ing us under affliction, and in raising our thoughts from mere worldly objects to a higher aim, they were "the watchful guardians of fair nature's realms." "And oft, for us, their vernal bowers they left, Their sheltering wing extends; they love the race Whether by angels, or by other agencies, the Almighty is pleased to shelter and protect us amidst the dangers and diffi. culties of life, is, perhaps, of no importance for us to enquire, since we are assured, by the experience of every hour, that such protection is vouchsafed; but the belief that angels, who are only a little higher than ourselves in the scale of being, should have the immediate guardianship over us; that, perhaps, even the spirits of the just, of those we loved on earth, may be per. mitted to wing their airy way around us, and be the instruments of conveying to us some blessing from heaven-deliverance from danger-comfort in trouble-all this is too congenial with our better feelings, too agreeable to all the sympathies of our nature, to allow of our willingly resigning it: the introduction of it here adds much to the beauty of the Poem, and in no small degree strengthens its moral tendency. The whole passage is good and interesting. These ministering spirits had now departed from the central world: in their late abode, however, perpetual spring still reigned, reigned, and the whole scene was characterized by more that earthly loveliness. The lotos, the rose, and herbs of blooming pride there flourished; and amongst them all bloomed the amaranth, to make the spot as Paradise. Leaving at length these seats of blessedness, Brahma and Ithream proceed on their journey the latter astonished at the splendor of the starry systems which blaze around him, enquires of his companion on what great cause those worlds depend. Brahma, in answer, concisely narrates the history of creation, and (though a fallen spirit) is very properly made to express unwilling admiration of that wonderous Being, by whose power the various systems of the universe are ordered in their regular course, and ordained to keep that course, till he having permission granted him, grasp the comet; "And the wild ruin of the world begin." Having thus in their view the destruction of the universe, they pass rapidly through the starry space, and at last, "Descend, exulting, on the golden sun." Immediately following this line, is an apostrophe most naturally and happily introduced; evidencing equal skill in the man ner of its introduction, and power in the execution. "Where is thy guardian angel? where, oh Sun! By God protected, honored, and beloved." P. 179. The sixth Book opens with the Poet's reflections on the immortality of the soul. These reflections are continued till the chief is again introduced, and proceeds with his * Varied tale, "Of nations, states, and empires, that possessed The several quarters of the globe, with each more important part of them, seen as spots upon the distant earth, furnish mat. ter for the tale. An historical view is given successively of America, Asia, Africa, and Europe, which closes with a description of France. All the Poet says of that ill-fated country is just and well brought forward; her natural advantages of climate and soil, and the blessings which might be expected to result from them are strongly contrasted with her political miseries consequent upon her rebellion and anarchy; whilst the character of the " Prosperous Islander," under whose dominion she of late had placed herself, is well depicted. "There Gallia spreads her rich and fragrant vales, And bade them fade in distant climes, and droop Fatigued with factions, anarchy and war, Obeyed the prosperous Islander, that grasped Th' unsteady helm, the last dread scourge of Earth! His was the midnight murder, his the smile Of unrelenting, jealous cruelty; His was the iron heart, the tearless eye That mocked the miseries himself had caused." P. 221. In these lines one passage more particularly engages our at tention it is that which describes Napoleon Buonaparte as : "The last dread scourge of earth." If we apprehend the expression rightly, Mr. T.'s opinion is, that we of this generation live in the last days (strictly speaking). Our supposition is strengthened by observing, that after speaking of France, her aggressions, and the checks she meets with from Great Britain, the Poet brings to a close man's history, as now constituted; and immediately passes, speaking in the person of Brahma, to declare the approaching Millenium. "Now "Now had six thousand years rolled on, and brought The full completion of the Prophecies, The consummation of the word of God." P.223. Brahma proceeds to state, that, after the six thousand years were accomplished, came the millenium, the sabbatical rest of a thousand years. The holy Scriptures having been spread through every land, a highway was prepared for the second Advent of the king of Kings. The earth was no longer subject to its present variations of seasons and climate, but resumed its original state of perpetual spring. This physical change the Poet supposes to have been brought about by the active agency of ministering spirits at the command of God. "Descending from on high, were seen Then too "The primal resurrection of the just,” took place. These were raised, in order that they might share. in the happiness of God's Church during its state of triumph. on earth. At length, that period of time being also accomplished, they, together with the whole of mankind, quick and dead, the dead raised and the quick changed, were transported, for final retribution, to the plain of Armageddon. "Such was the being man: now, be it ours To close the wond'rous scene; t'obey the chief The flaming ruin to the solar way." Thus Brahma declares his object to be the destruction of our solar system, and resolves to pursue it: he delays, however his pursuit for a time, at the request of his companion, who enquires much of a kingdom he had heard named by the rebel angels in council, "Whose righteous sway "In later years was known." And concluding it to be as vast in extent, as in importance, he asks, Where is Britain's land, What spacious country, what extensive shore, What What mighty Continent did Britain hold, The answer to this question gives Mr. T. opportunity to speak with all a patriot's ardour of our good king, and the dominions over which he presides. Nor does he forget the Poet's meed of praise to the fair of Britain's isles. "Thine aged patriots, virtuous, wise, and good; P. 237. In the seventh Book we find Ithream and Brahma preparing to leave the sun; when their attention is arrested by an image, at first indistinctly seen in the shadow of the earth, hardly discernible as aught of shape or form; gradually, however, it unfolds itself as the image of Death. This is the finest drawn picture in the work before us; truly Miltonian, combining the wildness of Fuseli with the majesty of Michael Angelo :-We will present it to the reader, first bserving, that the rebel chiefs, after holding high argument with the dreadful vision, pursue their way to the polar star, whence the comet was to be hurled. "And now they leave the orient sun, and rise * As |