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of the most striking passages in Don Juan.”— p. 17.

Character of the President.

"The family of our friend the president exhibits, in a very high degree, that domestic felicity for which man is indebted to the institution of marriage. He is happy in the possession of a wife who displays in all her conduct the best qualities of the female character. A stranger who enters his house, is struck with a perception of elegance which does not result from the costliness of his furniture, but from the taste which is discovered in its choice and disposition. Every thing appears to be in precisely its proper place, and would evidently lose much of its effect by a different arrange-rect, by the rules of modern criticism, the ment. Every thing is exactly clean; and while nothing appears wanting, there is, at the same time, nothing unnecessary.

"When I visit the old gentleman, I am always peculiarly pleased with the arrangement of his table. Not that his entertainments are ever costly. Indeed, all the members of the Club are men of frugal habits, and the President is, in this respect, looked up to amongst us as an example. But his frugality is not meanness, and is, in effect, only the art of abounding in all necessary things, by avoiding such as are at once superfluous and expensive. Rarities never appear at his board, but there is always plenty, and his viands are chosen with such care, and dressed with so much skill, that even epicures must confess themselves well treated. There is, at the same time, such an unaffected welcome in the countenance and behaviour of his excellent wife, so much attention to the wants and wishes of all around her, so much politeness, and so little bustle, that a guest is almost instantly at his ease, and feels a secret exhilaration, from the unfeigned cheerfulness with which he is received."-p. 81.

Style of Johnson and Addison contrasted. "The President, a little moved perhaps by some remarks from the advocates of an easy and simple style, is usually the first to quit the immediate subject of dispute, and enter upon a wider field of discussion. At such times he collects all the dignity and importance of his manner, and looking round with that air of authority which is in him becoming, because it appears to be natural, delivers himself, slowly, and with a measured cadence, to the following effect.

"So long as it shall be the end of composition to adorn and dignify a subject, so long will that mode of communicating his sentiments by which this end is most completely obtained, be preferred by a judicious and skilful writer. Such a writer will not derive his modes of expression from the loose phraseology of conver sation; or employ words of hackneyed and common occurrence. He will be aware that the language of ordinary life is debased by its association with mean and vulgar objects, and that it is, from that circumstance, unfit for the purposes of elevated or elegant composition. Leaving, therefore, that language to its only legitimate and allowable use, to be the medium of communicating the common sentiments of mankind, in their ordinary colloquial intercourse, he will seek for the words which be employs, and for the phrases by which his

thoughts are to be advantageously communicated to the public, in the writings of those authors who have, at different periods, enlarged the meaning, and increased the dignity, of the English language. He will derive his modes of expression from the sacred remains of those writers, whose works bave been so justly and emphatically characterized as the well-springs of English undefiled: from works deeply imbued with the spirit of classic lore, and rich in words and phrases at once noble and expressive; ample in their meaning, as they are dignified and sonorous in pronunciation. He will, I admit, judiciously avoid those inaccuracies into which the great but early masters of our tongue bave sometimes fallen. He will corlicense which was not only allowable, but appears graceful and admirable in their imperishable works. In making these corrections, and in the general formation of his style, be will, I conceive, find a peculiar advantage in taking for his model the invaluable productions of Dr. Johnson. From them certainly he may best acquire such a command of the English language as should be possessed by every one who aspires to the attainment of an eloquent style. No other writer has, in my opinion, so fully exemplified the dignity and richness of which our language is capable, or so variously exhibited the power of style to give elevation to common subjects, and to add to the importance of those which are in themselves noble. In short, when I consider the uncommon excellence of this great writer, I do not hesitate to pronounce that the student of composition, who shall form himself upon the model of Dr. Johnson's prose writings, will acquire a style as far superior to that of Mr. Addison, as a magnificent palace, the finished work of some great architect, is superior to a cottage, however simply elegant the latter may appear."

"The Secretary, who possesses one qualification, which, in the opinion of Bayle, is essential to a good disputant-that of patiently bearing his adversary; always listens with attention, and with an air of deference, to the remarks of the President, and generally, after a little pause, replies somewhat as follows.

