"LAMENT OF THE DYING AMERICAN.

BY ISAAC CLARKE PRAY.

The sea spreads widely, O my native land,
Between thy humblest minstrel and the home,
Where once it was his joy, alas! to stand,

And watch thy shore wreathed with the sea's white foam.O that my frame were made within the sea

A wave, to wash thy shore and sink in thee.

It cannot be for, in a foreign land,

Above my grave the grass is greenly springing,

And mournfully the yew-trees o'er it stand

With dirge-like breezes through the branches singing,

And evergreens are there will no one come,

And pluck their roots to plant them near my home?

The Eastern bards have sung with sweet delight]
Of their loved Huma, which, on tireless wing,
Ascends whene'er from earth a soul takes flight,
Again ne'er touches earth or fails to sing.-
O from my dust may some such bird arise,
And bear my soul back to my country's skies.

Yet there are those may wonder that I feel
A yearning thus to die upon thy breast,—
But ah, can I forget, though thoughts reveal

A manhood passed, all withered and unblest,
That thou hast been a mother unto me,
America, thou cradle of the free!

What though thy scenes in latter days have thronged
With circumstances painful to the heart,

In which my nature was severely wronged,
Until I felt 'twas luxury to part,-
Yet mother mine, my country, never yet
Knew I the hour thy kindness to forget.

Thou wast the first to wake within my soul
A love for nature, strong and deep, yet mild,
That swayed my passions by a kind control,

Making the man the offspring of the child,*
Oh, if thy vales and mountains where I've trod,
I could forget,-I should not think of God.

Adieu, dear country. Never more may I
Behold thee, save in fancy. As I gaze
Upon the glowing west, and vainly sigh

While viewing there the sun's resplendent blaze,
I know thy surges whisper, as they swell,

The word the west wind wafts to me-Farewell!

HATE.

Hate is a little murmuring stream
That smoothly glides at first,

But soon a torrent it will seem

From deep, dark channels burst.
The weakest, ere it swelleth, may
With ease the stream pass o'er-
The strongest, when it hath its sway,
Can seldom ford to shore.

"The child is father of the man."-WORDSWORTH.

THE EDITOR'S STUDY.

"Tot homines, tot sententia."

INTRODUCTION.

THIS periodical will present several new features to the readers of the monthly magazines published in Great Britain. It is commenced, chiefly, with a determination to introduce the best thoughts and opinions, the highest and most delicate fancies, the most pleasing and lofty sentiments in poetry, which emanate from the minds of Americans. Its scope is not defined-its limits not circumscribed. Consequently, no subject of great importance, perhaps, will escape its notice. The language of all the distinguished writers of America, possibly, sooner or later, may be perused by the English reader. Hence, the variety of the topics which will be embraced, the peculiar tone of thought, the character of the opinions, the force and vigour of fancy, the nature of the poetry, the philosophy, the extent of the science, the depth of the lore, the severity of research, the usefulness and power of the truths conveyed, cannot be anticipated. Since, however, upon reflection, the name of an American should only be known as that of a brother to every English heartas the language of Britain and America are one—as both nations, though divided, in many respects are one-one in sentiment, thought and feeling-one in origin-one in their interests-one in every tie which naturally can be imagined such as to bind two nations together, it is but fair to presume that the literature and science of America have as open a field here for the exercise of their improving influences, as they would have had, had the colonies never been separated from the "Mother Country."

The EDITOR of this work, however devotedly attached to his own country, finds a home here not so unlike that once his in the "New World," as to feel that he is not upon his native soil; for though local peculiarities and peculiarities of government may have made at first some striking impressions, at the time resembling broad and well defined differences, yet as he daily examines and reflects, allowing something for the youthfulness of his native country, those distinctions vanish, and the similarities between the two countries force themselves constantly upon his attention. To this state of mind, too, must every thoughtful American come, after the first impressions have faded-thus showing at least, that, in truth, bitterness of feeling, wherever it exists, is but the result of a want of thought-and unappeased animosity downright ignorance. To break down the prejudices, to disperse the ill-feeling, and to scatter, so far as in his power, every incendiary sentiment, will be the indirect, not to say direct, aim of the Editor. Nay, more! He will show, by exhibiting the opinions of America's best and wisest men, that a spirit prevails in all well-balanced minds in favour of the largest liberality toward Great Britain. This may not be done by special pleading-but the truth will appear in manifold ways as this publication is continued.

