power will no longer paralyse your efforts. It One bore the title of Hoeks (fishing-hooks); of Henry VII." Many of the extracts relatis not William the sixth stadtholder whom the the other was called Kaabeljauws (cod fish.) ing to the royal expenses and disbursements nation recalls, without knowing what to hope The origin of these burlesque denominations are remarkable as well as interesting; and we or expect from him; but William I., who offers was a dispute between two parties at a feast, hope to see the publication of such papers enhimself as sovereign prince of this free coun- as to whether the cod-fish took the hook, or couraged, which are not only valuable in contry.' The following day, the 2d of December, the hook the cod-fish? This apparently fri-futing or confirming points of history, but in the prince made his entry into Amsterdam. He volous dispute was made the pretext for a bringing us acquainted with the manners and did not, like some other sovereigns, enter by a serious quarrel; and the partisans of the nobles habits of the times. The notes and illustrabreach through the constitutional liberties of and those of the towns ranged themselves at tions are also laudable additions, and furnish his country, in imitation of the conquerors either side, and assumed different badges of the result of much reading. from the Olympic games, who returned to the distinction. The Hoeks, partisans of the The next article is the " Will of Sir William city by a breach in its walls: he went forward towns, wore red caps: the Kaabeljauws wore Walworth," well known as a distinguished borne on the enthusiastic greetings of his fel-grey ones. In Jacqueline's quarrel with Phi- citizen of the fourteenth century, and twice low-countrymen, and meeting their confidence ip of Burgundy, she was supported by the Lord Mayor of London. The particulars reby a full measure of magnanimity. On the 3d former; and it was not till the year 1492 that lating to Sir William, prefixed, and the beof December he published an address, from the extinction of that popular and turbulent quests of the will, are curious and numerous— which we shall quote one paragraph. You faction struck a final blow to the dissensions of those relating to his books are particularly so; desire, Netherlanders! that I should be en- both." and the extent of his collections shew that the trusted with a greater share of power than I Splendour of the Ancient Flemings." At a good citizens of those days were not altogether should have possessed but for my absence. repast given by one of the counts of Flanders indifferent to learning, though some portion of Your confidence, your affection, offer me the to the Flemish magistrates, the seats they their time may have been devoted to banquetsovereignty; and I am called upon to accept it, occupied were unfurnished with cushions. ting. Next follows some state papers and orisince the state of my country and the situation Those proud burghers folded their sumptuous ginal letters in the reign of Richard II. and of Europe require it. I accede to your wishes cloaks and sat on them. After the feast they Henry VI., with introductory notices. The I overlook the difficulties which may attend were retiring without retaining these impor- fourth article is attractive, and relates to the such a measure; I accept the offer which you tant and costly articles of dress; and on a issue of Catherine Roelt, wife of John of have made me; but I accept it only on one courtier reminding them of their apparent neg- Gaunt, by her first husband. Some doubts condition, that it shall be accompanied by a lect, the burgomaster of Bruges replied, We were entertained as to the legitimacy of her wise constitution, which shall guarantee your Flemings are not in the habit of carrying away son, Sir Thomas Swynford; and we have here liberties, and secure them against every attack. the cushions after dinner!' the letters patent of King Henry IV. certify. My ancestors sowed the seeds of your inde- A similar story is told of Robert duke of ing his legitimacy. This article contains an pendence the preservation of that independ-Normandy. account of the children of Catherine Roelt by ence shall be the constant object of the efforts "The meetings of the different towns for John of Gaunt, who were legitimated by King of myself and those around me." the sports of archery were signalised by the Richard II., in 1397, and in confirmation of We select one or two anecdotes. "It does most splendid display of dress and decoration. which, letters of legitimation were granted by not appear that Friesland possessed any large The archers were habited in silk, damask, Henry IV.; and upon this subject we have towns, with the exception of Staveren. In and the finest linen, and carried chains of some facts entirely new, respecting the excepthis respect the Frisons resembled those ancient gold of great weight and value. Luxury was tion which these patents have been generally Germans who had a horror of shutting them-at its height among women. The queen of said to contain against the accession to the selves up within walls. They lived in a way Philip the Fair of France, on a visit to Bruges, throne of the children of John of Gaunt by completely patriarchal; dwelling in isolated exclaimed, with astonishment not unmixed Catherine Roelt. cabins, and with habits of the utmost frugality. with envy, I thought myself the only queen We read in one of their old histories, that a here; but I see six hundred others who appear whole convent of Benedictines was terrified at more so than I.'" the voracity of a German sculptor who was repairing their chapel. They implored him to look elsewhere for his food; for that he and his sons consumed enough to exhaust the whole stock of the monastery.

