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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. 97.

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1821.

Review of New Books.

A Narrative of Travels in Northern Africa, in the Years 1818, 19, and 20; accompanied by Geographical Notices of Soudan, and of the Course of the Niger, &c. By Captain G. F. Lyon, R. N. companion of the late Mr. Ritchie. 4to. pp. 383. Lon

don, 1821.

Price 6d.

and Captain Lyon was styled Said ben abd Allah. Before we accompany Captain Lyon on his journey, we shall quote a few passages from his work relating to Tripoli, where-

cipation of ease and leisure, which unhappily he was destined never to enjoy; and it was owing to this unfortunate procrastination that much valuable information has been lost. Captain Lyon, however, having kept a regular journal, The most extraordinary characters are has been enabled, in some degree, to the Maraboots, a set of people much supply the defect; his object being, as spoken of in all Moslem countries; but he assures us, only to detail facts in it strikes me that the requisites necessary the plainest manuer, without attempt to constitute one of these saints are not at embellishment of any kind;' this not every where the same. In the interior ALTHOUGH Africa has been the grave only bespeaks indulgence, but gives an they consist in keeping up the outward of so many adventurous spirits, yet additional value to his narrative. Described liquors, in avoiding improper or show of sanctity, in abstaining from prosuch is the zest for inquiry, that there is ferring for the present all critical re- profane expressions, in being faithful to no want of a succession of new travel-marks on the literary merits of this the limited number of wives, (namely,. lers, ready at all hazards to pursue the work, we shall, proceed to notice the four,) and in not intriguing with the wives daring enterprise of exploring lands principal incidents which it records. of other men; whilst in Tripoli, such forunknown. It would be a melancholy bearance is by no means considered nenarrative to recapitulate the fate of cessary. The Maraboots there are of two those who have hitherto endeavoured to classes: ideots, who are allowed to say and traverse the interior of Africa; most of sessed of all their senses, who, by juggling do whatever they please; and men pos them, however, have left memorable and performing many bold and disgusting records of the disposition by which they tricks, establish to themselves the exclu were actuated; andwhile we shed a tear sive right of being the greatest rogues and for their sufferings and their end, we nuisances to be met with. There are draw a veil over the sad picture and mosques in which these people assemble turn to the more successful adventurers, every Friday afternoon, and where they whose records must be read with an ineat snakes, scorpions, &c. affecting to he creased interest from their comparative inspired, and committing the greatest extravagancies.

rarity.

It was on the 10th of October, 1818, that Mr. Ritchie, accompanied by M. Dupont, a Frenchman in his pay,whom he had engaged for the purpose of col lecting and preparing objects of natural history, and a shipwright named John Belford, sailed from Malta for Tripoli; at which place he was joined by Captain Lyon on the 25th of November. Mr. Ritchie's intention was to proceed to Mourzouk, the capital of Fezzan, with the Sultan of that country, who Captain Lyon was the companion of for the purpose of waging war on the nual festival began, and continued for was about to take a large body of men On the 9th of January, 1819, their an Mr. Ritchie, when that gentleman was inhabitants of Waday (the Borgoo of three days, with all its barbarous ceremoemployed by the British government Brown); which is to the southward and nies. On, or rather before this day, the on a mission to the interior of Africa, eastward of Fezzan. Mohammed el great Maraboot is supposed to inspire in 1818. The tour is divided into two Mukni, the Sultan of Fezzan, had by those who are to appear in the proces parts. The first comprises the original intrigues and force got the government sions, and who, according to their abili purpose of the mission from Tripoli to of that country in 1811, when, having ties, are more or less mad and furious, Morzouk, where the unfortunate Mr. established himself, he waged war on The natural fools are always ready for the Ritchie died, the second embraces Cap his defenceless neighbours and annu- their looks of astonishment at being on exhibition; and it is amusing to observe tain Lyon's examination of the remain-ally carried off 4000 or 5000 slaves. der of the kingdom of Fezzan, from that day, more than any other, brought In order to prepare for the journey into notice. During the time the Ma the death of his companion until the Mr. Ritchie and Captain Lyon suffered raboots, (who are guarded and attended final return of the mission to Tripoli; their beards to grow, and had their by a great number of people,) are allowed it being deemed too hazardous to at-heads shaved. Their costume was that to parade the street, no Christians or tempt advancing farther into the inte- of the better class of Tripolines, who Jews can with any safety make their ap rior without fresh authority and addi- have two kinds of dresses; the one long pearance, as they would, if once in the tional pecuniary supplies from govern- and worn chiefly by elderly men and power of these wretches, be instantly torn to pieces; indeed, wherever they show persons of great consequence, the other short and worn generally. Our tra- dows, they are sure of a plentiful shower themselves op their terraces or from winvellers fully adopted the dress and of stones from the boys who are in attendendeavours to become acquainted with appearance of Moslems, using all their their manners. Mr. Ritchie assumed the name of Yussuf Ritchie, Bel ford was called Ali; Dupont, Mourad;

ment.

