should preserve the courtesies of life, and as much of its kindness as people who are never to meet may preserve perhaps more easily than nearer connexions. For my own part, I am violent, but not malignant; for only fresh provocations can awaken my resentments. To you, who are colder and more concentrated, I would just hint, that you may sometimes mistake the depth of a cold anger for dignity, and a worse feeling for duty. I assure you, that I bear you now (whatever I may have done) no resentment whatever. Remember, that if you have injured me in aught, this forgiveness is something; and that, if I have injured you, it is something more still, if it be true, as the moralists say, that the most offending are the least forgiving. Whether the offence has been solely on my side, or reciprocal, or on yours chiefly, I have ceased to reflect upon any but two things, viz. that you are the mother of my child, and that we shall never meet again. I think if you also consider the two corresponding points with reference to myself, it will be better for all three."

We will also subjoin Mr. Moore's own state

ment:

inclined to think, would a generous amnesty against me; and when asked, in Switzerland,
over his grave be more readily and cordially why she had changed her opinion, replied, with
concurred in than by her, among whose nume- laudable sincerity, that I had named her in a
rous virtues, a forgiving charity towards him- sonnet with Voltaire, Rousseau, &c. &c., and
self was the only one to which she had not yet that she could not help it, through decency.
taught him to render justice."
Now, I have not forgotten this; but I have
been generous,-as mine acquaintance, the late
Captain Whitby, of the navy, used to say
to his seamen (when married to the gun-
ner's daughter')-'two dozen, and let you off
easy.' The 'two dozen' were with the cat-o'-
nine-tails ;-the 'let you off easy' was rather
his own opinion than that of the patient."

We shall endeavour now to make our selection as miscellaneous as possible. His own confessions were given to Moore when he visited him in Italy.

