the virtuoso is very seldom a habitual will, ere long, provided he makes a gazer at sign-posts. The reader who suitable use of his genius, become one is capable of understanding Cervantes, of the best ornaments of his time. He Fielding, and Voltaire, is not likely to is master of an elegant style, devoid of be a great patron of the Minerva Press; affectation, light, graceful, equally reand vice versa, the consumers of the mote from the rumbling periodic style Minerva Press ware have no relish for which is fashionable on this side of any of the great works of fiction, either the Tweed, and the pernicious epiin poetry or in prose.

grammatic vulgarities which have T'he reading public of Edinburgh lately become too common among our do themselves the honour to suppose neighbours of the South. In this that they are the most enlightened and style he embodies lively and exquisite elegant reading public in the world. wit, delicate and manly feelings, bitThey have been confirmed, we sup- ter sarcasms and satire, and observapose, in this vanity, by the practice of tions and reflections of no ordinary many of the best English writers in depth, all in their turn; and with the present day, who publish their such a sense of propriety, such a delia works in this city, rather than in cacy of taste, that no one of these ele« London, But we fear there is at ments is ever allowed, in any measure, bottom very little foundation for the to neutralize the effect of the others. belief. Scotland possesses a few au- The volume is a trifle, and we rethors of great eminence; but, with gard it merely as a promise. We shall the exception of these, we think her not therefore, at present, enlarge at literary population is entitled to very any greater length upon merits which little respect. Our ladies and gentle- we hope soon to see surpassed, or men can indeed re-echo with much powers which, we doubt not, will yet volubility the praises of any, estab- be far more richly developed. Our lished author, in the words and object is merely to call the attention phrases already consecrated to his use of our readers; and this, we are aware, by the Edinburgh or Quarterly Re- can be done by no means so effectualviews; but they have no real, intense, ly as by an extract. We might have abiding delight either in poetry or in selected others, in which greater depth prose. They have already almost for- and power are manifested; but elegotten Scott's poems, merely because gance is so much the desideratum in he has not published any for some most writings of our time, that we years, and, of consequence, has not have fixed, chiefly for its sake, upon been celebrated in any late numbers the of the Reviews. For the same reason, « ONE NIGHT IN ROME. Mackenzie is seldom spoken of, in

“ Know'st thou the pile the colonnade suscomparison with Maturin; and Ma

tains, dame Darblay has been eclipsed by Its splendid chambers, and its rich domains; Miss Jane Porter. Indeed the whole Where breathing statues stand in bright ar. true literature of our country is com

ray.

GOETHE. paratively neglected, and any thing, “During those extraordinary times when to be noticed, must be new.

Nero wantoned in every species of atrocity, It is not long since this little vo- a young man, by name Agenor, was brought lume possessed all the merits of no- up in one of the provinces of Italy. He velty, and yet it is quite unknown. lost both his parents, and finding himself Had it been published by any great his own master, set out to visit Rome. bookseller, and noticed in any great

“ It was at dusk, after a fatiguing jourReview, it must at once have become ney, when he first made his approach to

that immense labyrinth of wonders and of popular; but such has not as yet been crimes. Lights were seen scattered over all its fate.

the city. The sound of chariot wheels, voIt consists of various little tales and ciferations, and musical instruments, reached fragments, all written under the dis- him before his entry, and soon after stunned guise of a translation from the French, him, in passing along the streets, where se. and most of them exhibiting better nators, and women of rank, flamens, and specimens of Voltaire's mode of novela gladiators, knights, thieves, matrons, orawriting than any we remember to have tors, and debauchees, were strolling together

in companies, and conversing in a thousand seen in our language. The author we

different tones, of drunkenness, derision, guess to be a young man ; but we pre- kindness, resentment, vulgarity, and highdict that his name, whatever it be, breeding. In short, it was the festival of

An easy

Cybele, the mother of the Gods, and all it penetrates to its very core.
Rome was in an uproar.

gayety prevailed throughout the company. “ Our youth feels abashed in the metro- The perfumes which were burnt in the polis. The number of countenances that chamber, together with the occasional strains wear a look of intelligence and penetration, of music performed by attendants, operated without any stamp of moral goodness, dis- in producing that luxurious indolence which mays and confounds him. He falls into re- is averse to any sort of contention. Every veries upon the subject, and tries to conceive disagreeable thought was turned aside by what style of manners would best protect some dextrous pleasantry. No altercation him from ridicule in dealing with such had time to occur before it was solved by a men ; or how he could endeavour to match jest. The choicest win of the praetor were their shrewdness, when it was accompanied circulated with a liberal hand ; and the old by no respect for justice or truth.

senator, from time to time, poured forth In the meantime, a scuffle took place unmeaning gallantries, without knowing among some slaves.

