The Author's chief object in visiting America was to examine the Institutions of the United States, in order, if possible, to remove some portion of the prejudice existing against that nation, so generally felt by his countrymen, but of which he himself was quite free at the outset of his journey; in fact, he was actually predisposed the other way. He was obliged to confess, however, after many struggles be Montgomery's New Poem. On the 10th of March, small 8vo. 78. 6d. OXFORD; a Poem. By the Author of the " Omnipresence of the Deity." New Spring Present. Early in March will be published, price 13s. THE DRAMATIC ANNUAL By FREDERIC REYNOLDS, Dramatist. This work is on a novel plan, and so far dissimilar from the other Annuals, that the Dramatic Annual will be published at a Illustrations for the above, from Drawings different period, and consist of a continuous Tale,-the one of by Joseph Skelton, F.S.A. and other Artists. National Library.-Series of Standard Novels. On the 1st of March, beautifully printed and embellished, this year to be called a Playwright's Adventures. The volume will be elegantly bound, and embellished with nearly forty highly finished wood engravings, chiefly comic. Published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green. tween the evidence of his senses and his anxious wiles; fice STANDARD NOVELS, No. 1. containing tion by the Author, and is beautifully illustrated by C. R. Leslie, On making this painful discovery, his purpose, necessarily, took a different direction, and he occupied himself in observing the facts of the case with all the care and impartiality of which he was master-not so much with a view to remove what is called prejudice, as to clear away many egregious errors respecting the actual state of things in America. On returning to England, with his views and his feelings thus entirely changed, the author had nothing left for it but to tell the story of his disappointment as candidly as possible; and if not to justify, at least to explain, his apparent inconsistency, by describ ing the unexpected facts which met his eye, during more than a twelvemonth of patient investigation on the spot. He was, above all things, struck with the evil consequences of placing all the power of the state in the hands of one branch of the community, to the exclusion of all the others. And he has endeavoured to shew, that although the democratical part of the body politic, when retained in its right place, is eminently useful in preserving that equilibrium in society which is most favourable to the extension and maintenance of genuine freedom amongst all the different classes of the community; yet that, when it quits its proper station, and claims the exclusive authority, it amounts, in many respects, to an absolute despotism. That the right chord has been struck, in describing and in commenting upon the singular state of America at this moment, seems apparent from the outcry raised against the work by those parties in England who are not content to remain in their natural places, but desire to imitate their brother democrats and reformers across the Atlantic, in the usurpation of the whole sovereign authority, to the utter extirpation of the other estates of the realm-the monarchy-the church-and the aristocracy. These people, indeed, little dream of the intolerable misery which a compliance with their wishes would soon bring, not only on the objects of their jealousy, but upon their own class, which, after all, is perhaps more deeply interested than any other in maintaining untouched the present order of things. Price 58. Cooper, complete, price 6. No. II. will contain Godwin's celebrated Story of Caleb Williams, complete, price 6s. No. III. will contain the Spy, by Cooper, complete, price 6s. According to the Prospectus issued some time since, the present collection will consist solely of those works of fiction which have been established in public estimation by the unerring voice of fame; and to the novels of each writer will be prefixed a biographical and critical Essay. Printed for Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street; and sold by every Bookseller throughout the Kingdom; Agents for Scotland, Messrs. Bell and Bradfute; and for Ireland, John Cumming. A Tale. By the Author of "Marriage," and the " Inheritance," is unavoidably postponed for some weeks. Destiny; or, the Chief's Daughter. WHITTAKER'S MONTHLY MAGAALFIERI'S MEROPE, a Tragedy, with Hundred Maps, &c. from Steel Engravings. Price 2s. 6d, plain, Thoughts of Gog and Magos-2-1 V. Coal Duty and Coal Trick an Analytical and Interlineal Translation, on the Ha- and 3s. 6d. finely coloured. miltonian System. By Mrs. MERINGTON, Daughter of the late Mr. Hamilton. Published and sold by J. Souter, School Library, 73, St. Paul's Churchyard. BOOKS IN THE PRESS. Family Library of French Classics. Printed for Edward Bull, New Public Subscription Library, On Monday next, a 3d edition, with a fine Portrait, from The Tiger's Cave-IV. ery-V. Spanish Highways and Byways-VI. The Letter Bell, by the late William Hazlitt-VII. The Merchant's Club; a Legerd of the Old Time in London-VIII. Sir H. Parnell on Financial Reform-IX. A Personal and Political Portrait of Prince Metternich-X. Ode to a Matron Pensioner, by a Person of Qurlity-XI. Dublin Saints-XII. Dramatic Copyrights; Theatrical Affairs in general-Reform and Quarterly Review-The Duke's "Mr. Boaden has brought into clear view much that was for. Healing Measure-Expenses of Insolvency-Orator Hunt and merly hidden in obscurity and falsehood. He has had the justice Stanley's Economy-St. John Long-Gudgeon Catching-French THE LIFE of MRS. JORDAN.Affairs By JAMES BOADEN, Esq. MESSRS, TREUTTEL, WURTZ, and and sagacity likewise to let Mrs. Jordan speak for herself. Her Banker-Metternich is tender Passion--Capt. soring and findus Hindoo Co. will commence the publication, early in March, of letters, which he has inserted, carry the strongest claims to atten- Burnings-Letter about Lord Rivers-The Irish Agitator-Whig a French Family Library, in 8vo. with Portraits, on a Plan of un- tion, not only as they exhibit touchingly and eloquently the gene-Shuilling-Pimlico Palace again, &c. &c.