44 REVIEW. Sir W. Drummond's "Origines." Gwenwyn of Powys Land. A scene of explanation ensues. Damian is restored to the favour of his sovereign; the Constable renounces his claim to the betrothed, and Eveline is made happy by an union with her younger lover Damian. Of some such materials, diversified by the introduction of various actors, all connected with the final adjustment of the story, is the Tale of The Betrothed,' bearing in its general developement a strong resemblance to many preceding sketches by the same masterly hand. We had marked many scenes for extract; but they multiplied 100 fast upon us, and we are the less concerned at this, for before what we have written shall meet the eye of our readers, it is more than probable our notice will be useless, and our praise vain. We may be just permitted to observe, that among the more striking passages, in addition to those we have incidentally noticed, we may mention the assassination of Reginald de Lacy; the subsequent interview between the King and Vidal, and the whole concluding chapter. The scenes with Rose Flamock have a peculiar charm, and that affectionate girl will, we prediet, be a general favourite; but we must proceed to other matter. "The Talisman" belongs to the "Age of Chivalry," and abounds with scenes of great beauty; perhaps it may be considered a more perfect production than the former; but we think it less interesting. It is a brilliant picture, however, of that romantic period, when the Holy Cross, and the liege Lady, occupied exclusively the minds of Princes and Nobles. The historical portrait of the Lion-hearted is very accurately painted. Richard in his headlong energies; rash, violent, and tyrannical in his milder mood; generous, courteous, and confiding. Nor is the picture of the Moslem Monarch Saladin less vividly depicted; but we are again reminded that ere our observations can reach our readers, these volumes will be six weeks old-a period when their minds will be as much occupied by the pleasing anticipations of the future Romance, as in the delightful recollections of the past. To him whose marvellous fancy has again contributed an intellectual repast, that may serve for yet unborn generations, our praise and our thanks are due. We know [July, no higher compliment than when we say that we see no symptom of exhaustion. He draws not from a re servoir of stagnant purveyance, but from a salient living spring, which, like his own diamond fountain, wells forth in sparkling and exhaustless profusion. 3. Origines; or, Remarks on the Origin of several Empires, States, and Cities. By the Right Hon. Sir Wm. Drummond. 2 vols. 8vo. THIS is a book of very elaborate construction, and high erudition, but relating to periods, of which much must be assumed. The result of all such assumptions is the conviction that every new position requires a dissertation, and that there do not exist sufficient materials for the composition of them. Sir William Drummond first introduces us to a list of certain Antediluvian Kings, the whole history of which he says is nothing else than an Astronomical Allegory (i. p. 36). of the Antediluvian The account world, as given by Berosus, he considers to be allegorical (p. 42). The Ararat where the Ark rested he states to be the mountains of Kirdustan (B. i. ch. 8). He adds, that the tower and city of Babel, mentioned in the 11th chapter of Genesis, were situated at a considerable distance from the site of the subsequent capital of Chaldea (B. i. c. xii.) viz. at the city of Cane, the Kawal of Xenophon (i. p. 129); and that Nineveh, properly so called, was not placed opposite to Mosul, but that it occupied the space between the Tigris and the Zabatus, or Lycus, for an extent of several miles, immediately above the conflu-1 ence of those rivers (pp. 192, 193). The rest of the Volume consists of the origin of the Assyrian and other empires. The second Volume relates to Egypt, and contains the same curious research as the preceding. Sir William_does not believe the Delta or Lower Egypt to be an alluvial creation of the Nile, but a country recovered from the sea. Cham he thinks after the Deluge took up his residence in Egypt; that his descendants adopted all the errors of Isabaism, which was the Antediluvian Religion; that Isis in the boat alluded to the Ark and the Deluge; that 1825.] REVIEW.-Otter's Life of Dr. Clarke. that the Zodiacal catasterisms were actually divided before the Deluge, and that the same thing is true with respect to most of the other constellations (ii. 120), but that the descendants of Noah invented new astral symbols commemorative of the universal deluge (p. 121), and that the worship of animals in Egypt was derived from the Zodiacal signs (B. iv. ch. v.) In the sixth chapter Sir William, in our judgment, proves that the Newtonian Philosophy, attraction, repulsion, centripetal and centrifugal forces, the Solar System, &c. was no more than an old doctrine of the Pythogoreans, (see p. 241). In p. 243, he further shows, that if the Ancients had not the Telescope, they had a capital substitute. He thinks that the ancient gems could not have been cut in such perfection without the aid of magnifying glasses. But the knowledge of the powers of the Microscope supposes the knowledge of the powers of the Telescope (p. 249). Sir William then proceeds to the knowledge of the Egyptians in chemistry and metallurgy in the early periods of their history, and then