THE AUCTION. A Sketch of London Society. countenance, though pale and languid, was expressive of genius and sensibility. Here then, thought I, are the late actors in this domestic scene; and, as I gazed on the sweet faces before me, my interest became A SALE of household effects, in a fashion-excited to a painful degree.-Imagination able square, is one of those scenes which exhibit human nature in a very unamiable point of view. Each person is eager in the pursuit of some article that pleases his fancy, and seems to think of self alone. The mansion, that I was now in, had lately been the residence of a family of distinction,, and bore evident marks of good taste. The furniture was rich and elegant, and chosen with a view to use as well as ornament;-the pictures were the chef d'oeuvres of the best masters; and a library of well chosen books, with globes, fine maps, and all the apparatus for astronomical and geographical studies, marked the intellectual pursuits of the late possessors. pictured those delicate looking females driven from their home, stripped at once of all the elegancies of life, and sent to brave a world, the hardships of which they were now for the first time to learn. I saw them cling to each other in an agony of affection-I saw the last looks of parting sorrow which they cast on this scene of happy hours forever gone by; and I saw the efforts they made to compose their tearful countenances, and to regain some portion of fortitude, while with hurried steps, as if afraid to trust themselves with another parting glance, they left the apartment. My heart bled at the picture which my fancy had painted, and I hastened into the room where the sale The morning room of the female part of was going on, to lose the poignancy of my the family next excited my attention: here emotions. Here every thing presented a were all the indications of female elegance contrast to the quiet scene that I had quitted. and female usefulness-the neat book shelves Noise, bustle, and confusion on every side : stored with the best authors; the writing here was a group of fashionables, male table, with all its appendages; the drawing and female, whose bows of recognition, and table, on which the easel and pencils still smiles and whispers, betrayed that they rested, and the harp and piano-forte, with were more occupied with each other than the music books still open, all spoke the re- with the auction. At another side was a fined taste and avocations of the owners of set of elderly ladies, whose scrutinising glanthis room, and how sudden had been the ces, and airs of satisfied self-importance, ruin that had expelled them from it. were expressive of their conscious superi Some pictures, with their faces turned to ority. Next to these were some gentlemen, the wall, were placed in a corner of the of a certain period of life, who had left their room, and curiosity induced me to examine clubs to look in at the sale, and whose sapithem. I found them to be coloured draw-ent looks and whispers declared them well The rest of ings, admirably executed, and evidently accustomed to such scenes. portraits: on examining them more closely the crowd was composed of brokers, and I observed that some of the accompaniments dealers in bijouterie, who evidently wished were copies of parts of the furniture now be- the fashionables away. fore me; one of the drawings represented Desirous of losing the painful impression two very lovely girls performing on the harp left on my mind, I mingled with the crowd, and piano-forte, and never did I behold a and seeing a beautiful fillagree box put up sweeter personification of a duet. "Both for sale, which I thought likely to attract warbling of one song, both in one key; as the notice of the ladies, I sauntered round, if their hands, their sides, voices, and minds and took a station close to a group of the had been incorporate." Another represent-youngest, who were chatting with some ed a most animated intelligent looking girl, young men of fashion. The insipid countereading to one who was drawing, and whose nances, starched neckcloths, and compress ed waists of the latter, bore evident testimo- | hermitage better than his claret," said a ny of their belonging to the effeminate race third; while another exclaimed, "Well, which has, for the last few years, been give me his hock in preference to all his known by the appellation of Dandy or Ex-other wines, for that was unique." "I hope quisite. G-will buy B-'s wines; as he gives such The box, as I anticipated, soon attracted good feeds; his is the only house in town their attention, and, "O dear, how pretty!" where you may rely on finding a perfect "How very elegant!" "How monstrous supreme de volaille; or where you get cotecharming!"