Video meliora proboque, deteriora sequor.

have been established, and intelligent sounds should often act in opposition to both, is as
would only have served to breathe forth the lamentable as certain in the transport of
lamentations of misery and despair, or the immediate gratification, or in the hopes of
accents of discontent. We must have re-enjoyment, precept ceases to influence, and
mained naked, and perished from the incle-example loses its warning.
mency of weather: man would have owed
"the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the
sheep no wool." It would be superfluous
to pursue this subject further, as the reader
has only to consider the superior enjoyments,
and accumulated monuments, of art and of
wisdom, which the mind of man has pro-
duced by the agency of his hand.
"Molto opro egli col senno ed con la mano.”

The importance of the hand will, we doubt not, be so much enhanced with the majority of our readers, after perusing this philosophical, and, in parts, poetical encomium, that even lovers and brides will desist from exalting the heart at the expence of that member, in the derogatory way that has heretofore been but too usual.

Of what is said concerning Reason, we can only give the definition.

In general terms it may be defined, the means we employ for the attainment of the end proposed; the employment of knowledge for the discovery of truth; or the process of demonstration; whether the object be an arithmetical sum, a geometrical problem, or a discourse on taste..

this world are the courts of final retribution Man bears in his intellectual construction the badge of moral responsibility, and, cosequently, the germ of future existence : and the only incentive that can urge hiin to the advancement of science, and the practice of virtue, is the reward that Revelation has unfolded.

A Song to David. By the late Christopher Smart, M. A. Fellow of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge; and prose translator of Horace. London, 1819. 12mo. pp. 55.

gearce

more fully before the public than it has hitherto been.

And with regard to that which apThis very remarkable and proaches nearest to reason, viz. in-poem has been sought out and repubstinct in animals; we have but room for lished, in consequence of an incidental a small portion of Dr. Haslam's very notice in the Quarterly Review; which, entertaining view. He says mentioning that neither Anderson nor It is not improbable that they dream; and Chalmers had been able to recover it, at such times, the recollection of objects and expressed great regret at the loss of scenes may be presented to them in visible such a production, and composed under The chapter on language is a sketch, phantasınata; and in the delirium of canine such circumstances. The high eulogies and very amusing it shews that John-madness, they are observed to snap at ima- bestowed upon the Song of David by ginary existences; but this is far below the three authorities so respectable as, Anson's Dictionary is by no means an auprocess that constitutes reflection, which thority for the derivation of words. consists in the capacity of reviewing the derson, Chalmers, and, though last not In the following is the substance of the whole of our perceptions; and it has been least, that accomplished judge of poetry. investigation of "Will, or Volition." endeavoured to point out that this can only the editor of the Quarterly Review, Had' the mind of man, like animals, been be effected through the medium of intelli. were quite sufficient to quicken inquiry furnished with instinct, which, in them, gent sound, or its visible representative. If concerning it; and we are exceedingly implies a wise, preconcerted, and unvarying we were to contend for their capacity of re-well pleased to have it in our power to performance of important functions, for flection, we must, at the same time, actheir individual preservation, and for the knowledge, that they do not appear to de-bring so extraordinary a performance continuance of their race, as may be exem-rive any improvement from the process; and plified in the construction of the habitations to suppose them endowed with that which of the bee and beaver, together with their was nugatory, and contributed in no degree wonderful economy.-the fabrication of the to their advancement, would be an idle and spider's web, and many others, he would, useless hypothesis. When not employed and like them, have been stationary; having re-directed by man, their lives are principally ceived from infinite bounty and wisdom suffi-occupied in procuring food, and in the probeen directed by unerring motives; and thus appetites are satisfied, they repose or sleep: cient for his destination: his will would have pagation of their species; and when their his conduct would have been absolved from when not guided by instinct, they seem to all responsibility. But man is gifted with act from established habits, or the dictates few instincts, which appear to decline as his of immediate impression. They are capable reason advances: his intellect is more tapa- of considerable acquirements under the cocious, and of a finer staple; he possesses ad-ercive tuition of man, and may be taught a ditional organs for the accumulation of knowledge; and, by the peculiarity of his construction, is enabled to preserve his acquirements, to avail himself of the treasures of those who have preceded him; and to transmit his collections to posterity. Man, in possession of ampler materials and superior capacity, becomes the architect of his own mind; and to him it is alone permitted, by the aid of experience, and the estimate of reason, to direct his actions: but this generous and exalted faculty involves him in awful responsibility. The same light which discovers to him that which is good and lawful, also exposes its opposite, which is evil and forbidden; and the nature of good and evil, as it forms the foundation of human institutions, has been derived from our experience of their effects, or a calculation of their tendencies. The will of man, therefore, is as free as his experience dictates, and his reason urges to action; yet, that he

variety of tricks for his amusement or profit;
but they do not appear to comprehend their
utility, or to hold these instructions in any
estimation, as they never practise them when
alone. The most accomplished bear would
not dance for his own entertainment; and
the learned pig never attempted to become
a school-master to the hogs of his acquaint-
ance.

