Now, as this want of employment | justify. would greatly increase pauperism, we must hope it may be averted; and that the Devil, as has been attributed to him, not by our author, but some old proverbialist, may rather pursue the acceptable course of setting a man to work when he finds him idle.-We now come to the subtlety of Satan, which the writer prizes highly, and exalts him far above Proteus: ex. gr. art. Satan is happy, we may of the author; and, secondly, if he be assume, when he does what the immoral really in earnest, we do trust that, confaculty implanted in him approves. sidering the inevitable risk of offending the watch for an opportunity to exert He is proverbially active; and is ever on those we criticise, this will be thought his talents in the performance of his a case in which mildness was prudent duty (evil.) But strenuous exertions in and advisable. We have indeed pursuit of interesting objects, at the at- touched the writer and his hero with tainment of which it is our duty to aim, great tenderness, for we are a little apare among the most effectual means of in- prehensive of the power, subtlety, masuring happiness and in this considera-lignity, and ubiquity, herein blazoned; tion we have a second proof of Satan's not being the woful object of compassion which and greater critics than we are, have, on For nothing has Satan been more re-his uncharitable defamers would persuade less cause, shewn the example of disus he is. Nay, a third proof is at hand. cretion being the better part of valour. It arises out of the circumstance of his hav- For, let us ask, what was to be feared ing repeatedly bean what we call gloriously from Moore's pistol or Byron's more tertriumphant. Look back to the commence-rible satirical pen, in comparison with ment of his awful history; and after summing up (herculean task!) all that has the mighty personage referred to in our the peril of incurring the displeasure of been recorded of him by historians; and by the fathers--and the mothers too; and by the extracts? The answer will exonerate us professors of divinity, and of morality, ca- from the suspicion of partiality or suistry, civil law, and politics, in the Euro- cowardice, and this waver, under cirpean Universities; all this done, name cumstances so very peculiar, be conceded if thou canst a hero, ancient or modern, to us as not affecting our character whose triumphs have been either so numerous, so interesting, or such indisputable fine, we commend this strange producfor bold and independent criticism. In proofs of profound tactical skill, and courage never to submit or yield, as those markable than for his custom, sometimes ominous, sometimes only amusing, of assuming new and strange forms. There can hardly be any doubt of his earlier fame for subtlety having arisen chiefly out of his love of metamorphosis, and his astonishing adroitness in that ancient When he first appeared in the interesting circle of Job's family and friends, he is said to have been much admired for his princely appearance, his polished conversation, and the peculiar suavity of his manners. [This passage causes us to suspect strongly that the whole of this publication is a covert satire upon the admirers of Napoleon, who have written in his behalf.] At Jerusalem again, which was so long his favourite Arena, he was one day seen as an old clothes-man with his wares over his arm; the next, as an high priest challenging and receiving due reverence. which he has achieved. On these grounds the happiness of Were we seriously to say what we We shall not follow the writer through some investigations connected with the creation and the fall, whether Eve had the experience of three days or three years previous to her temptation, &c.; and, to say the truth, we do not like this branch of the disquisition were not the name of a respectable and moral bookseller on the title page, we should really consider it to be a profane and wicked burlesque on the Mosiacal history; and as it is, must hold it to be very grave folly, and mischievous trifling with sacred subjects. Towards the close of the book, the writer contends for the agreeable condition of his hero : anonymous scribble. For we hum- Is he (says he) ever negatively happy? I say he is-and something more. He probably has feelings not unlike those which men enjoy when their consciences approve of their conduct. Of his conscience, however, I say little-the bare mention of such agressively, gone through this work, thing being as much as one can pretend to satisfaction many British subjects will doubtless partake, and perhaps not more for the reason I have assigned, than from considering that Satan is at once an ancient and a limited monarch-the commencement of his power having been anterior to all records, and his prerogatives being circum any act of limitation to be found even in England." scribed with an exactness not discoverable in * It would be curious to inquire if he has ever been exorcised out of this fraternity, as out of the possessed into the swine? which, to speak plainly, we think a de- faults. For in the first place, we assure tion to those only who are fond of that If great books are, as said, great evils! GRAVITY AND LEVITY. 