The anxious gaze, bent over on his lord,
To catch his secret wish, his feeblest word-perused the entire volume of letters here
Tell that the form, now fixed on mimic stone, announced, we cannot but say that the work
Is-true Elisha, man of God-thine own!" is most praiseworthy in interest and execu-
Our second quotation shall consist of the tion; and that a student, puzzled to write a
concluding lines of the poem, which, we German letter, will here find one to his hand.
think, are very spirited.

Poems, Sacred and Miscellaneous. By the Cast a wild, spectral light on sulph'rous
That lingered sadly on the verge of day,
Rev. R. Parkinson, M.A.
Rivington.

THIS Volume possesses considerable poetical merit. The principal poem, entitled "The Ascent of Elijah," gained the Seatonian prize in 1830. Two of the best passages we❘ shall lay before our readers. The first is a description of Elijah and his successor.

"On a wild shore-whose crumbling frag

At once the cope of heaven asunder rends,
At once that glowing car the Seer ascends;-versary prevails, and that you are stretched
Those fiery steeds, to seek their native skies.
And, girdled with angelic millions, rise

Such advice, and such language, will guard many misguided youths from duelling, and will no doubt attract them to a far nobler object-the study of the German language Elijah's welcome to the happy sky! But where is then the Promise? where the companied with explanatory and grammatical and letters, as they are here set forth (acnotes,) by Mr, P. Saddler.

Lives of the British Admirals. By R. Southey. I which they had never encountered before, but at sea, owing as much to seamanship as London: 1833. Longman and Co. of which what they had heard was enough numbers, that a sagacious prisoner, whom to impress them with dread. The great Philip Augustus interrogated concerning the THE title of this work, and the name of the dromond, as she is called, might probably best means whereby the Holy Land might be author, are sufficient to prove its importance, have beaten off her assailants and pursued her recovered and maintained, told him it would and to establish its merit. Mr. Southey's course, if Richard's men had not dreaded be by keeping the seas, and destroying the literary career has been long, useful, and ho- their king's anger more even than the terrible trade of Egypt. His advice was, that they nourable; every production of his pen has fire of the enemy. I will crucify all my sol- should take Damietta, and rely upon their been distinguished for profound and philoso-diers if she should escape!' was his tremen- fleets more than upon their strength in horse phical research, for a noble English style, and, dous threat. His example availed more than and foot." above all, for an honest English feeling, his threat could have done: they boarded which must be perceived and admired by the huge hulk like Englishmen ; and the Saevery one, and which existed as strongly, racens, when they saw themselves overpow when in his youth he made theories about ered, ran below by their commander's order, equality and republics, as when, in after- and endeavoured to sink the ship, that their times, he was sneered at by Byron, and re-enemies might perish with them. Part of the buked for apostacy by the party he had de- cargo, however, was saved before she suuk, and some of the crew were taken to mercy, though mercy was not the motive; for it was the chiefs, it is said, who were spared for the sake of their ransom. If the stores and ammunition with which this ship was laden had reached Acre, it was thought that the city could never have been taken."

serted.

The appearance of such a work must be very welcome, at least it was very necessary. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, a book much in favor with our grandfathers, is, in point of style, absolutely unreadable. Mr. Southey's work is far more correct as a history, and as entertaining as a romance; indeed, at present, romances grow duller, and histories become more lively,-so that in a short time the latter will completely usurp the place of the former.

We shall prepare for next week a more careful analysis of this work; at present we must confine ourselves to quotations, for the length of which their interest must apologize.

The Greek fire, which happy invention has been lost to modern warfare, is thus described by Mr. Southey:

"The Greek fire was forced in its liquid state from hand-engines, or thrown in jars; or arrows were discharged, the heads of which were armed more formidably than with their own barbs, with tow dipt in this dreadful composition. During the crusades The brilliant actions in modern times have the Saracens became possessed of the secret; effaced the recollection of our early sea whether they discovered it, or it was betriumphs. Mr. Southey, however, assists us trayed to them, is not known, but they to recall them. Here is a battle of Richard employed it with terrible effect; and the Cœur de Lion's with a Saracen ship, "sail-crusaders, who feared nothing else, coning under French colours," says the historian, so that there is no wonder that the ship was taken; because, an Englishman being equal to three real Frenchmen, how much more than equal must he be to three

sham ones?

