they had accorded from politeness, and receive their respectful attentions and cordial services, as expressions of homage, due to the courage, wealth, and power of the British nation;-when the simplicity of their manners, their frugality, the spareness of their diet, the peculiarities of their dress, and their religious prejudices were made the subjects of derision and ridicule ;-when they witnessed scenes of brutal intoxication, and were occasionally exposed to vulgar insult, from uneducated and overbearing Englishmen ;--when, I say, all this occurred, they began to examine our individual titles to their esteem; they were, often, very soon disenchanted; and the spirit which we had awakened in them, manifested itself in various acts of neglect, rudeness, and even resentment.

One element of the pleasure which the author and his messmates enjoyed while they were on their way to join the army, was the entire novelty of all the scenes and circumstances about them; we doubt not, many of the soldiers were murmuring at those very things which their officers enjoyed with the highest relish. As they advanced on their march, the heat became so intense, that it was necessary to repose during the day, and proceed only when the sun had withdrawn his intolerable beams. But this change of day into night, and all the various wants and difficulties incident to their situation, were made sources of pleasure.

With a small advanced guard I entered Golegão at the head of the regiment just as early matin-bell was summoning the inhabitants to prayers. The attendance on public worship throughout Spain and Portugal is extremely regular, and no occupation, or manner of life, is suffered to interfere with this sacred duty. To mass go the muleteers before they load their train; and from the door of the chapel the peasants sally forth to their daily labours. The very changing of night into day, a measure rendered necessary by the extreme heat, carried with it the charm of novelty. I was well lodged, and hospitably treated, in an humble but clean cottage, and with the night again set forward.

We bivouacked daily. It is a pleasing sight to ered so far as to be pronounced out of dansee a column arrive at its halting ground. The ger; but was still so feeble that he was camp is generally marked out, if circumstances ordered to return to Lisbon. This journey allow of it, on the edge of some wood, and near a river or stream. columns, arms piled, picquets and guards paraded rival at Lisbon he suffered a relapse, which The troops are halted in open was uncomfortable enough, and after his arand posted, and, in two minutes, all appear at confined him for six weeks to his bed. He home. Some fetch large stones to form fire-places; again recovered, rejoined his regiment, others hurry off with canteens and kettles for water, which formed a part of Gen. Hill's corps, while the wood resounds with the blows of the bill- and soon after found himself with his regihook. Dispersed, under the more distant trees, you see the officers, some dressing, some arranging went, on the right of Wellington's army, a few boughs to shelter them by night; others on the Sierra de Buzaco. kindling their own fires; while the most active are seen returning from the village, laden with bread, walked to the verge of the mountain on which we My regiment had no sooner piled arms, than I or, from some flocks of goats, feeding near us, with lay, in the hope that I might discover something of a supply of new milk. How often, under some and fuel, have I taken up my lodging for the night; ished sight. Far as the eye could stretch, the glitspreading cork-tree, which offered shade, shelter, the magnificent scene which burst upon my astonthe enemy. Little, however, was I prepared for and here, or by some gurgling stream, my bosom tering of steel, and clouds of dust raised by cavalry fanned by whatever air was stirring, made my care- and artillery, proclaimed the march of a countless less toilet, and sat down with men I both liked and esteemed, to a coarse, but wholesome meal, sea- those precipitous heights, on which I stood, their army; while, immediately below me, at the feet of simplicity of this life I found most pleasing. An were already halted in their bivouacks, and colsoned by hunger and by cheerfulness. The rude picquets were already posted: thousands of them enthusiastic admirer of nature, I was glad to move and dwell amid her grandest scenes, remote from reposed upon the ground allotted to them, and umn too after column, arriving in quick succession, cities, and unconnected with what is called society. swelled the black and enormous masses. Her mountains, her forests, and, sometimes, her numbers of the enemy were, at the lowest calculabare and bladeless plains, yielded me a passing tion, seventy-five thousand, and this host formed in brow, and allayed my thirst. The inconvenience rear of their left, at a more considerable distance, home: her rivers, streams, and springs, cooled my three distinct and heavy columns; while to the of one camp taught me to enjoy the next; and I learned (a strange lesson for the thoughtless) that you might see a large encampment of their cavalry, wood and water, shade and grass, were luxuries. Ied with their train, their ambulance, and their comand the whole country behind them seemed coveragain each morning in all his majesty, and I felt after an evening passed in very interesting and anisaw the sun set every evening: I saw him rise missariat.***I returned slowly to the line; and, that my very existence was a blessing. Strange, mated conversation, though we had neither baggage indeed, to observe how soon men, delicately brought nor fires, we lay down, rolled in our cloaks, and up, can inure themselves to any thing a blanket, or a cloak, the head reclining on a stone and the sky for our canopy, slept, or thought away Wrapt in with the stone surface of the mountain for our bed, or a knapsack, covered by the dews of night, or the night. Two hours before break of day, the drenched perhaps by the thunder shower, sleeps line was under arms; but the two hours glided by many a youth, to whom the carpetted chamber, the rapidly and silently. At last, just as the day dawncurtained couch, and the bed of down, have been ed, a few distant shots were heard on our left, and from infancy familiar. were soon followed by the discharge of cannon, and the quick, heavy, and continued roll of musketry. We received orders to move, and support the troops attacked: the whole of Hill's corps, amounting to fourteen thousand men, was thrown into open column, and moved to its left in steady double quick, and in the highest order. ***

