And rudely stooped, with barbarous eye, to trace claims the right of searching at all into Who scoff at Taste, who deem discretion cold,

state to England? No; he has granted to | In the division of his subject the author is
this country ministers who have arrived at most unfortunate, and, aiming at effect, he
the true knowledge of the nature of Plea- sacrifices all consistency: even the very
sure, and who are so generous that they inquiry proposed is not satisfactorily or
will, for the benefit of their native soil, clearly answered to his own conviction; and
sacrifice their own and their country's after sundry plungings in the depths of
honour-ruin, to enrich themselves, the metaphysical distinction, he ends his in-
very commerce that enriches a nation, and quiry more puzzled than when he began,
who are moreover so prudent, that England's and instead of informing others, seems to
destinies may be safely left in their hands; be lost in the illusions of his own false con-
for they are forming the army in the school c ption, whatever definite ideas and conclu-
of despotism, that all resistance may be in- sions he had originally formed.
effectual,―are educating the poor in masses,
that corruption may spread amongst them,
and that even the lower orders may learn
that true happiness consists in giving way
initiated by their pedagogues, and in plan-
to those animal wants into which they are
ning future prospects that can never be
realized, &c. &c.

Ah, Dr. Polidori, though thy name
have a foreign sound, thy temper is
genuine John Bull, and were such flip-
pancy not unworthy of a philosophical
treatise, we should applaud thee as an
able grumbler. Only do not blame
ministers for promoting the system of
general education. You may find that
the more a man learns, the more prone
he is to shew himself a sensualist and a
visionary; a selfish being, contented
with himself and discontented with all
besides; but we beg utterly to deny the
paradox, that tyrants and their ministers
commence their plans of universal des-
potism by enlightening the minds of the
mass of the people! We will grant you

Where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise;

and have no doubt but that if you were
not so amply prepared by education to
be one of the slaves which you say edu-
cation makes, you might be much hap-
pier than you are; but for us, we laud
the time we were taught to read and
write, and fear no chains in
thereof.

consequence

This proposition being stripped of its verbiage is simply this," Positive Pleasure is imaginary," and, so stated, our readers need not be told that it is positive nonsense. But if this be undeniable, as we think it is, what shall we say to the deductions of Dr. Polidori? He contends, that Eastern voluptuaries, who surrender themselves entirely to the gratification of their animal wants and to the wanderings of their imagination, enjoying undisturbed the bliss of idleness, indulging in the company of the haram, smoking segars, or chewing opium, have reached the ne plus ultra of mundane felicity. By pursuing similar means to similar ends, all nations become thus perfectly happy, and sink before others, who, in the language of entomology, may be said to be only in the larva or devouring state, hastening onward to the imago of listless and imaginative luxury. In this way the Venetians and Dutch have run the same career as the Arabs and Romans, and, indeed, except the United States, all duction, which, soaring far into the regions This, he truly says, is a singular procountries seem to have arrived at this of fiction, sets the rules of criticism at deknowledge of true blessedness, only dis- fiance as relating to works of imagination, turbed when they display an apparent and must be judged solely by the effect, good eagerness to realize their imaginations. or evil, which might result from the adopSuch being the case according to Dr. tion of the theory here propounded for the Polidori, it may amuse our compatriots attainment of felicity. The treatise conto be informed in what condition they riched by considerable research, and, altains many original observations, is enare in this interesting respect. The learned Doctor describes it as follows: though disfigured by many discrepancies, and not free from vulgarisms and mean exCould then Providence refuse this happypressions, is respectable as a composition.

Having offered a few hints on this singular pamphlet, we now turn to the letter of our correspondent, who in canvassing the tendency of the writer's doctrine, takes a graver view of it than we have done, and by his intelligent remarks relieves us from the task of pursuing the subject any further.

In this essay, as may be shewn by quotations, dangerous and even criminal opinions are broached, subversive, as far as they extend, of all the better feelings of humanity; the want of what we have not, or have which, under pretence of consoling us for ceased to possess, would lead us to a state of insensibility to all that now endears this world to our finite faculties, and prostrate us far below brutes in the scale of enjoyment and felicity. When we find a writer gravely reprehending, as a consequence of his theory, the unreasonableness of our feelings, in continuing to derive pleasure in the society of a wife, gratification from the endearments of our children, or pride and self-complacency arising from the reand properly employed, we cannot be surcollection of wealth or power benevolently prised at any absurdity into which such a theory may lead him. The following will serve as a specimen of the author's style and reasoning upon this subject.