"Cœur de Lion was detained in Cyprus only a few weeks by his marriage, the conquest, and the settlement of the island. In his way from thence to Acre he fell in with a vessel of the largest size, sailing under French colours; but requiring more evidence than the colours and the suspicious language of the spokesman, he soon ascertained that it was a Saracen ship, laden with stores of all kinds for the relief of Acre, which the Christians were then closely besieging. The brother of Saladin had despatched it from Baruk: there were seven emirs on board; and the number of troops has been stated by the lowest account at 650, by the highest at 1500. They were brave men, well provided with the most formidable means of defence; and desperate, because they knew how little mercy was to be expected from a fleet of crusaders. The size, and more especially the height, of their ship, gave them an advantage which for awhile counterbalanced that of numbers on Richard's part; for his galleys could make but little impres sion upon her strong sides. Richard's people, brave as they were, were daunted by the Greek fire which was poured upon them,

Here is the history of a strange fish, which of his song about the sea: must have given Mr. Barry Cornwall the idea

"Some fishermen of Orford caught in their nets what the chroniclers call a fish, but which they describe as resembling in shape a wild or savage man; he was naked, and in all his limbs and members resembling the right proportion of a man; he had hairs also on the usual parts of his body, albeit that the crown of his head was bald; his beard was long and rugged, and his breast hairy.' The fishermen presented him to Sir Bartholomew de Glanville, who had then the keeping of Orford castle. When meat was set before him, he greedily devoured it; and he ate fish, whether raw or boiled, only pressing in his hands those that were raw till he had squeezed out the moisture. He would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun, and rise again at the rising of the same. He would not, or could not, utter him up by the heels, and miserably tormented any speech; although, to try him, they hung him. His after-usage must have been exceedingly kind, and he must have been of a most forgiving temper not to resent this cruelty; for it seems that he was well reconfessed their fear of this. At this time it was ciled to living ashore. One day they took employed on both sides. The only descrip-him to the haven, and, enclosing a part of it tion of a naval action in those ages, which with their strong nets, to prevent, as they explains the system of naval tactics, relates thought, his escape, they let him take the to the siege of Acre, in which Richard was water for his diversion. He presently dived engaged. The crusaders drew up their fleet under the nets, rose beyond them, sported in the form of a half-moon, with the intent about as if mocking at his keepers, and then, of closing upon the enemy if he should at- of his own accord, returned to them, and tempt to break their line. Their best galleys remained their guest about two months lonwere placed in the two ends of the curve, ger; then, being weary of a land life, he where they might act with most alacrity, took an opportunity of stealing to sea. and least impediment. The rowers were all Strange as this story is, and incredible as it upon the lower deck; and on the upper the will be deemed by most readers, it is insoldiers were drawn up in a circle, with their serted here, because there is complete evibucklers touching each other. The action dence that a similar circumstance occurred began by a discharge of missile weapons on in the latter part of the seventeenth century, both sides; the Christians then rowed for- on the coast of Spain, with this remarkable ward with all stress of oars, endeavouring, difference, that the man who had there choafter the ancient manner, to stave-in their sen an aquatic life, was recognised, and the enemies' sides, or otherwise run them down: history of his disappearance known at the when they came to close quarters, they place where he was supposed to have been grappled; skill then was no longer of avail, drowned in bathing: he was carried back to and the issue depended upon personal his mother's house, remained there nine strength and intrepidity. The Greek fire seems to have been used even when the years, and then took again to the water." ships were fastened to each other: the likelihood of its communicating from the enemy's vessel to that which had thrown it, was much less when galleys was engaged, than it would be in vessels rigged like later men of war; and fire might be employed more freely, because there were no magazines in danger. The crusaders had so greatly the superiority

The first great English naval victory, the battle of Sluys, is thus described :

"On the other hand, Edward was so confident in the skill and courage of his men, that he disregarded the enemy's superiority in numbers. His great ships, well manned with archers, were placed in the van; and between every two there was ope with men

at arms. A squadron was kept in reserve, to prevent the French from closing upon his van, and to assist wherever aid might be required. A third, in which were 500 archers and 300 men at arms, was appointed to protect the vessels where the women were

land, they knew that no such intention was entertained; and their hopes were then raised the higher, thinking that so great a prize might fall into their hands.

