sent to languish in exile on the rock of Saint Helena. The remembrance of her brother is ever present to her heart; and it is but a few days since that she pointed out to me, in a picture-frame placed over the fire-place, a crown of laurel, the leaves of which were yellow and dried, and which was the first that Achille had received from the academy; a child's sabre, the same that was given him by Josephine at Saint Cloud; and the cross of the Legion of Honour, which the Emperor had detached from his own breast at Craonne, to lay upon the then palpitating heart of her brother. BOTANY, No. X. BY MISS TOWERS. The subject of our present number is included in a large natural tribe of sub-class 3-Corollifloræ, and is designated Labiate or Lamiaceae; the first of these terms is derivable from labia, L., plural of labium, a lip, signifying the lipped appearance of the flowers belonging to the order of which the beautiful plant we have selected for examination (Sálvia pátens), is an illustration. Lamiaceae is a more familiar appellation of the tribe, as it is the name of a well-known genus (Lamium, the dead nettle), comprised in the same order. The calyx of Sálvia pátens is bilabiate, that is, divided into two lobes or lips; the upper lip is entire and acute; the lower segment is bifid, or split into two teeth. The corolla is labiate or lipped, and the hooded division is termed the galea, or helmet; funnel-shaped, and tubular in the lower part, or that which is enclosed by the calyx: the tube arises immediately from beneath the ovary, and is in this flower remarkably contracted in front, so much so, as to press upon the style. The stamens are two in number: they are very singular, and peculiar to the genus Sálvia. In the specimen now before us, the filaments are short, arising from the front, or lower lip of the corolla; and the long threads which produce the anthers are botanically termed the connective, that is, the swollen or lengthened portion of the end of the filament connecting the cells of the anthers in those flowers where the anther is formed of two cells, which is not the case with the genus Sálvia, or Sage; for in the present instance, the point of the apparent filament is terminated by one cell of the anther, while the lower end of this filament (really the connective) is dilated into a hollow, fleshy substance, as if intended to have been developed into another perfect cell or case of the anther. Our meaning will be better illustrated by the dissection of the common sage (Sálvia officinalis), as the connective there is a transverse thread with a perfect cell at the upper end; and at the other the cell is, if present, frequently abortive or defective: the connective or connecting medium between the two cells therefore in common sage, is the cross piece at the top of the filaments; and in the Sálvia that we have hitherto been describing, it is the long-curved stalk which produces the single cell; the figure thus assumed is termed "forking." The style is curved, and projects with the stamens beyond the upper lobe of the corolla, although this is not invariable; the apex of the style is acute in our species, but in many of the other individuals of the genus it is cleft. The base of the style has its origin "beneath the lobes of the ovary;" the latter rises from a "fleshy disk," strikingly visible in the present species, but it is more or less apparent in all the genera composing the order. The ovary consists of four nuts when ripe, formerly called seeds. This species does not ripen its fruit, though it is considered hardy; but in those plants of the natural tribe which do perfect seed, the embryo is erect; that is, the cotyledons or seed-leaves point towards the apex of the nuts, and the radicle, or germinating axis, is at the base or hilum (the point of junction of the nuts with the receptacle). The flowers are arranged in a "decussated" order (L. from decussátio, the cross of St. Andrew), though the term is properly applied to leaves having that arrangement; which is the case with Sálvia patens, and all the genera included in the order Labiata. Beneath each flower is a bract-this also is a feature of the tribe in one of our native genera (Clinopódium vulgáre, common wild Basil), the bracteæ or floral leaves have been considered to be an involucre (a cover or wrapper), as they are numerous, and partially surround the flower. The inflorescence of the Sálvia is spiked, but in numbers of plants belonging to the order it is whorled or verticillate ("situated round a common axis"), resembling the spokes of a wheel; and then it is not terminal, as in the present instance, but forms dense circles of flowers close to the stem, as in the wild plant just alluded to, or several of the native species of mint; our common garden