O, deep the joy and fine the feeling, The true heart owns through its quick veins stealing; The ripples are rising upon the lake, By the wandering zephyrs upward blown, When beauty's breath blends with our own. Was rising up from its resting place; Can lighten or darken the lovely scene! With a pure soul beaming as brightly through! O! sweet to part the locks that wreathe Darkly on a maid's white brow, And into a willing ear to breath The burning sigh-the faithful vow; How cold and stony the abject heart, Can live 'mid scenes like these unmoved, And boast, as a high and manly part, "Those trifling things I never loved!" The glorious draughts the soul receives, When the dews come rolling down the leaves,The feeling that flies from the heel to the head, When o'er the soft couch of the flowers we tread,— The shiver of bliss that shoots through the frame, Is a rapture his bosom can never claim. The music of the mighty deep, When o'er its waves the wild winds sweep, The heaving of its waters high, The glory of the midnight sky, The high dark grandeur of the storms, A LETTER TO MY COUSIN. THE Fancy Ball?—of course, dear coz, And I look'd as proud as a bridegroom, coz, When his marriage dress is on. And in sooth the sight was a pleasant sight Of the passing hour as it flies, I did all I could to be pleased, dear coz, Oh! beauty is often talk'd of, coz, But very rarely seen,— Beauty that looks like a seraph, coz, TO VIVIAN. BELOVED! I am not sad to-night, Though from my eyes you see 'Tis bliss that calls them from my heart, As Memory brings to me Beloved! it is the holy eve, And, in the hush divine, Deep, nameless feelings o'er me steal, To soften and refine! Oh! never 'midst the glare of day Such pure emotions rise, As when the sunset, far away, Is fading from the skies! Beloved! see these two silver streams, And see! two fairy clouds that join Beloved! it is a sacred trust That we were born to hold! Or all the wide world's gold? Our hearts! our hearts! with all their hopes, Their truth, their deep devotion, Each yielded to the other free, With every warm emotion! NEW PUBLICATIONS.-Among other novelties which have been laid upon our table this week, but which we do not consider it necessary to review at length, are, 1st. The fifth volume of Dr Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopædia, containing a Treatise on Mechanics, prepared by Captain Henry Kater, Vice-President of the Royal Society, and Dr Lardner himself;-it is a beautifully printed and embellished book; and we have no doubt will be found highly useful and correct.-2d. The second edition enlarged, of Christopher Anderson's Historical Sketches of the Native Irish, a work of a popular and practical character, calculated to do much good.-3d. The 12th number of the Family Library, being a new edition of Southey's admirable Life of Nelson, illustrated by a number of spirited wood-cuts.-4th. The 4th number of Valpy's Family Classical Library, containing Xenophon's Cyropædia, translated by the Hon. Maurice Ashly Cooper.-5th. Avery distinct and finely-executed Panorama of the Maine, and the adjacent country from Mayence to Frankfort, published by Samuel Leigh of London, well known for the excellence and variety of his travelling maps.-6th. Nuga Semitariæ, or Metrical Sketches, descriptive and moral, a little work in which the author's good intentions are much more conspicuous than his poetical abilities.-7th. Specimens of a new Version of Homer, containing the whole of the first book of the Iliad, the Parting of Hector and Andromache, and the Description of the Shield of Achilles, very spiritedly executed in heroic verse, by that excellent translator and talented scholar, William Sotheby. -8th. A New Treatise on the Rules, Principles, and Manner of Playing Ecarté, the game of chance most in vogue at present both in London and Paris, but an ignorance of which is no great crime.-9th. A View of the Origin, Objects, and Utility of Freemasonry, by the W. Substitute Master of St David's Lodge, Edinburgh, a pamphlet wherein all the advantages accruing from the Masonic Mysteries are clearly pointed out. We have received, too late for review this week, Mr David Syme's ably-executed translation from the Chronicles of Gataro, entitied, "The Fortunes of Francesco Novello da Carrara Lord of Padua, an historical tale of the fourteenth century." We shall notice this work at length next week. The Olive Branch, for 1831, will be published in October next. It will be elegantly bound in rich crimson silk, and embellished with a highly-finished portrait on steel of Robert Pollok, A.M., author of the "Course of Time." Sir Walter Scott has undertaken an interesting new work for Mr Murray, being a History of the Rise, Progress, and Decline of Witchcraft and Demonology in Scotland. BOTANY.