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VOL. 3.]

Juliet's Tomb at Verona.

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mate the marriage; for he thought that intentions. Juliet agreed to this plan, by this means, a reconciliation might be who for the sake of her lover would have effected between the two families, and run a far greater risk, and having swalthat perhaps he should thereby ingratiate lowed the potion at the prescribed hour, himself with Signor Bartolomeo, and all lost gradually her senses, and finally all Verona. Lent, and the time of confession motion; so that, imagined dead by all, having arrived, Juliet went with her mo- she was removed for burial to the cemether to the church of St. Francesco in tery of her family in the church of St. Cittadella,and seating herself in the con- Francis. In the mean time, Lonardo fessional chair before her mother, and sent an account of all that had been done having replied to the usual questions, was to Romeo; but he having been premarried to Romeo, through the grating, viously informed by some one else of the who, with the father, stood on the other death of his Juliet, came unexpectedly side. A few days afterwards, by means with one attendant to Verona, and havof an old woman of the house of Juliet ing reached the gates of the city on the they consummated their marriage in a very evening of the interment of Juliet, garden by night, belonging to Juliet, did not receive the message sent him by supporting themselves with the hope, that the father. The unhappy lover having Lonardo would be able to persuade their reached Verona, and night having set in, respective families to be satisfied with the without setting his foot in the city, he match. Easter being over, while they went straight to the church of St. Franwere hoping that the father would fulfil cis, where he knew that his beloved Juhis promise, it happened that a party of liet was interred, and having opened the the Capelletti had a furious encounter tomb, which was without the church, and with some of the Montecchi, near the got within it, began to shed an abundant gate of Bensari, towards Castel Vecchio. and bitter flood of tears. Having wept Among the Capelletti was one Tebaldo, for some time over his beloved, he detera first cousin of Juliet's, a gallant young mined to die, and swallowed poison, man, who while he was encouraging his which for this purpose he carried with party, behind Romeo, (who for the sake him: laying himself by her side, he died, of Juliet, did all he could to put an end just at the moment that Lonardo reached to the contest), made a blow at his head, the spot, to remove Juliet from the tomb. which was parried by Romeo, who stab- Finding the servant stretched on the bed his adversary in the throat, and kil- ground, and Romeo dead in the tomb, led him on the spot. Romeo upon this motionless and horror-struck, he stood fled into banishment, and he who knows wondering how it had occurred, when what disappointed love is, may judge Juliet, whose soporific powder had exhow bitter must have been that expedi- hausted its efficacy, came to herself, ent. He retired to Mantua, for the sake and seeing Romeo dead by her side, and of being as near as possible to his Juliet, Lonardo and the servant hanging over of whom he often received accounts, him, she was all aghast at the spectacle. through the medium of Lonardo. Juliet She presently discovered from the father, was now compelled to marry by her fa- and the servant how the catastrophe had ther and mother, and not knowing what happened; was seized immediately with part to take, she had recourse to the father the strongest grief, and feeling her spirits Lonardo for advice, who, after long con- extinguished within her, without uttersultation, finally agreed to send her a cer- ing a word, fell dead in the lap of her tain powder, which, mixed with wine or Romeo. The next morning the calamany other liquor, would full her to sleep, ity was speedily propagated through the so as to make her appear dead; that then city, and Signor Bartolomeo, with the she should be buried, in the sepulchre be- intent of discovering all the circumstanlonging to her family, which was in the ces which led to the unfortunate event, church of St. Francis, that he should accompanied by many gentlemen, went take her out of the monument by night, to the church of St. Francis, where a and that she should escape in disguise to great crowd was collected, attracted by her Romeo at Mantua, whom he would the novelty of the occurrence. Here he forewarn by faithful messengers of their enquired circumstantially both from Lo

Juliet's Tomb at Verona.

[VOL. 3

nardo and Romeo's servant, into the de- This fine tragedy, which the celebrattails of the case, and afterwards gave or- ed Schlegel eloquently styles the “fuders that the bodies of these unfortunate neral and apotheosis of love," will always lovers should be honorably buried, which be deemed by the best critics, one of the was willingly agreed to both by the choicest of our poet's productions. PerMontecchi and Capelletti. Splendid ob- haps it is to be regretted, that he deviated sequies took place; and with the consent from the true story, in making Juliet of both parties, the bodies were replaced stab herself. He need not have had rein the same monument, which was of course to this; for there is nothing more hewn stone, a little above ground, which I tragic than that poignant grief which, as have often seen close to the well of the soon as it seizes, kills; and which, acpoor disciples of St. Francis, while the cording to Della Corte, threw Juliet dead building was raising to their order. I in the lap of her lover. Her manner of have conversed on this subject, with dying in the tragedy is rather too much Signor Boldiero, my uncle, by whom I "after the high Roman fashion" for a was shewn the scene of this catastrophe; delicate-girl not fifteen years. he shewed me, besides the above mentioned tomb, a hole in the wall towards the monastery of the Capuchins, where, as he said, he had heard that many years since, this tomb was placed, and that in it were found some ashes and bones."