One of them was exactly to whom they were addressed. Age'wounded, and retired among the pillars of nor began to perceive the beauty of non. a temple, where he lay down, without re- sense, which is almost the only thing that ceiving the least notice or comfort from any can relax the vigilance of our self-love, and passenger. Agenor went up to the spot, enable us to live harmoniously together. and spoke to him. After inquiring into the “ In the meantime, a great deal of gos. nature of his hurt

, he learnt the name and sip took place among the married women. abode of his master, who was a praetor, and Nero's conduct was examined with free. whom he next went to seek, for the purpose dom; but more as an object of ridicule of procuring assistance.

than of detestation. The Greek enlarged * It was a magnificent house to which upon some fine panthers then at the circus. the slave had directed him. The master The centurion drank assiduously, and lay was out at supper, but his lady was giving in watch for any ambiguities of language an entertainment in his absence, and ere that might happen to drop from the comlong came in person to learn what intellie pany. These he regularly followed up gence our youth had to communicate. She with such remarks as implied his adoption was a noble figure, had some beauty, with of their worst meaning ; and he shewed an a gay look, and an eye full of a thousand expertness in this exercise, which long prac. meanings. While Agenor was telling his tice only could have taught him. Indeed story she regarded him attentively. Indeed not one sentence escaped from the senator his cheek had a fine bloom, and his locks which he did not mould into some equivocal were as rich and exuberant as what we now declaration or proposal. The reverend fabehold on the forehead of the charming ther himself had no suspicion of this, al. Antinous. As for his manner, it implied though shouts of laughter were constantly the most unbroken simplicity; so that, af- breaking forth among the male part of the ter giving orders for bringing home the company; and therefore he continued slow. wounded slave, she begged, in a matronly ly bungling forward from one subject to antone, that he would come up stairs, and other, while the long chasms between his partake of a repast along with some of her ideas were filled up and garnished by the friends ; • because,' added she, with a smile, centurion, at his own discretion. In those • it is the festival of Cybele. Agenor com- days an old senator was considered as the plied.

finest butt in the world. “ There was a good deal of company in 66 When the party broke up, Agenor her saloon. Among others, a centurion, who came near Phrosine, and said, for the pleadid not appear so devout as Cornelius; an sure of speaking to her, “ How long does old senator, toothless and half blind ; a the festival of Cybele continue ?' Any ques. Greek belonging to the theatre ; several tion will serve to accompany the looks of a married women of the city; and a beauti- lover. Phrosine replied, • Only two days ful young girl, with dark eyes and modest more ; but in that time you will see much lips, whose name was Phrosine, a niece of of the nature of Rome; and then added, their absent host.

with a girlish ignorance of her own feelings, “ It was upon this young person that our • What

a pleasant companion that old senahero's thoughts were principally fixed dur. tor is ! I never spent a night so happily.' ing supper ; although the lady of the house • Nor I,' said Agenor, who knew the reason never allowed much time to pass without better. asking him some question; or sending a “ A servant was waiting at the door of smile to meet his eye as it wandered over the saloon. Agenor followed him ; but, the table ; and although she presented him instead of being

shewn down to the street as with a sweetmeat, where there was a sprig he expected, he was left in a solitary chama of myrtle floating in the juice. Phrosine ber, enriched with furniture and paintings spoke little, but Agenor could observe she of exquisite beauty. Here was an ivory never missed any thing he said. This made couch, lined with purple ; two Etruscan him talk with animation, and gave his voice vases full of roses ; and a Cupid of Parian that sort of mellowness which quiets the fe. marble, by one of the finest sculptors in aale bosom into a delicious languor, while Greece. The paintings were all of an amo