:

"It has been generally considered, that the instrument by which the Beauforts were legiti Imated contains a special exception with respect After commemorating the escape of Grotius to the royal dignity; but a very remarkable by the heroic efforts of his wife, Mr. Grattan fact has been recently discovered on the subject. says, it only found a parallel in European The patent, as originally granted, contains no history after a lapse of two centuries. We such reservation, nor was it introduced into the allude to the escape of Lavalette from the copy which was entered on the rolls of parlia "The spirit of constitutional liberty and prison of the Conciergerie, in Paris, in 1815, ment when it received the sanction of the legis legal equality which now animated the various which so painfully excited the interest of all lature; but when Henry IV. exemplified and provinces, is strongly marked in the history of Europe for the intended victim's wife, whose confirmed the grant of Richard to the Earl of the time by two striking and characteristic in- reason was the forfeit of her exertion." Our Somerset in 1407, the words, 'excepta dignicidents. At the death of Philip the Bold, his author owed it to his countrywomen to have tate regali,' appear to have been added to the widow deposited on his tomb her purse, and the remembered a similar act of affectionate de- enrolment of the grant on the patent rolls; for keys which she carried at her girdle in token of votion performed by Lady Nithsdale, who those words occur on it as an interlineation, marriage; and by this humiliating ceremony effected her husband's escape, and remained in and from the difference in the colour of the she renounced her rights to a succession over-his place, when the Scotch lords suffered for ink, are presumed to have been inserted at a loaded with her husband's debts. In the same their attachment to the ill-fated Stuart cause. subsequent period, though the hand is very year (1404) the widow of Albert count of Holnearly the same. In the exemplification by land and Hainault, finding herself in similar Henry IV. in 1407, the words are inserted; circumstances, required of the bailiff of Hol-Excerpta Historica; or, Illustrations of English and the following explanation of the circumland and the judges of his court permission to History. Part II. pp. circ. 100. S. Bentley. stance is probably not far from the truth. make a like renunciation. The claim was THIS Number has followed its predecessor after Henry IV. was the son of John of Gaunt, and granted; and to fulfil the requisite ceremony, a longer interval than was intended by the finding that the grant to his father's issue by she walked at the head of the funeral proces- editors, according to their first announcement. Katherine Swynford might authorise them to sion, carrying in her hand a blade of straw, A perusal of its pages, however, will perhaps assert a claim to the throne, on the failure of which she placed on the coffin. We thus find account for the delay, since they bear internal his own issue, as representatives of the line of that in such cases the reigning families were evidence of the care and research with which Lancaster, probably thought it prudent to preheld liable to follow the common usages of the the subjects of the several papers have been in- vent such an occurrence by assuming a power country. From such instances there required vestigated, as well as of the ability with which which would now be held illegal, of adding a but little progress in the principle of equality they are edited. In a work intended to be reservation to the grant of his predecessor, and to reach the republican contempt for rank, entirely illustrative of English history, despatch obliging one of the grantees to receive a conwhich made the citizens of Bruges in the fol- is not so much an object as accuracy. The firmation of that grant with the exception inlowing century arrest their count for his private promise held out by Part I. is realised in the troduced into it, as if it had formed part of the debts." present; for if the articles are not so numerous original document. It escaped Henry, how. or various, they are of equal merit, and will ever, that the grant had become an act of paramply gratify the curious and learned. It com-liament, and that even if he had the right, of mences with the conclusion of the last article his own authority, to qualify a former grant, in the former, entitled "Privy-purse expenses he could not interpolate a statute; so that in s

Curious Party Titles." We must not omit to notice the existence of two factions, which, for near two centuries, divided and agitated the whole population of Holland and Zealand.

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legal view the addition to the patent of the ner, took his leave on the 10th of May, bearing fall, the common people stood en masse. 20 Rich. II. on the patent rolls is of no effect. with him a letter to Lord Scales." From this singular fact it may be concluded, that as the issue of John of Gaunt were recog-known, the challenge; and the detail of the north took in the sea, the palace, and the groves The Bastard of Burgundy accepted, as is the burning sun, and a fine prospect to the ings to the south sheltered the company from nised by parliament as being legitimate, and as proceedings, from its origin to the close of the extending towards the Canopian shore. The being capable of possessing all honours, digni- tournament, will be found in this article, which crowded circus was now agitated with impaties, pre-eminences, &c. without any reserva- is very minute, and consequently of consi- tience for a trial of the three factions, for tion whatever, Henry VII. was, as he described derable length. himself, the lineal heir of John of Gaunt, and memorials of this transaction have been de- than for any that had already occupied the The sources whence the which greater expectations had been raised the representative of the house of Lancaster.rived are stated, together with many particu- attention of the day. The chariots for the If however, as is not impossible, though the lars relating to Lord Scales and the Duke of match were already ranged along according to dates render it improbable, John Beaufort, the Burgundy. To the narrative itself, we re lot. Syrianus patronised the green, and had eldest son of John of Gaunt by Katherine commend our readers' attention, assuring the made great exertion towards reviving his popu Swynford, was born before Henry IV., the learned and the curious in the early periods of larity, by considerable donations among this king's motive for introducing this exception our history, that they will be fully repaid for powerful faction,-which might almost be coninto the patent is still more obvious, because the time they bestow upon it. without such a reservation a question might have arisen whether Beaufort, as the eldest The Alexandrians; an Egyptian Tale of the ments, and the equipage about to start for sidered as an Arian party, so much were docson, had not, by that instrument, a prior right trinal disputes intermixed with their amuseto the crown to Henry himself, supposing any Fourth Century. 