-Reviews, Fine Arts, precedented cheapness and elegance. Prospectuses and Advertise-rous goodness of her own estimable heart, but as they dispel, in a ments will be issued in a few days. Orders received by all Book- great measure, the mist of prejudice which has existed with regard Reports, &c. Whittaker and Co. London; Waugh and Innes, Edinburgh; to the deportment towards her that exalted individual to whom and J. M. Leckie, Dublin. so many links of her destiny are attached."-Courier. Printed for Edward Bull, New Public Subscription Library, 26, Holles Street, Cavendish Square. HE ENGLISHMAN'S MAGAZINE. In announcing the appearance of a new Magazine, intended to be essentially different from any at present published, the Proprietors deem it necessary to state, briefly but explicitly, the object of their undertaking. At a period when most of the Magazines are identified with opinions directly opposed to the true interests and manifest desire of the public, the want of another Monthly Periodical, adapted to the spirit of the times, is too obvious to require explanation. The field is evidently open for a Magazine conceived in rigid honesty of purpose, and executed with ability, energy, and good faith. Bourrienne's Napoleon. The only complete Translation. ΤΗ THE RIGHT HON. COUNTESS DOW. AGER of ERROL. 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At the same time, to This enlarged edition may now be considered the only comprevent the possibility of misconception, it is proper to state, plete translation of Bourrienne's extraordinary work; and besides that they conceive it to be the duty of an honest Journal rather the various pamphlets written by Napoleon, including his "Notes judiciously to direct the enthusiasm of the people, than to per- on Egypt," will be found to contain an interesting Life of Bourri-manby-Countess of Antrim-and other Illustrious Persons. vert and inflame it. Should the day unhappily arrive when the enne. numerical shall be opposed to the intellectual force of the country, the "Englishman" will be found at his post-on the side of reason, constitutional liberty, and national honour. As a Critical Journal, the "Englishman's Magazine" will found its claims to support upon firm and fearless integrity, seconded by the industry of enlightened and able men, whose cooperation has been secured. In the several departments of clegant literature, the Proprietors are enabled, by facilities peculiarly their own, and by a liberal scale of remuneration, to command an unfailing variety of instructive and entertaining contributions from English, Continental, and American sources; including, from time to time, the wild fictions and romantic chronicles of Scandinavian and German growth, many of which well deserve to be naturalised on English ground. The Fine Arts will receive especial attention; and in connexion with this department of the work will be introduced, a series of effective engravings, illustrative of the scenery, architec-| ture, costumes, and pastimes of Italy. On the 1st of March, in small 8vo. 5. cloth, with a Portrait HE SUNDAY LIBRARY, Vol. II. By the Rev. T. F. DIBDIN, D.D. Portrait of the Princess Victoria. Under the express Patronage of H. R. H. the Duchess of Kent, HE LADIES' MUSEUM, New and splendid Portrait of the Princess Victoria, and Four elegant Finally, while always mindful that amusement and informs- Figures of the Female Fashions, besides original Papers by the tion are the main business of a popular Magazine, the more seri-Hermit in London, Mrs. Cornwell Baron Wilson, Mrs. Hofland, ous object of this undertaking will be to expose, wherever they Plunkett, and other popular Writers-Album-Notices of New exist in church and state, in art and science, in politics and Books--Music-The Drama-Fine Arts-Chit-Chat, &c. letters-quackery, dishonesty, and cant-to raise humble merit- "The best of the novel competitors for public favour."-Liteto protect and encourage genius-to uphold the dignity of litera-rary Gazette, ture and to promote sound and enlightened views on every sub- Published monthly, price 18. 6d. by Simpkin and Marshall, ject that comes within the scope of a Magazine. Stationers' Court; and may be obtained (by previous order) of all Booksellers. London: Hurst, Chance, and Co. 65, St. Paul's Churchyard. LONDON: Published every Saturday, by W. A. SCRIPPS, 4 J. MOYES, Took's Court, Chancery Lane. AND Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c. This Journal is supplied Weekly, or Monthly, by the principal Booksellers and Newsmen, throughout the Kingdom; but to those who may desire its immediate transmission, by post, we recommend the LITERARY GAZETTE printed on stamped paper, price One Shilling. No. 737. REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1831. : 64 PRICE 8d. We have been led to this digression, previously, sation : any thing, provided blood was spilt. A to laying before our readers a report of the calm but severe rebuke, and the cessation of admirable military work before us, being the all friendly intercourse with the writer, disHistory of the War in the Peninsula. By third volume of Colonel Napier's History of covered the general's abhorrence of this detestLieut. Col. Napier, C.B. Vol. III. 8vo. the Peninsular War; and to such as are able policy." pp. 640. London, 1831. T. and W. Boone. disposed to think lightly of the military in Our present illustration will be the battle of If we were called upon to name the depart- juxta-position with other professions, we re- Albuera; and the severe strictures to which meat of science which in this country has met commend its perusal it will at once satisfy it gives rise on the conduct and capacity of with the least attention or encouragement, we them by numerous illustrations of the natural Lord Beresford, almost lead us, in the spirit of &ld directly answer, the study of the art of endowments and scientific acquirements abso- charity, to wish that time had run a longer war. It seems to have been cautiously avoided lutely requisite to those who have any am-course, before history, with pen severe, had the deep reasoner, the speculative theorist, bition to "shine in arms." recorded these events. After such exposures ad the literary aspirant. Volumes we have, The earlier pages of this volume detail the (if, as they appear to be, justified by facts), no a of number, professing to give histories of final dispersion of the Spanish armies, and the future confidence in a commander can be great captains, and descriptions of our almost entire subjection of Spain; but as the expected from either officers or men. Dean “feats in broil and battle;" but it thread of the gallant author's