were folded, and his hat drawn over his forehead. His countenance seemed perfectly composed; but it was evident that something was working strongly in his mind, for during the whole quarter of an hour that I stood near him he never took a single pinch of snuff. At length he turned round as thongh he had just awoke from a dream, and perceiving me, smiled, and said, "Well, Madam, yonder is my Olympus." Yes, Sire,' I replied, Olympus is always the abode of Jupiter.' A telescope was placed before him; he looked through it for a few moments, and then ordered it to be taken away. wish," said he, "to enjoy the satisfaction of seeing these rocks gradually unfold themselves." But this was a melancholy satisfaction. As you will readily suppose, Caroline, we remained on deck the whole of the day. The blue hill by degrees separated, and soon appeared an irregular mass of broken rocks, rising perpendicularly out of the sea, here and there forming immense impending cliffs, separated from each other by narrow valleys or rather ravines. Nature can present nothing more dreary than these black barren masses of rock, unadorned either by trees or shrubs, and from which a peak (called Diana's Peak) rises to the height of about 3000 feet above the level of the sea. our cabins, we heard him continually mov- | protested against this regulation as being The Captain spent another day in sailing backwards and forwards, and holding consultations with the Governor. At length he informed us, that we had permission to land on the following morning, but that Napoleon must in the meanwhile be content with the accommodation of a private house. The anxious wish to obtain a nearer view of our new home, and eagerly to explore every corner that might be favourable to our projects, rendered our eyes watchful and our tongues silent. In the meanwhile the fresh breeze continued to carry us forward. On the following morning, as soon as daylight began to dawn, we all quitted our cabins, ascended the deck, and eagerly turned our eyes towards the land we were approaching, which was still enveloped in mist. At sun-rise we cast anchor in front of a little cluster of houses, which our sailors called Jaines Town. This town, which consists only of one street, is built on the sea-shore, on so narrow a space, that the We did not retire to rest the whole of back row of houses seem actually to join that night, which was the last we spent on the rock. I have been told that huge pieces board the vessel: we were busily employed of rock, when loosened by the rain, some-in packing up our things, dressing to go times roll down, break through the roofs ashore, &c. As soon as the sun had risen of these houses, and bury the inhabitants Napoleon appeared on deck in his full beneath the rains; and yet this is the uniform, with gold epaulettes, and the star principal town on the Island. of the Legion of Honour. The Governor sent out an elegant boat to convey the Emperor and the principal individuals of his suite on shore. The rest of the attendants followed in the boat belonging to the ship. Napoleon expected that on his quitting the Northumberland the guns of the ship would have been fired to bid him farewell, and that they would have been answered by a salute from the fortress; but on the contrary all was silent. When we landed we of course supposed we should find the Governor on the shore, but we saw nobody except the inhabitants, who had assembled through curiosity to get a sight of us. Whether we shall enjoy the honour of residing in the superb capital of St. Helena, or whether a hut will be built for us in some extinguished crater, I know not. But this I know, that the noise on board the ship, joined to the thundering of the cannon, gave me such a violent head-ach, that I was obliged to lie down. After our salute had been returned by the guns of the fortress, the Captain went ashore in a boat, doubt less to make the necessary arrangements for our landing. It is probable that the whole Island has, at some remote period, been thrown up from the sea by a volcanic eruption, and now the popular volcano of Europe has sent a visitor here who excites more astonishment among the inhabitants than a My husband came into my cabin several shower of moon-stones would do. When times, informing me that, with the aid of the Portuguese discovered St. Helena, 300 his telescope, he could plainly perceive the Napoleon desired that he might instantly years ago, they little thought that it would whole town in motion, people hurrying be conducted to his abode; but he was inbecome a place of banishment for a Corsi- from one place to another, soldiers mareh-formed that it was necessary he should in can hero, after he had driven their imbecile ing about, and messengers climbing up the the first place wait upon the Governor. On