AND Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c. This Journal is supplied Weekly, or Monthly, by the principal Booksellers and Newsmen, throughout the Kingdom; but to those who may desire its immediate transmission, by post, we recommend the LITERARY GAZETTE, printed on stamped paper, price One Shilling. No. 687. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1830. REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. Remarks occasioned by Mr. Moore's Notices of PRICE 8d. tion either to their direct agency, or to that of band. It has been argued, that I parted from 'officious spies' employed by them. From the Lord Byron in perfect harmony; that feelings, following part of the narrative, p. 642, it must incompatible with any deep sense of injury had also be inferred that an undue influence was dictated the letter which I addressed to him exercised by them for the accomplishment of and that my sentiments must have been changed this purpose. It was in a few weeks after by persuasion and interference, when I was THERE is no portion of the life of Lord Byron the latter communication between us (Lord under the roof of my parents. These assertions which has more excited public curiosity and Byron and Mr. Moore), that Lady Byron and inferences are wholly destitute of foundadiscussion than the painful event of his separa- adopted the determination of parting from him. tion. When I arrived at Kirkby Mallory, my tion from his lady, followed as it was by the She had left London at the latter end of Janu- parents were unacquainted with the existence relinquishment of his native country. With- ary, on a visit to her father's house, in Leices- of any causes likely to destroy my prospects of out intruding on the privacies of life, it is tershire, and Lord Byron was in a short time happiness; and when I communicated to them therefore with some degree of satisfaction that to follow her. They had parted in the utmost the opinion which had been formed concerning we find ourselves in a situation to lay some kindness, she wrote him a letter full of play- Lord Byron's state of mind, they were most explanation of this matter before our readers, fulness and affection, on the road; and im- anxious to promote his restoration by every by reprinting the following letter, which Lady mediately on her arrival at Kirkby Mallory, means in their power. They assured those Byron has addressed to Mr. Moore, as a com- her father wrote to acquaint Lord Byron relations who were with him in London, that mentary upon certain passages in the first vo- that she would return to him no more.' 'they would devote their whole care and atlume of his Memoirs, recently published. It In my observations upon this statement, Itention to the alleviation of his malady,' and is a moderate but meaning document, and must shall, as far as possible, avoid touching on hoped to make the best arrangements for his give rise to much cogitation: :any matters relating personally to Lord Byron comfort, if he could be induced to visit them. “I have disregarded various publications in and myself. The facts are:-I left Lon- With these intentions my mother wrote on the which facts within my own knowledge have don for Kirkby Mallory, the residence of 17th to Lord Byron, inviting him to Kirkby been grossly misrepresented; but I am called my father and mother, on the 15th of Mallory. She had always treated him with an upon to notice some of the erroneous state- January, 1816. Lord Byron had signified to affectionate consideration and indulgence, which ments proceeding from one who claims to me in writing (Jan. 6th) his absolute desire extended to every little peculiarity of his feelbe considered as Lord Byron's confidential that I should leave London on the earliest day ings. Never did an irritating word escape her and authorised friend. Domestic details ought that I could conveniently fix. It was not safe for lips in her whole intercourse with him. The not to be intruded on the public attention: if, me to undertake the fatigue of a journey sooner accounts given me after I left Lord Byron by however, they are so intruded, the persons than the 15th. Previously to my departure, it the persons in constant intercourse with him, affected by them have a right to refute inju- had been strongly impressed on my mind, that added to those doubts which had before tranrious charges. Mr. Moore has promulgated Lord Byron was under the influence of in-siently occurred to my mind, as to the reality of his own impressions of private events in which sanity. This opinion was derived in a great the alleged disease; and the reports of his meI was most nearly concerned, as if he possessed measure from the communications made to medical attendant were far from establishing the a competent knowledge of the subject. Having by his nearest relatives and personal attendant, existence of any thing like lunacy. Under survived Lord Byron, I feel increased reluct- who had more opportunities than myself of ance to advert to any circumstances connected observing him during the latter part of my with the period of my marriage; nor is it now my intention to disclose them, further than may be indispensably requisite for the end I have in view. Self-vindication is not the motive which actuates me to make this appeal, and the spirit of accusation is unmingled with it; but when the conduct of my parents is brought forward in a disgraceful light, by the passages selected from Lord Byron's letters, and by the remarks of his biographer, I feel bound to justify their characters from imputations which I know to be false. The passages from Lord Byron's letters, to which I refer, are the aspersion on my mother's character, p. 648, 1. 