1818. · In the darkest hour, I have been still enabled to say, Lord I believe; help thou mine unbelief." In taking a view of the goodness and mercy that have conspicuously followed me through the whole course of my past life, I am inspired with confidence, and with the full assurance of hope, in regard to what remains. He of whose love I have experienced such convincing proofs, will not forsake me when my strength fails. One year more, and the period of six tens of years will be completed. One ten years more is the date of human life; so near, so very near do I now approach to that awful and eternal change to which the few years spent on earth are but the prelude. But glory be to him who and hath divested the grave of its terrors; in and through whom I have the hope of everlasting life, the promise of eternal joy!" Soon after the date of these reflections, Mrs Hamilton's health gave way entirely. She made an attempt to go to Bath, and her friends here saw her depart in the melancholy presentiment that she would never again appear among them. She only reached Harrowgate, where her unhinged frame sunk under disease and weakness on the 23d of July 1816, when she had just entered her 60th year. We have no room for reflections either on the character or the writings of Mrs Hamilton. The one appears in the sketch of her life, imperfectly even as we have given it, and the others have been long duly appreciated by the public. One moral principle runs through both, the desire of doing Her" Hindoo Rajah," her "Modern Philosophers," and her "Cottagers of Glenburnie," though probably regarded by herself rather as her amusements, than as her important works, are those, accordingly, on which her literary fame will most permanently rest. SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE. NEW PUBLICATIONS. April 1818. Des Maisons Publiques De Jeu, &c.-On Public Gaming-Houses. By J. M. B** in 8vo. THE institution of public authorized gaming-houses in Paris, and in the principal cities in France, is an abuse which the Revolution has introduced, and against which, since the Restoration, many eloquent writers have raised their voice. But, alas! the considerable profit government draws from them will, we fear, be a lasting impediment to their being abolished. Modern governinents seem to have entirely adopted the system of the Emperor Vespasian, that money raised by taxes contracts no bad smell, whatever be its origin. It is difficult in our eyes to find a more impure source than vice and immorality; and, if we add to that consideration, that the tax is not only raised on the actually existing im- no possibility of preventing gamesters from To this their antagonists answer with reason: 1. That public gaming-houses, instead of setting bounds to the taste for gaming, make it, on the contrary, a great deal more general. Those houses having From which is to be deducted as Administration charges, salaries, interest of the money in the bank, F.1,000,000 Duty paid to Govern ment for the privi 5,000,000 Net produce, Or about F.15,000,000 6,500,000 L. 360,000 in consequence, the players received an order not to act the piece. M. L. was, it seems, not luckier under the different administrations that followed Roberspierre. The honest man of the piece is not a Christian, but, as we have said, a deist, and his morals, which it might have been useful to expose on the stage, when there was in France no religion at all, would at present be of a dangerous example. Forced, therefore, to give up all hopes of seeing his work performed on the public stage, the author has delivered it to the press, and seems not a little proud of his labours. A short sketch of the piece may serve to show in how far he is right to glory in them. The scene lies three miles from London, at a place called Mintzor. Is not that rather too great a poetical licence? Has a poet a right to build villages or towns, and give them names of his own making, within three miles of a celebrated metropolis? However, the play opens with Terville, the atheist, and his servant Tom. It being necessary to acquaint the audience with what has happened before, and with the sentiments of the actors, Terville, without any necessity whatever, tells his footman that he has been in love with Jenny, the sister of Lord Varmon, (the names of the dramatis personæ are very happily chosen indeed,) but has been rejected for young Belfort. Since that time he hates both Jenny and Belfort, but above all, Lord Varmon, and with a view to prevent their ever being happy, he ingratiates himself with the young man, and succeeds in cor rupting his morals. He makes him game, 8,500,000 drink, and plunges him into all sorts of vice. He even gains so much upon him, that Belfort refuses to marry Jenny; how and why is not explained. The young man runs in debt. His father, unable to pay for his son's follies, is dragged to prison, and dies in gaol. In the meanwhile, Var. mon comes to Mintzor, in hopes to recal Belfort. In this he succeeds, but Terville, by feigned generosity, regains all his influence over the young man. He then tells him, as a secret which he has just discover. ed, that Jenny is to be married to one M. Warner, who lives in the neighbourhood, and that she actually come down with her brother for the marriage. Belfort, who believes every body by turns, runs back to Varmon and upbraids him. Varmon is at a loss to understand him. Terville, with the help of another of his servants, William, decoys Jenny down to Mintzor, where she expects to meet Belfort and her brother, but finds only Terville, who wants to elope with her. He is betrayed by Tom. Varmon fights and kills him, and Belfort marries Jenny. We have left out one or two trifling incidents; but for the rest we have given a faithful account of the piece. M. B. gives the following example as a proof of the progress of demoralization in France. A few years ago a banker's salary amounted to 100 or 120 franks a day, as no person of education would sell his good name for less. At present very gen teel bankers are to be found for 20 franks a day. Respectability has consequently diminished five-sixth parts in value ! L'Athee, &c.