art, and developed, for the most part, in a most unexpected and successful manner. His system of morals, however, as exhibited in his dramatic compositions, does not seem free from censure, for it certainly is too great a sacrifice made of virtue, when characters of vicious habits are represented as having attained their end, and finished their immoral career in triumph, merely because some fortunate accident turned the scale in their favour. If the remark which has frequently been made in our reviews, as well as newspapers, be just, that all German productions of the dramatic kind " abound in sentiment and reasoning ;" and if these are objectionable qualities of a performance which is to be subjected to a popular tribunal, there is little or no danger to be apprehended, that the English stage will be inundated with German plays.

a great variety of romances and novels, about thirty dramatic pieces of various merit. Among the latter we find, "Menschenhass and Reue," or, "Misanthropy and Repentance;" "The Negro Slave;" and "The Indians in England:" which three are indeed the most popular of his performances. The first of these has been translated with some success in this country, (though in a very mutilated condition,) under the title of "The Stranger," where it has, during a great part of last season, attracted crowded audiences to Drurylane theatre. The other two pieces, namely," The Negro Slaves," and "The Indians in England," have likewise met with translators, though the latter | of them is not yet published; nor is it likely that any other of his dramatic compositions will ever be brought on the English stage. This may be partly ascribed to the great difference sub- | sisting between the national taste and manners of the English and Germans, and partly to a certain peculiarity in the writings of Kotzebue, which characterizes and distinguishes his productions from those of all other modern writers. His knowledge of the human heart and its secret meanders is unquestionably great: he has not only made the prevailing manners, oddities, and vices of the age, but also man himself, as influenced by a variety of ardent passions, the object of his minutest research. Few writers have ever attained to his excellence in delineating whimsical and impassioned characters and in scenes drawn from private and domestic life, our poet eminently excels his contemporary rivals, both in the unaffected delicacy of the sentiments he conveys, and the freedom and precision with which he ON THE POWER OF CONSCIENCE, AND introduces them. His language, though generally correct and dignified, is occasionally tinctured with an ambiguous mode of expression, and his dialogue sometimes degenerates into a whining tone.

But this is not so much the fault of an individual, as of the depraved taste of his countrymen. This false taste, however, may be manifested in different ways: in England the constant visitors of our theatres well know, that equivocal phrases or sentiments, such as do not too grossly offend the delicate ear of females, are not unfrequently more applauded than the most refined moral doctrines. Kotzebue's plans are formed with great

"With respect to the transactions in Kotzebue's life, a few circumstances only have transpired to public notice. It is known, that in his youth he was a favourite pupil of the late professor Musæus, of Weimar, under whose care and tuition he was educated; that he left the Russian dominions chiefly on account of a work, called "The Life of Count Benjowsky," written by himself, which contained many private anecdotes relative to the cruelties practised by order of the late empress of Russia; and that, soon after his arrival at Vienna, he was appointed Imperial dramatist, in which situation, at present, his merits and talents meet with that reward, and degree of public esteem, which he so amply deserves."

THE INTIMATE CONNEXION BETWEEN
MORALITY AND RELIGION.

By a Lady.

"Severe decrees may keep our tongues in awe, But to our thoughts-what edict can give law?" DRYDEN.

WHEN we reflect upon the pleasures of sin, which can be but for a season, and the vast disproportion of that punishment which must be its consequence, we can hardly suppose it possible, that a creature endowed with perceptive faculties should, for the sake of present enjoyment, hazard eternal misery and wretchedness. But that there are such persons, and that their number is not circumscribed, daily experience

too sadly evinces; who alike disdain | can! and how impressively does it the aid of reason, and the forcible ap-caution us against arrogance and prepeal of conscience.

sumption! confirming us in the conviction, that the performance of the most imposing of all moral duties must neither be accompanied by vain boasting, or self-applauding ostentation. The act of smiting his breast, when he felt the weight of his transgressions, the Saviour of mankind informs us, gave eviin-dence that the penitent Publican was justified rather than the proud Pharisee, in the eyes of his Creator: shall frailty, then, presume to boast of those acts of kindness, which may have been serviceable to its fellow-creatures? However trifling these acts may have been, they invariably carry their reward along with them; for conscience, that never-failing friendly monitor, imparts to the mind those self-approving sensations, which may justly be termed the reward of benevolence.

With the most beneficent design did the great Author of our existence implant a never-failing monitor in the human breast, whose approving power, or condemning influence, becomes at once an admonisher and friend. The young, the artless, and the inexperienced, may all with security rely upon its fluence; and if they follow its dictates, they will rarely be led astray. Passions (say the libertine and the licentious) would never have been implanted in the human bosom, if sin could be attached to the gratification of them by a God of mercy, who evidently studies his creatures' happiness.-Wilfully vain casuists, and deep designing misleaders, can ye find sentiments like these throughout the whole of the sacred writings? Are we not there invariably told, that man is prone to evil; and that even his very thoughts must be controlled?