leads us to the Hieroglyphicks. Here he gives us some strictures on the system of M. Champollion, to which are annexed curious tables (p. 342), showing the formation of the letters of the alphabet from hieroglyphical charac ters. We have thus given a sketch of the work. Much honour it confers upon the Author, who is very learned and profound. We, however, annex no faith whatever to the modern explanations of ancient Mythology. We are of the opinion of Dr. Johnson, concerning superstitions, that what reason did not invent, reason cannot explain. By referring to the South Sea Islands, and other nations almost in a state of Nature, we find nothing but idolatry and nonsense. As Knowledge and the Arts increase, superstition is improved by them, and is cultivated and dressed up in more rational and tasteful forms, and so is progressive, till the knowledge is acquired, that Deity cannot possibly be represented in a material form. That Bryant's system has the slightest foundation in reality, we do not believe, Globes full of water are supposed to have been the ancient substitute for the Microscope.-REV. 45 because no trace of it appears in savage nations, where of course can only be found the earliest superstition known; and that superstition consists of nothing but fabulous trash, as childish as tales of the Nursery, and no more connected with Biblical History, than Jack the Giant Killer with Homer. The Helio-arkite superstition, Sabæism, &c. imply a state of knowledge far subsequent to the barbarism of savage life, yet no reasonable man will say that idolatry and religious error never existed till knowledge had attained a certain growth, or that the Oriental and other nations were Astronomers and Historians before they were Idolaters and Mythologists. Yet such is the postulate which Bryant and his disciples, or imitators, assume. The reader will see some very valuable extracts from these erudite volumes, in our Review of Fosbroke's "Encyclopedia of Antiquities." (See part 1. p. 539.) 4. Otter's Life of Dr. Clarke. IT has been observed, that the superior strictness of Examination for Degrees in the two Universities has not had the intended effect of producing more able men, even not so many as when proficiency in reading the great Moralists, Historians, and Political Philosophers, was, in one University at least, the object impressed by the Tutors. It is not to be doubted that the Classics form elevation of sentiment, and correct taste, and the Mathematics accurate reasoners, but no men will become great by being forced into studies which they do not like; and a compulsion to attend four years to an unpleasing pursuit, in order to pass the Exami nation Turnpikes, is deemed a severe sacrifice by many a Pupil, who, had he been left to the choice of his studies, might have made a splendid figure. In fact, because idle men must not be suffered to waste their_time, into a mill, the others, to their misand therefore are very properly put fortune, must be yoked in likewise. The surest way to make eminent men is to let them have their choice of studies to a certain extent, with the understanding, that they must become complete masters of their respective subjects. The result of forced studies is that of forced asparagus, the acqui 46 Review.-Otter's Life of Dr. Clarke. sition of just as much green know ledge as will furnish half a mouthful for the examiner, the rest being only stalk. We are not going to quarrel with University Discipline, or the obvious propriety of making all birds sing that ought to sing; but only to recommend a discretional power in the heads and tutors of colleges, with regard to young men known to pos sess habits of application, and powers of mind, even if they should direct them to pursuits not strictly academical. Dr. Clarke was a remarkable instance of the beneficial result attend ing this wise exercise of discretional power in the head of his college, Dr. Beadlon, the late Bishop of Bath and Wells. Clarke came from school a poor Classic, and for Mathematics he had no taste whatever. It is observed by the Abbè du Bos, that to become great in one thing, a man must have an invincible propensity to that one thing, while very possibly he may be a blockhead in all others. Dr. Clarke seems in like manner to have had an overpowering penchant for History and Antiquities, Medals, Sculpture, Architecture, the elegant Arts, and certain branches of Natural History. The result of allowing him to pursue these studies has proved a great public good in a literary view. It has produced very interesting and very learned books of Travels, not only important to the Scholar and the Gentleman, but conferring no inconsider able benefit on society by foreign exeursions, auxiliary to the learning and the arts of the nation. To him limitation to the Classics and Mathematics would have been a savage mode of punishment, and but for liberality of sentiment, he would have been made a mere drudge. Edw. Daniel Clarke was the son of the Rev. Edw. Clarke, son of "mild Wm. Clarke and Anne his wife." He was born June 5, 1769, and when a child, was not only amusing, but exhibited a talent for playful conversation and narrative, and a decided predilection for those objects of science in which he afterwards delighted. The rudiments of his education were acquired at Uckfield, under a Rey. Mr. Gerison, and from thence he was removed to Tunbridge, where the famous Vicesimus Knox was Ludimagister