except professional devotees, ever attempt reaching the holy place. market will ever be overstocked by the ge- This scarcity, however, and the high price ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the Literary Gazette. It is customary that those who have lost their father and mother, or either of these, shall be shaved at this spot; and it was curious to observe the whimsical changes produced by the operation, which numbers underwent. It appears also, that one chief ordinance was the going frequently round the holy temple; and we particularly observed that those who were noted as the greatest rogues were most forward in this pious ex-enced persons can ever detect the fraud.rably improved, printed in 1817), and I do ercise; one man in particular, who had been a notorious thief, was unwearied in his per severance. Descending from these holy heights, we shall not further extend this paper than by adding a few notices of natural history. In the woody regions many animals abound; but the following are the most remarkable :— mon sort of deer, which we frequently saw Is Debrett's Peerage the most accurate record we have of the present state of the nobility of the kingdom? If it be, the peerage, I must say, is most miserably recorded. I have just been looking over his list of the Irish peers (in the eleventh edition considenot think I overstep the modesty of calculation, when I assert that it contains at least as many errors as there are articles. It would take a little too much room to prove this of examples, selected almost at random. assertion at length; but I shall give a couple Musk-pads are generally sent to the rajah, or chief man of a district, either as nuzzurs, or at a certain valuation, as a portion of trihute. Some fall into the hands of the this article, as well as opium, iron, and Bunyas, from the low country, who take other commodities, in payment for their Vol. 2. p. 989. We are informed that goods, such as cloth, sugar, and other ma- Thomas, 27th baron Howth, married in nufactured articles, and these persons sell it 1750, Isabella, the Earl of Kingston's sister, at a great profit in the plains. It is highly who died in 1794: and that his second son, Deer are numerous, and of various kinds. prized as a medicine as well as a perfume. Thomas, was born in 1795. This, is I think, The most curious and worthy of attention is, It is also smoked by the luxurious debau- an important fact in midwifery. But let, perhaps, the musk-deer. It is an animal by chees in hookahs, in which way it acts as a that pass. This son Thomas is at present no means common in any situation, but keeps strong stimulant; but only men of great bishop of Cork and Ross; and if the above entirely to the most inaccessible and remote wealth can afford this fascinating drug. It date of his birth be correct, he must have heights, among rocks and forests that defy also invariably forms a part of the offering pre-made good use of his time. A bishop and the foot of man. They cannot endure heat, sented from inen of rank to their superiors, doctor of divinity long before twenty, he and several young ones which were presented as a muzzur, or to their equals, as a usual to- may almost rival the most striking examples to us invariably perished, after being exposed ken of regard. The name by which the animal of precocity or nepotism but when we find for a few days to the warinth of a lower re- is known in the hills is custoree, and the (p. 990) that he has 8 children, one married gion. The figure of the musk-deer is some-drug also obtains that appellation. A com- in 1805, consequently when her father was what singular. It attains the size of a fallow only ten years of age, and another (a clerdoe, or small buck, and its body and legs gymnan too) in 1816, in his father's 21st year, are completely those of a deer. The head, we must confess that miracles have not yet however, bears some resemblance to that of ceased. Again we are told (p. 990), that a hog; the eye is black and full, but not so Lord Howth's eldest daughter, Isabella, was large as that of a deer usually is; and the married in 1773 to Lord Sidney, who died sharp snout and wrinkled countenance gives in 1744 without issue, which last circumit a considerable resemblance to a pig's head, stance I do not much wonder at, as he did which is rendered more remarkable by the not think proper to marry until 29 years two tusks that project from the upper jaw, after his death. Her mother I confess, as and hang, pointing downward, considerably We frequently saw the horns of an animal, we have seen already, had a son a year after over the lower; and their colour