"I think it will be allowed that the first requisite of composition is to convey the meaning of the writer with clearness and precision. I do not mean that these qualities are of themselves sufficient to constitute a good style, but I think that no style can be good in which they do not appear. Now, clearness and precision appear to me most effectually to be attained by the use of such words as are of common occurrence, but which are, at the same time, free from any taint of vulgarity. The meaning of such words is more fully understood by all classes of readers, than the meaning of antique expressions, or of those sounding words which are derived from the learned languages. With respect to the construction of sentences, that mode of arranging words which is the least artificial, will, I think, generally be most perspicuous. It is, therefore, my opinion, that a writer who desires to please the community, and to obtain general popularity, should avoid unusual and learned words; and endeavour to make choice of such as are familiar, but not mean; and that he should aim rather at an elegant simplicity of style, than at a magniloquent

quoted as an instance of the true sublime, And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. Nothing can be more removed from stateliness than the language of this passage, nothing more elevated than the sentiment which it contains.

"With respect to the pathetic, if we look into those writers who have most powerfully moved the feelings of their readers, we shall find that they have generally succeeded, not by laboured and rhetorical descriptions of affect. ing incidents, but by the short, natural, and simple exhibition of human passions and feelings. In Shakespear's Macbeth, for example, when Macduff is made acquainted with the slaughter of his whole family by the tyrant, and when, to rouse him from the grief which this intelligence produces, he is exhorted by his friends to exert himself for revenge, what can be more pathetic, or have less of rhetorical stateliness, than his reply?

'He has no children,-All my pretty ones? Did you say, all?-O, hell kite!--All?'

and stately manner of expression. I am aware that a composition which is destitute of uncommon words, and in which the thoughts are expressed in an easy and unaffected manner, is not so likely to strike the imagination of common readers, as a piece which is more inflated and artificial. The difficulty which is experienced by those who endeavour to write in a natural and simple manner is not apparent to the reader; and although he is always more pleased with authors who have succeeded in this kind of writing, he usually reserves his admiration for those who appear to be more profound, because they are less capable of being understood. It is, indeed, necessary to be a tolerable judge of composition, and even to have had some practice in writing, in order to be able to appreciate the merit of a pure, natural, and simple style. I am not surprised when I hear the style of Dr. Johnson extolled by injudicious readers. I am sensible that such a mode of composition must appear to them admirable from its very defects; and that his numerous uncommon words, and sounding periods, must fall upon their ears with something like the effect of a spell or incantation. The admirers of the Doctor must excuse me if I cannot estimate his productions so highly as I do those of Mr. Addison. It is to the writings of that gentleman that I would always refer those who seek for a model of elegant composition. They will find in them that beautiful simplicity of expression, which engages the attention of the reader by a secret charm; and which causes him again and again to recur to the page with invariable delight. Allowance must of course be made for some inaccuracies, and for the use of a few words, which, in the lapse of a century, have become inelegant. But making these allowances, we shall no where find a style more purely English, or better adapted to express with clearness, and in an unaffected and graceful manner, the sentiments of the author. Style has been termed the dress of thought; and, if I might borrow this metaphor for the purpose of contrasting the styles of Addison and Johnson, I would say, that the first resembled the vesture of a Grecian nymph, shading, but not concealing, the beautiful forming that "they have nothing to fear which it enveloped; while the latter might be likened to the hoop petticoat and towering head-dress, by the assistance of which our grandmothers appeared taller and filled a greater space, but not without losing, at the same time, much of the natural comeliness of the female figure.

