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sorts of words. M. Delau is construct- | Width, with side pavements of about ing an instrument, which will afford three feet; some of the subordinate the facility of finishing the operation in streets are from six to ten feet wide, three minutes, by which its success will with side pavements in proportion; be rendered more certain. By means these are occasionally high, and are of this instrument, he will raise on the reached by steps. tympanic meinbrane substance, enough to prevent the necessity of introducing probes into the perforation during from thirty to forty days. He is of opinion that he can restore the hearing of all those who have been deprived of it by the obstruction of the Eustachian organ, and by the obesity of the membrane of the tympanum.

The editor of the Monthly Magazine, who has just completed the fiftieth volume of that excellent periodical, announces a general index to the whole, and a selection of the curious, valuable, and original papers, in five volumes. The index and selections will be puhlished separately.

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from Ossian's Carthon. We thank Ullin for reminding us of it.

the conductors of a well-known magazine an infamous set of liars and blaguards, we refer bim to the articles which occasioned the Literary Squabble,' and entreat him to make himbefore he ventures to decide upon it.

In answer to D.D., who so grossly designates

We see a new edition of the Reject-self acquainted with the nature of a dispute ed Addresses is announced. This is one of the most popular works that has been published for many years, more than twenty thousand copies having been sold.

The Bee.

Floriferis ut apes in saltibus omnia limant, Omnià nos itidem depascimur aureá dicta.' LUCRETIUS.

The full price will be given by our Publisher, for saleable copies of No. 87 of the Coun try Literary Chronicle. Both Editions of The Literary Chronicle becoming very scarce, regular Subscribers are advised to complete their sets without delay.

NEW NOVEL. Just published, price 21s. SUCH IS THE WORLD. A Novel, in Three Vols. 12mo.

The Oak.-The use of the oak has
A

been lately revived for the purpose of
furniture; and among the fashionable
and expensive luxuries of the present
day, has become not only the rival of
some of the beautiful woods of distant
countries, but, in point of expense at
countries, but, in point of expense at
least, has acquired a high character.
To establish this fact, it is only neces-
sary to mention, that a set of dining-
tables, made of English oak, by a Lou.
don cabinet-maker, brought the enor-
mous sum of 6001. sterling.

One of the Covent Garden actors, who has lately been on a strolling erpedition in the country, cautioned the ladies, in one of his bills, not to fall in love with him, as it always hurt his benefit, by making the gentlemen jealous

of him.

Episcopal Benevolence.-Richard de Berry, Bishop of Durham, in the reign of Edward III., had every week eight quarters of wheat made into bread for the poor, besides his alms-dishes, fragments of his house, and large sums of money which he bestowed in his jour.

Pompei-lu prosecuting the excavations of Pompeii, a late traveller, Mr. Williams, informs us, that the streets of the city are getting daily dis. encumbered. He entered by the Appian Way through a narrow street of small tombs beautifully executed, with the names of the deceased plain and legible. At the gate was a centrybox, in which the skeleton of a soldier was found with a lamp in his band after passing into several streets he entered a coffee-house, marks of the cups beings visible on the stone. The streets are lined with public buildings and private houses, most of which have their original painted decorations fresh and entire. The pavement of the streets is much worn by carriage wheels. A surgeon's house, with chirurgical instruments; an ironmonger's shop, where was an anvil and hammer; a sculptor's, and a baker's shop; au oilman's; a wine shop, with money in the till; a school, with a pulpit with steps up to it, in the middle of the apartly ment; a great theatre, a temple of justice, an amphitheatre, two hundred and twenty feet long; various temples; a barrack for soldiers, the columns of which are scribbled with their names and jests; wells, cisterns, seats, tricliniums, beautiful mosaic altars, inscriptions, and fragments of statues; pipes of terra cotta, to convey the water to the different streets, and stocks for prisoners, in one of which a skeleton was found; are among the many striking vestiges of the arts of ancient Italy. The houses are in general low, not more than ten feet high. The principal streets are about sixteen feet in

neys.

West, Bishop of Ely, in 1552, fel two hundred poor people daily at his gates: and the Lord Cromwell usual the same number.