-Dr Hooker, who has been employed during the last autumn and winter in printing his British Flora, has just brought his labours to a close, and the whole of the Phonogamous, or Flowering Plants and Ferns, will be published during the present month. These will be comprised in one moderately-sized duodecimo volume; and as the work is especially intended for the use of students in botany, the greatest pains have been taken to render it as simple as possible. The whole is written in the English language, and all unnecessary technicalities are avoided. The same general plan is pursued as in the author's Flora Scotica, where, by omitting a load of needless synonymy, and by confining the remarks to such as are es◄ sential for an understanding of the genera and species, or to a notice of the uses and properties of the plant, a much greater quantity of really valuable matter is included in a small space than has been ac complished in any other Flora. As a still farther improvement, a definition is given of all the classes and orders, and of the genera. The names throughout are accented, -the natural order to which each genus belongs is expressed,-and the generic character, in every instance, stands at the head of the species-a practice frequently lost sight of in our Floras, but which appears of great importance to the student, although it was not adopted in the Flora Scotica. The whole of the descriptive matter has been carefully revised, by a comparison of authentic specimens; several new plants have been added to the list, and Dr Hooker has been materially aided by many of the ablest British Botanists. In particular, he has to acknowledge the services of Mr W. Wilson of Warrington, than whom no one has studied nature with greater enthusiasm and success; and of Mr Bauer, who has kindly undertaken to write entirely the genera Myosotis, Rosa, and Rubus-tribes to which, it is well known, he has paid the most devoted attention. In the Willows, too, he has given much valuable assistance. A short account of the more important of the natural orders will be appended to the end of the volume, and mention made of the most useful plants belonging to them; and the whole, it is confidently expected, will form an indispensable manual to all who wish to render themselves acquainted with the wild flowers of their native country. The price will be about 12s. A future part will comprise the Cryptogamic Flora, for which the author has collected extensive materials, and the printing of which will be forthwith commenced, so that this may be equally considered the continuation of the English Flora of Sir James E. Smith as of Dr Hooker's British Flora, since it will contain all that is necessary to the completion of either; and thus will be accomplished, what has long been esteemed a great desideratum, an entire Flora of the Bri tish Isles. CHIT-CHAT FROM LONDON.-Mr Macauley, known as a writer in the Edinburgh Review, has been lately brought into Parliament, and seems determined to make a noise if possible. Doubts, however, are entertained of his ever rising so high as his ambition may prompt; but he is a young man, of decided talent and extensive information.-At the Anniversary Festival, a few days ago, of the Scottish Hospital, the Duke of Clarence presided, and the subscription in aid of the funds was very liberal.-Mr Haydon's admired picrathon," has been disposed of by raffle.-There was a report a short ture of "Eucles, the Athenian, telling the news of the battle of Mabeen contradicted on authority.-Mr Goodwin's scheme of a vast time ago that King's College was to be given up, but this report has national cemetery on Primrose Hill, seems likely to meet with encouragement.-Prince Leopold has departed for the Continent, to make a round of P. P. C. visits to his friends in France and Germany previous to his departure for Greece. They are very busy of what is styled the Hibernian Temperance Society in Dublin a few with Temperance Societies in Ireland;-there was a great meeting days ago. It is said that Murray prints 15,000 copies of each volume of his Family Library.