VOL. 2.] Narrative of a Voyage to Pitcairn's Island. 421 was excited to so great a degree, that I offered ted this country (now nearly 30 years him a conveyance for himself, with any of his family who chose to accompany him. appeared pleased, and as no one was present, ing, they could be so much entitled to his He past), it is difficult to imagine that, if livhe sent for his wife and children. The rest of affections as this new race; and certainthis little community surrounded the door. He communicated his desire, and solicited their ly there could be none to whom he could acquiesence. Appalled at a request not less have the satisfaction of being so servicesudden than in opposition to their wishes, they able. The Island itself must have been were at a loss for a reply.His charming daughter, although inundated with tears, first endeared to him, as having been first possessed and made habitable by him my father! do not take away my best---my and his associates, as well as by being dearest friend.' Her voice failed her--she the birth-place of his and their progeny. was unable to proceed---leaned her head upon Every part of Pitcairn's Island is fertile, her hand, and gave full vent to her grief. His broke the silence. Oh do not, Sir,' said she, take from me abundance. With assurances that it was wife too (an Otaheitean) expressed a lively and capable of cultivation :—with yams, sorrow. The wishes of Adams soon became bread-fruit, pigs, goats, and poultry, the known among the others, who joined in pathetic solicitation for his stay on the Island. Island was stocked from Otaheite ;-and Not an eye was dry--the big tear stood in the coast abounds in fish. It is said that those of the men---the women shed them in full the intermarriages which had taken neither our wish nor intention to take him place had made a general relationship from them against his inclination, their fears throughout the Colony; that the greatest were at length dissipated. His daughter too harmony prevailed; and that the young had gained her usual serenity, but she was lovely in her tears, for each seemed to add an women deserve high praise for beauty additional charm. Forgetting the unhappy and innocent simplicity of manners." deed which placed Adams in that spot, and We have seen that the ships left the seeing him only in the character he now is, at the head of a little community, adored by all, Island and its inhabitants with their numinstructing all, in religion, industry, and ber unbroken, and their manners unalfriendship, his situation might be truly envied; and one is almost inclined to hope that his un- tered; circumstances which are both exremitting attention to the government and tremely gratifying. It is impossible not morals of this little Colony, will ultimately to reflect with interest and anxiety on the prove an equivalent for the part he formerly took,---entitle him to praise, and should he probable future fate of the residents in ever return to Engiand, ensure him the clem- this little garden of paradise, as yet in a ency of that Sovereign he has so much injured. The young women have invariably beautiful state of primitive purity, but whose tranteeth, fine eyes, and open expression of countenance, and looks of such simple innocence, ed by the rest of the world becoming inquillity, and whose virtue, are endangerand sweet sensibility, that renders their ap formed of their retreat. pearance at once interesting and engaging; and it is pleasing to add, their minds and manners were as pure and inpocent as this impres sion indicated." Shillibeer, speaking of the Island of MaIn an early part of the Voyage, Mr. deira, says, that Funchall and its vicinity is frequently the The climate is particularly fine, insomuch resort of invalids; but few, I fear, reap the having sufficient resolution to withstand the full benefit of its renovating salubrity, not temptation of its natural luxuries, or the hoscan avail himself of a temperature the most pitality of its Anglo-inhabitants.---The invalid suited to his immediate complaint, by being carried up or down the mountain: he is also not only those natural to the Island, but of his enabled to enjoy the most delicious fruits, and own country. It must appear not less wonderful to other persons than it did to the Captain, that a man situated and circumstanced like Adams could have felt the least inclination to quit a spot to which he was connected and bound by so many ties; and we should regard it as extra ordinary an instance as could be produced of the restlessness of the human disposition, were we not aware of the affecting and extravagant symptoms that The scenery of this Island is peculiarly roare sometimes under certain circum- ered with most delightful foliage, here and mantic---precipices of stupendous height, cov stances exhibited of the amor patria, there interspersed with huts, and cataracts The Narrator observes, " To have taken precipitating from rock to rock in awful granAdams from a circle of such friends among the trees and cottages at the bottom, deur, until meeting from various directions would have ill become a feeling heart; th pursues its course to the town.