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This day is published,

THE LISTENER. By CAROLINE FRY, Author

of" The Assistant of Education," &c. In 2 vols. 12mo, cloth b4s. extra, 12s.

"This is an excellent title, not merely to catch the_reader's eye, but also to communicate the writer's design, and briefly to give an accurate idea of the volumes. They contain a series of papers, about fitty in number, written in a pleasing and animated strain, on subjects diversified in their nature, and miscellaneous in their bearing, but in their general outline all participating in one common character. The Listener is a work calculated for the meridian of 1850, not to

THE LAW MAGAZINE; or, QUARTERLY paper its vicious cravings, but to detect its errors, and reform its

REVIEW of JURISPRUDENCE, of which eight Numbers have already appeared. Amongst the Contents are,-onstitution and Practice of the Common Law Courts-Principles and Practice of Pleading-Study of the Civil Law-Chancery Reformn-Judicial System and Procedure of France-Codification-State Trials-Course of Study for Attorneys-Lives of Fearne and Selden-Brougham's Durham Speech-Specimens of Scotch Eloquence-Series of Articles on Mercantile Law, Conveyancing, and Medical Jurisprudence (to be continued)-Common Law and Real Property Reports-A great variety of practical Articles on Doubtful Questions-Digests containing all the Cases in all the Common Law, Equity, Ecclesiastical, Insolvent, and Hankruptcy Reports-Abstracts of all New StatutesLegal News-New Publications, &c. &c.

No. I. to VI., price 5s. each; and No. VII. and VIII., price 6s. (This Work will be regularly continued.)

The LIFE of a LAWYER, written by Himself. In 12mo, price 10s. 6d. boards.

COLONIAL LAW.

The LAWS of the BRITISH COLONIES in the WEST INDIES, and other parts of AMERICA, concerning Real and Personal Property, and Manumission of Slaves; with a View of the Constitution of each Colony. By JOHN HENRY HOWARD, Solicitor. In two vols. royal 8vo, price L.3, 3s. boards.

pernicious habits. We wish it an extensive circulation, from a full conviction of its intrinsic worth, and shall be glad to hail works of a similar description from the same observant eye, reflective mind, and able hand."-Imperial Magazine.

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Also, by the same Author,

THE SCRIPTURE READER'S GUIDE to the DEVOTIONAL USE of the HOLY SCRIPTURES. Second Edition. 18mo, 2s. 6d. half bound.

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The DUTIES of SOLICITORS in SALES by AUC-well

TION or PRIVATE CONTRACT, or under Extents or Decrees of

Courts of Equity; also in Mortgages of Real Property in England,
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By JOHN HENRY HOWARD, Solicitor. Price 10s. 6d.

SUBSTANCE of the THREE REPORTS of the COMMISSIONER of INQUIRY into the ADMINISTRATION of CIVIL and CRIMINAL JUSTICE in the WEST INDIES. Extracted from the Parliamentary Papers, with the General Conclusions, and the Commissioner's Scheme of Improvement, full and complete. In 8vo, price las. boards.

STOKES'S (ANTHONY, late Chief Justice of Georgia) VIEW of the CONSTITUTIONS of the BRITISH COLONIES of NORTH AMERICA and the WEST INDIES, at the time the War broke out on the Continent of America; in which notice is taken of such alterations as have happened since that time down to the present period; with a variety of Colony Precedents. Price 9s. boards.

The Scripture Reader's Guide, by Miss C. Fry, contains many worthy of the attention of the Devotional Student of the Bible." serious and intelligent remarks, written in an impressive style, and Missionary, &c. -Congregational Magazine. See also Imperial Magazine, Home

BRIEF MEMORIALS of JEAN FREDERIC OBERLIN, Pastor of Waldbach, in Alsace; and of AUGUSTE BARON DE STAEL-HOLSTEIN; two distinguished Ornaments of the French Pro estant Church; with an Introductory Sketch of the History of Christianity in France, from the primitive ages to the present day. By the Rev. THOMAS SIMS, M.A. 12mo, cloth bds. price 1s.

Oberlin was a village pastor; and the history of his life presents one of the most edifying examples of clerical piety and usefulness ever published. Baron de Stael was a French nobleman, who not only worshipped God in spirit and in truth, but was also connected with all the religious and charitable institutions of the Protestant churches in France. He was an exemplary Christian, and a zealous philanthropist. A valuable service is rendered to the cause of our common Christianity, by the publication of their Lives in a cheap and authentic form. The volume, we trust, will be extensively circulated. It is well adapted to promote piety to God, and benevolence to man; and may be read with equal profit by ministers and private Christians. To men of property and influence, it will suggest several means of benefiting mankind."-Wesleyan Methodist Published by JAMES NISBET, Berner's Street, London; and sold by WAUGH and INNES, and WILLIAM OLIPHANT, Edinburgh.

PRACTICE OF PARLIAMENT, ELECTIONS, &c. The PRACTICE in the HOUSE OF LORDS on Appeals, Writs of Error, and Claims of Peerage; with a Compendi-Magazine. See also Imperial Magazine, &c. ous Account of Dignities. To which is prefixed, an Introductory Historical Essay on the Appellate Jurisdiction. By JOHN PALMER, of Gray's Inn, Gent. Price 14s. boards.

A TREATISE on the LAW of the PREROGATIVE of the CROWN, and the relative Duties and Rights of the Subject. By JOSEPH CHITTY, Jun. of the Middle Temple, Esq. Price L.1, 1s. boards.

A TREATISE on the ORIGIN and NATURE of DIGNITIES, or TITLES of HONOUR, containing all the Cases of Peerage; together with the Mode of Proceeding in Claims of this kind. By WILLiam Cruise, Esq. Barrister at Law. The Second Edition. Price 11s. boards.

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The PARLIAMENTARY SOLICITOR'S ASSISTANT, containing a Selection of Bills of Costs, on Appeals and Writs of Error in the House of Lords, and the Standing Orders of the House of Lords, and the Fees of both Houses on passing Private Bills. By J. PALMER, Gent. In quarto, price 7s. 6d. boards.

A DIGEST of the LAW of ELECTIONS; containing the Proceedings at Elections for all places in England, Ireland, and Scotland, with the qualifications of Voters for the respective Countries; and an Appendix of Penalties. to which Returning and other Officers are liable. By DANIEL LISTER, Solicitor. In 8vo, price 78. boards.

A TREATISE on the LAW and PRACTICE of

ELECTIONS. BY ARTHUR MALE, M.A., Barrister at Law. Second Edition, with Corrections and Additions. In 8vo, price L.1, 4s. boards.

The ROSCOMMON CLAIM of PEERAGE, containing the Speeches delivered before the Lords' Committee of Privileges, with the Decisions of the House of Lords thereon. By J. SYDNEY TAYLOR, A.M. In 8vo, price 7s. 6d. boards.

The

This day is published,

THE THREE HISTORIES.

History of an ENTHUSIAST - The History of a NON-
CHALANT—The History of a REALIST.

By MARIA JANE JEWSBURY.
One volume, crown svo. Price 98. boards.

CHRONICLES OF A SCHOOLROOM.

By Mrs S. C. HALL.

One volume, post 8vo. Price 6s. boards.
By the same Author,

SKETCHES OF IRISH CHARACTER,
Two volumes, foolscap. Price 128. boards.
NOTICES OF BRAZIL, IN 1828-9,

With Original Maps and Views, never before published, and many
Illustrations, in two volumes 8vo, bound in cloth and lettered, price
L.1, 14s.

By the Rev. R. WALSH, LL.D., M.R I.A. &c. &c.
Author of " Narrative of a Journey from Constantinople to England."
Dr Walsh accompanied the late Extraordinary Embassy to Rio de
Janeiro, as Chaplain, and visited several parts of the interior of the
country during his residence in Brazil, particularly the mining dis-
tricts.

"And here we close our extracts from these instructive and enter

taining volumes; again heartily recommending them to the public."

-Literary Gazette.

By the same Author,
AN ESSAY ON COINS, MEDALS, AND GEMS,
As illustrating the Progress of Christianity in the Early Ages.
Third Edition. Price 68. boards.

London Printed for FREDERICK WESTLEY and A. H. DAVIS,
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BODY, in Health and Disease: containing a brief view of its Struc-T. CAITHNESS respectfully intimates, that he

THE NEW TESTAMENT of our Lord and Sa- Mr E. D. SMITH, F.L.S.

viour JESUS CHRIST. With a PLAIN EXPOSITION, for the Use of Families.

