Even rain-water collected from slated houses, though softer than spring or river water, exhibits by these tests one grain of sulphuric acid in twenty or thirty grains. 5. Oxalic Acid Test. When the object is to obtain the lime, either free or combined, in any water, this is the best test. It may be proper to add a little ammonia in some cases of combined lime. The oxalate of lime slowly precipitates in the state of an insoluble salt. The quantity of lime may be ascertained, either by collecting the precipitate, or by carefully and gradually adding the due quantity of acid, and no more, when the strength of the acid has been previously ascertained. question. It contains a very little sulphate of OBSERVATIONS On the Countries of Congo and Loango, as in 1790.-(Continued from our last.) Kingdom of Congo.-If the testimony of the natives may be relied on, the countries of Chimfooka, Angoya, Embomma, Loango proper, Solongo, and Sonia, at no great disWhen spring-water contains supercarbonate tance of time, formed part of the kingdom of lime, boiling it precipitates the greater of Congo, the capital of which, from time part of the carbonate, and expels the excess immemorial, has been Banza Congo, (now St. of acid. Hence the furring of pans and tea- Salvador). Upon the seizure of the city by kettles with this kind of water. By boiling the Portuguese, and the consequent paralysathe water it is of course rendered much softer tion of the power that upheld the kingdom, a than before. It may then be used for wash-number of independent states arose from the ing, scarcely curdling soap; but it still con- ruins, and whatever progress civilization might tains about one-third of the earthy, salt, and have made among them before that event, they 6. Nitrates of Silver and Mercury Tests. gives milkiness with acetate of lead. If a have since remained in their present barbarous These are tests of muriatic acid or of muri-water contain only sulphate of lime, boiling condition. It cannot, however, be thought ates; the muriates of silver and mercury are does not, I apprehend, soften it at all. that the great kingdom of Congo, which comformed, both insoluble salts. It does not often When spring-water is used by manufac- prehended, in addition to those already menhappen that spring-waters contain notable turers for washing, &c. it is advantageous to tioned, the very extensive countries of Angola proportions of the muriatic acid, either free have it some time exposed to the atmosphere, and Benguela, was ruled with the mental in a reservoir with a large surface. This expo- weakness and imbecility characteristic of these 7. Sulphuretted Hydrogen-water and Hydro-sition suffers the carbonic acid in part to esgovernments at present. sulphurets. These are excellent tests for lead, cape, and the carbonate of lime to precipitate; mercury, and several metals, giving peculiar and in some degree supersedes the necessity insoluble precipitates of the sulphurets of those of boiling the water. The more any spring metals. One grain of lead precipitated by is drawn from, the softer the water becomes, sulphuretted hydrogen, would be sufficient to it should seem. I have this morning exagive a great many gallons of water a dark mined a spring, which yields many thousand brown tinge. When sulphuretted hydrogen is gallons every-day. The water is compafound in mineral waters, as those of Harrow-ratively soft; it does not curdle scarcely at all gate, it may be known by the smell; but so- with soap; it is very nearly as soft as the lutions of lead are much superior tests, giv-before-mentioned pump-water boiled. The ing a black or brown tinge to such waters hardness in it arises from a little sulphate of immediately. or combined. 8. Tincture of Galls and Prussiates of Potash and Lime Tests-These are proper for the detection of iron, the former giving a black precipitate, and the latter a blue one; but a portion of the solution of oxymnuriate of lime requires to be added previously to the water, if it contains the green oxide of iron in solution, in order to convert it to the red oxide. There are many other tests than those I have enumerated, but they are more than can usually be wanted in the analysis of ordinary springs. My object is not to give a catalogue of tests, but to show in what manner their application may be improved, and reduced to a system intelligible to moderate proficients. The improvements I would propose in the use of tests are, that the exact quantities of the ingredients in each test should be previously ascertained and marked on the label of the bottle; this might easily be done in most of them in the present state of chemical science. We should then drop in certain known quantities of each from a dropping tube graduated into grains, till the required effect was produced; then, from the quantity of the test required, the quantity of saline matter in the water might be determined without the trouble of collecting the precipitate; or, if this was