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THE LITERARY GAZETTE, AND

ance; the light spreads rapidly over the sky,
with a slight noise, and the rays unite in the
zenith in the form of a crown.

on the products of French Industry, presented to Count De Cazes, cannot fail to be reporter through his learned examination of factures have been remarkable for tasteful work, and astronomical clock-work. We interesting to our commercial readers.Our limits do not permit us to follow the designs, and brilliant and durable colours. must, however, notice a new invention which "At all times the French carpet manu- late years in optical instruments, fine clock the improvements that have taken place of The sale of these carpets has, however, al-will form an epoch in the history of stringed ways been extremely limited; they were ma-instruments: namely, the violin of M. Chanufactured at vast expense, and were in some not, which produces a tone as full and memeasure exclusively destined for the palaces lodious as the old instruments which are so of the royal family. Owing to recent im- rare and highly valued. provements, carpets may now be manufactured with equal perfection at a moderate price. ruse, verinillion, scented soap for the toilette, However, the jury are of opinion that the indigenous sugar, gelatine, and all the alilabour may be still further simplified, and mentary products presented at the exhi The specimens of soda, alum, acids, cethe gold medal is offered to the first manufac-bition, exceeded the utmost expectations of turer who shall attain this object. the jury.

The Aurora Borealis often presents the singular appearance of two standards floating in the air, and its different tints of light afford successively the coup-d'-ceil of so many vast zones of silk of divers colours. At other times, it extends itself in vast coluinns of fire, the brilliancy of which insensibly fades, or by rapid oscillations transforms itself infinitely, and changes its colours from the most brilliant yellow to the darkest brown; and after having brightly illumined the firmament, extends majestically from the horizon to the zenith and suddenly vanishes, leaving behind a sombre and uniform trace: the light immediately reappears, and again vanishes with the same rapidity. Lastly, it often shews were long defective with respect to the aritself in glorious rays, the number and ticles used for size and the manner of applyThe French paper manufactures, which brilliancy of which successively increase tilling them, are annually undergoing improvethey fill the whole atmosphere, and for:n the most striking sight that can be immagined; the sky is covered with sparks, and it cracks and hisses with a noise absolutely resembling that of a superb fire-work. This phenomenon, which is generally considered as the effect of electricity, is almost always the precursor of storins; and when these latter rise in the N. E. they spread the greatest obscurity over the whole island of Newfoundland.vention.

In the spring there is much rainy and foggy weather. Towards the beginning of June, the change in the climate is sensible; and from the middle of July and sometimes earlier, to the end of August, the heat is so great as to oblige the people to put on summer dresses. Not a single cloud is to b scen, particularly from ten o'clock till four; it is sometimes hotter than in the Antilles.

The nights are of extraordinary beauty. The clearness of the sky, the purity of the atmosphere, the brilliant light of the moon, the uncommon lustre of the stars, which almost all appear in the horizon, each resembling the light of a distant vessel, produce the most delightful scene that can be imagined.

It is impossible to form an idea of the magnificence of the spectacle, which the Bay of Conception, presents on such a night, at the season which is called Capettin-Kutt: then its inmense surface is covered with myriads of fish of every species and of every size, all equally engaged, some in pursuit, and others in endeavours to escape. The whales rise and plunge alternately, dashing and spouting the water into the air; the od bounding upon the waves, and reflecting the light of the moon upon their silvery scales; the Capettin, saving itself in vast shoals, seeks a reLage on the coast where the waves throw an iminense multitude upon the sand, which become the prey of women and children, who with baskets come to collect this supply, while the fishermen in their boats, with their nets, take it upon the coast, and gather a still more valuable, and not less abundant

ASTRONOMY OF THE ORIENTALS.

cal measures of time relating to the sun and moon, according to the calculations of the (Abridged from the Calcutta Journal.) Hindoo astronomers, and by which the Bramins, Moguls, and other Mohammedans in The following are some of the astronomiIndia chiefly go, in the reckoning of time t

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ments. At the last exhibition the paper manufactures of Annonay, surpassed all the specimens of preceding years. In some manufactories, the vat sizing is employed; and this method, which is doubly economical, as it diminishes manual labour, and improves the quality of the paper, will probably be gurris, 1 pull. The solar year they reckon universally adopted. The art of making 365 days, 15 gurris, 30 pulls, 224 peels, Inpaper entirely by mechanism, is a French indian time:-60 peels making 1 palf, 60 pulls The lunar year they reckon 354 days, 22 long, manufactured by this method, were which the following table is constructed. presented to the public at the late exhi Sheets of paper six hundred feet I gurri, and 60 gurris 1 day. According to bition. Peels. Fulls. Gurris. English Time.

