live specimens of office-seekers now on hand here. The new President
has just advised them all to go home and leave their papers behind
them; and such a scattering you never saw! One fellow came here
from Illinois, and was introduced to a wag who, he was told, had
"great influence at court," and who, although destitute of any such
pretensions, kept up the delusion for the sake of the joke. The
"Sucker" addressed the man of influence something in this wise:
"Now, stranger, look at them papers. Them names is the first in our
whole town. There's Deacon Styles--there ain't no piouser man in all
the county; and then there's Rogers, our shoemaker--he made them boots
I got on, and a better pair never tramped over these diggins. You
wouldn't think them soles had walked over more than three hundred miles
of Hoosier mud, but they _hev_ though, and are sound yet. Every body in
our town knows John Rogers. Just you go to Illinois, and ax about _me_.
You'll find how I stand. Then you ask Jim Turner, our constable--_he_
knows me; ask _him_ what I did for the party. He'll tell you I was
a screamer at the polls--nothing else. Now, I've come all the way
from Illinois, and a-foot too, most of the way, to see if I can have
justice. They even told me to take a town-office to--hum! but I must
have something that pays aforehand--such as them '_char-gees_,' as they
call 'em. I hain't got only seven dollars left, and I can't wait. Jist
git me one o' them '_char-gees_,' will ye? Them'll do. Tell the old man
how it is; _he'll_ do it. Fact is, he _must_! I've airnt the office,
and no mistake!"
Doubtless he _had_ "airnt" it; few persons who go to Washington and
_wait_ for an office, but _earn_ their office, whether they obtain it
or not.
* * * * *
It is HORACE WALPOLE, in his egotistical but very amusing
correspondence, who narrates the following amusing anecdote:
"I must add a curious story, which I believe will surprise your
Italian surgeons as much as it has amazed the faculty here. A sailor
who had broken his leg was advised to communicate his case to the
Royal Society. The account he gave was, that having fallen from the
top of the mast and fractured his leg, he had dressed it with nothing
but tar and oakum, and yet in three days was able to walk as well as
before the accident. The story at first appeared quite incredible, as
no such efficacious qualities were known in tar, and still less in
oakum; nor was a poor sailor to be credited on his own bare assertion
of so wonderful a cure. The society very reasonably demanded a fuller
relation, and, I suppose, the corroboration of evidence. Many doubted
whether the leg had been really broken. That part of the story had
been amply verified. Still it was difficult to believe that the man
had made use of no other applications than tar and oakum; and how
_they_ should cure a broken leg in three days, even if they could cure
it at all, was a matter of the utmost wonder. Several letters passed
between the society and the patient, who persevered in the most solemn
asseverations of having used no other remedies, and it does appear
beyond a doubt that the man speaks truth. It is a little uncharitable,
but I fear there are surgeons who might not like this abbreviation of
attendance and expense; but, on the other hand, you will be charmed
with the plain, honest simplicity of the sailor. In a postscript to his
last letter, he added these words:
"I forgot to tell your honors that the leg was a wooden one!"
* * * * *
There was great delicacy in the manner in which a foreigner, having a
friend hung in this country, broke the intelligence to his relations on
the other side of the water. He wrote as follows:
"Your brother had been addressing a large meeting of citizens, who had
manifested the deepest interest in him, when the platform upon which he
stood, being, as was subsequently ascertained, very insecure, gave way,
owing to which, he fell and broke his neck!"
* * * * *
If you will take a bank-note, and while you are folding it up according
to direction, peruse the following lines, you will arrive at their
meaning, with no little admiration for the writer's cleverness:
"I will tell you a plan for gaining wealth,
Better than banking, trading or leases;
Take a bank-note and fold it up,
And then you will find your wealth in-creases.
"This wonderful plan, without danger or loss,
Keeps your cash in your hands, and with nothing to trouble it,
And every time that you fold it across,
'Tis plain as the light of the day that you double it."
* * * * *
If your "Editor's Drawer," writes a correspondent, is not already full,
you may think the inclosed, although an old story, worthy of being
squeezed in.
"Soon after the close of the American Revolution, a deputation of
Indian chiefs having some business to transact with the Governor, were
invited to dine with some of the officials in Philadelphia. During
the repast, the eyes of a young chief were attracted to a castor of
_mustard_, having in it a spoon ready for use. Tempted by its bright
color, he gently drew it toward him, and soon had a brimming spoonful
in his mouth. Instantly detecting his mistake, he nevertheless had the
fortitude to swallow it, although it forced the tears from his eyes.
"A chief opposite, at the table, who had observed the consequence, but
not the cause, asked him 'What he was crying for?' He replied that he
was 'thinking of his father, who was killed in battle.' Soon after, the
questioner himself, prompted by curiosity, made the same experiment,
with the same result, and in turn was asked by the younger Sachem 'What
_he_ was crying for?' '_Because you were not killed when your father
was_,' was the prompt reply."
* * * * *
Old Matthews, the most comic of all modern comic _raconteurs_, when in
this country used to relate the following illustration of the manner in
which the cool assumption of a "flunkey" was rebuked by an eccentric
English original, one Lord EARDLEY, whose especial antipathy was, to
have his servants of the class called "fine gentlemen:"
"During breakfast one day, Lord Eardley was informed that a person
had applied for a footman's place, then vacant. He was ordered into
the room, and a double refined specimen of the _genus_ so detested by
his lordship made his appearance. The manner of the man was extremely
affected and consequential, and it was evident that my lord understood
him at a glance; moreover, it was as evident he determined to lower him
a little.
"'Well, my good fellow,' said he, 'you want a lackey's place, do you?'
"'I came about an upper footman's situation, my lord,' said the
gentleman, bridling up his head.
"'Oh, do ye, do ye?' replied Lord Eardley; 'I keep no upper servants;
all alike, all alike here.'
"'Indeed, my lord!' exclaimed this upper footman, with an air of
shocked dignity. 'What _department_ then am I to consider myself
expected to fill?'
"'Department! department!' quoth my lord, in a tone like inquiry.
"'In what _capacity_, my lord?'
"My lord repeated the word capacity, as if not understanding its
application to the present subject.
"'I mean, my lord,' explained the man, 'what shall I be expected to do,
if I take the _situation_?'
"'Oh, you mean if you take the place. I understand you now,' rejoined
my lord; 'why, you're to do every thing but sweep the chimneys and
clean the pig-sties, and _those I do myself_.'
"The _gentleman_ stared, scarcely knowing what to make of this, and
seemed to wish himself out of the room; he, however, grinned a ghastly
smile, and, after a short pause, inquired what _salary_ his lordship
gave!
"'Salary, salary?' reiterated his incorrigible lord ship, 'don't know
the word, don't know the word, my good man.'
"Again the gentleman explained; 'I mean what wages?'
"'Oh, wages,' echoed my lord; 'what d'ye ask? what d'ye ask?'
"Trip regained his self-possession at this question, which looked
like business, and considering for a few moments, answered--first
stipulating to be found in hair-powder, and (on state occasions) silk
stockings, and gloves, bags and bouquets--that he should expect thirty
pounds a year.
"'How much, how much?' demanded my lord rapidly.
"'Thirty pounds, my lord.'
"'Thirty pounds!' exclaimed Lord Eardley, in affected amazement; 'make
it guineas, and _I'll live with_ YOU;' then ringing the bell, said to
the servant who answered it, 'Let out this _gentleman_, he's too good
for me;' and then turning to Matthews, who was much amused, said, as
the man made his exit, 'Conceited, impudent, scoundrel! Soon sent him
off, soon sent him off, Master Matthews.'"
* * * * *
As specimens of the _retort courteous_ and the _retort uncourteous_,
observe the two which ensue:
"Two of the guests at a public dinner having got into an altercation,
one of them, a blustering vulgarian, vociferated: 'Sir, you're no
gentleman!' 'Sir,' said his opponent, in a calm voice, 'you are no
judge!'"