"After the lover's passion is over, esteem may take its place, and happy if no worse; but what positive pleasure does that afford? then no cause to fear that our secrets would be betrayed; we had then no inmates who tormented us by their pettishness, or fretted pect more from a wife, than that she should us with their caprices; and what can we exnot abuse the confidence we place in her, or shew ill temper and caprice? For, as for those imaginations enjoyed by the bachelor, of obtaining a companion to sympathize alike with our pleasures and pains, soften our harshness and enliven our melancholy, angel, breathing those soothing accents on to sit by us in sickness as a ministering which we hang entranced, till pain is almost softened into pleasure;-these are but visions; for the number of her follies is so great, her caprices so various, that from reason as well as experience, we might argue in this case, as well [as] every other, that happiness is not a reality but a vision.” (Poor Dr. P.!!!)

Were we not as well when alone? We had

opinions contained in this treatise more This quotation elucidates the mischievous powerfully than any censures; for where is the wretch so dead to all that is elevating, to all that is ennobling in the mind of mau, as to possess a single chord in unison with such detestable anti-social and unnatural doctrines? Nor is his inconsistency less deduced the only source of true pleaglaring upon this subject, for after having sure from the delight afforded by an imagination abstracted and removed from vulgar realities, he gravely informs us that

what we falsely term pleasure is merely an into the hands of some, by pursuing which,
avoidance of pain. But the manner in they will find that pleasure, depending
which this discovery is conveyed to us en- entirely upon the imagination, depends
hances its merit, and it would not be just upon ourselves, and cannot be shut out by
towards the great discoverer unless he were the doors of a dungeon, or lost under the
allowed to explain his own discovery. immense vault of heaven. I hope, also,
"Eating is one of those animal gratifica-that I may induce some to be content with
tions most commonly sought for by epicures; seeking for happiness merely in giving way
yet on what does this depend, but upon the to their imaginations, and never attempting
want of materials to supply the losses by to grasp those pleasures which will prove
the constant friction of our living machine? but phantoms, brilliant indeed to the eye,
This want is intimated to us by the pain but unsubstantial, and sinking into airy no-
called hunger, which is so violent that it thing at the touch.
causes any pain to appear trifling, so that
it may be gratified. It is not because there
is a positive pleasure in the taste, that we
sit down to our meals; but because we
either have that pain upon us, or that we
know by experience that it will come on, if
we do not take a proper nutriment.
Another effect which causes many to take
to this gratification in search of Pleasure,
is its power of stupifying, which, as it ap-
proaches that state just before sleep, allows
phantastic forms to dance, undisturbed by
reason, before our heavy eyes. But even
under all these effects, the great gratifica-
tion sought is the taking away pain."-
(Poor Dr. P.! we say again.)

Poor Dr. P.! we repeat for the third and last time. With too much fancy intellect for a metaphysician, too limited for a philosopher, too little fineness of a perception of the sublime pleasures of nature and of religion for the enjoyment of true happiness; he has floundered through a treatise on a subject above his capacity and comprehension, and, after displaying his acquirements, lost himself in the end at the very point in the labyrinth of error whence he set out.

Swithin, anno 838, William Wykeham, anno 1367, and his successors Cardinal Beaufort and William Wainflete, Langton, Fox, Wolsey, Gardiner, and Hoadley, are well known to English, history and literature.

Mr. Britton seems to have taken great pains to ascertain the precise periods at which the different parts of this Cathedral were built, and, as throwing a light upon the architecture of our ancestors, the critical acumen he has evinced in

this respect, aided by the ingenious Mr. Garbett, is highly to be valued. The parts of the edifice now standing, are chief results are, that the earliest erected the Crypts under the presbytery and ailes, also under De Lucy's work, and some portion of the Chapter House, Transepts, and Tower: these he refers to the age of William I. near the close of the eleventh century. The stalls of the choir, west front, and some windows on the north and south, are of the time (of Edward III., and the nave and ailes