Robert of Winchelsea gave, every Friday and Saturday, a loaf of bread of a farthing price to every beggar that Caine to his door. Stowe says the loaf was sufficient for the day. In time of dearth, there were usually five thousand applicants, and in a plentiful time not less than four thousand loaves were destributed on a day.

TO READERS & CORRESPONDents.

THE FAMILY TRUNK,' No. III., Poetical Portraits, and Auld Dominie, in our next. The favours of J. R. P., Alpheus, and J. W., as early as possible.

We forgot to state that the Address to the Sun,' in No. 88 of the Literary Chronicle, was

I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano,

stage where every man must play his part."

Merchant of Venice.

The characters in this novel, which em

brace" all ranks and degrees of men," from a duke down to the hostler of an inn, are drawn with a fidelity and correctness, which none but could have sketched. Another merit this noa person who has mixed much in the world vel possesses, in which we should be happy to

see every work of the kind resemble it; we

mean, that of having a good moral tendency. There are no coarse ribaldries-no indecent allusions no double entendres, to raise a blush on the cheek of youthful innocence. Virtue and vice are so faithfully pourtrayed, thatwe do not fear our juvenile friends choosing the former for the model of their future conduct in life.Literary Chronicle, Jun. 27.

Printed for G, and W. B. WHITtaker, 13, Ave-Maria Lane.

In the press, and will be published in a few days, 1. The LEGEND of ARGYLE. A Novel. In three vols. 12mo.

2. The LIFE of a Boy A Tale. In two vols. 12mo.

3. FAVOURITE of NATURE. A Novel. De

dicated (by permission) to Mrs. Joanna Baillie. In three vols. 12mo

TO THE LOVERS OF THE Fine Arts.

THE BEAUTIES of ENGLAND, WALES, and SCOTLAND, large paper, illus trated with nearly 6000 Po.traits, Views, Maps, and Plates, many of which are proofs on India paper, exceedingly rare, and presumed to be a matchless copy, comprised in 114 volunies, half bound morocco, uncut, with guards for ARY of Engravers, illustrated with nearly 5000 further illustratrion. And STRUTT'S DICTIONPortraits and fine Specimens of every branch of Engraving; many of which are exceedingly scarce and valuable, and made up regardless of expense, forming, in the whole, 32 quarto vc

lumes.

These matchless works, with many others, will be sold by auction, by J. JONES, at the Auction Mart, on Thursday, Feb. 23d, 1821,

without reserve.

Catalogues at the Mart, and 4, St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill, 6d. each.

London Published by J. Limbird, 355, Strand, two doors East of Exeter Change; where advertiss ments are received, and communications for the Editor (post paid) are to be addressed. Sold also by Sauter, 73, St. Paul's Church Yard; Chapple, Pall Mall; Grapel, Liverpool; and by all Booksch Bowell Court, Carey Street, lers and Newsvenders.-Printed by Davidson, Old

And Weekly Review;

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

This Paper is published early every Saturday Morning; and is forwarded Weekly, or in Monthly or Quarterly Parts, throughout the British Dominions.

No. 93.

LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1821.

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THIS work is anonymous to us and to the public. As we are never influenced either by the name of an author or of a bookseller attached to any works, but view them solely on their own merits, we do not like the present volume the worse for the author being unknown to us, especially as from the numerous list of subscribers, it would appear that he has an extensive and a very respectable acquaintance in other quarters.

Price 6d.

