Page images
PDF
EPUB

INSCRIPTION FOR A TOMB.

By W. Ainslie, M.D.

"Sub hoc marmore."

BENEATH this humble stone he lies,

Who now nor sees the tears which flow,
Nor hears nor heeds those rending cries,
Nor can relieve thy widow'd woe.
Cold is the hand, you vainly thought,

While lock'd in thine, could never die;
And blank those orbs, which fondly sought
New life and light from Mary's eye.
Mute, too, the trembling tongue, which sigh'd
A last farewell in Mary's ear;

Like autumn's whispering breeze, that hied
And left us to the gelid year.
Forever still that wayward heart,

Whose chief delight was love of thee,
Whose latest pang was grief to part,
Whose hope was immortality!
No!-not forever cold the hand,

Nor mute the tongue, nor blank the ray;
Again, at Heaven's supreme command,
He'll wake to everlasting day!
When purified from earthly ill,

Sustain'd by a Redeemer's care,

He'll live, where time no more can kill,
And love, where love knows no despair!

THE DARK KNIGHT.-A BALLAD.

By Henry G. Bell.

THERE came a dark knight from a far countrie,
And no one ever saw his face, for he
Wore his black vizor down continuallie.

He came to a gay bridal, where the bride Stood, in rich robes, her destined lord beside, Who gazed upon her with a joyful pride.

And there was music in the sunny sky,
And mirthful voices made a glad reply,—
And there was music in the young bride's eye.

Yet ever and anon her look would fall
On the dark knight who stood apart from all,—
Dark as his shadow, moveless on the wall.

The words were spoken, and the bridal o'er, And now the mirth grew louder than before; Why stands the dark knight silent at the door?

The hour grows late, and one by one depart
The guests, with bounding step and merry heart,-
Methought I saw that new-wed ladie start.

None in her father's hall are left but she
And her young bridegroom, who, as none may see,
Hath twined his arm around her lovinglie.

Yes, there is still a third-the vizor'd knight,-
Mark you the glancing of his corslet bright,
Mark you his eye that glares with such strange light?

He moves on slowly through the lofty room, And as he moves there falls a deeper gloom,— That heavy tread, why sounds it of the tomb?

And through the castle there was stillness deep, A drearier stillness than the calm of sleep,Closer, in silent awe, the lovers creep.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

IN a late number we announced that a work was in progress among the students at Glasgow, to be called the Athenæum ; and we are now informed that, early in April, a rival publication will appear, edited by students of the same University, to be entitled, The College Album for 1830.

We learn that there will shortly appear in Glasgow, a work entitled Memoirs of the Rev. William Wilson, A.M. Minister of the Gospel at Perth, one of the four brethren, the founders of the Secession Church, and Professor of Theology to the Associate Presbytery, with Brief Sketches of the State of Religion in Scotland for fifty years immediately posterior to the Revolution, including a circumstantial account of the origin of the Secession. The work is from the pen of a Divine in the west country.

We understand that the forthcoming Number of the New Monthly Magazine will contain, amongst other articles, an interesting and graphic narrative of an attack, by banditti, on Messis Dickson and Neville, on the Plains of Puebla, in November, 1828, when the latter gentleman was killed. Though Mr Dickson received no fewer than nineteen wounds, he has survived to write the account of his extraordinary escape.

It has been stated in the newspapers, that Captain Dillon, whose recent voyage threw light on the fate of La Pérouse, has been engaged by the French Government to make another voyage of discovery, connected with the same event. This is not the case, the object of the intended voyage being of quite a different nature.

At a trade sale, a few days ago, in London, Lord Byron's executors sold the copyright of sixty-five of his Lordship's minor poems. A keen competition took place between Mr Murray and Mr Colburn, but the lot was at last knocked down to the former at the enormous sum of 3700 guineas. The copyright of Don Juan was next sold, and was bought by the executors of Lord Byron at the very moderate price of 310 guineas-not, we hope, with any view of suppres sion.

The Lives of the Bishops of Bath and Wells, from the earliest to the present period, by the Rev. S. Hyde Cassan, are announced.

The First Book of the Iliad, containing the parting of Hector and Andromache, and the description of the Shield of Achilles, being a specimen of a new translation of Homer, in heroic verse, by William Sotheby, is in the press.

Derwentwater, or the fate of Ratcliffe, a Tale of 1715, will shortly be published.

A work, entitled an Enquiry into the Production and Consumption of the precious metals, and on the influence of their augmentation or diminution on the commerce of the world, by Mr Jacob, is announced.

Mr Thomas Moore is preparing a Life of Petrarch, for Dr Lardner's Cyclopædia. It is not unlikely that the analogies pointed out in the Life of Byron between that poet and Petrarch suggested the present work.

Miss A. M. Porter, the well-known novelist, has in the press the Barony, a Romance.

