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REVIEW.-Peveril of the Peak.

4. Peveril of the Peak". By the Author of

Waverley. 4 vols. 8vo.

IN such quick succession has this great Novelist issued his fascinating productions, that some apprehensions have been entertained by his admirers, lest his reputation should fall more rapidly than it had risen, owing to the hasty negligence displayed in some of his recent works. His "Halidon Hill" gave general dissatisfaction; and the "Pirate" and "Nigel" betrayed, in numerous instances, the traits of an inferior genius, probably owing to the extensive aid he received from others; or the confidence he reposed in his assisting amanuenses! But we rejoice to find that "Peveril of the Peak" possesses many redeeming excellencies. It abounds with a great variety of character, supported with considerable spirit.

From a humorous prefatory letter, purporting to have been addressed by Doctor Driasdust of York, to Captain Clutterbuck of Kennaquair, we learn that Peveril of the Peak was communi

cated to that worthy and respectable Antiquary somewhere about last Michaelmas, by the Eidolon, or spirit of the Author of Waverley; whose couduct on the occasion was so extraordinary, as to create in the mind of the Doctor a reasonable scepticism as to the immaterial or spiritual form of his visitor. He was dozing one evening in his study, when a stranger from Edinburgh, who was stated to have arrived by the North Mail, was very abruptly announced; and before his Reverence had time to recover his

self-possession, in stalked the Author of Waverley, invested certainly with as few of the attributes of a ghost as can well be imagined. In this interview, Dr. Driasdust appears to have enjoyed very superior advantages; inasmuch as whilst his friend, Capt. Clutterbuck, had only a dim and imperfect vision of the Great Unknown in the crypt, or most intimate recess of the shop of Messrs. Constable and Co. at Edinburgh, his Reverence was thus presented with an opportunity of viewing him face to face, in his study, by the clear and equable light of a pair of mould candles. He is accordingly more minute in his description of this

*The early history of the Peak Castle is noticed in the next article of the Re

view.

[Jan.

renowned personage. The sketch will, we think, be easily recognized (making due allowance for caricature) by those who are acquainted with the person of Sir Walter Scott.

"The Author of Waverley. A bulky and tall man in a travelling great coat, which covered a suit of snuff-brown, cut in

imitation of that worn by the great Rambler. His flapped hat, for he disdained the modern frivolities of a travelling cap, was bound over his head with a large silk handkerchief, so as to protect his ears from cold at once, and from the babble of his pleasant companions in the public coach from which he had just alighted. There was what of sarcastic shrewdness and sense, which sate on the heavy penthouse of his shaggy grey eyebrow-his features were in other respects largely shaped, and rather heavy, than promising wit or genius; but he had a notable projection of the nose, similar to that line of the Latin poet

some

immodicum surgit pro cuspide rostrum.'

A stout walking-stick stayed his hand—a double Barcelona protected his neck-his

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belly was something prominent, but that's

not much'-his breeches were substantial thickset-and a pair of top-boots, which were slipped down to ease his sturdy calves, did not conceal his comfortable travellingstockings of lambs-wool, wrought, not on the loom, but on the wires, and after the venerable ancient fashion, known in Scotland by the name of ridge-and-furrow. His age seemed to be considerably above fifty, but could not amount to threescore, which I observed with pleasure, trusting there may be a good deal of work had out of him yet; especially as a general haleness of appearance the compass and strength of his voice the steadiness of his step-the rotundity of his calf-the depth of his hem, and the sonorous emphasis of his sneeze, were all signs of a constitution built for permanence.

It struck the Doctor forcibly, until sities of that mysterious individual, he reflected upon the amorous propen

that his visitor was no other than the Stout Gentleman so humourously pourtrayed by the pen of Geoffrey Crayon; but he finally discovered that he had in his composition far more of the spirit of Jonathan Oldbuck. A which the Author of Waverley demost interesting colloquy ensues, in fends himself with much ingenuity from such objections as he appears to consider have been urged against the general character of his writings, and such as he expects to see advanced

against

Peveril of the Peak.