hangings is constantly improving in France.
The manufacture of ornamental paper
Specimens of landscapes, both coloured and
uncoloured, and compositions after the an-
tique,prove the surprising advancement made
in this branch of industry.

marked a new method of imitating gold or-
naments.
Among recent improvements, the jury re-

iron, have a greater interest, as
The improvements in the art of preparing
now possesses nearly five hundred large fur-
naces, or Catalonian forges, which annually
produce about a million quintals of cast and
France
the process of refining with coal, at the re-
verberating furnace, are among the new in-
wrought iron: the use of carbonated iron, and
troductions, which promise the happiest re-
sults. Great activity prevails in the steel and
brass manufactures; the preparation of pla-
tina, which is rendered malleable by a newly
discovered process, and the working of the
tin mines of Vaulry and Piriac, present new
resources to French industry: finally, the
manufacture of all sorts of iron ware improves
in proportion to the progress effected by the
chemical and mechanical sciences in the
working of metals.

24 124

25 371

50

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5 minutes

1500

25

10 minutes

2250

37

15 minutes

3600

50

20 minutes

4500

75

30 minutes

9000

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1 hour

18000

300

5

2 hours

27000

450

71

3 hours

36000

600

10

4 hours

45000 54000 81000

750

121

5 hours

900

15

6 hours

1350

224

9 hours

1800

30

3600

60

108000

216000

12 hours

به

122

year, of 365 days, 15 gurris, 30 pulls, and 224 peels, is equal to 365 days, 6 hours, 12 minutes, and 9 seconds of our time; and acFrom this table it appears that the Indian 1 day cords with our sidereal year nearly, which is stated at 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 354 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes, 24 seconds, English time; which very nearly corresponds oned at 354 days, 22 gurris, 1 pull, measures 144 seconds. The Indian lunar year, reckwith that settled in our tables, at 354 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes, 36 seconds. +

harvest.

MANUFACTURES, &c. IN FRANCE.
The following Report of the Central Jury,

the establishment for the construction of
improved agricultural instruments, which is
The reporter made honorable mention of
superintended by M. Molard. At this es-
tablishment, ploughs of cast iron have been
manufactured, on which the jury bestowed
unqualified approbation: they possess the
advantage of being more durable than
being less solid,
wooden ploughs, are less liable to go out of
repair, and more manageable, without.

mirable improvements on the violin, see a re-
port of the French Institute, inserted in the Lite-
rary Gazette, Sept. 13th, 1817.
* See Fraser's History of Nadir Shaw, passim.
+ See Ferguson's Astronomy.

For a detailed account of M. Chanot's ad

:

The lunar cycle, or period of 19 years, as also that called the Chaldean or ecliptic period, confessedly originated with the Eastern astronomers and that we may see the agreement of the Oriental astronomers with our European calculators, we here insert the measure of 19 sidereal and lunar years after both accounts, thus:

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Hegira, 286 and 308 (the years 899 and 920 of the Christian era,) are all German, among which are 90 of the Emperors Otto I-III. and the Empress Adelheid; several of different princes, as of Duke Bernard I. of the Palatinate; Henry of Bavaria (the Lame?) &c. &c. the rest are of Cologne, of the time of the three Ottos. From the age of these coins, it seeins that we may infer with Days. Hrs. Min. Sec. tolerable certainty, that this treasure was confided to the earth, the only deposit-bank which at that time existed, rather earlier in the 11th century than this era has been brought to light in the 19th.

Indian time reduced.

19 X 365 days = 6935
6 hours= 4 18

0 0 0

0

19 X

19 X

12 min. =

3

48

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6939 21

...

Indian time
Ferguson's Tables, p. 190, 6939 20

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2 51

50 51
55 35

54 15

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This silver, doubtless, belonged to a rich person, and had most probably been a booty taken in war. Pirates (Wikingar) and soldiers were the richest persons in the country Why so many coins of king Ethelred have been found together in Scandinavian ground, is probably owing to the heavy tribute called Danegeld, which this monarch had to pay for many years, probably in ready money, Days. Hrs. Min. Sec. to Denmark; which was then circnlated in various ways, even among the inhabitants of Sweden, besides what Swedish warriors brought from the expeditions to England, in which they took a distinguished part. Some also might be brought by the English missionaries, and some in the regular course of trade. As the kingdom had no coin of its own, German and English money, together with the Arabian, brought by merchants and others from the east, formed the only currency of the kingdom.

