MAGAZINE LITERATURE.

"My partners in the concern are, Mr. Cochrane, the publisher, and Captain Chamier, author of "The Life of a We have repeatedly remarked Mr. Campbell's at- Sailor," in "The Metropolitan," and several other amusing tachment to magazine literature. His first device in papers. He is one of the merriest and dearest souls in literature was a magazine. At every stage of his life existence, and though diametrically opposite to me in we find him connected with some work of that de- politics, is the best literary partner I could possibly have got; for I laugh at his Toryism, and make the publication scription. He wrote for the "Philosophical." He Whiggish, in spite of his teeth. And as my editorial power is absolute and dictaterial, I often threaten to make personal edited Mr. Colburn's "New Monthly." Finally, he first attacks upon him, by name and surname, in "The Metroedited, and then purchased an interest in, the "Metro-politan," if he presumes to interfere with me! But Chamier, politan." The history of the transaction is curious though the merriest joker in the world, is a shrewd, active, and business-like man. I expect great gains from our coand interesting, reflecting honour on no man more than operation. So God save our gracious King William the the venerable author of the "Pleasures of Memory." Fourth preserve my sister Mary! and speed the sale of "The Metropolitan '"

"'11, Waterloo Place, October 17, 1831. All is well. I have seen my son, and I have been agreeably surprised. I have got a share in the "Metropolitan!" I am ten inches taller than when you saw me! And my regret now is that I showed so little pluck under my late misfortunes, as to throw a shade of the slightest uneasiness over your reception of me. I don't believe the traditional remark that it is best for us not to foresee future events. How much happier I should have been at Stoke, if I could have foreseen future events! Had I known what I know now, I should have been happy at your house, instead of being the weak and dolorous man which I fear I was.

"I came to town just in the nick of time to prevent an injudicious visitation of my dear boy. I spent Sunday with him. No doubt all my ideas of his recovery are to be set aside. I will cherish that delusion no longer. But he is better. The last time I saw him, his complexion was pale and sodden. It is now restored, and he is beautiful. His beauty may, perhaps, give me a deeper grief for his case

*

but still it takes off the horror which bis bad looks inspired. All the time I was at Stoke there was a suspicion blistering or rather causticating my mind, that I had done wrong in allowing Dr. Allen to remove him-on account of some waywardness in his temper-from being a parlour-boarder, to live in a house where the keepers have patients. But imagine the relief that came into my heart, when my son told me that he liked his new residence better than his old "When I was with you, I was uncertain of being one of the proprietors of the journal-"The Metropolitan "which I conduct. Let the name of my brother poet, Rogers, be for ever sacred. He has bought me a share in the partnership; and, with noble generosity, has refused even the mortgage of my Scottish property, as security for the debt. But mortgaged my Scotch property shall be in order that he may be secure.

one.

886

**

All this time I am an egotist. But egotism is, after all, a compliment to those for whom we may be believed bona fide to bear a regard. In the midst of all my egotism, your Derbyshire has a pleasant hold over my imaginatiou. You are with me, and your music. Never did I surrender to any one but to you my verses on- They were too sacred (as to my feelings) to be given to the printer. My mind and heart are full of Derbyshire.

"T. C.'

"The first notice of a Polish association' occurs in the following passage :

"T. C."

"Dec. 21st, I mentioned to you having been enabled by my worthy friend Rogers, to purchase a third share of a periodical. Imagine how foolish I looked when I found the concern a bubble. After weeks of agitation and many a sleepless night, I got back the money by dint of remonstrance, and Rogers has got it again, though he kindly offered to let me have it for another purpose. It was not till the business was settled, some ten days ago, that I could retire with an easy mind to my cabin here, where I am fallen once more in love with the sea; and I have now set myself down in earnest, and with my heart and hand disembarrassed, to "Mrs. Siddons' Life.""

Mr. Rogers' money was repaid, and Mr. Campbell's connection with the "Metropolitan" ceased. He probably escaped a bad bargain, and saved himself from annoyances that he was ill able to meet.