If we were to die like the beasts which perish, and with life terminated every species of existence, then indeed there might be some justifiable reason for the practice of present enjoyment; but as the very construction of our frame, the improving elevation of our faculties, and the dictates of religion, proclaim a superior state to this, shall we, for the sake of present enjoyment, | forfeit all pretensions to future happi

ness?

When we reflect upon the shortness of this life, when compared with eternity, of how little consequence does it appear, whether passed in misery or happiness; not that I mean to infer, that we are expected to become indifferent to our situation, or entirely superior to those trials we may be destined to experience; for I only wish to caution those who may be exposed to them, against sinking under afflicting circumstances, and to remind them, that the sacred Scriptures assure us, that God has prepared such enjoyments for them that love him, as surpass man's understanding."

Compassion towards our fellow-creatures is as strongly inculcated by the great Teacher of Christianity, as gratitude and piety towards the Creator of the Universe; and the alarming denunciation against those who are deficient in the practice of benevolence cannot be too deeply impressed upon our hearts:-" I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not.” And when the appalled sinner tremblingly inquired when these circumstances had happened? the Saviour of mankind answered, "Inasmuch as yet did it not to the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto

me.

Though to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, taken in a literal sense, can only be performed by a small portion of individuals, yet, in the sublime and figurative style of the sacred Writings, more is frequently meant than is actually expressed; and we are not to suppose that our Saviour intended to condemn those persons, whose situation in life prevented the display of beneficence. Though we may neither be able to clothe the indiOf what nature those enjoyments gent, nor feed the hungry, from the are, the inspired Writers have not in- want of means to do it, yet if we canformed us; yet sufficient has been told not render them some trifling assistto instruct us in the path of duty, and ance, at any rate we possess the to teach us to walk humbly with our power of displaying sympathy, and God. What an admirable lesson of performing acts of kindness. Where humility is displayed in the contrast much has been given, much will be between the Pharisec and the Publi- | required from us; and we are repeat

edly told in that sacred volume, where every pious and moral duty is so strikingly inculcated, that even a cup of cold water, if bestowed with unfeigned charity, shall not go unrewarded.

Lazarus and Dives, the Priest, the Levite, and the good Samaritan, are all recorded as impressive examples; and if a sparrow falls not to the ground without the knowledge of its Creator, can we for a moment suppose that He is unacquainted with our most secret aetions?

"I leave you a new commandment, that ye love one another;" said that exalted Being, who sacrificed his life to evince his affection and procure our salvation. And shall we presume to call ourselves his disciples, and become indifferent to the happiness of our fellow-creatures? It is not, however, by the performance of our individual duty that we must expect to obtain the approbation of our God; or indulge the hope of receiving that crown of glory, which he has promised to them who obey his laws. If whilst we feed the hungry, or clothe the naked, we forget the hand which has poured down riches upon us; or if in our hearts we say, this is Babylon, which my power and my authority built up; beneficence, instead of classing as a virtue, is converted into arrogance and presumption. If, on the other hand, we gratefully acknowledge the goodness of the AImighty, in abundantly supplying us with those comforts of which thousands of our fellow-creatures are in want, yet at the same time take advantage of the unsuspicious, and increase our own wealth at the expense of their fortunes, we may be convinced that neither benevolence nor gratitude will be of any avail to us, at the great day of retribution; for we must do justice, as well as love mercy, before we can properly be said to walk humbly with our God.

ticular pleasure in it. For the honour of womankind, however, I will hope, that this is merely an assertion, unsubstantiated by positive evidence; and in justice to my sex, I must avow, that I have seen many instances to the actual contrariety of it. There are, I am ready to allow, many frivolous females, in whose mind there is such a vacuum of ideas, that they appear delighted. whilst they listen to any little tittletattling subject; and who, from the desire of having something new to impart to their acquaintance, repeat, with a degree of certainty, what has merely been conjectural.-Persons of this description do not act from a malicious propensity, but from the desire of proving entertaining to their associates, whilst others derive equal satisfaction from confiding to their intimates what they term a secret, with the trite precaution, that it must not even be hinted; though perhaps the very same secret has been imparted to every individual acquaintance.

Characters of this description are little aware of the misery they may produce in society; and still less so, of the breach they make in the performance of their moral duties; and how repeatedly are we warned against this too prevailing practice by the wise king of Israel! No man was ever so completely acquainted with the varying imperfections of human nature, as the sagacious son of David; and how repeatedly does he caution us, in his extensive writings, to keep a guard upon our lips!