Travels in Russia, and a Residence in St Petersburg and Odessa, in the years 1827, 8, and 9, by Edward Morton, M. B., are preparing. Moore's Loves of the Angels have been translated into French verse by M. Eugene Ernoux, and are much relished by la grande nation.

The genuine Memoirs of Sanson, the public executioner, are shortly to appear, in four octavo volumes, at Paris. Sanson was an extraordinary individual; he possessed a magnificent library, was much attached to study and the sciences, and regularly attended the courses of natural history at the Jardin des Plantes. He states the following among other reasons for retaining his situation as executioner during the Reign of Terror: " A wretch chosen in my place by the tyrants would have added to their outrages. I was sure to preserve the respect which was due, and not to add insults to the anguish of mortal throes."-This is the march of intellect with a vengeance! The literature and philosophy of a hangman!

GORTON'S TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY.-In the first number of this new work, which the southern critics have been praising at a great rate for accuracy and all other excellences, we meet with the

following piece of information :-" Achary Loch, a small lake in French Company have also sustained some heavy losses. M. Cloup's Scotland, formed by the river Taith." We have heard of Loch Ach-wardrobe, valued at L.1600, has been totally consumed. The Theatre ray, and the river Teith, but of the Loch and River mentioned by was uninsured, owing to the high premium demanded for buildings Mr Gorton we are entirely ignorant. of this description. Neither Covent Garden nor Drury Lane are in

ELOCUTION-MR ROBERTS.-We think it right again to remind our readers that this gentleman, who labours hard to diffuse a taste for a branch of education too much neglected among us, is to deliver, to-day, his rhetorical Lecture and Readings. We understand that Mr Roberts, having found it impossible to obtain, as a mere teacher of elocution, that independence for himself and family which is the great object of all honourable industry, proposes returning to the stage, though, of course, he will still continue his classes. We are not aware that he has as yet entered into any engagement with Mr Murray; but we certainly think that he would form a useful and respectable addition to the company; and, considering the footing he has acquired in Edinburgh, we should be sorry to see him obliged to join any other establishment than the Theatre Royal.

NEW MUSIC.-We have been favoured with a copy of a new Song,sured. A free benefit is to be given at the Italian Opera House to -the music composed by Mrs Orme, and the words by Mr Robert the unfortunate French actors. The English Opera House will be reChambers, from the Literary Journal,-"O,[maid, unloving but be-built with all convenient speed, and the site of it partly changed, it loved." The melody is exceedingly spirited and beautiful, and finely having been for some time wished to open a new street where it foradapted to the words. Mrs Orme is likewise about to publish an- merly stood.-A new piece, called "The Heart of London, or the other song, the words also taken from the Literary Journal-"I've Sharper's Progress," has been brought out with success at the Adelloved thee, Mary Jamieson"-of which we are in like manner able to phi. It contains a number of disgusting scenes of the lowest life in speak highly. We conceive that this lady's musical talents have London.-Donzelli and Blasis are, as yet, the only attractions at the only to be known in order to be appreciated. King's Theatre, which continues to be poorly attended.- Malibran has become the mania in Paris.-Dowton, Horne, Calcraft, Miss Smithson, and Miss Byfield,lare the principal attractions in Dublin at present.-Mademoiselle Rosier, "from the Royal Academy of music and dancing," (!) is at present performing in Ducrow's Amphitheatre at Liverpool.-Vandenhoff had a well-attended benefit here on Monday last; but the performances, which consisted principally of acts from different plays, were rather hotch-potchy. On Tuesday evening, Miss Jarman made her first appearance in the part of Jeanie Deans, which she played with fine effect and great truth to nature. On Wednesday, Young commenced an engagement of twelve nights in the character of Iago, which is one of his best, and to which he never did more justice. OLD CERBERUS informs us that he will have something to say concerning Young next Saturday. Miss Mitford's new Tragedy of "Rienzi" is in rehearsal. Mr Murray is making extensive preparations for the production of Masaniello, which will be brought out on the termination of Mr Young's engagement. New scenery and dresses are getting ready, and the assistance of a corps de ballet will probably be obtained. Mr Wilson is to play Masaniello. We observe that Braham gives a morning concert here on Tuesday, at which Miss Eliza Paton, Miss Phillips, and Mr Wilson, are to sing. Mr Braham proceeds afterwards to Liverpool, where he is to sing at the subscription concerts along with Mr and Madame Stockhausen. He gave a concert upon Tuesday last at Aberdeen, on the conclusion of his theatrical engagement there, which was well attended.-Talking of Aberdeen, we observe it is announced in the

