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upon others? Who, that pretends to logical accuracy of reasoning, would maintain, or for a moment believe, that a man could willingly spend his whole life in the recommendation and defence of some given science, whereof he was either totally ignorant,-or knowing, disbelieved it? Allowing Lord B. personally to have been a Christian; what must we conclude of such an

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devoting his whole life, and availing himself to the uttermost of every opportunity, to gain proselytes to infidelity? Here we have a man wholly and implicitly believing in the truth of a certain science, at the same time obstinately,-nay, vehemently, maintaining its opposite! Let us press this investigation farther; (and we hope our readers will not consider these observations vague or irrelevant, since we are anxious to combat certain opinions, and deny sundry assertions, broached and made in the volume before us,-whose tendency is to "persuade" the reader into a belief that Lord Byron was a "Christian.")

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all its hideous truth and reality! But we are diverging from the point.

The work under review,-a large, well-printed, broad-margined quarto,* as set forth on the title-page, is edited by Captain Thomas Medwin, a gentleman not unknown to the literary world. The circumstance of Lord Byron's auto-biography having been, to say the least of it, so rashly destroyed, had raised public curiosity to a fevered height; and the office devolved on the gallant Captain, of allaying this literary hunger, by presenting such stores as his situation has enabled him to command. His opportunities had been numerous and peculiar, and it behoved him to improve them to the utmost advantage.

The "Conversations" in question have certainly, in some measure, supplied the desideratum in our national literature, occasioned by the hiatus maximo defendus, to which we have just alluded. It was neither fair nor correct that Britain should be totally deprived of any record of the personal and domestic character of one of the noblest men to which she has given birth. It will be alleged, that those "memoirs" contained matter unfit for the public eye, as offending against decency and morality; but, let us ask, could that offend so monstrously, so unpardonably, against the better feelings of human nature, which had been read, and not only read, but copied out, by a lady of high rank and unspotted purity? Such a circumstance, to the severest judges, might have been a sufficient guerdon for their innocence. But, allowing much that was improper to have been set down, could the mind of Lord Byron, at the same time, record no redeeming trait? Are diamonds never encrusted and embedded in extraneous rubbish?— The purpose of Mr. Medwin, so far confessed and developed, appears open and honourable; for he distinctly states in his preface, that the "Conversations" are only given, in consequence of Lord B.'s own me

We solemnly, as conscientious men, again enter our protest against Lord Byron's before-quoted assertion,- "I am not an infidel; and I am much fitter to die than people in England may suppose." The language of scripture is here decisive: By their fruit shall ye know them." Let any one of our readers peruse this assertion of Lord B.'s, and then take up any of his Lordship's works, as he goes on, whispering, "I am not an infidel: I am not an infidel,"--and he will have nearly an absolute contradiction in terms. Let the defenders of Lord Byron answer the questions, -why did he so studiously deck forth the object of his unhallowed endeavours, in his most glittering tinsel, and enticing lusciousness of language | and imagery?—and why so eagerly attempt to draw an impervious veil before its ghastly and repellant feafures? or so cruelly to cheat the beholders, by gilding them with the semblance of mortal loveliness?-moirs being destroyed. Alas! it was to attract his readers to In our perusal of the work under its unreal beauty; and when retro-review, nothing has shocked us of gression was impossible, and the fulness of their horrible delusion glared forth upon them,-then, and not till then, he suddenly drew aside the veil, and displayed the personification of all nameless and damnable evils, in published.

glaring impropriety; albeit, viewed in a moral or religious perspective, there are tendencies which may be

* Several octavo editions have since been

questioned. Certain oblique hints at intrigues, and faux-pas in fashionable life, would have been better expunged than published; and, also, sundry profanations of the Lord's name require a total erasure, notwithstanding the piquancy of certain anecdotes may be thereby destroyed. Yet, we must be allowed to say, that the recurrence of such instances is less frequent and startling than we had been led to expect from the unrestrained colloquial gaieties of such a man as Lord Byron, from all accounts which have reached us of his Lordship's manners in private life, and familiar intercourse with his friends. Doubtless much that was exceptionable has been prudently withheld by Captain Medwin; and he hath our thanks for this salutary exercise of an editor's undoubted prerogative.

Scattered hither and thither through the pages before us, are several noble and striking observations, highly characteristic of the illustrious deceased; and several of the recorded conversations maintain their interest to the last. But were we to descend to particulars, we should say, that we have seldom been so powerfully affected, as while perusing the mournful, and even romantic, account of the untimely death and inhumation of "poor Percy Shelley."

Lord Byron, to judge from many noble incidents interspersed through these pages, seems to have been generally amiable in his more retired life, and generous to profusion. He never appears to display that turbulent and intolerant character, which would haughtily domineer over all with whom it associated ; though conscious of his vast intellectual superiority to those who surrounded him, and the resounding fame and honours which were echoed by applauding millions, yet he appears to have borne (cæteris paribus) his "blushing honours thick upon him" with decent sobriety and manly composure.

The volume before us records his being strangely imbued with superstitious notions; and we cannot but smile at hearing that such a man as Lord Byron would believe in "fortunate days;' attributing to the most whimsical contingencies, meanings and predictions of awful and hidden im

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* "Whereof bis own was Friday."---CONVER,

port. Perhaps this is a problem which may find solution in a recollection of the secluded nature of his early education; the persons and scenery with which he was conversant and intimate, acting upon a sensitive mind, and inflaming a heated imagination, ever of a highly romantic tendency.

A retrospect of the public and private life of Lord Byron, even so far as illustrated in the volume under consideration, is fraught with wholesome and important truths, the chief of which appears to be,-of how little avail are brilliant talents, splendid riches, and extended renown, unless borne with a calm, humble, and moderate spirit, and improved to the advantage of ourselves and fellowcreatures,-for which end they were bestowed by the Almighty. These advantages Lord Byron possessed in an abundant and overflowing stream; but, alas! he perverted them from their true and proper course; and how can be answered a short but emphatic inquiry,—did they make him happy? No! These pages bear frequent and sorrowful testimony, that he was the prey of anguish and bitter vexation, and consequently, gloomy and miserable to the last degree.— In secret, no doubt, he frequently writhed beneath the "stings of conscience" and "bitings of remorse,” the only means of deadening which, he neglected,—religion. Yet it is absurd to say that all his finer feelings were quenched, and his nobler traits effaced, by his moral depravity. His devotion to those whom he esteemed his friends, contradicts such an assertion; and his love for his daughter Ada, was at once fervent, enduring, and even romantic; but here a question instantly obtrudes itself, respecting her amiable mother!-But we are on delicate ground.

We have little to say with regard to the literary execution of the work before us, without entering into details unsuited to our space; however, we suspect it to have been rather too eagerly and hurriedly published, as we have noticed several slovenly inaccuracies of language; and, in many parts, the arrangement appears loose and illogical. On a general retrospection, it seems deficient of that intense interest which might have been conferred on it, by a skilful disposi

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tion of circumstances, and a natural REVIEW-Scripture Natural History, and spirited description of attendant with Reflections designed for the scenery; two things which give what Young. 18mo. pp. 216. London. is related "6 a local habitation and a name," in the mind, which deepens the impression, and renders it lasting. Who, for instance, would not doubly relish the reading of a paragraph uttered by Lord Byron, if informed,that it was spoken on viewing some mighty heather - fringed mountain, boldly towering upward, and sternly defined on the clear blue serenity of an Italian sky, when the moonbeams were quivering round its summit, and shining brightly down on the fresh bosom of the ocean, coldly splashing and hoarsely thundering at its base? We are aware what feelings such scenery would suggest to ourselves, but are anxious to know its instant effect on the noble and fervent imagination of Lord Byron.

We are sorry to state, that certain pecuniary transactions, between Lord B. and Mr. Murray his publisher, have been allowed by Mr. Medwin to escape his pen, strangely and culpably differing from the account, as openly and honourably stated and proved to the world by Mr. Murray; who declares that Lord B. received of him upwards of fifteen thousand pounds! But, into this discussion we have neither leisure nor inclination to enter.The fine lines quoted in this volume, written on the death of Sir John Moore, commencing,

"Not a sound was heard, or a shot was fired, As his corpse to the ramparts we hurried," &c. &c.