2 vols. 12mo. London, the present match was his own. legal claim to the throne could have been de- AN interesting tale, and which has the advan- was nearly covered with gold leaves; his legs 1830. Whittaker, Treacher, and Co. rived from John of Gaunt, whilst descendants tage of being placed at a period which embraces were bare, and on his golden sandals blazed of his charioteer, of the characteristic colour, The garment remained of his elder brothers." To this paper follow some verses alluding to rich in varied events and picturesque accesso-the same costume as the man, and the whole historic ground as yet but little trodden, though the richest jewels. The carriage itself was of political parties about the year 1449: they are ries. Perhaps the following chariot-race is as trappings of the horses adorned with gold. singular, from the circumstance of each indi- fair a specimen as we can select without break- Next stood a chariot exquisitely elegant in vidual referred to being designated by his badge, ing in upon the narrative. or heraldic device, which has led to the identity of the persons intended. The article in the early dawn by so considerable a clamour, that horses, less fiery than their neighbours, ap"Menodorus was awakened one morning at made of ivory and silver. The beautiful gray form, so thickly studded, that it seemed to be former Number on "Standards" is then con- he feared another revolution was taking place peared of that noble disposition which prompts tinued; and the Part concludes with "an ac-in the city; but found the streets covered them to sacrifice themselves to their master's count of the celebrated tournament between with men dressed in the gayest colours and ambition, who held them at the most complete Lord Scales and the Bastard of Burgundy;" holding banners, while every one seemed shout-command. He, a figure of delicate proportion, an article of high historical interest, and afford-ing The red! the white! or the green! with a whose silvery tunic was like the dress of Ganying abundant proof of the research and care vociferation that seemed to threaten destruc-mede, owned not the slavish birth of his rivals, with which, as we have already stated, this tion upon any one who did not join in their while his pointed cap was more than ordinarily publication appears to us to be conducted. In-own cry. dependently of the interest which the subject could hardly have given more animation to the rich, the gay, the man of taste, who hoped for The election of a consul at Rome covered with jewels. It was Oresander, the itself will excite with many persons, the fact, countenances of men, who seemed ready to more than glory at this day's conquest; for that historians have assigned wrong causes and devote their lives for the glorious object they Euphemia at last had been brought to give dates to this memorable combat, will be suffi- had in view; but Menodorus knew that the her applause to the white, and had promised, cient to render the present narrative not only racing factions were beating up for partisans after a an acceptable but valuable addition to our his- for the grand exhibition, which was to take cations, to reward him as he deserved, if he torical collections. long series of playful scorn and provoThe assertion of most historians, that this plies of coloured strips of linen or silk were Euphemia never meant to give him more than place that day in the circus, and that the sup- risked his neck at this competition. Though combat occurred in honour of the marriage of presented to the mob according as each declared the most complete contempt, she by no means Margaret, the king's sister, is shewn to be himself a favourer of a certain colour. The chose to consider her words as insincere, for by unfounded; and the cause is related in the fol-wealthy were canvassed in a different manner. them she intended as her good sense made her lowing extract :"It was a short time before his [Lording to the middle or lower classes, who often by a host of admirers, she seemed roused to The charioteers themselves, generally belong-judge. Indolent by nature, and surrounded Scale's] sister's coronation that the singular acquired great wealth, and were as often ruined, exertion only by the spirit of sarcasm, levelled adventure happened, with which the ancient had previously insinuated themselves by per-principally at the disconsolate victims in the narrative of this tournament begins. On Wed-sonal address, or by the influence of their par- shape of twisted compliments or double-meannesday in Easter week, being the 17th of April, ticular supporters, into the favour of the prin- ing assurances, who, as often as they com1465, in the fifth year of Edw. IV., Anthony cipal people. By personal address they were plained, were certain of having from her a Lord Scales was at high mass, probably in able often to prevail, for these men were fre- a complete justification and proof of what she the chapel of the palace at Richmond, then quently admitted into the society of the dissi- termed her sincerity, and of their blind credu. called Shene; on his return from which, he was pated nobles, who were especially absorbed lity or vanity. There was in Euphemia somesurrounded by the ladies of the court, who with the pursuits of horse-racing, and conse-thing better than this ridicule and flirting placed a gold collar on his thigh, with a flower quently more peculiarly at home in the conver-mania, and sometimes she surprised others, of souvenance, made of jewellery, which he sations of their charioteers. These nobles and even herself, by proofs of good sense from immediately understood was to be the prize of often possessed chariots, and employed party- a girl who generally talked in the most trifling some chivalrous exploit. He was then about men as drivers; but not unfrequently they manner, and whose idleness seemed to favour twenty-four years of age, and in high esteem would take the reins themselves. They would the greatest