In that dim trance, lo! something at my feet, That in its wavering bloom seem'd beautiful! The beauty indistinct of form, and hue, And motion-for the Vision gently moved Like light on water-almost dazzling-bright, Yet in its brightness tenderly subdued Down into faint and melancholy smiles! With startled spirit, even as one awakes From dreamless sleep, soon as his face is touch'd I gazed and gazed; and then the beauty grew, In their delight delighting all the desert, Nor grass nor herb, Nought but their own fair selves were smiling there, A whispering wind, Touch'd these sweet HAREBELLS,-for I knew their names, Even through the uncertain glimmer of their blue Thus hid in dew, and as the dew expired, But Fancy's dreams are transient in their flight, To slavery by his brethren-can such guilt The fine association fill'd my sout Still were the moorland HAREBELLS beautiful In their own mute insensate nature, breathing Of God amid the wild; but from that show So exquisite of heavenly workmanship, Emblems of beings far more exquisite In the endowment of immortal souls, I turn'd me round in gushing tenderness, And, manifest before my eyes, lo! stood Even in the very flesh, no phantoms they, My own dear Family, my children blest, And in the midst their mother-wife beloved! The gentle one whose gentle life they share, Whose joy is oft like sadness, and her sadness Oft but a dim faint shadow of her joy! What love-what bliss-may be concentrated I felt a pressure on my knees; and lo! I started, for an instant undeceived, The Guardian Angel of my mortal life; Our hearts; but in that meeting broke the spell, Beneath too strong a stir of happiness! A vanishing! and I was left alone In the dark desert, while the HAREBELLS Smiled Like disenchanted flowerets at my feet! LITERARY CHIT-CHAT AND VARIETIES. Messrs Oliver and Boyd seem to have commenced with activity their publishing campaign. We have already had occasion to notice two new works of theirs,-Malcolm's "Scenes of War," and Mrs Johnstone's "Diversions of Hollycot;" and in the course of this week, four more new works have been put into our hands, which are about to issue from "Tweeddale Court." These are "My Grandfather's Farm, or Pictures of Rural Life,"-" The Life and Adventures of Alexander Selkirk,"-" Discourses on Some Important Points of Christian Doctrine and Duty, by the Rev. Alexander Stewart, Minister of Douglas,"-and "A Treatise on the Nature and Cure of Intestine Worms, by William Rhind, Surgeon." All these it is our intention to notice speedily. Mr Blackwood is also about to publish several works of an interesting description, among which are a "History of the Progress and Suppression of the Reformation in Spain, during the Sixteenth Century, by Dr Thomas M'Crie," the able Historian of the Scottish Reformation, and Biographer of the Fathers of our National Church,-"The Shepherd's Calendar, by James Hogg," "The Shepherd Boy," a translation from the German,-and a seventh edition of Poliok's " Course of Time." We have received a copy of Miss Mitford's "Rienzi ;" and we understand that this tragedy is on sale at Mr Sutherland's, in Calton Street, whose shop, we believe, is the principal depot for plays in town, Dr Irving, the learned Librarian to the Faculty of Advocates, and author of the Elements of English Composition, is preparing for publication a History of Scottish Poetry, from the middle of the Thirteenth to the commencement of the Eighteenth Century. The Jurisdiction of the Temporal Courts of Scotland," just published, by Maclachlan and Stewart, is a small pamphlet, giving an account of the powers and privileges of these courts. We perceive that Mr Colburn is to publish, in January next, No. I. of a new monthly periodical, to be entitled "The Journal of the United Service," to be dedicated entirely to the interests of the military and naval professions. The work is to be conducted by an officer of his Majesty's Service. "The Disowned," a novel, by the author of "Pelham," has just appeared. "The Musical Bijou, an Album of Music, Poetry, and Prose, for 1829," is announced. Amongst its contents are two songs by the Ettrick Shepherd,-"The Harp of Ossian," and "My Emma, my darling." There are also original musical compositions by Bishop, Barnett, Bayly, and others. A gentleman of the name of James has lately published a Pocm, called "The Ruined City," which is reviewed and praised in the last Number of the New Monthly Magazine. In the Preface there is this passage:-" A few years ago a party of English gentlemen, travelling in the Morea, conceived the idea of visiting some of the ruins of ancient Greece by moonlight. An account of the effect produced, given by one of the travellers to the author, suggested the following little Poem." The English party must have