* * * * *
TALLEYRAND, being questioned on one occasion by a man who squinted
awfully, with several importunate questions, concerning his leg,
recently broken, replied:
"It is quite _crooked_--as you _see_!"
* * * * *
If you have ever been a pic-nicking, reader, you will appreciate the
annoyances set forth in these lively lines by a modern poet. We went
on one of these excursions in August, not many years ago, and while
addressing some words that we intended should be very agreeable, to
a charming young lady in black, seated by our side, on the bank of a
pleasant lake, in the upper region of the Ramapo mountains, a huge
garter-snake crept forth at our feet, hissing at our intrusion upon his
domain! How the young lady did scamper!--and how we did the same thing,
for that matter! But we must not forget the lines we were speaking of:
Half-starved with hunger, parched with thirst,
All haste to spread the dishes,
When lo! we find the soda burst,
Amid the loaves and fishes;
Over the pie, a sudden sop,
The grasshoppers are skipping,
Each roll's a sponge, each loaf a mop,
And all the meat is dripping.
Bristling with broken glass you find
Some cakes among the bottles,
Which those may eat, who do not mind
Excoriated throttles:
The biscuits now are wiped and dried,
When shrilly voices utter:
"Look! look! a toad has got astride
Our only plate of butter!"
Your solids in a liquid state,
Your cooling liquids heated,
And every promised joy by Fate
Most fatally defeated:
All, save the serving-men, are soured,
_They_ smirk, the cunning sinners!
Having, before they came, devoured
Most comfortable dinners.
Still you assume, in very spite,
A grim and gloomy gladness;
Pretend to laugh--affect delight--
And scorn all show of sadness
While thus you smile, but storm within,
A storm without comes faster,
And down descends in deafening din
A deluge of disaster!
So, friend, if you are sick of _Home_,
Wanting a new sensation,
And sigh for the unwonted ease
Of un-accommodation;
If you would taste, as amateur,
And vagabond beginner,
The painful pleasures of the poor,
_Get up a Pic-Nic Dinner_!
* * * * *
There is a good deal of talk, in these latter days, about the article
of guano: the right of discovery of the islands where it is obtained,
and the like. We remember to have heard something about the discovery
and occupation of the first of these islands, that of Ichaboe, which
made us "laugh consumedly;" and we have been thinking that a thorough
exploration of the Lobos islands might result in a similar discomfiture
to the "grasping Britishers."
It seems that a party of Englishmen, claiming to have discovered the
island of Ichaboe, landed from a British vessel upon that "rich" coast,
and appreciating the great agricultural value of its minerals, walked
up toward the top of the heap, to crow on their own dung-hill, and take
possession of it in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, with the usual
form of breaking a bottle of Madeira, and other the like observances.
While they were thus taking possession, however, one of the party,
more adventurous than the rest, made his way to the farther slope of a
higher eminence, and saw, to his utter discomfiture and consternation,
a Bangor schooner rocking in a little cove of the island, a parcel
of Yankees digging into its sides, and loading the vessel, and a
weazen-faced man administering the temperance-pledge to a group of the
natives on a side-hill near by!
He went back to his party, reported what he had seen, and the ceremony
of taking possession, in the name of Her Majesty, of an uninhabited
island, was very suddenly interrupted and altogether done away with.
* * * * *
The readers of "The Drawer," who may have noticed the numerous signs
of _Ladies' Schools_ which may be seen in the suburban streets
and thoroughfares of our Atlantic cities, will find the following
experience of a Frenchman in London not a little amusing:
"Sare, I shall tell you my impressions when I am come first from
Paris to London. De English ladies, I say to myself, must be de
most best educate women in de whole world. Dere is schools for dem
every wheres--in a hole and in a corner. Let me take some walks in
de Fauxbourgs, and what do I see all around myself? When I look dis
way I see on a white house's front a large bord, with some gilded
letters, which say, 'Seminary for Young Ladies.' When I look dat way
at a big red house, I see anoder bord which say, 'Establishment for
Young Ladies,' by Miss Someones. And when I look up at a little house,
at a little window, over a barber-shop, I read on a paper, 'Ladies'
School.' Den I see 'Prospect House,' and 'Grove House,' and de 'Manor
House,' so many I can not call dem names, and also all schools for
de young females. Day-schools besides. Yes; and in my walks always I
meet some schools of Young Ladies, eight, nine, ten times in one day,
making dere promenades, two and two and two. Den I come home to my
lodging's door, and below de knocker I see one letter. I open it, and
I find 'Prospectus of a Lady School.' By-and-by I say to my landlady,
'Where is your oldest of daughters, which used to bring to me my
breakfast?' and she tell me, 'She is gone out a governess!' Next she
notice me I must quit my apartement. 'What for?' I say: 'what have I
dones? Do I not pay you all right, like a weekly man of honor?' 'O
certainly, Mounseer,' she say, 'you are a gentleman, quite polite, and
no mistakes, but I wants my whole of my house to myselfs for to set
him up for a Lady School!' Noting but Ladies' Schools--and de widow of
de butcher have one more over de street. 'Bless my soul and my body!'
I say to myself, 'dere must be nobody borned in London except leetil
girls!'"
* * * * *
Here is a very beautiful thought of that strange compound of Scotch
shrewdness, strong common sense, and German mysticism, or _un_-common
sense--Thomas Carlyle:
"When I gaze into the stars, they look down upon me with pity from
their serene and silent spaces, like eyes glistening with tears over
the little lot of man. Thousands of generations, all as noisy as our
own, have been swallowed up of Time, and there remains no record of
them any more: yet Arcturus and Orion, Sirius and the Pleiades are
still shining in their courses, clear and young, as when the shepherd
first noted them in the plain of Shinar! 'What shadows we are, and what
shadows we pursue!'"
* * * * *
There is probably not another word in the English language that can
be worse "twisted" than that which composes the burden of the ensuing
lines:
WRITE we know is written right,
When we see it written write:
But when we see it written wright,
We know 'tis not then written right;
For write, to have it written right,
Must not be written right nor wright,
Nor yet should it be written rite,
But WRITE--for so 'tis written right.
* * * * *
We commend the following to the scores of dashing "spirited" belles
who have just returned disappointed from "the Springs," Newport, and
other fashionable resorts. The writer is describing a dashing female
character, whose "mission" she considered it to be, to take the world
and admiration "by storm:"
"With all her blaze of notoriety, did any body _esteem_ her
particularly? Was there any one man upon earth who on his pillow could
say, 'What a lovely angel is Fanny Wilding!' Had she ever refused an
offer of marriage? No; for nobody ever had made her one. She was like a
fine fire-work, entertaining to look at, but dangerous to come near to:
her bouncing and cracking in the open air gave a lustre to surrounding
objects, but there was not a human being who could be tempted to take
the dangerous exhibition into his own house! _That_ was a thing not to
be thought of for a moment."
* * * * *
"In your Magazine for July," writes a city correspondent, "I notice
in the '_Editor's Drawer_,' an allusion to and quotation from '_The
Execution of Montrose_,' the author of which you state is unknown
or not named. You seem not to be aware that this is one of Aytoun's
Ballads, which, with others, was published in London, under the title
of 'Lays of the Cavaliers.' But why did you not give the most beautiful
verse:
'He is coming! He is coming!
Like a bridegroom from his room,
Came the hero from his prison,
To the scaffold and the doom.
There was glory on his forehead,
There was lustre in his eye,
And he never went to battle
More proudly than to die!'
"I quote only from memory, but the original has 'walked to battle'--is
not 'went' a better word? The book is full of gems: let me give you
one more, which would make a fine subject for an artist. It is from
'Edinburgh after Flodden;' when Randolph Murray returns from the
battle, to announce to the old burghers their sad defeat:
'They knew so sad a messenger,
Some ghastly news must bring;
And all of them were fathers,
And their sons were with the King.'"