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RUSSIAN UNIVERSITIES.

The six Universities of Russia have the following districts assigned to them: 1. To the district of the Moscow University belong the Governments of Moscow, Smolensko, Caluga, Tula, Rjasan, Waldimir, Costroma, Wologda, Twer, and Jaroslaw. 2. To the district of the University of Wilna, the Governments of Wilna, Grodno, Witepsk, Mohileu, Minsk, Volhynia, Kiew, and Podolia. 3. To the district of the University of Dorpat, Livonia, and Courland, originally likewise Old Finland, but the latter now belongs to the University of Abo, in New Finland. 4. To the district of the University of St. Petersburg, which is not yet organized, the governments of St. Petersburg, Pleskou, Novogorod, Olonez, and Archangel, are for the present assigned. 5. The district of the University of Charcow comprehends the Ukraine, Orel, Kursk, Woronesch, Tschernigow, Pultawa, Cherson, the Crimea, Jekatherinoslaw, and the countries of the Don and other Cossacks. 6. Lastly, to the

district of the University of Kasan belong, Kasan, Astracan, Orenburgh, Ufa, Wjätka, Perm, Tambow, Nischneigorod, Saratow, Pensa, Caucasus, Simbirsk, Tobolsk, Tomsk, and Irkutzk, together above 200,000 (German) square miles in extent. Yet some young people from the country of the Burätes, Tschukli, and Tungusians, who are distant about 2000 miles from Kasan, have come to study at the university of that city; many belonging to the Tartar tribes have also come to study at the University of Ka

....

The difference between 235 lunations com-dition says, that gold and silver armlets and posing the lunar cycle of 19 years by both bracelets were then in use. Bracelets seem reckonings less than one minute! Consider-originally to have been an ornament peculiar ing the supposed ignorance of the Eastern to warriors, who swore oaths by their braceastronomers in the elements of true science, their want of necessary and accurate mathematical instruments, and the skill for the more profound and elaborate calculations of our European and justly famous practitioners, their determination on the exact measures of the sidereal and lunar year is truly admirable, and deserving our highest commenda

tion.

BISCOVERY OF ANGLO-SAXON AND OTHER
COINS, &c. &c. IN SWEDEN.

lets, which were not to be broken. They
were sometimes given by sovereigns or ge-
nerals as rewards of valour, or signs of fa-
vour, and sometimes to persons not of the
military profession. Saint Siegfried, who
lived in those times, had received a gold
bracelet from Olof King of Norway, which
he employed in the redemption of Christian
prisoners from heathen slavery.

The coins have been offered, as the law di-
rects, to the Crown for purchase.
His
Majesty gave the necessary orders on the
11th of January, and they are now deposited
in the Royal Cabinet of Antiquities.

ferred:

LEARNED SOCIETIES.
OXFORD, FEB. 19.

san.

FINE ARTS.

THE BRITISH GALLERY.

In pursuance of our design, we shall, in a few consecutive Numbers of the Literary Gazette, select for notice the principal works in this Exhibition; consulting generally the merit of the productions in our classification; but, in a good many in

A peasant of the name of Bryngel Tonsson,
and some labourers lately digging for stone,
in a woody field on the estate Dalsland and
Tillhagen, in Bolstads Socken, found a
great number of old silver coins, and other
silver of a fine standard. The latter con-
sists of nine bracelets, of four different
forms; a thick silver twine, bent together, UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE.-On Satur-
but broken off at both ends, appearing like-day last the following degrees were constances, postponing others for the sake of our
wise to have been used as a bracelet; and
several shapeless silver pieces, weighing al-
together 46 ounces. The bracelets weighed
from 1 to 3 loth (a loth is half an ounce).
Of the legible coins, there are 242 whole
pieces; the illegible and defaced amount to
about 70. The former consist of 87 English
or Anglo-Saxon coins, all except three, of
king Ethelred, and only two of his father,
king Edgar; 83 of them bear the date of
1005. The rest of the coins, with the ex-
ception of two Kufic of the years of the

Master of Arts-Rev. Frederick Charles
Spencer, Christchurch.

Bachelors of Arts.-Rev. Henry Palmer,
Worcester College; Christopher Sidney
Smith, Corpus Christi College; John Leigh,
Brasennose College; Bernard John Ward,
Trinity College; James Espinasse, Balliol
College.

