act. I as which is a rolled his eyes to heaven, hestamped, he exclaimed, O! Monsieur Racine! O! Monsieur Racine! the man mean, said the prince. What could asked him what was the matter we came out, continued the gentle. man, and he said, what sir, did you never hear of Monsieur tragedy of Alexander, Racine's finished piece? His friends had all assured him it was an excellent tragedy, and they had good reason for say. ing so. Trusting to their judgment he gave it to Moliere's company to What followed? It was damned the first night. Racine was extremely chagrined at this disappointment, and reproached his friends with their want of judgment or fidelity. O, said they, the tragedy is excellent, but Moliere's company excel only in comedy, and they spoiled it in acting. Give it to the Burgundy hotel and you'll see it will meet with applause. He followed their advice, and the piece gained him great reputation. Now this is my case. I composed the sermon which you just now heard. opinion of connoisseurs it is a finished prece. Unhappily I gave it to this vile, executioner to preach, and you see what effects it produced in his ungoverned mouth. Where he should have elevated his voice, hardly hear him, and in the so.t and you could tender parts, where he should have melted his audience, the beast bellowed like a mad bull. But I'll play Monsieur Racine with him. I'll take my sermon from him and give it to somebody who knows how to pronounce it." In the It is now high time to tell you in the usual routine of epistolary correspondence, "I am well, your friends here are well." They got your letter a month after it such is oft the consequence of comwas written; and mitting a letter to this and the other friend to carry, for the purpose of saving the triting expense of postage. Let my brother know his friends are well. I am glad to hear you experienced friendship from him. Hospitality is a prominent, and amiable feature in the character of a true born Hibernian, pliments to Messrs. my old pupils. Give my kind com They will, by this time, have learned. whether it be a good way for boy's [Feb. hastily to ramble over and prematurely hurry to a college. the classics, For what you may need, write timeous post for want of looking an inch bely the head is often run against a fore the nose. A little money is a necessary requisite in a distant country. It has been alleged that travelling, or living in Scotland is cheaper than in Ireland; and for what reason I bounds with know not. This island certainly ainnkeepers know better how to charge the necessaries of life. a greater profusion of for their bill of fare. Perhaps our naturally studious, the less money As you are students are invariably at most exwill you require: the idle and flashy stance, that so much cash goes out pense. It is an unpleasant circum. lege expenses, for which we have, of this country yearly, to deiray col at least in kind, no return. lege is much wanted in the north of A colIreland. uise. A seminary, possessing the power properly qualified Irish Professors of conferring degrees, furnished with alike open to the reception of Probe the high honour of the province testant, Catholic, and Dissenter, would of Ulster. It would both promote people of Belfast were they, with the reputation and interest of the expediting the completion of their heart and zeal, to draw together in projected university. scarce necessary to say, endeavour to To you it is ful mental accomplishment. It would have value received, in some be a fruitless aventure indeed, to return as most do, with pocket, and also as some have done, an empty with an empty head. You desire to see the Belfast magazine: it will be found at Brash and Reed's. This periodical work deservedly increases in its credit by continuing to exhibit literary and useful topics, instead of disgraced some such prints. The taste that low and coarse wit, which has gratified, should be weaned from that of the populace instead of being ribaldry and meaness which excite a interspersion however of a flash of decency and sense. The occasional momentary laugh at the expense of genuine wit produces a seasonable re laxation from the perusal of cool and critical ratiocination. I recollect nothing remarkable since your departure, unless the singular occurrence of Bonaparte divorcing his Empress Josephine, but this is known all over the world, and the more singular report which has prevailed of his desired union with a princess of the house of Brunswick by way of ratifying a lasting peace with England. You will see, the Gazettes of Europe are roaming in the regions of connew bride jecture, in search of a for the eccentric Emperor of France. I am, sir, as I have room to say no more, your friend: it is enough, where realized, and too much where S.E. it is not. Ballynahinch. For the Belfast Monthly Magazine. IN every human production we must expect to find truth alloyed with falsehood. Even in the most upright minds the passions possess more power to biass, than the subjects of their influence could have supposed; and if this take place in histories of modern times, we may reasonably expect the same in histories of remoter periods, written too under unfavourable circumstances, The early records of all nations may at once be dismissed as fabulous, or if thought worthy of being preserved, they may be presented to the antiquarian, as the historian justly thinks them unworthy of his notice. Light however dawns, but at differ. ing periods, on the records of different nations, until we at length come .0 and substituted the wild detail of The following passage is taken 66 "The sun, which illumines the firmament in the universe of royalty. and dominion-the moon, that irradiates the sky of monarchy and felicity; in other words, the king, who in pomp resembles Gemsheed at the close of night offers up his devotions to the true deity. "The sun of the heaven of prosperity and empire, the shadow of God, the asylum of the universe, the splendour of whose instructive front causes light and gladness to the world, increases the splendour of Jehrokah khas u aum by his presence. On his auspicious approach the kettle drum of joy proclaims