selves, or, as they are called, the peers of the household:"It is well known that I long opposed the project of the Spanish war. I have but one object in view, and that is to keep my place. The Jesuits, and the superannuated fools who compose the right side of the Chamber, forced me into the Spanish war. I now intend to advise Ferdinand to grant an amnesty, and afterwards a constitution; but he is such a blockhead there is no getting him to do any thing. Ultimately Cadiz will be the only part of Spain of which I shall retain possession."

The above is the substance of the speech which M. de Villèle delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the one hundred and forty peers, who remained in Paris for the investigation of Ouvrard's case. But the superior intelligence displayed by Mr. Canning has materially diminished the admiration of the Ultras for the talent of M. de Villèle. The Portuguese Constitution has, generally speaking, proved exceedingly discouraging to the Retrograde party.

Only consider how many disappointments this party has sustained within less than a year.

1st. The question of the utility of re-establishing the Jesuits in France occasioned a division among the Ultras.

2d.

The Emperor Alexander, on whom all their power depended, was silly enough to die for want of proper remedies. The report of the committee instituted by Nicolas, and the accounts of Frenchnen who have arrived from Moscow, give reason to fear that Russia has been inoculated with the poison of liberalism.

3d. The Emperor Francis of Austria is dying. This prince has hitherto been the security for the Ultra party in the South of Europe. Pope Leo XII. has been rendered ridiculous in Italy, by the accounts of his youthful gallantries. This unfortunate disclosure happened at the very moment when it was wished to make Leo XII. the head of the Retrograde party in Europe, a post which has become vacant by the death of Alexander.

4th. After all these vexations, the Emperor of Brazil gives to Portugal a horribly liberal constitution; and what is more, it cannot be said that this was forced from him. The new Portuguese Constitution will not permit the absolute monarchy of Ferdinand the Seventh to survive for two years longer.

5th. To crown the misfortunes of the poor Ultras, the Chamber of Peers and public opinion are at present engaged in calculating the expenses incurred by the restoration of the absurd tyranny of Ferdinand VII.

The above is a brief abstract of the conversations which have taken place during the last fortnight in the saloons of the Ultra Retrogrades; for such is the appellation by which this party is now distinguished.

Those who are termed merely Ultras, are abandoning the cause of Ferdinand VII. as too expensive, and are beginning to think there would be no harm in humbling three distinguished individuals, each of whom has pocketed about a million of francs by the Spanish war.

Perhaps it is scarcely necessary to inform you, that all the dullest and most stupid books that are published are purchased by M. Corbière.

In addition to the superb library in the Rue de Richelieu, called the " Bibliothèque du Roi," which has really been collected by the kings of France, Napoleon formed a library in the Louvre, beneath the celebrated picture-gallery. The Duke de Dudeauville, who disposes of the thirty-five millions which the French people annually contribute to the support of the Bourbon family, purchases books for the library in the Louvre. The choice of these books affords an idea of the degree of taste and judgment which prevails at court. The books thus selected are so very stupid, that after paying for them, it is supposed the Duke de Dudeauville is obliged to distribute them gratuitously among the servants and persons employed about the court. The truth is, that works written by men who "think rightly," to use the Ultra phrase, are not even worth binding and preserving in the library of a C . . .

This

fact, which was recently avowed at St. Cloud, shows to what a point of insignificance the writers of the Ultra party have fallen. Yet they are appointed to all the literary posts in the gift of the Government. Rollin, Marmontel, Rhalières, La Bruyere, and many French writers, subsisted almost wholly on the emoluments derived from the posts they filled under Louis XIV. and Louis XV. But the present Government makes stupidity, or at least bigotry, a sine qua non recommendation to court favour; and henceforth none but men in easy circumstances can hope to attain literary distinction in France.

M. Guizot is, perhaps, at present, the most independent of all our literary men. He filled some good places under the administration of M. de Cazes, and he was honest. In spite of the late decree of the Chamber of Peers, so few public men have, during the last dozen years, deserved praise for honesty, that M. Guizot really ought to be cited as an example. He was so honest while in office, that he and his wife now find it necessary to augment their income by writing books. Madame Guizot, who, before her marriage, was well known by the name of Pauline de Meulan, wrote the literary articles in the " Publiciste," a journal distinguished for talent, though sometimes degenerating into fashionable insipidity.