is dark a mixed species of deer, that were singular her decease: this however being I imagine brown. It is commonly known that the in their form and appearance. They grew a rare case, ought not to be drawn into a musk is contained in a liquid state in a small near each other at the base, curving very precedent. But this family seems to have bag near the navel of the animal. When it much backward, and receding from each a fancy for marriage after death, as we find is caught, this bag is taken just as it is found, other gradually. The exterior curved side (p. 990) the next daughter, Elizabeth, marand cut from the beast while yet alive. A is divided from the root to the point by raised ried in 1806, to Sir P. A. Irving, although small hollow reed is inserted into it that the articulations, two or three inches distant the same grave authority informs us she died musk may not suffer, as it would be apt to from each other; and when they are of a in 1799. This is a very authentic history; do, from want of air; and the whole is tied middling size they are at least three feet and I can assure your readers it would not around with a sinew of the animal. In this long. The animal to which they belong is be hard to find other tales as astonishing. state, when it has dried, which it does in the described by the natives as resembling the shape of small brown grains, it is sold to-goat in appearance as well as the deer, but gether with the skin for about twice its weight in silver. It is said that the animal must be caught alive in order to obtain its musk. Should it be shot, the drug (it is affirmed) is absorbed into the body, and consequently not only lost, but the animal is rendered uneatable. The great value of the article makes the animal an object of great request. Whenever, therefore, it is understood that a musk-deer has been seen on any particular hill, the whole country is turned out, to hunt him down. This alone would tend to create scarcity of the animal; and if it is as rare in the hills to the south eastward, and on the opposite side of the Himala range, as it is in that portion between the Sutlej and Alacnunda, there is little danger that the more particularly the former. That it is of It is probable that we shall return to Let us turn to Lord Clarina. There we learn (p. 1267) that Nathaniel William, the 2d Lord, was born in 1796, married Penelope, daughter of M. R. Nertropp Esq., had a daughter in 1797, and a son, (the present Lord Clarina) in 1798, beside other children, and died a Lieutenant General in 1810, aged of course 14 years. This is rapid promotion, and beats the old story of the Captain crying for his pap. Besides, he thinks fit to inform us that Penelope, Baroness Clarina, died in 1815. This I am happy to contradict; her ladyship is still in the precincts of this world, and if health, good humour, and good looks, give any reason to expect a long life, I know nobody more likely to bid fair for it. Is not this scandalous carelessness? I have taken but two cases; but I could increase the list a hundred fold with ease. It certainly noblemen and gentlemen :— is treating the purchasers very cavalierly, and | D. C. L. was conferred on the following June 1, 1820. P. P. P. ARTS AND SCIENCES. SHIPS' CARGOES. Mayence, 16th May. New Invention.-It has often been a subject of complaint, that there was no method that could be wholly depended upon for ascertaining the amount of the cargo which a vessel is able to contain, and also to discover the exact weight of the cargo. Mr. Jacob Reitmayer, a mechanist of this city, has succeeded in remedying this defect, by means of a new invention, a model of which has been presented to the central committee for regulating the navigation of the Rhine, now sitting here. This machine resembles in its principles the platforms used on land for weighing waggons, &c. It is built in the water, at a place where the depth is always the same, whither the ships, when empty, are brought, and you may tell with the greatest accuracy, by means of a scale (or scales) at the sides of the machine, how high and broad the vessel is, and what is its weight in the water when empty. As the scale is calculated upon hydraulic principles, from decimeter to decimeter, according to the make of the ship in its cubic contents, and according to the buoyant power of the water, nothing more is necessary than to place the vessel, when loaded, in the machine, which will immediately shew the weight of the vessel and cargo, from which the weight of the vessel when unloaded is to be deducted Lord Apsley, Lieutenant General Lord And the Honorary Degree of M. A. on After the above Gentlemen were presented weian Oration was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Amphietyonici constitutio, et quam vim in Latin Verse. in remembrance of one the Literature of this Country was raised the room of the late Count Volney, the FINE ARTS. ROYAL ACADEMY. (Conclusion.) Exhibition at Somerset House by a general tailed examination. There are, however, a Mr. Michell's foundation. English Essay." On the influence of the Drama."