ments, I alone am responsible; for I do not know that I have read any thing on the subject, at least scarcely any thing, except the Bible. In writing on any subject, I have only the Bible before me; for it would perplex and confound my ideas, to consult the works of human authors on the question, whatever it may be; though I refuse not the application of any recollected passage from their writ ings. But to surround myself with books, would be like David going forth in Saul's armour, which he had not proved. Some would call this pride, arrogance, and presumption; but I trust to your kindness, to make allowance for a mind of somewhat an independent cast, which has always been in circumstances to strengthen, rather than counteract its natural tendencies.

"I think not with any set of persons, neither do I think a prescribed set of thoughts. It has often been said to me, How, believing such a doctrine, can you hold such opinions of another? With this sort of reasoning I have nothing to do. I must be convinced, and receive each truth separately; and if they do not harmonize at once, I must wait for a clearer understanding of one or both, to cause them to unite. It would be as effectual to bring forward the Articles or Liturgy of the Established Church to a dissenter, as the rules of his faith, as to make one truth necessarily dependent on another, with regard to its reception by me. I desire to keep my mind as perfectly open to conviction as the frailty of my nature will permit, and to be from all, yet serving all.'"-p. 175, 176.

"How careful should parents be, to afford their children no precedents for sin, nor temptations to commit it, when they reflect on the amount of guilt which one wicked habit will probably occasion! How earnest should be their endeavour, to allow nothing to escape their lips, or appear in their deportment, which might be interpreted, in the remotest sense, as a permission of iniquity!

"There is reason to believe in this view, that a want of self-command alone, on the part of adults, has often been a cause of incalculable mischief to

the rising generation. Parents have been angry with their children, and, unmindful of the scriptural admonition, have provoked them unto wrath, and the natural effect has been, that, by a bitterness of temper, and harshness of expression, they have sown the seeds, in the minds of their offspring, of a multitude of crimes. There is an independence in man, which displays itself even in childhood, and often degenerates, through bad management, into suilenness and obstinacy. Any attempts that may be persevered in, to eradicate this principle, which is inseparable from our nature, and common to mankind at large, will not only be always defeated in the end, but may raise it to defiance. A determination to break a high spirit, when it was advisable to bend it, and to hold a youth in terror, when he might have been wrought upon by kindness, has often been a cause of those distressing occurrences, which have destroyed the peace of families, in which children despising the authority of their parents, have left them by stealth, plunged into vice and crime, and torn their hearts with anguish. "The exhibition of a selfish kind of character to the notice of the young, may be also specified, as

consequences. It is owing to the indulgence of a selfish disposition, that the heart of man is so often steeled against the distresses of man; that the miser unites inhospitality with avarice, that the man of pleasure is unfeeling as well as profligate, and that the tyrant immerses himself at once in

his small volume, "deserving of serious condemnation, which impress indelible

sensuality and blood.

"It may have been observed of children, that they not only feel a portion of respect for virtuous character, in common with mankind at large, and which, to venture a remark, may vary with their

whatever its object, in a remarkable degree. They seem to be prompted to the imitation of

nevertheless, parents themselves set their children examples." The author, in his preface, ventures to express a hope that the sentiments, which his production contains, will meet with approbation. He need not doubt that, as his inculcations are founded on the undeniable propensity of the young to imitate the conduct of those for whom they have, by birth, affinity, or early habits, imbibed feelings of affection or respect, the merited attention of the moral and religious classes of society, to a tract so persuasively written, cannot be wanting. We extract the following passage as a specimen of the style and

manner :

2D. SERIES, NO. 39.--VOL. IV.

tude, as by a sort of instinct. They have such a preparation of the heart, such a conformation of the mental structure, that they are led to seize upon almost every thing within the range of their observation, with little regard to its qualities or uses, and to make it the model or the motive of their actions. Taking this view of the power of imitation, as it is possessed in childhood, it is undoubtedly a part of wisdom, not to say a duty, to avail ourselves of it in the work of education." -p. 34 to 36.