-A Collection has just been published of Croly's poems, in three volumes; and also, a Selection, entitled the Beauties of Shelley.-Lockhart's beautiful ballad from the Spanish, "Arise, arise, Xerifa," has been dramatised for the private theatricals at Bridgewater House, in which Lord and Lady Normanby, Lady Frances Leveson Gower, and many other ladies and gentlemen, perform.-Newton, the artist, has recently completed three fine new works,-A Contemplative Abbot,-Shylock's Parting Charge to Jessica,-and the Grissette, at Calais, measuring her gloves across the hand of Sterne. AMERICAN LITERATURE.-Halleck, one of the most popular of week, provided we agree with his opinions upon examining the subthe American poets, is about to publish a new volume.-Translations ject.-To our fair Correspondent in Lerwick we do not know what of several French novels have lately been published in the United to say, unless that her communication has interested us, and that, if States. A plan is in agitation at New York for establishing in that she can point out how we can serve her, we shall be happy to hear from city a University, on the plan of the London University.-In our her again.-We shall be glad to rank "Jeremy Diddler" among our next Number, we propose presenting our readers with specimens of contributors; but his introductory letter touches too much upon the poetical abilities of a number of the most eminent of the Ameri- our own personal merits to warrant publication, albeit we beg him can poets. to believe that the theme is to us particularly agreeable.-We shall CONCERTS.-Last night, the Professional Society's fourth and last endeavour to find room for a part of the paper entitled "Easter Concert took place, of course, too late for our remarks this week. Sunday."-The Letter by "Carbon," on the present state of the The benefit Concerts have now commenced, and are likely, we hope, country, is more suited for the columns of a political, than a literary to be well attended. Messrs Murray and Taylor, and Miss Invera- journal. -We agree with "J. A." in his estimate of the amusement rity, have already announced their respective evenings, and others to be received at the Caledonian Theatre.-When we do not make use will speedily follow. of the hints with which "Proteus" is good enough to supply us from time to time, he may conclude that we have our own reasons.-The "Remarks on Campbell's article against Moore's Life of Byron" are sensible; but the subject is now somewhat stale. We have not forgotten the author's previous communication. Theatrical Gossip.-Lalande and Malibran have now joined the King's Theatre, and La Blache is expected speedily.-Miss Stephens has re-appeared at Drury-Lane, as Polly in the "Beggar's Opera," Vestris playing Lucy, and the new singer, Anderson, Captain Macheath. Mr Wallack is spoken of as the future lessee of Drury-Lane; Our fair correspondent, "Amelia B.," writes so eloquently, that but Charles Wright is also anxious to have it.-A great uproar took we do not know how to deny her suit. We can assure her that, in place the other evening at Drury-Lane, between the pros and cons, our own personal character, we would willingly "disoblige a thoufor an encore of Madame Vestris. The lady came forward to the sand for one week, to oblige a lady for one day;" but an editor and lamps, and said, "To be, or not to be?" The Cockneys were so a man are two different persons. Her communication, however, has delighted, that all opposition immediately gave way.-The building afforded us much pleasure.-We hope to make room for "The of the English Opera House is to commence immediately, on nearly Overwhelmed Isle," Stanzas by "J.," and many other postponed the same site that it formerly occupied-Beazley is the architect.communications in our next SLIPPERS, which, to gladden the hearts Poor Miss Cubitt, the lady whose tippling infirmities Mr Hawes, the of our contributors, we announce for Saturday se'ennight.-The conductor of the oratorios, had lately the unmanliness to expose, has Ballad by "Pat Frizzle," will hardly suit us. made the matter worse, by writing a letter to the Times, in which she owns the soft impeachment.-The Times, by the way, thinks Mrs H. Siddons's Farewell Address the best composition of the kind they (the Times) have ever perused. This gives one but a poor opinion of the poetical taste of the "leading journal."