6

I

In

"I found my noble host waiting to receive me, and, in passing with him through the hall, saw his little Allegra, who, with her nurserymaid, was standing there, as if just returned The above asterisks of Madame de Staël and from a walk. To the perverse fancy he had Monk Lewis seem to us very needless. We for falsifying his own character, and even im- do not intend entering into the details of his puting to himself faults the most alien to his connexion with the Countess Giuccioli; and nature, I have already frequently adverted, in giving place to what seems so touching and and had, on this occasion, a striking instance beautiful in the following little incident, we of it. After I had spoken a little, in passing, cannot but wonder to see it so immediately to the child, and made some remark on its contrasted as it is by cold and sneering exbeauty, he said to me—'Have you any notion pressions. The letter was written in the but I suppose you have-of what they call countess's copy of Corinne. the parental feeling? For myself, I have not "My dearest Teresa,-I have read this book the least.' And yet, when that child died, in in your garden ;-my love, you were absent, or a year or two afterwards, he who now uttered else I could not have read it. It is a favourite "The chief subject of our conversation, this artificial speech was so overwhelmed by book of yours, and the writer was a friend of when alone, was his marriage, and the load of the event, that those who were about him at mine. You will not understand these English obloquy which it had brought upon him. He the time actually trembled for his reason! A words, and others will not understand them,was most anxious to know the worst that had short time before dinner he left the room, and which is the reason I have not scrawled them been alleged of his conduct; and as this was in a minute or two returned, carrying in his in Italian. But you will recognise the handour first opportunity of speaking together on hand a white leather bag. Look here,' he writing of him who passionately loved you, the subject, I did not hesitate to put his can- said, holding it up—'this would be worth some- and you will divine that, over a book which dour most searchingly to the proof, not only by thing to Murray, though you, I dare say, would was yours, he could only think of love. enumerating the various charges I had heard not give sixpence for it.' What is it?' I that word, beautiful in all languages, but most brought against him by others, but by specify- asked. My Life and Adventures,' he an- so in yours-Amor mio-is comprised my exing such portions of these charges as I had swered. On hearing this, I raised my hands istence here and hereafter. I feel I exist here, been inclined to think not incredible myself. in a gesture of wonder. It is not a thing,' and I fear that I shall exist hereafter,-to To all this he listened with patience, and he continued, that can be published during what purpose you will decide; my destiny answered with the most unhesitating frank- my lifetime; but you may have it if you like rests with you, and you are a woman, eighteen ness, laughing to scorn the tales of unmanly there, do whatever you please with it.' In years of age, and two out of a convent. I outrage related of him, but, at the same time, taking the bag, and thanking him most warmly, wish that you had staid there, with all my acknowledging that there had been in his con- I added, "This will make a nice legacy for my heart, or, at least, that I had never met you duct but too much to blame and regret, and little Tom, who shall astonish the latter days in your married state. But all this is too late. stating one or two occasions, during his do- of the nineteenth century with it.' He then love you, and you love me,—at least, you say mestic life, when he had been irritated into added, 'You may shew it to any of our friends so, and act as if you did so, which last is a great letting the breath of bitter words' escape him; you think worthy of it:' and this is, nearly consolation in all events. But I more than -words, rather those of the unquiet spirit word for word, the whole of what passed be- love you, and cannot cease to love you. Think that possessed him than his own, and which he tween us on the subject." of me, sometimes, when the Alps and the now evidently remembered with a degree of "The Life is Memoranda, and not Confes- ocean divide us ;-but they never will, unless remorse and pain which might well have en- sions. I have left out all my loves (except in you wish it. BYRON. titled them to be forgotten by others. It was, a general way), and many other of the most Bologna, Aug. 25, 1819.'" at the same time, manifest, that whatever important things (because I must not compro- Speaking of the separation he had caused admissions he might be inclined to make re- mise other people); so that it is like the play between the countess and her husband, he says: specting his own delinquencies, the inordinate of Hamlet-the part of Hamlet omitted by "Your apprehensions (arising from Scott's) measure of the punishment dealt out to him particular desire.' But you will find many opi- were unfounded. There are no damages in bad sunk deeply into his mind, and, with the nions, and some fun, with a detailed account this country, but there will probably be a usual effect of such injustice, drove him also to of my marriage and its consequences, as true separation between them; as her family, which be unjust himself;-so much so, indeed, as to as a party concerned can make such account; is a principal one, by its connexions, are very impute to the quarter to which he now traced for I suppose we are all prejudiced. I have much against him, for the whole of his conduct; all his ill fate, a feeling of fixed hostility to never read over this Life since it was written, and he is old and obstinate, and she is young himself, which would not rest, he thought, so that I know not exactly what it may repeat and a woman, determined to sacrifice every even at his grave, but continue to persecute or contain. Moore and I passed some merry thing to her affections. I have given her the his memory as it was now embittering his life. days together." best advice, viz. to stay with him,-pointing So strong was this impression upon him, that A fellow-feeling does not seem to have made out the state of a separated woman (for the during one of our few intervals of seriousness, him wondrous kind in the following instance: priests won't let lovers live openly together, he conjured me, by our friendship, if, as he "Of Madame de Staël, in that Memoir, he unless the husband sanctions it), and making both felt and hoped, I should survive him, not spoke thus: Madame de Staël was a good the most exquisite moral reflections, but to no to let unmerited censure settle upon his name, woman at heart, and the cleverest at bottom, purpose. She says, ' I will stay with him, if he but, while I surrendered him up to condemna- but spoilt by a wish to be she knew not what. will let you remain with me. It is hard that tion where he deserved it, to vindicate him In her own house she was amiable; in any I should be the only woman in Romagna who where aspersed. How groundless and wrong- other person's, you wished her gone, and in her is not to have her amico; but, if not, I will ful were these apprehensions, the early death own again." not live with him; and as for the consequences, love, &c. &c. &c.'-you know how females reason on such occasions. He says he has let it go on, till he can do so no longer. But he wants her to stay, and dismiss me; for he doesn't like to pay back her dowry and to make an alimony. Her relations are rather for the separation, as they detest him,-indeed, so does

6

which he so often predicted and sighed for, has "As to Madame de S*, I am by no means enabled us, unfortunately but too soon, to bound to be her beadsman; she was always more testify. So far from having to defend him civil to me in person than during my absence. against any such assailants, an unworthy voice Our dear defunct friend, M** L**, who was or two, from persons more injurious as friends too great a bore ever to lie, assured me, upon than as enemies, is all that I find raised in his tiresome word of honour, that, at Florence, hostility to his name; while by none, I am the said Madame de S was open-mouthed

every body. The populace and the women are, as usual, all for those who are in the wrong,

"The G.'s object appeared to be to parade her foreign lover as much as possible, and, faith, if she seemed to glory in the scandal, it was not for me to be ashamed of it. Nobody seemed surprised;—all the women, on the contrary, were, as it were, delighted with the excellent example. The vice-legate, and all the other vices, were as polite as could be ;-and I, who had acted on the reserve, was fairly obliged to take the lady under my arm, and look as much like a cicisbeo as I could on so short a

notice."

favourite at present,-probably because the air Songs. By the "Ettrick Shepherd." Now is my own, as well as the verses; for I find I first collected. 12mo. pp. 311. Edinburgh, have a particular facility in approving of such 1831, Blackwood; London, Cadell.

things."