-The Atheist; or the Man between Vice and Virtue; a Tragedy in four acts. By Lombard de Langres; in 8vo. In a dedication to the King of Prussia, and in a preface to this publication, the author acquaints us, that, during the reign of Roberspierre, being then 24 years old, he composed this theatrical piece, with a view to silence the atheists, who were at that time so numerous in France. His tragedy was unanimously accepted by the comedians, but the procureur de la commune, the famous Chaumette, would not permit the representation of it, unless the author consented to alter his plan, and make the atheist an honest man, and the deist a knave. This he courageously refused, and, Our readers will certainly be at a loss to discover why the author has given to his production the title of the Atheist, and this difficulty we cannot explain, for we do not know it ourselves, unless it be because Terville says now and then that he is an atheist, and does not believe in God. We are of opinion that nothing is more dangerous in moral writers than to go beyond the mark. All atheists are not knaves and murderers. Such a tragedy as this can therefore serve to reclaim no one. The author ought to have attempted, on the contrary, to show that an atheist may sometimes be, according to the common way of the world, what is called an honest man; but that religion alone can make, a virtuous man. Such a conception was, however, quite beyond his sphere of comprehension. For the rest, the theatrical composition, dialogue, and style, are ridiculous, and below all criticism. Voyages Poetique, &c.-Poetical Rambles of Eugenius and Antonina. By Madume La Comtesse de Genlis. 1 Vol. in 12mo. Eugenius and Antonina are a new married couple. The lady having passed her childhood in the country, comes, shortly after her marriage, for the first time to Paris with Eugenius, who takes pleasure in showing her all the curiosities, not only of the city, but also of the environs. They go to all the remarkable gardens and chateaux about Paris. Eugenius tells his young wife the history of all those places, and finds everywhere some poetry to quote or anecdote to relate, to which Antonina answers in the same strain, so that they make together a very tedious and pedantic couple. This volume is one of the most frivolous of Madame de Genlis's productions. Still we find in many places her agreeable style and peculiar art of narrating. In the account of the rambles, she has interspersed some historical and fairy tales, most of which are pretty and interesting. The description of the fairy Turbulente in the first of these tales is particularly pleasing. The morals and political sentiments are everywhere irreproachable. Du Conseil d'Etat, &c.-The Council of State considered as a Council and as a Jurisdiction in our Constitutional Monarchy, a pamphlet in Evo. The greatest impediment which a constitutional government has found until this moment to its establishment in France, consists in the numerous administrative laws independent of the civil ones, and in the way of proceeding in all administrative points. The chief objects contained under this head are the following: 1. Contracts between government and private people. 2. National property and emigration con3. Bye roads and rivers. 4. City property. 5. Complaints of private people against public officers. 6. Interpretation of the laws. None of these points are left to the decision of the usual courts of jus tests. tice, but are judged by government itself, that is to say, by the King's privy council. The enormous abuses caused by such a custom are not to be calculated, and however excellent the constitution be, however perfect the civil laws, there will in fact be no true liberty in France as long as the present system of administrative justice continues to be in force. The author of the work before us proposes the establishment of a special tribunal to judge all those cases, which tribunal, however, is to be independent of government. His reasonings are in most points just and clear. Many things might indeed be said against his system, but if we consider the manners and customs of the French nation, we will perhaps acknowledge that it is well adapted to those customs. THEATRICAL SURVEY. (Continued.) The first is un ODEON. The third theatre in Paris is called the Odeon, from the Greek word 'nd, a Song, though never a single air is sung in that theatre. The pieces performed are the old French comedies, which the French Theatre (Theatre Français) does not choose to make use of, and the new ones which the authors present themselves. The actors are generally very 'middling. Two good authors, however, consecrate their talents to the Odeon, Picard, the manager, and Duval. doubtedly the best comic author at present living; his comedies are witty, entertaining, and give a faithful picture of the manners of the times. His chief fault is, that he writes too quickly, so that his scenes are rather sketched than finished, and his pieces bear too great a resemblance to one another. It must be allowed, however, that he alone at present possesses the vis comica. M. Duval's best piece is called The Domestic Tyrant; it gives a good idea of those men, frequently enough met with in the world, who are amiable and friendly to strangers, but true tyrants in the interior of their family. We mentioned in our last Survey, that this house, one of the finest in France, had unfortunately been consumed by fire. The shocking event took place on Good Friday. Governinent seems to suspect a plot, and several people have been apprehended; as yet we know, however, no farther particu lars. By