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Review-The Royal Minstrel.

semblance to that which our English Mæonides has introduced. Infernal consultations are frequently held, and demons, and holy angels, are full of employment, either to thwart or to execute the designs of God, whose purposes, at length, rise superior to every obstacle, and finally place David on the throne of Israel.

The language which the author has employed, is strong and nervous; and in general his versification is smooth and harmonious. The various episodes are judiciously introduced, and the characters of the speakers and actors well supported. In a poem which extends through 400 pages, the narrative, which begins with taking the hero from the sheepfold, and ends with placing the diadem on his head, moves onward with a tardy pace; but for this languid movement, the reader is amply compensated, by the numerous incidents to which the eventful biography of the shepherd king gives

birth.

The descriptions, in many places, add new charms or horrors to the scenery, which we are called to witness; and the similes are selected with much judgment and care. In his narration, the author has rigorously adhered to the scripture history, without availing himself of all those liberties, which the sons of the muse have on most occasions a right to claim.

With what success the author's poetical labours have been crowned, in the sale of his publication, we do not know; but we have no doubt, that in proportion as it becomes known, it will command a deservedly extensive

sale.

As a specimen of the author's descriptive powers, we give the following passages from the commencement of the poem. The scene to which we are bere introduced, is a consultation between the Witch of Endor and an assembly of demons and weird sisters, on the best means of overthrowing Saul the king of Israel.

"DARK was the night, and loud the tempest rav'd,

As on the strand the hag of Endor stood,
Which skirts the blue-rob'd sea of Cinneroth;
High wav'd her wild locks on the passing blast,
And thrice, with potent witcheries and spells,
She call'd the guardian dæmon of the isle,
That in the centre of the troubled deep
Rose forest-crested, and begirt with rocks,
Which never fisherman, by evening star

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Or moonbeam, visited; for horrid sights,
And sounds unholy, had been seen and heard
By some whom storms had haply on its shores
Night-founder'd. Soon to view appear'd the
fiend,

Crossing the mountain billows; round him shone
A ghastly radiance from the robe he wore,
Of green and purple flame, which through the
Beam'd like a meteor waving on the winds
gloom
That hurried howling by him! Soon embark'd
The witch to reach the isle; terrific grinn'd
Her ferryman, as on the midnight waves
Their skiff, embosom'd in a whirlwind, rode;
And glaring lightnings shot their hissing bolts
Against the upstart surges' foam-crown'd

heads.

Dire was the war of thunders, winds, and

waves,

shore !

And to its dark foundation shook the isle
As, mutt'ring charms, the sorc'ress touch'd the
On to th' enchanted cavern now she mov'd
With strides gigantic! while at every step
Serpents and noxious reptiles hiss'd around,
More frightful than the brinded snake that kill'd
The bride of Orpheus on her nuptial day.

storm!

Now met her glist ning eye; her wither'd hand "The brazen portal, 'mid the yawning rocks, The magic horn, that by a golden chain Hung from a beetling cliff of adamant, Seiz'd dauntless, and a blast so loudly blew As drown'd the thunder, and with fearful clang From rock to rock re-echoed through the with instantaneous crash asunder flew The massy gates! when straight appear'd a den Of vast extent, and full of loathsome sights! The witches' Pandemonium, and the haunt Of spirits foul, and monsters terrible! More gloomy than that grim Trophonian cave, Within whose portal he that enter'd once Was never seen again to wear a smile! A blazing altar midst the cavern stood, Compos'd of grinning skulls which Murder's Cemented close with blood! enormous snakes, More hideous than the Amphisbæna dire, Slime-gender'd Python, or the horn'd Cerastes, Roll'd in horrific volumes round its base! A scaly dragon with extended wings,

hand

More monstrous than Chimæra, o'er the fumes
Of burning spells, that from the altar rose,
Hover'd with eye of basilisk most dread!
Beneath him stood th' infernal cannibal
Eurymone, grinding with hellish jaws
A malefactor's foul unburied bones!