-His Majesty has declared his willingness to become the Patron of the Avon Club, and the preparations for the approaching Shakspearian Jubilee, which is to be held on the 23d, 24th, and 25th instant, are on a scale of unprecedented magnificence.--All the London Theatres have produced their Easter pieces, some of which are very splendid.-In Paris, M.Dumas, emulous of the reputation of Victor Hugo's "Hernani," has produced a romantic drama, illustrative of the career of Christina, Queen of [No. 75, April 17, 1830.] ADVERTISEMENTS, Connected with Literature, Science, and the Arts. THE NEW FOR APRIL, 183). CONTENTS-Remarks on Mr Moore's Life of Lord Byron, and on the causes of Lady Byron's separation from his Lordship. By Tho Ball Room-The First Month of the Session-The Lounger, No. I. mas Campbell, Esq.-English Manners, or Satiric Sketches: the Mr Dickson's Narrative: Mexican Banditti-Specimens of German Genius, No. I.-Sparrow-Shooting, or Goose Green-Recollections of a Gottingen Student, No. V.-Correspondence of Ganganelli and Carlini -The Parisian Journal-Ode to the New Sovereign of Greece Cloudesley, by the author of "Caleb Williams-Indecision: our First Day in Paris A Grave Rehearsal: Undertakers-Political Events-Critical Notices of New Publications, the Drama, Fine Arts, Varieties, Domestic and Foreign, Biographical Memoirs of Persons lately deceased, Provincial Occurrences, &c. &c. BELL and BRADFUTE, No. 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh. HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by Sweden. The most romantic part of the whole seems to be, that its re- MONTHLY AND LONDON MAGAZINE, presentation occupies six hours. It has, however, been favourably received.-Caradori, who is at present in Venice, has met with a rival there in the shape of a Mile. Grisi. Terrible uproars take place at the Opera almost every evening in consequence. The boxes support Caradori, and the pit, Grisi, (probably because they are the most greasy part of the population.)-Pasta is at Verona, where she has been receiving much honour.-Sontag is now in Berlin. On her way thither, she gave a concert at Gottingen, which was attended by 1200 persons; and at its conclusion, the students at the University took the horses from her carriage, and drew her in triumph to her hotel; so much for the Gottingen students !-Macready has terminated a very successful engagement in Dublin.-Vandenhoff has been performing in Seymour's company at Belfast.-Mr Ryder has closed the Aberdeen Theatre for the season, which we regret to learn has not been a very successful one. Barton performed there on the last night of the season, which was Tuesday.-Miss Jarman commenced an engagement in Glasgow on Thursday last,—she appeared in the characters of Lady Teazle, and the Youthful Queen.-Liston makes his last appearance in Edinburgh this evening. We are informed that he meditates retiring from the stage ere long. He has NAVAL AND MILITARY MAGAZINE, drawn good houses, and has excited as much amusement as ever. Some critics have been saying that all his power lies in his face; but this is nonsense. Liston's humour, though not of a very refined description, indicates a quick and acute mind. He is to perform four nights in Glasgow next week.-We are to have T. P. Cooke on Monday. WEEKLY LIST OF PERFORMANCES. SAT. Paul Pry, & The Happiest Day of my Life. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. THE UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL, AND For APRIL, 1830. Personal Narrative of Captain Glasspoole, of the Honourable Company's ship Marquis of Ely, relating the Captivity of that Officer amongst the Ladrones of the Chinese Sea, and describing the Haunts and Habits of those Pirates-Song, by John Bowring, Esq.-The Rogniat Controversy, concluded Lines, by Mrs Hemans-Two Months' Recollections of the late War in Spain and Portugal, by a Private Soldier, concluded-Letters from Gibraltar, No. 1, by the author of The Military Sketch Book"-Biographical Sketch of the late Major Taylor, of the Royal Artillery-The Story of Ja Far, Son of the Sultan of Wadai-Extracts from a Cruiser's Log-A Commander's Petition on the present Naval Uniform-Colloquies with Folard, No. 2-Navarino in 1825, from the Unpublished Journal of a late Naval Officer-Remarks on Military Punishments, by Sir Gilbert Blane-The Marquis of Londonderry's Narrative of the late War in Germany and France-CORRESPONDENCE-Editor's Portfolio-Monthly