AND

Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Politics, etc.

No. 52.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1818.

SELECT EARLY ENGLISH POETS, Nos. 2 | selves of their great precursor: and it
and 3, containing CHAPMAN'S HYMNS may be said, without exaggeration,
OF HOMER; the Batrachomyomachia; that at the time his Homer made its
and two Original Poetical Hymns. appearance, England, nay Europe, had
With an Introductory Preface, by seen nothing like it in the way of
S. W. Singer. 12mo.
poetical translation. We cannot but
SINCE the days of Percy and Warton, join with Mr. Singer in wishing that
and the commentators on Shakspeare, encouragement may be held out to give
it again to the public in a portable
form, and think it would be a benefit
conferred upon all lovers of our early
literature. Besides Homer, Chapman
translated the Georgics of Hesiod, and
the Erotopagnion of Musaus; his ori-
ginal poems are but few, and those of
very great rarity: of these the Hymns
to Night and to Cynthia, upon the model
of Homer's, form no unacceptable ad-
dition to the present volume. In the
notice of the poet and his works, with
preface, the editor has given a brief
extracts from some of his poems,
among which will be found the follow-
ing beautiful passage from an Epicede
or Funeral Song on the death of Henry
Prince of Wales, in 1612, which may
compare with any thing produced on
late similar melancholy occasion.
"If ever adverse influence envied
The glory of our lands, or took a pride
To trample on our height; or in the eye
Struck all the pomp of principality,
Now it hath done so.-Oh, if ever Heaven
Made with the earth his angry reckoning even,
Now it hath done so.

a

our early poetry has met with a portion
of the attention it deserves; and its in-
fluence upon our best modern poets has
been one primary cause of their excel-
lence. Yet, though much has been
done, it has not always been done with
judgment; and that it is still a mine
worth exploring, the present judicious
little publication will abundantly testify.
Does it not seem extraordinary, that
in a late collection, professing itself to
be a body of the Standard English Poets,
not a line of Chapman's is to be found;
while Sprat and Yalden, with a host of
other unworthy versifiers, occupy its
pages? It is true something was done,
even in this case, toward the revival of
a few neglected poetical worthies; but
surely not enough, when such writings
as this volume brings us acquainted
with, were forgotten. Chapman, who
flourished as a writer of verse for near
fifty years, (i. e. from 1590 to 1634)
was distinguished for learning, and a
zealous devotion to his art, which fell
to the lot of few of his cotemporaries:
he wrote many dramatic compositions,
both tragedies and comedies, but does
not appear to have been gifted with dra-We know, the most exempt in wealth, power,
matic talent. It has been said, that "he
would have made a great epic poet," and
there seems little reason to doubt the
assertion, for if ever writings bore evi-
dence of that divine inspiration neces-
sary to the sustentation of a great poem,
his surely afford it. He appears to
have been a martyr to his art; to have
preferred poverty, with the noble con-
sciousness of having deserved honour-
able notice, rather than stoop to flatter
the prevailing taste of his age.

His great work is a translation of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and is indeed a production of extraordinary merit, replete with beauties of the highest order; yet sometimes disgraced by absurdities, quaintnesses, and wanderings from his original. Both Dryden and Pope knew how to avail themVOL. II.

O God, to what end are thy graces given?
Only to shew the world, men fit for heaven,
Then ravish them, as if too good for carth?

birth,

(As to their chief end) all things they enjoy,
Or any other blessing, should employ
To make them fit for heaven; and not pursue
With hearty appetite the damned crew
Of merely sensual and earthly pleasures.
But when one hath done so, shall straight the

treasures

Digg'd to, in those deeps, be consumed by death?
Shall not the rest, that error swalloweth,
Be, by the pattern of that master-piece,
Help'd to instruct their erring faculties?

After some extraordinary and power-
ful instances of personification, we have
the following exquisite passage.

Bee-swarms, robb'd of their honey, ceaseless

"On, on, sad train,-as from a cranny'd rock

flock.

Mourn, mourn,-dissected now his cold limbs lie;
Ah, knit so late with flame and majesty.
Where's now his gracious smile, his sparkling
eye?

His judgment, valour, magnanimity?

PRICE 1s.

