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 its immediate transmission, by post, we recommend the LITERARY GAZETTE, printed on stamped paper, price One Shilling. No. 677. SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1830. desire PRICE 8d. possessed in surmounting difficulties. At length, half-pay on the peace establishment, he passed REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS. however, he was appointed to a lieutenancy in some years on the Continent, both in France The Annual Biography and Obituary of 1829. the 23d fusileers. The great advantages which and in Italy; and in 1819 was admitted into Vol. XIV. London, 1830. Longman and Co. his British commission gave him, and of which the senior department of the Royal Military THE triumphs of the unconquerable victor, no one knew better how to avail himself, now College at Farnham. He there pursued his Death, are here recorded in a way which robs made his life one of comparative ease and course of studies with great credit, under the him of some of his power, by rescuing the comfort. Amidst the various vicissitudes of a excellent system laid down by Sir Howard memory of his victims from the oblivion of the campaign, battles, skirmishes, and alarms; Douglas, the governor; and obtained the aptomb. It is a compliment to the volume, forced marches and bivouacs; sometimes in probation and confidence of that accomplished though a sad reflection to humanity, that it is tents without food, at others with abundant officer, whose military and scientific character very various in its subjects; and, we may provender, but exposed to inclement weather, stands so high as to make his personal favour justly add, seems to have been prepared with with no other canopy than that of heaven, an enviable distinction; and in that light as much care and attention as the peculiar Denham's sumpter-mule was seldom without Denham ever viewed it. It is, however, as nature of such a publication will admit. at least one well-filled pannier; and every one the traveller in northern and central Africa Knowing the difficulties attendant upon bio- in the division thought it good luck to fall in that Colonel Denham's name will be rememgraphical inquiries, we may go farther, and with him after a march. Here, also, his happy bered by the world; and it was in that arsay that we are unacquainted with any work tact, and unfailing flow of spirits, made him duous and perilous undertaking that the peof the kind which does so much credit to the beloved by his equals, whilst his exemplary culiar strength and energy of his character industry and talents of its editor. There is attention to his military duties secured him were most prominently displayed. Whether hardly a memoir among these of the great and the good opinion and favour of his superior we consider the intrepid manner in which, distinguished (twenty-nine in number) who officers. Sir James Douglas, who commanded after the disheartening interview with the have passed from life during the preceding the regiment of Portuguese infantry to which Sultan of Fezzan, he returned alone to Tripoli, twelve months, whence we might not extract Denham was appointed, soon became, and ever and at once charged the basha himself with some interesting particulars; but (whatever continued, his fast and powerful friend; and bad faith towards the English government, we may do hereafter in this sort) we think it they served together until the return of the and compelled the fulfilment of his engagewill be the fairest course towards the editor, British army to England. His division was ments; his happy tact in conciliating the and the most agreeable to our readers, that we actively engaged in the attack on Badajos, Arabs (the circulating medium, as they may should copy entire one of the most original and in the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, and be called, of those barren wastes), and others sketches, especially as it refers to a gentleman others. At Toulouse, while acting as aide-de-of the wild family of nature whom he enwhose fate has excited universal sympathy, we camp to Sir James Douglas, he had the dis- countered in the desert; or his address in so mean the enterprising traveller, Denham. tressing, yet grateful task of carrying off the quickly gaining, on his arrival at Bornou, the "The parents of Colonel Denham, although field his friend and commanding officer, who confidence of the good sheikh with whom he not prominent in station, were of exemplary was struck, while riding by Denham's side, by resided eighteen months,—an admirable union character and unimpeachable integrity. They a cannon-ball near the ankle. Amputation of courage and temper, perseverance and mohad three sons, one of whom died in infancy. became immediately necessary; and it was deration, is discovered throughout his whole Of the survivors, Dixon was the younger, performed amidst the still fast-falling shot from career, which proves his singular fitness and being born on the 1st of January, 1786, in the fort above them. Sir James's horse was ability for such a species of enterprise. A Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, where his pa- killed by the same shot; and Brigade-Major narrative of his travels and discoveries in rents resided for several years. At an early Birmingham received another through the Africa was published by Mr. Murray in 1825; e he was admitted a scholar at Merchant body nearly at the same instant, and fell dead and has been so generally read (having gone Taylors' school; and on leaving it was placed, upon the spot. Quarters were found for Co- through three editions), that it is hardly en friendly terms, with a gentleman having lonel Douglas in the town, although with necessary to say, the mission consisted, bethe management of an extensive property in great difficulty; for not only was the hospital sides Colonel (then Major) Denham, of Dr. Wiltshire, with a view to his acquiring some filled with wounded, but the court-yard was so Oudney, and Captain (then Lieutenant) Clap. knowledge of business; but his singularly crowded with them, that it was difficult to step perton: the former of whom died at Murmur