356 REVIEW.-Montgomery's Poems. vengeance of heaven, nor throw a random bolt and call it God's; but what we find recorded in language at once aweful and intelligible, we would speak. The principles we find denounced we have a right to stamp with the seal of reprobation. There is a judgment of certainty no less than a judgment of charity, and where the sin is palpable, manifest, unrepented, if the Bible be the word of God, condemnation will assuredly follow. What are the principles then to which Mr. Montgomery has assigned a place in torment. The principles of him whose ambition was his god; of him whose genius and lofty talent taught "The lip of Blasphemy to curl with scorn, And tongue of fools to be profanely wise." Of him the suicide; the lover of pleasure, and not the lover of God; of the hypocrite, who, under the maskof religion, seemed a martyr to the world, but plied his guilty pleasures in the dark. Of her, the Beauty in her Pride, to whom the incense of the world was as daily bread, "The form was heavenly, but the mind of A shrine for vainborn hopes and sensual In short, the self-idolator, the world- We may be deemed too sermonizing for the general reader, but our topic has been a solemn and a serious one. The following sketch of mercies de "And did not meek-eyed Mercy stoop to save? [Oct. By fun'ral knells, and swiftly-dying friends, Within, and perils from without,—by all And gaily tript the fairy hours along: With one terrific howl they would have thrill'd The faults of Mr. Montgomery are verbal-sometimes the effect of haste and carelessness, sometimes a too daring defiance of the rules of art: but they are as spots in the sun, and we leave them to verbal critics. We shall have failed in conveying our high admiration of the merits of this volume to the minds of our readers, if we have not impressed them with a sense of its superior claims. We have said nothing of the youth of its author, and we mention it now but for the purpose of wondering at the absence of all those faults for which youth might be considered as an ex cuse. The lips of the poet have been touched by a living coal from the altar of Piety, and we most sincerely believe that the wish breathed in the concluding lines of his volume has been realised Forgive The weakness, if an emulative hope 1828.] REVIEW.-Skelton's Illustrations of Arms and Armour. though, therefore, the description of it be not yet embodied in a general work on the county, we will venture to say that all collectors of topography will be obliged to us for pointing out so beautiful a production as Mr. Skelton's to class with these other volumes. Goodrich Court, the first object in the celebrated tour of the Wye, is a building of stone of the very best masonry, and of the architecture of Edward II. It is quadrangular, enclosing a court-yard, and besides several other projections to cast shadows, is adorned with square and round towers, so disposed as to give it the most picturesque effect. It crowns a commanding eminence, flanked by a hanging wood, the skirt of which is washed by a bold sweep of the celebrated river Wye. Of a character suited to the romantic scenery in which it is placed, it is highly credi table to the taste and talents of that skilful architect, whom we have often had occasion to notice, Edward Blore. Calculated to conjure up the most chivalrous associations in the mind, the natural expectation of finding within it's walls "How some the mace and some the faulchion whirl," is so far from being disappointed, that it was expressly built to contain one of the finest, and as we have before observed, the most instructive collections in Europe. The scientific arrangement displayed in its disposition is perpetuated by the work before us, and among the plates of Part XIII. we have general views of the entrancehall and hastilude-chamber. The frontispiece to the first of the two volumes, which this publication will form, is also introduced into this part, and turns out to be certainly with propriety, though singular, the knocker on the hall-door. This is in bronze, of the Michael Angelo school, and from the design of Giovanni di Bologna, representing Sampson slaying the Philistines, the figures being finely grouped. The entrance to Goodrich Court is over a drawbridge, through a groined gateway between two round towers, and the drive thence leads to a gothic porch, on the door within which this subject is placed. The entrance-hall, as may be seen in Mr. Skelton's engraving, is decorated with hunting weapons, cross-bows, glaives and halberds, with trophies of arins on the staircase and over the doors; and 357 derives much beautiful effect from its fire-place, designed from a monument at Winchelsea. The hastilude-chamber, which leads to the grand armoury, is in an opposite part of the building, and is approached through the Asiatic armoury, South-sea chainber, and banquetting-hall. It is calculated to give a complete idea of an ancient tournament, where "Impatient for the charge, the coursers fleet Champ on the bit, and thunder with their feet;" and exhibits a joust between two knights on horseback, while others within the lists are waiting for their turns. At the back are the royal box, and the heralds with rewards for the tenants, or for those who accept the challenge, whichever be victorious. We are led to expect that