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mind, as it is more cruel than we should have expected from the benevolent heart of Miss Taylor.

64. Winter Evening Recreations at M.

12mo, pp. 135. Hatchard.

"THE inhabitants of the Village of M, who resembled one large family, were accustomed, during the winter months, to meet once a week at each other's houses, after the different engagements of the day were concluded. As young persons of both sexes composed part of the society, it was proposed that each should exert his talents for the improvement and amusement of the rest. Many pieces, both in prose and verse, were by this means produced; some of which obtained a wider circulation than

at first was intended.

From these a selection has been made, which is now presented to the publick, with the initials of the Authors annexed."

The principal feature of this Vo

lume is a well-written and interesting Tale in prose, of 97 pages, intended to display the superior merits of Methodism, but a little overshooting the mark. The Spiritual Guide takes a rich heiress and her large fortune into his own family, breaking off an intended marriage; and the Hero and Heroine of the Tale, after being converted, are both, with a sort of stage-effect, killed off; as is also their worthy Teacher. This Tale is followed by several elegant specimens of Poetry, all on serious subjects; some of them (like the Work we have last noticed) rather too

much so.

We make one pleasing extract:

"To, on leaving M——. "Adieu then to M, adieu to each friend: [bend; Eliza far Westward her footsteps must

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Recall'd by Affection to Erin's green shore,
Perhaps to re-visit our valley no more!
As a meteor of light speeds its way
through the sky,
[to die;
And, though brightest of stars, only rises
So, leaving our firmament dark as before,
Thou fly'st, with thy ray to delight us no
more!

When with patriot ardour thy bosom
beats high, [den thine eye,
As the sight of thy Country shall glad-
Still a smile, still a sigh, yet bestow on
this shore,
[it more!
Though years may elapse ere thou visit
E'en then, though thy footsteps each

scene may retrace,

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Thy spirit shall fit where thou wan

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d'redst before, Though the friends thou hast lov❜d can E."

behold thee no more!

Commendable as are the sentiments

in the concluding Poem (a comment on a text in the Revelations), we cannot approve of the familiarity with which our blessed Saviour is made one of the Interlocutors.

65. NauticHours; 8vo. pp.78. Stockdale.

THIS Work, which the Author modestly styles "a thing of shreds and patches," is the production of no ordinary mind. It contains eighteen elegant little Poems; several of them tributary to the memories of the illustrious dead; among whom are Columbus, Blake, Benbow, Falconer, Riou*, and Nelson.

Of the two latter, our Readers shall have an opportunity of judging.

*Captain Riou, termed the gallant and good' by Lord Nelson, is considered by those who knew his worth, as one of the greatest losses the Navy of England sustained during the late wars. In the earlier period of his service, he shewed the undaunted firmness of his character. In 1789, when Lieutenant and Commander of the Guardian store-ship, he had the misfortune to strike upon an island of ice, and received so much damage, that scarcely a chance remained of the possibility of carrying her into port. In this situation, he encouraged those who wished it to leave the vessel, but deemed it unworthy in himself to quit his post; and he was so happy, after incessant exertions for ten weeks, as to succeed in carrying her into port. The noise and the splendour of battle, and the hopes and the honours of victory, may infuse, even into common minds, the courage and the sentiments of a hero; but he, whom an inherent sense of duty leads to meet and brave death, in its lingering and undazzling form, unaided by the triumph which accompanies, and unassured of the fame which rewards it, has a mind of no common order.”

ON

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"ON THE TOMB OF NELSON. "Away! nor one vain sorrow breathe Nor shed unwonted tribute here--Nor twine around the cypress wreath As though 'twere common dust beneath, As though it ask'd the common tear: Hence! this is Valour's, Virtue's dust! Immortal Nelson's hallow'd grave!— Hence! this is Glory's sacred trust!

And Glory's meed these ashes crave! Go! nerve thy heart to seek such doom, With patriot fervour beating highThen heap upon, around, this tomb, The laurel,-whose eternal bloom

Is Valour's wreath and canopy: This meed to win-that zeal to give'Twas his 'twas Nelson's godlike pride

For these-He liv'd as Heroes live!

For these-as Heroes die-He died!" "ON THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN RIOU, Vho fell in the Battle of Copenhagen.

"And shall we not that warrior's fate lament, [grac'd?

