prisoner. Richard, following his brother, was likewise captured. The steps in autumn to the High Pyrenees. The society has entered King of Brassé, a territory lying almost at the mouth of the river, | into an arrangement with a botanist at Schuschi in Georgia, at persuaded the captors to allow him to convey the prisoners to the the foot of Caucasus, towards the Persian frontier, who is to fur. coast, with a view to their being ransomed. The subsequent ob-, nish them with the principal plants of that interesting district. In servations of the travellers, owing to the loss of their chronometer, the event of France retaining possession of Algiers, two travellers are less to be depended on. John Lander's notes, which have been are to be dispatched to that country in September of the presets preserved, luckily supply the lacunæ in his brother's journal. The

year,

the autumnal equinox offering the most favourable sea. depth of the river during the ordinary wet seasons would enable son for botanical investigation in the regions of the lower Atlas, a steam-boat to navigate it as high as Boussa. The banks are often Theatrical Gossip.- Mr John Mason, a son of our good old friend, clothed with thick jungle; other parts are tolerably populous. has appeared at Covent Garden, in the character of Romeo. He There can be little doubt that the streams which flow into the is said to have been labouring under a severe cold; nevertheless Bight of Benin are portions of the Delta formed by the Niger. his performance is favourably spoken of by the critics.-Miss Inyeri The construction of a new map, upon the Landers' observations, arity continues as great a favourite as ever. Her benefit, at which has been intrusted to Captain Becher.

she appeared for the first time as Roselta, was crowded.--Two new FINE ARTS—The Exhibition of Ancient Masters, at the British performers have appeared at the Haymarket, both females, and Gallery, is adorned by 172 of the finest productions of art extant. both singers-Miss Wells and Miss Land. Some of our frienda The majority belong to the high historical school, although there complain of this theatre, that it is too ambitious—persisting in atis a sufficient number of Dutch and Flemish works.“A cabinettempts to give Rossini and Mozart, with an insufficient power of picture_The Holy Family and Angels, by Raphael_has lately) vocal and instrumental music.-Hummell has annonnced his inbeen brought from France, and is to be seen in Piccadilly.–At tention to give a concert at Liverpool. Miss Inverarity lenda her Calcutta, a club has been established for the encouragement of art, assistance. The representation of Hernani was successful.- Mr which assumes the name of the Brush Club.

and Mrs Bass have been giving specimens of elocution and focal SCIENTIFIC MEETING AT York.-Two months ago, we mentioned music at Stirling.–Mademoiselle Sontag, it is reported, is about that arrangements were making for holding a general meeting of to appear as an actress, having sold the MSS. of her travels for scientific and literary men at York, after the fashion of the Ger- 9000 francs.--The Opera opened at Paris on the 4th, with great man Society of Naturalists. We now learn that Monday, the splendour.-Our little Adelphi is going, we fear, to prove a failure. 26th of September, has been appointed for the commencement of For many nights its average receipts cannot have exceeded, il this learned session. “ It is proposed," says the York Herald, they equalled, L.16. We suspect the error lies in the selection " that the visitors shall assemble in the museum and apartments performances. People are fond enough of "inexplicable damb of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, to receive memoirs and shows and noise;" but then all our melodramas are so alike. The communications, and that they shall dine together daily. Arrange ingredients are:-a villain confessing his immorality with a charm. ments have also been made for foreigners who máy honour the ing naiveté, a very heroic person, maleor female, (some melodramas meeting with their presence."

have a duplicate of this character, one male the other female, National Records.-The commissioners for the preservation of joker by force of wit or stupidity, a chorus of distressed persons, the Public Records have appointed Messrs Baldwin and Co. their a chorus of prosperous persons, and one or two good fatherly publishers, and intend that the works already printed shall be and motherly bodies. Then for the events and machinery: offered by them on such favourable terms as will enable every guns, drums, and trumpets, a burning house or castle, a dun." considerable library in the empire to possess them.

geon or cavern, a bridge and river, an explosion, and lots of EDUCATION. –“ A scheme for the education of the non-profes. hurrahs. Take these simples, and mix them in any way, you sional youth of Edinburgh," has just been put into our hands by cannot fail to manufacture a melodrama. (N.B. No rules of a friend. It is deserving of more space and attention than we can

grammar dare be observed.) Now, where there is so much bestow upon it this week, we therefore postpone it. We learn

sameness, people are apt to get tired. We seriously advise the that the plan has the countenance of several of the most intelli. management to try farce and comedy. We trust this will be gent of our fellow-citizens.