It is much to be lamented that, in consequence of Mr. Ritchie's frequent and debilitating attacks of illness, and his having relied too much on a singu larly retentive memory, he had from time to time delayed committing his remarke to paper, in the delusive anti

VOL. III.

ance.

As I was in the dress of the country. and very anxious to witness the whole of the ceremonies, I ventured to go out with our dragoman, and to make my way to M-12

the mosque from which the procession
was to set out. I certainly felt that my
situation was a very dangerous one; but
being resolved on the attempt, and telling
the man to follow me closely, I dashed in
with the crowd, and succeeded in getting
near the saints, who, with dishevelled
hair, were rapidly turning round, and
working themselves into a most alarming
state of frenzy. A band of barbarous mu-
sic was playing to them, while several
men were constantly employed in sprink-
ling them with rose-water. Had I been
discovered, my life would have been in
very great jeopardy; but, fortunately, I
was able to keep my countenance, and to
pass unnoticed; and, when the perform-
ers were sufficiently inspired, sallied out
with them, and followed through the
streets. One had a large nail run through
his face, from one cheek to the other; and
all had bitten their tongues in so violent a
manner, as to cause blood and saliva to
flow copiously. They were half naked,
at intervals uttering short groans and
howls, and as they proceeded, (sometimes
three or four a-breast, leaning on each
other, they threw their heads backwards
and forwards with a quick motion, which
caused the blood to rise in their faces, and
their eyes to project from the sockets to a
frightful degree. Their long black hair,
which grew from the crown of the head,
(the other parts being closely shaven,)
was continually waving to and fro', owing
to the motion of the head. One or two,
who were the most furious, and who
continually attempted
to
'run at the crowd,
were held by a man on each side, by
means of a rope, or a handkerchief tied
round the middle. As we passed through
one of the streets, a party of Maltese and
other Christians were discovered on a ter-
race, and were instantly assailed by
showers of stones. I observed, that
whenever the Maraboots passed the house
of a Christian, they affected to be ungo-
vernable, and endeavoured to get near it,
pretending they made the discovery by
smelling out unbelievers. After follow
ing for an hour or two, during which I
witnessed the most horrible and revolting
scenes, I returned home, when, to my
great amusement, I learnt that a rumour
prevailed of my having been attacked and

very ill treated; and that I had, in de

celebrated a character. Before the time
of the procession, he was confined in a
dungeon, in consequence of his becoming
very furious. When all was in readiness
for the ceremony, the bashaw took his sta-
tion in the balcony overlooking the arse-
nal, and this man was set at liberty, when
he rushed on an ass, and with one thrust
pushed his hand into the animal's side,
from which he tore its bowels, and began
to devour them. Many eat dogs and
other animals; and on that day a little
Jew boy was killed in the street, either
by the Maraboots or their followers.

for a capital crime, had been mutilated in this manner. The operation is performed with a razor. The limb is first tied tight above the joint with a piece of cord, and the hand or foot is taken out of the socket of the wrist or ankle joint. The stump is then dipped into hot pitch, and the sufferer is permitted to go away with his friends; and it is astonishing how soon he recovers, without any other dressing than the one which I have mentioned. Beating with a stick on the posteriors or soles of the feet is the general punishment for minor offences; although, in some As the power of taking up serpents cases, it is so severe as to occasion death. and scorpions is supposed to constitute a Four or five hundred lashes are frequently Maraboot, I determined on acquiring given; but fifty is about the general althat honourable title. Mr. Ritchie lowance. Some culprits, who, by bribought some snakes, which we all learnt bery or other means, are able to influto handle, and I soon found out an effec-ence the persons employed to see the tual way of taking up the largest scorpions sentence executed, contrive to stuff their without the slightest chance of being trowsers so as to escape without much stung.' suffering. This punishment is inflicted equally on all ranks, at the pleasure of the Bashaw; and, should even his own sons, his minister, or the sheikh of the obliged to submit to it, as well as the town displease him, they would be lowest of his subjects; nor would they consider themselves at all degraded, or their dignity in any degree lessened by it.'

