bined. “Let the fair nymph, in whose plunp cheeks is seen A constant blush, be clad in cheerful green; sion in the beholder. Maids grown pale with sickness or despair, The sable's mournful dye should chuse to wear; So the pale moon still shines with purest light, Cloath'd in the dusky mantle of the night." Ladies of a pale complexion, I conceive, should seldom, if ever, wear a dress of an entire colour. Their white drapery, at least, might be relieved, and animated, by ribbons, flowers, &c. of delicate tints; such as light pink, or blossom-colour. On the other hand, No. 199. offensive to the educated eye, than co- | manner, this head proves that facility, the above, and gives additional clearness and lours ill-chosen, ill-adapted, or ill-com- firmness of a draftsman, and taste, may solidity to this admirable portrait. flourish together. Its pure and unaffected "Portrait of W. Q. Dick," spirit opposes a consoling contrast to those not quite a half figure. Mr. PHILLIPS has loose and undefined scumblings, which are painted this gentleman in a loose Vandyke obtruded upon the public, as specimens of a drapery of a warm shadowy purple, with a masterly execution. Although unlike the style broad linen neck-band turned over and tied of Titian or Reynolds, and evidently a style with tasselled lace. The action is graceful In has been remarked, however, that formed, altogether, upon a close study of and spirited; the person seen in profile; the nature, it possesses, with its own distinct face turned round in a full three-quarter grass-green, though a colour exceedingly character, a depth of colour equal to that in view, as if addressing the Spectator; the pleasing and refreshing itself, jaundices the portraits of the former, with much of near arm buried in the loose folds of his the pale woman to such degree, as to the warm feeling of the latter. But Mr. robe, and the other raised, holding the draexcite little other sensation but compas-Phillips's own fine taste, his chaste feeling, pery with one finger, gently pointing as if to and his jealous attachment to simplicity and mark the particulars of his reasoning. The truth, are its essential beauties. Its style is mild inflection of the brow is that of a person as original as that of the Countess of Cassilis, conversing. The expression is altogether in by Mr. OWEN, or of Anacreon Moore's por- accord. The head is finely drawn; the pentrait, and that of Ellis, by SHEE. This ori- ciling soft and large; the carnations clear, ginality is valuable, not only for its merits, inclined to sanguine; and forming, with the but because it is an additional safeguard to linen, a bold light in perfect union with the the British School, from the nice of manner purplish shade of the dress. The fragment which corrupted the Schools of Italy, and to of a ruined building wrapt in deep obscurity; which all schools are prone. We repeat this and the louring solemnity of a dark cold sky, observation, with a particular stress, at this with ruddy gleams breaking through the moment, from a conviction that it is neces-grey clouds on the horizon, throw a sentisary. The rage for copying the style of ment into the accessaries, and give an effect some one master of celebrity, must produce of grandeur to the whole. Mr. Phillips has an abandonment of nature; a mistake of the also, No. 163, nearly a whole length portrait "The lass, whose skin is like the hazel brown, surface for the principles; and a disgusting of J. Brookes, Esq. "painted by desire of the With brighter yellow should o'ercome her own!" sameness of manner, in the majority of those, Students of Anatomy under his tuition." She may even, without fear of offence, who, even with the best advantages, are bred This is a capital specimen of truth. The atassume the orange, the scarlet, the coque-in the same school. As the population of a titude, expression, accessaries, light and licot, the flame-colour, or the deep great capital, like London, is principally kept shadow, are in a pure style. But we conrose; either of which will heighten the up by provincial settlers, so an original cha-ceive that the general effect would, perhaps, animated hue of her complexion, and im-racter in a School of Painters, is, perhaps, be more spirited if a greater portion of cold best maintained by the intermixture of or cool-colours had been introduced. The part a more dazzling lustre to her eye. young and able artists from a distance, who grey tints in the back ground, the glass jar, It is not within the province of an old have formed an independent style of think- and other accessaries, with the small bit of man, Mr. Editor, to descend into the ing and painting before their arrival. Such green cloth on the table, are not sufficient minutiæ of female attire, to prescribe the artists prevent the students from all running to give value to so large a preponderance of The introduction of cut of a robe, the fall of a mantle, or the after one model, and bring a treasure into warm assimilations. shape of a bonnet. These points may the school for that which they receive from the small bit of green cloth indicates that the it. Chantry, Mulready, Shee, and many Artist sought a balance or opposition of very safely be left to a consultation be- other distinguished provincials, besides Mr. colour; but