-Alexander Macdonnell, M.A. Student of Christ Church. SIR ROGER NEWDIGATE'S PRIZE. English Verse." The Temple of Diana at Ephesus."-William Ewart, Commoner of Christ Church. CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 16. for the present year were on Saturday last FOR THE GREEK ODE.-Mnuoouvn. Measurement of the Meridian in Ger- The Danish General Post Office has given orders that a meridian line shall be drawn in all the towns of Denmark, for the purpose of accurately ascertaining the hour of the day. LEARNED SOCIETIES. OXFORD, JUNE 17. In the Convocation holden in the Theatre on Wednesday, the Honorary Degree of FOR THE LATIN EPIGRAM :-Impransi dis- ety observed its anniversary on Saturday last, To the Memory in the Abbey of Westminister. No. 439. 545. Two Views in Gloucester shire.-G. Samuel. and remind us forcibly of Beattie's fine lines, These are sweet transcripts from nature, by placing before our eyes "the pomp of groves and garniture of fields," the refreshing which the eye reposes with so much delight. and all those lovely features of landscape on semblance of the translucentAvon and Severn, No. 240. The Thames near Battersea.-J. Wilson. within a very short period. No. 11. The Travelling Tinker.-W. Kidd. Another artist of rising merit, who demend to him to select subjects of familiar ingury on his first appearance. We recomserves favourable notice, for fulfilling our auterest-next to portrait, the most profitable branch of art, at the present era. No. 10. An Approach to a Greek Town. 453. Landscape Composition.-Joseph Gandy. A. Magnificent ideas of this eminent architectural draughtsman. We should imagine his portfolio to be a very dangerous subject for a man of fortune; for we never experience the building mania so strong as when contemplating his designs. No. 72. The Garden of Fyz Ali Khan, at As usual, Mr. Daniell transports us to the No. 332. Discount Duncan ; 33. Alexander the general effects powerful, as well as Orient, and we become familiar with the -80 826. 853. Enamels.-C. Muss. These barely sustain Mr. Muss's reputation; for, though exceedingly well done, he had taught us to expect something still more No. 95. View of Conyngsburgh Cliff, and part of the scenery in Ivanhoe.-R. Dagley. A small picturesque little scene, which interests us from its identifying the description of the northern minstrel. No. 96. Evening View.-C. Bayley, II. This is a very pretty amateur landscape. 113. Study of a Sheep from Nature.-C. Cranmer. Excellently done. No. 154. The Birth of Venus.-I. Howard, R. A. We do not find that Mr. Howard has here No. 344. The Green Grocer; 618. The remarkable. 918. Public Buildings.—S. Smirke. A very grand piece of design. 935. Perspective elevation of a Design for a national Triumphal Building.-R. Reid. Also a striking ornament to the library. In the sculpture room, Hero and Leander, No. 349. A Landscape and Figures: 425. by Westmacott; Jacob wrestling, by Gott, The Cobler's Bird in Danger.-S. Wood-(which obtained the prize medal; 1033. in, Jun. Bust, by Milligan and among the paintings Another young artist, whom we have be-above, some by R. Hills, Hobday, G. Manton, fore noticed with praise. He has studied the Dutch masters to advantage, and produces very neat pictures. No. 377. The Thistle and the As8, from Esop.-E. Landseer. Mrs. Carpenter, H. B. Chalon, Christmas, Lonsdale, Drummond, &c. &c. deserve more particular notice than we can allot to them. All that we have to add is, the hope that the exhibition of 1821 may far excel that of 1820. MR. GRATTAN'S BUST. Mr. Landseer has, we flatter ourselves, taken the hint from the Literary Gazette in selecting Esop for subjects suited to his peculiar and distinguished talent. Were he to The death of Mr. Grattan, and the general paint no more than this picture it would do feelings of admiration for his memory, which him credit; but we look to the same source will probably induce many persons to prefor many more performances of high charac-serve his likeness, would have reminded us ter in their class. No. 406, Pointers, by the same, are admi- exhibited some years since at the Royal Acaof the fine bust of that patriotic individual, rable. -C. M. Powell. A good likeness of Mr. Vansittart, and No. 398. Una, &c.