An air which, Conrad-like, had damped This man could do a deed of dread- His midnight visit never shockt her; Would cry, What! bashful to the doctor!" Think of your poor soul, I implore you! Death from his hands should give no terror; In him 'tis Accidental error!" But quacks who do the art usurp, us, Holes in our poor backs with a lotion! One died with him most comfortably!" "All's still! Eternity devours, Silent and dark, his offspring Hours- In the same globule seen, or seeing; The blessing twin-born with the curse! From the all-teeming universe! For green decay but to absorb it, Dread note upon the heart's cold dial! That marks the progress of the strife, How idle are all the arts and powers, To gather on the black abyss Balm for thy heart, or strength for his; A watcher on that bridge of gloom, Of doubt, despair, and doom!" We know nothing beyond the depth and impressiveness of this passage: it is enough to redeem a volume; and with it we shall bid adieu to the poem, adding only, as in our last, a few brief examples of thought and expression. Advice. "Of these the student spake, and still "Like youth upon a holyday, The brook sprang freshly on its way; Till in the Thames it dies away; Its death-bed, reeds and wild flowers (breathing The cot, the villa, whitely studding Grief. "Hark! there went forth a groan! By the lattice the boughs were stirr'd, * There the wan moon, just risen, cast And here we end our pleasant task. From Mr. Bulwer's volume we have extracted much food both for reflection and enjoyment; and we trust that the taste and feelings of the great majority of the public will be in unison with ours; in which case much gratification is in store for them, and admiration for the author. Paris's Life of Sir H. Davy. IT is quite delightful to trace the workings of such a mind as that of Davy in the successive discoveries which resulted from his profound researches concerning chemical agency. Thus, we find that so early as Oct. 1800, when engaged at the Bristol Pneumatic Institution, he announced, in a letter to his friend Mr. Davies Gilbert, the dawn of those splendid discoveries which effected in a few years a revolution in our knowledge of the nature of electrical phenomena and chemical agency:-" In pursuing experiments on galvanism during the last two months, I have met with unexpected and unhoped-for success. Some of the new facts on this subject promise to afford instruments capable of destroying the mysterious veil which Nature has thrown over the operations and properties of ethereal fluids. Galvanism I have found, by numerous experiments, to be a proAnd glide, perchance to gloom, away!" cess purely chemical, and to depend wholly on The production which we have thus illus- ferent degrees of electric conducting power. the oxidation of metallic surfaces, having dif trated is followed by about seventy pages of Zinc is incapable of decomposing pure water; miscellaneous poems, the principal of which is and if the zinc plates be kept moist with pure entitled "Milton," and is a much improved water, the galvanic pile does not act; but zinc version of a delightful composition, previously, is capable of oxidating itself when placed in but very partially, published by the author. We are sorry we can afford but small space to this theme: six lines, indeed, must suffice for Milton's love. Life. "As waters glass a distant star, "Her lip grew blanch'd, as with an ominous fear, contact with water holding in solution either oxygen, atmospheric air, or nitrous or muriatic acid, &c.; and under such circumstances the galvanic phenomena are produced; and their intensity is in proportion to the rapidity with which the zinc is oxidated." as a member of the Royal Society, in 1803, of The admission of the great English chemist which he afterwards became the president, formed a distinguished era in his life. The first communication he sent to the Society was a paper on galvanic agency, in 1801; but during Which would be for the best? and which-oh, which, elaborate paper all his previous researches conthe year of his admission, he embodied in one Bring the most to the gallows tree? They would pass a nobleman vagrant bill, For the fellows who idly roam; The Travellers' Club would be sent to the Mill, Old B-ks would be shot with a good spring-gun, "Most libellous trash,' the books that blind The eyes of the mass they'd call; Murray's Review would be damnably fined, They'd make it a capital crime to pay Our younger sons would be shipped to the Bay,' worse!" "To Juliet: a Thought at Night. It burns amid a lonely night- "On the Imitators of Byron: a Fable. And Song's sweet daughters wept within their caves; nected with the astringent properties of vegetables, and their application in the process of tanning, published in the Philosophical Transactions of that year. The remarks of Dr. Paris on the great value of these experiments, are well worthy of the perusal of all persons interested in the various branches of the leather manufactures. We also particularly recommend to our scientific readers the interesting narrative of those masterly researches which formed the prelude to Davy's most splendid discovery-that of the reduction of alkaline substances to their ul. timate or metallic bases; which researches formed the subject of the celebrated Bakerian lecture, read before the Royal Society in Nov. 1807. Our limits enable us only to give the following commentary, at the close of the biographer's account of these profound researches connected with the ultimate analysis of chemical