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Memoirs of Lord Stanhope.

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that every line of it delineates the attri- "Collectumque premens volvit sub maribus bute; every sentence opens a picture of ignem.' some grand object in creation, character- "His eyes are as the eye-lids of the ized by its most striking features. Thus morning," gives us as great an image of the description of Leviathan may be the thing it would express as can enter nearer the truth than is at first view ima- the thought of man; and it is more than gined, and from the following expres- probable, that the Egyptians took their sions we think it to be the crocodile ::- hieroglyphic for the morning from this "Out of his nostrils goeth smoke."- very passage. "A flame goeth out of his mouth.' "His eyes are like the eye-lids of the morning."-See Job, chap. 41.

If Moses, as some think, was the author, it is not to be wondered that he, as an Egyptian, should have celebrated these two inhabitants of the Nile, the river horse (Behemoth), and Leviathan (Crocodile, and from their daily ravages around him, have given such a description as we find handed down to us in the book of Job. Dr. Shaw was also of opinion, that Leviathan was a crocodile, from the closeness of its skin; and it is considered as such in Calmet's DictionaJMAC

Naturalists say, that the crocodile, being long under water, is during that time obliged to hold its breath: this, when it emerges, having been long repressed, is hot, and bursts out so violently, that it resembles fire and smoke. The horse suppresses not his breath by any means so long, neither is he so fierce and animated; yet the most correct of poets ventures to use the same metaphor concern- ry. ing him :

D

MEMOIRS OF EMINENT PERSONS.

of parental fondness for the subject, by brooding over it for years. The various mechanic inventions and improvements which he brought forth or countenanced, have justly raised his name as a man of genius and a patriot: he not only cultivated the amelioration of the useful arts, as Architecture, Navigation, and Printing, but suggested some improvements in the more refined and elegant science of Music.

on the

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHARLES STANHOPE, EARL STANHOPE. IED at Chevening, Kent, Dec. 15, 1816, in his 64th year, CHARLES STANHOPE, Earl Stanhope. His death is justly considered a public loss. He had indeed eccentricities in public, and peculiarities in private life; but his claim on public gratitude on the score of services are, perhaps, as rare, as those powers of intellect with which he was unquestionably endowed. He uniformly zealously promoted the extention of Among his last parliamentary labours, human knowledge by devoting a large in the House of Lords, May 24th, proportion of his ample fortune, and a 1816, Earl STANHOPE rose yet larger portion of his time and thoughts, order of the day for his motion respectto experiments in Science and Philoso- ing weights and measures. The quesphy. If his objects in public were tion, which he had to propose was, sometimes impracticable, they were whether their Lordships thought it right neither sordid nor selfish. to have scientific persons to deliberate on the best means of establishing a true standard for weights and measures. "If any plan of mine is adopted," said Lord Stanhope, "it shall be of this description-it shall be a plan founded on nature, for I deprecate any other. I cannot be satisfied if the standard yard of the country is to be 108 barley corns in length; neither can I approve of admeasurement by the acorn or horse

The great and useful national work, for which he was peculiarly qualified, and to which he had for a long time applied the most earnest attention, was, a Digest of all the Statutes-a work of such stupendous labour, as well as information, that few persons can be expected to set about it with vigour, unless, like Lord Stanhope, they had acquired a sort 2G Eng. Mag. Vol. I.

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chesnut. If you were to adopt any sons, for the purpose of considering how standard so ridiculous, would not you far it may be advisable to establish, with justly excite the laughter of all nations? his Majesty's direction, a more uniform What would foreigners say to a barley system of weights and measures." The corn standard, for a nation famous for Earl of Liverpool said, "the meamathematicians; the country of Newton, sure recommended was one of science, Hutton, Simpson, Napier, and M'Claur- but he considered there was a variety of in"? He was desirous of avoiding the practical information necessary, therefore inconvenience of adopting a standard the commission should not only consist suddenly. He would introduce it in the of men of science, but a number of perway the new style had been brought in. sons with practical knowledge, persons When the endeavour was first made to learned in law, and others." The introduce the new style, and assimilate motion was agreed to, nem dis. this country with others, there was no His Lordship was born Aug. 3, 1753; objection but one :-Several persons and received his education at Geneva, took it into their heads that Parliament which gave, it is supposed, its tincture to had robbed the nation of eleven days, to his politics; succeeded his father Philip, make a present of the same to the Hano- the late Earl, March 7, 1786; and verians. The present new style had been married in Dec. 1774, Hester Pitt, eldest generally adopted, but it was not gen- daughter of William, first Earl of erally used. The Noble Earl knew a Chatham, sister of the present Earl and place in England, where the old style of the late Right Hon. William Pitt. was used at the present time. In order His Lordship married, secondly, in 1791, to bring weights and measures to a Louisa, only daughter of Henry Grenproper standard, he should propose an ville, Esq. late Governor of Barbadoes, address to the Crown, to appoint proper by whom he had issue Philip-Henry persons, lawyers, and others, to consider Viscount Mahon, now Earl Stanhope, the subject. They ought to be persons and two other sons. belonging to Parliament; and, in order