consisted of men of the most original minds, to conceive the idea of visiting Greek ruins by moonlight, and the author must be a person of a vast reach of thought to conceive the idea of writing a Poem in consequence. Mr Sheppard, the author of Thoughts on Devotion," has in the press a work entitled "A View of some of those Evidences for the Divine Origin of Christianity, which are not founded on the authenticity of Scripture." A History of India, in two volumes, is preparing for publication, by James Augustus St John and Leitch Ritchie. A new work is announced, to be completed in five Numbers, each of which will contain four portraits, engraved by the first artists, of the Beauties of the Court of Charles II, with Biogra phical Notices, by the author of "The Diary of an Ennuyé." Dr Macintosh, Lecturer in Edinburgh on the Practice of Physic, is about to publish" Elements of the Principles and Practice of Physic." "A New Year's Eve, and other Poems," have just appeared, by the amiable Quaker, Bernard Barton. F. Mansel Reynolds, the editor of "The Keepsake," is the son of Reynolds the dramatic writer, who, during more than a quarter of a century, produced annually one or two drainas, nearly all of which were eminently successful. Reynolds's last publication was the history of his Life and Times," to which, we learn, he intends to add a supplementary volume. A new Cyclopædia, to be called "The Cabinet Cyclopædia," has been announced by Messrs Longman and Co., in which, it is said, some of the first men of the age will unite their labours. One of the peculiarities of this work is, that it professes to produce treatises on the most abstruse departments of science and art, divested altogether of their technical language and symbols, and to present them in such a form, that all their most unportant results will be intelligible to the general reader. haps, may be done, but it is very difficult to do. We know of only three successful attempts of the kind. Newton in his "Optics;" Laplace in his "Systeme du Monde;" and Biot in his "Precis de Physique." Dr Lardner is to be the Editor. This, per It is sugested in the last Number of the "Literary Gazette," that the large block of stone lately dug out of Craigleith Quarry, should be transported to London, and erected in a conspicuous situation, in honour of the King. There are just two objections to this suggestion-the first is, that we do not see why a natural curiosity of this kind should be carried away from the land that produced it; and the second is, that the stone in question is now broken into small pieces. We are glad to find that the activity and zeal of the Scottish Episcopal Church keeps pace with the impulse lately given to the study of Theology in Scotland, by the induction of Dr Chalmers to the Divinity Chair in the University of Edinburgh. Besides the Theological Lectures delivered by the learned Episcopalian Professor, Dr Walker, we understand that the Right Reverend Bishop Sandford has commenced reading Lectures on Hebrew Literature, in which it is known he is profoundly versant; and we also learn, that that acute and accomplished scholar, the Rev. Mr Terrot, has announced his intention of giving a course of Lectures on the Greek Testament, to begin in January next. European Universities.-It may be interesting to some of our readers to know, that there are twenty-five Universities in France; from twenty to thirty in Germany; four in Prussia; six in Russia; fifteen in Italy; eleven in Spain; six in the Netherlands; four in Switzerland; two in Portugal; two in Denmark; four in Scotland; and three in England. We observe that a new peristrephic panorama of the Battle of Navarin, (is not this a Cockney corruption of Navarino?) is about to be opened in this city. We consider a good panorama one of the most innocent and delightful exhibitions with which we are acquainted; and we are glad that Edinburgh is seldom without one or two-both Panoramas and Dioramas. We should have no objection to see Cosmoramas and Myrioramas added to the list. Messrs Roberts and M'Donald have both, we perceive, announced a series of Rhetorical Readings. Mr Roberts, with Miss Noel's assistance, is to mingle music with elocution, which cannot fail to make a very agreeable combination. We think it right to direct the attention of all lovers of the fine arts to Mr Galli's Exhibition of Ancient Paintings, now open in the rooms of the Royal Institution. The pictures are very numerous, and some of them-especially one or two by Albert Cuyp, Spada. Salvator Rosa, Murillo, Titian, Backhuysen, Teniers, and Gerard Douw,-of rare beauty and value. We are assured by a correspondent, upon whose authority we can rely, that the Grace recited at the recent dinner of the Antiquarian Society, as an extempore and unpublished effusion of Burns, is well known throughout all the south of Scotland, as an old covenanter's grace, which was composed, and frequently delivered, before Burns was born. The lines themselves, in so far as their literary merit is concerned, are scarcely worth quarrelling about. Theatrical Gossip.