ignorance. The red faction, pecuas a most accomplished nobleman. Delighted also act as canvassers among the rest of the liarly hostile to Syrianus, had its equipage with the idea of this enterprise, on the next town, and thus not only spent considerable on the other side of the white, and, rivalling day he wrote a long letter from the palace to sums themselves, but induced even their trades- its competitors in magnificence, excelled both the Count de la Roche, commonly called the people to contribute to the prize of the party in the force and fire of its horses, whose eager Bastard of Burgundy, challenging or request. colour; for the rewards were sums of money eyes anticipated the space before them. The ing him to perform a feat of arms in October or presents, entirely dependent on the sub-arbiter who stood before the goal, on the following. On Friday, in the presence-cham-scription of the day. ber, the king gave permission to Lord Scales to of the civil and military rulers advanced to of the oblong arena, adorned with three ancient accomplish the enterprise, and to send Chester the opposite side of the circus, where they obelisks, now dropped a handkerchief: at the The party spina, or raised place running down the centre Herald with the message to the Bastard; which descended from their horses, and took their signal the ropes across the horses were let fall, was attested by the high constable, under his seats in the gallery under a splendid canopy, and the chariots flew. As if no restraint had seal, at London, on the following Monday.immediately over the dens or starting places of ever bound them, the young horses of the red Chester began his voyage without delay, and the chariots. No one else had the privilege of chariot dashed along, devouring the ground; entered Brussels on the 30th of April, where entering through the arena, but ascended to the others kept behind in equal pace, and he executed his commission; and after having their seats from the exterior, the lower rows seemed to be reserving their powers. On passbeen entertained in the most honourable man- being the most distinguished; and at the top of ing the place where Euphemia sat, Oresander

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elevated his reins, as if dedicating them to her. [in two objections; first, that it was too pri- and felt for the misery of his friend, and And now the applause for the red redoubled, vate; and secondly, too favourable. The although he knew that he was not strong and the conductor of the green urged forward phrase, "intrusion into private life," appears enough to fight ** with any hope of his noble steeds: still Oresander kept by his to us mere cant, as applied to a public cha- success, and that it was dangerous even to side without provoking on his horses; it seemed racter. Those who come openly forward to approach him, he advanced to the scene of as if the generous creatures wanted not even place the great stake of their lives on opinion, action, and with a blush of rage, tears in his to be reminded of their duty, so lightly did must expect its exercise; and the interior of a eyes, and a voice trembling between terror and their master hold the reins, such confidence great man's life is almost as much general pro- indignation, asked very humbly if did he place in the faithful animals. Three perty as his external, inasmuch as the one would be pleased to tell him how many stripes pillars had already been taken down at the influences the other; and it is unfair to repine, he meant to inflict?' Why,' returned the extremity of the spina out of the seven which that the curiosity he himself has excited, he executioner, you little rascal, what is that marked the number of courses; when the himself must gratify. A poet speaks of feelings, to you?' 'Because, if you please,' said Byron, horses of the red, fired with the tumult and sorrows, and experience; and in exact propor-holding out his arm, ‘I would take half.”" appearance of the multitudes, flew with in- tion to his popularity will be the desire to learn His marriage was the rock on which his creasing rapidity: with over-arching necks, how much of these were truly his own. Those whole after-life wrecked: to use Lockhart's with starting and fixed eyes, they no longer are the very Canutes of fame, who would say expressive words," If there be one curse saw the scene which had alarmed them, but to the tide of popular interest, Thus far shalt which comes to earth direct as the crow giving up themselves to ungovernable fury, the thou go, and no farther. As matter for deep flies, with all the steam of hell hot about it, friends of the party feared their victory would reflection, as means of solving the great problem it is an ill-assorted marriage." It seems be paid for at a terrible price. Another goal of human nature, both as warning and as en- to us a most affected delicacy, which in such was cleared, and the space of half the circus left couragement, all relating to a man like Byron a case would abstain from seeking grounds behind the rivals the horses ran nearer and is public property. Praise has its penalty; whereon to form an opinion, or expressing it nearer to the spina-in vain did the charioteer and neither he nor those connected with him when formed. Lord Byron was all his life exert his utmost energies to make them take a have a right to claim that domestic privacy, before the public eye; and those who shared wider circle arrived at the extremity, they from which themselves first and voluntarily his celebrity, must share it whether as matter dashed with violence against the wall, and stept forth. To drag those from retirement, of vanity or annoyance. We think there is horses, man, and chariot, were strewed upon which they have in no instance voluntarily no sort of reproach to be thrown on Lady the dust. But little pity was heard among the quitted, is as reprehensible as it is indelicate; Byron's actual conduct; but the explanation deafening shouts for the two remaining com- but a man who courts fame, which is built on of the whole is, that she had no love for her petitors. The champion of the green now opinion, must expect to be canvassed by the husband,-none of that kindly and feminine urged on his horses to the utmost speed, and tribunal to which he appeals. Secondly, as to affection which makes all the excellence it finds, Syrianus already congratulated himself on the Moore's likeness being too favourable: we must and softens away the very faults it discovers. victory, and the consequent approbation of the say, that the conclusions we draw