exertions, they will soon see that great changes are to be effected by moral force alone--they will then be fit to be entrusted with authority which now, through ignorance, would be dangerous in their hands. Visionary enthusiasts and wild fanatics, who madly attempt to destroy the peace of nations and break up the harmony of domestic life, would look in vain for followers among an enlightened, and, consequently, a happy people. Such is the undoubted effect our educational Institutions, and among them of almost first importance Mechanics' Institutions, will have on the national welfare of this country. Even in social affairs it will not be less beneficial; when we find the human heart so prone to evil, that trifles light as air' are capable of destroying the chain of social intercourse which links together in 'Friendship's sacred bond' all classes, any institution, not only calculated, but actually cementing and preserving the most harmonious fellowship, is deserving the support of all those who wait for the time when the 'wolf and the lamb shall lie down together,' and men shall love as brethren."

RICHMOND MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.-This Institution was formed in October, 1838, and has since that time gradually progressed in public estimation; the present number of members being about 100. The subscription being low, the funds, of course, are somewhat scanty; but a little money well expended goes a great way, and the Richmond Mechanics' Institution has made the very most of its means. Lectures are delivered during nine months of the year by Professors of eminence; Classes have been established for the study of Drawing, Singing, and the French Language, under the superintendence of competent masters; and there is a Library well stocked with useful works.

We are most happy to state, that the Professors who have lectured for this Society, have in most instances given their exertions gratuitously, and it gives us great pleasure to bear testimony to the eminent services rendered at all times to the Institution by W. Jones, Esq., the present proprietor of the Adelaide Gallery; a gentlemen whose munificence is well known, and whose devotion to the true interests of science and literature cannot be too highly commended.

OSWESTRY.-About four years ago, the young men engaged in the shops in this town induced their employers to allow business to be suspended at an earlier hour than formerly, during the winter evenings. A few young men, fearing that the privilege thus granted might prove an evil, by being abused, and anxious to promote the intellectual and moral improvement of their townsmen, founded the "Oswestry Young Men's Improvement Society," which has existed, with various success, to the present time.

The Society continues in active operation only during the winter months, from September to April, after which time the attendance of the members invariably falls off, and no exertions can keep up the interest of the meetings any longer. This can scarcely he wondered at, as the members are principally mechanics, who have to labour hard all the day, and who must feel a summer evening's walk to be a great relaxation to their wearied bodies.

The means adopted to interest and improve their minds during the winter months, are Lectures, Discussions, Classes, and Reading. The Lectures-on Historical, Scientific, and Literary subjects-are delivered by different gentlemen, principally residents in the town, who kindly render their valuable assistance gratuitously. Al persons who can obtain tickets of admission are admitted to the Lectures, and every member is supplied with tickets with which to furnish his friends. Courses of Lectures have been delivered by Dr. Warwick, on Chemistry, &c., by Mr. Walker, on Astronomy, and by Mr. Higham, on Architecture. For admission to these a small charge was made, as the Society had to remunerate the lecturers. The inhabitants of the town owe a large debt of gratitude to the "Young Men's Society," for the valuable and interesting Lectures which they have enjoyed through its instrumentality. The Discussions constitute one of the most interesting parts of the Society's operations, and have contributed more than anything else in bringing to light the latent talent of the members. They are strictly private, none but met hers being allowed to be present, excepting a gentleman of the Committee as Chairman. The subjects which have been discussed may be divided into three classes, viz. -the characters of great men; great events-their causes and effects; and great principles; with a few of a more amusing character, which cannot be included under

either of these classes. After a subject has been chosen for discussion, a certain number of members engage to speak, and a ballot decides which side they shall be upon. This plan secures to every subject a more fair and impartial investigation than it would obtain if the members were allowed to choose their sides. The opener on each side is allowed to reply at the conclusion, and is expected to take charge of the debate during its progress, in procuring "fresh" speakers, &c. Classes have been established at different times for instruction in Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Latin, and Greek, and some of the members have derived considerable benefit from them; but they have not been so well attended as might have been expected. The Library is small, but well read, many of the members availing themselves of it. It contains many of the volumes of the "Library of Entertaining Knowledge," and some of the "Family Library," and a few other works of general information which have been presented by various friends.