But the scene soon changed; the regiment arrived within reach of the army, and began to learn something of the realities of

war.

The

As we passed out of the town, we saw several officers, men, and horses, of the heavy brigade of in wretched condition, and the men looked sickly. just repulsed a column, was retiring in line, with the We were halted exactly in rear of that spot, British cavalry, stationed there. The cattle were from which the seventy-fourth regiment, having Both officers and privates were very ill dressed, and most beautiful regularity, its colours all torn with their brown and shapeless hats had a most unmili- shot. Here a few shells flew harmlessly over our tary appearance. Whoever had seen these regi-line, but we had not the honour of being engaged. ments in England; in pale, sallow-looking men, The first wounded man I ever beheld in the field, and skeleton horses, would hardly have recognized was carried past me at this moment: he was a fine the third Dragoon Guards and fourth Dragoons, young Englishman, in the Portuguese service, and two corps enjoying, and deservedly, a well-earned lay helplessly in a blanket, with both his legs shatname. Thus, oftentimes, on actual service, van- tered by canon-shot. ishes all that brilliancy which has won the heart drops of perspiration stood on his manly forehead; He looked pale, and big and fixed the choice of so many a youth, and which but he spoke not-his agony appeared unutterable. appeared so gay and attractive on crowded es- I secretly wished him death; a mercy, I believe, planades at home. * * * that was not very long withheld.

This march, and the following, our route, which passed by Punhete to Abrantes, led us often for miles along the banks of the Tagus, and through villages built on the very edge of the river. A clear bright silver moon lighted our silent path; not a lamp burning in any of the cottages; not a human voice to be heard; not a sound, save the dull tread of our weary men, and the gentle tone in which the waters told their ceaseless flow. The moon-beams which played upon the bright arms of our gallant soldiers, shone also on the glistening nets of the peaceful fisherman, which hung spread upon the rocks, near his deserted bark. All within these humble dwellings was repose, and their happy inmates slumbered sweetly, unconscious that the tide of war (harmless and friendly indeed to them, yet bearing on its wave not only youth, ambition, and courage, but, perhaps, even ferocity and crime) rolled, in the dead of night, past the vine-clad walls The autumnal season, in Estremadura, is proverof their defenceless cots. The town of Abrantes bially unhealthy, and numbers of the inhabitants is well situated; it stands lofty, and commands the die annually of the alarming fever which prevails passage of the Tagus, over which, at this point, a in the dreaded month of September. The unwhole bridge of boats communicates with the southern some vapours, which arise from the beds of the provinces. We crossed the river, and occupied many stagnant pools scattered over the surface of for one night a camp of standing huts, formed many heats, are said to produce this evil, Be this as it these plains, and always dried up by the summer weeks before by some division of our army, which had halted in that neighbourhood. At sun-rise the may, towards the end of September, this insidious following morning we were again in motion, and and resistless enemy found his way into our tranmarched onwards to the village of Gaviao. Our quil quarters, crowded our hospitals with sick, and road led, in part, through plains covered with Gum-filled the chapel vaults with victims, over whom we cistus in flower, the frail leaves of which are regloomily and sullenly mourned. ***

markable for their delicate whiteness; and in part, over uplands all clothed with heath, but a heath so rich in the variety, the beauty, and the fragrance of its plants, that the traveller forgot, or forgave, the absence of the corn-field, the vineyard, and the cottage. ***

cheerful evening, could talk of nothing but war and
I returned home after the review, passed a most
Wellington-was that night stretched on the bed
of sickness, and, in a few days, lay at the very
point of death.