we cannot help thinking that so tween the lady and her dress-maker; the Phillips, are instances of this original power. scanty a morsel of that tint is of small weight cultivated taste of the former regulating There is a gentle facility in the execution of in the scale. We are aware that Chastity in and checking the meretricious fancy of this portrait, which shows that the painter Art is his idol; yet Chastity may smile and the latter. In the hope that the hints did not study to make the mere mode, or sparkle without losing its innocent attracwhich I have offered may prove of some boldness, of his handling, the first attraction tions. utility, I remain, &c. FINE ARTS. SENEX. REVIEW OF PAINTINGS IN THE EXHIBITION AT SOMERSET-HOUSE. We cannot resist a conviction that to the eye of a spectator. The penciling is upon the judicious use of the cool or cold not so distinct as that in his never-to-be-colours, depends much of the brilliant effect forgotten portrait of Mr. Hatchet, last year. and vivacity of a portrait. Take away the It is more soft and large, and the effect of cold stormy back-ground from the portrait of sharpness is produced without any over- Mr. Quinten Dick, and you take away half charge of colour, or display of touch; all the life from that speaking picture. This the features are correctly drawn, and deter- Artist has also Nos. 256, 277, 266, and 104, mined with masterly precision. There is in the Exhibition. In No. 256," May Ella, No. 73. "Portrait of T. MURDOCK, Esq." but one mass of light, which is composed in with her gude grey Katte," the little Brunette by T. Phillips, R. A.: a head in a three-a rich, vigorous breadth, by the flesh, cravat is seated in a playful posture, pressing her quarter view, of a complexion originally san- and top of a yellow waistcoat. This single- favorite to her bosom. The light of a smile guine, embrowned by travel. The tone of ness in the chiaro-scuro, produces the im-sparkles in her countenance, and the exthe flesh is low and mellow. The combina- posing unity in the picture. The light is pression is full of exquisite simplicity. Her tion of breadth and detail, in the carnations diffused and mellowed, below, by some bright forehead is shaded by chesnut curls; the and shadows, is so perfect, and the reflections sharp touches on the buttons; which, with flesh tints are warm; the cheeks tinged with are so admirably inanaged, that, as in na- the delicate sharpness in the folds of the ruddy health; the shadows of a clear olive; ture, the light and shadow, and all the forms, cravat, gives a spirit to the subdued move- and the innocent archness of Correggio animerge into one. We are instantly struck ment of hand in finishing the flesh. The mates her whole figure. The back-ground is by this singleness of object, and the union is next subordinate mass is composed by the close and dark, excepting one picturesque so entire, that it is only on a near inspection upper part of the dark purplish coat, united break, and the light is thrown in broad the parts admit of a separate examination. with some faint dun reflections on a dark, bright masses upon her person. To those, who, in their imitation of the tasteful fascinations of Reynolds, cover the walls with pictures in a spongy or woolly indistinct piece of carving or furniture be- No. 277. "Portraits of two young girls, with a Red-breast;" is of a different character. The light is broadly diffused on the white draperies, sky and back-ground. There Vandyck used cold purple, lilac, blue and place them in such friendly relation to their is more joy of the heart, more dancing spirits, black draperies, to give a relative warmth to intended points of opposition, as might be and vigor of chiaro-scuro, in No. 256: more the flesh-tints in faces of this delicate fair- productive of richness and harmony. Owing airy vivacity in the masses, and a sprightlier ness. This counter-effect of the red in the to this they have, with a few petty excepplay of pencil in this. The countenances are turban upon the light carnations, is however tions, no relative value. Instead of being very fair, and painted in cool, clear tints of a so very slight as to be scarcely perceptible, invited by a mellow combination of skilful low sweet tone, upon which the roseate hues and the grace and beauty of this lovely por- oppositions, we are repelled by a pie-bald of the cheeks, and humid crimson of the lips, trait fix the eye, and are calculated to make discord of irreconcileable and isolated anomellow with much freshness and beauty. a long impression. malies; a clashing of hungry, dead lights, The blue eyes of the girl leaning, in a front No. 223. "Benevolent Ladies relieving a and sluggish, opaque shadows, without glow, view, give a livelier charm to her colouring, distressed Family, by S. DRUMMOND." We transparency, breadth or coherence. Every and the blue is spread by a bit of bright ri- noticed, in a former communication, the thing is in spots and patches. The yellow band on her arm-knot, which mingles with merits of this artist's whole length of C. shawl on the matron is a patch; her deep the blueish tints of the sky and distance. PHILLIPS, Esq.; and, in the invention and crimson dress is a patch; the green bed-curThe hair is a light brown, executed with a