From acts of Dermody, by Raymond, we scan

Vicissitudes varied of versatile man;

Like unstable Cooke of theatric renown,

Whose failings the press late hath stamp'd on the

town.

Ma'am Sumbull's career often raises the smile, While a dame once well known to a lord of the Nile, (j)

of the late George F. Cooke, and the Memoirs of Mrs. Sumbull, affords a useful lesson to the contemplative mind, which cannot fail to draw a comparison of the effects produced by the indulgence of ungovernable passions, which transform those abilities that would have conferred honour upon the possessor, into the most destructive weapons of his earthly tranquillity.

(j) Lady Hamilton has published a statement which there is no reason to discredit; and, from the contents of her pagès, no candid mind will for a moment hesitate to say that she has claims on the consideration of the country. The writer cannot refrain from adding, that he feels the more grieved for her situation, as in private life her generosity has been unbounded, and thus left her, he fears, to make those appeals to others which were so successfully made to herself during the season of prosperity.

For ceaseless endeavours to back England's cause

Deserves something more than mere empty ap

plause.

The pages of Mudford full oft entertain, (k)
But Northcote, as author, is not in the vein: (1)

(k) Mudford prefaces his Life of Cumberland with a correspondence which took place between himself and Sir James Bland Burges, the result of which is not very flattering to the character of the latter; who, after volunteering his services to the biographer in the progress of his labour, never thought proper to act up to the professions thus made. As an unbiassed delineator of facts, Mr. Mudford claims every credit; his style is unaffected and easy, his notes appropriate, and his criticisms, which constitute the leading feature of the work, are obviously the productions of a gentleman of sound judgment and classical taste. The admirers of Cumberland may, in some instances, call him fastidious; but the lovers of truth will respect him for his honesty.

(1) We would advise Mr. Northcote to relinquish the pen; as an artist he cannot fail to shine, but his literary acquirements are not of a nature to gain him that celebrity which, in the walk of painting, he has so long and deservedly acquired.

A Granger continued by Noble is slaughter'd, (m) For which the biographer ought to be quarter'd.

(m) Few men ever possessed the power of condensing into a small compass the biographical sketches of celebrated characters like the late Mr. Granger; wherefore we are the more surprised that, with such an original before him, Mr. Noble could so far diverge from the track pointed out. As for the last named individual recorded on Sir Noodle's page, it would be loss of time to descant upon such a farrago of egotism and folly; it is only fit for one purpose and no other-doubtless the reader will comprehend my meaning.

By way of addenda to the above note, relating to existing writers of this class, I deem it necessary to subjoin Mr. Lodge, who has acquitted himself very creditably in his account of the Casar family, and Illustration of British History. The Royal and Noble Authors of Parke, though not of a high literary class, prove that gentleman to be possessed of plodding industry. To these might be added the names of many personages whose skill consists in expertly handling the scissars and paste; but to load my page with book-makers would too far derogate from Sir Noodle's great plan,

Who, conscious of possessing soul refin'd,

Wou'd spurn as garbage what debas'd the mind.

While last who by name shall my muse here record Is Finsbury's Lackington-book-vending lord, Whose trash, far too vile to awake critic's breath,

At once dooms biography's genius to death.

Political Writers.

The Devil knew not what he did when he made man politic; he cross'd himself by't: and I cannot think but, in the end, the villanies of man will set him clear.

Then there are witlings who will plod
To make for ministers a rod;
Poets that wou'd be politicians,
And prove the parliament's physicians;
Who strive in vain, for did they show
Wit keen as shaft from Parthian's bow,
The satire wou'd be sure to fail,

So tough are statesmen's coats of mail:

I mean those breast-plates, wherewith they,
From habit, consciences array.

Since those elected to this function

Ne'er feel the prickings of compunction,

Which vain at door of bosom knocks,

Safe barricado'd 'gainst all shocks.

Shakspeare.

As doctors the pulse of their patients will feel,

Some writers prescribe for the realm's common weal;