diately"Resumes his harp that in a torpor lies," | have dreamed of their immortality. Shakspeare and chants a ditty which he styles "The Ocean wrote his plays not for fame, but to fill the Globe Lyre:" Theatre, and retired to live a simple yeoman at Stratford on Avon, without even thinking them worth collecting in print. We see poor Collins burning his unfortunate but undying odes, and expiring from sheer hopelessness and melancholy. We also know there have been men of genius who felt assured of their eternal fame. There is Milton, who from his youth knew that he was surely to write that "which the world would not willingly let die!" But here is Don Paez who is also sure of his immortality, and talks about his "numbers" and Byron's "rolling in thunders, side by side." See a piece thus headed: "To LELIA: Over this signature a panegyric on Don Paez appeared in the public prints, wherein the author is compared to Byron." The truth is, this feeling does not depend upon the intellect at all. It depends upon the character of the man. If he is ambitious and egotistical, or to speak in the lingo of the phre And Earth heave her last groan amid the throes he will believe himself destined to immortality, We have given this stanza because it is so very whether his intellect is great or small. Thus it characteristical of the author under review. In may be common to the greatest genius and the most this last line he has given us all he knows-thun- stupendous dunce the world ever produced. But der and lightning, earthquakes, fire, brimstone and the man of genius has a higher pleasure than that volcanoes. After this Paez sails some distance up of fame, either future or present, which no other the river apostrophizing it as a "thundergust of man can enjoy; it is the pleasure of genius itself; waters," &c.; and when we last see him, he is stand- it is the sense of power, and the pleasure which a ing under a magnolia, singing a song composed of gigantic mind will always feel in its own operations. bright eyes, mountain snow, nectared dew, smiling We had intended to examine some other pieces cheeks, lovers captive, coral lips, alabaster teeth, in this collection; but we are heartily tired of the raven curls, graceful fringes, white neck, cygnet task. What we have gone over is a specimen of down, dew-drops, lilies, &c., &c. But the poem the rest, for there is none much better or much does not conclude without a promise of a second worse. Fool the second reigns like Fool the first, part, in which "We'll tread the land of volcanoes and storms, Gold, silver, diamonds, mountains, earthquakes, wars, And view the Andes," &c. To which we answer, God forbid. It is well known, that works of the very greatest genius are seldom appreciated by the age in which they appear. It requires time for the public generally to become sufficiently familiar with thoughts of a high and original cast, to be able to understand and estimate them. On account of this established principle, this author does not expect that Don Paez and other poems will immediately rise to the rank and fame for which he thinks they are destined. He says: "Those whose footsteps follow the beaten road and whose thoughts reach only to imitation, are not always apt to relish, at first sight, whatever is of an original character till fashion has adopted and consecrated it." In reading this book we have been forcibly struck with the fallacy of a common notion, that a consciousness and a prevision of an immortality of fame is the true reward of genius. Many men of the greatest genins seem never to and we dismiss the volume with a mixture of contempt and disgust which we have rarely felt before. Some of our readers, to whom it is a stranger, may think we have handled its author too roughly. We answer that it is our creed that any man who could deliberately write, transcribe, send to press, correct in proof, and then publish to the world such a batch of stuff as this, is entirely out of the pale of critical courtesy. TO THE LONELY HEART. BY MARY S. B. DANA. "Tis true thou art almost alone, high Heart! Thou'st many friends the earthly cannot see, They tell thee things none but the wise can hear; But, scattered here and there, thou still may'st find Uttering pure thoughts in accents clear and loud; Oh, be it mine above this world to dwell! Be mine the friendship of earth's chosen few! WISE LIBERALITY. Mr. Lawrence's wealth is said to be so great, that this donation is only a fraction of his yearly income. Be this as it may, a question occurs to us, how much may a man reasonably expect to possess to feel himself able to make liberal donations to objects and Institutions of high public utility? Take a man of liberal views and principles, but with small resources,-sufficient, however, to maintain him creditably; and then perhaps he "deviseth liberal things," if he only had the means. An accession of fifty thousand dollars to his means would be considered a fortune, and would add elegance and luxury to his style of living, and hush his anxieties for his children. Suppose that such an accession should amount to one hundred thousand dollars, or even more. How much could he then spare for the objects specified? Too few spare any thing like what they might, and the most liberal donations of many are proportionately but a mite to the contributions of the less fortunate. But surely those who possess a hundred thousand dollars, or more, would not miss ten thousand; and by prudent management could soon replace it. To all such, numerous objects make continual and eloquent appeals. Besides all the various schemes and operations of Christian benevolence, are our languishing and indebted Literary Institutions, and the "Historical Society of Virginia." And even where our Literary Institutions are not hampered by debt, their usefulness might be extended by the introduction of new branches of study and the erection of new professorships for their