Drunkenness is more common in Tripoli than in England. There are public wine houses, at the doors of which the Moors sit and drink without any scruple. The better class of people also drink very hard; but their favourite beverage is Rosalia, an Italian cordial. As a singular instance of the enterprising spirit of our northern brethren, it may be mentioned that the admiral of the fleet at Tripoli is a Scotchman by birth, though now turned a Mamluke, and called Mourad Rais. He bears an excellent character. The modes of punishment at Tripoli are totally different from any of those practised by Europeans:—

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Some crimes are considered capital by law; but many are rendered so by the whim of the Bashaw, in which case hang ing, decapitating, and strangling are used. The Moors are never employed as hangmen; but the first Jew who happens to be at hand has that office conferred upon him, and he is obliged to accompany the culprit to the ramparts over the town gate, attended by the guards and mob, when he puts on the rope well or ill, according to his ability,, attaching it to a bolt fixed in the wall for that purpose,

The unfortunate victim is then forced

fending myself, stabbed a Maraboot, and through an embrasure, and suspended by
run away, no one knew whither. I was the side of the gate way, so as to be seen
happy to be enabled in person to con- by all who enter or leave the town.
tradict these reports, and to prove that I When decapitation is the punishment,
had escaped not only unhurt, but unobthe head alone is exposed to public
served. There were two parties who
traversed the town; but from their being
of opposite sects, and at war with each
other, it was so arranged that they should
take different routes.

That which I did not see was the superior one, and took its departure from under the walls of the castle. It was headed by a man named Mohammed, who had been much at our house, going on errands, and attending our horses.. I did not, until afterwards, know he was so

view.

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Torture is not unfrequently made use of; but as all punishments of that kind are confined to the dungeons of the castle, none can or dare give any description of the nature of it. Theft (as presented by the Koran) is punished by cutting off a hand, and if to a very great extent, a foot also; but repeated offences of this kind extend sometimes to an amputation of the other hand or foot, and I once saw a man, who,

The Tripoline marriages (which no man is allowed to see) are conducted with great splendour, and the night is the time chosen for the bride to be conveyed to the house of her husband, when she is attended by a large troop of women, who carry torches, and atter loud and repeated cries of joy. The burials have nothing remarkable. It is the custom at all the funerals to liberate one or more slaves, who may at the time belong to the family of the deceased, and food is distributed among the poor, who, on these occasions, never fail to attend in great numbers.

Mr. Ritchie, finding that Mukni still delayed his departure, determined on visiting Benioleed and the Gharian mountains. For this purpose, he set out on the 7th of February, 1819, acChowse with two camels; M. Dupont companied by Captain Lyon, and a having resigned his office, and Belford being left in charge of the house at Tripoli. The Arabs in the Gharian mountains live under ground, so that a person unacquainted with the circumstance might cross them without bited. once suspecting that they were inha

All the dwelling places are formed in the same manner, and therefore the following description of the Sheikh's 'will serve for the rest:

The uppersoil is sandy earth, of about four feet in depth; under this sand, and in some places limestone, a large hole is

dug, to the depth of twenty-five or thirty feet, and its breadth in every direction is about the same, being, as nearly as can be made, a perfect square. The rock is then smoothed, so as to form perpendicular sides to this space, in which doors are cut through, and arched chambers excavated, so as to receive their light from the doors. These rooms are sometimes three or four of a side, in others, a whole side composes one; the arrangements depending on the number of the inhabitants. In the open court is generally a well, water being found at about ten or twelve feet below the base of the square. The entrance to the house is at about thirty-six yards from the pit, and opens above ground. It is arched over head; is generally cut in a winding direction, and is perfectly dark. Some of these passages are sufficiently large to admit a loaded cainel. The entrance has a strong wall

