1829.] REVIEW.-Time's Telescope."! light and instruct the world with fresh excerpts from the 20,000 volumes of those valuable manuscripts, of which he was, for so many years the guardian, an office (it is well known to every literate) he discharged with credit to himself, and with the greatest advantage to those who had occasion to consult these recondite monuments of the intellectual labours of our ancestors!" To return to the illustrations.-We should exhaust the patience of our readers, were we to enumerate the many neat engravings of birds and fishes, evidently from original draw ings, which adorn the natural history part of the work,-not to mention the numerous fancy pieces that fill up an occasional half page. Suffice it to say that some of these are by Clennell, and the others by well-known artists. We have bestowed so much space on the ornamental, that we have scarcely room left to speak of the useful this highly entertaining and miscellapart of neous volume. In the account of New Year's Day, there is a curious letter (never before printed) from Edwin Sandys, Bishop of Worcester, to Sir Wm. Cecill. And, under the 13th day of January, "Seasons for Marriage.-In Aubrey's Gentilism, a MS. in the Lansdowne Collection, is the following printed advertisement, apparently cut out of an old Almanack: Marriage comes in on the 13th day of January, and at Septuagesima Sunday it is out again until Low Sunday, at which time it comes in again, and goes not out until Rogation Sunday; thence it is forbidden until Trinity Sunday, from whence it is unforbidden till Advent Sunday; but then it goes out, and comes not in again till the 13th day of January next following.” The 12th of August, 1816, records the abolition of domestic slavery in Ceylon, in the following interesting notice: "Domestic Slavery abolished in Ceylon. -Among various measures which Sir Alex ander Johnston, President of his Majesty's Council, adopted with equal ability and integrity, for raising the political, moral, and intellectual character of the inhabitants of Ceylon, he obtained a charter from the Crown to extend the right of sitting upon juries to all the natives of the country; a privilege possessed by no other natives of Asia. In return for this boon, Sir Alexander urged them, for many years, to adopt some means for the gradual, but effectual abolition of domestic slavery. In consequence of his suggestion upon this point, and the anxiety of the inhabitants to show 447 had been granted them, the proprietors of themselves worthy of the privilege which domestic slaves came to a resolution, that all children born of their slaves after the 12th of August 1816, should be free; thereby putting an end to domestic slavery, which had prevailed in Ceylon for three centuries. "The 12th of August was the day fixed upon by Sir Alexander for the commencement of the æra of liberty; that being the birth-day of the then Prince Regent, our that the slaves might associate the more present most gracious Sovereign, in order indissolubly the idea of the freedom of their descendants with that of reverence for the Crown, under the protection of which that blessing was received. More wrote a little lyric drama, entitled "To commemorate that event, Mrs. H. The Feast of Freedom; or, the Abolition of Domestic Slavery in Ceylon,' This has already been rendered into many of the Indian languages: its first translation was made into the Cingalese by the Buddoo priests, who were brought to this country priests was a physician and a painter, and by Sir Alexander Johnston. One of these both are elegant poets, and considerable linguists. Mr. Charles Wesley, organist in ordinary to his Majesty, set this to music, and performed it before his Majesty at Windsor, on his birth-day, Aug. 12, 1827. This led to the publication of the piece with the music, to which Mrs. H. More added a few unpublished trifles, which were printed in a very thin volume, and the profits given to the appointed Irish Scripture readers, and the Irish Tract Society. "It seems from the preface to Miss Baillie's drama of "The Bride,' just published, that the drama is an entertainment much admired by the people of Ceylon; and frequently made use of as the most effectual view some of the sacred dramas of Mrs. H. mode of imparting instruction. With this More have been translated into Cingalese, under the auspices of Sir Alexander Johnston, and likewise Miss Baillie's drama of "The Martyrs;' and that lady has now writmeeting the taste and passions of that inteten The Bride, with an express view of resting people. The profits arising from its publication in England are to be devoted towards procuring translations of other works into the Cingalese language; so that gratification which they will receive from the purchasers of the work, besides the high ral and religious improvement of the people the perusal of it, will contribute to the moof Ceylon." In the Naturalist's Diary for April are some eloquent and pleasing reflections, by a gentleman who is about to make his literary debut, as the author 448 REVIEW.