The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-01-09 00:00:00

titeraturt.

POETRY.

A MISSIONARY HYMN.

BY MISS M. A. GAMMAGE.

(For the Liverpool Standard.)

" In due season we shall reap, if we faint not."—GaL. vi. 9

Raise high the standard of the cross !
Spread the glad news abroad.
Til! all the kingdoms of the earth
Shall bow before the Lord.

What. thourt, the enemies of Christ
May strive to bar the way;
What earthly power. what earthly might,
The King of kings shall stay?

Our God is with ns. doubt ye not
The issue of the fight;
lie sheds upon our onward path
A stream of living light.

Fear not the darkness of the lands
Shall fade before its ray;
Cn every sad inquiring soul
Shall rise the Gospel day.

Faint not! the great and glorious prize
Is even now in view;
Keep hut the promise in your hearts
And ye shall find it true.

Is not your cause the cause of God?
And who can doubt success,
When He hath pledged His word of truth
The woos of love to bless?

Oh, Thou who nearest prayer ! send forth
Thy power and might we pray,
And let the glimmering., light shine on
To pure and perfect day.

"PAPA ! WHO ARE THE IRISH?"

The "Irish" are people who brawl, my child,
In the " Conciliation Hall," my child,
Who would kick up a row,
If they only knew how,
And were proof against powder and ball, my child.

The " Irish" are those who don't care, my child,
If their dopes should go hungry and bare, my child;
Who excite discontent,
To fill DAN'S bag with " rent,"
And make profit of want and despair, my child.

The "Irish" are those who talk loud, my child,
To excite an i fl mutable crowd, my child;
But the Lion of Law
Only lifts up his paw,
And at once they stand cringing and cow'd, my child.

These " Irish" call" Saxon" and " slave," my child,
To all on their plans who look grave, my child;
White " tyrants" are they
Whom the loyal obey.
From confusion the country to save, my child.

These "Irish" of concord can prate, my child,
All the while teaching discord and hate, my child;
Bringing scandal and shame
On an Irishman's name:
May contusion their projects await, my child !

CARDINAL DE RETZ,
oli
THE COURTIER'S PLOT.

BY PETER POPJOY, Esq.

(For the Liverpool Standard.)

CHAPTER X.

The unwilling conspirator—A sudden and unexpected ♦isitor.
THE utters-ce of this distinguished name swelled at once
the indignant feeling that had been gradually gathering in
Fabien's breast. He now began to perceive the task that
was required of him.
"And is it." said he, with an honest energy, "the first
prince of the Royal blood—the great Conde—that it is
proposed Ishould assas,inate ?"

Peace! peace! in [leaven's name," said the Baron,
with an eir of alarm ; " some one will hear you."
" And do von, brother. req&re me to embrue my hands
in such noble blood? Is it your wish that I should strike
the hero—the very saviour of France?"
" Silence, Fabien—or I swelr"—

