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demar consented to their union, and into which the author has fallen, in Ernest could not survive the woman the formation of her hero's character. whom he had forsaken.

We do not insist that the hero of a In this novel we certainly find fictitious history should be faultless. much to admire, and much even to The history may be both interesting approve; but there are some things and instructive, by representing the so improper as to disgrace and dis- gradual perversion of a character oricredit the whole work.

ginally good, or by the awful warning For the reasons suggested in the which is exhibited when a man of beginning of this article, every per real worth is driven by the frenzy of son of good morals will concur in re- passion, to the perpetration of a deed probating the indelicacy of certain which the next moment lortures him passages. But independently of this with remorse, and ends in his ruin. circumstance, it is extremely impro. But the author must never forget, per that such characters as Ernest that while the victim of passion conand Amelia should be held up, as tinues enslaved to passion, while the they evidently are, to our love and character originally good continues esteem.

perverted, so long they must be repreIn the character of Ernest we have sented as objects of abhorrence. Bealready taken notice of one particu- sides, there are designs which the lar, which is decidedly inconsistent worthless only can deliberately form, with a high or generous mind. But or even entertain for a moment; and we find him still more reprehensible our author has conceived and brought as we advance in the history. With a forth a hero, who, to high pretensions profligacy incompatible both with ho. of honour and an exquisite sensibility nour and humanity he forsakes Ame- of virtue, unites feelings and praclia, after he had repeatedly bound tices which can belong only to a prohimself to her by engagements which fligate scoundrel. Yet this monstrous every honest man would regard as production is to be the object of our indissoluble, and which became, if love and esteem, for he is esteemed possible, of still stronger obligation and beloved by persons of the most when he had reduced her to a situ- exemplary virtue, who are perfectly ation where his infidelity must be the apprized of the whole of his conduct. source of irretrievable misery. The When again we turn to the he. author endeavours 10 screen him roine, we cannot say that the author from reproach, by ascribing this has furnished our young ladies with painful sacrifice to his apprehensions a very edifying speculation. We pass for his mother's life. But unless these over her conduct before her arrival in apprehensions could have excused Switzerland; but we must observe, him for abandoning his wife, who had that from the beginning of her atnever injured him, they could not ex- tachment to Ernest, she falls into a cuse him for abandoning Amelia. In series of deliberate improprieties fact, his mother had no right to de- which can hardly be supposed in a mand the sacrifice, and was both un- young woman of good sense and good just and cruel in demanding it. And principles. It was folly and meanness, without troubling our readers with to permit the assiduities of a man detailing the mean artifices to which who had never condescended to give he stooped, in order to conceal from an account of himself. It was worse Amelia his real name and situation, to permit the continuance of those or with suggesting the deliberate assiduities, and even of indiscreet fabaseness of concealing what she had miliarities, after he had presumed to so inquestionable an interest and declare, that, although he was unlight in know, enough has been said married, he could only be her friend. to point out the gross improl-riety But when under those most questionahle circumstances, she consented to have conducted her at once to dig. a private and midnight interview, it nity and splendour. Now, we are apis plain that if it had ended innocent prehensive that many readers may ly, the lady would have been indebted, be more encouraged by the happiness not to her own virtue, but to her lo- which might be expected to crown ver's forbearance. Nor is there any her guilt than warned by the melanreal penitence to restore her to es- choly catastrophe which is produced teem: for even when she has every entirely and obviously by accidental reason to believe that the man who causes. And although it is true that injured her so deeply had basely for- in the midst of her desolation she is saken her, she continues still the slave stung with the pangs of remorse, it of a disgraceful passion. When she is an obvious reflection that these is forsaking her child to go in quest pangs would soon subside if she were of her faithless lover, we find in her united to her lover. Indeed, this rejournal the following words among flection is forced upon us, because, in others still more disgusting. “ Dis, the deepest remorse and deepest mihomme cruel! es-tu satisfait de la sery, she still glories in her shame; passion qui me devore ? son empire she adores him whom she must have est-il assez terrible ? et la puissance considered as completely worthless, que tu exerces sur mon lâche ceur and dwells on the happiness of her te laisse-t-elle quelque chose à de- love with all the exaggerations of the sirer?”

wildest fancy, and with an eloquence We may be told, indeed, that, which cannot but be fatally impresdoomed as she is to sufferings so se- sive on a youthful mind. vere, her errours whatever they may Upon the whole, we cannot recombe, will be considered as a warning, mend the book. We object to the innot as a model. This might be the delicacy in some places. We object case if her sufferings arose from her to those representations which enerrours. But her sufferings arise froin courage the vitious to hope for sucquite different causes. Her lover does cess. We object to those romantick not forsake her because she ceased to visions which throw into a dead gloom be respectable, but because he could the brightest scenes of real life. We not resist his mother's solicitations. object to those incompatible assemHer imprudent attachment to Mans- blages of virtues and vices, which field is, indeed, attended with the must either shock us by their inconpunishments which were its natural gruity, or pervert our sentiments of consequences; but her worse than right and wrong. We lament that imprudent conduct with Ernest, does such a work should have proceeded not at all alienate her friends; she is from the author of Elizabeth; and still beloved as the most amiable and still more, that there should be a wish revered, as the most respectable of in Britain for importing, from the women; and, but for the most im. schools of France and Germany, probable concurrence of two most those novels and dramas which tend improbable circumstances, the silli- at once to corrupt the taste and de ness of Ernest and the unnatural bar. prave the national character. barity of his mother, her crime would

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FROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW.

