Oh! that the name my heart lent to another
Could be a sister's bond for her and thee,
Blending two beams of one eternity;
Yet were one lawful, and the other true,
These names though dear, could paint not,
as is due.

Now beyond refuge, I am thine, ah me!
I am not thine, I am a part of thee.

To us, we confess, instead of the rich enamelling of curious and refined versification, instead of any elaborate melody, these lines appear exceedingly bald and feeble; but we believe the assertion of the editor to be one that I would not have received the sanction of Mr. Shelley's approval. The fact is, the style of versification, the choice of language, the flow of numbers, the music of the whole composition, must depend on the nature of the poem, its subject, thoughts, and imagery. In great poems, of epic or tragic structure, there are necessarily graceful and gentle descents constantly occurring, from parts highly raised and elabo rately adorned. The language of Homer and Milton was plain and unembellished, as if resting from past exertions and preparing for future. But in lyric poetry, we hardly know how too much care can be bestowed on the high finishing of every part. We have strong authorities in our favour, in the Greek and Italian poets; nor do we know any instance of a lyric poem that has received and secured the approbation of well-informed judges, which is not supported by musical numbers, by artful collocation of phrases, and well chosen diction. Collins and Gray ransacked the whole English language for spoils to hang on their immortal odes.

But we have wandered long from our immediate subject—the Drama which Mr. Taylor has published under the

name of "Philip Van Artevelde," and which has long since received the flattering tribute of public admiration. In all the praise which has been bestowed, we fully agree; and we think that the highest expectations may be formed of the future productions of the author. There is great vigour of thought, fertility and freedom of fancy, power of language, and a strong masculine versification. There is a natural variety in the delineation of character and feeling, approaching to some of the best parts of our old dramatists; not much of the pathetic and sensitive; and occasionally we think failures in attempts at humour, which, as in the instance of Clara in the beginning of the first drama, is coarse and unfeminine. There is no great skill displayed in the delineation of character, and, what is the main defect, the whole piece or pieces are set in a most undramatic frame. We perceive that a contemporary review (the Quarterly), in giving just praise to these productions, has advised the author to brace up his plot in a closer compass, if he wishes to produce dramas for representation; but we advise him to the same intent from a different motive, viz., if he wishes to give that pleasure in the closet to his readers, which we are sure his genius and acquirements could bestow, under the regulation of a severe and disciplined judgment. To us, the interest in the plot of these two plays, is absolutely as nothing; we have no thirst or curiosity for the developement of the action, no awful anticipation of the conclusion. The whole is so dissipated, so lost by digressive thoughts, by sententious reflexions, and by eloquent harangues and soliloquies, that our mind is fastened on them as we slowly proceed, and we think too much of the power of the poet, and too little of the advance of the story. We feel very little interest in any of the passages of the drama, but very much in the poet, who could distribute among them such just and noble thoughts, arranged in such sound, idiomatic, excellent language. An extract, such as we could find room to give, would be but a poor specimen, like Harlequin's bricks, of the whole tragic fabric, ; therefore we shall only add, that we

strongly recommend these volumes to all lovers of our old and genuine poetry:-with many defects, and these arising perhaps from too unpruned luxuriance of youthful fancy, they will acknowledge such a truly poetical conception, and such a varied display of thought and reflexion, as will lead them at once to give the author a very distinguished place among his poetical rivals.

Tutti Frutti. By the Author of the Tour of a German Prince. 2 vols.

THESE volumes will afford, we are afraid, but few extracts either for the amusement or instruction of the reader. Perhaps a few of the sketches, drawn at Aix-la-Chapelle, of the different ministers of the European states, whether correct or not, may amuse.

