Page images
PDF
EPUB

of many-coloured life are perpetually shifting, is certainly a kind of sixth sense, and in those who possess it in a high degree affords as much gratification as any of the others. Who can think of the ludicrous without being forcibly reminded of Walter Scott? And who can think of him without taking away the reproach of America in this respect, seeing that he is so keenly relished among our transatlantic grandchildren. I have seen in the Boston review, a critique on "Rob Roy" that was really exquisite. The perception of Scotish character and humour was delightful, and the insight into the workings of human nature, worthy of the author himself. He was ill at the time, and I sent the book to him with which I am certain he was highly gratified: though I dared not say any thing about it when I saw him, for he does not like to have people talk to him even about his acknowledged works. Though in all other respects the best natured and most amiable of mankind. Scotch people understand that kind of delicacy, and are not ready to accost a man as an author by trade unless he gives an opening to the subject. To give you an instance of his feeling in this respect: when I was in Roxburgshire, that land of pastoral melody and legendary lore, familiar alike with the warlike trumpet and the shepherd's reed, I passed some hours amidst the fine ruins of Melrose Abbey, before I went to Abbotsford.* There indeed I made a very short stay, not choosing to be included in a crowd of obtrusive visiters, who, with very slight introductions, trespass on the time and hospitality of that excellent person whom I see at home in winter, where he lives within a short distance of us, as often as I please. There was a southern guest there who began to praise the unequalled "Lay" as if to gratify the author. "I am sure," said he, "no man could ever have written the description of the Abbey unless he had been accustomed to muse among its ruins by moonlight." "May be so," replied he, "but I never saw Melrose by moonlight in my life." It is odd enough that I should send a secret over the Atlantic that I am obliged to keep very close in Edinburgh. But you must know that I spent two long evenings at Ballantine's last week hearing him read the greater part of the Fortunes of Nigel." The crisis he has seized upon for his story is very interesting. The characters are ably drawn and well-supported. There is no deficiency of vigour, and I suppose there is full as much interest excited as in any of his former works. Yet to me it appears that there is more labour than in any of his former writings. It has not such an unpremeditated appearance. And yet I think,-fame and profit out of the question-the author finds, or has hitherto found, a very high enjoyment in pouring forth the fruits of those treasures of observation on human character, on manners and on history, with which his capacious mind is so replete. Lope Calderon, in Spain, and

*The seat of the Poet. ED. P. F.

Shakespere, in England,* were as fertile and as varied as our Scotish dramatist, for such I think he may be considered. Though Shakespere must ever dwell in unapproachable greatness, we may suppose him looking down with complacent kindness on his intellectual representative-the heir, not only of his genius, but of his sweet temper and mild domestic virtues. I really wish I had time to tell you all that I know of this admirable person. I dwell with peculiar pleasure on his character, and that of some others whom I have had the good fortune to know, because they add support to a favourite theory of mine, i. e. that the highest talents have a natural and necessary union with the greatest virtues; I do not mean those who are merely clever men, or merely scientific. I speak of real genius, which is always, as Lord Gardenstone says, "modest and careless"-which is a stranger alike to mean avarice and gross vanity. An unhappy temperament and still more unhappy associations, sometimes degrade and corrupt this delicate flower when it blows in a tainted atmosphere: but I am sure what I say is substantially true"-[The exceptions which are here named and discussed, we do not feel at liberty to publish.]

Homer. After an interval of about twenty years, that magnificent classical work, Tischbein's Illustrations of Homer, from ancient monuments, has been resumed; the Seventh Number, forming the first of a new series, having lately appeared. It contains six subjects, five of which have been till now unedited. The only one hitherto published is the celebrated Tabula Iliaca, which is here given of the exact size of the original, a cast having been made expressly for this purpose, and with the utmost exactness. On the interest of such a work, and its value to philology, it is needless to dwell; it is enough to remark, that M. Schorn, the writer of the accompayning text, is in every respect a worthy successor to the illustrious Heyne. The archæological erudition and the superior taste uniformly displayed, will render this work a most honourable monument of that zeal for classical literature by which Germany has been long distinguished.

Constantinople.-M. Von Hammer's work entitled Constantinople and the Bosphorus, may be considered as a most interesting accession to the studies of geography and statistics, since every thing relating to the metropolis of a country, to which recent circumstances have excited more than ordinary attention, are detailed with scrupulous exactness. No one could be more competent to the task than the present author, who, independently of his familiarity with Oriential language and literature, was farther qualified for it, by having for some time filled a diplomatic situation at the Porte; through which circumstance he has been enabled to collect a variety of information not accessible to travellers in general.

*We must make some allowance for the enthusiasm of national pride and personal esteem. ED. P. F.

Retsch.-Moritz Retsch, a German artist, whose name is familiar in England by his popular illustrations to Goethe's Faust, has painted for the collection of his Excellency the Austrian Ambassador, a picture, of which the subject is taken from Undine representing the heroine when rescued by Huldebrand and carried to the fisherman's hut. German critics speak in terms of the highest admiration of the fascinating beauty and grace which characterize the principal figure. Retsch is equally admirable as a portrait-printer; and is distinguished by the peculiar skill with which he expresses the mental characteristic of his sitters.

Hungarian Literature.-A literary almanack, similar in plan to those which have so long been popular in Germany, and the first attempt of the kind in the Hungarian language, has appeared this year. The editor is M. Kisufaldi, a dramatic writer of some celebrity. The contents possess in many respects no ordinary merit, combined with varied interest. The work is got up with much taste, and the plates, by Hafel, Apmann, and Blaschke are favourable specimens of the ability of Hungarian artists.

Italian Literature.-The Academy of Lucca has published the first volume of its transactions, under the title of Atti della Reale Accademia Lucchese di Scienze, Lettere, ed Arti, 8vo. Prefixed to the work is an historical account of the rise of this society. It originated in 1584, when it was called Accademia degli Oscuri; at which period it was held at the house of Gian Lorenza Malpiglio, the person after whom Tasso has named two of his admirable dialogues. During the course of two centuries this institution maintained itself without exciting any attention on the part of the government, or receiving from it any support, until 1805, when it was put upon an improved footing, and received its present appellation. The papers contained in this volume consist of a variety of treatises on historical, mathematical, and other subjects-The Abbate M. A. Marchi has published the fourth volume of his Etymological Dictionary of all the Scientific and Technical Terms derived from the Greek, Dizionario Etimologico di tutti i Vocaboli usati nelle Scienze, Arti, e Mestieri, che traggono Origine del Greco: compilato dal fu Aquilino Bonavilla coll' assistenza del Professore di Lingua Greca, M. A. Marchi. This laborious undertaking is executed with great diligence and ability, notwithstanding that, like every other work of a similar nature, both omissions and defe cts might be pointed out. When completed, for the author has not advanced beyond the letter P, it will form an important addition to Italian philology.

The new American novel entitled The Pioneers, may be expected this month,

[graphic][merged small][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »