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called a delicate chicken, had evidently died of a consumption. The macaroni was smoked. The beefsteak was tough buffalo's flesh. There was what appeared to be a dish of stewed eels, of which the Englishman ate with great || relish; but had nearly refunded them when told that they were viners, caught among the rocks of Terracina, and esteemed a great delicacy."

The Englishman disbelieves all the stories of robbers, with an edifying obstinacy. The landlord's stories are treated with infinite contempt, although he gives the details of the last robbery of the "Magnifico, Aldermanno Popkin, and the Principessa Popkin, and the Signorine Popkin." Some of the other travellers begin to relate their stories of marvellous achievements by the bandits, till the Englishman's sturdy infidelity is a little shaken. These stories are a little heavy. They are founded on fact, and the best of them,-"The Painters' Adventure," happened whilst we were at Rome. We can only afford room for some parts of the humorous misfortune of Alderman Popkins and his family:

"It was but a few days before, that the carriage of Alderman Popkins had driven up to the inn of Terracina. Those who have seen an English family carriage on the continent must have remarked the sensation it produces. It is an epitome of England; a little morsel of the old island rolling about the world. Every thing about it compact, snug, finished, and fitting. The wheels, turning on patent axles without rattling; the body, hanging so well on its springs, yielding to every motion, yet protecting from every shock; the ruddy faces gaping from the windows-sometimes of a portly old citizen, sometimes of a voluminous dowager, and sometimes of a fine fresh hoyden just from boarding-school. And then the dickey's loaded with well-dressed servants, beef-fed and bluff; looking down from their heights with contempt on all the world around; profoundly ignorant of the country and the people, and devoutly certain that every thing not English must be wrong.

"Such was the carriage of Alderman Popkins as it made its appearance at Terracina. The courier who had preceded it to order horses, and who was a Neapolitan, had given a magnificent account of the riches and greatness of his master, blundering with an Italian's splendour of imagination about the alderman's titles and dignities: the host had added his usual share of exaggeration; so that by the time the alderman drove up to the door, he was a Milor-Magnifico-Principe-the Lord knows what!

"The alderman was advised to take an escort to Fondi and Itra, but he refused. It was as much as a man's life was worth, he said, to stop him on the king's highway: he would complain of it to the ambassador of Naples; he would make a national affair of it. The Principessa Popkins, a fresh motherly dame, seemed perfectly secure in the protection of her husband, so omnipotent a man in the city. The Signorine Popkins, two fine bouncing girls, looked to their brother Tom, who had taken lessons in boxing: and as to the dandy himself, he swore no scaramouch of an Italian robber would dare to meddle with an Englishman. The landlord shrugged his shoulders, and turned out the palms of his bands with a true Italian grimace, and the carriage of Milor Popkins rolled on.'

window of the carriage, and their waiting-maid squalling from the dickey.

"Alderman Popkins felt all the ire of the parent and the magistrate roused within him. He grasped his cane, and was on the point of scrambling down the rocks, either to assault the robbers or to read the riot act, when he was suddenly seized by the arm. It was by his friend the goatherd, whose cloak falling open, discovered a belt stuck full of pistols and stilettos. In short, he found himself in the clutches of the captain of the band, who had stationed himself on the rock to look out for travellers and to give notice to his men.

"A sad ransacking took place. Trunks were turned inside out, and all the finery and frippery of the Popkins' family scattered about the road. Such a chaos of Venice ladies, mingled with the alderman's nightcaps and lambsbeads, and Roman mosaics, and Paris bonnets of the young wool stockings, and the dandy's hair-brushes, stays, and

starched cravats.

The gentlemen were eased of their purses and their watches, the ladies of their jewels; and the whole party were on the point of being carried up into the mountain, when, fortunately, the appearance of soldiery at a distance obliged the robbers to make off with the spoils they had secured, and leave the Popkins family to gather together the remnants of their effects, and make the best of their way to Fondi. "When safe arrived, the alderman made a terrible blustering at the inn; threatened to complain to the ambassador at Naples, and was ready to shake his cane at the scuffles with the brigands, who overpowered him merely by whole country. The dandy had many stories to tell of his numbers. As to the Miss Popkins, they were quite delighted with the adventure, and were occupied the whole evening in writing it in their journals. They declared the captain of the band to be a most romantic-looking man, they dared to say some unfortunate lover, or exiled nobleman; and several of the band to be very handsome young menquite picturesque! In verity, said mine host of Terracina, they say the captain of the band is un gallant uomo.' I'd have your gallant man hanged like a dog." "A gallant man!' said the Englishman, indignantly, "To dare to meddle with Englishmen!' said Mr. Hobbs.