"A good deal has been said of the dignity and splendour of the Johnsonian style, and said too, in such a way, as would almost lead us to suppose, that nothing dignified or elevated could be expressed in a natural and simple manner. The advocates of this opinion seem, to me, to resemble those dramatic poets who make a hero by the help of a plume of feathers and a flourish of trumpets. They appear to forget that trifling sentiments may be delivered with great pomp of expression, as, on the other hand, the noblest thoughts may be expressed with great simplicity. I believe, indeed, that the most sublime, as well as the most pathetic, passages, in the best writers, are those in which the simplicity of the language is most conspicuous. I may instance that celebrated passage in the sacred writings, which Longinus has

"As I have not heard it contended, that the measured and declamatory style is best adapted for delineations of life and manners, or for the exhibition of those foibles which are the proper objects of good-humoured satire; I shall only observe, that the silence, on this point, of those who are so much disposed to admire the style of Dr. Johnson, is a proof that even they are compelled to admit the superiority of a natural and unaffected mode of writing on all topics which give occasion for the exercise of wit and humour."-p. 117 to 122.

The authors are, we think, rather too confident as to their secrecy. Though they may not be generally known, they cannot be wholly concealed. Notwithstanding the remarks in the preface, we should be surprised if, where so few excel, their friends could not "know them by their style." We concur with them, indeed, in think

from publicity." The good temper, the good sense, and the talent, which these essays evince, could procure for the writers nothing but applause.

There is one characteristic in the Club, which deserves to be mentioned. The range of subjects is more than usually extensive. Literature, science, and the fine arts, are all alluded to, in a way which shews that the writers were adverting to what they understood. Religion and morality have not been infringed in any of these papers. In some instances they have been ably supported.

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The members of the Club do not, however, all write equally well; some of them afford a regular critic an op, portunity of finding fault; but, as we have been too much delighted with the beauties of these papers, to think

REVIEW.-Revelations of "the DeadAlive. 8vo. pp. 372. London. Simpkin and Marshal. 1824.

THE title of this work being very obscure, some explanation seems necessary, as it scarcely conveys any meaning to the reader's mind.

much of their defects, we shall will- us, makes his first appearance as a ingly leave to others the discovery legitimate descendant of this wonderand exposure of the latter, which, like ful character, and professes to inherit dull spots upon a bright surface, only the power for which his progenitors serve to set off by contrast the bril- were so justly celebrated. He has liancy by which they are surrounded. also made some considerable improvement in the family science, having found means to lengthen out his state of death far beyond the period which any of his ancestors ever knew. Pursuing this conceit, he sinks into death, from the torpor of which he does not awake until the lapse of one hundred and ninety-eight days and a quarter, during which time he was enabled to peep into futurity, and notice the events that were to take place for one hundred and ninety-eight years and a quarter. By this curious legerdemain we are carried forward to about the year 2023, from which he entertains us with the incidents of his vision, and we are taught to survey the opinions which will then be formed of authors, and works, and arts, and sciences, and speculations, now flourishing in the zenith of their reputation.

About a hundred years since, the celebrated Dr. Cheyne asserted, that he had known some individuals who possessed the strange power, to all appearance, of dying when they pleased, and, after a given time, of regaining that life which seemed to have become extinct. Of one strange experiment, the account of which has been frequently published, but which may be new to many of our readers, the following particulars may prove entertaining.

"He (the patient) could die when he pleased, and yet, by an effort, or somehow, he could come to life again. He insisted so much upon our seeing the trial made, that we were forced to comply. We all three felt his pulse; first, it was distinct, though small and thready, and his heart had its usual beating. He composed bimself on his back, and lay in a still posture for some time; while I held his right hand, Dr. Baynard laid his hand on his heart, and Mr. Skrine held a clear looking-glass to his mouth. I felt his pulse sink gradually, till at last I could not feel any, by the most exact and nice touch. Dr. Baynard could not feel the least motion in his heart, nor Mr. Skrine perceive the least sort of breath on the bright mirror he held to his mouth. Then each of us, by turns, examined his arm, heart, and breath, but could not, by the nicest scrutiny, discover the least symptoms of life in him. We reasoned a long time about this odd appearance, as well as we could; and finding he still continued in that condition, we began to conclude that he had indeed carried the experiment too far; and at last we were satisfied he was actually dead, and were just ready to leave him. By nine o'clock in the morning in autumn, as we were going away, we observed some motion about the body; and upon examination, found his pulse and the motion of his heart gradually returning; he began to breathe gently and speak softly; we were all astonished to the last degree at this unexpected change, and after some further conversation with him, and with ourselves, went away fully satisfied as to all the particulars of this fact, but not able to form any rational scheme how to account for it."-p. 1 to 3.