substances. “Thus, then, was a discovery effected, and at once rendered complete, which all the chemists in Europe had vainly attempted to accomplish. The alkalies had been tortured by every variety of experiment which ingenuity could suggest, or perseverance perform, but all in vain; nor was the pursuit abandoned until indefatigable effort had wrecked the patience cret." and exhausted every resource of the experi-crease his happiness I shall not inquire; but I wish which Davy expressed, was to be intromentalist. Such was the disheartening and am bound to observe, that it was not connected duced to this gentleman, whom he considered almost forlorn condition of the philosopher with any desire to abandon the pursuit of science, as the only chemist in Paris who had duly apwhen Davy entered the field: he created new nor even to relax in his accustomed exertions to preciated the value of his discoveries; an opiinstruments, new powers, and fresh resources; promote its interests. It was evident, however, nion which he afterwards took no care to conand Nature, thus interrogated on a different to his friends, that other views of ambition than ceal, and which occasioned amongst the savans plan, at once revealed her long-cherished se- those presented by achievements in science, had much surprise and some dissatisfaction." opened upon his mind. The wealth he was The following little anecdote shews that the Nothing can, however, shew the versatile about to command might extend the sphere of great English chemist of the 19th century was genius of Davy in a stronger light than the his usefulness, and exalt him in the scale of not more exempt from a childish superstition following fact, that, at the very period (Sept. society. His feelings became more aristocratic; on some occasions, than the great English lexi12, 1807) when he was engaged in those elabo- he discovered charms in rank which had before cographer of the 18th century. rate inquiries respecting the nature of Voltaic escaped him, and he no longer viewed patrician "Mr. Underwood informs me, that on the agency on the alkalies, and preparing for that distinction with philosophic indifference. On 17th Nov. (1813), he met Humboldt at dinner celebrated lecture which astonished the scien- the 11th of April, 1812, Sir Humphry married at Davy's hotel; and adds: I do not know tific world throughout Europe, we find the fol- Mrs. Apreece, the widow of Shuckburgh Ashby whether you are aware that Davy had a superlowing passage in one of the many valuable Apreece, Esq. eldest son of Sir Thos. Apreece. stitious dislike at seeing a knife and fork placed letters addressed to his friend Mr. Davies Gil- This lady was the daughter and heiress of crosswise on a plate at dinner, or upon any bert :Charles Kerr of Kelso, Esq. and possessed a very other occasion; but I can assure you such was "I have been a good deal engaged, since my considerable fortune." the fact; and when it occurred in the comreturn, on experiments on distillation; and I After this period, we find Sir Humphry pany of his intimate friends, he always rehave succeeded in effecting what is considered of contributing occasional papers on the more quested that they might be displaced: whengreat importance in colonial commerce, namely, refined branches of chemical agencies, during ever this could not be done, he was evidently the depriving rum of its empyreumatic part, each succeeding session of the Royal Society; very uncomfortable.'" and converting it into pure spirit. I mention and he also collected his previous researches It has been admitted, by many of the warmest this in confidence, as it is likely to be connected under a general head, and published, in June admirers of the late Sir Humphry Davy, that with some profitable results; and it may be 1812, "The Elements of Chemical Philo- during the zenith of his philosophical career he beneficial in a public point of view, by lessen-sophy,” a work distinguished for its profound evinced a certain ambition of being considered ing the consumption of malt." and elaborate views of chemical combination. as the sole discoverer of any new agent or cheWe must pass over the biographer's account This was followed, in 1813, by the publica-mical result; which by some persons was interof the piscatory qualifications of Davy, to make tion of his "Elements of Agricultural Che- preted as a species of jealousy of the pursuits room for some of the reflections on his succes-mistry," of which Dr. Paris justly remarks: of contemporary philosophers. As this remark sive discoveries :— "this work may be considered as the only is peculiarly applicable to his researches on the system of philosophical agriculture ever pub-nature of iodine, we deem it just, both to Davy lished in this country: it has not only contri- and his biographer, to give the subjoined statebuted to the advancement of science, but to ment of the case. that upon which the author has an equal claim to "On the morning of the 23d November, our gratitude-the diffusion of a taste amongst M. Ampère called upon Davy, and placed in his the highest classes for its cultivation; for it hands a small portion of a substance which he had has been wisely remarked, that not he alone is received from M. Clement; and although it had to be esteemed a benefactor to mankind who been in possession of the French chemists for makes a useful discovery, but he also who more than twelve months, so entirely ignorant can point out an innocent pleasure. It has were they of its true nature and composition, been