There is a brief but admirable con-
clusion, with the last sentences of which
we also shall close our remarks; only
once more impressing on the public
the general excellence of this book, and
its peculiar fitness for the younger
classes of cultivated intellect, who wish,
in the noblest study of mankind, to be
gifted with a SOUND MIND.

When we consider the attributes of the Deity and the nature of man, we can never be induced to conclude that the tribunals of

Written by the unfortunate bard while confined in a madhouse, and committed by means of a key to the wains cot of his room, when denied the use of ceed that which is attached to this poem. pen, ink, and paper *; nothing of adventitious interest can be imagined to exTrue, it will be seen that it is disfigured by occasional meanness of expression; that it is unequal, and that it has a number of defects: but the strength, the feeling, the majesty of thought, and the grandeur of language which distinguish its nobler parts, are not only sufficient to establish it as a sublime work, but to prove the perfect truth of the line...

"Great wit to madness nearly is allied." We will not detain our readers longer from the verse: it begins with a fine invocation to David...

the advancement of humane philosophy and The treatment of lunacy is now, thanks to science, much better understood. Mildness, not harshness, dictates to the regime observed in regard to our unfortunate fellow-creatures deprived of reason. We have for some time past been collecting and arranging materials, for a view of this subject; and trust in a few Numbers to have to lay before our readers an acceptable statement both of curious facts and of the best modern practical opinions. Edit.

O THOU, that sit'st upon a throne,
With harp of high majestic tone,

To praise the King of Kings:
And voice of heav'n-ascending swell,
Which, while its deeper notes excel,
Clear, as a clarion, rings:

To bless each valley, grove, and coast,
And charms the cherubs to the post

Of gratitude in throngs;
To keep the days on Zion's mount,
And send the year to his account,

With dances and with songs :
O servant of God's holiest charge,
The minister of praise at large,

Which thou may'st now receive;
From thy blest mansion hail and hear,
From topmost eminence appear

To this the wreath I weave.

Follows a historical glance at the lustre of David's character, which thus concludes...

Pleasant and various as the year;
Man, soul, and angel, without peer,
Priest, champion, sage, and boy;
In armour, or in ephod clad,
pomp, his piety was glad;
Majestic was his joy.

Wise-in recovery from his fall,
Whence rose his eminence o'er all,

Of all the most revil'd;
The light of Israel in his ways,
Wise are his precepts, prayer, and praise,
And counsel to his child.

His muse, bright angel of his verse,
Gives balm for all the thorns that pierce,
For all the pangs that rage;
Blest light, still gaining on the gloom,
The more than Michal of his bloom,
The Abishag of his age,

He sung of God-the mighty source
Of all things-the stupendous force

On which all strength depends;
From whose right arm, beneath whose eyes,
All period, power, and enterprise

Commences, reigns, and ends.
Angels-their ministry and meed,
Which to and fro with blessings speed,

Or with their citterns wait;
Where Michael, with his millions, bows,
Where dwells the scraph and his spouse,
The cherub and her mate.

Of man-the semblance and effect
Of God and love-the saint elect
For infinite applause---

To rule the land, and briny broad,
To be laborious in his laud,

And heroes in his cause.

The world-the clust' ring spheres he made,
The glorious light, the soothing shade,
Dale, champaign, grove, and hill,
The multitudinous abyss,
Where secrecy remains in bliss,

And wisdom hides her skill.