-A new drama, in two acts, entitled "Aloyse, or the Forester's Daughter," is to be brought out at the Edinburgh Theatre on Tuesday next. It is the production of a lady, who, as an authoress, is already a favourite with the public. From what we have learned regarding "Aloyse," we are inclined confidently to anticipate its success. The piece, we are informed, is somewhat of a melancholy cast, and Mrs Henry Siddons, who plays the heroine, upon whom the interest mainly hinges, has a part admirably suited to her. Pritchard, and Montague Stanley, have also striking characters; and Murray one to which he will, no doubt, do ample justice. We believe, also, that some ori, inal music will be introduced by Miss Tunstall; and, in short, it does not seem to be at all probable, that the fair author will need to claim that indulgence from the audience which gallantry and good feeling would of course prompt, were the dramatic effort she has made less likely to be successful.-Nothing particular is doing in London. A Miss Byfield, who has recently appeared as a singer at Covent Garden, is spoken of as likely soon to fill the place of Miss Stephens. Miss Fanny Ayton is warbling at Bath; and Miss Foote is playing at Lincoln. Ducrow is about to make his appearance in Glasgow, where he will remain some time. TO OUR READERS. The Edinburgh Literary Journal for November 1828, Part I., in a handsome cover, containing three numbers, is this day ready, price 1s. 3d. TO OUR CORRESPONDENTS. We shall be glad to hear occasionally from the Glasgow Corres pondent, whose communication appears in this day's Journal." -We hope to hear soon again from our friend at Dumfries.-We cannot judge of the translations from the German by the specimens sent us, which are too short and unconnected." The Sinuggler" will not suit us." The Telescope, No. 1." and "Practical Jokes, No. 1." indicate abilities which practice might improve."Old Edwards" is good, but not quite good enough.Want of room prevents the insertion of our article upon the Blind. We continue to receive much more poetry than we know what to do with. Our best thanks, however, are due to the author of the "Sonnets," which shall appear as soon as possible. So shall some of the "Stanzas" of " D.V." of Dundee; and also of "J. S. P." "A. S." of Dundec-" M." of Glasgow-" M." of Edinburgh, and the Lines entitled "Manhood," will not suit us.-" D." asks for a candid opinion. We never give any other. His "Fragment" has been converted into fragments. All anonymous Communications must be post-paid, which an Aberdeen Correspondent, who signs "A. B." should have known. But as we are somewhat opposed to the system of anonymous writing, so common of late, we should wish as many of our Cor respondents as possible to add their names to their communications. LITERARY CRITICISM. An Examination of the Human Mind. By the Rev. could not be explained, until the sacredness of religion, in the end, became subservient and secondary to the very subtleties that were originally invented for its aid. These impieties and fooleries, indeed, were subsequently destroyed by the promulgation of th Inductive Laws; but, like the stains on female honour, their memory and influence have never been altogether obliterated. One great lesson, nevertheless, has been taught to philosophers in general, by this very stigma,-namely, the danger of prosecuting their speculations with any other view than the discovery of truth, for its own sake; and the absurdity of setting out with the determination of involving their opinions with preconceived notions or systems. To the great majority of people, metaphysics is, perhaps, the most appalling combination of vowels and conQuants in the English language. It is regarded as a sort of cabalistic dialect,-difficult to pronounce, and most impossible to comprehend,-generally made up into treatises of four volumes and upwards, which receive their final accomplishment in the purposes of the snuff- This lesson, however, the author of the volume before vender, or the devices of the trunk-maker. It is the us seems to have overlooked; for, at the very oatset, he anly branch of science of which a man makes a merit of lays down, as a positive criterion of the truth of any knowing nothing, and young ladies avow ignorance system, that it cannot. by any interenees, lead to a conwithout blushing. In short, it is looked upon as some clusion which a full moiety of the Christian world hold thing disreputable to human