narrative suc- During the night, Blake and Cole arrived st be acknowledged, looking at war as a cessively unwinds, we open upon events of with above sixteen thousand men; but so and science, that they are, for the most part, more powerful interest,-the defence of Portu- defective was the occupation of the ground, imsy construction offerings to the ima- gal by Lord Wellington, the retreat of Massena, that Soult had no change to make in his ation, not to the head-presenting a hete- and, in conclusion, the battle of Albuera, fought plans from this circumstance; and, a little neous mass of confused geography, huddled by Lord Beresford. To the latter we shall con- before nine o'clock in the morning, Godiand countermarch, towns leaguered, fine this notice, regretting that we are com- not's division issued from the woods in one rockets hissing, shells exploding, soldiers pelled, by want of space, to omit what appears heavy column of attack, preceded by ten ing, and crowned with the delineation of to us one of the most favourable specimens of guns. He was flanked by the light cavalry, ats, much in the pell-mell style of Mr. the author's style; his clear, distinct, and per- and followed by Werlé's division of reserve, per's battle-pieces. Humane and moral spicuous description of the combat of Ocaña, so and, making straight towards the bridge, comre have been adduced to explain this fatal to the Spaniards, who there proved their menced a sharp cannonade, attempting to force eet and want of consideration for military total inefficiency, single-handed, to withstand the passage; at the same time, Briché, with but they are of little weight, it being the invader. We, therefore, direct our atten-two regiments of hussars, drew further down -versally admitted, that wars have become tion to the eleventh book, which opens with a the river to observe Colonel Otway's horse. Lloody, and strife less ferocious, as the political tirade, expressed in the writer's usually The allies' guns on the rising ground above s of fighting have improved. We are strong language, ascribing to the ministry of the village answered the fire of the French, inclined to the opinion of its being con- the period (1810) the worst of motives, coupled and ploughed through their columns, which tal in us islanders for dislike and with glaring ignorance and cowardly timid-were crowding without judgment towards the ay of the military pervades all our in-ity. Is the gallant author, like his great bridge, although the stream was passable above ans, and is instilled into us from our chief, so wholly and exclusively a soldier, and below. But Beresford observing that any thing will do for a soldier," is as to be but an indifferent and shallow po- Werlé's division did not follow closely, was ology for devoting the impracticable litician? or does he suppose that all ho-soon convinced that the principal effort would es scion of the family to the profession nour and high ambition for the country's be on the right, and therefore sent Blake ⚫ arms; the mouthing patriot scares his shud- welfare is the property of himself and his com- orders to form a part of the first and all the infant brood with the bugbear terrors panions in arms? That faults were commit-second line of the Spanish army, on the broad a standing army; and, in harmony with ted by the ministry, candour will admit; but the part of the hills, at right angles to their actual the Mutiny Act, authorising the main- sin of ignorance is sufficient visitation, without front. Then drawing the Portuguese infantry ace of a permanent force, with admirable the imputation of dishonourable motives. Their of the left wing to the centre, he sent one stency opens with the declaration of its aim was the same as Lord Wellington's, and brigade down to support Alten, and directed contrary to law. Our military system no less difficult was their part to accomplish: General Hamilton to hold the remainder in clogged by these defects; no qualifica- they had obstacles to encounter from a nation columns of battalions, ready to move to any except as to age and size, is required to fit whose constitutional prejudices against military part of the field. The thirteenth dragoons ar for the army-it is not even neces-expeditions were confirmed by repeated dis-were posted near the edge of the river, above sary for him to read or write; and many graces and discomfitures; and no wonder they the bridge, and, meanwhile, the second divies of opportunity, matériel, and men, in our hesitated before they threw all into the scale of sion marched to support Blake. The horsery campaigns, are to be attributed to continental warfare: abler men would, per- artillery, the heavy dragoons, and the fourth The in command being utterly ignorant of haps, have done the same. While on this topic, division, also took ground to the right, and heit principles of their profession. The we cannot forbear noticing the following ex- were posted; the cavalry and guns on a small dating parent restricts his own pleasures, to traordinary passage, of which sound discretion plain behind the Aroya, and the fourth divifra means for the education of the favourite would, we think, have dictated the omission. sion in an oblique line, about half-musket-shot vo is destined for what is termed a If the communication to Lord Wellington was behind them. This done, Beresford galloped profession; but the scapegrace who private, its revival is scarcely justifiable; if to Blake, for that general had refused to pain for himself" a name in arms," is public, in common justice to the nameless change his front, und, with great heat, told ed to idle away his time till the hour writer, the whole letter ought to have been Colonel Hardinge, the bearer of the order, for what is, in many cases, but the published. The arrow thus shot, is likely to that the real attack was at the village and tion of a foolish vanity, which would fix in more than one breast. bridge. Beresford had sent again to entreat per have been dissipated, if the measures "This spirit of faction was, however, not that he would obey; but this message was as him an accomplished soldier had been confined to one side; there was a ministerial fruitless as the former, and, when the marshal ed. Surely it ought to be required person at this time, who, in his dread of the arrived, nothing had been done. The enemy's candidate for a commission should opposition, wrote to Lord