* * * * *
"How do you spell Feladelfy?" asked a small city grocer of his partner
one day, as he was sprinkling sand upon a letter which he was about to
dispatch to the "City of Brotherly Love."
"Why, _Fel-a_, Fela, _del_, Feladel, _fy_--Feladelfy."
"Then I've got it right," said the partner (in ignorance as well as in
business), "I thought I might have made a mistake!"
* * * * *
DICKENS, in a passage of his Travels in Italy, describes an
embarrassing position, and a pursuit of knowledge under difficulties
that would have discouraged most learners: "There was a traveling party
on board our steamer, of whom one member was very ill in the cabin next
to mine, and being ill was cross, and therefore declined to give up
the dictionary, which he kept under his pillow; thereby obliging his
companions to come down to him constantly, to ask what was the Italian
for a lump of sugar, a glass of brandy-and-water, 'what's o'clock?' and
so forth; which he always insisted on looking out himself, with his own
sea-sick eyes, declining to trust the book to any man alive. Ignorance
was scarcely 'bliss' in this case, however much folly there might have
been in being 'wise.'"
CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR DRAWER.
On the 25th December, 1840, when the excitement in diplomatic circles
upon the subject of the so-called Eastern question was at its height,
an English friend dined with Sir Hamilton Seymour and Lady Seymour, in
Brussels. Seymour's note of invitation ran "Will you and your wife come
and eat a turkey with us." The dinner was a very good one, but there
was no turkey; and on the following day our friend sent him the lines
below:
"On the notorious breach of political faith committed by Sir G.
Hamilton Seymour, G.C.H., &c., &c., &c. Her Britannic Majesty's
Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Belgium, on the 25th
December, 1840.
"Most perfidious, most base of all living ministers,
You deserve to fall back to the rank of plain Misters,
Your star taken off, and your chain only serving
To fetter your ankles _selon_ your deserving.
Don't think that my charge is some trumpery matter
Of court etiquette. It is greater, and fatter;
Fit cause throughout Europe to spread conflagration,
Set King against Kaiser, and nation 'gainst nation.
'Tis a fraud diplomatic--a protocol broken--
The breach of a treaty both written and spoken--
A matter too bad for e'en Thiers' digestion--
The loss of an empire, the great Eastern question!
In vain would you move my ambition or pity--
In vain do you offer the province or city--
Neither Bordeaux nor Xeres, nor eke all Champagne,
Can make me forgetful of promises vain.
Such pitiful make-weights I send to perdition;
'Twas _Turkey_ you promised--at least a partition.
'Twas _Turkey_ you promised--you've broken your word.
'Twas _Turkey_ you promised: and where is the bird?"
Seymour's answer the same day:
"Of eastern affairs most infernally sick,
No wonder I failed to my promise to stick.
With the subject of _Turkey_ officially cramm'd,
If Turkey I dined on, I swore I'd be d--d.
But at least, my good friend, and the thought should bring peace,
If I gave you no _Turkey_, I gave you no Greece (grease)."
* * * * *
It is related of ex-President Tyler, that from the time of his election
to the Vice-Presidency until the death of General Harrison, he kept no
carriage on account of the insufficiency of his salary. When, however,
he found himself accidentally elevated to the chief Magistracy, the
former difficulty being removed, he at once determined to set up
an equipage. He accordingly bought a pair of horses, and engaged a
coachman, and then began to look about for a vehicle. Hearing of one
for sale which belonged to a gentleman residing in Washington, and
which had only been driven a few times, the President went to look at
it. Upon examination he was perfectly satisfied with it himself, but
still he thought it more prudent, before purchasing it, to take the
opinion of his Hibernian coachman upon it. Pat reported that it was
"jist the thing for his honor."
"But," said Mr. Tyler, "do you think it would be altogether proper for
the President of the United States to drive a second-hand carriage?"
"And why not?" answered the Jehu; "_sure and ye're only a second-hand
president!_"
* * * * *
We have seen many lazy men (and women, too, for that matter) in our day
and generation, but we _do_ think that a little the laziest individual
we ever did meet, is a certain bald-headed, oldish gentleman, who
lives somewhere in Fourteenth-street near the Fifth Avenue. Standing
the other day with a friend, at the southeast corner of Broadway and
Union-square, waiting for a Fourth Avenue omnibus, upward bound, we
noticed the subject of this paragraph crossing the street, with his arm
in a sling. Turning to our companion, who was well acquainted with him,
we asked,
"Why, what in the world has happened to Mr. ----'s arm?"
"Oh, nothing at all," was the reply, "he only wears it in a sling,
because he is _too lazy to swing it_!"
* * * * *
The following commencement to a legal document, to which our attention
was once called in a business-matter is curious enough. The parties
mentioned were English people, the names not being uncommon on the
other side of the water:
"James Elder, the younger, in right of Elizabeth Husband, his wife,
&c., &c."
* * * * *
HENRY ERSKINE is reputed to have been quite as clever a man as his
more famous brother. His wit was ready, pungent, and at times somewhat
bitter. Another brother, Lord Buchan, as is well known, was pompous,
conceited, and ineffably stupid. Upon one occasion, having purchased a
new estate in a very picturesque section of the country, he took his
brother Henry down to see it. When they arrived at the park gate, Lord
Buchan, climbing upon the gate-post, commenced a vehement and florid
discourse upon the beauty of the surrounding scenery. After a while his
language became so hyperbolical and his gesticulations so violent that
Henry, being tired of so extravagant a performance, called out to him,
"I say, Buchan, if your gate was as high as your _style_ (_stile_), and
you were to happen to fall, you would most certainly break your neck!"
* * * * *
One evening Henry Erskine accompanied the notorious Duchess of Gordon,
and her daughter, a sweet girl, who afterward became the Marchioness of
Abercorn, to the Opera. At the close of the performance, the duchess's
carriage was sought for in vain--the coachman had failed to return for
them. No other carriage was to be found, and there was no alternative
for the ladies but to walk home in their laced and be-spangled evening
dresses. A few minutes after they had started, the duchess, turning to
Erskine, said,
"Harry, my dear, what must any one take us for, who should meet us
walking the streets at this hour of the night in Opera costume?"
"Your grace would undoubtedly be taken _for what you are_, and your
daughter for _what she is not_," was the caustic reply.
* * * * *
A lady, who had a propensity for Newport last summer, but who found it
very difficult to induce her husband to take her there, called upon the
eminent Doctor Francis, of Bond-street, for the purpose of procuring
his certificate of the importance of sea-bathing for the preservation
of her health.
"Are you ill, madam?" asked the doctor.
"Not at all, doctor," the lady answered, "but I am afraid that I shall
become so, in this extremely hot weather, unless I have the opportunity
to bathe in the sea, and thus preserve my health."
"Very well, madam," replied the doctor, "if you are sure that you
_can not keep without pickling_, the sooner you start for Newport the
better, and I shall have much pleasure in giving you my certificate to
that effect."
* * * * *
The following inscription upon a tombstone is to be found in Mechlem
church-yard, in England. The poet evidently was of the opinion that so
long as he made use of the proper verb, what part of it he employed was
of very little consequence:
Long time she strove with sorrow and with care,
Died like a man, and like a Christian bear!
* * * * *
There once lived in Scotland a man named John Ford, who abused
and maltreated his wife in every possible way. Poor Mrs. Ford, in
consequence of injuries to which she was subjected, finally died. Soon
after his wife's decease, John came to the sexton of the kirk and
expressed a desire to have an epitaph written for the "puir body."
"Ye're the mon to do it, Maister Sexton, and an ye'll write one, I'll
gie ye a guinea," said the bereaved widower. The sexton was somewhat
surprised at the request, and so stated to the petitioner. He said that
it was well known that Mrs. Ford's matrimonial life had been any thing
but a happy one, and if he wrote any thing, his conscience would only
permit him to write the truth. John told him to write exactly what he
pleased--that decency required some inscription over the "gudewife's"
grave, and that he'd "gie the guinea" for whatever the sexton saw
fit to compose. Upon these conditions, the man of the spade finally
consented to invoke his muse, and it was agreed that Johnny should call
the next evening to receive the epitaph. Accordingly at the appointed
time, the following composition was placed in his hands and met with
his unbounded approval:
Here lies the body of Mary Ford,
We hope her soul is with the Lord,
But if for Tophet she's changed this life,
Better be there than John Ford's wife.
* * * * *
The only known house-settlement of Gipsies in the world is in Scotland,
not very far from Edinburgh. When Sir Walter Scott was a young man
he was sent down from the capital to the "Egyptian village" for the
purpose of collecting the rents. He was directed upon his arrival
to report himself to a certain person whose address was given him
and then to follow in all respects this person's instructions. He
accordingly upon reaching his destination, at once sent his letter of
introduction to the place indicated, and was soon afterward waited
upon by the individual to whom he was recommended. The advice which he
then received was, to let his presence in the village be known, but to
remain at home and by no means attempt to collect any of the rents by
calling at the houses. This advice he followed for three days, during
which time only two of the gipsies called and paid. After this he was
advised to return to Edinburgh, leaving word at the settlement that
he had gone back to town where he would be happy to see any of the
tenants. In less than a week nearly all made their appearance and paid
what they owed. They were unwilling to do under the slightest semblance
of coercion what they cheerfully did voluntarily.
The first public recognition of the gipsies as a people in England, is
in a proclamation of Queen Elizabeth, in which she directs all sheriffs
and magistrates to "aid, counsel, and assist our loving cousin John,
Prince of Thebes and of Upper Egypt, in apprehending and punishing
certain of his subjects guilty of divers crimes and misdemeanors."
* * * * *
HOGG, the Ettrick shepherd, was an eccentric genius. He was once dining
at a table where he was seated next to a daughter of Sir William
Drysdale. His companion was a charming young lady--unaffected, affable,
and yet withal gifted with considerable shrewdness and cleverness.
To some remark which he made, she replied, "You're a funny man, Mr.
Hogg," to which he instantly rejoined, "And ye, a nice lassie, Miss
Drysdale. Nearly all girls are like a bundle of pens, cut by the same
machine--ye're not of the bundle."
We have a friend who knew Hogg well. Our friend once arranged a party
for an excursion to Lake St. Mary's, and it was proposed to stop at
Hogg's house on the way, and take him up. Before they reached it,
however, they saw a man fishing in the "Yarrow," not very far from
the high-road. The fisherman the moment that he noticed a carriage
full of people whose attention was apparently attracted to himself,
gathered up his rod and line and began to run in an opposite direction
as fast as his legs could carry him. Our friend descended from the
carriage, and shouted after him at the top of his voice. But it was
of no use--the fugitive never stopped until he reached an elevated
spot of ground, when he turned round to watch the movements of the
intruders. Recognizing our friend, he laughingly returned his greeting,
and, approaching him, said--we translate his Scotch dialect into the
vernacular--"Why, S----, my boy, how are you? Do you know, I took you
for some of those rascally tourists, who come down upon me in swarms,
like the locusts of Egypt, and eat me out of house and home." His fears
removed, he accompanied the party to the lake, and they had a merry day
of it.
Hogg's egotism and conceit were very amusing. Witness the following
extract from his "Familiar anecdotes of Sir Walter Scott."
"One of Sir Walter's representatives has taken it upon him to assert,
that Sir Walter held me in the lowest contempt! He never was further
wrong in his life, but Sir Walter would have been still further wrong,
if he had done so. Of that, posterity will judge."
* * * * *
There are many engraved portraits of Lord Byron afloat, but it is
said that none of them resemble him. A friend of ours, who knew him
intimately, assures us that the face of the Macedonian monarch in Paul
Veronese's celebrated picture of "Alexander in the tent of Darius" at
Venice, is the exact image of his lordship. Standing before it one day
with a lady, he mentioned the extraordinary likeness to her in English,
when the _cicerone_ who accompanied them, said, "Ah, sir, I see that
you knew my old master well. Many a time since his death have I stood
and gazed upon that face which recalled his own so strongly to my
recollection."
By-the-by, the history of this picture is rather curious.
The artist, whose real name was Paul Caliari, was invited by a
hospitable family to spend some time with them at their villa, on the
banks of the Brenta. While in the house his habits were exceedingly
peculiar. He remained in his room the greater part of the time, and
refused to allow any one to enter it on any pretext. The maid was
not even permitted to make his bed--and every morning she found the
sweepings of the room at the door, whence she was at liberty to remove
them. One day the painter suddenly disappeared. The door of the room
was found open. The sheets were gone from the bed. The frightened
servant reported to the master that they had been stolen. A search
was instituted. In one corner of the room was found a large roll of
canvas. Upon opening it, it proved to be a magnificent picture--the
famous "Alexander in the tent of Darius." Upon close inspection, it was
discovered that it was painted upon the sheets of the bed! The artist
had left it as a present to the family, and had taken this curious
method of evincing his gratitude.
* * * * *
Most travelers in Italy make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Juliet, at
Verona. Verona and Shakspeare are, of course, inseparable; but when you
are on the spot, little can be found to identify the creations of the
poet. We have no more traces of Valentine and Proteus at Verona, than
we possess of Launce and his dog at Milan. The _Montecchi_ belonged
to the Ghibellines; and as they _joined_ with the _Capelletti_ in
expelling Azo di Ferrara (shortly previous to 1207), it is probable
that both were of the same party. The laconic mention of their
families, which Dante places in the mouth of Sordello, proves their
celebrity
"O Alberto tedesco, ch' abbandoni
Costei ch' è fatta indomita e selveggia,
E dovresti inforcar li suoi arcioni;
Giusto guidicio dalle stelle coggia
Sovra 'l tuo sangue, e sia nuovo e asserto,
Tal che 'l tuo successor temenza n' aggia:
Ch' avete, tu e 'l tuo padre, sofferto
Per cupidigia di costá distretti,
Che 'l giardin dell' 'mperio sia diserto.
Vieni a veder Montecchi e Capuletti,
Monaldi e Filippeschi, nom senza cura,
Color giá tristi, e costor con sospetti."
Purgatorio VI. 97, 109
"O Austrian Albert! who desertest her,
(Ungovernable now and savage grown),
When most she needed pressing with the spur--
May on thy race Heaven's righteous judgment fall;
And be it signally and plainly shown,
With terror thy successor to appal!
Since by thy lust yon distant lands to gain,
Thou and thy sire have suffered wild to run
What was the garden of thy fair domain.
Come see the Capulets and Montagues--
Monaldi--Filippeschi, reckless one!
These now in fear--already wretched those."
Wright's _Dante_.
But the tragic history of Romeo and Juliet can not be traced higher
in writing than the age of Lungi di Porto; and as this novelist of
the 16th century has borrowed the principal incident of the plot from
a Greek romance, it is probable that the whole is an amplification
of some legendary story. The _Casa de Capelletti_, now an inn for
vetturini, may possibly have been the dwelling of the family; but since
that circumstance, if established, would only prove that the _house_
had a _house_, it does not carry us much further in the argument.
With respect to the tomb of Juliet, it certainly was shown in the
last century, before "the barbarian _Sacchespir_" became known to the
Italians. The popularity of the novel would sufficiently account for
the localization of the tradition, as has already been the case with
many objects described by Sir Walter Scott. That tomb, however, has
long since been destroyed; but the present one, recently erected in the
garden of the _Orfanotrofio_, does just as well. It is of a reddish
marble, and, before it was promoted to its present honor, was used as
a watering trough. Maria Louisa got a bit of it, which she caused to
be divided into the _gems_ of a very elegant necklace and bracelets,
and many other sentimental young and elderly ladies have followed her
example.