1823.] REVIEW. against the present work. He combats for the most part with a giant of his own fertile imagination. So far from having been accused of polluting the well-head of historical information, it is, we believe, admitted, at all hands, that he has done more towards creat ing a taste for the perusal of English history, than any writer whatever since the age of Shakspeare.

We shall now proceed to give our readers an outline of the plot of this entertaining Novel.

Peveril of the Peak, from whom the tale derives its title, is an old Cavalier Baronet, directly, though not legally descended from the Conqueror-proud of his family, of his valour, his loyalty, and liberal housekeeping as honourable as brave, and as simple as honourable; jovial, cheerful, and sincere. His next neighbour is Major Bridgenorth, a Presbyterian, but no republican, whom the love of liberty and religion, in the austere form professed by his party, had led, like many others, far beyond his first intention in opposition to his hard-fated Sovereign. He is a good man, equally upright in his intentions with his neighbour Baronet, and averse from the extremities to which the Independents proceeded under the sway of Cromwell. He deals justly according to his views with every one, and very kindly with Peveril when oppressed by the Long Parliament. A series of losses and privations in his own family, which is at last reduced to one infant, not very likely to survive the mother, who had died after giving it birth, deepens the gloom on his serious and reflective mind. The amiable and judicious consort of the stout Baronet takes charge of the infant, a girl, a few years younger than her only son. This affords some compensation for the benefits conferred on the Cavalier in the Major's day of power. Mutual worth produces mutual benevolence, but there are too many opposing elements in the character of each to admit of social intercourse. It is enough that the Baronet loves his neighbour, not as himself, but as well as the best possible Roundhead could be loved by a zealot in loyalty. The Major, again, regards the Baronet as much as Christian charity could afford to an unenlightened sinner who has shared in shedding the blood of the Saints.

GENT. MAG. January, 1823.

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The work opens about twenty years after the Restoration. The disappointment of the Royalists, on finding the restored Monarch not very willing, or at all able, to reward those who had so deeply suffered for his family, and that of the Presbyterians, on finding the Court a theatre of profaneness and immorality, where they were despised and ridiculed, are drawn in lively colours. Meantime slight sketches of domestic life, the tenderness of parental affection in the bosom of the melan choly Recluse, whose daughter seemed his only tie to life; the cheerful gaiety of childish happiness, while the future lovers rejoice together in the bright morning of existence; and the mild virtues of the Lady of the Castle, softening down the extravagance of her husband's ultra loyalty, and pouring balm into the wounds of ancient enmity-all this pleasing combination gives a short repose to the mind, before we are forced to plunge into the turbulence of public dissension, or explore the dark mazes of crooked policy. Into these we are led by a conformity to historical truth in all those scenes which were opened by the strife of parties during the supposed existence of the Popish Plot. This appears at first to have been prosecuted with the intention of diminishing the influence of France over the infatuated Monarch, removing the all-powerful Duchess of Monmouth, the Catholic mistress, and excluding the Popish heir from the succession. Shaftesbury, powerful from talents and popularity, but dangerous from his supple intriguing spirit and want of fixed principle, who first set this plan in motion, has left us a terrible example of the fatal consequences that result from attempting even to do good with evil instruments.

The Author sets out, in his introduction, with premising his intention not to move in trammels, that is, not to be strictly bound within the limits of actual history or chronology. He is as good as his word in one respect. The far-famed Countess of Derby, acting as Dowager Sovereign of Man, appears pretty early upon the stage, not with all the dignity to which her high rank and far higher character entitle her, but as a person under continual persecution, either open or secret, whose peace and safety are in perpetual hazard from the machina

tions

50

REVIEW. Ancient Castles of England and Wales.