The History and Antiquities of the See and only a few years later. Other parts were But this essay, although it contains many Cathedral Church of Winchester; illus-constructed at perhaps a dozen of diftenets dangerous to the well-being of so- trated with a series of Engravings, &c. [ferent eras, from 1079 to 1627. ciety, is not of a nature to become popular, including Biographical Anecdotes, &c. unless the existing state of things were to Without going into the original or By John Britton, F.S.A. London 1817.fabulous accounts of the foundation of give way to those ideal abstractions of perfection which we are told it is the inevitable 4to. pp. 140. this see, we may notice two or three tendency of pure reason, unfettered by re- To few men is the British public more circumstances connected with its history ligion, or unrestrained by moral obligation, indebted for embalming in the amber of when there appears to be a probability to accomplish. The author is not aware of literature the antiquarian and architec-that the kings and prelates named really the existence of what without torture of tural remains which adorn our island; had an existence, that is, after the Saxon language may be termed susceptibility of for diligent and acute research into what times. About 648 the church was built feeling, or spontaneous emotion, which in is curious and interesting of former and dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul. the breast of a warm-hearted being always. precedes reflection, and, though not always ages; and for the elucidation of subjects The diocese was soon after divided into strictly consonant with worldly prudence, connected with the arts and history of two portions, of which Dorchester had is more honourable to the heart, more pro- Great Britain, than to the author of this the northern part of Wessex, and Winductive of pleasurable emotions for the work. Among his numerous publica-chester the southern. King Egbert, the present, and retrospection for the past, than tions, it is praise enough to say that there first king of all South Britain, was the utmost success proceeding from caution, is not one of superior merit to the pre- crowned at Winchester, and in 854-5 which precludes and is inconsistent with sent, either in the letter-press or in the Ethelwolf executed his famous deed or any other feeling than one of intense self-execution of the plates. Winchester charter for the general establishment of ishness. The greater part of these pages are de-itself is a theme of more than common tithes at the same place. The Cathevoted to exhortations to abstraction from attraction, and is so intimately connect-dral was fortified during the reign of realities, as the only possible pleasure worth ed with remarkable events, as to offer an enjoying in this life; and to this end the ample fund for entertaining information Doctor believes arbitrary and despotic go-even in ordinary hands,-in those of vernments favourable, inasmuch as men's our experienced observer it is unusually minds being less occupied bytopics of general rich and pleasing. interest, are attuned to this state of mental For us, however, to pursue the le-man dynasty 1070-6; and many canons sensuality and enervation. gends in which the early annals of this, promulgated hostile to the Saxon clergy. as well as of every other church, are in-In 1125 several persons were summoned from different parts of the realm to assemble at Winchester to answer certain charges for debasing the current coin ; and all were convicted, and sentenced to lose their right hands. A standard yard measure was settled by the King at this time, and deposited, with other standards of weight and measure, in this city. Among these was the famed Winchester bushel. Bishop Henry de Blois, King

But it is time to wind up this review, which we have had no positive pleasure involved, could be neither profitable nor perusing Dr. Polidori's Essay to arrive at. To us he has failed altogether in the conclusion to which he expresses a hope he has brought his readers, in these words:

amusing to our readers; suffice it to say, that Winchester produced its fair proportion of saints, martyrs, ambitious priests, and learned men. From Birinus, its first Anglo-Saxon Bishop, in the year I have traced the way to lead you in the 635, to the Reverend Father in God right road in the search of pleasure; and Brownlow North, its present venerable that by destroying the illusion of positive possessor, it boasted many distinguished ctive pleasure; I have put a guiding thread | individuals under its mitre. Of these, St.

his successor Ethelbald, and was famous for its resistance to the Danish invaders. The great Alfred was buried here 900-1. The councils for settling the Church were held at Winchester under the new Nor

Stephen's brother, had almost succeeded | travellers; and the business of passports, to admission to paradise. (See page 284

in procuring Winchester to be made an Archbishopric, with Salisbury, Exeter, Wells, Chichester, Hereford, Worcester, and a new See of Hyde Abbey attached to it; but his project ultimately failed, and the city and church suffered so much from the civil and clerical wars of this period, that they never recovered their ancient splendor.

The biographical anecdotes of the Bishops contain a good deal of interesting matter, which relieves the drier inquiries and the technical descriptions.