* * * * *
At the extremity of the Piazzetta in Venice are the _two granite
columns_, the one surmounted by the lion of St. Mark, the other by
St. Theodore. The lion is somewhat remarkable, as having been the
first victim, as far as objects of art are concerned, of the French
revolution. From the book which he holds, the words of the Gospel
were effaced, and "_Droits de l'homme et du citoyen_" ("rights of man
and of the citizen") substituted in their stead. Upon this change a
gondolier remarked that St. Mark, like all the rest of the world, had
been compelled to turn over a new leaf. The lion was afterward removed
to the _Invalides_ at Paris, but was restored after the fall of the
capital.
The capitals of the columns speak their Byzantine origin. Three were
brought from Constantinople. One sunk into the ooze as they were
landing it; the other two were safely landed on the shore; but, as
the story goes, there they lay; no one could raise them. Sebastiano
Ziani, 1172-1180, having offered as a reward that he who should succeed
should not lack any "_grazia onesta_," a certain Lombard, yclept
Nicolo Barattiero, or Nick the Blackleg, offered his services; and,
by the device or contrivance of wetting the ropes, which contracted
as they dried, he placed the columns on their pedestals. Nicolo was
now entitled to claim his guerdon: and what did he ask? That games of
chance, prohibited elsewhere by the wisdom of the law, might be played
with full impunity between the columns. The concession once made could
not be revoked; but what did the wise legislature? They enacted that
the public executions, which had hitherto taken place at the _San
Giovanni Bragola_, should be inflicted in the privileged gambling spot,
by which means the space "between the columns" became so ill-omened,
that even crossing it was thought to be a sure prognostication,
foretelling how the unlucky wight who had ventured upon the fated
pavement, would, in due time be suspended at a competent height above
the forbidden ground.
Literary Notices.
_Parisian Sights and French Principles, seen through American
Spectacles_, Illustrated (published by Harper and Brothers), is the
title of one of the most graphic descriptions of life in the French
metropolis which have yet been given by any English or American
traveler. The author blends reflection and narrative in a very
effective manner, depicting the prominent features of French society
with a vivid pencil, and deducing the inferences suggested by his
varied experience. Short of a personal visit to the great focus of
European fashion, there is no way in which one can obtain such a mass
of information on the subject, and in so agreeable a manner, as by
dipping into this lively volume.
_The Blithedale Romance_, by NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE (published by Ticknor,
Reed and Fields), in point of artistic construction is not equal to
the "Scarlet Letter," nor the "House of Seven Gables." As a whole,
it leaves an unsatisfied and painful impression, as if the author
had failed to embody his own ideal in the development of the story.
It contains many isolated passages of great vigor, and occasionally
some of remarkable sweetness. In his pictures of natural scenery,
Mr. Hawthorne often draws from the life, and always reproduces the
landscape with startling fidelity. The characters in the story are
intended to be repulsive; they illustrate the dark side of human
nature; and no reader can recall their memory without a feeling of
sepulchral gloom.
_The Discarded Daughter_, by Mrs. EMMA D. E. N. SOUTHWORTH. (Published
by A. Hart.) The author of this novel possesses a singularly vivid
imagination, and a rare command of picturesque expression. She evinces
originality, depth and fervor of feeling, vigor of thought, and
dramatic skill; but so blended with glaring faults, that the severest
critic would be her best friend. In the construction of her plots,
she has no regard for probability: nature is violated at every step;
impossible people are brought into impossible situations; every thing
is colored so highly that the eye is dazzled; there is no repose, no
perspective, none of the healthy freshness of life; we are removed
from the pure sunshine and the forest shade into an intolerable glare
of gas-light; truth is sacrificed to melo-dramatic effect; and the
denouement is produced by ghastly contrivances that vie in extravagance
with Mrs. Radcliffe's most superfine horrors. With the constant effort
to surprise, the language becomes inflated, and at the same time
is often careless to a degree, which occasions the most ludicrous
sense of incongruity. It is a pity to see so much power as this lady
evidently is endowed with, so egregiously wasted. Let her curb her
fiery Pegasus with unrelenting hand--let her consult the truthfulness
of nature, rather than yield to a rage for effect--let her tame the
genial impetuosity of her pen by a due reverence for classical taste
and common sense--and she will yet attain a rank worthy of her fine
faculties, from which she has hitherto been precluded by her outrages
on the proprieties of fictitious composition.
_The Mormons, or Latter-day Saints_, by Lieut. J. W. GUNNISON.
(Published by Lippincott, Grambo, and Co.) The author of this little
work has succeeded in the difficult task of doing justice to a new
religious sect. Residing for several months in the Great Salt Lake
Valley, as a member of the United States Exploring Expedition, and
looking upon the singular condition of society that came under
his notice with an eye of philosophical curiosity, he had a rare
opportunity for studying the history, opinions, and customs of the
remarkable people, whose rapid progress is among the note-worthy
events of the age. His book contains a lucid description of the
country inhabited by the Mormons, a statement of their religious faith
and social principles, and a succinct narrative of the origin and
development of the sect. Without aiming to excite prejudice against the
Mormons, he keeps nothing back, which is essential to a correct view of
their position, as respects either belief or practice. His disclosures
in regard to the prevalence of polygamy among the "Latter-Day Saints,"
so called, are of the most explicit character, showing that a plurality
of wives is adopted, as a part of their social economy, from a sense
of religious duty. The view presented of their theology furnishes
the materials for an interesting chapter on the history of mental
delusions. We have no doubt that this book will be widely read, and,
in the hands of the intelligent and reflecting thinker, will prove
fruitful in valuable suggestions.
Harper and Brothers have published a new edition of _Cicero's Tusculan
Disputations_, with English Notes by CHARLES ANTHON, LL.D. In preparing
this edition, use has been made of the text and notes of Tischer, with
occasional reference to the commentaries of Wolf, Moser, and Kühner.
Both in the text and notes, however, the erudite Editor has relied on
his own judgment, not slavishly adhering to any authority, but freely
consulting the suggestions of the most eminent philologists from the
time of Bentley to our own days. The work is a model for a college
text-book. In the careful supervision which it has received at the
hands of Dr. Anthon, he has added to the many valuable services that
identify his name with the progress of classical learning in this
country.
Derby and Miller have issued a new edition of SARGENT'S _Life of
Henry Clay_, revised and brought down to the death of the illustrious
statesman, by HORACE GREELY. The leading incidents in Mr. Clay's life
are here described in a lively and flowing narrative; his public career
is fully exhibited; copious extracts are given from his speeches and
letters; and the whole biography is executed with manifest ability,
and as great a degree of impartiality as could be demanded, with
the decided personal predilections of both author and editor. The
proceedings in Congress on the announcement of Mr. Clay's decease,
which are given at length, form a very interesting portion of the
volume.
_Stray Meditations, or Voices of the Heart_, by JOSEPH P. THOMPSON.
(Published by A. S. Barnes and Co.) A collection of fugitive pieces,
some of which have already appeared in the columns of various religious
journals. They are of a grave, meditative character, deeply tinged with
personal feeling--of an elevated devotional spirit--giving a highly
favorable impression of the author as a man of great earnestness of
purpose, and usually expressed in choice and vigorous language. Mr.
Thompson has happily avoided the dangers incident to this style of
composition. His volume breathes an air of soft and pious sentiment,
but betrays no weak effeminacy; it unvails the most private emotions of
the heart, but can not be charged with egotism; and appeals to the most
awful sanctions of religion, without indulging in dogmatic severity. As
a companion in hours of retirement and thoughtfulness, it can not fail
to be welcome to the religious reader.
_Anna Hammer_, translated from the German of TEMME, by ALFRED H.
