The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-26 00:00:00

to the lacquer of " Omoo." Yet " Omoo" is lively,
sparkling, humourous, conversational, diversified with
life and vivid descriptions of
little episodes of ocean
southern scenery. As an example of the latter charac-
teristic, we tender the following pen-and-ink delineation
of the aspect of Otaheite :
" Otaheite is by far the most fameus island in the South
Seas; indeed, a variety of causes has made it almost classic.
Its natural features alone distinguish it from the surrounding
groups. Two round and lofty promontories, whose moun-
tains rise nine thousand feet above the level of the ocean, are
connected by a low, narrow isthmus; the whole being some
one hundred miles in circuit. From the great central peaks
of the larger peninsula—Orohena, Aorai, and Pirohitee—the
land radiates on all sides to the sea in sloping green ridges.
Between these are broad and shadowy valleys—in aspect,
each a Tempe—watered with fine streams, and thickly
wooded. Unlike many of the other islands, there extends
nearly all round Otaheite a belt of low, alluvial soil. teem-
ing with the richest. vegetation. Here, chiefly, the natives
dwell.
" Seen from the sea, the prospect is magnificent. It is one
mass of shaded tints of green, from beach to mountain top ;
endlessly diversified with valleys, ridges, glens, and cascades.
Over the ridges, here and there, the loftier peaks fling their
shadows, and far down the vane% s. At the head of these,
the water-falls flash out into the sunlight as if pouring
through vertical bowers of verdure. Such enchantment, too,
breathes over the whole, that it seems a fairy world, all fresh
and blooming from the and of the Creator.
" Upon a near approach, the picture loses not its attrac-
tion. It is no exaggeration to say, that to a European of
any sensibility, who for the first time wanders back into these
valleys—away from the haunts of the natives—the ineffable
repose and beauty of the landscape is such, that every object
strikes him like something seen in a dream; and for a time
he almost refuses to believe that scenes like these should have
a commonplace existence. No wonder that the French be-
stowed upon the island the appellation of the New Cytherea.
Often,' says De Bourgainville, I thought I was walking
in the Garden of Eden.'
" Nor, when first discovered, did the inhabitants of this
charming country at all diminish the wonder and admiration
of the voyager. Their physical beauty and amiable disposi-
tions harmonized completely with the softness of their clime.
In truth, every thing about them was calculated to awaken
the liveliest interest. Glance at their civil and religious in-
stitutions. To their king, divine rites were paids while, for
poetry, their mythology rivalled that of ancient Greece.
" Of Otaheite, earlier and more full accounts were given,
than of any other island in Polynesia; and this is the reason
why it still retains so strong a hold on the sympathies of all
readers of South Sea voyages. The journals of its first visi-
tors, containing, as they did, such romantic descriptions of a
country and people before unheard of, produced a marked
sensation throughout Europe; and when the first Otaheitans
were carried thither, Omai in London, and Aotooroo in Paris,
were carressed by nobles, scholars, and ladies."
From the peculiar interest, which has been latterly ex-
cited in regard to this magnificent island, it may be
pleasant to many of our readers to peruse the account
given by at eye-witness, of the French interference in
that quarter. Mr. Melville speaks out plainly, but, to
our thinking, very much to the purpose. The circum-
stances, here alluded to, have been so egregiously garbled
by different narrators, that we encroach to no incon-
siderable extent upon the narrative of our American
voyager :
"It seems, that for some time ;back the French had been
making repeated ineffectual attempts to plant a Roman Ca-
tholic mission here. But, invariably treated with contumely,
they sometimes met with open violence; and, in every case,
those directly concerned in the enterprise were ultimately
forced to depart. In one instance, two priests, Laval and
Caset, after enduring a series of persecutions, were set upon
by the natives, maltreated, and finally carried aboard a small
trading schooner, which eventually put them ashore at Wal-
lis Island—a savage place—some two thousand miles to the
westward.
" Now, that the resident English missionaries authorised
the banishment of these priests, is a fact undenied by them.
selves. I was also repeatedly informed, that by their inflam-
matory harangues they instigated the riots which preceded
the sailing of the schooner. At all events, it is certain that
their unbounded influence with the natives would easily have
enabled them to prevent everything that took place on this
occasion, had they felt so inclined.
" Melancholy as such an example of intolerance on the part
of Protestant missionaries must appear, it is not the only one,
and by no means the most flagrant, which might be pre-
sented. But I forbear to mention any others; since they
have been more than hinted at by recent voyagers, and their
repetition here would, perhaps, be attended with no good
effect. Besides, the conduct of the Sandwich Island mis-
sionaries, in particular, has latterly much amended in this
respect.
" The treatment of the two priests formed the principal
ground (and the only justifiable one) upon which Du Petit
Thouars demanded satisfaction ; and which subsequently led
to his seizure of the island. In addition to other things, he
also charged, that the flag of Merenhout, the consul, had
been repeatedly insulted, and the property of a certain French
resident violently appropriated by the Government. In the
latter instance, the natives were perfectly in the right. At
that time, the law against the traffic in ardent spirits (every
now and then suspended and revived) happened to be in
force; and finding a large quantity on the premises of Victor,
a low, knavish adventurer from Marseilles, the Otaheitians
pronounced it forfeit.
" For these, and similar alleged outrages, a large pecuniary
restitution was demanded (10,000 dolls.), which there being
no exchequer to supply, the island was forthwith seized,
under cover of a mock treaty, dictated to the chiefs on the
gun-deck of Du Petit Thouar s frigate. But notwithstanding
this formality, there now seems little doubt that the downfall
of the Pomarees was decided upon at the Tuilleries.
" After establishing the Protectorate, so called, the rear-
admiral sailed; leaving M. Bruat, governor, assisted by
Reine and Carpegne, civilians, named Members of
the Council of Government, and Merenhout, the consul,
now Commissioner Royal. No soldiers, however, were
landed until several months afterwards. As men,
Reine and Carpegne ware not disliked by the
natives; but Bruat and Merenhout they bitterly detested.
In several interviews with the poor Queen, the unfeeling
governor :ought to terrify her into compliance with his
demands; clapping his hand upon his sword, shaking his fist
in her face, and swearing violently. ' Oh, King of a great
nation,' said Pomare, in her letter to Louis Philippe,
'fetch away this man ,• I and my people cannot endure his
evil doings. He is a shameless man.'
" Although the excitement among the natives did not
wholly subside upon the rear-admiral's departure, no overt
welto plan
as act of violence immediately followed. The Queen had fled to
Imeeo ; awl the dissensions among the chiefs, together with
ouf"thne people, some
common
nthoefir resistance.Queenc o
the ill-advised conduct nf the missionaries, prevented a union
confidently
ttiy reheglrieeadt
upon
the speedy interposition of
by many
ties, and whizti, more than once, had solemnly
guaranteed their independence.
"As for the missionaries,
they openly defied the French
governor, childishly predicting fleets and armi •
es from Britain.
But what is
the welfare of a spot like Otaheite, to the mighty
interests of France and England? There was a remonstrance
on one side, and a reply on the other; and there the matter
rested. For once in their brawling lives, St. George and St.
Denis were hand and glove; and they were not going to
Gross sabres about Otaheite.
During my stay upon the island, so far as I could see, there
was little to denote that any change had taken place in the
Government. Such laws as they had were administered the
same as ever; the missionaries went about unmolested, and
comparative tranquillity everywhere prevailed. Neverthe-
less, I sometimes heard the natives inveighing against the
French (no favourites, by-the-by, throughout Polynesia), and
bitterly regretting that the Queen had not, at the outset,
made a stand. •
" In the house of the chief Adea, frequent discussions took
place, concerning the ability of the island to cope with the
French : the number of fighting men and muskets among the
natives were talked of, as well as the propriety of fortifying
several heights overlooking Papeetee. Imputing these
symptoms to the mere resentment of a recent outrage, and
not to any determined spirit of resistance, I little anticipated
the gallant, though useless warfare, so soon to follow my de-
parture.
" At a period subsequent to my first visit, the island, which
before was divided into nineteen districts, with a native chief
over each, in capacity of governor and judge, was, by Bruat,
divided into four. Over these he set as many recreant chiefs.
Kitoti, Teti, Utamai, and Paraita ; to whom he paid 1,000
dolls. each, to secure their assistance in carrying out his evil
designs.
"The first blood shed, in any regular conflict, was at
Mahanar, upon the peninsula of Taraiboo. The fight
originated in the seizure of a number of women from the
shore, by men belonging to one of the French vessels of war.
In this affair, the islanders fought desperately, killing about
fifty of the enemy, and losing ninety of their own number.
The French sailors and marines, who, at the time, were
reported to be infuriated with liquor, gave no quarter; and
the survivors only saved themselves by fleeing to the moun-
tains. Subsequently, the battles of Hararparpi and Fararar
were fought, in which the invaders met with indifferent