ice-bouse. This is covered over head, and

A

the youth of the present Bashaw, fully have more than two and sometimes protected him froin his father's only one. The ceremony of conducttroops. ing a bride to her husband is sinOur author gives a long and interest-gular; a frame is fixed on the back of ing account of the Arabs, and their a camet which has very gay trappings He describes for the occasion. The bride is placed manners and customs. them as generally tall, straight, and in the frame and while thus sitting is well-formed, rather thin and muscular. housed over with carpets, shawls, and Their countenances are expressive and ostrich feathers. We shall conclude for handsome, and their noses aquiline; the present with some further interesting their complexion naturally white, but extracts relating to the Arabs:become dark from continual exposure The Bedouins sow their scanty stock to the sun. They are very active, ca- of corn, after turning up the earth with a pable of undergoing great fatigue and rude plough, or more generally with a hoe. These cultivated spots are respectabstinence froin food, lively in their ed by other wanderers, and the corn is manners, daring, and possessed of much rarely stolen; should the Bashaw, incunning; though generous, they are deed, be at war with the Arabs, he never great beggars; revengeful and unfor- fails to destroy their crops. When a giving. The general costume of the sufficient time has elapsed to allow of the man is a large loose shirt and trowsers grain being in a state of maturity, those to built over it, something resembling an of cotton, sandals, or tight half boots whom it belongs come and gather in their harvest (sometimes before it is perfectly has a very strong heavy door, which is shut of red leather, and a red cap. at night, or in cases of danger. At about wrapper of woollen cloth like flannel, ripe), lest the Bashaw should be informed of the circumstance, and deprive them of ten yards from the bottom is another door, twenty or five and twenty feet long, is a larger portion than they can afford; equally strong, so that it is almost impos-wrapt round the body in folds. The emissaries, indeed, are never wanting, sible to enter these houses, should the in- dress of the females differs but little who make it their business to ascertain the habitants determine to resist.' from that of the men in the materials, exact time when the corn is to be cut, Captain Lyon, while in these moun-but they put it on in a different man- and then pounce on the poor Arabs for tains, went in search of animals called ner. Young women wear their hair in the Bashaw's share of it. To avoid such gundy, and after lying down flat in the tresses, to which they attach beads, taxes, therefore, they sometimes gather it rain for three or four hours, was fortu- pieces of coral, silver, &c. so prematurely, that it will not serve as The old seed for the ensuing year. When the nate enough to shoot three, which he women frizzle their hair over the fore-date season commences, many families prepared, in order that they might be head, so as to make it project to some come and pitch their tents in the Meshea sent to the British Museum; they distance; and they dye it of a dull red of Tripoli, in order to purchase dates for being the first of the species known in colour :their future subsistence; these they deEurope:All the females have a practice of tat- prive of the stones, and when kneaded totooing their chins, the tips of their noses, gether, keep them in skins, so as to preand between the eyebrows. Their necks serve them from insects or wet: these and arms are also frequently marked. form their chief support, assisted by the The favourite figure is that of a hand, milk of their sheep and camels. That of which is intended to avert the evil the camel, as I have before noticed, is eye." They wear red lacing boots, in the thin, of a bluish colour (resembling cow's same manner as the men. When young milk mixed with water), and rather salt (that is to say, fifteen or sixteen), they to the taste; it throws up no cream, but have fine figures, and are exceedingly soon congulates like new curds. The handsome; but they soon lose their good ewe nilk is excellent, but is never drank looks and pleasing form, and become as fresh, the Arabs preferring it sour, or, ugly as they were before beautiful. more properly, as butter-milk. Their eyes are black and large; their flocks are milked morning and night into noses straight and well proportioned; large bowls, and when a sufficient quanthey have small lips, and their teeth are tity is thus collected, it is poured into exquisitely white. Nothing, in fact, can skins, without much attention being paid exceed in prettiness an Arab girl; but to its cleanliness, when, by shaking and the old women are, without exception, rolling it about, butter is procured, and the most hideous and disgusting creatures generally attaches itself to the side of the I ever beheld. Both sexes blacken their skin; the milk being then strained from it eye lids with kohol, or lead ore powder- into other vessels, is allowed to grow ed, which adds much to the brilliancy of sour, and a quantity of butter being prothe eye, and makes it appear larger than duced, it is boiled with a little salt until it is. They all wear an immense quan-it becomes like oil, and is then poured tity of agebs, or charms, against disorders into goat-skins, and is fit for use or mar

These animals resemble very much a guinea-pig in form, but are of a light brown mouse colour. The fur is longer than that of a rat, and is very silky; the eyes are black, large, and prominent; the orifices of the ears, (which are quite flat against the sides of the head,) are also black, and free from hair; the tail, or rather a little stump resembling one, is just perceptible to the touch, and from it grows a bunch or tuft of long black hair. The body is very round and fat, particularly broad at the shoulders. These animals burrow among the rocks. They are eaten with great relish by the Arabs, and no doubt are very good, as the flesh is exceedingly white and fat, and resembles

that of a rabbit.'

