The Sun.
London, England, 1827-05-10 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

THE GUARDS.-3 VOLS. LoNnoN, 1827.

This is a smart lively tale, full of good humoured
satire, chiefly on high life ; and consisting of a
series of sketches, linked together by a slight butt
amusing narrative. In some parts it imitates
rather too servilely the flippant dialogue and in-
cidental remark of the two first volumes of Vi-
vian Grey : this is a pity, for the author has
talent of his own, and should be above imitation.
As a favourable specimen of his turn of thought
and description, we may refer our readers to his
account of the Opera House, which is marked
by a just and sound spirit. The following de-
scription too of our most gracious Sovereign hat
truth and elegance to recommend it.:-

He who has ever had the honour and plea sure (for such
an advantage contains both) bf seeing his present Most
Gracious Majesty in a circle of society, which his amenity',
elegant and polished manners, and kind heart, hare. draw
round him, can alone duly appreciate the value of such a
treat. The King has a variety of talents the most etni7
❑ently calculated to endear him to those who approach
him ; and the nearer that approach is, the greater the
power of the magnet : attachment irresistibly foilaws such
-approximation, for there are an infinity of reasons both for
loving and admiring him. First, the condescendence which
invites a 'abject to partake of hie sumptuous hospitality ;
next, the lustre of his conversational abilities; thirdly, the
superlative polish of his exterior ; fourthly, not only
manners the most exquisitely refined, but armanner which
is all and quite his own, and which gives the last touch
of finished high-breeding and affable politeness; and which,
like odours of rich flavour which embalm the air, not only
delight those who enjoy their fragrance, but seem to
impart a portion of it to those who come within their
power and influence. The King, doubtless, must have
studied the Graces more than any other crowned head or
subject ; but what has repaid him amply for this is, an
ease which puts all study, art, method, and system, be-
yond the line of comparison. His Majesty is naturally
graceful in person, attitude, and the play of countenance,
and has a facility of acquiring all the accomplishments of
the body ; but there is a hugs portion of mind mixed up
with all this, which presided over his studies, and beats a
pat:t in every gesture and change of his features ; and there
are also a warmth and kindness presiding over the motions
of his person and intellect, which gain him every heart,
and which make a stranger wonder how he can preserve
such exalted dignity mingled with qualities dependent on
humility, and which, in general, are strangers at Courts.
But the fact is, that the King not only possesses a very
strong and superior degree of good sense and discernment;
but he has, from his earliest youth, examined books
and men. At the same time, he has not, like the
misty-minded potentates of the larger portion of the Con:.
tinent, intrenched himself in cold pride, and been
blinded by the cobwebs of obsolete error and regal pre-
judice, seeing through the medium of sycophants, and
acting through the awn, of interested minions, The
King, when Prince of Wales, mixed with his nobility and
gentry ; descending the lofty steps which lead to palace's
and thrones, to ♦iew hie people, not at a distance, but in
close contact. His smiling countenance (and his smile is
of a peculiar radiancy and attraction) was felt and wel-
comed by all who perceived it. At different Clubs, his
(then) Royal Highness appeared as a private character•,
with no star but the rays of an enlightened interior; no
decoration but a princely person and a noble heart ; seek-
ing no humiliating subserviency from those whom ht-
deigned to make his intimates and arm-companions ; but
commanding duty, service, deference, and love, from all
those with whom he thus cordially and kindly associated.
In the sporting-field, the Prince of Wales was a forward
and a first-rate rider, a very fine intrepid horseman, yet
never forgetting gracefulness—which is not absent from
him one moment even in the most trivial circumstances or
actions. At the review, or parade, his fine person and
sonorous voice were seen and heard both with surprise
and delight; with surprise, because he had made himsel!
most respectable as the Coriunanding-otificer .of the field-
day; with delight, because he went through his businee
in a most pleasant yet dignified style as a Colonel Here
he stands pre-eminent. . The, most, grateful sight that a
soldier and a subject could possibly enjoy, Inas to see-hiir
mix with the officers of his regithent, and make himself
at once the brother, Prince, and friend, just as he now
is the father, ornament, and tha beloved Monarch of his
people.