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That throne is cold-that lyre in death unstrung,
On whose proud note delighted wonder hung,
Yet old Oblivion, as in wrath he sweeps,

mens, true tear-drops of poesy. He knows that altogether they do not do justice to the whole MAN,

One spot shall spare-the grave where Shakspeare sleeps. They are offshoots from a fruitful vine. They
Rulers and ruled in common gloom may lie,
But Nature's laureate bards shall never die.
Art's chiseled boast and Glory's trophied shore,
Must live in numbers, or can live no more.

were thrown off, at odd times, behind the counter and in the banking house, to answer some special call. They are the plays and not the works of

While sculptured Jove some nameless waste may claim, their author.
Stills rolls the Olympic car in Pindar's fame;
Troy's doubtful walls in ashes passed away,

Yet frown on Greece in Homer's deathless lay;
Rome, slowly sinking in her crumbling fanes,
Stands all immortal in her Maro's strains;
So too, yon giant empress of the isles,
On whose broad sway the sun forever smiles,
To time's unsparing rage one day must bend,
And all her triumphs in her Shakspeare end!

At this very moment, Hamlet and Horatio are more real to the world than William the Conqueror and William Rufus. We do not think that enough praise has been bestowed, of late years, upon this admirable ode. Some portions are turgid and over gorgeous, but there is much of the highest excellence and in various styles.

There is not an epithet applied at random, not a word which does not add to the significance of the expression. Every stanza may be dissected with a miscroscope, or the whole may be seen from afar through the telescope. With the single exception of Dryden's" Alexander's Feast," the "Shakspeare Ode" is as good as anything of the kind in the language. We commend to our readers a purusal of Garrick's production on a similar occasion, if they wish to see the difference between the work of their countryman and that of a pretentious mediocrity. We have now in hand, also, a collection of the odes, which were competitors for the prize, when Mr. Sprague bore off the crown. His poem is as much before the best

of them as it is before Garrick's.

THE OLD PEW.

BY ANNE A. FREMONT.

OH! the old pew at church, where in childhood I sat,

With its warm crimson cushions, and rush-woven

mat,

In each act and each feeling of life 't has borne part,
It is linked with my memory, shrined in my heart.
When first a young thing on the seat perched I
stood,

And was coaxed with a sweetmeat or cake to be
good,

Many times with a run and bump I came down, Which caused some to smile, and made others half frown.

years,

Even now, through the distance of long changeful
I oft think, with a smile that is yet dimmed by tears,
How I must thy meek spirit, dear mother, have
tried,

When, brimful of mischief, pressing close to thy side,
I pulled the soft fur from thy mantle, then blew
The light pieces aloft, which attracting thy view,
Towards my own laughing one, turned thy grave
gentle face,

Where the look of reproof strangely seemed out
of place.

Ah! gay thoughtless child, though my light foot-
steps trod

Unrestrained and unawed in the house of my God,
When years knowledge brought, was it not a worse
part,
To walk there with hushed tread but a murmuring
heart?

E'en the bright dreams of youth caught a purer

tone there,

And when first my heart learnt the stern lesson of

care,

'Mid the storm and the darkness of earth's bitter
grief,

I still there ever found for my sorrow relief.
Alas! both my loved parents from life have now

past,

cast

And change too, time's shadow, a dark gloom has O'er that spot, where for loved ones in vain I now search;

But after all, it remains to say, at last, that it is almost a shame that Mr. Sprague has not written more, and more often triumphantly upheld the cause of true poetry and good English. In his own words applied to another he "has not stooped to fame," but neither has he yet presented to the world a fair sample of his powers. What he has done is admirable, but from it the reader scarce gets a juster idea of the man than of the glories of the firmament from a single twinkling star. His energy and versatility of mind, his wit, humor, powers of description, his imagination, his affections, his knowledge, are yet almost unknown to his contemporaries. This, to be sure, is not criticism, but it is sorry truth. What "he has written he has written," however, and he must be judged accordingly. But the writer of these paragraphs has had the privilege of sitting at the feet of Gamaliel, and has drawn, he humbly Is its power the heart's vanished peace to restore, hopes, some instruction from those lips which he And the blest words there heard, and the holy reverences and loves. He has intended, in this hymns sung, article, to speak the words of truth and sober-Are the same as on childhood's delighted ear rung ness-he feels able, at any rate, to give both chap- When the organ's rich notes through the aisles floa ter and verse for the opinions which have been exalong, pressed. But he knows the man who wrote these poems-is acquainted with most of the circumstances that called them forth-and has watched that affection which produced their choicest speci

