law upon this infinitely varied subject -for it happens that the very ingenuity which is required for the work, itself militates against its perfection. Men are naturally fond of new hypotheses, and of having their curiosity indulged beyond the limits of common sense: hence it has too frequently occurred, that systems have multiplied upon systems, and the intellect has been in more cases bewildered than informed-That man, therefore, would deserve well of his country, in the purest acceptation of the phrase, who should put into our possession a welldigested and satisfactorily authorized treatise upon so abstruse a matter. The author of the present observations makes a very flattering promise to the public whom he addresses, and we are inclined to flatter ourselves that he will do more than amuse us with the promise. He tells us, that "the English language is derived from the Gothic and Celtic, chiefly through the AngloSaxon and French dialects-of course, he does not mean to refer us to the aboriginal source. This in truth would be a reference somewhat more recondite than we could expect, because we conclude he speaks of the English language as it is now established (if that can be called established which is continually varying in its foreign adoptions), as far as relates to its principia in its accidence and syntax. Even this gentleman, who promises so fairly, confesses that his " object is to trace the probable origin of British words, to mark their adventitious changes, and indicate their principal analogies." That which is thus confessedly allowed by any one who takes upon himself so intricate an employ, to be only probable, adventitious, and analogical, marks out a sufficient latitude of conjectural deduction, and at once bespeaks an extent of indulgence which ought not in common candour to be denied to him: we are therefore sincerely disposed to accept his prospectus as affording a hope that the great desideratum which he professes to furnish will be as efficiently fulfilled as any effort of the kind that has hitherto been made and we feel ourselves justified in this expectancy, by the extensive knowledge of his subject which these preliminary observations display. They give sufficient earnest of the abilities that are about to be employed; and we sincerely wish him all the success that he appears to merit, and has given the public good reason to expect. The Dream of Youth: A Poem. 1818. THIS is a most beautiful little Poem, feeling, eloquent, and impassioned. Though cast in the mould of Byronian poetry, yet it bears the evident finish of an original and highly-cultivated mind. Without the servility of imitation, there is that same forcible language and ani. mated style which so prominently characterizes the volumes of Lord Byron. Like him, too, the author has, in our judgment, identified himself with his hero, and invested Childe Arthur with thoughts, feelings, and passions, which may fairly be presumed to be his own. But we lament that that same moody melancholy, that same way ward sadness, and quick sensitiveness of wrong, which so powerfully marks the Bard of Harold, should prey on the spirits of the author of "The Dream of Youth," and shadow his Muse's brightest song. Talent, reputation, and honour, are as nothing in the balance of dissatisfaction with our fellow men. They may indeed light up our youth, and lead onward our ambition to the goal. But when the darkness of old age is spread around, and the victory is won, misanthropy is like "the insects that prey On the brain of the elk till the very last sigh." We think, however, that perhaps the word misanthropy, as allusive to our author, is misjudging, and incorrect, and that we should substitute in its place, acute sensibility. But even this disposition should be wholly discouraged, which, if it does not embitter, at least saddens the fairest prospects of life, stealing on so warily, and insensibly, that we become its victim, ere we acknowledge its approach. No title could, perhaps, be more apt and descriptive than "The Dream of Youth," for the Poem is wholly devoid of plan and arrangement, and is subject to all the fitful change and variability of youth's sleeping dream— Yet the mind is actively alive throughout, and gifted with an inspiration of no ordinary kind, and thought, fancy, and feeling, are blended in the purest and most perfect harmony of colouring. seek To brand the heart, that urged its selfish pique In Judas' treachery-e'en while he smil'd and seem'd To talk, God save him! of his deepfetch'd grief, That his own snares had caught- and he had deemed T'have played the atoning part, e'en while of wrong he dream'd. Scandal, like death, has too its thousand ways To torture and to ruin-from the sneer Thas scarcely curls its lip, yet half displays The passion it would seem to hide-the leer, That scoffs obliquely-the cold, skulking fear, That weaves its web in secret-the false smile, That flatters, while it damns-the falser tear, That o'er a brother's failing weeps the while. And the half shrug, that hints, where language would defile. "Out on such dastard foes! better to weep What were the heart without its tears! Heav'n deigns To look with pity on that sorrow deep, The pang that, though suppressed, yet will not, cannot sleep. While love renewed shall then exulting cry, "Oh Death! where is thy sting; Oh, Grave, thy victory?" From the 52d stanza, to the end of the poem, we cannot speak in adequate terms of admiration. The Stanzas descriptive of the scenery of the banks of the Vaga, mixed with the traditionary tales of its neighbouring country, are not excelled