from whence she has taken them. This part of the work is highly interesting, and well executed. The rest contains very few, if any, new remarks, and is, in general, too flippant. The language and style are both excellent, and make the book, even in its weakest parts, read agreeably. Altogether, however, we do not think that this publication will add much to Madame de Genlis's reputation. Like so many other authors, she seems to forget that there is a time to leave off writing, which time, if not already come for her, is at least very near at hand. Several anecdotes are re peated five or six times in the same words; and we have also remarked three or four mistakes on points of literature, which the author might have avoided, with a little care and reflection. Fragmens, &c.-Fragments of a Course of Lectures on Literature, held at the Athenæum of Paris in the years 1806 and 1807. By M. T. de Chenier. In The Athenæum of Paris is not a public school, as, from its name, one might be led to conclude. It is a society kept up by private subscription, containing political and literary reading rooms, and where, during the winter evenings, some of the most eminent professional men hold regular lectures on different branches of science and literature. None of these lectures were ever more justly celebrated than those of La Harpe. The whole collection has been since printed in 19 volumes, in 8vo, and procured to the author the flattering title of the French Quintilian. fact, no critic in France had ever before shown more strength of judgment, more courage, and more attachment to the genuine rules of taste, which the revolution had entirely overthrown. It was a difficult task to succeed to La Harpe as a professor of literature at the Athenæum of Paris. Messrs Chenier, Lemercier, Aimé Martin, took the charge, perhaps rashly, upon them. The work we have just procured contains some fragments of M. Chenier's labours. Those fragments treat of the French poets, and romancers before Louis XII. The subject itself is rather dry and uninteresting, if not kept within due bounds; and M. Chenier is, in our eyes, too minute, besides which, he seems to forget that he has only been called upon to explain their literary worth or demerits. He quotes carefully, and with apparent delight, every irreligious or antisocial passage he can discover, and seizes eagerly every good or bad opportunity of proclaiming his revolutionary principles. His work has afforded us no pleasure, and very little instruction. We except, however, one part, to which we cannot help giving due praise. The volume concludes with a summary of a VOL. II. work on the temporal power of the see of Rome. It is difficult to give, in a few pages, a more perfect idea of a voluminous publication. If the rest of M. Chenier's critical productions had equalled this, we would have felt as much pleasure as we now have found disgust in their perusal. Appel à tous les proprietaires, &c.—An Appeal to all Landholders in Europe, or t manifesto of Society against the parties by which it is distracted; by a Friend of Order and Liberty. A short preface is prefixed to this pamphlet, and the supposed editor gives therein the most unlimited praise to the new ideas, enlightened patriotism, energetic style, and numberless other qualities of the author, who has had the kindness, he adds, to permit the publication of this work. This is a sort of puff direct much used at present in France. For our part, we cannot rightly understand why a living writer, who composes a small pamphlet on some political questions, should not be his own editor, or else what necessity there can be of forcing a man to print a few reflections he may have thrown upon paper, and offering up his undigested plans to the admiBut we had ration of his fellow-citizens. better ask, how any man can suppose his countrymen stupid enough to be duped by so gross an artifice. Whatever be the case in the present instance, let us see in what consist the new ideas and enlightened pá triotism of the unknown author of this publication. In the The au The work is divided into twelve chapters. In the first, the author shews that true In the liberty cannot exist without order. second, he examines the origin of civilized In the third, he proves, that, societies. in all societies, there exists a natural ineIn the quality among their members. fourth chapter, he shews the consequence of Thus far we have not that inequality. found any thing in the least new. fifth chapter, he considers the different ancient and modern constitutions. thor observes, that the existence of slavery amongst the nations of antiquity, gave a great simplicity to their constitutions. This observation is true, but has been ofIn the following two ten made before. chapters, we find the causes and effects of the French Revolution, (at least in the