The next is very characteristic:"The Women Fo'k.'-The air of this song is my own. It was first set to music by Heather, and most beautifully set too. It was afterwards set by Dewar, whether with the same accompaniments or not, I have forgot. It is my own favourite humorous song, when forced to sing by ladies against my will, which too frequently happens; and, notwithstanding my wood-notes wild, it will never be sung by any so well again."

We think the Shepherd's resentment burns in the wrong quarter in the following note:

viz. the lady and her lover. I should have retreated, but honour, and an erysipelas which has attacked her, prevent me,-to say nothing" Or such a man his country may be proud." of love, for I love her most entirely, though not This is an old-fashioned eulogy; not perhaps enough to persuade her to sacrifice every thing the worse for that; and yet it suits Hogg as to a frenzy. I see how it will end; she will exactly as if it had been invented expressly on be the sixteenth Mrs. Shuffleton." his account. Of such a man his country may Again, alluding to a party, whither he ac-be proud. We respect and we admire him. "companies her. We respect the energy that has made its own way, the industry that has done the best with materials within its power. We admire the genius which has added to our literature so much of its better part-simple, touching, and beautiful poetry. Hogg has just translated the fine old airs of his country into words. A strong feeling has gone straight from his "The Maid of the Sea' is one of the many heart to his song; and nothing can be more songs which Moore caused me to cancel, for real than his sorrow, unless it be his mirth. nothing that I know of, but because they ran He is the poet of actual emotions. To use a counter to his. It is quite natural and reasonsimile-fit fashion of reviewing poetry-he is able that an author should claim a copyright of like one of his own mountain rivulets gushing a sentiment; but it never struck me that it We subjoin one or two chance bits, as we forth in music and sunshine, melody and mer- could be so exclusively his, as that another had must give a few more extracts next week. riment-tender, yet joyous. Moreover, there not a right to contradict it. This, however, "In the mean time, Polidori had become is a quaint sturdiness about him, which is some- seems to be the case in the London law; for jealous of the growing intimacy of his noble thing between the independent man and the true it is that my songs were cancelled, and patron with Shelley; and the plan which he spoilt child. The running commentary on his the public may now judge on what grounds, now understood them to have formed of mak- own songs is one of the most amusing and by comparing them with Mr. Moore's. I have ing a tour of the Lake without him, completed original things we remember to have read. neither forgot nor forgiven it; and I have a las mortification. In the soreness of his feel- We shall begin with a few of these prefaces. great mind to force him to cancel Lalla Rookh ings on this subject, he indulged in some intem- "Donald M'Donald.'. I place this song for stealing it wholly from the Queen's Wake, perate remonstrances, which Lord Byron indig- the first, not on account of any intrinsic merit which is so apparent in the plan, that every hantly resented; and the usual bounds of cour-that it possesses-for there it ranks rather low London judge will give it in my favour, altesy being passed on both sides, the dismissal but merely because it was my first song, and though he ventured only on the character of of Polidori appeared, even to himself, inevit- exceedingly popular when it first appeared. I one accomplished bard, and I on seventeen. able. With this prospect, which he considered wrote it when a barefooted lad herding lambs He had better have let my few trivial songs nothing less than ruin, before his eyes, the on the Blackhouse Heights, in utter indignapoor young man was, it seems, on the point of tion at the threatened invasion from France. committing that fatal act which, two or three But after it had run through the three kingyears afterwards, he actually did perpetrate. doms, like fire set to heather, for ten or twelve Retiring to his own room, he had already years, no one ever knew or inquired who was drawn forth the poison from his medicine- the author." chest, and was pausing to consider whether he should write a letter before he took it, when Lord Byron (without, however, the least suspcion of his intention), tapped at the door and entered, with his hand held forth in sign of reconciliation. The sudden revulsion was too th for poor Polidori, who burst into tears; 24, in relating all the circumstances of the urrence afterwards, he declared that nothing and exceed the gentle kindness of Lord Byron, in soothing his mind and restoring him to carposure."

alone."