-J. Severn. No. 384. Entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.demy, by Mr. Turnerelli, had it not been 207. The Duke of Gloucester-G. Beechey. No. 287.Study from Nature in the Coliseum. -H. Irvine. the Almanach des Gourmands! His soul seems inspired by his body-we have seen nothing but stuffing from his pencil for these two years. Perhaps it is his health that If all Mr. Irvine's studies are thus direct-is drunk at Mr. Coke's sheep-feasts, "feeding ed, and thus executed, we will venture to assure him no mean rank in his profession. No. 297. Portrait of a Gentleman.-A. J. Oliver, A. There is generally an appearance of truth about Mr. Oliver's portraits, which makes us believe they are good likenesses. Such is the present, which is also a well disposed and well-toned head. No. 330. Dr. Sangrado Practising Physic, from Gil Blas.-F. P. Stephanoff. theless, a good representation of a good larder. No. 593, Mrs. S. Cookson, Newcastle.-E A portrait not well seen where it is placed, No. 600. Portrait —S. Lane, We observe an engraving of Mr. Grattan in the print-shops, which is, if we We may repeat the same remark on this R-gh, whether Rolinda Sharples be an asWe cannot tell our Correspondent, T. clever portrait; but Mr. Lane is more for-sumed or real name. The picture, (the Market) tunate in having others better exhibited. to which it is attached in the exhibition, appear610. Portrait of Sir J. Boyd, and other Mi-ed to us to be a remarkable labour for a female niatures.-J. Steele. hand, and we noticed it in our review accordCarefully finished, and displaying muchingly. We observe other pictures, and both a taste. The colours are well chosen, and town and country address, in the catalogue. mistake not, from Mr. Pope's small likeness. Accessible to age, and youth, Soon as thy fairy form 1 viewed It is younger in appearance than we remem- In frowning winter's stormiest nights. The infant god my heart subdued. ber Mr. G.; but the attitude is very like, While turning o'er thy first essay, 2. In blazing day as faints the flow'r and the general air and resemblance striking. My heart so warmly feels its spell, I sink and wither in his power'; My dream of extacy is o'er, The thanks which thou hast won so well. Thy faithless heart is mine no more. interior of Iridia, we have a letter from the Such pictures,-whether they describe 3. If thee, alas, I should remindIn truth's own simple eloquence, No more, no more, my frantic mind! Camp at Bilsah, of the 1st of March, which The frolics of a youthful tribe, Can it be so ? Could she deceive ? furnishes us with the following information : Happy in early innocence; In vain I love, in vain I grieve. “ Near our Camp, says the writer, there In whose bright eyes the vivid gleam The Original in English Letters. is a great curiosity, which was found out by Of Home's lov'd fire-side gaily glances ; 1. Chéndana gún,di née palukbo accident, after we had been here some tine. While the more mild and chasten'd beam 2. Sátyamatántsu madimm dalinchée It is a large solid dome, enclosed by a most From older ones—their mirth enhancess-3. Hee sundaramyna ménoo ganée extraordinary stone fence,with four gateways, which are carved in the most beautiful man Or whether they portray, the charm 4. Chilka, hojéerani bádha Kénoo Which erst o'er Cowper's spirit stole; 5. Poo ts andamu srúkki tapamuná mer you can imagine. It must be very ancient When evening's pensive, soothing calm 6. Sháyyaku rámmani bilvabámpinámm indeed, as no artist of the present age could Sheds its own stillness o'er the soul; 7. Múndati bréti yumm zániye execute such sculpture. The gates are sup 8. Such pictures do not merely pass Moodhamatée, ninoo ? daltsavatss uná! ported by four figures, which are inimitably Before the eye, -and fade in air; This language is, for its sweetness and done, bending seemingly under the weight of Like summer-showers on new-mown grass, harmony, called the Italian of India , and, their loads, and their countenances expres- They call back living freshness there.. when properly pronounced, has a good claim sing pain. These statues support numerous Aye! e'en to lonely hearts, which feel to that name. C. P. B. other figures of naked women, and devices of That such things were, and now are not, all kinds, such as Romans cars drawn by Not poignant, only, their appeal, BIOGRAPHY. horses with men on them, elephants, &c. But fraught with bliss, yet unforgot. An immense concourse of people are repre- Yes, bliss !--for joys so calm, and pure, Sir Joseph BANKS.