. Determined by some means to see few yam-stores in my ascent; what yams I less he knows all the by-ways and under-ways my friend Yapā, (the chief's name), I pretend- saw in them, and they were not a few, were of of intrigue, and will clip, change, modify, and ed to want a stroll about the court-yard, a party the same small, unsavoury appearance with betray his own sentiments, according to the of my last night's companions attending me. those given me to eat, when compared with caprice of his protector;-I ought to except Taking advantage of their going into a hut to those we get from the country round Clarence, scandal, this is a ready-money traffic, and visit a sick man, I gave them the slip, making which are on an average from seven to scarcely ever refused by the lords of the press. all possible haste to the Coco la Co's hut. twelve pounds. I have weighed many which This morning the heart of the famous Gretry Getting over the rails in the rear of it, I crept have turned the scale at eighteen pounds, was removed from the hermitage of J. J. Rous-on my hands and knees to the front, to prevent whilst those I saw in these stores did not seau at Montmorency, and is to be conveyed being seen by any of the natives. I then moved average more than four pounds each. Whether to Liege, there to be deposited. as gently as I could a large board, which was this discrepancy arose from a difference of soil, An historical picture, representing Charles X. placed at the entrance as a door. With all or whether the cold nocturnal breezes which at Rheims, by a M. Delavel, in which all my caution, however, I made noise enough to sweep down the mountain, check their growth, the grandees in the composition are to be por-awaken my friend, who lay in the first or outer I am unable to determine; but certain it is, traits, is in an advanced state. The Dauphin apartment, in the middle of about a dozen there is a vast and striking contrast, both gave a sitting the other day to the artist, who women. He immediately arose and came in size, appearance, and taste, between the is highly spoken of as an excellent painter. It towards me, apparently much angered. Aware productions of the two soils. About two miles was reported the picture was to be exhibited of the necessity of securing his good-will, I from the summit of the ridge, we lost all trace in London, but I rather doubt the authenticity retreated to a short distance from the door, of paths. Incledon now became excessively imof the report. I believe (for in this world of and on his approach went towards him, and portunate for me to turn back; but being dedoubt it is dangerous to affirm,) that the child caught him by the hand, giving him to under- termined, if possible, to get a glimpse of the bearing the words "Napoleon, empereur," in stand I was come for the sheep he promised sea on the southern side of the island, on I its eyes, is shortly to set out for the British me last night, thinking it the best mode of went, forcing my way as well as I could metropolis. I saw it the other morning, and averting his wrath. Finding I had succeeded, through the brushwood. It was with difficulty am now convinced of the existence of the fact. by perceiving a smile on his generally morose I got Incledon forward, he repeatedly calling I forgot to mention, that they talk of shoot-countenance, I ventured to propose my going my attention to the vertebræ of a snake he had ing passengers across the channel by means of with him into his hut, to partake of some topé about his loins, and pointing to the high grass a large pistol charged with tow, as a speedier together. This would not do he promptly around us, wished me to believe we should method than the subterranean blow-pipe. informing me he would send me some when be bitten by them if we advanced farther. the sun was up; for they always calculate Nothing but the most pressing entreaties and their time by the inclination or declination of promises of reward could induce him to persethat orb. I then, as a dernier resource, re-vere, and then he kept largely in my rear ; quested permission, by first pointing to the in- whereas, until now he had invariably preceded side of the hut, and then placing my fore-finger me. When within a short distance of the acon my eyes, (their manner of asking us to let complishment of my views, my efforts were TUESDAY, December 4th.-At day-break this them see any thing), to let me look at the in- nearly being put a stop to, by my Krooman immorning was awoke by Cut-throat shaking me side of his dwelling. To this proposal I received bibing my conductor's feelings, and joining with violently. Found myself almost frozen, so a peremptory refusal, Mr. Coco taking me by the him in persuasions not to proceed. Not heeding bitter cold had the night been. Though hand, and leading me to my own hut, where their entreaties, I however pressed on for some wrapped up in a blanket, and having all my he gave me in charge of Cut-throat and Incle- distance alone, the country around me being coclothes on, every joint in my body was be- don, whom he had called in, and appeared to vered with brushwood, with plots of large forestnumbed. My poor Krooman made the most chide for allowing me to approach his seraglio. trees. After an arduous task, I succeeded in bitter lamentations, stating he had not been A short time after this, the chief sent for and getting a distinct view of the sea, on the southable to close his eyes all night, so extreme presented me with a sheep, at the same time ern side, to my no small gratification and to him had been the cold throughout. He giving me to understand, that on our return delight, imagining myself to be the first Endid not appear at all to relish his situa- to Clarence to-morrow, (pointing in that direc-glishman that had ever been permitted to go so tion, wishing to return immediately to Clar- tion), he should expect boullio of the length far into the interior. The country round ence it was with difficulty I could pacify of his arm. To this I assented apodictically, about this spot I found much the same as that ARTS AND SCIENCES. Journal continued: Ascent of the Central him. The natives, I perceived on waking perceiving that nothing was given without the of my last two miles. Wishing much to have once or twice in the night, were huddled as expectancy of a return being made. The advanced a mile or two in the direction of the close to the fire as it was possible to get without sheep was then made fast to my wrist, (this peak of the mountain, it was with much chagrin, burning themselves. They lay on the bare is their usual manner of presentation), and I and no small regret, that I was compelled to ground, with a block of wood for a pillow, was stroked down from head to foot three times retrace my steps homewards, my conductor encircled in each other's arms. On rising, I by the chief,--not a very pleasant ceremony. positively refusing to allow me to advance. |