the greater pleasure, as it will be fa- nours and caresses which were so lavishly
vourable. His journal is a plain un-heaped upon us. All business was sus-
varnished tale,' strongly characterized pended, the shops closed, and people of
by the fidelity and the connection of its sembled in the public streets or the parks,
all ranks quitting their occupations, as-
details, and furnishing an interesting and even in the fields for some miles dis-
narrative of a most eventful period in tant from the town, bearing branches of
the military history of Great Britain. laurels and oak-boughs to meet the army,
The traveller's privilege has, we be-exhibiting a scene at once so flattering
lieve, not been exercised, and the au-
and pleasing, that it was difficult to sup-
thor has been satisfied with exhibiting press the feelings of honest pride and ex-
truth in her nakedness, rather than marched from Torres les Dones as soon
ultation which it created. Having
putting her into borrowed clothing,
as it was light, we reached the gates of
which the delicacy, we suppose, of too Madrid about seven o'clock. Upwards
many travellers induces them to do.
of fourteen thousand troops, encamped in
the meadows under the palace, were just
then falling under arms, an order having
come down to throw open the royal gar-
dens, where many thousands of people
now assembled, with laurel boughs and
banners bearing the words "Wellington,"
land and Portugal for ever," and other
"Victory," "Salamanca," and "Eng-
inottos of a similar description The
children's hats and caps were decorated
with the words, Wellington and Sala-
manca;" and where a general officer was
recognized, or the shattered colours ap-
peared, the air rang with acclamations.
had her full share of notice; and, on one
Wherever an English woman passed she
occasion, I was greatly amused at the em-
barrassment of an officer's lady, who, on
alighting from her horse at one of the
gates of the garden, was for several ini-
nutes exposed to the most immoderate
caresses and unreserved embraces of at
5th division marching through cheering
least twenty Spanish girls. Leaving the
crowds, accompanied by my friend T-,
I forded the river not far from the palace,
and entering the town by the gate near the
house to breakfast, by which we avoided
Inquisition, went in search of a coffee-
much of the bustle; but we were every
where saluted with the cry of "Viva Es-
pana, viva Ingletierra." The bells were
Calle Mayor," or high
ringing, and the
scene of public rejoicing impossible to
street, exhibited throughout the day a

The work embraces the events of upwards of eight years, in all of which the author was an eye witness or a participator, from his joining the British army soon after the battle of Busaco, in 1810, to its quitting France, in 1818. The details are generally very minute in a military point of ewas to the order of attack in the several battles,the divisions engaged, and the names of the officers who commanded them; the number of killed, wounded, &c. The details of the various battles of the peninsula have been so often told, and are so well remembered, that we shall pass them over, and quote the author's account of the Duke of Wellington's triumphal entry into Madrid, on the 13th of August, 1813

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We are such lovers of peace, that we would gladly convert swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks,' did not the restless spirit of the rulers of nations admonish us now and then to polish up our armour in case of being suddenly called on to use it, and not to suffer that military spirit which Englishmen so gloriously ob- Spain, and seat of the Spanish governMadrid, the celebrated metropolis of tained, to degenerate, while it is watch-ment, is seated in an open country, fully kept alive by our neighbours. upon the banks of the little river ManzaSuch being the case, we may be al-nares. The palaces and other public lowed to travel a short way with a new friend, over the laurel-strewed fields of Spain and Portugal, and to take a glance at the olive rear'd on that-place of skulls

The grave of France--the deadly Waterloo.'

We shall not, however, fight these battles over again, nor attempt to follow our author in a regular narrative of the campaigns in which he shared, but select what appears to us the most novel and interesting in the volun:

before us.

As the author has very modestly said nothing for himself, either by way of dedication or preface, we must say something for him, and this we do with VOL. III.

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66

buildings are superb beyond any thing I
remember having seen, and the parks and
beautiful avenues of trees which encircle
the court end of the town, conspire to
make it a very agreeable residence.
The King's palace is built of white stone,
along the banks of which spread the royal
upon a little eminence near the river,
gardens, bounded by meadows, and the
view terminates in the lofty mountains of ducted to the King's Palace, where he
Lord Wellington was con-
Guardarama, at a distance. The arrival and his personal staff were lodged. Co-
of Lord Wellington and his victorious lonel Gordon, quarter-master general of
army at the gates of Madrid, was marked the army, occupied the palace of the
with all those demonstrations of public Prince of Peace. At night there was a
joy which such an event was calculated to general and brilliant illumination, and the
cult, if not impossible, to describe the en-
produce; and, although it would be diff-weather being remarkably fine, the
thusiastic animation which prevailed, it is streets were thronged with people. There
"Calle Mayor" and the other principal
with pleasure one recalls to mind the he were but few transparencies; but illumi-

H

nations in Spain are rendered peculiarly striking by an immense display of rich tapestry suspended from the balconies and windows, in such a manner as to hide the whole front of the buildings, and which, with the reflection of the variegated lamps, produces a very pretty effect. These illuminations were repeated for three nights successively.'

he happened to be posted in that part of
our line where the same French general
was opposed to him, upon learning which
he sent a challenge to the French nan, of-
fering to fight him in single combat in face
of the two respective forces, but received
no answer.'

