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sources; and to exhibit virtues and defects equally with- . out exaggeration or diminution. He has avoided many opportunities of discussion, where the result did not seem of importance to his immediate objects; but he has occa→ sionally attempted, in the illustration of his subject, to throw light upon some obscure or disputed parts of history. He has endeavoured to select the lives contained in this volume from periods sufficiently distinct to prevent a repetition of the same political transactions; yet sufficiently connected to form a chain of history, without considerable interruptions."

As a specimen of the author's style, we shall transcribe the most interesting passages in the volume, the account of Lord Strafford's execution.

"The day of Strafford's execution threw a brighter lustre over his name than his most memorable transactions. As he quitted the Tower, he looked up to the windows of Laud's apartments, and seeing the aged prelate, who had come to take a last leave of his friend, en, treated his prayers and his blessing. The archbishop, lifting up his hands, gave a fervent benediction; and, overcome with the scene, fell motionless on the ground. "Farewell, my lord," cried Strafford, "God protect your innocence." As he passed along to Tower-hill, on which the scaffold was erected, the populace, who eagerly thronged to the spectacle, beheld his noble deportment with admiration. His tall and stately figure, the grave dignified symmetry of his features, corresponded with the general impression of his character: and the mildness, which had taken place of the usual severity of his forehead, expressed repentance enlivened by hope, and fortitude tempered by resignation. In the multitudes around him, he saw nothing to damp his courage, or disturb his composure; the same men who had so lately demanded his death, with turbulent exclamations, now gazed in profound silence on the intrepid victim. He looked upon them with complacence; and, frequently taking off his hat, bowed to them on either hand. In his address to the people from the scaffold, he assured them that he submitted to his sentence with perfect resignation; that, freely, and from his heart, he forgave all the world. I speak,' said he, in the presence of Almighty God, before whom I stand; there is not a displeasing thought that ariseth in me to any man.' He declared that, however his actions might have been misinterpreted, his intentions had always been upright; that he loved parliaments, that he

was devoted to the constitution and to the church of England: that he ever considered the interests of the king and people as inseparably united; and that, living or dying, the prosperity of his country was his fondest wish. But he expressed his fears that it augured ill for the people's happiness to write the commencement of a reformation in letters of blood. Turning to the friends who attended him on the scaffold, he took a solemn leave; and charged his brother with his blessing and final adieu to his wife and children. And now,' said he,' I have nigh done. One stroke will make my wife a widow, my dear children fatherless, deprive my poor servants of their beloved master, and separate me from my affectionate brother and all my friends. But let God be to you, and to them, all in all.' While he disrobed himself, he declared that he looked on the approach of death without any apprehension; and that he now laid his head on the block with the same tranquillity as he had laid it on his pillow.' He stretched out his hands as a signal to the executioner; and, at one blow, his head was severed from his body."

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It is to be hoped that some equally diligent inquirer will be found to undertake a continuation of this useful work.

The Trial of Major Campbell, for the Murder of Captain Boyd, in a Duel, on the 23d of June, 1807; with the Evidence in full, the Charge of the Judge, and Details of Major Campbell's last Moments, Execution, &c. &c. 8vo.-Symonds, 1808.

Judges and Juries have been usually lenient on the trial of persons who have killed their antagonists in a duel. However moralists may declaim against the custom, it is considered in some instances to be almost unavoidable, and therefore judicial condemnation has seldom been passed upon the offender. The frivolous quarrels, however, which have, of late, led to so many fatal results, needed the interposition of the strong arm of the law; and unfortunately for Major Campbell, though we think happily for civil society, the present case was of such a nature as to forbid any mitigation of the general law against murder. Differing in opinion as to some point of military regulation with a Captain in the same regiment, while at mess, he went home to his family, drank tea, and then, sending for his victim, insisted on his fighting him in a small room, the corners of which were only seven paces asunder, with

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out giving him time to make any family preparation, without witnesses, or previous examination of weapons. These facts appear from the evidence of Lieutenant Macpherson. "On the evening of the 23d, going up stairs about nine o'clock, he heard, as he thought, Major Campbell say, On the word of a dying man, was every thing fair?" He got up before Captain Boyd replied; he said, Camp bell, you have hurried me you're a bad man.' Witness was in coloured clothes, and Major Campbell did not know him, but said again, Boyd, before this stranger and Lieutenant Hall, was every thing fair? Captain Boyd replied, Oh no, Campbell, you know I wanted you to wait and have friends.' Major Campbell then said, Good God, will you mention before these gentlemen, was not every thing fair? did not you say you were ready? Captain Boyd answered, Yes;' but in a moment after said, Campbell, you're a bad man.' Captain Boyd was helped into the next room, and Major Campbell followed, much agitated, and repeatedly said to Captain Boyd, that he (Boyd) was the happiest man of the two:

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I am (said Major Campbell) an unfortunate man, but I hope not a bad man.' Major Campbell asked Captain Boyd if he forgave him: he stretched out his hand,” and said, I forgive you-I feel for you, and I am sure you do for me.

