pen in the last chapter of Don Quixote. Oh! that our voluminous gentry would follow the example of Cid Hamet Benengeli! By Jeffrey's heart, or Lamb's Baotian head. masters, but not disgrace his genius, which is undoubtedly great, by a repetition of black-letter-ballad imitations. The single wonder of a thousand years. (p.595. [p. 593. As the Odyssey is so closely connected with Messrs. Jeffrey and Lamb are the Alpha and the story of the Iliad, they may almost be classOmega, the first and last, of the Edinburgh-ed as one grand historical poem. In alluding Review; the others are mentioned hereafter. Then should you ask me, why I venture o'er The path which Pope and Gifford trod before? [p. 594. Cur tamen hoc potius libeat decurrere campo Per quem magnus equos Aurunca flexit alumnus: Si vacat, et placidi rationem admittitis, edam. JUVENAL. From soaring Southey down to groveling Stott. Tp. 594. Stott, better known in the "Morning Post" by the name of Hafiz. This personage is at present the most profound explorer of the bathos. I remember, to the reigning family of Portugal, a special ode of Master Stott's, beginning thus: (Stott loquitur quoad Hibernia.) Princely offspring of Braganza. Also a Sonnet to Rats, well worthy of the subject, and a most thundering ode commencing as follows: Oh! for a lay! loud as the surge That lashes Lapland's sounding shore. Lord have mercy on us! the "Lay of the Last Minstrel" was nothing to this. Thus Lays of Minstrels—may they be the last!— (p. 594. See the "Lay of the Last Minstrel," passim. Never was any plan so incongruous and absurd as the ground-work of this production. The entrance of Thunder and Lightning, prologuising to Bayes' tragedy, unfortunately takes away the merit of originality from the dialogue between Messieurs the Spirits of Flood and Fell, in the first canto. Then we have the amiable William of Deloraine, "a stark mosstrooper," videlicet, a happy compound of poacher, sheepstealer, and highwayman. The propriety of his magical lady's injunction, not to read, can only be equalled by his candid acknowledgment of his independence of the trammels of spelling, although, to use his own elegant phrase, "twas his neckverse at hairibee," i. e. the gallows. And goblin brate, of Gilpin Horner's brood. [p. 594. The Biography of Gilpin Horner, and the marvellous pedestrian page, who travelled twice as fast as his master's horse, without the aid of seven-leagued boots, are chefs-d'œuvre in the improvement of taste. For incident we have the invisible, but by no means sparing, box on the ear bestowed on the page, and the entrance of a Knight and Charger into the castle, under the very natural disguise of a wain of hay, Marmion, the hero of the latter romance, is exactly what William of Deloraine would have been, had he been able to read or write. The Poem was manufactured for Messrs. Constable, Murray, and Miller, worshipful Booksellers, in consideration of the receipt of a sum of money, and, truly, considering the inspiration, it is a very creditable production. If Mr. Scott will write for hire, let him do his best for his pay to Milton and Tasso, we consider the "Paradise Lost," and "Gierusalemme Liberata," as their standard efforts, since neither the "Jerusalem Conquered" of the Italian, nor the "Paradise Regained" of the English Bard, obtained a proportionate celebrity to their former poems. Query: Which of Mr. Southey's will survive? Next see tremendous Thalaba come on. (p. 595. Thalaba, Mr. Southey's second poem, is written in open defiance of precedent and poetry. Mr. S. wished to produce something novel, and succeeded to a miracle. Joan of Arc was marvellous enough, but Thalaba was one of those poems "which (in the words of Porson) will be read when Homer and Virgil are forgotten, but -not till then.” 2 "Awake a louder and a loftier strain." [p. 596. "Awake a louder. and a loftier strain," is the first line in Bowles's "Spirit of Discovery; very spirited and pretty Dwarf Epic. Among other exquisite lines we have the following:Stole on the list'ning silence, never yet --A Kiss Here heard; they trembled even as if the power That is, the woods of Madeira trembled to a kiss, very much astonished, as well they might be, at such a phenomenon. (See "Letter on Bowles's Strictures on Pope.") Consult Lord Fanny, and confide in Curl. [p. 597. Curl is one of the heroes of the Dunciad, and was a Bookseller. Lord Fanny is the poetical name of Lord Hervey, author of "Lines to the Imitator of Horace." And do from hate what Mallet did for hire. [p. 597. Lord Bolingbroke hired Mallet to traduce Pope after his decease, because the Poet had retained some copies of a work by Lord Bolingbroke (the Patriot King), which that splendid but malig nant genius had ordered to be destroyed. To rave with Dennis, and with Ralph to rhyme. [p. 597. Dennis the critic and Ralph the rhymester. Silence ye wolves! while Ralph to