tary, and may be compared to that of Montpellier, except | various colours and figures. Sixteen fathers formerly in- !
that it is not so keen. Invalids, whose lungs are affected,
both foreigners and Italians, repair hither, that they may
die six weeks later than they would elsewhere. This town
is also a favourite retreat of the English during the five
months of the year, when the fine weather is interrupted
only by a few sudden showers occasioned by passing
storms, and generally dried up in the course of half an
hour by the heat of an unclouded sun.

The difference between the climates of Florence and Pisa, of which I have already spoken, may be accounted for by their situations. Pisa stands in a plain near the sea, and is constantly refreshed during the heat of summer by a sea-breeze, so that at six o'clock in the evening, a temperate atmosphere may be enjoyed in a walk upon the quays; whilst Florence, built at the foot of the Appenines, is subject in winter to the freezing influence of the mountains, and in summer to their strong reflection of the ardent rays of the sun.

The inconvenience of the climate of Pisa is the extreme dampness prevalent during the months of October, November, December, January, February, March and April. It rains almost continually during these seven months, and the rain is sometimes so abundant that the public. buildings, steeples, and the walls of palaces and houses are absolutely drenched and steeped in water. All the heat of the sun, which appears after such deluges, is necessary to dry the habitations. The Encyclopedia, at the word rain, informs us that it is at Pisa that the waters of the Heavens are most copious. The rain that fell, during six months of the year 1708, was computed at twenty-eight inches and eighty-two hundredths.

At a distance of three miles from Pisa, strangers as well as the inhabitants of the country assemble to drink the mineral waters, collected in beautiful marble basins. The baths are handsome, clean, convenient, and large; and lodgings are furnished of all prices, from single rooms to complete suites of apartments, fit for the accommodation of princes. There are two large basins of white marble open to the public, and several closets for the private use of individuals. There are also pumps of every description. The evenings are enlivened by balls, cards, and all kinds of games. The evenings of Sundays and festivals are generally devoted to amusement by the inhabitants of Pisa, who repair in large parties on foot, horseback, and in carriages, to join the company at the baths. Plays are often perforined there by amateurs.

There are also several other baths at the distance of seven or eight leagues round Pisa. Those of Lucca, Monte Catini, and Casciara, in the canton of Lari, and district of Leghorn, are the most remarkable. The mineral waters of Casciana are excellent for rheumatic and paralytic diseases.

habited this vast and magnificent building. They pos.
sessed immense revenues. The whole household, in-
cluding the holy brothers and the domestics, did not ex-
ceed the number of twenty-four. I once dined at the
charter-house in company with some French employed
under the government at Pisa, who were in the habit of
making frequent visits there. This retreat of meditation
was then become the scene of merriment, and resounded
with festive songs and sounds of joy. The French ladies
had crossed the barriers which forbade the approach of
their sex; they had penetrated the most secret haunts of
religion, and were abandoning themselves to all the gaiety
inspired by a new pleasure. Curiosity and the love of
observation have since induced me often to visit this habi-
tation, which had then passed into the hands of a treasu-
rer of the French government, who, after having sold its
splendid furniture, had converted it into his country-house.
All the former holy inmates were dispersed, except two
monks, who had entered into his service as stewards.
They were stout jovial looking men, and accommodated
themselves with the best grace imaginable to the new state
of things.

At three or four miles' distance from Pisa are several high
mountains, containing immense quarries of white marble;
above them towers an ancient volcano, which has been for
some time extinct. It is four times as high as Montmartre,
and near its summit are seven large holes called buchi delle
fute (holes of the fairies) ten or twenty feet distant from
each other, from which formerly issued flames and burn.
ing lava. It is not even traditionally known at what pe-
riod these eruptions ceased. I threw several stones into
the middle hole, which is of considerable extent, and heard
them rebound at unequal intervals from the interior rocks
until they were lost in the subterranean cavities, but I
could not distinguish the exact moment when they reached
the bottom.

THE CHAPEL ON THE SHORE OF THE ADRIATIC.

FROM THE GERMAN OF KOTZEBUE, BY L MAN, OF LIVERPOOL

Translated expressly for the Kaleidoscope.

may be seen, on the shore, to the right, a chapel with a
On the passsage from the small isle Milete to Ragusa
gilded crucifix; and, at no great distance from it, an old
castle almost in ruins. The pious sailor drops his oar a
he approaches this spot, and ejaculates a short prayer
although he is but imperfectly acquainted with its history.
The following account was given by a well-informed
native:

companion of an infirm and widowed mother; he the
Louisa and Robert met at Carlsbad: she was the only
descendant of an ancient family, but only a younger son.
He was ten years older than the lady, of a good disposi
tion, although somewhat tinctured with melancholy: she
gay and lively notwithstanding her circumstances.
ther to her daughter,
"Thy father was an honest man," said Louisa's mo
"but he died poor. The Prince
deeply lamented that he had lost one of his most faithful
servants, whose attention and talents had saved him mil.
lions, but he gave me only a pension of two hundred
florins; consequently, thy fortune depends entirely on thy
own attractions, and the use which is made of thern."

