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HYMN TO HERMES.

I sing of Hermes, Hermes th' Argicide
Cyllenian; nor less his care and pride,
With all her flocks, the pastoral Arcady:
The gods' most useful messenger was he.
Born of the gentle Maia, first of love
Twixt Atlas' daughter and Saturnian Jove;
The modest Maia, for it pleased her not
To be with blessed gods, but in a grot
In cavernous shade she dwelt; and thither came
Saturnian Jove, and quench'd his amorous flame
In the lull'd hour and secrecy of night,
Shunning the ken of gods and mortal wight,
That not a thing his joy might intercept:
Sweet, then, the sleep the white-arm'd Juno slept.
And thou, all hail! thou Jove's and Maia's son,
Or ere I change the hymn to thee begun.
Hail, Hermes! many a grace thy favour brings,
Giver and minister of all good things.

HYMN TO VULCAN.

Thou shrilly-sounding Muse, of the mighty Vulcan sing,
The god with skill inventive that makes the anvils ring;
'Twas Vulcan with the blue-eyed maid Minerva, taught to men
Their glorious works and they before that teaching, lived in den
And cavern upon mountain tops, and all like beasts they roved.
But now, from Vulcan learning arts, they live a life approved ;
In quietness from year to year, each in his own good home,
Nor any more like beasts abroad for sustenance they roam.
O Vulcan! look propitiously, and grant me to possess
The blessings of a virtuous toil, a virtuous happiness.

HYMN TO APOLLO.

Thee, Phœbus, hymns the swan with gladden'd wings
Lighting on Peneus' bank, the rapid river,
Thee, with sweet lyre in hand, the rapt bard sings,
Thee, Phœbus, first-thee last-thee Phœbus, ever.
All hail, thou king! I will thy praise rehearse,
So may I make thee gentle to my verse.

HYMN TO NEPTUNE.

Of Neptune, shaker of the earth, the awful god I sing,
The shaker of the solemn sea, the wondrous ocean king,
Thine Ægæ broad, and Helicon, that with thy praises ring.

Shaker of earth, a twofold power the gods have given thee,
Thou tamer of the stubborn steed, and ruler of the sea,
When ships do walk their perilous waves, their guardian thou shalt be.
Hail thou whose dark locks floating far, behind the surges sweep,
As with thine arm the mighty waves thou liftest in a heap,
And makest broad from land to land a pathway in the deep.

HYMN TO JOVE.

Now will I sing of mighty Jove, Jove greatest, and Jove best,
Who seeth all, and ruleth all, in his most perfect breast,
With Hermes prudent converse holds, while leaning as a guest
He sits beside him on his throne. Great Jove on all impress'd,
All glorious, thou propitious be, still greatest, wisest, best.

HYMN TO THE MUSES AND APOLLO.

The Muses, and Apollo, and great Jove,

These shall commence my song; for whom they love
Are more than men, touch'd with their heavenly fire:
The Muses and Apollo first inspire,
And men are bards and strike the gifted lyre.
Kings are from Jove; and whom the Muses cherish,
Sweet from his lips the stream of music flows.
Daughters of Jove, all hail! and interpose
Such honours to my song as ne'er may perish.
Ye Muses, hail! propitious to my verse
Again to flow for you, and other hymns rehearse.

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Edinburgh: Printed by Ballantyne and Hughes, Paul's Work.

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CHAPTERS OF TURKISH HISTORY. No. VIII. BARBAROSSA OF

ALGIERS,

184

SONNETS. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE LIFE OF BURKE, &C.,

199

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ANTI-CORN-LAW DEPUTATION TO SIR ROBERT PEEL,

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EDINBURGH:

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS, 45, GEORGE STREET; AND 22, PALL-MALL, LONDON.

To whom Communications (post-paid) may be addressed.

SOLD ALSO BY ALL THE BOOKSELLERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE AND HUGHES, EDINBURGH.

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We are now at the close of a parliamentary session, which, if justly estimated, has equalled in interest and importance almost any that has occurred during the present century. The interest has been less excitingthe importance has been less prominent, than those of other periods, when the topics of discussion were of a popular rather than of a practical character. But the matters now at issue have involved the most momen

tous and vital consequences. Whether the government of the country can be conducted on Conservative principles -whether its institutions can be preserved from further innovationwhether its dignity and credit can be restored and supported-whether the clashing differences of its conflicting interests and ranks can be harmonized and reconciled-these are the questions which have been the subject of experiment in the recent proceedings of parliament; and, if a favourable promise has been given of their satisfactory solution, every loyal and patriotic man throughout the land has reason to rejoice.

Restorations are proverbially attended with more or less of disappointment; and, in the nature of things, they must ever be so, whether in the case of a monarch or a ministry. Hope is brighter than reality; practice is harder than speculation. Independently of those who, from personal disappointment, may say with the old royalist

"Te magis optavit rediturum, Carole, nemo,

Et nemo sensit te rediisse minus; "

there must be many who, in the

VOL. LII. NO. CCCXXIII,

returning ascendency of their friends, forget the inevitable changes that time and circumstances produce. A prince or a party restored, can never, even if they wished it, return to the status quo. They must bend more or less to the mixed feelings which have effected their recall, and which in general imply a departure from the extreme views of an antecedent period. They cannot exclusively consult the interests or opinions of those who have followed their fortunes in adversity, but must look also to the complex character of the combined influences which have led to their recent success. The new convert and the repentant deserter have contributed to the victory that has been won, and cannot either in justice or in policy be excluded from a place in the triumph that is to follow. A restoration effected by moral influences, is peculiarly subject to these observations; and, if it is to be permanent, must be maintained by a fair and faithful regard to the feelings and interests of the majority who have brought it about, and who can alone maintain it.

In the present position of the Conservative party, the existence of such feelings is scarcely to be taken into account. It was inevitable that they should arise in some shapeorother; and their appearance may even be a promise of permanent stability, in so far as it is a proof of moderation and impartiality in those who have been replaced in power. The effect of influences such as we have described, is very different on different political parties. They tend to abate enthusiasm, even when they convince the

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