Although the battle of Waterloo is an often-told tale, yet we cannot resist In the winter, between the cam-quoting a few passages from the interpaigns, the British officers frequently esting account of it related by this augot up plays, particularly the light thor. Speaking of Hogoumont, he division officers, who often performed says,before the Duke of Wellington. The Every tree in the orchards and garauthor gives a copy of a play-bill, in dens had been sharply contested for, and which the comedy of She Stoops to the troops in the house having loop-holed Conquer,' and the farce of the Ap- the walls, poured forth such an incessant prentice,' were played by British off-shower of musketry, while those at the cers; the female characters, as in the gates charged with the bayonet, that the early history of the stage, being sup- every side, and all the approaches to the most terrible carnage spread itself on ported by men. Lord C. Spencer, of chatteau were heaped with slain. In the the 95th regiment, played the maid in mean time, the right and right centre of the comedy, and Charlotte in the farce. the French having crossed the ravine beThe British troops had, however, gene-tween the two armies, had attacked our rally more serious employment, and left and left centre, and there the conoftener played in tragedy than in coflict was throughout the day of the most medy, while in the peninsula. murderous and terrific nature. The eneThe field of Vittoria, where the Bri-my's attacks were made by such immense tish gained so important a victory, had already claimed a notice in history, from a memorable engagement fought there by Edward the Black Prince; and there is still a mount called Altura de los Inglezes, the English Hill. An interesting anecdote is related of Sir John Doyle, at the battle of Irun :—

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Sainte. This post, from the commencement of the conflict, had been gallantly defended by a part of the King's German Legion and some Hanoverian troops sent from the 3rd division. The French had for two hours been directing their chief attacks against it, by which the ammunition of the garrison being exhausted at a time when it was impossible to send to surrender or sell their lives as dearly as them a fresh supply, they were compelled they could, and they chose the latter; for when the gates of the farm were carried by the enemy, a sanguinary contest with the bayonet was maintained in the yard and house, as long as there was a German left upon his feet. By the loss of this place, the position occupied by the 3d and 5th divisions, had become seriously exposed, and the enemy, under a heavy the heights near the highway, above cannonade, was now preparing to attack Mont St. Jean, where the veteran warrior, Sir Thomas Picton, with his invincible division, was posted. Regardless, though not altogether unconscious, that this would prove his dying hour, with calm composure he viewed the storm approach, and resolved to meet it like a man ready

to die for his country. The French were
crossing the ravine in solid squares, their
cavalry and artillery moving by the high-
way; for awhile their march was consi-
derably impeded by a destructive fire
from our artillery, posted behind a hedge
on the left of our position, and some Bel
gic troops on the slope of the hill; but
these being at length compelled to give
way, the shock of steel now awaited the
5th division, which at first fell into squares
to receive the French cavalry, and then
into line to meet their infantry. The
French troops advanced with their drums
beating, colours flying, and eagles soar-
ing over their heads, the cries of "Vive
l'Empereur!" resounding from every
mouth as they approached the British co-

"But on the British heart were lost
The terrors of the charging host;
For not an eye the scene that view'd,
Chang'd its proud glance of fortitude."
WALTER SCOTT.

columns both of infantry and cavalry, sometimes together and sometimes separate, that it required all the skill and exertions of the generals and commanding officers, and all the characteristic devotedness of both officers and soldiers, to bear up against them. No sooner had one body of troops been repulsed than another advanced. The French cavalry charged our squares of infantry time after A division of Spanish troops attacked time with the most frantic valour, shoutand carried a redoubt at the foot of the ing, Vive l'Empereur!" and notwithhigh and rocky mountain of Le Rhone, standing the terrible defeats they sustainnot far from the village of Zarra. The ed, still returned to the attack, and being Spanish General, Sir John D****, had met by our cavalry, a most terrific scene a horse shot under him, and was him- of havock and confusion prevailed on all self wounded in the affair. This officer, sides, and thousands of men and horses who is a native of Scotland, has in the fell. The armour of the enemy's curias-lumns ;course of a few years experienced a series siers reeeived no impression either from of extraordinary adventures. When the our volley of musketry or cavalry swords, Spanish revolution broke out, he raised a and thus defended, they were dealing deregiment, called the Legion of Estrema-struction in every quarter, and galloping dura, of which he was made colonel by the Spanish Junta, and thus attached him self to the Spanish service. His bravery and apparent devotedness to the cause, together with the attachment and partiality which he manifested towards every thing Spanish, recommended him to the notice of the Spanish government, so that he was soon advanced to a command with the rank of brigadier-general, and became so distinguished, that the town of Seville presented him with the sword of the famous Pizarro, which he wears to this day. In one of his attacks against the enemy at Seville, he had been wounded and taken prisoner, on which occasion the French general in command suffered him to be most shamefully insulted and severely beaten, a treatment which he could never forget; and it was singular enough that upon his joining Lord Wellington

