Imatges de pàgina
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Miss Smith, for so we understand this excellent young woman named, might, by cultivation, have attained the greatest reputation. The following ode will sufficiently prove, that in making this assertion, we do not pass the limits of truth.

"A supposed translation from a Welsh Poem, lately dug up at Piercefield, in the same spot where Llewellyn ap Gryffyd was slain, Dec. 10th, 1281.

"Round Snowdon's shaggy brows grim darkness hung,

Save that the moon, the gathered clouds among,

Shot forth at times a dimly-gleaming ray, Then watery, pale, turned her sad face

away.

In Merlin's cave I sate,

And marked her tearful eye: Which seemed to mourn the fate Decreed for some on high. "What fate's decreed by heaven, blest beam of night,

That so disturbs thy sweetly-smiling light? No more it shines;-Thou turn'st thy face with scorn,

And darkly leav'st me, wretched and forlorn.

Down the steep the torrent roars,

Loud the thunder rings from far, Billows shake the rocky shores,

All resounds the din of war. "But hark!-This elemental war is drowned

In one more great, and more terrifick

sound;

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A tiger's heart he bears beneath that face, Which seems to promise honour, good, ness, grace.

Let lightning flash,

And thunder growl,
Let torrents dash,

And the black tempest o'er me
scowl;

This soul, in unison with every gust, Shall rage and burn till I be turned to dust;

Ne'er shall I patient brook my country's doom,

But sighing, sorrowing, sink into the tomb. "DAUGHTERS OF CAMBRIA, with me mourn,

Sing the sad wo-breathing strain; From your fair heads the ringlets torn Scatter round the ensanguined plain. No more in summer's even tide

Your gentle flocks you'll lead To where the brook, with flowery side, Slow wanders through the mead; But soon to conquerors rude a prey, You'll quit your native land, And drag through life your mournful way, A wretched, captive band! "WARRIOURS, break the sounding maik Cast down the lance, the helm untie; Arms shall now no more avail, For you before the foe shall fly

No more, in deeds of arms renowned,
You'll dare the single fight;
Or with exulting laurels crowned,
Assert your country's right;
But to the woods and marshes driven,
Ingloriously you'll sigh;
For ah! to you it is not giv'n
Amidst your friends to die!
"To Piercefield's Cliffs I'll now a pilgrim

go,

Shed o'er my prince beloved the tears of

Wo;

There will I seek some deep and rocky

cell,

Amidst the thick entangled wood to dwell;
There indulge my plaintive theme,
To the wan moon's icy beam;
While the rocks responsive ring,
To my harp's high-sounding string;
Vaga stops her rolling tide,
Listening to her ancient pride;
Birds and beasts my song attend,
And mourn with me our country's fatal
end!" p. 13.

What next, and very strongly impressed us in the perusal of this voJume, is the turn and employment of the author's mind, in the general conduct and occupations of her life. This is apparent from her reflections from time to time written down in her little pocket books. Some of these also we transcribe.

some went over it to the islands within sight, which form the Eastern Archipelago, and others followed the coast northwards, till they came to some point from whence they could see America. Thither some of them went; while others spread themselves westward, and these people I take to be the barbarians of the north, who afterwards overran all Europe, and who were the same as the wandering Tartars, their brethren, now are. Thus the prophecy is fulfilled; for Japhet is indeed extended, and at this day inhabits the tents of Shem all over Europe. This theory seems to me to derive great force from the similarity of manners between the wandering tribes of the north, the Tartars, and the Americans; for though some nations of America, from a long residence in one place, have acquired a degree of civilisation, yet there is always a tradition of their having been in a wild state. It is reasonable to suppose the descendants of Japhet, in constantly travelling about, would lose all the knowledge they had gained from Noah, except such as was absolutely necessary for their subsistence. We find the descendants of Shem alone, who remained nearly stationary, and the Egyptians and Chinese who settled soon after they left Babel, had leisure to cultivate the sciences before the elements of them were lost. From my ignorance of the Chinese language, I am at a loss to determine whether the inhabitants of China are descended from Shem or Japhet; From the little information I can col. the position of the country would incline lect by tracing languages towards their one to believe the latter; though their source, it appears probable that when the inhabitants of the earth quarrelled at Bamanners, so unlike their Tartar neighbel, and dispersed in consequence, Ham bours, seem to contradict it; yet this obturned, as is generally allowed, towards jection may be done away, by supposing them to settle immediately after the disAfrica, where Egypt was afterwards called by his name, and by that of his persion, which appears probable from son Misraim. Shem remained in the westtheir reckoning the cycle of sixty years from a period so remote as 2277 B. C. ern parts of Asia, and spread from thence which answers exactly to the building of over Europe. This opinion is founded on Babel. Their language consists entirely the very strong traces of the Persian lanof monosyllables, which, with their known guage which yet remain in the Celtick dislike of innovation in every thing, inand all European tongues, not excepting clines me to think that it may, perhaps, difGreek and Latin; though the modern Persian, with which I compare them, is fer less than any other from the original itself derived from the Pelhevi, the anlanguage, or at least from that of Noah." cient language of Persia, which probably p. 52. had a much greater affinity with the Celtick. Noah says, in the 9th chapter of Genesis: "May GoD extend Japhet, and may he inherit the tents of Shem." the 10th chapter it is said, that the islands were peopled by the descendants of Japhet. From these circumstances I conclude that the family of Japhet went eastward from Babel, till, coming to the sea,

