146 Cobbin's Philanthropy.-Bingley's Practical Introduction to Botany. [Feb. death; and the august princess*, who at a tender age, shared the hard fate of her illustrious parents, and who alone survives, presents a most important and concluding portion of this unprecedented history; in the account she succeeded in keeping, respecting her exalted female relatives and fellow sufferers. To rescue from comparative oblivion a large portion of these interesting details, and to combine them, with the more recent but not less valuable accounts of a later date, în one narrative, blended with a few transient illustrations from other sources is the design of these pages; with what success the compiler says, must be left to the decision of those who will properly appreciate the labours of the intellect employed in services of the heart; and whose habits of reasoning will offer no violence to the dictates of judgment, but who, far from being guided by that disgusting phrensy which denominates ránk an inroad, and birth a crime, ever find, in those who suffer unjustly, a fit object for sympathy; and the more so as the susceptibilities may have been expanded in the fairer regions of exalted expectation. Philanthropy, A Poem With Miscel laneous Pieces, by Ingram Cobbin, M. A. foolscap 8vo. pp. 386. POETRY is a most charming medium of conveying instruction to the mind. It is, however, to be lamented, that it has been so much abused. In the pages of our most celebrated bards, works of fiction have almost excluded the interesting details of truth; nature has been supplanted by art; and what is most of all to be lamented, impiety has too often usurped the throne of religion. ·· Our poems adore the deities of the Heathen; Jove usurps the sceptre of Jehovah ; and his most glorious works and bountiful favours are lost in the names of Neptune, Apollo, or Ceres. The beautiful Poems now in vogue, are nothing more than romances in Verse, nor is this their greatest defect; for their morals are so exceptionable, that to select their beauties, our minds are in danger of coining in contact with some defiling principle; it is like groping in the mud to gather diamonds. The topics here represented to the reader are drawn from nature. The design of the Work is to touch the best feelings of the heart-to awaken in the mind a love of patriotism, of freedom, of humanity, and above all, of religion. The To devote Poetry to religious purposes is to restore it to its original use. The vessels of the Muses' Temple have been too long profaned, and the instru ments hired to unhallowed lips. three most adinired British Poets, Milton, Thomson, and Young, were not indeed sparing of religious sentiment, but the former, unfortunately, has been deemed most unhappy in the most devotional parts of his matchless poem. The subject here chosen is, however, not religious: but has been the author's aim to introduce pious sentiments as often as it would allow, and to recommend the beauties of Revelation, by calling in their aid when they assist in adorning a sentence. A Practical Introduction to Botary Illustrated by References, under eath Definition, to Plants of easy Access; and by numerous Figures; and also comprising a Glossary of Botanic Terus. By the Rev. W. Bingley, A.M. FL.S. Author of Animal Bivgraphy, &c. 12mo. pp. 89. THIS little work is by no means intended to supersede the larger and more valuable introductions to the study of Botany, particularly Professor Martyn's Letters, and Sir James Edward Smith's Elementary Treatise. The latter of these, in particular, inust continue to be read and admired so long as any taste for this study shall exist in the British dominions. The claims to attention of the present publication are founded chiefly ou its portable size; its compris * Madame Royale, now Duchess D'An- ing, within a narrow compass, all the gouleme. principal definitions arranged in syste matic order, and these being, in general, illustrated by reference to English plants, or to plants that are of frequent occur rence in flower gardens. In this view it may with advantage be used as a supplement to Miss Wakefield's Familiar Introduction to Botany. As it is meant chiefly to illustrate English Botany, those definitions that are applicable only to foreign plants, have been, for the most part, omitted. If reference be made to the index, and thence to the definitions, the illustrations and figures, this work will be found to supply the place of a glossary of botanic terms. The student would not only be much aided, but it would prove a considera. ble source of amusement to him, if he were to collect, dry, and arrange, many of the parts of plauts, particularly the leaves, in the order in which they are here described. Ecclesiastical Colloquies: or, Dialogues on the Nature and Discipline of the Church of England: with a particular reference to certain popular objecLions ; designed to establish the Young Members of the Church in the Principles of Conformily. By the Rev. LJ. Hobson, Master of the Free Grammar School, Doncaster. 8vo pp. 241. decent rites and ceremonies of the church were any otherwise than innocent, much less that they could be causes of serious objection. In consequence of this, the author wrote a few dialogues; which being recited on the domestic hearth, and the substance of which being delivered in another form from the pulpit, had the effect of assisting to prevent, at that time, the establishment of a non-conforming interest. A few years after this, the author having been elected to the respectable situation of a public schoolmaster, and having to prepare young persons for the universities and for holy orders, he thought he might render some little service to the church, were be to employ a portion of his time in instructing them in the principles of conformity. The author says his attention was directed to this, from seeing the general ignorance which several of his pupils did not fail to manifest on a subject so important, even when arrived at a good age, and by no means deficient in classical literature. No work has come within our observation which was not either too concise or too prolix, and which did not entirely omit to notice many modern objections. Mr. Hobson has, however, composed one according to his own ideas -easy, familiar, and comprehensive. Idwal, and other Portions of a Poem to which is added, Gryphiadaca, Carmen l'enatorium. By P. Bayley, Esq. 8vo. pp. 274. 10s. WHEN a new work is obtruded on the notice of the public, it is usual to assign some reasons for the liberty, which, though they may have little beyond plausibility to plead in their favour, yet, should the author's intention appear to THE present fragments, it appears, be good, are commonly heard, if not are portions of a poem of considerable with approbation, at least with indul- length, far advanced towards complegence. The present work was originally tion, though yet unfinished. The undertaken for the purpose of establis- parts selected for publication have in ing in the principles of conformity two themselves something like a connected country parishes which the author was subject, and on that account appear appointed at his ordination to serve; capable of being detached from their and in which he spent some very happy respective situations, with the least vio years of his life. The inhabitants of lence. They are sent out like the little both parishes were distinguished for a Montgolfiers, with which aëronauts try regular attendance at their respective at once their gas, and the currents of churches; and, though amounting to the atmosphere, before they commit 700 individuals, few were disposed to themselves to the deep air in a large give encouragement to non-conform Balloon. The poem from which the ing tenets, satisfied with the faith in present fragments are taken, is founded which their fathers had lived and died, on events which occurred about the and considering the Bible and Liturgy as time of the second invasion of Wales by the two best books in the world, they Henry II., in what may not improperly would never have dreamed, had not, be styled the golden age of Welsh poeunfortunately, a non-conforming ministry. It has been too much the custom ter appeared among them, that steeples and bells, yawns and supplies, and the to mention the Cambrians as a barbarous people. At the time spoken of they had, to say nothing of their music, a body of poetry; which is more than their scoffing oppressors could boast for centuries after. The bravest of the Cambrian warriors of that age rank amongst the most illustrious of their nation's poets. Still many of the works of Hywel-ab-Owain Gwynedd, of Owen Cyveiling, of Cynddelio, and of Gwilchmai, are extant. Mr. Southey appears to the author to excite a strong interest in his Madoc, wherever his hero treads his native soil; and we have often wished, that when he laid his hand upon his harp, to celebrate the strife of a people against oppression and foreign dominion, he had taken The Cambriad" for his subject, rather than "The Maid of Orleans." The first of the subsequent portions is an Episode, connected with the main action of the poem. The character of Idwal, and the scenery amid which the events of the episode pass, are detailed for the purpose of varying a poem founded on military events, and from which the contrast obtained by much admixture of female character is excluded by cir cumstances. The Greek hexameters* which conclude this volume, need little apology. They may afford amusement to some of a class who, but a few years ago, were supposed to have no taste for the dead Janguages. Thanks to the general diffusion of learning, many of our keenest sportsmen may now read Oppian, and the Cynegetics of Xenophon, and run the hazard of being found at fault in Greek *The verses are also inserted in the Classical Journal, No. XXX., for June 1817. by more than one surmounter of gates and double posts and rails. We will venture however to say, that the sanction which the author has received for the publication of the Greek lines, is such as may not only be considered an authority, but even a proud distiuction. Chemical Amusements: comprising a Series of Curious and Instructive Experiments in Chemistry, which are easily performed and analtended by Danger. By Frederick Accum, Operative Chemist. 12mo. PP. 249. Price 7s. THESE pages have been written with a view to blend chemical scicace with rational amusement. To the student they may serve as a set of popular instructions for performing a variety of curious and instructive experiments, well calculated for illustrating the most striking facts which the science of chemistry has to offer. Stories, Explanatory of the Church Catechism. By Mrs. Sherwood, Author of little Henry and his Bearer, &c. &c. 12mo. pp. 307. THE following Stories were written for the use of children of his Majesty's 53d regiment, at that time stationed at Cawnpore, in the East Indies. As these stories were intended for a particular class of children, there is of course a peculiarity in the style which it would not be possible to alter without rendering the tale less natural, and producing a less accurate picture of the characters described in them. THEATRICAL JOURNAL. DRURY-LANE ANUARY 27.-The Belle's Stratagem was revived at Drury-lane 'theatre, for the purpose of introducing a new actress, a Miss Smithson, from the Dublin theatre, in the character of Letitia Hurdy. It is a favourite cha racter for appearances of this nafure, because the different situations of Letitia Hardy afford an opportunity for the exhibition of the vari ous and different powers of the actress. Miss Smithson promises to be an acquisition to the company. Her person is tall and well formed; her countenance is handsome. She is naturally graceful in her action, but perfectly capable of assuining the awkwardness which some of the situations required. The broad comic part appeared to us, in some instances, a little overacted; it was, however, conceived and executed with spirit. The speaking voice is rather distinct than powerful, and she gave the song of "where are you going my pretty maid," in a style more remarkable for humour than sweetness. The Minuet de la Cour was substituted for the song at the masquerade, and her fine figure and graceful movements were displayed to advantage. A little more acquaintance with our theatres, and confidence in herself, will probably encourage her to higher efforts, and qualify her to assume no inconsiderabla rauk in the professions she has selected, We observed with regret that two changes were made in the distribution of the other characters, for which it would be difficult to state any satisfactory reason. Mrs. Robinson performed the part of Lady Frances Touchwood, in the room of Mrs. Orger, whose unaffected gaiety and dignified simplicity had, we thought, established her in possession. Mr. Stanley, as Doricourt, supplied the place of Mr. Rae, but with less of that air which marks the travelled gentleman, and generally with less effect. Those are not only gratui. tous changes, but changes for the worse. Without serving the art, they operate to disappoint the public. Mr. Dowlon's Hardy was, of course, admirable, and the play was announced for repetition with applause. JAN 29.-The comedy of Town and Country was revived, in order to introduce Mr. Kean's Reuben Glenroy. This is one of those plays in which every thing is sacrificed to oddity, and in which the humour, as it is called, is contrasted by a dullness as solid and compact, as the other is frivolous and frothy. Never was such a composition as the character of Reuben Glenroy, and never were such incidents as are represented for life and nature in this comedy. Mr Kean performed the character with his usual excellence, and gave it a meaning which, in itself, it does not possess. Mr. Stanley's Plastic, was undertaken at a very short notice, and is, therefore, entitled to a lenient consideration. Mr. Dowton, as Casey, and Mr. Munden, as Trot, excited much laughter. Mrs. Robinson, who ap. peared for the first time as Rosalie Somers, was much applauded. She looked interesting and beautiful, and delivered the sentiments with propriety and effect. Nothing more could be required from her in a character so subordinate. FEB. 5.-The Bryde of Abydos is from a poem of the same name, by Lord Byron. It is unnecessary to say much of the character of his lordship's poetry and poem, as it has become the fashion of the present day to read no other poetry. He excels in the description of that which is the peculiar character of his own mind. He is deeply imbued with a melancholy, occasionally approaching to insanity, if not madness, and, as usually happens to temperaments of this kind, is sometimes savage, -frequently malignant, and always irregular. This is his character as a poet; and though it is the current fashion of the day to admire him in the gross, and to receive some good descriptive passages in excuse for much turbulence and obscurity, we must add, that he is no favourite with us, and that we would rather be without such a poet, than see him pervert what talent he possesses, in disguising and varnishing misanthropic and anti-social principles. The play is much better than could have been anticipated, from the eircumstances of its being the abridgement of the poem. There are many passions and situations which only admit of being exhibited at full length. Hence, a poet or a novelist, has a larger field than a dramatic writer; the former may take what space they require, but the latter must confine himself within the more limitted period allowed to the drama. Hence, it very seldom happens, that a novel or a poem can be successfully reduced into a play. The play, however, does not follow the poem too closely. Many effective incidents are added to the poetical history of the Corsair and the bride. The father of Selim, whom Giaffier murdered in the poem, is brought to life in the play; and Osman Bey, the intended husband of Zulieka, is introduced as an active character. Hassan, a slave, and Abdallah, under the name of Mirza, who are supposed to have perished by Giaffier's dagger, meet Selim in the cavern on the sea-shore, and inform him of his birth. Mirza further adds, that by the Sulian's orders he is to attack the usurper's castle with a band of faithful troops that night. Selim seeks Zulicka in the garden, and, while relating to her his history, and urging her to escape, is discovered and seized, but, at the intercession of his mistress, spared, though made a prisoner, by the Bashaw Hassan releases him; the first adventure of the Corsair then becomes the coucluding one of the lover of Zulieka. He attends, disguised as a dervise, the marriage-feast of the Timariot chieftain and his mistress. At the hour of midnight the distant blaze is seen. Selim makes the appointed signal, is discovered and escapes; his father's troops attack and force the castle, which they set on fire; Selim rescues Zulieka from a burning tower; Abdallah appears before the tyrant, who is appalled and subdued by his own conscious guilt; and that poetical justice which Lord Byron has denied, is rendered to the parties by the union of Selim and Zulieka. COVENT GARDEN. JAN. 27. This evening Mrs. Garrick, from the Liverpool Theatre, appeared in the character of Lucy Bertram, in Guy Mannering. This lady, both as an actress and a singer, displays considerable self-possession and experience of the stage. Her voice and style are good, and her musical talent is far above mediocrity some of her upper notes are a little harsh and imperfect, but her lower ones are remarkable for smoothness and inflexibility. With all the disadvantages of immediate comparison with the Lucy Bertram of Miss Slephens, we are much gratified with Mrs. Garrick's performance; and though we should hesitate to place her in the very first rank, we consider her at acquisi tion to the theatre. FEB. 3. The Illustrious Traveller; or, The Forges of Kanzel, a Melo Drama, was performed at this Theatre. It would be worse than folly to detail the plot. A nobleman who, like the Stranger, has fled from a wife he still loves, though she has ruined him by gaming, and precipitated him into a doel, where he kills his adversary, and absconds to avoid the death awarded to that offence. Suffice it to say, that he has been six years concealed near the Forges of Kanzel, to which spot at the opening of the piece the military come in pursuit of him. At the same time arriveth his lady, who most considerately and maternally lays her child to rest on the edge of a tremendous precipice which overhangs a furious waterfall, while she goes to seek shelter at the Forges. It is saved from death by its father, and recognition and reconciliation ensue. The King restores the Count to favour, and the piece concludes. The Tragedy of Fazio, at CoventGarden, excited so much the more attention, as it was first represented at Bath, and only repeated in London from the report of its merit and attrac tion. This tragedy is one of the most pleasing dramas which has appeared for the last twenty years. The plot is romantic, without being improbable, and is tragical without being repulsive; it is poetical, though in common life, and deeply interesting though of a most simple construction. The plot is not only well selected, but is admirably distributed, and the interest is thus maintained from the commencement to the conclusion. The language of the drama is that of a young man of a bold poetical conception and expression, and accordingly abounds in figure and metaphor beyond what a more sober Judgment would approve or adopt. But it is better to exceed in this respect than to fall short, as the one is the remediable error of a quick imagination, whilst the other is the absence of that which no industry will supply. The character of Fazio is peculiarly attractive, and never ceases to excite a lively sympathy and interest. Miss O'Neil, in Bianca, divided the interest of the audience with Mr. Charles Kemble, in Fazio. The crime of Fazio, such as it is, is calculated to excite this strong sympathy in his sufferings and misfortunes, because it appears a frailty rather than a crime, and seems almost compensated by his other qualities. This tragedy was as well received as it, undoubtedly, wel! merited. There has been no play within our own memory which exceeds it in interest and attraction, and it gives us a very sincere satisfaction, that its young writer, a Mr. Millman, is thus encouraged in the commencement of a course which he is calculated to run with honour. The Theatres of Covent Garden and |