to his son; "consequently, thou must choose thy own
"Thy brother inherits the cstate," said Robert's father
carcer. I have procured thee a Lieutenant's commission,
and I will give thee, yearly, what little I can spare; but,
for the rest, all must depend upon thyself.”

of

charms with virtues and accomplishments: Robert imBoth admonitions took effect. Louisa adorned ber proved his courage by application and honourable senti ments. Both had carefully adhered to the precepts their parents, by guarding against romantic love; for the There are on the sides of these mountains a few scat- old lady never ceased to state, that none but a wealthy tered cottages. Pines and olives, myrtles, and other wild man could become her son-in-law, and the daughter pershrubs grow among the marble crags, and the air is perfectly coincided with the resolution: the old gentleman fumed by the odour of many curious plants, which would, ever admonished his son to look at none but a rich heiress, without doubt, afford subject of interesting study to the and the young man felt no repugnance to observe his injunctions.

botanist.

The warm waters of the baths of St. Julien, whose tem

perature is from thirty to thirty-two degrees, take their
source in the surrounding heights: most of the springs
issue from the sides of the volcano. A woman, who in-
habited a cottage near the principal opening, assured me
that, during the winter, smoke was often seen to issue
from the seven holes.

no other quarries of the same kind all over Tuscany,
except those at Pietra Santa. At Barga there is a jasper
mine of a mile and a half in extent; and the principality
of Lucca, at three or four miles' distance from the baths
of St. Julien, contains quarries of marble. That of
Massa-Carrara is renowned all over Europe, and is held
in no less estimation by modern sculptors than was the
Parian marble by the ancients.

The rich quarries of the heights around St. Julien are not worked, as unfortunately there is no opening near The charter-house, situated at about three leagues' dis-them to facilitate the carriage of the marble. There are tance from Pisa, is a magnificent building, of which the greater part is of marble. Pius the Sixth lodged here in his journey from Rome to France, when he was removed from the papal sce. This abode of penitence is large and majestic, and seems to have been constructed for the retreat of princes. A charming avenue leads to it from Pisa, through a country rich in all the beauties of the Tuscan soil, watered by limpid streams, interspersed with picturesque villages, and adorned by fertile hills, meatlows, and gardens. Near the mountains, which embosom in one of their loneliest valleys this palace called monastery, are several woods of olive trees, which may be considered one of the principal sources of the wealth of Casciana, as the oil manufactured by these good monks was the most esteemed in the territory of Pisa, and not inferior in quality to the oil of Aix. The apartments of the charter-house are convenient, and well distributed. The principal entrance is a large door, flanked by two small lateral doors; these give access to a spacious court, of which one side is formed by the front of the convent. The church and chapels were enriched with sculptures, an 1 ornamented By rare paintings; all the pavements were of mosaic, of

The meeting in Carlsbad produced, however, a sudden revolution in their respective sentiments; and the mineral waters seemed to act upon them like the river Lethe, far as the often-received warnings were concerned; but it was some time before they discovered the state of theit sentiments, and it had been long conspicuous to the mos superficial observer before they themselves had even gives it a thought. It was mere chance that brought on the explanation, or rather there was no explanation at ali they merely sank into each others arms. Whosoever knows what love is, will find it extremely natural tis they neither heard the approaching footsteps nor saw the very conspicuous figure of Madame Wickenfeld, who had followed them intentionally, and who announced he presence by clapping her hands, and the exclaration of

brave!" Louisa startled, and could have wished to hide, for ever, her shame and confusion under the Doro thea-stone, near which the accident happened: Robert cast an earnest and doubtful glance at the gay widow.

In the district of Pisa, at eight miles from Barga, on the summit of one of the mountains which separate Tus- The latter, however, did not suffer them to remain long cany from Lombardy, there is a reservoir of water, of in suspense; and she did her best to cheer them upabout a mile in circumference, called Lago Santo. It"Why should you be so alarmed, dear child, am not does not, like the lake of Mount Cenis, contain fish, but it is inhabited by an amphibious animal of the form of a crocodile, and from two to three feet long, called by the inhabitants salamandra. The waters of this lake are of a deep blue, and they have a motion similar to that of the waters of the Mediterranean. Neither herbs, rushes, nor weeds grow upon the banks. The temperature of the air is always moderate there, notwithstanding the snow which generally lies on the surrounding peaks and hollows. Liverpool.

A. W.

a woman, too? Why should you look so sheepish, Lientenant? perhaps because you once paid your addresses t me? never mind that: I am your friend, and will be your confidant."-This assertion was heard with joy, and the offer was accepted with gratitude. The hopes and fears of the lovers were confided to the friendly bosom of their patroness, who seemed to take great pleasure in encouraging, plaguing, and consoling them; but still more in laughing at their real or imaginary troubles. Robert had actually been one of the train of her lovers before he

became acquainted with Louisa; but, fortunately, the degree of their former intimacy was only known to them selves, and both had an equal interest in keeping their

own secret.

The old lady was not less anxious to see her daughter courted by the throng; for, the idea of a rich son-in-law was ever uppermost in her mind, and Louisa had not the courage to afflict her with a confidence which would have blasted her hopes: Madame Wickenfeld remained, consequently, at full liberty to take her into whatever society she chose, and was permitted to lead her, at pleasure, to every fashionable assembly, and to encourage every eligible

suitor that offered himself.

