The Press.
London, England, 1857-03-07 00:00:00

MARCH 7, 185 Y.

haps he did not observe) whether the gale was
abaft the canoe. If so, a boat forty feet long,
and five feet deep (like one of our small canal
boats, only more buoyantly built), could have
easily live:l in a very high wind.
On the genealogy of man the New Zea-
landers have the following tradition :

In the beginning of time was Ts Po (the night or
darkness). In the generations that followed 'fe Po, came
Te Ao (the light), Te Ao-tu-roa (light standing-long), Te
AO-111911111311 (clear light of day), Te Kore (nothingness),
Te Kore-te•whiwhia (nothingness-the-possessed), Te
Kore-te-rawea (nothingness-the-made-excellent), Te Korti•
tc-tamaua (nothingness•the-fast-bound), Te Kore-matua
(nothingness-the-first), Maku (moisture). !deka slept
with Mahora-nui-atea (the straight—the vast--the
clear); their offspring was Rangi (the sky). Rangi
slept with Papatnanuku (the wide extending plane) ; their
children were Rehu (the mist), Tane (male), and Pala.
From Tane and Paia sprung Te Tangata (man).

The different families of the animal kingdom,
instead of being viewed as distinct creations,
are derived in the mythology of the New
Zealanders from some of the early dwellers on
earth, who are represented as having super-
human powers :
Thus the tuna (eel) and the koiro (conger eel) are said
to have been the offspring of one of those ancient worthies,
named hiarmte•whareaitu. The ngarara (lizard) and
mango (shark) era said to have been brothers. The sea
was their native element; but wishing to separate after a
quarrel, the former, who was the elder, went to live on the
land, while the latter remained in the sea. The lizard, at
parting, thus cursed his brother—" Remain in the open
sea, to be served up on a dish of cooked food for man to
eat !" "As for you," replied the shark, "go ashore. and
be smoked out of your hole with burning fern leaves! "
These parting words of the lizard and shark are now
preserved as proverbs. The former alludes to the custom
of se►ving up a piece of dried shark on the top of a dish of
potatoes or kumara for a relish. The latter to the mode of
catching the ngarara by lighting a fire at the entrance of
its hole.

The volume by Sir George Grey (late Gover-
nor-in-Chief of New Zealand) deals with much
of the subject-matter of this work, and both
observers supplement and corroborate each
other.

Lord Cranworth, in discussing his Divorce
Bill, could scarcely appeal to the custom in
New Zealand in the class of cases for which
his measure is intended :
When the paramour is a gentleman, the regular mode
of proceeding is for the husband to go with a party of his
friends, each armed with a light spear, called a lintata, to
the residence of the offender, who, having notice of his
coming, awaits him supported by a party of his relations
similarly armed. The tirnata is the legitimate weapon for
deciding affairs of this sort. It is, in fact, to them what
the small•sword was some years ago to European gentle-
men, and they are very dexterous in using it. It is gene-
rally well understood beforehand how the affair is to be
settled, whether by giving and receiving compensation in
property, or by single combat. In the former case, even
the amount of compensation, or, at least, the more con-
siderable items have probably been agreed on beforehand,
through the assistance of mutual friends going between
the two parties, to learn and report the nature of the terms
likely to be demanded by one, or likely to be accepted by
the other.

The preliminaries having been thus arranged, the
husband and his friends are politely received, and the
terms of compromise publicly discussed, as if no under-
standing had been previously come to. The payment
esteemed the moat honourable to receive on such occasions
is land. " Laud," say they, "is the only treasure of equal
value to a woman. Most other treasures are perishable,
but women and land arc treasures which last for ever :
women produce children, and land produces food to sus-
tain life." It is with great reluctance, however, that the
piece of land asked fur is yielded, though canoes, guns,
pigs, and every other sort of valuable property are given
with apparent readiness.
If compensation of this sort be refused by one or both of
the parties, the quarrel must be decided by single combat
with the spear. The husband is then always the attacking
party. His adversary receives him in a position between
sitting and standing, having one knee touching the ground,
but ready to spring on his feet in an instant. In front of
him he holds his spear erect in both hands, prepared to
ward off a thrust. His friends arrange themselves behind
him in similar postures. The injured husband, supported
by his friends, advances spear in hand, and when near
enough makes a thrust at the breast of his foe. If it be
parried, he may thrust a second and a third time.
lint after the third thrust the debt of honour is con-
sidered to be paid, and should he still persist, his
adversary springs on his feet, and both continue the fight
on equal terms. The first wound generally terminates
the contest ; but if one or other is mortally wounded
some relative starts up immediately to seek satisfaction ;
and soon the fray becomes general, ceasing only when one
party. is beaten.
This volume is more suitable for those in-
terested in purely colonial subjects, than for
general readers. It is a valuable addition to
the New Zealand library, and it has receive:l
the honour of " a second edition." The state
of the emigrant English in New Zealand, and
their prospouts, is eutirely gyuitioll by the
author.

