841 Review.-Vallery; or the Citadel of the Lake. that he retained his affection after an absence of one year. On their separation, Maria is taken ill, and, at the moment of his return, languishes on the verge of death, and dies almost in his arms. The tale is barren of incident, and might have been comprised within a much narrower compass. Its more prominent features are, the honourable fidelity of Fairfax, and the retiring modesty of the gipsy girl. Religious Offices, is a dialogue on the articles, ritual, and services of the church of England, in which, while the aggregate excellence of the establishment is fully admitted by the parties, many defects are pointed out, which it is contended may be removed without endangering the stability of the fabric. It furnishes on the whole a tolerable specimen of what may be advanced on each side of the question, between two friends, without the acrimony of controversy, or the partiality of special pleading. Enthusiasm, though somewhat caricatured, is ably drawn up, and no doubt many such characters may be found as those which are personated in this article. It may, however, be feared, that, while the author endeavours to guard his readers against the wild rhapsodies of fanaticism, he throws on the empire of genuine religion, a shadow, to which he should have given a different direction. Romanism. This article discusses with no contemptible dexterity the question of Catholic emancipation, and exposes to the contempt it deserves, the absurd pretensions of the Papal hierarchy. It proves from unquestionable authority, that Popery is every where the same, and wants nothing but power and opportunity to repeat its former atrocities. It does not enter into the depth of the questions agitated on the occasion; but it develops a sufficiency to carry conviction to every unprejudiced mind, that Popery cannot claim the Almighty for its author, nor derive from the gospel the sanction which it both wants and claims. Rashness. This subject is finely illustrated in the characters introduced. It is a picture but too frequently realized in actual life, though in some instances the shades may be a little too dark, and the colouring somewhat too brilliant. It contains rather more incidents than several of the other pieces; but the whole might have been compressed within more contracted limits. The author seems to have been more intent on displaying his descriptive powers, than in giving prominence to the heroes and heroine of his tale. De Laurence, is a sketch of the life of 842 a libertine, the votary of every vicious propensity, the seducer of innocence, and the slave of every unholy passion. Justice at last overtakes the culprit, and he expiates his crimes on the gallows. His wife, whom perfidy had drawn into the matrimonial snare, exhibits a contrast to the abandoned husband. On the repentance of a condemned cell, the author has many striking observations, and although we cannot follow him in all his censures, we suspect that truth will_sanction many of his animadversions. In cases such as these, Christian charity is, perhaps, carried to an unjustifiable extreme. The triumphant exit of a culprit is at least an awful, if not a suspicious sight. The Appendix, contains notes on several Roman Catholic tenets, and exclusively applies to the article Romanism. The quotations which the author has adduced, from the councils and acknowledged writings of the infallible church, preclude the possibility of mistake or misrepresentation; but they contain nothing which has not been brought before the public eye by Protestant writers, times innumerable. On combining these diversified parts together, we discover much to instruct, and much to entertain. It is not a work of profound research, nor are the conclusions wrought out with logical precision; but the premises and their results are so obvious, that no one can doubt the justness of the former, or the legitimacy of the latter. It is a book which concentrates much useful information on several interesting topics, and one that may be perused with pleasure and profit by a numerous class of readers. REVIEW.-Vallery; or, the Citadel of the THE scenery and details exhibited in these In In this empire of superstition and ignorance, we might naturally expect to find 843 Review.-Vallery; or, the Citadel of the Lake. 844 omens, presages, and prognostics plentifully | ceive, into which we may emerge from scattered, and in these articles no one who "the palpable obscure," and one of these, peruses this work will have any reason to the death of the piratical chief by the hand complain of scarcity. The author goes of Alonzo, we hasten to lay before the beyond the boundaries of these common reader. topics, he has recourse to fiends and demons to visit his infernal palaces, where, as in duty bound, they frighten the timid, defeat the best-concerted purposes, and prove their dominion over the affairs of man. On other occasions, however, the poem takes a different turn, and introduces us to scenes that delight the senses, encourage the daring, and reward the enterprises of heroic valour. There can be little doubt that the author finds himself quite at home in these regions of vision and romance, and his poem furnishes unquestionable proof that his mind is well stored with the machinery necessary to give the creations of his fancy their full effect. In this department, the diversity is great, and the reader, who is pleased with the curveting of a poetical pegasus, will