could not believe in the good faith of a prince educated with the opinion that he was superior to other men. She maintained that they were dupes, and the most satisfactory assurances were, with her, only snares. Servan, who had a sombre character, and the most splenetic pride, appeared to her energetic and incorruptible; she mistook his passions for elevation of mind, and his hatred of the court for republican virtue. Louvet, who had the same prejudices, became her hero. He had, it is true, wit, courage, and vivacity; but I am surprised how a virtuous woman could look upon the author of 'Faublas' as a severe republican. Madame Roland excused every fault in those who declaimed against courtiers, and believed that virtue was confined to hovels. She exalted very mediocre personages, such as Lanthenas and Pache, merely because they were of this opinion. I confess that all this was anything but attractive in my estimation; and it prevented me from cultivating an intimacy, which I should have sought with eagerness, had I then known her as well as I did after her death. "Her personal memoirs are admirable. They are an imitation of Rousseau's Confessions, and often worthy of the original. She exposes her innermost thoughts, and describes herself with a truth and force not to be found in any other work of the same description. A more extensive knowledge of the world was wanting to her intellectual developement, and perhaps a more intimate acquaintance with men of sounder judgment than her own. None of those who visited her were raised above vulgar prejudices; she was always, therefore, encouraged in a disbelief of the possibility of an alliance between monarchy and freedom. She looked upon a king with the same horror as Mrs. Macaulay, whom she considered as a being superior to her sex. Had Madame Roland been able to communicate to her party her own intrepidity and strength of mind, royalty would have been overthrown, but the jacobins would not have triumphed." To many the corrections which he gives, and the lights which he lets in on the darkness of other accounts, will be recommendation enough: we will leave these as we find them, and direct the reader's regard to the descriptions which Mr. Maw gives of the country which he helped to invade the character of the enemy, and their resources, both by water and land. All who know aught of warfare in the East have heard of stockades often raised by the Burmans during a single -a kind of rude fortress formed of palisades, night, and from which it required both skill and valour to dislodge them; but perhaps few have heard in what manner, and by what means, they were constructed: "The Burmese stockades, respecting which so much has been said, whilst so little appears generally to be known, varied from little more than breastworks to fortifications fifteen feet high, and which our shot frequently could not breach. "When a bamboo stockade was to be erected, Memoir of the early Operations of the Bur-higher row, thus forming port holes above the lower row, through which the garrison could over the vertical ends, and the whole addition- "When the bamboo work was finished, or with their leaves, were built round the stockade inside the trench, so that the men lived at their posts. A Pagoda was frequently enclosed, and placed outside." p. 93–95. We can afford no more room, else we 1 Remarks on the Use and Abuse of some We "Seal up the mouth of outrage for awhile, The Philological Museum, Nos. I. and II. 1832. Cambridge, Deightons; London, Rivingtons; Oxford, Parker. THE application of philology to the discussion of controverted historical topics, though not a novel discovery, was of little practical value until within the last few years. Wolff, Niebuhr, and Müller, have taken the lead in exhibiting the great assistance of philology to the historical critic; and their example has stimulated the German scholars to similar exertions, and has not been wholly uninfluential in this country. But at the present moment, when schedules A and Bare of more importance than all the letters of all the ancient alphabets, it is scarcely possible to abstract our minds sufficiently from the turmoil around us, and enter into such minute dis History of the Jews in all Ages. By the Author of History in all Ages.' London, Hamilton & Adams: Leeds, Knight. THIS work is "printed for the proprietors of publications on Christian Principles," and seems a calm and considerate compilation from Scripture and other works, authentic, if not inspired. We are not sure of the propriety of commencing the history of the chosen people sooner than the call of Abraham, for we hold that any of the heathen nations of old have an equal claim with the Jews in placing Adam and his immediate descendants