How delightful the first line, and how admirable the last and fourth last stanzas ! The author dilates on the sacred songs of his hero, and some of his epithets possess the very soul of poetry; for example, he specifies among the beauties of creation, the wealthy deep," the shoals that leap "the shells in upon the surface, and love the glan

The same strain is continued...
Beauteous the fleet before the gale;
Beauteous the multitudes in mail,
Rank'd arms, and crested heads:
Beauteous the garden's umbrage mild,
Walk, water, meditated wild,

And all the bloomy beds.
Beauteous the moon full on the lawn;
And beauteous, when the veil's withdrawn,
The virgin to her spouse;
Beauteous the temple, deck'd and filla,
When to the heav'n of heav'ns they build
Their heart-directed vows.
Beauteous, yea beanteous more than these,
The Shepherd King, upon his knees,
For his momentous trust;

With wish of infinite conceit,

For man, beast, mute, the small and great,
And prostrate dust to dust.
Precious the bounteous widow's mite;
And precious, for extreme delight,
The largess from the churl:
Precious the ruby's blushing blaze,
And+alba's blest imperial rays,
And pure cerulean pearl.
Precious the penitential tear;
And precious is the sigh sincere;
Acceptable to God:

And precious are the winning flowers,
In gladsome Israel's feast of bowers, ro
Bound on the hallow'd sod.S01
More precious that diviner part

Of David, e'en the Lord's own heart,
Great, beautiful, and new:

In all things where it was intent, res
In all extremes, in each event,

Proof-answ'ring true to true.
Glorious the sun in mid career;
Glorious th' assembled fires appear!
Glorious the comet's train:

Glorious the trumpet and alarm;

Glorious th' Almighty's stretch'd-out arm;
Glorious th' enraptured main :

The profusion of imagery, the clustering of stupendous thoughts, the high poetical enthusiasm, the sweetness and force of expression, and the natural sublimity which reign throughout these stanzas, rarely depreciated by any anomaly, leave us nothing to say but to express our astonishment at the mind which could conceive and execute them, sent images of tender beauty and proThe young nurse, and the lion, pre-stances under which they were proand our amazement, at the circum digious force, unsurpassed by any imagination in the whole circle of poetry. Juan otherwise presents a singular coincidence. Had not Lord Byron seen this? His Don

duced. The Song to David, is indeed
a wonder in the moral world, and de-
lover of poetry.
serves as much the investigation of the
philosopher, as the admiration of the

ed... gale; El

, ads:

e;

neart,

JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES.

The Mystery. 3 vols. ing, into his mouth. His oftended palate, was no more, and he suddenly sunk to the
[Second notice)

instantly rejected the supposed cooling be- ground. He attempted to speak, but articu

vcruge, exclaiming, "He hath filled me lation failed. The purport of what he wished Observing that cven that portion of the writh bitterness, he hath made me drunken to say it was impossible for Charles to comperiodical press which is chiefly devoted to writh irormwood. lle hath also broken, my prehend. Smithers pointed to his heart, and political subjects, has been pretty generally teeth with grwel stones, he hath covered seemed anxious to express what he had now attracted to this novel; we feel the more my tongue with ashes.” But he added, in no power to utter. Harley was persuaded sensibly that the Literary Gazette did not an assumed tone, “ He will deliver me yet. that in the instant his speech failed him, he do it justice by quoting only one of its ludi- Though I hare gone exiray like a lost sheep, had an interval of reason, but it expired

crous scenes in low life. We ought to have he will seek his servant yet, for I have not with the struggle to give it language. His und 151

stated, that the author, in conducting his forgotten his commandments. While utter- inanimate form lay extended on the sands, they bel

hero into the heart of Africa, takes occasion to ing the last sentence, he seemed inore him- and a flush of unusual colour in the face, introduce from original materials and render self than he had previously been. Harley and short interrupted breathings, alone indisubservient to the purposes of romance, the remarking this, again attempted to recall him cated that the sufferer still lingered within superstition which plants a shrub over a to a consciousness of his real situation, and the prerincts of life. It was in vain that grave, and considers it sacrilege in a stranger to encourage him to proceed ; but instead of Harley attempted to administer the slightest to touch it; the barbarities exercised by attending to him, Smithers had thrown him-relief to the prostrate and perishing Missionthe Moors on unfortunate Europeans; the self down, and was now rolling over and over ary. Incapable of receiving nonrishinent,

