Italy, where the study of the remains of anti- | most independent of the adventitious advantages quity which those countries contain, has had of light and shade, and rests most securely on so powerful an influence upon the public taste. the intrinsic grandeur and solidity of its conThose who doubt the influence of the restoration struction. of the Parthenon, in improving the efforts of original genius in this country, reason in opposition not only to the experience of past times, in all the other departments of literature and art, but to all that we know of the causes to which the improvement of architecture itself has been owing.

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To say, that every people have an architecture of their own, and that the Gothic is irretrievably fixed down upon this island, is a position unwarranted either by reason authority. A nation is not bound to adhere to barbarous manners, because their ancestors were barbarous; nor is the character of their literature to be fixed by the productions of its earliest writers. It is by its works in the period of its meridian splendour, that the opinion of posterity is formed. The bow was once the national weapon of England, and to the skill with which it was used, our greatest victories have been owing; but that is no reason why it should be adhered to as the means of national defence after fire-arms have been introduced. If we must make something peculiar in the National Monument, let it be the peculiarity which distinguishes the period when architecture and the other fine arts have attained to their highest perfection, and not the period of their infancy. But the feudal and castellated forms arose during an age of ignorance and civil dissension. To compel us to continue that style as the national archi

It is no answer to this to say that drawings and prints of these edifices are open to all the world; and that an architect may study the proportions of the Parthenon as well in Stuart's Athens, as on the Calton Hill of Edinburgh. An acquaintance with drawings is limited to a small number, even in the most polished classes of society, and to the middling and lower orders is almost unknown; whereas, public edifices are seen by all the world, and obtrude themselves on the attention of the most inconsiderate. There are few persons who return from Greece or Italy, without a considerable taste for architectural beauty; but during the war, when travelling was impossible, the existence of Stuart's Athens and Piranesi's Rome produced no such effect. Our architects, during the war, had these admirable engravings constantly at their com-tecture, would be as absurd as to consider mand: but how wretched were their conceptions before the peace had afforded them the means of studying the originals! The extraordinary improvement which both the style of our buildings, and the taste of our people have received, since the edifices of France and Italy were laid open to so large a proportion of the country, demonstrates the superior efficacy of actual observation, to the study of prints, in improving the public taste for architectural beauty. The engravings never become an object of interest till the originals have been seen.

The recent attempts to introduce a new order of architecture in this island, demonstrate, that we have not as yet arrived at the point where the study of ancient models can be dispensed with. In the new street in front of Carlton House, every thing, which, if formed on the model of the antique, is beautiful; every thing in which novelty has been attended is a deformity. It is evident, that more than one generation must pass away, before architecture is so thoroughly understood as to admit of the former landmarks being disregarded.

Chaucer as the standard of English literature, or Duns Scotus as the perfection of Scotch eloquence. We do not consider the writers in the time of the Jameses as the model of our national literature. Why then should we confer that distinction on the architecture which arose out of the circumstances of the barbarous period?

For these reasons, we are compelled to differ from the noble author, whose very interesting essay on Grecian architecture has done so much to awaken the world to a sense of its excellencies, in regard to the expediency of restoring the Parthenon in the National Monument of Scotland. From the taste which his work exhibits, and from the obvious superiority which he possesses over ourselves in estimating the beauties of Grecian architecture, we drew the strongest argument in favour of such a measure. It was from a study of the ruins of ancient Greece, that Lord Aberdeen acquired the information and taste which he possesses on this subject, and gained the superiority which he enjoys over his untravelled countrymen. If they had the same The belief that a Grecian temple cannot means of visiting and studying the originals look beautiful, but in the climate and under which he has possessed, we should agree the sun of Athens, is a total mistake. The with him in thinking, that the genius of the clear atmosphere which prevails during the age should be directed to new combinations. frosts of winter, or in the autumnal months, But when this is not the case, we must be conin Scotland, is as favourable to the display of tent to proceed by slower degrees; and while architectural splendour, as the warm atmo- nineteen-twentieths of our people do not know sphere of Greece. The Melville monument in what the Parthenon is, and can perceive noSt. Andrew's Square appears nowise inferior thing remarkable in the finest models of archito the original in the Roman capitol. The tectural excellence, we must not think of gray and time-worn temples of Pæstum are forming new orders. It is enough if we can perhaps more sublime that the Grecian struc- make them acquainted with those which tures which still retain the brightness and already exist. The first step towards national lustre by which they were originally charac-excellence in the fine arts, is to feel the beauty terized. Of all the edifices which the genius of that which has already been done; the seof man ever conceived, the Doric temple is cond, is to excel it. We must take the first

step, before we attempt the second. Having | left. But till this is done, there is every realaid the foundation of national taste in archi- son to apprehend, that the efforts of our artists tecture, by restoring the finest model of antiquity on the situation of all others the best adapted for making its excellencies known, we shall be prepared to form new edifices, and possibly to surpass those which antiquity has

will be as ineffectual in obtaining true beauty, as the genius of our writers was in obtaining real excellence, until the restoration of the classic authors gave talent its true direction, and public taste an unexceptionable standard.