Thursday last the Rev. Robert Mason, of
Queen's College, was admitted Bachelor in
Divinity.

own conveniency, and in order to mature
our criticisms, where matter, not attainable
by the mere view of a picture, is desirable.
No. 213. A Highland Whiskey Still, in Ar-

gyléskire. D. Wilkie, R. A. Our first glance at the exhibition strongly impressed us with the superior excellence of this picture; nor has our subsequent examination of it lowered our opinion. We do not hesitate therefore in saying, that so far as the exccution, and the choice and ar

rangement of the materials, of which the subject is composed, can be estimated, this is the finest specimen of Mr. Wilkie's pencil. Nor would we qualify it even in this slight degree, were it not palpable, that, adinirably as he has treated this truly Scottish scene, some of his preceding works have an advantage, in the greater number of characters, in sentiment, and in the more general nationality of the habit or custom which he has chosen for the display of his unrivalled talents. In the present instance, there is, superadded to the best qualities of the Flemish School, a degree of expression far beyond those foreign masters; who, in most cases, contented themselves, in the conduct of their performances, with what regarded the colouring, chiaro scuro, and handling. For so much, ordinary nature and common character sufficed to thein; and they shone in the application of their means and skill. Yet on these, their peculiar grounds, the picture before us has abundant clains to admiration; and when time shall have done for it as inuch as for them, it may vie with the very foremost of the Flemish masters. There are few subjects of this class which could have afforded the artist so fair an opportunity of showing his judgment in the choice of the picturesque, and of throwing upon his objects a light and shade equally conducive to the effect of the piece, to which the varied colours of which they partake give a tone and character well suited to harmonize and set off each other.

Wilkie has two other pieces in the Gallery ;
No. 17. A Veteran Highlander, who served
at Minden; and 109, A Bacchanalian
gathering Grapes.

The former, it may readily be imagined, is
in his usual style: the latter is an excursive
flight into the regions of classic art; and
quite sufficient to show the versatility of the
artist's talents. The names of Poussin and
Rubens, on such subjects, have been so
long used by the dealers to conjure with,
that we despair of any other to draw the
amateur into the circle; but if any can, this
may. The general effect is rich, and be-
longs to the highest style of art. What we
do not like so well, is the want of beauty in
the female forms, and of truth in some of
the flesh tints. Yet there are parts, beyond
which we deem it hardly possible to carry the
powers of painting.

Νο. 141. Macbeth. John, Martin.
The scene is, the Vanishing of the Weird

Sisters

46

STAINED GLASS.

Copy of a Letter addressed to Messrs. Ros kins, Auctioneers, Covent Garden. Gentlemen,

I feel it a duty incumbent upon me, as the oldest artist in the kingdom, in the art of Painting on Glass (in vitrifying colours) to address you through the inedium of the public papers, in vindication of British genius, in that particular branch of the fine arts, commonly called "Stained Glass," to enquire by what authority you have made such bold assertions as are contained in an advertisement, respecting a sale of Painted Glass, coming forward in the month of March next, under your hammer; in which you presume to set up the works of a French artist, as "the finest efforts that ever have appeared in the art of Painting on Glass;" adding, "that the point has been conceded by the first artists." Now, gentlemen. I call upon you to give the names of those artists who (you say) have so decidedly proStay ye imperfect speakers, tell me more." nounced on the merits of those pieces, and As by the wand of an enchanter, we are so kindly transferred the fame acquired by again brought to a sight of the marvellous. British gewins to Monsieur de Marne, an artist The skill with which this artist, on a former residing in Paris. When you favour us with occasion, arrested our attention, in spite of their names, we shall then be able to form the regularity of protracted lines, and formal an opinion, whether the rank they hold in splendour of his architecture, is here dis- the estimation of the judicious part of manplayed with full liberty; and the field of ima-kind, entitle their verdict in Monsieur de gination is opened with a bold and daring Marne's favour, to any consideration. Ano, hand. The sublime character of the clouds ther question, I must request an answer to and sky, mingling with the more solid ele- What do you mean by Three Pieces of ments which compose the scene, are well Glass," to form one subject? Can a picsuited to the storm of the wild and barren ture have more than one surface? If two heath. The characters of Macbeth and Banquo or three pieces of glass are used to form a appear in the midst of a blaze of light, while view, or subject, does it not become an opthe weird Sisters are enveloped in a veil of tical delusion? and consequently not entitled obscurity; a mist is drawn before them, that to the rank which a picture holds in the may well make them seem the unearthy works of art; because a picture, (if well excshapes of a distempered fancy, such as the cuted) unites in itself all the points of eximmortal bard intended to draw. cellence on one surface, which are so pompously puffed off by you, in Monsieur de Marne's three-fold glass contrivances. When I reflect that England has to boast of such men, in the art of Painting on Glass, as Pecket, Jarvis, Hill, Egington. Backler, assisted by the genius of West, Mortimer, and other artists of high consideration, I cannot tamely stand by, and see their well-deserved fame sacrificed by the frothy nonsense of an auctioneer's advertisement, to gratify the vanity of a Frenchman, at the expense of truth, candour, and justice, without an effort to expose the delusion. Expecting an answer, I remain, &c. &c. Feb. 23, 1820.

