The Sun.
London, England, 1823-03-11 00:00:00

LITERARY NOTICE.

It is well known that the popular tragedy of ,
Venice Preserved, by OTWAY, is founded on the
history of the Conspiracy of the Spanish Ambas-
sador Don Alphonso de la Cueva, Marquis of
Bedmar, and which attempt to subvert the Re-
public of Venice was sanctioned by the Govern-
ment of Spain. His history by St. Real has al-
ways been admired for its accuracy, and the ele-
gance and conciseness of the style. We are
happy to say that the recent translation of the
work is accurate, and the diction remarkably
pure and elegant. Since Kemble, and Kean, and
Young, and O'Neil have shone in the tragedy
of Venice Preserved, we flatter ourselves that
the historical characters of the leading persons
will be acceptable to our readers ; we therefore
transcribe them from the work before us. The
character of Bedmar is thus powerfully and .con-
cisely d raw n—
" This minister was Don Alphonse de la Cueva, Marquis of
Bedmar, the accreditedAmbassadoratyenice, and once( the most
powerful and dangerous geniuses Spain has ever produced. We
see by the writingshe has left that he was acquainted with every
thing in modern histories that can form an extraordinary man.
He compared' the circumstances related in them with those that
happened in his own time. He observed with precision the re.
semblances and differences of political affairs, and how much
the points in which they differ change those in which they bear
the resemblances. He generally pronounced his opinion on the
success or failure of an enterprise when he knew the plan and
the foundations. If he found by the result that he had been
Mistaken, he traced back his error to its source, and endea-
voured to discover what had deceived him. By this study he
had learnt what were the certain methods, and the true means,
and the principal circumstances which in great undertakings
presage success. This practice of continually reading, medi-
tating, and observing the things that passed in the world, had
given him so much sagacity that his conjectures were regarded
almost as prophecies by the Spanish Council.
With this profound knowledge of the nature of important
affairs, he possessed a singular talent in managing them ; a
facility in speaking and writing infinitely agreeable ; a wonder-
ful, quick, and penetrating knowledge of men ; a frank and
gay air, with more of animation than hrravity, and so far re-
moved from the appearance of dissimuliition that it approached
almost to naivete; he was of a free and complaisant temper,
more impenetrable because every one thought he could see
through it, he had tender and flattering manners which invited
confidence from the most reserved ; and every appearance of
perfect easiness of mind under the greatest agitation."
This accomplished Nobleman after his detection
and passing a few years as Ambassador in the
Netherlands was presented with a Cardinal's
hat !—The work of St. Real has been compared
to the Cataline of Sallust. It is not so splendid
as the Roman's History, but more profound in
the developement of the different characters of the
conpirators, and more satisfactory in its details.
The speech of Cataline has always been justly
admired, but we think that in sophistry it yields
to. the speech of Renault, and certainly the rea-
sons advanced by Cataline are selfish and mean
compared with those given by the subtle Re-
nault ; the latter portion of his speech is thus
splendidly translated.
" Then do not let us fear to take the sword in one band and
the torch in the other, to exterminate these wretches. Anti
when we see these palaces, which are the thrones of impiety,
burning rather with the fire of heaven than with ours ! these
tribunals so often sullied with the tears of innocence consumed
by devouring flames ! when we see the furious soldier with-
drawing his reeking hands from the bosom of the guilty; death
on all sides ; and all that night and military license can pro.
duce to render the scene more horrible ! let us then, my friends,
remember that there is nothing pure in man ; that the most
praiseworthy actions are subject to the greatest inconsistency ;
and finally, that the disorders of the approaching night, are
the only means of making . peace innocence, and liberty pre-
vail, instead of the various and dreadful excesses which deso-
late this unhappy state."
Jallier, who is made by Otway the chief per-
son of his drama, who revealed the conspiracy,
and was afterwards 'strangled, is thus depicted
_afterhis last interview with Pierre, to whom he
had spoken with fidelity and zeal ;—but
" It was the last effort of his waning resolution, which en.
tirely disappeared with the countenance of his friend ; and hay.,
i9g no longer before his eyes the only man who could restrain
him, he abandoned himself to his uncertainty. The description
which Renault had made of the night of the execution produced
such an impression on him, that he could not moderate his
pity. His imagination increased the force of this representa-
tion ; he pictured to himself in the liveliest colours, all the'
cruelties and injustice which are inevitable on such occasions.
From that moment he heard nothing but the cries of children
trampled under foot, the groans of old men being murdered,
the shrieks of women being dishonoured; he saw nothing but
falling palaces, temples in- flames, holy places covered with
blood. Venice, miserable and desolate, no longer appeared
before him as formerly, triumphing over the Ottoman power
and the pride of Spain but in cinders or in irons, and more
bathed in the blood of its inhabitants than in the waters which
surrounded it."

We should of course have proceeded to the
character of Belvidera; but to Otway belongs the
praise of creating that lovely and high minded
heroine.

The extracts we have given are in so polished
and powerful a style, and form so great a con•
trast, to the flimsy, and badly collocated manner
of composing of the present day, that we hope the
writer will, ere long, produce some original work.
Some cursory remarks on theuse made by' Otway
of the history in the composition of Venice Pre.
served, are added to the narrative, but our limits
will not permit us to do more than to extract the
opinion given therein of tim talents of Otway.
Ills greatest poStence appears to consist in exciting the
tenderest sympathiS 'of our nature, for beings borne down
by cruelty, oppression, and want. He makes them speak
the language of' nature from the fulness of the heart,
and to be so entirely engrossed by one feeling as not to
allow • their minds to be*ttracted from it by incidental
occurrences. His works do tuffimpress us with the opinion that
his mind was either sufficiently' capacious, or possessed enough
vigour, to have wrought out a great and intricate plot. His
knowledge Or human nature seems to have been too circum-
scribed and too imperfectly. defined to have laid open with a
master's hand the workings of a soul agitated by contending
passions, eagef for the fulfilment of great projects, and possess-
ing an uncommon combination of principles. His neglecting
to avail himself of description of the 'Marquis of Bedamer.
in whom originated ...the dreadful conspiracy against the Re,
public of Venice, may be considered as a proof that he knew
the range of his abilities, and 'wisely declined attempting to
render prominent a character, to have accomplished which
would have strained even the, genius of Shakspeare."
volume little volue will' drove interesting to
every:lover of the Drama, since it contains in a
pleasing form the history of one of our popular
and frequently represented tragedies. It Juts
been neatly published by Messrs. Carpenter in
Bond-street. Q.

- PARLIAMENT,

HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 10.
The Duke of MONTROSE reported that his Majesty had
been waited upon with the Address of their Lordships, in an-
swer to the Royal Message, which his Majesty received most
graciously.
Lord RE DESDALE presented A petition from Macclesfield,
praying for a Bill for recoviiry of small debts.
Mr. %VALLE R presented the Fourth Report of the Commis-
sioners of Woods and Forests. -

Mr. Tommws from the Treasury, presented an Account of
the payments made into the Treasury, on account of the Su-
perannuation List.
Mr. FE RON presented Annual Accounts respecting the re-
ceipts and disbursements of the East India Dock Company.
The above Returns were laid on the table.
The Scotch Creditors' Bill passed through a Committee, and
was agreed to without amendment.

TITHES IN IRELAND.
The Earl of DARN'LEY said, he observed by the votes on
their Lordships' table, that a Bill was to be brought into the
House of Commons by the Setreaty for Ireland, with a view
to tbrward the COMmutation of Tythes in that part of the
United Kingdom. He considered the subject so important,
that he could not avoid expressing a hope that the Noble Lord.
would have the goodness to state what the object of the intend-
ed measure was to be. He could not see why the subject had
not been mentioned in that House.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL.—" I wish to know how it is
possible to meet the wishes of the Noble Earl. There are cer-
tain provisions in this Measure of a nature which makes it in-
convenient that the Bill should originate any where but in the
other branch of the Legislature. When the measure is in a
state to he laid before this House, the most regular course will
be to move for Papers and print them. At the present time
I am not aware there is any exiunple upon which information
can be expected by this llouse. I have no objection to the
discussion of this plan, but Ido not know how, consistently
with the forms of the House, it is possible for the to bring on
the consideration. Every, measure of this sort ought to have
the most serious consideration ; and so far from wishing to
throw any obstruction in the way, his Majesty's Government
will be ready to receive any suggestion Noble Lords may
offer, with a view to promote the welfare of Ireland. They
will be glad to receive the assistance of any person acquaint-
ed with that country, in order to render perfect the details
of the measure, but I do not see how, consistent with Par-
liamentary practice, it is possible for mo to discuss the mea-
sure now.

Isord KING called the recollection of the Noble Earl to a
Bill brought in last year. The House did not consider the sub.
jest sufficiently intelligible, and the Noble Lotd found a way
of bringing information before the House, previous to the Bill
being brought from the Commons. .
The Earl of DAR NLE'Y in reply, observed that the Noble
Earl appeared to call upon him to state some practical mode
of bringtng the subject before the House. He could only say,
he really thought the Noble Earl might inform himself of every
thing that was passing on the subject. It was generally ad..
matted that Ireland could not long remain without material
alteration in the laws and government, and he felt that the
Noble Earl would have acted more consistently if there hail
been a iiimultaneous opening of the intended measure to that
House and the other. It was necessary their Lordships should
know more of the matter than they were able to obtain from
reports of proceedings in the other House.
The LORD CHANCELLOR was persuaded that their
Lordships should proceed with caution when documents were
required which Mimed the conduct of the other House. It
was possible, in the case alluded to by the Noble Earl, a Bill
might be so modified as to nullify the incipient reasoning of
either House, or the Bill might be thrown out. In either case
it would be wise not to prejudge the question.
The Bishop of ELY presented a petition from the City of
Ely from certain Merchants and Traders, aainit the Insol-
vent Debtors' Act.—
Laid on the table. The House adjourned.