The number of members at present is about 60. There were 200 names on the list, but as many never attended, a resolution was carried last winter excluding all who did not regularly come to the meetings.

When the Society was established no subscription was required from the members, they were allowed to give or withhold as they chose. This plan was found not to answer, a heavy debt was incurred, under which the Society still labours, and it was found necessary to make a subscription of one shilling per quarter a term of membership; with a additional charge of sixpence per quarter to those members who avail themselves of the use of the Library.

In reviewing the history of this Society, one striking feature which presents itself is the apathy and indifference to their own improvement of those for whose benefit it was designed. A few individuals have had to bear the whole labour connected with the Society, and at times it has required the most determined energy on their part to keep the Society in existence at all. It is hoped, however, that the increased spread of knowledge will promote an increased love of knowledge; and that such institutions will meet with more cordial and hearty support from those to whom they present the only opportunities for the improvement of the mind, and the cultivation of the highest and noblest faculties with which man is gifted.

COLCHESTER MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.-The Institution under the above name was established in January, 1833, and has continued to progress in estimation and usefulness to the present time. Of course in its career it has seen a good many of those well-known things called "ups and downs," but we are happy to be enabled to state that it has successfully met them all, and is now firmly established. We cannot doubt that this has been effected by a steady keeping in view, on the part of the managers, of the objects with which the Society commenced its operations, and which are described by itself as follows:

1st. The instruction of the members in the various branches of science and useful knowledge.

2nd. Rational amusements and the cultivation of taste.

3rd. Moral improvement, by combining useful knowledge with enjoyment. A Catalogue of the Library has been sent to us, and we must say that the shelves appear to have been filled with great judgment.

Notices to Correspondents,

We beg to thank "H. T." for the following answers to the legal questions inserted in our second number:

I. The Buildings of Mechanics' Institutions are exempted from the Income Tax, if they are not occupied by any officer of the Institution, or by any person paying rent for the same, and if no payment be made for any instruction there afforded by Lectures or otherwise. II. They must make a return.

III. When a Mechanics' Institute has any income at all, it is pro tanto liable to the Tax. If the whole of its income be expended for the purposes of the Institution, the return will of course be "Nil." I should conceive that Books, Salaries, Fire and Gas, would fall under the designation of Institutional purposes. It need hardly be mentioned that a return of the duty may be had when the income does not amount in toto to £150. H. T. "No. 1495" is a man of genius, so we forgive him his sneer; his elegant lines shall have a place in our next number.

"NEMO"-" HAUTEVILLE”—“NEHEMIAH SNOGSBODY"-" F. T."-" Vox"-" HORATIUS "--and" NICK NOBBS," declined with thanks.

We have given " O. N.'s" communications our best consideration, but we regret to be obliged to decline inserting either. The "Apostrophe to December" contains some forcible passages, and the prose article has much in it that merits commendation, but both bear evident marks of want of experience in composition.

We are exceedingly obliged to "GEORGIUS" for his three contributions, but they are all unsuited to our pages. We hope to hear from him again.

"A CLERK" should insert his advertisement in The Times.

"H. L.'s" beautiful lines "To a Violet growing on a Grave," shall have insertion as soon as we can possibly find room for them.

"A. W." has our best thanks: We hope soon to publish one or more of his poetical effusions. We have been amazingly struck by the singular inappropriateness of the names attached to many of the letters we have received. It is our humour to quote a few, with the substance of the communications which they respectively represent :

ARGUS presents his compliments and can't see

VINDEX begs to complain altogether

ORIGINOS takes leave to copy

RIGDUM FUNNIDOS is gravely disposed

JUVENIS is too old to be caught by chaff.

LEX TALIONIS is happy to agree with that article on Capital Punishment which denies the right of retaliation

J. MASTERS is our very humble and obliged servant:

FLAGELLATOR begs gently to remind us

A COUNTRY MAGISTRATE hopes we will allow him to suggest-although he fears he is committing himself

The gentleman who dates from "ALL AMONG THE CLOUDS " must pardon us for saying that we do not undertake to find our readers in brains.