THE PRESS.

LITERATURE.

Aar, literature, fiction, politics, poetry, and adventure
are all ably represented in this month's Blackwood.
The article we like best is No. 11. of " Scenes from
Clerical Life "—Mr. Gilfil, the old parson, is capital.
" Hester Bentield " is a fair average story. " The
Athelings " does not get forward ; the writing is all
good, but the interest flags for want of incident.
The essay on Barry Cornwall is an able and impartial
critique, and nicely written. No. 11. of " Letters
from a Lighthouse" is lively and smart; but the
author ventures on assertions which we think, on
mature consideration, he will see to be unfounded.
On the subject of military expenditure, he maintains
that it was our obvious want of preparation that
emboldened Russia to push forward her design
against Turkey. Now, says he, let us capitalise the
sum which the war has cost us—i. e., 76,000,0001.—
and we shall see that the interest of this sum would
have kept up an armament to such a point of effi-
ciency that nobody would have ventured to quarrel
with us. The writer of this statement seems to us to
have overlooked three most material points,—first,
that the war cost a great deal morn than it need have
done ; secondly, that efficiency does not depend on the
maintenance of a large standing force, and that we
could keep ourselves prepared for war at no greatrr
outlay than before 1853, if skilful men were intrusted
with the arrangement of the army ; and, thirdly,
that, as on his own showing the war only cost the
same amount as would have been required to pre-
serve what he calls efficiency, and as war was not
certain, and this expenditure would have been, we
were right to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt.
Fraser this month is a capital number, with one
exception. " Literary Style " is a most interesting
and well-written paper. Although on so suggestive
a subject, one cannot help feeling that more might
have been done. We must remark on the pedantic
hypercriticism in the note upon Sir A. Alison, who
might have known perfectly weil that the a in pravos
was long, and yet have said what he did. The
article on " Rooks " is to our mind the best in the
number. It seems to be written by a gentleman, a
scholar, and a naturalist. This is as it should be.
And we trust he will favour us again. Boswell's
" Letters " are reviewed in a discursive and anec-
dotical style, which forms a very agreeable paper.
" The Interpreter " is, of ',course, all that could be
wished. The article on " Public Affairs " is the
exception we spoke of, which is full of matter, but
singularly void of spirit.

The Dublin University for this monthlcontains
some powerful and thoughtful writing. We would
especially call attention to the articles on " Trans-
portation," "Newman on University Education," and
" Clerical Life in Ireland." We have the misfortune
to differ from the first mentioned toto civic); but it is
nevertheless treated in the style in which we like to
see such subjects treated—searching and philoso-
phical. But the public will never endure the reten-
tion of criminals at home while a single square inch
of territory remains to which they could be trans-
ported. The paper on Dr. Newman is eloquent and
graphic. The sketch of the Tractarian leader at St.
Mary's will awaken long dormant emotions in many
English readers. From " Clerical Life," which is a
masterly vindication and eulogy of the Irish Church,
we quote the following interesting anecdote :
It was remarked, that the funeral service [i.e. the Angli-
can] seemed to make a powerful impression on the Roman
Catholics, many of whom were in the habit of attending.
The service is unquestionably an admirable compilation,
and highly calculated to soften and spiritualise the mind.
Its effect on the Irish hearers reminds us of an occurrence
during the English Commonwealth. Among the most im-
perative acts of Presbyterianism, when it had obtained su-
premacy, was the suppression of the Prayer Book ; thus
extinguishing the religions liberty which it had once so
haughtily claimed. An old clergyman, in one of the country
parishes which had been usurped by a Presbyterian, got the
service by heart, and at the funeral of one of his old pa-
rishioners, recited the entire. The sectarian crowd, in their
ignorance, took it for granted that the recital was extempore,
listened with strong interest, and applauded the clergyman
fcr the readiness of his talent and the beauty of his composi-
tion. If he had produced his book, they would have de-
nounced the whole as a relict of idolatry.
" The Castle of Dublin " is an interesting antiqua-
rian paper ; and " Tutors of the Young Idea " is a
clever picture of the contrasts between extreme
wealth and extreme poverty in London. In the
review of Boswell's "Letters" the writer endeavours
to strike the balance between Mr. Macaulay and Mr.
Carlyle. He gives Boswell more humour and gene-
ral ability than the former critic, and less of enthu-
siasm than the latter; and varicus reasons are
adduced to show that there was a natural congeniality
between Johnson and Boswell sufficient to account
for Boswell's attachment to him, without having
been actuated either by vanity or hero worship.
Bentley gives us two good tales, entitled
" The Coroner's Inquest," and "How I Sold
my Reverijon." The former Is a ooatinuatlon
of "The Red Court," and why it should nut be
celled so we cannot understand. it is very env

