regaled with great splendour by the father of the bride, one of the richest men in the Peninsula, Not only were the tables loaded with plate of silver and gold filled with the choicest dainties, but the very floors were covered with costly carpets. At the hour of dinner, Viriatus, with his lance in hand, without which he never appeared, entered the room. Casting an angry glance at the magnificence around him, he advanced to the table, and in a standing posture rapidly despatched his bread and flesh, while the guests were abandoned to epicurean indulgence. He then received the hand of the maiden according to the rites of the country; but the moment the ceremony was concluded, he took her in his arms, mounted his horse, and galloped to the mountains, where his followers were encamped."

We must also find space for a word in favour of king Abderahman, who reigned about the year 756, and who, among other brilliant exploits, has the honour of being the first person who introduced the palm-tree into Spain.

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"He is said to have been the first who transplanted the palm into the congenial climate of Spain; and by the Arabic poets of that country much credit is given him for amiable feeling while contemplating that graceful tree. Beautiful palm they represent him as saying, thou art, like me, a stranger in these places; but the western breezes kiss thy branches, thy roots strike into a fertile soil, and thy head rises into a pure sky like me, too, wouldst thou weep, if thou hadst the same cares; but thou fearest not the chances of evil to which I am exposed. Before the cruelty of Abul Abbas banished me from my native land, my tears often bedewed thy kindred plants of the Euphrates; but neither they nor the river remember my grief. Beautiful palm! thou canst not regret thy country!

:

There is one class of critics who miss no opportunity of setting forth an opinion that L. E. L. is writing too much. How the idea got into their no-heads we cannot say; as little can we guess with whom the notion originated-certainly not with any one who has impartially read her last two or three productions. They take it for granted, that because one book treads on the heels-we beg pardon, brushes the wings, of another, that none of them can be good for much. Rapidity is surely no proof of rubbish. Let them read, and be convinced. Let the sage admonitors of L. E. L. look, for example, at her Easter Gift, with its beautiful set of plates, and poetical accompaniments, worthy of them and of their subjects. It is a "religious offering" on the altar of poetry, and will assuredly be accepted. It is fragrant with the true feeling of inspired verseit contains hallowed harmonies. They were written, we are told, "in a spirit of the deepest humility, but whose fear is not of this world."" L. E. L assures us that she is herself "the better for their existence," and

wishes that their effect" may be the same on others." We cordially join in the wish, and present our honest thanks (if they are worth her acceptance) for the sweet, and even solemn tone of feeling which they inspired in us as we read. Her poems must be ranked among the best specimens of sacred verse in the language, and she has again, therefore, entered upon a new field only to acquire new honour. Here is an exquisite passage from "The Flight into Egypt."

A glorious landscape-clear as faith, the sky
Hath only sunshine, and the few bright clouds
Are turned to golden shadows. Stately trees
Do mock the last year's memory—so green,
So full of life and summer are their leaves,
That fading seems impossible. The stream
Winds peacefully between its pastoral banks,
Where surely care comes not, and scarcely toil;
An earth so fertile, that the sun and air
Are the sole labourers."

"How often on life's rough and weary path
Do we sink fainting, with one only prayer,
'Now help us or we perish,' on our lips.
And never was this uttered earnestly,
But that it has been answered: though no more
His shining messengers walk visible
On this unworthy earth; yet to our call
Doth the Almighty still vouchsafe reply,
And holy hopes arise within the heart."'

"Hagar and Ishmael," is one of the truest pearls of poetry in the volume-a stream of exquisite feeling-to quote its own words, a little fountain Pure, cold, as those whose crystal hoard Is in some pine-clad mountain."

The "Infant St. John" is another perfect gem. But the "Magdalen" is even of a higher character; touchingly beautiful in its language, and in the feeling that pervades it throughout. This is scarcely equalled by the "Incredulity of St. Thomas," which, however, is sufficiently characterized by beauty, as to awaken some regret that we can only find space for a brief passage from it-part of a description of Spring

"But now the wheat and grass are green, therein The grasshopper and lark their nests begin; The purple clover round them, like a bower: Now doth the apple-tree put forth its flower, Lined with faint crimson; the laburnum bends 'Neath the bright gold that from each bough descends.