---The Chapel they form one general stream, which roars as to have forced him away in opposition to on the Mount stands in a most beautiful situa their entreaties would have been an out- tion, but possesses nothing worthy of notice, rage to humanity." Indeed, whatever except the loveliness of its site, which affords friends he might have left when he quit ceived; and although the journey to it is tire a view as delightful as can possibly be cons some, the stranger will be fully repaid for his Jabour by making it a visit. The Priest who lives adjoining the Chapel, I found to be a very intelligent man, and he treated me with great civility. The Inns, whether Portuguese or English, are much below mediocrity, and notwithstanding the little accommodation and abundance of filth, their charges are enormous; and to make the latter still more grievous, the English one pound bank note, was then only current at fourteen shillings. Little, independent of wine is produced in the Island, so that the vine is every where cultivat 1 with the greatest care. Not a spot, however rugged, but is turned to advantage. The following extract, at the present eventful period, may be thought not uninteresting; The city of San Sebastian, the capital of the Portuguese dominions in South America, and residence of the Prince Regent, is situated on the South side of an extensive harbour, whose entrance is so exceedingly narrow and well fortified by nature, that with the smallest assistance of art it could be rendered impregnable against any attack from the sea. The fort of Santa Cruz, and a very remarkable mountain, from its shape bearing the name of the Sugar Loaf, form the entrance, at the distance of about a mile. There is a bar which runs across, but the water is at all times sufficiently deep, to allow the largest ship to pass. Santa Cruz may be considered the principal fortification, and is, with the exception of two Islands commanding the channel, the only one in a tolerable state of defence. At the foot of the sugar loaf mountain, is a battery of considerable extent, but so neglected, like several others along the shore, that it is almost become useless.The city derives but little protection from its immediate fortifications; and the Island of Cobrus, notwithstanding its contiguity, is now but little calculated to render it any. There are wharves and stairs for the purpose of landing at, but the most convenient is the great square, in which the Prince resides. The palace was originally the mansion of a merchant: it is extensive, but has nothing par [VOL. 2 ticularly magnificent in its appearance, to indicate its being the royal residence of the illustrious House of Braganza. At the bottom of this square, is a very good fountain, which is supplied with water from the adjacent mountains, and conveyed some distance by the means of an aqueduct.---The water is not good, and on first using it, causes a swelling accompanied with pain in the abdomen. Ships may be supplied with considerable expedition.--It is almost impossible for a person possessing the least reflection, to pass this spot without being struck by the contrast, which must necessarily present itself to him.---On the one hand, he may contemplate the palace of a voluptuous Prince, surrounded by courtiers and wallowing in luxury; on the other, slavery in man and barbarous traffick of slaves, is carried on to the greatest extent it is possible to be imagined; "and as the immediate and private revenue of the Crown would receive a severe shock by the abolition of so unnatural a barter, there can be, I fear, but little hopes of so desirable an object being speedily effected, without the humanity of the European States turns their recommendations into commands, and enforce compliance, which I am persuaded would be the case were the different Legislators but faintly impressed with the horrors that constantly occur at this place, and the barbarity to which those unhappy people are hourly subjected.--- The labour, let it be never so laborious, is performed by slaves, and it is seldom there are more than sixapportioned to the heaviest burdens. I have frequently seen as few as four groaning under the weight of a pipe of wine, which they have had to remove thro' the town. Many of those poor creatures are bred to trades, and are sent out daily or weekly by their masters with orders to bring him a certain sum at the expiration of that time, and what they can get over they may consider their own; but they are always so highly rated, that it is with the greatest difficulty they can raise the sum nominated; and in case of defalcation, it is attributed to a want of exertion, or laziness, which subjects the unhappy victim to punishment for a crime the master alone has committed. its most refined and horrible state.--The inhu "Of Messire Azzolino's story-teller.‡ the long winter nights.* It happened one night that Azzolino+ urged him to tell "MESSIRE Azzolino had a story- a tale when he was very sleepy: he ac teller, who told him tales during A motto without a meaning is worth nothing. If the literary collector may be compared to the bee, surely he may be said to rove among the sweets of morn who is engaged in investigating the earliest productions of Italian literature. 4 Un Novellatore. Un Favellatore. This is one of those traits of the manners of the times, with which this ancient work abounds. † Azzolino, or Ezzelino da Romano, the ferocious tyrant of Padua, is well known to the readers of Italian history. "Solo intuitu homines deterrebat, says the historian of the times, crudelitate superavit sævitiem. omnium tyrannorum." "His very look was terrifichis cruelty execeded that of every other tyrant." VOL. 2.] The Italian Bee :-Le Cento Novelle Antiche. 423 cordingly began a story, about a country- "At another time, when he was en NOVELLA 35. man who went to a market with a hun- gaged in single combat with the Count dred pieces of money,* to buy sheep: of Toulouse, he dismounted from his and had two for each piece. As he re- charger and got on a mule: "What is to turned with the sheep, a river, which he be done now, Richard?' said the count. had to cross, was greatly swoln by a hea- Sir,' said he,' I wish to let you see that vy rain that had fallen. While he was I do not want either to chase or to run standing on the bank, considering how away.' Thus he shewed that noble to get over, he saw a poor fisherman, with spirit in which he excelled all other a boat so small, that it would only hold knights." the countryman and one sheep at a time. He got in with one sheep, and began to row the river was wide, but away he goes. Here the story-teller stopped. Mes sire Azzolino said, 'What are you about? why do you not go on?' 