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and misfortunes.'

The Arabs of the tribe of Orfilly are a fine handsome race of people, and the young girls are really beautiful. These poor Arabs are dreadfully oppressed by the Bashaw, who has reduced them all to a most miserable state of Those who remain in the poverty. country are in rags; the others, who let Marriages are conducted in most intheir camels out to hire, and accom-stances without either party having pany traders to the interior, are some-seen the other, the agreement being what better off. They were once a entirely on the part of the parents. brave daring set of men, who defied the Though four wives are allowed to all government of Tripoli; and, during Mohammedans, the Arabs very rarely

ket.

The

Cheese is procured by turning the milk with a certain herb (the naine of which I have forgotten), and the curds, being salted, are spread out to dry in the sun, when they resemble little crums, and are very pleasant to the taste. I did not see any other kind of cheese than the

one I have mentioned, and this is rather searce, and used as a luxury in many of their little messes. Sometimes it is toasted, and has a very agreeable flavour. It is called Jibn.

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soup and vegetables are poured over it;
another is then put in, and soup added as
before, and so on in successive layers,
until the bowl is full. All these messes
are eaten with the fingers.

mention a particular instance of good breeding which I met with amongst these people: a man begged me one day to reach him a piece of straw which lay near me, that he might take out of a cup of [ water a bird which had fallen into it. perceived, however, that it was only a fly; and was afterwards informed, that they consider it disrespectful to make use of the word fly in the presence of a supe

A great article of commerce is the There is great variety in the manner fat, which the shepherds procure from the of dressing meat, which is stewed, boiled, sheep they kill. They cut it from every or baked; but for journeys, the Arabs part of the body, salt it, and lay it by un-have a very good way of preserving it, by til a large quantity is collected, when, cutting it into thin slices, drying it in the whether putrid or not, they boil it, until sun, and afterwards stewing it in fat. Irior. "The questions asked, and observations it bear some resemblance to the grease have often observed them eating small used by tallow chandlers; it is then grasses, which they found as they pursued made by some of the inland Arabs repoured into skins, and is fit for use. In their journey; and to my inquiries how specting our country, were very cuthe interior it sells at about a shilling a they knew them to be innoxious, the ge- rious; amongst other extraordinary fanpound; but at Tripoli it is much cheap- neral reply was,-that whatever an ani- cies, they have an idea, originating in er. It is put into almost every article of mal which chewed its cud could eat with the name given to the Atlantic, Bahr el food by the Arabs, and though not very safety, must be food for man. There is a blem, sea of darkness, that we have no sun or moon in the countries which are savoury, we soon became accustomed to species of dandelion, very bitter, and exits taste. It is called Shahm.' uding a white juice, which is very much in the sea, and, in consequence, they imaliked by the sheep as well as their mas-gine that our ships sail about with great ters. The taste, at first, is very unplea- lanterns attached to them. They also besant; but I soon became accustomed to lieve that Christians use the milk of pigs. it. The colocynth apple grows in great as a beverage, and, in fact, that it forms quantities in some parts of the desert, and their chief subsistence. That we have is almost the only medicine used by the horses, cows, and sheep, is not at all creArabs. Burning is always had recourse to, dited by them; and that our country and many of them are in consequence co- should be destitute of dates excites their vered with scars; it is also occasionally greatest commiseration. They cannot used to show the force of love; and at all conceive how we avoid falling off both sexes practise it when they wish to our islands and rolling into the sea, or how, being surrounded by water, we have give proof of very strong affection.' sufficient room for animals to graze. There are some, on the other hand, who think highly of our wealth and dignity, until they are told that our country is an island, when their admiration decreases considerably.

