גי

FOL. 3.]

Modern Poets.-Lord Byron.

127

negro slaves, and have built a wall round Dongola, to protect it against the Arabs. Their chieftain, Osmyn Bey, made a vow, that he would neither shave his head nor his beard till his triumphal entry into Cairo; but this promises to

which had given him altogether the thin
and meagre appearance of a common
Arab. He set out, however, full of en-
terprize and enthusiasm, for the south-
ward. His spirit, knowledge of languages,
and talent for observation, appeared to fit
him very peculiarly for this undertaking. be quite an empty threat. Their estab-
"Another English gentleman, Mr. lishment at Dongola, however, must form
Banks, has pushed on as far as the second a barrier against any European traveller
cataract, or that of Genadil. This is penetrating farther in this direction."
ground trodden by no modern European : For the remainder of the second
for Bruce str off near Chendi, and volume, comprising the account of Bar-
crossed the desert east of the Nile to bary, Southern Africa, and the eastern
Syene; while Poncet travelled from coast, and also for the geographical illus-
Siout to Moscho, through the desert, on trations, and views of the present state
the west of that river. Mr. Banks's of Africa, (forming the third book) we
observations are said to be very impor. are indebted to Mr. Murray, with the
tant. He discovered the remains of exception of a general view of the natural
statues which somewhat surpass even the history of this continent, by Professor
colossal proportions of the Memnonian. Jameson. In this last division of his
One, which was buried in the ground, work, our author has attempted to ex-
presented a head measuring twelve feet hibit, as a branch of the history of
from the chin upwards; which, allow science, a view of the progress of inquiry
ing seven heads for the dimensions of and speculation relative to this continent,
the body, would give a height of from the earliest ages, rather than to in-
eighty-four feet. In another place, the dulge in present conjectures, which a few
whole side of a mountain wascut away, years (it may be hoped) would render
so as to form a perpendicular wall, superfluous. An appendix, containing
chiselled out into regular columns with several translations of scarce and curious
capitals, and adorned with numer- passages from some of the early geogra
ous hieroglyphics; the whole forming phers, relating to central Africa, and a
the front of a magnificent temple. He list of the best works tending to illustrate
brought away also a number of inscrip- the geography of this continent, terminate
tions and paintings, the latter representing this valuable accession to geographical
chiefly animals and ancient religious mys- science; which is illustrated by numerous
teries.
elegant maps, executed with the greatest
care and from authentic materials.

"The Mamelukes it appears, in their
flight from Egypt, have establised them- We cannot conclude this article with-
selves at Dongola, where they have formed out expressing our acknowledgments to
a species of petty state. They have ad- the author for the great fund of infor-
dicted themselves to pasturage and agri- mation which he has collected and ar-
culture, and have even built a few vessels ranged with equal ability and judgment
upon the Nile. Their number does not in these elegantly executed volumes,
exceed five hundred; but they have which only want an index, to render
armed three or four thousand of their them a standard work of reference.

ON MODERN POETS.-LORD BYRON.

From the New Monthly Magazine, March 1818.

WHATEVER form poetry assume, poet has the lofty privilege of omitting whether didactic, descriptive, or what is disagreeable, of softening what is narrative, it is indispensable, either that harsh, and exalting what is mean. the materials be of a dignified nature, or cept therefore, when introduced for the at least susceptible of being invested with sake of contrast, criticism holds him inadventitious ornaments. While the his- excusable in dwelling on vulgar or shocktorian must sink with his subject, the ing scenes. In this case the blame must

128

M. Pananti's Captivity in Algiers.

They were too busy to bark at him!

[VOL. 3

Gorging and growling o'er carcase and limb,
From a Tartar's skull they had stripped the flesh ;
As they peel the fig when the fruit is fresh ;
And their white tusks crunch'd o'er the white"

skull,

And slipp'd thro' their jaws when their edge grew dull,

As they lazily mumbled the bones, &c.