Froissart calls Ferrant de Pyon. These lay at anchor about Rochelle and the Isle of Rhé, knowing that the English and Poictevins intended there to land; and, when the earl of Pembroke arrived off the port, and

on the sea there is no recoiling nor flying; there is no remedy but to fight, and to abide fortune, and every man to show his prowess.' The St. Edward also was retaken, and the St. George, and the Black Cock. "The enemy had many engines for cast-perceived the enemy awaiting him, he saw aboard, whom the king is said to have coming stones, and they employed them with that it was too late to avoid them, and that forted all he could. Having disposed the great effect: a large ship, and a galley be- he must needs give them battle, though the fleet in this array, he gave orders to hoist longing to Hull, were sunk by them, with all match was nothing equal, neither in numbers the sails, designing to come into a quarter on board; and from a great ship which be- of men, nor bulk, nor strength of ships." wind, so as to get the advantage of the sun longed to the king's wardrobe, there were How beit, they comforted themselves and and the wind;' and, as he stood off with this but two men and a woman that escaped. The armed, and put themselves in good order, purpose, some of the French, who were battle lasted from a little before ten in the their archers before them, ready to fight. more brave than considerate, supposed that morning, till seven in the evening. The first According to Froissart, who derived his the English, seeing themselves so far inferior squadron of the enemy was entirely beaten ; account of this action from persons who in force, wished to avoid an action. But the second so sorely pressed, that the French were engaged in it, the Spaniards had when they descried the banner royal of Eng-leaped overboard to escape from the show-cannon in their ships; but it is remarkers of arrows which were sent down on able that, though he expressly mentions them. When farther exertion became hope- them, he says nothing of the effect that they less, Bocanegra made off with his squadron. produced; and it appears from his relation One large French ship, the St. Jaques of that they trusted to the old artillery, great "Before the general action commenced, Dieppe, thought to have carried off with her stones, bars of iron, aud balls of lead. Bocanegra sent forth four galleys against a a ship of Sandwich, belonging to the prior Anon,' says the chronicler, they began to ship called the Rich Oliver, which was ad- of Canterbury; but the Englishmen made a approach, making great noise: the great vanced before the others. It is one of the stout resistance; and the earl of Huntingdon, ships of Spain took the wind, to fetch their remarkable circumstances belonging to this William Clinton, coming in his vessel to turn on the English ships, whom they but action, that galleys were not employed in it their aid, the contest continued through little feared, and so came with a full sail on according to the ancient mode of war, no the night; at morning they got possession them; so thus, at the beginning, there was attempt being made to produce any effect of the St. Jaques, and found 400 dead on great cry and noise of one and other, and with their beaks. In the present instance, board. The victory was rendered more com- the Englishmen bare themselves right well; they assailed their enemy with stones and plete by the opportune arrival of the Lord and the earl of Pembroke knighted several shot from engines on all sides, so that the Morley, with part of the northern fleet, and of his young esquires for honour, and reRich Oliver sustained a great loss in men, by the aid of the Flemish small craft, which minded his people that these were Spaniards, and was in great danger of being taken; but came to partake in it from all the adjacent over whom they had triumphed so signally other vessels having now the wind at will, ports. It was the greatest victory that had at Najara. There was a great battle and a came to the rescue in time, and the four ever been gained on those seas. Two hun-hard: the Englishmen had enough to do; galleys were boarded and won before the dred and thirty sail were taken; among and, as I have heard reported,' says enemy could succour them. And now the them the St. Dennis, a mighty ship.' One Froissart, by them that were there, the fleets met; the French joining battle with of the French admirals fell, Bahuchet, the Englishmen and Poictevins desired greatly many trumpets and other instruments of other, was hung from the main-yard of his to acquire praise in arms, and there were martial music, and the English giving alto-own ship, because of the enormities which never men that did more valiantly; for they gether a mighty shout, it sounded horribly he, to say no more, had permitted at were but few people in regard to the Spaniupon the waters, the shores being not far off. Southampton. The carnage was very great; ards, and also far less number of ships, and At the same instant they sent a flight of the largest estimate of the English loss being less in size; therefore it might well be mararrows from their long-bows, which the 4000, the lowest on the other side 10,000; velled how they endured so long: but the French answered as liberally with cross-bow and this was carried by exaggeration to the noble knighthood that was in them recomshot; but the arrows did most execution by number of 30,000; that it amounted to this forted them, and held them in their far. Then began a sore battle. The men on both sides, both parties seem to have strength; and, if they had been like in at armis approached and fought hand to hand, agreed. Men are prone to exaggerate what-ships, the Spaniards had taken but little adfor on both sides they were prepared with ever is wonderful; but it is a strange pro- vantage of them. They held themselves so great hooks and grappling-irons, both being pensity which leads them to magnify calami- close together, that none durst abide their alike willing that strength and prowess ties, and to suppose that the merit of a vic-strokes, unless they were well armed and should decide the combat; and many noble tory is enhanced in proportion to the number pavaised; but the casting down of blocks of deeds of arms were that day done, assailing of mourners whom it has made. No doubt, lead, great stones, and bars of iron, hurt and defending, taking and rescuing again.' in those days, the proportion of deaths in and troubled them marvellously sore, and The French had set the huge St. Christopher battle was much greater than in modern war; wounded divers knights and squires.' 'foremost, and the English made strenuous they fought hand to hand, and not as with efforts to retake it, for they knew the king the bayonet, where the charge is almost inwas much displeased at the loss of that good stantly decided; but in such close combat as ship. So well they sped, and yet so bravely called forth personal and vindictive feelings; were resisted, that when they became mas- and the man who was not worth taking for ters, few were left alive on board to be taken his ransom, had, it may be feared, in most to mercy. Her captain, Jan van Heyle, was cases, little chance for mercy." one, a Flemish gentleman, who escaped death now, only to meet with it ere long from the hands of the populace in Bruges. tory. We will close for the present with one The great Christopher was speedily manned quite as picturesque, if not quite as gratiwith archers, and turned her angry fore-fying-the history of a defeat: deck against the Genoese.' This battle,' "Ambrosio Boccanegra was admiral of says Froissart,' was right fierce and terrible; for the battles on the sea are more dangerous and fiercer than on the land, by reason that

