The Sun.
London, England, 1829-05-29 00:00:00

LITERATI/Rt.

FOREIGN QUARTERL.II,EiIeiIV, No. VII.
There is much information, variety, and
talent, in the present number of this very im-
proving periodicali Bich taken altogether, as
' regards the quantity as well as the quality of its
materials, is incomparably the best we have seen.
It is d Worthy rival of the " Foreign Review,"
and meets, we Understand, with all the success
that its generous spirit of competition &serves.
In the number now before us all the articles are
readable, and one or two of a first-rate cha-
racter, so much so, that if we were to
meet -with them even in the " Edinburgh" or
" Quarterly nevievv," ve should point them out
to notice, and be desirous to know who wrote
them. The introductory article, a review of
" Sismondi's History of France," is an admirable
and ably-condensed digest of an intelligent
work, full of learning and research, yet adorned,
not encumbered by it. The early history of the
Franks and the 13urgundians is hit off in a rapid,
sketchy, but very intelligent spirit, with a shrewd
practical remark here and there thrown in, that
serves to relieve the digest, and set off the
writer's powers of thought and observation to
the best advantage. The following are his re-
marks on Charlemagne and his dynasty :

" In pourtraying the character of Charlemagne, it may
seem that M. Siamondi is scarcely enough struck by those
pre-eminent qualities, which make that one man stand out
in almost colossal proportions amidst the hundred Kings
who preceded and followed him. But this author's sym-
pathies are invariably with the people; and so one is less
wiling to acknowledge any glory that is obtained at the
price of the public good, Yet Charlemagne's admirable
institutions for the maintenance of justice; the Afissi
Donanici, who, like our Judges of Assize, journeyed
through every province to redress the oppressions of the
Counts and feudal Lords; his measure of replacing the
ancient Mallus, or County Court, sometimes tumultuous,
or more often ill-attended by srabini or assessors, recom-
mended by the nsissi, but elected by all the freeholders ;
his liberal system of Diets, where, though ho might find
no ea&entisl controul, he at least learned the grievances,
and heard the advice of his buhjects ; his generous zeal for
letters, and for all improvement, might endear him to the
most patriotic writer. But all these in our author's eyes
are more than compensated by the miseries which an ei-
hausting military conscription, and the burthens incident
to it, entailed on France. Fle seems to consider Charle-
magne as having worktd, like Napoleon, for his own and
his farnilys aggrandizement, more than for the present
happiness, or the permanent.reformation of his people.—
Certain it is, that the age immediately after this great le-
gislator and founder of an empire was even more deplorably
lost in anarchy than those in which the insensate l'ilerovin-
gians had worn their unhonoured crown. But from this
anarchy, which came on with rapid steps under Charles
the Bald, sprung up in the tenth century a renovation of
society on a different basis, a pliceniz out of the ashes of the •
ancient Franco-Gaulish monarchy, the feudal system. The
third volume of this work displays to us the ruin of France
under the descendants of Charlemagne ; the ravage., almost
unresisted, of the Normans; the dissolution of ail legisla-
tive awl supreme authority ; and the silent establishment
of feudal principalities, as yet so nearly independent as
scarcely to own the subordination which that word im-
plies." -

" The Language and Literature of Holland"
is a pleasant paper, shedding light and interest
I over what at first might appear to be an un-
grateful and unpromising subject. \Ve Eng-
lishmen have no very extraordinary idea of the
Dutchman's literary faculties, especially his poe-
-1 tical ones, which we are apt to consider at dis-
count on the great Exchange of intellect. In this
lanalysis, however, he shines with peculiar bril-
liancy, and we have specimens of his versifica-
tion laid, before us, quite enough to make us dis-
trust our former opinions, if not altogether to
remove them. Of Borger, a Dutch poet
who belongs to the year 1813, we have a
poetical address to the River Rhine, fully equal
in point of tenderness, elegance of thought and
expression, to any thing we have ever yet met
(and we have met with some hundred poems on
• the subject) addressed to that sacred river, the
Ganges of Germany. " Ancient National
Poetry of Spain" is a masterly analysis, full to
overflowing of learning, eloquence, and a certain
high-toned intellectual enthusiasm, the natural,
indeed, the almost inevitable, consequence of an
acquaintance with early romances and traditions
of the most chivalrous and romantic people on
the face of the earth. The Reviewer, after a
slight but delightfully written Essay on the rise
and progress of Spanish poetry, with a digression
on the great advantages which it has derived
from an admixture with the Moorish mind, pro-
ceeds to give specimens of translations of some
of the older and more unknown ballads, which
are very graceful and characteristic of their kind.
But perhaps the two best imitations of the old,
or rather middle, Spanish ballads, are those two
paraphrased by Dr. Percy, and inserted in that
exquisite little gem, his Relics of ancient Eng-
lish Poetry. Next to these are Mr. Lockhart's
recent translations. The following eloquent
passage will furnish no faint idea of our Author's
manner

" It was, indeed, after the invasion of the Moors, that
the national poetry assumed a new, a higher, and, we may
add, a holier character. This improvement was generated
by a new state of society. Other passions and interests
were brought into action ; sad the arena of contention
began to exhibit greater variety anti animation. To courage
panting for distinction; to ambition grasping at honours
and dignities ; to love yearning for the possession of its ob-
ject, and to revenge thirsting for the blood of its victim,
were added the nobler feelings of kindred, of country; and
of religion. Then patriotism learned to groan at the bon-
dage of reletives, friends, countrymen ; and zeal to burn
for the destruction of. God's iinnlacable enemies. The ad-
dition of two such powerful motives—the most powerful
that can actuate the mind of man—could not fail to' pro-
duce effects at once great and wonderful. They nerved
the hero's grasp, and gave vigour to each mortal thrust ;
they armed youth and age in the sacred contest; they in-
spired confidence here, and hope hereafter ; they swelled
the song of ti iumpli, and consoled the heart under defeat ;
and they invested him who fell in so holy a cause with all
the glory of martyrdom. Hence fatigues, dangers, and
death, became objects of desire rather than of aversion, as
so many resistless claims to the e.teem of tl-e bold, to the
love of the fair, and to the especial favour of heaven. The
union of passions thus fearfully enhanced, the persuasion
that cruelty the.most revolting was no more than righteous
justice—at that produced deeds of blood at whirl) the heart
sicken,. But the daily stain was soon washed out by the
pure touch of humanity: the deeply-breathed curse of re-
venge, and the loud yell of bigotry, were silenced by the
admiration which the nobler qualities of cur nature never
fail to inspire even in minds the most implacable. The
Christian could not behold, without esteem, the dauntless
valour, the romantic generosity, and the chivalrous honour
of the floor; nor could the Moor witness unmoved the
heroic, nay superhuman efforts of the Christian, in defence
of his country and her altars; his devotion to a cause
which in human eyes appeared desperate and hopeless; tl e
bold defiance which a handful of Inca thieet in the faces of
a host ; nor the scorn with which they refused to surrend. r,
or to flee when their destruction seemed inevitable. Dui i g
the continuance of a truce or a peace, the two enemies Ht
length laid aside their mutual antipathies, and aesociet d
freely with each other. Their aim was now—not whi
should exhibit the greatest valour, but which @build van-
quish the other in courtesy and magnanimity. They
fought at the same tourney; they met at the same table;
they shared the same tent. Mahometans and Cerietians
often followed the same Chief in pursuit of the common

d vial
enemy ; die isaulte hero, wheler Moot or ",Casting~' the
often the pride of both nations ; few, indeed, Ircre,j
more illustrious warriors of the latter who had not acil";
much of their fame under the ensign,. of the Prophet' of
conte:en especially, where the interests of religion wereto
vitally concerned (and many such took place ani"gdeot,
numerous independent, or at least nominally indepeo
Sovereigns of the Peninsula), the heroes of both leo
teered their services as honour or indication lei: °of
was Moor banded against Moor, and Spaniard 41fiej
Spaniatd4 individuals cf the opposite creeds WeLl 66,
quently joined by the closest bonds of friendship; • riaj,124.1
Moorish maiden had dftan a Christian lover, and tiW the
horn Castilian dame did not always turn a deaf ear to-. 10
#ighs of the gallant and cliiVa7totss infidel. Whe jfilha
trumpet again called into mortal strife titre warrior*
rival nations, tvx..t strife no longer possessed its )7.0
character; the hattle-6eld became an arena on which
parties parties met, not only to prove their courage, but to
their generosity, and to win the esteem of each other. :•
Of the " Scandinavian Mythology," a ve
spirited and-well-informed piece of criticiln'7"
the " French Criminal Trials," dry, but learnetV
berP
and several other articles in the present n-,,-m
to
we have left ourselves merely room enoughlt
state that each in its way will repay all 008444.
perusal.

NATHAN'S REMINISCENCES OF LOWD On°
LONtON. 1829.
adY
Mr. Nathan, a gentleman who has alre
distinguished himself in the musical world, 0 e
composer of much taste and feeling, has bete
presented us with a variety of anecdotes, 512:j
remarkably diverting, some common-place, 0
some trite and hackuied, respecting Lord I3Yr°l4
with whom he was, it seems, on familiar terms
of intimacy, at a period when his Lordship '/6s
the great magnet of attraction in the liteOP
theatrical, and fashionable world. It was 0111;
where about the year 1815 that Mr. Natbao
engaged in the composition of a series of "
brew Melodies," to which the author of " Chilue
Harold" obligingly furnished words. The coil'
sequence was that an acquaintance,
founded 013
mutual esteem, sprung up between the Noble
Poet and the Composer, the floating recollee:
tions of which supply, fur the most
.party the
materials of the good-humoured gossiping vo.h°
before us. The first portion—and a very enter
taming one it is—consists of a republication °f
the " Hebrew Melodies," to each of which sqfPe
little anecdote is attached, descriptive of the Cir
mus-
ctunstances attending its composition, or. h•--d
trative of the character and feelings of i',l°.e4
Byron. The music of these various gektuli
is, of course, omitted, notwithstanding iblite,
reflects the highest credit on Mr. Nathan's tact
One air in particular, the well-known and rnue,
admired " She walks in Beauty," has beCiof
adapted by this gentleman in a spirit worthY.:,
the very first composer of the day. On 001;
over these little gems of poesy, we find one In
lody with which we were wholly unacquainted.';
it is, in fact, now for the first time published,"
and as any Byronian scrap is valuable, we
tract it for the benefit of our readers. It -be!f
evident marks of haste, but is fraught 'ritil •
feeling
I SPEAK NOT--I TRACE NOT.