Cynthia howls, Making night hideous-answer him ye owls! DUNCIAD 1 Had Cottle still adorn'd the counter's aide. [p. 597. Mr. Cottle, Amos or Joseph, I don't know which, but one or both, once sellers of books they did not write, and now writers of books that do not sell, have published a pair of Epics. “Alfred" (poor Alfred! Pye has been at him too!) and "the Fall of Cambria." May no rude hand disturb their early sleep! [p. 597. Poor Montgomery, though praised by every English Review, has been bitterly reviled by the Edinburgh. After all, the Bard of Sheffield is a man of considerable genius: his "Wanderer of Switzerland" is worth a thousand "Lyrical Ballads," and at least fifty "Degraded Epics." Nor hunt the bloodhounds back to Arthur's Seat? [p. 597. Arthur's Seat, the hill which overhangs Edinburgh. And Bow-street myrmidons stood laughing by? [p. 598. In 1806, Messrs. Jeffrey and Moore met at Chalk-Farm. The duel was prevented by the interference of the magistracy; and, on examination, the balls of the pistols, like the courage of the combatants, were found to have evaporated. This incident gave occasion to much waggery in the daily prints. must have been painful to read, and frksome to praise it. If Mr. Hallam will tell me who did review it, the real name shall find a place in the text, provided, nevertheless, the said name be of two orthodox musical syllables and will come into the verse: till then, Hallam must stand for want of a better. While gay Thalia's luckless votary, Lamd. (p. 598. The Hon. G. Lamb reviewed "Beresford's Miseries," and is moreover author of a Farce enacted with much applause at the Priory, Stanmore, and damned with great expedition at the late Theatre Covent-Garden. It was entitled "Whistle for it." Beware lest blundering Brougham destroy the sale. [p. 598. Mr. Brougham, in No XXV. of the EdinburghReview, throughout the article concerning Don Pedro de Cevallos, has displayed more politics than policy: many of the worthy burgesses of Edinburgh being so incensed at the infamous principles it evinces, as to have withdrawn their subscriptions. It seems that Mr. Brougham is not a Pict, as I supposed, but a Borderer, and his name is pronounced Broom, from Trent to Tay. So be it. Her son, and vanish'd in a Scottish mist. [p. 598. I ought to apologise to the worthy Deities for introducing a new Goddess with short petticoats to their notice: but, alas! what was to be done? The other half pursued its calm career. [p. 598. The Tweed here behaved with proper deco-I could not say Caledonia's Genius, it being rum: it would have been highly reprehensible in the English half of the river to have shown the smallest symptom of apprehension. well known there is no Genius to be found from Clackmannan to Caithness: yet, without super. natural agency, how was Jeffrey to be saved? The "national Kelpies," are too unpoetical, and If Jeffrey died, except within her arms. [p. 598. the "Brownies" and "Gude Neighbours" (SplThis display of sympathy on the part of the rits of a good disposition), refused to extricate Tolbooth (the principal prison in Edinburgh), him. A Goddess therefore has been called for which truly seems to have been most affected the purpose, and great ought to be the gratitude on this occasion, is much to be commended. It of Jeffrey, seeing it is the only communication was to be apprehended, that the many unhappy he ever held, or is likely to hold, with any thing criminals executed in the front, might have ren-heavenly. dered the edifice more callous. She is said to be of the softer sex, because her delicacy of feeling on this day was truly feminine, though, like most feminine impulses, perhaps a little selfish. The travell'd Thane! Athenian Aberdeen. [p. 598. His lordship has been much abroad, is a member of the Athenian Society, and reviewer of "Gell's Topography of Troy." Herbert shall wield Thor's hammer, and some- Instead of money and rings, I wot, And classic Hallam, much renown'd for Greek. Declare his landlord can translate, at least! [p. 598. Lord Holland has translated some specimens of Lope de Vega, inserted in his life of the Author: both are bepraised by his disinterested guests. Reforms each error and refines the whole. (p. 599. Certain it is, her ladyship is suspected of having displayed her matchless wit in the EdinburghReview: however that may be, we know from good authority that the manuscripts are submitted to her perusal-no doubt for correction. Puns, and a prince within a barrel pent. [p. 598. In the melo-drame of Tekeli, that heroic prince is clapt into a barrel on the stage-a new asylum for distressed heroes. While Reynolds vents his "dammes, poohs, and zounds." [p. 598. All these are favourite expressions of Mr. R. and prominent in his Comedies, living and defunct. A tragedy complete in all but words? [p. 598. Mr. T. Sheridan, the new Manager of DruryLane Theatre, stripped the Tragedy of Bonduca of the Dialogue, and exhibited the scenes as the spectacles of Caractacus. Was this worthy of his sire, or of himself? Her flight to garnish Greenwood's gay designs. [p. 599. Mr. Greenwood is, we believe, Scene-Painter to Drury-Lane Theatre: as such Mr. S. is much indebted to him. In five facetious acts comes thundering on. (p. 699. | Lord C'e works, most resplendently bound, form Mr. S. is the illustrious author of the "Sleep- a conspicuous ornament to his book-shelves: ing Beauty" and some Comedies, particularly The rest is all but leather and prunella. "Maids and Bachelors;" Baccalaurei baculo magis quam lauro digni. And worship Catalani's pantaloons. [p. 599. Naldi and Catalani require little notice, for the visage of the one, and the salary of the other, will enable us long to recollect these amusing vagabonds; besides, we are still black and blue from the squeeze on the first night of the lady's appearance in trowsers. of vice and folly, Greville and Argyle! (p. 599. To prevent any blunder, such as mistaking a street for a man, I beg leave to state, that it is the Institution, and not the Duke, of that name, which is herc alluded to. A gentleman with whom I am slightly acquainted, lost in the Argyle Rooms several thousand pounds at Backgammon. It is but justice to the manager in this instance to say, that some degree of disapprobation was manifested. But why are the implements of gaming allowed in a place devoted to the society of both sexes? A pleasant thing for the wives and daughters of those who are blest or cursed with such connections, to hear the billiard-tables rattling in one room, and the dice in another! That this is the case I myself can testify, as a late unworthy member of an institution which materially affects the morals of the higher orders, while the lower may not even move to the sound of a tabor and fiddle, without a chance of indictment for riotous behaviour. Behold the new Petronius of the day. (p. 599. Petronius, "arbiter elegantiarum to Nero, "and a very pretty fellow in his day," as Mr. Congreve's old Bachelor saith. To live like Clodius, and like Falkland fall. [p. 600. • Mutato nomine de te fabula narratur. I knew the late Lord Falkland well. On Sunday night I beheld him presiding at his own table, in all the honest pride of hospitality; on Wednesday morning at three o'clock, I saw, stretched before me, all that remained of courage, feeling, and a host of passions. He was a gallant and successful officer; his faults were the faults of a sailor-as such, Britons will forgive them. He died like a brave man in a better cause, for had he fallen in like manner on the deck of the frigate to which he was just appointed, his last moments would have been held up by his countrymen as an example to succeeding heroes. From silly Hafiz up to simple Bowles. [p. 600. What would be the sentiments of the Persian Anacreon, Hafiz, could he rise from his splendid sepulchre at Sheeraz, where he reposes with Ferdousi and Sadi, the Oriental Homer and Catullus, and behold his name assumed by one Stott of Dromore, the most impudent and execrable of literary poachers for the daily prints? [p. 600. Lord, rhymester, petit-maître, pamphleteer! The Earl of Carlisle has lately published an eighteen-penny pamphlet on the state of the Stage, and offers his plan for building a new theatre: it is to be hoped his lordship will be permitted to bring forward any thing for the Stage, except his own tragedies. And hang a calf-skin on those recreant lines. And Melville's Mantle prove a Blanket too! Melville's Mantle, a parody on "Elijah Mantle," a poem. Leave wondering comprehension far behind (p. 600 This lovely little Jessica, the daughter of the noted Jew K-, seems to be a follower of the Della Crusca School, and has published two velumes of very respectable absurdities in rhyme, as times go; besides sundry novels in the style of the first edition of the Monk. Chain'd to the signature of O. P. Q. [p. 001. These are the signatures of various worthies who figure in the poetical departments of the May Moorland-weavers boast Pindaric skill (p. 601. Vide "Recollections of a Weaver in the Moorlands of Staffordshire." Come forth, oh Campbell! give thy talents scope. [p. 601. It would be superfluous to recal to the mind of the reader the author of "The Pleasures of Memory," ," and "The Pleasures of Hope," the most beautiful didactic poems in our language, if we except Pope's Essay on Man: but so many poetasters have started up, that even the names of Campbell and Rogers are become strange. Wright! 