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Canning at the head of his government. The continuance of the government in an unsettled ning the name of an individual whose apway in which his majesty received this intima-state." pointment, as premier, Mr. Peel conceived tion may be judged from the result. But this "Meanwhile, although between the 31st of likely to solve all difficulties.' That indivi was not the only inconvenience which resulted March and the 6th of April, Mr. Canning had dual was the Duke of Wellington; but Mr. from the then existing interregnum; for cer- no communication whatsoever with his majesty Canning was of opinion that the appointment tainly the talk which part of the connexions on the subject of the arrangements, yet he had of his grace would not afford any such solu. of those who belonged to a government to frequent conferences with the Duke of Wel- tion. This last attempt at excluding Mr. which as yet Mr. Canning belonged, thought lington and Mr. Peel. Mr. Peel's conduct in Canning from the premiership on account of themselves at liberty to hold respecting him,' all of these interviews was in every respect his Catholic sentiments, while he remained in was of a most indecorous character. It was honourable and consistent; he had made up the government, having failed, the king deon the 27th of March that Mr. Canning went his mind to resign, if an individual favourable termined to protract no longer the anxious to the Royal Lodge; and on the following day to the Catholics should be placed at the head state of suspense in which the country had the king held a long conversation with him on of the government; and as soon as he found been kept, and accordingly sent for Mr. Canthe then state of the government. In that that Mr. Canning would not yield this point, ning on the 10th of April, and issued to him conversation, when Mr. Canning was called he made known what were his intentions. his royal commands to prepare, with as little upon for his advice, aware of the king's indi- His professions, too, of respect and regard' delay as possible, a plan for the reconstruction vidual opinions on the Catholic question, he for Mr. Canning were unbounded; so much of the administration.' counselled his majesty to frame his government so that Mr. Canning expressed himself as feelconformably to those opinions. But the king, ing it quite impossible to do sufficient justice although expressing his sense of the impos- to his frankness and straightforwardness, and sibility of parting' with Mr. Canning, never-to feelings for which he owned he had not betheless proposed to place at the head of the fore given Mr. Peel credit, but which,' he administration a peer holding Lord Liverpool's said, he hoped he knew how to value and opinions on that question: whereupon Mr. return.' With the conduct of the Duke of Canning, upon being commanded to speak Wellington Mr. Canning at one time thought without reserve, humbly submitted to his ma- he had reason to be dissatisfied, and certainly jesty, that if those whose sentiments were a good deal of misapprehension existed between favourable to the Catholics were to be excluded them. Mr. Canning had heard that his grace solely on account of those sentiments, as much did not disapprove, even if he did not sanction, as the Catholics, from the highest elevations in the conduct of the Duke of Newcastle; and the state, and from the greatest objects of am- since the language of some of the immediate bition, he could not consent to be the indi- adherents of the Duke of Wellington was cervidual in whose person such a principle should tainly any thing but friendly to Mr. Canning, be established.' He therefore felt himself it was not unnatural to suppose that their senbound honestly to state to his majesty, in timents were, in some degree at least, in unison plain terms,' that the substantive power of with those of their chief. Mr. Canning's feelfirst minister he must have, and, what was ings, therefore, towards the duke, about this more, must be known to have,' or he must beg period, were not of the most cordial nature; leave to be allowed to retire from a situation but, on the 2d of April, a common friend called which he could no longer fill either with sa- on Mr. Canning; and, with the view to protisfaction to himself, or with benefit to the mote a better understanding, proposed that his king's service.'* The determination expressed grace should have an interview with Mr. Canby Mr. Canning in this conference speaks for ning on the following day. The duke accorditself, and requires little comment. He knew ingly came to the Foreign Office on the 3d of that he had been the main stay of the govern- April, and a conversation of two hours took ment during the four years that he had been place between them. At this conference on a member of it; that as leader of the House the part of Mr. Canning the fullest details of Commons, he held in the ministry the se- were given of what passed at his audience cond station; and that, whenever a vacancy in with his majesty at Windsor.' On the part the first should occur, he could not without of the duke, explanations were offered, which degradation have consented to have his own just induced Mr. Canning to say that every thing claims set aside in favour of another, unless that had been in doubt had been cleared up there were better reasons for proscribing him satisfactorily; and that they parted' as a than his being favourable to the Catholic cause; mutual friend would have wished, all being and he well knew that a public man, once de- left well.""

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We need not go over the almost simultaneous resignations of half the cabinet. "That they were the result of combination on the part of these noble personages cannot be supposed, after their denial that they were so; but, the fact of five having been sent within eighteen hours, and four out of the five, within three, certainly made them assume the appear. ance of an attempt at intimidation. If, indeed, this had been the object, nothing could have been less calculated to answer the purpose. They who could have conceived such a project must have formed a very erroneous impression of those with whom they had to deal. The effects which it appears they produced in his majesty's mind were displeasure with those who thus acted, and the confirmation of his resolu tion to support the minister of his choice. Nor had Mr. Canning a heart to quail before diffi culties: neither of them were appalled at these unexpected obstacles. His majesty forthwith confirmed Mr. Canning's appointment by giving him his hand to kiss.”