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"And such a family as the Popkinses!' said Mr. Dobbs.

"They ought to come upon the country for damages!' said Mr. Hobbs.

"Our ambassador shall make a complaint to the government of Naples,' said Mr. Dobbs.

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They should be obliged to drive these rascals out of the country,' said Hobbs.

"If they did not, we should declare war against them,' said Dobbs.

"Pish!-humbug!? muttered the Englishman to himself, and walked away."

The party finally set out with an escort, for Naples; but on their way are attacked by the banditti. The Englishman, of course, behaves very gallantly, and works wonders. He discomfits the brigand-saves the ladies-and is looked upon as a brave, high-spirited, and most disinterested person.

In the fourth part, entitled "The Money-diggers," we are transported to New York. It turns upon the "He ran to the edge of the rock, and, looking over, be- superstitious notions which prevailed amongst the early held his carriage surrounded by robbers. One held down settlers about the pirates, Kidd, Bluebeard, Bradish, &c. the fat footman, another had the dandy by his starched-famous names in the history of Trans-Atlantic buccravat, with a pistol to his head; one was rummaging a portmanteau, another rummaging the Principessa's pockets, while the two Miss Popkins were screaming from each

caneering. These persons were believed to have deposited their plunder in different spots near New York,

and Mr. Crayon has constructed several amusing stories upon this popular belief. They are written in the same style with "Risp Van Winkle," the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and "Dolph Hayliger," and perhaps bear too great a resemblance to their predecessors. Wolfert Webber, an honest Dutch burgher of New York, is the hero of the principal tale.

fluence of her taste was seen, also, in the family-garden, where the ornamental began to mingle with the useful; whole rows of fiery marigolds and splendid hollyhocks bordered the cabbage-beds, and gigantic sun-flowers lolled their broad jolly faces over the fences, seeming to ogle most af fectionately the passers by.

"Thus reigned and vegetated Wolfert Webber over his

paternal acres, peacefully and contentedly. Not but that, like all other sovereigns, he had his occasional cares and "He was descended from old Cobus Webber of the Brille vexations. The growth of his native city sometimes caused in Holland, one of the original settlers, famous for intro-him annoyance. His little territory gradually became ducing the cultivation of cabbages, and who came over to hemmed in by streets and houses, which intercepted air the province during the protectorship of Oloffe Van Kort- and sunshine. He was now and then subjected to the irlandt, otherwise called the Dreamer. ruptions of the border population that infest the skirts of a metropolis; who would sometimes make midnight forays into his dominions, and carry off captive whole platoons of his noblest subjects. Vagrant swine would make a descent, too, now and then, when the gate was left open, and lay all waste before them; and mischievous urchins would often decapitate the illustrious sun-flowers, the glory of the garden, as they lolled their heads so fondly over the walls. Still all these were petty grievances, which might now and then ruffle the surface of his mind, as a summer breeze will ruffle the surface of a mill-pond, but they could not disturb the deep-seated quiet of his soul. He would but seize a trusty staff that stood behind the door, issue suddenly out, and anoint the back of the aggressor, whether pig or urchin, and then return within doors marvellously refreshed and tranquillized."

"The field in which Cobus Webber first planted himself and his cabbages, had remained ever since in the family who continued in the same line of husbandry, with that praiseworthy perseverance for which our Dutch burghers are noted. The whole family-genius, during several generations, was devoted to the study and developement of this one noble vegetable, and to this concentration of intellect may, doubtless, be ascribed the prodigious size and renown to which the Webber cabbages attained.

"The Webber dynasty continued in uninterrupted succession; and never did a line give more unquestionable proofs of legitimacy. The eldest son succeeded to the looks as well as the territory of his sire; and had the portraits of this line of tranquil potentates been taken, they would have presented a row of heads marvellously resembling in shape and magnitude the vegetables over which they reigned.

"The seat of government continued unchanged in the family mansion, a Dutch-built house, with a front, or rather gable-end of yellow brick, tapering to a point, with the customary iron weathercock at the top. Every thing about the building bore the air of long settled ease and security. Flights of martins peopled the little coops nailed against its walls, and swallows built their nests under the eaves; and every one knows that these house-loving birds bring good luck to the dwelling where they take up their abode. In a bright sunny morning in early summer, it was delectable to hear their cheerful notes, as they sported about in the pure sweet air, chirping forth, as it were, the greatness and prosperity of the Webbers.