at the head of their annals. This is at all events to begin with the beginning: and if it be right to commence so early, there can be no doubt of the propriety of coming down to the present time: for, though scattered abroad in all countries, the broken remnant of Israel is numerous and wealthy, and may become a great nation yet. We will not pretend to say, that we have gone carefully and circumspectly through this work, comparing it as we went with the authorities on which it is founded: we have, however, examined the author's narrative of many of the material events, and can report him faithful and prudent. We wish, however, that he had taken the simplicity of Scripture more for his model, Questions on Adam's Roman Antiquities. Oxford; Slatter. London; Whittaker & Co. THE 'Roman Antiquities,' like the other works of Dr. Adam, contains an immense mass of valuable information, wretchedly arranged, and related in a harsh and inelegant style. But, as it is the best book on the subject in our language, it holds a distinguished place in the library of every classical student. These Questions must be useful to those who wish to ascertain the extent of their information, on the topics discussed by Dr. Adam; they are drawn up with great care, and show that the author is well acquainted with the subject. A Concise and Comprehensive Grammar of the French Language. Ry J. R. L. Rubattel. London, 1881. Westley & Davis. Six years ago, Messrs. Noel and Chaptal's 'Concise French Grammar,' an elementary work used by order of the French University in most schools in France, was introduced into England. It was successful; but, being written in French, was troublesome to the English student. Since then, a compilation, accompanied with some good exercises, has been made by M. de Porquet, and this little work is now in its fourth edition. M. Rubattel's Grammar is meant to serve the same purpose, but is inferior in point of clearness and classification. It may, however be useful in the hands of teachers who do not dislike the subdivisions; and there are some good lessons on pronunciation, and a selection of exercises on all the rules in the Grammar. To the Editor of the Athenæum. SIR, In addition to the notice given in one of your late numbers, of the Rev. George Crabbe, I shall transcribe for your information an account of his first coming to London, "full of youth and hope," and the distress in which he was involved in consequence of it, from a work of merit, Prior's Life of Burke.' It is rather singular that this book itself gives no clue to those not conversant in literary history, who is meant in relating the anecdote: delicacy to a living person was, I presume, the motive; but having heard some of the circumstances more than thirty years ago, I knew at once the nameless individual aimed at, though there is nothing discreditable, it is to be hoped, in his having once been poor. The letter which he wrote to Mr. Burke on that occasion was still in existence at the time of which I speak, and seems, from the minuteness of the details, which were then familiar to me, to have been seen by Mr. Prior. "It was about this period (1781) that the kindly feelings of Mr. Burke were appealed to by a young and friendless literary adventurer, subsequently an eminent poet, whose name on the present occasion it is unnecessary to mention, who, buoyed up with the praises his verses had received in the country, and the hope of bettering his fortune by them in London, had adventured on the journey thither, with scarcely a friend or even acquaintance who could be useful to him, and with no more than three pounds in his pocket. This trifle being soon expended, the deepest distress awaited him. Of all hopes from literature he was speedily disabused: there was no imposing name to recommend his little volume, and an attempt to bring it out himself only involved him more deeply in difficulties. The printer, it appeared, had deceived him, and the press was at a stand from the want of that potent stimulus to action which puts so much of the world in motion. "Hearing, however, or knowing something of an opulent peer, then in London, who had a summer residence in his native county, he proposed to dedicate to him this little volume, and the offer was accepted; but, on requesting a very small sum of money to enable him to usher it into the world, received no answer to his application. His situation became now most painful; he was not merely in want, but in debt; he had applied to his friends in the country, but they could render him no assistance. His poverty had become obvious, he said, to the persons with whom he resided, and no further indulgence could be expected from them; he had given a bill for part of his debt, which if not paid within the following week, he was threatened with a prison; he had not a friend in the world to whom he could apply; despair, he added, awaited him whichever way he turned. directed him to venture on an application to "In this extremity of destitution, Providence Mr. Burke. He had not the slightest knowledge of that gentleman other than common fame bestowed no introduction but his own letter stating these circumstances:-no recommendation but his distress; but, in the words he used in the letter, "hearing that he was a good man, and presuming to think him a great one," he applied to him, and, as it proved, with a degree of success far beyond any possible expectations he could form. Mr. Burke, with scanty means himself, and unbribed by a dedication, did that which the opulent peer declined to do with it; but this was not all; for he gave the young poet his friendship, criticism, and advice, sent some part of his family round to their friends to collect subscriptions for his work, introduced him to some of the first men in the country, and very speedily became the means of pushing him on to fame and fortune." In addition to this account, it may be stated, that through Burke he became known to Fox, Reynolds, and, by the recommendation of the former, to Johnson; by Mr. Burke also it was recommended to him to quit the medical profession and study for the Church; advice which, it is unnecessary here to say, he adopted. I have heard something like ingratitude laid to his charge, in the fact, that he never, from 1781 to 1810, or thereabouts, paid any tribute to the memory of Burke in any of his works, in dread of giving offence to the ultra whig party, and that then he gave loose to his feelings when Fox was no longer alive. This is a very illiberal, and, I believe, unjust, interpretation of his silence. The fact, I imagine, is, but in this you can correct me if wrong, that he published no work between the dates in question (or at least between 1783 and 1810), or none in which the tribute of gratitude could properly be introduced. I am, Sir, FRANCONIAN PROVERBS. [FROM THE GERMAN.] Nor linen, maid, or money try, Unless there's daylight in the sky. Mishap rides up in spur and boot, And always slinks away on foot. Be the diamond e'er so fine, It may not without tinsel shine. In culprit's house, thou shalt not hope, To win thy suit, by talk of rope. Much cumbers us a flowing dress; Much cumbers wealth our happiness. Who far away from wife shall roam, Or starts a cheat, or brings one home. He, that's a good roof o'er his head, He, that is prompt to pay a bill, If you would gently sink to rest, OUR WEEKLY GOSSIP ON LITERATURE WHAT! more of Byron? No poet of these latter days has been so bewritten and bepainted; we have him in memoirs and conversations, and criticisms and sermons; and we have the scenes which he describes and the glowing images in which his muse deals, embodied by the pencil and secured by the graver, in all styles and shapes and sizes. We imagined that the monthly volumes and embellishments, now issuing from Albemarle Street, together with the Illustrations manufacturing by the Findens, would have appeased, at least, the public appetite : it is not thought so, for we have a promise of a series of Historic Embellishments from Messrs. Smith & Elder, of Cornhill, in the following words : "The glorious imaginings,' which the mind of Byron alone could conceive, are yet to be embodied to the eye of his admirers, by the aid of graphical illustrations. "It is the confessedly ambitious design of the Proprietors of the present work, to supply a deficiency which is alike the occasion of surprise and concern. They boldly declare their conviction of the inadequacy of all previous attempts to depict the characters which the Muse of Byron has summoned into existence; and they invite the patronage of the Public to a proposed connected Series of Illustrations of the Works of Lord Byron, which shall be worthy of the fame of the Poet, and which shall challenge the admiration of the refined and fastidious taste of the present age." It will be no easy matter, we fear, to find artists who can work up to the promise of such a prospectus-it would have been as well to have given the names of the painters: to paint in the spirit of Byron's poetry, will be found no easy thing to the most accomplished. exhibited in Somerset House. Another sta- | Stanfield and Roberts have received com- The eldest son of Mr. George Cooke, whose Views on the Thames we some time since noticed, is, we hear, occupied in taking sketches of Old London Bridge, and a series of etchings of the more interesting subjects will shortly appear. It was gratifying to us to observe, at the Artists and Amateurs' Conversazione, on Wednesday