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And Weekly Review;

Forming an Analysis and General Repository of Literature, Philosophy, Science, Arts, History, Biography, Antiquities, Morals, Manners, the Drama, and Amusements.

Brief Inder to the present Number:-Reviews: Common Events, 193; Travels in Russia, 194; Memoirs of Moses Mendelsolin, 196; The Oxford Quarterly Magatine, 197: The Abduction. 199; Memoirs of the Affairs of Europe, 201: Considerations on the Expediency of Sinking Capital in Railways, 202; Segur's History of the Expedition to Russia, 203 —Original: The Bay of Dublin, 204; Queries anent Asmodeus, 205. The Ports Campbell and Byron, 206.—Original Poetry: Stan as in Jentation of Horace, 200; Au Outlaw's Death, 206.-Fine Arts, 206.-Drama, 207.-Literature and Science, 207.—Bee, 207.

No. 306.

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1825.

REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

Common Events: a Continuation of Rich and Poor Post 8vo. pp 382. Edinburgh and London, 1825. Blackwood,

Price 10d.

But, had they seen the wretchedness of the beings who were labouring to divert them, we shall hope that better feelings would have prompted them so to bestow their money as to have enabled the poor vagabonds to rest their wearied bodies, to look after their famishing children, to fly from the contamination of one another.

The landlord of the Silver Key, Joseph Macbill, had been in bad health for some years, and set by, as his wife expressed it. She had been a cook before her marriage', and talked of him with much the same respect as she would have done of an old tureen, and uttered her sorrows concerning him in this manner to Jerkins, the marchioness's maid, in reply to her inquiry after his health.

boys riding through the town on horses newly caught, without any furniture whatever. The weather had brightened up so considerably, that some of the party from Roe Park were -half repenting of their expedition, but it would Tus author of Common Events commences ruin the players were they now to return. It by observing that a 'twice-told tale is prover- was an uncommonly comfortable commodibly tedious and he might have added, ous theatre, built by subscription, and the that a half-told tale is very provoking. We marchioness's patronage was expected to fill recollect with what misery, in our younger it. The town of Dintherout had given it free days, we have waited for the second or third to the strollers, who were, as usual, in a state volume of even a Minerva-Press novel from of the greatest poverty. There was little some circulating library, when we had reach- amusement expected from the excellence of ed the middle of the story; and every one who the performance, yet much might be derived knows the art of experienced novel-writers in from its absurdity. There were flaming concluding a volume at some interesting pas-handbills posted up in various parts of the sage, in order to excite interest for the future, street, intimating that, under the patronage of will sympathize with us. No grass grew in the Marchioness of Vainall, would be per- Thank you for speerin' for him-hech the path from our dwelling to that of the book-formed the tragedy of Macbeth; and never me! he'll no mend noo-I think he's got an seller, and his patience was almost exhausted was such a pennyworth to be given for the income in his arm-he's noo clean cracked in our Tonsonizing him about the divided money, for Macbeth was to recite between and broken! wae's me, he's been a silly man novel. If waiting a few hours or a few days acts the adventures of Cornet Flash, and to a' his days. The maintenance o' him is a created so much mortification, what are we sing several favourite songs; and Miss Flow-sair brawback upon me, for I'm but a silly to say to publishing novels piecemeal, at in- ers was to dance the shawl dance, and to sing woman mysell, no able to fight and steer tervals of twelve or eighteen months. We the Maid of Windsor, and to go through a about the house as I used to do." were just on the point of protesting against fire balloon upon horseback; and the whole this system, when we recollected that, although was to conclude with a new pantomimic Common Events form a continuation of Rich farce, never before performed in Dintherout, and Poor, yet that the latter work was com- called the Interesting Clown. Many a boy plete in itself. They may, in short, be com- and girl loitered on their way to school to pared to the Youthful Days of Charles Ma- spell this attractive bill. Dr. Spleen Harris thews and his present entertainment, both and Sir Philip Hom found themselves engagperfect in themselves, yet harmonizing toge-ed in the same occupation as they were loitering about before dinner.

ther.

"I am not quite convinced," said Dr. Spleen Harris, "that it adds much to our friend the marchioness's dignity, to have her name flourishing as patroness to such a set of ragamuffins, as the names in this bill would indicate them to be."

"But I hope your customers still fiequent the Silver Key?" said Jerkins.