"The action was in sight of Rochelle, in the mouth of the channel leading to that city. The inhabitants were at that time subjects of the king of England; but they were disaffected, and this the Spaniards knew. No effort, therefore, was made to assist his fleet, and the action continued till

We have here given the account of a vic-night, when the fleets separated and cast anchor, the English having lost two barges laden with provisions, all the men board which were put to death. Unequal

this fleet; a Genoese in the Castilian service;
and he had with him Cabeza de Vaca,
Ruydiaz de Rojas, and another chief whom

on

as the contest was, the weaker party made no attempt to escape a renewal of it, either because they hoped for succour from the city, or because they were too highminded to fly from any danger, however

claims the individual nook to be the consequences of this day were far greater than scious repository of thousands of pounds! the loss itself. King Edward received here Thus, at least, will it strike any one who has the greatest blow that ever he had felt; for the least knowledge of the just and powerful this discomfiture drew after it the loss of all, attractions which this species of wealth posthat he had ever possessed in France, either sesses for superior and educated minds. by inheritance or conquest, Bayonne, Bourdeaux, and Calais only excepted.

great. Jehan de Hardanne, who was distinguished persons; and yet the ill con-
seneschal of Rochelle, called upon the
mayor, Jehan Chauderon, and the chief
burgesses, to muster the strength of the
people, and in such vessels as were there
to go and aid their countrymen and allies,
who all the day had so valiantly fought
with their enemies. But they, who had
no mind to any such matter, replied, that "All that day,' says Froissart, which
they had enough to do to keep the town; was the vigil of St. John the Baptist, and all
that they were not men for the sea, and could that night, and the next day till it was noon,
therefore do no service against the Spaniards the Spaniards lay at anchor before Rochelle,
upon the water; but that if the battle were triumphing and making great joy. Aud when
on the land, they would then gladly bear a noon was past, and the tide came on, they
part in it. When no representations of the weighed auchor, and spread their sails, and
seneschal could prevail over this disposition, so departed with a merry noise of trumpets
he and the seigneurs de Tannaybouton, Mes- and clarions; their masts and fore decks
sire Jaques de Surgeres, and Messire Mau- being adorned with long streamers and rich
brun de Linieres, placed a sufficient garrison pennons, and standards emblazoned with
in the castle, armed themselves, and, with the arms of Castille, and made a glorious
such men as would accompany them (an in-show as they wared about in the wind; and
considerable number), went on board four it was beautiful to behold them. After a
barks, and at daybreak, when the tide served, passage which was protracted by contrary
went out and joined the earl of Pembroke. winds, they arrived at Santander; and there
He thanked them heartily for their good they brought their prisoners into the castle,
will; and when they told him how the Ro-hound in chains, after the Spanish manner,

chellers had refused to come to his assistance, he answered and said, 'Well, then, we must abide the grace of God and the event of fortune; and I trust we shall find a time to make these men of Rochelle rue their ill dealing.'

The very staircases groan with blackletter treasures, which it seems a fearful task even to explore, and of which it might be said, with every chance of being realized, "There Caxton sleeps with Wynkyn by his

side,

One bound in wood, and one in strong cow-
hide."

Whilst one sole novelty the scene affords,
The folios literally all in boards!”?

Yet, well might the talented possessor have acquired the appellation of an Helluo Librorum; for, notwithstanding the vast extent of his treasures, almost every volume bears some Ms. note, or other evidence, that he value of the edition which he had perhaps was intimately acquainted with the peculiar traversed half Europe to obtain.

