ERMAN POCKET-BOOKS for the FOREIGN QUARTERLY REVIEW.GE In November will be published, in post 8vo. price 17. 18. ANNIVERSARY; or, Poetry and Aglaia. Taschenbuch für 1829, 16s. and 21s. Tro NE MH. No. V. price 74. 6d. Contents:-I. Arabic Literature-II. Language and Literature 2, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. of the (Hungarian) Magyars-III. Guizot's History of the English Revolution-IV. Mazure's History of the Revolution of 1688-V. Laplace's Celestial Mechanics, Vol. V. VI. Karamsin's History of Russia-VII. French Philosophers of the Nineteenth Century-VIII. Greece-IX. The Pyrenees-X. Tegner's Legend of Frithiof-XI. Russia and Turkey. Critical Sketches: XII. Protestantism in France-XIII. Matter's History of Gnosticism-XIV. Wronski's Canons of Logarithms-XV. Sempere's Greatness and Decline of Spain-XVI. De Vigny's Cinq-Mars, a Romance-XVII. Dandolo's Letters on Rome, Naples, Venice, and Florence-XVIII. Van der Velde's Life and Letters-XIX. Grabbe's Dramatic Poems-XX. Vassalli's Maltese GrammarXXI. Hebenstreit's Dictionary of Classical Bibliography-Miscellaneous Literary Notices, No. V.-List of the principal new Works published on the Continent, from May to August 1828— Index to the Second Volume. Published by Treuttel and Würtz, Treuttel, Jun. and Richter, Soho Square; Cadell and Co. Edinburgh; John Cumming, Dublin; Carey, Lea, and Carey, Philadelphia; and sold by all respectable Booksellers in Great Britain, Ireland, America, and the Continent of Europe. * No. VI. will be published in December. "The fifth Number of this periodical has just been published, and is now before us. Though we hailed the work when it first appeared, for its utility, and admired the talent displayed in it, we were aware that the lapse of a certain time was necessary to prove the solidity of its resources, and establish its claims to public favour. Every new journal endeavours to start with eclat, and it is comparatively easy to make one or two great efforts; but to command an amount of talent sufficiently great and diver. sified to furnish interesting matter for four volumes (for they are really volumes, rather than numbers) per annum, hic labor, hoc opus est, as the conductors of the existing Reviews well know. In the present instance, the difficulty is enhanced by the circumstance, that to the ordinary qualities of good writing and able thinking, the contributors must add an acquaintance with modern languages and foreign literature, which is by no means common in this country. It is a pleasure to us to state, that the conductors of the Foreign Quarterly' have fulfilled our expectations, and executed their arduous task in a manner that leaves almost nothing to be desired. Their journal has passed through the period of its nonage: and the fifth Number now published is not only better than the first, but we would put it with confidence into the hands of any impartial reader of the Edinburgh' and the Quarterly,' the most celebrated journals of the class, and leave it to him to decide whether it was not in point of talent and interest on a par with either."-Scotsman. "The present Number of the Foreign Quarterly Review' is decidedly superior to any of the former ones. The contributors are apparently increased in number, and are of more distinguished talents. The work displays research, intelligence, and an independent tone of criticism, as well in the literary as in the political department, which cannot be too highly commended. From an article on Turkey and Russia, which cannot fail to be interesting and instructive at this moment, we make the following extract," &c.-New Times. The fifth Number of this able and well-conducted periodical is no less varied and interesting than the former ones. Several of the articles, besides containing a just appreciation, and an able epitome of the works under review, are valuable as original compositions; and might, perhaps, be read with more pleasure and advantage than the works they notice." After briefly noticing, in terms of commendation, articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8,-" The ninth article, on the Pyrenees, is excellently written, and treats of an extremely interesting subject. There is throughout a tone of strong sound sense, and a somewhat satirical vein, which renders it peculiarly agreeable. From this article the reader may obtain a better idea of the Pyrenees than from the perusal of two or three ordinary volumes, and be exceedingly entertained at the same time. The Number concludes with an extremely able and interesting article on Turkey, which we recommend to the attentive perusal of every reader throughout the kingdom."Weekly Review. "We wish to direct the attention of our readers to a periodical which, as it has now been twelve months before the public, we presume may be considered as forming of our established Minerva. Taschenbuch für das Jahr 1829. Orphea, Taschenbuch. Mit acht Kupfern nach Heinrich Ramberg ru Oberon. 108. von Adrian. 98. Taschenbuch, herausgegeben Rosen. Ein Taschenbuch für 1829. Mit Edited by ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Sharpe begs leave to inform his Subscribers and the Public, that the Quarto Proofs of the Anniversary (French paper, 21. 2. India paper, 31. 3.) are now ready for delivery. The Volume (price 11. 14. or on large paper, 21. 12s. 6d.) will appear in the course of this month. London: Published by John Sharpe, Duke Street, Piccadilly. Taschenbuch auz Italien und Griechenland. TReign Queen Mary. Erstes Buch, Rom. 10s. für 1829. Mit 7 Vergissmeinnicht, von H. Clauren. Mit Kupfern. 128. HE In a few days, in 3 vols. post 8vo. PROTESTANT; a Tale of the By the Authoress of " De Foix," and the "White Hoods." Printed for Henry Colburn, 8, New Burlington Street. In a few days, in 3 vols. post Bro. ALES of the GREAT ST. BERNARD. Vielliebchen. Historischromantisches Tas-Tite for Henry Colburn, 8, New Burlington Street. chenbuch. Mit Kupfern. 