Great Desert, with its salt and fresh-water in the sand. fter a while, exhausted by pain or of listening to the soothing langnage of mite;

springs; and the practice of beating female and fatigne, he remained motionless, and seem- friendship, he knew nothing of what passed
children to make them eat enough to rendered likely to obtain a little repose. The exces- aronnd. Respiration becaine inore difficult,

themselves beautifully corpulent, as describ- sive heat would have made it almost impos- it was plain that he was dying, but many aze, ed by Mungo Park; the sufferings of the sible for them to go on, had Smithers retained hours might elapse before he would breathe

crew of the Medusa, and many of the pech- his senses, and Harley therefore easily recon- his last. Charles reflected that those from liar habits and customs of the natives. In ciled his mind, to indulge in a little rest. whom they had escaped, by this time informthis part he draws the picture of a Mission- Exposed to the sun's persecuting fires, Smi-ed of the route their late captives had taken, ary undergoing every species of hardship in thers lay at full length, with his face up- and guessing the direction in which they

the arduous task of spreading the gospel in wards. "Charles feared to move him, lest by would subsequently travel, might be rapidly Owens these burning regions. Tiinid and weak in trying to change his position, he should approaching the place where he watcher

earthly concerns, he is bold and fearless in bring on another paroxysm, and deprive him over the unconscious form of one, who in all his Master's work. The character is finely of that tranquil insensibility which seemned probability would never again wake to sense drawn, and ingeniously connected with the to afford him a temporary refuge from pain. and recollection ; and who, if he should do story :—the Missionary assists Harley, the His hat had fallen off, and this his companion so for a moment, could profit nothing from

hero, in his escape, and after encountering, propped up, so as to interpose a little be cares, which in all probability wonld endan5,

many dangers, and being severely wounded, tween the ghastly countenance of the Mission- ger his own life. Would it then be well beperishes in the manner thus described. ary, and the great luminary of the sky which cause one could not escape, to derote both

The mind of the gentle Smithers, acens still poured its unrelenting brightness on the to destruction ? Acting thus, he was sure tomed to suffer and submit, was unusually plain. Falling on his face, he threw an that he should do that against which the agitated by the execution of Harley's project empty water-skin over his own heal, and poor Missionary would not have failed to refor escaping froin the Moors. He was ill at waited the effect of this respite from fatigue nonstrate, had he retained the power of the time from the treatment he had recently on his companion, in painful suspence. At thinking; and uselessly to sacrifice his own experienced on account of his refusing to the end of two hours, he heard the delirious existence, was to do that which could hardly work on the Sabbath. He had never been Smithers call out aloud, “awake thou that be justified. Ought he not then to take the much in the habit of riding, and was soon sleepest.”. Harley had slept pot, but now course which policy would recommend; exdreadfully galled by the unancustomed exer- summoned tö proceed, he considered that ert the little strength that remained to him,

cise which a desire to escape forced on him, policy and humanity concurred in requiring to extricate himself if possible, from the =;

though he continued to advance without a him to obey tlae call. The sun was fast de-desert, and leave his unhappy friend whom
murmur, feeling that not only his own safety, clining, and the anguish attendant on an at- no hunan power could snuteh from the jaws
but that of his companion, depended on his tempt to walk was less insupportable than of death, to perisha alone ?
resolutely enduring the torture, and getting it had been. Smithers advanced with a ra- Such were the suggestions which the feel-
rapidly, forward. The intolerable heat to pidity that frequently left Charles, who was ing designated by the multitude, prudence,
which he was exposed in the desert, the un-charged with the conveyance of the little strove to press upon Harley for the regula-
fortunate fracture of his arın, and the cease- means of refreshment that remained to them, tion of his future conduct. In the busy
less anxiety he felt on account of the man considerably in the rear. The Missionary world, how many men are there who are cal-
who had wounded him, from an apprehension was evidently bereft of reason, but the most led “good,” even in the city of London,
that the impetuosity of Harley might re- blissful illusions gladdened his delirious mo- who would rejoice if they had so fair an op-