mint, Méntha víridis (considered to be a doubtful native), is not a good illustration of either a whorled or spiked inflorescence, as it partakes of both, and is defined as being" interrupted." The last named genus is one of the same natural tribe, but the corollas differ from the usual lipped form perceptible in the tribe, as they are nearly regular and equal-that is, their figure is almost "uniform," and the "divisions are of one size;" whereas, in the Sálvia, the corolla is irregular and unequal, having no particular shape, and the lobes do not balance each other. We have digressed from our subject of investigation, in order to familiarize the reader with plants which constitute a portion of this large and useful natural tribe; and, as we have diverged from the main object, we will continue our remarks by pointing out a slight difference in the fructification (a term which implies the flower and fruit of plants): we refer to the number of the stamens in the different genera that have been selected as specimens. It has already been stated that they are the presence of glands, or pores, containing essential oil, either in the leaves or calyx, or supported on the pubescence (down). In Sálvia patens, as already stated, these glands appear to be the hairs or pubescence, as they serve to conduct the viscid fluid to the apex of the little stalk which supports each minute portion of essential oil; the under side of the leaf differs in the quantity of the exuded substance, and the glands are placed apparently beneath the down: in common sage this substance seems to be secreted at the base of the pubescence, and also to exude from thence, as it lies in globular particles among the down on the surface of the leaf. We have alluded to the natural order in which these plants are arranged, and also to the assistance to be derived from the artificial class to which most of them belong; it remains only to mention two or three plants of the tribe for examination—Sálvia fulgens in cultivation, and the wild Ballóta nígra (black Horehound), and the red dead nettle. OUR BOUDOIR TABLE; OR, GLANCES AT NEW PUBLICATIONS. two in the genus Sage, but in the other instances we find four filaments, with the anthers "two-lobed," or celled-a circumstance of sufficient importance in the Linnæan system to render their position in the classes very different; Sálvia being arranged in class 2, Diandria, because it possesses two stamina, and Clinopódium, Méntha, and numerous other native genera, in class 14, Didynamia-(the derivation of this name is an instance of what has been justly termed the "fanciful phraseology" of the great Linnæus; it has its origin in two Greek words-di, two, and dynamis, power, because the two longer stamens are superior to the two below them: a very good example of this structure is the white dead nettle, Lámium álbum). The reason that flowers having four stamens-of which two are longer than the others-are not arranged in class 4, Tetrandria, is, that no plants are admitted into that class whose corollas have not four stamina of equal length, and seeds generally enclosed in an evident seed-vessel, though there exist apparent exceptions to the remark, as in the genus Gálium or Bedstraw, where the berries resemble seeds; indeed, it has been remarked that the genera comprised in class Tetrandria are very various, and have little or no natural affinity. But to return to our specimen, which we have said is arranged in class 2, Diandria. Although there are slight discrepancies in its parts as regards other genera, yet the labiate irregular corolla, with four nuts at the base, the square stem (which is a prevailing feature of the tribe), the THE ADVENTURES OF A SOLDIER; OR, MEMOIRS OF EDWARD COSTELLO, K.S.F., FORalternately opposite arrangement of the leaves, the MERLY A NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER IN THE pungent odour of the herb generally-which in RIFLE BRIGADE, AND LATE CAPTAIN IN THE this case appears to arise from the exudation of BRITISH LEGION, &c. &c.*-This is just the small drops from the hairs distributed over the kind of book that sets the literary art at nought. whole surface, including the corolla-all these are A plain, unvarnished narrative, it shows how unevidences in favour of the propriety of its position necessary, how detrimental, are the rhetorical emin the natural order Lamiaceæ, or the dead nettle bellishments with which a practised writer burtribe; therefore little difficulty will arise in the in-thens a narrative; how fresh, vivid and graphic vestigation of a flower, if it agree in all the points it comes from the hand which originally carved above stated: and even if there be only two staout and fought its way through the adventures mina, we are quite sure it is included in the