that they should say their catechism and submit themselves to all in authority over them; but that, reader, you know, has little to do with thinking. To call the proposed work "vulgar errors" would, indeed, be a double misnomer; for, first, such a work should not treat so much of the errors of the vulgar, as of the more profitable dogmas, "which taken at the tide lead on to fortune:" and secondly, the errors of the great are not errors at all, but durante bene placito good and lawful truths, and a legal tender in all societies and upon all occasions, which it is highly penal to refuse, until, being discarded as no longer serviceable or modish, they are consigned to the gentlemen of the second table, along with the cast suits of the corporeal wardrobe. To treat the matter, indeed, logically, it is not quatenus truth or error, but quatenus fashionable or heterodox, that an opinion is important. Although, therefore, it is scarcely possible to treat of the "quid verum atque decens," the loyal, proper, and decent opinions, which it is right that "all Christian men" should maintain, without hinting, at least exclusive, at what is the contrary, yet (as the Jansenist priest said of the belief in a Deity) cela n'est pas l'essentiel, and it would be wrong to put this part of the subject too forward. Rather let the publisher and his friends endeavour after a more taking title, such, for instance, as (a Greek name always does well)" The Court Noometer, or Pantisocratic view of men and things," "The intellectual Diorama for the year 18—,” “The Laureate's directory, or Church and State manuel ;" which are all in their way as good as "Highways and Byways," or the cramped grimgribber of the Northern "secondary novelists," which have all succeeded so admirably in catching the eye of the public. Next, as to the choice of an Editor. This, indeed, is a grave matter, and not lightly to be determined upon. The personage in question should possess no ordinary tact, and no trifling experience, to perform his functions creditably and beneficially; especially in these latter times, when unanimity is no longer deemed essential to the management of state affairs. Orthodoxy, said a wag, is my doxy; and Heterodoxy another man's doxy; but now-a-days there are so many standard-bearers whose my is worthy of consideration, that the case is by no means so simple. Who, for instance, can say from authority, whether the Lord Chancellor's doxy or Mr. Canning's is the orthodoxy of the day; whether Lord Liverpool's or Mr. Robinson's political economy are most in vogue "in the highest quarter;" or whether Mr. Plunkett's or Mr. Peel's church polity is the sound doctrine of the current year? Then if we consult the ministerial journals to guide our researches, "nil fuit unquam tam dispar sibi." The best way would be to get an Editor appointed in Downing-street; but if that cannot be done, the writer of the court-journals, or the Attorney-general for the time being, might be depended upon as safe men. Another important consideration regards the periods of publication. On account of the Court Calendar, I should prefer an annual appearance; but it may be doubted whether quarterly or monthly publications would not better meet the public demand. Of late, the fluctuations of opinion have been very rapid; and state orthodoxy has changed its tone as often, and by as abrupt dieses, as if government were one of Beethoven's concertos. On this point, however, experience is the best guide; and there is no reason why a shorter period should not be adopted for this, no less than for the other periodical disseminators of "sound learning and religious education." The most important part of the work, for consultation, would be the Historical Register, which should notice the slightest changes of shading in the current orthodoxy, and should be followed by an ample obituary of all principles and opinions defunct since the publication of the last In the historical register the subjects should be separately classed; for which purpose the following may serve as a precedent :POLITICS.-Since the publication of our last, none of "the lights of the land" have been extinguished, and no rising young statesman has appeared on the horizon. Legitimacy, however, is two per cent. on the decline. They talk more of civil liberty and of British commerce, of late; and it is less disloyal to speak ill of the Holy Alliance. The reform question much the same as at the last quotation. The currency question gone ad plures.-N. B. The tread-mill is for the present an wholesome exercise, and bread and water a sufficient diet for untried prisoners. RELIGION. SAINTSHIP daily acquires vogue: "there must be something in it when great men's butlers look grave." The Hatton-garden Chapel looks downwards. Greek independence has positively nothing to do with Christianity, there being (as the licensers of the Koran long ago determined) nothing in that book contrary to the doctrine and discipline of the Catholic Church. Prince Hohenlohe a puzzle to some leading personages. Might not miracles be introduced to protect the establishment against innovators in matters of tithe? Catholic emancipation, see Obituary. LITERATURE.