-This distinguished sented going in procession to an exact model Leave blessings with the heart they bless’d; 1 person died on Monday, the 19th, at his of the temple, or whatever it has been meant And still unchangeably endure, house, Spring Grove, near Hounslow. He for. The natives say nothing of its origin or E'en when not actually possess'd. was a Member of the Privy Council, a Bause, except that it was built by the devil. For thee, my friend ! if wish of mine, ronet, a Grand Cross of the Bath, President They assert likewise that there was a spring, A bard obscure, could call down bliss; of the Royal Society, and member of most in which if any person bathed they were Could I implore for thee, or thine, of the principal scientific and literary instituturned into stone-which accounts for the A more delightful boon than this? tions in the world. Sir Joseph had attained numerous figures of men and women. The Than--that my mother's green old age, the patriarchal age of eighty; during the far - figures are superior to any thing I have else- May be her child's, or children's too; greater portion of which long life, he dewhere seen in India. Bilsah is a large town, And that each charm that decks thy page, voted himself and a liberal fortune to the and has an extensive stone fort adjoining. Near Thy own fire-side may prove is true. advancement of useful philosophy, and of the the town is another curiosity, which we often BERNARD BARTON. sciences best calculated to promote the welgo to see. Some Brahmins have taken ad- Woodbridge, Suffolk. fare of mankind, and adorn civilized society. vantage of the bend of a small river to erect Address of 0.1. to the last Lamp of Grafton's Alley His residence in Soho Square was the rena temple, with a ghaut running into the in the city of Cork. dezvous of the learned and ingenious of every water. By constantly throwing ottah and The last lamp of the alley class and country. Botany, natural history, other food from the steps; they have collect Is burning alone! mechanics, new discoveries, and inventions ed an amazing number of the largest fish I All its brilliant companions in all the arts, were there investigated and -ever saw. They are so tame as to come Arę shivered and gone. improved by the collision of intellect; and close to you, so much "so that you might No lamp of her kindred, we may confidently state, that there was not take them out; and if you throw in food, the No burner is nigh, in the universe a place of resort where so water is darkened by them. They are held To rival ber glimmer, inuch general instruction could be gathereil, Or light to supply. sacred, and never molested." where so much original information was I'll not leave thee, thou lone one! brought forward, and where so many accomNot to overcharge this Number with articles on the To vanish in smoke; plished minds and so great a variety and exFine Arts, we are induced to postpone the con. As the bright ones are shattered, tent of talent were immediately directed to tinuation of “The British Gallery-Portraits Thou too shalt be broke : till our nert. Thus kindly I scatter necessary inquiry and elucidation. In this Thy globe o'er the street; point of view, the loss of Sir Joseph Banks ORIGINAL POETRY. Where the watch in his rambles is not only a loss to his own country, but to Thy fragments shall meet. that globe which he had encircled. His liThen home will I stagger, brary and collections of rare objects in many [By Correspondents.] As well as I may; branches of science, are of unparalleled vaEPIGRAM. By the light of my nose sure lue for a private individual; and, indeed, By a Gentleman passing from Haydon's Picture of I'll find out the way. few crowned heads possess treasures of this Christ's Entry into JERUSALEM, exhibiting in When thy blaze is extinguished, description so curious and rich. the Egyptian Hall, to Mons. JERRICAULT'S Thy brilliancy gone, Raft of the Medusa, in the room below. Oh! my beak shall illumine Down Bullock's stair, a wit who punned and SKETCHES OF SOCIETY. The alley alone. laugh'a, From Haydon's picture went to see the Raft: A SONG, AN EXQUISITE's LIFE IN THE COUNTRY. Quoth he, " It is a desperate way on foot to go, Translated literally and lineally from the The solitude of a country life is fitted only Quite from Jerusalém to Jericho. “Telinga,” a dialect used in India, of for the saint, the sage, or the philosopher. which I subjoin the original song, as nearly To any other man it loses its charms, when TO NATHAN DRAKE, M. D, as it can be expressed in English letters. he cannot enjoy them in company with On reading the first paper in his “Winter Nights." The Hopeless Lover. friends and fellow men. To see a