After some weeks of sickness he recov

More and harder fighting was expected; the troops were kept ready for action, lying with their accoutrements on where they last stood in order of battle; front and rear ranks head to head, and every man's firevred to attack the British in flank, and lock by his side. But the French manoeuWellington retreated to his lines near Lisbon. The French advanced and threatened them, but retired in their turn.

resford's corps, and continued under his command until after the battle of Albuera. One of the British brigades lost in this battle one thousand and fifty men, killed and wounded, out of one thousand four hundred.

Our author was attached to Marshal Be

This last brigade went into action led by a major general, and with its due proportion of field-officers and captains. I saw it at three in the afternoon:a captain commanded the brigade; the 57th and 48th regiments were commanded by lieutenants; and the junior captain of the 29th regiment was the senior effective officer of his corps. Not one of these six regiments lost a man by the sabre or the lance; they were never driven, never thrown into confusion; they fought in line, sustaining and replying to a heavy fire, and often charging; and when the enemy at length fled, the standards of these heroic battalions flew in proud, though mournful triumph, in the centre of their weakened but victorous lines. ***I would now relate what fell under my own observation, and describe, if it be possible, my feelings on that day. We stood to our arms an hour before break of day: it was a brilliant sight, at sun-riso, to see the whole of the French cavalry moving on the plain; but in a short time they retired into the wood, leaving their picquets as before. The battalion being dismissed, I breakfasted, and immediately afterwards set out to walk towards the Spanish troops, little dreaming, that day, of a general action. But the sound of a few shots caused me to return; and I found our line getting hastily under arms, and saw the enemy in motion. The prelude of skirmishing lasted about

mand."

and fled, abandoning some guns and howitzers about meet with a reputation," to use his own
sixty yards from us. The presence of their cavalry words, "which its character did not de-
not permitting us to pursue, we halted, and recom-
menced firing on them. The slaughter was now,
The character of our author, so far as it
for a few minutes, dreadful; every shot told; their
officers attempted in vain to rally them; they would may be estimated by this little publication,
make no effort. Some of their artillery, indeed, is exceedingly pleasing. To the modesty
took up a distant position, which much annoyed our and candour, which appear in his preface,
line; but we did not move until we had expended he joins a singular respect for his instruct-
every round of our ammunition, and then retired,
in the most perfect order, to a spot sheltered from ers, and a warm friendship for his fellow-
their guns, and lay down in line, ready to repulse student, which he takes this occasion to
any fresh attack with the bayonet To describe publish in three several dedications.
my feelings throughout this wild scene with fidelity,
would be impossible: at intervals, a shriek or a
groan told that the men were falling around me;
but it was not always that the tumult of the con-
test suffered me to catch these sounds. A constant
feeling to the centre of the line, and the gradual
diminution of our front, most truly bespoke the
havock of death. As we moved, though slowly,
yet ever a little in advance, our own killed and
wounded lay behind us; but we arrived among
those of the enemy, and those of the Spaniards who
had fallen in the first onset: we trod among the
dead and dying, all reckless of them.

These Dedications and Preface are fol

lowed by Introductory Remarks, intended to contain a hasty sketch of what is already known on the subject of vision; and, having thus prepared us by nearly thirty pages of prefatory matter, he permits us at last, about the middle of the volume, to enter upon the treatment of the real subject of it, much of which we acknowledge to be equally original and amusing, though from that deficiency in arrangement, which he partly acknowledges, it is not always so easy to be understood as we could have wished.

The circumstance, which led to Dr Cooper's investigations, we shall give in his own words.

Our author was also engaged in the battle of Vittoria, and, in a skirmish at the pass of Maya, was made prisoner; and here his narrative ends. We have not room for all the passages which we marked for quotation, and are not sure that we have selected the most interesting. The volume is very far from being filled with stories of warlike deeds or sufferings. The scenery and the manners of that interesting country which the reminiscent crossed, and recrossed, so frequently, are strikingly described; his recollections are vivid, and they bring before him things well worthy of remembrance. His style is sometimes too ambitious, and is often inaccurate; and occasionally he dwells so long upon the beauti-ion, the impressions of each no longer corresponding, except those of the object we are immediately observing.