GUERNSEY, is a good specimen of the contemporary popular fiction of
German literature. Its author, Temme, is a man of ability; he writes,
however, more from the heart than the head; drawing the materials of
romance from the sufferings of his country. He took an active part in
the late German revolutionary movements, and his political feelings
tincture his writings. The present work gives a vivid picture of the
interior of German life, and is filled with passages of exciting
interest. The translation, by an accomplished scholar of this city,
every where shows conscientious fidelity, and is in pure and idiomatic
English.
_An Olio of Domestic Verses_, by EMILY JUDSON. This volume composes a
collection of the earlier poetry of Mrs. Judson, with several pieces of
a more recent date. It shows a rich poetical temperament, a graceful
fancy, and a natural ease of versification, which, with more familiar
practice and a higher degree of artistic culture, would have given
the authoress an eminent rank among the native poets of this country.
The admirers of her sweet and brilliant productions, in another line,
will find much to justify the enthusiasm with which they greeted the
writings of Fanny Forester. Many of these little poems have already
been the rounds of the newspapers, where they have won lively applause.
(Published by Lewis Colby.)
The Third Volume of CHAMBERS' edition of _The Life and Works of Robert
Burns_ (republished by Harper and Brothers), is replete with various
interest. No admirer of the immortal peasant-bard should be without
this excellent tribute to his genius.
_The Master-Builder_, by DAY KELLOGG LEE. (Published by Redfield.) A
story of purely American origin, drawn from the experience of actual
life, and containing several happy delineations of character. It
describes the fortunes of one who by industry and enterprise, guided
by strong native intelligence, rose to honor and prosperity, in the
exercise of a useful mechanical vocation. The author frequently shows
uncommon powers of description; he is a watchful observer of life and
manners; is not without insight into the mysteries of human passion;
and, if he could check his tendency to indulge in affectations of
language, expressing himself with straight-forward simplicity, he might
gain an enviable distinction as a writer.
A. S. Barnes and Co., have issued a new volume of Professor BARTLETT'S
_Elements of Natural Philosophy_, containing treatises on Acoustics and
Optics. The principles of these sciences are explained with clearness
and elegance, the views of the best recent writers being embodied in
the work, and accompanied with a variety of apposite illustrations.
The portion relating to sound, based on the admirable monograph of Sir
John Herschel, will be found to possess much popular interest, in spite
of its scientific rigidity of expression, explaining, as it does, the
mutual relations of mathematics and music.
UPJOHN'S _Rural Architecture_ (published by G. P. Putnam), forms a
useful book of reference for parish-committees, or whoever is intrusted
with the charge of erecting new churches, parsonages, or school-houses,
more particularly in the country. It gives a number of estimates and
specifications, with ample directions for practical use.
_The Dodd Family Abroad_, by CHARLES LEVER. One of the most piquant
productions of this side-splitting author is now publishing in numbers
by Harper and Brothers. Whoever wishes to be forced into a laugh, in
defiance of all sorts of lugubrious fancies, should not fail to read
this rich outpouring of genuine Irish humor.
_The Old Engagement_, by JULIA DAY, is a brilliant story of English
society, reprinted from the London edition by James Munroe and Co.
_Single Blessedness_, is the title of an appeal in favor of unmarried
ladies and gentlemen. An incoherent rhapsody, aiming at every thing and
hitting nothing. (C. S. Francis and Co.)
_Lydia; a Woman's Book_, by Mrs. NEWTON CROPLAND, is the title of a
popular English work, remarkable for its natural character-drawing,
reprinted by Ticknor, Reed, and Fields.
* * * * *
J. D. B. De Bow, Professor of Political Economy in the University of
Louisiana, New Orleans, has in press, and will issue in a few days, a
work of which we have been permitted to see the sheets, in three large
octavo volumes, small and neat print, entitled, _Industrial Resources,
Statistics, etc., of the Southern and Western States, with Statistics
of the Home and Foreign Trade of the Union, and the Results of the
Census of 1850_. The work will be a valuable addition to the library
of the merchant, manufacturer, planter, and statesman, and the public
have every guarantee of its ability in the active and intelligent
services rendered by Professor De Bow to the Industrial Interests of
the country, for many years past, in the pages of his invaluable and
widely circulated Review.
* * * * *
The following pensions have recently been granted by the British
Government in consideration of services in literature or science.
To Mrs. Jameson, £100 for her literary merits; to Mr. James Silk
Buckingham, £200 for literary merits and useful travels in various
countries; Mr. Robert Torrens, F.R.S., £200 for his valuable
contributions to the science of political philosophy; to Professor
John Wilson, of the University of Edinburgh (Christopher North of
"Blackwood"), £300 for his eminent literary merits; to Mrs. Reid,
the widow of Dr. James Reid, Professor of Ecclesiastical and Civil
History in the University of Glasgow, £50, and £50 to his family, in
consideration of Dr. Reid's valuable contributions to literature; to
Mrs. Macarthur, widow of Dr. Alexander Macarthur, Superintendent of
Model Schools, and Inspector of Irish National Schools, £50; to Mr.
John Britton, £75; to Mr. Hinds, the astronomer, £200; to Dr. Mantell,
the geologist, £100; and to Mr. Ronalds, of the Kew Observatory, £75.
* * * * *
A bibliographical work on theology and kindred subjects, _Cyclopædia
Bibliographica_, is being published in London, which will be a useful
index to general theological literature. In the first volume the
arrangement of authors and works is alphabetical; in the second, a
_catalogue raisonnée_ of all departments of theology under commonplaces
in scientific order will be presented. Of special value to theological
students, this "Cyclopædia" will also prove an important contribution
to general literature.
* * * * *
Mr. STILES'S _Austria in 1848_ has been republished in London. The
_Athenæum_ says, "it may be recommended as a plain, continuous, and
conscientious narrative to all those who would like to have the events
to which it refers brought before them in the compass of one book, so
as to be saved the trouble of turning over many."
* * * * *
During the recent discussion among the London booksellers regarding the
discount on new books, Mr. William Longman stated that the publishing
firm of which he is a partner had long been anxious to publish a new
edition of Johnson's _English Dictionary_, that they were willing
to pay almost any sum for the literary labor, but that they had not
succeeded in procuring a man fully qualified as editor. "The want,
however, has been supplied, and the boon has been conferred," says a
London journal, "not by an English, but by an American lexicographer,
who has produced a Dictionary suitable to the present state of our
common language. This is Dr. Goodrich's octavo edition of WEBSTER'S
DICTIONARY, which is published at a price which places it within the
reach of all the classes to whom it is indispensable; and whether in
the school or the counting-house, the library or the parlor, we are
confident that this work will be found of the highest value."
* * * * *
M. GUIZOT is about to bring out a _History of the Republic in England,
and of the Times of Cromwell_; and he has allowed some of the Paris
journals to give a foretaste of it by the publication of a long extract
under the title, "Cromwell sera-t-il roi?"
* * * * *
The _Glasgow Citizen_ mentions that an interesting relic of ROBERT
BURNS, the poet, is at present for sale at a booksellers in that city.
It is a manuscript of the poet, a fasciculus of ten leaves, written on
both sides, containing _The Vision_, as originally composed, _The Lass
of Ballochmyle_, _My Nannie O_, and others of his most popular songs.
The manuscript was sent by Burns to Mrs. General Stewart, of Stair,
when he expected to have to go to the West Indies.
* * * * *
General GÖRGEY'S _Memoir of the Hungarian Campaign_ is translated, and
will be shortly published. So stringent is the prohibition against
this book in Austria, that Prince Windischgrätz, who asked for special
permission to purchase a copy, has received a positive refusal.
* * * * *
Dr. HANNA, the editor of the _Biography of Dr. Chalmers_, is engaged
in the preparation of a Selection from the Correspondence for early
publication.
* * * * *
"It will be pleasant news to our readers," says the _London Leader_,
"to hear that MACAULAY has finished two more volumes of his _History_,
which may be expected early next season. A more restricted circle
will also be glad to hear that GERVINUS is busy with a new work, the
_History of the South American Republics_."