already stated, that Davy became early that it was constantly spoken of amongst them impressed with the importance of the subject. as X. the unknown body. How far the sugThat in future life its investigation should have gestions of Davy led to the discovery of the been to him so fertile a source of pleasure, may chemical nature of this interesting substance, therefore be readily imagined, when it is re- which has been since distinguished by the membered with what passionate delight he name of iodine, is a question which has given contemplated the ever-varying forms of crea- rise to much discussion on the continent. It tion. In the early spring it led him forth upon has been moreover questioned how far the love the fresh turf in the vernal sunshine, to scent of science and the fervour of emulation can the odours of the bank perfumed by the violet justify the interference which Davy is said to and enamelled with the primrose, while his have displayed on this occasion. He is accused heart participated in the renovated gladness of of having unfairly taken the subject out of the nature." To this glowing account of the pas- hands of those who were engaged in its intoral and agricultural pursuits of our distin-vestigation, and to have anticipated their reguished philosopher, we can only adduce the sults. As his biographer, I feel that it is not testimony of every enlightened agriculturist in only due to the character of Davy, but essenthe kingdom, as to the vast practical advantages tial to the history of science, that these questhat have resulted to this country from im- tions should be impartially examined: and I provements of poor soils, and the economy of have spared no pains in collecting facts for manures, since the publication of Davy's ad- their elucidation. Mr. Underwood, who was "In the progress of our ascent (says Dr. Paris), it is refreshing to pause occasionally, and to cast a glance at the horizon, which widens at every increase of our elevation. By the decomposition of the alkalies and earthis, what an immense stride has been made in the investigation of nature! In sciences kindred to chemistry, the knowledge of the composition of these bodies, and the analogies arising from it, have opened new views, and led to the solution of new problems. In geology, for instance, has it not shewn that there are agents in the formation of rocks and earths, which had not previsly been known to exist? It is evident that the metals of the earths cannot remain at the surface of the globe; but it is probable that they may constitute a part of its interior; and such an assumption would at once offer a plausible theory in explanation of the phenomena of Volcanoes, the formation of lavas, and the excitement and effects of subterranean heat, and might even lead to a general theory in pology." Our limits compel us to omit the record of umerous particulars and events in the life of Davy, till the year 1812, a period which, on several accounts, produced a material change in the personal character, as well as the scientific labours, of our late distinguished chemist; but we prefer quoting the words and the reflections of his biographer. mirable" Elements." in the constant habit of associating with the "The scientific renown of Davy having at- In the autumn of 1813, Sir Humphry Davy parties concerned in the inquiry, has furnished tracted the attention of his late majesty, then (accompanied by Lady Davy, and Mr. Faraday, me with some important particulars, and his prince regent, he received from his royal high- the present eminent lecturer at the Royal Insti- testimony is fortified by public documents. nes the honour of knighthood, at a levee held tution) having obtained from Buonaparte per- The substance under dispute was accidentally at Carlton-house, on Wednesday the 8th April, mission to travel through France, and visit the discovered by M. Courtois, a manufacturer of 1812; and it may be remarked, that he was the capital, Dr. Paris informs us, that "the expected saltpetre at Paris, but kept secret by him for first person on whom that honour had been arrival of Davy had been a subject of conversa- several years. At length, however, he com anferred by the regent. On the day following tion with the French savans for more than a municated it to M. Clement, who made several this occurrence, Sir Humphry delivered his fare- month. Among those who were loudest in his experiments on it, but without any favourable Weil lecture before the members of the Royal praises was M. Ampère, who had for several result. On the 23d August, 1813, Clement Institution; for he was on the eve of assuming years frequently expressed his opinion that exhibited to Mr. Underwood the beautiful exa new station in society, which induced him to Davy was the greatest chemist that had ever periment of raising it into a violet-coloured ere from those public situations, which he appeared. Whether this flattering circumstance vapour, and that gentleman assures me that had long held with so much advantage to the had been communicated to the English philo- this was the only peculiar property which had erid, and with so much honour to himself. sopher, I have no means of ascertaining; but at that time been recognised as distinguishing How far such a measure was calculated to in- Mr. Underwood informs me, that the very first it. A few days previous to this event, M. Am père had received a specimen of the substance, which he had carefully folded up in paper, and deposited in his pocket; but, on arriving home, and opening the