4:- My child is very well, and flourishing, I hear; but I must see also. I feel no disposition to resign it to the Dr. Baillie. Whatever might have been the contagion of its grandmother's society.' The nature of Lord Byron's conduct towards me assertion of her dishonourable conduct in em- from the time of my marriage, yet, supposing ploying a spy, p. 645, l. 7, &c. A Mrs. C. him to be in a state of mental alienation, it (now a kind of housekeeper and spy of Lady was not for me, nor for any person of common N.'s), who, in her better days, was a washer- humanity, to manifest, at that moment, a sense woman, is supposed to be-by the learned of injury. On the day of my departure, and very much the occult cause of our domestic again on my arrival at Kirkby, Jan. 16th, he persisted in his refusal, recourse must be discrepancies. The seeming exculpation of wrote to Lord Byron in a kind and cheerful myself, in the extract, p. 646, with the words tone, according to those medical directions. immediately following it,— Her nearest rela- The last letter was circulated, and employed as tives are a -;' where the blank clearly a pretext for the charge of my having been the circumstances, to state in writing what he subsequently influenced to desert't my hus-recollected upon this subject, I received from him the following letter, by which it will be manifest that my mother cannot have been implies something too offensive for publication. These passages tend to throw suspicion on my parents, and give reason to ascribe the separa this uncertainty, I deemed it right to com. municate to my parents, that if I were to constay in town. It was even represented to me sider Lord Byron's past conduct as that of a that he was in danger of destroying himself. person of sound mind, nothing could induce me With the concurrence of his family I had con- to return to him. It therefore appeared expesulted Dr. Baillie as a friend (Jan. 8th) re-dient both to them and myself to consult the specting this supposed malady. On acquainting ablest advisers. For that object, and also to him with the state of the case, and with Lord obtain still further information respecting the Byron's desire that I should leave London, appearances which seemed to indicate mental Dr. Baillie thought that my absence might be derangement, my mother determined to go to advisable as an experiment, assuming the fact London. She was empowered by me to take of mental derangement; for Dr. Baillie, not legal opinions on a written statement of mine, having had access to Lord Byron, could not though I had then reasons for reserving a part pronounce a positive opinion on that point. of the case from the knowledge even of my father He enjoined that in correspondence with Lord and mother. Being convinced by the result of Byron I should avoid all but light and soothing these inquiries, and by the tenor of Lord topics. Under these impressions, I left Lon- Byron's proceedings, that the notion of indon, determined to follow the advice given by sanity was an illusion, I no longer hesitated to authorise such measures as were necessary, in order to secure me from being ever again placed in his power. Conformably with this resolution, my father wrote to him on the 2d of February, to propose an amicable separation. Lord Byron at first rejected this proposal; but when it was distinctly notified to him, that if had to legal measures, he agreed to sign a deed of separation. Upon applying to Dr. Lushington, who was intimately acquainted with all "The officious spies of his privacy," p. 650. 'Great George Street, Jan. 31, 1830.' actuated by any hostile or ungenerous motives | author. It is only such men who ought to death of this fine young man, in the prime of towards Lord Byron. publish the results of their observations on life, and the vigour of health, so sudden, and, "My dear Lady Byron,-I can rely upon foreign parts; for it is only such men who as some seem to say, so extraordinary, excited the accuracy of my memory for the follow-have the power to increase our knowledge, while in the island a strong sensation. There were ing statement. I was originally consulted by they add to our literary pleasures. But we not wanting of one party, who affirmed it was Lady Noel on your behalf, whilst you were will not detain our readers from the partial a judgment visited on him for favouring the in the country; the circumstances detailed by taste of these qualities which we can select as escape of so many offenders; and of the other, her were such as justified a separation, but they examples of the whole repast; but hasten to who affected to say there was something myswere not of that aggravated description as to spread before them a whet, as it were, to the terious and suspicious in the manner of it, as render such a measure indispensable. On Brazilian banquet of the master provider. if he had been struck by some unknown hand Lady Noel's representation, I deemed a reconci- Having touched at Madeira on his outward while in the water, as I myself have heard it liation with Lord Byron practicable, and felt voyage, Dr. Walsh gives the following account insinuated; but nothing can be more unmost sincerely a wish to aid in effecting it. of the death of a gallant officer, dear to Britain founded than such an idle rumour: unforThere was not on Lady Noel's part any exag- for his father's sake :— tunately, the cause of his death is too common geration of the facts; nor, so far as I could per- "The last person (says Dr. W.) who left our - apoplexy, arising from collapse, occasioned ceive, any determination to prevent a return to ship was Captain Canning, and we took final by sudden and violent change of temperature Lord Byron: certainly none was expressed leave of this fine young man, whom we were in high excitement. Instances occur every when I spoke of a reconciliation. When you doomed never to see again. He was the son day of people incautiously rushing into a cold came to town in about a fortnight, or perhaps of the late minister, and though engaged in a bath, when violently heated by exercise, and more, after my first interview with Lady Noel, totally different sphere of life, had much of the sinking never to rise again; and to a case of I was for the first time informed by you of talent and