Army, and, it is presumed, no one will deny that | Navy, be denied the right of trial by his peers? they are, they will rank correlatively with the sea- It is conceded to medical officers in the Army and officers as follows: to every citizen.

Chief of the bureau of medicine and surgery, as a captain in the Navy.

Surgeons of the Navy as Commanders;

If it were the practice to appoint surgeons, (who in the course of their professional education, give considerable attention to the principles of law which

Passed Assistant Surgeons as Lieutenants; and effect medical cases,) to act as judge advocate when Assistant Surgeons as Masters.

This scheme of assimilated or correlative rank might be established without interfering in the slightest degree with discipline, or derogating from other officers in the Naval service.

courts-martial assemble abroad, in a very short time, the duty would be more efficiently performed than it now usually is, because they would make themselves intimately acquainted with the subject, and from being long in the Navy, they are always better acquainted with the "usages of the sea-service" than Secretaries (who are commonly detailed for this purpose) whose connexion with the service seldom goes beyond a cruise.

I must close this article, which may be crudely

And according to the same measure, pursers in the Navy would rank as commanders, at any rate after they had been ten or fifteen years in service. Such an arrangement would be startling to those for whom there is no law but their own will. It would be novel certainly; and it is true, that in pre-prepared, for want of time and space, and through judiced or envious eyes, novelty of every descrip-apprehension that its subject is altogether too spetion is objectionable. And perhaps some may be so wise as to suppose, that it would never do to invest an old surgeon, or an old purser in the Navy with so much dignity, as to entitle him to be drummed in and out of a ship; or imagine that it is not within the pale of possibility, for either of these gentlemen ever to know as much about managing a boat and a dozen men, as a boy fourteen years old who has held a midshipman's warrant three months.

cial to be of sufficient interest to attract the attention of the readers of the Messenger. But should this, my first exhibition of Naval information on paper, be considered worthy of following in the track of HARRY BLUFF, you may again hear from, TOGA CIVILIS.

OUR YOUNGER POETS.
NO. III.

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

To those who are unaccustomed to the influence of defined rank, to those who only defer to individual worth and intelligence, the value of rank will not be readily appreciated, because they are not aware In a former number of the Messenger, we prethat rank controls association, and points out pre-sented our readers with brief sketches of the lives cisely where the foot may or may not rest on board and writings of Messrs. C. W. EVEREST and P. of public vessels.

The nature of the duties of surgeons and pursers is so far removed from the routine of that of others in the Navy, that they may have a proper and clearly defined rank without in the least interfering with the general efficiency of the Navy. And as the medical corps consists of several promotable grades, the same principles apply to it as to other branches of the service.

K. KILBORN; we purpose continuing the series from time to time, without any special regard to the comparative merits of the gentlemen noticed, in the order in which they are given to the public.

It is a trite observation, that the lives of literary men, as a general rule, are strikingly devoid of incident, and it is for this reason, that their biogra phies possess so little interest to the mere lovers of fiction and the admirers of the fashionable tales and But when rank is established for these associate romances of the day. Unlike the career of the grades, it should be on just principles and proper warrior or statesman, his youth and manhood are considerations; they should not be agglomerated to passed in quiet and seclusion-finding, at once, sorank with each other according to date of commis-ciety, pleasure and employment among his books, sion, but the grades should be distinct, and have a and spending his hours of relaxation amidst the precedence assigned to each, although the grades hallowed endearments of the social circle. There of surgeon, purser and chaplain should be all ranked is usually little in his daily pursuits or habits to correlatively as lieutenants or commanders. attract the observation of the populace; yet are his Among the instances of injustice complained of labors far from being fruitless of good. The riva by the commission officers, composing the associate let may ofttimes wind its way silently and unseen grades of the Navy, there is not one more remarka- through lovely vallies, yet, the grass grows greener ble perhaps than the usage which excludes them in those vales, and the flowers that spring up along from sitting as members of courts-martial. There its borders, are of a fresher and lighter hue, than is no law against appointing them to perform this if it were not there. And thus, though the career duty; and there is no good reason why they should of the poet may be a noiseless one, his influence is not be represented, when one of their respective powerful in effecting the character and destiny of grades is tried. Why should a surgeon in the our race.