packet, he was surprised to find that his treasure had vanished. Clement, however, furnished him with another supply, and it was this parcel that Ampère transferred into the hands of Davy; and for which (says Mr. Underwood) he told me, a few days ago, that Thénard and Gay Lussac were extremely angry with him.” Like a zealous advocate for his countryman's scientific reputation, the doctor proceeds, by examining the dates of the papers read by the contending philosophers, to claim the honour of this discovery" I was (he says) very desirous of ascertaining the feeling which at present prevails amongst the French chemists upon this subject; and I, therefore, requested Mr. Underwood to make such inquiries as might elicit the required information. In a letter to that gentleman, dated Paris, August 22, 1830, he says, though Thénard and Gay Lussac retain great bitterness of feeling towards Davy, on account of the affair of iodine, Chevreul and Ampère are still, as they ever were, of opinion, that such a feeling has its origin in a misconception; that what Davy did was from the honest desire of promoting science, and not from any wish to detract from the merit of the French chemists." " other No. of our Gazette to this highly inte- mechanics; it is another to build a ship. The On Medical Practice. Now, so far as this evidence goes, it is sufficiently exculpatory of the motives of the English philosopher, in having so hastily un"In consultations dertaken the examination of this new chemical with younger physicians, I have at times obsubstance; yet the extract which follows shews served two opposite inconveniences. Where that there might still have existed strong the junior has spoken first, he has sometimes grounds in the minds of some of the French given his opinion in such strong terms as to savans as to the perfect reciprocity of politeness render any opposition to, or modification of, his and candour between themselves and the English sentiments more difficult than is desirable. On chemist. In a subsequent page of the memoir, the other hand, I have known, where the senior our author observes :was expressing his opinion, an eagerness to join "Nothing ever exceeded the liberality and with him lead the other to take the words out unaffected kindness with which the savans of of his mouth (if I may so speak), and express France had received and caressed the English in strong terms his assent to a mode of practice philosopher. Their conduct was the triumph which, after all, may not have been exactly that of science over national animosity; a homage which the former intended to propose. In one to genius, alike honourable to those who be- instance I was not long since brought into a stowed and to those who received it; and it considerable difficulty by a complete mistake would be an act of ingratitude, a violation of made in this way, on an occasion of the greatest historical justice, on the part of the English importance, and where a life most valuable was biographer, did he omit to express the pride concerned. The remedy for these evils (if you and admiration with which every philosopher judge them of sufficient importance) would be in his country continues to regard it. It a rule, requiring the physician speaking first would have been fortunate for the cause of (and so in succession) to avoid peremptory science, and fortunate for the historian, could terms, and to employ guarded and modest exhe have terminated the subject with these pressions; with another rule, assuring to each remarks; but the biographer has an act of an uninterrupted hearing. These points seem justice to perform, which he must not suffer more important in proportion as the number in his friendship to evade, nor his partialities to consultation is greater, and may, on that accompromise. It would be an act of literary count, be worth attention at your infirmary, dishonesty to assert that Sir Humphry Davy where, I think, more of the profession act togereturned the kindness of the savans of France ther than in any other institution in the kingin a manner which the friends of science could dom." have expected and desired. There was a flippancy in his manner, a superciliousness and hauteur in his deportment, which surprised as much as they offended. Whatever opinions he might have formed as to the talents of the leading chemists, it was weakness to betray, and arrogance to avow them." With all the admiration we feel, in conjunction with his biographer, and almost the whole of the votaries of science, for the splendid genius of Davy, we fear the latter years of the philosopher were clouded by a few other blemishes similar to that before mentioned, but applicable to his own countrymen as well as the scientific men of other countries. We may still devote a few columns in an On Education." My notion of education, in its earlier parts, is like my idea of a national government: that it should be chiefly negative or preventive, so to speak, extending to as small an abridgment of liberty as possible, but absolute on the points on which it interferes; and that the faults attending it in general are, like the faults in governments in general, an interference where no interference is required, on a number of foolish points, to the injury of the human faculties, and to the neglect of those points which are essential. The analogy will not hold good as to the more advanced parts of education, because its objects then are to teach and instruct; whereas those of government should be confined, in my judgment, almost entirely to