At length, after a terrible carnage, the enemy gained the ridge, where Sir Thomas Picton had formed the whole of his division into one grand line for a charge with bayonets. A shock then took place too dreadful to contemplate, in the midst of which General Picton fell; a musketball which passed through his head closed his warlike career. For a quarter of an hour it was not known that the general had fallen, so close and terrific was the fight.

round our hollow squares, sometimes
charged all four faces of them at once.
Our men were ordered to fire low: this,
together with the bayonets of the front
line, brought down many horses, and
hurled their riders to the earth. At
length our heavy cavalry appearing
through the clouds of fire and smoke,
suddenly charged them with all the
weight they could carry, which brought
several squadrons of them at once to the
ground, with a tremendous crash, and for
the moment cleared that part of the field;
Hundreds were falling around
still, however, the battle continued with him; and his aid-de-camp, poor Captain
the same terrific violence. Two, three, Chambers, who was also with the old 3d
and four o'clock came, and found things division in the peninsula, fell by his side.
in the same undecided state, notwithstand-For some time the work of destruction
ing that the enemy had again and again at- was such on all sides, that it was impossi
tacked the ridge occupied by the 3d and ble to say which way the scale of success
5th divisions, and after a most dreadful would turn, and the oldest officers could
contest had taken the farm of La Have not but look forward to the issue of this

