1. The king, four inches high, holding in his hand a sceptre, and seated on his throne. 2. The queen, crowned, sitting on a smaller throue. 5. Are two elephants laden with towers. 6. Sixteen pawns, or footmen, armed with swords, and carrying muskets on their Tamerlane invented several forms of large chess-boards, for the improvement of the military art; to represent, by his little emblematical army, the more commodiously upon a large field, the arrangements and dispositions of a battle, and the various evolutions of a real army. This great conqueror delighted extremely in this game, and seems to have been of the same opinion with the famous Prince of Condé, who said that it was necessary for every officer who would be a good general to understand chess. favorite of all the ballads in the Minstrelsy | after the general recollection which survived | abbey of St. Denis, near Paris, are described of the Scottish Border was 66 Johnny Arm- of my old friend, on an occasion when I as follows. strong," and those three verses especially, chanced to be 'o'er the water,' as we say. in which the outlaw complains that he has His house was in ruins, his property feued asked grace of a graceless face. Of his own for some commercial [purpose,] and I found poems it is well-known that Marmion was him described less as a humourist—which the greatest favorite, though, after he was was his real character-than as a miser and piqued by the comparative ill-success of a misanthrope, qualities which merely tinged 3. Two archers, or guards of the king, Rokeby, he sometimes spoke as if he pre-his character. I owed him much for the standing on each side of him, hold a drawn ferred that poem. On a like principle, we kindness with which he treated me. I re-bow, as going to shoot. find him avowing a sort of preference of the member particularly, when I resided for a 4. Next to these are two centaurs, half Monastery, which, up to the period it had time at Prestonpans with my aunt, Miss men and half horse. appeared, was the least popular of all his Janet Scott-one of those excellent persons novels; but, in fact, the real favorite was the who devote their ease and leisure to the care Antiquary. In the Fragments of Voyages and of some sick relation-George Constable Travels by Captain Bazil Hall, we find a chose to fix his residence [in the neighbour-shoulders. most interesting letter, acknowledging this. hood]-1 have always thought from some Captain Hall had purchased the original sneaking kindness for my aunt, who, though Ms. of the Antiquary, and Sir Walter volun- not in the van of youth, had been a most teered to enhance its value by writing some-beautiful woman. At least, we three walked thing upon it which should record his pre-together every day in the world, and the ference of that novel. The following is the Antiquary was my familiar companion. He letter verbatim, with Captain Hall's inter-taught me to read and understand Shaklineations. Of late years Sir Walter wrote speare. He explained the field of battle of very inexactly; and, as may be seen by this Prestonpans, of which he had witnessed the specimen, was in the habit of leaving out horrors from a safe distance. Many other words, and those sometimes of importance. books he read to us, and shewed a great deal "My dear Captain Hall— of dramatic humour. I have mentioned "As the wind seems determinately in- [this] in the recent, or author's edition [of flexible, I cannot employ my spare time bet-the Waverley Novels,] but less particularly ter than in making a remark or two on this than I would wish you to know. novel, which, as you are kind enough to set an ideal value upon [it,] will perhaps be enhanced in that respect, by receiving any trifling explanations and particulars, [and by your learning] that among the numerous creatures of my imagination, the author has had a particular partiality for the Antiquary. It is one of the very few of my works of fiction which contains a portrait from life, and it is the likeness of a friend of my infancy, boyhood, and youth-a fact detected at the time by the acuteness of Mr. James Cham-yourself. bers, solicitor-at-law, in London. This geutleman, remarkable for the integrity of his conduct in business, and the modesty of his After all, there is at least as much of charges, had been an old friend and corres-Walter Scott as of George Constable, or any pondent of my father's, in his more early body else, in the character of Jonathan Oldand busy days; and he continued to take au buck. His own immediate circle of friends interest in literary matters to the end of a were, however, fond of thinking that Old life prolonged beyond the ordinary limits. Peveril of the Peak was the author's own He took, accordingly, some trouble to dis-feature, and his familiar sobriquet in that cover the author; and when he read the