done, the one method would be a check upon the other. I shall now close this imperfect sketch by a few observations and experiments, which I have noticed in the course of the present week, relative to the subject before us. I assayed the water supplied by the Manchester water-works, and found it nearly as I expected; river-water is most commonly softer than spring-water, and harder than rainwater. This is the case with the water in lime and a little carbonate. One of the most striking facts I have observed is, that all spring-water containing carbonate or supercarbonate of lime, is essentially limy or alkaline by the colour tests. And this alkalinity is not destroyed till some more powerful acid, such as the sulphuric or muriatic, is added, sufficient to saturate the whole of the lime. Indeed these acids may be considered as sufficient for tests of the quantity of lime in such waters, and nothing more is required than to mark the quantity of acid necessary to neutralize the lime. It does not signify whether the spring-water is boiled or unboiled, nor whether it contains sulphate of lime along with the carbonate; it is still limy, in proportion to the quantity of carbonate of lime it contains. Agreeably to this idea, too, I find that the metallic oxides, as those of iron or copper, are thrown down by common spring-water, just the same as by free lime. Notwithstanding this, carbonate of lime in solution with water contains twice the acid that chalk or limestone does. I fully expected the supercarbonate of lime in solution to be acid. But it is strongly alkaline, and scarcely any quantity of carbonic acid water put to it will overcome this alkalinity. Pure carbonic acid water is, however, acid to the I could not be convinced of the remarkable fact stated in this paragraph, till I actually formed supercarbonate of lime, by supersaturating lime-water in the usual way; till the liquid from being milky became clear. It still continued limy, and was even doubtfully so when two or three times the quantity of acid was added. It should seem, then, to be as impossible to obtain a neutral carbonate of lime, as it is to obtain a neutral carbonate of ammo nia in the sense here attached to the word neutral. Every one speaks in praise and adiniration of the City of Congo,-its situation and extent,the power and grandeur of the King before the arrival of the Portuguese. Sonia. The people of Sonia, it is said, were obliged to carry burdens of white seasand from the beach to Banza Congo, one hundred and fifty miles distant, to form pleasant walks at the royal residence. This at last so exasperated the Sonia men, whose warlike and independent spirit is feared and respected by all the neighbouring nations, that they concealed their weapons in the burdens of sand, and were, by this contrivance, enabled to avenge themselves of the indignity put upon them, by plundering the city and killing many of the King's people. Having thus shaken off the yoke, Sonia has since been governed by native princes. However extravagant the idea of carrying burdens of sand such a distance may appear, yet the history of all barbarous and despotic nations, in some measure warrants the authenticity of the fact; for there, we see slaves subjected to ignominous tasks disproportioned to their strength and means; witness the Israelites, doomed by Pharaoh to make bricks without the necessary materials. Unless founded on fact, it is hard to conceive how the story could have originated among a people who at present know not the luxury of artificial walks. It is worthy of remark, that the shoulder load is admirably calculated for the artifice of concealing arms, being nearly five feet long, and about eight inches square. It is formed by means of a bamboo or palm branch, which although very light and slender, is strong enough to support and keep the packages extended, whilst they are firmly bound to it by a peculiar sort of long narrow leaves. In this manner, parcels of salt and other small articles, are always brought to the Embomma market. Many wonderful stories are related of the courage and ferocity of the Sonia men. When one of them is taken prisoner, which, it is, admitted, very seldom happens, he endeavours to exasperate his perhaps already implacable enemy, by requesting that he may be dispatched with his own clean weapon, and not with the captor's dirty one;-a plain insinuation that no quarter is given. ese This nation is certainly of very different | in a similar manner, "Keile ma botta moine!" habits from any other upon the coast. It has-Very well, I thank you Sir. had no intercourse with Europeans for fifty years, when, in one night, the inhabitants massacred a colony of Portuguese, (probably their first establishment in 1484,) who had, for a long period, been settled in very considerable numbers in Sonia. They had many churches and seminaries of learning, which have all been demolished, with the exception of one called Ganga Emkisse, preserved as a monument