Her graceful foliage forth the ash has flung; The aspen trembles are its leaves so young That the sweet wind doth scare them, though it bear

No ruder breath than flowers breathe through the air?

A lulling sound, where thyme and wild-heaths blow,

Tells that the bee bath there its Mexico.

Again we thank L. E. L. for her "Offering," and for this new proof of the extra

ordinary powers that we are so frequently and so irresistibly called upon to admire. Of the plates that add to the charm of this volume, we hardly know which are new, probably they have all appeared before, but certainly never under such captivating auspices. In short, the “ Offering”" deserves not only to lie on every lady's table, but to be very frequently in the fair hands of the owner of the table. No reader should be quite satisfied, until she has learned at least four of the poems by heart.

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We have much pleasure in recommending to readers of all ranks, but particularly to the young, a small, neat, well-filled volume, called, The Christian Philosopher, by William Martin. It is an attempt to blend "religious feeling with philosophical knowledge," and traverses the circle of natural history, and the elements of physics, tracing and pointing out in all the directing and beneficent hand that originated them. In carrying this scheme into effect, Mr. Martin has becomingly avoided every thing that might appear too abstruse, or beyond the comprehension of the young mind; while he has omitted nothing that might tend to enlarge and entertain it. The several treatises on Astronomy, Zoology, Geography, Botany, Chemistry, &c., are written with clearness and perspicuity; but Mr. Martin has not only compressed an extraordinary degree of information into his volume, but has enriched it with several poetical illustrations, that evince both feeling and fancy. The volume is a satisfactory evidence of the varied abilities and extensive acquirements of the author.

We were considerably puzzled on being called upon to give an opinion of a New Treatise on the Game of Chess, by George Walker. We are not chess-players; and might as reasonably therefore sail in quest of the longitude. But we have taken the opinion of a counsel learned in the science, and are assured that Mr. Walker's treatise is an excellent one, and that even the more erudite and expert professors of chess may derive a hint or two from it for their future guidance.

The Album Wreath, to which we paid our tribute of acknowledgment a month or two since, continues on its course with every sign not only of deserving, but of obtaining success. In the additional numbers that have reached us, we perceive the same seductive hues in the paper, the same graceful and fanciful borderings, the same tasteful selections, and pretty original contributions in prose and verse, that were discernible in the first leaves of the Wreath.

We close our review of Novelties this month with a glance at one of the most agreeable of them-a book written on the female character by one who perfectly understands it. Its title is Woman, in her Social and Domestic Character, by Mrs. John

Sandford. It traces, in a much narrower space than might be supposed, the various causes of female influence-the importance of literary cultivation, and of religion-female influence on religion-the "defects" of woman-her romance, her education, and lastly, her duties. All this is not only elegantly written, but is evidently the work of a mind which education and moral feeling have qualified to speak upon the subject, and which is animated by a sincere wish to bring out the brighter points in the character of her sex, and to place it in a more estimable and exalted light, than it has been the aim of some writers to accomplish. We select a few sentences, from the many felicitous ones that are scattered through the book, to show the style and point, the gracefulness of thought and expression, that distinguish their amiable writer.

"We do not like to see a woman affecting tremors, but still less do we like to see her acting the Amazon. A really sensible woman feels her dependence."

"Elegance is poetry in action. Imagination may paint the heroine deficient in beauty, but never in elegance. It is this which diffuses, as it were, a halo round woman.'

"The female pedant appears in a disordered dress, and with inky fingers; and fancies that the further she is removed from feminine grace, the nearer she approaches to manly vigour. And we cannot wonder that, with such examples, men should prefer proficients in housewifery to smatterers in science."

"We are never so likely to be conceited as when we estimate our proficiency solely by the number of our acquirements."

"There is a mistake with regard to languages into which women sometimes fall. They imagine that they cannot know too many tongues; and they forget that it is chiefly as a key to literature that these are valuable."

"Censorship is always severe on female talent, and not unfrequently is a woman prejudged a slattern, because reputed a genius."

"A woman may as well be without heart as without religion; and few men, however irreligious themselves, but would shrink from impiety in her."

A low estimate of female pretensions is certainly not the fault of the present day. Women are, perhaps, sometimes in danger of being spoilt; but they cannot complain that they are little valued."

