warmly admired. As an instance | he has the least successfully strugof compositorial temerity, the pub-gled against the awkward nature of lication is highly curious. Unique that part of the melody which, in specimens, like the close of the 1st the 8th and 16th bars, closes with part of the third variation, are to the third of the key (A): hence the be met with in abundance; in short, uncouth harmony p. 5, l. 1, bb. 2 a mutinous spirit against the esta- to 3, &c. :-p. 4, l. 5, likewise, we blished laws of counterpoint, seems meet with offensive fifths in the bass to have guided this time the great between the end of the 2d and beDussek's pen. The latter portion ginning of the 3d bar. We were of the publication is more loyal: particularly pleased with the whole vars. 8, 9, and 10, are not only ve- of p. 7; where an interesting play ry good, but in many parts evince upon a range of chords leads, unbeauties worthy of the departed der suspended harmony, to a tasteauthor's great genius. All requires ful conclusion. The more Mr. G. first-rate proficiency on the in- has swerved from his unthankful subject, the more interesting his performance has proved in this instance.

strument.

National Melodies, consisting of the most admired Airs of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, arranged as Rondos, or with Variations for the Piano-Forte, and an introductory Movement to each, composed by the most eminent Authors. No. XII. Pr. 2s. 6d. Ditto, Ditto. No. XX. Pr. 2s. 6d.

Both the above numbers of Messrs. Chappell and Co.'s monthly publication, are from the pen of Mr. Graeff. The former sets out with a very fine adagio in F, which, among other commendable ideas, exhibits (1.3) a series of chromatic transitions, perfectly sufficient to give an opinion, if necessary, of the author's classical and scientific taste. The subject of the variations is the Scotch air, "Down the burn, Davie." Although we have no great predilection for the choice of Scotch themes to variations, we must do Mr. G. the justice to say, that he has ably fought against the difficulties his selection entailed upon him. In the variation p. 5,

No. XX. likewise built upon a Scotch theme (" My Jo Janet"), gives rise to very similar observations. The cadence (E, G) alone, of every period in the melody of the subject, is too repugnant to have given it any strong claim for selection. The introductory slow movement, except bar 3, and its brothers and cousins throughout (which present successive fifths), is replete with expression, tasteful ideas, and select harmonic combinations. In the allegro we notice the agreeable dolce, p. 4-the neat passages and modulations, p. 5—the ingenious deduction of the minor from the major theme, p. 6-and of the presto, p. 8, from the same parent stock. A great recommendation in favour of this and of the preceding composition, is, the attention which has been paid to digital facility, and which infuses ease into passages of difficult aspect.

105

PLATE 9.-PORTMAN-SQUARE.

jority, to whose minds no such humiliating reflections suggested themselves, were highly diverted with the many insolent airs assumed on the joyful occasion by the gentlemen of the brush, who, bedizened in their May-day para

THIS square is esteemed the next | lic dinners, might have envied the in beauty, as it is in extent, to concourse of persons of all ranks Grosvenor-square: It is built with who assembled to witness the gramore regularity than the latter; but tifying spectacle. The inquisitive the very uniformity of the houses, observer of human nature could not and the small projection of the cor- fail to remark, in the conduct of nices, are not favourable to gran- the guests, the proneness of man deur and picturesque effect. It is to forget himself, and to assume an of more modern erection than anyair of importance whenever he is of the other squares in the western raised ever so little above his ordipart of the metropolis, and receiv-nary sphere; whilst the great maed its name from an opulent family, to which its site and that of several of the adjacent streets belongs, and of which John Berkeley Portman, Esq. M. P. is the present representative. The north side is the part exhibited in the annexed view. One of the most conspicuous ob-phernalia, and mounted on their jects about this square, is, the man- donkeys, would rush through the sion of the late Mrs. Montague, crowd of spectators with all the in the north-west corner. This lady, arrogance of foreign princes. who was not more distinguished for a highly cultivated understanding and literary talents, than for the native benevolence of her heart, made it a custom, while she lived, to give an entertainment annually to the children doomed to a trade at once dangerous, disagreeable, and proverbially contemptible, the chimney-sweepers. On May-day, their annual festival, her house and gardens were thrown open to as many of them as chose to partake of a plentiful dinner of roast beef and plum-pudding, provided for the occasion. The tables were laid in the garden, and during the repast, the sooty guests were waited upon by servants in livery, with the greatest formality and attention. Monarchs themselves, at their pub

Respecting the circumstance to which this benevolent custom owed its origin, we have no certain information. According to report, it was instituted in memory of Mrs. Montague's brother, who, in his infancy, was kidnapped, and, after some time, discovered in the service of a chimney-sweeper. The hardships which he endured in this degrading employment, are said to have made so deep an impression on the mind of his relative, that she established this festival, in order to afford those who are engaged in it, at least one happy day in the year.

At the south-west corner of the square, is the house in which M. Otto, the negociator of the peace of Amiens, on the part of France,

their patriotic fury, and convinced them of their mistake.

During the residence of the last Ottoman ambassador to the British court, in the metropolis, he occu

resided. The brilliance of the illuminations displayed by him on that event, must still be remembered by many of our readers; but probably the following anecdote may not be so generally known.pied a house on the west side of One of the devices exhibited in the square. Within the extensive the front of M. Otto's house, in inclosed area in the center, is a allusion to the peace, was the word small summer-house, erected at the CONCORD, formed of variegated expence of his excellency, for the lamps. Musicians teach, that there accommodation of the ladies who can be no concords without discords, frequent this place as a promenade, and so it had well nigh proved on and left by him, at his departure, this occasion. Among the vast con- as a token of his gratitude for the course of spectators attracted from civilities and attentions which he all quarters by the magnificence of had received from them. Whilst the scene, were two honest tars, the ambassador continued here, this who were much better versed in square was the resort of all the the nautical vocabulary, than in the beauty and fashion of this district lessons of Dilworth or Mavor.- of the metropolis. "Hey, Jack," said one to the other, "what d'ye call that ?"-" C, o, n, ,,,d," said his companion, spell-nade, to some others which are ing the word:-" a lie, by G-d! D-mnmy eyes if we are conquer'd," Indignant at what they conceived so glaring a violation of truth, these hearty fellows began priming and loading with such missiles as they could pick up, with the avowed intention of demolishing the obnoxious device; when a by-stander, who had overheard their conversation, with some difficulty appeased

L

bu

If we cannot help considering this square inferior, as a prome

enlivened and diversified by trees and shrubs, its nakedness, however, affords this advantage, that the eye of the passenger is enabled to take in the whole at one view; whereas, in Grosvenor-square, for example, the prospect of the houses on every side, except that where the spectator may happen to be, is in a great measure obstructed.

RETROSPECT OF POLITICS.

SPANISH PENINSULA.

of his lordship's profound mancu

TORIA, a victory unprecedented in the annals of British valour, an event pregnant with momentous consequences, not only for Spain, but for all Europe!

OUR Sanguine expectations found-vres has been the BATTLE OF VITed upon the gigantic plan of campaign, and the great strength and effective state of the army of Lord Wellington, as well as on the conviction of the numerical inferiority of his opponents, have been more than realized. The result

We have to take up the narrative of the military occurrences which