O God! what doth not one short hour snatch up
of his burst cares; put with no nerves together,
Of all man's gloss?-Still overflows the cup
And lighter than the shadow of a feather."

this occasion with heartfelt sorrow, for
Chapman appears to have written on
in Henry he lost his most gracious
patron. He afterwards dedicates the
Odyssey to his favourite Somerset, and
at a later period these Hymns, in a fine
original and powerful strain of philoso-
phical and consolatory advice; the ear-
nestness and affectionate sincerity of
which, leaves no doubt that Chapman
did not give credit to the charges made
against the favourite. He says finely,
In bodies chaste, with more divine control;
Nor virtue shines more in a lovely face,
Than true desert is stuck off with disgrace.

"Nor in the spirit's chariot rides the soul

epistle with the following indignant and And he concludes his dedicatory spirited lines.

If yet the vile soul of this verminous time,

Love more the sale-muse, and the squirrel's chime,
Than this full sphere of poesies sweetest prime;
And rest your wings in his approv'd ascent
That yet was never reach'd, nor ever fell

Give them unenvied their vain vein and vent,

Into affections bought with things that sell,
Being the sun's flow'r; and wrapt so in his sky,
He cannot yield to every candle's eye.

The Epilogue to these Hymns is another fine specimen of Chapman's energetic and soul-entranced style: its earnestness, its force, and the anguish with which it seems to have been written, are truly affecting. The life of enemies, and neglectful friends; but this mighty spirit was embittered by heknew his own worth, and reverenced the lyre;" and he thus beautifully and pathetically concludes,

For me, let just men judge by what I show
In acts expos'd, how much I err or know;
And let not envy make all worse than nought,
With her mere headstrong and quite brainless
thought:

Others, for doing nothing, giving all;
And bounding all worth in her bursten gall.

God and my dear Redeemer, rescue me
From men's immane and mad impicty;
And by my life and soul (sole known to them)
Make me of palm, or yew, an anadem.
And so, my sole God, the thrice sacred Trine,
Bear all th' ascription of all me and mine.

What adds much to the value of this publication is, that we have no other translation of these interesting Hymns, which are in themselves highly valuable, as containing a beautiful poetical ex

best which have gone before. And in
adapting the particular story to a frame-
work consistent with the nature of the
times and state of the country in which
the scene is laid, we think Rob Roy
superior to all its predecessors.

position of some of the most interesting
portions of antient mythology; and
though Chapman's fidelity as a trans-
lator does not constitute any part of his
praise, yet the reader is made ample
amends by the spirit and originality of
his version, which gives to all that he The plote and intrigues preceding the
touches a life and reality that is truly rebellion of the year 1715, afforded ad- |
delightful. The Hymn to Pan is an ex-mirable ground for much more of the
quisite example of his skill: the Hymn marvellous than our author needs to
to Apollo is replete with beauty, and employ in the construction of his
the Hymns to Hermes and to Venus volumes, which are so distinguished for
are not much inferior. We have not their historical truth and accuracy of
room for extracts, but can without fear delineation, as absolutely to have been
refer the lover of poetry to this elegant reviewed, by the most able periodical
little volume for a rich intellectual works in the world, as if they were
treat, and think that no poetical collec- real and authentic records of events
tion can be complete without this spe- which happened as they detail. The
cimen of the powers of the venerable same power of delusion belongs to Rob
and reverend Chapman, for it may well Roy. It is impossible to fancy any
be said of him, in his own words, part of it a fable. The men and women
"We have been wrong'd, by being kept so long of its dramatis personæ live before us;
From notice of your honourable parts."
the scenery is perfect nature; the in-
Mons. D'Olive.cidents are identical history. The ac-
cession of the House of Hanover, the
attempts of Jacobites, the existence of
a country called Scotland, do not seem
more undeniable, than the whole train
of facts herein related, and the actual
being of the Osbaldistones, Jarvies,
M'Gregors, &c. who people the world
created by the poct's imagination, and
perform the things he has told us they
performed. Not Shakspeare himself
has been more true to his characters:
we think, if they acted otherwise, more
or less, than they do, there would be
some appearance of fiction; as it is,
there is none.

ROB ROY. 3 vols. 12mno.” This long-looked-for novel, by the author of Waverley, Guy Mannering, and the Antiquary, has at last made its appearance; and can we speak more highly of it than to say that it is worthy of his hand?

