not effectually checked. Her early disappointments, she says, arose from unavoidable misfortunes, rather than from her want of merit." The sale of my first two ventures would bave proved satisfactory, but for the failure of two booksellers (one in the country), and another cause, by which I was less resigned to be robbed of my first earnings, than by the blameless misfortunes of strangers. Zaphna was not published at a literary house; but, before its appear ance, I had been commended by judges who knew me only through my poor books, and the proud yet respectful surprise of my grateful heart diverted my mind from my pecuniary defeats."-She still persisted in her endeavours to amuse and edify mankind, or at least her own sex, even after she became conscious of her want of due qualifications for the task. At first she wrote merely for praise and reputation; but, finding that fame did not come at her command, she aimed at profit."I would have directed my energies to some less precarious resource; but the mischief was done, and in vain I strove to expiate it. Besides, my education, perhaps my pride, unfitted me to endure being paid by my superiors for any specific tasks. I did not then consider, that dependent servitude, in some shape or other, is "the badge of all our tribe," whether we are bought by our masters, or vice versa. Luckily I had few duties and not one accomplishment, no love of society and amusement to divorce me from my pen. The only thing I cared to do, "was unteachable, untaught." I have persevered, there. fore, without merit," She complains that some editors of periodicals are will ing to accept her communications, but without pay. This, which would have satisfied her at first, is now deemed little better than an insult. They pay her a compliment by granting the favor of insertion; but to say, as they do in effect, that her pieces are not worth paying for, is ungallant treatment-“ aye, there's the rub." The lady may say that we are amusing ourselves at her expense; but we will make some atonement for our rudeness or freedom, by recommending her volume as at least amusing.

The Broad Stone of Honor, or the true Sense and Practice of Chivalry, by Kenelm Henry Digby-Chivalry in some measure corrected the savage manners of preceding times; but it was not such

a state as men of sense or refinement would venture to recommend. Cervantes has been blamed for endeavouring to explode it, because he at the same time weakened that sense of honor which accompanied the practice; but, as it was connected with the barbarism of war, he deserves our thanks for his spirited efforts. The present author strongly defends it, and expatiates on all the knightly virtues of which he can find any instance from the time of the patriarch Abraham; but he rides his hobby-horse without making any impression upon our feelings, and we think that few readers will be converted to his system.

History of remarkable Conspiracies connected with European History, during the fifteenth and two following Centuries, by J. P. Lawson, A.M.-Few occurrences are more calculated to excite curiosity and interest than conspiracies; and those which Mr. Lawson has selected from the copious mass are particularly remarkable. We did not expect that he would rival the abbé St.-Real in the account of that conspiracy on which Otway founded his tragedy of Venice Preserved. A more interesting narrative than that of the French writer we have rarely perused. The details are sufficiently ample without unnecessary minuteness; the sketches of character are striking; and the style and manner correspond with the animation of the subject. From this account our author has borrowed with considerable effect. For the incidents of Masaniello's short-lived revolution he is chiefly indebted to Howell, and to Pinkerton for the narrative of the conspiracy against James I. of Scotland. He seems to have taken great pains to procure the best intelligence respecting the intrigues of don Carlos, and his contest with his arbitrary and cruel father, Philip II. of Spain: but he has not been able to ascer tain the nature and extent of the prince's designs.-"The projects of this unfortunate prince (he says) ought to have awakened emotions of pity in the bosom of his father; but to these Philip was a stranger. He convened the inquisitors, who were his chief counsellors, at Madrid; and it was resolved to commence the punishment of the prince by depriving him of his liberty. Don Carlos had given previous indications of fear, by keeping a chest of fire-arms in his apartment, and by sleeping with loaded pistols under his pillow. He had also con

trived a lock of a peculiar construction, by which he might be easily alarmed if any attempt should be made to surprise him. This the king knew, and he was also aware, that Don Carlos would not hesitate to despatch even himself in his own apartment, if he had time to grasp his fire-arms. But, attended by some of the inquisitors, he effected an entrance into the apartment, while Don Carlos was asleep, and, rousing him, ordered him instantly into custody, reproaching him for his conduct, and telling him that he bad come to administer parental chastisement. The prince was then arrayed in a mourning habit, though not without great difficulty, for he frequently attempted to kill himself, and even threw himself into the fire of an apartment into which he was led. For six months after his arrest, he was kept a close prisoner in the hands of the inquisitors. During this confinement, he became insane. He sometimes fasted for several days, then ate voraciously, and attempted to choke himself by swallowing unchewed victuals. Many intercessions were made for his release by the principal nobility of Spain; but Philip was inexorable. There are different accounts of his death. Some have maintained, that he was strangled ; others, that he was bled to death; and the friends of Philip have maintained, that he died a natural death, about six months after his imprisonment, having received his father's forgiveness and the sacrament of the church. But it appears undeniable, that a sentence dictated by Philip himself, and emanating from the inquisition, terminated the existence of Don Carlos, and that he died by the administration of poison, in February,

1568."