from Galt's The very fact that, on such slight grounds as mob. Oresander for the first time conde- account, taken by a stricter hand, and in darker those of late, she has not hesitated to throw scended to lash his noble steeds, but gently, as colours, have yet left on our minds an impres- the most odious imputations on the dead, shews if he were in play, while with careless grace he sion decidedly in Byron's favour. His child- at least how little of attachment or forgiveness stood, holding the reins so slightly in his hand hood was peculiarly unfortunate unfortunate enters into a temper whose seeming at least is as would Apollo in his car, when the celestial in wanting that wholesome restraint which is horses know the circles of their master. No the great principle both in laws and education. continued urging is required, at the touch they At this period, too, was doubtless received the fly; with no violence, with no excess of exer- impression of shame and horror at his personal detion, they outstrip the straining speed of their formity. Mr. Galt mentions that the neighbours rivals. The difficulty was to avoid the scat- used to call him "Mrs. Byron's crookit devil." tered fragments and kicking animals of the He himself records the agony he felt on hearunfortunate conductor of the red. Syrianus's ing his mother tauntingly allude to it. Now chariot had cleared well the obstructed point; whether we blame, regret, or regard it as of no but by the time he approached the approving consequence, we all must admit, that the notice patron, Oresander had gained his side, who, given to children, and in which they all delight, cutting off the succeeding goal from his anta- is universally attracted by their beauty: "bless gonist's horse, so closely passed his chariot in your pretty face!" is as common a phrase in the The time of Lord Byron's departure from front of their heads, that his rival involun- lower, as "what a little angel!" is in the upper England is one, we hold, of extreme hardship: tarily checked them for an instant. Again, ranks. We have often thought, that a most his separation from his wife was a sufficiently however, he drives on with more rapidity than pathetic essay might be written on the sorrows sore point, without all the blame being laid ever, but is left far behind, and the acclama-of ugly children. A child has quick perception, upon himself; and now that much of party cant tions of the circus proclaim the patrician con- but no discrimination,—a faculty only to be ac- and clamour has died away, few will deny the queror. Borne upon a golden shield of triumph, quired by the comparisons made by experience; bitterness which the extreme injustice of the he was carried round the arena, flowers were and the idea of his defect being repulsive, once sentence endeavoured to be passed on his liteshowered on his head, and even Euphemia suggested, this idea would naturally be seized rary fame must have excited. He could not but exerted herself to throw a garland, which he on by his susceptible temper, to account for know, he had erected a noble and lasting monucaught, and flung over his white neck. The whatever he might encounter of neglect or ment in the literature of that very country he duke placed a golden crown on his head, which mortification; and on the importance and in- was being accused of endeavouring to destroy he had brought for the victorious charioteer, delibility of childish impressions no one need and corrupt; and whatever may be said of the and complimented him in flattering strains. enlarge. Of his school days we shall quote immorality of his writings after he left EngThe money was then placed in Oresander's one anecdote, and the heroism of the conduct land, it must be bigotry, not criticism, that hand; he immediately threw it on the arena." it records may speak for itself. would apply that reproach to his previous A very beautiful character of St. Athana- "While Lord Byron and Mr. Peel were at works. This leads us to the warfare between sius is introduced: Euphemia is an exceedingly Harrow together, a tyrant a few years older, him and Southey, which Mr. Galt slightly lively sketch, and well contrasted with Her- whose name was claimed a right to dismisses, by saying his lordship was the first mione. The note in the preface about St. Atha- fag little Peel, which claim (whether rightly or aggressor. True; but the revenge seems very nasius' Creed might as well have been omitted: wrongly, I know not) Peel resisted. His re- disproportioned to the offence. The very worst it conveys an erroneous impression of the con- sistance, however, was in vain : * * not that can be said of the lines in the English tents of the future pages, as giving an opening only subdued him, but determined to punish Bards and Scotch Reviewers, is, that they were to religious controversy, for which a novel the refractory slave; and proceeded forthwith the hasty and ill-judged effusion of an angry seems to us a most unfitting vehicle. to put this determination in practice by inflicting a kind of bastinado on the inner fleshy side The National Library, No. I. Gall's Life of of the boy's arm, which during the operation of Lord Byron's later writings as calculated to do injury, Byron. was twisted round with some degree of techni-no opinions of their own, are content to take so many on cal skill, to render the pain more acute. While trust: an influential writer should, we think, rather err the stripes were succeeding each other, and on the side of overcaution. That irreverent style in speaking of religion, and of grossness as respects morals, poor Peel writhing under them, Byron saw may be palliated, but surely not defended.

THE Complaints made of Moore's Life of Byron, as they are referred to in the preface of the volume before us, may be summed up

cold and unforgiving. Mutual indulgence is the only safety of domestic content: such a wife might be perfectly irreproachable; but there are few men who would not be tempted to exclaim, Thank Heaven she is not mine! Beyond the chilling vanity of conquest, she seems to have neither appreciated nor admired his genius, and certainly had no love for himself: but the last summing up of conclusions is in the words of his servant Fletcher, " that her ladyship was the only woman who could not manage him."

We cannot but consider the tone and spirit of much when we reflect on the multitude of readers, who, having

JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES.

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Galt observes:
Speaking of his peculiar temperament, Mr.