struggle with terror and alarm. While lum from some humane institution. The sion for which his Royal Highness is these dreadful events were passing with French officer, however, refused to part distinguished, he wrote to Sir David Dunthe divisions of Picton and Alten, a scene with the boy, but promised to take care of das, drawing his notice to the circumno less appalling presented itself at Hou-him and use him well, and the English, in stance, with a view that the parties might, gomont, the towers of which edifice, their own destitute situation, as prisoners with the least possible delay, be furnished (from the shower of shells and cannon-balls of war, had of course for the present no with the necessary certificates, and purpoured down upon it,) were now on fire, alternative but to submit. On their ar- sue their respective interests. At length and the whole mansion soon after became riving at Tolosa, in the Pyrenees, an order nothing was wanting for the admission of one mass of smoking ruins; at the same met them, which directed that the Eng- the child into the school for soldiers' ortime the enemy surrounded the court-lish prisoners should be marched into phans, but a certificate from the Marquis yard and gardens, and attempted to carry France, but the Spanish conducted to the of Huntly, when Mr. *** and the poor them at the point of the bayonet. The fortress of Pampeluna, and the French of little fellow, in proceeding one morning field-marshal himself being on the spot, ficer herein alluded to being ordered upon to Richmond House for this document, rallied the troops around the burning edi- the latter duty, the British officers with overtook, near the Horse Guards, a serfice, and in person led on the guards to a much regret parted from the little or- jeant of the 42d regiment, with a letter in charge in which they drove back the ene-phan. The author of the narrative having, his hand, addressed to the Marquis of my with dreadful carnage.' (as before mentioned,) been recommend- Huntly. Under an impression that the We conclude with an interesting ad-ed to the special notice of the Emperor man might give him some information venture, which occurred to an officer of Napoleon, for the service he had render- which would assist him in his interview the medical staff in the British army :ed the French wounded, was ordered to with Lord ***, Mr. *** inquired wheParis to receive his discharge; while hether he had served in the late campaign In the retrogade movements made was there waiting for his dismissal, a in Spain, and being answered in the affirby the British army in Spain after the bat- Captain H***, of the 23d light dragoons, mative, then asked if he knew his comtle of Talavera, this gentleman, who then arrived in Paris, a prisoner also from Ma- rade, Serjeant M'Cullen, who was killed belonged to the 23d light dragoons, and drid, having under his care the little or- at Corunna. The man, evidently much some other officers, were surprized and phan boy, whom, on his passing Tolosa, agitated, replied that he knew no comrade inade prisoners at Placentia, and conduct he had there found in the most forlorn of that name killed at Corunna, but beged to Madrid, where, by the exercise of his condition, forsaken by both his foster-fa- ged to know why the gentleman asked professional skill, he rendered such service ther and mother. The former, it appears, this question. Because, said Mr. ***, to the French wounded, that Bonaparte, had found a difficulty in conveying his this is his orphan child, whom I found in npon his subsequent arrival in France, not prisoners to Pampeluna as ordered, from Spain. He was soon interrupted with the only gave him his liberty without ex- the enterprising spirit of the Spanish simple but emphatic exclamation of, Bless change, but presented him with a gratuity Guerillas under Espoz y Mina, who were your honour, Sir, I am the man! its my of" twelve hundred francs," (fifty pounds resolved to liberate their countrymen; child!" Then turning to the child, who sterling,) from the public purse. The and the Spanish woman dreading their had still a faint recollection of his father, prisoners, both Spanish and English, after resentment for attaching herself to a he was deeply affected; indeed, we can well remaining at Madrid two months, early in Frenchman, had fled. Under such cir- conceive that the feelings of each party October, 1809, marched for France, un- cumstances, Captain H*** had, without may be better imagined than described. der a strong escort appointed to convey hesitation, brought the child with him to It afterwards proved that the unsealed letthem to the frontiers. In passing over the Paris, where he now very providentially ter which the soldier was carrying to the Sierras de Guardarama, by St. Ildefonso met the very officer who had been the Marquis of Huntly, was from Colonel Stirto Segovia, the attention of this officer first to identify and interest himself for it, ling, commanding the regiment then lying was attracted by the interesting appear- just obtaining his passport for London: at Canterbury, informing him that Serjeant ance of a little boy, about six or seven it was agreed, therefore, that the poor M'Cullen was not (as supposed) killed at years old, riding in a waggon, apparently little boy should go to his native land Corunna, but wounded, and got safe off, under the care of a Spanish woman, who with him, and Captain H*** wrote let- and that he had sent the man to London, appeared to act the part of a mother to ters to the War Office, to the Duke of that he might answer personally for hinhim. Observing, however, that there York, and also to the Marquis of Hunt- self any questions which might be put to was something in the child's countenance ly, (the colonel of the regiment,) on the him. Thus ends this affecting narrative, and complexion which indicated that he subject. Arriving in London with his which I conclude with the hope that this was a native of a more northern climate little orphan, Mr. *** immediately left poor fellow has not since fallen in some than Spain, he asked it a few questions the letters at the Horse Guards and one of the several bloody fields in which in Spanish, and to his surprize was an- Richmond House, and that same evening his regiment has subsequently been enswered in the same language; but, upon received a note, intimating that the Duke gaged in the Peninsula or at Waterloo. further inquiry, it appeared that he was of York would be happy to see him and The child, I understood, was placed in the under the protection of the French officer his little protegée on the following morn-Military Asylum.' commanding the escort-that he was the ingat ten o'clock; accordingly they went orphan child of a Serjeant M'Cullen, of to York House at that hour, and were the 42d regiment, (Highlanders,) who very graciously received. The Duke of fell in the battle of Corunna, and that the York condescedingly conversed with the mother, in the retreat from Salamanca child in German and French, both of upon Lugo, had died upon the road, which languages, as well as Spanish, he through excessive privations and fatigue, had learnt; the first he had acquired when the poor child fell into the hands of from his foster-father, the second from a the enemy's advanced guard, fortunately Saxon servant, and the last from the commanded by this humane officer. Spanish woman. His Royal Highness Upon learning this story, which was fully was altogether so much pleased with the corroborated on every hand, the British child, and so affected with his interesting prisoners unanimously petitioned the story, that he resolved to put him into French officer to give up the child to the Military Asylum, under his own them, as its more natural protectors, that patronage. He had about this time rethey might forward it to England, where signed the office of commander-in-chief, its forlorn case would claim for it an asy-but with that humanity and condescen

Specimens of the Russian Poets, &c.