We have debated with ourselves in what manner we should review this work. Were we to analyse the story, we might write an interesting article; but would it be just towards the author, or kind towards our fair friends, who hate and detest the foreknowledge of the denouement of any book which appeals so strongly as this does to their curiosity and feelings? No! we will not take advantage of our rapid publication, to ante-date one of the principal enjoyments to be derived from the perusal of Rob Roy: with an abstinence deserving of all praise, we will endeavour to deliver our opinions, without encroaching upon the mysteries of the narrative, and the eclaircissements of the conclusion.

In some respects this novel seems inferior, and in some superior, to its precursors. It is inferior in the general style and composition; which, though highly wrought in many parts, are yet carelessly enough slurred over in others and it is, perhaps, inferior in depth of interest to Waverley and Guy Mannering. As a picture of manners, and as affording distinct portraits of characters (which are individuals, yet a class) it is equal to the

Without forgetting our initiatory promise, we may state, that the plan of this delightful work consists of the adventures of Mr. Francis Osbaldistone, | the son of a rich London Merchant, who refusing to engage in commercial pursuits, as desired by his father, is sent to an uncle's in Northumberland, almost disinherited. In his journey to the north, he falls in with Robert Campbell, a cattle dealer, alias Rob Roy, and by a skilful connexion of their fates, they become from that period interwoven with each other. Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone (the uncle) and his six sons, form a massive group in this canvass, and the chief light is found in a Relative, who is living at Cubhall, Miss Diana Vernon, on whose character the author has exerted all his energies. It is that of Flora Mac Iver, somewhat softened, and embracing many different shades; equally exalted, but perhaps more natural. The only

other female who figures in the piece, is the wife of Rob Roy: a ruthless and desolate-hearted Amazon. The Chieftain of the Clan Gregor himself, is admirably drawn, though in him there has been less of invention necessary than in others. He seems only less barbarous, or, we may say, more civilised, than common fame has handed him down to us. A Scotch Gardener, Andrew Fairservice, is well depicted; a worldly, time-serving, selfisli fellow; neither overburthened with sense nor principle; but yet contriving, by his officiousness, to occupy a conspicuous station in this drama. A Highland follower of Rob Roy, named Dougal, and a Macgregor, forms a contrast to Fairservice. He is faithful, brave, and devoted, cunning, shrewd, and dexterous. Owen, the principal clerk of the house of Osbaldistone and Tresham, is another portrait of unassuming pretensions, but of exquisite fidelity. The great city, and the wild hills of Scotia, alike submit their children to the developement of our acute and masterly delineator. His images are equally vivid, whether drawn from the desk or the heath, the busy hum of men, or the solitude of deserts. But not one of the characters has delighted us more in the pencilling than Baillie Jarvie of Glasgow. If M'Wheble gave the hint for this admirable likeness, it is so full, so finished, and so thrown out by circumstances, that it leaves us nothing to wish for. We question whether any but Scotch readers will be able to appreciate the perfection of this sketch. The mixture of the pride of birth, though connected with an outlaw, and the opposite habits of a manufacturing education; the combined qualities of the son of Deacon Jarvie, honest man! Heaven be merciful to him! and the cousin of Rob Roy, for whom a hempen cravat is so surely predestined; the pacific and yet bold, the sober yet eccentric, the prudential yet generous acts of the worthy Glasgonian, constitute a tout ensemble of the richest order. Even in the minor characters, there is a degree of variety quite Homeric. The family of Osbaldistone are forcible examples of this. Percival, Thorncliff, John, Richard, and Wilfred, are all alter et idem; and Rashleigh, the youngest brother, a masterly portraiture of villany. Morris, a cowardly Employé of government, is another specimen of the skill of the author: his subserviency, and his lamentable catas

trophe, present an useful lesson to mankind. The description of his death, indeed, is one of the most touching and dreadful that we ever read. He is treacherously left as a hostage for the safety of Rob Roy, who is thus betrayed into the hands of his foes. Brought a prisoner to the wife of the Chieftain, immediately after she has been excited to fury by a sharp contest with, and victory over, a party of the military, whom Dougal misleads into a dangerous pass among the mountains, on the borders of a lake, we are told by Francis Osbaldistone, who is also a prisoner,