* * * * *
LAMARTINE'S sixth volume, of the _Histoire de la Restauration_, seems
by far the most excellent in composition. It embraces the period from
the execution of Labédoyère to the death of Napoleon at St. Helena.
The narrative is full, yet rapid; and the volume contains, among other
things, a most curious and interesting paper hitherto unpublished,
written by Louis XVIII., giving a private history of the agitations of
a change of Ministry.
* * * * *
A list has been published in the French papers of the Professors of
the University of Paris who have either been deposed, or have resigned
since the 2d of December. Some of the names best known in literature
and science to foreign countries are in the list. At the Collége
de France, MM. Michelet, Professor of History and Ethics; Quinet,
Professor of Germanic Literature; Mikiewicz, of Sclavonic Literature;
M. Barthélemy Saint-Hilaire, Professor of Greek and Roman Philosophy.
At the Sorbonne, M. Jules Simon, Interior Professor of the History
of Ancient Philosophy, has been superseded; and M. Cousin, Titular
Professor of that chair, has retired. M. Villemain, Professor of French
Eloquence; M. Pouillet, Professor of Physics; Cauchy, of Mathematical
Astronomy, have refused the oath of allegiance to the President. At
the School of Medicine, M. Chomel, Professor of Clinical Medicine,
has resigned. At the Ecole Normale, MM. Jules Simon, and Vacherot,
Professors of Philosophy, and M. Magy, Superintendent, have refused
the oath. Lists are also given of the _démissionnaires_ in the various
colleges of Paris. These announcements may have historical as well as
biographical interest in after days of French revolutions.
* * * * *
French literature and literary men are beginning to adjust themselves
to the new condition of things, and if the Legislative tongue and the
Journalistic pen are obliged to submit to restraints, the historian,
the novelist, the political economist, and the political philosopher
are allowed pretty full swing. A great noise has been made about
VICTOR HUGO'S exile, but it seems that he has permission to return,
of which he refuses to avail himself, and is settling down in cheap
and healthful Jersey. His expulsion, or exile, or voluntary removal,
may be a loss to Parisian society, but will probably be a gain to
French literature. PROUDHON, just released from prison, is taking pen
in hand, a sadder and a wiser man; for his approaching book is to
demonstrate, in his own peculiar fashion, the theorem which events
have been reciting to France, namely, that its government is not to
be conclusively a republic of any set kind, but to belong to him or
them whom Providence may have endowed with force and cunning enough
to grasp and retain it. HEINRICH HEINE himself, not paralyzed by his
frightful illness, works an hour or two daily at a book which will be
one of his most interesting--pictures of Parisian men and things, to
which he is to prefix a sketch of Parisian society since the Revolution
of 1848. MICHELET, in rural solitude, is employed upon his History
of the Revolution, while LOUIS BLANC, in London, has just published a
new volume of his. BARANTE has brought forth another portion of his
pictorially unpicturesque History of the National Convention; LAMARTINE
another of his History of the Restoration. The astute GUIZOT fights shy
of the history of his own country, and is contributing to some of the
chief Paris periodicals fragments on the men and times of the "Great
Rebellion" in England. One that is forthcoming is to be entitled,
"Cromwell--shall he be King?" which, being translated, means: Louis
Napoleon--shall he be Emperor? His old rival, THIERS, is adding another
literary association to the many that connect themselves with the Lake
of Geneva, and is delighting the good people of that region by his
lavish expenditure of Napoleons and general affability.
* * * * *
A translation into French of the works of SAINT THERESA is about to
be published; it has been made by a Jesuit. The saint's writings are
much admired by her own church; but from the little we know of them, we
should think them too rhapsodical and mystical for the public.
* * * * *
Madame GEORGE SAND has addressed a furious letter to a Belgian
newspaper, indignantly denying that, as asserted by it, she is in
receipt of a pension, or has accepted any money whatever from the
present government. Even, she says, if her political opinions permitted
her to receive the bounty of Louis Bonaparte, she should think it
dishonorable to take it when there are so many of her literary brethren
who have greater need of it.
* * * * *
BUFFON'S mansion and grounds at Montbard, in Burgundy, are advertised
for sale. In the grounds is an ancient tower of great height,
commanding a view for miles around of a beautiful and mountainous
country. It was in a room, in the highest part of this tower, that the
great naturalist wrote the history which has immortalized his name.
It is known that he was accustomed to write in full dress, but, by a
striking contradiction, nothing could be more simple than his lofty
study; it was a vast apartment with an arched roof, painted entirely
green, and the only furniture it contained consisted of a plain wood
table and an old arm-chair. The labor which that room witnessed was
immense--as Buffon wrote his works over and over again, until he got
them to his taste. The "Epoques de la Nature," for example, were
written not fewer than eighteen times. He always began his day's work
in the tower between five and six o'clock in the morning, and when he
required to reflect on any matter he used to walk about his garden.
* * * * *
The French journals report the death of the distinguished artist, TONY
JOHANNOT, and also of Count D'ORSAY, who in the later period of his
life displayed considerable artistic talent and taste both as a painter
and sculptor. But he is more generally known, and will be longer
remembered, as a man of fashion, and of public notoriety from his
alliance with the Blessington family, the circumstances of which are so
well known, and have been recalled at present by the public journals
at such length, as to render it needless for us to enlarge upon the
subject. Having shown kindness and hospitality to Louis Napoleon when
an exile in London, the Prince President was not ungrateful to his
former friend, and he has latterly enjoyed the office of Directeur des
Beaux Arts, with a handsome salary, and maintained a prominent position
in the Court of the Elysée.
General GOURGAUD, the aid-de-camp of Napoleon, and one of his
companions at St. Helena, who has recently died at an advanced age,
was an author as well as a soldier, having written what he called a
refutation of Count Ségur's "History of the Russian Campaign," and
having got into a pamphlet dispute with Sir Walter Scott, respecting
some of the latter's statements in his "History of Napoleon." With
Ségur he fought a duel to support his allegations, and with Sir Walter
was very near fighting another. Scott, it may be remembered, showed
him up most unmercifully, and made known that, notwithstanding all
his professed zeal for Napoleon, there were documents in the English
War-Office, written by him at St. Helena, which proved him to have been
not one of the most faithful of servants.
* * * * *
The third centenary commemoration of the treaty of Passau was
celebrated on the 2d of August in Darmstadt, and in connection with
it Dr. Zimmerman, a divine of some celebrity, intends to revise and
complete an entire edition of the works of Martin Luther, to be ready
for publication on the 26th of September, 1855, the three hundredth
anniversary of the "religious peace" established by Charles V.
* * * * *
In German literature of late, there have been very few publications
worth announcing. Two works recently published, however, deserve a
passing mention. The first is a volume attributed by vague rumor
to SCHELLING, upon what authority we can not say, and bearing this
comprehensive title, _Ueber den Geist und sein Verhältniss in der
Natur_--running rapidly through the whole circle of the sciences
physical and social; the second is a history of German Philosophy since
KANT, by FORTLAGE of Jena--_Genetische Geschichie der Philosophie
seit Kant_. He is a popular expositor, and as his work embraces KANT,
JACOBI, FICHTE, SCHELLING, OKEN, STEFFENS, CARUS, SCHLEIERMACHER,
HEGEL, WEISSE, FRIES, HERBART, BENEKE, REINHOLD, TRENDELENBURG, &C.,
it will be interesting to students of that vast logomachy named German
Philosophy.
In science we have to note one or two decidedly interesting
publications. A massive, cheap, and popular exposition of the Animal
Kingdom, by VOGT, under the title of _Zoologische Briefe_--the numerous
woodcuts to which, though very rude, are well drawn and useful as
diagrams: VORTISCH _Die Jüngste Katastrophe des Erdballs_, and LOTZE
_Medicinische Psychologie oder Physiologie der Seele_ will attract two
very different classes of students. While the lovers of German Belles
Lettres will learn with tepid satisfaction that a new work is about
to appear from the converted Countess HAHN-HAHN, under the mystical
title of _Die Liebhaber des Kreuzes_, and a novel also by L. MUHLBACH
(wife of THEODORE MUNDT) upon Frederick the Great, called _Berlin und
Sans Souci_, which CARLYLE is _not_ very likely to consult for his
delineation of the Military Poetaster.