(Concluded from p. 105.) HAVING introduced our readers to

Russian poetry and Russian poets, in our last number, and given some specimens of the productions of the most favourite bards, we shall proceed to make them acquainted with the remaining poets of Russia. Dmitriev, who is still living, and has published several small poems, combines energy with tenderness. The following lines, on the grave of Bogdanovich, the au

thor of Psyche, of whom we shall speak
by and by, are elegant and affecting :-
Here love, unseen, when sinks the evening sun,
Wets the cold urn with tears, and mournful
thinks,

While his sad spirit, sorrow-broken, sinks-
None now can sing my angel Pysche-none!'

The next poem, which is the only one we shall quote from Dinitriev, is powerfully descriptive:

'DURING A THUNDER-STORM.

It thunders! sons of dust, in reverence bow!
Ancient of days! Thou speakest from above:
Thy right hand wields the bolt of terror now;
That hand which scatters peace and joy and

love.

Almighty! trembling like a timid child,

I hear thy awful voice-alarmed—afraid— I see the flashes of thy lightning wild,

And in the very grave would hide my head. Lord what is man? Up to the sun he fliesOr feebly wanders through earth's vale of

dust:

"Now that's so so;-thou really hast some
merit;

Curtail thy song, and critics then might hear it.
Thy voice wants sharpness; but if Chauticleer
Would give thee a few lessons, doubtless he
Might raise thy voice and modulate thy ear;
And thou, in spite of all faults, may'st be
A very decent singer."-

The poor bird

In silent modesty the critic heard,
And wing'd her peaceful flight into the air,
O'er many and many* a field and forest fair.
Many such critics you and I have seen ;--
Heaven be our screen!-'

Of Khemnitzer, another distin-
guished fabulist, we shall only relate
an anecdote or two. He is remarkable
for his carelessness, unoffensiveness, and
absence of mind:-

When in Paris, he once went to see the representation of Tancred. On Le Kain's appearance, he was so struck with the noble and majestic presence of that renowned actor, that he rose from his

But here, on these gigantic mountains, here
Thy greatness, glory, wisdom, strength, and
spirit,
In terrible sublimity appear!

Thy awe-imposing voice is heard,-we hear it!
Th' Almighty's fearful voice; attend, it breaks
The silence, and in solemn warnings speaks :
His the light tones that whisper 'midst the trees;
His, the whistling of the busy breeze;
His, the storm-thunder roaring, rattling round*,
When element with element inakes war,
Amidst the echoing mountains; on whose bound
Whose highest bound he drives his fiery car
Glowing like molten-iron; or enshrin'd
In robes of darkness, riding on the wind
Across the clouded vault of heav'n: What eye
Has not been dazzl'd by Thy majesty?
Where is the ear that has not heard Thee speak?
Thou breathest!-forest-oaks of centuries
Turn their uprooted trunks towards the skies.

Thou thunderest! - adamantine mountains
break,
Tremble, and totter, and apart are riven!
Thou lightenest! and the rocks inflame; Thy
Of fire to their metallic bosom driven,

power

There is he lost 'midst heaven's high mysteries, seat and bowed with lowly reverence. An Melts and devours them:-Lo! they are no

And here in error and in darkness lost:

Beneath the storm-clouds, on life's raging sea,
Like a poor sailor-by the tempest tost
In a frail bark-the sport of destiny,

He sleeps-and dashes on the rocky coast.
Thou breathest ;—and th' obedient storm is still:
Thou speakest ;-silent the submissive wave:
Man's shatter'd ship the rushing waters fill,

And the husht billows roll across his grave.
Sourceless and endless God! compared with
Thee,

Life is a shadowy momentary dream;
And time, when view'd through thy eternity,

Less than the mote of morning's golden beam.' Krilov, the Russian fabulist, affords us but one extract, which we insert, as a favourable specimen of that species of composition in which the Russian poets

are so excellent

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The nightingale began her heavenly lays;