vivacity of his father. He early this kind, I was myself a witness. A soldier facts utterly unknown, as I have no doubt, obtained the command of a ship of war, and he had just returned from a review, on a hot day, to Sir Ralph and Lady Noel. On receiving not only appeared, but I believe he really was, and the moment he was dismissed, he stripped this additional information my opinion was en- the youngest captain known in his majesty's himself, and I saw him plunge into the river, tirely changed: I considered a reconciliation navy. He was appointed lieutenant in Feb-close by the parade: he never re-appeared, till impossible. I declared my opinion, and added, ruary 1823; commander in 1825; and post- his lifeless body was brought up by a drag, that if such an idea should be entertained, I captain in 1826; thus rising from midshipman which was procured for the purpose. He was could not, either professionally or otherwise, take to his high station in four years. He was tall a very strong athletic young man, and a reany part towards effecting it. Believe me, very and slender, with light hair, and a fair com-markably good swimmer." faithfully yours, 'STEPH. LUSHINGTON. plexion, and had the youthful look and air of Dr. Walsh zealously and ably defends the a midshipman who had just passed for lieu-cause of the constitutionalists in Madeira, and "I have only to observe, that if the state-tenant; and his good-humoured and unaffected furnishes some novel and important particulars ments on which my legal advisers (the late Sir manners were in keeping with his appearance. relating to their movements; but we must get Samuel Romilly and Dr. Lushington) formed He also informed us of the incidents which forward to Brazil; and our first quotation their opinions, were false, the responsibility occurred on the arrival of the Portuguese throws a light on the court, and especially on and the odium should rest with me only. I squadron at the coast, of which he was a the melancholy death of the late empress. trust that the facts which I have here briefly spectator. We soon afterwards heard at Rio "It was now that the emperor, dreading recapitulated will absolve my father and mother of his premature death. He was highly po- the consequences of the growing spirit which from all accusations with regard to the part pular with every one at Madeira, particularly was spreading through the southern states, they took in the separation between Lord with the English, who greatly sought his so- resolved in person to arrest its progress, as he Byron and myself. They neither originated, ciety. He was one day engaged to dine at had done on former occasions; and, on the instigated, nor advised, that separation; and Mr. James Gordon's, whose quinta was about 24th of November, 1826, he embarked for the they cannot be condemned for having afforded a mile and a half from Funchal. He had Isle of St. Catherine, Rio Grande, from whence to their daughter the assistance and protection heated himself by violent exercise at rackets, he landed on the continent, and proceeded to which she claimed. There is no other near and when he proceeded to Mr. Gordon's house, the frontiers. The circumstance connected relative to vindicate their memory from insult. he entered the room which he used to occupy, with the departure was the cause of a domestic I am therefore compelled to break the silence and having put on his morning gown, he went calamity which has been deeply felt and dewhich I had hoped always to observe, and to down to a large tank in the grounds, where he plored all over Brazil. It is far from my solicit from the readers of Lord Byron's life an undressed himself, and plunging in, he sank desire to communicate to you the private impartial consideration of the testimony ex-never more to rise with life. Having waited scandal which circulates at Rio as profusely as torted from me. "A. I. NOEL BYRON." dinner for some time, Mr. Gordon proceeded in Europe; but I wish to give you a faithful "Hanger Hill, Feb. 19, 1830." in search of him, and coming to the tank, he detail of events which involve the morals and found his clothes on the edge. A young man happiness of a people, without respect to perwas immediately called, who was an expert sons; for public opinion is a tribunal before swimmer; and he, having dived down opposite which every one must appear, and the higher to where his clothes lay, discovered his body at his rank in society, the more he is amenable the bottom, in about fifteen feet of water; it to its decisions. On visiting the province of Notices of Brazil in 1828 and 1829. By the was lying in a bent position, with the head St. Paul's on a former occasion, he had met Rev. R. Walsh, LL.D., and Author of "A resting on the knees. A cord was imme. with a lady who had attracted his attention in Journey from Constantinople," &c. &c. diately let down, and being fastened to his no ordinary degree: by the connivance, it is 2 vols. 8vo. London, Westley and Davis. arm, the body was drawn up; but the spark of said, of her own brother, an interview was THE deserved popularity of Dr. Walsh's Jour-life seemed totally extinct, as it was supposed arranged, and from that time he became atney from Constantinople, and preceding works he had been half an hour in the water. Ex-tached to her to a passionate excess. of great merit, is a sufficient passport for his presses, however, were instantly despatched for created her Marchioness of Santos,-built a Notices of Brazil, to which country he accom- medical attendance, and it was found extremely palace for her close by that at S. Christovão,panied our ambassador, Lord Strangford, in the difficult to procure it in the moment of emer-acknowledged her child as his own, by the capacity of chaplain, and consequently enjoyed gency. It happened that all the Portuguese title of Duchess of Goyaz,-and so far forgot the best opportunities for acquiring accurate physicians were implicated as constitutionalists, what was due to the private feelings