Wellington, com-columns were, however, now beginning to in mathematics, and possess a plaining of his inaction, and calling upon him appear on the right, and Blake, yielding to ge of at least one continental language. I to do something that would excite a public sen- this evidence, proceeded to make the evolution, yet with such pedantic slowness, that Beres- His cavalry, indeed, began to hem in that of the French; and the remnant of Houghton's ford, impatient of his folly, took the direction of the allies; but the fire of the horse-artil- brigade could no longer maintain its ground: in person. Great was the confusion and the lery enabled Lumley, covered as he was by the field was heaped with carcases, the lancers delay thus occasioned; and ere the troops the bed of the Aroya, and supported by the were riding furiously about the captured artilcould be put in order, the French were amongst fourth division, to check them on the plain, lery on the upper part of the hill, and on the them. For scarcely had Godinot engaged Al- while Colborne still maintained the heights lower slopes a Spanish and English regiment, ten's brigade, when Werlé, leaving only a with the thirty-first regiment: the British in mutual error, were exchanging volleys: bebattalion of grenadiers and some squadrons to artillery, under Major Dickson, was likewise hind all, General Hamilton's Portuguese, in watch the thirteenth dragoons and to connect coming fast into action; and William Stewart, withdrawing from the heights above the bridge, the attacks, countermarched with the re- who had escaped the charge of the lancers, appeared to be in retreat. The conduct of a mainder of his division, and rapidly gained the was again mounting the hill with General few brave men soon changed this state of afrear of the fifth corps, as it was mounting the Houghton's brigade, which he brought on with fairs. Colonel Robert Arbuthnot, pushing behills on the right of the allies. At the same the same vehemence, but, instructed by his tween the double fire of the mistaken troops, time the mass of light cavalry suddenly quitted previous misfortune, in a juster order of battle. arrested that mischief; while Cole, with the Godinot's column, and, crossing the river Al- The weather now cleared, and a dreadful fire fusileers, flanked by a battalion of the Lusibuera above the bridge, ascended the left bank poured into the thickest of the French columns, tanian legion under Colonel Hawkshawe, at a gallop, and, sweeping round the rear of convinced Soult that the day was yet to be won. mounted the hill, dispersed the lancers, recothe fifth corps, jointed Latour Maubourg, who Houghton's regiments soon got footing on the vered the captured guns, and appeared on the was already in face of Lumley's squadrons. summit, Dickson placed the artillery in line, right of Houghton's brigade, exactly as AberThus half an hour had sufficed to render Beres- the remaining brigade of the second division crombie passed it on the left. Such a gallant ford's position nearly desperate. Two-thirds came up on the left, and two Spanish corps at line, issuing from the midst of the smoke, and of the French were in a compact order of last moved forward. The enemy's infantry rapidly separating itself from the confused and battle, on a line perpendicular to his right, then recoiled, yet, soon recovering, renewed broken multitude, startled the enemy's heavy and his army, disordered and composed of the fight with greater violence than before; masses, which were increasing and pressing different nations, was still in the difficult act the cannon on both sides discharged showers onwards as to an assured victory: they waverof changing its front. It was in vain that of grape at half range, and the peals of mus-ed, hesitated, and then vomiting forth a storm he endeavoured to form the Spanish line suffi- ketry were incessant, and often within pistol of fire, hastily endeavoured to enlarge their ciently in advance to give room for the second shot; but the close formation of the French front; while a fearful discharge of grape from division to support it: the French guns opened, embarrassed their battle, and the British line all their artillery whistled through the British their infantry threw out a heavy musketry, would not yield them one inch of ground, nor ranks. Myers was killed; Cole and the three and their cavalry, outflanking the front, and a moment of time to open their ranks. Their colonels, Ellis, Blakeney, and Hawkshawe, fell charging here and there, put the Spaniards fighting was, however, fierce and dangerous. wounded; and the fusileer battalions, struck in disorder at all points: in a short time the Stewart was twice hurt; Colonel Duckworth, by the iron tempest, reeled and staggered like latter gave way, and Soult, thinking the whole of the forty-eighth, was slain; and the gallant sinking ships. Suddenly and sternly recoverarmy was yielding, pushed forward his co- Houghton, who had received many wounds ing, they closed on their terrible enemies; and lumns, while his reserves also mounted the without shrinking, fell, and died in the act of then was seen with what a strength and mahill, and General Ruty placed all the batteries cheering his men. Still the struggle continued jesty the British soldier fights. In vain did in position. At this critical moment General with unabated fury. Colonel Inglis, twenty- Soult, by voice and gesture, animate his William Stewart arrived at the foot of the two other officers, and more than four hundred Frenchmen; in vain did the hardiest veterans, height with Colonel Colborne's brigade, which men, out of five hundred and seventy that had extricating themselves from the crowded coformed the head of the second division. The mounted the hill, fell in the fifty-seventh alone; lumns, sacrifice their lives to gain time for the colonel, seeing the confusion above, desired to and the other regiments were scarcely better mass to open out on such a fair field; in vain form in order of battle previous to mounting off, not one-third were standing in any. Am- did the mass itself bear up, and, fiercely striv the ascent; but Stewart, whose boiling courage munition failed, and, as the English fire slack-ing, fire indiscriminately upon friends and overlaid his judgment, led up without any ened, the enemy established a column in ad- foes; while the horsemen, hovering on the delay in column of companies, and attempted vance upon the