same it describes. No rhapsodies are here to dazzle, to perplex the reader-no similes in bursts of tribe as are all those arranged in the truly natural order of the artificial class Didynamia. This class truth; but the earnest work of a bold and rough poetry to stop up the straightforward path of contains two orders; that to which reference has soldier, who carries his reader from the beginjust been made, is called Gymnospermia, and its ning to the end of the Peninsular war in pretty Greek derivation is descriptive of the supposed nearly the same way as he fought his own progress nature of the fruit, gymnos, naked, and spermia, steadily, fearlessly, and without any skirmishsignifying seed; therefore it is the order containing ing with unnecessary flourishes. plants with naked seeds, consequently completely natural.* The well known shrub Rosemary, is an instance of the diandrous structure; also the native genus, Lycópus Europaeus, common gypsy-wort, or water horehound; but the essential character will be found in both. The powerful scent possessed by most plants of the order, Lavender for example, is attributed to * Unless we except the genus Verbena, which by former systematic botanists was placed in this order; but at present it is situated in the second order of the class Angiospermia. -Nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice." SHAKSPEARE. Hence it is, that the volume is one possessing intense interest from the title leaf to the " finis." Mr. Costello opens his auto-biographical fire senting" him with, a single philosophical reflection. without "making ready" his reader for, or "preHe beginneth after the good old fashion. "I was born at the town of Mount Mellick, Queen's County, Ireland, on the 26th October, 1798. When I was seven years old my father removed to Dublin, where he had been appointed to the situation of tide waiter. As soon as I became a good sized youth, my father bound me apprentice to a cabinet maker, in King William Street, in the aforesaid city; but, urged by a roving and restless spirit, I soon grew tired of my occupation, which I left one morning early without beat of drum.' "I next went to live with an uncle, a shoemaker, who employed several men to work in his business. Among these was an old soldier, who had lost a leg, fighting under Sir Ralph Abercrombie, in Egypt. From this old blade, I think it was, I first acquired that martial ardour that so frequently infects young men in time of war. There was, indeed, no resist ing the old pensioner's description of glory. I became red hot for a soldier's life, and although rejected as too young for the regulars, I listed,' as it is technically called, in the Dublin Militia on the 17th of June, 1806. "At the latter end of the following year, our regiment was stationed at Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, where I volunteered into the 95th, since made the "Rifle Brigade." In those days soldiers did not remain long in depot, and we soon find our Rifleman in Portugal, having arrived at Talavera just one day too late to take his maiden aim at an enemy. But this opportunity is not long denied; and after a detail of a series of skirmishes, a fever, a wound in the knee, and various other mishaps, we follow him to the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo, where he volunteered to form part of the forlorn hope : "As some of my readers," remarks the author, I may not be acquainted with the duty and the character of a" Forlorn Hope," I will proceed to explain it. On the eve of the storming of a fortress, the breaches, &c. being all ready, Captains of Companies, on their private parade, give the men to understand that such and such a place is to be taken by storm. Every man then who wishes to volunteer to head the stormers, steps forward to the front, and bis name is immediately taken down by the officer; if none offer themselves the first men for duty are selected. With our regiment this latter alternative was never required, as a sufficient number were always ready. "This service, or " Forlorn Hope," is designated by the French in the not less appropriate term of "Les Enfants perdus," or "Lost Children," and has always to lead or make the first attack." The danger and responsibilities of such a duty are well described. " "Darkness had no sooner closed over the devoted city, and our imaginations awakened to the horrors of the coming scene, than the stormers" were immediately ordered to "fall in" and "form." We were four or five from each company, and in all about 120 men. The volunteers of our regiment were led by Captain Mitchell and Lieutenants Johnson and Kincaid; the whole of the storming division being commanded by Major George Napier of the 52nd Regiment. The forlorn-hope, or stormers, moved to a convent, occupied