Oh! a sad altered place is the old pew at church.
But, though changed in its aspect, the same as of

yore

And helping their music. Oh! in vain may we
I oft deem angel voices are mingling among,

search

For so hallowed a spot as the old pew at church.
Sharpe's Magazine.

QUEEN ELIZABETH'S HAIR, &C.

WE copy part of the proceedings of the Archæological Institute from the Gentleman's Magazine.

beautiful Manual of Prayers, encased in gold, enamelled, as it is believed, by George Heriot, as a new year's gift, long worn by Queen Elizabeth, appended to her girdle, is a relic well worthy to It remains for us to give some account of the be preserved in the cabinet of her gracious majesty. temporary museum which was arranged in the Mr. Curzon displayed also some precious rarities King's House in the Close, and which, it was from Egypt and the East. The Marquess of generally observed, surpassed all previous collec- Northampton produced many choice specimens of tions, formed during the meetings of the Institute antique glass and antique Roman art, the fruits in other counties; not only in early British re- of researches conducted by him in Italy. Numermains, of which a large display might well be ous paintings of great interest, works of Holbein, anticipated in a district so rich in tumuli, camps, Cranach, and various masters of the Italian and and remains of primeval occupation, but likewise German schools, graced the walls of the chamber. in works of art of a high class and very instructive Here were also rich embroideries and arras hangcharacter. Of the former class of antiquities-the ings, adding very much to the picturesque effect vestiges of the Celtic tribes or the Belgic settlers of the ensemble; drawings of great beauty by Mr. in Wiltshire, a rich collection was exhibited from Henry Shaw, views of the Wiltshire churches and the stores of the Rev. Edward Duke, Mr. Hay-architectural remains by Mr. John Britton and Mr. ward, Mr. Cunnington, and other Wiltshire anti- Owen Carter; a splendid collection of drawings quaries. The scattered traces of warlike or domes- of Italian monuments, sent by the Earl of Shrewstic customs during the most obscure part of English bury; numerous illuminated manuscripts, among history were here classed in a very instructive which was one of the most precious specimens of manner; the primitive age of stone, with its rude English art extant, the Life of St. Cuthbert, from weapons or implements of flint or bone, by the side the library of Sir W. Lawson, Bart. The Hon. of which were placed rare and very curious exam- Board of Ordnance contributed several specimens ples from America, was properly distinguished of armor, especially a remarkable tilting helm, from the succeeding period, when the working in lately purchased at Stowe for the Tower armory. bronze was practised with much skill; and this The Marquess of Ailesbury sent for the gratificaagain was followed by the prevalent use of iron, in tion of the Society the precious reliés preserved at a more advanced stage of civilization. The defi-Tottenham Park, the sword once wielded by the ciency, so frequent a cause of complaint, of an Bruce, by Wallace, and by Hotspur; with the adequate series of British antiquities in the national invaluable relic of feudal usages, traditionally collection, renders such a museum as was formed associated with the rangership of Savernake Forin Salisbury by the efforts of the Institute, an est, the Bruce horn, richly mounted in enamelled object not merely of gratification to the curious vis-silver. With these relics, replete with historical itor, but replete with valuable information to the interest, we noticed one of more simple aspect, the student, who seeks in vain for similar advantages in the British Museum. The comparison of objects from more remote parts of England with those of this county, was especially interesting; with British or Anglo-Roman antiquities from Amesbury, or the surprising works surrounding Silbury and Devizes, were here to be examined specimens from Cornwall, sent by the Duke of Northumberland, unique ornaments from Scotland, contributed by Mr. Dundas and Mr. Talbot, a profusion of examples from Norfolk and the eastern counties, sent from the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, from Mr. Neville's valuable museum at Audley End, from the collections of Mr. Fitch, Mr. Hailstone, Mr. Whincopp of Woodbridge, Mr. Harwood, and other well-known archeologists.

pen-case of stamped leather, which hung at the girdle of Henry VII., an undoubted memento of that sovereign, preserved in Mr. Curzon's museum, at Parham; also the betrothal ring of Darnley, relic of the ill-fated Mary of Scotland, of most touching interest; it was found at Fotheringay, and bears the united initials, bound by a true-love knot, with the arms and name of " Henri L. Darnley, 1565," the date of his alliance with the Queen of Scots. Another royal relic of the same age was regarded with much curiosity, a lock of hair, of bright auburn color, presented by Queen Elizabeth to Sir Philip Sidney, by her own fair hand, in 1573. It was preserved in a copy of the Arcadia, preserved in the library at Wilton House, and was at length brought to light by a fortunate accident; In one part of the picturesque old saloon of the a copy of verses by Sidney being found with the King's House, might be seen an unrivalled series hair. The rhymes evince his loyal attachment to of examples of the art of enamelling, from the his royal mistress, rather than his poetical fervor. Roman and Anglo-Saxon age to the choicest pro- This highly curious object was produced by the ductions of Limoges, in the times of Francis I. Right Hon. President of the Institute, as one of Here the contributions of the Hon. Robert Curzon, the choicest relics preserved at Wilton. The rich in works from the Levant, and rare sacred graceful effect of the arrangement of the museum ornaments from the monasteries of Greece, were was greatly enhanced by the display of a very rich unrivalled; some enamels of the choicest descrip- collection of Chinese embroideries and costume, tion were brought by Mr. Farrer, whose specimens most kindly entrusted for exhibition by the Hon.. of ivory carving, with other works of art of a most Mrs. Sidney Herbert. They comprised a unique valuable description, attracted much notice. His assemblage of the attire of a mandarin of highest

class and his lady, and had been brought from have not the time nor means to institute. The China by Admiral Hardwick. Several embroid- internals marks of accuracy, however, which eries of a more archæological character, but less strike the eye at once, are quite satisfactory, and attractive in richness of color, excited the curiosity we have great pleasure in calling to this book the of the visitors, especially some remarkable speci- attention of professors and students, as well as of mens of early needlework from Compton Verney, intelligent readers generally.-N. Y. Recorder. sent by Lord Willoughby de Broke. The remarkChalmers' Posthumous Works. Vol. 8. New able collections of ancient watches, brought by York: Harper & Brothers. Octavius Morgan, Esq., M. P., and Sir Charles Fellowes, attracted universal interest. The rapidThis volume, in the valuable series of Posthuity with which this rare assemblage of varied mous Works of Dr. Chalmers, edited by his sonremains of the olden time was brought together in-law, Dr. Hanna, includes the remaining porrendered the preparation of a printed catalogue tion of his Institutes of Theology, viz., the Subimpracticable, but one will be given, with illustra-ject-matter, and the Extent of the Gospel Remedy, tions, in the volume of transactions of the meeting. with supplementary Lectures on the Trinity. The form and the scope of this work, and its great value, we sufficiently indicated in our notice of the preceding volume.-N. Y. Recorder.

NEW BOOKS.

The Whale and his Captors; or, the Whaleman's Adventures and the Whale's Biography, as gathered on the Homeward Cruise of the "Commodore Preble." By Rev. HENRY T. CHEEVER. With engravings. 16mo. pp. 314. Harper & Brothers.

"A Copious and Critical English-Latin Lexicon" has just been published by the Harpers, which must supersede every similar work now in use in schools and colleges throughout the United States, as it has already done in England.

