AND Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts, Politics, etc. No. 52. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1818. SELECT EARLY ENGLISH POETS, Nos. 2 | selves of their great precursor: and it a our early poetry has met with a portion His great work is a translation of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and is indeed a production of extraordinary merit, replete with beauties of the highest order; yet sometimes disgraced by absurdities, quaintnesses, and wanderings from his original. Both Dryden and Pope knew how to avail themVOL. II. O God, to what end are thy graces given? birth, (As to their chief end) all things they enjoy, treasures Digg'd to, in those deeps, be consumed by death? After some extraordinary and power- Bee-swarms, robb'd of their honey, ceaseless "On, on, sad train,-as from a cranny'd rock flock. Mourn, mourn,-dissected now his cold limbs lie; His judgment, valour, magnanimity? PRICE 1s. O God! what doth not one short hour snatch up this occasion with heartfelt sorrow, for "Nor in the spirit's chariot rides the soul epistle with the following indignant and And he concludes his dedicatory spirited lines. If yet the vile soul of this verminous time, Love more the sale-muse, and the squirrel's chime, Give them unenvied their vain vein and vent, Into affections bought with things that sell, The Epilogue to these Hymns is another fine specimen of Chapman's energetic and soul-entranced style: its earnestness, its force, and the anguish with which it seems to have been written, are truly affecting. The life of enemies, and neglectful friends; but this mighty spirit was embittered by heknew his own worth, and reverenced the lyre;" and he thus beautifully and pathetically concludes, For me, let just men judge by what I show Others, for doing nothing, giving all; God and my dear Redeemer, rescue me What adds much to the value of this publication is, that we have no other translation of these interesting Hymns, which are in themselves highly valuable, as containing a beautiful poetical ex best which have gone before. And in position of some of the most interesting ROB ROY. 3 vols. 12mno.” This long-looked-for novel, by the author of Waverley, Guy Mannering, and the Antiquary, has at last made its appearance; and can we speak more highly of it than to say that it is worthy of his hand? We have debated with ourselves in what manner we should review this work. Were we to analyse the story, we might write an interesting article; but would it be just towards the author, or kind towards our fair friends, who hate and detest the foreknowledge of the denouement of any book which appeals so strongly as this does to their curiosity and feelings? No! we will not take advantage of our rapid publication, to ante-date one of the principal enjoyments to be derived from the perusal of Rob Roy: with an abstinence deserving of all praise, we will endeavour to deliver our opinions, without encroaching upon the mysteries of the narrative, and the eclaircissements of the conclusion. In some respects this novel seems inferior, and in some superior, to its precursors. It is inferior in the general style and composition; which, though highly wrought in many parts, are yet carelessly enough slurred over in others and it is, perhaps, inferior in depth of interest to Waverley and Guy Mannering. As a picture of manners, and as affording distinct portraits of characters (which are individuals, yet a class) it is equal to the Without forgetting our initiatory promise, we may state, that the plan of this delightful work consists of the adventures of Mr. Francis Osbaldistone, | the son of a rich London Merchant, who refusing to engage in commercial pursuits, as desired by his father, is sent to an uncle's in Northumberland, almost disinherited. In his journey to the north, he falls in with Robert Campbell, a cattle dealer, alias Rob Roy, and by a skilful connexion of their fates, they become from that period interwoven with each other. Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone (the uncle) and his six sons, form a massive group in this canvass, and the chief light is found in a Relative, who is living at Cubhall, Miss Diana Vernon, on whose character the author has exerted all his energies. It is that of Flora Mac Iver, somewhat softened, and embracing many different shades; equally exalted, but perhaps more natural. The only other female who figures in the piece, is the wife of Rob Roy: a ruthless and desolate-hearted Amazon. The Chieftain of the Clan Gregor himself, is admirably drawn, though in him there has been less of invention necessary than in others. He seems only less barbarous, or, we may say, more civilised, than common fame has handed him down to us. A Scotch Gardener, Andrew Fairservice, is well depicted; a worldly, time-serving, selfisli fellow; neither overburthened with sense nor principle; but yet contriving, by his officiousness, to occupy a conspicuous station in this drama. A Highland follower of Rob Roy, named Dougal, and a Macgregor, forms a contrast to Fairservice. He is faithful, brave, and devoted, cunning, shrewd, and dexterous. Owen, the principal clerk of the house of Osbaldistone and Tresham, is another portrait of unassuming pretensions, but of exquisite fidelity. The great city, and the wild hills of Scotia, alike submit their children to the developement of our acute and masterly delineator. His images are equally vivid, whether drawn from the desk or the heath, the busy hum of men, or the solitude of deserts. But not one of the characters has delighted us more in the pencilling than Baillie Jarvie of Glasgow. If M'Wheble gave the hint for this admirable likeness, it is so full, so finished, and so thrown out by circumstances, that it leaves us nothing to wish for. We question whether any but Scotch readers will be able to appreciate the perfection of this sketch. The mixture of the pride of birth, though connected with an outlaw, and the opposite habits of a manufacturing education; the combined qualities of the son of Deacon Jarvie, honest man! Heaven be merciful to him! and the cousin of Rob Roy, for whom a hempen cravat is so surely predestined; the pacific and yet bold, the sober yet eccentric, the prudential yet generous acts of the worthy Glasgonian, constitute a tout ensemble of the richest order. Even in the minor characters, there is a degree of variety quite Homeric. The family of Osbaldistone are forcible examples of this. Percival, Thorncliff, John, Richard, and Wilfred, are all alter et idem; and Rashleigh, the youngest brother, a masterly portraiture of villany. Morris, a cowardly Employé of government, is another specimen of the skill of the author: his subserviency, and his lamentable catas trophe, present an useful lesson to mankind. The description of his death, indeed, is one of the most touching and dreadful that we ever read. He is treacherously left as a hostage for the safety of Rob Roy, who is thus betrayed into the hands of his foes. Brought a prisoner to the wife of the Chieftain, immediately after she has been excited to fury by a sharp contest with, and victory over, a party of the military, whom Dougal misleads into a dangerous pass among the mountains, on the borders of a lake, we are told by Francis Osbaldistone, who is also a prisoner, 'Ye're right, young man-ye're right," said Jarvie. "Aye, take counsel of those who like a godless Rehoboam, who took the are aulder and wiser than yoursell, and binna advice of a wheen beardless callants, neglecting the auld counsellors who had sate at the feet o' his father Solomon, and, as it is weel put by Mr. Meiklejohn, in his lecture on the chapter, were doubtless partakers of his sapience. But I maun hear naething about honour-we ken naething here but about credit. Honour is a homicide, and a blood-spiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent, honest man, that sits at hame, and makes the pat play.' birthless villains tread on the neck of the own honour, the dialogue thus pro- flood. "The wife of Mac Gregor commanded that the hostage exchanged, for his safety should be brought into her presence. I believe her sons had kept this unfortunate wretch out of her sight, for fear of the con"I was so much moved by this horrid sequences; but if it was so, their humane spectacle, that, although in momentary exprecaution only prolonged his fate. They to speak in his behalf; but, as might have pectation of sharing his fate, I did attempt dragged forward at her summons a wretch been expected, my interference was sternly already half dead with terror, in whose agonized features I recognized, to my some, while others, binding a large heavy disregarded. The victim was held fast by horror and astonishment, my old acquaint-stone in a plaid, tied it round his neck, and ance Morris. "He fell prostrate before the female others again eagerly stripped him of some chief with an effort to clasp her knees, part of his dress. Half-naked, and thus from which she drew back, as if his touch manacled, they hurled him into the lake, had been pollution, so that all he could do, last death-shriek with a loud halloo of vinthere about twelve feet deep, drowning his in token of the extremity of his humilia- dictive triumph, above which, however, the tion, was to kiss the hem of her plaid. yell of mortal agony was distinctly heard. never heard entreaties for