"The next great personage (vol. ii. p. 226), that arrested my attention, was Prince Metternich, whose peculiar characteristics I had often observed during the time I was acquainted with him when very young. At the commencement of his career, as Ambassador at the Court of Dresden, he always appeared to the greatest advantage in the society of his superiors in rank. It is impossible to behold this great man, without imbibing the opinion, that he was born to direct the destinies of a great empire, and certainly in this respect he has few superiors. This is no flattery. Germany is not at present conscious how deeply she is indebted to him. History will assign him a station superior to that of Kaunitz, and rank him with the greatest politicians of former ages, with a Cecil, Richelieu, and other truly great men. It cannot of course be expected that a man of his genius should accommodate his plan to every visionary theory. If Heaven had cast the destiny of Prince Metternich in England, in France, or even in Prussia, he would in many points have displayed a character and sentiments altogether different from those he has exhibited; but he would still have remained true to himself. He would have comprehended and adapted himself to the circumstances and events which he had been called upon to guide and control. But he is part of Austria, and when her interests are threatened, her adversaries will do well to avoid a collision with him. Prince M. displays in private life many traits indicative of being a skilful, courtly tac

Emperor Alexander was all condescension; he presented tea to the ladies, relieved them of their empty tea-cups, and charmed all by the affability of his manners. His courtiers successfully imitated the high example of their master. Capo d'Istria formed the only exception-he appeared to exist for himself alone.All eyes were

narrow.

turned upon the Duke of Wellington. He glittered alone and above all, wreathed with the laurels of the conqueror. The civic crown of thorns had not yet encircled and lacerated his brow; his bearing was lofty, noble, and distingué.'— His countenance bespoke deep thought, boldness, and decision, but little genius ; his periphery was evidently filled, but Lord Castlereagh, with his pale complexion and melancholy smile, looked like a Vampire deprived of its nourishment!! Near him was Hardenberg, the State Chancellor, a venerable-looking man. In his features were traced refinement, ability, and genius, but still something like weakness might be discovered. His general demeanour was that of an accomplished man of the world; but when compared with that of Metternich, it was not so commanding and unrestrained. It also slightly bordered on what might be called timidity. A truly antique groupe were formed by General Benningsen and his lady. He was at that time in disgrace, nearly blind, and age and sorrow had long since imparted a snowy whiteness to his flowing hair. His figure was tall, imposing, mournful, and emaciated, and as he was led in by a handsome Polish lady, he reminded one of Belisarius. His appearance awakened many interesting reflections. His conversation, however, corresponded little with his impressive exterior, as he talked of nothing else but

horses and the battle of Eylau; where, however, it was asserted by many, that it was entirely owing to him that Napoleon, even at that time, was not entirely defeated; but the good effect of his councils was neutralized by timidity.

Lady C. (Castlereagh) bore the palm of rank; her toilette, her figure, her conversation, all harmonized with each other. Her deep-toned voice, colossal figure, ample bust, and the ostrich feathers waving in concert at each word that she spoke, made her appear at the same time the champion and the nurse of old England. I was informed that she wore occasionally, as a trophy encircling her head, the garter of the order of that name, which belonged to her husband; but whoever once beheld her in a negligée, when mounted on horseback, enveloped in a great coat, red handkerchief tied over her mouth, and a broad-brimmed hat upon one side of her head, would have felt assured that he was contemplating Falstaff in the Merry Wives of Windsor.' There were very few German ladies here, but these were the patterns of every thing delightful and amiable. I shall only mention the Princess of Thurn and Taxis, and her lovely charming daughter."

Six Discourses, by the most eloquent Fathers of the Church, &c. Translated by H. S. Boyd, Esq. 2d Edit, 8vo.