in chief. His attention was, however, more directed to other objects than [July, the Classics. In 1786, when he was only sixteen, Dr. Beadon gave him the situation of Chapel Clerk at Jesus. During his Undergraduateship he produced nothing worthy his subsequent fame. In fact, he was only warehous ing his stock. Sometimes it seems he took a morning ride upon Pegasus to Alirt with the Muses; for, like other young men, he indulged in English Poetry. About the year 1790 he became B. A. and by Dr. Beacon's recommendation was appointed Tutor to the Hon. Henry Tufton. With him he made the Tour of Great Britain, and afterwards went to France In 1792 his fellow-collegian Lord Berwick invited him to become his companion in a Tour to Italy; and within an interrupted space of two years, he performed almost as much as the twelve labours of Hercules. He made large and valuable additions to his historical knowledge, ancient and modern. He acquired French and Italian sufficient for fluent conversation he made such frequent references to the Classics for illustration of the scenery and antiquities of Italy, that he made greater advances in Greek and Latin, than during the whole pe riod of his education. He studied the Arts, more particularly painting; he formed a Cabinet of Marbles and Minerals-made a large Collection of Vases and Medals; and with his own hands constructed models of the most remarkable temples and natural curiosities in Italy, "one particularly, of Vesuvius, upon a great scale, of the materials of the mountain, with such accuracy of ontline, and justness of proportions, that Sir Wm. Hamilton pronounced it to be the best ever produced of the kind, either by foreigner or native." It is now at Lord Berwick's seat at Attingham. In 1794 he became tutor to Sir Thos. Mostyn, in which year he took his degree of M.A.; and in 1796 being then at Lord Berwick's, successfully figured away in an election squib compositions which often have a high literary character in humour and advocacy. Between 1796 and 1797 he let off at Brighton a periodical work, "Le Rêveur, or the Walking Visions of un Absent Man," but it burnt out very soon. About the same time he made a Tour to Scotland with the Hon. Berkeley Paget. At this period he had been elected Fellow of his College, and in 1798 prepared to take up 1825.] REVIEW.-Otter's Life of Dr. Clarke. his residence there. Mr. Cripps, of form or other, but never monstrous or 1804 was presented by the University It is the province only of extensive tific facts in matters which would es with the degree of LL. D. In 1805 cape the notice of uninformed travel took Holy Orders, and was instituted lers. Yet these neglected matters may to the Vicarage belonging to Jesus furnish the best, often the only sound College-in 1806 was married to An- elucidations of the ancient poets and Rush; in 1808 was established in the most trivial kind escapes Dr. Clarke. gelica, fifth daughter of Sir William historians. Nothing apparently of the Professorship of Mineralogy; in 1817 In the Fez of the Mediterranean sail was elected Sub-Librarian of the Uni- ors he sees the cap of Ulysses, and he versity; and on Saturday, the 9th of exhibits the pedigree of the pantomime March, 1822, fell a victim to acute and the dance. The fact is, that Dr. disease, leaving seven children, five Clarke had studied the Ancients in a sons and two daughters, the eldest not form the most interesting. He did fifteen years old at the time of his de- not study them for the purpose of cease. knowing only their languages in perHe wished to acquire the The light in which we view Dr. fection. Clarke, is that of being the most in- fullest possible information of their teresting and tasteful traveller ever arts, manners, and habits. Now any known. Faults may be found in his necessity of studying the Classics for too sanguine adoption of hypothesis, verbal purposes only, is purely owing far too sanguine for a philosopher; but to a very simple desideratum. There it was a spirit which enabled him to ought to be both in Greek and Latin make curious discoveries, and connect a standard Thesaurus or glossary, siminumerous broken links of history. In lar to that of Du Cange. It should take finding ancient manners and customs every word, and show its various mean in modern practices, he had the eye of ings in different authors, in the same alynx; and he treated his subjects not only like a profound scholar, but like and other Lexicographers. manner as is done by Johnson, Todd, a man of taste. Thus he avoided the Abbre viated editions might be published; usual heaviness of dissertation-builders, and the student who wishes only to who pile brick upon brick, and stone obtain facility of construing at sight, upon stone, with no more regard to would find that he gains much time plan and embellishment than if they by such editions. But the fact is, that it may be said that he has made of school; and if youths were not entered were erecting a prison wall. Of him all this drudgery ought to be taken at his Travels not only a palace of superb at the University till nineteen, it might literary architecture in pure and fine be done to every necessary extent. In style, but he has also furnished and that curious book, the Confessions of an Opium Eater, we find that the than his master, by translating news fitted it up in the very best taste. With an appearance as light as the florid scholar soon became more learned Gothic, it