Antiquary, told my friend, William Erskine, that he was now perfectly satisfied that Walter Scott, of whom personally he knew really nothing, was the author of these mysterious works of fiction; for that the character of Jonathan Oldbuck of Monkbarns, was drawn from the late George Constable of Wallace Craigie of Dundee, who dined, when in Edinburgh, twice or thrice with my father every week, and used to speak of my sayings and doings as [those of] a clever boy. I was extremely surprised at this detection, for I thought I had taken the utmost care to destroy every trace of personal resemblance. I had no reason to suspect that any one in London could have recollected my friend, who had been long dead, and [who had] lived in strict retirement during the last years of his life. I took an opportunity to inquire In Tamerlane's large board there were one hundred and thirty squares, and twelve men of different rank. On each side there "The sort of preference which I gave, were twenty-eight men; so that the whole and still give, this work, is from its connex-number of them was fifty-six. ion with the early scenes of my life. And here am I seeking health at the expense of travel, just as was the case with me in my tenth year. Well! I am not the first who has ended life as he began, and is bound to remember with gratitude those who have been willing to assist him in his voyage, whether in youth or age, amongst whom I must include old George Constable and "WALTER SCOTT. "Portsmouth, 27th October, 1831." circle was Sir Peveril. THE ORIGIN, &C., OF CHESS. 5. Ruc, the dromedary, upon which sits The whole appearance on the board, when arranged in this manner, presents the form of an East Indian army in battle array. The chess-men, all of ivory and figured, of the Emperor Charlemagne, who died A.D. 814, which are kept in the treasury of the The 1st was Shah, the king; a Persic word used by the Turks and Arabians. 2. Pherz, the general; this word is bor rowed from the Persians by the Arabians. 3. Wazir, or Vezir, the visier; Persic. 4. Gjamal; Arabic, from the Hebrew gamal, a camel. 5. Phil; Persic, the elephant. 6. Zuraffa; Arabic, the cameleopard. 7. Talia; Arabic, the advanced guard, or forlorn hope. 8. Dabbába; Arabic, a wheeling hovel, 9. Pharas, or Chiel; Arabic, a horse, in Persic called asp. The most common name of this piece among the Persians is súar; and it is generally represented in the east by a horse's head and neck bridled. 10. Ruc; a word used by the Indians, Persians, and Arabians—the dromedary. 11. Beidak; Arabic, is formed from the Persian piyade, or piyaze, a footman. From this Persian word comes the French pieton or pion; and from the French we have taken our word pawn. 12. Beidak al Beidak; Arabic, the footman of the footmen; the servant of the common soldier, who hath only a place in the large chess-board of Tamerlaue. In the book Shahnama, chess-men are said to be made of ivory or ebony. The Icelanders make their men of sea-horse teeth. The poor men of the East use square men, made of lead, tin, or stones. Megidi, the Persian historian, relates that Cosrav, the son of Perviz, king of Persia, had a set of men of which the one half was of hyacinth, and the other half of emerald. It is said that some of the Persian kings had men made of red hyacinth, of which one of them was worth three thousand dinâr, or golden ducats; and Dú Fresne, in his Glossary from the Acts of the Benedictines of the thirteenth century, speaks of chess-meu of crystal; and from an Arret of the Parliament of Paris, in the year 1320, of a chess-table of jasper. most of the merits of the luxurious Sir Peter. The picture has (if we may he permitted to say so) a strange look of Madame Vestris. No. 37, by a nameless artist, is a charming portrait, in which Nelly is represented modest in looks and apparel, in a manner, perhaps, more complimentary than consistent. It is inferred from a saying of the prophet 35. Scene from the Clandestine Marriage. Ali, which Sokeiker of Damascus, the au- Zoffany. This, and all the other pictures thor of the book Mustatraph, and others, of this artist, are remarkable for skill, truth, relate, that about the time of Mahomet, in and vigour: they take us back right pleathe seventh century, they played at chess in santly to times when Richard raged in a the East with figured men. As Ali acciden-perriwig, and Ophelia languished in a hoop. tally passed some men playing (as is pre- 104. Represents poor Nat. Lee; it is an It would sumed) at chess, he said to them, "What admirable pieture, by Dobson. are these small images upon which ye are so intent?" From this it appears that the prophet saw small images of which he knew not the use, and the game of chess being then known, although in its infancy, it is supposed that these images must have been chess-men. The people in the East play