* * * * *
Norway has been deprived of one of her most learned historians, Dr.
NIELS WULFSBERG, formerly Chief Keeper of the Archives of the Kingdom.
The doctor was in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Dr. Wulfsberg
was the founder of the two earliest daily papers ever published: the
_Mergenbladet_ ("Morning Journal") and the _Fider_ ("Times"); both of
which still exist--one under its original title, and the other under
that of the _Rigstidenden_ ("Journal of the Kingdom").
Comicalities, Original and Selected.
[Illustration: NEW ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE POETS.--BYRON
Shrine of the mighty! can it be
That _this_ is all remains of thee?
_Giaour_, 106.]
[Illustration:
But in thy lineaments I trace
What time shall strengthen, nor efface.
_Giaour_, 192.]
THE DOG AND HIS ENEMIES, BIPED AND WINGED.
[Illustration: SMALL JUVENILE (_with an eye to the Reward for killing
Dogs_).--"Doggy, doggy, Here's a Rat! Catch him--Stu-boy!"]
[Illustration: FOUR SCENES FROM THE LIFE OF A DOG IN THE DOG-DAYS.]
Autumn Fashions.
[Illustration: FIGURES 1 AND 2.--WALKING AND HOME TOILET.]
Our report for October varies but little from that of September,
style and texture being similar. In the above engraving we give
representations of very elegant modes of toilet for the promenade
and the parlor. The figure with the bonnet shows a promenade toilet.
Bonnet of lisse crape and tulle puffed. It is covered with white lace,
reaching beyond the edge of the brim, falling in front, after what is
called the Mary Stuart style. The brim inside is trimmed on the one
hand with a tuft of roses mixed up with narrow white blondes; and on
the other it has a feather of graduated shades, which is placed outside
and then turns over the edge and comes inside near the cheek; strings
of white gauze ribbon.
Barege dress, trimmed with taffeta ribbons and fringes bordering the
trimmings. Body lapping over, the right on the left, having a flat
lapel parallel to the edge. The body is gathered at the waist, on the
shoulders, and at the bottom of the back. A No. 22 ribbon forms a
waistband, and ties on the left side at the bottom of the lapels. This
ribbon matches that used for the trimming of the dress. The sleeve is
composed of four frills one over the other. The skirt, which is very
full, has seven graduated flounces. All are bordered with a narrow
fringe. The lapel of the body, the frills of the sleeves, and flounces
of the skirts are ornamented with ribbons; those on the body are No. 9,
those on the skirt No. 12. On the lapels and sleeves the No. 9 ribbons
are placed at intervals of three inches. On the flounces the No. 12
ribbons, 2-3/4 inches wide, are placed further apart. The white lace
which replaces the habit-shirt follows the outline of the body. The
under-sleeve is composed of a large _bouillonné_ of thin muslin, tight
at the wrist, but falling full over it in the shape of a bell. Two rows
of lace fall on the hand.
The other figure represents a HOME TOILET. Taffeta redingote with
_moire_ bands; the _moire_ trimmings are edged on each side with a
taffeta biais, rather under half an inch wide, and which stands in
relief. The joining of the _biais_ and the _moire_ is concealed by a
braid about the width of a lace. A _moire_ band with its edges trimmed
with _biais_ follows the outline of the body. Three inches wide at
top, it narrows to half the width at the waist, and is then continued
about 2-1/2 inches wide on the lappet. The skirt is trimmed with five
_moire_ bands with _biais_ at their edges. These bands are of graduated
width; the top one is 8 inches from the waist, and two inches wide.
The interval between each one and the next is 4 inches; the lowest
band, which is 4 inches wide, is placed 2 inches from the bottom of the
skirt. On the body there are two rows of _moire_ and three on each
band of the skirt. These gradually diverge toward the bottom. These
last form a width of apron of 32 inches. (The posture of this figure
masks the right side of the skirt, and consequently only the middle
row and that on the left side are to be seen.) The sleeves, half wide,
are terminated by a cuff turned up with _moire_ and a _biais_ on the
edge. A row of white lace follows the outline of the body. We see the
chemisette composed of a row of lace, an insertion, and round plaits
from top to bottom of thin muslin. A muslin _bouillon_ plaits. All the
fullness is thrown behind, beginning at the side trimming. The sleeve
is open behind, ornamented with buttons, and then edged with _guipure_.
A cardinal collar of Venice _guipure_ falls on the neck. The under
sleeves are composed of two rows of white _guipure_ following the
outline of the sleeve.
[Illustration: FIGURE 3.--GIRL'S TOILET.]
FIG. 3 represents a pretty toilet for a girl from nine to eleven years
of age. Hair parted down the middle and rolled in plaits at the sides.
Frock of white muslin. Short sleeves, body low. Six small-pointed
flounces on the skirt. A wide pink silk ribbon passed under the sleeve,
is tied at the top in a large bow, so that the sleeve is drawn together
in it, and leaves the shoulder visible. A plain band runs along the top
of the body, which is plaited lengthwise, in very small plaits.
FIG. 4 represents a graceful cap for the parlor. It is made of
_guipure_, ornamented with apple blossoms, and having wide pale-green
silk ribbon bows and streamers.
This is a pleasant season for traveling, after the equinoctial storms
have passed by. Appropriate dresses are very desirable. None is more so
than the foulard dress of a dark color, with branches of foliage and
large bouquets of flowers. The same may be said of valencia and poplin
de laine, either with Albanese stripes on a plain ground, or a large
plaid pattern. A traveling dress should be made like a morning gown,
but not exactly; for strings are put in underneath, both before and
behind, for the purpose of drawing it, so as to form a pretty plaited
body when they are pulled tight. Over the gathers either a ribbon or a
band with a buckle must be added. The body may be either low or high,
with a small collar having two rows of cambric plaited very fine, or
with a jaconet collar having open plaits, or again with a Charles V.
collar, made of frieze well starched and lustred. The under sleeves
should be always in harmony with the collar.
[Illustration: FIGURE 4.--CAP.]
The bonnet is made half of straw, half of taffeta. The brim is straw
veined with black or mixed with aloes, and the crown has a soft top
of ruffled taffeta, with a bow of ribbon. On this capote, it is
indispensable to put a Cambrai lace vail, that lace being at once
substantial, light, and rich in pattern.
As to the feet they are provided with boots of bronze leather, and
having low heels and button-holes in vandykes.
The gloves are Swedish leather, dark color, as for instance Russia
leather, iron-gray, maroon, or olive.
The traveling corset, called the _nonchalante_, is an article every way
worthy of the name. From its extreme elasticity and clever combination
it yields to every motion of the body, and supports it without the
least compression or inconvenience. This corset is therefore extremely
agreeable for travels.
As a general rule, round waists are daily gaining ground; but you
must not confound round waists with short waists: for the former, the
dressmaker ought, on the contrary, to endeavor to make the sides as
long as possible, and merely suppress the point in front.
Vests are still worn, but only to accompany linen and lace waistcoats.
The under-sleeves are always wide and floating; the wrists are
ornamented with ribbon bracelets matching the colors of the dress.
Boots and shoes are both in very good wear. The shoe is more suitable
for the carriage than for walking. Boots of bronze leather, and of a
soft light color, are much sought after by the more elegant ladies.
These boots have low heels, and are fastened with enamel buttons of the
same color as the material of the boots.
Transcriber's Notes:
Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant
preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.
Simple typographical and spelling errors were corrected.
Italics markup is denoted by _underscores_.