We apprehend Mr. Moore had nothing to do with it: the question was one of musical copyright.

Like most poets, he has a fair hit at the Edinburgh Review.

He hears in a theatre a singer substitute a "Donald M'Gillavry' was originally pub last verse of his own for the original one. lished in the Jacobite Relics, without any no"It took exceedingly well, and was three tice of its being an original composition; an times encored; and there was I sitting in the omission which entrapped the Edinburgh Regallery, applauding as much as any body. My view into a high but unintentional compliment vanity prompted me to tell a jolly Yorkshire to the author. After reviewing the Relics in manufacturer that night, that I was the author a style of most determined animosity, and proof the song. He laughed excessively at my as- testing, over and over again, that I was devoid sumption, and told the landlady that he took of all taste and discrimination, the tirade conme for a half-crazed Scots pedlar. Another cluded in these terms: That we may not anecdote concerning this song I may mention; close this article without a specimen of the and I do it with no little pride, as it is a good songs which the book contains, we shall A dialogue which Lord Byron himself used proof of the popularity of Donald M'Donald select the one which, for sly, characteristic ention as having taken place between them among a class, to inspire whom with devotion Scotch humour, seems to us the best, though their journey on the Rhine, is amusing- to the cause of their country was at the time a we doubt if any of our English readers will cteristic of both the persons concerned. matter of no little consequence. Happening relish it.' The opportunity of retaliating upon After a' said the physician, what is there upon one occasion to be in a wood in Dum- the reviewer's want of sagacity was too tempt A can do that I cannot?' 6 Why, since you fries-shire, through which wood the high-road ing to be lost; and the authorship of the song force me to say,' answered the other, I think passed, I heard a voice singing; and a turn of was immediately avowed in a letter to the there are three things I can do which you can- the road soon brought in sight a soldier, who Editor of Blackwood's Magazine. After all,' Podori defied him to name them. I seemed to be either travelling home upon fur- said this avowal, between ourselves, Donald Said Lord Byron, swim across that lough, or returning to his regiment. When M Gillavry, which he has selected as the best e-I can snuff out that candle with a pistol- the singer approached nearer, I distinguished specimen of the true old Jacobite song, and st, at the distance of twenty paces-and I the notes of my own song of Donald M'Donald. as remarkably above its fellows for 'sly, chaate written a poem of which 14,000 copies As the lad proceeded with his song, he got more racteristic Scotch humour,' is no other than a were sold in one day."" and more into the spirit of the thing, and on trifle of my own, which I put in to fill up a page! I cannot help remarking here, that the Edinburgh Review seems to be at fault in a melancholy manner, whenever it comes to 's poetry is a distinct faculty, or soul, and in the height of his enthusiasm, he hoisted his speak of Scottish songs. My friend Mr. Wil cap on the end of his staff, and danced it about liam Laidlaw's song, of Lucy's Flitting, aptriumphantly. I stood ensconced behind a tree, peared first in the Forest Minstrel, and imand heard and saw all without being observed."mediately became popular throughout Scotland. The "Skylark" he calls "a little pastoral It was inserted in every future selection of song, worth half-a-dozen of the foregoing;" Scottish songs, and of course found a place in we agree with him. Allan Cunningham's collection. Here it is to

"You seem to think that I could not have coming to the end,
en the Vision,' &c. under the influence
spirits; but I think there you err. Α

Do more to do with the every-day indi-
than the inspiration with the Pythoness
removed from her tripod."

An' up wi' the bonny blue bonnet,
The kilt an' the feather an' a'!'

"The Broom sae green' is my greatest be supposed the Edinburgh reviewer saw and

heard of it for the first time; and, with some "I'll no wake wi' Annie.' I composed words of praise, he most condescendingly in- this pastoral ballad, as well as the air to which troduced it to public notice, after it had been it is sung, whilst sailing one lovely day on St. sung and appreciated from the cottage to the Mary's Loch; a pastime in which, above all palace, for a space of nearly twenty years. This others, I delighted, and of which I am now reminds me of an old gentleman, who, as he most shamefully deprived. Lord Napier never said, 'always liked to have people known to did so cruel a thing, not even on the high seas, sweet song. each other; so one day he made a party, for the purpose of introducing two cousins, who had been brought up under the same roof. The company took the matter with gravity, and the joke passed off very well at the old gentleman's expense."