8vo. pp. 115. This is a collection of little pieces in prose and verse; some of which have merit, though not of a very high order. It is dedicated to the Rev. James Stanier Clarke, and one would suppose, from the licence in several passages, as well as from the common interlarding of oaths, that the writer did not deem much religious reverence due to a Royal Chaplain. This forgetfulness of what was respectful to the excellent person to whom the dedication is addressed, adds the minor blemish, of being out of character and place, to that which is at best but a poor substitute for humour, and of indecency for freedom of language. In the body of the work we have some characteristic sketches of men and manners, and some in a dramatic form. There are also several jeux d'esprit in prose; the quality of which will appear from the following example. EPITAPH ON AN IRON HEEL. Released from the burthen of human frailty, which was borne without murmur such a heat of disposition, that, but for reing, lie the remains of POOR TIP, an offspring of Vice. At his birth he discovered peated blows from the author of his existence, he would not have been formed for society. Driven to extremes, he was a hanger-on, and generally at the bottom of many a black thing going forward; yet, when held fast to his duty, no one was better fitted to strengthen the understand ing; still was he too often only trod on in return, and was at length entirely forsaken by him, to whom he had always proved a steady adherent. Worn out in constitution, no longer on a footing with any one, good or bad, he fell a heart-broken victim to the pressure of his cares at an early age. Of the verse, we can only afford two short examples, with which we leave Gravity to its own weight, and Levity to its own buoyancy. ANIMAL MAGNETISM. We recently reviewed the earliest English publication on this subject: a French critic has taken a more humor ously satirical view of it, in his apparently grave remarks on the "Bibliothèque du Magnétisme Animal. By the Members of the Society of Magnetism." The professors of Animal Magnetism formerly suffered condemnation, and they now come forward to make a second appeal. But it is merely artificial somnambulism to which they now call our attention. What are we to think of the extraordinary effects which magnetizers attribute to this phenomenon? What wonderful things people may know in their sleep! The medical tribe may smile if they please; but in the name of Hippocrates we ask why? An answer must one day or other be given. faith by putting him asleep. And if sleep It appears that a frightful and lasting The work moreover contains a curious likewise the opinion of M. Masson d'Au- Nature had, however, kindly endowed Mademoiselle with a decent portion of understanding; but what must we think of those born idiots, who when M. de Puységur thinks fit to put them to sleep, petrify with admiration those who before regarded them with insulting pity! And phenomenon should still be looked upon can it be possible that so extraordinary a with indifference! But all learned societies are not so disdainful as our own, and the members of the Academy of Berlin, by proposing animal magnetism as a subject for a account of the treatment of Mademoiselle prize, prove at least that they regard the Anastasie and Mademoiselle Rose, at Saint affair as worthy of serious consideration. Quentin. The wonderful cure of Made-If all be true that has been asserted, and moiselle deis extracted from the if there should really be no imposition in journal of M. Masson d'Autume, an officer the business, it is more than probable that of artillery. This lady, it seems, had long somnambulists will one day or other assist been regarded as past all recovery. She us in explaining many questions which we lately resolved, though without any hope of are now accustomed to answer without unsuccess, to have recourse to magnetism.derstanding them, and to divine a portion Her physician wished to be present at the of that collection of riddles styled metaexperiment, doubtless for the sake of enphysics. joying a laugh at the new treatment. The patient was accordingly put to sleep, and no sooner had she closed her eyes, than she clearly saw the seat of her malady, the day on which the disorder would come pointed out the proper remedies, mentioned to a crisis, and the period when her recovery would be complete; and every thing happened exactly as she foretold, to the no small astonishment, and we may add confusion, of the poor doctor, who plays a most ridiculous part throughout the whole story. His patient was cured without him; fiance of his stupid prognostics. was cured in spite of him, or at least in de magnetic cures will certainly bring our