lected together a very good library. THE PORTFOLIO. LONDON, MARCH 26, 1825. THE COMPILATION OF THE DENTS COMPels the edI- Geography. CAPTAIN FRANKLIN. THIS gallant and enterprising officer entered the service of his country in the year 1800, and served on board the Polyphemus at the battle of Copenhagen, fought in the following year. He was early initiated in the scientific pursuits of discovery under captain Flinders, in the Investigator and Porpoise, employed in surveying the islands of the Southern Ocean, particularly the coasts of New Holland. The latter ship was unfortunately wrecked upon a coral reef, about 340 leagues to the northward of Port Jackson; and the crew were almost miraculously preserved on a dry sand-bank. Soon after the disaster, the captain left them in an open boat, to endeavour to reach the British settlement. For two months, those who were left behind endured very severe privations and the anxiety of their minds may better conceived than described. It was on this occasion that Mr. Franklin first displayed the germ of those eminent qualities for which he has since become so peculiarly distinguished. At the expiration of this time, they were happily rescued from their perilous situation, by the re turn of the captain, who had succeeded in reaching Sidney, and had immediately proceeded in a small vessel belonging to the colony, for the purpose of relieving his late companions in distress. The whole were embarked, and reached Port Jackson in safety. Mr. Franklin now departed for China; and then took his passage for England in the Earl Camden Indiaman, commanded by captain (now sir Nathaniel) Dance. On their homeward voyage, the India fleet (composed entirely of merchant ships, of which the Camden was commodore) under the celebrated admiral Linois, in were attacked by a French squadron, a ship of eighty guns, who was completely repulsed, and actually compelled to retreat. On his arrival in England, Mr. Frank- till the year 1817, when a spirit of en- CAPTAIN FRANKLIN. was appointed to the command of the Trent, under the immediate orders of Capt. Buchan, for the purpose of exploring the polar regions, and endeavouring to discover a passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The ships sailed in the early part of 1818, and returned in the autumn of the same year. In the April following, lieutenant Franklin took the command of a party destined for a land expedition to explore the north coast of America. This party consisted (besides the lieutenant) of Mr. Back, Mr. Hep burn, and several men of different nations. They landed in Hudson's Bay, at York factory, where every preparation was made, and thence proceeded to Fort Chepawayan, (the place where Mackenzie set out,) where they were joined by Dr. Richardson, and the unfortunate Mr. Hood, with a party of Indians. On the 18th of July, 1820, they set out; and, after navigating the lakes in canoes, descended the Slave River by Mackenzie's route, and soon reached the establishments upon the Slave Lake. Here, taking some copper Indians for guides, they were induced to abandon their first intention of reaching the coast by Mackenzie's river, and tried a new route, not only to the eastward of Mackenzie, but also of Hearne. They attained the Polar Sea in latitude 87deg. 48min., and longitude 115deg. 37min. W., and coasted along its shores in their canoes, upwards of 500 miles to the eastward. The disasters attendaut on the return of the expedition, which proved fatal to so many concerned in it, are admirably related by captain Frankliu, (he was promoted during his absence,) and ably detailed in his "Narrative of a journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea." Hard, indeed, must be the heart that does not commiserate their sufferings. Captain F. returned to England in October, 1822, a mere shadow of his former self. When he first disembarked on his return home, he was so emaciated as scarcely to be recognised. Shortly afterward he was promoted to post rank. Last spring, a party was sent out to prepare for another expedition, to be undertaken in the present year; and supplies have been regularly laid in by them, in the route to Great Bear Lake. There are, perhaps, no men in existence better capable of performing the desired task than those who are engaged in it. Captain Franklin, cool, precise, and persevering; Mr. Back, ardent, active, and daring; Dr. Richardson, strongly attached to science, discerning and enduring; Mr. Kendall, a young officer, starting into life, of amiable disposition, mild manners, and clever in bis profession as a surveyor: his observations have at all times been particularly correct, and may be relied on with safety. Captain Franklin unites the best feelings of the heart with a high sense of public duty. We have now to record the melancholy event which has occurred since his departure, and which, though expected, will, we have no doubt, fall heavily upon the gallant captain while traversing those shores, far, far, from his native