The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-22 00:00:00

THE SUN,

LITERATURE.

EGERIA, or THE SPIRIT OF NAT
and Other Poems. By Charles Mackay.
After the popular poems already written by Charles
Mackay, any similar production from the same band
must be peculiarly welcome to the multitude. His
" Town Lyrics.," his "Legends of the Isles," his
"Voices from the Crowd," and his " Voices from the
Mountain," have, on their successive appearance, at-
tested his large capacity as a lyrist, the melody of his
style, and the scope of his imagination. Several of
his lighter effusions have attaine,i, moreover, a popu-
larity sufficient to show his appreciation of the ege
and his perfect knowledge of his contemporaries. Of
thin perhaps the most brilliant illustration was the
song entitled " There's a Good Time Coming"—a
song so perfectly accordant with the feelings of the
moment, when it first appeared, set to music by
Henry Russell, that it resounded in all parts of the
country, was sung iu every little concert-room
and tavern throughout the kingdom, and, after
being ground into a very nuisance by the
barrel-organs in the streets, was whistled by the
little raggamuffins of the metropolis with an en-
thusiasm second only to that evinced by Uncle Toby
for the refrain of—

Lero, lero, lillibullero,
Lillibullero, bullen-a-la
In his latest contribution to our poetic literature, Dr.
Mackay has endeavoured to chaunt the glories and
the triumphs of that great spirit of nature which he
cannot, like many others, regard as annihilated by
the spread of scientific intelligence and the onward
march of civilization. A charming and logical argu-
ment demonstrating the foolishness of such materialist
ideas is prefixed to the book, in the form of a most
entertaining preface—a preface constituting, as it
were, Charles Mackay's declaration of faith in refer-
ence to modern poetry. His reverence for Egeria is
comparable cnly to that of Pomp-illus. lle bows
down and worships her beautiful phantasm, appearing
to him in the green woods and on the mountain top,
with the ardour related of Contarini Fleming by
Disraeli. He drinks in the witchery of her eloquence
with the avidity of a poet and a lover of solitude.
The principal poem, dedicated to this lofty and idyllic
theme, is couched in blank verse of an unstilted but
harmonious character. Occasionally, it is true, the
manner of this blank verse, from its being marked
with a graceful simplicity, is allowed to sink into a
tone somewhat too homely and colloquial, as
where Montague says to Julian " Come, give thy heart
a turn!" What we would comment upon most par-
ticularly, however, in the performance are, not its ble-
mishes, which are few, but its beauties, which are
numerous. Our satisfaction in its perusal has been
complete when we have lighted upon such wise and
witty exclamations as the following :
" A venerable lie outweighs a truth
That only saw the light of yesterday."
Nevertheless, gratified as we have been with " Egeria,"
we have received with a more peculiar pleasure the
miscellaneous poems by which it is succeeded. Among
these there are several equal to anything of the kind
previously written by the lyrist. Take in proof of
this the " Angel Visits," an exquisite conceit, or
" Jubal and his Children," in which the creation of
instrumental music is celebrated. "My Garden
Gate " i 3 a quaint and beautiful tribute to rural
scenery ; and " Alternation," while it contains a
similar panegyric on nature, as where it is said,
" December weaves the robe of May,
And June's young blossoms drop,
That Amalthma's horn may gleam
With ripeness to the top,"
proclaims at the same time the worth and loveli-
ness discoverable among the artificial life of cities—
thus :

" Though Wisdom' aunt th::? solitude,
Greenwood or moorland brown,
Yet there is Wisdom wise as size
In highways of the town."
In the " Nameless Mountain Stream," our author
seems to have taken a hint from an idea long cherished
by Coleridge. " Ino r ursing Bacchus "is suggested
by Foley's group in marble, and " The Spirit of
the Blue-Bell "by an exquisite basso-relievo by
Westmacott. " Fancy under the Trees" contains
many a verse breathing of the dell and the coppice,
and in a kindred picture, entitled " Summer
Shades," we exult on coming to such a sentence as
this