restraint." On Parliamentary Reform." This scheme of equal representation is usually accompanied with the proposal for short periods of delegation, and other methods to make the delegate On Governments." All governments are speak the sense of his representatives. But, founded on opinion. We submit, because the under this system, the great majority of repreking is our master and we are his slaves, say sentatives being persons without property, the the Easterns; because he is our father and we security of property to those who had it, would are his children, say the Chinese and European depend on the virtue of those who had none. monarchies; because submission to law and If, on the other hand, it be supposed (what I government is useful, say the freemen of Ame-am inclined to admit) that among a people conrica, and many of those of England. Now, siderably informed, and capable of fixed habits, of these natural foundations, the last appears such as our countrymen, the inviolability of the strongest, provided experience had clearly property may be safely trusted to the sense of marked out the objects to which this useful- right, a danger presents itself of an opposite ness required government to extend, and time had produced habitual submission and respect. What France has wanted is not proper foundations or principles, but science or practical skill. It is one thing to understand the principles of nature. Property being secured to the individual, however largely it may have accumulated, would probably operate with irresistible influence on the great mass of the labouring poor, of which three-fourths of the electors would con sist; and the union of two or three men of then sat down to read the book again, aloud, | scarce dawned, when Vasco Nuñez and his large fortune, in every county or district, would and finished this second perusal in a few days, followers set forth from the Indian village, and bear down every opposition from talents, acti- not omitting a single word, but stopping at began to climb the height. It was a severe and vity, or virtue. times, and apparently bewildered. I now spoke rugged toil for men so wayworn; but they were "It seems, then, that an extension of the to him, and introduced the subject, but he was filled with new ardour at the idea of the triumelective franchise should be accompanied with sullen and impatient. He became very thought-phant scene that was so soon to repay them for certain reforms in the laws of property. This ful, walked at a great pace in his airing-ground, all their hardships. About ten o'clock in the being conceded to me, I confess I should still and stopped occasionally to write, if I may so morning they emerged from the thick forests not be disposed to go the length of a represent-speak, words, but more frequently numbers, through which they had hitherto struggled, ation of heads. The young, the idle, the pro- with a switch in the sand. These he obli- and arrived at a lofty and airy region of the fligate, and those wretchedly poor and ignorant, terated, as I approached him. This continued mountain. The bold summit alone remained form a large class of society, that do not suffi- some days, and he appeared to grow less to be ascended; and their guides pointed to a ciently understand or sympathise in the inter- thoughtful; but his mind had taken a melan- moderate eminence, from which they said the ests of the whole; and those I would propose choly turn. One afternoon he retired into his southern sea was visible. Upon this, Vasco to exclude, in a great measure, by adopting an- room, on the pretence of drowsiness. The other fundamental principle: giving the elec-keeper called him in a few hours, but he did tive franchise, not to persons, but to families; not answer. He entered, and found the sleep in a word, to the fathers of families only. Such he had fallen into was the sleep of death. He men have a valuable stake in the community, had shuffled off this mortal coil.' however small their property; and they are I have no doubt that he perceived sufficiently (not without many exceptions, indeed) a selec- the force of Malthus's argument to see the tion from the general mass, as to sobriety and wreck of all his castle-building, and that this industry. By adopting this principle, the greater | produced the melancholy catastrophe.” and most dangerous part of the mob of great Perhaps Malthus would be very glad to have cities would be excluded; the greater part of his work prescribed universally; since, if it the army and navy, and almost all the servants produced these effects, it would at once coof great families-perhaps as vicious and dan-operate with his system by reducing populagerous a part of the community as any other- tion, and put a large fortune into his pocket by beings who possess at the same time the vices the sale of his "Principles.” of luxury and ignorance." Surely there is much room for speculation, even in our day, upon these thoughts, which bespeak a man of a good heart and a sound understanding. But we pass to the history of a philosopher: we have met with several of the same genus. With this story we conclude; repeating that, for those who have sufficient leisure, there is much to amuse and inform in this publication; while the busy, who are pressed for time, may justly complain of its dwelling tediously on unimportant topics. Voyages of the Companions of Columbus. Nuñez commanded his followers to halt, and that no man should stir from his place; then, with a palpitating heart, he ascended alone the bare