176 ART. III. The Odd Volume. London: Longman & Co. Third Edition. 8vo. 10s. 6d. pp. 375. 1827. The Odd Volume. Second Series. 8vo. 10s. 6d. pp. 381. London: Longman & Co. 1827. It would appear to have been the purpose of the author, or rather the authors, of these volumes, to get together as great a number of national tales as the limits of their plan would allow. With these they have mingled several traditions of the north of Europe. They appear, in truth, to be particularly erudite in the biography of every goblin of repute that has figured in Germany: they intermingle, without scruple, the familiar with the wild and wonderful: they produce the most fantastic combinations of the terrible and the jocular. Nature, however, is by no means neglected-a just regard is also paid to the laws of probability; and, save where a decent attention to the sorrows of others suspends it, a buoyant spirit generally pervades these stories, which gives them a charm beyond mere intricacy of plot, or even boldness and individuality of character. The merit of which we now speak is particularly conspicuous in the Legends of Number-Nip.' These are constructed on some of the well-known exploits of that celebrated personage—a gnome of as wickedly humorous propensities as any fairy that ever sprung a mine beneath a hay-stack, or spitefully arrested an undershot-mill in any parish in Devonshire. The two first legends possess, to our taste, all the preternatural attractions of a well-appointed pantomime. The animated pumpkins-the intelligent caudle-cup, enact such wonders as a very considerable bounty only could ensure for a Christmas pageant at the most legitimate of our theatres. The Third Legend exhibits Number-Nip in the copious enjoyment of a sort of retributive freak on the person of a poor student in Silesia. Rolf, for so the young gentleman was called, had the ill luck to enter into a conspiracy against his professor, which succeeds in placing the worthy pedagogue in a situation too ridiculous to be patiently borne by all the philosophy that was ever acquired at a university. This was an infringement of his patent which NumberNip was not Christian enough to forgive; but, for this turn, he gave the priority of vengeance to the degraded professor. Poor Rolf was expelled from the gymnasium; remittances from his distant friends were stopped; and he had now to meditate upon the way and the means of getting, not a theme, but a dinner for the day. Ruminating on this very interesting subject, he accidentally approached the market-place. The busy throng had dispersed. A few stragglers only remained, who with hungry eyes were viewing the tempting morsels. A sudden thought struck Rolf. He boldly advanced, and taking one of the people aside, whispered to him that he was sent at that quiet hour by the celebrated Doctor Addlebrain, to purchase the tail and the two hind hoofs of an ox, as the doctor had discovered, that by calcining these substances along with the back bone of an ass, he would obtain a powder which would be an infallible cure for gout, palsy, pestilence, in short a panacea for every ill. Before taking out a patent for this wonderful discovery, the doctor wished to make a final experiment, and for that purpose had sent him to purchase the necessary articles. As the butcher was well aware that a gout-extirpating powder would be in great demand among the rich burgomasters, he was perfectly overjoyed at the news, and handled the before despised hoofs as if they were shod with gold and studded with nails of silver. He lugged out the whole assortment of tails, and entreated Rolf to take his choice. With a countenance of immovable gravity, Rolf examined and criticised them, and at length chose one of a jet black colour, with hoofs to suit. The rejected tails were laid carefully aside; Rolf's offered payment was declined; and the butcher, slipping a dollar into his hand, begged his interest with Doctor Addlebrain. Rolf gave him a patronising nod; and having packed his purchase, he took it up, and drawing his cloak over it, walked deliberately away.'-pp. 129, 130. Thus equipped, Rolf betook him to the Golden Eagle, the supreme hotel of the town-there to accomplish one of the most astonishing feats of which impudence is capable—namely, to obtain a succession of such luxuries as supper, bed, and breakfast, each in its proper season; and, under the eyes of his landlord, to walk out of the house next morning without paying a farthing for his entertainment. 