By the Rev. THOMAS BOYS, M.A. of Trinity College,

THE

EDINBURGH LITERARY
LITERARY JOURNAL;

OR,

WEEKLY REGISTER OF CRITICISM AND BELLES LETTRES.

No. 82.

LITERARY CRITICISM.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1830.

The Life of Alexander Alexander. Written by Himself,
and edited by John Howell, author of "Journal of a
Soldier,"
," "Life of John Nicol," &c. 2 vols. post 8vo.
Pp. 339 and 327. Edinburgh. William Blackwood.

1830.

66

PRICE 6d.

match; his character and prospects were good; and every
thing augured a prosperous career. But unfortunately,
on the occasion of an accidental quarrel with his employer,
that gentleman taunted him with his birth.
The pain-
ful feelings of his early years rushed back upon him-he
felt as if some degradation were inherent in his nature,
which nothing could wash out or conceal; and, in a state
of excited feeling, he resolved to leave the island. In vain
did his mistress look miserable, and his kind master re-
lent, he was roused even to frenzy, and back to Scotland
he came.

son of a fickle and unsteady disposition. A scene of painful altercation ensued, and Alexander, in a fit of desperation, enlisted in the Royal Artillery.

Ir is scarcely going too far to term our ingenious townsman John Howell, the De Foe of Edinburgh; for, though he is scarcely equal in grasp and originality of His reception from his father may easily be conceived. = 'mind to that prince of popular writers, he is far his su- He had wished to conceal from the world the existence perior in true delicacy and moral purity, and has been of this child of shame; and, when he believed the object the means of giving us more insight into the character of attained, back came the damning remembrancer of his our populace than any writer of the day. His "Jour-frailty. In this frame of mind, the father accused his nal of a Soldier of the Seventy-first," affords an excellent glimpse into the materiel of which our armies are com[ posed; John Nicol" carries us, in like manner, among our seamen; and the present volumes, the most full of deep and varied interest with which he has yet presented us, carry the reader in company with a luckless and highspirited ranger over more than half the globe. Nor must the merits of the publisher pass unnoticed. We do not know which better deserves the thanks of the reading public-Mr Blackwood, for the discernment and liberality with which he discovered the value of Alexander's manuscripts, and prosecuted their reduction to a publishable form-or Mr Howell, for the tact and intelligence with which he has discharged the duty of editor.

The story of Alexander is fascinating, on account of the rapid diversity of scene and fortune through which the hero is hurled; and, at the same time, it reads an impressive lesson, by the warning his fate holds out to such as indulge an over-susceptible temperament. The narrative is not the less instructive that the hero, although any thing but a practically wise man, is gifted with no ordinary share of feeling and sagacity; nor are his remarks one whit less interesting and home-coming, that his cast of thought has been sickened o'er by continual disappointment, and that he is, to a very slight degree, a misanthrope.

Alexander is the natural son of some person in easy circumstances in the west of Scotland. For the sake of concealment, he was boarded in childhood in the house of a small farmer. Here and at school he was regarded, on account of the unfortunate circumstances attending his birth, as a sort of paria, as one step in creation beneath those with whom he was to associate, as one with whom none had a fellow feeling, and who might be abused with impunity. The boy, with his spirit thus seared and broken, was placed by his father at Greenock, to obtain some notion of mercantile business, and was thence sent, when old enough, to the West Indies. His destination was one of the smaller islands formerly belonging to the French, where he was received and treated with a degree of kindness and respect to which, in his own land, he had been unaccustomed. His heart began to beat more freely. He met with a young woman upon whom he placed his affections; her parents were not averse to the

While in the army, the greater part of his time was consumed in India. The picture he gives of the King's troops in that country, though from a spectator of a very different cast, harmonizes strictly with that given in the "Memoirs of Serjeant B.," and has, therefore, been too long before the public to justify us in presenting our readers with extracts from this portion of the work. The chief interest in this part of the narrative consists in the insight it affords into that feature of Alexander's character to which we have already alluded—an indolent acquiescence in his fate, leading him frequently to delay, on the most frivolous pretexts, a slight exertion, which might have been the means of materially forwarding his views in life. He returned from India with a shattered constitution, and, after serving some time on garrisonduty, was allowed to retire on a pension.

