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placed covered with silk, and two large pil-1 to fifty children, and all by different mothers, pens, and ink, in a case in his shoulder belt ; lows on each side of the cradle: something and in general most of them from different and, besides the Madonna, he had a crystal in the representation of a corpse covered with provinces ; so they oftentimes do not know hung to his neck, with which "he took the a cloth is placed in the middle of the cradle. whichi son or daughter was born first, as they light out of men's eyes,” and thus easily If a very great person, or relation to the keep no time; nor does even the king or overcame them. It was curious to find this king, they in general make his effigy, which priest of Abyssinia know his own age.” humble copy of Rogero's enchanted mirror they place upon a ule, with a saddle, bridle

(To be concluded in our next.)

among the mountain shepherds ; but, like and saddle-cloth ornamented with gold and

all uncivilized people, they believe in ensilver ; all his household servants run round Three Months passed in the Mountains chantinents, and most of them regarded De the cradle, some before and some behind the

East of Rome, during the year 1819. Cesaris as no mean wizard. In fact, he and mule, according to their stations when he was alive, crying, yowling, and firing their match

By Maria Graham, Author of a Jour-1 many of his companions were men of some nal of a Residence in India. London, their grosser fellows were gambling and dan

education and natural understanding. While locks, and tearing the skin off their temples and forehead, until the blood runs down their

1820. 8vo. pp. 305.

cing, they amused themselves with books; neck. In the front of the cradle the carpets

The most novel and interesting part on this occasion, one of them read aloud of the deceased are spread, and covered with of this book relates to the Italian

Ban- from some old romance in rhyme, the others the riches of his house, gold and silver, orna- ditti, whose arrival and exploits in the sitting round and laughing, or attending se

silver, bottles, glasses, &c. to show the public what a vicinity of Poli, where the author and riously, as the nature of the subject was

grave or gay; thus the night passed." wealthy person he or she was. All who her friends resided, are particularly des- Just before the banditti came to the neighcome to cry sit down in front in two parties, cribed. The rest of the volume is a bourhood of Poli, there appeared there a the men on the right and the women on the pleasing enough account of the coun- gang of gypsies, evidently in connection with left : their heads are all shaved, and their try; but in this the writer falls into the then, and their avant-couriers

. Immetemples and foreheads torn in such a manner very error which her preface repre- diately after the alarm was given that a as would frighten any one who was not ac hends, namely, that of repeating what party of the robbers occupied the mountains. quainted with thein. The relations then former travellers have told the public whom they quickly released, and though only

was to stand up one by one, in their turns, with a servant on each side of them to keep them respecting Italy. We are really tired thirteen in number, the whole country was from falling—as they pretend to be so weak of the oft told tales of the same places, soon in a state of confusion and terror. svith sorrow—and begin, while all the others the same antiquities, the same pictures, Troups, police, and armed citizens scoured are silent and listening to him or her, to and the same churches. Our readers, the land in vain expeditions ; the robbers praise the beauty and riches of the deceased, participating in this feeling, will the helped

themselves to provisions, and did not and what acts he had doue when alive; that more readily pardon us for getting decamp till they had levied contributions as when on horse!'ack he was like St. George,

among the robbers at once; and thus and on foot like the angel Michael, and

the ransom of prisoners taken.

“They talked pretty freely with their prigreat deal of other nonsense: after ending we introduce them.

soners about themselves and their habits of their speech in a very sorrowful tone, they “The banditti or forusciti of Italy are what life, which they maintained arose from neall at once make a loud below and tear their the forest outlaws of England were in the cessity rather than choice. They showed temples. After the cry is over, they all go days of Robin Hood. They are not of the them the heart and picture of the Madonna, into a large house like a barn, wliere they poorest or vilest of the inhabitants. They which each had suspended from his neck, eat and drink until they turn their sorrow generally possess a little field and a house, saying, 'We know that we are likely to die into merriment and quarrelling.

whither they retire at certain seasons, and a violent death, but in our hour of need we “The Abyssinians have so many children only take the field when the hopes of plunder have these,' touching their muskets, to strugand relations on account of their having so allure them, or the fear of a stronger arm gle for our lives withi