land. For some considerable time Mrs. Franklin has been labouring under severe indisposition, which increased as the time for separation drew near. Still, with that firmness which so strongly marked her character, she would not consent that her husband should relinquish his design, and she appeared calmly resigned to an eternal farewell, as very faint shadows of hope (if, indeed, there were any at all) appeared of their meeting again on this side of the grave. Tenderly attached, and both eminently gifted in scientific and literary pursuits, their union was a union of mind: but the stroke of death has severed the bond. Mrs. Franklin departed this life on Tuesday evening, February 22nd, a week after the captain had quitted London, and five days from the time of his leaving England. This lady was the daughter of the late Mr. Porden, an architect of considerable ability, and has left, with the esteem and affection of all who knew her, a pleasing memorial to the public in her literary productions. "The Veils; or, Triumph of Constancy," was published about ten years since, and is highly to be admired for uniting poetic beauty with scientific research, and valuable information. In 1818, she sent forth "the Arctic Expedition," a pleasing production, which must have been highly gratifying to the enterprising adventurers. In June, 1822, her Cœur de Lion; or the Third Crusade," appeared. It will be needless for us to say more of these and minor efforts of a highly cultivated mind, as we make no doubt they have been and will be generally read. Some of the daily papers have unwisely attributed her death to separating from her husband, and a dread of the dangers he had to undergo. This was by no means the case. It was Mrs. Franklin's wish for the captain to persevere; and, though tenderness guided her heart, she was too noble in spirit to be governed by unpromising prospects. Extractana; OR, Selections from New Books. PORTUGUESE SUPERSTITIONS. (From Mrs. Baillie's Lisbon.) THE Portuguese, both in the higher and lower classes, are superstitiously prone to a belief in omens, lucky and unlucky days, divination by cards, religious miracles, &c. &c. although every idea of the possibility of the re-appearance of departed spirits seems generally scoffed at and denied. The tone of their minds is rarely high and intellectual, and therefore the gross and puerile nature of their superstitions ought not to create surprise. Among other superstitions to which this nation is addicted, I may be forgiven for relating the following, as its elegance of fancy almost redeems its absurdity. Every individual is supposed to be born under the influence of some particular destiny or fate, which it is impossible for him to avoid. The month of his nativity has a mysterious connection with one of the known precious stones, and when a person wishes to make the object of his affection an acceptable present, a ring is invariably given, composed of the jewel by which the fate of that object is imagined to be determined or described. For instance, a woman is born in January; her ring must therefore be a jacynth or a garnet, for these stems belong to that peculiar month of the year, and express constancy and fidelity. I saw a list of them, which a lady allowed me to copy, viz.: "January.-Jacynth or Garnet. Constancy and fidelity in every engage ment. "February.-Amethyst.-This month and stone preserves mortals from strong passions, and ensures them peace of amind. "March.-Bloodstone.-Courage, and success in dangers and hazardous enterprizes. 66 April.-Sapphire or diamond.Repentance and innocence. 66 May.-Emerald.--Success in love. "June. Agate.-Long life and health. "July.-Cornelian or ruby.-The forgetfulness of the evils springing from friendship or love. "August.. Sardonyx. Conjugal fidelity. September. Chrysolite. serves from or cures folly. Pre "October. Acquamarine or Opal. -Misfortune and hope. ANECDOTES OF GENERAL BО. "BOLIVAR is a good swimmer,an ele gant dancer, and fond of music: he is a very pleasant companion at table; nei ther smokes nor takes snuff, nor does he ever taste spirits. He endeavours to check the flattery with which he is not unfrequently assailed. At a ball which he gave, a lady rendered herself very conspicuous by loading him with obsequious and importunately fulsome adulation. Bolivar at length said to her, in a mild but firm tone: Madam, I had previously been informed of your cha racter, and now I perceive it myself. Believe me, a servile spirit recommends itself to no one, and in a lady is highly to be despised.' "The following affords some highly characteristic traits :-At a magnificent public dinner given to Bolivar at Bogota, one of the company, when called upon for a toast, gave- Should at any time a monarchial government be established in Colombia, may the liberator, Simon Bolivar, be the Emperor. A high-spirited publie character, Sener Pepe Paris, then requested permission to give a toast, which being acceded to, he filled his glass, and exclaiming—‹ Should Bolivar, at any future period, allow himself to be declared Emperor, may his blood flow from his heart in the same manner as the wine now does from my glass,'-he poured the wine out of his glass upon the floor. Bolivar immediately sprang from his chair, ran to Senor Paris, and, most warmly embrac ing him, exclaimed, "If such feelings as those declared by this honorable man shall always animate the breasts of the sons of Colombia, her liberty and inde pendence can never be in danger."