HINTS FOR THE DISCOURAGEMENT OF FAMILIARITY.-Never accept a pinch of snuff, nor the share of an umbrella, from a stranger. Never allow a looker-on to hold your partner's shawl, scarf, or fan, while you are dancing a quadrille. Never, on any account, permit one you do not know to save you from drowning when you are sinking in deep water for the third and last time. If you are knocked down at night by a brace of blackguards, never acknowledge the officiousness of a passer-by who interferes in your behalf. Should your house take fire, and any one, at great personal hazard, rescue your wife and child, inform him that such freedoms will not be per

mitted in future.

be honoured with the patronage of the gentlemen composing the Little Club." Who the " gentlemen composing the Little Club" are, we are sorry we do not know. Is it Thomas Little, or Little in contradistinction to Six Feet?-We understand that Miss Isabella Paton will probably appear on the stage here for a few nights, about the end of April or beginning of May.

SAT.
MON.
TUES.

WED.
THURS.

WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES.
Feb. 20-26.

As You Like it, & William Shakspeare.

A Shakspearian Olio, & William Shakspeare.

Waverley, & The Heart of Mid-Lothian.

Othello, & Free and Easy.

NEWS FROM GLASGOW.-Alexander's Theatre is thriving, and the manager is supposed to be clearing about a hundred pound weekly.newspapers of that city, that on the 4th of March "the Theatre will During Mathews's visit, he must have made much more. His company, however, still continues indifferent; but Vandenhoff and Miss Jarman are to visit him in a few weeks. It is a pity that Seymour's rival house, which is now much improved in appearance, is not in a more central situation. Seymour has a pretty fair company, of which the chief attraction at present is Fanny Ayton, who is at once an accomplished singer, a clever actress, and a young lady of engaging manners. By the way, if Murray is about to bring out Masaniello, would he not find her of service? The Patent question between the two Glasgow Theatres is still open.-There was a good Concert a few evenings ago, at which the] native talent of Miss Thomson and Mr Nicol was aided by Miss Inverarity and Mr Murray.-The Glasgow artists are glad to see that their Brown, Gibson, Henderson, and, above all, Graham, who, though resident in Edinburgh, belongs to Glasgow, make so respectable a figure in the Edinburgh Exhibition. As miniature painters, Paillou, Robertson, and M'Nee, are also fast rising to celebrity. The Exhibition in Glasgow, next summer, promises to be excellent.-The Dilettanti Society, now under the zealous and able presidentship of Mr Smith of Jordanhill, is increasing in efficiency every day, and is preparing to establish a Life Academy and School of Drawing in Glasgow. A collection of casts from the antique, &c., is likewise about to be made.-Mr Smith, who is in the direction of the Andersonian University, has also organised a series of meet. ings, or soirees, to be held weekly, within the walls of that Institution, on the same plan as those which take place in the Royal Insti. tution in Albemarle Street. Tea and coffee will follow the reading of a paper or delivery of a lecture; and most of the Glasgow literati have promised their support.-The literary society of the town has made a valuable acquisition in the person of Mr Motherwell, now editor of the Courier, formerly of the Paisley Advertiser.-Another alteration has taken place in the newspapers ;-the Scots Times appears twice a-week, without any diminution of the spirit and talent it exhibited in its single hebdomadal appearance.-Mr Bennet of the Free Press is about to publish a goodly post octavo in three volumes. -Besides the newspapers, there are no less than three weekly journals, the Thistle, the Camera Obscura, and the Opera Glass. latter, there has been some clever writing.

In the

Theatrical Gossip.-The destruction of the English Opera House by fire, has, for the last ten days, been the principal topic of conversation in the theatrical circles of the metropolis. "At half-past twelve on Monday night," says the Court Journal of Saturday last, "we were witnessing the close of Potier's delightful performances, Le Beneficiere, and Le Cuisinier de Buffon, in presence of a brilliant audience, consisting of the elite of fashionable life; and two hours afterwards, we were witnessing the whole scene in question a volume of fire, blazing up to the clouds, and speedily level with the ground!" The loss to Mr Arnold, the proprietor, is estimated at L.40,000. The Managers of the

FRI.

Venice Preserved, He Lies like Truth, & Charles Edward
Stuart.

Julius Cæsar, & The Heart of Mid-Lothian.

TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

WE shall positively have to publish half a dozen additional Numbers one of these Saturdays, else our extra matter will lock up all the types of the Ballantyne Press.

Reviews of Sir Thomas Munro's Memoirs, and of several interesting works, though in types, are unavoidably postponed.-We have been obliged to curtail the Letter from Glasgow, which we were more willing to do than to allow it to stand over till its contents became stale.-Our Dublin Correspondent writes to us that the Theatre there is quite neglected, and no exhibitions are'yet open.-"P." is mistaken in supposing that we are" ill pleased at his long letter."