Availing himself of this singular narrative, the author of the work before

"

That the contrivance is ingenious, cannot well be doubted, but still we think the title to have been badly chosen. England in the year 2023,' would certainly have been far more expressive, as it would have conveyed its meaning without requiring the explanation which "Revelations of the Dead-Alive," now renders necessary.

As England is exclusively the scene of this imaginary transition, and London stands foremost in the author's view, it is easy to conceive that its mutations are poured upon us with no unsparing hand. Language, its idioms and its accents, we find have undergone such a change as to become but partially intelligible; many common phrases now in use, have been dismissed for their absurdity; and London itself has been so metamorphosed, that the resuscitated stranger can scarcely recognize places of his former resort, and objects that once were familiar to him. On seeking the storehouses of literature, he could gain no information of Murray and Colburn; but he found the Bank, the PostOffice, and the Exchange, near where

Somerset - house now stands the Monument was destroyed; of the statue at Charing-cross, no account could be given; and the Bronze Colossus, raised by the ladies of 1822, had been razed to the ground by the ladies of

1922, as furnishing an occasion for profligacy to offend the eyes and the ears of delicacy with unchaste allusions. Paternoster-row had completely lost its character and its trade, while Primrose-hill and Highgate, having secured its literary honours, exhi- | bited to the admiring world their piles of quartos, octavos, and duedecimos, and a due proportion of half-starved authors among their daily visitors. With one of these it was the author's lot to fall in company, and this introduces a long conversation between them on the comparative state of literature in the two periods.

nor inclination to follow him through all his imaginary excursions, nor even to animadvert distinctly on those already noticed.

The work, without doubt, contains a vast fund of satirical humour, which on some occasions we think rather illtimed and misplaced. The subjects also placed before us, tho' very numerous, might have been rendered much more diversified and interesting. Too much time is spent in discussing the merits of our modern celebrated poets, and in the picture gallery the waste is still greater. The minuteness of criticism to which the author descends On entering a book-shop, and in- renders his observations tedious, bequiring for some poetry in the free cause monotonous. His publication and easy manner of Wordsworth and would have been rendered more pleasColeridge, he is informed by the shop-ing, if he had given only the prominent man, that no poets of these names features of his subjects, and taken a were known, and that of their style wider range. But even in its present he could give no account. To his lite-state it is a book of considerable merit, rary companion, Mr. Drudge, he then and, making due allowances for the turns, and respectfully asks, how they ebullitions of fancy, and the imposidispose of Scott, Southey, Byron, tions of improbability, it will prove Sotheby, Shelley, Moore, Crabbe, highly gratifying to those who wish to Rogers, Campbell and others; and in see the world in 2023, and to know in reply to his inquiries, (taking him to what light the inhabitants of that pebe a foreigner,) receives the following riod may view the arts, habits, manners, and people of the present age.

answer:

"I do not pretend, sir, to understand your foreign notions of literature. You were always queer, you Frenchmen and Italians, on that point. You always arranged us in your own way; but you have here mixed up with the names of some old English poets, (Milton, Pope, Dryden, &c. &c. previously mentioned) many that, I take for granted, only exist in this day on the hereditary shelves bequeathed to you by your great-grandfather, and whom I have not the honour to recognize."-p. 73.

On the progress of machinery, the author observes, that being invited to dine with Mr. Drudge, he found, to his great astonishment, that knives and forks were put in motion by mechanical operation; the former dividing the scanty morsel, and the latter presenting its portion to his lips. The satire is humorous but severe, yet it well accords with other parts of the performance, particularly with the visit to the picture gallery, in which pleasure, disappointment, expectation, and fear, are sarcastically delineated. From these, the author diverges into a survey of dress, of prizefighting, exhibitions, funerals, public characters, prince Hohenlohe, Joanna Southcoate, legal proceedings, and fleets of balloons fighting in the air, &c. &c. But we have neither time 82.-VOL. VII.

