We understand, however, that Mr. Mahomed's baths are muckr used at Brighthelmstone, alias Brighton, and with considerable benefit to all parties. NOVELS. Art. 22. Edward Neville; or, the Memoirs of an Orphan. 12mo. 4 Vols. 11. 8s. Boards. Longman and Co. 1823. It is very seldom that we feel ourselves compelled to pass a sentence of unmingled censure on a novel; for even in the most indifferent we can often find sufficient amusement to tranquillize in some degree our critical irritation. There appears, indeed, to be a species of ingratitude in the total condemnation of a book which has perchance beguiled a winter's evening; and we are inclined to let the present novel escape under this plea, although we ́scarcely derived sufficient entertainment from it to make the perusal any thing better than a task. It is a long and dull tale, about a number of vulgar and foolish people, and we apprehend that it is written by a very young author; who we hope will be cautious of repeating his offence. Some parts are, however, of a better description, and may perhaps be read with interest: as for instance the history of the hero's campaigns in the Peninsula, which is the best portion of the whole. MISCELLANEOUS. Art. 23. Remarks on the North of Spain. By John Bramsen, Author of Travels in Egypt, Syria, and Greece; and of Sappho, &c. &c. 8vo. 6s. 6d. Boards. Whittakers. 1823. This unpretending volume conveys much information on the character of the Spaniards, and assists us considerably in tracing the causes which led to the restoration of despotism in the Peninsula. It clearly appears that the mass of the people, and more especially the peasantry, are so ignorant and bigoted, as to be obviously incapable of appreciating the blessings of a free government. Had the new constitution remained in operation a few years longer, it is probable that a degree of intelligence would have been disseminated among all classes of the community, which would have rendered every effort to stop the progress of liberal ideas unavailing:- but at present the prospect is dark indeed; and this reflection becomes more mournful when we observe the many fine qualities which, notwithstanding its degradation, the Spanish character still possesses. Numerous proofs of this fact will occur to the reader of the Remarks' of Mr. Bramsen; who had an excellent opportunity of forming a correct opinion of the spirit of the constitutional troops, and the feelings with which they were regarded by their countrymen, when he accompanied a considerable body of them from Bilboa through the Orduna mountains to Berguenda. In general, the inhabitants appear to have been averse from receiving them, although the conduct of the soldiers was exemplary. If the Spanish commanders had remained as faithful to their honor and the interests of their country as the soldiers 6 soldiers appear to have been, the task of subjugating Spain would not have been found so easy. We insert with pleasure the following brief account of the good qualities of the constitutional troops. During the few days I passed in the society of the soldiers, I observed that the men, although not well equipped, and though they had undergone great fatigues, without regular rations, seemed not in the least discontented. If they got a segar and some water from a stream, they appeared fully satisfied. If a want of discipline is apparent, it is with the subalterns towards the superior officers, and by no means among the privates. I observed another good trait of the soldiers, that, although the peasants in the villages received them coldly, and often withheld their provisions, either from a hostile sentiment towards the constitutional cause, or from fear of non-payment, they never shewed any evil disposition, or committed any outrage upon the persons or property of the inhabitants. They generally took a leathern bag (borracha), and got it filled with red wine as sour as vinegar; they did not appear to wish for meat; bread and cheese, with boiled soup, onions, and garlic, forming the substance of their frugal repasts. Whenever the soldiers entered a village, or passed a straggling house on the road, a woman generally came out with a plate of lighted coals, and stood until every one had lighted his segar. I never once saw any insult offered to these females, or heard the least expression escape, which might have shocked their modesty.' Art. 24. The last Days of Spain; or, an Historical Sketch of the Measures taken by the Continental Powers in order to destroy the Spanish Constitution. By an Eye-witness. 8vo. 3s. Partridge. 1823. Since the re-establishment of "the absolute king," the causes which led to that event have been rapidly developing themselves, though we can scarcely as yet expect to receive any impartial account of the transactions which ushered in The last Days of Spain.' The present pamphlet, which is written with as much temper as can be expected, professes to give a succinct account of the late events in the Peninsula, and is a brief but able exposition of the views entertained on that subject by the most liberal party among the Spanish patriots. The conduct of the late ministry is freely arraigned, and not indeed without cause for a more fatal selection could not have been made in filling the most important offices of the state, both civil and military. The ministers surrounded themselves on every side with spies and traitors: -the Marquis of Casa Irujo, whose character even then was well understood, was appointed the representative of the constitutional government at the court of Versailles; while Morillo, the sanguinary opposer of liberty on another field, and Henry O'Donnell, whose treachery was notorious, were placed at the head of the constitutional army. Nothing can palliate so fatal and destructive an error. Nor did the ministry display that energy which might be expected in men filling a situation so awfully responsible. If we may believe the author of this anonymous pamphlet, so completely was San Miguel (the minister for foreign affairs) deceived by the artifices of the French cabinet, that, in his confidential communications with his friends, he maintained that the Cordon Sanitaire was only what it professed to be, and was not calculated to excite the slightest suspicion or the least disgust among the friends of liberty. We must not, however, forget that the constitutional government had difficulties to encounter, of no ordinary character: viz. the mass of the nation passive, if not ill-disposed towards the new order of things, an exhausted treasury, treachery in their ranks, -and a powerful army of foreigners. It is possible that the