-with innumerable other ejac-lettes des pigeons a la champagne." "O! ulations of admiration, were all uttered with but (remarked the first speaker) G-'s cel great animation, and at nearly the same mo-lar is not near so cool or well arranged as ment, by the ladies; while their attending B-'s, and the wine may get injured." beaux, between a languid smile and sup- "There won't be time enough for that, for pressed yawn, merely said "Do you think G-can't last long; he will be done up in so?" "Is it so very pretty?" or, "Do you a short time," was the reply. "I did hear wish to bid for it?""O dear, no, I dare say some hint of that," said another. "It's a it will go off horribly dear; and I have spent fact, I assure you, I had it from his lawyer," all my money at Jarman's, where I bought said the first speaker. "Well, G is a the most exquisite piece of china that ever monstrous good fellow, and we must dine was seen. To be sure it was immensely with him very often, that the wine mayn't dear, but it is such a love, that there was no be spoiled before he is done up," said one of resisting it; besides I know Lady C will the Exquisites; which friendly intention die with envy at my getting it, and I do so they all expressed their willingness to carry love to make people envious." This good into effect. "Have you any idea what is natured sentiment extorted a smile of lan- become of B-?" interrogated one of the guid admiration from the beau, who rejoin- party. "I did hear something, that he was ed, "If it gives you pleasure to excite envy, in the Bench; or gone to France; but you must often enjoy that gratification, as (yawning) I really forget all about it." "I all woman-kind must be ready to expire intend to bid for his curricle horses at Tatwith envy whenever you appear." "O! tersal's." "And I (said another) will buy you flattering creature, you don't really his Vandyke picture." "What, do you like think so," was the lady's reply. pictures?" said a third. "O, no, I have not the least fancy for them; indeed I don't know a Titian from a Vandyke: but one must have pictures, and I know that R-, who is a judge in things of that sort, wants to have this, and I am determined he shan't” was the reply of the intended purchaser of one of the chef d'œuvres of Vandyke. The lisping accents of another party_of fashionables next caught my attention: "Do you go to Lady D-'s ball to night?" inquired a listless looking young man, of an affected sickly-looking young lady;-"I'm not quite sure, (was the answer,) for Lady D-'s balls are, in general, so dull, that I don't much fancy going to them; I am to look in A young man of the party, who had hithat Mrs. C-'s, and the Marchioness of L-'s, erto been silent, and in whose countenance and if they offer nothing very tempting, I may good nature and silliness strove for mastery, go to Lady D-'s. By the by, apropos, of remarked that "it was a pity that people balls what very pleasant ones we have been at who gave such good dinners were so soon in this house; poor Mrs. B-will give no more ruined." "A pity! (replied another) no, balls; for I understand, they are quite ruined. no; give me a short campaign, and a brisk Well, I declare, now that I think of it, I am ve- one; for let the dinners and wines be ever ry sorry; for there are so very few people that so good, one gets so tired of seeing always give pleasant balls." Here the conversa- the same faces, and the same kind of dishes: tion became general; each of the ladies, for if a dinner-giving man holds out many young and old, mingling their voices:seasons, he gives so often the same sort of "Well, I must say, I always thought how it dinners, and the same set of men, that it at would end," says one. "What a very con- last becomes as tiresome as dining at the ceited woman Mrs. B- was," cries another. mess of the guards. Believe me, there is "Yes, and what fuss people made about the nothing like a fresh start; and no man beauty and accomplishments of the daugh- should last more than two seasons, unless he ters," observes a third. "I (said a pale would change his cook every month, to presickly looking girl) could never see any vent a repetition of the same dishes, and beauty in them; and I am sure they wore keep a regular roster of his invitations, with rouge and pearl powder." "They gave a mark to each name, to prevent people devilish good dinners though, (said one of meeting at his house twice in a seathe beaux,) and I must do B- the justice son." "Would it not be better to cut his to say, that he had one of the best cooks in acquaintances every month, instead of his London." 66 Yes, and he gave capital clar-cook, particularly if he once get a perfect et," rejoined another. "I thought his white artist? Who is it that would not give up all his acquaintances, rather than part with such a cook as Monsieur Ude?" All the party agreed in this sentiment, but the silent young man observed, that "carrying it into practice might be attended with disagreeable conséquences; for some men are so ridiculous, that if you take it into your head to cut them, they call you out, and nothing but a duel or an apology remains." 