circumstances of this story, there is much tains are a patch; the child in the cradle is touch so loose and sharp, and yet so broad fine feeling and fancy. The pallid head of a patch; the red coat on the old man; the and thin, that one would think it might be the sick young man asleep in bed, and the pale clammy blue in his pantaloons, and the blown about with a breath. A bushy bit of tender anxiety expressed by his old mother, same sickly colour in the boy, are all so landscape, surrounded by felicitous combina- with a tea-cup in one hand and the other many patches. To sum up this account of tions of tint; soft, broad, negligent, touched gently laid upon his breast, watching to shreds and patches, although we are happy by the hand of taste itself, peeps upon us in the moisten his lips in the intervals of his slum-to repeat that the selection of the subject, middle distance. Behind the girls and their bers, are sufficient to stamp a value upon and the invention of the incidents, do feathered captive, the trunk of a tree rises, this performance. The young lady cutting honor to the head and heart of the arenriched with foliage and the wanton tendrils a loaf for a meagre hollow-eyed little boy; tist; and that the drawing, grouping, exof a vine, whose broad leaves of golden yel- the greedy action of whose hands and raven-pression and characters, in all that does not low brighten, in vivid opposition to the ous gestures, show that he is ready to tear it depend upon the colouring, manifest no comazure masses of a summer sky. In from her, is another affecting and well told mon skill, and are deserving of warm combreadth, fleshiness, lovely colouring and incident. The gratitude of the poor old fa- mendation, yet, in whatever relates to the tasteful handling, there is nothing to be ther, whose eyes and clasped hands are colouring, we are under the painful necessity wished for in this fine specimen; but the raised in thanksgiving to heaven, is also of observing that it is unworthy of his gesentiment is not so well defined as in No. 256; expressed with much truth and feeling. The nius, and rank as an associate of the acadeit is neither a joy for the acquisition of the group with the matron and her daughter my. Mr. Drummond has also several other red-breast, nor a concern for its captivity. giving money and the bible to the kneeling pictures in the Exhibition, which evince his The expression is vague, and wherever that wife of the sick son, is cleverly disposed, al-ready invention and mastery of hand; but is the case, however admirable the execution though the expression is not so strongly in their colouring, partake, in different demay be, the impressions upon the spectator marked as in the figures already noticed. grees, of the chilling discords which dismust be vague also. Nevertheless, if we The little innocent asleep in the cradle is figure this pathetic subject. The prevalence consider them simply as portraits, which designed with spirit. The various accessa- of sickly blueish draperies in his principal have no incidental character to sustain, theseries in the apartment are introduced in a masses of light, as in the portraits of Mrs. heads are in an exquisite taste. The artist good taste, and with a correct attention to Brooks and her children, is one of his most had a great difficulty to encounter, in avoid-relative propriety; and as far as the choice prominent errors or neglects. In that picture ing unpleasant lines and angles, in the meet- of subject, invention, drawing, characters there is a pleasing disposition in the lady's ing of three hands and arms, about the and expression, this composition is highly figure, and a graceful spirit in the turn of Robin. No degree of skill could, perhaps, creditable to the artist's humanity and pro- her head; but she is in a dull, leaden, blueish wholly overcome this difficulty. Mr. Phillips fessional abilities. There are genuine strokes dress, with the contrast of an unwashed curhas exerted his powers, and we wish that we of nature in it, which come home to the tain of dingy yellow above her head, as if could compliment him upon an entire vic-heart and lay a-strong hold on our kindlier to render the chilling, heavy effect of her tory. But the eye is still sensible of some sympathies. As an excitement to charity, drapery, more offensive. No. 293, the wholeconstraint and complexity, which is more it is a practical act of virtue, which must length portrait of a child embracing her obvious, as it occurs in the centre of this very work good by example. We bear this testi- doll, is designed with much playful grace, attractive picture. mony to Mr. Drummond's benevolent con- and an elegance of fancy, which would do No. 266. "A whole length of a Boy, a ception and genius with sincere pleasure; credit to the pencil of any British Artist; native of New Guinea," is not a favorable but when we have done this, we are con- but still this lively little baggage is too coldly subject for colouring, but Mr. Phillips has cerned to add our fear that not one tenth of and carelessly coloured; and is oppressed by a made it a picture of much merit and interest. its merits will ever be looked into, on ac- weight of greasy blue tints, in the landscape. In No. 104., a three-quarter length por- count of its cold