human system, but those who attribute disease and death to man's folly in this respect, must certainly be in error. If such would benefit the world by their philanthropy, let them return to the original and natural position of their race, and they will set an example which will be followed as soon as that which they now advocate, and with about as much advantage to their fellow-creatures.'

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NEW REPOSITORY OF THE ARTS. We are well assured that we are doing our readers an acceptable service, in calling attention to the spacious and beautiful 'Repository of the Arts,' recently opened at 411 Broadway, by Messrs. DAVIS AND HORN. It is an extensive dépôt of the rarest English and French plain and colored engravings, imported from the most eminent houses in Europe, as soon as published, together with every variety of fine stationary and artists' materials, from the most approved manufacturers. In the musical department, may be found a large assortment of superior piano-fortes, selected personally by Mr. HORN, of whose long experience in 'touching them to most melodious music,' few of our readers are ignorant; and if one might judge from the felicitous manner in which his accomplished partner acquitted himself on the flute, at the late brilliant concert given by Mr. HORN at the City Hotel saloon, there is little reason to doubt, that he is an equally capable judge of other musical instruments, of which the establishment boasts an abundant store-as flutes, guitars, violins, violoncellos, etc., the whole warranted perfect, in every respect. Large selections, also, of classical music, by ancient and modern composers, are imported direct from Germany, France, and England. We have very sincere pleasure in commending this establishment to such of the trade' as may be interested in its character, and to our music and picture-loving readers generally. Unlike too many of the musical profession, who have enjoyed a liberal 'patronage' from the American people, its proprietors are gentlemen, in their habitudes and feelings; and the purchaser or visitor may rely, not only upon honorable dealing, but a kind and courteous bearing, which has in it nothing of deception, and involves no 'promises to the ear, to be broken to the hope.'

SHAKSPEARE FORGERIES.

The following, from the Common-Place Book of a Septuagenarian,' by MATTHEW CAREY, Esq., is the passage alluded to by a correspondent below, who must, to adopt the language of a western debater, have 'lived to a most numerous age.' We had supposed the matter in question to have long been settled, beyond all peradventure:

'LITERARY ENTHUSIASM AND FOLLY.-When the notorious IRELAND imposed on the public, by producing the tragedy of 'Vortigern,' and some other spurious writings, which he pretended to have been written by SHAKSPEARE, Some of the first literati in England were completely deceived, and believed them genuine relics of that illustrious writer, and from the assumed eloquence and excellence of the sentiments, discovered, as they thought, proofs of their great paternity. As soon as the cheat was revealed, by the sagacity of a few critics, whose acumen was proof against the imposture, the tragedy and its accompaniments were pronounced to be worthless and trifling, as might have been expected from a mere lad. But before this dénouement took place, Boswell was so enraptured and so completely gulled, that he went down on his knees to return thanks to God, that he had lived to see so many genuine relics of the illustrious Shakspeare!'

'IN the KNICKERBOCKER for June, 1835, is an anecdote of BoswELL's enthusiasm in relation to 'IRELAND'S Shakspeare Forgeries.' I am not acquainted with MATTHEW CAREY, Esq., nor the sources whence his information is derived; but I was intimate with W. H. IRELAND, for many years, and have heard the anecdote alluded to, told by him, with the alteration of a name. The person who knelt down, etc., was the Rev.

Dr. PARR, the eminent Greek scholar; and he was afterward one of the first to join the 'critics, whose acumen was proof against the imposture,' in the cry against Ireland. And it is my firm belief, (not to say positive knowledge, from the lips of Ireland himself) that the very 'sagacity and acumen' of MALONE, was the cause of depriving the world of one of the most beautiful of SHAKSPEARE's plays. Allow me to ask a few questions of the thinking world. When Ireland FOUND the tragedy of 'Vortigern,' he was about sixteen years of age. It was received by the world, and actually produced at Drury Lane Theatre, as Shakspeare's, until Malone published his pamphlet, which put it down, or rather elicited the 'Confessions of Ireland,' which vanity dictated. And where could be found the youth of sixteen, who would not have seized the opportunity, as he did, of being thought the author of a tragedy, written by the immortal Shakspeare ? — and, as he then naturally thought, the intrinsic merit of the tragedy would make it as celebrated under the name of Ireland, as that of the great bard. Now what did Ireland (who lived until he was nearly sixty) ever write, to vindicate the 'assumption' and 'confession' that he was the author of the beautiful tragedy of 'Vortigern?' I believe there is not a copy of it for sale in London. He had not a copy, and I was myself engaged for years in searching for it. The Rev. THOMAS FROGNALL DIBDIN lent me EARL SPENCER'S copy to read; and he was of the same opinion with myself. He pronounced it next to Hamlet, and superior to Othello, but said that as Ireland was living, and he so old, he should 'leave it for the world to decide, after that generation had passed away, when there would be more written upon it, than had ever been written concerning the author of Junius.' And when we remember that the first edition of MILTON laid on the shelves for five years, and the publisher had a new title printed, as the 'second edition,' to help sell the first, it is not marvellous that 'Vortigern' should be overlooked for a time, particularly since so few can obtain a copy to read.'