of her he information concerning it. Of these oppor- and had either escaped or were incarcerated. was bound to cherish and respect, that he had tunities the volumes now before us shew he Application was immediately made to the go- this person appointed one of the ladies-inhas made excellent use; and he has produced vernor to permit two of the most eminent who waiting to his wife. These are matters of a work so various and interesting, that it must were in prison to proceed to the place; but the public notoriety, of which the evidence exists speedily rival its predecessors from the same governor refused to liberate them: at length, in the facts themselves. They were borne pen in public favour. With a mind previously at the pressing instance of the English, and a with a meek and uncomplaining submission by well stored with all kinds of intelligence, whe-sufficient security being given for their imme- the empress; but on the night of his em ther derived from deep study or extensive diate return, they were suffered to go with a barkation for St. Catherine's, a circumstance travel, and with activity and well-directed guard. It was now, however, too late; the occurred which roused even her gentle spirit. inquisitiveness added to this solid foundation, time when it might have been possible to re- She had acquiesced, from a sense of duty, in it is not indeed surprising that we should find store suspended animation was wasted, and Dr. Walsh so agreeable and instructive anall means and appliances were useless. The on her voyage to Paris. The young lady who so lately touched on England, We understand that Mr. Moore has signified his intention of subjoining these Remarks of Lady Byron to the new edition of his work. He lity for her age. She sobbed and wept bitterly, such arrangements as her husband was pleased and was hardly at length repulsed by the firm during affections of her husband, as well as his, to make; but she would not sacrifice the re-ness and good sense of some of the attendants, high esteem, which she never lost. But these spect she owed herself, by visiting her un- who were afterwards dismissed for their in- trifling faults, if faults they could be called, worthy attendant, nor seem to countenance terference. On the 11th of December, at ten were lost in her many amiable and excellent vice by such a public mark of apparent appro- o'clock in the morning, the empress was re- qualities. Her charity was so boundless, that bation; a painful discussion took place, and lieved from her acute sufferings by death, she never could resist an application. When immediately after his departure, the empress having to the last sustained her illness with a she went abroad, she carried her pocket full of was taken alarmingly ill. The indications of meek and pious fortitude. She perished in the silver, which she took pleasure in distributing her illness commenced with great severity, she prime of life, and just before in apparent to every one in distress. In this way, her being then in the first stage of pregnancy. health, at the early age of twenty-nine years allowance could never keep pace with her gene. The bulletins of her health, published at the ten months and nineteen days. Her funeral rosity. She was a most kind and indulgent time, which I have read, contain details of was conducted with a pomp and splendour mistress to every one around her; an affecsymptoms with an indelicate, indeed I may hitherto unknown in Brazil. tionate mother, and a dutiful and submissive say, a disgusting accuracy, which I am not "There were, however, parts of this solem-wife, under all her provocations. She added to disposed to copy or translate. They were nity which were no less affecting than they this a conduct the most correct and blameless, principally affections connected with her state, were rational and appropriate to the sad occa- and an unaffected affability and condescension and seriously afflicting her with spasmodic and sion. Of all such ceremony, the beijamão, or in her high state, which every body felt and acnervous attacks. The whole science of Bra- kissing the hand, forms an essential part. The knowledged. Her love of literature and the zilian medicine was exhausted, and the enu- hand of the deceased is extended, and for the fine arts was a distinguished feature in her meration of epispasticos, friçcoes, sangue- last time those who loved and respected the character; and her talent for letter-writing, both suxes, banhos, catharticos, antispasmodicos, living, come to take an affectionate leave of all in French and her native language, is highly nauseates,' and divers other means which are that remained of them. On this occasion her spoken of, which she exercised with effect for pompously detailed, afford abundant proof how children approached to pay this solemn duty to the benefit of Brazil. Her father-in-law, Dom much she must have suffered, both from doctors their mother. They were led respectively by John, equally loved and respected her; and it and disease. Beside the aid of medicine, every the chamberlains of the court to the side of the was her letter to him that effectually reconciled thing was resorted to which the religion of the coffin, and there kissed her extended hand. him to the recognition of the independence of country prescribed as efficacious on solemn oc- They were all too young to feel any strong the country. I have been more particular in casions, processions of the different religious impression of what they were doing, except the noticing the death and character of this lady, arders, and visitations of images of reputed eldest, Dona Maria. The young Queen of Por- because she was the first empress of the new sanctity. Among these, one is gravely men- tugal, I am told, shewed extraordinary sensibi- world. Had she lived, her conduct might have tioned, which can hardly fail to excite a mehad an important influence on that of her sex lancholy smile, even on so sad an occasion. here; and the females of Brazil