"That look not like the inhabitants of carth,

The interesting interior is occupied by figures the most appropriate; and if their occupation and quality have less of emotion than some of Mr. W's other performances, nothing can be more just or suitable to their situation and employment. The profound deliberation with which the old man examines the clearness and proof of the whiskey, is equal, we may say superior, in its kind, to any thing that ever was done; nor is the figure in shadow much less ably paint-And yet are on't." ed; at any rate it has all that belongs to its business and place In this part, the accessaries and still life are surpassingly beautiful, and when we examine the effect of the colouring arising from the varied broken tints of similar hues, out of which so much harmony is produced, together with the composition as a whole, we cannot but congratulate the purchaser on possessing a chef. d'œuvre of British art.

The hand of time will do much for this

picture, in toning down some crudities in the
colouring. The conception is grand, and
though rather a manner-like repetition, it
sustains the high reputation of the artist.
No. 30. The Day before the Wedding.

M. W. Sharp.

This cabinet gem is one of Mr. Sharp's Our regard for the subject, too, is raised happiest efforts: the subject is treated with by poetical association; and we recognise it the bride of to-morrow is coyly resisting the a playful elegance; and in its little drama, as one in which we can sympathize; not as lover of to-day, who is drawing her towards it refers to the use of spirits and their perni-a pedlar, in order that the latter may try on cious consequences, but as reminding us of the joyous or heroic feelings, to which the inspiring beverage has often given rise; and so happily expressed in the glowing language

of Burns.

the ring, which is to bind her for ever. An old lady is carefully inspecting the operation of fitting the conjugal pledge; and these four figures make up the principal group. In the back ground is seen the signing and sealing of the marriage contract. The costume is Spanish, and the architecture, with which the brilliancy of the colouring and the style of execution well accord, superb. The story is delightfully and humourously told, the composition is charming, and the whole Besides this inimitable performancé, Mr. finished in a masterly style.

"But bring a Scotchman frae his hill,
Clap in his cheek a Highland gill,
Say such is royal George's will,
And there's the foe:

He has nae thought, but how to kill

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Twa at a blow.

44

J. PEARSON.

112, Great Russel Street, Bloomsbury.

P. S.-These sentiments are not new to

you, as you will perceive by referring to my letter on the same subject, dated May 22d, 1815, in answer to a challenge of yours to the artists of this country, five years ago,' when these very superior specimens were offered by you for public safe, without suc

cess.

[We insert this as a fair reclamation in favour of British art; but must say, at the same time, that however Messrs. Robins may find it neces-.

Innocent thing

Without perfume! thy bell

Seems o'er thy silent grave to fling A bridal spell.

Beanty like thec

Endears the heart and dies Thy root is thy eternity,Her's in the skies.

Islington.

"WE'RE NA JUST FOU."

The stars a' blinkin
Set ane thinkin

MA A.

What the de'il maks 'em thus aye winkin,
Fu' weel I ken,
Amang us men,

The een gang sa fra mickle drinkin,
O' the lift, I ween

Yon stars are the een,

An the braw blue sky a bowzin has been;
Then fill a bowl ample,
Nor let sic bright example
Lowe for us loons frae Heaven in vain.

EVAN.

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Lord while thy chast'ning hand,
Wide through this loyal land,
Sorrow doth fling,
Each Briton's heart-felt tear,
Shed o'er the Father's bier,
Bids us the Son revere;

God save the King!

Long may war's clangour cease!. Long may the Dove of Peace

Here spread her wing! Lull'd thus, in sweet repose, Oh from domestic foes, Oh! from black treason's blows, Heaven guard the King! While George's praise we sound! Rally his throne around!