THE NEW YEAR. - Friendly correspondents have poured upon our table a multitude of poetical favors, upon a general theme, the new year. Several of these possess such excellence, that we shall refer to them hereafter, in considering the contents of a 'drawer,' now well nigh filled to overflowing. 'F. W. S.,' 'G. D.,' and 'J. C.' may hence infer, that their kind intentions are duly appreciated. The following lines, from the pen of PARK BENJAMIN, Esq., late editor of the 'American Monthly Magazine,' whom we have pleasure in announcing as a regular contributor to these pages, require no praise at our hands:

MUSICAL INSTRUCTION. The well-known composer and musical instructor, Mr. WATSON, at 385 Broadway, devotes, as we perceive by the public journals, the whole of his time to giving instruction to private pupils, and to those intended for the profession. Mrs. WATSON, also, the delightful vocalist, to whom we have often referred, has retired entirely from theatrical engagements, and gives lessons in her favorite art. Such as have listened to the touching sweetness of her' John Anderson, my Joe,' will need no encomium of ours, to insure their applause. Indeed, the European reputation of Mr. WATSON, and the talents of his lady, are familiar to all communities on the Atlantic sea-board. We bespeak for them, from among the lovers of a pure and artistical vocal style, as many pupils as they deserve; and this unsolicited 'bespeak' is as liberal as even themselves could desire.

THE CHINESE MUSEUM AT PHILADELPHIA. - Though left but narrow space, we cannot resist the inclination to bear our brief but cordial testimony to the attractions of the 'Chinese Museum' at Philadelphia, which we had the pleasure of visiting on a recent occasion. It is preeminently one of the most extensive, elegant, and tasteful collections in America. The coup d'œil is gorgeous and imposing, and in the detail, it will satisfy the most fastidious observer. To NATHAN DUNN, Esq., a private citizen of great enterprise and public spirit, are the public of our sister city indebted for this unrivalled exhibition.

THE AMERICAN SCHOOL LIBRARY.-The 'American Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge,' we are glad to perceive, have commenced the publication of a District School Library for the United States, to consist, ultimately, of from fifty to one hundred volumes, of instructive works, on various subjects, calculated to interest and benefit the young. The cheap and excellent 'American School Library,' published by the BROTHERS HARPER, to which we have before referred, form the opening collection. The enterprise deserves abundant success.

LECTURES ON THE ENGLISH POETS. We perceive that WILLIAM H. SIMMONS, Esq., of Massachusetts, has commenced a course of lectures upon the English poets, at Clinton Hall. If an earnest recommendation could avail with our city readers, there should not be left standing-room for a solitary auditor, when he addresses the public. We have heretofore remarked, and experience has only confirmed the correctness of the assertion, that for ease, grace, and force of elocution, and especially for a mellow richness and varied intonation of voice, Mr. SIMMONS' Superior has never been heard in New-York. Add to these, a fine intellect, a cultivated mind, and the spirit to appreciate, and the ability to set forth, the better characteristics of poetry, and the reader will have a 'picture in little' of Mr. SIMMONS' powers as a lecturer.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. - A number of communications, among them some from favorite contributors, have been received, and await insertion; but we have space for only this brief and general acknowledgment of their reception and disposition. Extracts from the original poem by JOEL BARLOW, a sea-sketch, by the author of 'Jack Marlinspike's Yarn,' with a poem by Prof. INGRAHAM, will appear in the number for February. We must not omit here, to express our obligations to 'WALMSLEY,' for palming upon us an article as original, which, since its insertion on a preceding page, we have ascertained to be a plagiarism. We are doubtless indebted for this ingenuous and manly act, to the fact, that we have 'respectfully declined' intellectual failures from the same source, the authenticity of which could not be doubted.

THE DRAMA. The absence of our capable theatrical correspondent, for the last month, must constitute our apology for the omission of our usual dramatic criticisms.