fine prosWith witching eloquence and truth, 1. O lovely maid, thy words I held pect, an enchanting wood, a limpid river, a Hast thou describ'd the dear delights As truth, 'till to despair compelled; delightful waterfall, without being able to say to some one, "What a lovely scene!" saddens the heart of man. Society is as necessary for the country as the town, but the man who transports town habits and pleasures into the bosom of nature, loses the fountain and the grove, the verdant lawn, and the delicious retirement which country scenery and a country life present. There is a depravity in all this which absolutely denaturalizes the heart; but, as this is the object we have at present in view, let us peruse the life of a certain nobleman at his family castle, surrounded by majestic woods, lakes, and forests peopled for his use; a numerous and faithful tenantry, and the most romantic scenery which the eye can possibly view. Such is the exquisite's country life! Such the delights in which he indulges, in the midst of family estates and picturesque scenery to which he is as blind, as he is to his own vices and failings. What a pity that a habitation and scenes like these should be bestowed on such a possessor! The very detail is offensive to reason and feeling; but its colouring is not too high, nor is it a solitary example. Let our self-exiled, our ruined, our ruining nobility and rich men, look to themselves and this picture. How many will behold their own likeness, thus slightly sketched as it is, by the hand of THE HERMIT IN THE COUNTRY. THE DRAMA. DRURY LANE. "To meet the sun upon the upland lawn," to watch his majestic rising from the gilded Engaged in London until July, and at east, to contemplate the rosy-fingered morn- Brighton until December, he gets down to ing, opening the day upon man, to view the this ancient edifice, the pride of his ancestors, prismatic colours reflected in the drops of about the first week in January, and leaves dew, to brush that dew with early foot from it in March, just as the days are lengthening, the shrub and floweret in our healthful walk, and increasing the ennui which the contemto behold the glories of the setting sun, or plation of rural objects occasions him. the silvery moon-beam playing on the sur- Surrounded by foreign cooks, confectionface of the quiescent lake, to admire the ex-ers, and fiddlers, he travels all night, and panded rose-bud, and to watch the progress arrives at day-break. His effeminate form of nature in its spring, are amongst the love- sinks for a few hours on down; and he rises liest and sublimest enjoyments, and are un- in the afternoon. The breakfast table is David Rizzio-This opera is founded on known in the busy haunts of vicious and po- covered with delicacies, and with the provo- the story of the celebrated Rizzio, the fapulous cities. The country, retirement, catives necessary to excite a sated appetite. vourite of Mary, Queen of Scots. There health, order, sobriety, and inorality, can Gamblers and demireps, dandies and adven-have been many conflicting opinions respectalone furnish them, turers, compose his numerous party. "The ing the conduct of the beautiful. Mary, both There are fashionables, however, who ex-weather is odious," says he: "what a bore as respects Rizzio and Elizabeth; it is scarcely pect to make nature subservient to their habits the country!" He comes there only for worth while to increase the number of disand caprice, every where, and in every thing; fashion's sake, and in order to raise his putants, were our columns (which they are and who, not content with bringing summer rents. His spirits are low; brandy alone not) extensive enough for the debate. For in January, into their painted and gilded can save him from the blue devils; he swal- our own parts, we sate down contented with saloons, by rare shrubs, flowers, plants, and lows the liquid fire. The billiard table oc- our doubts, the other evening, in Drurythe expensive contents of their conservatories, cupies five hours, his toilette takes two more. Lane Theatre; and instead of saying, readded to the forced fruits and other articles The second dinner bell has rung; it is solve me of this ambiguity,' we looked forof ruinous luxury with which their boards past eight, and he descends to his banquet-ward with a pleasant anticipation to the eleabound, madly expect to transmit town en- ting room. All here is pomp and pageantry: vation of the green curtain, which was to, joyments, and dissipation, into the country, nothing is rational. Foreign wines and cook-disclose to our eyes the mysteries and merits in order to lead the same unvaried course