, and this,' kissing the inany women, that it is sometimes hard to drives them to the woods and rocks. They image of the Virgin, 'to make our death tell which has most right to the property left ; live under various chiefs, who, while their easy. This mixture of ferocity and superso in order to make the king or chief who reign lasts, are absolute; but as they are stition is one of the most terrific features in has to settle the affair, favourable on their freely chosen, they are freely deposed, or the character of the banditti of Italy. Nor side, they tear their face all over, and some sometimes murdered, if they offend their is it confined to them only: when a man times one of them chains a servant on cach suhjects. To be adınitted into the ranks of who has led a bad life begins to feel remorse side of himself, hand to hand, to make peo- the regular banditti, a severe apprenticeship of conscience, and to despair of pardon hereple believe that he wanted to stab himself to all kinds of hardship is required. The after, the vulgar belief that a death on the through despair, at the same time he has address and energy diplayed hy these men, scaffold, where the priest attends to whisper some of the chiefs houschold servants bribed : unler a better government, might conduce absolution into the ear of the culprit, as the so wlien the whole of the relations come to the happiest effects. But here the fire axe descends, is a sure road to Heaven, has before the chief on the day appointed, he burns not to warm, but to destroy.” been known to induce the poor wretch to who has chained himself will stand among Among these amiable gentry, though not commit some heinous crime, that he may the rest withont saying a word for himself, into their hands, it was the lot of our coun- gain that happiness, by a violent and disand pretend to be quite melancholy, while try-folks to be thrown, when to avoid the graceful death, which lie fears he has forthe others are disputing. Those who are heat of Rome, they went to the mountainous feited by a sinful life. If it were possible, brihed, find an opportunity of pointing out district of Poli, in the Autumn of last year. might it not be politic to deprive murderers, to their master the melancholy aspect of the Mrs. Graham relates the adventures of the at least of absolution at the point of death?” one in chains, and tell him at the same time German Painter, whose own story was Did it not occur to the writer that our that they were certainly present at the time translated into the Literary Gazette, about own sectaries carry their faith-doctrines to that he would have stabbed himself if he had 12 months ago, and then proceeds to other just as great a length, and that the most not been hindered by some people who knew events of even aʼmore tragical character.common ending of our capital criminals of his grief, and, to prevent him from kill. The ruffians were among the companions" is in the full assurance of being among the ing himself, had chained a man to each of of De Cesaris, the Dicesaris of Mr. Kel- elect." But to return to the foreign banhis arms: the chief, upon hearing the story, sall, (see our Numbers 183, 184), who was ditti. A surgeon named Cherubini, of Casin general takes pity and gives him the greater shot near Terracina, soon after the period tel- Madama (near Tivoli) was their prinshare, although he is perhaps the most dis- to which that gentleman alludes. This Bri- cipal captive, and he gives a very curious tant relation among them. I know many gand was famous in his day.

account of their savage life. The man who great men in Abyssinia to have from forty “ He (says Mrs. Grahain) carried paper, carried up his ranson, was an old grey;

ܪ

a

headed peasant, and was taken early on the
same day with the surgeon. His spirit and
good humour pleased the robbers, and, as it
afterwards appeared, was of service to the
poor son of Esculapius. They chose this
old man to convey his letter, begging ran-
som might be sent; and, as he left them,
he said, Figli miei, (my sons,) be good to
this man, for he is a good man, and deserves
it.' They promised they would, and said,
'Since you call us sons, you shall be tata
(daddy); and afterwards, when he returned
from his first message, and found them eat-
ing some fresh mutton, which, on account
of his want of teeth, he could not chew,
they said, 'Wait a little, and we will have
something for tata also;' upon which the
chief sliced some liver and kidney, and,
spitting it on a ramrod, roasted it for him.

"A goatherd, who had once been kept forcibly with a party of banditti, told us, that one of their chiefs had formerly been an acquaintance of his. This man had accidentally committed homicide, and, afraid of the consequences, had fled to Conca, in the kingdom of Naples, from the states of the church. There, being without a passport, he was taken up and imprisoned; but, by the grace of the Virgin, and of Saint John Baptist, he had escaped to the woods: there, after wandering a month, and being almost starved, he met the banditti, who invited him to join them. To this he, nothing loth, consented, when, to try his manhood, they gave him a piece of flesh roasted to eat, telling him it was part of a Christian's heart. It might have been two hearts,' said the ruffian; but I would have eaten it.' He had to perform a noviciate of two years, hewing wood, drawing water, and performing other menial offices; but, a year ago, he figured as the chief of a party among them. "The last is a pretty fair specimen of the stories told and believed of the origin of most of the principal outlaws. Every day,

given information, they would certainly have
put him to death. As soon as he was safe,
the hunters drew close round the enemy,
who were seven in number, and fired: two
were killed on the spot, and the five others,
of whom one was found dead of his wounds
near the place next day, left their fire-arms,
and concealed themselves in the thicket of
Arcinuzzo, between Rio Freddo and Su-
biaco."

