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SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1820.

travels, adventures, &c. in a very senti- Verses LI. LII. LXVI.—The original cause That sycophantish tongues would level at my

Lacon or many Things in few

a primer. As the great fault of our orators on two simple truisms, that men are the Words; is, that they get up to make a speech, rather me; and that the passions are the poweraddressed to those who think. By the than to speak; so the great error of our au-ful and disturbing forces, the greater or the Rev. C. C. Colton, A. M. London, thors is, that they sit down to make a book, less prevalence of which give individuality to 1820. 8vo. pp. 267. rather than to write. To combine profundi- character. But we must not only express There are three difficulties in authorship; ty with perspicuity, wit with judgment, so- clearly, but think deeply, nor can we conto write any thing worth the publishing-tolidity with vivacity, truth with novelty, and cede to Buffon that style alone is that quality find honest men to publish it-and to get all of them with liberality, who is sufficient that will immortalize an author. The Essays sensible men to read it. Literature has now for these things? a very serious question: of Montaigne, and the Analogy of Butler, become a game; in which the booksellers but it is one which authors had much better will live for ever, in spite of their style. are the kings; the critics, the knaves; the propose to themselves, before publication, Style is indeed the valet of genius, and an public, the pack; and the poor author, the than have proposed to them, by their Editors able one too; but as the true gentleman will mere table, or Thing played upon. appear, even in rags, so true genius will shine, even through the coarsest style.

sense to a fanatic.

pain

after it.

I have thrown together, in this work, that which is the result of some reading and reflection; if it be but little, I have taken care that the volume which contains it, shall not be large.

a

In an age remarkable for good reasoning and bad conduct, for sound rules and corrupt manners, wheu virtue fills our heads, but

For the last thirty years, the public mind has had such interesting and rapid incidents to witness, and to reflect upon, and must now anticipate some that will be still more vive our hearts;-when those who would momentous, that any thing like dulness or I have addressed this volume to those who fain persuade us that they are quite sure of prosing in authorship, will either nauseate, or be refused; the realities of life have think, and some may accuse me of an osten-heaven, appear to be in no greater hurry to pered the public palate with a diet so stimu- tatious independence, in presuming to in- go there than other folks, but put on the lating, that vapidity has now become as in-scribe a book to 30 small a minority. But fivery of the best master only to serve the sipid as water to a dram-drinker, or sober volume addressed to those who think, is in worst ;-in an age when modesty herself is fact addressed to all the world; for although more ashamed of detection than delinquency ; The attempts however of dulness, are the proportion of those who do think, be ex- when independence of principle, consists in constantly repeated, and as constantly fail.tremely small, yet every individual flatters having no principle on which to depend; and For the misfortune is, that the Head of Dul- himself that he is one of the number. In the free-thinking, not in thinking freely, but in ness, unlike the tail of the torpedo, loses present rage for all that is marvellous and being free from thinking;-in an age when nothing of her benumbing and lethargising interesting, when writers of undoubted talent, patriots will hold any thing, except their influence, by reiterated discharges; horses consider only what will sell, and readers only tongues; keep any thing, except their word; inay ride over her, and mules and asses may what will please, it is perhaps a bold expe- and lose nothing patiently, except their trample upon her, but with an exhaustless riment to send a volume into the world, character-to improve such an age, must and a patient perversity, she continues her whose very faults, (manifold as I fear they be difficult, to instruct it dangerous; and narcotic operations even to the end. In are) will cost more pains to detect, than sci- he stands no chance of amending it, who fact, the Press was never so powerful in olists would feel inclined to bestow, even if cannot at the same time amuse it. quantity, and so weak in quality, as at the they were sure of discovering nothing but present day; if applied to it, the simile of beauties. Some also of my conclusions will Virgil must be reversed, "Non trunco sed no doubt be condemned by those who will frondibus efficit umbram." It is in litera-not take the trouble of looking into the posture as in finance-much Paper and much Poverty may co-exist.

Thus does the author break in with his preface, or, as the fancy folks would term it, his facer, upon the critics; and he then proceeds to speak of his own qualifications in language, which we repeat, as affording a fair sample and

character of the work.

tulata; for the soundest arguiment will pro-
duce no more conviction in an empty head,
than the most superficial declamation; as a
feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity
in a vacuum.