'Bazeen (which, in Fezzan, is called Aseeda) is the most common food, as being the easiest prepared. It is made of the flour of any grain (bishna and barley are mostly used near Tripoli) in the following manner. A large pot, of copper or iron, is placed on the fire, with a little water, in it, which is suffered to boil. Flour is then thrown in, until it acquires the consistency of dough, when it is stirred well about with a large stick (water being occasionally added, if necessary,) until it is quite thick, and begins The Arabs have but few amusements to assume the appearance of a pudding, beyond dancing and a game called helga, when it is taken out, and placed in a which resembles draughts, and is played bowl. After being beat into a circular with camels dung or date stones, in holes shape, and having a hole made in the cen- made in the sand. The noise uttered by these people at their festivals, or on any tre. gravy, oil, butter, or grease, is poured on it, and it is then ready for eating, joyful occasion, is most extraordinary; which is done by pinching pieces out and being very shrill, it may be heard at with the right hand, and kneading them a great distance, particularly if several with the grease until they assume the ap- persons join in chorus: it is a piercing cry pearance of thick paste. Should there be from the throat (the mouth being quite no gravy or grease to be procured, a lit-open), to which a tremulous sound is tle flour mixed with hot water is used in- given by a rapid motion of the tongue stead of it. It requires much strength of from side to side; it is very enlivening, arm to make bazeen properly, as the and when it becomes familiar to the ear, stick is wielded by both hands, and the far from disagreeable. pot is confined on the fire by having a forked piece of wood placed against it, on which the woman kneels while preparing

the mess.'

Buonaparte, or, as the Arabs call him, Bono barto, is in great estimation amongst them, not on account of his military achievements; but because they have heard that he has 200,000 dollars an hour, and that he sits on a golden throne.'

After returning to Tripoli, Mr. Ritchie and Captain Lyon made preparation for the journey to Morzouk, where we shall accompany them in our next. (To be continued.)

A Vision of Judgment. By Robert Southey, Esq. LL.D. Poet Laureate, &c. 4to. pp. 79. London,

1821.

How are the mighty fallen? how is the fine gold changed? must be the excla mation of every admirer of Mr. Southey, when he reads this abortion of his genius, the Vision of Judgment. Is this the man who sung the Maid of Orleans,'

'The manner of salutation used among the Arabs is particularly striking, and certainly not ungraceful. Friends, on meeting, seize each the right hand of the other, Bread is made as in Europe. It is then loosen and apply the tips of their finleavened with flour, or a preparation of gers to their mouths, afterwards laying dates, moulded into little cakes, shaped the open hand on the heart, they press it, like buns. The ovens are generally and gently incline the head at the same formed in the ground: a hole is made time. Very intimate acquaintances muabout two feet in depth, and in the shape tually lift their joined right hands in such of a large jar, contracted at the mouth; it a manner that each kisses the back of the is then encrusted inside with clay. Wood other's hand, repeating, with the greatest is thrown in and burnt, until a thick layer rapidity, "How are you? well, how are of glowing ashes-is collected at the bot- you? Thank God, how are you? God Wat Tyler,' and 'of Thalaba the tom, and the oven is thoroughly heated; bless you, how are you?" which complithe loaves are then put in by a woman, ments, in a well bred man, never last less wild and wondrous song.' To what who bares and wets her arın, "and sticks than ten minutes; and, whatever may be extent the debasement of talents, and them against the side with great dexterity; the conversation afterwards, it is a mark of the prostitution of principle may be when done enough, if not speedily taken great good breeding occasionally to inter-carried, Mr. Southey furnishes a meoff, they fall into the embers. Sometimes rupt it, bowing solemnly, and asking, morable instance. We know meat is dressed in these ovens; a kind of “ How are you?" though an answer to which to condemn most, the prosing crumpet, also, called fetaat, made in the the question is by no means considered same way as mogalta, but without leaven, necessary, as he who asks it is perhaps absurdity of this poem, its wanton pois slightly baked in them: one of these looking another way, and thinking of litical profligacy, or its blasphemy. crumpets is then placed in a bowl, and I something else. I must not omit to Let us no longer be told of the licen

not

tiousness of the press, of the irreligious tenets of Carlile, or of the parodies of Hone; the poet laureate-yes, the poet laureate himself, outstrips them all, in a poein which he has the hardihood to inscribe, in a fulsome dedication, to his sovereign, not without the hope, we suppose, that this production, wretched as it is, will be afterwards considered as one of the achievements of the Georgian age.'

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before thee.'

The poet is conducted to the vault, where we should almost suspect he had for a second time inhaled some of Sir Humphry Davy's nitrous acid gas, if we may judge from the effect of the circumambient air upon him. He inquires,

And whence this air that infuses

Strength while I breathe it in, and a sense of

life, and a stillness

Filling the heart with peace, and giving a joy

that contents it?