Verona has been so fully described by Maffei, that I shall not attempt to touch on its antiquities. But the genius of Shakspeare adds such an interest to every spot over which it hovered, that your readers will not accuse me of being Such is the relation of Girolamo della romantic, if I attempt to describe the Corte. Those who may take the trouble tomb of Juliet. I left the inn Le Due to compare it with the tragedy of Shak- Torre at six in the morning, accompaspeare, will no doubt remark how little nied by the Cicerone, who, in the way, the poet has deviated from what we have pointed out some small houses built in reason to believe are the circumstances of the time of the Capelletti: crossing the the true story. His Escalus, Prince of Brà, a square so called, and marked by Verona, is evidently Signor Bartolomeo the grand remains of the Roman amphiScali the mayor; Marcurio, whom Juliet first danced with, the Poet giving him rather warmer hands than the historian, is his Paris. The name of Marcurio probably suggested, with a slight alteration of letters, the Mercutio of the poet, who acts however a very different Contiguous is a small garden, formerly part from Marcurio in the history. It is attached to the Franciscan monastery, worthy of remark that in Act III. Sc. 1. but now in private hands in the midst Mercutio, who, with Shakspeare, is the of it, is an old sarcophagus, which, time friend of Romeo, uses the words "A la immemorial has been shown as the tomb stoccata," the identical words which of Juliet. It is much eaten by age, and Della Corte uses in his description of has sunk considerably into the earth. It Romeo's encounter with Tybalt: a suf- is exactly six feet long, and is just wide ficient proof to my mind that Shakspeare enough to contain two bodies. Close to got hold of the original work of Della it, is the well, mentioned by Della Corte, Corte; if we had no other evidence to which to me is a sufficient proof that the make us think so. Montague in the Ita- sarcophagus is the same as what he saw lian is Montecchio; Capulet, Capellet- with his uncle. The serenity of the to; Frate Lonardo is the Friar Law- morning, and affecting catastrophe, sugrence of the poet; and the attendant of gested the following lines, which have no Romeo in the history, is the Balthasar other merit than that of being composed of the tragedy. Friar John appears to be on the spot. one of the confidential messengers sent by Lonardo to Romeo, at Mantua. Of the female persons, Lady Montague is the only one not alluded to in the history.

theatre, we soon reached the church of San Francesco in Cittadella, where Romeo and Juliet were married. The. church is modern, built about a century ago, on the site of the old one, which was destroyed by fire.

:

Let Affectation droop her head and mourn

Disastrous love o'er tender Juliet's urn.

coquettes avaunt! away each simpering belle !

Envy the lot of her who loved so well;

VOL. 3.]

Rob Roy, by the Author of Guy Mannering, &c.

Who would not have exchanged her hear t-felt woes
For your ephemeral loves, and midnight shows.
Hail, Juliet, hail! whose pure and virgin heart
Dared act so painful, yet so true a part!

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O'er whose requited love, and early hearse,
Great Shakspeare sheds the glory of his verse.
Hail, Juliet, hail! whose name is intertwined
In the same wreath, which Fame wove for his death-
less mind.
C. K.

T

ROB ROY.

From the Literary Gazette, January 17, 1818.

HIS long-looked-for novel, by the and accuracy of delineation, as absoluteauthor of Waverly, Guy Manner- ly to have been reviewed, by the most ing, and the Antiquary, has at last made able periodical works in the world, as if its appearance; and can we speak more they were real and authentic records of highly of it than to say that it is worthy events which happened as they detail. of his hand? The same power of delusion belongs to Rob Roy. It is impossible to fancy any part of it a fable. The men and women of its dramatis personæ live before us;

We have debated with ourselves in what manner we should review this work. Were we to analyse the story, we might write an interesting article; but the scenery is perfect nature; the inciwould it be just towards the author, or kind towards our fair friends, who hate and detest the foreknowledge of the denouement of any book which appeals so strongly as this does to their curiosity and feelings? No! we will not take advantage of our rapid publication, to antedate one of the principal enjoyments to be derived from the perusal of Rob Roy: with an abstinence deserving of all praise, we will endeavour to deliver our opinions, without encroaching upon the mysteries of the narrative, and the eclaircissements of the conclusion.

dents are identical history. The accession of the House of Hanover, the attempts of Jacobites, the existence of a country called Scotland, do not seem more undeniable, than the whole train of facts herein related, and the actual being of the Osbaldistones, Jarvies, M'Gregors, &c. who people the world created by the poet's imagination, and perform the things he has told us they performed. Not Shakspeare himself has been more true to his characters: we think, if they acted otherwise, more or less, than they do, there would be some appearance of fiction; as it is, there is none.