of vengeance, now filled with bells, crucifixes, and other relics, the wreck of the colony. Upon the whole, the stories of the invincible prowess and martial character of this nation, are entitled to some consideration. If they are somewhat embellished, we need not be surprised, for what else can be expected: yet they ought not to be regarded on that account as altogether fabulous; for, even in polished nations, every thing transmitted by oral tradition, very soon acquires a tinge of the marvellous. What I can say of the Sonia men, from my own personal knowledge, is in perfect unison with their magnanimous character; never having experienced any act of treachery or violence from them, although once completely in their power. I had strayed to some distance from the boat's crew, who were cutting grass for the live stock at sea, when a party of Sonia men travelling that way, and hearing the report of my fowling-piece, came upón me unawares, before I had time to load. I was a little alarmed, but, to put the best face on the matter, I asked the Chief if he would sell his ivory trumpets, to which partly consenting, he agreed to accompany me to the boat, where I purchased two of them, and gave him and his men something to eat and drink. They were going, they said, to Ganga Empeenda, and were quite at their ease whilst they remained in the boat, plainly shewing that they neither intended nor dreaded treachery. Before resuming their journey, they regaled us with a concert on the trumpets, as savage and discordant as the Genius of Africa could wish. The Chief had six ivory trumpets, the largest of which had apparently been a tooth of ninety pounds in weight. He had likewise a drum, and three musical instruments like lyres. Trumpets.-Tusks of such magnitude can only belong, as may well be supposed to the elephant. They are converted into trumpets by boring out the body of the ivory, and leaving only a thin shell at the root, increasing however in thickness towards the point, within a short space of which, according to the size of the tusk, a hole is made to communicate with the extremity of the cavity; to this, the mouth is applied when blowing. The external surface of the trumpet is highly polished, and is frequently covered with regular devices and hieroglyphics, indented upon it with a hot iron. Upon the small end are carved a few annular knobs. The intrinsic value is small, compared with the value of labour employed in its formation. For this and their gorgeous appearance they are chiefly prized; but to instruments of music, they have not the smallest pretension. Salutations. When two persons of equal rank meet, one of them, kneeling on his left knee, gives the Saccula, (a certain clapping of the hands,) saying, "Katto co keile?"How do you do?-To which the other replies When an inferior approaches his superior The Poongo.-The most wonderful animal of the genus Ape, is the Poongo. When walking erect, it measures six feet, and is said to have the strength of ten men. In this case, were it equally ferocious, it might reign the undisputed sovereign of the woods. In fact, according to the natives, it is an overmatch for all the beasts of the forest, drives the elephant before it with clubs, and frequently carries off their women, when it meets them at a distance from home. MATHEMATICS. Solution of No. 18, by the Editor. Suppose x+y= 28, and a—y = 2d; then, a = 8+ d, and y = s — -d; let also n = = 29, m = 278, and u = 880; then = n 28. Substitute these values of x, y, and z in the given equations, and we shall have, 2ns 3s2 — d2 = m, and ns2 — 283 —nd2 + 28d2 =U. Find the value of d2 in these equations and compare them, and we have the cubic 883 ·8ns + 2ms + 2sn min-u; here s 9, the values of x, y, and z are found therefore, to be 10, 8, and 11.-If we now take 10 the Solar Cycle, 8= the Lunar, and II the a9-10 x + 1—8 Indiction, we shall have. = and = 28 19 and To proceeed, by Indeterminate Analysis, let 28 tuted in p, then a = 28p+1, this, substiX- -7 19 will give 28p — 6 .or a whole number. Hence, 19 19 19p 19 9p 6 19 18p-12 19 19 a whole number. Now let 2 + 12 = P + 12 =r, then p 19-12; but a = 28p + 1, 532+ 335, therefore, by substitution, ☛ = and this substituted for in 13 8 will give Za whole number. Hence 15r 14-26 r + 26 15 15 15 15 "+11 number, or a whole number. Consequently r = 4, 19, or 34, &c. Take r = = 4, then will a=1793, this subtracted from 1822, leaves 29 years, the age required. Chimpanzee. This is known to Europeans (To be continued.) HOW TO SATISFY ALL ONE'S TEACHERS. Lord M. bad masters, for dancing, music, Italian, French, and for the civil law; and he made a rapid progress in all his exercises and studies. When he thought himself somewhat accomplished, he began to neglect taking his lessons in their customary order; but when the dancing-master came, he would ask him to hear him play on the harpsichord, and tell him what he thought of his proficiency. He would dance a minuet before the music-master, and request his opinion of his dancing; and each praised that part of his performance, which himself knew nothing about. Thas also he would speak French to his Italian master, aud Italian to his French master; and both assured him that he had done miracles. Hence Lord Mwrote to his father, with perfect truth, that he had made great progress in his education, and that all his masters were highly satisfied with him-Memoirs of a Travelier now in retirement. J. H. favoured us with a solution. Neat solutions were received from Mr. Williams, Amicus, Mr. Wilson, Mr. R. Andrew, and Miss Agnes. Question No. 24, by Mr. J. Wilson. 