Upon my glass while looking into it, I saw a little spec; by concentrating the two eyes upon this, at the same time watching the reflection of the face upon the mirror, was seen double, as was better of the eyes themselves; each of which is seen seen of those parts nearest the centre of vision, as double, making an appearance of four eyes instead of two. The spec at this time, being the object upon which the eyes are directed, is distinctly visible.

an hour and a half, and our division lost a few men by random gun-shot; all this time we were standing at ease, and part of it exposed to a heavy, chilling, and comfortless rain. Sounds, however, which breathed all the fierceness of battle, soon reached us; the continued rolling of musquetry, accompanied by loud and repeated discharges of cannon on our extreme right, told us, convincingly, that the real attack was in that quarter. The brigades of our division were successively called to support it. We formed in open column of companies at half distance, and moved in rapid double quick to the scene of action. I remember well, as we moved down in column, shot and shell flew over and through it in quick succession; we sustained little injury from either, but a captain of the twentyninth had been dreadfully lacerated by a ball, and lay directly in our path. We passed close to him, and he knew us all; and the heart-rending tone in which he called to us for water, or to killful hills, and vales, and streams, which imhim, I shall never forget. He lay alone, and we pressed themselves upon his memory, that were in motion, and could give him no succour; we begin to be weary of his descriptions. for, on this trying day, such of the wounded as But, upon the whole, we are confident that at some loss to understand the meaning For want of a definition, we were at first could not walk lay unattended where they fell::-all was hurry and struggle; every arm was wanted those of our readers who may purchase this of the phrase, "common axis of vision," in the field. When we arrived near the discomfit-book upon our recommendation, will ac- which we perceived could not be applied, ed and retiring Spaniards, and formed our line to knowledge that we have done them a favor. as it commonly is, to a line passing from a point midway between the centres of the of the optic axes. pupils of the eyes through the intersection We were disposed to smile at our own previous obtuseness, when it occurred to us that the common axis of a

advance through them towards the enemy, a very noble looking young Spanish officer rode up to me, and begged me, with a sort of proud and brave anxiety, to explain to the English, that his countrymen were ordered to retire, but were not flying. Just as our line had entirely cleared the Spaniards,

the smoky shroud of battle was, by the slackening

of the fire, for one minute blown aside, and gave to our view the French grenadier caps, their arms, and the whole aspect of their frowning masses. It was a momentary, but a grand sight. A heavy atmosphere of smoke again enveloped us, and few objects could be discerned at all,-none distinctly. heat of it, can make no calculation of time during an engagement. Interested and animated, he marks not the flight of the hours, but he feels that,

The coolest and bravest soldier, if he be in the

'Come what come may,

Time and the hour run through the roughest day.' This murderous contest of musketry lasted long We were the whole time progressively advancing upon and shaking the enemy. At the distance of about twenty yards from them we received orders to charge; we had ceased firing,cheered, and had our bayonets in the charging position, when a body of the enemy's horse was discovered under the shoulder of a rising ground, ready to take advan: tage of our impetuosity. Already, however, had the French infantry, alarmed by our preparatory cheers, which always indicate the charge, broken

Some Further Facts in Vision. By Ed-
ward C. Cooper, M. D. New York,
1824. 12mo. pp. 80.

The obvious reason of all this is, that the two eyes are removed from their common axis of vis

THIS treatise, as our author informs us, was pair of eyes, looking into a glass, could be
suggested and completed in eight days, and nothing else than the reflection of the face
he admits, that it is not unlikely it may appertaining to them. The circumstance
be found to have many faults. His reas- has been observed before, but no writer, so
ons for publishing it in this condition indi- far as we know, has given the same expla-
cate a commendable regard for public opin-nation of it. Besides some ingenious va-
ion, and show at once his zeal for enlight-riations of this experiment, two others are
ening it, and his caution in regard to the detailed, to which the author was led, in
preservation of its integrity. He gives the course of his researches. One of them
his book to the world with all its blemishes, it is unnecessary to describe at length,
since time, which could not alter the na- since he informs us that the fact illustrated
ture of the principles advanced in it, would by it may be "familiarly known by looking
only enable him to correct what is subor-at any extent of objects that present be-
dinate to them. Experience, he is aware, fore us, and first closing one eye, and then
might polish his style, perfect his arrange- the other, by which it will be seen, that
ment, and perhaps add some trifling proofs; the nose obstructs the lateral view upon
but it would, at the same time, give author-either side, from entering but the one eye
ity to his name;
which his readers may now examine and as above, in the words of the text.
so that the doctrine, on the same side." The other we shall give,
confirm, would be in danger of being re-
ceived without discussion. "It might then