259 my God. That I now live, and pursue a course of usefulness and industry, I owe entirely to their humanity: I shudder at reflecting on the fearful crisis to which poverty and despair had reduced me, when those amiable and excellent young ladies found me out. By their assistance I am now not only above want, but have a trifle to assist While this edifying conversation was go- chase some of the furniture of their own prithe unfortunate, and I came here to puring on, the elderly ladies were all harangu- vate apartments, which I know they valued ing on the follies, errors, and extravagancies from their childhood, in order to have it sent of Mrs. B—; and the young ones were de- to their future habitation, as a trifling mecrying the looks, accomplishments and man-morial of a gratitude that can end only with ners of the Misses B-. Each article of or- my life. nament or virtu that was exhibited for sale auctioneer's clerk has told me that the furBut, alas! I am too late, for the elicited fresh sarcasms from the acquaintan-niture of their rooms together with their ces of the unfortunate B-family, who appeared to exult in the misfortunes of those for whom they once professed a regard. "And this is an auction!" I exclaimed; -"a scene so often the resort of the old and the young, the grave and the gay, where human beings go to triumph in the ruin and misery of their fellow creatures; and where those who have partaken of the hospitality of the once opulent owner of the mansion, now come to witness his downfall, regardless of his misfortunes, or else to exult in their own contrasted prosperity." Never was mankind so low in my estimation; and I was hurrying from this scene of heartless selfishness, when I perceived two females engaged in conversation, whose looks were expressive of the sympathy which they felt in it. clothes, books, and musical instruments, are all bought in by a friend: so that I am degratitude. I have one more effort to makeprived of this opportunity of proving my they will want a domestic, and no where can they find a more attached one than myself. The life which they have preserved shall be devoted to their service." nance became radiant with gratitude and this the usages of society forbade. I inquired of a bystander the name of the ON A PASSAGE IN THE TEMPEST. On approaching nearer I heard the names of the Misses B-pronounced in accents so full of pity and affection, that I paused to listen to the conversation. One of the females, whose appearance bespoke her to belong to the upper class of society, observed, in reply to an inquiry of the other, that "The ing two such instances of benevolence; and My feelings glowed with delight at findB-family were all at her house, and per-I exclaimed with warmth, "Thank heaven fectly reconciled to their misfortunes; that all goodness has not vanished from the earth! she hoped enough would remain, after pay- The virtues of those two amiable women have ing the creditors, to enable the family to en-reconciled me to my species; and I find that joy the comforts of life, in some retired even the selfish vortex of an Auction cannot country residence: that the Misses Bingulf true virtue." only regretted their change of fortune as dreading its effects on their parents, and as abridging their means of assisting their fellow creatures" Here the emotions of the other female became uncontrollable, and while the tears trickled down her cheeks, she exclaimed with a fervency that displayed the sincerity of her feelings, "O! bless them, bless them: well I know their goodness; they found me out when oppressed by affliction and poverty; despair had nearly overwhelmed me, and I thought Pity and Benevolence had fled from the earth. They relieved my wants with a liberal hand; but O! what is of infinitely greater importance, they reconciled me to my fellow-beings and to By the Hon. Charles Lamb. Tempest, one passage in it has always set ment of Sycorax from Algier, adds- For one thing that she did 1 260 -Was the story extant of the Chronicles of Algiers? Could I get at it by some fortunate introduction to the Algerine Ambassador? Was a voyage thither practicable? The Spectator (I knew) went to Grand Cairo, only to measure a pyramid. Was not the object of my quest of at least as much importance?