an order of the King, issued a few days after that misfortune, the house is to be rebuilt as soon as possible; and when restored, the managers will have the liberty to perform the same tragedies and comedies that are acted at the French Theatre. is hoped, that by that means the actors of the latter house will lose a little of their nonchalance, and show themselves more interested in the pleasures of the public, than when they enjoyed an exclusive privilege. It February 7th. The Fashionable Ball, a comedy in one act. In the balls given by the fashionable societies in Paris, a custom has been lately introduced of calling in bankers of the public gaming-houses, to hold a bank in a separate room. This comedy is meant as a censure upon a custom so very prejudicial to morals. It contains a few good scenes, but is totally destitute of action and character. COMIC OPERA. This is one of the most pleasing theatres for foreigners. The actors perform comic operas and entertainments in French. Here is to be found good music, an excellent orchestra, and some first rate singers, particularly among the women. January. Brother Philip's Geese, a comic opera in one act. A well known tale of Boccaccio has furnished the subject of this small piece. A man, after the death of his wife, becomes disgusted with the world, and retires to an hermitage, where he educates his son in a total ignorance of the existence of another sex. One day, however, while the father and son are walking together, they meet some young and handsome girls. The youngster asks what sort of animals they are? Birds," answers the father, "a sort of geese."-"Sure they are very pretty,' says the son, "let us bring them home, I shall take care to feed them." Such is the subject of this opera; it is pretty and entertaining. February 10th. The Night in the Wood. This piece has been so ill received by the audience, that we are unable to give any account of it. 27th. The Magic Girdle, in one act. Authors who have not wit enough to invent subjects of their own, take ready made pieces of others, which not having been performed for many years, are nearly This is the forgotten by the audience. case with the Magic Girdle. It is one of the most médiocre comedies of J. B. Rousseau, who, at best, had no great talent that way. The new author has added a few rhymes, which another set to music. Neither the one nor the other have met with any sort of success. We think it sufficient to give an account of these four theatres, which are the principal ones. The rest are of too little con sequence to have any interest for foreigners. They consist of, 1. The Italian Opera; middling, and not much frequented. 2. The Vaudeville. 3. The Théatre des Varietés. In those two are performed musical entertainments, but the songs are adapted to popular tunes, and not composed on purpose for the piece. Among the actors of the Theatre des Varietés there are some who possess remarkable talents. 4. The Theatre de la Gaité. 5. The Theatre de l'Ambigu Comique. 6. The Theatre de la Porte, St Martin. These three are adapted to melo dramas, pantomimes, and ballets. The latter is a very elegant house. It was built in 1784, after the great fire of the Grand Opera The actors performed in it six weeks after the first stone was laid. 7. The Circus of Franconi. In all eleven theatres, which are open every night the whole year through, except the French and Italian Opera, which only perform three times a week. Necrological Notice of Literary Charee ters. January to March 1818 J. Delatynna, born in Switzerland 1765, died in Paris 18th January 1818. Has published several commercial and topogra phical tracts. Mersan, died in Paris 20th January tions of French Moralities, with notes and 1818. Has published, 1. Some new edi preface; 2. Several articles in the Univer sal Biography, a much esteemed work. G. F. Fournier de Pescay, died in Paris 8th February 1818, aged 20 years. Has published a much esteemed eulogium of St Jerome, and several articles in the Universal Biography. Regnault, died in Paris 5th January 1818, aged 62. Has published several grammatical works. T. Vernier, Count of Mont Orient, Peer of France, died in Paris 4th February 1818, aged 84. Has published a great number of moral works, and some on rural subjects. His most celebrated publication is called The Physical and Moral Character of the Passions, with the means to conduct and direct them, and make them useful to men, society, and country. 2 Vols, in &ve. Ennius Quirinus Visconti, M.A. born at Rome, died in Paris 7th February. Has published a considerable number of works upon painting, sculpture, and antiquity. He was one of the publishers of the Music of Messrs Robillard, Peronville, and Laurent, and one of the reviewers of the Journal des Savans. M. Visconti has also furnished several articles for the Universal Biography, and the Encyclopedic Magazine, the best literary publication in France. 2 THE THORN, OF PRESTON. REVIVING with the genial airs, Íts branches green and blossoming; Three ages of mankind have pass'd To silence and to sleep, since thou, As glorious, and more green than now, With wintry aspect, dull and drear; The rimy hoar-frost did appear. Destruction o'er a British plain, The noble Gardner, bold of soul, And, striving by the side of thee, A race unfortunate and brave! On thee 'twas sunbeams on a grave! VOL. II. With foxes, destin'd soon to be: A price on thy devoted head, Shot burning from the west abroad, Within a cold and lone abode; For ever severed from his kind, Sheath'd in his glittering panoply, 565 Or wrapt in war-cloak, blood besprent, The lofty and the low were pent: Thou lonely tree, survivest still Thy bloom is white, thy leaf is green, All else is silent; and the scene, SONG. M. THE stars are out; the moon is bright, She was the star, whose glorious ray Oh! why in such an hour as this, Since life no balsam can impart 4 D |