The Miscellaneous Works of Sir Philip Sidney. The abilities and merit of the author of the Arcadia render this volume an acceptable present to the public. The Arcadia and the Psalms are not incorporated with it; but many of Sir Philip's letters, found in the British Museum, have been introduced. The "Defence of Poesie" alone would have established his fame. How must his contemporaries have lamented the early death of such a man-the gallant warrior, the accomplished gentleman, the ingenious and able writer!

Essays on the Pursuit of Truth.These are the productions of an intelli

gent mind, intent on the acquisition of knowlege, and eagerly desirous of promoting every useful inquiry. He says, "The prevalence of misery as the conse+ quence of ignorance, shows at once the paramount importance of the pursuit of accurate knowlege. To discover truth, is to do good on a grand scale. Few human beings, in their moral, religious, and political inquiries, are possessed with a simple wish of attaining truth; their strongest wishes are directed to the discovery of new grounds of old opinions. We are accustomed to regard them as true, and it is troublesome to look upon them in a different light, or perhaps we love them as the rallying-points of pleas ant ideas and cherished feelings." This habit, he contends, is not the proper course which a wise man would follow. He would not abstain from the investigation of received opinions, even "if they had been regarded with conviction by a multitude of illustrious men," because he must know that the history of mankind abounds with instances of the transmission of gross and disgraceful errors through many generations.

NOTICES AND OBSERVATIONS FOR
JULY AND AUGUST.

July.-Ireland is still in a disordered state. The dissensions and animosities of centuries cannot be supposed to be yet extinguished. The leaders of the Orange party are so disgusted at the act of emancipation, that they cannot patiently submit to it. Sanguinary commotions have occurred in different parts, chiefly (it is said) from the resentment of that faction; but the spirit of the viceroy will, we hope, put an end to these disturbances. His late proclamation is as impartial as it ought to be, and all seditious meetings will be checked and sup pressed, as far as legitimate power can effect that desirable object.

Pompous Promises and Plausible Professions.-Elate with the effect of his intrigues, the greatest man in Ireland (for so Mr. O'Connell seems to think himself) says to the freeholders of the county of Clare, "Catholic emancipation was chiefly produced by your honesty, your manliness, your virtue. The civilised world rings with the praises of the nobleminded electors of Clare. You obeyed ༡༡༢༢;༑ རྟེན

the law; you were not guilty of any crime or any outrage; you were, above all things, sober and temperate. You did not injure any man, but you voted honestly, conscientiously, and fearlessly; and you liberated your religion from three centuries of thraldom. Assist me in like manner to procure political blessings and constitutional liberty for our native land. Attend to my advice-it is the advice of a parent and a friend who would pour out his heart's blood to be of any use to Ireland. My first-my constant-my darling ambition is to labor for the people. I will earnestly endeavour to produce salutary changes and improvements in the administration, until I see the day when every human being in Ireland shall be able to have meat for his food, at least five days in the week, and plenty of other diet for the remaining two, should he from any motive prefer the alteration. This is my ambitionthis is my fixed object-to elevate the people into content and comfort. It is an object which, in my opinion, may, without much difficulty, be realised; it requires only a government emanating from and identified with the people, to produce these and still greater political blessings. My friends will conduct themselves in the most peaceable and orderly manner. We will forget and forgive every past injury and insult. Any man who joins us now is a friend for ever, no matter what he was before. We will receive them as we have already received them-heart and hand. It is delightful thus to increase the friends of the people. It is unnecessary to desire you to behave with friendship and kindness to the king's troops. The royal army is the bravest in the world, and brave men, in general, are kind and good. The regular troops are, in fact, all over Ireland, the protectors and friends of the people. Remember, above all things, that our struggle is for constitutional liberty. Remember that no man deserves to be free, unless he be temperate, sober, moral, and religious. Religion is the only sure basis of liberty. When the glorious example of the men of Clare spreads through Ireland, and other counties imitate their constancy, firmness, morality, and good conduct, Ireland will cease to be a pitiful province of England, and will become again what she was before-an independent nation, connect

ed with England by the golden link of the crown, but great, glorious, and free, under the parental care of a domestic and resident legislature."