right flank; the play of Dick- flank, threatened to charge the advancing line. to open out his line in succession as the bat-son's artillery checked them a moment; but Nothing could stop that astonishing infantry. talions arrived at the summit. Being under again the Polish lancers charging, captured six No sudden burst of undisciplined valour, no a destructive fire, the foremost charged to gain guns. And, in this desperate crisis, Beresford, nervous enthusiasm, weakened the stability of room, but a heavy rain prevented any object who had already withdrawn the thirteenth their order; their flashing eyes were bent on from being distinctly seen, and four regiments dragoons from the banks of the river, and the dark columns in their front; their mea of hussars and lancers, which had passed the brought Hamilton's Portuguese into a situation sured tread shook the ground; their dreadful right flank in the obscurity, came galloping to cover a retrograde movement, wavered; de- volleys swept away the head of every forma in upon the rear of the line at the instant struction stared him in the face, his personal tion; their deafening shouts overpowered the of its development, and slew or took two-thirds resources were exhausted, and the unhappy dissonant cries that broke from all parts of the of the brigade. One battalion only (the thirty-thought of a retreat rose in his agitated mind. tumultuous crowd, as, foot by foot, and with first) being still in column, escaped the storm, Yet no order to that effect was given; and it horrid carnage, it was driven by the incessant and maintained its ground; while the French was urged by some about him, that the day vigour of the attack to the farthest edge of the horsemen, riding violently over every thing might still be redeemed with the fourth divi- hill. In vain did the French reserves, joining else, penetrated to all parts. In the tumult, sion. While he hesitated, Colonel Hardinge with the struggling multitude, endeavour to a lancer fell upon Beresford; but the marshal, boldly ordered General Cole to advance; and sustain the fight; their efforts only increased a man of great strength, putting his spear then riding to Colonel Abercrombie, who com- the irremediable confusion, and the mighty aside, cast him from his saddle; and a shift manded the remaining brigade of the second of wind blowing aside the mist and smoke, the division, directed him also to push forward into mischief was perceived from the plains by the fight. The die being thus cast, Beresford acGeneral Lumley, who sent four squadrons out quiesced, and this terrible battle was continued. upon the lancers, and cut many of them off. The fourth division had only two brigades in During this first unhappy effort of the second the field; the one Portuguese, under General division, so great was the confusion, that the Harvey, the other, commanded by Sir W. Our task for the present draws to a close; Spanish line continued to fire without cessa- Myers, and composed of the seventh and and, after the expression of our cordial thank tion, although the British were before them; twenty-third British regiments, was called the to the author for the able execution of hi whereupon Beresford, finding his exhortations fusileer brigade. General Cole directed the undertaking, we divest ourselves of our cha to advance fruitless, seized an ensign, and bore Portuguese to move between Lumley's dra- racters as critics, and, as Englishmen, ex him and his colours, by main force, to the goons and the hill, where they were immedi-press our national pride, our triumphant sa front; yet the troops would not follow, and ately charged by some of the French horsemen, tisfaction, at finding written proofs, beyon the man went back again on being released. but beat them off with great loss: meanwhile the reach of foreign hatred, or contempora In this crisis, the weather, which had ruined he led the fusileers in person up the height. neons jealousy, that the defence of Portugal Colborne's brigade, also prevented Soult from At this time, six guns were in the enemy's and the discomfiture of her invaders, was ne seeing the whole extent of the field of battle, possession; the whole of Werlé's reserves were decided by a cast of "fortune's faithless die and he still kept his heavy columns together. coming forward to reinforce the front column but was solely due to the sagacious design mass giving way like a loosened cliff, went headlong down the ascent. The rain flowed after in streams discoloured with blood; and fifteen hundred unwounded men, the remnant of six thousand unconquerable British soldiers, stood triumphant on the fatal hill !" Constable's Miscellany, Vol. LXV. Journal of a Residence in Normandy. By J. A. St. John, Esq. 18mo. pp. 295. Edinburgh, 1831, Constable and Co.; London, Hurst, Chance, and Co. THIS is a very pleasant little volume, though, we must say, full long for the importance of its contents. A residence in a provincial town, and a few journeys in its environs, afford scant matter for nearly three hundred closely printed pages. But it is a common fault of travellers to imagine that what would never be thought worth mentioning (hardly even in a private letter) if happening in their own country, is deserving of circumstantial detail if occurring in a foreign land. Much in these pages might well have been left out, without loss of either information or amusement; and there are one or two coarse passages, the omission of which would have been an improvement. We now turn to the more agreeable office of praise and quotation. We recommend Mr. St. John's observations on his resident countrymen in France to particular attention. and skilful combinations of our general and [ments-scandal, calculation of their expenses, I see on the temples of one so fair and so celecountryman, Arthur, Duke of Wellington. balls, parties, and newspapers. But still their brated." time is badly filled up, and much remains to be The following extract does not say much for devoured by idleness and ennui. Go into the the common comforts of life: streets whenever you please, you will generally "The cutlery, for example, is generally observe two or three knots of Englishmen on exceedingly poor and clumsy; and every im the look-out for excitement, inquiring about provement which is attempted is said to be the king's health, the emancipation of the à l'Anglais. They mark their linen with Jews, or the arrival of the