The" Sonnet" by Thomas Brydson shall have a place.-We cannot conscientiously say that we greatly admire the long Poem with which "B." has favoured us.-The Verses "To my Sister Ellen** are in types." Norah O'Conner," and the Stanzas "To Orynthia," do not strike us as their clever author's most successful efforts.broath, are good, and shall be forwarded to him.-"The Elder's The "Lines Inscribed to Alexander Maclaggan," by "M." of ArGrave" does not quite come up to our standard.-The "Ode to Music," and the "Lines on seeing an Infant at Play," will not suit us.

[No. 68, February 27, 1850.] ADVERTISEMENTS,

Connected with Literature, Science, and the Arts.

THE EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL;

OR,

WEEKLY REGISTER OF CRITICISM AND BELLES LETTRES.

"The truth is-and truth, like murder, will out-that the Edin burgh Literary Journal has no equal in Scotland, scarcely a superior in England."-Carlisle Patriot.

"We suppose that many of our readers are natives of the north countree. To such we should recommend the Edinburgh Literary Journal, a weekly Register of Criticism and Belles Lettres, to which the greater number of distinguished Scottish writers are regular contributors."The Spirit and Manners of the Age.

"The highest compliment that we can offer to the conductors of this periodical, (and these embrace the greatest names known to our literature,) must go forth to them in the simple statement, that we value it for its research, its animation, and its variety, more than any other weekly brochure that comes to our office. We have nothing to do but open the Edinburgh Literary Journal, when we wish to se

THIS Periodical being now established in a very lect some piquant morsel for the entertainment of our own readers.

extensive and still increasing circulation, the Proprietors feel themselves entitled to recommend it strongly to public attention. Besides the earliest and most impartial Reviews of all New Works of interest, it contains weekly miscellaneous articles, in prose and verse, from many of the most eminent writers of the day. The two First Volumes are now completed, and no exertions will be spared to render the contents of the third still more varied and interesting.

The following testimonials, taken at random from many others, show the estimation in which the JOURNAL is held in Scotland, England, and Ireland:

In its reviews of historical books it is profound and philosophic. It treats scientific subjects with all the master's acumen, and seems familiar with every thing that is encompassed within the sweeter and brighter walks of the light departments of literature-those, particu larly, that lead to the cultivation of poetry, the fine arts, and, indeed, the Belles Lettres generally. We have already made several extracts from this admirabie Literary Journal, and at the earliest opportunity shall continue to turn it to account,"-Dublin Freeman's Journal

In the press, and will be published on Wednesday,

"From what I know of the Editor, a gentleman of talent, spirit, and perseverance, I foretel the book will prosper."-CHRISTOPHER SERMONS on the CHARACTERS of the SEVEN

NORTH, in Blackwood's Magazine for November, 1828.

"We have watched the progress of this able and enterprising periodical with no common interest. The Edinburgh Literary Journal has already become part and parcel of the existing system of our periodical literature, and will soon, we are convinced, be as thoroughly incorporated therein, as the Edinburgh Review or Blackwood's Magazine. Its success, indeed, has been quite extraordinary, and would be somewhat difficult to account for, did we not look to the array of distinguished names which appear in the list of its contributors, and to the singularly varied, spirited, and attractive articles, whether in the shape of reviews or original essays, which diversify and adorn its columns."-Caledonian Mercury.

"As far as the Journal is concerned, we will venture to say, that no weekly publication in Britain has been conducted with greater spirit, or has secured a greater number of first-rate contributions. In the critical department, we hold Mr Bell to have few rivals. When he sets himself, whether gravely or gaily, to dissect a book, no critic that we are acquainted with-excepting perhaps the inimitable Christopher North, when in what he calls a merciful humour-can outdo him. If his fancy sometimes runs riot-as in his Slippers, for instance-and his wit sometimes cuts deeper than groundlings admire, what is it but the effervescence of a mind, enriched by an mexhaustible and irrepressible flow of original and brilliant ideas."-Edinburgh Observer.

"For various kinds of work, the Editor is a host within himself; his range, in fact, includes the wide extremes of a song and a sermon,' and we may truly say of him in the words of the proverb, that ⚫ nothing seems to come wrong he puts his hand to. In addition to this, he has excellent backing, by means of which he is enabled to present the public with a weekly bill of fare, prepared by some of the first cooks of which Scotland can boast at present."-Dumfries Courier.

"Our readers do not require to be informed of the high estimation in which we hold the Edinburgh Literary Journal. Since the commencement of our undertaking, scarcely a week has passed in which we have not gratified a very great number of our readers, by transferring to our columns some part of its valuable contents. When we consider how many able individuals are engaged in supporting the Journal, by their literary exertions, we cannot wonder at the unexampled success which it has experienced. The number before us contains a greater variety of able literary articles than we have ever before met with in any similar publication."-Aberdeen Observer.