cultivation. State munificence is more likely to be stimulated than diminished by being united with that of private individuals, who thus practically aid and uphold the Liberal Policy of the Legislature. In the case before us, which has led to these remarks, Mr. Lawrence's design is to establish in the University at Cambridge, a school to promote "the acquisition, illustration and dissemination of the practical sciences forever." It Great admiration has been very justly excited by the liberal donation of fifty thousand dollars, recently made to Harvard University, by the HON. ABBOTT LAWRENCE. In this there is wisdom as well as liberality. There is wisdom in such liberality itself. It is wise thus to invest the superfluities granted by a beneficent Providence, in the improve-is to embrace three professorships,-of Geology, Engiment and consequent gratitude of posterity. In this way a man evades the awful robbery of death, which strips him so ruthlessly of all his earthly possessions; and carries out beyond the grave the noblest uses of riches, whose ready wings are thus clipped that they can not "flee away." neering and Chemistry. That of Chemistry has already been established upon an enlarged plan, under Professor Horsford, a pupil of Baron Liebig, and supported on the foundation created by Count Rumford. Mr. Lawrence shews the utility of the proposed school, in a very satisfactory manner. We conclude with a few extracts from his letter, tendering his donation, addressed to the Treasurer of Harvard college,-the Hon. Samuel A. Elliot. the world. It seems to me that we have been somewhat neglectful in the cultivation and encouragement of the sci entific portion of our national economy. Such an appropriation of their earthly substance is, for these and similar reasons, frequently made to a liberal extent by persons who can no longer use it themselves ;-in their last wills. But how often do their fond schemes fail of realization; and how often does culpable delay rob their beneficence of half its value. The good which many have "The application of science to the useful arts has chanintended and which they,-being men of prudence and dis-ged, in the last half century, the condition and relations of cretion and well comprehending the objects they had in view,-could very probably have secured, by undertaking its accomplishment themselves, has been long deferred and then imperfectly realised. How different would have been the condition of Girard College had its founder himself executed his own will. He might have lived even splendidly, for which he had no taste,-upon a small portion of bis immense wealth, and have devoted the rest to the establishment of his College; and his strong practical mind, gathering aid and information from every available source, would then have had the management and execution of all his plans. Mr. Lawrence's wisdom, then, is conspicuous in this, that he lives to see his wishes accomplished; to lend the aid of his judgment and experience in arranging the details with the corporation of Harvard; to enjoy the honorable encomiums which his munificence merits; and, we trust, to witness and enjoy still more the important benefits to others which he contemplates. "The liberal man deviseth liberal things." The wisely liberal man, warned by repeated experiences in the world around him, will not postpone till the hour of dissolution the blessings he "devises" for his fellow-men. "Our country is rapidly increasing in population and wealth, and is probably destined in another quarter of a century to contain nearly as many inhabitants as now exist in France and England together. "We have already in the United States a large body of young men who have received a classical education, many of whom find it difficult to obtain a livelihood in what are termed the learned professions. I believe the time has arrived when we should make an effort to diversify the occu pation of our people, and develop more fully their strong mental and physical resources, throughout the Union." * duced before. Ignorant men fight against the laws of na- | between theory and practice. For example,-in the abture with a vain energy, and purchase their experience at stract, it may well be admitted that much may be said in great cost. Why should not all these start where their defence, or extenuation of the tories or loyalists of our predecessors ended, and not where they began? Educa- Revolution; and that sufficient time has elapsed for them tion can enable them to do so." * now to be treated with justice and with impartiality. But when the accounts of the times in which they acted come to be written, immediately exciting controversies spring up, involving near descendants of the persons whose deeds are recorded. Such a controversy has arisen in the pages of the Messenger; but we do not deprecate it, because one of the uses of such a journal is to furnish a channel for such investigations. But we wish it to be understood that we hold only to the general views with which we set out; and leave the question of their application to the facts of the case, to the Reviewer and to the author of "Curwen's Journal." "The buildings, I have supposed, without having made estimates, could be erected, including an extensive Laboratory, for about thirty thousand dollars. If so, there will remain the sum of twenty thousand dollars; and I suggest, that whatever sum may remain, after the erection and furnishing of the buildings, should form the basis of a fund, which, together with one-half of the tuition fees, till the amount shall yield the sum of three thousand dollars annually, shall be equally divided between the Professor of Engineering and the Professor of Geology, and be made a permanent foundation for these Professorships. The object is. to place the three Professors in this School in the same pecuniary situations." We may here remind our readers that the liberality of Mr. Appleton and others of Boston has been scarcely, if less distinguished than that of Mr. Lawrence. any, THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA. second, we believe. But none of these things move us. Our guiding priociples are fixed. We can bear to hear both sides, though our sympathies are strongly with one of them. We edit a We are indebted to Dr. McGuffey for a copy of the Cata- Journal for the Public and for Truth and Impartiality. logue of the University, for the present session,-its twenty-table, The American Loyalists. By Lorenzo Sabine. Pub This subject naturally brings before us a work upon our The whole number of matriculates the present session,-lished by Little & Brown, of Boston, and sent to us through now just closing has been one hundred and sixty-three; who C. F. Fisher, bookseller of this city. have conducted themselves in a manner highly honorable to themselves and beneficial to the University. It will be recollected that at the close of the last session, a new Proctor was elected,-Colonel Kemper; and that Major Broaddus was appointed to take charge of the bene ficiaries, or State students. These are both gentlemen of character and influence, and we are highly gratified to learn, that the wholesome police of the College is now preserved with more efficiency and success than it has ever been before. The new system of instructing students on the State foundation has thus far worked very happily. The best feelings prevail between them and the other students, and in nearly every instance they have proved themselves worthy, in respect both of talent and behavior, of the benefits of a higher education thus conferred upon them. It is an extensive Biographical Dictionary of the Loyalists of the Revolution; with an introductory Essay applicable to the subject. This Essay, after a careful perusal, appears to us a specimen of original, independent and impartial historical writing, such as is rarely to be met with, Written by a decided Whig, it yet does justice to the Tories; by a northern man, it yet shows no invidious spirit towards the South. From some passages we were afraid that we would have to withhold this last encomium, but after considering the whole range of the Essay, we think that it is entitled to it to an unusual degree. There are some points upon which we would animadvert, however, had we the space. We may do it hereafter. * A correspondent in Georgia writes us: "When on the subject of the Legal Profession,' you omitted to give an account of the regulators in North Carolina, about 1771. The session at the University now closes on the 29th of They were for the destruction of all officers of governJune. The exercises this year will be particularly inter-ment, and all Lawyers, and prostrating Government itself. esting and attractive. In addition to those of the students, will be an Oration before the Alumni, by Wm. M. Burwell, Esq., an Eulogy on the lamented Professor Davis, by Lucian Minor, Esq., and an Historical Discourse, by the Hon. William C. Rives. By putting these matters relating to the University in juxtaposition with the donation of Mr. Lawrence, perchance it may remind some one to perform a similar act to her, or some of her sister colleges in our own, or some other Southern State :-such an acquisition to any and all of whom would be to us exceedingly welcome and delightful. June 18th. THE IMPARTIALITY OF HISTORY. Impartiality in History is what all profess to admire, as they do candor and independence in individuals. But these so universally applauded in the abstract, are often unob served, disputed, or censured, when particular applications of them are made that do not accord with our preconceived notions of what impartiality, candor, and independence require, and in what they consist. This is only one of the exemplifications of the difference Governor Tryon marched against them, and having, in a decisive battle, totally defeated them, the insurrection was quelled, and order restored. The writer of this has cause to recollect the account of the above transaction, as his Father had a ball of one of the insurgents to pass through his body, about the region of the stomach, which he survived more than sixty years." Before receiving this, we had been reminded of the instance referred to, by reading Mr. Sabine's book. And lest any should suppose that these early revolutionists so opposed to the lawyers were the true friends of American Liberty, we state upon that author's authority, that "a large majority joined the royal party, and enlisted under the King's banner." The publishers have executed their part of the work in a most admirable manner. For other New Works, and Literary Miscellany, see cover. * An article in the June Messenger; and which we unintentionally omitted to say first appeared in the N. F. Legal Observer." THE SOUTHERN AND WESTERN LITERARY MESSENGER AND REVIEW. 11 AUGUST, 1847. INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF THE COLONY AND ANCIENT DOMINION OF VIRGINIA. CHAPTER XXVIII. 1700-1723. eral, declaring some piece of service against law, the governor seized him by the collar and swore, "that he knew no laws they had and that his commands should be obeyed without hesitation or reserve." He committed gentlemen who offended him to prison, Nicholson's tyrannical conduct; Capture of a Piratical without any complaint and refused to allow vessel; William III. dies and is succeeded by Anne; bail, and some of them having intimated to Nicholson's complaints against the colony; He is recall him, that such proceedings were illegal, he ed; Settlement of Huguenots in Virginia; The Church; replied, "that they had no right at all to the Edward Nott Governor; Succeeded by Jennings; Hunter; liberties of English subjects, and that he Alexander Spotswood Lieut. Governor; His early histowould hang up those that should presume to ry; Dissolves the Assembly; Assists North Carolina; Rigid economy of Virginia; The Church establishment; oppose him, with magna charta about their Spotswood's tramontane expedition; Condition of Vir-necks." He often extolled the governments ginia at the accession of George I.; Spotswood's alter- of Fez and Morocco, and at a meeting of the rations with the legislature; Theach the Pirate; Com-governors of the college, told them "that he plaints against Spotswood; Harmony restored; Spotswood displaced; His character. knew how to govern the Moors and would beat them into better manners." At another time he avowed that he knew how to govern If we are to credit the accounts of a con- the country without assemblies and if they temporary writer, Beverley, Nicholson de- should deny him anything, after he had obclared openly to the lower order of people: tained a standing army, "he would bring them "that the gentlemen imposed upon them ;- to reason with halters about their necks." that the servants had all been kidnapped and His outrages, (says Beverley,) made him jealhad a lawful action against their masters."ous, and to prevent complaints being sent to [1700.] Mr. Fowler, the king's attorney-gen- England against him, he intercepted letters, VOL. XIII-57 * employed spies and even played the eves- [March, 1702.] William III. died. His dropper himself. He sometimes held inquis- manner was cold and reserved, his genius itorial courts to find grounds of accusation military, his decision inflexible. In his fondagainst such as incurred his displeasure. ness of prerogative power he showed himSuch are the allegations against Nicholson. self the grandson of the first Charles; as Yet some allowance may safely be made for the defender of the protestant religion and prejudice, some for the exaggerations of idle prince of Orange, he displayed toleration to rumor. The accusations have reached us, all except papists. The government of Virbut not the defence. † ginia under him was not materially impro In the second year of Nicholson's admin-ved. He was succeeded by Anne, daughter istration a piratical vessel was captured within of James II. Louis XIV. having recognized the capes of Virginia. The pirate had taken the Pretender as lawful heir to the British some merchant vessels in Lynhaven bay. A crown, Anne, shortly after she succeeded to small vessel happening to witness an engage- the throne, [1702,] declared war against ment between the Corsair and a Merchant- France and its ally Spain. Virginia was but man, conveyed intelligence of it to the Sho- little affected by the long conflict that enram, a fifth-rate man-of-war, commanded by sued. Captain Passenger and newly arrived. Nich- Nicholson, in a memorial to the council of olson chanced to be at Kiquotan, (Hampton,) trade, described the people of Virginia as sealing up his letters and going on board the numerous, rich and of republican principles, Shoram, was present in the engagement that such as ought to be lowered in time;-that followed. The Shoram by day-break having then or never was the time to maintain the got in between the capes and the pirate, in- queen's prerogative and put a stop to those tercepted her and an action took place, pernicious notions, which were increasing [ April 29, 1700,] lasting ten hours, when the daily, not only in Virginia, but in all her pirate surrendered upon condition of being majesty's other governments, and that a referred to the king's mercy. In this affair frown from her majesty now would do more fell Peter Heyman, grandson of Sir Peter than an army thereafter. And he insisted Heyman of Summerfield, in the county of on the necessity of a standing army. Kent, England. Being collector of the cus- [1701.] Colonel Quarry, surveyor-general of toms in the lower district of James River, he the Customs, wrote to the board of trade volunteered to go on board the Shoram on that "this malignant humor is not confined this occasion, and after behaving with un- to Virginia, formerly the most remarkable daunted courage for seven hours, standing for loyalty, but is universally diffused." At on the quarter deck near the governor, was length upon complaint of Commissary Blair, killed by a small shot. and six of the council, Nicholson was recalled, [1705.] * Beverley, B. 1, pp. 97.102. Col. Nicholson, before entering on the + Robert Beverley author of a History of Virginia, pub-government of Virginia had been Lieutenant lished the first edition of that work [1705.] His namesake, Governor of New York under Andros, and the persecuted clerk, died [1687.] It is probable that the afterwards at the head of the administration historian was a relative of the clerk. In the preface to his from 1687 to 1689, when he was expelled by second edition, published [1722,] he says, My first busi a popular tumult. From 1690 to 1692 he ness in the world, being among the public records of my was Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. From country," &c. In the same year, [1722,] an Abridgment 1694 to 1699 he held the government of Maryland, where with the zealous assistance of Commissary Bray, he busied himself in establishing episcopacy. Returning to the government of Virginia, he remained till 1705. [1710.] He was appointed General and commander-in-chief of the forces sent against Fort Royal in Acadia which was surrendered to him. [1711. He headed of the Laws of Virginia ascribed to him, was published at London. (See 1. Hening, p. 5.) If the historian was so related to the clerk, it may account in part for his acrimony against Culpepper and Effingham, who had persecuted his namesake and kinsman, and against Nicholson, who was Effingham's deputy. In his second edition, when time had mitigated his animosities, Beverley omitted many of his accusations against these governors. In favor of Nicholson it is to be observed that his administration was more satisfactory in Maryland and in South Carolina. The fault in Virginia was probably not all on his side. * Beverley, B. 1, p. 104. |