The loud wind roar'd, the rain fell fast, The storm is o'er the tempest past, are * "Alive to every tender feeling, To deeds of mercy ever prone; The wounds of pain and sorrow healing With soft compassion's sweetest tone. Form'd in benevolence of nature, Obliging, modest, gay, and mild, Woman's the same endearing creature, In courtly town, and savage wild. When parch'd with thirst-with hunger wasted, Her friendly hand refreshment gave; How sweet the coarsest food has tasted, What cordial in the simple wave! Her courteous looks-her words caressing, Shed comfort on the fainting soul; stranger's general blessing sultry India to the Pole!" Woman WO the Surely Mr. Barrett has never seen these lines, or he would not have asserted, that woman has found "no champion in the field of English poetry." Certainly no one ever advocated her cause so effectually as he has done in the poem before ad; but we will continue our extracts. After describing the difference of the pursuits and and characteristics of each sex, 55 he goes on to shew, that women excel us in devotion, chastity, modesty, charity, good faith, forgiveness, and parental affection; and enumerates the various arts and attractions which give them so strong an ascendancy over us. She by reserve and awful meekness reigns; Her sighs are edicts, her caresses chains. Why has she tones with speaking music strung? Eyes, eloquent beyond the mortal tongue? And looks that vanquish, till, on nerveless knee, Men gaze, and grow with gazing, weak as she? We wonder it should not have occurred to our author to place woman in the most interesting situation possible, by representing her as the sweet soother of our cares amid the storms of adversi ty, and ready to endure deep and protracted anguish for the sake of the object beloved. These beautiful lines from Marmion might have furnished him with the hint "Oh Woman! in our hours of ease, By the light quivering aspen made, Or these from Dodsley's fragment, entitled "The Wife," Does fortune smile, how grateful must it 56 Illustrations of Literary History. often excelled in the compass of modern poetry. There is a language by the virgin made, "Tis written on her cheeks and meaning In one short glance whole volumes it avows; shower From orient rays new striking on a flower, rise, And angels own the language of the skies. p. 81. There is much of the pathetic tenderness of Byron in this passage. The next will be found very strongly to resemble the elegant simplicity of Goldsmith. Light specks of fleecy gold bestrew the skies, The dewy ox is on his knee to rise; The mist rolls off in eddies-smokes begin From opening cots, and all is still within. The pastoral family due task prepare For whetted scythe, the milk pail, and the share; And haste where lark and zephyr, rill and Mix harmless their primeval minstrelsy. train Run with spread pinions and dispute the grain: Another up her rested pitcher heaves, Else spinning, pats her busy foot, and trills While clatter'd plates, and roots in hurry Announce her good man trudging from the field. P. 94. [Aug. 1, She flies, and hides-he follows, not remiss A struggle, yielded soon, and pleased com- tion, of which the following is a part: Nor renders ill for ill, nor tongue for tongue; crown. The harp and homely needle can command; Her very maxims wear a gay disguise. She holds in eye that conquest youth achiev❜d, Wishing Mr. B. such a wife, we take our leave of him, sincerely hoping to meet him again ere long, and once more to have an opportunity of offering to the III. Illustrations of the Literary Histoworld our testimony of his merits. ry of the Eighteenth Century, consisting of authentic Memoirs, and original Letters of eminent Persons, and intended as a Sequel to the Literary Anecdotes. By John Nichols, F.S.A. Vol. III. 8vo. pp. 848." Another variegated treat for the gourfind much substantial information as well mands of literature, at which they will as entertainment. Though the volume be bulky, and is closely printed, it may be adduced as an exception to the ancient proverb, that a great book is a great evil. On the contrary, we hail with pleasure collections of this nature, when they are judiciously formed, and at which, to use a homely phrase, there tribution to the stock of literary histois cut and come again. The present conry, cannot fail to gratify the most craving curiosity, and at a future period, it will be resorted to as a text-book of reference on the subjects of which it treats, and the persons whose memoirs and correspondence it records. A considerable portion of the contents is devoted to the Hardinge family, the valuable communi 1818.] Lucien Buonaparte-Iceland. cation of the late worthy, ingenious, and facetious Welch judge, of whom a good portrait is given as a frontispiece, followed by another excellent one of his father. The other graphic illustrations are, portraits of Bishops Smallbridge, Tanner, and Lyttelton: Dr. Ducarel, Mr. Thomas Martin, Mr. John Ives, Charles Townley, and the sour-faced, splenetic Joseph Ritson. We look for another volume with sharpened expectation; for, as the French epicures say, "the appetite comes by eating," IV. Memoirs of the Private and Political Life of Lucien Buonaparte, Prince of Caning. Translated from the French. 