The

A new theatrical Performer.- The Cirque Olympique at Paris has lately been thronged by all who are curious in the investigation of animal wonders. In a melo-drama of M. Leopold, the chief actor is a Siamese elephant. This ingenious quadruped begins by acting as the postman of two lovers; soon afterwards he does the last honors to the deceased king of Siam; then he takes a great dinner; calls his servants frequently by ringing a bell; dances after finishing his meal, and ends his career by saving from danger the prince he protects, after having torn the crown from the head of an usurper, to place it on that of the legitimate king. elephant, indeed, does wonders, and certainly with an attraction so powerful as his performance, the Cirque might well have dispensed with the costly scenery and decorations which enrich the spectacle. Pliny, in stating that the Romans of his day had a quadrille danced by four elephants, relates that three of them performed their parts with amazing precision, but the fourth was constantly making mistakes, and was severely chastised for his negligence. One night, by the light of the moon, this elephant was seen by his keepers, trying to perform the steps in which he had before failed. But even the elephants who figured at Rome must yield to that of Paris; for, gifted with an agreeable exterior, a particular grace, and a high degree of sagacity, he occupies (says a journalist) the highest rank among the performers whom the Parisians admire.

August.-Love in a Court of Justice.— A "young man of rather prepossessing appearance" was indicted at Bury St. Edmund's for assaulting a "pretty modest-looking girl of eighteen" with a murderous intent. He had long loved her; but her friends objected to the continuance of his addresses, and this circumstance, coupled with the suspicion of her being fond of another man, so enraged him, that he threw her down and endeavoured to cut her throat. Notwithstanding the brutal violence of his conduct, she declared at the trial, with sobs and tears, that she was "fervently

and devotedly attached to him." It was then announced that her father consented to her union with the prisoner: the judge, affected at the scene, directed an acquittal; and the young woman, clasping her hands, and mingling smiles of pleasure and gratitude with her tears, fainted in the arms of a friend. It is said, that marriage and hanging go by destiny; and this youth was fated to the former contingency, while he was seemingly in great danger of the latter.

THE MAY-QUEEN,

with an elegant Engraving. PHILOSOPHERS deride dancing as a frivolous amusement, unworthy of the notice of men of sense; but we do not agree with them in this harsh denunciation. All persons who are in good health, and not old, are fond of motion and activity; and, although it may be

Fine

Mr. Burford's new Panorama.-The subject of this view is well chosen, and the execution is spirited and masterly. Mr. Burford's account of the striking scene is worthy of transcription.-"From Leander's Tower, the view of the city is surpassingly magnificent: in front lies the sea of Marmora, whose immense and tranquil surface is usually covered with vessels of all sizes and nations, intermixed with the splendidly carved. and gilt barges of the Turks, and the innumerable wherries, continually passing to and from the suburbs. From the very edge of the water to the summits of the seven hills, which, as well as the intermediate valleys, are covered with houses, rises the city. On the extreme point stands the seraglio, surrounded by lofty embattled walls, with its domes, kiosks, terraces, &c., clustered in splendid confusion, the pure whiteness of which finely contrasts with the dark green of the gigantic cypresses in the gardens; above all towers the proudly swelling dome of Sancta Sophia; the spacious and imposing mosque of Achmet (Ahmed), and the mosques of other sultans, rival each other in splendor; and, all around, towers, palaces, domes, minarets, glittering crescents, and lofty trees,

contended that the ordinary exercise of walking, and occasional riding, may serve to keep people in health without dancing, we still think that this species of exertion is both agreeable and salutary. It promotes that circulation of the blood upon which life principally depends, and, when not carried to excess, excites a great flow of cheerfulness and good-humor. It also promotes that friendly intercourse between the sexes, by which the happiness of life is in a great measure sustained.

It may be asked, what connection has this preamble with the design of the an nexed engraving?- We answer-it is sufficiently relevant to the subject. After the selection of the May-Queen from the number of village-lasses, the first sport is that of dancing, which is followed by more manly exercises: but it is unnecessary to particularise the amusements of May-Day, after our occasional remarks on that subject.