"I canua compleen," said Mrs. Macbill: "but they cum a' at ance, and I may say, speak a' at ance; thae Englishmen are sometimes like to pit me woof, when they cum doun wi' their guns an' their dougs, and their valys. But wha is yon?" continued she, looking out at the door, and pointing to the gentlemen.

"It's Doctor Spleen Harris," said Jer

kins.

"Houts, woman, I ken him weel enough," said Mrs. Macbill, "he's often here: but whae is he yon who is walken wi him?"

"He's a grand Englishman," said Jerkins; "a Sir Philip Hum, with a great deal of money; he's one of those who come into the country with the moor-fowl, and depart with the partridges."

Such of our readers as bear in mind our notice of Rich and Poor, or have read the book, will at once recollect that the author is a very rigid moralist, and that the work is as ach one of ethics as of fiction. Common Fents is precisely of the same character; the author resumes the story where he or she "We must not be scrupulous about tri(for we auspect the sex) left it off. The vo fles in this bustling world," said Sir Philip lume now before us is; however, much more Hum. interesting in its story and incidents than its Strolling players have been frequently predecessor, and there is more vigour of cha-and well described. Hogarth's admirable deracter throughout. There is, certainly, the lineation brings them before our eyes in all same inculcation of religious principle, and their wretched trappings; and Crabbe has the same denunciations against vice and infi- not lessened the horror that a mind alive to delity. We shall now make an extract from humanity, and not perverted by satire, must the least serious part of the work:experience in contemplating this degrading * Dintherout was, in all respects, like any occupation of our brothers and sisters of the other country town. It contained one prin- human race. The earnings of many a laapal street, in which there was the Silver bourer in Dintherout were destined to be Key, and a few shops, in which small quan- spent this evening in the encouragement of tities of all things might be had. The work- this band; the ale-houses and inferior inns ing part of the population were, some of expected much custom on the dismissal of the 'It was John Pow the barber, who, seeing them, at the loom, and some of them in the theatre; and it would be early on the Lord's so much company arrive at the inn, came to field; but the street, as usual, displayed a day ere the cottages received again their in-see if there was any employment for him. proportion of old men and old women, chil-mates. Many a farmer's wife and daughter dren, ducks, chickens, dogs, and, at the door decked themselves in their best array, their of the Silver Key, there were several carri- Sunday's clothes, to attend this amusement, ages and gigs and currieles; and there were sanctioned by the Marchioness of Vaináll.

VOL. VI.

"I haena seen a patrick the year," said Mrs. Macbill :-"but surely I'm no wise! ₤ hae little need to stand cracken here, when a's on my shouthers, and when I hae sa muckle ado.'

"How do you do, Mrs. Macbil!?” said a man who came up to them.

"I'm gaely; how's a' wi' ye yoursel John?"

"Just stap in and tak your chance, John," said Mrs. Macbill, as she ran off to the kitchen, to bustle the cook and hurry the waiter. Next in degree appeared Benzy

13

Broom, to receive from the lips of Jerkins instructions how the noble party liked their pillows and blankets and mattresses arranged. There is no station in society exempt from the inroads of pride and ambition; and Mrs. Macbill, of the Silver Key, had her own share of it. She was not overstocked with any sense, and certainly not with what is called common sense, else she would have known how impossible it was for her to have vied with Cochon, the marquis's French cook; but this she had the ambitious daring presumption to attempt, and gave herself a prodigious deal of ill-bestowed trouble in preparing badly-cooked fine dishes, which, privately, the family of the Vainalls were tired of at home, even when cooked with the best materials, and in Cochon's best style. Whereas she might have given them the highest pleasure of a gourmand, an agreeable variety, by preparing for them what she was quite an adept at, a well-cooked plain dinner.

"This soup is precisely negus," said the marquis, putting away his plate.

"Pray don't venture upon that curry," said Sir Philip, "it has nearly flayed my throat."

"This cream is made especially for the ladies," said Dr. Spleen Harris, "quite brandy posset."

"The chickens are very nice, I can assure you," said Lady Amelia.

