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æra; and we shall feel but little apprehension as to the decision which posterity will form upon our author's great talents, conspicuous worth, and gigantic labours. With a manliness and high moral courage, Southey professed a pride of parentage, and without obtrusiveness, neglected no fitting opportunity of speaking with respect and affection of both father and mother. The former was a respectable, though not wealthy, wholesale linen-draper, in Wine-street, Bristol, where the subject of these remarks was born, on the 12th of August, 1774, and, at the age of six years, was sent to a preparatory school in his native city, conducted by Mr. Foote, a baptist minister and man of great abilities, but then also of a great age. From this gentleman's care he was removed to Corston, near Newton St. Loo, where he was first the pupil of a Mr. Flower, and afterwards of William Williams, a Welshman, from whom little scholarship was to be got." Having passed two years in this neighbourhood, his father procured for him the assistance of a private tutor, after which preparation, in 1788, when he had just passed his fourteenth year, through the generosity of his maternal uncle, Mr. Hill, he was removed to Westminster school, of which Dr. Vincent was then head-master. Here he could no longer enjoy that happy security from the impregnation of vice which private tuition and even private schools afford, and when a violent rebellion against the master broke out, young Southey was amongst the number of the traitors, and, being convicted, was censured accordingly. Whether he found the revolutionary spirit of the times to be irresistible, or that the young Catilines of Westminster exercised a potent spell over him, it is certain, that, when he was enabled, by the continued liberality of his uncle, to proceed to Baliol College, Oxford, in 1792, he carried with him the wildest theories of government that were then imported from France, and which had found favour from the success of the monsters with whom they originated. Whatever steadiness of character Southey displayed at school, he himself attributed to his recollection and practice of a favourite maxim of his father's: "tie the stocking tight and be punctual.” Strict attention to this first principle in self-government often saved him from corporal chastisement, when those who were ignorant of its value paid the penalty of their ill-fortune; they had the consolation, however, of reading the youthful poet's sympathy for their sufferings in his contributions to a periodical of the day, very appropriately named “The Flagellant."

It was his own and his uncle's intention, when Southey entered at Oxford, that the Church should be his destination, and for some time he pursued his studies with the most laudable perseverance; but so deeply had the revolutionary principles of France taken root in his heart, that he no longer attempted to eradicate or conceal them. It was perhaps about the year 1792 that he first became acquainted with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, then a student of Jesus College, Cambridge, but educated at Christ's Hospital, London. Their pursuits in all respects were kindred; both were entirely devoted to the cause of literature, and cultivation of poetry, for which they were eminently endowed by nature; both were fired with

that political enthusiasm that swept over the land; both longed for what they considered freedom, yet wanted the means of accomplishing their emancipation; and it is not one of the least remarkable of those links that enchained them in friendship, that both were natives of Bristol, although until this period unknown to each other. In addition to his republican opinions, Southey had now imbibed Socinian principles. Feeling, therefore, that he could neither conscientiously receive holy orders, nor remain happily under a purely monarchical government, he decided upon resigning both his college and his country. In these wild projects he enlisted his two bosom friends and brothers in song, Lovell and Coleridge, and, proceeding to Bristol, there held a consultation as to the best mode of securing the liberties of the human race in future from the designs and ambition of political rulers. The system agreed upon was that of a Pantisocracy, or society wherein all things should be in common; and the spot fixed on as the citadel of future Freedom was the banks of the Susquehana, in North America. But "haud facile emergunt quorum virtutibus obstat res angusta domi ;" and the Utopian visions in which the three friends indulged were dissipated by that excellent instructress, Poverty: leaving the banks of the Susquehana, however, to be immortalised in melody by no mean name amongst the tuneful brethren of that day-Thomas Campbell.

It was during the short residence of these advocates of universal liberty at Bristol that the idea occurred to them, "how much happiness depends upon good government at home, and how advisable it would be that each should immediately provide himself with a partner in that description of economy." While under this influence, Southey introduced his friends to the Misses Fricker, three sisters, who kept a school in Bristol, and were admired for the extent of their accomplishments, independent of much personal gracefulness. The frustration of the colonisation scheme interrupted the matrimonial project at that moment; but the three friends, at no distant date, redeemed their respective pledges of attachment, which each had never afterwards any reason to regret, the married lives of these very interesting women being both exemplary and fortunate.