United cling!

Think who upheld his Sire!
Who quell'd the Despot's fire!
Rais'd Britain's glory higher;
'Twas George our King.

SONG..

I saw a sunbeam on the sea,
Dancing so light and merrily,
As if its rays were form'd to lave,
And glitter in the summer wave,
Brightly, for ever!

I saw a rosebud in its bloom,
Scenting the air, with rich perfume,
And then, methought, a flow'r so fair,
Must always flourish sweetly there,

And perish never!

A dark cloud came, the sun-beam fled, And winter found the rosebud dead; And then I thought me-bliss and joy, Should ev'ry hour of life employ,

Ere death can sever, Our beings from each dear delight, And, with eternal shades of night, O'ercast those dreams of happiness, Our sighing souls would fain possess, When lost for ever!

Plymouth, Feb. 1820.

J. L. S.

"Life makes the soul dependent on the dust; Death gives her wings to mount above the YOUNG. spheres."

Weep no more, that her azure eye
Hath ceased to glisten,

That her wavy locks in the damp grave lie,
That her lip hath lost its crimson dye,
That you vainly listen

For her voice of witching melody.

Weep no more that each fleeting grace
This earth had given,

Hath left for ever her form and face;
That her soul hath run its mortal race;
And the joys of heaven
The changing woes of this world replace,
Weep no more, oh! weep no more!
Would'st thou renew

The colours that deck'd the worm before?
Would'st thou its grov'ling shape restore?
For the lovelier hue,

The lighter wings which heavenward soar?

VERSES.

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sary to eulogize articles in the way of business, more respectable and honourable men are not to be found in London.-Editor.

ORIGINAL POETRY.

[By Correspondents.]

EULOGY ON BURNS THE POET. Remember the bard, though mute is his lyre, And wither'd for ever the hand that he flung O'er its chords, while with more than a patriot's fire,

He the triumphs of freedom and bravery sung. He had strings too for beauty, love, virtue, and truth,

That shone ever bright, and as free from

decay

As those lines which the easterns beheld in their
vouth,

And gaz'd on in age as their souls fled away."
Remember the bard like the huma sublime, ↑
He ne'er sinks to the earth, so exalted his
flight,

But winging his way thro' sweet poesy's clime,
O'er his dear native land pours his heaven-

drawn light.

Oh! Caledon, guard thou his ashes with awe,.
For thy poetick world was deserted and dim

Till he rose on thy darkness, and Scotia then

That world of the muse all illumin'd by him.

In the island of Paros a marble was plac'd
On its rugged and desolate sea-beaten shore,
Where nought could be seen but the blue ocean's
waste,

And nought could be heard but the sea's deaf-
'ning roar,

Should a stranger but fail in respect to the tomb,
As many all heartless would fearlessly dare,
Swift a race of avengers sprung forth from its
gloom,

And punished his crime as he fled in despair.
Thus, Scotia, protect thy lov'd poet, whose name
Should be blest by each child, with its infantine
breath;

And should critics presume e'er to sully his
fame,

Burst forth from his tomb, and quick sting them to death.

Yet stay-let the drivellers from death be redeem'd,

It were giving them honours from which they're

exempt

Twere declaring their venom too highly es-
teem'd,

So leave them to die of neglect and contempt.
R. R. N.

The lines in the mountain, recorded in ori-
ental tales, and said to last for ever.
+ An eastern bird that flies continually in the
air, and never touches the earth.

"The tomb of Archilochus was placed on the sea-shore, in the island of Paros, and the poets feigned, that in the cavities of the stone, worn away by the wayes, a swarm of wasps was concealed, ready to avenge the least insult that could be offered to it."-Vide Notes to the Pursuits of Literature.

THE SNOW-DROP.

O thou white flower,

Arising from the earth,

In winter's last departing hour,
And the Spring's birth!

Additional Verses to the national Anthem,
written by Geo. Colman, and sung at
Covent Garden Theatre.

THE SUN AND THE DEW.