auThe eighth is entitled thor's opinion.) Equality, and the ninth, Of the parties This is which at present divide France. the first in which we begin to discover the author's true meaning. We shall explain it in a few words. Such an aristo A strong aristocracy is necessary in all well organized societies. eracy does not at present exist in France, and must therefore be created. Titles and nobility are grown obsolete. They can be of no other use than to create jealousy and 30 disturbances. Wealth is the true aristocracy in the present age. Therefore nobility and titles must be for ever abolished, and all landholders must be united in corporations. Those who pay 200 francs landtax, and are electors, are to form the district corporation, and receive the title of Honourable Men, whilst those who pay 1000 francs land-tax, and are consequently eligible, are to form the departmental corporation, and be called Right Honourable Men. All other distinctions are to be an nulled. By the bye, with all due respect to our nation, we did not suppose there were so many honourable men in France. The idea is new, we acknowledge. Whether it be patriotic, we leave to the decision of our readers. In our opinion, it is a very doubtful question, on one side, whether the empire of wealth, unsupported by talents or illustration, can ever be the most liberal and the best check on the usurpation of government, or the restlessness of the people; and on the other, whether the plan of levelling all distinctions above 1000 francs land-tax, would not lead to an extension of that agrarian system, which, since the Revolution, predominates too much in France. Voyage à l'embouchure, &c.-A Journey to the Mouth of the Black Sca, or an Essay on the Bosphorus, and on that part of the Thracian Delta which contains the Waters that supply the city of Constantinople; to which are prefixed some General Considerations on Physical Geography, and several Maps aud Drawings subjoined, by M. Le Comte Andreos sy, Lieut-Gen. of Artillery, late Ambassa dor from France to London, Vienna, and Constantinople, Member of the Egyptian Institute. The author of the work before us might very well have left out its first title, for it has no connection whatever with a journey. The second title explains its true contents, which are of too technical a kind to offer any interest to persons who have not made geology, engineering, and hydrostatics their study. To those we recommend it, and we have no doubt that they will find in it several views and ideas deserving their consideration. The only part which has struck us, who are not, as the French say, du métier, is the one wherein General A. seeks to determine the true population of Constantinople by means of the quantity of water that the city consumes in a day. The different aqueducts, according to a very minute table given by the author, distribute every day, in that large metropolis, 249 lules of water, which coincide with 9, 561, 600 occas, or 23,904,000 libs. Each inhabitant, including the public establishments, is reckoned use 20 pints, or 40 libs. a-day; conse Du Cadastre, &c.-On the Cadaster; its imperfections and insufficiency, by M. Montaigne de Poncino, in 80. The land-tax in France is imposed, since the Revolution, in a very unequal proportion. For, while some people pay uo more than ten per cent. of their income, others, and by far the greater number, are taxed; at twenty per cent. and some even pay as much as thirty-five per cent. The want of a more equitable distribution has been generally felt for several years, and it was in order to obtain that end, that Bonaparte ordered the cadaster to be made out. By that word is understood a geometrical delineation of all the properties in France, and a valuation made by sworn appraisers of the income each property may bring to the owners. Every body agrees as to the utility of the geometrical part of this work, which may also serve for the geography, statistics, &c. of the kingdom. The valuation, however, has found many opposers. The sworn appraisers being named by government, generally tax the supposed income too high, and the slow manner in which the whole proceeds has a bad effect on the progress of agriculture, every owner waiting till after the valuation of his lands, to make experiments of improvement. Ten years have already elapsed since this work began, and thirtyfive more are required to bring it to perfection. The whole expence is rated at 139,000,000 of francs, (L. 6,500,000 Sterling.) The author of the publication before us is a considerable landholder. Acknowledging the necessity of the cadaster altogether, he offers some views for to make it better, more equal, and less expensive. His chief idea is, instead of setting a price as at present, on every small portion of land, according to its produce, quality, &c. which occasions every estate to require more than twenty different appraisements, and consequently causes a great loss of time, that each estate be valued in a lump, and the appraisements, instead of being submitted to direct agents of government, be made by the Mayor of the township, assisted by a notary, and the proprietor himself. The reason on which M. M. grounds his opinion appears solid; we do, however, not agree with him on the absolute necessity of taxing the income preferably to the capital. The arguments on which he supports his ideas on that point it would be easy to overthrow. This small work is written in a clear and unassuming style. Naufrage de la Fregate, &c.