10s. And a New English Pocket-Book, printed in Germany. The English Fire-side upon the Banks of the Rhine. 10s. 6d. 2d edition, dedicated to the King, in 1 vol. 4to. with Map HE On Monday next, in 3 vols. TH, The TRY ADELIS, of, the lenitive Man." In the course of November will also be published, THE MARQUESS of LONDONDERRY'S comprising Tales, illustrative of the Romantic Anuals of France. OTIONS of the AMERICANS; Printed for Henry Colburn, &, New Burlington Street. THE DUKE of ROVIGO'S MEMOIRS of the Duke of Rovigo's Memoirs, comprising the Period of the Printed for Henry Colburn, B, New Burlington Street. In 3 vols. post 8vo. 27. 2d edition, Journals, we mean the Foreign Quarterly Review, the fifth SALATHIEL: a Story of the Past, the On the 18th of November will be published, with the Almanacks, Number of which is now upon our table. This publication led the way in a branch of criticism hitherto much neglected; and was the first to give us able and popular accounts of the publica. tions of the continent. The four Numbers which form the first and second volumes, contain a body of information of the highest and most useful kind; and we think the fifth Number is at least equal to any of its predecessors. It boasts no fine writing; there are no brilliant effusions, calculated, like the late Mr. Canning's speeches, to captivate the ear and lead astray the judgment-but there is a variety of literary, scientific, historical, and topographical information, which will render it a valuable acquisition to any library."-Yorkshire Gazette. The Foreign Quarterly Review,' so far as we have seen it, appears to be one of the ablest and most useful publications of the day; and if continued upon the same plan, and conducted with the same spirit and judgment, it cannot fail to add greatly to our stock of useful knowledge and information, and to become a standing favourite with the public. Instead of wasting its pages or our time with notices of ephemeral publications-tales of fiction and fancy, which are hardly worth the perusing, and when perused, which are not worth the remembering-the Fo reign Quarterly Review' pursues a different, abler, and more profitable course. It brings before us the works of foreign authorsthe arts, sciences, history, manners and customs, and situation of foreign nations-nations as they are, and not as theory would make them; it places before us, not useless fictions, but useful realities-realities in which mankind are generally interested, and from an acquaintance with which, every individual, whether young or old, and whether the governors or the governed, must add greatly to their stock of useful knowledge, and become by this means better acquainted with the present situation of the rest of the worid. The present Number contains several important articles. The projectors and publishers of this work deserve success, and we hope will obtain it, because in obtaining it, we are convinced they will render this country a great service."Glasgow Courier. "Five Numbers of this Journal have been issued, in fifteen months, every succeeding one of which has improved upon its predecessors; and it is not too much to say, that in that space, these have done more to spread through the general body of the British public right notions and correct information concerning foreign literature, than did all the other periodicals, however able, which only incidentally treated of foreign topics, during as many of the years preceding. At this time we have not space to enter into disquisition, however interesting the field may be, as to the present state of continental letters, and to analyse this Number also. We prefer, then, giving a copious and laboriously prepared abstract of a portion of its multifarious and admirable contents."-Glasgow Free Press. IME'S TELESCOPE for 1829; or, a Complete Guide to the Almanack: containing an Expla nation of Saints' Days and Holydays; Illustrations of British History and Antiquities, Notices of Obsolete Rites and Customs, Sketches of comparative Chronology and contemporary Biography: Astronomical Occurrences throughout the Year; Remarks on the Phenomena of the Celestial Bodies; Reflections on the Starry Heavens; and the Naturalist's Diary, explaining the va rious Appearances in the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms for every Month in the Year. The whole being interspersed with numerous poetical Citations from the most eminent living Poets, and original Pieces by Delta of Blackwood's Magazine, &c. &c. London: Printed for the Assignees of Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, 20, Paternoster Row. N.B. It having been found necessary to reprint some of the early and recent Volumes of Time's Telescope, any single volume may now be had to complete Sets, as well as complete Sets from the Commencement in 1814. The subjects treated of in the Introduction to the former Volumes are-Astronomy, Botany, Zoology, Geology, and Mineralogy; Chemistry, Entomology, British Ornithology, and Conchology; as well as a popular View of the Solar System, and a History of Astronomy: Meteorological Remarks, the Fasts and Festivals of the Jews, a Description of The Christmas Box for 1828, price Six British Forest and Fruit Trees, &c. &c. AND Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c. may This Journal is supplied Weekly, or Monthly, by the principal Booksellers and Newsmen, throughout the Kingdom; but to those who REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. desire PRICE 8d. walks of life. That which is uncommon, and But not only direful effects were said to apparently against the course of nature, more attend the appearance of these bodies, they were Essay on Comets, which gained the first of powerfully strikes the senses and affects the supposed to generate atmospherical changes, Dr. Fellowes's Prizes, proposed to those who passions, than the uniform yet sublime pheno- affecting the productions of the earth and had attended the University of Edinburgh mena of the universe. The