The Minstrel; or the Progress of Genius. In continuation of the Poem left unfinished

by Dr. Beattie. Book the Third. 4to. 48. boards. 1808. WE trembled for this adventurous plete with the most exquisite gems muse, who has dared to attempt a of true poesy; and we entered on the continuation of a work which is re- perusal of this third book full of apprehension that our disappointment The shades of summer give securer would surpass our pleasure. As,

rest; however, we do not suffer our pre

The beauteous vales a livelier verdure

yield; possessions to blind our judgment; And purer fows the stream, and fairer the merit of the author has sustained

smiles the field. no injury; and our examination has convinced us that his presumption

“ He envies not the rich imperial board,

Or downy couch for pampered luxury was not so great as we were inclined

spread, to suppose. If he has not actually

The simple feast that woods and fields caught Dr. Beattie's mantle, he has afford, found a lyre which is much in that The canopy of trees, the natural bed writer's fashion, and shows himself

Of moss by murmuring streams peren.

nial fed, capable of sweeping its strings in the

In him more genuine heart's content style of true minstrelsy. Though not

excite: equal to the original bard, he follows

The dazzling rays by brightest diaat no great distance; and as Dr. B. monds shed left his work unfinished, this farther Yield to the fairer glories of the night development of the Progress of Ge. That circle round his head in order in.

finite. nius may be read with interest by all those who were charmed by the for- " Such were thy joys, sweet bard, when mer stanzas. The author apologizes

stretched along for not having pursued the outline of

By Mulla's fountain head thy limbs re

clined, the plan faintly sketched in one of

Where fancy, parent of enchanted song, the doctor's letters, lately published

Poured the full tide of poesy, refined by his biographer, sir William Forbes; From stain of earthly dross, upon thy observing that the verses before us

mind. were composed long ago, and would

Thine was the holy dream, when, pure

and free, not now have been published if the

Imagination left the world behind result of his inquiries had not led

* In that delightful land of Faerie' him to believe that no materials for Alone to wander, rapt in heavenly minthe continuation of The Minstrel

strelsy. had been found among Dr. B's pa

“Oh who, so dull of sense, in heart so pers.

lost The character of Edwin is well To Nature's charms and every pure sustained; and the stanzas swell with delight, that tide of verse, flow with that ease,

Would rather lie, on the wild billows and abound with that richness of

Of vain ambition, with eternal night imagery, which manifest a soul finely

Surrounded, and obscured his mental touched and endowed. We need only

sight transcribe that part of the present By mists of avarice, passion, and deceit? poem which depicts the blessings of Not he whose spirit clear, whose genius the myse.

bright, The muse has ever led, in converse

sweet, “Oh, could I aught of that celestial fame

Within the hallowed glades of her divine Acquire, which glowed in SPENSER'S

retreat. holy breast, How small would be on fortune's gifts Not Edwinmin whose infant breast, I my claim,

ween, Of nature's stores and nature's love From childish cares and little passions possest!

free, He whom the muse has favoured is most Tho' long in shades retired, unmarked, blessed:

unseen, For him the forest spreads a broader Had blown the fairest flower of poesy. shield;

That lovets promise of a vigorous tree

tost

Instructed genius found: each straggling

shoot He wisely pruned of its wild liberty, Turned the rich streams of science

round the root, And viewed with warm delight the fair

and grateful fruit.”

Can a doubt be entertained that the author of such stanzas will obtain from the publick, to whose taste he makes his appeal, any other than such a reception as will induce him to resume his lyre?

The following

relates to a duel between Mr. Jeffrey, one of the chief writers in the Edinburgh Review, and Thomas Moore, author of Little's Poems, and translator of Anacreon.

FROM THE BRITISH CRITICK. ENGLISH BARDS AND SCOTCH REVIEWERS: A SATIRE. 12mo. 4.. 1808.