The debates and explanations which followed must be fresh in the remembrance of every one; and we shall only farther advert to two hitherto unpublished letters between the Duke of Wellington and Mr. Canning. We wish we could find room for all, but they are too long; and we must take a short extract. Mr. C. writes:

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"There is but one other part of your grace's speech which appears to call for any observations from me. Your grace emphatically says, that your being at the head of the government was wholly out of the question." I learned this opinion of your grace with sincere pleasure. The union of the whole power in the state, civil and military, in the same hands, graded, could never again serve his king or his "Mr. Canning likewise again saw the Duke (for your grace, as prime minister, could never country with advantage to them, or with honour of Wellington for a few minutes. The effect have effectually divested yourself of your influ to himself. His resolution therefore was early of these two conferences was, that the belief ence over the army,) would certainly, in my taken, unhesitatingly announced, and stead- which Mr. Canning had once entertained that opinion, have constituted a station too great for fastly maintained. It should, however, be the Duke of Wellington never thought of any subject, however eminent, or however me borne in mind what that resolution was. It himself, for the post of prime minister was ritorious, and one incompatible with the prac was not that he would resign unless he were entirely changed, and that' Mr. Canning's tice of a free constitution. Nothing would first lord of the treasury, but that he wouldbelief then was, that the duke, and perhaps have induced me to serve under such a form of resign unless he held, and was known to hold, Mr. Peel too, hoped that the explanation be- government, and I am rejoiced to find that the post of first minister; a post which it was tween Mr. Canning and the duke would have your grace's opinion was always against such at first supposed by the king might be held ended in' Mr. Canning's expressing a wish that an arrangement. But I confess I am surprised by any one of his confidential servants, and the duke should take the government.' The that, such being your grace's fixed opinion, it formerly had been held by Lord Chatham, desire to be first minister, which Mr. Canning should nevertheless have been proposed to me. with the office of privy seal. While these thought that the duke entertained, his grace as it was more than once, and up to the 9th of things were passing on the subject of the subsequently disclaimed in the strongest and April inclusive, to concur in placing your grace government, the House of Commons had be- most unequivocal terms, asserting that he not at the head of the government. There is in gun to manifest symptoms of impatience at the only did not wish to occupy that post, but had this apparent contradiction a mystery which I an absolute repugnance to holding it,-a repug- cannot explain. In rejecting, however, as I ference between the king and Mr. Canning is founded nance, however, which, about sixteen months did, that proposition, I do assure your grace, I the whole of the conversation. It was dictated by Mr. night of the 5th the king came to town, and disrespectful to your grace: nor am I consciots on a paper which the latter left behind him, recording after, he succeeded in conquering. On the was not actuated by any feeling unfriendly or Lodge, and, of course, it would not be justifiable to quote Mr. Canning had an interview with his ma- of any such feeling now. I take nothing perit, except in elucidation of that which Mr. Canning had jesty on the 6th. On the 9th, by the king's sonally amiss in your grace's speech. I retain ence with the Duke of Wellington, in which reference is command, Mr. Canning saw Mr. Peel, who a recollection, corresponding with your own, of came for the purpose of stating to Mr. Can- the intercourse which has for some years sub

*This brief statement of what passed in this con

Canning immediately after his return from the Royal

recorded his intention of publishing, viz. the correspond

made to this conversation."

sisted between us on political affairs; and there is not in the nation, or in the army itself, an individual who regrets more deeply than I do, that your grace should have thought it necessary to withdraw from the command of the army at the same time that you resigned your seat in the cabinet."

To this his grace replies:

tion of the country. The dearest advantages was to this passion that he owed his voluntary are to be derived from the calm and judicious seclusion from a world in which length of pediview of those points of external and internal gree, without the concomitants of talent, acpolicy which it offers to us, while it embalms complishments, or wealth, meets but with little the memory of a minister whose loss is now of that consideration which the pride of ancesfelt more deeply than ever. tral dignity is so much disposed to exact." There are two Scotch families well and naCameron: a Novel. 3 vols. 12mo. London, turally depicted; the one a scene of miserable "I considered your letters to me, and most 1832. Bull. contention and indolent irregularity-the other particularly the one of the 11th of April, in THERE is both cleverness and capability in of order and domestic comfort. There is a which, be it observed, you state, that you had this work - many characters most happily power of drawing from real life which promises previously submitted it to his majesty, to have sketched, and several scenes both of interest well for our author's future efforts; and we placed me in such a relation towards his majesty, and amusement. The faults seem to us the notice it with pleasure, while we recommend and towards yourself, as his first minister, as to usual ones of a young writer-too many per- the present work to the regard of novel-readers. render it impossible for me to continue my office sons introduced on the scene; materials inartiof commander-in-chief. I could not be other- ficially managed-i. e. not sufficiently con- Tour of a German Prince, &c. 2 vols. Wilson. wise than in constant confidential relations nected; and a story too wire-drawn. Came[Fourth notice: Conclusion.] with his majesty on the one hand, and with ron, however, opens with much spirit; and A FOURTH continuation upon two not very yourself on the other, as you will find by and Lord Marsden-poor, proud, and prejudiced- large volumes shews how much this various by, when you shall come to conduct the duties is a good specimen of the author's skill in por-publication has offered to us for such selection of the office of first lord of the treasury; and trait-painting. as we supposed would be acceptable to our it was impossible for me to look for that per- "Equally exempt from the interruptions of readers. But as all things must have an sonal good will and confidence in such com- friends and the encroachments of neighbour-end, so must Prince Puckler Muskau. We munications, which are absolutely necessary, hood, Lord Marsden, ensconced within a for- shall therefore, having contributed to make and which I trust I deserve, after I had re- tress of prejudices, lived among his own do- him popular in these dull days, wind him up, ceived from you a letter, in which I thought mestic circle unimproving and unimproved, in, we trust, an agreeable manner; though one you had made use of a tone of rebuke not pro- disliking the world, which he was too proud to of our public duties, before we close, is to devoked by any thing contained in my letter to court, and too poor to interest-more vain of signate some of the defects which detract from you, and for which the sanction of his majesty the past than ambitious for the future, and his amusing qualities. Like all real or pseudo was, as I think, very unnecessarily obtained. solacing himself, in lieu of living society, by a romanticists, alias enthusiasts, the prince is I know what I owe to his majesty, but I should continual reference to that which was extinct- liable to misconception and prone to exaggera be unworthy of his favour and kindness, and cherishing a tenacious reverence for every thing tion. For the latter (without quoting, for, in quite useless to him hereafter, if I had con- said and done by his ancestors, and thinking fact, the work is full of it) we will only refer tinued to endeavour to serve him in the post that no conversation could afford such intellec- to the bull story, pp. 6, 7, Vol. II.; but to of commander-in-chief of his army, after I had tual delight as that which he enjoyed when justify our charge of incorrectness, we will cite received that letter. I am not in the habit of descanting upon the wisdom and power of those one example, from which a pretty accurate idea deciding upon such matters hastily or in anger; honoured relatives whose portraits were fading of the prince's incorrectness as to realities may and the proof of this is, that I never had a upon the wainscot, and whose remains crowded be formed. quarrel with any man in my life." his family mausoleum-a building darkly con- "I found (says he) all the towers in Canterbury (1) deMr. Stapleton's remarks must conclude our spicuous upon the only rising ground within view, and serving as a continual remembrancer, not of life's brief tenure, but that he represented eleven titled predecessors.