-The blue-eyed hag-could she have done any thing good or meritorious? might that Succubus relent? then might there be hope for the devil. I have often admired since, that none of the commentators have boggled at this passage how they could swallow this camel-such a tantalising piece of obscurity, such an abortion of an anecdote. At length I think I have lighted upon a clue, which may lead to show what was passing in the mind of Shakspeare, when he dropped this imperfect rumour. In the "accurate description of Africa, by John Ogilby (Folio) 1670," page 230, I find written, as follows. The marginal title to the narrative is poinyard into the same, and left it sticking But as they were thus intending, there was a witch of the town, whom the history doth not name, which went to seek out Assam Aga, that commanded within, and pray'd him to make it good yet nine days longer, with assurance, that within that time he should infallibly see Algier delivered from that siege, and the whole army of the enemy dispersed, so that Christians should be In a word, the thing as cheap as Birds. did happen in a manner as foretold; for upon the twenty-first day of October in the same year, there fell a continual rain upon the land, and so furious a storm at sea, that one might have seen ships hoisted into the clouds, and in one instant again precipitated into the bottom of the water; insomuch that that same dreadful tempest was followed with the loss of fifteen gallies, and above an hundred other vessels; which was the cause why the Emperor, seeing his army wasted by the bad weather, pursued by famine, occasioned by wrack of his ships, in This Prince in the year one thousand which was the greatest part of his victuals five hundred forty one, having embarqued and ammunition, he was constrain❜d to raise upon the sea an army of twenty two thous- the siege, and set sail for Sicily, whither he and men aboard eighteen gallies, and an hun-retreated with the miserable reliques of his dred tall ships, not counting the barques and shallops, and other small boats, in which he had engaged the principal of the Spanish and Italian nobility, with a good number of the knights of Maltha; he was to land on the coast of Barbary, at a cape call'd Matifou. From this place unto the city of Algier a flat shore or strand extends itself for about four leagues, the which is exceeding favourable to gallies. There he put ashore with his army, and in a few days caused a fortress to be built, which unto this day is call'd the Castle of the Emperor. Charles the Fifth besieges Algiers. In the last place, we will briefly give an account of the Emperor Charles the Fifth, when he beseig'd this city; and of the great loss he suffered therein. fleet. In the mean time that witch being acknowledged the deliverer of Algier, was richly remunerated, and the credit of her charms authorized. So that ever since witchcraft hath been very freely tolerated; of which the Chief of the town, and even those who are esteem'd to be of greatest sanctity among them, such as are the Marabou's, a religious order of their sect, do for the most part make profession of it, under a goodly pretext of certain revelations which they say they have had from their prophet Mahomet. In the mean time the city of Algier took And hereupon those of Algier, to palliate the alarm, having in it at that time but eight hundred Turks, and six thousand the shame and the reproaches that are Moors, poor-spirited men, and unexercised thrown upon them for making use of a witch in martial affairs; besides it was at that in the danger of this siege, do say that the time fortifi'd onely with walls, and had no loss of the forces of Charles V, was caused out-works: insomuch that by reason of its by a prayer of one of their Marabou's, namweakness, and the great forces of the Em-ed Cidy Utica, which was at that time in peror, it could not in appearance escape taking. In fine, it was attaqued with such order, that the army came up to the very gates, where the Chevalier de Sauignac, a Frenchman by nation, made himself remarkable above all the rest, by the miracles of his valour. For having repulsed the Turks, who having made a sally at the gate call'd Babason, and there desiring to enter along with them, when he saw that La on his great credit, not under the notion of a magitian, but for a person of a holy life. Afterwards in remembrance of their success, they have erected unto him a small mosque without the Babason gate, where he is buried, and in which they keep sundry lamps burning in honor of him; nay they sometimes repair thither to make their sala, for a testimony of greater veneration." Can it be doubted for a moment that the dramatist had come fresh from reading some older narrative of this deliverance of Algier | sists upon believing, that taste and enjoyby a witch, and transferred the merit of the ment are criminal, let him remain in his deed to his Sycorax, exchanging only the boorishness and suffering. He is scarce"rich remuneration," which did not suit his ly worth the pains necessary to his converpurpose, to the simple pardon of her