line may be drawn from the confluence of the rivers Piscatagnis and Penobscot in Maine, to the same river Chandiere, and down the Penobscot to Castine, continuing it out at sea to the Isle Haute. This would include an important coast, well stored with islands and harbours." "The opportunity, we apprehend, has gone by for making these desirable arrangements as to the boundaries, and there is unquestionably some rational ground for regret, that among the British commissioners at Ghent, there was not one intimately acquainted with the topography of the country concerning whose destinies they were appointed to deliberate. Much disappointment is accordingly felt in the provinces, and the best informed people there hesitate not to assert that their interests have either not been understood or miserably neglected, in framing the late treaty. We do not hold ourselves competent to judge on such matters; but we can feel no hesitation in concurring with the sensible and patriotic writer who has suggested these remarks, in the opinion, that there is no people on earth who will so readily as the Americans, take advantage of an oversight, and that, in short, Great Britain never had an enemy more to be dreaded. "We give the author thanks for the pains which he has taken to rouse the attention of the public to this most important subject. He has stated facts strongly and fearlessly, and evidently too with the feelings of a man who loves his country. Perhaps he does not perceive, as clearly as he ought, the difficulties which are to be surmounted in the creation of a new system; and seems occasionally to forget, that it is the duty of governments rather to guide than excite every impulse on the part of the people. We concede to him, at the same time, that emigration at present would be a national blessing, and that of all parts in the world, Canada is the colony to which it ought to be directed." A fellow snatched a diamond ear-ring from a lady; but it slipping through his fingers, and falling into her lap, he lost his booty. The doubt was, whether it was a taking from her person. How frivolous! was there not plainly an assault, and an intention to rob? But there are many of the like quirks and frivolities in our law. Ships, in most languages, are females, and they speak of them as such; is it not then absurd to give them the names of men, as Atlas, Ajax, Royal George, &c.? and will it not occasion often strange solecisms in the language of mariners? Our Bibles mostly preserve the different cases of the plural English pronoun ye and you; and our grammarians also attend to this. Why then will not people conform to rule, and write grammatically, and use ye for the nominative case? 81 POETRY.-FOR THE PORT FOLIO. ADIEU TO THE MUSE. Written after reading Milton's Penseroso. HENCE, now the poet's life forlorn, And shall no more my peace annoy. With naught to warm but sparks of wit. No, no, sweet muse, I quit the train; (Though all the pain was in my pen; And write some soft and tender sonnet Nor call on Love to cast his dart, And wound some fair one's throbbing heart, Who so afflicts this breast of mine, That I can neither sleep nor dine. So pretty muse, pray take your flight; Away you go this very night. Though we have pass'd bright hours together, And this is cursed chilly weather, Yet tramp you must before I waver, But come, thou judge, sedate and sage, To study quirks and find out tricks, Old Nick was full of plots and wiles, All which he scorn'd to cloak with smiles; Which floats their barks to wealth and fame. Give ear, LORD COKE, to what I sing! To reading grave restrain his rage, Thee, COMMON LAW, in days of yore, Nor was such mixture held a stain. Come, steadfast judge, so wise and grave, And notes to please the student's eyes: Study myself" to marble," till, *C. P. and B. R. † Alluding to the answer which lord Coke made to king James, upon being asked whether certain oppressive exactions, which were about to be levied by royal authority, would be legal. All the other judges replied that the king's will was law; but Coke sturdily said, that when the cause came before him as a judge, he would do what a judge ought to do.-SCRIB LERUS. Here I apprehend our author hath reference to master Day, of Connecticut, a right worthy son of the law, who hath lately put forth a new edition of Co. Litt., enriched with a commentary which bears a goodly testimony of his patient labour and learned reading.-SCRIBLERUS. |