One very great defect in the systems of classical

This is a very handsomely printed volume, and contains a generous number of exceedingly spir-instruction pursued in the United States, has been ited and taking illustrations. But these are the exercise which is properly made the chief instruthe neglect of Latin and Greek composition-an least excellences of the book. It is full of infor- ment in the acquisition of modern languages, and the mation on Whales and Whaling, communicated un-propriety of which in studying ancient languages der attractive forms, and cannot fail of the happy is no less decided and apparent. Within a few moral effect of both winning sympathy for the years past a marked improvement has been made sailor, and raising the sailor himself to higher in this respect; and we believe it is still in progand better thoughts. It is a book for the land and the sea, for the parlor and the forecastle, and will do good in both. Our own copy is already sadly soiled by constant use, and we have had it scarcely ten days. We hope Mr. Cheever has "a few more of the same sort left."-N. Y. Recorder.

A System of Ancient and Medieval Geography, for the use of Schools and Colleges. By CHARLES ANTHON, LL. D. New York: Harper & Brothers. 8vo. pp. 769.

The information on the subjects embraced in this book, which the student could gather, if at all, only by wide reading in a variety of directions, is here brought together in compact form, and available for instant use. We have rarely met a book, whether for purposes of instruction or reference, more needed than this, or one which, in our view, will be more welcomed and approved. The study of History without the accompanying study of Geography, must necessarily be imperfect, indeed, hardly deserves the name. There has been a deplorable deficiency, in this respect, both in our schools and colleges, and among more advanced students. We cannot but hope that the appearance of this volume will contribute to the correction of the evil. The verification of the book by reference to authorities must be the work of long use, or of special examinations which we

ress.

The practice of Greek and Latin composition has been introduced into nearly all the classical schools of the country, and the good results that have been found to attend it everywhere, must contribute powerfully to its still more general introduction. The increased devotion of schools to this branch of education, has rendered absolutely indispensable a better Lexicon, for translating English into Latin, than has hitherto been used.

Prof. Anthon, under whose editorial supervision this work has been reprinted, says that "We have had no work in the English language at all deserv ing of being compared with it ;" and he expresses the confident hope that it will entirely supersede been used. Language so emphatic as this, and from the "wretched compilations" which have hitherto a source of so high authority, certainly renders needless any commendation from us. The work has been compiled, by years of close and unremitted labor, from the German-Latin Dictionary of Dr. C. F. Georges, with the aid of a great number of other Esmond Riddle and Thomas Kerchever Arnold, valuable works from various sources-by Joseph both of whom are widely known as eminent English scholars, and as having performed the most signal services to the cause of classical education. American edition has been prepared under the direction of Prof. Drisler, one of the most accurate and accomplished philologists in the country, and is introduced, as already stated, under the editorial supervision of Dr. Anthon. It is printed in a single, thick, compact, elegant volume, in a style uniform with that of the other similar works issued by the Harpers.-N. Y. Courier.

The

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POETRY.-Resignation, 64.—The Dead Child; One Saint More, 89.-The Old Pew, 93. SHORT ARTICLES.- Evangelical Melodies, 64.-Queen Elizabeth's Hair, &c., 94. —New Books, 95.

PROSPECTUS. This work is conducted in the spirit of Littell's Museum of Foreign Literature, (which was favorably received by the public for twenty years,) but as it is twice as large, and appears so often, we not only give spirit and freshness to it by many things which were excluded by a month's delay, but while thus extending our scope and gathering a greater and more attractive variety, are able so to increase the solid and substantial part of our literary, historical, and political harvest, as fully to satisfy the wants of the American reader.

The elaborate and stately Essays of the Edinburgh, Quarterly, and other Reviews; and Blackwood's noble criticisms on Poetry, his keen political Commentaries, highly wrought Tales, and vivid descriptions of rural and mountain Scenery; and the contributions to Literature, History, and Common Life, by the sagacious Spectator, the sparkling Examiner, the judicious Athenæum, the busy and industrious Literary Gazette, the sensible and comprehensive Britannia, the sober and respectable Christian Observer; these are intermixed with the Military and Naval reminiscences of the United Service, and with the best articles of the Dublin University, New Monthly, Fraser's, Tait's, Ainsworth's, Hood's, and Sporting Magazines, and of Chambers' admirable Journal. We do not consider it beneath our dignity to borrow wit and wisdom from Punch; and, when we think it good enough, make ase of the thunder of The Times. We shall increase our variety by importations from the continent of Europe, and From the new growth of the British colonies.

The steamship has brought Europe, Asia and Africa, into our neighborhood; and will greatly multiply our connections, as Merchants, Travellers, and Politicians, with all parts of the world; so that much more than ever it

now becomes every intelligent American to be informed of the condition and changes of foreign countries. And this not only because of their nearer connection with ourselves, but because the nations seem to be hastening, through a rapid process of change, to some new state of things, which the merely political prophet cannot compute or foresee.

Geographical Discoveries, the progress of Colonization, (which is extending over the whole world,) and Voyages and Travels, will be favorite matter for our selections; and, in general, we shall systematically and very fully acquaint our readers with the great department of Foreign affairs, without entirely neglecting our own.

While we aspire to make the Living Age desirable to all who wish to keep themselves informed of the rapid progress of the movement--to Statesmen, Divines, Lawyers, and Physicians-to men of business and men of leisure-it is still a stronger object to make it attractive and useful to their Wives and Children. We believe that we can thus do some good in our day and generation; and hope to make the work indispensable in every well-informed family. We say indispensable, because in this day of cheap literature it is not possible to guard against the influx of what is bad in taste and vicious in morals, in any other way than by furnishing a sufficient supply of a healthy character. The mental and moral appetite must be gratified.

We hope that, by "winnowing the wheat from the chaff," by providing abundantly for the imagination, and by a large collection of Biography, Voyages and Travels, History, and more solid matter, we may produce a work which shall be popular, while at the same time it wi aspire to raise the standard of public taste.

TERMS. The LIVING AGE IS published every Satur- Agencies. We a;e desirous of making arrangements day, by E. LITTELL & Co., corner of Tremont and Brom-in all parts of North America, for increasing the circulafield sts., Boston; Price 12 cents a number, or six dollars tion of this work- and for doing this a liberal commission a year in advance. Remittances for any period will be will be allowed to gentlemen who will interest themselves thankfully received and promptly attended to. To in the business. And we will gladly correspond on this insure regularity in mailing the work, orders should be subject with any agent who will send us undoubted referaddressed to the office of publication, as above. Clubs, paying a year in advance, will be supplied as follows:

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ences.

Postage. When sent with the cover on, the Living Age consists of three sheets, and is rated as a pamphlet, at 44 cents. But when sent without the cover, it comes within the definition of a newspaper given in the law, and cannot legally be charged with more than newspaper postage, (1 cts.) We and the definition alluded to:

A newspaper is "any printed publication, issued in numbers, consisting of not more than two sheets, and published at short, stated intervals of not more than one month, conveying intelligence of passing events."

Monthly parts.-For such as prefer it in that form, the Living Age is put up in monthly parts, containing four or five weekly numbers. In this shape it shows to great advantage in comparison with other works, containing in each part double the matter of any of the quarterlies. But we recommend the weekly numbers, as fresher and fuller of life. Postage on the monthly parts is about 14 cents. The volumes are published quarterly, each volume containing as much matter as a quarterly review gives m eighteen months.

WASHINGTON, 27 DEC., 1845.

Or all the Periodical Journals devoted to literature and science which abound in Europe and in this country, this has appeared to me to be the most useful. It contains indeed the exposition only of the current literature of the English language, but this by its immense extent and comprehension includes a portraiture of the human mind in the utmost expansion of the present age.

J. Q. ADAMS,

LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 296.-19 JANUARY, 1850.

From the Westminster Review.

Las Papillotos (The Curl-papers) de Jasmin, Coiffur, de las Académios d'Agen et de Bordéou. Agen: Prosper Noubel, 1843-1845.