"To inconstancy of opinion, though not of affection, women are, it is to be feared, somewhat liable."

"Romance is, indeed, the charm of female character. Without it no woman can be interesting; and though its excess is a weakness, and one which receives but little indulgence, there is nothing truly generous or disinterested, which does not imply its existence."

"One would rather, almost, that a woman were ever so romantic, than that she always thought, and felt, and spoke by rule."

"A woman must be domestic. Her heart must be at home."

THE KING'S THEATRE.

THE length of one or two papers unavoidably reserved for insertion this month, renders it necessary that we should limit our theatrical notice to a mere record of some of the novelties. These are various, both as respects new pieces and new performers. Giulietta e Romeo introduced Madame Grandolfi, but, we regret to say, with no great advantage to the company; but in the ballet department we have a decided acquisition in Brugnoli and Samengo. Brugnoli, if not equally fascinating with Taglioni, may be pronounced equally skilful. A new ballet, entitled L'Anneau Magique, delighted us with some incomparably graceful groupings, and splendid scenic effects.

vive in the wreck of matter. We have no hesitation in saying-indeed the whole town is saying the same thing— that The Hunchback of Mr. Knowles is worthy of the most golden days of the English drama, and that it will take its place among the permanent treasures of our literature. It is "an entire and perfect chrysolite." To attempt a description of it, or of any particular scene, would lead us too far; we must content ourselves with echoing the unanimous voices of our cotemporaries, and the several delighted audiences that have witnessed it; and with presenting our most hearty and grateful thanks to Sheridan Knowles, for all the pleasures that we owe to him, and particularly for this last-the greatest of all. Of his own acting, we may say with justice, that it was earnest and intellectual; and had there been less of merit in it than there is, we should have felt his mere presence upon the stage, on the occasion of the production of so noble a play, a charm that more than compensated for the want of theatrical efficiency. Of Miss Kemble, the universal opinion is also ours-that she burst upon the audience with as much freshness and surprising fascination as on the first evening of her performance. Never since that first night has she produced the effect which attends every representation of the exquisite Julia. She astonished, as much as she charmed us. To her, and to all, we tender our warm congratulations.

As The Hunchback is published, every reader has an opportunity of studying its beauties line by line. We recommend every body to see Fanny Kemble's Julia; and they will then want no inducement, if the name of Mr. Knowles should be insufficient, to peruse a play, every line of which breathes the inspired music of poetry, and the holy charm of natural sentiment and passion. It is a play that puts us in good humour with our species, and makes us not only admire, but even love the author of it.

Mrs. Granville claims the merit of introducing, for the first time in the metropolis, the Monferina, the national dance of the Lombard peasants. This dance is by far more delightful than either the Mazourka, or the Galoppe, and likely to become a great favourite.

Lady St. Vincent is about to give two musical soirées, which are to be enlivened with the original compositions of her daughter, the Hon. Miss Jervis.

Arrivals from Paris announce that the French government has removed all the quarantine restrictions affecting commerce.

The late Mr. Crabbe has left, in MSS., poems to fill at least two volumes. Mr. Rogers is men. tioned as likely to superintend the publication of his venerable friend's literary remains.

His Majesty has appointed the Rev. Daniel Wilson, M. A., to the Bishoprick of Calcutta, vacant by the decease of the Right Rev. Dr. Turner.

A great number of the persons who have died from cholera in Paris, were far above the station which has been particularly attacked here.

Mr. Richard Lander, who has returned to town from Liverpool, will take his departure for Africa in June, when it is his intention to proceed up the Niger in a flat-bottomed boat, accompanied by a number of the natives well armed.

His Majesty has granted a permission to St. Aubrey de Vere Hunt, Bart., to use the surname, and bear the arms of De Vere only.

Her Imperial Highness, the Grand Duchess of Tuscany died at Pisa, on the 24th of last month, after a tedious illness. Her Highness was in the thirty-third of her age, and was married to the Grand Duke in November, 1817. She was daughter of Prince Maximilian, brother to the present King of Saxony, and has left behind her three children, all females.

A Grand Bazaar and Fancy Fair will take place next month in aid of the funds of the Charing Cross Hospital, at the mansion and pleasure grounds of Mr. Penn, Spring Garden Terrace, where a similar interesting entertainment was given in the spring of 1830.