life poured forth The heavy burden splashed in the dark-blue with such agony of spirit. The ecstasy of waters of the lake, and the Highlanders, fear was such, that, instead of paralyzing with their pole-axes and swords, watched an his tongue, as on ordinary occasions, it instant to guard, lest, extricating himself even rendered him eloquent; and, with from the load to which he was attached, cheeks pale as ashes, hands compressed he might have struggled to regain the shore. in agony, eyes that seemed to be taking But the knot had been securely bound; their last look of all mortal objects, he pro- the victim sank without effort; the waters, tested, with the deepest oaths, his total ig-which his fall had disturbed, settled calmly norance of any design on the person of Rob Roy, whom he swore he loved and which he had pleaded so strongly, was for ever withdrawn from the sum of human honoured as his own soul. In the incon- "It is impossible to describe the scorn, the loathing and contempt, with which the wife of Mac Gregor regarded this wretched petitioner for the poor boon of existence. "I could have bid you live,' she said, had life been to you the same weary and wasting burthen it is to me that it is to every noble and generous mind. But you wretch! you could creep through the world unaffected by its various disgraces, its ineffable miseries, its constantly accumulating masses of crime and sorrow, you could live and enjoy yourself, while the nobleminded are betrayed-while nameless and that transcendant painter of human We could wish to set before our 66 6 friend Owen, "Ye are right, Mr. Owen-ye are 66 • I am then to consider him,' I replied, as an honest man.' "Umph,' replied Jarvie, with a precautionary sort of cough,- Ay, he has a kind o' Hieland honesty-he's honest after a sort, as they say. My father the deacon used aye to laugh when he tauld me how that bye-word came up. Ane Captain Costlett was cracking crouse about his loyalty to King Charles, and Clerk Pettigrew (ye'll hae heard mony a tale about the king, when he was fighting against him him) asked him after what manner he served at Worster in Cromwell's army; and Captain Costlett was a ready body, and said that he served him after a sort. My honest father used to laugh weel at that sportand sae the bye-word came up."" Among the finest pictures of this excellent book, we must notice that of the " Laigh Kirk" at Glasgow, and the sacred service performed there, which occurs in the second volume. It is inimitably good, and gives prodigious effect to the incident which takes place in "those waste regions of oblivion," where "dusky banners, and tattered escutcheons indicated the graves of those who were once, doubtless, Princes in Israel:' where inscriptions, which could only be read by the painful antiquary, in language as obsolete as the act of devotional charity which they implored, invited the pas sengers to pray for the souls of those whose bodies rested beneath." The scenery of Northumberland and of the Highlands is painted with a force and colouring equally faithful. An artist would need no other studies to enable him to transfer its features from the paper to the canvass. have more general correctness, and | All is silent around save the dash of the oar, much fewer particular errors. We annex a specimen from the sixth Epistle from Q to his sister Jane: the following description of an antiquated Fashionable is in good style. And the echoes at intervals wafted from shore; Save the note of the sea-birds as onwards they glide, "And then her poor Mother! 'twould ruffle a saint To look at her caxon, pearl-powder, and paint; Her pads and her corsets are managed so well, Those who follow her sometimes may think her a belle; We can scarcely tear ourselves away from this fascinating subject; but dare not go on, lest we forget all our pledges, and dash into the very heart of the But when you o'ertake her, astonished you find story. Suffice it to repeat, that Rob She's a Gorgon before, though a Venus behind; Roy is worthy of its author, and Of age, youth, and folly, a motley variety; A nondescript thing shuffled into Society, has added another laurel to his crown, The faults of both ages her manners unfold, another source to the fountains of in-She cannot be young, and she will not be old; tellectual enjoyments, another picture Let her polish and varnish as much as she will, to the series of national manners, and The rust of antiquity hangs on her still. another star to the galaxy of national literature. EPISTLES FROM BATH; or Q's Letters Among some advice respecting modes we find "You next must observe, it is proper to wear That all her flirtations are under the rose." We do not dislike