Regent to the Brazils. The English and rocks in every direction, probably to con-hearing this, fire darted from his eyes, but Dutch never imagined when, 150 years ago, vey information of our arrival to such of he repressed his indignation, and followed they were fighting for this barren rock, the inhabitants as were residing at their the Captain withont uttering a word. My that it was destined to receive a mighty so-country houses. My children came run-husband accompanied him. The rest of us vereign like Napoleon, who will soon issue ning to me twenty times in an hour to tell proceeded to some private houses on the from it decrees that will work a complete me what a vast number of boats were rowsea-shore, which had been hastily prepared transformation in Europe! As little did the ing from the shore and collecting round our to receive us they were situated on the East India Company suppose, when they ship. side next the rock, and were surrounded by were making establishments at St. Helena The Island contains altogether about guards. Soldiers were even stationed on the for their homeward-bound ships, that it 2000 inhabitants, and one half. the popu-rock, above the houses, probably to observe would one day become the prison of him lation were at that moment floating on the how we might employ ourselves if ever we who has so often threatened their destruc-water, in the hope of seeing a man whom took a fancy to go out on the roofs. tion. When Madame Letitia was in the straw at Ajaccio, in the year 1763, nobody ever dreamed that at that moment a meteor had risen on Corsica which would spread a flame over the rest of Europe. This flame is not extinguished, but is merely concentrated at St. Helena; and, without being a prophet, it is easy to foretel that new lightning will soon dart from Diana's Peak to illuminate the whole horizon of Europe. The approach of night at length drove us from the deck. It was our custom to spend the evening in the Emperor's cabin, but on that occasion he expressed a wish to be alone. He slept none that night; for, through the thin partition which divided they knew only through the medium of the Napoleon soon arrived. He appeared much out of humour, and after rapidly inspecting the few apartments which his new residence contained, he walked up to one of the windows, and took several pinches of snuff. Bertrand afterwards informed me, that the Governor did not advance one step The Emperor evidently expected that the to meet him. He received him in his apartGovernor would pay him a visit; but the ment politely, but with great formality; latter did not think proper to do so. Late and when Napoleon, according to the Engin the evening the Captain returned with a lish custom, wished to shake hands with message, informing us, that we must re-him, he turned aside with evident embarmain on board the vessel until the Emperor's wooden house, which had been brought from England, could be got on shore, and fitted up for his reception. I was very glad to hear that the Emperor loudly rassment. He addressed the Emperor by the title of General, made some triffing inquiries respecting his health, and coolly observed, that he would do every thing his instructions permitted to render the General's residence on the Island perfectly agreeable. Napoleon asked a thousand eager questions about his future establishment, but to these the Governor sometimes returned only half an answer, and sometimes apologized for not giving any at all, by observing, that he had not yet had sufficient time to become fully acquainted with the nature of his instructions. SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANIES. COAL GAS, &c.-The first application of coal gas in Great Britain to the purposes of illumination was, we are assured, by Mr. Sadler the aëronaut, about thirty years since, when it constituted a principal feature in an exhibition upon a large scale, of But if this formal old-fashioned Gover- the inflammable properties of hydrogen gas, nor imagined that by such conduct he could and some of its compounds, at the towncounteract the imposing influence of Napo- hall in Oxford. The result of his exleon's presence, and obliterate the recollec-periments were communicated by Mr. tion of his mighty deeds, he was completely Sadler to Mr. Murdoch, agent to Messrs. mistaken; and of this he was himself very Boulton and Watt, while on a professional soon convinced, for after the conference he visit to Sir Francis Bassett, in Cornwall, courteously attended his exalted visitor to about the year 1792 or 1793. the door; and when in the evening he returned the visit, he appeared to have come solely for the purpose of paying his respects to the Emperor. Napoleon granted him an audience, and conversed alternately, with him and his officers, just as he