This extract affords a fair specimen of the practical character and tendency of this little work. It seizes important subjects, treats them in a judicious manner, and well deserves the attention of parents, to whom it is chiefly addressed.

REVIEW.-Guidone; A Dramatic Poem. Saunders & Otley. 8vo. London. 1834. IN one of the dreamy passages of Ossian, he tells us that certain gifted spirits hovered over the scene of battle, cognizant of, without sharing, the agitating passions of the combatants and mystically dramatized, in the air, what was transacting on earth. This strange notion is forcibly recalled to our mind by a perusal of the little work before us. It is a dramatic poem, founded on a passage occurring at Vol. i. p. 165 of Robertson's History of Charles the Vth: and the author states that :

"Although the above passage has been used as a basis for a plot, it may be well to advertise the reader, that neither in incident, character, or attributed sentiments, does the drama make pretension to historical truth; its purpose being to illustrate certain general truths relative to human life and the conscience of man.

Our limits forbid as extensive and ela. borate an examination as we could wish to bestow upon this performance: and we must content ourselves with but a few general observations.

We took up the work by accident, and rejoice that it happened to come under our notice. It is really a luxury, amid the wide wilderness of our present literature, to light upon such an oasis as is to be found in this exquisite performance. The language, the thoughts, are equally pure and lovely; gushing

"With soft force, from the deep well

Of a most chaste and delicate heart."

"I shall live near to death, and I shall watch
The calm reflection from his marble home
Steal on my quiet cheek, and settle there;
And smiling, note how, day by day, I grow
To the complexion of that statue pale,
That soon will lie upon my monument."-p. 32.

"I

Could stand, with folded, calm expectancy,
Before that curtain of obdurate woof,
Which limits mortal vision, whose dim folds
Perpetually do stir, but never rise."-p. 44.

"What! though you have kept

A father's fondness treasured in your heart,
Which neither absence nor vicissitude,
Nor gust of passion could disturb,
But oft-times when the ship was tempest-driven,
And all beside was racking with the wind,
This one well-fended lamp burnt on, and held;
Within its crystal 'closure, undismayed,
Its small domain of brightness and of calm."—

p. 51, 52.

Exquisite as are these morceaux,--and we should quote three fourths of the poem to do it justice-the palate of the public, we fear, has grown so gross with "feeding on garbage," that their rich flavour may be quite disregarded! Had the writer of this Dramatic Poem' lived years ago, he would instantly have been elevated to one of the highest pedestals in the halls of poesy;' but now-we question whether the author's name will even be

inquired after; whether an edition will

sell?

“Oh, that a voice so passing soft and sweet, Should waste its music 'mid the hurricane." It will be observed that we offer no formal analysis of the work; we may, perhaps, hereafter do so, but now con. tent ourselves with stringing together a few pearls out of the casket Guidone,'-to

"Oh God!

:

What manner o' world is this, where love performs
The offices of hate! Fondly it clasps,
And-like the simple flower that wraps its leaves
Tenderly round the sleeping fly, but hath
No power thereafter to release its guest,-
Its soft embrace brings agony and death."-p- 15.

"Oh, farewell, peace! farewell, ye tranquil hours
Passed in calm muse upon a world far off,
Or on a heart at rest! Pleasant it was,
With hopes and fears barred out, to sit and watch
My lonely taper burning silently."-p. 17.

"Do then your will.
Hereafter, when our story shall be known,
As it must one day-for misdeeds like ours,
Pile on them what we will, are not extinct.
But though the mountain obstacle do work,

And from the summit glare upon the world."-p. 22.

more,--which we doubt whether any living
poet can exceed, if one or two could
equal-and we conclude. Guidone (an
exiled nobleman) is viewing, through a
castle window, a tempest raging without:-
"Let the storm on-it broke no calm in me,
Nor to my mind brings added turbulence;
Rather, it stills tumultuous thought within,
To watch this uproar of the elements;
The rushing wind, and the loud hissing rain,
And lightning pale, that scrawls with humid hand
Huge hieroglyphics on the screen of night,
Balking the dazzled vision of the seer,
Who fain would read that writing on the wall.
Peal on, ye thunders? and urge all your fires,
Ye quick-repeated lightnings! till ye threat
The nations with a molten firmament;
For while your dreadful pageant is displayed,
The vulture-conscience something shall relax
The fixture of his talons, and surcease
The secret and unutterable wound.
Oh that ye Powers, so strong to ruinate-
Whirlwind and torrent, and the forky blaze-
Might enter in the past, and ruin there,
And strike the life that has been! O, that is,
That ever will exist in the Most High,
Unchangeable reality of thought!"-p. 18, 19.