in some future part, the Asiatic and grand armories will form subjects for Skelton's burin, and judging from the representation of the hastilude-chamber, we predict that these will be highly interesting. It is undoubtedly impossible to ob, tain so accurate a knowledge of actual armour from any other source as this publication, the specimens comprising logically arranged, and accompanied such variety of dates, being chrono with a scale which fixes their relative proportions. Those who imagine that its title conveys a full idea of the nature of its contents have conceived very erroneous impressions, as beside the careful vigilance with which Dr. Meyrick has added every rarity that could by possibility be procured, it abounds in beautiful works of art, forming as it were a history of design. Not only does Skelton's work present faithful delineations of these interesting objects, but much new and useful information is dispersed throughout the accompanying descriptions. So far from finding these volumes fall off in point of execution, there is a progressive improvement throughout, which is the best pledge that the work will be brought to its conclusion with nessed. The intelligence in the wrapan energy and fidelity seldom witper acquaints us that there will be an ample index and a suitable introduc tion; we do not hesitate therefore to say, that if these be equally well done with the rest, the Illustrations of Arms and Armour will be a work calculated to reflect credit on the present age. [358] [Oct. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. Ready for Publication. The Teaching of Jesus Christ, the model of Pulpit Instruction, a Sermon by the Rev. RICH. WARNER, F.A.S. Illustrations of Prophecy, in five dissertations,-on an Infidel Power; The Abyss, or Bottomless Pit; The Symbolic Dragon; A Millennium; and the Coming of Christ. The Last Days. By the Rev. E. IRVING. Sermons preached in St. John's Chapel, Bognor. By the Rev. H. RAIKES. Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical, by the Rev. J. PROCcter. A Charge delivered to the Clergy of the Archdeaconry of Ely, by the Rev. J. H. BROWNE. An Essay on Political Economy, by Capt. PITTMAN, R.A. The Imperial Remembrancer; being a Collection of valuable Tables for constant Reference and Use: including all the Measures, Hackney Coach Fares, New Rates for Watermen, Stamp and Excise Duties, &c. An Annual printed in gold, and called the Golden Lyre, being a poetical selection from the works of English, French, and and German authors. A new edition of Salathiel, a Story of the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Trials of Life, a Novel, by the Author of De Lisle, or the Sensitive Man. The Second Series of the Romance of History, to comprise tales founded on facts, and illustrative of the Romantic Annals of France from the reign of Charlemagne to that of Louis XIV. inclusive. The Life and Times of Francis the First of France. The Manual for Invalids, or Practical Rules for the Attainment and Preservation of Health, with popular illustrations of some of the most important functions of the Animal Economy. Conversations on Intellectual Philosophy, or a familiar explanation of the Nature and Operations of the Human Mind. The Scotch Banker, or the Subjects of the Country Bankers, Wheat, and the Metallic Currency, Famine, &c. The Botanical Register, or Ornamental Flower Garden and Shrubbery. The Subaltern's Log-Book, including the period of the Regiment's remaining in India. The Present State of the Tenancy of Land in Great Britain, by L. KENNEDY and T. B. GRAINGER. Tales of the Great St. Bernard, by a distinguished writer. The Protestant, a Tale of the Reign of Queen Mary. By the Authoress of Foix," &c. De The Man of two Lives, a Narrative written by Himself. Preparing for Publication. Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in North America, including the United States, Canada, the Shores of the Polar Sea, and the Voyages in Search of a North-west Passage; by Hugh Murray, esq. F.R.S.E., &c.; Author of "Travels in Africa, Asia," &c. Memoirs of Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, now first compiled from his Original Journals, Correspondence, &c. Counsels for the Sanctuary and for Civil Life; or, Discourses to various Classes in the Church and in the World. By Henry Belfrage, D.D. The Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk; containing the real Incidents upon which the Romance of Robinson Crusoe is founded. By JOHN HOWELL, Editor of the "Journal of a Soldier of the Seventy-first Regiment." Scenes of War; and Other Poems. By JOHN MALCOLM. Diversions of Hollycot; or, the Mother's Art of Thinking. By the Author of "ClanAlbin." A Guide to the Universal Trader; being a Complete and Systematic View of the Monies, Weights, Measures, &c. of all Nations, with their Proportions to those of Great Britain and France. The Reformer of the Catholic Church. Memoirs of Scipio de Ricci, Bishop of Orato and Pistoria under the Reign of the late Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany. The Life of Nollekens the Sculptor. By JOHN THOMAS SMITH. MR. BRAYLEY'S Londiniana; or Reminiscences of Ancient London. A New Year's Eve; and other Poems, by BERNARD BARTON. The Interpositions of Divine Providence, selected exclusively from the Holy Scriptures. By JOSEPH