Miscellanies.

COMPARATIVE CRITICISM.

NON NOSTRUM TANTAS COMPONERE LITES. "REDGAUNTLET." "This tale is not unworthy the author of Waverley.

THE PRIDE AND PLEASURE OF A LAW-SUIT. [From "Redgauntlet."]

-But Redgauntlet farther engrafts a beauty unknown ever to the popular novel to which we have compared itwe allude to the masterly way in which the history of the times and the fiction are made to chime in with and hold Among those, who seemed anxious to court a nearer each other. In this respect, it is not inferior to Waverley acquaintance, was Baron Frauenthal, a man already itself and the conculsion is what it ought to be at once, advanced in years, but the possessor of fine estates in Brand, simple, and affecting." -Literary Gazette, "We are sadly disappointed with this novel. It has Hungary, Transylvania, and even in Dalmatia; his ap- none of the fine qualities which belong to its predecessors, pearance was striking, and his manners distinguished; and it is a mere fourth or fifth rate production. Take and he was at the same time well-informed, and a man of away a few pages, and it would do no credit to the Minerva the world. Louisa's apparent langour seemed to be Press. The story is intricate without being interesting; rather an additional recommendation with him; and as the dialogue diffuse, undramatic, and tedious; and the the personages numerous, without any thing characteristic; soon as he perceived the authority which Madame Wicken- whole thing very slovenly got up. Redgauntlet is incomfeld possessed over her, he did not fail to solicit her pa-parably the worst of all the novels of Sir Walter Scott."tronage: the latter introduced him to the mother, whom Literary Museum. the mere thought of such a connexion revived more than all the mineral waters. The Baron was not long in mak. ing this discovery, and he found that, at his time of life, it would be best to come to the point at once, by obtaining the consent of the old lady, before the young one could state her objections: moreover, he did not fear any very serious ones even from that quarter; and he was merely prepared for a little maidenish prudery. The crisis seemed to be in his favour; for the letters of Robert had become very scarce, although the packet-boats arrived regularly at Cuxhaven. Madame Wickenfeld took great care to point out every fresh arrival post that was mentioned in the newspapers; the latter also noticed the safe landing of the Hanoverian troops in England. Several weeks had already elapsed without Louisa's hearing from her lover, and she began to be seriously alarmed about his safety; because she took it for granted, that nothing but the absolute inability to write could prevent him from continuing his communications: her more experienced friend threw out a few hints about the general fickleness of men; but she only succeeded in shaking her faith, without destroying her hopes.

The infirm state of Louisa's mother would not allow her to introduce her daughter into the great world; but, as she, nevertheless, wished that that introduction should take place, she was highly rejoiced when she understood that a lady of rank and fortune had undertaken the task: she willingly resigned her darling to the benevolent stranger's care, who seemed, on her part, to be indefatigable. The lovers were never without their guardianangel, and, under pretext of keeping intruders at a distance, Madame Wickenfeld watched her friends so closely that they could not find an opportunity for private conversations. The widow was so afraid lest the young people should again forget themselves, as at the Dorothea-stone, that she insisted upon their never being without her company, and she could not be made to understand how willingly it would have been dispensed with. Their eyes, therefore, were alone permitted to express what no flow of words could have sufficiently demonstrated: but much happiness was, nevertheless, enjoyed during several weeks: and it would, probably, have lasted longer, if it had not been suddenly interrupted by a letter from Robert's father. The old gentleman told his son, that he had got him a Captain's commission in the Hanoverian army, and that he must set off immediately for England. At the same time he repeated, with great earnestness, the old chapter about fortune, and, once more, exhorted the young man, not to throw himself away on a woman without property. This appeared the mare strange, as the point had not been touched upon for a considerable time, and Robert justly suspected that his father must have been informed of his passion. He recalled to his mind all the persons of his acquaintance who might be likely to have given the hint, but the friendly, officious Madame Wickenfeld never occurred to him. He was sorry for his abrupt departure; but, in the circumstance itself, he saw only the means of coming a step nearer to his own object; since it was likely to promote his advancement in the world. The widow evinced much wonder and surprise when she heard of the news; and she very kindly arranged a last meeting, during which, required a decisive answer from the mother: the latter In the meantime the Baron became more pressing, and she was even indulgent enough to leave the room for a insisted, in her turn, with Louisa, and she represented to few minutes. On her return the grateful lovers embraced her that an offer so highly advantageous and honourable her and entreated for the favour of being allowed to write to each other under her address: this she granted with ought not to be trifled with. The young lady was then the most charming benevolence; and the Captain de-obliged to confess her prior engagement, and the mother parted with the soothing conviction, that no man could ⚫ possibly have a more amiable mistress, or a more disinterested friend than he had himself. He wrote long letters from every resting place, and specified his intention to fight and to accumulate laurels and riches, which should be

all laid at the feet of her whom he loved. These letters

were safely delivered, and Louisa found an inexhaustible pleasure in reading them: she had no sooner got the contents of the last by heart, than she began again with that which she had first received, and her time was so pleasingly beguiled in this manner, that she had no relish for