superficial ob- the animal kingdom; and this was the opiwithin the last twelve years. By David server, as his eye unconsciously wanders over nion as recently as during the appearance Milne, A.M. F.R.S.E. 4to. pp. 189. Edin- the spacious vault of heaven, gemmed with of the comet of 1811; it was noticed that burgh, 1828, Black; London, Longman splendid suns and worlds, sees nothing but and Co. sparkling points: if his mind should be so long Rolling along, like living cars 6 some "the summer and autumn of 1811 were, over the whole of Europe, remarkable for longAr the present time, when considerable excicontinued heat, and the cause was generally tation has been wrought in the public mind by ascribed to the great comet which appeared the fancied appearance of one comet, and the during the course of that year. Hence conexpectation of another, when a feverish anxOf light, for gods to journey by! noisseurs in wines are still in the habit of disiety and terror has pervaded many classes,*. he can rarely be brought to think of that ad- tinguishing the claret made from the vintage this Essay on Comets will be read with interest mirable mechanism by which they pursue their of that year by the appellation of the comet and curiosity. The generality of publications circling way. But should the solar orb be ob- wine,' on account of the effect which this humiconnected with this branch of the science of scured at mid-day by the interposition of the nary was supposed to have had in maturing the astronomy, are either too popular, or the facts moon, and the fair face of nature be shrouded vintage. But the most remarkable account of are wrapt about with a mantle of obscurity, in awful darkness should a splendid stream of the agency of this comet occurs in a periodical and veiled in mysticism; so that none but the mysterious light spread its arch across the sky publication of considerable notoriety, from initiated, and those who revel in intricacies, can-should a fiery meteor rush through the hea- which the following statement is extracted. derive any pleasure or instruction from the vens-or a comet, like the spirit of a desolate After premising the opinion of Bacon, that perusal. A profound knowledge of the science world, shake far and wide its tremulous tresses, comets have some power and effect over the will not be requisite to enter into Mr. Milne's-terror and curiosity are at once excited to gross and mass of things,' the author' goes on interesting details and discussions; while those the full, and we hear of the fall of princes, the to observe, that the comet which appeared in who possess a comprehensize acquaintance with ruin of empires, and the dissolution of the 1811 seems a proof of the justness of this rethe subject will have no reason to complain globe itself. mark; and he then proceeds to state that the subject is treated superficially: the "The comet of 1454," says Mr. Milne, singular changes and circumstances' which its accuracy of its descriptions, the clearness of its "seen at Constantinople, seemed there to be influence occasioned. The winter,' 'says he, reasonings, and elegance of its formula, will moving in the firmament from west to east, was very mild; the spring was wet, the sumensure it a favourable reception, alike from the and to present the aspect of a flaming sword; mer cool, and very little appearance of the sun general reader and the ma science. from its great nagnitude, it is said even to to ripen t the produce of earth; yet the harSuch a work was eminently wanted. Since have eclipsed the moon, and created among vest was not defisien and some fruits were the treatises of Halley, Pingré, and Englefield, the Turks the utmost consternation, as it was not only abundant but deliciously ripe, such prodigious advances have been made in ascer- thought to prognosticate nothing less than a as figs, melons, and wall-fruit. Very few wasps taining the nature of comets, owing, in a great crusade from all the kingdoms of Christendom, appeared, and the flies became blind, and disdegree, to the number of labourers in the field, and forebode the certain overthrow of the Cres. appeared early in the season. No violent. the excellency of modern instruments, and the cent. Only two years afterwards, when, not- storms of thunder and lightning, and little or improvements in the methods of observing. withstanding these direful omens, the Turkish no frost and snow the ensuing winter. VeniThe records of the particulars resulting from arms had proved eminently victorious, and were son, which has been supposed to be indebted these advantages were scattered in different spreading dismay over all Europe, Halley's for its flavour to a dry and parched summer, papers presented to learned societies, in periodi- comet, in 1456, with a long tail turned towards was by no means deficient in fat or in flavour. cals, foreign ephemerides, and occasional tracts. the East, created reciprocal and still greater But what is very remarkable,' continues this In availing himself of these resources, Mr. alarms on the part of the Christians. Pope sage observer, in the metropolis, and about it, Milne has been judicious in selecting what is Calixtus believed it to be at once the sign and was the number of females who produced twins; worth preserving, and bringing it to bear upon instrument of divine wrath; he ordered public some had more; and a shoemaker's wife, in the subject on which he is treating. A work prayers to be offered up, and decreed that in Whitechapel, produced four at one birth, all of of this kind was not required for merely a every town the bells should be tolled at mid- whom,' &c. &c. But enough of so deplorable scientific purpose-to gratify the philosopher; day, to warn the people to supplicate the mercy an example of astrological faith, more worthy it was desirable with a view to dispel those and forgiveness of Heaven; ut omnes de of the darker ages, than of a country and times remaining mists of superstition and vulgar