with figured or plain chessmen. The Mahometans of the Persian sect use figured, and the Turks and Arabians plain ones. Sandys relates, in his Travels, that many people in the East sit whole days playing at chess, and do not seem at all fatigued by it; particularly the Turks, who sit cross-legged upon the ground, the squares being drawn by lines upon paper, or upon the dust or sand, and thus pass whole days at this game, for mere recreation and the glory of couquest, they being forbidden to game for any stake. In Spain whole cities have been known to challenge each other to play at this game. The Spaniards will play by memory at it ou horseback, and so will the Moors, who, by the confession of the Spaniards themselves, are much better players than they. In China young maids are taught chess; it is reckoned a part of their education; so much so, that it may almost be said to hold the same place among them that dancing does with us. FINE ARTS. not have been unworthy of Vandyck, his master. Garrick, by Hogarth.—The head only is finished. It is one of the most beautiful sketches we had ever the good fortune to see. Clint's well-known picture of Fawcett and Charles Kemble in Charles the Second.It is, we think, the best of all Mr. Clint's theatrical pictures, aud this is giving it very high praise. The likeness to Mr. Kemble is astonishing. 167. Mrs. Siddons.-A sweet picture, by Gainsborough. As graceful and sentimental as if it were from Sir Joshua himself. 191. Frederick Yates. In a very handsome blue coat with brass buttons. If we do not make a mistake, a print was taken some time ago of this interesting picture. Copies of it are still to be procured. 336. A noble sketch of John Kemble, by Sir Thomas Lawrence. As fine, we think, as any finished portrait by that master. And here we must conclude our notice of one of the most delightful collections we ever gained admission to. Brown Rat (Rattus decumanus, PALLAS.) BIRDS. Arrive from southern latitudes, as do several other species, the females usually appearing a week or more later than the males : Mr. Mathèica's Gallery of Theatrical Portraits. MR. MATHEWs, or, as the newspapers in friendly familiarity call him, Charles Mathews, ought to receive general thanks for his taste and industry in collecting these pictures, and for his kindness in making them public. Were Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, LINNEUS.) we to particularise all that is interesting or curious in the collection, we should republish Babillard (Curruca garrula, BRISSON.) Nightingale Philomela luscinia, RENNIE.) the Catalogue Raisonné which accompanies it, Red-start (Rhondella Phænicurus, RENNIE.) and which has been compiled with much care Wood-wren (Trochilus sibillans, RENNIE.) and tact by Mr. Mathews, jun. We can only Sedge-bird (Ripaecoia salicaria, RENNIE.) mention a few of the pictures, which struck Fauvette (Philomela hortensis, RENNIE.) as as being particularly worthy of notice. Swift (Cypselus murarius, TEMMINCK.) 11. Peg Woffington." On a couch, dal-Night Jar (Nychtichelidon Europaus, RENlying and dangerous," as Elia remarks with much feeling. 12 and 37. Eleanor Gwynne.—The first of these pictures, by Sir Peter Lely, is not one of the best, among the many he painted of her: She is represented languishing and Hberal, if we may parody the words of Elia; but the colours have faded, and with them, NIE.) Flusher (Lanius collurio, LINNEUS.) REPTILES, FISHES, and InsecTS. Frog (Rana temporaria, LINNEUS.) Eel (Anguilla communis, MERRET.) May be seen in their several haunts: the greater number of them being so very abundant as not to be mistaken. Beetles (Coleoptera) abound. Cabbage Butterfly (Pontia Brassica, STR- Wood Lady Butterfly (Mancipium Carda- Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus Alexis, Ghost Moth (Hepialus Humuli, FABRICIUS.) Goat Moth (Cossus ligniperda, Fábricius.) Cinnabar Moth (Callimorpha Jacobae, LaTREILLE.) Puss Moth (Cerura Vinula, SCHRÁNK.) Whirlwig Beetle (Guyrinus Natator, LINCockchafer or May Bug ( Melolantha vulgaris, NÆUS.) FABRICIUS.) Smooth Dor Beetle (Geotrupes lævis, STEPHENS.) Rose Chafer (Cetonis aurata, FABRICIUS.) Burying Beetle (Nécrophorus Sepultor, GytLENHALL.) Bombardier Beetle (Brachinus crepitans, Two-spotted Lady-bird (Coccinella 2 punc- Cuckoo-spit Frog-hopper (Tettigonia spuma. ria, OLIVIER.) Times Telescope. DRAMA. KING'S THEATRE.