quite his perfidy with death, completed the ments. Frequently would he exhort his portunity of breaking froin calamity, so plau-
overtlırow of a constitution before much im- pitying friend to press forward with joy sible an excuse for abandoning the unhappy!
paired, by his unremitting, exertions in the and thankfulness, since their painful wani- Memory and sensibility, faithful to virtue,
cause which had brought him to Africa, and derings were so nearly at an end, that he could forbad Charles to avail himself of such ideas.
the ungrateful return made by many of now not only see the river which bounded (He determines to abide by him to the last,
those whom he sought to benefit. Charles their thorny path, but he could also perceive and overcome with fatigue sleeps a few mo-
offered him some of the gum, which he had the shining Ones waiting to welcome and ments; on a vaking, he finds] Smithers re-
obtained from the pretended interpreter, in receive them on the farther shore, as they clined in precisely the same attitude in
the hope that it would allay in some mea- had done Christian and Hopeful before, and which he had previously seen him. He was
sure the raging thirst of his delirious friend; the thrones on which the faithful rere to be still gazing on his form, but imperfcetly seen
bnt he disdainfully rejected it, and asked exalted, to sing glory to the Lamh, and all through the darkness that prevailed; when
“why he should make use of that poor sub- the joys of the New Jerusalem, lay open he started at feeling his hand suddenly grasp-
stitute for water, when the river Jordan rolled to his ravished view.” It was the last ctfort ed with intelligent eagerness by the prostrate
its watery stores at his feet, and invited him of the kind, that religious enthusiasın could sufferer. “Is it my dear brother-is it my
to drink his fill?” Still speaking, he knelt gain from exhausted nature. The strong countryman, 'Those hand I grasp in mine!"
down, and imitated the act of drinking, by impulse that had lifted the feeble Missionary Surprise and einotion almost deprived Har-
taking some of the sands they were travers-above the consciousness of pain and fatigue ley of the power ofmaking a reply. He at

093

THE LITERARY GAZETTE, AND

historians rush forward to carry him off in triumph, and scarcely allow him time to finish his exploits.

length, answered in the affirmative, and en-pocket book which I have given you, the quired if he could do any thing to relieve address of the secretary to the Society of him? "To relieve me!" exclaimed the Friendly Christians, whose unworthy reprerlying man. "O no. The Lord has already sentative I have been, will be found. To relieved me. to enter into his Paradise. My heart is full its contents, and communicate such particu-in quest of his heroes. In his Dictionnaire I feel no pain, and I am about him, if you reach England in safety, convey of Dante, has descended to the infernal regions of joy that I see the termination of my pillars concerning me as they may be desirous infernal he made us acquainted with the M. Collin de Plancy, after the example grimage; but tears fill my eyes for you whom to learn. I leave behind. But do you not feel yourself wonderfully I have been sustained in my the gambols of fairies, gnomes, &c. Now he revived as it were by a miracle? For a mo- trials, and how providentially I met with a presents us with the king of all noctambuAbove all, fail not to tell, how mighty deeds of spectres and phantoms, and ment infinite mercy has permitted me to countryman in the wilderness who cheered lary beings;-it is Satan, Belzebub, Pluto, speak the words of reason and of truth to and assisted me while I lived, and left me Arimanes, Tentates, or Lucifer;-finally, it the kind but too impetuous companion of not till he had closed my eyes, in nature's is the Devil himself, my latter journeyings. O my brother! be last and most refreshing sleep." faithful to the end. Then shall we one day assured him that whatever his future fate but very imperfect notions of the above sinrejoice together, that "Our soul is escaped might be, he would remember the charge | gular personage: when we speak of him our us a bird out of the snare of the fowler. Let thus laid upon him, and fail not to execute language conveys no definite idea. He is Harley Hitherto we have been enabled to form not suffering and persecution dismay. Re-it without loss of time on his arrival in En- conjured up on every occasion; his name is member the words of St. Peter: Beloved, gland, it ever it should be his fate to get a continual source of contradiction and abthink it not strange concerning the fiery there. trial, which is to try you, as though some weary spirit, " prayed the expiring Mission-him sufficiently. Thus, a frank obliging man strange thing had happened unto you,' and ary. "And now, O father, receive my surdity; and all because we do not know bear in mind also that we read in the Reve-I go-I go-O that you were equally happy. and determined disposition is a devil of a man; lations, that as many as he loves, he rebukes-I go to him in those presence there is a person who excites our compassion is a Farewell, my poor, dear friend. is called a good-natured devil; one of bold and chastens. Preserve as a treasure these fullness of joy, and at whose right hand, poor devil; an entertaining man is devilish precious words of consolation, and they will there are pleasures for evermore." His witty; when out of humour with ourselves support you in the hour of trial." "But you voice grew weaker. For a few moments he we wish the devil may take us; of a troubleexert yourself too much. Already I perceive was quite silent. Charles doubted whether some affair we say the devil is in it; a man your voice to falter. Take a little water." he had not ceased to breathe; when, to his who wants his dinner says he is devilish hunNot a drop: it cannot re-invigorate my mor- infinite surprise, his departing friend seemed gry; if he has no money he says the devil tal frame; you have none to spare, and none to have gained a sudden accession of strength, is in his purse. Consequently, it is impossi do I want. Why should we feed with oil the and he began to sing the following hymn, ble to form any precise idea of the nature of lamp that can no longer give light? I feel which he had composed himself. that I grow weaker; and I rejoicé at it. That I have awakened to reason, and that I have found you by my apparently lifeless this hero of the infernal regions. clay, are merciful dispensations for which I know not how to be sufficiently `thankful. I can only reward your kindness and brotherby love by giving you this, and my sincere vish and fervent prayer, that it may prove as fruitful of consolation and joy to you, as it has been to me in my wanderings.' these words Smithers handed to Charles the little Bible, which through all his delirium and insensibility he had not ceased to clasp. The present was received with tears. "Check these sorrows, " said Smithers, sinful, and tend to sadden the hour of my 66 they are departure. Take charge too of this little pocket book. It contains the letters of brother Bowman, giving an account of the progress of grace in those parts which he had visited before we parted. Every thing of worldly value that I had about me when I first sought these inhospitable regions, was taken from me by the barbarians that are