As for the Surgeon himself, he tells, that
on the morning of the 17th of August, "the
factor of the Cavaliere Settimio Bischi,
named Bartolomeo Marasca, a person well
known to me, came to my house, with a
letter from his master, desiring me to come
to Tivoli, my assistance as a surgeon being
necessary, both to Signor Gregorio Celes-
tine and to the nun sister, Chiara Eletta
Morelli. On this account, I hurried over
my visits to my patients at Castel Madama,
and set off on horseback, accompanied by
the factor, who was armed with a gun, to-
wards Tivoli."

On their road they were surrounded and captured by the banditti, who ordered them to march towards San Gregorio. It seems the poor son of Galen was mistaken for a greater man, the Vice Prince of Castel Madama, who had passed the same road only a few hours before him. But better small fish than none, says the proverb. The brigands plundered the apothecary as if he had been a Prince. He says one took my watch, another my case of lancets. At the beginning of our march we met, at short distances, four youths belonging to San Gregorio, and one elderly man, all of whom were obliged to share my fate; shortly after, we met another man, and an old woman, whose ear-rings were taken, and they were then permitted to continue their journey."

They were led to the top of the hills, and the account proceeds.

"The factor Marasca then talked a good deal to the brigands; showed himself well acquainted with their numbers, and said other things, which my wretched state of mind prevented me from attending to very distinctly; but seeing him apparently so in

flat below, he went down for him, and they were both brought up to us. As soon as they came, I begged the man of Castel Madama to carry my letter to Tivoli for Signor Celestini; and, in order to enforce it, I sent my case of surgical instruments, with which he was well acquainted, as a token.”

An alarm causes them to move, and the narrative goes on." After a long and painful march, finding himself in a safe place, he halted, and there awaited the return of the messenger; but as he still delayed, the chief came to me, and said, that perhaps it might happen to me as it did to a certain inhabitant of Veletri, who had been taken by this very party, who entered his house in disguise, and carried him off to the woods, and because his ransom was long in coming, they killed him, and when the money came, the messenger found him dead. I was alarmed beyond measure at this story, and regarded it as a forerunner of my own speedy death.

saw

"However, I entreated them with tears to have a little patience, and the messenger would surely return with the money. Meantime, to satisfy the chief as well as his companions, I told them I might have written another letter to Castel Madama, with orders to sell whatever I possessed, and to send up the money immediately. Thank God, this pleased them, and instantly they caused me to write another letter to Castel Madama, and one of the prisoners from San Gregorio was sent with it. After he was gone, the factor Marasca walking about carelessly among the brigands, looking at their arms, and making angry gestures; but he did not speak. Shortly after he came and sat down by me; it was then that the chief, having a large stick in his hand, came up to him, and without saying a single word, gave him a blow on the back of the head just where it joins the neck. It did not kill him, so he arose and cried, 'I have a wife and children; for God's sake spare my life,' and thus saying he defended himself as well as he could with his hands. Other brigands closed round him a struggle ensued, and they rolled together down a steep precipice. I closed my eyes, my head dropped on my breast, I heard a cry or two, but I seemed to have lost all sensation. In a very short "The chief brigand then turned to me, time the brigands returned, and I saw the and throwing down my lancet-case by me, chief thrust his dagger, still stained with said that he had reflected on my condition, blood, into its sheath; then turning to me, and that he would think about my ransom. he announeed the death of the factor Then I with tears explained to him my po- in these very words: Do not fear: we have verty, and my narrow means, and told him killed the factor because he was a sbirro; how, to gain a little money, I was on my such as you are not sbirri; then, he was of road to Tivoli to attend a sick stranger. no use among us. He looked at our arms, Then he ordered me to write to that same and seemed disposed to murmur; and if the stranger, and desire him to send two thou-force had come up, he might have been sand dollars, or I should be a dead man, and dangerous.' And thus they got rid of Mato warn him against sending out an armed rasca." force. He brought pen, ink, and paper; and I was obliged to write what he bade me, with all the earnestness that the presence of thirteen assassins, and the fear of death, could inspire. While I was writing, he sent two of his men to take a man, who was plowing, a little lower down: he belonged to San Gregorio; but one of the messengers having seen one of Castel Madama in the

me, that I was betrayed by him.

