man, and furnishing occupation to the judge and the legislator. But to a certain extent they can be remedied, simply by the economy of time. Let the wordy wars of parliamentary debate and forensic trials be abridged within reasonable bounds. Let us do that for the public benefit, which in other countries has been done in order to secure the suffrages of critics. Few as are the points in which England can copy France with advantage, or even with safety, this is one in which we ought not to disdain imitating our old rivals. With all the puerilities which cast disgrace and ridicule upon public discussions among them, the brevity of their harangues, from what ever cause it arises, whether from the fastidiousness of the audience, or from being written before they are pronounced, or "from the genius of the tongue,' is an example which deserves our study, and which, sooner or later, must be followed in England. We may, however, learn the practice without crossing the Channel for models. We possess among ourselves both the examples to imitate, and the elements which would ensure successful imitation. I wish I could safely venture to hold up here some of those models which exist among ourselves, few indeed in number, but those of rare excellence. Perhaps, when the reader shall have rested a month or two from the present lecture, I may try how far he has profited from it, by making some such exhibition for his edification and amusement. D. PRIVATE POETRY. Ir is universally acknowledged that the criticism in THE MAGAZINE has ever been of the most encouraging kind-we treat mediocrity with all befitting respect, and dulness with compassion-we search for jokes where we think authors intended to be witty and if we find anything like one, we endeavour to laugh at it-we have never, like the Quarterly Review, put any green and blooming poetling of a consumptive habit to death-nor, in the hypochondriacal reveries of genius, have we been as the Edinburgh, a blue devil with a yellow face. The effects of this benignity we are constantly enjoying-we are, like Mercy, twice blessed-blessed in the felicity of cheering modest merit, and blessed in the gifts and rewards-whether they come in the shape of cel-pies, brawn, or bacon-which we weekly receive from all parts of the country, for our "excellent hints" and "judicious animadversions." Name, indeed, an author of any note in the preseut day that will not acknowledge how much he owes to our partiality. The very Cockneys praise us; and in token of the sense they entertain of the justice and wisdom of our strictures, they have ceased to write-and will presently confess their malefactions. By the Chimera steam-boat, lately arrived in the Clyde from Genoa, we have received "three cases of Aliatico, and a poem* for private use.' Whether it is the wine or the poetry that is to be used in private, is a question for counsel-perhaps both are meant -but availing ourselves of the legal doubt, we have consigned the flasks in the meantime, to the safe custody of Ambrose, till they can be butlered by Hogg, the arbiter elegantiarum of our biboriferous articles, and after a few reflections touching the occasion, particularly touching the growing practice of printing poetry for private use, we shall proceed to offer a slice or two of the verse for the particular solace of our readers. Let it not, however, for a moment be supposed, that in using the term slice, we mean to deal with the work according to the cutting-up system of our quarterly and quartering contemporaries. With respect, then, to the custom of printing poetry for private use, it is but of recent origin, and was invented by the Whigs. When the blue-andyellow luminary was lord of the ascendant in the horoscope of literature, any "person of quality" belonging to the Whig delusion, afflicted with an issue of rhyme, might have published the extent of his disease, and been assured of consolation and encouragement; but stars of other aspect having since arisen, the literary fortunes of the Whigs have changed-even the elegant and accomplished Lady Dacre, * Visions of Irish Story, with other Visions, by Erinius. who really merits a better fate, is fain to carry her pretty twin volumes from door to door in her muff, till she can find an apropos opportunity of confi the general character of the workhere and there a quaint and satirical vein is indulged, but the impression throughout is good-natured and genin ding the extent of her secret misfor- tlemanly have had the to tune to her friends. Whether the noble author of "VISIONS OF IRISH STORY" has been deterred by feelings of equal diffidence has stood in equal awe of the new Avatar of justice in the reviewing world, we shall not undertake to determine; but we think, that, like Lady Dacre, he might have been less bashful without damaging the deli cacy of his modesty. It is true, that here and there we do find reason to applaud his prudence in withholding from the public a number of very good things Among friends, in the conclave of the dining-room, with wine, and all appliances to assist the joke, such things perform their purpose and intent, without hurt and without of fence; but introduced upon the pub lic stage, the effect is very different, and the jocularity of friendship is apt to be regarded by the uninitiated as the satire of malice and of enmity. Thus, though these kinds of private poetry may be amusing enough to those who are in the secret, and even to the subjects of the banter, they run the risk of being regarded as effusions of personality, when submitted to the profane vulgar. The author of the " Visions of Irish Story," describes, his work as rhapsody of words." says, «is "The plot," he misty, or mixty, with others; but the verses were written sages, seems of Beppo and of Don Juan in his earnor is this surprising, for he was in daily intercourse with Lord Byron, while writing, and the manuscript passed under the revision of his LordshipIt was written at Genoa. The first canto opens with a sketching description of the Irish character, in which the following anecdote is introduced; eng 100 of This film od Bar 3. 