period may arrive when the struggle will be carried on under more fortunate auspices, and the past will then be an useful lesson. We would gladly put confidence in the final paragraph of the tract before us : In reference to the Spanish cause, we will conclude with a prediction, of which the authors of so many calamities, will themselves hasten the fulfilment. Their fabric will be ephemeral, because it is founded on moral incongruities, on crimes which sap the foundation of public happiness, on a division of interests, on meanness, and on perfidy. With such allies as these, fatal strokes may be inflicted, but the effects are insecure; alarm may be created, but strength is not acquired. Let us place in contrast to these despicable auxiliaries, public reason, mutual happiness, the love of independence, national pride, the irresistible strength of opinion, the imperious vigour of necessity, and then decide to whom the victory must ultimately belong.' Art. 25. Memoirs of the Life of Don Rafael del Riego. By a Spanish Officer. 8vo. 5s. 6d. Boards. Partridge. 1823. The Canon Riego, brother of Don Rafael, at present resident in this country, in a letter addressed to the editor of a morning paper has disclaimed all knowlege of the officer by whom these Memoirs purport to be written, and has in strong terms denied their correctness; on the other hand, the publisher has replied to the Canon, vindicating their authenticity; and the Canon, again, has repeated his fulminations and renewed his anathema. We are not aware, however, in what particular points the narrative can be incorrect, for in reality it contains little more information than the world already possessed with regard to the actions of the gallant Riego. A very brief account is given of his life previous to the Revolution of 1820, in which he acted so prominent a part; and since that period the eyes of all Europe have been fixed on "the hero of Las Cabeças.' It is certainly very desirable that the public should possess a faithful memoir of Riego, whose patriotic virtues in some degree rescue the character of Spain from the degradation into which it has sunken; whose memory is at once the glory and the disgrace of his country: but whose death will, we trust, prove not less useful than his life to the cause in which he perished. The blood of Riego may yet fructify the seed of freedom. A portrait of the General is prefixed to this volume. Art. Art. 26. A Translation of all the Greek, Latin, Italian, and French Quotations, which occur in Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England; and also in the Notes of the Editions by Christian, Archbold, and Williams. By J. W. Jones, Esq., late of Gray's Inn. 8vo. 9s. Boards. Reader. 1823. Surely it is too great an affront to "the Country Gentlemen" to translate the little Greek and easy Latin that occur in Blackstone, for their benefit. We think that, in the present diffused state of literaure, scarcely a person is to be found, who keeps the Commentaries in his library for study or reference, and who is incompetent to translate the quotations with which they are interspersed: especially as, for the most part, they are explained by the text, to which they only serve as authorities and illustrations. We do not say that Mr. Jones has not usually translated the passages with the requisite fidelity, but what reader of Sir William Blackstone required such helps as these? "Secundum subjectam materiam." "Virtute officii.". According to the sub By virtue of their office.' "Durante beneplacito." During pleasure.' "In anno septimo Regis Johannis." of King John.' In the seventh year It must be added, however, that Mr. Jones is not uniformly correct. Casus omissi are not unsettled cases,' as he translates the words, but those cases which were not foreseen by the legislature when the provision was made. Art. 27. Forget Me Not! A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1824. 12mo. 12s. Boards. In a Case. Ackermann. It has long been the custom in Germany to publish the Almanacs, or New Year's Pocket-books, enriched with light compositions in prose and verse by the best writers, and adorned by engravings, usually of scenes in those tales. The decorated volume before us is an adoption of this plan, and an attempt to render such illustrated new year's gifts acceptable and customary to the public of this country: but it does not contain an almanac ; and we would suggest the propriety of making such an addition to the work in future, even if the usual lists and miscellaneous information that now occur in our pocket-books be not included. In other respects, this is certainly a very elegant souvenir, pleasingly occupied by tales and poems from the pens of several writers who are more or less favorites with English readers, such as Messrs. Wiffen, Bernard Barton, Montgomery, &c.: but some of the tales are from the German of Kotzebue, or from the French, or the Russian. The engravings are twelve in number, and are very well executed. Among them are two views of the Gothic temple and mausoleum at Claremont, dedicated to the memory of the Princess Charlotte, with elegiac lines and an explanatory description; and it may be new to many as well as pleasing to all readers, to know that so elegant and appropriate a tribute has been paid to the memory of a princess, who, if she had lived, would probably probably have been a very popular and beneficial ruler over Old England. We transcribe the stanzas on Night, by Mr. Montgomery : < * Night is the time for rest; How sweet, when labours close, Stretch the tired limbs, and lay the head Upon our own delightful bed! Night is the time for dreams; The gay romance of life, When truth that is and truth that seems Blend in fantastic strife ; Ah! visions less beguiling far Than waking dreams by daylight are! Night is the time for toil; To plough the classic field, < Night is the time to weep; To wet with unseen tears Those graves of memory, where sleep Hopes that were angels in their birth, Night is the time to watch ; On ocean's dark expanse, To hail the Pleiades, or catch The full moon's earliest glance, That brings into the home-sick mind All we have loved and left behind. Night is the time for care; Brooding on hours mis-spent, To see the spectre of despair Come to our lonely tent, Like Brutus, midst his slumbering host, Startled by Cæsar's stalwart ghost. Night is the time to muse; Then from the eye, the soul Takes flight, and with expanding views, Beyond the starry pole Descries athwart the abyss of night, The dawn of uncreated light. Night is the time to pray; Our Saviour oft withdrew To desert mountains far away; Steal |