War,

The dæmons, Rapine, Famine, Plague, and
Despair, and Suicide, his offspring mad,
And Murder, with his hands all dy'd in blood,
Of fell diseases, hand in hand danc'd round
Joining the train, a sin-begotten crew
To mystic measures; while their emperor
Death

So hideous grinn'd, that Nature quite expir'd!
Hither from Lapland, and Siberian wilds;

ale

*

Was now arriv'd a strange and motley throng
Of most unsightly hags, to celebrate
Their dread mysterious orgies, and o'erthrow,
By mortal and infernal agency,

Their enemy, th' anointed son of Kish,
With all his troops in Elah's vale encamp'd."

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Wesleyan Missionary Meetings.Literary Notices.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY MEETINGS.

THE interest which these Anniversary Meetings continue to excite, seems to increase as their numbers multiply. When first Missionary Meetings were established, some fears were entertained, that when the novelty subsided, which was supposed to have given a momentary impulse to benevolent feelings, they would languish for the want of support; and, like many other charities, retain little more than a name. We are happy, however, in stating, that thus far fact appears to contradict these surmises; and it may be confidently stated, that expectation is now turned into an opposite channel.

On Monday, April 16, Messrs. Watson and Taylor, from London, Dr. Adam Clarke, and several other public characters among the Methodists, visited CHESTER. The Rev. J. Wood, was called to the chair. The meeting was numerously attended; and the animated speeches which were delivered, excited a most lively interest. The collections at the meeting, and on the preceding day, exceeded £100.

On Tuesday the 17th, most of the leading individuals who attended the meeting at Chester, honoured the Anniversary, in Brunswick Chapel, LIVERPOOL, with their presence. Dr. Adam Clarke was called to the chair. This meeting was completely thronged, not merely by the persons composing the Methodist Society and Congregation, but by persons of various denominations. The Rev. Mr. Ward from India, Dr. Stewart, and the Rev. Mr. Philip, kindly rendered their assistance. Never, perhaps, was a more pleasing impulse given to the general feeling, on any similar occasion. The details which were communicated respecting the state of the Heathen world, and the progress which Christianity was making in the dark and distant regions of the globe, so riveted the attention of the persons present, that although the meeting continued five hours, they seemed unwilling to separate.

The meeting, being adjourned to Pitt-street chapel, recommenced at six o'clock, on the evening of the following day, and continued until ten. In this chapel the same feelings were excited by a further development of

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similar facts and incidents; and the same spirit of benevolence was displayed, which had manifested itself on the preceding day. The collections made in the various chapels, in connection with this occasion, amounted to £304.

On Good Friday, the Missionary Anniversary took place in Manchester; and, as might be expected, from the known character of the people, was numerously attended and most liberally supported. The collections amounted to £340.

Literary Notices.

A weekly periodical work has lately made its appearance, entitled, "The London Medical Record," price 6d. which contains many valuable articles.

"The Cottage of Pella," a new Poem, by John Holland, Author of Sheffield Park, &c.

is ready for the press, and will speedily be published, price 3s.

Preparing for immediate publication, a Series of Portraits, illustrative of the "Novels and Tales of the Author of Waverley.

Looking unto Jesus, and other Works of volume, or 20 numbers, from the Caxton 1saac Ambrose, have lately appeared in one Press.

The 19th Part of the Universal History, by J. Aspin, which had been printed, but was destroyed with the Caxton Printing-office, will shortly be reprinted.

An Exhibition of Engravings, by living British Artists, is about to be established, Soho, London; the King's Most Excellent Majesty, Patron.

Just published, a Practical Treatise, on the Inflammatory, Organic, and Sympathetic Diseases of the Heart, &c. &c.; by Henry Reeder, M. D. Member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh, and of the Medical Society of London.

Also, Dr. Chalmers' (of Glasgow) Discourses on the Application of Christianity to the Commercial and Ordinary Affairs of Life, 8vo. 8s. boards.

Dr. Chalmers' Sermon on the Importance of Civil Government to Society, and the Duty of Christians in regard to it. 8vo. 1s. 6d.

Dr. Chalmers' Considerations on the System of Parochial Schools in Scotland, 8vo. 1s. Dr. Chalmers' Essay on Church Patronage, 8vo. 2s.

Dr. Chalmers' Christian and Civic Economy of large Towns, No. 7. on Church Offices.

Published Quarterly, price 1s. each number, a New Edition of Dewar on the Nature and

Obligations of Personal and Family Religion, greatly enlarged, with an extensive variety of Prayers for Families and Individuals. 8vo. 8s. boards.