and young writer, himself smarting under injustice; and the violence of Mr. Southey's to remain several days at Keratéa, during turning to one of the servants, the only person own youth ought to have taught him indul- which they took the opportunity of a few left, he desired him to fetch the sparring"The wetness of the weather obliged them till the whole had moved away; and then, gence towards another: but really the evil and hours of sunshine, to ascend the mountain of gloves, and proceeded with him to his usual unrelenting spirit in which this early offence Parné in quest of a cave, of which many won-exercise. But the scene was impressive, and was resented, was equally malignant, rancorous, derful things were reported in the country. spoke eloquently of a grieved heart;-he sparred and ill-judged. talents we respect his private character; un- torches, and taken a supply of strips of the that he hit harder than was his habit: at last We admire Mr. Southey's Having found the entrance, kindled their pine in silence all the time, and the servant thought fortunately, his public course is peculiarly same wood, they let themselves down through he suddenly flung away the gloves, and retired open to censure, and attractive to the satirist. a narrow aperture; creeping still farther down, to his own room.' As George III. said of another accommodating they came into what seemed a large subterragentleman, "You may change opinions, but nean hall, arched as it were with high cupolas not principles:" and true; for our opinions de- of crystal, and divided into long aisles by pend on circumstances, which may alter; but columns of glittering spar, in some parts spread pressible predilections was so much the agent our principles, on that immutable sense of into wide horizontal chambers, in others ter- of impulses, that he could not keep long in right and wrong, which can never vary. And minated by the dark mouths of deep and steep unison with the world, or in harmony with his "Lord Byron possessed these sort of irrewhen youth, generally speaking the season of abysses receding into the interior of the moun- friends. our best impulses and truest feelings, acknow- tain. The travellers wandered from one grotto any ill spirit, he was continually provoking ledges that its whole course has been evil and to another until they came to a fountain of malignity and unjust, this seems but a bad foundation for pure water, by the side of which they lingered Princess Charlotte weeping, and his other merfuture character: like the Turks, we are in- some time, till observing that their torches ciless satire on her father, begot him no friends, Without malice, or the instigation of clined to think that he who has made a were wasting, they resolved to return; but and armed the hatred of his enemies. There bad Christian will make but an indifferent after exploring the labyrinth for a few minutes, was, indeed, something like ingratitude in the revenge. His verses on the Mussulman. This is the rule to which, how- they found themselves again close beside this attack on the regent for his royal highness ever, we admit Mr. Southey has been the mysterious spring. It was not without reason had been particularly civil; had intimated a exception: we wish all changes were as much they then became alarmed, for the guide con- wish to have him introduced to him; and for the better as his have been: he is among fessed with trepidation that he had forgotten Byron, fond of the distinction, spoke of it with the great and useful ornaments of our litera- the intricacies of the cave, and knew not how to a sense of gratification. These instances, as ture; and all in this dispute we could have recover the outlet. Byron often described this well as others, of gratuitous spleen, only juswished him was, a better memory and a little adventure with spirit and humour. Magnify- tified the misrepresentations which had been more moderation.* The whole affair of the Liberal was one of though of course there was caricature in both, mour in his nature, was ascribed to vice in his Byron's greatest faults and greatest mistakes: a yet the distinction was characteristic. Mr. Hob- principles. ing both his own and his friends' terrors; and insinuated against himself; and what was huproduction equally levelled against the govern-house being of a more solid disposition natu- popularity was evidently beginning to wane: ment and religion of his country, was as bad in rally, could discern nothing but a grave cause of this he was conscious himself, and braved design as it was wretched in execution. regard to his connexion with Hunt, we blame the earth; Byron, however, described his own nius with an affectation of indifference, under Before the year was at end, his With for dread in being thus lost in the bowels of the frequent attacks on his character and geLord Byron for the folly which led to it: anxiety as a species of excitement and titilla- which those who had at all observed the singuwhoso toucheth pitch must be defiled. Even tion which moved him to laughter. Their lar associations of his recollections and ideas, allowing that he looked forward to profit, we escape from starvation and being buried alive must have discerned the symptoms of a strange see no cause for reprehension: a man's talents was truly providential. While roaming in a disease. He was tainted with an Herodian are as much his property as his estate; and his state of despair from cave to cell; climbing up malady of the mind; his thoughts were often disgust towards Leigh Hunt strongly mani- narrow apertures; their last pine-torch fast hateful to himself; but there was an ecstacy fested itself before it could have resulted either consuming; totally ignorant of their position, in the conception, as if delight could be minfrom their journal's loss or gain. And when and all around darkness, they discovered, as it gled with horror. I think, however, he strugwe consider the mingled meanness and inso- were by accident, a ray of light gleaming to-gled to master the fatality, and that his resolulence, the vulgarity, the ingratitude, the ludi- wards them; they hastened towards it, and tion to marry was dictated by an honourable crous vanity of the groundling, we cannot won-arrived at the mouth of the cave." der at the existence of such a feeling. On his Greek expedition we have only to violent temper and other unseemly conduct, say, there were plenty to make jobs out of her affection for him had been so fond and His Mother's Death.