forget that the real narrative of the poem has been suspended, while he, through five cantos, has been making excursions in the regions of fictitious episode. It is not indeed easy to determine in what the narrative consists, nor to distinguish on all occasions, when it is either forsaken or resumed. The reader, who wishes to make himself acquainted with the tale, must peruse the whole to acquire this information, and then give it a second reading, to comprehend the adjustment of all the parts. This we cannot but notice as a serious defect. Few persons will range through its cantos more than once, and he who pauses here will be but partially qualified to judge of its merits or defects. The poetry, which is much diversified in metre, is highly respectable in its character, bringing before us at times coruscations of thought which border on the sublime. We cannot, however, avoid thinking, that many excellencies will be buried in the chaos in which the primary subject is involved, while the allusions which are made to persons, manners, characters, customs, places, and events, that are unexplained, will render to many no small portion nearly unintelligible, especially as neither introduction nor preface tells us what the poem is about. At the conclusion of each volume, we have several useful notes, many of which will be perused with interest; but not all these together can remove the cloud of obscurity which casts its shadow over the cantos of the poem. Some few gleams of sunshine we can, however, at times per "What seek you here ?-my bride-my bride, There is a demon in thy blood, He started from the place. He tumbled, ne'er to rise again !"-Vol. ii. p. 137. The following passage will place both the author and his work in a favourable light. "And what is man?--what am I but a ruin ?- Are withering from Creation,-0, my soul, We had marked some other stanzas for quotation; but our limits forbid their insertion. To the lovers of chivalry, romance, crusades, and the tumultuous ebullitions of the dark ages, "the citadel of the lake" 845 Review.-Essays and Fragments on various Subjects. will furnish much entertainment, and it is only by readers of this description, that its beauties can be justly appreciated. ̧ REVIEW.-Essays and Fragments on various Subjects. By Jacob Stanley 8vo. pp. 178. Stephens. London, 1829. WE are informed in the preface, that the papers which compose this volume " were written at sundry times, and on different occasions, and were published in some of the respectable periodicals of the day." To the truth of these observations we can partially bear witness, having seen most of them in other forms and connexions, as the author here declares. The articles are ten in number, sustaining the following titles: Dialogue on the Credulity of Infidels; Dialogue between a Believer and an Infidel; St. Paul and Socrates compared ; Strictures on an article in the Quarterly Review, on Wesleyan Missions; Strictures on an article in the Monthly Review; Case of Fauntleroy; An Argument in favour of a Society of Thieves; Essay on Defamation; Stage Coach, an essay on Vanity; Essay on Fashion. In these dialogues, essays, and strictures, argument and pleasantry are so happily blended together, that the severity of the former is relieved by the sprightliness of the latter, without detracting from its force by the playfulness of humour, or substituting ridicule in the room of sound and legitimate reasoning. The author seems well acquainted, not only with the evidences of Christianity, which he undertakes to defend, but also with the sophistry and subterfuges of infidelity, which he successfully opposes. On an extended scale, he surveys the weight of argument on each side, and finds, on an aggregate comparison of the whole, that it decidedly preponderates in favour of divine revelation. Descending to particulars, he adverts to the assailable parts of Christianity, and also to those of its virulent antagonist, and gives in full force a statement of the objections to which each is respectively liable. In favour of the former, he provides an ample defence; but leaves the latter to be vindicated by its professed advocates. The principal arguments urged by infidelity against Christianity, he fairly combats and defeats, and to those whose minds are not fortified against the machinations of its assailants, we would earnestly recommend the perusal of this little volume. Among these essays, there are a few which seem to have but a remote bearing on the great question to which we have 846 | adverted in the preceding paragraphs. This, however, is more in appearance than in fact. If Christianity be true, then all its doctrines, precepts, and principles are true also, and, with the system itself, are worthy of all acceptation. Whatever opposes a part, indirectly commences attack on the whole, and thus merits the reprehension it receives. an In the case of Fauntleroy, the author exposes the crimes of forgery and adultery to the just contempt and execration which they deserve, both being diametrically hostile to the principles and precepts of Christianity. The sympathy excited in behalf of this illustrious culprit he censures, as being ill placed, and such as would never have existed in favour of one equal in offence, but less exalted in the ranks of civilized society. On this ground he has made out a strong case, which can only be overthrown by arguments which would adulterate Christianity, and finally destroy those barriers which protect