Not of the earth that light; and these paradi

siacal breathings,

Not of the earth are they!"

Mr. Southey, it appears, has long been of opinion, that an English metre might be constructed in imitation of the ancient hexameter, which would he perfectly consistent with the character of our language, and capable of great richness, variety, and strength; and although Sir Philip Sidney failed in the 'attempt to naturalize this fine measure, yet Mr. Southey, by making the experiment, has fulfilled one of the hopes and intentions of his early life,' and has the vanity to think that it may be considered hereafter as of some importance in English poetry.' Of what The description of the strain of importance, we think we can enable our readers to decide, without entering heavenly music which he heard is pretat all into the inquiry, how far they, but he has left us to question his orthodoxy, and to doubt whether he is English metre is suited to hexameters. heathen or Roman Catholic, from his The subject of this poem is no less allusion to the beatified virgin,' and a personage than our late venerable soto the strains of Amphion and Orpheus. vereign, whom Mr. Southey attends be- The music is described to have been yond the grave, and wishes to inform us of his reception in the world of spi-Such as the hermit hears when angels visit his rits. The poem commences with the author's trance, when he was standing at some window, whence he had a panoramic view of mountain and lake and vale,' aud of

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'sent for its note again toll, toll,' which
we are told is a deep dull sound, that
is heavy and mournful at all times, for
it tells of mortality always." This bella

tolled for no common death,—

that

For this was the day when the herald
Breaking his want should proclaim,
George our King was departed.
Thou art released! I cried, thy soul is deliver'd
from bondage!'

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This jarua ion was answered by a startling voice from the twilight,' which gave our entranced poet a stroke as of lightning, and made all around him blackness utterly blank and void,' as if he were alone in the chaos;' but, on recognizing him for a poet, and the poet laureate we presume,— "Then came the Voice, but then no longer appalling,

slumbers.

Faintly it first began, scarce heard; and gentle

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is moving,

fine frenzy rolling,' he jumbles together Danton, Hebert, Faux, and Despard.' the ghosts obscene of Robespierre,

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The Gate of Heaven' is the fourth part. Here an angel proclaims that King George of England cometh to judgment,' and calls on hell to bring forth his accusers; when hell, in her nethermost caverns, heard and obeyed in dismay,' This brings us to the fifth chapter, The Accusers,' and as our readers would find some difficulty in guessing who would stand forth to impeach the good old King, we must inform them who Mr. Southey, we beg pardon, who the Devil has selected; for the choice is left to him. Why, no other than Wilkes, whom the poet recognized by the cast of his eye oblique,' and who comes amidst the

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hubbub of senseless sounds;' and Junius, his comrade in guilt and in suffering,' who, leaving behind him the pest of an evil example, went to the world beyond, where no offences are hidden.' Wilkes and Junius, however, turn out to be very bad witnesses; they are dumb, and more like the accused. than the accusers. The multifaced denon, in anger,' failing in his evidence by the non mi ricordos of Wilkes and Junius, called them caitiffs, swung them aloft, and in vengeance hurled them all abroad, far into the sulphureous darkness;' while the demon, caught up by a vehement whirlwind, he, too, was hurried away. Poor Wilkes is accused. of having caused the American revolution, which caused the French revolution; and, of course, all the ills past, present, and to come, arising from that event, are chargeable on the caitiff with eye oblique. The poet not being able to describe the personal appear ance of Junius, rivets a visor of iron round his head,' which abolished his features for ever."

Save the thistle-down, lighter than air, and the
leaf of the aspin-
Then, as it swell'd and rose, the thrilling melo-eye oblique."
dy deepened!'

We now come to the third part of
this poem, for so, we presume, we
must still call it, which is the awakening
monarch is introduced as entering into
of the King; and here the good old
colloquy with Spencer Percival, and
talking about the news-what course'
by the prince had been followed,' and
how peace was obtained at last with
safety and honour. We will not in-
quire bow Mr. Percival learns so accu-
rately all the event's which occurred af
ter his death, and which he relates with
so much minuteness to his sovereign,
who died eight years after him; all
these things are, no doubt, easily recon-wisely conjoined.
ciled to Mr. Southey's fancy, when, in ʻ a

* When Mr. Southey inhaled some of this
gas, a few years ago, he declared that he sup-
posed the atmosphere of the highest of all pos-
sible heavens to be composed of this gas. See
Literary Chronicle, No 57.

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