FINCHER, esq. Typical Instruction considered and illustrated, and shown to be suited to all, but particularly the early Ages of the Church. By JOHN PEERS, A.M. Essays on the Universal Analogy between the Natural and the Spiritual Worlds. By the Author of " Memoirs of a Deist." Sermons, chiefly Practical. Preached in the Parish Church of Clapham, Surrey. By the Rev. W. DEALTRY, B.D. F.R.S. 1828.] Literary and Scientific Intelligence. A View of some of those Evidences for the Divine Origin of Christianity which are not founded on the authenticity of Scripture, by MR. SHEPPARD, author of "Thoughts on Devotion." The Parochial Lawyer, or Churchwardens' and Overseers' Guide, containing the whole of the Statute Law, with the Decision of the Courts of Law on the Duties and Powers of those officers. By J. SHAW. The Legendary Cabinet, a Selection of British National Ballads, Ancient and Modern, with Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. J. D. PARRY, author of "Illustrations of Bedfordshire." The Housekeeper's Oracle; or Art of Domestic Management. By the late DR. KITCHINER. No. I. of Eminent Women: their Lives and Characters. Designed for the Improve ment of Female Youth. By Miss JANE PORTER. To be published monthly. The Castilian, by DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA, author of "Gomez Arias." A second series of Tales of a Voyager. the author of Pelham. MR. GRATTAN, the well-known author of Highways and Byways, is engaged on a new series of Tales and Sketches. The Memoirs of the Empress Josephine, by Madame DUCREST, the niece of Madame DE GENLIS. A new comic romance, called Rank and Talent. Letters from the West, containing Sketches of Scenery, Manners, and Customs, with Anecdotes connected with the first Settlement of the Western Sections of the United States. By the Hon.JUDGE HALL. Tales of Military Life. Part XV. of SKELTON's Illustrations of Arms and Armour, from the Collection at Goodrich Court. ZODIACAL LIGHT. Sept. 29. A most curious phenomenon appeared in the heavens about eight o'clock at night. Its appearance was that of a column of bright smoke, or light transparent cloud, increasing from the horizon to the zenith, forming an arc, and somewhat resembling a comet's tail of an immense size. It sprang up from the west, and stretched itself across to the north-east, its basis still 859 continuing in the west, whilst the other extremity travelled from north-east to due east, covering the Pleiades in the east, and Lyra in the west. It continued its course from east to south-east, and about nine began gradually to sink down into the western horizon, fron. whence it had sprung. For about three minutes after it disappeared no stars were visible to the naked eye in the west. The weather was very fine, and the stars shone brilliantly. Its elevation must have been many miles, as it appears to have been seen in every part of the country. WELSH AMERICANS. A tribe of Americans, about the 40th degree of north latitude, and the 45th west longitude, are said to possess many curious manuscripts about an island named Brydon, from which their ancestors long since came. Their language resembles the Welsh, and their religion is a sort of mixed Christianity and Druidism. They know the use of letters, and are very fond of music and poetry. They still call themselves Brydones. It is generally believed that they are descendants of some wandering Britons, expelled from home about the time of the Saxons, and carried by wind and current to the great continent of the west, into the heart of which they have been driven back by suc cessive encroachments of modern settlers. CAPTAIN BEECHEY'S EXPEDITION. The Blossom, Captain Beechey, has arrived at Portsmouth after an absence of upwards of three years on voyage of science and discovery. The main object of this voyage was the conveyance of supplies to Icy Cape, for the land Arctic expedition under Captain Franklin, in the event of that enterprising traveller having succeeded in reaching the extreme north-western point of America. During her absence she has visited Pitcairn, Society, Sandwich, and Loo Choo Islands, and discovered several islands in both the North and South Pacific. In 1826 she discovered six coral islands in the South Pacific; and in June, 1827, found the group of islands called Islas de Arzobispo, which were formerly laid down in our charts, but which had been erased in modern ones, under an impression that they did not exist. In September, 1827, she discovered, near Behring's Straits, Port Clarence, which offers most excellent anchorage. ANTIQUARIAN RESEARCHES. EGYPTIAN PAPIRI. In p. 160, we noticed the report of M. Sallier to the Academical Society of Aix, relative to some Egyptian Papiri which had been inspected and deciphered by Mr. Champollion, just before the eve of his departure for Egypt. "These Papiri, to the number of ten or twelve, (observes M. Sallier), were brought a few years ago, with a collection of antiquities, from Egypt, by a native merchant of that country, and they contain, for the most part, prayers or rituals, more or less extended, which had been deposited in the cases of mummies. There is among them the contract for the sale of a house, entered into under the reign of one of the Ptolemies; and three rolls joined together, written in superb demotic characters-characters which, as