gen and hydrogen gases, in a state of ignition, were reflected and condensed between two concave polished surfaces, a very powerful effect would be produced. He accordingly tried the experiments, and found that, by means of a ball of chalk, not larger than a small hazel-nut, objects were ignited in the focus of the opposite mirror, which, cæteris paribus, in ordinary experiments, required the use of a redhot iron ball, three or four inches in diameter. It will be recollected by our readers, that about two years ago it was proposed (we think by Captain Drummond) to employ the intense light, created by the above-mentioned process, in light-houses during foggy weather. Mr Reid, in a second experiment on the present occasion, produced, with the assistance of a common light-house reflector, an effect of light vivid and dazzling beyond description. be kept from the action of the air, it is to be covered with a mixture of Punic wax and oil. All these operations the specimens exhibit sufficiently well. On the largest one, and some of the others, impressions of the flattened reeds may be seen, as well as the various coatings of lime and stucco, increasing in fineness towards the coloured surface. The various colours also clearly appear to have been put on be fore the stucco had been dry, from their having sunk inte it in some places more than one-tenth of an inch." The Secretary read the conclusion of Col. Miller's essay on the site of the battle of Mons Grampius, which contain ed a narrative of what the essayist believed to have been Agricola's movements during the subsequent part of the year in which it was fought. ORIGINAL POETRY. SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. Monday, 25th January. Sir GEORGE MACKENZIE in the Chair. Present, Professor Brunton; Drs Hibbert and Carson; Thomas Allan, James Skene, Donald Gregory, Dennison, Esquires, &c. &c. Among other donations this evening presented to the Society, were some specimens of the Ancient Painting on the walls of the Baths of Titus at Rome, from William Dyce, Esq., Associate of the Royal Institution. What follows is an extract from the letter of the donor, which accompanied the fragments:-"I am sorry that the fragments, from their smallness, do not exhibit the character of ancient painting so fully as some I have had an opportunity of seeing in this country; but as there is nothing of the kind already in the Museum, they may, perhaps, be thought worthy of a place until some better specimens be procured. Such as they are, however, they are sufficiently interesting, and may serve, with the help of Vitruvius, to give us a pretty correct notion of the manner in which the ancient Roman fresco painting was executed; for between the age of Augustus (in which Vitruvius lived) and that of Titus, (in whose days the Baths were built,) there does not seem to have been any great change, either in the style of the decorations of their houses, or in the manner of their execution. This might be made to appear by a comparison of the remains of either age with those of the other, or by tracing the complete correspondence which is found to exist between the rules laid down by Vitruvius and the practice followed by the artists of the days of Titus. Vitruvius, like a true antiquarian, complains bitterly of the vitiated taste which prevailed among his countrymen at the period when he wrote. They love,' says he, 'to represent things which neither exist, nor can be, nor have been.' Painting,' he continues, 'represents things which either exist or may exist; but in these days subjects are painted, whose prototypes are nowhere to be observed in nature. For, instead of columns, we find reeds substituted; instead of pediments, the stalks, leaves, and tendrils of plants. Candelabra are made to support little temples, from the roofs of which branches spring out, bearing absurd figures. And again, we find other stalks bearing figures, some with human heads, others with heads of beasts. These new fashions have so much prevailed, that, for want of competent judges, true art is little esteemed. How is it possible for a candelabrum to support a horse, or for figures to grow on stalks?' &c. &c. I am sorry the fragments I have procured are too small to exhibit specimens of this grotesque work alluded to and condemned by Vitruvius. Any one, however, who has seen the baths of Titus, can testify that the style of their decoration is precisely the same as that mentioned by Vitruvius; or that, if any difference exists, it is, that the very fault pointed out by him, is carried, if possible, to a greater excess. That the mode of execution was the same as that laid down by