Naval Register-Courts Martial, &c. The attention of the Public, and particularly that of the United Services, is respectfully invited to this popular Journal, which embraces subjects of such extensive variety, and of such powerful interest, as must render it scarcely less acceptable to readers in general, than to the Members of those Professions for whose use it is more peculiarly intended. Conducted by Officers in his Majesty's Service, THE length of the powerfully-written article by Mr Aird in to-who have insured the effective co-operation of gentlemen of high day's Number obliges us to postpone several communications till next Saturday. Mr Tennant's interesting communication shall have a place as soon as possible,-The article by "Aldus" will be inserted next professional and literary character, it will be uniformly animated by the same ardent spirit of patriotism and loyalty which achieved the triumphs of Trafalgar and Waterloo. HENRY COLBURN and RICHARD BENTLEY, London; and sold by BELL and BRADFUTE, No, 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh, Cicero remarks, that not to know what has been transacted in former times, is to continue always a child. If no use be made of the labours of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge; and the learned Dr Parr says, "If you desire your son, though no great scholar, to read and reflect, it is your duty to On Wednesday will be published, Neatly done up in extra cloth boards, price 9s. OF FRANCESCO NOVELLO DA CARRARA, An Historical Tale of the Fourteenth Century. By DAVID SYME, Esquire, Advocate. Printed for CONSTABLE and Co., Edinburgh; and HURST, CHANCE, and Co., London. This day is published, place in his hands the best Translations of the best Classical Au- A VIEW of the ORIGIN, OBJECTS, and UTI thors." To those, therefore, who are desirous of obtaining a knowledge of the most esteemed authors of Greece and Rome, but possess not the means or leisure for pursuing a regular course of study, the present undertaking must prove a valuable acquisition, for, so diversified are the objects to which general education is at present directed, that sufficient time cannot generally be allowed for laying the foundation of an adequate acquaintance with the most popular authors in the Greek and Latin languages; and even in those instances in which the object has been attained-where the taste has been formed, and the habit of occasional recurrence to the Classics has been preservedthe facility of reference to a Series of correct and Elegant Translations must afford pleasure, and occasional assistance, even to the scholar. The Selection is intended to contain those authors, whose works may, with propriety, be read by youth of both sexes; and the whole will be presented in a cheap, elegant, and uniform size. The excellence, as orators and historians, of Demosthenes, Cicero, Herodotus, and Xenophon, will place them foremost in the collec LITY, of FREE-MASONRY. By the W. SUBSTITUTE MASTER of St David's Lodge. 8vo. One Shilling. The ORDERS of ARCHITECTURE; Ornamental Volutes, Huts, Pilaster Capitals, Pedestals, Gates, Doors, Piers, Windows, Chimney-Pieces, Staircases, Roofs, Plans and Elevations, &c. in Eighteen Plates. 4to. Three Shillings. Published by STILLIES, Brothers, 110, High Street, Edinburgh; RICHARD GRIFFIN and Co., Glasgow; and all Booksellers. ALBEMARLE STREET, APRIL, 1830. FAMILY LIBRARY. This day is published, complete in 1 Volume, 5s., embellished with numerous Wood-cuts, from Designs by GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, engraved by THOMPSON and WILLIAMS, NO. XII. of the FAMILY LIBRARY, being tion of Prose Authors; these will be followed by Thucydides, Livy, THE LIFE OF NELSON. By ROBERT Sallust, Tacitus, &c.-Homer, Virgil, and Horace, will justly take precedence among the Poets. SOUTHEY, Esq., LL.D., Poet Laureate, &c. Third Edition, with Corrections and numerous Additions. Four Numbers are already published, comprising the Orations of Demosthenes, Sallust, and the Anabasis and Cyropædia of Xenophon; and the publication will be regularly continued on the first day List of the Volumes of the Family Library published since of every month, so as to be delivered with the Magazines and Reviews. The Testimonials in favour of this important undertaking and its execution being far too numerous to quote in an advertisement, the Publishers beg leave to refer the public for them to the