"The last number of this hebdomadal is perhaps the most remarkable thing of the kind ever published in this country. It is full of literary gems, forming the most delightful melange of criticism, stories, sketches, essays, poetry and varieties, we ever saw compressed into four-and-twenty closely printed pages. We doubt whether any work in Great Britain, of three times the bulk and pretension, can exhibit such an illustrious list of contributors."-Dundee Courier. "When this enterprising periodical was first announced we viewed the circumstance as offering, in the tried abilities and zeal of the Editor, and in the extent of his resources, the prospect of supplying a desideratum in the literature of Scotland. Our sentiments on this subject, judging from the numerous editions of our article in other papers, must have expressed those of the public: it, therefore, gives us additional pleasure to state now, that, by the progress of the work, these anticipations have been most amply realised. The success of the Journal, in fact, has been altogether unprecedented."Ayr Advertiser.

"We would have much pleasure in recommending it, if any encomium of ours could extend the circulation of a paper so moderate in price, and conveying so much useful as well as amusing information." Greenock Advertiser.

"We always open this periodical with pleasure. It is eminently calculated to instruct and entertain, and we are glad to find that it has met with success proportionable to its deserts. Throughout the whole work there runs a good-humoured riant vein, which, in these melancholy times, is peculiarly pleasing."-Paisley Advertiser.

"This periodical not only continues to hold a distinguished rank among the hebdomadal productions of the day, but, we are assured, has obtained a circulation far more extensive than even its warmest friends could reasonably expect. Its claims to public patronage are

CHURCHES in ASIA, described in the Book of REVELATION. To which is added, TWO SERMONS on the Distinction between SECRET and REVEALED things in Religion.

By WILLIAM MUIR, D.D.
Minister of St Stephen's Church, Edinburgh.
WAUGH and 1NNES, Edinburgh; M. OGLE, Glasgow; and WHIT
TAKER and Co., London.

MR GLEIG'S NEW WORK.
In 2 vols. post 8vo,

THE COUNTRY CURATE. By the Author of

"The Subaltern."

CONTENTS.-The Pastor-The Poacher-The SchoolmistressThe Shipwreck-The Fatalist-The Smugglers-The Suicide-The Miser-Tke Rose of East Kent and the Parish Apprentice.

"Few persons can have forgotten the sensation which was produced by the appearance of Crabbe's Village Tales. What Mr Crabbe did in poetry, the author of the Country Curate has effected in prose; his materials, like those of Mr Crabbe, being collected from real life in some of its remarkable forms. The story of the Poacher, for example, contains the history of a singular character, who lived not long ago in a village near Ashford. The Miser, again, died about ten years ago, after having served a cure in Romney Marsh, upwards of a quarter of a century; and the Parish Apprentice ran his course within the memory of the last generation; his career is a very extraordinary, though a very honourable one. The same may be said of each of the remaining sketches, which describe a variety of character."-Courier.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and Sold by BELL and BRADFUTL, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

Just published,

In 2 vols. 8vo, with a Map, 278. boards,

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT of DISCOVERIES

and TRAVELS in NORTH AMERICA; including the United States, Canada, the Shores of the Polar Sea, and the Voyages in search of a North-West Passage; with Observations on Emigration.

By HUGH MURRAY, Esq. F.R.S.E.
Author of Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in Africa,
Asia, &c.

"Mr Murray has conferred a substantial favour, not only on the literary world, but on the public generally. Either by good fortune, or by felicity of tact, he has moulded his work into that popular form which combines, in due proportions, amusement with instruction; he has interspersed with his historical details various traits of individual adventure, and sketches of national character and manners." London Literary Gazette.

"In one word, this is a work which teems with important information, and from which more real profit may be derived than from a whole cartload of the ephemeral productions of the day."-Edinburgh Literary Journal.

The work before us is undoubtedly the best that has fallen under our notice since we commenced our critical career.In this department of literary labour, to which Mr Murray principally confines his attention, he is second to none, and superior to'almost all, of his contemporaries who devote themselves to the same pursuits."'—Edinburgh Literary Gazette.

"It is in truth a neat compendium of all the knowledge which exists on the subject."-Edinburgh Courant.

"Mr Murray, in short, has brought to his task learning, industry, good sense, with a mass of information such as few persons in the kingdom possess; and his work is executed in a style which will establish and extend the fame he has acquired by his previous publications."-Scotsman.

Printed for OLIVER and BOYD, Edinburgh; and LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, and GREEN, London.