learned physicians into some degree of dis repute. These But animal magnetism is a subject no less interesting to philosophers than to physicians. The former have declared that the progress of the human understanding is not sufficiently rapid. Fortunately it cannot fail to advance with the help of magnetism, and it must be vastly consoling to the indolent, to know that its progress may be accelerated with very little trouble. We can improve in our sleep, and have only to close our eyes in order to see the more clearly. The members of the Society of Animal Magnetism do not merely confine themselves to collecting facts which they think calculated to banish incredulity; their chief object in publishing their journal, is to establish a central point round which the faithful may rally, as the only means of preserving unity of doctrine and faith. Imagination plays so conspicuous a part in the whole affair, that if the greatest pains were not taken to obviate its illusions, the history of the variations of the magnetic church would soon swell to an immeasurable size. What the fathers of the church now teach us is hard enough to be believed, and is in truth sufficient to satisfy the most sturdy faith. Finally, the journal of animal magnetism is intended to guide the inexperience of disciples whose magnetic education is not very far advanced. It is to be hoped that the lessons presented to them will not be thrown away. They must be careful not to Magnetizers are now making the most imitate M. Grof Besançon, who, after of their time; they are forming associations, having magnetized a young lady, abandoned and they publish a journal, for which they her without any concern for the event of have procured correspondents, and even his experiment. At length, being partially subscribers. The magnetic fluid circulates roused, she rose in a sort of half slumber, with such rapidity, that the haughty disdain took a stroll through the fields, and finally with which it has been regarded, must soon We have been told that somnambulism lay down to sleep again at the foot of a become a subject of ridicule. The exist-produced by magnetism is the emancipation tree: a situation, by the bye, somewhat ence of somnambulism is now indisputable. of the soul! M. de Puységur observes perilous for a young lady. It is an estaShould any one venture to disbelieve it, "that it extends the intellectual faculties,blished rule, that a magnetizer must never the lowest adept may convince him. Like and raises them to the highest degree of abandon his subject, nor commence a the philosopher, who by walking proved the energy and perfection it imparts treatment without the certainty of being existence of motion, he will lead him to indefinite sagacity to the mind." This is able to conclude it. LEARNED SOCIETIES. OXFORD, May 9-On Thursday, Mr. William Law Pope, B.A. was elected Fellow, and Mr. John Whittington Ready Landon, Scholar of Worcester College, on Dr. Clarke's foundation. Wednesday the Rev. James Thomas Holloway, M.A. of Exeter College, was admitted Bachelor in Divinity, and on Thursday Doctor in Divinity. The same day Mr. William Law Pope, Scholar of Worcester College, was admitted Bachelor of Arts. Half we enjoy, and almost all we know ; All that ennobles an enlightened age, And marks, at once, the Savage from the Sage. We notice these things in honest love and admiration for this honourable and excellent Fund, which we are certain might be rendered much more prosperous and efficient. Having, as we hope, for its advantage, offered these remarks, we shall now briefly mention the leading occurrences to which we have not yet adverted. Now though the utmost delicacy and feeling is due towards the parties relieved out of this fund, surely such a lumping account as this is not calculated to gratify THE LITERARY FUND. the Subscribers. Let A. B. C. authors, and On Thursday the 7th, the friends of this D. E. F. widows and orphans, be expressed, Institution, to the number of above one but let us have some idea of the nature and hundred persons, observed their 28th an- quantum of assistance granted, and do not nual festival, by dining together at Free-jumble the only information worth having masons' Tavern. The Duke of Somerset, in the Institution, with the indefinite purthe President, was in the chair, and we chase of stock and incidents, which, for are sorry to say that there were very few aught here stated, might engross 8007. of persons either of title or literary celebrity the 8207. total, laid before the public. to be seen among his supporters. It does seem extraordinary that this association, which, not to depreciate any other in behalf of music, of the arts, of education, or of general philanthropy, unquestionably presents the strongest claim to royal, noble, and distinguished patronage, should be so poorly sanctioned by the personal attendance of the Mecenases of the present era; and that a catch club or a beef-steak meeting should be infinitely