-"Notwithstanding her wild wilfulness of his imagination." desire to give hostages to society against the loans, silly speeches about the press and an- dear, that he undoubtedly returned it with was undoubtedly one of those men whom the cient glories, which had nothing to do with unaffected sincerity; and from many casual resurrection of her spirit was likeliest to inteHis Grecian expedition present necessities, without Lord Byron. It and incidental expressions which I have heard rest; but he was not also one fitted to do her "Had Lord Byron never been in Greece, he was a forlorn hope, led on against notoriety; him employ concerning her, I am persuaded cause much service. His innate indolence, his and he wilfully allowed his imagination to that his filial love was not at any time even of sedentary habits, and that all-engrossing conblind him, both to the extent of the services an ordinary kind. During her life he might sideration for himself, which in every situation he could render, and to their concomitant feel uneasy respecting her, apprehensive on marred his best impulses, were shackles upon advantages. With one brief regret we close account of her ungovernable passions and in. the practice of the stern bravery in himself this summary: the great misfortune of Lord discretions; but the manner in which he la- which he has so well expressed in his works. Byron's life was its want of serious and mented her death clearly proves that the in- It was expected when he sailed for Greecewell-grounded religious faith: great and good tegrity of his affection had never been im- nor men too have doubted; and all we say is, that paired. On the night after his arrival at the those who believe imagination and passion to he who wants that religious principle which will Abbey, the waiting-woman of Mrs. Byron in be of the same element-that the enthusiasm support in life and soothe in death, we will passing the door of the room where the corpse which flamed so highly in his verse was the was the expectation unreasonable with not take upon ourselves to blame, but we most lay, heard the sound of some sincerely pity. We have reserved for this number a series lordship sitting in the dark beside the bed. only an artist; he could describe bold advenof miscellaneous extracts, to which we now She remonstrated with him for so giving way tures and represent high feeling, as other heavily within, and on entering found his dertake some great enterprise. But he was one sighing spirit of action, and would prompt him to unproceed. to grief; when he burst into tears, and ex-gifted individuals give eloquence to canvass, We cannot refrain from observing the difference and she is gone.' Of the fervency of his the wisdom necessary for the instruction of between the line of conduct pursued by Mr. Southey sorrow I do therefore think there can be no councils. I do, therefore, venture to say, that claimed, I had but one friend in the world, and activity to marble; but he did not possess and Mr. Moore. Under a much more aggravated offence, doubt; the very endeavour which he made to in embarking for Greece he was not entirely what frankness, good humour, and kindly feeling, did the latter evince. The one pursued the weak and violent con- conceal it by indifference, was a proof of its influenced by such exoterical motives as the duct of the recluse, exaggerating the importance of a depth and anguish, though he hazarded the love of glory or the aspirations of heroism. literary quarrel, and expecting all the world to take up strictures of the world by the indecorum of his His laurels had for some time ceased to flourish, beyond the gossiping of the moment, for what interferes conduct on the occasion of the funeral. Having the sear and yellow, the mildew and decay, not with itself, treating the matter as it deserved, asking declined to follow the remains himself, he stood had fallen upon them; and he was aware that redress openly, receiving apology generously, and throwing into the whole a portion of his own playful spirit. looking from the hall-door at the procession, the bright round of his fame was ovalling from

his cause: the other, aware of how little society cares,

elevated his reins, as if dedicating them to her. in two objections; first, that it was too pri- and felt for the misery of his friend, and And now the applause for the red redoubled, vate; and secondly, too favourable. The although he knew that he was not strong and the conductor of the green urged forward phrase, "intrusion into private life," appears enough to fight with any hope of his noble steeds: still Oresander kept by his to us mere cant, as applied to a public cha- success, and that it was dangerous even to side without provoking on his horses; it seemed racter. Those who come openly forward to approach him, he advanced to the scene of as if the generous creatures wanted not even place the great stake of their lives on opinion, action, and with a blush of rage, tears in his to be reminded of their duty, so lightly did must expect its exercise; and the interior of a eyes, and a voice trembling between terror and their master hold the reins, such confidence great man's life is almost as much general pro- indignation, asked very humbly if did he place in the faithful animals. Three perty as his external, inasmuch as the one would be pleased to tell him how many stripes pillars had already been taken down at the influences the other; and it is unfair to repine, he meant to inflict? Why,' returned the extremity of the spina out of the seven which that the curiosity he himself has excited, he executioner, you little rascal, what is that marked the number of courses; when the himself must gratify. A poet speaks of feelings, to you? Because, if you please,' said Byron, horses of the red, fired with the tumult and sorrows, and experience; and in exact propor-holding out his arm, I would take half."" appearance of the multitudes, flew with in- tion to his popularity will be the desire to learn His marriage was the rock on which his creasing rapidity: with over-arching necks, how much of these were truly his own. Those whole after-life wrecked: to use Lockhart's with starting and fixed eyes, they no longer are the very Canutes of fame, who would say expressive words,-"If there be one curse saw the scene which had alarmed them, but to the tide of popular interest, Thus far shalt which comes to earth direct as the crow giving up themselves to ungovernable fury, the thou go, and no farther. As matter for deep flies, with all the steam of hell hot about it, friends of the party feared their victory would reflection, as means of solving the great problem it is an ill-assorted marriage." It seems be paid for at a terrible price. Another goal of human nature, both as warning and as en- to us a most affected delicacy, which in such was cleared, and the space of half the circus left couragement, all relating to a man like Byron a case would abstain from seeking grounds behind the rivals the horses ran nearer and is public property. Praise has its penalty; whereon to form an opinion, or expressing it nearer to the spina-in vain did the charioteer and neither he nor those connected with him when formed. Lord Byron was all his life exert his utmost energies to make them take a have a right to claim that domestic privacy, before the public eye; and those who shared wider circle arrived at the extremity, they from which themselves first and voluntarily his celebrity, must share it whether as matter dashed with violence against the wall, and stept forth. To drag those from retirement, of vanity or annoyance. We think there is horses, man, and chariot, were strewed upon which they have in no instance voluntarily no sort of reproach to be thrown on Lady the dust. But little pity