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corated with flags in celebration of New-year's day. I all English cathedrals. This romantic edifice, begun by commemorated it in the proudest and most beautiful of Upon a full and impartial examination of the Saxons, continued by the Normans, and recently rethe whole of the documents relating to this stored with great judgment, forms three distinct and yet connected churches; with many irregular chapels and discussion, together with the commentary that "His private library communicated with the staircases, black and white marble floors, and a forest of the subsequent acts of the Duke of Welling- breakfast room; and no sooner was the first pillars in harmonious confusion (2). The yellow tone of ton's government has afforded to them, it can- stroke of nine heard to reverberate upon the the sandstone is very advantageous, especially in the Norman part of the church, where it is beautifully relieved not but be matter of surprise as well as of re- house clock than he let himself out from that by the black marble columns (3). Here lies the brazen gret, that the Duke of Wellington should have learned retreat, where, to borrow the expres- effigy of the Black Prince, on a sarcophagus of stone. taken the important decision to relinquish his sion of a contemporary nobleman, he read all Over him hang his half-mouldered gloves, and the sword (4) and shield he wore at Poictiers. A number of other public duty on such apparently erroneous and day, and no one was ever the wiser;' and it monuments adorn the church: among them, those of trivial causes of personal offence. For when it would have been but little gratifying to him Henry the Fourth and Thomas à Becket (5), who was killed in one of the adjoining chapels. A great part of is considered that within two years of this pe- could he have remarked with how much more the old painted window is preserved, and is unrivalled in riod, the Duke of Wellington himself, as head of fear than pleasure his approach was met. the splendour of its colours. Some parts of it are only of the government, persuaded the king to Being, however, one of those persons always patterns and arabesques, like transparent carpets of velvet: others appear like jewellery formed of every variety grant unqualified concession to the demands of so self-engrossed as to have no leisure for mor- of precious stones. But few contain historical subjects. the Catholics, it is difficult to attribute his tifying discoveries, restraint passed current with What gives this magnificent cathedral a great pre-emigrace's secession from the government in 1827 him for deference, and awe for duty. His nence over every other in England is, that there is no screen (6) in the middle to cut and obstruct the view, and to the influence of the only other motive as- morning salutation never amounted to more you see the whole extent of the aisle-from four to five signed for it-viz. deference to his majesty's than a low bow to his lady and sister, accom- hundred paces long-at one glance." opinions on the Catholic question, and the panied by a wave of the hand generally, signi- Now, in this single page there are six misreimpossibility of giving fair support and con- fying that his children were recognised, and presentations (Prince Puckler Muskau would fidence to a government at the head of which that every one might be seated. Like many be a horrible member of the Antiquaries!). was an individual favourable to the Catholics, who have but little to shew for their time, he 1. Only one of the towers bears a flag. 2. The from the conviction, that the necessary result was a tenacious timeist; and wo to the de- pillars are placed in perfectly regular order. of the preponderating influence of a govern- faulter who should happen not to be present at 3. There are no black marble columns in the ment so constituted, would inevitably bring the this ceremonious greeting. building. 4. The sword of the Black Prince country into a state of peril. To this answer "Conversation at Lord Marsden's table gene- was removed many years ago. 5. The tomb Mr. Canning made no reply: he feared that rally took its tone from himself, if that might of Becket was destroyed by the Puritans (we had he done so, the correspondence might have be called conversation where one leading per- believe in Cromwell's time): not a vestige of degenerated into controversy,' and that any son, and that person a tiresome egotist, con- it remains. And, 6. There are two screens, rejoinder from him might have placed the trived to engross it exclusively. Fancying one separating the nave and choir, the other chance of a return to a mutual good understand himself an antiquary, when he was merely a the choir and Trinity chapel. ing at a greater distance than ever, and thereby genealogist, his knowledge of genealogy origin- We have been right, therefore, we hope, in have continued to deprive the country of his ating in pride, rendered it the most disagree- illustrating our German author's work rather grace's military services.'" able acquirement he could have cultivated. from his views of our manners and peculiarities With these very imperfect quotations, we Pride of ancestry was his ruling passion; and than from his statistics or statements where dismiss this new edition of the political life of although perhaps it is a passion less tolerated any thing like exactitude was essential. But, Mr. Canning, to the increased attention which in society than many of a more vicious tend- indeed, such of our readers as have met the awaits it. Even amid the ferment of these ency, it was nevertheless one which was not, prince in his English visit will readily perceive vil times, it must command the best considera- in his case, without some advantages, for it that we must, in honour to our judgment, and

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Returning to England, the prince wanders to and fro; and as his course is erratic, so shall our few remaining extracts be miscellaneous.