To those persons who have not as yet turned their attention to the position and progress of the United States, as well as to those who, from whatever cause, are interested in that country, this publication may be the medium of rendering material service. Its capacity for offering an immense amount of reading-matter, will permit the Editor to occupy a large number of pages every year with valuable information, such as in no other shape would reach the press. This will be a feature to which attention is particularly directed. In this portion of the labour of the

Editor, the merchant, the banker, the capitalist, the emigrant, will ever be remembered-and no study will be avoided, in order that correct information on all points interesting to such persons may be rendered.

To the casual reader, to the clergy, to the statesman, to the scholar, to the philosopher and poet, the pages of the work, also, may prove entertaining, as the several departments which each of the classes named would naturally delight in,'will be attended to scrupulously.

Farther than this, the Editor desires not to promise. He has much to encourage him that his effort will be received with cordiality, and he pledges himself to supply, if possible, all reasonable demands which may not be opposed to his design. To those in this country who have promised to aid him, the Editor returns his grateful thanks, and their countenance and support of his undertaking, by permitting him to cope with contemporary periodicals in the onset, will avail much-where the novelty of a periodical wholly devoted to American literature might be met with distrust, and, perhaps with indifference, by the public.

WILL IT BE CHARACTERISTIC ?

THIS question, questionless, will be asked many times by those whose attention may be drawn to our magazine. Some few, faint, whispered interrogations of the sort have already reached us in our study; and we doubt not that there will be repetitions thereof, and “louder and more deep." To ascertain what is meant by characteristic in this connection with "The Great Western," the fancy need not be led to a railroad track, to shattered cars, dislocated limbs, or mangled bodies! It is no part of our business to travel trippingly with railway speed; and we have not as yet anticipated any, terminus to our course. Neither is it necessary for the imagination, that the question may be comprehended in its full import, to launch forth upon the ocean, and watch the progress of a steam-ship ploughing the waves against a head-wind. The name of our work never suggested the interrogatory upon which we comment-though the name, perhaps, may suggest an inquiry, too— the United States of America and the Great West being in many instances synonymous. To what then, to answer one question by answering another, does it apply? It puzzled us at first; but in all sincerity we believe that there are some persons who imagine that anything Yankee must be exceedingly peculiar characteristic! In the name of reason, however, to what height of investigation, to what profundity of observation, will not these persons come, who have actually seen a stage-Yankee, and imagine the personation to be a correct delineation of a whole nation sprung from the best blood of Old England! Nonsense! there is nothing so easily overthrown as the impression that in the United States there is any language generally spoken, passing for English, which is not so in reality. More than this, even those words which only pass current in America, and which ring oddly in the ears of our brethren here, in nine cases out of ten, can be traced to the West of England, be found there now in use, or be proved to have been used in former times by those glorious old spirits who drank at the "well undefiled." This being the case, of course no reasonable persons can expect that this work will be characteristic, in its language,—in other words, an imitation of Sam Slick-although that is what is meant by the question.

Yet it may be characteristic, notwithstanding. It will indulge its readers with pictures of American life and manners-it will give the styles of expression peculiar

to some portions of the United States-it will be Yankee, but not limitedly. English magazines published in America, and there are several, are not devoted to the dialect of Yorkshire, or any selected locality. They give the current literature of this country, which includes papers on every subject, precisely as this work willand thus the answer is plain-this magazine will be characteristic.

Literature.

Power of the Passions; and other Poems. By Mrs. Katherine A. Ware. London: William Pickering.

This little volume is introduced to the reader by an address so neat and so entertaining that we regret that it is not longer. Mrs. Ware has been known for several years in America as a vigorous and graceful writer; and these poems add to the reputation which she has there acquired.

The principal poem is written with a descriptive power seldom exhibited by a female mind. The birth of the passions, their progress and effects, are pourtrayed in a style exceedingly picturesque and forcible. The blank verse is of no common character, displaying as it does in the writer, an ear attuned to harmony, and an intimate knowledge of the style of the best masters.

With the minor poems we have been pleased also,-but, if it be not doing injustice, would say that Mrs. Ware excells in the humorous and satirical style, in which, however, she has given but limited indulgence to her muse.

The translations from the French are very pleasing," The Flower Garden," particularly, merits notice. Among the more serious pieces, "Marks of Time," "The Contrast," "The Midnight Wedding," and the "Parting," have induced us to form a high estimate of Mrs. Ware's poetical capacity; and though, from the conclusion of one of her compositions, we are led to imagine that some mysterious misfortune would befall us, if we censured, yet we trust, as we cannot reasonably find anything in the little volume before us which merits condemnation, that we shall not be classed among those who are so caustically satirized in the lines subjoined::

"Yea, hirelings, who have nothing else to do,

But scribble nonsense which they call "Review ;"
These literary dragons, oft, indeed,

Write critiques upon books they never read;
Censure whate'er they cannot understand,

And o'er the press assume supreme command.