"Well, but friend," said the Quaker, "I wish to hear thee speak about this great law-suit of thine which has been matter of such celebrity."-"Celebrity! Ye may string was touched to which his crazy imagination always say that," said Peter (a ruined pauper suitor) for the vibrated. And I dinna wonder that folks that judge things by their outward grandeur should think me something worth their envying. Its very true, that it is granthe arched roof of the outer-house-Poor Peter Peebles deur upon earth to hear ane's name thunnered out along against Plainstanes, et per contra;' a' the best lawyers in the house fleeing like eagles to the prey; some because they are in the cause, and some because they want to be thought engaged (for there are tricks in other trades by selling muslins),—to see the reporters mending their pens their chairs, like folk sitting down to a gude dinner, and to take down the debate-the Lords themselves pooin' in crying on the clerks for parts and pendicles of the process; the puir bodies can do little mair than cry on their closet keepers to help them. To see a' this (continued nothing will be said or done among a' thae grand folk, Peter, in a tone of sustained rapture) and to ken that for may be the feck of three hours, saving that concerns you and your business-0, man, nae wonder that ye my bit house, where dinner, and supper, and breakfast judge this to be earthly glory! And yet, neighbour, as I was saying, there be unco drawbacks-I whiles think of used to come without the crying for, just as if fairies had brought it-and the gude bed at e'en-and the needfu' penny in the pouch-and then to see a' ane's warldly substance capering in the air in a pair of weigh-bauks, now up, now down, as the heath of judge or counsel intimes I rue having ever begun the plea wark, though, may cline it for pursuer or defender. Troth, man, there are be, when ye consider the renown and credit I have by it, ye will hardly believe what I am saying."

of this unwelcome news; but, when she was informed of was indulgent enough to forgive the tardy communication the actual state of the affair, she did not hesitate in demonstrating the imprudence of rejecting an establishment seemed to have already forgotten his engagements. Her for Sir Walter Scott's novels in Germany, and every one of such importance for the sake of a flighty young man, who Sir Walter Scott's last Novel.-There is quite a rage reasons were so convincing that nothing could be urged of them is thrice translated, and twice re-printed in the against them, and a short delay was all that was requested original in that country. This is all as it should be. But the Baron would be accepted if a last letter to Robert We learn from a Bookseller, lately returned from the confor the present, with the solemn promise that the hand of productive as is the great Scotch Novelist, he is still unequal to the voracious appetite of the good Germans. should remain unanswered beyond a reasonable time. tinent, that, at the Leipsic Fair, nothing was talked of but The new lover was made acquainted with the circum-Sir Walter Scott's last novel, which, every person said, had discovered some symptoms of jealousy in her lover;/stances of the case, and he appeared neither surprised said, that was odd, as St. Ronan's Well (Redgauntlet was by far the best he had yet written. The Bookseller one of his best. had it yet appeared) was generally thought by no means "Ob, we do not mean St. Ronan's his best. St. Ronan's Well was thought very little of." Well; but the last one, Wallad Moor, which is by far -"Wallad Moor-Wallad Moor (said the honest bookseller) there was no novel of that name out when I left England, and I have been only seven days on the road-I must inquire farther about this." On going to the publisher to have the business cleared up, the latter said, that it was in vain to hold out-so shrugging up his shoulders, he observed, "We wanted a Scotch novel for the fair, and as nothing was forthcoming, an honest man here pro

any other amusement. She fancied, moreover, that she

and she thought it but prudent, to avoid every appear ance which might further excite it: she desired to with

fluous.

the requested delay, although he thought it very supernor shocked at the intelligence: he had no objection to draw as much as possible from society, and she would dissolution of the alleged romantic attachment, that he He was so very confident with regard to the have secluded herself altogether; but this, Madame Wickenfeld most strenuously opposed. You will become only regretted his not being able to accompany the ladies the laughing-stock of every company, she said: because to their home, and to wait there for the decision of his your intimacy with the Captain is already suspected; and fate; but urgent and indispensible affairs called him to of his absence were to produce any alteration in your pub- Vienna, and he took the liberty of proposing that Male conduct, you would give cause for the most unchari-dame De Dalling (his future mother-in-law) should, in table surmises: slander is no where more active than in the meantime, take possession of his mansion in Prague, bathing-places, and there is no telling where it would where she might spend her time very pleasantly, and induced one at the very nick of time-he has been well paid,

top. You understand me, my dear, therefore do not trifle with the matter; and put your feelings under some little constraint, if you please,

all the comforts of ease and affluence.

[To be continued.]

and the public all the way from the Rhine to St. Petersburgh are in ecstasy-when the next real Scotch novel comes, it will not be one whit the less read, because of Wallad Moor."

Poetry.

THE BLISS OF SLEEP.

"To sleep!-perchance to dream :-" Shakspeare.

The bliss of sleep?-oh, then, it sure must be
The dreamless sleep upon the stygian sea,
Where Lethe's sluggish waves of darkness roll,
And chaos spreads her mantle o'er the soul!
The bliss of sleep!-Go, mark the heetic glow,
The frenzied start upon the couch of woe;
Hark to the hollow groan,-the rending sigh,-
The supplicating prayer,-the stern reply ;-
The shriek of agony,-the lengthened moan,
And all that melancholy calls her own:
Mark the big drops upon the forehead fair,
Answering the biddings of the witch Despair;
Then talk of bliss, and tell how happy they,
Who, sunk in slumber, chase their griefs away!—
Alas! there may perchance some dreamings be,
Some visions heavenly of felicity,

When o'er the couch of youth hope strews the rose,

And lulls her votary in ideal repose;

But, oh! the wakening from Elysium there,
The sleeper from his Eden groves to bear!
How starts the soul aghast, o'erwhelm'd to find

Its dawn of bliss a phantom of the mind;
And all the heart reposed on, fled and gone,
Like vapour fading in the morning sun!
Oh, blest, if in that hour of horror given
Again to sleep, to re-awake in heaven!

Life has its dreams; and o'er our early years,
Some halcyon visitings, undimmed of tears,
Will refuge find within the sanguine breast,

And charm, with treacherous wile, the heart to rest;
But brief the season of the soul's repose,
The dream must end, the spell its witch'ry lose;
And o'er the azure of the summer sky,
Clouds spread their veil, and threatening meteors fly.
Oh! then the waking hour, the midnight dream,
Alike with melancholy musings teem;
And sick at heart of life, its crimes, and woes,
How pines the traveller for his last repose!
How longs in peace to pass the styglan flood,
And dwell for ever with the pure and good!
And blest when ours on Jordan's peaceful shore,
To list the howlings of the storm no more;
No more to start from dreams with wild affright,
"Abhor the day, and loathe the coming night:"
Oh! blest the hour, when from its slumber wakes
Th' imprisoned spirit, and resplendent breaks
Eternal morn, which no dark shadows dim,
And ceaseless heard the voice of seraphim,
Hymning the praises of its Maker, God,
Filling with light ineffable the bright abode
Of that celestial region, heavenly fair,
Where sighs are sounds unknown, unseen the tear ;-
Oh! blest, when ours, on Acheron's tranquil lake,
of dreams and time a last farewel to take!
And, Sleep, no more I'll chide thy visions drear,
Thy shriek of agony, and "voice of fear;"
And, Life, no more I'll weep thy fond deceit,
Thy rainbow promise, fair, and ah, as fleet I-
Composed, whate'er ordained my lot to be,
Resigned, whate'er the will of Heav'n decree;
A few brief hours, and pass'd the rugged road,
Th' immortal spirit shall ascend to God!
Meerpool.

G.

TO THE EDITOR.

SIR, AS the Young Lyra excites so much interest at the present moment, perhaps you will not object to the insertion of the following lines in your next Kaleidoscope. Trusting to your judgment, I am, &c.

ON THE YOUNG LYRA.

Hark! how the numbers sweetly ring,
When Genius drops the stream
Of Music on the hallowed string,
Enlightened by the beam
Of eyes irradiant and bright
With intellectual light.

See, rosy Lyra, cherub like,

Unto her bosom bends

The harp, her nimble fingers strike,
By which her spirit blends
The softest notes of earth
With heaven that gave them birth.
Smiling, she bids the sounds arise,
In flowing measures clear;
Then, lulls them into gentle sighs
That swell upon the ear,
Like waters rushing o'er
The rocks they kissed before.
And as she calls the tender note,
Her ear aside reclined,
With fervour list'ning, hears it float
Respondent to the mind,
Which flung it to the wire,
To flourish-and expire.

With magic strength each muscle plays,
As rapid as the will,

Which proves, beyond the power to praise,
The triumph of the skill,
That woos the ears and heart

To meet, no more to part.

Sweet child of genius, rarely met,

May Heav'n preserve thy spring!

Oh! may'st thou live long summers yet,
With honours on thy wing!
Fair seraph of the sky,

No weak mortality!

The Drama.

THE THEATRE.

C.

C.

"The purpose of playing, both at the first, and now, was, and is, to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure."

rates Benedick, in good set heroics, on his obvious lack of courage; when all of woman in her seems directed to the attainment of her wished revenge on Claudio, even at the hazard of poor Benedick's sweet life. She had, before, effectually cured his ominous tooth ache," and appeared now resolved on providing for him a no less certain remedy for his love: though Claudio's sword would not, perhaps, have been the most palatable physician she could have recommended. So thought Shakspeare, we presume, or he would not (by the felicitous device of detecting Don John's villany, through the humble me dium of simple Dogberry, and his more simple satellites) have rendered the experiment unnecessary.-We hope Mr. Vandenhoff has more respect for his fair fame, than to aim at consummating it by the precarious claims derived from mere versatility of genius; and should sincerely regret to see him become, in the general acceptation of the term, a useful actor. As a tragedian, he ranks second to few performers of the present day, to none, indeed, in our estimation; and we are, therefore, the rather tenacious of our good opinion of his acknowledged merits in this respect, than desirous of exchanging it, even temporarily, for the more depreciated homage awarded the "man of all work;" who rarely attains to higher praise than that of being in every thing respectable, in nothing excellent. The lamentable necessities of the theatre are urgent, certainly, and it is magnanimous in this gentleman to sacrifice all individual considerations, for the general good; but he ought not to forget the text propounded to Surface, "be just before you are generous." Some one of the sage worthies of old, has handed down to posterity an apothegm Mr. Vandenhoff knows well how to apply in the present instance: "we should always prefer a greater misfortune of our neighbours, to a lesser of our own: when equally circumstanced, self-consideration is the first."

Benedick is one of the most inimitable offsprings of our immortal bard's procreative fancy; one of those choice spirits Shakespeare delighted in delineating. A com pound medley of eccentricity, wit, and good fellowship; tinctured with an admixture of restless contrariety, and a sophisticated temperament of mind that keep him in an uninterrupted state of ferment with himself and all around him. After railing at "the honourable estate of wedlock" until vituperation becomes really exhausted, he falls in love in despite of himself; reasons himself to reason, outlives the violence of his prejudices, submits to the torture of reading his own recantation, and with a good grace yields himself, "Benedick the married man." And why? because, forsooth, the lady Beatrice, after all "is fair, virtuous, and wise"; as, we conceive, were other women, and as Beatrice always was; aye, but then the appetite doth alter: a man loves the meat in his youth, that he cannot endure in his age", and when Benedick, good consistent soul, did say he would die a bachelor, he did not think that he should live till he were Married."

It has generally been our ill-fortune to witness this Shakesperean worthy either caricatured by rude senseless fellows, who imagined him an ordinary clown that was to excite risibility by vulgar grimace, and the distorted muscle of vile buffoonery; or by disgusting popinjays, who, with foppish formality, capered about the stage like so many automata, and grossly perverted the vivid corns. cations of genuine wit, which so irradiate this sparkling character to the low jests of ribald witlings. We were pleased, therefore, to have an opportunity of seeing Bene Want of room, added to other pressing vocations, pre-dict personated by a gentleman and a scholar, for he is both, vented our noticing, last week, as we intended, the very and a soldier withal; and our thanks are certainly due to respectable performance on Tuesday, the 6th instant, of Mr. Vandenhoff for the very great gratification we de Shakspeare's delightful comedy of "Much Ado about rived from his rich portraiture of this cameleon-like perNothing," on which occasion Miss L. Kelly made her sonage, this mental Sir Proteus. We do not remember first appearance as the representative of Beatrice. She is having previously seen an audience evince more delight a very pleasing actress; easy, natural, and unaffected in than on the occasion of which we are speaking; indeed, her deportment, and otherwise personally agreeable; of it was not easy to avoid being pleased, and highly. Mr. comely, well-proportioned stature, and possessing a voice Vandenhoff dressed, and looked the part admirably; there of some flexibility and melody. The arch gaiety, as well was an easy grace in his mien, and his general carriage as the versatile humour of Beatrice, were happily elicited was marked with an air of frank gentility and gay by Miss Kelly; who failed, however, in giving an ade- roguery, that were in excellent keeping with the character. buate degree of poignancy to the unmerciful satire with The smart sallies of his wit were characterized by correct which Shakspeare's whimsical mad-cap assails every thing emphasis, poignant in their application, and altogether and every body. Her wit wanted polish, too, as well as pointed with a force and beauty which excited warm adpiquancy; there was not about it any of that forcible de- miration and applause. The classical retort, more par licacy, striking brilliance, or richly-finished potency, ticularly on poor Claudio, was given with a chaste delicacy observable in the wordy rencontre of a well-educated and elegant refinement of manner, and a pungent rapidity lady. Beatrice is volatile, but not a Hoyden: her re- of utterance, that disrobed it of all its unseemly qualities, partee is always consistent with good breeding, and never and quite electrified the house. degenerates to plebeian flippancy. She is a sprightly satirist, whose biting invective is rendered innocuous by her honest good nature; not a peevish scold, fond of the music of her own vain tongue," and ever fearful of its becoming rusty through disuse. Miss Kelly appeared to most advantage, we think, in the scene where Beatrice

Next in the scale of excellence must we class the glee of "Sigh no more, ladies," by Messrs. Bellamy, Benwell, Doyle, and Mrs. Aldridge; and after them, Miss Kell neth's very appropriate performance of Hero. Mr. Bass, too, claims our commendatory notice for his Don Pedro as whom, he "o'erstepped not the modesty of nature;

4. REDUCED TO A POINT.

This invention refined, and so abreviated that a point only showeth distinctly and significantly any of the 24 letters; and these very points to be made with two pens, so that no time will be lost, but as one finger riseth the other may make the following letter, never clogging the memory with several figures for words, and combination of letters; which with ease, and void of confusion, are thus speedily and punctually, letter for letter, set down by naked and not multiplied points. And nothing can be less then a point, the mathematical definition of being cujus pars nulla. And of a motion no swifter imaginable then semiquavers or releshes, yet applicable to this manner of writing.

5. VARIED SIGNIFICANTLY TO ALL THE 24 LETTERS. A way by circular motion, either along a rule or ringwise, to vary any alphabet, even this of points, so that the self-same point individually placed, without the least additional mark or variation of place, shall stand for all the 24 letters, and not for the same letter twice in ten sheets writing; yet as easily and certainly read and known, as if it stood but for one and the self-same letter constantly sig

nified.

6. A MUTE AND PERFECT DISCOURSE BY COLOURS.

How at a window, as far as eye can discover black from white, a man may hold discourse with his correspondent, without noise made or notice taken; being, according to occasion given and means afforded, ex re natâ, and no need of provision before-hand; though much better if foreseen, and means prepared for it, and a premeditated course taken by mutual consent of parties.

7. TO HOLD THE SAME BY NIGHT.

THE KALEIDOSCOPE

round with portraits, into his Lordships receiving-room,
cious hall, accommodated with a billiard-table, and hung
which was fitted up in a complete style of English com-
fort.
crackled in the grate, a hearth-rug spread its soft and
It was carpeted and curtained; a blazing log
ample surface before it, a small reading-table and loung-
ing-chair stood near the fire-place; and not far from them
published quartos and octavos, among other books, which
an immense oval table groaned under the weight of newly
lay arranged in nice order upon it.

appearance from a room which opened into this; he walked
"In a few seconds after we entered Lord Byron made his
slowly up to the fire-place, and received me with that un-
feel at ease at once, notwithstanding all my prognostica-
reserved air, and good-humoured smile, which made me
tions to the contrary. The first impression made upon me
was this-that the person who stood before me bore the least
possible resemblance to any bust, portrait, or profile, that I
had ever seen, professing to be his likeness; nor have I
since examined any which I could consider a perfect re-
semblance. The portrait in possession of Mr. Murray,
from which most of the prints seem to be taken, does not
strike me as one in which the features of the original are
ing to the affected position, and studied air and manner
to be recognised at first sight, which perhaps may be ow.
which Lord B. assumed when he sat for it. Neither is
the marble bust by Battolini a performance with whose
assistance I should pronounce the lines and lineaments of
the bard could be distinguished at a glance.

A way to do it by night as well as by day, though as known who he was. dark as pitch is black.

8. TO LEVEL CANNONS BY NIGHT.

A way how to level and shoot cannon by night as well as by day, and as directly; without a platform or measures taken by day, yet by a plain and infallible rule.

9. A SHIP-DESTROYING ENGINE.

An engine, portable in ones pocket, which may be carried and fastened on the inside of the greatest ship, tanquum aliud agens, and at any appointed minute, though a week after, either of day or night, it shall irrevocoverably sink that ship.

10. HOW TO BE FASTENED FROM ALOOF AND UNDER WATER.

A way from a mile off to dive and fasten a like engine to any ship, so as it may punctually work the same effect

either for time or execution.

11. HOW TO PREVENT BOTH.

12. AN UNSINKABLE SHIP.

A way to make a ship not possible to be sunk though shot an hundred times betwixt wind and water by cannon, and should lose a whole plank, yet in half an hour's time should be made as fit to sail as before.

"It struck me that Lord Byron's countenance was
handsome and intellectual, but without being so remark.
ably such as to attract attention, if it were not previously
colour; the lower one inclined to a division in the centre;
His lips were full and of a good
and this, with what are called gap-teeth (in a very slight
degree) gave a peculiar expression to his mouth. I never
observed the play of features, or the characteristics of phy-
siognomy, more narrowly than I did Lord Byron's, during
the whole period of a very animated conversation, which
Lavaterian principles staggered, by discovering so few
lasted nearly two hours, and I could not but feel all
indications of violent temper, or of strong tastes and distates.
my
I could scarcely discern any of the traits for which I
searched, and should decide either that he had a powerful
command over the muscles of his face, and the expression
of his eye, or that there was less of that fiery temperament
saw a countenance more composed and still, and, I might
than what has been ascribed to him. In short, I never
even add, more sweet and prepossessing, than Lord Byron's
appeared upon this occasion.

How to prevent and safeguard any ship from such an it is said, he was once so proud, and several grey strangers His hair was beginning to lose the glossiness, of which, attempt by day or night. presented themselves, in spite of his anxiety to have them or rotund, was acquiring more fulness than he liked; so removed. His figure, too, without being at all corpulent much so, that he was abstemiously refusing wine and meat, and living almost entirely upon vegetables. "The reserve of a first introduction was banished in a moment, by Mr. -'s starting a subject, which at once rendered Lord Byron as fluent of words as I could have wished to find him: he mentioned the manifesto of the Spanish Cortes, in answer to the declaration of the Holy Alliance, and an animated conversation followed between the two, which, as I was anxious to hear Lord Byron's sentiments, I was in no hurry to interrupt.

(To be continued. ›

Biographical Notice.

LORD BYRON.

(Prom Blackwood's Magazine.)