mountain-top. On reaching the summit, the long-desired prospect burst upon his view: it was as if a new world were unfolded to him, separated from all hitherto known by this mighty barrier of mountains. Below him extended a vast chaos of rock and forest, and green savannahs and wandering streams, while at a distance the waters of the promised ocean glittered in the morning sun. At this glorious prospect Vasco Nuñez sank upon his knees, and poured out thanks to God for being the first European to whom it was given to make that great discovery. He then called his people to ascend. Behold, my friends," said he, that glorious sight which we have so much desired. Let us give thanks to God that he has granted us this great honour and advantage; let us pray to him to guide and aid us to conquer the sea and land which we have discovered, and which Christian has never entered to preach the holy doctrine of the evangelists. As to yourselves, be as you have hitherto been, "A gentleman of a liberal education had, according to the fashion of the times, indulged himself, some years ago, in speculations on the Or all the daring men who immediately suc-faithful and true to me, aud by the favour of improvement of the human race, and the per-ceeded the great and enterprising Columbus, Christ you will become the richest Spaniards fectibility of man. By long, deep, and solitary Vasco Nuñez, the first who saw and navigated that have ever come to the Indies; you will meditation on these subjects, his mind became unsettled, and his reason gave way. He seemed the vast Pacific Ocean, was one of the most render the greatest services to your king that to himself to want nothing but power to make remarkable in all the details of his perilous ever vassal rendered to his lord; and you will mankind happy; and at length he became con- course. Among his followers was a blood- have the eternal glory and advantage of all that vinced that he had a right to that power. The hound, named Leoncico, which the Spanish is here discovered, conquered, and converted to consequence of this rendered it necessary to writers describe as his constant companion and our holy Catholic faith.' The Spaniards anconfine him; and about two years afterwards body guard. he was removed by his friends from the situa"He was of a middle size, but immensely and promising to follow him to death. Among swered this speech by embracing Vasco Nuñez, tion in which he was originally fixed, and strong of a dull yellow or reddish colour, them was a priest, named Andres de Vara, who placed under my care. At the time of which with a black muzzle, and his body was scarred lifted up his voice and chaunted Te Deum lauI speak he was become perfectly calm: he was battles with the Indians. Vasco Nuñez always The rest, kneeling down, joined in the strain all over with wounds, received in innumerable damus, the usual anthem of Spanish discoverers. on general subjects rational, and on every subject acute; but the original hallucinations were lent him to others, receiving for his services never did a more sincere oblation rise to the took him on his expeditions, and sometimes with pious enthusiasm and tears of joy; and as fixed as ever. In occasional discussions of his visionary projects, I had urged, of my own the same share of booty allotted to an armed Deity from a sanctified altar, than from that man. In this way he gained by him, in the wild mountain summit. It was, indeed, one ggestion, the objection, that when men betame so happy as he proposed to make them, course of his campaigns, upwards of a thousand of the most sublime discoveries that had yet they would increase too fast for the limits of crowns. The Indians, it is said, had conceived been made in the New World, and must have the earth. He felt the force of this; and, after such terror of this animal, that the very sight opened a boundless field of conjecture to the much meditation, proposed a scheme for en- of him was sufficient to put a host of them to wondering Spaniards. The imagination delarging the surface of the globe, and a project flight." of an act of parliament for this purpose, in toilsome march from Darien, is finely told :— The discovery of the Pacific Ocean, after a of their thoughts. Was this the great Indian lights to picture forth the splendid confusion letter addressed to Mr. Pitt, very well exOcean, studded with precious islands abound"The day (26th of September, 1513) had ing in gold, in gems, and spices, and bordered pressed, and seriously meant, but which, if published, would appear satirical and ludicrous These terrible animals were powerful allies to the by the gorgeous cities and wealthy marts of the in a high degree. Having had occasion to Spaniards; for, besides many other notices of them, we East? or was it some lonely sea, locked up in mention his situation to his brother, a man of are told of Juan Ponce, that one of his most efficient the embraces of savage uncultivated continents, warriors was a dog named Berezillo, renowned for courage, letters, he proposed that an experiment should strength, and sagacity. It is said that he could distinguish and never traversed by a bark, excepting the be made of putting the quarto edition of Mal-those of the Indians who were allies, from those who light pirogue of the savage? The latter could us's Essay into his hands, to which I assented. were enemies of the Spaniards. To the former he was hardly be the case, for the natives had told the docile and friendly, to the latter fierce and implacable. It was given to him last