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A num

rous description. Satyrs gambled along the worth all the rest put together. Many a walls, and thoughtless nymphs were seen beauteous head, and many a voluptuous very much exposed among the dark recesses form of alabaster, awoke in him the softest of an ancient forest. Agenor endeavoured feeling of delight; many a group of Bacto find out the meaning of his situation, but chanals taught him a joyful indifference ; could not. Presently the prætor's wife en- and many a picture bore a motto from the tered. She took his hand with much cor- songs of Horace, which told him that life is diality, and said, “My dear Agenor, par short, and that we should gather its roses don me for this detention : I cannot let while fate leaves them in our power. Xeno's you depart, without some advice concerning philosophy had once been his pride; but a the perils of his bad city ; for I perceive softness of heart now crept in upon him; you are a stranger. Young men sometimes and the feelings of the Stoics died away endeavour to get near the emperor in public before other feelings, which rendered him a places, in order to see his person. Beware fitter inhabitant for modern Rome. In the of doing so. It is impossible to say what morning he had scrupled about returning to might happen if you should attract his the prætor's house ; but now he said, "I notice ; for his power is absolute, and mis- must go back to see Phrosine.' chief is always in his thoughts.

Do not “ In the mean time, as it was yet early in associate with gladiators and charioteers, the forenoon, he repaired to the circus, who seldom leave an obolus in the pockets where he found the citizens already placed of their companions ; nor with Greeks, who in thousands along its far-spreading benches, are sad impostors. Again, your handsome and some of them distinguished by very person may chance to captivate some of our magnificent attire. The games began. Ramatrons, who love gallantry ; but although cers and combatants appeared on the vast they should smile on you from their win- arena. Trumpets were sounded. dows, and beckon with a look of insinua- ber of tigers, newly brought from confinetion, do not stop to talk with them ; other ment, scattered the dust in their terrific wise you will get entangled in a thousand gambols. Blood began to be shed, and acscrapes. You will be left in the lurch, clamations to rise from the populace. The while they go to intrigue with some other wild animals increased the noise in receive person. Avoid all this, and come often ing their mortal stabs, and the gladiators back to visit me,' said the prætor's wife, fought and died with enthusiasm ; for the laying her hand upon his shoulder : “ Be sweet music of applause rung in their ears assured I will prove as good a friend as can until they could not hear it any longer. be met with in Rome."

“ Agenor grew much interested in these Agenor was a good deal astonished. fatal sports. Nevertheless, he fell some Perhaps he would have been at a loss what times into reveries about Phrosine; and in to say ; but the prætor himself was that glancing his eye over the long rows of the moment heard lumbering up stairs, and circus, he observed the prætor's wife at. hemming at intervals, in a state of intoxi. tended not only by her husband, who was cation. His wife started up, and bade a corpulent figure with a red nose, and a Agenor good night. She then opened a countenance full of good-natured sensuality, private passage down to the street, and but also by some of the handsomest men in gently pushed

him out, saying, with a smile, Rome. • Farewell at present; come back to-mor- “ Agenor thought there was no need of row, and I shall introduce you to the prætor, increasing the number

. He therefore left who is a very worthy man.

the circus, and went to see if Phrosine had “ When Agenor came away, the streets been left at home. Fortunately this was were still as crowded as ever, but afforded the case. He found her watering some more examples of the debaucheries and plants in an open gallery, and removing vices of Rome. The town which Cato such of their leaves as had withered by too loved was now sadly altered. Every god powerful a sun. She recognised him with and every virtue had left the place; and blushes of gladness; and, after a short although their temples remained as beauti- time, Agenor engaged in dressing the flowful as in better times, they were filled with ers along with her. These young people scoffing instead of prayer,

Agenor had found this occupation a very pleasing one. lived as yet uncontaminated ; and the con- Their smiles met every moment over hyaduct of the prætor's wife that night had not cinths and myrtles; and their words were seduced him, because he thought of Phro- breathed in a low voice among exhalations sine. Phrosine's image engrossed his atten. of perfume. When Phrosine thought the tion so much that he could scarcely find the jars were ill arranged, Agenor transposed house where he meant to sleep ; and when them so as to produce a finer grouping of he lay down, the fantastic dreams of youth the blossoms ; and when their pitcher of continued hovering about his pillow. water was exhausted, this languishing boy

“ Next morning he took a walk through and girl, who had already forgotten als conthe town. He viewed the public buildings, ventional forms of behaviour, went, arm in the places noted in history, the books of the arm, to the fountain down in the garden, Sybils, which he could not understand, and to get more. There, at a basin of marble, the charming productions of the fine arts, which foamed to the brim, they replenished VOL. III.