done as soon as the star of O. Smith, which has already passed THE CHURCH HISTORY Chair. The death of Dr Meiklejohn has the point of the Culmination, sets, and that of Yates arises. A 4 excited a keen canvass on the part of the friends of the two can. good corps de ballet would do wonders. Remember the success didates for the appointment thus left vacant. Both are good men of Vedy and D'Albert. But the two existing dancers wont do. and true. Dr Lee is a scholar, and a man of subtle, if not exten. We admit that Celeste's pantomime is excellent, except when sive intellect. But then his time is already engrossed by official she eesays the melting mood.-- We learn that some alterations of duties, suficient in all conscience for any one man; and his the portion of our Theatre Royal allotted to the accommodation of studies have of late years been confined almost exclusively to the audience are in contemplation. The boxes are to be deepen. bibliography. Our inclinations are, we confess, more in favour ed, and their back seats raised. The two-shilling gallery is to be of his competitor, and that for the following reasons :-Mr restored. Aitken is a man in the very best season of life-that which re. tains the energy of youth, while it possesses the circumspection

TO OUR READERS. and ripened experience of manhood He has devoted himself to In commencing a new volume, it is our grateful duty to aca more extensive and philosophical study of Church History than kuowledge the continned and increasing favour of the publis. has ever been known in this country. His orthodoxy is vouched We are not fond of making rash promises, but we can pledge our. for by the names of Chalmers and M'Crie, while to his general selves that neither zeal nor industry shall be wanting on our part, talent and industry testimony is borne by these reverend fathers, to contribute to their gratification. and also by several distinguished laymen, among whom Sir Wil. liam Hamilton occupies a prominent place. This is exactly the

TO CORRESPONDENTS. man that is wanted; with talents and acquirements to render the

“On Cold be the Sweat!" is rather warm for our taste.--"Some chair of Church History more than a mere nominal professorship prefer the Laughing Day,” scarcely comes up to our standard.(which it has hitherto in a great measure been), he possesses “To Flora," is very sweet-too sweet.--" The Address to Craigyouth, activity, and enthusiasm to carry his projected improve.

miller Castle,” may be "pleasing to those of melancholy mood. ments into effect.

-The Author of " Lines on the Anniversary of the Battle of BENGALI AND SANSKRIT DICTIONARY.--Professor Haughton, late

Waterloo," tells us that they have never been published. We of the College at Hailesbury, has printed a considerable portion of

believe him._"Imaginative Fits" shall be returned as directed, his Dictionary, Bengali, Sanskrit, and English (which will soon

the moment we lay our hands upon the first, which has fallen be published, under the patronage of the East India Company,) in

aside. If this author is subject to a frequent recurrence of such one large quarto volume. This learned Orientalist is well known

fits, we pity him.--"Old Captain Brace” shall not be allowed for his “ Institutes of Menu," Sanskrit and English, his Bengali

to anchor in our roads.- “An Humble Address" is on too Grammar, and other excellent works. The Dictionary traces

serious a topic for our light pages.“ A day at Loch Skene" will Sanskrit words to their originals, and indicates those introduced

not suit us. It lies for the author at our publishers,"_There is into the Bengali from Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hindostani, and

much power in “ The Bachelor's Funeral," but it is unequal.other languages; it is enriched with a copious index, which must

“ Luckie Borland," and “ The sore Part,” we have not yet had prove highly serviceable to the scientific student, particularly to

leisure to overhaul. the botanist. This publication is the more desirable, as Mr Wil.

Edinburgh: Published for the Proprietors, every Saturday Morning, son's Dictionary has for some time been out of print.

by JOHN AITKEN, (of CONSTABLE & Co.) 19, WATERLOO BOTANICAL.-The Wurtemburg Union for promoting journeys PLACE; in furtherance of the interests of Botanical Science, has dispatched Sold also by Thomas ATKINSON & Co., 84, Trongate, Glasgow; W. Dr Thone to the Pyrenees. Two excursions have already been CURRY, jun. and Co., Dublin; HURST, CHANCE, and Co., St made in that department, under the auspices of the Society. In

Paul's Churchyard; and EFFINGHAN WILSON, Royal Exchange, the present year, the traveller, after staying a short time in Paris

London; and by all Newsmen, Postmasters, and Clerks of the to collect the necessary information, proceeded to Bayonne with

Roads throughout the United Kingdom. a view to investigate the spring Flora, of the department des

Price 6d. ; or Stamped and sent free by post, 10d. Lander. He next journeys through the Western, and directs his Printed by BALLANTYNE & Co., Paul's Work, Canongate.

LITERARY CRITICISM,

The History of English Dramatic Poetry to the Time of Shakspeare; and Annals of the Stage to the Restoration.

By J. Payne Collier, Esq., F.S.A. In three volumes. London. John Murray. 1831. (Second Notice.)