This is precisely the character of the Letters on Education, which Madame Guizot has just published. This work is one of the best I have seen on the important subject of education. It well deserves to be translated, though it will not be honoured with a place in the king's library, because the authoress is a protestant. Madame Guizot's work ought to be read by every young lady, for it is full of ready-made phrases on all the subjects that can possibly come under discussion in polite society.

Our booksellers have lately been publishing a great many little volumes which have been sold at about five sous each. M. Baudouin, the bookseller, has realized about ten-thousand francs in the space of two months, by printing the "Tartuffe" in a small form, and selling it at twenty-five centimes.

These little books have been furiously abused by the Journals, from the "Debats" to the "Globe." They tend to destroy those reputations which are so frequently raised by newspaper puffs. A journal is feared, and its writers are flattered whenever they appear in company, because they have the power of making and unmaking reputations. It requires a considerable sum of money to establish a journal; and then a little volume, which costs its publisher no more than three hundred francs, may overthrow a reputation which has procured for an important newspaper editor, a hundred visits from a modest author! This is most vexatious!

The fact is, that men of real merit, such as M. Dupont (de l'Eure), Lafayette, Royer Collard, Benjamin Constant, De Girardin, La Martine, Berenger, Thierry, Mignet, &c. suffer nothing from any little attacks of which they may be the objects. It is only the small fry of literature who create for themselves a reputation in the journals, who are liable to be killed by a volume in 32mo.

Many of these terrific little volumes bear the title of " Biographies." You may purchase for ten sous the biography of the ministers who were in office from 1814 to 1826. For the same price you may have the biography of the Deputies, in which those who have sold themselves are treated as they deserve. The "Biography of the Peers" contains many inaccuracies, as does also the "Biographie des Gens de Lettres." I should not like to be the author of any these little volumes, though they will certainly prove exceedingly useful. They speak some good home truths to men who have been flattered by the Journals, as, for example, in the "Literary Biography," in the article on M. Cuvier, the famous naturalist, who by turns has sold himself to all parties in power. In the same volume M. M. Humboldt and Laplace are advised to be less intriguing. Of the above-named individuals, no journal would have presumed to speak but in terms of the most exaggerated praise. There is also a "Biographie des Dames de la Cour," of which I will not venture to give you

any description. I have mentioned the names of M. M. Cuvier and de la Place, because they are pensioned out of the budget.

A man, who is a stranger to intrigue, and who fills only one place, may reasonably complain of finding his name inserted in a satirical Biography; but a literary man, and a counsellor of state, who fills eight or ten places, like M. M. Dacier, Auger, and Cuvier, have certainly no right to exclaim that there is an end of all decorum, when the public begin to inquire into the means by which they have obtained their fortunate appointments. I recommend you to read these Biographies. They tell truths, which, indeed, are often coarsely expressed, but, after all, they are truths, and none of our journals would have ventured to speak so plainly to men who are regarded as allpowerful in the literary world."

Our drama is, like yours, very unproductive. In Italy, Germany, and even in England, nothing is performed but translations from the French. Thus our censorship is felt throughout the whole of Europe. M. Scribe is said to realize 4000 francs per month by his amusing little pieces, and, as nothing brings an author so rapidly into notice as dramatic composition, it may fairly be presumed that were it not for the censorship, all our clever writers would bring out plays, which, perhaps, like the "Barber of Seville,” would soon find their way all over the world.