&c. being arranged, they moved on
through Georgia, at the capital of which,
Teflis, they sojourned a few days, and
were most hospitably entertained, both
by General Koutouzoff and a rich Arme-
nian merchant, simply on account of
being British officers.

To the thirty engravings with which this volume is adorned, we do not feel competent to do justice in language. They are most admirably executed, and were a convulsion of nature to sweep the grand and solemn Cathedral into ruin to-morrow, a perfect idea of it would be preserved in these exquisite plates. The same artists whose talents we have before had reason to praise, are conspicuous here. Mr. J. Le Keux and Mr. R. Sands delight us; the former has a vigour and decision, and the latter a softness and beauty about his graver, that we cannot extol as they deserve Mr. E. Turrell displays great grace, and Messrs. Radclyffe and Edwards have given some interiors in a masterly style. The drawings are mostly by Mr. Edward Blore; and indeed the author has availed himself throughout of the assistance of the ablest coadjutors, whose performances the ablest coadjutors, whose performances are not only honourable to his work, but to themselves and their country.

There are two good and distinct views

of the Font, which has been called the
Crux Antiquariorum, or the puzzle of
antiquaries. Its age, and the purport of
its rude sculpture, are involved in ob-
scurity. Mr. Britton thinks it of Wal-
kelyn's time, previous to 1100, when the
font at East Meon was executed. It is
not however easy to determine such a
point, when either imitation of preceding

pieces, or the inferior skill of a work-
man employed, might lay the foundation
for an erroneons theory. Neither is the
matter of infinite consequence.
We now take leave of a volume in
which both the understanding and the
eye may be fully gratified; and we trust
that when the burthens of Copyright are
taken off works of this valuable kind,
they will not merely give fame, but for-

tune to their meritorious authors.

Lieut. Col. Johnson's Journey overland
from India. 4to.
(Concluded.)

After entering the Russian territories,
the Cossacks were all kindness to the

Georgia abounds in copper, and the manufactory of wares of this metal is greatly encouraged at Teflis. They small field-pieces, under the direction of were casting statues of it, and also an Italian artist. Colonel J. observed fleece, and having nearly the same chaa breed of goats bearing a long silky racteristics as the goats of Kermaun, and probably those of Cashmere. The borders of these countries are a prey to Lesguays, Circassian freebooters, Tchetchensens, and other lawless and hardy tribes,* whose irruptions retard the improvement of this region; but it is anticipated that the strong and vigorous government of Russia will speedily adopt measures to reclaim these banbitti, or put an end to their depredations. Wherever there is a military post, the soldiery are employed in useful public works, and their labours are daily productive of important advantages in this respect.

The roads over Caucasus are good.
Throughout Georgia all persons go
their habitations. Young boys of eight
armed when they have occasion to quit
or ten years of age carry bows and ar-
rows, knives and swords, which they are
thus early taught to use. When a few
years older, they have pistols and mus-
kets, and these weapons are carried even
by persons at the plough. The mail
from Teflis to Mosdok is escorted by a
gun and guard of artillery.

civilization of the neighbouring tribes, is
One of the principal obstacles to the
from the plague. This cuts off all inter-
the persuasion that they are never free
course, and exposed the travellers to a
very rigorous and unpleasant quarantine
on their route to Mosdok, from which
they were only released by the interfer-
ence of the illustrious Platoff, to whom
tion of their wretched plight. We are
they managed to transmit a representa-
sorry we have not room to extract the
very extraordinary account of this in-
fliction, preparatory to the description of
their reception by the brave and liberal
Hetman. It was like a purgatory previous

* Against these there is a chain of Cossack
sentinels, posted in wicker baskets at the top of
of the country, which they descend and alarm on
four long poles, which affords them a command
the approach of danger.

et seq.)

Released, as we have stated, by the kindness of Platoff, and invited to his residence, they performed a rapid journey to the new Capital of the Don Cossacks, of which, and of their hospitable entertainment, we copy the interesting description :

The first aspect of Nova Tsherkask is extremely pleasing, as beheld from the top able eminence, and looks like a vast numof a height where it appears to cover the whole sloping surface of another considerber of little detached villas, or ornamented spaces for squares, and other openings cottages built in lines at right angles, with among them. The churches, of which there are several, are all in open areas or squares, and the houses are built fronting toward them, which seems an excellent arrangement, and worthy of being adopted in nearly new, and looks clean and regular. other towns. The whole of this capital is

gress, but as yet unfinished, a kind of At the entrance, there is now in protriumphal arch of considerable height, with columns, ornamented with pediments, on which statues are to be placed. They are erecting this in honour of the Emperor Alexander, who is expected here, and to well as all the inhabitants, are enthusiastiwhom, as I am informed, the Cossacks, as cally attached.