'Ye're right, young man-ye're right," said Jarvie. "Aye, take counsel of those who like a godless Rehoboam, who took the are aulder and wiser than yoursell, and binna advice of a wheen beardless callants, neglecting the auld counsellors who had sate at the feet o' his father Solomon, and, as it is weel put by Mr. Meiklejohn, in his lecture on the chapter, were doubtless partakers of his sapience. But I maun hear naething about honour-we ken naething here but about credit. Honour is a homicide, and a blood-spiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent, honest man, that sits at hame, and makes the pat play.'

birthless villains tread on the neck of the own honour, the dialogue thus pro-
brave and the long-descended,-you could ceeds,
enjoy yourself, like a butcher's dog in the
shambles, battoning on garbage, while the
This enjoyment you shall not live to par-
slaughter of the brave went on around you!
take of; you shall die, base dog, and that
before yon cloud has passed over the sun.'
"She gave a brief command in Gaelic
to her attendants, two of whom seized upon
the prostrate suppliant, and hurried him to
the brink of a cliff which overhung the
He set up the most piercing and
dreadful cries that fear ever uttered,-I
may well term them dreadful, for they
haunted my sleep for years afterwards. As
the murderers, or executioners, call them
as you will, dragged him along, he recog-
nized me even in that moment of horror,
and exclaimed, in the last articulate words
I ever heard him utter, O, Mr. Osbaldi-
stone, save me! save me!'

flood.

"The wife of Mac Gregor commanded that the hostage exchanged, for his safety should be brought into her presence. I believe her sons had kept this unfortunate wretch out of her sight, for fear of the con"I was so much moved by this horrid sequences; but if it was so, their humane spectacle, that, although in momentary exprecaution only prolonged his fate. They to speak in his behalf; but, as might have pectation of sharing his fate, I did attempt dragged forward at her summons a wretch been expected, my interference was sternly already half dead with terror, in whose agonized features I recognized, to my some, while others, binding a large heavy disregarded. The victim was held fast by horror and astonishment, my old acquaint-stone in a plaid, tied it round his neck, and ance Morris. "He fell prostrate before the female others again eagerly stripped him of some chief with an effort to clasp her knees, part of his dress. Half-naked, and thus from which she drew back, as if his touch manacled, they hurled him into the lake, had been pollution, so that all he could do, last death-shriek with a loud halloo of vinthere about twelve feet deep, drowning his in token of the extremity of his humilia- dictive triumph, above which, however, the tion, was to kiss the hem of her plaid. yell of mortal agony was distinctly heard. never heard entreaties for life poured forth The heavy burden splashed in the dark-blue with such agony of spirit. The ecstasy of waters of the lake, and the Highlanders, fear was such, that, instead of paralyzing with their pole-axes and swords, watched an his tongue, as on ordinary occasions, it instant to guard, lest, extricating himself even rendered him eloquent; and, with from the load to which he was attached, cheeks pale as ashes, hands compressed he might have struggled to regain the shore. in agony, eyes that seemed to be taking But the knot had been securely bound; their last look of all mortal objects, he pro- the victim sank without effort; the waters, tested, with the deepest oaths, his total ig-which his fall had disturbed, settled calmly norance of any design on the person of Rob Roy, whom he swore he loved and

which he had pleaded so strongly, was for
over him, and the unit of that life, for

ever withdrawn from the sum of human
existence."

honoured as his own soul. In the incon-
sistency of his terror, he said, he was but
the agent of others, and he muttered the
name of Rashleigh. He prayed but for
life-for life he would have given all he had
This grand and agonizing descrip-
in the world;-it was but life he asked- tion brings Lord Byron forcibly to our
life, if it were to be prolonged under tor-recollection; and even by the side of
tures and privations; he asked only breath,
though it should be drawn in the damps of
the lowest caverns of their hills.

"It is impossible to describe the scorn, the loathing and contempt, with which the wife of Mac Gregor regarded this wretched petitioner for the poor boon of existence.

"I could have bid you live,' she said, had life been to you the same weary and wasting burthen it is to me that it is to every noble and generous mind. But you wretch! you could creep through the world unaffected by its various disgraces, its ineffable miseries, its constantly accumulating masses of crime and sorrow, you could live and enjoy yourself, while the nobleminded are betrayed-while nameless and

that transcendant painter of human
misery and mortal throes, it must be
allowed, that the writer of our quota-
tion need not shrink from a sense of
inferiority.