M. Ribouté, a man of fortune, has brought out a poor comedy, entitled, "Le Speculateur." The hero of the piece is a young merchant, who enters into speculations beyond his means. The subject is uninteresting, and is badly treated. M. Picard has written forty or fifty plays. This clever writer has been deprived of the situations he filled under the late government, and is consequently reduced in circumstances. He has just brought out a piece entitled "The Agioteur." The favour with which the public regard M. Picard, has insured the success of the piece. It exhibits the character of a young advocate, recently married to an amiable woman. In the morning he attends the Cour Royale, and in the evening he mingles in fashionable society, where he is always well received. But unfortunately he yields to the temptation of gambling on the Stock-Exchange (at present the ruling passion), and he is anxious to conceal these transactions from his father, his wife, and his clients. The piece contains some highly pathetic scenes, and some others which are intended to be comic. The author has evinced singular boldness in drawing the character of the father of the young advocate. In this age of affected sentimentality a dramatist can scarcely venture to introduce the character of a father, unless he make him a model of sensibility, generosity, &c. The fact is, that in Paris a man of sixty entertains, on all subjects, ideas totally the reverse of those which regulate the conduct of his son, a young man of thirty. The Revolution formed the character of the latter, but the father is still the man of 1785. M. Picard, who is himself an old man, has boldly traced the character of the father of his young advocate. He is a conceited old fool, constantly making hypocritical professions of sensibility and philanand declaims furiousthropy. He talks of nothing but his son and the poor, ly against the vices of the age, and particularly against gambling, though he When he reminds himself secretly gambles in the stocks as much as his son. the young man of all that he has done for him, he exclaims, "Did I not get you educated at college at the expense of government?" This piece of satire afforded a pretence for the favour with which the public received the new play. The success of the " Agioteur" has been rather an extraordinary event for the Theatre Français, where the entertainments usually go off very languidly. A performer, named Michelot, made his debut in the part of the young Advocate. This comedy is not calculated for translation. It would be found dull and uninteresting any where but in France.

NARRATIVE OF AN EXCURSION TO THE SUMMIT OF

MONT BLANC.

By Dr. Edmund Clark, and Captain Markham Sherwill.

BEFORE attempting to gather up the fragments of our geographical lecture, we crave indulgent permission to say a word on the form of our young professor's elevated rostrum. The extreme summit of Mont Blanc seems to vary a good deal in its appearance. When De Saussure was here, he found no plain at all; but, in 1822, Mr. Clissold had better accommodation, for he says, "The plane of the summit was triangular, and almost equilateral, declining from its north side, which was very nearly horizontal, parallel to, and facing the valley of Chamouni; the distance from the middle of this side to the opposite angle being not less than five or six hundred feet." This area, however, he previously remarks, was greater than Coutet had ever before seen, although this was his sixth ascent. Doubtless, the fierce whirlwinds so common on the Alps, often sweep away the external crust of snow and totally alter its form; at present, it accorded much more closely with the observation of De Saussure. "On ne trouve point de plaine, sur le Mont Blanc, c'est une espece de dos d'âne ou d'arrête alongée.*

On the loftiest ridge, a column of wood was erected with vast labour, by order of Napoleon; but it soon fell from its giddy elevation, slipped over the fearful precipice, and disappeared in the gulph below, thus sharing the fate of its projector. We were afterwards told by Marie Coutet (le vieux), who assisted in raising the pile, that on the very next day after its erection it was perceived with a telescope from Chamouni to have declined sensibly from the perpendicular, and in a few days was out of sight. It was, perhaps, hardly to be expected that a column, supported only by a foundation of snow, should long resist the fury of the wind; nothing like solid rock can be perceived on any part of the immediate summit; the guides conjecture that the mass of snow may be two or three hundred feet in depth; and this, though of course a random guess, is by no means improbable; for it appears to be an irregular blunt cone of snow, the base of which is propped up by pinnacles of granite projecting through the incumbent crust, from the rocky summit of the mountain beneath. A similar column was at the same time erected on the Buet, but we did not perceive the slightest vestige of it remaining.

Although a breathless calm had reigned all the morning below, and seemed still to continue, yet the wind on the mountain-top was strong and piercingly cold had it increased very suddenly, we had some prospect of being swept off from our aerial post, and scattered, like dead leaves, some thousand feet below, in the valley of St. Didier. Directly over our heads the cloudless canopy of Heaven was of a very dark blue, but with a slight reddishness in the tinge, so as rather to resemble a beautiful deep violet, than indigo: had the sun been covered, this roseate tinge would doubtless have been less apparent. The extreme depth of tint cast an air of pleasing solemnity over the whole scene; though the sun was still shining in unclouded brightness, yet it was difficult to overcome the impression that the shades of evening were just at hand. Another singularity added very considerably to the solemnity of the feeling. The vault of Heaven appeared prodigiously high and distant. After two days' march upward, the blue expanse seemed to have receded from us

Perhaps no elaborate description would convey more accurately the general figure of the mountain top, than a simple illustration that occurred to Captain Sherwill. Suppose half an orange, quite covered with melted sugar, and compressed pretty strongly between the fingers; you have thus a very tolerable imitation of the extreme summit of Mont Blanc.