233

barrassing and distasteful to readers to have
continuations headed as if they were new tales—a
practice that has been going on for some time in
this magazine. Other good articles in this number
are, a review of' some French travels, called
" Amsterdam, Paris, Venice," " Discoveries in
Chuidea," and a memoir of William Dowton, the
actor. A paragraph from the latter, on the subject
of actors' salaries, may be interesting :
It is curious to mark the difference in the salaries paid to
dramatic performers during the last hundred years. In
the better days of the drama these salaries appear to be
em ill ; but there can scarcely be a doubt that a healthy
action was then enjoyed, which the " star " system tended
to impair. If we look into Garrick's theatre, we find the
Roscius himself at the head, with a stipend of 2/. 15s. Bd.
per night ; Barry and his wife, 31. Cs. WI.; John Palmer
and his wife, 21. ; King, the unrivalled Sir Peter Teazle
and Lord Ogleby, 11. 6s. Bd. ; Parsons, 11. fis. Bd. ; Mrs.
Pritchard, 21. 6s. 81; Mrs. Cibber, 2/. dos.; Miss Pope,
13s. 41; and Signor Guestinelli, the principal singer,
U. 13s. 4d. Succeeding the days of Garrick came a host
of distinguished performers, including Lewis, Quick, Ban-
nister, Muntlen, Mrs. Jordan, Miss Farren, cum mulas
u/iis, not one of whom ever received " star" salaries.
John Kemble, as actor and manager, was content with
501. 14a. per week ; George Frederick Cooke received 251. ;
and Mrs. Jordan, in her zenith, an average of 311. 10s.
Drury Lane, in season 1812-13. boasted of an excellent
company, including John Johnstone, who was retained at
151. per week, and Dowton, who received 161. Covent
Garden, at the same period, numbered among its mem-
bers Emery ( whose highest salary during his career was
but 141. per week ), Mathews, Fawcett, Blanchard, Liston,
and Simmons, and their united receipts from the treasury
were less than has since been paid to one actor at a
metropolitan minor theatre ! Edmund Kean's first en-
gagement at Drury Lane, in 1814, was for three years,
ranging from 81. to 101. per week. This was subsequently
converted into a contract at 501. per night. Eight years
prior to this great change in the fortunes of Kean—in the
year 1800--he was playing at the Haymarket, unnoticed
and unknown, his salary at that time being 21. per week.
Twenty years later, when wrung in heart and fame, phy-
sically and mentally weak, he received at the same house
501. per night. Who will say that he was a better actor
then than he was in 1800?

As a contrast to the sums paid during the nest century,
we may state that at Drury Lane, when under the
management of the late Stephen Price, the nightly
salary of Edtound Kean was 601., and that of Mme. Yes-
tris and Liston, 251. each ; whilst Farren received 351.
weekly, Jones 351., James Wallack 35/., and Harley 301.
In 1838, Tyrone Power was receiving 961. weekly from the
Adelphi, and Farren 40/. from the Olympic. It was once
remarked, in reference to the enormous sums lavished
upon "stars," that the President of America was not so
highly paid as Ellen Tree ; whilst the Premier of Great
Britain had a less salary than Mr. Macready. Mme.
Malibran was said by the same writer to draw Sve times
as much money as the Colonial Secretary, and Mr. Farren
nearly twice as much as the representative of the Home-
office.

Part V. of the National Magazine, for March,
is, without doubt, the cheapest literary entertainment
extant. We have sixty large closely-printed pages of
excellent matter for tenpence. Some of the best
tale-writers of the day contribute to its columns ;
and " The Lost Diamonds," " The Diamond Studs,"
and "John Pike Yap," are of the highest order of
light magazine sketches. " Life in Cheap Lodg-
ings " is a truly humorous essay, and contains
pictures which most London bachelors not born with
silver spoons in their mouths must recognise. There
are many serious articles of great merit, and the
engravings are well chosen and well executed.

Boy Princes; or, Scions of Royalty Cut Off in
Youth. By John G. Edgar. London : Bogue.
THE subject of this• little work is as well chosen as
the execution is elegant and lively. The style is
thoroughly well adapted to arrest the attention of
children ; and the idea of thus converting biography
into an instrument of historical instruction is one of
great merit. The author has the art of selecting
such salient points in the careers of his young herces
as are likely to be most attractive to juvenile
readers, without at the same time lowering his work
purely to the level of children's minds, or failing to
write, when the occasion demands it, with real
dignity and eloquence. Mr. Edgar is a sworn
champion of the Plantagenets, and far be it from us
to underrate their splendid qualities. At the same
time it is but justice to other dynasties that their
struggles with (the Barons should ue estimated im-
partially. Mr. Edgar calls them the people's kings,
and in a general sense justly—at least we are
willing to concede the point. But then comes the
question why were they the people's kings? Was it
from some innate nobility and generosity which
other royal races have not possessed, or was it
because such was the line of conduct which the
political situations of the period demanded? Edward
I. was the people's king, because the aristocracy was
the people's tyrant. What would he have been in an
age when the relative position of these two was in
process of reversal It was easy for the Crown to
be the champion of the people, when both had a
common enemy. But what would havo been the
fate of any independent brewer in the fourteenth