July 31st.-On our arrival at the town we were taken to an exceedingly good house of two stories, in a large square, and three family there resident retiring to the other of the best rooms in their furnished state were given up for our accommodation, the side of the house. Here we were soon visited by Count Platoff's Secretary, who, by his desire, acquainted us that he regretted that his country house was too small to admit of his receiving us there, particularly as he had given up a part of it to Mr. Strachey, who had arrived in ill health a few days before us; but he begged that we would he afterwards supplied to us most abunand whatever provisions we wanted. These allow him to send us wine, bread, game, our victuals. The Count also ordered a dantly, and the people of the house dressed guard of a non-commissioned officer and six men to mount guard at our place of abode, to carry letters for us, and to attend to all our wishes. We thus found ourselves most comfortably settled, and attended upon nearly. free of all expense.

infirm state of health, and extremely weak, Count Platoff was at this time in a very yet his time was entirely devoted to public affairs, to which he is in the habit of attending principally at night, snatching a few moments of slumber when nature rethan his officers return to him to receive quires it; but he is no sooner awake again orders, and resume the transaction of business.

At his country house reside three English ladies, one of them a protégée of his, and the others her two friends: there is

also a Mr. Wood, whose principal business, I believe, is to attend to the Count's stud of brood horses, which, I am informed, are well worth seeing. He is also a companion to the ladies. As the Count is fond of the English, and shows them every possible attention, he will probably have many to settle here at no very distant period. A watch-maker, who speaks English well, is now established at Novo Tsherkask. There are many shops for all articles of cloth, iron and tin-wares, cutlery, earthen-ware, furs, &c. The market which they occupy is covered over, after the manner of the Persian bazars. Its roof at present is merely of wood, but no doubt, as the population augments, it will be permanently con

structed of stone.

Here, as at many other Cossack towns and villages, there is evidently a greater proportion of women and children than of men, which may be accounted for by the absence of the latter as soldiers, and also by the losses which the Don Cossacks sustained in the late glorious struggle against the French. It must be observed, that every Cossack, whether shopkeeper or artisan, is a military man, and that no proportion of the male population was exempted from attending the first of all military duties on that dreadful but honourable occasion.

The profession of arms being thus general, is the reason also that a greater proportion of the oldest men are left at home; and this class alone accumulates; consequently they have now as many generals and colonels as subalterns. Within the town there are twenty general officers.

The men and women all dress in long upper garments; the men wear a thick woollen great-coat or cloak, with a little cap; the women have a dress somewhat resembling a night-gown, opening down in front, under which appear a pair of loose drawers. The upper garment is made either of silk, damask, satin, or coloured cotton. On their heads they wear a knitted cap, of the same form as a night-cap, having two stripes, or being otherwise ornamented with coloured figures on the top. This is secured to the head by a coloured handkerchief bound tight round the forehead, the long corners being left to fall down the back. All young women, who have not been married, wear their hair plaited down the back, in the manner of the Indians; but those who are or have been married, exhibit no such streamer; yet the handkerchief (perhaps purposely) is so attached that the corners hang low down behind, and thus an observer is left in uncertainty as to their youth and state in life, until he obtains a nearer inspection of the person.

All articles of subsistence are very cheap here, and of good quality, as bread, milk, meat, grain, and fish, which is very fine indeed. They prepare, but I believe in this place only, clouted cream, like that made in Devonshire and in Ireland, which is a favourable luxury. They have fruit also for sale, but in no great abundance or variety; as the town augments in the

course of time, a greater quantity of dif-
ferent sorts will probably be grown. The
bread, which is in exceedingly large round
and flat loaves, is very superior, and the
wines of the Don, resembling champagne in
flavour, are acknowledged to be good. Su-
gar, tea, coffee, and almost every other ar-
ticle of consumption in use among us, may
be had here in plenty, and of good quality:
in short, a traveller may at this place pro-
vide himself with a complete supply of all
the various articles which he may require
on his journey.

general officers, the commandant of the garrison, the secretary, the two aides-decamp, two other officers, the post-master, and another gentleman.