we remained at Tivoli, brought some ng particulars concerning their marches. It was ascertained, that the whole number amounted to about one hundred and forty, divided into companies, not exceeding twenty in each, for the sake of more easy subsist-timate with the robbers, a suspicion crossed ence. The head quarters appeared to be at Rio Freddo, and in the woods of Subiaco. Their spies, and those who bought provisions for them, were lavishly paid, and the instances of any information being given against them were very rare. On one occasion, however, they had seized a ploughman belonging to Rio Freddo, and, after beating him, they had sent him to his house to fetch a few dollars, as the price of his future security while at work. On his way, he met the hunters belonging to Subiaco, and gave them notice of the situation of the robbers. They desired him to fetch his money, and go to the appointed place with it, and if he found them still there, to leave a mark at a particular tree. Meantime they took measures for surrounding the lair, and having done so, waited patiently till the poor man had paid his money and made the mark agreed on; and this they were more careful to do, as, had the brigands suspected he had

"As

It

The messengers at length return. soon as they were recognized, they were ordered to lie down with their faces to the ground, and asked if they came alone. But the man of Castle Madama answered, would be a fine thing, indeed, if I, who am almost dead with fatigue, after climbing these mountains, with the weight of 500 scudi about me, should be obliged to pros

trate myself with my face to the earth! | twentieth hour to-morrow to the sheep-cote, | with knives. The brigands, emboldened by Here's your money: it was all that could be with the eight hundred crowns, you may go success, seemed determined to press closer got together in the town.' Then the chief about your business, but we shall throw round the hill-towns. None of the principal took the money, and ordered us to change Cherubini into some pit.' The peasant tried inhabitants ventured without the walls, and our station. Having arrived at a convenient to persuade them that, perhaps, it might even the work-people were robbed of their place, we stopped, and he asked if there not be possible to collect so much money in ornaments and their little savings." were any letters; being answered that there a small town, at so short a notice, and beg- In consequence of this, our countryfolks were two, he gave them to me to read; and ged to have a little more time; but the chief moved to Tivoli (where consternation prelearning from them that the sum sent was answered, that they had no time to waste, vailed as much as at Poli), and thence to five hundred crowns, he counted them, and and that, if he had not returned next day, Rome. We may just notice, that one of the finding the number exact, said all was well, by the twentieth hour, they would kill Che-most ferocious of the band had the "collar praised the punctuality of the peasant, and rubini." of the Madonna delle Carmine round his gave him some silver as a reward for his neck, and said, Suffer patiently, for the trouble: his companion also received a small love of God; and that the second chief present. took the subjoined view of their political situation.

The poor doctor was almost dead with fear, but became somewhat reassured on one of the brigands telling him, that though the sum might fall short of the demand, he should be set at liberty. After another movement, the narrative continues.

"The robbers, who no longer cared to keep the prisoners belonging to San Gregorio, from whom they could not hope to get any thing, released them all at this spot. I, "When we again reached the thicket, and therefore, with the peasant of Castle Mada- found a fit place, we all lay down to sleep. ma, remained the only prisoner; and we I had the skins to rest on as before, and the began to march across the mountains, per- chief wrapped my legs in his own greathaps only for the sake of changing place. I coat; and he and the second chief lay on asked, why they did not set me at liberty as each side of me. Two centinels were placed well as the others, as they had already re- to keep watch, and to prevent the shepherd ceived so considerable a sum on my account. with the provisions from making his escape. The chief answered, that he meant to await I know not how long we rested before one the return of the messenger sent to Castel of the centinels came, and gave notice of Madama. I continued to press him to let day-break. Come again, when it is lighter,' me go before night, which was now drawing said the chief; and all was again quiet. I on apace, saying, that perhaps it had not turned my face so as not to see the brigands, been possible to procure any more money at and dozed a little, till I was rouzed by the Castel Madama; and that if I remained out cry of some wild bird. I am not superstiall night on the hill in the cold air, it would tious; but I had often heard that the shrick have been better to have killed me at once. of the owl foreboded evil; and, in the state Then the chief stopped me, and bade me of spirits in which I was, every thing had take good care how I said such things, for more than its usual effect on me. I started, that to them killing a man was a matter of and said, What bird was that? They anperfect indifference. The same thing was swered, 'A hawk.' Thank God,' I replied, also said to me by another outlaw, who and lay down again. Among my other sufgave me his arm during our rocky jour-ferings, I cannot forget the stinging and ney."

We do not copy the details of their night marching, and rough mode of feeding on sheep which they killed, and resting on the ground. The messenger not returning speedily from Castel Madama, the chief ordered his prisoner to write another letter, in which his friends were told that if 800 crowns were not sent on the following day, he would be put to death or carried to the woods of Fajola.