EVERYBODY has heard of the Troubadours, and most people have some notion of their own as to who and what they were. These notions, however, are, we suspect, rarely definite, and still more rarely just. Wonderful, on comparison, would be the discrepancy between them-amusing would be the variety in its conceptions, which, on this as on many other questions, that respectable class termed "well-informed people" would exhibit. A few learned men are tolerably acquainted with the subject, and know the rank in the history of literature to which the troubadours are entitled, but we believe they are few indeed. Most people associate with the name of these minstrels only confused and misplaced ideas of ladye-loves, bowers, a peculiar garb, the dark ages, and guitars. Their works are less known than those of the Fathers. The Druids do not possess a more dim and shadowy existence in the imagination of the mass. Many have no further acquaintance with the matter than that, like a bandit, a pilgrim, or a Jew, a troubadour makes an excellent character for a fancy ball. But however different may be the opinions entertained on other points connected with the troubadours, on one at least there would probably be all but unanimity; nearly all, we are persuaded, would agree in asserting that the time of those worthies is long since gone by, and that it is centuries since the last of the tuneful brethren sang his latest lay. Men, neverthless, often coincide only in their errors, and this we proclaim to be one. The golden age of the troubadours may be past, but the race is not extinct; time may have modified the externals, but the spirit remains. For, dwelling in their very country, and singing in their very language, differing in short from his predecessors in little more than this, that he far excels the best of them | in genius, there exists at this present day a real living troubadour; his name is Jasmin, and we have seen him.

The poetry of this singular man is not known in this country as it deserves to be. A short notice of it, indeed, appeared some years ago in a weekly periodical, and one or two of his smaller pieces have even been translated into English; but we are persuaded, that by a great majority, even of those best acquainted with modern French literature, the poet of Agen has never been heard of. In France itself his reputation is not so widely or so universally spread as is that of many of his contemporaries much his inferiors in merit; nor, indeed, is it wonderful that it should be so, when we consider that the language in which he writes is now looked on only as the patois of a province,

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and that it is, in fact, nearly unintelligible to those who know no French but French of Paris. Yet, notwithstanding this serious disadvantage, the sterling excellence of his poetry has won a way for it; and if, with the mass, it is not everywhere so popular as on the banks of the Garonne, its beauties have universally been appreciated, at least, by the more competent and discerning. The most distinguished critics of the capital itself, not always too ready to discover or to recognize provincial merit, hailed him with enthusiasm, when, rambling like a true minstrel, he appeared amongst them reciting his verses; and in the difficult saloons of a city, where unaided genius to be successful must be genius indeed, the Gascon bard conquered for himself a fame of which any man might well be proud. Ampère, Charles Nodier, Saint-Beuve, and Lamartine were among the loudest in their praises; the last, indeed, went so far as to say that Jasmin was " the truest and greatest poet of the age; and the exaggerated terms of this testimony must not be allowed to detract from its real value.

As for his native Gascony, where the language in which Jasmin writes is not only well understood, but, as being now the patois of the people, is to them peculiarly expressive and heart-touching, he is there held in universal honor. His countrymen of that province are intensely proud of him. He is to them what Burns is to the Scottish peasantry, only, he meets with his honors in his lifetime. Fêtes and banquets await him when he visits any of their towns, multitudes crowd to hear him recite his poems, his progress from place to place is a perpetual triumph, and the unabating enthusiasm that everywhere greets him shows that the fame which Toulouse, the city of Clemence Isaure, acknowledged years ago by presenting him with its golden laurel, has since been successfully maintained.

Agen is a small town prettily situated on the reedy Garonne. In its principal square is to be found a small shop, the front of which, shaded by an overhanging blind of blue cloth, bears the legend," Jasmin. Coiffeur de jeunes gens." For, the truth must be told, "the truest and greatest poet of the age" keeps a shop, and is a hair-dresser

the fingers that sweep the lyre handle also the scissors, and scraps of verses serve to test the heat of curling-irons. Can such things be? Can a man who is a hair-dresser hope for immortality? Has he any right to bear up against the prejudices to which he must feel himself obnoxious? That ploughmen and shepherds may tune their pipes and sing, we can all readily understand; idyls and georgics come naturally from their occupations ; but a hair-dresser-with all due respect to the worshipful company of barbers-seems inexorably forbidden to make any acquaintance with the muse,

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