the following, though its best part is rather a close imitation of the Lay of the Last Minstrel. "Oh, woman! by nature ordain'd to bestow move, Will bow to the milder dominion of Love. In the realms of the gay we behold her advance, All lightness and loveliness, joining the dance; But the revellers gone, in seclusion she moves, Regardless of all save the one that she loves. Enchantress! adorn'd with attractions like these, In mind and in person created to please; inust be, Of the miscellaneous poems, "Love in a Cottage," is more prudential than poetical; lines "Written at the Sea Side," more poetical than any of the rest, and we therefore do ourselves the pleasure of concluding our review with a copy of them. There is not a wave on the face of the deep, And the pebbles that whisper when touch'd by the tide. Above us the sails almost motionless lic, Where the rays of the sun are reflected most bright, The vessels seem launch'd on an ocean of light; And thought not of storms or of dangers to come, Though they lurk'd in the breeze that seem'd wafting them home! Narrative of my Captivity in Japan, during the years 1811, 1812, and 1813; with Observations on the Country and the People. By CAPTAIN GOLOWNIN, R. N. 2 vols. 8vo. &c. &c. (Concluded.) The habits, customs, natural history, and opinions, of the people of Japan, may be partially gathered from the extracts which we subjoin. "The Japanese are extremely fond of gardens, and love to imitate the works of nature. During our walks through the city, we frequently passed by houses with little pieces of cultivated ground. They all contained a pool of water, surrounded with trees and bushes. In the centre of the water two or three heaps of earth were usually collected to represent islands, with stones fixed upon them, by way of being rocks and mountains; some of these islands were even planted with shrubberies. In the water we sometimes observed little boats and vessels sailing about, which were, however, very badly made. Such were the ornaments usually attached to the houses of the poorer classes, whose bits of enclosed ground, or yards, were only a few paces in diameter; the richer class, however, have, in general, fine gardens. The climate of the island of Matsmai, notwithstanding its advantageous geographical situation, is, on account of other local circumstances, unfavourable for gardening; but from the accounts of the Japanese themselves there are many fine gardens on the island of dividuals of distinction, whose chief pride Niphon, belonging to princes and other inconsists in admitting the common people to walk in them, and to wonder at the beauty of their cultivation. The forests of Matsmai are inhabited by bears, wolves, foxes, hares, stags, and wild goats. There are likewise some sables to be found on this island, but their fur is of a reddish colour, and consequently of little value. The bears are uncommonly fierce, and attack men as well as other animals. "The ice fox is never seen on the Kurile islands, and the inhabitants do not even know such an animal by name. When shewn their skins at Kamtschatka, they call them white foxes. They shoot sea-lions and sea-dogs, and catch eagles with seagulls, though not in the same way as they ensnare the foxes. They build a little shed with an aperture at the top; and in the interior fasten a sea-gull; in a short time the eagle darts upon his prey, seizes it with his claws, and whilst he is endeavouring to carry it off or devour it, he is killed by the Kuriles. It is only during the winter that the eagle inhabits the Kurile islands; on the approach of summer these birds of prey take flight to Kamtschatka." The Japanese government (as we noticed in our last Number) consider it as a heinous crime to attempt the conversion of its subjects to Christianity. The unrelenting punishment of offenders in this way, may be traced to At another time the question was put "Whose office is it on board the Russian vessels to foretel the state of the wind and weather? When we replied, that this task was not allotted to any particular officer, but that it was part of the duty of the comastonished; for with them, a boat never mander of the ship, they were not a little puts to sea without having a prophet of the One day a dinner was sent to the prisoners of a superior quality, and served in elegant dishes. They could not guess whence this treat came; but afterwards learnt, that it was sent by a rich man, who was suffering under a dangerous fit of illness, and that in such cases it was usual in Japan to send presents of that sort to the poor and unfortunate. We have already men-reather on board.” tioned that wilful-fire-raising is not Thus fortified, we suppose, we may