last, that the hints we threw out to the professional members had not been without the desired effect for seldom has there been a more rich or brilliant display of works than on that evening. Especial thanks are due to Mr. F. C. Lewis, Mr. Holland, Mr. Bass, and Mr. Ince, for portfolios of clever works-nor less to Mr. Boxall, for a beautiful head of a Young Girl smelling at a jessamine flower-full of simplicity and truth, and most beautifully coloured. A picture by Mr. J. W. Wright was also greatly admired, not less for the composition than its powerful colouring. Poor Bonington's last production of Henry III. receiving the and this single specimen was thought by Spanish Ambassador,' was also in the room, many as sufficient to stamp him an historical painter. There was also a small portfolio of his sketches in pencil, from statues and antiquities in Normandy, of equal interest and beauty. Mr. Hart, Mr. David Roberts, Mrs. Carpenter, and many others, kindly sent works for exhibition. The anniversary dinner of the Royal Society of Musicans, at the Freemasons' Tavern, on Monday, went off with éclat. Lord Burghersh presided, and presented a handsome donation from the Duchess of Kent. and trombones, it is rather difficult; and these instruments are not all of them in efficient hands! SCIENTIFIC AND LITERARY ROYAL SOCIETY. March 8.-Dr. W. G. Maton, Vice President, in the chair. Dr. Marshall Hall's paper On the Ratio which subsists between Respiration and Irritability, in the Animal Kingdom, and on Hybernation,' was concluded. The Honourable William Francis Spencer Ponsonby was admitted a Fellow. LINNEAN SOCIETY. March 6th.-A. B. Lambert, Esq., in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Don Beneto Ordaz, of Albany Street, Regent's Park, Francis Walker, Esq., of Southgate, and Mr. Jacob Bell, of Oxford Street, were elected Fellows of the Society. A paper, by Mr. David Don, librarian, on various new species of Compositæ, was read by the Secretary. These descriptions were intended as supplementary to a former paper on the same subject, already printed in the Transactions of the Linnæan Society. The new species had been supplied to the author from the collection of Dr. Gillies, made during his residence near the Chilian Andes; and in part also by Hugħ Cuming, Esq., who has lately returned to this country from South America, with a very large and valuable collection in several departments of Natural History. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. March 6.-The method pursued in the garden of the Society, in the cultivation of tobacco, for the purposes for which so much is consumed, in large garden establishments, formed the subject of the paper read this day. Specimens of the tobacco were exhibited, and bore evidence of the great success which had attended the process of curing it. the Sandwich Islands, was the sort subjected A very largeleaved variety of the Virginian, obtained from to the experiment, and was described as being equally as good as that imported from America. In the exhibition, we observed, flowers of Gloxinia candida, and of Echeveria gibbiflora. There was also some remarkably good coffee, in all its states, from the fruit on the tree, to its ultimate preparation; and some fruit of the allspice (myrtus pimenta), apparently of excellent quality, from the stoves at Combe Ab bey, near Coventry. Cuttings of esteemed pears, and of a very sweet red currant, were distributed among the members. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. A. W. Schlegel, perhaps the most illus- The monumental groupe by Chantrey, in memory of Bishop Heber, has arrived at Madras. The same artist has just finished a statue of Canning for the city of Liverpool; it is a work of much elegance and ease, and the likeness is perfect; it will probably be ↑ A German Critical Journal, so called. they are seeking abroad for novelty! Mad. Puzzi re-appears this evening in 'Pietro l'Eremita,' alias Mosé in Egitto.' The whole of the first scene in this fine opera leaves Rossini's imitators at an immeasurable distance! We have never yet heard the THURSD. FRIDAY, SATURD. Royal Society Royal Institution p. 8, г.M. . p. 7, P.M. .. p. 8, P.M. .Eight, P.M. ... p. 8, P.M. Royal Asiatic Society........Two, P.M. LONDON UNIVERSITY. from attending the Annual General Meeting of We regret we were prevented by accident the proprietors. The report read is considered more than usually satisfactory; the most rigid economy has been introduced into every department, and the calculated annual receipts are now, within a few pounds, equal to the annual expenditure. The meeting adjourned until the following Saturday, when the new plan of management was submitted to the proprietors, and it was unanimously