" Gold and power, though both be good,
Lose their charm in the fresh green-wood."
Another panegyric on the simple joys derivable from
nature, but of a different kind, is comprised in the
stanza, "On Learning to Swim," in which the lyrist
exclaims, in a rapture of delight which we can in
some measure appreciate—
" Such joy Leverrier tasted,
When with his charts unfurled,
Exploring heaven for Neptune,
He found the expected world."
From another eulogium, one passed on " The Garden
Spider," we must make a brief quotation, the subject
being singularly new, and the purpose singularly
beautiful
Though feared by many, scorned by all,
Poor spider on my garden wall,
Accused as ugly, cruel, sly,
And seen with an averted eye-
Thou shalt not lack one friend to claim
Some merit for thy injured name,
If I have strength to right the wrong,
Or in men's memory lives my song.

" Men call thee ugly;—did they look
With closer eyes on Nature's book,
They might behold in seeing thee
A creature robed in brilliancy;
They might adtilire thy speckled back
Begemmed with purple, gold, and black;
Thy hundred eyes, with diamond rims;
Thy supple and resplendent limbs.
" They call thee cruel; but forget,
Although thy skilful trap be set
To capture the unwary prey,
That thou must eat as well as they.
No pampered appetites bast thou,
What kindly Nature's laws allow
Thou takest for tby daily food,
And kindly Nature owns it good."
While repeating aloud the sonorous and resounding
carol on the " New Year's Promises," we can almost
fancy to ourselves that we are listening to
" The brazen rhymes
Of the church-bell chimes."
Scattered through such purely "fugitive verses," we
encounter, as a matter of course, casual flaws and
inelegances, such as the allusion in " Angel Visits"
to the

" conflicts with the pride and sin,
That ever surged and swell within;"
or the vulgar recommendation to—
" Give Care the slip !"
uttered in " A Plea for our Physical Life." Making
all allowance, however, for such incidental blemishes
the miscellaneous poems which follow " Egeria" are
in many instances really admirable. Charles Mackay,
successful as he has ever been in that particular, has
perhaps never before been so happy in his refrains.
Among the best of these examples will be found that
droll and satirical one which avers that—
" Bowing down, bowing down,
Is the way to rise in London town I"
Then, again, how ingenious and musical is the fol-
owing :
Who would scorn his humble fellow
For the coat he wears?
For the poverty he suffers?
For his daily cares?
Who would pass him in the footway
With averted eye?
Would you, brother ? No—you would not.
If you would—not I.
Scarcely less charming is the refrain to "Youth's
Warning:'—
Ii wrong you do, if false you play
In summer among the flowers,
You must atone, you shall repay,
in winter among the showers."
In " nappy Love" an old, old saying is beautifully
revived at the close of each stanza—thus :
6, What is the meaning of the song
That rings so clear and loud,
Thou nightingale amid the copse—
Thou lark above the cloud ?
What says thy song, thou joyous thrush,
Up in the walnut tree?
I love my love, because I know
lily love loves me!"'
Most exquisite of all these refrains, however, to our
mind, is that in the subjoined :
" A BAND TO TAKE.
and yet you are not proud;
" Y-Yoouu'raererih,
notc selfish, hard, or vain;
You look upon the common crowd
Withou,d sympathy, ato share your gold
and not disdain;
You'd
With humble sorrow unconsoled;
travel
You'd rai:.e the orphan from the dust,
And help the sad and widowed mother:
I love you as a brother.
Give me your hand—you shall—you must—

" You're poor, and yet yen do not scorn
Or hate the wealthy for their wealth;
You toil contented night and morn,
And priz3 the gifts of strength and health;
You'd snare your little with a friend,
Aod whet you cannot give, you'd lend;
You take humanity on trust,
And see some merit in another:
Give me your hand—you shall—you must-
I love you as a brother.

" And what care I how rich you be?
I love you it your thoughts arc pure:—
What signifies your poverty,
If you can struggle and endure?
'T is not the birds that make the spring,
'T is not the crown that makes the kiug:--
If you are wire, and good, and juJt,
You've riches better than all other.
Give me your hand—you shall—you must--
I love you as a brother.
The volume containing these charming poems, and
the more pretentious one of " Egeria," is dedicated to
George Combe, the author of the " Constitution► of

Man." It is well completed by some political poems
called " Thoughts amid Revolutions."

CO Ula CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, OCT. 21.
The Queen and Prince took their accustomed early
waic this morning in the Park awl grounds of Osborne.
Th,,ir Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and
the Prihcess Royal, and the younger members of the
Royal Fa. y+
walked and rode as usual.
A deputa,ion from the Corporation of the City of
London, consisting of Mr. Masterman, MT. ; Mr.
John Wood, Mr, J. 11. Hale, Mr. Lart, Mr. R.
Taylor, Mr. Shaw-, the Town Clerk, end the City
Remernbrancer, had an interview with Lord Seymour
yesterday at the office of her Majesty's Commissioners
of Woods and Forests in Whitehall-place.
The Oxford University Commission met yesterday
at the official residence of the I?irst Lord of the Trea-
sury in Downing-street. The Bishop of Norwich, the
Rev. Mr. Liddell, and the Rev. Mr. Stanley attended.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TA TTERSALL'S —YESTERDAY.
The room was crowded yesterday; but so much was
everybody taken up with the disagreeable " past" re-
ferred to below, that little attention was devoted to
future events. We have, therefore, but a sorry quotation
to present.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE STAKES.
4 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Landgrave--take 9 to 2
7 to 1 agst Lord Clifden's Loudstone
8 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's The Italian—taken
2 to 1 agst Lord J. Scott's Turnus—taken
7 to 1 agst Mr. Combe's Trouncer
-7 to 1 agst Sir R. Pigot's Essedarius
20 to 1 agst Mr. Merry's Miss Ann—taken
25 to 1 agst Mr. Payne's Glauca
25 to 1 agst Mr. 'Taunton's Landseer
35 to 1 agst Mr. Griffith's Docility
20 to 1 agst Landgrave winning the Cambridgeshire,
and Grecian the Derby—taken

DERBY.
40 to 1 agst Lord Zetland's Lightfoot—taken to 3001.

THE 4,5001. ROBBERY (?)
In our report of the Friday's racing at Newmarket,
we mentioned that the settlement of Mr. P. (Mr. Pune-
ston or Pewminster, for even after seeing his signature,
we confess to an uncertainty as to the right way of
spelling his name) was deferred until Monday. The
following letter posted yesterday at Tattersall's, holds out
little hopes to his creditors, and justifies a suspicion that
the robbery was imaginary:—
" Dear Sir,—l have great regret in informing you that
I shall be prevented settling my account at Tattersall's
on Monday, entirely by the articles on the subject which
have appeared in the daily papers, particularly the Times.
On Friday morning, when I went to my uncle's man of
business for the money he had promised me, I found him
in a most excited state, having just seen the Times and
Herald. He said he had never heard such an infamous
thing, that they had not only robbed me of my money,
but had tried to rob me of my character. When I re-
minded him of his promise, be answered that I had
told him it was for lost bets, but that had he known the
circumstance, he never should have thought of accom-
modating me, but would have done all in his power to
prevent my paying. He persisted that it was a regular
conspiracy trying to persuade him to the contrary.
He evidently had a great desire to inform my uncle, but
I think be will not, for my sake. Pray tell my creditors,
particularly Messrs. Davis and Manton, who have be-
haved in the most gentlemanly manner, how much I re-
gret my inability to pay at present, but I have no doubt
in a few weeks they will be paid. At present I could
not raise the money without the probability of coming
to my uncle's cars, and that risk I would not incur if
any one laid me down this moment 20,0001. I find that
in Bell's Life they intended to give my name in full,
but fortunately used w
sixwrong letters out of eight. It
my name should appear correctly, the consequence to
me may be, comparatively speaking, ruinous.
"I am, dear Sir, y ours very truly,
"A. PERI/11'0N."
That troubles " never come singly," the following
copy of a second afficlie," the uncle" referred to prob-
ably will explain:--
"Gentlemen,—Owing to several severe losses this
year, I am sorry to say that it
enwill
but be entirely out of
my power to meet you at prest, be most
anxious to do so the moment
eman it lies in my pbets with
ower. I
must therefore beg of any gentl having
me on the Cambridge to scratch them.
" ours respectfully,
" T. POILE."
CURRAGH OCTOBER MEETING, OCT. 18.
The attendance this day was very limited, the racing
exceedingly good, Lord Waterford's star was in the
ascendant; his Perdita filly won the match for 100 sovs.
aside with Mr. Watts' The Countess; Mr. Watts' Joy
won the other match, with Lord Waterford, beating the
Rod Rose filly, after a most exciting race by a short
neck. The Paget Stakes were won by the Perdita filly
in a canter; the Royal Whip by the Marchioness D'Eu;
and the Corinthians by Lord Waterford's Lord George,
in two heats. Subjoined is a return of the running:—
Match 100 soya. each. Sit. Two yrs old course.
Lord Waterford's Amine, by Birdcatcher, out of
Perdita (Doyle, jun.) 1
Mr. Watts' b f The Countess, by Birdcatcher
(Ecbdina), sister to the Baron (Foley) 2
Betting-2 to lon Perdita filly, which led from the
start to the finish, and won in a canter.
Match 100 sovs. each. Bst. Two yrs old course.
Mr. Watts' br f Joy
Lord Waterford's fby Coranna, Red Rose(Doyle, jun.) 2
Coranna filly made the running to the half distance,
where Joy collared hor, and after a fine race won by a
neck.
The Royal Whip, presented by his late Majesty to the
Turf Club, with 100 guineas added annually by her
Majesty. Weight for age ; three yrs old, 10st; four,
list 41b; five, I Ist 121 b ; six and aged, 12st ; 31b
allowed to mares and geldings. Four miles.
Mr. Watts' b f Marchioness D'Eu, 3 yrs ... (Foley) 1
Mr. Hyland's b m Allegrette, 5 yrs
Mr. W. Reynell's b c by Templar, 3 yrs
Mr. Murphy's br f Consuella, 3 yrs
Mr. Disney's ch c Captain Grant, 3 yrs
Betting—Even on Captain Grant. The lot kept well
together to the fiat-rath, where Allegrette and the Mar-
chioness D'Eu quitted the ruck, and a fine race home
ensued between the pair, the Marchioness winning easily

at the finish.
Paget Stakes (renewed) of 10 sovs. p p; for two yra old,
Bit 41b ; fillies, Bst. Anglesey Post.
Lord Waterford's ch fby Birdcatclaer—Berdita 1
Mr. Colgan's gr fby Tearaway—lron Mould 2
Betting-4 to lon Perdita filly, which made all her
own running, and won in a canter.
The Corinthian Stakes of 10 sovs. each, h ft, with 25
toys. added, at 2 sovs. each for entrance fur hunters;
race horses admitted. To be rode by gentlemen of
the Turf Club or Coffee room at Kildare, Kildare-
street, United Service, and Sackville-street Clubs, or
by commissioned officers in the army or navy. One
mile and a half on the Pc el C..:urse. Heats.
Lord Waterford's ch h Lord George...(Mr. King) 1 1
Sir T. Burke's bre St. John, 3 yrs, lost 101 b
Mr, King's Zulirna filly, 3 yrs, lOst . 0 2
Mr. Keary's b c Conveyor, 3 yrs, lOst 71b ...... 0 0
Mr. Irwiu's ch c Prince of Orange, 4yrs, lOst 121 b 0 0
Mr. ll‘Cormiek's ch c Louis Philippe, lOst 101 b... 0 0
Betting—Even on Lord George, who made all the
running in both heats, and won in a canter.
EPSOM AUTUMN MEETING.
Weights for Autumn Steeplechase Stakes of 15 sovs
each, 10 ft, and 5 only if declared on or before Mon,
day next.

Age st lb
Sir Peter Laurie a 11 12
British Yeoman a 11 7
Veinhope 5..... 11 7
Johnny Oakes 5 11 0
Abd- el-Kader a 11 0
Lord George 5 10 11
Muria Day a 10 8
Spring Bok
Weights for the Free H
Age st lb
Lord George 5 11 2
Miss Collingwood a 10 11
Lady Fordwich a 10 7
br g by Corona-
tion, out of
Emilius mare 5 10 7,
Venture 5 10 5'
Bedford (h b) ... 4 10 5
Mr. Toots 4 10 5,

Age st lb
Miss Cellingwood a 10 5
Merryman (h b) a 10 5
Kitty Kendal (h b) 6 10 0
Gipsy Bess (Ii b) 6 10 0
Venture 5 10 0
G ulnare 0 912
Lansquenet

andicap Hurdle Stakes.
Age st lb
Kate Kearny 5 10 4
Funny Hill
Buscot
Coronet
Little Queen 4 10 0
, Premier 4 912
iobersides

,Old Commodore... 4 9 0

[ADVERTISEMENT.]
Messrs. HARDING and Co., 81, Pall•mall, beg to
intimate to the public that, in consequence of the rebuilding
of their premises, it has become imperative on them to
dispose of the whole of their valuable Stock, which they
have determined to offer for immediate Sale, at a very con-
siderable reduction of price. Messrs. E. and Co. offer to the
public the assurance that the Sale thus announced is bona
fide. Their entire Stock, consisting of Silks, Ribbons, Lace,
Scarves, Cloaks, Mantles, Gloves, and
Selection of Millinery, for all of which their
tEehsmteabbrrleoi
csi
er é
me
tSShis so eminently distinguished, will be unre-
servedly subjected to the reduction. The Sale will be con-
tinued for a limited period.
PIIRENO-MESMERISM AT LINCOLN.—PubIic interest
is being attracted to the phreno-mesmeric results produced
by Mr. Whall upon a youth apprenticed to Mr. Guy, joiner.
The lad was mesmerised last Friday night, and after the
sleep had been induced, catalepsy followed. Two of the
strongest persons in the room could not unfold his arms when
in this state, and spicits of ammonia were applied to the lad's
nose without producing any sign of his being affected by it,
though the application to the nasal organ of Mr. Whall pro-
duced tears. Secretly, and unknown to any one else present,
one of the audience took a plaster cast from the room and
hid it, and the youth being told of the fact an hour after-
wards, went out, discovered, and brought back the hidden
cast, and pointed out the hider. Though unacquainted with
phrenology, he manipulated the casts of the heads of various
characters, and pronounced correctly the character of each.
His supper being brought into the room, and the organ of
gastativeness excited, he became restless, started up, and
found and ate the supper, leaving untouched a piece of gen-
tian which had been introduced. He also truly told one
gentleman present the age of his mother at the period of her
&all, and the manner of her death ; and also related the
circumstances connected with a defalcation on the part of a
boatman, the amount of money given to the man before he
left Lincoln, the amount he had received since, and the

amount of the defalcation. Other equally singular revela-
tions were made by the lad whilst in this clairvoyant
state. The operator, it is said, does not believe that the
phenomenon is more than an induced dream.—Stamford
Liercury.

bumf I.3.RovisroNs.—The vessel Dublin, arrived
from Dublin, Belfast, and Waterford, bas brought the large
quantity of 614 bales and 30 butts of bacon, and also 2,959
firkins of butter; and the vessel Rose, arrived on the same
day hom Waterford, has brought 671 bales of bacon, and
2,315 firkins of butter, as part of cargo, the produce of
Ireland.