Mr. Campbell was desirous for the formation of unions of literary men, to avoid the expense of Booksellers be considered extravagant publishing.

in their profits, and selfish in their transactions. And yet, no living man was less competent to The trade, we suspect, are do without them.

not too well paid-and from no class of men did Mr. Campbell experience more kindness and consideration. Mr. Moxon, the publisher, and Dr. Beattie, his biographer, were the only English friends who followed the poet to Boulogne, where he had gone in search of health; but only to die. They were with him for some days previously to the 10th June, 1844; and with him when he died on the afternoon of that day. The last years of his life cannot be contemplated without regret. Eminently domestic in all his habits and manner of thought, he was ill able to bear solitude in the world, which, except for the kindness and attention of a young lady, his niece, he would have felt most severely. In looking over his

Oct 18th. To-morrow I am obliged to stop in town,life also, we are apt to think that he should have risen out of compassion to the poor Polish poet, whose grief in his old age may well be imagined. I am forming an Association which will support the good old man, and, I dare say, all the other Polish exiles.

"Turning from that horrid subject, let me tell you a piece of good luck. Captain Chamier, the principal proprietor of The Metropolitan," who is very much attached to the, has always been pressing me to take a share in the work; but as it could not be got without money, and as 1 had given all my money to the Poles, I told him it was in I went to Rogers, and said I would insure my life, and hand over my library to him-which has been valued by an impartial bookseller at £700 at least. He said, "you shall neither insure your life, nor hand over your library; you shall have the money when you want it." Noble, generous, beautiful conduct! I am to get the £500 to-morrow; but in spite of his prohibition, I bave insured my life, and I have got a legal instrument by which my library and furniture will be at his disposal till the debt is repaid.

vain to ask me to take a share. *

"T. C.'

"Under this pleasing delusion, he calls upon his sister to congratulate him on his good fortune, and adds :

higher in the world, with the genius and the general talents that he possessed. But the want of patronage was his first obstacle, and clung to him in some measure through life. He was fitted to render greater public services than were ever required at his hands, but he was not qualified to push himself before the public. He was diffident-willing to work, but waiting to be called. His private correspondence exhibits noble points in his character. No man could have been more generous and self-denying to all who had the slightest claim on his regard. He was actuated by the purest patriotism; and in his death the country lost its first lyrical poet, and one of its most attached and enlightened citizens.

Dr. Beattie has executed his late friend's commission with the greatest care, and produced one of the most interesting biographies of our time.

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH-1848-9.

descends like the snake-wreathed locks of an antique Jupiter over the snowy petals of shirt collar that flank the breadths of his ambrosial visage-giving altogether a peculiar and picturesque aspect to the head and its arrangements. This massive capital, elevated on Atlantean shoulders, and the almost gigantic bulk, borne along with speed and firmness of step, bespeaking dauntlessness and decision of character, sufficiently mark the man. Excepting conversationally, we do not know that the Professor has lately made much exertion of his powers. In his class, he goes through the old routine of the moral philosophy lectures; and, as a member of the Faculty, may sometimes be seen--occasionally sine toga-pacing the boards amongst his brethren of the long robe. Some conversational criticisms, which have been repeated, harmless, though personal, would do for verbal repetition, but not to print-so that we are fain to refresh ourselves with the collected scrap-work of the "Recreations" of North-or the scattered poems, amongst which are mainly to be had in remembrance the two leading pieces, so unlike, yet so characteristic of the poet, "The City of the Plague," and "The Isle of Palms"-or the exquisite prose of the "Lights and Shadows," and " Margaret Lyndsay," the grave fictions on which the author founded his title of philosopher. Professor Wilson's

Ir Asmodeus possessed the power to unroof every || from beneath the broad eaves of his beaver, and house in Edinburgh, we doubt if he would bring to light any great amount of hidden talent. All our little celebrities put together are hardly fit to sustain the literary credit of the Modern Athens. As for our great ones-Jeffrey himself is, not to speak evil of dignities, un peu passé. The honourable Lord still dresses well, adjusts himself admirably to the niche in which he stands enshrined, and recognizes on all occasions the homage naturally offered at the altar of his literary fame. He frankly and courteously discharges all the duties of his position, and, with equal facility, extends his hospitality to the illustrious literary stranger, and expostulation to the unfledged aspirant after literary renown. Dickens, when last in the Scottish metropolis, was Lord Jeffrey's guest. And we have repeatedly seen instances in which Lord Jeffrey generously and humanely took the trouble to consider and criticise volumes of youthful poetry not the most promising. But, save on the judicial bench, his Lordship seldom makes public appearances. Once a year, perhaps, || he presides over the distribution of prizes at the Association for Promotion of the Fine Arts. But we hear of little, if anything, from his pen beyond his full and frequent notes on an advising in præsentia dominorum. The Judex damnatur of the blue and brimstone cover of the Edinburgh Review has become with Lord Jeffrey something more than a figurative, and has proved itself a prophetical, ex-philosophy, his learning, his genius, have lately pression. On the bench of the First Division of the Court of Session, Lord Jeffrey occupies the extreme left of the Lord President Boyle; Lord Mackenzie, the son of "the Man of Feeling," and pro bably the most esteemed of the Scottish Judges, intervening; whilst Lord Fullerton is seated on the President's right hand. Lord Jeffrey incessantly takes notes and asks questions. The habits of the eritic have accompanied him to the bench, and admirably serve to tease the ingenuity of the learned counsel at the bar.