Without forgetting our initiatory promise, we may state, that the plan of this delightful work consists of the adventures of Mr. Francis Osbaldistone, the son of a rich London merchant, who refusing to engage in commercial pursuits, as desired by his father, is sent to an uncle's h Northumberland, almost disinherited. In his journey to the north, he fails in with Robert Campbell, a cattle dealer, alias 1b Roy, and by a skilful connexion of their fates, they become from that period

In some respects this novel seems inferior, and in come superior, to its precursors. It is inferior in the general style and composition; which, though highly wrought in many parts, are yet carelessly enough slurred over in others: and it is, perhaps, inferior in depth of interest to Waverly and Guy Mannering. As a picture of manners, and as affording distinct portraits of characters (which are individuals, yet a class) it is equal to the best which have gone before. And in adapting the particular story to a frame-work consistent with the nature of the times interwoven with each other. Sir Hildeand state of the country in which the scene is laid, we think the Rob Roy superior to all its predecessors.

brand Osbaldistone (the uncle) and his six sons, form a massive group in this canvass, and the chief light is found in a The plots and intrigues preceding the re- Relative, who is living at Cubhall, Miss bellion of the year 1715, afforded admira- Diana Vernon, on whose character the ble ground for much more of the marvel- author has exerted all his energies. It is lous than our author needs to employ in that of Flora Mac Iver, somewhat softthe construction of his volumes, which are ened, and embracing many different so distinguished for their historical truth shades; equally exalted, but perhaps

6 Rob Roy, by the Author of Guy Mannering, the Antiquary, &c. [voL. 3 more natural. The only other female who terly portraiture of villany. Morris, a figures in the piece, is the wife of Rob cowardly Employé of government, is anRoy; a ruthless and desolate-hearted A- other specimen of the skill of the author: mazon. The Chieftain of the Clan, Gre- his subserviency, and his lamentable cagor himself, is admirably drawn, though tastrophe, present a useful lesson to manin him there has been less of invention kind. The description of his death, innecessary than in others. He seems only deed, is one of the most dreadful and less barbarous, or, we may say, more ci- touching that we ever read. He is treachvilised, than common fame has handed erously left as a hostage for the safety of him down to us. A Scotch gardener, An- Rob Roy, who is thus betrayed into the drew Fairservice, is well depicted; a hands of his foes. Brought a prisoner to worldly, time-serving, selfish fellow; the wife of the Chieftain, immediately afneither overburthened with sense nor ter she has been excited to fury by a principle; but yet contriving, by his of- sharp contest with, and victory over, a ficiousness, to occupy a conspicuous sta- party of the military, whom Dougal mistion in this drama. A Highland follower leads into a dangerous pass among the of Rob Roy, named Dougal, and a Mac- mountains, on the borders of a lake, we gregor, forms a contrast to Fairservice. are told by Francis Osbaldistone, who is He is faithful, brave, and devoted, cun- also a prisoner, ning,shrewd, and dexterous. Owen, the principal clerk of the house of Osbaldi- "The wife of Mac Gregor commandstone and Tresham, is another portrait of ed that the hostage exchanged, for his unassuming pretensions, but of exquisite safety should be brought into her prefidelity. The great city, and the wild sence. I believe her sons had kept this hills of Scotia, alike submit their children to the developement of our acute and masterly delineator. His images are equally vivid, whether drawn from the desk or the heath, the busy hum of men, or the solitude of deserts. But not one of the characters has delighted us more in the pencilling than Baillie Jarvie of Glasgow. If M Wheble gave the hint for this "He fell prostrate before the female admirable likeness, it is so full, so finish- chief with an effort to clasp her knees, ed, and so thrown out by circumstances, from which she drew back, as if his touch that it leaves us nothing to wish for. We had been pollution, so that all he could question whether any but Scotch readers do, in token of the extremity of his huwill be able to appreciate the perfection miliation, was to kiss the hem of her of this sketch. The mixture of the pride plaid. I never heard entreaties for life of birth, though connected with an out- poured forth with such agony of spirit. law, and the opposite habits of a manu The ecstasy of fear was such, that, infacturing education; the combined qua- stead of paralyzing his tongue, as on orlities of the son of Deacon Jarvie, honest dinary occasions, it even rendered him man! Heaven be merciful to him! and eloquent; and, with cheeks pale as ashthe cousin of Rob Roy, for whom a hem es, hands compressed in agony, eyes that en cravat is so surely predestined; the seemed to be taking their last look of ali pacific and yet bold, the sober yet eccen- mortal objects, he protested, with the tric, the prudential yet generous act of deepest oaths, his total ignorance of any the worthy Glasgonian, constitute a tout design on the person of Rob Roy, whom ensemble of the richest order. Even in he swore he loved and honoured as his the minor characters, there is a degree of own soul. In the inconsistency of his variety quite Homeric. The family of terror, he said, he was but the agent of Osbaldistone are forcible examples of others, and he muttered the name of this. Percival, Thorncliff, John, Richard, Rashleigh. He prayed but for life-for and Wilfred are all, alter et idem, and life he would have given all he had in the Rashleigh, the youngest brother, a mas- world;-it was but life he asked-life,