resolved that the Council, on their election, shall forthwith choose seven out of their body, who shall form a Committee of Management, and of whom three shall be a quorum-and, further, after some conversation, that a senatus academicus is desirable, and that the Council, in conjunction with the Professors, be empowered to form one." The Council were further empowered to raise 70007., by mortgage, for the erection of an hospital. FINE ARTS ing for his prey. We consider the Water-colour Gallery to be one of the best of this kind of publication. Kate is Crazed. Painted by R. Westall, R.A., and drawn on stone by Henry Wilkin. WE wish Mr. Wilkin would copy a more natural painter than Westall; and the reason we wish this is, he copies with elegance aud accuracy. The mad girl of this lithograph, is not the gentle creature drawn so exquisitely by Cowper, but one crazed on the Westall principle-still, as Westall is admired, we think the beauty of the lithograph, and the fame of the artist, may help the work to a deservedly extensive sale. Lady George Booth. Engraved by J. Thomson, from a miniature by A. Robertson, Esq., for 'La Belle Assemblée.' ROBERTSON stands at the head of our miniature painters, and the general air, and gentle and dignified look of this lady, will bear out our assertion. The hair, of which she has a profusion, is much too sharp and wiry for our taste; and, though we never saw the living original, we are quite sure, that eyes such as these before us, could never be coupled with such whalebone tresses as find their way about her waist and Select Specimens of the Edifices of Palladio; consisting of Plans, Sections, and Elevations; with Details of Four of his most admired Buildings at Vicenza. From Drawings and Measurements by F. Arundale. Published by the Author; and sold by J. Taylor. THIS is at once an elegant and useful work, as well deserving the attention of the professional part of the public, and of the students and admirers of Palladio, as to ornament the cabinet and the library. It embraces a life of the celebrated architect, from the Italian of Milizia, and twelve views of his most popular and highly-shoulders. finished works, with ground plans, and a description of each edifice. These buildings consist of the far-famed Olympic Theatre, the Palazzo Chiericati, the Screen of the Salla della Ragione, and the Villa Capra. In a very interesting introduction to his work, Mr. Arundale takes occasion to explain the particular object and utility of the present work, and to refer to the most distinguished of our English architects, who have been all more or less indebted to a study of Palladian architecture for the pre-eminence and reputation which they subsequently attained. He traces, likewise, the progress of architecture in Italy, from its earliest stage to the period of its meridian splendour, in the age of Michael Angelo; and, in the whole of his remarks, Mr. Arundale evinces both the spirit of the enthusiast for his art, and the sedulous and active inquirer into every branch connected with his profession. In the eyes of that profession, as well as of all admirers of the works of Palladio, the style and manner in which he has produced the specimens before us, must tend to create a very favourable idea of his talents, and of the laudable way in which he employed his time and attention, during several years' residence on the continent. Gallery of the Society of Painters in Water-colours. MUSIC KING'S THEATRE. ་ 'Elisa e Claudio' was repeated on Saturday, in a very mutilated state. L'Esule di Roma,' a pasticcio, by Donizetti, Costa, Pacini, preceded by a good but inappropriate Overture, by Monck Mason, was on Tuesday night consigned to the care of the Neapolitan ambassador, to be sent home in the first bag, as unprofitable material. CONCERTS OF ANTIENT MUSIC. It was early in the reign, and under the especial patronage, of George the Third, that these Concerts were first established; and such was the zeal of his Majesty, that he scarcely ever failed to be present, accompanied by the Queen, the royal family, and the whole cortège of the court. Influenced by the noble example of royalty, the list of subscribers soon included the names of the more illustrious of our country; and the tone and feeling thus given has continued to the present hour. Of the great musical establishments-the Opera, the Philharmonic, and the Antient Concerts-the latter has the singular advantage of receiving the sanction and support of the episcopal and wealthy clergy-many of whom are among the most ardent admirers of that Music, which, though wanting perhaps something of external rites and pompous ceremonies for the full effect of its powers, yet cannot fail, even in the concert-room, to awaken deep