the same aloud. Then pass in review fleetsteeds; renowned elephants, resembling mountains; gentlemen of the sword and pen, valiant and cautious; archers, piercers of stone; club bearers, destroyers of ranks; matchlockmen, dilapidators of mountains. All the servants, struck with veneration and attachment on beholding the august countenance, are lost and immersed in wonder and amazement. Notwith-. standing they are so much pressed together, they do not presume to converse one with another; but, having closed their lips with the seal of silence, and girded up the loins of obedience, listen to commands inevitable as the decrees of fate; and in the road of. obedience and compliance, outstrip the lightning and the wind." The preceding, which is a fair specimen, presents rather the hyperbolic possess as much to guide our steps, as can consistently be expected. This observation holds generally; but, like every general rule, has an exception, and a remarkable one, in the Persian history. Its records commence with an early period, as those of other histories, but with more appearance of consistency and truth: they descend as low, but do not improve, as others, * The book, whence this extract is Or in the valuable qualifications of history. ade, gives no clue to find, when I believe where Shah Jehan reigned. The very latest of the Persian histories him to be the descendant of Miranshah, abound almost as much in fiction, third son of Tamerlane, and that absurdity, and anachronism, as the ascended the throne, established by earliest, and the best of them seem to have forgotten the duties of history, Tamerlane, A. D. 1627. 315097 language of poetry, than the sober, philosophic language of history, and is more fitted for exciting distrust of the description, than confidence in the narrator. On the whole, much credit does not seem due to the Persian historians; yet as they are almost the only recorders of Persian affairs, some at tention should be paid to them; and even suppose their compositions to be little superior to romance, we may value them, like the Arabian nights, for the incidental information contained in them of their customs and manners. A confirmation of this view of the Persian historians, which may be also extended to the other Orientals, is to be found in the preface to an epitome of Persian history, by W. Ouseley esq. After an enumeration of various historical works, he proceeds to say: "But few of these historical compositions in prose afford more useful or curious information to the Persian antiquary, than the great heroic poem of Ferdousi intitled, Shah Nameh, or Book of Kings, composed in the 10th and 11th centuries of the Christian æra, from some original annals in the Pehlavi language, which escaped the general destruction of Persian books when the Musulmans invaded and conquered Iran. This celebrated work contains in more than sixty thousand distichs, the ancient records of Persia, from Caiumaras to Yesdegerd, inter, spersed with astonishing fiction and romance." Here we have a decided superiority over all prose histories ajudged to a composition, whose nature compels a deviation from the strict line of truth, and whose very epithets detract from its credit. Besides, the foundation, or what may in one sense Le called the real, on which the fictitious has been erected, is a series of annals in a language, of which the very traces are obliterated long since. Nor was the Pehlavi the language of Ferdousi's time; and we are now to believe, that a language, becoming obsolete nearly 700 years ago, furnished annals of such clearness, solidity, and truth, as to form for a work like this a base, on which we might repose our belief! Add to this, that Ferdousi is acknowledged to have interspersed Some astonishing fiction and romance. of the wilder parts of these orna ments may be easily distinguished from the probable and the possible: but it is conceivable, that fiction in some parts may produce both_the probable and the possible; and in that case, we shall have no clue to distinguish between the true and the false. Any reference to the original materials is impracticable, as they have long since perished. Hence it appears, that we cannot place much confidence in the Oriental historians, when the most celebrated writer among them deais professionally in fiction. Still it may be not uniteresting to know, in what manner they represent themselves: and in what respect they agree with--how differ from Greek and Roman writers of cotemporary periods. With the view of facilitating this pursuit, this Essay has been drawn up, to introduce a sketch of Persian history, on the ground of the beforementioned epitome, by Mr.-—now, Sir Wm. Ouseley. To the Proprietors of the Belfast Magazine. THY judgments great God! are full of French hymn as in your magazine for December 1809, page 423. I imagine your correspondent S. is desirous of an elegant poetical translation, which neither my abilities nor inclination permit-in my opinion the praise of Addison on this subject (nuch as I admire his writings) is very inappropriate; for what sincere Christian can imagine that a man, let him have been ever so wicked, if he repent and turn from his wickedness, can fail of partaking of the di vine clemency; I am at a loss to conceive how this clemency can require his perdition, and how the interest of the Supreme Being can be in opposition to the ultimate happine s of even such a wretch. Y.R. Dublin, Jan. 11, 1310. To the Proprietors of the Belfast Magazine. GENTLEMEN, I HOPE you will have the good ness to insert in your respectable Magazine, the following extract from Dr. Rees' New Cyclopedia. article Education, which may serve to exhibit still more clearly the necessity of a radical reform in the present system of national instruction, adopted in this country, as well as in many other parts of the British empire; and it is also highly gratifying to observe, how exactly the sentiments of the learned writer of that article agree with those of your ingenious correspondents on the same subject. I am sir, yours, &c. Dublin. Dec. 12, 1809. PHILOMUSUS. "Happy had it been for Britain, if the "warning counsels, the prophetic