He said, "that government would never succeed in putting them down by force; that they are not a fortress to batter down with cannon, but rather birds, which fly round the tops of the sharpest rocks, without having any fixed home; that if, by any misfortune, seven perished, they were sure of ten recruits to replace their loss; for criminals, who would be glad to take refuge among them, were never wanting; that the number of their present company amounted to a hundred and thirty individuals; and that they had an idea of undertaking some daring exploit, perhaps of threatening Rome itself. He ended by saying, that the only way to put an end to their depredations would be to give them a general pardon, without reservation or limitation, that they might all return to their houses, without fear of treachery; but, otherwise, they would not trust to nor treat with any one; and added, that this was the reason for which they had not concluded any thing with the prelate sent to Frosinone to treat with them. As it was, their company was determined to trust nothing but a pardon from the Pope's own lips; and he repeated this same sentiment to me several times during the second day I was obliged to pass with him and his fellows."

AIKIN'S BRITISH POETS."

a detailed analysis of, or an elaborate criWe are certainly not going to enter upon volume. The former our limits will not altique on, the multifarious contents of this low; and the latter would be little short of a piece of impertinence. Yet, on various accounts, we wish to introduce to our readis not only highly creditable to its compiler, ers a collection of poems, which we think but has been, in our view, long a desideratum in this publishing cra.

humming of the gnats, which fastened on my face and throat; but, after the death of poor Marasca, I dared not even raise my hand to drive them away, lest it should be taken for a sign of impatience. A little after this we all arose, and walked on for about an hour." Another halt and rest ensued. "While the others slept, one of them began to read in a little book, which I understood to be the romance of the Cavalier Meschino. After about an hour, they all "I consequently (says he) wrote a second arose, and filed off, one by one, to a higher letter, and gave it to the countryman to station, leaving a single centinel to guard me carry, telling him also, by word of mouth, and the shepherd. In another hour the that if they found no purchasers at Castel youngest of the robbers came to relieve the Madama for my effects, to desire they guard, who then went and joined the others. might be sent to Tivoli, and sold for what-When I saw this, and perceived that they ever they would fetch. The chief of the were engaged in a kind of council of war, I brigands also begged to have a few shirts feared that they had taken some new resosent. One of the brigands proposed, I don't lution about my life, and that the new cen- attention to this volume by invidious comIt is by no means our purpose to attract know why, to cut off one of my ears, and tinel was come to put their cruel designs in ments on the numberless tomes, of all sizes send it with the letter to Castel Madama. execution: but he very soon said to me, and prices, which, under the titles of "SpeIt was well for me that the chief did not ap- Be cheerful, for to-night you will be at prove of the civil proposal, so it was not home;' which gave me some comfort." cimens," Beauties," ," "Selections," "Eledone. He, however, wanted the countryThus the day passed. At its close, a ran- its contents familiar to the great body of lovgant Extracts," &c. have rendered much of man to set out that moment; but he, with som of 600 crowns and a few shirts were his usual coolness, said, that it was not pos- brought, and Cherubini was relieved from ers of English poetry, Many of these dissible to go down that steep mountain during his anxiety and sufferings, and reached home play great taste and judgment; and the the night, on which the chief told him he in safety from the clutches of these thieves more unpretending among them have placmight remain in the sheep-cote all night, of mercy." But the body of poor Barto and set out at day-light: But, take no- lomeo Marasca was found at the gate of tice,' said he, if you do not return at the San Gregorio, with twenty wounds inflicted

Select Works of the British Poets. With

Biographical and Critical Prefaces, by Dr. Aikin.
London, 1820. 8vo. pp. 807. Double colun.a

ed within the reach of ordinary readers, in one form or other, most of the poems here collected: but we certainly know of no single volume of poetry containing so much of what is valuable, with so little of what is worthless: so compendious, and yet so comprehensive. We would not hazard the assertion, that all the poetry worthy of preservation, from Ben Jonson to Dr. Beattie, is to be found in these pages the title of the volume implies selection; but we think the selection has been, on the whole, most judiciously made; and, if we now and then feel disposed to find fault with the absence of some favourite, the impossibility of including all, is in itself an apology.

Language displayed, in a more extended Review of its grammatical Forms than is to be found in any Grammar extant; and elucidated by Quotations from the best Writers. By D. Boileau. London, 1820, 8vo. pp. 424.

