Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border,' and my indefatigable friend sent out theBallads of Nithsdale" in less than a fortnight after the event. Then came the time when poetry was all the rage, and his neat hot-pressed volume might be seen, elegantly bound, in half the booksellers' shopwindows in London. For a long time he imitated Walter Scott; but when Childe Harold made such a noise, he instantly became misanthropic, and wrote in the Spenserian stanza. And lastly, since the overwhelming popularity of the Scottish novels, he has regularly published three romances per annum, only varied by "An American Novel," composed at Canterbury, and a Tragedy, which bore a masked portrait in the title-page, to indicate that the author was one of the Pisan Trio. He has an immense library, composed entirely of his own works, a list too numerous to mention. But to the purpose; that is, his regulations for composing a novel, and directions for writing a Scottish novel.— 66 FOR VOL. I. "Take special care never to invent a plot for the book you are about to write. It used to be in fashion once, but it is not now; and I well recollect a young lady, about twenty years ago, who, on perusing the first five pages of my thirty-third novel, immediately cried out, "Then Belville kills Delmour, and is married to Clarinda;" which was, in fact, the catastrophe of the story. All that you have to care about is, to introduce plenty of dialogue, to scribble, beforehand, a few passages, as favourable specimens to be extracted in the Literary Gazette, and to fill up one thousand pages, which is the regular quantum. "As to the characters, these will suit the public perfectly well. A milk-andwater hero, a fierce, fiery, impatient young fellow, (to be killed at the three hundred and twenty-first page of the third volume, which must, invariably, be thicker than either of the two preceding,) an old whimsical character, a hair-brained rattler (for instance, Mike Lambourne, in Kennilworth, or Jack Bunce, in the Pirate,) two Minnaand Brenda-like heroines, the former of whom must be made unhappy, and the latter happy at the end of the tale, and an old witch, like Meg Merrilies or Norna. .."Suppose you place the scene in Ice land. The first chapter must, in that case, be a rather dullish description of the island, extracted from any historian or traveller, with a few trifling alterations, and an account of the place to which you first introduce your readers. "In the second chapter, throw a few of your characters into the tale, and let them talk about nothing till the end of the volume, in order to let the reader into their respective dispositions, &c. It is an invariable rule, to make the first volume a mere vehicle for talking, that has no concern with the plot. (See the Antiquary and the Pirate, vol. 1., with various other popular works.)-N. B. Mind you place the witch in the foreground, and take care to describe her dress from the top of her cap to the sole of her shoe. Let her display supernatural powers, and never explain them away. To get acquainted with this way of pleasing the public, read the account of the Reim-Kennar's invocation to the storm, and its effects, in the Pirate, Vol. 1. "For Vol. 11. write daringly on, and, about every fifty pages, plunge into one of the extractable passages anyhow. I know a friend who actually crammed an account of the siege of Ascalon into a modern novel. If, anyhow, you meet with a curious old tract, insert it. (See Pontefract Castle, vol. 2., in which the legend of Sir George Villiers' appearance to a friend of the Duke of Buckingham's is lugged in, somehow, but in a bungling way.) To learn how to do the thing genteelly, you may as well read the legend of Martin Walbeck, and the Demon of the Harz-forest, in the Antiquary, vol. 2, which takes up about fifty pages. "For Vol. 111.-Now, my friend, plunge, thick and thin, into business, and make something like a plot, which you may defer to the beginning of this volume, as Sir Walter Scot has done in the Antiquary. "These are directions for the beginning and middle of your story. The end is so entirely dependent on your will, that it is impossible to give any. Some twenty years ago, poetical justice was always rendered to every character, vice was punished, and virtue rewarded. But that is now quite out of fashion; and I would therefore advise you to draw cuts, whether you shall kill the villain or the hero, and make the end happy or unhappy. "When you have finished your tale, take it to Colburn's, or some other fashionable publishers, and get five hundred guineas for it. If you follow my directions, your work will become popular, and he will offer double, or treble, or even quadruple, as much for the next: although I, being a regular customer, only have one thousand pounds for each of my romances. But, to say the truth, if he gives you more than that, he will not take more than one per annum; and I prefer to write three, for three thousand a year, than only one for two. "Be sure to send off the work, with the author's compliments, (and if you are voracious for praise, with about a score of sovereigns,) to the editor of some weekly director of the public taste, who will, of course, exalt you, at least, to the next rank to the author of Waverley. Add their opinion to all your advertisements, and, take my word for it, "You will succeed." Having now given you all the advice which my worthy friend has thought proper to offer to young aspirants, I shall proceed to the Opening Chapter, which gives the title to my present number. 66 OWEN GLENDOWER.-CHAP. I. "In such a state, Lord Claudio, is this country, if the king still holds this wayward course, our power will fail, and our own heart's-blood dye the hungry jaws of rude Sicilian hounds."-SICILIAN OUTLAW. "About the beginning of the reign of king Henry the Fourth, the mountainous country of Wales was ripe for rebellion. This circumstance was, chiefly, produced by the neglect the new sovereign displayed to his Welsh adherents, who being, in general, the younger sons of powerful chieftains, had joined his band, in the hope that, in the anarchy consequent to a change in the government, they might mend their broken fortunes with the spoils of the partisans of Richard, or in the expectation that their important services would be fully rewarded in case of success. But Bolingbroke regarding the claims of his English supporters as more imperative, bestowed on them the command of the Welsh fortresses which fell into his hands, and, at the same time, imprudently suffered several of the more important partisans of Richard to retain their towers and their domains, for fear that if he attempted to punish them, the populace of Wales, indignant at such an invasion of their rights, should take up arms against him. Of course, these latter persons, (that is, the Welsh nobles who retained their titles and estates,) endeavoured, by all the means in their power, to harass and weaken their opponents, so that, in case of a rising in favour of king Richard, they might not be able, again, to thwart their purposes; and this they did so effectually, that several of the opposite party, to save themselves from this persecution, and indignant at the ingratitude of Bolingbroke, renounced their principles, apu espoused the cause of the weak descendant of Edward the Black Prince. Others, disdaining such conduct, which they regarded as equally senseless and disgraceful, betook themselves to the mountains, in which Wales abounds, and commenced a trade, which they regarded as less mean, that of subtracting from the luxuries of the wealthy, or, in other words, of plundering the defenceless traveller. "While this was going on, the English governors taking possession of the castles, to the command of which they had been appointed, expelled, with merited disgrace and scorn, the Redmost valuable inhabitants by the anhands, who were regarded as their These men, who cient possessors. were nothing less than daring ruffians, ready to execute any mandate of their ruthless lord, how cruel or how wicked soever it might be, found themselves, as we said before, expelled from the venerable towers in which they had long resided; and, "to work unable, and to beg ashamed," joined the bands of robbers formed by the Indisappointed Bolingbrokians. structed by these men, the others, who had hitherto given to the poor half of what they forcibly obtained from the rich, became bloodthirsty and murderous; they no more assisted those who were destitute of other aid, and they frequently killed the travellers whom they robbed. Rich and poor, both became inimical to them, and joined in supplicating the English governors, then almost the only men of consequence in the country, to put down, by force, these desperate brigands. But the foreigners part with this; as well as the necessity of some degree of caution, lest, as many, and perhaps the most do, we deceive ourselves, and be at last found deficient in those essential things which are connected with an immortality of glory and honour. The prayer, indited by the Holy Ghost in the heart of David, was, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom;" -a prayer in which all may and should join-suited to human nature, its changes, and its duties, as well as that accountability, which constitutes at once its danger and its eminence. All that is grand, all that is noble and dignified, in man, all that elevates him above the mere animal creation, is intimately associated with the solemnities of a day, when God shall judge the secrets of all hearts, “and render to every man according to his works." But how much is human nature turned aside, how far gone from original shewed no disposition to comply with their desires; whenever, indeed, they caught a Red-hand, they hung him, sans ceremonie, on the next tree; but they remarked, that it was totally unreasonable to expect them to punish their comrades, who were known to have assisted Bolingbroke in his daring attempts to gain the diadem of England. The Welsh villagers, however, to whom it was a matter of indifference, that the principles of their plunderers were friendly or hostile, to the government, determined, with their usual hotheadedness, to take the matter into their own hands, and soon provided themselves with glaives, spears, crossbows, and all other instruments of war. But the English governors, fearing that, in case of any sudden disturbance, these weapons might be turned against themselves, sent soldiers to command their deliverance. The Welshmen remonstrated; hard words and harder blows succeeded; a few soldiers were stretch-righteousness, when man can so deed lifeless on the greensward; and ere reinforcements had arrived, their slayers had fled to the mountains. Thus was Wales ripe for rebellion, from one end to the other; for the Bolingbrokian brigands, incensed at the treatment they had experienced from king Henry, determined, in case of any new contest, to espouse the cause of Richard." Thus ends "Owen Glendower," Chap. 1. and the Manuscriptomaniac, No. 3. ARTHUR HOWARD. REFLECTIONS ON THE PROGRESS OF TIME. How fast do we number the years! And what are years numbered, but years gone for ever, and indelibly impressed with all the responsibilities of those who have been taught to number their calendar, and, perhaps thoughtlessly, to rejoice as the number is added, and their amount increased. Certainly, to one who can rejoice in a well-secured expectation of a better rest, where years are not numbered, and time and duration never thought of, it may be well to rejoice, yet to rejoice with solemnity. For in proportion to the value of such an inheritance, becomes the importance of the proof that it will be ours when we grade himself, as voluntarily to submerge all that is noble in his intellectual character, that is elevated and grand, in those low principles of animal nature, which he possesses in common with the lowest order of living creatures? This might be accounted for, could man rid himself of his responsibilities as easily as he avoids the thought of them. But when no act, no subterfuge, no systematic rejection, can change his duties or bis destination; when he must be carried forward, profess what system he please; when he cannot lengthen time, or add to his present existence; when he can offer no plea to arrest the justice, or claim the mercy, of his Creator; are we not compelled to wonder at the folly of human nature, and to say, "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!" 66 It is strange that the right improvement of time is, perhaps, among the last and highest attainments of human nature. To feel that it ought to be employed as the only return we can offer to the glory of Him who gave it, who lengthens it out year by year, and that as a talent to be improved-is among our highest privileges. is so corrupted by sin, and that corruption extends so deep, is so closely associated with all the secret springs and motives of human nature, that, as Man yet been inserted. If you can find room for a few plain remarks on the doctrine of the Trinity, and on its frequent introduction into our common church service, you will much oblige your humble servant. FREDERICUS. Olney, Bucks, April 18th, 1824. far as its governing power prevails, it regulates every pursuit, and brings all our employments within its influence. We misemploy time, because our hearts are not right in the sight of God. It is from the throne of corruption-the human heart-that proceed evil thoughts, vain pursuits, disinclination to self-denial, and indolence in divine duties. The more we Your correspondent, signing himfeel we do not rightly improve our self "ADOLESCENS," inquires, "What time, the more earnestly should we is the reason of the frequent use of pray God to purify our hearts, "toGlory be to the, &c.' and 'As it was search and know our hearts, to try in the beginning, &c.' in the church us and know our thoughts, to see if service? and whether it is not frethere be any wicked way in us, and quently very inapplicable?" lead us in the way everlasting." We should remember, we get good, or lose it, every day we live-we either do right, or we add to our sins when holy thoughts and duties do not Occupy the time, Satan has ever at hand vain thoughts and imaginations -the world has always inducements to sinful pursuits-there is no truce, no stay, in this warfare-if our time be not devoted to Him who holds heaven and its glories as gifts of his hand, and objects worthy of every sacrifice; I must be employed in his service, who promises present rest, or pleasure, or gain, but always deceives, and, if we be not delivered from his power, will everlastingly disappoint. But a right improvement of time is consistent with the discharge of our commonest and most secular duties. They are associated with it; however trivial we may be tempted to think them, compared to eternal pursuits. We may eat, and we may drink, or even, occasionally, relax ourselves, and do all to the glory of God. Let cur aim be this-that God in all things may be glorified in us, relying wholly on the influences of his good Spirit; and then we shall not deeply regret, when time ceases for ever, that we neglected our opportunity, or threw away the greatest mercy of God to us, even though we have necessarily been employed with pursuits apparently confined entirely to our present interests. J. W. OBSERVATIONS ON THE TRINITY. MR. EDITOR, SIR,-In the first volume of your Magazine, column 834, is a query, which, till lately, escaped my observation; and, I believe, no reply to it has The word Trinity does not occur at all in the scriptures; it was invented by the primitive fathers; they used it in order to designate the specific number and unity of the Persons in the Godhead. That there are three Persons of the same undivided nature, is most clearly manifest from the word of God. St. Paul says, "Through him (that is, Christ,) we both have access, by one Spirit, unto the Father." Three Persons are here distinctly mentioned, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. First, there is the Person whom we address; secondly, the Person through whom; and, thirdly, the