48 Goëthe's Picturesque Description of the Bay of Naples. [VOL. 3 it had been upon our first arrival, that we Terreoboo's absence, was artfully conwere all astonished; no shouts, bustle, trived, to give him time to consult his or confusion, but a solitary deserted Bay, chiefs in what manner we should be with hardly a canoe stirring." In a sub- treated." The combination of unfortusequent part of the same page it states; nate circumstances which afterwards oc"Various were our conjectures on the curred, and led to the death of Captain cause of this extraordinary appearance, Cook, strongly confirms the unfavour when the whole mystery was unravelled able opinion the natives entertained of by the return of a boat, which we had our countrymen; and as the real cause sent on shore, bringing intelligence that of his death has hitherto been considered Terreoboo was absent, and that the bay doubtful, the circumstance I have deswas tabooed. This account appeared cribed, in some measure accounts for it, very satisfactory to many of us; but at least in a more satisfactory manner others were of opinion, that there was, at than I have yet seen recorded. this time, something very suspicious in the behaviour of the natives; and that the taboo, or interdiction, on pretence of I am, Sir, your obedient servant, RICHARD WARREN COLEY. Cheltenham, Nov. 25, 1817. From the Literary Gazette, December 1817. In one of our earlier numbers we inserted an extract from the celebrated Goethe's History of his own Life, to which he has given the rather singular title of “Fiction and Truth." We have been informed that the author at first thought of comprising the whole in about four volumes. However, the three first vohimes that were published not having advanced the history so far as was expected, and many readers, as it should seem, being impatient to arrive at a more interesting period of the life of the author, he was induced to pass over an interval of several years, (to be filled up at a future time,) and to begin a second division of his work; comprising his travels in Italy. The first volume of this second part was published some months ago; of the second volume, which is under the press, we have obtained several extracts, some of which we shall translate for the entertainment of our readers, without, however, restricting ourselves to the exact chronological order of the dates; which is the less necessary, as this tour was performed above forty years ago. We merely ob forded us. Before our eyes lay Cape Mithat the whole voyage had afprospect nerva, and the mountains connected with it, glowing with the most splendid colouring, while the rocks stretching to the south, already began to assume a bluish hue. From the cape, the coast extending to Sorrento was illumined by the departing beams. Mount Vesuvius was visible; an immense volume of smoke towered above its summit, from which a long streak extended far to the east, and gave us reason to presume a violent irruption. At the left lay Capri, rising almost perpendicularly; the forms of its rocky cliffs were perfectly distinguishable through the bluish transparent vapour. Under a perfectly serene, cloudless sky, shone the calm scarcely agitated sea, which, at last, as the wind entirely died away, lay stretched out before us like a Monday, May 14, 1787. transparent lake. We were wrapt in ec(At Sea: On the passage from Messina to Naples.) stasy at the contemplation of the scene. HUS the afternoon passed away R. Kniep lamented, that all the art of without our entering, as we wish- colouring was insufficient to represent ed, into the Gulf of Naples. On the con- the harmony of those tints, as the finest trary, we were constantly driven west- English pencil would not enable the most wards, and our vessel, as it approached skilful hand to trace the delicacy of these the island of Capri, left Cape Minerva lines. I, on the other hand, convinced more and more at a distance. Every bo- that a far inferior representation to what dy was vexed and impatient, but we this able artist was capable of giving, two, who looked at the world with the would be at a future time highly desir eyes of lovers of the picturesque, had able, encouraged him to exert his hand reason to be perfectly satisfied, for at and his eye for the last time: he suffersun-set we enjoyed the most glorious ed himself to be persuaded, and produc serve, that the author travelled through Italy in its whole length to Naples, where he embarked for Si eily. Among our extracts are some from Naples, Palermo, and Messina. The first extract, however, which we have selected to translate, is the follow ing. "THUS VOL. 3.] Bay of Naples. 