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THE infirmities of age render the use of crutches necessary, and he who can furnish any that will prove really serviceable, is a benefactor of mankind. The author of the work before us, professes to manufacture this article; and on entering his storehouse, we have found some valuable materials waiting the demands of customers.

Independently of the preface, the author has exhibited his resources in seven letters; this method having been deemed preferable to an unbroken treatise, or a formal dissertation. Throughout these epistles, his recommendations are fair and rational, and those who reduce his rules to practice, will rarely fail to attain the object at which they aim.

Temperance, regularity, exercise, and cheerfulness, he places among the natural causes which soften the

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afflictive attendants on age; but to the consolations of religion he ascribes a much higher influence. The profligacy of youth, he justly considers as the harbinger of misery in age, should the unhappy victim survive to reach the autumnal or winter season of life. Against this prevailing evil he cautions his young readers, and provides for the unfortunate the only

antidote that reason can suggest.He promises no miracles, and manifests no enthusiastic inspirations. Plain good sense, enlivened by anecdote, sententious sayings, or examples, may be found in all his pages, of which a pleasing style is but a secondary recommendation.

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REVIEW. History of Scotland, by Robert Simpson. Also, Goldsmith's History of Greece, of Rome, and of England, abridged, and the latter continued by the same Author. Infour vols. bound. Edinburgh. Oliver and Boyd.

DR. GOLDSMITH is so well known, that all observations on his literary character, whether we view him as a poet, an essayist, or an historian, will prove little better than a waste of time. Of Greece, and Rome, he has taken an interesting and a comprehensive survey; and of England, he has traced the events down to the death of George II. The subsequent parts are by Robert Simpson, by whom the above works have all been abridged.

These books, together with Mr. Simpson's history of Scotland, are all designed for the use of schools, for which purpose they are admirably adapted; each paragraph containing some subject to exercise the memory of the pupil, whose attention is thus recalled at the end of every section. These volumes are neatly printed, and the price is moderate.

Of the history of Scotland, it will be sufficient to say, that this is the thirteenth edition, and that it contains some additions and improvements.

Other editions of Goldsmith, printed and published in London, are constantly on sale, and all find an extensive circulation. They are works of intrinsic merit, for which, while schools are held in estimation, there will be a perpetual demand.

REVIEW.-The Protestant Reformation, vindicated; a Sermon, delivered at Lime-street Chapel, Preston. 2d edition. By Joseph Fletcher, M.A. pp. 35. Westley. London. 1825. THIS discourse exhibits, in a narrow compass, a luminous survey of the causes, character, and effects of the Protestant Reformation, without betraying that bitterness of spirit which too frequently characterizes those who put their feet on this volcanic ground. This is the more worthy of notice, as it was delivered in a town, "where popery hath its seat." Little indeed of this vindictive spirit was to be expected from the pen of Mr. Fletcher, whose name has many times appeared before the public. The cause which he advocates, is susceptible of a defence, which the mere asperity of language never can supply. Of this he has availed himself, and produced a pamphlet, well worth the attention of both Protestants and Papists.

REVIEW.-A Discourse delivered at the Weigh-House Meeting, Dec. 9, 1824, at the Monthly Association of Ministers, &c. By Joseph Fletcher, A.M. pp. 48. London. Westley. 1825. THE subject of this discourse is the prophecies concerning Antichrist. In reference to these predictions, the author quotes several passages of scripture, and then "tracks the felon home;" finding that those which respect its origin, describe its characteristic features, and announce its final termination, all concentrate in Popery.

Among other topics of discussion, the author adverts to the apostasy, or falling away, with which it was to be introduced ;-to the secret operation of Antichristian principles in the days of the Apostles;-to their inability to display themselves under Pagan Rome; to the predictions which represent Antichrist as being within the limits of the ancient Roman empire, and as having its centre in the city of Rome;-to the Papal usurpation of civil supremacy;-to the assumption of ecclesiastical power, and divine prerogative; to the awful sanction given by it to wickedness;to its pretension to miraculous powers;

to the idolatrous tendency of the Papal system; and finally, to its intolerant spirit.

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