Such are the principal points which Mr. Colton touches, in his preface; and that his book is not one to be taken it may thence (we think) be gathered, up and read through like a novel or a history. Indeed the aspect of it is deterring rather than inviting. Five hundred detached maxims, thoughts, and observations, without a narrative to interweave them, are quite appalling to modern readers. We looked at the volume, full of figures (X's, and D's, and C's and L's) in every page, and we laid it down again-we read one remark, found it piquante; another, just and forcible; a third, curious and entertaining the author had now caught hold of us, and we believe we have since perused every axiom he has written, and many of them several times over. In fact, we discovered that under the inauspicious form of pithy pieces of ad

:

The following pages, such as they are, have cost me some thought to write, and they may possibly cost others some to read them. Like Demosthenes, who talked Greek to the waves, I have continued my task, with the hope of instructing others, with the cerIt may happen that I myself am now com-tainty of improving myself. "Labor ipse mitting the very crime that I think, I am voluptas." It is much safer to think what censuring. But while justice to my readers we say, than to say what we think; I have compels me to admit that I write, because attempted both. This is a work of no party, I have nothing to do; justice to myself in- and my sole wish is, that truth may prevail duces me to add, that I will cease to write, in the church, and integrity in the state, and the moment I have nothing to say. Disere- that in both the old adage may be verified, tion has been termed the better part of valour, that" the men of principle may be the prinand it is more certain, that diffidence is the cipal men." Knowledge indeed is as necessary better part of knowledge. Where I am, ig- as light, and in this coming age most fairly norant, and know that I am so, I am silent. promises to be as common as water, and as That Grecian gave a better reason for his ta-free as air. But as it has been wisely ordain-vice, there was a great deal of originaciturnity than most authors for their loqua-ed, that light should have no colour, water city, who observed, "What was to the purpose I could not say; and what was not to the purpose, I would not say." And yet Shakspeare has hinted, that even silence is not always commendable:" since it may be foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish. The Grecian's maxim would indeed be a sweeping clause in Literature; it would | reduce many a giant to a pigmy; many a Most of the maxims and positions adspeech to a sentence; and any a folio to vanced in the present volume, are founde

no taste, and air no odour, so knowledge
also should be equally pure, and without
admixture. If it comes to us through the
medium of prejudice, it will be discoloured;
through the channels of custom, it will be
adulterated; through the gothic walls of the
college, or of the cloister, it will smell of th
lamp.

1

lity, and the fruits of much reading, much observation, and much reflection; that, together with a perhaps too frequent repetition of antitheses, a little sprinkling of triteness, and a certain quaintness of style, there was terse philosophical remark, useful instruction, and often elevated ideas in elevated language: upon the whole, that Lacon was a book to be dipped into at any

time with pleasure and advantage; and Of modern theorists, Gall and Spurhtzeim | us from the world. It constantly flies; yet though there are some of the principles are too ridiculous even to be laughed at; we overcomes all things by flight, and alto which we cannot subscribe, and some admire Locke and Hartley for the profundity though it is the present ally, it will be the of the inferences from which we differ, vater for his plausibility ; but none of them dle of hope, but the grave of ambition, is the

and ingenuity of their illustrations, and La- future conqueror of death. Time, the crawe must in justice say, that the general for their solidity. Locke, however, was an stern corrector of fools, but the salutary cast is liberal, moral, and essentially exception to that paradox so generally to be counsellor of the wise ; bringing all they good. All that it is necessary for us to observed in theorists, who, like Lord Mon- dread to the one, and all they desire to the add to these remarks, in order to afford boddo, are the most credulous of men with other, but like Cassandra, it warns us with an idea of Lacon, may be comprised in respect to what confirms their theory, but a voice that even the sages discredit too a few selections ; and these we subjoin perfect infidels as to any facts that oppose it

. long, and the silliest believe too late. Wis

Mr. Locke, I believe, had no opinions which dom walks before it, opportunity with it, promiscuously. Avarice begets more vices than Priam did for truth. A traveller shewed Lavater tivo it his friend, will have little to fear from

he would not most readily have exchanged and repentance behind it; he that has male children, and like Priam survives them all. It starves its keeper to surfeit those who wish had been broken upon a ivheel, the other my will have little to hope from his friends.

portraits · the one of a highwayman, who his enemies, but he that has made it his enehim dead; and makes him submit to more was the portrait of Kant, the philosopher ; mortifications to lose heaven, than the he was desired to distinguish between them. sake of mentioning a modern parallel.