A square bit of paper was taken exactly the width of the distance between the pupils of the

be shorter than the former; and as beauty | vour of the truth of it. We refer to the obvi-
implies distinctness, the most beautiful ous reasonableness of such an arrangement.
forms have this figure. Hence the author We have always thought there was some-
conceives the diamond and ellipsis to be thing like a waste of power in the constant
more beautiful than the square or circle, use of two eyes in looking at the same
But it may be objected, that when these thing, when it is so evident that one would
figures are placed with their longest diam- answer the purpose extremely well; and
eters perpendicular, they should no long- even if the method suggested by our author
er be beautiful. This objection his an- shall not be found to be the true one, it will
ticipates and replies to with great ingen- still admit of some question whether it
uity, that "having become pleased with the ought not to have been.
position of the form, habit created a pleas-
ure in viewing the form itself, and which
might accompany it through any change
of posture," and secondly, that they are
really somewhat less beautiful in an upright
position. To which he might have added,
as above, the occasional connexion of the
I have thus adventurously dared to look into this
idea of beauty with utility, which is exem- curious subject. I have thus far in particular cast
plified in an elliptical object, not uncom a distant, though I hope not less certain, look at
mon in nature, the egg, with the upright the height and breadth of beauty, that like a broad
I have
position of which we associate the idea of expanse of waters seeks its own level.
the pleasure of eating it slightly boiled-neen deluding the mind with new visions of no
thus far passed over a subject where the eye has
which is neither so commonly, nor so agree- fancied beauty, but still in gayest fancy drest, de-
ably effected in any other.
fying in plenteous and boundless changing variety,
all definition; and yet how definite!

Another inference may be thus expressed. As the right eye, for instance, sees an object, with a power equal to two, while the left may be able to see only with a power equal to one, their united powers will be equal to three; but as this can only happen with respect to objects situated horizontally in regard to each other, the horizontal lines of a body, to a similar extent, will be seen with greater distinctness than the perpendicular ones. Hence, to make these last equally distinct, they must

To this is to be attributed the depraved taste of beauty, too common in the more beauteous sex; their preference of colour over form; of forced contortions of themselves over their more graceful and natural luxuriance of charms; or, where it is more general, in the vitiated ideas of rural scenery in the citizen.

the intense and fervent feeling, with which the
spectacle inspired her.

Huzza for king George!' and The royalists have
O'Carroll's frequent exclamations of Bravo!'
won the day!' were seemingly unheard by her;
and it was not till the ranks of the Americans,
which had hitherto remained firm and unbroken,
suddenly gave way, and they began to retreat in
confusion, that she moved. or uttered a word. But
then, her colour heightened to crimson, and, clasp
ing her hands, she exclaimed with emotion,
Shame! Shame! They fly, and from a force no
larger than their own!'

'Does Captain Talbot command the royalists?' asked Catherine, aroused by O'Carroll's observation.

of it; and if the next musket ball knocks him from his horse, the victory may be ours; but if not, Major,'

Have done with your ifs, O'Carroll,' interrupt. ed the Major hastily. By Heaven, this champion has put the very devil into his soldiers, and in spite of Talbot and all his men, they will beat us hollow.'

roll. By St Patrick, they might have held out 'Our fellows are giving way,' exclaimed O'Carlonger. Were it not for the cursed treaty, that so fetters our valor, Major, we might leap to the rescue, with as valiant an air as this same doughty hero, who has so steeled the courage of his own villains, and self! As haughtily as if he had conquered a host, melted that of ours. How the fellow bears himand were about to dictate another treaty of surren

der!'

The treaty of surrender again!" exclaimed the Major, impatiently. You round off every sentence, O'Carroll, with this detestable treaty; and begin with what you will, the Great Mogul, the Pope of Rome, the usurpation of the round-headed Cromwell, or any thing else equally foreign to the subject, you are sure to rack your ingenuity, in order to name this treaty of Saratoga, the remembrance of which seems to afford you the most exquisite pleasure.'