pleasing spirit and address were such, that he without treading on the men. The gallantry near Katagum, in Soudan, in January 1824; ery soon became the favourite of the family; of a brave sergeant, however, a fellow-sufferer, the latter, though having suffered most seand his visit turned out to be one rather of who was just able to move, and who instantly verely from climate in the former enterprise, pleasure and enjoyment than of improvement. offered his bed to his superior officer, enabled embarked on a second expedition in November On his return to London he was placed with Colonel Douglas to receive those attentions which 1825, with the view of penetrating from the an eminent solicitor, and excellent man, in were indispensable at that critical and anxious southern coast to Sockatoo, in Soudan; at very extensive practice. And here, again, the moment. The writer of this memoir has heard which place he unhappily perished in April influence of his attaching qualities operated Sir James Douglas declare that he owed the 1827. Thus firmly established as the most unfavourably for his welfare; as the master preservation of his life on that day to Den- successful traveller in those hitherto-unexplored on became the too kind and indulgent friend. ham's care and exertion; and he, in his turn, regions, Colonel Denham became an object of Ranning a little out of bounds, the even derived the most heartfelt gratification from peculiar favour and deep interest in the highest tour of young Denham's professional pur- the consciousness that he had made some real circles at home; and his pleasing exterior, sits was interrupted; and, seeking a more return to his kind commander for all his con- manly affability, and travelled air, were such, enlarged and enterprising sphere of action, he stant favour and protection. Sir James per- that he was at no loss to sustain his pretenentered the army, as a volunteer, in 1811, and fectly recovered, and is still in the enjoyment sions in any society. To Earl Bathurst's served during the whole succeeding period of of good health. On the evacuation of Portugal, discriminating and unostentatious kindness he the campaigns in the Peninsula. He did not, Denham was reduced to half-pay; but he was much indebted: he was an invited guest however, obtain his commission in the English sought employment, was soon appointed to the both in London and at Oakley; and his army until he had served a considerable time 54th regiment, then commanded by Lord lordship's desire to mark his approbation of in a Portuguese regiment; and it was hardly Waldegrave, and, joining the British army in the zeal and intelligence which the traveller earned, for rougher and worse-paid service the Netherlands, shared in the honours of had evinced, led him to offer to his acceptance has seldom been endured. But he was sup- Waterloo, and accompanied the allied armies a new and experimental appointment to Sierra ported in it by the peculiar talent which he on their entry into Paris. Again reduced to Leone, just then decided on at the suggestion of General Turner, then governor of the | jesty's warrant, appointing him lieutenant- slave vessels, sailing under Dutch and Bracolony. The lamented death of that zealous governor of the colony (the appointment of zilian colours. On the 27th of May he writes officer, however, deprived him of the gra- governor being abolished), having arrived out for the last time I am as well as ever I was tification of seeing his recommendation adopted, during his absence. He landed under the any where;' and on the 31st he was attacked and Colonel Denham of the advantage of his usual salute, with military honours, and was by the fatal fever of the country. On the 2d co-operation. No sooner, therefore, had Co-accompanied to the Government House by of June he appeared better; and it is stated, lonel Denham performed his duty to his fellow-many of the principal people, and the general that until the sixth day no decidedly alarming travellers and himself, in presenting to the congratulations of the inhabitants. How soon, symptoms manifested themselves. He then public his simple narrative of their discoveries alas! were those sounds of joy and welcome expressed the most anxious desire to return to (for the death of Dr. Oudney in Africa, and to be changed to lamentation! In three short England; but it is presumed that it was too the departure of Captain Clapperton on his weeks the same voices were sunk in sorrow late. He became immediately intractable, second journey to Sockatoo, necessarily left this for his death, and those very footsteps fol- then delirious, and, the vital powers being duty in his hands), than, anxious for enter-lowed him to the silent grave! The feelings gradually exhausted, he expired on the mornprise, he was appointed superintendent, or di- of the writer of this sad narrative would lead ing of the 9th of June. We have seen a copy rector-general, of the liberated African depart-him to close it here; but the indulgence of of the notes of Dr. Boyle, of whose profes ment at Sierra Leone and the coasts of Africa, mere sorrow for sorrow's sake is irreconcilable sional skill the lieutenant-governor had spoken and became a member of council. Major- with the dictates of duty or the precepts of in terms of high commendation; from which General Sir Neil Campbell had in the interim religion; and is, perhaps, as reprehensible in no doubt can exist for a single moment that assumed the government of the colony, on the principle as any other selfish and wilful in- every care and attention was paid to him which death of General Turner; and Colonel Den- dulgence. Having paid the tribute of affec- art and anxiety could suggest. Dr. Boyle says, ham cheerfully entered on the preparation for tion, and poured out the heart's deep grief, we I was never absent from Government House his mission. He embarked accordingly on the ought willingly to receive that consolation for more than an hour at a time during the 8th of December, 1826, on board the Cadmus, which the true Christian ever can command last eight days of my lamented patient's sufCaptain Hallowell, at Plymouth, where was by seeking :—and shall we not soon