was wont to do at the Tuilleries, concerning the affairs of Europe, India, and America, trade, agriculture, &c. He made some inquiries concerning shooting, and was much pleased to hear that there were vast numbers of partridges on the Island. He then gently bowed his head, and withdrew to his study. And now, Caroline, I must for a short time lay aside my pen. I understand, however, that the Northumberland is to remain here for several weeks, and be assured I will write you another letter before she sails. (Letter III. in our next.) ARTS AND SCIENCES. MOIREE METALLIQUE. To the Editor of the Literary Guzette. SIR, : Permit me to correct a mistake into which you have fallen, in speaking of this valuable addition to the ornamental arts. You observe that it has been imported from France and this to a certain extent may prove correct. But the discovery, that an acid in acting upon metallic and other bodies, develops their crystalline forms, and embosses them with beautiful symmerical figures, is entirely due to a gentleman of our own country. I beg leave to refer you, and such of your readers who are anxious upon the subject, and more espeIcially those who wish to understand the rationale of these curious engravings, to wo papers in the first volumes of the Journal of the Royal Institution, by J. F. Daniell, Esq. The principles of this beautiful art are therein clearly laid down, and a most ingenious application of them is made to the theory of crystallization, which is well worthy the attention of the scientific. I am sure you will feel pleasure in reclaiming the merit of the discovery for our own country; I shall therefore make no apologies for wishing to occupy a corner in your valuable miscellany.-PHILALETHES. Mr. Sadler, who has been long employed in experiments on the coal gas, has lately much improved the apparatus employed for its production; he has materially shortened the process, much increased the production of gas, and has lessened the offensive part of the operation, by decomposing a great part of the tar, which in the common apparatus passed over, and was condensed in the refrigeratory. His apparatus is simple and easily managed, and being free from all complex mechanism, is not easily deranged, and it is constant and certain in its action. Dr. Jassmeyer, the Professor of Chemistry at Vienna, has succeeded in extracting two unknown acids, a resin and a resinous gum, and other products, from the same material (coal.) These he applies to the dyeing of wool, silk, linen, and hair, and produces from them red, black and yellow, and various shades of brown and grey. METEOROLOGY.-One of those showers, which in times of ignorance and superstition would have been considered supernatural and ominous, fell on the 14th of last March in Naples and Calabria. M. Sementini has given an account of this red rain, which the people called blood and fire, as it impressed their imaginations. The weather was very stormy, and much thunder and lightning; the sky overcast with a dismal redness. On analyzing the earthy matter held in solution by the rain-drops, and which gave them this appearance, it was found to be of a yellow colour, unctuous to the touch, and 2.07 specific gravity. Its component parts were silex 33, alumine 15.5, line 11.5, chrome 1, iron 14.5, carbonic acid 9, loss 15.5, which was found to be a combustible substance, soluble in alcohol, leaving on combustion a residuum of charcoal. At Scio the ripening of figs is hastened by inserting a drop of oil in the wide end. It is in this island that gum mastich is obtained.-Legh's Travels. DROWNING PREVENTED.-When seized with cramp in swimming, it may be driven away by turning upon the back, and giving GALLERY: LEICESTER SQUARE. of noticing a picture which it now contains, We return to this gallery for the purpose and which once made some noise in London, though it has been for a good many years abstracted from public view. We allude to The Butcher's Shop, by Keyse, which our senior readers will well remember at Bermondsey Spa, where it encouraged visitors to pay their sixpence for entrance, and regale their eyes with the fine arts, while they regaled their palates with the cool tankard. After the decline of this humbler Ranelagh, the Butcher's Shop was, we believe, exhibited for some time in the Rooms of the Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, &c. in the Adelphi, where multitudes flocked to see it. thence passed into the hands of an individual, and by another chance is now exhibiting in this gallery, among its numerous pictures, for sale. It There were several companions to this curious picture, the Fishmonger's, Poulterer's, and Vegetable Shops; but what has become of them we do not know. At any rate this was a chef d'oeuvre of the artist. And we do not use the phrase