49 ed one of the most accurate drawings, more than the men, who coolly thought which he afterwards coloured, and gave on means of safety, scolded and abused an example, that even the impossible the captain. Now he was upbraided may be attained by the art of design. with every thing that had been passed The transition from evening to night was over in silence during the voyage; for watched by us with equally eager eyes. much money, bad accommodation, infeCapri lay quite dark before us, and to rior nourishment; his behaviour, which our astonishment the cloud over Vesuvi- though not rude, was reserved. He had us was inflamed, as well as the cloudy given nobody an account of his actions; streak, growing continually more and nay, even this last evening, had observed inore fiery; and we saw at last a consi- an obstinate silence respecting his maderable extent of the atmosphere in the nœuvres. He and his pilot were said to back-ground of our picture enlightened, be a couple of adventurers without knowand even irradiated by flashes of light- ledge of navigation, who, out of mere ning. lust of gain, had contrived to become "Amidst the enjoyment of these wel- possessed of a vessel, and now by their come scenes, we had not observed that incapacity and awkwardness carried into we were threatened with a great misfor- destruction those who had confided tune; but the confusion among the pas- themselves to their care. The captain sengers did not long leave us in uncer- was silent, and seemed to meditate on the tainty. They, better acquainted with sea means of our deliverance: as for myself, affairs than we were, bitterly reproached to whom, from my youth, nothing had the master of the vessel and his pilot, that been so vexatious as anarchy, I could not by their want of skill, not only the Strait possibly remain silent any longer. I stepwas missed, but the people, goods, and ped up to them. I represented to them, every thing entrusted to them, were in that just at this moment, in particular, danger of perishing. We enquired the their noise and clamour hindered and reason of this alarm, as we could not confounded those, from whom alone we conceive, that in a perfect calm, any mis- could expect our deliverance, so that they fortune was to be feared. But it was this could neither speak nor understand each very calm which rendered the people in- other. As for you,' said I, 'look into consolable: we are, said they, already in yourselves, and then address your fervent the current, which goes round the island, prayers to the mother of God, on whom and by a singular motion of the waves, alone it depends whether she will medidraws a vessel slowly, but irresistibly, ate with her son, that he may do for you to the steep rocks, where neither projec- what he formerly did for his apostles, tion nor indenture of a foot breadth is when the waves of the stormy sea of Tigiven for escape. berias dashed over the ship, while the Lord slept; who, however, when the disconsolate and helpless disciples waked him, immediately commanded the winds to be hushed, so as he now can command the breeze to blow, if such be his divine will.' "Our attention being excited by this language, we considered our fate with horror: for though the night did not allow us to see the increasing danger, we remarked that the vessel, wavering and unsteady, approached the rocks, which stood darker and darker before us, while "These words produced the best efthe broad expanse of the sea still faintly fect. One of the women, with whom I glimmered in the last rays of the evening had been conversing before on moral twilight; not the slightest motion was and religious subjects, exclaimed, Ah il perceptible in the air; every body held Barlame! benedetto il Barlame! And up handkerchiefs and light ribbons, but they really began, as they were already not the slightest sign appeared of the on their knees, eagerly to pray, with desired breeze. The people grew more more than usual fervour. They could do loud and wild: the women did not pray this with the more composure, as the sailkneeling on the deck with their children, ors attempted a means to save us, which but because the space was too confined at least addressed itself to the eye-sight; to move, lay crowded together. They, they hoisted out the boat, which, indeed, H ATHENEUM. Vol. 3. 50 Goethe's Picturesque Description of the Bay of Naples. [VOL. 3 could hold only six or eight men; fast- hand: we were visibly leaving the rock, ened it by a long rope to the ship, which and though not quite out of the current, the boat's crew endeavoured to tow out it was hoped we should soon overcome of danger. Indeed, we thought for a it. All above was still; several of the moment that they moved it in the cur- passengers then came down, announced rent, and hoped to see it soon safely out the happy result, and laid themselves of it. But whether these very efforts in- down to rest. creased the counter-power of the current, "As I awoke early in the morning of or whatever might be the cause, the boat, the fourth day of our voyage, I found with its crew at the end of the long rope, inyself quite revived and well, as I had was dashed backwards in a curve tow- been at the same period of my voyage; ards the ship, something like the lash of a so that in longer voyages I should pro. carman's whip. This hope was also giv- bably have paid my tribute with three en up! Prayers and lamentations suc- days' sickness. ceeded each other; and our situation be- "Standing on deck, I saw with pleacame still more appalling, as the goat- sure the island of Capri at a pretty conherds on the summit of the rocks, whose siderable distance, and our ship in such fires we had long seen, called out in a a direction that we might hope to sail indeep hollow voice, The ship is strand- to the gulf, which we accordingly did ing. They also called to each other a soon after. We had now the pleasure good deal, which we did not comprehend, after a perilous passage, to admire again, but some persons acquainted with the but in an opposite light, the objects which language, fancied they could understand, had so delighted us the preceding eventhat they rejoiced at the prospect of the booty which they hoped to pick up the following morning. Even the consolatory doubt, whether the ship really approached the rocks in so alarming a manner, was too soon dispelled, for the crew provided themselves with long poles, in order with them, to keep the ship from the rocks, if it should come to the worst, till at last these should break and all be lost. The ship rolled more and more, the surf seemed to increase, and all this bringing back my sea-sickness, made me resolve to go down into the cabin. I lay dowo half stupefied on my mattrass, but yet with a certain agreeable sensation, This too is a city!We arrived at the which seemed to be derived from the sea right time at the port, surrounded with of Tiberias, for the print in Merian's the hum of busy multitudes. It was the Bible was quite clear before my eyes. liveliest moment of the day. Scarcely And thus the power of all moral impres- were our trunks and other effects taken sions made on the senses always proves out of the vessel, and landed on the itself the strongest when man is entirely beach, when two porters immediately thrown back upon himself. How long I seized on them, and hardly had we said had lain in this half sleep I am unable to that we should lodge at Moriconi's, when say, but I was roused by a very great they ran off with their burden as with a noise over my head; I plainly perceived prize, so that we could not follow them that it came from the great ropes being with our eyes through the crowded street dragged over the deck, this gave me hopes and tumultuous market.-Kniep bad the that they were rising the sails. In a few port folio under his arm, and we should moments Kniep ran down to me, and at least have saved the drawing, had told me we were saved; a breath of air these porters, less honest than the Neahad arisen, they had immediately hasten- politan poor devils, robbed us of that ed to hoist the sails; he himself leat a which the waves had spared." ing. Soon we left the dangerous rocky island behind us. If we had admired yesterday this the right side of the Bay at a distance, we had now the castles and the city exactly before us; on the left Pauselippo, and the promontories which stretch towards Procida and Ischia. Every body was on deck; in the front, a Greek priest, highly prejudiced in favour of his own native East, who, when our people, who hailed with transport their lovely country, asked him what he thought of Naples, compared with Constantinople, replied in a very pathetic tone of voice, anche questa è una cità! VOL. 3.] Effects of the Wind of Cannon-balls. 51 From the Monthly Magazine, December 1817. FURTHER FACTS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE WIND OF CANNON-BALLS. Ν SIR, IN your Magazine some inquiries and ty years, was advised to keep below to observations are made respecting the encourage and keep up the spirits of his wind, or impetus, of a cannon-ball; on daughters; but with this Sir James could which subject the following facts may not not comply, but would assist the captain be without interest. The account of the on deck. While there, a bail passed so two first the writer received immediately near him, that, though it did not touch from the object affected by them, the late him, he felt it very sensibly, and said, Sir James Wright, governor of Georgia. "That ball must have come very near, In the siege of Savanna, by Count for I felt it on my face." A little after, d'Estaing, in the year 1774, Sir James the captain's eye happened to be cast on Wright was walking along what is called Sir James; when he saw the blood runthe Bluff, a high sandy bank of the river, ning down his face and clothes, he said, during a heavy cannonade, when he was "Sir James you are hurt, you bleed prostruck down insensible by a double-head- fusely." Sir James then went below, and ed shot which passed near him. He soon it was found that his cheek was consirecovered his senses, nor was the smallest derably scarified, but no further serious hurt, bruise, or impression of any kind to hurt appeared, nor any bad effects after be seen on any part of his body. On bis the bleeding ceased. becoming sensible, the first object that struck him was a woman standing over the body of her daughter, which the same shot had divided quite in two, about fifty yards before it passed Sir James. The mother and daughter had been standing in the door on the opposite side of their In the battle of Camperdown, a young house from the French lines, the mother man of the name of Balbirnie was apleaning on the daughter's shoulder, when pointed, in the sea phrase, to cun the the daughter dropped from under her arm, ship into action; he was a kinsman of divided in two by the fatal shot. This the writer's, as also of Dr. Duncan's, was on the side of the town most remote from whom he had the narration. The from the French lines; the shot must have passed thro' many objects, and was probably nearly exhausted when it passed Sir James. The following instance was of more fatal event; it happened on-board Lord Duncan's ship, at the battle of Camperdown; and the present writer had it soon after that event from the Rev. Dr. Duncan, chaplain of that ship. doctor, literally a tall fellow,' above six feet high, with spirit proportional, wished much to stand by his friend, the admiral, during the action, to assist in givThe narration of the above by Sir ing orders; but was earnestly requested James Wright, introduced also the men- to go below and assist the surgeons, who tion of another accident of the same na- soon had their hands full. Ön leaving ture, which had not long before happen- the deck, the doctor congratulated his ed to him. In going to resume his gov- kinsman on having the honor to cun the ernment, when the British had recovered ship into action, with which honor Bala temporary possession of the province birnie himself seemed not a little pleasof Georgia, he, with his family, was car- ed. The battle had not been long begun ried out by Sir James Wallace, after- when Balbirnie was brought down wards his son-in-law, in the Experiment among the wounded, but announced not frigate, with, I believe, some other ves- to be hurt, but merely stunned. The sels of war under his command. Those doctor, as soon as he could leave the case who remember the particular transactions in hand, went to his kinsman, who still of the American war, will recollect, that lay insensible. He took hold of the breast on this occasion Sir James, in the Chops of his clothes, and, shaking him, said, of the Channel, fell in with some French "Ho! Balbirnie, man, what's the matfrigates. During the engagement, Sir ter with you?" But, alas! poor BalbirJames Wright, an old man, about seven- nie was gone for ever! 52 Capt. Golownin's Captivity in the Island of Japan. [VOL. 2 On examining the body, there was not mentary shock or stun, as in the first inthe least wound, bruise, nor scar, to be stance mentioned above. But, where the found upon it. I think those who were organs approached are soft, elastic, or near him on the deck reported, that a yielding, there, according to the violence large ball passed at some distance from of the shock, they may be partially, or his breast, and it is probable with such entirely paralised, or even dilacerated. an impetus as entirely to paralise the In the present instance, it might have elasticity of the heart. I think, the pro- been interesting to have examined the bability is, that, in all cases of the kind, heart and vitals, to have seen whether the effect is produced by shock or impe- there was any disruption, or compression tus; either from the vioient revulsion, or of the organs of life. But, in the midst of recoil, of the displaced air: and that in such a scene, it is no wonder this thought parts where the vital organs are strong, did not occur. J. BROWN. resistive, or guarded, there is only a mo- Barnwell, Northamptonshire. GOLOWNIN'S NARRATIVE OF HIS CAPTIVITY IN JAPAN. THE From the Literary Gazette, Jan. 1818. "In the capital of the Japanese Empire (Yeddo) there is an Institution resembling our Universities or Academies. HE copious account of this publica- ing; much in the same style in which tion, which we gave in our last the psalms are read at funerals in Russia. Number, has, we trust, excited sufficient Before we were accustomed to this, we interest to render a further acquaintance were unable to enjoy a moment's rest with its contents acceptable. during the night. The history of their "The Japanese make use of two kinds native country, the contests which have of characters in writing: 1st, a character arisen among themselves, and the wars which is the same as the Chinese, and in which they have been engaged with by which every word is of course* ex- neighbouring nations, form the subjects pressed by a distinct mark. The Japanese of their favourite books, which are all state, that they borrowed their hierogly- printed in Japan. They do not use phics several thousand years ago from the metal types, but print with plates, cut Chinese, so that the name of any object, out of pieces of hard wood. though pronounced quite different in the Japanese and Chinese languages, is expressed by one and the same sign in both. This character is made use of for works One of these academicians visited the of the higher order, for official papers, prisoners toward the close of their capand for the correspondence of persons of tivity, and endeavoured to extract all superior rank. 2d, The Japanese alpha- the information he could from them. bet, consisting of forty-eight letters, which Indeed, however disguised, and under is made use of by the common people, Every Japanese, however low his rank, knows how to write in this last character. They were, therefore, exceedingly astonished to find, that of four Russian sailors not one should be able to write!" [Is not this at once a lesson and a reproach to more civilized Europe?] whatever pretence attempted, it is evident, that to obtain intelligence of every kind was the main object of all the interrogatories, conversations, and correspondence in which they bore a part. The academician evinced considerable knowledge of arithmetic. In other sciences, from the want of interpreters, "The Japanese write with hair-pencils it was not easy to ascertain what proinstead of pens. They are exceedingly gress had been made. He once asked,—— fond of reading; even the common sol- "Whether the Russians, like the Dutch, diers, when on duty, are continually en reckoned according to the new style. gaged with books. The passion for When I (Captain Golownin) replied, literature, however, proved somewhat that the Russians reckoned by the old inconvenient to us, as they always read style, he requested me to explain to him aloud, in a tone of voice resembling sing- the distinction between the old and new This is not "of course."---ED. styles, and what occasioned the difference |