We could wish to set before our
readers some traits of Baillie Jarvie;
but we fear it is difficult to accomplish
this purpose within the scope of ex-
tracts consistent with our limits, and
with our declared design, not to weaken
the interest of the novel by garbled an-
ticipations. When Mr. Osbaldistone
asks his advice as to the best way to
act for his father's advantage, and his

66 6

friend Owen,
Assuredly, Mr. Jarvie,' said our
credit is the sum total;
and if we can but save that, at whatever
discount-'

"Ye are right, Mr. Owen-ye are
right; ye speak weel and wisely; and I
awee ajee e' enow. But touching Robin (Roy)
trust bowls will row right, though they are
I am of opinion he will befriend this young
heart, puir Robin; and though I lost a
man if it is in his power. He has a gude
matter o' twa hunder punds wi' his former
engagements, and haena muckle expecta-
tion ever to see back my thousand pund
Scots that he promises me e'enow, yet I
a' men.'
will never say but that Robin means fair by

66 •

I am then to consider him,' I replied, as an honest man.'

"Umph,' replied Jarvie, with a precautionary sort of cough,- Ay, he has a kind o' Hieland honesty-he's honest after a sort, as they say. My father the deacon used aye to laugh when he tauld me how that bye-word came up. Ane Captain Costlett was cracking crouse about his loyalty to King Charles, and Clerk Pettigrew (ye'll hae heard mony a tale about the king, when he was fighting against him him) asked him after what manner he served at Worster in Cromwell's army; and Captain Costlett was a ready body, and said that he served him after a sort. My honest father used to laugh weel at that sportand sae the bye-word came up.""

Among the finest pictures of this excellent book, we must notice that of the " Laigh Kirk" at Glasgow, and the sacred service performed there, which occurs in the second volume. It is inimitably good, and gives prodigious effect to the incident which takes place in "those waste regions of oblivion," where "dusky banners, and

tattered escutcheons indicated the graves of those who were once, doubtless, Princes in Israel:' where inscriptions, which could only be read by the painful antiquary, in language as obsolete as the act of devotional charity which they implored, invited the pas

have more general correctness, and | All is silent around save the dash of the oar, much fewer particular errors. We annex a specimen from the sixth Epistle from Q to his sister Jane: the following description of an antiquated Fashionable is in good style.

And the echoes at intervals wafted from shore; Save the note of the sea-birds as onwards they glide,

"And then her poor Mother! 'twould ruffle a

to be found on this island, but their fur is of a reddish colour, and consequently of little value. The bears are uncommonly fierce, and attack men as well as other animals.

"The ice fox is never seen on the Kurile islands, and the inhabitants do not even know such an animal by name. When shewn their skins at Kamtschatka, they call them white foxes. They shoot sea-lions and sea-dogs, and catch eagles with seagulls, though not in the same way as they ensnare the foxes. They build a little shed with an aperture at the top; and in the interior fasten a sea-gull; in a short time the eagle darts upon his prey, seizes it with his claws, and whilst he is endeavouring to carry it off or devour it, he is killed by the Kuriles. It is only during the winter that the eagle inhabits the Kurile islands; on the approach of summer these birds of prey take flight to Kamtschatka."

The Japanese government (as we noticed in our last Number) consider it as a heinous crime to attempt the conversion of its subjects to Christianity. The unrelenting punishment of offenders in this way, may be traced to

At another time the question was put

"Whose office is it on board the Russian vessels to foretel the state of the wind and weather? When we replied, that this task was not allotted to any particular officer, but that it was part of the duty of the comastonished; for with them, a boat never mander of the ship, they were not a little puts to sea without having a prophet of the

One day a dinner was sent to the prisoners of a superior quality, and served in elegant dishes. They could not guess whence this treat came; but afterwards learnt, that it was sent by a rich man, who was suffering under a dangerous fit of illness, and that in such cases it was usual in Japan to send presents of that sort to the poor and unfortunate. We have already men-reather on board.” tioned that wilful-fire-raising is not Thus fortified, we suppose, we may uncommon in this country, and de-read the risks of the following passage scribed the horrible punishment which without trembling for the navigators, awaits the wretch convicted of this and their land progress seems equally offence,-its frequency being another secure. proof of the inadequacy of mere vindictive visitation to prevent crime. gar from Matsmai to a well-sheltered bay "The Japanese cross the Straits of SanThe Japanese customs when fires oc- near the city of Mimaya. As they never cur are in other respects rather curi-undertake it except with a favourable wind, they are in general only a few hours at sea. Mimaya is about 200 rees, or 800 wersts," from Yeddo. Persons of distinction travel in litters or sedan chairs, and the common people on horseback. A great number of men are, therefore, always kept at the post stations. The Japanese assured us that the litter-bearers, from long experience, proceed with so much steadiness, that if a glass of water was placed in the litter, not a drop would be spilt."

