The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-05-21 00:00:00

Bruce, instead of a great king, might, like Richard the First,
have become only a kingly knight-errant.
But from this error he was saved by the love of his
country, directed by an admirable judgment, and unshaken
perseverance, and a vein of strong, good sense. It is here,
although some may think it the homeliest, that we are to
find assuredly the brightest part of the character of the king.
It is these qualities which are especially conspicuous in his
long war for the liberty of Scotland. They enabled him to
follow out biA plans through many a tedious year with unde-
viating energy : to bear reverses, to calculate his means, to
wait for his opportunities, and to concentrate his whole
strength upon one great point, till it was gained and secured
to his country for ever. Brilliant military talent and con-
summate bravery have often been found amongst men, and
proved far more of a curse than a blessing ; but rarely in-
deed shall we discover them united to so excellent a judg-
ment, controlled by such perfect disinterestedness, and em-
ployed for so sacred an end. There is but one instance on
record where he seems to have thought more of himself than
of his people, and even this, though rash, was heroic.
DISCOVERY OF BRUCE'S BODY.
Immediately after the king's death, his heart was taken
out, as he had himself directed. He was then buried with
great state and solemnity under the pavement of the choir,
in the Abbey Church of Dunfornline, and over the grave
was raised a rich marble monument, which was made at
Paris. Centuries passed on, the ancient church, with the
marble monument, fell into ruins, and a more modern build-
ing was erected on the same site. This, in our own days,
gave way to time ; and in clearing the foundations for a
third church, the workmen laid open a tomb which proved
to be that of Robert the Bruce. The lead coating in which
the body was found enclosed, was twisted round the head
into the shape of a rude crown. A rich cloth of gold, but
much decayed, was thrown over it ; and, on examining the
skeleton, it was found that the breast-bone had been sawn
asunder, to get at the heart.
There remained, therefore, no doubt, that after the lapse
of almost five hundred years, his countrymen were permitted,
with a mixture of delight and awe, to behold the very bones
of their great deliverer.

Dear Sister 'remember thee. TVords by W. Collier, Esq
Music composed by F. H. S. Pendleton. Dublin
Robinson.

This very charming ballad, arranged in three flats (the
best key to sing in), has just made its appearance in Dublin.
Mr. Pendleton has written some very pretty music to some
tasteful words. We can confidently recommend this ballad
as a talented composition.

Farmers' Magazine. May. Rogerson : London

Two cleverly executed plates embellish this month's num-
ber. The first, " a Leicester Prize Ram ;" the second,
" The Cover Side." There are many interesting subjects
brought before the notice of the agriculturist. Amongst
them are descriptions of the Plates :—Uses of Botany and
Chemistry, in Agriculture—On GrowingTurnips—On Vege-
table Life—Reports of Agricultural Associations and Clubs
—On the use of Nitrate of Soda as Manure—On Restrictions
in Cropping—On Thick Sowing—Plug Draining—Landlord
and Tenant—Enclosure Bills—Vegetable and Animal Nutri-
tion—The Art of Culture—On Grass Seeds—On Leases—
Rotation Crops—On the Management of Clay Land—
Manures, Rural Chemistry—Value of Land—Effect of
Coloured Light on Plants—and many other matters.

The New Monthly Belle Assemblee. May. London

Rogerson

La Belle contains this month a portrait of the Countess
Dowager of Errol, and three coloured plates of the straight-
nosed, spider-waisted beauties, that generally embellish this
periodical. Some of the costumes are tasteful. The tales
and poems are of all sorts. Not having had the numbers of
this periodical sent regularly, we cannot give an opinion of
the " continued" articles. Some of the poetry this month
appears of a better character than usual. The magazine
would be greatly improved, if the writers of the historiettes
would finish their works off more pleasantly. There is quite
sadness enough in this breathing world, without having it
staring one in print. This month's number will serve to
amuse for a passing hour or two, and will be much relished
by the ladies for whose especial reading it is intended.

The Sportsman. May. London : Rogerson

This periodical is embellished with two engravings—the,
first, " Pheasant and Wood Pigeon," drawn by Kidd, and
engraved by Westley ; the second, " A Halt in the High-
lands" drawn and engraved by Beckwith. These plates are

" written up to" in pleasant articles. " Recollections of a
Christmas Day" is a meagre story of the adventures of two
" assistants." " The Trip into Berkshire" serves (as in
another instance) to puff off Mr. Westley Richard's guns.
" Prospective Glances of Meetings to come" is a smartish
article, by Touchstone. " The Field, by Terra," is a sort of
sporting conversation between " Goodchap" and " Oddfel-
low." about dogs and guns and all those sorts of things.
Calder Campbell's " Evening Rhapsody" is a tasteful little
poem. " Wanderings by the Lakes of Ireland" promises
well as a commencement. The " Row, Flirtation, and a
Duel," is continued. " Monday Morning, or a Glance at
Tattersall's," is the commencement of an article which pro-
mises well ; the subject is a good one, and if the " Looker
on" has his eyes about him, he may amuse the readers of
the Sportsman for many a month. " A Day at Vallery Sur
Somme" is an agreeable paper by Flask, detailing some
good sport in France. " Some Passages in the Life of a
Gamester" is a continuation of a tale, the commencement of
which we have not seen, for the reason assigned in the review
of another periodical. It appears well written, and contains
some startling incidents. The other contents are, " Re-
miniscences of an Old Fellow"—" The Turf"—and " The
Turf Calendar."

The English Journal. Part IV.

How and Parsons, Fleet-

This is the first number we have seen of this periodical,
which it appears is issued weekly, as well as in monthly parts.
It contains some remarkably clever articles and papers, and
the names of some of our most esteemed writers may be
found upon its pages. The Rev. S. Blair—Horace Smith—
Mrs. J. C. Hall—T. K. Hervey—Mrs. Alaric Watts—W.
Cooke Taylor, L.L.D.—L. A. Twamley, are all contribu-
tors. There are selections also from Mrs. Hemans, John
Galt, and the late J. Smith. The work is beautifully got up,
and contains in double column, sixty-three pages of closely
printed matter—and for how much money ? For sixpence !
Verily this publication ought to be supported most liberally,
it is very cheap—very instructive, and very amusing.

Smallwood. May. Smallwood, Bond-street, London.
This month Mr. Morris continues his clever and philoso-
phic article. "The Dentist of Frankfort," by Miss Muckles-
ton, is continued. We regret we did not see the commence-
ment of the story, we cannot pay it a higher compliment.
" Blind Man's Buff"—the clever Byronic tale is also con-
tinned. Mr. Hannam shows his erudition, and classical
knowledge in a pleasant paper on the Secular poem of
Horace, Lyra Latialis. In this paper a most interesting
anecdote of Incledon, and the effect of his singing the High
Mettled Racer, is told. " The Conscience Stricken" is a
Germanic tale of horror. A Matter of moonshine—is—a
matter of moonshine. The description of the almond tree is
very interesting and instructive. " A Mysterious Affair"
only requires to be arranged with stage business—and it is a
farce fit for the stage. The " Reviews" seem fairly and well

written

The London Edinburgh Magazine. Smith'. London. May.
We have not seen the two first numbers of this periodical.
The articles and papers are of the " right sort" for a maga-
zine—pithy—well-written—and interesting.