His whole mind seems to have been given up to the acquisition of took treasures; and whatever of a different kind may be found at here there is not a single piece of furniture his family seat, Hodnet Hall, Shrewsbury, to vie with the incomparable Time's Storehouse, which completely wraps you in bed-" one of the olden time," of the justly amazement! Comfortless even is the very styled "Atticus" of the "Bibliomania,”—Atticus, the companion of dukes and lords, but more than their compeer in the intellectual accumulations which he deemed above all price! You are bewildered in coutemplating is nothing to dazzle the eye, save here and the noble owner's grasp of mind; but there there the five-guinea covering of Charles Lewis to a tome (of what shall we say price?) the hammer of the auctioneer, to which this and similar collections at Oxford, at Paris, in the Low Countries, and heaven knows where else! to which the whole is preparing to vibrate, under the truly appropriate superintendence of the Rev. Dr, Dibdin,—

says Barnes, of treating their captives, which was far from that courteous and humane way of intercourse held between the French and English, and Scotch of those days. They received, however, very different treatment from the king, who, when they were "Early in the morning, when the flood brought to Burgos, sent his eldest son, the began, the Spaniards weighed anchor, and infante Don Juan, to meet them, and enterwith sound of trumpet set themselves intained them honourably, though he soon order, as they had done the day before, and took advantage of the wind to close in the English. They and the Poictevins prepared to receive them, and drew together, and set their archers before them. The enemy, whose object it was to engage as soon as possible in close combat, where the number and height of their ships gave them a sure advantage, succeeded in grappling with the English vessels: the action, nevertheless, continued till three in the afernoon. Already Sir Aymery de Tarse and Sir John Lawton had fallen by the earl's side. The earl's ship was now grappled by four Spanish ships; Cabeza de Vaca being in one, and Ferrant de Pyon in another of them. On all sides it was boarded; Lord Touchet, Sir Simon Whittaker, and the Seigneur Jehan de Montagne, were killed; the earl himself was made prisoner, and with him Sir Guischard, Sir Robert Beaufort, Sir John Curzon, and "It is wonderful, sir, what is to be found in London." honour to the "Church Militant," for the

Sir John Grimstone; and all on board either suffered the same fate or worse. Other ships still maintained the struggle; but at last all were overmastered, so that none escaped being either taken or slain. But when the Spaniards had taken the masters, they slew no more varlets; for the masters prayed for their people, and entreated that they would spare them, saying they would pay ransom for all. The ship which had the money on board for payment of the soldiers, to the amount of 20,000l., was sunk; and yet great treasure is said to have fallen into the hands of the conquerors. But this was nothing comparable to the loss which England sustained in the death and capture of so many

placed them in safe custody-as one who
was not conscious enough of honour in him-
self to repose any trust in that of others.
Pembroke was confined in the castle of
Curiel awhile, till he and Guischard, the
seigneur de Penan, and some others, were
delivered over to Bertrand du Guesclin, that
their ransom might be accounted in payment
of the sum due to him for his services the
price of Henrique's kingdom, and of his
brother Pedro's blood. Many of the other
chiefs died in captivity; there were among
them, according to the Spanish account,
seventy knights who wore gilt spurs."

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATION.

VISIT TO THE TOWN LIBRARY OF
MR. HEBER.

DR. JOHNSON.

MORE truly valuable for the treasures it con-
tains, and perhaps as little accessible to the
general gaze of curiosity, as the palace of an
Eastern prince, is the dwarfish old mansion
at Pimlico, late the town residence of the
learned and indefatigable book-collector,
Richard Heber, esq.

It consists of a great number of apart
ments, each of which is shelved all round,
and filled to the very ceiling with the most
rare, valuable, and costly articles, interesting
to the classical scholar, and the poetical and
general antiquary. Every closet is filled with
the most precious of literary gems, the most
casual inspection of the titles of which pro-

alone can determine.

One cannot help congratulating all parties concerned in so momentous an affair, on the acquisition of this gentleman's services, the first librarian of the age, and whose book ardour could only be matched by that of the deceased, -a Wellington in his way, and an

works. Who else could marshal the forces uniform good tendency of his numerous thus placed at his command so beneficially, either for the interests of Mr. Heber's family, or those of the public? For it is, in fact, a National Concern, that a truly able head should direct the numerous hands that must be employed to form even the catalogue of an unparalleled collection, containing doubt less many important articles that would be sought for in vain at Oxford, Cambridge, or the British Museum! The great probability of this latter fact fills you with the sudden wish that even government would interfere, and purchase the whole for the public use, What an appendage would such a collection