find plea. fering. The fatal symptom to be traced then also lying the British armament about to sure in dwelling on the subject of our ad- throughout this case is the absence of ptyalism; sail for Portugal, and just ready to put to sea. miration and regret? Thus disciplined, the for the state of the tongue, and other ap This could not fail to excite his military ar- acute suffering, which under its first pressure pearances, were calculated to justify our hopes dour, and recall soul-stirring recollections of his seemed insupportable, will be assuaged, and of a recovery, until the eighth day of the atold campaigns in the Peninsula; and he says, we shall exult in the value of the treasure that tack.' It was a striking excellence in the in a letter written at the time- Here are was once our own; deriving many and high character of Colonel Denham, that the service troops going out to Portugal. I think I should consolations from the reflections which cannot on which he was employed always appeared to have had a good chance for being now em- fail to present themselves to the religious his ardent and fearless mind the best of all ployed but Che sara sara;' and no doubt mind on the removal of those we love to that possible services; and, from this short narall is for the best.' In twenty-eight days from region of purity and joy to which we our- rative, it will be seen how entirely he had the date of this letter he landed at Sierra selves ardently, yet humbly and fearfully, converted all things to the colour of his own Leone. His early duty was to visit the vil- aspire. Strengthened, then, by these con- imaginings. Such confidence had he in his lages surrounding Free Town, in which the siderations, we proceed to finish our painful own resources, that, walking as he did, surliberated Africans are located; and the fol- task with feelings of pride and gratitude; rounded by the most fatal dangers, even that lowing description will shew his simple and proud of our relationship to one of Nature's of death itself, he seemed to have persuaded characteristic manner of conveying his im- highly gifted children, and truly grateful, as himself that to will was to perform, and that pressions: I am now, and have been for he himself was, for the ample measure of ap- an enterprise once determined upon was althese five days, among the mountain villages, probation and kindness with which his talents ready half achieved. This surely was the with superb scenery, a fresh breeze, and a and successes were appreciated and rewarded. spirit and the frame of mind most happily warm sun, in a cool house with a large piazza That Colonel Denham entered upon the duties adapted for succeeding in a perilous service; of wood, in the midst of a population of eleven of his government with zeal and spirit, may be but even his undaunted heart was at one fell hundred liberated Africans and discharged best gathered from his own expressions; for blow bereft of all its wonted energies-so inblack soldiers. In the market are daily different he says in a letter, dated Government House, describably baleful is the fatal fever of Sierra kinds of fish; bananas and pine-apples are in a very few days after his landing from Fer. Leone. To shew that Colonel Denham was the garden of the manager's house; oranges, nando Po- I have just held my first levee, already truly estimated by those in power nuts, red peppers, tomatoes, ochroes (as good which has been attended by the members of under his government, we quote, in conclu. as asparagus), and excellent water from a council, chief justice, king's advocate, colonial sion, the words of a letter from thence, an brook that runs down the mountain side. secretary, and the officers of the garrison and nouncing the sad event :- Denham bade fair My evening rides to the neighbouring vil-commissariat,-fifty-eight persons; high she- to be of great use to Sierra Leone. He was lages, where I am endeavouring to establish riff, mayor, and aldermen, and, lastly, the conciliatory, and anxious to promote every order and encourage industry, are quite de- principal merchants who had served the office plan for improvement. He was in the conlightful. What does one want more? Why, of sheriff, and were in the commission of the fidence of the Colonial Office, and his repreI will tell you, society.' From May to peace. The clergy, and several members of sentations and wishes would have been atOctober the wretchedly unhealthy wet season the Church Missionary Society, were also pre- tended to; and I am quite sure, from what continues; and although Colonel Denham ob- sented.' In his own happy vein of pleasantry he said and did, that he felt a great interest served in the beginning, that the rains were he adds- We are in perfect health, and well in the colony. In a word, he appeared to nothing when compared to those of the Bor- pleased with our government: so are our peo- connect its future prosperity with his own nou country,' in a subsequent letter he ad-ple. They flocked round me in hundreds name and fame." " mitted that the debilitating effects of the when I landed; and many of my free labour rainy season fever at Sierra Leone were dread-boys came down from the mountains, and Darnley; or, the Field of the Cloth of Gold. ful in the extreme; and that the European wanted to carry me up with them, on their By the Author of "Richelieu." 