-Account of the Loss of the Frigate Medusa, &c.; by A. Corrcord and T. B. Hurey Savigny, &c. in 8vo. with cuts. This account might have been interesting, but the authors have made a party pamphlet of it. The sufferers themselves may have a right to complain, but private citizens are undoubtedly bound to respect the decisions of a court-martial. The captain having been acquitted, we think it our duty to abstain from any reflections on this work; for we wish equally to avoid hurting the feelings of the authors, and attacking the reputation of an officer in the king's service. N. B. We this moment learn that the eleventh number of M. Fivée's Political and Administrative Correspondence has been seized by the Attorney-General. We are not yet acquainted with the contents of this publication. Quarterly Survey of the Paris Theatres. Before we enter into particulars on the Paris theatres during the last three months, it may not be without interest to give our readers a general retrospect of the present state of the French stage. 1. THE GRAND OPERA has the first rank among the French theatres. This establishment owes it origin to the Cardinal Mazarine, and has the title of a Royal Academy of Music. Louis XIV., with a view to ennoble his newly erected opera, declared by a special, and rather curious, ordinance, that the prejudice existing against all other actors should not take effect in regard to the performers of the Royal Academy of Music, and that even a nobleman might sing or dance in public without any disparagement. Rumeau is looked upon as the father of old French music, which is undoubtedly the most ridiculous tiresome stuff that ever was intended to pass for amusement. J. J. Rous seau gave it a mortal stroke, first in his letter on French music, and afterwards in his pretty little opera, The Village Soothsayer, which is still daily performed with the greatest applause. The method of singing is much altered for the better within the last fifty years, though the actors keep still mostly true to their old fashioned screams, owing to the French setting more Importance upon the acting than the sing ing of their operas. The orchestra is fine, and well conducted, though it has the fault of playing too loud. The true glory of the French opera is in the dancing and decorations, both of which are magnificent beyond description. A good ballet at the opera at Paris is a performance of which a foreigner can form to himself no adequate idea. The only new pieces performed in the last three months are, a small opera in one act, called Zeloïda, or the Flowers, very coolly received by the audience, and the ballet of Proserpine, in three acts. ballet did not answer the general expectation, and has been judged below the reputation of its author Gardel. This 2. The second in rank, though it ought undoubtedly to be the first, is THE None but trageFRENCH THEATRE. dies and comedies are represented here. Its existence dates from Moliere's time; that is to say, since the ordinance of Louis XIV., by which the two theatres of the Hotel de Bourgogne and of Moliere were, in 1650, united under Moliere's direction. Talma is at present the first tragic aetor. His talents are great, and in some parts he is inimitable. It is only to bregretted that there are so few wherein he chooses to show himself. He regularly appears in no more than eight or ten tragedies, so that the amateurs who frequent the French stage have seldom the satisfaction of seeing him in any new character. Lafont is far beneath him. St Prix has a beautiful figure, and a fine voice; he spouts well, but wants animation. In comic parts Fleury is considered as the only one who shows any remains of the bon ton of the late court. He is advanced in age, and is expected to quit the stage soon after the Easter Holidays. Madume Leverd performs the coquette parts with tolerable éclat, but Mademoiselle Mars, in young ingenuous girls, is the most inimitable actress that ever the French stage produced. chot and Baptiste, Junior, are excellent in farmers and clowns. Some parts are, however, at present entirely wanting, such as fathers and servants. Neither Grandmesnil, Caumont, nor