autumn, and he read He was the terror of the natives, who were unaccustomed Spaniards of golden realms, and populous and it with the utmost avidity and seeming atten- to powerful and ferocious animals, and did more service powerful and luxurious nations upon its shores. tigt. In my visits I did not mention the sub-several soldiers. His prowess was so highly appreciated, Perhaps it might be bordered by various people, jest to him, but desired the keeper to watch that his master received for him the pay, allowance, and civilised in fact, though differing from Europe Lim narrowly. After finishing the perusal, he share of booty assigned to a cross-bow man, which was the in their civilisation; who might have peculiar highest stipend given. This famous dog was killed some pea, ink, and paper, and sat down, seem-years afterwards by a poisoned arrow, as he was swimming laws and customs, and arts and sciences; who ingly with an intention to answer it, or to in the sea in pursuit of a Carib Indian. He left, however, might form, as it were, a world of their own, nte notes upon it. But he did not finish a his merits and exploits were long a favourite theme amonging on commerce between their own islands and a numerous progeny and a great name behind him; and intercommuning by this mighty sea, and carrygle sentence, though he began many. He the Spanish colonists." a in this wild warfare, than could have been rendered by They descended to the sea, and, "stooping down, tasted its waters. When they found that, though severed by intervening mountains and continents, they were salt like the seas of the north, they felt assured that they had indeed discovered an ocean, and again returned thanks to God." Vasco Nuñez, on his return to Darien, was cruelly beheaded as a traitor, through the perfidiousness of the governor. We look forward with pleasure to the second volume, where the author will be on untrodden ground. continents, but who might exist in total igno- prosecute the discovery, nor had he any diffi- mately ransomed for two hundred thousand rance and independence of the other hemi-culty in finding adventurers in abundance ready ducats. It was stipulated in the treaty, that sphere." to cruise with him in quest of this fairy-land." the French captives should bind themselves by Need we add that, examining the whole oath, never again to bear arms against their group of the Bahama islands, "his inquiries conqueror; but Bajazet scornfully rejected the for the island of Bimini were all in vain; and proffered pledge. I despise,' said he to the as to the fountain of youth, he may have drank heir of Burgundy, thy oaths and thy arms. of every fountain, and river, and lake, in the Thou art young, and mayest be ambitious of archipelago, even to the salt pools of Turk's effacing the disgrace or misfortune of thy first Island, without being a whit the younger." field. Marshal thy troops, proclaim thy enterHe, however, discovered and took possession prise, and be assured, that thou canst not do of Florida; but, "disheartened at length by Bajazet a greater favour than by giving him the perils and trials with which nature seemed another opportunity of meeting thee in the Juan Ponce's adventures are more amusing; to have beset the approach to Bimini, as to shock of fight.' for, being superseded in Porto Rico, our author some fairy island in romance, he gave up tells us "The loss of one wild island and the quest in person, and sent in his place a wild government was of little moment, when trusty captain, Juan Perez de Ortubia, who there was a new world to be shared out, where departed in one of the other ships, guided by a bold soldier like himself, with sword and the experienced old woman of the isles, and by buckler, might readily carve out new fortunes another Indian. As to Juan Ponce, he made for himself. Beside, he had now amassed wealth the best of his way back to Porto Rico, where to assist him in his plans, and, like many of the he arrived infinitely poorer in purse and wrink- EMBELLISHED with a very beautiful engrav. early discoverers, his brain was teeming with led in brow, by this cruise after inexhaustible ing of Finden's, from a picture of Howard's, the most romantic enterprises. He had con- riches and perpetual youth. He had not been The Cottage Girl," (previously published, we ceived the idea that there was yet a third world long in port when his trusty envoy, Juan Perez, believe,) and with a very varied table of conto be discovered, and he hoped to be the first likewise arrived. Guided by the sage old tents, the Ladies' Museum appears to us the to reach its shores, and thus to secure a re- woman, he had succeeded in finding the long-best of the novel competitors for female favour. nown equal to that of Columbus. While cogi- sought-for Bimini. He described it as being We confess to having taken "feminine countating these things, and considering which way large, verdant, and covered with beautiful sel's opinion" on the gaily arrayed figures he should strike forth in the unexplored re- groves. There were crystal springs and limpid that set forth the fashions, and the report has gions around him, he met with some old streams in abundance, which kept the island in been favourable: the two evening dresses are Indians, who gave him tidings of a country perpetual verdure, but none that could restore pronounced "specially pretty." to an old man the vernal greenness of his youth. The Ladies' Museum. New and improved Series. No. I. London, 1831. Simpkin and Marshall. which promised, not merely to satisfy the cravings of his ambition, but to realise the Allan M'Dougal: or, Scenes in the Peninsula: fondest dreams of the poets. They assured him that, far to the north, there existed a land a Tale. By a Military Officer. 