-Mlle. Taglioni made her debut on Saturday last, to one of the fullest houses which we ever had the misfor. tune to enter. So many of our contemporaries have been beforehand with us in describing her graces and perfections, that it is almost needless to dwell on them at any length; more especially as a large hat and feathers sat directly before us, and we, uuhappy critics, behind, were obliged to content ourselves with contemplating the waving plumes of the lady in the pit, in place of the graceful movements of the dancer. We had, however, the privilege of seeing to the right and left of the feathers, and occasionally, when Taglioni emerged from their shadow, beheld some of those divine pas which have enchanted Europe for the last three years. What can be the possible end and signification of the ballet of Flore et Zephyre, we are quite ignorant; and wề never met with any one that could tell. The scene opeus with a group of nymphs asleep in various becoming attitudes; there is one especially who sits with much up is obvious, and everybody is happy but patience for twenty minutes at least, under a veil which is as large as a sheet; no doubt, the mythological ballet-master intended to typify something by his mysterious image of the lady under the veil, but this classical learning is wasted on the honest folks in the pit. However, it is useless talking of this ballet, which is an old affair, and has been mystifying the public for many years past. ́M. Daumont's costume, as Zephyr, must hare particularly delighted the ladies, and other people of delicate tastes: the dress was singularly light and becoming; and as "Matters are by no means yet arranged M. Daumont became warmed by his exertions Of Madame Malibran it is impossible to between the lessee and his performers. The and enthusiasm, he was right in dispensing speak too highly. Her acting throughout appeal to the Lord Chamberlain for a licence with any impediment of costume which might was transcendantly beautiful. The quiet and for the Olympic Theatre has, we believe, not check the agility of his movements, or hide natural archness of her early scenes left no- yet been answered, and Laporte certainly the effects of his exertion. M. Albert fol- thing to wish for. The sleep-walking, a seems to have made out a better case against lowed, in a glossy black wig with a blue hazardous test of a performer's taste, she his company than was at first supposed: it fillet. It is needless to speak of him; the managed with the most exquisite discrimi- is understood that he has offered to them world, for sixty years past at least, having nation; and in the pathetic passages she all half the emoluments to which they would had a full opportunity of judging of his carried the feelings of the house to the high-be entitled if the dramatic speculation had merits. We should be glad to know what est pitch of excitement. Her singing was been profitable. He says, and says very can be the pleasure of seeing persons of most delightful; in purity of tone, delicacy of fairly that Covent-Garden must be to him unprepossessing physiognomies and unclassi-taste, finished execution, and appropriate a losing concern, inasmuch as it interferes so cal figures tricked out in such extraordinary expression, she could not have been sur-materially with the Italian Opera-house ; and costumes as those worn by Messieurs Albert passed. She speaks English with a slight but for this reason it was that he produced and Daumont; it is a shame to shorten the not ungraceful foreign accent; but in sing- Knowles's play on Wednesday instead of days of a poor old man like M. Albert, by ing, her enunciation of the words is far more Tuesday, because on Tuesday he hoped to making him take such violent exercise, and perfect than that of any native vocalist with collect a large audience at the King's Theatre. wear such light clothing; particularly at a whom we are acquainted. Her reception He calls upon his performers, therefore, to late hour of the night, when he ought to was, as she deserved, enthusiastic. Mr. share in his loss, if they wish to keep the be in his own quiet home, with his grand-Templeton sang better than we ever heard theatre open: close it, and he knows the children. him before; and Miss Cawse, Miss Betts, precise amount he must sacrifice, viz., about The charming, gay, good-humoured Cinti, and Mr. Seguin, acquitted themselves well. 451. per night; but if it be kept open, the appeared likewise for the first time on Satur-The chorus was not what it ought to be. expenses of his company, &c., amount nightly day; and Pasta has followed her this week. The literary workmanship of the opera is to about 2001.: if, therefore, an audience We are indebted to Mr. Laporte for one of attributed to Mr. Beazley. The poetry is paying 1501. be collected (and they have been the best Opera companies that has been not the best we ever met with. As a speci- not unfrequently considerably below that known for many seasons past: we have, be-men of its quality, we give the words of a sum), the loss to Laporte would be greater sides, particularly to thank him for having chorus of peasants, at the opening of the than shutting up the house entirely. This dismissed the Germans; their failure was third act. is the case of the lessee; but on the other