Vitruvius, will immediately appear if we compare his words with the appearances in the fragments. He says, that after the beams of a chamber are fixed, Greek reeds, previously bruised or pressed flat, are to be tied to them; after which, various layers, or coats, of lime, are to be laid on-the first composed of lime, and very coarse sand -the second of lime, and finer sand-the third of lime and fine sand, mixed with marble dust. The wall is then to be finished by three separate coatings of stucco and marble dust; on the last of which, while wet, the colours, mixed with size, are to be laid. After this, if any colour needs to THE FAVOURITE ACTRESS. "But is the syren happy, who imparts Proud heart of mine! thy pride gives way, I could not live unless I shed Such welcome tears as these ; The light of what the world calls fame- Than dull insensibility— Than thoughtless fully worse. O! why should I have ever sought Than even the saddest thought that haunts Why stoop to court the vulgar crowd I was the same that I am now That never can come back; And what was new, and pleased at first, And now it is a weary thing, Whate'er my mood may be, To ape my former self, and strut, In wretched mimicry, Through parts in which I cannot feel And where my highest aim is now The scorn with which my smiles are sold There have been those I wish'd to please, I held more dear than all the shouts As on a gaudy show, And though my mental gifts to them They saw-approved-and then pass'd by- And there was one round whom my heart In all its passion twined ; I loved him for the noble thoughts That glitter'd in his mind,——— I loved him for his keener sense And in his presence felt my soul Its earliest powers renew; Even from his looks I caught my tone, A wild and feverish dream! 'Tis past ;- Yet I have worn this very night The wreath of pearls I had from him, I valued more than all my gems- I wish he knew how throbs to-night I wish he saw my hot pale cheek, Who scarce a little hour ago, A form of smiles and light, As if my heart could know no care, Would that my name had died away And that my voice and form had pass'd From out their memory's ken! Would that no higher impulse e'er Had tempted me to seek The fame that has made dim my eye, Whose entrance makes the high roofs ring! She ceased, and in the silence nought was heard But the deep sob, that would not be repress'd. THE YOUNG LAWYER'S SOLILOQUY. "What I hear of their hardships, their tortures, and groans, Is almost enough to draw pity from stones." COWPER'S Pity for Poor Africans. ̧ DISCONSOLATE beside his briefless desk, Wilt thou not send us a reviving shower Of rich litigious clients from the moon? My sweet Louisa, too!-must all our hopes Must we not marry, love, as once we plann'd, Shout loud enough to fright the antipodes, And when all these are done-all these and more- G. M. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. CONSTABLE'S MISCELLANY.-We understand that the following new works are preparing for Constable's Miscellany: 1st, Memoirs of the Irish Rebellions, including the History of Ireland, from its first Invasion by the English, till the Union with Great Britain in 1800, by John M'Caul, Esq. M. A., of Trinity College, Dublin; 2d, History of Modern Greece, and the Ionian Islands; including a Detailed Account of the late Revolutionary War, by Thomas Keightley, Esq. author of " Fairy Mythology," &c.; 3d, A Journey through the Southern Provinces of France, the Pyrenees, and Switzerland, by Derwent Conway, author of "A Tour through Norway, Sweden, and Denmark," &c. The Rev. Dr Inglis, of the Old Grey Friars Church, Edinburgh, is preparing for publication, a Vindication of Christian Faith, addressed to those who, believing in God, do not believe in Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. The Narrative of the War in Germany and France, from the pen of Lord Londonderry, so long announced, is nearly ready for publication. This second work of the noble author will con tain, we wh derstand, a variety of Court Anecdotes and amusing topics, which re- | Coast, Timbuctoo, or the Desert. He goes quite alone, in the co lieve the dryness of military detail, and fill up the intervals of armistice and negotiations, such as splendid reviews, festivals, and balls. Mr Murray is preparing for publication a series of Landscape Illus trations of the Poems of LORD BYRON, to be engraved in the most finished style, after drawings by the most eminent artists. Conversations with Lord Byron on Religion, held in Cephalonia, a short time previous to his Lordship's death, by the late James Kennedy, M.D. of H.B. M. Medical Staff, is announced. Notices of the Brazils in 