OR THE RECEPTION OF TIME AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE NEW YEAR,

BY GRACE GRAFTON.

TIME is usually so sly and silent in his operations, that he works great changes within us, and on all around us, without making us aware of his mysterious agency, or the resistless force with which he drags us along with him, on his ceaseless course. It is fortunate, that some seasons occur, at which he takes upon himself to proclaim his importance, and remind us of his rapid flight. The commencement of each new year forms such an occasion; and Time takes advantage of it, to stalk abroad openly, and, with his usual inconsiderate haste, wishes every body a happy new year;' without pausing to reflect, how poor their chance of happiness may be, or the woful plight to which Time himself may have reduced them.

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He was passing, one new year's eve, through a country town, where the inhabitants had fallen into the custom of making merry with the new year, at the expense of the old one; and Time thought there could be no harm in indulging his curiosity for once, by stepping into some of the dwellings, to take a glance at their proceedings, and mark the strange fatuity of the sons and daughters of humanity, who can thus hail with rejoicings the new year, which has nothing for them but uncertainty in its unexplored regions of the future; and take leave, with such unbecoming levity, of the old year, as it slides away into the fields of memory, blending with the past, never to be recalled!

All this is nothing to me,' thought Time. Why should I look grave about it? They can neither hinder me, nor speed me on my journey. On, on I go; occasionally breaking the monotony of my course, by swiftly and silently flying from those who court my stay during their hours of enjoyment, and loitering by the wayside with the weary and disconsolate, who, instead of thanking me for my attentions, would willingly hasten my departure. And some-God help them!-talk of killing me!-me, the invincible, before whom the mightiest on earth must bow at last; after having used me, and misused me, and courted me, and driven me from them, by turns.'

As these ideas were passing through the capricious brain of old father Time, he entered a room, in the centre of which stood a wellspread board; and around it was gathered a set of merry-hearted

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blades, who seemed bent on drinking the old year out, and the new year in.' 'Insensates!' thought Time, as he gave a hasty glance round the circle; and he soon felt he was out of place; but the glass was circling freely, and Time snuffed the air, as the scent of generous wine reached his nostrils; and then a loud drinking-song smote his ear, and Time heard his own name pronounced in the sounding

chorus:

'In rosy wine we 'll dip his wings,

And seize him as he flies!'

shouted the bacchanalians; whereupon Time spread his moistened wings, and sped away.

He then knocked at the door of an aged man, and without waiting for an answer, glided in, and wished him a happy new year; but the old gentleman was buried in his bed clothes, above which his nose only appeared; and that was breathing such a sonorous ditty, that Time could not make himself heard; so he turned on his heel, and hastened down stairs again.

As he passed through the hall, he could not forbear loitering at an open door, to listen to the merry congratulations of some young people, who had been sitting up to see the old year out; and were now wishing each other a happy new year, at the top of their voices. A hasty summons called to order. ' Bill, you noisy rogue! you'll awaken grandpapa. No danger,' thought Time; his own nasal lullaby is the safeguard of his slumbers;' but no such reflection occurred to the kind soul who gave the caution. It came from Aunt Mary,' a lady with whom Time was well acquainted, and on whom he had laid his hard hand lightly: for though old Time makes sad work with delicate complexions, and those insipid charms which have little but their youth to recommend them, he respects the smiles of good humor, and leaves long unharmed the beautiful expression of kind and intelligent

eyes.

Aunt Mary was one of the happy sisterhood of contented and useful old maids, who, although denied by her single state the blessings of offspring, the joys of a mother, forgot the privation, in her affectionate interest for her sister's family; and in the exercise of every Christian virtue, made the most of her single blessedness.'

After she had hushed off to rest the noisy spirits under her charge; stepped into the nursery to kiss the baby, and wish her sister a happy new year; opened the door of grandpapa's room very softly, and peeped at his nose, as Time had done before her; she retired to her own apartment, and as she proceeded to disrobe herself, fell into a soliloquy.

'Another year, another year! How time flies! It seems but yesterday, that I was as young and as gay as these happy children; yet here I am, positively growing old. How time flies!'

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It would be no easy matter for me to stand still, that's certain,' said Time, who had been listening; but you cannot say I have used you ill. Look in the glass, dear aunt Mary; not a gray hair to complain of; not a wrinkle on that placid brow; not a shade across that clear blue eye.'

My teeth, my teeth! old Time.'

'The sweet-meats you are so fond of making, and those pickles