2 vols. 8vo. We are told, in the preliminary advertisement to this work, that the memoirs were printed at Paris in 1815; but that, when on the point of coming out, some unexpected obstacles arose, which induced the bookseller to suspend the publication, and the whole impression remained on his hands, until it was shortly after destroyed. A copy, however, escaped, and with some additions, now makes its appearance in this country, where it is extremely difficult to keep secret memoirs from public view. Who the author of the present work is, we do not know, and therefore have it not in our power to judge of the degree of credit that may be due to him as an historian. Yet there evidently runs through the narrative a characteristic air of personal intimacy with the subject, or a confidential tone, if we may so express it, that marks the familiarity of acquaintance. The anecdotes of Lucien, his brother Napoleon, and their mother, Madame Letitia, have all the appearance of originality, and render the volumes extremely amusing. V. Iceland: or, the Journals of a Residence in that Island during the Years 1814 and 1815. By Ebenezer Henderson. 2 vols. 8vo. The ingenious author of this narrative is a native of North Britain, who, being well acquainted with the Scandinavian dialects, was employed by the British and Foreign Bible Society in superintending an impression of the Icelandic version of the Scriptures, and in establishing an auxiliary branch of the institution in Denmark. Having completed these engagements, he made a voyage to Iceland, for the purpose of circulating copies of the sacred oracles, which had been printed under his inspection. This mission NEW NONTHLY MAG,-No. 55. 57 took him up above twelve months, during which he traversed that extraordinary island in different directions; and as he enjoyed opportunities to which other travellers were necessarily strangers, his work acquires peculiar value on account of the additional knowledge which it brings to view. respecting the natural history of the country, and the manners of its inhabitants. Considering the interest which is excited by the expedition now engaged in exploring the hyperborean seas, these volumes cannot fail to command particular attention at this time; and they will on that account, no doubt, be very generally read; but they possess, beyond this temporary attraction, much valuable matter, particularly in regard to the Icelandic history the author has brought together a numand geology. In a neat introduction, ber of curious facts, selected from sources land, and such as throw considerable not commonly to be met with in Englight upon the early portion of our own written in a style of pious simplicity, annals. The detail which follows, is mind imbued with various learning, through which, however, appears a and well qualified to explore and describe the wonders of nature. On the volcamuch has been written by intelligent obnic structure of this northern island servers, whose love of science has in duced them to visit its rugged and barsent visitor to make us intimately acren shore. But it was left to the prephenomena which here combine to asto quainted with the natural and moral nish the more favoured inhabitants of Europe. Instead of meeting with a churlish, ignorant, and half-civilized race of people, amidst snowy mountains and sterile ravines of calcareous rocks, we are surprised to see a general spirit of hospitable kindness, warmed by religious sentiment, and heightened into affection by the love of letters. Such, in brief, is the character of the Icelanders as drawn, we doubt not most faithfully, by the present writer, who had the best and most ample means of observing both them and their country. V1. Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816; undertaken by Order of the French Government; comprising an Account of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, &c. &c. By J. B. Henry Savigny and Alexander. Correard. 