I speak not—l trace not—l breathe not thy Omer,. -•
There is grief in the sound—there were guilt th?'"an;l,
But the tear which now burns on mY cheek mar "Pa
The deep thought that dwells in that silence of heart.
Too brief for our passion, too long for our peace, .oeiii„
Where those hours can their joy or their Pter
We repent—we abjure—we will break from Our 411141 t
We must part—we must fly to—unite it 'again-
Oh :-
! thine be the gladness and mine be the guilt,
Forgive me adored one—forsake if thou wilt,
But the heart which I bear shall expire undebsseaf
And man shall not break it—whatever thou mare- •
And stern to the haughty—but humble to thee,
3.1 y soul in its bitterest blackness shall be;
And our days seem as swift—and our moments owri
sweet
With thee by my side—than tl.e world at our feet.
One sigh of thy sorrow—one loi,k of thy love
Shall turn me or fir, shall reward or reprove ; •
And the heartless may wonder at ail we resign,
Thy lip shall reply not to them—but to mine. r
The theatrical anecdotes are neither worthy i°ci
Lord Byron nor Mr. Nathan. We think it vv°u: .
have been better that they should have Pe°
omitted : they serve merely to swell the volull3,..se'
without at all illustrating the opinions or feelin'
of the noble " Childe." The reminiscencesf
, --
a
Lady Caroline Lamb, though slight and sketc4'
are ebaracteristic, and will be perused with intr
rest. As an authoress this lady possessed col);
siderable ability. She had a lively fancy, giel'.
command of language, and more feeling that'
usually falls to the lot of those who move in he',
Ladyship's elevated rank in society. The siu;
gular tale of " Glenarvon," by which she is be%
known, which excited great interest at the time
first came out, and which is not vet forgotteo'
displayed traces of surprising power, ill regus
lated, perhaps, and of a somewhat maudlin Our
ratter, but stamped, nevertheless, with the
press of undoubted genius. Her Ladyship,
we remember rightly, was the authoress also °
" Graham Hamilton" and " Ada Reis," illo
t
novels greatly inferior to Glenarvon," but nut
devoid of interest or energy. Of this gifted 'al
Mr. Nathan relates some pleasant and pied's
anecdotes, which, together with his reminiscence.
of Byron, render his volume one of the most en-
tertaining we have perused for some time.

Mr. O'CONNELL, who was black-balled 1.25:t
week at Ilauoens's, was yesterday elected a Member' r-,
is not doubted that the two black beans last week c!'e: •f.
• o
from some of the Cisalpine Club, also member°
EttoosEs's, determined to follow up their littleness,
Learned Gentleman leaves England this day for Clare.
On Monday, a meeting of the friends of Mbr.
O'CONNELL took place at the Corn Exchange-roonst 9°7;
lin, for the purpose of making "preliminary arrange:1Qe:
for the ensuring the re-elec!ion" of Mr. O'Cotar I,;l't bo
Clare ; Doattmet; BONAYNE, Esq., in the chair. vi3f,,r
motion of Mr. FINN, a committee to take measures ;0
securing, this object was appointed. Mr. Sittit,,
animated speech, urged the duty of supporting Mr-.
NELL. He inquired whether any resolution resPect,lo
the collection and application of the. old Catholic rent I,j,
prepared, and teas intornieei by the chairman that a re. to
tion on that subject would be submitted to the aggregi,
meeting which was to be • held in a few days. jay
O'GORMA moved that the committee sit from clay "'tots
to secure the return of Mr. O'Ciss-xaLt., and this ow'
being agreed to, the meeting adjourned.
NEW WESTERN MARKET.—Although L°
Jon has during the last century nearly doubled its aint'aii,
is singular that the inhabitants have not enjoyed sPY.sifr
ilition to the number of its markets. To a estranger °pi,
ing the north-western part of the metropolis this cirftling
stateei very striking. We therefore feel happy in
enabled to state tle,t a market will shortly be estabP be
under the authority of Parliament, on, a central
within the esta,e of EDWARD BERKELEY P011111„&e'l'.•
Esq. for supplying that part of the town with fruit
tables, meat, p:Ailtry, and fish. A large portion tall°
voted to a bay-market.