G

6

their vessel. Some drops of the spray came «« « There can be no doubt of it,' replied dashing on Phrosine's white shoulders ; and Agenor. • It is evident she wishes you out Agenor used the freedom to wipe them off of her family.'. with a corner of her garment. Phrosine sub- "o • But what is worse,' said Phrosine mitted with a slight struggle ; but all this with tears in her eyes, and at the same time took place in silence, for the feelings of the laying her hand upon his shoulder, would parties were by far too serious to suit with you believe it, Agenor ? I can hardly be jests and compliments. Afterwards they leant sure that my own uncle, if circumstances for a long time, side by side, against the should entice him, will not deliver me up trunk of a chesnut. Their souls were lost to this monster who calls himself the Emin musing, and their eyes were fixed on the peror. It seems he had observed me with shadows of branches that played over the particular attention somewhere in public, sunny ground before them. . Ah ! how and has repeatedly inquired about me since. pleasing is a country life,' said Phrosine, 'I The prætor is at present in favour ; but if sometimes wish that I could get leave to he were to evade any of Nero's orders, there spend my time in Calabria, or Apulea, or would at once be an end to his farther good some of those delightful provinces where the fortune, and perhaps his life.' ground is covered with yellow sheaves, and “ “ Then why, my beautiful Phrosine," where the days are so beautiful, that if a said our youth, gently encircling her waist, person merely walks about in the open air, why do you remain here to endanger it is enough to make him regardless of all your uncle's life? Would it not be much other pleasures. I do not like the town or wiser,

and more consistent with

your duty, its inhabitants. Our visitors are so cold. to marry a poor husbandman who adores hearted, that I am treated as a child if I be. you, and set out for Calabria, where you have kindly to them. They laugh at any will enjoy all the pleasures of a charming person who is simple enough to feel attach- climate, and never hear of this wicked Emment even for themselves.

Again, there is peror any more ? Surely this proposal need no peace or security in Rome; for every one only be stated, to make you at once perceive is afraid of being cruelly insulted by the its propriety.' emperor, or some of his favourites; and Oh, but my aunt,' said Phrosine, their brutality renders so many precautions sobbing, in great agitation--' she would necessary, that I am inclined more and not approve of my conduct.' more to envy the inhabitants of those dis- « • Nor would you approve of hers, if tant provinces who are out of its reach. you knew all the particulars of it,' replied Pray, from 'what province do you come ?' Agenor. Wrap your veil about your • From no other than Calabria,' replied head, and we shall get out by the garden Agenor. I have a small farm there ; but door, which opens into some of the back a country life is sometimes insipid, and I lanes. A couple of mules can soon be pur. came to Rome from curiosity and desire of chased; and in a short time we will be far change. Ah, Phrosine ! if I had not come from Rome.' to Rome, I should never have enjoyed the • Oh no, it is impossible,' said Phrohappiness of being near you; and now, if I sine, • I cannot go just now.' go back to Calabria, I shall not know what “ • Just now is the very best time,' reto do with heart.'

plied Agenor. • Every person is at present “ • Keep your heart with sufficient care,' in the circus, where Nero performs as a said Phrosine, blushing, and it will give charioteer ; and neither the prætor nor his you no trouble. Those deep and lasting wife can return till the games are finished attachments which have been described by Come along,' said our youth, employing a the poets, are no longer to be found in little gentle violence. Rome. It is now the fashion to change ra- “Oh no, it is impossible,' said Phropidly from one object of admiration to ano- sine, weeping and struggling, and gradu. ther, and, indeed, never to allow the feelings ally allowing herself to be dragged away. to be seriously engaged at all. The example

“ MORAL. of Nero, and his detestable court, has anni. hilated every thing amiable, and left us

“ The moral is, that a great deal may nothing but selfishness, profligacy, and in

be done with young ladies, if they are taken difference.'

by surprise." “ • Then you must seek elsewhere,' said Agenor, • for a heart which is worthy of you. Rome, as you describe it, can never be the theatre of your happiness.'

ACCOUNT " • Oh! I could endure it well enough,' said Phrosine, provided I were agreeably TANT ODOHERTY, LATE OF THE situated at home. But the prætor's wife is 99TH REGIMENT. jealous of the attention I receive from her visitors, and sometimes treats me with a de.