by the 40th, the walls of which protected us from the enemy's shot. General Crauford, who led us in person, while we stood formed under the wall, addressed us upon the nature of the duty assigned us. It was the last enterprise his gallant spirit was ever destined to direct. On this memorable occasion his voice was more than ordinarily clear and distinct. His words sunk deep in my memory, and although the shock of many a battle has rolled over my grey locks since that period, I remember some of his language as follows:"Soldiers! the eyes of your country are upon you. Be steady,-be cool,-be firm in the assault. The town must be yours this night. Once masters of the wall, let your first duty be to clear the ram parts, and in doing this keep together.' "We were now waiting only for the signal, while our division was formed immediately in our rear, ready to second the effort. I could not help remarking at this awful crisis, when all most probably were on the brink of being dashed into eternity, a certain solemnity and silence among the men deeper than I had ever witnessed before. With hearts beating, each was eagerly watching the expected signal of the rocket, when up it went from one of our batteries. "General Crauford, calling out, "Now, lads, for the breach!" led the way. We started off in double time, and got under fire, in turning the left corner of the wall. As we neared the breach, the shot of the enemy swept our men away fast. Canister, grape, round shot and shell, with fire-balls to show our ground, came pouring on and around us, with a regular hail storm of bullets. General Crauford fell almost immediately, mortally wounded. Without a pause, however, we dashed onwards to the town, and precipitated ourselves into the ditch before the walls, never waiting for the ladders, which were carried by Portuguese, who ran away and never made their appearance until their use had been superseded by a series of jumps made by our men into a trench some sixteen feet deep; at length one or two ladders having been procured, they were instantly placed against the scarp of the trench, and up we mounted to attack the breach. The fire kept up there was most deadly, and our men for some minutes, as they appeared in small bodies were swept away; howlodgment. At this time, on our right, where the ever, they still persevered, and gradually formed a third division were storming the second breach, we could hear a loud cheering which had a magical effect. Regardless of the enemy's fire and every other impediment, the men dashed in over the breach, carrying everything before them. I had got up among the first, and was struggling with a crowd of our fellows to push over the splintered and broken wall that formed the breach, when Major Napier, who was by my side encouraging on the men, received a shot, and, staggering back, would in all probability have fallen into the trench, had I not caught him. To my brief inquiry if he were badly hurt, he squeezed my hand, whilst his other arm hung shattered by his side, saying, Never mind me-push on, my lads, the town is ours!' And so indeed it was, our men entering it pell-mell." Having escaped this terrible scene, Costello was encouraged to join the forlorn hope at the siege of Badajos; one of the most sanguinary assaults in military history. Here, however, he was not so fortunate, having been severely wounded at the onset. After the battle of Vittoria, one of those chances with which blind Fortune sometimes sweetens the soldier's toils fell in our hero's way, in the shape of a rich plunder under singular circumstances: "When I had passed the gates, and forced my way through the immense quantity of baggage that blocked up the further end of the town, and through which the cavalry could scarcely pass, 1 beheld a French mounted officer, sword in hand, escorting a carriage and four out of the town. A comrade who had followed and myself immediately fired, when the officer fell. At the same moment the carriage stopped. On rushing up to the vehicle we perceived it contained two ladies, evidently of high rank. They seemed much alarmed as the balls kept whisking round them from both sides. We desired them not to entertain any fears for their safety, as we would not harm them. While thus engaged, an officer of the 10th Hussars came galloping up, flourishing his sword over his head. Not knowing his uniform at first, I cocked my rifle, upon which he exclaimed, I am an English officer, Sir.' Hearing this, I stepped on one side of the carriage, but in withdrawing I observed a small but exceedingly heavy portmanteau that was carried by a Spanish muleteer in the French service. He was in the act of conveying it towards the town, and as I thought I contributed more towards its capture, I made him lay it down not, indeed, before I was compelled to give him a few whacks of my rifle in the ribs. My comrades had gone in another direction, so that I had no one to claim a portion of my booty, which on inspection I found to consist of several small bags filled with gold and silver in doubloons and dollars. Although I never knew exactly the amount, I should think it not less than 1,000l. I afterwards learnt that the lady in the carriage was no other than the Queen of Spain, the wife of Joseph Bonaparte.