а

But these are not the only good 'actionsde-Dôme ; it recoinmends the introduction In the first two chapters, tlie authór en recorded of the devil : he is not continually of inore irrigation into French husbänlry quires into the origin of the Russians, and spreadiug his nets and teurpting holý persons Art. II. Codex Nasaræus, &c. à Matth. agrees with Ncstor;: that the: Varigues, to the commission of sin; he is occasionally Norberg.–20 Article, (See Literary Ga who, in 862, became the first sovereigns of

, honest and disinterested; and M. Collin de

zette, No. 142.)

the country, to which they gave the name of Plancy does his utmost to prove that the

Having given an account of this book in Russia, were Scandinavians, from the exinfernal monarch frequently restores the our 1421 Number, we refer our readers to tremity of the Baltic.”. Having disposed sinner to the path of salvation. Sometimes, it; and content ourselves with stating, that of those thorny questions, he gives an indeed, he is severe through excess of good in this second article, Baron de Sacy enters inoral character of the Sclavonians in gene

interesting description of the physical and ness. For instance, it was rather cruel to into a very elaborate critique, (vecupying ng transform a poor nun into a demoniac, bc- less than 20 pages in 4to.) on the live, ro-ral, and particularly of the Sclavonian cause, as Gregory the Great rebates, she re, lumes published by Mr. Norberg, of whuse Russians. This third chapter contains ingaled herself with a lettuce before she had translation he does not speak very favpur-structive details, hitherto but little known, said her Benedicite ; or to forbid a hungry ably. He intends to give, in a third Article, on the inythology of the ancient inhabitants inan to eat some real, because it happeued a view of tlie doctrine of the Christians .of of Moscovy, on their calendar, their political to be part of a descendant in the fifth degrce St. John, according to the book of Adim.

institutions, their writing on the various of a cow that had been stolen.

dialects, such as the Illyrian, the Croatian, On another occasion the devil proved Art. III. Histoire de l'Empire de Russie: duced among the Sclavonian tribes in.proz

RUSSIA.

the Polish, the Russian, which were intro. himself still more austere. He appeared under the forin of an unknown knight to

par M. Karainsin. Toin. 1. and II. tra portion as they were subdued, dispersed. Count Maçon, and carried hiin off in the

duit
par

M.M. Saint Thoinas & Sauffret. and confounded with other people. A sinpresence of his terrified guards and atten

A history of Russia was, considering the gular trait of their language is, that the same clants. The pious liistorians who relate the works of Voltaire and Levesque, a desidera word, Vek, signifies both life and century, above anecslote, take care to add, thut the tow in Russian, much more than in French probably because a hundred years constituted Count liad many sins to answer for ; that. Iie literature. Mr.

