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it be performed again. The praises of this new drama
had been sung and said in so many quarters, and on such
apparently unquestionable authority, that we looked on
its success as certain, and had we written its Prologue,
should have committed the same blunder that a literary
friend of ours did some years since at Drury-Lane, when
he predicted long life and popularity to a comedy, which
was most deservedly sent to the right-about the same
evening. But our reliance on Green-room reports is
now shaken for ever; and the managers most richly de-
serve to lose the L.200 paid on account nine months
ago, for accepting a piece which had no principle of vital-
ity about it, and, as an acting drama, was certainly one
of the most "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable," that
It had all the errors of Mr Wade's
ever was enacted.
former play of " Woman's Love," without the slightest
improvement gained from what proverbs tell us teaches
most persons, experience; and nothing but the popula-
rity of the Kembles kept it on the stage for one-third of
the long three hours and a half which it lasted. Miss
Kemble's character of Rachel had, technically speaking,
not a single good point throughout, and, excepting her
three new dresses, was as unattractive as could be ima-
gined. All the remainder, with the exception of her
father's Xavier, were still worse. But as, in spite of
puffs preliminary, collusive, and at last, direct, a crowd-
ed audience very properly sent "the Jew" to his fate,
there we leave him, perfectly satisfied that, after two
such failures, Mr, Wade will never write a successful
play; and we now praise, honestly and heartily, what so
amply merits it, the very great accuracy and costly
splendour of all the new scenery, dresses, and decora-
tions, and the promptitude and good taste with which
the management withdrew the hissed tragedy, and un-
derlined the following morning's bills with" a new
play, interspersed with music, will be produced next
week."

A Catechism of Phrenology, illustrative of the principles of that announced. Is phrenology still alive? science, by a Member of the Phrenological Society of Edinburgh, is The Daughter of Herodias, a tragedy, by Henry Rich, Esq., is in the press.

Mr Keightley, the author of the "Fairy Mythology," and also of the "History of the War of Independence in Greece," now publish. ing in "Constable's Miscellany," is engaged on a work on the Mythology of Ancient Greece and Italy. It is designed for the use of schools and universities, and will supply, it is hoped, the want of a proper work of this kind in our literature.

An historical romance, entitled, "The Tuileries," and connected with the epoch of the French Revolution, &c., is announced by the authoress of "Hungarian Tales.”

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Mr R. Shelton Mackenzie, late editor of the Carlisle Patriot, at present residing in Birmingham, is preparing for the press a volume, Lays of Palestine, Lays of the Heart, and other to be entitled, Poems." Mr Mackenzie has been a contributor to the London Weekly Review, the London Literary Gazette, the Edinburgh Literary Journal, and many other periodicals. We believe his volume will be dedicated, by permission, to Thomas Moore. by R. Whately, D. D., Principal in St Alban's Hall, Oxford, is an nounced.

The Errors of Romanism traced to their origin in human nature,

The Rev. Adam Blair, of Ferry-Port-on-Craig, is about to publish a "History of the Waldenses, with an Introduction, containing a sketch of their predecessors in Italy and France." The work will be completed in two vols. 8vo, and is expected to contain much valuable information, as he has spent about seven years in its preparation.

UNIVERSITY COMMISSION.-A meeting of this body, which, it was said some time ago, had concluded its labours, was held here on the 15th current, convened, by the Earl of Rosebery, the chairman, in consequence, it is said, of the recent proceedings at the installation of the Marquis of Lansdowne to be Lord Rector of Glasgow College. The circumstance of the Marquis having been admitted to his office without subscribing the Confession of Faith, notwithstanding of the threat of the Rev. Dr M'Gill at the election, to enforce subscription when the installation took place, has, it is said, induced the Commissioners to recommend the substitution of a simpler and shorter formula of belief than the exclusive Calvinistic Creed at present required by law from the professors and office-bearers of our national

universities.

CHIT-CHAT FROM LONDON.-It is understood that Messrs Colburn and Bentley will not continue the Juvenile Library, which has, on the whole, been rather an unfortunate speculation.-Only 222 students, and these almost entirely medical, have as yet entered themselves for the ensuing season at the London University.-Sir William Beechy is at present engaged in a portrait of the Queen.-The following amusing little bit of satire on the English appears in the

Of Covent-Garden's other novelty, Mr Pocock's nautical melo-drama of the "Blue Anchor," we are equally unable to say any thing very laudatory, since it is unquestionably one of the worst of its species; and so narrowly escaped complete condemnation, as to excite our wonder, how, after undergoing the usual processes of read-observer remarks that the lie is to be found in composition with all the ing, copying, and rehearsing, it was not discovered to be a very silly production. Much beautiful scenery has also been wasted on this unfortunate afterpiece.