beings, and excusable only to be indubitable; and, in perfect accordance with such in divinity students and dissenting weavers. Even as a preface, we have all manner of texts from holy writ to far back as the middle of the last century, when the solve the most legitimate and appropriate questions of mental impulse that paved the way to revolution, of natural theology. This is equally repugnant to good government in France, and of opinion throughout Eu- taste, and to the plainest principles and ordinary rules of rope, had lent a deeper interest and intensity to the ab- philosophical reasoning;-and although the author's stract and fundamental doctrines of man's constitution plea of being but slightly conversant with the metaphy. and rights, even then we find the most acute and ele-sical writings of others, may serve as an apology in cases gant philosopher of his age,-perhaps of his country, of oversight or mistake,- -we apprehend that it cannot regretting the comparative apathy of his contemporaries stand him in stead for raising, on the very violation of to abstruse theories, and reluctantly frittering his own a rule, a charge of Atheism (as clearly as implication system into detached essays, as the only means of gain. can) against the very individual to whom the doctrines ing a hearing with the public. And yet it is curious, that of the existence of a Deity, and of the immateriality and what is thus obnoxious in a systematic and symmetri- immortality of the soul, as dietates of natural religion, cal form, is the habitual study and practice of every owe more than to all his predecessors. It is either childman. The whole business and conduct of life is nothing ish or Jesuitical to make any distinction in Atheism beelse than the practical application of those individual tween a genius like Brown and his doctrine. At that laws, which it is the province of philosophy to correct, rate, Atheism might abound all over the world, and yet arrange, analyse, and illustrate. In the most trivial ac- it would be impossible to point out a disbeliever in his tions some theory is formed,. -some ratiocination made, God. We can conceive of even a mind like Pope's being -upon those very principles which, in their more ex- gradually blinded by the metaphysical plausibilities of tended application, constitute the body and the value of another, until he became the instrument of disseminametaphysical science, and of physical discovery. So ting a system which, had he seen its consequences, he wonderful, indeed, do the splendours of intellectual art would have abjured and detested; but that the most appear, when brought together, and made palpable to subtle and profound intelleet of modern times was unview in the annals of philosophy, that "we can scarcely able to perceive, what to Mr Ballantyne appears so very bring ourselves to think that genius is but a form of ge- obvious, is altogether incredible indeed. We would neral tendencies of association, which all partake; and fain hope, that the passage which has called forth our that its magnificent conceptions rise according to the animadversions is merely one of the hasty and undigestsame simple laws which regulate the course of vulgared remarks, of which the volume affords so many specithought." The distaste for systems of abstract inquiry that has so long prevailed, is attributable, therefore, not to the subject matter itself,-for its immediate application comes home to the business, and bosom of every rational being, -but to the repulsive aspect which, under the dogmas and drivelling of the schoolmen, philosophy for a period assumed. Urged by a zeal no less blind than impetuous, for the support of a creed, as uninfluential on the heart as incomprehensible to the mind, their whole energies were devoted to mystify matters which mens; and that, should a second edition ever afford an opportunity of correction, the author will be prompt to cancel an imputation, which justice should have withheld him from throwing on the living, and charity from casting on the dead. We have insisted thus long on the tone and temper of this work, because the author has weakened his own positions by a perpetual appeal, when hard pushed, to devotional consequences, instead of sound logic: As, where he combats Edward's doctrine of the Will, by declaring, "that it is purely physical necessity, or fatal ity," where he overthrows Reid's theory of Contingency, by the simple assertion, that it proves the whole universe must be under the supreme jurisdiction of chance," or where he denounces Dugald Stewart for having broached a theory, which, notwithstanding "the appearances of piety under some of its aspects," leads directly to more impious results-than we choose to copy, but which the author has claborately detailed in a