kept up and well sustained from first to last. Perhaps in its conception the author may have had in his thoughts the "illustrious Major Dalgetty," that most amusing personage in the "Legend of Montrose." They certainly belong to the same genus, but each is a distinct species, interesting in its way, and we do but justice to Mr. James in saying-and can we render higher praise-that his valiant captain is quite as original a sketch as that which the great master of romantic fiction has given of the redoubtable "Major Dalgetty." King Rene's Daughter, a Lyric Drama, from the Danish of Henrik Hertz. By J. F. Chapman. - Miss Chapman, the translator, says that the reception of this drama at the Theatre Royal at Copenhagen was enthusiastic, and that when published it met with an equally favourable reception from the reading public, so that within a month it reached a fourth edition. We cannot say that it has produced a similar effect on us, for we think the whole conception essentially undramatic, unnatural, and almost childish, or at least only suited to a melodramatic exhibition. lanthé, the heroine, is born blind, and grows up unconscious of her misfortune, under the care of a physician called Eben Julian, who is also a magician, or rather a mesmeriser, and who by a kind of talisman placed on her, commands and regulates her sleep. But it is not the sleep which Nature sends Io I know not how myself to deem of it: By means of some mysterious words and signs The Leech doth gradually induce a trance; A talisman, or sacred amulet, Her blindness is accidentally made known to her by her not knowing the distinction between a red and white rose. At length the Leech cures her when she recovers her sight she talks a great deal of nonsense; on which the King her father says, Ha! (Kings, we observe, are much addicted to say Ha!) She speaks! Tristen, my Iolanthé speaks! We must in justice add, that the translator seems to have performed her task with correctness and elegance. Let her next choose some worthier subject. Islaford, and other Poems. By George Murray. These poems show at once some natural talent, and some considerable defects in taste and judgment. A constant and attentive study of the best models, such as Dryden and Pope, would improve his versification and expression, and enable his native genius to show itself in brighter colours, and with better effect: he will not then allow such a couplet as the following to escape him: "Twas Ada, who had ventured abroad To open all her sores before her God," and others of the same kind; but we have never a wish to dwell on defects. They must occur in all compositions: at the same time all care should be taken to avoid them every author should respect himself and those whom he addresses, and carelessness will do much to mar the effect of the finest genius. Let the author give his poems a severe revision before the next edition, and he himself will be pleased with the improved effect. THE AULD KIRK OF SCOTLAND. The gude auld Kirk of Scotland, But what altho' her fate has been The gude auld Kirk of Scotland, She's nae in ruins yet. There may be wrath within her wa's,- The rushing of a tide, She's nae in ruins yet. She was a lithe, she was a licht When a' thing else was mirk, When Scotland's sword was wet; She's nae in ruins yet. The clouds that overcast her sky A bonny, blue, and peaceful heaven Preparing for Publication. In January, in One Volume, 8vo., with plates of several hundred Ancient Spanish, The Index to British Genealogy; being Gaulish, and British coins, engraved from a general and digested directory to Pedi- the originals ; " Ancient Coins of Cities greesand Genealogical Information, printed and Princes, geographically arranged and and manuscript. By William D'Oyly described. Hispania, Gallia, Britannia.” Bayley. By John Yonge Akerman, F.S.A. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. ROYAL SOCIETY. Dec. 4. A Convocation was holden, at Nov. 30. The anniversary meeting of which it was resolved by a large majority this Society was held at Somerset House, that the Convocation Tax should be dis- the Marquess of Northampton, President, continued, and that a sum amounting to in the chair. The royal medals were the average of its proceeds for the last awarded to G. B. Airy, esq. Astronomer three years, should be annually transferred Royal, for his paper "On the Laws of the from the funds of the University Press, Tides on the coasts of Ireland, as inferred and applied to the uses for which the tax from an extensive series of observations is now available. made in connection with the Ordnance The history of this tax may be curious Survey of Ireland ;” and to Thomas Snow to our academical friends who are non- Beck, esq. for his paper " On the Nerves resident. It was originally imposed in of the Uterus." The Copley medal was 1798 upon all members of the University, awarded to Professor Schwann, of Louof whatever station or degree, for the sup- vaine, for his “ Physiological Researches port of the University Volunteers. In on the Development of Animal and Vege1802, the sum being no longer required table Textures." The President delivered for that purpose, Convocation decided his customary annual address, accomthat it should still be collected, and the panied by notices of the distinguished proceeds applied to pay the stipends of deceased fellows ; after which the new the Public Examiners, and for other aca- council were elected ; and the fellows of demical uses, in which were afterwards, the society and their friends dined together viz. in 1803 and 1808, included any de- at the Crown and Anchor Tavern; the ficiencies that might arise in the sums Marquess of Northampton presiding. The collected for the payment of the Select following is a list of the officers and counPreachers, the Pro-proctors, and the Mas- cil :--President, the Marquess of Norters of the Schools. Those funds having, thampton; Treasurer, George Rennie, esq.; however, proved nearly, if not altogether, Secretaries, Peter Mark Roget, M.D., sufficient for the objects for which they Samuel Hunter Christie, esq., M.A.; Fowere designed, and a considerable surplus reign Secretary, Lieut.-Colonel E. Sabine, annually accruing, such surplus was, in R.A. Other members of the Council : 1813, agreed to be paid over to the Bod- John Bostock, M.D.; Sir Wm. Burnett, leian Library, the annual income of which M.D., K.C.H.; Charles Daubeny, M.D.; had long been insufficient to allow of any Bryan Donkin, e8q.; Very Rev. Dean extensive purchases, or to pay the salaries of Ely; Thomas Galloway, esq.; Wil. of additional officers. To these purposes liam Robert Grove, esq., M. A.; the residue has, ever since 1813, been Leonard Horner, esq.; Sir John W. Lubappropriated, with the exception of a bock, bart. M.A.; John Forbes Royle, trifling sum annually paid for the main. M.D.; William Sharpey, M.D.; Wiltenance of prisoners confined by the Uni- liam Henry Smyth, Capt. R.N.; John versity authorities in the city gaol. Many Taylor, esq.; Charles Wheatstone, esq.; complaints having been made by non-resi- Rev. Robert Willis, M.A.; Lord Wrotdent members of the expense incurred in tesley. — The Fellows whose names are keeping their names on the books of the printed in italics were not members of University, and the funds of the Press the last council. being abundantly sufficient to bear the burthen, it was judged proper to abrogate BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. the tax in question, providing for the Nov. 29. The ninth anniversary meet. Bodleian and the other academical uses ing of this Society was held at its rooms, by an annual transfer of a sum, averaging 20, Bedford-street, Covent-Garden, J. E. between between 10001. and 1,2001. a Gray, esq. F.R.S. President, in the chair. year, from the funds of the Press. The secretary read the report of the coun cil, from which it appeared that 16 mem. BRITTON TESTIMONIAL. bers had been elected since the last anni- but all probability and propriety, and all of Chrysis, when she consigned Glycerium to his care, was given with great effect. We are pleased to learn that the amount Te isti virum do, amicum, tutorem, patrem, of the subscription towards a testimonial Bona nostro hæc tibi permitto et tuæ mando, to the author of the Architectural and Cathedral Antiquities amounts to nearly by the young lover. was a charge repeated with pathetic force 5001. and that the Committee have deter The very long part of Simo was played mined to appropriate the sum collected with great discrimination. When wearied to the printing and embellishment of a out by the supposed consequences of his literary work which Mr. Britton agrees to son's indiscretion, he