ironically, for inasmuch as the deceptive in art is concerned, this work is a masterpiece. It is, perhaps, about eight feet in height, and twelve or fourteen feet in length, and exhibits the whole range of a butcher's shop, hung with joints of beef, mutton, veal, and lamb. These are so perfectly executed, that not only at a few yards distance is the spectator inclined to believe them real, but even when he approaches near enough to touch them, to swear, as Lord Peter did about the brown loaf, "by it is substantial mutton as ever was sold in Leadenhall Market." Nothing that ever was painted surpasses this extraordinary performance in regard to the exact representation of still life, as we trust dead meat may very properly be called. There is also another merit belonging to this picture; the pigment employed in producing the appearance of cawls, white fat, &c. is wonderfully pure and natural. The softness, which does not impair its brilliancy as a colour, though it subdues it to a tone of perfect truth in its local application, is of 'a' description which we rather think it would puzzle the greatest painters of the day to parallel. ORIGINAL POETRY. MY BREAST. Fatal this void within my breast! Where life is played for were undone : This tenement so riven and lone. It seems as if, the struggle o'er, The exhausted victim from despair. EPITAPH. You have resisted long!-mid all around, Yet halts, to shield him from the noontide ray. And when in Autumn your brown leaves shall fall, For you they droop, for you alone they fade, To call a progeny successive forth, In spring to clothe you with delightful shade. Fine image of Germania's ancient worth, As once to past, and better days 'twas known, When her brave sons, supporting well her cause, Died to uphold their monarch and his throne!→→ Ah! what avails it to recall my grief, That grief is known throughout my native My country! once superior to the world, "TRIFLES LIght as air."-Shakspeare. Behold-of woman the true character. That very thing-is't not what she likes best?-Terence. Go follow the breeze that flies over the sea, Go catch on the waves the sparkles that rise; Unmov'd, as the bird, by the charmer's call; Stay, Traveller, nor pass in haste away, Is touch'd, and chance, and Death, and Time's Having thus mentioned the excellences of Mr. Keyse's work, it may be allowed to us to deduce therefrom the unquestionable fact, which yet seems a paradox to the generality of observers, that the utmost success in copying any appearance in nature does not constitute the glory of art. That grandeur of composition, which fills the mind of the beholder, such as we see in the still life of Rubens, Jordaens, and Snyders, proves that even these subjects may be elevated to a very superior rank; but even then, what are they when compared with the immortal expressions of human passions in the frame or countenance, the matchless creation of all that is essential in the forms of beauty and grace, the sublime in style and conception, which lifts humanity above itself, and mingles man with the higher influences, imaginative or divine? No more can the former be likened to the latter than a leaf to the noble oak, or a pond to the boundless ocean. Thus the works of Denner, which shew us every pore in the skin, and every distinct hair on the beard, are mere curiosities-but look at Vandyke, his individual portraits are also universal nature, and admiration is superadded to wonder. We need not, for further illustration of our position, enter into the still more elevated range where Michael Angelo, Raphael, Da Vinci, teach us to converse with intelligence above mortality, or Cor- From Körner.—Written when Germany was under regio and Guido render us familiar with all that is lovely. One remark connected with our subject may close it. Zeuxis painted grapes so justly (say his panegyrists of antiquity) that the birds flew to peck them; and Parrhasius, in his famous contest with that artist, drew a curtain so admirably as to deceive even Zeuxis, who asked him to remove it, that he might see the picture. But if we had no greater idea of the ages of Grecian perfection in the arts, if we had no better data whereon to found our opinion of their stupendous excellence, we must presume that Denner, Keyse, and a multitude of inferior painters, were equal to the immortals of Greece. Thank Heaven, the Apollo, Venus, Laocoon, Gladiator, Elgin Marbles, are preserved amid the wrecks of time, to shew us to what a pitch of sublimity the mind of man can soar, no more. THE OAKS. the French yoke, 1811. D. Evening begins-Day's voices all are still— Yet ruddier looks the Sun's departing glow; Splendid as then appears your leafy vest, And much of beauty early yields its breath,- leaves, The sinking evening reddens into death. You seem to say from every waving twig, Make of even philosophers-just what they IMPROMPTU. Coarse Specimen of a coarse Political Insect.—It is But look! what vile and winged reptile there The loathsome odours of its mother's bed- P. ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM MEDITATING When every passion is at rest, And sorrow-soothing calm pervades our breast, We like to muse o'er former days, (When not one solitary breeze With eye where beams the quiet of his mind, And in one moment sweep away MIDNIGHT SKETCH. VENIZIANO. F. S. From these, he is reckoned a mere Sir Michael is now fifty years of age; Hark-that sweet music-seems it not to rise yet is he as thoughtless as when first I From the blue sea-Some ocean Nymph has left Her crystal cave to breathe the dewy air, knew him, which is thirty years ago. As And braid her hair, and chant her dulcet strains. a proof of the confusion of his brain, he Now, gentle Moon, I pray thee, forgets daily to wind up his watch, sets When that dark cloud its envious shade with-it wrong afterwards, and is never in draws, To cast upon the wave one silver beam, (His white plume wavering lightly on the breeze) Shadows with floating veil those timid eyes, That if revealed, would speak, than language more. CAROLINE. SKETCH. THE PICTURE. Oh what a sweet and animated grace Plays round the mouth, and beams from those blue eyes Upon the cheek!-the rose's faintest blush, And live upon their sweets. Where is it now? fore, he arrived two hours before he was expected. The score of servants in the hall stared at him on his arrival, and then looked at each other—as much as to say, "Is he mad what a queer genius this Sir Michael must be!" but the groom of the chambers, with his accustomed officious grin and low bow, said, mechanically, My Lord will be down in ten minutes," and then placed his chair, bowed, and handed him a newspaper. He had time to spell every word of it. After which he took up a novel and went through it. At length a powdered servant opened the folding doors, and in walked the time any where. In his commonest Marchioness. Sir Michael had never concerns he is always under some mis- seen her before; but he was acquainted apprehension-some mistake; and, in with her sister Lady Barbara, to whom his conversation, he is sure to say or to the resemblance was striking. He rose do something out of time or out of place. up, and made his best bow; whilst the If he meet a widower, he will invariably Marchioness smiled on him with her inquire after his wife. If he meet a usual dignity and mildness, Cheered by lady who is divorced, he will (forgetting this into self-confidence, he thus began: the circumstance) beg his respects to I need not (bowing a second time) ask her husband. He not unfrequently asks your Ladyship to whom I have the unmarried ladies after their children; honour of speaking, seeing so strong a and people at variance, after their friend resemblance betwixt your daughter and so and so. The many who do not yourself. "Daughter, Sir, I have none; know and pity this absence, or rather you must mistake." Probably-Madam this confusion of his, consider that he-I may; I ask your ladyship's pardon." either intends to hoax them, or to insult them. The few who are acquainted with his infirmity, fear to ask him to their house, lest he say or do something offensive to their company. I remember one day when he made an appointment with me to ride together to see a cottage on the banks of the Thames : we waited a considerable time; at last he rung the bell, and asked why the groom did not bring his horses to the door? when, all of a sudden, he recollected that he had lent them to a friend. Upon another occasion, he Washed the young rose, and made the heavy kept dinner waiting two hours at a heart friend's house, and upon flying in a was informed that he had sent his car riage to bring home his little nephews OF ENGLISH MANNERS. Methodism, he having entirely forgot No. III. THE BLUNDERER. At this moment, her elder sister, Lady Barbara, entered the room. That, that, that lady, Madam, is the person I meant; I took her for your ladyship's daughter. Lady Barbara, your most obedient! delighted to see you look so well indeed the likeness'-(Marchioness)" is that of a younger to an elder sister: my sister Barbara is three years older than myself (drily); but, (with a smile of contempt) there is certainly a strong family likeness." "Oh! yes, beautiful! vastly like indeed! a strong-very strong family likeness, particularly about the eyes' (Lady Barbara squints dreadfully.) Here ensued a loud laugh of the two ladies. (Marchioness) "Do you think so, Sir Michael?" (Sir Michael perceiving the obliquity of the sister's eye) No, my lady, not at all, not a bit!' (Marchioness) "I am quite mortified to think how long you have been kept waiting. My