The 18th Number of the Bee, from the Caxton Press, is just published.

In the Press,-Woman in India, a Poem, by John Lawson, Missionary at Calcutta, and Author of Orient Harping.

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Commercial Report.

A Nottinghamshire Farmer has in the press, and speedily will be published, Monopoly and Taxation Vindicated, against the Errors of the Legislature.

488

Publishing by Subscription, in 2 vols. 8vo. by a Young Lady, "The Royal Exile," or Poetical Epistles, supposed to be written by Mary Queen of Scots.

COMMERCIAL REPORT, LIVERPOOL, APRIL 21, 1821.

DURING the past month, the market at times has assumed features of much improvement, yet upon the whole, the proceedings have been of an irregular and vacillating character. Before we can expect a decided amelioration in general, we must look for some change in our commercial relations with foreign countries; the proceedings of the Committees in Parliament, continue to excite much interest; the projected alteration in the duties on Timber, it is anticipated will induce Russia to relax some of her prohibitions, with respect to British Manufactures; and in many other instances this alteration will act in a favourable manner, to the export trade of the country.

Already have the vessels of this port been seen in every part of the globe, with the exception of China; and although America enjoys the greatest proportion of this trade, whilst the private trader of this country has been excluded, yet it is now in the contemplation of Government, to throw open the trade between that country and the continent of Europe, to the British flag. The extension of this trade, cannot fail of being highly acceptable to the British shipowner; and must tend to facilitate the export of our manufactures to that interesting part of the globe.

Cotton has been in good demand during the last week; and consumers, as well as speculators, have been actively engaged in providing themselves: the quantity sold within the last six days, amounts to 10,900 packages; the particulars may be enumerated as under:

5742 Boweds, at 83d. to 104d.
170 Tennessees, 94d. to 9 d.
1161 New Orleans, 104d, to 13d.
402 Sea Islands, 15 d. to 2s.
1244 Pernams, 13d. to 13 d.
1085 Maranhams, 124d. to 13d.
315 Bahias, 11 d. to 12 d.
80 Paras, 11 d. to 11 d.

90 Demeraras, 11 d. to 14d.
120 Minas, 10 d. to 12d.
10 Barbadoes, 11d.

50 Cubas, 114d.

20 Carthagena, 8d.

70 Surats, 7 d. to 84d.

250 Bengals, 6d. to 7 d.

The inquiry for Boweds and Orleans was very animated; and prices have improved about d. per lb. Brazils have been in more request, but without experiencing any advance.

The late sales of Sugars have gone off more heavily; and the prices of middling and good qualities, are a shade lower. Prices :-Dry Brown, 57s. to 60s.; middling, 61s. to 68s.; good, 70s. to 76s.; fine, and very fine, 78s. to 83s.

In Coffee, the transactions have not been extensive, and public opinion seems to indicate a decline in this article; it is disproportionately high, compared with other W. India produce; the last sales consisted of 800 bags of St. Domingo and Brazil Coffee, on the 19th instant, which went off at a decline of 3s. to 4s. per cwt.: fair to fine ordinary St. Domingo, was sold at 109s. to 111s. per cwt.; middling Jamaica, at 122s. per cwt.

For Rum and other Spirits, the demand is very feeble, and sales are consequently very limited. Jamaica Rnm, 16 O.P. may be rated at 2s. to 2s. 4d. Geneva, 1s. 11d. Cognac Brandy, 3s. 6d. to 4s. per gallon; all under lock, exclusive of duties.

The stock of Tobacco diminishes sensibly, without any enhancement in value. The quantity now in Port, only amounts to 6868 hogsheads.

Pot Ashes, and Pearl Ashes, support their value, without any variation since our last. Tar and Turpentine.-Buyers are expecting lower prices, so that the sales during the week, comprise only 3500 barrels. American Tar, at 15s. to 15s. 6d. per barrel; and 1000 barrels of Turpentine, at 14s. per cwt.

The price of Carolina Rice, has attracted attention, and it is now selling at 14s. to 16s. per cwt. Dry Saltery Articles.-150 tons of Brimstone, forming a principal part of the stock on hand, have been sold at £23 per ton. Dyewoods are rather increasing in value. Lemon Juice finds a renewed consumption. The large Indigo sale in London, concluded on the 16th instant, with an advance of 9d. to 1s. per lb. on the preceding sale.