The Hetman seemed to take pleasure in copying the English, even in their custom of dining late in the evening, and in the mode in which the repast was served up. At the ends of the table there were soups, fish, and meat; and in the middle were made dishes, sweetmeats covered with coloured salads. Every thing was served in plate. The Count himself did the honours The features of the Don Cossacks are in of his own table; first undergoing the fageneral of the Chinese, or rather the Ma-tigue of helping every one to soup, somelay cast; the distinctive characteristics times even in the silver plates, which were being small eyes and high cheek-bones. too hot to hold without pain. After the The women have little that is feminine in soups, the different dishes of meat, &c. their appearance; and they are said to be were brought round to each guest, ready ill-natured and shrewish in their tempers, cut up after the Russian usage. After paralways aiming to rule at home. They have taking of various things before us, the hosall broad features, and are of a strong ro- pitable veteran remarked to me that I had bust make; many of them are of a form the portrait of His Royal Highness the decidedly masculine and large, not easily Prince Regent on my wine-glass, and that distinguished from men by a stranger, to his health I could not refuse to drink a from their abominable custom of flattening little of the wine of the Don, which he asthe shape of their bosoms; and as they sured me was wholesome, and would do have no cincture round the waist, the me much inore good than water. Although loose wrapper or gown is incompatible I had not for nearly twenty years been in with that tightness and neatness of appear- the custom of taking any wine, I replied, ance for which the females of our own that on this occasion I would do all in my country are so much admired. In this power to obey his wishes, and filled my loose and ungainly attire, the Cossack wo- glass. Fortunately, the wine, which to my men, with their broad coarse features, have taste was delicious, was very light, and a disagreeable masculine appearance. In much resembled champagne in its sparkshort, their dresses and customs exhibit a ling effervescence. Having once begun, it grotesque mixture of Moorish and Rus- was not possible for me to excuse myself, sian. and I drank several glasses to different toasts, among which was one to the Emperor of Russia, from a glass that stood before the Count, which he handed to me, having His Majesty's portrait. His British Majesty's health I also joined in. Our own healths,individually, were also toasted, and those of the general officers and of all the company. We lastly proposed to drink the Count's health with long life to him, to which I added a hope that he would see the Cossack families who had lost their men in the cause of their country augmented to double the numbers they possessed before the war. After all, and on breaking up, the Count gave us one from himself, which was, "The whole of the British nation, his friends, and the sincere friends of Russia.' We then retired to the varanda for the sake of the cool air. The small handsome octagon room in which we had dined stood scparate from the wings of the residence, and was connected with them merely by covered alleys of grape-vines. The private apartments formed one very extensive wing to the right; that on the left contained probably apartments for the officers of his staff, with subordinate rooms and out-offices. On the brow of a hill on our right, as we went to dine, I observed a temple apparently of an octagonal form, the road to which was through a vineyard. The buildings composing the mansion enclose an area within which the carriage turned, and drew up at the central part of the house. The front of the oblong quadrangle is

August 1st.-At five in the evening one of Count Platoff's carriages and four, in which was his secretary, came to take us to his country seat to dine with him. This residence we found to be situated three miles distant, on the acclivity of a hill rising from the Uksye river, which now proves to be only another channel or back-water from the Don at Old Tsherkask. On our arrival we were introduced to the fine old Count, who expressed his utmost pleasure on seeing so many English at his house; and during a long conversation carried on in French, on our part, through the secre tary, who interpreted to him in Russ, dwelt all the time on the very great honours and attention which he had received from the English while in England, and testified in strong terms his friendship for that nation. In the course of this interview liqueurs were brought, of two kinds, red and white, which were offered to us in small glasses, according to the universal custom in Russia, and were handed round to the rest of the company, consisting of general officers covered with stars and crosses of merit, old veterans with white hair and mustachios. We sat at this time in an open varanda which encompassed the Count's private apartments. Dinner being announced, we followed the Count to the octagon room in which it was served up. Of the party, besides Mr. Strachey, Captain Salter, and myself, there were two