Star.
London, England, 1829-09-19 00:00:00

WE VILLAGE PATRIARCH.

A POEM, IN TEN BOOKS. BULL.
There never was such a cringing, copying age an the
present. It is a rare thing e. meet with a boar which has not been
written because the writer has read some other book, rather than
because he had any thing new to bring before the public.
This is especially the case with poetry and poets. Very few of
the thousand-and-ere aspirants for poetical fame, produce any thing
strictly original that deserves to live,—any thing good that they
11. v.. not stolen ;—And then,when they find that the public is not so
gullible and good natured an animal as they had anticipated, they
Oval out their philippics against critics hard of heart and :ratios
dull," threatening. if the world will not exalt them by its praises,
.1) inflict upon it the most dire of all chastisements, by leaving it in
its native darkness and veiling for ever the resplendent light of

genius.—lf poets knew the secret charm of ode.
nality,i.),:ead of wearying themselves,and vexing the literary world
by worshipping swore standard authority, and making it their chief
.arti t.) identify themselves with some poetical school, they would
,truggle to give birth to something, the originality and intrinsic

acaence of which, would ensure for itself and for its author a

sate passport to honour, if not to immortality.—No man possessing
.trength of intellect and true genius, can present the creations of
his own mind in his own language without being read, besides
realizing that pleasure which is greater than all others to a writer,
indulging a laudable thirst for fame, the pleasure of seeing his

- -
work out-live the servile imitations of the age. with the hope that

it may also survive the age itself.
Had Burns attempted to imitate Homer, he might have cele-
hrated the achievements of his country in good set heroics, but he
would not have been the author of " Tam o' Shanter ;"—might
never have been known beyond the narrow sphere of his own ac-

quaintance, and certainly would have been long since forgotten.
Without its individuality the poetry of this " darling of nature "

would have had but little to recommend it to posterity. Had

Southey regarded Milton as the standard of poetical perfection, be
would not have attained his present eminence as the author of
" Thalabs" and " Roderic ;" nor could Wordsworth have written
" The Excursion" had he viewed Nature through any other me-
dium than that of his own philosophic mind, or laboured to present
his thoughts and feelings in any other versification than that which
is emphatically his own.
The author of " The Village Patriarch," in the work before as,
furnishes a powerful illustration of this fact. His excellences are
his own, and his very faults are those which none but a strong
mind could perpetrate—they are not plagiarisms. If the reader
find weeds among the flowers, they have at least the recommen-
dation of being the magnificent products of a rich mental evil, not
those of a weak mind, or diseased imagination. Like Crabbe, our
author is the Poet of the Poor, and displays an equal knowledge
cf their habits, privations, and wrongs. He differs from that cele-
brated partial painter of real life, inasmuch as he exhibits greater
tenderness, and possesses powers more nearly approaching the
sublime. His delineations of character are equally accurate,
though not so stern as those of Crabbe, and are enlivened by melts
of tenderness which never fail to engage the sympathies of the
reader. Enoch Wray, the hero of the poem before us, is an old
man who has braved the storms of an hundred winters, and indus-
triously laboured at his trade, that of a stone-mason, for the sup-
port of his family. At this advanced period of life he is afflicted
in no other way than with the loss of sight. Our author finds him
strong and bale, but in a state of blindness; but, notwithstanding
his calamity, the patriarch's spirit is unsubdaed. Enoch is distils.
ruisbed by that noble respectful Independence which was wont to
characterize the peasantry of England, and which could not brook
assistance, and more than all, the pecuniary aid of the parish
cscers.

To whatever source may be traced the subjugation of that high-
tr-ed honest independence amongst the labouring classes, which
vas once the boast and safety of the land, there are few who will
co: admit and deplore its disappearance. The mind, uin years
ti-e patriarch appears to have lived beyond his day, presenting in
Loth a fine contrast to those who are the heirs of his labour, but
not of his spirit and reward. As will be andcipated, the old man

survives the loves of his youth, and the companions of mum
life, and the Poem itself is, to a considerable extent, a transcript
of his reminiscences and feelings, at the closing stages of his pil-
grimage. The reader will discover, eves in these slight notices,
th: materials for an interesting narrative; and if he turn to the
volume, he will not be disappointed._

We may give a few extracts on Monday.