It would be difficult to ascertain whence Southey's resources were now derived, but, judging from those works of which it is known he is the author, published at that time; and from the rapidity of his mind at subsequent periods, it may fairly be concluded that literature constituted his only mode of existence. Wisely deeming that mystery has its peculiar value in surprising the reading public, and aware of the merciless bearing of critics towards young authors, "The Retrospect, and other Poems," the joint production of Southey and his friend Lovell, which appeared in 1794, and are generally supposed to have been his earliest efforts as an author, came out under the assumed names of Moschus and Bion. The remuneration which he now easily obtained for his literary contributions, enabled him to think of fulfilling his promise to his Edith, and in 1795, the young poet entered into the bonds of matrimony, and resigned some portion of his much loved freedom. This, however, was

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not political liberty, for which his enthusiasm was kindled even higher than before; for, in his " Wat Tyler," published the same year, he advocated the principle of universal liberty and equality, with a fervour not exceeded by any writer of that agitated period. This vehemence, whether it arose from that warmth of feeling of which youth is often injuriously susceptible,—whether the calmer judgment of maturer years condemned the errors of those that were past,-or whether self-interest was the influencing motive for a sudden and total change of political sentiment, and which it is now not material, if it were possible, to ascertain-he lived to regret. So complete was the change of sentiment his mind had undergone, that he employed the most active measures for the suppression of the work itself: he destroyed all the unsold copies, bought up many of those that had been distributed, and exhibited the plainest demonstration of an abandonment of early projects and principles, as false lights which he had too long respected. Carlisle, and others, who did not hesitate to expose themselves to legal penalties, provided they could hold up a political deserter to public scorn, had the boldness to republish "Wat Tyler" without Mr. Southey's permission. An injunction was instantly applied for by the indignant author, but the Chancellor refused to interfere, on the ground of its very objectionable principles. Nor had our author the consolation of public sympathy, which, however generously it is often extended in other instances, is seldom shown for political apostates.

A prospect of improvement, advantage, and gratification, now opened to Southey's view, in the kind proposal of his uncle and old patron, the Rev. Herbert Hill, to take him along with him to Lisbon, to the English Factory, and to the British Embassy, at which place he had been appointed chaplain. Long previous to this date the young poet had been engaged in the composition of his "Joan of Arc," his first considerable production, and on which he poured out all the ardour of his poetic genius, and over which there breathes a true poetic inspiration. Many passages might be quoted from the work, to support our judgment and the author's claim to a high rank amongst English poets; but his writings are so voluminous, that no more space can here be assigned to extracts from them than a species of literary necessity demands;-the consecration of the heroine is one of those peculiar passages. The poet has delineated the interior of the ancient abbey, with all its awfully impressive circumstances of shrines, and tombs, and altars, and tonsured priests, and soul-subduing sounds of sacred song, that first swell, then gradually fade away, like the departing spirits of just men: all these he has portrayed to the inspired maid, in colours suitable to the grandeur of the subject. And this memorable example of descriptive poetry is followed by the introduction of the championess herself,-one of the most beautiful, delicate, and poetic passages in any of the author's poetical productions :

"As she came, a loveliest blush

O'er her fair cheek suffus'd, such as became

One mindful still of maiden modesty,

Though of her own worth conscious. Thro' the aisle
The cold wind moaning as it pass'd along,

Waved her dark-flowing locks. Before the train,
In reverend silence waiting their sage will,
With half-averted eyes she stood composed.
So have I seen the simple snowdrop rise
Amid the russet leaves that hide the earth
In early spring, so seen its gentle bend
Of modest loveliness amid the waste
Of desolation."

It has been asserted that his "Joan of Arc" occupied the author but six short weeks in composition. Not only is this mere assertion, but it is the fact that he had conceived the plan of this poem long previous to publication-bestowed extraordinary care upon its execution—and submitted the MS. to his friend, Joseph Cottle, in whose hands he left it for publication upon his embarking for Portugal*.