This splendid passage will not, we think, be found anywhere exceeded in the compositions of Lord Byron: and deeply shall we regret to find the writer-whoever he may prove to be-laying aside a lyre that has sounded so nobly.

But we must 'snarl in our vocation,' as critics, before concluding and inquire whether such lines as these can possibly be read in metre:

"Fulfilment of vows made in childish years."-p. 10. "And by an ambition brought to deadly fault."-p. 23. Or, whether the following,

"As plays a silent lightning in the sky,"-p. 10.

can possibly be correct? Are lightnings ever otherwise than silent? But such as these are atoms of dust on a diamond!

EUROPE IN THE WINTER OF 1833-34. GREAT BRITAIN, a nation of extensive maritime commerce, has been plunged into deep embarrassments by the violent hurricanes and long-continued south-westerly winds, which have prevailed during the past season great has been the loss of shipping, and melancholy the loss of lives, along her coasts, and far and wide upon the trackless deep. These inscrutable providences of God call loudly upon the nation at large to humble itself beneath His mighty hand, at whose command are the elements, and who hath all power both in heaven and in earth. Much of the political excitement of the last year has subsided, and the manufactories are nearly, if not all, in full work. An evident improvement has taken place, and hope dwells with complacency upon future prosperity.

The abolition of slavery, enacted by the three estates of Britain, has been received in the West India and other colonies with a cordiality beyond expectation, and is progressively coming into operation. We congratulate the world on this death-blow to slavery, which, struck home by the British senate, bids fair ultimately to issue in the tyrant's dissolution.

The Pilgrim's tax, that diabolic participation of Britons for sordid purposes in the horribly obscene idolatry of the East, is by an order of government now no more. Let there be joy on its exit; and may its presence never pollute nor its ghost haunt these regions any more for ever.

Ireland is more tranquil than heretofore, and improvements are in bud: may they bring forth fruit to perfection! Could she be delivered from the pestilential breath of

the agitator, she might yet enjoy, peace and prosperity.

Portugal is yet far from being tranquillized: the two brothers continue their unnatural warfare with various success, but the sword of power remains with Dom Pedro, who steadily progresses in his efforts to subjugate that country. Dom Miguel is still besieged in Santarem, in which city great mortality prevails, and to which one of his sisters has fallen a sacrifice. In the mean time, Dom Pedro has pushed forward a force on the road from Lisbon to Oporto, which has taken Leira and some minor towns, and which bids fair to open the communication by land between these two important cities, and to clear the intermediate coast of the Miguelites. There appears a prospect of assembling the Cortes at Lishon, but no time has yet been fixed for the opening of that assembly.

Spain, in the midst of distractions, is driven to the necessity of changing its measures and convoking the Cortes, and, on the eve of bankruptcy in its finances, seems at a loss to know from what quarter to look for assistance. Fierce battles have taken place in the northern provinces, between detachments of the Queen's troops and bodies of insurgent Carlists, some of which have continued for two and even three days, wherein numbers fell on both sides, yet no decisive results have followed; both, therefore, seem as ready to fight again, as during the first onset. Thus do distractions perpetuate themselves, and the horrors of war, once begun, afflict a whole nation.

Switzerland, situate between France and Italy, has again been made the thoroughfare of those bands of turbulent exiles, who disdain quiet, and range from country to country under the pretence of liberty, in quest of rule, and it is to be feared, like other marauders, in quest of plunder. How, lamentable are the consequences of these lawless irruptions into the abodes of peace! Savoy and Switzerland have suffered severely.

Italy is yet perturbed, and its various armed force, frequently in action with insurgents, barely suffices to put down one insurrection ere another arises. Savoy was recently surprised by bands of Piedmontese, German, and Polish exiles, who invaded it in detachments of fives, until these amounted to many hundreds: when this force was concentrated, it became formidable, and was with difficulty defeated and dispersed.

In Greece, the Turkish domination has some time ago ceased; the last garrison, namely, the troops which occupied the

Acropolis of Athens, evacuated that fortress in the spring of last year, and King Otho is now in full possession of that city, which is become the capital of Greece. The country is divided into ten provinces, and committees on religion, on education, on jurisprudence, &c. are tranquillizing and renovating that long-distracted community. Education, both of children and adults, is in progress upon an extended scale, and the happiest results are anticipated.

Turkey is divided- -so divided, that the sword of power hangs upon a single hairthe quantum of assistance each of the now two great powers can obtain from the great of Europe against the other, whether powers in peace or war. The Grand Sultan and Mehemet Ali, independent each of each, as to politics, interests, government, &c., are yet both dependent upon the leading Christian states; and this dependence, well known to themselves, is a galling curb upon the arrogance of the Moslems. The Mahometan no longer dictates to the world. "The Christian dog." is become a lion, yea, a lion in his very streets, majestic and awful, and the rampant trampling of the Koran quails before the Cross. The victories of Navarino, of the Balkan, of Adrionople, of Algiers, of Greece, &c. have overwhelmed the assumptions of Mahometan potence. He descends to reason, and dares no longer cry, "Obedience to the Koran, or death." In Constantinople and in Cairo the Bible is now endured; and in many of the provinces, even in the East, education progresses. The sun has thus arisen, and its radiance obscures the crescent; time will complete the rest; the word has gone forth from God, and it will come to pass. "He shall come to his end, and none shall help him."

The principalities having been the subject of discussion among the leading powers. It is rumoured that they are to be relieved from the pressure of the Russian troops, and that, as heretofore, hospodars are to be immediately elected. The ancient custom was for the Porte to choose these governors out of the noble Greek families, principally of the Fanau, among whom these viceroyalties were the highest posts of honour. Who are now to elect, and from what families the hospodars are to be elected, is a subject for conjecture.

In Russia the bible is making progress; it is already printed and distributed therein in ten languages, and we trust it will have free course. Hope dwells upon this interesting movement amidst northern lethargy and darkness. Light is light wherever scattered, and life hangs upon its rays.

"As the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void; but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, saith the Lord."

Austria, occupied in the affairs of the East, seems to have averted the evils which hung upon her frontier, by restoring the adjoining principalities to somewhat of their ancient state; if, indeed, this is actually to be the case.

Ever watching over Italy and Germany, we find this great leading power determined that no innovations shall be made upon the constitution of the German states; but that, under her supremacy, all things shall continue in statu quo. In Italy also, the same watchful superintendence pervades all the states.

Prussia, ever intent on gain, profits by her custom-house regulations, to the great annoyance and even injury of her neighbours, as well as distant states; whose resources, in the course of transit through her territories, is subjected to exactions and delays which materially affect the merchants concerned therein and as the territories of Prussia are scattered through a great portion of Germany, it is difficult to avoid falling in with some part of them, in whatever direction you travel."

Poland has recently received yet another chain, the three great powers who hold it in bondage having decreed, that no fugitive from any one of the partitions shall find an asylum in the other, but that each shall deliver up all delinquents without distinction. How many links in the chain of slavery are necessary to chain effectually freeborn men!

Sweden, Norway, aud Denmark have at length adopted the plans of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and are giving copies of the Sacred Scriptures plentifully to the people. Peace is their policy, and aloof from the agitators of the rest of Europe, they are left at liberty to pursue their object, and improve their several

countries.

Saxony, amidst commercial privations from the regulations of Prussia, maintains her integrity and enjoys peace.