-Juvenile Keepsake. of a highly interesting work, entitled "The Journal of a Naturalist." From the "fresh-blowing garland" of poesy with which this year's Telescope is enwreathed, we could cull many a charming flower. We must content ourselves, however, with the following "Sapphics" for Christmas Day, by Delta: "Give me but thy love. If thy presence cheer me. Happy 't were, beloved one, To thy fond arms retiring,- What are all the joys of earth? To hearts that ever knew love. What is all the pomp of state, On the path of true love. With all my heart to bless thee!" The astronomical portion of Time's Telescope is particularly interesting, and contains some very curious information respecting the portentous comet, which, it is predicted, will in 1832, 3, or 4, either destroy or materially change the face of our globe. To conclude. We have for fifteen years given our sincere and hearty commendations to Time's Telescope, and we never discharged this critical duty with more pleasure than on the present occasion. This annual volume is really and truly a most delightful melange of philosophy, antiquities, biography, natural history, and poetry, and deserves to lie in the parlour window of every house in the kingdom. It is a book of every day use and reference, and should never be allowed to [Nov. take its place on the library shelf till the revolving year has presented its owner with a successor,-which that it may continue to do, in sæcula sæculorum, is the honest wish of the writer of this brief notice. We had almost forgotten to mention the frontispiece, which is a perfect gem of its kind, and does infinite credit to the talents of Mr. Hawksworth, the engraver. The Juvenile Keepsake. Edited by Thos. Roscoe. Hurst and Co. THIS interesting little Annual is intended for juvenile readers, and we consider it equally deserving of com. mendation as those on a larger and more expensive scale. It is embellished with eight neatly executed engravings. Zoe and Muriotti, by Heath, and the Albanian Shepherds, by Bacon, are unquestionably the best in the collection. The prose compositions are judiciously adapted to the taste and capacities of youth, being calculated both to amuse and instruct the mind. The poetical contributions are from the pens of some of the most celebrated writers of the day, and the talented editor has contributed a due proportion. We give the following as specimens. The first is from the pen of Miss E. Taylor; the second is anonymous. 1828.] REVIEW.-Literary Souvenir. There's not a heart, however cast The Literary Souvenir. Edited by Alaric A. Watts. Longman and Co. AMONG the numerous attractive Annuals of the present season, all of which have been greatly instrumental in calling forth a host of talent both in literature and art, it would be difficult, and indeed an invidious task, to assign the palm of superiority to any one in particular; but we may confidently assert that the Literary Souvenir, for the beauty and interest of its contributions, both in prose and verse, will claim a most prominent place. Indeed the deserved celebrity of its Editor, as a lyric poet, would lead us to expect a decided superiority in the poetical department; and we consequently calculated on his pages being chiefly devoted to his favourite muse; but we find that he has very judiciously devoted the major part to prose contributions of uncommon interest,-a practice which we should earnestly recommend to some of his contemporaries, who are in the habit of overloading their pages with poetic effusions, with out rhyme or reason. In addition to his own contributions, the Editor has enlisted into his service the most distinguished writers of the day; as Mrs. Hemans, Miss Mitford; Hervey, Malcolm, Barnard, Coleridge, &c. &c. Our prescribed limits will not allow of extracts, but we copy the following melodious strains from the pen of the Editor : MEET ME AT SUNSET. Meet me at sunset-the hour we love best, Ere day's last crimson blushes have died in the west, When the shadowless ether is blue as thine eye, [sigh; And the breeze is as balmy and soft as thy When giant-like forms lengthen fast o'er the ground [trees round; From the motionless mill and the linden When the stillness below-the mild radiance above, Softly sink on the heart, and attune it to love. Meet me at sunset-oh! meet me once more, 'Neath the wide-spreading thorn where you met me of yore, When our hearts were as calm as the broad summer sea 449 And, with hand clasped in hand, we sa trance-bound, and deemed [seemed.That life would be ever the thing it then The tree we then planted, green record! lives on, [and gone. But the hopes that grew with it are faded Meet me at sunset, beloved! as of old,When the boughs of the chestnut are waving in gold; When the starry clematis bends down with its bloom, [perfume. And the jasmine exhales a more witching That sweet hour shall atone for the anguish of years, [through our tears; And though fortune still frown, bid us smile Through the storms of the future shall Then, meet me at sunset-oh, meet me again! sooth and sustain ; the Of the exquisite sweetness and surpassing beauty of some of the embel lishments which adorn this little volume, we scarcely know how to speak in adequate terms. The names of the painters and artists we have already enumerated in p. 159. The Sisters,' engraved by Robinson, which forms the frontispiece, is a happy effort of the pencil and burin: the playful archness of the one, as contrasted with the love-lorn melancholy of the other, presents an admirable portraiture of female feeling. Cupid taught by the Graces,' engraved by Edwards; departure of Mary Queen of Scots for France,' by Goodyear; the Proposal, by Rolls; the young Novice,' by Greatbatch; and Feramorz relating the Story of the Peri,' are of the most pleasing and bewitching character, which at once speak to the heart and feelings of all. Minny O'Donnell at her toilet, by Portbury, does not equally please us. The half-length portrait of Sir Walter Scott, by Danforth, reflects great credit on the artist, who, we understand, is a young American but little known in this country. The view of Ehrenbreitstein, on the Rhine, by Pye, is executed with very great judgment and effect. But 'Zadig and Astarte,' or the Agreeable Surprise' (the original of which is in the Marquis of Stafford's collection), for expression, for exquisite softness, and for the delightful effect of light and shade, equals, if it does not surpass, every contemporary production of the pencil or burin. Amongst the collection of graphic That lay gleaming before us, bright, bound- talent and beauty which the Literary less, and free; GENT. MAG. November, 1828, Souvenir displays, we regret to observe 450 REVIEW. British Almanack, &c.