Our last quotation is made for the martyr undergoes to gain it. Avarice is a Lavater took up the portrait of the highwaypassion full of paradox, a madness full of

man, after attentively considering

fo

Those traitors who know that they have method; for although the miser is the most some time, " Here," says he, we have sinned beyond forgiveness, have not the mercenary of all beings, yet he serves the the true philosopher, here is penetration in courage to be true to those who, they pre worst master, more faithfully, than some the eye, and reflection in the forehead ; here sume, are perfectly acquainted with the full Christians do the best, and will take nothing is cause, and there is effect; here is combi- extent of their treachery. It is conjectured for it. He falls down and worships the god nation, there is distinction; synthetic lips that Cromwell would have proposed terms of this world, but will have neither its pomps , and analytic nose : Then turning to the por- of reconciliation

to Charles the recond, could its vanities, nor its pleasures for his trouble

. trait of the

philosopher, he exclaims, " The he but have harboured the hope that he He begins to accumulate treasure as a mean calm thinking villain is so well expressed, would forgive his father's blood, and it was to happiness, and by a common but morbid and so strongly marked in this countenance, the height of wisdom in Cæsar, to refuse to association, he continues to accumulate it as that it needs no comment.” This anecdote be as wise as he might have been, if he had an end. He lives poor, to die rich, and is Kant used to tell with great glee. Dr. Dar- not immediately burnt

the cabinet of Pompey, key of his wealth. Impoverished by his bosom of a beautiful woman is an object of the mere jailor of his house, and the turn win inforns us, that the reason why the which he took at Pharsalia. gold, he slaves harder to imprison it in his such peculiar delight, arises from hence lude, happened not long ago in France.

The similar instance to which we alchest, than his brother slave to liberate it that all our first pleasurable sensations of M. from the mine. The avarice of the miser warmth, gustenance, and repose, are derived XVIII., his constant companion in ex

, the bosom friend of Louis may be termed the grand sepulchre of all his from this interesting source. This theory ile, his imitator in dress and appearance, other passions, as they successively decay. had a fair run, until some one happened to But unlike other tounds, it is enlarged by reply, that all who were brought up by hand his shadow, and his brother in affection, repletion, and strengthened by age. This had derived their first pleasurable sensations died abroad after the restoration. His latter paradox, so peculiar to this passion, from a very different source, and yet that papers were sent home, and some one must be ascribed to that love of power so in- not one of all these had ever been known to told the king that all the while he was separable from the human mind. There are three kinds of power-wealth, strength, tions at the sight of a wooden-spoon !!

evince any very rapturous or amatory emo cherishing this viper, he had been beand talent; but as old age always weakens,

traying him, and was in fact an agent and often destroys the two latter, the aged are

The following is a noble picture of of 'Buonaparte. His Majesty rejected induced to cling with the greater avidity to time :

the imputation with horror; but, alas the former. And the attachment of the aged Time is the most undefinable yet paradox- for human nature! the chest of papers to wealth, must be a growing and a progres- ical of things ; the past is gone, the future was opened in the presence of the friends sive attachment, since such are not slow in is not come, and thie present becoines the of the deceased, and the very first letter discovering that those same ruthless years past, even while we attempt to define it, and which detract so sensibly from the strength like the flash of the lightuing, at once exists unfolded, too clearly established his of their bodies, and of their minds, serve and expires. --Time is the measurer of all guilt

. Poor Louis was struck to the only to augment and to consolidate the things, but is itself immeasurable, and the heart by this evidence of perfidy where strength of their purse.

grand discloser of all things, but is itself he had so entirely reliel; and while Men will wrangle for religion ; write for indisclosed. Like space it is incomprelien- his tears bore testimony to the shock it; figlit for it ; die for it ; auy thing but-sible, because it has no limit, and it would which it occasioned, he commanded live for it.

be still more so if it had. The wealthy and the noble, when they ex- scure in its source than the Nile, and in its mitted to the flames. We now bid Mr.