note at pp. 242 and 243. Such impotent conclusions could only beget a smile, were it not that they appear a kind of retributive justice towards the philosopher last named, who, when the fire of genius was nearly extinct, raked up its flickering embers for the purpose of blasting the fair fame of a departed, and, in our opinion, superior, genius. stance, we have primarily any idea of extension, real or comparative, either of the nervous expanse affected, or of the body producing the impression? On the contrary, it is notorious, that if, with our eyes shut, the hand is carried over any superficies, the idea of extension depends, not on the position of sensitive surfaces employed in the act of palpation, nor on the portion of space traversed, but on the comparative celerity or slowness with which the operation is performed. On making the experiment, it will be found, that so far from "the idea of extension corresponding with the extent of impression," we are completely ignorant of the longitudinal dimensions, whether we use a finger or a hand,or whether the body be two yards or five yards in length. Or, to put the matter in another light,-if the idea of extension depend ultimately on the extent of the nervous extremity affected, the puncture of a pin should suggest little more than the idea of a mathematical point, which hath position but not magnitude. And yet, (when once the idea of extension has been obtained by other means,) there is, perhaps, no impression, which, in its apparent diffusion, conveys an idea of greater extent. The truth is, that even in our tactual impressions, we do not uniformly refer our immediate sensations to the part affected.-as in the case of those who, having lost a limb, ascribe any feeling in the fragment left, to the extremity of which they were long since denuded. It is time, however, that we proceed to give some account of the work itself. From the introduction, by far the best piece of composition in the book, and which contains some sound and acute remarks on the mode of conducting philosophical speculations, we learn that the volume now given to the public contains only one of four sections, into which the "Examination" is divided; and that the publication of the rest is (very judiciously, we think,) delayed, until the receptio nof their precursor is ascertained. We are further informed that the author is an amateur, "not extensively acquainted" with writings on the subject of which he treats, and, therefore, as he very truly says, liable" to appropriate to himself what may really belong to those who have gone before." Such is the account given by Mr Ballantyne of his intentions, his acquirements, and his book; and after a careful perusal of the latter, it seems to us pretty apparent, that it is the work of one, who is an admirer of what in the days of Beattie was so popular under the misnomer of "the Common Sense Philosophy." Not that in his individual doctrines he is to be confounded with that interjectional and stipendiary polemic, or even with the more temperate, though equally untenable, arguments of Dr Reid; but his great aim, in the peculiar system he has adopted, is, like theirs, to measure philosophical theories by popular or vulgar opi-a nion; and to take the ordinary feelings and indiscriminate language of mankind, as the ultimate basis, standard, and appeal, in abstract speculation. This leads him, at every other page, to assume as axiomatic, proven, or needless of explanation, points, on which great doubt, and diversity of opinion, prevail. In no instance is this more conspicuous than in the first chapter," On the Sensitive Principle," where, without the slightest preparation, and while expecting some hypothesis or explication of the sentient principle, and its susceptibilities, as the ground-work of future deductions, we are plunged at once into a theory of the Ideas of Extension. Here, in opposition to Brown, who held that such ideas are acquired, and not original; and to Reid, who supposed them to result, not from actual impression, but from the consequent sensations, he ascribes their origin, as well as that of our ideas of duration, to what he styles the law of correspondence." We give the enunciation of this law in his own words. "Every impression on a sensitive part of the body suggests a sensation; and, in connexion with it, an idea of a portion of extension corresponding to the portion of nervous expansion affected." Ideas of extension, therefore, are concomitant and coeval with our sensations; or, in other words, the very first impression on any of the sensitory organs, (which are merely the extremities of nervous expansion,) necessarily suggests the idea of extension and its various modifications of figure, &c. &c. Now, to this explanation we have only one