MORE nonsense, we believe, has been spoken about the origin and progress of dramatic poetry, than any other branch of literature. The fine-drawn gossamer distinctions of the Schlegels, and the herd of asses which has echoed their bray, may even be bundled with the rest of the trumpery. We should not like to give a pledge that we ourselves are about to speak rationally on the subject. The stage is enchanted ground-some intoxicating atmosphere breathes over it-Comus hath "hurled bis dazzling spells into the spongy air”—and every writer, however sensible on other topics, begins to "talk parrot" as soon as he addresses himself to this one. So may it fare with us. It will not, however, be the fault of Mr Collier, whose acute, laborious, and persevering research, has put into our hands a mass of records of the early English stage, which the most sanguine antiquarian never could have hoped to see recovered, while his just and critical discernment has enabled him to winnow the chaff from the wheat-to attribute to every particle of information its due importance.

Price 6d.

sprung up, essentially the same with the old drama, but
their similarity could not be recognised by that age and
the same name applied to them, for a very simple reason
because it was ignorant of the existence of the latter.
The traditionary origin of the ancient drama is too
well known to need repetition. The origin of the mo-
dern was precisely similar. All people are delighted to
gaze upon stately pageants-few are disinclined to play
a part in them. Hence masquerades, and tableaux, either
after the refined and luxurious fashion of our day, or the

more rude make-shift of our ancestors. The desire to
perform the character assumed to the life, would natu-
rally suggest dialogue at first extempore, afterwards
Mr Collier and
fairly composed and conned by rote.
others have assumed that the first scenic representations
were miracle plays, that to them followed moral plays,
and that the historical drama succeeded next. For such
an opinion there seems no more sufficient ground than
this, that the oldest collections of these representations
which have been preserved contain miracles alone, and
that the historical dramas which we have are all compa-
ratively of recent date.

As far back as we can trace the

At a

latter, however, we find the others existing cotemporane-
ously. They did not die out to make way for it.
yet earlier period we find moralities and miracles inter-
changeably exhibited for the amusement of the people.
The moral is not an improved miracle play, any more than
the historical is a refinement upon the first mentioned.
They all sprung up from the same stem about the same
time, and all alike rade. They all experienced the effects
of the increasing cultivation of intellect.
plays died out first, because they shocked a more enlight-
ened and refined piety. Moral plays died a natural' death
on account of their tedium-they went yawning off the
stage, exciting sympathetic drowsiness in the spectators.
The more vivacious, gallant, and dazzling history, held
alone the formerly tripartite rule.

The miracle

Some authors have conjectured that, from the time of Gregory of Nazianzen, there has existed a series of dramatic representations. They seek to connect our modern with the classic drama-to represent the former as an imitation of the latter, adapted in the middle ages to a state of society in which ruder tastes and different moral and religious creeds prevailed. This is on their part a mere assumption, and it is unnecessary. Mimicry is a natural and unavoidable tendency of man, and in every It has been disputed whether stage representations were state of society has given rise to something like the drama. This inclination, directing itself sometimes to aid in en-known at an earlier period in France or England. The livening princely entertainments, sometimes to gain the love of the multitude, sometimes to inculcate a moral or religious lesson, produced the modern European drama. A vague tradition of Gregory's poem, or perhaps even of the models upon which he framed it, might have been retained, but so little resemblance is there between their form and that of the afterbirth, which has ripened into the ornament of our stage, that probability inclines strongly against the supposition that the first framers of moral and miracle plays had any acquaintance with them. There is one fact, too, which strongly militates against this assumed traditionary link-this direct transmission of the drama from generation to generation, as the lamps passed from hand to hand in the Grecian festival. In the time of Chaucer a time when miracle plays were frequently represented, the word "tragedy" had ceased

to be used without reference to dramatic composition or scenic representation. It denoted simply a mournful story. The word had lingered in the language, retaining one of its subsidiary meanings after the thing it denoted had ceased to exist. A new entertainment had

earliest cotemporary notice of a performance of this kind belongs to the latter country; but it appears that the poet-manager, or manager-poet, who got it up, was a native of the former. This fact, conjoined to the more than probability that the earliest plays represented in this country were in the French language, has induced Mr Collier to pronounce an award in favour of the claims of France, and in this judgment we acquiesce.

We propose in the present notice to lay before our readers such selections from the pages of Mr Collier as will serve to give them correct notions of the nature and value of the old miracle and moral plays; next week we will direct their attention to the historical drama.

One pageant, contained in an old manuscript, written in the time of Henry VI., is thus described. (The reader will please to remark, that Noah's description of the flood is at once spirited and poetical.)

Widkirk
Plays.

"The third Widkirk Pageant is entitled Processus Noe cum filiis. After Noah has lamented the sinfulness of the world, God is introduced repenting that he had created mankind, instructing Noah

"We are rather left to infer that Humanum Genus is mason, and it is mentioned by Laneham, in the list he supplies of saved, than directly told it."