— [The British volunteers who joined him are now almost all dead: of four or five thousand men, not a hundred remains.]Captain Cochrane's Travels in Colombia GIULIO, A TALE. Spirit of the Magazines. GIULIO, A TALE. AN IMPROVISATION OF BONAPARTE. BONAPARTE, during the first year after he ascended the imperial throne, was in the habit of passing such evenings as he could spare from business, in the apartments of the Empress. Harassed by the fatigues of the day, he would throw himself on a sofa, and there, devoured by his ambitious projects, would lose himself in a gloomy silence, which no one had the boldness to disturb. But sometimes he would give the reins to his ardent imagination and to his taste for the marvellous-or, to speak more justly, to that necessity for producing effect, which was, perhaps, his predominant feeling; and he would then recite histories which were almost always terrible, and which never failed to bear the impress of his character. The ladies in waiting profited by these narrations of the Emperor, and it is from the repetition of one of them (Madame de R.) that the following anecdote has been described. "Never,' said that lady, “did Bonaparte appear to me more extraordinary than during his recital of the story of Giulio. Carried away by his subject, he traversed the apartment,-his voice varied with his characters-he seemed to multiply himself, and the terror he inspired was unaffected." To excite alarm in bis audience was delightful to him, and nothing gratified him so highly as the expression of horror which marked the countenances of those who surrounded him. Madame de R. committed to pa'per the anecdote of Giulio the night on which she heard it related, and shortly afterwards imparted it to one of her friends, M. Guizot, to whom we are indebted for its communication. "A mysterious being, who pretended to unravel the secrets of the Future, had appeared at Rome. The sex of this being was a matter of dispute: some there were, who, in relating the strange predictions they had received, spoke of it as bearing the form and features of a woman; whilst others declared they had been confounded by the appearance of a hideous monster. This oracle resided in one of the suburbs, where she inhabited a deserted palace, sufficiently guarded from the curiosity of the popu Jace by superstition and dread. No one could ascertain the period of her arrival; and, in short, whatever related to the existence of this individual, was wrapt in impenetrable mystery. Nothing was spoken of at Rome but the Sibyl, the name by which she was then generally designated; all were anxious to consult her, while few could muster courage to enter her dwelling. On approaching it, some were seized with a horror such as a fatal presentiment could justify, and fled as though strongly repulsed by an invisible hand; in such cases they were never tempted to return. "Camillo, a young Roman nobleman, resolved to explore the abode of the Sibyl, and engaged his intimate friend Giulio as his companion in the enterprise; the latter, being of an irresolute and timid temper, at first declined the proposal; it was not that the reports current, respecting the dangers to be encountered on entering the dwelling of the Sibyl, caused him to hesitate, but Giulio shuddered at the thought of an unveiled Future: nevertheless the request of Camillo decided him. On the day appointed they departed together. On arriving at the door, it opened, as of itself: the two friends entered without pausing,-they wandered over many apartments, meeting no one, till at length they found themselves in a gallery terminated by a black curtain, above which was inscribed" If ye would discover your destiny, pass this curtain,—bul, first, pray!" was "Giulio was agitated: he threw himself upon his knees involuntarily and unconsciously. Was he already within the grasp of this mysterious power! A few moments passed, and the two young men raised the curtain, drew their swords, and entered the sanctuary. A female approached them:-she young-she was perhaps even handsome; but her aspect defied examination: the ghastly fixedness of death, strangely combined with the mutability of life and its passions, formed its expression. It is beyond the scope of words to define or describe those supernatural beings, who, no doubt, iuhabit regions where the language of man is unknown. Giulio, startled by her aspect, turned aside; Camillo cast down his eyes. The Sibyl demanded their business, and Camilo explained to her the motives