-Las Cases' Journal very interesting, and Napoleon, like his great ally, not quite so bad as he has been painted. The Journey to Brussels a striking portrait of its royal author. The Scotch novels just hold their own-the market overstocked. The Lakers, see Obituary. The three unities spoken slightingly of in some French circles. The Literary Society in growing disrepute abroad and at home. New Monthly Magazine universally approved. MISCELLANEOUS.-Tom and Jerry put down by acclamation. Gambling no longer a Christian virtue. Slave-trade discussions, for the present, are to be taken as the infallible occasions of Black insurrections. Natural infirmities during the ensuing winter will be deemed sufficient causes for penal inflictions. Horses the best actors; and real water and real fire are the only approximations to the truth of Nature, which should be encouraged on the stage. N. B. Mr. Larpent, a better judge of tragedy than Aristotle. Religious steam-boats ought to be exempted from the searches of custom-house officers; as smuggling is no bar to sanctity, and piety and prudence are by no means incompatibles. In the present state of literary adventure it is not necessary to add more in the way of illustration. A hint is sufficient to the wise. That the speculation would succeed, hardly admits of doubt. There are so many points on which the best judges know not what to think, that I should not despair of seeing bishops and cabinet councillors becoming subscribers. If the publisher played his cards tolerably well, his book would be distributed by the Tract Societies, and whole editions would be disseminated for the edification of the poor. The aphorisms and maxims of the volume, as they stand, would form a proper supplement to "the Whole Duty of Man ;" and, turned into dialogue, or dramatized into a story, they would be rendered fit accompaniments for "Sinful Sally," "Poor Joseph," and the unfortunate Footman of Mr. and Mrs. Fantom, the philosophers. To maiden members of the House of Commons the volume would be indispensable; and I would not advise any one to stand candidate for F.R.S. or F.S.A. without first duly studying its pages. In the two Universities it would become a necessary adjunct to the College courses; and its introduction would afford a fit opportunity for following the example of Trinity College, Dublin, by banishing from the lecture-room the dangerous and schismatic writings of Locke. You will, therefore, Mr. Editor, be pleased to submit this paper to Mr. Colburn; and if his hands are too full to embark in the concern, you will give it publicity for the benefit of the trade, by an insertion in some early number of the New Monthly Magazine. M. TO TIME. WILT thou not leave a single charm The soul that kindled up her cheek, She doted on, blest heaven! for me,- With maiden grace and dignity,— That soul thou shalt not, canst not, claim; Of feeling, shone throughout her frame, Back to the heart from whence it came; For, though thou seizest as thine own PYRAMUS AND THISBE. A BALLAD. PYRAMUS and Thisbe, of dashing renown, They had vow'd love eternal-squeezed hands at Almack's, Ah, but Love is like steam in an engine, inclined So to watch them with house-maids and valet de shams, Love-letters between them in walnut-shells pass'd, Tears and rummaging trunks! till the young folks up-stairs 'Twas a harsh step, no doubt, that the homes of their sires But the Habeas Corpus had just been put down, For a writ 'gainst their wrongous imprisonment. Night came and no nightingale sang o'er their heads, At last, like old Bajazet, rising in rage, And resolved with his brains to bespatter his cage, The Lady at first, you may guess, got a shock, Like a thief on the pillory hanging his phiz ;- "Lord," she cried, " what a charming adventure! "Yet oh, Mister Pyramus, dearest of lambs, What a blow for your skull! 'twould have broken a ram's ; "No, no, sweetest Thisbe, sit down tête à tête, And a smack from your lips for the smack on my pate Now to paint all the kissing and holey delights Might, perhaps, seem to some folks improper; And the youth hung his old flannel wrapper. Thus woo'd they in attics-but somehow their taste All things being managed by means of a nurse, Little Thisbe one moon-shiny morning at three Half a mile out of town for their journey. Now here let me state, (for in matters of fact But to follow my story-conceive her despair Not a pair, nor a post-chaise to drive them from town, While thus in the coach-yard bewailing her pickle, Outsprang a chain'd mastiff-affrighted she ran, Poor pug was soon eat up, and so would the muff, But 'twas torn and the spot was still bloody, All was hush'd (for the dog having sated his maw, When Pyramus halloo'd out, "There lies Both the blood and the muff of my mistress so sweet!"- A groom on a bulk, who had during the death He was ready to make affidavy. |