leading Journals and Periodicals of the day. Orders (which, to prevent mistakes, should be particularly specified as being for VALPY'S Family Classical Library) are received by every Bookseller throughout the Kingdom. Agents for Scotland, Messrs BELL and BRADFUTE, 6, Bank Street, Edinburgh; for Ireland, Mr JOHN CUMMING, Dublin. COFFEE ROASTED AND GROUND AT JOHN REID'S, 22, SOUTH FREDERICK STREET. REMARKS ON COFFEE, WITH DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING IT. "Without Coffee, Bonaparte would never have been Emperor of France, and, let it be recorded to his honour, that the conqueror of Europe has left behind him a Receipt for making Coffee,"—Edinburgh Literary Journal. "We beg to recommend this little Work to the attention of the public."-Mercury. "The public are certainly indebted to Mr Reid for pointing out the best methods in which Coffee ought to be used."-Courant. TO DYSPEPTICS, THE STUDIOUS AND SEDENTARY. its Establishment in April 1829. I. AND II. BUTLER'S COOLING APERIENT POW-COLUMBUS. BY WASHINGTON IRVING. Abridged by him DERS,-produce an extremely refreshing Effervescing Drink, preferable to Soda, Seidlitz, or Magnesia Water, and at the same time a Mild and Cooling Aperient, peculiarly adapted to promote the healthy action of the Stomach and Bowels, and thereby prevent the recurrence of Constipation and Indigestion, with all their train of consequences, as Depression, Flatulence, Acidity or Heartburn, Headach, Febrile Symptoms, Eruptions on the Skin, &c. &c.; and by frequent use will obviate the necessity of having recourse to Calomel, Epsom Salts, and other violent medicines, which tend to debilitate the system. When taken after too free an indulgence in the luxuries of the table, particularly after too much wine, the usual disagreeable effects are altogether avoided. In warm climates, they will be found extremely beneficial, as they prevent accumulation of Bile, and do not debilitate. Prepared, and sold in 2s. 9d. Boxes,-and 10s. 6d. and 20s. Cases, by BUTLER, Chemist to his Majesty, No. 73, Prince's Street, Edinburgh; and (authenticated by the Preparer's name and address, in the Label affixed to each box and case) may be obtained of BUTLER and Co., 4, Cheapside, Corner of St Paul's, London; and of all the principal Druggists and Booksellers throughout the United Kingdom. from his larger Work. Complete in 1 vol., illustrated with Plates and Maps. 5s. Early in April will be published, THE FAMILY LIBRARY, Dramatic Series, No. I. containing the WORKS of PHILIP MASSINGER, illustrated with Explanatory Notes, and adapted to the use of Families and Young Persons, by the omission of all exceptionable passages. JOHN MURRAY, Albemarle Street, London. Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietors, every Saturday Morning, Price 6d.; or Stamped and sent free by post, 10d. THE EDINBURGH LITERARY JOURNAL; OR, WEEKLY REGISTER OF CRITICISM AND BELLES LETTRES. No. 76. ones. SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1830. LITERARY CRITICISM. The Doom of Devorgoil; a Melodrama.—Auchindrane; or, the Ayrshire Tragedy. By Sir Walter Scott, Bart. Edinburgh. Cadell and Co. 1830. 8vo. Pp. 337. SIR WALTER Scorr has arrived at that high summit of reputation, that he may publish what he chooses, without the chance-we may even say without the possibility of adding to, or detracting from, his celebrity. He is as high as he can be in the literary world, and he is too strong in his position, too resolutely guarded by a whole nation, to run any risk of being driven from it. This being the case, Sir Walter perceives that he may lie upon his oars when he has a mind, and that, having so long been accustomed to speak real pearls, nobody will find fault with the deception, should he now speak a few paste In his old trunks and writing-desks, he has a good many manuscripts, which he wrote either very hastily, or when he was a young man, and which maturer judgment taught him the wisdom of suppressing. He did suppress them for a good while; but knowing that he is now the rage, and that he can get for them more than their weight in gold, he considers it prudent to bestow the good-will of his old trunks and writing-desks upon his publishing friends. The very first page in the volume before us informs us that "These dramatic pieces, or at least the first of them," (we do not very well understand this mode of expression) were long since written, for the