The Sun, from his chariot of gold saw the Dew.
Illum'd by the first gleam of orient day;
In splendour he burst on the lowly one's view,
Who, trembling, reflected his earliest ray.
"Fair Dew" he exclaimed, "'tis with grief
and surprise,

On yon rugged bramble such brightness I see; O! ascend to the place you should fill in the skies,

Haste, dearest! come shine here with me."
Surpris'd and alarm'd such a lover to meet,
All-blushing Dew shrunk, his regards while
she bore;

But felt, in her soft trembling bosom, a heat

She never had known, till that moment, before. And, listening now to the tempter's false tongue,

Inhaled the sweet poison; and soon, passion

toss'd,

From the humble, but fostering bramble, she

sprung,

That moment, for ever was lost,

Thus oft sordid Wealth, the poor cottager's

charms

Permitted by some fatal chance to behold, Lures the fair to abandon a parent's fond arms, For greatness and rank, falsely proffer'd, and

gold;

And dazzled by these, if unguarded the maid

The heartless deluder with favour shall view; Destroy'd all her peace, to shame meanly be tray'd,

She fades, like the vanishing Dew.

BIOGRAPHY.

CHRISTOPHER SMART, M. A.

We have thought that a brief notice of Mr. Smart, which we abridge from Chalmers' English Poets, might not be unacceptable in the same sheet in which the extraordinary effusion from his pen, (or rather key) while labouring under mental derangement, appears, by a chance and odd coincidence, immediately after the review of a very ingenious inquiry into sound mind.

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quished the prospect of a regular profession. tled respectably in the bookselling trade at
This we doubt was a luckless change, for Reading.
writing and puffing in periodical works is Mr. Smart's piety was so fervent, that he
now but a bad substitute, and was then a wrote parts of his religious poems on his
worse, for professional exertions in any of the knees. He was friendly, affectionate, and
ble after he got over a habitual shyness. In
poetry, his lighter pieces are preferred by Mr.
Chalmers; but his rich and original fancy in
serious composition needs no praise in this
Journal, where such eminent proofs of it
are given. The Hilliad is coarse; but for the
expression of profound contempt, and poig
nant ridicule, is perhaps unequalled in the
English language-the first of its class. For
example-

"O thou, whatever name delight thine ear,
Pimp! poet! puffer! 'pothecary! play'r!
Whose baseless fame by vanity is buoy'd,
Like the huge earth, self-centered in the void,
Accept one part'ner thy own worth t' explore,
And in thy praise be singular no more.

A paltry play'r, that in no part succeeds,
The trumpet of a base deserted cause,
A hackney writer, whom no mortal reads.
Damned to the scandal of his own applause.
by Jove assigned,

The universal butt of all mankind.
But his amiable and religious poems deserve
better to be remembered than this severe
castigation; and it is probable, that this re-
vival of one of them may lead to a more ge-
neral perusal of the rest than they have had
for half a century.