Have patience, Major,' said O'Carroll, his whole attention directed to the movements of the combatants; and look, look quick, by St George, Talbot is down, and his soldiers are flying!'

the colonies of Great Britain. After some years' residence, trouble comes to him in the shape of the revolutionary war, which he naturally considers in the light of rebellion; and, after some hesitation about turning his arms against a country which had sheltered and befriended him, accepts a commission in Burgoyne's army, which was then advancing into the colonies from the north. In the course of that disastrous campaign he is twice wounded, and his life as often saved by an American officer, And they seem to understand it too,' said O'CarColonel Grahame, the hero of the piece. this is not the first time the foe has seen their roll. I rather suspect, from their gestures, that The heroine, the daughter of Major Court-backs. The officer who is endeavouring to rally land, is brought into a state of contiguity them, however, is a brave fellow. But I fear he with the hero, by her attendance on her has fought his last field; for the devil himself could wounded father, after the surrender at Sar- not get clear of Talbot's manoeuvring, in such a atoga. On the return of the Courtlands predicament.' to their former residence, which was not far distant from Valley Forge, the acquaintance continues-as the Major was, by the 'Yes, I met him as I was riding this morning,' conditions of the treaty, a noncombatant, returned the Captain. It seems they were inform and Grahame in winter quarters, which we ed by a deserter, who had grown weary of the hard have the evidence of history for believing foraging party was to leave the camp this morning; fare and cold quarters of Valley Forge, that this not to be so agreeable as to induce a young and Talbot and his men were lying in wait for officer to have much predilection for them. them, behind the group of maples yonder, when I The scene is not changed from this place. encountered him. The Americans were coming but the dénouement is delayed, by conver-up, when I left him, and I had just time to ride Major Courtland's attention was instantly directsation and episodes, through the whole of home, and leave my horse, before the first musketed to the scene of action, and he saw at once, that shot gave the signal that the engagement had com- the issue of the contest was decided. The second the second volume, when the parties are menced. But, upon my faith, the rebels have near- assault of the Americans had been far more furious happily married, with several other couples, ly gained the forest; all except that foolish officer, and determined than the first. Animated by the whose adventures are concluded at the who will lose his life by seeking to rally the cow-presence of a leader, whom they idolized, and solicsame time. ards.' itous to retrieve their tarnished honor, they fought We have despatched the story thus shortWhile O'Carroll spoke, scarcely heeded either with intrepid boldness, till the enemy, discouraged ly, by stripping it of the episodes and by Catherine or her father, the Americans continu- by this fierce attack, began to falter, and at length ed to retreat in great disorder, unmindful of the gave way. It is possible they might have recoverother extraneous matter with which it threatenings or persuasions of their commanding ed themselves, had not the fall of Captain Talbot is complicated, some of which add much to officer, who used every exertion in his power to in-served to complete their confusion; when they inits length, and, by distracting our attention, duce them to renew the contest. But it was all in stantly took to flight, leaving a number dead on diminish the interest in the main action. vain; they seemed completely panic-struck, and the field, and several, beside their Captain, despeWe could have very well spared Colonel eager only to escape the pursuit of their conquer-rately wounded. ors, when suddenly their flight was arrested. Dunbar and General Arnold, Talbot and A single horseman, wearing the uniform of the Amelia, especially the latter, who are very continental army, sprang from behind a small copse ordinary people, in whose affairs we could of trees, and leaping the slight barrier of rails take but little interest in any circumstan- which enclosed the field of action, waved his ees, much less when, like many indifferent sword with an air of defiance, and called aloud upon the flying troops to rally, and act like men. The persons in real life, they intrude themselves tones of his commanding voice were heard distinctand their stories upon our attention, and ly on the hill, where the party of observation were occupy the time which we are impatient to stationed, and they seemed like magic to arrest the bestow upon more useful or agreeable sub-course of the defeated soldiers; for they instantly stood still, and the officer placing himself at their jects. ty formed a compact body, presenting a firm and head, they collected, and with inconceivable rapididauntless front.

The following description of a skirmish is spirited, and will serve as a specimen of the style of the work, and we hope our readers will pardon the length of the extract, as it is the only one we shall make.

The scene of action lay in a stubble field, some distance beyond the hill; so that the smoke from the fire-arms, concealed the horrors of the fight. But the quick and animated movements of the parties, and the rapid glancing of their arms, were visible; and though the frequent vollies of musketry involved them in obscurity, yet the clouds of smoke rose so swiftly in the pure atmosphere of the morning, that the bustling and active scene was at one instant disclosed, and the next shrouded again in darkness. The parties engaged were small, and apparently equal, in point of numbers. But the British had evidently gained the advantage, which they were vigorously pursuing; for the Americans, though obstinately defending themselves, were gradually retreating towards the forest, in their rear. Major Courtland watched his daughter's countenance, with interest, as, after the first undecided moment, she continued earnestly to gaze upon this Her kindling eye, her flushed cheek, her profound silence, and motionless attitude, evinced

scene.