"Thus quietly and comfortably did this excellent family vegetate under the shade of a mighty button-wood tree, which by little and little grew so great as entirely to overshadow their palace. The city gradually spread its suburbs round their domain. Houses sprang up to interrupt their prospects; the rural lanes in the vicinity began to grow into the bustle and populousness of streets; in short, with all the habits of rustic life, they began to find themselves the inhabitants of a city. Still, however, they maintained their hereditary character and hereditary possessions with all the tenacity of petty German princes in the midst of the empire. Wolfert was the last of the line, and succeeded to the patriarchal bench at the door, under the family-tree, and swayed the sceptre of his fathers, a kind of rural potentate in the midst of the metropolis.

"To share the cares and sweets of sovereignty, he had taken unto himself an helpmate, one of that excellent kind called stirring women, that is to say, she was one of those notable little housewives who are always busy when there is nothing to do. Her activity, however, took one particular direction: her whole life seemed devoted to intense knitting; whether at home or abroad, walking or sitting, her needles were continually in motion; and it is even affirmed, that by her unwearied industry, she very nearly supplied her household with stockings throughout the year. This worthy couple were blessed with one daughter, who | was brought up with great tenderness and care; uncommon pains had been taken with her education, so that she could

stitch in every variety of way; make all kinds of pickles and preserves, and mark her own name on a sampler. The in

This is easy and smart, and justifies the high reputation of Mr. Irving, as a master of style. Webber is haunted by dreams about the pirate treasures, and wastes his fortune in efforts to discover them. These efforts are told with great humour, and are studded over with sketches of character and manners of some of the leading families of New York. Mr. Irving in several places strikes a loftier tone, and shews great power in the management of sterner feelings and passions. Poor Webber, after being reduced to beggary, and being regarded as a crazy fool, finally becomes a wealthy man, through the increase of the city, which rendered his little hereditary farm very valuable as building spots; and thus ends the story and the

volume.

To the remarks already made we have nothing to add. Mr. Irving's book will be read with a certain degree of pleasure by all, and with much disappointment by many. Parts of it are excellent, and parts are utterly unworthy his talents. It will be less liked than any of his former works, and we have only to hope that he may perceive the failure, and repair it as soon as possible, by the production of something vastly better.

Poetical Sketches: the Profession; the Broken Heart, &c. and other Poems. By ALARIC A. WATTS. London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co. 1824.

THESE poems have been for some time in private circulation, and therefore, have not, until recently come under our inspection. They strike us as being of a very sweet and amiable cast of sentiment, and written

in a very delicate and flowing style. Amongst many other beautiful gems, we find the following:

An Epicedium.
I.

"He left his home with a bounding heart,

For the world was all before him;

And felt it scarce a pain to part,

Such sun-bright beams came o'er him. He turned him to visions of future years, The rainbow's hues were round them; And a father's bodings-a mother's tears

Might not weigh the hopes that crowned them.

II.

That mother's cheek is far paler now,

Than when she last caressed him;
There's an added gloom on that father's brow,
Since the hour when last he blessed him.
Oh, that all human hopes should prove
Like the flowers that will fade to-morrow;
And the cankering fears of anxious love
Ever end in truth-and sorrow!

III.

He left his home with a swelling sail.
Of fame and fortune dreaming,-
With a spirit as free as the vernal gale,

Or the pennon above him streaming.

He hath reached his goal:-by a distant wave,
'Neath a sultry sun, they've laid him;
And stranger-forms bent o'er his grave
When the last sad rites were paid him.

JV.

He should have died in his own loved land,
With friends and kindred near him;
Not have withered thus on a foreign strand,
With no thought save of Heaven to cheer him.
But what recks it now? Is his sleep less sound
In the port where the wild winds swept him,
Than if home's green turf his grave had bound,
Or the hearts he loved had wept him?

V.

Then why repine? Can he feel the rays
That pestilent sun sheds o'er him;
Or share the griefs that may cloud the days
Of the friends who now deplore him?
No: his bark's at anchor-its sails are furled,-
It hath 'scaped the storm's deep chiding;
And, safe from the buffeting waves of the world,
In a haven of Peace is riding.

"Adrian 4th. A poor boy at St. Albans; dependant on the monks for charity; afterwards Pope, and the only Englishman that ever sate in the Papal chair.

"Rienzi. Son of a vintner and Washerwoman: rose to the dignity of Tribune, and was solemnly crowned at Rome.