would have Her particular patroness, and at whose shrine been formed on her good model." she paid assiduous adoration during her lifeShe left five children: "Dona Maria da time, was Nossa Senhora da Gloria; she, Gloria, Queen of Portugal, born April 4, 1819; therefore, was particularly interested in her "When the empress first came to Brazil, Dona Januaria, born March 11, 1821; Dona recovery, and the people,' said one account, she is represented as exceedingly engaging and Paula Mariana, born Feb. 17, 1823; Dona 'could not see without the strongest emotion lovely; her fair skin, clear complexion, blue Francisca Carolina, born Aug. 2, 1824; Dom of piety, her image, which never condescended eyes, and blond hair, were pleasingly contrasted Pedro d'Alcantara, Imperial Prince of Brazil, to issue from its temple, for the first time, on with the dark locks, brown tint, and sallow and heir apparent to the throne, born Dec 2, this occasion, under a heavy shower of rain, visages, of the ladies about her. But she soon 1825. She had another child, a boy, Dom visiting the princess, who never failed on neglected these advantages; she had not the João Carlos, but he fell a victim to the auxiliSundays to be found at the foot of her altar.' least personal vanity, and became utterly care-ary Portuguese. When they were breaking Alas, poor lady! even such condescension was less of her appearance, as of a thing altogether the windows, and outraging the inhabitants in as unavailing as the medicines under which of no consideration. She went abroad with 1822, his father thought it necessary to send she suffered. On the 2d of December, pre- large thick boots, loaded with great tarnished off his wife and family from Rio to Santa mature labour came on; she was delivered of a spurs, such as are worn by the mineiros. She Cruz, a roval residence about seventeen male child a few months old, and experienced wrapped herself up in a clumsy great coat and leagues distant. They set out suddenly, in a some slight remission of the symptoms; but a man's hat, and in this way sat herself astride moment of great alarm, without any convenithey soon after returned with such violence, on a horse, and rode through all parts of the ence, and were exposed to a wet and cold night, that all hope of life was abandoned. It was town. It is true, this mode of riding is always after a very hot day; and the death of the then that her very amiable disposition dis-practised in the provinces, and I have never child was the consequence, who caught a fever played itself. After having humbly received seen a woman there ride otherwise; and she and died. This circumstance Dom Pedro pathe last rites of her church, she called around adopted it from a wish to conciliate, in com-thetically laments, in his correspondence with her all the domestics of her establishment, and plying with the customs of the people among his father; and, in accusing the Portuguese at while they stood, shedding tears of real sym- whom she came to reside; though in Rio, where that time of causing the death of his son and pathy and feeling, beside her bed, she asked European habits and the usages of more polished heir, adds another reason for his hostility to them in succession whether she had injured or countries have modelled the opinions of the them. The Brazilians implicate others in offended them by word or deed, as she could natives, it is considered as coarse and indelicate. this charge. Application had been made to not leave the world with the impression on her When she became a mother, she was as negli- the commander of the Doris frigate, then lying mind that any one remembered aught against gent of her person at home as abroad. Her in the harbour, to receive the princess and faher, for which she could make reparation. hair, which was long, and without curl, she mily on board, and convey them by sea to Santa The whole tenor of her domestic life had been suffered to hang lank and loose about her face Cruz. Though it was the obvious duty of the so good and condescending to others, that no- and shoulders; and the defects of her person English to preserve a strict neutrality, yet anthing could be recollected that was not so, and became every day more conspicuous. She had swer was sent that they would be received; but her attendants only answered by irrepressible a large Austrian nether lip, and the thick they, for some reason, did not go. NotwithBobs and tears, which her humility and kind-neck which is characteristic of the people of standing, the Brazilians still affirm that the ness had excited. On this occasion, it is said, Vienna, and gives them the appearance of English were notoriously favourable to the the person who had been the cause of all her being bossu. When she first appeared as a Portuguese, and for that reason would not redomestic afflictions was proceeding to her apart-bride, with all the advantages of youth and ceive the royal family; and so the heir appa ment; but as she was the last person whom dress, these defects were not apparent; but rent was sacrificed. It is remarkable that an she could wish to see about her, a representa- when neglect and indifference, and the duties eldest son of the house of Braganza has never tion was made on the impropriety of her en- of a mother succeeded, they were but too con- reigned, some accident or circumstance always tering the empress's chamber, and adding by spicuous, and added, it is said, to the estrange- having occurred to prevent it. When this her presence to the sufferings of her imperial ment of her husband, who was himself scrupu- young prince was born, it was universally said mistress. Yet she persisted, in right of her lously neat in his person, as all the Brazilians that he would not succeed his father; and the office as camareira, in making her way, with a are, and exacted a similar attention from those event so unexpectedly occurring, has confirmed total disregard of all feeling and sense of pro-about him. I have heard her much censured the Brazilians in the belief that their prediction priety on such a solemn occasion, notwith- for this neglect of herself, as an attention to was well-founded." standing strong remonstrances made to her; her person might have secured to her the en This interesting narrative is followed by a description of another kind, but not less attractive to the English reader: we allude to the mutiny of the Irish at Rio, when some two hundred shilellahs had nearly overthrown the empire! We regret much that this is too long for our columns; and, in fact, we must be contented to close here for this week. pp. 351. dotes. 