This title-page so fully expounds the nature of M. Boileau's work, that we have little to say, but that it keeps the word of promise. The philosophy of the German tongue is treated in a clear and agreeable manner, and the extracts are selected with judgement in regard to practical utility and illustration, and with taste in respect to variety and relief.

The subject of German particles, one which especially required elucidation in an English treatise, is comprehensively and ably handled; and we may say that upon the whole we have rarely met with a more satisfactory elementary book. The author shows himself to be intimately acquainted with the niceties, as he is conversant with the energies, of this powerful language. To the German scholar, therefore, his work is extremely valuable; and in general, it will be found that English and Latin also receive apt and curious illustration from their connexion with several of the topics handled by M. Boileau. The German construction assimilates very nearly with the latter and yet we see how closely Shakspeare can be rendered by the pen of Schlegel-even an unlettered native of Britain, who never before saw German in print, may make out the sense imperfectly."

to excite the notice, and obtain the favour of The Nature and Genius of the German the public. We wish it then, if we must confess the honest truth, because we suspect that some of the authors contained in it, are, like the good old fathers of the church, occasionally complimented, though often but coldly, with the tribute of praise, by many who scarcely ever look into their works. Let us not, however, be misunderstood: we are not inferring that Pope, Goldsmith, Akenside, Armstrong, &c. are in danger of being forgotten as poets; but we think there are circumstances connected with, and operating imperceptibly upon, the poetical taste of the day, not calculated to benefit their fame. In the first place, our living The only volume directly challenging poets are "in themselves an host." Not a comparison with the one before us, perhaps, month, and indeed scarcely a week, passes is the "Elegant Extracts;" and the plan of without some new poem from Byron, or the two works is so totally unlike, that we Wordsworth, or Southey, or Moore, being think no comparison can be fairly instituted. either published, or else announced as in The latter is, confessedly, a compilation of forwardness for publication; and even the extracts; the former, whether it insert John brief intervals between the appearances of Gilpin, or The Task; Lycidas, or the Para- these illustrious poets, and others equal, or dise Lost, gives what it does select, whole little inferior to them, are filled up with a and complete. The arrangement of the two succession of subordinate efforts to win, or works, also, differs very essentially. In the Ele- to increase popularity, from countless aspigant Extracts, an attempt is made at classi-rants for fame. Now it is utterly impossification, under the different heads of Sacred ble for even idle people to spend their whole and Moral, Didactic, Descriptive, Pathetic, lives in reading poetry; and, if they did, they Humorous, &c. Now to us, such subdivi- could hardly get through all the volumes of sions seem often to be as ideal lines of demar-verse, in constant succession, and apparently cation as can well be conceived; and, with interminable preparation: this being the respect to much of our most beautiful poe- case, and bearing in mind that all the efforts try, any precise adjustment of it appears of living poets, and booksellers wishing to manifestly hopeless. Take, for instance, even live by them, are thrown into the scale of the minor poems of Burns, where the ludic- our contemporaries, we do think it a debt of rous and the pathetic, the simple and the justice, no less than of gratitude, to departed sublime, are so interwoven, as frequently to genius, to afford it an opportunity of pleading render specific classification impossible. its own cause: nor can this be done in any The truth, we believe, is, that the spirit, the way so well as by the selection of its best essence of poetry, is “ one and indivisible" productions, and the republication of them it may occasionally exhibit itself in modes in a form, and at a price, which may render and manifestations, such as may admit of them generally accessible. We consider this “head-lines," and "classes;" but, on the to be an incumbent duty, especially as rewhole, it is much too erratic and unmanagea- spects some of the authors, whose better ble in its operations to allow of its results be- composition Dr. Aikin has here given us. ing indexed and catalogued off, in distinct It has of late been a fashion to exaggerate divisions, like the contents of a museum. the beauties of our earlier poets, and to depreciate those of a more recent era. We will not assert that there is no just ground of preference; we concede the fact, that poetry has gained much in spirit, pathos, and originality, by a freer recurrence to those thoughts and feelings which are indeed its native element; but we still think it may be as well for both the writers and readers of poetry, to keep on decent and respectful terms with Dryden, Pope, Swift, and Prior: The gentleman who pulled off his hat to the statue of Jupiter, and hoped he would not forget him if he came again into fashion, might carry his pleasantry somewhat too far; but, for our own parts, such, and so great is the fluctuation of taste, that though we have no expectation of seeing the school of Pope, for example, rise again on the ruins of that of Byron, or Wordsworth, we have little doubt of the comparative merits of all three being appreciated more to his advantage, hereafter, than now.