pre- precibus contra Turcarum tyrannidem funden-so enlightened as ours." judice which yet overspread a very large por-dis admonerentur.'" tion of society. Of this we have many recent instances, and those not altogether in the lower There cannot be any doubt but men of sci "Du Bartas labours to describe minutely a comet's physical appearance; and it will not be denied, that the author has succeeded marvellously in upholding the reputation of those bodies as the dreaded messengers of evil. When one of these glorious strangers unex-ence have tended very much to perpetuate this pectedly bursts upon the view, and appears feeling; of this Mr. Milne gives a faithful amidst the wilderness of stars, with what dif- account, nor does he exempt poets from some Scarcely a day has passed but references have been ferent feelings is it contemplated! The gloomy share of the censure. made in the public prints to a comet said to be seen in the E.N.F.; and in some journals, not only its appear ascetic will say it is the abode of the damned; ance described, but also its course, that it was traversing others, that it indicates the death of the illusfrom the bright star in the head of the Ram to that in the trious and noble: the comet of 1811 was conhead of Andromeda, which star it would eclipse in its progress. This fancied comet, we stated some weeks since sidered as the baleful star of Napoleon-to to be the nebula in the girdle of Andromeda, which has forewarn the destruction of his armies; the been known to have occupied the same place in the heavens from the earlier ages of astronomy, at least as far burning of Moscow also followed this celestial back as 905, A.D.; it is very visible to the naked eye. omen. The farmer scowls at the comet, which Venus, also, from its unusual brightness as a morning parches his fields, or, as it may happen, that atar, has been mistaken for a comet: and respecting the luminous arch visible 29th September last, a correspond-drowns his crops; while the votary of Bacchus, ent in a useful miscellany (Mechanics' Magazine, Oct. 11th) as he quaffs his wine, blesses the comet, which inquires, If the comet of Encke were passing in a direc-improves the vintage, producing wines concention towards the sun, might not its tail present the above trated as its nucleus, and brilliant as its tail. appearance ?"!! Here in the night appears a flaming spire, To herdsmen rot, to ploughmen hapless seasons, We need not, then, be surprised to find the fluence of Jupiter, as to render the comet now But we dare assert, that the part of this Essay which will be most interesting to the general reader, will be that which treats of the collision of this earth with a comet. descriptions given by the historians and pro- great a distance from the earth, that it will of the moon's, and modify this according to fessed astronomers so deeply tinged with the always remain invisible to us, unless in the the law established by Newton, that the effect superstition by which the age was character-lapse of time it shall again undergo other per- increases in the inverse triplicate ratio of the ised, and often so highly coloured or carica- turbations, similar to those which have so often distance, we find, that in order to produce tured, as to render it even difficult to recog-forced it to deviate from its regular course." only the same elevation of the tides as the nise the thing described to be a comet. When, "The result of the most profound and un-moon does, the comet must be (66.6), or for instance, we read of comets which resem-impeachable investigations has proved beyond about four times nearer to the earth than the bled flaming swords and glittering spears, or a doubt that its elements have only undergone moon. But at so short a distance, and posone which (as Lubienitz relates) came out from such an alteration, through the disturbing in- sessing, therefore, so great an angular velocity, an opening in the heavens, like to a dragon the comet would have passed by long before with blue feet, and a head covered with snakes; any such effects could have taken place. ・・・ we only pity the degradation of the human "By proximity alone, comets are almost mind which either could invent or could tolewholly incapable of affecting either the moverate such monstrous absurdities. The followment of the planets, or the system of things ing remarkable description is taken from the upon their surface. But the case is very dif Exempla Cometarum of Rossenburgh: In ferent, on the supposition of actual contact: the year 1527, about four in the morning, not The interesting question is discussed, re. for one of those circumstances which would only in the palatine of the Rhine, but nearly lative to the existence of an ether diffused be the chief means of counteracting a comet's over all Europe, appeared for an hour and a through space; which supposition is confirmed influence in approaching a planet, viz. the quarter a most horrible comet, in this sort. In by the comet of Encke, in which a variation is rapidity of its motion, would serve, by the its length it was of a bloody colour, inclining observed, not to be accounted for or corrected momentum, to give great effect to a collision. to saffron. From the top of its train appeared by the strictest regard to planetary perturba- Still it must be observed, that, though this a bended arm, in the hand whereof was a huge tions: this variation is indicated by the di- occurrence will necessarily be attended with sword, in the instant posture of striking. At minution of its period, and the shortening of far more alarming consequences, it is one of the point of the sword was a star. From the the greater axis of its orbit. which the risk is infinitely less than a mere star proceeded dusky rays, like a hairy tail; on approach. For, in order that the collision the side of them, other rays, like javelins or should happen, it is requisite, first, that the lesser swords, as if imbrued in blood, between radius vector