1828-9, by the Rev. Robert Walsh, LL.D. are announced. Also, by the same publishers, Chronicles of a School-room, by Mrs S. C. Hall; and The Three Histories, by Miss Jewsbury. We understand that Mr Richard Howitt is preparing for publication The Count and Princess, a Tale from Boccaccio, Antediluvian Sketches, and other Poems. The Rev. Hobart Caunter is preparing for publication a poem entitled, The Island Bride, with an Illustration by Martin. Three of Wilkie's paintings are now engraving on a large scale, The Chelsea Pensioners, The Parish Beadle, and the Scottish Wedding. The last is in the hands of Mr Stuart, the engraver, in Edinburgh, who, we believe, was selected by Mr Wilkie himself. We have seen the print, so far as it has yet gone, and think it promises very favourably. Captain Glascock has nearly ready for publication Tales of a Tar, embracing authentic and interesting details of the celebrated mutiny at Spithead. Mr Atherstone is about to publish his second volume of the Fall of Nineveh. The author of the Collegians is preparing a new work, to be enti tled Tales of the Five Senses. Mr Bannister, the late Attorney-General of New South Wales, is preparing an Enquiry into the best means of preventing the Destruction of the Aborigines, usually incident upon settling new colonies. Mr F. W. H. Bayley announces Four Years' Residence in the West Indies. We observe that a French translation of Moore's Life of Lord Byron was to appear in Paris at the same time with the London edi tion. There are as many periodicals in Germany as there are hours in the year. The prolific soil which brings these ephemera into being, gives birth at times to productions of a more durable and attractive form; and of this nature is a new periodical styled the Comet, edited by the celebrated Herlasson. The learned jurisconsult, J. D. Meyer of Amsterdam, is about to publish his View of Legislation in Europe, which he has condensed within the compass of three hundred pages. It is written in the French language; but our readers will be pleased to learn, that he is occupied simultaneously in the preparation of an English version. The Practical Planter, containing directions for the planting of waste lands, and management of wood, by Thomas Cruickshanks, Forester at Coreston, is announced. A MR WESTMACOTT.-A paragraph has appeared in some of the newspapers, stating that Mr Westmacott, the celebrated sculptor, from London, is at present in Edinburgh. This is not the case. brother of Mr Westmacott has been resident here for some time, and has recently turned his attention to sculpture also. Among several felicitously executed busts, he has just finished one of Miss Jarman, which we have seen, and are glad to be able to report very favourably of it. MRS HEMANS.-As a specimen of the horrid nonsense which occasionally appears in newspapers, we take the following paragraph from a respectable provincial paper:-" Mrs Hemans is both young and beautiful. In her recent visit to Scotland, none appeared more surprised or embarrassed than Mrs H. at the honours which awaited her. Sir Walter Scott felt some restraint in her presence, and exerted himself to show his reading; while Mr Jeffrey, awed by the lady's presence, dropt on one knee, and solemnly impressed a kiss upon her trembling hand. Such are the fascinations of a superior - mind, when it comes allied with a pleasing form." If this be meant for wit, it is very poor; and if for truth, it contains a very small sprinkling of it. The writer is evidently totally unacquainted with the lady of whom he speaks. Possessing as she does, in no common degree, varied and brilliant powers of conversation, Mrs Hemans would herself smile at the idea of overawing Sir Walter Scott, or of bringing Mr Jeffrey to her feet. GERMAN ECSTASY.-A new historical and heroical ballet, in five acts, called "Cæsar in Egypt," has been produced at Vienna. A German journal, speaking of its effect on the audience, says, "The spectators floated in a sea of rapture (!)" JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY INTO AFRICA.-Continual failures only seem to increase the desire to explore Central Africa; and whilst the Landers seek the Niger from the western coast, a young Indian Officer (Mr Henry Welford) is about to sail for Egypt, and proceed thence to Sennaar, the Bahr-al-Abiad, and Mountains of the Moon, from which point he will penetrate through the unexplored countries westward to the lake Tzad, returning either by way of the Gold ume of a Desert Arab; and will travel with the greater facility from his knowledge of Eastern manners and languages. He is only 21 years of age. FINE ARTS.