and religious feelings. We are of opinion that these Concerts have had a more extensive and beneficial influence than may at first be imagined; and possibly to their establishment we may trace the many noble and philanthropical Festivals, which are now held regularly in different parts of the king. dom, for charitable purposes. The once flourishing Vocal Concerts afforded the amateur the opportunity of hearing choral music of modern masters-the novelty of which soon found its admirers; but since those Concerts failed, the subscribers have taken refuge at the Antient Concerts, where, however, the everlasting monotony of the pieces selected soon occasioned strange murmurings of discontent and treasonable whisperings-louder demonstrations of disapprobation not being considered decorous. The late respected and talented conduc t tor, Mr.Greatorex, could not have been ignoran of this state of public feeling; but he was one of those least willing to yield anything to the spirit of the age, or to presume to influence the opinions of the noble directors, and exert himself to obtain a partial repeal of those statutes which forbade the performance of any work not sanctioned by the venerable authority of our forgotten grandfathers. At length, however, at the suggestion of the subscribers, or, what might be more influential still, a falling off in the subscriptions, the directors have wisely relaxed, and the names of Mozart and Haydn are now permitted to adorn the Programme, and be associated with those of Handel, Leo, Purcell, Jomelli, Pergolesi, Gluck, Cimarosa, Pallestrina, Sarti, Corelli, &c. The sole management is vested in seven directors, viz., Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Cumberland and Cambridge, the Archbishop of York, Earls Derby, Fortescue, Cawdor, and Lord Burghersh. The Concerts take place every Wednesday, six weeks before and six after titles the subscriber to be present at the reEaster. The subscription (eight guineas) enhearsal, on the Monday preceding the Concert. The music to be performed is selected by one of the seven directors, who usually gives a dinner to his colleagues on the day of the concert, and to which the conductor has the honour of being invited. In the evening, the directors occupy a large space in front of the orchestra, devoted exclusively to their accommodation, and that of their friends. The aristocratic assumption of the whole management-the rigid observance of order and respect in the orchestra-the courteous, but formal dignity of the audience-have an imposing effect, which is also heightened by the spiritual and sublime grandeur of the music. On account of Ash-Wednesday, the first Concert of the present season was given on Thursday last. In musical as well as political matters, his Highness the Duke of Cumberland thinks that the "ancient system works best"; therefore the Programme of the Concert, under his directorship, did not exhibit the " dawn of that new light" which is promised. Miss Stephens, Mrs. Knyvett, Mrs. Bishop, Mad. Puzzi; Messrs. Braham, Vaughan, Sale, Terrail, and H. Phillips, were the principal vocalists, and the performance began with Callcott's Funeral Monody, in compliment to the memory of the deceased conductor. The choir is much stronger in tone, and the choruses were sung with point. The band always goes well, and is the best-disciplined orchestra in London. Of Mr. Knyvett, the conductor, more at a future time. The musical profession has just lost a worthy known, except to his musical brethren. He retired and talented member, in Mr. Eley, a man little from the situation of second violoncello player at the Opera, about ten years ago-but retained, until his death, a similar rank at the Philharmonic and Antient Concerts. He publish ed many useful exercises, studios, and trifling compositions, for various instruments-among the latter was the well-known Duke of York's March.' He was a tolerable performer on several instruments, a thorough musician, and an honourable man. NEW PUBLICATIONS. Select Organ Pieces from the Sacred Works of Mozart, Beethoven, Cherubini, Hummel, Pallestrina, Carrissimi, Clari, Steffani, Leo, Durante, Jomelli, Pergolesi, and other German and Italian Composers. Arranged by V. Novello, No. 18. J. A. Novello. WHAT a title-page! The precocious youths of the Royal Academy of Music ought to feel indebted to Mr. Novello, for reminding them that such musicians once lived. It is seldom, indeed, that such a work dignifies the columns of our musical review; and our ordinary, and often wearisome labour, grows graceful and honourable even in our own sight. These sacred compositions lift up the worldly spirit to the contemplation of those sung before the sapphire-colour'd throne To Him that sits thereon, With