DAY AND MARTIN'S BLACKING.

certainly high, it being the first publication of the kind in ScotlandHIS inestimable Composition, with half the combining literary criticism, miscellaneous literature, &c. &c.; and ranking among its contributors many of the most eminent writers of the present day. Every week it produces something new, something instructing and amusing; in short, the object of the learned and ta lented Editor evidently is, to blend the useful with the agreeable, and hitherto his endeavours have been crowned with success."-Berwick Advertiser.

usual labour, produces a most brilliant Jet Black, fully equal to the highest Japan Varnish, affords peculiar nourishment to the leather-will not soil the finest linen-is perfectly free from any unpleasant smell and will retain its virtues in any climate. Sold Wholesale at the Manufactory, 97, High Holborn, and Retail throughout the Kingdom, in Bottles, Pots, and Tin Boxes, at Ed. 1s. and 1s. 6d. each.

[blocks in formation]

and FRANCE.

By Lieutenant-General CHARLES WILLIAM VANE, Marquis of Londonderry, G.C.B., G.C.H., &c. &c.

"That a detailed history of such a war should not yet have appeared is certainly not a little extraordinary; and it must be gratifying, at least to our military circles, to find the desideratum about to be supplied by an eye-witness and a soldier. As an accredited minister, and representative of British interests at the head-quarters of the Allied Sovereigns, as well as in his military capacity, Lord Londonderry had ample opportunities of obtaining the most complete and correct information, with full access to those councils which developed the secret views and objects of the various conflicting parties that prevailed at the eventful period."-Morning Chronicle.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

MR GLEIG'S NEW WORK.

In two vols. 8vo, with fine Portrait,

LIFE and CORRESPONDENCE of Sir THOMAS MUNRO, Bart. K.C.B., late Governor of Madras, with Extracts from his Private Papers.

"The Life and Correspondence of Sir Thomas Munro, just published, may be said to comprehend an accurate history of India, during the last forty-five years, told in the vivid language of one who writes the impressions he feels at the moment. Nor is this the only charm attaching to the work; his private letters to his parents, his sister, and his wife, are as replete with amiability, wit, humour, descriptive talent, and single-heartedness, as his official correspondence is comprehensive of accurate and extensive information; whilst his minutes and papers upon the opening of the trade, the system of internal government, and other questions relative to the general manage ment of British India, will be read at this moment with the deepest interest."-Morning Journal.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

SIR HENRY STEUART-THE COMMITTEE OF THE HIGHLAND SOCIETY-AND MR SANG.

Just published, price One Shilling. STRICTURES ON SIR HENRY STEUART'S "PLANTER'S GUIDE;"

CONTAINING

A Vindication of the Nurserymen and Gardeners of Scotland from the Aspersions cast on them in that Work, and an Exposition of the Singular Fallacy of the Report of the Committee of the Highland Society relative to the Transplanted Trees at Allanton

By EDWARD SANG, Nurseryman, Kirkaldy,
"A Planter of some Experience."

"We are not sorry to see this pamphlet, in which Practical Gardeners are relieved from the aspersions thrown out against them by Sir Henry Steuart. Sir Henry's own merits are carefully estimated; and the Committee of the Highland Society most deservedly censured. We do not know a man more worthy of esteem, both in his professional and moral character, than Mr Sang. Whoever possesses the Planter's Guide, will do well to possess also these Strictures." -Loudon's Mag. No. 24, Feb. 1830.

JOHN ANDERSON, jun. 55, North Bridge Street, Edinburgh; and SIMPKIN and MARSHALL, London.

In 8vo, with a Map of the Route, a View, of Timbuctoo, and other Plates, representing the building of that City,

TRAVELS to TIMBUCTOO, and other Parts of

CENTRAL AFRICA, during the Years 1824, 5, 6, 7, and 8.
By RENE CAILLIE.

Among the geographical problems which, during the last half century, have occupied the attention of the world, and awakened a spirit of enterprise and adventure, the existence of a large and populous city in the heart of Central Africa stands pre-eminent. To decide the long agitated question, various expeditions have been fitted out, but without success. In vain have Houghton, Browne, Horneman, Park, Tuckey, Peddie, Campbell, Gray, Ritchie, Bowditch, Oudeney, Clapperton, Denham and Laing-in vain have Burckhardt, Beaufort, Mollien, and Belzoni, endeavoured to remove the veil that enveloped this mysterious city. Of this number Major Laing alone reached the desired goal; but, through the barbarous murder of that officer, the results of his persevering exertions have been unhappily lost to his country. M. Caillié is the first European who has been enabled to penetrate to Timbuctoo, and to return to Europe with full and accurate information respecting this hitherto unknown capital.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

MEXICO. In 1 vol. 8vo,

With Map, and numerous Illustrations, 16s. LIEUT. HARDY'S TRAVELS in the INTE

RIOR of MEXICO, in 1826, 7, and 8. "This work is certainly one of the most curious and valuable that has ever appeared on the subject of this interesting country. The author travelled far into the interior, and explored many parts never before visited by any European. The inexhaustible resources, productions, and capabilities of this mighty Empire, have, indeed we feel persuaded, never till now been properly known or appreciated." -Court Journal.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and Sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

This day is published,
Price 7s.