It is more ob- every document to be instantly compend large sums in decorating their houses termination than the Niger; and advances with the rare and costly efforts of genius

, like the slowest tide, but retreats like the Colton farewell. That his book merits with busts from the chissel of a Canova, and swiftest torrent

. It gives wings to pleasure, to be read by thousands—is our impriwith cartoons from the pencil of a Raphael, but feet of lead to pain, and lends expecta- matur. are to be commended, if they do not stand tion a curb, but enjoyment a spur. It robs still here, but go on to bestow some pains beauty of her charms, to bestow them on her An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa, &c. and cost, that the master himself be not in- picture, and builds a monument to merit, but By El Hage Abd Salam Shabeeny ; ferior to the mansion, and that the owner denies it a house; it is the transient and de- with Notes, critical and explanatory. be not the only thing that is little, amidst ceitful flatterer of falsehood, but the tried To which is added, Letters descriptire every thing else that is great. The house and final friend of truth. Time is the most may draw visitors, but it is the possessor subtle yet the most insatiable of depredators,

of Travels through West and South alone that can detain them. We cross the and by appearing to take nothing, is per

Barbary, and across the Mountains of Alps, and after a short interval we are glad mitted to take all, nor can it be satisfied, Atlas, &c. &c. By James Grey Jackto return ;-we go to see Italy, not the until it has stolen the world from us, and son. London. 1820, 8vo. pp. 547, Italians

An epitome of Shabeeny's part in this valuable work, was contained in the Literary Gazette, Number 171. Since the date of that publication, the volume now before us has appeared. Sixteen years' residence in the country, has stored the author's mind with a fund of interesting intelligence; and we do not dislike the desultory form in which he has poured it out in this volume. The charm of variety is undoubtedly great; and when it is thrown matter intrinsically good, he must be a sour critic indeed who can resist being highly pleased with the treat. For such we thank Mr. Jackson, to whom for this week we shall only become debtor for a few miscellaneous extracts from the division of lighter character, entitled "Fragments, Notes, and Anecdotes," and leaving the graver considerations of commerce, civilization, &c. to a future opportunity. This chapter is introduced as follows:

over

encamped in Temsena, on the confines of Tedla, an Arab chieftain found that a friend of the emperor came into his keyma at night, and took liberties with his wife. The Arab and therefore did not dare to kill him, but suspected that he was (shereef) a prince, preferred a complaint to the emperor. The emperor was vexed to hear of such a gross breach of hospitality, and asked what time he made his visits? At one hour after midnight," the Arab replied. "Then," said the emperor, when he comes, do you let me and he will then know what to do; and know by giving the watchword to this man, depend thou on my seeing justice done to thee for the aggression." The marauder came; the Arab repaired to the guard of the imperial tent, and gave the word; the guard apprised the emperor, as he was directed, who personally repaired to the tent of the the man through with his lance: this was Arab, and, being convinced of the fact, ran done without a light. The body was brought before the tent, and it was discovered to be an officer of the imperial guard. The emperor, on seeing that it was not a shereef (a prince) prostrated himself in fervent prayer for a considerable time. The courtiers who In recording the following anecdotes and were all assembled by this time to witness fragments, the naked truth is stated, with this extraordinary occurrence, wondered what out the embellishments of language, or the could induce the emperor to be so fervent in labour of rhetoric, which the wiser part of prayer; which his majesty observing, told mankind have always approved of as the them, most instructive way of writing; and all thinking that nobody but a shereef would "that he went alone to the tent, such as are acquainted with books will rea- have dared to commit such a breach of hosdily agree with me, that many authors stretch,pitality, in so open a manner: therefore he even to the prejudice of truth, from an affec-killed him without having a light, lest, on tation of elegance of style. affection might give way to justice; but that discovering him to be a prince, personal when he discovered that it was not a relathat, in his determination to have justice tion, he returned thanks to God Almighty, administered, he had not killed his own son!"

The following facts, therefore, will form the materials for a history, rather than a history itself.