Alma DEL.---The funds of the Commissioners of this
port are likely to receive a very considerable augmentation under
rather peculiar circumstances. The Druid frigate arrived at Ports-
mouth, on Sunday se'nnight, from Jamaica, having on board cochi-
neal, and 1,300,000 dollars, which were brought from the Spanish
Blain, on private account. In consequence of some part of the
Arundel and Portsmouth Canal being dry, the dollars, which were
of the value of 270 0001. were brought coastwise into Litdehamp-
ton harbour, for the purpose of being forwarded up the River to
London. The packages were discharged into lighters, and me the
master of the vessel (the Elizabeth) waiting on the Collector to pay
th: harbour-dues. he was not a little surprised to learn that they
amounted to 7871. 101. the Act imposing a due of Id. for every 101.
value. This demand was, however, resisted, but on what grounds
it is difficult to imagine. the Act apparently not leaving room for a
doubt on the subject, and the consequence has beets the detention
of one of the packages by the collector. The lighters proceeded
up the River with the remainder on Sunday. A special meeting
of the Commissioners has been called to take the case into con-
sideration.—Brighlon Gazette.
Tuesday evening a very singular accident happened in
Cateaton-street. About six o'clock the iron gas lamp post nearly
opposite the door of the Blucher public-house, suddenly sunk down
perpendicularly, to such a depth that the top of it only was visible
above ground. A number of persons crowded round to look into
the aperture caused by this apparently inexplicable phenomenon.
About three quarters of an hour afterwards a portion of the street,
to an extent of about six square yards, and including the
whole of the space in front of the shops of Mr. Slack, grocer, and
Mr. Cook, Unendraper, iuddenly sunk to a depth of at least 20
feet! A mechanic, who was at the moment looking very intently
into the aperture caused by the descent of the lamp post, went
down along with the rubbish, and received several cuts upon the
forehead, but was not otherwise seriously injured. It is not the
least singular part of the occurrence, that considering the
number of individuals who wsre passing at the time through
that crowded thoroughfare, no other persons were injured.
The common sewer passes to the river through Cateaton-
street, immediately beneath the part which has fallen in;
and as the sewer was not arched over, but was merely cut through
the red soft stone or sand, which forms the substratum of that part
ot the town, it is supposed that the accident was occasioned by the
street having become excavated by the constant passage of the
water for a number of years. The masses of water which were
forced through the sewer, during the late very heavy rains, must also
hive tended in a considerable degree to precipitate the accident. The
street, how ever, is built upon the site of the old Roman fosse from
which Ilanging Ditch derives its name; and as the cavity appears
to pe of very considerable extent, it is not improbable that it may
be of greater antiquity than the formation of the sewer.—
A number of labourers were yesterday set to work by the sur-
veyors of the highways, to remove the rubbish that has fallen in.
We understand it is intended that an arched sewer shall be formed
inAead of the old one. We presume an investigation will also
rake place as to the state of the other parts of the street. This,
with the formation of the new sewer, will be a work of some time,
and no little expense. In the meantime all access to the shops of
bleurs. Slack and Cook is completely susp.mdeti, as is the passage
to and from Salford by the Old-bridge, except to foot passengers ;
and much to the benefit of the proprietors of Riackfriars-bridge
.A 1 atichester Herald.
EXTENSIVE ROBBERY AT DONCASTER RACES.
Thursday evening a daring and extensive robbery was committed•
io the absence rat the proprietor of the betting-rooms at Doncaster
&ices, which were entered, and the iron sate rifled of Bank notes
anti gold to the amount of 4,0001. Thiry can he no doubt the
robbery was effected by one of the London gangs of mail-coach or
Bank robbers, and that it had been planned for some time, as the
site was found tucked ou the return of the proprietors. Bad the
rubbrty beets on Wednesday there was at least 10.0001. in the safe,
many gentlemen havia g deposited money there for safety. • The
loss falls entirely en the proprietor. ot the rooms. who have always
conducted their establishment with such spirit and liberality that
the regret for their ni:sfortune is general and deep.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
DONCSSATING.
" Odometer, Thorodoy, Sept. 17.
Previous to the races today a few eupgemeots were made re-
specting Bruniwicker, who was quoted for the Derby and &.
Leger at about I>s to 1 each. Bad's defeat to-day will probably
send him back.—The running to-day was as under :
The Gascoyne Stakes of lOU 90'111. each, SO forfeit; for three-years
old colts, use. Mb. and fillies, est'. Sib. St Leger Coarse.
Lord Clevelamrs. %amine.. walked over.