7 cubic inches of a Gas are confined in a tube by a column of mercury, 6 inches above the level of the mercury on the outside of the tube. The barometer at the time is standing at 29 inches, and the thermometer at 35.-It is required to reduce the quantity of the gas to the real bulk at the standard pressure (20 inches) and temperature (60°). POETRY. LINES Inscribed on the back of a Lady's Portrait. Of cheerful wit, restrain'd by sense; Which strives to please, and fears to wound. SONNET. What to the maid is left below, GIACOMO. When he is gone, she held most dear? The sigh of anguish-sorrow's tear! But can these heal the wound?-Oh, no! Will comfort rise to bless her, where She oft has found delight before ?- To gain her bosom's former peace?— LOVELY WOMAN. A Scottish Song. I've rock'd me on the quivering mast From dawning day till gloamin; The king who rules, the sage who charms, The bard, who 'neath the bright moon meets FASHIONS FOR JUNE. WALKING DRESS. C. Anglo-Greek dress of fine India muslin over lilac sacsnet, with white muslin sleeves; the mancherons composed of lilac sarsnet and muslin. Fichu of Urling's patent lace, surmounted by a double frill of the same material. Bonnet of white shagreen, spotted improved sarsnet, lined with a quilling of blond, and edged with a rouleau, in puffing of tulle entwined with white silk cordon; the crown ornamented with lilacs and ears of corn. Lilac kid shippers, gloves of yellow kid, and parasol of lilac sarsnet. The shawl thrown over this dress is of white cachemire, with a beautiful variegated border. BALL DRESS. Dress of fine net over a white satin slip. The net dress ornamented next the hem with two full scalloped rows of pink crape edged with a delicate fringe of polished steel. Over these scallops are beautiful pink flowers of embossed crape, surrounded by beads of polished steel. The corsage finished in front with a stomacher trimmed to correspond with the border of the dress, as in the bust, and short sleeves, which are full. Elastic net sash of pink and white; the stripes tranverse. Denmark toque of pink crape and polished steel with full plume on the summit of marabout feathers. White satin shoes, and white kid gloves, very much rucked, and surmounted next the elbow with a silk fringe. COURT DRESS. The gown is composed of a new and very beautiful white transparent material: it is worn over a white satin slip, and is finished at the bottom of the skirt by a trimming, which may be styled a net-work of puffs; they are composed of tulle, crossed with pink gimp, and divided by moss rose-buds. The trimming consists of three rows. The corsage is cut low; it is rounded at the bust, which is shaded by a blond tucker: the lower part of the bust is ornamented with pink satin chevronels, edged with blond. Short full sleeve, decorated with blond and rose buds to correspond. EVENING DRESS. A round gown, composed of buf crepe lisse: the skirt is ornamented with a trimming of the same material, intermixed with leaves formed of blue satin and gros de Naples, disposed in two rows of stars, irregularly placed. Beneath this trimming is another, composed of bands of the same material, with satin creves let in. The corsage is tight to the shape; the waist is rather more than the usual length, and the bust is cut low: it is rounded in front, and ornamented at top with a wreath embroidered in blue silk. VARIETIES. Serjeant Popham, when he was chosen Speaker of the House of Commons, which had sate long, and done nothing in effect—coming one day to Queen Elizabeth, she said to him,- Now, Master Speaker, what hath passed in the House of Commons?' He answered, if it please your Majesty, seven weeks.' THE DWARF COUPLE. Charles the Second, in one of his fits of jocularity insisted on being present at the Marriage of Mr. Richard Gibson, the dwarf portrait painter, with Miss Ann Shepherd, who was also a dwarf His Most Sacred Majesty gave away the bride. It was a very equal match, each of them measuring three feet tea inches. If their stature was short, their days were long in the land; for Gibson died in his 75th year, and his wife in her 89th. This miniature pair had nine children, five of which attained to maturity, were well proportioned, and of the usual stature of mankind. Waller wrote a poem on their Marriage, which begins thus "Design or chance makes others wive, "To