tions of an artful and inveterate villain, actuated all along by the only shadow of good feeling belonging to himaffection to his brother's memory but even this takes the form of deadly hatred to the Countess, who, it appears, had condemned and executed this brother as a party in betraying the island to Fairfax. This subtle villain, who assumes the mask of religion to suit his purposes, is brother-in-law to Bridgenorth, and uses the influence which his abilities, his hypocrisy, and his affinity, give him over that honest enthusiast to serve his worst purposes. The Popish Plot, the machine by which so many lesser ones were set to work, opens here a wide field for the exercise of the Author's peculiar talents, that of giving life and language to characters either of his own creation, or appearing to us only in broken sketches and in the dim distance of time long past. Time and space would fail us to give a faint sketch of a story so crowded with events and characters. The Lovers are both exceedingly respectable-much more so than mere lovers, either in fact or in fiction, are wont to appear. Their affection is cherished and supported by high principle. They are both fondly devoted to their Parents, and do not consider the indulgence of their passion as the main business of life.

Our limits will not allow room for remark; and we shall conclude by merely informing our readers, that the unexpected variety of interesting matter connected with the subject, has induced the Author to extend the volumes beyond their usual number; an enlargement which all parties, we apprehend, will highly approve.

5. A Series of Views of the most interesting Remains of Antient Castles of England and Wales; engraved by W. Woolnoth and W. Tombleson; with historical Descriptions by E. W. Brayley, jun. Part I. THIS promises to be a very popular and acceptable Work. The subject is peculiarly interesting.

"Much (says the Editor) of the avidity and enthusiasm with which the studies of Antiquities and Topography have been pursued and encouraged in this country, may unquestionably be attributed to the interest excited by the many admirable remains of its ANCIENT CASTLES; they are eminently distinguished by their architectural gran

[Jan.

deur, by their having been the scenes of many memorable events, and the residences of many celebrated persons; and by the display of the various methods of defence which have been successively adopted, according to the improvements in military operations, from a very early period of our history."

The views are very neatly engraved from drawings purposely made by eminent artists, amongst whom are enumerated Mess. Arnald, Fielding, Blore, and Gastineaux. In this work it is intended to steer a middle course between the numerous publications on a minute scale, in which picturesque views have been the principal object, and the very elaborate and splendid Topographical Works. The Historical and Descriptive Accounts are concisely yet satisfactorily drawn up. In selecting a specimen, we are induced to give the history of Peverel's Castle in the Peak, from the public attention being strongly excited to that celebrated fortress, in expectation that it would have made a conspicuous figure in the new Novel under that name. Although disappointed in this respect, yet many of our Antiquarian Readers will be glad to learn its history.

"On the summit of a steep and rocky eminence, at the base of which is that vast subterranean recess, the Peak Cavern, stand

the remains of the ancient CASTLE OF THE PEAK; from which the subjacent village of Castleton derives its name.

"The elevated situation of this fortress, and the almost perpendicular chasms that partially insulate the rock which it occupies, must have rendered it nearly impregnable, prior to the use of artillery in sieges. On the East and South sides its site is bounded by a narrow ravine called the Cave; and on the West it is skirted by the precipice which frowns over the cavern. The most accessible part is towards the North; yet even here the path has been carried in a winding, or rather in a zigzag direction, in order to obviate the steepness of the ascent. The Castle-yard, or Ballium, included nearly the whole summit of the eminence. The enclosing wall, though for the most in a few places on the outside. On the part in ruins, measures twenty feet in height

North side were two small towers, now destroyed. The entrance was at the Northeast angle, where part of an arched-way still remains. Near the opposite angle is the Keep, the walls of which, on the South and West sides, are the most entire, and at the North-west corner they are above fifty feet high; the North and East sides are much shattered. On the outside the

Keep

1823.]

REVIEW.-Peak Castle.-Napoleon's Memoirs.