of the comet be exactly equal which appeared human faces, of the colour of to the planet's distance from the sun; secondly, blackish clouds, with rough hair and beards. that the comet be in the plane of the planet's All these moved with such terrible sparkling orbit; and thirdly, that the longitude of its and brightness, that many spectators swooned ascending or descending node be the heliocenwith fear!" " tric longitude of the planet. When, therefore, we consider the improbability that all these thus occasion all the horrors of a deluge. La conditions should be simultaneously fulfilled, Lande computed, that were a comet of the and add to this circumstance, the immensity size of the earth to come within 13,000 leagues, of the celestial spaces through which the orbits or about five or six times nearer than the of comets extend, it will at once appear how moon, the waters of the earth would be raised unlikely it is that such an occurrence should 2000 toises above their ordinary level, and take place in the succession of many ages. thus inundate all the continents of the world.' But though the probability of such a collision Such would undoubtedly be the effect of the is extremely small, we see that it is perfectly mere proximity of the comet; but, as Du Se- possible in itself; whilst the amount of that jour very justly remarks, this result is ma- probability may be greatly increased by lapse terially modified by several circumstances. La of time. Let us now, therefore, shortly attend Lande's calculation is founded on the sup- to the consequences which might ensue from That division of the Essay which treats of the position, that the comet remains vertical over such an event. It is evident that much will motion of comets through the system, will, we the same part of the earth, till the full effect of depend on the direction of the comet's course suspect, be read with considerable pleasure by its attraction is produced. Now, Du Sejour shews at the time of its encountering a planet. If those who desire to see the most intricate in- in the most satisfactory manner, that, supposing both be moving towards the same quarter vestigations of astronomy in their most simple the ocean to have a uniform depth of a league, of the heavens, each will glide off from the forms; we mean the calculations of a comet's nearly eleven hours must elapse before the surface of the other, and no very material orbit on the parabolic hypothesis, which is il-inertia of the waters could be overcome; if the changes will be produced, either on their movelustrated by determining the elements of the depth be supposed two leagues, eight hours ments or on their physical constitution. But comet of 1826. In perusing this, we are fur- and a quarter would be necessary. But, 1st, should the directions of their respective courses nished with a striking proof of the advances The comet cannot remain beyond a very short be exactly opposite when the concurrence takes made in determining the periods of comets, by period over the same spot, on account both of place, (a case, however, which it is easy to see contrasting the ideas entertained by Halley, its own progressive motion and the rotation of can happen only with retrograde comets), the who termed that which bears his name, whose the earth. 2d, The comet would soon have consequences would necessarily be far more period is about seventy-five years, "the Mer-removed to so great a distance, as to lose all serious and permanent. It is true, that in cury of comets," on account of its supposed its power of attraction. 3d, The waters of general comets are of very inconsiderable magshort revolution, when compared with many the ocean are not spread uniformly over the nitude; but the deficiency of mass is amply others, what would he have said of the comet surface of the globe; and this is a circum-compensated by the prodigious momentum, by of Encke, whose period is only 1203 days, and stance which, as in the Mediterranean and means of which a planet might be impeded, the comet of Gambart, whose orbit is com- other inland seas, diminishes very considerably or even altogether arrested, in its orbit. If, pleted in not more than six years and three the elevation of the tides. But, along with for instance, a retrograde comet, moving at the quarters, or 2,461 days! these considerations, it is essential also to re- rate of 1,734,000 feet per second, should in Some copious particulars are given relative member the small mass which characterises this manner meet the earth, assuming the to the "lost comet of 1770," as it has been the generality of comets. La Place, as was earth's velocity at the time to be 102,000 feet erroneously termed; and it is fully proved, already stated, shewed that the mass of the per second, the shock would have the effect of that, owing to the attraction of Jupiter, its comet of 1770, one of the largest ever ob- at once destroying the progressive motion of orbit is so altered, that instead of its period served, could not have amounted toth part both bodies, and causing them to fall to the being only five years and a half, this comet of the mass of the earth: but assuming that sun, were the comet's mass only about onerequires about twenty years to accomplish its mass was even equal to this, what is the seventeenth of the earth's, or four times that a revolution; but now it is situated at so actual effect which its attraction could have of the moon. It is true, we have no very This is the comet so frequently referred to by conproduced on the ocean, in comparison with the authentic records of many comets of such a tinental philosophers, which at its next approach (in 18:32) moon's influence! The power of attraction, it size having been observed; though, even if will pass the earth's orbit at the distance of about 14,000 is well known, is proportional to the mass; so there were none at all, the fact would afford an leagues, but at a period when the earth will be in a dif- that if we assume