IV.

GEORGE HOOKER COLTON.

One of the most promising of the young poets of this country is, JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. Aside from a peculiar species of mysticism, or vagueness The author of "Tecumseh" is a son of the Rev. of thought and expression, which appears to be GEORGE COLTON, who, though a native of Conneccommon in the school of transcendental writers-ticut, was for several years settled as a clergyto which he professedly belongs—his style is cha-man of the Presbyterian order, in the western part racterized by great beauty and elegance; and, not of the state of New-York, where the subject of this the least among its commendable qualities, there is, sketch was born. Young Colton, having finished running through most of his poems which have fallen his preparatory studies under the direction of his under our notice, a vein of pure, elevated, spiritual brother, (the late Rev. JOHN OWEN COLTON, of piety. His object in writing appears to be to excite New Haven,) entered Yale College in August, and keep alive in man the feelings of humanity-to 1836. During his collegiate course, he was disawaken his higher and better sympathies--and lead tinguished not only for his scholarship, but also for him to the contemplation of the glory of his nature his literary industry and talents. At the "Junior and destiny. He is a son of the Rev. Dr. Lowell, Exhibition," in 1839, the faculty of the College an eminent Unitarian Divine in the city of Boston. awarded him the highest appointment in his class; The subject of this notice was born in 1819, and and about the same time, he was selected by his graduated at the annual commencement in Har- classmates as one of the editors of the " Yale Litevard College in 1839, on which occasion he derary Magazine," a very excellent monthly journal, livered a poem which was subsequently published. which has, for several years, been published by the In 1841, he published a volume entitled "A Year's students of that Institution. At his graduation in Life," and has since been a frequent contributor August 1840, he delivered the " Salutatory Oration to "The Dial," (a "transcendental" periodical in Latin," and a poem entitled “Life." printed in Boston,) and some of the magazines. On the first of January last, MR. LowELL, in company with MR. R. J. CARTER, commenced editing "The Pioneer," an elegant and very able monthly; each number of which has contained articles, both in prose and verse, from his pen. The style and spirit of the author are clearly discernable in the annexed sonnets:

THE POET.

"POET, who sittest in thy pleasant room,
Warming thy heart with idle thoughts of love,
And of a holy life that leads above,
Striving to keep life's spring-flowers still in bloom,
And lingering to snuff their fresh perfume,—
O, there were other duties meant for thee
Than to sit down in peacefulness and Be!
O, there are brother-hearts that dwell in gloom,
Souls loathsome, foul, and black with daily sin,
So crusted o'er with barrenness, that no ray
Of Heaven's blessed light may enter in!
Come down, then, to the hot and dusty way,
And lead them back to hope and peace again—
For, save in act, thy love is all in vain."

THE DEAD.

"To the dark, narrow house when loved ones go,
Whence no steps outward turn, whose silent door
None but the sexton knocks at any more,

Are they not sometimes with us yet below?
The longings of the soul would tell us so;
Altho' so pure and fine their being's essence,
Our bodily eyes are witness of their presence;
Yet not within the tomb their spirits glow,
Like wizzard lamps pent up, but wheresoever
With great thoughts worthy of their high behests
Our souls are filled, those bright ones with us be,
As, in the patriarch's tent, his angel-guests;—
O, let us live so worthily, that never
We may be far from that blest company!"

He has since devoted himself entirely to literary pursuits, and as one of the results of his labors, he published, about a year since, " Tecumseh ;" a poem of about twelve thousand lines-descriptive of the character, customs and habits of the Indian tribes, and particularly of the deeds and exploits of the celebrated chief, whose name is adopted as the title of the work. Of the merits or demerits of this poem, it will not be necessary for the writer to speak, as it has been for several months before the public, and has already been subjected to the criticism and comments of the periodical and newspaper press. As the only extended poem on the subject of the aborigines of this country, which has yet appeared from the pen of an American author, it is worthy of consideration, and will be read with interest. Even a prejudiced mind cannot fail to discover in it many passages of striking beauty, which will long be cherished by the lovers of true poetry as gems of intrinsic worth. The introduction to the first canto is appropriate and beautiful :

"My country! if, unknown to fame, I dare
Amid the gathering years my voice upraise
For thee or thine in other tones than prayer,
Waking long-silent musings into praise
Of thee and of thy glories, let thy grace
Accord me pardon; since no master hand
Thy mighty themes on loftier lyre essays,
Which, treasured long in thought, my mind expand,
And burn into my soul, O thou my native land!