"Y. N.'s" paper displays much talent, but the subject is not of sufficient interest for our pages The "Fragment," by " AMICUS " is pretty, but the rhyme wants improvement; we have "alone" and "home," "bloom " and " soon;" and so on.

"W. T.'s" letter is left for him in the Library.

We have received a most extraordinary communication containing "THE MOANINGS OF ANOTHER MELANCHOLY MAN," which we feel bound to insert; it runs as follows:

"To Nicodemus East, Esq.

"Lincoln Coll. Oxford, Nov. 5, 1842. "STR,-It is well said in your Review of Dr. Vaughan's work, that the ruling spirit of the present age is a two-faced Janus, and that the generation of men now living are wholly given up to lying pretensions and most impudent quackeries. I believe, Sir, that you are free from the general corruption-at least I will hope so-unless you refuse to insert this letter of mine; but I have to complain of a correspondent in your last Mag, who most unblushingly claims to be "The Melancholy Man." Now, allow me to state, that I am the Melancholy Man, and that this title belongs to no one else, unless by a most iniquitous forgery. Your correspondent may be "a Melancholy Man "-I don't dispute that-but I alone, Sir, am truly known as "the Melancholy Man." I was born in a November fog-this is my birth-day, which I always spend as a day of fasting and mourning. My infancy was spent in tears, and I intend to pass my old age in a contemplative solitude. I have written fifty-three Elegies and Epitaphs in verse, and threescore Lamentations and Adieus to the world in prose. Since my birth I have not had a moment's pleasure, and have never known what it is to have a friend. In truth, I am much inclined to think that the words pleasure and friendship are a mere hum-sounds which stand for nothing at all-two mouthfuls of wind put forth as the representatives of two nonentities. Even your Magazine, which everybody says affords them so much gratification and delight, has but added for me a fresh source of tearful meditations. Your wit and mirth, your taste and genius, are merely the unsuccessful endeavours of miserable mortals to make themselves and others imagine, for a brief while, that there is a something which is not wretchedness. You think to deduct somewhat from the aggregate of human woe (which you do not), while you are, at the same time, heaping pain and trouble, worry and vexation-1st, upon yourselves, by heavily taxing your brains (or fancy bred, as that miserable punster the sham Melancholy Man calls it), and obtaining only one tithe of the praise you know you deserve; 2ndly, upon your rejected correspondents, by exacting of them "labour in vain:" and 3rdly, upon the world at large, by producing a work which the fool can only find fault with, and the sapient can only envy. "I am, Sir, ever yours, in great distress,

"THE REAL ORIGINAL MELANCHOLY MAN.'

"P.S. If you desire further satisfaction concerning my pretensions, I can forward to you testimonials from all the chief authorities of the University."

In reply to this lachrymose epistle, we can only say, that if the sorrowful gentleman who writes thus piteously, will, in sober sadness, prove that he is the Real Original Melancholy Man, by sending us contributions superior in excellence, and gloomier in gravity, than the miserable musings of the wretched son of distress, who has" done" our "melancholy" business hitherto, we will expunge the articles of the sham unhappy one from our Second Edition. We trust this will satisfy this child of woe.

"ANAX.”—" C. G. R." and " MONOS " next month.

We hope to be enabled to avail ourselves of the "Tale" by number.

SILAS PUGWASH" in an early

THE

CITY OF LONDON
LONDON MAGAZINE.

VOL. I.

JANUARY, 1843.

No. IV.

STRAY THOUGHTS ON POETS AND POETRY-No. 1.

"Poetry is the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge; it is the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science."-WORDSWORTH. THIS is a beautiful world that we dwell in-but how few are they who know it. To the mere animal man it is but a mass of matter. To him nature affords no joys; he knows nothing of that glorious power which throws a charm and a brilliancy over even the coarsest scenes of earth, or of that divine influence, to be felt but not to be described, which disenthrals us from the tyranny of the senses, refines our spiritual part, and elevates our whole humanity. Such a man, when he views the bright sky above him, knows no feeling of delight, no exalted aspiration; when he beholds the forest and the meadow, he enjoys the prospect as much as does a dumb brute-no more. He may witness the storm, the lightnings flashing around him, heaven's artillery thundering in his ear, the firmament riven and convulsed, but he sees no grandeur in the tempest, and cares only to escape its power. How few are the delights of such a one; his enjoyments are those of the senses-his god is his belly!