repulsive colouring and total If the former works of this artist did not trait of Lady Ridley, he has displayed a want of even any approach to union. It would warrant a high opinion of his powers, we large share of tasteful feeling. The draw-be an abuse of words to say that the tints should have passed by his pictures in silence; ing, attitude and accessaries, are worthy of are distributed or massed. They are scat- but we have received too much pleasure from his pencil. The execution is firm and sweet, tered and broken, like the party-coloured his various compositions to abandon him and the whole picture marked by his un-bits upon a thrifty housewife's quilt, who now to the freaks of his caprice; the errors or alterable love of truth. The tone of the head has made up her bed-covering from a collec- neglects of his practice. His battle of Wateris clear and mellow; but not quite so rich tion of shreds and cuttings out of the trash-loo, last year, contained more bold thinking, as the tone of the heads in No. 277. The bags of every good woman in the parish. clever drawing and composition, although oppositions of colour are complex, and not so They appear as a sort of chance-medley rather too coldly coloured, than some fifty of effective. Although the delicate fairness of assemblage thrown in, with little if any re- the pictures then in the rooms. In .810, he the flesh is contrasted by the cool green dra-lation to the colours around them. Many had one of the best historical compositions in peries; that aid is checked by the quantity of the principal lights offend the eye by the British Institution-"The commission of of red and yellowish tints on the turban and watry chilling colours. A dull greasy blue Diego Leiva and Camillo de la Torre to seother parts. The latter certainly mellow the is very conspicuous in the draperies. The red on the cheek; but they also form a warm contrast with the light carnations of the face, which lose some of their value by the comparison, and appear proportionally cold. brightest hues are placed where they are cure the young Princess of Mantua and Montserrat."-That fine picture is thus deservedly recorded in a critical publication of that day." The costume is picturesque, and although the green, crimson, orange and scarlet draperies, are painted with brilliancy, a part so admirably suited to his walk in the tum, pommade divine. A shop must be equal to that of Leonardo da Vinci or Gior-vocal Drama, and so ably sustained by him called a Bazaar, and a dress-maker has gione's hues, they offer no rash oppositions, as on former occasions. no chance of success, unless she entitle their principal force subsides into congenial herself a marchande des modes or a tailshadows. The dignified character of the com- DRURY-LANE THEATRE.-On Monday missioners; the grouping and expression of night last the Comedy of the Clandestine leuse. I went to one the other day to the assistants; the architectural grandeur of Marriage, and the Farce of the Sultan were bespeak something. Absolutely she was the hall; the noble air of the fore-shortened performed for the benefit of Miss Kelly; unintelligible. She talked of toques, figures descending the spiral stair-case; and on Tuesday night the Peasant Boy and Doc-cornettes, tûlle fiches, coiffures, slashes the forcible effect of light and shadow; ex-tor and Apothecary, for the benefit of Mr. and capotes. She earnestly recomhibit superior powers of thought and exe- T. Cooke and Harley; on Wednesday night mended to me curls à la corkscrew, eau cution."—We agree with every word of the the Devil's Bridge and Innkeeper's Daugh- de Ninon for washing my face, and pomabove: Mr. Drummond's picture merited hister, for the benefit of Mr. Horn; on Thurs W. C. PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED high distinction. That picture was con- day night Rugantino and the Boarding made de concombre for anointing it! spicuous for its vigour and harmony of colour-House for the benefit of Mr. Wallack and As it is now the middle of summer, ing. The artist possesses now, the same Mr. Knight. The benefits were in general one might imagine that the town would practical power and genius; but we be-well attended. A rumor is in circulation, be altogether deserted. Quite the conhold him sinking into a temporary torpor, that Mr. Kean is in treaty with the Managers trary. This is the height of the season, upon the edge of a precipice; and have only of the Philadelphia Theatre to go to Ame-and the fashionables, content with pots of shaken him by the shoulder, to bid him look rica early in the ensuing season. This down and beware of falling. would be a loss indeed! mignionette and wreathes of artificial flowers, are unwilling to ruralize amidst COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.