140 2 This brings to mind a story which I've cocheard,tzen About a Captain and a Lady Bird; He had the King's Commission, and his Prince of the Snip, he gaily cut his way verse on; He was besides in debt-that's nothing new; After repeating one or two short prayers, where; sometimesere, and every- He on his bride his worldly gifts be in sadness, sometimes in gladness, and sometimes on the spur of the moment ;" and he further adds, generally of the performance, "These two unworthy cantos were intended as precursors to four, which would probably be worse by attempting to make them better. Not having any fame as an author, it is From his account of the Irish character, the author then proceeds to give the history of the Rebellion, and finally, of the Union; but as he passes along, all sorts of mon and topics are brought true, I cannot write myself down, upon the carpet, and, as we have said, even if I were to produce the threat are treated not so exactly according to ened four harlequins; but the history their deserts, as according to the ideas of Ireland, after the Union, affords with which the recollections of them little aid for bringing on a work, and happen to be associated. The followinvention would not be safe." In ing imitation of Grattan's style, in a short, the method pursued in the speech supposed to have been spoken poem is the most immethodical possi- on the occasion of Lord Castlereagh's ble. It consists of anecdotes and in- motion for the Union, has considercidents related gaily or gravely, as able merit, both on account of the rethey happen to be suggested by the semblance, and the heaped-up, unarassociations which recall them to recol-rayed, yet effective masses of imagery lection; a free and playful manner is with which the orator was in the prac tice of overloading his subjects, and to With fervency and truth sincere I Destroy this House, and all who init Were light, at least considering the times. He was a brigand, and his countryrobb'd; Ifhelived now, forsooth he'd call it jobb'd. Would-he, a Grecian, think you, dared upto sellgilted forystal, agod n His country? No, he loved his name too well. gave you birth; t by stand to notervo doba be would to plunder give the land which Ye would to tyrants sell your native earth, Sweep with one dire perdition from the -de land:w anggo oduro dent sit Guilty and innocent, let each and all, i Amid the temple's burning ruins fall. The crime to compass such a deed de serves A nation's curse and he who basely swerves The verysmell of which the prisoner blind And if the creature hadone spark of mind, gave, Land of my birth-I'll from pollution " But though this, and some of the other speeches, particularly Lord Cas tlereagh's, are characteristic and spi rited, the best parts of the poem consist of the anecdotes. With the following adventure of three Highland officers in a post-chaise we shall conclude. The officers the chay did nearly fill, The boy was gaily trotting down the hill, A gentleman was slowly driving up, Paddy had just toss'd off his stirrup cup: He saw the jontleman had just two wheels, Paddy therefore no sense of danger feels, But whispers to himself, The corricle I'll shave;' * Query.-Is not this a bull ?-C, N. 1. Vorlesungen über die Taktik der Reuterey, von dem Grafen von Bismark Königlich Würtembergischen Obersten des dritten Reuter Regiments, Brigade, Commandeur, Adjutant Seiner Majestät des Königs, Commandeur des Königb, Würtimbergischen Militair-Verdienst-Ordens, Inhaber des goldnen Militair-EhrenZeichen 1. Klasse; des Kaiserlich Russischen St Georgen 4ter, und St AnnenOrden 2ter Klasse; des K. K. Oesterreichischen Leopold-Ordens, Ritter. Offizier des Königlick Frangösischen Ordens des Ehrenlegion, &c. &c. 2d Edition. 1819. 2. Elemente der Bewegunskunst eines Reuter-Regiments, als Auhang gudem Vorlesungen über die Taktik des Reuterei, von einem Obersten der Reuterei mit 201 Planen. Carlsruhe.. 1819.. 1 3. Felddienst-Instriution für die Kavallerie von dem General Grafen von Bismark, Ziveite Auflage. Berlin und Posen. 1821. "BELLA! Bella! horrida Bella" One would have thought that these "piping times of peace" ought to save us from being either rode over by dragoons, or bayonetted by infantry that instead of investigating the merits of movements by threes, or double column from the centre, we should have been enlarging upon the subject of a reduced army, and a consequently increased cornucopia-that instead of inventing cuirasses for heavy dragoons, and queer moustachios for light, we should have been stripping one, and shaving the other; but the contrary is the fact. What although "Grim-visaged war has smoothed her wrinkled front," we yet have, Essays on Cavalry, Tactics," "New Regulations and Orders for the Army," "Annual Reviews at Hounslow," and "Weekly Levees at the Horse-Guards." To keep pace with which, the Military Gazette presents constantly to our view whole columns of beardless Captains