The French have discovered a new designation for Signor Paganini-he is styled the Rothschild of Fiddlers.

Accounts from Paris state, that, in consequence of the alarm about the cholera, trade of every description was almost in a state of stagnation. Several of the English families had left for Geneva.

Theextraordinary success of Sheridan Knowles's play of the Hunchback, has already produced that genuine English dramatist proffers of engagements in various parts of the kingdom. Mr. Knowles ought to clear £2,000 by his play, when

we consider that he is himself performing it. No reward can exceed its deserts.

The remains of the celebrated musician, Clementi, are deposited in the south cloisters of Westminster Abbey, adjoining the grave of the eminent composer, Shield.

It is said that the receipts of the King's Theatre have fallen very much beneath the expectations of Mr. Monk Mason, who is at this moment a loser to the amount of several thousand pounds by the speculation.

Her Majesty's brother, the reigning Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, is treading in the steps of his royal brother-in-law, and has directed his Cabinet to lay before the States a project for amending the mode of election and rights of the elective body.

Report affirms that Beazley has undertaken to contract the area of Drury Lane, so that it may be extended at a few hours' notice, to meet any extraordinary occasion.

Mr. E. L. Bulwer has given notice, that on Thursday, May the 31st, he shall move for leave to bring in a bill to allow the free performance of the Drama at the Minor Theatres.

A letter from Turin announces the death of the Dowager Queen of Sardinia.

Malibran has taken the name of her husband, and is singing in public as Madame de Bériot.

The illustrious Goethe is no more. By his will it is provided, that until the year 1850 his apartments are to be continued in their present state, and that none of the literary and scientific treasures he has collected shall be disposed of until that period.

The following are among the last victims to Cholera in Paris:-Prince Castelcicala, the Ambassador from Naples; the Baroness Delaitre; the Marchioness d'Etampes; the son of M. de Schonen, Member of the Chamber of Deputies; Madame Letoublon, mother-in-law of M. Baude, late Prefect of the Seine; M. Lange, Commissary of Police, and his wife.

It has been stated that it is not intended by the Government to propose any alteration in the Newspaper Stamp and Advertisement duties during the present year.

Lieut-General Sir Rufane Donkin, G.C.B., is about to form a matrimonial connexion with the

accomplished sister of the Earl of Minto, the Lady Anna Maria Elliott: and Miss Hervey, daughter to Lady Freemantle, and sister of the late Sir Felton Harvey, is about to give her hand to the Marquis of Aylesbury.

Lady Mary Paget, youngest daughter of the Marquess of Anglesey, is about to bestow her hand on the eldest son of Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart. K. C. B.; and it is rumoured that the second daughter of Mr. Williams Wynn is about to give her hand to Mr. Gascoigne.

BIRTHS.

OF SONS. The Lady of Langham Christie, Esq.-The Lady of Major the Hon. George Keppel (of twins, son and daughter)-The Lady of Wm. Lytton Bulwer, Esq.-The Lady of N. Johnston, jun. Esq.-The lady of J. Cowie, Esq. -The Lady of the Rev. A. P. Clayton.-The Lady of J. Davis, Esq.-The Lady of J. D.Thomson, Esq.-The Lady of S. Davies, Esq.- Lady Caroline Capel.-Lady Elizabeth Drummond -The Lady of G. D. Cumming, Esq.—The Lady of A. G. Stapleton, Esq.-The Lady of A. Akers, Esq.

OF DAUGHTERS.-The Lady of R.T. Goodwin, Esq.-The Lady of A. Vansittart, Esq.-The Lady of Capt. R. Hawley.-The Lady of J. A. Hawkes, Esq.-The Lady of J. Laurie, Esq.-The Lady of Sir Robert Peel, Bart.-Lady Janet Walroad.The Lady of A. Elphinstone, Esq. (twins)—The Lady of J. Luke, Esq.-The Lady of F. Gregg, Esq.

MARRIAGES.

At St. Margaret's, Westminster, LieutColonel J. Geddes, to Miss Magdelina Hessing, of Stockwell, Surrey, daughter of the late Colo. nel G. W. Hessing.

At St. Margaret's, Westminster, Captain G. Smith, of the East India Company's Service, to Mary Anne, eldest daughter of the late John Smith Braine, Esq.