be wholly in the bias of his own taste. Dr. Johnson, in his "Lives of the English Poets," thus finely comments on the unaccountable predilection which Swift appears to have indulged for filthy and abominable objects :-" It is difficult to conceive by what depravity of intellect I should not have quoted such lines, he took delight in revolving ideas from were it not necessary to mark them with which almost every other mind shrinks with disgust. express reprobation, not only on account The ideas of pleasure, of the popularity of their author, but beeven when criminal, may solicit the imagination; but what has disease, deformi-burgh Reviewers as parlarly beauticause they are selected by the Edinty, or filth, upon which the thoughts can ful-These writers, conscious of their be allured to dwell." It is still more inconceivable that a writer should, without great abilities, sometimes impose their necessity, allow his imagination to revel opinions on the public in a manner too among ideas that are purely barbarous overbearing and authoritative. They and shocking. Of this character is the appear particularly conceited of their skill in poetical matters, although perhaps they following extraordinary passage in one are more in their element on subjects less of Lord Byron's late poems, from the refined. On several occasions, as in the perusal of which it is impossible that the review of HOGG's Poems, they have coarsest mind could receive gratification. broadly enough insinuated their influence North American savages, when fired by in directing the public taste. rage and revenge, might utter such descriptions, but I should not expect that, gard to our noble poet, they boast of having been the first who proclaimed supposing they were able, they would the rising of this luminary in the poetical sit down calmly and write them. "It is strange," then, "it is passing strange," that a poet who affects a degree of delicacy almost superhuman, should apparently design this odious and disgusting picture as an ornament to his work :

And he saw the lean dogs beneath the wall
Hold o'er the dead their carnival.

With re

horizon.' This may be true; an author
is often indebted for his fame to acciden-
tal causes; this glorious luminary might
perhaps have wasted its splendour on the
desert sky, had not, happily, these critics
enlightened the dim eyes of their contem-
E. LEMPRIERE.
poraries.
Holborn; Dec. 21, 1817.

MR. PANANTI'S CAPTIVITY IN ALGIERS.

From the New Monthly Magazine, March 1818.

The late British expedition against Algiers has had the effect of heightening the interest, especially in continental Europe, of every thing connected with the States of Barbary. But for that expedition it is probable that the curious work published last year at Florence by Mr. Philippo Pananti, in two 8vo. vois. would not have seen the light. I have reason to believe that the following extracts from this work,

table to your readers, and more particularly to such

of them as were acquainted with the author during his long residence in this country.

Mr. Pananti is a scholar of Tuscany, who during the revolution, removed to England. Having there

and also to stop at the small island of St. Pierre near Sardinia, where he was informed that the Algerine squadron was abroad, and obstinately put to sea, when all the passengers expected to remain several days in the road. The author thus proceeds:

WE passed a dismal and anxious

night. I had just closed my eyes with remarks by Mr. Sismonde de Sismondi, one of for a moment when the Chevalier Rossi, the most celebrated living historians, will be accep- who had risen with the sun, came to inform me that the same vessels which we had seen the preceding day were still in view. I sprung from my bed and hurried upon deck where all was distress and confusion. I questioned the sailors Sicilian vessel bound to Palermo. From an extraor- and the steersman, but they returned only dinary oversight he neither mentions the year of his abrupt answers in a tremulous voice. date nor season of any of the events he relates. The The six sail then appeared as so many Sicilian captain refused to join an English convoy, almost imperceptible specks on the vast

amassed a little fortune he felt desirous of returning to his native land, and embarked at Portsmouth in a

return, though it appears to have been 1812, nor the

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M. Pananti's Captivity in Algiers.

129

bosom of the waves. We beheld them ment of the battle, and concluded that we grow larger and approach us, like the should be sunk. It was the signal for a small cloud so much dreaded by seamen, good prize. A second gun announced which gradually increases, rises, thickens, the capture and possession of the ship.and forms the tremendous water-spout The pirates thronged on board; they which generates tempests. These ves- brandished their scymetars before our sels soon made an evolution which indi- eyes and over our heads, commanding cated their hostile intentions. Our sea- us to make no resistance and submit.— men uttered ejaculations of terror and What else could we have done than dismay. In their consternation they ran obey? Then assuming a less ferocious to and fro to no purpose, and wearied look our conquerors shouted: Nò pauthemselves in a hundred useless efforts ra, nò paura. They demanded rum to work the ship. Bustle is not activity, and the keys of our trunks, and formed and operations without object produce us into divisions; they ordered one half nothing but delay and confusion. Un- of the passengers to get into the boat to luckily the wind which till then had be conveyed on board the Algerine friblown with violence, suddenly fell, and gate; the other part remained in the we found ourselves rooted as it were in brig, of which a troop of Moors had takthe midst of the vast element. The cap- en possession. I was among those who tain was dumb-founded: he did noth- were to quit the vessel. We took a last ing, and that was the worst he could have sorrowful look at her and at our comdone. Let us spread our sails, said we panions, stepped into the boat and away to him, and if they prove insufficient, let we went.