Examiner:-" THE CHARACTERISTIC TERMINATION.-A Chinese

descriptions of periodical writings in England, as expressive of the prevailing practice. There are, he says, the day-lie papers, the weeklie papers; the month-lie publications, and the quarter-lie reviews. He asserts that incessantly, instantly, curiously, magnificently, stupendously, certainly, surely, &c., are all compounds of the same word, as he always traces the lie in their use, and finds them resolpendous lie; certain lie; sure lie. To these he adds, as striking examples, kingly and ministerially, or, as he writes them, the king-lie and ministerial-lic. He remarks that the lie is the grand termination of English discourse: and conjectures that mendacity is derived from the common practice of men, an error showing at least his ignorance of Latin and the origin of words, however right he may be in his estimate of the import of our language."

Drury-Lane has yet produced nothing new beyond a very stupid dance, dignified with the name of a ballet, under the astounding title of "Le Romantique Amour-vable into incessant lie; instant lie; curious lie; magnificent lie; stueux," and executed by a very second-rate corps de ballet. Macready has appeared as Virginius and Hamlet, with all his former talent, alloyed by all his former eccentricity; and the Jewish songstress, Miss S. Phillips, like her rival vocalist, Miss Emma Romer, at the other house, is cerMadame Vestris, having scorntainly an acquisition. fully refused the terms offered her by both the large establishments, goes to the Tottenham-street Theatre in a fortnight; and Buckstone's new drama of " The Wreck Ashore, or a Bridegroom from the Sea," was completely and deservedly successful at the Adelphi, on Thursday last, when Alice, the principal female character, written for Miss Kelly, was admirably sustained by Mrs Yates, who was most efficiently supported by all the other performers. Mr Mathews has not yet appeared this season, but will not be absent much longer.

SOMERSET.

LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. MR D. GRANT of Aberdeen is about to publish a volume, entitled, "The Beauties of Modern British Poetry." It is arranged upon the plan of bringing into juxtaposition the particular writings of different authors upon the same subject, and thus enabling the reader to judge of the respective merits of each. Thomas Moore, who saw the manuscript, characterises it, in his "Life of Lord Byron,'

as a work of great utility."

CHIT-CHAT FROM GLASGOW.-If half of the railways to Edinburgh -the suspension one of our friend Mr Dick included-that are at We are threatened present projected be carried into execution, you will speedily have all Glasgow in Edinburgh at an hour's notice. with a joint stock mania of as rail a kind, as an Irishman would say, as ever 1825 witnessed. A rail-road is projected to the summit of Ben-Nevis, that snow and ice may be sent down to us from thence during the dog days.-The new play-" A Legend of Carrick"-to whose rehearsal I before alluded, was completely, and indeed deservedly, successful. It showed considerable talent, and indicated still more.-Seymour is going to profane his house with an exhibition of sparrers; but one cannot severely blame a man who requires to work so hard to make all ends meet. He has accepted a very excellent adaptation of the thrilling tale "Expiation," which was the gem of a late Number of Black wood-prepared by Mr John Mackay Wilson, who has also sent him a piece, that, if well got up, should It is called "The Poet's Progress," and has a wonderhave a run. ful reality about its incidents and characters.-William Kennedy's volume has come among us, and, unpoetical as we are, we cannot get enough of copies to supply the demand for them among his numerous admirers and friends here. We still reckon him as one of us, and are as proud of his success as if he were so.-Mr Bennet has a volume of poems in the press-not the Free Press,-and Mr D.

Moore, as we before noticed, is about to appear again in a still advancing stage of improvement.-The season for parties, and especially musical ones, is already commenced. Miss Thomson, Miss Hindmarsh, and Mr Webster, are in full operation, teaching our young ladies their own beautiful art of song. A Mr Scott also, from Armagh Cathedral, is going to make us all good glee-singers; and Mr M'Fadyen is to bring out more new songs.-A public subscription has been set on foot to remove all embarrassments from our valuable Mechanics' Institution, and promises to succeed in this desirable result.-Our George IV. Rowing Club have had the honour of being appointed his Majesty's bargemen on the river Clyde.