to insure a proper communication between

EDMUND KEAN,

the Commission and Government, there OF THE THEATRE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. should be at least three members from MR. KEAN was born in 1789. His

each House. Out of respect to the father was an architect, and a country, Scotch and Irish Peers should man of considerable talent; he was form a part. Among the Irish Repre- distinguished in the debating clubs of sentatives, there was one whom he con- that day, as an elegant speaker and sound sidered the most proper in the kingdom reasoner. His mother was a daughter to be in the commission, the Earl of Ross. of the well known George Saville Carey. Among the sixteen Peers, he selected the Mr. Kean had the benefit of instruction Earl of Aberdeen. There was one at Eton, and continued there, we unwhom he should also choose as the first derstand, more than three years. mathematician in Europe, Dr. Hutton. Family circumstances, however, renA person in the Royal Society, Dr. dered him familiar with the stage from Wollaston, he should require, because his earliest life. He made his debut at that learned person entertained a differ- the very tender age of three years, as a ence of opinion on certain points, which Sleeping Cupid in Cymon; whether would lead to enquiry, and produce the the plaudits he received in this charactruth. Earl Stanhope then named, in ter fired his youthful soul, we cannot addition to the above distinguished per- say; but when he arrived at the maturer Bons, Dr. Gregory, Colonel Mudge, of age of six, we find him acting a more the Royal College of Woolwich, Dr. important part, that of one of Falstaff's Vince, of Cambridge, Professor Playfair, pages, at Drury-lane. He was remarked and others. He concluded by moving, at this time by the Performers to be "That an humble Address be presented a child of uncommon abilities; and, into the Prince Regent, requesting his fluenced, perhaps, by the specimens of Royal Highness would be pleased to mimicry which he had observed in his appoint a commission of scientific per- uncle (the famous Moses Kean, so wel!

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Memoirs of Edmund Kean.

known as a Ventriloquist), he was in the habit of delivering various speeches from Richard, Lear, &c. in the manner of the most admired actors.

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agreement with him, and concluded one for five years, at a salary for the first year of sixteen pounds per week, to be increased for the second to eighteen It was after this that he was placed at pounds, and for the three last years to that seminary to which we have alluded; twenty pounds per week, with a benefit but while still a youth, in fact a mere each season. They further made him a boy, he returned to the stage, and per- present of a hundred guineas. They formed in many subordinate parts at the have no reason to regret their liberality Haymarket. He now adopted the pro- (which certainly does them credit), for fession of an Actor, and accepted of their house fills on the night of Mr. Kean's various provincial engagements; and, performing in a manner unparalleled in having become a member of a company the former history of either house. The that went to Exeter, Teignmouth, present Drury Lane Theatre was built

Dorchester, &c. his abilities became ex- to hold about six hundred and thirty posed to the observation of good judges, pounds, but Mr. Kean usually returns excited interest, and attracted attention. nearly seven hundred into the treasury. Soon after the present Drury-lane Theatre Mr. Kean was married at an early was opened, Mr. Kean addressed the age to a young lady from Ireland, who committee, requesting an engagement, is now living to enjoy her husband's but was informed the establishment was fame and prosperity: they have had filled up. He was thus for the time two children, one of whom died at an disappointed in his wish to tread the early age. Mr. Kean's person is very London Boards in a more exalted walk small, considerably under the middle than he had before occupied. Still, height, his voice not prepossessing; yet however, he went ou increasing the with these disadvantages did he give a admiration, and adding to the number high interest to his performance, and of his friends; and, at length, Dr. excite those emotions which we ever Drury, of Teignmouth, addressed Pascoe feel at the presence of genius; that is, Grenfell, Esq. M.P. stating that his great the union of good powers with fine merits were in a manner lost for want of sensibility: it was this gave fire to his a fit opportunity to shew themselves, and eye, energy to his tones, and such a urging him to contribute his assistance variety to all his gestures, that one might in the laudable effort of removing them almost say, "his body thought." An to a larger sphere of action. Mr. eminent theatrical critic observes, that Grenfell spoke to Mr. Whitbread, and the Shylock of Mr. Kean has not the such interest soon accomplished what vehetnent force of Mr. Cooke; yet, as a the unsupported solicitations of Mr. Kean himself failed to effect.