3 vols. 12me. women suffered from them still more severely return, on their shoulders. The liberated London, 1830. Colburn and Bentley. than the men. In December, 1827, he em- Africans are a class of the population the most WE cannot imagine a period better suited to barked on board the Sybille, Commodore Col- interesting to me-therefore there is no fear the pen of the novelist than the commencement lier, on a voyage of inspection to Fernando of their not being brought forward as much as of Henry VIII.'s reign,-a young monarch Po; and it is not a little singular that he possible. You say, Would it were a better whose frank and chivalrous spirit stood out in should have fallen in with Lander, the faithful kingdom! So say I too; but rest assured bold relief from his magnificent and kingly servant of his former fellow-traveller, Clapper- that, after completing my three years, it shall tastes;-a time of wild adventure, yet of gra ton, on the coast; and that he was the first to be so. Pray send me some one of the shortest dual civilisation of fête and pageantry, of tilt transmit to England the intelligence of the and best pamphlets on the subject of savings' and tournament; when scientific acquirefatal termination of poor Clapperton's journey. banks.' He still retained enough of early pro- ments were sufficiently rare to add mystery to On landing at Accra, he described the climate fessional predilections to take pleasure also in might, and when chivalry took its highest tone of that place as in some respects superior to acting, as he did, ex officio, as commissary of honour and refinement;-when a fine spirit that of Sierra Leone. Colonel Denham re-judge of the mixed commission court, there of poetry was beginning, like the dove, to bear turned to Free Town early in May, 1828, in being none appointed; and in that capacity the olive-leaves of imagination to the deep the highest health and confidence, his ma- he pronounced judgment on some captured fountains of literature, from which the dark 6 JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES. 6 6 so now mists of ignorance were rapidly clearing away. | armour, there grinned a skeleton, and there, Princes, and prelates, and warriors, moved We felicitate our author on his choice of sub- swathed in its historic bands, stood an Egypt- before their eyes, as if 'twas all in life. ject, and still more on the manner in which ian mummy, resting its mouldering and shape- There might be seen the slight significant it is treated. His work is an animated and less head against the feet of a figure, in which look, the animated gesture, the whisper apart, gorgeous picture of the times: here the gal- some long-dead artist had laboured skilfully to the stoop of age, the high, erect carriage of lant king delighting in the splendour of his display all the exquisite lines of female love-knight and noble, and the graceful motion of To observe all this the two young youth and beauty. By heavens!' cried Lord court; here a young knight placing his hope liness. of fortune in his own good sword and a fair men had full opportunity, while Sir Cesar Darby, there is the Earl of Devonshire, and dame, whose broidered glove is hope's best proceeded forwards, stopping between each the Duke of Suffolk, and the Princess Mary. augury;-here the mystic chamber of one of table, and bringing the flame of the lamp he It is the court of England!-But no! Who those wild dreamers in astrology, whose often carried in contact with six others, which are all these?' Gradually the crowd opened, real and great acquirements could not protect stood upon a row of ancient bronze tripods and two persons appeared, whose apparel, deranged along the side of the hall. At the meanour, and glance, bespoke them royal. Henry himself, as I live!' cried Lord Darby. his mind from the superstitions of the age;now some feat of arms, and now of policy,- end of the room hung a large black cur.. fill the various pages. We make it a point of tain, on each side of which was a clock of Which? which?' demanded Sir Osborne. conscience never to spoil a well-told story by a very curious manufacture; the one shewing, The one to the right,' answered the earl; meagre outline, so shall content ourselves apparently, the year, the day, the hour, and the other I know not.' It was the other, with a few scenes which may best do justice to the minute; and the other exposing a figure of however, which advanced, leading forward by the picturesque talents they display. We can- the zodiac, round which moved a multitude of the hand a knight, in whom Sir Osborne not do better than give the scene at the astro- strange hieroglyphic signs, some so rapidly might easily distinguish the simulacre of himthat the eye could scarcely distinguish their self. The prince, whoever he was, seemed to loger's. "Darkness now began to fall upon their course, some so slow that their motion was speak, and a lady came forth from the rest. path, and still the old man led them forward hardly to be discerned. As Sir Osborne and By the graceful motion, by the timid look, by through a thousand dark and intricate turn- Lord Darby approached, Sir Cesar drew back the rich light brown hair, as well as by all a ings, till at length, in what appeared to be a the curtain, and exposed to their sight an im- lover's feelings, Sir Osborne could not doubt narrow lane, the houses of which approached mense mirror, in which they could clearly that it was Constance de Grey-the monarch Mark,' the figures grew dim, and the glass mistyso closely together that it would have been an distinguish their own figures, and that of the took her hand, placed it in that of the knighteasy leap from the windows on one side of the astrologer, reflected at full length. way into those of the other, the old knight said Sir Cesar, and from what you shall see, but gradually clearing away, it resumed its stopped, and struck three strokes with the hilt draw your own inference. But question me original effect, and reflected the hall in which of his dagger upon a door on the left hand. It not, for I vowed when I received that precious they were, their own forms standing before was opened almost immediately by a tall gift, which is now before you, never to make the mirror, and the old man, Sir Cesar, sitting But I eyes. The moment they turned round, he meagre man, holding in his hand a small one comment upon what it displayed. Mark, on the ground, with his hands pressed over his silver lamp, which he applied close to the face and when you have seen, leave me.' Patience! pa- begone. We shall meet again soon,' and of Sir Cesar before he would permit any one see nothing,' said Sir Osborne, except my started up- It is done!' cried he; to pass. • Il maestro,' cried he, as soon as he own reflection in the glass.' saw the dark small features of the astrologer, tience! impetuous spirit!' cried the old man; putting his finger to his lip, as if requiring Sir Osborne the stairs, signed them with the cross, and making him at the same time a profound