MARSHAL NEY.*

character and station in society. If they are, there is at least the safeguard against imposture, which arises from the facility with which they may be disavowed, and the certainty that no man of character would permit a spurious

THE memoirs connected with the French Revolution furnish an inexhaustible source of interesting discussion. We shall look in vain in any other period of history for the same splendid succession of events; for a phantasmagoria in which characters so illus-composition to be palmed upon the world as trious are passed before the view; or for individuals whose passions or ambition have exercised an equally important influence on human affairs. When we enter upon the era of Napoleon, biography assumes the dignity of history; the virtues and vices of individuals become inseparably blended with public measures; and in the memoirs of contemporary writers, we turn for the secret springs of those great events which have determined the fate of nations.

his writing. The Memoirs, therefore, of Bourrienne, Madame Junot, Savary, and many others, may be relied on as at least the admitted work of the persons whose names they bear, and as ushered into the world under the sanction and on the responsibility of living persons of rank or station in society.

There are other memoirs, again, of such extraordinary ability as at once to bear the stamp of originality and veracity on their very face. Of this description are Napoleon's memoirs, From the extraordinary interest, however, dictated to Montholon and Gourgaud; a work connected with this species of composition, which bears in every page decisive marks of has arisen an evil of no ordinary kind. Not the clear conceptions, lucid ideas, and tranchFrance only, but Europe at large, being in- ant sagacity of the Conqueror of Austerlitz satiable for works of this kind, an immense and Rivoli. Judging from internal evidence, number have sprung up of spurious origin, or we are disposed to rank these invaluable Medoubtful authority. Writing of memoirs has moirs much higher than the rambling and disbecome a separate profession. A crowd of cursive, though interesting work of Las Casas. able young men devote themselves to this fas- They are not nearly so impassioned or rancinating species of composition, which pos- corous; facts are not so obviously distorted; sesses the interest of history without its dry-party spirit is not so painfully conspicuous. ness, and culls from the book of Time only the most brilliant of its flowers. Booksellers engage in the wholesale manufacture, as a mercantile speculation; an attractive name, an interesting theme, is selected; the relations of the individuals whose memoirs are professed to be given to the world, are besought to furnish a few original documents or authentic anecdotes, to give an air of veracity to the composition; and at length the memoirs are ushered forth to the world as the work of one who never wrote one syllable of them himself. Of this description are the soi-disant Memoirs of Fouché, Robespierre, Une Femme de Qualite, Louis the Eighteenth, and many others, which are now admitted to be the work of the manufacturers for the Parisian booksellers, but are nevertheless interspersed with many authentic and interesting anecdotes, derived from genuine sources, and contain inject, whether of civil or military administraconsequence much valuable matter for future history.

In considering the credit due to any set of memoirs, one main point, of course, is, whether they are published by a living author of

With regret, we must add, that even these genuine memoirs, dictated by Napoleon himself, as the groundwork for the history of his achievements, contain the marks of the weaknesses as well as the greatness of his mind; an incessant jealousy of every rival who approached even to his glory; an insatiable passion for magnifying his own exploits; a disregard of truth so remarkable in a person gifted with such extraordinary natural sagacity, that it can be ascribed only to the poisonous moral atmosphere which a revolution produces. The Memoirs of Thibaudeau perhaps exhibit the most valuable and correct, as well as favourable picture of the emperor's mind. In the discussions on the great public measures which were submitted to the Council of State at Paris, and, above all, in the clear and luminous speeches of Napoleon on every sub

tion, that occurred during his consulship, is to be found the clearest proof of the vast grasp and great capacity of his mind; and in their superiority to those of the other speakers, and, above all, of Thibaudeau himself, the best evidence of the fidelity of his reports. Paris, Fournier; Londres, E. Bull, 1833. Blackwood's Thibaudeau, we are inclined to place those of Next in value to those of Napoleon and

Memoires du Maréchal Ney, publiés par sa Famille.

Magazine, Oct. 1833.

and papers in their possession; and the anecdotes with which they are interspersed have plainly been collected with great pains from all the early friends of that illustrious warrior. If they are not published, therefore, under the sanction of personal, they are under that of family responsibility, and may be regarded, as we would say in England, as "the Ney Papers," connected together by an interesting biography of the character to whom they refer.

Bourrienne and the Duchess of Abrantes. The first of these writers, in addition to consider able natural talents, enjoyed the inestimable advantage of having been the school-fellow of Napoleon, and his private secretary during the most interesting period of his life; that which elapsed from the opening of his Italian Campaign, in 1796, to his accession to the throne in 1804. If Bourrienne could be entirely relied on, his Memoirs, with such sources of information, would be invaluable; but unfortunately, it is evident that he labours under In such a production, historical impartiality a feeling of irritation at his former school- cannot be reasonably expected. To those of fellow, which renders it necessary to take his his family who still mourn the tragic end of statements with some grains of allowance. the bravest of French heroes, his character Few men can forgive the extraordinary and must still be the object of veneration. Failunlooked-for elevation of their former equals; ings which would have been acknowledged, and, in addition to this common source of pre- defects which would have been pointed out, if judice, it is evident that Bourrienne labours he had descended to an honoured tomb, are under another and a less excusable feeling. forgotten in his melancholy fate; and his It is plain, even from his own admission, that family, with hearts ulcerated at the supposed he had been engaged in some money transac-injustice and perhaps real illegality of his tions of a doubtful character with M. Ouvrard, condemnation, are rather disposed to magnify which rendered his continuing in the highly confidential situation of private secretary to the emperor improper; and his dismissal from it has evidently tinged his whole narrative with a certain feeling of acrimony, which, if it has not made him actually distort facts, has at least caused them to appear in his hands through a medium coloured to a certain degree.