" And do you think that you can make me believe—l
who am but a siatele eouetryman—that the Queen of
France has given so horrible a cernmand ?
" Be silent, Sir, 1 caunnand you," said the Baron,
seizing him by the arm.
The next moment Fabien beheld a dagger glittering
over his head. Q'iick as lig/a:lke., the hardy youth flung
off his brother's grasp, and caught hold of the threatening
steel ; he was about to direct its point against the Baron's
breast—he, however, cast it from him, and sunk on the
nearest seat, covering his face with his hands.
A silence of some moments followed this rapid scene.
44 Monsieur de Croissi," at length murmured Fabien,
in an altered tone of voice • " what would our poor father
have said had he seen us—his sons, just now ?"
" He would have said, Fabien," replied Albert, with
boldness, " that you are an obstinate and thick-headed
fool, who instead of coolly clistpe:ing those measures which
cannot but tend to your advancen-te, can utter words so
loudly, that, if heard, would ir,,,vitably cast both of us
into a state prison. Come, PaLtar," said he, all at once
moderating his tone, and approaching his brother, " let
us forget this disagreeable encounter, and let us calmly
converse, without passion or prejudice. You have taken
offence at a proposition which many of the nobles of Paris
would have accepted without hesitation ; if they could have
only complied with the terms of the agreement. To quote
an example in justification of this affair, the great Duke
de Guise rendered to France quite as many services as this
turbulent and ambitious Prince de Conde; nevertheless,
be was poignarded in the anti-chamber of Henry 111 !
There was no one could blame those gentlemen, who but
obeyed the order of their sovereign—their escutcheon did
not receive any stain from this act of during; and I could
call to your mind many of their de,cendants amongst
us who carry their bends high at court, and who speak of
their father's deeds as r.,f commendation, and as
proofs of loyalty. That .nisi we must all deplore
the most, Fabien, is, that party rage should have put the
Queen in such an extremity that she cannot save France,
without having recourse to the means which her own heart,
and the hearts of her devoted adherents, cannot but re-
prove as much as you."
The wily Baron now paused to judge of the effect which
this specious speech might have upon his brother. Fabien
remained pensive and abstracted, as if he measured the
depth of the abyss into which his brother wished to plunge
him.
" Sir!" at length asked he, in a tone which he simu-
lated, and with a calmness which he did not feel, " I am
not skilled in casuistry, and I cannot dispute with you
upon matters like these. I wish to know what will become
of me if 1 refuse to accomplish the task which you have
prescribed me ?" 4
" You must have thought, Fabien," replied the Baron,
his brows lowering as he spoke, " that is, if you think at
all, that in the event of your refusal to accede to our
wishes, when you were possessed of the important secret,
we have notomitted to adopt means for our safety. Your
betrayal of our intentions to the Prince would be a pretext
fora civil war, and a specious one it would be, indeed, to
the new faction. If, therefore, you refuse to serve us, be-
hold that which would shelter us from your indiscretions."
So saying, the Baron laid upon the table several blank
lettres-de-cachet.
" I need only endorse your name upon one of these pa-
pers," continued he drily, " and in one hour the doors of
Vincennes or the Bastille would be closed for ever upon
you."
" What, sir," said Fabien, in au accent of bitter re-
proach ; " would you, Albert de Croissi, allow me to lan-
guish in a state prison because I have refused to accom-
plish a deed which my conscience abhors ? Albert, my
brother—you would not do this ?"
" I would—l would deliver you up myself," said De
Croissi, in a fierce tone ; " you little think, young man,
bow slightly you are valued in comparison to the safe keep-
ing of such secrets as*that you are now in possession of.'
" But I am something now before you," said Fabien,
drawing himself up to his full height, "we are alone. I
am more active than you, and I will defend myself against
such an act of tyranny."
The Baron shook his head with an air of pity; when,
rising gravely, he laid hold of Fabien gently by the arm,
and led him to the window, where, pointing to the court-
yard below, he showed him several persons of sinis-
ter aspect who were lounging about.
" I told you that all my precautions were taken. Look
• at those fellows; those men would slay you in an instant
were Ito make to them the least sign. Without the least
compunction they would not scruple to execute a lettre-
de-cachet to conduct you to Vincennes. A coach awaits
our coming close by. Several confidential persons surround
the house, and would enter it, on the least noise being
made. While I now speak to you any one may come into
this hotel, but no one can leave it without my express
permission."
" I care not. I will proclaim your secret ; I will stir
up the people."
" if you cry out, you shall be gagged ; and if you divulge
the secret to your guards, they will be doomed to partici-
pate in your captivity ; and I look upon you as being a man
of too honest a nature to drag a poor fellow into the same
scrape as yourself. As it is, I have so arranged matters
that they will not believe you, whatever you should say to
them ; and no credence would be placed in your words,
if the people even should gather about you on your way to
prison I I need only show the royal mandate, and every
one will be satisfied and quiet. We must have no non-
sense, sir ; it may perhaps cost you dearly to trifle with
me."
A silence followed these words ; the younger De Croissi
cast himself on a seat with an air of despair, convinced
that all resistance was useless.
The Baron stood before him, calm, cool, and inexora-
ble. " Come, be quick," said he, after a pause; " have
you decided ?"
" Sir," said Fabien, slowly, " you have spoken to me
of committing a crime ; but why do you not mention my
reward ?"