6 Another anecdote. The description of what the writer saw of the battle of Vittoria is extremely interesting, and affords a good picture of such a day; which we purpose to insert, if possible, in a subsequent No., and pass to that of the Nivelle. and the hour of surprise past), when we pro-mered out with a stone. The poor fellow ceeded to unharness, and to indulge in such recovered, and joined his regiment, as well luxuries as our toilet and our table afforded. as ever he had been, and was, last night, un"Our piquet-post, at the bridge, became a fortunately drowned, while bathing in the regular lounge for the winter, to all manner of Tormes." folks. I used to be much amused at seeing our naval officers come up from Lisbon riding on "October 31st.-Halted for the night in the mules, with huge ships' spy-glasses, like six- park of the Escurial. It is amusing, on a diviAdventures in the Rifle Brigade, in the Penin-pounders, strapped across the backs of their sion's first taking up its ground, to see the sula, France, and the Netherlands, from saddles. Their first question invariably was, numbers of hares that are, every instant, start1809 to 1815. By Capt. J. Kincaid. 12mo. Who is that fellow there?' (pointing to the ing up among the men, and the scrambling and London, 1830. T. and W. Boone. enemy's sentry, close to us); and, on being told shouting of the soldiers for the prize. This THE spectator of, and actor in, many a sangui. that he was a Frenchman, Then why the day, when the usual shout was given, every nary fray, Captain Kincaid, of the Rifles, has devil don't you shoot him?' Repeated acts of man ran, with his cap in his hand, to endeahere exchanged the sword for the pen, and civility passed between the French and us dur-vour to capture poor puss, as he imagined, but brought before us a great number of very cu-ing this tacit suspension of hostilities. The which turned out to be two wild boars, who rious incidents. Accustomed to scenes of blood-greyhounds of an officer followed a hare, on contrived to make room for themselves so long shed, his mode of telling these stories certainly one occasion, into their lines, and they very as there was nothing but men's caps to contend appears to us to be sometimes rather too flip-politely returned them. I was one night on with; but they very soon had as many bayonets pant and facetious; but we home critics have piquet, at the end of the bridge, when a ball as bristles in their backs." no right to judge those too strictly who have came from the French sentry and struck the had their heads broken in warfare, and so often burning billet of wood round which we were risked life and limb as to come at last to set sitting; and they sent in a flag of truce, next small value upon either. Allowing Captain morning, to apologise for the accident, and to Kincaid, therefore, to negative the poet's line, say that it had been done by a stupid fellow "He jests at scars who never felt a wound;" of a sentry, who imagined that people were "Towards the end of the action, Colonel we shall content ourselves with quoting some advancing upon him. We admitted the apo- Barnard was struck with a musket-ball, which of his most piquant and characteristic anec-been done by a malicious rather than a stupid seeing that they had shot an officer of rank, very logy, though we knew well enough that it had carried him clean off his horse. The enemy, "On our arrival at Vallé, on the 12th of fellow, from the situation we occupied. Gene- maliciously kept up a heavy firing on the spot, November, we found the enemy behind the ral Junot, one day reconnoitring, was severely while we were carrying him under the brow of Rio Maior, occupying the heights of Santarem, wounded by a sentry; and Lord Wellington, the hill. The ball having passed through the and exchanged some shots with their advanced knowing that they were at that time destitute lungs, he was spitting blood, and, at the moposts. In the course of the night we expeof every thing in the shape of comfort, sent to ment, had every appearance of being in a dying rienced one of those tremendous thunder-storms request his acceptance of any thing that Lisbon state; but, to our joy and surprise, he, that which used to precede the Wellington victories, afforded that could be of any service to him; day month, rode up to the battalion, when it and which induced us to expect a general action but the French general was too much of a poli- was in action, near Bayonne; and I need not tician to admit the want of any thing." on the following day. I had disposed myself to add, that he was received with three hearty sleep in a beautiful green hollow way, and, beSo much for Santarem: at the capture of cheers. A curious fact occurred in our regiCiudad Rodrigo: fore I had time even to dream of the effects of ment at this period. Prior to the action of the their heavy rains, I found myself floating most "The fifth division, which had not been Nivelle, an owl had perched itself on the tent majestically towards the river, in a fair way of employed in the siege, marched in, and took of one of our officers (Lieut. Doyle). This becoming food for the fishes. I ever after gave and we prepared to return to our cantonments. afterwards seen on Capt. Duncan's tent. His charge of the town on the morning of the 20th, officer was killed in the battle, and the owl was those inviting-looking spots a wide berth, as I found that they were regular watercourses. Lord Wellington happened to be riding in at brother officers quizzed him on the subject, by "We lay four months in this situation, di- the gate at the time that we were marching telling him that he was the next on the list; a vided only by a rivulet, without once exchan-out, and had the curiosity to ask the officer of joke which Capt. D. did not much relish; and it ging shots. Every evening, at the hour the leading company what regiment it was; was prophetic, as he soon afterwards fell at for there was scarcely a vestige of uniform Tarbes." among the men, some of whom were dressed In the attack on Toulouse, we are told of it was our practice to dress for sleep: we sad-in Frenchmen's coats, some in white breeches one of the few good things said by Wellington dled our horses, buckled on our armour, and lay down, with the bare floor for a bed and a stone for a pillow, ready for any thing, and reckless of every thing but the honour of our corps and country; for I will say (to save the expense of a trumpeter) that a more devoted set of fellows were never associated. We stood When bucks to dinner go, to our arms every morning at an hour before and during the war : and huge jack-boots, some with cocked hats The following paragraph describes an extraordinary recovery from a wound. 66 a · whether they would stand after they got out of support, but died shortly after. Among other duty of taking revenge on the learned Persian. the reach of the enemy's shot, was, 'Well, d- officers who fell at Waterloo, we lost one of the The Ismaelian having gained an introduction me, if ever I saw ten thousand men run a race wildest youths that ever belonged to the ser- into the house of his intended victim, conbefore!" " vice. He seemed to have a prophetic notion of tinued there seven months, no opportunity It is but just to add from our author: his approaching end; for he repeatedly told us, occurring in that time to aid him in his pur"However, notwithstanding their disaster, in the early part of the morning, that he knew poses. One day, however, being alone with many of their officers certainly evinced great the devil would have him before night. I shall the doctor, he suddenly fastened the doors of bravery, and on their account it is to be regret- relate one anecdote of him, which occurred the apartment, drew his dagger, and precited that the attack was made so soon, for they while we were in Spain. He went, by chance, pitating himself upon the astonished Persian, would otherwise have carried their point with to pass the day with two officers quartered at a held him down by sitting on his breast. The little loss, either of life or credit, as the British neighbouring village, who happened to be, that doctor demanded the reason of this violence, divisions on the left soon after stormed and day, engaged to dine with the clergyman. and the Assassin replied, I intend to rip thee carried all the other works, and obliged those Knowing their visitor's mischievous propensi- up from the navel to the breast. For what who had been opposed to the Spaniards to ties, they were at first afraid to make him one reason?' said the Persian; and he was inevacuate theirs without firing another shot." of the party; but, after schooling him into a formed that intelligence had reached his master Into the glorious consummation of so many suitable propriety of behaviour, and exacting a of the curses which he had publicly pronounced victories at Waterloo we have not room to promise of implicit obedience, they, at last, against the Ismaelians. Without hesitation, travel; but must end our notice with a very ventured to take him. On their arrival, the the doctor denied having spoken willingly short extract of Capt. Kincaid's conclusion:- ceremony of introduction had just been gone against them: and the Assassin, freeing him "It will (says he) ever be a matter of dis- through, and their host seated at an open from his grasp, said, I had no order to kill pute what the result of that day would have window, when a favourite cat of his went pur- thee; if it had been otherwise, I should not been without the arrival of the Prussians: but ring about the young gentleman's boots, who, have delayed or failed to do it. Know, now, it is clear to me that Lord Wellington would catching it by the tail, and giving it two or that Mohammed salutes thee; he desires that not have fought at Waterloo unless Blucher three preparatory swings round his head, sent you would honour him by coming to his castle; had promised to aid him with thirty thousand it flying out at the window where the parson you will then become an all-powerful governor, men, as he required that number to put him on was sitting, who only escaped it by suddenly for he will obey thee blindly.' To this strange a numerical footing with his adversary. It is stooping. The only apology the youngster salutation he added,' We reckon as nothing the certain that the promised aid did not come in made for his conduct was, Egad, I think I discourse of the people. Their insults have no time to take any share whatever in the battle. astonished that fellow!' but whether it was the effect upon us; but for you, you ought not It is equally certain that the enemy had, long cat or the parson he meant, I never could learn. to speak against us, or to censure our conduct; before, been beaten into a mass of ruin, in con- About twelve o'clock, on the day after the for your words imprint themselves in our dition for nothing but running, and wanting battle, we commenced our march for Paris. I hearts, as the lines of the graver on the stone.' but an apology to do it; and I will ever main- shall, therefore, leave my readers at Waterloo, It is impossible,' replied the doctor, that I tain that Lord Wellington's last advance would in the hope that, among the many stories of should go to the castle; but I will willingly have made it the same victory had a Prussian romance to which that and the other celebrated promise to speak no more in a manner that never been seen there. The field of battle, fields gave birth, the foregoing unsophisticated may be displeasing to your sovereign.' At next morning, presented a frightful scene of one of an eye-witness may not have been found hearing which, the Assassin drew from his carnage; it seemed as if the world had tumbled altogether uninteresting." girdle three hundred and sixty pieces of gold, to pieces, and three-fourths of every thing and said, Behold your pension for a year; destroyed in the wreck. The ground running Constable's Miscellany, Vol. LI.