:—Locd Langfogd's Sr Hercules, Duke of
Leed's illindocantlia colt, Mr. Tarborgh's Pilgrim, Lord Milton's
Sister to Mulatto, Mr. Noweire Brown Dusbess may, Mr; Att
wood's Leonardo, Mr.Gaseoyne's Cora colt, Mr.Petre s Netherby,
and Mr. Hunter's Canvass colt.
Two-year Old Stakes 4(20 sows. mei ; colts, sst. 5111. and Niles,
gist. 2tb.

Duke of Leeds's all. f. Lady Mowbray 1
Mr. F. Mehardson's b. e. Si. Nicholas
_ _

The following also started, but were not placed by the-Judge :
Mr. Forth's Bud. Lord Sligo's Candour. Lord Sligo's Brine,
Lord Scarborough's Carobs), Mr. Baird's Ransom, Mr. J. Robin-
son's Lucretia, Mr. Jackson's Don Giovanni, Mr. Serjeantson's
Savoyard, Mr. Powlett's by Young Phantom, Mr. Riddell's by
Dr. Syntax. Mr. Hebden's Splendour. Mr. Houldsworth's Cres-
cent, Jr.A Watts's Dr. Oloroso. Lord Kilburne's by Woful. Betting
2to 1 apt Bud-5 to 2 apt Splendour-6 to t agst Carolan-8 to I
apt Nicholas, and Bto 1 apt Lady Mowbray. From the unusual
number of hones in this race,copsiderable difficulty was experienced
in getting them of There were several attempts and four false
starts, after which they went off in good order. Brine went off in
front,making strong nutning,andßamona close at hand ; the others in
a body well laid up. Brine maintained his lead as far as the Red
house where he fell back, Ramona taking up the running,having neat
her Lad. St. Nicholas, Lady Mowbray, and Canker—the rest
being in a cluster behind ; she kept the lead to the rails, where
she was beat off by Lady Mowbray and St. Nicholas ; and Im-
mediately after she dropt into the cirle. At the distance the
above two were in front, nearly abreast, Bad and Canker close
at their quarters. From this point the race was terrible, and
it was only in the last stride or two that Lady Mowbray got
her bead in front, by which only she wen the stakes. Bud was
about three-quarters of a length behind St. Nicholas, and Canker
half a length a-stern of Bud. A finer race never was seen.
Jose at the most critical part of the struggle, St. Nicholas drew
himself up, or Dockeray thinks he would have won. There is
something inexplicable in Lady Mowbray's public running
at Catterick Bridge she was beat twice ; at York Spring she beat
a large field ; on Monday she was one of the last in the race
for the Champagne Stakes, and to-day she beats a field of
fifteen horses, among which is the very horse (Bud) that beat her
so easy on Monday. The Duke nets £660 by the Stakes. The
winner was admirably jockeyed by S. Templeman, St. Nicholas
by Dockeray, Bud by Forth, Canker by Shepherd, Carolan by
Nelson, Ramona by Jaques, Lucretia by Holmes, Lord Kelburne's
"by Boyce, Don Giovanni by Garhut. Mr. Powlett's by Lye, Mr.
Riddell's by Johnson Crescent by Robinson, Brine by Conolly,
. Doctor Oloroso by Nicholson, Splendour by Scott, and Savoyard
by J. Day.
The following paid : Mr. Gibbeson's Lady Betty, Lord Queens-
berry's Remembrance filly, Mr. Westgarth's colt, Genneral Hu.
neywood ; Mr. Wormald's Bullet, Mr. Nowell's filly by Orville
or Ivanhoe, Mr. Nowell's Rosanne filly, Duke of Leed's Sister
to Moonshine, Lord Milton's Sister to Barataria, Mr. Tarpon's
Barnacles, r. Petre's colts Brunswicker and the Major, Mr.
Hower 's Tartarina, Mr. Richardson's Hermione, Mr. Watt's