objection, viz. that it is utterly at variance with the facts and phenomena it is meant to elucidate, even in the impressions of touch,—where the idea of extension in the impinging object is most likely to arise. Will any one pretend, that with the tactual feeling of an external sub Hitherto we have spoken only of the sense of touch, as subversive of mere sensual impressions affording our first notions of extension. But if we take the most cursory survey of sight, taste, smell, and hearing, the theory becomes supremely ridiculous. We should like to know what ideas of extension arise from the odour of a rose, or if they do arise, whether we have an idea of greater magnitude in smelling with one nostril, with half a nostril, or with both nostrils, or whether a rose of small dimensions suggests its comparative diminutiveness when coming after the fragrance of a bulkier predecessor? In taste, the doctrine may excuse a glutton for taking large mouthfuls, but it will scarcely satisfy philosopher of temperate habits. Our author's theory of our conceptions of Duration we regard as equally unsound, and his notions on Associa tion scarcely less so. He combats the opinions of Hume and others on the latter point, and maintains that ideas suggest one another, not by any similarity or relation between their objects, but by the simple affinity of precedence between themselves. He endeavours to reduce the commonly received laws of association to this single principle, but at such length that we have not space to follow him into details. It The third chapter treats of Volition, under which he includes Attention, Abstraction, Imagination, (in part,) and Causation. He defines Volition to be "the power of detaining our ideas for a longer or shorter period, with a view to the attainment or accomplishment of something;" and characterises it as an original principle of our constitution, "on which, strictly speaking, none of the other principles act. It is it which acts on them, and acts only occasionally as we see meet to employ it." is in this chapter, and particularly in the 5th and 6th sections, when speaking of the freedom of the mind, and the causative influence of volition, that an unfounded apprehension of consequences has hurried the author beyond his depth, and made him, as is usually the case with drowning men, catch at straws. That there is in the mind some power or susceptibility, by which, in the choice and attainment of objects, its decisions are regulated, is beyond the reach of doubt. But that this principle is not, like every other mental susceptibility, called into exercise, and modified and controlled, by the circumstances and objects among which it is placed, is improbable from analogy, and contradicted by experience. It must never be forgotten that what we call distinct powers or principles of the mind, are nothing else than general denominations, under which certain classes of feelings are arranged; and that so far from any absolute diversity or divisibility of powers, we only know of mind as something capable of existing in certain states, which constitute our whole catalogue of feelings, whether sensations, appetites, or emotions; and susceptible, likewise, of affection and change of state, by the infinity of objects of which it is cognizant. Of these states or modes of mind, there is one termed Desire by some,-Will by others, and Volition by a third party; but which, in all cases, is simply the perception of any object, coupled with the wish to obtain it. This feeling is, perhaps, with the exception of sensation, the most frequent and abiding, in which the mind exists; but still it is as dependent for its rise, force, and duration, upon previous states or affections of the mental principle, as any sensation or emotion whatever. How any existent feeling suggests that which immediately follows it, we do not pretend to explain; but that, in the infinite series of mental states, every mutation has its cause in some antecedent affection, and becomes itself the necessary generator of another change, is perfectly apparent, if we suppose any relation or congruity between the sensations, emotions, and notions of human beings. In short, Desire, or, as our author terms it, Volition, is always an effect of some determinate cause; and, like every other effect, the necessary result of its antecedent. We say necessary; for, according to any rational definition of cause and effect, it is impossible to conceive the existence of the first, without the instantaneous production of the other. Mr Ballantyne, indeed, informs us, that he knows causes, which, in identical circumstances, are not uniformly followed by identical results; and he gives us to understand, that a man may be placed, at different times, in precisely the same