Person by whom, we do it. Now, would it not be very absurd to speak of doing a thing to a person, through the same person, and by the same person? No one, for a moment, would scruple to say, that three must be concerned; and such is the number spoken of in these words of the apostle St. Paul; nor is the number more or less. If we search the Bible from beginning to end, we shall meet with three Persons, and but three, in the "holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity." Thus our Lord and Saviour says, "If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will pray the Father, and he shall send you another Comforter." And St. John says, "There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost;" in whose names, according to St. Matthew, all nations were to be baptized. Divinity, also, undoubtedly belongs to each of these three Persons; hence the words of our incomparable creed, 66 The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. Our Lord, in order to shew that his Father had not only given him his commis 66 sion, but owned him in it, observes, For him hath God the Father sealed." And the apostle says, that we are "redeemed by the precious blood of Christ." And another apostle declares, that this blood is the blood of God! so that Christ is God. When Ananias and Sapphira endeavoured to practise an imposition upon the apostles, they were said to "lie unto the Holy Ghost;" and afterwards, it is added, that they "lied not unto men, but unto God;" so that the Holy Ghost is God. Yet "they are not three Gods, but one God." They are the same divine self-existent nature, which is expressed in that single, yet comprehensive word, Jehovah; they are one in essence, one in perfections. This, then, is the doctrine of the infallible word of God; it is the doctrine of the church of England; it is the foundation-stone on which all her other doctrines are built; take it away, and the superstructure immediately falls to the ground. The compilers of our admirable Liturgy were, doubtless, aware of this, and therefore so frequently introduced into the formularies of our church, that angelic and noble song of praise to the Trinity: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." But perhaps it is the doctrine contained in this doxology, as well as its constant recurrence in our church service, that gives offence to your correspondent; probably he may belong to one of those classes of separatists from our national church, who treat this holy, this sublime and consolatory doctrine, with contempt, who deny the divinity of the Son of God, and exclaim with the Jews of old, "We will not have this man to reign over us." The amiable and pious Dr. Watts says, "Though there may be some excesses of superstitious honour paid to the words of it, which may have wrought some unhappy prejudices in weaker Christians; yet I believe it still to be one of the noblest parts of Christian worship. The subject of it is the doctrine of the Trinity, which is that peculiar glory of the divine nature, that our Lord Jesus Christ has so clearly revealed unto men, and is so necessary to true Christianity. The action is praise, which is one of the most complete and exalted parts of Christian worship.” That exalted confession of the Christian faith, called "The Creed of St. Athanasius," is ridiculed, and cavilled at, by multitudes; but, I am persuaded, were the principles of the objectors fully known, their very objections would shew, in the strongest light possible, the great necessity and utility of that very creed. I confess, the doctrine of the Trinity is a mysterious subject; but the mystery with which it is involved, does not, cannot, for one single moment, invalidate its truth: you know a child cannot enter into the depths of the philosophy of Newton; must it therefore follow, that this philosophy is false, because the child is unable to comprehend it? Why then deny the doctrine of the Trinity because we cannot fathom it? God has asserted it in His Word, and whatever we find there, how dark and mysterious soever it may appear, or how hard soever to be understood, we are bound to believe it; it is at our peril to reject it; for to dispute against it, is to dispute against the light, and to fly in the face of Omnipotence. It is a prime article of our faith; a denial of it saps the very foundation of Christianity, and, at one blow, destroys all our hopes of eternal salvation; for where shall we look for a gracious acceptance, if the Father be not God? Where shall we look for deliverance from the wrath to come, if the Lord Jesus Christ be not God? And where shall we look for grace to sanctify the soul, if the Holy Ghost be not God? Although your correspondent may not flatly deny the doctrine contained in the expression in question, yet is he not in danger of undervaluing, or thinking too lightly of this glorious, this all-important truth, "which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved?" I think he must, or he never would have inquired the reason of the frequent use of the "Gloria Patri," in the church service, and whether it is not frequently very inapplicable? I am fully convinced, that this song of glory to the sacred Trinity can never be inapplicable in a Christian congregation; and that if it occurred in our public formularies still oftener than it does, it would not come under the censure of our Saviour, when he |