This sudden movement produced a visible sensation in the enemy. They slackened their fire, and retreating a few steps, drew up again in order of battle. The attack recommenced with new fury; the British fighting as if resolved to win a second victory, and the Americans, as if determined to atone for he shame of their premature flight.

Confound those rebels! exclaimed O'Carroll, who, with his companions, had anxiously watched the progress of this unexpected revolution; they have always some corps de reserve, some slashing hero, or cunning stratagem, to turn the fortune of fight. We had fairly won the field, when that tall fellow came, Heaven only knows from whence, to pluck back our laurels, and bind them on his own rebel brows.'

Do not begin your lamentation too soon, O'Carroll,' said the Major. Our laurels, perhaps, may bloom the brighter for this fresh attack; if we beat them from the field again, it is a double victory, you know.'

'If"-repeated O'Carroll.

The character of the Irish captain, O'Carroll, is pretty well executed, though rather inclined to caricature; in that of the hero, we recognised, oftener than was agreeable, some striking features of the Mortimers, Belvilles, &c. of other days; those of the Indians, Ohmeina and Minoya are very good, while those of Forrester and Richard Hope are as well as could be expected in their subordinate station.

This work, in common with many other second rate novels, is spun out to an unnecessary length by long and often insipid conversations, which waste the time, ink, and paper of the writer, increase the expense of printing, and of course diminish the sale of the work, whilst they are generally skipped by the reader. It should be remembered that in this particular, nature cannot be copied to advantage; for though nothing is more certain, than that almost every body talks more and longer than is necesssary, the writer should consider that we listen partly from regard to the rules of politeness, and partly from the expectation of taking our own turn, while in reading a novel we are no longer bound by the former nor can have any reasonable hope of the latter.

In a narrative of this sort it must necessarily happen, that wounds should frequently occur, and we noticed that, in these cases, If the almost invariable application to them was balsam of some sort or other. Now we

deal depending on the little word if, Major.
"There is a great
this knight errant had not leaped into the field, his
rebel followers would before now have leaped out

have before had occasion, in this Gazette, to inform the public in general, and novel writers in particular, that this is not good practice, that the use of balsams, in the case of fresh wounds is exploded, and that a strip or two of sticking plaster to keep the divided portions in contact, with a bandage and occasionally a little lint, are all that are ever necessary in cases not severe enough to demand the knife or the needle. We therefore pray novelists in future not to add to the necessary evils of war, and the sufferings of the wounded, the needless irritation of balsamic detergents.

We conclude our remarks by repeating, that we have read this novel with considerable interest, and that after expunging the characters and conversations, to which we have excepted, enough would still be left to make a pleasant book.

carefully and judiciously made; there is
scarcely one which may not be both useful
and entertaining. The questions attached
to the more instructive extracts will fix the
attention of the scholar upon those facts
which are most worthy of being remem-
bered. Indeed, we believe the addition of
these questions to a Reader for the use of
schools, is something new, and may support
the claim of the compiler to originality.
There are misprints which disfigure the
work, and some which injure it more mate-
rially, as they obscure the sense.
For ex-
ample, in the account of the battle of the
Nile, quoted from Southey's Life of Nelson,
this sentence occurs: "Captain Peyton,
in the defence, took his station," &c.; we
suppose it should be, in the "Defence." On
page 261, Selkirk is said, when taken from
the island where he had lived some years,
to have," through disease, forgotten his na-
tive language;"-it is probable that he for-
got his English through disuse, and that
Goldsmith, from whom the extract is taken,
said so.

The Columbian Class-Book, consisting of
Geographical, Historical, and Biograph-
ical Extracts, compiled from Authentic
Sources, and arranged on a Plan different
from any thing before offered the Public.
Particularly designed for the use of Reminiscences. Moral Poems and Transla-
tions.
Schools. By A. T. Lowe, M. D. Worces-
With an Appendix. By J. Fel-
ter, Mass. 1824. 12mo. pp. 455.
lowes, Esq. Exeter, N. H. 1824. 18mo.
THE title of this book is somewhat indis-
pp. 275.
tinct. A "Class-Book," we take to be any THERE are pieces in this little volume which
work which is adapted to the wants of the may well encourage the friends of the au-
classes in a school. Of course, this name does thor to hope that he will succeed in the
not define precisely the particular purpose path which he seems determined to pursue.
which this book is intended to answer; but, All his poems bear testimony to his indus-
we infer from the character of its contents, try,-which is as essential to success in
that it is to be used as a Reader, although poetry as in any other art,-and indications
the questions appended to the principal ex-of talents which want culture rather than
tracts imply that the scholars must study as

well as read it.