Frailty," says one of our admired theatrical writers, " thy name is Woman." Yet if the frailties to which those of each sex are prone, were fairly calculated, I am of opinion, the charge might be extended to human nature: and with this liability to err, instead of blazing forth, ought we not to conceal, the failings of each other? In a religious point of view, this mode of conduct becomes an actual duty. we love each other, and derive pleasure from the exposure of imperfection? What a lesson did the Saviour of mankind hold up for our imitation, when he said, "Let him throw the first stone whose conscience accuses him of no sin!”

Can

To love mercy, is, in other terms, to view the imperfections of human nature in the most favourable point of perception; and never to behold the mote in the eye of another, until the beam which obscures our own has been obliterated. There are failings to which we are prone, that, in a certain degree, might be considered as peculiarly attached to my own sex; and the cager- As every human being, except the ness with which they too often listen to hardened and impenitent, must sensia tale of detraction, may have given bly feel the force of this monitor withrise to the assertion, that they take par-in, in the strongest manner, I would No. 6.-VOL 1.

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implore my readers to be directed by its approving voice, and its salutary warnings; for with such a friend to guide, and such a monitor to instruct them, though they may deviate from the strict path of duty, they will easily be led into it again.

Religion and morality are, in fact, so intimately connected, that it would be difficult for the most able casuist to separate them; still I do not mean to infer, that there are no moral characters who are deficient in the performance of their religious duties: yet I will venture to assert, that there never was a truly pious Christian, who neglected what may be termed Christianity's minor duties. By the term pious Christian, I do not mean those who are scrupulously attentive to the formalities of their religion; but those who, with purity of heart, and integrity of conduct, endeavour implicitly to follow the rules prescribed in the Gospel; who, fully aware of the imperfection of human nature, make every possible allowance for its deviation from righteousness; and who, thoroughly convinced of their own frailty, do not expect to find their fellow-creatures better than themselves.

On Soda Water.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE IMPERIAL
MAGAZINE.

SIR,-By inserting the following obser-
vations on Soda Water, you will oblige
your friend and constant reader,

carbonated powders are therefore recommended as a valuable means of producing it at pleasure, in a higher state of perfection than the soda water in bottles, and at nearly half the price. Independent of this, the bottled soda water is too frequently made with sulphuric acid, instead of carbonic acid gas, which acts rapidly on the corks, thereby producing a nauseous compound, materially disordering the stomachs of invalids. In high latitudes, where it is necessary to dilute the animal secretions more frequently, and where aperient draughts are more useful in preventing bilious affections, these aërated powders, dissolved in water agreeably to the directions given, afford a very advantageous and salutary beverage. East India commanders, officers, and all persons travelling to the East and West Indies, will find these highly carbonated sodaic powders a valuable adventure, being so extremely portable, that a sufficient quantity for producing a dozen glasses of soda water may be carried in the waistcoat pocket. They are adapted for all climates, and will retain their virtues any length of time. You may buy at the chemist's one ounce of the tartaric acid for sevenpence, and of the carbonate of soda at sixpence; which will make as much soda water for thirteen pence as twelve bottles of the other.

Recipe.

Divide one ounce of the tartaric acid into twelve equal parts, putting each part into some paper which may be known by its colour. Then divide one ounce of the soda in the same way, putting each part into paper of a distinct colour. Let these be kept dry, and they will always be ready for use. Directions.

Dissolve one of the tartaric acid powders in two-thirds of a tumbler, and one of the soda powders in a wine glass of cold spring water. When each is completely dissolved, pour the latter solution into the former, and drink the mixture immediately.

E. W. SINCE the first discovery of carbonic acid gas, by Van Helmont, in the Spa and Pyrmont waters, it has continued to increase in general estimation, and was prescribed, in a state of effervescence, by Rivirius, in malignant fevers and putrid sore throats: but we are indebted to Dr. Hales for the confirmation of its wonderful property of resisting the process of putrefaction or decomposition, in all animal and vegetable substances. Water, impregnated with this highly-salubrious acid gas, is justly considered a valuable remedy in allaying irritation of the stomach; and hence, in cases of indigestion, flatulence, and debility of the HENRY IV. king of France was desirdigestive organs, soda water, super-ed to punish an author who had written saturated with the gas, and taken as a common beverage, has succeeded in affecting cures after the usual stomachic remedies had totally failed. These

ANECDOTE OF HENRY IV.

It

some free satires on the Court. would be against my conscience," replied the king, "to trouble an honest man for having told the truth."

PATENT SLIDING SASHES,

To open on the inside without preventing their usual operation. - Invented by George Michael, of 21, Church-street, Soho, London.

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