haud, the performers insist that they have seem truly in a flourishing condition : at Drury-lané English is going out of fashion, except when confided to the pretty lips of Mile. Malibran, who is reported to speak it better than a native; at the rival house, Mr. Knowles's play seems scarcely able to avert a general ruin. Mr. Laporte's benches are The music, by Bellini, has been skilfully empty, and he declares that his pockets are arranged by Bishop: it is decidedly in the in the same unpleasant state. The Morning style of Rossini-light, graceful, and pleas-Chronicle, which, with regard to dramatic ing, but neither original nor scientific, nor matters, is perfectly oracular, contains the remarkably effective. There was not a following melancholy paragraph: single encore throughout the evening. wretched, and, thank heaven! their exit has been speedy. Here we'll rest in these sweet shady bowers, Where the streamlet is border'd by flowers; already made large sacrifices to him, that he has entered into a bad speculation, and must, like Captain Polhill at Drury-Lane, abide by the consequences, and pay the company as For the way to the castle is dreary; long as he has money for the purpose-that And we've time, ere the sun with his beam-in entering into the various engagements, he weary, ing Wakes his lordship this morning from dream- DRURY-LANE.-On Thursday evening, an adaptation of the opera of La Somnambule was produced at this theatre, for the purpose of introducing Madame Malibran on the boards of an English theatre. The ballet and some previous dramas, have made the plot tolerably familiar to us. The following is an outline of it:-Amina (Madame Malibran) is about to be married to Elvino Let us think in what words to address him, Which way will be best to impress him. (Templeton), when Count Rodolphe (Segnin) arrives, and takes up his abode for the night Please your ex'lence, we come from Amina, at an inu adjoining the house in which Amina Once the boast of our hamlet for beauty, (In our village your lordship has seen her,) lives, with her mother, Theresa (Miss Cawse). Once the emblem of virtue and duty; She wanders from her bedroom over the top Now the victim of scorn and derision, of the house into the apartment of the Since asleep in your room she was caught. Count, who quits the chamber while Amina Oh! defend her from this vile suspicion, lies down upon his bed. There she is de-Oh! give the assistance you ought. tected by her mother, Liza (Miss Betts), a If the truth told in this peasant fashion rival for the affections of Elvino, Alessio (Martyn), a pretender to the hand of Liza, and some forty or fifty villagers. She is of If our prayers to him meet no rejection, course condemned by them all, and rejected And he promises his protection, by her lover. While the Count is endeaWe have conquered. vouring, both in recitative and air, to esta-Then elate to our village returning, blish her innocence, she makes her appear- While success shall inspire us with glee; ance in a state of somnambulism on the roof Yes, against this derision and spurning of the house, slowly and safely to whence she descends Our Amina protected shall be." Make him shew the poor maid some com- impliedly undertook to keep the theatre open the usual number of nights, and that he has very recently signed contracts with two performers, which contemplate the continuance of the season to the ordinarý length.” With submission to the Chronicle, we think Mr. Laporte has by no means made out a satisfactory case. He took CoventGarden theatre, and engaged performers, with an understanding, if not an express stipulation, that the season should extend to the usual period. He has since taken the King's Theatre, which he either likes better, or thinks more likely to be profitable; and he now turns round upon his company, and says, "I have no farther use for you; I'm going to the Haymarket, where you are not wanted, and I will either close the house, or you must submit to be put upou short allow◄ ance." We cannot think such conduct fair or honourable, and we hope, for his own sake, that Mr. Laporte will re-consider the the stage. The winding- COVENT GARDEN.