the comet of 1770 to have illustration of our limited knowledge, rather ferent part of its orbit, and therefore no mutual attrac-had a power of attraction equal to th part than a proof of the non-existence of such bodies tion can by any possibility take place, "It was apprehended by many astronomers, that if a comet were to approach the earth, within a short distance of its surface, the attraction of the comet might be sufficient to We hasten from these monstrous absur-elevate the ocean to a prodigious height, and dities to the scientific part of the Essay, in which considerable judgment is shewn in the rejection of many whimsical theories, and the adoption of those which seem most conformable to truth in several instances, also, there is vigorous reasoning in attempting to account for some peculiarities which astronomers have left recorded, but not ventured to account for: of this we have an example in his explanation, why the following side of the tail of a comet is generally hazy and irregular, while the preceding side appears distinct and well defined. in the system. But even in our own times a comet has appeared, whose nucleus, if Herschel's estimate be correct, exceeded the moon in diameter, and which, if it had chanced to strike this body in a particular direction, would most infallibly have caused it to descend to the earth's surface. Seeing, then, that the collision of a comet and planet is an event lying within the verge of possibility, have we any reason to suppose that it is one which has ever happened? This question we can answer, only by examining the movements and constitution of the planets as they at present exist, and tracing back the circumstances now characterising both to those causes by which they seem to have been produced.". [To be concluded in our next.] Works finished by her lovely hands attract · by the ploughmen, wisdom by the puzzled magistrates; and was even occasionally consulted in his Greek by the excellent curate, whose Oxford recollections were considerably rubbed l'ales of the Great St. Bernard. 3 vols. 12mo. out by the wear and tear of half a century: London, 1828. Colburn. even the sugar-baker, in his less exalted moVARIETY is charming, says the old song, and ments, admitted that I was rather an intelligent of this truth our author seems persuaded. The kind of person for a man of five hundred a year. lakes and valleys, the sunshine and snow of Yet if this mighty refiner's praise were flatter. Switzerland, the poetry of Italy, the romance ing to my vanity, his opulence was fatal to my of Spain, the gorgeous array of the Ottoman, peace. The liveries, equipage, and banquets of contrast with the pretensions and mortifica- Mr. Molasses disturbed my wife's pillow; and tions, the little affectations, distresses, and every new dinner of three courses turned our dilemmas, of actual and English life,-a suc-bread into bitterness." cession of richly coloured pictures in the magic He goes to London to settle business, induced lantern of invention. A snow-storm confines by the will of a relation leaving him ten thouvisitors from all parts of the earth at the con- sand a year; and the following scenes, on his vent of St. Bernard, and slight conversations return home, are the reverse of the picture. produce the ensuing tales. Hebe, a romantic "The remittances that I had made from Epistles to a Friend in Town, Golconda's Fête, story of love, war, hardships, and escapes, ad- London were already conspiring against my and other Poems. By Chandos Leigh, Esq. mirable in its oriental sketches, but somewhat quiet. I could scarcely get a kiss from either Second edition, containing a Fourth Epistle. diffuse; while, in striving to exhibit quite melo- of my girls, they were in such merciless haste Post 8vo. pp. 288. London, 1828. Colburn. dramatic scenes, probability is rather tasked: to make their dinner toilet.' My kind and We noticed this volume on its first appearance, perhaps in a tale of Hungarian chiefs, sultans, comely wife was actually not to be seen; and and commended it for the general ability mani- slaves, princes, viziers, and seraskiers, it is too her apology, delivered by a coxcomb in silver fested in the greater number of the poems of much to expect la vérité, but we might look for lace to the full as deep as any in the sugarwhich it consists. Mr. Leigh's style differs la vraisemblance. All the supernatural jug- baker's service, was, that his lady would have from that which obtains in the poetical compo- glery in this tale staggers us; and whatever it the honour of waiting on me as soon as she was sitions of the day; if it be less ambitious and accomplishes, the most simple human means dressed.' This was of course the puppy's own imaginative, or less prodigal in its display of would have effected equally well. The whole is version of the message; but its meaning was diction, there is no denying, we think, that it a cento of lucky meetings, and rescuings from clear, and it was ominous. Dinner came at is terser and more carefully wrought, and that untoward incidents; but we could excuse al- last: the table was loaded with awkward prothe thoughts are worthy of every attention, most any event that introduces such excellent fusion; but it was as close an imitation as we inasmuch as they are connected with subjects portraitures as the Neapolitan ambassadress, could yet contrive of our opulent neighbour's interesting to humanity in all its conditions. the English nobleman, "whose life is of the post- display. No less than four footmen, discharged The school of Pope seems to be that in which chaise, and whose end is of the pistol ;" and as splendid superfluities from the household of the writer has acquired his poetical creed; and though last, not least, the boatman of the Da- a duke, waited behind our four chairs, to make we are glad to see that this school still conti- nube. To this story succeed several others: the their remarks on our style of eating in contrast nues