us try with our oars to reach the coast of When we reached the frigate, the Sardinia; or if we can do no better, let crew set up a shout of victory; a cruel us take to the boat and at least save our- joy was expressed in their ferocious selves. The captain in reply pointed to looks. They opened their ranks, and one of the enemy's ships which was to through files of mingled Turks and leeward and cut off our retreat. I know Moors we were conducted into the presnot what deference was due to his rea- ence of the grand Rais, the commander sons, but he took no measures whatever in chief of the Algerine feet. He was either to defend us or to escape. When seated in the midst of the captains of the we first descried the enemy, they were four other frigates. . . . . We were ineighteen miles distant, and Sardinia only terrogated by short and haughty questhree miles. The pirates afterwards told tions, but without insult or affront. The us that we had a bad Rais; that if they Rais demanded our money, watches, had seen us make the least movement to- rings, and all the valuables that we poswards the land, they should not even have sessed, for the purpose of securing them, pursued us; but that observing us re- as he said, from the rapacity of the men main stationary at first, and then even of the Black Sea, who formed part of steer towards them, they thought us be- his crew, and whom he called by their witched, or, according to their emphatic proper name-robbers. He deposited expression, impelled by the spirit of the effects of each separately in a box, darkness to inevitable ruin. promised that they should be restored to We continued six hours in this horri- us on quitting the ship, and saying:ble suspense and consternation. As the Questo per ti-questo per ti--questo albarbarians approached, we heard their troper ti-this is for thee, that for thee terrific shouts, and beheld their decks and this for thee-and perhaps adding covered with Moors. All hope then for- in his heart-and the whole for me. We sook the most courageous, and at this were then ordered to withdraw, and dicruel sight we all hastened to hide our rected to sit down on a mat in the antiselves in our little cells, there to await the chamber where we were abandoned to great catastrophe of this tragedy. . . . our own painful reflections. We heard the cries of the Africans who We were carried to land at Algiers in boarded us sword in hand. A cannon two boats, the passengers with the Rais. was fired; we took it for the commence- and the Sicilian sailors with the Aga.

ATHENEUM. Vol. 3.

.

130

M. Pananti's Algerine Captivity.

[VOL. 3 A great concourse of people had assem- by the multitude. The ministers of the bled on the beach to hail the triumphant regency rose; the council was dissolvreturn of the fleet. We were, however, ed; the English consul and vice-consul neither stripped nor insulted, as christian retired with the Rossi ; and we remainslaves commonly are upon their arrival ed motionless and stupified, as if a thunat these inhospitable shores. We had derbolt had fallen close by our side. a long way to go to the palace where We were marched off under the dithe council meets, holds its examina- rection of the chief secretary and the tions, and pronounces sentence. The Guardian Bachi of the slaves; we traRais went into the palace of the marine, versed half of Algiers amidst an imwhile we remained at the gate. At mense throng of spectators. It was Frilength a large curtain rose; we beheld day, the sabbath of the Mussulmans, the hall of the palace of the marine, and the infidels, on coming out of their where the members of the regency, the mosques, ran to feast themselves with ulemas of the law, and the chief agas of the sight of the oppression and degra the divan appeared seated in barbarous dation of christians.

pomp. Immediately, without preamble We arrived at the Pascialik, or palace or ceremony, our papers were demanded of the Pacha, now inhabited by the and examined. These formalities are Dey. The first objects that met our observed to give a semblance of justice view, and thrilled us with horror, were to acts of rapine and violence. Our pa- six bloody heads, that had been recentpers were shewn to the English consul, ly cut off and lay about the entrance: whc Lad been summoned for the pur- it was necessary to kick them aside bepose of verifying them. He was aware fore we could enter the court. They of their insufficiency; but actuated by were the heads of some turbulent agas the goodness of his heart and pity for so who had murmured against the Prince : many unfortunates, he made the most we supposed them to have belonged to generous efforts to extricate us from this Christians, and to have been exposed on horrible danger. His philanthropic zeal that day, for the purpose of striking terdid not abate when he learned that we ror into the new inhabitants of these debelonged to a country united to France; testable regions. Profound silence reignwe were unfortunate, and consequently ed within these walls, where suspicion sacred in the eyes of an Englishman. pervaded every thing, and terror was But the Rais Hamida supported the fe- depicted in every countenance. rocious laws of piracy; he made the were ranged in a row before the winmost subtle distinctions between domi- dows of the despot that he might graticile and nationality; and proved hin- fy himself with the sight. He appeared self a very able lawyer according to the at the balcony, looked at us with haughAfrican code. tiness and disdain, smiled with a fero