WE have read this volume with much pleasure; we are willing to acknowledge the soundness of Mr. Boyd's scholarship; and we hail with delight the manly and open avowal of his truly Protestant belief. If Mr. Boyd's language on subjects connected with the interpretation of Scripture might appear vehement and somewhat stronger than general custom sanctions; yet it is quite apparent that his is not the intemperate zeal of a violent partisan or a polemical disputant; but the honest avowal of sentiments on a subject which he considers of vital importance; and the just expression of indignation at the baseness, the duplicity, and the ignorance of the Roman Catholic Church, as shown in its au

Preface, giving an account of some of the deliberate and wicked alterations and misinterpretations of the Scripture, in the Rhenish version, intended to bolster up the unwarranted claims of the popish hierarchy, must produce the effect of truth on all readers. For ourselves, we avow that we can hardly read without a thrilling sensation of horror, the damning proofs that Mr. Boyd has brought forward, so clearly as not to be explained away or denied, of the unblushing effrontery, the daring criminality of the Romanist, in his perversion of the language and the meaning of the Sacred Text, for his secular gain and most ungodly ambition. In this degrading system of fraud, ignorance and falsehood have gone hand in hand, and the clumsiness of the forgeries has led instantly to their detection. Mr. Boyd has earned, in this part of his work, the grateful acknowledgment of service done, from every man who sets a just value on the integrity of his Protestant faith and the tenets of our truly apostolic Church.

The second part of Mr. Boyd's work, which consists of select translations from the Greek orations of some of the most eloquent fathers of the Church, is executed with spirit and force, and is the fruit of a very learned acquaintance with this interesting branch of classical and theological knowledge. We hope the perusal of these selections will lead at least all young divines to improve their piety, enrich their imagination, and exercise their learning, by a study of the fine and elegant homilies and orations of Chrysostom and Gregory of Nazian zen. There will be found in these, great luxuriance of fancy, variety of allusion, profusion of imagery, and copiousness of language, all heightened and sanctified by the ardour of devotion. Some very pleasing poems and translations close the volume, in which we can see only two blemishes with our critical spectacles, viz. p. 40: "Fair fields which Nature's hand enamels With oxen, sheep, and stately camels."

"An orb of fire will blaze before thee, And light thee to the realms of glory."

These are specks easily brushed away. -We shall conclude by extracting Mr. Boyd's Greek Epigram to the present Bishop of London:

'Ηνικα Βλομφηλδος φαεσίμβροτον ἀστ τρον, ̓Αθηνων

Ψυχὴν ἀλλοτριων, πασαν ἔδωκε θεω Αγγελικαι συνοδοι μεν ἐπην φημησαν ἀνωθεν.

and that sure testimony of its truth which
is found in its perfect adaptation
to the heart of man ;

it was reserved for him to develope
its analogy to the constitution
and course of Nature,
and, laying his strong foundations
in the depth of that great argument,
there to construct

μενω.

Butler's Analogy of Religion, with a Life of the Author, by the Rev. Geo. Croly, LL.D. (Sacred Classics.)

WE highly approve the republication of one of the most subtle and refined volumes of philosophical reasoning that has been ever applied to the truth of religion. But we confess we see little to admire, or even to approve, in the introductory part by Dr. Croly. There is a long, rambling, and superficial account of the rise of Popery and other superstitions, written in language not over-correct, and too ornamental, in the place of a logical and accurate introduction to the reasoning of Dr. Butler's treatise. The style of Dr. Croly's memoir is in very unpleasing contrast to the simple and logical language of the Analogy. The work ought to have been edited by the Rev. Mr. Hampden, and by no other person, whose solid learning, theological attainments, and intimate acquaintance with the original, would have enabled him to do justice to this very important subject. We shall give the inscription written by Mr. Southey for a new monument erecting in the Cathedral of Bristol to the memory of the Bishop:

"Sacred

to the memory of
JOSEPH BUTLER, D.C.L.
twelve years Bishop of this diocese,
and afterwards of Durham,

whose mortal remains are here deposited.

Others had established

the historical and prophetical grounds of the Christian Religion,

8

another and irrefragable proof; thus rendering Philosophy subservient to Faith,

finding, in outward and visible things, the type and evidence

of those within the veil."

English Scenes and Civilization, or Sketches and Traits in the 19th Century. 3 vols.