the property, and guard the rights, of man. The argument in favour of a society of Thieves, is a severe satire on the holders of slaves. These miserable victims of cupidity and injustice, he contends, are procured and retained on no better principles, than the thief who steals, or the accomplice who receives, can plead, when property unlawfully obtained is found in the possession of either. The same reasoning that will exonerate the slave dealer from censure, will demonstrate that a company of thieves have a right to secure whatever they may have acquired by dishonesty and depredation. The essay on Defamation is characteristic rather than personal; but the delineation is true to nature, and may be exemplified by instances which are but too numerous. It is replete with sound reasoning, which follows the monster through the Proteus forms which it assumes while traversing the community in search of prey. The Stage Coach is a lively exposure of detected vanity, in which female weakness appears almost too contemptible to excite pity, while clerical superciliousness matures contempt into indignation. The other characters are rather too insignificant for particular notice. The essay on Fashion delineates the modes by which the simple and unsuspecting are ensnared by the advice and example of veterans in the cause of folly. Several fictitious personages are introduced, to illustrate the process of deterioration, and to shew the gradual steps by which the fabric of virtue is undermined, and the 847 Review.-Field and Flood-Richardson's Poems. victim of seduction transformed from innocent simplicity, into a votary of guilt. We are well assured that these essays were perused with much interest in the various periodicals where they first appeared, and no doubt can be entertained, that in their present combined form, their reception with the public will be equally favourable. They exhibit unsophisticated truth in a pleasing garb, which, mingled with the dignified austerity of her aspect, will render her countenance attractive to persons of every age. REVIEW.-Tales of Field and Flood, with Sketches of Life at Home. By John Malcolm. 12mo. pp. 324. Simpkin. London. 1829. NINETEEN articles, such as Life in Camp, an Orkney Wedding, London, a Trip to Paris, the Soldier's Grave, Helen Waters, the Bachelor, &c. &c. fill this volume. The materials being thus entirely miscellaneous, leave the author quite at liberty to indulge his own inclination in the choice of diction, and in the selection of such views of his subjects as he wished to place before the public eye. Of this toleration he has fully availed himself, and adopted a style, in which strokes of humour, irony, sarcasm, and sprightliness of expression, half eclipse the facts themselves which are so fashionably attired. We do not, however, mean to insinuate that truth has been distorted by any voluntary misrepresentation; but we cannot avoid suspecting, that, in many places, it has been disguised by the artificial plea santry with which it has been surrounded. When stripped of all unnecessary exube→ rance, and gaudy foliage of words, the simple narration may probably, in reference to facts, bear the test of a most rigid scrutiny, and so far it will communicate useful information; but strong indications appear, that the writer, throughout, has been endeavouring to make utility subservient to entertainment, and in this attempt he has not been altogether unsuccessful. The tales, descriptions, incidents, and delineations of manners, which belong to the respective articles, will, to many readers, be rendered additionally interesting by the lively sallies of expression, and unexpected resemblances, which the author has contrived to find. He has not, however, forgotten the more important part. Of each scene he has seized the leading characteristics, while they passed in review before him, and although some may be obscured by grotesque associations, and the attention 848 of the reader may be diverted by the intrusion of caricature; yet the representations will furnish much amusement, and a considerable share of instruction, to various classes of the community; but by none will this work be perused with so much advantage, as by those whose minds can analyze the body, and separate the ore from the dross, REVIEW.-Poems by Mrs. G. G. Rich ardson, Dumfries. 8vo. pp. 250. Simp kin. London. 1829. be estimated by the number of articles If the value of a poetical volume were to which it contains, this book could easily command a passport to the temple of fame. It is not number, however, which can constitute force, though it may be suspected, that when nearly fourscore are crowded into two hundred and fifty pages, no great room can be allotted to either, for the display of much mental energy. To this indeed the subjects selected can hardly be said to lead. They are local, circumscribed, and domesticated, in their general character; and many among them are of personal application, on which account they are not much calculated to excite public interest. But although the subjects may be local, and in some respects unimportant, they furnish, in the aggregate, an ample field for the display of diversified talent. Of this, Mrs. Richardson has availed herself, and from the nice discriminations which she has both marked and made, the uses to which her little incidents have been applied, and the moral reflections with which she has brought many to their termina tion, we can easily perceive that she pos