in- will a hundred lives never teach thee calm-silence, he led them out of the hall, and down Look to the mirror.' clination, Entra dottissimo! Benvenuto, ness? The following sketch of the Duke of BuckBenvenuto sia.' Sir Cesar replied in an under-turned his eyes to the glass, but still nothing left them.' tone, and, taking the lamp from the Italian, new met his view; and after gazing for a motioned to Sir Osborne and the earl to follow. minute or two, he suffered his glance to ingham is quite a portrait :-" The chamThe staircase up which he conducted them was wander to the clock by his side, which now berlain led on in silence through one of the excessively small, narrow, and winding, be- struck eight with a clear, sweet, musical sound. side doors of the hall, and thence by a long speaking one of the meanest houses in the At that moment Lord Darby laid his hand passage to the other side of the dwelling, "God's my life!' cried he, we where, issuing out upon the terrace, they city; and, what still more excited their sur-on his arm. prise, they mounted near forty steps without are vanishing away! Look! look! Sir Os- descended into a flower-garden, laid out much perceiving any door or outlet whatever, except borne turned to the glass, and beheld the after the pattern of a Brussels carpet. Formed where a blast of cold air through a sort of three figures he had before seen plain and dis- into large compartments, divided by broad loop-hole in the wall announced their proximity tinctly, now growing dimmer and more dim. paved walks, the early flowers of the season to the street. At length the astrologer stopped He could scarcely believe his sight, and passing were distributed in all manners of arabesques, opposite a door only large enough to admit the his hand before his eyes, he strove, as it were, each bed containing those of one particular passage of one person at a time, through which to cure them of the delusion. When he looked colour; so that, viewed from above, the effect he led the way, when, to the astonishment of again, all was gone, and the mirror offered was not ugly though somewhat stiff, and gay both Sir Osborne and the earl, they found nothing but a dark shining blank. Presently, without being elegant. As Darnley descended, themselves in a magnificent oblong apartment, however, a confusion of thin and misty figures he beheld, at the farther end, a tall, dignified nearly forty feet in length, and rather more seemed to pass over the glass, and a light man, of about the middle age, walking slowly than twenty in breadth. On each side were appeared to spring up within itself; gradually up and down the longest walk. ranged tables and stands, covered with various the objects took a more substantial form; the dressed in one of the straight coats of the day, specimens of ancient art, which, rare in any interior of the mirror assumed the appearance stiff with gold embroidery, and the upper part age, were then a thousand times more scarce. of a smaller chamber than that which they of the sleeve puffed out with crimson silk, and Although the taking of Constantinople about were in, lighted by a lattice window, and in held down with straps of cloth of gold. The Sir Osborne nature: the high breeches of silken serge, seventy years before, by driving many of the the centre was seen a female figure leaning in rest of his attire was of the same splendid Greeks, amongst whom elegance and science a pensive attitude on a table. fastened by a large long lingered, into other countries, had revived thought it was like Lady Katrine Bulmer, but pinked with gold-the mirabaise, or small lowalready, in some degree, the taste for the arts the light coming from behind cast her features crowned bonnet, of rich velvet, with a thin of painting and sculpture, still few, very few, into shadow. The moment after, however, a feather leaning across, even of the princes of Europe, could boast door of the chamber seemed to open, and he ruby-the silken girdle, with its jewelled clasp, are accustomed to call the such beautiful specimens as those which that could plainly distinguish a figure, resembling all were corresponding: and though the chamber contained. Here stood a statue, there that of Lord Darby, enter, and clasp her in his dress might not be so elegant in its forms as an urn; on one table was an alabaster capital arms, with a semblance of joy so naturally that which we of exquisite workmanship, on another a bas- portrayed, that it was hardly possible to supWhile he yet gazed, the outreef, whose figures seemed struggling from pose it unreal. the stone; medals, and gems, and specimens lines of the figures began to grow confused of carous ores, were mingled with the rest; and indistinct, and various ill-defined forms and many a book, written in strange and un- floated over the glass: gradually, however, known characters, lay open before their eyes. they again assumed shape and feature; the There, too, were various instruments of curious mirror represented a princely hall hung with shape and device, whose purpose they could cloth of gold, and a thousand gay and splendid nat eren guess; while here frowned a man in figures ranged themselves round the scene. He was Vandyk, yet it was far more splendid in its materials, and had perhaps more of majesty, though less of grace. Two servants walked about ten paces behind, the one carrying in his hand his lord's sword, the other bearing an orange, which contained, in the centre, a sponge, filled with vinegar. The duke himself was busily engaged in reading as he walked, now poring on the leaves of the book he held analysis, and which (independent of its many | by the more recent publication from Mr. Mur- pret them. When Paul went to Petersburgh and entered the Russian service as a rear-admiral, it is stated, "He was now in Russia, and the man whom, for the time, the empress delighted to honour; the expected conqueror of the Turks; and it might be, a future Potemkin. A Compendious Grammar of the Egyptian Language, in the Coptic and Sahidic Dialects. On the second part of this publication we By the Rev. Henry Tattam, M.A., &c. &c. With an Appendix, containing the Rudi- can bestow no higher praise than to say, that ments of an Egyptian Dictionary in the An- it is every way worthy of its learned and lamented author, and that it is distinguished cient Enchorial Character. By Thomas Young, M.D. F.R.S., &c. 8vo. pp. 327. by the same patience and depth of research, and the same soundness of deduction, which WE hail with peculiar pleasure the appearance characterises all his former works upon the of this long-promised work, which we have no subject. It contains the results of long-conti- "The cards of many of the Russian nobihesitation in pronouncing to be one of the nued labours in the Enchorial or Demotic lity received at this time, and of the whole host most important that has been published in this texts (the third mode of writing in use among of members of legation, envoys, residents, &c.; country upon the subject of Egyptian antiqui- the ancient Egyptians). From the analysis of in short, all the component parts of a great ties. The first part of it (the Coptic Gram- the few texts in this character that have been court, still remain among the papers of Paul mar, by Mr. Tattam,) will be particularly found with Greek translations, and the colla-Jones, who through life seems to have been acceptable. The Coptic (as our readers may tion of those of the same, or nearly the same peculiarly diligent in the accumulation of such probably be aware) is the language of ancient import, he has collected the Enchorial expres- frail memorials.' Egypt, preserved to us in the translations of the sions for more than five hundred words, and "For a fortnight Jones remained at St. Scriptures, and other ecclesiastical works of the upwards of fifty Enchorial dates. These he Petersburgh, feasted at court, and in the first Copts, the present aboriginal inhabitants of has arranged in the form of a lexicon, which society.' The empress,' he writes to La that country. This language has been hitherto also includes all the different modes of writing Fayette, received me with a distinction the strangely neglected. The few individuals who the same word, that the Doctor had met with, most flattering that, perhaps, any stranger can have devoted themselves to the study of it compared together: this, in our opinion, adds boast of on entering the Russian service. Her have published the results of their labours prin- considerably to the value of the work, because majesty conferred on me immediately the grade cipally in this country and in Italy. But it is in many cases it enables the reader to form his of rear-admiral. I was detained, against my to the English press that we are indebted for own opinion upon the validity of the proposed will, a fortnight, and continually feasted at nearly all that is valuable in Coptic literature.* meanings, instead of receiving them upon the court, and in the first society. This was a And we feel the greater pleasure in noticing mere authority of the writer-a principle to cruel grief to the English; and I own their the excellent Granimar of Mr. Tattam, because which, in the present state of our knowledge of vexation, which I believe was general in and we are persuaded that it will fully sustain the the Egyptian writings, regard ought to be had about St. Petersburgh, gave me no pain.' high rank which this country so justly claims in every publication which proposes to inter- Before the year elapsed, the rear-admiral found among the patrons and promoters of the know. some cause to change his opinions in many ledge of this ancient language. He has emboBut we are well aware that a work of Dr. things; and even respecting the English at died in it all that is really useful in the Gram- Young's will need no encomium of ours to St. Petersburgh. He was about this time at mar of Scholtz and Woide, and has also added recommend it to public notice. Like his other least three-fourths Russian. We hear no longer many new facts absolutely essential to the publications, it must become a standard work of America as his sole country, though he asknowledge of Coptic, though not to be found upon the subject,- -a book which will, of sumes a certain patronising air towards that in that imperfect publication-which was, course, be possessed and studied by every one young state. I certainly wish to be useful to nevertheless, the only work in existence de- who wishes to acquaint himself with the pro-a country which I have so long served. I love serving the name of a Coptic Grammar. He gress made by its lamented author and Cham- the people and their cause, and shall always has adhered to the old mode of constructing a pollion in deciphering the inscriptions on the rejoice when I can be useful to promote their Grammar-that is, upon the model of the monuments of ancient Egypt. To these re-happiness.' What are you about, my dear Latin and Greek accidences, in preference to searches we have long directed the attention of general? are you so absorbed in politics as to the really more correct arrangement adopted our readers, and our sense of their value and by modern oriental grammarians; and we think importance seems to grow upon us daily. he has judged wisely: for, however illogical it may be to talk of the cases of nouns in a lan- Memoirs of Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, &c. guage where the nouns have no inflexions, and 2 vols. 12mo. Edinburgh, 1830, Oliver and of the moods of verbs, when in reality there is Boyd; London, Simpkin and Marshall. but one mood-this is, after all, the view in A PREFACE gives a satisfactory account of the which the subject ought to be presented to the preservation and transmission to his relations student, because it is that in which he has been in Scotland of the original journals and manuaccustomed to observe the relations of language, scripts of the celebrated Paul Jones; on which and in which he will most readily apprehend this favourable, but unquestionably authentic, to reign over a great empire, to make people the meaning of the grammarian. We sincerely narrative of his extraordinary life and advenhope that this work will have the effect of di- tures is founded. We have been much interecting the attention of the learned to the ex-rested in the work, nor can any reader fail to traordinary