-We observe that an Exhibition of Paintings and Works of Art is about to be opened at Dumfries. There was one got up there a year or two ago, under the patronage of the county gentlemen, by the spirited exertions of Mr Dunbar, sculptor, one of the most active members of the Carlisle Academy. The present Exhibition is under the same management. We observe, with interest, the struggle to diffuse through the whole country a relish for the beauties of Art, by means of provincial exhibitions. We shall keep an eye upon that of Dumfries, and shall be most happy to hear of its success. EXHIBITION OF ANCIENT PAINTINGS.-The Directors of the Institution are busy getting up an Exhibition of the Works of the Ancient Masters. Nasmyth has been travelling with a view to procure contributions, and packages are daily arriving at the Building on the Mound. The Exhibition, we understand, will open early next month. We are glad of this; for, if the Exhibitions of Paintings by our modern Artists, serve to keep up a spirit of generous emulation among them, and to bring their merits fairly before the public, the Exhibition of what has been done by the mightier spirits of former days, serves to enlarge and ennoble the taste both of Amateurs and Artists. Theatrical Gossip.-All the London critics are disappointed at Mis Kemble having chosen so poor a part as that of Euphrasia, in so poor a play as Murphy's "Grecian Daughter," for her third character. She does not appear likely to add much to her laurels by it. Her next part is to be Isabella, in the "Fatal Marriage."-Kean is still at Drury Lane, where "Henry V." and "Riches"-a play altered from Massinger's "City Madam"-are in rehearsal for him. Henry V. is a character Kean has often played in the provinces, but never before a London audience.-Laporte and Cloup are about to open the English Opera House with a French company.-The King's Theatre is also about to open. Malibran is to be the prima donna. -Sontag has taken her farewell of the Parisian stage; and Caradori Allan is at present in Venice, where she has been received with the greatest applause.-The author of "The Devil's Elixir" is preparing an Easter piece for Covent Garden; and he has also a new farce in rehearsal, with music by Rodwell.-Report says that a baronet's lady is about to make her debut as Lady Macbeth, on account of family embarrassments. The profession is likely to become aristocratical in time;-a lord's wife belongs to it already.-Macready has been performing at Portsmouth.-Dowton has been playing the Hypocrite in Dublin.-Barton has been starring it in Glasgow.-Miss Jarman has been winning golden opinions in Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen. Mathews takes his benefit this evening. He has drawn excellent houses, and been as much liked as ever. Besides his Monologues, he has appeared in four new pieces,-"Monsieur Mallet,"-" Before Breakfast,"-" The May Queen,”—and "Love laughs at Bailif” All these are farces, and none of them worthy of Mathews.-Yester day the Theatre was closed on account of the Theatrical Fund Din ner. We are to have Braham next week. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. WE have fallen into arrears with several poets, whose volumes lie upon our table; but we promise that they shall all be reviewed next week. An Extract from the Note Book of Baron Bissen in our next. Also "The Actor of All Work."-We have to return our thanks to the Editor of the Carlisle Patriot for his polite attention, and shall be glad to receive the communications he promises.-The notice of "Domestic Life and other Poems" cannot be inserted, as we intend to express our own opinion of the work.-A packet for " A, B, C" lies at our Publisher's. Upon a second reading, the " Effusion to Ailsa Craig," though spirited, appears unequal-We shall not be able to find room for the following poems :-" A Categorical Epistle by a Quaker, to a certain ultra orthodox Doctor,"-"The Weaver's Bundle, a Parody on Lord Ullin's Daughter," "Song for the Newhaven Burns's Club, "-and "Lines to a Young Lady." THE STUDENT OF SPRECHENBURG AND PRICE 6d. young man, with some warmth. "True," said the other; "and, consequently, a person of fine taste and universal information;-my question was needless. You are to unTHE LIVING POETS OF GREAT BRITAIN. derstand then, that the poets have been in a peculiar deIr was about the middle of a moonless night, in the gree interested by these circumstances. Having, accordwinter of 1829-30, that a young lawyer, residing in the ingly, from all quarters of the island, assembled to-night splendid city of Sprechenburg, was slowly making his in the secluded nook where we now are, they are