Her first literary efforts consisted of the adventures of Captain Landon, her cousin, who had then just arrived from America; and she was in the habit of submitting portions of them to her family circle. In a little time her mind took a bolder flight; and she ventured to show some poetical effusions to the well-known editor of the "Literary Gazette," who was not slow in marking his appreciation of her genius. Under his auspices, at first a few occasional scraps from her pen made their appearance in the columns of his journal, under the signature "L." Of these, probably the earliest was a piece entitled "Rome," which was published in March 1820, in her eighteenth year. In August, 1821, appeared her first work "The Fate of Adelaide, a Swiss Romantic Tale, and other Poems;" which, but for the failure of her publisher, would have produced her fifty pounds. If, however, she suffered pecuniary disappointment in this instance, she obtained what was dearer to her, the encomiums of the critics; and these were so encouraging that she was inspired to achieve greater and increasing triumphs. Thenceforth she became for several years a constant contributor to the "Literary Gazette," in which her magical initials first appeared, September 22, 1821. From this period her literary career was most active and brilliant. Besides a large collection of minor poems, &c., she published "The Improvisatrice" in 1824; "The Troubadour " in 1825; "The Golden Violet" in 1826; "The Venetian Bracelet" in 1829. Her first prose work, "Romance and Reality," which we are glad to see now forms one of the many entertaining volumes of "The Standard Novels and Romances," was first published in 1830. In 1831, and the seven successive years, L. E. L. edited Fisher's "Drawing-room Scrap-Book." In 1835 were published "Francesca Carrara,' and "The Vow of the Peacock;" and, in 1836, “Traits and Trials of Early Life," and "Ethel Churchill." During this period she also contributed largely to periodicals and annuals, and edited various illustrated books. Her writings are characterized by that true test of genius, originality, by vividness of imagination, by considerable depth of feeling and penetration into the workings of the human heart. In facility of composition she has been rarely equalled, for few writers were more fascinated with the genuine love of authorship. The personal history of L. E. L. partook of sorrows as well as joys. If her success in the literary world gratified the natural craving of her mind, she suffered afflictions by the loss of some of her nearest relations; but, worst of all, her gentle spirit was made to feel the most poisonous shafts which malevolence can direct against the honour of a woman. The world is too prone to believe any scandalous assertions that are put forward; and the reparation it makes for its false opinions is often tardy, and never equal to the injury it inflicts. Let us hope that the many able pens which have borne testimony to Miss Landon's purity and worth have obtained her entire and perfect justification. On the 7th of June, 1838, L. E. L. was married to Mr. George Maclean, the Governor of Cape Coast, at St. Mary's, Bryanstone Square. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart. assisted at the ceremony, and gave away the bride. On the 5th of July she sailed with her husband from Portsmouth, and on the 15th of August they landed at Cape Coast. Her calamitous fate, only a few months later, is well known. On the 15th of October she was found on the floor of her own room, dying, with a bottle of prussic acid in her hand. The painful mystery that shrouds her fatal end must ever remain unexplained. There is no evidence on record to show that her married life was unhappy; on the contrary, her late husband stated, on oath, that no unkind word had at any time passed between them. It cannot be proved that the act was wilful on her part; and perhaps the best solution that can be offered is, that it was the result of accident. Thus died, in her thirty-sixth year, the highly gifted being who had been so long a favourite with the public. The following description of her is derived from the "Life and Literary Remains of L. E. L., by the late Laman Blanchard." "Her hair was darkly brown, very soft and beautiful, and always tastefully arranged; her figure slight, but well-formed and graceful; her feet small, but her hands especially so, and faultlessly white, and finely-shaped; her fingers were fairy fingers; her ears also were observably little. Her face, though not regular in any feature, became beautiful by expression; every flash of thought, every change and colour of feeling, lightened over it as she spoke, when she spoke earnestly. The forehead was not high, but broad and full; the eyes had no overpowering brilliancy, but their clear intellectual light penetrated by its exquisite softness; her mouth was not less marked by character; and, besides the glorious faculty of uttering the pearls and diamonds of fancy and wit, knew how to express scorn, or anger, or pride, as well as it knew how to smile winningly, or to pour forth those short, quick, ringing laughs, which, not even excepting her bon-mots and aphorisms, were the most delightful things that issued from it." THE LEGEND OF FAIR AGNES. FROM THE DANISH OF OCHLENSCHLAGER. Alone, alone, fair Agnes sits upon the wild sea-shore; She marks the dancing sun-bright foam, she lists the billows roar. The salt waves meet beneath her feet, the spray around her flies,— A coat of mail enclosed his form, of scales all silver-bright, A spear, pluck'd from the coral beds, his graceful arm did wield, "Thou fairest of earthly dwellers! my song is sung to thee, Wilt thou hear of the nameless wonders that hide beneath the sea ?" "What gallant youth shall plight his troth, and woo me for his bride, To quit my home with him to roam, whatever fate betide?" "Oh, hear me, Agnes, hear my song, despise not thou my vows! Be thou my queen,-in me, I ween, thou 'lt find a loving spouse. "Below the sea is deck'd for thee, a palace fair and light, Pearls gem the floors, both walls and doors are framed of crystal bright. “A pearly car shall bear thee far, o'er ocean's depths to ride, Full swiftly thro' the watery fields thy chariot shall glide; "Within my bowers, bloom fragrant flowers, of every clime and hue, So gently fluttering to and fro, amid the waters blue. "Then plunge with me beneath the sea, my regal state to share, Her hand she gave, he through the wave, fair Agnes safely bore; SECOND PART. Fair Agnes sits within her bower, all weary and alone; She hears the sounds that call to prayer, the church-bells' distant tone. Of sad full memories, she seeks her husband, weeping sore, -"Then go, but, Agnes, hear me ! make not too long a stay, VOL. XXIII. R R “Forget not thou, thine early vow, which thou didst pledge to me ; Forget not our young children, whose life depends on thee." Fair Agnes treads the shore again, she sees the bright blue sky, The warm sun streams his golden beams upon her from on high. Fair Agnes seeks the friend she loved, who nursed her in her youth, "Oh, mother dear! know'st thou not me? I am thy child in truth!" All turn'd away; "We know thee not, no Christian dame art thou, Fair Agnes went into the church, the pictures hung within, She trembled sore, her hope was o'er, she dared not kneel to pray; 'Twas evening hour, both tree and flower with sparkling dewdrops shone, When once again, towards the main, fair Agnes walk'd alone. Clasping her hands, she weeping stands, that miserable wife! Fainting, she sunk upon the grass, among the violets blue, The wild birds fluttering o'er her head, sing sadly as they fly, When darkness gathered o'er the shore, her eyes had lost their light, The crested billows onward roll with murmurs soft and low, |