Karamsin, forgetful also of the usual period of the life of man, was in the habit of robbing convents, and that sia and Gerinany, has considered his subject of facts from 862, begins with the fourthi

Herberstein, whose work is popular in Rus- The history; or the chronological narrative he paid but little respect to the clergy. In all ages the Devil has rendered great reflections on the interest and utility of his confined himself to the order of time.

as being still entirely new; and; after some chapter. The author has not, however, strictly service to the learned, for whoin he has always torical studies, and especially of natural his- extracts from the Russian Larn, or code of

The evinced particular regard. Scaliger was to have entered into a coinpact with him, tory, he points out the ancient chronicles Yaroslaf

, who died in 1054, will prove highly Socrates, Apuleius, Agrippa, Cardan, Cag

and original monuments from which he has interesting to those persons who study the liostro, are reported to have had familiars extracted the annals of his country. These history of social institutions and of the secu who inspired them with knowledge. Roger are chiefly the chronicles of Nestor and Ba- rities given to persons and property. In one Bacon was imprisoned because the Devil sil, who lived at the end of the 11th century: copy of this code there is an article, which taught him mathematics. The Knights Tem- aud of five anonymous writers of the 12th ordains, that in all criminál cáuses, the plaintift polars, and Joan of Arc, were

accused of hold- and 13th centuries. The other documents must appear with the defendant before twelve ing communication with demons; and N. are extracts from records, both Muscovite citizens, who are sworn, and on their soul Collin de Plancy himself would have been and foreign, lives of saints, letters of bishops, and conscience shall discuss, verify, and burnt a hundred times over, had he lived in genealogies, inilitary ordinances, contempo- declare the facts, leaving to the judges the former times and known all the fine things rary anemoirs; medals, inscriptions, maps, right of determining and applying the pewhich he now ventures to disclose. and other documents taken from the

nalty. To these extracts Mr. Karamsin. Our ancestors had so mean an opinion of archives. The author thinks that these an- has added short explanations, and judicious the human mind, that they deemed it incapa- nals may naturally

tie divided into three reflections. ble of producing any thing without the aid of parts: the ancient, from Rurik to John III;

The review is generally favourable to the the devil. John Faust, one of the inventors of the iniddle, from John III. to Peter the work, and we are led to expect an interestprinting, was suspected of holding open com- Great; the modern, to the Emperor Alex-ing còntinuation in the succeeding volumes. munication with the Prince of Darkness.

ander.

The systein of apanages charac-
In Switzerland the common people entertain terizes the first; the second is that of the

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
so high a notion of his talents, that they at- monarchy; and the third is distinguished by
tribute to him the construction of several the change in the manners of society. This

AURORA BOREALIS,

&c.
master-pieces of architecture. Denis le application or the word modern secins to us
Chartreux says, that the Devil is a great geordern only since the end of the 17th century;

worthy of attention. In fact, Russia is ino- (Extracted from the Letter of a Tremoller in Now inetrician ; Milton asserts that he excels in

fouruland.] the building of bridges ; and Tertullian in France is so ever since the reign of Francis In Europe the cold and dry winds always forms us that the Devil is so good a natural 1.; and Italy since the age of Dante

. Mr. blow from the N. E, ; in America always froin philosopher that he can carry a sieve full of Schlozer reckons fire successive states of the N. W. When these winds prevail the sky is water without spilling a drop.

Russia ; he calls it beginning from 862 to clear and of a deep azure blue, and nothing For more ample details we must refer the 1015; divided from the time of Sviatopolk can equal the beauty of the nights. The reader to the work. It doubtless contains to that of the Mongols, oppressed from Bati, |, moon sheds a brighter lustre than in Europe, some few pages which timid eyes unight

to John III. victorious till Peter I., and and in her absence the brilliant light of the wish to pass over ; but it is nevertheless since that time, flourishing. But, according stars supplies her place, very amusing, and M. Collin de Plancy's hero to Mr. Karamsin, the age of St. Wladimir The sight of an Aurora Borealis, which is is as good as most others.

was an age of power and glory, to which the very frequent in these hyperborean regions, name of infancy is inapplicable; the empire produces the most wonderful effect, and is

had been divided before 1015; and the time indeed one of the most extraordinary pheno. ANALYSIS OF THE JOURNAL DES SAVANS, of the false Dmitri was distinguished by mis- mena of nature. It generally appears in the FOR NOVEMBER, 1819.

fortunes, rather than by military successes. form of a brilliant girdle of light, the extreArt. I. Excursion agronomique en Auvergne, The two volumes now published in French, mities of which repose on the horizon, &c. par J. d. Victor Yvart.

come down only to the year 1169, leaving covering the heavens with its coloured raye. An interesting account of an agricultural us two centuries from the period which the Even the splendor of the moon does not visit to a part of Auvergne, particularly the author calls the middle. They furnish some eclipse its magnificent effulgence. A crackling environs of the Mont d'Or, and the Puy-J novel information.

like the rustling of silk précode its appear.