unfortunate wretch out of her sight, for. fear of the consequences; but if it was so, their humane precaution only prolonged his fate. They dragged forward at her summons a wretch already half dead with terror, in whose agonized features, I recognized, to my horror and astonishment, my old acquaintance Morris.

VOL. 3.]

Rob Roy, by the Author of Guy Mannering, &c.

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if it were to be prolonged under tortures shriek with a loud halloo of vindictive and privations; he asked only breath, triumph, above which, however, the yell though it should be drawn in the damps of mortal agony was distinctly heard. of the lowest caverns of their hills.

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It is impossible to describe the scorn, the loathing and contempt, with which the wife of Mac Gregor regarded this wretched petitioner for the poor boon of existence.

The heavy burden splashed in the darkblue waters of the lake, and the Highlanders, with their pole-axes and swords, watched an instant to guard, lest, extricating himself from the load to which he was attached, he might have struggled to "I could have bid you live,' she said, regain the shore. But the knot had been 'had life been to you the same weary and securely bound; the victim sank without wasting burthen it is to me that it is to effort; the waters, which his fall had disevery noble and generous mind.-But turbed, settled calmly over him, and the you-wretch! you could creep through unit of that life, for which he had pleadthe world unaffected by its various dis- ed so strongly, was forever withdrawn graces, its ineffable miseries, its constant- from the sum of human existence." ly accumulating masses of crime and sorrow, you could live and enjoy yourself, This grand and agonizing description while the noble-minded are betrayed brings Lord Byron forcibly to our recolwhile nameles and birthless villains tread lection; and even by the side of that on the neck of the brave and the long- transcendant painter of human misery descended, you could enjoy yourself, and mortal throes, it must be allowed, like a butcher's dog in the shambles, bat- that the writer of our quotation need not toning on garbage, while the slaughter shrink from a sense of inferiority. of the brave went on around you! This We could wish to set before our readenjoyment you shall not live to partake ers some traits of Baillie Jarvie ; but we of; you shall die, base dog, and that be- fear it is difficult to accomplish this purfore yon cloud has passed over the sun.' pose within the scope of extracts consistShe gave a brief command in Gaelic ent with our limits, and with our deto her attendants, two of whom seized clared design, not to weaken the interest the prostrate suppliant, and hurried-iam of the novel by garbled anticipations, to the brink of a cliff which overhung When Mr. Osbaldistone asks his advice the flood. He set up the most piercing as to the best way to act for his father's and dreadful cries that fear ever uttered, advantage, and his own honour, the diaI may well term them dreadful, for logue thus proceeds, they haunted my sleep for years after- Ye're right, young man-ye're wards. As the murderers, or execution- right,' said Jarvie. Aye, take counsel ers, call them as you will, dragged him of those who are aulder and wiser than along, he recognized me even in that yoursell, and binna like a godless Rehomoment of horror, and exclaimed, in the boam, who took the advice o' a wheen last articulate words I ever heard him utter, 'O Mr. Osbaldistone, save me! save me!'

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beardless callants, neglecting the auld counsellors who had sate at the feet o' his father Solomon, and, as it is weel put "I was so much moved by this hor- by Mr. Meiklejohn, in his lecture on the rid spectacle, that, although in momenta- chapter, were doubtless partakers of his ry expectation of sharing his fate, I did sapience. But I maun hear naething about attempt to speak in his behalf; but, as honour-we ken naething here but about might have been expected, my interfer- credit. Honour is a homicide, and a ence was sternly disregarded. The vic- blood-spiller, that gangs about making tim was held fast by some, while others, frays in the street; but Credit is a debinding a large heavy stone in a plaid, cent, honest man, that sits at hame, and tied it round his neck, and others again makes the pat play." stripped him of some part of his dress. Assuredly, Mr. Jarvie,' said our Half-naked, and thus manacled, they friend Owen, credit is the sum total; hurled him into the lake, there about and if we can but save that, at whatever twelve feet deep, drowning his last death- discount--'

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