But live to die and living, see nothing To make death hateful, save an innate clinging,

A loathsome and yet all invincible
Instinct of life, which I abhor, as I
Despise myself, yet cannot overcome-
And so I live. Would I had never lived!

This, in our apprehension, is sheer nonsense. The clinging to life is the love of life. If the evils of life become so great as to make it hateful, death presents itself at once to the mind as a consummation devout

ly to be wished. Shakespeare knew human nature much better than Lord Byron :

But that the dread of something after death

The undiscover'd country, from whose

Eat

That's a good child, now. your bread and butter, and I'll give Lucifer leads Cain away you a kiss. bodily into the abyss of space, and leaves Adah exclaiming, Cain, my brother! Cain!" This is a very gross and senseless piece of machinery. Carry the human body, such as we know it, through infinite space, and you extinguish all sublimity of emotion, as much as when you sing of a man tossed in a blanket. Flesh and bones must have standing ground. If poetry be permitted to convey us. through mid air, it is quite indispensable to let us bait in the moon, or any other favourite planet of the poet's. Yet this machinery, clumsy as it is, is not original; for Mr Hogg, in his " Pilgrims of the Sun," sets his Mary Lee a swinging through "the abyss of space." The poem is dedicated to his Lordship, and, therefore, if he is not indebted to it, he ought to be. For the Ettrick Shepherd, it must be admitted, that, besides the merit of originality, he has also the merit of selecting a lady. Now this class of corporeal beings are not only styled angels, but they really possess so much spirit, and such slender shapes--so much fantasy, airiness,

peak,

Was traced a line of lightning.
Now it flew far above a rock,
The utmost verge of earth,

The rival of the Andes, whose dark
brow

Lowered o'er the silver sea,

Far, far below the chariot's path,

Calm as a slumbering babe, Tremendous ocean lay. This is indeed musical as is Apollo's lute; but once more let us contrast. The most celebrated passage in Cain is the following:

Oh, thou beautiful And unimaginable ether! and Ye multiplying masses of increased And still increasing lights! What are ye?

What

Is this blue wilderness of interminable
Air, where ye roll along, as I have seen
The leaves along the limpid streams of
Eden?

Is your course measured for you? Or do ye
Sweep on in your unbounded revelry
Through an aerial universe of endless
Expansion, at which my soul aches to
think,
Intoxicated with eternity?

The sally into utter darkness by the amiable travellers is too ridicu lous for remark. It would have been a much fitter contrivance to have directed them both to lie flat with their faces to the earth, pressing their eyelids hard with their middlefingers, and then rehearsing, in harsh lines of seeming verse, the wonderful apparitions of their inward eyes.

The spirit of this Mystery, so far as respects the attributes and moral government of a Deity, is most execrable. The Devil and the Mur

derer are thought, by the writer, clever, beyond all parallel or comparison, in ridiculing the goodness of God, and the devotions of men. The writer is mistaken. The most ignorant and the most vicious of mankind are capable of such sublime soarings, There is neither novelty, nor wit,nor spirit in them. Profaneness and obscenity have ever been the resources of shallow would-be wits. There is nothing easier than to shock modest and pious delicacy; but there is nothing more vulgar, or more cruel. If Lord Byron thinks himself original in these hackneyed walks, he ought to be informed of his error. If he imagines that he has genius enough to rescue them from the contempt and disgust with which mankind have agreed to regard them, he ought to be told, that he knows not himself, and that he egregiously over-rates his own powers. With reference to the belief in the existence of God, and in his government of the world, we would recommend to Lord Byron's careful consideration Dean Swift's well-warranted sneer at the witlings who perpetually drivelled out their essays against Christianity:

"If Christianity were once abolished, how could the free-thinkers, the strong reasoners, and the men of profound learning, be able to find another subject, so calculated, in all points, whereon to display their abilities? What wonderful productions of wit should we be deprived of from those whose genius, by continual practice, hath been wholly turned upon raillery and invective against religion, and would therefore never be able to shine, or distinguish them selves upon any other subject! It is the wise choise of a subject that alone adorns and distinguishes the writer." If Lord Byron is not provided with any system of theology which can satisfy his active mind, let him not molest the faith or the feelings of those who believe and rejoice. If he is not satisfied with his lot in marriage, let him not libel all married women. We can inform him, and we hope he will find it true ere long, that his misconduct in both these respects proceeds from an evil conscience. He hates theology and marriage from the same cause which prompted Domitian's hatred of Agricola. Proprium

VOL. X.

A philosopher may say with reason, that it is only the sectarian, or the proselytizer, who wrangles, cavils, abuses, and inveighs. We are far from sorry that the fine spirit of Lord Byron sleeps not securely in the lap of infidelity; we regard it rather as a hopeful symptom of future piety; and we only lament that his Lordship should rashly publish to the world those quibbling attacks upon religion, which all men of sense must despise, which all men of taste dislike, and which his Lordship may soon have the grace to reject as unworthy of his talents.

Lord Byron has talents, and splendid talents; and we therefore lament exceedingly that they are abused, both by precipitancy of publication, and unworthiness of subject. Be it Tragedy, Mystery, or Pilgrimage, Lord Byron cannot fail to delight, by the very highest and tenderest poetry, if he only labour diligently for a due length of time. The obscene effusions of an unguarded moment, would be expunged with indignation in a far shorter period than nine years. The currish latrations against sacred things would not be endured, after the extravagant fondness of the first invention had subsided. Elegance of thought and language the sweet and full tone of immortal verse-the point-the fe licity-the transporting harmony of the whole, would, at the same time, advance to completion under the sedulous anxiety of ambitious modes ty. The verse in Cain, and indeed, in the whole of the present volume, is almost as bad as possible. It has not one quality of classical blank verse. But we must now spare his Lordship, our readers, and our

P

selves. It is no angry feeling towards Lord Byron which has led us so far. We are sincerely anxious that he would renounce his fantastical dreams, rise, and be himself again. Let him recollect the fate of Churchill.

If brighter beams than all he threw not forth,

'Twas negligence in him, not want of worth!

Surly and slovenly, and bold and coarse, Too proud for art, and trusting in mere force;

Spendthrift alike of money and of wit, Always at speed, and never drawing bit: He struck the lyre in such a careless mood,

And so disdain'd the rules he understood, The laurel seem'd to wait on his command,

He snatch'd it rudely from the Muse's

hand.

LONDON.

Illustrations of Shakespeare are at this time in course of publication, from pic tures painted expressly by Robt. Smirke, Esq. R.A. and engraved in the finest style by the most eminent historical engravers. The editions having for the most part been published without embellishments, or encumbered with engravings so indifferent, as to make their possessors consider them "when so adorned, adorned the least:" it is to supply such editions that the present work has been undertaken. Each play will furnish subjects for five elegant engravings, in addition to a vignette: the aggregate number, therefore, of the plates will be two hundred and twenty-two.

In the press, a Tour through Belgium, by his Grace the Duke of Rutland, embellished with plates after drawings by his accomplished Duchess.

The Miscellaneous Tracts of the late W. Withering, M.D. F.R.S. &c. &c. with a Memoir of the Author, by W. Withering, Esq. F.L.S. &c. &c. embellished with a portrait of Dr Withering, in 2 vols. 8vo. are nearly ready.

The Miscellaneous Works of Henry Grattan are preparing for publication in one volume, 8vo.

Mr Campbell having finished his Survey of the Districts in Ireland and Scotland, which were the scenes of the events in Ossian, will immediately put to press an edition of those Poems, with notes, illustrations, additions, and improvements.

Mr Pearson, F.R.S. F.L.S. M.R.I. will shortly publish the Life of William Hey, F. R. S. late Senior Surgeon of the General Infirmary at Leeds.

Dr J. C. Pritchard, F.L.S. &c. has ready for publication a Treatise on the Diseases of the Nervous System, Vol. 1. comprising convulsive and maniacal affections. The design of this work is to illustrate, by numerous cases of epilepsy, mania, chorea, and the different forms of

paralysis; the connection between affec tions of this class and a variety of disorders.

Dr Forbes is preparing a Translation of a treatise on the diseases of the Chest, in which they are described according to their anatomical characters, and their diognoses, established on a new principle, by means of acoustic instruments.

An edition is printing in London, with certain national variations, of the celebrated Leçons Françaises, which Messrs Noel and La Place recently prepared for the schools and universities of France, and which has received the highest sanctions in France. The Paris edition is in two volumes octavo; but the London one will, with a view to economy, be printed in one duodecimo.

The great French work on Egypt is to be continued under the sanction of the King of France, and agents are appointed in London to receive subscriptions for twenty-five monthly volumes of text, at 7s. 6d., and for 180 parts, of five plates, at 12s. 6d.

Early in the ensuing month will be published, Conversations on Mineralogy, with plates engraved by Mr Lowry, in

12mo.

Miss Opie has in the press, Madeline, a tale, in two vols.

The New Society of Practical Medicine of London intend to publish quarterly a Report of their Transactions, with original communications, &c. in which practice will be preferred to theory.

An Atlas of Ancient Geography, by S. Butler, D.D. author of Modern and Ancient Geography, also an Atlas of Modern Geography, by the same, are in conşiderable forwardness.

Mr Thomas Gill, Chairman of the Committee of Mechanics, in the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, Adelphi, is about to commence a Technical Repository; containing practical information on sub

jects connected with discoveries and improvements in the useful arts.

Miss Spence will shortly publish a new work, entitled Old Stories, in 3 volumes.

The Rev. Joshua Marsden, author of the Amusements of a Mission, has nearly ready for publication, Forest Musings; or, Delineations of Christian Experience, in verse; to which are prefixed Sketches of the early life of the author, with a portrait.

Mr Booth's Letter to Mr Malthus, on the subject of Population, will be published in the course of the ensuing month.

A Critical Dissertation on the Nature and Principles of Taste, is in preparation, by M. M'Dermot, author of a Letter to the Rev. W. L. Bowles, on his two Letters to the Right Hon. Lord Byron, in vindication of the Defence of the Poetical Character of Pope.

Part 8, of Views in Paris and its environs, engraved from drawings by Frederick Nash, is in great forwardness.

Mr Britton's History and Antiquities of Canterbury Cathedral, consisting of 26 engravings, by J. Le Keux, &c. and an ample portion of letter-press, will be finished in March next. About the same time will be completed the fifth volume of the Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain.

The Genuine Remains, in prose and verse, of Samuel Butler, with notes by Robert Thyer, are preparing for publication. This edition will comprise many original pieces never before published; and will be carefully revised, with addi. tional notes and illustrations, forming 2 vols. 8vo. It will be embellished with a portrait of Butler, from the original pic ture by Sir P. Lely, and a portrait of Thyer, from a painting by Romney, with numerous vignettes on wood, from ori ginal designs.

A work called Stories after Nature, is in the press, in one volume.

The Rev. Russell Scott has in the press an Analytical Investigation of the Language of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, concerning a Devil; delivered in a series of Lectures at Ports mouth, during the last winter.

The Rev. Thomas Finch, of Harlow, has in the press, Elements of Self-Knowledge, or a Familar Introduction to Moral Philosophy, principally adapted to young persons entering into active life.

Miss Hill, author of The Poet's Child, has in the press, Constance, a tale.

Tasso, La Gerusalemme Liberata, 48mo. is printing, by Corrall, uniformly with Horace, Virgil, and Cicero de Officüis, &c. recently published.

In the press, Cases illustrative of the

treatment of Diseases of the Ear, with practical remarks relative to the Deaf and Dumb, by John Harrison Curtis, Aurist to the King, &c.

Speedily will be published, Instructions for Civil and Military Surveyors, in Topographical Plan Drawing; forming a Guide to the just conception and accurate representation of the surface of the earth, in Maps and Plans. Founded upon the system of Major John George Lehmann, by William Siborn, Lieut. H. P. 9th Infantry. The plates will be engraved by Lowry.

Mr J. R. Bryce is printing a second edition of the Elements of Latin Prosody, with considerable improvements.

Dr Wilson Philip has just ready for publication, a second edition of his Treatise on Indigestion, and some additional observations.

Mr Mackenzie, author of the Thousand Experiments, is preparing First Lines of the Science of Chemistry, for the use of Students, with engravings.

On the 1st of February will be published, handsomely printed, in royal quarto, and dedicated, by permission, to his Majesty, a Celestial Atlas, comprising projections of the planispheres, and particular constructions of the Signs of the Zodiac, and the Constellations in each hemisphere, exactly as they appear in the heavens, in a series of thirty beautifully-engraved maps, which are illustrated by scientific descriptions of their contents, and by catalogues of the stars, from the first to the sixth magnitude, by Alexander Jamieson, A.M.

Mr Robert Stevens, of Lloyds', is about to put to press a fourth, and improved edition of his Essay on Average, and on other subjects connected with the contract of Marine Insurance, to which will be added the practice and law of mer cantile arbitrations. It is not his intention to proceed at present with his proposed work on the Practice of Lloyds'.

A Mother's Portrait, sketched soon after her decease, for the study of her children, by their surviving parent, is preparing for publication.

Proofs and Illustrations of the Principles of Population, by Mr Francis Place, are preparing for publication.

The Rev. J. Dakins, Editor of a Selection of Tillotson's Sermons, in two volumes, just published, has in the press, a second Edition of his Selection of Beveridge's Sermons, which will appear in February.

The Chronology of the last Fifty Years, including the year 1821, will be publish ed on the 5th of January.

In a few days will be published in 8vo.