by any of Lord Byron's, though the majestic height of the Alps, and the blue eyed damsels of the Rhine, have been numbered among his powerful auxiliaries. By Vaga's banks there is a scene of peace A holy calm, that seems serene to brood, Like Holcyon, on the waters-one light breeze, Like the lone spirit of the solitude, Plays o'er the stream, that curls in gen tlest mood: Glass'd in the tide, each varying image glows, Rock, turret, spire, wild mountain, waving wood, Wreath'd in all shapes-now lulled in sweet repose— Conflicting-blending-mingling now, like mimic foes. Tempe of England! what though classic Greece Can boast her vale of Beauty, thine may vie, And proudly vie, with all she tells of peace And loveliness; here the enamoured eye May gaze on Nature in her ev'ry dye, Magnificent or fair-rock ridged on rock, Wood crowning wood, and here the careless Wye, Now lounging, listless, like a summer brook, Now hurrying, foaming on beneath some sudden shock. Here rippling playsome on the pebbl'd shore, Like fondling babe upon its mother's breast Here swoln to rage, with loud and angry roar Dashing its headlong stream, in vain represt Europ. Mag. Vol. LXXIV. Dec. 1818. gay, And frolicking in smiles, like youthful fair, Now like some matron's stern commanding sway Fantastic now, like elfin at his play Tossing thy waves in sport-What'eer thou art, Thy banks shall woo me still with fond delay, Young Love once more his brightest arrows dart, And the frail dreams of youth to life and being start. But we must desist, as we have already exceeded our limits, and reluc tantly take our leave of this delightful poem. There are two inaccuracies we shall venture to suggest. In the 6th line, 1st Spenserian stanza, a foot too short. In the 3d line, 3d Spenserian stanza, a foot too long. But we suppress. There are some detached poems pose this is a slight inadvertence in the at the end of the volume, which claim their meed of praise; particularly the "Lines to Napoleon," which are nervons and spirited. THE PAMPHLETEER. No. XXV. THE contents of the XXVth Num. ber of the Pamphleteer are as follows: 1. A Letter to Sir Samuel Romilly, M.P. from Henry Brougham, Esq. M.P. F.R.S. upon the abuse of Charities. In this letter, which has received the suffrages of the public so far as to carry it through nine editions, the author in a strain of highly temperate and candid reasoning, sets forth at once the causes and effects of the abuses of most of our charitable institutions, connected with education; at the same time that he suggests the means of restoring them, if not in all cases, according to the letter of the founder's testament, at least with full reference to the spirit of it, in so fair and unassuming a style, that he trusts he will be exonerated from the charge which appears to have 3 Y been made by one high in office, against those who have virtue enough to expend their time and talents in the service of such as can make them no recompense, and are often ignorant even of the nature of the services conferred upon them, “ that a great anxiety for the welfare of the poor is symptomatic of Jacobinism." II. North American Pamphlet on South American Affairs. This pamphlet is addressed to the President of the United States, by the author, who is the son of the late American Judge, Brackenridge, and who is at present officially employed in South America, by the American government. From such a source, where the oppor tunity of gaining information, however great, is only equal to the induce ment held out by considerations of interest to acquire it, every observation must be valuable, and the author's view of the subject will be found particularly agreeable to the English reader, as he is very willing to grant that whatever advantage the United States may derive from the emancipation of the Spanish Colonies, Great Britain will reap tenfold the proportion from the same event. III. Roman Catholic Principles, in reference to God and the King. First published in the Year 1680. By the Rev. John Kirk. This reprint of the Catholic Principles, is well timed at a juncture like this, when they are so perpetually alluded to, in consequence of the efforts that have been, and continue to be made for the emancipation of that great After body of our fellow-subjects. reading it with candour, we trust that there are not many of our readers who will be inclined to persist in the prejudices which are oftener continued in because they are found to be convenient, than that they are believed to be true. IV. Modern Maladies and Present State of Medicine-The Anniversary Oration before the Medical Society of London. By D. Uwins, M.D. 1818. This "Oration," the writer of it fears, may be found at once of a style "too lofty, and too low, too flourishing, and too familiar"-he might have extended his fears to the matter as well as the manner, which is at once too grave and too gay, too solid, and too superficial: his wit carries him away from matter of fact, and his science peeps out amidst his ridicule, like a spy upon the nakedness of the land. Altogether, however, he probably excited a hearty laugh among his colleagues, and if they can all make their patients laugh likewise, we do not know that grave faces and deep reasoning could produce a much better effect. V. Observations on the Impolicy, Abuses, and False Interpretation of the Poor Laws; and on the Reports of the Two Houses of Parliament. by John, Earl of Sheffield. The noble author of these Observations has, during the long period of forty-eight years, fulfilled the ardunes offices of magistrate and superintendant of the