him, for whom Heaven seem'd to frame "And measure out this only dame." SINGULAR MISTAKES. A few weeks since, a young man returning home about eleven, mistook the house of a friend for his own, it being pitch dark, and his house and our friend's being near each other on the same terrace. He entered it by the key with which he was in the habit of letting himself in at home, and was heard by Mr. H. and his lady, padding up the stairs. The lady thinking that he was an approaching robber, screamed, and her husband proceeded to the chamber door which the young man had assaulted, and where he loudly demanded admittance, at the same time denouncing the supposed villain, who was illtreating (he thought) his sister. The attack and defence of the door was continuing with mutual force of foot and shoulder, and collected strength, while Mr. H.'s wife and supposed sister, throwing open the window, vociferated for Watch! Watch! The Watch at length came, and proceeding up stairs, joined the young man in demanding entrance, which to a legal claimant was granted. The sight of the lady produced an instant eclaircissement among the perturbed parties, and infinite apologies from the mistaken invader. DISCOVERY RESPECTING THE FROG. In the summer of last year, I was invited by a friend to walk in his garden, to view a bed of tulips; and while making my remarks on the grand variety, a very fine frog leaped across the path I stood upon, and as I was always an admirer of nature, I watched it under a gooseberry bash, where there happened to lie a large leaf of a tulip; the frog immediately mounted on the highest part of the leaf, and placing himself in a very erect position, locking most attentively up into the bush, remained in this attitude at least ten minutes without moving the breadth of a hair. I called my friend to come and observe, as well as myself, and he advanced to look for the supposed object of the frog's attention. At that moment the frog made a spring up under the bush, and brought down a quantity of caterpillars, and devoured them with the greatest rapidity; nor was he the least alarmed at our standing so near him, as he immediately returned to the same spot as before, and as many times repeated the attack with the same success. As the caterpillars bung in small clusters, he never brought down less than from five to eight a time, and then picked them up from the ground as quick as fowls pick up corn.-After swallowing them, From the common-place book of a Clergyman who flourished in Lancashire at the beginning of the 18th century. Divisions ended by this rule :-Sit in necessariis unitas, in non necessariis libertas; in utrisque charitas. having gone through the first course and Duty's our's, event's God's; ye devil couzens us of all our time, by couzening us of our present time. Durham, Deira, Deirham. approved, here follows the second. 13. Describe the particular ceremony performed on ship board, upon crossing the Line, and state whether a pound of tar or a pound of feathers possesses the greater portion of electricity? 14. Draw a parallel between the following:-Crib and Penn--Grimaldi and Milton--Homer and Ben Johnson-Quevedo and Baxter.-Furnish a dissertation on Clubs, without borrowing from "A Man U Ensis," Translate the term "one of the fancy" into Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Dutch, French, Scotch, Irish and Welsh? In some respects La Fontaine was not unlike Oliver Goldsmith; both were forgetful, generous, unaffected. The French poet almost forgot that he had a wife; and when his friends told him that it was a shame to absent himself from so worthy a lady, he set out for her abode. The servant not knowing him, said she was gone to church; upon which he returned to Paris; and when his friends enquired about his proceeding, he answered, that he had been to see his wife, but was told she was at church!-Being one day at a house, his son came in :-not having seen him for a little time, he did not know the youth again, but remarked to some of the company, that he thought him a boy of parts and spirit. He was told that this promising lad was his own son to which he answered, 15. State the difference between Coat and Coatee"Ha! truly I'm glad on't!"-In company he made Surtout (not the heraldic) and Benjamin-Gallowses no figure. He had been invited to the house of " a and Braces-Hessians and Wellingtons, and the person of distinction," for the more elegant enter-height of St. Mary's Spire when it is took down, tainment of the guests; but though he ate very heartily, not a word could be got from him. And when, rising from table soon after dinner, on pretence of going to the academy, he was told he would be too soon, "Oh then," said he, "I'll take the longest way."-Being one day at a tedious church service, Racine, seeing he was weary, put a bible into his hands. Fontaine happening to open it at the prayer of the Jews in Baruch, read it over with much admiration, and observed to Racine, "This Baruch is a fine writer do you know any thing of him?"