Coming back once more to Scotland, he found his father still inexorable, and conceived the idea of again trying his fortune in the West Indies. After innumerable petty and teasing disappointments he sets sail, and with much ado manages to get first one, and then another, small employment in Demerara. It is fated, however, that nothing shall prosper with him. This portion of Alexander's history we recommend to the particular attention of the public. Although told in the language of a disappointed man, it is unquestionably the most just and impartial account of the state of society in our West India colonies we have met with; and will be found in structive as well by those soulless drivellers who laud slavery in the abstract, as by the wiseacres who, in their hot zeal for reform, pretend to legislate for millions separated from them by half the circumference of the globe, and yet more widely separated by difference of habits and education. Disappointed in Demerara, as everywhere else, Alexander joined the South American patriots. We have carefully studied the history of that continent previous to the Revolution, and being convinced that all the works which have been written upon it since are, with one or two exceptions, barefaced lies, or spoiled by the affectation of their authors, who wish to tell every thing, though they saw but little, we are glad to meet at last with one

The portrait of Paez forms a fine pendant to this fulllength of the Liberator:

man whose narrative, however caustic, carries the stamp you for the sake of your country; you have it to thank fo of truth on its forehead. Alexander's unpretending state-life, and not me, sir.'"-Vol. ii. p. 26-8. ment of what he saw is most graphic, and to one acquainted with the previous state of the Spanish colonies, its authenticity will be at once apparent. The broken "Paez is a stout, active-looking little man, with a plea tradesmen of England with their morgue aristocratique-sing and very expressive countenance; he is a good musithe routed yet blithe followers of Napoleon-the down- cian and dancer, fearless and brave to excess, but rash to right New Englanders-the honest, yet withal soft and fault, rushing into battle pell-mell, with no idea but that o heavy Germans-the fervid Creoles-all act exactly as overturning all opposed to him by mere animal force. Yet we were prepared to expect. That erewhile peaceful his feelings were very acute, and he grieved much after a and happy country is undergoing a violent and fantastic great slaughter even of his enemies, and became subject to change a sort of frenzy; but the crisis of its fever, and severe epileptic fits. He had fought many successful battles, but he could not calculate the effect of evolutions like the prelude of returning health, has seized it. To give our Bolivar. He was no politician, only a plain fighting mar readers any adequate idea of Alexander's sketches on this where talent lay in rushing on to battle. He was quite subject, would be to extract almost the whole of his second void of learning, being able neither to read nor write. With volume. We pick out, however, one or two extracts al- much care he could just manage to scrawl P-a-e-z on the most at random. The following is his account of Bo- official papers that were presented to him; but his heart livar : and soul were in the cause he espoused.”—Vol. ii. pp. 78, 9

He is a native of Caraccas, where he had extensive property, at this time in the hands of the Spaniards. His height is about five feet eight, and he is well-proportioned. Though a full white, his face was bronzed or weatherbeaten, but very intelligent, full, and round, with a natural

As the session of our General Assembly is but lately over, it may not be inappropriate to add to these sketches the following curious picture:

"I stopped at a fine white house, which I was informed belonged to Commissionado. Here I passed as strange a night as I ever did. At my first knocking, the door was

leather belt. I boldly asked for a lodging, not as a favour, but a right. He gave a jump, and, flourishing his hands, bade me enter. As he turned, I saw that the crown of his head was shaved. I felt a little abashed at my freedom; but he jumped and danced before me. I thought he was mad; indeed I knew not what to think. I found here also a Frenchman, a colonel, an agreeable man, free of prejudice.