whole, it was little inferior, and in one or two passages. the debutant struck out beauties perfectly original. Mr. Kean did not possess the same boldness of sketch, but he gave some touches that declared the master artist. In the scene where the pretended judge asks to look at the bond, we could not but admire the eagerness with which Mr. Kean perused the face of the supposed lawyer; while he read over the instrument, his eye fairly reeled with joy. His conception of the speech,

Mr. Kean's first attempt, in consequence of his engagement at Drury Lane, was, the part of Shylock. He gave great satisfaction to the few who saw him. His merits, however, became more and more buzzed about; and his first performance of Richard the Third was to a full house, and drew forth applause as unusual as the talents that excited it. We shall merely observe, that his scene with Lady Anne, and his dying scene, were deemed prodigies of excellence. It was this night which crowned his wishes, and redeemed the was new and excellent. He delivered Theatre in which he performed from the passage in a tone and humour borthe ruin that threatened it. The Com- dering on the ludicrous: it was the bitmittee, fully sensible of the treasure ter ironical joke of a man sure of his they had ined, cancelled their original darling purpose, and, as ho thought, just

"An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven; Shall I lay perjury on my soul?”

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about to triumph in his iniquity. The cause; but the power of his intellect is next touch was even better-Portia tells too great to be subdued by passions, Shylock to procure a surgeon for An- and he sets in array all those arguments tonio; Shylock asks if it is so expressed which withheld the wretch from dying: in the bond; Portia allows that it is still, however, clinging to the miserable not, but advises him to do it for charity; side of the subject, with a tenacity which Shylock looks at the bond, and answers, marks both the intensity of his grief, and his severe regret that he must not touch "I cannot find it, 'tis not in the bond;" the forbidden land: in this state of mind which he delivered with a transported he turns round and sees Ophelia; he is chuckle, different from Mr. Cooke and surprised and vexed that he has been other performers, who always uttered it overheard; but his thoughts are too with a savage sneer; his inmost heart much elevated for bitterness or paltry seemed to laugh, that no obstacle now pique, and he addresses her as so pure remained to the completion of his murderous purpose. This was a fine touch

of nature.

a being ought to be addressed. Mr. Kean treated her with mournful gravity, and not with noisy railing; and, at the end, as he was leaving her, afraid that even this treatment had been unkind, he returned to her with the humi lity of a man who thinks he has offended a virtuous being, and kisses her hand; at once to re-assure her, and to vindicate himself. This noble touch was applauded to the very echo. The scene with his mother was managed with equal talent; we, therefore, will undertake to promise him, that his fame shall last as long as the heart of man shall beat in response to the appeal of nature.

The full force of Shakspeare's mind seems to have been portrayed by Mr. Kean in the character of Richard; indeed, we should think that none but a man of kindred intellect could give an adequate image of such a model: this, however, Mr. Kean has done : he had not been on the stage two minutes, nor repeated half a dozen lines, before there was an universal feeling, that no common being had come forward to challenge our attention; there was no mock heroic in his acting: his death scene was the grandest conception, and executed in the most impressive manner; he fights desperately, he is disarmed, exbausted of all bodily strength, he dis- against it; and his exertions, thus dains to fall, and his strong volition forced, produce a sententiousness and keeps him standing; he fixes his head, formality, from which, at other times, full of intellectual and heroic power, he is altogether free. directly on his enemy; he bears up his His success at Drury-lane, we are chest with an expansion which seems told, has been such as to induce the swelling with more than human spirit; but he is only man, and he falls, after this sublime effort, senseless to the ground.

He played the part of Hamlet to the understanding, and not to the eye; he never forgot that he was personating a philosophic prince, so immersed in the depth of melancholy reflections as to become indifferent to all earthly matters, except his revenge, and at last to be careless even about that.

He came on the stage with slow steps, and a fixed sorrow on his countenance; and repeated the famous soliloquy on death in a tone of pathos that touched every heart, He looks about for reasons to justify the execution of his wish for suicide; and, in the eloquence of an abundant sorrow, soon shews ample

There is a coarseness in his voice, on some occasions, that is unfavourable to him, because he is forced to labour

managers to double his salary, besides
having presented him with 100l. The

attraction of Mr. Kean at Drury-lane
has set the Covent-garden managers on
the alert.
Mr. Young has been started
against Mr. Kean in the characters of
Richard, and Hamlet; and the public
are likely to derive much pleasure from
the spirit of competition that has been

aroused.

* At both theatres an improvement has been made in the Tent-scene; instead of the old and bad custom of introducing the ghosts of Henry, Lady Anne, and the children, to Richard, through the noisy traps, is now substituted their appearance through a far more imposing medium; they are discovered in a kind of blue mist, which gives them a truly supernatural appearance. The managers are entitled to much praise for th, good effect produced by this alteration.

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Poetry.

POETRY.

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foe!