But he whose soul is attuned to the harmony of nature, whose fancy is active and imagination vigorous, and who looks from the thing to its essence, and from the circumstance to its results, feels by an intuitive perception that there is no region of creation which is not crowded with poetical material. He discerns beauty everywhere; he can even extract "joy from sorrow, and delight from grief." There is nothing which defies the alchymy of his imagination-there is nothing beyond the potency of his transforming wand. He may picture forth scenes of enchantment by the rippling stream or the trackless ocean, in the fertile meadow or the impenetrable forest; he may rove on fancy's wing to the frigid north, to the parched deserts and unpeopled wilds of the south, the lakes and mountains of the west, or the varied Paradise of the East-the very home of poesy, the cradle of the muses, the birth-place of song.

And where can we go to be beyond the dominion of Poetry? Wherever nature is, there is poetry. The realm of Poetry is profound as the ocean, high as the heavens, wide as the universe, unbounded as space. We may follow Fancy in her rapid flights to the icy regions of the North-the glorious iceberg, the unspotted purity of the snowy mountain, the death-like stillness, the calm serenityand ask, is there not poetry in the icy North? We are wafted Southward, to the eternal sun and scorching heat of the Sahara. Here the wings of the light breeze play not, for no breath is felt, but as it were

VOL. I.

the breath of a furnace; no breeze is known, but the fiery Simoom. We look for verdure but in vain; we cry for fertilizing rain and refreshing showers, but alas! they come not; we cry for help, but no help is nigh; the brain grows hot-the blood boils in our veins, "the fear of death takes hold upon us, and a horrible dread o'erwhelmeth us;" no fair spirit is here to minister to our woe, no tender hand to support, no bright eye to cheer, no crystal stream to cool the fevered brow, to quench

"The thirst which tortures, then destroys;"

and when thus helpless and forsaken, our very destitution is Poetry; the voice of silence and the presence of solitude is Poetry. There is poetry in the mighty desolation, the fear, the terror, the despair; for they tell us in language which none can misinterpret that "man, high-minded man," great as he may be, and proud in his fancied omnipotence, is but a weak thing when he dares Nature and defies her power.

We visit the Western world; her broad-based mountains rising in giant and colossal majesty, and heaving their shoulders to the sky; her ocean lakes, spread like glassy mirrors to the heavens, in which the spirits of air, and the bright stars, and the mistress of the night-the graceful Diana-all love to gaze, that they may joy in their own loveliness;

"Goodlier sight

Than torches glared back by a gaudy glass;"

her wide-spread forests, "where dark things lurk ;" her awful_cataracts, whose roar is as the shout of the universe;" and then spoke we not true when we said that there is poetry in the Western world? We pass to the glittering East; and here what splendour meets our view— the glories of Persia and the eastern climes, the enchanted groves, the luxuriant meadows, the scented breezes, and the blue sky where no cloud intrudes; the embroidered elephants with their gorgeous canopies, the gilded barges whose freight is jewels and pearls, the voluptuous and beauteous maidens who wander by moonlight in the gardens of the Alhambra," the bloom of Georgia, and Azar's darker smiles," and Eden's sainted shades, where man in purity first dwelt ; and as we gaze on all the wondrous panorama, we involuntarily exclaim that THE DOMINION OF POETRY IS UNIVERSAL.

But what is a Poet, and what are the powers which he possesses superior to those of other men? What are the faculties of his mind which elevate him so far above the ordinary world? Can education make a Poet? can travel, can study, can experience? No! A Poet is born a poet, not made one; the gift is from above

"To heaven it points, from heaven it came."

This divine faculty may be possessed, yet never acknowledged to the world; yea, even unknown to its possessor? Sometimes it developes itself in middle age; more frequently in youth; occasionally in infancy-even on the mother's knee

"I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came."

But though it should not become visible before the evening of life, it must have been latent in the bosom from the birth, waiting only