They mind one of the lion's keeper, who

Doth triumph o'er him, when in public view;

Though well he knows, the power that seems to yield
To his control-if free, upon the field--

Might, with one grasp, within a moment's space,
Send his proud leader to-another place."

The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year 1842. London: Wiley and Putnam.

This work is well known both at home and abroad. It contains a mass of very valuable information; and no professional man should be without it. To the statesman and clergy it is of great value, and the series from the commencement, comprising important statistics of the United States for several years, forms a work to which one may refer with much profit. As a key to American statistics it is held, we are pleased to say, in such high estimation, that thousands of copies are exported by the publishers every year.

The several departments are prepared by persons whose reputation is a sufficient guarantee that no trouble has been spared to make their statements and estimates correct. The volume for the present year contains an abstract of the sixth census of the United States-some information relative to the state of education, literary seminaries and schools, besides astronomical calculations.

Science and Art

Her Majesty's Theatre.-At least the boldest feature of the Italian Opera, this season, is presented by the introduction of several artists new to a London audience. We have no words, as a warm admirer and a humble protector of art, to express how much the public are indebted to Mr. Lumley, in the first place, for his determination to give an opportunity to comparatively young artists to try their strength, and, in the next place, for adhering to it strenuously. He is extending the field of art. Had he gone on making merely engagements with those who have been seen and heard year after year, he would have failed not only in his duty as a director of public taste, (for every manager is one,) but in his duty to that art which it should be his object to elevate. Well may the drama decline well may the opera become tedious, when the struggling novice sees but an ideal Ultima Thule to his aspirations -when he is forced to believe that he must outlive the great, ere he can arrive at greatness. Who, however rare his talent, or persevering in his application, under the present management at the theatres, can expect to shine before he is old? How much of youth is lost-how much of vigour-how much of genius-while a system is pursued which seems to assert, in the most decisive manner, that there can be but one great singer or one great actor in a particular line! The republic of talent, at least, we may desire-a monarchy in art will never answer. The arena should be open the lists open-and, ah! who shall tell if there be not in the solitude of the crowd an aspiring soul able to compete with the far-famed-nay, to come forth triumphant? It is impossible that there should be no changes in the positions of the professors of art; and to allow those who have deserved well to monopolize the field is folly, not to say madness. We know that, with many, prejudice is more powerful than talent or genius. If we delight to gaze on the Pleiades, it is difficult to acknowledge the beauty of Orion-though each constellation shine with equal splendour. Yet no true admirer of nature or art can feel thus! We may adore while beholding the majestic grandeur of the Alps-but may we not worship, while meditating upon the quiet enchantments of Como? He is a poor traveller in this life who can see nothing to admire, save in one single scene of Nature's manifold works he is a pitiful lover of art who has so little soul within him as to encircle it with prejudices, which only permit one of the worthy to enter and be embraced. Genius springs in not one fountain alone-it fertilizes the whole earth. There is not a spot where you may stand that you can say, "Here it does not exist."

What then more admirable than to throw the field open for the aspiring? Ere we hear the voice-ere we see the soul, who so rash as to dare say that no genius exists? Give then, we say, every latitude to those who promise well, and the reward is gathered not only to the aggregate of art itself, but by ourselves, who are humanized and benefitted by its influences.

The theatre opened on the twelfth of last month with "Gemma di Vergi" by Donnizetti. This opera is by no means a new one. It is one of the most popular compositions, and deservedly so, of its masterly composer. In Italy it is remarkably successful, and is often represented. Signora Schoberlechner, one of the first sopranos of the day, has been eminently successful in it at Milan, and has often personated Gemma for several years past. Signori Santi, Guasco, Panzini, and Madame Moltini, were the new additions to the company, supported by Signor Galli and Madame Bellini, known to us before.

The opera was generally well performed. The chorus was remarkably good, and an improvement on the style of last year was distinctly apparent. Madame Moltini (Gemma) is a great acquisition to the company, as well as Signor Guasco, who has an excellent voice, which he uses in the best style. We anticipate much gratification from the efforts of these artists. The Ida of the evening was not equal to the demands of the composer, and we think that an improvement in this particular would render the opera in all respects effective.

The ballet, "Giselle," was produced with much care, and was well supported by the united exertions of Carlotta Grisi, Fleury, and Perrot.

Drury Lane Theatre.-Under the management of Mr. Macready, whose aims in regard to the improvement of the drama are universally known, this establishment will receive the warmest patronage of the public-for it is impossible that the very attractive nature of the performances at this house should fail to excite