Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Thou art come from cities lighted up for the conqueror passing by,
Thou art wafting from their streets a sound of haughty revelry;
The rolling of triumphant wheels, the harpings in the hall,
The far-off shout of multitudes, are in thy rise and fall.

Thou art come from kingly tombs and shrines, from ancient minsters vast,
Through the dark aisles of a thousand years thy lonely wing hath pass'd;
Thou hast caught the Anthem's billowy swell, the stately Dirge's tone,
For a Chief with sword, and shield, and helm, to his place of slumber gone.
Thou art come from long-forsaken homes, wherein our young days flew,
Thou hast found sweet voices lingering there, the loved, the kind, the true;
Thou callest back those melodies, though now all changed and fled-
Be still, be still, and haunt us not with music from the dead!

Are all these notes in thee, wild Wind? these many notes in thee?
Far in our own unfathom'd souls their fount must surely be;
Yes! buried but not unsleeping there, Thought watches, Memory lies,
From whose deep Urn the tones are pour'd through all earth's harmonies!

THE "ANNUALS" FOR 1829.

The "Forget me Not," elegant as

THE ANNUALS ?-The Forget me Not! The Friendship's Offering!! its embellishments are, does not excel -The Anniversary!!!-The Amu- its preceding volumes, and in the litelet!!!!-The Winter's Wreath!!!!! rary part, as respects the poetry, falls -The Literary Souvenir !!!!!!-Is short of them. Two or three years it possible !-Complete! "fresh as a ago the plates in the present volume bridegroom"-glittering in green and would have been deemed the perfecgold, and purple, and puce leather, tion of art; but emulation has been and pea-green cases.-Heavens! are excited, and Mr. Ackermann must not Christmas and New Year's Day come lie on his oars. As he was the masagain with their gifts and their ter of the ceremonies, and introduced greetings. these publications, we would fain see him head the race. We cannot agree

Ackermann deserves the thanks of his country for the introduction of what we now familiarly call the Annuals; and it is only a marvel that the German and French almanacs had not earlier set us upon their imitation. But why talk about Ackermann having the thanks of his country? He sells ten thousand of his book, and in that circumstance he will find abundant reward for his enterprising persever

ance.

The "Forget me Not" was first published by Mr. Ackermann, in 1823. The Friendship's Offering" came out next, in 1824. Mr. Watts's Literary Souvenir" appeared in 1825, and the "Amulet" in 1826. After these there was a pause of two years, until 1828, when the "Bijou" and "Keepsake" appeared, and for the coming year, 1829, two more, viz. the "Anniversary" and "Gem," are announced.

35 ATHENEUM, VOL. 1, 3d series.

[blocks in formation]

The poetry is of a superior order, as might be expected, and the prose is well sustained.

The "Amulet," the next in age, is this year also an improvement upon the preceding, though its literary contents are very variable in excellence. This work differs from all its brethren in its object, which will be best understood by its title of "Christian and Literary Remembrancer," being devoted to subjects more particularly of a moral and religious character. It is edited by Mr. S. C. Hall, with industry and discrimination. There is much serious poetry of great merit in this little volume, some by the editor himself, which the most fastidious as to religion and morals may peruse with high satisfaction. The embellishments have been well selected and are very finely executed, and the green silk binding looks uncommonly well.

The second volume of the "Bijou," published by Mr. Pickering, so well known for his elegant pocket editions of the most valuable works, has a character and appearance very distinct from the other Annuals. It is printed in a small type, and decorated with engravings of a peculiar character, for the most part on classical subjects of English history; it is an unobtrusive beautiful little work.

The

The "Keepsake," bound in crimson silk, at a guinea, being higher in price than the preceding Annuals, is put forth with great pretension. plates are excellent, and fully support the high character of the engraver, Heath, who has executed ten of them himself.

The

are in number fourteen, not including the vignettes.

Not only is there a great improvement in the London Annuals this year, but a publication of the same class from the Liverpool press," The Winter's Wreath," has this season so much improved, that it equals its metropolitan rivals in typography, and is uncommonly well got up.

Besides the foregoing Annuals, we have this year a series of juvenile publications, edited in a very superior manner, announcing a start in literary works for the young, commensurate with the intellectual progress of the age.

The admirable logic taught in old school-book tales, such as that of the "Boys going to swim," who are flogged, some because they can, and others because they cannot swim, is dissipated for eyer, and common sense, at length, obtains something like a mastery in tales for youth. These works are well got up. contents show how well females and mothers understand the adaptation of ideas to children's capacities. We are truly happy to greet such works, in behalf of the hitherto insulted understandings of children.

The

The Annuals have done a great deal for the arts; and for that we are, perhaps, mainly indebted to one of Mr. Ackermann's rivals. Alaric Watts

took advantage of the growing knowledge of the people in these matters; and thus, instead of giving them the same sprawling cherubim, which ladies had been gumming for twenty years upon their fire-screens, he boldly engraved some of the finest pictures of the modern school,-not in a slight, sketchy style, but with a truth and beauty, quite surprising upon so small a scale. Others have, perhaps, gone beyond him now in this excellence; for we are a luxurious public, and do not mind price in the purchase of the best thing in its line. It is a capital thing to have forty or fifty thousand of such plates as they now give us, The "Gem," edited by the face- scattered about the country, instead tious Mr. T. Hood, is got up in a of the trashy prints in books which style of great elegance. The plates used to be miscalled embellishments.