"I thought I recognised some of their relations in the court of the inn," said the marchioness, "which is enough for me."

freely expressed our opinion; the third now you, good economists: tell me, does thy mc-
awaits us. A gentleman of the doctor's ob- ther at least live, good old woman; and is
servation, residing many years in Russia, there not some one besides in the family? It
knowing her language, mixing in her society, is time for thee to marry. I am happy to as-
and travelling through her provinces, could sist such punctual persons, and who have fi-
not fail of gleaning much interesting and no- nished their time of service; to say nothing
vel information. The doctor is, however, of bravery, it would be shameful for a Kozák
somewhat too fond of giving opinions and ex- not to be brave, and it is necessary to endea-
plaining the cause of every thing; and if he vour even more. What thinkest thou? Now
gives a true, he is somewhat too partial to a God bless thee also: thanks from me to the
gloomy, picture of what he sees. His cha-colonel: endeavour in future to conduct thy-
racter of the higher classes of society in Rus- self thus-increase confidence; yes, and I
sia represented them in a very unfavourable will look further after thy conduct;--thus,
light indeed, both as to morals and manners, perhaps, I will advance thee: pray God for
and has drawn upon the doctor not only their our gracious bátushka*, the emperor." And
displeasure, but that of the Emperor of Rus- when the Kozák was elated with joy, making
sia himself: at the same time, however, Dr. his obeisance to his chief-his father, he only
Lyall pays a high compliment to Russian wished to depart, when the count detained
hospitality. His present work is entitled him with a new question: "Dost thou drink
Travels, but it includes many observations vodtki?" and if he received a negative an-
made before the journey, as well as some in-swer, he generally continued thus: "that is
telligence received since his return. In his very well, I will tell you ;-yet it is neces-
travels, he was accompanied by two Italian sary for a Don Kozák, by little and little, to
noblemen and an English (or rather Welsh, accustom himself: there happen bad wea-
we presume) gentleman, Edward Penrhyn, ther and snow-storms; and the Donskoi Ko-
Esq. Reserving for a future occasion all zák is always upon his horse, and in the
critical remarks on these volumes, we shall field-it sometimes happens that he is not
proceed to make a few extracts.
like himself; there, I will tell you, the best
medicine is a small glass of something warm,
and especially of spirits with mustard. Stop,
I will treat thee with wine." Then, having
called for wine, he presented it with his own
hands.'

Dr. Lyall gives some interesting anecdotes of the rude, but brave and generous leader of the Cossacks, Platóf, who was born on the 6th of August, 1751, and died on the 3rd of January, 1818. Platóf had a very retentive memory, and could name, without error, all the staff and superior officers of about forty thousand troops, and even many of the Cos

The marquis, as has been before remark-sacks :-ed, loved his dinner, and he could not dine upon Mrs. Macbill's dressed dishes; but, upon inquiry, he discovered that the house contained a vulgar piece of cold beef, intended for Mrs. Macbill's domestics, and on this, to her great mortification, the marquis and his party made a hearty repast.

"Great folks are great plagues," said Mrs. Macbill; "couldna they eat what was served up, but they bid to hae the beef too, I'se warrant?"

Platóf had his weaknesses, too, as will be seen by the following anecdote :

"In the reign of Catharine II., there existed a custom, as a token of the monarch's 'He had an excellent custom of praising benevolence to the Voiskovoi Atamán of the the common Kozáks for the good and zealous forces of the don, of making a present annufulfilment of their duties. He ordered those ally to his spouse of those clothes with which who had so distinguished themselves to be her majesty had been dressed on the first presented to him, and generally asked, in the day of the year. Although Platóf did not most affable manner, what was their own and hold that station, yet by his eminent services their fathers' names. Having received an he had the happiness of being known and answer as to the name of the father, he often distinguished by the empress; and at various remembered the name of the regiment in times he received marks of her benevolence. which he had served, and on such an occa- Whether by the instigation of his spouse, or sion, turning to those around him, he said, through his own wish to gratify her by a mo"Behold, gentlemen, I will tell you*, I well narchical favour from the sovereign, which remember his father; he was a very brave was then allowed only to the spouse of the Kozák, and, like myself, robust; I served Ataman of the Don, he resolved to endeavour with him in the Turkish campaign, and he to procure this favour for himself, by means did many important actions. Know, I will of individuals who were placed about her tell you, he partly resembles him, even in his majesty. But he was refused, and no doubt gait. Now I am glad : God bless the colo- without the knowledge of the empress. From nel, that he named him for this commission; this he inferred that the empress was disaffrom him I expect all that is good." Then fected towards him, an idea which threw turning to the Kozák, "Thou art the conduc-him into such deep affliction, that he soon tor of the Kurmonastinskoi station?" and being answered in the affirmative;"So I remember. Do you know, gentlemen, that I Common Events, it will be seen, is well even remember their house; his father was written, and we recommend it on this ac-respected in the station. It happened that I count, as well as for the excellent moral it