language of which it contains the be so. To trace the rise of a shrewd and There have been published in this country Woide's daring character from the lowly ship-boy of Coptic Grammar and La Croze's Lexicon--the only works Whitehaven to the wearer of knightly honours, extant calculated to afford any material assistance in the naval hero of American revolution, and acquiring this language. Of the latter we are glad to find the admiral in the Russian service, must that Mr. Tattam is preparing a new edition. Woide also printed in England the Sahidic fragments of the New excite the most indolent mind; and we can Testament; and in the Memphitic dialect, or Coptic of truly say that few romances surpass the actual Lower Egypt, the whole of the Pentateuch and of the New Testament have likewise issued from the British career of Paul Jones for variety and moving press; and very recently a reprint of the Copto-Arabic accident by flood and field. The American The second volume contains Paul's journal Psalter of Fr. Tulsi, and an entirely new edition of the history of him by Mr. Sherburne possessed of the ensuing campaign in 1788, and is by far Gospels, by Mr. Tattam-both at the expense of the British and Foreign Bible Society. considerable attractions, which were increased the most interesting part of this work, though be insensible to glory? that is impossible,quit then your divine Calypso, come here and pay your court to Bellona, who you are sure will receive you as her favourite. You would be charmed with Prince Potemkin. He is a most amiable man, and none can be more nobleminded. For the empress, fame has never yet done her justice. I am sure that no stranger who has not known that illustrious character, ever conceived how much her majesty is made happy, and to attach grateful and susceptible minds. Is not the present a happy moment for France to declare for Russia ?' Such were the extraordinary lights that had suddenly dawned upon the former champion of liberty and asserter of the dignity of human nature.' A few weeks before the above letter was despatched to La Fayette, the empress, with her own hand, had written to the rear-admiral, enclosing a letter from M. de Simolin, regard. ing his affairs." "PRINCE POTEMKIN TAURICIEN. "13th October, 1788. "To this truly Russian order Jones has affixed the following characteristic note: A warrior is always ready, and I had not come there an apprentice.' His reply to this order led to his instant dismissal. Potemkin was a person in no shape to be trifled with; and though Jones at first attributed his want of favour in this powerful quarter to the ill offices of those around Potemkin, he came to see that much of what he suffered emanated directly from the impatience, jealousy, and caprice of this spoiled tyrant. When the rear-admiral went to head-quarters to take leave, Potemkin disdained and disclaimed the insinuation of being influenced by those around him. Do not imagine any one leads me,-leads me !'. he swore, and stamping with his foot, added, 'Not even the empress!" we can only briefly allude to it. His quarrel did attain the elegance and polish of French, our country (and indeed of most other Eurowith the Prince of Nassau, which led to a manners; but his appearance and manners pean countries), have been brought about coldness on the part of Prince Potemkin and must have been those of a gentleman. Mau- through the medium of religious opinion. his dismissal by the Russian government, is (as vais ton, to a certain degree, might have been From the reign of Henry VIII. to the present in all personal cases) detailed with much mi- tolerated in a seaman and a foreigner; but hour, this is the agency which has " perplexed nuteness. The finale is characteristic. rudeness, arrogance, and brutality,' must monarchs with the fear of change," and to "His recall to St. Petersburgh, under pre-have proved an effectual barrier of exclusion which all the benefits and all the evils expetence of being employed in the North Sea, in from those polite and courtly circles where rienced by the people are to be mainly attriname of the empress, but really ordered by Paul Jones was not only received but wel-buted; at least we do not recollect any imPotemkin, was a mere piece of jugglery to get comed; and into which he made his own way, portant event affecting England, which had rid of him, of which he was not even the dupe. and maintained his place, long after he had not, more or less, this origin, excepting only The following is an extract of his letter, and a lost the gloss and resistless attraction of no- the separation from the mother country of the copy of Potemkin's order, which provoked it: velty. The letter of Madame Rinsby, and American states. The reign of Henry VIII. "Order to Rear-Admiral Chevalier Paul other published documents, prove the footing was full of religious dissension, leading to the Jones. As it is seen that the Capitan Pasha he held in respectable French female society suppression of monasteries, the renunciation of comes in his kirlangich from the grand fleet to to his death, and are quite conclusive as to the papal dominion, and the establishment of the the smaller vessels, and as before quitting this propriety of his manners. He has again been reformation. The succeeding short reigns of he may attempt something, I request your described as 'grossly ignorant.' No one who Edward VI. and Mary resembled the acting of Excellence, the Capitan Pasha having actually pursues his career, or peruses his letters, can a polemical drama, terminating, like many of a greater number of vessels, to hold yourself in for a moment believe a charge so absurd. the old English tragedies, in a succession of readiness to receive him courageously, and From his first appearance as a ship-boy he sanguinary scenes. Elizabeth cemented her drive him back. I require that this be done must have been set down as a very clever and power by her determined support of Protestantwithout loss of time; if not, you will be made promising lad; and if not a prodigy of learning, ism; and her rival, Mary Queen of Scots, was answerable for every neglect. which was an impossibility, he had far more beheaded, on