3 vols. 12mo. London, 1831. Newman and Co. abounding in gold and in all manner of delights; but, above all, possessing a river of These extracts will speak for the merit of this THESE are three amusing volumes: the milisuch wonderful virtue, that whoever bathed in volume; and we have only further to notice, that tary scenes are really sketched with great it would be restored to youth! They added, it concludes with a very interesting narrative spirit; and the character of the hero places the that in times past, before the arrival of the of a pilgrimage to Palos, (whence Columbus consequence of a vain craving for excitement in a true, and therefore forcible, point of view. Spaniards, a large party of the natives of Cuba sailed to discover the New World, and where Constable's Miscellany, Vol. LXIII. The and Co. The Mayor of Garratt, &c. Pp. 45. London, 1831. Alf. Miller. FOOTE's comedy, illustrated with clever and characteristic designs by R. Seymour, and well cut in wood by Nesbit, Slader, Welch, and Johnson. It is one of the neat and cheap editions of the day. had departed northward in search of this happy the descendants of the Pinzons still live in land and this river of life, and, having never patriarchal happiness,) which was most approreturned, it was concluded that they were priately made by so distinguished a citizen of flourishing in renovated youth, detained by that New World as Washington Irving. the pleasures of that enchanting country. Here was the dream of the alchymist realised! one had but to find this gifted land and revel in the enjoyment of boundless riches and perennial youth! nay, some of the ancient Indians declared that it was not necessary to go so far in Belgium in 1830. Pp. 48. London, 1831. quest of these rejuvenating waters, for that, in Colburn and Bentley. a certain island of the Bahama group, called MUCH industry has been bestowed on this A PAMPHLET written, we are told, by Prince Bimini, which lay far out in the ocean, there volume, which, both for research and style, Kosloffsky, in which he sets out by sacrificing was a fountain possessing the same marvellous does Mr. Sutherland infinite credit. The be- intelligence, if not truth, to expediency (see and inestimable qualities. Juan Ponce de ginning is taken up by the Crusades; an era first page), but, nevertheless, in the course of Leon listened to these tales with fond cre- every detail of which has been lately so fully his remarks throws very considerable light dulity. He was advancing in life, and the before the public that we cannot find novelty upon the revolution in Belgium, its actors, ordinary term of existence seemed insufficient for quotation. The ensuing anecdote is from and its probable effects on Europe. The work for his mighty plans. Could he but plunge the later period, which has much romantic is evidently meant to support the cause of the into this marvellous fountain or gifted river, Prince of Orange, and to recommend him to the and come out with his battered war-worn body "Bajazet having thus, by the celerity and throne, which seems to be begging an occupant. restored to the strength and freshness and sup- secrecy of his march, and the order and evopleness of youth, and his head still retaining lutions of his army on the day of battle, totally the wisdom and knowledge of age, what enter- overthrown the Christian army, proceeded to prises might he not accomplish in the addi- take a bloody revenge for the massacre which tional course of vigorous years insured to him! the French knights had perpetrated on the eve WE do not think the subject of this tragedy is It may seem incredible, at the present day, of the engagement. The Count of Nevers, and well chosen: our opinions on all histories conthat a man of years and experience could yield twenty-four lords of distinction, including the nected with the sacred one are so strongly deany faith to a story which resembles the wild Sire de Coucy, and the Marshal Boucicault, fined from childhood upwards, that any author fiction of an Arabian tale; but the wonders were reserved for ransom; but the remainder placing such events in an opposite light to and novelties breaking upon the world in that of the captives were brought before his throne, that in which we have been accustomed to conage of discovery almost realised the illusions of and, on their refusal to abjure their faith, were sider them, sets the whole array of early feelfable; and the imaginations of the Spanish successively decapitated in his presence-a ings and prejudices against him. We mean voyagers had become so heated, that they were sacrifice which deluged France with tears. only as refers to our imagination; for, both in capable of any stretch of credulity. So fully The Sire de Coucy and Count D'Eu died in a religious and moral point of view, these scenes persuaded was the worthy old cavalier of the prison: but the other princes and barons, are beautifully drawn. The touches of feeling existence of the region described to him, that after being long exposed as a grateful trophy to and of poetry in the following passages may he fitted out three ships at his own expense to the Moslems of Europe and Asia, were ulti-speak for themselves. interest. The Daughter of Herodias: a Tragedy. By Henry Rich, Esq. 8vo. pp. 188. London, 1831. J. Andrews. |