126 DE QUINCEY'S AUTOBIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES.-CELESTIAL LOVE. From the New Monthly Magazine. WHY, gifted with such powers to send abroad as fugitive periodical and magazine? has too Caverns there are within his mind which sun superlative fun, its mirthful originalities of mood and manner. There are "bits" of magnificent prose that stand alone for splendor of diction and passion of sentiment in the English language. We have no space for quotation at this late period — no opportunity to show how the future Opiumeater was initiated, yet an infant, in premature spiritual conflict, and in the stern habit of thoughts that lie too deep for tears- -or how an elder brother ruled the nursery with a sway of which the present chronicle gives the most ludicrous record imaginable- or how the autobiographer was introduced to the warfare of a public school, how he entered the world, how he bivouacked in the "nation of London," and pilgrimized amid the beauties and strifes of Ireland. But we could not forbear the utterance of a most cordial welcome to this volume, A parti-colored show of grave and gay, which we trust the "leafy month of June" CELESTIAL LOVE. In part these miscellanies are to be viewed as entirely new; "large sections have been intercalated in the present edition, and other changes made, which, even to the old parts, by giving very great expansion, give someIN the Celestial Empire love-matters are times a character of absolute novelty." Mr. managed by a confidant, or go-between, and de Quincey proposes to group the collected the billets-doux written to one another by the articles under three general heads first, a papas. At Amoy a marriage was recently class which proposes primarily to amuse concluded between the respectable houses of the reader, but which, in doing so, may or Tan and O; on which occasion the following may not happen occasionally to reach a higher epistles, copied from the Panama Herald, station, at which the amusement passes into passed between the two old gentlemen: an impassioned interest;" secondly, "those From Papa Tan: "The ashamed younger papers which address themselves purely to brother, surnamed Tan, named Su, with the understanding as an insulated faculty, or washed head makes obeisance, and writes do so primarily" (including, ex. gr., the this letter to the greatly virtuous and honoraessays on the Essenes, the Caesars, Cicero, ble gentleman whose surname is 0, old &c.); and, thirdly, a far higher class of com- teacher, great man, and presents it at the positions in virtue of their aim, " modes of foot of the gallery. At this season of the impassioned prose ranging under no prece- year the satin curtains are enveloped in mist, dents" in any literature, viz., the "Confes- reflecting the beauty of the river and hills; in sions," and the Suspiria de Profundis. the fields of the blue gem are planted rows of willows close together, arranging and diffusing the commencement of genial influences, and consequently adding to the good of the old The present volume is autobiographical, dating from the "Affliction of Childhood" in its earliest germ, onwards to the experiences of fervid youth. Nothing can surpass the touching power, the profound grandeur, the psychological interest of this extraordinary narrative-unless it be its sallies of year. "I duly reverence your lofty door. The guest of the Sue country descends from a good stock, the origin of the female of the Hui country likewise (is so too). You have * Selections, Grave and Gay. From Writings received their transforming influences, republished and unpublished, by Thomas de Quincey.sembling the great effects produced by rain, Vol. I. Autobiographic Sketches.) London : Groombridge and Sons. 1853 † Prelude. much more you, my honorable nearly-related uncle, your good qualities are of a very rare is not worthy of becoming the subject of verse. "Now I reverently bow to your good words, and make use of them to display your goodbreeding. Now I hope your honorable benevolence will always remember me without end. Now the dragon flies in the Sin Hai term, first month, lucky day. Mr. Tu makes obeisance. May the future be prosper order. I, the mean one, am ashamed of my- From Papa 0: The younger brother surnamed O, named Tus, of the family to be related by marriage, washes his head clean, knocks his head and bows, and writes this marriage-letter in reply to the far-famed and virtuous gentleman surnamed Tan, the venerable teacher and great man who manAt this season the heart ages this business. In external appearance, these letters, as we learn from the Panama paper, are equally "Each of them is about the size curious: of one of the Citizen's pages, and consists of a rich frame composed of something like our papier maché, inside of which is artistically folded a scroll of richly-tinted crimson paper, studded with the golden letters that convey the words of love and modesty. The outer surface is likewise emblazoned with a quantity of raised work, respecting robes of honor, tails of distinction, the smallest of all small shoes, peacock's feathers, and a variety of other equally tasteful designs, which are supposed to be emblematic of the vast acces sion to the wealth and honor of both