—Qur national theatres | matter. next number. ADELPHI.We have been unable this | about this period of the year, that the sub- | Finch, of Liverpool ;, Mr. Smith, of Manweek to turn over the pages of Mr. Mathews's scribers cannot possibly attend to all; be-chester. This gentleman, who from his manner Comic Aunual, but hope to present our sides, the terms of admission will be less, was generally nicknamed Philosopher Thomp readers with a commentary upon it in our and the gratification which the performances son, is the author of a Malthusian work upon afford enhanced by not being so frequently population, which he published a few years experienced. We cannot close our account ago, and to which he somewhat whimsically without mentioning that the subscribers are prefixed as a frontispiece the likeness of Mrs. highly indebted to the Duke of Cumberland, Wheeler, mother of the lady who has since Lord Cawdor, and Lord Burghersh, for the become Mrs. E. L. Bulwer. great interest they take in the welfare of these classical and inimitable concerts, which are an honour to the country. MUSIC. | LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. A NEW journal has been started in Paris THE Ancient Concerts are in full force. On NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. We regret that, in consequence of some recent ar. rangements, a few papers have been mislaid; among them a communication from BOOKWORM, and a paper entitled (we of course quote from memory) BODY AND MIND. Our review of New Music is necessarily postponed interest of the reviews of books. until next week, in consequence of the length and ADVERTISEMENTS. LAYS OF THE GERMAN MINSTRELS, Herr F. Otto, sung by them before their Majesties and the Royal Family, also at the Nobility's Private Herr C. Otto, Herr F. Busse, Herr A. Schneider, Concerts, and at their own Daily Concerts; with the day, price 8s. London: published by J. Ewer, Importer of Mu This day is published, in 2 vols. 8vo. indicated by asterisks, initials, &c., in Moore's | sic, Bow Church Yard, Cheapside. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION; embracing the period from the assembly of the Notables in 1789, to the establishment of the Directory in 1795. By ARCHIBALD ALISON, F.R.S.E. Advocate. Sharpe, who has published some handsome editions of our English classics, and for some tine conducted a magazine, to which he gave his own name, is busily employed on a Peerage, on a new and comprehensive principle. Our lady authors are ou the alert. Whit-DURING several past years, and at the lope; and both Miss Landon and Miss Edge- | VARIETIES, ANECDOTAL, INSTRUCTIVE, AND MORAL. EGYPT having fallen under the dominion of Published by William Blackwood, Edinburgh ;, and T. Cadell, London. present time, ROWLAND'S ODONTO, as a Purifier, Guardian, Embellisher, and Preserver of the TEETH and GUMS, has been patronised almost exclusively by Royalty, the Nobility, &c., and is universally appreciated as possessing renovating qualities unequalled by any Dentifrice of the age. This justly-celebrated toilet-appendage is a Vegeta ble White Powder, of great brilliancy, and cleanly in application as felicitous in result. An Antiscorbutic, it totally ejects defect, and renders the teeth and gums impervious to decay from youth to age; imparts fragrance to the breath; cleanses artificial teeth, and prevents their changing colour. ROWLAND'S ODONTO or PEARL DENTIFRICE is composed of the most rare and salutary vegetable mixtures, and is so perfectly innoxious as to be taken with equal safety and success by infant as adult; in fact, it subdues all ailment to which the teeth and gums are liable, and is recommended accordingly by After the overture to Samson, the minuet, which was a special favourite with the venerable King George III., Mr. Parry, jun. sang Handel's beautiful pathetic air from the same oratorio, “How willing my paternal love with great feeling and expression. An ancient piece of harmony by Waelrent, com-taker is publishing a novel for Mrs. Trolposed in 1590, was charmingly song by Miss Stephens, Messrs. Terrail, Vaughan, and Bellamy. Mrs. W. Kuyvett sang' Farewell, ye limpid streams!' with that intensity of feeling which one would suppose a daughter would possess who had been condemned to death by a parent's (Jeptha) rash vow. Bellini, the celebrated composer, was present at the rehearsal on Monday morning, and expressed himself to Lord Burghersh particularly delighted with this beautiful song. Phillips sang Tears such as tender fathers shed,' in ཝ his best manner. Several madrigals and chorusses were well performed, and the concert altogether was a most excellent one. The art of making paper from cotton or must be very fastidious indeed who could silk, was invented in the East, about the the most noted of the faculty. have listened to the divine strains performed, beginuing of the tenth century; and an imitaeither with indifference or dissatisfaction. tion of it from linen rags, in the fourteenth Perhaps we shall not be going too far, when century. Coarse brown paper was first mawe say that in no place in Europe are given nufactured in England in 1588; for writing performances of a superior order to those of and printing, in 1690; before which time, the King's Concerts of Ancient Music; and | about 100,000. are said to have been annually the illustrious patronage which they have paid for these articles to France and Holmet with for about sixty years in this country, land.