'Sounds of mirth and revelry were still heard in the inn of The Golden Eagle, when Rolf knocked loudly at the door, which noise brought out the portly landlord, and some of his satellites. The noble bearing of our student, his free and manly air, impressed mine host with the conviction that this new guest was one of Fortune's favoured sons, and already in imagination he fingered the ducats which he hoped would soon be transferred from the stranger's pocket into his own. Snatching up two wax candles, he stepped with officious zeal before the youth, and ushering him into a handsome apartment, offered to disencumber him of his cloak. Rolf waved him off with a haughty air, and in a deep and solemn tone pronounced the word, "Supper!" The obsequious landlord disappeared, but soon after returned, bearing a lordly dish of smoking viands, and followed by two domestics loaded with other delicacies. While the servants arranged the repast, Rolf patted his dog, (Number-Nip, who for a season assumed that shape), bestowing on him one or two muttered monosyllables of notice; and when all was announced to be ready, he placed himself at table, waved his hand, and said sternly, Begone!" The landlord looked to the servants, and the servants to the landlord; but there could be no disputing with one who seemed accustomed to command, and without loss of time they all retired. So soon as the room was cleared, Rolf began to the repast, to which he did ample justice; he then gaily quaffed the generous wine, and finished this first act of the farce with smoking a cigar. At the first sound of the bell, the obedient landlord started into the room. Rolf gave a long, loud yawn, which was enough for the observant Boniface, who, taking up a pair of candles, marshalled his silent guest into a commodious bedchamber. Rolf flung himself carelessly on a couch, without noticing that the useful personage called Boots stood ready to receive his commands. His silent humour by this time being well known through the whole house, when he threw out a leg, our friend Boots thought it a signal for him to do his duty; and so anxious was he to show his zeal, in the hope of participating in the bounty of the stranger, Rolf's boot was half-way off before he seemed to know anything of the matter. The moment, however, he was aware of the transaction, he lent his officious valet such a hearty cuff, as sent him reeling to the other side of the room, and a single stamp of his foot, cleared it of all intruders. Rolf having fastened the door, indulged himself in an extravagant fit of laughter. Loud and long were the peals, which, contrasting so strangely with his previous taciturnity, froze the blood of every man, woman, and child, within the precincts of The Golden Eagle. Rolf went to bed, and slept soundly till a late hour, when he arose and equipped himself for the second act of the farce; which completed, he unfastened the door, rung the bell violently, then jumped again into bed, leaving one hoof peeping carelessly from under the bed-clothes. On a servant entering the room, Rolf called out, "Breakfast;" but so soon as the appalling sight met his eyes, the horror-struck domestic rushed down stairs, nor paused till he found himself in the kitchen, the door of which he bolted behind him. "What, in the name of wonder," exclaimed the landlady," is the meaning of this uproar? You come tumbling in here as if Number-Nip were at your heels." ""Talk not of heels!" ejaculated the servant; "talk not of heels-I say he hath hoofs !" "Who has hoofs, blockhead?" demanded the enraged landlady. "Hast been at the bottle already, sot? I must beat this evil practice out of you-a drunkard neglects every thing. Up, booby, and see what the stranger gentleman wants-don't you hear how furiously he is ringing? No one rings in the Golden Eagle in that manner without paying for it." "I will not hold converse with The Enemy," said the terrified domestic. ""Dolt! fool! you shall be well punished for this freak. Go up instantly," bawled she to another servant," and ask what the gentleman wants." ⚫ The man obeyed; but by this time Rolf had both legs hanging out of bed, and his dog growled from beneath it. In a second the servant came back yelling with affright. "I think you are all possessed this morning; such conduct is enough to drive a woman distracted. Call in my husband." 'Boniface appeared, and the matter was laid before him. It might well have discomposed the equanimity of any host in the city to find a pair of unseemly hoofs in his very best bed; and accordingly this disapprobation showed itself in his bristling hair, pale cheek, and chattering teeth. "Heaven grant me patience!" exclaimed the wife. "Are you also frightened by a bugbear? Go up this moment, or "I am going, my love; I am going. I only wait to change my coat, and put on a better vest, and "Do you hear that, Nincompoop?" cried the Frau, as another peal rung in her ears. "Off with you this instant, before we are all deafened with the noise." "I am going, sweetest, but I must have all the servants with me. If our guest is the person I suspect him to be, he is accustomed to many attendants." Accordingly the whole posse was mustered. Boniface, in the humility of his heart, wished to resign the post of honour; but his troop used such pressing arguments to induce him to be their leader, it was quite impossible to resist them. He therefore stepped slowly on, followed by the three waiters, the hostlers, boots, the stable-boy, and the scullion, all holding by each other. The party paused at the back of the door to take breath, and there came another furious peal. They were just on the point of running down stairs, when the hostess thundered out," What are you about there? must I come up?" 