Keep forms a square of thirty-eight feet, but its interior dimensions are unequal; the extent from North to South being rather more than twenty-one feet, but from East to West nineteen only. The walls consist of broken masses of limestone, embedded in mortar of such tenacity that it imparts to the whole the solidity of an entire rock. Some of the herring-bone masonry may be observed on the inner side. The interior is now a complete vacuity; but it anciently consisted of two chambers, one on the ground-floor, and one above; over which the roof was raised with a gable-end to the North and South, but not equal in height to the outer walls. The lower chamber was about fourteen feet high, and the upper one about sixteen: the only entrance to the former appears to have been through a doorway on the South side of the latter, down a flight of steps now wholly destroyed, but said to have existed within memory. At

the South-east angle are the ruins of a nar

row winding staircase communicating with the roof. In the East wall of the upper apartment is a kind of recess or niche, of a rectangular figure, having a singular canopy. "That eminent antiquary Mr. King, who has minutely described this curious edifice in the "Sequel to his Observations on Ancient Castles," in the sixth volume of the Archæologia, and also in the third volume of his elaborate "Munimenta Antiqua," has endeavoured to prove that this Castle was erected by the Pagan Saxons, and was the dwelling of some great chieftain of that nation; he suspects, rather fancifully perhaps, that the niche above-mentioned, like that in Conisborough Castle, in Yorkshire, might have been designed for the reception of an idol. By other antiquaries the Peak Castle is considered to be a Norman structure, built by William Peverel, natural son of the Conqueror; to whom, indeed, the traditions of the neighbourhood ascribe its erection. This opinion is in some degree countenanced by the ancient appellation of the Castle, Peverel's Place in the Peke. Whichever of these suppositions be the true one, it is certain that this fortress was possessed by Peverel, at the period of the Domesday Survey, together with the Peak Forest, and nu

merous manors.

"The following curious and romantic account of a tournament held here, is related by Mr. Pilkington, in his "View of Derbyshire :"-William, a valiant knight, and sister's son to Pain Peverel, lord of Whittington, in the county of Salop, had two daughters, one of whom, called Mellet, was no less distinguished by a martial spirit than her father. This appeared from the declaration which she made respecting the choice of a husband. She firmly resolved to marry none but a knight of great prowess; and her father, to confirm her purpose, and to procure and encourage a number of suitors, in

51

vited all noble young men, who were inclined to enter the lists, to meet at Peverel's place in the Peke, and there decide their pretensions by the use of arms; declaring at the same time, that whoever vanquished his competitors should receive his daughter, with his castle of Whittington, as a reward of his skill and valour. Guarine de Meez, a branch of the house of Lorraine, and an ancestor of the Lords Fitzwarrine, hearing this report, repaired to the place above mentioned. He had a silver shield with a peacock for his crest, and there engaged with a son of a king of Scotland, and also with a ba ron of Burgoyne, and, vanquishing them both, obtained the prize for which he fought'."

Those who wish farther to pursue the History of Peak Castle, may con sult with advantage the Rev. Dr. Pegge's History of the twin "Castles of Bolsover and Peak," in the 32d Number of the "Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica;" Mr. King's interesting "Observations on Antient Castles," in vol. vI. of the Archæo. logia; and also Mr. Rhodes's beautiful work on Peak Scenery; the last rendered doubly interesting by the masterly sketches of F. Chantrey, Esq. R. A

6. Memoirs of the History of France during the Reign of Napoleon, dictated by the Emperor at St. Helena to the Generals who shared his Captivity; and published from the original Manuscript corrected by himself. Dictated to General Gourgaud. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 404.

7.

Memoirs, &c. [as above.] Historical Miscellanies. Dictated to the Count de Montholon. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 377. Colburn and Co.