We have never given much for Wilson, since first the Professor, a few years back, took shelter within the panoply of a Mackintosh; for though our contemporary has since renewed his youth, and, in his mood of venerable eld, now no longer fictitious, is still as good for a jest or witticism as ever, still the original induing of such defensive habiliments was all unworthy of the wild spirit of Ellerlay; and Christopher has never been himself again. What: the man who was wont to face the fiercest clements that ever encountered sage or sophist, struggling up the Earthen Mound in the direction of Alma Mater, buttoned only in his invulnerable dress coat of black; the low flat surface of his shovel hat standing up against the gusty wind, like the dark point of a rock amidst a furious sea-he, encased in the veritable manufacture of Cross-basket-tell it not in Gath! Wilson is by nature a lion, and will be to the end of the chapter. His stalwart figure, unbent by age, passes along our streets the image of Triton amongst the Minnows. The long flowing hair, slightly grizzled by the enemy, escapes

taken a new direction, and merged into a practical philanthropy, annually illustrated by his exordium to the popular session of the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution. His admirers and flatterers-for, like all lions, he has his jackals-indeed we should say that his "lion's providers" rather superabound— may hold that the Professor's carcer as a philanthropist could be antedated. We, however, think not. We know of no phase in which the advocate of that aristocracy which, under the guise of good. old-English-gentlemanism, erected its jovial barriers of class and caste upon the necks of a dependant peasantry little elevated above agrarian serfdom, could be regarded as a man of the people, prior to his appearance on the platform of this popular institute. We have heard it whispered, however, that in adopting this conspicuous step, the Professor nobly set at nought the conventional restraints imposed on themselves and their brethren by the haughtier members of the Senatus Academicus, by whom the delivery of a popular lecture is deemed equivalent to "such an act as blurs the modesty and grace of nature" in Brahminical eyes, when a member of any of the rigid sects of oriental superstition, forgetting their rules and observances, lose caste. The Professor of Botany, it is said, however, anxious to give a popular course of that beautiful and interesting study, has not the courage to brave the papal ban of his exclusive brethren. But Wilson has not only come forward in aid of the popular "march of intellect;" he has come forward as its ostensible head and front. His introductory discourses, each session, tend more and more to a dis

more than anything, stamps their value. The price of knowledge reduced, by works like these, the commodity becomes palatable as well as accessible; and thus the great secret of their success is twofold

covery of the latent philosophy lurking in the popu-|| and, for the most part, useful productions, we have lar mind to illustrate the pursuit of knowledge nothing at present to do. Enough for us that their under difficulties and disadvantages-to prove the|| manner-generally easy, and always agreeableonward tendency and ultimate triumph of self-culture amongst the middle and lower classes in the country--and to show (ultimately, but not yet,) by what title the power of a million of intellects is to assert its supremacy over the long-endured domi--knowledge is cheapened and stimulated at once. nation of a few more fortunate or more privileged, by whom has so long been preached the spurious doctrine of poor stupid "Noll Goldsmith," that "they who think must govern those who toil;" as if there were anything to prevent those that toil thinking as well as, or better than, those that idle! In his future initial discourses in Queen Street Hall, Wilson has promised some further developments of the intellectual phenomena of the social mind, which may be looked for with interest, because the inquiry derives not its curiosity from the inquest, but the inquirer.

66

The head of the firm, though seldom committed to any popular movement, has long professed liberal principles. The " ragged schools" have been greatly indebted to his philanthropy; and the faggot votes have recently recoiled beneath his assault. The one cause he has advocated in "the Journal," and personally promoted in various parts of Scotland; the other enormity he has attacked from the platform-but with the disadvantage, less applicable to him than to others, of doing so as the partisan of a faction as deeply implicated in the evil as any other. Let that pass. William Favourers of popular movement, from the oppo- Chambers, without any great distinguishing marks site extremes of "the electric chain that binds" as a man of letters, as a popular leader, or a party the strange mixture of intellectual elements in the debater, is a man of energy and action, of persociety of Modern Athens, the brothers Chambers, petual movement, and indomitable courage, and has Mr. James Simpson, the Advocate, and Mr. George had, unquestionably, the spirit to carve out his own Combe, emerge on our notice in a group. By a fortunes. As a litterateur, and latterly as a savant, series of successful adventures in the literature of Robert Chambers has been the more distinguished. popular progress, which have been self-rewarding, Less a man of business and more a man of letters, the former have elevated themselves, unaided, save, the author of the "Rebellions" and the "Picture by the tide of public approbation, to eminence so of Scotland," has dedicated the few last years of considerable, that a vacancy for the chief magistracy his life to scientific researches connected with abof the Scottish metropolis can scarcely occur, or be sorbing questions of physical science, and particutalked of, without one or other of the brothers being larly the phenomena exhibited on the earth's varied brought forward as eligible to the office. The merit surface. He seldom draws conclusions. He states of the publications of these gentlemen is mediocrity.|| facts. He is a mere reader of the book of nature; But mediocrity, when once it wins its way, retains and a clever as well as careful translator of its obits hold. Addressed to comparative ignorance, or vious passages. Take his recent work on "Ancient the unexcitable temperaments of impassive intel- Sea Margins." Here is a work in which the eye, lects, it never recedes. The literature of mediocrity, as from a pinnacle, scans with new ideas the great never bad enough to merit condemnation, carefully map of nature, and sees not features, but facts weeded even of the shadow of reproach, tolerably traced out over hill and valley-margins of seas faultless in its construction, calculated just to im- stretched up towards the Alpine summits, and traces part the semblance without the severity of essen- of a flooded world recorded imperishably upon the tial information, loses nothing that may be forfeited monumental mountain pyramids, amidst the crumby time, chance, or change. Unlike the rash scin-bling and decay of the things of time. What tillations of superior genius, it incurs no risk of elevating and exciting the minds of its votaries, to give force and contrast to the dash of disappointment where its brilliancy flags or fails. The steady, equable quality of this kind of writing-imitating the dull proprieties of accurate prose, sparingly indulging in any vein of poetry, recording only facts with zest, and drawing fictions from the memory -forms the excellence of Chambers' Journals, Miscellanies, Informations, Histories, Educational and Juvenile Series. Irreconcilable as these in their variety may seem, a family likeness pervades the whole, and soothes them down into their regular monotony. The wise man prayed that he might neither be visited with poverty nor riches. If he seek for his children the same happy medium of intelligence as of circumstances, he will have them educated upon "Chambers' Educational Course." Their minds will not fare sumptuously; neither will they starve. With doctrinal questions, and alleged objections to the matter of these cheap

strange ideas that book delineates beyond the scope of imagination, and literally chiseled out in grauite heaps as hard immutable truths! From the || low coast lands and carses, the lower ancient sea margins emanate step by step to the sublimest altitudes. Oscillations in the shift of relative level betwixt sea and land-the last of them, perhaps, within the human period-unfold such a tale of time and change tangibly pourtrayed before the wondering eye, as geology in all its quaint discoveries or strange imaginings has never before disclosed. In these there may be illusion where conjecture supplies the form of monstrosities extinct and incompatible with present conditions of existence. In those there can be none. We have local researches and descriptions undertaken with persevering and painstaking exertion-scenes in the vale of Tay, in Fife, Strathspey, Glenmore, Lochaber, the Basin of the Forth, the Vale of Tweed, and Basin of the Tay-all conjured up and strikingly arrested in diagrams of strange fidelity,

though cast with the help of some excusable free- || private life of our northern metropolis by an elodoms into the theoretical form of the supposed sea quent, warm-hearted old gentleman, of more than margins. The author has traversed all these scenes, average candour and cordiality of manner. Superand inany more. His mind has dwelt upon their seded by systems, we rejoice to think, more in acterraced aspect, and become imbued with the con- cordance with the spirit of the age, a tolerant but victions of their character and origin; till the re- || pious spirit of religion void of fanaticism, Mr. Simpson sistless reader, forced to yield to the endless multi- || has yet lived to see some triumph granted to his edu plicity of facts, surrenders his convictions also to cational views, in the general adoption of what the an author who avowedly has no theory to propound. Presbyterial Reports-when there were Presbyterial In this way we are led to inspect visibly the Delta reports on education-termed "the intellectual sysof the Ribble, the Mersey, Chester, Bristol, Bath, tem of instruction-a system addressed to the unLondon, Sussex and Hampshire, Devonshire, derstanding and even to the heart." The practical France, and Ireland, and even the terraces and schemes of David Stow, of Glasgow, and the general markings in Switzerland, Scandinavia, and North || improvements on education, in combination with reAmerica. The contemplative power and sagacity ligious culture, introduced by the active zeal of the of observation, conspicuous throughout these re- Free Church of Scotland, have outstripped as well searches, tend not only to amass a collection of facts as outbidden Mr. Simpson's plan. Yet he was the and materials for speculation, but facts and mate- apostle of a cause which, when at its ebb, owed him rials already sifted and prepared for an inevitable for negative evils, who shall charge themmuch; and deduction. Mr. Chambers has carefully elicited in on the author of so much real good in his day and every instance the attendant circumstances of the generation? natural appearances presented to his gaze, and so Next comes George Combe, the most remarkable discriminated betwixt them as nearly to arrive at of a sect which, though now less ostensibly than a chronology of the ancient beach-markings. He at one time, still exercises considerable influence has traced out even the recession, accession, and over the press and the people of Edinburgh. second recession of waters; and furnished quite a the opinions of the author of "The Constitution of new light in which to read the mighty page out- Man Considered," we all know what tendency has spread upon the surface of a country. Some people, || been imputed. And we must say, that the sect of who would dispute the originality of anything, which we recognise him for the leader cannot, in have doubted the originality of these researches. any acceptation of the term, be called a religious There is intrinsic evidence, however, of the author | | sect. having visited in person, and observed for himself, the majority of the appearances he details. The magnitude of his labours is well characterised by the boundless inference with which he sums up their induction, viz., that "he must believe that very great lapses of time have passed since the sea stood at our highest terrace."

"In several places of Scotland," he continues, "I have found the points or promontories of terraces bearing the faint markings of forts which had been erected by our savage forefathers for their protection. History scarcely hints at the age of these remains, so lost is it in the long night of antiquity. But great as is the time that has elapsed since these rude defences were erected, it is nothing to what seems requisite for producing the phenomena now under our attention. When, moreover, it appears that the species of shell

fish have not changed in this immense series of millenniums,

a new and highly interesting consideration arises. Species had in earlier times undergone repeated changes. If each change were attained in a lapse of time equal to a greater than that here shown to have passed without any change, what a vast multiple of this part must be the entire cosmieal chronology !"

Such is the summary of the last-published researches of Robert Chambers. The concluding observation, by the way, reminds us that he has obtained "vestiges" of a reputation beyond what he aspires to in this treatise on "Ancient Sea Margins;" but if the secrets of the cloister are impenetrable, those of the bureau, to us, at least, shall be sacred.

James Simpson, as an educational theorist, had once a name which, though we seldom hear it now, is still adequately and eloquently represented in the

VOL.XVI.—NO. CLXXXI.

To

Whatever may be Mr. Combe's opinions on these and other subjects, "uttered or unexpressed," it is with pleasure that we acknowledge, on occasion of his last appearance at the Glasgow Athenæum soirée, a disposition to resist the imputations that are frequently cast at the disciples of phrenology. Though mingled with local reminiscences of personal triumph in the cause, so many had prejudged, there was an intelligible assertion of the great leading truths of faith put forth on that occasion by the master, which ought to form a striking lesson to all his followers. But it is ever the case that leaders are transcended in their most extreme notions by the zealots in their train.

Dr. Moir, of Musselburgh, and De Quincey, of Lasswade, may be grouped together as occasional accessions to Edinburgh literary society. Everybody knows the literary calibre of "Delta," and most people that of "The English Opium Eater." The one is a living illustration of the poetry of the domestic affections. His exquisite "Casa Wappy," the lament of a father for a lisping darling—is no less pleasing than true. The other also illustrates his | career by his compositions. A calm, sedate, and sensible mind is "Delta's." The best appearances at the Glasgow Athenæum were decidedly his and Combe's; his unpremeditated-Combe's elaborated. "Delta" spoke with so much genial sympathy for the good sense of his audience, that he laid for himself, at that single stroke, a lasting regard in the popular mind. A volume of his collected poems, just announced, will be treasured for many a sparkling gem that, if taste and justice are exercised, must inevi tably stud his pages. The muse of the author of "Mansie Waugh " is as staid and sober as his

D