'Boniface cast a rueful glance at his followers, which was as much as to say, that will never do. A general groan attested their apprehension of her weighty arguments, and, driven to despair, Boniface boldly threw open the door. "The stranger had now thrust out of bed not only two hoofs, but a long black tail, which he whisked about in a paroxysm of rage; and had anything been wanting to complete their consternation, it was supplied by Number-Nip, who, counterfeiting the utmost degree of canine vociferation, sprung towards the door. It was too much-the whole troop faced about, and in their flight Boniface fell upon the waiters, they on the hostlers, the hostlers on boots, boots on the stable-boy, who overset the scullion, and they all rolled down stairs, fighting and scuffling who should get first into the kitchen. Three stuck in the door-way, but were quickly dislodged by their compeers behind, and they all bolted into the kitchen, and barricadoed the door behind them. • Consternation reigned in the inn of the Golden Eagle, from the cellar to the garret. The guests were all ringing to know the cause of the uproar. The landlady railed at the servants, who refused to leave their entrenchment; and Boniface prudently counterfeited a swoon, from which all the kicks and cuffs plentifully bestowed on him by his active spouse failed to recall him. At length snatching up a tray, and exclaiming," Should he be the devil himself he shall have his breakfast, if he pays for it," this termagant boldly marched up stairs. 'On reaching the apartment, she found her guest seated at table waiting for breakfast, who, after paying her the compliments of the morning, with grave courtesy, motioned her to set down the repast. The landlady obeyed, and in doing so, glanced under the table; but nothing was to be seen there, except a pair of very handsome unbooted legs. Under pretext of adjusting the window-curtains, she made a detour to the rear, but with no better success; and she then walked down stairs, thoroughly persuaded that all those marvellous stories had originated in the ale flagon. 'Having finished breakfast, Rolf slowly descended the stairs, and at the same moment the carriage of the proud and rich Baroness Liebenstein drove up to the door. Instantly all was bustle within The Golden Eagle. Out rushed the landlady, the waiters, and the hostlers; and into the kitchen stepped Rolf, with purse in hand. Boniface stood trembling be fore him. His profferred payment was timidly rejected; and in a voice almost inaudible from agitation, Boniface begged him to accept of his poor entertainment, adding, that he considered the honour of his company sufficient compensation. "Nay, nay," quoth Rolf, advancing as the other retreated, "this must not be. At least accept of this purse you know not how much it will oblige me," "Heaven defend me! Tempt me not! Avaunt, I say!" cried the horror-struck landlord. But on observing our hero's well-feigned astonishment, dropping on his knees, he added, "Your excellency must excuse me; I am under a vow not to touch money this blessed day." 6.66 Nay, then, there is no help for it," said Rolf with the utmost urbanity; but henceforth you may rely on my patronage;" saying which, he gaily bade good morning, and left the house, leaving Boniface cursing the hour he entered it.'-pp. 130-137. The remaining portion of this story does not equal, in comic force, the scene which we have just been laughing at. The embarrassments into which the student is drawn by the unrelenting Number-Nip, are certainly very inconvenient for the time; but he is finally removed from them and restored to happiness. Differing essentially from these stories, in structure and execution, the Widow's Nuptials' calls forth all our tenderest sympathies. The plot is a common one, but it is managed in the detail with a spirit and originality, which communicate their character to the whole frame-work of the piece. It reminds the reader forcibly of the tragedy of Isabella; and, as is the case in that drama, calamity here accumulates on calamity until the mind is painfully filled by a climax of disasters. The whole tale is written with remarkable energy. If we were captiously disposed, we might object to the title of The Widow's Nuptials,' as it leads to the expectation that the marriage ceremony is to produce either the catastrophe, or at least some important event in the story. This, however, is not the case. The widow is married in the usual way, and nothing of consequence occurs to any party until long after the period of the nuptials.' The second series contains five tales, and two dramatic pieces. Of the latter we may charitably say, that their briefness forms one of the most acceptable qualities which they possess. This volume will, we think, be considered inferior, though in a moderate degree, to its predecessor. It is wholly destitute of those pieces of a purely humorous character in which the forte of at least one of the authors chiefly lies. The first tale, Mrs. Margaret Twinstoun,' derives its materials from an interesting epoch of Scottish historythe period that is cotemporary with the reign of our Elizabethwhen such was the barbarous spirit which animated the Caledonian nobles, that all their exercises were rendered subservient to the gratification of personal revenge; and when even the authority of the court was exercised in vain, to curb the excesses into which that passion constantly urged them against each other. The story |