Arts.

mingle with the houses in the richest groupes. The populous suburbs of Pera, Galata, and Tophana, forming a noble sweep on the opposite side of the harbour; the winding shores, thickly planted with cypress, and studded with palaces and kiosks, in every style of architecture; the canal of the Bosphorus, with the Asiatic towns of Scutari and Chalcedon, backed by the lofty chain of Olympus,-combine to form a scene of splendid magnificence, well deserving the many pompous epithets bestowed on it, so oriental and romantic, and so different in appearance and character from any thing European, as to exceed the happiest powers of description."

Mr. Burford has been accused of compiling this panorama from old prints; but he has repelled the charge by declaring, that he is ready to gratify the curiosity of respectable persons by showing the original drawings from which his grand view was taken.

The domes, towers, and other lofty parts of the city, finely start up out of its different portions, dividing the place, as it were, into districts of their own appointment; and the sloping banks that divide the town from the Bosphorus (on which the spectator is supposed to be

sailing) are decorated with trees and shrubs that afford the happy variety which is always manifest when the works of nature are brought into contrast with the works of man. And it is not on the land only that the scene is enriched with matter of interest: on the bosom of the Bosphorus is seen floating the magnificent barge-procession which occasionally accompanies the sultan; the prows, the sides, and the sterns of the vessels,

are decked with glittering ornaments, while the ships of war make a striking figure in the distance. Leander's Tower is another grand feature appertaining to the Bosphorus, and rises from its surface with all the boldness that battlements and fortifications can give. The figures in the neighbourhood of this tower are well painted, and give an interest to the spot which makes it one of the most effective portions of the whole Panorama.

WE have no other musical report to make at present than a review of some late publications.

The "Select Subjects from Haydn's Creation and Seasons, newly adapted as Divertimentos for the Piano-Forte," are proceeding with spirit and success.— The fourth number is particularly striking. Mr. J. B. Cramer has arranged it wholly from the Seasons, and has judiciously chosen an interesting variety of movements. It commences with the passage from winter to spring; we next have the soothing allegretto, "Come, gentle Spring," varied and embellished in Mr. Cramer's best manner; we then have "the impatient Husbandman," and this is well contrasted with the pastoral finale.

"Favorite Airs from Gluck's Operas," arranged for the same instrument by the same composer, are pleasingly interwoven into a divertimento, in which the characters of the different movements relieve and heighten the beauty of each other. This melange is, indeed, the most interesting and useful piano forte composition that we have for some years seen.

The "Alpine Herdsman," a Swiss air, arranged with an accompaniment for the piano-forte or harp, is (says a critic) one of those pretty little Arcadian melodies that Madame Stockhausen has brought into fashion by her very tasteful style of performance; the harmonies are pure, and the accent unexceptionable.

A "Fantasia for the Flute," by Bernard Lee, is admirably adapted to that instrument: it is easy, and yet not so trifling as to be uninteresting. It includes Barnet's two favorite boleros.

"Auber's Overture to Masaniello, arranged for two Performers on the Pianoforte, with Accompaniments of Violin,

Flute, and Violoncello," by Mr. Watts, is well arranged, and the adaptation may be recommended for fullness of effect.

Drouet's arrangement of favorite airs from the same opera for the flute, including a recapitulation of all the melodies, may be praised for its taste as well as its facility.

Mr. Hasse .continues to present the public with a good course of "Sacred Music, partly original, and partly selected from the Works of the chief modera

German Composers." The fifth and sixth numbers of this work contain some of the productions of Knecht, Bergt, Naumann, &c.

Miss Turnbull's "Selection of English, German, and French Melodies, with Symphonies and Accompaniments," may be said to reflect credit on her taste, though she is sometimes inattentive to the rules of harmony. A similar deficiency may be imputed to Miss F. E. Lacy, whose ballad of the Evening Primrose displays talent in other respects.

An Echo Trio, composed by Mr. John Parry, is playful and pleasing, and his own words are well adapted to the subject.

"They tell me thou hast gone from me," a ballad, consists of two movements in a high key; the modulation is correct, and both the music and the words are feelingly expressive.

Of the "Select Melodies of varions Nations, arranged with Embellishments for the Flute, and with Accompaniments for the Piano-Forte," the first number affords a favorable specimen; and most of the amateur Autists, we doubt not, will be obliged to Mr. Dressler for a continúance of the work.