only seem to acquiesce, because they view the person who calls for this acquiescence in so contemptuous a light, as to treat him and his arguments with the most perfect indifference. If Dr Jamieson is the only person who has been so idle as to discuss these moral certainties, is it a legitimate conclusion that he is the only person who has sense enough to perceive the crudeness and absurdity of all Mr Chalmers's speculations? But it is not true that Dr Jamieson is the only writer who is guilty of the crime of nonacquiescence. General Vallancey refers to a certain passage in this mighty volume, which, in his opinion," does not agree with either Irish or Welsh history or tradition." * We firmly believe that no man has ever given, or ever will give, a complete perusal to either of these two volumes; and this is one species of acquiescence on which the author will have much reason to congratulate himself. We are, however, threatened with other two volumes of the same magnitude. Such a ponderous and shapeless mass of inert matter has never yet been obtruded on the public. Nor is the matter more exceptionable than the style; which is excessively turgid, clumsy, and disgusting. It would indeed require a large volume to enumerate "all the laughable, and all the loathsome peculiarities, which float upon the surface of his diction." Let us, however, be just to all men. This tasteless and injudicious writer has certainly evinced an uncommon degree of industry; and if he had only confined himself within his proper department, he should have found us extremely willing to commend his obscure diligence. VI.—M. Gener: or a Selection of Letters on Life and Manners. By JOHN MUCKERSY, Minister of West Calder. Vol. I. 2d edit. Edinb. 1809, 8vo. Pp. 331. 7s. 6d. Hill. THE individual who lives in the bustle of the world, and is continually occupied in the pursuits of interest, pleasure, or ambition, is apt to sink into a sordid or vicious character, or, what is little better, to become a mere creature of routine or fashion. To redeem him from such a degraded condition, books, which shall awaken his judgment, rouse his feelings, and amend his heart, are necessary. But it is not enough that such books are already in existence. To command attention, there must be something One who cannot find leisure to look at the pages of Addison, Johnson, or Hawkesworth, may peruse the letters of M. Gener on account of their novelty, or perhaps, merely to be able new. to * Vallancey's Essay on the Primitive Inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland, p. 192. Dublin, 1807, 8vo. to say that he has examined the work; and, from whatever motives these letters may be read, we are satisfied that considerable benefit will be derived from them. The more cultivated the mind of the reader is, and the better he is acquainted with the writings of similar authors, the greater pleasure and improvement will he receive; but, however narrow his acquaintance with polite literature may be, he cannot fail to have his taste improved, and his best principles strengthened. Some of his foibles will be struck. at, his faults pointed out, or his vices laid open; and the effect will be the more salutary, because he will find it impossible to accuse any one of officiousness or ill-breeding. In this, we apprehend, does the chief value of the present volume consist. It abounds in plain good sense, and displays an accuracy of observation on life and manners which is truly honourable to the author. There is, besides, a pointed vivacity of style, and clearness of expression, which are highly pleasing; and, as the author's friends informed him before publication, the work " contains many strokes of delicate satire, and the tendency of every part of it is to promote virtue." * In In his letter on conversation, our author observes, that of "books of taste, whether ancient or modern, the most popular and acceptable are those which express the common sense and observation of mankind in an elegant manner." From this passage, therefore, as well as from some expressions in his preface, we are satisfied that Mr Muckersy was not ignorant, either of the importance of his subjects, or of his own qualifications for treating them; and, knowing this, we are astonished that he did not at once come before the public in his own character. His modesty in this respect has, indeed, placed him in a very awkward situation. the first instance, the work appeared as "Translations of M. Gener;" which allowed him to say, consistently enough with the assumed character of translator, "By the Rev. John Muckersy." But now the title is become rather whimsical; because nobody sees how "M. Gener" should be equivalent to "A Selection of Letters on Life and Manners;" nor how "M. Gener" should be written by Mr Muckersy. It would have been better, in our opinion, had he either retained the fictitious character in toto, or dropped it altogether; and we trust that in his third edition, which we hope will soon be called for, the latter method will be adopted. The volume under consideration consists of twenty-seven letters, all of which are ably written; but those which pleased us most, are the letters on early rising, old age, character, our own faults, the choice of friends, letter-writing, and plausibility. Our limits will not permit us to introduce any quotations; nor 备 See Mr Muckersy's Preface. is it necessary. The work is fully able to recommend itself; and, thinking so highly as we do of its general merits, it would rather be our duty to discover its faults, than to dwell on its beauties. The former, however, are rare indeed, and the utmost length we could go, would be to qualify and restrict the author's expressions in one or two instances, where we think them too broad and unguarded. Among these we would class his maxims, that when we are deceived in the estimate which we form of our neighbour's motives to any particular action, we decern only the motives which would have actuated ourselves in a similar situation; that our ears are open to the faults of other men, generally in the same proportion as we have faults of our own to conceal; that a young man cannot acquire such experience as will make him disgusted with the world; and that caution in youth is villainy in old age. As to these, it is apprehended, first, that we err frequently in assigning motives the very reverse of our own, by imagining ourselves much better than our neighbours; secondly, that our ears are open to the faults of others, very often because our own are beyond all concealment; and, lastly, that our author seems to have forgotten that the old man may die a child, while the young man may die a hundred years old in experience, the dear-earned fruit of adversity. Faults such as these, if they are faults at all, are like spots in the sun, which neither affect his brilliancy nor usefulness. VII.