"What tho' no tower its ruined form uprears,
Nor blazoned heraldry, nor pictured hall,
Awake the memories of a thousand years ;'
Yet may we many a glorious scene recall,
And deeds long-cherished in the hearts of all
Who hail thee mother; yet from mountain gray
And forest green, primeval shadows fall
O'er lake and plain. The journeying stars survey

No lovelier realm than thine, free-born Hesperia !
It is thy boast; that never on thy shore
Have any unto foreign bondage bow'd;
The warrior-tribes of Eld lie mounded o'er,
Where fell they wrapped in battle's gory shroud ;
The children of the forest, rudely proud,
Yet struggle nobly for the graves where lie
Their fathers' bones; and aye the invading crowd
Of foeman leagued, we've met with victory.
Of such I sing, O deign one smile, fair Liberty.

A GHOST STORY.

| it, saying, she would just skip across the cloister, and that the door was to be left open for her. She wished good night, and danced and sung with the exuberance of her spirits as she tripped through the ancient monastic precincts. When she reached the door, she was dismayed at finding it locked. The hour was so late, that the family had made sure she was remaining at the Smiths', and all had retired to rest. She knocked as hard as she could with her hand, then she kicked the door; but all in vain; the passage that intervened between the door and the house, prevented the sound being heard. After a moment's consideration, she ran back to the other side to try to gain admittance, but she was there equally unsuccessful, for the door had been locked as she went from it to go home.

Fanny was by no means of a timid temperament, and when she found that she really must spend the

After a raw unpleasant winter's day, a storm burst forth towards evening, that had evidently been some time brewing. The wind howled, the rain and hail beat against the windows, and we instinctively drew our chairs closer around the cheer-night in the Cathedral, her feelings were rather ful, blazing fire; we felt, when doing so, as if our comforts within were sensibly increased by the violent raging of the storm without. We talked over our reminiscences of former storms, and told many a story of peril by flood or field.

One of our party had been a quiet listener all the evening, which we thought unfair; so, before separating for the night, we urged him to give his contribution for the amusement of the rest.

"I have been very little of a traveller," said he, "and have no personal adventures to recount; but if you wish it, I will relate a ghost story, and moreover I am prepared to vouch for its truth."

once.

"Let us have it by all means," cried we, all at Our friend then gave the following history The city of Exeter, in the south of England, contains one of those venerable Cathedrals, whose magnificence gives evidence alike of the wealth of the church, and of its liberal expenditure in those days when England acknowledged the spiritual supremacy of Rome. Dwelling-houses are now joined to the remains of monkish cloisters, and at the time I speak of, two mansions, on opposite sides of the Cathedral, were inhabited by Mr. Smith and Mr. Sheffield; both of them were clergymen who had connection with its ministerial services.

|

agreeable than otherwise; and the more she thought of it, the better she felt pleased at an occurrence that savored so strongly of romance.

The moon was nearly at the full, and sometimes shone brightly through the gothic windows, forming many grotesque figures, by the shadows it threw around. Flying clouds swept over it occasionally, and all was dark; then again, it would emerge bright as ever. It is not surprising that Fanny should have little inclination for sleep under these circumstances. She walked slowly up and down the aisles, sometimes stopping before a monument where the crossed legs told her that the mortal remains of a gallant crusader had been deposited, and then passed on to tombs, where the youth and beauty of more modern days, had alike mingled with their mother earth. No one could be alone at midnight, in such a place, without feelings of awe: and most persons would be unnerved. After pacing about in various directions, Fanny began to faney that she saw something in motion near the organ, but she would not permit herself to dwell on the thought, for, said she to herself, "I know that I am alone in this place; it can be nothing but the moonlight; however, as I am growing fanciful, I had better go to sleep."