better, at least more numerously graced by princes, peers, men of high rank and influence. We know not to what to attribute this apparent and real disregard of so excellent a fund. Some shadow of the ludicrous has indeed been thrown over these dinners, by the recitation of verses which have provoked satirical, and as we think, in a great degree, unmerited ridicule. The interests of the concern does not seem to be vigorously pushed by those who take the lead in the management; and strange as it may appear, it is never theless true, that the Institution which has in its own hands more ample means than all other benevolent Institutions put together, of making its pretensions known, is literally less known and heard of than any other. Yet neither of these causes are sufficient to account for the neglect which the Literary Fund experiences. Its merit, its most extreme utility, its most affecting charities, its most paramount humanity, are still well enough understood to entitle it to much more effectual countenance than it unhappily enjoys. The meeting on Thursday went off very tamely. There was a good deal of speaking, but the main business of the day was not so prominent as it ought to have been. Neither in the addresses to the company, nor in the papers distributed, were the ob jects in view explained and enforced. The former, in fact, with the exception of some observations from Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, were little else than complimentary eulogies bandied about by and on private friends : 66 hate! In War what science, or in Peace what art, - acclamation, especially the health of the GLOBE! open In Europe's battle, foremost of the van; worst! Among the healths given was that of the Marquis of Hastings, whom Mr. Roweroft panegyrized as a warm well-wisher, and one likely to promote the benefit of the Fund in the East. A considerable subscription was collected, but far from what we could have wished and expected for the occasion. The illustrious Duke who presided, and the gentlemen who surrounded him, deserve the gratitude of all the lovers of literature; and, we trust, that their example will be more followed hereafter, since, in doing honour to letters, the great and the wealthy adopt the surest course of being honoured themselves, not only in their lifetime, but long after their death. Among those present were Sir Wm. Clayton, Sir George Staunton, the two members for Norwich, several most respectable of the London Booksellers eminent learned-men, and a majority of the and Publishers. ARTS AND SCIENCES. THE KALEIDOSCOPE. We select a brief but ample account of the Kaleidoscope, invented by the celebrated Dr. Brewster, of Edinburgh, who is well known to have been long engaged in investigating the physical properties of light. This instrument is constructed, according to the laws of reflected light, in such a manner as to amuse by an evervarying succession of splendid tints and symmetrical forms, and enables the observer to copy such of them as may appear most appropriate for any of the numerous branches of the ornamental arts; and we shall no doubt soon have china, paper, carpets, floor-cloths, &c. decorated with patterns derived from it. Its construction is extremely simple, and depends for its effect upon two reflecting surfaces meeting each other at almost any angle, but more properly at one which makes a twelfth, tenth, eighth, or some other aliquot part of a circle. The following directions will enable such of our readers as may choose to amuse themselves by making one, to do so without difficulty, although it must be understood, that no person has a right to make one for sale, without the authority of the patentee: -Procure a circular tin tube, 8 inches long and 24 wide; close it at the bottom with a circular piece of ground glass; half an inch above this let another circular piece of plain glass be firmly fixed, having first put into the space between them some fragments of differently coloured glass, beads, bugles, bits of lace, and indeed any small transparent objects. Now construct a hollow prism with two strips of glass 7 inches long and 14 wide, making the third side of the prism with a strip of blackened pasteboard of the same length, and about 1 wide, which, when put between the strips of glass, will make the angle formed by the edges of them about 45 degrees. On the outside of this prism black paper must be pasted, which will serve to keep it together, and make the inner surfaces of the glass reflectors. If looking-glass could be procured to cut the strips from, it would be better, on account of its reflecting more light, and consequently affording a brighter image. The prism being formed, it is to be set upright in the tube upon the uppermost circular glass, and maintained in that position by paper stuffed between its sides and the side of the tube: lastly, put a top which has a small round hole in its centre, on the tube, and the instrument is complete. This hole may be stopped by a piece of plain glass, or by a lens, but the latter requires to have its focus adjusted to the reflecting surfaces, which will give much additional trouble without any material advantage. By looking attentively through the prism, a circle of brilliant light will be seen, divided into as many sections as the number of times that the angle of the reflectors is contained in 360: thus, if it be 45 degrees, there will be eight compartments and eight reflections of any object that may be pre- cent, and that it has been effected merely sented at the angle; but as the alternate in the clay, probably by the decomposition reflections coalesce, the image will have of some vegetable substances strongly imbut four branches from the centre. If the pregnated with resin. M. Drapier has not angle at which the reflectors are set be 30 been able, notwithstanding all his redegrees, there will be twelve compartments searches, to discover any trace of the vein the luminous circle, with as many reflec-getable which may have contributed to the tions, and six branches from the centre. formation of the resin. The workmen, But as some light is lost by every reflection, who make flooring tiles of this clay, had it is not desirable to multiply them beyond long observed the amber in it, and took twelve, if so far, for then the last reflections the greatest care to separate it, because become so faint as to render the image the amber, burning when they baked the formed by them very indistinct. The tiles, left interstices, which caused them to degree of brightness of the images then de- be rejected by their employers. They had termines the order in which they have been also observed that this amber, when burnformed, and an attentive observer willing, emitted a particular smell, like inreadily recognise that order.-If, instead of cense; and they sold it to the clerk of the allowing the reflectors to meet, they only parish, who used it, instead of incense, in the church. It is of a beautiful colour, incline towards each other, they give a curved image, and if they are kept parallel and as transparent as can be wished. The to each other, they shew one of a rectilinear yellow amber is generally found only on the form. If the object presented at the angle shore of the sea, particularly of the Baltic, be put in motion, the combination of images which renders M. Drapier's discovery the will likewise be put in motion, and new more interesting. forms, perfectly different, but equally symmetrical, will successively present themselves, sometimes vanishing in the centre, sometimes emerging from it, and sometimes playing around it in double and opposite oscillations. When the object is tinged with different colours, the most beautiful tints are developed in succession, and the whole figure delights the eye by the perfection of its forms and the brilliancy of its colouring. By making the circular compartment of the tube which contains the objects forming the figures, to turn with the hand, instead of turning the whole tube, a greater degree of steadiness is obtained, and the motions of the person using the instrument are less inconvenient. THE FINE ARTS. THE BRITISH INSTITUTION. This glorious collection again invites our notice. It shews us what Årt can do, has done; at Spring Gardens and Somerset House we see what Art is doing. It is not fair to entertain a comparison between the modern galleries, and this receptacle of the ancient master-pieces. The former are the mass of production, the wheat and the chaff mixed; the latter is the golden grain alone, winnowed by the wing of time." Each has its separate merit, and, if rightly employed, its separate utility. It seems impossible to spend an hour in the British Gallery without imbibing not only a love of painting, but a taste and discrimination which is likely to lead to the encouragement of native genius, and to stimulate that genius to exertions which may one day place the British in an equally distinguished rank with the foremost of foreign schools. ANTIQUITIES DISCOVERED AT AVIGNON.-Some ancient monuments, in a very great style, have been lately discovered at Avignon. In digging up the ground in the square on which the town-hall stands, they found magnificent columns, buried fifteen feet below the surface. Numbers of people are attracted by curiosity to view them, Among these rare specimens of the and the excavations are continued with great pencil may be traced most of the great activity. This city preserved no remains masters in their purest styles; from the of its ancient magnificence. Since what minute and finished labours of the Dutch period have these been buried in the ground? and Flemish, to the severity and grandeur Perhaps since the time that Domitius Eno- of the Roman. Here are seen the dobarbus, in the year 619 of the Roman re-mestic subjects of familiar life, and the public, destroyed the Vindalium, a fine city of the Gauls, from the ruins of which arose Avenio. The Celtic