The

New Year's Day even in the times of Romulus a kindly and a social feeling among our friends | money in the ring, the cockpit with its ratand Tatius, and to have continued under the and fellow-creatures." killing exhibitions, and sundry other polite reRoman emperors, until the practice, being In his introductory chapter, Mr. Smith says: creations, must be abandoned. abused into a mode of extortion, was prohibited" By comparing the world, as it then existed, After discussing Greek and Roman games, by Claudius. Yet the Christian emperors still with the happiness and widely diffused civilisa- we find at page 108, an historical retrospect received them, although they were condemned tion with which it is now blessed, and above as a preface to the chapters on modern fesby ecclesiastical councils on account of the pagan all, by contrasting the hourly-improving intel- tivals and amusements. This is the most ceremonies at their presentation; so difficult lectual eminence of the living generation with original and most carefully written portion of was it found, in the earlier ages of Christianity, the ignorant barbarism of the early ages, we the work, and contains some excellent reto detach the newly-converted people from their may form some conception, though probably flections. We quote a few passages. old observances. The Druids of ancient Britain but a dim one, of the glorious destiny which a "After the wars of the parliament, when were accustomed on certain days to cut the beneficent Providence has reserved for man- the pleasure-hating puritans gained the ascendsacred mistletoe with a golden knife, in a forest kind even in our present sphere." We trust ency, the pastimes of all classes, but more dedicated to the gods, and to distribute its there is not too much of poetical colouring in especially of the lower orders, suffered a miserbranches with much ceremony as new year's this; but, in truth, we question if the most bar-able suspension and abridgment. Austerity gifts to the people. Among the Saxons and barous ages could shew such scenes of horror and mortification were enforced by those monorthern nations this anniversary was also ob- and bloodshed as we have witnessed during the rose ascetics with a blind rigour that confoundserved by gifts, accompanied with such extra. last (enlightened !) half-century, and of which ed the most innocent recreations with others ordinary festivity, that they reckoned their age we have too much cause, at this day, to dread of which the suppression, or at least the by the number of these merrymakings at which the repetition. Nay, we will go farther, and, regulation, might perhaps have been desirable. they had been present. The Roman practice though the schoolmaster is boasted to be abroad, Not only were the theatres and public gardens of interchanging presents, and of giving them we will assert, that ignorance, and superstition, closed, but a war of bigotry was carried on to servants, remained in force during the middle and fraud, are as grossly and mischievously pre- against May-poles, wakes, fairs, organs, fiddles, and later ages, especially among our kings and valent in our own times as at any former period dancing, Whitsun-ales, puppet-shows, and alnobility, Henry III. appearing to have even of the world's history that can be mentioned. most every thing else that wore the semblance imitated some of the Roman emperors by extort. However, it is the fashion of every epoch to have of popular amusement and diversion. ing them, and Queen Elizabeth being accused its optimists; and golden, or at least golden- recoil of the national mind, thus forcibly of principally supporting her wardrobe and promising, ages belong to every generation for wrested from its natural bias, occasioned that jewellery by levying similar contributions. Pins the last two thousand years, and historical burst of licentiousness and general demoralwere acceptable new year's gifts to the ladies, darkness is the only reason why we do not isation which disgraced the return and the as substitutes for the wooden skewers, which trace them from the flood. reign of Charles II.; a warning that ought they used till the end of the fifteenth century. "When mankind," continues the author, not to be forgotten by the modern puritans, Instead of this present they sometimes received" had partially advanced to the agricultural who would restrict the harmless pastimes of a composition in money, whence the allowance state, we find that their most distinguished our labouring classes. for their separate use is still termed 'pin-money.' heroes and demigods were sportsmen and hun- "From the time of the Revolution there has To the credit of the kindly and amiable feelings ters, whose exploits, although subsequently been an increasing tendency to compel a rigorof the French, they bear the palm from all other dressed up in fable by the poets, had, doubt-ous observance of the sabbath, until in the nations in the extent and costliness of their less, in most instances, a basis of fact. Every present days it begins to savour strongly of new year's gifts. It has been estimated that nation has its Nimrod; nor need we doubt puritan bigotry and intolerance. Deeply as we the amount expended upon bon-bons and sweet- that there must have been some foundation for respect the motives of the good and pious