-In a company of Ecclesiastics, he one day asked whether they thought St. Austin had more wit than Rabelais? -The Reverend Doctor, somewhat amazed at such a question in such a company, observed, "You have put on one of your stockings the wrong side outwards:" which was the fact!-On his death-bed, his old nurse, seeing the priest was much troubled about him, said, "Good Sir, don't disturb him soo-God won't have the heart to condemn him." SCENERY. It has been a question of much literary controversy, whether, in our ancient theatres, there were side and other scenes. The question is involved in so much obscurity, that it is difficult to decide upon it. In Shakspeare's time, the want of scenery seems to have been supplied by the simple expedient of writing the names of the different places, where the scene was laid in the progress of the play, upon large scrolls, which were disposed in such a manner as to be visible to the audience. In the year 1605, Inigo Jones exhibited an entertainment at Oxford, in which moveable scenes were used; and he appears to have introduced in the masques at court several pieces of machinery, with which the public theatres were then unacquainted, as the mechanism of our ancient stage seldom went beyond a painted chair or a trap door. When King Henry the Eighth is to be discovered by the Dukes of Suffolk and Norfolk reading in his study, the scenical direction in the first folio edition of Shakspeare's plays, printed in 1628, apparently from playhouse copies, is the King draws the curtain, and sits reading pensively;" for besides the principal curtains that hung in front of the stage, they used others as substitutes for scenes. If a bedchamber was to be exhibited, no change of scene was mentioned; but the property-man was simply ordered to thrust forth a bed. When the fable required the Roman capitol to be exhibited, two officers entered, "to lay cushions, as it were, in the capitol." On the whole it appears, that our ancient theatres in general were only furnished with curtains, which opened in the middle, and were drawn backwards and forwards on an iron rod, and a single taking the observation from "George's Bar at mid- 16. Enumerate the living Artists of the town, with 17. Astronomy being most essential, of all the arts and sciences, state at what time Venus is eclipsed, and where she goes when she is neither a morning nor an evening star. Give an account how many moons have waned since the creation, according to all the different Chronological Writers-and prove the materials Jupiter's belt is composed of, and whether it was wove seamless, or put together in shreds and scraps. 18. Scan Edmund's Poem of the "Curses of Wedlock," and state in what style of poetry it is written, and where its chief beauties lie? 19. Prove that Sheldon did not first find out the mode of precipitating a clear red lake from Madder, it having been found more than 12 years ago, by a living artist, who goes to George's-and make manifest that a coat of arms can be blazoned better in Latin than French, and may be done into king's English if required what is amo in English, and domini in Latin? 20. Give Biographical sketches of Dee and Faustus-Britton and Honeyman-Dancer and Elwes, and all female characters, remarkable for prating, &c. Furnish a criticism on Richard Burlesqued? 21. Mention how long since there was a ducking stool in Manchester, and who was it last that underwent the operation-state the difference between dipping and ducking. 22. Who was Dr. Gall, and what is "the Spirit of the Doctor?" What power has an old horse-shoe against witchcraft-and state whether gas is procured more by the aid of Satan or black diamond Genii? 23. Demonstrate, by example, the most polite method of making a bow to a lady, when you are too tight laced, and shew the best way of winking at things with your eyes wide open? Lastly. What is the art of pleasing?-What is the greatest recommendation for a villain receiving justice?-Whether fire, water, or the sword is the most pleasant when one is in jeopardy, and what is the reason that all crooked lines are not straight? These being duly answered without hesitation or evasion, suiting the action to the word, and the word to the action, will entitle the respondent to his diploma. St. Dunstan's harp fast by a wall Drexelius says, all yt we can say of Eternity is still less then it is. Despair will force restitution, when true repentance Difficile est orare, quia difficile est desiderare.— Death of that person not worth a tear, whose life is Drones flie about more hastily than bees, but they Difficilia pulchra.-Things hard are excellent. Dives eram dudum, me fecerunt tria nudum. Alea, Vina, Venus, tribus his sum factus egenus. Dives lived a life of pleasure, his life was a conti- roast meat. Difference in opinion should not divide our affection. When ye Dean is away, ye kirk will be better. Under which wrote ye Dr If I knew who wrote these verses in a bravery Dum alius solvit, alius solvitur. Derby ale inferior to none. Drunkard's lose reason gain Phancy;- - Judgment POLYHYMNIA BY JAMES MONTGOMERY.