A WORK which will repay the perusal, by its lively and graphic sketches of character, by its sensible observations and its prudential maxims, and by its knowledge of society and life. The writer, who appears to be from the northern part of our isle, and who may be a female, has looked on the habits and feelings of social life, with a curious and observant eye. The selfishness of the great, and the vulgarity of the would-be great, are here pleasantly embodied in the various characters; while a few choice and virtuous persons are intermingled with them, to form a pleasing contrast, and to finish the moral grouping of the scene. The author's or authoress's feelings are right and just, his or her taste correct, and knowledge respectable. The story is almost a blank; and there is too large and confused an assemblage of persons in the outset. Perhaps the contrasts of character are too decidedly and prominently marked; and feelings more openly avowed, and more markedly exhibited, than they are in the world. Perhaps the young ladies who are the writer's favourites, are a little too amiable, accomplished, self-denying, wise, and good: but these are slight defects; and saving that there is no attractive history, that there is no action, and all conversation; that many of the characters are but slightly sketched, and that a few of the incidents are rather too roman

MR. MEEK was for many years the pastor of several Dissenting congregations, by whom he was much respected for his knowledge and piety; but after mature reflection he conformed to the communion of the Established Church, and was admitted to the ministry; and it appears by his title-page, that he is now the Rector of Brixton Deverill in Wilts. This little volume is written for the purpose of publicly stating his reasons for attachment to the national Church; and of answering the popular objections raised to its continuance. The arguments and disquisitions are advanced with temper, moderation, and knowledge. Mr. Meeks's abandonment of the sectarian ranks seems to be owing to a sincere and honest conviction of the duty of not departing from a Church that even its enemies cannot malign, without the most calumnious and false assertions forming the basis of their unprincipled attacks. The Dissenters are for ever accusing the Clergy of the Established Church of

Christian Psalmody, confirming the book of Psalms, &c. By J. C. Franks.-This is a very copious Hymn and Psalm book, intended primarily for the use of the Author's congregation at Huddersfield. He mentions in his Preface, that he wishes it to be viewed as an original work, and to be judged of according to its own merits, in the form in which it appears, by the sole test of congregational utility. It is

There is a curious misprint at p. 172, of vol. II. of Dureli's translation of Winckelman, for Fuseli's.

GENT. MAG. VOL. II.

want of liberality. Now Mr. Meek asserts, that recently certain Dissenting Ministers were excluded from membership, and from the privileges of that body, in a vote of the Congregational Board, for the following rea

son:

"That in their Chapels they used the Liturgy of the Church of England. In common with other Dissenters, the congregationalists complain of their exclusion from the Universities on account of their refusing to subscribe to the 39 Articles. But they themselves exclude their own brethren from all participation in their rights and privileges for a very minor difference," &c.

At p. 83, Mr. Meek mentions a melancholy and important fact;—that out of two hundred and twenty-two Unitarian congregations supposed to exist in this country, only forty-six appear to have been founded by persons of that description. The other hundred and seventy-six were originally connected with orthodox Dissenters. It is also a striking fact, that although Unitarianism has prevailed in a great degree in the eastern states of America, and particularly in Boston, and has swept away many orthodox bodies of Christians, it has not made its way into a single Episcopal congregation.

We recommend the perusal of this book to Churchmen, to remind them of the value of the Establishment to which they belong; and to Dissenters, to suggest to them the duty of an impartial inquiry into the grounds of their continued separation from a Church that, even in her weaker days, their own Founder honoured, praised, and loved.

however greatly indebted to almost all the writers of religious Poetry; and many even of those Psalms and Hymns, which might otherwise be called original, owe all the value and beauty they possess to some stanza, line or expression, either of deceased or living writers. We will find room for an extract.—p. 153.

Psalm 137.

Why on the bending willow hung,

Israel! still sleeps thy tuneful string; Still mute remains thy sullen tongue, And Zion's song denied to sing? 3 F