Pine Timber is in fair demand, at 19d. to 194d. per foot.

Oak Bark, for Tanner's use, is in request, and seems likely to be higher, in consequence of the little demand for Oak Timber. The importers of Dutch Bark, are expecting £8 per ton; and German Bark is held at £7 per ton.

Grain Market. At this day's market, the supplies of Grain and Flour were to a tolerable extent, all descriptions of which met with a dull sale, without affecting the value of any article materially; it was very difficult, however, in any instance to obtain late prices. Prime Malt, of more ready sale, at 7s. 9d. to 8s. 2d. per nine gallons. The supply of Oats was more than adequate to the demand, and sales were made at lower rates.

Several parcels of Clover Seed have arrived from France and America,-red sells at 68s. to 75s. per cwt.-white, 90s. to 100s. per cwt.

Flaxseed maintains its price, at 65s. per hogshead for Philadelphia-68s. for New York. Bonded Grain and Flour, are without inquiry.

PRINTED BY H. FISHER, LIVERPOOL, PRINTER IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY.

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MONTHLY OBSERVATIONS.

With a Catalogue of all really British Plants, as they come into Flower.

JUNE.

THE weather in this month is commonly fine, but often showery; and when there has been no storm about the vernal equinox, it may be expected to be stormy. The effects of this are soon felt by vegetable nature; fruit, which had acquired a sufficient size to afford the hope of approaching plenty, is in a short time destroyed; the corn, which sometime in the month comes into bloom, is considerably injured; and the hay, which is ripening fast, is either beaten to the ground as it stood, or is soaked, and its nutritive properties injured, by the continued rain, after it is mowed. In favourable seasons the weather is warm, and shade and water are welcome to cattle; oxen, in particular, resort to the river and pond, both to cool their bodies and to escape the attacks of noxious insects, more especially the Gadfly, which does not choose to follow them there. The tail is of great use on these occasions; and men have not yet judged it proper to deprive horned cattle of its protection; but the horse is left to run the pasture, where frequently shelter is impossible to be obtained, exposed to these small but tormenting enemies, without that defence which Nature had bestowed. The inhabitants of South America, where horses are bred in immense multitudes, are more considerate; and permit this useful animal to enjoy all the advantage which it can possibly derive from its full length of tail. Few changes take place in the feathered race in June. All seem busy about one object, the raising, feeding, and protecting their young. The Hen marches about with new cares and undaunted courage, at the head of a numerous brood; attacking with spirit the dog or horse, that approaches too near, but crying in agonizing notes No. 28.-VOL. III.

[1821.

at the distant appearance of a Kite. The last-named bird, actuated by love to its own offspring, pounces on the unconscious chickens where they are feeding in the midst of the children of the village; and notwithstanding their noise, and the opposition of the parent, carries them safely off. Cockchaffers (Scarabæus Melolontha) make their appearance, sometimes in such numbers as to be a nuisance. They feed on the leaves of trees, where they lie concealed through the day; in the evening they take wing and fly, apparently without being able to see far before them, against any object that comes in their way. They are a principal food of the Goatsucker, (Caprimulgus Europeus) a bird that has much the same habits as the Swallow tribe, save that it flies by night. It makes a very harsh and disagreeable noise late in the evening, as it stands perched on a tree, with its head lower than its tail. Insects abound in incalculable varieties. Their use in the economy of nature appears to be, to devour the offal of nature in all her kingdoms, except the mineral; bodies which the heat of the season would soon convert into putrefaction, rise again into life, though in another form; and the long line of being never ends. Some of them pierce the solid timber, and bring on a decomposition, which might otherwise have been delayed for many centuries. They themselves serve for food, either of one another. or of the higher order of animals. Most insects of the Moth kind, (Phalana) fly by night; and lie concealed by day in such places as they were able to select. Those colours and figures, which, as the workmanship of the Almighty painter, we find so worthy of admiration, are then more than an ornament to their possessors: some are figured like mouldy spots which we see on walls; some are yellow, brown, or white; and may, even on close examination, be mistaken for patches of lichen, decayed leaves, or dried sticks. They thus

21

491

Monthly Observations.