Whose parting hour a victor's laurel Nor shed due tribute o'er that monu1 mentt, [doom, are traced? Where Valour's deeds, and Valour's Yes! when a Hero falls-a Riou bleeds, Untimely bleeds ere Glory's course [speak his deedsThough Triumph crown--though Nelson Our tears must mourn a battle dearly

is run

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66. The Naiad, aTale; with other Poems.

8vo, pp. 63. Taylor and Hessey. "THE Naiad," we are told, "is founded on a beautiful Scotch ballad, which was procured from a young girl of Galloway, who delighted in preserving the romantic songs of her Country."

"Nothing can be finer than the fancy and pathos of the original; from the necessity, however, of changing the scene, little, if any, of the imagery of the old Ballad could be retained. The story is in itself powerfully in

+ In St. Paul's Cathedral.

teresting, and forms one of the richest subjects for fanciful and feeling poetry that can possibly be imagined. One of the ballads of Goëthe, called "The Fisherman,' is very similar in its incidents to it: Madame de Stael, in her elegant work on Germany, thus describes it:

A poor man, on a summer evening, seats himself on the bank of a river, and as he throws in his line, contemplates the clear and liquid tide which gently flows and bathes his naked feet. The nymph of the stream invites him to plunge himself into it; she describes to him the delightful freshness of the water during the heat of summer, the pleasure which the sun takes in cooling itself at night in the sea, the calmness of the moon when its rays repose and sleep on the bosom of the stream: at length the fisherman, attracted, seduced, drawn on, disappears." advances near the nymph, and for ever

With an evident imitation of the varied measures of Lord Byron, this pretty little story is told in elegant language; and the versification, with the exception of a few awkward rhymes, is harmonious.

Lord Hubert, returning late in the evening to a young Bride, accompanied by his little page, enjoys the calmness of an Autumnal evening.

66

edge,

They kept their course by the water's [sedge; And listen'd at times to the creeking Or started from some rich fanciful dream, At the sullen plunge of the fish in the stream;

Then would they watch the circle bright, (The circle, silver'd by the moonlight,) Go widening, and shining, and trembling on, [gone.

Till' a wave leap'd up, and the ring was Or the otter would cross before their eyes, [nook lies;

And hide in the bank where the deep Or the owl would call out through the silent air, [lous cry; With a mournful, and shrill, and tremuOr the hare from its form would start

up and pass by; [and there. And the watch-dog bay them here The leaves might be rustled-the waves

be curl'd

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Ah! who would go dreaming away the night, [so light?" When its bue is so fair, and its airs are Like the Fisherman of Goethe, Lord Hubert is seduced by a bewitching Spirit in the lovely form of a Naiad. "It rises from the bank of the brook, And it comes along with an angel look; Its vest is like snow, and its hand is as fair, [and air, Its brow seems a mingling of sunbeam And its eyes so meek, which the glad tear laves, [waves;

Are like stars bebeld soften'd in summer
The lily hath left a light on its feet,
And the smile on its lip is passingly
sweet;
[earth;-

It moves serene, but it treads not the
Is it a lady of mortal birth?
Down o'er her shoulders her yellow hair
flows,
[glows;
And her neck through its tresses divinely
Calm in her hand a mirror she brings,
And she sleeks her loose locks, and gazes,

and sings."

Lord Hubert, forgetting his Bride, listened to the Enchantress, and was irrecoverably lost.

his dream;

"She stept into the silver wave, And sank, like the morning mist, from the eye; [sigh, Lord Hubert paus'd with a misgiving And look'd on the water as on his grave. [the stream, But a soften'd voice came sweet from Such sound doth a young lover hear in [derly hollow: It was lovely, and mellow'd, and tenStep on the wave, where sleeps the moon-beam, [cate gleam; Thou wilt sink secure through its deliFollow, Lord Hubert, follow!' He started pass'd on with a graceful mirth, [earth. And vanish'd at once from the placid -The waters prattled sweetly, wildly, Still the moonlight kiss'd them mildly; All sounds were mute, save the screech of the owl, [dog's howl; And the otter's plunge, and the watchBut from that cold moon's setting, never Was seen Lord Hubert-he vanish'd for [young day, And ne'er from the breaking of that Was seen the light form that had pass'd away."

ever:

Five small Poems, not devoid of merit, accompany "The Naiad.”

67. Emigration; or, England and Paris; a Poem. 8vo, pp. 52. Baldwin & Co. WE readily give credit to the Author of this Poem, as to the "patriotie motives' in which it originated.