his character into that of a martyr, than acknowledge its alliance with any of the weaknesses or faults of mortality. In such feelings, there is not only every thing that is natural, but much that is commendable; and the impartial foreigner, in reviewing the history of his achievements, will not forget the painful sense of duty under which the British government acted at the close of his career, or the mournful feelings with which the axe of justice was permitted to descend on one of the bravest of the human race, under the feeling-whether right or not it is the province of history to inquire-of imperious state necessity.

The Duchess of Abrantes, like most of the other annalists of Napoleon, labours under prepossessions of a different kind. She was intimate with Napoleon from his childhood; her mother had the future emperor on her knee from the day of his birth; and the intimacy between the two families continued so Marshal Ney was born at Sarrelouis, on the great, that when Napoleon arrived at the age 10th January, 1769; consequently, he was of twenty-six, and felt, as he expresses it, the twenty years old when the Revolution first "besoin de se fixer," he actually proposed for broke out. His father was an old soldier, who the duchess's mother himself, who was a per- had served with distinction at the battle of son of great natural attractions, while he Rosbach; but after his discharge, he contiwished at the same time to arrange a mar-nued the profession of a cooper, to which he riage between Joseph and the duchess, and had been early educated. At school, his son, Pauline and her brother. It may readily be imagined that, though these proposals were all declined, they left no unfavourable impression on the duchess's mind; and this, coupled with her subsequent marriage to Junot, and his rapid advancement by the emperor, has filled her mind with an admiration of his character almost approaching to idolatry. She sees every thing, in consequence, in the consular and imperial government, in the most favourable colours. Napoleon is worshipped with all a woman's fervour, and the days of triumph for the Grand Army looked back to as a dream of glory, which has rendered all the remainder of life worthless and insipid.

the young Ney, evinced the turbulent vigour of his disposition, and the future general was incessantly occupied in drilling and directing his comrades. Napoleon gave tokens of the same disposition at an equally early period: there is no turn of mind which so early evinces itself as a taste for military achievements. He was at first destined for a notary's office; but in spite of the earnest entreaties of his parents, he resolved to change his profession. At the age of fifteen, our author gives the following interesting account of the circumstances which led to his embracing the profession of arms.

"So early as when he was fifteen, Ney had The Memoirs of Marshal Ney appear under a presentiment of his future destiny. His different auspices from any others which have father, incapable alike of estimating his powyet appeared regarding this eventful era. They ers, or sharing his hopes, in vain endeavoured do not profess to have been written by him- to restrain him. The mines of Assenwider at self; and, indeed, the warlike habits, and that period were in full activity; he sent his sudden and tragic death of the marshal, pre-son there, to endeavour to give a new direcclude the possibility of their being ushered tion to his thoughts. It had quite an opposite forth to the world under that character, But, effect. His imagination soon resumed its on the other hand, they are unquestionably wonted courses. He dreamed only of fields published by his family, from the documents of battle, combats and glory. The counsels

H

of his father, the tears of his mother, were go on as you have begun, you will make your alike ineffectual: they lacerated without mov- fortune.' 'Perfectly, marshal,' replied his old ing his heart. Two years passed away in this commander; 'I had the honour to command manner; but his taste for arms became every a man infinitely my superior. Such good forday more decided. The places where he tune is not easily forgotten.' dwelt, contributed to strengthen the natural bent of his genius. Almost all the towns on the Rhine are fortified; wherever he went, he saw garrisons, uniforms, and artillery. Ney could withstand it no longer; he resigned his humble functions, and set out for Metz, where a regiment of hussars was stationed, with the intention of enlisting. The grief which he well knew that sudden determination would cause to his mother, the chagrin which it would occasion to his father, agitated his mind; he hesitated long what to do, but at length filial piety prevailed over fear, and he returned to Sarrelouis to embrace his parents, and bid them adieu.

"Quick in repressing excesses, the marshal omitted nothing to prevent them. A private soldier in early life, he had himself felt the sufferings endured by the private soldier, and when elevated to a higher station he did his utmost to assuage them in others. He knew that the soldier, naturally just and grateful to those who watched over his interests, was difficult to manage when his complaints were neglected, and it was evident that his superiors had no sympathy for his fatigues or his priva-The circumstances in which it occurred might tions. Ney was sincerely attached to those great masses, which, though composed of men of such different characters, were equally ready every day to meet dangers and death in the discharge of duty. At that period our