At St. Mary's, Bryanston-square, Lieutenant J. Small, R. N., to Fanny, second daughter of E. Horton, Esq., of Baker-street, Portmansquare.

At Mary-le-bone, Colonel Berkeley Drummond, to Maria, daughter of the late William Arthur Crosbie, Esq.

At St. Omer's, in France, J. S. Wetenhall, Esq., to Eliza Emily, daughter of the Hon. John and late Lady Louisa Rodney.

At Poonah, Bombay, Capt. Harcourt Master, of his Majesty's 4th Light Dragoons, to Christine, youngest daughter of R. Hunter, Esq., late of Kew.

At Brighton, Joseph H. Nash, Esq., second son of John Nash, Esq., of Tunbridge Wells, to Emily, eldest daughter of T. H. Wright, Esq., of the Royal Colonnade, Brighton.

At Mitcham, F. H. Bloxam, Esq., of Morden, to Laura Elizabeth, youngest daughter of William Hodgson, Esq, of Mitcham, Surrey.

At Lancaster, Charles Parr Montagu, Esq., son of Basil Montagu, Esq., to Miss Clark, the daughter of J. Clark, Esq., of Cross Hall, in the same county.

At St. George's, Hanover-square, the Hon. Samuel Hay, brother of the Earl of Erroll, to Louisa, only daughter of the Hon. Captain P. Bouverie, R. N.

At Fareham, Captain R. K. Hill, 52d Light

Infantry, to Jane Margaret, eldest daughter of Vice-Admiral Halkett.

At Aston, Herts, J. W. Smith, Esq., of Gray's Inn, to Margaret Anne, eldest daughter of W. Hudson, Esq., of Frogmore Lodge, Herts.

At St. George's, Bloomsbury, John Curtis, Esq., of Hunter-street, Brunswick-square, to Sarah, youngest daughter of Benjamin Hawes, Esq., of Russell-square.

At St. James's church, J. B. Crampern, Esq., of Jermyn-street, to Jane, eldest daughter of the late J. Banister, Esq., of St. James's-place.

At Remenham, Berkshire, J. M. Green, Esq.. of Torrington-square, to Louisa Elizabeth, eldest daughter of R. Graham, Esq.

At Hunsdon, Henry Warre, Esq., to Mary, third daughter of N. Calvert, Esq., M. P., of Hunsdon-house, Herts.

Richard Reece, Esq., son of the late Dr. Reece, to Cora Georgina, daughter of the late Colonel T. Cowper, Bombay Engineers.

At Little Berkhampstead, Herts, Benjamin Fuller, Esq., of Germains, in Buckinghamshire, to Charlotte, eldest daughter of the late John Stratton, Esq.

The Rev. G. W. Straton, second son of the late General Straton and Lady Emily Straton, to Elinor Katherine, eldest daughter of R. Norman, Esq., and Lady Elizabeth Norman.

At Hughenden, Sir Wm. L. Young, Bart., 8th Hussars, to Caroline, daughter of J. Norris, of Hughenden, Bucks.

DEATHS.

At Earl's-terrace, Kensington, in the 25th year of her age, the Lady Henrietta Ann, wife of Charles Knight Murray, Esq., and sister of the Earl of Rothes.

At Shipton-under-Wychwood, Elizabeth Phillimore, second daughter of the late Rev. Joseph Phillimore.

Miss Wynyard, of Park-street, Grosvenor

square.

At Northbrook, near Farnham, E. Hambrough, Esq., aged 41.

At Bordeau House, Hants, Grace Caroline, the infant daughter of Major and Lady Maria Saunderson.

In Osnaburg-street, Regent's-park, Mrs. S. Lowther, aged 87.

George Munro, Esq., of Charlton, Kent. At Brighton, the Hon. Caroline Anne Hughes, daughter of Lord Dinorben.

At Portsmouth, Sir George Garrett, aged 61. At Isleworth, in the 69th year of his age, Mr. H. T. Hodgson, of Wimpole-street.

In Connaught-square, Helen Crofton, the infant daughter of C. Gore, Esq.

At Newbold-hall, Warwickshire, Lady Skipwith, relict of Sir Thomas Skipwith, Bart.