immeway homewards through the deserted and glimmering diately to make trial of their own musical skill; and, in streets. He had spent the evening in a party, concentra-case of a favourable result, a deputation is to set off for ting in itself a great proportion of the hilarity and wit of that learned city,—a wit and hilarity which, as Mrs Malaprop might express herself, have been long and justly extinguished. Music and poetry, the last subjects of conversation, naturally enough engrossed his thoughts. His brain, at the same time, laboured under the influ. ence of certain potations, not immoderate, but undoubtedly any thing rather than thin; his heart expanded with kindliness to every person and thing, and ideas flowed in upon him with a rapidity and pleasure completely inex-ject, you would probably be assured that the whole is nopressible, but attended with an incoherence and absurdity for which he, at the moment, found it utterly impossible to account. Every attribute of poetry, and more particularly of the musical art, floated through his imagination in a perfect chaos of delight, and even communicated to his wavering eye-sight a sympathy with their appearances. An immense shapeless road-way of earth, thrown across a deep valley in the heart of the city, appeared to transform itself into the case of an enormous violoncello; and a gigantic column, towering in the centre of a handsome square, presented itself in the lamentable guise of a basoon, wanting the mouth-piece. At last, on endeavouring to ascertain his locality, he found the undertaking completely beyond his powers, and quietly resigning himself to his fate, sat down on a flight of doorsteps, wrapped in sage meditation on human error and ignorance. London, to offer their services to Signor Bochsa, and perform for the season in the orchestra." The lawyer stood astonished. “Well,” said he, on recovering words, "how comes it that we in the literary world have not heard a syllable concerning this strange speculation ?" The senior answered, with an air full of meaning," The whole affair is intended to be kept a profound secret; the strangers have all arrived incog, and if you were to-morrow to meet and question any of them on the sub The moon shone bright, and allowed him to see that he stood on a low terrace, which overhung a beautiful and extensive garden, disposed with a variety of features and richness of grouping, approaching to that of natural scenery; but he had scarcely time even for wonder at his sudden introduction to the scene, when a gravelooking person stepped forward, and accosted him," I congratulate you, sir, on the honourable choice of which you have been made the object."-" Be good enough to explain yourself," interrupted the young gentleman, somewhat abruptly, and with the fretfulness which seizes a philosophical mind on discovering that it has got beyond its depth." With much pleasure," answered the attendant, bowing with all the polished suavity of Monsieur le confident, in the classical French tragedies: "you have been selected to witness and report to the world one of the most extraordinary occurrences of the day,—a musical performance by those British poets who have had the principal share in modelling the taste of the present age. You have, of course, heard with interest of certain animadversions thrown out, in the course of last winter, against the musical direction of the Opera-house in our English capital?"" I am a Sprechenburg advocate," replied the thing more than a foolish quiz of some would-be-witty writer in Blackwood or the Literary Journal.” As he spoke, he led the way down the terrace staircase, and they passed rapidly through the more regular quarter of the garden, while the bewildered visitor looked round in not unpleasing wonder at the beauties of the ground. Green squares, marble fountains, shady avenues, all were scattered round; rural lodges and moonlight colonnades shone in the distance; and smooth banks and hollows wafted the delicious fragrance of their clustered flowers. Gradually the scenery became wilder, and the dissimilar elements of the most picturesque landscapes blended together in masses of magnificent irregularity. The course of waters began to be heard through the trees, and tangled brooks to gleam out from between the richly green hillocks, beyond which the vistas were closed by firshaded ranks of hills. As they advanced, the woods were more and more colossal, and alternately exhibited thicker abysses of gloom, or opened upon steep, rocky, and verdant chasms in the mountainous sides of the romantic dell. They continued ascending, till, amidst thickets entwined with shrubs and creeping