8vo. 1 The last peace having restored some of the ancient French settlements on the coast of Africa to their former posses. Vor, X. I 58 Shipwreck of the Medusa-Bramsen's Travels. sors, a squadron was dispatched for Senegal, consisting of the Medusa frigate, a corvette, and two other vessels. The ships sailed from the roads of Aix, June 17, 1816, but were parted either by the weather, or through negligence; and that the latter was the cause appears most likely, from the narrative of what followed. Instead of keeping a proper look-out, the officers of the Medusa, regardless of the appearances of shoal water, which were indubitable, made no alteration in their course; and the consequence was, as might have been foreseen, that the ship struck on the 2d of July. Here commences a narrative the most harrowing that we ever remembered to have read in the history of shipwrecks. About one hundred and fifty souls were embarked on a raft, the rest remaining by the vessel, or getting into the boats. The history of the raft, however, constitutes the subject of the present story, than which a more dreadful one cannot be well conceived; for, either by accident or design, this machine, being cut adrift, was driven about at the mercy of the waves for the space of thirteen days, during which the unhappy beings upon it suffered all possible hardships, and became so desperate as to contend most furiously with each other. Fifteen only survived out of the number, who were picked up by one of the vessels belonging to the expedition, and conveyed to Fort Louis, in Senegal. In addition to this pitiable tale, which is related by two of the principal sufferers on the raft, an account is given of the rest of the crew of the Medusa, who escaped the wreck in the long-boat. [Aug. 1, the eldest son of Sir John Maxwell; so that the authenticity of the narrative being set at rest, the reader may set out in the perusal with confidence. From Leith the author proceeds to Gottenburgh, and passing rapidly through Sweden,arrives at Stralsund, at the time when that part of the continent was agitated between hopes and fears during the great struggle with the French after the invasion of Russia. At Berlin we are amused by anecdotes of Frederic the Great, some of which we had read before, and one or two of Buonaparte the Little, whose vanity and cupidity are here strikingly exhibited. A very animated sketch is given of Vienna, and the description of Hungary is no less picturesque. At Trieste, the travellers found an English ship of war, the captain of which gave them a passage to Corfu, from whence they hastened to Zante, and after a little delay, took their departure for Alexandria in a Greek vessel, the captain of which is noticed for his ignorance. The account of Alexandria is brief, owing to the shortness of the author's stay at that place; but the particulars that follow, make more than amends for the deficiency. Though much novelty ought not to be expected in the description of a route so often passed, and of places so frequently visited, the reader who has gone through the elaborate works of Niebuhr, Pocock, and more recent voyagers, will derive considerable pleasure from the perusal of this writer's observations on the scenery of Egypt and Syria, and the manners of the inhabitants. At Athens, an occasion offers of paying a handsome compliment to Lord Elgin, which is accompanied, however, by some sarcastic remarks on Dr. Clarke, of Cambridge, that might, we think, have been occurred to our travellers at Otranto, as well spared.-A singular adventure where they were treated as the members of an embassy from the king of England to Joachim Murat; but this was merely a political artifice of the usurper to deceive the Calabrians. Some curious When we glanced over the title-page anecdotes of Joachim's court, and an of these volumes, the idea of Gemelli English lady of the highest rank, follow; came immediately across the mind, and and thus Naples, which is but a hacknied we could hardly get rid of the persuasion subject of itself, becomes very amusing that some ingenious modern had profit- from these circumstances. Rome is clased by the example of that lively Ita- sically described; as also is the remainlian in composing the history of a touring part of Italy through which the auround the world by his fire-side. The preface, however, assures us, that the letters actually contain remarks made in the course of a long and variegated route, performed in company with VII. Letters of a Prussian Traveller, de- thor and his companion passed to the Austrian states, and thence to Hamburg, Holland and England. The author makes a needless apology for his style, which is neat, flowing, and energetic. 