without much reference to his book, have cise great deliberation before I resolve upon it; | greatest dramatic artist it has ever fallen to my chosen this course, if we meant to have our but when once it is done, even if I afterwards lot to admire. She said that this extraordinary critical acumen unquestioned and uncondemned. think I have been precipitate or mistaken, I young woman, who from the very commenceThe prince's mode of thinking and acting threw hold it to be perfectly irrevocable, whatever ment of her career had given evidence of the a sort of cloud over his latter residence here; inconveniences I foresee likely to result. And highest genius, remained utterly neglected at or, we might rather say, rendered his position I feel great satisfaction and tranquillity in being the theatre in Dublin, where she performed for in fashionable society a problem. A misunder-subject to such an immutable law. If I were some years. She was at that time so poor, standing at the Traveller's Club, and the inter- capable of breaking it after such mature con- that when she returned home at night after ference of the Prussian minister, made some sideration, I should lose all respect for myself; the greatest exertions, she found no other restir at the time: if it shewed nothing else, it—and what man of sense would not prefer freshment than a plate of potatoes and a misershewed the curious and laudable anxiety of a death to such an alternative? for death is only able bed which she shared with three sisters. government touching the conduct of its sub- a necessity of nature, and consequently not an Lady M- —once visited her, and found the jects in other countries; and, perhaps, it was evil;-it appears to us so only in connexion poor girl mending her two pair of old stockings, the most desirable of consummations that the with our present existence; that is to say, the which she was obliged to wash daily for her prince should bid adieu to London, and hasten instinct of self-preservation recoils from death; appearance on the stage. Lady M- now to join the fair dame to whom these letters are but reason, which is eternal, sees it in its true procured for her various articles of dress, and addressed. form, as a mere transition from one state to took upon herself in some degree the care of [As a note we may mention having fre- another. But a conviction of one's own un-her toilet, which had been extremely neglected. quently met the author in general society-a conquerable weakness is a feeling which must She obtained more applause after this, though fine-looking fellow, and known to be a man of embitter the whole of life. It is therefore better, still but little. At this time one of the malarge estates in Silesia. He married a daughter if it comes to the struggle, to give up existence nagers of the London theatres accidentally came of Baron Hardenberg, whom, we believe, he has for the present with a feeling of inward tri- to Dublin, saw her, and had the good taste and rejoined since this correspondence to her was umph, than to crawl on with a chronic disease judgment immediately to engage her for the written, in German, than which no more beau-of the soul. I am not made dependent by my metropolis. Here she at once produced the tiful specimen of composition exists in the mo- promise; on the contrary, it is just that which most extraordinary sensation; and from a poor dern literature of the country.] maintains my independence. So long as my unknown young actress, rose in one moment Having in this parenthesis delivered our persuasion is not firm and complete, the mys- to be the first star of the theatrical firmament selves of personalities, which seemed to be re-terious formula is not pronounced; but when of England." quired in order to form a just opinion of this once that has taken place, no alteration in my publication, we shall now conclude with a few own views-nothing short of physical impossifarther extracts; and we set out with, to us, a bility-must, for the welfare of my soul, alter new piece of necromantic natural history. my will. But whilst I thus form to myself a Of Mr. Beckford." I must send you another "After my guests had exhausted their store firm support in the most extreme cases, do you anecdote or two of this extraordinary man. of anecdotes, which were not precisely of a kind not see that I also possess a formidable weapon When he was living at Fonthill, a neighbourto entertain you with, they resorted to all sorts of attack, if I were compelled to use it, however ing lord was tormented by such an intense of practical jokes and tours de force.' One of small and inconsiderable the means may appear curiosity to see the place, that he caused a high these was quite new to me. It is an experiment to many? I, on the contrary, find something ladder to be set against the wall, and climbed which anybody may try, and it struck me as very satisfactory in the thought, that man has over by night. He was soon discovered, and curious enough. The wildest and fiercest game- the power of framing such props and such taken before Mr. Beckford; who, on hearing cock may be rendered motionless, and com- weapons out of the most trivial materials, in- his name, contrary to his expectations, received pelled to lie in deathlike stillness as long as you deed out of nothing, merely by the force of his him very courteously, conducted him all over please, by simply laying him on a table, with will, which hereby truly deserves the name of his house and grounds in the morning, and his beak close to a white line drawn across it. omnipotent. I cannot answer for it that this entertained him in a princely manner; after Nothing is necessary but first to draw this line reasoning will not appear to you, dear Julia, which he retired, taking the most polite leave with chalk, then to take the cock in your distorted and blameworthy: indeed it is not of his lordship. The latter, delighted at the hands and lay him on the table with his beak made for a woman; while, on the other hand, successful issue of his enterprise, was hastening turned towards it. You press him down, and a completely powerful mind would perhaps as home, but found all the gates locked, and no there he will lie as if bound by some spell; his little stand in need of it. Every man must, one there to open them. He returned to the beak stretched out, and his eyes immoveably however, manage himself according to his own house to beg assistance; but was told that fixed on the white line, till you take him away. nature; and as no one has yet found the art Mr. Beckford desired that he would return as The experiment must be tried by candle-light." of making a reed grow like an oak, or a cab- he had come, that he would find the ladder At page 84 we are informed that the lord bage like a pine-apple, so must men, as the standing where he had left it. His lordship lieutenant of Ireland possesses the power of common but wise proverb has it, cut their coat replied with great asperity, but it was of no creating baronets; a mistake which a stranger according to their cloth. Happy is he who does use; he must e'en return to the place of his could only fall into by night. A little farther not trust himself beyond his strength! But clandestine entrance, and climb the ladder. on we are amused with anecdotes of Lady without being so tragical about the matter, Cured for ever of his curiosity, and venting Clarke and her daughters; some of which, this grand expedient is of admirable use in curses on the spiteful misanthrope, he quitted p. 112, as well as the strange news communi- trifles. For example, to fulfil tedious, irksome the forbidden paradise. After Fonthill was cated in a letter to a lady about emptying the duties of society with the resignation of a calm sold, Mr. Beckford lived for a while in great cess-pools at Paris, p. 296, had better have been seclusion in one of the suburbs of London. In omitted. They smack of foreign manners, and the immediate neighbourhood was a nursery rather shock our barbarian delicacies. Mrs. garden, extremely celebrated for the beauty Austen, said to be the translator of the book, and rarity of its flowers. He walked in it should have used her discretion upon them.daily, and paid fifty guineas a-week to the But to characteristics! The prince has a droll owner of it for permission to gather whatever way of inducing himself to behave properly. presents." "The truth is," (as he says), "there are few men who are not sometimes capricious, and yet oftener vacillating. Finding that I am not better than others in this respect, I invented a remedy of my own, a sort of artificial resolution respecting things which are difficult of performance, a means of securing that firmness in myself which I might otherwise want, and which man is generally obliged to sustain by some external prop. My device then is this: I give my word of honour most solemnly to myself to do, or to leave undone, this or that. I am of course extremely cautious and discreet in the use of this expedient, and exer

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victim,—to conquer indolence, so as to get vigor-
ously through some long-deferred work-to im-
pose upon one's self some wholesome restraint,
and thus heighten one's enjoyment afterwards,
-and many, many more such cases, which this
occasionally sublime, but generally childish, life

We do not much relish this strained philo-
sophy; but we will quote a striking sentence, in
which, after describing a young man of large
fortune starting to enjoy life, the author finely
remarks: "While talking with him, I thought,
reflecting upon the difference between us, 'Voila
le commencement et la fin!' One whom the
world sends forth, and says, ' Partake of me;'
and the other whom she calls home, and says,
Digest me.'