plants, and darkly over-arched by wall-like cliffs, the guide suddenly paused, and pointed to a path winding by the corner of a projecting rock which rose like a barrier before them. * The sounds were those of a violin stamped and bowed with the skill, so rarely to be met with, which makes that difficult instrument the most delightful of any. The air was one, breathing in refined melody the genuine inspiration of those ancient years when Patriotism raised her standard of the silver cross,-when haughty Chivalry plunged his war-steed into the fray, and Romance looked forth from her grey hermit-tower on haunted valleys and dark sepulchral woods. The temper it excited was the stirring and rejoicing one which makes the soul go bounding on its way like the bark before the western gale. Yet in the strain which now rose from its strings, a deeper and loftier spirit often mingled; while, in the light elas tic measures of the ancient Scottish poetry, it poured forth a rush of sounds which those old masters of the its unfathomed receptacles of sound. art might have loved to hear. The commencement of the parts offended by decided dissonances and abrupt changes music had a wild and supernatural meaning, as if its of key; and with regard to mastery of the instrument, theme were some tale of early enchantments and deeply- the impression produced was the very reverse of that believed appearances of fear; a melody dark as if bor- which was excited by the first performer: for here a rowed from the dim haze of the place which witnessed it, feeling accompanied the hearer, that the cathedral organ and flashing with a fitful splendour like that which alone of Milton was indeed too powerful for the hand which illuminated the spot-the darting and vanishing light of now touched its keys; as if in these failing days we must the meteor-streamers of the north. And as the sky-lit be contented with short and interrupted strains of the flames revealed glimpses of the green and cliff-encircled music of poetry, nor hope to hear those sustained strains amphitheatre, the air sank into a calmer tone, and, in long-of harmony, which the hand of old devotion drew from drawn fits of harmony, embodied the purest delight in the shifting moods of nature's charms, and the most lively perceptions of their poetical qualities and associations. But there was still a further height to try; and those bursts of warlike enthusiasm which had occasionally kindled through the serener light of the former song, augured well of the strength which was to luxuriate in full-grown freedom amidst the deafening clamours of the battle-field. | The notes rose, and the wonder was, that the familiar instrument could be made to utter tones of such varied, powerful, and elevated music, alternately booming with the thrilling beat of the drum, and piercing like the shrill blare of the trumpet, through the quivering ear and the beating and glowing heart. Now was heard the deep and stilly tramp of distant armies,—now, as they neared, the hum of swords and the dashing of armour united in rousing harmony, till the charging hosts dashed together as the flooded river leaps upon the sea, and the fierce exultation of the combat was imaged in a long and tempestuous sweep of music, free as the race of the winter-blast, and majestic as the echoed thunder in the darkened vale. With throbbing veins and eyes flashing ardour through their filling tears, the listener drank in the strain; and, as he half sprang forward to join the fancied fight, felt as if he could himself, at that moment, like the Poet's own MARMION, have looked gladly from the bed of death on the march of his victorious banner, and collected his energies in one expiring effort, to utter his last delirious shout of intense and martial exultation. And then, in a sad minor movement, one brief measure wailed for the ill which was to follow, and expressed a mingled grief for desolate houses and a vanquished land. The notes which next broke the silence were those of a violoncello,-deep, impressive, and possessing the finest quality of tone. Through the still air of night, the wild and extraordinary music which rose into it was heard with startling distinctness. Rude pauses often broke in upen the measure; but where the flame of the poetic frenzy struck most fiercely on the poet's heart, those thoughtful and intensely musical sounds bore in them a tremendous energy, an energy and wildness of expression which could flow only from the rich and wide chambers of one spirit, -that of COLERIDGE. The song resembled the effusion of a mind which saw every object through a peculiar, bat splendid medium; a mind which had the