SINCE the time of the Baviad, we Oh! day disastrous ! on her firm set rock, have not met with a production com

Dunedin's castle felt å sacred shock; bining so much severity with so

Dark rolled the sympathetick waves of

Forth, much genuine wit, humour, and real Low groaned the startled whirlwinds of talent. If we, however, had possess- the north; ed the opportunity, we should cer. Tweed ruffed half his waves to form a tainly have pleaded very powerfully tear, in behalf of one or two, who are lash. The other half pursued its calm career; ed with more bitterness than justice; The surly Tolbooth scarcely kept her place

Arthur's steep summit nodded to its base, but, on the whole, it must be confess- The Tolbooth felt--for marble sometimes ed, that truth is on the side of the

can, author. Nothing can be more certain, On such occasions, feel as much as man than that genuine taste was once more

The Tolbooth felt defrauded of his charms, in danger: and high commendation, If Jeffrey died, except within her arms: and great popularity, have attended Nay, last, not least, on that portentous

morn, certain poetical productions, which

The sixteenth story, where himself was would hardly endure the test of sound born, and honest criticism.

His patrimonial garret fell to ground, We shall enter into no detail of this And pale Edina shuddered at the sound; poem, because it will be universally Strowed were the streets around with

milk-white reams, reacl; but we think it necessary to Flowed all the Canongate with inky subjoin a specimen, in justification of

streams; what we have said above. There is This of his candour seemed the sable dew, exaggeration in the following passage;

That of his valour showed the bloodless but its poetical merit is singular.

hue; And all with justice deemed the two com

bined “Health to great Jeffrey'* Heaven pre

The mingled emblems of his mighty mind. serve his life,

But Caledonia's goddess hovered o'er To flourish on the fertile shores of Fife,

The field, and saved him from the wrath And guard it sacred in his future wars,

of Moore; Since authors sometimes seek the field of From either pistol snatched the vengeful Mars;

lead, Can none remember that eventful day,

And strait restored it to her favourite's That ever glorious, almost fatal fray,

head. When Little'st leadless pistol met his eye, That head, with greater than magnetick And Bowstreet myrmidons stood laugh.

power, ing by!

Caught it, as Danaë caught the golden

shower, Jeffrey-one of the writers in the And though the thickening drogs will Edinburgh Review.

scarce refine, † Little-Thomas Moore, translator of Augments its ore, and is itself A mine."

4 Anacreon.

p. 25.

YROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW.

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Nubilia in Search of a Husband; including Sketches of modern Society, and interesting

moral and literary Disquisitions. Crown 8vo. pp. 456. 98. Boards. 1809. IF one writer sends a gentleman the gravity of a college-tutor, and at in pursuit of a wife, another is sure another, she is inflated with bombast. to take the hint, and to exhibit a lady Now she is represented as an Epicin search of a husband. Modern book- tetus, endeavouring to give tone and makers avail themselves of every op- vigour to the mind, and then as portunity of putting their pens in "longing for dissolution,” because motion, and the success which Cælebs she heard the sounds of an Eolian' has obtained presented a temptation harp. She, indeed, marries at last; but not to be resisted. Accordingly, we it is after a great deal of talking rather find that on the 10th of May, 1809, than searching. She sees little of the the author of the present work began world; and to the first man who is at his undertaking; and so intent was all estimable in her view, to whom he on bringing it out in time while she is introduced after a little PhilanCælebs was in course of reading, that dering about German literature, she by the 3d of June following, he had gives her hand. Altogether, the story completed it. We should have plea- is very meagre; the transition from sure in complimenting him with not one dissertation to another is not having made“ more haste than good very natural, and, as the picture of a speed," to use the vulgar proverb; but, young woman “in search of a husstrange as it may appear, when we talk band," it is to the last degree disapof haste, it must be confessed, that the pointing. composition is throughout laboured; It is true that the volume presents that the reader, instead of being plea- matured reflections on morals, socisantly carried, dragged along; and ety, and literature; but we cannot that the book disappoints because it think that they are with any propriety does not answer its title. “ Nubilia in put into the mouth of a young female. search of a husband?" No such thing. The remarks on education, which Nubilia is no forward miss, all whose are the result of much observation thoughts by day, and dreams by and meditation, are with judgment night, are fixed on marriage. In fact, assigned to Nubilia's father; but, she seems to think as little of a hus- when the parent is removed from the band as any woman who ever wore a stage, and the author throws the petticoat She is as cold as a cloud of weight of all his disquisitions on the snow (cor inter nubilia condit*] and shoulders of the young daughter, we is more like a philosophick member protest against such an imposition, to of the blue-stocking club than a young use a university phrase. To these woman commencing the impassioned remarks on education, however, some career of life. Nubilia is a thousand attention is due, especially to such of times more out of nature than the them as respect the importance of Lucilla Stanley of Celebs; and, in- commencing the moral education stead of being in search of a husband, very early in life; of keeping our she is fond of funerals, and “loves to word with children; and of securing hold some mouldering bone within them from having the first impresher hands.” (p. 164.] At one time, sions made on their tender minds by she discusses moral questions with our servants, instead of by ourselves. * We introduce this parenthesis to sug: lowing passage:

On the first point, we quote the folgest the impropriety of the name. It should have been Vibilis instead of Nubi- A child who is capable of feeling Lin.

pleasure or p:in at any given event, is ca

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