-On Friday brooks and meadows, till the brooks are night 30th ult. Mr. Kemble performed Pos-encrusted with ice, and the meadows thumus; on Saturday, Brutus; on Tuesday, covered with snow. Hotspur, for the benefit of Mr. Young; on Wednesday, Cato; and on Thursday, MacNay, not only do they reverse the seabeth, with Lady Macbeth by Mrs. Siddons, tural amusements of winter, but they sons, by transferring to summer the nafor the benefit of Mr. Charles Kemble. The house was each night crowded to an overlikewise turn day into night and night At the close of the Public Examination, this term, eight candidates were admitted by the flow, and on this last night, if it had been into day. From eight to nine o'clock is Public Examiners into the First class of Litera twice as large, it would have been filled. the usual time for dining; and I know a Humaniores; three into that of Discip. mathe-This night Mr. Kemble is to play the Stran- young country gentleman, who having mat. et Phys. twenty-six and four into the ger, for the benefit of Miss O'Neill. This been met in the street and asked to dine, other classes, respectively. On the last day of brilliant ornament of the stage, although by a friend, was obliged to refuse the the term, the graduations were too numerous much recovered, is still in too delicate a for our insertion; viz D. D. 1; B. D. 4; B. M. state for strong exertion; and has, on that. invitation on the plea of his having al1; B. C. L. 2; M. A. 15; B. A. 51. account, chosen the part of Mrs. Haller for ready supped. her benefit. OXFORD.-A vacancy in the representation of the University has taken place by the late Speaker being called to the House of Peers. It is supposed that Mr. Peel will be the successful candidate. The whole number of degrees in Easter Term, were one D. D.; three B. D.; three B. M.; three B. C. L.; sixteen M. A.; fifty-two B. A. The Rev. E. Hawkins, Fellow of Oriel; N. T. Ellison, do. Baliol; and Mr. W. Dalby, do. Exeter; M. A. were appointed Masters of the Schools. CAMBRIDGE.-The Hon. H. E. Bridgeman, and Sir R. A. Ferguson, Bart. of Trinity, are admitted Honorary M. A.; and Mr. A. Jones, do. to B. A. members of the senate, and 3275 are mem. SKETCHES OF SOCIETY. LETTERS FROM LONDON. "Besides," said this young gentleman to me, "I who have so restricted an income, really cannot afford to dine out often." "Nay," cried 1, "your limited means ought to make such a saving very I must leave this town, my dear sister; acceptable." "A saving!" exclaimed he, I must fly from it for ever. All my spe-" it is the most extravagant plan you can culations have failed. A governess of un-conceive. Coach-hire, and the servants' impeached morals, cannot earn a decent vails for handing plates, and returning subsistence in it, though even hair-dres- one's hat safe, cost twice as much as a Dr. Haviland has resigned the Office of Pro-sers drive their own tandems, and tailors dinner at a coffee-house. Believe me, a fessor of Anatomy, for which there are two candidates, J. T. Woodhouse, M. D. Fellow of entertain their customers with turbot and man of moderate fortune here, would Caius, and W. Clarke, M. A. and L. M. Fellow champaign. Every day some new trade soon ruin himself by dining at other peoof Trinity. is invented. A man has made a fortune ple's expense. Besides, the lady of the The gownsmen of this University now here by staining bottles so as to imitate house probably compels you to play at amount, as residents, to 4634; of whom 1359 are the incrustation of old port. A certain cards; in which case you may lose in bers on the boards. This number is beyond dentist purchased several thousand teeth half an hour, the price of three hundred all former precedent; as no more than 2122 plucked from the jaws of those young and sixty-five dinners. were resident in 1804, and in 1748, only warriors who fell at Waterloo; and it is 1500. It has been recently stated that during the past year, the great majority of academic now no uncommon circumstance to see honours were gained by Trinity and St. John's: dowager of seventy, displaying, in her but this may be simply accounted for by the smile, two rows of posthumous pearls, fact, that those two Colleges contain one half of once the property of some sergeants in the University. the forty-second regiment, or of some privates in the Connaught rangers. The great secret is to get a hard name for KING'S THEATRE.-ITALIAN OPERA. yourself, or your shop, or your goods. L'Agnese and Il Don Giovanni, were the A book called "The Art of Dancing," performances at this Theatre since our last; would not sell at all, but yclep it "The Mr. Naldi's Benefit on Thursday next will "They would not consider that high produce (for the first time this season) Mo-Treasures of Terpsichore," and the whole play enough," answered my friend," and zart's Cosi fan tutte, in which we hope to see world will buy it. Tooth-powder must in this they are borne out by the law; him again in the character of Don Alfonso, be termed oriental dentifrice, and poma- for if I steal a man's snuff box, I am THE DRAMA. a "Of course you may, much money," replied I. if you stake Ay, or if you do not stake a single farthing," said he, "for, now that money is scarce, there are some who have adopted the system of playing sheep points and bullock rubbers!" "Probably then," said I, "they will soon begin to play for each other's wives and daughters." hanged; but if I steal his daughter, I am only fined.” generations together in order to perceive the only language in use throughout the them. The Greeks and Romans are to him whole Peninsula; in fact, from Cadiz to Ferbut nations of yesterday, and the prodigious rol, from Lisbon to Pampeluna, one is asWonder not then, good sister, that I, antiquity which he gives to the little Basque tonished at the great number of rivers, M. de La Borde, who have no money, should quit a town, nation, has no small share in the love which mountains, monuments, and ruins, which where one person is esteemed wiser or he bears to his native country. M. Destère still bear Basque names. better or wittier than another, by a per-(it is under this name that he introduced in his Itinerary of Spain, tells us that "in centage on his pocket. I return to the himself to me) put me in mind of the Bra- the kingdom of Valencia he saw ancient Now Siloa is a country with renovated delight; nor ins of Hindostan, whom he considers as caverns, which are supposed to have served the depositaries of human wisdom, and I as granaries: he adds, that in the country have I gained much more by my trip to have no doubt but that it is to the advantage they are called Siloa." town, than the conviction of this truth, have had of living some time with the de- Basque word, signifying hole, cavern, excathat we can never estimate the blessings scendants of the ancient Bramins that I owe vation. (We may observe that in Hebrew of tranquillity, till we have experienced in some measure the attention which he the word Siloë had the same signification.) the turbulence and heartlessness of the showed me during the week that we spent At the extremity of Portugal is a city, built together in traversing the rocks and the or rebuilt by a Roman, and which is called busy world. vallies of the country of the Basques. What Hivi-Flavia, (city of Flavius) from the follows is the result of our promenade and Basque word Hivia, which signifies a town. I could adduce, added M. Destère, a hundred our conversations. other instances of these Basque names, which have come from as great a distance. without having changed upon the road. FRENCH MANNERS. LES BASQUES. Illum non populi fasces, non purpura regum Flexit, et invidos agitans discordia fratres. VIRGIL GEORG. After I had made several excursions in the environs of Bayonne, my good genius led me one morning upon a terrace of Marrac, whence the eye has a commanding view along the course of the Nive; from this spot the view takes in a great part of the vallies sepaand mountains where the Basques live rated in a manner from all the rest of the world, by their territory and their language; I reflected that this isolated situation had not prevented their being renowned, and that Cæsar in a very decisive passage of his Commentaries passes an eulogium upon them when speaking of the various races and tribes of mankind, after which nothing can be called an eulogium. I recollected that a Prussian minister came in 1795 to reside in their country and to learn their language. I The Basques are Phenicians, who came into Now, added he, how has this Basque lanthe Latin in the rest of the Peninsula, mainguage, which was so speedily extinguished by tained itself in a corner of the Pyrenees? How has it alone escaped the corruption introduced by the successive invasions of the Vandals, the Alani, the Goths, and the Moors? Under the name of Cantabrians, the Basques came under the dominion of Rome later and with more difficulty than the other tribes of the Peninsula. This dominion, I answer to this, that the Cantabrians, which bore so heavy on the rest of the earth, was never a real yoke to them; they had reIt was splendor, took care not to learn the Latin, tained their language, their manners, their who preferred their rocks to all the Roman administrative and judicial usages. not a Lycurgus who had given them the which the ambitious studied, to degrade oral laws, which had governed them for so themselves with elegance; that the barbamany ages; they had received them from rian invaders did not corrupt the language nature alone, and all had labored in estab- of the Basques, because they did not sojourn lishing them; but these laws, which nobody among them, and as it were, only stepped had made, were loved by them with enthu-over their country. The Basques preferred siasm, and the first historians of Rome have their rocks to every thing; and nobody not been able to avoid speaking of them with cared about these rocks: the case is still the a sort of philosophical respect, which they same. do not always show to the institutions of other people. The kind of studious curiosity with which I surveyed this vast landscape, drew the attention of a man above the middle age, who had approached, and seemed to share my adThe Basques inhabit the opposite sides of miration. "Probably, Sir, you are a stranger," "I am a native the western Pyrenees; the greater part of said he, touching his cap. of France," answered I," but I left it at the the nation is subject to Spain, and forms the age of fifteen, and returned to it at seventy-population of Navarre, Alava, Biscay, and two, after having successively resided in the Guipuscoa. five principal parts of the world: you see, Sir, that I have had scope enough to chuse myself a country." "-"You would not hesitate," replied he, briskly, "if you had, as I have, the happiness of being a Basque. Like you, I have visited many countries, but I always return to my mountains; and the more I observe this little corner of the earth, the compare it with all I have seen, the more reasons do I find for justifying in my own eyes the preference which