sesses both the readiness and the ability to turn them to commendable advantage. In a short, but well-written preface, we are informed, that these effusions of the muse were the produce of distant periods, and that most of them were written in very early years, when no design of submitting them to the public eye was entertained. It appears, however, that they have been favourably received by the lovers of verse, for the copy now before us belongs to the third edition, nor shall we be surprised to find this work passing through several edi tions more; for although the poetry is not of the highest order, it contains harmony which every reader can feel, and expresses sentiments which all must approve, as well as comprehend. In some of the articles, excellencies of a more exalted order occasionally burst upon 849 us. Review. Particular Providence-Panorama of London. "The Widow's Son, a fragment," is replete with animated strokes of vigorous description and pathetic simplicity, which imperceptibly unite with the mournful incident, to rivet our attention, and render the catastrophe increasingly interesting. To several other pieces, in perfect accordance with their respective characters, similar observations might be extended. Of these, the number could easily be so augmented, as in no small degree to compensate for obvious deficiencies, and to place this volume in an unquestionably respectable light. REVIEW.-Practical Illustrations of a Particular Providence, with Observations applicable to different Classes of Society, and an Account of some Personal Deliverances, in two parts. 12mo. pp. 178. Duncan. London. 1829. ALTHOUGH no instances were adduced to prove and illustrate a particular providence, no reasonable person can doubt the fact, unless a general providence be denied. He who superintends the whole, must superintend all the parts of which that whole is composed. A particular providence is included in that which is general, and no whole can be superintended while any one part is detached from its jurisdiction. On this subject, an admirable essay may be found in the two preceding numbers of the Imperial Magazine, by the late Dr. John Mason Good. We readily allow, with the author of this work, that many striking instances may be found in the histories of families, and the biography of individuals, tending to illustrate divine interpositions on particular occasions; but we are not aware that the decisive conclusions are numerous, which we derive from this source. In these respects the attestations of divine authority can alone furnish a criterion of indubitable certainty. Taking these, indeed, as the basis of our reasoning, we may infer, on the ground of analogy, strong presumptive evidence in favour of various occurrences; but this, in the aggregate and final result, will only amount to a high degree of probability. That God takes occasion to work through the instrumentality of peculiar events, and brings from them unexpected issues, we cannot for a moment doubt; and in these issues his particular providence may be displayed, while the peculiar events may be traced to the operation of natural causes. In this book the author has adduced numerous facts to illustrate his positions, 129.-VOL. XI. 850 and many of them appear so extraordinary, that they furnish less data of being the production of natural causes, than of resulting from the interposition of an agency which is always active, which pervades infinite space, and from which even natural causes derive all their delegated energy. In these instances, when the probabilities are stronger in favour of such an interposition, than in behalf of any subordinate physical cause, reason can be at no loss which to adopt. It will be in vain to argue, that we cannot comprehend the mode of the divine operation. The same objection will lie, in numerous instances, against all physical deny the former, have no legitimate reaagency; and those who on this ground son for adhering to the latter. The facts contained in this work are calculated to awaken the mind to serious reflections; and he who reads its pages with the attention they deserve, will be fully convinced, that the government of the moral and physical world is neither given up to the caprice of chance, nor dragged along in the chains of physical necessity. REVIEW.-The Panorama of London, or To an Englishman, London is the most interesting portion of the British empire, and whatever tends to elucidate its antiquities, to trace its history, or to exhibit its peculiarities, can hardly fail to ensure a favourable reception. In this work these objects are fully embraced, though to what extent the whole will be carried, we are not informed. In the three parts now on our table, we have twenty-seven highly finished engravings, accompanied with a due proportion of descriptive letter-press, which either refers immediately to the plates, or to some remarkable events and occurrences which lie scattered on the stream of time. In its local and public accommodations, whether we turn our eyes to the facilities afforded to commerce, the promotion of science, or the exhibitions of art, the metropolis and its environs furnish a field that is nearly inexhaustible. This work must, therefore, be carried to an almost incalculable extent, before its materials will cease to be interesting. From the specimens now under inspection, it is obvious that the author well knows how to avail himself of his resources, and to apply them in a manner 31 |