* The officer of Hussars, I also heard, obtained possession of the baton of Josepht himself from the same carriage. 46 find more entertainment in this book than in a Finally, let us assure our readers that they will dozen novels. Such a record was wanted. Generals, Colonels, and Captains, have surfeited us with accounts of the Peninsular war, but here is a voice from the ranks, whose testimony helps to complete the already copious records of the most brilliant series of campaigns that modern or perhaps ancient history is able to furnish. RUDOLPH OF VAROSNAY; A TRAGEDY. By J. A. Blackwell.*-Literature has its fashions as well as millinery; the one just now in vogue is for tragedies. A clique of dramatists, authors of unacted (some say "unactable") plays, have recently set up a cry of" neglected genius," ""stage monopoly," and other watch-words, which have drawn public attention to their works. The result has been that amidst a mass of bombast and worth less fustian some gems have been discovered; and, encouraged by the success of a few, others seem to be fast following in their track, inundating the literary world with tragedies, and second-hand book-stalls with unsaleable waste paper. My chief anxiety now was how to secure my prize; and, when all who had an opportunity were employed in reaping some personal advantages from our victory, I determined not to be backward, but this was a difficult thing to accomplish. As I could not well carry the portmanteau from its weight, I soon found means, taking one of the many mules that were blocking up the road, to bear the valuable load; but being at a loss how to fasten the portman- This kind of literary “ agitation" is not without teau, I resorted for aid to a sergeant and two men of its uses. Out of the clamour thus raised, the the 10th Hussars, who were passing. For this ser- voice of one pure healthy genius has made himvice I, perhaps, incautiously rewarded them too self heard-we allude, of course, to Mr. Marston, liberally, by giving them several handsful of dollars. our opinion of whose "Patrician's Daughter" In doing this they got a glimpse of the gold, half of has, we are happy to find, been echoed by many which they demanded. Perceiving the probability of being thus deprived of the only prize I had made high critical authorities; amongst others by the after years of hardship and suffering-and particu- well be one of the clique we have alluded to, larly by those new comers, as this regiment had newly joined from England, made it still worse-I though the scene he has chosen-Hungary-leads inwardly resolved to forfeit it but with my life. So us, from the interest others of the party seem to catching up my loaded rifle, which I had leant against take in that country, to suppose he is; at all events, a gun-carriage, I instantly cocked, and, retiring three if he be, it would in some degree account for the or four paces, brought it to my shoulder, swearing Imistake he has made in choosing the form of tragic would shoot the first man dead that placed his hands upon my treasure. My determined air, and the ferocity of my appearance-my face being completely covered with perspiration and gunpowderinduced them to pause, and finally to desist. Taking the sergeant's word not to attempt molesting me, with his assistance I completed the strapping of my treasure, and departed for the camp. "I had not proceeded far with the intention of gaining the battalion, when I observed the Duke of Wellington forcing his way, with some of his staff, through gun-carriages and waggons into Vittoria. To my great relief, however, he took no notice of myself and mule. In fact, his Grace was too much occupied in securing the brilliant results of our victory in the capture of the entire material of the French army, which fell into our hands." Besides these personal and highly amusing narratives, the book is interspersed with anecdotes; most of them full of genuine humour, others of a painful cast. The latter are mostly contained in that part of the author's career passed with the unfortunate British Auxiliary Legion, in 1835. Here we are * Query Countess of Gazam. + Query Jourdain's baton. Times. We are not aware whether Mr. Black composition to display his knowledge of the manners, customs, and institutions of the Magyars. In a sober essay, or in a book of travels, we should have received the information he is anxious to give with gratitude; in a tragedy it is out of place and tedious. The plot of "Rudolph of Varosnay" at once condemns it. It is too revolting even to be dramatic. An intensely wicked father, Count Sigismund, having ruined a neighbouring lord, engages him as his head ranger; not out of any kindly feeling, but because his victim has a pretty daughter. Segismund uses every means, both fair and foul, to possess himself of the young lady, but is foiled chiefly because his own son, Rudolph, (the hero) is honestly in love with her. In a desperate attempt to carry her off, the father is killed by his own son!-not by accident, but after some deliberation!! Even this is not enough-in a future scene the son is exhibited washing the dead body of his father at a fountain!!! In the end he dies on the scaffold for the murder, and the heroiue being dragged forward to witness the execution, very naturally expires also. * C. & H. Senior, 98, Pall Mall. Despite the flaring horrors of the plot, a few of the incidents are managed with some skill, but there is no passage which we can find sufficiently interesting for extract. A LOVE GIFT FOR 1842.*-One of those thousand selections from living and dead poets, which are so much sought after as presents at the approaching present-making season. These little poetical bouquets are not without their use; they serve, when judiciously culled, to preserve the stray flowers of poesy that would otherwise "fade unseen," or be overwhelmed amidst the mighty stream of literature that daily gushes forth. The outward appearance is much in its favour, while its intrinsic merits seem, from the names of those whose trifles fill it, to be quite as worthy of patronage. HEATH'S BOOK OF BEAUTY. Edited by the Countess of Blessington. For 1842.+-This new Book of Beauty is as beautiful as ever. Why should it not be? A single beauty may fade, but the brilliant array of subjects that originates the portraits of this work will never be exhausted. Though one flower fade, still the whole garden looks as lovely as ever, for others of equally bright hues supply its place. On looking over the volume we cannot help exclaiming, "O that artists would think more of nature and less of art!" The portraits here presented, are indeed charming-some of them beaming with expression; still there seems to be a meretricious leaning towards prettinesses, for which the originals afford no warrant. Whether this be the result of the engraver's extreme elaboration, or of a false taste for " touching up" in the artist, it is difficult to discover. But so it really is; we look at these pictures as if they were creations of painters' dreams, rather than copies of lovely, living originals. We know in one instancewhich we would rather not mention that in endeavouring to sublimate as it were the features, the painter has fallen far short, and instead of improving one of the most captivating expressions of face-one of the most enchanting smiles that ever beamed. So much for trying to paint the lily! The portrait most to our taste is that of the Lady Grey Egerton. In that, all the prettinesses of art we complain of, are confined to the accessories of the picture. The grand object-the face-is as like nature as nature can seem in a print. A marked but sweet expression dwells in it. The likeness of Miss Power is also very pleasing. The literary department of the "Book of Beauty" necessarily keeps up its character, for the Countess of Blessington still conducts it. The "Second Imaginary Letter from Philip, Earl Chesterfield, to his daughter," by the Viscount Powerscourt, contains some excellent counsel, pleasantly conveyed to young ladies, touching the objects of (may we say it?) most of their thoughts-men. The Editor's "Reminiscences of a Has-been," evince that keen perception of character for which her "Confessions" have rendered her ladyship so famous. The Muses have contributed their full share to * George Bell, Fleet Street. the "Book of Beauty." The two sonnets by the Marchioness of Hastings, need only be extracted to be admired by all who read them. I. Tell me, beloved, hast thou ever seen, On a bright winter's morn, the hoar frost cling When the fierce ardour of the sun had shorn endure The mid-day glare of passion's tyranny— And that, unless in deepest shade secure, Their freshness on the mould'ring earth will lie? IJ. Oft in the speaking stillness of that hour, Their feeble threads of life.-'Tis thus that some, Florence Wilson has been unusually happy in THE YOUNG CHIEF'S BRIDE. The fairest flower in Scotia's isle; Of all Clan-Albin's chivalry. The blue-eyed Ellen of Lochiel, Sang round it like some hissing sprite; * Longman's, Paternoster Row. |