In

Let those, and alas they form too numerous a class of society, who spend their time either in idleness, or in continually making good resolutions, of which the seductions of the world prevent the practice, read and meditate on what succeeds.

"Being now arrived at what are called years of discretion, and looking back on my past life with shame and confusion, when I recollect the many advantages I have had, and the bad use I have made of them, the hours I have squandered, and the opportunities of improvement I have neglected;-when I imagine what, with those advantages, I ought to be, and find myself what I am; I am resolved to endeavour to be more careful for the future, if the future be granted me; to try to make amends for past negligence, by employing every moment I can command to some good purpose; to endeavour to acquire all the little knowledge that human nature is capable of on earth, but to let the word of God be my chief study, and all others subservient to it; to model myself, as far as I am able, according to the gospel of Christ; to be content while my trial lasts, and when it is finished to rejoice, trusting in the merits of my Redeemer. I have written these resolutions to stand as a witness against me, in case I should be inclined to forget them, and to return to my former indolence and thoughtlessness, because I have found the inutility of mental determinations. May GoD grant me strength to keep them!" p. 57. Miss Smith, it appears, was, in the earlier part of her life, an admirer of Ossian; but this partiality subsided after she became acquainted with the learned languages. An imitation of Ossian appears at p. 77, et seq. which cannot fail of being acceptable to all

"Of this paper Mrs. S. says: 'I firmly believe this prayer was accepted; for I do not recollect any instance in which she could justly be accused of either indolence or thoughtlessness, except on the subject of her health. On that point she trusted too much to the strength of a naturally good constitution; and had so little confidence in human skill, that she neglected such means in the commencement of her last illness, as in all probability would have removed it."

who are delighted with that species of composition, which we confess we are

not.

Some beautiful poetry is occasionally interspersed with her reflections, and the poem in blank verse at p. 97, on some remarkably sweet tones issuing from the wood on the fire, during a severe frost, exhibit a very pleasing proof with what facility and elegance the writer could diversify her style and metre. Translations also from the German are occasionally introduced; but what must ever entitle Miss Smith to the highest degree of praise, and occasion her "laudari a laudatis," are her versions from the Hebrew, which are considered by those who are competent to decide on their merits, as being remarkable for their accuracy. Perhaps the remarks on Locke, at p. 141, et seq. may be pointed out as the most striking and most satisfactory example of precision of thought, and acuteness of reasoning, in the whole volume. Enough, however, has been said, and sufficient proofs, we conceive, introduced to justify the assertion, that this lady was no common character. And, when, in addition to all that has been said above, it is remembered, that a spirit of genuine Christian piety, faith, hope, and charity, untinctured by fanaticism and undebased by affectation, characterized her short but active life, who will not unite with us in the regret, that such a light should be shown for so short a time to the world? But God seeth not as man seeth, and his will be done.

FROM THE LITERARY PANORAMA.

Récit Historique de la Campagne de Buonaparte en Italie. Historical Account of the Campaign of Buonaparte in Italy, in the years 1795 and 1796. By an Eye Witness, Svo. London, 1808.

WHEN two opposite parties divide the world with fierce contention, the man who, from whatever circumstances, is placed at the head of one of them, can hardly be rightly appreciated by his contemporaries. While he pursues his triumphant career, he is a deity to his followers, who worship in him that fortune which is their idol, and shouts of victory drown the accusing voice of his injured, but conquered foe. On the other hand, malignity too often preys on exalted characters, and cankers that laurel which it could not blast. Posterity alone, by comparing the several testimonies, when hope and fear, gratitude and resentment, have lost their sway, is enabled to form an impartial judgment. In that trial of fame, the character of the writers, on both sides has necessarily a great weight-but, this is an anonymous publication!