"At length supper was ordered in. Such a supper I had seldom seen. There was chocolate, sausages, rice, soup, conserves, &c. enough for ten men. But now the most ludicrous scene began. He helped us with his bare hands, heaping the victuals on our plates. He was soon covered with grease from the chin to the belt, as he ate lustily. Ever and anon he seized the poor Frenchman round the neck, and kissed him. He was soon as much bedaubed as himself.

smile, that rendered it pleasing, without hurting that air of superiority which lurked in a dark and intelligent eye, the angry glance of which was benumbing. His eye enli-opened by a small plump-looking person, with a very broad vened a studious cast of countenance, whether natural or acquired I cannot say. He waltzed beautifully. He was of sober and abstemious habits, and spoke gracefully, and well to the point; his proclamations were numerous, and well adapted to their purpose. He spoke little in company, and had a great dislike to tipplers, babblers, idlers, gamesters, and duellists. He allowed the English to fight duels, but any American who fought was shot for the offence. He took a great deal of exercise, often walking and riding. "As soon as I was seated, the padre brought forth a He was very fond of the English, often talked about Eng-large bottle of rum, and poured out glass after glass, drinkland, and placed much confidence in the British, holdinging himself, and urging us in an antic manner, shaking out liberal encouragement to all adventurers, but giving at the bottle before us; he danced, sang, and shouted like a bacchant. the same time a general order that no foreigner was to be kept against his will, and that every one was to have his passport to return to his country whenever he chose. Out of policy and regard to Britain, he pardoned many villains, giving them passports and rations until they embarked, and even money to carry them off; yet others who left the country had to fight their way in the best manner they could. I was a witness to an instance of his clemency;-a Lieutenant-colonel Wilson, who had been up the country with Pacz, then commander-in-chief, was a spy to the Spaniards, and in communication with General Murillo; he entered into an intrigue to overthrow Bolivar and the Republic, by sowing dissension between the rulers. His plan was to disgrace Bolivar; and, by working on the foibles of the English, he soon got them to declare for Paez. When all was ripe, he had the assurance to go to Paez and propose to him to be supreme ruler, and supersede Bolivar; which Paez, to defeat his object, agreed to, and a proclamation was issued to the British and the army to acknowledge Paez as the supreme chief and captain-general of the armies of the Republic. This they had been prepared for; Colonel Wilson had only to come down to Angustura, and take up with him all the British to the Apure, under the pretence of strengthening the army; all this was to be kept secret from Bolivar. Wilson came down, and the report was soon spread abroad, that all the foreigners in Angus-nished. I mounted and rode off as soon as day broke. This tura were to go up with him to join the army of the Apure. But Paez, as soon as Wilson left him, sent down a boat with information of the design to Bolivar.

"Wilson was still going backward and forward to Bolivar, on the most friendly terms, and dining with him. The first time he entered after the arrival of the message from Paez, Bolivar, being reclined in his hammock, received him without any apparent change of manner, and desired him to come and sit down by him, when they entered into conversation, as if Bolivar knew nothing of his nefarious designs. After a short time spent in this manner, Bolivar, without any apparent emotion, drew the packet from his pocket which contained the irrefragable proofs of his baseness, and told him to look at it, and inform him if he knew any thing of its contents. Wilson was immediately put into close confinement, when we all looked for his being shot; but in a little time he was sent off to Old Guiana a prisoner at large, until shipped off to the West Indies, and I believe he had money to carry him off. Bolivar said- I forgive

I

admired the patience of the Frenchman; and carefully kept the table between us, lest the foolish priest should next attack me in the same manner, which I could not have en

dured.

"The supper was removed, and the rum again went round until we were all tipsy, and then we tumbled into it was I did so, for the Frenchman was just on the point of bed all three. I awoke about four o'clock, and fortunate expiring; my right heel was on his neck, and thus he was pushed to the wall, as he lay at the foot of the bed. I removed my foot, and with difficulty recovered the French officer, who had almost ceased to breathe. The priest also awoke; they began again to the bottle, but I would take no more on account of my journey, and not being accus bed, while I ordered breakfast, which was cheerfully furtomed to drink to excess. They both again tumbled into

was the first scene of intemperance I had seen, and I am sorry to say it was by a padre. The people in general drink pretty freely, but not to intoxication."-Vol. ii. PP. 298-300.

The Adventures of Alexander, who is at present, we regret to learn, in the Royal Infirmary of this city, are rapidly related after his leaving South America, and are brought down to nearly the date of the publication of his volume. The whole book is full of feeling ;-Alexander was a child of impulse-proofs of which are spread over the whole work, and scarcely admit of being broken down into small bits, and exhibited like geological speciHe thus speaks of his emotions when, on board a Columbian privateer, he passed within sight of her dwelling, whom he had loved in youth-the memory of his disappointed passion having haunted every hour of his luckless life:

mens.