purpose of obliging the late Mr Terry, then manager of the Adelphi Theatre," but that the "Doom of Devorgoil," in particular, had faults "which rendered it unfit for representation." Sir Walter farther mentions, that he is sorry he did not call the piece an extravaganza, rather than a melo-drama. This is candid enough, but certainly such a statement is not exactly calculated to convince us of the propriety of giving to the world now, what the author himself has so long felt to be inferior. It is true that the inferiorities of a great mind are often superior to the best efforts of a little mind; but surely the literary republic is not yet in so very deplorable a condition as to be thankful to pick up the crumbs that fell from the breakfast-table of the late Mr Terry of the Adelphi. "I know these dramas are bad," says Sir Walter Scott, "but they were written long ago.' Then, why were they not put into the fire long ago? "It is difficult to tell; but I can have a large sum for them now, and so here they are." Here they are with a vengeance; and a great deal duller than either "Halidon Hill" or "The House of Aspen." 66 PRICE 6d. they may perhaps strengthen it for aught we know. We are willing to bet a trifle, that there are critics who will find out new and unthought-of beauties in these dramatic productions, because, having for years been accustomed to tie the great man's shoe-string, they are now prepared to worship its shadow. Both of these plays are in three acts; the plot of both is exceedingly bare and meagre; and in both, the dramatis personæ are far from being sketched with a powerful and commanding pencil. The " Doom of Devorgoil," is in particular wofully deficient in interest, and the catastrophe clumsily and abruptly brought about, while the attempt at humour in the characters of Gullcrammer, Owlspiegle, and Cockledemoy, we cannot help thinking an entire failure. The plot is simply this;-Oswald of Devorgoil is a decayed Scottish baron, living in his solitary and ruinous castle on the Borders; he is married to a good sort of woman called Eleanor, and has a daughter Flora, and a niece Katleen, both residing with him. Leonard, a handsome young ranger, and Gullcrammer, a conceited divinity student, are admirers of Flora, who, of course, prefers the ranger. His friend and follower, Lancelot Blackthorn, is the lover of Katleen. She and Blackthorn disguise themselves as two mischievous spirits, and play off some foolish pranks on Gullcrammer, greatly to his discomfiture. The last scene introduces us to an old hall in the castle of Devorgoil. There is a prophecy, that, on the fiftieth year from the decease of one of Devorgoil's ancestors, who had committed several murders, his ghost will return, and the doom of the family be fulfilled. Accordingly, the time has now come. The spirit of Lord Erick enters, and, after terrifying all the family, strikes the wall and discovers the treasure chamber. But a heavy portcullis falls before the door and bars out all approach. The door, however, must be opened within an hour, else it is the decree of fate that the waters of the lake, which are already rising, will overwhelm the castle. This is a dignus vindice nodus, which, however, is not long of being solved, for the spirit of Lord Erick had obligingly taken an opportunity of giving the key of the treasure chamber to Katleen, who now hands it to Leonard, and he unlocks the door. The waters immediately recede, and the treasure remains. The family of Devorgoil is once more rich, and every body is happy. Now, this is a poor plot; and but little additional interest is communicated to it by the persons with whom it is interwoven. None of the characters are well, or fully, drawn. The three females are positively disagreeable, for they are made to talk in a petulant and unbecoming manner, quite foreign to the gentleness usually belonging to their sex, and consequently effectually checking our interest in them. Leonard has little to do; Blackthorn, who is meant to be witty, is, on the contrary, " melancholy," without being "gentlemanlike ;" and Gullerammer's absurdities fail to elicit from us a single smile.. Durward, a palmer, is introduced, and one expects him to turn out somebody, but he is nobody after all but a simple palmer. The decayed, but still proud Baron Oswald of Devorgoil, is, on the whole, the most interesting person in the piece, and the following passage from the scene in |