'twas thy happy lot at once to view. (p. 602. Mr. Wright, late Consul General for the Seven Islands, is author of a very beautiful poem just published: it is entitled, "Hora Ionica," and is descriptive of the Isles and the adjacent coast of Greece. And you, associate Bards! who snatch'd to light. [p. 602. The translators of the Anthology have since published separate poems, which evince genius that only requires opportunity to attain eminence. False glare attracts, but more offends the eye. [p. 602. The neglect of the "Botanic-Garden " is some proof of returning taste: the scenery is its sole recommendation. And thou, too, Scott! resign to minstrels rude. [p. 602. By the bye, I hope that in Mr. Scott's next poem his hero or heroine will be less addicted to "gramarye," and more to grammar, than the Lady of the Lay, and her bravo, William of Deloraine. of a poem denominated the "Art of Pleasing," as "lucus a non lucendo," containing little pleasantry, and less poetry. He also acts as monthly stipendiary and collector of calumnies for the Satirist. If this unfortunate young man would exchange the magazines for the mathematics, and endeavour to take a decent degree in his university, it might eventually prove more serviceable than his present salary. Oh, dark asylum of a Vandal race! [p. 603. "Into Cambridgeshire the Emperor Probus transported a considerable body of Vandals."GIBBON. There is no reason to doubt the truth of this assertion-the breed is still in high perfection. That... Hodgson scarce redeems thy fame! [p. 603. This gentleman's name requires no praise: the man who in translation displays unquestionable genius, may well be expected to excel in original composition, of which it is to be hoped we shall soon see a splendid specimen. And modern Britons justly praise their sires. [p. 603. The "Aboriginal Britons," an excellent poem by Richards. And old dame Portland fills the place of Pitt. [p. 603. A friend of mine being asked why his Grace of P. was likened to an old woman? replied, "he supposed it was because he was past bearing." Let vain Valentia rival luckless Carr. [p. 603. Let Stott, Carlisle, Matilda, and the rest. [p. 602. It may be asked why I have censured the Earl of Carlisle, my guardian and relative, to whom I dedicated a volume of puerile poems a few years ago. The guardianship was nominal, at least as far as I have been able to discover; the relationship I cannot help, and am very sorry for it; but as his lordship seemed to forget it on a very essential occasion to me, I shall not Lord Valentia (whose tremendous travels are burthen my memory with the recollection. I do forthcoming, with due decorations, graphical, not think that personal differences sanction the topographical, and typographical) deposed, on unjust condemnation of a brother scribbler; but Sir John Carr's unlucky suit, that Dubois' satire I see no reason why they should act as a pre-prevented his purchase of the "Stranger in Ireventive, when the author, noble or ignoble, has land."-Oh fie, my Lord! has your lordship no for a series of years beguiled a "discerning pu- more feeling for a fellow-tourist? but "two of blic" (as the advertisements have it) with divers a trade," they say. reams of most orthodox, imperial nonsense. Be. sides, I do not step aside to vituperate the Earl; no-his works come fairly in review with those of other patrician literati. If, before I escaped from my teens, I said any thing in favour of his lordship's paper-books, it was in the way of dutiful dedication, and more from the advice of others than my own judgment, and I seize the first opportunity of pronouncing my sincere recantation. I have heard that some persons conceive me to be under obligations to Lord Carlisle: if so, I shall be most particularly happy to learn what they are, and when conferred, that they may be duly appreciated and publicly acknowledged. What I have humbly advanced as an opinion on his printed things, I am prepared to support, if necessary, by quotations from elegies, eulogies, odes, episodes, and certain facetious and dainty tragedies, bearing his name and mark: What can ennoble knaves or fools, or cowards? Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards! So says Pope. Amen. And other victors fill the applauding skies. [p. 603. "Tollere humo, victorque virum volitare per VIRGIL. ora." Requires no sacred theme to bid us list. [p. 603. The "Games of Hoyle," well known to the votaries of whist and chess, are not to be superseded by the vagaries of his poetical namesake, whose poem comprised, as expressly stated in the vertisement, all the "Plagues of Egypt." Let Aberdeen and Elgin still pursue. (p. 603. Lord Elgin would fain persuade us that all the figures, with and without noses, in his stoneshop, are the work of Phidias! "Credat Judæus." I leave topography to classic Gell. [p. 604. Mr. Gell's Topography of Troy and Ithaca cannot fail to ensure the approbation of every man possessed of classical taste, as well for the information Mr. G. conveys to the mind of the reader, as for the ability and research the respective works display. POSTSCRIPT. I have been informed, since the present edition went to the press, that my trusty and well beloved cousins, the Edinburgh