silence of midnight before it in the full blaze of noon, and which, in the crowded assemblages of real life, was present in thought with spiritual and awful existences. The most ordinary objects were viewed by this singular and powerful imagination as if surrounded by a ghost-like radiance, and endowed in their nature with a mysterious and hidden life; and when his song strove to give voice to the feelings which his fantasy suggested, it rolled on with the low and distant sound rising from beneath the rocks of an engulfed and subterraneous river. A long pause succeeded: yet the mind had scarcely recovered from the impression of that imaginative piece of music, when a more lightsome burst of melody broke out, expressed in the clear, sweet, bell-like tones of the hatmonicon. The hand which wandered over its keys was that of the poet who gave to the world the pure and delicate pictures of the ISLE OF PALMS. Every bar of the music overflowed with combinations of ideas the most gor geous and lovely; the fulness of delight was uttered ia sounds of rich and conscious vigour, and mournful ca even to tears. But every varied emotion of pleasure in nature, of triumph in delicious hopes, or of sorrow for death and misery, all were embodied with an airiness and ideality of tone which resembled the echo of music rather than its first sounds. The air in every turn discovered the movements of a mind which inhaled the fairness of nature like the very breath of its life, which saw every object in all the colours of the brightening rainbow, and clothed with a thousand decorations invisible to the com mon eye; and which yet, amidst this glow of increased beauty, believed that poetry is something too sacred for expressing unshadowed joy, and felt that the greenness of the earth is but a thin covering for its graves. It had scarcely ceased, when, as if in harmony with its closing temper, there arose the deep and solemn swell of an organ, in whose touch the listener immediately recog-dences sank away in a tenderness of expression affecting nised the hand of WORDSWORTH. The former strain had been consecrated to Memory: this was a garland hung on the altar of Hope. And as man, identifying himself with the future, looks forward through many fears and sorrows, but looks backward on vanished ages with a pleasing awe, untinged by a single selfish feeling, so was this piece of music instinct with the sad spirit with which we contemplate the land of futurity, when we for the time forget that around us stretches the shifting pageant of the present, and far and illimitable behind us the dim and glorious scenery of the past. And the prevailing mood of the music was one of deep and often anxious meditation, which could for a while quietly and calmly brood over the loveliness of the external world, and celebrate its praise in melody befitting the subject; but which ever and anon strained onwards to look into the soul of man, and speculate with sorrowful and half prophetic earnestness on his future prospects and destiny. But it had many moments of exquisite and sacred beauty, when it trembled and rose more and more loudly, till its full and ecstatic breath floated through the air, sweet as the first voices of the angelic harps that greet the freed spirit at the gates of heaven. There was no passion in the notes, and even some of the milder and more lovely feelings seemed to have died in the poet's soul, as if unworthy to find a place in the spirit whose inmost cells were filled by an awe and calm rejoicing, as of one standing in the presence of supe-pidly changing and varied representations of the most rior natures, and chanting an anthem which he proudly felt was not unworthy of his place. Yet, dignified and almost divine as were many passages, the ear was in some The hautboy, which next struck the ear, fingered by the LAUREAT, was played with much skill; and the instrument, possessing, to the full extent, neither the power of some of the harsher instruments, nor the plaintiveness characterising its own class, yet combined, in no small measure, the capabilities of both kinds. A few passages there were which were given with much pathos, and many with great fire of execution; but the finest part of the performance was a grotesque concerto, apparently intended as an experiment to determine how many seemingly inconsistent sorts of time could be harmoniously blended in one composition. As the song of THALABA proceeded, the mind was hurried along by a series of ra fanciful and striking description, awakening few of those more vivid emotions and sensibilities which are the grandest effect of music and poetry, but dazzling by a lofty |