Of Miss O'Neil from Lady Morgan: "Lady
M-afterwards related to me many interest-
ing circumstances respecting the celebrated Miss
O'Neil, whom, as you know, I regard as the

flowers he liked."

Of Buonaparte, &c.-" Napoleon was brought up a bigot; and although too acute to remain so, or indeed, perhaps, ever to have been so sincerely, habit which exercises so strong an influence over us all-rendered it impossible for him ever to divest himself entirely of first impressions. When any thing suddenly struck him, he sometimes involuntarily made the sign of the cross, -a gesture which appeared most extraordinary to the sceptical children of the revolution.

"When Lucien went to Spain as ambassador from the republic, the general, my informant, accompanied him as secretary of legation. Lu

cien's predecessor had 'affiché' all the coarse-dustry has enabled us to do is to have read the physical sciences, and point out the striking ness of republican manners, to the infinite first volume, which strikes us as very clever, relations of the atomic theory with the constiscandal of the most formal and stately court in and more interesting than the author of Ather-tution of matter, both as regards its finite divithe world; and the Spaniards dreaded still ton's works have usually been. The story is sibility and the definite proportions in which it greater rudeness and arrogance from the brother here carried on with great spirit, and the enters into the constitution of various bodies in of the first consul. Lucien, however, had the Usurer is a very original and forcibly drawn the organic and inorganic world, and in the good taste to take the completely opposite character. We purpose returning to these application of which these laws are susceptible. course; appeared at court in shoes and bag-pages with much pleasure. We believe the The reader will be particularly struck with the wig, and fulfilled all the duties of ceremony name of the writer is Scarlett, and that he is essays on the definite proportions observed in and etiquette with such punctuality that the also the author of Blue-Stocking Hall, Truckle- the floral organs of plants, and in the orbits whole court was in a perfect ecstasy of delight borough Hall, Rank and Talent, Tales of a described by the planets. The whole subject and gratitude. Lucien was not only extremely Briefless Barrister, Atherton, &c. We may, has been treated in a manner suitable to the popular, but the perfect idol of the whole royal however, be wrong in this list, as we confess high character which Professor Daubeny enjoys family. He returned their friendship, the our only guide has been the internal evidence among men of science. general affirmed, sincerely, and often earnestly of a family resemblance. To this we must warned the king against the Prince of the add, that Mr. Scarlett's improvement has been Peace, as well as against the insatiable ambi- very great since his first production. tion of his own brother, of whom he spoke on every occasion without the slightest reserve. The confidence, however, of the old king in his 'grand ami,' as he called Napoleon, remained unshaken to the last. Before his departure, Lucien crowned his popularity by a magnificent fete, the like of which had never been seen

We may,

Maugham's London Manual of Medical Chemistry, &c. &c. London, 1831. Whittaker and Co.