In order to pass from one house to the other, you She thought the pulpit would be a good place for were obliged to make a considerable circuit; there- rest, and she mounted its steps, arranged some cush fore, for the convenience of social intercourse, the ions, amused herself with picturing the surprise of families had solicited and obtained permission, each the family when they should hear, in the morning, to make a short passage, by opening a door-way where she had spent the night, and was in the act of into the cloisters, by means of which they could dropping asleep, when she heard footsteps gently pass privately from house to house. This explana- approaching up the aisle. All thoughts of sleep tion is necessary for the understanding of the story. vanished, and she looked in the direction from Fanny Sheffield had been spending an evening which the noise proceeded-could it be that her at Mr. Smith's, where the young people had enjoyed eyes deceived her ? No, it was not an illusion ; for, themselves with so much gayety, that time had by the bright moonlight, she saw a white figure, slipped away more rapidly than any of the party with perfect distinctness. She was rooted to the was aware of, and when Fanny rose to return home, spot, she could not stir, nor could she scream; the Smiths begged her to stay the night, which she was as unable to withdraw her eyes from the object had often done before; but she positively declined which created so much alarm, as is the poor little

she

She

bird when fascinated by the eye of a snake. watched the figure gradually drawing nearer and nearer, until it stood at the foot of the pulpit, and after eyeing her for a moment or two, it ascended, and she felt a cold hand laid on her arm. recollected nothing more-all was blank.

She

Week after week, she lay upon a sick bed, her body consuming with fever, and her brain so shaken by the shock it had received, that her friends feared her reason never would be restored. By slow degrees, her feeble frame began to regain strength, and as the body became invigorated, the mind also showed symptoms of returning strength, and she was at length able to relate the history I have given you. After doing so, she begged her mother to let her know how and where they had found her.

"We were surprised that you did not make your appearance after breakfast, and sent over to Mr. Smith's to say you were wanted. But our surprise was changed into consternation, when the servant came back and told us that you had not slept there, and that no one had seen you, after taking leave at the cloister door. We went into the Cathedral

'Tis then that fancy's visions bright,
Flit swift before my mind,
And mem'ry's sweet and cheering light,
Doth all around me shine.

"Tis then that lovers' glances meet,
When they are absent far,
Upon that planet-bright and sweet,-
The lovely evening star.

Then, when nature's sinking to repose,
I leave the world behind;-

In prayer I spread my griefs and woes,
Before th' eternal mind.

'Tis then the forms of those long dead,
Who once were dear and true,

Before my mind their beauties spread,
As if to real view.

As evening twilight-calm and bright,-
I wish life's scene to close,**
And after death's short, lurid night,
In endless peace repose.

R. M. College, Va., 1843.

EDITOR'S TABLE.

Richmond: Agent.

R.

and called aloud for you, thinking it just possible THE NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW. J. W. Randolphthat you might be hiding from us by way of frolic. On inquiry, from the man who kept the keys, we learnt that on opening the Cathedral at an early hour, he had found a poor idiot boy in it, who, he supposed, had wandered there the day before, and, not being observed, had been locked in. A low moaning sound directed us to the pulpit, where we found you, my dear child, in a perfectly unconscious state."

Fanny entirely recovered from the shock, but in consequence of the distressing circumstances that had caused her illness, the doors to the cloisters were closed, and for the future, both families were willing to walk round about through the frequented streets, instead of taking the short cut.

When the story was finished, there was a general pause, broken by the youngest of the party, saying, in a tone of disappointment-" So, it was not a ghost she saw after all."

"No," said the narrator, "and I make no doubt that other ghost stories, be they ever so well authenticated, would admit of similar explanation if sifted to the bottom."

EVENING TWILIGHT.
At twilight's soft and holy hour,
When all around is still,

I feel an inward soothing power,
My tranquil bosom fill.

'Tis then I love to watch each star,
As from his home he peeps;

The moon's pale face, with radiance fair,
As through the sky she creeps.