"Alexander 5th. Deserted in his infancy, and compelled to beg his bread, afterwards Pope.

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Wolsey. Son of a Butcher: made Archbishop of York, Cardinal of Rome, Prime Minister of England, &c. &c. "Masaniello. A Fisherman: deliverer of Naples; and made Duke of St. George, and Captain-General of the People.

"Franklin. A journeyman Printer: afterwards a Legislator, a Philosopher, and a Moral Writer, known throughout all the civilized world."

This is not to be tolerated. Let the authorities look to it. For seven-and-sixpence the heads of all the national and Lancasterial schools in the empire may be turned upside-down. Beggar brats made Popes; washerwomens' sons "solemnly crowned at Rome;" butchers' boys prime ministers; journeymen printers turned into-ohe! jam satis!

We have been so struck with the peril of such treatises, that some ten minutes ago, when the printer's devil came,-" his custom always of an afternoon," to pester us for "copy," we hastily concealed the alarming manual under a pile of Mr. Lane's novels, (the most innocent things in the world) lest he should catch a glimpse of it, and become "a legislator, a philosopher, and a moral writer, known throughout all the civilized world!!!" Think of one of Messrs. Shackell and Arrowsmith's young and begrimed imps becoming "a philosopher and a moral writer!" what would become of us and of our "occupation?" and yet this may be the case, in spite of all our attempts at concealment. Seven-and-sixpence is the price for admission to the grand secret of Self-Advancement, or the Art of rising from Obscurity to Greatness."

Now, though this is not absolute seriousness on our parts, yet we do, in honest truth, doubt a little as to the utility of such works. They are written to flatter the imaginations of the young, and may sometimes fill their heads with wild and impossible dreams of future greatness. Boyhood is naturally sanguine enough, and Self-Advancement; or, Extraordinary Transitions from all artificial stimulants may as well as not be avoided. Obscurity to Greatness. By the Author of "Practical Still the book is a good little book, neatly got up, well Wisdom," &c. &c. &c. London: G. and W. B. Whit- || digested in its matter, and its personages are judiciously taker. 1824. selected. The names and histories are sufficiently well known to the scholar and general reader of maturer life, but to the younger and less instructed classes, they will be entertaining and new. For extracts from the lives we have no room; indeed they are not of a sort to be extracted. The concluding chapter has some sensible remarks:

If this volume be "intended for the use of schools," we almost dread its effects. Now that every ragged urchin in the streets (thanks to Bell and Lancaster) may learn to read, write, and cypher," at the rate of one penny or less per week, we hold it to be perfectly dangerous to the common welfare of the state, that such books as this should be put into their hands.

Lord Bacon has a treatise on the art of self-advancement, but it is happily so written as to be innocuous to the vulgar. His is a philosophical, not a practical essay. But let our readers just glance their eyes over the table of contents prefixed to this publication :

"We have now given biographical sketches, as complete as the nature and limits of our work would allow, of thirteen individuals, whose original lot seemed cast in the lowest obscurity; who yet by the mere force of native genius, aided by perseverance and propriety of conduct, attained the highest situations in society, and became in many instances the most signal blessings to it. Let us in

comtemplating their characters learn to imitate all that was excellent in them, and avoid all that may be deemed blameable.

"In Adrian the Fourth we see the fruits of docility and meekness joined with a spirit which was not to be discouraged by adverse fortune.or unjust severity.

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In the Emperor Basil are displayed the advantages of a pleasing exterior, aided by personal strength, and adorned with the sterner virtues which take root in adversity, but which in him were destined finally to adorn prosperity, Let us whilst we acknowledge the excellence of his general character, deplore that the peculiar circumstances of the times in which he lived should have led him into the commission of two acts which have sullied the brightness of his name, and which most probably imbittered the possession of the throne he gained by the perpetration of

them.

"In Rienzi we see depicted the force of an ardent imagination constantly bent on one object; the charm of eloquence and personal graces of deportment-how much an individual may achieve so long as he sets an example of virtue, how soon it may all be lost when he departs from the standard of excellence which he has taught his adhe- || rents to expect in him.

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unto whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid.'

"In Franklin we have the loveliest example of all that is most valuable, yet least showy in the human character. He has drawn his own portrait with a fidelity and impartiality that requires no finishing touches from any other hand. To temperance he attributes his long continued health; to industry and frugality the early easiness of his circumstances, and his opportunities of acquiring knowledge. To sincerity and justice the confidence of his country, and the honourable employments it conferred on him; and to the joint influence and consciousness of them all, the cheerfulness which made his youth happy to himself, and his old age delightful to others.

