full of excitement, and transformation, and vicissitudes. The story of R— altogether is, in fact, rather romantic than epic; possessing more of communion with the beautiful poetic romances of Scott and of Byron, than with the legitimate and more measured creations of the Epics of other days.

As far as concerns the fable of the R-—————— M-there is nothing wanting to the propriety and eventful magnificence of the subject which should be adopted for an heroic poem; and assuredly no subject ever presented more busy and changing circumstances for the epic action. The author has not sunk under the variety and magnitude of the theme. The reader will discover few occasions where the Poet has failed to clothe his execution in dignity and strength, and very many in which he has availed himself to the utmost of the splendid materials before him. The disinterested and affecting friendship of Jonathan towards David; the fine character and melancholy fate of that prince; and the noble conduct of David, when his persecutor Saul falls into his power; the remorse and horrors which agonized the last days of that wretched monarch; and the lamentations of David over the fall of his sovereign and his friend, may all be numbered among the circumstances which the Poet has happily moulded for his purpose.

We have devoted an unusual share of notice to the volumes before us; for we entertain a highly favourable

opinion of the powers of this author's mind, and would willingly afford him whatever benefit may be derived from our labours. If our laudatory observations have the effect of procuring the encouragement of our readers for a man of TRUE GENIUS and amiable character; if our strictures can in any degree promote the improvement of his future compositions, we shall be satisfied that our time and attention have not been expended in vain."--New Edinburgh Review, No. 9.

"Be it our object, therefore, strongly to recommend the perusal of this author's poem on its own substantial merits; to entreat our readers to forego the prejudices they may have imbibed and nourished against this higher species of intellectual exertion, (prejudices most unworthy the Augustine æra of literature; and to assure them that there is a redeeming talent in this poem, that will amply reward their time and attention.

The poem is founded on fictitious events supposed to have occurred during the earlier part of the Saxon Heptarchy, a period highly favourable for poetical illustration; and is treated by this author with much of the science of the antiquary, and the imaginative faculty of the poet. The Scandinavian mythology has supplied him with much rich material, and he has used it with judgment and effect."-Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 93. part 2.

"This looks well," you will say, " and though long delayed, your prospects brighten rapidly at last." Quite otherwise, my friend; they darken apace, and I at present see nothing but a black and dismal close; a storm that soon must burst on my devoted head.But let it pass.-Hereafter you may know more. That you may never feel the agonies I now endure, will ever be the prayer of

Your sincere friend,

SYLVATICUS.

LETTER CVI.

From the Rev. Mr. Allport to Sylvaticus.

MY DEAR FRiend,

Chippenham Vicarage.

I HAVE not time to give vent to the feelings which oppressed me, on the receipt of your soul-harrowing letter of last evening. I have been to-day in Bath, to which place I was called to see a dying friend; and I the more readily went at a time when, from bodily indisposition, I was far from being fit for the journey, in the eager hope of being able to do something for you, and afford some relief to your heart-rending situation; but through the miserable rainy state of the weather, and other hindrances, I have been wholly disappointed. I have the gratification, however, of enclosing you

a

note of the Chippenham Bank, which I hope you will receive safe. I only wish I could send you fifty such. If I had the means, you should labour no longer under such accumulated and overwhelming distress.

Having expressed my sentiments on other points in my last, which must have crossed yours, I need not add anything more at present. God Almighty preserve, succour, and deliver you! As soon as a paragraph appears in the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, and my friend the Editor has given a formal announcement of his intention to insert a series of notices, impartially written, of you and your works, you shall have a paper sent to you.

I remain, in haste,

With the most sincere sympathy,

Yours faithfully,

JOSIAH ALLPort.