last steam-packet English ink; they cut their beef steaks and from England. Every new comer is regarded plum puddings with English knives, when as a godsend for a few days— that is, until he they can get them; and, if they can scrape ceases to be new; and then another comes, and off their beards with an English razor, they amuses and disappoints them in his turn. One are but too happy. But, in fact, no man excellent regulation has been adopted by the can be expected to be patriotic or national English abroad: a stranger, on his arrival at in the matter of razors; for, if the devil any place, calls first upon as many of the resi- himself kept a cutler's shop, and sold a good dents as he desires to be acquainted with, and article, I think no man who has a beard thus knows just so many persons as he wishes, would scruple to become his customer. I was and no more." not able to discover a pair of nut-crackers in The sounds mentioned in the ensuing pas-all Caen, though, I am told, such things have sage are new, at least to us :accidentally been seen there; and was com"Among the signs of spring in this country, pelled to send to London for a pair or two. there is one which is any thing but poetical; The instrument with which filberts and hazel and that is, the croaking of the frogs, which, nuts are squeezed to pieces here, is exactly like in the dusk of the evening, and during the a country cobbler's pincers, only not half so night, is so loud and unintermitting, that it neat. Walnuts are opened with a knife, at disturbs one's sleep. I never heard any thing the constant risk of lock-jaw. Fenders, of resembling it in England. It is almost as course, there are none; and the fire-irons are "It is certain, however, that they who go loud as the scream of the quail. And every of the most rude and awkward construction. to reside in France for purposes of economy, pond, ditch, and river, in the whole country, The ordinary earthenware is exactly of the very quickly discover that they might have appears to nourish myriads of these rivals of description which, I suppose, prevailed before lived much more economically at home. There the nightingale, who seem to rejoice exceed the siege of Troy, being at once ugly and are very few things cheaper in France than in ingly in tuning their terrific voices, and mak-brittle; but the porcelain and finer species of England, excepting wine and brandy; and, ing night hideous.' With this infernal croak-earthenware are frequently extremely tasteful with the aid of these, a man' may certainly killing, which nightly brought Aristophanes into and elegant. The manufacturing of glass seems himself for a trifle in that country. House- my head, another sound, which I heard for the by no means to have reached the perfection rent is far from being lower than in towns of first time in my life in the neighbourhood of which it has attained among us, though many equal size in England; and it is considerably Caen, is frequently mingled. Having occasion articles are cheap and pretty. But of all the higher, if we consider the quality of the house to visit the city one night in the early part of clumsy fellows in the country, the locksmiths, and of the furniture which is put into it when the spring, I was startled, on approaching the I think, bear the bell. Nothing can equal the it is called furnished. If persons ever save any Falaise road, by a sound resembling the distant ugliness and coarseness of their locks and keys, thing in France, it is by rigidly denying them- tinkling of small bells, breaking suddenly, and if you except the manner in which they are selves all those pleasures and comforts which in a strange manner, upon the ear. While I fastened to the doors. In shoeing horses, also, they were accustomed to enjoy in their own was pausing, and endeavouring to conjecture the Normans are peculiarly inexpert. Three country; but this they might do at home, with what it might be, a hundred similar sounds persons are invariably employed in the operafar less trouble, and a much less painful sacri- seemed to burst up out of the earth, in various tion: one man seizes the horse by the head, fice, only removing to a little distance from the places, until all the fields around were alive another takes hold of his foot, turns it up, puts scene of their prosperity. Indeed, there are with this strange music. I was now convinced on the shoe, and holds it with both hands, act, I imagine, in the whole world, persons that it must be the cry of some bird, or reptile, while the third strikes in the nails." more to be pitied than English economisers on or insect, and was listening to the clear, silthe continent. Cut off from all old associa- very, fairy tinkling in the distance, when the tions, they become restless, dissatisfied, un- same sound suddenly burst up in the grass at happy. They are seldom sufficiently numerous my feet. I now began to imagine it must be "Dr. Bennett, the Protestant clergyman, in any place to allow of each person among the grasshoppers calling to their mates; but, told me, that he had received notice to quit his them finding society exactly according to his upon inquiring of the peasants, the only per- house, because he burned coal; and another taste; and, whatever they may pretend to the sons who appeared to know any thing of the English gentleman at Caen, who had invited contrary, they never thoroughly enjoy the so- matter, I was informed that the owners of a large party, finding his drawing-room very ciety of the natives. Reduced to the mere these fairy bells were the toads. Other per- thin, and inquiring the reason, found that the animal gratifications, they eat, drink, sleep, sons, however, maintained that it was a species French had staid away because it was underand creep on in discontent and obscurity to of lizard; others, that it was the frogs; but, stood he burned coal. What renders the pretheir graves. Some of them, it is true, enjoy upon the whole, the toads seemed to bear the ference for wood fires more astonishing is, that, that sort of excitement which gambling fur-bell." besides giving much less heat than coal, they are far more expensive." The cold in the winter is intense, firing is exceedingly dear, and they have a great prejudice against coal fires. mishes, and which people without brains mis- At Rouen there is a portrait of the celetake for pleasure; but these persons are quickly brated Ninon, of which Mr. St. John