492

escape the observation of their ene- | pectorals, as in that fish. That delimies, until the evening again enables cate fish, the Surmullet, also arrives; them to move with safety. The there are two species of them known Death's-head Sphinx is one of the on the British coasts, the striped, and most extraordinary of these insects; common red Surmullet; but their it measures about six inches from the habits are similar; they keep near the point of one wing to that of the other; bottom, but pass from the Atlantic and is distinguished by a figure on ocean towards shallower water near the back, that closely resembles the the surface, and are taken at twenty head which is given to the figure of leagues from land, in nets spread for death; and from this, and being no Mackarel. They reach the shore about common insect, as well as from its Midsummer, and continue to be taken squeak when injured, a sound which until Michaelmas. When there is sufresembles that of a mouse, it has ficient water in the rivers, the Salmon been regarded by the superstitious as Peal (Salmo Eriox) advances towards an ill omen. But it appears to be a the fountain head to deposit its spawn. harmless creature, except that when This fish is taken at the distance of it abounds, as in particular seasons it sixty miles from land, yet is said has been known to do, it is found to to return to the same river to breed. plunder honey from the beehives; and | Animals of the natural order of MolHuber observed, that it was able to lusca, now abound; and particularly effect this without injury to itself, by the Medusa genus, which is seen keeping the bees quiet through a slowly floating, like masses of jelly, sound it uttered, which resembled the at different depths in the sea. They sound made by the Queen Bee. An- are, however, capable of moving with other species of Hawkmoth (Sphinx some degree of activity, by means of Stellatarum) flies by day, from flower their crenated marginal membrane. to flower, but never alights on them, Fishermen believe, that when in plenty, but extracts the honey by means of they indicate a favourable season of its long proboscis, while on the wing. Mackarel. The earliest summer fruits The beautiful colours of this insect now appear very seasonably. First glittering in the sun, dazzle the eyes; Strawberries, and then Cherries, are and moving as it does with great swift- brought to market; and the gardener ness, it has acquired the name of is on the watch, to prevent the SparHumming-bird Hawkmoth. Grassrow from having more than his share. hoppers chirp in every tuft of grass ; and the Cricket leaves its place of refuge under the kitchen grate, to wander through the streets, which, during the night, it renders lively with its merry note. Cats destroy numbers of these creatures. Sea fish now abound:

The sounds and seas, each creek and bay,
With fry innumerable swarm, and shoals
Of fish, that with their fins and shining scales,
Glide under the green wave, in sculls that oft
Bank the mid sea; part single or with mate

Graze the sea-weed their pasture, and thro'

Come into flower in June:-Enchanter's Nightshade, Circæa lutetiana; Pale Butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris; English Clary, Salvia verbenaca; Red Valerian, V. rubra; Marsh Valerian, V. dioica; Great Valerian, V. officinalis; Stinking Iris, I. foetidissima; Black Bog-rush, Schoenus nigricans; Marsh Club-rush, Scirpus palustris; Small Scabious, Scabiosa columbaria; Blue Sherardia, S. arvensis; Small Woodruff, Asperula cynanchica; Upright Marsh, and Wall Bedstraw, Galium erectum & anglicum; Wild Madder, Rubia peregrina; Greater Plantain, Plantago major; Hoary Plantain, P. media; Ribwort Plantain, P. The Garpike and Skipper (Esox lanceolata; Buckthorn Plantain, P. Bellone & E. Saurus) arrive from coronopus; Bastard Pimpernel, Cenwarmer latitudes; and the latter is tunculus minimus; Great Burnet, seen to rise as it is pursued by fish Sanguisorba officinalis; Dogwood, of prey, fly twenty or thirty feet, dip Cornus sanguinea; Dwarf Cornel, C. into the tide, and mount again, some- succica; Pellitory, Parietaria officinawhat after the manner of the Flying- lis; Common Ladies' Mantle, AlcheFish (Exocoetus); but the effect is ac-milla vulgaris; Parsley Piert, Alchecomplished only by the force of the milla Arvensis; Close-leaved shining, ail and dorsal fins, and not by the and curled Pondweed, Potamogeton

groves

Of coral stray; or sporting with quick glance Shew to the sun their wav'd coats, drop'd with gold.

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