men meats alone, for presents on New Year's Day in the marvellous adventures recorded of Orion, who would restrict the bulk of the people from Paris, exceeds 20,000l. sterling;* while the sale Apollo, Hercules, and other monster-destroyers, all recreations, however innocent, on the only of jewellery and fancy articles in the first week if we recollect that the fossil remains of those day when they can enjoy them, we still prein the year is computed at one-fourth of the sale gigantic quadrupeds, the mammoth and the sume to think that they may push this ausduring the twelve months. It is by no means megalonix, establish the fact, that the earth was terity too far. If our universal Father and uncommon for a Parisian of 8000 or 10,000 formerly infested with terrible animals, whose Creator delights, as he unquestionably must francs a-year to make presents on New Year's races have now become extinct, and whose do, in the happiness of his creatures, what can Day which cost him a fifteenth part of his in- existence was once deemed as fabulous as we be more acceptable to him than the sight of come. At an early hour of the morning this now deem the legendary labours of Hercules." those innocent enjoyment in which they may interchange of visits and bon-bons is already in We doubt this inference; for the animals indulge after the performance of public worfull activity, the nearest relations being first mentioned were ante-diluvian, and the legends ship?-what devotion so pure and ardent as visited, until the furthest in blood and their post; and besides, they were more remarkable the harmless exhilaration of a grateful heart? friends and acquaintances have all had their for bulk than ferocity, if we may judge by their Cheerfulness,' says Addison, is the best calls. A dinner is given by some member of the remains, which indicate their food to have been hymn to the Divinity.' Even Dr. Watts adfamily to all the rest, and the evening concludes, branches of trees and herbage, not carneous. mits that religion never was designed to like Christmas Day, with cards, dancing, or other Proceeding, Mr. Smith observes," It must be make our pleasures less:' and if this be true, amusements. In London, New Year's Day is confessed, that in England they still retain why should we object, after performance of not observed by any public festivity; the only many traits of barbarism, which have long the stated worship, to any recreation, any open demonstration of joy is the ringing of since fallen into desuetude with our more po- amusement whatever, provided always that it merry peals from the belfries of the numerous lished neighbours of the continent; but at the be of an unobjectionable nature? It is high steeples late on the eve of the old year, until same time it should be remembered that the time, even for the sake of religion herself, to after the chimes of the clock have sounded its Corinthian classes, who in the days of Queen shake off those pharisaical austerities which, in last hour. We may have done well to drop Elizabeth flocked to bull, bear, badger, ape the minds of the vulgar, tend to associate her what Prynne, in his Histrio-Mastix, calls baitings, and other exhibitions equally cruel with gloom, sadness, mortification, and ennui. *a meere relique of paganisme and idolatry, and ruffianly, would be now held utterly dis. The great demoralisation of the age has not derived from the heathen Romans' feast of graced, at least in the estimation of real gentle- unfrequently been attributed to sabbath-breaktwo-faced Janus, which was spent in mum- men, by participating in such low-lived sports. ing, in which offence are included the aftermeries, stage-plays, dancing, and such like The charms of music, of the drama, of litera- church water-parties of the poor cooped-up enterludes, wherein fidlers and others acted ture, of social meetings that combine the feast Londoners, who, on this only day of relaxation, lascivious effeminate parts, and went about the of reason with the flow of soul;' all those pur- crowd to Richmond to walk in the meadows, towns and cities in women's apparel;' but, suits, in short, wherein the pleasures of sense and admire the beautiful scenery. Surely this however the celebration of New Year's Day may are made subservient to the gratifications of is a lamentable mistake! An habitual disrehave been disfigured in the earlier ages by the mind-these are the amusements alone gard of its enjoined observances, and a desepagan associations and superstitious rites, no-worthy of rational people, and these receive cration of the sabbath by dissolute indulgenthing can be more truly Christian than to usher the especial patronage of the English gentry." ces, may doubtless lead to all sorts of immorality it in with every cheerful observance that may And here, again, we have to express our hope and vice; but such profanation is not the preexpress gratitude towards Heaven, and promote that the writer may not be too partial to his vailing characteristic of the lower classes in country and contemporaries. There is, we be- England. On the contrary, there is perhaps We are afraid it will fall far short this year.lieve, grounds for his conclusion; but to be no country in the world where the Sunday is an entirely just picture, pugilistic combats for in general more rigorously observed; and, un