the charge of countenancing the literature than was at all usual in his day, even conspiracy of Babington, a papist, who was inin the very highest ranks of his profession. cited to treason by religious zeal. To this, His verses are far from despicable. Baron also, may be traced the chief events and plots Grimm, we think, overrates them, yet he was which agitated the nation during the time of an admirable critic. They were found amusing James I.; while the following periods of and agreeable in polished society, which is the Charles I., of the Interregnum, of Charles II., very best test and use of occasional verse, James II., William and Mary, and of the acces namely, of all such verse as the public can well sion of the House of Brunswick, were all entirely spare, and his muse was humanising to his swayed by the operations of religious faith, which, own mind. We like his prose better than his among other of its many and powerful influences, verse. It is often admirable if struck off at forced one monarch to fly from his throne, and one hit, particularly when the writer gets enabled two foreign potentates (William III. warm, and gives way to his feelings of in- and George I.) to assume, at different times, dignation. It is said, that a minister, in the guidance of the destinies of England. reading the despatches of Lord Collingwood, It is on account of this predominating inwho went to sea at twelve years of age, used fluence of religion on the state, that we attach to ask, Where has Collingwood got his considerable importance to the publication of style? He writes better than any of us.' the Memoirs of Dr. Calamy. The existence of With fully more propriety many of the mem- this work in MS. has long been known, and bers of Congress, so far as regarded their own often adverted to; and we do not consider that "Paul Jones was about the middle size, compositions and resolves, might have put a the parties who have had the custody of the slightly made, but active and agile, and in similar question in relation to Paul Jones. He papers can be justified for their long retention youth capable of considerable exertion and is allowed to have been kind and attentive to of them from the public eye, when they must fatigue. In advancing life, though he con- his crews, and generous and liberal in all have known, that by printing the Memoirs tinned equally hardy and active in his habits, pecuniary transactions of a private nature; they would have conferred a lasting service on it was the vehement, fiery spirit that o'er- though his correspondence shews that he was the history of their country. Dr. Calamy was informed its shattered tenement; and after commendably tenacious of his pecuniary claims a celebrated nonconformist divine, living in the almost every journey we find him suffering on states and public bodies." His memoirs eventful reigns of Charles II., James II., Wilfrom cold and fatigue, or having serious ill-afford some pleasing instances of his kindness liam and Mary, Anne, and George I.; during Lesses. He was of the complexion usually to his prisoners, and of his desire to rescue which periods he not only kept a fixed eye on, united with dark hair and eyes, which his them from the fangs of agents and com- and carefully registered, all the minute cirwere; but his skin had become embrowned by missaries. So far as discipline descends, Paul cumstances which led to the great reverses of exposure from boyhood to all varieties of wea-Jones was a rigid and strict disciplinarian. In the state (which, as we have said, had their ther and of climate. His physiognomical ex- his own person he appears to have been so rise in religious feeling), but, being himself a pression indicated that promptitude and de-impatient of all control and check as to be divine, and a stirring spiritual reformer, knew cision in action which were striking charac-unfit for any regularly ognised service. more, from his peculiar situation, than could teristics of his mind. His bust is said to be a though admirably adapted to th singular crisis have been known by any other kind of observer. good likeness; his portrait, painted in Ame. at which he appeared. To his dress he was, His long life, and his unwearied diligence, were rita, and probably a very indifferent resem- or at least latterly became, so attentive as to also in his favour; and if the autobiography now blance, exhibits a rather precise-looking little have it remarked. It was a better trait that put forth by his descendants were not in man. The style of the highly-powdered hair. his ship was at all times remarkable for clean. itself amusing, it would not, we think, be or wig, would, however, convert Achilles him-liness and neatness, and for the same good possible to deny its claim to attention as an elf into a pedant or a petit-maître. In order and arrangement which pervaded all his authentic record (made under circumstances manners Paul Jones has been described by private affairs. He is said to have been fond of unusually favourable with respect to the deone party as stiff, finical, and conceited; by velopement of secret springs of action and another as arrogant, brutal, and quarrelsome. private character) of some of the most curious The first statement may have some colour of and important periods of our national existtruth, the last is impossible. He had reached ence. But when to this merit it adds the admanhood before he could have had much invantage of being exceedingly entertaining and tercourse with polite society; and manners. various in its details-of abounding in anecformed so late in life on the fashionable models dotes of great personages, and in narratives of of Paris and Versailles, may have sat somewhat much interest, we think it likely that Dr. stiffly on the Anglo-American, who, in givin‐ Calamy's autobiography will become one of the up his own republican simplicity, and promost popular books of memoirs extant; rank. fessional openness and freedom, might not ing in kind with the works of Evelyn and have acquired all the ease and grace, even if he music, and to have performed himself." An Historical Account of My own Life, with THE great political events and institutions of Pepys. |