-Fine Arts. two which we consider as failures. The one is Cleopatra embarking in the Cydnus, by Goodhall; and the other, She never told her Love.' The former is a mass of indistinctness; not a single object can be clearly defined; and the effect of light and shade is utterly lost. The latter, by Rolls, presents an awkward looking broad faced country girl, with no expression but that of stupidity or absolute idiotcy, instead of the melancholy softness of disappointed love. Moreover, she appears to be leaning on nothing but her wrist; and instead of being represented in an easy recumbent attitude, she seems to be falling on her side from her own clumsiness. We regret to speak thus harshly; but our critical duties require candour and impartiality, which it is our object at all times faithfully to exercise. The British Almanack of the Society for the diffusion of useful Knowledge, for the year 1829. THIS is the second Almanack published by the Society. It excludes all the prophecies hitherto inserted in Almanacks, professing to foretell the weather, and future political events; and embraces a large mass of valuable information. The tables cannot fail of being highly useful. In the monthly columns, that explanatory of the Moon's duration is a happy idea. The [Nov. hints on health are judicious; and the directions relative to the garden and farm very full. The Saints, like the officious Paul Pry, obtrude themselves every where, and we' find Deuteronomy and Ecclesiastes quoted in a work of political economy, entitled A Call upon the People for immediate Altention to the state of their Public Affairs, Debts, and Taxes. The plan proposed is to substitute an income tax in lieu of all others; but it is plain, from Capt. Pettman's Political Economy, Part ii. p. 82, that direct taxation is the very worst form in which it can exist, because, unlike indirect taxation, "it does not cause an increase in the amount of the circulating property, nor create any considerable increase of demand for the labour of the people." Our Saint speaks with more success when he derides the abolition of lotteries (p. 23), while cards, dice, gaming houses, and racecourses, still exist. We join with him in thinking, that of two evils it was the least, to let lotteries make a voluntary return of 400,000l. per annum to the State, rather than to make the sum up by compulsory taxes. The Book of Health, or a Compendium of Domestic Medicine, published by Vizetelly and Co. of Fleet-street, is a judicious selection of the simplest, most efficacious, and the system to a healthy tone. The treatmost generally adopted means of restoring ment of children, the materia medica, and the symptoms of disease, are all accurate and desirable to know. FINE ARTS. HAYDON'S CHAIRING OF THE MEMBERS. Mr. Haydon is a clever, and has been a very unfortunate artist. His embarassments, and it is difficult for an unencouraged artist to be free from them, may we hope be productive of considerable and numerous advantages. Circumstances placed him in that crude mixture of unexpected and unavoidable misfortune and roguish misery which is to be met with in the walls of the King's Bench; and during the time he was compelled to breathe that tainted atmosphere, and come in contact with the vicious society there found, occurred a "remarkable frolic,' which has furnished him with materials for two very curious and novel historical pictures. One of them was exhibited last year, and has since been purchased by his Majesty for the sum of five hundred guineas. That displayed the ceremony of the election for two members to represent the borough of Tenterden. The companion picture now exhibiting at the Bond Street Bazaar, represents the subsequent ceremony of chair ing the successful candidates, and upon the whole may be considered the superior production. "The scene of the chairing was acted on a water-butt one evening, but was to have been again performed in more magnificent costume the next day. Just, however, as all the actors in this eccentric masquerade, High Sheriff, Lord Mayor, Head Constable, Assessor, Poll Clerks, and Members, were ready dressed, and preparing to start, the Marshal interfered, and stopped the procession!" A guard of six grenadiers and a serjeant was called in to his assistance, and confusion soon reigned. This is the event depicted in the present painting, and some of its materials are invented, though the characters are all identifiable. We cannot be expected to give a detail of the hundred figures here introduced, as Mr. Haydon has expressed his intentions and ideas so fully in his descriptive catalogue, and because it would occupy too much of our columns. But we would wish particularly to solicit the public notice to the