[These are two volumes of an intended series.]
the senti-
ments we have ever entertained of
the sanguinary career of this extraor-
dinary man, we cannot but admit that
we have perused these volumes with
the most lively interest. The circum-
stances here related are so intimately
interwoven with the political history
of Europe, during the last thirty years,
that they cannot fail to rivet the atten-
tion of the reader, and excite the most
intense anxiety in the mind.
have no doubt of these volumes being
sought for with avidity, both by the
admirers and opponents of Napoleon:
as they are certainly the most import-
ant records of modern times. Indeed
the meed of public approbation is due
to the publishers for the very spirited
manner in which they have brought

NOTWITHSTANDING

We

these

52:

REVIEW.-Napoleon's Memoirs of France.

these Memoirs before the world; for we are informed they have incurred a most enormous expence in obtaining the Manuscripts. But in thus expressing our admiration of the Work as an historical production, we wish it not to be understood that our opinions are more favourably inclined to the subject of the Memoirs. We speak of it in a literary point of view, and should consider ourselves unworthy the task of ingenuous criticism, if we did not bestow the tribute due to our Auto-biographer's historical talents. We have no reason to admire his character the more since the perusal of his great Work. His deeds are indelibly recorded in the annals of history, and will be transmitted to posterity in their true light, notwithstanding the specious sophistry of his besotted admirers. For our parts we could never reconcile ourselves to the individual who has sacrificed millions of his fellow-men at the shrine of his own mad ambition. A thousand crimes of a crimson hue arise before our minds; and though the Code Napoleon may qualify them into state policy, they are no less repugnant to our feelings. The followers of Napoleon were only his tools. Soldiers, if accustomed to success and plunder, become faithful followers of their leader; for the affections of military-adventurers are rarely gained by honourable virtues. Buonaparte wanted all the amiable qualities of human nature; he neither loved nor pitied; he took no part in their feelings; and he never stopped a moment to consider, when he was rushing upon the greatest enterprises, what misery might be the result. He was unmoved by human sufferings, and participated as little in their joys. This insensibility was one of the causes of his wonderful success. He was a man that would see the world, if it were possible, burst beneath his feet, and, so long as he had a place to stand upon, view the "wreck of matter" as an experiment in natural philosophy. As to his military talents, they are deeply engraven in the brazen tablet of fame, that it would betray a worthless feeling, or the utmost stupidity to deny them. The humble level from which he darted, the towering height to which he ascended, and the self-pos session which he displayed during his meteor-like ascent, evidently prove

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[Jan.

that his genius was of the eagle kind. But with a capacity for government of the highest order; with an absolute command over the vast resources of the empire which he had formed; and an activity that never reposed; he effected nothing for the real happiness of France. Self-aggrandisement was the object nearest his heart. From his elevated throne he looked down on sycophantic slaves of his own creation. He conferred titles and honours as badges of military servitude; or as the rewards of having contributed to his glory.

Notwithstanding Napoleon's ambitious career, it must still be admitted that he conferred some benefits on society. He was the promoter of many laudable institutions, and he abolished, we hope for ever, the infernal Inquisition. The remorseless tyranny of a Popish hierarchy, and the iron sway of an ignorant aristocracy, averse to the progress of human knowledge, were in some degree annihilated. Although he was the sworn foe of this country, it is a very doubtful point if the national energies which he excited have not conduced more to our aggrandisement than to our injury.

Such are our opinions of this extraordinary character; he is now for ever gone; and the odium which a fallen enemy excited while living, ought to be buried in the grave which incloses his remains. We shall now proceed to an analysis of the work, by premising that the genuineness of these Memoirs is guaranteed by a variety of pledges; but the most satisfactory of all is the matter introduced. The historical narrative exactly coincides with the character of the alleged author; and the style is uniformly that which it is asserted to be-of a person dictating to an amanuensis. Napoleon adopts, like Cæsar, the third person. He displays all the requisites of a sedate and impartial historian-allowing, of course, for the natural bias of an autobiographer. We cannot assert that Napoleon has given us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; but we sincerely believe that he has stated what he intended the world should take for the truth. On this account alone, it is satisfactory to the politician and analyser of human nature, to ascertain the real feelings and motives by which the conduct of so conspicuous

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