E. L. G.

fortunately, there are few which stand so low one another, than have been introduced. The cultural world, such as general and provincial in the scale of morality, when compared with following is a scene for the Arabian Nights. reports, markets, &c. it contains much original other nations. For many centuries the sabbath "Fronting the grand entrance-gate which matter, peculiarly interesting to farmers, and afternoon was appropriated, in our own coun-supports this Nigarrah Khaneh, and crossing to all engaged in the improvement of landed try, to all sorts of sports and pastimes, as it the court-yard, is a large and magnificent hall, property. Whatever tends to advance the still continues to be throughout the greater supported by several rows of pillars, all painted knowledge of rural economy is recorded, and part of modern Christendom. If we weigh and overlaid with gold. This hall is raised all novelties in the practice of agriculture present England, as to morality, crimes, and and very airy, being open on three sides, which are brought into view. To the best sysmisdemeanors, either with her former self, or look into the court-yard. In the centre of the tems of British cultivation, are added all her modern neighbours, shall we find that the wall dividing the private apartments of the that is worthy of imitation among continental severity and gloom of her sabbaths have afforded palace, and about eight feet from the ground, and American farmers; and the methods in an increased security against crime? Alas! is a wide and spacious opening, where the king which they excel are recommended. One conwe fear not. May there not even be a suspi- regularly takes his seat at noon, surrounded by spicuous feature of the Magazine, is the valucion that by denying open and innocent recrea- his four sons, Dara, Aurungzebe, Sultan Sujah, able instructions given for the improvement of tions to the people on their sole holyday, we and Morad Bakee; whilst eunuchs, placed the various breeds of live stock, communicated have driven them into alehouses and other around the sacred person of his majesty, agitate by some of the most eminent breeders in the covert haunts of vice, and thus aided the demo- the air with large fans, and flap away the flies kingdom, illustrated by well-executed engravralisation we were seeking to prevent? Upon and musquitos with peacocks' tails and chou-ings of superior and celebrated animals. It also this question we decide nothing; but it is one ries of the finest hair. Beneath this throne contains a great body of agricultural and comthat deserves the most serious consideration. stand the omrahs, rajahs, and ambassadors, mercial statistics, which clearly shew how far Let all the religious services of the sabbath be their eyes bent upon the earth, and their hands agriculture has been, and continues to be, duly attended; but let us not violate the crossed upon their breasts. The remainder of affected by legislative interference, and the cheerful sanctity of its spirit, either by an the hall, and the whole court-yard, are filled change of times: pointing out the causes of excess of rigour or of riot. He who, instead of with persons of all ranks, high and low, rich the distresses which are unfortunately still observing its ordinances, habitually abandons and poor; this hall being expressly for the in existence, with their remedies propounded. himself to profligate indulgences, is a sabbath- indiscriminate attention of his majesty to all New books, treating on subjects of rural imbreaker; so is he who dedicates the Lord's his subjects. The court-provement, and for bettering the condition of day to the worship of his own narrow notions, yard being now quite clear, and the royal horses the rural population, we observe, are noticed for this is self-idolatry; who saddens it by having been paraded before the king, the ele-at considerable length. In short, it forms a misery and moroseness, for this is ingratitude phants, with slow and solemn steps, advanced, useful register, and a respectable medium for towards Heaven; who embitters it with bigotry having their hides washed and cleaned, and the discussion of practical, as well as scientific and intolerance, for this is uncharitableness their trunks carefully painted red, whilst strings agriculture, of which grand source of national towards his fellow-creatures. of silver bells jingled around their necks. employment and wealth, it is professedly a These extracts so truly echo our sentiments, When immediately in front of his majesty, the guide and a guard. A subject of increasing that we cannot but earnestly recommend them mahowuts on the necks of the animals, caused interest is promised in the future numbers, to attention. By restraining the poorer classes them (by the application of the ankoos or viz. the introduction of the various prize essays from innocent sports and enjoyments, instead goad with which they control them), to raise of the Manchester Agricultural Society. of providing them with both, to the utmost their trunks and roar aloud, which is consiconvenient limit, they have been dissociated dered as the elephant's method of performing and driven into the worst habits. The secret the tuslim or usual reverence. Succeeding the dram is the substitute for the forbidden holy-elephants came antelopes, nilgaus, rhinoceroses, day; moroseness and dissatisfaction the na- and buffaloes with immense horns, provided by tural feeling of classes who partake not in the nature to enable them to contend against lions, recreations of their fellow-creatures. The tigers, &c. After these appeared panthers and system is abhorrent to sense; and when we hunting leopards, cranes, hawks, and sporting consider, how easy it would be to make a dogs." people comparatively happy and contented, by The young officer advances. very slight endeavours to furnish them with "By the twelve imaums, my friend, I will suitable pastimes, we are astonished at the wager there is not a better blade in the assemmoral and political blindness which postpones bly than the one at my side, and I will either the attempt. But our thoughts are all upon prove its value and the strength of my own the quantity of labour that may be extracted, arm, or never again appear before the king.' and the small proportion of food that may sus- I unsheathed my cimetar, and as I did so, tain nature, and the accursed calculations of self- caught the approving look of my father. A interest and commerce; by these means are carcass being thrown in the centre of the courtmisguided and suffering peasants made rebels yard, several mansebdars and young omrahs and incendiaries. Restore to them, with advanced to try their polished blades, and even hard living and privations, some of the amongst the foremost came Yusuf, the nephew pleasant games and delights of their fore- of Burkandaz Khan, his countenance illumined fathers, and you will do more to render them by anticipated success; but the blow, struck good subjects than by employing all the with more strength than judgment, snapped in schemes ever devised by all the schools of po- two his shining blade, and he retired abashed