"We hope there may be some hints in the foregoing detail, which may prove useful to people of moderate establishments, when they wish to feed their betters. But there were no real idolaters of their stomach in this party, none who were enthusiastic and glorified in their shame. The gourmand alone can tell whether the remembrance of having eaten a good dinner conveys any pleasure to his soul; he, too, can tell the delight of the present enjoyment, and what degree of delight there is in the anticipation of pleasure to

come.'

inculcates.

Travels in Russia, the Krimea, the Caucasus,
and Georgia. By ROBERT LYALL, M.D.
London, 1825.

F.L. S. 2 vols. 8vo.
Cadell.

once rode there, and scarcely remained any
time with them; I saw your house,"-again
turning to the Kozák;-"having entered the
stanítsa, and having ascended the little hill
upon the left in the cross-street--this well,
well I remember; they are even, I will tell

THIS is the third work Dr. Lyall has pub- I will tell you was a proverbial expreslished within the last eighteen months, on the sion of the count's in every conversation, and subject of Russia. On two of these we have was by far too often repeated."

became seriously ill, and the consequences might have been fatal, if his friend, the late Count Valerian Zúbof, had not set the affair right. Having heard of Platóf's affliction and disease, without informing him, that nobleman made them known, as well as their cause, to the empress. The great Catharine received the news with feeling, and, moreover, manifested her anger at those who had dared, without her knowledge, to refuse the object of Platof's prayer, and, at the same

Batushka means grandfather, literally; but is also a term of the highest compliment

bestowed on those we revere.'

time, ordered the clothes to be sent to his

'To such an extent does this mode of givspouse. This altogether unexpected favouring and receiving premiums extend, that the of the monarch soon recovered Platóf's servant who carries a receipt to the apothehealth, and restored his drooping spirit." cary's shop universally gets his reward; for if Some time ago, there were several very ex- he did not, he would contrive, by some means cellent articles in Blackwood's Magazine, un- or other, to carry the next prescription to ander the title of Italian Hoaxing, consisting of other apothecary, who, he knew, would not humorous tales of fiction; a volume equally forget him: respectable apothecaries are amusing might be made, by collecting all the therefore necessitated to comply with a refabrications which, during the last war, were volting custom, or they might shut their resorted to, in order to rouse John Bull's in- shops. As elsewhere, many of the noble fadignation against Napoleon, and encourage milies are in the custom of running quarterly, him to continue the war. One of these, or half yearly, or annual accounts with the which will be at once recollected, is exposed apothecaries; and, when the bills are paid, by Dr. Lyall; it relates to Platof:the servants obtain a handsome present.

'But this practice of presents also prevails among a higher class of individuals. Soon after my arrival in Russia, I had occasion to purchase a quantity of medicines. Sometime afterwards, when the bill was paid, I was rather surprised at receiving a handsome present from the apothecary. On mentioning the circumstance to a friend, my surprise ceased. The fact is, that it is well understood that all medical men, if they choose, receive ten, and sometimes even fifteen per cent. profit, upon medicines they purchase for public charities, or for private apothecary shops upon the estates of the nobility in the interior; and five or ten per cent. upon the value of all medicines made up by their prescriptions throughout the empire.'

Every person has read or heard of the ice palace, constructed at St. Petersburgh, in the year 1740; yet we are indebted to Dr. Lyall for the best account of it, translated from the description of Kraft, the celebrated academician, which was published the year after its erection :