Thy palsied hand and dreadful glare,

Byron won his fame in spite of his plagia-
risms, and not by them.
Our author may
be assured that it will help his reputation,
to be, in his next publication, more original.
If a piece be a close and obvious imitation
of another, it gains no credit for so much
ingenuity and talent, as it may really dis-
play. These remarks may seem severe;
but it will be easy to make the justness of
them apparent, not only to our readers, but
to our author. The Song on the 33d page,
beginning

Love wakes and he weeps,
While beauty reposes,
Or silently sleeps
On a pillow of roses.
Mid the zephyrs revealing
The lilacks perfume,
The fire-insects wheeling
Enliven the gloom.

cannot fail to remind one of the Song in
the Pirate ;-

Love wakes and weeps
While beauty sleeps!

O for Musick's softest numbers,
To prompt a theme

For beauty's dream,

Soft as the pillow of her slumbers.

Through groves of palm
Sigh gales of balm,
Fire-flies on the air are wheeling;
While through the gloom
Comes soft perfume

The distant beds of flowers revealing.

Walton's book, some verses of Herbert's,
In a late number we quoted from Isaac
beginning

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky,
Sweet dews shall weep thy fall to-night,
for thou must die.

DAY OF SWEET CHARMS.

Sentiment from the Divine, Herbert.

Day of sweet charms, o'er the heavens far gleam-
Thou bridal of earth and the sensitive sky,
ing,
Soon the last ray of thy light shall be streaming,
For thou, with the dew-drops that weep thee, shalt

die.

Many of our readers are doubtless acquainted with William Spencer's beautiful little poem

Too late I staid, forgive the crime,
Unheeded flew the hours;
How noiseless falls the foot of time,
That only treads on flowers.

power, may be found on many pages. But On page 200, is a Poem beginning thus ;— his poetry is faulty in many important reWe cannot recommend this book as supe- spects; and it is injured by some errors in rior to all those with which it must sustain a judgment, in which we hope he will not competition; but it is better than any pub- confirm himself. He appears to overrate lished some years ago, and will not be dis- the comparative importance of exact rhyme. credited by a comparison with most of those In his Preface he expresses his confidence now in common use. In the Preface, the "that his rhymes will be found, in a great compiler claims to have arranged his ex- measure, faultless." Now, we do not comtracts in an original, and peculiarly useful plain that his rhymes are carefully and manner; but we do not see whereon this successfully elaborated, but that in his reclaim rests. These extracts are like those of gard for them he has neglected the essenother Readers, historical, biographical, geo-tials of poetry. In an Ode to Despair, graphical, moral, or purely literary;-and if these lines occur; Mr Lowe has been governed by any new principle whatever, in placing them in their present order, we must confess that we are unable to discover it. We should almost say that they were arranged in studied disorder; the different subjects are so mingled together, that it is difficult to believe that the compiler observed any rule or method, or had any object in view, unless it was to present to the reader an ever-changing variety. The first extract contains a biographical sketch of Washington; and then, after an account of the river Ganges, of Pompeii, and of Egypt, follows a description of our western Indians. We do not object to this apparent confusion; for it helps to attain a very important object; it keeps up the interest of the young reader, and thus prevents the great evil of inattention to what he reads. The extracts are

Rain not on me, oh fierce Despair.
Certainly, it would be more poetical to in-
dulge in imperfect rhymes, than to paint
Despair as raining a hand and glare. On
page 78, in the line,

Half-robb'd of life, disrobed of reason,
reason is represented as a garment;-we
think Mr Fellowes will agree with us in
thinking this figure more new than just.
We are aware that some faults of this kind
may be detected in almost every volume of
poems; but it is very important that an au-
thor should know and feel them to be faults,
and then he will avoid them.

There is too much imitation in this vol-
ume. It is in vain to cite Byron as the
"Prince of Plagiarists," for Mr F's readers
will remember, though he may forget, that

What eye with clear account remarks
The ebbing of the glass;
When all its sands are diamond sparks
Which dazzle as they pass?

O who to sober measurement
Time's rapt'rous swiftness brings,
When birds of Paradise have lent
The plumage of his wings.
On page 114, is the following;

TO A YOUNG LADY.

Some happy hours with thee I've spent,
And restless memory brings
The days where pleasure oftener lent
The magic of her wings.

Oh, who with steady eye remarks,
Time's ebbing sands at all,