Christopher Smart was born rather prematurely, at Shipbourne, in Kent, 11th April, 1722: his father was possessed of an independancy of about 300/. per ann. and acted as steward on the Kentish estate of Lord Barnard, afterwards Earl of Darling-liberal pursuits. Smart contributed principal-liberal to excess. His conversation agreeaton. His mother, a Miss Gilpin, belongedly to the Oxford and Cambridge Miscellany, to the family of the celebrated reformer of the Old Woman's Magazine, and other huthat name. Christopher was only 11 years morous publications. He also wrote seveold, and still at school, when his father died, ral prologues and epilogues, upon which, as so involved in circumstances, that the family well as his other compositions, he set a much property was obliged to be sold. It is stated, higher value than others acknowledged to be that long previous to this period the boy had just. His pleasing manners, however, proshown an inclination for poetry, and had cured him the friendship of Johnson, Gareven, (though this seems more than doubt- rick, Dr. James, Dr. Burney, and other ful,) made verses when only four years old. eminent men. Garrick, when he was in On the death of his father he left Maidstone distress in 1759, gave him the profits of a and went to Durham, in the neighbourhood free benefit at Drury Lane Theatre. Johnof which city some of his paternal relations son wrote papers for him in the Universal resided, and behaved to him with friendly Visitor; and Dr. Burney set several of his kindness. He was also well received at songs to music. A dispute with Doctor, afterRaby Castle, and patronised by the Hon. wards Sir John Hill, gave rise to a bitter Mrs. Hope, and by the late Duchess of Cleve- satire, entitled the Hilliad; and the reland, who allowed him 401. a year till her marks made on his first published collection death, in 1742. In October, 1739, he was of poems, 4to, 1752, set him at daggers entered at Pembroke Hall, Oxford, being drawn with all reviews and reviewers. From then in his 17th year. At College he was 1754 to 1756, it is supposed that Smart's more distinguished for his poetical efforts and health was bad, and that both his person classical taste, than for the usual academi- and purse suffered so much in consequence cal pursuits; and, notwithstanding his con of his negligent and irregular habits, that stitutional delicacy, soon became a general temporary alienation of mind was frequently favourite with such of his contemporaries as the result of embarrassments preying upon were men of gaiety and vivacity. His for his fervid imagination. He had at this tune did not enable him to keep such com- time two children. The unhappy bard pany, and he was speedily involved in diffi- would fall upon his knees and say his prayers culties, which genius and literary habits are in the street, and insist on passengers ill calculated to surmount when opposed to praying with him; but his lunacy was someworldly wisdom and prudential selfishness. times dangerous, and his confinement was As might be expected, they lasted him necessary to keep him from the intemperance KING'S THEATRE.-The obscene, witty, through life, and embittered his being; which made it so. After his release, he and immortal Rabelais has furnished Mr. drove him to intemperance, the only blot on acted with greater composure, had pleasant Hullin with the subject of a Comic Ballet, his otherwise blameless character. In 1743 lodgings near the Park, and was supported which is decent, dull, and temporary. Grehe was admitted Bachelor of Arts, and in partly by his literary labours, and partly by try founded an opera on the adventures of 1745 elected a Fellow of Pembroke. He 50%. per ann. granted from the Treasury. In the renowned Panurge, on the Isle of Lanhad previously acquired considerable fame 1757 he published his prose translation of terns; and the Ballet-Master has turned by his Tripos Verses, and by the translation Horace. In 1763 the Song to David, which that into dancing, which Gretry turned into of Pope's Essay on Criticism, and other we have quoted so largely, was given to the fiddling. Much more, we think, might have poems, into Latin verse. A comedy, now world; and also a small miscellany of poems been made of the materials: for though the lost, and other productions, were the fruits on several occasions. In 1764 appeared circumstances are extravagant, they are not of this period. A soliloquy of the Princess Hannah, an Oratorio, the music by Worgan; ill-adapted for comic action and lively Terp Periwinkle, the heroine of the play, describ- and an Ode to the Earl of Northumberland, sichorean expression. In some of the deing her conflicting passions, pride, love, and with some other pieces, were produced; tails there is considerable merit; but taken reason, has the following lucherous compa- but they afforded, amidst fine bursts of ima- as a whole, Panurge does not reach the bean gination, only too strong evidence of disor- ideal of a perfect ballet, which, in the opidered intellect. In 1765 he executed a neat nion of amateurs, and connoisseurs of comand faithful poetical translation of the Fables positions of that sort, should be as intelliof Phædrus, with the Appendix of Gudius:gible as a philosophical essay, and as interesthis translation of the Psalms, in the same ing as a sentimental novel. For ourselves, In comes the brickḍust-man, with grime o'er-year, gave melancholy proof of decay of we must say, that we never distinctly unspread, powers. Two years after, Horace was re-derstood the language of the legs, nor could published, with a metrical translation, con- catch with grammatical accuracy the points taining many fine passages; but in the year of the toes. We are therefore generally 1768 his last work, "The Parables of our well satisfied with motions of grace and acLord," &c. done into familiar verse, seems tivity, merely for their intrinsic qualities; to indicate more completely than any of his and provided a dancer spins round a dozen later performances a want of judgment, ap- of times like a top, we are surprised to our proaching to imbecility. At length he was heart's content, without going into the reconconfined in the King's Bench Prison, or ra- dite translation of the pirouette into some ther in the Rules, which his brother-in-law, necessary incident connected with the fable Mr. Carnan, obtained for him; and there he of the piece. In short, we consider it very died of a liver complaint, after a short 41-absurd to be trying to trace solid sense in an ness, on the 18th of May, 1770. He left aplomb, narrative in a pas seul, and a world two daughters, who, with their mother, set- of meaning in a high jump.

rison

Thus when a barber and a collier fight,
The barber beats the luckless collier-white.
The dusky collier heaves his pond'rous sack,
And, big with vengeance, beats the barber-black.

And beats the collier and the barber-red.

Black, red, and white,in various clouds are toss'd,
And in the dust they raise, the combatants are

lost.

In 1747 Smart took the degree of M. A. and became a candidate for the Seatonian prize, which was adjudged to him for five years, four of them in succession. In 1753, he married Miss Ann Maria Carnan, the daughter by a former husband of Mary, wife of the late respected Mr. John Newbery. This gentleman seems to have engaged him in a general scheme of authorship, and he relin

THE DRAMA.

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