LITERATURE.
TEE WESTMINSTER AND FOREIGN
QUARTERLY RE VIEW. IVo,. XC'll. and

SIR R. PEEL'S PICTURES.
,Thn Saturday Sir R. Peel opened his mansion in White-
'f• gardens for the reception of visitors invited to inspect
his beautiful collection of works of art. The principal stair-
f._asel the picture-gallery, and, we believe, one or two other
'ens' have recently been redecorated, whilst the pictures
emselves have undergone a fresh arrangement, and ill.
completion of these details was the immediate cause of the
',ion of Saturday. The invitations in this instance were
not regulated by the exclusive spirit which almost uniformly
prevails on similar occasions. That there should be present
Many of the most distinguished members of the Peerage
and of the House of Commons might naturally be expected
fora the eminent social and political position which the
Sight Hon. Baronet occupies; but it was gratifying to ob-
Serve, asaociated with them, a very large number of gentle-
men connected with art, literature, and science. One may
sometimes
yimagine that the owner of this fine collection may
have sought a temporary relief from the cares
and vexations which are the inevitable lot of public
reiel3 in this country—and he, certainly, has had his
lit
_ Are of them—in the tranquil enjoyment of the plea-
sures_ which are to be found in the contemplation of the won-
derful emanations of genius by which he is here surrounded;
and, perhaps, judging wisely that a due appreciation of art
la not confined to the aristocracy exclusively, he was in-
duced to extend to a wider circle the gratification which
these pictorial treasures are capable of imparting. Be this
as it may, this is the first occasion on which so liberal a
Spirit has been displayed, and it deserves honourable men-
tion, as illustrative of Sir IL Peel's judgment and kind dis-
Position.
Although Sir R. Peel has long been known as s munificent
Patron of modern art, there are not, with, we believe, five
exceptions—Wilkie's " John Knox preaching before the
'soils of the Congregation," Sir Thomas Lawrence's por-
trait one of the Right Hon. Baronet's daughters, Edwin
I'andseer's portrait of another daughter, and Winterhalter s
portraits of her Majesty and Prince Albert—any picturesd of
I,,orritergaitoarafrecently deceased artists in Whitehall-gardens.
the whole of this portion of the collection—including the
political characters, Lawrence's portrait of Sir
Lady and his three-uarter and half-lengi h portraits of
'ltuY Peel—the latter well known by the engraving—have
been removed to Drayton Manor.
One of the rooms on the ground floor is appropriated to
_some drawings by Rubens
and Vandyke, part of Sir Thomas
a wrence's collection of drawings purchased from his ex-
etunnitvoersrstj Sir R. Peel. The high me' fit of these sketches is so
then IIY recognised, that it is unnecessary to do_ more
rect_eaver that they are characterised by all the master's con.
hn " of drawing and boldness of execution. The library
allg with proof engravings, chiefly from modern paints
Pt'rbebl
,men f dining-Mont used to be adorned by the its of
r- - pro mar ow time—chiefly the wonderfulportra " living
• gles of Lawr
ence, whose truthful pencil
whate,`---- snatched from Fate
Hera er waa beauteous or whate'er was great."
f er.e the portraits onf the late and present head of the
Peel wilily, the D k
Stowell, the l aof Wellington, the Earl of Eldon, Lord
aeli, all by Lawrence,
—ar
Aberdeen, mi. H of. Liverpool, Mr. Canning, the Earl of
thheeyseepreorwtziltswweritthhout be.side.s those of Southey and Fu-
But, though we can no longer behold
great interest, a pilgrimage to Drayton—oft
Y—their place is supplied by .
w pictureshi if
know -- • These are five portraits, and the picture
nas the " Robinette," by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The
portraits are those of the artist, Dr. Johnson, George IV.
when Prince of Wales, Mrs. Thrale, and Boswell, the agree-
able biographer
,o.f the " Literary Leviathan." The portrait
Which
• • Johnson was painted for Mrs. Thrale, and it is that from
in
"Dictionar T which appears in several' editions of the
y ' is taken.
which On end of the drawing-room is occupied by two pictures,
have lately been presented by Sir R. Peel to the
f,',77 They are full-length portraits of her Majesty and
4,11 a
_e Albert, the work of the German artist we have
vr_ea__(lY_named. The impression left by a necessarily hurried
thr,:f these pictures is not favourable. The colouring of
court,e sh is not good, and the general effect is harsh, if not
_, The expression given to the Queen is unlike that of
lad other portrait we are acquainted with ; but it would be
luau., on that account, to inter that it does not belong to her
susceptible
The fact is, that the Queen's countenance is
of an extraordinary variety of expression, and it
lglaY be remarked that, although no two of the almost end-
eSesavennalber of portraits which have been made of the
strongreign correspond in expression, they all bear a
resemblance to the original. The gallery, which opens
01.1.4 of the drawing-room, is filled with paintings of the
highest merit. Turn in what direction one may, the eye is
Imre to light upon some beautiful object. As far as we could
school, the works here are all cabinet pictures of the Datch
„—,."°01, with the exception of two by Rubens. The latter
Vi Dthe "Triumph of Silenus," and the celebrated " Chapeau
"le." The Bacchanalian piece is a large composition,
including eight figures, the principal object being Silenus,
._Who occupies the centre, and whose condition requires the
support which he receives from two satyrs. Of course, there
!re some of those children whom Rubens loved to paint, and
mould
paint so well, and the whole picture is remarkable for
the brilliancy
brilliancy of colour, masterly drawing, and spirited cona-
Position, which are the characteristics of this master. After
uube"' death this picture was purchased by Cardinal Riche-
s_ m 1642. and remained in possession of his family
until the French revolution. It subsequently became
.`„": property of Lucien Bonaparte ; was brought to
-s,.giand in 1816, and sold for 950 guineas ; it was
sold again in 1827 for 8401., and was finally bought
in presentthis gallery, its
possessor for 1,1001. Rubens's other
vs
gallery, the well-known " Chapeau de Paille,"
haslong been the theme of universal eulogy, and, as might
be expected, it is an object of great attraction in the gallery. Some of the particulars connected with the history of this
Picturea are interesting. Of all his works this was Rubens's
.1v ourite. It is said to be the portrait of a Mademoiselle
-tUndcens, though, to us, it appears to bear a strong resem-
V_ e to the features of the artist's wife, whose portrait he
irtiLultroduced into so many of his works. A story is told of
warn having become enamoured of the lady whilst he
neve Painting her portrait, and it is certain that he would
" L r Part with this picture, which he called in his catalogue
Le Portrait d'une Demoiselle, les bras croises," (the lady
has her arms crossed in front of her in this picture). It is
not known how the picture acquired the name of the a Cha-
peau de Paille," and why it should have done so is equally a
matter of mystery, for the hat which the lady wears is not
straw, but beaver or felt, or, perhaps a coarse kind of velvet.
After the death of the artist's widow the picture became the
property of the Landens family, whose representative, M. Van
Haveren, in 1817, sold it for 50,000 f. to M. Stiers d'Aertse-
laer. In 1822 it was sold by auction, and bought by M.
Nieuwenhuys for 36,000 f. He brought it to England
and, after being exhibited publicly, and attracting thousands
of admirers, it was purchased by Sir R. Peel for 3,500 gui-
neas. The specimens of the Dutch school are, as may be an-
ticipated from what has already been stated, very numerous,
and of the highest excellence. To give a detailed notice of
even a fevi of these works would extend this article beyond
reasonable limits, and we shall, therefore, confine ourselves
to the mere mention of some of the pictures which chiefly
attract attention :—" View off the Thames," Backhuysen ;
this picture is valued at upwards of 1.5001. "An Old
Castle," Cus-p ; this is one of the most charming pictures in
the collection ; its beauty, indeed, is perfectly enchanting.
" The Avenue," by Hobbema; a remarkably beautiful pic-
ture, and differing in some respects from the artist's usual
style, cost 8001. " The Poulterer's Shop," by Gerard Douw ;
sold in the Choiseul collection, 1772, for 692/. ; from that of
the Prince di Conti, 1777, for 800/.; from that of the Duc de
Chabot, in 1787, for 832/. ; from that of Coupre, in 1801, for
1,024/. ; and from that of Mr. Beckford, of Fonthill, in 1823,
for 1,2701. " A Landscape," by Dujardin ; cost 930 guineas.
"The Duett," by Diet zu ; cost 450 guineas. "Le Corset Rouge,"
by F. Mieds; bought from Mr. Beckford fur 305 guineas.
"Le Chat," by W. Mieris ; bought for 370 gui-
neas. " The Alchymist," by Adrian Van Ostade.
"The Music Master," by Jan Steen. "The Mu-
sic Lesson," by Terburg ; cost 920 guineas. " A
View in the City of Cologne," by Vander lleyden ; cost 415
guineas. " Landscape," by Vander Velde ; cost 760
guineas. Also, by the same artist, " A Calm," bought for
500/. ; " the Coast of Schevening," cost 900/. ; and " A Gale,"
cost 3001., "The Interior of a Stable" and "A View on the
Sea Shore," by Wouvermanns, cost respectively 530
and 450 guineas. In a room leading out of the gal-
lery at the end opposite to that which communi-
cates with the drawing-room, are the portraits before re-
ferred to of two of Sir Robert Peel's daughters by Lawrence
and Edwin Landseer. In the former, which has been en-
graved, the young lady is represented seated on the ground
caressing a spaniel. As a work of art it is beautiful ; and,
Lawrence being the artist, it is unnecessary to add tbat the
likeness was exact. It is necessary to speak in the past
tense; for the little girl of the picture has grown up into a
woman. In the same room is Sir Joshua's justly celebrated
"Snake in the Grass;" and, by the same artist, a spirited
portrait of Admiral Keppel. In conclusion, it may be ob-
served, that this assemblage of pictures affords indisputable
evidence of the correct taste of the collector; for, whilst
there is not a single bad work in the whole, and hardly one
which does not rise above mediocrity, the vast majority are
of the very highest character.
Sir Robert Peel was in excellent health and spirits, and
was assisted by Lady Peel, accompanied by one of her
daughters, in the reception of the guests. The Duke of Wel-
lington arrived and departed early; the Duke of Cambridge
came in about the middle of the day ; but Lord John Russell
did not appear until most of the company had left. When
Sir R. Peel observed his Lordship in the gallery, he advanced,
and shaking him cordially by the hand, led him to Lady
Peel. It Wa3 interesting to see these two political leaders
meeting in such a manner and under such circumstances,
and the incident seemed almost to justify the observation of
a gentleman present, that " it was as pleasing a picture as
any which adorned the walls."
Among the visitors were—
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, attended by
Major Stephens, the Duke of Hamilton, his Excellency
Count Schilmmelpenninck, his Excellency the Prussian Mi-
nister and Madame Bunsen and Miss Bunsen, his Excellency
the American Minister and Mrs. Bancroft, the Duke of Wel-
lington, the Marquis of Northampton, the Earl of Ripon and
Miss Hobart, the Earl of Lincoln, the Countess of Jersey and
Lady Clementine Villiers, the ountess De Grey and Mr.
Vyner, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, Viscountess
Hardinge and the Hon. Miss Hardinge, Lord John Rus-
sell, Lord Colborne, Lord C. Townshend, Lord Monteagle,
his Excellency the Belgian Minister and Madame Van de
Weyer, the Right Hon. Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon.
Sir James and Lady Graham, the Right Hon. Sidney
and Mrs. Herbert, Viscount Goderich, the Right Hon. Sir
George and Lady Clerk and Misses Clerk, Baron Lionel
Rothschild, the Hon. Francis Charteris, the Right Hon.
George and Mrs. Dawson and Captain George Dawson, Sir
Walter James, Bart., M.P., and Lady James, Sir H. Hume
Campbell, Bart., M.P., and Lady Campbell, Sir henry de la
Beche, Lady Chantrey, the Right Hon. Sir Robert 11. Inglis,
Bart., M.P., Sir John Rennie, Sir Willoughby Gordon, Sir
Alexander Downie, the Very Rev. the Dean of Westminster
and Mrs. and Miss Buckland, the Rev. Dr. Liddell, the Rev.
Dr. Wellesley, Sir George Hayter, Sir Henry Ellis, Sir W.
Newton, Sir W. C. Ross, Sir Frederick Madden, Professor
Owen, Dr. Lyon Playfair, Colonel Rowan, Mr. W. G. Hayter,
M.P., Mr. H. T. Hope, M.P.,Mr. J. Hume, M.P. Mr.
Charles Baring Wall, M.P., r. Cardwell, M.P. and Mrs.
Cardwell, Mr. Benjamin 'Tawas, M.P., Mr. C. Buller, 1%1.P.,
Mr. T. Baring. M.P., Mr. H. Mildmay, M.P., Mr. T. S. Dun-
combe, M.P , Mr. T. Wise, M.P., Mr. B. Botfield, M.P., Mr.
B. Bernal, M.P., Mr. W. Ewart, M.P., the Rev. W. Cureton,
the Rev. J. Forshall, Messrs. Samuel Rogers, Landseer, G.
E. Anson, Hamilton, C. Barry, Eastlake, T. S. Cooper, S.
Cousins, J. Holland, S. Lawrence, li. W. Pickergill, C.
Dickens H. Ferrer, C. Stansfield, C. Landseer, S. Prout, J.
J
Lucas, J. Landsaer, J. Severn, W. Mulready, Stephanoff, R.
Redgrave, R. Westmacott, J. H. Glover, F. R. Saye, W.
riYee, F. R. Lee, 11. Hallam, E. 11. Bally, Hogsrth, F.
Howard. W. C. Marshall, Cotterell, A. Elmore, 11. Ley, A.
Pellatt, T. Uwins, W. Wyon, J. Sheepshanks, Heath, J. J.
Chalon Faraday, T. Amyet, W. Brockendon, C. Fielding.
S. FulfOrd W. Barnard, E. Corbould, S. Sly, W. Behens, E J
Hawkins, J. M. W. Turner, E. Eddis, kc.— Times.

Lxx
In a cursory criticism upon Sir Bitliver Lytton's
" Word to the Public," the Mstminaer pronounces
many opinions which we eaneot characterise as other-
wise than untenable and fallacious. Crime it acknow-
ledges to be the legitimate theme of tragic composition,
whether that compo;ition he either dramatic or narra-
tive: and yet it cavils at the employment of crime as a
means of inculcating morality either by the novel-writer
or the dramatist! It illustrates this position by enveigh-
ing against the custom of " copying the dark back-
ground of Rembrandt's portraits." What we should
like to know are the masterpieces of ancient and modern
dramatists, and of ancient and modern novelists (for we
look upon Tacitus and Herodotus as among the antique
romance writers—the predecessors of the feuilletonistev
Dumas and Sue), what we ask are the masterpieces of
these dramatists and novelists ancient and modern but
dark backgrounds such as may be compared to the
glooms of Rembri adt? If we look to the giant
tragedies of Aschylus and Sophocles, we shall find there
parricedes, and adulterers, and murderers, and inces
tuous monsters, the habitual dramatis persona, ; we shall
find there rapine and midnight decd] of blo ,dshed and
violation. In more recent works of what must be
termed classic excellence, we see the regici.le in Mac
beth, the adulterous assassin in Hamlet, the cruelties of
unfilial fiends in Lear, the infamy of bawds and liber-
, tines in Measure for Measure, the sins that man has no
words to express, and that would have shamed the habi-
tants of Gomorrahl in the Cenci. From first to last, from
the tales related by the romancing historians of Gre,ce and
Rome, in relat'on to the concubines of Alexander and
Darius, to those recounted in the torturing suspence of
"Caleb Williams," and the diabolical anguish of" Frank-
enstein," the arch-actors are criminals, the arch-act is
crime—the hue of the compositions is darker than the
darkest background of Rembrandt. And yet a prurient
morality—a morality bred in mawkishness and effemi-
nacy would depreciate these majestic originals, because
in holding up crime and criminals to abhorrence—be-
cause in delineating the woes and tribulations conse-
quent upon sin—because pourtraying the deformities of
iniquity and the agonies of remorse, they are suffused
with colours of an apyropriate darkness—they should be
expunged or repudiated! Nay, the Westminster goes so
far as to say " how much:would have been softened by
Shakspere, even in the best of his tragedies, had they
been addressed to an educated audience .of the„nine-
teenth century!" We can only ejaculate with Dominic
Sampson, " Pro-digious!—Pro-digiousl—Pro-digiousl"
Of a verity this is, indeed, the self-sufficiency of the
nineteenth century! How much would Shakspere have
softened, say you? Had he softened one sentiment,
abated one iota of passion, refrained from the utterance
of one syllable, rejected the portraiture of one character
—be that character Parolles or Pompey Bum—it were
in truth an ineffable blessing that be lived in the barba-
rous days of Elizabeth, instead of the enlightened times of
Victoria. We like not this arrogance of generations. But
the Westminsterean appreciate" Dombey and Son" to the
uttermost, if it fails in the admiration of " Lucretia." The
Reviewer arrives at the same conclusion which we have
repeatedly expressed during the last three or four
months, that " if we may judge of the work as a whole,
from the early numbers, Dombey and Son' is the best
of the productions of Dickens." In testimony of the
felicitous expression of sentiment by which this inimi
table genius is characterised, the writer transcribes the
entire scene of the death of Little Paul Dombey. Cu
riously enough, however, he objects to the two last pas-
sages in that memorable chapter; in which two passages,
to our thinking, are contained the very quintessence of
its pathos. A dissertation upon metaphysicians follows
this introductory article, with especial reference to the
works of Hobbes, Locke, Law, Tucker, Butler, Hartley,
Paley, Priestley, Bentham, Mill, Hutcheson, Adam
Smith, Reid, Beattie, Ferguson, Stewart, Brown, Leib-
nitz, Wolf, Kant, Fichte, Schelling, and Jacobi. Many
acute and sensible remarks are uttered in the paper.
After a sort of preliminary lamentation upon the mourn-
ful multiplicity of guide-book, the Westminster rambles
pleasantly through " North Wales and the Lakes." Al-
luding to the poets generally associated with the latter
regions of Cumberland, the Reviewer makes the following
truthful observations:—
" We firmly believe that no set of men were ever " written
up" like the late poets. A very popular magazine—Black-
ood's—for a series of years, seemed to devote all its ener-
gies to this cause; its politics, decided as they were in sup
porting that faction whose every tenet has proved an error,
were held comparatively in abeyance before the engrossing
object of laker-laudation; in those, the palmy days of Black-
wood—the days of the Noctes Ambrosiance"—every one
read, and every writer imitated and echoed, the Black-
woodian dicta, on matters of taste; so that laker-lnudation
became a fashion. Wilson, himself a laker, and one of the
great prose-poets of the age, set the example, which crowds
were too glad to follow; so that, prolific were the pens of the
Takers, especially poor Southey's, their laudators were fifty-
fold more voluminous; and, if praise will ensure fame,
Southey may smile serene from the throne of state in the
temple of that goddess, surrounded by Wordsworth, Wilson,
and Coleridge, while Miltons, Shakperes, Byrons, and Cow•
pers are lingering about the portals, or losing their way in
some over-crowded corridor. But after all that has been or
shall be hereafter written in their praise or dispraise, there
is a test from which none can escape, and that is, fitness for
quotation. "As ssith the poet," or words to that effect, are
perpetually recurring; and this, " saith the poet " is accom-
panied by a clear description from Cowper, a burning line
from Byron, a majestic thought from Milton, a nervous
sp‘evaasercoupletesanhgeiervfgferrorommtc:hPm
rnuogepei
lhosi a
comprehend
Wilson
rswororemhe
fromea tnadl
Shakspere:lhe Southey.) allegory from
a nyr oit Spenser,does
n 0 t o r
m a s o e
an u- a
true lover of poetry
can utter the name of William Cowper in the same
b—r et ahteh
iwi thetatin awmi
tehs othf
eMTi littao nu,s
—Siitahk srgoeortnep,
layn d w
ißt
hy Byron
sublime. I.rontetot
two
havei
inebseeonf
correct in
F in
saying
rwe more
that
tcthoawn suspect
pertieyerfi
poetry in his life—always saving and excepting his ex-
quisite verses on his mother's portrait. Thenexteontribution is an elaborate inquiry into the authorship of
the "Two Noble Kinsmen"—en inquiry as to how
much of that beautiful drama was Shakspere's, or how
much Fletcher's, or whether Shakspere in fact had (to
use a vulgar phrase) any finger in the pie. We have
always considered this question as tolerably well settled
by thnt significant sentence of Augustus William
Schlegel (see his " Lectures on Dramatic Literature,"
lec. xiii.)—" Amidst so many grounds for doubting. if I
might be allowed to hazard an opinion, I should say,
that I think I can perceive the mind of Shakspere in a
curtain ideal purity, which distinguishes this piece
above all the other pieces of Fletcher." Coupling this
peculiarity with a variety of collateral circumstances,
the great German critic declares that he sees no reason
for calling this copartnership in the production of the
" Two Noble Kinsmen "in question. About the " Sites
of Public Monuments" the review has a few pet va-
garies of its own. There has latterly been so much
parade about the erection of the colossal statue of " the
Duke," and there are so many effigies of the same
personage erected in the most incongruous and
preposterous localities, that his admirers really seem to
dread the realisation (in his regard) of -the old adage,
" Out of sight out of mind." Shakspere has no na-
tional statue—but he wants none; Byron has not even
a bust in Westminster Abbey— but he wants none. They
may be so far "out of site," but happily they can never
be "out of mind." An essay on" Population," a summary
of the "Report on Lighthouses," and a very dangerous
and almost blasphemous review of the theological writ-
ings of "Straus and Parker," conclude the Westminster.
In the department of the Foreign Quarterly we must ob-
serve that there is a comprehensive survey of foreign
literature during the last three months. The reviewers
congratulate the public of France on the evident decline
in the "quotidian fever of the Roman feuilleton." A
swarm of minor and miscellaneous criticisms are ap-
pended.

SELECTIONS IN PROSE AND POETRY.
Edged by John Bleaden.
Those who have ever, like ourselves, delighted in the
exquisite fragments from popular literature collected
by Mr. M‘Diarmid, will welcome every successive pro-
duction of a similar character. The volume just pub-
lished by Mr. Bleaden is precisely of the description
which rendered the work of his predecessor so agreeable
—though we conceive the former might more correctly
have entitled his book " Selections in Poetry and Prose,"
seeing that the metrical quotations immeasurably exceed
the prose both in number and excellence. The editor
disclaims in his introductory preface any intention to
render the volume merely a vehicle for his own com-
positions ; yet those compositions are numerous, and
occasionally meritorious. Sometimes we observe that
the pieces are unaccompanied by the names of the
authors, possibly from a forgetfulness as to their pater-
nity : for example, at page 50, there is a charming little
sketch called " The Bride's-maid," which Mr. Bleaden
might as well have subscribed with the initials if not with
the full signature of Thomas Haines Bailey—the verses
having come from the pen of that clever lyrist. Instead,
again, of givinit stanzas so hackneyed as the famous
" Burial of Sir John Moore," by Woolfe, or Shakspere's
apostrophe to " Mercy," or Moore's " She is far from
the land," or Scott's " Lines on a Tear," or Mrs.
Hemana's " Voice of Spring"—gems that are already
enshrined in the memory of almost everybody, and that,
consequently are superfluously repeated—we think it
would have been preferable and judicious to have intro-
duced others less familiar to the generality, taken for
example from partially forgotten poets, such as Cowley,
or Christopher Marlow, or George Herbert. Indeed,
we question whether it might not have been advisable to
have transcribed more largely from the productions of
living writers than from classics like Shakspere and
Moore, and Coleridge and Akenside, who are already
ranged upon the bookshelves. Of these latter poetical
authors there is assuredly no dearth. Alaric Watts,
the Brownings, husband and wife, Tennyson, Mother-
well, and Ebenezer Elliot. It is ungracious, however, to
make even these exceptions to the delightful volume
presented to the public by Mr. Bleaden, affording us, as
at does, such a delectable banquet of dainties. As a re-
past of literary sweetmeats and poetical confections, the
book is both palateable and nutritious.

success.
" Shortly after the engagement at Ilararparpi, three
brrat
Pole)had w sentth
et o
Frenchmen were waylaid in a pass of the valleys, and mur-
ho
to p
certain
m a
ja. and d
Fergus
rsgpuy,
(saidwsdered by the incensed natives. One was Lefevre,
biding-placeconduet a
a notorious
scoundrel,
of four chiefs, whom the governor wished to seize and execute.
This circumstance violently inflamed the hostility of both
parties.
" About this time, Kitoti, a depraved chief, and the pliant
tool of Bruat, was induced by him to give a great feast in
the Vale of Paree, to which all his countrymen were invited.
The governor's object was to gain over all he could to his
interests; he supplied an abundance of wine and brandy,
and a scene of bestial intoxication was the natural conse-
quence. Before it came to this, however, several speeches
were made by the islanders. One of these, delivered by an
aged warrior, who had formerly been at the head. of the
celebrated Aeorai Society, was characteristic. ' This is a very
good feast,' said the reeling old man, ' and the wine is also
very good; but you evil-minded Wee-Wees (French) and
you false-hearted men of Otaheite, are all very bad.'
"By the latest accounts, most of the islanders still refuse
to submit to the French ; and what tarn events may here-
after take it is hard to predict. At any rate, these disorders
must accelerate the final extinction of their race.
" Along with the few officers left by Du Petit Thouars, were
several French priests, for whose unobstructed exertions in
the dissemination of tbeir faith, the strongest guarantees
were provided by an article of the treaty. But no one was
bound to offer them facilities, much less a luncheon, the firs.
day they went ashore. True, they bad plenty of gold; but
to the natives it was anathema—taboo—and, for several hours
and some odd minutes, they would not touch it. Emissaries
of the Pope and the devil, as the strangers were considered—
the smell of sulphur hardly yetshaken out of their canonicals
—what islander would venture to jeopardise his soul, and
call down a blight upon kis bread-fruit, by holding any in-
tercourse with them ? That morning the priests actually
picknicked in a grove of cocoa-nut trees; but, before night,
Christian hospitality—in exchange for a commercial equi-
valent of hard dollars—was given them in an adjoining
house.
" Wanting in civility, as the conduct of the English mis-
sionaries may be thought, in withholding a decent reception
to these persons, the latter were certainly to blame in
needlessly placing themselves in Co unpleasant a predicament.
Under far better auspices, they might have settled upon some
one of the thousand unconverted isles of the Pacific, rather
than have forced themselves thus upon a people already pro-
fessedly Christians."
Although this sequel to the " Adventures in the Mar-
quesas" is comparatively defficient in romance and inci-
dent, it is agreably penned, and evidently written with
the utmost truthfulness. Altogether it is a great im-
provement upon the recent contributions to the " Home
and Colonial Library," and sustains, if it does not en-
hance, the literary reputation of Herman Melville.

MURRAY'S HOME AND COLONIAL LI-
BRARY. Nos. XLIII. and XLIV. OMOO Parts
I. and 11, By Herman Melville.
So much were we charmed by the previous work of
this admirable American author, that we fear the liveli-
ness of our expectations of the present chapters has mi-
litated considerably against the impression which might
otherwise have been conveyed to our minds by " Omoo ;
or, Adventures in the South Seas." " Typee' certainly
took us by surprise ; it was a brilliant and fascinating
book from a previously unknown hand. It came upon
us with the freshness of a treasure discovered whero one
was least expected. It has rendered the name of the
American sailor—" a sailor before the mast," be it ob-
served—Herman Melville, henceforth and for ever plea-
sant to our ears—a name associated with recoltec-
tion4 such as the genius of Defoe and the enter-
prise of Anson could have evoked. But " Omoo," like
many another sequal that could be mentioned, is nothing
iiiccopuisoi with " Type " Typo" is os pas gold

ROYAL ORTIMPTEDIC HOSPITAL.--The Right Hon.
the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and Miss Carroll, ho-
noured this charity with a visit on Friday. They were re-
ceived by the surgeons and a deputation from the committee,
and ex themselves highly gratified as well as much
astonished at the surprising cures presented to them.
Some of the opponents of the Maynooth Grant, it
is said, intend to put Mr. Spencer de horsey in ROM/114-
tin tor Newport, Ige of Wight, at theaut

KNIGHT'S MONTHLY VOLUME. Nos. IX. and
X. The Philosophy of Health, Vol. 11. First and
Second Half. By Southwood Smith, MD.
For the continuation of this masterly treatise upon the
physiological wonders of man, and for its publication in
so cheap and popular a form, we are indebted to the
originator of this admirable serial. The wood-engrav-
ings are sofficiatly clear to illustrate the mitten descrip•

THE ITN, LONDON,
_MONDAY -EVENING, _ APRIL 26, 184

PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY.

The Second Amateur Dramatic Performance, for the
benefit of this deserving Society, took place at the Olympic
Theatre on Saturday evening.
The following address, written for the occasion by Mr.
Angus B. Reach—a gentleman already favourably known in
the lighter walks of literature—was delivered by Mr. Foster
previous to the comedy :
" Last 3 ear we tried our fortune on the stage,
We played for woe-worn want and tottering age;
Our cause, and not our merits, made us bold,
We won your plaudits, and we gained your gold !
So now, once more, your favourite smile we claim,
Our drama different, but our end the same.
We're bolder, though, than when we tried our hand
In that dramatic band-box 'yclept The Strand.'s
Yet, in a cause like this, is it not well,
To pay an inch by asking for an ell ;
A growing webb demands a widened loom,
Your spreading charity needs elbow room,
And changes so your natures, that e'en devils—
Printers', I mean—demand 'Olympic' revels.
Now to commence, then. (Looks at the play bill.) Here's
our bill of fare—
May all enjoy sonic savoury morsel there,
First comes the comedy ;—be its five acts,
To those who reap the produce, five great facts!
Bid our Poor Gentleman a loud " God speed,"
For, wanting your applause, he's poor indeed!
What's next? Our actors here will please I wot,
These failing—we can try those who are not.
You doubt P—But in our play the mimic's art
Can even make the absent take a part.
Some moments more let joyous song and dance
Ring in the ear, and twinkle to the glance:
With Luke the Labourer to close the day,
A stirring, hearty, good old English play—
A play that cold indifference cannot brook,
One must be heated—not lake-warmed by '•Luke !"
I've done ! All ready ? (Looks Or. Prompter nods.)
Of our venturous host,
Is every warrior fairly at his post? (Prompter nods again.)
'Tis well. (To wings.) Be bold, and think tho' but beginners,
Who on a night like this would be the sinners—
The hissed, or hissers? Why, of course, the latter:
What! Hiss the food from off a poor man's platter?
Perish the thought Ring up at once! Begin I
The course is clear! My life upou't we win! '
—• After the address the evening's entertainment commenced
with Colman's Comedy of the Poor Gentleman, in which the
principal characters were well sustained by Messrs. Philp,
Hammond, German, Tompson, and Miss E. Lloyd and Mrs.
J. Fnrzman. It was followed by some excellent dancing by
pupils of Miss Gilbert, Messrs. Frampton and Flexmore ;
after which, Mr. Butler's delineations of Stage Passions and
imitation of London actors, met with deserving applause.
The evening concluded with Luke the Labourer. Great
praise is due to Mr. C. Hammond's Luke and to Mr. W.
Chitty's Philip. The part of Clara Wakefield, by Miss E.
Lloyd, was a clever piece of acting, and Jenny was admirably
personated by Miss Jane Coleman, a young lady of promis-
ing talent, who was deservedly encored in the duet with
Bobby Trott (Mr. T. Green). The house was crowded, and
therefore it is to be hoped that.the Society's funds will be
largely benefited by the amateurs' generous exertions. His
Royal Highness Prince Albert (Patron of the Society) took
a private box on the occasion.
* A performance, in aid of the funds of the same society,
took place last year at the Strand Theatre.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
FRIDAY, APRIL 23.
NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE.

RAILWAYS.
The Committee of Selection have nominated the following
Select Committees on Railway Groups :
A Committee consisting of—Lord C. Wellesley (Chair-
man), Sir John Duckworth, Mr. Mainwaring, Colonel Mare,
and Lord E. Russell, to whom they have referred the Bills
comprised in Group No. 39, viz.:—
Hartlepool and Stockton Junction,
Wear Valley, Bishop Auckland and Weardale, Weardale
Extension, and Wear and Derwent Railways and Skildon

Tunnel Amalgamation
Clarence Railway, and Leeds and Thirsk Amalgamation,
Leeds 4nd Thirsk (Leeds, Durham, and Newcastle Exten-
sion, &c.)
Leeds and Thirsk (Eaglescliffe and Stillington Extension, &c.)
York and Newcastle (Pelaw Tyne Dock, &c., Branches),
York and Newcastle (Wearmouth Doek Enlargement),
York and Newcastle (Hartlepool Dock and Railway, &c.,
Pi irchase ),
York and Newcastle (Main Line Improvement, &c.)
The Select Committee to meet on Tuesday, May 4, at half-
past twelve.
A Committee consisting of—Mr. Cripps (Chairman), Sir
John Trollo Mr. Christie, Mr. Broadwood, and Mr. Muntz,
to whom thpeye, have referred the Bills comprised in Group
No. 49, viz.
Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle, and Glasgow, Paisley, Kil-
marnock, and Ayr (No. 4),
Glasgow, Barrhead, and Neilston, and Glasgow Southern
Terminal Railways Amalgamation,
Caledonian and Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock /tailways
Amalgamation,
Caledonian ( Lease or Purchase of the Glasgow, Barrhead, and
Neilston Direct and Glasgow Southern Terminal Railways),
Caledonian (Purchase or Lease of Wishaw and Coltness),
Edinburgh and Glasgow,
Edinburgh and Glasgow (Monkland and Kirkintillock, Bal-
lockney and Slamannan Railways Amalgamation Sale or

Lease):
The Select Committee to meet on Tuesday, May 4, at one.

Select Committee on Group No. 48.
Mr. Stanstield discharged ; Mr. Bond Cabbell selected, and
added to the Committee.
Select Committee on Group No. 22.
Mr. Bernal discharged; Mr. Drummond selected, and ap-
pointed Chairman of the Committee.
The Select Committees on Groups Nos. 15, 17, 19, 24, 26,
5, 44, and 52, will be selected from Panel No. 5, which will
be required to be in attendance during the week commencing
Monday, May 10.

PANEL No. V.
Mr. Alexander . Lord John Ilallyburton
Mr. H. J. Bans. Mr. U. V. Harcourt
Mr. Balfour Captain 11. Howard
Mr. Bernal Mr. B. Hughes
Mr. W. Beckett Mr. Hurst
Lord Henry Bentinck Mr. Ilutt
Dlr. I. Blackburne Hon. C. Lawless
Mr. S. Blackstone Major Layard
Captain Boldero lion. J. P. Maxwell
Lord Ernest Bruce Mr. P. Miles
Mr. Buck Mr. Mitchell
Mr. Colvile Sir C. Napier
Mr. Corbelly Mr. Neville
Mr. S. Crawford . Captain Pecksll
Mr. B. Denison Sir R. Peel
Mr. Dennistoun Mr. Pinney
Mr. Dickinson • Viscount Pollington
Sir H. Douglas Mr. Prime
Mr. Drax Lord Rendlesham
Mr. Du Pre Mr. H. Seymour
Sir J. B. East Mr. H. Stuart
Sir T. Esmonde Mr. M. Talbot
Mr. Finch Mr. Taylor
Hon. H. Fitzroy Hon. G. R. Trevor
Mr. Forbes Sir W. Verner
Mr. Forman Sir R. Vyvyan
Mr. M. Gore Mr. Waddington
Earl Grosvenor Marquis of Worcester.
Mr. Hale

SIR ROBERT PEEL AND THE
GERMAN PROTECTIONISTS.
It appears from the German papers, that when Dr,
List, the most prominent advocate of protection in
favour of the products of Germany, was in this coun-
try, during the last autumn, he addressed communica-
tions to Lord Palmerston and Sir Robert Peel, for the
purpose of procuring their concurrence in the views of
Dr. List in favour of protection. The answers by them
are stated to have been published in the German papers.
The following is that sent by Sir Robert Peel:—
" Drayton Manor, Aug. 22, l 846.
" Sir,—l beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of the letter
which you have addressed to me, and of the memorandum
which accompanied it.
" I thank you for this communication, and have given it
an attentive perusal.
" The sentiments which it expresses in favour of the policy
and reciprocal advantage of an intimate union between this
country and Germany have my cordial concurrence; a con-
currence as complete and unqualified as is my dissent from
your views as to the mode by which that intimate union can
be most effectually promoted.
"You are of opinion that England ought cheerfully to
acquiesce in the maintenance of high duties on the import
into Germany of the products of English industry, for the
purpose of benefiting the people of Germany, of conciliating
their good-will towards England, and of thus encouraging
amicable relations between the two countries.
"I, on the contrary, am of opinion that the people of
Germany will be benefited by freer access to the produce of
English industry in exchange for their own, that the good-
will to be purchased by denying that access will be the good-
will not of the people of Germany, but of comparatively a
very small portion of that people, either interested in the
manufactures with which English industry would compete,
or, labouring under erroneous impressions as to the prin-
ciples which ought to govern the commercial relations of
two great countries ; and that we shall be laying the best
foundation for reciprocal amity and for an intimate union be-
tween Great Britain;andlGermany by relaxing the restraints
on our commercial intercourse, and by the diminution, and
not the increase or the maintenance, Of the present protec-
tive duties.

"lou observe that views in favour of protection are at
present uppermost in the mind of the German public—that
it does not matter, with regard to the object of your memoir,
whether, such views are true or not ; it matters only whether
they do exist or not.
" I must be permitted, with all due respect for your autho-
rity, to doubt the allegation that such views are uppermost
in the mind of the people of Germany ; but if they are, I
totally dissent from your position, that it matters not whether
such views are or are not correct.
44 If they prevail, and if they are not correct, they ought to
be combated by those who, as statesmen, conduct the public
councils in Germany, and, let me add, by those also who, as
writers on political economy and the commercial policy of
nations, undertake to enlighten the public mind, and to form
and direct the public opinion of their fellow-countrymen.
44 1 for one believe those views to be completely erroneous,
to be injurious to Germany, injurious to England, and im-
pediments to that intimate union which I wish to see estab-
lished and confirmed between two powerful nations whose
political interests are so nearly identical. lam bound, there-
fore, frankly to inform you that I cannot advise that acqui-
escence in them on the part of the ruling authorities in this
country which it is the object of your. memorandum to in-
culcate.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
" M. List, &c. " ROBERT PEEL."

SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—EIijah is to be per-
formed at Exeter Hall, on Friday next, under Mendelssohn's
direction, being the last time it can be performed before he
leaves England. Staudigl will, on the occasion, support his
original character of Elijah.
'MR. MACREADY'S RE-APPEARANCE AT THE
PniNcEss's.—lt is said that Mr. Maddox, the lessee of the
Princess's Theatre, has offered Mr. Macready an engagement
for twenty weeks of the next seastat, at 100 guineas per
week. His performance to be three times a week at stipu-
lated intervals.— Observer.
EXTRAORDINARY CASE.--A long investigation took
place before W. C Irter, Esq., the coroner for Surrey, at the
Guildford Barge, Belvidere-road, Westminster-bridge, as to the
death of John Peterbr
aged 58, who was alleged b • hidge, by
wile to have been seriously injured by mesmeric influence
under most extraordinary and novel circumstances. l.t
turned out, however, from the evidence of Dr. Aldie, of the
Surrey Dispensary, that the deceased died from the combined
I effects of dropsy and coasumption, Verdict, " Natural
death,"