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and it was his task merely to exhibit with the harmony of verse, the first impressions of astonishment and ignorance; and in fine, the character of man, when like the forests of Azteca he had grown rich and luxuriant without cultivation, and exhibited the rudeness without the elegance of nature. Had this been the first time we had heard of a nation to whom the arts and inven

tions of Europe were unknown, who had lived without intercourse with the rest of the world, and confined within their own domain all their knowledge and experience, it would have made so bold a claim on the praise of originality that we might justly have wondered at the invention of the author; but in this old age of the world such novelties are not to be expected and the want of them is not considered as a fault.

would destroy whatever admiration we might feel for the talents or ingenuity of the author who should now venture to employ them. Mr. Southey has very properly taken from his fable this lumber of antiquity, but in doing it deserves more credit for judgment than invention.

The scene and personages of his poem being thus formed, and the machinery which had been formerly considered as a requisite embellishment being laid aside, the author's credit, as an original writer, will depend on the conduct of the fable, the descriptions with which it abounds, and the delineation of its prominent characters. On these grounds he may confidently rest a large portion of his fame. The story is ingeniously told-" it goes perhaps beyond the actual works of nature, but not against its conceived possibilities." We hear of the civil commotions of an antient kingdom without surprise, of a bold and adventurous expedition with admiration; and though the dangers which the heroes incurred and the success which crowned their valor may a little astonish us, yet the known superiority of skill and arms to the rashness of inconsiderate valor, and the recollection that in latter times the same scenes were repeated, prevents us from considering the account as an incredible hyperbole.

The entire absence of all my thological fiction and supernatural agency, diminishes in no degree the interest of this poem, although by means of it POPE insured immortality to his Rape of the Lock, and acquired for himself a reputation not more deserved by the harmony of his verses than by the merit of such an original design. The conduct necessary to be observed in the plan and arrangement of superior agency, and the talents necessary to employ and regulate the operations of a set of beings, upon whom human motives and human passions have The first part of the poem is not a sure and determinate effect, re. rather desultory. It consists of quires in no ordinary degree original too many disconnected descriptions, talents, and makes large drafts on which the poet is obliged to leave the invention of the writers. The unfinished at the moment they are absurdity however of uniting the beginning to excite our interest the imaginary personages of hea- The object was not an historical then mythology, in the same scene delineation of the times, but an acwith Christian heroes, and the grea-count of Madoc, and his companter absurdity of attributing events ions of the waves. We have no to miraculous interposition, to the need therefore, of a minute account influence of demons or witches, of Wales or any of its inhabitants or

Selected for the Emerald.

A TALE FOR THE LADIES.

customs not immediately connected with the voyage. And the error is seen in the interest we feel for characters, of whose condition the poet, consistently, with the plan of his ALEXANDER, and GODFREY, were work, could not inform us. DAVID ance had begun with the earliest period two young gentlemen, whose acquainthimself, whose ungoverned pas- of their lives. They were sons of the sions had placed him on an insecure principal families of the same town; throne, is the object of some inter- they had been accustomed to play toest; and the lovely EMMA is painted gether in their infaucy; they had been in colors so beautiful that the story tutor had attended them in their traveducated at the same school; the same appears but half finished without in- els: and they had, during that interestforming us of their fate. But what ing period of their lives, continued that shall we say of the bold, the gener- rather than reason, had inspired it. amity, which was begun when fancy, ous, the magnanimous LLEWELYN, Godfrey, in their return from their He, who appears in the story like tour, had left his friends at Lyons: some angel in a dream just to fasci-fixed by the radiant eyes of some beaunate us with his virtues and disap-ty of the place, and without a desire pear forever. We cannot but noever to see his country, at the expence tice it as a very prominent fault, that of leaving the object of his warmer these unformed, unfinished beings man who had a heart susceptible of imwishes. Alexander was not the only should be unnecessarily introduced. pressions from the fatal charms of this In the books containing these cha- beauty. Among the number who be racters is some pretty descriptions came his rivals, an English Nobleman and good poetry, but the characters setting forward on his tour, was stopthemselves are perfectly irrelevant vals met at her lodgings: the lady was ped by the soft enchantment. The rito the main purpose of the poem, divided in her choice; and neither of and are not even justifiable in the them could give up their pretensions. rank of episodes. They determined on the only decision. They pursued the same route to the confines of Flanders. They fought, and Alexander was the more fortunate. The consequence of a duel is seldom foreseen by those who engage in it :-even the best is terrible. The death of his rival, instead of making his way easy to his mistress, separated Alexander from her forever. The affair was no secret.

To these objections Mr. Southey may think himself not obligated to reply by reason of the title which he has chosen to assume. "A poetical story" may perhaps claim greater liberties than the degraded epic, and we confess we know not how far these liberties extend, as the present is the first being of the race and a kind of anomaly in literature; but judging by Mr. S's. own standard, we think them unjustifiable, not because they are not formed on the rules of Aristotle, "but because such unfinished pictures are not adapted to purposes of poetry."