Apuntador. Mr. Bailey's Utrecht, Mr. Gascoyne's Trull colt, and
Mr. Uppleby's Crazy Jane (dead).
The Cold Cup, value 160 gs. three years, Tst. four, est. 31b. five,
Bst. 10Ib. six and aged, 9st. About two miles and five furlongs.
The winner of the St. Leger to carry Mb. extra.
Lord Cleveland's br. e. Voltaire, 3 yrs
Major Yarbutgh's b. h. Laurel, 5 yr 5............
His Majesty's Fleur-de- Lis, aged
Lord Milton's b. b. Medoro, 5 yrs
Lord Scarborough's Cistercian, 3 yrs
Mr. Petre's Granby, 5 yrs . ..... 0
The following were drawn :—Lord Chesterfield's Zinpnee,
Mr. Forth's Frederick and The Exquisite, Mr. Houldswortb's
:Terror and Vanish, Lord Fitzwilliam's Ballad Singer, Duke of
Leeds's Moonshine and Itbodocantha colt, Lord Langford's Sir
.Hercules, Lord Cleveland's Stotforth and Tambeff, Lord Kt.!.
Isurne's Georgians colt. Mr. Chilton's Don Jose, Mr. Golden's
:Robin Hood, Mr. Robinson's Bolivar, Mr. Gascoyne's Louisa
colt, Mr. Watt's Coulon, Mr. Haythorne's Wandering 130 y.—
After the sensation that followed the St. Leger had subsided, the
betting on this race became unusually heavy, and it is thought that
as much money was staked on it last night and this morning as was
betted on the Sr. Leger for the three days preceding the race.—
Laurel, Voltaire, and Fleur-de-Lis, were severally backed to large
amounts, the old horse having the call on the Grand Stand, the
odds took a turn, Voltaire getting before the mare. At the close
the odds settled thus :
2 to 1 against Laurel, sto 2 against Voltaire, 3 to 1 against
Fleur-de-Lis, and 5 to 1 against Granby.—Granby took the lead
at a good pace, followed at the distance of about three lengths by
Laurel, Voltaire lying third, Medoro fourth. Fleur-de-Lis fifth,
and Cistercian last; so they went to the Red House, when they
got more together, Granby holding the lead till near the rails,
where he was obliged co give up; Laurel then took up the
running, followed by Voltaire, Medoro, and Fleur-de-Lis close
tit the heels of the latter, and nearly abreast ; at the distance
She last-named pair made an attompt to get up, the only result
being that the mare beat Aledoro without getting up to the
Others. At the Grand Stand the struggle between Laurel and
Voltaire was highly interesting, Voltaire heading just at this point ;
ite kept his advantage, and although Laurel struggled manfully, he
was beat rather cleverly by half a length. The events of this race
proves Voltaire to be an extraordinarily good horse. The winner
was rode by Lye (who wins 3001. by the race), Laurel by H.
Edwards, Fleur-de-lis (who was brought to the post in beautiful
Condition) by Robinson, Medoro (fourth) by J. Vay, Granby
by- Scott, and Cistercian by J. Gilbert.—The Cup weighs 200
Ounces : it is an antique tazza, with bold snake handles, after a
model of one in the possession of Lord Wilton, Lord Cleveland

is reported to win a large stake in the race.
Thrteiear-old Stakes of 200 sees. each, b. ft.; colts. flat.6lb. and
fillies, Bst. 51b. St. Leger Canso. (14 Subscribers.)
Lord Keibiarne'sc. by tintokosko
Mr. Houldswordes ch. f. Fortitude
•
Mr. Ridadale's ch. c. Tykes
Mr. Petre's ch. f. ApoUonla 0
Lord Sligo's Prince Eugene 0
Mr. Dowhiggen's b. c. The Captain
.

