100

Hints to the Author of " Peveril."

upon taking up my pen to point out an opportunity neglected in his "Peveril," which I rather conceive, under the management of this mighty master of ethical animation, would have added to the delight his readers always experience from his peculiarly happy adaptation of his well-arranged conceptions to a tale as judiciously affixed to an historical æra, as it is richly impregnated with whatever things are pure and exalted on the score of morality. No tradition of the merry Monarch's private habits is better authenticated than the cordial intimacy which he extended towards William Penn, the renowned Legislator and Governor General of Pennsylvania. Had this distinguished individual been brought forward as one of the guests, when the Countess of Derby presents herself at the Royal banquet, their illustrious host might have handed over the highminded widow of the martyr of Bolton to be entertained and lectured by the benevolent son of the conqueror of Jamaica.

66

To the conference, however, between the Manx and the American feudatories of Charles the Second's throne; the one vindicating her peremptory execution of Christian, the other descanting on the well-known maxim which formed at once the motto of his atchievement, and the rule of his conduct, Mercy, Justice," justice could alone be rendered by the author in question. In mercy to my own sense of conscious inability on a topic peculiarly suitable to him, I refrain from further pursuing a hint, which I anxiously hope may, through your kindness, fall under his notice. He (the great Unknown), in my humble opinion, writes not often enough. To this conclusion I make up my mind whether I reflect, on the one hand, upon the depth of the resources whence he draws his materials, and the interest with which he presses his events into the service of his moral conclusions; or, on the other hand, upon the liberal deluge of gloomy scepticism, presumptuous turbulence, and coxcombical obscenity, with which we have been lately inundated from the South. Open foes, however, Mr. Urban, of the last-mentioned description, I for one view with slighter indignation than the masked enemy, who, by dint of fanciful perversions, and prurient specifications,

[Feb.

turns the battery of Scripture History against the fortress of female chastity; as the Poet of Paphos, whose Loves of the Angels" is palpably directed towards investing the sanctuary of Christianity with the attributes and hues of a Mahometan harem.

THE RAJAH OF VANEPLYSIA.

Mr. URBAN,

PERH

Lloyd's, Feb. 8. ERHAPS there has not been within the memory of your Readers, a calamity so extensively awful and impressive on the human mind, as the late earthquake in Syria! and the dreadful destruction that it has occasioned to the cities of Aleppo and Antioch. The pen would fail, and even the tongue of eloquence would fall short, in the description of the impressive effect it has on eye witnesses, and also the effects produced on those whom Providence has preserved-very many to a continuance of accumulated sufferings! Our hands must be placed on our lips when events so tremendously awful take place, and silence and adoration be the most suitable for us mortals!

Syria is a name familiar to our juvenile minds-to such of us who, in our infantile years, learnt to read, in the good old fashioned way, from the bible

and as our boyish days ripened into manhood, the knowledge and information of this spot increased with our years. An endearing phrase vibrates as it were on our minds, " and the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch;" for what a train of ideas rush on the mind from this sentence ! we trace this divine blessing-this pure Religion, from its source-in its progress-its increase-its effects-to the present period; and as much as we may lament the effects of vice and evil in the world, we have occasion to be thankful for the moral effects produced by the profession and sound principles of that early name.

Benevolence to our fellow creatures is one of the finest springs of action, and if we look abroad in the world, we may say, and say it with truth, that our own country rises into the first class for this divine principle— "the liberal man deviseth liberal things, and by liberal things he shall stand." This is a quotation so applicable to our country, that I feel a gratifying sensation in making it.

1823.]

Earthquake in Syria.-Millhouse's "Blcssoms."

Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, are places that of late have been much visited by English travellers, and our history informs us, it was well known to our countrymen during the Crusades; then, they left behind them a character for valour, though their object was a mistaken one; and since, they have established their character again for valour, united with generosity and liberal feelings. I need only hint at the siege of Acre.

The name and character of an Englishman is known and acknowledged through Natolia, to Grand Cairo; from Smyrna, and every port and place of commerce, to Alexandria; familiarized to the inhabitants and respected; and perhaps there never was a period in our history more favourable to confirm and establish it, than the present moment: the passing events-the views they lead to the effect they may have -all conspire to fix on our minds an impression not easy to be removed.