The subject will be resumed in a future number.

E.

He could not return to Lyons. It was equally unsafe for him to see his unhappy antagonist were powerful. He own country, where the friends of his engaged in the Russian service: he made several campaigns with glory: he was estemed, and he was preferred. From the time of his fatal dispute with correspondence with his friend. The his countryman, he kept up a constant interest of Godfrey, of his family, of his friends, of all whom they could influence, was employed to soften the rigor of those who had lost the hope of their house : but every letter contained the same piece of mournful news, that they were resolute, and cruel, and all applications

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ineffectual. The person who had been the credit of her account, leaving had most determined and immoveable, in it from Alexander. When Alexander his resentment, was Timoleon, an offi-paid his next visit, the coquette insultcer of rank, and honorable reputation.ed him for imposing upon her, and in What all the entreaties of the world had all the petulance of a peevish beauty, attempted with the revengeful man in told him " every body did not think so vain, an accouut from the Russian army slightly of her, as he did, or as he of the manner in which the English "would make her believe they did." volunteer had signalized himself, ef- And, as an instance, told him that she fected. He declared the man who be- found Godfrey had never said any such haved so well in the field could not have thing, as he had repeated to her.killed his nephew unfairly, and sent to Nothing is more tender than the honor the relations of Alexander, to congra- of a soldier. A suspicion of his veracitulate them on account of the youth's ty is like a doubt of his courage. He gallant behaviour, and to assure them was rettled at the reproof: he was conthat he had no objection to his coming cerned that it was Godfrey who had over whenever he pleased, nor should contradicted him. He called upon him carry his resentment any farther. Al- immediately. He asked if he remem. exander received the news with trans-bered what he had said of a certain port. He solicited his discharge from lady upon such an occasion? Grdfrey the service; and he obtained it with replied with some warmth, that he re uncommon marks of honor. He wrote membered what he had not said of her: to his friends, and to none with so sin-though he had been charged with it. cere a joy as Godfrey, that he was on bis return. Their friendship was renewed with more than its original warmth; they lived together; their company was the same; and there was not a pleasure the one enjoyed of which the other had not his share. Among their female acquaintance was Sabina, a woman of spirit and some wit, and, in consequence of those qualities, with an ungoverned temper, she was excep. tious and petulent. Both the friends admired her--but neither of them loved her. She could have been very happy in the addresses of either; but it was impossible, while both were on the same terms with her. She would to-distant from all interruption, Godfrey dey give one the preference, and when she saw it gave no pain where it was intended, she would to-morrow pay the same compliment to the other. She would to the one be forever excepting against, and quarrelling with, the words that had dropped from the other, in their last conversation; and said he, drawing as he spoke. Ales from criticising on them without effect, ander could not hesitate on such a sun she fell into the next step-misrepresent-mons. The conflict was long, neith ing then Some expression of indiffer-attempted to hurt the other. The in ence which Alexander had repeated to tent on both sides was to disarm-but her from Godfrey, on an occasion of by some malicious fate, Godfrey slip no consequence, she had exaggerated in the repetition, till she taxed him with something, which in reality be had not said. The lover, for they were both so in raillery, though neither any farther, denied his having said what she charged him with, and she insisted on

Alexander, fired at the expression, desired he would recollect, and not make his character suffer for his forgetful ness. The other answered it was im possible he should remember what had never happened. Both were piqued, both were fiery in their dispositions. They grew more warm as they talked more on the subject, till some unhappa word passed between them, which was scarcely possible to overlook. Godfrey walked out without company:but without any determined resolution. Alexander followed him, as if he had understood it was expected that be should. When they were in a place

stopped and turned about:-Alexander, with tears in his eyes, caught him by the hand-" Friend-what are we do ing ?"-Godfrey was pale, irresolute, and yet too angry to be melted by the affectionate manner in which his read had addressed him. "What can I dol

ped, and fell upon the point of his an antagonist's sword!!! Alexander snatch ed him up in his arms: called Leave and earth to witness, that he woul have died rather than willingly have hurt him. The unhappy man confes sed the fatal accident of his own st

ing-even he had compelied him to
what had occasioned this misfortune,
begged he would forgive him ;-and
expired in his arms!-Chance had
brought up two villagers to the place, as
to the place, as
the dying Godfrey made his declaration.
They comforted, in their homely way,
the distracted Alexander, and promis-
ed to assert, whenever it should be
necessary, what they had heard.
was the opinion of the wretched youth's
friends that it was his business to es-
cape, since the former misfortune would
cancel the effect of every favourable
incident on this. He obeyed their re-
quest-he took no leave of any one-
he went without preparation,-and has
never since been heard of!-The fam-

It

The only change on this evening, was the cast of Mrs. Shaw in the part of Elvira. Mrs. S. in several scenes displayed spirit and judgment. The part, however, is beyond her reach. Mr. Caulfield lost no ground in Rolla, and Mr. Usher was more at home in Pizarro.