-The His- and it has been resolved by the sublime divan parallel to the front of where we had stood was tory of Chivalry and the Crusades. By the that you should every year receive a like sum. so thickly strewed with, fallen men and horses, Rev. H. Stebbing, M.A., &c. Vol. II. I have also with me two robes of Yemen, which that it was difficult to step clear of their bodies; pp. 341. Edinburgh, Constable and Co.: your domestics must take, for our master sent many of the former still alive, and imploring London, Hurst, Chance, and Co. them for you.' Having said this, the Ismaelian assistance, which it was not in our power to UPON the first volume of this History we instantly disappeared; and the doctor continued bestow. The usual salutation on meeting an offered all the remarks, and, as far as we could for several years to receive the promised penacquaintance of another regiment after an from a portion of a work, nearly as much sion." action was to ask, who had been hit? but on commendation as the subject required. We A crusade of children furnishes an extrathis occasion it was, Who's alive?' Meeting have now, therefore, only to say, that a great ordinary example of the spirit of the age. one, next morning, a very little fellow, I asked mass of information is compressed into a slight "While Innocent was urgently pursuing what had happened to them yesterday? I'll form, with much elegance and judgment; and his measures for raising an armament, and had be hanged,' says he, if I know any thing at many curious facts are brought more pro- so far succeeded in his attempts, that many all about the matter, for I was all day trodden minently forward than we remember to have thousands of the people were roused to the in the mud and galloped over by every scoundrel noticed in far larger and more ambitious pub- highest pitch of excitement, the feeling which who had a horse; and, in short, that I only lications. The following, for example, is a had descended from the pontiff to the mulowe my existence to my insignificance.' Two striking incident, with which we cannot pre- titude was thence transferred into the hearts of our men, on the morning of the 19th, lost tend to be familiar. Speaking of the Ismael- of children, who were allowed to receive it as their lives by a very melancholy accident. They ians, alias the Assassins, Mr. Stebbing says:— a divine inspiration. It seems scarcely crewere cutting up a captured ammunition wag- "The inventions which they employed to dible, but it is a well-attested historical fact, gon for firewood, when one of their swords effect their purposes were frequently as re- that no less than fifty thousand children of striking against a nail, sent a spark among markable as the courage necessary for the France and Germany assumed the cross and the powder. When I looked in the direction execution. They professed any religion, when set forth for Palestine. The origin of this of the explosion, I saw the two poor fellows it might serve to assist their designs; travelled about twenty or thirty feet up in the air. On under every variety of disguise, and introduced falling to the ground, though lying on their themselves into houses and palaces, as probacks or bellies, some extraordinary effort of fessors of all kinds of learned arts. A curious nature, caused by the agony of the moment, instance of this facility in personating the made them spring from that position, five or character required, is related by M. Jourdain. six times, to the height of eight or ten feet, just A celebrated Persian doctor, says he, was acas a fish does when thrown on the ground after cused of secretly inclining to the doctrines of being newly caught. It was so unlike a scene the hated Ismaelians. To clear himself of an in real life, that it was impossible to witness it accusation so dangerous to his reputation and without forgetting, for a moment, the horror of his life, he mounted a pulpit, and publicly detheir situation. I ran to the spot along with clared his innocence, by pronouncing several others, and found that every stitch of clothes maledictions against the sect. Information of had been burnt off, and they were black as ink this occurrence having been conveyed to the all over. They were still alive, and told us chief of the Assassins, who had emissaries ready their names, otherwise we could not have re- to give him intelligence of whatever was done cognised them; and, singular enough, they by his most distant friends or enemies, he were able to walk off the ground with a little charged one of his faithful guards with the strange crusade is differently described by the authors who have given any account of the occurrence. By some it is said that the young enthusiasts had no instigator but their own crude imaginations; but others, who appear to have gained the greater credit, assert, that in France they assembled at the call of two ecclesiastics who had lately returned from captivity in the East. These priests recovered their liberty, it is said, by promising to furnish the Old Man of the Mountains, who held them in bondage, a certain number of European youths to be trained up in his service. In Germany the seven thousand children who prepared themselves for the same exploit were headed by one Nicholas, by some writers menThe chief of the Ismaelians of Persia and Syria was commonly designated thus by the Christians. |