popular, and that a second edition is re- Red-nosed Lieutenant, the Patron Saint, and with the polished performances at their late quired of a work written in conformity to its the Married Actress, have already had their master's. But Mrs. Molasses had exactly four. rules. We have now, besides a few other in- meed of approbation in divers periodicals; and The argument was unanswerable. Silence and troductions, a Fourth Epistle to a Friend in to the Locked-up Beauty we shall apply the sullenness reigned through the banquet; but Town. This Epistle is, we think, the best of author, Mr. Croly's, own words-a "flattering on the retreat of the four gentlemen who did us the honour of attending, the whole tale of evil burst forth. What is the popularity of man? The whole family had already dropped from the highest favouritism into the most angry disrepute. A kind of little rebellion raged against us in the village: we were hated, scorned, and libelled, on all sides. My unlucky remittances had done the deed. The village milliner, a cankered old carle, who had made caps and bonnets for the vicinage during the last forty years, led the battle. The wife and "I may be forgiven for talking of this period daughters of a man of East Indian wealth were of my life, for it was my pleasantest. My not to be clothed like meaner souls; and the sylph had laid aside her wings without giving sight of three London bonnets in my pew had set up her playfulness. She was pretty and fond; the old sempstress in a blaze. The flame was she thought me by much the wisest and most easily propagated. The builder of my chaiselearned personage the sun shone on; and, cart was irritated at the handsome barouche in grieved as she was by the superior finery of which my family now moved above the heads a sugar-baker's establishment, whose labours of mankind. The rumour that champagne had sweetened half the coffee of Europe, and whose appeared at the cottage roused the indignation wealth unluckily overflowed in a new mansion of the honest vintner who had so long supplied and preposterous demesne within a stone's- me with port; and professional insinuations of throw of our cottage, she preserved, at least, the modified nature of this London luxury were the average temper of the matrimonial state. employed to set the sneerers of the village While she was busy with domestic cares, I was against me and mine. Our four footmen had plying my pen; and statesmen yet unborn may been instantly discovered by the eye of our thank me for the gratuitous wisdom of the opulent neighbour; and the competition was hints that I threw out in the shape of pamphlet at once laughed at as a folly, and resented as and paragraph. But the world is an ungrate- an insult. Every hour saw some of my old ful one after all; and I was not summoned to friends falling away from me. An unlucky the privy-council. In this primitive way I cold, which seized one of my daughters a week glided on for twenty years; famous for the before my return, had cut away my twenty earliest roses, the largest cucumbers, and the years' acquaintance, the village-doctor, from two prettiest daughters in the county. I played my cause; for the illness of an heiress' was the castanets, spoke French, and interpreted a not to be cured by less than the first medical turnpike-act, ali better than any man for fifty authority of the province. The supreme Esmiles round, I was applied to for cheap lawculapius was accordingly called in; and his the four. The topics discussed belong strictly Frowns, can another's radiance her's eclipse? A purse-proud rival, not in loveliness, Dares to surpass her, but in wealth's excess. Some book, it matters not in prose or rhyme, Where to support the poor, bazars are graced tale of hope, love, orange-groves, and chevaliers, humbler brother swore, in the bitterness of his | matters worse. zonets and concertantes, readings from Rous- hundred other good Reviewer's excuses; but seau, and recitations from Voltaire, were the to none of these can we refer in the present order of the day. Ariosto reposed upon the case. The simple truth is, that some books toilet, and the pastor Fido lay the tender com- disgust us so much, and so early in our perusal panion of the pillow; and when, after a fort- of them, that we never can muster resolution night's absence at my Yorkshire manor, I re- to go farther. In vain do we adjure ourselves turned, I could scarcely know my own flesh by the sense of public duty; in vain do we and blood in the two operatic divinities that remind ourselves (viva voce, while sitting shrank from the horrors of an accueil' so alone) of the very many tiresome hours we threatening as mine, to their machinery of have devoted in the same way: neither stiFrench flowers, fronts à la Valière, and flounces mulus nor encouragement can prevail over à la the deuce knows who. But I had no time the nausea of some books; and Hazlitt's to display my wrath on the subject; my atten- Life of Napoleon has been one of these tion was drawn to another visiter. It was six ipecacuanha doses. We were not aware of months since I had sent my son to Oxford, a what has since been suggested to us by a handsome, healthy, and intelligent youth as mutual friend, that the whole thing is a any in the land. He had, of course, shared hoax; and that Hazlitt's rivalry of Scott was in the family prosperity, and where my remit- a genuine piece of fun, at the serious taking of tances cautiously paused, his mother's secret ge- which by a few Reviews, there was no small nerosity made ample recompense. Between us, laughter among the parties concerned in the we might as well have sent him as many doses waggery. Yet, in truth, we cannot but conof arsenic. In my misbelieving presence stood sider the work to be not only too long, but too a sickly-visaged rake, an exhausted emblem of grave for a jest: the price also is considerable, supreme elegance, ringleted and moustached and a consideration. like a German mountebank, with