-Adams's Roman Antiquities, 1807. is highly creditable to the nobility of our Mr. Thompson, of Cork, has bequeathed land. We have heard that it is in contem-the bulk of his property, between 15,0001. plation to reduce the number of concerts and 20,0001., for the formation of a communext season from twelve to eight, which will uity upon the social system recommended by be a most judicious alteration; for there are Robert Owen. It is invested in three trusso many other parties and entertainments tees, viz. Mr. Pare, of Birmingham; Mr. He Mi In 1 vol. price 6s. SERRIMU s. "It is strikingly original, forcible, and interesting."—Literary Gazette. "Some portions of the story are such as Goethe himself, in some fit of morbid enthusiast, might have embodied in poetical prose "-Court Journal. London: J. Hookham, Old Bond Street. Published by J. ONWHYN, 4, Catherine-street, by whom it is supplied to all parts of the United Kingdom, (as well as abroad,) either directly or through Booksellers' parcels. J. and C. ADLARD, Printers, Bartholomew-siose. C NATIONAL STANDARD, And Journal of Literature, Science, Music, Theatricals, and the Fine Arts. No. 19. ADDRESS. UNDER the "heading" of this NATIONAL STANDARD of ours there originally appeared the following: "Edited by F. W. N. BAYLEY, Esq. the late Editor and Originator of 'The National Omnibus,' the first of the cheap Publications; assisted by the most eminent Literary Men of the Day." Now we have changé tout cela: no, not exactly tout cela; for we still retain the assistance of a host of literary talent, but Frederick William Naylor Bayley has gone. We have got free of the Old Bailey, and changed the Governor. Let it not be imagined for a moment that we talk in the slightest disparagement of our predecessor in office; on the contrary, we shall always continue to think him a clever fellow, and wish him all kinds of success in the war he is carrying on against Baron Dimsdale. He apparently has exchanged the pen for the sword. Having the fear of the fute of Sir John Cam Hobhouse before our eyes, we give no pledges, expressed or understood, as to the career which it is our intention to run. We intend to be as free as the air. The world of books is all before us where to choose our course. Others boast that they are perfectly independent of all considerations extraneous to the sheet in which they write, but none that we know of reduce that boast to practice: we therefore boast not at all. We promise nothing, and, if our readers expect nothing more, they will assuredly not be disappointed. They must be a little patient, however, for a while. We cannot run a race with our elder rivals, who, in consequence of their age, strange as it may seem to pedestrians, must beat their juniors in swiftness. To drop metaphor, we are not yet sufficiently in favour with those magnates of literature, the publishers to get, what in the trade is called "the early copies;" and therefore we have it not in our power to review a book before it is published. Whether those who trust to such criticism are likely to form a just judgment of the books so reviewed, is another question, which we should be inclined to answer in the negative. To speak plainly: the critics are as much the property of the booksellers as the books themselves, and the oracles speak by the inspiration of those who own them. We shall, however, mend even in that particular in due course of time; and when our arrangements are duly matured, (which we hope will be next week,) we trust that we shall present our readers with "a superior article," at what we are sure may safely be called "an encouraging price." In the meantime we shall tell a story. One of the results of the manner in which our poor-laws are administered, is a system f forced marriages. A purish, anxious to get rid of a young woman who is pressing on its resources, often advances her a portion, if she can find a husband. The sum given is not very magnificent, seldom umounting to more than five pounds. A very pretty girl in a parish, of which we, like Cervantes, in the beginning of Don Quirote, do not choose to recollect the name, obtained one of these splendid dineries, and was married accordingly. A lady, who putronised the bride, shortly after the marriage saw the bridegroom, who by no means equalled Adonis in beauty. "Good Heavens!" said she to the girl," how could you murry such a fright as that?" "Why, ma'am," was the reply," he certainly is not very handsome, but what sort of a husband can one expect for five pounds?" We leave the moral to the reader, as well as its application to us. But we shall prove to them, nevertheless, that the sort of Paper we shall give them for twopence is not to be despised. PRICE 2d. MR. BRAHAM. In music on a wondering world he burst, The pleasant music and the baize of green, It is needless to speak of this eminent vocalist and improvisa- |