We

We heard the council repeat the cious pleasure, motioned with his hand, words:-Buona presa — prigionieri- and we were ordered to retire. We sch'avi!—which were re-echoed by the made a circuit through the winding multitude collected in the great square, streets of the city, and at length arrived who seemed by their shouts to invoke at a spacious and gloomy building-it that decision. The consul then claimed was the great bagnio or prison for slaves. the English lady and her two little. . . . In crossing its dark and filthy daughters. Granted! The Chevalier court we passed through a multitude of Rossi, the lady's husband, advanced with slaves; they were ragged, pale, emaciat-courage and dignity; he insisted on his ed, dejected creatures; with haggard rights as the husband of an English wo- eyes, and cheeks deeply furrowed with man, and the father of English children; sorrow. Such was the apathy produced he was declared free also, and rejoined by their long sufferings and bitter mishis wife and girls. The consul then fortunes that all the soft emotions of made one more attempt to save us all life seemed extinguished in their hearts, it was ineffectual. The horrid ery of and they started at us with stupid indif Schiavi! schiavi! resounded through ference, unaccompanied with a single the hall and was boisterously repeated demonstration of pity. On the day

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M. Pananti's Captivity in Algiers.

131

when the slaves are not obliged to work, a deep silence; our eyes were fixed

they remain shut up, and wander like pallid spectres about this abode of darkness and desolation.

upon the ground, and our hearts throbbed. A voice was heard; it was that of the minister of the marine, the princiBefore the first dawn of day we were pal secretary of state. He pronounced suddenly roused by a confused noise of my name. I was directed to step forshouts and blows, and the rattling of ward; various questions were asked chains. It was the hour at which the concerning my residence in England, slaves were hurried from the oblivion of my connexions and occupations in that their wretchedness to the renewal of country. The minister concluded with their labours and sufferings. The keep- these unexpected words: Ti star franer of the prison called to us also to rise, co! . . . . A soldier was ordered to and already began to assume towards us take the iron ring from my leg; he the harsh tone of command: Vamos al obeyed, and advised me to go and thank trabajo, cornutos !-to work, horned the minister, who shook me by the hand beasts!-was the coarse expression em- and said many obliging things to me. ployed by the alguazils while hastening He then commanded the dragoman to the slowest by reiterated stripes. The conduct me to the house of the English black aga came to the prison. He consul. My heart overflowed with joy brought the iron rings which were to be at the moment when I was enabled to put on our left legs, there to remain for move my leg freely; but my second ever, as a mark of the abject condition thought was for my unfortunate cominto which we were plunged. These panions, who after my liberation, in their rings were very thin-but how oppres- turn indulged the most flattering hopes. sive is the weight of the rings of slave- I too hoped that they would be set at ry! The black aga fastened the ring liberty; I walked slowly and stopped upon my companions, but he delivered at every step to see if they were not folmine into my hand, saying that his Ex- lowing me.-But orders were issued to cellency the Pacha granted me the dis- conduct them to work, and their differtinguished favour of putting it on myself, ent tasks were allotted them. I saw

We were two hundred unfortunate them sorrowfully depart, with eyes fixwretches of different nations taken by ed on the ground and swollen with the infidels in their last cruize. We weeping: they turned round once more, were marched off with guards in front pressed my hand, bade me farewel and and rear; an immense concourse fol- disappeared. lowed, while a profound and melancho- I was summoned to the marine, and ly silence reigned among us. We saw the great storehouse of prizes to claim the troops of old slaves going before us: my effects which were to be restored to their task-masters followed them with me by order of the government; but whips crying -A trabajo cornutos! money, valuables, merchandize, clothes, cun d'infedele, a trabajo! We arrived had all been seized and carried off by at the bakehouse of the marine, and two the Turkish and Moorish chiourme— black loaves of bran were thrown to us so that I could recover nothing. The as they might be to dogs. The old loss that I sustained was immense: all slaves caught them in the air and devour- the fruit of so many years' labour, ined them with disgusting avidity. On dustry, and privation was gone; the reaching the great hall of the marine we whole edifice of a fortune reared with there found seated in horrible majesty, so much toil was demolished in an inand in all the insignia of tyrannic pow- stant. I also lost the satisfaction which er, the members of the government, the may be forgiven to vanity, of returning agas of the troops, the principal Rais of to my country in a state of independence, the fleet, the high-admiral, the Cadi, the and being enabled to show some Mufti, the Ulemas of the law, and the ness to those united to me by blood or judges according to the Koran. We affection. All these fond illusions, and were drawn up in a row, ticketed, picked my dream of future happiness were disout and examined like negroes in the sipated. I had suffered a still markets of America. We maintained more painful loss-that of all my books

nd