of ery compose the fare. Excess reigns over of the Serious Opera of David Rizzio. voluptuousness and riot all the year round. every thing. Intemperance plies the frequent In contradistinction to what we hear of "rus cup, and vocal and instrumental music in urbe," it is with them urbs in rurem ; breathe their most voluptuous sounds. and not satisfied with turning day into night, and night into day, in town, they convert summer into winter, by passing it in London, or at some watering place, where they only go as an adjournment of the London spring, and then travel down to the country, to view leafless trees, fields clad in snow, and to be either confined to the house, or to brave bad weather for a short time for form's sake. Now comes the hour of gambling. His woods, his lands, his moveables, are all hazarded again and again: ten times in the night, they are lost and won. A castle totters on a single card: the comfort of his tenantry depends on one throw: agitation and ill humour ebb and flow: avarice and ruin stare each other in the face. The game is over. He has lost only two or three thousand and the grinding of a few farmers will rub off his score. He goes to bed. Conscience has nothing to do with him; for these are only considered as the peccadillos of fashion. Wedded to the London system of rising in the evening, riding at dusk, and dressing by taper light, they carry the same unnatural and unwholesome arrangements to scenes which would have furnished a retreat full of Occasionally he sallies forth in the evening charms, if visited in the spring, or in the with a legion of liveried attendants. The summer. For them the feathered choir woods are surrounded; the birds are circhaunts in vain: for them the flower expands cumvented; the cover is beaten. Armed not; all is haze, fog, and darkness, unless with a double-barrelled gun, and followed perchance the rising sun blushes at their or- by menials, who take from him even the gies, or reminds them that the day has open-trouble of loading his piece, he and his party ed ere they retire to a feverish bed. The author of this opera is said to be a Colonel Hamilton. We have a great respect for the army and navy-we venerate the names of Waterloo and Trafalgar, and of Wellington and Nelson;-but our heroes shine, we suspect, more in the field than in the cabinet (we do not allude by any means to the two great names last mentioned); and the gallant Colonel who is said to have atchieved David Rizzio,' has certainly not helped to overturn our conjectures on this point. We consider the opera of David Rizzio, to be on the whole tolerably indifferent. The author, in his preface, says in extenuation, that," In every historical subject, operatically treated, some liberties are requisite." It is not, however, to the liberties taken with history, that we so much object in this opera, but it is to the execution. As a literary work, it is entitled to very scanty praise; nor can its merits, with reference to plot or situation, claim much more. It never, acfire a thousand shots and spread death and cording to our apprehension, rises above There are rakes and debauchees who un- desolation around them. This is called mediocrity, while it certainly now and then blushingly tell you that they only wish to glorious sport, a noble day, rare country falls below it. It is really a great evil that see their family mansion in order to collect amusement! and the great man returns as so much trash should in general be tolerated their rents; and that to behold their woods proud as ever Alexander was after his great-in our national operas. The public is too apt turned into cash, their corn and hay at the est victory. Brandy recruits the fatigues of to require but little from such a work; the market, instead of in their fields, is their sole this memorable morning, and the tongue of composer, instead of the author, is cited bedelight; that their tenants are only the tri-flattery tickles the nobleman's ear, and ele- fore the periodical tribunals; and the conscbutaries to their pleasures, and their flocks quence is, that no writer of an opera now food for their table; and that they care neithinks it worth his while to take much trouther for family pedigree, nor family estate, ble in the literary part of the production, except as they can make them conducive The composing of music to the songs, howto their consequence and luxuries. ever, is considered important, and pain vates him in his own esteem. At dressing time he gives audience to the steward, who is ordered to pay his gaming and intriguing debts, by the sale of timber, mortgage, anticipation, or annuities. |