"The approach to that part of Albaro where the noble poet dwelt, is by a narrow lane, and on a steep ascent. The palace is entered by a lofty iron gate that conducts into a court-yard, planted with venerable yew-trees, cut into grotesque shapes. After announcing our arrival at the portal, we were received by a man of almost gigantic stature, who wore a beard hanging down his breast to a formidable length. This, as I was given to understand, was she eccentric bard's favourite valet, and the same who had stabbed the soldier in the fray at Pisa, for which Lord Byron and the friends of his party were obliged to leave the Tuscan states,-an exploit, not the first in his way, by which he had distinguished his fidelity to his master. Italian Count, with whom he lived before he entered Lord An Byron's service, had experienced similar proofs of his devotedness. From what I have since heard I am inclined to believe the fellow has at length fallen a sacrifice to that sort of violence to which he had so little scruple in having recourse himself. He was shot by a Soliote captain; and it was that circumstance that occasioned the epileptic fits, which are said to have seized Lord Byron not many weeks before his death, and to have weakened his constitution. Goliath of valets we were ushered through a spa

without any meaning.
that he often threw out random declarations of that kind,

assailed with a degree of virulence they did not deserve.
that some of his poems had been treated unfairly, and
"Lord Byron took an opportunity of complaining,
They are not intended, he remarked, to be theological
works, but merely works of imagination, and, as such,
polemical criticism. During the whole interview, my
ought not to be examined according to the severe rules of
ing every line in his face, and of judging, from the move-
extraordinary man before me.
eyes were fixed very earnestly upon the countenance of the
I was desirous of examin
determined to keep a more steady command over them.
within his bosom. Perhaps he was aware of this, and
ments of his lips, eyes, and brow, what might be passing
A slight colour occasionally crossed his cheeks; and once,
in particular, when I inadvertently mentioned the name
of a lady, who was formerly said to take a deep interest in
his Lordship, and related an anecdote told me of her by
her ladyship, but never wicked. At hearing this, a
blush stole over the noble bard's face, and he observed,
a mutual friend-I have often been very foolish,' said

'I believe her.'

vanity. He was speaking of a narrow escape that he had lately had in riding through a torrent. His mare lost her "Once, and once only, he betrayed a slight degree of footing, and there was some danger of her being unable to recover herself. Not, however, said he, that I should have been in any personal hazard, for it would not be easy to drown me.' He alluded to his swimming, in which he certainly surpassed most men.

Genoa.'

tiously, and took pains to correct himself. He was al Once also he seemed to think he had spoken incau him by an English gentleman in Genoa. I did not go, luding to an invitation to dinner that had been given to for I did not wish to make any new-I did not feel that could depart from a rule I had made, not to dine in shall be in England. For though he seemed to have "When I took my leave of Lord Byron, he surprised none of that prejudice against his native country that has me by saying, I hope we shall meet again, and perhaps been laid to his charge, yet there was a want of ingenuousness in throwing out an intimation of what was not likely to take place. Upon the whole, instead of avoiding what was going on at home, and was glad when the conversation led to the mention of persons and topics of the any mention of England, he evidently took an interest in day, by which he could obtain any information, without directly asking for it.

it

rally the case, most of my anticipations were disappointed. brated characters of the present age, in which, as is gene"Such was my interview with one of the most celeThere was nothing eccentric in his manner-nothing be yond the level of ordinary clever men in his remarks or style of conversation, and certainly not any thing to justify the strange things that have been said of him by many, who, like the French rhapsodist, would describe him as half angel and half devil.'

Scientific Records.

[Comprehending Notices of new Discoveries or Improve ments in Science or Art; including, oceasionally, sin gular Medical Cases; Astronomical, Mechanical, Phi losophical, Botanical, Meteorological, and Mineralogical Phenomena, or singular Facts in Natural History: Vegetation, &c.; Antiquities, &c.; List of Patents;to be continued in a series through the Volume.]

"From the cause of the Spaniards, the conversation
directed itself to that of the Greeks, and the state paper
upon the carpet.
of the Holy Alliance upon this subject also was brought
the aristocratic poet's observation was too striking to be
Cobbett's name was introduced, and
forgotten- I should not like to see Cobbett presiding at
a revolutionary green table, and to be examined by him;
for, if he were to put ten questions to me, and I should By
answer nine satisfactorily, but were to fail in the tenth--
for that tenth he would send me to the lantern.'

not afraid of calling upon such an excommunicated heretic
"Lord Byron then turned to me, and asked, 'Are you
as myself? If you are an ambitious man, you will never
get on in the church after this.'

I replied, that he was totally mistaken, if he fancied
and he instantly interrupted me by saying, Yes, yes,
that there was any such jealous or illiberal spirit at home,
you are right-there is a great deal of liberal sentiment
among churchmen in England, and that is why I prefer
the Established Church of England to any other in the
world. I have been intimate, in my time, with several
clergymen, and never considered that our difference of
opinion was a bar, to our intimacy; They say I am no
Christian; but I am a Christian.'
Mr.
I afterwards asked
much in contradiction with his writings, and he was told
what his Lordship meant by an assertion so

Captain J. E. Johnson, of the Honourable East India
An Address to the Public, on the Advantages of 4
STEAM NAVIGATION TO INDIA.
Company's Service.

(Concluded from our last.)

At the latter end of the year 1823, a public meeting was interesting discussion took place. The report shows that the convened at Calcutta, in furtherance of the plan, and a moet it, before they came to offer their opinions. The limits of parties had duly considered all the circumstances relating to this address will allow me only to extract the concluding part of the report which comprises some of the more important particulars.

meeting, that a certain premium be offered to the first com pany or society that shall bring out a steam-vessel and estat "Mr. Larkius begged to put the motion distinctly to the lish the communication between India and Great Britate, leaving the route open to their choice.

* Mr. Holt McKenzie seconded the motion. He observet