and whiskered Cornets. But we must intro duce Count Bismark to our reader. Frederick William Bismark, now General Count Bismark, and the author of the above publications, is the son of a hero of the Seven Years' War,' who, though not recorded as being cob val with the Great Frederick, was yet a very steady, well-conducted hussar, in the Hanoverian partisan corps of Count Luckner. The cavalry propen 1 sity of Frederick William did not develope itself with the usual precocity, of German genius, such as distinguished the musical boy at Berlin, who, we, are credibly informed, jumped out of his cradle and played the Schngs Minka with one hand, long before he could speak, No; Frederick William's abilities were more progressively unfolded. True, " he had heard of battles;" for no doubt his father, the bussar, took care, after the peace of 1763, to "Shoulder his crutch, and show how fields were won." This, however, did not create in our hero any ambition for either a pelise or moustachios; that "feuer der Ju gend," which, as he says in his second lecture, "die Reuteric so sinnig personificirt," did not then excite him to "Mount the barbed steed.” Perhaps he was at that time of Von Folard's opinion, "that cavalry are not a necessary part of an army," or háð: heard Dr Johnson's definition of a dragoon. Be that as it may, he entered the 14th Regiment of Hanove rian Light Infantry, as a cadet, în 1796, at the age of 13.mp3 Now Colonel Vandeleur tells us page 69 of his work on the field duty of cavalry, that "In general the light infantry in the German service are only raised for the war; they are composed of gamekeepers, and armed! * Dragoon—a soldier who fights indifferently, on foot or horseback.—JOHNSON'S Dictionary, Old Copy. 1826.1 with rifles." Perhaps, also, like the Roman Velites, they were taught to vault behind troopers, and to dismount with agility at a given signal; thus playing bo-peep with the enemy, and presenting them with infantry when they expected cavalry. This would have been an admirable school for a general, who, all military writers allow, should have a perfect knowledge of every branch of the service; it must also have contributed much to bodily health and activity. But we are wandering. Cadet Bismark, then, commenced his military career in this corps of game-keeper riflemen, in the year 1796. It does not appear that the service of these added either to the rank or fame of the incipient general; for we hear nothing more of the cadet until the dissolution of the game-keepers in 1803, when, the Hanoverian army being disbanded, he entered the service of Nassau. Here, however, Frederick William did not long remain. Whether the Nassau game-keepers were a less military, less intellectual, or worse paid corps, of riflemen than the dissolved Hanoverians, or whether the British pay and service held out temptations not to be resisted by the cadet, we shall not stop to inquire. Frederick William was certainly not content with his then situation; for we find him soon after embarking for Eng land, and enrolling himself in the Hanoverian Legion. With the Legion he made the useless expedition to the North of Germany, under Lord Cathcart, in 1805, and with the Legion he came back again--his talent for single combat was now first displayed, not that aufeurendes talent, which he tells us every perfect general should possess ; it was rather a melancholy illustration of the pistol at Nothwaffe. Near the town of Tullamore, in Ireland, he had the misfortune to kill a brother officer in a duel. Concerning the circumstances which led to this affair, we believe that Bismark cannot in any way be censured, but the natural consequence of such a catastrophe obliged him to fly the country. He accordingly transferred his infantry, cavalry, and duel or ling ability to his mother-country, Bismark did not, as may be supposed, now rejoin the Hanoverian game-keepers; this would have been, a sad degeneration after just leaving the Roman (German we mean) Legion; no, he speculated on his name sake, Frederick of Wirtemberg, and accordingly entered his service. This turned up trumps for the young hero; at the age of 24 he was made 1st Lieutenant in a regiment of Chevaux legers, and six months afterwards a Captain. Captain Frederick William Bismark, of the Wirtembergian Chevaux legers, now began to sparkle in the military hemisphere. His conduct at Riedau, in the year 1809, is worthy of a place in Mill's History of Chivalry. With the squadron which he commanded, and which perhaps his German imagination magnified into a regiment, he attacked an entire battalion of Chasseurs, the natural consequence of which was, that he was dismounted in the middle of the enemy, his first lieutenant was dangerously wounded, and his second lieutenant killed. A horse! a horse! my kingdom for This was almost as bad as being in "Composed his thought, determined And fix'd his soul to conquer, or to die." Now the squadron being (as all Germans are) literary men, had no doubt read Hudibras, and had a lively recollection of his sequitur to "fighting and running away," for seeing that the Captain had exchanged back to the infantry, and that both the lieutenants were hors de combat, they adopted "the better part of valour," and wheeling about, very prudently took the road home. Indeed, small blame Duty of Officers Commanding Detachments in the Field, &c. By John Ormsby Vaudeleur, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 8th, or King's Royal Irish Light Dragoons. Egerton. 1801. VOL XIX. 4F |