'The veteran was said to have offered his daughter in marriage, and her weight of gold as her dowry, to the individual who should deliver to him the conqueror of Europe, Napoleon, dead or alive. This fable, under a modification, even found a place in a justly celebrated review. There it is said that "the veteran Platóf, whose blood had been so often shed, in the defence of Russia on former occasions, now showed his ardour for the cause in which he was engaged, by promising his daughter and 200,000 roubles, to the hero who should rid the world of the invader." The said lady was painted in the brightest colours of fancy, and her portrait caught the attention of the passers-by, in the shop-windows of Londoa and Edinburgh, and even in the provincial towns of our island. She was beautiful, her father was a hero, and riches abounded at Nóvo-Tcherkásk. But alas! for the Ataman's successors, there was no foundation for such reports: Platóf was never rich. I believe he was in difficulty, if not in debt; and, what is more extraordinary, he had no daughter unmarried in 1812. "From the author's statement it appears But such a report, though an imposition, was that, seven years anterior to the erection of congenial to the general feeling of the British the palace in question, an ice castle and garnation at the time, and thus it met with ready rison had been built upon the river Neva. belief. When we lately had the pleasure of But the ice bent under their weight, and that dining at the table of Platóf's successor, I re- of the soldiers who guarded them. At the peated the story as told above, and in the lan-whimsical marriage of Prince Gallitsin, it guage of the country, so that all present understood. The recital was followed by bursts of laughter; at the cessation of which, one of his best friends told us, that it was indeed a great mistake. "Platof," said he, "was always poor, because he was always liberal; and, had he had a daughter to marry in 1812, instead of thousands of roubles, or her weight of gold, if he could have given the weight of one of her ears in that metal in dowry, it was his utmost!"'

Dr. Lyall gives a very unfavourable character of Russian tradesmen. He says:

'The character of dishonesty seems to have clung to this class of subjects at least for some hundred years, for even one of the best historians of Russia, Karamzin, frankly ows, "That in the times of the great dukes, the Moscow merchants knew and confirmed the proverb, that 'A merchant will sell his face" and he adds, that "Their finesse in buying and selling astonished the Germans, who said, "Satan alone could cheat a Rus

"

was resolved to erect a palace of ice, and, to
avoid the same occurrence, a situation be-
tween the Admiralty and the Winter Palace
was chosen for its foundation on terra firma,
and Mr. A. D. Tatístchef, one of the lords of
the bed-chamber, was instructed to superin-
tend the execution of the scheme according to
a regular plan. It may be difficult to deter-
mine whether the expenses of the erection of
this ice palace, or the purpose for which it
was destined, as the temporary residence of
the prince already mentioned and his bride,
demonstrated the highest degree of folly.

The ice palace was constructed of blocks
of ice cut out of the winter covering of the
Néva, which were from two to three feet in
thickness, according to necessity. Being
properly formed and adjusted to each other,
water was poured between them, which, be-
ing soon frozen, acted the part of cement; so
that the whole edifice, with its furniture, may
be said to have consisted of one immense
mass of ice.

"The length of the edifice was fifty-six, its The servants, who purchase for their mas-breadth seventeen and a half, and its height ters, are generally bribed; but Russia is not twenty-one feet. It was constructed accordthe only country in which this system prevails:ing to the strictest rules of art, and was

adorned with a portico, columns, and statues It consisted of a single story, whose front was provided with a door and fourteen windows, the frames of the latter, as well as the panes, being all formed of ice. The sides of the doors and of the windows were painted in imitation of green marble.

'On each side of the door was a dolphin, from the mouths of which, by means of naphtha, volumes of flame were emitted in the evening. Next to them were two mortars, equal to eighty-pounders, from which many bombs were thrown, a quarter of a pound of powder being used for each charge. On each side of the mortars stood three canneps, equal to three-pounders, mounted upon carriages and with wheels, which were often used. In the presence of a number of persons attached to the court, a bullet was driven through a board two inches thick, at the distance of sixty paces, by one of these cannon; a quarter of a pound of powder being also used for a charge.

"The interior of the edifice had no ceiling, and consisted of a lobby and two large apartments; one on each side, which were well furnished and painted in the most elegant manner, though merely formed of ice. Tables, chairs, statues, looking-glasses, candlesticks, watches, and other ornaments, besides tea-dishes, tumblers, wine-glasses, and even plates with provisions, were seen in one apartment, also formed of ice and painted of their natural colours; while in the other was remarked a state bed, with curtains, bed, pillows, and bed-clothes, two pairs of slippers, and two night-caps of the same cold material.

"Behind the cannon, the mortars, and the dolphins, stretched a low balustrade. On each side of the building was a small entrance, pots with flowers, and orange-trees, partly formed of ice and partly natural, on which birds sat. Beyond these were erected two icy pyramids. On the right of one of them stood an elephant, which was hollow, and so contrived as to throw out burning naphtha, while a person within it, by means of a tube, imitated the natural cries of this animal. On the left of the other pyramid was seen the never-failing concomitant of all princely dwellings in Russia, a banya, or bath, apparently formed of balks, which is said to have been sometimes heated, and even to have been appropriated to use.