(which we, several years ago, read in the first volume of Blackwood's Magazine)—and by Captain Medwin attributed to Lord Byron-have occasioned a most virulent newspaper contest, in which several gentlemen, hitherto unknown, fiercely lay claim to the palm of authorship.

In conclusion,-What can palliate the conduct of that man, gifted with the most magnificent powers of mind; who, rejecting the pure, chaste, and sacred melody of christian themes, and sullenly scowling upon their cheerful but neglected brightness, tunes his gloomy lyre, alone and unsympathized with by the better part of the community, to the harsh, dreary, and dissonant notes, of wild, hopeless, and atheistical despair?

IF children of the rising generation are not wiser than those now grown to maturity, it will not be from the want of books; and if they are not better, it will not be from the want of wholesome instruction, which many contain. In almost every form which variety can furnish, we have some publication or other to excite the attention of the youthful mind, and several among them communicate information that is at once amusing and important. Of this description is the little volume before us. It takes a survey of numerous animals that are mentioned in the holy scriptures, gives a wood cut of each, which is accompanied with the natural history of the creature, and an enumeration of its properties and peculiarities. This natural history is enlivened with entertaining anecdotes, selected from the pages of voluminous works, and the journals of travellers. References are then made to such portions of scripture as make mention of the animal, either literally or figuratively, and these are followed by some concise, but judicious reflections.

At a certain age, there is nothing more entertaining to children than stories about lions, wolves, crocodiles, bears, and tigers; and the interest is heightened by their having the account to read, and the picture of the animal placed at once before them. These accompany each other in the book now under consideration, and serve to illustrate several portions of scripture which are immediately introduced to view. We think it is a work that will both please and profit the juvenile reader.

REVIEW-Scripture Illustrations, con

taining Explanations of various Sub-
jects relative to the Agriculture,
Manners, Customs, Worship, Idols,
Monuments, Buildings, and Countries
mentioned in the Bible. With nu-
merous Cuts, and seven Copperplate
Maps. 8vo.
London.
pp. 438.
Hamilton, Adams, & Co.

THIS work makes no pretensions to originality; and if that claim were urged, it would not be allowed. We

are informed in the preface, that these illustrations are extracted from the Youth's Magazine," in which they have long been before the public. This circumstance, however, does not diminish the excellence of the articles. Of most of them, the merit was acknowledged long before the Youth's Magazine started into existence, and very many of the cuts may be found in Calmet's Dictionary.

In the connexion in which they stand, the cuts and the descriptions happily illustrate each other, and render the work at once entertaining and instructive. The articles are numerous and diversified, and the cuts partake of a proportionate variety. There is scarcely a question that can be proposed respecting the subjects mentioned in the title-page, on which some information is not given, and some light thrown, though, from the arrangement which is made, the reader will be occasionally at a loss to know where the article he seeks may be found.

The wood cuts are well executed; but we can hardly comprehend how the crown of England should find a place among Scripture illustrations," or why the " monuments, buildings, and countries, mentioned in the Bible," should give an invitation to the coronation ceremonies of Geo. IV. These, indeed, are not the only exotics which we find in this volume ;but although they seem to have little or no connexion with its title, they furnish to the reader many interesting fragments of history, and localities of description, through which he may make a comparison between the customs and ceremonies of ancient and modern times.

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of his majesty's subjects are not convinced that the report contains no libel. The price of this little book is only one shilling; it is exceedingly portable; and may easily be consulted by the passenger when on his journey, as a guard against imposition. A single detection will probably reimburse his expense. The arrangement is alphabetical, and the coach-stands are enumerated, so that little difficulty can occur in finding the legal fare to any given place.

REVIEW-Immanuel, a Sacred Poem. By S. Bromley, London. 1824. THIS poem is evidently written to "be productive of good." We applaud the intention, and, on the whole, approve of the sentiments it contains, but can go no farther. Sublime subjects, when meddled with in rhyme, require the writer to possess both an extensive range of thought, and the inspirations of poetic feelings, otherwise his productions will not afford delight. The subject of this poem has at different times excited to action the most powerful intellects;—the author has, therefore, to overcome the objection which necessarily follows from a want of originality.

THE CHARACTER OF CHRISTIANITY.

By the Rev. Robert Hall.

1st. Its Moral Energy.-THE advantages are infinite, derived from Christianity, to every nation and clime where it has prevailed in its purity; and the prodigious superiority which Europe possesses over Asia and Africa, is chiefly to be ascribed to this cause. It is the possession of a reliendless improvement, which maingion which comprehends the seeds of tains an incessant struggle with whatby unveiling futurity, clothes morality ever is barbarous or inhuman; which, with the sanction of a divine law, and harmonizes utility and virtue in every combination of events, and in every stage of existence; a religion which, by affording the most just and sublime conceptions of the Deity, and of the moral relations of man, has given birth at once to the loftiest speculation and the most childlike humility, uniting the inhabitants of the globe into one family, and in the bonds of a

common salvation; it is this religion | fication to the polluted, and of pardon which, rising upon us like a finer sun, has quickened moral vegetation, and replenished Europe with talents, virtues, and exploits, which, in spite of its physical disadvantages, have ren dered it a paradise, the delight and wonder of the world.

2dly. Its Mysteries.-Let it be remembered that every science has its ultimate questions, boundaries which cannot be passed; and that if these occur earlier in morals than in other inquiries, it is the natural result of the immensity of the subject, which, touching human nature in every point, and surrounding it on all sides, renders it difficult, or rather impossible, to trace it in all its relations, and view it in all its extent. Meanwhile, the shades which envelop, and will perhaps always envelop, it in some measure, are not without their use, since they teach the two most important lessons we can learn, the vanity of our reason, and the grandeur of our destiny.

Let us not, for a moment, blench from the mysteries of revelation: they are mysteries of godliness; and, however much they may surpass human reason, bear the distinct impress of a divine hand, we rejoice that they are mysteries, so far from being ashamed of them on that account; since the principal reason why they are, and must ever continue such, is derived from their elevation, from their unsearchable riches,and undefinable grandeur. In fine, let us draw our religion and morality entirely from the word of God, without seeking any deeper foundation for our duties than the will of the Supreme Being, an implicit and perfect acquiescence in which is the highest virtue a creature can attain.

3dly. Its Adaptation to the fallen condition of Man. The gospel is a restorative dispensation: this is its primary and most essential feature; and the most dangerous and numerous aberrations from it may be traced to the neglect of considering it in this light. It is not the prescription of a rule of life to the innocent, but the annunciation of a stupendous method of relief for the sinner. Overlooking all petty varieties, and subordinate distinctions, it places the whole human race on one level; abases them all in the dust before the infinite Majesty: and offers indiscriminately a provision of sancti

73.-VOL. VII.

to the guilty. These are the glad tidings; this is the jubilee of the whole earth, proclaimed in the songs of angels, celebrated in the praises of the church, alike in her militant and her triumphant state, whether toiling in the vale of mortality, or rejoicing before the throne.

4thly. Its moral Obligations.-When we look at Christianity in the New Testament, we see a set of discoveries, promises, and precepts, adapted to influence the whole character; it presents an object of incessant solicitude, in the pursuit of which new efforts are to be exerted, and new victories accomplished, in a continued course of well-doing, till we reach the heavenly mansions. There is scarcely a spring in the human frame and constitution it is not calculated to touch, nor any portion of human agency which is exempted from its control. Its resources are inexhaustible; and the considerations by which it challenges attention, embrace whatever is most awful or alluring in the whole range of possible existence. Instead of being allowed to repose on his past attainments, or to flatter himself with the hope of success without the exercise of diligence and watchfulness, the Christian is commanded to work out his salvation with fear and trembling. In the actual exhibition of religion, the solicitude of serious minds has been made to turn too much on a particular crisis, which has been presented in a manner so insulated, that nothing in the order of means seemed instrumental to its production. In short, things have been represented in such a manner, as was too apt to produce despondency before conversion, and presumption after it.

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5thly. Its future Success.-The Holy Ghost employs and exhausts, so to speak, the whole force and splendour of inspiration, in depicting the future reign of Messiah, together with that astonishing spectacle of dignity, purity, and peace, which his church will exhibit, when, having the glory of God," her bounds shall be commensurate with those of the habitable globe, when every object on which the eye shall rest, will remind the spectator of the commencement of a new age, in which the tabernacle of God is with men, and he dwells

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