Ancient History; exhibiting a Summary View of the Rise, Progress, Revolutions, Decline and Fall of the States and Nations of AntiThe Dream of Eugene Aram, the Murderer. quity. By G. Robinson, D.D. New edit. By Thomas Hood, Esq. With Designs by 8vo. pp. 600. London, 1831. Souter. W. Harvey. Engraved on wood by Bran- THIS work appears to be a very improved ediston and Wright. Pp. 31. London, C. Tilt. tion of a former school-book by the same auWHEN this powerful and pathetic poem first thor. The five maps, exhibiting the territories in Spain, and which cost nearly four hundred occasion to point out the great talent it dis- ticularly that of Albion, under the Roman appeared, as portion of an Annual, we took of the Greek and Roman empires, more parthousand francs. The highest persons about played, and to notice how poorly they appre- dominion, cannot fail to prove acceptable to the court, a number of grandees, and the whole ciated the genius of its writer, who, because he juvenile historians. The chief novelty of the royal family, honoured it with their presence; presided over the sphere of literary fun, pun, volume, however, consists of a series of quesand the latter seemed not to know how suffi- and humour, fancied that he was a mere pun- tions, at the end of each chapter, connected ciently to express their attachment to the am-ster and humorist. Here, and in many of his with the leading events previously recorded. bassador. A few days afterwards, all the mem-other productions, we have ample proofs of his This plan is, as we have always held, admirable bers of the legation received splendid presents: ability in the higher range of the affections and for school tuition, as it teaches the pupil to the ambassador alone was omitted; and repub- passions; and much as we admire him in his reflect upon, as well as to read, the transaclican familiarity permitted many jokes upon own peculiar vein, we are always equally happy tions of former ages, in order to furnish his him in the palace of the embassy. Meanwhile to meet him in these his more tender and mind with the answers required. the audience of leave was over, Lucien's departure fixed for the following day, and all touching moods. We have only farther to say, therefore, safely recommend this work as one that the designs which embellish this publi- of the most useful of its class. hopes of the expected present at an end, when cation are worthy of the poem. an officer of the Walloon guard came with an escort to the hotel, bringing a large picture in a packing-case, as a present from the king to Cavendish; or, the Patrician at Sea. 3 vols. Napoleon. When Lucien was informed of this, London, 1832. Colburn and Bentley. he said, it was doubtless Titian's Venus, which SAVE and except that literature is now a he had often admired in the king's presence, species of epidemic, to which all more or less A THICK pocket volume, in which the Phar and which was certainly a very valuable pic-fall victims, we can find no sufficient cause for macopoeia is interlined with a literal translature, but that the carriage of it was inconve- the author of these volumes writing. His nar- tion; and an immense quantity of pharmanient to him, and he must confess, he had rative is uninteresting, his characters unintel- ceutical, chemical, thermapeutical, and botarather the king had not sent it. However, the ligible, and his various scenes deficient in that nical information is condensed, and made inofficer was most politely thanked, and dismissed; dramatic power which alone can give the reality telligible to students who may not have enand Lucien, taking out a valuable shirt-pin of life to the work of fiction. He falls, too,joyed the advantages of a thorough classical or from his breast, begged him to accept it. The into the common error of supposing that the medical education. A work of this kind canambassador now ordered the case to be un- absurd must be ludicrous: it is oftener not fail to be extensively useful. packed, the picture taken out of its frame, dull. We also protest against dragging real which could be left behind, and rolled so that it personages upon the stage, with an eye to A could be carried on the imperial of a carriage. nothing but the advertisements, which will The secretary did as he desired: scarcely hereafter announce that the Duke of W. or was the wrapping-cloth raised, when, instead of N., and lords this, that, and the other, figure of the admired Venus, a face any thing but in the pages. For example, what shadow of beautiful— that of the king himself smiled resemblance is there in the sketch meant for upon him. He was just flying off in mis- the Duke of Newcastle, dragged in quite aprochievous delight to inform the ambassador of pos des bottes? The vituperations of the Duke A VERY ample and well-constructed dictionary, the comical mistake, when on entirely remov. of Wellington and the apostrophes to Napoleon by the aid of which any man may appear to be a learned clerk and deep scholar with wondering the cloth, a yet greater surprise detained may go together. There is little or no story, him; the whole picture was set round like a fully small trouble. The author has availed miniature with large diamonds, which Lucien himself so largely of the preceding labours of afterwards sold in Paris for four millions of Macdonell, that we should not be surprised if he heard of it legally: his own additions are, francs. This was truly a royal surprise, and the ambassador speedily recalled his order for however, numerous; and an index is a manifest leaving the frame."

-

We now take our leave of a very ultra, very extravagant, and very amusing work.

The Usurer's Daughter. 3 vols. Simpkin and
Marshall.

and we could very well have dispensed with the
history of the hero's disgusting intrigues. But
from all this censure we carefully except the
admirable notes in the third volume; we can-
not direct public attention too strongly towards
them. We only add, that we infinitely prefer
our author's truth to his fiction.

An Introduction to the Atomic Theory; com-
prising a Sketch of the Opinions entertained
by the most distinguished ancient and modern
Philosophers with respect to the Constitution
of Matter. By Charles Daubeny, M.D. &c.
London, 1831. J. Murray.

THERE are many very unreasonable things;
and among them is, sending three volumes on
Thursday, and expecting these said tomes to be
read, reviewed, printed, and published, by ma-A POPULAR and historical view of a high
gic we suppose, on Saturday morning. Now, branch of philosophy- -one which tends more
our only spell is industry; and all that in- than any other to cement the moral with the

Dictionary of Quotations from various Authors in Ancient and Modern Languages, with English Translations, and illustrated by Remarks and Explanations. By Hugh Moore, Esq. pp. 507. London, 1831. Whittaker and Co.

improvement.

The Algerines; or, the Twins of Naples. By
William Child Green, author of "Alibeg
the Tempter," and "the Abbot of Montser-
rat." 3 vols. London, 1832.
THERE is a considerable degree of invention
in these volumes. An eastern and supernatural
story is founded on a very original idea, and
the consequences of its narration are amusing
while there are banditti, lovers, and moonlight,
for juvenile readers.

ENORMOUS HAIL-STONES.

As promised in our last, the following are engravings of the general size and shape of hail-stones that fell at Buyukderé, at 7 o'clock in the morning of the 5th Oct. 1831. was weighed, and found to be 110 drachms, nearly 1fb, and 14 inches in circumference. That resembling the layers of an onion is very remarkable.

[graphic][graphic]

ARTS AND SCIENCES.
SOCIETY OF ARTS.