This inquiry at lengthece announced that Fabien bad de-
cided to yield to necessity. This seeming consent,
however vague and unsatisNyatct.orilygiven, appeared to con-
vince Albert that his object
was gained. But he dared not
leave him to himself.
" The reward," said he, you knowyOud that will be im-
mense, and, I may add,.all that
Mile. de Montglat, and wish to marry her. A. you love
dowry will be allotted to her; title, and riches magnificent
also, will
be yours.
" But," interrupted Fabien, warmthat
the " is it true
tbe Countess is acquainted with this arranzement, and
that she is ready and willincr to ratify it ? She has been
11.1ceived, or I deceive myself."

" Upon my honour, as a gentleman, she is deeply en-
gaged in this plot, and has undertaken on her part to re-
ward with her hand and fortune your devotion to her royal
mistress."

" And is she, too," cried the young man—" is she, too,
in league with my brother to induce me to become an as-
sassin ?"

Fabien hid his face in his hands, upon the table, and
shed abundant tears.

The wily Baron profited by this show of feeling, and
employed all his perfidious arts, acquired by long expe-
rience at court, to extract from Fabien a consent. He
entreated, then threatened. He enumerated at length
the grievances that had accumulated in France since the
death of Louis XII., all of which he attributed to the
pride and ambition of Conde. He endeavoured also to
prove to his brother, that in obeying a legitimate power
he did nothing contrary to divine or human
justice, and at
length alluded to the great rewards which lie would have
a right to demand, and obtain, when lie had succeeded.
Fabien did not seem to listen to him, so absorbed was
'
he in grief. At length, raisin., himself up—with a chok-
ing voice, he asked, " Can you show me an order written
by the Queen, in her own handwriting, which commands
me to strike so foul a blow ?"
" Such an order as that, Fabien, would be too danger-
ous to sign, and it would be absurd to ask it; but if you
wish, and will be content with a verbal instruction, I will
promise you that you shall see the Queen, and she shall
deliver it to you herself."
" And Elizabeth, the Countess de Montglat; can you
place me in her presence, and let me hear_from her lips
her approbation of this terrible enter Prize?"
" I can."
" Well, then," said Fabien, "
I accept the task on this
double condition ;•I will do what is desired of me by these
two ladies : one I respect, the other I dearly love. '
This was said with some little wildness of manner,
but Albert saw nothing but the gratification of his wishes.
" I hope you do not—l think you cannot wish to de-
ceive me, Fabien," said the Baron ; "
youintend to do
so, let me tell you that you are playing a perilous game. I
repeat to you that you shall be told by brth the Queen and
Mlle. de Montglat that this act is necessary to save France.
But, Fabien, you will have, in your turn, to swear to us
devotion to our cause, and discretion when put to the
test. If the blow fails, we will assuredly save you, but
you must not murmur at the tortures you will have to
sustain, or the rigours with which you may be treated.
You must swear to us to remain silent as the grave ; one
avowal from your lips would perhaps bring about destruc-
aon to the Queen, the Countess de Montglat, and many
others."

" I Rill not make this promise to you, brother," said
Fabien, in a tone of reprimand ; " it is not to you I will
swear to maintain my vow. None other than the Queen
has a right to demand it of me."
" Well, you shall see her to-night."
" And Elizabeth ?"

At this moment, a gentle knock at the door was heard,
and a soft voice calling on the staircase.
Fabien at once recognised it. " Here she is herself,"
cried he; we will now see if you are deceiving me."
At the same time, Fabien unbarred the door, when Eli-
zabeth, enveloped in a dark mantle, and wearing a black
mask, suddenly entered the apartment.
( To be continued.)