"He had witnessed, with a grief which he is sure he participates in common with his countrymen at large, the present system of travelling or emigrating to various parts of the Continent, and particularly to Paris; and he felt that every individual ought to add his effort, feeble as it may be, to counteract so injurious a practice. -With regard to the political effects of the system at the present serious juncture, no language can possibly be too strong. At a moment when labour is so scarce, that charitable institutions are actually engaged in discovering new modes of employing thousands of persons, who are both able and willing to work, but who cannot procure occupation, it is no trifting offence to subtract from the demand for national industry, by residing in Countries where none but foreign provisions and foreign manufactures are, of course, required. It is surely not just or patriotic to pamper foreign artizans and labourers at the expence of our own. The periodical prints inform us that there are not less than 60,000 absentees, and reckoning that each of these, taking the average, derives from home an income of 2001. per annum, the loss to the Nation will be more than

thirty thousand pounds sterling per day, or twelve millions a year!

"The enormous sums which have been expended in mere travelling, or, in other words, in enriching innfrom the keepers and postilions, three-guinea fare to the most splendid equipage, would have formed no mean item in assisting the labouring and manufacturing poor, many of whom are suffering all the calamities of war in the midst of plenty and of peace. Even if expended on luxuries, these immense sums would have greatly assisted the numerous tradesmen who are ruined by the absence of their late customers, without a possibility, as things now stand, of obtaining new ones. closely compacted a society as that of England, every link which is taken away weakens and disjoins the rest.

In so

"Nothing is intended to apply to those who really travel on business, and who are therefore benefiting their Country as well as themselves. Yet even to these it might not be inappropriate to suggest the necessity of guarding against that moral contagion which they are destined to encounter; nor is it too precise to remind them specifically, of the religious veneration due to the Sunday, and to that Sacred Volume which is the best, and only effectual antidote to the poisonous atmosphere in which they are likely to be placed.'

We

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We admire the manly indignation with which the Poet apostrophizes the various classes of Emigrators; and the proper respect be shews to female delicacy, and to the education of youth, in which he takes occasion to pay a just tribute to his Alma Mater, the University of Oxford.

On this subject we copy a note illustrative of the observations of Mr. Wainewright in our last, p. 343.

"In addition to the idea of obtaining accomplishments, the plea of economy is urged in favour of a foreign education. In this point, many of our best establishments. and certainly our Universities, are very defective; so that it is quite impossible for a parent of moderate fortune to bestow on a large family what is usually termed a finished education. Perhaps, in connexion with the great recent improvements at Oxford, this point may ultimately obtain the requisite degree of attention; and also another point connected with both the English Universities, namely, the necessity of providing more liberal means for specific education. It is obviously incongruous that nearly the same line of study, with some trifling ceremoniál differences, should qualify equally for a degree in Arts, Physick, Law, and Divinity. Still, however, economy is but a poor plea for subjecting one's son to the contamination of foreign manners and example. Where the choice lies, as in the case of parents of limited fortune it often must, between what is considered a second rate education at home, with a power of regulating the morals and instilling correct principles, and a first-rate education abroad, where those morals and principles are almost sure to be vitiated,—it needs but one grain of patriotism, or religion, or right feeling,

to turn the scale in favour of the former."

Describing the progress of luxurious dissipation, after lamenting the change of manners which led the wealthy to exchange their rural abodes for a residence in the crowded Metropolis, he adds,

*Thus madly rose The Bath, or Watering-place, where Summer's self,

Parent of Freedom, coop'd in narrow cell Of boarding-house, soon learnt the joyless modes

Of artificial life, nor felt a wish [smiled For solitude and groves. Stern Ocean To view where late uprose the lonely hut Of simple fisherman, yon gay hotel

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The varied seasons and the varied hours, So pomp, and rout, and rivalry, be there. -Yet tasteless though the change, and dire its aim,

When each Bethesda, rising to a mart For civic pleasures, saw eclipsed the pride Of wide domains, deserted and forgotAll was not lost. The eddying wealth of fools [land. Still flow'd at home, nor grac'd a rival -But ah! what counterpoise for yonder heaps [heir design'd Of hard-earn'd wealth, by spendthrift To deck a foreign shore. What in return Shall fawning Paris yield, but what, posMakes poverty more poor?" [sess❜d,

One more extract must be given. Speaking of past times, he says, "Yet there was one, one truly British heart;