"It is only justice however to his parents to say, that all these virtues he had an early opportunity of studying from their example. His father was in the habit of repeating before him, whilst yet a boy, the words of Solomon, which we have affixed to the account of his life:"Seest thou a man diligent in his business; be shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.'

These words thus early impressed on Franklin's youthful memory, were never forgotten by him in his succeeding years: they were his rule of action, and their truth was "In Alexander 5th we have a delightful picture of help-literally fulfilled in his person. He stood before five crownless, deserted infancy protected by Heaven, favoured by || ed heads, in the course of his political life, and stood before man, and retaining in his highest elevation the same gaiety them upright in the independence of honest principle, and and good humour, which would have rendered even beg-unabashed in the pride of native endowment. gary, such as he was snatched from, more enviable than riches with a gloomy and unsocial disposition.

"In Ximenes we see the advantages of a well-grounded reputation for the virtues peculiarly belonging to the condition of life he had chosen, and of an intrepid and inflexible spirit sustained in its purposes by the consciousness of integrity of intention.

"In Hadrian 6th we see perseverance triumph over poverty, honesty over artifice, and the highest dignities attained by the simple recommendation of A GOOD CHARACTER. "In Wolsey we behold the fruits of early attainments, of penetration into character, punctuality in business, and liberality of expenditure proportioned to the ample means of supplying it, which his rare talents and active habits) cured him.

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"In Lord Cromwell are exemplified steady and noiseless perseverance aiding the most laudable ambition, and joined to the most unassuming deportment-humble without meanness; dignified without pride.

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"In Sixtus 5th we have one of the most extraordinary instances that the history of the human race presents of the power of man over his own character. Naturally so vivacious and impetuous, that in early life he embroiled himself with every one around him, he yet attained so complete a mastery over himself, that for fourteen years he never suffered a single action, or word, or look to escape him, that could lead the most attentive observer of his conduct to imagine otherwise than that he was one of the mildest and humblest of men. It will be said by his enemies that this self-subjugation was wrought in him from motives of ambition; but in the ambition itself there was nothing unworthy; on the contrary, he showed by the admirable use he made, when he did at last attain it. of the power for which he had so long in secret panted, that he was well-deserving of it, and only rightly construed in himself the longing after that sovereignty which he made a noble instrument of public good. One most important lesson we may learn at any rate from his example, that there are no faults belonging to our physical nature, or, as we idly term it, born with us, but what may be corrected by religious principle and moral energy. What Sixtus did for ambition let us do "for conscience' sake;" let us maintain as rigid

"In Bernadotte we see the possibility of joining different excellencies which have generally been deemed incompatible-we see one of the most warlike of soldiers become one of the most pacific of kings. In times of tumult and warfare he made himself as beloved for his clemency, as he was respected for his valor. His virtues called him to a throne -his talents sustain him there; and we trust the eyes of all rational and candid persons may long be turned with pleasure and admiration towards a living instance, so convincing and so encouraging, of the power which every man possesses over his own fortunes, by exerting his talents to the utmost, and regulating his conduct by such strict rules of integrity and goodness, that success shall appear at once its inevitable consequence, and its just reward.

"Let us from these examples learn to turn the full force of whatever talents or favoring circumstances we may be blessed with to some good and honorable object. It has been said, that any man may be whatever he wishes to become: it is certain that we may all be useful to society in some way if we endeavour to be so; and let us constantly bear in mind, that in proportion as we minister to the happiness of others, we take the most effectual means to augment our own."

Translations, Imitations, &c. &c. By the Author of “ Ireland," a Satire. London: Published by J. and H. L. Hunt, Tavistock-street.

THE author of this volume we understand is a very young man, the son of a Cornish Baronet, and an officer in the army, who by a recent satire, entitled "Ireland," acquired much popularity in that country. Indeed, his exertions in behalf of Ireland were such as to create a feeling of affectionate gratitude in the breast of a fair countess, who rewarded his generous intrepidity with her title, fortune, hand and heart.

"So should desert be crowned."

The present publication is the production of an elea watch over ourselves from purer motives, and we shall begant and cultivated mind. It consists of translations, enabled really to become that which we would seem to others, and which we may venture to appear before Him

or rather versifications, of pretty pieces of poety from

nearly all the spoken and written languages. They are very well rendered when meant to be faithful, and very spirited when merely imitations. This is uncommonly easy :

"I stood beneath the silver moon,

And look'd upon the sea,

Whose waves, beneath the midnight noon,
Swiftly and silently roll'd on

Their path of destiny,

And thought of one who far away
Was looking on that moonlight ray,
Because the beam it's radiance gave
Lighted my pathway on the wave!