NOTICES.

Blackwood's Magazine.

We have perused the number for the present month
with much pleasure, and, we trust, no little profit. It
contains several sound, argumentative, and well-penned
articles of a political character, as well as a considerable
variety of others, some of them involving interesting real
adventure and perils, and some of that lighter and inven-
tive description which range themselves amongst the pro-
ductions of the tale-writer, the novelist, and the poet.
The first article, headed " Sate Prosecutions," inquires
into the relative systems of legal procedure pursued in
past and in present times, and successfully combats the
opinion too widely entertained of the superiority of the
former, adducing incontrovertible instances proving that
the discord, tyranny, and oppression of those days has
given way to a practice more humanely considerate to
offenders, to whom every possible chance of vindication
is allowed ; more in accordance with the benevolent feel-
ings of the age, and, though apart from all vindictiveness,
more sure and effectual in the punishment of delinquents,
while at the same time the majesty of the law is main-
tained with adequate firmness, and the people are led to
respect it from its justice and certainty, rather than to
fear it from its extreme severity. He furnishes a succinct
view of the principal state prosecutions for the last thir-
teen years, including the cases of O'Connell, Lawless,
and others, in 1831,—0f the Canadian convicts brought
from Canada in 1838,—the Monmouthshire riots in 1839,
—the Chartists in 1812,—and the Rebecca rioters;: and
from these it appears that the failures of state prosecu-
tions have been comparatively few. In noticing the fair-
ness with which these prosecutions are naw conducted,
he forcibly remarks :—" Every consideration is shown,
every indulgence is granted to the unfortunate being who
is in jeopardy. The crown has no interest to serve be-
yond that which the state possesses in the vindication of
the law, and that cool, deliberate, and impartial adminis-
tration of justice which has so long dis•inguisherl this
country. Nothing is unduly pressed against the prisoner,
but every extenuating fact is fairly laid before the jury by
the crown ; it is, in short, generosity, candour, and for-
bearance on the one side, matched against craft, cunning,
and the resolution by any means to win, upon the other.
Such are the real difficulties that may be often felt by
those who conduct a state prosecution ;"—but, he argues,
it is better that those difficulties should remain, than that
any change should come over the spirit in which these
trials are now conducted. The writer furnishes much
information on the manner in which law proceedings are
conducted in our courts; the pleas a prisoner may put in,
the challenging of jurymen, the trial itself before a jury,
&c. ; and concludes with some remarks on the present
case of O'Connell and others, from which we elsewhere
quote a passage.—The " Adventures in Texas " are con-
cluded in this number, and abound in extraordinary mili-
tary adventure—" the struggle" ending with the freedom
of that country. A classical review of a curious Greek
romance follows. The " New Art of Printing "—that is
by illustration—is quizzically hit off. The story entitled
" The banking House," continued in two former num-
bers, is concluded in this. It is, we think, rather too long
for such a publication, and rather mechanically construct-
ed, though containing some striking and effective scenes.
The finale appears to us to be also rather severely retri-
butive on the erring but humane hanker, who is killed in
a duel—a mode of exit happily becoming unfashionable.
This is, however, a matter of taste. " Marston, or Me-
moirs of a Statesman," is continued w:.th, if possible,
increasing interest. It is replete with military and diplo-
matic adventure during the revolutionary mania in France,
and Lafayette and other prominent characters form dra-
matis personte. The last article, and in our opinion the I
best in the number, is on " The position and prospects of
the Government," which ably vindicates Sir R. Peel and
his ministry from the vague and groundless aspersions
thrown upon them, and shows their policy to have been
wise and benefic al. From this an extract or two will be
found in anther column. The writer, in the course of
his remarks. inflicts a sound castigation on the Anti-
Corn-Law League.