ob- The lace-makers resort to a curious custom reduced to a state more wretched than that of serves :to save fuel." They agree with some farmer, the mere eating and drinking emigrants, and "A portrait of Ninon, painted by I know who has several cows in warm winter quarters, generally end by furnishing prematurely a sub- not whom, is perfectly exquisite. It was taken to be allowed to carry on their operations in jeet to the French demonstrators of anatomy. when the lady was young and innocent, if she company with the milky mothers." The cows In proportion to the length of time they have ever was so, for it betrays none of those quali-are tethered in a row, on one side of the apartbeen away from England, their patriotism, or ties of mind and heart which have rendered ment, and the lace-makers are seated crossrather their nationality, is strong; for the the original so famous. I should have con-legged upon the ground, on the other, with feeling increases as time softens down the un-jectured Ninon to have been a dark beauty, their feet buried in straw. Opposite each girl, pleasant and heightens the agreeable features with tresses of jet, and eyes of fire; but she in a small niche in the wall, is a candle, placed of their own country in their memory. But was nothing of all that. On the contrary, she behind a clear hemispherical bottle, the flat side this only renders them more unhappy in them- was a delicate blonde, a gentle, modest-looking of which is towards the candle, and the globu. selves, and more disagreeable to the inhabitants, creature, with blue eyes, and cheeks slightly lar one towards the knitter. This bottle is by constantly impelling them to institute com- carnationed. Her only defect was to have had filled with water, and throws a small stream of parisons between England and France, which hair too fine and scanty, her tresses being strong, pure, white light upon the cushion, of course are disadvantageous to the latter. rather apologies for ringlets, than those rich which renders the minutest thread of the lace Besides gambling, they have a few other amuse- sunny curls which one would have expected to more visible, if possible, than by day. These cow-houses being generally too dark to allow arriving, with any degree of satisfaction, at as follows. When a man married his daughter of their ever working without candles, and the the definite conclusion as to what we are to to the member of a different patra, the bride cattle being sometimes out in the fields by admit and what to reject. We cannot but no longer continued to share in the sacred rites day, the lace-makers prefer working all night. feel indebted to the weariless spirit of research of the patra to which she by birth belonged, Numbers of young men, of their own rank, displayed in collecting materials from the most but was reckoned in the patra of her husband. resort to these cow-houses, and sit or lie down varied and multiplied sources. We cannot So that a meeting of brothers and sisters in in the straw, by the cushions of their sweet- but applaud learning as unbounded in its different patras having first arisen from natural hearts, and sing, tell stories, or say soft things range as it is indefatigable in the pursuit of all affection, another society was formed, with a to them all night, to cheer them in their la- that can illustrate and develope the different community of sacred rites, called phratria. bours." bearings of its subject. But while we make Thus a patra arose chiefly from the affinity of French love-making differs very much from these willing acknowledgments, we must urge parents and children, and children and parents; our English method. "During courtship, the the necessity of caution, lest, from the extra- and a phratria from that of brothers and sismother generally sits in the room with the ordinary erudition of the author, the reader ters. The terms φυλή and φυλέται first arose lovers, walks out with them, goes to church suffer himself to be lured on into the wilder- from the association of mankind into states and with them, and, in one word, never quits her ness of conjecture and vague speculation. At nations, each of the combining parts being daughter's side until she is fairly married. the same time that no passage of antiquity called a quaov.' The above very curious pasThe other day, in a match where the lover which bears upon his subject, or can bring out sage of Dicæarchus, who was a pupil of Ariswas French, the mistress English, the gentle- his views in a forcible, or even faint light, totle, must be considered in reference to the man, some time after he had obtained permis- escapes the scrutinising intellect of Müller, he political theory of that philosopher. The most sion to pay his addresses, petitioned, with much cannot be acquitted of an unreasonable tend- simple element of civil society is, according to gravity, to be allowed every day, on entering ency to captious incredulity, and a proneness Aristotle, a family: the next, a village, which and quitting the house, to kiss his mistress's to disputation, where, from the obscurity of is a collection or assemblage of families: the cheek. The favour was granted, and the me- the question, any definite result is utterly last, a state, which is a collection or union of thodical and conscientious lover, never dream- hopeless. Hence springs up the prevalent ha- villages. Aristotle, therefore, considers maning of overstepping the bounds prescribed, gave bit of rejecting as prejudices the only positions kind as brought together by the communion of his beloved two kisses regularly per day. The which the relics of ancient literature have place. Dicæarchus, however, supposes the courtship was carried on in French, of which handed down. Many incongruities are now principle of union to have been, not communion the mother did not understand one word, and apparent, and many inconsistencies startle us, of residence, but relationship. In shewing the daughter very few; but the diplomacy of which, had a perfect instead of a mutilated ac- this, he supposes society to be resolved into its love requiring but little aid from language, the count descended to us, would have been seen to most simple element, a married pair. This business was conducted with facility, and ter- have no existence but in the ignorance arising is the first stage; and he then proceeds to form minated as it ought. If the mother, however, from the