The summer breeze was light and fair,
The summer waves asleep,
Nor was the death-like silence there
Profaned by even the gentle air

That bore us through the deep.
I thought not how those breezes bore
The wanderer to a dearer shore;
I thought but how that gentle wind
Bore him from one he left behind!

Those summer waves are past and gone
Before a louder gale;

And in these heavens a colder moon
Sheddeth her stormy light upon

The bosom of my sail!

And soon a rougher breath shall sweep
The storm-waves of the whitening deep,
But they shall bear me on the main
Returning to that one again!"

And this from Guarini is freed from the conceits of the original, and touched with a deeper hue of feel

ing:

"Welcome to thee, thou lovely spring! Earth's annual youth, so soon to fleet, Who in thy blooming train dost bring

Fresh verdure, scenes renewed and sweet;
And, if my heart again might rove,
Another hope, another love.

Sweet spring, upon whose lovely breast
The rosy flowers all smiling lie,

And on their mother's bosom rest

Each blushing head and deep blue eye, Welcome thou art!-though not with thee Return the hours that wont to flee,

On wings of peace and happiness, In other days, when life was young, And youth's warm heart too lightly sprung To welcome joys that cease to bless The heart whose pulse is cold and slow,` To what it was long years ago! Yes!-thou returnest pure and sweet,

Decked in the self-same blushing flowers, The same bright hues that wont to meet My gaze in youth's enraptured hours; But not with thee returns the bliss, That gave its charm to scenes like this; And whose long-loved remembrance seems Amid life's sorrows to remain, And fresh and bright to shed its beams, In mockery of the sense of pain, Recalling joys that long have fled. Hopes perished,-passions cold and dead! In earlier days I saw thee come

With hues as bright, the same pure bloom; Still on my head thy flowery wreath,

Still on my lips thy scented breath,
Seem pure and sweet, yet I no more
May be what I have been before;
No second spring for me may shed
It's freshness on my withered heart,
Or bring, to crown my aching head,

The hopes that I have seen depart:
Yet still, alas! the same sweet scene
Tells of the joys that once have been,
And not the less the scene is fair,
And not the less these hopes were dear!
Alas! alas!-and thus can fleet
The love that seems so pure and sweet,
As if its life of hope and joy
No ills could blight, possession cloy!
'Twere better, then, if life might fly
Without one beam to waken love,

The sleeping snake might harmless lie,
Nor teach our hearts his sting to prove.
'Twere better, having once been blest,
To die, nor sicken o'er the rest
Of life's and love's satiety;

To taste of beauty's rosy kiss,

To drink her faint, fond, fluttering breath, And sink, from beauty's clasp of bliss, Into the silent arms of death, Before long years can thus dispel, The visions we once loved so well! We may not, o'er the waste of years, Look back on scenes that love endears, And dream of one whose memory still,

When grief and sorrow cloud our way, Flings brightly through the shades of ill The beams of youth's enchanting day And joys, that, if their reign is o'er,

Seem sweetest-when they come no more!"

The volume is in every respect creditable to its author. It manifests a delicate taste and considerable mastery over the instruments by which things and thoughts are shaped into poetry.

TO THE

EDITOR OF THE SOMERSET HOUSE GAZETTE. SIR,

THE following account of Ibbetson may perhaps prove acceptable to your readers:

Dayes inform us, that he was a native of Scarborough, in Yorkshire, at which place he carried on the occupation of ship painter; that he afterwards accompanied Col. Cathcart on a mission to China, but in consequence of that gentleman's death, he returned with the rest of the embassy. Though his works possessed considerable merit, he frequently found it difficult to obtain a market for them. He was much employed in copying Berghem, in which he was very successful; and to whose manner, Dayes says, 66 his style much approximates."

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I am informed that he was christened Julius Cæsar, from his being brought into the world by the Cæsarian operation. In 1803, was published a book, in thin quarto, by Messrs. Darton and Harvey, of Gracechurch Street, An Accidence, or Gamut of Painting in Oil and Water Colours, by Julius Ibbetson, Part I." On the title page of this work is a design, in aqua tinta, of the Bull's Head of St. Luke, surrounded by implements of art, over which is represented the torch and flame of genius. There are also two humorous tail pieces to this work: the first an etching of two monkeys as picture cleaners, one employed on a

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