litical economy.

The Vizier's Son; or, the Adventures of a
Mogul. By the Author of "Pandurang
Hari." 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1831.
Saunders and Otley.

The Family Library, Vol. XVIII. Voyages,
By
&c. of the Companion of Columbus.
Washington Irving. 12mo. pp. 327. Lon-
THIS is a delightful volume; for the preface
don, 1831. Murray.
truly says, that the expeditions narrated and
springing out of the voyages of Columbus may
be compared to the attempts of adventurous
knights-errant to achieve the enterprise left
unfinished by some illustrious predecessors.
Washington Irving's name is a pledge how
well their stories will be told: and we only
regret that we must of necessity defer our ex-
tracts for a week.

The Cabinet Cyclopædia, Vol. XIV. A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy. By J. F. W. Herschel, Esq., M.A. 12mo. pp. 372. London, 1831. Longman and Co.

ANOTHER of our monthly friends, and, we regret to say, so late in greeting our eyes, that we can only speak of it generally as a very high and important contribution to our national stock of scientific knowledge. As far as it goes, it is a perfect manual of the fundamental principles of physics.

and mortified, quailing beneath the frown of
his haughty uncle. I now advanced, and flou-
rishing my sword fantastically over my head,
with a back-handed blow divided the carcass of
the sheep; and although my weapon trembled
from the point to the very hilt, it was neither Youth's Keepsake; a Christmas and New-
bent nor even notched by the stroke. Pleased Year's Gift for Young People. Boston,
with my achievement, I cried aloud, May I 1831, Carter and Hendee: London, O. Rich.
ever be successful over the king's enemies.' A MOST delightful little volume. Our young
Besides amusement, a clear and historical neighbours across the Atlantic will, we think,
idea may be formed of Hindoo events and cus-be well inclined to follow the advice of the
toms from these volumes.
motto, and

A PICTURESQUE and spirited sketch of east-
ern manners and history, embodied in the popu-
lar form of narrative. The story of the Vizier's
Son begins better than it ends; the dénouement
is unsatisfactory. We think the fault rests in
the author's plan, which is not good: two or
three other tales are woven into the principal
one, without any connexion, and the main The British Farmer's (Quarterly) Magazine.
events are kept out of sight till they are nearly
Ridgway. London.
forgotten. In fiction, as in fact, delays are WE have before us the fourth volume of this
dangerous. The stories are well told them- very useful work, just completed. Besides
selves, but they had far better have succeeded every thing of importance occurring in the agri,

Keep it for the giver's sake,
And read it for their own."

There is a rich spirit of poetry in the tales, and a fine perception of the natural and beautiful, which shew that no ordinary run of talent has catered for the youthful reader's en