THE subjects which have already been for-
warded to this Society are certainly more nu-
merous than has been usual at the commence-
ment of a session; at the same time, it must be
confessed, that they have not promised to be so
useful as others which have preceded.

preservation. In addition to the series of paint- all of which have arrived safe, and 'are d ings, the book contains impressions from strips posited in the menagerie. He mentioned abo of copper (as that ingenious and extraordinary the shipment of four young ostriches; a p artist described them), representing sketches sent from the Sultan of Morocco to his Ma intended to have been painted as two grand jesty, and which are safely arrived in the centres over the chimneys in the great room; gardens of the Society. He further stated one, representing the king (George III.) in that, in conjunction with Wiltshire, Es 1761, recommending to both houses of parlia- H. M. consul at Mogadore, he hoped to become ment a bill for the independence of the judges; possessed of an animal found in the deser On Wednesday evening, negative reports and the other, the queen (Charlotte), at Wind- of the name of mohr, probably a new specie were received on abating nuisances in public sor, superintending a scene of domestic educa- of antelope, and which will be a valuable streets; on church bells; on a saw-mill; on tion: also, a testimony of veneration for the cession to our natural history. curing smoky chimneys; and on a method of rendering the names of streets more visible. Mr. Ryder's apparatus to measure the draft of carriages was recommitted, several members conceiving that the experiments which had been made had not been on a sufficiently enlarged plan, nor were they quite satisfactory.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

integrity and transcendent abilities of the late Charles James Fox; Barry's Lear, which, for boldness of design and mastery of execution, WEDNESDAY, Nov. 16th.-R. I. Murchis perhaps, was never surpassed in that branch of Esq., president, in the chair. Fellows we the art; and his Pandora, etched by the late elected. A paper by Mr. Dunn was first read Lewis Schiavonetti, from a drawing in posses- on a gigantic species of plesiosaurus found in sion of Mr. Solly. the lias shale of Whitby, and now in the Sca A joint committee of Agriculture and Meborough museum. A letter was then read chanics proceeded, on Tuesday afternoon, to the from Count Montlosier, addressed to the pres Apothecaries' Garden at Chelsea, to view an Ar a meeting of the committee of science, dent and fellows, on the modern and anci apparatus constructed by Mr. Anderson (a bo- Tuesday, Nov. 1,-W. Yarrell, Esq. in the states of Mount Vesuvius, and on the arigin a tanist well known in that quarter), for warm- chair, a variety of specimens of fish, many the crater-lakes of the Eifel and of Auvergne ing greenhouses, &c. by hot water. The appli- of them unknown to science, which were col- Among the presents laid upon the table wa cation of that element, when heated, it is well lected by Captain Belcher, R.N., were on the a donation from Miss Gurney, of North Rep known, is not new for the purpose of warming table; and the attention of the members was Cottage, to the president, and from him to thr greenhouses and other buildings: still, the com- directed to them by Mr. Bennett. Mr. Ogilby Society, of various bones of the fossil elephant mittee considered the plan so cheap and effec- made some observations on several skins lately found on the coast of Norfolk between Crom tual, that they recommended, in their report, received, particularly one of a variety of kan- and Happisburgh, some of which were of gig that the thanks of the Society should be trans- garoo, which appeared to be new. Also one tic size. Among the additions to the bry mitted to Mr. A. for his communication; and of a new variety of ornithorhynchus, re- were three productions from the pen of M that it should be referred to the committee of markable from the bill being broad and short Necker (de Saussure), who was present, and Correspondence and Papers to select such parts as compared with the varieties already known, Baron Humboldt's new work, Fragman & of it for publication as appeared original. and which he proposed to call the ornitho- Géologie et Climatologie Asiatique.

PHRENOLOGICAL SOCIETY.

A report, on a machine for dressing warps, rhynchus brevirostris. Letters were read by the which had been negatived last session, but secretary from Drummond Hay, Esq. H. M. which had been since recommitted, was read consul at Tangier; Sir Robert Ker Porter, ON Monday, Dr. Elliotson, the president, = to the Society, bearing the former decision, dated Caraccas; and Captain Farrar, dated the chair, a paper was read by him which was confirmed. Portpatrick. Captain Farrar referred to some the objections urged by Mr. Godwin, in The Society have done well in the purchase peculiarities in the emigration of birds between late work, entitled, Thoughts on Man is of Barry's Etchings, accompanied by letter- Portpatrick and the opposite coast of England. which it was contended that these "Thoughts" press descriptive of those beautiful and highly Sir R. K. Porter stated the continuance of his were, what the author acknowledged then finished paintings which ornament the walls of labours in obtaining specimens for the Society. be," loose and undigested." The first for their great room. The collection, some years Drummond Hay, Esq., who has always been a Nos. of Dr. Vimont's stupendous work en Ca since, was published at six guineas; the Society most persevering friend to it, announced the parative Anatomy, were on the table; which are now enabled to dispose of them at just half transmission of a pair of ichneumons (very fine when completed, will contain the result of the that price, and they are in an excellent state of specimens); also a pair of striped Barbary mice: examination of 2,500 heads of animals; of

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