The April number of this, the oldest among American Quarterlies, opens with rather an ill-timed article on the Exploring Expedition. We hope to see justice done to this Expedition, and with that view, we wait till the fruits of its labors be given to the world. Besides what will be the lagging behind the official in interest. odicial, there is a secret history also of this enterprise, not We hope that some of our numerous friends in the Navy, will let us have that also at the proper time. We know that in almost all military enterprises there are two accounts given-one for the public eye-ad captandum-the other for the private inforessential to history and indispensable to the right undermation and guidance of the ruling powers. This last is standing of its acts. There is such an one belonging to this Expedition, whether written and officially communicated, we know not-but we have heard enough of it to

know that it is full of interest, and important to enable the public to judge righteously in the matter.

The VII articles on the "Researches concerning the Periodical meteors of August and September. By Sears C. Walker," is well written and striking. We have not read the paper reviewed, but it is to be hoped that this Mr. Sears C. Walker can observe upon meteors better than he has upon

"the comet." His last astronomical ukase makes it "hit
the sun." The "strong red line" is fully and ably dis-
cussed in the article upon the Treaty of Washington. The
paper on Alison's History of Europe is an able review.
The other articles of the number, are-)
e-Paul De Kock's
novels-Howitt's Student-Life in Germany. Dillaway's
Edition of the Tuscalan Questions. Muller's Elements
of Physiology. Hitchcock's Geology of Massachusetts.
The Harpers' cheap edition of SHAKSPEARE, the first and
second numbers, at 25 cents each.
This is another gem to 'cheap Literature.' The entire
works will be published in eight weekly numbers, on excel
lent paper and in good readable type, with 19 steel engra-
vings. Of this work, the Messrs. Harper, in the manner of
publication, enable the readers to "judge their sixe-pen-
'orth-their shilling's worth--their five shillings worth at a
time, or higher, so they do but buy." The players' preface

to the first folio edition of Shakspeare in 1623, will apply | States,--that glorious West, whose hands have ever been, now with as much freshness and force as it did then :

"TO THE GREAT VARIETY OF READERS, from the most able, to him that can but spell: there you are number'd. We had rather you were weigh'd. Especially, when the fate of all Bookes depends upon your capacities: and not of your heads alone, but of your purses. Well! it is now publique, and you wil stand for your priviledges wee know: to read, and censure. Do so, but buy it first. That doth best commend a Booke, the Stationer saies. Then, how odde soever your braines be, or your wisedomes, make your licence the same, and spare not. Judge your sixe-pen'orth, your shillings worth, your five shillings worth at a time, or higher, so you rise to the just rates, and welcome. But, whatever you do, Buy. Censure will not drive a Trade, or make the Jacke go. And though you be a Magistrate of wit, and sit on the Stage at Black-Friers, or the Cockpit, to arraigne Playes dailie, know, these Playes have had their triall alreadie, and stood out all Appeales; and do now come forth quitted rather by a Decree of Court, than any purchas'd Letters of commendation.

"It had bene a thing, we confesse, worthie to have bene wished, that the author himselfe had lived to have set forth, and overseen his owne writings; But since it hath bin ordain'd otherwise, and he by death departed from that right, we pray you, doe not envie his Friends, the office of their care and paine, to have collected and publish'd them; and so to have publish'd them, as where (before) you were abus'd with divers stolne, and surreptitious copies, maimed ard deformed by the frauds and stealthes of injurious impostors, that expos'd them: even those are now offer'd to your view cur'd, and perfect of their limbes; and all the rest, absolute in their numbers, as he conceived the: Who, as he was a happie imitator of Nature, was a most gentle expresser of it. His mind and hand went together and what he thought, he uttered with that easinesse, that wee have searse received from him a blot in his papers. But it is not our province, who only gather his works, and give them ycu, to praise him. It is yours that reade him. And there we hope, to your divers capacities, you will finde enough, both to draw, and hold you: for his wit can no more lie aid, then it could be lost. Reade him, therefore; and againe, and againe : And if then you doe not like him, surely you are in some manifest danger, not to understand him. And so we leave you to other of his Friends, whom if you need, can bee your guides: if you neede them not, you can leace yourselves, and others. And such readers we wish him.