Blest be the memory of a name endear'd By native principles, and native taste, And Christian faith, and home-bred courtesy,

And all that woos or wins a patriot soul! No momentary flash to shock the world He glow'd no meteor in the frighted sky, With sudden blaze, and hurl destruction round;

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A softer radiance mark'd his daily fires, And, like yon orb, with constant light [impede To scatter blessings. Storms might oft His generous path, and veil the steady beam [clouds: That calmly shone behind opposing Yet still we lov'd his light, which ne'er

diffus'd

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JUNIUS! What demons waken at the sound!
Record in brass indelible the name,
That ages yet unborn may learn a word
To designate each new and darkest shade
Of infamy and guilt. Ah! no, conceal'd
In blackest night he lies; black as the
deed
[tard hand

That made him infamous. Guilt's das-
'Midst unknown caverus seiz'd the trem-
bling pen,
[night torch,
And quaked at every breeze. The mid-
Enkindled by the breath of laughing
fiends,
[wrapt,
The growing work beheld. In silence
While man, and beast, and Nature sought
repose,

The fell assassin shudder'd to review His murderous lines. Great Brutus, see thy name [t'rous hand Usurp'd to shield a wretch whose traiWould scatter discord round our peace[throne!"

ful shores, And tear a guiltless Monarch from his

68. The Battle of Waterloo, a Poem ; in Two Cantos. By John Haskins. 8vo, pp. 63. Black and Son.

THIS memorable Battle will continue to be celebrated in the Annals of British Glory to the end of time. Though little now remains to be told on the subject, Mr. Haskins has reputably performed his task. We will give his conclusion of the contest. "One desperate effort now the Gauls intend,

play,

To bring the contest to decisive end, Their chosen troops, with animated cry, March gaily on for death or victory. Once more th' artillery 'gan its dreadful [away, True to its aim, and swept whole files Unaw'd they march, though still as they proceed, [lions bleed; From each discharge the throng`d battaNow near advanc'd, the glorious sight imparts

New life and vigour to the British hearts. Instant their squares each compact front enlarge, [Charge!' Prompt to obey, they hail the word to "Tis done; they fly! the Gallic armies fly! And from the bayonet turn th' averted eye. [line resounds, Charge! Charge! along the British 'Charge!' on their rear from rank to rank rebounds. [their host! What dreadful carnage now o'ertakes Shot, shells, and steel, an equal vengeance boast! [shout, Struck with a panick at the conquerors' Quickly the flight becomes a broken [the way, Here cannons, tumbrils, baggage, choak Chging to life, impatient of delay,

rout.

The flying wretches, each for self alone, Destroy their comrades' lives to save their own: [fear, E'en then, how few escape the fate they The sword still hangs upon their broken

rear,

But such the fury (Oh! the cause bewail) Scarce one remains to teil the dreadful tale."

69. Catalogue of Pictures, representing Christ Rejected, Christ Healing in the Temple, and a Design of Our Saviour's Crucifixion; with Sketches from other Scriptural Subjects; painted by B. West, Esq. President of the Royal Academy, and Historical Painter to the King; now exhibiting in Pall Mall, near Carlton House. 8vo. pp. 16. Reynell.

THE subject of the principal Picture is, Christ rejected by the Jewish High Priest, the Elders, and the People, when brought to them by Pilate from the Judgment Hall.

"The wonderful events, of which this incident forms so striking a portion, took place when empire had reached its zenith under the Romans, and universal peace prevailed. They had been distinctly foretold by the Inspired Writers, and no meaner agents than Angels from Heaven had announced the advent of the Messiah, glorifying God in the highest, and proclaiming on earth peace, and good will towards men;" thus awfully preparing the minds of men for the approach of an epoch, in which a new and mighty influence would overturn all the established moral and religious systems of the civilized world, making darkness and destruction vanish before, and give place to, light and immortality. For such a subject an Epic composition was demanded; for it seemed every way proper that the principal characters in the History, as well as the Divine Chief himself, should be brought together on the canvas, and represented by the pencil, as they had been described by the hallowed Prophets and holy Evangelists."

For the purpose of assisting the beholder in a proper understanding of the Picture, several selections are made in the Catalogue from the Sacred Writings, and, after a description of the several other Pictures and Sketches, we are told,

"Mr. West feels that he should be defcient in his gratitude to the Supreme Being, who gave and continued to him life and health, and to his King, who graciously bestowed on him the requi

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