group on the right, which is painted with To amazing truth and force. It is the picture of an unfortunate family, reduced from affluence and respectability to poverty and wretchedness. The husband and father, a gay and fashionable man, whose attachment to hunting and drinking has caused the heart-rending wreck, has just drawn a cork, and is apostrophizing the bottle, which his daughter is endeavouring to remove by filial earnestness and persuasion. Behind this careless, reckless remain of something noble, appears a too fond wife, with cheeks pale with care and distress, and eyes exhibiting the sorrowful hue of weeping, whose love for her husband induces her to request her child to desist, and allow him his only consolation in his wretchedness. Before him is his little shoeless boy, looking with innocent wonder at the "unaccountable alteration in the features and expression that takes place under the effects of intoxication." heighten the distress, three pawnbroker's duplicates, one for the child's shoes, 1s. 6d. one for the wedding-ring, 5s. and one for the wife's necklace, 7.-lie at the feet of the father; but Mr. Haydon has decreased the bitterness of the feeling by placing one wedding ring on the wife's hand. The Head Constable screening himself from observation in the folds of his bed-curtain robe is a good knavish portraiture; and the countenances of the Lord Mayor, the two Members, particularly the late Mr. Meredith,* and the saucepan-helmeted specimen of what Mr. Haydon calls "Voluptuous Gaiety," are very good, and full of characteristic humour and expression. There is one more object which most forcibly arrests the attention of the mind; it is the remains of what was once a gentleman. Mr. Haydon thus describes him" First rendered reckless by imprisonment then hopeless-then sottish —and, last of all, from utter despair of freedom, insane! Round his withered temples is a blue ribbon, with Dulce est pro patria mori ;' for he is baring his breast to rush on the bayonets of the Guards, a willing sacrifice as he believes, poor fellow! for a great public principle. In his pocket he has three pamphlets On Water Drinking, or the Blessings of Imprisonment for Debt,' and Adam Smith's Moral Essays.' Ruffles hang from his wrists, the relics of former days, rags cover his feeble legs, one foot is naked, and his appearance is that of a being sinking in mind and body!" Considering Mr. Haydon's previous devotion to a severer style of painting, it is surprising that he has produced so excellent and perfect a picture. But humour is not his forte, as every one must allow who compares his efforts in the grand style with these representations of low life. If the reader only turn his eyes to his other productions See the first part of the present volume, PP. 379, 648. 451 in the same room, he will bear us out in the assertion. We are not complaining of these efforts in a different style, as efforts; but however pleasing and popular they may become on account of their local interest, and the general preference that exists for low caricature, they never will be so creditable to him as his works of more elevated sentiment and more refined feeling. We are only fearful that the pecuniary circumstances of the artist will induce him to flatter the vitiated taste of the unintellectual, instead of, by more exalted efforts, tend to its correction. His "Christ's entry into Jerusalem," and the "Judgment of Solomon," are both good pictures; but unfortunately the principal figures are the most inferiorly executed. In the former are introduced several portraits-Hazlitt, Newton, Voltaire, &c.; and in the latter, the figure of the real mother throwing herself anxiously and piteously forward to save the child's life, is admirably contrasted with the unwomanly grin of her whose child was a mass of hideous inanimation. "Alexander taming the horse Bucephalus," is a splendid picture; the noble figure of the horse, the easy, graceful attitude of the young and daring prince, the consternation of the courtiers, and the congratulations of Philip and his Queen, are very excellently pourtrayed. "Veuus visiting Anchises on Mount Ida" is a sweet picture. The goddess is a lovely figure, blushing with a sense of her own beauty, the magnitude of the favour, and the knowledge of her guilty intentions. Anchises views her with a vacant admiration he forgets himself in his astonishment, and remains rivetted to his seat. Here too is the original of "The Parting," engraved in the "Friendship's Offering for 1829;" another scene from the same play, one or two portraits, and many studies. Light's Views of Pompeii.-Carpenter The interesting letters of the younger Pliny, detailing the particulars of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which effectually destroyed the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, are familiar to every classical student. That event occurred under the reign of the Emperor Titus, in the year 79 of the Christian æra, and is the first memorable eruption we have any particular account of. Some ascribe the date of the destruction of Pompeii to the eruption which occurred on the 5th of February, A. D. 63, and which greatly injured the city of Herculaneum. These two cities were, previous to this dreadful inundation of liquid fire, of very great celebrity and antiquity, boasting an origin from the great Hercules; and the period assigned by the best chronology for their foundation, is the 3476th of the Julian period. Their situation one from the other |