Germany, the birth-place of faction, is kept down by the strong hand of power, and, amidst her hordes of agitators, enjoys much more of tranquillity than politicians have prognosticated would fall to her share during this age of revolution. Much good is

mingled with great evils throughout this heterogeneous community, and the good prevails. Holland and Belgium, like two pouting children of the same family, each with his finger across his lips, stand looking upon the ground, rather than towards each other, motionless, instead of cordially embracing, and casting past injuries to the winds. Two such neighbours, whose lands and whose waters are so interlaced each with each, that neither can move scarcely a step without interfering with the other, ought long ago to have emerged their quarrels in their mutual interests, and become friends.

France is French, even to this dayliable to huge perturbations on ordinary occasions, notwithstanding all her improvements. A recent duel, wherein one of the combatants fell, ended in a public funeral, during which the whole armed force of Paris scarcely sufficed to keep the peace! Marseilles has been distracted by hands of liberalists, who paraded the streets, and burnt in effigy Louis Philippe; upon these the military fired, and several were killed and wounded. In Lyons more than eighteen thousand workmen have struck, upon somewhat similar principles to the trades' unions in England, and it would require an army to quell their violence. A new tariff of customs has been presented to the chamber of deputies, for their approval; in this the duties on iron are reduced, and the duty on coals remains as heretofore, but the consumption of steamers are to be exempted.

The potent factions of Europe are, under the name of reformation, intent on revolution. There are, however, numbers of masterspirits, who, notwithstanding the rush of the daring throng, yet hold fast with a firmness worthy of the cause they advocate, and in the meekness of wisdom, the genuine principles of reformation. While the first strike boldly at the throne, and by political agitation aim at power and dominion for themselves, the latter" seek the peace of the city wherein they dwell, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof they have peace." The kingdom of the political agitator is upon earth, and for this he contends; but the kingdom of the true reformer is in heaven and while the one aims, by pulling down others, to raise himself up to dominion and splendour, the other labours to raise up every man to a participation with himself of the grace of God, during his pilgrimage upon earth, and to the fulness of glory at his right hand for ever. These diverse warriors of the latter days have taken the field, and in potent bands are each eagerly contending for his favourite dominion.

Books, newspapers, pamphlets, magazines, and even tracts, are issued from the arsenals of political agitation, fraught equally with learning, eloquence, and daring. Talent of the first quality, and energies of the highest order, call forth and launch these missiles into the field of battle, and unflinching perseverance reiterates assault to assault, unfearingly upon the nations. These agitators write for, declaim to, and excite the masses of mankind. The world is their field, and their aim is to conquer even to the ends of the earth, and in succession imprint their dogmas, in indelible characters, upon the nations, even to the end of time. To these, warriors against thrones, hosts of infidel scorners, ever and anon ally themselves; and while the kings of the earth are their ostensible mark, their real attack is directed against the King of heaven. "Strike, but hide the hand," is their motto; and Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, who is full of grace and truth, is the Being these detest. Dark, insidious, and vengeful are their movements, and thousands of unsuspecting victims fall beneath their sting.

Books, pamphlets, magazines, and tracts, quite equal in learning to the profane, and last, not least, the volume of revelation, without note or comment, in whole or in parts, are the missiles in the wide-fought field of the missionary armies of the faith. The cross is their ensign; and Jews, Pagans, Papists, Grecians, Mahometans, and unregenerated Protestants, are alike the objects of their attacks, as well as the hordes of infidels who, under all these names, wage war against God, and against his revealed will, without cessation. Slaughter is not the aim of these missionary armies, for to all they offer life, life for evermore.

The impression made upon the present generation by these scientific champions of error and of truth, is highly interesting to the mind of contemplation. Full half a century has passed over my mind, during which a wide and uninterrupted field of observation has shed its beams around me in the richest variety; and the past, amidst all that has passed away of the manners and customs of mankind, like a dream, has vanished, to appear no more; while the present, fraught with portentous realities, is beheld with awe. No man can now be neuter; "Light is come into the world ;" it shines around, and none but the wilfully blind remain in darkness. With the apostle, we would say, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

WM. COLDWell.
King Square, Feb. 22d, 1834.