contains the most solid maSonry; and the elegant and rich taber- papers into Greek; and though we nacle work,hich looks like chit chat think that it is utterly impossible to or anecdote, conveys deep instruction. divest English Greek of the idiom of In our judgment, therefore, Dr. Clarke our native language, yet we believe is the best exemplar known for Tra- that if we learned Greek by translat vel writers. Dr. Moore has been justly ing English into it, as we do with Laadmired, but his remarks are limited tin in the Eton books, Lexicon work with the hand of a master. Others have taken the example of Dr. Clarke, to life and manners, which he sketches might become rarely necessary. We are very able in particular points, but because, though we think that no they are too heavy or too technical. branch of science is to be lightly esti ish masses, to disfigure his work,-he effects no intellectual improvement. Dr. Clarke suffers no details, no lump- mated, the knowledge of words only moulds them into some interesting A Polyglot man (one merely such) becomes 48 REVIEW. Sir E. Brydges's Recollection of Foreign Travel. [July, becomes not a good historian, a powerful logician, an eloquent advocate, or a tasteful connoisseur; nor throws one widow's mite into the treasury of public wisdom. Roads are very useful, but no man possessed of common sense will say that Books of Roads are better than the roads themselves. Decipherers there ought to be; but it is evident that one perfect Dictionary is of itself sufficient. If an Antiquary meets with barbarous Latinity, he goes to Du Cange and Charpentier, and in ninety-nine instances out of a hundred, the word is explained. He never thinks of wasting half his life in studying the grammar and dictionary of barbarous Latinity. Now it is most essential to the formation of those patriotic habits which every gentleman ought to have, that he should be a man of taste; that he should have a general knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and scenery, in order to exercise that controul over fashion, which is essential to the glory, the arts, the commerce, and the wealth of the country. In short, the more amateurs there are, the more pains will artists take of course, because nothing but excellence can be approved, and competition will be more excited. Now the studies which Dr. Clarke pursued, viz. the works of Winckelman, Visconti, and the other Musea, in short, all the works bearing upon the arts of elegant design, though they may not be the studies which professional men ought to regard in any other view than mere relaxations, yet are peculiarly adapted to noblemen and gentlemen. Such studies dispose them to patronize the arts with judgment, and to delight in improvement. If their minds are to be turned to mere dictionary acquisitions, the country sustains proportional injury. We cannot dilate further upon this topic, and in what we have said we hope not to be misunderstood. It is our solemn opinion that the work of Greek and Latin may be easily completed by the age of nineteen, and that professional or elegant studies, according to the genius or worldly situations of the students, may be most properly pursued between the periods of supra-boyship and manhood. We think that Dr. Clarke's Travels are admirable specimens of the beautiful effect of learning and taste acting together; and that the characters formed upon such a model are far superior, and more useful to society, than pedantic echoes, who waste their lives in mere learning by heart, in mere repetition of sounds. As a traveller, we think that Dr. Clarke, by his judicious line of study, became facilè princeps. Of his Dissertations and other compositions we cannot speak so highly. We could mention instances where he formed his conclusions before he had got up his premises. But whatever may be his misapplication of learning occasionally, and we say only occasionally, he always brings to the enquiry so much learning, that the reader is sure to gain much. We might also dwell upon his strictures concerning Russia, as exposures upon which, if true, it does a man no honour to dwell; but we do not like the criticism which consists in sifting authors, and exposing the chaff and smut of their grain, as if we were cheapening it for purchase. 5. Recollections of Foreign Travel, on Life, THERE are many passages of great beauty, many of high reason, many of fine sentiment, many of excellent taste, in the work before us, but tainted with a morbid feeling, from worldly injustice. Now the world will ever be what circumstances make it. With the division of labour wealth grows in higher estimation. When, as in the heroic ages, all wants were supplied by an ample domain, and domestic manufacture and the trades were carried on by slaves, then philosophers, men of talents, and superior warriors entered the field with the eclat of society; but let us suppose the greater part of the population in a state of indigence, and not capable of acquiring maintenance, as retainers of the great, the case is then altered. Men will always annex the highest value to that which they most want, and indigence naturally over-estimates wealth. Let us suppose Sir Isaac Newton and Croesus to settle in the same country town at the same time. Sir Isaac may say, that by his wonderful discoveries he has so aided navigation, that he has added beyond calculation to the means of wealth, and the safety of the world. |