Dr. Aikin's plan, of giving the principal poems of our most popular authors in chronological succession, is, in our opinion, a more obvious and simple arrangement: and his short biographical and critical notices, not only form a suitable introduction to the most celebrated works of each, but, as far as the limits he has allowed himself permit, are marked by sound taste, and nice discernment. Before we dismiss our more immediate notice of his volume, and proceed to another discussion, the especial cause of our wishing to make it known, we must add (in justice to the printers of the work) that the skill and elegance displayed in the typographical department are highly creditable. It is altogether a portable and readable book, even to readers of no great muscular strength, or powerful optics; and this is something to say of more than 800 pages, each of which contains letter-press enough to fill seven fashionable pages.

But now for a word or two explanatory of our principal reason for wishing this volume

Tetzt bin ich allein.

welch ein Shurck' und niedrer Sklav bin ich!

Now I am alone.
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I !
Und alles das um nichts!
Um Hekuba!
Was ist ihm Hekuba, was ist er ihr
Dasz er um sie soll weinen,

This needs no translation. But we have said enough to recommend this publication to the attention it merits.

HUBER ON ANTS.

[Dr. Johnson's Translation, concluded.] During the intense cold of winter the ants become torpid; and it is a striking proof of the Providence which directs all things on earth, that the pucerons (concerning which our last contained the details) become torpid at precisely the same temperament, and recover from this state at the same time, so as always to be ready to supply the nourishment required from them.

The last paper which we need devote to this entertaining volume, which affords charming and useful reading for all ages, shall be confined to the Amazon Ants; a nation whose history Huber first unfolded to the world. Chapter vii sets out

"We have hithertoo treated only of labouring ants, of societies composed of three sorts of individuals, of operations equally divided among the labourers, and of transient

wars, without any fixed purpose, or having the white eggs and pupæ they had captured. Ants, which gave me some general idea upon only for their object common defence. The They repassed the hedge and the road, in the this head. The latter were busily engaged Amazon Ants present us manners and ha- place they had previously crossed it, and in re-establishing the several avenues, holbits totally different, republics peculiarly then directed their course through a field of lowing out galleries, and carrying below the constituted and organised, -character dissi- ripened corn, where I experienced the re exposed larvæ and pupæ. The Amazons, -milar,—wars regularly instituted, --in a word, gret of not being able to follow them. on the contrary, passed over the larvæ, &c. a separate history; and of which no author “ I now retraced my steps towards the scene with indifference, not once deigning to lift has yet given any account.

of the recent assault, and there found a small them, or take any part in the labours going “On the 17th June, 1804, whilst walking number of ash-coloured labourers, perched forward ; they wandered for some time over in the environs of Geneva, between four and upon the stalks of plants, holding in their the surface, and then retired to the bottom five in the evening, I observed close at my mouths the few larvæ they had rescued from of their citadel. feet, traversing the road, a legion of Rufes pillage; these they shortly carried back to “ But at five in the evening, the scene uncent Ants. their former station.

dergoes a complete and almost immediate “ They moved in a body with considerable "I returned the following morning at the change. The Amazons leave their retreat, rapidity, and occupied a space of from eight same hour, by the route I had observed the become restless, and assemble on the outto ten inches in length, by three or four in Amazon army take, in the hope of acquir- side. They are all in motion ; none, howebreadth. In a few ininutes they quitted ing some knowledge of the phenomenon of ver, move but in a curved line, and in such a the road, passed a thick hedge, and entered which I had been a witness, when I discover way, as quickly to return to the outer wall of a pasture ground, where I followed them. ed the habitation of one of these martial their garrison; their number increases each They wouud along the grass without strag- hordes.