Lord is not yet come from the House; and I am much later than usual myself, having been detained at Philips and Robins's." I understand your Ladyship; yes, the two money lending attorneys; I know them well; hard dogs.' "Not at all, Sir Michael, I mean Yes, yes, (all con But of all the unfortunate days of There cannot be a better man than Sir Michael Marall. No one obliging; nothing is kinder than his heart; yet no one on earth commits more unlucky mistakes in company. fusion) the auctioneers I mean.' (Marchioness) "I see that you have taken up that scurrilous novel, what 6 JOURNAL OF THE BELLES LETTRES. think you of it?" Beautiful! full of wit! how it cuts up the gouty alderman pocketing the poor's rates! and the fat gambling Marchioness' (the latter was herself.) (Lady Barbara, wishing to relieve him) "Hem! did you look at those trifles in verse? They are very trifles, but written merely at leisure hours, mere bagatelles composed on the spur of the occasion. What think you of them?" Trifles, trifles indeed; mere bagatelles, as your Ladyship justly observes; quite below par; childish, very childish indeed; a catchpenny, no doubt.' Lady Barbara-"Childish as you say; very much below par; but no catchpenny, Sir; they are my composition, and were never sold, but printed for a few friends more indulgent and partial than Sir Michael Marall,”—(the Knight in an agony) 'Pardon me, my Lady; my honour (The Marquis entered) "My dear Baronet, how are you? Why you are come in time to-day. (Turning to the Marchioness) This is my very oldest friend." Her ladyship gave a contemptuous look, which said, Je vous en fais mon compliment. The company now began to arrive briskly; carriages chased carriages down the street; and the thunder of the street door was like a feu de joie. The Marquis now drew his friend aside, and said, "Michael, I am heartily glad to see you here. It is now three years since I met you at Newmarket. I have been to Naples and to Vienna since, and have got married. I am sorry that I had not an earlier opportunity of introducing you to the Marchioness; but you will find her at all times happy to see you."-Sir Michael, No doubt; I read it in her countenance. A very sweet woman! a most interesting person! and I perceive that she is as women wish to be who love their lords. Ha, ha, ha! yes, pretty far gone; there's no fear of the title's being extinct; no, no; I hope soon to have the pleasure of wishng you joy on the change of her Ladyship's shape; very large indeed, but all in good time.-Marquis. "Sir Michael, I hope that her Ladyship's change of shape will not be so sudden as you expect; else must ill health be the cause. She is, I confess, rather corpulent, but is not so in the way which you imagine." Here he turned from him, and left him overwhelmed with shame, -they had been married only three months. Now entered Colonel O'Fagan, who, after making his obeisance all round, attacked the Baronet. "Sir Michael, you played me a pretty trick to-day; | exclaimed he, fixing his eyes at the Defeat and diffidence took such pos- broke." Sir Michael blushed and stammered, coughed, called for water, and hesitated His next neighbour on the left addressed him; and he stuttered so in reply, that the other, who had an impediment in his speech, almost suspected that he was turning him into ridicule. At the desert, four beautiful children were ushered in, walking by files in rather a stage-effect way. They were the Marquis's nephews and nieces. His brother and sister were at table, and the children had been sent for as a recreation to them. Every one was eager to praise them, to extol their beauty, to enumerate their good qualities, &c. Sir Michael, after priming himself with a glass of hermitage " to bear his courage up," thought that he would be complimentary too: What lovely children!' The poor Baronet will at last be obliged to live the life of a recluse, as he will not be able to keep an acquaintance in the town; or perhaps he may end by some very serious consequences attending these habitual mistakes; for these unmeant insults are never forgiven, and, so weak are we, that many who can generously pass over and forget an injury, can never pardon the being degraded, or rendered ridiculous, whether it be intentionally or unintentionally—in joke, or in earnest. THE HERMIT IN LONDON. BIOGRAPHY. M. G. LEWIS. Matthew Gregory Lewis was born in the year 1773, his father being at that time deputy Secretary at War, which office he held for many years, and finally retired on a pension. His death happened within these few years, having through some family causes been separated from Mrs. L. event. for a considerable period preceding that M. G. Lewis, his son, received his education at Westminster School, and on coming of age was elected into Parliament T |