"Anniversary," like the "Keepsake" in size and price, is edited by that talented author and excellent man so well known to the public, Mr. Allan Cunningham. The plates, eighteen in number, are beautifully engraved, and rival those of the "Keepsake." Some of these are as fine specimens as art is capable of producing.

On taking our leave of these beautiful publications, we cannot help holding them up as an example of that proud march of mind which the ignorant and bigoted deprecate, but which the man of talent and learning, whatever his creed or party, will, like the present Bishop of London, hail as great and glorious. We do not mean in respect alone to the excellence of the literary efforts they call into exertion, though these are not to be despised, nor to the aid to art which they afford so extensively, but to the incitement they will yield to thousands, whom their very elegances will entice to read, and study, to the displacement of some frivolous luxu

ry, or childish bauble, and in whom they will awaken thought, and infuse a taste for mental gratification. We recommend the rich to form annually a library of them ALL; and every one, according to his means, to buy one or two of them. All should encourage what is both elegant and entertaining. For the summer walk, or the unoccupied five minutes which so frequently occur in life, they are admirably adapted as companions, and their crimson and green, or gold bindings, make them ornaments in the boudoir and drawing-room. We trust next year we shall find a further improvement in them, for nothing, in this age, must stand still.

ELEGY TO THE MEMORY OF MISS EMILY KAY, (COUSIN TO MISS ELLEN GEE OF KEW,)

WHO LATELY DIED AT EWELL, AND WAS BURIED IN ESSEX.

SAD nymphs of UL, U have much to cry She was not handsome; shall I tell UY?

for,

Sweet MLE K U never more shall C!
O SX maids! come hither, and VU,
With tearful I this MT LEG.

Without XS she did XL alway-
Ah me! it truly vexes 1 2 C
How soon so DR a creature may DK,
And only leave behind XUVÉ!
Whate'er 10 to do she did discharge,
So that an NME it might NDR :
Then Y an SA write? then why N?
Or with my briny tears her BR BDU ?

When her Piano-40 she did press,

UR 2 know her I was all SQ.

L 8 she was, and prattling like A J.
O, little MLE! did you 4 C

The grave should soon MUU, cold as clay,
And U should cease to B an N. TT!

While taking T at Q with LN G,

The MT grate she rose to put a:

Her clothes caught fire-no I again shall C
Poor MLE, who now is dead as Solon.

O, LN G! in vain you set at 0

GR and reproach for suffering her 2 B Thus sacrificed: to JLU should be brought, And burnt U 02 B in FEG.

Such heavenly sounds did MN8, that she, Sweet MLE K into SX they bore,

Knowing her Q, soon 1 U 2 confess

Her XLNC in an XTC.

Her hair was soft as silk, not YRE,
It gave no Q nor yet 2 P to view:

Taking good care her monument to Y 10, And as her tomb was much 2 low B 4 They lately brought fresh bricks the walls to I 10.

THE LATEST LONDON FASHIONS.

DINNER PARTY DRESS.

OVER a white satin slip is a dress of amber crape, with the border ornamented by two very full flounces, en dents des loups, which stand out, in large and stiffened flutings: alternating with each quill, or fluting, is a point fastened down close to the dress, giving to this trimming a truly novel

and unique effect. Next the shoe is a full wadded rouleau of amber satin; and the points and flutings of the flounces are edged with a narrow satin rouleau: above the upper flounce is an ornament consisting of oblique points, inclining towards the left side, formed of narrow satin rouleaux, in outline. The body is quite plain, and tightly

white satin ribbon encircles the waist. The hair is arranged in ringlets round the face, en tirebouchons, under a hat of Murrey-colored gros de Naples, ornamented with bows of the same colored ribbon, on which are hairstripes in black: a few flowers, in bouquets, are slightly scattered over the crown; they consist of blue convolvuluses and geraniums.

Explanation of the Print of the
Fashions.

WALKING DRESS.

fitting the shape a very broad, falling tucker of blond, of a superb pattern, and set on full, surrounds the bust. The sleeves are short, and of white satin; over these are long sleeves of plain tulle, à la Marie, confined round the centre of the thickest part of the arm, by an amber satin band; and the wrist part of the sleeve is finished by a broad, pointed cuff of amber satin, the points edged round by narrow blond: a very broad bracelet of gold encircles the wrist, fastened by a large emerald, or a turquoise stone, set à l'Antique. The headdress is a dress-hat of transparent A DRESS of myrtle-green gros de Nacrape, or stiffened net, of turquoise- ples, with a very broad hem at the blue; though some ladies, whose complexions will admit of it, prefer having the hat of pistachio-green satin: whichever may be adopted, this becoming hat is profusely ornamented under the right side of the brim, which is elevated, with blond, in fan-flutings; on the left side, which is brought down low, over the ear, is a rosette, at the edge of the brim, of white gauze brocaded ribbon, with ends. An ornament of satin, en bateau, the color of the hat, waves gracefully across the crown, in front, and the whole is finished by a superb plumage of white feathers. The necklace is of wrought gold, of light and elegant workmanship, formed in formed in festoons, which are caught up by various-color

ed gems.