Only three placed-5 to 4on Tyke, and 7to 4 agst Apoßoni'.
Prince Eugene made the running to the rails, when Fortitude took
it up, and carried it on to the Grand Stand ; here H. Edwards
brought up his horse, and beat her after a short struggle. For-
titude rode by Robinson, Tyke by Templeman, ApoUonia by
Scott, Prince Eugene by Shepherd, and the Captain by Nichol-
son. Value of the Stakes (deducting the winner's), £1,600. The
following paid : Mr. Nowell's Roundwaist, Rosanne colt, Brown
Duchess filly, and f. by Orville, Lord Milton's sister to Whisker-
andos, Mr. Broadbead`s Hazard. Mr. Wilson's brother to Re-
former, and Mr. Powlett's Penhill.
There is no foundation for the report of Rowton and Voltaire
being matched.
WEYMOUTH RACES.—Fsase Dar, Sam 16.
His Majesty's Plate of 100 Guineas.
Mr. Finch's Moses 1 1
Mr. Radclyffe's Brownlock
Mr. Farquharson's Presentiment • .. dr
The Gordon Plate of 50 sore.
Mr. House's ch. g. Young Briton .....
Mr. Douglas Sturt's Arincue
Mr. Legg's ch. g. Madcap .. 3 3
Mr. Fryer's br. g. Topgallant .
Mr. Thomas's ch. m. Josephine
The Mayor's Plate of 50 soya.
Mr. Radclyffe's b. h. Lawrence
Mr. Farquharson's b. f. Annette
Mr. Wreford's ch. f. Upas •
The Members' Plate of 50 sore.

Mr. Radclyffe's b. h. Lawrence .
Mr. Farquhar.on's b. f. Annette .. ..
Mr. Finch's b. g. Fadladeen .. 3 3
Mr. Whitmore's g. f. Flirt
ISLE OF THANET RACES, Sart. 17.
Margate Plate of £5O.
Mr. Kettle's ag. Hawk's Eye, 5 yrs, net. slb 1 1
Mr. Roberts's b. f. Tancredi, 3 yrs, 64.41 b 2 2
Mr. Brown's b. h. Job. 5 yrs, 9.t. Sib . 3 3
Mr. Coleman's b. 1. Bunter, 3 yrs, 6st. 9lb
Mr. Macdonald's b. f. Night Shade, 3 yrs. 6st. 41b 5 dr
Mr. Back's b. m. Lady Jane, aged, est. 111 b.. ....... 6 6
BASINGSTOKE RACES, Seer. 17.
The Vine Stakes of 5 sows. each. with 35 soy.. added, for all ages—
beat, twice round the course.
Lord Bolton named ch. c. by Robin Adair, 3 yrs, 7st. 41b 1- 1
Mr Chute named b. f. Crane, 1 yrs, 7st. lib
Mr. Cusby's h. m. Constance, 5 yr., net. nib' 4 4
Mr. Gixidard?s ch. b. Lycurgus, 5 yrs. Est. 71b.'....1 4 3
Mr. Leferte named br. g. %%mister. 6 yrs, 9st. 11b.,:,... „boiled
• •
SHOOTING EXTRAORDII4AItY.—A sportsman, • the
other day. standing in a held neat Monk's-bridge, .abimit half a
mile below Tenbury, shot out of Shropshire into Worcosterddre ;
his bird flew about fifty yards, and dropped in Herefordibtreem-
Worcester Juanital.

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