་

JOHN HEMINGE,
HENRIE CONDELL."

"And such readers for him," we wish our friends and neighbor, the Harpers, and J. W. Randolph.

The works of cheap literature go bravely on. The second number of Millman's History of the Jews-and part V. of Brande's Encyclopædia, both by the Harpers, and each at 25 cents--and also part IV. of Murray's Encyclopædia of Geography, likewise at 25 cents, by Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia, and all for sale at Randolph's well furnished bookstore, are before us in the most inviting shape. Go, gentle reader, "judge y'r sixe-pen'orth," for you already know our opinion of these publications.

Fourth Annual Report of the Directors and Superintendant of the Ohio Lunatic Asylum, to the Forty-First General

Assembly. Dec. 9th, 1842. Columbus: Samuel Medary, State Printer.

"as open as day to melting charity." Institutions for the blind, hospitals for the sick, and asylums for the lunatic, are not among the least noble monuments of the West. This Asylum of Ohio, appears to be particularly well managed. They have our best wishes.

THE MEDICAL NEWS AND LIBRARY. This is the old Medical Intelligencer upon an enlarged plan and in a new dress. It is published monthly by Lee & Blanchard: Philadelphia.

Its object is to enable its readers to keep "the run" of miscellaneous, medical intelligence of all kinds; to give reports of clinical lectures, as well as of the medical schools and hospitals generally.

A Student Library, is to be published in this periodical, of which the "Lectures on the Principles and practice of Medicine," lately delivered by the celebrated Dr. Watson, King's College, London, is to form the first of the series.

We have received the first three numbers of the "News and Library," so far, it is well conducted, and gives promise to become a truly valuable publication, and at the very cheap rate of one dollar a year.

SOUTHERN QUARTERLY REVIEW-Nos. V. and VI: 1843. The reduced subscription price of this journal, now places it within the reach of all. It is well conducted and well supported, and we hope to see it flourish. The present Nos. are particularly good.

EDWARD A. AND EUGENE H. LYNCH. We have observed, in the daily papers, notices of the death of Edward A. Lynch and Eugene H. Lynch, Esqrs., natives of Petersburg, Va.-the former, in the thirty-second, the latter, in the twenty eighth year of his age. They died during the month of March last-five days only intervening between the times of their decease-in the island of Santa Cruz. The elder brother had resorted to the climate of the West Indies on account of delicate health-the younger had gone as his companion.

Both of these gentlemen were among the earliest, ablest, and most friendly contributors to this magazine, after it fell into the hands of its late proprietor. They were both endowed with the highest gifts of intellectual and moral excellence. Mr. Edward A. Lynch, was, but lately, a member of the Maryland legislature, where he acquired an enviable reputation for ability and eloquence. At the last congressional election, he was the candidate of his party in the Frederick district, where he resided. He was also among the leaders of the bar with which he was associated, and was prominent, as well in the affections, as the confidence of his fellow citizens. Maryland regarded him as among the foremost of her sons.

Mr. Eugene H. Lynch, was a resident of Clark county, Va. He had but recently devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and had already won the kindest regard of the large and cultivated circle in which he moved. His mind was brilliant, acute, and comprehensive. His literary ac complishments were of a very high order, and his character was gallant, enthusiastic and affectionate. To all this, he added the charm of admirable powers of conversation, and a most fascinating personal address, which gave him the sway of all hearts.

The sadness which has been caused by the death of these two gentlemen, thus cut off in the bloom of their manhood and their promise, is heightened by the fact of its occurrence in a strange land, far from the consolation of those immediate sympathies, which none could have enlisted more extensively or warmly. We have felt it a gratefu duty to their memory, to testify our participation in the sorrow in which so melancholy a dispensation has involved

It is most pleasing and refreshing to the kindly sympathies of our nature, to witness such highly interesting and praise-worthy efforts, as this Report exhibits, in the cause of human ill. Every year increases the patriotic pride and pleasure with which we view the land of our sister' every one who knew them.