saintly shout and solemn jubilee. This number opens with a well-worked Fugue by Adams, on a subject from Mozart's 'Die Entführung aus dem Serail': this is followed by a 'Cum sancto spiritu,' from Mozart's 12th Mass-a majestic Fugue, treated with extraordinary skill, and an abundance of rich harmony and florid counterpoint. The effect of that splendid pedal harmony, page 42, we have often felt at an Oratorio: it is a noble specimen of the resources of science within the power of a Mozart! A biographical notice of Adams, our talented English organist, written by Mr. Novello, is added, and it is equally honourable to both parties. To all admirers of music as a science and an art, we recommend Mr. Novello's 'Selections,' wherein are exhibited the flowing melodies of genius and the skill of learned contrapuntists. The Favourite Shawl Dance, from Auber's 'La Bayadere,' as a Rondo. By H. Herz. La Gaîté. A brilliant Rondo. By Moscheles. Chappell & Co. As a pianoforte writer, adapter, arranger, or deranger, Herz is the most popular of the day, and no other ever pocketed lucre with such easy grace as Mein Herr. Sixty pounds have been given him for a set of quadrilles à quatre mains! In an inverse ratio, as the character of the music is high, so the pay is low; and Herz, being a reputed-talented-parsimonious-Deutsche, prefers siller and light labour to empty fame and empty pockets. The above bagatelle is not so difficult as many by the same author; it requires a finger "leggiero assai," is showy, and suited to the taste of young ladies wishing to exhibit a moderate talent on the pianoforte.--The rondo of Moscheles is an original composition of greater labour, the subject of which is not one of his happiest melodies for the expression of la gaité-it is, like many of the quaint productions of this learned theorist, wanting in that sprightliness which the title promises. In compositions of a higher order, the resources of this clever musician are more advantageously developed. 'La Gaîté,' to a pupil somewhat advanced, will be found more serviceable as a lesson, than captivating as a composition. Soft and bright the gems of night. H. Smart. Number One. A Ballad, written by Thomas THE first of these three ballads is extremely pretty, with a pleasing variety of harmony well put together it is adapted for voices of ordinary compass, and will doubtlessly be a general favourite. Mr. Linley's ballad is too personal to become popular: it would indeed be rather awkward for a swain to declare in the presence of his love, "Oh! my heart, my heart's with charming Ellen Tree!" If Mr. Linley has really expressed his own sentiments, we supplicate The Youthful Queen' to take pity on him "and accept his gems and gold." The music is très ordinaire. We have, it appears, two Number One's. It was the popularity of the words that suggested the idea of setting them to music, and the good word of a critic would be thrown away pon them now. The music is of course a secondary consideration, and should be written for the general compass of all voices, and the simpler the better; for the latter reason we prefer Mr. Blewitt's arrangement. THEATRICALS No new battle has taken place between the rival houses, since our last report. Both have been reposing on the "mystic" laurels they have gathered. There has, however, been some smart puff-skirmishing-with paper-bullets in the bills. In the little affairs between those of Drury Lane and the English, we are sorry to report, the English to have suffered severely, although the bills have decidedly had the worst of it. Two shots have been fired from the Adelphi, and both, we believe with effect. ADELPHI THEATRE. ON Monday last, a new domestic drama in three acts, called 'Forgery; or, the Reading of the Will,' was produced here. Press of other matter drives us into a corner, and we have no space to say more than that, following the example of The Brigand,' 'The Rent Day,'. &c.; one of its attractions consists in clever realizations of well-known pictures-that it has a good story, and some powerful situations, well relieved by the broad comicalities of Mr. Reeve and Mr. Buckstone-that the acting on all hands was excellent, and that the piece wanted nothing but curtailing, which it has since had. At its conclusion, Mr. Buckstone was trotted out to receive the well-meant but senseless clamour of certain weak individuals who mistook themselves for his friends. We trust this fire will be smothered where it broke out. Sensitive persons of talent have already plenty to induce them not to write for the stage, if they can avoid it; and it would be rather too much, if, in addition to the existing annoyances and the mire of insult, through which their feelings too frequently have to be