page" of Currie*, had been listened to and followed by her statesmen. As far as our relation with other nations is concerned the time is past; but we may yet profit by those representations which show us what is to be done in order to raise the intellectual and moral character of the nation at large. It is not improbable that national reformation will begin with national distress; but it is not too much to say, that a per *D. Currie, the ingenious Editor of Burns' Works, &c. manent reformation in the condition and character of the poor, can only be brought about by a well-directed attention to their education, in connection with a proper regulation of the laws relative to the indigent poor. Whether in the counsels of an ali wise Providence, it is decreed, that Britain should be thrown from the lofty pinnacle to which she has elevated herself, time can only deter mine; but it appears clear, that the surest way of avoiding national judgments, is by endeavouring, each in his station, to reform those evils which affect our conduct and character as a nation; and in this point of view also, the communication of knowledge to the poor, may be considered as a national benefit, and as a probable means of lessening national punish ment." Cyclopedia, Vol. XII. part To the Proprietors of the Belfast Magazine. AN ESSAY ON PUBLIC ADDRESSES. OOKING over an old newspaper a few days ago which contained an account of the late jubilee, with many feats of eating drinking, &c. performed by his Majesty's good and loyal subjects, to testify their joy. on that great and important occasion : and reading of so much good cheer, with the many loyal toasts drank, my thoughts were naturally led to contemplate the satisfaction his Majesty must receive on hearing of his good subjects being so very full of loyalty, roast beef, and wine, all at once, in perfect joy for his long and glorious reign. I also observed that addresses had not been totally wanting, to congratulate his Majesty, which doubtless were truly acceptable to the royal ear, as they mentioned nought of grievances, inisconduct of ministers, parliamentary reform, nor Catholic emancipation. Now, addresses seem to me, generally, a species of flattery most destructive to princes; for the addressors, usually, instead of pointing out any errors in the conduct of the person they address. only," "fool them to the top of their bent," by a fulsome panegyric, ending with a profession of loyalty, which has often proved more destructive to their true interest, than the most secret machinations of conspirators. It is not my intention at present to take a view of this long and glorious reign," but proceed to insert a few extracts from the addresses of former times, convinced that the prince who implicitly contides in such stuff, and believes them to breathe the genuine sentiments of his people, is greatly deceived, for experience has proved, the addresses of a few obsequious placemen and pensioners to be of Title use, if the hearts of the people are wanting. Richard Cromwell was pressed in upwards of 600 addresses, to take that government upon him, which a few months after, his addressers took from him. Innumerable addresses were presented to James II. on his accession to the throne, cities, towns, and corporations, all pressed forward on the occasion to express their attachment, by the most servile adulation; from which however I must except that of the quakers: "We are come" (said they) "to testify our sorrow for the death of our good friend, Charles, and our joy for thy being made our governor. We are told that thou art not of the persuasion of the church of England no more than we; wherefore, we hope that thou wilt grant us the same liberty which thou allowest thyself; which doing, we wish thee all manner of happiness." Many were the addresses presented to James in. * No such address was ever presented by the quakers, notwithstanding the assertion of Echard and Heyman. It was the invention of some wit of those days to ridicule the blunt phra-. seology of the early quakers, and perbap to contrast the unmeaning flatteries of addressers. In this latter view it has some point. The following is the address, which was really presented, and contained as much adulation, as to render it pretty palatable. TO KING JAMES THE SECOND. The humble application of the people called Quakers. "Whereas it has pleased Almighty, favour of that dispensing power, which the men who presented them, soon after converted into a reason for dethroning him; his profligate minister the earl of Sunderland, at the very time he was betraying him to the prince of Orange, was encouraging him in every step which proved his uin. About a month before the prince of Orange landed at Torbay, the lord mayor, aldermen, Sheriffs, &c. of London, made use of the following words (addressing James) “ we beg leave to assure your majesty that we shall with all duty and faithfulness, cheerfully and readily, to the utmost hazard of our lives and fortunes, discharge the trust reposed in us by your majesty." The lords, archbishops, and bishops of Scotland, concluded with these words. "Not doubting that God will still preserve and deliver you, by giving you the hearts of your subjects, and the necks of your enemies.” The grand jury of Middlesex shortly after the delivery of the queen, in their address said, God (by whom kings reign) to take hence the late king Charles II. and to preserve thee peaceably to succeed, we, thy subjects heartily desire that the giver of all good and perfect gifts may please to endue thee with wisdom and merey, in the use of thy great power, to his glory, the king's honour, and the kingdom's good. And it being Our sincere resolution, according to our peaceable principles and conversation (by the assistance of Almighty God) to live peaceably and honestly, as becomes true and faithful subjects, under the king's government, and a con scientious people that truly fear and serve God, we do humbly hope that the king's tenderness will appear, and extend with his power to express the same, recommending to his princely clemency the case of our present suffering friends hereunto annexed.” B.M.M. |