scant and incomplete information that a nation, as it were, synthetically; that is, he left the room for an instant during the court- now remains. Thus, the German scholars go adds the parts together, to make up the whole. ship, the lover, in the greatest alarm for the far to balance the debt we owe their deep re- The second degree is a family, properly so honour of his mistress, would start up from the search and acquirements, by throwing doubt called; that is, a number of persons deriving sofa, on which they usually sat, and, throwing upon points of history, from which we have been their descent from the same stock. This was open the door of the apartment, that the per- wont to derive unmixed delight, but the charm sometimes called área, as being a collection of sons in the next room might have a full view of which is broken the moment we fear them persons springing from the same father, or of him, would pace to and fro, or stand as far to be no longer facts. From thus having many arng. This person (whether real or supposed) as possible from the girl, until the duenna re- of our fountains of pleasure destroyed at "one gave his name to all his descendants, such as turned." fell swoop," we are the more disposed to cherish the acida from acus, the Heraclidæ from Mr. St. John has, to our taste, one great the supposition, that these uncompromising Hercules, &c. which corresponds to our surfault in style he is too fond of grandiloquent historical sceptics are frequently wanderers in name. In the origin of society, a family would similes applied to ordinary events. The black- the fields of conjecture. We have said so consist only of parents and children living smiths, for example, use "a hammer large much for the purpose of warning the reader of under the same roof. This is the point at enough to have served the Cyclops in beating Müller's Dorians, that while he revels in the which Dicæarchus must take it; for his third out the thunderbolts for Jupiter in their smithy rich learning of these volumes, however he stage is a collection of families, which arose, he in Mount Etna." He encounters some exe- may be astounded by the prodigious display of says, from the regret which the sisters, when crable dormitories, sleeping in which calls forth investigation, or admire the keen ability evinced married, felt for the loss of their brothers' coma not very complimentary comparison. "Here, in extracting from the depths of classic lore every pany; as the wife belonged to the patra, or however, having, at all events, a bed apiece, we allusion to his subject, and compacting there- family, of her husband. Hence certain meetresolved to repose our wearied virtue,' like from a probable, or at least profound, state- ings were held, at which all the patræ conMilton's devils, after their fall." Passing ment; still he will do well to bear in mind, nected by marriage took part in the same rites through the refectory at St. Michael's, now that the grounds upon which Müller pro- and sacrifices, and thus formed a certain policonverted into a place of confinement for crimi- ceeds, require the close scrutiny which he him- tical division, called a phratria, from gangnals, is called passing "like Dante and his self applies to others; and that his inferences the same as frater; because the connexion guide." Two men of low rank quarrel at an must ever "be weighed in the balance," and originated, not, like a patra, from paternal, but inn, and one, like Byron's Lara, conceives when "found wanting," be unscrupulously re- from fraternal affection. This great religious himself insulted." We have reserved the most jected. We now quote the annexed curious festival was, by the Ionians and Athenians, cepoetical and polite to the last. "Their robes explanation of various terms of relationship, lebrated under the name of 'Ararougia, the are only what, I believe, is technically called for which we are indebted to the able trans- union of the wárogts, or members of the wargas.” half-low among the ladies. From beneath the lators. A union of these larger bodies, or phratrias, neck of this, however, the rich lace of the chemade a quan, or tribe (tribus), which tribes mise peeps out, like the leaves of the white rose, were again combined into a state." full and fragrant, and gives an air of delicate coquetry to the person." We advert to these little absurdities, because they are quite out of keeping with the good sense which marks so many of our author's observations. We regret we have not room for a very interesting scene of drawing for the conscription. The History and Antiquities of the Doric Race, by C. O. Müller, Prof. Univ. Gött. Translated from the German by H. Tufnell and G. C. Lewis, Esqrs. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1831. Murray. THE difficulty, and it is one of reiterated occurrence, that will be found to present itself in the perusal of Müller's Dorians, consists in "There is, however, a subject connected with the political divisions of the ancient states, on which little or no information is to be found To enter fully upon the multifarious subin any English writer; and we have therefore jects of which our author treats, is wholly incollected from some German books, a know- compatible, both with our purpose and our ledge of which is presupposed in the following page: let it be sufficient, therefore, that we work, a brief account of the meaning of the afford space for such an extract as will give our terms Quan, pargia, rárga, gives, and oixes. We readers a fair sample of the translators' style, shall begin by setting down a translation of a and Müller's searching manner of handling passage of Dicæarchus, preserved in Stephanus his subject. We select his remarks on the conof Byzantium, which is the chief authority on dition of the Helots. this difficult subject. Patra was the name of "It is a matter of much greater difficulty to the second stage of relationship among different form a clear notion of the treatment of the persons, the first having merely been the af- Helots, and of their manner of life; for the finity between man and wife. Its title was rhetorical spirit with which later historians derived from the most ancient and powerful of have embellished their philanthropic views, the race, as, for instance, the acidae or Pe- joined to our own ignorance, has been produc lopide. The names Phatria and Phratria arose tive of much confusion and misconception. |