was heard among the quitted, is as reprehensible as it is indelicate; Byron's actual conduct; but the explanation deafening shouts for the two remaining com- but a man who courts fame, which is built on of the whole is, that she had no love for her petitors. The champion of the green now opinion, must expect to be canvassed by the husband,-none of that kindly and feminine urged on his horses to the utmost speed, and tribunal to which he appeals. Secondly, as to affection which makes all the excellence it finds, Syrianus already congratulated himself on the Moore's likeness being too favourable: we must and softens away the very faults it discovers. victory, and the consequent approbation of the say, that the conclusions we draw from Galt's The very fact that, on such slight grounds as mob. Oresander for the first time conde-account, taken by a stricter hand, and in darker those of late, she has not hesitated to throw scended to lash his noble steeds, but gently, as colours, have yet left on our minds an impres- the most odious imputations on the dead, shews if he were in play, while with careless grace he sion decidedly in Byron's favour. His child- at least how little of attachment or forgiveness stood, holding the reins so slightly in his hand hood was peculiarly unfortunate-unfortunate enters into a temper whose seeming at least is as would Apollo in his car, when the celestial in wanting that wholesome restraint which is cold and unforgiving. Mutual indulgence is horses know the circles of their master. No the great principle both in laws and education. the only safety of domestic content: such a continued urging is required, at the touch they At this period, too, was doubtless received the fly; with no violence, with no excess of exer- impression of shame and horror at his personal detion, they outstrip the straining speed of their formity. Mr. Galt mentions that the neighbours rivals. The difficulty was to avoid the scat- used to call him "Mrs. Byron's crookit devil." tered fragments and kicking animals of the He himself records the agony he felt on hearunfortunate conductor of the red. Syrianus's ing his mother tauntingly allude to it. Now chariot had cleared well the obstructed point; whether we blame, regret, or regard it as of no but by the time he approached the approving consequence, we all must admit, that the notice patron, Oresander had gained his side, who, given to children, and in which they all delight, cutting off the succeeding goal from his anta- is universally attracted by their beauty: "bless gonist's horse, so closely passed his chariot in your pretty face!" is as common a phrase in the The time of Lord Byron's departure from front of their heads, that his rival involun- lower, as "what a little angel!" is in the upper England is one, we hold, of extreme hardship: tarily checked them for an instant. Again, ranks. We have often thought, that a most his separation from his wife was a sufficiently however, he drives on with more rapidity than pathetic essay might be written on the sorrows sore point, without all the blame being laid ever, but is left far behind, and the acclama- of ugly children. A child has quick perception, upon himself; and now that much of party cant tions of the circus proclaim the patrician con- but no discrimination,-a faculty only to be ac- and clamour has died away, few will deny the queror. Borne upon a golden shield of triumph, quired by the comparisons made by experience; bitterness which the extreme injustice of the he was carried round the arena, flowers were and the idea of his defect being repulsive, once sentence endeavoured to be passed on his liteshowered on his head, and even Euphemia suggested, this idea would naturally be seized rary fame must have excited. He could not but exerted herself to throw a garland, which he on by his susceptible temper, to account for know, he had erected a noble and lasting monucaught, and flung over his white neck. The whatever he might encounter of neglect or ment in the literature of that very country he duke placed a golden crown on his head, which mortification; and on the importance and in- was being accused of endeavouring to destroy he had brought for the victorious charioteer, delibility of childish impressions no one need and corrupt; and whatever may be said of the and complimented him in flattering strains. enlarge. Of his school days we shall quote immorality of his writings after he left Eng The money was then placed in Oresander's one anecdote, and the heroism of the conduct land, it must be bigotry, not criticism, that hand; he immediately threw it on the arena.' it records may speak for itself. would apply that reproach to his previous A very beautiful character of St. Athana- "While Lord Byron and Mr. Peel were at works. This leads us to the warfare between sius is introduced: Euphemia is an exceedingly Harrow together, a tyrant a few years older, him and Southey, which Mr. Galt slightly lively sketch, and well contrasted with Her-whose name was claimed a right to dismisses, by saying his lordship was the first mione. The note in the preface about St. Atha-fag little Peel, which claim (whether rightly or aggressor. True; but the revenge seems very nasius' Creed might as well have been omitted: wrongly, I know not) Peel resisted. His re- disproportioned to the offence. The very worst it conveys an erroneous impression of the con- sistance, however, was in vain : not that can be said of the lines in the English tents of the future pages, as giving an opening only subdued him, but determined to punish Bards and Scotch Reviewers, is, that they were to religious controversy, for which a novel the refractory slave; and proceeded forthwith the hasty and ill-judged effusion of an angry seems to us a most unfitting vehicle. to put this determination in practice by inflicting a kind of bastinado on the inner fleshy side We cannot but consider the tone and spirit of much The National Library, No. I. Galt's Life of of the boy's arm, which during the operation of Lord Byron's later writings as calculated to do injury. Byron. was twisted round with some degree of techni-no opinions of their own, are content to take so many on when we reflect on the multitude of readers, who, having THE Complaints made of Moore's Life of cal skill, to render the pain more acute. While trust: an influential writer should, we think, rather err Byron, as they are referred to in the preface the stripes were succeeding each other, and on the side of overcaution. That irreverent style in speaking of religion, and of grossness as respects morais, of the volume before us, may be summed up poor Peel writhing under them, Byron saw may be palliated, but surely not defended.

wife might be perfectly irreproachable; but there are few men who would not be tempted to exclaim, Thank Heaven she is not mine! Beyond the chilling vanity of conquest, she seems to have neither appreciated nor admired his genius, and certainly had no love for himself: but the last summing up of conclusions is in the words of his servant Fletcher, "that her ladyship was the only woman who could not manage him."