: but it by no means presents a smaller number of interesting ob jects for them the humblest objects have a charm, which their own associations have first imparted. Not a note in the wood but revives a thrill of some unearthly pleasure. The country they rove is full of the echoes of happier days: they muse in extasy over the clear fountain which they knew while young. The very clouds are to them messengers of some high behest. Writers of this class, men who study and delineate the beauties of internal nature chiefly, are at once the least popular and the most meritorious. Mr. Scott, as already observed, is not one of these. He is, however, by far the most successful, in almost every respect, of all living poets. His descriptive passages are not like those which occur in Pope and other writers of former times-little more than catalogues of the objects that had been examined. His grouping, as well as his subject, is exquisite. Every part is delicately touched, and finished with uncommon skill; while the whole conveys one grand expression, and appears sometimes not to have been elaborated by art, but struck out by a single flash of genius. His pictures have this rare advantage': they are so strikingly local, that we see in them the very spot in which his characters are destined to act and suffer-we seem to breathe the same air, and to participate with them in every vicissitude of fortune. But we hasten to the romance itself, from which the reader will probably think we have too long detained him. The time in which it is laid is about the year 1307, when Bruce, after his expulsion from Scotland by the English, returned from the coast of Ireland again to achieve the independence of his unhappy country. At this period the first Canto opens, after a few very elegant stanzas in the Spenserian measure by way of introduction. The morning dawns, which was to unite Edith the lovely maid of Lorn, to Ronald, Lord of the Western Isles, a brave and potent chieftain for whom she had long been destined: it is ushered in by a thousand minstrels. Arrayed in the most splendid attire, she alone appeared joyless; for she alone was impressed with the chilling conviction that the hero who was soon to receive her hand, and who already possessed her heart, regarded her with indifference. While she leant over the turret of the castle of Artornish, whither she had come to await the arrival of her intended lord, and was engaged in confidential discourse with her attendant, his Fleet burst into view, and glided by in proud magnificence. At a distance from this gorgeous spectacle, a single shattered bark was seen struggling amidst the waves. Upon this, two leaders in vain attempt to steer from the domains of Lorn: one of them, broken down by misfortune, retained a kingly dignity; the other displayed the impetuosity of youth, and both panted for a daring enterprise in which they might either succeed or perish. The Elder at length resolved on seeking the towers of Artornish, where a thousand lights were now blazing from the illuminated halls of the nuptial banquet. Hostile as the dispositions of the Lords, there assembled, might be to the mysterious fugitives, they hoped the sacred name of guest would afford them protection. As they advanced, the shouts of festal merriment were heard, and the proud fortress seemed to rise in sullen majesty from the waters. Its appearance from the sea, and the contrast of its revelry with the gloom of the evening, is thus beautifully pictured. "Now nearer yet, through mist and storm, And deepen'd shadow made, That dazzle as they fade." p. 31. They steer on in silence, till they reach the narrow, and rocky passage leading to the castle, when the helmsman sounds his horn in order to demand admittance. The warder at first mistakes those who had arrived, for the Abbot and his holy brethren, who were anxiously expected to consecrate the bridal union. To his inquiries they make stern and dignified answer, but being at length invited to share in the festal gaieties, the two chiefs leap on shore, bearing with them a beautiful lady almost exhausted with fatigue. They are conducted to a low room, where the carousing servants gaze upon them, with insolent surprize, until the majestic reproof of one of the noble strangers inspires them with reverence. At length, a hospitable message from the Lord of Artornish requests them to join in the loftier revelry. The second Canto introduces us to the banquet. Ronald, amidst the mirth which surrounded him, sometimes sunk into fits of abstraction, at others endeavoured to disguise his cares, by loud and hollow laughter. Some saw, in his demeanor, only the mind of a lover burdened with its transport; but there was one swimming eye that pierced deeper, and saw with agony the reluctance he could so ill conceal. He rejoiced at the arrival of the shattered voyagers, as affording some respite to his care, while Lorn and his friends beheld the princely air of