is well-known, were appropriated to civil purposes. M. Champollion could not express his joy and astonishment, when, upon looking at the first of these rolls, which is pretty thick, he discovered that it contains the history of the campaigns of Sesostris Rhamsis, called also Sethos, or Sethosis and Sésoosis, and that it gave most circumstantial details respecting the conquests of that hero, the countries he traversed, and the force and composition of his army. The manuscript concludes with a declaration of the historian, who, after stating his names and titles, certifies his having written the work in the ninth year of the reign of Sesostris Rhamses, King of Kings, a lion in battle, the arm to which God hath given strength,' and other periphrases in the oriental style. "The epoch to which the MS. belongs, goes back to nearly the age of Moses, and it is probable that the great Sesostris was the son of that King who pursued the Hebrews to the extremity of the Red Sea. Perhaps he is also the same personage as Egyptus, who forced his brother Danaus or Armais to fly to Greece, for having in his absence attempted to occupy the throne. Upon the same manuscript, and after a blank margin, commences another composition, entitled The praises of the great King Amemnengo. A few leaves only, separated by intervals and numeral marks, complete this roll, and form the commencement of the history, which is continued in the second of my papyri. It appears to me that conjecture might fix the date of Amemsego's reign before that of Sesostris, as the author wrote in the ninth year of the latter King's reign. This conclusion might also be drawn from the well-known custom of the Egyptians to represent in their monuments, after the principal person, the portrait of his father, and sometimes of his uncle. Lastly, the successor of Sesostris bears the name of Phero in Herodotus ; in Diodorus, that of Sesostris II.; and in Manetho, that of Rapsaces or Rapses: while his father is called Amenophis, or Amenoph, -a name which resembles the one deciphered in the manuscript. A more attentive examination may be expected to remove all doubt on this point. But I am only acquainted with my papyri by the rapid inspection which M. Champollion gave them during the few moments which were at his disposal. The third roll consists of a treatise on astronomy, or astrology, or what is most likely, on both those sciences conjoined. This manuscript has not yet been unrolled, but we may easily imagine that it contains matter of great interest. It likely that it will make us acquainted with the celestial observations of those remote is chef. [Oct. times, and with the system of the heavens, adopted by the Egyptians and Chaldeans, probably the first people who occupied themselves with the science of astronomy. "I must add to the preceding details some account of a little basaltic figure which was included in the articles which the Egyptian sold me, and which appears to have been found together with the three rolls. It represents a man upon his knees, whose length, if extended, would be eleven inches, the head being fifteen lines. The figure leans upon a sort of table, the top of which is in the form of a desk; upon it are placed his hands, which, though broken, appear to be in the act of writing. On the front of the desk is engraved the device of Sesostris, and on the back of the figure within a border is placed, in hieroglyphic character, the name of the figure, with the title of the Bard and Friend of Sesostris.' A drawing of this figure was made for M. Champollion before he saw the papyri. I neglected to take down in writing its name, and none of the persons who were present at the enrolling of the papyrus thought of inquiring whether any conformity existed between the names sculptured on the figure and those mentioned in the manuscript. Every thing, however, leads to the belief that the figure is a representation of the historian of the Papyri, in whose tomb were deposited his portrait and his works. Of what great importance, then, must these writings be, as their author, a contemporary of Sesostris, cannot be presumed to have exercised the functions with which he was clothed, without following the hero in his victorious course." At the conclusion of the report, which was listened to with great attention, M. Sallier received the thanks of the society, and was requested to give a copy of his statement to be deposited in the archives of the institution; and an abstract of it was directed to be sent to the different French and foreign academies. Intelligence has been received from M. Champollion, who arrived at Alexandria on the 18th of August. His last communication is dated August 29, in which he states that he should remain till the 12th of September, to complete the necessary preparations for his journey into the interior of Egypt. He says "I have visited all the monuments in the neighbourhood. Pompey's pillar has nothing very extraordinary about it. I have, however, discovered that there is still something to be gleaned respecting it. It rests upon a mass of solid masonry, constructed out of some ancient ruins, and I have found among those ruins the cartouche [so in the original] of Psammetichus II. I have not neglected the Greek inscription on the base of the column, upon which some uncertainty still prevails. |