Reviewers, are preparing a most vehement critique on my poor, gentle, unresisting muse, whom they have already so bedeviled with their ungodly ribaldry: "Tantæne animis cœlestibus iræ!" I suppose I must say of Jeffrey as Sir Andrew Aguecheek saith, "an I had known he was so cunning of fence, I had seen him damned ere I had fought him." What a pity it is that I shall be beyond the Bosphorus before the next number has passed the Tweed. But yet I hope to light my pipe with it in Persia. My northern friends have accused me, with ad-justice, of personality towards their great literary Anthropophagus, Jeffrey: but what else was to be done with him and his dirty pack, who feed "by lying and slandering," and slake their thirst by "evil-speaking?" I have adduced facts already well known, and of Jeffrey's mind Himself a living libel on mankind. [p. 603. This person, who has lately betrayed the most rapid symptoms of confirmed authorship, is writer I have stated my free opinion, nor has he thence sustained any injury: what scavenger was ever soiled by being pelted with mud? It may be said that I quit England because I have censured there "persons of honour and wit about town;" but I am coming back again, and their vengeance will keep hot till my return. Those who know me can testify that my motives for leaving England are very different from fears, literary or personal; those who do not, may one day be convinced. Since the publication of this thing, my name has not been concealed; I have been mostly in London, ready to answer for my transgressions, and in daily expectation of sundry cartels; but, alas! "The age of chivalry is over," or, in the vulgar tongue, there is no spirit nowa-days. There is a youth yclept Hewson Clarke, (subaudi, Esq.) a sizer of Emanuel College, and I believe a denizen of Berwick upon Tweed, whom I have introduced in these pages to much better company than he has been accustomed to meet: he is, notwithstanding, a very sad dog, and, for no reason that I can discover, except a personal quarrel with a bear, kept by me at Cambridge to sit for a fellowship, and whom the jealousy of his Trinity - cotemporaries prevented from success, has been abusing me, and, what is worse, the defenceless innocent above mentioned, in the Satirist, for one year and some months. I am utterly unconscious of having given him any provocation; indeed I am guiltless of having heard his name, till it was coupled with the Satirist. He has therefore no reason to complain, and I dare say that, like Sir Fretful Plagiary, he is rather pleased than otherwise. I have now mentioned all who have done me the honour to notice me and mine, that is, my Bear and my Book, except the Editor of the Satirist, who, it seems, is a gentleman, God wot! I wish he could impart a little of his gentility to his mbordinate scribblers. I hear that Mr. Jerningham is about to take up the cudgels for his Marcenas, Lord Carlisle: I hope not; he was one of the few who, in the very short intercourse I had with him, treated me with kindness when a bey and whatever he may say or do, "pour on, I will endure." I have nothing further to ad save a general note of thanksgiving to reader, purchasers, and publisher; and, in the words t Scott, I wish To all and each a fair good night, The following Lines were written by Mr. Pit gerald in a Copy of English Bards” and Srotel Reviewers: I find Lord Byron scorns my muse- His verse is safe-I can't abuse Lord Byron accidentally met with the Copy, and subjoined the following pungent Reply: What's writ on me, cried Fitz, I never read- NOTES TO THE CURSE OF MINERVA. The queen of night asserts her silent reign. [p. 605. The twilight in Greece is much shorter than in our country; the days in winter are longer, but in summer of less duration. These Cecrops placed—this Pericles adorn'd— [p. 605. This is spoken of the city in general, and not of the Acropolis in particular. The temple of Jupiter Olympius, by some supposed the Pantheon, was finished by Hadrian: sixteen columns are standing, of the most beautiful marble and style of architecture. Th' insulted wall sustains his hated name. [p. 605. It is related by a late oriental traveller, that when the wholesale spoliator visited Athens, he caused his own name, with that of his wife, to be inscribed on a pillar of one of the principal temples. This inscription was executed in a very conspicuous manner, and deeply engraved in the marble, at a very considerable elevation. Notwithstanding which precautions, some person (doubtless inspired by the patron-goddess) has been at the pains to get himself raised up to the requisite height, and has obliterated the name of the laird, but left that of the lady untouched. The traveller in question accompanied this story by a remark, that it must have cost some labour and contrivance to get at the place, and could only have been effected by much zeal and determination. |