SECRETS WORTH KNOWING, (Morton) and DON JUAN.

Friday, Nov. 7.

This comedy we think one of Morton's best pieces. Much vailies are both unhappy in the highest although the colouring in some inriety of character is depictured and degree. Women are seldom aware of the consequences of those disputes in which stances, may be expended too laythey engage men. Thus I would ob-ishly, portraits and not caricatures serve, triftes may be raised into things of importance by the way of treating them that no ties are of force against an injury in reputation; and that while women are misrepresenting things in secret, they are playing with the lives of those who are most dear to them!

FOR THE EMERALD.

THE ORDEAL.....No. 4.

Si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti, si non his ntere mecum.

a

that

We regret our inability to give critique on the performance of Shakespeare's As you like it, noted in the last Ordeal. Report says Mrs. Stanley, in the part of Rosalind; and Mr. Caulfield, in Jaques, acquitted themselves well. The former character requires no inconsiderable talents; we should have been happy to have witnessed their display and to have bestowed the meed of praise.

PIZARRO (Kotzebue and Sheridan) and

the WRANGLING LOVERS.
Wednesday, Nov. 5.

We gave our opinion of this drama and its performance last week.

are presented. Many happy allusions are made to popular follies and customs, which though they lose part of their interest as these cease to influence the votaries of fashion, they may hereafter serve to point out the path in which the fickle goddess once delighted to walk.

The performance on the whole was good, and the audience fully testified their satisfaction, but we think the characters might have been better cast. The part of April, which dragged heavily, maugre all the support Mr. Barnes could give it, would have added much interest to the play had it been taken by Bernard. Mr. Usher played Grenville to our entire satisfaction. This is is generally most fortunate. a species of character in which he The

Rostrum of Mr. Bernard was the character which the author intended, but while his talents could have been employed more usefully, tho less prominently, we could have wished to see Mr. Fox in the part. Egerton was better played by the latter gentleman than perhaps it could have been by Mr. Poe, but. Mr. P. might have supported that character tolerably, and thus the

whole cast been much strengthened. the character of Jane Shore, bas The Managers are certainly bound failed in execution. Her tones have to make the best of such a compa- too much of monotony in ordinary ny as they have, and the rights of recitation, and she often loses the actors ought to cede to the wishes command of her voice in displays of the public. We have in no in- of passion. The closing scene of stance seen Mr. Dykes to more ad- the drama we thought well played, vantage than in Undermine, Mr. but it lost effect by an attempt to Dickenson, was truly Old-Nick, and display more than was possible.even Mr. Downie is entitled to praise The throes and convulsions of exfor his personation of Plethora. In piring nature ought not to be mithe latter character the effects of nutely exhibited on the stage. modern bloodism, ignorance of the true objects of life, and the approach of premature old age, were conspicuous. The female characters were Ex occulis..

-Non tamen intus,

Digna geri promes in scenam; multa

que tolles

uniformly well supported. Mrs. Let something be left for the ima Powell interested us in Mrs. Gren-gination of the spectator, and his atville. Mrs. Poe charmed in Rose tention will be secured. Mrs. PowSydney. Mrs. Shaw was Sally, ell shone in Alicia. Mr. Poe was Downright. Excepting the draw-correct and sometimes animated in back we before noticed, no perfor-Belmour. mance this season has given us more satisfaction.

JANE SHORE (Rowe) and THE RIVAL

SOLDIERS.

Monday, Nov. 10.

Mr. Usher's Dumant

was well, but of Mr. Downie's Gloster, Mr. Turnbull's Catesby, and Mr. Morgan's Ratcliffe, what shall we say? Such a lord protector and such worthy supporters seldom meet in council. What we had most to admire in the first, was the

to obtain Hastings' opinion of his views without disclosing them, and it would be unjust not to praise the extraordinary retentiveness of Mr. Morgan's memory.

This tragedy, it is said, was avowedly written in imitation of Shakes-appropriate starts, shrugs and knitpeare. If this was really Mr.ting of the brows, in the scene where Rowe's intention, we think his suc- the designing Richard endeavours cess was small, though the play has always been, and will long continue to be, a favorite. Its motal is forcible and correct. The representation of Jane's penitence for past folly, and her subsequent misery Mr. Vining has been introduced and death, cannot but excite pity into the public as a vocal performer. the feeling breast. With the per- In this line he will doubtless be a formance of this evening we were favorite. With a clear and melomuch dissatisfied. Mr. Caulfield, dious voice, he sings in a chaste in Lord Hastings, though in some stile, and does not pain the ear with scenes he was brilliant, in most was unnatural trills or affected and rididestitute of spirit and feeling, parti-culous quavers. We listened on cularly in the conference with the Duke. Indisposition, it has been suggested, was the cause, and must be accepted in palliation. Mrs. Stanley had a correct conception of

Friday evening to "The Streamlet," and "Sally in our Alley," with unmixed delight.

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