* Ir can no longer be a complaint of this age that English songs, without their music, are senseless and inanimate things; for within a very short period of time, the most celebrated of our poets have contributed to this delightful species of poetry; and a young lady at her piano may with the turning over but few leaves chuse for her voice a song of Moore's, or Byron's, or W. Scott's, or Campbell's. To be sure, Moore's morality and Byron's piety are two for a pair-but in the light Scotch words of the two latter, there is all that is unexceptionable; and even in the two former, a want of meaning is certainly their last sin. It is with very sincere pleasure that we can now add the name of Montgomery to those of the illustrious lyrists we have just mentioned; and who that has read the Wanderer of Switzerland and the minor pieces of this poet, can for a moment doubt his power to be great in song? The present little work is composed of seven very beautiful songs written to foreign airs, and as we have the author's permission to publish them, we shall take them at his word, and let them assert their own beauty-certainly, to our taste, they have that exquisite union of tenderness, melancholy, and truth, which makes a good song perfect. The first piece is entitled Reminiscence; it is exceedingly plaintive and unaffectedly pa thetic. REMINISCENSE. Where are ye with whom in life I started, Where is she, whose looks were love and gladness? She is gone, and since that hour of sadness Where am I? life's current faintly flowing, The air is remarkable for sweetness and pathos. The accompaniment presents only chords repeated in regular succession, supporting but not disturbing the voice, while the short symphonies are full of expressiveness. Youth, Manhood, and Age, the next piece, is of another character; and though one in which the author is eminently successful, perhaps it is not the most fitted for song. YOUTH, MANHOOD, AND AGE. Youth, ah! youth, to thee in life's gay morning, Conquers all things; all things yield to love. • Polybymnia, or Select Airs of celebrated Foreign Com. posers, adapted to English Words, written expressly for this Work, by James Montgomery. The Music arranged by C. P. Hasse. Time, swift Tine, from years their motion stealing, Tinges 'fancy's fairy dreams with thought; from its tone of deep feeling by an accompa simplicity, and expression; mixing, however, The War Song is remarkable for strength, no small portion of melody with its more animating qualities. The symphonies and accoinpaniments are characteristically plain. WAR SONG. Heaven speed the righteous sword, Invokes her sons to war; On, to the combat, on! O, Liberty! thy form Shines through the battle-storm; Let justice win the day! Meet Again, is the subject of all subjects for music. It is almost a song that sings of itself! MEET AGAIN. Joyful words, we meet again! Love's own language comfort darting Through the souls of friends at parting; Life in death to meet again! While we walk this vale of tears, Compass'd round with care and sorrow, Gloom to-day and storm to-morrow, "Meet again" our bosom cheers. Joyful words, &c. Far in exile, when we roam, O'er our lost endearments weeping, When this weary world is past, "Meet again" in heaven at last : Joyful words, &c. There is an admirable spirit and beauty in the following. VIA CRUCIS, VIA LUCIS. Night turns to day, when sullen darkness lowers, Cheer up, cheer up; the voice of wild commotion War ends in peace; though dread artill'ry rattle, Cheer up, cheer up; grey twilight cool and fleeting, Wafts on its wing the hour of rest. Death springs to life, though sad and brief thy story, The music is of an intense but darker character in its opening; the reverse of the movement of which Meet Again consists. This air has a similar, but more marked division. Here also the composer, or the adapter, has shown his knowledge of effect in the accompaniment. The home truth of The Pilgrimage, which follows, is delightful. We could wish that English songs should be distinguished by, and valued for, this character. THE PILGRIMAGE OF LIFE. How blest the pilgrim who in trouble Or talks by moonlight through the groves; In good old age serenely dying, When all he lov'd forsakes his view, It is a bass sostenuto song, expressive and elegant. The passages are cast into the best parts of the voice. It reminds us of the Qui sdegno of Mozart, though the resemblance is in the style, not in the melody. There is a second part for two tenors, which adds a variety to its intrinsic beauty. The last piece, Aspirations of Youth, is the call of Genius to Glory, which can only be truly heard through the air of poetry. With This is set for three voices, with a solo, and infinite spirit and truth is combined a feeling a return to the trio. which carries the invocation to the heart. We |