To maintain that ascendancy of good opinion we possess-of ability and character as a Nation, a Christian Government and a commercial people, is an object impressive and laudable; we have much to preserve by it in future consequences, and much to gain by it at the present time; and with these impressions deeply felt, I would respectfully add a hope, that the City of London, the twelve great Companies, the Docks, &c. &c. would take into consideration the deplorable state of so interesting a country to our feelings as Christians, to our interest as the first commercial body in the world; and that the relief begun, may be carried on to justify the sentiments held of us, and which affords the most pleasing effect to our recollections; and that those whose watchful care protects our commerce with our fleets, will have such a compact, well-regulated squadron in the Levant, as shall establish our claims in reality to be the most judicious and the most benevolent nation in Europe; a character I see no reason why we may not aspire to; for it is public virtue that produces public prosperity. T. WALTERS.

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by Robert Millhouse," consisting of several very interesting sonnets.

Short and simple as is the construction of the Sonnet, and numerous as have been the tribes of Sonneteers in every age and nation where poetry has been admired; yet (as was the complaint of a writer* upwards of a century ago, and there is almost as just foundation for it even now) "what a world of insipid productions in this kind have we been pestered with!"? And the reason the same writer very properly assigns, namely, that it proceeds in a great measure from a wrong notion of the nature of these little compositions. Conducted like the Epigram, the winding up or point should turn upon some moral or delicate idea; and this, when wrought up as it should be with the utmost nicety and regularity, with an exact purity of style, and an elegant and easy flow of numbers, cannot fail to produce a moral effect upon the mind of the reader. Thus far I have considered only the design of the Sonnet. I will now consider the materials necessary for its composition. In a long poem, a drama, or even an ode, slight irregularities and deviations, nay, even prosaic expressions may be overlooked; but in the Sonnet, the smallest blemish, "like a flaw in a jewel," deteriorates the whole value of it. A Sonnet is like "an image in enamel;" it requires all those delicate finishing strokes, which on a larger figure would be thrown away, where the strength and boldness of a masterly hand give all the grace. Now, by every test contained in the above remarks, I conceive, if the little work which now claims your attention, be tried, it will, I think, stand the severest ordeal.

A few brief particulars of the author's birth, lineage, and early education, by his own brother, embodied by his kind biographer in this sketch, are thus given:

Robert Millhouse was born at Nottingham, Oct. 14, 1788, and was the second of ten children. The poverty of his parents compelled them to put him to work at the age of six years; and when ten, he was placed in a stocking-frame. He had been constantly sent to a Sunday School, till about the last-mentioned age; when

* Addison.

a re

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Millhouse's "Blossoms" commended.

a requisition having been sent by the Rector of St. Peter's parish to the master of the school for six of his boys to become singers in the church, Robert was one that was selected; and thus terminated his education, which consisted merely of reading, and the first rudiments of writing.

When sixteen years old, he seemed for the first time struck with the power of poetry, by reading on a tablet, under a small image of Shakspeare, this inscription: The cloud-capt The cloud-capt towers," &c.

The uncommon Beauty and sublimity of the passage exciting in his mind the highest degree of admiration, he said, "Is it not Scripture?" On being told it was from Shakspeare's play of "The Tempest," he immediately read that inimitable piece, and several other standing poetical works with eagerness.

When he had obtained the age of 22, he entered the Nottinghamshire Militia, which, four years afterwards, being disembodied, he again returned to the stocking-frame, till 1817, when he was placed on the Staff of the Royal Sherwood Foresters; and in the following year became a married man. The cares and necessities of a family soon increasing, he began seriously to reflect on his future prospects; and perceiving no better chance of improving his condition, he began to think of publishing the few small pieces he had written; but as they were not sufficient to form a Volume, he resolved to attempt something of greater length and importance. Thence originated his poem of "Vicissitude," which he prosecuted with unceasing ardour, sometimes composing it while at work under the pressure of poverty and ill health; at other times, when released from his daily labour, encroaching upon the hours which ought to have been allotted to sleep.

Such is the Author's biography. Permit me now to turn to his present work, which consists entirely of Sonnets. The first is inscribed" to Beneficence," having been blessed by the generous and the good, with most liberal and timely assistance, during some severe distresses, by which he had been recently visited. This elegant little tribute at once shows the gratitude of the Author's heart, and the soundness of his principles.

The following Sonnet would do no

[Feb:

Mr. URBAN,

R.

Feb. 1.