abandons all further prepare and direct. This will be a literary hope of correcting it, the words “Habeat, memoir of his own life and writings, valeat, vivat cum illa” were uttered, not and will embrace many anecdotes and as we have sometimes heard them, with curious information relating to topogra. an angry and peevish tone of voice, but phy, archæology, and the fine arts, and with a subdued, oppressed, and overto various printers, publishers, antiquaries, whelmed expression, as of a father whose and other public persons with whom Mr. disappointed hopes had no other mode of Britton has been connected during the venting themselves than in the calm sublast half-century. Mr. Dawson Turner, missive accents of an enduring irremeand the late Mr. Allan Cunningham, bave diable grief. Davus found an admirable repeatedly urged him to undertake such a work, which cannot fail to be one of representative in Milman, a senior scholar of the school. great interest to the literary public. Mr. We subjoin correct copies of the ProBritton may be truly called a veteran logue and Epilogue, as they were spoken. author. PROLOGUS. Salvete :-Prologum forsitan comediæ We witnessed on Monday, December Spectator aliquis serius dari putet: 15th, the third and last performance on “ Hujusce nostri scilicet spectaculi the eve of the Christmas recess of the Non nocte primâ, at alterå, dein tertiâ, elegant and classical comedy of the Andria Hunc prologum, epilogumque insuper of Terence, by the scholars of this ancient placet dare. foundation. They well sustained their Nomen Terentî fabulæ præfigitur ; former reputation as representatives of the Parum Terentiana norma profuit." characters designed by the Greek dra. Esto-arbitrentur leniùs, qui senserint matist, and the Roman his imitator. Tenero histrioni quale sit periculum, Quàm levia primum sæpe tardent impetum. Eunt Athenas optimates Anglici, is the frank avowal of Terence in the ori. Romam Poetis itur et Pictoribus, ginal prologue to this play. Æternæ, ut aiunt, Urbis omnes diligunt The Westminster corps dramatique have Ipsas ruinas-Integrum hic adest opus with great propriety adopted the Greck Quod fonte Græco manat ex purissimo, costume for the personages of the play. Sibi quod esse Roma laudi censuit. We well remember in former years Simo Est tota Græca (verba præter) fabula ; was accustomed to appear on the stage in Est Græca vestis : scena Græca panditur : a flowing wig, laced waistcoat, and coat Linguam libenter Roma vindicat suam. with the cumbrous cuffs of the period of Quid si quievit musa nostra parvula ? Queen Anne, while Pamphilus figured Quid si Terentio unice vacavimus ? with his opera-hat, silk stockings, and ker- Jam nunc aguntur, quas habemus gratias; seymere tights, as a beau of the nineteenth Mox, si quid ipsi possumus re ludicrâ, century, and the pert intriguing Davus Risus favoremque epilogo captabimus. wore the laced yellow coat, shoulder-knot, and scarlet breeches of a modern lacquey. Much was gained in marking the rank, * On the subject of the dresses in the age, and peculiarities of the different cha- Westminster play, we several years since racters by this analogical adaptation of communicated some observations on occaancient Greek manners to modern times ; sion of the performance of the Eunuchus. WESTMINSTER SCHOOL. EPILOGUS. Enter DAVUS, with a newspaper or "sharelist" in his hand. Da. Nulla dies sine lineâ? at, hercule! præmium in horas Accrescit nostræ! [PAMPHILUS crosses the stage; DAVUS continues, calling to him] Pamphilus, ut reor, est. Quæso Capellanâ venisti proximè ab Aulâ? Prospexi. Pa. Melius quam mihi prospicitur. Dic verò, nostris agitur quid civibus ? Da. Itur: Omnis mille vias ire, redire, labor. Vitæ præstantur jam vera viatica; si sit Expendendum, 66 animal mobile" natus homo est. [tarum Ordo novus rerum-erravi-novus ordo roSurgit-nescimus stare loco aut loculis. Pa. Ah! verum id verbum est. Da. Sed tu, mi Pamphile, visu es [placet? Subtristis-minus an nostra γλυκεία Pa. Uxor et infantes percara negotia sunt, hoc Repperi-et est prope res perdita. Da. Restituam. Ecce! metalla tibi transmutabuntur, ab Iro Croesus eris! tabulas accipe fructiferas! Audisti nomen! Megarensis, Atheni-que-ensis, Et Grandis Peloponnesiaca, hæcce via est: Totam ego confeci solus-Director eris tu! Pa. Ludis me. Da. Minime: quilibet istud agat. [corum est: Audi jam imprimis tabula inspicienda loUrbes tu binas, rex velut, eligito. Ordine tum cautus longo enumeraris oportet, Quotquot vici inter terminum utrumqué jacent. [turum ; Commoda describas operis, lucrumque fuFœnore sors decies multiplicanda. [omnia planaDa. Nam regio ac situs est aptissimusVix quicquam dignum nomine colliculi. Ducitur ascensu facili, scalâque gradatim; Postremò drachmæ tota erit arrha duæ! Pa. Tantillum argenti! quid vis? quibus uteris armis? [Vias. Pa. Probo. Da. Ah! nos rem facimus, non, mihi crede, Id curent alii! quid restat? mane sequenti Promulgat coeptum nuntia charta novum. Collaudant-fit turba foro-pecus omne fremiscit Cervinum; inque dies evehitur pretium. Acceptum ne serva; at justo tempore vendas ! Sic aurum ex nihilo nactus eris solidum. Nomin-enim-alista Doctores byrsæ hodierni, Atque realistæ nos simul exstitimus. Pa. Miror—at omnino tutum hoc, expersque pericli, Dave, mihi affirmas? Da. Experiare modo ! Ne te præveniant alii, hæc tibi causa timoris Unica. Enter SOSIA, LESBIA, CHREMES. and MYSIS. So. Dave, novam hanc instituisne Viam? Da. Immo. [All together] Scrip-scripscrip-Scriptum mihi distribuendum Cures oro. Pa. Et tu, Sosia! tuque, Chreme! So. Mysis enim suadebat. Pa. Eas num foemina callet Ambages? My. Quidni? nonne ego serva (cerva) vocor? Da. Omnigenus grex est. Enter SIMO, fuming. Si. Ubinam est, te appello, magister! Da. Oh! salve! ægre aliquid ferre videre, Simo! Si. Cur vexilliferum, domino nolente, volente, Huc illuc nostro cursitat agmen agro? Da. Designatores, metatoresque-ego misi- Impurus ludos stans facit iste Dromo! puto. Si. Servabat sacros Deus olim Terminus agros; Enter CRITO. [SIMO continues] Quisnam huc properat? Crito! Sanus Athenas Lopus: Vix repetis! Cr. Salve! Me grave cogit Trames enim e ferro. Si. Di magni! vestra furorem hunc Insula concepit? Da. Cum ratione furit. Cr. Est via quæ Cycladas passim atmospherica jungat, Trans freta suspensis pontibus aeriis! Da. Magnificum! Si. At non tu ista moves! Cr. Ah! vera fatebor; [sequi: Jam bona visum iterum est Chrysidis ista Proximus ipse mili- Si. Fructus hos nostra tulerunt Secula! Director, quid tibi, Dave paras? Da. Inveni portum! pars et mox lecta Senatûs Ipse ero-quin Regem plebs vocat! Si. Oh! facinus! Tu simulas regem? [To the audience] Sed tandem hæc ludicra cessent Vos potius reges conciliare velim. Stare vias super antiquas, gressusque priorum Hic mos prævaluit, non sine laude, sequi. Quicquid vita novi ferat aut externa tumultus, Usque tamen Musis hæc loca sacra vacent! Semper salva Fides; semper sit cultus Honesti In priscam et pietas inviolata domum! The hits in the above composition at the mania of railway speculations are exceedingly happy. Among these may be especially particularised the allusion to the god Terminus, whose image was set up by landed proprietors in the classic ages to indicate and maintain the limits of their territorial possessions; but a railway terminus has just a contrary operation,Servebat sacros Deus olim Terminus agros, Confundit vester Terminus omne solum. No allusion which depends on the double application of a name could be more pertinently used. We are highly gratified to find the character of Westminster School maintained in all its former vigour and utility. To her public schools and colleges England must look for the main tenance of her Protestant faith and constitutional privileges, through all the changes of views and manners which the mutability of human affairs and worldly speculations may produce. Of the antiquity of dramatic performances by the scholars of Westminster, we have the following note from an old account of the charges of the revels in the year 1564, the 6th of Elizabeth :-" For certeyne playes by the gramer skole of Westmynster and the childerne of Powles. Wages and diet for officers, taylers, mercers, and other provisions, viiili. vis. viiid." A. J. K. FINE ARTS. ROYAL ACADEMY. contents of the Tower built by the late Dec. 10. At the anniversary of the Mr. Beckford upon Lansdown. Royal Academy, its members met for the It is remarked by an intelligent writer election of the various officers, and the in the Bath and Cheltenham Gazette, to usual biennial distribution of prizes. The which we are principally indebted for this chair, in the absence of Sir M. A. Shee, account, that such competition for what the President, who, from continued indis- nine-tenths of the world would regard as position, could not attend, was taken by trifles, was scarcely ever witnessed. China the Keeper, Mr. Jones. The prizes were plates, for example, sold at 36 guineas the distributed in the following order :-Gold dozen, similar to what, upon ordinary medals, with the discourses of the Presi- occasions, might be purchased at five shildents Reynolds and West, to Mr. J. C. lings each. Cups and saucers, perfectly Hooke, for the best historical composition useless from their delicacy, brought three in oil of “ The Finding of the Body of and four guineas each. In this way, for Harold;" to Mr. A. Brown, for the best china, which might be matched for 501., original model of “ The Hours leading there has bean realised five hundred and out the Horses of the Sun;" and to Mr. ninety guineas ! A. Johnson, for the best architectural The most precious, indeed, all the design for a National Record Office :- treasured objects Mr. Beckford especially silver medals, with the lectures of Barry, cared for, have been removed from the Opie, and Fuseli, to Mr. T. Clark, for the Tower to Lansdown-crescent or to Hamilbest copy in oil; and to Mr. W. Gale, for ton Palace. There are, for instance, the the best chalk drawing from the living Babylonish cup, formed of some vitreous model :-silver medal to Mr. G. A. Sint- substance, brilliant in colour, and covered zenich, for the second best drawing; and with figures so fused and blended with the to Mr. T. Clarke, for the third best draw- material, that it seems hopeless to coning :-silver medals, with the lectures of jecture what means have been employed Barry, Opie, and Fuseli, to Mr. A. Brown, to produce the effect. The candlesticks for the best model from the life ; and to of standard gold, from designs by HolMr. W. Walters, for the best architectu- bien; or those still more rare, which, ral drawing of the Strand front of Somer- when the peerless Alhambra was in all its set House:-a silver medal to Mr. S. C. glory, formed a portion of its regal luxury. Capes, for the second best drawing : The mighty vase, sculptured from a single silver medal, with the lectures of Barry, gem-the precious opal, polished throughOpie, and Fuseli, to Mr. J. A. Vinter, for out and sculptured marvellously, of which the best chalk drawing from the antique: Rubens made drawings, and separate draw-silver medals to Mr. G. B. O'Neil, for ings of the various details (now, we bethe second best drawing; and to Mr. W. lieve, in the collection of his Grace the Anderson, for the third best drawing :-a Duke of Devonshire). silver medal, with the lectures of Barry, Of Limoges enamel there were in the Opie, and Fuseli, to Mr. G. Moss, for the Tower dishes large as a warrior's shield; best model from the antique :-and silver the border gorgeous arabesque, and the medals to Mr. Kelsey, for the second best field displaying classical subjects, many of model; and to Mr. L. Wyon, for the best them designed by Julio Clovio ; ivory, medal die from the head of the Apollo which revealed the very thoughts of BenBelvidere. The meeting concluded with venuto Cellini, and that charming artist, the reading of an address to the students, Flamingo. which had been composed by Sir M. A. The paintings collected by Mr. BeckShee for the former biennial meeting, but ford formed an entire history of art, and not delivered by him on account of indis- the few pictures now sold could be spared position. Sir M. A. Shee bas been in- without destroying the unity of the whole. duced to recall his resignation of the pre- We cannot afford space to enumerate sidency, and thus postpone, for a time at the admirably-arranged Assyrian, Greek, least, the difficulty which his fellow-acade- Indian, Roman, Portuguese, Spanish, micians have had in agreeing upon a German, French, and British coins, or the suitable successor. vast collection of medals ; neither can we even glance at the books, drawings, and MR. BECKFORD'S PROPERTY thousands of choicest prints; but we must FROM LANSDOWN TOWER, BATH. linger for a moment as the gems flash on A sequel to the far celebrated sales at our remembrance. Diamonds of the Fonthill Abbey has been recently made by purest water, and of all colours, pink, the sale in Bath of the greater part of the yellow, violet, and jet black; rubies, which :-a SALE OF |