a cigar puff- Whether in joke or in earnest, however, the ing from his lips into my face, and a cheek author is a strenuous admirer of Buonaparte : sallow with late hours and dissipation. Hold- and though his statements respecting that extraing out to me, as I gazed in speechless asto- ordinary man involve him in the oddest and nishment, a finger loaded with rings, he, in grossest contradictions, it is altogether a whim. some jargon, half French, half English, conde-sical caricature, and amazingly heightened by My wife's visit to Bath had touched her scended to acknowledge me. I broke from mock metaphysical dissertations, than which with a new sense of the necessity of foreign him, and from all, and rushed to my chamber nothing could be more out of place in real history, elegance to English perfection; and the most to give vent to feelings which I dared not but which (excepting their heaviness) add wonaccomplished emigrée that Paris ever polished, shew to my alienated household. I spent the derfully to the pleasantry of the mock-heroic. luckily dropped in her way at the moment rest of that day alone, and in a bitterness of Mr. H. begins with his burlesque at the very when she was in absolute despair of seeing her heart that might have made the beggar at my beginning the birth of Napoleon, whose modaughters ever possess the true flow of a lan- gate rejoice in his nakedness. My son un-ther, he humorously tells us," then pregnant," guage so essential to their existence as French. done; my daughters perverted into puppets followed some army, &c. “and resided a long The introduction had been managed with di- and dolls; my wife's honest head turning in time (not quite nine months) on the summit of plomatic dexterity by a lady of the first fashion, the general whirl of fashion and foolery;-if Monte Rotondo ;"" but as the term of her who, I had good subsequent reason to believe, a wish from the bottom of my soul could have pregnancy drew near a close, she obtained a received fifty pounds from each party for her sent my estates flying through the air, and set safe-conduct from Marshal Devaux to return share in a negotiation of such exquisite diffi- me down on my quiet competence again, I to her, house at Ajaccio. Napoleon was born culty. We brought our invaluable treasure should that night have been the possessor of here on the day of the Feast of the Assumphome with us, and rejoiced in a tutoress, or five hundred pounds a year, and not a shilling tion. His mother had gone to church; but rather in an interesting friend,' who would more. But freedom is not the privilege of men finding herself taken ill, had hastened back to soon smooth us into such shining specimens of of my station.' I found on my table a notice her room, which she reached just in time, and society, that our rustic neighbours would not dare to lift their dazzled eyes where we trod. The emigrée was pretty, and she had a pretty story, which she disclosed to the heads of the house under the most solemn seal of secrecy,' and with some as prettily produced tears as I ever saw glitter on a long silken eyelash. She was' and the sigh that sent forth the tale was accompanied with an attesting upthrown glance of the dewy black eye, that none but a Goth or a Hun could dare to disbelieve. She was the daughter, the only and beloved daughter,' of marquess of immense revenues, who, alas! fell a victim to his loyalty in the early stage of the revolution. He died in the army of Condé, after performing prodigies of valour, and bequeathing his infant Cassandre-Stephanie-Armide-St.-Ange to the care of his illustrious A contested election, and a winter in Lon-offence possible to be committed by a leetel leader. Attached from her birth to the royal don, finally exhaust the unfortunate baronet's baby within an hour after being born! " It cause, the most magnificent offers from Napo- patience, and he flies to Switzerland, "to be is not (as Mr. Hazlitt so well observes) leon himself could not tempt her to remain nobody, to be good for nothing, and to be it is not unreasonable to suppose" that this under his atrocious dynasty. Plutôt périr, happy.' And we must conclude by recom- first business of the rug at Ajaccio, and plutôt périr,' exclaimed the pretty ultra, with mending a visit to St. Bernard's to our read- his mother's high-wrought feelings, must an attitude worthy of Duchesnois. She had ers; they will find they can spend a very plea- have had a very great influence on the future vowed to devote her life to the sublime revenge sant morning or evening in these most amusing of imbuing English genius with the accom-volumes, of which the first two, and part of plishments of France, and thus depriving her the third, are entirely original. ungrateful country of the only laurel whose loss would be irreparable. To resist the conviction of such tears from such eyes was impossible. My two tall girls were instantly sent to drill. Their old acquirements were flung aside like old clothes. A new course of can 6 · a where the new-born infant came sprawling into the world on an old carpet with huge tawdry figures. It is not unreasonable to suppose, that the harassed life and high-wrought feelings of the mother, previously to his birth, might have had an influence on the temper and future fortunes of the son." that I had been most graciously appointed by The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte. By W. Hazlitt displays amazing skill in this way-exaggerating so as to give immense force to his burlesque. Thus, page 83, Vol. I., insisting, with all the semblance of earnest eulogy, on the importance of the free press, he winds up a laboured panegyric of the most pompous grandiloquence, with the burlesque, that it will shatter the strong holds of pride and prejudice to atoms, as the pent-up air shatters whatever resists its expansive force." pent-up air, and shattering whatever resisted it: it i This is the height of satire-the open press being like superb! |