W Terrestrial Globe, and considers

WHOEVER takes a view of the

it as diversified by land and water, must be struck with the disposal of its parts as being the best possible for commercial intercourse, and the use of man. The old world, anciently divided into two parts, Europe and Asia, the former including Africa, is so intersected by seas and rivers, as to be accessible in almost every valuable part. The Indian Ocean communicates with the Ganges, the Indus, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea, and is met, as it were, from the West, by the Mediterranean and the Black Sea; whilst the North of Europe is intersected by the Baltic Sea, and the White Sea. Again, the New World is advantageously divided by the Great Gulph of Mexico, extending twenty degrees, part within and part without the Torrid Zone, and including the most valuable isles; while the inland to the North pours its products to the ocean, through the Mississippi, the Potomac, the Lakes, and the great

1623.]

On the Peopling of the New Continent.

river St. Lawrence; and the inland to the South is provided with the Plata, the Amazon, and the Oronoko; and had it not been for this providential and wise contrivance, mankind must have been comparatively ignorant of their distant brethren, and of the produce of distant countries. The complete separation of these two worlds has in all ages afforded matter for speculation and controversy, as to the peopling of the latter, and storing it with animals, and perhaps this Gordian knot may never be untied. If Noah's flood was universal, and I think, from appearances and discoveries upon different parts of the globe, it cannot now be doubted: and if none but Noah and his family, and the beasts of the field and fowls of the air, that were with them in the ark, were preserved alive after that catastrophe, how came this new world to be peopled, and stocked with animals of such infinite variety, and suited to every climate? Whether the Phoenicians, according to Plato and Aristotle, first discovered it; or whether the Tyrians or Sidonians, famous "for passing the sea;" or whether the Carthaginians from Africa, or the Kamschatkans from Asia, is not sufficiently certain; nor do the elaborate treatises undertaken to prove it, by the different manners and customs, coinciding sometimes with the practices of these several nations, throw much light upon the subject; nor yet the resemblance between the picturewriting of the Mexicans, and the Egyptian hieroglyphics, or yet the Chinese characters; for such seem to be the natural result of necessity, and almost inevitable suggestions-such as a Hawk signifying swiftness, a Crocodile signifying revenge-the right hand open signifying plenty, and the left hand shut signifying security and possession. And though the Peruvians, like the Kamschatkans, did hang their dead upon trees-yet, did the Mexicans in sorrow rend their clothes like the Hebrews; and there is equal difficulty in showing how this country became so plenteously stored with quadrupeds and reptiles. Horses, indeed, were not found there, upon the arrival of the Spaniards under Columbus, but rein-deer and mastiffs were used in their stead.

Now, it does not appear that any thing satisfactory concerning the peopling of America can be deduced from historic evidence; for, to suppose that

103

vessels, calculated only for coasting and short voyages, should endure to be driven by a storm two or three thou sand miles, and land their passengers or crew in safety on such a distant shore, is certainly carrying credit beyond the reach of probability; and it is equally improbable, that either the barbarous inhabitants of Lapland or Kamsehatka, without noticing either beasts or reptiles, should have found their way there over the ice, or in rudely constructed vessels by naviga tion; it remains, then, that we should weigh with circumspection Plato's recorded tradition of the island Atlan tis, of great extent, and try whether more satisfaction may not be derived from that source. May not the shores of those vast continents, to the North of Gibraltar, have been wholly or par tially connected? and may they not have continued so, till emigration, after the flood, had settled in these distant regions a necessary proportion of men and beasts, as best suited to their choice and nature; and may not then the present appearance of contitinental division upon the face of the Globe, have been ordained, as better suited to the future operations of mankind? A convulsion in the earth, or sinking the surface, or other means of Almighty choice might have effected it; and the irregular line of shore, whether on the American or European side, with the intermediate isles, seem to sanction such a sinking; for the whole of the great Southern continents of America and Africa afford no such appearances. The formation of the straits of Dover has been probably effected by such a convulsion; for the appearance of the cliff will not allow of its being formed by the washing away of lighter matter; the consistence on both sides, viz. chalk and flint, being the same. Such likewise may have been the case at Gibraltar, Sicily, and Babelmandel. Now, Sir, if the matter, from being alike on each side these lesser openings, be an argument of a broken stratum by some natural convulsion, why may we not, by analogous reasoning, feel such a conviction in respect of the greater opening between Europe and America? and more particularly so, as it serves to enlarge our ideas of the omniscience and omnipotence of the Divine Being.