Academy will here find subjects for curious and learned dissertations. MINERALOGY (NETHERLANDS.) M. Drapier has discovered Amber in the village of Traviores, three leagues from Mons. It is found in a clayey soil, in pieces from the size of a grain of millet, to that of a hazel nut, at the depth of one, two, three, four, and five feet. The layer of clay lies in an immense bed of sand, in which there is not the smallest trace of amber, which proves that the formation of it is very re elevated and abstract qualities of art, treated by those who have never been surpassed. In Teniers, Jan Steen, Gerard Douw, Ostade, we enjoy the fidelity of representation and exquisiteness of touch or colour; and in the works of Raphael, Michael Angelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, we learn to venerate the dignity of the pencil. Nor are we less animated by the fire and brilliancy of Rubens, than we are attracted by the voice of truth in the portraits of Vandyke, wherein we contemplate the features of the skilful, the learned, and the warlike. Thence we turn but to have our minds delighted by the sweetness of Claude, our eye arrested by the force of Poussin, our souls refreshed by the stillness and repose of a Cuyp and a Both. The magic of light and shade exhibited by Rembrandt, lends a lustre to the cool and silvery tints of Guido; and the purer sentiments of the Italian school are no less contrasted by the same power and means. Need we dwell on the charming sensations which are inspired, glancing from Titian to Velasquez; from the gravity and tenderness of Murillo, to the light and fantastic scenes of the ever varied Watteau, or the enchanting and florid Paul Veronese; while the rustic views and happiest efforts of Hobbima, Ruysdael, and Vander-neer, fill up the measure of our admiration? But we have not yet enumerated all; nor shall we. As for the general effect, we give it, as realizing more than every thing in the words of the poet : Sometimes the pencil in cool airy halls Now the black tempest strikes the astonished Sir John Leicester has made a great acquisition to his Gallery, in West's admirable original Sketch for Death on the Pale Horse. The spirit and fire of this noble composition are sufficient to stamp the character of the artist, had he never painted another picture. An Avalanche, by de Loutherbourg, has also been promoted to a better light, and is now seen to great advantage : and Harlow's fascinating portraits of three young ladies, presents itself among the richest ornaments of these splendid rooms. On Monday we were pleased to witness the perfect success of this experiment in behalf of native talent; the mansion of the worthy Baronet was thronged to excess by a multitude of persons distinguished for talents and rank, the most exalted of our amateurs, and the most celebrated of our artists. ORIGINAL POETRY. BURLESQUE. By an admirer of men that are no egotists. But that he can with ease remember The circumstance which he's about to tell He walk'd Blackfriar's Road—the right-hand side, Give me, quoth she. The Writer's mother cried Can you make nought?—No,madam,nor I sha'n't! And can't you mend? No, cried the Mend I cant. And now the eye That didn't cry Did wetter still appear. And near a stable yard the Writer felt a squeeze ('Twas near the Cat and Fiddle) Which seem'd to say, my Johnny, if you please I want to go up here. And so did I, I wanted to unriddle What might be next the Iriter's mother's plan When she turn'd up the gateway like a man. On her dear mem'ry still I doat Somehow detaching from her taper middle, To think. Her flannel petticoat, She did contrive to drop, Bidding the beggar stop, And as she let the votive drap'ry fall, Cried, while not crying, Take my little all. Nor can the Writer of this article Of what he felt express a particle, While with sob, stifled, sticking in his throat, He saw the stranger's hand, At her command, Take up the Writer's mother's petticoat. Virtue (if virtue be not all a dream Than colours thro' a prism,) To no one knows Who folks may be they never saw before. SQUIB. The following Impromptu to a Lady who expressed some displeasure at his kissing her hands, was made by Dr. Wolcot, alias Peter Pindar, 29th July 1804, and never before published. TO PHILLIS. Thy rosy fingers I have prest, And really my both lips were blest: Oh! canst thou, lovely girl, complain? Yet if my kiss, as light as air, Be deem'd so weighty an affair, I'll take it off thy hands again. THE NEW MANIA. Of late when the Greenland-bound ships had set sail, And the shot at Lord Wellington happened to fail, A strange dearth of topics began to prevail. attention, Some elever soul hit on a famons invention- The exquisite figures and colours you can see You sec-30me small old broken pieces of glass. Of the baby in arms and the baby of age, Of the grandam whose sight is at best problematical, And the soph who explains it by rule mathematical, Of the saint who in vain tries to laugh at and |