their visitors with suspicion and terror. These apprehensions were increased by the fiery reply of the younger guest to a taunting inquiry, respecting the exiled Monarch of Scotland. At length, upon the conclusion of a song in ridicule of the family of Carrick, their fears are confirmed the stranger appears in kingly dignity, the hero stands confest, and Bruce, with his brother and sister, are surrounded by deadly enemies. Lorn calls loudly for their destruction, and a hundred weapons are immediately brandished against them. The respect due to the laws of hospitality restrained their arms, and produced a terrible silence, which Isabella, the sister of Bruce, broke by entreating Argentine for succour. As she kneeled, in the energy of despair, her eye met Ronald's; his frame was convulsed, and a tender remembrance came across his mind as he incoherently calmed her dismay. New tumults arose in the hall, and a contest was actually commencing, when the doors were thrown open, and the Abbott and his train entered to pronounce the marriage blessing. The holy man interposed, and was on the point of denouncing a terrible curse on the head of Bruce. He gazed awhile in mute amazement on the pale features of the Prince, and then in prophetic rapture pronounced a series of benedictions. The holy frenzy subsiding, he sunk back exhausted, and was conveyed from the astonished audience to his vessel, leaving unconcluded the ceremony he came to perform. We cannot refrain from presenting our readers with the most striking part of the scene. Like man by prodigy amaz'd, His breathing came more thick and fast, Flush'd is his brow, through every vein "De Bruce, I rose with purpose dread, I bless thee, and thou shalt be blest!" Again that light has fir'd his eye, "Thrice vanquish'd on the battle plain, On foreign shores a man exil'd, Shall tell thy tale of freedom won, Our task discharg'd-Unmoor, unmoor!" At the commencement of the Third Canto, silence is broken by the fury of Lorn, on discovering that his daughter was missing. His rage is excessive, and he offers the richest rewards to the hand that should restore her, which Cormac Doil, a pirate, sets out to achieve. He then hurries away with some friends, while Ronald increases the guards, returns to his guests, and invites them to repose. At midnight he visits Bruce, and swears to assist him in his arduous struggle. They instantly resolve that Edward shall attend Isabel to Erin, there to await the issue, while Bruce and his host embaik for Sky to be beyond the reach of English revenge. There they disembark amid wild and sublime natural scenery, which in the animated description of the Poet, swells into a fearful prospect. Here they find a slender and delicate youth in the garb of a minstrel, who, they are informed, has been dumb from his infancy: they also meet with five men of suspicious appearance; from whom they, not very prudently, demand shelter. Distrusting their hosts, they and the page of Ronald agree to watch by turns; a precaution which proves well grounded; for before morning they are beset, the page is killed, and a terrible contest ensues between the Princes and the assassins, the chief of whom is the pirate Cormac Doil. The princes are victorious, and the old robber dies breathing defiance and curses. They take the poor dumb captive under their protection, consign the body of the faithful page to the earth, and move absorbed in serious contemplations towards the harbour. The Fourth Canto opens with a fine description of mountain scenery, in which Mr. Scott rises almost above himself. As the travellers proceed, they are surprised to hear the horn of Edward Bruce resound through the solitudes, and instantly he appears bounding over the hills to meet them. He soon unfolds the reasons of his speedy return; acquaints them that the patriotic nobles are rousing their clans in favor of Bruce, and that Edward of England, the deadly and potent foe of Scotish independence, had died as he reached the borders. Animated by this intelligence, they hasten to embark-the vessel sweeps along the coast with favorable winds, and lands at the Isle of Arran. The aspect of the shore during the whole voyage is pictured in the most glowing colors. We can make room for only its termination, which we think exquisitely touched. Onward their destin'd course they drew ; It seem'd the Isle her Monarch knew; Each puny wave in diamonds roll'd p. 146. In the midst of this sweet tranquillity, Ronald discloses to Bruce his love for Isabel, and urges the flight of Edith as discharging him from all obligation to her: in the mean time the mute captive listens with deep interest, and hears, with ill-concealed uneasiness, the proposal of Ronald. Higher objects however claim our attention; the vessel anchors; Bruce springs to his native shore, and is surrounded by ardent and tearful warriors: he hastens to visit his sister, who had taken refuge in the little monastery of St. |