Darincourt, have as yet found worthy successors. Mi The house is large, but dismal ;-the music shocking;-and the scenery very nusquin. According to the rates, the French actors are obliged to give at least two new pieces every month; but they are extremely remiss in their duty. During the three first months of this year, they have not given one new performance. The Earl of Warwick, a tragedy by La Harpe, has been newly set for the stage, but has not been more favourably received this time than when first performed about thirty years ago. We had just concluded this month's survey, when we heard of the shocking fire which has consumed the Odíon, undoubtedly the most elegant theatre in Paris. AB account of it in our next. ORIGINAL POETRY. THE DIRGE OF TIPPOO SULTAUN. (By the late Dr John Leyden.) From wealth and power to dire decay! How proud his conquering banners flew ! How stately marched his dread array! Soon as the King of earth withdrew His favouring smile, they passed away! His peopled kingdoms stretching wide, A hundred subject leagues could fill ; While dreadful frowned, in martial pride, A hundred droogs from hill to hill. His hosts of war, a countless throng,His Franks, § impatient for the fray,His horse, that proudly pranced alongAll in a moment passed away! His mountain forts of living stone Were hewn from every massy rock, Whence bright the sparkling rockets shone, And loud the vollied thunder spoke. His silver lances gleamed on high, His spangled standards fluttered gay; Lo, in the twinkling of an eye, Their martial pride hath passed away! Girt by the Cavery's holy stream, By circling walls in triple row, The dreary moat outspread below; Stern ramparts rose in dread array; Towers that seemed proof to martial force; All in a moment passed away! His elephants of hideous cry, His steeds that pawed the battle ground,His golden stores that wont to lie Thro' years of peace in cells profound,— Himself a chief of prowess high, Unmatched in battle's stormy day ;— Lo, in the twinkling of an eye, Our dauntless hero passed away! His countless gems, a glittering host, Arranged in ninefold order smiled; Each treasured wealth the world can boast, In splendid palaces were piled. Jewels enchased, a precious store, Of fretted pride, of polish high, Of costly work, which ne'er before Were heard with ear or seen with eye. A hundred granaries huge inclosed Full eighteen sorts of foodful grain; Dark in his arsenals reposed Battle's terrific flame-mouthed train. His was the wealth by Rajahs won, But all, alas! has passed away! How quick he ravaged none can say, Save HE whose dreadful eye of flame Shall blast him on the judgment day. The noontide came with baleful light, The Sultaun's corpse in silence lay; His kingdom, like a dream of night, In silence vanished quite away! But say, to fence the falling state, Who foremost trod the ranks of fame? Great Kummer, chief of soul elate, And stern Sher-Khan of deathless name. Meer Sadack, too, of high renown, With him what chieftain could compare? While Meer-Hussäin virgins own, As flowery bowed Meimmodeen fair. Soobria, Mutte, Bubber-Jung, Still foremost in the crush of fight, And he whose martial glory rung From realm to realm for dauntles Yet, ranged in ranks around the throne, power, was Allah's far-fam'd The boasted inspiration's might? Where, in that unpropitious hour, Was fled thy Khoran's sacred light? Vain was each pray'r and high behest When Rungah ¶ doomed the fatal day! How small a bullet pierced thy breast! How soon thy kingdom passed away! Amid his queens of royal race, Of princely form, the monarch trod; Amid his sons of martial grace The warrior moved an earthly god. Girt with proud chiefs of prowess high, How proud was his imperial sway! Soon as the god of Colusaye¶¶ Withdrew his smile, it passed away! Coorg, Cuddapah, † and Concan-land,† These princely lords of old renown, To thee outspread the unweaponed hand, And crouched at thine imperial frown ; Proud mountain chiefs, the lofty crest They bent beneath thy sceptered sway. How dire the blow that pierced thy breast! How soon thy kingdom passed away! The sovereign of proud Delhi's throne, That held the prostrate world in awe, Resigned their realms in deep dismay, The Anglian race, unknown to fly; They dauntless pressed to victory. Our lofty bulwarks down they threw, And bade their drums victorious bray; Then every earthly god withdrew, Then fled Seringa's pomp away. How empty earthly pomp and power! SONNET FROM PETRARCH. (Sonnet 88 of the First Book.) wore; Here, coy and bashful,-there, her mirth ran o'er, Now, soft to please,-now, haughty to despise. How sweetly, here, she sang,-and, there, all grace Was seated;-Here, she turned, and, there, did stay: Here on my heart, how fixed her bright stars lay! Each word she spoke, each smile upon her BID the cold and callous hearted M. |