uncommon in this country, and de-read the risks of the following passage scribed the horrible punishment which without trembling for the navigators, awaits the wretch convicted of this and their land progress seems equally offence,-its frequency being another secure. proof of the inadequacy of mere vindictive visitation to prevent crime. gar from Matsmai to a well-sheltered bay "The Japanese cross the Straits of SanThe Japanese customs when fires oc- near the city of Mimaya. As they never cur are in other respects rather curi-undertake it except with a favourable wind, they are in general only a few hours at sea. Mimaya is about 200 rees, or 800 wersts," from Yeddo. Persons of distinction travel in litters or sedan chairs, and the common people on horseback. A great number of men are, therefore, always kept at the post stations. The Japanese assured us that the litter-bearers, from long experience, proceed with so much steadiness, that if a glass of water was placed in the litter, not a drop would be spilt." ous: "Both officers and soldiers wear a particular dress. It exactly resembles their military uniform; consisting of coats of mail, sleeve-cases, &c. But the whole is composed of light varnished leather, so that this armour is not burthensome to the the disturbances which arose in consewearer, and cannot be injured by the sparks quence of the labours of ancient mis-mail, the rank and office of the bearer are which issue from the fire. On the coat of sionaries. Captain Golownin states described. To extinguish a fire is regarded a most glorious achievement the among Japanese. When a fire breaks out in the capital, where there are numerous corps of troops, the commander who first proceeds to extinguish it, fixes his standard near the if another officer lends his assistance withspot, and it is deemed exceedingly offensive that It seems that they are slow as well as sure, for their very couriers perform little more than 50 miles a day. Of the foreign relations of a people who decline all foreign intercourse, it is not likely that much intelligence "The Japanese are not followers of new religions. They give, however, full liberty to a variety of sects, besides permitting the public profession of even the Kurile religion; but they are quite intolerant to Christianity, on account of the troubles it out being invited by him who has by his should be given. Yet there are some civil war. early arrival obtained possession of the has occasioned among them. The Catholic curious facts disclosed in these volumes, which seem to indicate more than they express, especially if we look to the present era, when the exploration of distant lands is an European passion, and an interference with them an inevitable consequence. We know no quarter of the earth more likely to shine in the history of the next twenty years than China and the island nations in its and physical force must now roll oneastern seas. The mighty tide of moral Are hundred silver pieces."-There is, like- tions of their captives, the governor de-ward, and this way lies its obvious hiring servants till they receive from them sired to know whether some change of a written assurance of their not being Chris-religion had not taken place in Russia, tians. In Nangasaky, where Christianity as Laxman (a recent traveller) wore a had made the greatest progress, there is a long tail, and had thick hair" which staircase, on the steps of which are laid he covered all over with flour," and various ornaments and utensils of the Ca- Captain Golownin and his companions tholic church, and on the first step a cru- had their hair cut quite short, and did cifix. On new year's day all the inhabitants of Nangasaky are obliged to ascend not put flour upon their heads. these steps; and, as a proof that they are not Christians, trample on the articles. The interpreter assured us, that many Christians who live at Nangasaky, comply with this regulation from interested mo wise, a law which prohibits masters from tives." "On our telling them (says the author) that with us there was no connexion between religion and the form of the hair, they laughed out loud, and expressed no little surprise that there should be no express law on this point." course. The interpreters frequently told Captain Golownin that it was more than 300 years ed the Kurile islands as far as Kamtsince the Japanese had visittained possession of them; and that schatka; that they might easily have rethe Kuriles and Japanese were originally the same people, as appeared from the number of words common to both languages. It is a singular proof of the truth of this assertion, that they * Two English miles are nearly equal to three Russian worsts.-EDITOR. |