'Sir!' said the story-teller, let the sheep get over, and then we will go on with the tale: but, as it will take at least a twelve-months, one may find opportunity, in the mean time, to get a good sleep." "+ NOVELLA 31. "Another instance of the courtesy of King John of England. "The Queen of Castile once sent one of her knights, on important business, to a very solitary place, without any comgood palfrey, was riding thus alone panion. As the knight, mounted on a through a great forest, as fast as his palfrey could carry him, it happened, as ill luck would have it, that, in crossing a ditch, the palfrey tumbled down with him so completely, that he could not get "Of the gallant exploits of Riccar Loghercio him up again, though he escaped without del Illa.|| "Riccar Loghercio, a great gentleman of Provence, was sovereign of Lille, and a man of great courage and incredible prowess. When the Saracens came to conquer Spain, he was in the battle called La Spagnata, which was the most perilous combat that hath taken place since the days of the Greeks and Trojans. The Saracens were in great numbers, and had many kinds of engines. Riccar Loghercio led on the first line; and, as the horses could not be made to advance through fear of the engines, he ordered his men all to turn their horses round, and to back them till they reached the enemy. By this means they got among them, and got them in front; and then they hacked and hewed to the right and left, and made terrible slaughter of them. I harm to his person. He used his best endeavours to get this palfrey of his out of the ditch, but to no purpose: nor could he see a single person, far or near, from whom to procure assistance: so that he was greatly vexed and distressed, and was at a loss what to do. 6 it, that John, king of England was hunt"Now it happened, as luck would have ing in those parts on an excellent palfrey, and had chased a noble stag so hotly, that he had left his party behind, and was quite alone, when he fell in with this knight of the queen's. When the latter saw him, he recognised him; but, such was his necessity, that he pretended not to know him, and accordingly he called to him when he was a long way off, and said, Sir knight, for the love of God make haste hither, and be pleased to help me to get out this palfrey of mine; for I am on important business in the service of my lady.' When the king came up, he asked, 'Sir knight, what lady dost thou serve?' And he answered, I am in the service of the Queen of Castile.' Then the king, who was the most courteous prince in the world, dismounted from his palfrey, and said, Sir knight, I am hunting, as you see, with a party: be From its being decisive to the fate of Spain. + We recommend this singular mode of charging with cavalry to the tacticians of the present day. It the Saracens in the year 734, Eudes, duke of Aquitseems, that it is sometimes a proof of valour to turn aine, is said to have completed the victory by attack⚫ail on the enemy. ing the enemy par derriere, which our author may, In the great battle fought by Charles Martil against perhaps, have misinterpreted. J 424 The Italian Bee :-Le Cento Novelle Antiche. [TOL. 2 yourself any concern about that; for I will, at any rate, stay with you till some one or other of my companions come up.' "While they were thus talking, certain of the king's knights and attendants, and others of his household, who were in search of him, came up, and found him engaged in this dispute with the knight. The king called to them; and, as soon as they saw him, they stopped, and hastened where he was, and helped the knight so that at last they dragged the palfrey out of the ditch. The knight returned many thanks to the king and his company, and pursued his journey with his palfrey as well as he could: and the king and his party returned to the chase. pleased, therefore, to take my palfrey, sorry for the trouble he had already given which is as good as your own (truly it him: and the king replied,' Do not give was worth three such), and I and my companions will endeavour to get your's again; and you shall go on your lady's business.' 'The knight was all confused, and did not know what to do-for to take the king's palfrey was a great shame: and he said, I cannot do so rude a thing as to take your palfrey.' The king repeated his offers, and pressed him to take it for the love of knighthood: but nothing would prevail on him to accept it. He still, with much diffidence, entreated the king to assist him in getting his own again: then they both got into the ditch, and the king tugged as hard as any clown. It was all in vain, for get him out they could not; and so they knew not what to do. The knight fretted inwardly, as "The knight having accomplished his being on the service of another person, journey, and the business on which he especially as that person was his lady, went, returned to his noble queen, and but nobody came. The king again gave her an account of his embassy; and pressed him to take his palfrey; but he also of what had befallen him with his persisted in refusing to do so: and, truly, palfrey, and of the great service which in that he was right-as knowing that John, king of England, had rendered he was the noble King John of England. him. The queen