1818.] New Publications, with Critical Remarks. COLONIAL. A Letter to a friend relative to the present State of the Island of Dominica. By Langford Lovell, Esq. 8vo. pp. 39. We have here a very distressing picture of the little island of Dominica, drawn by the hand of a person too well acquainted with the facts to be mistaken, and evidently too much under the guidance of religious truth to misrepresent. A series of calamities has devastated that spot, and deteriorated the property of the planters; but we are sorry to find that complaints exist against the government at home, on account of an apparent inattention to the sufferings of the colony. The case is plainly stated; the circumstances cannot be denied; and we trust that this pathetic narrative and temperate remonstrance will have such an effect upon persons in authority, as to be the means of improving the condition of the island. COMMERCE. European Commerce, or Complete Mercantile Guide to the Continent of Europe; comprising an Account of the Trade of all the principal Cities of the Continent,Tables of Monies, Measures, &c. with their proportion to those of England, the local Regulations of each Place, &c. &c. By C.W. Rordanz. 8vo. 21s. DIVINITY. Sermons on the first Lessons of the Sunday Morning Service, from the first to the thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, together with four Sermons on other Subjects. 8vo. 10s. 6d. An Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, illustrated with Maps and Fac-similes of Biblical MSS. By Thomas Hartwell Horne, A. M. In 3 large vols. 8vo. 21. 2s. DRAMA. The Family Shakspeare, in which nothing is added to the original text; but those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read in a Family. By Thos. Bowdler, Esq. F. R. S. and S. A. 10 vols. royal 18mo. 31. 3s. EDUCATION. Conversations on Algebra; being an Introduction to the first principles of that Science. By William Cole. 12mo. 7s. The Algebraist's Assistant; being a Compendium of Algebra upon the Plan of Walkinghame's Tutor's Assistant, designed as a Question Book for the Use of Schools and Private Study. By James Harris, Teacher of the Mathematics. 12mo. 4s. New Exercises in Orthography; containing Selections from the most admired Authors in Prose and Verse, upon a new Plan. By Joseph Guy, jun. 1s. boards. The School Fellows; a Moral Tale. By the Author of the Twin Sisters, &c. 12mo. 4s, bound. -D'Oisy's Dictionary of the Difficulties of the French Language. 8vo. 59. 59 Gautier's Idioms of the French Language. 12mo. 5s. Praval's French Syntax. 12mo. 4s. FINE ARTS. A Series of Outline Designs, illustrative of the Poem of Thalaba the Destroyer; by Robert Southey, Esq. Poet Laureat. GEOGRAPHY. Elementary Tables of Practical Geography, in two large folio sheets. By J. Gould. These tables are constructed on a simple principle for the information of students in geography, who may here observe at a glance all places within the same parallel of latitude or longitude. They are well calculated to exercise the memory of pupils, and may properly be hung up in schools and studies by the side of Dr. Priestley's useful charts of history and biography. GEOLOGY. A short Introduction to the Study of Geology; comprising a new Theory of the Elevation of the Mountains, and the Stratification of the Earth; in which the Mosaic Account of the Creation and the Deluge is indicated. By Joseph Sutcliffe, A. M. 8vo. pp. 70. Assuming it as a primary principle, that fluidity was the original state of the chaos out of which the earth was formed, this writer proceeds to account for the elevation of mountains, and the disposition of the strata on the process of expansion and chrystalization. He was led to this simple theory, he says, by seeing, one day during winter, a bowl of lard, whose surface was tossed up into ridges of hills, and on inquiring the cause, found that the melted fat had been suddenly removed to a current of very cold air in the dairy. The congelation had been so rapid, that the horizontal strata had been broken and elevated to various oblique positions, and many of them made vertical, and some of the vertical had become inclined to the opposite way." From the time that I investigated this phenomenon," observes Mr. Sutcliffe," I abandoned all the old theories of Geologists, which suppose continents and mountains to have been elevated by latent heat; because I considered the same law which sported with the strata of the lard, as efficient to sport with the strata of the earth." Whatever may be thought of this inge nious speculation, the reader will find much agreeable matter in the tract, which contains a very able elucidation of the Mosaic history of the creation and deluge. LAW. An Abridgement of all the Custom Laws in Force in Ireland, &c. By John Heron, of his Majesty's Customs, Dublin. 8vo. 11. Is. MEDICINE, SURGERY, &c. An Inquiry into the Probability of Mr. Hunter's Theory of Life. New edition. 8vo. 4s. 6d. |