I give it." more This was exactly the man I wanted; he was never tired of walking and talking; and I, on my side, was never weary of following him and hearing him. This singular character, with whom I was as intimate in half an hour as if we had been acquainted ten years, is in all respects a very distinguished man. His vast knowledge, of which the study of antiquity seems to have been the principal object, gives him a kind of speculative existence which makes the present appear to him as a point between the things that have been, and those which are to come: one would say that he is obliged to add The French Basques occupy, along the Pyrenees, a little territory divided into three districts, which are called Lower Navarre, Soule, and Labour, which, together with Bearn, form the department of the Lower Pyrenees. The Spanish and French Basques are one and the same race of men; their stature is of the middle size, but slender and well proportioned: their features are strongly marked: their physiognomy at once mild and proud: they are lively and laborious, and their agility is proverbial. The Basques speak a language which has no analogy with any living language. Some identical words which are found in the ancient languages of Greece and Egypt, serve as a basis to the system of a celebrated man, the countryman of M. Destère, who makes the Basque language of Phenician origin.-(My learned companion entered into a discussion on this subject, in the depth of which I should fear to engage; I rejoin him at the point where arguments appear to me to be supported by facts.) The Basque seems to have been formerly There is no city in the country of the Basques; hence the population is divided into two classes, nobility and farmers: the nobility (excepting the Belzunies and two or three other families) are poor, without lustre, feature in the character of the Basques, to but sociable and hospitable. It is a peculiar show the most generous hospitality to strangers who visit their country, but to conceive an aversion to those who desire to settle in it; I will mention on this subject a very remarkable historical fact. At the time when the Goths inundated France and Spain, as a whole nation in arins, they left behind in the Basque cantons many sick, or stragglers: several of these found this abode more agreeable than Gothland, and would not leave it; they settled among the Basques; but they never could naturalize themselves: after they had become Christians, as well as the Aborigines, the latter persisted during several ages in having nothing in common with them, even in the churches; the holy water vessels, their burying places, all were separate. The name of Goths or Agoths given and received as a cruel insult, has caused blood to flow on many occasions. This absurd aversion has nearly lost all its violence; in our days the but yet this prejudice has still force enough pure Basques live at peace with the dgoths; to be an obstacle to alliances between fami lies, and my guide mentioned to me, instances of handsome girls, and what is more, with large fortunes, refused, under the pretext of their Agothic origin. MEMOIRS OF TALMA. of the revolution, of the moderate party, quently attacked the acting and declaand whatever his enemies may say to the mation of Talma, in the Journal des Decontrary, he never made himself con- bats. The latter, who was intoxicated spicuous. His commanding talents--his with the applauses lavished upon him, general acquirements-and, above all, could not endure the pointed censures the excellence of his private character, with which the old critic daily stung M. Talma, who is now in his 50th so distinguished for liberality and hospi- him. One evening, whilst Geoffroy was year, was born in France, and remained tality, cannot fail to ensure him a fa- at the Theatre-Français, accompanied by in his native country till he attained his vourable reception in this country. his wife, and a lady and gentleman their 8th year, when he was sent to receive a He speaks English fluently, but does friends, the door of his box suddenly part of his education in this country. not intend to perform any character in opened while the performers were on the It is a remarkable circumstance in this an English play, nor indeed, is it certain stage. A man appeared and said in a early part of his life, that he was selected that be will in a French one, as he came loud tone of voice: "Is M. Geoffroy to perform a principal character in a play here merely for his amusement. here?" Without waiting for a reply, he that was got up and performed before The above account has appeared in entered the box, and seizing Geoffroy by their Royal Highnesses the Prince Re- the Antigallican. We have to observe the hand: "Come out, villain: contigent and Duke of York, at the Hanover that the editor mistakes in saying that "he nued he. "Heavens! 'tis M. Talma!" Square Rooms, then belonging to Sir soon became so celebrated as a Tragedi- exclaimed Madame Geoffroy. The friend John Gallini, by the proprietors of the an, that La Rive, a famous actor, who of the critic then repelling the tragic academy where he was placed, and that before Talma made his appearance, shone monarch, whose nails were already imthough he acquitted himself very well, without a rival, was forced to retire from printed in characters of blood upon the he was so much agitated by his emo- the stage." LA RIVE continued long hand of his censor, succeeded in forcing tions in this his first essay, as not to re- on the stage after TALMA had acquired him out of the box and closing the door cover from its effects for some time after his reputation. He fully enjoyed public upon him. The door was, however, the performance was over. He returned favor to the last, and the crown he had opened a second time, the siege of the to France in his 15th year to finish his won did not lose its lustre when opposed box again commenced, but the occupants education, remained at college a few to the laurels of his young rival. had the advantage and remained masters years, and re-visited England in 1783. The debut of Talma excited no enthu- of the field of battle. Had such an affair It was at this period that he first felt an siasm. The part of Charles IX. in the as this occurred in England, the actor inclination for that profession, of which Tragedy of that name by CHENIER, was would have been tried for an assault. he was destined to become so distin- the one which afforded him an opportu- In France, however, he was acquitted guished an ornament. On seeing Mr. nity of commencing and establishing his with a slight reproof, which Savary, who Kemble and Mrs. Siddons in tragedy, he reputation. Among other things it was was then minister of police, delivered to returned to France in 1786, and began observed that he devoted such minute him with a smile. On the following day to apply himself to surgery as his future attention to his costume and head-dress, Geoffroy gave a description of this scene, profession; but his predominant passion and gave so peculiar an expression to in the Journal des Debats, and was exstill carrying him to the stage, M. Mole, his features, that he presented a strik-pert enough to turn the joke against his a celebrated comic actor with whom he ing resemblance to the portraits which adversary. got acquainted, took him under his care, are preserved of that monarch. Napoleon was exceedingly attached to and from the high opinion which he en- French critics have been divided in Talma, and appointed him his reader. tertained of his talents, introduced him opinion concerning the merits of Talma, We are happy in being able on the to the Committee of the Theatre Fran- who is the creator of a new style of present occasion to subjoin an extract cais, by whom he was engaged; in 1787, declamation on the French stage. Some from Lady Morgan's forthcoming work, he made his first appearance in the cha- have accused him of heaviness in his further illustrative of the peculiar talents racter of Seid, in Voltaire's "Mahomet." delivery, a hollowness of tone, and a of this distinguished actor. He was then about 20, his success was voice, which is almost always confined, immediate, rapid, and astonishing: he and which never developed itself except soon became so celebrated a tragedian, by sudden bursts. Others declare him that La Rive, a famous actor, who, be- to be a model of the beau-ideal, and an fore Talma made his appearance, shone artist who has arrived at a degree of perwithout a rival, was forced to retire from fection which none ever before attained, the stage. To that high character which and which none can in future hope to he acquired so early in his professional acquire. career, experience in his art has given additional lustre. Britannicus, (says Lady Morgan) so long the fashion, from the inimitable performance of Talma in Nero, awakened my most anxious tion, that I saw myself, for the first time, in expectations; and it was not without emothe great national theatre of France, and in a box chosen and procured for me by M. Talma himself. Still, however great my expectation, however lively my impatience for the rising of the curtain, which recalled the solicitude and curiosity, I soon perceived I long blunted vivacity of feelings of childish was cold, languid, and inanimate to the genuine French audience that surrounded me. The house was an overflow at an early hour; the orchestra, cleared of all its instruments, was filled to suffocation; and the parterre, as usual, crowded with men, (chiefly from the public schools and lycées, whose criticisms not unfrequently decide the fate of new The celebrated critic Geoffroy, per-pieces, and give weight to the reputation of an error or rather a calumny of his ene-haps a little too much imbued with old ones,) exhibited hundreds of anxious mies, for he was, during the whole course the principles of the old school, fre- faces, marked countenances, and figures and Impartial amateurs agree that no one equals Talma in the character of a tyrant The French almost despair of ever or a conspirator, such as Nero, Manlius, finding his equal-his superior they think &c, but in those which require spirit, impossible. It was not to be expected nobleness and dignity, like Tancred, that such a man as Talma, considering Orosmanes, Achilles, &c. they prefer La the times in which he lived, could have Fond, who at this moment shares with avoided the imputations of party princi- him the tragic sceptre of the Theatre ples. He accordingly has been put down Francais. as of the revolutionary party; but this is |