But 'tis not the day-star which gleams thro'
the gloom,

A glimmering hand beckons on to my doom!
Boy, fill the rich bowl! let its nectar refine
The last bitter drop of the life I resign!
Think oft, while the death-volley rolls on the
blast,

The toils and the pangs of thy master are past!
One cup to the land of our fathers is due,
One draught to the hearts that are tender and
true!

To her who at twilight still lingers unseen,
And seeks the last print of thy feet on the
green!

Fill, boy, fill it high !---let thy heart's glow exhale

Thy tears, as the sun drinks the dew from our vale :

The gale of cold honour our laurel may wave,
But only love's dew keeps it green on the
grave!

The Black Hussar has turn'd his steed
Thro' Plaven's ruin'd dale,
Where famish'd wolves and vultures feed,
And court the poison'd gale:
Where'er the battle-shout was heard,
His steed that sable warrior spurr'd:
Now while the moon looks pale,
His fetlocks deep in curdled blood
He laves in Plaven's silent flood.
Beside that war-steed's bending neck
A fairy-form of beauty stands---
It seems as if the river-queen
Had shap'd an elf of courtly mein
And dipp'd in balm her dewy hands,
The coral of his lips to deck,
Or robb'd her fairest coronet
Its pearls between those lips to set,
Or woven in her amber loom,

Soft locks to mock the gold-bird's plume,
And from a river lily's bell

Lent whiteness in his brow to dwell;
Then sent him to her bow'rs to lead
Sir Conrade and his gallant steed.
"Now, good Sir Conrade, heed me well!
Tempt not the forest wolf to-night,
Nor tread alone this ruin'd dell!'

You flash is from the watch-fire's light,
Which guides the robber to his cell!"
"Art thou my boy, a soldier's page,

And shrinks thy heart from midnight spell,
O leave to cold and coward Age

The tales which cloister'd dotards tell!
My arm is firm, my sword is just,
No other omen claims my trust!"
"Yet hear me, noble Conrade, now!
Beneath you hollow mountain's brow
A meagre sybil sits alone,

And mutters to the scowling skies;
She well might seem a form of stone,
But that a strange and speechless moan
Seems from her yellow lips to rise:

Ere to the tents of gallant men
Thy bounty led me from this glen,
That meagre sybil's warning tone
Well to my infant ear was known.
O tread not near yon baleful cell!
Thou hear'st her wand'ring goblins yell !"

"Cheer, cheer thy heart, my gentle boy!
"Tis but the shout of gypsy-joy:
Yon watchfire shews the vagrant crew,
Whose chiefs the wanton elk pursue;
From Saxon fields and cities chas'd,
Rich Temeswara's grape they taste;
And oft the Vaivod's fur-clad dame,
Soft-smiling thro' her azure veil,
In whispers tells some cherish'd name,

And fondly hears their mystic tale.
Now round the bowl, with fearless glee,
They sing of love and liberty."

Back starts his steed--Ce spur is vain-..
Where is the page that held his rein?
Beneath this caveru'd valley's shade,
Have shiver'd rocks his feet betray'd?
These dizzy steeps and caverns grim
Ask keener eye and firmer limb :---
O'er bush and crag the warrior springs,---
With shouts the hollow mountain rings.
Who lurks within yon silent lair?
No beauteous boy is shelter'd there!
A meagre, wan, and shapeless hag
Smiles grimly thro' the clefted crag.
The prophetess of Elba's realm,
The far-fam'd Witch of Hohenelm!
"Listen and speak, thou hoary dame !
If here, as Saxon tales relate,
Thy gifted eye can look on fate,
Thou know'st my birthright and my name:
And thou may'st tell what vengeful pow'e
Shall crush thee in this hated hour
If charter'd plunderers annoy
My gentle page, my orphau-boy !"

Thrice, mutt'ring low, the hoary dame
Cower'd scowling o'er her dusky flame,
Thrice wav'd her staff with mystic clang,
And thus in hollow discord sang.
"The Vaivod sat in the lonely dell,
And saw the sabbath which none must tell :
He knelt unseen by St. Monan's cross,
While the night dew hung on its wither'd

moss,

Till once in the hour of darkness there
The witch of the mountain heard his pray'r.

"Thou shalt build a dome on southern land,
Where olives bloom by the sea-gale fann'd:
But none must the light of thy hearth behold,
Nor wandering guest thy gates unfold,
Till t'y bride proves pure as the mountain-
stream,

The forest-dove, and the mild moon's beam!"

The moss on the Vaivod's porch grew green,
The light of his hearth was never seen;
He heard no sound but the water's fall,
No guest but the ghosts of his mould'ring hall;
Yet his bride seem'd pure as the bud that
blows

In a sunbright cleft among Alpine snows.

The beam of her azure eye was meek,
The dimple dwelt in her fading cheek,

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