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The prisoner was justly found guilty; and though strong family interest was made to save his life, and both the Grand Jury who found the bill, and the Jury upon whose verdict he was condemned, petitioned in his favour, his execution took place on the 24th of August last,

"His deportment, during the whole of the melancholy interval between his condemnation and the day of his execution, was manly but penitent; such as became a Christian towards his approaching dissolution. When he was informed that all efforts to procure a pardon had failed, he was only anxious for the immediate execution of the sentence. He had repeatedly implored that he might be shot; but as this was not suitable to the forms of the common law, his entreaties were of course without success.

"He was led out for execution on Wednesday the 24th of August, just as the clock struck twelve. He was attended by Dr. Bowie, and in the whole of his deportment a pious resignation and a penitent habit of mind were manifested.

"A vast crowd had collected around the scene of the

catastrophe; he surveyed them a moment, then turned his head towards Heaven with a look of prayer.

"As soon as he made his appearance, the whole of the attending guards, and such of the soldiery as were spectators, took off their caps; upon which the Major saluted them in turn. This spectacle was truly distressing, and tears and shrieks burst from several parts of the crowd.

"When the executioner approached to fix the cord, Major Campbell again looked up to Heaven. There was now the most profound silence. The executioner seemed paralyzed whilst performing the last act of his duty.— There was scarcely a dry eye out of so many thousands assembled. The crowd seemed thunder-struck when the unfortunate gentleman was at length turned off. Every aspect wore the traces of grief. Perhaps no case has ever occurred, in which the sympathy of the people was more strong. The soldiery, in particular, were most strongly affected. Many a hard visage was softened by the descending tear.

"After hanging the usual time, the body was put into a hearse in waiting. This melancholy vehicle left the town immediately, to convey the last remains of the unfortunate gentleman to the family depositary at Ayr, in Scotland.

"This catastrophe is rendered still more piteous by the unhappy circumstance, that Mrs. Campbell, who, after incredible fatigues and exertions had reached England, and procured her petition to be delivered into the hands of his Majesty, had indulged her hopes to the last, and left London exactly at such a period of time, as to arrive in Ayr on the same day on which her husband's corpse would necessarily have reached that place.".

The Dramatic and Poetical Works of the late LieutenantGeneral John Burgoyne, to which are prefixed Memoirs of the Author. 2 vols. 12mo. 12s. Scatcherd.

1808.

Of General Burgoyne's dramatic works the Heiress is the most considerable, which, supported by fashion, was attractive for a few seasons; but the patronage of fashion being generally as short-lived as it is injudicious, the Heiress is now almost forgotten. Burgoyne, however, was a sensible writer, and there are many who entertain the opinion that he was a better Poet than General, and that his wit was at least as sharp as his sword.

Poetical Tales, founded on Facts. By M. Savory. 4s. 12mo. Darton and Harvey. 1808.

This author pleads youth and inexperience; these may be admitted as excuses for writing bad verses, but not for publishing them. In the present case, however, there is little need of apology. The young poet who produces stanzas like the following may proceed without any dread of criticism, and much may be expected from him hereafter.

The

"On yon tall rock's projecting side,

See where the stripling bends his way,
To hang with rapture o'er the tide,
And tune a sweetly rustic lay.

"Say, what in sportive youth can move
To dwell on nature's varied hue?
What bids his bosom glow with love
And bathes his azure eye in dew?
"What bids him hail the matin strain,
As morn's first blush illumes the vale;
And wake at midnight hour again,
To listen to the nightingale?

"O Genius! 'twas thy strong control,
As o'er his cradle, from on high,
Thou wav'd thy magnet o'er his soul,
And on his lips breath'd harmony.

Thy magic touch bade fancy rove,
As mind its early charms displayed;
Bade Shakspeare ev'ry passion move,
And Homer on his pillow laid.

"Thou gav'st that fine perceptive sense,
Which throws o'er ev'ry scene its charm;

To joy, will brighter joy dispense,
To grief, more exquisite alarm.

"Ah! dang'rous gift, where bliss appears
But as the morn's first vivid ray,
And grief her mournful aspect rears
Through the long, ling'ring, weary day!

"Yet Siren Genius! still to thee

Thy captive pours the grateful strain,
To thee he bends the willing knee,
With all thy joys, with all thy pain.
"Would Alwin that pure sense forego,
In tranquil apathy to rove?

Ah! no,' he cries, with all thy woe,
O stay and charm me with thy love!'

germs of true poetry may be discovered in this slight specimen.

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