The appearance of the ice palace, it is said, was remarkably splendid when lighted up in the evening with numerous candies. Amusing transparencies were usually su pended in the windows to increase the effect, and the emission of flames by the dolphirs and the elephant all tended to excite greater surprise, while the people beheld the crystalline mass.

'As was naturally to be expected, crowds of visitors were continually seen around this fantastic and unique construction, which remained entire from the beginning of January almost to the middle of March. At the end of the latter month, however, the glassy fabric began to melt, and soon afterwards it was broken into pieces, which were conveyed to the imperial ice-cellar."

(To be concluded in our next.)

A pretty anecdote is related in this memoir of that friendship:

Memoirs of Moses Mendelsohn, the Jewish wrapped in a roquelaure, to the Jewish semi-
Philosopher; including the celebrated Cor-nary. Young Mendelsohn soon found that
respondence on the Christian Religion, with he was not pursuing the proper course to ar- 'Lessing once brought to Mendelsohn a
J. C. Lavater, Minister of Zurich. By rive at solid knowledge: he began to study work written by a celebrated character, to
M. SAMUELS. 8vo. pp. 171. London,
the Hebrew language grammatically; was hear his opinion on it. Having given it a
1825.
soon able to write it with purity and ele-reading, he told his friend, that he deemed
gance; and, when in his tenth year, composed himself a match for the author, and would
Hebrew verses, which, in after-life, pleased refute him Nothing could be more wel-
him so little, that he resolved to write no come to Lessing, and he strongly encouraged
more original poetry in that language: I the idea. Accordingly, Mendelsohn sat down
have no genius for poetry,' he used modestly and wrote his Philosophical Dialogues, on
to say; my mind is more disposed to pene- the most abstruse subjects, in which he
trate into the deep recesses of the understand- strictly redeemed his pledge of confuting the
ing than to roam in the lighter regions of author, though, for quietness' sake, be for
fancy.' His metrical translations of the bore mentioning his name, and carried the
Psalms are, however, allowed to be beautiful manuscript to Lessing for examination.
compositions So industrious was Mendel- "When I am at leisure," said Lessing, "I
sohn, that he soon made himself master of will peruse it." After a convenient interval,
the text of the Talmud, and knew the whole he repeated his visit, when Lessing kept up a
of the Law and the Prophets by heart.
miscellaneous conversation, without once
Rabbi D. Fraukel, the tutor of Mendel- mentioning the manuscript in question; and
sohn, leaving Dessau for Berlin, his pupil, at the other being too bashful to put him in mind
the age of fourteen, followed him, and reach- of it, he was obliged to depart, no better in-
ed the capital of Prussia, without money suf- formed than when he came, which was also
ficient to provide even a single meal: a be- the case at several subsequent meetings. At
nevolent Jew, Mr. Hyam Bamberg, gave last, however, he mustered sufficient resolu-
young Mendelsohn an attic room in his tion to inquire after it, and still Lessing with-
house, and two days' board weekly, while he held his opinion. Want of leisure was
prosecuted his studies under his former teach- pleaded as before, but now he would certain-
er. So limited were the finances of this em-ly read it; Mr. Mendelsohn might, in the
meantime, take yonder small volume home
brown bread, he notched it according to the with him, and let him know his thoughts on
standard of his pocket, never eating accord-it. On opening it, Mendelsohn was not a
ing to his appetite, but to his finances. Self- little surprised to behold his own Dialogues
taught, he learned Latin, and instructed a in print. "Put it into your pocket," said
friend in it, Israel Moses, who, in return, Lessing, good-naturedly, "and this Mammon
taught Mendelsohn geometry. Mendelsohn along with it. It is what I got for the copy-
now studied the French and English lan- right; it will be of service to you.'
guages, with which he made himself acquaint-
ed.