of their visit. She did not listen to him, her attention seemed solely occupied by Giulio; she was agitated, she shuddered, she extended one hand towards him, as though to seize him, and suddenly drew back. Camillo entreated her to reveal to him his destiny, she consented, and Giulio retired. After a short conference, Camillo sought his friend, whom he found plunged in a profound reverie: he told him smiling, that he need not be discouraged; that for his own part he had learned nothing terrible: that the Sibyl had promised him he should marry Juliana (the sister of Giulio, a marriage, in fact, already decided on,) but that a slight accident would some what retard his union. Giulio passed the fatal curtain, Camillo remaining in the gallery: very soon he heard a fearful cry,recognised the voice of his friend, and rushing forward, tore aside the curtain. Giulio was on his knees before the Sibyl, who shook over his head a bloodstained wand, pronouncing these words, "Love without bounds! Sacrilege! Murder!" Camillo, seized with horror, approached Giulio, who, pale and motionless, was incapable of supporting himself. In vain he interrogated him: the only reply he obtained was a vague repetition of the words Murder! Sacrilege! At length Camillo succeeded in conducting him to his house, where he had no sooner lodged him in safety than he flew to the abode of the Sibyl: he resolved to speak with her, and to compel from her an explanation; but the palace was deserted, the curtain, the inscription, all had disappeared, not a trace of the sorceress remained, nor was she ever seen again. "Some weeks elapsed, the weddingday of Camillo was fixed, and Giulio seemed to have regained his tranquillity; Camillo forbore to interrogate him, hoping that thus the horrible scene with the Sibyl might gradually fade from his recollection. On the eve of the marriage, it happened that the Marquis de Cosmo, the father of Giulio, was thrown from his horse, and, although he received no important injury from his fall, it had the effect of delaying the celebration of the nuptials. Giulio, Juliana, and Camillo, surrounded the bed of the Marquis, lamenting the unfortunate obstacle to their hopes. Camillo, struck by sudden recollection, cried out aloud, The prediction of the Sibyl is verified!' This exclamation evidently produced great agitation in Giulio, who from that hour constantly secluded himself in his own apartment, and shunned all society. He was only accessible to a worthy Monk who had educated him, and with him he held long and mysterious conferences: as for Camillo, he no longer attempted to approach him, perceiving himself to be most especially the object of his avoidance. "The long-wished-for day at length arrived: Camillo and Juliana were united. Giulio did not appear; he had "My father, spare yourself useless pursuit ; my resolution is inflexible, nothing can change it. Dispose of your wealth; Giulio is dead to the world. It has cost me much to abandon you, but I must fly from a horrible destiny. Farewell! forget the unhappy Giulio!" "This letter had no date; he who had brought it was unknown, and had disappeared. The Marquis interrogated the Monk, through whose means alone he believed there yet remained a chance of recovering his fugitive son; but question and threat were alike vain, the Monk was neither to be persuaded nor intimidated: he replied that he was not ignorant of the design of Giulio, which he had long opposed; but that, on finding him firmly resolved, he had at length conceived it a duty to enter into his views; that he knew the place of his retreat, but that no earthly power should induce him to betray secrets confided to him under the seal of confession. "Giulio had gone to Naples, from whence he had embarked for Messina, purposing there to enter a Dominican convent which his confessor had recommended to him. Father Ambrosio, the superior of this convent, was a man of too much real piety and too enlightened views to take advantage of the disturbed imagination of a young man, and Giulio vainly besought him to dispense with the noviciate; he would by no means consent to it. Giulio was compelled to submit: his resolution nevertheless remained immovable; a strange superstition governed him, and he believed he could only find refuge from bis fate by embracing a monastic life. He was persecuted by the recollection of the Sibyl, and incessantly haunted by the words she had pronounced over him Love without bounds! Sacrilege! Murder!' The cloister seemed to him the only asylum whither he might escape from passion and from crime. wretch! as if walls, rules, and vows, could rescue man from his destiny. Poor "The year of the noviciate expired. Giulio pronounced his vows; he believed himself happy, and felt as if at length delivered from the torments he had suffered; not once did an idea of the sacrifice he had made sadden his thoughts; but on the very evening of that solemn day, at the moment of retiring to his cell, he met one of the monks of the con |