-The Family Legend: a Tragedy. By JOANna Baillie. Edinb. 1810, 8vo. Pp. xiv, 152. 3s. 6d. Ballantyne & Co. THE foundation of this drama is a traditionary story still circulated in the Western Islands. The heroine is Helen, the daughter of Argyll, and the wife of the chief of the Macleans. A deadly feud had long subsisted between the Macleans and Campbells. In order to reconcile their differences, Argyll had bestowed her in marriage on the chief of the rival clan. Although her sense of filial duty had induced her to comply with her father's wishes, yet her affections were fixed on Sir Hubert de Grey, an English knight of a generous and romantic character. The first act introduces Benlora, Lochtarish, and Glenfadden, the kinsmen and principal vassals of Maclean. They are highly dissatisfied with this alliance between the hostile families: but the discontent of all the vassals is industriously fomented by Lochtarish, an artful villain, who would have been next in the order of succession. The manners of the Highland chieftains are pourtrayed in a very happy and characteristic style. The beginning of the second second act presents John of Lorne, the heroic brother of Helen, and Sir Hubert de Grey, her constant lover; who have arrived in the island of Mull, in order to visit Maclean's castle in disguise. The interview between the brother and sister is very skilfully delineated. The scene afterwards changes to a cave, where the principal vassals of Maclean are assembled for the purpose of holding a consultation with respect to the means of removing the amiable and engaging Helen. They are at length joined by their chief; who is represented as possessed of personal courage, but in other respects weak and wavering. With much reluctance he is induced to abandon his wife, to whom he is strongly attached, and who, notwithstanding her early affection for De Grey, deports herself with the utmost discretion and circumspection. At the commencement of the third act, we discover a small rocky island, on which two of the vassals leave Helen to perish at the flowing of the tide. The progress of this scene excites much interest in the closet, and may perhaps excite equal interest on the stage. When on the point of being swallowed up by the waves she is extricated from her situation by a fishingboat belonging to Lorne and De Grey. In the fourth act, we find her brought secretly back to her father's castle. The character of the old earl is sage and venerable; and his calm dignity is happily contrasted with the generous impetuosity of his son, who may be considered as the hero of the piece. In the fifth act, Maclean and his vassals arrive at Argyll's castle in deep mourning, and proceed to condole with him on the death of his daughter. The earl dissembles his indignation, and treats the Macleans with courteous hospitality. A banquet is prepared in the great hall of the castle. He informs his guests that the empty seat on his right hand is reserved for a lady. At length Helen makes her appearance, with a deep white veil over her face. Maclean drinks to the health of the unknown lady; who rises from her seat, bows to him, and throws back her veil. The Macleans are struck with astonishment. Argyll declares that they are to be considered as his guests while they remain within the walls of his castle; and directs John of Lorne to conduct them in safety to the gate. The Campbells and Macleans issue out of the castle : Maclean and Benlora are slain, and Lochtarish is taken prisoner. This ferocious chieftain threatens, that if any violence is offered to his person, the infant son of Helen should be put to death by his mother. But at this crisis De Grey enters with the infant in his arms; having secretly rescued it from the custody of its dangerous kinswoman. This incident seems not altogether adapted to the stage; but the whole of the last act is admirably written. Such is the imperfect outline of this very ingenious production. What is termed the plot consists in the Macleans discovering Helen Helen at the banquet, when they suppose her to have been drowned. For such a discovery it is obvious that the reader or spectator must be completely prepared: yet we are inclined to think that the progress of this incident cannot be deficient in stage-effect. The Family Legend has frequently been exhibited in the Edinburgh theatre, and has received the applause of a discerning audience. Though not possessed of higher energy, it is perhaps better adapted to representation than any other drama of the same author. The characters are drawn with discrimination, and many scenes are exquisite. The language is forcible and dramatic; but the author's admiration of the early writers has occasionally induced her to employ an expression which a modern reader may not consider as graceful. The present age has produced many literary ladies, who have written with ingenuity and taste; but none of them has evinced a more original or a more masculine vein than Miss Baillie. Her works remind us of Shakspeare more forcibly than those of any modern writer. Poetry. VERSES ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE PUPIL. FAST Comes the hour that calls me to attend, There all our fond terrestrial hopes descend; Youth could not guard thee, nor could virtue save! Fair was thy bloom, and, as the season flow'd, Warm expectation ey'd the fruit bestow'd, To point the path thy progress should pursue, And ope the fields of knowledge to thy view. And stillness reigns, and flow'rs their sweets exhale. There, no imperious passion ever rose, No wayward humour reason's pow'r represt. G There |