ous:

"Both officers and soldiers wear a particular dress. It exactly resembles their military uniform; consisting of coats of mail, sleeve-cases, &c. But the whole is composed of light varnished leather, so that this armour is not burthensome to the the disturbances which arose in consewearer, and cannot be injured by the sparks quence of the labours of ancient mis-mail, the rank and office of the bearer are which issue from the fire. On the coat of sionaries. Captain Golownin states described. To extinguish a fire is regarded a most glorious achievement the among Japanese. When a fire breaks out in the capital, where there are numerous corps of troops, the commander who first proceeds to extinguish it, fixes his standard near the if another officer lends his assistance withspot, and it is deemed exceedingly offensive

that

It seems that they are slow as well as sure, for their very couriers perform little more than 50 miles a day.

Of the foreign relations of a people who decline all foreign intercourse, it is not likely that much intelligence

"The Japanese are not followers of new religions. They give, however, full liberty to a variety of sects, besides permitting the public profession of even the Kurile religion; but they are quite intolerant to Christianity, on account of the troubles it out being invited by him who has by his should be given. Yet there are some

civil war.

early arrival obtained possession of the
ground. In former times, occurrences of
this nature frequently gave rise to duels
between the princes and grandees, and
sometimes battles, in which their respective
adherents engaged. Even now serious con-
tentions often arise when one officer shews
honour of having extinguished a fire.”
an inclination to deprive another of the

has occasioned among them. The Catholic
priests, who formerly lived in Japan, and
enjoyed every freedom, preached the Chris-
tian faith, and converted a great number of
the natives; but, at last, the progress of
the new religion gave rise to a dreadful
For this reason, after the com-
plete extirpation of the Christians, the fol-
lowing inscription was placed at the head
of the stone tablets of laws, which are fixed
up in all public places, and even in the
The information possessed by this
streets:-"Whoever knows any individual jealous people with regard to the rest
who has taught Christianity, and can con- of the world, may be imagined when
vict him thereof, shall receive a reward of we relate that in one of the examina-

curious facts disclosed in these volumes, which seem to indicate more than they express, especially if we look to the present era, when the exploration of distant lands is an European passion, and an interference with them an inevitable consequence. We know no quarter of the earth more likely to shine in the history of the next twenty years than China and the island nations in its and physical force must now roll oneastern seas. The mighty tide of moral Are hundred silver pieces."-There is, like- tions of their captives, the governor de-ward, and this way lies its obvious hiring servants till they receive from them sired to know whether some change of a written assurance of their not being Chris-religion had not taken place in Russia, tians. In Nangasaky, where Christianity as Laxman (a recent traveller) wore a had made the greatest progress, there is a long tail, and had thick hair" which staircase, on the steps of which are laid he covered all over with flour," and various ornaments and utensils of the Ca- Captain Golownin and his companions tholic church, and on the first step a cru- had their hair cut quite short, and did cifix. On new year's day all the inhabitants of Nangasaky are obliged to ascend not put flour upon their heads. these steps; and, as a proof that they are not Christians, trample on the articles. The interpreter assured us, that many Christians who live at Nangasaky, comply with this regulation from interested mo

wise, a law which prohibits masters from

tives."

"On our telling them (says the author) that with us there was no connexion between religion and the form of the hair, they laughed out loud, and expressed no little surprise that there should be no express law on this point."

course.

The interpreters frequently told Captain Golownin that it was more than

300 years

ed the Kurile islands as far as Kamtsince the Japanese had visittained possession of them; and that schatka; that they might easily have rethe Kuriles and Japanese were originally the same people, as appeared from the number of words common to both languages. It is a singular proof of the truth of this assertion, that they

* Two English miles are nearly equal to three Russian worsts.-EDITOR.