situation, as to all motives and capability of acting, and yet his volitions may be different each time, or be may have no volition at all. We shall not pretend to contradict this, as we are not aware that any parallel phenomena ever occurred in this world; but we will give ten to one,-as a friend of ours offers to all manufacturers of the marvellous,-that the like does not take place again. The murmur of the ocean is for ever around them; the four winds of heaven know them as the children of the storm, and the nurslings of the breeze. They have been over that pathless wilderness of waves, which submits not, as the passive earth does, to human control. On its wide fields mortal hand never sowed or reaped; never does it bring forth its spontaneous fruits for man ;-it is boundless because unexplored-omnipotent because irresistible. The lord of the creation sinks into help. lessness before its might. Wealth and pride go down with a shriek into its depths, and the solitary sea-bird, in whose sight they perish, wheels far away with a shrill cry of scorn, that they should thus idly have braved their fate. And not the daring navigator alone, but all the habitable globe, seems to be at the mercy of the deep. For a time, perhaps for many ages, it may consent to act in accordance with certain unknown and mysterious laws which regulate the heavenly bodies; but who shall say when it may again, as it has done before, burst its bounds, and roll sullenly on over a vanished world? It is a useless question-an unprofitable speculation; but these and similar reflections, though dimly perceived, and seldom expressed, tend more or less to tinge the seaman's character as well as the complexion of the landsman's thoughts, when we happen to consider the nature of his pursuits. It is true that this is the poetical side of the subject, and that there is another more familiar and not less just, which detracts considerably from the romance that might otherwise attach itself to the habits and occupations of the sailor. He is in general uneducated, ignorant, simple, unrefined; he ploughs the ocean without medi. tating on its grandeur; he comes into port, and he can tell you little of what he has seen. To him his ship is merely a vehicle for transporting goods from one country to another, and the sea is the mountainous road by which he must continually travel. He may launch forth upon its waters and return no more; but so have thousands, and when a fate is common it ceases to inspire dread. What, then, is to hinder him from passing over the surface of the waves with as much indifference as the fish passes beneath them? What is he but a fish who occasionally walks about upon dry land? When the sea is calm, it is well; when a storm comes, he must weather it the best way he can. As for the poetry of the thing-its beauty and sublimity,—a glass of grog and a bit of fresh beef are worth them all. There still remains an interminable chapter on the Motive Principle, in which the author seems to be in much the same predicament with ourselves, viz. sorely puzzled to discover the meaning of his "Law of Congruity." This, perhaps, was his excuse for writing so much about it. It must be ours, for dropping the sub-mance, not in itself alone, but in that which it contains. ject. Yet, disenchant it as we will, the ocean is full of ro Its icebergs, its coral reefs, its wild rocks, and its lovely islands, smiling far away like stars in the coronet of night, live in the imagination, and rouse the mind into activity. Then the stories that have been told by the adventurous mariner who has wandered out of the common tracks; who has been placed in situations novel, if not appalling, and the history of whose sensations tends to throw additional light upon human nature,-these can never lose their interest so long as the tides flow. Of all kinds of romance, the romance of real life is the wildest and most absorbing; and in proportion as it is founded upon that romance, fiction acquires a value. Hence, the great charm of De Foe's History of Robinson Crusoe; and hence, the anxiety that has long been felt to know exactly the real incidents from which that history takes its rise. In the work before us Mr Howell has undertaken to sup ply the information. It was an undertaking well adapted to Mr Howell's peculiar habits and turn of mind. The books he has already published, all of which have sold extensively, prove, that besides a very general stock of knowledge, and a liking for laborious research, he possesses the art of arranging his ideas lucidly, and expressing them in plain simple language, without pretension, and without affectation. Altogether, Mr Howell is a person sui generis. Belonging, as he does, to the lower ranks of life, supporting himself entirely as a mechanic, |