previously dragged, they should find that one of the rewards of success is being every night "left till called for" by the Galleries. Last night, Mr. Yates, who seems to have discovered, that time is money, and to have wisely resolved not to lose either, and who, at all events, thinks Lent money better than money lent, commenced giving an entertainment, which he proposes repeating on the ensuing Wednesdays and Fridays. Part of the dialogue is old, and part not, and that which is not old, strange to say, is new. The introduction of "tableaux vivants," (encore des tableaux!) formed a pleasing variety to this sort of entertainment. The house was well attended, and Mr. Yates's exertions were rewarded by great applause. After asserting the above with the usual gravity, perhaps our readers will hardly believe that we were not present, and know nothing about it. Nay, more, at the time this article is being read, Mr. Yates may, for all we know to the contrary, have been taken ill, and not have appeared at all. Well, what of that? If he acted, we will venture fourpence (the price of an Athenæum), that our remarks have been verified; and if not, we are only in the ridiculous situation in which we have more than once seen The The MISCELLANEA General Wolfe.-SIR,-Having seen in a late number of the Athenæum mention made of the late General Wolfe, the following circumstances may not be unwelcome. The General was well known to my mother when quartered at Winchester, he was a favourite and dancing partner of hers, a good dancer, and very fond of that ticularly upright in his carriage, so much so, amusement; he was well made, and most parthat it was said of him, that, when dressed, he never saw his shoe buckles; his hair was red, curled so much in the neck, that he was obliged to drill it into a queu, or what is vulgarly called a pig-tail, by the means of a bit of whalebone. He was much beloved by his men, and affable to a degree with them; he was also on very companionable terms with his brother officers, and sung a good song, witness that one of his own composing, How stands the glass around?' and another called 'The Men of Kent,' of which county he was; and was very proud of calling "Kentish himself "a man of Kent"-not a Yours, &c. man." A volume of poems, entitled Poesies,' by Hyppolite Tampucci-a French "uneducated poet"—has just appeared at Paris, and is spoken of with commendation. Soup extraordinary.-Over the mantle-piece at the Guildhall Coffee House in King Street, Cheapside, is to be seen, in a large gilt frame, a portrait of his present Majesty, surrounded by a very elaborate copper-plate inscription, expressive of the gratitude of the English nation to a patriotic and reforming sovereign; by the side of it hangs a placard, on which is written (by the tavern-keeper of course),-“ A plate of this Engraving only Ten shillings." It is really cheering to observe the French, amidst all their political and financial embarrassments, preserving and zealously fostering the national taste for the Fine and Useful Arts. Even at such a period as the present, when the public expenditure has risen from forty to sixty millions, and the Chamber of Deputies contest every stage in ministerial extravagance inch by inch, they pass such votes as the following, almost nemine dissentiente For the completion of the Paris Observatory The New Chamber of Deputies (this year's Literary and Scientific Institutions £7,000 12,000 34,000 31,000 24,000 61,000 15,200 16,000 These items concern the French capital alone, and are independent of the votes for the provinces and government buildings. Natural History of New Zealand.-The Ornithology of New Zealand is limited; but specimens even of those known are rare in our public collections. There is a large species of parrot, the Psittacus meridionalis of Gmellin, the southern brown parrot of Latham, specimens of which are in the British Museum; I have also seen (but rarely), at the Bay of Islands, a green species of parrot; also an Alcedo sp., named by the natives, from its note, the Hoteratera, the Poë bird or Tui-tui, the Poë honeyeater of Latham, Meliphaga cincinnata, Temn. A large brown-coloured pigeon, named Kukupa by the natives, and several other birds of beautiful plumage. The fish consist principally of the Snapper (a kind of bream) several flat fish, and occasionally the John Dory; that beautiful fish the Flying Gurnard was also captured; it is the Trigla Kumou of Cuvier's recent work on fishes, the Kumu-kumu of the natives, and has large olive-green pectoral fins, with a narrow band at the edges, of a light blue colour, and an irregular black spot at the inner part (which is sometimes deficient), and a few bluish white spots are scattered over other parts of the fin; |