moment, they describe greater circles, a gling, and their column reinained unbroken, “I observed on the right of the road a signal is cominunicated, they pass from one notwithstanding the obstacles they had to large ant-hill, covered with ants of that spe- to the other, striking as they proceed with surmount; at length they approached a cics. They formed into column, set forth their antennæ and forehead' the breast of nest, inhabited by dark Ash-coloured Ants, in a body, and fell upon one of the habita- their companions; these, in their turn, apthe dome of which rose above the grass, at tious of the ash-coloured ants, in which, ex- proach those advancing, and communicate a distance of twenty feet from the hedge.periencing little or no opposition, they en- the same signal; it is that of departure; the Some of its inhabitants were guarding the tered. Öne party immediately returned, result satisfactorily proves it. We see those entrance; but, on the discovery of an ap- bearing in their pincers the purloined larvæ ; receiving the intimation, put themselves at proaching army, darted forth upon the ad- another party, less fortunate, quitted the the moment in march, and join the rest of vanced guard. The alarm spread at the scene of attack, without reaping any advan- the troop. The column becomes organised, same moment in the interior, and their com- tage from their expedition :--the former took advances in a straight line, posses over the panions came forth in numbers from their the road to their own citadel; the latter turf, and removes to a considerable distance. underground residence. The Rufescent marched in a body upon a second ant-hill, te- Not a single Amazon is any longer to be Ants, the bulk of whose army lay only at nanted by the same species as the first, seen near the garrison. The advanced guard the distance of two paces, quickened their where they inade ample booty. The whole sometimes halts until the rear guard comes march to arrive at the foot of the ant-hill; army, now forming two divisions, hastened up, and then diverges to the right and left the whole batallion, in an instant, fell upon to the spot from which it had taken its de- without advancing; the army forms anew, and overthrew the Ash-coloured Ants, who, parture." I reached the garrison a little be- and again moves forward with rapidity after a short, but obstinate conflict, retired fore them; but what was my surprise to ob- There is no commander-in-chief, every ant is to the bottom of their nest. The Rufescent serve all around, a great number of that in turn first, each seeking to be foremost ; Ants now ascended the hillock, collected in identical species they had gone forth to at-some, however, move in a different direction, crowds on the summit, and took possession tack. I raised up a portion of the building, pass from the front to the rear, then retrace of the principal avenues, leaving some of ! still saw more; this induced me to regard their steps and follow the general movement. their companions to work an opening in the it as one of the habitations that had already There are always small numbers constantly side of the ant-hill with their teeth. Suc- been pillaged by the Amazons, when my returning to the rear, and it is probably in cess crowned their enterprise, and by the suspicions were remover by the arrival of this way the movement of the whole army is newly made breach the remainder of the the Amazon legion at the entrance, charged governed. army entered. Their sojourn was, however, with the trophies of victory. Its return ex- “ At a little more than thirty feet from of short duration, for in three or four mi- cited no aləzın among the Negro Ants, who, their own residence, they stop and explore nutes they returned by the same apertures whilst the Legionaries were descending with the ground with their antenna, much in the which gave them entrance, each bearing off their booty, so far from offering opposition, same way as dogs when searching for game. in its mouth a larva or a pupa ; they re were even seen to approach these warriors, They soon find a subterranean Negro ant'traced the route by which they had arrived, caress thein with their antennæ, offer them hill, to the bottom of which its inhabitants and proceeded one after another, withoutorder nourishment, as is the custom with those of have retired. The Legionary Ants, unopor regularity:* The whole army night be their own species, take up some of the lar- posed, penetrate an open gallery; the whole readilo distinguished in the grass, by the væ, and carry them into the nest. The army enter, seize upon the pupæ, and return contrast afforded by the Rufescent Ants, and Amazons remained within the rest of the through the several apertures, immediately

day : the Negro Ants kept their station some taking the road to their garrison. It is now * The tactics of these marauders vary with time without, but retired before night. no longer an army disposed in column, it is the enemy they have to contend with ; in this "No enigma ever raised my curiosity so an undisciplined horde. The Amazons run instance, conscious of carrying off their booty, high as this singular discovery; and I had after each other with rapidity, and the last without further opposition from the Ash-coloured the satisfaction of finding near my own resi. comes from the stormed city are followed Ants, the army no longer keeps in rank, but dence several ant hills of the same kind, not by sont few of its inhabitants, who endeuseparates into straggling parties, each hasten- a little astonished at being the first to notice vour to wrest from them their prize; an efing by a different route, to deposit their spoil in their existence. the common treasury; but, when these intrepid

fort in which it but rarely happens they are adventurers attack a nest of mining ants, and having them so near me, I determined

“ Conscious of the great adrantage of successful. return successful, they are then obliged, from

"I return to the garrison to be once more the known spirit and courage of the latter, to

to devote the whole of my time to them. a witness of the reception given to the plun. keep close order, and march in a body to the As I was extremely impatient to ascer- derers by the Aslı-coloured Ants, with whoun very gates of their citadel; as it not unfre- tain the nature of the connexion between they dwell. I observe a considerable 'oumquently happens, they are followed and harassed. these different species, I opened one of their ber of pupæ heaped

up before the door ; each the whole way by the mining ants, who leave no dwellings, and there observed a great numn- Amazon ou its arrival deposits its burthen, exertion untrieš to recover their treasure. T. ber of Rufescent mingled with Ash-coloured and then returns to the invaded ant-hill ;