The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-03 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY

LITERATURE

POEMS. By Elizabeth Barrett Browning. New
Edition. 2 Vols. Chapman and Hall.
Companion volumes to the collected and corrected
edition of the writings of her husband, Robert
Brownie g, the present reprint of the poems of Eliza-
beth Barrett will be eagerly welcomed by that nu-
merous circle:with the members of which our authoress
has long been a familiar and cherished favourite. It
is always interesting to observe the nature of emen-
dations such as those ee hich are here perceptible to
the observant reader. The comparison of the first
issue of a work with its latest republication affords a
fruitful theme to the psychologist, while it enables
the critic to appreciate anything at all approximating
av‘ ys experiencetoli,neteilectua
intellectual development. a
Therefore it is that we
peculiar pleasure in scrutinizing
any really valuable composition, whether prose or
poetic, which after the lapse of years has been care-
fully collated by the writer—recognizing, as we can-
not fail to do from the singularity of the various
evidences of revision, the precise tendency of what-
ever mental change may have been wrought by medi-
tation or experience. From circumstances related
of our different poets by their respective biographers,
may in this manner be obtained a more accurate
notion of their powers than could possibly be acq'iired
without some such suggestive assistance. In the in-
: trance of Akenside we find manifested a dissatisfac-
tion with his earlier impressions so remarkable, that
he is ultimately induced to adventure upon an entirely
new version of the " Pleasures of Imagination.
Shelley, again, advanced to such lengths of com-
punction as to buy up all the copies of " Queen
Mab" he could possibly discover, expressing a regret
at its existence while so doing, and speaking of it to
his intimates as a youthful indiscretion. Byron be-
trays a similar feeling of regret in reference to his
" English Bards and Scotch Reviewers." Moore
sedulously avoids all claim to the authorship of the
amorous ditties of Little. Thomson at the close of
each year collects together his manuscript verses and
destroys them, either by burning or by tearing them
to pieces, according to the rigorous course subse-
quently pursued immediately before his suicide by
the marvellous and immortal Chatterton. If the
earliest and the latest editions of the poems of Ten-
nyson, moreover, be contrasted, it will be at once
perceived how careful and numerous have been his
erasures and his interpolations. There are no lines
to "the skipping rope," for example, to be detected
now among those exquisite effusions. Countless tes-
timonies of a like kind might be adduced from the
literary annals of our country, showing the anxiety
and the readiness with which our most delightful
writers have arrived at the perfecting of their compo-
sitions. Pope was correcting and recorrecting his
verses up to the day almost of his dissolution; and
Leigh Hunt, with all his dislike to rewritten peoms,
did not disdain to alter several passages in his "Story
of Rimini" at the time Mr. Moxon determined upon
its cheap republication. Very few could afford, like
Abraham Cowley, to leave even the metrical out-
pourings of their childhood without at least some
minute modification. Rather than this, with the
majority we should be disposed to repeat that advice
which rosy be met with in Boswell's Johnson—" Sir,
whenever you meet in your manuscripts with any
passage which 3'ou imagine to be particularly fine,
strike it out." Bowing to the dictates of prudence,
Mrs. Barrett Browning has consented here and there
to emend several of her very charming compositions,
and the result is agreeably manifested by the merits
of her present republication. To neyery considerable
extent her popularity seems by this time to be esta-
blished—and this too in defiance of such extrava-
gances as her " Casa Guidi Windows," extravagances
the mingled inanity and grotesqueness of which must
assuredly have marred any less secure reputation.
She bas assumed a high position among the poetesses
of England, and in some respects may be said to stand
at this moment in the foremost rank as the head of
that department of our literature. The passionate
energy of Joanna Baillie, the gentleness and sweet-
ness of Felicia Hemans, the pathetic intensity of
Caroline Bowles, the brilliant imaginings of Letitia
Landon, the elegance of Mary Mittord, the simplicity
of Mary Howitt, the mingled splendour and anima-
tion of Caroline Norton—are qualities which have
severally achieved for their possessors a success in
many ways most remarkable. Yet, distinguished as
are the merits of those female writers, they are to our