contracting houses, that may be expected to flow from the union of the gallant Su Tan, junior, and the accomplished Miss Tu O.” PENNY POSTAGE TO THE COLONIES. - Mr. Elihu Burritt offers as an argument for direct Penny of the plum-blossom is increasingly white; at Postage beyond the seas the following curious the beginning of the first month it opens its statement, to the effect that to a large extent it -"Newspapers petals. The eyebrows of the willow shoot out exists at present as an evasion.their green; when shaken by the wind it are now transported to most of the colonies for displays its glory, and grows luxuriantly into nothing. The penny stamp that pays the postfive generations. T is matter of congratula- age on a copy of the London Times from London tion the union of 100 years. I reverence your to Edinburgh, pays it also from Scotland to Nova lofty gate. The prognostic is good, also the Scotia. The difference on the postage of this divination of the lucky bird. The stars private matter in comparison with the charge are bright, and the dragons meet together. imposed upon manuscript correspondence, works In every succeeding dynasty office will be in this way. A vast number of old newspapers and other periodicals are sent to the colonies, held, and for many a generation official vestand other countries, not with the slightest expectments will be worn-not only those of your ation that they will be read, but merely to family surname will enjoy all the afore-men- convey to distant friends what may be expressed tioned felicity --more especially will your in the manuscript direction on the band or abilities honorable gentlemen who possess cover; and the eye of parental, filial, or fratergreat and deep, whose manners are dignified nal affection can read many lines of precious and pure. I, the foolish one, am ashamed of meaning in a simple direction written by a wellJohn Hawkins Greytown, New my diminutiveness. I for a long time have known hand. desired your dragon powers, now you have not Zealand,' receives an old English newspaper by a looked down upon me with contempt, but sailing packet, post-marked Long Sutton, Linhave entertained the statements of the match-colnshire. No one but John Hawkins knows maker, and agree to give Mr. Kang to be united to my despicable daughter. We all wish the girl to have her hair dressed, and the young man to put on his cap of manhood. The peach-flowers just now look beautiful, the red plum also looks gay. I praise your son, who is like a fairy horse who can cross over through water, and is able to ride upon the wind and waves; but my tiny daughter is like a green window and a feeble plant, and He whose hand penned those simple words. Post Office will allow his mother or father to send him for a penny. So they are written on the cover of an old newspaper weighing two or three ounces, instead of a sheet of note-paper weighing half an ounce. The poorest of the poor can send these newspaper-letters to their friends across the sea- and send them they do by tens of thousands weekly. There are in them only a few kernels of wheat to a bushel of chaff; but, as the chaff is transported for nothing, the bulk is not regarded by either party." 'TWEEN DECKS OF THE FROZEN SHIPS.-Before we enter on the subject of returning spring, and the new occupations and excitement which it called forth, let me try to convey an idea of a day spent in total darkness, as far as the sun was concerned. Fancy the lower deck and cabins of a ship lighted entirely by candles and oil-lamps; every aperture by which external air could enter, unless under control, carefully secured, and all doors doubled to prevent draughts. It is breakfast-time, and reeking hot cocoa from every mess-table is sending up a dense vapor, which, in addition to the breath of so many souls, fills the space between decks with mist and fog. Should you go on deck and remember you go from 50 degrees above zero to 40 degrees below it, in eight short steps -a column of smoke will be scen rising through certain apertures called ventilators, whilst others are supplying a current of pure air. Breakfast done and from the jokes and merriment, it has been a good one there is a general pulling on of warm clothing, and the major part of the officers and men go on deck. A few remain, to clean and clear up, arrange for the dinner, and remove any damp or ice that may have formed in holes or corners during the sleeping hours. This done, a muster of all hands, called " divisions," took place. Officers inspected the men and every part of the ship, to see that both were clean, and then they dispersed to their several duties, which at this severe season were very light; indeed, confined mainly to supplying the cook with snow to melt for water, keeping the fire-hole in the floe open, and sweeping the decks. Knots of two or three would, if there was not a strong gale blowing, be seen taking exercise at a distance from the vessels, and others, strolling under the lee, discussed the past and prophesied as to the future. noon, soups, preserved meats, or salt-horse, formed the seamen's dinner, with the addition of preserved potatoes, a treat which the gallant fellows duly appreciated. The officers dined somewhat later-2 P. M. A little afternoon