The study of the language and customs of the Arabs is the best comment upon the Old Testament. The language of the modern Jews is little to be regarded; their disperCharacteristic Trait of Muhamedans. sion into various nations, having no fixed ha- One of the einperor's ministers, when an bitation, being wholly addicted to their own English fleet was cruising off Salee, and just interest, their conformation to the respect- after some impost had been levied on the ive customs of the various nations through merchandise already purchased and warewhich they are dispersed; have caused them, housed by the Christian merchants, suggestin a great measure, to forget their ancient ed the impolicy at that moment, of harsh customs and original language, except what measures against Europeans: the emperor, is preserved in the Bible and in the exercise in a jocose manner, asked what harm he of their religion. Whereas the Arabs have could suffer from the fleets of Europeans continued in the constant possession of their " country many centuries, and are so tenacious ty's ports," replied the minister. They could destroy your imperial majesof their customs and habits, that they are, at would build them again for one-half what it "Then I this day, the same men they were three thou-would cost them to destroy them. But if sand years ago. Accordingly, many of their they dared to do that, I could retaliate, by customs, at this day, remind us of what hap-sending out my cruisers to take their trading pened among their ancestors in the days of ships, which would so increase the premiums all things on earth, trusting nothing to Godt). of insurance (for the (kaffers) infidels insure Atlas, viz. of Idaultit (in Lower Suse.) Customs of the Shelluhs of the Southern The mountains of Idaultit are inhabited by

Abraham.

Timbuctoo coffee-Coffee grows spontaneously in the vicinage of Timbuctoo, south of the Nile Elaheed. I sent a quantity to Mr. James Willis, formerly Consul for Senegambia: it was of a bitter taste, which is the general character of this grain before it is improved by cultivation.

Sand Baths-The Arabs bury the body erect in sand, up to the chin, as a remedy for several disorders, particularly syphilis. Moral Justice.-The imperial army being

they are made of goat's hair, and are black.
Keyma is the name for an Arab's tent;

their mistrust of Providence, exemplified in their
The Muhamedans abuse the Christians for
insuring ships, merchandise, &c.
that they would be glad to sue for peace
again,

a courageous and powerful people, strict to
their honour and word, unlike their neigh-
bours of Elala. They make verbal contracts
between themselves, and never go to law, or
ing implicitly to each other's faith and ho-
record their contracts or agreements, trust-
nour. If a man goes to this country to
claim a debt due, he cannot receive it while
there, but must first leave the country, and
trust to the integrity of the Idaultitee, who
will surely pay when convenient, but cannot
bear compulsion or restraint. They do not
their own, called Eljma, who settle all dis-
acknowledge any sultan, but have a divan of
putes between man and man. These people
cultivate the plains, when there is no khalif
in Suse; but when there is, they retire to
the fastnesses in their mountains, and defy
the arm of power; satisfying themselves
with the produce of the mountains.

water, and granulated with the hand to the
Food-Kuscasoe is, flour moistened with
size of partridge shot. It is then put into a
steamer uncovered, under which fowls, or
mutton, and vegetables, such as onions, and
turnips, are put to boil: when the steam is
seen to pass through the kuscasoe it is
taken off and shook in a bason, to prevent
the adhesion of the grains; and then put in
the steamer again, and steamed a second
time. When it is taken off, some butter,
salt, pepper, and saffron, are mixed with it,
top is garnished with the fowl or mutton,
and it is served up in a large bowl. The
and the onions and turnips. When the saf-
fron has made it the colour of straw, it has
received the proper quota. This is, when
tricious dish.
properly cooked, a very palatable and nu-

Hassua is gruel boiled, and then left over not ground into floor, but into small partíthe fire two hours. It is made with barley cles the size of sparrow-shot. It is a very salubrious food for breakfast, insomuch that they have a proverb which intimates that physicians need never go to those countries wherein the inhabitants break their fast with hassua.

El Hasseeda is barley roasted in an earthen pan, then powdered in a mortar, and mixed with cold water, and drank. This is the travelling food of the country-of the Arab, the Moor, the Berebber, the Shellub, and the Negro; and is universally used by travellers in crossing the Sahara: the AkkaTimbuctoo, Housa, and Wangara, are albas that proceed from Akka and Tatta to ways provided with a sufficient quantity of this simple restorative to the hungry sto mach,

Anecdote of Muley Ismael-Muley Ismarats. If you let them rest," said the el compared his subjects to a bag full of them moving, and no evil will happen." So warrior, "they will gnaw a hole in it: keep his subjects, if kept continually occupied, the government went on well; but if left quiet, seditions would quickly arise. This would say, that he should not return to his sultan was always in the tented-field: he palace until the tents were rotten. He kept his army incessantly occupied in making plantations of olives, or in building: rest