The fossil, which we call coal, ranges from North-east to South-west. It is found in Sweden, Brabant, Germany,

France,

104

Anecdotes of the late Dr. Jenner. Cow Pox.

France, and Spain; but avoids Italy, and perhaps below the straits of Gibraltar, lat. 36, is not found. Again, on the American side, in the same direction, viz. in Newfoundlaud, Canada, New England, and Washington, lat. 38, and probably not much below, as it may not be absolutely necessary. The economy of nature in this article is wonderful; the strata are always found to dip, and would soon sink beyond the reach of man; but before that happens, a fault takes place, and the fossil is found again upon the rise. A coincidence like the above, of coals being found on each side of the Atlantic, suggested the idea (for I have not met with it before) of making a once unbroken continent a question worthy.the consideration of your learned and ingenious Correspondents. If the mind could be satisfied or even familiarized to such a circumstance, it

would be better guarding against the cavilling attacks of infidels, who allege the impossibility of a general deluge upon that ground, and impeach Scripture of misrepresentation and untruth. It may be said, indeed, would Providence have created such a body of useful material, to have sunk the major part of it under the ocean? This can be no objection to the theory;-let such an observer pause, and reflect that cultivation and barbarism have succeeded each other on the habitable globe; and so may that habitable part, if so destined by its Almighty Author, sink into the abyss, and the ocean give birth to a new world and a new order of things; for nothing is impossible to Him who can make the carth sea, and the sea dry land.

Mr. URBAN,

A. B.

Feb. 10.

OF the late lamented Dr. Jenner (a

Memoir of whom will doubtless be given in your forthcoming Number) it may be truly said, that he was a glory to the nation, and an honour and a blessing to all who knew him.

It is not my intention to enlarge on the life of Dr. Jenner, the whole, in a most accurate form, having been recently published by Mr. Fosbroke, annexed to his "History of Berkeley."

For some years before his death, Dr. Jenner's purse and his table demonstrated his public spirit, his hospitable habits, and his unassuming intercourse with society. In his house-keeping nothing was gaudy, but all was good. The cookery was tastefully and fashionably set out; the wines, commonly five

[Feb

or six kinds, old and of fine flavour. The conversation was lively, and generally of a philosophical turn. At a striking innocent trait of character, the Philosopher, as a keen observer, would smile cheerfully, but the writer of this never saw him indulge in what is called a horse-laugh. But the most striking feature of his intellectual character, was an exclusive devotion to grand objects. These objects he chose to be original, and of high public consequence. Of the occasionally rare failures of the Vaccine prophylactic, he was not to be accused, because he had Nature for his guide, and that Natura non agit per saltum is a principle not to be disputed. From an elaborate paper on Contagion, in the Quarterly Review (LIV. p. 525), it appears, that contagion is not understood; that probably there is only one origi nally contagious disease, the Plague; that the Small Pox is only perhaps a modification of it, and the Vaccine a derivative of the Small Pox. Wilful

deception or intention is incompatible with a public exhibition of the means of producing the effect; and most certain it is, that the virulence of contagion depends very much upon constitutional habits and modes of living. Speaking of the article concerning Small Pox and the Vaccine, in the last Edinburgh Review, he says, in a letter to me, dated January 10:

"The mass of mankind, you know, reason badly, and they will say, 'let us go back to the Smail Pox inoculation, and then we can have the disorder but once; but this Cow-pox is sure to leave catch the Small Pox after it, though it us insecure, and sooner or later we shall may be mild.' Now, as I have taken the liberty of telling you many times before, this will never happen, if the Vaccinator does his duty; that is, if not misguided by prejudice, ignorance, or indolence. He first sees that the lymph be is about to insert is correct; and then, that his subject is in a fit state for its reception; that is to say, free from cuticular diseases of any kind, the chief of which are the herpetic, the common scabby skins of children."

The article in the Quarterly Review alluded to, indirectly proves the sound doctrine of the caution proposed; and also shows, that the Vaccine, by instigating further investigations of contagion, may eventually lead to important beneficial discoveries or practices in medicine, which will, in a tenfold degree, repay the partial failures which have occurred in regard to its direct ostensible object-absolutè infallible security from Small Pox, a security not to be insured by inoculation with the latter only.

W.D.

Mr.