MOSES MENDELSOHN was one of the most
extraordinary men of the age: to superior
learning and eminent talents, he added wis-
dom the most profound and qualities the
most amiable. When,' as his biographer
well observes in the preface, we see an indi-
vidual excel in various sciences, who is the
offspring of humble and indigent parents,
born in an obscure town, amongst a scanty
and poor community;-when we see him
soar, eagle-like, to the grand luminary of sci-
ence and knowledge, nothing appalled,
though living in an age that had but just be-
gan to emerge from the mist of bigotry and
prejudice, in which so many of its predeces-
sors had been enveloped;-when we discover
an eloquent writer, a great philosopher,
amongst a people deteriorated and paralysed
by ill treatment and oppression; amongst a
people cruelly neglected, and impoliticly
excluded from the emporiums of polite learn-
ing and useful knowledge; when we consi-
der that this individual left his native home,
a solitary wanderer, unpatronised, unrecom-bryo Plato, that, when he purchased a loaf of
mended, without money, decent clothing, or
expectation, without any thing on earth, in-
deed, but a firm reliance on Providence;-
when we know that he had no example to
stimulate, no encouragement to solace, not
even an alluring probability to speculate
upon; we shall find ample cause for won-
der and admiration. And if it appears that
this individual had moreover to struggle
Mr. Bernard, an opulent man of the
through life against some of the bitterest op- Jewish persuasion, noticed Mendelsohn, and,
posers of study and meditation, namely, a fee- being strongly interested in his favour, ad-
ble constitution, pinching want, the bereave-mitted him into his house and entrusted him
ment of an only teacher, and the machina- with the education of his children. He had
tions of jealousy, and nevertheless attained to
now the means of prosecuting his studies, and
an almost unparalleled degree of perfection there was scarcely any branch of science or
in every science he applied himself to, ulti-literature that he neglected. His talents soon
mately towering above all his competitors: recommended him to Mr. Bernard, who made
we may, without being thought enthusiasts, him first clerk, then cashier, and afterwards
hail him as the harbinger of better days to a manager, of his silk manufactory, with a libe-
fallen-but not an irreclaimable--people, ral income.
and of its redemption from the trammels of
supineness, and the spell of superstition, in
which it had so long previously been linger-
ing.'

Such was Moses Mendelsohn, the son of a transcriber of the Pentateuch, who also kept a Hebrew day-school at Dessau, in Germany, where Moses was born, in September, 1729. According to the then prevailing system of educating Jew boys, young Mendelsohn was sent to the public seminary, where children were taught to prattle mechanically the Mishna and Gemarra, concerning laws of betrothing, divorce, and other irrelevant matters, before they were able to write a single text of Scripture correctly. Yet so anxious was his father, who was very poor, that he should acquire even this limited education, that, when young Moses was only seven years old, he would make him rise at three or four o'clock in winter mornings, and, after giving him a cup of tea, would carry him,

The quibbles and quiddities of the Jewish Rabbins disgusted Mendelsohn, who wished to direct them to more rational studies. With a literary coadjutor, he commenced a Hebrew periodical, under the title of Koheleth Muscar, i. e. the Moral Preacher, containing chiefly inquiries into natural history, essays on the beauties of the creation, &c.

Lavater was another friend Mendelsohn made, and whom he tried to convert; the latter, however, in an able and manly letter, avowed his attachment to the religion of his forefathers, and disavowed all wish to make converts. Mendelsohn had now become one of the most eloquent writers of the age; some of his works are compared to Tully's Orations, and in all there was an originality and a vigour rarely met with in controver sy, he perhaps rarely had an equal. We must now draw to a close. Mendelsohn died on the 4th of January, 1786, at the age of fifty-seven years and four months:

"Mendelsohn died as he had lived, calm. and placid: and took an earthly smile with him into eternity. When his death became known, the whole city of Berlin was a scene of unfeigned sorrow. The citizens of all denominations looked upon the event as a national calamity. The nobility, the court, Having now conducted Mendelsohn from sent letters of condolence to the widow; poverty to comfort, and shown the triumph Professor Rammler, amongst several other ceof genius and perseverance over all the ob-lebrated poets, wrote a beautiful elegy on stacles that humble birth, religious prejudices, and limited means of education, could interpose; we shall not pursue his history, step by step, to the eminence he ultimately attained, but refer to the work before us, the details of which are truly interesting. One of the most important eras in the life of Mendelsohn, was his acquaintance with Lessing, of whom there is an interesting biographical memoir given, in an appendix to this volume. Lessing and Mendelsohn became fast friends.

his death in alternate stanzas by the Jewish and Christian nations, represented by two mourning females, Sulamith and Eusabia; and the learned of all parts of Europe, where his writings were known, paid him a tribute of their respect by joining the general lamentation.

'Mendelsohn was of a short stature, very thin, and deformed. in the back. His complexion was very dark and sallow; hair black and curly; nose rather large and aquiline,