( Continued.) gree of barshness which it is difficult to support. She is still fond of admiration, as

The Ode to Messrs Young and Wayou may observe, and imagines that I wish ters, with part of which we closed our to encroach upon her share.'

last notice of Nir Odoherty's life, has

6

my

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SOME

OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF ENSIGN AND ADJU.

a

a merit which is far from being com- For me, I wish no brighter sky

Than o'er a jug of grog, mon among modern lyrics-it expresses the habitual feelings of the author. When fancy kindles in the eye,

The good gray eye of Hogg. The composer of an ode, in these times, is usually obliged to throw When Misery's car is at its speed, himself out of his own person, into To make the heart where sorrows bleed

The glowing wheels to cog; that of some individual placed in a

Leap lightly like a frog ; situation more picturesque than has Gay verdure o'er the crag to shower, fallen to his own share-he is obliged And blossoms o'er the bog, to dismiss all recollection of his own Wit's potent magic has the power, papered parlour and

writing-desk, and When thou dost wield it, Hogg! to imagine himself, pro tempore, a In the escritoir of the Ensign, his burning Indian, a dying soldier, or a executors found, among letters from love-sick young lady, as it may hap- the first literary characters of the day, pen. He thus loses that intense air many excellent ones from Mr Hogg ; of personal emotion, which forms the and the following beautiful lines formprincipal charm in the stern heroics ed the postscript to that one in which of Pindar, the elegant drinking songs he returned thanks to our poet for the of Horace, the gay chansons of Des- above tribute to his own kindred gehoulieresm and the luxurious erotics nius. of Tom Moore. Odoherty wrote of O hone, Odoherty! Young and Waters in his own person, I canna weel tell what is wrang ; the feelings which he has embodied But oh, man, since you gaed frae me, in verse, are the daily, or rather night. The days are unco dull and lang. ly, visitants of his own bosom. If truth I try the paper and the sclate, and nature form the chief excellence of And pen, and cawk, and killivine ;

But nothing can I write of late, poetry, our hero may take his place a

That even Girzzy ca's divine. mong the most favoured children of

O hone, odoherty! the muse.

O hone, Odoherty! Those taverns were, however, far Oh weary fa’ the fates' decree, from being the scenes of mere merri, That garred the Captain part frae me. ment and punch-drinking. The bowl O hone, Odoherty ! was seasoned with the conversation of Come back, come back to Ettrick lake, associates, of whom it is sufficient to And ye sall hear, and ye sall see, say, that they were indeed worthy to What I'se do for the Captain's sake. sit at the board with Ensign and Ad- I'll coff tobacco o' the best, jutant Odoherty. The writer of this and pipes baith lang and short I'se gie; has no personal knowledge of these Frae morn till night, 'tween you and me.

And the toddy-stoup sall ne'er get rest, distinguished persons; but from the

O hone, Odoherty ! letters and poems of the Ensign's, com- O hone, Odoherty ! posed during his stay in Edinburgh, O welcome sall the moment be it is evident, that those upon whom That brings the Captain back to me. he set most value, were the following Next to the Ettrick Shepherd, the gentlemen : James Hogg, Esq., the member of the Dilettanti who shared celebrated author of “ The Queen's most of Ensign Odoherty's confidence Wake,"

.” “ Pilgrims of the Sun,” “Ma- and affection was William Allan, Esq. dor of the Moor,"and other well-known This gentleman's genius as a painter poems. Of this great man Odoherty does not require any notice on the always wrote with rapture-take the present occasion. He has, we underfollowing specimen.

stand, done justice to his own feelings,

and to his friend, by introducing a While worldly men through stupid years Without emotion jog,

striking likeness of Odoherty's feaDevoid of passions, hopes, and fears,

tures into one of his principal pieces. As senseless as a log

Reader, the Cobler in the Press-gang I much prefer my nights to spend,

is Odoherty! To Mr Allan, OdoherA happy ranting dog,

ty frequently addressed humorous eAnd see dull care his front unbend

pistles in verse. We prefer, however, Before the smile of Hogg.

to quote the following eulogy, which The life of man's a season drear,

is written in the Adjutant's best seriImmersed in mist and fog,

ous manner. Until the star of wit appear,

When wondering ages shall have rolled away, And set its clouds agog.

And that be ancient which is new to-day ;