These reflections are rather meant as general, than as applying to the man whose deeds are the theme of this work. Indeed, his offences are "too rank," his crimes are too notorious, to admit of a doubt or of a palliation. Besides, the same scenes of treachery, plunder, and devastation, which were acted in Italy, are now acting in Spain. There, too, generals and officers have been seduced, others have been tampered with; most enormous atrocities have followed deceit ful promises of friendship and protec-, tion. We easily believe, that Buona parte made use of the influence of the archbishop of Milan to pacify the incensed inhabitants of Pavia, under promises of forgiveness, and that he afterwards disarmed them and gave the town to plunder (as our author affirms, pp. 117, &c.) for the same has been done in Madrid; the same promises have been held out to the inhabitants of Vittoria. Our opinion,

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In that performance, Buonaparte, of course, derives his triumphs solely from his own genius and bravery; but in the publication before us he is represented in a different character, indeed! With an immense superiority of forces he purchases petty advantages by an immense sacrifice of lives; all his conquests are prepared by treason, and his frequent blunders in the field are repaired by treachery. In the most critical moments, he pretends to capitulate, and snatches victory from the hands of his too credulous antagonist. Something like this, we have heard often, from good authority; but does the author think that his unavowed publication will convince the dazzled multitude, the mass who have not had the same means of information? To tear the laurels, however undeserved, from the guilty head of a successful villain, indirect means are unavailing and unbecoming. Truth scorns to be defended but by manliness. Besides, we cannot reconcile it to our feelings as Englishmen, that officers of rank, however culpable in appearance, should be accused of ha ving sold themselves to the enemy of their country for money, without being afforded an opportunity of meet

ing the foul charge; or even the Knowledge of their accuser.

We have stated the dangerous tendency of admitting anonymous publications to the privileges of authenticated documents or historical facts, principally from our regret on seeing accounts of important transactions, destitute of the signature of a writer, who professes to have been an eye witness, and whose work is not without internal proofs of veracity. We shall now proceed to make a few extracts, mostly from this officer's relation of events on which we have had some previous information. All the world has heard of Buonaparte's prodigious feat in planting the standard of liberty on the famous bridge of Arcole, in spite of a tremendous fire of artillery and musketry. Let us hear our historian, who speaks decidedly on that affair.

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Augereau, seeing that those fierce republicans were completely dismayed by the enemy's fire, took the standard of liberty, and carried it to the extremity of the bridge; but without producing the desired effect. This fact is certified, by the historian of the campaigns of Italy, and by a letter from general Berthier. They both add, that this very courageous action, proving useless, Buonaparte him self had recourse to the same stratagem, which, in his hands, was completely suc cessful. . . .

"What would he say, however, were we to deny this act of bravery of which he boasts? We were present at that battle; we saw very distinctly a French officer, with a flag in his hand, advancing alone on the bridge. We saw general Alvinzi, convinced that it was a flag of truce, give orders to suspend firing; but we have no recollection whatever, of having seen a second officer tread in the footsteps of the first. Yet such a fact would have been too publick, not to be remarked. Neither is it credible; because the Austrian artillery, which had respected the first, who was supposed to be the bearer of a flag of truce, would not, in all probability, have respected the second, whose temerity would have cost him his life." pp. 183, 184.

The author then maintains, that this bridge was not carried on that day [Nov. 15] but that the position was

maintained against Buonaparte, on the 16th, and on the 17th; that on the evening of this day, general Alvinzi ordered a retrograde motion, at which murmurs ran so high in the army, that on the 19th, he resumed his former position at Arcole; but quitted it again on the 20th for Vincenza, instead of pushing forwards to Verona, which he could then have taken easily.

"But," continues the author, "what was the surprise of the whole army, and the rage of many, when, being arrived on the middle of the road, we met general Alvinzi, on horseback, who ordered us to fall back on Vincenza! I then saw an Austrian colonel, frantick with rage, break his sword in three pieces, and declare that he would no longer serve in an army, which its commander in chief was covering with shame. Similar sentiments were openly manifested by several others." p. 188.

At the end of the chapter on the battle of Arcole, the author relates the known anecdote of Buonaparte's fall into a marsh with his horse, in a flight, after an unsuccessful attack on Arcole. He adds that a negro alone ventured to come to his assistance, and was, in consequence, made captain of cavalry, and presented as such to the army. This we have heard repeatedly in France, in the years 1798 and 1799, from officers of the army of Italy, and from Augereau himself. We have heard the same Augereau, in a large dinner party, at Thoulonse, before several of his brother officers, claim the sole merit of having planted the standard of liberty, both on the bridge of Arcole, and on that of Lodi; with many bitter sarcasms on Buonaparte's vain boasting. Indeed, we never heard it denied by any officer of the army of Italy; and we have conversed with several. But, that army knew too much of its general; after the eva cuation of Egypt, these troops were not allowed to enter France; but were sent to Italy, and from thence to Saint Domingo; those who have contrived to revisit France have been intimidated. or seduced,or-have disappeared.

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