Two volumes, neatly bound in cloth,
THE HISTORY

OF

CHIVALRY AND THE CRUSADES. By the Rev. HENRY STEBBING, M.A., M.R.S.L FORMING VOLUMES L. AND LI.

OF

CONSTABLE'S MISCELLANY.

Edinburgh: CONSTABLE & Co., 19, Waterloo Place; and HURST, CHANCE, & Co. London.

This day was published,

Beautifully printed in foolscap, 8vo, price 5s.
ELDRED OF ERIN:

A POEM, in Two Books.

By CHARLES DOYNE SILLERY,

Author of "Vallery; or the Citadel of the Lake."
At lucre or renown let others aim,

I only wish to please the gentle mind,

Whom Nature's charms inspire, and love of all mankind. Edinburgh: Printed for CONSTABLE and Co., and HURST, CHANCE, and Co., London.

Published this day,

In thick 12mo, 7s. 6d. boards,

SKETCHES FROM NATURE.

By JOHN M'DIARMID, DUMFRIES.

CONTENTS.-The Eagle-The Gull; Stock-Gannet; Terraughty Garden-Twelfth of August; Preservation of Game-Fish-Pond at Logan-The Fox; Galloway Huntsman-The Mull of GallowayLangholm and its Environs-The Elephant-Descriptive Sketch; Sailors-The Otter-The Cat; The Bear-Bees-Port-Patrick-The Monkey-The Heron; Castle-Kennedy-Rooks and Rookeries— Gretna-Green-Sculpture-Curling: Mr Carnie's Curling RinkGeneral Assembly; Scottish Clergy-Another Year-Inutility of Aerostation-A Veteran Blacksmith-The Blind Bellman-Mr Gilbert Burns-Mr Thomas White-Mr John Kennedy-Colonel de Peyster-Captain Hugh Clapperton-Mr James Hislop; The Cove. nanters-The Poet's Beechen Tree-Autumn; Winter; Rural Life -St Michael's Church-Yard; Disinterment of the Remains of Robert Burns-The Real History of Jeanie Deans.

Printed for OLIVER and BOYD, Edinburgh; and SIMPKIN and MARSHALL, London. Of whom may be had,

The SCRAP BOOK; a Collection of Amusing and Striking Pieces, in Prose and Verse. With an Introduction, and Occasional Remarks and Contributions, by JOHN M'DIARMID. 5th Edition. 2 vols. post 8vo, 17s. boards.

*** Either Volume may be had separately, price 8s. 6d. boards.

POEMS, by WILLIAM COWPER. To which is prefixed a Memoir of the Author; also Critical Remarks on his Poems. By the Same. 3d Edition. 24mo, 5s. boards.

GOLDSMITH'S VICAR of WAKEFIELD, ESSAYS, and POEMS. With Prefatory Remarks, by the Same. 24mo, 5s. boards.

PAUL and VIRGINIA, and ELIZABETH. New Translations. With Prefatory Remarks, by the Same. 21mo, 3s.

boards.

CAPTAIN CLAPPERTON.

In 2 vols. post 8vo. with Illustrations, 21s. RECORDS OF CAPT. CLAPPERTON'S LAST EXPEDITION TO AFRICA. By RICHARD LANDER,

His faithful Attendant, and only surviving Member of that
Expedition.

"Richard Lander, the assiduous and enterprising young man whose services were so highly valued by the late Captain Clapperton, and who, in Africa, performed the last Christian offices for that lamented traveller, has, under the auspices of Government, again quitted his native land for the scenes of his late perilous labours. He has, however, left behind him a memorial of those scenes and of those labours, in two volumes, just published, under the name of 'Records of Captain Clapperton's last Expedition to Africa,' which are replete with intelligent remarks on the strange habits of the interior African tribes, and offer, besides, the particular charm of various of which the author himself was an actor, and which exhibit collectepisodes, simply, humorously, or feelingly narrated, in the incidents ively a picture of real life, under a form as novel as its locality is remote and singular."-Courier.

HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh.

Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietors, every Saturday Morning,
by CONSTABLE & CO. 19, WATERLOO PLACE;
Sold also by ROBERTSON & ATKINSON, Glasgow; W. CURRY,
jun. & Co., Dublin; HURST, CHANCE, & Co., London; and by
all Newsmen, Postmasters, and Clerks of the Road, throughout
the United Kingdom.

Price 6d.; or Stamped and sent free by post10d.
Printed by BALLANTYNE & Co. Paul's Work, Canongate.

[blocks in formation]

LITERARY CRITICISM.

The Life of Major-General Sir Thomas Munro, Bart. and K. C.B. late Governor of Madras. With Extracts from his Correspondence and Private Papers. By the Rev. G. R. Gleig. In two volumes, 8vo. Pp. 520 and 454. London. Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley. 1830.