(To be continued.)

WISDOM AND WEALTH.

AN ALLEGORY.

In the beginning of things, before experience had instructed either celestial or terrestial beings in the consequences attending the indulgence of different passions and affections, a dispute arose for precedency between Wisdom and Wealth.

The contest was to be decided before the throne of Jupiter. In advancing to that awful tribunal, Wealth was the foremost, and assumed to herself the right of first addressing the god. She was preceded by two gorgeous lackeys, who were known to be Pride and Arrogance; and was followed by the revel rout of noisy and tumultuous Luxury. She was herself sumptuously, but not elegantly apparelled. Her robes were of cloth of gold, adorned and embroidered with a profusion of gems and colours. She wore on her head a most splendid tiara, loaded with gold and jewels. "I," said she, "Oh, Jupiter, have the best right to precedence. By me, man shall enjoy all the pleasures of life. By me he shall dwell in magnificent palaces; be carried in superb carriages, be arrayed with the finest raiment, feed upon the most dainty viands, and live upon earth even the life of gods. Oh, Jupiter! that by giving me precedence thou wilt study thine own interests; for by me man shall be enabled to do thee homage in lofty temples, and with costly oblations." She ceased, scarcely deigning to yield obeisance, even to him who sat on the throne of Olympus. Meantime, Wisdom advanced, arrayed in white robes, and having over them an azure mantle, as a symbol of the consistency and permanency of her benefits. She wore a veil; her approach was modest and respectful to the divinity. She was attended by an old man, whose hoary locks deserved veneration, and

*Mr. Cottle carried on the business of bookseller and printer at Bristol for many years, and was himself author of several admired poems. Amongst them are "Malvern Hills;" "Alfred;" "John the Baptist;" "The Fall of Cambria," and

several others.

whose piercing eye seemed as if it would dart its beams into the darkest obscurity. He was known to be Learning, the tutor of Wisdom, and who attended her at present to support her in her contest, to invigorate her address, and abash Wealth and her vain-glorious attendants. "Oh, Jupiter!" said Wisdom, with composed but modest speech, "if I may trust the indications of my own mind, and the suggestions of this venerable sage, I shall contribute largely to the improvement of the human race, Of their pleasures I make little account, but by promoting their improvement, I shall enlarge their happiness. By the invention of useful arts, I shall enable them to overcome all the difficulties of their condition. By me they shall, with perfect security, traverse the billows of the boundless deep. By me they shall obtain that opulence which is so much extolled, and not only so, but by me alone they shall be able to enjoy it. Without me, it will be to them only a source of discord, of strife, and of anxiety. By me too, though they should not obtain riches, they will learn to be happy without them. By me they shall obtain tranquillity, peace of mind, and contentment. By me they shall live in friendly society; and by me they shall at length arise to celestial mansions. Wealth, during the speech of Wisdom, felt herself so much abashed, that she would have anticipated the decree of Jupiter, and retired. But by the suggestions of her two menials, she assumed, in her deporture, an air of pretended confidence and superiority; and said, "She set no value on the award of Jupiter; for that by her own means she would readily obtain from innumerable votaries and admirers, sufficient superiority." The beams of celestial favour issuing from the throne of Jupiter, in the form of a radiant crown, invested the head of Wisdom.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE RED SEA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN, ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

THE attention of England, and indeed of Europe, is now more than ever interested in the means to be employed to procure a rapid communication between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, across the Isthmus of Suez. If a canal, navigable for steam-boats, were to be cut across the Isthmus, the passage from Marseilles, or London, to Bombay, might be accomplished in from thirty-six, forty, forty-five days; and if, instead of a canal, a railroad were established, the voyage would be accomplished in as short a period: the time necessarily lost in portage or transhipment, would be compensated by the rapidity of the passage across the Isthmus.

Unfortunately, some time will elapse before the conflicting interests which contend for the possession of this corner of the globe will permit the decision of the question between these two modes of communication, which would give such an impulse to the commerce of the old continent. Waiting this much-to-be desired result, it may not be uninteresting to