CHIT-CHAT FROM PAISLEY, Oct. 26th.-A great deal of literary news cannot be expected from this Manchester of Scotland, as Joseph Hume called it-the emporium of cottons, shawls, carpets, trimmings, &c. Our principal litterateur, Mr Motherwell, has emigra ted to Glasgow, where he has set himself up as a perfect Edward Irving in politics-the stern champion of absolutism-the decrier of popular privileges-and the determined upholder of negro slavery. Some of his friends here, who think they know him well, consider there is more of Quixotry than sober judgment in this, mingled with that "dour" spirit which makes him no trimmer-no comer and goer-but a thorough out and outer in the principles he has espoused. Since the demise of the Paisley Magazine, which was so ably edited by him and by his friend Mr Kennedy, the Paisley press has given nothing to the world save, perhaps, a sermon or two by our talented and industrious townsman the Rev. Dr Burns. His last sermon on the Church Establishment of Scotland, lately preached at Irvine, before the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and printed at the request of the Synod, is highly esteemed for the soundness of its arguments, and the eloquence with which they are maintained. So long as our establishment possesses ministers so worthy, and defenders so talented and zealous, as Dr Burns, she has not much to fear from the rivalry of Dissenters.-Your notice of the "Arrow and the Rose," in last Journal, has given much pleasure to Mr Kennedy's acquaintances in Paisley, who cherish him in warm remembrance, and who consider that his genius and talents are but struggling into that fuller blaze which will yet surround them.-It is rumoured that the editorship of our Advertiser newspaper either has, or is to be, devolved on Mr Hay, of the firm of Neilson and Hay, printers here -a gentleman who is well known as the author of several excellent articles in the Paisley Magazine, and particularly of the nautical story of "Sam Spritsail." He will be no unworthy successor of Goldie, Kennedy, and Motherwell. Let not the young man of literary genius, however humble in birth-however unknown and obscure however great the difficulties he is surrounded with, despair. Mr Hay's history affords an encouraging example of what the force of native unassisted talent can do.-Sir William Jardine was here a week or two ago, for the purpose of getting information relative to our illustrious townsman, Wilson, the Ornithologist, a new edition of whose work he is now engaged with, and to which a Memoir of the Author, by Sir William, is to be prefixed. He waited on several of Wilson's old acquaintances, among the rest, on Mr Robert Lang, well known as one of his early friends and most enthusiastic admirers. We understand that Mr P. A. Ramsay, writer, has undertaken to gather all the information which can possibly be gained relative to the life of the poet before he went to America, a task for which Mr * Ramsay is naturally well qualified, and which he will go about with zeal and spirit. We trust the work will be executed in a style that will do credit not only to Sir William, but to Scotland, among whose most illustrious sons Wilson well deserves to be ranked.-The twenty-third Session of our Philosophical Institution is to be commenced on Monday the 1st of November. The business of the Institution has been conducted by honorary lecturers for several winters back, on account of the discouraging state of the funds, which could not afford the expense of a professional lecturer. The subjects of the lectures have necessarily been of a miscellaneous description. This Session is expected to be well attended; and I am happy to say, that by the end of it there is every reason to expect the Society will be free of debt, and possessors of an elegant hail, an excellent library, and most valuable chemical and philosophical apparatus. Among the lecturers this winter, is Mr Atkinson of Glasgow, who has chosen the subject of the Crusades. Percy has, per se, done much in the cause of knowledge, for not only is the Paisley Institution indebted to his labours, but also the Johnston, Barhead, Nielston, and Kirkintulloch, Mechanics' Societies, among whom every winter he goes, like a peripatetic philosopher, and illuminates on some subject or other.-Our Theatre is shut just now; and I must postpone saying any thing regarding it, as well as our ensuing winter assemblies, and our reform societies, till some other opportunity, as I am afraid I have encroached too much on your time and patience.

CHIT-CHAT FROM ABERDEEN.-Mr Rattray of the Aberdeen Academy is to commence here a popular course of Lectures upon Chemistry, on the 22d November.-The depot companies of the gallant 78th Highlanders, for some time past stationed in our barracks, received, a few days ago, unexpected orders to march to Perth at twenty-four hours' notice; one of the officers-Mr Browne-composed on the occasion a very pretty little poetical piece, which appeared

in the Aberdeen Observer of the 22d instant, entitled "Farewell to Aberdeen."-Mr Ducrow's royal amphitheatre is the mighty source of attraction to crowds of his Majesty's subjects.-The Suspension Bridge over the river Dee at the Craiglug is to be opened for foot passengers on the 1st of next month; the city of "Bon Accord" will now most probably extend in that direction.

CHIT-CHAT FROM FORRES.-The Forresians, with much public spirit, have determined that the new bridge over the Findhorn, on the turnpike road leading to Nairn, shall be rebuilt near Dalvy, on the site of the former one which was carried away by the river during the memorable flood which devastated the county of Moray and adjoining districts in August 1829.-A beautiful luminous arch of pure white, apparently connected with the Aurora Borealis, was seen on the evening of the 17th, over the town of Forres, the Cluny Hills, Nelson's Monument, and the surrounding vicinity.-The first Forres Subscription Ball of the present season took place last week, in St Lawrence Lodge, when a numerous and respectable company were present. The subscription set a-going by the Central Committee in Elgin, for managing the Moray Flood Fund, to procure the honorary reward of silver medals to the Spey and Findhorn boatmen, on account of their gallant exertions during the great flood, is nearly filled up. The medals will no doubt be sported with honest pride on gala days, and handed down by sire to son.

CHIT-CHAT FROM ELGIN.-The Misses Isabella and Eliza Paton gave two Vocal Concerts lately in our Assembly Rooms, which were numerously and respectably attended.-Lossie Green, the public bleaching ground and promenade of our citizens, is about to be embanked, and repaired from the damage sustained by the major and minor floods which we have experienced since the summer of 1829. -A Reading Room has been established in the town of Burghead.— The Morayshire Coursing Club met at Elgin on the 26th.-Isaac Samuels, a Jew, of eighty-three years of age, and a native of Paderborn, who has for nearly half a century been known as an itinerant dealer in hardware, spectacles, &c. between Elgin and Inverness, was on Sunday last baptized by the Christian name of William, in the Vestry of the Church of Elgin, by the Rev. Mr Walker.-The Subscription for the Elgin Pauper Lunatic Asylum continues to increase;-in no part of the world, indeed, is the genuine "Amor Patria" more truly evinced, than in the good town of Elgin, and county of Moray.

CHIT-CHAT FRom Caithness-Wick, Oct. 22.-The Caithness Hunt met last week,-the cup for greyhounds was gained by Mr Guthrie of Scotscalder, and the prize for pups by Mr Reid of Sutherland.-The Wick election dinner passed over without the usual accompaniment of broken heads, a signal proof that the schoolmaster is abroad.-Jamie Mullender, with his corps dramatique, has commenced the winter campaign in the Theatre-Royal, (an old barrel loft,) and takes from four to five pounds sterling night! Playgoing is not fashionable this season, it has been denounced ex-cathedra, and we obey.-The perpetual motion is at last discovered by Mr Henry Horne, house carpenter, who received the revelation dozing on his bench after dinner. He proceeds to London forthwith,

to return, as he says, Sir Henry Horne. Horne is a poet, and sings a good song of his own composition. Our newsroom does well; we have three London daily papers, the Examiner, and most of the good provincials,—the two great reviews, (which are seldom cut up,) Blackwood and the New Monthly. Blackwood was objected to at the last annual meeting on the score of immorality, and, after a struggle on the part of his friends, got a year to repent,-itis thought thatho symptoms as yet have appeared. Of late we have got the Literary Journal, which is read because it is short, clever, and amusing, but we have begun to suspect its veracity, since an account of a voyage to the moon, which our scientific folks agree in declaring to be impossible in aerostation, and our theologians, to be most heterodox in sentiment.

Theatrical Gossip.-Westmacott has raised an action of damages against Charles Kemble, for his late assault. As far as we can judge, it certainly appears that Kemble has acted precipitately and unadvisedly. We have nothing to communicate concerning the Lond.n Drama, that will not be found in a previous page.-Catalani has finally fixed her residence in Florence, with the declared intention of remainining there during her life.-Among other performers whom we are to have at the Theatre Royal here during the season, is Young, who will visit us to take his final leave of the Edinburgh audience previous to his retiring from the stage altogether. The prices of admission for this season are not yet finally determined on but it is likely they will be considerably reduced, which will be, at all events, a popular measure.-Mr Bass, of the Caledonian Theaure took his farewell benefit a few evenings ago; he has not found the speculation a very profitable one.-Miss Jarman, Mackay, and Barton, terminated, on Wednesday last, a very successful engagement at Dumfries, where the two first, in particular, are especial favourites.-Kean is at present residing at Rothesay, for the benefit of his health, and we hear no more of his intended visit to America, natwithstanding his ceremonious leave-taking of the English publicat the Italian Opera-house, a few months ago. If he proposes returning to the stage in this country, we trust our manager will seeure him for a fortnight.

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LITERARY CRITICISM.

The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. By William Hazlitt. In four vols. 8vo. London. Effingham Wilson. 1830. In a late Number, we gave a hasty and imperfect sketch of Hazlitt's life and literary labours. Incomplete though it was, it alluded to certain events which had a strong influence in the formation of his peculiar character, and which must always be kept in view, if we would form a just and dispassionate opinion of the value of his writings. That he was a man of warm and strong passions, but of constitutional indolence confirmed by habit, is shown by the whole tenor of his existence; and upon a mind so constracted, external circumstances leave peculiarly vivid and lasting impressions.

He was born a short time before the close of the American war, and his intellect began to develope itself at the time that the French revolution engrossed all men's minds and conversations. His father was a dissenting clergyman-one of a body who have always been attached, with the warmth and honesty of scholars, unversed in the real business of life, to the popular part of our constitution-one of those, moreover, who had embraced doctrines which, with all respect for the honesty and moral worth of many who maintain them, we cannot otherwise describe than as a compromise between superstitious terrors and deistical convictions. The natural bent of Hazlitt's mind, fostered by his education, was neither to strict scientific pursuits, nor to imaginative creations, but to that which lies between both,-critical investigation of character, and of the principles of art; perhaps the most seductive of mental employments, because, without being so fatiguing an exercise as abstract reasoning, or requiring the fertility and originality of poetical invention, it tasks both of these faculties only to a pleasurable extent, and is to the intellect what a morning walk is to the body. So circumstanced, and with such a disposition, he unavoidably plunged into the metaphysico-poetical speculations in politics which were then in vogue, and he warmly embraced political opinions, which, as they cannot be taken up by a corrupted mind, so they cannot be retained by any man who is practically acquainted with the materials and mechanism of society. Thus prepared, he entered the world. His unsuccessful efforts to make himself a painter, we have noticed upon a former occasion. In order to support himself, he was obliged to have recourse to his pen. At the time when he commenced author, political controversy was waged with a high and angry spirit: he attached himself unhesitatingly and keenly to that party which youthful impressions had made his own. This step had a fatal effect upon his future prospects and character. There is nothing more tedious and disheartening than the slow degrees by which a young man, without connexions and without fortune, works his way into society, even when there is no Kostile feeling to bar his progress. But when he has begun life, by attaching himself to a small and suspected sect, he may look upon himself as having signed the warrant of his own exclusion. Yet, by him

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who would play a part in life, it is indispensable that an active share should be taken in its business, as well with a view to the formation of his character, as to the enriching of his mind. The solitary thinker, who stands on the verge of the whirling stream, peering at its vortices through the spectacles of books, may, if he be gifted with natural ingenuity, guess at, but only he who has whirled along it, can know, its character. Hazlitt was not only weakened by the want of experience, but his susceptible temperament was embittered by neglect.

Thus talents of the very first order were rendered comparatively ineffective. There is no writer of the day who has evinced a more subtle intellect, combined with an apprehension that received external impressions with a rarer truth and exactness. Hazlitt's consistency, his prompt and fearless avowal of his opinions upon every occasion, attest his honesty and high spirit. But an intractable and irritable temper ran athwart his finest speculations, and hurried him into incessant paradoxes, if it did not transport him into indignant denunciations of persons and things which were foreign to the purpose. His writings are a perfect mine of just and beautiful observation; his incidental discussions are striking and instructive, but his general conclusions are rarely to be trusted. He himself felt this. The whole of his works are one vast expression of regret at something which he had failed to do or to become, but of which he felt himself capable;-a long confession that he had missed his opportunity, and was too indolent to attempt to redeem his loss. This feeling is the secret of his admiration of Northcote. The old man might want all that ethereal temper, that fine fire of genius, which Hazlitt so eminently possessed, but then the latter perceived that to his friend belonged an unequalled portion of that ingredient in human character, sober judgment, the want of which had sent him adrift upon the waves, a stately but a helmless vessel.

It is our object "nothing to extenuate, nor set down aught in malice." We do not blame those who vilified him in his lifetime, for he was no measurer of his own words in controversy. We have not hesitated to point out what we think his defects. But we are still of opinion that his essays contain as much sterling original thinking as any similar compositions, of equal extent, in the English or in any language. We could point out more than one author, who cuts a respectable figure in the literature of the day, upon the strength of having translated a few of Hazlitt's thoughts into his own more commonplace language. For our own part, if we have, with any success, attempted to read the riddle of his character, we are in no small degree indebted to the lights which he himself held out, with the intention, it is true, of illuminating other objects. We may surely be allowed to say thus much of the dead; and, though we knew him not personally, may be permitted to act up to the poet's senti ment,—

"When cold in the earth lies the friend we have loved,
Be his faults and his follies forgot by us then;
And if for a moment the veil be removed,
Drop a tear o'er his weakness, and close it again."

To come to the history now before us: Hazlitt tells us somewhere, it was a standing joke against him with some of his friends, that he more coveted the reputation of being a good racket-player than a good writer. He explains this anomaly with his usual felicity, upon the principle, that when a man really does any thing well, he rests satisfied with the consciousness; while, on the contrary, in matters where he is not quite a master, he feels haunted by a teazing doubt of his own success, and eagerly seeks to bolster up his uncertainty by the favourable testimony of others. We suspect that, had he survived, he would have consulted the reviews of his Life of Napoleon with an unwonted eagerness. In other words, we are by no means inclined, with the friendly author of the preface, to peril his reputation upon this work.

out an attempt at palliation; but he never once admits that his enemies were in the right. Nay, so far does his engrossing love carry him, that he (than whom no man could better detect the falsehood of meretricious ornament) calls the famous bulletins " models of military eloquence;"-if this be true, the substantive is here "craftily qualified" by the adjective.

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Another fertile source of error is the implicit confidence Hazlitt has reposed in the St Helena documents. No man ever died with so much attention to appearances as Bonaparte. Cæsar only arranged his garments decorously. The French emperor smoothed down every ruffled action of his life—the dress of his soul. What he says in his imprisonment, of his motives of action, and plans of policy, can only be regarded as so much special pleading. He occupied, during life, a position which imSo much has been published respecting Napoleon, as to posed upon him the task of defending every step he took; leave little room to hope for any thing new. At all events, and the reasons with which he sought to gloss over even Hazlitt was not so situated as to render it likely that much his mistakes, gained hold, by dint of constant repetition, fresh information would fall in his way. Moreover, it even of his own belief. It is not in the records of what would appear either that Bourrienne's instructive Me- he had brought himself, as well as others, to believe, that moirs had not come into his hands, or that he had not we are to seek the history of his mind, but in the indicaseen fit to make use of them. All that our author could tions noted at the time, by an observer so cautious, wary, propose was, to take the materials already before the and attentive as Bourrienne. This scepticism does not public, and when he had, by the exercise of a judicious cri- extend itself to Napoleon's descriptions of military moveticism, ascertained their real value, endeavour to arrangements. With regard to them, Hazlitt remarks, not less them into a narrative, so clear as to render it next to impossible that the reader should not make a just inference regarding Napoleon's character. This is a task for which the peculiar structure of Hazlitt's mind totally disqualified him. His intellect was essentially discursive, not narrative. He was nothing, if not critical; he could not tell a plain tale consecutively, without deviating into arguments and reflections, which, however eloquent, and ingenious, were entirely irrelevant. The work before us abounds (as was to be expected) in such pieces of writing; nay, they constitute by far its most valuable and attrac tive part, only they would have been more in place, and would have told better, as a collection of essays.

But, independent of this, the principle upon which Hazlitt sets out, seems to us destructive of all prospect of a fair and impartial narrative:

"Of my object in writing the LIFE here offered to the public, and of the general tone that pervades it, it may be proper that I should render some account. It is true I admired the man; but what chiefly attached me to him, was his being, what he had been long ago designated, the child and champion of the Revolution. Of this character he could not divest himself, even though he wished it. He was nothing, he could be nothing, but what he owed to himself, and to his triumphs over those who claimed mankind as their inheritance by a divine right; and as long as he was a thorn in the side of kings, and kept them at bay, his cause rose out of the ruins and defeat of their pride and hopes of revenge. He stood (and he alone stood) between them and their natural prey."

This is, in the first place, more eloquent than sound. Napoleon might be the child, but certainly he was not the champion, of the Revolution, inasmuch as his constant aim, from first to last, was to put down not only the forms, but the principles, of government which it had sought to establish. If by being the champion of the Revolution, the author means no more than that his hero was a living demonstration how a man, not born a king, might put down one who was, the fact only proves his power; and certainly it is not necessary, at this time of day, to demonstrate the difference between power and right. The former may be established by success, the latter cannot. At all events, the mere fact that our author has been induced to write the Life of Napoleon, with the view of representing him as the martyr of a cause he had at heart, is enough to induce suspicions of his impartiality. These are justified by the manner in which he defends all Napoleon's actions, and still more by his indiscriminating vituperation of all his opponents. He sometimes admits that the Emperor was in the wrong, though never with

ingeniously than truly, that Bonaparte could not have spoken false. The whole was too vividly present to his imagination to leave room for error, or the hope of gaining by falsehood.

On the whole, this history, although it contains no new facts, and abounds in statements, upon the correctness of which it might be dangerous to rely, will richly reward a perusal. Almost every page teems with incidental remarks, characterised by all the author's boldness and originality. To many the uncompromising violence of the politician may at first be repulsive. But there is nothing so wholesome to the mind, as to be roused occasionally from its lethargy by a good rattling contradiction; and Hazlitt was no flincher in this respect.

The Literary Souvenir. Edited by Alaric A. Watts.
1831.
London. Longman, Rees, Orme, &c.
ARE there not moments when the spirit feeleth un-
usually sad?-moments which are most apt to succeed
A sudden melan-
those of high and buoyant gaiety?
choly seems to have fallen upon life, and the heart loses
its confidence in those ties to which it clung so closely
but a few hours before. The heartless apathy of seeming
friends-the frivolousness of common pursuits and en-
joyments-the strange and unaccountable alteration that
has taken place in the feelings of many with whom we

were once most intimate-the failure of most of our best-
laid schemes-the emptiness of hope, and the worthless-
ness of fruition-on all these things have we not brooded
with a deep despondency, and, in the bitterness of our
souls, turned away from the voice of merriment, as if it
mocked at us? When under the influence of such sensa-
tions, the sage physician might probably pronounce us to
be in a state of hypochondria; yet it is difficult to say
which is the more healthy and rational constitution of
mind-that which produces a depression, or an elevation,
of spirits.

But whichever is the most philosophical, there can be little doubt that cheerfulness—a subdued and steady cheerfulness-is the most enviable mental constitution. When this departs, every means in our power should be taken to secure its return. Before all other aids, is the soothing power of music, which, whilst it seems to accommodate itself to the sombre tone of our thoughts, gradually raises them out of the gloom in which they are wrapped, and carries them away to more smiling associations. Next to music, a pleasant book is a true

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and music in the bosom of that valley, and by the side of that stream.

friend in our hour of need,—a book wherein there lieth many a gentle thought, glittering with unobtrusive light, —where there is much to amuse the fancy and refine the "It was, then, in that beautiful vale of Vire, some twenty heart, but nothing to misinform the judgment or corrupt May walk with Mariette Duval, ere the relentless conscripyears agone, that Francis Lormier went out to take his last the understanding. Such a book we find in the Literary tion called him from his happy home, and his early love. Souvenir. It aims not at being profound, or erudite, or It was a sad walk, as may well be imagined; for, though the scientific; but we cannot always "trim the midnight morning was bright, and nature, to her shame be it spoken, lamp,”—we cannot always pore over the deeper mysteries had put on her gayest smiles, as if to mock their sorrow, of knowledge; and often, when the wind blows, and the yet the sunshine of the scene could not find its way to their rain beats, and the mind is half in unison with the un-hearts, and all seemed darkened and clouded around them. settled state of the elements, we seek with a high relish far be it from me to betray their private conversation. I They talked a great deal, and they talked a long time; but for the lighter species of intellectual food, and by the side would not for all the world-especially as I know not one of our blazing fire, give ourselves up to the dreamy ab- word about it-except, indeed, that Francis Lormier vowed straction which the hour brings along with it. the image of Mariette should remain with him for ever; should inspire him in the battle, and cheer him in the bivouac ; and that Mariette protested she never would marry Latoussefort, the great Foulan, were to lay himself and anybody except Francis Lormier, even if rich old Monsieur fortune at her feet; and in short, that when his seven long years were out,' Francis would find her still a spinster, and very much at his service. Mais si je perdois une jambe?' said Francis Lormier. Qu'est ce que c'a fait!' replied Mariette.

If the Literary Souvenir does not stand at the head of all the Annuals, it at all events occupies one of the first places. Its pictorial embellishments we have already introduced to our readers, and they are certainly not surpassed, if equalled, in any of the similar works for 1831. The same remark applies to the letter-press. Good taste has presided at its selection, and nothing trashy or maudlin has been admitted. On the contrary, several of the popular writers of the day have contributed 'articles which we rank among the most successful of their minor pieces. Among the writers, we may particularly mention Miss Landon, Mary Howitt, T. K. Hervey, the Author of" Richelieu" (Mr James), and the Author of " Lillian" (Mr Praed). It is needless to enter into any minute examination of the contents of the volume. They, of course, consist of a pleasing variety of pieces in prose and verse, and that man or woman is little to be envied who can find nothing among the whole to touch the peculiar chord of their own feelings. We select for quotation the following prose tale, both because we like the manner in which it is told, and because its dimensions best suit our purpose:

THE LOVERS OF VIRE.

By the Author of Richelieu.

"The sun was shining as fair as the sun could shine on a beautiful May morning; bright, yet gentle; warm, but fresh; midway between the watering-pot of April, and the warming-pan of June,-when, in the beautiful valley of Vire-every body knows Vire-but, lest there should be any body in the wide world who does not, dearly beloved reader, I will tell you all about it.

"Get into the stage coach which journeyeth diurnally between London and Southampton; enjoy the smoothness of the road, bless Mr M'Adam, put up at the Dolphin, and yield yourself to the full delights of an English four-post bed, for no such sweets shall you know from the moment you set your foot on board the steam-boat for Havre, till the same steam-boat, or another, it matters not which, lands you once more on the English strand.

"Supposing you then arrived at Havre,-get out of it again as fast as you can,-rush across the river to Honfleurs; from Honfleurs dart back to Caen; and after you have paused five minutes to think about William the Conqueror, put yourself into the diligence for St Malo, and when you have travelled just twelve leagues and a half, you will come to a long steep hill, crowned by a pretty airy looking town, whose buildings, in some parts gathered on the very pinnacle, in others running far down the slope, seem as if coquetting with the rich valleys that woo them from below.

Go to bed; and if you bathe your feet beforehand, which if you are of my faction you will do, walk over the tiled floor of the inner bed-room, that you may have a fit opportunity of cursing tiled floors, and of relieving yourself of all the spleen in your nature before next morning. Then, if both your liver and the day be favourably disposed, sally forth to the east corner of the town, and you will have a fair view over one of the loveliest valleys that nature's profuse Hand ever gifted with beauty-the soft clear stream of the Vire, winding sweetly along between the green sloaping hills, and the rich woods, and the fields, and châteaux, and hamlets, and the sunshine catching upon all its meanderings, and the birds singing it their song of love, as its calm waters roll bountifully by them. Look upon it, and you will not find it difficult to imagine how the soul, even of an obscure artisan, in à remote age, warmed into poetry

"They parted,-and first to follow the lady. Mariette wept a great deal, but soon after got calm again, went about talked with the talkers, laughed with the laughers, and won her ordinary work, sang her song, danced at the village fête, the hearts of all the youths in the place, by her unadorned beauty and her native grace. But still she did not forget Francis Lormier; and when any one came to ask her in marriage, the good dame, her mother, referred them to Mariette, who had always her answer ready, and, with a kind word and a gentle look, sent them away refused, but presented himself, with all his money bags, declaring that At length, good old Monsieur Latoussefort his only wish was to enrich his gentle Mariette; but Mariette was steady, and so touchingly did she talk to him about poor Francis Lormier, that the old man went away with the tears in his eye. Six months afterwards he died, when, to the wonder of the whole place, he left his large fortune to Mariette Duval !

not offended.

"In the meanwhile, Francis joined the army, and, from a light handsome conscript, he soon became a brave, steady soldier. Attached to the great Northern army, he underwent all the hardships of the campaigns in Poland and Russia; but still he never lost his cheerfulness, for the thought of Mariette kept his heart warm, and even a Russian winter could not freeze him. All through that miserable retreat he made the best of every thing. As long as he had a good tender piece of saddle, he did not want a dinner; and when he met with a comfortable dead horse to creep into, he found board and lodging combined. His courage and his powers of endurance called upon him, from the first, the eyes of one whose best quality was the impartiality of his recompense. Francis was rewarded as well as he could be rewarded; but at length, in one of those unfortunate battles by which Napoleon strove in vain to retrieve his fortune, the young soldier, in the midst of his gallant daring, was desperately wounded in the arm.

"Pass we over the rest. Mutilated, sick, weary, and ragged, Francis approached his native valley, and, doubtful of his reception-for misery makes sad misanthropes-he sought the cottage of Madame Duval. The cottage was gone; and, on enquiring for Madame Duval, he was directed to a fine farm-house by the banks of the stream. He thought there must be some mistake, but yet he dragged his heavy limbs thither, and knocked timidly against the door.

"Entrez!' cried the good-humoured voice of the old dame, Francis entered; and, unbidden, tottered to a chair. Madame Duval gazed on him for a moment, and then rushing to the stairs, called loudly, Come down, Mariette; come down; here is Francis returned! Like lightning, Mariette darted down the stairs, saw the soldier's old greatcoat, and flew towards it-stopped-gazed on his haggard face and empty sleeve, and, gasping, fixed her eyes upon his countenance. 'Twas for a moment she gazed on him thus in silence; but there was no forgetfulness, nor coldness, nor pride about her heart-there was sorrow, and joy, and love, and memory in her very glance.

Oh, Francis, Francis!' cried she at length, casting her arms round his neck, how thou hast suffered!' As she did so, the old greatcoat fell back, and on his breast appeared the golden cross of the legion of honour. N'importe ! cried she, as she saw it, viola la recompense.' He

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