SIR THOMAS MUNRO was one of the few great men whose history we peruse without once feeling our pride in belonging to a class of beings capable of such excellence, dashed by the contemplation of weaknesses, the more depressing from the startling contrast they offer to the virtues with which they are allied. He was prompt and decided in action, yet mindful of the feelings and interests of others; he possessed a clear judgment, a warm heart, and no inconsiderable degree of imagination. His turn of mind was essentially practical, and averse to all empty show, yet far removed from being either prosaic or commonplace. But his best eulogium will be the able and judicious biography of Mr Gleig.

Sir Thomas Munro was born at Glasgow on the 27th May, 1761. He was remarkable, while at school, for a peaceable and unoffending disposition, but likewise for the most undaunted courage, and for a strength and activity of frame which enabled him to become an adept in every manly exercise. He kept a high station in his classes, though this was more owing to quickness of apprehension than laborious study. Yet, however ardently attached to active sports, he was by no means deficient in mental industry; for, at an early age, he devoured, with indiscriminate and intense interest, Plutarch, the History of England, Shakspeare and Spencer, Smith's Wealth of Nations, and Don Quixote, in the original Spanish-of which language he had made himself master by his own unaided exertions. His father seems to have spared no pains in cultivating a temper and talents so promising.

His parents were anxious that he should pursue the mercantile profession in his native city, but the total embarrassment caused in the affairs of his father, who was a Virginia merchant, by the American war of independence, sent his son into another line of life. A cadetship in the East India Company's service was procured for him; and in January, 1780, he reached Madras, in the nineteenth year of his age, to fight his way, unaided, through the world. He had little time allowed him for the undisturbed study of the native languages, or of the theory of his own profession, to both of which, however, he devoted himself, for a few months, till the war with Hyder Ali broke out. Munro then commenced a career of active service, which was destined to terminate only with his life. But, notwithstanding his constant employment, he found time to make himself master of a great proportion of the languages spoken in the south of India. From the commencement of hostilities by Hyder in 1780, till the cession of Barramahl by Tippoo in 1792, he was almost constantly in the field. His regular promotion went on as slowly as is usually the case in the Indian army, for, at the end of twelve years, we find him

PRICE 6d.

still lieutenant; but, nevertheless, his talents and gallantry must have been appreciated by his superiors, for he was employed on many services of delicate import. Even during his maiden campaign he lived upon his pay, and all his extra allowances were regularly transmitted to deep attachment, though generally expressed in a sportive, Scotland. His letters to his family breathe a spirit of half-jesting manner-a characteristic of all truly nervous and manly minds, who are uniformly averse to nursing their feelings, and allowing an undue power to sentiment. His letters to his father are generally occupied with details of the military and political events that were taking place around him, and display a reach of comprehension and sagacity of inference far beyond his years and experience. The happy balance of his mind is admirably shown in his power of expatiating with rapture on the beauties of nature, conjoined with a delicate tact for the discovery of spurious enthusiasm.

The cession of the Barramahl to the British by Tippoo Saheb in 1792 induced, for a time, a considerable change in the avocations of young Munro. There was at that period a great deficiency of information among the civil servants of the Company in regard to the state of India and its inhabitants. The slovenly manner in which the territorial government had been managed was a matter of comparative insignificance, as long as the Company's domains comprehended only a comparatively narrow district, in which long use had reconciled the natives to the British supremacy. But the settlement of a newly acquired territory demanded men of nervous character and extensive practical knowledge of the country. Aware of this necessity, Lord Cornwallis placed Capt. Read at the head of the Revenue department in the Barramahl, and that gentleman, being well acquainted with Munro's talents and acquirements, selected him for his assistant. He continued to discharge the duties of this new office till the year 1799. During this period, he was employed in keeping extensive and intricate revenue accounts, corresponding with the board, and travelling from place to place, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the people, and the capabilities and produce of the soil. Amid all this multiplicity of business, he found time to maintain an extensive epistolary intercourse with his friends at home. His letters to his father are, as formerly, chiefly devoted to political and statistical details. Those addressed to his mother, sister, and brothers, discuss, in a cheerful and shrewd manner, questions of all kinds, from family concerns up to the most abstract questions of morals. The most striking feature of his mind, as displayed in these documents, is a spirit of manly independence, united with a rare power of cheerful acquiescence in the situation assigned him.

In 1799, Read, who had now attained the grade of colonel, gave in his resignation, and Munro entertained a hope of being appointed to succeed him; nor, when we consider how instrumental he had been in settling the province, can this be regarded as an unreasonable expectation. The government at Madras were, however, by this time too well aware of his talents to admit of his wish being attended to. The province of Canara, on the west

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »