The Sun.
London, England, 1819-10-12 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW.

ERNESTUS BERCHTOLD, or the MODERN (EDiPUS.
A Tale.—By JOHN WILLIAM Pounoat, M.D. One Vo.
lame, 12trao.

The public's taste, in regard to works of ima-
gination, has undergone a remarkable and de-
cided change. Novels and romances, either in
prose or verse, are now appreciated less by their
magnitude than by the degree of interest which
they possess,—less by the duration, than by the
intensity of the enjoyment which is derived from
their perusal. According to this standard, the
Castle of Otranto is entitled to greater favour than
Clarissa Marlowe, and the Giaour must command
a touch more extensive share of popularity than
TAsso's Jerusalem, Those Readers, with whom
strong excitement is a primary and indispensable
requisite in fiction, cannot fail to derive very high
gratification from the present performance. It
belongs to that class in which GODWIN'S St.
Leon, and the recently published story of Fran-
'commit:, hold so conspicuous a station, but the
mystery which forms its main argument is of a
kind that few authors would have boldness to
meddle with, or skill to manage. Of this mystery
the title presents a very significant intimetiou, but,
such is the ability displayed in the construction of
the story,. that it is not unfolded until we arrive
at the, very last sentence. The manner in which
it is narrated well accords with its strange, por.
tentous, and eventful nature ; it is supposed to
flow from the lips of the principal personage con-
cerned, *slid he enters upon his task. with the
anxious earnestness alone who, having to unbosom
an important and terrible secret, is little solreitous
to win the ear with studied and elahorate forms
of expression. He tells his tale in the most terse'
and direct terms, and with the eloquence of
' real emotion ; and we arrive at each stage of the
disclosure with a feeling of awful apprehension,
like that which the venerable TILLOTSON roust,
have experienced on hearing the Confession of the
Lady, whose story forms the basis of ooe of the
most affecting Tragedies in any langUage.
We cannot undertake an abstract of the tale,
as it would merely defeat and abuse the curiosity
of some Readers, and would at hest he nu-
satisfactory to others. To illustrate the ex-
tracts we are about to introduce, it will be sof...
ficient merely to observe, that Ernestus Rerrht
told is an Orphan and a Foundling, reared Au,.
der the protection of a Swiss Clergytnan, whose
name he assumes. He afterwards becomes the
friend of an Italian Nobleman, Count.Doni, of
whose accomplished Daughter he is the devoted
and favoured admirer. In their mutual attach-
ment consists the principal interest of, the Tale ;
but as we have disclaimed all
some
ofatbr -. itlg
ipg it, we shall advert, to some of-the characters.
That which is described in the following passage
has s6thething of the vraisemblance
trait

`,` The apartment was now lit up. The com-.
patsy were in greater numbers than I had 'ever
seen before..
.111 y rival, I said' to myielf;'is'then
SO attractive. No•otie observed my entry; they
all seemed engaged around one man. It was my
rival" I never saw so singular a figure. His bust
and head Were'haiidsorne, and bore the signs of
strength. 'His Wail hair was in ringlets; his
face waspale,.with a blueish tint that diminished
even. the colour , of a naturally pale eye., His
hands Were joined:with their palms turned to
wards the gi•otind ; his eyelids almostovered his
eyes, which turned upon the floor, while' his head,
erect, bite in its general expression the marks of
contempt. He' was speaking with eleg‘sisee upon
the fallen glories of some sunken 'nation ; when
he had ended,-and. the conversation had became
more general, Ile raised his eyes, and affeesting
surprize, he seenied. ashamed of haVing attracted
so much 'notice, though he did not blush, for the
hue of features seemed invariable. He re-
treated to a corner of the room, left vacant, by
.the preisure of the company towards the spot he
had just occupied.' He there bent down his head,
as if abstracted in thought ; but looking under
his eye-brows, he was evidently engaged in re-
marking`the effect be. had made upon the com-
pany. He again gradually got•a circle round
him, and again was 'apparently 'carried away by
the great poweri of his mind,,and held forth upon
some subject, and then Amos more retreated. I
was tired of watching such acting, and looked
round .for my sister. was at that moment
entering; site immediately .addressed Doni, who
teemed alarmed, and went qut • I approach-
ed---Louisa was ill and could not appear.

Julia looked upon -me as if she. knew it had
been my pretence which had thus affected her
f► knit ; I could not bear that look ; Do not
reproach me, 1 feel all thcsitame.pf my. crimes.'
I reproach you she answered, Yon mock
me, 1.! :hot for one like. me to do it.'
She turned away ; I ilia not understand her ; I
asked her why she, rested upon one like' her.
Oh ! do not. at,tk rue, my shaUte Must not be
spoken.' flie ►:able stranger approached, and
broke off oar conversation by asking after Lou-
isa. 1 could not stand by him, but joined some
of my former acquaintances ; for though my heart
was breaking, I dared not leave the room, deter.
mined to watch minutely every action of him I
fancied my rival.
" I entered into conversation, and forced my-
self to enquire about this stranger, who thus en-
gaged the attention of all. There was a certain
affectation of mystery about himf which induced
all to seek him, in 'hopes of penetrating the veil
he threw round his sellouts. I met with one who
had known him infitnately in his own country,
(tom whom 1 learnt several traits of his charac-
ter. It appeared that this German was much dis-
tingnished amongst his countrymen for his ta-
lents—that he was generally. esteemed a hater of
all the vanities of the world, hot that be passed
many hours at his toilette ; that he was deemed
broken-hearted from having been crossed in love;
but that he was incapable of feeling that passion,
being wrapt in selfishness, that made hint sacri-
fice every thing around him to the whim of the
moment : that he was deemed irresistible, and
that no woman upon whom he fixed his eye could
withstand the fascination of his tongue ; but that
lie had never dared to tempt any woman, who
was not of the most abandoned character ; that
even they were never addru,sed with boldness,
but were always made to cOmpromise . themselves
by some folly with him in public, before he would
give them the least marked sign of attention ; that
in fine he wits a confirmed coward with women.
In society he was playing off a strange coquetry
with the whole world, affecting to be modem and
diffident, whilst he protruded himself into notice.
He was, however, rich, handsome, and noble by
birth ; I was an orphan dependant upon
cha-
rity. He was every where received with great
attention, no where with greater than in Doni's.
Palace."

Count Doni is an alchymist and a necromancer,
who holds converse with the spirits of the air. In
one of these mysterious interviews, he is observed
by Pnestus Louisa.
" The spreading clematis of the bower bid us
completely from the path near us, while its open
leaves allowed us to see distinctly all that passed
in the avenue. There was a wail of cypress which
ran along one side of the gravel walk, fully ex.
posed at this moment to the sou's rays. I saw at
last approaching from the bottom the Count, our
protector ; he seemed in earnest -conLersation
with ;some oue, but I could perceive no one near
him ; ye.t his lips ant! heads certainly moved as if
he spoke. . As .he gradually approached, I could.
even distinguish sounds. :I mutioutd Julia to
observe him ; she did so, and pointed to the
hedge. I could not at first see to what she di-
rected my attention ; but at last I perceived the
outline of a figure, through the shape of whose
body the very !eaves were visible; s.ometbing in
the manner that I have seen in the summer, a
current of heated air, aecurately defined by the
wavering outline of the things bettveen which
and Mir:sight ;it stands, only that this was even'.
more. sensible to. vision. 1 could not distinguish
its voice, but I at last caught some, of the iVords
of DM?: 1 had 'hardly time to
,m:Ake these, ob-
, servations, ;When the Count seemed to start, and
the 6v:wed Yapour.went.
Ntre.,diti wit move; we for some time seemed
rooted to our seats ; ut last Doni disappeared'
amidst the trees, and we looked at each other.—

. . . .
It was then true what we heard at the lake of,
Than, our protector bad a communication with a
spirit. My sister seized the subject of conversa7,
tion with, avidity. We related to one another se-
veral slight circumstances, which had come: tn
our knowledge, many. incidents which we could
not explain.. The reluctance of the servants to
approach the chambers of the Connt.all Pressed,
upon ,our minds. The immense wealth, which
seemed inexhaustible, must, it appeared to us,
be connected with this untenanting spirit. We
resolved not to mention the circumstance we
,had
just witnessed, to ,any one. But ,it was not et-
faced
:from our own memory. We returned to
the'house and saw our protector there as 1.151131,
but.his face was, or I imagined it to be, pale ;
his eyes wandered, and then seemed to' fix their
angry glance at tittles upon us ; but whether this
were intaii,jnation or reality, I could not decide.
I went to2bed, but not to sleep, the thOughts of
having seen an unembodied being, the tales of
my foster-mother, of power, of, wealth, arising
froM the communication with•heings, of another
world, arose before me. Obtaining such a power,
it seemed as if I might learn the things 4idden'in
the earth's deepest recesses, the ocean's depth ;
even thought, that, by such a power I might
tear away the veil which the Hirst Causejtai
thrown over itself, Nor did these visions 011-
pear with the morning's:light, they were se dis-
tinct hi the sun's brightness, as in the'
obscurity. I arose determined to speak on the
subject with the Count, He met me with 'an af-
fectionate embrace ; I took his hand, had.the
words upon my lips, when, meeting his eye, I
saw expressed therein such anxious fear, such
,
meaning, Oatthe words fell into inarticulate'
so4uols; instantly his eye was as usual; notiing
but brilliancy was there."
The baneful gift of unbounded wealth, which
involeed this family in calamity, was obtained by

the Connt from an aged Armenian, whom he met
wit lulu travelling through Arabia. He gives the
following account of the bequest, and of the con•
ditions ttactied to it :

" Five days elapsed, at last the sixth was pas.:
sing, and 'his strgag,th. vris,evidently rapidly fail-
ing, his breath besame hurried, and his eyes began
to -take that lti'Ore' which seems to be .the last
exertion of the departing son! ; then spoke,
wished,' he said., that my like had been spared
but # short time longer, I could' then haVe be-

stowed wealth upon you, without the conditions
thbt may now startle you. Know, but how dare
I tell it,? you may look upon me with horror,
and while I ant wiat,iug to bless you, may torn
away from me. I have a power that is supposed
to bring the curse of the Almighty upon it ;
can—l have the, power of raising 'a spirit from
the vast abyss, and,make him lay at my feet the
infinite wealth enclosed within the earth's re-
ceases. But if you would listetitto one aged, who
has borne this .blasting poweofrom early youth,
you would refuse the dangerons gift. For there
is acondition necessarily bound to that power,
which will undoubtedly quell your ardent long-
ing even for richestl,,,lt was in vain that he ad-
dressed the thus, Matilda and wealth connected
rose to my imagination. I pressed bins to explain
himself. He did.' He told me, that either I could
only call for a certaib sum at a time, and that at
each time some human domestic infliction, worse
than the preceding, would fall upon me, or that
I at °nee- could gain onlimited power, and con-
stant domestic prosperity, on the condition of
giving myself up for. ever to the will of a malig-
nant being. He had chosen the first, had called
but once tor the exertion of the demou's power,
but hisbappioess had been withered by that once.
I did not hesitate, I laughed in my own:mind at
domestic happ-iness, I had lived only in Italy and
in the East, I begged of him to disclose his se-
cret ; he did. 1 bound myself to the fist couch..
tioh.
`` I impatiently rose, 1) left the old man upon
his dyiiig couch, and recreated to 'my own feta.
I raised the spirit, his hideous form might have
appalled a stronger heart than mine. I trembled,
bnt his mocking laugh subdued my fears, and
bending my knee, I acknowledged him as my su-
perior throUgh life. I cannot describe the scene,
I 'could not without recording some part of the
spells by which I raised this monster, and he has
but to 6 fully proved his power for me to be veil'•
ing to put the least clue into the hand, of any
one, which might bring the curse I have lett upon,
him. lieeitles riches, 1 gained other powers, but
these ate not connected with yours and my
la's faze, I shall not speak of them."

MILITARY PROMOTIONS.

/rar-O:iicc, Oct. 9.

32J Foot, Lieut. Michael Wm. Meighan to he Captain of
a Cotupany. without purctive, vice Leuriai-d, deceased; Lieu-
tenant George Moore, from half-pity 52.,i Foot, vice John
Charles Crawford,' who exchanges, receiving the difference ;
and Eirsigo George Erown.e, withoutpureliase, vice Meighan,
to he Lieutenants: ' Arthur Gray Slxc6a, Gent.,withont put,
chase, rice I.lrowtic.to bv Ensign; and Lieut. George Moore,
vice Lawrence, wile resigns the Adjutancy Ctty, to be
38th Ditto, Thomas Ahercromby Trent., Gent; fo be En•
without 3pnrchase, • vice. Rogers, ,promutedin the Cap.
Corps.
'39th Ditto, Lieut. Thomas' right, froth half-pay 60th
Foot to•he Lieutenant, vice Colwell Langton, who exchanges,
receiving the difference. •
-50th Ditto; Lieut. Thomas Ryan, to ,bv captain of a Com-
pany, without purchase, vice Rowe, deceased; Ensign George
:Macleod Tew, to be Lienterrant, rice Ryan ; and Gentleursa,
Ca.det,Theapis Ahmuty,
,from the Royal Military College, to
hi Ensign, vice'Tew.
• . , • . ,
•51st ~Brevet Lieot.-Colonel, o.ctavius Carey to be
Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase' vice Spring, who retires;
nd Lieut. ' Albert William, 'Tiding," from :halflaay 104th
Foot; to be Lieutenant, vice John CoHoor, who exchanges,
receiving the difference. . • ,
MO) .Ditto, Lieut. Hugh,Goldicutt, from, 7th Foot, to be
Captain of a Company.' by purchase, vice Bell, mho retires.
61st Ditto, Major. Thomas Fane, from halt-pay De Metz..
ron's regiment, to be Major, vice James Horton, who
'exchanges.
6.2 d Ditto, Lieut. Henry Mitchell, from half-pay 19th Light
.Dragoons, to be Lieuteli ant, .vice Alexander Thomson, who
exchanges, receiving..t he difference.
.
70th Ditto, Lieutenatit•Jaines Hunter, from half-pay of the
Regiment, to be Lieutetient, vice. Henry floss Lewen, who
•
exchanges, receiving the difference. • -
- 7Gth Ditto,. Lieut. Joseph
.Clarke, from half-pay of the
Regiment, to be. Lieutenant, rice Richard Stanton Cleary, '
' Who exchanges, receiving the difference.
SW) Pitto, :Lieut. Colonel Augustus 1 yoyburton, from
half-pay of the-Regiment, to be Lieutenant •Colonel, vice
William 'l'horatoll, who occhanges,
90th Ditto, Ensign Henry Johnson 'Cotter, from half-pay
Of the tiOtli Foot, to be Eosign, vice John Herris White, wtae
exchanges, receiving the difference.
" Royal Staff Corps, Lieut. Thomas William Colleton,from
halt pay of the .Regiment, to be Lieutenant, vice Sawuel
Perry, who exchanges. .
14 West Irldia Regiment, Captain John Knox, from half-
pay of the Royal \Vest India Rangers, to he Caplain of a Com-
pany, vice Henry B. Hyde, who exchanges; linsign Edmond
Pierre Ford, from half-pay of the nth West India Regiment,
to he Ensign,' vice Thornas•Sirange who explianges.
2d Ditto Ensign Joseph Greenwood, from half-pay of this
Ist Baliarna Garrison Company vice Oltaffers, deceased; and'
Gentleman Cedet Richard ll,wan, fpm the Royal Military
College, vice Power, deceased, to be Ensigns, without
purchaie. . , .
Cape Corps, Ensign William Henry Rogers, from the 38th
Foot, to be Lieutenant of Cavalry, without purchase.

EMIGRATION —The Rockingham, which re-
cently arrived at ristr4 from New York, had on
bOaa' thirty-two iCtirrned artizani,'who had been
induced to,cross the Atlantic in search of the far-
famed " Land of Liberty and. Plenty," but who
discoverediu.rthe United States, by their own ac.
the "LaTlit of Starcation."• They con-
sisted of carpenters, coach-makers, wheelwrights,
farmers, sir4c-makers, modellers, weavers, &c. ;
and could find neither work nor money in the
United' Slates. The Criterion, with forty-five,
and tbd Venus with sixty returned emigrants, in
stete,of theveatest distress, have arrived in the
Thames. ,
..borirrenk has refused to fight Cartel,, to the
great disappointment of the
,Dublin admirers of
t he attic art.