The Sun.
London, England, 1832-08-01 00:00:00

ME TR OP OLITAN.

Mr. Moore contributessome pleasing verses on
the " Poet Crabbe's Inkstand," in which he
makes a graceful allusion to a dispute that has
lately taken place between himself and Thomas
Campbell. The squabbles of poets are prover-
bial. Like lovers, they are always quarrelling.
" The Life and Writings of Sir James Mackin-
tosh" is tame: and jejune. Mr. Campbell led
us to suppose, at the outset of this essay, that he
would throw some new light on the intellectual
character of the great historian and rhetorician,
but he has not kept his word. On the " Naval
Architecture of Great Britian" is an article
wholly of a practical character. It may be po-
pular in the dock-yard, but not, we fear, with
readers in general. " Foreign Policy" is the
production of a man of observation and foresight.
It is penned in the best possible spirit. The
following is a fair sketch of the power and re-
sources of Russia :

"In forming a judgment of this power, we are too prone
to consider her in connexien with her territorial super-
fines, and to connect the downfall of Napoleon and his vast
force with her puissance. This is erroneous. Vastness of
territory with a scattered population, is weakness. rather
than strength. Napoleon fell before the snows of
her in-
clement climate, within which we grant her invincibility.
While there, however, her power of mischief is circum-
scribed. Both against Turkey and Poland, Russia exhi-
bited any thing but predominant strength. Her losses were
prodigious, and the contest was protracted, considering the
means she possessed, in a manner that showed the giant
not yet come to full stature. 'What a century more may
de towards making her the arbiter and absolute dictator
to the rest of Europe, as some expect her to be very
speedily, we can know nothing. Time may raise up ob-
stacles to stay her career. At present, any attempt by her
single-banded upon Prussia or Austria, much less France,
show that the universal reign of the modern
Scythian is not yet to be. The combats of Warsaw are
Proof of her actual feebleness ; as the cruelties and crimes
perpetrated upon the Poles are tests of her incivilization.
Knowledge and civilization must be the associates of those
who achieve modern univer•al conquest. Russia has these
to,
.attain. The attitude for England to exhibit towards
tills Power, is firmness ; civil friends let us he, but we
should repudiate her alliance. The more we stand aloof
from alliances, the better; especially with states which in
modern times offer no parallel in oppression or cruelty,
unless We go to New Zealand, where they first roast and
then eat their enemies. That the cruelties practised by the
Russians in Poland could he witnessed by surrounding
states untnoved, is a proof of their deficiency in moral cou-
rage'
no leis than in humanity. Like birds of prey, the
European rulers pounce upon weak and petty States on
every idle occasion; but when a carrion vulture strikes
at the principle of their own existence, they quail before
the
Wings they might clip by an energetic effort_ They
know that brute power is their only support ; they feel
their disunion from the nailliens of brave hearts whom
they govern, and whom the sacrifice of a portion of their
feudal prejudices would enable them to rely upon in time
of difficulty, better than on each other ; but they have no
sYmpathy with their people, whom they fear, no common
cause but with those for whose turp,tur!e they blush when
they feel as men. Austria 'would ask no vengeance beyond
scaffold for the leader, and a dungeon for the less active
among Italians attempting to break their chains. A deci-
mation of the people, a suppression of their native tongue,
1i living oblivion even to the names of tens of thousands of
individuals, an open breach of the faith on which security
Was guaranteed, Austria would not have bad the inhuma-
nity to
Leopold, and even Metternich, would
shudder at adopting useless cruelties, which Nicholas blas-
PheMously chants Te Deum for being enabled to commit.
Every aspect in which we view Russia, strengthens our
hope in Napoleon's prophecy respecting her, and makes
us wish that the snows of Heaven had permitted him to
scatter her ill-combined members to the winds before his
owit ambition pulled him down. It is consoling that an
army of a million of slaves upon the muster roll, cannot
be made a million in activity. Paskevitch proceeds to ex-
ecute the orders of Nichol is upon the system of extermina-
tmn which the Russian Court has adopted, and be is a
sworthy instrument ; the Russian hero and the savage are
Pionitnuus terms. Every mail brings fresh accounts of
s
the horrors perpetrated by this wretch.

UNITED SERVICE JOURNAL
Contains among other Papers, of more or
less interest, one of a highly entertaining cha-
racter, under the title of " Sketches of the War
of the French in Spain in the year 1823." This
was the campaign which was so valorously com-
menced and brought to a close (such as it was)
by that paragon of warriors, Prince Hilt, now
meditating in retirement on his past achievements
at Holyrood Palace. There are many curious
incidents related in this " Sketch," which at

some leisure day we may be tempted to extract.
At present, space and time forbid.

TAIT'S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.
If tact, diligence, and a manly uncompro-
rinsing tone in politics, be the way to ensure
Popularity, then does this clever periodical stand
every chance. In the editorial department, the
greatest pains-taking is visible ; all the articles
are brought within a reasonable compass, and
none are out of place or season. Mr. Tait
('nirabile dicta) has acted up to the spirit of his
ll'anifesto, or protocol, or prospectus, or whatever
other alias he may please to give his introduc-
tory address to the public. " The Family of the
eel(' Feet" is a tale in Banim's best and
most forcible style. " Parliamentary Candi-
dates" suggests some shrewd hints on a point
Justb
.now of all-engrossing interest. " Louis
of France" forms the shrewdest estimate
e have yet seen of this incompetent monarch's
Public character. The writer observes, with
!eat truth, that the citizen King is a greater
`l,l,.emy of liberty than even Charles the Tenth.
ve have no space for extracts.

• FRAZER'S MAGAZINE.
The first article, entitled " Recollections of a
Gentlewoman," contains some curious character-
14ic anecdotes of Madame du Barri, well known
48 the mistress of Louis XV., during her brief
aftaY in London, previously to her final departure
01. Paris, where she was proscribed, and fell
under the axe of the executioner. The anecdotes
the penned in that light, minute gossiping spirit
4 which the French memoir writers so excel,
44 in which our national literature is unhap-
ti P:11Y so deficient. " The Schoolmaster's Expe-
Nce in Newgatc" is full of important truths,
4/Ivtiti cannot but do great public good. " All-in
he-ees, or Fancy Isles," is a rambling, inco-
i il4ent allegorical sketch, of which it is impossi-
It
to make either head or tail. " Mary
oflltees ; a Tale of the Scotch Highlands," is
Mkitie. old sentimental school, mawkish and lack-
lea') without aim or character. It affects

~r

the descriptive, but not successfully. " Ro-
mantic Poetry of Spain," contains some
graceful and spirited translations of some of the
old national ballads of a country, dear to the
heart of all lovers of romance and chivalry. " Eli-
zabeth Brownrigge," is a capital quiz upon Mr.
Bulvver's novel of " Eugene Aram." It is so
lively and good-natured, that the author of
" Pelham" cannot possibly be offended with it.
The remaining articles are of the usual average
in point of merit.
NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

" Asmodius at large" is this month better
than ever. The tale of Kosem Kesamim is full
of fancy, and inculcates an elevated moral. It
is far superior to the ordinary run of tales of fic-
tion. " Journal of Conversations with Lord
Byron" improve as we become more acquainted
with them. They contain many sensible, deli-
cate touches, which only a female mind could
adequately pourtray. Lady Blessington is a
nice observer, more so, perhaps, than Lord
Byron would have liked had he been aware she
was likely to give a full length of him. She
subjoins some btanzas (hitherto we believe un-
published) addressed by Lord Byron to his
wife. They are stern and rugged, but full of
feeling.

"TO * * * * *
" And thou wert sad—yet I was not with thee;
And thou wert sick, and yet I was not near ;
Methought that joy and health alone could be
'Where I was not—and pain and sorrow here!
And is it thus ?—it is as I foretold,

And shall be more so; for the mind recoils
Upon itself, and the wreck'd heart lies cold,
While heaviness collects the shatter'd spoils.
It is not in the storm nor in the strife

We feel benumb'd, and Wish to be no more,
But in the after-silence on the shore,
When all is lost, except a little life.

" I am too well avenged !—but 'twas my right ;
Whate'er my sins might be, thou wert not sent
To be the Nemesis who should requite—
Nor did Heaven choose so near an instrument.

" Mercy is for the merciful!—if thou
Hast been of such, 'twill be accorded now.
Thy nights are banish'd from the realms of sleep :
Yes: they may flatter thee, but thou shalt feel
A hollow agony which will not heal,
For thou art pillow'd on a curse too deep;
Thou hast sown in my sorrow, and must reap
The bitter harvest in a woe as real!
I have had many foes, but none like thee;
For 'gainst the rest myself I could defend,
And be avenged, or turn them into friend;
But thou in safe implacability
Hadst nought to dread—in thy own weakness shielded,
And in my love, which hath but too much yielded,
And spared, for thy sake, some I should not spare—
And thus upon the world—trust in thy truth—
And the wild fame of my ungovern'd youth—
On things that were not, and on things that are—
Even upon such a basis hast thou built
A monument, whose cement bath been guilt:
The moral Clytemnestra of thy lord,
And hew'd down, with an unsuspected sword,
Fame, peace, and hope—and all the better life
Which, but for this cold treason of thy heart,
Might still have risen from out the grave of strife,
And found a nobler duty than to part.
But of thy virtues didst thou make a vice,
Trafficking with them in a purpose cold,
For present anger, and for future gold—
And buying other's grief at any price.
And thus once entered into crooked ways,
The early Truth, which was thy proper praise,
Did not still walk beside thee—but at times,
And with a breast unknowing its own crimes,
Deceit, averments incompatible,
Equivocations, and the thoughts which dwell
In Janus-spirits—the significant eye
Which learns to lie with silence—the pretext
Of Prudence, with advantages annex'd—
The acquiescence in all things which tend,
No matter how, to the desired end—
All found a place in thy philosophy.
The means were worthy, and the end is won—
I would not do by thee as thou bast done!"