made him relate it *And he said in his heart, Truly, if this many times over, and was never satisfied man had been a knight, or I had not with hearing of the noble actions and known who he was, I would in that case courtesies of King John; and greatly have made bold to take his palfrey; and extolled him as the most courteous prince to leave him mine, and go about my in the world—as in truth he was.” business. The king, seeing that he fretted inwardly, was greatly mortified that "How Narcissus fell in love with his shadow, he could not assist him as he desired; Narcissus was very beautiful: it hapand he said, Sir knight, what is to be pened one day, as he was reposing by the done? wilt thou not take my palfrey, side of a clear fountain, that he saw his and leave me thine, as I have told thee? own shadow in the water, very beautiful. I have already helped thee as well as I He began to look and to smile at it; was able, so that I know not how to as- and his shadow did the same-so that he sist thee farther; and here's nobody thought it was alive, and in the water; coming either of my people or any body's and was not aware that it was his own else. So that the only thing to be done, shadow. He began to be in love with as far as I see, is to set to and cry; do it; and became so deeply enamoured, · you begin, and I will cry with you.' NOVELLA 43. that he would fain have siezed it, and plunged his hands into the water. The waters became turbid, and the shadow disappeared-so that he began to weep: when the water cleared up, he saw the shadow weeping like himself. Then he "The knight, hearing this,did not know what to say or do nevertheless he said, 'Assuredly, sir, be you whom you may, I would not commit such a piece of rudeness towards you as that would be.' The king was greatly amused at this, and very desirous that he should take it; and he there- threw himself into the water and was fore said, 'Since you will not do as I would and some nymphs* came to sport at the drowned. It was the season of spring, have you, I will keep you company, till the Lord shall send us some help. The fountain, and saw the fair Narcissus knight thanked him kindly, and entreated * Donne. Ladies. I have given the more classical him not to stay-for that he was very word. VOL. 2.] Modern English Poets.-Mr. Southey. 425 drowned: they drew him out with great which is the first tree that puts forth its flowers, and renews the season of love.”+ +"Ne fece un bellissimo mandorlo molto verde, e lamentation, and set him upright on the molto bene stante, ed e il primo albero che prima fa After these animadversions, I must F Mr. Campbell has held so tight a not allow it to be supposed, that I conrein over bis Pegasus, as to prevent it sider Mr. Southey's poetry as utterly from soaring above a hillock or a pine- worthless. On the contrary, I think it tree, Mr. Southey has given such unrea of a very superior order; capable, if sonable scope to his poetical "Ship of modified and terrestrialized, of adding Heaven," that it sails over infinite space, no inconsiderable star to the great poetiwithout once casting anchor, or is tost cal constellation which shines upon the about in an ocean of mystical inutility, present age. Amongst much hyperboliAfter reading Thalaba, or the Curse of cal thought and expression, we are someKehama, one lays down the volume with times agreeably surprised by the unexan inevitable feeling of," Very sublima- pected appearance of pictures which our ted, no doubt, but what does it all mean? hearts acknowledge, and which strike us where is its object ?" One retains an at once with the strongest emotions of impression of nothing but blank verse of sublimity. I remember, in our language all sizes, from three syllables to twelve; three fine passages on the drawing of of one Veshnoo, with whose mythology swords. Burke is the author of one. In we are quite unacquainted; of one La- speaking of Marie Antoinette, he says, durlad, whom air must not touch on any account, and who yet respires freely from their scabbards, to avenge even a look that offer "I thought ten thousand swords would have leaped enough through his lungs; and of Bra- ed her an insult.” man, and Indra, and Yamen, and Glendoveers, about whose powers and attributes we care not one farthing. As to sympathy, it is totally out of the question and of magnificent language, we have more than sufficient. : If Mr. Campbell does not astonish us in this superhuman manner, at least he leads us through scenes with whose nature we are familiar, and for whose inhabitants we feel some regard. Though his primroses and violets are purchased in the Cranbourn Alley of Parnassus, and appear a manufacture of painted gauze, yet still they remind us of real primroses; and, indeed, some of them are real. Mr. Campbell's farthest flight is America; but Mr. Southey hurries us up at once into the third heaven; we fly about among stars that do not belong to our proper hemisphere; we are dazzled, blinded, bewildered; and when at last we descend from our aeronautic excursion, we are happy to repose upon the after-grass of Rogers, or to beg a tickenbed at one of Crabbe's sea-faring huts. SG ATHENEUM. Vol. 2. Milton gives us the following sublime conception: "He spake, and to confirm his words, out flew And Mr. Southey, with more sublimity than the former, and not much less than the latter, has this passage. The Rajah having ordered his troops to assassinate a multitude who had offended him, Flash up like waters sparkling to the sun, "Ten thousand scymetars at once upreared, A second time the fatal brands appeared, dern poetry, there is not a more splendid "Alp is but known by the white arm bare, As we are about erecting an architec- |