thinking surpassed in many respects by the very
noble and peculiar powers of Elizabeth Barrett. It
is true, no doubt, that her fancies are frequently,
blurred by the haze of her vague and mystic vocabu-
lary, while her style is often wholly inartistic, besides
being crowded with the most fantastic and detestable
affectations. Insomuch are these things visible
throughout, that it was once observed of her by the
late lamented Mr. Moir, "the only faculty imperfectly
cultivated is her taste," adding "for her want of ear
seems a natural and incurable defect." The accusa-
tion is very far indeed from being unmerited, for
even in the new edition now before us, an edition in
which we might reasonably expect to find blemishes
of this character revised or obliterated, we still dis-
cover them scattered in profusion through the pages,
marring some el the most exquisite passages and de-
teriorating merits which would otherwise be alto-
gether incontestable. Agreeing with Delta in the
shove objection to theivery uttermost, we neverthe-
less cannot by any means accept as accurate his asser-
tion that Mrs. Browning " has never given us, even
for once, anything that can be regarded as either a
finished portrait or picture." Assuredly the fallacy of
this remark might be readily evidenced by examples
culled in abundance from the two charming volumes
here submitted to our consideration. "Lady Geral-
dine's Courtship," for example, may be characterised
with perfect correctness as presenting "a finished
picture ' to the reader's imagination, " a finished por-
trait" being sufficiently discoverable in the person of
the lowly born poet, who is at once the hero and the
narrator. It is no small testimony to the excellence
of this very lovely poem that it appears to have fur-
nished a hint, both in regard to peculiarity of rhythm
and splendour of colouring, to poor Edgar Poe, in his
extraordinary phantasy "The Raven." There seems
to us a certain companionship in the beauties of Mrs.
Browning's " Lady Geraldine's Courtship" and her
husband's " Colombe's Birthday ;" both tell with a
very exquisite delicacy a tale o lowly love for a
highborn lady, yet in the manner of the narration no
two things could be more dissimilar. What again
can be a sweeter or more finished picture than
"Bertha in the Lane," or than that favourite with
us, among all the favourite word„-paintings of
t?he The last
t thinking,ar n a to Kannongs
most ad-
nimirable creations of our writer, and breathes through-
theentptooneeteds,s
out standee ness and fervour of love beyond all ex-
,to"oCu;
hout tears in the voice. In
through " thinkingly" wit e
pression beautiful. It is scarcely possible to read it
the very cadence of its measure and thew recurre c
h " The Romance
lings of an eiilian harp. So also. wit
El' sits
of its rhymes it sounds as lainti.vely the
of the the Swan's Nest," beginning "Little
alone." A gloomy dimness hangs over t t
the Brown Rosary" so thickly as materially to d e rahc
the " Lay of
from its excellence. Not so, however,
with t e
" Romaunt of the Page, which, though based upon
an old, old story,
t d 'th an air of
very hills, our authoress has invehs e
ovrlol and the
a story as old as the
novelty by the graces of her p rase gayest
enable
reanimating influence of her most
the
i
uch themes as The
selected by her for celebration—s
genius. Very graceful and poetic are mere themes
Cry of the Children," or that charming little conceit
about " The Lost Bower," or that most lovely poem
about the " Dead Rose," in which for once Mris.
Browning's voice comes to us in tones faultlesshy
" most musical, most melancholy." Among t e
larger poems in the collected writings of
our authoress, we doubt if any will be-
come more generally popular than " The Vision
of Poets" and "The Seraphim." At the close of
" The Drama of Exile" occurs one of the most sin-
among the more prominent peculiarities of the mind
gular tokens of that refined and subtle fancy which is
of this distinguished writer, the note appended to the
chorus of the angels :—" The stars shine on brightly
while Adam and Eve pursue their way into the far
wilderness ; there is a sound through the silence, as
of the falling tears of an angel." To the unpoetic
temperament those words would be either foolish or
fathomless. To an appreciative reader they will ap-
pear, we conceive, otherwise. Further comments
upon effusions already so familiar to a considerable
portion of the intelligent community were superfluous
under the circumstances. Elizabeth Barrett Browning
has achieved for herself a position foremost among
the female writers of her country, and from which no
jealousies will wish to remove her, and one on the
permanence of which she may count as confidently as
upon that of any cherished reputation.

THE LIVING S T O.N E. S. A Story of Real Life.
There is something original about this work in de-
sign and execution. It is the description of the per-
sonages of an ancient Scottish family, whose history
is singularly unfortunate and romantic. The heroine,
Grace, is driven out from her home, and has to reside
with unfeeling relations in England. A change comes,
and she returns to her native land, to more congenial
spirits. But even there misunderstandings arise, and
she is compelled to quit her residence. Mystery and
sorrow seem her inseparable companions, for Captain
Army toge, to whom she is engaged, is under very
painful impressions concerning his family. Subse-
quently the inheritors of splendid fortunes, and the
representatives of noble houses, they depart almost
friendless for India, to endure the priva-
tions and changes of en arduous cam-
paign. During their absence retribution overtakes
their enemies. The scenes which succeed are very
power fully delineated, and while they depart from
the ordinary routine of a romance of the present
day, something of a purer and a higher style seems
infused into their details. The greatest mistake in
the narrative is the part relating to Katherine
Liviogstouer her =duet is extremely unuaturAl.

Lady Daventry's career is painful, but such characters
seem great favourites with all novel writer*, a cir-
cumstann much to be regretted. However, these
minor adventures are cast into the shade before the
brightness of the prominent figures ; deprived of every
adventitious advantage, they are shown brilliant with
their intrinsic worth, and conspicuous by their native
greatness. The feelings which command respect
produce an impression nigher than ordinary amuse-
ment, and more lasting than a mere admiration.

MARIAN WITHERS.

- .
By Miss Jewsbllry.

Colburn.
The scene of this tale is laid in the manufacturing
districts. John Withers, the father of the heroine,
and one of the chief characters in the book, has risen
from the lowest class, and his success in life is entirely
owing to his own energy and talents. lie has sent
his daughter to a superior school, desirous that she
should enjoy those advantages of education of which
he has himself been deprived. While there she has
formed a friendship with a young lady, who, at the
opening of the story, has invited her to pass a week
with her married sister, Mrs. Arl. This lady,
although we are repeatedly told that her character is
naturally good, is not very prepossessing, as her con-
duct is mercenary in the extreme. Having married
a rich Dutch merchant for his money, she is very
desirous that her sister Hilda should accept a Mr.
Glynton, for whom she entertains an intense dislike.
'Voile at the house of Mrs. Arl Marian meets that
lady's cousin, a selfish and contemptible character.
To him she unfortunately becomes much attached,
and on her return feels painfully the diffe-
rence of station and the deficiencies of her
home and friends. While very much dissatisfied, and
ill performing her duties, she forms the acquaint-
ance of Mr. Cunningham, a middle-aged gentle-
man, who is desirous of exploring the manu-
factures. After a series of adventures she be-
comes convinced of the worthlessness of Albert, her
former favourite, and becomes the wife of Mr. Cun-
ningham. Such is the substance of the tale, which,
though simple in the extreme, is nevertheless full of
sentiment and interest. The character of Marian is
very natural, and in this is the chief charm of the
work. Nothing is improbable or extravagant. John
Withers himself, with his untiring energy, his inde-
fatigable perseverance, and his genius for invention,
is a striking character. The others are also well
drawn. The honest:Mr. Wilcox, who is so careful of
the interests of his dependents, and the charming
Aunt Alice, are perhaps the most pleasing. The
episode of Albert and Lady Wollaston is not very
attractive, though highly romantic, and the absurd
conduct of Clarissa is scarcely probable. However,
the tale is interesting, and well worthy of perusal.

KHARTOUM, AND THE BLUE AND WHITE
NILES.) By George Melly.
This work, although but a transcript from a journal
kept by the author during his wanderings through
Egypt and Nubia, on his ascent of the Nile to the
juncture of the Blue and White Niles at Khartoum,
which is above the sixth cataract, is very interesting,
and being of such recent date cannot fail to impart
fresh information respecting the reception and treat-
ment of future tourists in Egypt and Nubia. And
the fact that the author was accompanied by his
family, two of whom were ladies, who were the first
European women that ever penetrated the desert as
far Khartoum, cannot but add interest to the work.
Without wearying the ready with a prolix description
of uninteresting matters, he gives a rapid and amusing
account of his adventures from Alexandria to Khar-
toum. He remarks, with just indignation, on the
unenviable propensity that the English possess of
cutting their names on all the works of art to which
they have access; and regrets to see ancient columns
and statues defaced by numerous Smiths and Browns
scratched three feet long upon them. This is, alas
too truly a national vice, and its effects may be
seen both at home and in all parts of the
world where the British are or have been.
Unlike most books of travels, which we read as records
of the past, Mr. Melly's work speaks of individuals
and incidents which we all remember as things of
yesterday. For instance, he states that before leaving
Cairo he was desirous to be introduced to the Viceroy,
but was prevented by the arrival of the Nepaulese
Ambassador returning from England, for whom the
Viceroy held a special court. Our old friend the baby
Hippopotamus, who caused such a sensation in this
country, was, we are informed, caught at Khartoum,
and brought up by band for three months there, before
he was strong enough to undertake a voyage to Alex-
andria. A variety of anecdotes respecting the habits,
customs, and superstitions of the Egyptians and
Nubians are to be found throughout, and how much
is to be learned by those who travel, and how old be-
liefs and prejudices are removed by its agency, the
following quotation will show :
" THE CAMEL.
" My earliest recollections of them are those based on
those veracious publications in which elephants pick up
young children and place them carefully on their backs,
and camels gallop for days, unrepicing, over sandy
deserts, never halting, though without food or water.
Such are the camels of our tender years—such aro not
the camels of our experience. Instead of this poetic
patience, they growl savagely, making ono of the most
disagreeable noises I ever beard, and striving to turn
round and get up as you load them; bat when once
their burden is properly adjusted, they are perfectly
quiet. It is impossible to imagine how provoking they
can make themselves, and did contrive to snake them-
selves day after day. Some would run away, and some,
by way of contrast, not only would not run, but would
not move.: Some were always lying down, and some could
not be persuaded to travel—but mine beat all the rest in
camel-like amiability. On the average be howled six
hours a day, a kind of music such as no one can conceive
who has not heard it. lie would stand doggedly still
till forced by blows to lie down, and every time I turned
round in my saddle, or put my hand in my pocket, he
turned viciously round with a fierce growl. I bad
another, by way of contrast, whn.would walk quietly to
within shot of a covey of partridges, then stop and
allow me a good aim at them. All camels, however,
stand fire."

SU RREY THEATRE.
A new opera was produced here on Saturday even.
ibg, Verdi's Ernani, now first presented in an English
dress. This opera is undoubtedly the best production
of its composer, according to English notions, contain-
ing more fresh melody and less unmeaning noise than
his later works, and for that reason has held its place
longer than any other. It was first produced in this
country at her Majesty's Theatre, in 1845, and has
been repeatedly played since at both Italian Otaeras,
Surrey have therefore acted rightly
sufficiently so to show that its merits have gait
u it;
certain degree of popularity. The nienagers of the
English public, who have not the opportunity of
visiting the Italian Opera, to become acquainted
with the most popular modern Italian composer.
i 0 enabling the
The story of the opera, we need hardly say, is
founded on Victor Flugo's well-known drama of
Ernani, and as in the case of Luerezia Borg the
Charles Romer; Don Silva, Mr. Borrani ;
French drama is closely adhered to. The cast was
as follows :—Ernani, Mr. Travers ; Dos Carlos, was
as
Miss Romer. In the character of Elvira, Miss Romer
was remarkably successful ; she sang the trying music
of the part with all the correctness of an accomplished
musician, and the taste and feeling of a true artist.
She was ably seconded by Mr. Travers.
They were
applauded to the echo, and deservedly encored in the
deliciously tender duet between Elvira Dad Ernan
the second act, it If death should come. (h, mi in
orir
sung by
potessi adesso), which was charmivglY
them. The terzetto, " Gold, gold, more than miser's
heart, which precedes the duet, and in which Mr.
Borrani takes part, was also given with fine effect.
Indeed, all the concerted pieces in which Dliss Romer,
Mr. Travers, and Mr. Borrani were concerned,
were irreproachably executed. One of the most ap-
plauded morceaux of the opera was the charming
cavatina which forms the concluding movement of
the scene in the first act, " Night has closed around
thusiastically encored. Borrani, as the proud, vindie-
us" (Sorte i la notte), in which Miss Homer was en-
tive old Spaniard, looked the character admirably.
His voice was heard to peculiar advantage in the con-
certed music, and in a dramatic point of view, he
acquitted himself very creditably. We were sorry to
find Mr. Charles Homer suffering under evident in-
dis p osition, which is, of course,
a complete shield to
criticism. He, however, sang with taste and sweet-
ness the simple aria Come, then, love" (Vieni ram
sol di rose), in which he was warmly applauded. As
a whole, the opera was remarably well executed; the
choruses and orchestra showed the results of careful
plaudits eachact, and at the conclusion
of at the end of
training in their improved discipline. The enthusiastic
mplete ratifica '
crowded audience. The interesting drama of Sleep.
d the laughable fares of The
ing and Waking, an Two
entertainments.
t4loomers, concluded the en
----------,
of the opera, testified the. co
t. g tionofa

Thea-
ya'snd im-
----
PEATII OF MR. 13EASELEY.—On Saturday week
died Mr. Samuel Beaseley, the architect, in the 70th year of
his age. As architect and surveyor of the Drury-lane Corn.
tmr ei t,
thee' superintendedan d
comptroller
m aonf
yt h ea
lwt
corraktsi 0 ants
,h
ae rd
dll It
iaujness t,
proveraents at both establishments. Among his public
works are several other theatres Lyceum, the St.
James's Theatre, and the Theatre Royal, Dublin, being of
the number. Mr. Beaseley had contributed to.the theatre in
another character than his professional one. For the old
English Opera-house he wrote several farces and burlettas.
He was the author of at least tw on ovels, a
bad school, Oand xoniare,
an"
and " The Roué," which belonged to
probably, forgotten. Athenmunt.
Cuvroms.—The change in departmentours of attendance
of the officers of the Customs took place on
Saturday last, the Ist inst., and from this time the import
and waterside business commences at nine o'clock instead of
eight, and continues so until the Ist of March. As the bu-
siness of the dock establishments and the import and suffer-
ance wharf premises on both sides of the river is regulated
in accordance with the Customs, the traffic of those great
commercial and other establishments will be postponed until
that hour during the period mentioned, and there will be no
deliveries of goods from the bonded warehouses, or of wines,
spirits, and other foreign liquids, from the vaults or other
Premises until that time during the riuter months.