life? sion. Ogilby wrote in 1670; but the authorities to which he refers for his Account of Barba- There is something peculiar in the interry are-Johannes de Leo, or Africanus-est with which we regard the personal hisLouis Marmol-Diego de Haedo-Johannes tory of actors. If it is less refined and exGramaye-Bræves-Cel. Curio-and Die-alted than that sentiment of admiration go de Torres-names totally unknown to me-and to which I beg leave to refer the curious reader for his fuller satisfaction. LITERARY VARIETY. It is an easy matter to foretell, with almost perfect certainty, on seeing a man's first performance, whether he will try a second; and still more easy, on seeing the second, to predict whether he will attempt a third; in the same way as it is a simple thing to judge from the expression of a person's countenance, and a little talk with him, whether in his case taciturnity or loquacity prevails. The excellence of a first production, too, is generally a pretty good criterion by which to judge of the probability of its being followed by others from the same pen, for good authors commonly write more than one book. But besides this criterion, there is about some works so much of the natural spirit of their authors, so much that indicates their ordinary feelings and peculiarities, that really one cannot fail to determine, to one's own satisfaction at least, whether they are decidedly given to literary practices, and to the composition of books. That modesty, however, which it is said is peculiar to great genius, may eventually gain the upper hand of a moderate ambition, and thus the world may be disappointed of what that genius promised; but middling talents, which are generally accompanied by an assortment of opposite qualities-pertinacity, loquacity, and conceit, and not unfrequently, too, a degree of activity and industry which leads them to the perpetration of all manner of literary crimes, are sure to prove abundantly steady and unweariable in their operations, when once they are fairly set upon a literary course. There is no more virtue in drawing down the corners of the mouth, than there is in allowing them to rise up in a smile. Coarse linen has no more religion in it than fine. A taste for nauseous liquors, bad music, hobbling poetry, nasal sounds, or books without genius and interest, is not necessary to piety nor to any of the Christian graces. An accomplished and elegant man may be a saint, as well as an awkward and clownish one. Yet, this is at times disputed, or appears to be so. If, however, any reader in He which is excited by high and permanent works of art, it is more cordial and endearing. The masterpieces of poetry and painting may convey no idea of the individual by whom they are produced; but the actor is inseparable from his works. His form, his countenance, the tones of his voice, the temperament of his moral nature, those very circumstances which create friendship, or which friendship chooses as its favourite symbols, are presented to us on the stage. We sympathise not only with the artist but with the man, and contract with him an imaginary acquaintance, which has all the agreeable sensation of gratitude without the humiliating idea of obligation. The very transitory nature of his successes, enduring only while his bodily vigour lasts, affects us who are also passing away, and disposes us to do him ample and unsparing justice. does not mock the creatures of a day by productions which are to last for centuries, and which have already the cold and marbly air of duration beyond the span of human life. He appeals to the mortal part of us; to all the social affections which cleave to our earthly home; and sets "a fond reflection of our own decay" touchingly before us. As there is no record of his triumphs but on the fleshy tablets of the heart, we yield those to him with affectionate liberality, and eagerly retrace the vestiges of his greatness, which were imprinted there in our gayest or serenest hours. We try to make up to him by the intensity of our approbation for the shortness of his course, because he has no appeal from our judgment to that of generaHis most triumphant hours tions unborn. have been our happiest; and we cherish the thoughts of our own youth, while we bear witness to his fame. Hence there are few light biographies so interesting as those of actors; few personal narratives so enchaining "the trivial fond records" of their bright as and joyous career. PROVERBS-As the "wisdom of nations," and the quintessential abstract of innumerable minds, proverbs must naturally be true: In what sense true? Not but how? aλws, not absolutely and unconditionally, but in relation to that position from which they are taken. Most proverbs are hemispheres as it were: and they imply another hemisphere with an opposite pole, and the |