Through all the regions of sweet music rang
ing,

Varying her song a thousand different ways;
Rising and falling, lingering, ever changing:
Full of wild rapture now-then sinking oft
To almost silence-melancholy, soft
As distant shepherd's pipe at evening's close,
Strewing the wood with lovelier music;-
there

All nature seems to listen and repose;

No zephyr dares to disturb the tranquil air,-
All other voices of the grove are still,
And the charm'd flocks lay down beside the rill.
The shepherd like a statue stands-afraid

His breathing may disturb the melody,
His finger pointing to the harmonious tree,
Seems to say, "Listen!" to his favourite maid.
The singer ended:-and our critic how'd
His reverend head to earth, and said aloud,—

more:

Or the thick mists that frown upon the sun,
They pass away like wax in the fierce flame,
Which he but glances at and they are gone;
Or like the sparkling snow upon the hill,
When noon-tide darts its penetrating beam.
What do I say? At God's almighty will,
The affrighted world falls headlong from its
sphere,-

universal roar of laughter brought him
back to himself. One morning, a friend
for whom he had the highest regard, re-
lated to him an interesting piece of news.
Khemnitzer dined with him afterwards,
and as a piece of remarkable intelligence
narrated to his host that which his host
had before communicated to him. His
friend reminded him of his forgetfulness. Planets and suns and systems disappear!
Khemnitzer was greatly distressed, and in But Thy eternal throne-Thy palace bright,
his perplexity, instead of his handker-Zion-stands stedfast in unchanging might;
chief, he put his host's napkin into his Zion-Thy own peculiar seat-Thy home!
pocket. On rising from table, Khemnit- But here, O God! here is Thy temple, too:
Heaven's sapphire arch is its resplendent dome;
zer endeavoured to slip away unobserved; Its columns-trees that have for ages stood ;
his friend saw him, followed him, and Its incense is the flower-perfumed dew;
Its symphony-the music of the wood;
tried to detain him.
proached him for unveiling his weakness- Its ornaments-the fairest gems of spring;
es, and would not listen to any entreaties. Its altar is the stony mountain proud!
"Leave my napkin then, at least, which Lord! from this shrine to Thy abode I bring
you pocketed at table," said the other. Trembling devotion's tribute-though not loud,
Khemnitzer drew it forth, and stood like Nor pomp-accompanied: Thy praise I sing,
a statue. The loud laugh of the com-
And Thou wilt deign to hear the lowly offering.'
pany recovered him from his trance, and
with the utmost good nature he joined in
the general mirth.'

Khemnitzer re

Bobrov is the author of an oriental
epic poem, the Khersonida, which is
said to bear a strong resemblance to
Moore's Lalla Rookh, though inferior.
The address to the Deity, from the
poem we have mentioned, would not,
however, disgrace the bard of Erin.
We quote it,

"O thou unutterable Potentate!
Through nature's vast extent sublimely great!
Thy lovely form the flower-decked field dis-
closes,

Thy smiles are seen in nature's sunny face:

Milk-coloured lilies and wild blushing roses
Are bright with Thee;-Thy voice of gentleness
Speaks in the light-winged whispering zephyrs
playing

'Midst the young boughs, or o'er the meadows

straying:

Thy breath gives life to all; below, above,
And all things revel in Thy light and love.

* Literally-" three times nine.” '

tier

English poesy scarcely boasts a pretgem than Bobrov's'CHILDREN'S OFFERING ON A PARENT'S BIRTH-DAY.

Not the first tribute of our lyre,

Not the first fruits of infant spring,
But flames from love's long kindled fire,
And oft-repeated prayers we bring
To crown thy natal day.
'Tis not to-day that first we tell

(When was affection's spirit mute?)
How long our hearts have loved-how well-
Nor tune our soft and votive flute,
Nor light the altar's ray.
That altar is our household shrine-
Its fume-the bosom's kindly heat:
Its offering, sympathy divine;
Its incense, as the may-dew sweet!

Accept thy children's lay.'

* I have endeavoured to imitate the singular adaptation of words to sound, of which the Russian language affords so many striking examples:- Original

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Tvoi dukh vsivavse boriushchii
V sikh-sikh svistjeshchikh vikhrei silakh
Srazhaiushchikhss mezhdu Gor!

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