poor, in a manner as creditable and honourable to himself, as it has been beneficial to those who came within his jurisdiction. In laying befere the public the fruits of his long experience, he has conferred on it an additional service, and we trust bis remarks, particularly on the management of Work-houses, will meet with that attention from the legislature which they deserve. VI. Thoughts on the Expediency of Repealing the Usury Laws. By Edward Cooke, Esq. Middle Temple. In this Essay, Mr. Cooke gives an interesting view of what may be called the history of the laws against usury, in which he sufficiently proves, that they owe their origia to mistaken measures of policy, or erroneous scruples of conscience, arising from a false interpretation of precepts concerning the use of money, which could never have been meant by those who delivered them to be laid down as arbitrary guides of conduct throughout all the charges of time, and the fluctuations of circumstances. VII. Political Remarks on some French Works and Newspapers con cerning Hayti. Py the Baron de Vesy, Preceptor to H.R.H. the Prince Royal of Hayti. These interesting remarks have beca translated exclusively for the Pamphle teer, and cannot fail to be read with pleasure by all who revere the natural rights of man, in whatsoever shade of colour his complexion may happen to be cast. M. de Pradt's "Retections on the Colonies and present Revoid tions in America,” and M. Le Boyne de Boigne's "New System of Colonisation for St Domingo, of a commercial com pany to re-establish an intercourse be tween France and that island," are the works which have drawn forth from the Baron de Vastey, this most eloquent appeal and warning to the people of Hayti, to beware of the insidious overtures of a nation skilled in perfidy, and who having failed to crush them as open enemies, would work their ruin under the mask of friendship. The Baron likewise points out to the people of Hayti, in what degree of mental cultivation and commercial prosperity, their real happiness and greatness will be found to consist, and discovers in every part of his reasoning an enlarged mind, and a patriotic disposition. VIII. A Collection of Papers on Political Subjects. By the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart. These papers treat on the eligibility of founding a Colony at the Cape of Good Hope, on an extensive scale; on the renewal of the charter to the East India Company on the Bonding System; and on the Public Funds, particularly Bank Stock and when we say that they evince the same ability which has been so frequently displayed by the author on similar subjects, we conceive that we render them sufficient praise without further comment. IX. A letter to Henry Brougham, Esq. M P. from a Master of Arts, of Queen's College, Oxford, upon the best method of restoring decayed Grammar Schools. This letter is well worthy the attention not only of the able and active advocate to whom it is addressed, but also of the public at large, who are all inte rested in the grand question which it discusses; the writer has every claim on respect and notice, as giving us the actual result of his own labours in a praiseworthy effort to recover the rights of a public school in the south of England, for which it is probable he received little applause except that of his own conscience, as the rectifying of abuses is too often attributed to bad motives by such as have neither inclination nor energy enough to imitate that active virtue which, not being able to comprehend, they content themselves with endeavouring to decry. THEATRICAL JOURNAL. DECEMBER 4. DRURY-LANE. The mucceeded in producing a very HE managers of Drury-lane Thea attractive drama; and we now most sincerely hope that a succession of overflowing audiences will give a just return to the laudable efforts of the Committee and their Manager, to support this ancient and reputable concern. In Kean and Mrs. West, they have their due share of public attraction. We have never, indeed, seen Mrs. West in any comic character, but we understand that she has a merit in this line second only to her eminence in tragedy. In the latter, indeed, in many of her parts (those of dignity and the due representation of majesty), she is unquestionably great; and we are persuaded she has taste enough not to at tempt to shine in parts which do not équally suit her-tenderness and sweet ness. The new tragedy of "Brulus" attracis nightly such audiences it so well merits. It is from the pen of Mr. Howard Payne, a young gentleman of much actual merit, and of great future promise. We have annexed a sketch of the plot, which follows the story in the Roman History, but with a judicious softening of the more austere features of the monstrous act. The play opens at the camp of Ardea, near Rome, after the return of Brutus from Delphi, still wearing his idiot's guise. Tullia, the tyrant's wife, who drove her chariot over the dead body of her father, is disturbed by dreams and predictions. "The fall of Tarquin shall be effected by a fool." Such was the prophecy that roused her fears, of which the object is Lucius Junius Brutus. She sends for him, but is quieted by his seeming imbecility. The meinorable wager is now made at the camp, and Collatinus and the younger Tarquin set out instantly for Rome, to make trial of the excellence of their wives. They visit Lucretia-Sextus Tarquinius becomes enamoured - returns the next night alone, and by the infamy of his crime provokes the genius of Roman liberty and justice. Sextus, on his return, meets Brutus, and relates to him his infamous adven |