exercise was then taken, and the evening meal, of tea, next partaken of If it was school-night, the voluntary pupils went to their tasks, the masters to their posts; reading-men producing their books, writing-men their desks; artists painted by candle-light; and cards, chess, or draughts, combined with conversation, and an evening's glass of grog, and a cigar or pipe, served to bring round bedtime again. Monotony was our enemy, and to kill time our endeavor; hardship there was none; for all we underwent At in winter-quarters, in the shape of cold, hunger, or danger, was voluntary. Monotony, as I again repeat, was the only disagreeable part of our wintering at Griffith's Island. Some men among us seemed, in their temperament, to be much better able to endure this monotony than others; and others, who had no source of amusement such as reading, writing, or drawing — were much to be pitied. Nothing struck one more than the strong tendency to talk of home and England; it became quite a disease. We, for the most part, spoke as if all the most affectionate husbands, dutiful sons, and attached brothers had found their way into the arctic expeditions. - Stray Leaves from an Arctic Journal, by Lieutenant Osborn. From Household Words. CHOOSING A FIELD-FLOWER. Hill, or brake, or meadow yields. Flag or Poppy we 'll not gather, Briony or Pimpernel, Purpling Vetches, crimson Clover, Sad Forget-me-not 's a token Full of partings and mishaps; Nor the Meadow-sweet's perfume. Azure, scarlet, pink, or pearly, Rustic friends in field or grove, Each of you I prize full dearly, None of you is for my Love. Wild Rose! delicately flushing All the border of the dale, Do not shed a leaflet slender, LITTELL'S LIVING AGE.-No. 478.-16 JULY, 1853. POETRY: Live-Legged Tables - The Ivy in the Dungeon, 129; The Voice, 130; Heavenly Husbandry-Communion of Saints - Defeated Manœuvres, 165. SHORT ARTICLES: Lake Fishing Sports in Winter-Stoning Cherries before they Grow, 148; First Use of Gas, 152; New Cave-Sterling Money, 160. NEW BOOKS, 130, 192. From Punch. LIVE-LEGGED TABLES. HEY! The world goes on improving, Disconnected, spinning still. In my boots or in my bed? Walking on my heels, or making Progress with inverted head? All discoveries this surpasses, Which of marvel are a theme, None will now remark, but asses, "Wonderful invention, Steam!" What will 't lead to, that's a question To be pondered on - because It concerneth our digestion, Which must rather give us pause. CCCCLXXVIII. LIVING AGE. VOL. II. 9 At our dinner whilst we 're sitting, Heedless of our prayer to tarry, THE IVY IN THE DUNGEON. BY CHARLES MACKAY. THE ivy in a dungeon grew, But through the dungeon grating high The ivy felt a tremor shoot It grew, it crept, it pushed, it clomb Its clinging roots grew deep and strong, It reached the beam- it thrilled, it curled, It felt the life of bursting spring, By rains and dews and sunshine fed, Upon that solitary place Its verdure threw adorning grace; An edition of the Useful Knowledge Society's Memoir of Watt, printed in raised type for the use of the blind, and published by the Bristol Asylum. The ordinary Roman characters are the types used, and judiciously. In learning an alphabet, one form of letter or sign is as readily learned as another, and almost as readily recognizable by touch. At all events, the common forms of English letters, if not the easiest that could be contrived, are not by any means the most difficult; while the utility of being taught them far outweighs any supposed advantage to be gained by some special characters. This publication is to be followed by others of an instructive and entertaining as well as of a religious kind. — Spectutor. The Evidences of Christianity as exhibited in the Writings of its Apologists down to Augustine. By W. J. Bolton, of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. of style, but full of information about the apoloA painstaking work, rather wanting in force their arguments well digested, classified, and pregetical writings of the Fathers, and exhibiting introductory essay on the uses of an acquaintance sented with clearness. The plan is to give an with the reasonings of the Fathers in favor of Christianity, which is followed by a short critical and biographical notice of each Father. The arguments themselves are classed under seven heads, and are ascribed to the respective authors, and often given in their own words. This of necessity involves some repetition, and the continual presentation of authors nominatim interrupts the regular march of the reasoning. The book, however, is less to be looked upon as an artistical treatise, than as a collection of welldigested and often curious matter. Spectator. THE principal reïssue of the week is the first volume of Mr. De Quincey's miscellaneous writings; to which speculation he has been stimulated by the success of an American edition, published by Messrs. Ticknor, Reed and Fields of made the author "a sharer in the profits, called Boston, who not only made the collection, but upon to do so by no law whatever." The entire series in the American edition amounts to twelve volumes. What the English may extend to does not appear. The work opens with the Autobiographical Sketches. Spectator, 28 May. |