+ Looking down on the top of the inaccessible Aiguille Verte you remark, that it also is formed of a cone of snow, resting on a circle of granite crags.

Oct.VOL. XVII. NO. LXX.

U

much faster than we had climbed toward it; in other words, the sphere of vision was enlarged, the eye appeared to pass its ordinary barrier, and to pierce more deeply into the ulterior regions of space. Now and then this phenomenon may be observed in a very slight degree on the plain, and less rarely on a clear winter night. Perhaps there are few phenomena so calculated to take an impressive hold of the imagination. In the first unsuccessful attempt to scale the mountain, this sombre and altered appearance of the heavens, struck even the intrepid Chamouniards with terror and amazement, and they abandoned an enterprise which seemed to them interdicted by the frown of Heaven. At the hazard of exciting a smile, we crave to ask whether this impression was wholly to be wondered at? From their earliest infancy, the blue sky, whenever they could catch a glimpse of it, had appeared uniformly gay, and smiling, and cheerful. After much toil and danger, these hardy mountaineers arrive in regions hitherto untrodden by human footstep; they look upward, and unexpectedly the face of Heaven is become dark, and changed, and distant. What wonder if it should strike them forcibly? what wonder if it should seem to them like an angry scowl on the brow of their oldest friend? To the philosopher, who is lounging at ease on a sofa, before a warm drawing-room fire, it may not require any very prodigious effort to smile at these puerile terrors of superstition: but he should indulgently remember that there are situations considerably more appalling; that there may be circumstances in which the human mind is invincibly prone to anticipate, and wherein the feeling comes home to the bosom, that we are standing on the very verge of an untried and awful abyss; that the prospect before us is mysterious and uncertain; and that although much is to be hoped, something is also to be feared.

But this is sad digression; and we must leave our philosopher quietly musing on his warm sofa, and resume our cool seat on the snow, upon the hilltop. Upon the whole, the view from the summit of Mont Blanc exceeded our expectations, and was amply sufficient to repay us for the temporary inconveniences of the ascent. Still it is willingly conceded that the word 'beautiful' does by no means accord with the character of the scenery, and that there is, therefore, some foundation for the remarks of Dr. Ebel," Malgré l'immensité de l'horizon," says he, "la beauté de la vue que l'on aperçoit du haut de ce colosse ne répond point à l'idée avantageuse que l'on pourrait s'en faire, soit à cause de la faiblesse de l'œil humain trop borné pour un si vaste champ, soit parce que les couches d'air qui séparent cette haute sommité du reste de la surface de la terre sont trop épaisses pour ne pas perdre une bonne partie de leur transparence." But if the claim to beauty be given up, what remains? Sublimity, fearful sublimity. How can a landscape fail to be magnificent, that embraces, in one mighty sweep, the richest and the grandest portions of European scenery; the plains of Italy on the one hand, and the whole range of the Alps on the other. It is not very easy to name a prospect with which the view from the summit of Mont Blanc admits of comparison. With the soft and lovely views from the hill of Neufchatel, or the enchanting promenade of Berne, it has few common features:-as easily might we compare the fearful fall of Handek, with the beautiful Giesbach; or the Syrens' Grotto at Tivoli, with the charming cascatelle. It approaches, however, rather more to the scene from the Righi-culm, and still more to that from the summit of the Buet, perhaps almost equalled in magnificence by the last, wherein the chain of the Mont Blanc itself forms the most striking portion of the splendid panorama.

In all high mountain scenery, every thing must of course depend on the weather; and, in this respect, we could scarcely desire a more favourable day. The zenith was constantly without a cloud, and though driving masses of mist obscured certain portions of the distant horizon, it may be doubted whether they did not augment the general sublimity of the spectacle: every Alpine tourist must frequently have remarked that the height of a mountain