MORNING DRESS.

A petticoat of ethereal-blue gros de Naples, with two broad bias folds round the border, on which are raised ornaments, representing branches of palm-leaves. A canezou-spencer of cambric, trimmed down the front, and round the base of the waist with a ruche of thread tulle; and surmounted at the throat by a very full quadruple ruff of the same material. The sleeves very wide, and à la Marie, with the fulness confined at equal distances. Mancherons of cambric, with a double quilling of tulle, ornament the sleeves at the shoulders. At the wrists are bracelets of broad black velvet, fastened with a gold buckle. A sash of

border; vandyked at the head, and trimmed round the points with a full double ruche of the same material and color as the dress, pinked. The body made to fit tight to the shape, and bound round the waist with a zone pointed in front. Sleeves à la Marie, confined only by one band, at the thickest part of the arm, above the elbow: broad gauntlet cuff, with a row of very small buttons placed up it, on the outside of the arm. A pelerine of white sarcenet or gros de Naples, edged with a narrow rouleau of green, and near the throat is an ornament of beautiful embroidery in green. Beneath a French ruff of lace, tied round the throat, is a painted silk sautoir-cravat. The ground of this elegant appendage is pistachio-green, on which are admirably painted various flowers. The bonnet worn with this dress is of Navarin-brown, or, as is preferred by some ladies, of the same color as the dress. The crown is trimmed in front with two double folds, in bias, of the same color and material as the bonnet, with bows of myrtle-green ribbon. The bonnet ties with a bow on the right side. Half-boots of light-grey corded silk, with the tips of kid, and Woodstock gloves, complete this costume.

EVENING DRESS.

A dress of white satin, with a very broad hem round the border, headed by a narrow rouleau; above which is

a full and splendid embroidery, embossed in floize silk. The body is en gerbe, with a pointed zone round the waist, embroidered in a similar manner with the border round the skirt. A very narrow tucker of blond surrounds the bust the sleeves, short and very full, are of white crape, and are confined in the centre by a white satin band. The hair is arranged à

la Grecque, and richly ornamented with pink ears of corn, grouped very close, but very tastefully, together. The ear-pendants are en girandoles, formed of three turquoise stones of a pear shape: the necklace is of pearls, with a girandole ornament in the centre, of turquoise stones, to correspond with the ear-rings. A drapery scarf of pink silk is worn with the above dress.

SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

"Serene Philosophy!

She springs aloft, with elevated pride,
Above the tangling mass of low desires,

That bind the fluttering crowd; and, angel-wing'd,
The heights of Science and of Virtue gains,
Where all is calm and clear."

POTATO FARINA.

THE farina obtained from potatoes is
now an article of commerce in Scot-
land, where very fine samples of it
are brought to market. It is stated
to be quite equal to genuine arrow-
root, and is sold at about half the price
of that preparation. Mixed with
wheaten flour in the proportion of
one-third, it is a great improvement
to household bread, and is light of di-
gestion. Sir John Sinclair's mode of
preparing the farina is perhaps gene-
rally known; but the following short
account of the process for domestic
use may not be uninteresting. Into
a pale of clean water place a fine co-
lander or coarse sieve, so that it may
be two inches in the water; grate the
potatoes when pared into the colander,
taking care from time to time to agi-
tate the pulp in the colander, so that
the farina may fall to the bottom of
the pail. When the fibrous part which
remains in the colander or sieve, has
accumulated so as to impede the wash-
ing of the farina into the pail, remove
it. About one gallon of potatoes is
sufficient for a pail of water. After
the water has remained in an undis-
turbed state for twelve hours, pour it

off;
the farina will be in a cake at the
bottom. It is to be dried slowly be-
fore the fire, being rubbed occasion-
ally between the hands to prevent its
becoming lumpy; and it is then fit for

use.

The French prepare an extract from the apple in the same way; but this is expensive, as the farinaceous part of the apple is very small.

CIDER.

Mr. Platt had a curious mode of making strong cider in America. In the month of January or February, he placed a number of hogsheads of cider upon stands out of doors. The frost turned to ice the upper part of the contents of the hogshead, and a tap drew off from the bottom the part which was not frozen. This was the spirituous part, and was as strong as the very strongest of beer that can be made. The frost had no power over this part; but the lighter part which was at the top it froze into ice. This, when thawed, was weak cider.

BULBOUS ROOTS.

In glasses filled with water, bulbous roots, such as the hyacinth, narcissus, and jonquil, are blown. The time to put them in is from September to November, and the earliest ones will begin blowing about Christmas. The glasses should be blue, as that color best suits the roots; put water enough in to cover the bulb one-third of the way up, less rather than more; let the water be soft, change it once a week, and put in a pinch of salt every time you change it. Keep the glasses

« AnteriorContinuar »